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HISTORY
LYNN,
raci/tmisQ
ITNNFIELD, SAU6US, SWAMPSCOT,
NAHA.NT.
ALONZO LEWIS
JAMES E. NEWHALL.
BOSTON:
JOHN L. SHOREY, PUBLISHER,
13 Washimotos Street.
1865.
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EDtered according to Act of Congress in the year 1866, fay
Tames R. Newhall
In the Clerk's Office of the IMstrict Court of Massachusetts.
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PREFACE.
Alokzo Lewis, the accomplished historian of Lynn, died on
the twenty-first day of January, 1861. A few years before his
death he proposed publishing a new edition of his work, which
appeared in 1844, comprised in a volume of 278 pages. But
unforeseen obstacles occurred, and his design was never accom-
plished. The few papers left by him came into the possession
of the individual whose name is associated with his in the title-
page of this volume ; hot they proved of scarcely any value,
consisting as they did of loose notes, mostly in pencil, mixed
with surveying calculations, poetic effusions, and all sorts of
memoranda ; and a large portion were incapable of being deci-
phered. I was, therefore, compelled to lay almost every parti-
cle aside, and simply take his former edition, and add to it
such matters of interest as were derived from my own ori-
ginal investigations. It is probable that he intended to pre-
pare his work as it passed through the press, merely taking
care to keep just a-head of the printer; though it is barely
possible that some prepared pages may have been destroyed
by the fire which occurred at the cottage after his decease.
I have not felt at liberty to alter the text of Mr. Lewis —
excepting, of course, to here and there correct an obvious error,
like an error of the press, or mere slip in transcrihing — or in
any way make him responsible for matter not his own; and
hence have indicated by bracketa all the material additions and
corrections that I have made.
(iii)
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It IB quite impossible to avoid an occasional error in a work
of thia kiad. In the multitude of* dates, names, and. detached
facte, where there are no connectiona and associations to
prompt the mind, the most lively watchfulness will not be
rewarded with entire success. Errors of the press are particu-
larly liable to occur in works where figures are freely used;
because in fonts of type the figures are all of one sifee, while
the letters vary in their proportions, and the printer, who
readily distinguishes a wrong letter by the mere sense of feel-
ing is at fault with that sense, when his fingers seize a figure.
The closing lines of Mather's Magnalia are so apt, that the
temptation to introduce them here is irresistible: "Reader,
Carthagena was of the mind that unto those three things which
the ancients held impossible, there should be added this fourth:
to find a book printed without erratas. It seems the hands of
Briareus and the eyes of Argus will not prevent them." And
elsewhere he saya: "The holy Bible itself, in some of its edi-
tions, hath been affronted with scandalous errors of the press-
work; and one of tnem so printed those words, Psalms, 119,
161: 'Printers have persecuted me,' &c." It is, however, be-
lieved, with some confidence, that this volume will be found as
free ffom errors as a work of the kind can well be made.
It seemed necessary to bring along the histories of Lynp and
her municipal progeny — Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and
Nahant~in a united form,'as much confusion would ensue
from an attempt to separate what was so blended ; the tables
at the close of the volume, embrace all that it appeared requisite
to give in separate form.
I have followed Mr Lewis's plan, when giving quotations
from old records, of presenting them with all their vagaries of
orthography and syntax. Many have been puzzled to find a
reason for the diversity of spelling indulged in by the old
worthies ; they often seeming to have used every effort to
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give a word in as many shapes as possible. But I have come
to the eoaolusion that they were either curiously experimenting
with the language, or considered the style ornamental.
It may be observed that I have not been so prodigal of titles
as is common with some. But this should not be attributed
to a disposition to detract from the dignity of any one ; for
the fact is that "Esq." and "Hon." have now come to be so
profusely, improperly, and even ridiculously applied, that they
have ceased to become any thing like safe testimonials of rant
or worth. And it is quite refreshing to see a name without
meretricious adornment. It must be a weak name that cannot
stand without a crutch; and all titles of dignity, when worn
hy those whose lives do not become them, are debasing rather
than ennobling, impressing all well-ordered minds with a sense
of irony. But these remarks may be unnecessary, as it is hardly
probable that the omission o,f titles would be noticed by any,
excepting, perhaps, a few who might feel themselves wronged
by the omissLon, Anciently there was more discrimination in
the use of titles, if there was not less love of them. Mister or
Master was a title of dignity, awarded to magistrates, ministers,
doctors, and generally to those who had taken the freerpan's
oath ; and on some occasions individuals were deprived of it,
by special law, as a punishment. Goodman was the prefix of
those who had not attained to any dignity, nor had taken the
freeman's oath. Military titles were highly prized} and as
exposure to perils might be necessary for their legitimate
attainment the baptismal font was sometimes resorted to for
the bestowal; and it will be by no means a matter -of wonder
if "Honorables" are presently made in the same way. Conceit
and ambition have done a great many worse things. There
was a delicate, custom that prevailed to some extent even
down to the present century, which deserves mentioning — the
custom of giving to all respectable women who had attained
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middle life — those who had never been wedded as well as those
■who had — the prefix of Mra. or Miatress. This, however, is not
80 convenient, in some respects, as our custom, and has occa-
sioned errors among genealogists who did not keep it in mind.
In designating a particular century, I have adopted, in place
of the old form, a mode of expression that seems more readily
to fix the right time in the mind. Instead, for instance, of calling
the centHry beginning with 1600, the seventeenth, and that
beginning with 1700, the eighteenth, the first is designated as
century 1600, and the latter as century 1700. This seems in
accordance with the mode of expression usual in similar cases.
It may not be inappropriate to mention that the types for
every page of this volume were set by my own hands. There
are divers things necessary to the decent appearance of any
work, about which the author has, ordinarily, no occasion to
trouble himself; but when be is compelled to assume, the burden
his labors are greatly increased. The exactness required in
everything touching the mechanical department of book making
is a source of care and perplexity. And then, in a critical point
of view, the late fantastical innovations in the spelling, com-
pounding, and capitalizing of words, and the punctuating of
sentences, demand constant attention, if any thing like uniform-
ity would be preserved. But it may be unwise to volunteer dis-
closures that show responsibility. A local work, like this, must
always bo put through the press in the most economical way,
or pecuniary loss is sure to ensue; and the present is issued
not without apprehension on the point. But here it is, with its
imperfections on its head. It was prepared during hours filched
from the duties of an exacting profession, and sometimes from
needed rest. Yet the labor was pleasant. And if the reader
derives as much enjoyment from the perusal as the writer did
from the preparation, and he escapes absolute pecuniary loss, he
is ready to declare himself abundantly satisfied. J. R, N.
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OEDER OF THIS HISTORY..
CHAPTER I., Eegikning on Page 9:
Embracea Introductory Remarks — Notices of the Early
Voyages and Discoveries in and about our territory — An
account of the Indians found here, with brief Biograph-
ical Sketches of some of the more prominent — Topograph-
ical and general Descriptions, with notices of Natural
History and Phenomena — Facts concerning the Business
Enterprises and Employments of the Settlers, and their
Religious Character, Manners, and peculiar Customs,
CHAPTER 11., Begimbikg ok Page 111:
Carries forward our History, year by year, in the form of
Annals, giving all important events under the appropriate
dates, from the time of the first settlement, in 1G29, to the
year 1865 — interspersed with brief notices of prominent
individuals, and other matters deemed pertinent.
CHAPTER III. Beginning on Page 479 :
Contains Biographical Sketches of various Natives of
Lynn who from position, endowments or acta seemed enti-
tled to some special notice.
CHAPTER IV., Beginnikg on Page 575 :
Embraces various Tables — Lists of Public Officers, Names
of Early Settlers, Religious Societies and Ministers, News-
papers and Editors, etc. — together with Statistical Sum-
CHAPTER v., Beginning on Page 590:
Contains brief Concluding Remarks, alluding especially to
(Tii)
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VJU ORDER OF THE SISTORT.
the progreas of Lynn during the last twenty years —
and closing with' acknowledgments for the friendly assist-
ance received during the progress of the work.
THE INDEX, Beginnihg ok Page 593 :
Contains all the Surnames in the hook, alphabetically ar-
ranged in connection with the subjects. Names are so nat-
urally connected in the mind with events that it is thought
the arrangement will prove highly useful. A full index is
to a work of this kind of the first importance. Indeed a
good index is a valuable addition to any work. And the
object of the threat of Lord Campbeii to introduce a bill
into the British Parliament making it penal to issue a book
without an index, should be better appreciated by book
makers than seems generally to be the case.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Of the Illustrations in this volume little need be said, as for
the most part they explain themselves. But of the two Views
at the commencement, it may be remarked that in the one taken
from' the base of Sadler's Eock, every church steeple in Lynn
but three, to wit, the Union street Methodist, the Second Uni-
versal is t, and the South Street Methodist, is shown. On the
extreme left, appears High Rock, with its Observatory ; and
then come the steeples in this order : Second Baptist, First
Universalist, Chesnut Street Congregational, Central Congrega-
tional, Boston Street Methodist, First Methodist, Roman Cath-
olic, First Baptist, First Congregational; which brings us to
the extreme right of the picture. In the View from Forest
Place, proceeding from left to right, we have the First Congre-
gational, Second Universalist, Boston Street Methodist, South
Street Methodist. And thus the two pictures give every stee-
ple in town exceping the Union Street Methodist.
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HISTORY 01 LTNK.
CHAPTEE I.
General Remarks, page 9 — Early Voyages acd Discoveries, 25 — Nahant,
Grant of, to Capt. Gorges, 30 — The ludians, 32 — Indian Deed of Lynn,
49 — Topography and Phenomena, 56 — Shoes and Shoemaking, 86 —
Ancient Ferry ; Roads; Iron Works, 93 — Peculiar Customs and Doings in
Religious Matters, 100.
GEHEEAL EEMARKS.
When the collection of the facta composing this work waa
commenced, very little was known of the early history of Lynn.
It had not even been ascertained in what year the town was
settled-^ the records for the first sixty-two years were wholly
wanting — and the names of the early settlers were unknown.
It has been said that the Town Records were burnt, about the
year 1690 ; but that they were in existence long after that peri-
od, is evident fvora an order respecting them, on tlie seventh
of March, 1715, when the inhabitants voted that — "Whereas,
some of the old Town Records are much shattered, therefore,
so much shall be transcribed out of one or more of them, into
another book as the selectmen shall think best .... and the
selectmen having perused two of the old Town Books, and
find that the second book is most shattered, and that the oldest
book may be kept fare to reed several! years, think it beet and
order, that soe much shall be transcribed." A few pages were
thus copied, and the books were afterward destroyed or lost.
[In 1686, Oliver Purcbis waa elected Town Clerk. And
probably he kept the records in a careless manner, as subse-
quently this passage appears : " At a Town Meeting held ia
Lyn, May 16th, 1704, the town being informed that there waa
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10 HISTORY OF LYNN.
considerable concerns of the town lay in loose papers that was
acted when Capt. Purchis was Town Clark — therefore Toated,
that the present selectmen, with Capt. Theo. Eurrill, should be
a committee to sort all them papers and such of them as they
thought fit the Towne Clark to record in y" Towne Booke.'
The papers were accordingly sorted and some recorded. But
though among the rejected ones there were doubtless many con-
taining matters that would be highly interesting to the people
of this day, yet it is hardly probable that anything of real
value escaped.
[The sly censure on Mr. Purchia involved in the vote^
should, however, be a warning to all -delinquent clerks. And
had some who preceded him been a little more sharply looked
after it is not likely that we should be so destitute of what
we now mourn for as lost. Of late years our records have
been kept in a very perfect manner, and it is earnestly to
be hoped that the example they furnish may at no time in the
future be disregarded.
[It is well to bear in mind, however, that divers matters
which are now Considered entirely within the jurisdiction of
the towns themselves, were anciently taken cognizance of by
the General and Quarterly Courts. Town records were hence
deemed of comparatively small importance, and often kept with
little care ; far too little, when it is considered what mischief
might arise, for instance, from uncertainty respecting land alipt-
ments. But the living witnesses were then at hand, and the
necessities of the great future could not be anticipated. Yet it
is not believed that Lynn has greatly suffered from the loss of
her early records. Eichard Sadler was our first Clerk of the
Writs, acting also, it is presumed, in the capacity of Town
Clerk. And he was probably a man of education, as he after-
ward became a minister in England. No vestige of his jottings
are now known to exist. But should every scrap of his old
book — if, indeed, his records ever assumed a shape worthy of
so dignified a name — come to light, it is hardly probable that
it would compensate for a perusal excepting in the way of
curiosity ; for it appears almost certain that a knowledge of all
the doings of real importance has come down to ua through
other channels.
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GENEBAL HEMAEES. 11
[Where Mr. Lewis, a few lines hence, speaks of having discov-
ered a copy of three pages of the town records of 1638, he no
douht refers to those containing the land allotments. He found
the copy among the records at Salem. Now this fact shows
that the old authorities realized the importance of perpetuating
evidence concerning' the division, and hence had the pages
recorded where the record would be most secure ; if, indeed,
the law did not then require that all transactions concerning
real estate should appear in the county archives. And does
not this support the view just taken concerning the value of
the lost records? The great utility of a proper record of births,
marriages and deaths, was in former times seldom kept in view.
Our town books all along bear melancholy evidence of this.
And even now, it is hard to make some people realize how
important a record concerning even the most humble individual
may become somewhere in the future. Yery few come into tha
wprld, concerning whom it is not of consequence to preserve
some exact knowledge, however lowly may be the estimation
in which their own modesty induces them to hold themselves.]
In.myresearches I found several volumes of qld records of
births, marriages and deaths, commencing in 1675, in a very
ruinous condition, and caused them to be bound and furnished
with an index. The earliest record of the proceedings of the
town, now in existence, commences in tlie year 1691 ; and the
earliest parish record, in 1722.
I have examined every attainable source of information, to
supply the deficiencies of the lost records. I have discovered
numerous ancient manuscripts ; and among them a copy of three
pages of the old Town Records for 1638, and several in subse-
quent years, which providentially happened to be the pages
most wanted. I have also found a journal, kept daily for forty-
four years by Mr. Zaccheus Collins; and another, for twenty
years, by Mr. Eichard Pratt; in which they appear to have
noticed everything remarkable during those long periods, and
from which I have extracted many interesting particulars. I
have transcribed from the records of state and county, as well
as from those of town and parish ; and from numerous files of
unpublished papers. Indeed I have spared neither labor nor
expense to make this history complete. Not only have nume-
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12 HISTORY OP LYNN.
rotia Tolumes concerning early discoveries and settlements in
America been consulted, but the manuscript records of towns
and parishes in Great Britain and other European nations have
been explored.
It would have been quite as easy, in most instances, to have
conveyed the ideas in my oivn words ; but as I was delighted
with the quaintness and simplicity of the original language, I
thought that perhaps others might be equally pleased. More-
over, I like to hear people tell their own stories. Some histori-
ans have strangely distorted facts by changing the language so
as to fit their own fancies or conform to their own prejudices.
The records and files of our state government furnish much
information respecting our early history j but as they existed
when I began my researches, a vast amount of patience was
requisite to obtain it. Those papers were then tied up in hun-
dreds of small bundles and many of them bore the impress of
the mob. by whom they were trampled, in 1765. At my sug-
gestion they have been arranged in volumes and furnished with
an index ; so that future historians will be spared much labor
to which I was subjected. The papers in other public ofBces,
and particularly those of the Esses Court, at Salem, merit a
similar attention. [It would be more exact, perhaps, to speak
of the papers as the records of the Colonial Courts, as there
were three distinct jurisdictions within the present county of
Essex, to wit, the Salem, the Ipswich, and the Norfolk County
Court jurisdictions, each with different magistrates and clerks.]
People yet have too little veneration for their ancestors, and
too little love for their country, or it would have been done
long ago. The Massachusetts Historical Society, at Boston,
merit unbounded gratitude, for the care with which they have
preserved rare historical books and valuable manuscripts. [And
the local historian of Essex County has cause for gratitude to
the Essex Institute, at .Salem, for their exertions in rescuing
many things of interest and importance that were fast sweeping
down the tide to oblivion.]
I have given the names of more than three hundred of the
early settlers, with short sketches of the lives of many. [And
to these, in the present edition, a largo number have been
added,] I have also collected the names of many Indians and
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GENERAL EEMAEE3. IS
their sagamores, the fragments of whose history have become
BO interesting. This is the first attempt, in any town, to collect
the names all the early settlers, with those of the Indiana who
were contemporary with them. I trust that no person who ia
an inhahitant of Lynn, Or interested in the details of antiquity,
will think that I have been too particular. A proper attention
to dates and minuteness of circumstance, constitutes the charm
of history. And the actions and manners of men can never
cease to be interesting.
[These initiatory remarks of Mr, Lewis have been considered
by some as giving altogether too deep a coloring* to the igno-
rance that prevailed regarding our fathers, before he undertook
his work, and as unduly magnifying his own labors. But- it is
eminently true that the public in general were very deficient
in anything like esact knowledge of our history. And it is
astonishing how much of tbat ignorance still exists. Multitudes
who profess great interest in the study of the past, rest satis-
fied with knowledge in a most crude and loose fonn, and find
themselves quite incompetent to impart anything like .accurate
information to the inquh-er. The local historian is perhaps
most constantly baffled in pursuing family connections; for it
is not uncommon to find respectable people who do not know
the names of their grandfathers. This will scarcely be believed ;
but any one may relieve himself of doubt by experimenting
among his neiglibors. Those who have had experience like
that of Mr. Lewis can well comprehend the moving cause of
his expressions. And any of us would be better employed in
studying than in criticising his pages. There are, even in this
introductory chapter, exquisitely beautiful passages enough to
impart grace to an entire volume,]
There ia something so natural in inquiring into the history
of those who have hved before us, and particularly of those
with whom we have any connection, either by the ties of rela-
tion or place, that it is surprising any one should be found by
whom the subject is regarded with indifference. In a govern-
ment like ours, where every man is required to take part in the
management of puhlic affairs, an acquaintance with the past ia
indispensable to an intelligent discharge of his duties. The
knowledge of history was considered so important by the Mon-
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14 HISTOBT OF LTHN.
arch Bard of Israel, that he commenced a song of praise for its
enjoyment. And the relation in which we are placed cannot
render it leas important and interesting to us. To trace the
settlement and progress of our native town — to read the his-
tory of the play-place of our early hours, and which has been
the scene of our maturer joys — to follow the steps of our
fathers through the course of centuries, and mark the gradation
of improvement — to learn who and what they were from whom
we are descended — and still further, to be informed of the
people who were here before them, and who are now vanished
like a dream of childhood — and all these in their connection
with the history of the world and of man — must certainly be
objects of peculiar interest to every inc|.uisitive mind. And
though, in the pursuit of th'ese objects, we meet with much that
calls forth the tear of sympathy and the expression of regret,
we yet derive a high degree of pleasure from being enabled to
sit with our fathers in the shade of the oaks and pines of " olden
time," and hear them relate the stories of days which have gone
by. One of the most useful faculties of the mind is the mem-
ory; and history enables us to treasure up the memories of
those who have lived before us. What would not any curioua
mind give to have a complete knowledge of the Indian race ?
And what a painful want should we suffer, were the history of
our fathers a blank, and we could know no more of them than
of the aborigines? Our existence might indeed be regarded as
incomplete, if we could not command the record of past time,
aa well as enjoy the present, and hope for the happiness of the
future. Reality must ever possess a stronger power over the
minds of reasonable and reflecting men, than imagination ; and
though fiction frequently asserts, and sometimes acquires the
ascendancy, it is generally when she appears dressed in the
habiliments of probability and historical truth.
Among the pleasures of the mind, there are few which afford
more unalloyed gratification than that which arises from the
remembrance of the loved and familiar objects of home, com-
bined with the memory of the innocent dehghts of our child-
hood. This is one of the few pleasures of which the heart
cannot be deprived — which the darkest shades of misfortune
serve to bring out into fuller relief — and which the uninter-
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GENERAL REMARKS. 15
9 of the current of time tends only to polish and
to brighten. When wearied with the tumult of the world, and
sick of the anxieties and sorrows of hfe, the thoughts may
return with dehght to the pleasures of childhood, and banquet
unsated on the recollections of youth. Who does not remem-
ber the companions of his early years — and the mother who
watched over his dangers — and the father who counselled
him — and the teacher who instructed him — and the sister
whose sweet voice reprpved hiswildness? Who does not re-
member the tree under which he played — and the house in
which he lived—and even the moonbeam that slept .upon his
bed? Who has not returned, in sunlight and in sleep, to the
scenes of his earliest and purest joys ; and to the green and
humble mounds where his sorrows have gone forth over the
loved and the lost who were dear to his soul ? And who does
not love to indulge these remembrances, though they bring
swelling tides to his heart and tears to his eyes ? And whose
ideas are so limited that be does not extend his thoughts to the
days and the dwellings of his ancestors; until he seems to
become a portion of the mountain and the stream, and to pro-
long his existence through the centuries which are past? 0,
the love of home ! it was implanted in the breast of man as a
germ of hope, that should grow up into a fragrant flower, to
win his heart from the ambitions and the vanities of his life,
and woo him back to the innocent delights of his morning
hours. Sweet Spirit of Home I thou guardian angel of the
good; thou earliest, kindest, latest, friend of man! how nume-
rous are thy votaries, how many are the hearts that bow before
thy sway ! What tears of sorrow hast thou dried ; what tears
of recollection, of anticipation, of enjoyment, hast thou caused
to flow ? To all bosoms thou art grateful ; to all climes conge-
nial. No heart that is innocent but has a temple for thee ; no
mind, however depraved, but acknowledges the power which
presides, over thy shrine !
The advancement of the American colonies has been unpar-
alleled in the annals of the world. Two hundred years have
scarcely circled their luminous flight over this now cultivated
region, since the most populous towns of New England were a
wilderness. No sound was heard in the morning but the voice
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16 HISTORY OF LTNN.
of the Indian, and the notes of the wild birds, as they woke
their early hymn to their Creator ; and at evening, no praise
went up to heaven, but the desolate howl of the wolf, and the
sweet but mournful song of the whip-poor-will. The wild powah
of the savage aometimes broke into the silence of nature, like
the wailing for the dead ; but the prayer of the Christian was
never heard to ascend from the melancholy waste. The moun-
tains that lifted their sunny tops above the clouds, and the
rivers, which for thousands of miles rolled their murmuring
waters through the deserts, we're unbeheld by an eye which
could perceive the true majesty of God, or a heart that could
frame language to his praise. At length the emigrants from
England arrived, and the western shore of the Atlantic began
to hear the more cheerful voices of civilization and refinement.
PJeasant villages were seen in the midst of the wide wilderness ;
and houses for the worship of God, and schools for the instruc-
tion of children arose, where the wild beast had his lair. The
men of those days were compelled to endure privations, and to
overcome difSculties, which exist to us only on the page of his-
tory. In passing through the forest, if they turned from the
bear, it was to meet the woif ; and if they fled from the wolf, it
was to encounter the deadly spring of the insidious catamount.
At some periods, the planter could not travel from one settle-
ment to another, without the dread of being shot by the silent
arrow of the unseen Indian; nor could his children pursue their
sports in the shady woods, or gather berries in the green pas-
tures, without danger of treading on the coiled rattlesnake or
being carried away by the remorseless, enemy. ■ The little ham-
lets, and the lonely dwellings, which rose, at long intervals, over
the plains and among the forests, were frequently alarmed by
the howl of the wolf and the yell of the savage ; and often were
their thresholds drenched in, the blood of the beautiful and the
innocent. The dangers of those days have passed away, with
the men who sustained them, and we enjoy the fruit, of their
industry and peril. They have toiled, and fought, and bled for
our repose. Scarcely a spot of New England can be found,
which has not been fertilized by the sweat or the blood of our
ancestors. How greatful should we be to that good Being who
has bestowed on us the reward of their enterprise I
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GBKEKAL EEMAEK3. IT
EistoriaES and poets have written much in commendation of
the fathers of New England ; but what shall he said in praise
of those brave, noble, and virtuous women, the mothers of Now
England, who left their homes, and friends, and every thing
that was naturally dear to them, in a country where every lux-
ury was at command, to brave the perils of a voyage of three
thousand miles over a stormy ocean, and the privations of an
approaching winter, in a country inhabited by savages and wild
beaste ? If we are under obligation to onr fathers, for their
exertions, we are also indebted to our mothers for their virtues.
The day on which the May Flower landed her passengers on
the Rock of Plymouth, was a fatal one for the aborigines of
America. From that day, the towns of New England began to
spring up among their wigwams, and along their hunting-
grounds; and though sickness, and want, and the tomahawk,
made frequent and fearful incursions on the little bands of the
planters, yet their numbers continued to increase, till they have
become a groat and powerful community. It is indeed a pleas-
ing and interesting employment, to trace the progress of the
primitive colonies — for each town was in itself a little colony,
a miniature republic, and the history of one is almost the his-
tory of all — to behold them contending with the storms and
inclemencies of an unfriendly climate, and with the repeated
depredations of a hostile and uncivilized people, till we find
them emerging into a state' of political prosperity, unsurpassed
by any nation upon earth. But it is painful to reflect, that in
the accomplishment of this great purpose, the nations of the
wilderness, who constituted a separate race, have been nearly
destroyed. At more than one period, the whit© people seem to
havo been in danger of extermination by the warlike and exas-
perated Indians ; but in a few years, the independent Sassacus,
and the noble Miantonimo, and the princely Pometacom, saw
their once populous and powerful nations grad^ially wasting
away and disappearing. In vain did' they sharpen their toma-
hawks, and point their arrows anew for the breasts of the white
men. In vain did the valiant Wampanoag despatch his trusty
warriors two hundred miles across the forest, to invite the Ta-
ratines to lend their- aid in exterminating the English, The
days of their prosperity had passed away. The time had come
B* 2
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18 HISTORY OF LTSN.
when a great people were to be driven from the place of their
nativity- — when the lopg Hae of sachems, who had ruled over
the wilderness for unknown ages, was to be broken, and their
fires extinguished. Darkness, like that which precedes the
light of morning, fell over them; and the sunrise of refinement
has dawned upon another people. The pestilence had destroyed
thousands of the bravest of their warriors, and left the remain-
der feeble and disheartened. Feuds and dissensioDB prevailed
among the tribes ; and though they made frequent depredations
upon the defenseless settlements, and burnt many dwellings,
and destroyed many lives, yet the immigrants soon became the
ascendants in number and in power; and the feeble remnant
of the red men, wearied and exhausted by unsuccessful conflicts,
relinquished the long possession of their native soil, and retired
into the pathless forests of the west.
Much has been written to free the white people from the
charge of aggression, and much to extenuate the implacability
of the Indians. We should be cautious in censuring the con-
duct of men through whose energies we have received many
of our dearest privileges. And they who condemn the first
settlers of New England as destitute of all true principle, err
as much as they who land their conduct with indiscriminate
applause. Passionate opinion and violent action were the gen-
eral faults of their time. And when they saw that one principle
was overstrained in its effect, they scarcely thought themselves
safe until they had vacillated to the opposite extreme. Eegard-
ing themselves, like the Israelites, as a peculiar people, they
imagined that they had a right to destroy the red men as hea-
then. The arms which at first they took up with the idea that
they were requisite for self-defense, were soon employed in a
war of extermination. And the generous mind is grieved to
think, that instead of endeavoring to conciliate the Indians by
kindness, they should have deemed it expedient to determine
their destruction.
The Indians had undoubtedly good cause to be jealous of the
arrival of another people, and in some instances to consider
themselves injured by their encroachments. Their tribea had
inhabited the wilderness for ages, and the country was their
home. Here were the scenes of their youthful sports, and here
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GEKEBAL REMAEKS. 19
were tbe graves of their fathers. Here they had lived and
loved, here they had warred and sung, and grown old with the
hills and rocks. Here they had pursued the deer — not those
"formed of clouds," like the poetical creations of Ossian — but
the red, beautiful, fleet-footed creatures of the wilderness. Over
the glad waters that encircle Nahant, they had bounded in their
birch canoes; and in the streams aad along the sandy shore,
they had spread their nets to gather the treasures of the deep.
Their daughters did not adjust their locks before pierglasses,
nor copy beautiful stanzas into gilt albums ; but they saw their
graceful forms reflected in the clear waters, and their poetry
was'written in living characters on the green bills, and the sil-
ver beach, and the black rocks of Nahant. Their brave sachems
wore not the glittering epaulets of modern warfare, nor did
the- eagle banner of white men wave in their ranks ; but the
untamed eagle of the woods soared over their heads, and be-
neath their feet was the soii of freemen, which had never been
sulhed by the foot of a slave.
The red men were indeed cruel and implacable in their re-
venge ; and if history be true, so have white men been in all
ages. I know of no cruelty practised by Indians, which white
men have not even exceeded in their refinements of torture.
The delineation of Indian barbarities presents awful pictures
of blood ; but it should be remembered that those cruelties were
commifted at a time when the murder of six or eight hundred
of the red people, sleeping around their own fires, in the silent
reposo of night, was deemed a meritorious service. In resist-
ing to the last, they fought for their country, for freedom, for
life — they contended for the safety and happiness of their
wives and children ; for all that brave and high-minded men can
bold dear. But they were subdued ; and the few who were not
either killed or made prisoners, sought refuge in the darker
recesses of their native woods. The ocean, in which they had
so often bathed, and the streams which had yielded their boun-
tiful supplies of fish, were abandoned in silent grief; and the
free and fearless Indian, who once wandered in all the pride
of unsubdued nature, over our fields and among our forests,
was dnven from his home, and compelled to look with regret to
the shores of the sea, and the pleasant abodes of his youth.
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20 HISTORY OF LYNN.
A few, indeed, continued for some years to linger around the
ehorea of their ancient habitations ; but they were like the
spirits whom the Bard of Morven has described, " sighing in
the wind around the dwellings of their former greatness."
They are gone. And over the greater part of New England
the voice of the Indian is heard no more. We listen in silent
regret to the last faint echo of their reluctant steps in their
sorrowful jouriiey over the prairies of the west. We see their
long and faint shadows cast by the setting sun, as they thread
the defiles of the Rocky Mountaiaa in their despairing march
toward the far-off Pacific. A tew years, and they may have
plunged into that ocean from which there is no return, and the
dweller of a future age may wonder what manner of men they
were of. That they were originally a noble race, is shown by
the grandeur of their language, and by their mellifluous and
highly poetical names of places — the yet proud appellations
of many of our mountains, lakes, and rivers. It would have
been gratifying to the lover of nature, if all the Indian names of
places had been preserved, for they all had a meaning, applicable
to scenery or event. " Change not barbarous names," said the
Persian sage, " for they are given of God, and have inespreesi-
ble efficacy," The names of Saugua, Swampscot, and Nahant
remain ; and may they continue to remain, the imperishable
memorials of a race which has long since passed away.
[The thought here expressed, in relation to the language of
the Indians, is one that seems to have delighted other writers
as well as Mr. Lewis. But is it not rather fanciful than deep,
considering that words themselves are arbitrary and valueless
excepting in their external relations ? Any people with know-
ledge as limited as that of the Indians would necessarily use a
simple language and one that would be most directly illustrated
by familiar objects and events. The language of the red men
abounded in illustrations from nature, and hence to the lover
of nature possessed many charms, suggesting, it may be, to
the mind of the cultivated hearer poetical ideas, when none
existed in the mind of him who used it. Our more extended
knowledge supplies a language of greater scope, one that con-
tains all the simplicity and poetry of theirs with the additions that
flow from science, art, history, and numerous other sources not
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GENERAL REMARKS. 21
open to them, and hence may not be suggestive of poetical
ideas alone, but ideas in all otlier shapes recognized by, the
cultivated mind. How much has been heard of the picturesque
manner in which the Indians were accustomed to indicate mul-
titudes, by comparing them to the stars of heaven, the sands on
the shore, the lisaves on the trees, and so forth. But in these
comparisons there was to them no poetical idea involved. Be-
ing ignorant of arithmetic, actually unable to count, they were
compelled to resort to some such mode of expression, where
the white man would have expressed himself in exact terms.
Again, for example, the Indians called a certain island in Boston
harbor. The Twins, but the white people called it Spectacle
Island. In one case the name was drawn from a aomblance in
nature ; in the other, from a semblance in art. Both are apt
enough, and about equally poetical. Yet tbe Indian name has
been lauded as expressive and picturesque far above the other,]
In contemplating tho destruction of a great people, tbe reflect-
ing mind is naturally disposed to inquire into the causes of their
decay, in order to educe motives for a better conduct, that their
wrongs may be in some degree repaired, and a similar fate
avoided. If dissension weakened the power of the tribes of the
forest, why should it not impair the energies of our free states ?
If the red men have fallen through the neglect of moral and
religious improvement, to make way for a more refined state
of society, and the emanations of a purer worship, how great is
the reason to fear tha;t we also may be suffered to wander in
our own ways, because we will not know the ways of G-od, aiid
to fall into doubt, disunion, and strife, till our country shall be
given to others, as it has been given to us. He who took the
sceptre from the most illustrious and powerful of ancient na^
tions, and caused the tide of their prosperity and refinement to
flow back and stagnate in the pools of ignorance, obscurity, and
servitude, possesses ample means to humble the pride of any
nation, when it shall cease to be guided by his counsels. Al-
ready have evils of the most alarming consequences passed far
on their march of desolation. Already has the spirit of Discord,
with his dark shadow, dimmed the brightness of our great coun-
cil fire ! Already has the fondness for strong drink seized on
thousands of our people, bringing the young to untimely graves,
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22 HISTORr OP LYHN.
sapping the foundationa of health and moral excelleDce, and
pulling down the glory of our country. Already has a disregard
for the Sabbath and for divine institutions, begun openly to
manifest itself; the concomitant of infidelity, and the harbinger
of spiritual ruin. If we may trust the appearances in our west-
ern regions, our land was once inhabited by civilized men, who
must have disappeared long before the arrival of our fathers.
May Heaven avert their destiny from us, to evince to the world
how virtuous a people may be, on whom the blessing of civil
liberty has fallen as an inheritance.
The political system of our nation is probably the best which
was ever devised by man for the common good; but it practi-
cally embraces one evil too obvious to be disregarded. While
it advances the principle that all men have by nature the same
civil rights, it retains, with strange inconsistency, one sixth
of the whole population in a state of abject bodily and mental
servitude. On its own principles, our government has no right
to enslave any portion of its subjects; and I am constrained, in
the name of God and truth to say, that they must be free.
Christianity and political expediency both demand their eman-
cipation, nor will they always remain unheard. Many generoas
minds are already convinced of the importance of attention to
this subject ; and many more might speak in its behalf, in places
where they could not be disregarded. Whore are the ministers
of our holy rehgion, that their prayers are not preferred for the
liberation and enUghtenment of mftn with souls as immortal as
their own? Where are the senators and representatives of our
free states, that their voices are not heaid in behalf of that
most injured race ? Let all who have talents, and power, and
influence, exert them to free the slaves fiom then wrongs, and
raise them to the rank and privileges of men That the colored
people possess mental powers capable of extensive cultivation,
has been sufHciently evinced in the instances of Grustavus Vasa,
Ignatius Sancho, Lislet, Capitein, Puller, Phjllis Wheatley, and
many others. [And the reader will not fail to recognize many
note-worthy examples presented through the agency of the
American rebellion ; examples in which individuals of that op-
pressed race have exhibited rare judgment, skill, and valor in
the field ; a clear perception of the principles and responsibilities
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GENERAL EEMAEKS. 23
of liberty; true generosity of character; ardent longing for
culture and advancement.] And the period may arrive when
the lights of freedom and' science shall shine much more exten-
sively on these dark children of bondage — when the knowledge
of the true faith shall awaken the nobler principles of their
minds, and its practice place them in moral excellence far above
those who are now trampling them in the dust. How will the
spirit of regret then sadden over the brightness of our country's
femSj when the muse of History shall lead their pens to trace
the annals of their ancestors, and the inspiration of Poetry
instruct their youthful bards to sing the oppression of their
fathers hi the land of Freedom 1
I trust the time will come, when on the annals of our country
shall be inscribed the abolition of slavery — when the inhuman
Custom of war shall be viewed with abhorrence — when human-
ity shall no longer be outraged by the exhibition of capital
punishments — when the one great principle of love shall per-
vade all classes — when the poor shall be furnished with em-
ployment and ample remuneration — when men shall unite their
exertions for the promotion of those plans which embrace the
welfare of the whole — that the nnqualiiied approbation of
Heaven may be secured to oar country, and " that glory may
dwell in our land."
[But the unqualified approbation of Heaven can rest only
where things are done according to the will of Heaven, And
when will the inhabitants of earth attain to perfect obedience ?
Had Mr. Lewis lived but a few months longer, he would have
been startled from his hopeful dreams by the thunders of a war
more to be deplored, in some respects, than any which ever
before shook the world — the war of the great American Rebel-
lion. He would have beheld enlightened myriads, hosts of
professing Christians, going forth heroically to battle for the
perpetuation of slavery, and offering up to the God of peace
thanksgivings for their bloody achievements. And would he
have seen their evil machinations met in that spirit of universal
LOVE, so delightful to him to contemplate? Alas, no. He
would have seen here in Lynn, on the open Common, and on
the Lord's day, vicegerents of the Prince of peace, whose
church doors had been closed that they might appear before the
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24 BISTORT OP LYNN.
multitude to lift up their voices for wae — war, as a necessity, to
shield against evils still more terriblo. Blessed were his eyes
in that thoy were closed by death without heliolding those
scones which would at once have swept away all his bright anti.
cipations, and left him despairing that the time would ever
arrive when the heart of man would become ao sanctified that
the temporal and selfish would not assert their overwhelming
power — those scenes which would with force irresistible have
taught that earth was not the place to search for heaven's
beatitude.]
In delineating the annals of a single town, it can scarcely be
expected that so good an opportunity will be afforded for vari-
ety of description and diffusiveness of remark, as in a work of a
more general nature. It is also proper to observe that this
compilation was begun without any view to publication; but
Bimply to gratify that natural curiosity which must arise in the
mind of every ono who extends his thoughts beyond the per-
Bons and incidents which immediately surround him, I may,
however,' be pennitted to hope, that an attempt to delineate
with accuracy the principal events which have transpired within
my native town, for the space of two hundred years, will he
interesting to many, though presented without any endeavor to
adorn them with the graces of artificial ornament. My endeavor
has been to ascertain facts, and to state them correctly. I have
preferred the form of annals for a local history ; for thus every
thing is found in its time and place. The labor and expense
of making so small a book has been immense, and can never be
appreciated by the reader, until he shall undertake to write a
faithful history of one of our early towns, after its records have
been lost. I could have written many volumes of romance or
of general history, while preparing this volumet; and I have
endeavored to make it so complete, as to leave little for those
who come after me, except to continue the work.
[Since Mr. Lewis closed his labors, however, antiquarian
research has opened many sources of information. It would he
singular indeed if an enterprising and important community like
that of Lynn, should, during her history of more than two hun-
dred years, furnish nothing worthy of note beyond what might
be recorded in an octavo volume ol three hundred pages. The
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BABLT T0TAGE8 AND DISCOVERIES. 25
present edition will show something of the multitude of inter-
esting matters that escaped his careful eye. And it is not to
be doubted that many valuable documents of the olden time yet
remain in ancient garrets, permeated by herby odors, and per-
haps at present used by motherly mice as bedding for their
young, which may somewhere in the future come to light to
the great joy of the student of the past.]
It should be remembered that previous to the change of the
style, in 1752, the year began in March ; consequently I'ebroary
was the twelfth month. Ten days also are to be added to the
date in the sixteenth century, and eleven in the seventeenth, to
bring the dates to the present style. Thus, " 12 mo. 25, 1629,"
instead of bein'g Christmas-day, as some might suppose, would
be March 8th, 1630. la the following pages, I have corrected
the years and months, but have left the days undisturbed.
EARLY VOYAGES AND DI8C0VEEIE3.
It would be extremely gratifying, if we could roll back the
veil of oblivion which shrouds the early history of the American
continent, and through the sunlight which must once have
illumined those regions of now impenetrable darkness, behold
the scenery, and trace the events, which occupied that long
space of silence or activity. Has one half of this great globe
slumbered in unprofitable and inglorious repose since the morn-
ing of the creation, serving no other purpose than to balance
the opposite portion in its revolutions through unvarying ages ?
Or has it been peopled by innumerable nations, enjoying aU tho
vicissitudes of animal and intellectual life? [We have the high
authority of Agassiz for claiming that the American continent ia
the oldest of the great divisions of the globe, and that it existed,
under its present formation, while Europe was but an extensive
group of scattered islands. Ever since the coal period America
has been above water.]
The most strenuous advocates of the priority of the claim of
Columbus to the discovery of America, admit that he found
people here — and we can look back with certainty to no period,
however remote, in which we do not find the continent inhab-
ited. How came those people here ? Were they the descend-
ants of a cia- Atlantic Adam? Or did they find their way, by
C
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26 HISTOEY OP LYNN.
accident or design, from the eaetern continent? If the latter
Bupposition be the more probable, then a corresponding accident
or design might have returned some of those daring adventur-
ers to their homeS, and thus a knowledge have been conveyed
of the existenco of another continent. Nor are the difSculties
of a passage, either from Europe or Asia, so great as may at
first be supposed. The continent of Asia approaches within
fifty miles of the northwest coast of America; [or, as some nav-
igators say, within thirty-five miles, either continent being at
times plainly in sight from the other ;] and ships which traded,
from Iceland to the Levant, might easily have sailed from
Greenland along the shore of New England. People were
much more venturous in early days than we are generally wil-
ling to allow. And canoes might have passed across the ocean
from Japan, and even by the isles of the Pacific — - as it is evi-
dent they must have done, to people those islands. When
Captain Blighe was cast adrift by Christian, he passed twelve
hundred miles in an open boat with safety. Why might not
Buch an event have happened three thousand years ago as well
as yesterday ?
The Scandinavian manuscripts inform us that in the year
986, Eric the Ked, an Icelandic prince, emigrated to Greenland.
In his company was Bardson, whose son Biarne was then on a
voyage to Norway. On his return, going in search of his father,
he was driven far to sea, and discovered an unlmown country.
In the year 1000, Leif, a sou of Eric, pursued the discovery of
the new country, and sailed along the coast as far as Rhode
Island, where he made a settlement; and because he found
grapes there, he called it Vineland, In 1002, Tliorwald, his
brother, went to Vineland, where he remained two years.
It is very reasonable to suppose that these voyagers, in sail-
ing along the coast, discovered Lynn, and it ia even probable
that they lauded at Nabant. In 1004, we are informed that
Thorwald, leaving Vineland, or Rhode Island, " sailed eastward,
<ind tlien northward, past a remarkable headland, enclosing a
bay, and which was opposite to another headland. They called
it Kialarnes, or Keel-cape," from its resemblance to the keei of a
ship. There is no doubt that this was Cape Cod. And as they
bad no map, and could not see Cape Ann, it is probable that the
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EABLT VOYAGES AND DISC0VEEIB3. 27
other headland was the Gnraet. " From thence, they sailed
along the eastern coast of the land to a promontory which there
projected — probably Nahant — and which was everywhere cov-
ered with wood. Here Thorwald went ashore, with all his
companioas. He was so pleased with the place, that he ex-
claimed — ' Here it is beautiful 1 and here I should like to fix
my dwelling ! ' Afterwards, when they were prepared to go on
board, they observed on the sandy beach, within the promon-
tory, three hillocks. They repaired thither, and found three
canoes, and under each three Skrellings, (Indians.) They came
to blows with them, and killed eight of them, but the ninth
escaped in hia canoe. Afterward a countless multitude of them
came out from the interior of the bay against them. They
endeavored to protect themselves by raising battle-screens on
the ship's side. The Skrellings continued shooting at them for
a while and then retired. Thorwald had been wounded by an
arrow under the arm. When he found that the wound wa8
mortal, he said, ' I now advise you to prepare for your depar-
ture as soon as possible ; but me ye shall bring to the promon-
tory where I thought- it good to dwell. It may be that it was
a prophetic word which fell from my mouth, about my abiding
there for a season. There ye shall bury me ; and plant a cross
at my head and also at my feet, and call the, place Krossanes —
[the Cape of the Cross] — in ail time coming.' He died, and
they did as he had ordered ; afterward they returned." (Anti-
qaitates Americanas, xsx.)
The question has arisen whether Krossanes, was Nahant or
Gurnet Point. There is nothing remarkable about the latter
place, and though so long a time has passed, no person has
thought it desirable to dwell there, but it is used as a sheep
pasture. It is far otherwise with Nahant, which answers to the
description well. An early writer says that it was " well
wooded with oaks, pines, and cedars ; " and it has a " sandy
beach within the promontory." Thousands also, on visiting it,
have borne witness to the appropriateness of Thorwald's excla-
mation— "Here it is beautiful! and here I should like to fix
my dwelling 1 "
If the authenticity of the Scandinavian manuscripts be admit-
ted, the Northmen, as the people of Norway, Denmark, and
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28 History op lynn.
Sweden are called, visited this country repeatedly, in the elev-
enth and twelfth centuries ; hut if they made any settlements,
they were probably destroyed in some of tho numerous wars
of the aborigines. The Welch Triads and Chronicles, those
treasures of historic and bardie lore, inform ua, that iu 1170,
Madoc, Prince of Wales, on the tyrannous usurpation of his
brother David, came to America with a party of his followers,
and settled a colony. I see no reason to doubt this record —
but if there were no descendants of Welchmen in America then,
there are plenty now. [In the language of several of the ancient
tribes, Welch words were distinctly recognized. It has hence
been supposed the colonists, by intermarriage, became merged
in the tribes around them.]
Alonzo Sanchez, of Huelva, in Spain, in a small vessel with
seventeen men, as we are informed by De la Vega, was driven
on the American coast in 1487. He returned with only five
men, and died at the house of Columbus.
In 1492, the immortal Columbus made his first voyage to
South America, but he did not come to North America until
1498. [Mr. Lewis makes a slight trip here. Columbus, on his
first voyage, discovered land 11 October, 1492. And that land
was one of the Bahama islands, which he named St. Salvador.
On the 28th of the same month be discovered Cuba. Can these
islands be called in South America?]
In 1497, Sebastian Cabot, a bold and enterprising Enghsh-
man visited the coast of North America, and took possession
of it in the name of his king, Henry YII.
In 1602, Bartholomew G-osnold visited our shores. He dis-
covered [and on Friday, 14 May, at six o'clock in the morning,
according to Purchas's Pilgrim, voh 4, p. 1647. Sailing along
by the shore, at noon, he anchored near a place which he called
Savage Bock, and which many have supposed to have been
Nahant. (Bancroft's U. S., vol. 1, p. 112.) A sail-boat went off to
them, containing eight Indians, dressed in deer-skins, excepting
their chief, who wore a complete suit of English clothes, which
he had obtained by trading at the eastward. The Indiana
treated them kindly, and desired their longer stay; but they
left, about three in the afternoon, (Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. 27,)
and sailing southerly, "sixteen leagues," tho next morning
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EARLY VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIEa. 29
they found themselves just within Cape Cod. Archer's account
of the voyage says, "The Coast we left was full of goodly
Woods, faire Raines, with little green, round Eila above the
Cliffs appearing unto vs, which are indifferently raised, hut all
Bockio, and of shining stones, which might have perswadod va
a longer stay there." This answers well to the appearances at
Nahant; but aome have supposed Savage Rock to be some-
where on the coast of Maine. There is, however, no spot on
that coast which answers exactly to the description ; and Judge
Williamson, the historian of Maine, says, "we have doubts
whether Gosnold ever saw any land of ours. {Hist. Maine,
vol. 1, p. 185.) [It seems now quite certain that Gosnold an-
chored at a point not farther east than Cape Ann nor farther
west than Nahant.]
In 1603, Martin Pring came over with two vessels, the Speed-
well and the Discoverer, to obtain medicinal plants. He saya,
" Coming to the Maine, in latitude 43 degrees, we ranged the
same to the southwest. Meeting with no sassafras, we left
those places, with all the aforesaid islands, shaping our course
for Savage Rocke, discovered the yeare before by Captain
Gosnold ; where, going upon the Mayne, we found people, with
whom we had no long conversation, because we could find no
sassafras. Departing thence, we bear into that great gulf,
(Cape Cod Bay,) which Captain Gosnold overshot the yeare
before, coasting and finding people on the north side thereof;
yet not satisfied with our expectation, wo left them and sailed
over, and came to anchor on the south side." (Purchas, vol. 4,
p. 1654.) Other voyagers, doubtless, visited our coast, but as
places were unnamed, and the language of the natives unknown,
little information can be gained from their descriptions. [Aud
it is astonishing what absiirdities some of the superstitious old
voyagers were accustomed to relate. Even the comparatively
late voyagor John Josselyn, in his account of an expedition
hither, gravely asserts that he discovered icebergs on which he
saw foxes and devils. Had he reflected a moment, he must
have concluded that tho devils, at least, would not have chosen
such a place for their sports. If he saw any living beings they
were probably seals. But devils, at that period, were under-
stood to perform veiy wonderful exploits, and to have a direct
C*
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30 HiSToar op lynn.
hand in all sorts of mischief that coUld harm and tease men.
Modern culture has relieved the hrimstone gentry of moat
of their importance arising from visible interference in human
affairs. But yet, unnatural events enough are daily transpiring
to induce the apprehension that they may be still, though cov-
ertly, pursuing their mischievous enterprises,]
NAHANT — GEANT TO CAPTAIN GORGES.
The next white rnan who appears at Nahaut, [if we consider
it established that the peninsula was visited by Europeans before
1(314,] was that dauntless hero and epterprising statesman Capt.
John Smith. Having established the colony of Virginia, he
came north, in 1614, made a survey of the whole coast, and
published a map. In his description of the islands of Massachu-
setts Bay, proceeding westward from Naumkeag, now Salem,
he says, " The next I can remember by name are the Matta-
hunts, two pleasant Isles of Groves, Gardens and Cornfields, a
league in the sea from the Maine. The Isles of Mattahunts are
on the west side of this bay, where are many Isles, and some
Rocks, that appear a great height above the water, like the
Pieramides of Egypt." It is evident that by the Mattabuots he
meant the Nahants, the pronunciation of which, perhaps, he
imperfectly "remembered." Hia delineation of these islands on
the map, though very small, is very correct; and he named
them the " Fullerton Islands," probably from the name of the
surveyor, or some other friend. He appears to have examined
the islands and shores attentively. He says, "The coast of
Massachusetts is so indifferently mixed with high clay or sandy
cliffs in one place, and the tracts of large, long ledges of divers
sorts, and quarries of stones in other places, so strangely divided
with tinctured veins of divers colours, as free stone for building,
slate for tyling, smooth stone for making Jurnaces and Forges
for Glasse and Iron, and Iron ore sufficient conveniently to
melt in them .... who will nndertake the rectifj^ing of an
Iron Forge, in my opinion cannot lose." (Smith's N. E.) As
the beds of Iron in Saugus had not then been discovered, he
probably mistook the hornblende ledge on the north of Nahant
for a mine of iron ore.
The Nahants appear to have been admired and coveted by
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NAHANT — GEANT TO CAPTAIN G0nGE3. 31
all who visited them. On the 20th of Decemher, 1622, we find
them granted by the Council ia England, to Captain Robert
Gorges. He came over in 1623, took possession of his lands,
and probably commenced a settlement at Winnisimet, which was
also included in his grant. The following appears in the Massa-
' chusetts Archives :
The said Couiicill grout unto Robert Gorges, youngest son of Sir Fernando
Gorges, Knight, and his heires, all that part of the Maine land iu New Eng-
land, commonly called and known by the name of the Massachusetls, Bcytuate
and lyeiog vpon the North East side of the Bay, called and known by the
name of the Massachusetts, or by whatever name or names whatsoever called,
with all coaetes and shoares along the Sea for Ten English miles in a straight
line towards the Noilh East, accounting seventeen hundi-ed and sixty yards to
the mile ; and 30 English miles, after the same rate, into the Mayne Land,
thi-ough all the breadth aforestud ; togeather with all Islands so lyemg within
3 miles of any part of the said land.
Robert Gorges dyes without issue ; the said lauds descend to John Gorges,
his eldest brother. John Gorges by deed bearing date 20 January, 1628-8,
(4 Car. L) grants to Sir WiUiam Brereton, of Handforth, in tlie County of
Chester, Baronet, and his heirea, all the lande, in breadth, lyeiuge from tiie
East side of Chorlra Kiver to the Easterly parte of the Cape called Nahannte,
and all the lands lyeiuge in length 20 miles northeast into the Maine land from
the mouth of the said Charles Eiver, lyeiuge also in length 20 miles into the
M^ne land fi'om the said Cape Nahannte i also two Islands lyeiuge next unto
the shoare between Nahannte and Chailes River, the bigger called Brereton,
and the lesser Susanna. [East Boston and Belle Me.]
Sir William Brereton dyes, leaving Thomas, hie only son, afterward Sir
Thomas, and Susanna his daughter. Sir Thomas dyes without issue. Su-
sanna marries Edward Lenthall, Esq. and dyes, leavmg Mary, her only daugh-
ter and beire. Mary is maiTied to Mr, Leavitt of the Inner Temple, who
claymes the said Lands in right of Mary his wife, who is heire to Sir 'Williani
Brereton and Sir Thomas Brereton.
Sir William Brereton sent over Severall fanalyes and Scivants, who pos-
sessed and Improved severallLarge tracts of the said Lands, and made Severall
Leases, asappeares by the said deedes.
A portion of these lands was granted by Captain Gorges 'to
John Oldham, including Nahant and part of Sangus. In a let-
ter from the Council in England to Governor Endicott, dated
17 April, 1629, we find as follows : " Mr. Oldham's grant from
Mr. Gorges, is to him and John Dorrel, for all the lands within
Massachusetts Bay, between Charles River and Abousett River;
Containing in length by streight lyne 5 Miles vp the Charles
River into the Maine Land, northeast from the border of said
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32 HIBTOBT OP LTNH.
Bay, including all Creekes and Points by the way, and 3 Myles
in Length from tlie Mouth' of the aforesaid Eiver Abousett, vp
into the Maine Land N. W. including all Creekes and Points,
and all the Land in Breadth and Length hetween the foresaid
Rivers, with all prerogatives, royall Mynes excepted. (Haz-
ard's CoIIectioEs.) The writer of this letter, in reference to
the claim of Oldham, saya, " I hold it void in law," and advises
Mr Endicott to take possession. Such possession was taken
of the Nahants, as will he seen in proceeding; and though the
heirs of Gorges afterward renewed their claim, the colony de-
clined either to rolinquish or pay; because Gorges, after being
appointed to the government, had relinquished the possession
and returned to England.
THE INDIANS.
Before proceeding with the history of the Whites, it will be
interesting to learn something more respecting the Eed Men.
The emigrants from England found the country inhabited by
a people who were caliod Indians, because when first discovered
the country was supposed to be a part of India. They were
divided into several great nations, each of which consisted of
many tribes. Leohford says, " They were governed by sachems,
kings and sagamores, petty lords;" but Smith, who was here
before him, calls thGm " sagamos ; " and as the Indians, in this
neighborhood at least, had no R in their language, he is probably
correct. The word sachem, pronounced sawJmm by the Indians,
is a word meaning great strength, or power; and the word
sachemo, or sagamo, evidently has the same derivation. Their
plural was formed in uog; Sagamore Hill, therefore, is the
same as Sachemuog Hill, or the HiU of Kings.
There appear to have been as many as seven nations in New
England. The ever-warring Taratines inhabited the eastern
part of Maine, beyond the Penobscot river; and their great
sachem was Nultonanit. From the Penobscot to the Piscata-
qua were the Chur-churs, formerly governed by a mighty chief,
called a Bashaba. The Pawtuckets bad a great dominion,
reaching from the Piscataqua to the river Charles, and extend-
ing north as far as Concord on the Merrimac. Their name is
preserved in Pawtucket Falls, at Lowell. They were governed
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THE INDIANS. 33
by Nanapashemet, who sometime lived at Lynn, and, accovdiag
to Gookin, could raise three thousand warriors. The Maa-
sachueetts, so named .from the Blue Hills at Milton, were gov-
erned by Chicltataubut, who also commanded three thousand
men. His dominion was bounded on the north and west by
Charles river, and on the south extended to Weymouth and
Canton. The Wanipanoags occupied the southeastern part of
Massachusetts, from Cape Cod to Narraganset Bay. They were
ruled by Massasoit, whose chief residenco was at Pokanoket,
now Bristol, in Hhode Island. He was a sachem of great
power, having dominion over thirty-two tribes, and could have
brought three thousand warriors into the field, by a word ; yet
he was a man of peace, and a friend to the English, and during
all the provocations and disturbances of that early period, he
governed his nation in tranquillity, for more thac forty years,
leaving an example of wisdom to future ages. The Narragan-
sets, on the west of Narraganset Bay, in Rhode Island, num-
bered five thousand warriors, and were governed by two
sachems, Canonicus and his nephew Miantonimo, who ruled
together in harmony. The Pequots occupied Connecticut, and
were governed by Sassaeus, a name of terror, who commanded
four thousand fighting men, and whose residence was at New
London. Besides these, there were the Nipniucks in the interior
of Massachusetts, who had no great sachem, but united with
the other nations in their wars, according to their inclination.
The Pequots and the Taratines were ever at war with some
of the other nations, and were the Goths arid Vandals of abo-
riginal New England.
The Indiana were very numerous, until they were reduced
by a great war, and by a devastating sickness. All the early
voyagers speak of "multitudes," and "countless multitudes."
Smith, who took his survey in 1614, passing along the shore in
a little boat, says, " The seacoast as you pass, shows you all
along, large corjie fields, and great troupes of well proportioned
people ;" and adds that there were three thousand on the islands
in Boston harbor. Gookin has enumerated eighteen thousand
warriors in five nations, and if the remainder wei'e as populous,
there must have been twenty-five thousand fighting men, and
at least one hundred thousand people, in New England. [But
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34 mSTOEY OF LTNN.
could that lie called a large population for such an extoDt of
territory ? a population equal to but half tliat of Boston at this
time. Nomadic and all unsettled branches' of our race are
usually small in numbers. And the stories told by some of the
early comers, so magnifying the Indian populations, are no
more worthy of credit than the fanciful chaptora of those mod-
ern writers who laud their virtues to a degree hardly within
the range of mortal attainment. A page or two hence it is
etated that Sagamore James resided at Lynn. He was a ruler
of some note. And yet, as further evidence that there could
have been but a small Indian population hereabout, at that time,
it may be added that Rev. Mr. Higginson says that he command-
ed " not above thirty or forty men, for aught I can learn,"] In
the spring of 1615, some provocation was given by the western
Indiana to the Taratines, who, with a vindictive spirit, resolved
upon retaliation ; and they carried tlieir revenge to an extent
scarcely paralleled in the dreadful history of human warfare.
They killed the great Bashaha of Penohscot,murdered his
women and children, and overran the whole country from Pe-
nobscot to the Blue Hills. Their death-word was "cram I
cram!" — killl kill I — and so effectually did they "suit the
action to the word," and so many thousands on thousands did
they slaughter, that, aa Gorges says, it was " horrible to be
spoken of," In 1617, commenced a great sickness, which some
have supposed was the plague, others the small pox or yellow
fever. This sickness made such dreadful devastation among
those whom the tomahawk had not reached, that when the Eng
lish arrived, the land was literally covered with human bones.
Still the vengeance of the Taratines was unsatiated, and we
find them hunting for the lives of the few sagamores who
remained.
Nanapashemet, or the Now Moon, was one of the greatest
sachema in New England, ruling over a larger extent of country
than any other. He swayed, at one time, all the tribes north
and east of the Charles river, to the river Piscataqua. The'
Kipmucks acknowledged his dominion, aa far as Pocontocook,
now Deerfield, on the Connecticut; and after his death they
had no great sachem. (Smith, Gookin, Hiibbard. See also
Samuel G. Drake's interesting Book of the Indians, wherein he
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THE IHDIAK8. S5
has accumulated avast amount of facts reepecting the Sona of
the Forest.) Nanapasbemet, like the orb of night, whose name
he bore, had risen and shone in splendor. But his moon was
now full, and had begun to wane. He resided at Lynn until
the great war of the Taratines, in 1615. He then retreated
to a hill on the borders of Mistick river, where he built a
house, and fortified himself in the best manner possible. Ho
survived the desolating sickness of 1617; but the deadly ven-
geance of the Taratines, which induced them to stop at nothing
short of his death, pursued him to his retreat, and there he was
killed by them iu 1619. In September, 1621, a party of the
Plymouth people, having made a visit to Obatinua, sachem of
Boston, went up to Medford. Mr. Winslow says, "Having
gone three miles, we came to a place where corn had been
newly gathered, a house pulled down, and the people gone.
A mile from hence, Nanapashemet, their king, in his lifetime
had Hved. His house was not like others ; but a scaffold was
largely built, with poles and planks, some sis foot from the
ground, and the house upon that, being situated upon the top
of a hiU. Not far from hence, in a bottom, we came to a fort,
built by their deceased king — the manner thus: There were
poles, some thirty or forty feet long, stuck in the ground, as
thick as they could be set one by another, and with those they
enclosed a ring some forty or fifty feet over. A trench, breast
high, was digged on each side ; one way there was to get into
it with a bridge. In the midst of this palisade stood the frame
of a house, wherfein, being dead, he lay buried. About a mile
from hence we came to such another, but seated on the top
of a hill. Here Nanapashemet was killed, none dwelling in it
since the time of his death." The care which the great Moon
Chief took to fortify himself, shows the fear which he felt for
his mortal enemy. With his death, the vengeance of the Tara-
tines seems in some degree to have abated ; and his sona, re-
turning to the shore, collected the scattered remnants of their
tribes, over whom they ruled as sagamores on the arrival of our
fathers. The general government was continued by the saunks,
or queen of Nanapashemet, who was called Squaw Sachem,
She married Webbacowet, who was the great physician of her
nation. On the fourth of September, 1640, she sold i^istick
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36 mSTOEY OP LYHN.
Ponda and a large tract of land now iacluded in Somerville, to
Jotham Gibbons, of Boston. On the eighth of March, 1644, she
submitted to the government of the whiteSj and consented to
have her subjects instructed in the Bible. She died in 1667,
being then old and blind. Nanapasheroet had three sons —
Wonohacjuaham, Montowampate, and Wenepoykin, all of whom
became sagamores; and a daughter Yawata.
WosoHAQDAHAM, was sagamoro on Mistiok river, including
Winnisimet. In 1627 he gave the whites liberty to settle at
CharlestowE, and on the records of that town he is called a
chief " of gentle and ■ good disposition." He was called by
the English, John, and died in 1633, according to the best
authorities.
MosTowAMPATE, sagamore of Lynn, was born in the year
1609. lie lived on Sagamore Hill, near the northern end of
Long Beach. He had jurisdiction of Saugus, Naumkeag, and
Masaboquash ; or Lynn, Salem, and Marblehead. He was called
by the white people, James. Mr. Dudley in his letter to the
Countess of Lincoln, says, " Vppon the river of Mistick is seated
Saggamore John, and vppon the river of Saugus Sagamore
James, both sbe named from the English. The elder brother,
John, is a handsome young .... (one line wanting) ....
conversant with us, affecting English apparel and houses, and
speaking wel! of our God, His brother JameS is of a far worse
disposition, yet repaireth to us often." He married Wenuchus,
a daughter of Pasaaconaway, the great powah, or priest of the
nation, whose chief residence was at PenacOftk, now Concord,
on the Merrimac. This venerable, and in some respects won-
derful man, died about the year 1673, when he was oue hundred
and twenty years of age. On his death bed, he called his friends
around, and told them that he was going to the land of spirits,
to see them no more. He said he had been opposed to the
English at their first coming, and sought to prevent their settle-
ment ; but now he advised them to oppose the white men no
more, or they would all be destroyed. The marriage of Monto-
wampate took place in the year 1629, when he was twenty
years of age ; and it gave him an opportunity to manifest Lis
high sense of the dignity which appertained to a sachem.
Thomas Morton, who was in the country at the time, and wrote
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THE INDIANS. 37
a work entitled the New English Canaan, furnishes ns with the
following interesting particulars :
The sachem or sagamore of SagHS, made choice, when he came to man's
estate, of a lady of noble descent, daughter of Papasiqumeo, the sachem or
sagamore of the territories near Merrimack river ; a man of the best uote in
all those parts, arid, as my countryman, Mr. Wood, declai'es, in his Prospect,
a great nigromaucer. This lady, the young sachem, with the consent and
good liking of her father, maiTies, and fakes for his wife. Great entertainment
hee and his received in those pails, at her father's hands, whearo they were
fested in the best manner that might be expected, according to the custome
of their nation, with reveling, and such other solemnities as is usual amongst
them. The solemnity being ended, Papasjqujneo caused a selected number
of his men to wiute on his daughter home into those parts that did properly
belong to her lord and husband;, where tJie attendants had entertainment by
the sachem of Sagus and his eoimtrymen. The solemnity being ended, the
attendants were gratified.
Not long after, the now married lady bad a great desire to see her fatlier
and her native countiy, from whence she came. Her loi-d was willing to
pleasure her, and not deny her request, amongst them thought to be reason-
able, couunanded a select number of his own men to conduct his lady to her
father, where with great respect they brought her ; and having feasted there
awhile, returned to their own country againe, leaving the lady to continue
there at her owne pleasure, amongst her fiiends and old acquaintance, where
she passed away the lime for awhile, and in the end desii-ed to retume to her
lord againe. Her father, the old Papasiquineo, having notice of her intent,
sent some of his men on ambassage to the young sachem, his sonne hi law, to
let him understand that his daughter was not wOling to absent herself from
his company any longer ; and therefore, as the messengers liad in charge,
desu'ed the young lord to send a convoy for her ; but he, standing upon
teaiines of honor, and t!ie mainlainmg of his reputation, returned to his father
in law this answer : " That when she departed from him, hee caused his men
to wdte upon her to her father's territories as it did become him ; but now she
bad an intent to retiune, it did become her father to send her back with a
convoy of his own people ; and that it stood not with his reputation to make
himself or his men so servile as to fetch her againe."
The old sachem Papasiquineo, having this message returned, was iiiraged
la think that his young son in law did not esteem him at a higher rate than to
capitulate vrith him about the matter, and retrnmed him this sharp reply:
" That his daughter's blood and birth deserved more respect tliaii to he slighted,
and therefore, if he would have her company, he were best to send or come
The young sachem, not willing to undervalue himself, and being a man of a
stout spiilt, did not stick to say, " Tliat he should either send her by bis own
convoy, or keepe her; for he was determined not to stoope so lowe."
So much these two sachems stood upon teaiTnes of reputation with each
otlier, the one would not send for her, lest it sliould«be any dimuiishing of
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honor ou his part tliat should seeme to comply, tliat the lady, when I came
out of the country, remained still with ber.fether ; which is a thing worth the
noting, that salvage people should seek to maintaine their reputation so much
as they doe.
A chief who could treat a lady so diseourteoualy deserved to
lose her. Montowarapate had not the feHcity to read the Fairy
Queen, or he would have thoijght with Spenser :
"What vertue is so fitting for a Knight,
Or for a Lodio whom a knight should love,
As curtesie."
My lady readers will undoubtedly he anxious to know if the
separation was final. I am happy to inform them that it was
not ; as we find the Princess of Penacook enjoying the luxuries
of the shores and the sea breezes at Lynn, the next summer.
How they met without compromiting the dignity of the proud
sagamoro, history does not inform us ; but probably, as ladies
are fertile in expedients, she met him half way. In 1631 she
was taken prisoner by the Taratines, as will hereafter be related.
Montowampate died in 1633, Wenuchus returned to her father;
and in 1686, we find mej(tion made of her grand-daughter Pah-
pocksit. Other interesting incidents in the life of Montowam-
pate will be found in the following pages.
Wesepoykin, erroneously called Winnepuvkit, was the young-
est son of Nanapashemet. Hia naine was pronounced with an
accent and a lingering on the third syllable, We-ne-pawwe-kin.
He was born in 1616, and was a little boy, thirteen years of age,
■when the wliite men came. The Eev, John Higginaon, of Salem,
says ; " To the best of my remembrance, when I came over with
my father, to this place, there was in these parts a widow wo-
man, called Squaw Sachem, who had three eons; Sagamore
John kept at Mistick, Sagamore James at Saugus, and Sagamore
George here at Naumkeke. Whether he waa actual sachem
here I cannot say, for he was then young, about my age, and I
think there was an elder man that was at least his guardian."
On the death of his brothers, in 1633, he became sagamore of
Lynn and Chelsea ; and after the death of bis mother, in 1667,
he was sachem of all that part of Massachusetts which is north
and east of Charles river. He was the proprietor of Deer
Island, which he sold to Boston, He was cahed Sagamore
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THE INDIANS. 39
George, and George Rumney Marsh; [also Sagamore George
No-Noee.] Until the year 1738, the limits of Boston extended
to Saiigus, including Chelsea, which was called Rumney Marsh.
Part of this great marsh is now in Chelsea and part in Saugua.
The Indiana living on the borders of this marsh in Lynn and
Saugiis, were sometimes called the JRumney Marsh Indians.
Wegepoybin was taken prisoner in the Wampanoag war, in
1676, and died in 1684. He married Ahawayet, daughter of
Poquanum, who lived on Nahant. She presented him with one
son, Manatahqua, and three daughters, Potagunsk, Wattaquat-
tinuak, and Petagoonaquah, who, if early historians are correct
in their descriptions, were as boautifttl, almost, as the lovely
forms which have wandered on the rocks of Nahant in later
times. They were called Wanapanaqnin, or the plumed ones.
This word is but another spelling of Wenepoykin, their father's
name, which signifies a wing, or a feather. I suppose they were
the belles of the forest, in their day, and wore finer plumes than
any of their tribe. Petagunsk was called Cicely. [In the In-
dian deed of Lynn, she is described as " Cicily alias Su George,
the reputed daughter of old Sagamo/e George No-Nose."] She
had a son Tontoquon, called John. Wattaqaattinuak, or the
Little Walnut, was called Sarah ; and Petagoonaquah was named
Susanna. Manatahqua had two sons, Nonupanohow, called Da-
vid [Kunkshamooshaw] and Wuttanoh, which means a staff,
called Samuei. The family of "Wenepoykin left Lynn about
the time of the Wampanoag war, and went to Wameset, or
Chelmsford, now Lowell, where they settled near Pa.wtuckot
falls. On the 16th of September, 1684, immediately after the
death of Wenepoykin, the people of Marblebead embraced the
opportunity of obtaining a deed of their town. It was signed
by Ahawayet, and many others, her relatives. She is called
" Joane Ahawayet, Squawe, relict, widow of George Saggamore,
alias Wenepawweeldn." (Essex Reg. Deeds, 11, 132.) She
survived her husband about a year, and died in 1685. On the
19th of March, 1685, David Nonnpanohow, "heir of Sagamore
George, and in his right having some claim to Deer Island, doth
hereby, for just consideration, roHnquish his right, to tho town
of Boston." (Suffolk Records.) On the 11th of October, 1686,
the people of Salem obtained a deed of their town, which was
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40 HISTOEY OF LYNN.
signed by the relatives of Wenepoyldn. [And on tlie itb of
September, of the same year, the people of Lynn likewise ob-
tained a deed of their territoiy, from the heirs of Wenepoykin,
a copy of which may be found on page 51, ot seq.]
Yawata, daughter of Nanapashemet, and sister of the three
sagamores, married Oonsumog. She lived to sign the deed of
Salem, in 1686, and died at Naticb. She had a son, Mumin-
quasb, bom in 1636, and called James Rumney Marsh, who also
removed to Natick, There is great softness and euphony in the
name of this Indess. Ya-warta ; six letters, and only one hard
consonant. Probably ber heart was as delicate and feminine as
her name. The early settlers indicated their poetic taste by
calling her Abigail. [The wife of David Kunksbamooehaw, who
was a grandson of Yawata'a brother Wenepoykiu, was also
called Abigail. This last was the Abigail who signed the deed
of Lynn. And it seems as if Mr. Lewis may have confounded
the two Abigails.' Yet, Yawata might have signed the Saltim
deed, in 1C86, tljough sbe must then have been quite old.]
PoQUASUM, or Dark Skin, was sachem of Nahant. Wood, in
bis New England's Prospect, calls him Duke William; and it
appears by depositions in Salem Court Records, that he was
known by the familiar appellation of Black Will. He was con-
temporary with Nanapashemet. In 1630 he sold Nahant to
Thomas Dexter for a suit of clothes. It is probable that he
was the chief who welcomed Gosnold, in 1602, and who is
represented to have been dressed in a complete suit of English
clothes. If he were the same, that may have been the reason
why he was so desirous to possess another suit. He was kiUed
in 1633, as will he found under that date. He had two chil-
dren — Ahawayet, who married Wenepoykin ; and Queakussen,
commonly called Captain Tom, or Thomas Poquanum, who
was born in 1611. Mr, Gookin, in 1686, says, " He is an Indian
of good repute, and professeth the Christian religion." Probably
he is the one alluded to by Rev. John Ebot, in his letter, No-
rember 13, 1649, in which be says : " Linn Indians are all naught,
save one, who sometimes cometh to hear the word, and telleth
me that he prayeth to God; and the reason why they are bad
is partly and principally because their sacbem is naught, and
careth not to pray to God." There is a confession of faith,
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THE INDIANS. 41
preserved in Eliot's "Tsars of Eepentance," by Poquarmm,
probably of this same Indian. He signed the deed of Salem in
1686, and on the 17th of September, in that year, he gave the
following testimony : " Thomas Queakuesen, alias Captain Tom,
Indian, now living at Wamesit, neare Patucket Falls, aged about
BBventy.flve years, testifieth and saith. That many yeares since,
when he was a youth, he lived with his father, deceased, named
.Poquannum, who some time lived at Sawgust, now called Linn;
he married a second wife, and lived at Nahaat; and himself in
after time lived about Mistick, and that he well knew all these
parts about Salem, Marblehead and Linn ; and that Salem and
the river running up between that neck of land and Bass river
was called Nanmkeke, and the river between Salem and Marble-
head was called Massabequash ; also he says he well knew
Sagamore George, who married the Deponent's Owne Sister,
named Joane, who died about a yeare since ; and Sagamore
George left two daughters, name Sicilye and Sarah, and two
grand- children by his son ; Nonumpanumhow the one called
David, and the other Wuttanoh ; and I myself am one of their
kindred as before ; and James Rumney Marsh's mother is one
of Sagamore George his kindred; and I knew two squawes
. more living now about Pennecooke, one named Pahpocksitt,
and the other's name I know not ; and I knew the grandmother
of these two squawes named "Wenuchus ; 'she was a principal
proprietor of these lands about Naumkege, now Salem; all
these persons abovo named are concerned in the antient pro-
perty of the lands above mentioned." Wabaquin also testified,
that David was the grandson of Sagamore George — by his
father, deceased Manatahqua. (Essex Reg. Deeds, 11, 131.)
Nahantos was born about the year 1600. On the 7th of April,
1635, Nahanton was ordered by the Court to pay Rev. William
Blackstone, of Boston, two beaver skins, for damage done to
his swine by setting traps. In a deposition taken at Natick,
August 15, 1672, be is called "Old Ahaton of Punkapog, aged
about seaventy yeares;" and in a deposition at Cambridge,
October 7, 1686, he is called " Old Mahanton, aged about ninety
years." In the same deposition he is called Nahanton. He
testifies concerning the right of the heirs of Weuepoykin to
sell the lands of Salem, and declares himself a relative of Saga-
D*
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42 HISTOKT OF LYNN.
more George. He signed the deed of Quincy, August 5, 1665,
and in that deed ia called "Old Nahatun," one of the "wise
men " of Sagamore Wampatuck. He also signed a quit-claim
deed to "the proprietated inhabitants of the town of Boston,"
March 19, 1685. {Suffolk Recorda.)
QuASOPKONAT, Called John, was another relative of "Wenepoy-
kin. His widow Joan, and his son Jamesj signed the deed of
Salem, in 1686. Masconomo was sagamore of Agawara, now
Ipswich, Dudley says, " he was tributary to Sagamore James."
From the intimacy which subsisted between them, he was prob-
ably a relative. He died March 8, 1658, and his gnn and other
implements were buried with him. (Felt's Hist. Ipswich.)
The names of the Indians are variously spelled in records
aud| depositions, as they were imperfectly understood from their
nasal pronunciation. Some of them were known by different
names, and as they had no baptism, or ceremony of naming
their children, they commonly received no name until it was
fixed by some great exploit, or some remarkable .circumstance.
The Indians have been admirably described by "William Wood,
who resided at Lynn, at the first settlement. " They were black
haired, out nosed, broad shouldered, brawny armed, long and
slender handed, out breasted, small waisted, lank bellied, well
thighed, flat kneed, handsome grown legs, and small feet. In a
word, they were more amiable to behold, tboiigh only in Adam's
livery, than many a compounded fantastic in the newest fash-
ion." In another place he speaks of " their unparalleled beauty."
Josselyn, in his New England Karities, says: " The women, many
of them, have very good features, seldome without a come-to-me
in their countenance, all of them black eyed, having even, short
teeth and very white, their hair black, thick and long, broad
breasted, handsome, straight bodies and slender, their limbs
cleanly, straight, generally plump as a partridge, and saving
now and then one, of a modest deportment." Lechford says:
" The Indesses that are young, are some of them very comely,
having good features. Many prettie Brownettos and spider
fingered lasses may be seen among them." After such graphic
and beautiful descriptions, nothing need be added to complete
the idea that their forms were exquisitely perfect, superb, and
voluptuous. [Biit is not this superlative language, as applied
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THE INDIANS. 43
to Indian squaws, ratlior intense? Mr. Lewis, however, is well
known to have entertained more tlian ordinary veneration for
the aborigines. It is believed that a more just estimate may-
be found in the volume published here in 1862, under the title
" Lin : or. Jewels .of the Third Plantation."]
The dreSB of the men was the skin of a deer or seal tied round
the waist, and in winter a bear or wolf skin thrown over the
shoulders, with moccasons or shoes of moose hide. The women
wore robes of beaver skins, with sleeves of deer skin drest, and
drawn with lines of different colors into ornamental figures.
Some wore a short mantle of trading cloth, blue or red, fastened
with a knot under the chin, and girt around the waist with a
zone ; their buskins fringed with feathers, and a fillet round
their heads, which were often adorned with plumes.
Their money Was made of shells, gathered on the beaches,
and was of two kinds. The one was called wampum-peag, or
white money, and was made of the twisted part of the cockle
strung together like beads. Sis of these passed for a penny,
and a foot for about a shilling. The other was called suckauhoc,
or black money, and was made of the hinge of the poquahoc
clam, bored with a sharp stone. The value of this money waa
double that of the white. These shells were also very curiously
wrought into pendants, bracelets, and belts of wampum, several
inches in breadth and several feet in length, with figures of
animals and flowers. Their sachems were profusely adorned
with it, and some of the princely females wore dresses worth
fifty or a hundred dollars. It passed for beaver and other
commodities as currently as silver.
Their weapons were bows, arrows and tomahawks. Their
bows were made of walnut, or some other elastic wood, and
strung with sinews of deer or moose. Their arrows were made
of elder, and feathered with the quills of eagles. They were
headed with a long, sharp stone of porphyry or jasper, tied to a
short stick, which was thrust into the pith of the elder. Their
tomahawks were made of a flat stone, sharpened to an edge,
with a groove round the middle. This was inserted in a bent
walnut stick, the ends of which were tied together. The flinty
heads of their arrows and axes, their stone gouges and pestles,
have been frequently found in the fields.
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44 HISTORt OP LYHH.
Their iiivorite places of residence hereabout, appear to have
been in the neighborhood of Sagamore Hill and High Eook, at
Swampacot and Nahant. One of their burial places was on the
hill near the eastern end of Mount Vernon street. In Saugus,
many indications of their dwellings have been found on the
old Boston road, for about half a mile from the hotel, westward ;
and beneath the house of Mr. Ephraim Rhodes was a burying
ground. On the road which rune north from Charles Sweetsor's,
was another Indian village on a plain, defended by a hill. Na-
ture here formed a lovely spot, and nature's children occupied
it. [The localities here referred to lie between East Saugus
and Cliftondale.] They usually buried their dead on the sides
of hills next the sun. This was both natural and beautiful. It
was the wish of Beattie's Minstrel.
" WJiere a green grassy turf is all I crave,
And many an evening sun shine aweotly oo my grave."
The Indians had but few arts, and only such as were requisite
for their subsistence. Their houses, called wigwams, were rude
structures, made of poles set round in the form of a cone, and
covered by bark or mats. In winter, one great house, built
with more care, with a fire in the middle, served for the accom-
modation of many. They had two kinds of boats, called canoes ;
the one made of a pine log, twenty to sixty feet in length, burnt
and scraped out with sheHs ; the other made of birch bark, very
light and elegant. They made fishing linos of wild hemp, equal
to the finest twine, and used fish bones for hooks. Their meth-
od of catching de or was by making two fences of trees, half a
mile in extent, in the form of an angle, with a snare at the place
of meeting, in which they frequently took the deer alive.
Their chief objects of cultivation were com, beans, pumpkins,
squashes and melons, which were all indigenous plants. Their
fields were cleared hy burning the trees in the autumn. Their
season for planting was when the leaves of the oak were as
large as the ear of a mouse. From this observation was formed
the rule of the first settlers.
Wlien the while oak trees look godin gray,
riant then, be it April, June, or May.
The corn was hoed with large clam shells, and harvested in
cellars dug in the ground, and enclosed with mats. When
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THE 1ND1AN3. 45
boiled in kernels it was called samp ; when parched and pound-
ed in stone mortars it was termed nobehike ; and when pounded
and boiled, it was called hominy. They also boiled corn and
beana together, which they called succatash. They foniied
earthen vessels in which they cooked. They made an excellent
cake by mixing strawberries with parched corn. Whortleberries
were employed in a similar manner. Some of their dishes are
still well known and highly relished — their samp, their hominy
or hasty pudding, their stewed beans or succatash, their baked
pumpkins, their parched corn, their boiled and roast ears of
corn, and their whortleberry cake — dishes which, when well
prepared, are good enough for any body. And when to these
were added the whole range of field and flood, at a time when
wild fowl and venison were more than abundant, it will be seen
that the Indians lived well.
The woods were filled with wild animals — foxes, bears,
wolves, deer, moose, beaver, racoons, rabbits, woodchucks, and
squirrels — most of which have long since departed. . One of
the most troublesome animals was the catamount, one of the
numerous varieties of the cat kind, which has never been par-
ticularly described. It was from three to six feet in length,
and commonly of a cinnamon color. Many stories are related
of its attacks upon the early settlers, by climbing trees . and
leaping upon them when traveling through the forest. An
Indian in passing through the woods one day, heard a rustling
in the boughs overhead, and looking up, saw a catamount pre-
paring to spring upon him. He said he " cry all one soosuck" —
that is, like a child — knowing that if he did not kill the cata-
mount, he must lose his own life. He fired as the animal was
in the act of springing, which met the ball and fell dead' at
his feet.
The wild pigeons are represented to have been so numerous
that they passed' in fiocks so large as to "obscure the light."
Dudley says, "it passeth credit if but the truth should be
known;" and Wood says, they continued flying for four or
five hours together, to such an extent that one could see " nei-
ther beginning nor ending, length nor breadth, of these milUons
of millions." When they alighted in the woods, they frequently
broke down large limbs of trees by their weight, and the crash.
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46 HISTOBT OP LYNN.
ing was heard at a great distance. A single family has been
known to have killed more than one hundred dozen in one
night, with poles and other weapons; and they wore often
taken in such numbers that they were thrown into piles, and
kept to feed the swine. The Indiana called the pigeon wusco-
wan, a word signifying a wanderer. The wild fowl were so
numerous in the waters, that persons sometimes killed "50
duckes at a shot."
The Indians appear to have been very fond of amusements.
The tribes, even from a great distance, were accustomed to
challenge each other, and to assemble upon Lynn Beach to
decide their contests. Here they sometimes passed many days
in the exercises of running, leaping, wrestling, shooting, and
other diversions. Before they began their sports, they drew a
line in the sand, across which the parties shook hands in evi-
dence of friendship, and they sometimes painted their faces, to
prevent revenge. A tall pole was then planted in the beach,
on which were hung beaver skins, wampum, and other articles,
for which they contended; and frequently, all they were worth
was ventured in the play. One of their games was foot-ball.
Another was called puim, which was played by shuffling to-
gether a large number of small sticks, and contending for them.
Another game was played with five flat pieces of bone, black
on one side and white on the other. These were put into a
wooden bowl, which was struck on the ground, causing the
bones to bound aloft, and as they fell white or black, the game
was decided. During this play, the Indians sat in a circle,
making a great noise, by the constant repetition of the word
hih, Jiub, — come, come — from which it was called hubbub; a
word, the derivation of which seems greatly to have puzzled
Dr. Johnson.
Th& Indians believed in a Great Spirit, whom they called
Kichtan, who made all the other gods, and one man and woman.
The evil spirit they called Hobaraock. They endured the most
acute pains without a murmur, and seldom laughed loud. They
cultivated a kind of natural music, and had their war and death
songs. The women bad lullabies and melodies for their children,
and modulated their voices by the songs of birds. Some early
writers represent the voices of their females, when heard
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THE IHDIAKS. 47
tfaroagh the sliadowy woods, to have heen esqaisitely harmoni-
0119, It has been said they had no poets ; but their whole lan-
guage was a poem. What more poetical than calling the roai
of the ocean on the beach, scvwMss, or great panting ? -— literally,
the noise ■which a tired animal makes when spent in the chase.
What more poetical than naming a boy Poquanum, or Dark
Skin ; and a girl Wanapaquin, a Plume ? Every word of the
Indians was expressive, and had a meaning. Such is natural
poetry in all ages. The Welch called their great king Arthur,
from aruthr, terribly fair ; ajid such was Alonzo, the name of the
Moorish kings of Spain, from an Arabic word, signifying the
fountain of beauty. When we give o'ur children the names of
gems and flowers — when we use iangi.Tage half as designative
as that of the Indians, we may begin to talk of poetry. " I am
an aged hemlock," said one, " whose head has been whitened
by eighty snows ! " " We will brighten the chain of our friend-
ship with yon," said the chiefs in their treaties. ["You are
the rising sun, we are the setting," said an old chief, sadly, on
seeing the prosperity of the whites. (Jookin says that when
the Quakers tried to convince certain Indians of the truth of
their doctrines, advising them not to listen to the ministers, and
telling them that they had "a light within, which was a sufB-
cient guide," they replied, "We have long looked within, and
find it very dark."] The Indians reckoned their time by snows
and moons. A snow was a winter; and thus, a man who had
seen eighty snows, was eighty years of age. A moon was a
month; thus they had the harvest moon, the hunting moon, and
the moon of flowers. A sleep was a night; and seven sleeps
were seven days. This figurative language is in the highest
degree poetical and beautiful.
The Indians have ever been distinguished for friendship, jus-
tice, magnanimity, and a high sense of honor. They have been
represented by seme as insensible and brutish, but, with the
exception of their revenge, they were not an insensate race.
The old chief, who requested permission of the white people to
smoke one more whiif before he was slaughtered, was thought
to be an unfeeling wretch ; but he expressed more than he could
have done by the moat eloquent speech. The red people re-
ceived the immigrants in a friendly manner, and taught them
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48 HISTORY OP LYNN.
how to plant; and when any of the whites traveled through the
woods, they entertained them with more kindness than compli-
ments, kept them freely many days, and often went ten, and
even twenty miles, to conduct them on their way. The Rev.
Roger Wiliiams says : " They were remarkably free and cour-
teous to invite ali strangers in. I have reaped kindness again
from many, seven years after, whom I myself had forgotten. It
is a strange truth, that a man shall generally find more free
entertainment and refreshment among these barbarians, than
among thousands that call themselves Christians.
The scene which presented itself to the- first settlers, must
have been in the highest degree interesting and beautiful. The
light birchen canoes of the red men were seen gracefully swim-
ming over the surface of the bright blue ocean ; the half clad
females were beheld, bathing their olive limbs in the lucid flood,
or sporting on the smooth beach, and gathering the spotted
eggs from their little hollows in the sands, or the beautiful
shells which abounded among the pebbles, to string into beads
or weave into wampum, for the adornment of their necks and
arms. At one time an Indian was seen with his bow, silently
endeavoring to transfix the wild duck or the brant, as they rose
and sunk on the alternate waves; and at another, a glance was
caught of the timid wild deer, rushing through the shadow of
the dark green oaks ; or the sly fox, bounding from rock to rock
among the high cliffs of Nahant, and stealing along the shore to
find his evening repast, ^bich the tide had left upon the beach.
The little sand-pipers darted along the thin edge of the wave —
the white gulls in hundreds soared screaming overhead — and
the curlews filled the echoes of the rocks with their wild and
watery music. This is no imaginary picture, wrought up for
the embellishment of a fanciful tals, but the delineation of
an actual scene, which presented itself to the eyes of our
fathers.
An incident respecting the Indiana, about a year before the
settlement of Lynn, is related by Eev. Thomas Cobbett, in a
letter to Increase Mather. "About the year 1628, when those
few that came over with Colonel Indicot and begun to settle at
Nahumkeeck, now called Salem, and in a manner all so sick of
their journey, that though they had both small and great guns,
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IJT)IAN DEED OP LTKK. 49
and powder and bullets for them, yet had not strength to man-
age them, if suddenly put upon it ; and tidings being certainly
brought them, on a Lord's day morning, that a thousand Indians
from Sangust, (now called Lyn,) were coming against them to
cut them off, they had much ado amongst them all to charge
two or three of theyre great guns, and trade them to a place
of advantage, where the Indians must pass to them, and there
to shoot them off; when they heard by theyre noise which they
made in the woods, that the Indians drew neare, the noise of
which great artUlery, to which the Indians were never wonted
before, did occasionally, by the good hand of God, strike such
dread into them, that by some lads who lay as scouts in the
woods, they were heard to reiterate that confused outcrie, (0
Hobbamock, much Hoggery,) and then fled confusedly back
with all speed, when none pursued them. One old Button,
lately living at Haverhill, who was then almost the only haile
man left of that company, confirmed this to be so to me, accord-
ingly as I had been informed of it." This old Button was Mat-
thias Button, a Dutchman, who lived in a thatched house in
Haverhill, in 1670, says Joshua Coffin. [A.nd this same Button
is acknowledged to have communicated to Mr. Cobbett a part
of the interesting facts supplied to Dr. Increase Mather, regard-
ing the early difficulties with the Indians, He came over with
Endicot4,iu X628, and died in 1672.]
INDIAN DEED OF LYNN.
[By recurring to page 39, it will be observed that Mr. Lewis
speaks of the Indian deeds of Marblehead and Salom. And it is
a little remarkable that while doing so he did not suspect that
there might also have Feen one of Lynn, for it appears as if
such a suspicion would have put him upon that thorough search
which must have resulted in its discovery. Such a deed, bear-
ing date 4 Sept., 1686, may be found among the records at Salem,
And this seems an appropriate place for its introduction, as it
contains, aside from its more direct purpose, divers statements
regarding some of the Indians of whom brief biographies have
been given. It is true' that in one or two pomts it somewhat
tarnishes the romantic gloss which has so delighted us. But it
is not unwholesome now and then to interpose a shght check to
E 4
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50 HISTORY OP LTNK.
the imaginary flights to which the lover of the people and
things of old is ever prone,
[It should not, however, be concluded that the first piirchaso
from the Indiana was made at the date of this deed. Separate
tracts had been purchased at different times, before, and thia
was merely intended as a release or qnit-elaim of all the rights
of the grantors in ali the territory now constituting Lynn, Lynn-
field, Nahant, Sangus, and Swampscot, and parts of Danvers,
Reading and South Heading- At the time this deed was given,
in reality not a third of the territory was occupied by the
settlers ; but there was a prospect that it would presently come
in use. The Indians had mostly retired, and it was important
that their title, if any existed, should be extinguished. The
small consideration named is some indication that it was not
considered that the Indians had any very valuable remaining
interest. Other value, however, may have been given. It was
often the case, that the consideration expressed in a deed was
quite different from the real one, the custom of indulging in
a little innocent deception being as prevalent then as now.
And it was not unfrequently an object with the shrewd settlers
to have it appear that the prices paid for lands were low, even
when the old sagamores had succeeded in making good bargains.
[And taking into account the time at which this deed was
given, I am porsuaded that the procuring of it was deemed a
matter of much importance, inasmuch as it would constitute
written evidence that the natives had parted with the title to
their lands for a satisfactory consideration — the previous deeds,
if there were any, having been unrecorded and lost. The peo-
ple were extremely suspicious that under James the crown
agents would pay little regard to titles that did not rest upon
some clear and unimpeachable evidence. And though Androa
pretended to have no more regard for the signature of an In-
dian than for the scratch of a bear's claw, he yet sometimes
found the barbarous autographs very serious impediments in
the way of his tyrannous assumptions. As a precautionary
step, the procuring of this deed shows the wariness of our
good fathers. It will be observed that the Indian deeds of
Marhlehead, Salem, and one or two other places were procured
almost simultaneously with that of Lynn. And in March, 1689,
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IHDIAN .DEED OP LYNN. 51
Andros asked Bev. Mi'. Iligginson whether New England waa
the king's territory. The reply waa, that it helonged to the
colonists, because they had hold it by just occupation cmd pur-
chase from the Indians. The following ia a copy of the deed,
whjch, though it may not furnish much entertainment to the
general reader, will be appreciated by the antifjuarian.
To Ati. Christian People, to whom this present Deed of Confii-mation,
Ratification and Alienation shall come, David Kunkshamooshaw, who by credi-
ble intelligence is grandson to old Sagamore George No-Nose, so called, alias
Wenepawweekin, sometime of Runiney Marsh, and sometimes at or about
Chelmsford of y^ collony of y" Massachyets, so called, sometimes here and
sometimes there, but deceased, yo said David, grandson to y" said old Sa^-
more. George No-Nose, deceased, and Abigail Kunkshamooshaw, y* wife of
David, and Cicely, alias Su George, y reputed daughter of said old Sagamore
GJeorge, and James Quonopohit of Natick alias Rumney Marsh, and Mary his
wife, send greeting, &c.
Khow Yee, that the said David Kunkshamooshaw and Abigail his wife, and
Cicely alias Su George aforesaid and James Quonopohit aforesaid with fiis
wife Mary who ere ye neai-est of kin and legall succesaors of y= aforesaid
George No-Nose alias WenejKiwweekin whom wee offirme was the true and
sole owner of j« land that ye towns of Lynn and Reading aforesaid stand upon,
and notwithstanding ye possession of y* English dwelling in those townships
of Lynn and Reading aforesaid, wee, ye said David Kunkshamooshaw, Cicely
alias Su George, James Quonopohit, &c^ the rest afoiestdd Indians, doe lay
claime to ■f' lancb that these two townes aforesEud, Lynn and Reading, stand
upon, and the dwellers thereof possess, that ye light and title thereto iaom-s and
belong to us and ours; but, howsoever, the townships of Lyn and Reading
having been long possessed by the English, and although wee make our clayme
and ye selectmen and Wusteea for both townes aforestud pleading title by
graimts of coittts and purchase of old of oiu: predecessor, George Sagamore, and
such like matters, &c., wee. y» claymers aforenamed, viz. David Kunksha-
mooshaw and Abigail his Squaw, Cicely alias Su George the reputed daughter
of old Sagamore George No-Nose, and James .Quonopohit and Maay his Squaw,
they being of the kindi-ed as of claymers, considering the arguments of y« se-
lectmen in both lovmes, are not willing to make trouble to ourselves nor old
neighbors in those two townes aforesaid of Lynn and Reading, &c,»wee there-
fore, the clayming Indians aforesaid, viz. David Kunkabamooshaw and Abigail
his vrife and Cicely alias Su George the reputed daughter of old Sagamore
George alias WenepavFweekin and James Quonopobit and Mary bis wife, all
and every of us, as aforesaid, and jomtiy together, ioi and m consideration of ye
summe of sixteen pouudes of currant steibng monei of silvei' in band paid
to us Indtens claymmg, viz David Kunkshimoosliaw , &c., at or before ye en-
sealhig and delivery ot thpse piesents, by Mf Ralph King, William Bass'ett,
sen'r, Matiiew Fanmaton, sen'), John Buiiill, seii'r, Robert Potter, seu'r.
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52 HISTORY OF LYNS.
Samuel Johiison, and Olliver Purchas, selectmen in Lynn, in ye county of
Essex, in New England, trustees and prudentials for and in behalf of 3* pui^
chasers and now proprietors of y= TownehipB of Lynn and Reading, well and
truly payd, y« receipt whereof we, viz, David Kunkshamooshaw, Abigail hia
wife, Cicely aliag Su George y^ reputed daughter of old Sagamore George, aud
James Conopohit, of Natick, alias Runmoy Marsh, and Mary his wife, doe
hereby acknowledge ihemselves therewith to be fully satisfied and contented,
and thereof and of every pai-t thereof, doe hereby acquit, exhonerate, and
discharge y^ aaid M' Ralph King, William Bassett, een'r, with all and every of ys
selectmen aforesaid, trustees and prudentials, together ■mtli y^ purchasers and
now proprietors of y" said townships of Lyn aud of Beading, their heirs, execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, forever, by these presents have given, granted
and bargained a full and a firme confirmation and ratification of all grants of
courts and any former alienation made by our predecessor or predecessors
and our owu right, tide and interest, clayme and demand whatsoever, and by
these presents doe fully, freely, clearly, and absolutely, give and gi-ant a full and
firm confirmation and ratification of all grants of courts, and any sort of aliena-
clayme of right, title, interest and demand unto them, y" said M'' Ralph King,
William Bassett, and the rest, selectmen foronamed, ti'ustees and prudentials
for ys towne of Lyn, y* worshipfuil M' John Browne, Capt. Jeremiah Sweyn,
and Leiut. William Harsey, trustees and prudentials for y* towne of Reading,
to their heirs and asrfgns forever, to and for y" sole use, benefit and behoof of
ye purchasers and now proprietors of ye townships of Lyim and Reading afore-
said end all ye said townships of Lynn and Reading joyning one to another,
even 6mm the sea, where y* line hegiuneth between Lyn and Mai'blehead,
and so between Lynn and Salem, as it is stated by those townes and marked,
and so to Ipswich River, and so from thence as it is staled betwixt Salem and
Reading, and as y^ line is staled and nmne betwixt Wills hill, and as is stated
and runne betwixt Reading and Audover and as it is stated betwixt Oburne
and Reading, and as it is stated and runn betwixt Charlestowne, Maiden, Lynn
and Reading, and upon the sea from y^ line that beginneth at Lynn, and Mar-
blehead, and Salem, to divide the towns aforesaid, so as well from thence to
ye two Nahants, viz. the litde Nahant and ye great Nahant, as y* Bea compass-'
eth it almost I'ound and soo to y^ river called Lynn River or Bumney Marsh
lUver or Creeke vnto y^ line from Brides Brook to/ ye said Creek, answering
y* line that is stated between Lynn and Boston, from y* said Brides Brook up
to Reading — This stdd tract of land, described as aforesaid, together with
all houses, edifices, buildings, lands, yards, orchards, gardens, meadows,
marrishes, ffeedings, grounds, rocks, stones, beach iflats, pastures, commons
and commons of pasture, woods, underwoods, swamps, waters, water-
courses, damms, ponds, fishings, Sowings, ways, easements, profits, privileges,
rights, commodities, royalling, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever,
to y* said townsHps of Lynn aad Reading and other y= premises belonging,
or in any wise appertaining, or by them now used, occupied and injoyed m
part, parcel or member thereof; and also ail rents, arrearages of rents, quit
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INDIAN DEED OP LYNN. 53
rentB, rights and appurtenances whatsoever, nothing oxcepted or reserved, and
also all deeds, wiiticgs, and evideacea whatsoever, toucliiiig y* premises or
any part or parcell tliereof.
To HiVE AKD TO Hoi.D all y= said townships of Lyiin and Reading, as
well as the Two Nubants aforesaid, y« little and ye great Nahant, as they are
encompaaaed by y sea witii their beaches from ye great Kahaut to y« little,
and from tlie little Nahant homeward where BJchard Hood now dwellelli, and
so to M' Kings, with all y* above gi"anted premises, with their and every of
their rights, members and appurteuauces, and every part and parcell thereof,
hereby given, granted coufiriaed, ratified, unto y^ said M^ Ralph. King, William
Bassett and y* rest sclectmei* m behalf of Lynn, and yf' worshipfull M' John
Brovrae and y= rest aforenamed, for Reading, all (TUstees and prudentials for
ya townships of Lyn and Reading, to them and their heirs and assigns forever,
to and for y" sole vse, benefit and behoof of y» purchasers and now proprietors
oiy said townships of Lynn and Readuig; and they, y^ stdd David Kunksha-
nioosbaw and Abigail his wife, and Cicely alias Su George, the reputed daugh
ter of George No-Nose, deceased, and James Quonopohit and Mary his vrife,
Indians aforesaid, for themselves, their heh's, executors, administrators, and
assigns, jointly, severally, and respectively, doe hereby covenant, promise, and
grant to and with y" said M' King, William Bassett, sen'r, and y« rest of Lynn,
and the worsbipfuiU M"^ John Browne and y» rest of Reading, trustees and pru-
dentials for yo towncs of Lynn and Reading, as aforesaid, their heii's and
assigns, and to the piu^hasers and now proprietors of y' said townships of
Lyn and Beading, &c., in manner and forme following, (that is to say,) that at
y« time of this graunt, confirmation and alienation and until! the ensealing and
deliveiy of tliese presents, their ancestor and ancestors and they, the above-
named David and Abigail his now wife, and Cicely alias Su Georgo, and y'
rest aforenamed Indians, were the true, sole, and lawfull owners of all y« afore-
bargained, confirmed, and aliened premises, and were lawfully seized off and
in y^ same and every part thereof in their own propper right, and have in them-
selves full power, good right, and lawiuli authority to grant, aliene, confirm,
and assure y^ sanie as is afore described in this deed, vnto M' Ralph King,
William Bassett, sen'r, and y* rest selectmen of Lynn, and ye worsbipfuU M'
John Browne and y« rest aforenamed, agents for Reading, all trustees and
prudentials for y« two townships of Lyn and Reading, to them, their iieirs and
asmgns forever, for y' use aforesaid, viz. the henefit and behoof of j* purehas-
ers and now proprietors of y" two townships aforesaid, as a good, perfect and
absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple without any manner of condition,
1 whatsoever, so as to alter, change, or mate void y"
same, and that y" said tnistees aforesaid, and y* purchasers and now proprie
tors of y= s^d towTiships of Lynn and Reading, their heirs and assigns, shall
and may, by vertue and force of these presents, from time to time and at all
times forever hereafter, lawfully, peaceably, and quietly, have, hold, use, oceu
py, possess, and injoy, y* above granted, aliened, and confirmed premises,
with y= appurtenances and benefits thereof, and every part and parcell thereof,
free and clear, and clearly acquitted and discharged off and fi;om all and all
E*
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54 HISTOET OF LTNH.
mamier of other gifts, graunts, bargaines, sales, leases, mortgages, jointureB,
dowers, judgments, executions, fibrfeitures, and off and from all other tides,
troubles, charges, jucmnbrances, whatsoever, had, made, committed, done or
suffered to be done by the said David and Abigwl his wife. Cicely alias Su
George and y« rest Indians afarenamed, them or any of them, or any of their
heirs or assigns, or any of their ancestors, at any time or times. And fuither,
that ys said Dayid Kunkshamooshaw and Abigail his wife, Su George, James
Quonopohit and Mary his wife, &c,, tlieir heu-s, executors and administrators,
&c., jointly and sevei-ally will and shall by these presents, from time to time
and at all times hereafter, warrant and defend then- foregranted and confirmed
premises, with their benefits and appurtenances, and every part and parcell
thereof; unto the said trustees or prudentials forenamed for j^ townships of
Lyu and Reading, and their heirs and assigns forever, to and for the sole use
and benefit of y" purchasers and now proprietors in and off y« said townships
of Lynn and Readmg, against all and every person or persons whatsoever any
waies lawfully claynung or deniandmg y same or ani part or^^rcell thereof
And lasdy, that they, y^ said David, and Su Geoige, and James Quonopohit,
&c., thoii- wives or anj of then hens, esecutois, oi admin'rs, shall and will
fi^m time to lime and at all times heitattei, when therevnto required, at
y cost and charges of y" afoiesaid Kustees and pi-udentials, their heirs or
assigns, or y« purchascre and propnttois of v" townships of Lynn end Read-
ing, &c, doe make, acknowledge, suffer, all and eveiy such furllier act and
acts, thing and things, assurances and conveyances in y law, whatsoever, for
y" further more better surety and sure making of y" abovesaid townships of
LjTin and Reading, with y" rights, hereditaments, benefits and appurtenances
above by these presents mentioned to be bai'gained, aliened, confiniied, vnto
ys afijresaid trustees and prudentials, then heirs and assigns, for y" vse afore-
said, as by the said trustees aforesaid, their heirs or assigns, or y= said proprie-
tors, or by their councill leai'ned in y" law, shall be reasonably devised, advised
or required.
Is Witness Wheheop, y" said David Kunkshamooshaw andAbigtul his
wife, and Cicely alias Su George and James Quonopohit and Mary his wife,
have hereunto set their hands and seals, y day of y' date, being y« fomlii day
of September, one thousand, six hundred eighty and six, annoque regni regis
Jacobus Secimdi Anglice.
[This deed, it will be seen, was inteoded to confirm and ratify
previous alienations, as well as to operate as a release or quit-
claim of all the interest remaining in the grantors. The virtue
of the conveyance, howover, must have existed mainly in the
release. But the purpose was accomplished in the old-fashion
way, and shows that, as before stated, there were earlier con-
veyances. To this deed t]ie Indian grantors affixed their marks
and seals. The marks of David and Abigail Kunkshamooshaw,
are rude representations of a bow and arrow. Cicely alias Su
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INDIAN DEED OP LrNS. 55
George indulges in a modest flourisli. And Mary Ponhanij aliaa
Quonopoliit, dashes off with a figure that somewhat resembles
an intoxicated X, but which may have been intended for a dis-
guised cross. The more learned James Quonopohit writes his
name in full. On the v/hole, the signatures do not indicate
remarkable accomplishment in the use of the pen ; 'but fortu-
nately the value of a sign manual does not depend on the
chirography. It is not wonderful that such signatures piifc
Andros in mind of scratches of a bear's claw, A slip or two
from the modern-Tules of grammai', may have been noticed;
but it is a wise provision that had grammar shall not damage
a legal instrument if the meaning is apparent. Fae-similes of
the marks are here introduced. They wcro traced from the
record, which appears to give vory careful imitations of the
^
4^ 07
[The certificate of " Bartho. Gedney, one of y* Council," says,
" All y* persons hereunto subscribed, acknowledged the within
written to be their act aud deed, this 31 May, 1687."
[Since page 49 was made ready, it has occurred to mo that
Mr. Lewis, many years ago, stated in one of the papers that an
ancient Indian deed of Lynn lands was in possession of the Hart
family, as late as 1800. If ho meant the family of my grand-
father, Joseph Hart, who lived in the old house still standing
on Boston -street, west corner of North Federal — the same in
which his unworthy grandson first opened his eyes on this
troublous world — it can readily be imagined what, may have
been its fate ; as I very well remember that in my boyhood there
was in the garret a large collection of old papers, to which the
boys had free access. The precious document, may, therefore,
have ended its career of usefulness in the merry guise of a kite
tail. Many and many an important document has come to an
end as inglorious.' And there are doubtless numbers still in
existence ordained to a similar fate.]
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56 HISTOET OP LTSN.
TOPOGRAPHY AND PHENOMENA
There were but few towDs planted in llassachusetta before
the settlement of Lynn. In 1622, a plantation was begun at
Woymouth. In 1624, the Rev, William Blackatone, with bis
family, established himself at Boston. [And in the same year,
a fishing and planting station was commenced at Cape Ann,
The famous Roger Conant was appointed overseer, in 1625.
The settlement, however, was broken up in the autumn of 1626,
and Conant, with most of the company, removed from the cape,
and commenced the settlement of Salem. He brought up bis
habitation ; and intelligent antiquarians affirm that its frame is
still doing service in the quaint old edifice standing on the east
side of Washington street, corner of Church.] In 1625; a
settlement was begun at Braintpee; and in 1627, at Charles"
town. On the 19tb of March, 1628, the Council in England sold
all that part of Massachusetts, between three miles north of
Merrimack River, and three miles south of Charles River, to six
gentlemen, one of whom was Mr. John Humfrey, who after-
ward came to Lynn.
Lynn is pleasantly situated on the northern shore of Massa-
chusetts Bay, between the cities of Salem and Boston. It
extends six miles on the sea shore and five miles into the woods.
[It will be borne in mind that this was written while Nahant
and Swampscot remained parts of Lynn.] The southern por-
tion of the town is a long, narrow prairie, defended on the north
by a chain of high, rocky hills, beyond which is an extensive
range of woodland. It is surrounded by abundance of water,
having the river of Saugus on the west, the harbor on the south,
the ocean on the southeast, and the lakes of Lynn on the north.
From the centre of the southern side, a beach of sand extends
two miles into the ocean, at the end of which are the two
peninsular islands called the Nahants. This beach forms one
side of tlie harbor, and protects it from the ocean. When great
storms beat on this beach, and on the cliffs of Nahant, they
make a roaring which may be beard six miles.
Lynn is emphatically a region of romance and beauty. Her
wide-spread and variegated shores — her extended beaches —
her beautiful Nahant — her craggy cliffs, that overhang the
sea — her hills of porphyry — her woodland lakes — her wild,
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TOPOGEAPHT AND PHESOMENA. 57
secluded vales — her lovely groves, where sings the whip-poor-
will — furnish fruitful themes for inexhaustible description;
while the legends of her forest kings and their vast tribes —
"their feather-cinctured chiefs and dusky loves," will be rich
themes of song a hundred ages hence.
Lynn, as it now exists, is much smaller than it was before the
towns of Saugus, Lynnfield, Reading, and South Beading were
separated from it. It is now, [1844,] bounded on the west by
Saugus, on the northwest by Lynnfield, on the north and east
by Danvers and Salem. The old county road passes through
the northern part, the Salem Turnpike through the centre, ajid
the rail road from Portland to Boston through the southern
part. The distance to Salem, on the northeast, is five miles;
to Boston, on the southwest, nine miles. It contains 9360
acres, or fourteen sc[uare miles; and the boundary Hue meas-
ures thirty-four miles. It presents a hold and rocky -shore,
consisting of craggy and precipitous cliffs, interspersed with
numerous hays, coves, and beaches, which furnish a pleasing
and picturesque variety. Above these rise little verdant mounds
and lofty, barren rocks, and high hills, clothed with woods of
evergreen. The first settlers found the town, including Nahant,
chiefly covered by forests of aged trees, which had never been
disturbed but by the storms of oonturies. On the tops of an-
cient oaks, which grew upon the cliffs, the eagles built their
nests ; the wild-cat and the bear rested in their branches ; and
the fox and the wolf prowled beneath. The squirrel made his
home undisturbed in the nut-tree; the wood-pigeon murmured
his sweet notes in the glen; and the beaver constructed his
dam across the wild brook. The ponds and streams were filled
with fish ; and the harbor was covered by sea-fowl, which laid
their eggs on the cliffs and on the sands of the beach.
The Indian name of the town was Saugus ; and by that name
it was known for eight years. The root of this word signifies
great, or extended; and it was probably applied to the Long
Beach. Wood, in his early map of New England, places the
word "Sagus" on Sagamore Hill. The river on the west was
called by the Indians ji&o!(seii — the word Saugus being applied
to it by the white men. It was called the river ai Saugus, and
the river of Saugus, and finally the Saugus river ; the original
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58 HiaiORT OF LYKN.
name " Abousett " being lost until I had the pleasure of restor-
ing it. This river baa ita source in Heading Pond, about ten
miles from the sea. For the first half of ita course, it is only
sufficient for a mill stream, biit becomes broader towards its
mouth, where it is more than a quarter of a mile wide. It is
crossed by four bridges — that at the Iron Works being about
60 feet in length, that on the old Boston road about 200, that
on the Turnpike 480, and that on the Eastern Kail Eoad 1550.
It is very crooked in its course, flowing three miles in the dis-
tance of one. In several places, after making a circuitous route .
of half a mile, it returns to within a few rods of the place whence
it deviated. The harbor, into which it flows, is spacious, but
ehoal, and does not easily admit large vessels.
Nahant, [which was incorporated as a separate town in 1853,]
is the original name of tho peninsula on the south of Lynn,
which has become so celebrated. [For some account of the
early visits to Nahant, see pages 27—30.] This is probably
the Indian term Nalianteau, a dual word signifying two united,
or twins. This name is peculiarly appropriate, and is an
instance of tho felicity of Indian appellations; for the two
islands, like the Siamese twins, are not only connected together
by the short beach, but both are chained to the main land by
the long beach. [I have found it elsewhere stated that Nahant,
in the Indian language, signified " lover's walk."] When the
early settlers spoke of the larger promontory, they called it
Nahant; but more commonly after the manner of the Indians,
who talked of both together, they called them " the Nahants."
Great Nahant is two miles in length, and about half a mile in
breadth, containing five hundred acres, and is six and one quar-
ter miles in circumference. It is surrounded by steep, craggy
clifi"3| rising from twenty to sixty feet above the tide, with a
considerable depth of water below. The rocks present a great
variety of color — white, green, blue, red, purple, and gray —
and in some places very black and shining, having the appear-
ance of iron. The chffs are pierced by many deep fissures,
caverns and grottos; and between these are numerous coves,
and beaches of fine, shining, silvery sand, crowned by ridges
of various colored pebbles, interspersed with seorsholls. Above
the clifi's, the promontory swells into mounds from sixty to ninety
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Irene GaoTTf [i'lge W) )
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TOrOGEAPHY ASD PHEiSOMENA. — (NAHAHT.) 59
feet in height. There are many remarkable cliffs and caves
around Nahant, which are very interesting to the lovers of
natural curiosities.
The Swallows' Cave is a passage beneath a high cliff, on the
Bontheaetern part of NaHant. The entrance ia eight feet high
and ten wide. Inside, it is fourteen feet wide, and nearly twen-
ty feet in height. Toward the centre it becomes narrower, and
at the distance of seventy-two feet, opens into the sea. It may
be entered about half tide, and passing through, you may ascend
to the height above, without returning through the cave. At
high tide the water rushes through with great fury. The awaU
lows formerly inhabited this cave in great numbers, and built
their nests on the irregularities of the rock above; but the
multitude of visitors have frightened them mostly away.
In delineating this delightful cavern, many a vision of early
romance rises lovelily before me.
And presses forward to be in my Houg,
But must not now.
It is not allowable for a serious historian to indulge in discur-
sions of fancy, else might I record many a legend of love and
constancy, which has been transmitted down from the olden
time, in connection with this rude and romantic scenery. Here
came the Indian maid, in all her artlessness of beauty, to lave
her limbs in the enamored water. Here came Wenuchus and
Yawata, and other daughters of the forest, to indulge the gosh-
ings of their love, which they had learned, not in the pages of
Burns or Byron, but in God's beautiful bock of the unsophisti-
cated human heart. Here, too, the cliffs now washed by tho
pure waves, and dried by many a summer siin, have been pur-
pled by the blood of human slaughter ; arid perhaps this very
cavern has sheltered some Indian mother or daughter from the
tomahawk of the remorseless foe of her nation. Here also, in
later times, have lovers pledged their warm and fond affections —
bappy if the succeeding realities of life have not frustrated the
vision of happiness here formed.
Southward from the Swallows' Cave is Pea Island, an irregu.
lar rock, about twenty rods broad. It has some soil on it, on
which the sea pea grows. It is united to the Swallows' Cliff
by a little isthmus, or beach of sand, thirteen rods long.
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60 HISTOEY OF LYNN.
Eastward from Pea Island are two long, low, black ledges,
lying in the water and covered at high tides, called the Shag
Eocks. Several vessels have been wrecked on them.
Passing from the Swallows' Cave along the rocks, near the
edge of the water, to the western side of the same cliff, you
come to Irene's Grotto — a tall arch, singularly grotesque and
beautiful, leading to a large room in the rock. This is one of
the greatest curiosities on Nabant, and was formerly much more
so until sacrilegious hands broke down part of the roof above,
to obtain stone for building.
Eastward .from Swallows' Cave is Pulpit Eock — a vast block,
aboiit thirty feet in height, and nearly twenty feet square, stand-
ing boldly out in the tide. On the top is an opening, forming a
Beat ; but from the steepness of the rock on all sides, it is difS-
cult of access. The upper portion of the rock has a striking
resemblance to a pile of great books. This rock is so peculiarly
unique in its situation and character, that if drawings were made
of it from three sides, thoy wonld scarcely be supposed to rep-
resent the same object.
The Natural Bridge is near Pulpit Eock. It is a portion of
the cliff forming an arch across a deep gorge, from which you
look down upon the rocks and tide, twenty feet below.
Near East Point is a great gorge, overhung by a precipice on
either side, called the Cauldron Cliff; in which, especially during
great storms, the water boils with tremendous force and fury.
On the right of this, descending another way, is the Eoaring
Cavern ; having an aperture beneath the rock, through which
you bear the roaring of the Cauldron Cliff.
On the northeastern side of Nabant, at the extremity of Cedar
Point, is Castle Bock, an immense pile, bearing a strong resem-
blance to the ruins of an old castle. The battlements and but-
tresses are strongly outlined ; and the square openings in the
sides, especially when thrown into deep shadow, appear like
doors, windows, and embrasures. Indeed the whole of Nahant
has the appearance of a strongly fortified place.
Northwest from Castle Eock is the Spouting Horn. It is a
winding fissure in the lower projecting bed of the cliff, in the
form of a horn, passing into a deep cavern under the rock. The
water is driven through a tunnel, formed by two walls of rock,
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I'lTPiT Roik (PiqelO
Cattle R cr [Pi fee 60)
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TOPOGRAPHY AND PHENOMENA. — (NAHAST.) 61
about one hundred feet, and is then forced into the cavern, from
which it is spouted, with great violence, in foam and spray, la
a great easterly storm, at half flood, when the tide is- coming in
with all its power, the water ia driven into this opening with a
force that eeema to jar the foundations of the solid rock; and
each wave makes a sound like subterranean thunder. The cliff
rises abruptly forty feet above, but there is a good descent to
the mouth of the tunnel.
Westward from the Spouting Horn is a large black ledge,-
called the Iron Mine, from its great resemblance to that mineraL
It embraces a singular cavity, called the Dashing Rock.
At the northwestern extremity of Nabant, is John's Peril, a
vast fissure in the cliff, forty feet perpendicular. It received its
name from the following anecdote : John Breed, one of the early
inhabitants of Nahant, one day attempted to drive his team be.
tween a rock on the hill and this cliff. The passage being
narrow, and finding his team in great peril, he hastily unfast-
ened his oxen ; and the cart, falling down the precipice, waa
dashed in pieces on the rocks below.
Directly in front of Nahant, at the distance of three-fourths
of a mile, on the cast, is Egg Hock, [which is an extension of
the ledge on the eastern side of Nahant.] It rises abruptly
from the sea, eighty-six feet in height. Its shape is oval, being
forty-five rods in length, and twelve in breadth, containing
•about throe acres. Near the summit is half an acre of excellent
soil covered with rank grass. The gulls lay their eggs here in
abundance, whence the rock derives its name. The approach
to this rock ia dangerous, except in calm weather, and there is
but one good landing place, which is on the western side. Its
shape and colors are highly picturesque. Viewed from the north
it has the semblance of a couchant lion, lying out in front of the
town, to protect it from the approach of a foreign enemy —
meet emblem of the spirit which slumbers on our shores. [Egg
Kock was ceded to the United States in 1856, and a light house
was immediately after erected upon it. The light was shown
for the first time on the night of 15 Sept. 1857. It would
certainly have been more convenient, and perhaps quite as use-
ful, on the point of Nahant ; but its appearance would not have
been so picturesque. The cost of the building was $3,700.
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62 HISTOltT OF LTNN.
Mr. Lewis exerted himself witli a good deal of zeal and pertin-
acity to secixre the establishroent of tliis light house,]
South of Nahant ia a dangerous rock, covered at high tide,
called Sunk Rock. On the western side, at the entrance of the
harbor, ia a cluster of rocks called the Lobster Rocks,
Nahant has always been a place of interest to the lovers of
natural scenery, and has long been visited in the summer season
by parties of pleasure, who, when there were no hotels, cooked
their chowders on the rocks. Few of the numerous visitors at
Nahant have any idea of the place in its primitive simplicity,
when its advantages were known and appreciated by a limited,
number of the inhabitants of the metropolis and neighboring
towns. Accommodations for visitors were then circumscribed,
and food was not very abundant. A chicken, knocked down by
a fishing-polo in the morning, and cooked at dinner, served to
increase the usual meal of fish, and was regarded as one of the
luxuries of the place. But notwithstanding the inconveniences
to which visitors were subjected, several families from Boston
passed the whole summer in the close quarters of the village.
Hon. James T, Austin, Hon. William Sullivan, Hon.WjUiam Minot,
Charles Bradbury, Esq., Rufus Amory, Esq., and Marshall Prince,
were among those who early and annually visited the rock-bound
peninsula with their families. At this time, Nahant did not
boast of a house from Bass Beach round by East Point to Bass
Rock. The whole of tho space now dotted by luxurious cot-
tages and cultivated soil, was a barren waste, covered by short,
brown grass, tenanted by grasshoppers and snakes. The strag-
gler to Bast Point, Pulpit Rock, and Swallows' Cave, found his
path impeded by stone walls — while the rest of the island,
excepting the road through the village, was a terra incognita to
all, save the old islanders and a few constant visitors. Subse-
quently, Rouillard opened a house in the village, which accom-
modated the numbers who were beginning to appreciate the
beauties of tho place. At this time, no artiiicial rules of society
marred the comfort of the visitors. There was no dressing for
dinners — no ceremonioiis calls. No belles brought a ward-
robe, made up in the latest fashion of the day ; and no beaux
confined and cramped their limbs with tight coats, strapped
pants, and high-heeled boots. "Visitors shook off the restraints
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TOPOGRAPHT AND PHBNOMEHA — (NAHANT.) 63
of society, and assimilated themselres in some degree to the
rugged character of the scenery around them. Parties were
frequently made, and whole days passed hy them in the Swal-
lows' Cave and on tho adjacent rocks — the ladies with their
sewing and hooks, while the men amused themselves in shooting
or fishing, and the children in picking up pebbles and shells on
the beaches. One of the first improvements made at Nahant,
was a hathing-house at the southern extremity of Bass Beach,
, built under the direction of James Magee, Esq., whose name
^became associated with most of the early improvements. Since
the citizens of Boston took Nahant into their patronage, its
improvement has been rapid, and it now presents the appear-
ance of a romantic town, sparkling in the ocean waves.
Among the benefectors of Nahant, no one is deserving of
higher commendation than Frederic Tudor, Esq., who has built
one of the most beautiful rustic cottages in the country, and
has expended many thousand dollars to improve and beautify
the place, by constructing side-walks, and planting several thou-
sands of fruit and ornamental trees, both on his own grounds,
and in the public walks. He has converted a barren hill into a
garden, which has proHuced some of the richest and most deli-
cious fruits and vegetables that have been presented at the
horticultural exhibitions.
[In 1860, Mr. Tudor commenced those improvements in tho
vicinity of North Spring, or Cold Spring, as it has been indis-
criminately called, which have already added much to its natural
attractions. For generation after generation this locality has
been a favorite place of resort. The little stream which gave
rise to the name has never ceased to leap joyously from its
paternal fountain somewhere in the bowels of the rocky hill,
and unmurmuringly trickle on to add its mite to the waters of
the craving ocean — just as joyously when it foil on the rough
bed of rock that nature made ready for it, as it now does upon
the marble bed, which the hand of art prepared. And may it
not, after these many ages of smal! but ceaseless contribution,
modestly claim to have performed some service, in the filling
up of the great sea? Here, upon the rough rocks, the parties
of old were accustomed to cook their chowders, made of fish
caught from the abundance that sported at their very feet —
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the drift-wood at hand being sufficient for the fires, and the
sparkling spring supplying all demands of thirst. Under the
shade of tho few old forest trees that still remained upon the
upland, the happy visitors partook of their repast, and contem-
plated the glorious scene spread out to view. But art has come
in and shaken hands with nature. And the Maolis (Siloam)
Grounds have conveniences, in the unic[ue erections and well-
ordered appointmenta, to meot tho wants of a genteeler age.
[The most striking of the works of art, in this vicinity, is the
Eock Temple. It is reared upon an elevated ledge, a little
southeast of the old Korth Spring road, and a few rods above the
ever-daehing waves. Its circumference is about a hundred and
twenty feet, and it consists of eight irregular columns of strati-
fied rock, resting upon bases formed of ponderous concrete
stones, some of several tons weight, supporting an octagonal
roof of heavy timber, covered with bark and other material in
keeping with the rugged appearance of the columns, which are,
including their bases, from twelve to fifteen feet in height,
varying according to the inequalities of the surface on which
they rest. Sundry mythological denizens of the deep, glisten
in gilded honor upon the gables and challenge the study of the
curious. This attractive edifice was reared in 1861.
[The contemplations of visitors who seat themselves in the
Rock Temple, must vary according to their peculiarities of mind,
habits of thought, and education. To some, visions of classic
days will arise — days when philosophy and poetry were taught
amid the inspiring scenes of nature — when the grovo, the hill-
top and tho sounding shore were schools — and, perhaps, lost
in contemplation, they will glance around for the appearance
of the robed sage appointed there to minister. To others,
weird visions may bo suggested — visions of old Druidical days,
when through the open tempio of rock the wild winds moaned
as if in solemn unison with the wail of the disturbed spirits
who lingered there — and they, too, lost in contemplation, may
glance around for the shaven priest and bound victim.
[But all who come hither with unstraying thoughts may enjoy
one of the most captivating scenes that nature ever provided
for the eye of man. In the quiet sleeping of tho ocean, beneath
a cloudless sky — her swelling bosom traversed by white sails.
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TOPOGEAPHT AHD PHENOMENA — (NAHANT.)
G5
ecudding in all directions, with the dark trains of steamers
fading away on the horizon, and the sunlight gilding her dan-
cing ripples — he beholds a picture of rare beauty, the effect
of which is vastly heightened by the inland background. The
hills, the woods, the rocks, the habitations, the towering church
spires, the sandy ridge, the distant shore, all lend their charms.
And hero the visitor may also sit and witness the stern gran-
deur of the ocean storm — ait tremblingly arwatch, w^ile the
eternal rocks themselves seem to recoil from the assaulting
billows — when by the midnight lightning's gleam the power-
less ship, perchance, may be discerned dashing furiously onward
to her doom among the jagged cliffs. And may it not be, too,
that during years to come this temple will be resorted to by
lovers on their moonlight strolls. Here may they sit and whis-
per their sweet dreams, with hopes as bright and souls as placid,
as the beams that rock upon the wave. And may their happy
dreams prove verities.]
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6() HISTORY OP LYNS,
Little Nabant, is one hundred and forty rods long, and seventy
broad, containing forty acres. It is a liill, consisting of two
graceful elevations, rising eighty feet above the sea, and defend-
ed by great battlements of rock, from twenty to sixty feet in
height. On the southern side are two deep gorges, called the
Great and Little Furnace. Between these is Mary's Grotto, a
spacious room, twenty-four feet square, and twenty in height,
opening into the sea. It was formerly completely roofed by a
great arched rock; but some of those persona who have no
veneration for the sublime works of Nature, have broken down
a large portion of it. On the north side of Little Nahant is a
fissure called the Wolf's Cave.
[Interesting erratic rocks have been observed at Little Na-
hant — on the western side, a boulder of fine pudding stone,
twenty-six feet in circumference ; a granite boulder, thirty-six
feet in circumference; a brecciated boulder, thirty-six feet in
circumference, half buried in sand; — on the southern side, a
granite boulder, thirty-four feet in circumference; a split boul-
der, irregular, forty-six ^eet io circumference ; an irregular brec-
ciated boulder, forty-nine feet in circumference, weighing about
a hundred and sixty tons ; — on the summit, near East Point, a
split boulder, forty-six feet in circumference.]
Little Nahant is connected to Great Nahant by Nahant Beach,
which is somewhat more than half a mile in length, of great
smoothness and beauty.
Lynn Beach, which connects the Nahants to the main land,
is two miles in length on the eastern side, and two and a half
miles on the western. It is an isthmus, or causeway, of fine,
shining, gray sand, forming a curve, and rising so high in the
centre as generally to prevent the tide from passing over. On
the western side it slopes to the harbor, and on the eastern side
to the ocean. The ocean side is most beautiful, as here the tide
flows out about tbirty-thrtee rods, leaving a smooth, polished
surface of compact sand, so hard that the horse's hoof scarcely
makes a print, and the wheel passes without sound. It fre-
quently retains suiEcient lustre after thetide has left it, to give
it the appearance of a mirror ; and on a cloudy day the traveler
may see the perfect image of his horse reflected beneath, with
the clouds below, and can easily imagine himself to be passing,
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TOPOGRAPHY AHD PHBHOMENA. 67
like a spirit, tlirough a world of shadows — a brightly mirrored
emblem of his real existence 1
It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to convey to the mind of a
reader who has never witnessed the prospect, an idea of the
beauty and sublimity of this beach, and of the absolute magnifi-
cence of the surrounding scenery. A i3oor of sand, two miles
in length, and more than Hino hundred feet in breadth, at low
tide, bounded on two sides by the water and the sky, and pre-
senting a surface so extensive that two millions of people might
stand tipon it, is certainly a view which the universe cannot
parallel. This beach is composed of movable particles of sand,
so small that two thousand of them would not make a grain as
large as the head of a pin; yet these movable atoms have with-
stood the whole immense power of the Atlantic ocean for cen-
turies, perhaps from the creation I
There are five beaches on the shores of Lynn, [including
Swampacot,] and sixteen around Nahant. The names of these,
beginning at the east, are Phillips' — Whale — Swarapscot —
Humfrey's — Lynn — Nahant — Stoney — Bass — Canoe — Ba-
thing— Pea Island — Joseph's — Curlew — Crystal — Dorothy's —
Pond — Lewis's — Coral ■ — Eeed- — ^ Johnson's -^ and Black Rock
beaches. These together have an extent of nine miles, and
most of them are smooth and beautiful. Great quantities of
kelp and rock weed are thrown upon these beaches by storms,
which are gathered by the farmers for the enrichment of their
lands.
SWASIPSCOT is the original Indian name of the fishing village
at the eastern part of the town, [It was incorporated as a
separate town, 21 May, 1852.] This is a place of great natural
beauty, bearing a strong resemblance to the Bay of Naples. On
the west of Swampscot is a pleasant rock, called Black Will's
Cliff, from an Indian sagamore who resided there. On the
east is a low and very dangerous ledge of rocks extending into
the sea, called Dread Ledge. The cHS's, coves, and beaches at
Swampscot are admirably picturesque, and vie with those of
Nahant in romantic beauty.
There are numerous building sites of surpassing loveliness,
not only at Nahant and Swampscot, but throughout Lynn; and
when a better taste in architecture shall prevail, and the town
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68 HISTORY OF LYNTT.
becomes as higlily ornamented by art as it has been by nature,
it will perliapa be surpassed by no town in the Union. I have
long endeavored to introduce a style of architecture -which shall
be in harmony with the wild and natural beauty of the scenery —
a style in which the cottages shall appear to grow out of the
rocks and to be born of the woods. In some instances I have
succeeded, but most people have been toobusy In other occupa-
tions to study a cultivated and harmonizing taste. When a
style of rural refinement shall prevail — when the hills and cliffs
shall be adorned with buildings in accordance with the scenery
around — and when men, instead of cutting down every tree
and shrub, shall re-clothe nature with the drapery of her appro-
priate foliage, Lynn will appear much more lovely and interest-
ing than at present. [But Mr. Lewis himself lived to see the
day of better taste arrive. The style of architecture has won-
derfully improved within the last twenty ,years. And could all
the elegant residences that are now scattered in every direc-
tion, be gathered into one quarter, they would form an array
which could be equalled by few places out of the leading cities.
Our romantic hills are beginning to be adorned by structures
becoming in style and challenging the admiration of the traveler.
Some of the inost beautiful gardens in New England are like-
wise hero to be found. Our newly-erected mamifactorios are
on a far more extensive and durable scale than the old. And
our streets and other public places have been greatly beautified
by the planting of numerous ornamental trees. In short, it
may be fairly claimed that the external progress of Lynn has
kept pace with her moral and intellectual advancement.]
The eminences in different parts of the town, furnish a great
variety of pleasing prospects. ' High Eocb, near the centre of
the town, is an abrupt cliff, one hundred and seventy feet in
height. The view from this rock is very extensive and beauti-
ful. On the east is the pleasant village of Swatapscot, with itg
cluster of slender masts, and its beaches covered with boats —
Baker's island with its light — the white towers of Marblehead —
and the distant headland of Cape Ann. On the right ia Bunker
Hill, with its obelisk of granite — the majestic dome, and the
lofty spires of Boston — tho beautiful green islands, with the
forts and light houses in the Bay — and far beyond, the Blue
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TOPOGBAPHT AND PHENOMENA. 69
Hills, softly mingling with the sky. On tlie north is a vast
range of hill and forest, above which rises the rtii^ty summit of
Wachueett. Before you is the town of Lynn, with its white
houses and green trees — the rail-road cars gliding as if by
magic across the landscape — tho Long Beach, stretching out
in its beauty — tho dark rocks of Nahant, crowned with roman-
tic cottages — Egg Rock, in its solitary dignity— and the vast
ocean, spreading out in its interminable grandeur. There too
may be seen a hundred dories of the fishermen, skimming lightly
over the waves — the Swampscot, jiggers, bounding like sea
birds over the billows — a hundred ships, ploughing the deep
waters — and the mighty steamers wending their way to and
from England. The whole is a splendid panorama of the mag-
nificent Bay of Massachusetts.
Lover's Leap is a beautiful and romantic elevation near the
northern end of Grove street, and a mile northwest from High
Rock, It is a steep cliff, on the side of a hiil clothed with wood,
one hundred and thirty-three feet in height — that is, thirty-three
feet to the base of the hill, and one hundred feet above. It
furnishes a pleasant view of a large portion of the town.
Pine Hill is half a mile west from Lover's Leap. It is two
hundred and twenty-four feet in height. The southwestern
extremity of this hill is called Sadler's Eock, which is one hun-
dred and sixty-sis feet high. A small distance northward of this,
is a clifi', by the road side, which was struck by lightning in 1807,
when a portion of the rock, about 12 tons weight, was split off,
and thrown nearly two hundred feet; the bolt leaving its deep
traces down the side of the rock. A few rods beyond, where
the road is crossed by a brook, is a flat rock, in which is im-
pressed the print of a cloven foot, apparently that of a cow or
moose. A stono, lying near, bears the deep impress of a child's
feet.
Sagamore Hill is a very pleasant eminence at the northern
end of Long Beach, sixty-six feet in height. It slopes to the
harbor on one side, and to the ocean on the other, and has the
town lying beautifully in the back ground. [Since this was
written Sagamore Hill has become covered by residences, some
of them very fine, and affording charming landscape and marine
views.] Half a mile eastward is Eed Rock, which forms a very
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70 HISTORY OP LYNN.
pretty iittle promontory in tbe ocean. Many spota in. the hills
and forests of Lynn are beautifully wild and romantic. There
is a delightful walk on the eastern bank of Saugus River, which
passes through one of the loveliest pine groves imaginable. On
the eastern side of this river also is the Pirates' Glenj respecting
which a legend will be found under date 1658. The view from
Round Hill, in Saugus, is delightful.
There are seven ponds in Lynn, several of which are large,
having the appearance of little lakes. Theirnamesare Cedar —
Tomlins's — Flax — Lily — Floating Bridge — Pliillips's — In-
galls's. And there is Bear Pond, on Nahant. The iirst three
of these are connected with Saugus River by Strawberry Brook,
on which are many mills and factories. The margins of some
of these lakes are very pleasant, and will probablj', at some more
tasteful period, be adorned with beautiful villas and delightful
cottages. The water in Tomlins's Pond is sixty feet above tbe
ocean. Floating Bridge Pond is crossed by a bridge which
floats on the water. It is faur hundred and fifty-six feet in
length, and is quite a curiosity, reminding one of the Persian
bridge of boats across the Hellespont,
Springs are abundant — some of them exceedingly cold and
pure, and good water is easily obtained. [WiUiam Wood, the
early Lynn settler and author of New England's Prospect, be-
fore alluded to, was delighted with the water hereabout. He
says, " it ia farr different from the waters of England, being not
so sharp but of a fatter substance, and of a more jettie color;
it is thought there can be no better water in the world ; yet dare
I not prefer it before good beere, as some have done ; but any
man will choose it before bad beere, whey, or buttermilk."]
There are several fine springs at Nahant, particularly North
Spring, which is remarkably cold, flowing from an aperture
beneath a cliff, into which the sun never shines. [See page
63, for notice of recent improvements in this neigbboi-hood.]
One of the early inhabitants of Nahant, having a violent^ fever,
asked for water, which, as usual in such cases, was denied him;
but, watching an opportunity, be escaped from bis bed, ran half
a milo to this spring, drank as much water aa he wanted, and
immediately recovered. A curious boiling spring, called Hol-
yoke Spring, surrounded by willows, is found in a meadow,
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TOPOGRAPHY- AND PHESOMENA. 71
near the western end of Holyoke street. Another boiling
spring may bo seen in the clay meadow, near the centre of Sau-
gus. There is also a mineral spring in the western part of that
town, near the Maiden line-
put the most noted mineral spring in this region is that
near the eastern border of the town, on the margin of Spring
Pond, which lies within the limits of Salem. The waters are
impregnated with iron and sulphur, and were formerly much
esteemed for their good effects in scorbutic and pu,lmonary affec-
tions. It has been popularly called the Red Spring, its waters
having a reddish hue, imparted, probably, by the iron. About
the close of century 1600, Dr. John Caspar Eichter van Crown-
insoheldt, purchased the. adjacent lands and settled on them,
directing his attention chiefly to farming. He was a gentleman
widely known and of good reputation. The present prominent
Crowninshiold family descended from him. At hia romantic
retreat eminent personages were sometimes entertained. The
celebrated Cotton Mather, among others, visited him, partook
of the waters of the spring, and in on© of his elaborate works
extols their virtues. The situation is delightful. The httla
lake, which has received the pretty name of Lynnmere, nestles
so cozily and smiloa so brightly between the thickly wooded
hills that it might almost be imagined there had been a compact
that it should be shielded from the wild winds that would agitate
its bosom, in return for the refreshing exhalations it might
send up to renovate the drooping foliage. Upon the western
bank, jvhich rises gracefully to a considerable height, was erect-
ed, in 1810, the edifice long known as Lynn iMineral Spring
Hotel. It was a favorite summer resort; and no inland retreat
could be more charming. There was fishing in the pond, fowl-
ing in the woods, and beautiful drives in all directions,
[In 1847, Eichard S. Fay, Esq., purchased the estate and also
many acres of the adjoining territory, and made his summer
residence there. A very largo number of foreign trees have
been planted ; England and Franco are represented ; the Eiack
Forest of Germany ; and even Russia and Siberia. There is a
pleasing variety of grove and lawn, pasture and arable ground,
woodland and meadow. And altogether the landscape is one
of uncommon freshness and vigor. In traversing the grounds
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72 HISTORY OP LYSN.
one is forcibly reminded of feudal days and baronial domaing-
Aad if the ivyed walls of an ancient caatle could be discerned
peering from some rocky crest across the lake, the illusion
migjit be complete. Thero are varioua historical facts of inter-
est connected with this pleasant locality, some of which will be
alluded to under dates 1676, 1682, and 1700. At the last date
Dr. Crowninscheldt bought the estate of Elizabeth Allen, of
Salem, which must have Iain near bis previous purchase, and
which gave him quite an extensive area. Or else a mistake
has prevailed as to the date of his settlement here, and her
deed indicates the period of his first coming. The deed men-
tions buildings, and hence the inference that there were settlers
somewhere in the vicinity of the Poj^d before the time of its
date. Mr. Lewis elsewhere remarks that Dr. Crowninscheldt,
who was a German, as bis name indicates, was the first white
man who settled at the Spring, having built a cottage there,
about the year 1690 ; and adds that at the time he wrote, (1844)
several of the old apple trees, planted by him, were still stand-
ing in the garden.]
Lynn furnishes an admirable study for the geologist. The
northern part of the town abounds with rocky bills, composed
of porphyry, greenstone, and sienite. Porphyry commences at
Eed Hock, and passing through the town in a curve toward the
northwest, forms a range of hills, including High Rock, Lover's
■Leap, and Sadler's Rock. The term porphyry is derived from
a Greek word signifying purple. It is composed of feldspar and
quartz, and is of various colors — purple, red, gray, hro^^n, and
black. It gives fire with steel, and is susceptible of a high
polish; the best specimens being very beautiful, equalling the
porphyry of the ancients. The western portion of the town
comprises ledges and hills of brccciated porphyry; that is, por-
phyry which has been broken into fragments, and then cemented
by a fluid. The porphyry formation continues on through Sau-
gus. Near the Pirates' Glen is a ledge, which is being disinte-
grated into very coarse gravel, having the appearance of pumice
or rotten stone. Specimens of clinkstone porphyry are found,
which, when struck, give out a metallic sound. At Lover's
Leap, and elsewhere, the porphyry seems to be subsiding into
fine hornstone. At Sadler's Rock, it is of a very delicate purple.
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TOPOGSAPHY AND PHENOMENA. 73
The hills in the eastern section of the town, including the
ledges and cliffs at Swampscot, consist of a coarse-grained
greenstone, composed of hornblende and feldapar. In opening
these ledges,, dendrites of manganese have been found, beanti-
fully disposed in the form of trees and shrubs. [I have found
nnmbera of very fine ones, in the vicinity of Sadler's E-ock;
some of them so striking as almost to induce the belief that
nature had in some mysterious way been operating by the pho-
tographic process.] This tract of greenstone extends through
the town, north of the porphyry hills. In many places it is
beautifully veined with quartz, and other substances. A little
north from the Iron Works, in Saugiis, is a great ledge by the
roadside, with a singular vein passing through it, having the
appearance of a flight of stairs. On .the eastern bank of the
river, southward from the ^Iron Works, is a wild, tremendous
ledge, from which many vast fragments have fallen, and others
seem ready to topple on the head of the beholder.
The northern section of the town comprises fine beds of sie-
nite, of a grayish color, composed of feldspar, hornblende, and
quartz. It has its name from Siena, in Egypt. It is found in
great variety, from very fine to very coarse, and is used for
building, and for mill-stones. Prom the presence of iron ore, it
frequently attracts the compass, and occasions much difficulty
in surveying. At one place in the Lynn woods, the north end
of the needle pointed south; and at another, it went round
forty tijnes in a minute.
Granite occurs, but chiefly in roundish masses, or boulders,
composed of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It is not so frequent
as formerly, the best specimens having been used for building.
It is remarkable, that nearly all these boulders appear to have
been brought, by a strong flood from a considerable distance
north; and many of them were left in very peculiar and some-
times surprising positions, on the tops of the highest hills and
ledges. Ono of these, near the Salem line, rested on the angu-
lar point of a rock, and was a great cariosity, until that rage for
destructiveness, which exists in some people, caused it to be
blown down by powder. Another boulder, fourteen feet in
diameter, weighing full one hundred and thirty tons, lay on the
very summit of the cliS^next east from Sadler's Rock. It appear-
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74 HISTOBT OP LYHN.
ed to repose so loosely that a strong wind might rock it; yet
it required fifteen men, with levers, to roll it down. [And thia
may have heen the rock that tradition avers the enterprising
proprietor of the land had discharged from its ancient resting
place, by offering a certain quantity of rum for its removal.
And the fifteen alluded to may have been the jolly topers who
undertook the job. Near the foot of the hill the ponderous
mass formed an indentation that operated usefully as a reser-
voir, supplying the neighborhood, for many years, with excellent
water.] A boulder of breccia, on the boundary line between
Lynn and Saugus, rests on a ledge of breccia of a different
character, and appears to have been removed from its original
situation in the north. It is twelve feet in diameter, weighing
eighty-three tons. On this line also is a still greater curiosity —
ii vast rock of greenstone, which agpears to have been brought
from its bed ia the north, and placed on the summit of a hill,
where it forms a very picturesque object. It was originally
sixteen feet in diameter, weighing two hundred tons ; but sev-
eral large portions have been detached, either by frost or light-
ning, perhaps both. Ifc must have been a tremendous torrent,
which could have removed rocks of such magnitude, and placed
them on such elevations. [May not such phenomena be referred
to the glacier period?] Many boulders of granite now lie on
the summit of Little Nahant. The cliffs at this place are green-
stone. A conglomerate rock, or boulder of breccia, of a very
peculiar character, lies in the tide, on the south side of Little
Nahant. It is a spheroid, eighteen feet in diameter, weighing
two hundred and sixty tons. Its singular disposition of colors
renders it a great curiosity.
The western and southern portions of Great Nahant are com-
posed cf fine and coarse grained greenstones, and greenstone
porphyry. The hills and ledges on the northern side are sienite ;
and on the northeast, they are a coarse-grained greenstone,
blending into sienite. The southeastern portion is composed
of stratified rocks of argillaceous limestone, and argillaceous
slate, variously combined, and traversed by immense veins of
greenstone, ' The rocks, in this part, present a very peculiar
appearance, both in their combination and disposition; consist-
ing of immense masses, and irregular fragments, cracked and
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TOPOGBAPHY AND PHENOMENA. 76
broken in every direction. Were we to suppose a portion of
one of the asteroida, in an ignited state, to have been precipita-
ted tiirougii the atmosphere, from the southeast, and striking
the earth in an angle of forty degrees, to have been shieered
into an infinite number of fragments, it would probably present
the appearance which Nabant now exhibits. There must have
been some tremendous up-heaving to have produced such re-
sults ; and it is not improbable that a volcano has more than
once been busy among the foundations of Nahant.
On the northern shore is a vast ledge of pure hornblende, so
very black and shining as to have deceived early voyagers and
founders into the belief that it was a mine of iron ore. A very
curious vein of fine greenstone, two inches in thickness, passes
through this lodge, for more than two hundred feet, in a direc-
tion from southeast to northwest. Eastward from this, the rock
is traversed by veins of various colors, and in different direc-
tions; evidently produced by the action of fire. The primitive
rock appears to have been strongly heated, and to have cracked
in cooling. A fissure was thus formed, through which a lic[uid
mass was erupted, which again heated the rock, and as it cooled,
formed another fissure in a transverse direction. This was filled
by a third substance ; a similar process followed ; and the orig-
inal rock, and the preceding veins, were traversed by a fourth
formation.
At Nahant are found porphyry, gneiss, and hornstone. It also
presents regular strata of foliated feldspar ; and, perhaps, tho
only instance in New England, in which trap rock exhibits such
parallel divisions. Here also are found jasper, chalcedony, and
agate; with prase, prehnite, chert, chlorite, dathclit'e, dolomite,
quartz, epidote, rhomb spar, carbonate of lime, and lignified as-
bestos. At Crystal Beach are fine specimens of crystalized
corundum, probably the only locality of this mineral in the
United States. Those crystals are in six-sided prisma, termin-
ated by hexagonal pyramids, half an inch in diameter, and from
two to iive inches in length, single and in clusters. Swallows'
Cave is composed of greenstone ; Pulpit .Hock of argillaceous
slate; Castle Rock of greenstone; Egg Rock of compact feld-
spar. Mineral teeth are formed by the fusion of pure feldspar.
In Saugua are found most of the rocks common to Lynn.
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76 HISTORY OP LYKN.
Here aro rocks of red and green jasper, with antimony and bog
iron ore in abundance. An account of the Iron Works anciently
established here, will be found in the following pages. Lead
ore has also been discovered in the western part of the town.
In the northern part, sulphate of iron ia found. Extensive beda
of very fine clay exist near the ceutf e of the town, which have
been wrought into pottery. In 1830, a very singular discovery
was made near the old tavern on the west of Saugus River. It
consisted of a mass of very fine and beautiful blue sand, which
lay in a hard grave! bed, about one foot below the surface.
There were about eight quarts of it. This sand has a very
sharp grit, yet it is as fine as can easily be imagined, and as
blue as the bluest pigment. Viewed through a magnifying;
glass, it appears bright and sparkling, liJte the finest possible
particles of silver. At Lynnfield, an extensive quarry of serpen-
tine has been opened.
A large portion of Lynn bears strong evidence both of allu-
vial and diluvial formations. That part between the porphyry
hills and the harbor, is chiefly composed of strata of sand, clay,
and gravel, covered by loam and soil. The clay and gravel
vary in thickness from two to fifteen feet. On the borders of
Saugus River are extensive tracts of salt marsh, the mud of
which is from two to twenty feet in depth ; and it is probable
that this portion was once covered by the ocean. There are
also evidences that a much larger quantity of water has at some
time been discharged by the Saugus River; and this accords
with an Indian- tradition. Just above the Iron Works, the river
diverges toward the west ; but a great valley continues toward
the north. Whoever is curious to trace this valley several
miles, may be satisfied that a great flood has at some time
passed through it; and perhaps it was this torrent which
brought the boulders, and swept down the soil which now con-
stitutes the bed of the marshes.
These groat tracts of marsh, called by the first settlers Rum-
ney Marsh, are in Lynn, Saugus, and Chelsea. They lie be-
tween the porphyry hills and the sea, and are about a mile in
breadth, and nearly three miles in extent. The western portion
of these marshes are protected by Chelsea Beach, a long ridge
of sand which has been thrown up by the tide, and lies against
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TOPOGRAPHY AND PHBNOMESTA, 77
their southern margin. The eastern sootion ia defended from
the sea by the Lynn Beach, which hes a milo distant, with tbe
harbor inside. Throughout this region of marsh are trunks of
great trees, chiefly pines, imbedded from two to four feet be-
neath the surface, and in a good state of preservation. The salt
wadier frequently covers these marshes from two to three feet.
Many of these trees he in a direction from north to south, as if
they had been blown down by a strong north wind, on the spot
where they grew. But that is probably the direction in which
they would have been deposited, if brought down by a great
northern current. Others lie in dilTerent directions. If wo
suppose these trees to have grown where they now lie, we
have the singular anomaly of a vast forest of great trees, grow-
ing from two to six feet below the high tides of salt water. Nor
will it assist us any to suppose that this forest was protected
from the sea by a groat ridge or beach; for a river comes down
from the north, and they must then have grown at a greater
depth beneath fresh water. The probability that they were
brought from their original forest by a great northern current,
is strengthened by the fact that on the west of these marshes is
a great region of mounds of sand and gravel, from twenty to
one hundred feet in height, in digging through which, portions
of trees have been found. Another fact will be interesting to
the geologist, that though all the neighboring hills are covered
with trees, these mounds, though clothed with grass, are desti-
tute of foliage; and William Wood, more than two centuries
ago, describes them as " upland grass, without tree or shrub."
An alluvion commences at Humfrey's Beach, and passes up
Stacey's Brook, beneath which is another fine stratum of clay.
In this tract are some rich peat meadows, which were formerly
ponds. The peat is a formation of decomposed vegetables, and
is dug by a kind of long spade, which cuts it into regular solids,
about four inches square, and two feet in length. It is then
piled and dried for fuel, and produces a constant and intense
heat. A meadow between Fayette and Chatham streets, con-
tains an alluvial deposit of rich black soil, twelve feet in depth.
In digging to the depth of three feet, the trunk of a large oak
was found ; and at the depth of six feet, a stratum of leaves and
burnt wood. In various other places, the fallen trunks of great
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78 HISTORY OP LYNN.
trees have been found, from tbree to six feet below the surface,
with large trees growing above them. In the north part of
Lynn, and in Saugus, are several large awamps, remarkable for
the great depth of vegetable matter, and for the wonderful pres-
ervation of wood in them. Many acres of these swamps have
been cleared, and several hundred cords of wood taken from
them, and charred into good coal. And still beneath these
depths appears to be a- "lower deep," filled with wood partially
decayed. The whole southern section of the town, also, pre-
sents strong evidences of great geological changes. Whoever
visits Clielsea Beach, which extends westward from Lynn Har-
bor, may perceive that a new beach has been thrown up, outside
the old one ; and the appearance gives great confidence in the
Indian tradition, that this beach was thrown up by a great
storm, in a single night. The Lynn Beach was ones much far-
ther out than at present ; and within it was a swamp, covered
by large pines and cedars, forming an isthmus from Lynn to
Nahant. The beach was thrown up against the eastern shore
of this isthmus, and a succession of great storm tides have driv-
en it in, until the whole isthmus has been submerged by water
and sand. By my own surveys, I find that this beach has moved
five rods within twelve years, and now covers many acres of
marshy ground, which were on the western side. After great
storms, portions of this marsh, covered by the stumps of trees,
frequently appear on the eastern side. This beach has been so
much injured, there is reason to apprehend that the tides may
sweep over and destroy it. Such an event is greatly to be
deprecated, both as it regards its beauty and utility ; for the
existence of the harbor depends on its durability. If the plan
be completed, which I proposed, of making a barrier of cedar,
it may be saved. I hope that public spirit enough may be found,
to preserve this great natural curiosity for the admiration of
future generations. [The sagacity of these observations was
soon verified. See under date 1851.]
Most of the trees and plants common to New England, are
found at Lynn, and some which are rare and valuable. The
principal trees are white and pitch pine, white and red cedar,
oak, walnut, maple, birch and hemlock. One of the most com-
mon shrubs is the barberry, the root of which is used in dyeing
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TOPOGEAPHY AND PHENOMENA. 79
yellow, and the fruit is an excellent preserve. [The barberry
13 an exotic, called, in England, the pepperidge bush. The early
settlers introduced some plants for which after generations had
no cause to be thankful. Among them were the white-weed
and wood-wax. But the barberry seems to hold a doubtful
rank. As Mr. Lewis remarks, its root is useful in dyeing, and
its fruit affords an agreeable preserve. But its prevalence in
pasture lands was found to be highly detrimental, insomuch that
the law interposed, a hundred yeara ago, to chock its increase.
It however requires such a peculiarity of soil that to this day it
has not spread over a great extent of territory. Even in most
parts of Massachusetts a barberry buah was never seei).] Many
tons of sumach are annually gathered, and used in the manufac-
ture of morocco leather. Whortleberries are very plenty in
the pastures and many hundred busbeis aro annually gathered.
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries, are also
common. The forests, fields, and meadows, are rich in the
abundance and variety of medicinal plants, and the town presents
S'.'fine field for the botanist. [William Wood, while taking a
botanical survey, was so elated as to find plain prose insufficient
for his occasion, and therefore called in tlie aid of poetry, after
this manner :
Trees both in lulls and plaines, in plenty be,
The long liv'd Oake, and mournful Cypris tree,
Sltie-towerag Pines, and Chesnuts coated itmgh,
The lasting Cedar, with the Walnut tough ;
The rosiu-dropping FiiT for masta in use ;
The boatmen seeke for oares, light, neat grown Sprewae,
The brittle Ash, the ever- trembling Aspes,
Thev broad-apread Elme, whose concave harbors vraspes ;
The water-epongie Alder, good for nought.
Small Eldeme by th' Indian Fletchers sought,
The knottie Maple, pallid Birtch, Hawthomea,
The Hombovuid tree that to be cloven scornes.
Which, from the lender Vine oft takes its spouse,
Who twinds imbraciug armes about his boughes.
Within this Indian Orchard fruiis be some.
The ruddie Cherrie and the jetlie Plumbe,
Snake murtheving Hazell, witii sweet Sasaphrage,
Whose spurnes in beere allays hot fevers rage.
The diars [dyer's] Shumach, with more trees there be,
That are both good to use and rai'e to see.J
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80 HI3T0EY OF LYNN.
(Jreat imrabera of wild birds, of almost every kind, frequent
the woods and waters of Lynn. Numerous sea-fowl afford
amusement to the sportsman ; and there is scarcely a bird com-
roon to North America, which does not, at some season of the
year, gratify our ears with its song, or delight our eyes by its
plumage. A great variety of fishes, also, are found in the
waters. Haddock, halibut, cod, bass, and mackerel, are taken
in abundance in boats ; and nippers and tautog are caught by
dozens, with hook and line, from the cliffs of Nahant. Hun-
dr.eds, and sometimes thousands of lobsters are daily taken, in
the proper season, by traps which are set around tbo shores ;
and alewives in abundance are caught in the streams in the
month of May. To give a particular description of all the
animal and vegetable productions, would be to write a volume.
In the coves around Nahant, that very singular vegetable animal,
called the sea-anemone, or rose-fish, is found. They grow on
the rocks in the deep pools, and when extended, are from sis
to eight inches in length, furnished with antenna, or feelers,
which they put out to seek for their food; but if touched, they
shrink close to the rock, and remain folded like a rose. On
summer evenings, the meadows exhibit a beautiful appearance,
being illuminated by thousands of fire^flles, which appear to
take ineffable delight in enlivening the gloom by their phospho-
ric radiance. One of them in a dark room, will emit suf&cient
light to read the finest print.
Some portions of the soil are very fertile, but generally it is
rather hard and acidulous. The pastures produce barberries,
the woodlands grapes; the meado'ws are filled with cranberries,
the marshes with samphire ; and the fields, when neglected, run
into sorrel. Much dependence is placed upon sea weeds for
the enrichment of the lands ; but the soil would be much more
permanently improved' by the rich mud from the bod of the
harbor.
The climate of Lynn is generally healthy, but the prevalence
of east winds is a subject of complaint for invalids, especially
those af&icted with pulmonary disorders. That these winds are
not generally detrimental to health is evident from the fact, thai
the people of Nahant, surrounded by the sea, and subject to all
its breezes, are unusually healthy. From some cause, however.
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TOPOGRAPHY AND PHENOMENA. 81
there are a great number of deatlia by conaumptioii. Formerly,
a death by this disease was a rare occurrence, and then the in-
dividual was ili for many years, and the subjects were usually
aged persons. In 1727, when a young man died of consumption
at the age of nineteen, it was noticed as a remarkable circum-
stance ; but now, young people frequently die of that disease
after an illness of a few months. Of three hundred and sixteen
persons, whoso deaths were noticed in the First Parish for about
twenty years previous to 1824, a hundred and twelve were the
subjects of consumption; and in some years since, more than
half the deaths have been occasioned by that insidious malady.
There is something improper and unnatural in this. It is doubt-
less owing to the habits of the people, to their confinement in
close rooms, over hot stoves, and to their want of exercise, free
air, and ablution. It is owing to their violation of some of the
great laws of nature. To one accustomed, as I have always
been, to ramble by the sea shore, and on the hil! top, to breathe
the ocean wind and the mountain air, this close confinement of
the shops would be a living death. Were it not for the social
intercourse, I would as soon be confined in a prison cell as in a
room twelve feet square, with a hot stove, and six or eight per-
sons breathing the heated air over and over again, long after it ia
rendered unfit to sustain life. If mechanics find it convenient
to work together in shops, they should build them longer and
higher, and have them well ventilated. The subject of bathing,
too, requires more attention. There are many people in Lynn,
as there are in all other places, who never washed themselves all
over in their lives, and who would as soon think of taking a
journey through the air in a balloon, as of going under water.
How they contrive to exist I cannot imagine ; they certainly do
not exist in the 'highest degree of happiness, if happiness con-
sists in the enjoyment of that free and buoyant mind which ia
nourished by pure air and clean water. Some of these water
haters, a few years since made a law, that boys should not bathe
in sight of any house ; yet they have furnished no bathing
houses; and there are no secluded places, excepting where the
lives of children woiild be endangered. Thus they not only
refuse to bathe themselves, but prevent the young, by a heavy
penalty, from enjoying one of the nurest blessings and highest
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82 HISTOKY OP LTKH.
luxuries of existence. Perhaps nothing is more conducive to
health than sea bathing. I do not wish for a return of the
" olden time," with ali its errors and absurdities, but I do desire
a return to that simplicity which is born of purity.
The climate here is subject to sudden changes, and great
extremes of heat and cold, being strangely mixed up with beau-
tiful sunlight and horrid storms, moonshiny evenings and long
days of cold rain, bright blue sky and. impenetrable foga. Eu-
ropean poets tell us of the charms of May, and the song of tho
nightingale; our pleasant month is June, and the whip-poor-
wi!t is our bird of love. The months of June, July, and August
are usually delightful ; and in October and November wc have
the Indian summer. The temperature is then soft and agreea-
ble, and a pleasing haze fills the atmosphere. Sometimes the
sky is " darkly, deeply, beautifully blue ;" and sunset is often
so gorgeously glorious, that the art of the painter cannot por-
tray it. The months of May and September usually abound
with chilly rain storms, and dismal, drizzly days. After these
succeed the two pleasantest portions of the year. The cold
season continues from December to April, and we have snow
in each of these months, from three inches to three feet in
depth. As winter approaches, the forests are arrayed in the
most splendid and beautiful colors ; exhibiting almost every
variety of shade, from pale green, and dark brown, to bright
yellow aud deep scarlet. Not only are single leaves thus pol-
ored, but whole trees and masses of foliage are vividly tinctured
with the most pleasing and variegated hues. [Many still sup-
pose that these beautiful changes are produced by frost. But
observation shows that they are caused by the ripening of the
foliage. In some species of vegetation the change commences
much earlier than in other. The white maple usually appeal's
in its gorgeous apparel weeks before the frosts come ; and the
same may be said of the white birch and the woodbine.] In
winter, the weather is often, for many days together, exceed-
ingly cold, and the moonlight most intensely brilliant.
The unequal refraction of the atmosphere frequently occasions
peculiar and curious appearances on the water. Sometimes the
sun, when it rises through a dense atmosphere, appears greatly
elongated in its vertical diameter. Presently it appears double,
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TOPOCEAPHY AND PHENOMENA. 83
the two parts being connected togetlie;r by a neck. At length
two suns are distinctly seen ; the refracted aun appearing wholly
above the water, before the true sun has risen. I have repeat-
edly seen and admired this surprising and exceedingly beautiful
phenomenon. Some critics, because Pentheua saw two suns
rising over Thebes, have drawn the inference that he could not
have been a member of the temperance society; but hia vision
might have been merely assisted by refraction :
He saw two sues, and double Thebes appear. — Drtbes's Virgii..
This mirage, or loom, frequently canses Nahant, Egg Rock, and
vessels on the coast, to appear nearly twice their natural height,
and sometimes to seem actually elevated in the air, so as to
leave a space beneath them. Portions of the south shore, also,
which are commonly invisible, appear plainly in sight. It was
undoubtedly this effect of the mirage which occasioned the
story of the Phantom Ship at New Haven, and the Plying
Dutchman.
The temperature of Nahant, being moderated by sea-breezes,
so as to be cooler in summer and milder in winter, than the
main land, is regarded as being highly conducive to health. It
is delightful in summer to ramble round this romantic peninsula,
and to examine at leisure its interesting curiosities — to hear
the waVes rippling the colored pebbles of the beaches, and see
them gliding over the projecting ledges in fanciful cascades —
to behold the plovers and sand-pipers running along the beaches,
the seal slumbering upon the outer rocks, the white gulls soaring
overhead, the porpoises pursuing their rude gambols along the
shore, Eind the curlew, the loon, the black duck and the coot —
the brant with his dappled neck, and the oldwife with her
strange, wild, vocal melody, swimming gracefully in the coves,
and rising and sinking with the swell of the tide. The moon-
hght evenings here are exceedingly lovely ; and the phosphoric
radiance of the billows, in dark nights, making the waters look
like a sea of fire — exhibits a scene of wonderful beauty.
[In its more distinguishing features, our sea-shore region
suffers little change in the progress of time. In most places, as
years roll on, population increases, and the devastating hand
of man is constantly changing the aspect of things, so that the
admired scenes of one decade of years are known only as pleasant
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84 HISTORY OP LTKS.
memories iii the nest. Even here, however, are some evidences
of the success of the general conspiracy against nature. The
birds, to which Mr. Lewis so often and so fondly alludes, have
almost entirely disappeared ; and he who would come hither for
eea-fowling will be likely to find his only reward in that moral
discipline which is the effect of disappointed expectation. A sol-
itary note is now and then heard, it is true ; but it is more like
the wail of a vexed' spirit than the joyous outpouring of happy
life. But the rugged battlements of rock, and the glistening
beaches, remain as they were in the days of the early visitors.
And above all, old ocean sustains bis integrity ~ whether calmly
sleeping in the summer sunshine, raving in the winter storm, or
rolling dreamily beneath the ruling moon.]
HOO:SLIGHT
But, however delightful Nahant may appear in summer, it is
surpassed by the grandeur and sublimity of a winter storm.
When the strong east wind has been sweeping over the Atlantic
for several days, and the billows, wrought up to fury, are foam-
ing along like living mountains — breaking upon the precipitous
cliffs — dashing into the rough gorges — thundering in the sub-
terranean caverns of rock, and throwing the white foam and
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TOPOGRAPHr AND PHENOMENA, 85
Bpray, like vast columns of smoke, hundreda of feet into the' air,
above the tallest cliffs — an appearance ia presented which the
wildest imagination cannot surpass. Then the ocean — checked
in its headlong career by a simple bar of sand — as if mad with
its detention, roars like protracted thunder; and the wild aea
birds, borne along by the furious waters are dashed to death
against the cliffs I Standing at such an hour upon the rocks, I
have seen the waves bend bars of iron, an inch in diameter,
double — float rocks of granite, sixteen feet in length, as if they
were timbers of wood — and the wind, seizing the white gull in
its irresistible embrace, bear her, struggling and shrieking, many
miles into Lynn woods ! In summef, a day at Nahant is delight-
ful— but a storm in winter is glorious !
[The grand and pictureaqne scenery in and about Lynn was
early brought to notice, and hither have long been attracted
the learned, and the most refined of Nature's devotees. The
historian and poet have delighted to wander amid the woods
that wave and whisper on our sunny hills, and clamber among
the ocean-worn battlements that guard our shores. Within these
pleasant borders have they loved to pursue their favorite
studies ; and, we may fondly believe, some of the most sterling
works that adorn the literature of the age have here received
the inspiration that the magnificent and beautiful in nature
always impart to the cultivated mind. At Nahant, in his pic-
turesque, home, jnst above the resounding arches of Swallow's
Cave, Prescott labored on the glowing pages of his Ferdinand
and Isabella, and his ConcLuest of Mexico ; and at his residence
on Ocean street, in Lynn, he wrote the thrilling chapters of
Philip thft Second. At Nahant, also, in the modest mansion
of Mrs. Hood, in the evening shade of the decrepit willows that
yet stand in front of Whitney's tavern, Mottey spent many and
many a quiet hour in the preparatory studies of his great His-
tory of the Dutch Eepublic. And the learned Agassiz still
delights, year by year, to come hither and in quietude explore
the mysterious and contemplate the beautiful in nature. At
the unostentatious homestead of Jonathan Johnson, Longfellow
produced many of the charming strains of his world-renowned
Hiawatha ; and there, also, he wrote his Ladder of Saint Augus-
tine. And WilHs says, " Some of my earhest and raciest enjoy-
a
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86 HISTORY OF LTNN.
ments, both of driving and writing, were spent at Nabant," Nor
should it be forgotten that the learned Felton loved to retire
from the halls of Harvard, and here breathe the invigorating air
and bathe in the renovating waters. And as he, in declining
life, found here a delightful field of recreation, so in youth ho
found among the rough hills of Saugus, a field of homely toil.
In 1815, when a boy, he came, with his father's family, to the
corner of CbeEsea which belonged, as a parish, to Saugus, the
father filling the humble offlco of toll-gatherer on Newburyport
turnpike. In winters, young Felton went to the town schools
of Saugus, with one or two exceptions. One winter he attended
the school of Miss Cheevef, and another, that of Eev. Joseph
Emerson. At other times he worked at farming. One season
he part of the time rode plough horses at twenty-five cents a
day. Subsequently, he went to school, one quarter, to Mr.
Thatcher, formeriy minister of the first parish of Lynn, who
then taught a private school at Maiden. There he studied
Latin and read novels till the excitement throw him into a
fever that nearly proved fatal. He afterward went one quarter
to Bradford Academy. Early in the summer of 1822, he went
to Mr. Putnam's, at North Andover, intending to remain only
one quarter. But Mr. Putnam, finding him a lad of great prom-
ise, urged him, though very poor, to persevere for the attainment
of a college education. He struggled on. And we finally be-
hold him the revered head of the first university in the land.]
SHOEa ASD SHOEMAKING.
Ladies' Shoes began to be made in Lynn at a very early
period; and that business has long been the principal occupa-
tion of the inhabitants. Shoemaking is a very ancient and
respectable employment, for we read in Homer, of princes man-
ufacturing their own shoes. They have been made of various
materials — bides, flax, silk, cloth, wood, iron, silver, and gold —
and in great variety of shape, plain and ornamental. Among
the Jews they were made of leather, linen, and wood. Soldiers
wore them of brass and iron, tied with thongs. To put off the
shoes was an act of veneration. The Asiatics and Egyptians
wore shoes made of the bark of the papyrus. Among the
Greeks, the shoe generally reached to the mid-leg, like what
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SHOES AKD SHOEMAKING. S7
we now call bootees. Ladies, as a mark of distinction, wore
Bandais — a sort of loose shoe, something like a modern slipper.
Xenophon relates that the ten thousand Greeks, who followed
young Cyrus, wanting shoes in their retreat, covered their feet
with raw bides, which occasioned them great injury. Tho Ro-
man shoes were of two kinds — the calceus, which covered the
whole foot ; and the solea, which covered only the sole, and was
fastened with thongs. Ladies of rank wore white, and some-
times red shoes ; other women wore black. The shoes of some
of the Roman emperors were enriched with precious stones.
It was generally regarded as a mark of effeminacy for men to
wear shoes, Phocion, Cato, and other noble Romans, bad no
covering for tbeir feet wbeii they appeared in public. In tho
ninth and tenth centuries, the greatest princes of Europe wore
wooden shoes, or wooden solea fastened with leather thongs.
In the eleventh century, the upper part of the shoe was made
of leather, and the sole of wood.
The Saxons wore shoes, or scoJi, with thongs. Eede's account
of Cuthbert is curious. He says : " When the saint had washed
the feet of those who came to him, they compelled him to take
off his own shoes, that his feet might also be made clean ; for
GO little did he attend to bis bodily appearance, that he often
kept his shoes, which were of leather, on his feet for several
months together." (Eede, Vit. Cuthbert, p. 243.) [In an old
Saxon Dialogue a^shoemaker says he makes " swyfflers,. sceos,
and leather hose."]
In the Dialogues of Elfrie, composed to instruct the Anglo
Saxon youth in Latin, we find that the shoemaker had a very
comprehensive trade. " My craft is very useful and necessary
to you. I buy hides and skins, and prepare them by my art.,
and make of them shoes of various kinds, and none of you can
winter without my craft." Among the articles which he fabri-
cates, he mentions — ancle leathers, shoes, leather hose, bridle
thongs, trappings leather bottles, flasks, halters, pouches and
wallets. {Turner's Hist. Anglo Saxons, 3, 111.)
In the year 1090, in the reign of William Rufus, the great
dandy Robert was called the horned, because be wore shoes
with long points, stuffed, turned up, and twisted like herns.
These kind of shoes became fashionable, and the toes continued
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88 msTORr op ltnn.
to increase in extent, until, in the time of Richard II., in 1390,
they had attained such an enormous extent as to be fastened to
the garter by a chain of silver or gold. The clergy declaimed
vehemently against this extravagance ; but the fashion contin-
ued, even for several centuries. In the year 1463, the Parlia-
ment of England passed an act prohibiting shoes with pikes
piore than two inches in length, under penalties to maker and
wearer ; and those who Would not comply were declared excom-
municate. Even at a late period shoes were twice the length
of the foot, or so long as " to prevent kneeling in devotion at
God's house." In the year 1555, a company of Cordwainers was
incorporated in old Boston, England. By their charter, it was
ordered, "That no person shall set up, within the said borough,
as Cordwainers, until such time as they can sufficiently cut and
make a boot or shoe, to be adjudged by the wardens . . . that
if any foreigner, or person who did not serve his apprenticeship
in the said borough, shall be admitted to his freedom, he shall
then pay to the wardens ,£3 2s. Sd. . . . and that no fellow of
this corporation, his journeyman or servant, shall work on the
Sabbath day, either in town or country." (Thompson's Hist.
Boston, Eng., p. 82.)
Shoes in their present form came into use in the year 1633, a
short time after the first settlement of this country. ' The first
shoemakers known at Lynn, were Philip Kertland and Edmund
Bridges, both of whom came over in 1635. .[For facts concern-
ing them see under that date.] The business gradually increas-
ed with the increase of inhabitants; and many of the farmers,
who worked in the fields in the summer, made shoes in their
shops in the winter. The papers relating to the Corporation
of Shoemakers, mentioned by Johnson, in 1651, are unfortu-
nately lost ; having probably been destroyed by the mob iii 1765.
As the first settlers introduced many of their customs from
England, the privileges were probably similar to those conferred,
in 1555, on the Cordwainers of old Boston.
The term Cordwainer, as a designation of this craft, has long
usurped the place of Ladies' Shoemaker. This word had its
origin from Cordova, a city in the south of Spain, where a pecu-
liar kind of leather was manufactured for ladies' shoes. The
word in the Spanish is Cordoban ; in the Portuguese, Cordovan ;
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SHOES AND SHOEMAKIHG. 89
and in the French, Cordonan ; whencS the term Cordonaniers,
or Cordwainera. [Cordwinder, by the way, is the shape ia
which the term appears in the first Colony Charter. Tbe Cor-
dovan leather waa tanned and dressed goat skin. Members of
the craft are sometimes called Sons of Crispin. And this arose
from the honor done the calling by that worthy. Several of
the societies of shoemakers, in France and England, early adopt-
ed good Crispin as their patron.] In the eighth century, the
descendants of Alaric, in revenge at being passed by in tbe
choice of a king, called the Arabians to their aid. They came,
and Boderic, the last of the Goths, fell in the seven days' battle,
at Tarik, in 711. In 756, Abderrhaman made himself master
of Spain, and established his caliphate at Cordova. During the
Arabian power, agriculture, commerce, the arts and sciences,
flourished in Spain ; and in that period, the celebrated Cordova
leather was introduced. It was similar to what is now known
as "morocco, and was altogether superior to any thing which had
been previously used for the manufacture of ladies' shoes. It
was at first colored black, and afterward red, by the use of
cochineal.
[The names of the first two shoemakers in the Massachusetts
colony appear in the following extract from the Second General
Letter of the Governor and Deputy of the "New England Com-
pany, dated London, 28 May, 1629, which may be found in the
CoL Recs. vol. I, pp. iOi, 405. And the extract may prove addi-
tionally interesting, as explaining, to some extent, the condition
and position of that class of craftsmen. But would not one
of our extensive manufacturers nojv think that the time when
" divers hydes, both for soles and vpp leathers," with two men
to work them " vpp in bootcs and shoes," were sufficient for
the country, was a day of rather small tldngs ?
Thomas Beard, a ahoomaker, and Isack lUckman, being both recomeuded
to vH hy M'^ Symon Whetcombe to receive theu- dyett & houseroome at tJie'
charge of the Companie, wee haue , agreed they shalbe w^"" yo^, the Gouuo'',
or placed elsewhere, as yo" shall thmke good, and receive from yo'", or by yo'
appointmt, their dyett & lodging, for w"'' they are to pay, each of them, after
t!ie rate of 10£ p ami. And wee desh-e to receive a ceiTiiicate, vnder the hand
of whomsoever they shatbe soe dyelted & lodged w"'', how long tyme they
haue remained w''' thefti, in case they shall otherwise dispose of themseluea
before the yeai-e bee expired, or at least wise at the end of eaefy yeare, to the
H*
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90 HKTOET OP LYNN.
end wee may heere receivB pajhi* according to the s* agi'eem*. The said Tho :
Beard hatli in the shipp the May Flower divers hydes, hoth for soles and vpp
leathers, w"'' hee intends lo make vpp iu bootea and shoes there io the coun-
try. Wee pray yo" let M' Peirce, the m^ of the said shipp, viewe the said
leather, & estimate what tonnage the same may import, that Boe the said
Beard may ether pay vnto yo" there after the rate of 4£ p tonn for fraight of
tiie same, the like for his dyett if there bee ocMasion to vse any of his comodi-
taes, or othermse, vpon yor advice, wee may receive it of M' Whetcoaibe, who
bath promised to see the same discharged. Wee desii-e also the sdd Tho!
Beard may haue 50 acres of land allotted to him as one that tranaporta him-
selfe at his owne charge.' Bnt as well for him as all others that shall haue
land allotted to them in that klnde, and ai-e noe adventurers in the comon
stock, w^ is to support the charge of ffortyficacons, as also for the nunisti'ie
& divers other afiah-es, wee holde it fitt that these kinde of men, as also such
ae shall come to inheritt lands by their service, should, by way of acknowl-
edgm* to such from whom they receive these lands) become lyable to the
pformauce of some service certaine dayes in the 3^ai-e, and by that service
they and thek posteritie after them to hold and inherits these lands, w""" wilbe
a good meanes to enjoy their lands from being held in capite, and to support
the plantacon in genall and pcticuler.
[This extract also gives a glimpse of the nature of the tenure
by which it was desired that the class to whi^h Mr. Beard
belonged, should hold their lands. There was nothing very
democratic in it. Of Isaac Eickman, tho other shoemaker who
came over in the fleet, nothing seems to be known. He proba-
bly returned in a short time. Mr. Beard was made a freeman,
10 May, 1643, and soon after purchased an estate at Strawberry
Bank, now Portsmouth, where he probably settled.]
At the beginning, women's shoes at Lynn, were made of
neat's leather, or woolen cloth; only they had a nicer pair, of
white silk, for the wedding day, which were carefully preserved,
as something too delicate for ordinary use. About the year
1670, shoes began to be cut with broad straps, for buckles which
were worn by women a? well as by men. In 1727, sc[uare-toed
shoes, and buckles for ladies, went out of fashion; though
buckles continued to be worn by men till after the revolution.
The sole-leather was all worked with the flesh side out. In
1750, John Adam Dagyr, a Welchman, gave great impulse and
notoriety to the business, by producing shoes equal to the best
made in England. From that time the craft continued to flour-
ish, until it became the principal business of the town. Fathers,
Bons, journeymen, and apprentices, worked together, in a shop
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SHOES AND .SHOEUAKISCF. 91
of one story in height, twelve feet square, with a fire-place in
one corner, aad a cutting-board in another. The finer quality
of shoes were made with white and russet rands, stitched very
fine, with white wased thread. They were made with very
sharp toea, and had wooden heels, covered with "leather, from
half an inch to two inches in height ; called cross-cut, common,
court, and Wurtemburgh heels. About the year 1800, wooden
heels were discontinued, and leather heels were used instead.
[The manufacture of wooden heeis was as much a separate
business as last making now is. One of the principal factories
at which they were turned out was on Boston street. I think
they did not go out of use quite so early as would be supposed
from the date Mr. Lewis gives.} In 1783, Mr. Ebenezer Breed
introduced the use of morocco leather; and at the commence-
ment of the present century, two of the principal shoe manufac-
turers, were Mr. Amos Ehodea and Col. Samuel Brimblecom.
Many shoemakers have become eminent. Nilant has a book
on shoes. Hans Sack wrote fifty volumes of prose. Bloom-
field composed that delightful poem, the Farmer's Boy, while at
work on his bench, and wrote it down when he had finished the
labor of the day. William Gilford, the editor of the London
Quarterly Review, and the translator of Juvenal, served his
apprenticeship with a cordwainer. John Pounds, of Portsmoijth,
while engaged in his daily work, contrived to educate some
hrxndreds of the neighboring children. [Linnseus, the great
botanical classifier, was apprenticed to a shoemaker. And so
was David Pareus, the eider, celebrated as professor of theology
at Heidelburgh. Benedict Baudouin, one of the most learned
men of century 1500, was a shoemaker. And so was Holcraft,
author of The Critic] In our own country, Roger Sherman, one
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was a shoe-
maker ; and John 6. Whittier left the manufacture of shoes for
ladies' feet, to make verses for their boudoirs. [But it would,
perhaps, he quite as profitable to cast an observing eye upon
those bom in our own community, who have risen from the
shoemaker's seat to positions conspicuous and honorable. Lynn
can present numerous examples most worthy of imitation. It
is, however, important to distinguish between those whose
claims rest on mere wealth, which is frequently attained by the
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92 mSTOET OP. LTNH.
most ignorant and undeserving, and those who possess that
■which is really ennobling — between those whose minds expand
not beyond the 'circuniference of a doUar and those who, by
God's grace, are more richly endowed.]
Poets, in aH ages, have noticed the shoe as an important part
of the dress, especially of a lady. Shakspeare bestows an ex-
quisite compliment on the dressing of the foot, when he says —
"Nay — her foot speaks."
Butler, in his Hudibras, makes the hero of that inimitable poem
pay his devours to his lady-love, in the following terms —
"Madam! I do, as ia my duty,
Honor ihe shadow of your shoe-tie!"
A certain critic, of moro learning than good sense, once under-
took to bestow an unusual quantity of censure on two of our
own linos, in the description of a lady's person —
"But if one grace might moi-e attention suit,
It was ihe stiiltiiig neatness of her foot."
Kow we think that every reader of good taste will agree with
us, at least in admiring the idea which these lines are intended
to convey.
Genteel Reader — for I trust I shall have many such — are
you aware that you are now perhaps trampling the industry of
Lynn beneath your feet! , How often are we indebted to those
of whom wa think least, for many of our most valuable and
salutary enjoyments. Look at that young lady, who might be
taken by Brackett as a model for one of the graces, reclining in
an easy-chair; with her foot upon an ottoman. See the delicate
shoe which fits as if it were formed by the hand of Apelles !
Shakspeare, in his Romeo and Juliet, says — "I would I were a
glove upon that hand 1" How often have I wished — "0, would
I were a shoe upon tliat foot !" Perhaps neither she Who dis-
plays that elegant fopt, nor the many who admire it, tliink
that much of its grace is to be ascribed to some unknown indi-
vidual on the shores of Lynn. Yet there, by the sound of the
rippling waters, are thousands of men employed in manufactur-
ing all manner of outer vestures for the delicate foot, and as
many women engaged in binding and trimming them. There
the belle of the city may suit both her form and tasto with the
newest and most delicately fot^med style, either for the boudoir
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ANCIENT PEBBY — E0AD8 — IHOK WOEKS. 93
or ball-room, with its classic shape and its Parisian title — there
the rustic maid may procure the laced buskin which shall add
a new grace to her modest beauty — and there the mother may-
find the substantial fabric, adapted to domestic comfort for her
own foot; or the soft tissue, with its congenial trimming of
gossamer and gold, for the foot of her loved little one. So long
as the foot needa to be protected, so long will the manufactures
of Lynn continue to flourish.
ANCIENT FERRY — ROADS — IRON WORKS.
[Conveniences for travel are matters of the first importance
in all new settlements. And of course our fathers soon directed
their attention to the securing of means for communication be-
tween different parts of their own wide-spread plantation and
with the adjacent settlements.
[At times, vigorous discussions have taken place aa to the
particular course of the early routes from Lynn to Boston. It
should be remembered that water communication was much
favored by the early settlers, for land journeys over the primi-
tive, roads, in such a rough country, were excessively fatiguing,
and to an extent dangerous. And besides the obstacles of rock,
stump, and quagmire, there long existed an apprehension that
ravenous beasts and serpents would dispute the way. An ac-
credited tradition is mentioned in Felt's Annals, to the effect
that certain persona from Salem visited Boston soon after its
settlement and were four days on the road. On'the next Sun-
day after their return they had a note of thanks, for their safe
deliverance from the perils and hardships of the journey, road
at the meeting-house. For the crossing of creeks and rivers,
and for inconsiderable coast voyaging, the Indian canoes were
sufficient; and attention was early called to the construction of
shallops suitable for more extended navigation. It is very
likely that 'pas sen gera were taken to Boston from a point in the
vicinity of Sagamore Hill, as well as from points as far west aa
SauguB river. In good weather the passage was pleasant, and
with a fair'wind by no means tedious. But a land route must
have been very soon established, for the water communication
was liable to bo interrupted by ice in winter, and rendered haz-
ardous and subject to delays by storms and adverse winds, more
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94 HISTOET OF LTNU.
or less, at all times. In 1639 the General Court granted to Gar-
ret Spencer " the fferry at Linn, for 2 yeares." . And this was no
doubt a ferry established between Needham'a Landing, just be-
low Chase's mill, in Lynn, and Ballard's Landing, in East Saugus,
and was a very great convenience for passengers to and from
Boston.
[It is not easy to determine exactly the direction which the
first road took. And it is highly probable that before the bridge
over Saugus river was built, two or three routes from settled
parts of the town, to fording places, existed ; nor is it improba-
ble that these were struck out almost simultaneously.
[I am satisfied, from examination, that one of the most ancient
of these routes was along the foot of the hills, north of Boston
street. Prom the northern termination of Federal street it fol-
lowed Walnut to the bend where Holyoke joins. Thence it
proceeded, by Holyoke street, along the margin of what was
formerly called Pan Swamp, a comparatively waste territory,
though making some pretension to the dignity of a cranberry
meadow; but which has been reclaimed and now forms the
beautiful interval lying on the north of the street last named.
It followed the upland curve, crossed the busy little stream
called Beaver Brook, and, passing perhaps a furlong west of
the late farm residence of Eev. C. C. Shackford, came out at the
point where the road leading to the Saugus woolen factories
diverges from the old highway between Lynn and Lynnfield.
There this ancient way, without following either of the present
roads, kept on to a fording place considerably above the roman-
tic site which was subsequently occupied by the Iron Works,
so famous in early colonial history. And from the fording place,
it probably swept oif for Boston through the vicinage of Maiden
and Medford. Into this road, undoubtedly, at different point;
other roads from the scattered neighborhoods of Lynn entered.
In support of the belief that an ancient and important way pur-
sued the direction here indicated, it may be mentioned that
some of the first and most prominent settlers are found to have
located along the course, Eichard Sadler, one of the very early
comers, and who was the first Clerk of the' Writs — an official
with duties somewhat analogous to those of Town Clerk — lived
just at the junction of Walnut and Holyoke streets — the lofty
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ANCIENT FERRT — E0AD9 — IRON WOEKS. 95
cliff known as Sadler's Rock deriving its name from him. Nich-
olas Brown, Samuel Bennett, apd Adam Hawkes,who were also
among the early planters, pitched their tents considerably to^
the northwest of Mr. Sadler. And it is quite certain that in the
territory above the Iron Works there were settlers while the
town was in its very infancy. The renowned Thomas Dexter
sat himself down there ; and the very first deed on our county
records is one given by him, in 1639. And furthermore, on a
pleasant aflernoon during the last autumn, I took an opportunity
to examine almost the whole of the route from Holyoke street
to the river, and was surprised at the clear evidences of an an-
cient settled way. Remains of the old wall are clearly distin-
guishable, on either hand, for considerable distances, and here
and there appear sites that bear unmistakable marks of ancient
occupancy. It is perfectly plain that it was not a mere cart-
way, laid out for the convenience of drawing wood. And
observation indicates that there may have been a branch di-
verging from this road, at about the point where Myrtle street
intersects Holyoke, running along under the hills, by Oak street,
and joining again, perhaps half a mile northwest of the old Dun-
geon Gate, which was near Henry B. Newhall's farm house ; or,
possibly, continuing on to another fording place.
[But there may have been another route to Boston, as early.
The present Boston street was a traveled way soon after the
settlement commenced. When the traveler struck the river by
this route, which he must have done at a point just about where
the street now strikes it, if no means were at hand by which he
could cross, he pursued his way up, on the eastern side, the
road running along the most level upland near the river. At
A fording place he crossed, and proceeded on toward Boston,
either by coming down on the west side to a point nearly op-
posite where he turned up, thus making a detour of perhaps
three miles, and then foJlowing a road along the margin of the
salt marshes ; or, by taking a broader and more westerly sweep
from the fording place.
[In October, 1631, Governor Winthrop, accompanied by sev-
eral official dignitaries, left Boston, and traveled " on foot to
Saugus, and the nest day to Salem, where they were boun-
tifully entertained by Captain Endicott." And the day after
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!"> HISTORY OF LYNN.
"tbey returned to Boston by tte ford at Saugua river and so
over at Mistick."
[It will be observed in regard to these routes, tbat they are
snpposed to have been traveled before the establishment of the
Iron Works, which went into operation in 1643. And the
bridge at the Boston street crossing was built about four years
before. After the bridge was completed, travelers, of course,
nearly abandoned the fording places. It is well, also, to bear
in mind tbat the travel, in those days, was quite limited. At-
tendance on the General Court was one of the chief necessities
that called men to the metropolis. While the Iron Works were
in operation, which appears to have been, to some extent, til!'
1683, the road just spoken of as running up the east side of the
river, from Boston street, was undoubtedly much used. The
manufactured articles, however, were, in all probability, trans-
ported chiefly by water; for whoever takes notice of the posi-
tion in which the Works stood, will at once conclude that
convenience for loading the little vessels was a promuient
object.
[So much is said elsewhere in this volume concerning these
Iron Works that little should be said here. It is certain that Mr.
Lewis felt a verj' great interest in their history. And, indeed,
the public records show that the colonial authorities deemed
their establishment a matter of great importance. On the after-
noon spoken of, after carefully traversing the route up from
Boston streetj through tlio still wild and beautifully diversified
region, where one is forced at almost every step to linger and
admire, I came to a halt in the romantic vale where the old
Works were seated. Borrowing a pickaxe from one at work
in the neighborhood I lustily applied it to one of the ^mounds
of scoria, or cinder banks, as they are called. The labor, and
object, to be sure, were humble in comparison with those of
Layard at Nineveh, but a fact of no little interest was verified.
Sufficient moiild has accumulated, during these two centuries,
to sustain a respectable garniture of grass ; but even the casual
passer would hardly mistake themfor natural hillocks. It is
really remarkable that in a neighborhood which has been well
populated for generations, so many tons of these relics should
remain heaped up, just as the sooty workmen left them two
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ANCIENT PERHY — EOADS — IKON WOJtKS. 97
hundred years ago. Certeinly scores, and probably hnndreds,
of tons, of those which remained nearest the river, were, how-
ever, removed many years since. They were boated down and
Bunk at the dam at the Boston steet crossing. It was imagined
that they would form the best material for preventing the pas-
sage of eels, which are troublesome sappers; but they did not
prove to be of much value. Still, as they can easily be removed
it may not be long before some other use ia found for them.
The unsentimental hand of improvement or speculation may be
suddenly extended, and in a day scatter them, so that a few
years, hence the mining river or delving ploughshare will be
looked to for the recovery of specimens wherewith to enrich
the cabinets of the curious. Whether the Iron "Works were, on
the whole, successful, it is not easy to determine; in some
respects, they undoubtedly were. A prejudice early arose
against them, founded on the singular apprehension that their
great .consumption of wood might ultimately produce a scarcity
of fuel; This will hardly be belived ; j^et it was so. The under-
takers found themselves, from various causes, involved in pro-
tracted lawsuits, and .a good portion of their profits vanished
in the corrosive atmosphere of the courts. Law is expensive
as a luxury. And those who freely indulge in it may consider
themselves on the high road to ruin. Yet, as a remedial agent,
it is occasionally useful if not necessary.
[These ancient works must have presented a highly pictur-
esque appearance, seated down there between'the densely wood-
ed hills, the smoke curling up among the trees, and at night the
red glare of the furnace fires streaming over the dark river,
lighting up the thickets beyond, and perhaps revealing the
dusky form of some skulking Indian or prowling beast; to
say nothing of the roving devils which the lively imaginations
of our good fathers discovered in every quarter where there
were pious men and women to affright and harrass. But the
Iron Works were destined before many years to have their
final account closed — the clink of the hammer ceased, the fire
of the forge went out, and the begrimmed workmen departed.
[It may be mentioned that there are traditions confirming the
existence of the old roads here spoken of A worthy yeoman
who lives on the eastern border of Saugus, with considerable
I 7
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98 HISTORY OP LYNN.
assurance ioformed me that the ancient mail route lay through
the atrip of woods running no^th from Boston street and imme-
diately on the east of Sangus river. He learned this from family
tradition. And it ia through these woods, it will be observed,
that the old roads are supposed to have run, with the exception
of the branch by Oak street. It is by no means unlikely that
while the Iron Worka were in operation, there was considerable
correspondence carried on with Boston and Salem ; and it is not
at all improbable that a post-rider may have pursued that route,
delivering letters and retaihng news by the way ; for it will be
remembered that there were no newspapers in America aj that
time. And when some great historical romancer shall arise, we
shall see those ancient post-riders conspicuoualy figuring.
[The ferry from Needham's Landing, in Lynn, to Ballard's
Landing, in Saugus, has been already mentioned. It must have
been a great accommodation, to several neighborhoods, evert
after the bridge was built. But it does not appear to have been
long kept in operation.
[Perhaps a word should be said regarding the routes eastward.
These are not now so easily traced, for reasons that will suggest
themselves to the reader. The first, appears to have followed
along the foot of the hills, northeasterly, from the ond of Fed-
eral street, being, in fact, a continuation of that first described as
running through Walnut and Holyoke streets. From this, at a
later period, a branch ran through the Mineral Spring grounds,
and after pursuing a devious course probably joined another
road that came in from Salem and Marblehead, through Swamps-
cot and Wopdend, By the record book of Salem grants, it
appears that that town granted " to Leiftenant davenport about
2 acres of Land lying on the west' side of Butt' brook, not farr
from the place where the way gopth over to Lyn." This was
in 1638. And Butt Brook took its name from a family of the
name of Butt who lived near it. It is now called Tapley's
Brook,
[It would he interesting to say something of the highways
as thej' appeared in succeeding years. But perhaps sufficient
will appear in the following pages. Our roads, at the present
time, are quite famous for their excellence, being broad, level,
and hard. And should one of the old settlers be permitted to
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AKCIENT FEEET — EOADS — IRON WORKS. 99
arise and perambulate them, how would he be astonished at
their perfection aod at the elegance of the edifices that adoru
them. But more than all would he be aatoniahed at the variety
and atyle of the vehicles by which they are traversed, and the
multitudes of the merry sons and daughters of his sedate con-
temporaries who in strange and extravagant apparel throng
them. It would be interesting, too, to trace the progress of iSi-
provement in the modes of travel, were there not so many other
matters of seemingly more importance pressing forward for no-
tice. Going back to the time when wheeled carriages were
hardly laiown here for purposes of mere travel, wo might see
the old gentleman sally forth upon the back of plodding dobbin,
with the good dame seated upon her pillion behind hira. And
years after, when population had increased sufficiently to induce
pub He-spirited individuals to establish conveyances for the con-
venience of the public and their own profit, might be seen
awkward and rickety vehicles lumbering along, at protracted
and uncertain intervals, and at a pace, extraordinarily rapid for
the time, perhaps, but yet such as would lead the ambitious
pedestrian of our day to decline their services, if he were io
haste- Still further on appears the jolly stage-coach, which, for
BO many years, held its supremacy — at first an unseemly and
uncomfortable affair, literally a " slow coach " — and then, light,
tasty and as rapidly moving as emulous horses and aspiring
Jehus could make it. What a bright spot will the stage-coach
occupy in history — what a bright spot does it already occupy
in poetry and romance. But the rail-road came, 'and with a
triumphant whistle drove it from the track. A day of reckoning,
however, may be in store for that arrogant intruder. Its gilded
sides and velvet cushions, its sleeping and its smoking cars,
ma)' not be competent to save it from a mortifying end through
the agency of some yet unlnvented traveling machine — some
wonderful ofFspriog of art and science, that will exultingly send
it screaming away to that oblivious depot whither are dis-
patched ail the used-up things of earth.
[Hardly any thing has a more direct and material effect on
the prosperity of a place than the public ways. And we often
see how suddenly and essentially the laying out of a new way
affects a particular neighborhood. All sections of Lynn had a
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100 HISTOEY OP LYNN.
aprinbling of inhabitants at an early period. But for more tban
a hundred and fifty years, or till the opening of the turnpike
between Boston and Saiem, in 1803, Boston street remained the
great thoroughfare. Here was the principal public house, and
the post-ofSce ; here resided moat of the leading citizens, and
here the chief business was done. But when the turnpike was
coWpleted, the scene changed, and population and business
began to concentrate at other points. The postoffice was re-
moved to the southern end of Federal' street, and the Common
and eastern sections were favorably affected. And the present
generation very well remember how materially the construction
of the steam rail-road, in 1838, operated in building up some
neighborhoods and damaging the prosperity of others— -how
rapidly, for instance, it made the old stone walls in the vicinity
of Central Square disappear and cow pastures and gardens come
in recLuisition for building lots. It is fit to allude to these mat-
ters in this connection, though in view of what will hereafter
be said, no. extended remarks are required. Almost the whole
history of a place is involved in a history of its public ways.]
PECULIAR CUSTOMS AHD DOINGS IN RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
Amosg the early settlers of Lynn were some persons of high
reputatioUj and moat of them appear to have been men of good
character, and of comfortable property. There is no evidence
that any of them had abandoned the Church, or been persecuted
for their opinions, with the exception of the Rev. Stephen Bach-
iler, and the few persons in his connection. Governor Winthrop,
who came over with them, begins his journal on " Easter Mon-
day," which Mr. Savage says was ''duly honored;" and it is
not until nearly five years after, that we catch a glimpse of his
Puritanism, when he begins to date on the " eleventh month."
The great body of the first settlers of Massachusetts were
members of the Church of England. After they had gone
aboard the ships, they addressed a letter " To the rest of their
brethren in and of the Church of England," in which they say :
" We desire you would be pleased to take notice of the princi-
pals and body of our Company, as those who esteem it o\ir honor
to call the Church of England, from whence we rise, our dear
Mother: and cannot deoart from our native country where she
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PECULIAR CUSTOMS AND DOINGS IN RELIGIOUS MATTEE3. 101
specially resideth, without much sadnesa of heart, and many
tears in our eyos ; ever acknowledging that such hope and part
as we have obtained in the common salvation, we have received
it from her bosom." Prince, who stands in the first rank of our
historians, says : " They had been chiefly born and brought up
in the national Church, and had, until their separation, lived in
communion with lifer ; their ministers bad been ordained by her
bishops, and had officiated in her parish churches, and had made
no secession from her until they left their native land." The
author of the Planter's Plea, printed in 1630, says : " It may be
with good assurance maintained, that at least three parts out
of four, of the mea there planted, are able to justify themselves
to have lived in a, constant course of conformity unto our Church
government." Morton, in his Memorial says, when the minis-
ters were accused, "They answered for themselves; they were
neither separatists nor anabaptists; they did not separate from
the Church of England, nor from the ordinances of God there;
and the generality of the people did well approve of the minis-
ters' answer." Backus, who had no partiality for the Church,
hut who could, nevertheless, speak the truth, says : " The gov-
ernor and company of the Massachusetts colony held communion
with the national church, and reflected on their brethren who
separated from her." Mr. Hubbard, who was well acquainted
with many of them, says: "They always walked in a distinct
path from the rigid separatists, nor did fhey ever disown the
Church of England to be a true church," The Puritans of Ply-
mouth colony, were the " rigid separatists," and they continued
a separate government until the year 1692. Some historians
have confounded these facts, and thus misled their readers.
[Had Mr. Lewis thoroirghly examined and maturely consid-
ered this subject, I am sure he would not have left the foregoing
just as it ia; for without explanation it is likely to lead the
mind of the reader who is not acqiiaintod with the ecclesiastical
'history of the times in some of its minuter details, to an errone-
ous conclusion. Does it not appear as if he would have it un-
derstood that the settlors, generally, were Episcopalians, or
Churchmen, in the sense now given to those terms? And that
being so, would it be impertinent to ask how it happened that
they made no attempt to establish a ehurchly mode of worship
I*
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102 mSTOBT OP LYNN.
here, but immediately set about forming Congregational socie-
ties on the broadest principles of Independency — bow it liap-
pened that they rejected the liturgy of the Church and prohib-
ited by law some of her cherished observances ? They gloried
in the name of Puritan as distinguishing from Churchman.
They levied taxes for the support of Congregational worship.
They enacted a law forbidding that any one not in regular
standing with some Congregational church should be entitled
to vote or even be permitted to take the freeman's oath. They
re-ordaiued, according the Congregational form, some who had
received Episcopal ordination at home, and persecuted the few
ministers of the Church who from time to time appeared iimong
them and refused to recant their Episcopal vows. It is true,
that in the outset there was a marked difference between the
Plymouth and Massachusetts settlers. But that difference had
been obliterated long before the political union of 1692. And
an accomplished historian, says that "wherever the Independ-
ents possessed power, as in New England, they showed them-
selves to be as intolerant as any of their opponents." If all the
inhabitants of Lynn, excepting Mr. Bachiler and his six adherents,
were Episcopalians, how happened it that they at once zeal-
ously lent him their aid in forming the church here? Good
Churchmen would as soon have thought of fraternizing with
Hugh Peters as Mr. Bachiler. His ardent temperament and
remembered wrongs led him to manifest such envenomed oppo-
sition to the Church that it is not clearly seen how her devout
children could have been attracted to his fold.
[But our difficulties will very much lessen if we bear in mind
the fact that there for some time existed in the Church itself a
considerable Puritan clement — that Episcopacy, even, for a time
was not made a test— that some high . ecciesiastics wer& in-
clined to a Presbytery, and others to Independency or Congre-
gationalism. Nor was it till the vigorous arm of Laud interposed
that the integrity of the Church was restored. At the time the
Massachusetts emigration commenced there were many decided
Puritans in the Church, some of the more sanguine of whom
had probably once hoped to Puritanize her, and who wore yet
fond of calling her their " dear mother," They had not been op-
pressed, and had no ground for complaint. Many of these came
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PECULIAR CUSTOMS AND DOINGS IN EELIGIOCS MATTERS. 103
over with the " rigid separatista." And were it not in accord-
ance with the recognized tendency of the human mind to pro-
ceed to extremes when it recedes from an established order, we
might well be astonished at the apparent delight some of them
took, when safely here, in heaping indignities upon the very
name of their " dear mother." It will be instructive to those
who have never given this subject much attention, to present
an iliustration or two of their seemiog disposition to proceed
,as far as they decently could in raising and fostering prejudices
against the Church,
[The Church had always observed Christmas as the ttiost note-
worthy festival of the year — it was the anniversary of the natal
day of the great founder of our faith — the anniversary of an
event which the very augek of heaven came down to celebrate —
those sinless spirits whose majestic anthem rang over the starlit
plains of Judea, and being taken up by the Church had been
continued on through all the centuries. But her " children "
here in these western wilds thought fit to turn their backs upon
her holy example. They went to the extent of forbidding, by
law, the observance of Christmas. Whoever abstained from hia
ordinary labor on that day, subjected himself to thp liability of
being punished for a misdemeanor,
[The Church regarded matrimony as a religious rite. They
did not elevate it to the position of a sacrament but invested it
with a peculiar sanctity. But in Massachusetts, from an early
date, ministers were not allowed to perform the wedding cere-
mony. Magistrates and special appointees alone could discharge
the agreeable duty. It was not till 1686 that the present cus-
tom of authorizing ministers to solemnize marriages became
established. Reducing it to the incidents of a mere civil con-
tract was no doubt tho occasion of divers evils. And it is not
remarkable that the eifect was so long felt that even in 1719 the
Boston ministers testified that weddings were times of " riotous
[The prayers for the dead and the whole burial service of the
Church were solemn and affecting. But our good fathers would
not have even prayers at funerals. The first time that such a
thing occurred in the colony, appears to have been in August,
1685, and the funeral was that of Rev. Mr. Adams of Koxbury.
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104 mSIOET OF LYKN.
And the distasteful custom was of very slow growth. I have,
indeed, seen it somewhere stated that a prayer was never made
at a funeral in Boston, before 1766 ; meaning, of course, among
such as adhered to puritanical priaciplee. It could not, how-
ever, have been exactly so, for a Boston newspaper, printed in
1730, speaking of the funeral of Mrs. Sarah Byfield says, "Be-
fore carrying out the corpse, a funeral prayer was made by one
of the pastors of the Old Church, which, though a custom in the
country towns, is a singular instance in this place, but it is
wished may prove a leading example to the general practice
of so Christian and decent a custom." There was a law passed
in 1727 forbidding funerals on Sundays, excepting in extraordi-
nary cases, or hy special leave. These things show how little
sanctity our Puritan fathers attached to the burial of the dead.
And, following upon this, it is found that, especially during
the first half of the last century, there was often great parade
made at funerals, .particularly those of the rich. Gloves, gold
rings, hat-bands, and mourning scarfs, were frequently presented
to those ia attendance. Near friends acted as bearejs, carrying
the body on a bier on the shoulders, there being relays as occa-
sion required. In the procession males and females did not
walk together, but those of the sex of the deceased walked
nearest the remains. Officers with staffs and mourning badges
accompanied the procession. On the return from the grave, a
liberal entertainment was served, at which wines and intoxi-
cating liquors, pipes and tobacco were freely provided. And
too often the drinking led to shameful noting. Could they
have been guilty of such proceedings had they first engaged in
the solemn services appointed by the Church for such affecting
occasions? Lechford, writing in 1641, says; "At burials, no-
thing is read, nor any funeral sermon made, but all the neigh-
borhood, or a good company of them, come together by tolling
of the bell, and carry the dead solemnly to his grave and there
stand by him while he is buried. The ministers are most com-
monly present," This was written before the more extravagant
customs began to prevail. But a most remarkable thing about
it is how those good old divines who, if they had a passion it
was for delivering sermons, could have let such golden oppor.
tunities pass unimproved.
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PECULIAR CUSTOMS AND DOINGS IH EELIGIOUS MATTERS. 105
[And this leads to a remark or two concerning public worship.
The Church considered the sermon, that being merely the ex-
pression of one man's views of religious truth and duty, aa of
minor importance — a mere appendage to the worship. The
reading of the Scriptures, the prayers, the psalms, the anthems,
the solemn litany, formed the important part of the aervices.
At first, indeed, the sermons were not dolivered during the
.hours of worship, but at different times, of which notice was
given. And though it was censurable not to attend worship,
absence at sermou-time was no ground for formal complaint-^
excepting, perhaps, in the mind of the preacher himself. But
those docile children of that " dear mother," when they found
themselves safe in this western Canaan just reversed matters.
They made the sermon the leading feature at the sanctuary,
which they preferred to call a meeting-house, rather than a
church, and reduced the little semblance of worship they re-
tained, to a mere appendage to the sermon. The Congrega-
tional societies of the present day have widely departed, in
almost every respect, from the usages of those of earlier time.
But is it not true that, as a general rule, they still adhere to the
old way of giving the sermon an undue prominence — of making
their sanctuaries rather houses of preaching than houses of
prayer or places of worship ? Without a liturgy, it is perhaps
difficult, if not impossible, to satisfactorily obviate this. It
seems almost necessarily to follow from the Congregational
mode — from all modes where the extemporary element prevails
and the %vorship cannot be responsive, A new order of things
seems, however, to bo slowly coming about. Some societies,
feeling a pressing need, have recently instituted the vesper
service, as it is called, and a few others have actually adopted
liturgies.
[It appears by a writer who will presently be quoted, that
they did not always have even a prayer at their Sunday services.
And the Bible was not read. Such a thing as the reading of the
Bible in a New England Congregational meeting-house was hard-
ly known before the first part of the last century, save in a few
instances, where the ministers, having been bred in the Church,
could not bring their minds at once to dispense with what
they had been taught was a matter of the first importance. Aa
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106 HISTORY OP LYNM.
early as 1699, however, Eev. Mr. Colman, of Boston, road it in
Ilia church. And he even repeated the Lord's prayerj after an
introductory one of his own. But many were strongly preju-
diced against hia innovations. The Eatio Disciplinte says that
in 1726, the practice of reading the sacred volume had obtained
in many churches without giving offence. It does not appear
when the Scriptures began to be read in the church at Lynn.
But the First Church of Salem adopted the custom in 1736. It
was not, however, tUl many years after, that the other churches
of that place followed her good example — the Tabernacle in
180i and tho South Church in 1806. The neighboring church
of Medford, in 1759, voted "to road tho Scriptures in the con-
gregation." Mr. Holmes thus remarks, 1720, in relation to the
discontinuance of the reading of the Bible at public worship by
the Puritan churches : " Why this practice should be discontinued
by any of the- disciples of Jesua, I see no reason. I am persua-
ded it cannot be alleged to be any part of our reformation from
popish superstition." But what other reason had thoy to allege —
excepting, perhaps, that their " dear mother" made almost con-
tinuous use of the sacred Word in her sorvijes?
[The Church had always deemed it honorable to have her
sanctuaries in as impressive and beautiful a style of architecture
as circumstances would allow, and so appointed as to impart to
the mind a due sense of the sanctity of God's house. This,
besides showing a becoming respect for sacred things, was
surely to be approved ; for the loftiest impressions are perhaps
as often conveyed to the mind through the medium of the sight
as any other sense. And the proprieties of the sacred precincts
were carefully looked to. Kneeling was the required attitude
IB prayer. The music was that best adapted to inspire devo-
tional feehngs and accord with the passing season. The solemn
measures of the Lenten d^ys and the joyous Easter strains were
calculated to lead tho devout mind to contemplations the most
fruitful of spiritual good. The ancient chants which, century
after century, had formed a stirring portion of the service,
swelled, in concfert with the deep organ harmony, through the
cathedral arches and in the humble churchupon the village green.
And the chimes from her gray towers called many a wandering
thought from the cares and vexations of the world to rest and
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PEODLIAE CUSTOMS AND DOINGS IN RELIGIOUS MATTER9. 107
holy meditation. But with what eye did those severely matter-
of-fact Puritan sefctlers view these things — things that their
"dear mother" deemed important adjuncts in sustaining the
religious character in her children ? They would not recognize
the forty Lenten days, but instituted, hy civil appointment, an
annual fast of a single day ; and Easter became an unknown
seasou. The organ was to them an instrument of heathenish
device, and chanting an old mummery. At prayer, instead of
humbly kneeling, they stood ostentatiously erect. Their meet-
ing-houses, even where means were abundaut, were but rude
structures, often surmounted by some strange image, as if in
mockery of the cross, that emblem with which the Church so
loved to adorn her consecrated edifices. And they viewed with
disdain attempts to reach the heart in other ways than by rea-
soning unadorned.
[There is a merry New England ballad in a collection pub-
lished at London, in 1719, edited by T. D'Urfey, which contains
a sort of running commentary on some of the Puritan customs,
in matters such as we have been considering ; though the piece
is thought by Dr. Harris to be much older than the date of ita
publication in that collection. It was evidently written by a
good natured Churchman who viewed things with an understand-
ing eye ; and we extract as follows :
Well, that Night 1 slept till near Prayer time,
Next MorniBg I woiider'd to hear no Bells chime ;
At which I did t^ and the Reasou 1 found,
'TwaB because they had ne'er a Bell in the Town.
At last being warned, to Cliurch I repdra,
Where I did tiiink certain we should have some Pray'rs;
But tliB paison tiiere no such matter did leach.
They ecorn'd to Pray, for all one could Preach.
The first thing they did, a Psalm they did Zing,
Ise pluck'd out my Psalm-Book I with me did bring ;
And tumbled to seek bim 'cause they caWd liiio b/s name,
But they'd got a new Zong to the Tune of the same.
When Sermon was eudod, was a child Co baptise,
'Bout Zixteen years old, as Volks did zurmise ;
He had neither Godfiither nor Godmother, yet was quiet and sUD,
But the Priest durst not cross liira, for fear of ill will.
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108 HISTOET OP LYNN.
Ah, Sirrah, thought I, and to Dinner Ise went,
And gave the Lord TlianltB for what he had sent
Next day was a Wedding, the Bridoman my Friend
Did kindly invite me, ao thither Ise wend.
But this, ahove cdl, me to wonder did bviug,
To see Magisti-ate many them, and had ne'er a lUng }
Ise thought they would caD me the Woman to give,
But I ihuik the Man stole her, they ask'd no man leave.
[But it must be highly gratifyiag to the Churchman of this
day to observe how many of the old prejudices against his
revered mother have disappeared. Who, now, even among the
sons of the staunchest Puritan settlers is disposed to cast con-
tempt upon her fervid outpourings at the joyous Christmas-
tide ? Who is not ready to commend her efforts to keep the
glad sound of the gospel constantly ringing in every ear?
And who, even, is not ready to concede that she possesses a
liturgy and order worthy of the warmest affections of the Chris-
tian heart.
[Notwithstanding the apparent belief of Mr. Lowis that the
6rst settlers of Lynn, with the exception of about half a dozen,
were devout Churchmen, it is yet true that the Church was of
very slow growth here. No attempt was made to gather a
congregation, till 1819, And the small number who then called
themselves of the fold presently dispersed and joined other
worshiping bodies. And how is it even now, when we have
become a city of more than twenty thousand people? Why,
we have one Church — St. Stephen's — numbering not above a
hundred communicants, and a Chapel — St, Andrew's — which
is open only in the warm season, for the accommodation of non-
residents. If the great body of the settlers had been Episco-
palians a different state of things might rationally have been
[Indeed, notwithstanding the professed reverence of those
early comers for their "dear mother," the Episcopal Church,
was of slow growth in all parts of New England, the prejudices
against her constantly exhibiting themselves. Eev. William
Elaxton, an Episcopal clergyman, was the first Christian settler
of Boston. He sat down there, solitary and alone, in 1625 or '6.
He was a man of great learning, and seems to havo been fond
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PECULIAR CUSTOMS ATIO DOIHGS IN RELIGIOUS MATTERS. 109
of retirement and study. In or about the year 1634 he removed
to the vicinity of Providence, and died 26 May, 1675, having
made no apparent impression in favor of his cherished faith,
though he had the fame of having been bred at Emanuel, which
was called the Puritan college. Moaea Brown, in one of hia
manuscript letters, says : "Kev. Mr, Blackstone, an Episc°. sold
tho land of Boston, in 1631, and removed to Blaxton Eiver and
settled six miles north of Providence and Rehoboth. He had a
great library, was a great student. There is a hill now called
Study Hill, on which he loved to walk for contemplation. He
rode his bull, for want of a horse, to Boston and Providence, to
Smith's in Narrag^ He sometimes came to Providence and
preached there ; the first time to one man, two women, and a
number of children whom he invited and collected around him
by throwing apples to them." This was certainly preaching
under difficulties. But the' devoted ministers of the Church
here, at that period, were subjected to many such experiences,
Gov. Dudley, as late as 1702, writes that there are in "Massa.
chusetts, or New England, seventy thousand souls, in seventy
towns, all Dissenters, that have ministers and schools of their
own persuasion, except one congregation of the Church of
England, at Boston, where there are two ministers." And Eev.
George Keith, who was the first missionary sent over here by
the Church of England " Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts," and whose appearance at Lynn, where
he gave vigorous battle to the Quakers, will be noticed under
date 1702, says, writing at about the same time Dudley wrote,
" There is no Church nor Church of England school eastward
of the province of New York, viz: Connecticut, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and New Hampshire, except at
Boston, where there is one Church, consisting of a large con-
gregation, having two ministers, Mr. Myles and Mr. Bridge, and
one in Rhode Island, consisting of a large congregation and one
minister, viz : Mr. Lockier, and another in Braintry, which baa
ilo minister." Such was the prosperity of the Church, in New
England, about three quarters of a century after the emigrants
" with mnch sadness of heart and many tears " in their eyes,
began to arrive hither from the land where their " dear mother "
specially dwelt.
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UO mSTOEY OP LYHS.
[That the Church of Eagland, as a branch of the government,
was guilty of persecution, in some instances, may not be denied.
But the Episcopal Church, when established here, was divested
of temporal power ; and has stood as free from any just charge
of attempting to tyrannize as any Christian body ever known
upon the American continent.
[Let it not be said, however, that the Puritans accomplished
little or no good. They restored much of the excellent that
had been lost among the lumber of the dark, superstitious, and
infidel ages. They gave to the Christian world, it may almost
literally be said, a Sabbath. I'or before their time the Lord's
day had been regarded as a festival, instituted by the early.
Christians in commemoration of the Eesurrection. But they,
while at home, in the bosom of their " dear mother," and here,
■with their backs turned upon her, persisted in investing the
day with all the sanctity and incidents of the day proclaimed
holy amid the lightnings of Sinai. And they succeeded in lead-
ing the Church herself to adopt their views. And in this coun-
try, at this day, no body of Christians is more careful in the
observance of the Lord's day as a Sabbath than the Episcopal
Church. And did not the Puritans, here, with an energy and
wisdom unknown before, address themselves to the intellectual
culture of mankind, establishing schools in every quarter, where
to the poor as well as the rich were dispensed the inestimable
blessings of education? Let us not unduly magnify their er-
rors— let us not eternally discourse about their hanging Qua-
kers, persecuting Baptists and pressing witches — but rather
.let us honor ourselves by imitating their sterling integrity and
endeavoring to perpetuate the noble institutions thoy founded.]
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CHAPTER IT.
ANNALS.
1629.
Lybn is one of the earliest towns planted in Massachusetts.
Its settlement was begun in 1629, Among the authorities for
assigning the eettlement to this year, is the Rev, Samuel Dan-
forth'a almanac for the year 1647. He gives a list of the first
towns settled in this state, to which he prefixes these words :
"The time when these townes following began — Lynn, 1629."
By several ancient manuscripts, it appears that the settlement
must have commenced as early as the first of June.
The first white men known to have been inhabitants of Lynn,
were Edmund Ikgalls and his brother Fbakcis Ingalls. A
record preserved in the family of the foinner says, " Mr. Edmund
Ingalls came from Lincolnshire, in England, to Lynn, in 1629,"
He was a farmer, and settled in the eastern part of the town^
near a small pond in Fayette street. The place where his house
stood is stiil pointed out by his descendants. He had a malt
house near the margin of the pond. When the lands were divi-
ded, in 1638,. there were apportioned " to Edmund and Francis
Ingalls, upland and meadow, 120 acres." He was accidentally
drowned, in March, 1648, by falling with his horse through the
old Saugus river bridge, on Boston street; for which the Gen-
eral Court paid one hundred pounds ($444) to his children.
His estate was valued at ^135 8s. lOd., including "house and
lands, i£50." The name of his wife was Ann, and he had nine
children, sis of whom were born in England. 1. Robert, who
inherited his father's "house and houselot." 2. Elizabeth. 3.
Faith, who married Andrew Allen. 4. John, to whom his father
gave " the house and ground that was Jeremy fKts, (Eitch,)
lying by the meeting-house, and that three acres land he hath in
England." 5. Sarah, who married WilJiam Eitner. 6. Henry,
who was horn in 1627, and removed to Andover, whete he died
in 1719, aged 92 years. A descendant of his, Capt. Henry In-
(111)
db, Google
112 mSTOET OP LYNN.
falls, died in 1803, aged 84 years. About a year before liis
eath he added the following note to the family genealogy:
"Mr. Henry Ingals, from whom all these spring, ivas bom in
the year 1627, and he died in the year 1719, who lived ninety-
two years, and two months after bis death I, Henry Ingals, was
Born, who have lived eighty-three years, So that we two Henry
Ingals hath Lived on this Earth one hundred and seventy-five
years," 7. SamueL 8. Mary. 9. Joseph. The descendants of
Mr. Edmund Ingalls, in this and other towns, are nnmerojis and
respectable, and several of them eminent in the learned profes-
sions. [One or two interesting particulars appear in the .peti-
tion of the children of Mr. Ingalls for redress on the loss of
their father. The paper reads as follows : " The humble petition
of Eobert Ingalls with the rest of his brethren and sisters, being
eight in mirnber, humbly sheweth, that whereas your poor peti-
tioners father hath been deprived of life by the insufficiency
of Lynne Bridge, so called, to the great impoverishiiige of your
poore petitioners mother and themselves, and there being a
Court order that any person'soe dyeinge through such insuffi-
ciency of any bridge in the countrye, that there should be an
hundred pounds forfeit to the next heire, may it therefore please
this honorable Court to take your poore petitioners case into
consideration."]
Francis Ingalls, brother of Edmund — was bom in England
in 1601. He was a tanner, and lived at Swampscot. He built a
tannery on Humfrey's brook, -where it is crossed by a stone
bridge in Burrill street. I saw the vats before they were taken
up in 1825. This was the first tannery in New England. [And
perhaps its establishment gave the first direction to the great
business of the place — sboemaking. "When the leather was
made, it was natural enough to turn attention to means for di-
rectly applying it to the common necessities of life.]
William DiXEY — was bom in England in 1607, and came over
a servant with Mr. Isaac Johnson. [Common laborers and
craftsmen were frequently called servants to those by whom
they were for the time being employed.] On his arrival at Sa-
lem, he says, in a deposition in Essex Court, 1 July, 1657, that
application was made for him and others, "for a place to set
down in ; upon which Mr. Endecott did give me and the rest
leave to go where we would ; upon which we went to Saugus,
now Linne, and there wee met with Sagamore James and som
other Indians, who did give me and the rest leaue to dwell there
or thereabouts ; whereupon I and the rest of my master's com-
pany did cutt grass for our cattell, and kept them upon Nahant
for som space of time ; for the Indian James Sagamore and the
rest did give me and the rest in behalf of my master Johnson,
what land we would ; whereupon wee sett down in Saugust, and
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AHHAL8 — 1629. 113
had quiet possession of it by the abovesaid Indians, and kept
our cattell in Nahant the etimer following." Mr. Dixey waa
admitted a freeman at the first General Court, in 1634, Ho re-
moved to Salem, says Felt, and kept a ferry-boat across the
North River. [He had several children baptized in Salem, and
died in 1690, aged 82.]
William Wood — came to Lynn in 1629, and waa admitted a
freeman 18 May, 1631. He resided here, according to his own
account, about four years ; and during that time he wrote an-
interesting work, entitled " New Englands Prospect," contain-
ing a very favorable account of the early settlements. On 15
August, 1633, he sailed with Captain Thomas Graves, for Lon-
don, where, in 1634, he printed his book, in one hundred pages.
In 1635, he published a map of New England, engraved on
wood. He returned to Lynn the same year. He embarked on
the eleventh of September, in the Hopewell, of London, being
then 27 years of age ; bringing with him his wife, Elizabeth, aged
24 years, as appears by the records in Westminster Hall, London,
In 1636, he was chosen representative. In 1631, he went with
a company of about fifty men, and commenced a settlement at
Sandwich. He was chosen town clerk there, and waa a very
active, inteUigent, and talented man. His book is one of the
moat interesting and valuable which waa written at that early
period, and several extracts from it will be found in these pages.
[Shattuck thinks Mr. Wood went to Concord, where he resided
many years, dying there, 14 May, 1G71, aged 86. There were
several of the same name, in the settlements, and hence oppor-
tunity for confusion among genealogists. It is pleasant for one
to locate eminent individuals in the society of his ancestors,
and some appear over-anxious to do so. There is, however, no
doubt as to Mr. Wood's having resided at Lynn.]
John Wood — was a farmer, and lived on the corner of Essex
and Chesnut streets. When the lands were divided, in 1638,
100 acres were allotted to him. I think that William Wood, the
writer, was his son, and William Wood of -Salem, his brother.
Such was the little band who commenced the first settlement
in the wilderness of Lynn. Five men, with their families, prob-
ably comprising about twenty persons. They did not settle at
Sagamore Hill, because the Indians were there ; nor on the
Common, because that was a forest; but coming from Salem,
they selected a "faire playne," somewhat less than half a mile
in extent, where they built their rude cottages, " and had peace-
able possession." John Wood appears to have been the princi-
pal person, and from him the vicinity has ever since been called
" Woodend." There the soil of Lynn was first stirred by the
white men — there, surronnded by Indians, they laid the foun-
dation of a town.
J«- 8
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114 HISTORY OP LYNS.
[There waa a fashion of constructing temporary habitations,
prevailing, more or iess, particularly among the poorer class of
farmers, at an early period, which deserves notice for its inge-
nuity and security, and for the comfort it afforded in winter,
A square pit was dug, of such dimensions as convenience re-
quired, to the depth of six or seven feet. This was lined with
boards or logs, and a roof made of poles covered with bark,
apertures being left for lighting and for the escape of smoke.
As late as 1650, the secretary of the province of New Nether-
lands, writing in Dutch, speaks of bouses constructed after this
fashion. He however describes them as being generally finished
in rather better style, and says that the wealthy and principal
men in New England, in the beginning of the colonies, com-
menced their dwelhngs in this way.]
1630.
Early in the spring, eleven vessels, having on board abont
seventeen hundred persons, left the harbor of Southampton, and
sailed for New England. In the number of the passengers were
Mr. John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts, with
many other persons of dignity, wealth, and reputation. Aa Mr.
Humfrey, who had been chosen deputy governor, was not ready
to remove, Mr. Thomas Dudley was chosen in his etead. In
the month of June, the ships arrived at Salem, and the passen-
gers began to make settlements in the pathless woods. Mr.
Dudley says that some o'f them settled " upon the river of Sau-
gus." Others went to Oharlestown and Boston; and the rest
began new settlements at Roxbury, Dorchester, Watertown, and
Medford. The Council had agreed that each person who ad-
vanced fifty pounds, should have 200 acres; and that each one
who came over on his own expense, should have 50 acres.
The following persons appear to have arrived at Lynn, this year.
Joseph AiMiTAGB — lived on the north side of the Common,
a little eaat of Mall street, his land extending to Strawberry
brook. He was a tailor, and was admitted a freeman in 1637.
Some years after, he became the proprietor of a corn and slitting
mill on Saugus river. (Essex Eeg. Deeds.) He opened the
first tavern in the town, called the Anchor. (Mass. archives.)
It stood on the Boston road, a little west of the river. For a
hundred and seventy years, this was the most celebrated tavern
in Essex county, being half way from Salem to Boston. He
died 27 June, 1680, aged 80 years. His wife, Jane, died March
3, 1675. His children were John, and Rebecca, who married
Samuel Tarbox, in 1665.
GoDEHEY Armitage — was a farmer, and was admitted a free-
man in 1638. [He was by trade a tailor, as was Joseph; and
they may have been brothers. Godfrey removed to Boston,
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there was in that oi
Appended is a fac- // /^ f^ '^~^^ — '
autograph. It is ^ ^J-^"""^^*^^ //jV-^« t)
o" from hia siVna.tnrfi"^ _
AKKAL9 — 1630. 115
■where he reared a Stmily-; and some of Ms descendants became
prominent.]
James Axey — was a farmer, a representative in 1654, and
died in 1669, His wife, Frances, died the same year.
Allen Beegd — was a farmer, and lived near the point where
Summer street crosses the Turnpike. In 1638 he had 200 acres
allotted to him. He was born in 1601. The name of hia wife
was Elizabeth, and his children were Allen, Timothy, Joseph,
and John. His descendants are numerous, and from him the
vicinity in which he resided was called Breed's End. [He was
one of the Long Island settlers, hut returned. And it is assert-
ed that Breed's Hill, in Charlestown, where the battle of Bunker
Hill was fonght, took its name from him. In early times the
name was spelled Bread, and there was more uniformity in the
spelling than there was in that of
most names,
simile of his autc^
careful tracingfrom his signature'^ ^. ^ .„ o t
1 1 ■ ii, 1 Sitmature of AllenBreeci
on a document in the county ar- ^fc""^" ■=
chives.
William Ballard — was a fanner, and was admitted a free-
man in 1638. In the same year he was a member of the Esses
Court. His children were John, Nathaniel, and Elizabeth. [Mr.
Ballard seems to have died in 1641. Nicholas Brown and Gar-
rett Spencer made oath before Messrs. Bradstreet and Nowell,
in March of that year, " that being w*^ M' Willm Ballard of Lmn
a day or two before his death & perswadinge him to make his
will," he told them that "he intended to do it the next day,
but ... . dyed before he could put it in wrightingo. He
would leave his [wife Sarah?] half his estate, and the other half
to be devided amongst his children; the said William Ballard
beinge then of pfect minde." (Suffolk Eecs.)]
George Borrill — lived on the west- /^i, ^i v" (-ffr
ern side of Tower Hill. He was a farm- /LX J
er, and had 200 acres of land. A fac- ( /y ^
simile of his autograph is here given — V-<,---y^ ^
traced from the signature to bis will, <y y^QJX'lMj
dated 18 October 1653. [He was one signature of Geo. BmilL
or the richest of the planters. His wife
was named Mary, and both he and she died in 1653. His chil-
dren were: [|George; ]|Francis; fJohn. \Gmrg& removed
to Boston and was a cooper. He married Deborah Simpkins,
and died 5 July, 1698. He had children, George, born 13 Feb.
1654; Samuel, b. 10 Jan., 1656; Sarah, who married John
Souther. || .fVanciVs wjfe was named Elizabeth; and he had chil-
dren, Elizaheth, born 1 Dec. 1655 ; James, b. 21 Dec. 1657 ; Jo-
seph, b. 18 Dec, 1659 ; Mary, who died young, b. 10 May, 1661 ;
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116 AKNALS OP LTHN— 1630.
Lydiu, h. 13 June, 1663; Hannah, b. 19 March, 1665; Mary,
who Uvod but ten days, b. 7 Feb., 1668 ; Deborah, b. 23 July,
1669, and died the next month; Moses, b. 12 April, 1671 ; Hes-
ter, b. 15 Jan., 1674; Sarah, b. 11 April, 1676, and died in infan-
cy; Samuel, who also died in infancy. || John married Lois Ivory,
10 May, 1656, and had children, John, b. 18 Nov. 1658; Sarah,
b. 16. May, 1661, and died 27 Dec, 1714; Thomas, b. 7 Jan.,
1664; Anna, b. 15 Sept., 1666; Theophilus, b. 15 July, 1669 ;
Loia, b. 27 Jan., 1672; Samuel, b. 20 April, 1674; Mary, b. 18
Feb., 1677; Ebenezer, h. 13 July, 1679; Ruth, b. 17 May, 1682.
The last named John, he who was born 18 Nov., 1658, became
quite distinguished for hia talents, and for skill as a presiding;
offloer in the General Court. Ha died in 1721. See a bio-
graphical notice of him beginning on page 489. Hia brother
Ehenezer was also conspicuous as a public man, and known as
the Hon. Bbeneaer. He died in 1761, See notice, page 492.
Sarah, who was born 16 May, 1661, married John Pickering, of
Salem, and became grand mother, of Hon, Timothy Pickering,
the eminent statesman and intimate friend of Washington. Hon.
James Burrill, LL. D,, who was made chief justice of the Supreme
Court of Ehode Island, in 1816, and was afterward distinguished
as a United States senator from that State, was a great-great-
grandson of llJohn, (known as Lieut. John, and youngest son of
the first George.) Other conspicuous descendants of this early
settler will be named elsewhere. The Burrill fajnily was form-
erly called the royal fiimily of Lynn, in view of the many famous
persons connected with it.]
Edwaed Baker — was a farmer, and Hved on the south side
of Baker's Hill, in Saugus. He was admitted a freeman in 1638 ;
and w^s buried March 16, 1687. His wife, Joan, died April 9,
1693. His sons were Edward, who married Mary Marshall,
April 7, 1675 ; and Thonias, who married Mary Lewis, July 10,
1689. [Mr, Baker removed to Northampton about 1658, and
there had grants of land. He remained many years, respected
and influential. Mr. Lewis is incorrect in one or two particu-
lars. The name of Mr. Baker's wife was Jano, and he had Eve
sons — Joseph, Timothy, Edward, Thomas, and John, He finally
returned to Lynn; but his sons Joseph and Timothy remained
at Northampton. John is supposed to have settled in Dedham,
and become the head of an extensive family. The will of Mr.
Baker is dated 16 Oct. 1685, and having previously provided
for some of hia children by deed, not all of them are named in it.
He exhorts his family to live peaceable and pious lives, and
desires for himself a decent funeral, suitable to hia rank and
quality while living. Timothy was a prominent man in North-
ampton, and some of his descendants became conspicuous;
among them, Hon. Osmyn Baker, late member of Congress.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1630. 117
[Captain Thomas Baker, son of Timothy, just named, and
of course a grandson of Edward, the early Lynn settler, was
taken captive hy the Indians, at Deerfield, on the terrible
night of 29 Feb., 1704, and carried to Canada. He however,
the next year, succeeded in effecting his escape. In or about
the year 1715, he married Madam Le Beau, whose name figures
somewhat in the history of that period. And the lives of both
husband and wife furnish touching and romantic passages. She
was a daughter of Richard Otis, of Dover, N, H., who, with one
son and one daughter, was killed by the Indians on the night
of 27 June, 1689, at the time they destroyed the place. She
was then an infant of three months, and was, with her mother,
carried captive to Canada and sold to the French. The priests
took her, baptised her, and gave her the name of Christine.
They educated her in the Romish faith, and she passed some
time in a nunnery, not, however, taking the veil. At (
of sixteen she was married to a Frenchman, thus be
Madam Le Beau, and became the mother of two or three chil-
dren. Her husband died about 1713. And it was very soon
after that her future husband, Capt. Baker, appears to have
fallen in with her. He was attached to the commission detailed
by Gov. Dudley, under John Stoddard and John Williams for
the purpose of negotiating with the Marquis de Vaudreuil for
the release of prisoners and to settle certain other matters, and
went to Canada. From Stoddard's journal it appears that there
was much trouble in procuring her release, and when it was
obtained, her children were not allowed to go with her. Her
mother was also opposed to her leaving Canada.
[After her return, Christine married Capt. Baker, and they
went to reside at Brookfleld, where they remained till 1733.
They had several children, and among their descendants is Hon.
John Wentworth, late member of Congress from Illinois. She
became a protestant after marrying Capt. Baker, and substituted
the name Margaret for Christine, though later in life she seems
to have again adopted the latter. In 1727, her former confes-
sor, Father Siguenot wrote her a gracious letter, expressing a
high opinion of her and warning her against swerving from the
faith in which she had been educated. He mentions the happy
death of a daughter of hers who had married and lived in Que-
bec, and also speaks of her mother, then living, and the. wife
of a Frenchman. This letter was shown to Gov. Euvnet, and
he wrote to her a forcible reply to the arguments it contained
in favor of Romanism. And there are, or recently were, three
copies of the letter and reply, in the Boston AthenEeum. The
mother of Christine had children by her French husband, and
Philip, Christine's half-brother, visited her at Brookfield.
[All the children of Capt. Baker and Christine, seven or eight
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118 ANNALS OP LYSN — 1630.
in numter, exceptiBg the first, who waa a daughter, bearing
her mother's name, were bom in Erookfield. There ia no rea-
son to doubt that the connection was a happy one. They held
a very respectable position, and he waa the first representative
irom Erookfield. He was, indeed, once tried before the Supe-
rior Court, at Springfield, in 1727, for blaaphemy ; but the jury
acquitted him. The offence consisted in his remarking, while
. discoursing on G-od'a providence in allowing Joseph Jennings,
of Erookfield, to be made a justice of the peace — "If I had
been with the Almighty I would have taught him better."
[In 1733 Capt. Baker sold hia farm in Erookfield. But this
proved an unfortunate step, for the purchaser feiled before mak-
ing payment, and their circumstances became greatly reduced.
They were a short time at Mendon, and also at Newport, K. I.,
before finally removing to Dover. Poor Christine, in 1735, pe-
titioned the authorities of New Hampshire for leave to "keep
a house of pubUc entertainment " on the " County Bhoade from
Dover meeting bouse to Cocheco Boorae." In this petition she
signs her name " Chriatine baker," and mentiona that she made
a journey to Canada, in the hope of getting her children, " but
all in vaine." A license was granted, and it seems probable
that she kept the house a number of years. She died, at a great
age, 23 Feb., 1773, and an obituary notice appeared in the Bos-
ton Evening Post. The Mrs. Bean mentioned in the N. H, Hist.
Colls, as having died, 6 Feb., 1826, at the age of a hundred years,
was Mary, the daughter of Capt. Baker and Christine. She pos-
sessed her faculties to the last, and her eyesight was so perfect
that she could, without glasses, see to thread a needle. Col.
Benjamin Bean, of Conway, N. 11., was a grandson of this aged
granddaughter of'Edward Baker the Lynn settler.
[I have given this connected recital, though hardly knowing
how to afi'ord the space, not only on account of the romantic
incidents touched upon, but also because it aptly illustrates
occurrences frequent in those days.]
John Bancroft — died in 1637. He had two sons, Thomas
and John, and his descendants remain. [The name was some-
times spelled Ear cr<>ft; indeed it is questionable whether that
was not the original spelling, the change easily occurring. Jane,
the wife with whom this settler was blessed, does not seem to
have been the moat amiable of women. By the record of the
Court held at Boston, in 1633, it appeara that, "M'John Bar-
croft doeth acknowledge to owe vnto C Souaigne, the King,
the some of x\l. & M'' Samll Mauacke the aom of xxl. &c. The
condicon of this recognizance is, thai Jane Earcroft, wife of the
said John, shall be of good bebav"^ towards all psons." George
Bancroft, the eminent historian, is a lineal descendant from this
Lynn planter.]
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AHHALS OP LTHN — 1630. 119
Samuel Bennet — waa a carpenter, and a member of the An-
cient Artillery Company, in 1639. A pine forest in tlie northern
part of Lynn still retains the name of Bennet'a Swamp. He
resided in the western part of Saugua, and when the towns
were divided, the line passed through his land, eastward of his
house, so that afterward he was called an inhabitant of Boston.
Nicholas Brown — was a fanner, and hved on Walnut street,
in Saugus. He removed to Beading, in 1644. He had a son,
Thomas, who continued in Lynn, and died, 28 Aug. 1693. His
descendants remain.
Boniface Burton ■ — was a farmer, and was admitted a free-
man, 6 May, 1635. He was the oldest man who ever lived at
Lynn. He died, 13 June, 1669, aged 113 yeai-s, according to
Sewall. Another diarist mates him 115, His son Boni&ce
removed to Eeadiug.
Thomas Chadwell — waa a farmer, and lived in Summer
street. , He died in Feb. 1683, His sons were Thomas, Moses,
and Benjamin. His descendants remain. [He had three wives ;
the first was named Margaret, and she died 29 Sept. 1658, He
afterward removed to Boston, and married Barbara Brimblecom,
a widow, who had survived two husbands. This second wife
died in 1665, and for a third wife, he married Abigail Jones, of
Charlestown, a widow. His son Mosea was born 10 April, 1637.]
Clement Coldam — was a miller, and a member of the An-
cient Artillery Company, in 1645. He bad a son Clement, bom
in 1622, who removed to Gloucester, and died in 1703.
Thomas Coldam — -was admitted a freeman in 1634. He kept
Mr. Humfrey's windmill, on Sagamore Hill, and died 8 April,
1675, aged 74 years.
William Cowdey, born in 1602 — -was a farmer. He removed
toReading in 1640, where he was Clerk of the Writs, Town
Clerk, Selectman and Bepresentativo.
Thomas Dextee — was a farmer, and lived on the west of Sau-
gus river, near the Iron Works. He was admitted a freeman,
18 May, 1631, He owned eight hundred acres of land, and was
called, by way of excellence, " Farmer Dexter." He was a very
active and enterprising man, and built a mill and a wear across
Saugus river. Among his speculations, he purchased Nahant
of the Indian chief, Poquanum, called "Black Will," for a suit
of clothes; which occasioned the town an expensive lawsuit in
1657, another in 1678, and a third in 1695, He became one of
the first proprietors of the town of Sandwich, in 1637, and pro-
moted its settlement, but did not remove at that time. He had
a son Thomas, a grandson Richard, and a greatgrandson William;
but none of hia descendants remain at Lynn.
RoBEKT Deivee — was a farmer, and lived in Shepard street,
on the south of which a creek still bears his name. He was
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120 ANNALS OP LTNH — 1630.
made a freeman in 1635, and died 3 April, 1680, aged 88 years.
Hia wife, Pliebe, died in i'ebrnary, 1683. He had a son, Rob-
ert, who was a soldier in the Indian War of 1675.
William Edmonds — was admitted a freeman in 1635, and
died 4 Aug. 1693, His children were John; and Samuel, who
married Elizabeth Bridges, 21 Jan. 1685. [He was a tailor by
,trade. His wife Mary died 2 April, 1657, and five months after
he married a widow Ann Martin, at Boston. Besides John and
Samuel, he had children, Joseph and Mary. The latter married
Joseph Hutchings, 1 Sept. 1657. He was 82 years old at the
time of his death.]
George Faks — was a farmer in the eastern part of Esses
street. He was admitted a freeman in 1635, and died in 1661.
His wife Elizabeth was buried 11 March, 1687. His children
were, John, Lazarus, Benjamin, Joseph, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth,
and Sarah. [Mr. Earr came over in 1629. He was a ship-
wright.] ,
Henry Eeake — was admitted a freeman, 14 May, 1632, and
removed to Sandwich in 1637. [He was a Representative in
1643 and '4, About 1656 he was residing at Newtown, L. I.
John Dillingham married a daughter of his, 24 March, 1654.]
Jeremiah Fitch — was a farmer, and lived in Shepard street.
He removed to Iteading in 1644.
Samuel Gbaves — was a farmer, and lived on the Turnpike,
west of the Floating Bridge, and from him the neighborhood
has ever since been called Graveaend. In 1635, he gave nearly
£300 to the colony. He had a son Samuel, and his descendants
remain. [The son Samuel married Sarah Brewer, 12 March,
1678, and had children, Crispus, born 3 Aug. 1679; Hannah, b.
27 Aug. 1681; Samuel, b. 2 Aug. 1684.]
John Hall — was admitted a freeman in 1634.- Edward Hall,
Bon of John, was a farmer, and died in 1669. His children were
Joseph, Ephraim, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Martha. His descend-
ants remain. [I think this John Hall must have been the one
who, in 1640, was a Salisbury proprietor, and married, 3 April,
1641, Rebecca, widow of Henry Bayley, by whom be had a son
John, bom 18 March, 1G42. He was dead in 1650, as his widow,
in July of that year, married Rev, William Worcester, the first
minister of Salisbury. And after the death of Mr. Worcester,
which took place in 1663, she married, as a fourth husband,
Deputy Governor Symonds, whom she outlived, and died in
1695. As to Edward, Mr. Lewis is without doubt wrong in
some particulars. There may have been two of the name here.
Edward, eon of John, by his wife Sarah, had children, Joseph,
born 3 July, 1646; Ephraim, b. 8 September, 1648; Sarah, b.
in August, 1651 ; Elizabeth, b. 30 April, 1654 ; Rebecca, b. 30
April, 1657. And Savage treats him as the same individual who
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AJSNALS OP LYHK — 1630. 121
was so oddly named in the will of Benjamia Eeayne, of Boston)
who, probably through hia son, at one time a resident of Lynn,
had various oonnectioBS with the people here. If so identified,
he must have been a carpenter, though he may have carried on
farming to some extent. " To Edward Hall, of Lya, carpenter,"
says Mr. Keayne's will, " as an acknowledgm' of bia Loneing
seruice to me, (though of Later yearea he hath Carryed it lease
deseniing, & fuller of more Just provocation,) three pounds,"]
Adam Hawkes — was a farmer, and settled on the Hawkes
Farms, in Saugus. He owned the land where the iron ore waa
found, and filled up one of the mines, on the supposition that it
contained silver. Soon after his settlement, his bouse was
burned. The only persona in it at the time, were a servant girl
and two twin infanta, who eacaped. He died in 1671. His sons
were, Adam, John, Moses, Benjamin, and Thomas. His descend-
ants remain.
John Hawkes — was admitted a freeman in 1634, and died 5
Aug. 1694. [I think Mr. Lewis is wrong in making this John
Hawkes, the one who was admitted a freeman in 1634. The
only John here, at that period, was probably the young son of
Adam, though there was, an older person of the name in the
vicinity. The John who died here, 5 Aug. 1694, is called in
the record of his decease, senior, and would, as respects age,
answer well as the son of Adam. He married, 3 June, 1658,
Rebecca Maverick, and she died in 1659, at the birth of their
son Moses. He married again, 11 April, 1661. His second
wife was Sarah Cushman, and he had by her, Susanna, born
29 Nov. 1662; Adam, b. 12 May, 1664; Anne, b. 3 May, 1666;
John, b. 25 April, 1668; Rebecca, b. 18 Oct. 1670; Thomas, b.
18 May, 1673; and Mary, b. 14 Nov. 1675. Within twenty
days of the latter date, be experienced a severe affliction in the
loss, by death, of all his daughters, excepting the infant Mary.]
Edward Holtoke — was a farmer, and had 500 acres of land.
He was a member of the Essex Court,- and was many times
chosen represertative. In 1656 he owned the western side
of Sagamore Hill. He died 4 May, 1660. In his will he beseeches
God to impress his children with the importance of private
prayer and public worship, and bequeaths each of them a lock
of his hair. His children were, Elizur, who removed to Spring-
field, and married Mary Pynchon ; and Elizabeth, who married
George Keyser. An excellent spring, iu the western .part of
Lynn, surrounded by willows, is well known by the name of
Holyoke spring." [This spring is near the western margin of
the meadow lying immediately north of Holyoke street, and
west of Walnut, formerly known as Pan Swamp.] An eminent
descendant of this settler. Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, of Salem,
died 31 March, 1830, aged a hundred years and seven months.
K
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122 ANNALS OP LYHN — 1630,
[The two children named by Mr. Lewis, Elizur and Elizabeth,
were not the only offspring of Mr. Holyoke. He tad daughters,
Ann, who married Lieut. Thomas Putnam, 17 Oct, 1643; Mary,
who married John Tuttle of Boston, 10 Feb. 1641 ; SusauBa,
who married Michael Martin, 12 Sept, 1656; and Sarah, who
married an Andrews. He also had sons, Edward and John, who
were born in England and died there, at early ages. Mr. Hol-
yoke'a will is a curious document ; and most of it is here given,
because it so weil exhibits his spirit and so faithfully exposes
the condition of things at that time, in several interesting par-
ticulars. It was made 25 Dec, 1658, 'and he died 4 May, 1660.
As for ihe hoh faith of the holy one, God in trinitie, and of the holy faith
-of our glorious Lord, the son of God, the LordJesus Chiist, the second Adam,
I haue composed Abooke and doe bestowell vpon each of my sonns in. law as
their best legacy, &c, (Being inetructed chiefly by an understanding of the
Scriptures) I doubt not my booke will giue him A hart of all sound doctrine.
Touching my worldly estate, I dispose the yoke of Oxen and my mare, to
my aonn in law, George Keysor, and my mare foale and A Cow, to. my sonn
Prenam ; tow Idne to my sonn Andrewes ; A Cow to my dau. Marten, These
Oxen and kine are in the hands of Goodman Wilkins, of Linn ; the mare and
fbale is at Rumncy Marah. I giue to my Bonn Tuttle, that £4 yearely hee
should haue giuen mee since I put ouer the house in Boston to hiiM. I neuer
yet had a penney of it; 40s. ITgfiue him of that, so theare is yet £6 beehind
and tiieare is £5 mentioned in diwdman Wilkins Case that hee owe^imee,J
giue to my dau. Marf^n/and 20s. to my kinswoman Jfey Mgnsfeild jaSa lOs.
of it to John Dolittle, and lOe. of it to my kinsman "n^maBMBiTiff of New-
ham, and 10s. of it to Hannah Keasur. I giue tny best Cloake of that Ctotfi
that cam from England to my sonn Holyoke, as allaoe my Coate of the same
cloth. IgiuemyotherCloketomy sonnKeaser, my bestDublet and breeches
to my sonn Tuttle, my stuff dublet and my best bat .to'my sonn Holyoke; all
yeares rent of this yea
Linn, I owe Theodore Atkius 49s. ; pay him in wheate ; I owe John Hull
Aboute 32s. ; pay him in wheate ; pay Mr, Rueaell, treasurer, 3 bushells of
it of my wearemg apparell to my soun.Keasar, As touching the whol
rent of this yeare 1658, that is Dew mee from Goodman Wilkins, of
; pay IWr, F
wheate; for John Andrewes, 8 busi.ells of .wheate to Mr, Wilson Paster at
Boston, and 8 bushell of Indian. As for my Linell, let all my dau's. part
alike. The 20s. Goodman Page oweth me, as my sonn Tuttle eann wimess,
I give my dau. Martin. There is about 15b. Capt. Sauige oweth mee; inti-eat
him to satisfle my Cosan Dauis, and the I'est giue to my dau. Marten. As for
n^' books and wi'ightings, I giue my sonn Holyoke all the books that are at
Linn, as allsoe the Iron Chest, and the bookes I haue in my study that are
Mr. Beangbans works I giue him, hee onely cann make vse of them, and
likewise I giue all my maniscriptB what soeuer, and I giue him that large new
testament m folio, with wast papers between euery leafe, allso Mr, Answorth
on the 5 books of Mi^cb and the psalmes, and my dixinary and Temellius
bible in Latten, and my latten Concent and daniell bound together, and A
part of the New testament in Folio, with wast paper hetwin euery leafe, and
the greate mapps of geueolagy, and that old maniscript called a Syuas sight ;
the rest, for A muskett I gaue of olde to my sonn Holyoke : All my land in
Linn, and that land and Medow in the Countiy neere Reding, all was giuen
to my sonn Holyoke, when he maried M"^ Pmchors Daughter.
V' me. Edword Holyoke.
[Mr. Holyoke's eon Elizur administered ou the estate, and
the inventory was taken 19 June, 1660. John Tuttle and John
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ANNAL9 OP LYJra — 1630. 123
Doolittle were appraisers, and the amount was £681. " A farme
at Lyune, X400 ; 3 acres at Nahant, £Q ; a farme at Eever dame,
neare Reading, £150;" two oxen, £12; four cows, £16; and
his books, £20 ; are the principal iteros.
[Mr. Holyoke was from Tamworth, Warwickshire, where he
married, 18 June, 1612, Prudence, daughter of Kev. John Stock-
ton, rector of Kinkolt. His father, who was likewise named
Edward, is thought to be the same *' Edward HoiJyocke " men-
tioned in the will of the father of Ann Hathaway, wife of the
immortal Shakspeare, where he is spoken of as having a claim
of twenty shillings, for wood.
[It is evident that Mr. Holyoke, quite early in life, had hia
mind directed to the consideration of sacred things. And ou
the whole he seems to have been rather a lively exponent of
puritan chai'acter. On 12 May, 1612, about a month before his
marriage, he wrote to Miss Stockton a long epistle, from which
a few passages are here introduced, the orthography being mod-
ernized. " Let us resolve," he says, " with an unfeigned heart
in constancy and perseverance to follow the Eternal, and tO'
cleave unto him all our days ; to set him up in our hearts to
be our God; to love him with all our heart, mind, ^oul, and
strength; to worship him in, spirit and truth, according to his
revealed will; to sanctify his name in his word, in his works, in
our holy conversation ; to keep his Sabbath with joy of heart
and delighting in the Lord; in it not doing our own will, but
sanctifying it wholly to the Lord. If this be in our hearts, in
deed and m truth, then we shall he faithful to each other, not
sinning against one another ; for you have set me on your heart
and me alone, to be thine ; thy husband, the veil of thine eyes
in the sight of all ; thy head. If this be so, then cleave to me,
to me alone ; let your affections be mine, your desires mine.
And I have set thee on my heart, and thee alone, to make thee
my spouse, my companion, the wife of my youth ; to enter into
covenant with thee before God, never to transgress against
thee, but to love you only, even as myself; to care for you, to
rejoice with yoii, to wander in thy love continually Me-
thinks I see the preparation that Prudence makes for the day
of solemnity ; every thing in readiness, that she will not forget
au ornament; every thing in such couveniency. Oh, will you
thus prepare for this marriage, which is but for a time ? Labor
to be truly' spiritual, that this may bo, above all things, the
chief of your thoughts, to prepare for that eternal marriage with
Christ Jesus in the last day."
[The name of Mount Holyoke, in Hampshire county, it is said,
was derived from Elizur, the son named as having married Mary
Fynchon, and who became a very conspicuous and useful man.
Few names appear on the records of the colony in connection
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124 AHNALS OF LYNN — 1630,
with more enterprises of a public nature than that of EHzur
Holyoke, and few are more highly spoken of for their services.
There is a tradition that during an exploration by some of the
Bsttlers of Springfield, five or six years after thoy first located
there, Elizur Holyoke, with a party, went up the east side of the
river, while Rowland Thomas, with another party, went up the
west side. On reaching a narrow place, between the mountains,
a conversation took place, across the water, between Holyoke
and Thomas, concerning the naming of the mountains. And
finally it was determined to give the name of Holyoke to that
on the east, and the name of Thomas to that on the west. The
latter soon came to he called Mount Tom; but the former was
more fortunate in retaining the integrity of its name. A worthy
writer says of Elizur Holyoke : " His whole life was devoted to
the service of the people among whom he lived." He was
appointed by the General Court, in 1652, one of the commis-
sioners empowered to govern the Springfield settlers, " in all
matters not extending to life and limb." He died 6 Feb. 1676,
He had a son Elizur, the youngest- of four, who was sent to
Boston to learn the trade of a brazier, and who finally became
prominent by- his enterprise and wealth ; and his name will long
survive from his association with the founders of the Old South
Church. Edward Holyoke, president of Harvard College, was
a son of his. The name is perpetuated in Lynn, througji Hol-
yoke street, in the vicinity of which EdwaM, the original settler,
owned lands.]
William Hathorne — was born in England, in 1607; was
admitted a freeman in 1634; and removed to Salem.
Daniel Howe, (Lieut.) — was admitted a freeman in 1634.
He was a representative in five General Courts, and a mem-
ber of the Ancient Artillery Company in 1638. He removed
to New Haven. His son Ephraim was master of a vessel which
sailed from Boston. In Sept. 1676, bis vessel, in which were
two of his sons and three other persons, was disabled by a
storm, off Cape Cod, and driven to sea for several weeks, until
his "two sons, lashed to the deck by ropes, perished. The vessel
was then cast on' a desolate island, where the three other per-
sons died. Mr. Howe was thus left alone, and found means to
subsist for nine months, lodging and praying in a caVe, till he
was taken off by a vessel, in June.
Edward Howe — was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman
in 1636, He was several times chosen representative, and was
a member of the Essex Court, in 1637. ■ In April, 1639, after
the Court was ended in Boston, having dined ia his usual health,
he went to the river side, to pass over to Charlestown, and
while waiting for the ferry boat, fell dead on the shore. Gov.
Winthrop says he was " a Godly man," He had a son Edward.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1630. 125
[Mr, Lewis has located him here at too early a date. He came
in the Tnielove, 1635.- He waa 64 years old at the time of hia
death. He and Daniel Howe, the preceding, were brothers.]
Thomas Hubbabd — was admitted a freeman iu 1634, and
removed to Billerica. [His wife's name waa Elizabeth. He died
in Nov. 1662.]
Thomas Hudson — was a farmer, and lived on the western
aide of Sangns river. He owned the lands where the Iron
Works were situated, part of which be sold for that purpose.
He had a eon Jonathan, whose descendants remain.
Christopher Hussey — was born in Darking, in Surrey, Eng-
land, in 1598. He went to Holland, whore he became enamored
of Theodate, daughter of Rev. Stephen Bachilor, who had resid-
ed there several years, but her father would not consent to
their union, unless Mr. Husaey would remove to New England,
whither he waa preparing to go. Mr, Huasey came to Lynn
with hia mother, widow Mary Huasey, and his wife, in 1630, and
here, the same year, his son Stephen waa born, who waa the
second white child born in Lynn. He removed to Newbury,
in 1636, and waa chosen representative in 1637, In 1638, he
became one of the first settlers of Hampton, and was choaen a
counsellor. In 1685, he waa cast away and lost on the coast
of Floiida, being 87 years of age. His children were Stephen,
John, Joseph, Huldah, Theodate and Mary.
George Keyser, born in 1616 — was a miller, at Swampscot,
and waa admitted a freeman in 1638. He married Elizabeth
Holyoke, and had a son Elizur, who removed to Salem.
Christophbr Lindsby — lived as a servant with Thomas Dex-
ter, an.i kept his cattle at Nahant. A hill on the notheastorn
part of Nahant is sti)l called Lindsay's bill. He died in 1668.
He had two sons, John and Eleazer, and hia descendants remain.
[Mr. Lindsey was wounded in the Pequot war, and in a petition
to the Court, May, 1655, states that he waa "disabled frona
service for 20 weekes, for which he neuer had any satisfaction."
He waa allowed three pounds. Hia only daughter, Naomi, was
the first wife of Thomas Maule, of Salem, the famous Quaker,
to whom she was married, 22 July, 1670. Maule published a
book aetting forth and maintaining the truth acc.ordiug to the
Quaker view. And for this he was indicted. He afterward put
forth another work — his " Perseciitors Mauled" — in which he-
remarka that they five times imprisoned him, thrice took away
his goods, and thrice cruelly whipped him ; besides their many
other abuses.]
Jonathan Negus — was born in 1601, and admitted a freeman
in 1634.
Thomas Newhall — was a farmer, and owned all the lands
on the eastern side of Federal street, as far north as Marion.
K*
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126 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1630.
His house atood on the east side of the former street, a few rods
south of where the brook crosses. He had two sons. 1. John,
born in England. 2. Thomas born in 1630, who was ike first
white child born in Lynn. He married Ehzabeth Potter, 29
Dec. 1652, and was buried 1 April, 1687, aged 57. His wife
was buried 22 Feb. 1687. His descendants are more numerous
than those of any other name at Lynu. and there are many in
the adjacent towns. [A fac-simile ^
of the autograph of this Thomas, "Jn-o-mc^ '^/^tM^^ct^
the first of the white race born
in our precincts, is here given. Signature of Thomas Newhall.
It was traced from hia signature to an inventory filed in the
court at Salem, in 1677, the last two letters being supplied, aa,
the paper is so much worn as to render them illigible. I have
searched in vain for a proper signature of his father, who died
25 May, 1674. His will is signed by "his mark." But as the
document was executed just before his death, it is reasonable
to conclude that infirmity, rather than ignorance, was the occa-
sion of his signing in that auspicious manner. A somewhat
extended genealogical view of the Neivhall family will be given
in another part of this work.]
Robert Potter — ■ was a farmer, and lived in Boston street.
He was admitted a freeman in 1634. He had a daughter Eliza-
beth. [He removed from town soonafter he became a freeman,
tinder date 1685 Mr. Lewis gives the name of a Robert Potter,
who was probably a son of this Robert. He went first to Rhode
Island, but changed his place of abode two or three times. In
1643, he, with others, was arrested for disseminating obnoxious
doctrines, and brought to Boston. The government ordered
them to discontinue their preaching, on pain of death. They
suffered imprisonment, confiscation of estate and banishment.
Subsequently, however, by making complaint in England, they
had their estates restored. In 1649, he kept an inn, at War-
wick. He had a son John, and daughters Deliverance and Eliz-
beth ; and, probably, a son Robert, his eldest child. He died
in 1655.]
John Eamsdell — was a farmer, and died 27 Oct. 1688, aged
86. His wife, Priscilla, died 23 Jan, 1675. His sons were John
and Aquila, and his descendants remain.
Joseph Rednap — was a wine-cooper, from London, and was
admitted a freeman in 1634. Judge Sewall, inhis Diary, says
he died on Friday, 23 Jan. 1686, aged 110 years. [But Judge
Sowall must have made his entry touching the age, from exag-
gerated reports. Mr. Rednap could not have been much, if any,
above 90. And in the Judge's statement we have further evi-
dence that in those days people took a singular pride, when one
died at an age beyond the common limit, in giving him, to as
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1630. 127
great an extent as the case would bear, the patriarchal charac-
teristic of age. On 29 June, 1669, Mr. Eednap gave certain
testimony, which he swore to, in the Salem Court, in which he
states himseSf to be "betwixt seventy and e^;hty years" old.
He also, in evidence given in 1657, states himself to he about
sixty. Sow if he was 60 in 1657, he would have been 72 in
1669, and at the time of his death, in 1686, he would have been
but 89 or 90. This conclusion, it will he observed, is drawn
from his own statements, made under oath. Mr. Rednap was
an anabaptist, or rather an anti-pedobaptist, and underwent some
.persecution as such.]
Edwaed Richards, bom in 1616 — was a joiner, and was ad-
mitted a freeman in 1641. He hved in the eastern part of Essex
street. On the third of April 1646, he sold to Daniel King,
" one parcel of land, called Windmill Hill," being the eastern
mound of Sagamore HilL He died 26 Jan. 1690, aged 74. His
descendants remain. [His wife's name was Ann, and they had
children, William, born 7 June, 1663; Daniel; Mary; Abigail;
and, it is thought, John. William was living abroad in 1688, as
appears by a parental letter superscribed " These ffor my love-
ing sonn Wilham Richards Liveing att Philadelphia in pensylva-
nah or elsewhere present," and sent " ffrom Lin in New Eng-
land this 12th of June, 1688." The letter urges him to return
to Lynn, as his parents are getting old, and much desire his
presence. And they want him to make up his mind never to
leave the place again; the father agreeing, for his encourage-
ment, to give him half of his place. In 1678 Mr. Richards made
oath that he ha(J lived here forty-five years. The inventory
of bis estate, taken about a month after his decease, by William
Baesetf, jr. and Samuel Johnson, gives an amount of X180 Is.]
Daniel Salmon, born in 1610 — was a soldier in the Pequot
war, in 1636. [He labored at the Iron Works, soon after their
establishment.] Ho had a son Daniel, born 2 May, 1665.
John Smith — was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman in
1633. He removed to Reading.
Samuel Smith — was a farmer, and lived at Sw^mpscot. His
descendants remain.
John Taylor — ^came from Haverhill, in England. His wite
and children died on the passage. He was admitted a freeman,
19 Oct. 1630, and lived on the western side of Saugus river.
EmvAED ToMLiKS, (Capt.) — was a carpenter, and was admitted
a freeman in 1631. He wf^ six times .chosen representative.
In 1633, he built the first mill in Lynn, at the mouth of Straw-
berry Brook, which flows from the Flax Pond, where Chase's
mil! now stands — [that is, at the point where Summer street
now crosses the stream.] At one of the courts he agreed to
repair Mistick bridge for ^£22. In 1638 he was a member of the
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128 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1630.
Ancient Artillery Company, In 1640 he went to Long Island,
but returned to Lynn, and was appointed clerk of the writs, in
1643. His son Edward oame over in 1635, at the age of 30 ;
but returned tp London in 1644, and in 1679 was at Dublin.
[The statement that the first mill in Lynn was at the mouth
of Strawberry Brook, is a mistake ; and Mr. Lewis was satisfied
of it when the facts were laid before him. The first mill was
on that brook, a few rods west of where Franklin street opens
into Boston street. Some years ago there was a case in one
of our courts, wherein the question of the location of the first
mill in Lynn became of some importance. An examination of
ancient documents and records estabHshed the fact as above
stated. Astute counsel objected to any testimony from Mr.
Lewis tending to show that it was located in any place hut that
stated in his book, on the ground that it would be a contra-
diction of himself. After some wrangling, however, it was
admitted, for the rules regarding the admission of evidence are
not quite so bad as to deny ono the privilego of correcting an
undoubted error. The mill which he refers to as the first, was,
without doubt, the third in Lynn, the second having been built
near the Flax Pond and afterward removed to Water Hill. And
this seems to have been the first manifestation of that propen-
sity to move buildings which has characterised our people to
this day. Every season we find our ways obstructed and trees
dismembered by migratory edifices^ For something further
about the old mills, see under dates 1654 and 1655.]
Timothy Tomliks, brother of Edward — was a farmer, and
was admitted a freoman, 1633. He was representative in thir-
teen sessions of the Genera! Court. In 1640,- he went with
those who began a settlement at Southampton, on Long Island,
but returned. A pine forest in the northern part of Lynn is
well known by the name of Tomlins's Swamp. He was one of
the first proprietors of Cambridge, hut did not reside there.
Nathaniel Torner, (Capt.) — lived in Nahanfc street, and
owned the whole of Sagamore Hill. He applied to be admitted
a freeman, '19 Oct. 1630, but did not take the oath until 3 July,
1632. He was representative in tho first seven sessions of the
General Court, and a member of the first County Court at Salem,
in 1636. In 1633, he was appointed captain of the militia, and
ia 1636 and '7 had a command in several expeditions against
the Pequot Indians. In 1637 his house was burnt. In 1638,
he became a member of the Ancient Artillery Company; and
the same year sold his land on Sagamore Hill to Mr. Edward
Holyoke, and removed, with others, to Quilipeake, where a new
settlement was begun, and called New Haven. His name is
preserved in Turner's Falls. In 1639 he was ono of the seven
members of the first church at New Haven. In 1640 he pur-
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ANKALS OF LYHN — 1630. 129
chased for tlie to'wo, of Pofiiis, the Indian Sagamore, the tract
of land which is now the town of Stamford, for which he paid
iii "coate, shoes, hatchets, &c," His active and useful life was
soon after tQrmi;iated in a melancholy manner. In January,
1647, he sailed for England, with Capt. Lamberton, in a vessel
which was never heard of more. Governor Winthrop informs
Tis that in June, 1648, the apparition of a ship was seen nndor
full sail, moving up the harbor of Now Haven, a little before
sunset, ill a pleasant afternoon, and that as it approached fcho
shore, it slowly vanished. This was thought to have a refer-
ence to the fate of Capt. Lamberton's ship. The following epi-
taph was written to the memory of Capt. Turner.
Deep in Atlantic cave his body sleeps,
While the dark sea its ceaseless motion keeps,
While phantom ships are wrecked along the shore,
To warn his friends that he will come no more !
But He who governs all with impulse free, .
Can bring from Baehan and the deepest see.
And when He calls our Turner must return.
Though now his ashes fill no ssicred urn,
[In 1639, Capt. Turner, in connection with Rev. Mr. Daven-
port and four others; at New Haven, was appointed to " have
the disposing of all house lotts, yet undisposed of about this
towne, to such persons as they shall judge meete for the good
of the plantation ; and thatt none come to dwell as planters here
without their consent and allowance, whether they come in by
purchase or otherwise." In 1640, Capt. Turner, as agent for
New Haven, made a large purchase of lands on both sides of the
Delaware river — sufBcient for a number of plantations. Tbe
purchase was made chiefly with a view to trade, though the
establishment of Puritan churches was an object. Trading
houses were erected, and nearly fifty families sent out. In all
fundamental matters the Delaware colonies were to be under
the jurisdiction of New Haven. In the same year he made the
purchase of the Indian territory of Rjppowams — Stamford —
as noted by Mr. Lewis, partly of Ponus and partly of Wascussue,
another chief. He gave for the whole, " twelve coats, twelve
hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve knives, two kettles, and four
fiithom of white wampum." In a sale to the people of Wethers-
field, a while after, the tract was valued at thirty pounds ster-
ling.
[In a list, made in 1643, giving the names of a hundred and
twenty-two New Haven planters, with the number of their fam-
ilies!— including only parents and children — and the value of
their estates, the family of Capt. Turner is put down at seven,
and his estate at X800, the latter being as high as any on the
list, with the exception often.
[But the land speculations of New Haven do not seem to
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130 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1630.
hare turned out in any degree profitable. Tlie Delaware trade
was not successful; and the Dutch were troublesome at Stam-
ford. And she seema literally to have struck a vein of ill-fortune,
in which she was destined to struggle for some time. It was
under a desperate effort to retrieve her fortunes, that the planters
sent to Rhode Island and had a ship of a hundred and fifty tons
built, hoping to open a profitable foreign trade. By joining
their means, the planters were able to freight her in a satisfac-
tory manner. Capt. Turner, with five others of the principal
men embarked, and she sailed from New Haven in January,
1647. Nothing was ever heard either of the vessel or any on
board, unless the apparition which appeared in the harbor, the
next June, immediately after a great thiinder storm — tho re-
nowned phantom ship— be regarded as tidings. Capt. Turner,
had kept alive his friendship for the people of Lynn, and while
" New Haven's heart was sad," there were many here to mourn
his fate.]
Thomas Talmadge — was a farmer, and was admitted a free-
man in 1634. He had a son Thomas.
UiOHABD "Walkee, (Capt.) — was a farmer, and resided on the
west of Saugus river. He was horn in 1593, and was admitted
a freeman in 1634. He was buried 16 May, 1687, aged 95. He
had two sons; Eichard, born 1611, who came over in 1635,
removed to Reading, and was several times chosen representa-
tive; and Samuel, who also removed to Reading. He likewise
had two daughters ; Tabitha, who married Daniel King, March
11, 1662; and Elizabeth, who married Ralph King, March 2,
1663.
John "White — was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman in
1633, [He removed to Southampton, L. I.; there he became a
man of property and reared a large family. He died in 1662.]
Beay Wilkins — was a farmer, and lived on the western
side of the Flax Pond. He was admitted a freeman in 1634,
and removed to Danvers. [He was an inhabitant of Dorchester
in 1641, and was then, or had been, keeper of Neponset ferry ;
was back again in 1664, a farmer, and tenant on Gov, Belling-
ham's farm, when his house was burned. He died 1 Jan. 1702,
aged 91.]
Thomas Willis — was a farmer, and the first resident on
the bill on which the alms-bouse is situated. The land on the
south was called Willis's Neck, and that on the north, Willis's
Meadow. He was a representative in the first General Court
in 1634, and a member of the Elssex Court, in 1639. He became
one of the first proprietors of Sandwich, in 1637, but did not
remove at that time.
William Witter — was a farmer and resided at Swampscot,
He says, in a deposition in Salem Court files, 15 and 27 April,
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ANNALS OF LTHN — 1630. 131
1657, "Blacbo will, or duke william. so callec!, came to my
house, {which was two or three miles from Nahant,) when Tho-
mas Dexter had bought Nahant for a suit of clothes; the said
Black will Asked me what I would give liim for the Land my
house stood vppon, it being his land, and his ffather's wigwam
stood their abouts, James Sagomore and John, and the Sago-
more of Agawame, and diuers more, And George Sagomore,
being a youth was present, all of them ackiiowlidginge Black
will to be the Right owner of the Land my house stood on, and
Sagomore Hill and Nahant was alt his ; ", and adds that he
"hought Nahant and Sagomer Hili and Swamscoate of Black
William for two pestle stones." He died in 1659, aged 75 years.
The name of his wife was Annis, and his children were Josiah,
and Hannah, who married Robert Burdin. By his will, 6 Aug.
1657, he gives his wife Annia half hia estate, and Josiah the
other half ; and says, "Hannah shall have a yew and lamb this
time twelf mounth." [This was the William Witter who sorely
offended the authorities by entertaining Obadiah Holmes, John
Crandall, and John Clarke, when they traveled hither from
Rhode Island, and who was fealled to account for his opinions
against infant baptism. " It came to pass," says Clarke's narra-
tive "that we three by the good hand of our God, came into
the Mathatusets Bay upon the 16 day of the 5th Moneth 51 ;
and upon the 19th of the same, upon occasion of businesse, we
came into a Town in the same Bay called Lin, where we lodged
at a Blind-man's house neer two miles out of the Town, by name
William Witter, who being baptized into Clirist waits, as we
also doe, for the kingdom of God and the full consolation of the
Israel of G-od." For something further eoncerning the visit
of these notable travelers see under date 1651.]
RiCHAED Wright, (Capt.) — was selected in 1632,to confer
with the Governor about raising a public fund. He was admit-
ted a freeman in 1634. He removed to Boston, where, in 1636,
he contributed 63. 8d. "towards the maintenance of a free
school-master." (Boston Records.)
The great body of fifty persons, with their families, who came
to Lynn this year, settled in all parts of the town, selecting the
most eligible portions, and each occupying from ten to two hun-
dred acres, and some more. They wore principally farmers, and
possessed a large stock of horned cattle, sheep and goats. For
several years, before the land was divided, and the fields fenced,
the cattle were fed in one "drove, and guarded by a man, who,
from his employment, was called a hayward. The sheep, goats,
and swine were kept on Nahant, where they were tended by a
shepherd. Nahant seems to have been sold several times, to
different individuals, by " Black William," who also gave it to
the plantation for a sheep pasture. A fence of rails, put near
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132 AN^JALS OP LYKN — 1630.
together, was made across the beach, -Dear Nahant, to keep out
the wolves, as those animals do not climb. When the people
were about building this fence, Captain Turner said, "Let U9
make haste, Test the country should take it from us." (Deposi-
tion in Salem Court Hecords, 22 April, 1657.) The people of
Lynn, for many years, appear to have iived in the moat perfect
democracy. They had town meetings every three months, for
the regulation of their public affairs. They cut their wood in
common, and drew lots for the grass in the meadows and
marshes. These proved very serviceable to the farmers, by
furnishing them with sustens^nce for their cattle ; which was
probably the reason why there were more farmers at Lynn,
than in any other of the early settlements, Mr. Johnson says,
" The chiefest corn they planted, before they had plowes, was
Indian grain — and let no man make a jest of Pumpkins, for
with this food the Lord was pleased to feed his people to their
good content, till Corne and Cattell were increased." Their
corn at the first, was pounded, after the manner of the Indiana,
with a pestle of wood or stone, in a mortar made either of stone,
or a log hollowed out at one end. They also cultivated large
fields of barley and wheat. Much of the former was made into
malt for beer. They raised considerable quantities of flax,
which was rotted in one of the ponds, thence called the Flax
Pond. Their first houses were rude structures, covered with
thatch, or small bundles of sedge or straw, laid one over another.
A common form of the early cottages, was eighteen feet square,
and seven feet post, with the roof steep enough to form a sleep-
ing chamber. The better houses were built with two stories in
front, and sloped down to one in the rear; the upper story
projectiug about a foot, with very sharp gables. The frames
were of heavy oak timber, showing the beams inside. Burnt
clam shells were used for lime, and the walla were whitewashed.
The fire-places were made of rough stones, and the chimneys
of hoards, or short sticks, crossing each other, and plastered
inside with clay. The windows were small, opening outward
on hinges. They consisted of very small diamond panes, set in
sashes of lead. The fire-placea were large enough to admit a
four-foot log, and the children might sit in the corners and look
up at the stars. People commonly burned about twenty cords
of wood in a year, and the mjnisters were allowed thirty cords.
On whichever side of the road the houses were placed, they
uniformly faced the south, that the'sun at noon might " shine
square." Thus each house formed a domestic sun-dial, by which
the good matron, in the absence of the clock, could tell, in fair
weather, when to call her husband and sons from the field ; for
the industrious people of Lynn, then as well aa now, always
dined exactly at twelve, [In this description of the ancient
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1630. 133
houses Mr. Lewis has to some extent mixed the styles of differ-
ent periods. On page 114 there is a hrief description of a novel
stylo of habitation which prevailed in New England at the time
of the early settlements.} It was the custom of the first settlers
to wear long heurds, and Governor Winthrop says, " Some had
their overgrown beards so frozen together, that they could not
get their strong water bottells to their mouths." In very hot
weather, says Wood "servaDts were priviledged to rest from
their labors, from ten of the clocke till two." Tlie common
address of men and women was Groodmau and Goodwife; none
hut those who sustained some office of dignity, or were descend-
ed from some respectable family, were complimented with the
title of Master, [Was not the distinction, at first, based solely
upon admission to the rights of freeman, or member of the
Company? But sec further remarks on the point elsewhere in
this volume.] In writing they seldom used a capital F ; and
thus in the early records we find two small ones used instead;
and one m, with a dash over it, stood for two, [And so of some
other letters. The act naming the town, passed in 1637, stands
thus: "Saugust is called Lin."] The following ballad, written
about this time, exhibits some of the peculiar customs and modes
of thinking among the early settlers:
The place where we live is a wildemesa wood,
Wiiere grasa is much wanting that 's fruitful and good;
Our niouutaina and hills, and our valleyB below.
Being commonly covered with jco and with snow.
And when the northwest wind with violonco hlowB,
Then every man pulls his cap over his nose ;
But if any is hardy, and will it withstand,
He forfeits a finger, a fool, or a hand.
And when the spring opens, we tJien take the hoe,
And make the ground ready to plant and to sow ;
Our corn being planted, and seed being soivn,
The worms desti'oy much before it is grown —
And white it is growing, some spoil there is made
By birds and by squirrels, that pluck up the blade ;
And when it is come to full corn in the ear.
It is often destroyed by racoon and by deer.
And now our old garments begin to grow thin,
And wool is much wanted to card and to spin j
If we can get a garment to cover without,
Our other m garments are clout [patch] upon dout.
Our clothes we brought with us are apt to be torn,
They need to be clouted soon after tbey 're worn ;
But clouting our garments they hinder us nothing.
Clouts double ai-o warmer than single whole clothing.
L
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134 AKNALS OP LYNN — 1630.
It' fresh meal be wanting to fill up our dish,
We have carrois and punipkins, and turnips and tkb;
And if thero 's a niind for a delicate dish,
We haste to the ciam banks and take wliat we wish.
Stead of pottage and puddings and custards and pies.
Our tinnips and parBuips are common supplies ;
We have pumpkins at morniag, und pumpkins at noon,
If it was not for pumpkins we should be undone.
If barley he wanting to make into malt,
We. must then be contented and think it no fault ;
For we can make liquor to sweeten our lips,
Of pumpkins and pai'snips and walnut tree chips.
Now while some are going let others be coming,
Foi" while liquor 's boiling it must have a scumming ;
But I will not blame them, for birds of a featlier,
By seekiDg their fellows, are flocking together.
Then you whom the Lord intends hither to bring.
Forsake not the honey for fear of the sting ;
But bring both a quiet and contented mind.
And all needful blessings you surely shall find.
The General Court, for the first four years, consisted of the
Governor, Deputy Governor, twelve Assistants, or magistrates,
and all who had obtained the privileges of freemen. Instead,
therefore, of sending representatives, the whole number of free-
men attended the Court in person. An order was made, that
no persona should be admitted to the privileges of freemen, but
such as were members of some church, and had certificates from
their ministers that their Opiniona were approved. This policy
continued, till it was abrogated by an order from king Charles
II., in 1662.. _
Lynn was incorporated in 1630, by the admission of its free-
men as members of the General Court. There were no acts
of incorporation for several of the early towns. Boston, Salem,
and Charlestown, were no otherwise incorporated, than by their
freemen taking their seats in the General Court. They never
paused to inquire if they were incorporated; the very act of
their being thero waa an incorporation. The freemen of Lynn
were an important and respectable portiou of the General Court,
and Lynn was as much incorporated in 1630 as Boston was.
The injustice which has been done to Lynn, by placing her
incorporation seven years too late, should be corrected.
The following order was passed by the General Court, for
regulating the prices of labor. " It is ordered, that no master
carpenter, mason, joiner, or bricklayer, shall take above 16d. a
Day for their work, if they have meate and Drinke; and the
second sort not above 12d. a Day, under payne of Xs. both to
giver and receiver." This order probably occasioned some
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ANNALS OP LYNN— 1630. 135
dissatisfaction, as the Court, some moatba after, determined
that wages should bo loft unlimited, ■' as men shall reasonably
agree."
[The evil effects of strong drink were felt in the very infancy
of the plantations. ' As early as thia year the Court found it
expedient to pass the following summary order, which looks
like a sort of special liquor law: "It is ordered, that all Rich:
Cloughes stronge water shall presently be geazed vpon, for his
selling greate quantytie thereof to seual mens serv's which waa
the ocacon of much disorder, drunkenes & mis demean'." A
number of years subsequent to this, however, Eev, Mr. Firmin,
rector at Shalford, who had been in several of the New England
settlements and had praptised physic at Boston, declared in a
sermon before Parliament and the Westminster Assembly, that
he had tieen seven years among the planters, and had "never
heard one profane oath,", and in " all that time never did see a
a man drunk." These declarations have been quoted as those
of Hugh Peters, but incorrectly. The seven years alluded to
probably terminated in 1643. As Savage remarks, the decla-
rations are better proof of the keeping of good company than
of searching for examples. The frequent enactments regard-
ing the sale of " stronge water," and the numerous instances
of punishment awarded for drunkenness tell a very different
story.]
The Indians, having become acquainted with the use of guns,
and having seen their superiority over bows and arrows, would
give almost any amount in laud, beaver skins, or wampum, for
them. This caused an apprehension of danger, and on the 28th
of Sept. the Court ordered, that " noe person whatsoever shall,
either directly or indirectly, imploy or cause to be employed,
or to their power permit any Indian, to vse any peece vpon any
ocCfision or pretence whatsoever, under pain of Xs. ffyne for
the first oifence, and for the 2 offence to be ffyned and impris-
oned at the discretion of the Court."
A company of militia was organized, of which Richard Wright
was captain, Daniel Howe lieutenant, and Richard Walker en-
sign. The officers were not chosen by the people, but appointed
by the Governor, The company possessed two iron cannon,
called " Bakers, or groat guns."
There is a story that two of the early settlers went to Nahant
for fowl, and separated. One of thorn killed a seal on Pond
Beach, and leaving him, went after some birds. When he re-
turned, he found a bear feeding on the seal. Ho fired at him a
charge of shot, which caused him to fall, and then beat him with
his six foot gun till it broke. The bear then stood up, wounded
the man and tore his clothes ; but the man, extricating himself,
ran into tho pond, where he remained until his companion- came
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136 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1631.
and relieved Lim. They then returned to the town and informed
the people, who went down in the evening and made a fire on
the beach, which they kept burning through the night, to pre-
vent the bear from coming off. In the morning they went to
Kahant and killed him.
Much mischief was occasioned among the cattle, for many
years, by the woKes, which, Wood saya, used to travel in com-
panies of "ten or twelve." On the 13th of Sept., says Win-
throp, "the wolves killed some swine at Saugus." On the 9th
of Nov., the Court ordered, that if any one killed a wolf, he
should have one penny for each cow and horse, and one farthing
for each sheop and swine in the plantation. Many pita were
dug in the woods to entrap them, and some of them are yet to
be seen. It is said that a woman, as she was rambling in the
woods for berries, fell into one of these pits, from which she
was unable to extricate' herself. In the evening, a wolf made
her a very unceremonious visit, dropping down at her side,
through the bushes with which the pit was covered. Finding
himself entrapped, and being as much afraid of the woman as
she was of him, he retired to the opposite corner of the pit ;
and thus they remained through the night, ogling each other
with any looks but those of an enamored couple. The next day
the friends of the woman arrived at the pit, from which they
took her without injury, and prevented any future visit from
her rude and unwelcome intruder. [Wood remarks that a black
calf was ponsidered worth more than a red one, because the
red, bearing greater resemblance to a deer, was more likely to
become the victim of -wolves.]
1631.
In the early part of this year, provisions were very scarce,
and many persona depended for subsistence upon clams, ground-
nuts, and acorns. Wheat was sold for fourteen shillings, (|3.11)
a bushel; and Indian corn, brought from Virginia, for eleven
shillings (|2.44), The price of cattle, for several years, contin-
ued very high. A good cow was valued at twenty-five pounds,
($111.11,) and a yoke of oxen at forty pounds (1177.77).
On the third of February, the Court laid a tax of sixty pounds,
to make a palisade or defense about Newtown, now Cambridge.
The proportion of Saugus and Marble Harbour, or Lynn and
Marblehead, was sis pounds.
On the 18th of February, a vessel owned by Mr. John Glover,
of Dorchester, was wrecked on Nahant rooks; but the crew
were all saved.
The Court, on the first of March, ordered, " That if any per-
son, within the Lymitts of this Patent, doe trade, trucke, or sell
any money, either silver or golde, to any Indian, or any man
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ANHALS OP LYNN — 1631. 137
that knowe of any that shall eoe doe, and conceal the same,
shall forfeit twenty for one. Further it is ordered, that what-
ever person hath received an Indian into their ffamilie as a
servant, shall discharge themselves of them by the 1th of May
next, and that noe person shall hereafter entertain any Indian
for a servant without licence from the Court."
Wonohaquahain and Montowampate, the Bagamores of Wini-
eimet and Lynn, having heon defrauded of twenty beaver skins,
by a man in England, named Watts, went to Governor "Winthrop,
on 26 March, to solicit his assistance in recovering their value.
The Governor entertained them kindly, and gave them a letter
of introduction to Emanuel Downing, Esq., an eminent lawyer
in London. Tradition says, that Montowampate went to Eng-
land, where he was treated with much respect as an Indian king ;
but, disliking the English delicacies, he hastened back to Sau-
gus, to the enjoyment of his clams and succatash.
At this time, there was no bridge across Saugua river, and
people who traveled to Boston were compelled to pass through
the woods in the northern part of the town, and ford the stream
by the Iron Works, which were near the site of .the present
woolen factories, in Saugus Centre. The following extract from
a letter written by Mr. John Endicott, of Salem, to Gov. Win-
throp, on the 12th of April, illustrates this custom. Mr. Endicott
had just been married. He says : " Eight Worshipful, I did
hope to have been with you in person at the Court, and to that
end I put to sea yesterday, and was driven back again, the wind
being stiff against us;' and there being no canoe or boat at Sau-
gus, I must have been constrained to go to Mistic, and thence
about to Charlestown ; which at this time I durst not be so hold,
my body being at present in an ill condition to take cold, and
therefore I pray you to pardon me."
A quarrel had arisen, a short time previous, between Mr. En-
dicott and Thomas Dexter, in which the Salem magistrate so
far forgot his dignity as to strike Mr. Dexter, who complained
to the Court at Boston. It was on this occasion that Mr. Endi-
cott wrote the letter from which the preceding extract is made.
He thus continues : " I desired the rather to have been at Court,
because I hear I am much complained of by Goodman Dexter
for striking him; understanding since it is not lawful for a jus-
tice of peace to strike. But if you had seen the manner of his
carriage, with such daring of me, with his arms akimbo, it would
have provoked a very patient man. He hath given out, if I had
a purse he would make me empty it, and if he cannot have jus-
tice here, he will do wonders in England; and^if he cannot
prevail there, he will try it out with me here at blows. If it
were lawful for me to try it at blows, and he a fit man for me
to deal with, you sliould not hear me complain." The jury, to
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138 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1631.
whom the case was referred, gave their verdict for Mr. Dexter,
on the third of May, and gave damages ten pounds, {|44.44).
[An error was made in copying from the record, which stands
thus: "The jnry findea for the plaiofiffe and cesses for dam-
ages x\s." ($8.88). It is evident that the second numeral and s,
were mistaken for a pound mark, thus increasing the 40s. to 10?.]
Besides the evidence of the blow, Mr. Endicott manifests some-
what of an irascihle disposition in his letter; and Mr. Dexter
was not a man to stand for nice points of etiquette on occasions
of irritability. Some years afterward, having been insulted by
Samuel Hutchinson, he met him one day on the road, and jump-
ing from his horse, he bestowed "about twenty blows on hia
head and shoulders," to the no small danger and deray of his
'souses, as well as sensibilities,
April 12, " It is ordered that every Captaine shall traine his
companie on saterday in every weeke."
May 18. "It is, ordered that no person shall kill any wild
Bwiue, without a general agreement at some conrt."
July 5. A tax of thirty pounds was laid for the purpose of
opening a canal from Charles river to Cambridge. The requisi-
tion on Lynn was for one pound.
Masconomo, the sagamore of Agawam, or Ipawich, having
committed some offence against the eastern Indians, the Court,
on the fifth of July, passed an order, forbidding him to enter
any Englishman's house within one year, under a penalty often
beaver skins. The Taratines, also, undertook to avenge their
own wrong. On the eighth of August, about one hundred of
them landed from their canoes, at Ipswich, in the night, and
killed seven of Masconomo's men, and wounded several more,
some of whom died. They also wounded Wonohaquaham and
Montowampate, who were on a visit to that place; and carried
away Wenuchue, the wife of Montowampate, a captive. She
was detained by them about two months, and was restored on
the intercession of Mr. Abraham Shurd of Peraaquid, who traded
with the Indians. She returned on the 17th of September.
For her release, the Taratines demanded a quantity of wampum
and beaver skins.
The people of Lynn were soon after alarmed by a report that
' the Taratines intended an attack on them, and appointed men
each night to keep a watch. Once, about midnight, Ensign
Richard Walker, who was on the guard, heard the bushes break
near him, and felt an arrow pass through his coat and "buff
waistcoat." As the night was dark he conld see no one, but he
discharged his gun, which, being heavily loaded, split in pieces.
He then called the guard, and returned to the place, when he
had another arrow shot through his clothes. Deeming it impru-
dent to proceed in the dark against a concealed enemy, he
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AHNALS OP LYMN — 1632. 1S9
desisted from further search till morning. The people then
assembled, and discharged their caiinon into the woods ; after
which, the Indians gave them no further molestation.
Governor Winthrop, who passed through Lynn, 28 Oct., puts
down in his journal, "A plentiful crop."
Thus have we seen the town, which three years before was
a wilderness of Indians, now occupied by cottages of white men,
living iu harmony with the natives; clearing the forest, and
cultivating the soil, and by the blessing of Providence, reaping
a rich reward for their labors. The Indians had received them
with kindness, and given them liberty to settle where they
pleased; but some years after, they made an agreement with
the natives for the land. The deed has shared the fate of the
lost records ; but one of the town treasurers told me that he
had the deed in his possession about the year 1800, and that
the compensation was sixteen pounds ten shillings — about
seventy-throe dollars. The people of Salem paid twenty pounds
for the deed of their town. [The Indian deed of Lynn here
referred to is no doubt the one which is copied on page 51,
et seq., with introductory remarks.]
1632.
I'or the first three years, the people of Lynn had no minister,
but some of them attended church at Salem, and others had
meetings for prayer and exhortation. The Rev. Stephen Bach-
ILEE, with his family, arrived at Boston on Thursday, 5 June,
after a tedious passage of eighty-eight days. He came in the
ship William and Francis, Capt. Thomas, which sailed from Lon-
don, 9 March. He immediately came to Lynn, where his daugh-
ter Theodate, wife of Christopher Hussey resided. He was
■ seventy-one years of age. In his company were six
who had belonged to a church with him in England ; and of thi
he constituted a church at Lynn, to which he admitted such as
desired to become members, and commoncod the exercise of his
public ministrations on Sunday, 8 June, without installation.
He baptized four children, born before his arrival ; two of whom,
Thomas Newhall and Stephen Hussey, were horn the same
week. Thomas, being the first white child born in Lynn, was
first presented ; hut Mr. Bachiler puthim aside, saying, " I will
baptize my own child first" — meaning his daughter's child.
The church at Lynn was the fifth in Massachusetts. The first
was gathered at Salem, 6 Aug., 1629 ; the second at Dorchester,
in June, 1630; the third at Charlestown, 30 July, 1630, and re-
moved to Boston; the fourth at Watertown on the same day;
and the fifth at Lynn, 8 June, 1632. The first meeting-house
was a small plain building, without bell or cupola, and stood
on the northeastern corner of Shepard and Summer streets.
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140 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1632.
It was placed in a small hollow, that it might be better sheltered
from the winds, and waa partly sunk into the earth, being en-
tered by descending several steps.
In the General Court, 9 May, " A proposition waa made by
the people that every company of trained men might choose,
their own captain and ofScers ; but the Governor, giving them
reasons to the contrary, they were satisfied without it."
On the 14th of June, as Capt. Richard Wright waa returning
from the eastward, in a vessel, with about eight hundred dollars'
worth of goods on board, one of the crew, when off Portsmouth,
proceeded to light his pipe; but waa requested to deaist, as
there was a barrel of powder on board. He replied that he
should " take one pipe if the devil carried him away." The
boat and the man, says Winthrop, were presently blown to
pieces ; but the rest of the crew, though some of them were
drunk and asleep, escaped.
Governor Winthrop, in his journal, 14 Aug. remarks: "This
week they had, in barley and oats, at Sagus, about twenty acres
good corn, and sown with the plough."
On the 4th of September, Richard Hopkins, of Watertown,
was arraigned for selling a gun and pistol, with powder and
shot, to Montowampate, the Lynn sagamore. The sentence of
the Court waa that he should " be severely whippt, and bra;nded
with a hot iron on one of his cheekes." One of the Saugua
Indians gave the information, on promise of concealment, for his
discovery would have exposed him to the resentment of his tribe.
Capt. Nathaniel Turner was chosen, by the General Court,
"constable of Saugus for this year, and till a new be chosen."
[The Court order that Sarah Morley be " putt as an appren-
tice to M' Nathaniel Turner, of Saugua, for the space of nyne
yeares, from this Court, for w"" tearme he is to finde her meate,
drinke & clothing."]
In consequence of a suspicion that the Indians were conspir-
ing the destruction of the whites, the neighboring sagamores
were called before the Governor on the 14th of September,
The readiness with' which they appeared, evinced their friendly
disposition,
Mr. Bachiler had been in the performance of his pastoral
duties about four months, when a complaint was made of some
irregularities ia his conduct. He was arraigned before the
Court at Boston, on the 3d of October, when the following
order waa passed: "Mr. Bachiler is required to forbeare exer-
cising his giftes as a pastor or teacher publiquely in our Patient,
unlesse it be to those he brought with him, for his contempt
of authority, and until aome scandles be removed." This was
the commencement of a series of difficulties which agitated the
unhappy church for several years.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1633. 141
October 3. "It is ordered, that Saugus plantation shaJ! have
liberty to build a ware upon Sangus llyver also they have prom-
ised to make and continually to keeps a goode foote bridge,
upon the most convenient place there." This wear was chiefly
built by Thomas Dexter, for the purpose of taking bass and
alewives, of which many were dried and smoked for shipping.
It crossed the river near the Iron Works. The bridge was only
a rude structure of timber and rails.-
" It is further ordered, that no peiisoh shall take any tobacco
publiquely, under pain of punishment ; also that every one shall
pay one penny for every time be is convicted of taking tobacco
in any place."
On the second of November, a vessel, commanded by Captain
Pierce, and loaded with fish, of which Mr. John Humfrey was
part" owner, was wrecked off Capo Charles, and twelve men
drowned.
November 7. " It is ordered that the Captaines shall train
their companyes but once a monethe."
" It is referred to Mr. Turner, Peter Palfrey, and Roger Oo-
nant, to sett out a proportion of land in Saugus for John Hum-
frey, Esqr." This land was laid out at Swampscot. Mr. Turner
was also one of the committee to settle a difference respecting
the boundary line between Cambridge and Charlestown.
In the month of December, a servant girl, in the family of the
Bev. Samuel Skelton, of Salem, coming to see her friends at
Lynn, lost her way, and wandered seven days. Mr. Winthrop
says, " All that time she was in the woods, having no kind of
food, the snow being very deep, and as cold as at any time that
winter. She was so frozen into the snow some mornings, as
she was one hour before she could get up." Mr. Wood saya,
"The snow being on the ground at first, she might have trackt
her own footsteps back again; but wanting that understanding,
she wandered, till God, by his speciall Providence brought her
backe to the place she went from, where she lives to this day."
1633.
In the month of Januaryj this year, Poquanum, the sagamore
of Nahant was unfortunately killed. Several vessels having
been to the eastward in search of some pirates, stopped on their
return at Richmond's Isle, near Portland, where they found
" Black William," whom they banged in revenge for the murder
of Walter Bagnall, who had been killed by the Indians, on the
3d of October, 1631. Mr. Winthrop says that Bagnall " was a
wicked fellow, and had much wronged the Indiana." It is not
certain that Poquanum had any concern in his death; on the
contrary. Governor Winthrop tells us that he was killed by
" Sijuidraysett and hia Indians." Thus terminated the existence
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142 ANHALS OP LYNN — 1633.
of a chief who had welcomed the white men, and bestowed ben-
efits on them.
In the course of a few months, Mr. Bachiler had so far suc-
ceeded in regaining the esteem of the people, that the Court, on
the 4th of March, removed their injunction that he should not
preach in the colony, and left him at liberty to resume the per-
formance of his public services.
At the same Court, Mr. Thomas Dexter was ordered to " be
set in the hilbowes, disfranchised, and fined S£ for speaking
reproachful and seditious words against the government here
established." The hJlbows were a kind of stocks, like those in
which the hands and feet of poor Hudibras were confined,
"The Knight
Aod braye sc[uire from their Bteeds alight.
At the outer whU, near which there ^auds
A Baatile, made to imprison liaiids,
Ik strange enchantment made to fetter
The lesser parts, and tree the gi"eater."
[Another error in transcribing occurred here. The fine of
Mr. Dexter was forty pounds instead of ten ; a fact which goes
still further to show that the offence was regarded as of great
enormity, and that fractious people some times found the luxury
of railing at the government an expensive one. At this blessed
day of liberty things are different. The fine of Mr. Dexter was
not promptly paid, however. And some years afterward, to
wit, in 1638, the larger part was remitted, the record standing
thus: "4M'"ch, Thom: Dexter being fined 40E. there was 30i.
of it remited him," (Col. Eecs.)]
One of those elegant and commodious appendages of the
law — the bilhows — was placed near the meeting-house; where
it stood the terror and punishment of all such evil doers as
spoke against the government, chewed tobacco, or went to
sleep in a sermon two hours long. However censurable Mr.
Dexter may have been, his punishment was certainly dispro-
portioned to his fault. To be deprived of the privileges of a
freeman, to be exposed to the ignominy of the stocks, and to be
amerced in a fine of more than forty dollars, [40^] show that
the magistrates were greatly incensed by his remarks. If every
man were to be set in the bilhows, who speaks against govern-
ment, in these days, there would scarcely be trees enough in
Lynn woods to make stocks of. The magistrates of those days
bad not acquired the lesson, which their successors have iong
since learned, that censure is the tax which public men must
pay for their adventitious greatness. [But so ravenously fond
are'most people of position, that they are ready enough to pay
the tax for the enjoyment of the privilege.]
On the fourth of March, Mr. Nathaniel Turner was chosen
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AKNAL3 OP LYNN — 1633. 143
by tlie Genera! Court, " Captaino of tlie military company att
Saugus,"
Captain Turner gave ten pounds " towards the sea fort," built
for the defense of Boston harbor. Capt. Richard Wright gavp
" 400 feet 4 inch planke," for the same purpose.
Mr. Edward Howe was fined twenty shillings, " for selling
stronge waters, contrary to order of Court."
[The nineteenth of June was " appoyncted to be kept as a day
of publique thanksgiueing throughout the seval plantacons."]
At a town meeting on the twelfth of July, the inhabitants
made a grant to Mr. Edward Tomhna, of a privilege to build a
Corn mill, at the month of the stream which flows from the Flax
pond, where Chase's mill now stands. This was the second
mill in the colony, the first having been bnilt at Dorchester, the
same year. [For the correction of an error as to the location
of the first mill in Lynn, see page 128.] At this time, the pond
next above the Flax pond was partly a meadow ; and some
years after a dam was built and the pond raised by Edward
Tomlins, from whom it was called Tomlins's pond. In reference
to this mill, we find the following testimonies, given 3 June,
1678, in the Essex Registry of Deeds.
" I, George Keaser, Aged about 60 yeare, doe testifie, that being at a Towne
tneetinge in Linne meeiing house many yearea agoe, mr. Edward Tomlins
made complaint then to the Towne of l.iime,that there was not water enough
in tiie gi'eat pond next to tlie Towne of Linue to serve the mill to grind theire
grist in the snmer time, and he desired leave of the Towne to make a dom in
3ie upper pond to keep ahead of water against the height of snmer time, that
soe he might have a auply of water to Grind their Grist in the drought of snm-
er. And the Towne of linne gi'anted him his request, that he would make a
dam there, where the old trees lay for a bridge for all people to goe over,
insteedofabridg,"
"This I, Clement Coldam, aged about 55 years, doe testifie, that the grant
of the old mill was in July ye 13, 1633, to Edward Tomlins, which was the
second mill in this colony; and after the Towne saw that the mill could not
supply the Towne, they gave leave to build an overshoot mill upon the same
water; with a sluice called by the name of the old since, being made by Mr.
Howell, the second owner of the mill ; and then Mr. Howell did sell the same
mill to John Elderkin ; and John Elderkin did sell it to mr. Bennet, and mr,
Bennet did sell it to Goodman Wheeler, and Goodman Wheeler sould it to
John Ballard, and John Ballard sold it to Heni-y Rhodes. And this 1 testifie
that the water to supply the mill with, was granted to the mill, before any
Meddow in the Towne was gi-anted to any man, wee mowing all comon then.
And this I testifie, that I kept the key of the old sluce for mi'. South, which is
smce about 27 or 98 yeares agoe."
Edward Richards testified that Mr, Tomlins " was not to stop
ir hinder the alewives to go up to the great pond,"
The following description of ancient Saugus and Nahant ia
extracted from " New Englands Prospect," written this year
by William Wood of Lynn, and which he says was undertaken,
" because there hath been many scandalous and false report3
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IM ANSALS OP LYNN — 1633.
past Upon the comitry, even from the sulphuroua breath of every
base ballad monger."
"The next plantation is Saugus, Mxe inilea northeast from Winneaimet.
This Towne is pleasant for situation, seated in the bottom of a Bay, which is
made on one side ■mth the eurrounding shore, and on the other with a long,
sandy Beach. Tins sandy beach ia two miles long at the end, wnereon is a
necke of land called NahanL It is sixe miles in cn-eumference, well wooded
with Oakes, Pines and Cedars. It ia beside, well watered, having beside the
fresh Springs, a great Pond in the middle, before which is a apacious Marsh.
In this necke is store of good ground, fit for the Plow ; but for the present it
b only used for to put young Cattle in, and weather Goates, and Sirine, to
secure them from the Woolues ; a few posts and rayles, from the low water
markes to the shore, keepea out the Woolves, and fceepes in the Cattle. One
Blacke WiHiam, an Indian Duke, out of his generosity, gave tliis place in gen-
eral! to this plantation of Saugus, so that no other can appropriate it to
hmiBelfe.
"Vpon the South side of the Sandy Beach, the Sea beateih, which is a
true prognosticadon to presage stormes and foule weather, and the breaking
up of the FroBL For when a storme hath been, or is likely to be, it will roare
like Thunder, l>eing heard sixe miles ; and after stormes costs up great stores
of great Clammes, which the Indians, taking out of their shels, carry home in
baskets. On the North side of tlnis Bay is two great Marshes, which are made
two hy a pleasant lUver, which rmrnes between them. Northward up this
river goes great store of Alewives, of which they make good Red Herrings;
insomuch that they have been at charges to make them a wayre, and a filer-
ring house to dry these Herrings in -, the last year were dried some 4 or 5
Last [1 50 barrels] for an experiment, which proved very good ; thia ia like to
prove a great inrichment to the land, being a staple commodity in other Coun-
tries, for there be such inniunerable companies in every river, tliat I have
seen ten thousand talten in two hour^, by two men, without any weire at all
saving a few stones to stop their passage up the river. There likewise come
store of Basse, which the English and Indians catch with hooke and line, some
fifty or three score at a tide. At the mouth of this river runnes up a great
Creeke into that great Marsh, which is colled Rumney Marsh, which is 4 miles
long, and 2 miles broad, halfe of it being Marsh ground, and halfe upland
grasse, without tree or bush ; tUs Marsh is crossed with divera ci-eekes, wlierein
fye great store of Geese and Ducbes. There be convenient Poncb, for the
planting of Duck coyes. Here is likewise belonging to this place, divera fresh
Meddowes, which afibi-d good grasse; and foure apacious Ponds, Kke little
Lakes, wherein is good store of fresh Fish, wtiiin a mile of the Towne ; out
of which runnes a curious fresh Broocke, that is seldom frozen, by reason of the
warmnesae of the water ; upon this stream is built a water Milne, and up thia
liver come Smelts and frost fish, much bigger than a Gudgeon. For wood
there is no want, there being store of good Cakes, Wallnut, C^dar, Aspe,
Elme. The ground is very good, in many places without trees, and fit for
the plough. Li this place is more English tillage than in all New England
and Virginia besides ; which proved as well as coiJd be expected; the corn
being very good, especially the Barley, Rye and Oates,
" The tend affordeth to the inliabitants as many vai-ieties as any place else,
and the sea more ; the Basse continuing from the middle of Apiil to Michael-
mas [Sept. 39,] which stayes not half that time in the Bay [Boston Harbor ;]
besides, here is a gi'eatd^ of Rock cod and Macrill, insomuch that shoales
of Bass have driven up shoalea of Macrill, fl'om one end of the sandy Beach to
the other; which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheelbarrows. The
Bay which lyeth before the Towne, at a lowe spring tyde will be all flatls for
two miles together ; upon which is great store of Muscle Banckos, and Clam
bsnckes, and Lobsters amongst the rockes and grassie holes. These flatta
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AKNAL3 OP LYNN — 1633. Ii5
mako it uiiDavigaHo for shippes; yet at high water, great Boatos, Loitora,
[lighters] and Pinnaces of 30 and 30 tUD, may Sfule up to the plantation ; but
they neede have a skilful Pilote, because of many dangerous rockes and fijani-
int breakers, that lye at the mouth of that Bay, The very aspect of the place
ia lortifination enough to keepe of an unknowne enemie ; yet it may be fortified
M little charge, behig but few landing places thereabout, and those obscm'e."
Of the health of Lynn, Mr. Wood remarks: "Out of that
Towne, from whence I came, in three years and a half, there
died but three; to make good which losses, I have scene foure
children Baptized at one time." Prefixed to his book is the
following address, written by some one in England, who signs
himself S. W. [Can the S. W. mean Samuel Whiting, the emi-
nent divine, who came over in 1636, and soon settled as minis-
ter of the church at Lynn — a man famed for his piety, learning,
and affability 7 Tt is possible that Mr. Wood's book induced hia
emigration ; and if so, it was the occasion of great good to the
infant plantation. The Puritan clergy were much prone to
bestow their encomiums in numbers, after this style.]
Thanks to thy travel and thyself, who hast
Much knowledge in so small room comptly placed,
And thine experience thus a mound dost maKe,
From whence we may New England's prospect take,
Though many thousands distant; therefore thou
ThysSf shall sit upon mount praise her brow.
For if the man who shall the short cut find
Unto the Indies, shall for that be shrined.
Sure thou deservest then no small pi-aise who
So short cut to New England here dost shew ;
And if than this small tl^nks thou get'st no more
Of thanks, I then will say, the world 's grown poor.
The "curious fresh broocke" which Mr. Wood notices, ia
Strawberry brook, which is kept warm by tho numerous springs
beneath the pond in which it originates, and by its constant
flowing for the supply of several mills. Mr. Robert Mansfield,
who lived near its source, told me that he had never seen it
frozen for more than seventy years.
A tax, made by the General Court, on the first of October,
will show the relative wealth of the several towns. The ap-
portionment was, to Dorchester, 80 pounds ; to Boston, Charles-
town, Cambridge, Watertown, and Eoxbury, each, 48 pounds;
Lynn, 36; Salem, 28. At several assessments, Lynn was in
advance of Salem.
Such great quantities of corn having been used for fattening
swine, as to occasion a scarcity, the Court ordered, on the fifth
of November, " That no man shall give his swine any corn, but
such as, being viewed by two or three neighbors, shall bo judged
unfit for man's meat ; and every plantation may agree how many
swine every person may keep."
Tho Court ordered, that every man, in each plantation,
M 10
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146 AHNALS OP LYJffl — 1634.
excepting magistrates and minieters, should pay for three days'
work, at one shilling and sixpence each, for completing the Tort
in Boston harbor.
The ministers of Lynn and the western towns were in the
practi:;6 of meeting at each other's houses, once, in two weeks,
to discuss important questions. The ministers of Salem were
averse to the practice, fearing it roight eventuate in the estab-
lishment of a presbytery.
On the 4th of December, corresponding with the 15th of new
style, the snow was " knee deep," and the rivers frozen.
The. year 1633 was rendered memorable by the death of the
three Indian sagamores. In January, PocLuanum was murdered ;
and in December, Wonohaqnaham and Montowampate died.
Governor Winthrop, in his journal, says :
"December 5. Jobn Sagamore died of the small pox, and almost all his
ueople ; above thirty huried by Mr. Maveriek of Winnesomett in one day.
The towns in the bay took away many of the children j but most of them died
" James Sagamore of Sagua died also and most of hie folks. John Saga-
more desired to be biought aniooa' the English ; so he was ; and pramiaed,
if he recovered, to live with the English and sei-ve their God. He left one
son, which he disposed to Mr. Wilson, the pastor of Boston, to be brought up
by him. He gave to the governor a good quantity of wanipompeague, and to
divers others of the English he gave gifts; and took order for the payment
of his own debts and his mea's. He died m a persuasion that he should goto
the Englishmen's God. Divera of them, in their sickness, confessed that the
Englishmen's God was a good God, and that if they recovered they would
(jei-ve him. It wrought much with them, that when then- own people forsook
them, yet the English came daily and ministered to them ; and yet few, only
two families, took any infection by it. Amongst others Mr. Maverick, of Win-
nesemett, is worthy of a perpetual remembrance. Himself, his wife and serv-
ants, went daily to them, ministered to tbejr necessities, end buried their dead,
and took home many of then" children. So did other of the nelghbora."
After the death of his brothers, Wenepoykin became sagamore
of the remaining Indians in this region,
1634.
The inconvenience of having the Legislature composed of the
whole number of freemen, and the danger of leaving the planta-
tions exposed to the attacks of the Indians, induced the people
to form a House of Representatives, who first assembled on the
14th of May. Eight towns were represented, each of whi<St
sent three representatives — Boston, Charlestown, Boxbury,
Dorchester, Cambridge, Watertown, Lynn, aijd Salem. The
representatives from Lynn, were Captain Nathaniel Turner,
Edward Tomlins, and Thomas Willis. The General Court this
year consisted of the Go'sernor, Deputy (rovernor, six Assist-
ants, and twenty-four Representatives. This number waa not
much increased for many years; each town sending fewer,
rather than more representative^.
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ANNALS OF LTKN— 1634. 147
Hon. John Humfrey, with his wife, the Lady Susan, a daugh-
ter of the Eiirl of Lincoln, arrived in Jnly. He brought with
him a valuable present from Mr. Richard Andrews, an alderman
of London, cousisting of fifteen heifers, at this time valued at
more than eighty dollars each. One of. them was designed for
each of thi eight ministers, and the remainder were for the
poor. He went to reside on his farm at 'Swampscot, which had
been laid out by order of the Court. It consisted of five hun-
dred acres, "between Forest river and the cliff." The hounds
extended " a mile from the seaside," and ran " to a great white
oak by the rock," including " a spring south of the oak," The
spring is on Mr. Stetson's farm, [and the " old oak " stood about
a furlong north of the spring. It was standing when the first
edition of the History of Lynn appeared, and Mr. Lewis pleaded
for it in these pathetic strains:
O spare tbe tree, whose dewy teai's
Have fallen for a ihousaud years! ■
Beneath whose shade, in days of old,
The carefiit shepherd watched his fold;
Od whose green top the eagle sate,
To watch tiie fish-hawk's wateiy weight;
And oft in moonlight by whose side,
The Lidian wooed hia iusky bride!
It speaks to man of early time.
Before the earth was siained with crime,
Ere caonon waked the peaceful plains,
When silence ruled her vast domains,
O, as you love the hold and free.
Spai'e, woodman, spare the old oak tree !
[In his second edition, the old oak having disappeared, Mr.
Lewis tartly exclaims : " But, alas 1 the old oak, the last of the
ancient forest of Lynn, has been cut down. Some people have
no sentiment."
[But it seems beyond dispute that Mr. Lewis was wrong in
locating Mr. Humfrey in what is now Swampscot. He owned
an extensive tract of land there, but resided, I am satisfied, on
the east side of Nahant street, having, in that vicinity, (juite an
extensive farm, his windmil! being on Sagamore Hill, See p. 201.
[Timothy Tomlins was appointed overseer of the "powder
and shott. and all other amunicon," in ;the Saugus plantation.]
On the 3d of September, the Court ordered, ■' That Mr. Ed-
ward Tomlina, or any other put in his place, by the Commis-
sioners of War, with the help of an assistant, shali have power
to presBO men and carts, for ordinary wages, to helpe towards
makoing of such' carriages and wheeles as are wanting for the
ordinances."
On training day. Captain Turner, by the direction of Colonel
Humfrey, went with his company to Nahant, to hunt the wolves.
This was very pleasant amusement for training day.
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l48 ANNALS OP LTHN — 1635.
1635.
Though an agreement had been made by Thomas Dexter with
the Indian chief, for the proprietorship of Nahant, yet the town
evidently regarded it as their property; as will appear by the
following extracts from the Town Records, preserved in the
files of the General Court:
January 11. " It is also yoled by the freemen of tlie towns, that these men
underwritten shall have liberty to plant and build at Nabant, and shall possess
each nian land for the said purpose, ai>d proceeding in tlie trade of fishing.
Mr. Humfi-eys, Daniel How, Mr, Ballard, Joseph Rednap, Timothy Tomlins,
Richard Wdker, Tliomas Tahnage, Hpnry Fealtes, Franete Dent."
January 18, " It is ordered by the fi-eemen of the towne, that all such per-
sons as are assigned any land at Nahant, to further the trade of maliing fish,
That if they do not proceed accordingly to foi-ward the said trade, but either
doe grow remiss, or else doe give it quite over, that tlien all snch iotta shall
be forfeited again to the towne, to disptse of as shall be tliought fitte."
The dissensions which had commenced in Mr. Bachiler's
church at an early period, began again to assume a formidable
appearance. Some of the members, disliking the conduct of
the pastor, and "withal making a question whether they were
a church or not," withdrew from the communion. Mr. Eachiler
requested them to present their grievances in writing, but as
they refused to do that, he gave information that he should
proceed to excommuncate them. In consequence of this, a
council of ministers was held on the 15th of March. After a
deliberation of three days, they decided, that although the
church had not been properly instituted, yet the mutual exer-
cise of their religious duties had supplied the defect.
The difliculties in the self-constituted church, however, did
not cease with the decision of the council, but continued to
increase,, until Mr. Eachiler, perceiving no prospect of their
termination, requested a dismission for himself and his first
members, which was granted.
The celebrated Hugh Peters, who had just arrived in America,
was next employed to preach, and the people requested him to
become their minister ; but he preferred to exercise the duties
of that office at Salem. Be was a very euterprising man, but
seems to have been much better adapted for a politician than a
minister. He was a great favorite of Johnson, the Woburn
poet, who thus alludes to his preaching, and to the difficulties
at Lynn :
"With courage Peters, n soldier stout,
hi wilderness for Clirisl begins to wiir;
Much work he finds 'inongst ]>en]ile yet liohl out ;
With lliimit tongue he stoiis pimiitiistic jar."
He returned to England in 1G41, and unhappily became in-
volved, in the ambitious designs of Cromwell- — preached the
funeral "sermon over tho " gray discrowned head " of the unfor-
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1635. 149
tunate Charles the First — and was executed for treason, on tbo
16th of October, 1660. [It is stated in the European Magazine,
September, 1794, that while the monarch was boing conveyed
from Windsor to Whitehall, Peters rode before him, crying out,
every few minutes, " We 'II whisk him I we '11 whisk him, now
we have him 1 Were there not a man in England besides him-
self, he should die the death of a traitor!"] Peters left "A
Father's Legacy to an Only Child ; " written in the tower of Lon-
don, and addressed, "For Elizabeth Peters, my dear Child."
He says, "I was the son of considerable parents from Eoy, in
Cornwall. I am heartily sorry I was ever popular, and known
'better to others than to myself. And if I go shortly where
time shall be no more, where cock nor clock distinguish hours,
sink not, but lay thy head in his bosom who can keep thee, for
he sits upon the waves. Farewell."
" J wish thee neither poverty nor riches,
But godliuess, so gainful, with content ;
No piunnil pomp, nor glory that bewitches,
A blaraclo^ life is 3ie I ' ' ""
[The sentence of Peters was, that he be carried back to prison,
thence be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, there
hung by the neck, be cut down while alive, have his entrails
taken out and burned before his eyes, his head cut off, his body
quartered, and thus divided be disposed of at the royal pleasure.
His head was set on London Bridge.]
It was the custom in those early days to have an hourglass in
the pulpit, by which the minister timed his sermons. A painter
of that day made a picture in which he represented Mr. Peters
turning an hourglass and saying, " I know you are good fel-
lows ; stay and take another glass ! " [But the picture was by
an English painter, and intended for ridicule.]
The standard borne at this time was a red cross in a white
field. This emblem was not congenial to the feelings of Mr.
Endicott, and he ordered it to be cut out from the banner at
Salem. This occasioned much dissatisfaction among the people,
and a committee from each town was appointed, in May, to
consider of the offence. They judged it to be "great, rash,
and without discretion," and disqualified him, for one year,
from bearing any pubhe ofHce.
May 6. " There is 500 acres of land, and a freshe Pond, with
a little Island, conteyning about two acres, granted to John
Humfrey, Esqr., lying between north and west of Saugus; pro-
vided he take no part of the 500 acres within five miles of any
Town now planted. Also, it is agreed that the inhabitants of
Saugus and Salem, shall have liberty to build store bowses upon
the said Island, and to lay in such provisions as they shall judge
necessary for their use in tyme of neede." The land thus laid
M*
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150 ANKALS OF LYNN — 1635.
out was around Humfrey's Pond, in Lynnfield, and was nearly
one mile in extent,
A fearful etorm occurred on 16 August. It is thus spoken
of: " None now living in these parts, either English or Indian
had ever seen the like. It hegan in the morning, a little before
day, and grew, not by degrees, but came with great violence in
the beginning, to the great amazement of many. It blew down
many houses, and uncovered divers others. It caused the sea
to eweli in some places, to the southward; o£ Plymouth, as that
it rose to twenty feet right up and down, and made many of the
Indians to climb into trees for their safety. It threw down all
the corn to the ground, which never rose more. It blew down
many hundred thousand of trees." A vessel was wrecked near
Thacher's Island, and twenty-one persons lost. Mr, Anthony
Thacher and his wife, ancestors of Eev. Thomas Gushing Thach-
er, afterward minister of Lynn, were the only persons saved.
[And in September a severe hurricane took place, the wind,
being first at the northeast, and then veering to another quarter.
It produced "two tydes in six howres."]
This year brass farthings w^e prohibited, and musket bullets
were ordered to pass for farthings.
Many new inhabitants appear at Lynn about this time, whose
names it will be well to preserve.
Abraham Belknap — had two sons, Abraham and Jeremy;
and from him descended Dr. Jeremy Belknap, the historian of
New Hampshire.
James Bodtwell — a farmer — freeman in 1638, died in 1651.
His wife was Alice, and his children, Samuel, Sarah, and John.
Edmund Bridges — came over in July, 1635, and died in 1686,
aged 74. The name of his wife was Mary, and he had sons
John and Josiah. He was the second shoemaker in Lynn.
[He appears to have been a blacksmith, not a shoemaker, unless
the shoemakers' of those days were expected to shoe horses as
well as men. Possibly, however, he may have filled a double
calling. In May, 1647, the Court ordered that "Edm" Bridges
for his neglect in shooing M' Symonds horse, (when he was to
come to Co'te,) should be required by warrant from this Co'te
to answere this complaint, & his neglect to furth' publike ser-
vice, at y*' nest County Co'te for y' sheire to heare & determine
y" case, & y* returne be made to y* Gen'all Co'te of y" issue
thereof." Mr. Bridges came over at the age of 23, in the James,
from London. He had three wives. The first was named Alice,
the second Elizabeth, and the third Mary. And he had eight
children. His son Hachaliah was lost at sea, in or about 1G71.]
Edward Btjrcham- — -a freeman in 1638, clerk of the writs, in
16i5. In 1656 he returned to England. [But he came backj
as may be inferred from the following from the Court records,
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ANKAL3 OP LYNH — 1635. 151
11 Oct. 1682, "In ans' to tha petition of Win. Hawkins, it ap-
pearing that Edward Birchara, late of Lynn, deceased, had a
tract of land granted him by the toiin of Lynn, to the quantity
of thirty acres which doth not appeare to be lajd out in any
other part of the tonne bounds, this Court doth order, that
Capt. Eichard Walker, Capt. Elisha Hutchinson, and M' Andrew
Mansfeild, be requested, and are by this Court impowred, to
make further inquiry into sajd matter and to cause the tract
of land mentioned in the petition to be measured by a surveyor
of lands, and to make report thereof at the next General Court."
Mr. Bureham had a daughter Frances, who married Isaac Willey,
8 June, 1660.]
George Buet — came to Lynn in 1635, and died 2 Nov. 1661.
He was a farmer, and the value of his estate was £144.4.9. He
had three sons; George, who went to Sandwich, in 1637; Hugh,
born in 1591 ; and Edward, who removed to Charlestown. [In
1652, the Court granted to Edward a patent " to make salte,
after his manner," for ten years, on condition that he followed
the employment; and desired of the people of Gloucester that
he might " set doune his saltworke at the very ^aps, where
there is both wood and water fitting for that worke,"
Hesey Collins — -was a starch maker, and lived in Essex
street. He embarked in the Abigail, of London, 30 June, 1635.
In 1639 be was a member of the Salem Court. He was born
in 1606, and was buried, 20 Feb. 1687, at the age of 81. His
wife Ann was born in 1605. His children were, Henry, born
1630; John, b. 1632; Margery, b. 1633; and Joseph, b, 1635,
and his descendants remain. [I think this settler must have
been the same individual who is by some genealogists called
Henry Colesworthy. The son John was lost by shipwreck, in
1679. His wife Abigail survived him, and to her administration
was granted in June, 1680. His estate was valued at £365 Is.
6d. He left t^welve children, several of whom wore quite young.
A son Samuel, had "a good trade of a gunsmith."]
John Coopes — embarked in the Hopewell, of London, April
1, 1635. He was born at Oney, in Buckinghamshire, in 1594.
[He was one of the eight original undertakers in the Long
Island settlement.]
Timothy Cooper — was a farmer, and died in March, 1659.
His children were, Mary, Hannah, John, Timothy, Dorcas, and
Rebecca.
Jenkin Davis — was a joiner, made a freeman in 1637 and
died in 1661, His wife was named Sarah, and he had a son
John. [This Jenkin Davis was too vicious a person to be
allowed a place in such honest company. Mr. Lewis was rather
inclined to veil the dark features in the characters of the set-
tlers; a propensity which, though generous toward rogues might
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152 ANNiLS OP LYSN — 1635.
not always prove just to others, Mr, Humfrey had employed and
befriended Davis, Id various ways, and had euch confidence in
him that when ho went to the West Indies he placed his little
daughters at board in his family. How his confidence was met
may be gathered from the following, which appears on the
Colony Records, 14 June, 1642: "Jenkin Davies, for his abuse-
ing the forenamed Dorcas"-^ Mr. Humfrey's daughter, then
only nine years old — "was ordered to be severely whiped at
Boston on a lecture day, and ehalbee returned to prison till
hee maj' boe sent to Linne, and there to be senerely whiped
also & from thencefourth shalbee confined to tho said towne
of Linne, so as if hee shall at any time go fourth of the bounds
of the said towne, (w'^out licence of this Co't,) & shalbee duly
convict thereof, he shalbee put to death ; & also hee shall weare
a hempen roape apparently about his neck dureing the pleasure
of this CoH, so aa if hee bee found to have gone abroad at any
tiuie ■w"'out it, hee shalbee againe whiped, & furth"^, if hee shalbee
duely convicted to have attempted any such wickedness ^for
w** hee is now sentenced) upon any child after this present day,
hee shalbee put to, death ; and hee ia to pay forty pounds to
M'' Humfrey for abusoing his daughter," But the Court allow
him, 17 October, 1643, upon his wife's petition, liberty to leave
off his rope till they req^uire him to resume it. John Hudson,
another vicious person, who had been employed by Mr. Hum-
frey, had a severe punishment awarded him, by the same Court,
for a similar offence. Likewise Daniel Fairfield, who seems to
have been, if possible, worse than the others, his villany extend-
ing also to Sarah Humfrey a younger sister of Dorcas, The
extreme youth of these misses, rendered- the crime the more
aggravated, certainly in a moral sense ; yet the Court seem not
to have deemed Dorcaa entirely blameless, as the record adds:
"Dorcas Humfrey was ordered to bee privately severely cor-
rected by this Co''t, M' Bellingham & Increase Nowell to see it
done." The conduct of these abandoned men toxVards hia two
little daughters, must have been a crushing blow to Mr. Hum-
frey. God certainly gave him a full. share of affliction, and he
seems to have received his chastisements in a christian spirit.
There is, indeed, far too much evidence that society here, at
that time, was in no mannei exempt from the keener sufferings
attendant on irrehgion and vice The careless reader might be
led to a false estimate of the state of morals by the occasional
boastings of those who were desirous of having it appear that
above, all places on earth, Vutue here accomplished her perfect
work. There were far too many, in whom the purified faith
had not wrought a purification of heart. However unwelcome
may he the task of unvieling the dark features of tho time of
which he speaks, the histjarian, if he would be faithful, must meet
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ANNALS OF LYHN — 1635. 153
it unshrinkingly. One may falsify as weH by suppressing a
part of the truth as by straight-forward lying.]
John Deacon — was the first blacksmith at Lynn, and in 1638
had 20 acres of land allotted to him.
Edmund Faerington — embarked in the Hopewell, of London,
1 April, 1635, with bia wife and four children. (Record in West-
minster Hall, London.) He was a native o^Oney, in Bucking-
hamshire, and born in 1688. He was a farmer, and had 200
acres of land, part of which was on the western side of Federal
street, where he lived, and part on the western side of Myrtle
street. In 1655 he built a corn mill on Water Hill, where a
Eond was dug, and a water course opened for half a mile. [See,
owever, page 235.] He died in 1670, aged 82. The name- of
his wife was Elizabeth, and she was born in 1586. His children
were, Sarah, born in 1621; Martha, b. 1623; John, b. 1624;
Elizabeth, b. 1627, and married John Fuller, in 1646. He also
had a eon Matthew, to whom he gave half his com mill, " except
the tole of my son ffuller's grists, which is well and duly to be
ground tole free, during the life of my daughter Elizabeth."
Joseph Floyd — lived in Fayette street. In 1666, he sold
bis house and land to "Henry Silsbee of Ipswjch," for thirty-
eight pounds, and removed to Chelsea. His land is described
as bounded " west next the town common, and oast next a little
river." The "town common" then meant the public lands in
Woodend; and the "little river" was Stacy's Eroolr.
Chbistophbh Foster — embarked in the Abigail, of London,
17 Juno, 1635. He was a farmer, was admitted a froeman in
1637, and lived in Nahant street. He was born in 1603. Hia
wife Francos was born in 1610, His children were Rebecca,
bom in 1630 ; Nathaniel, b. 1633 ; John, b. 1634.
Geoege Fraile — -died 9 December, 1663, [leaving one son
and two daughters. His widow, Elizabeth, was appointed ad-
ministratrix of his estate, which amounted to £184.4.] His son
George was accidentally killed, in 1669, "by a piece of timber,
of about fifteen hundred weight, rolling over him."
Edmund Feeeman — was born in 1590, and came to Lynn in
1635. He removed to Sandwich in 1637, and was an Assistant
of Plymouth colony in 1640. His children were Elizabeth,
Alice, Edmund and John, Mr, Freeman presented the colony
with twenty corslets, or pieces of plate-armor.
Dennis Gebre — came from Thesseiworth to Lynn, in 1635.
He was born in 1605, and his wife Elizabeth was born in 1613,
Hia children were Elizabeth and Sarah. He died in 1635 and
gave, by his will, £300 to the colony.
Nathaniel Handfoeth — was a haberdasher, from London,
and lived on the north side of the Common. Ha was buried,
13 September, 1687, aged 79.
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154 AHNALS OP LYNN— 1635.
RiCHATO Johnson — came over in 1630, and lived with Sir
Richard Saltonstall, at Watertown. He waa admitted a freeman
in 1637. He came to Lynn the same year, and settled as a
farmer, on the eastern end of the Common. He died in 1666,
aged 54 His children were Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth, and
Abigail. His descendants remain. [Abigail married a Collins,
and Elizabeth a Tolman. His estate was appraised at £368.17.6.]
Philip Kertland — was the first shoemaker known at Lynn,
His name ia from the German Oo'rtlandt, or LacTc-land; and I
think it was afterward changed to Kirkland. He was from
Sherrington, in Buckinghamshire, and in 1638 had ten acres
of land allotted to him by the town. Hs had two sons, Philip,
born in 1614, and Nathaniel, born in 1616, who embarked on
l.board the Hopewell, of London, "William Bnndock, master on
the first of April, 1636. Tho two sons remained at Lynn five
years, and in 1640 went to form the new settlement of South-
ampton, on Long Island. Nathaniel returned to Lynn, married,
and had three children ; Nathaniel, Sarah; and Priscilla. He
was buried 27 Dec. 1686, aged 70. [In an article on the gene-
alogy of the Kertland family of the United , States, by Rev. F.
W. Chapman, pubhshed in the New England Historical and Ge-
nealogical Register, *1 4th volume, it is stated that the Kertlands
of this country are supposed to have descended from Nar
thaniel Kertland, of Lynn, who is reputed to have resided, pre-
vious to his emigration, in Silver street, London. He had one
son, John, who removed to Saybrook, during his minority, and
was adopted by Mr. John and Mrs. Susanna Wastall. They
having no children, made him their solo heir, as appears by a
will, dated in 1672. It is quite certain that there was a Nathan-
iel Kertland in Lynn, who had a son John, though Mr, Lewis
does not appear to have been aware of the fact. This John
went to Saybrook, and there married and reared a large family.
And from him descended several eminent persons ; among them
Rev. Dauiei Kertland, who was a minister at Norwich, and
father of Bov. Samuel Kertland, the well-known missionary to
the Oneida Indians, and who was father of the distinguished
John Thornton Kertland, president of Harvard University.
And Rev. Dr. Samuel K. Lothrop, of Boston, is a grandson of
Rev. Samuel, the missionary. By what follows, it would seem
that there was also a John Kertland here, a brother of Phihp,
the first shoemaker. And it will also be seen that Mr. Lewis
failed to obtain a very perfect knowledge of the family of which
he was speaking. In Salem Court files, 17 July, 1659, is found
the following testimony of John Kertland, aged about 52 : "1
often hard my brother, Philip Kyrtland, say oftimea that his wife
shonald bane all that hee had to dispose of, so long as she live,
and to my best remembranc, be gave £15 to his dafter Mary
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ANHALS OP LTNM — 1635. 155
and ten pounds to his dafter Sara, and ten pounds to bis dafter
Susanna, and ten pounds to his dafter Hanna ; this to be given
to them at y* day of marriag,the land not to be sould ao long
as she lives." And Wilham Harcher, of Lynn, aged 65, or
thereabout, deposed " that when Phihp Kertland was going to
see," he told him in substance as above. The name of the Cap-
tain of the Hopewell, by the way, was Bnndock, not Burdock,
as it is sometimes printed, and as Mr. Lewis himself had it.]
The following is from the Essex Registry, 14 October, 1659 :
" Know all men by these presents, that I, Evan Thomas, of Boa-
ton, being about to marry the widow Alice Kertland of Lynn,
do engage to and agree not to sell or alienate her now dwelling
house and land."
Thomas Laighton — was a farmer; a freeman in 1638 ; lived
in Franklin street. He was a representative in 1646, and town
clerk in 1672. He died 8 August, 1697. His children were,
Thomas, Margaret, Samuel, Eebecca, and Elizabeth. [I have
strong doubts as to the propriety of following the lead' of Mr.
Lewis in the spelling of this name. The public, records, to ha
sure, display considerable ingenuity in the multiplied variations
of the orthography. But he himself wrote his name Laugh ton.
A fac-simiie of his autograph is here p ^ rP />
given, -as carefully traced from his 7^AJ/-Jr^ JxuA0^fijy^
signature as witness to the will of signature of TlioimaLdghton.
Thomas Newhall, the elder, made in
April, 1668, Laighton Bank takes its name from this settler;
also Laighton street.]
Feancis LiGHTPOOT — freeman 1636, died 1646. He came
from London, and the name of his wife was Anne.
RiCHAED LosGLEY — a farmer, had two sons; William, clerk
of the wrjts in 1655, and Jonathan,
Thomas Marshall (Capt.) — came to Lynn in 1635. He em-
barked in the James, of London, on the 17th of July,* and soon
' Hon. Jamea Savage, The public ai"e gj'eatly indebted to this gentleman
for his intelligent aunotatjone of Gov, Winthrop's Journal, and for his valuable
researches in the manuscript records of England. [And 1 take the opportu-
mW to add, that to the Genealogical Dictionary of Mr, Savage I am gi-eatly
indebted. That work tears evidence of remarkable fidelity and skill. And
the magifitude of the labor would have been aufiicient to appall any one not
endowed with more than ordinary industry and perseverance. The readinMB
with which the author espresBes a doub^ where one emsts, gives additional
assurance of hia uncompromiaing determination to avoid misleading, if possi-
ble. Sueh a course is'really refresliiug in view of the faithless multitude who
are in the evil habit of fortifying uncertain^ by pceitiveness. And the resolu-
tion with which he unveils the little romances of such authors as unscrupu-
lously make detours from the sU'aight and narrow way of truth, to gather
flowere for tlie adornment of their naiTatives, while it cannot be more aptly
characterized than in the orthography of his own surname, certainly merits the
highest commendation,]
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156 ANNALS OP L'iNS — 1635.
after his arrival waa admitted a freeman. With many othera,
he returned to England to join in the ambitious designs of Crom-
well, hy whom ho was made a captain. He served in the army
of the anarch for several years, and returned to Lynn laden with
military glory. He was six times chosea representative. He
purchased the tavern, on the west of Saugus river, which Mr.
Joseph Armitage had opened. Here, with all the frankness and
hospitality of a "fine old English gentleman," be kept open
, doora for the accommodation of the traveHng pubhc, for more
than forty years. Mr. John Dunton, who passed through Lynn
in 1686, thus mentions him in his journal. "About two of the
clock I reached Capt. Marshall's house, which is half way be-
tween Boston and Salem ; here I staid to refresh nature with a
pint of sack and a good fowl. Capt. Marshall is a hearty old
gentleman, formerly one of Oliver's soldiers, upon which he
very much values himself He had all the history of the civil
wars at his fingers' end, and if we may believe him, Oliver did
hardly any thing that was considerable without his assistance;
and if I 'd have staid aa long, as he 'd have talked, he 'd have
spoiled my ramble to Salem." He died, 23 Dee. 1689. His
wife, Rebecca, died in August, 1693. He had two sons ; John,
born 14 Jan. 1659; and Thomas, who removed to Reading.
[There was a Thomas Marshall of Reading, who, at the age
of 22, is supposed to have come over in the James, from Lon-
don, in 1635. He had children, Hannah, born 7 June, 1640;
Samuel, b. 1 Sept. 1643, dying in one week; Abigail; Sarah,
who died young ; Thomas and Rebecca, twins, b. 20 Feb. 1648 ;
Elizabeth; Sarah again, b. 14 Feb. 1655. And this Thomas
Marshall, Savage, "after very long deliberation," thinks must
have been " that man of Lynn always called Captain," who had
at Lynn, children, Joanna, b. 14 Sept. 1657; John, b. 14 Feb.
1660; Ruth, b. 14 Aug. 1662; and Mary, b. 25 May, 1665. He
was a member of the Artillery Company in 1640. His daughter
Hannah married, John Lewis, at Lynn, 17 June, 1659 ; Sarah
married Ebenezer Stocker, 15 July, 1674; and Mary married
Edward Baker, 7 April, 1685. It seems very certain that Mr.
Lewis made some confusiou of persons. That Capt. Marshall
loved to entertain with stories of his wonderful adventures and
valiant exploits, quite aa well as with good dinners, there is
little doubt. And he seems to have been easily wrought to a
fervid heat on matters pertaining to the Commonwealth. But
we can hardly concur with the suggestion that he intended to
impose on honest Mr. Dunton, though Duhtou may have mista-
ken his jolly host.]
, In the Essex Registry of Deeds is the following testimony,
which is interesting, as coming from the venerable old hero
of Cromwell's war: "Captain Thomas Marshall, aged about 67
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ANHAL3 OP LYNN-— 1635. 157
yeares, doe teatifle, that about 38 yearos siuce, tlie ould Water
mill at Linn, which was an under shott mill, was by Mr. Howell
committed to hira, or before the said time, and about 38 yearea
since, the building of an over shott mill was moved to the towns
of Linn, and for incuragement to go on with the said worke,
they then of the Towue of Linn, Granted their Priviledgea of
water and^water Courses to the said mill, and that this said
water mill is now in the possession of Henry Eoades ; aa witness
my hand, Thomas Marshall; May 12th, 1683."
Thomas Paekbr — embarked in the Christopher, of London,
II March, 1635. He was born in 1614. [Rev. Theodore Park-
er, the distinguished theologian, who died at Ploreiicq, Italy, 10
May, 1860, was a lineal descendant of this old Lynn settler, as
is shown by the pedigree traced by Hon. Charles Hudson, of
Lexington.]
John Pierson — was a fanner, lived on Nahant street, and
removed to Heading, The name of his wife was Madeline,
John Pool — ■ was a farmer, and had 200 acres of land. His
descendants remain. [But he removed to Reading, where he
died, 1 Apri], 1667, bis wife, Margaret, having died about five
years before. His femily and the Armitage were ciosely con-
nected. He is, perhaps, the same man who, at the Court, 4 Dec.
1638, was fined 51. for " abuseing his servant ; " and who, with
Timothy Tomlins and another, 7 Oct. 1641, was "admonished
not to go to the Dutch, because of scandal! and offence."]
Nicholas Potter — was a mason, and had sixty acres of land,
[Mr. Potter appears to have become much interested in the
Iron Works, after their establishment, but removed to Salem,
in 1660. He was twice married, his second wife being a daugh-
ter of John Gedney, of Salem. Ho made a will, 10 Oct, 1677,
appointing Iiis father-in-law sole executor, and in it mentions
sis children by his first wife, namely, Samuel, Benjamin, Sarah,
Mary, Hannah, and Bethia. He also had children by his second
wife. Eight days after the date of his will, he died. The in-
ventory of his estate gives, in amount, £206.11, He must have
had the confidence of the people, while in Lynn, for in 1646, he
was licensed by the Court to " draw wine," in accordance with
the desire of the town, expressed in a vote passed at a public
meeting.]
OLrvER PuRCHis — freeman in 1636, representative in 1660,
town clerk in 1686. [Ho was elected assistant in 1685, bufr
" declined his oath."] He removed to Concord, in 1691, and
died 20 Nov. 1701, aged 88 years,
Richard Sadler — a farmer; a freeman in 1639; came from
Worcester, England. He lived by the great rock near the junc-
tion of Walnut and Holyoke streets. He was a member of the
Salem Court in 1639, and clerk of the writs in 1640. He had a
N
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158 ANSAL3 OF LYNN — 1G35.
son Kicbard, born in 1610, who returned to England in 1647,
and was ordained 16 May, 16i8. [It waa Mr. Sadler himself
who became a preacher. He went home in 1646 or '7 and waa
ordained, at the date mentioned, at the chapel of Whixall, in
Shropshire. But he was afterward advanced to a better living,
at Ludlow, from which he was ejected, at the Ecstoration. Mr.
Lewis does not state the time of his death, nor give any date
from which his age might be inferred. Bnt Calamy says ho
died in 1675, aged 55. The age, however, seems to be wrongly
stated ; for if he were born in 1620, as mnst have been the case
if his age was 55 in 1675, it is hardly probable that be would
have beSn appointed to the important public positions he held
from 1639, onward, as long as he remained here. In 1639 he
was made a freeman. That might have been, it is true, had he
been but 19 years old, for youths of 16 could take the oath and
perform the duties of freemen, with the exception of voting for
magistrates, and with one or two other disabiHties. But in the
same year, he waa appointed, with John Oliver and Robert
Keayne, "to run the bounds between Boston and Linn," and
likewise made a member of the Salem Court. For the last two
appointments, a person of nineteen years was certainly rather
young. And then again, taking Mr. Lewis's statement that " he
had a son Richard, born in 1610," in connection with the state-
ment of Calamy that he died in 1675 at the age of 55, we have
the rather uncommon occurrence of a son being born ten years
before his father. The experienced Parmer, too, is not exempt
from entanglement in the matter. He, no doubt on the author-
ity of Calamy, gives the age of Mr, Sadler, at the time of his
death, in 1675, as 55 ; and adds that the preacher who was or-
dained at Whixall, in 1648, was perhaps his son. But if be
himself was only 28, at the time of the ordination, is it likely
that he had a son old enough to be a settled preacher? The
fact probably is, that Mr. Sadler himself was born in 1610. The
error making him 55 instead of 65 at the time of his death, in
1675, might easily have occurred ; and some author, not imagin-
ing that he could have become a preacher himself, benevolently
supplied him with a son to fill the sacred office. Savage says
Mr. Sadler went home in 1646, as fellow-passenger with John
Leverett, Gfov, Sayles, of Bermuda, and many others, of whom
were the malcontent Dr. Child, Thomas Fowie, and William
Vassall. And he does not seem to doubt that Mr. Sadler him-
self was the preacher ordained at Whixall, The complications
here exhibited very well illustrate the perplexities that constant-
ly beset the path of one engaged on a work like the present.
And if now and then a misstatement should be made or a wrong
conclusion drawn, is it very wonderful ? For something more
regarding Mr. Sadler see under date 1638.]
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1636. 159
. Thqmas Townsend — was a farmer, and lived near the Iron
Worka. He died 22 Dec. 1677. His sons were J6hn, Thomas,
Henry, and Richard. Some of his descendants remain, others
were among the first settlers of the towns on Long Island.
1636.
Mr. Bachilor had been readily dismissed from his pastoral
charge, in the expectation that he would desist from its exercise,
or remove from the town; instead of which, he renewed his
covenant with the persons who came with him from England,
.intending to continue his ministrations. The people opposed
(this design, as its tendency would be to frustrate their intention
'of settling another minister ; they therefore complained to the
magistrates, who forbade his proceeding. Finding that he
disregarded their injunctions, and refused to appear before
them, they, sent the marshal to compel him. He was brought
before the Court of Assistants, at Boston, in January, and was
discharged, on engaging to leave the town within three months.
Whoever has attentively read the lives of the early ministers
of New England, as written by the Eev. Cotton Mather, must
have noticed that they are all represented to have been men
of uncommon learning, piety, and worth. This may be imputed
partly to the embellishmenta of his pen, and partly to the fact
that they were born and educated in the bosom of the church,
and in th* beat universities of Europe. We are greatly indebted
to Mr, Mather for his account of those ministers ; but we should
have been far more grateful to him, if he had been more partic-
ular with regard to dates and facts respecting the subjects of his
biography, instead of devoting so much time and space to the
worthies of Greece and Home; for we could easily have pre-
sumed his acquaintance with ancient history and the classics,
without so ostentatious a display of it. In his life of Mr. Cob-
bet, he has given us'but one date with certainty — -the rest
have been supplied by my laborioua research. Mr. Bachiler he
did not notice, and the foUowing sketch of bis life is the first
which has ever been offered to the public.
The Rev. Stephen Bachilee was born in England, in the
year 1561, and received orders in the established church. In
the early part of his life he enjoyed a good reputation; but
being dissatisfied with some of the ceremonies of the church,
and refusing to continue bis conformity, he was deprived of his
permission to perforni her services. The church has been much
censured for her severity ; and all uncharitablenoss and persecu-
tion are to be deprecated; but in simply ejecting her ministers
for nonconformity, after they have approved her mode of wor-
ship, and in the most solemn manner possible engaged them-
selves in her service, the church is no more censurable than all
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160 ANNALS OF LYNN— 1636.
other cotnm unities, witli whom the same practice is common,
Oo leaving England, Mr. Bachiler went with his family to Hol-
landj where be resided several years. He then returned to
London, from which place he sailedj on the ninth of March, 1632,
for New England. He arrived at Lynn on the sixth of June,
having in his company sis persons, hia relatives and friends,
who had belonged to his church in Holland. With them, and
the few who united with them, he constituted a little church at
Lynn, without any of the ceremonies usual on such occasions.
Hg continued hia ministrations here for about three years, with
repeated interruptions; but he never had the support or the
affections of the great body of the people. He was admitted a
freeman on the 6th of May, 1635, and removed from Lynn in.
Eehruary, 1636. He went first to Ipswich, where he reoeivecl
a grant of fifty acres of land, and had the prospect of a settle-
ment; hut some difSculty having arisen, he left the place. In
the very cold winter of 1637, he went on foot with some of his
friends, to Yarmouth, a distance of about one hundred miles.
There he intended to plant a town, and establish a church; but
finding the diiBculties great, and "his company being all poor
men," he relinquished the design. He then went to Newbury,
where, on the 6th of July, 1638, the town made him a grant
of land. On-,the 6th of September, the General Court granted
him permission to settle a town at Hampton. In 1639, the
inhabitants of Jpawich voted to give him sixty acres of upland,
and twenty acres of meadow, if he would reside with them
three years; but he did not accept their invitation. On the
5th of July, he and Christopher Hussey sold their houses and
lands in Newbury, for " six score pounds," and removed to
Hampton, There a town was planted, and a church gathered,
of which Mr, Eachiler became the minister. The town granted
him three hundred acres of land, and he presented them with a
bell for the meeting-house, in 1640. Here he was treated with
respect, and in 1641, he was appointed umpire in an important
case of real estate between George Cleves and John Winter.
Dissensions, however, soon commenced, and the people were
divided between him and his colleague, Eev. Timothy Dalton.
He was also accused of irregular conduct, which is thus related
by Governor Winthrop:
" Mr, BachiSer, the pastor of the church at HamptoD, who had suffered
muchatthehamjeofthe bishops in Euglancl, being about eighty years of ace,
and having a lusty, comely woman to his wife, did, solicit the chastity of his
neighbor's wife, who acquainted her husband therewith ; Whereupon he was
dealt with, but denied it, as he had told the woman he would do, and com-
plained to the masistrates against the woman and her busbaud for slandering
him. The church likewise dealing with him he stiffly denied it; but soon
after, wlien the Lord's supper ^vas to be administered, he did voluntarily con-
fess the attempt."
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ANNALS OP LYKN — 1636. 161
For this impropriety, he was escommimicated by tlie church.
Soon after, hia house took fire, and was consumed, with nearly
all bis property. In 1643, be was restored to the comraiioion,
but not to the office of minister. In 1644, the people of Exeter
invited him to settle with them ; but the Court kid their injuno
tion. In 1647, be was at Portsmouth, where he resided three
years. In 1650, being then eighty-nine years of age, and hia
second wife, Helena, being dead, bo married his third wife,
Mary; and in May was fined ten pounds, for not publishing hia
intention of marriage, according to law ; half of which fine waS
remitted in October, In the same year, the Court passed the
following order, in consequence of their matrimonial disagree-
■ ment :
"It is ordered by this Court, that Mr. Batchelor and his wife shall lyve
together as man and wife, as in this Court they have publiquely professed to
doe ; and if either desert one another, then hereby the Court doth order that
the mai-shal shall apprehend both the said Mr. Batchelor and Mary his wife,
and bring them forthwith to Boston, there to be kept till the next Quarter
Court of ASsistanlsi that farther consideration thereof may be had, Itoth of them
moving for a divorce ; and this order shall be sufficient order aoe to doe ; pro-
vided, notwithstanding, that if they put in £50, each of them, for their appear-
ance, with such sureties as ,lhe commissionera or any one of them for the
county shall think good to accept of, that then they shall be under their bajle,
to appear at the next Court of Assistants ; and in case Mary Batchelor shall live
out of the jurisdiction, without mutual consent for a time, Aat then tlie clarke
shall give notice to the magistrate att Boston, of lier absence, that fiuTher order
may be taken therein."
Soon after this, in 1651, Mr. Bacbiler left the country and
returned to England, where be married his fourth wife, being
himself ninety years of age, and his third wife, Mary, being etill
living. In October, 1656, she petitioned the Court, in the follow-
ing words, to free her from her husband:
"To the Honored Goyevnor, Deputy Goyomor, with the Mij,iatnte^ and
Depiities at the General Court at Boston:
"The humble petition of Mary Bachelor sheweth — Wheieis your peti-
tioner, having formerly lived with Mr. Stephen Bachelor, a mmister of this
Collany, as lus lawfiill wife, and not unknown to divers of you, as I coneeiye,
and the said Mr. Bachelor, upon some pretended ends of hia owne, htth ti ana-
poited himself unto ould England, for many yeares since, and bebiken him-
self to another wife, as your petitioner hath often lieen credibly informed, and
there continueth, whereby your petitioner is left destitute, not only of a guide
to her and her children, but also mad^ uncapable thereby of disposing herselfe
in the way of maniage to any otlier, without a lawful permission ; and having
now two children upon her hands, diat are cliargeable unto her, in regard to
a disease God hath been pleased to lay upon them both, which is not easily
curable, and so weakening her estate in prosecuting the means of cui-e, that
she is not able longer to subsist, without utter nnning her estate, or exposing
herself to the common charity of others ; which your petitioner is loth to put
herself upon, if it may be lawiiilly avoided, as is well known to all, or most
part of her neighbors. And were she free from her engagement to Mr. Bach-
elor, might pi-obably soe dispose of herselfe, as that she might obtain a meet
helpc to assist her to procure such means for her livelyhood, and the recovery
N« 11
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162 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1636.
of her chHdren's health, as might keep them from perishing ( which your
petitioner, to her great grie£ is much afraid of, if not timely prevented. Your
petiiioner's humble request therefore is, that this HoDored Court would be
S leased seriously to consider her condition, for matter of her relief in her free-
om from the said Mr. Bachelor, "and that she may he at liberty to dispose
of herselfe in respect of any engagement to him, as in your wisdomes shall
seem most expedient ; and your petitioner shall humbly pray.
Mart Bacheleb."
No record appears that the Court took any order on this
petition; nor are we informed whether the lady succeeded to
"dispose of herselfe," in the manner which she seems to have
had so much at heart. It is to be hoped, however, that her
request was granted, for the woman had undoubtedly suffered
enough for her lapses, as the reader will probably agree, when
he shall have read the sentence, which may serve to clear up
at 'least one of the mysteries in this strangest of all the lives
of oor early ministers. In the records of York, on the fifteenth
of October, 1651, is the following entry; "We do present
George Rogers and Mary Batoheller, the wife of Mr. Stephen
Batcheller, minister, for adultery. It is ordered that Mrs. Batch-
eller, for her adultery, shall receive 40 stripes save one, at the
first town meeting held at Kittery, 6 weeks after her delivery,
and be branded with the letter A." In the horrible barbarity
of this sentenco we blush for the severity of the punishment,
rather than for the crime. The husband and his erring wife
have long since gone to their last account, and their errors and
follies must be left to the adjustment of that tribunal which we
hope is more merciful than the decisions of men. Mr. Bachiler
had, undoubtedly, many virtues, or he would not have had many
friends, and they would not have continued with him through
all the changes of his varied life. Mr. Prince says that he was
"a man of fame in his day, a gentleman of learning and ingenu-
ity, and wrote a fine and curious hand." It was on his separa^
tion from the church at Lynn, with his subsequent misfortunes,
that Edward Johnson wrote the following lines :
" Through ocean large Christ brought thee for to feed
His wandering flock, with 's word Ihou oft hast taught ;
Then teach thyself, with others thou has need;
Thy flowing fame unto low ebb is brought.
" Faith and obedience Christ full near hath joined ;
Then trust in Ciuist and thou again mayst be
Brought on tiiy race, though now far cast behind ;
Run to the end and crowned thou shalt be."
Mr. Bachiler died at Hackney, near London, in 1660, in the
one hundredth year of his age. He had four sons and three
daughters. Theodate married Christopher Hnssoy, and re-
moved to Hampton. Deborah married John Wing, of Lynn,
and removed to Sandwich. The third daughter married a Saa-
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ANNALS OF tTHN — 1636. 16?
bom ; Francis and Stephen remained in London ; Henry went
to Eeading; Nathaniel removed to Hampton, where, in 1656,
he married Deborah Smith, by whom he had nine children.
After her death, he called on widow Mary Wyman, ofWoburn,
and offered himself. She discouraged bis hopes because be had
so large a family. He replied, '■ It was the first time he had
ever known a woman to object to a man because he got chil-
dren; he was going to Boston on business, and when he re-
tnrned he would call for her answer." He called as he promised,
she became his wife, and presented him with eight more children.
Among the descendants from the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, may be
mentioned the Hon, Daniel Webster. [Ebenezer Webster, the
grandfather of Daniel, the distinguished statesman, was born at
Hampton, 10 October, 1714, and married, 20 July, 1738, Susanna
Bacbilor, who was probably a descendant of Eev. Stephen,
through bis eldest son, Nathaniel, who lived at Hampton, and
of whom Mr. Lewis tells the foregoing curious anecdote. But
I find it elsewhere stated that he had three wives.
[In Morgan's Sphere of Gentry, printed in 1661, may he
found Mr. Bachiler's coat of arms. It consists of a plough,
beneath which is a rising sun ; or, to use the technical language
of heraldry, vert a plough in f&sse and in base the sun rising or.
The autlior calls it the coat of " Cain, Adam's son," and says it
"did appertain to Stephen Bachelor the first pastor of the
church of Ligonia, in New England; which bearing was an-
swerable to his profession in plowing up the fallow ground
of their hearts, and the sun appearing in that part of the world,
symbolically alluded to his motto, sol Justittce exoritur." Does
not "the church of Ligonia," mean the church of Lynn — an
attempt being made to Latinize the name of the town ? Another
work on heraldry gives the name Livonia ; hut this is, no doubt,
a misspelling. Where the witty old author speaks of the plough
as answering to Mr. Bachiler's profession in breaking up the
fallow ground of their hearts, he might have passed on to the
sun's office of warming and rendering fruitful the broken ground.
There is, however, no very pleasing compliment in the reference
to " Cain, Adam's son." Yet the author takes occasion to note,
here and there, a comforting fact that seems to have become
suddenly established in his mind, with or without connection
with the matter in hand. Witness the following which appears
as a_marginal note : " Women have soules." And this seems to
have been proved to his satisfaction by the first temptation, for
he says, "had she not had a precious and rational soul the
Devil would never have attempted her." This is plausible, but
it might be argued that he only operated on her as an instru-
ment for the destruction of her husband. And he seems inclined
to give the evil one more credit for his sagacity, than Eve for
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164 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1636.
her integrity, by asking, " indeed how could she withstand such
temptation that did intice her to curiosity and pride, the com-
mon sin of all their sex to this day ?"
[The reader's attention is here solicited for a moment to the
singular spectacle brought to view in the affairs of Mr, Eachiler,
While pastor of the church at Hampton, he is charged with
having solicited the chastity of a neighbor's wife; yet the church
at Exeter, knowing the fact, invite him to settle over them.
Did they discredit the charges, or consider the offence not
worth weighing? In 1650 he marries a woman who proves to
he an adultress, leaves her, and petitions for a divorce. This the
government refuses, and going farther, orders that they ■' shall
lyve together as man and wife." Now what is to be thought
of a government that compels a thing so revolting and so unne-
cessarily cruel? From all the circumstances I am led to the
conviction that the whole truth does not appear ; that extenu-
ating facts are concealed ; that there was a settled determination
to make his continuance here uncomfortable, to say the least.
The truth is, he had ventured to question the right of the civil
authorities to supremacy in spiritual affairs. And that was
enough to excite their indignation. The proof of his moral
delinquencies, however, seems sufficient. It would be a bold
step to attempt to discredit Winthrop; though it may not he
unreasonable to suggest that, considering his ire towards those
who were inclined to any thing like active opposition to the
ruling powers, be might not have examined with sufficient
severity the slanders which Mr. Bachiler's enemies put in circu-
lation. Not only did Mr. Bachiler oppose the incipiefit union
of church and state, but he also espoused the interests of New
Hampshire when they clashed with the assumptions of the Bay
Colony. And that was enough to bring a heavy load of fuel "to
the fire. And, furthermore, as is well known, his colleage at
Hampton, Mr. Dalton, was strongly set in the Massachusetts
interest, and virulently opposed to his associate. Mr. Bachiler
was evidently an opponent not easily overcome; was well edu-
cated; an adept in controversy; strong willed. He was a sin-
ner, but greatly sinned against. And he probably had little
more sympathy in the colonial councils than Williams, Hutchin-
son or Wheelwright.]
The dissensions in the churches at Salem and Lynn, and the
scarcity of provisions, occasioned a fast to be proclaimed, which
was observed on the 21st of February.
On the third of March, the Court enacted that each town
should have power to regulate its own affairs; to set fines on
offenders, not exceeding twenty shihings ; and to choose a num-
ber of " prudential men," not exceeding seven, to order their
municipal concerns. This was the legal origin of those officers
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ANHAL9 OF LYNN — 1636. 165
since called Selectmen ; though some of the towns had similar
officers before. They were at first chosen for only three months :
and the town of Lynn continued to choose seven, until the year
1155, when the number was reduced to three. They also had
a number of oEQcers, called tythingmen, because each one was
set over ten families, to observe their conduct, and to report any
violation of the public order,
Mr. Timothy Tomlins was licensed as a retailer, " to draw
wine for the town of Saugus," [He was also licensed to "keepe
a house of intertaineraent."]
Mr. John Humfrey and Capt. Nathaniel Turner were appointed
by the Court to lay out the bounds of Ipswich.
Mr. Humfrey built a windmill on the eastern mound of Saga-
more Hil!, which was thence called Windmill Hill.
A Court was established at Salem, to be held quarterly, for
the benefit of that and the adjacent towns. The judges con-
sisted of a magistrate, and several freemen, selected from each
town, by the General Court. This year there were four, of
whom Capt. Nathaniel Turner was one, [and Mr. Humfrey an-
other.] The first session commenced on the 27th of June. A
fine of ten shillings was imposed on Thomas Stanley, the con-
stable of Lynn, for not appearing ; and a record, made in Sep-
tember, says, "Now it is in corn, in William Wood's hands,"
[Captain Turner was also appointed one of a valuation com-
mittee, raised preparatory to the levying of a tax on the several
plantations.]
The Eev, Samubl Whiting arrived from England in June,
and was installed pastor of the church at Lynn, on Tuesday, the
8th of November. The Council remained two days, and found
much difficulty in organizing a church; which was composed
of only six members, besides the minister. The following is a
copy of the original church covenant transcribed by me from a
leaf of a pocket Bible belonging to one of the ministers :
"The Covenant of the First Chureh of Christ in Lynn.
" We do give up ourselves to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as to
the only true and living God; avouching G!od the Father to be our fether;
embracing the Lord Jesus Christ ae our only Savior, iu all his offices, prophets
ical, sacerdotal and regal ; depending on the blessed Spirit of Grace to be our
Sanctifier, Teacher, Guide, and Comfoi-ter, and to make effectual application
of the redemption purchased by Christ unto us ; promising by tbe aBsistaiice,
and through the sanctifying influences of that Blessed Spirit, to cleave unto
this one Grod and Mediator, as bis covenant people. We believe the revelation
God hath made of himself, and our duty, ui his woi-d, to be true ; and throufjh
grace strengthening, we promise to comply witli the whole will of God, so far
as be shall discover it to us. We promise, by the assistance of Divine Grace,
to walk before God in our houses, iu sincerity of heart ; that we will uphold
the worship of God therein ; endeavoring to bring up all under our inspection,
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We shall endeavor the mortifica-
tion of our own sins, and we covenant to reprove sin in othei-s, as far as the
rule requires; piiDmisiug in brotherly love to watch over one another, and to
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166 ANNALS OF LYUN — 1636.
Bubmit ourselves to the government of Christ in tliia church, and to attend the
orders thei-eof. We do bkewise solemnly agree by all means Ig study and
eadcavor the peace of this church, and the maintenance of the pvirity of the
worship of God therein ; that so the blessing of God may be vouchsafed
to this his heritage. We do also pve up ourselves to one another in the
Lord, solemnly binding ourselves to walk together in the ways of his worship,
and to cleave to his ordinances, according to the rules of Ms word. . . t This
you heaiTily comply with and consent to. , . f You are now morabera in full
communionwith this church, purchased by the blood of Christ; and you do now
seriously, solemnly, deliberately, and forever, in the presence of God, by whom
you expect shortly to be judged, and by whom you hope to be acquitted, in
the jiresenee of an innumerable company of elect angels, and in the presence
of this assembly, give up yourselves to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
avouching the Lord Jehovah to be your God. You give up yourselves unto
this church; submitting to the holy rule and ordinance of it; putting Your-
selves under the care and inspection of it; promising to embrace counsel and
reproofi with humbleness and thankfulness ; and duly to attend the adminis-
tration of the ordinances of the Gospel in tliis chui'ch; so long as your oppor-
tunities thereby to be edified in your holy faith shall be continued. . . f We,
then, the church of the Lord, do receive you into our sacred fellowship, aa
those whom we ti'ust Christ hath received; and we promise to admit you to
all the ordinances of the Gospel in fellowship with us; to watch over you
vrith a spirit of love and meekness, not for your halting but helping ; to treat
you with all that affection which your sacred relation to ns now calleth for ;
and to continueourardentpi-ayersforyou,to the Father of Light, that you may
have grace to keep this solemn covenant, you have now, before God, angels,
and men, entered into ; that so the sure mercies of the everlasting covenant
may be your portion forever. Amen."
To those persona who did not wholly unite with this church,
but only assented to the covenant, for the privilege of having
their children baptized, the following waa read immediatoly
after the words " consent to."
"You do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, avouch
this one God in three persona to be your God ; engaging to be bis, only, con-
stantly, and everlastingly. You do further promise to labor in prepanng for
the table of the Lord, Uiai in due time you may make your approaches to God,
and the Loi-d Jesis Christ, the Lord and Giver of eternal life, ui all his ordi-
nances and appointments ; that at last you may give up yonr account with joy
unto Clirist, ^e Judge of all."
[Mr. Lewis was no doubt mistaken in supposing this to be
the original cburch covenant. The supplementary portion em-
braces the " half-way " element, which was not known in Now
England till some time later. It is uncertain whether it waa
fully accepted in the Lynn church before 1768. It waa adopted
in different churcbea.at different periods, and in some doea not
appear to have been known at all. To this half-way covenant,
which was not the same in form in all the churches, such per-
Hons as desired, were admitted, if they sustained acceptable
characters. The common way was for the caudidatea to pre-
sent themselves before the congregation, on Sunday. And if
they answered affirmatively the question which was in aubstance
whether they believed the Bibfe to be the word of God, and
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AKNALS OP LYNK — 1637. 167
would promisB to receive it as their rule of faith and practice,
they were admitted to baptism for themselves or their children,
though they might never become church members in full com-
munioD. The Lynn church, in 1768, voted " that none be allnwr-
ed the privilege of baptism for their children, but such as are
members of the church, without their personally owning the
covenant." And hence that date is fixed on as the time when
the half-way covenant was adopted. It does not seem to have
been common among the churches here, in the earliest times, to
adopt doctrinal covenants or confessions of faith, there being
no essential disagreements in matters of doctrine. They rather
entered into simple agreements to walk together, with the Bible
as their rule of faith. The compact of the first church of Salem,
may be taken as an example : " We covenant with our Lord and
one with another, and we do bind ourselves in the presence
of God, to walk together, in all his ways, according as he is
pleased to reveal himself unto us." Had Mr. Lewis informed us
which of the ministers the pocket Bible from which he copied
the foregoing covenant of the church of Lynn belonged to, we
might have been the better able to judge as to the time of its
adoption; for it is evidently not the "original church cove-
nant."]
Some of the Peqnot Indians, having committed several mur-
ders upon tho whites, induced the people' of Massachusetts to
commence a war upon them. On tha 16th of June, this year,
Gov. Henry Vane ordered Lieut. Edward Howe to have his
men in readiness; and in August, four companies of volunteers
were 'called out, one of which was commanded by Capt. Na-
thaniel Turner, of Lynn. They were directed to demand the
murderers, with a thousand fathom of wampum, and some of the
Indian children, as hostages. At Block Island, they destroyed
seven canoes, sixty wigwams, and many acres of corn, and killed
one Indian, At New London, thoy burnt the canoes and wig-
wams, killed thirteen Indians, and returned, 14 September.
1637.
On the 18th of April, 175 men were raised for a second expe-
dition against the Pequots. Boston fnrniBhed 26, Lynn 21,
(16 at first and 5 afterward,) Cambridge 19, Salem 18, Ipswich
17, Watertown 14, Dorchester 13, Charlestown 12, Roxbury
10, Newbury 8, Hingham 6, "Weymouth 5, Marblehead 3, and
Medford 3, The Connecticut troops attacked the Pequots on
the 26th of May, a little before daybreak. Sassacus, the Pequot
Sachem, had built a rude fort, surrounded by a palisade of treea.
The soldiers came to the fort in silence, discharged their mus-
kets on the slumbering natives, and then set fire to the camp.
Stoughton, who commanded the expedition, says, of " six or
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168 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1637.
seven hundred Indians," many of wliom were women, and old
men, and helpless children, only "about seven escaped." The
soldiers from Lynn arrived three days after the massacre, and
returned on the 26th of August. Sassacus, after this desolation
of hia tribe, flod to the Mohawks, where he was soon afterward
murdered, as it was supposed, by an Indian of the Narragansott
tribe, who were hia enemies. Thas perished Sassacus, the last
and bravest of the Pequots ; a chief, who in the annals of Greece
would have received the fame of a hero — in the war of ABiori-
can freedom, the praise of a patriot. [Under date 7 June, Mr.
Humfrey writes to Gov. Winthrop, concerning the Pequot affairs,
as follows :
"Much Honodred:
"Hithei-to tho lord hath beene w''' us, hleaaed forever be his ever
bfeased name, ' Our nation, tiie goapel, the blood of those murthered per-
sons of ours sccmes to triumph in tlio present successe. Now I ouly desire
TO suggest it to yor wise and deeper considerations whether it be not probable
the confederates of the Peqiiotts' will not be glad to pui'chase a secure and
feareles eondition to themselues, by delivering up those men, or their heads,
who have wrought and brought so much miserie upon themselues and theii's.
Or if not so, whither (if they give good assurance of hostages, &c.,) the blood
Bl(ed by them may not sceme to be sufficiently expiated by so great exi ine-
qualitie on their sides. Hitherto the horror and ten-or of our people to all the
natives is aboundantiy vindicated and made good. If providence for our
humbling (as in regard to my self I much feave) should flesh them so by some
new emelties upon anie of om-s, how low wee may be laid both in their and
the eyes of our confederate Indians, and to how great daunger to us, yea possi-
blie our posterities, I leave to your graver thoughtB, if it be worth the consid-
eration ; only to my sballovraes it scemes considerable. 1st., whither it were
not Bafo pawsing to see what effect this will ob may worke upon such a de-
mand ; 2dly, whither not best to rest in certMue victorie and honor acquired
upon Bo small a losae ; 3dly, whither (if we caiTy away the greatest glory of
these poore barbarous people in our triumphs over them,) the loase of 3 nien
more (if we should not exceede) may not be paraleld w'" so mania hundreds
more oftheire; 4thly, whither wee must not be foi-ced at last (and it may be
in worse cireumstaucea) to take this course unlesse divine iustice will miracu-
lously shew it aelfe in bringing them all into om- net, vi^'' according to reason
is not likely; 5thly, whither the dreadfuluesof our maineBattaUios(asit were)
be [not?] better to be measured by their feai'es raised on this last, than to see,
say, or think^ that our former victorie was not so much by valor as accident,
w*'' wee ourselves doe aclinowledge providence ; 6tldy, whiflier if we refuse
to give or take such conditions now, they may not be likely to hold us to
.eeke tliem, and when they see us, (as they may) afraide in the like manner.
Much more, and to as little purpose, might be saide. But if you continue
yof resolutions to proceed according to former intentions you may please to
consider whither these botdes to bee used granado wise may not be of some
use i and whither (if the fort be so difficulte as it is reported into w"'' they
shall for their last refuge retire,] it were not [advisable ?] to prsps™ a petar or
. Tnua laying my low thoughts and my selfe at
r admitted as you see good, being glad to hope of
pose to see us in yo' way to Ipswich, w''' my ser-
rice to you and yours, Trest yet and ever.
Yours (if anie thing) to serve you, Jo : HoMPREr.
June 7th, 1637."
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1637. 169
[A fast was held in all the cliurolies, 20 JiJEe, on account of
the Indian war and antinomian disturbances, occasioned by Ana
Hutchinson, Among her advocates, were Gov. Vane and Rev.
Messrs. Cotton and Wheelwright; and among her opponents,
Grov. Winthrop and Bev, John Wilson.]
On the 23d of Juno, Gov, Winthrop visited Lynn, and was
escorted by the inhabitants tO' Salem. He returned on the
28th, traveling in the night, in consequenco of the heat, which
was 60 excessive that many persona died.
Graham says there were at this time but thirty-seven ploughs
in the colony, most of which were at Lynn.
, The members of the Quarterly Court, this year, were John
Humfrey and Edward Howo.
In a tax. of ^40^, the proportion of Lynn was £28.16.
The General Court ordered that nb person should make any
cakes or buns, " except for burials, rharriages, and such like
special occasions."
[The Court ordered that corn should be received as legal
tender, at five shillings the bushel.]
This year a large number of people removed from Lynn, and
commenced a new settlement at Sandwich. The grant of the
town was made on the 3d of April, by the colony of Plymouth.
" It is ordered, that these ten men of Saugua, namely, Edmund
I'reeman, Henry Feake, Thomas Dexter, Edward Dillingham,
William Wood, John Carman, Richard Chadwell, William Almy,
Thomas Tupper, and George Knott, shall have liberty to view
a place to sit down on, and have land sufficient for three score
families, upon the conditions propounded to them by the Gov-
ernor and Mr. Winslow." Thomas Dexter did not remove, but
the rest of the above named went, with forty-six other men
from Lynn.
The Rev. Thomas Cobbet arrived from England, on the 26th
of May, and was soon after installed in the ministry, as a col-
league with Mr. Whiting. The two ministers continued together
eighteen years. Mr. Whiting was styled pastor, and Mr. Cobbet
teacher.
This year the name of the town was changed from Sauous to
Lynn. The record of the General Court, on the 15th of No-
vember, consists of only four words :
" Saugust is CALLEn Lis."
This relates merely to the change of the name, the town having
been incorporated in 1630. [See page 134.] The name was
given in compliment to Mr. Whiting, who came from old Lynn,
m Norfolk county, England. [Mr. Lewis makes a slight mistake
in the first dato. The order changing the name of the town
was passed 20 November, corresponding with 30 November
of the present style. And in the word Lin the N has a line
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170 iNNALS OF LTNN — 1637.
ovor it, denoting tliat it should be' doubled. So the true spell-
ing was LiSN. But the orthography soon went through all
the mutations possible, in which the sound could be preserved,
and finally settled down on Lynn. Swampscot is just now
being teased in regard to the spelhng of her name ; some doub-
ling the final letter, others not. I believe the act of incorpora- _
tiou spells it with two t*; but I have followed Mr. Lewis, in
using but one, it seeming more simple and more in accordance
with thestyle of the Indian language from which the name conies.
Aa to the time when the town was incorporated, it is not certain
that he is entirely right on principle, when he claims that the
recognition of her representatives in the General Court was a
■constructive incorporation. If I mistake not Dane does not
.allow such a rule. Yet, it may be asked, if Lynn was not incor-
■porated in 1630, when was she ?]
Old Lynn, in England, was called Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn.
It was patronized by King John, who, in 1215, received great
service from that town in his war against France. " He granted
them a mayor, and gave them his own sword to be carried be-
fore him, with a silver gilt cup, which they have to tills day."
(Camden's Britannia.) The ancient Britons gave it the name
oi Lhyn, a word signifying a lake or sheet of water, Camden
Bays, it was " so named from its spreading waters." Speed, in
his Chronicles of England, calls the waters before the old town,
" the Washes of Linne." [Others affirm that the true name was
Len, from the Saxon word Un, a farm or tenure in fee ; though
the Saxons sometimes used the word to signify church lands. In
Doomsday Book, (1086,) it is called Lenne. It was about 1607
that it was called Bishop's Linne, it then belonging to the Bish-
op of Norwich. When the reventies of the bishopric came into
the hands of the king, those of Linne among tho rest, it began
to he called .Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn. And by that name
or simply as Lynn, it has been known to this day.]
An old British legend of 1360, asserts that the "Friar of
Linn," by magic art, went to the North Pole, and came to Ameri-
ca. There is a very beautiful ballad, of an early date, entitled
" The Heire of Linne." I have only room for two stanzas :
"Tho boDnie heire, tiie weel faured heii'e,
And tiie weary heire of Liune,
Yonder he stands at his father's gate,
And naebody bids him come in.
" Then he did spy a little wee loclt,
Aiid the key gied liukiiig in,
And he gat goud and money therein,
To pay the lands o' Linne."
[The first burial in the Old Burying Ground, at the west end
of the Common, so far as is certainly known, took place this year.
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ANSALS OP LYNN — 1638.
171
The remains interred were those of John Bancroft, the same
individual spoken of on page 118, as ancestor of George Ban-
croft the distinguished historian.]
A town meeting waa held this year, in which Daniel Howe,
Richard Walker, and Henry Collins, were chosen a committee
to divide the lands-; or, as it was expressed in the record, " To
lay out ffarmos." The land was laid out in those parts of the
town best adapted to cultivation; and the woodlands were
reserved as common property, and called the "town common,"
not heing divided until sixty-nine years after.
1638.
The committee appointed by the town to divide the lands,
completed their task, and a book was provided, in which the
names of the proprietors, with the number of acres allotted to
each, were recorded. That book is lost ; hut a copy of the first
three pages has been preserved in the files of the Quarterly
Court, at Salem, from which the following is transcribed. I
have taken the justifiable liberty, in this instance, to spell the
words correctly, and to supply a few omissions, which are in-
cluded in brackets. The word "ten," which is added to many
of the allotments, implies that a separate lot of ten acres was
granted. [The first allotment, it will be seen, was to Lord
Brook. And the Court, 13 March, 1639, empower Edward
Holyoke to manage the estate of his lordship, " vntill the Lord
Brooke do otherwise dispose of it.]
B given to the iiiLabitants of the tc
To the Right Honorable the Lord
Brook, S'OO acres, as it is esti-
niHtcd.
To Ml-. Thomas Willis, ujiland and
meadow, SOO acres, as it is esti-
mated.
Mr. Edward Holyoke, upland and
meadow, 500 acres, as it is esti-
mated.
Henry Collins, upland and meadow,
80 acres, and ten.
Mr. [Joseph] Floyd, upland and mea-
dow, 60 acres, and ten,
Edniimd and I^Vaucis lugalls, upland
and meadow, 120 acres.
Widow Bancroft, 100 acres.
Widow Hammond, 60 acres.
George BurriH, 200 acres.
John Wood, 100 acres.
Thomas Talmage, 200.
Nicholas Brown, 200.
William Cowdrey, 60.
ThoinEH Laighton, 60.
John Cooper, 200.
Allen Breed, 200.
John Pool, aOO.
Edward Howe, 200 and ten.
Thomas Sayi-e, 60.'
Job Sayre, 00.
Thomas Chadwell, 60.
William Walton, 60.
Christopher Foster, 60.
William Ballard, 60.
Jofeias Stanbury, 100.
Edmund Farriiigton^ 300.
Nicholas Potter, 60.
William Knight, 60.
Edward Tomlins, 20O, and twen^.
["Mr." ] South, 100.
Bonifece Birrton, 60,
John Smith, 60.
Mr. Edward HoweJl, 500.
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ANNALS OF LYSS-
To Nicholas Batter, 60.
Mr. [Richai-d
rock by his
Joseph Armitage, 60.
Godfrey Armitage, 60.
To Matthew West, upland and mea-
dow, 30, and ten.
George Farr, 30, aod ten.
James Boutwell, 60 acres.
Zachai7 Fitch, 30, and ten.
Jan-ert Spenser, 30 acres,
Jenkin £Nivis, 30, and ten.
GJeorge Tavlor, 30, and ten.
[Williaml Thorn, 30, and ten.
Thomas Townsend, 60.
Thomas Parker, 30, and ten.
Francis Lightfoot, 30, and teo.
Richard Johnson, 30, and ten.
Robert Pai'sons, 30, and ten.
Edward Bui-cbam, 30) 'and ten.
Anthony Newhall, 30.
Thomas Newhall, 30.
Thomas Marshall, 30, and ten.
Michael Spenser, 30.
Timotliy Tomlias, 80.
[William] Harcher, 30.
Richard Roolton, 60.
Thomas TIalsye, 100.
Samuel Bennett, 20.
John Eldorkin, 30.
Abraham Belknap, 40,
Robert Driver, 20.
Joseph Rediiap, 40.
[John] Deacon, 30.
Philip Kertland, senior,
To Philip Kertland, junior, 10.
[Goodman] Crosse, 10,
Hugh Burt, 60.
[Goodman] Wathin, 10.
Richai-d Bi-ooks, 10.
Francis Godson, 30.
George Welbye, .
William Partridge, upland, 10 a
Henry Gaiia, 40.
mchard Wells, 10.
[Joseph! PeU, 10.
John While, 20.
Edward Baker, 40.
James Axey, 40.
William Edmonds, 10,
Edward L'eson, 10.
Jeremy Howe, 30.
WilUam George, 20,
These three pages were taken out of the Town Book of the Records of
Lynn, the 10th 1 mo. Anno Domini, 59, 60, [March 10, 1660^1 by me,
AsDEBW Mahsfieu), Towu Recorder.
The "Lord Brook" to whom the grant of 800 acres waa
made, "was one of those patriots," says Ricraft, "who eo ar-
dently longed for liberty, that lie determined to seek it in
America." He was shot witTi a musket hail, through the visor
of his helmet, in the civil war of 1642, while storming the cathe-
dral of Litchfield, Sir Walter Scott alludes to this 8
Marmion.
"When fenalic Brook
The fair cathedral stormed and took:
But thanks to heaven and good St, Chad,
A guerdon meet the spoiler had."
Nathaniel Whiteridge, 10,
Gebrge Frail, 10.
Edmund Bridges, 10.
Richai-d I.ongley, 40.
Thomas Talmage, junior, 30.
Thomas Coldam, 60.
Adam Hawkee, upland, 100.
Thomas Dexter, 350.
Daniel Howe, upland and meadow, 60.
Richard Walker, upland and meadow,
200,
EphrauQ Howe, next to the land of his
father, upland, 10.
IThomas] Ivory, 10.
Timothy Cooper, 10,
Samuel Hutchinson, 10, by estimation,
Mr. Samuel Whiting, the pastor, 300.
Mr. Thomas Cobbet, the teacher, 200.
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ANHAL3 OF LTNS — 1638. 173
" He wag killed by a sliot fired from St. Chad's Cathedral, on
St. Chad's day, and received hia death wound in the very eye
with which he had said he hoped to see the ruin of all the
cathedrals in England."
[In the foregoing list of diatrihutees are a few whose names
appear nowhere else in Mr. Lewis's pages. Concerning some
of these I have been able to collect interesting facts. And of
some of the othera, a few matters, deemed worthy of note will
be added. They will be distinguished by italics.
[VFiUiam Walton. This was probably Rev. William Walton,
who, as Farmer says, was minister at Marblehead nearly thirty
years, though not ordained ; having gone there in 1639. He
could have been at Lynn but a short time, as nothing is found
of him here before 1635 or after 1638. He seems to have been
a man of enterprise and worth. And he was well educated,
having taken hia degreea at Emanuel college. We find him at
Hingham, in 1635; and he was admitted a freeman in 1636.
He became interested in the settlement of Manchester; and it
seema not improbable, went there, more or leas, every year, to
teach. The passage from Marblehead to Manchester, by water,
it will be observed, is short and safe. He died in September,
1668. Mather misnames him Waltham,
IM7: South. There is difQoulty in determining with certainty
who this individual was.' The "Mr." appears to have been
supplied by Mr. Lewis. It was a title of dignity, and more
charily used than " Esq." is at the present day. Perhaps be
bestowed it, in this case, on the supposition that because a hun-
dred acres were allotted, the recipient must have been more
eminent than th& " Goodmen," who received but ten. But
judgment founded on such a circumstance would be quite un-
safe, for the miserable Jenkin Davis received " 30 and teti."
There was a William South, who, at a Court of Assistants, 4 Sep-
tember, 1638, was " censured to bee severely whiped and kept
to the General! Courto. By whom he was banished, to retume
no more vpon paine of death." His offence is not stated. But
this seems to dispose of him, and confirm the belief that he could
not have been the Lynn settler. There ia among the Salem
Court files a will of Ann Crofts, of Lynn, wherein she speaks of
her father South. Now this Ann Crofts, or Crafts, as Mr, Lewis
haa the name, was grandmother of Hon. John Bnrrill, the shi-
ning legislative Hght, her first husband having been Thomas
Ivory, aud their daughter Lois having married John Burrill,
senior. Aud by recurring to the deposition of Clement Coldam,
on page 143, it will be found that there was a " mr. South " here
about the year 1650, for whom the deponent says he "kept
the key of the old aluce." But it will not profit to pursue
inquiriea respecting this rather mysterious individuah
0*
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174 ANSALS OP LYNN— 1638.
IMichard Sadler. Mr. Sadler, it appears, had granted to liira,
in addition to his 200 acres, "the rook by his house." And
this lofty porphyry cliff, which towers np near the junction of
Walnut and Holyoke streets, is still known as Sadler's Rock.
The view from it is extensive and beautiful, commanding the
whole compass of the great plain on which the city stands, with
the exception of a small portion of the northern and eastern
fringe, and almost the whole extent of the Bay, The stone
dwelling, erected near its base, in 1854, by the writer, stands a
few rods farther up the hill, -fhan the romantic nestling place
of Mr, Sadler's modest habitation. That our worthy predeces-
sor in this locality stood high in public estimation, is manifest,
from the responsible duties he was elected to perform. And
that he was a man of education seems evident from the fact that,
soon after his return to England he was ordained as a minister
at Whixall, in Shropshire. See pages 157 and '8.
IJoseph .Armita^e. Mr. Armitage, at the Ipswich Court, 26
March|'1661, then aged "about sixty years," under oath stated
as follows; "In this division of lands, I and my brother Godfrey
Armitage had given vnto vs about fourscore acres. I sold it
about twenty, and one years since for fifteene pounds in gold.
And that the Land in Lyn Village, the thirty and forty acre
lotts, are worth and sold for twenty shillings p"^ acre,"
[Jarrett Sp&naer. I think the baptismal name of this individ-
ual should be spelled Garrett. He was the person to whom the
" fforry at Linn" was granted in 1639. He came to Lynn in 1637,
and was admitted a freeman the same year. Sometime before
1660 he removed to Haddam, Ct., and was there a representa-
tive in 1674 and '5. He was the father of a numerous family.
About 1665 his daughter Hannah married Daniel Brainard, grand-
father of the celebrated missionary.
[Thomas Halsye. Mr. Halsye was one of the Long Island
aettlers who went from Lynn. Ho, remained many years at
Southampton, and was the richest man in the place. He had
much influence, and was active in establishing the Connecticut
jurisdiction. In 1664, he was a ^representative. In 1666', his
wife, or possibly the wife of his son Thomas, was murdered by a
drunken Indian. And that was the only Indian murder com-
mitted in the Southampton colony. The murderer was promptly
surrendered and executed.
[John Elderhin. Mr. Elderkin seems to have removed from
Lynn soon after these land allotments were made. He became
a sojourner in divers places. In 1651 he was at New London,
and there built the first church and the first mill. He finally
settled at Norwich, in 1664, and there likewise built the first
church and the first mill, and died 23 June, 1687. He had two
wives and several children. His widow died at the ma^ire age
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1638. 175
of 95, ill 1716, at Norwich. While at Lynn, Mr. Elderb'n owned
the mill which previously belonged to Mr. HoweU.
IBickard Brooks. This settler arrived in 1635, and was then
25 years of age. Ho came in the Susan and Ellen. ■ In 1650 he
went to Eastharapton, heing one of the first settlers there.
IFranois Godson, This individual was a laborer, or crafts-
man. On the Colony Records, 5 Aug. 1634, appears this entry :
" Pranncis Godson hath bound himaelfe ia xl. for his paonall
appearance att the Court to be holden in OctoV nexte to an-
swer for breach of an order of Court in takeing to greate wages,
&c." It will be remembered that the wages of mechanics and
laborers were rognlated by the Court,
{JRichard Wells. Mr. Wells removed to' Salisbury, where he
became a prominent citizen, and a deacon in the church. He
died 12 July, 1672.
[Jereni]/ Howe. This was a son of Edward Howe, and he
camo over with hia father, in the Tmelove, 1635. He removed
to New Haven, where he reared a family. Jeremiah Howe, one
of the first settlers of Wallingford, in 1670, was probably hia
eon, though at that time hut about 20 years old. He died in
1690.
\Richard Longlep. A singular dispute arose respecting this,
grantee, a William Longley, or Langley, claiming' that he was
the person intended. By the records, it appears that at the
Court held at Ipswich, 26 March, 1661, Andrew Mansfield, aged
" about thirty eight yoares," made affidavit that he had been an
inhabitant of Lynn, "aboute two or three and twentye yeares,"
and that William Longley came at the time he did, and "by
him selfe and familye" had remained an inhabitant, having
bought a house and land; that about 1649, this William Long-
ley, at a general town meeting, demanded that his portion of
land should be laid out, according to the town records; that
"the Eecords were vewed and therein was found 40 acores
granted to one Richard Longlye ; but his name being William,
and not Eichard, as alsoe sum asking the s^ Longlye whether
hee had p" for the Laying it out; he Answering that he had
not," the majority voted that it was not his. Mr. Mansfield
also testified that Longley had been called by the name of
La/ngley, and that he never knew an inhabitant of Lynn " called
Longlye or Langlye, but this William Longlye and his ffamilye,"
Clement Coldam and Hugh Burfc, at the same Court, gave simi-
lar testimony, Coldam declaring — "the s*" W. Longley did in
my hearing demand his proportion of land according to a former
grant, and this demand being at a generall Town Meeting, some
present answered that if he, the s" Longley, could prove Landeti
to be granted to him by the Towne, he might have it, or else
nott; gome present granting that there was land granted to
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176 ANNAL3 or LYNN — 1038.
Hicha/rd Laugley, but none to WiUiam Langley ; furtlier, this
deponent, being an Inhabitant of the Towne of Linn before
William iiongloy came into the e* Towne, and many years after,
affirme that the sayed Longley was for many years caled Langh,
and nott Longley, and is frequently so called vnto this day;
neither hath this deponent knowne any Inhabitant of Linn called
by the name of Langley or Longley but onely this WilSiam Long-
ley and hia ffamiley." On the question of laying out the land to
WiJliam Longley, however, the town voted in the negative.
But it is a little remarkable that at the " generall towne meet-
ing" at which his petition was considered, there sbonld not
have been numbers who really knew whether be was the person
intended in the distribution, which was made but twelve years
before. It is difficult to conclude that the town was deter-
mined to withold the land, right or wrong, or that the petitioner
was fraudulently endeavoring to gain it by boldly claiming what
he knew was intended for another. It seems, however, on the
whole, pretty well established^ though there remained room for"
doubt, that WiUiam was intended. Yet it must be added, that
there was a Eichard Longley in some part of Lynn, in 1636,
who had two sons, William and Jonathan. He may have left
town before the distribution and without the deponents' haying
any knowledge of him. In conclusion of the mysterious mat-
ter, it must be remarked that William Longley, the petitioner,
finally recovered a judgment, in the Court, for the land, or
forty pounds in money. And it was out of this affair that the
charge of perjury which John Hathome made against Andrew
Mansfield and William Longley, grew ; an accusation which, in
its turn, produced a jar between the legal and ecclesiastical
powers. See under dates 1662 and 1663. It was a small mat-
ter but it kindled a great fire.
[Thomas Talmage,jr. This is thought to be the same Lieut.
Talmage, of New Haven, who was killed in the savage attack
on Schenectady, 8 Feb., 1690, though he must then have been
ripe in years.]
■ Though the 8680 acres of land thus laid out among 100 fam-
ilies, comprised the best portion of the plantation, the people
thought they had not sufficient room, and petitioned the Court
for more. On the 13th of March, "Lynn was granted 6 milea
into the country ; and Mr Hawthorne and Leift. Davenport to
view and inform how the land beyond lyeth, whether it be fit
for another plantation or no." The land laid out by this order
was for many years called Lynn End, and now constitutes the
town of Lynnfield. The Court afterward very prudently or-
dered that the Governor and Assistants should "take care that
the Indiana have satisfaction for their right at Lynn."
The preceding winter was extremely severe, the snow eon-
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ANNALS OP LTKN— 1638. 177
tinuiiig from 16 November to 4 April,' and tlie spring was so
cold that the fanners were compelled to plant their com '■' two
or three times."
On the first of June, between the hours of three and four iri
the afternoon, there was an earthquake. It shook the whole
country vety heavily, making a noise hke tho rattling of coaches,
and continued about four minutes. The earthquake was very
great; people found it diiBcuit to stand, and furniture and
chimneys were thrown down. Other smaller shocks occurred
for several weeks after. [Thia appears to have been the first
earthquake noticed by the settlers. It seemed to proceed from
the northwest, and began with a noise resembling the roar of
distant thunder,
[The celebrated Military Company, which has continued in
existence to thia day, and is now known as the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery Company, was formed on the first of June.
Daniel Howe, of Lynn, was chosen lieutenant. And 'two other
Lynn men, Edward Tomlina and Nathaniel Turner, became
members at the same time. And from time to time during the
long period from that day to the present our townsmen have
been found in the ranks. The early settlers did not come for
purposes of conquest, and were accompanied by no military
force; the common means of defense, indeed, seem to have
been grudgingly supplied by the Directors, There were few
among the first immigrants, possessing skill in tho arts of war,
for they especially prided themselves on being followers of
the Prinae of Peace, It soon, however, became apparent, that
in retaining their foothold here, they would occasionally be
compelled to resor.t to carnal weapons ; that guns as well as
catechisms would be called in requisition; that whatever might
be the views of the govornmeut at home, or their own views,
on political doctrine or abstract questions of right, the natives,
in their rude conceptions of justice, would view them as intruders
or occupants at sufferance. And having the shrewdness to per-
ceive that with adequate preparation the battle would be half
won, they speedily set about perfecting some sort of military
organization. Train-bands, as they were called, were presently
formed in every considerable settlement, officered by the most
experienced and fearless. And these held themselves in readi-
ness to do their utmost for defense. But under a system so
inadhesive it was seen that much force must be wasted through
diversity of organization and mode of discipline. It was there-
fore thought advisable that a company should be formed at
Boston, embracing members from the various sections, which
should operate as a sort of regulator in military affairs, and a
school for instruction , in tactics. Action was soon taken; a
charter was obtained; and on tho first Monday of June, 1638,
12
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178 ANNALS OP LYHH— 1638.
the renowned Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company waa
formed.
[In the charter, it is called the " Military Company of the M^-
sachuaetts." But having soon obtained field pieces, it began
to be called the Artillery Company, or the Great Artillery, As
late as 1691, Cotton Mather, in hia election sermon, calls it the
Artillery Company. In 1708, however, Mr. Danforth, in the
title-page of his sermon, prefixes the word " Honorable." Fi-
nally, in 1738, Dr. Colman, who preached the centennial sermon,
gives the full title, "Honorable and Ancient Artillery Company."
The charter granted privileges to the Company, and it was fos-
tered with much solicitude. There were some, however, who
viewed the new inslitntion with distrust, fearing that it might
prove the germ of a power that would subvert or endanger the
liberties of the people. Indeed there was some difficulty in ob-
taining the charter, on the ground that several of the proposed
members were known adherents of Mrs. Hutchinsoo.
[At the organization, Robert Keayne, an eminent merchant
of Boston, was elected Captain. He was father of Benjamin
Keayne, who lived a short time at Lynn, and of whom some
particulars may be found under date 1645. Daniel Howe, as
before stated, was elected lieutenant. He was a Lynn man, and
an officer of the train-band here. Such was the beginning of
this famous military Company, and it yet continues in health-
ful existence. The elections are still made on the first Monday
of June. And the pleasant holiday of Artillery Election con-
tinues to be honored by a sermon, and a dinner. And tbe Gover-
nor dispenses the commissions from his seat on Boston Common.
[It is not now known whether the Company had a uniform at
the time of its organization. There is a tradition, however, that
they soon appeared in enormous white wigs. Dr. Colman, in
his centennial sermon, before alluded to, remarks, " The captains
awed their families and neighbors by their gravity and piety,
as well as frightened their enemies by their boldness and firm-
ness. The natives trembled when they saw them train, and old
as. well as young stood still and reverenced them as they passed
along iiJi martial order," Though they do not inspire precisely
such feelings, as they parade, at the present day, they yet re-
ceive marked attention. And may the venerable organization
flourish through centuries to come. A list of the members
from Lynn will appear among the tables at the close of the
volume.
[This year, some of the Pequot captives were sent to the
West Indies and sold for return cargoes of cotton, tobacco, and
negroes. And this was the beginning of negro slavery here.
Along in the next century large quantities of rum were shipped
from New England to the coast of Africa and exchanged for
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AHHALS OP LYKN — 1638. 179
negroes, some of whom were carried into the southern colonies
and others disposed of here. It is not easy to determine pre-
cisely what the real feelings of onr puritan ancestors were
regarding negro slavery. To judge from the occasional Court
orders, it would appear that for the most part it was entirely
discountenanced or existed oiily in a greatly modified form.
But from other sources are derived hints that it was favored, in
some of its most inhnman features. In 1641, the Court declare,
by a general act, that " There shall never be any bond slaverie,
villianago, or captivitie amongst us, unless it be lawfull captives
taken in just warres, and such strangers as willingly selle them-
selves or are sold to us. This exempts nono from servitude
who shall bo judged thereto by authoritie." This is very loose.
What is to prevent the existence of negro slavery, under the
clause "such strangers as selle themselves or are sold to us"?
And under the clause "lawfull captives taken in just warres,"
where stand the poor Indians? In 1701, the people of Boston
passed a vote, desiring their representatives to use exertions to
encourage the iu-coming of white servants and to put a period
to the enslaving of negroes. Judge Sowali writes, 22 June,
1716, " I essayed to prevent negroes and Indians being rated
with horses and cattle, but could not succeed." There were
4.489 slaves in Massachusetts, in 1754. It was not, in reality,
till 1783, that slavery came to an end in the state, though there
were some Court orders professedly aimed at its extinguish-
ment, at a much earlier date. The following appeared aa an
advertisement in the Boston News Letter, in August, 1742 : " A
negro woman to be sold by the printer of this paper; the very
best negro woman in town, — who has had the small-pox, and
the measles, — is as healthy as a horse, — as brisk as a bird, and
will work like a beaver."]
A settlement was this year begun at Hampton, in New Hamp-
shire, by Rev. Stephen Bachiler, Christopher Hussey, and four-
teen others, most of whom had been inhabitants of Lynn.
Many farmers pastured their cows in one drove, and watched
them alternately. When it came to Mr. John Gillow's turn, an
ill-minded man detained him in conversation till the cows strayed
into a field of corn, where two of them ate so much that they
became sick, and one of them died. It happened that these
two cows belonged to the man who had occasioned the mis-
chief, who complained of Mr. Gillow before the Court of Assist-
ants, at Boston, 7 September. As it was proved that the man
had boasted of having designed that the cattle should stray, the
case was decided in Mr. Gillow's favor.
On the sixth of September, Mr. John Humfrey sold to Eman-
uel Downing, of Salem, "the 2 ponds and so much high ground
about the ponds, as is needful to keep the Duck Coys, privately
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180 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1639.
Bet, from diBtnrbance of ploughmen, herdsmen, and others pass-
ing by that way, which he may encloBQ, so as to take not in
above fifty acres of tho upland round about the same." These
two ponds were probably Coy and Deep p^nds, near Forest
river, In the Registry, at Salem, where the above is recorded,
Mr. Humfrey is called of Salem ; but that is not a copy of the
original grant. In early time, the deeds were not recorded
literally, but only a sketch of them was entered by the clerk.
A common form of beginning deeds then was, " To all Christian
People." One deed is recorded, which commences thus —
" To all Christian People, Fishermen, and Indians."
1639.
Among those who promoted the settlement of New England,
were several of the name of Lewis. Some of them were in
the country at a very early period, but the name first appears
at Lynn, this year. I have copious memoirs of this family, from
which I shall make a fewbrief extracts, that I may not be like
the poet described by Leyden, who
" Saved other names, and left Lia owii unsuog."
When the whole country -was a wilderness, Thomas Lewis
came from Wales to establish a plantation. He made his first
visit to Saco, then called by the Indians, Saga-dahock, in 1628 ;
and on the 12th of February, 1629, received the following grant,
a copy of which was preserved in the archives of Massachusetta.
To all Christian People, 1o whom tiiis present writing indented shall come ;
The Council for the Affahs in New England ... in consideration that
Thomas Lewis, Gentleman, hath already hcen at the charge to transport him-
self and others to take a view of New England ... for the bettering of his
experience in the advancing of a Plantation, and doth now wholly intend by
God's HBsistance, to plant there, bolJi for the good of his Majesiy's realms and
for the propagation of the Christian Rehgion among those infidels; and in
consideration that tho said Thomas Lewis, together with Captain Richard
Bonython, and their associates have undertalien, at their own proper costs and
charges, to transport Fifty Persona thithor, within seven years . . . have given
all fbat part of the Maine Land, commonly called and known by the namo of
Saoadarock . . . containing in breadth, from northeast to southvreat, along
by tlie Sea, Four Miles in a straiglit line, accounting seventeen hundred and
three score yards, according to the standard of England, to every mile, and
Eight English Miles upon ^e Maine Land, upon the north side of the River
Sagadahock ... He and they yieiding and paying unto our Sovereign Lord,
e King, one fifth part of gold and silver, one other fifth part to the Council
This deed was signed by Edward Gorges ; and the Rev. Wil-
liam Biaxton, of Boston, was named attorney for the Council.
This grant included 32 sqtiare miles, and comprised the whole
of the town of Saco. Thomas Lewis died in 1640. Judith, his
eldest daughter and heiress, married James G-ibbins.
William Lewis was descended from a very r
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ANHALS OP LYNN— 1C39. 181
family in Wales. His descendants enjoy great satisfaction in
being able to trace their descent from a very high antiquity.
He came to Boston in 1636. In the year 1640, he and his wife
Amy are recorded by Rev, John Eliot, of_ Roxbury, as attend-
ants at his church. In 1653, he became one of the proprietors
of the pleasant inland town of Lancaster, on the Nashwa river,
and was the third person in regard to wealth among the settlers
of that town. He died 1 Doc. 1671. He had eight children;
1. John, born 1 Nov. 1635. 2. Christopher, b, 2 Dec. 1636.
3. Lydia, b. 25 Dec. 1 639. 4. Josiab, b. 28 July, 1641. 5. Isaac,
b. 14 April, 1644. 6. Mary, baptized 2 Aug. 1646. 7. Hannah,
baptized 18 March, 1648. 8. Mordecai, born IJune, 1650. His
son John returned to Boston, and built a houge on land which
his father had purchased of Governor Richard Bellingham.
[At this point Mr, Lewis gives his own lineage thus:
WiUiam Lewis, ofWales, and Amy his wife, had ciiildren, John,
Christopher^ Lydia, Josiah, ||IsaacS of Boston, Mary, Hannah,
Mordecai.
Isaac Lems^, of Boston, married Mary Davis, and had children,
Mary, |Isaac* of Boston, Joseph, John, Abraiham.
Isaac Lewis'^, of Boston married Hannah Hallett, and had chil-
dren, Isaac, John, Hannah, William, Abijiih, Mary, |[Nathan,
of Boston, Joseph.
NcAhan Lewis, of Boston, married Mary Newhall, and had chil-
dren, Lois, Nathan, John, Thomas, David, Henry, Benjamin,
llZachariah, of Lynn, Stephen^ William.
Zachariah Lewis, of Lynn, married Mary Hudson, and had chil-
dren, IIAlonzo, ofLynn, the historian, Irene, Mary, WiUiam.
[But since Mr. Lewis traced his pedigree additional facilities
for genealogical research have been secured, and many doubtful
points determined. It now seems quite clear that the first of
the two Isaacs named was not a son of William of Wales; and
that the following, is a correct pedigree :
[John Lewis, of Maiden, hy his second wife, Mary, daughter!
of Abraham Browne, of Watertown, had Isaac, who, by his wife
Mary Davis, had Isaac, of Rumney Marsh (Chelsea), who, by his
wife Hannah Hallett, had Natfmn, of Boston, who by hia wife
Mary Newhall, had Zachariah, of Lynn, who by his wife Mary-
Hudson, had Alonzo, the historian. "... it must be ob-
served," says Savage, in speaking of the first Isaac, "that this
Isaac is by Lewis, in History of Lynn, made son of William of
Roxbury [or Wales] ; and the historian asserts that his grand-
father Nathan was grandson of this person.. But court records,
as brought out in the invaluable History of Watertown, by Bond,
p. 125, show the contrary."]
Edmuhd Lewis -t— was one of the early proprietors of Water-
town, and was admitted a freeman, 25 May, 1636. On the 14th
F
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182 ANNAL9 OP LYNH — 1639.
of October, 1638, he was one of the committee appointed to lay
out the landa in that town. He came to Lynn in 1639, and waa
the first settler in Lewis street. He died in January, 1651.
The name of his wife was Mary, and his children were John,
Thomas, James and Jf'athaniel. His descendants remain.
George Lewis came from East Greenwich, in the county of
Kent, England. He waa at Plymouth, in 1633. He removed
to Scituate, and afterward to Barnstable. He married Sarah
Jenkins, in England, and had nine children, of whom Joseph
aad John were killed by the Indians, in the war of 1675. Dr.
Winslow Lewis, of Boston, descended from this family.
On the 14th of January there was an earthquake.
[There was an unusual drought in the early part of this year.
Scarcely any rain fell between 26 April and 4 June.]
Another grant of land was made to the town, by the General
Court, on the ninth of September. "The petition of the Inhab-
itants of Lynn, for a place for an inland plantation, at the head
of their bounds is granted them 4 miles square, as the place
wiilaffoard; upon condition that the petitioners shall, within
two years, make'some good proceeding in planting, so as it may
be a village, fit to contain a convenient number of inhabitants,
which may in dewe time have a church there ; and so as such
as shall remove to inhabit there, shall not withall keepo their
accommodations in Linn above 2 years after their removal to
the said villj^e, upon pain to forfeit their interest in one of
them at their election; excepti,this court shall' see fit cause to
dispense further with them." ■ The settlement thus begun was
called Lynn Village, and included Eeadiag, South Heading, and
North Beading, [The land was purchased of the Indians for
^10.16, and the deed signed in 1640, by Sagamore George, his
sister Abigail, and one or two others.]
Two other settlements were this year begun by people who
removed from Lynn ; one at Barnstable, and the other at Yar-
' mouth.
The General Court allowed the toTvn fifty pounds to build a
bridge over Saugua river, and fifty shillings annually t6 keep it
in repair. They' forbade the people to spread baas or codfish
■*upon their lands, as they had been accustomed to do, for the
enrichment of the soil. A tax of one thousand pounds was
laid, of which, the proportion of Lynn was ^£79.19.9. On the
third of December, the Court laid a fine often pounds upon the
town, for not maintaining a watch against the Indians.
The following order, passed by the General Court for the
regulation of women's dresses, will be interesting to my lady
readers. "No garment shall be made with short sleeves; and
such as have garments already made with short sleeves, shall
not wear the same, unless they cover the arm to the wrist j and
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AKNAL3 OP LYNN — 1640. 183
hereafter no person ivhatever ahall make auy garment for women
with sleeves -more than half an ell wide ; " that is, twenty-two
and a half inches. Our early legislators were anxious to keep
thfl minds, as well as the persons, of their women "in good
shape." It seems that in 1637, the ladies of Boston were accus-
tomed to meet for social improvement; on which Governor
Winthrop remarks, "That though women might meet, some
few together, to pray and edify one another, yet such a set
assembly, where sixty or more did meet every week, and one
woman in a prophetical way, by resolving' questions of doctrine,
and expounding scripture, took upon her the whoie exercise,
was agreed to be disorderly, and without rule." [The alarm
of the Governor at the power and success of Mrs. Hutchinson
is conspicuous. If women had been allowed greater sway than
they were, in those early times, some things might have been
better managed. One cause of the harsh tone of the whole
economy of the period is to be looked for in the restricted
influence of the gentler sex.] What tvould they have thought
in these later times, when women write books, and supply our
pulpits. It might have been well for human welfare, if our
legislators had always been as harmlessly employed, as whan
they were cutting out dresses for the ladies.
[John Oliver, Robert Keayne, and Richard Sadler, were ap-
pointed to run the bounds between Boston and Lynn.
[At the same Court, Lynn was fined 10s. for '"their bad
wayes," and admonished to mend them by the next Court-
There issomething a little equivocal in this; but highways are
probably intended. At the December Court, she was fined 5s.
for want of scaled weights, and 5a. for not giving in a transcript
of her lands.
[This year, the Court granted to Garrett Spenser, "the
fi'erry at Linn, for two yeares, taking 2'' for a single person to
the furthest place, and hut a 1^ a person for more, to the fur-
thest place, and but a 1^ for a single person to the nearest place."
This ferrj^, was, without doubt, from Needham's Lauding, be-
tween Chase's mill, and the Turnpike, in Lynn, to Ballard's
Landing, in East Saugus, and was a great convenience.]
1640.
Many new inhabitants appear at Lynn about this time. The
great tide of immigration ceased in 1641, and after that time
not many came over.
Samuel Abobne — was a fermer^ and resided at first on the
Common. He afterward removed to Lynnfield, where his de-
scendants r-emain.
Hugh Alley — was a farmer, and lived at the south end
of Market street. He had a son Hugh, who married Itebecoa
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184 ANNALS OP LTMN — 1640.
Hood, 9 Dec. 1681, and had seven children. Solomon, born 11
Oct. 1682; Jacob, b. 28 Jan. 1683; Eleazer, b. 1 Nov. 1686;
Hannah, b. 16 Aug. 1689; Richard, b. 31 July, 1691 ; Joseph,
b. 22 June, 1693 ; Benjamin, b. 24 Feb. 1695. [The first-named
Hugh came ovor in 1635, at the age of 27, and had sons, John,
born 30 Nov. 1646; Hugh, b. 15 May, 1653; Solomon, h. 2
Aug. 1656; Jacob, b. 5 Sept. 1663 — and daughters, Marj', b.
6 Jan. 1642 ; Martha, b. 31 July,. 1649 ; Sarah, b. 15 April, 1651 ;
Hannah, b. 1 June 1661. He died, 25 Jan. 1674. His son Sol-
omon, at the age of nineteen, was/killed at Bloody Brook,
1675, having been one of the "flower -of Essex," under La-
throp.]
John Alley — was a farmer, lived in Market street, and had
five children. John, born in January, 1675 ; Hannah, b. 22
Jan. 1679 ; Rebecca, b. 28 May, 1683 : Hugh, b. 15 Feb. 1685 ;
Wilham, b. 14 July, 168-. The descendants of Hugh and John
Alley are very numerous.
Thomas Bancroft (Lieut.) — was a son of widow Bancroft,
and had two children; Ebenezer, horn 26 April, 1667; Mary,
b. 16 May, 1670. He died 12 March, 1705. His wife Elizabeth
died 1 May, 1711. His descendants remain.
William Babsett — was a farmer, and died 31 March, 1703.
He had two sons; William, who married Sarah Hood, 25 Oct.
1675; and EHsha, whose wife's name was Elizabeth. His de-
scendants remain. [He lived on N-ahant street, on land which is
still (1863) in possession of his descendants. He married Sarah,
daughter of Hugh Burt, who died in 1661. He was an ensign
in the company of Capt. Gardner, of Salem, in the Indian war,
and was at the "swamp fight." For his services, the General
Court made him a grant of land. Capt. William Bassett, sup-
posed to be the same individual, was one of a council of war,
with Major Benjamin Church, at Scarborough, Me. 11 Nov. 1689.
His name often appears in the oldest town records of Lynn,
where, in 1691, be is called Quartermaster Bassett. He died
31 March, 1703. His son Wilham, who married Sarah Hood, as
stated above, by Mr. Lewis, succeeded to the estate. This Sa-
rah was the same person spoken of under date 1692, as having
been imprisoned for witchcraft. He also had a daughter Elizar
beth, who married John Proctor, of Danvers, who was executed
for witchcraft. She was condemned, but pardoned. She had a
second husband, named Richards, His children, besides those
named, were Sarah, who married Thomas Elwell, of Gloucester,
in 1675, and in 1701 lived in Salem county, N. J. ; Rebecca j
John, bom in 1653 ; Miriam, b. 1655 ; Mary, h. 1657, who was
also imprisoned for witchcraft, in 1692; Hannah, br 1660, who
married John Lilley, of Woburn; Samuel, b. 1664; and Rachel,
b. 1666, who married Ephraim Silsbee. And this is, perhaps, as
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AKNALS OP LYNN — 1640. 185
convenient an opportunity as any that will occur, to follow the
line down to tlie present time.
(2) William Bassett, son of Willjam the first Ba^ett here, marnod Sai-ah
Hood, 25 Oct. 1675, and liad children, Sni-ah, bom 167G, who mamed
Joseph GriiBn, for her first husband, and a Newbold for her second ; | Wil-
liam, b. 1678, who married Rebecca Berry, in 1703. His father's lands
were divided between him and his brother John ; Mary, b. 1680, who mar-
liedaHill; John, b. 1683, who married Abigail Berry, of Boston; Haunal],
b. 1685, who married John Estes, of Snlem ; Ruth, h. 1689, who married
Abraham Allen, of Marblehead ; Joseph, b. 1692, lost at sea ; Deliverance,
b. 1695, who, in 1719, manied Samuel Breed j Abigail, who, in 1728, mar-
ried Samuel Alley.
(3) William Basaett, son of (2)Wi]liam, had children, Rebecca, born
1709 ; Miriam, b. 1712, who, iii 1733, manied David Northey, of Salem ;
njoseph, b. 1715, who inherited his fiither's lands, and married Eunice
Hacker; Elizabeth, who in 1729, married Benjamin Hood.
(4) Joseph Bassett, son of (3)WiUiam, had children, WOliam, born 1738,
who died young; ||Iaaac, b. 1741, who, in 1769, married Maiy, daughter
of Joshua Collins, was a former and shoemaker, and inherited one half
of the lands of his father, and died in 1820; Nehemiah, b. 1749, who
married Abigail Fern ; Rebecca, b. 1754, who married James Breed ; 8a-
mh, b. 1757, who manied Abraham Breed ; Eunice, b. 1759 ; Hannah, b.
1763, who maiTied William Breed, of NahanL
(5) Isaac Bassett, sou of (4) Joseph, bad children, Elizabetli; William,
who died young; Eunice ; William, ogtun, who also died young; yisaac,
who married Ruth Breed ; Eunice, again, who, maniedEzra Collins; Han-
nah, who married Samuel NeaL
(6) Isaac Bassett, son of (5)Isaac, who b now (1863) at the mature age
of 83, residing in Nahant street, on the site occupied by his forefathers,
has long held position as a citizen of ener^, enteiprise, and wealth. His
son WQlkuu is cashier of Lynn Mechanics Bank. And Williojn'a son
William is cashier of the Bank of the Republic, at Boston.]
KOBEET Bridges —^ was admitted a freeman, 2 June, 1641. In
the same year he was a member of the Ancient Artillery Com-
pany and. a captain in the militia. He had a large share in tho
Iron Worlis. In 1644, he was chosen representative, and ap-
pointed a member of the Quarterly Court at Salem. In 1646,
he was Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the next
year became an Assistant, in which office he continued until his
death, in 1656.
William Clark — a farmer, died 5 March, 1C83. His chil-
dren were Hannah, John, Lydia, Sarah, Mary, and Elizabeth.
His descendants remain,
JOHH DiVBN — died 4 Oct. 1684. He had a son John.
Thomas Farear — was a farmer, and lived in Nahant street.
He died 23 Feb. 1694. His wife Elizabeth, died 8 Jan. 1680.
[And he married his second wife, Abigail Collins, 3 March, 1681.]
He had one son, Thomas, who married Elizabeth Hood, 6 Dec.
1682, and had four daughters; Hannah, Sarah, Susanna, and
Elizabeth. [He also had Peleg, and Mehitabel, twins, born 6
Oct. 1660, who died young. Susanna married Joseph Newhall,
son of the Thomas who wus the first white child born in Lynn,
P*
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186 AHNALa OF LYNN — 1640.
This Joseph settled in Lynnfield, and had eleven children ;
among them Samuel, who was adopted by his uocle Thomas
Farrar, who was a farmer and lived on Xahant street. Thomas
Farrar, the elder, was familiarly called " old Pharaoh," and was
one of those accused of witchcraft, in 1692.]
JoHS Fuller — came from England, with his brother Samuel,
in 1630, and when they arrived in Boston, " only seven huts
were erected." After residing there several years, Samuel
went to Scituate, and John, in 1644, came to Lynn, EBid settled
at the western end of Waterhill street. He was chosen repre-
sentative in 1655, and clerk of the writs, in 1662. He died 29
June, 1666. The name of his wife was Elizabeth, and he had
■five children — Lieut. John Fuller, who married Elizabeth Far-
rington, and died 24 April, 1695; William; Susanna; Elizabeth;
James. Several of his descendants have borne respectable offi-
ces, and some of them remain.
John Gillow — died in 1673. The name of his wife was
Eose, He had two sons, Benjamin and Thomas.
Zaccheus Gould — owned, at one time, the mills on Saugus
river. He had a son Daniel.
Nathaniel Hathornb — had two children ; Ebcnezer, who
married Esther Witt, 26 Dec. 1683, and Nathaniel.
EiCHAKD Haven — was a farmer, and lived near the Flax
pond. [He was " 40 odd" years old in 1666.] His wife Su-
sanna, [a daughter of Thomas NewhaU, senior,] died 7 Feb. 1682.
His children were Hannah, born 1645; JIary; Joseph; Edchard;
Susanna; Sarah; John; Martha; Samuel; Jonathan; Nathan-
iel; Moses. S6^*>''^1 of his sons were among the first settlers
of Framingham. [A great family gathering of the descendants
of this Lynn settler was had in Framingham, a number of years
since, at which some fifteen hundred were present. Many emi-
nent persons appear in the family line. B. 0. Haven; LL. D.
president of the Michigan State University, recently informed
ine that he is^ lineal descendant.]
Joseph Holloway — died 29 November, 1693. Ho had a
eon Joseph, whose wife's name was Mary, and who had four
children — Mary, born 16 April, 1675; Samuel, b. 2 Nov. 1677;
Edward, b. I Feb. 1G83-; John, b. 11 Oct. 1686. His descend-
ants remain, and spell their name Hallowell.
E.ICHAED Hood — came from Lynn, in England, He lived in
Nahant street, and died 12 Sept. 1695. He had three sons;
Richard, born 1670; Joseph, b. 8 July, 1674; Benjamin, b. 3
Jan. 1677. His descendants remain. In those early days, a
young man, who was inclined to indulge in the laudable custom
of courting, wont to visit a young lady of this family named
Agnes. As he was returning, late one evening, he was over-
heard saying to himself — "Well, so far proceeded towards
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AKNALS OF LYNN — 1640. 187
courting Agnes." This phrase became connnon, and iias been
introduced into an English comedy.
Egbert Howard — had a son Edward, whose wife was named
Martha, and who had two children ; Amos, born 16 April, 1696 ;
Jane, b. 4 March, 1699. His descendants remain.
Edward Ieeson — died 4 Dec. 1675. His son Benjamin mar-
ried Mary Leach, 1 Aug. 1680, and had a son Edward, born 9
April, 1681.
Thomas Keyser — was mate of a vessel which sailed from Bos-
ton. Governor Winthrop tells a story of one of his men, who
■was whipped for stealing a gold ring, and some other articles
from him at Portsmouth. [He sailed for' Guinea, to traffic in
slaves. And James Smith, a church member, of Boston, joined
with him.]
Andrew Mansfield — came from Exeter, in England, to Bos-
ton, in 1636. He came to Lynn, in 1640. He was a farmer,
and lived in Boston street. The neighborhood in which he
lived was called Mansfield's End. He was town clerk in 1660,
and died in 1692, aged 94. Ho had a eon Andrew, who was
representative in 1680, and who married Elizabeth Conant, 10
Jan. 1681. His descendants remain.
JoHS Mansfield — was a tailor. He was a freeman, 1643;
died in 1671, aged 52.
Lady Deborah Moody — came to Lynn, in 1640. I'ive years
before, she went from one of the remote counties in England, to
London, where she remained in opposition to a statute, which
enjoined that no person should reside, beyond a limited time,
from their own homes. On the 21st of April, the court of the
star-chamber ordered, that "Dame Deborah Moodie, and the
others, should return to their hereditaments in forty days, in
the good example necessary to the poorer class," On the 5th
of April, 1640, soon after her arrival at Lynn, she united with
the church at Salem, On the 13th of May, the General Court
granted her 40O acres of land, [" where it may not hinder a plan-
tation nor any former grant."] In 1641, she purchased Mr. John
HumfVey's farm, " called Swampscot," for which she paid ^1.100.
Lechford, in 1641, says, " Lady Moody lives at Lynn, but is of
Salem church. She is, good lady, almost undone, by buying
Master Humphrie's farm, Swampscot." [See p. 201.] Afterward
she bocamo imbued with the erroneous idea that the baptism of
infants was a sinful ordinance; for which, and other opinions,
she was excommunicated. In 1643, she removed to Long Island.
Governor Winthrop says, "the Lady Moodye, a wise, and an-
ciently religious woman, being taken with the error of denying
baptism to infants, was dealt with by many of the elders and
others, and admonished by the church of Salem, whereof she
was a member ; but persisting still, and to avoid further trouble,
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188 ANNALS OF LTKN — 1640.
she removed to the Dutch, against the advice of all ber friends.
After her arrival at Long Island, she experienced much trouble
from the Indians, ber bouse being assaulted by them many
times. Her wealth enabled her to render assistance to Gov.
Stuyvesant, of New York, in some difficulties which be encoun-
tered in 1654 ; and so great was her influence with him, that he
conceded the nomination of the magistrates that year to her.
She was of a noble family, and bad a son, Sir Henry Moody.
With the exception of her troubling the church with ber reli-
gious opinions, she appears to have been a lady of great worth.
[But was it not rather that the church troubled her and itself
about her religious opinions?
[Edmund Nbedham. — came in 1639. He was one of the
Long Island grantees, but does not appear to have gone with
the settlers. He died at Lynn, in 16TJ, For something relating
to hia descendants, see notices of Daniel and Ezekiel Needham,
under date 1650. Hia will may be found in the Salem Court
files. It is a quaint and curious document. He was a man , of
property, and one evidently occupying no mean position in his
own estimation. Several matters appear in the will which
would be more appropriate in some other form of writing, and
throughout, his piety is more conspicuous than hia modesty.
He was connected with the Harts and the Manafields, and did
not forget them in the distribution of his e ffe c t Br"'"He"h ad sona
Daniel and Ezekiel, and several daughters, by whom he became
connected as above and likewise with the Armitages. Some
passages from the will are here given — enough to illustrate
certain habits of thought and peculiarities of the testator, to
give an idea of the amount and character of a very fair estate
for that time, and to show something of his family connections.
The will and Last Testament of Edmunii Needhom of Lyu in Nu England,
l>eiDg, blessed bo God, in hia perfect liiiowledge, memory, and understanding,
flio otherwise ill in Body, mak y^ writin by mm on [mine owrij liand and ac-
cording to min on mincf to my children and grandchildren as follows, and
First, I humbly Desire my only trae God, maker and creator of heaven,
y earth, the sea, and al! that is therein, (gy Exodus 20, 11 ; Psalms 95, 3, 4,
5, and 146, 5, 6 ; Jonah 1, 9,.£0 ) and me his most poor and unworthy crea-
ture amungst y^ Rest and to resone my poor and unworthy soull of bis moor
JUT and only free Grace and fove for y^ sake of his only and well beloved son
esus Christ sake alone, excluding all things of min on cai'uaU or corrupte
natur in or of myself, in any nahu- or means in all or in part to my Justifica-
tion but to Jesus Christ alon, my only and alon mediator, advocat and inter-
cessor at ys throne of grnse and alon propisiation for all my simiea. 1st
John 3, 3.
Next, I desiar and impower my son Ezekiel Ncedham, my true and lawful!
executor (o this my last will and Tesiiment, to se my body desently and Chris-
tianly hurried as near my old wife, being his own mother, as may he.
Next, I give to my son Dunjell Needham
Next, I give to my sun Ezekiell Needham
Next, I give to my dafier, Hannah Dinen, and her two children, ....
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AHSAL8 OP LTHH — 1640. 189
Next, I give unto my son-in-Lawe Samuell Harts chUdreti, ....
Next, I give to my soii-iii-kw Joseph Mauafields cbildren, ....
And fiarther this I ad as a codasell or breefe inventory to this my last will
and testament, that my sun Ezekiell Needham, my LowfuU Executor, shall
not be put to any oath or oathes at any court or any manner or intent what
soever; therefor I have set this accorifing » min own valuation of my holl
estate, and if this will not save him from any oath in court he shall sally Bwer
that y' is all my holl estate, 1 having firmly given him as his own propar estate
as if it had never bin min, bo soon as ever y^ hreat is out of my body, and I
quite dead, all ye rest ; I well knowing y' he canot give any just othat w'h out
wronging his consience, as 1 only know how my estate lieth and this min on
valuation or inventory as following : Fii'st,_all my housing, barn and outhousing,
and all my lands, w'h ell the range of ston wall fensing, £400 0 Od ; two holl
peses of bales one red and y» other of j* collar of a chesnut on or to [one or
two] and forty yards apease at ye lest, £12 00 00 ; on holl peese of red penis-
tou on or to and forlie yards long at y' lest, £6 00 ; 3 parsells of Canvis now
about on hundi-ed yaixla, and other parsells of linin cloth and Calico, £10 00 00 ;
my silver watch and silver box and other silver cupes and spoones and othar
plate, £15 00 00 ; My clock y^ stiiks, and another wach and larum that dus
not strik £5 00 OOd ; sum putar, sum old and sum new, £3 00 OOd ; sum par-
sells of Garsies and sum parsells of serges, and my wearing clothes, £26 00 OOd ;
sum pots and kettles and tramels and clothes and bedsteed, £7 00 00 ; beds and
beding, £7 00 00 ; Debts in old Ecgland in suffisleui Bonds and most in Abell
Mores hands as the company of y" mai-chant adventui-ei-s and another like it
as a great rith citizen, fit tor an Alderman of London, tho they do what they
can to deseve us, y' is to say, my brothers and sisters to whom they o us about
three thousand pounds, £600.
£ B.A.
400 0 0
13 0 0
06 0 0
10 0 0
15 0 0
5 0 0
ao 0
36 0 0
and one horse y' was forgot,
and 4 cows and two young bullock, foi'got allso, .
and 30 sbeepe, forgot allso.
o he added to this inventory, £27
o all mth this addition is £1117
This addition was made before it was signed or sealed or confirmed by the
[The above cortainly indicates that Mr. Needham occupied a
very respectable position. And the chirography shows tliat he
was by no means unskilled in the use of the pen. There are
some interlineations, and the will closes thus: "all thes inter-
lines were dun by me before it was signed or sealed, and y' this
ia the last will and testament of me, Edmood Needham, in lin, the
Lin in New England."]
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190 ANNAL3 OF LTNN— 1640.
Robert Rand — was a fermer, at Woodend. He died 8 Nov,
1694. His wife Elizabeth, died 29 Aug. 1693. His children
were Robert, Zachary, Elizabeth, and Mary, and Ms descendants
remain.
Hekby Rhodes — was a farmer, and lived on the western side
of Saugus river. He was born in 1608, and had three sons,
Jonathan, who died 7 April, 1677; Henry; Josiah. Their de-
scendants remain.
John Tabbox — had two sons; John; and Samuel, who mar-
ried Rebecca Arraitage, 14 Nov, 1665, and had eighteen children.
Samuel died 12 Sept. 1715, aged 93. His descendants remain.
[In his wilJ, dated 25 Nov, 1673, he says, "I bequeath unto
every one of my sonn John Tarbpx his children and my son,
Samuel's children, one ewe sheep a peece." See under date
1649, for what befel hia daughter. See also under date 16,74.]'
Shubael Walker, (Capt.) — was buried 24 Jan. 1689. He
lived at the Swampscot fiirms.
Thomas Welman — died in 1672. His children were Abigail,
Isaac, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary.
John Witt — died in December, 1675. His children were
Ann, EHzabeth, Sarah, Mary, Martha, John, who married Eliza-
beth Baker, 14 Jan. 1676, and Thomas who married Bethia
Potter, 26 Feb, 1675. [John was great-grandfather of Thomas
Witt, now living on North Common street, at the ripe age of
86 — a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence and con-
stitutional vigor, and one who can number a large and respecta-
ble circle of descendants. He was a son of Benjamin Witt,, who
was born in 1739 — which Benjamin was a son of Thomas, bom
in 1696 — which Thomas was a son of the before-named John,
who married Elizabeth Baker. Some of the family, in other
places, write the name DeWitt, as was the case with a late
secretary of the commonwealth; and tbey adopt that orthog-
raphy, it is understood, on the supposition that they are de-
scended from the DeWitts of Holland, or from a Huguenot.]
Other inhabitants were: Andeew Allen, Theophilits Baylbt,
who died in 1694, Hugh Churchman, who died in 1644, John
Cole, Wentworth Daniels, Daniel Fairfield, John Faerikg-
TON, Henhy Fitch, Thomas Gaines, Tobias Haskell, Joseph
Howe, James Hubbard, William Hubbard, William Knight,
Michael Lambard, Robert Mansfield, Thomas Mansfield, Mi-
chael Milner:, who "veiit 'to -IJong Island in 16i()', liJCHARD
Mower, Abraham Ottley, Adam Ottlby, Edward Paine, Quen-
TiN Fray, Richard Pray, Thojjas Purchis, [spoken of under date
1678,] Thomas Putnam, Hugh Stagey, John Stacey, George
Taylor, William Taylor, John Tilton, William Tilton, Dan-
iel Trumbull, Nathaniel Tyler, William Wells, Jonathan
Witt,
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ANNALS OF LTNS — 1640. 191
[Something may be added regarding a few of the individuals
named in this list. Those under notice will be distinguished
by Hcdics.
[Andrew Allen — married Faith, a daughter of Edmund In-
galle. He removed to AndoTer, and there died,, in 1690. There
was also a George Allen here, who came in 1636, and soon after
removed to Sandwich. His houae, built in l,6i6. Savage re-
marks, (1.860), is saidto be still in good repair, and occupied.
[Sugh Churchman, Of this individual little is known. He
was, no doubt, the same person alluded to in the presentation
to the Salem Court, 27 May, 1643 : " Wee present oume Church-
man for liveing 7 or 8 yeares without his wife ; and for haveing
the wife of Hugh Burt locked with him alone in his house. Wit^
ness, Joseph fflood,Jarrard Spenser^" Andagaint "Ould Church-
man for living 7 or 8 yeares without his wyfF, unless he bring
unto M' Endecot, our dep'y Gov^ a certiflcat f* M' Dumer, y' he
hath used meanes for his wyfs comeing, and then he is discharg-
ed." Churchman le^ a will, vfhich was probated in 1644. Hugh
Burt and Robert Driver were appraisers. The amount of his
estate was ^£24.9. 11".
[Danid Fairfield, was the abandoned fellow, who, with Jen-
kin Davis and John Hudson, so abused the little daughters of
Mr, Humfrey. He was sentenced to a severe, though well-
rOerited punishment, He was ordered, on the fourteenth of
June, 1642, to be whipped, have his nostrils slit and seared, and
be "confined to Boston neck, so as if bee bee found at any
time dureing his life to go out of Boston neck, that is, beyond
the rayles towards Roxberry, or beyond the low water marke
hee shaibee put to death upon due conviction thereof; and hee
is also to weare a hempen roape about his neck, the end of it
banging out two foote at least, and so often as he shaibee found
abroad w^out it, hee shaibee whiped . , . and hee is to pay
M' Humfrey forty pounds," A year or two after, however, he
was "alowed to go to work w^'in any part of Boston iymits,
both in the ilands and elsewhero, and also at Roxberry, so as
hee go not above five miles from Boston meeting house." And
by the Court, 2 May, 1649, on the petition of Elizabeth, his wife,
leave was granted for "her husband, shoe and their children,
to depart out of this iurisdiction unto such other parts of the
world as it shall please God to dispose ; pvided that her husband
shall be under his former censure if hee returne hith" againe."
But they do not appear to have availed themselves of this lib-
erty to depart; or if they did, they must have soon returned,
for on 27 May, 1652, the Court, on another petition of the wife,
give him leave to "lay the rope aside." Finally, 14 Oct, 1656,
the Court granted him liberty "to gee in one of theiro shipps,
to England, as he desires." He had lived in Lynn but a short
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192 ASHALa OF LTMN — 1640.
time, when he committed the abominable oiience. See Colony
Records, vol. ii. ; also notice of Jeokin Davis, under date 1635.
The John Hudson alluded to ae a partner in guilt with Fairfield
and Davis, is mentioned by "Winthrop as an unworthy servant
of Mr, Humfrey.
[Naihaniel Tyler, does not seem to have remained in Lynn
many years after this date. By a record on page 20 of the first
book of the Essex Registry, it appears that he and his wife Jane
sold "unto Philip Kirtland, shoemaker," all their "lands and
houses, with their appurtenances, in Lynn," by deed dated 1
Oct., 1650. And on the 16th of the same month, he made a
will, dated at Boston, being then about to embark on board the
ship New England Merchant, "and because our lives are fide
and mortall, and dangers at sea are many." In this will he men-
tions bis wife Jane, his son Joseph, and his sister Jane Sanford,
wife of Edward Sanford, living in London.
[ William Wells is thought to be the person who was " enjoyn-
ed in 10?." by the Court, 7 Sept., 1641, to answer "for oppres-
sion." But little concerning him can be gathered. He seems
to have been one of the Long Island settlers.
[Jonathan Witt, may have been of the family of John Witt who
was under notice a few paragraphs back, and the one who mar-
ried Mary Dinan, 23 March, 1663. He had one child, Esther,
born 5 Feb., 1665. And he died during the latter year. OHver
Purchis was one of the appraisers of his estate, which was
email.]
In the short space of ten years from its settlement, wo have
seen six other towns deriving their origin from Lynn ; yet the
place continued to abound with inhabitants, and this year beheld
the commencement of the seventh. About forty famihes, "find-
ing themselves straightened," left the town with the design of
settling a new plantation. They invited Mr. Abraham Pierson,
of Boston, to become their minister, who, with seven of the emi-
grants, entered into a church covenant, before they left Lynn.
[Hugh Peters was present at the formation of the church.]
They sailed in a vessel commanded by Capt. Daniel Howe, to
Scout's Bay, in. the western part of Long Island, where they
purchased land of Mr. James Forrett, agent of Lord Stirling, and
agreed with the Indiana for their right. On receiving informa-
tion of this, the Dutch laid claim to that part of the island, on-
account, of a previous purchase of the Indians, and aenfmen to
take possession, who set up the arms of the Prince of Orange
on a tree. The Lynn people, disregarding the claims of the
Dutch, cut down the trees and began to build, Capt. Howe,
likewise took down the Prince's arms, and instead thereof an
Indian drew a very "undbandsome face." This conduct highly
incensed the Dutch governor, William Kieft, whom Mr. Irving,
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ASNAL8 OF LTNN — 1640. 193
in one of his humorous worka, has characterized by the appella-
tiou of " WiUiam the Testy," but whom Mr. Hubbard denomi-
nates " a discreet man," who, on the 13th of May, sent Cornehtis
Van Ten Hoven, the secretary, the under-sheriff, a sergeant, and
twenty-five soldiers, to break up the settlement. They found
eight men, with a woman and an infant, who had erected one
cottage, and were engaged in building another. They took six
of the men, whose names were John Farrington, William Har-
cher, Philip Kertland, Nathaniel KertJand, Job Sayre, and George
Wells, and brought them before the governor. These he exam-
ined on oath, and then put them in prison, where they remained
while he wrote a Latin letter to the governor of Massachusetts.
To this Mr. Winthrop replied, in the same language, that he
would neither maintain the" Lynn people in an unjust actiou, nor
suffer them to he injured. On the reception of this reply, the
Dutch governor liberated the men, after they had signed an
agreement to leave the place. They accordingly removed more
than eighty miles, to the eastern part of the island, where they
purchased land of the Indians, and planted a town, which, in
remembrance of the place from which they sailed, in England,
they called Southampton.
[It was evidently expected, from the character of many of
those engaged in the Long Island enterprise, and from their
stipulations, that the settlement should be one of importance,
and not an inconsiderable and straitened little community. The
agreement with Captain Howe required that the vessel should
be " reddy at the Towne of Lynne to transport such goods as
the aforesaid undertakers shall appoint ; that is to say, three
tymes in the yeare." And they furthermore "thought good to
express the tymes, viz : the first monetb, the fourth moneth, and
the eighth moneth " — March, Juno, and October. A few of the
general stipulations will be here given, for the purpose of illus-
trating their ideas of the formation Und government of a new
plantation. From some of the points, it might be imagined
that they fancied themselves founding an independent common-
wealth,
"Furthermore, because delaying to lay out the bounds of towiies and all
such lande within tlie said bounds, hath bene generally the ruin of Townea in
this Country, therefore wee, the said undertakeiB, have thought goode to take
Upon us the dispose of all landes within our said boundes soe that that which
wee lay out for a bouse lott eballat all tymee from tyme to tyme hereafter
coutinue to be a house lott, and but one dwellinge house shall be bullded upon
it ; and those lottes that we lay out fiir planteiug lotls ehall not at any tyme nor
tymes hereafter be made house lotts, whereby more inhabitants inieht be
receaved IntQ our Plantacon to the over cbargeing of commons and the im-
poverishinge of the towne ; and that aJsoe what is layd out for common ; and
noe man shall prsume to incroach upon it, not Boe much as a hands breadth.
Whatsoever wee lay out for farmea, shall remain so after tyme ; and y« dispose
of all such landes so laved out ehtdl alsoe be at all tymes and from tvme to
Q 13
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194 ANKAL8 OP LTKN — 1640.
lyme according to tlie wiil and pleasure of us, the said undertakers, our exec-
uWi's, adiniuiBtrators, and aasigns, namely," — at this point the manuscript
record is so iuiured as to render some words illegible ; but the substanca is,
that whoever msposes of his estate, shall not subdivide it, but shall sell "house
lott and piaatinge lott or lotts, and meddow, intirel;, and if hee sell his faime
hee shall not divide it, hut sell it togetlier, viz : his ffarm intirefy and his ac-
commodations in ye towne, intirely. Moreover, whosoever cometh in by us
bcfutd hknself sattistyed with foui-e achores to an house lott, and twelve achores
to a plantiiwje lott, and so much meddow and upland as may make his accom-
modation fUly achors, except wee, the said undertakers, . sbdl see cause to
inlaige that proportion by a farme or otherwise. Furthermore, noe pei-son
whatsoever shall ebaUenge or daime any proper interest in seos, vivei-s, creeks,
or brookcB, howsoever boundlnge or passinge" through hisgrounde; butffi^e-
dome of flshinge, fowlinge, and navigation, shall be common to all within the
bankes of the said waters, whatsoever."
[The requirements, generally, were rigid, and strongly ez-
presaed. But they closed in the following pious and liberal
strain :
" Lastly, wee, the said undertakei-s, testify by these presents in our admit-
tinge of inhabitants to our intended Plantacon that wee, without any kind of
reseiTatlon leave euery man firee lo choose and determine all causes and con-
troverseys arbitraj-y among themselves, and that whensoever it shall please the
Lord, and he shall see it good to adde to us such men as shall bee fitt matter
for a church, that then wee will, in that time, lay ourselves doune before y
constitutes thereof either to bee or not to be receaved as memhei-s thereof,,
according as they shall ^scerne the work of God to be in our hearts."
[The articles were signed by John Cooper, Edward Howell,
Edmund Needhara, Josiah Stanbury, Henry Walton, Allen Breed,
"William Harcber, Thomas Newball, John Parrington, llicbard
Yatt, Edmund Farrington, Thomas Sayre, Daniel Howe, Job
Sayre, George Webb, Thomas Halsye, Philip Kertland, Nathan-
iel Kertland, Thomas Pad ingt on, Thomas Terry. Almost every
one of these names is familiar to those who are versed in the early
history of Lynn. Two or three signed by their marks ; but
from their names being signed in full in other places, it seems
probable that they made their marks on this solemn occasion,
because they deemed them more dignified or ornamental. There
is a supplementary declaration which contains one or two mat-
ters that may facilitate an understanding of the spirit which
moved in the enterprise :
"Know all men whome these presents may consem y* whereas it is ex-
pressed iii our Articles that the power of disposinge of lands and admission
of Inhabitants into our Plantacon shall at all lymesremaine in the hands of us
the said undertakers, to us and our heirs forever, our true intent and meane-
inge is, that when our plantation is laid out by dtose appointed accoi-diug to
our Articles, and that there shall be a church gathered and constituted accord-
inge to tiie minde of Christ, that then wee doe £Fi-eely lay down our power,
both in orderinge'and disposeinge of the plantacon and receaving of Inhabit-
ants, or any other things that may tende to the Roode and welfare of y* place,
at the ffeete of Christ and his church — previded that they shidl not doe any
thing contrary to the Uue ineaneinge of the fformer ailloles."
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AKNALa OP LYHN~1640. 195
[The probable meauing of this is not well expreese(5. It
seems to say that Christ and his church may manage the aflaira
of the colony provided they do so according to "thefformer
articles." Bnt the intent doubtless was simply to confirm that
sort of union of church and state which existed in Massachusetts.
[Mr. Lewis's brief allusion to the perils which surrounded
the first of the Long Island settlers, is perhaps sufficient for
the purpose. And one or two items, giving glimpses of their
situation, are ail that need be added. The Court — as it was
called, though in reality but a general town meeting — ordered,
29 Oct., 1645, that the inhabitants should be relieved from the
practice of taking their arms to the meeting-house on the Lord's
day, from the first of November to the first of March ensuing.
And on 25 January, 1655, it was ordered that no one should
Bell strong liquors within the bounds of the town, excepting
"our neighbor John Cooper;" and he was not to sell to any
Indian, nor to any bufthose who would use them properly. And
he was prohibited from selling more than three ankers — about
a hundred gallons — a year ; a third part being for the people
of the North Sea, so caiied, a small settlement three miles, from
the village of Southampton. It will be well for the reader to
bear in mind that some of the Lynn men who joined in the
Long Island enterprise did not remove there, and some who
did, returned in a short time. (See an article communicated by
G, 11. Howell, of Southampton, — and probably a descendant from
Edward Howell, who wasamong the first who went from Lynn —
in N, E. Historical and GrOnealogical Eegister, 1861.)
[The Rev. Abraham Pierson, who went with the Long Island
colony, as their minister, and who was a man of excellent edu-
cation, and unstained character, I had not supposed was ever a
resident of Lynn. And Mr. Lewis states that he was of Boston ;
yet Savage gives hira a son Abraham, horn' at Lynn, who grad-
uated at Harvard, in 1668, Mr. Pierson left Long Island, about
1647, and went to Branford, Ct., it having become necessary to
divide the church, and his removal being approved by a council.
Twenty years after the last date we find him at Newark, N. J.
His son Abraham was settled as his colleague, at Newark, in
1672. In 1692, the son went to Connecticut, and in 1701 was
made the first president of Yale College, in which office he
remained till his death, in 1707. The Southampton church was,
of course, constituted according to the Congregational order;
but it became Presbyterian. In 1716, the Presbytery of Long
Island was set off from the Philadelphia Presbytery, and organ-
ized at Southampton, 17 April, 1717, beimg the first Presbytery
in the state of New York. It was in 1640 that the Southampton
settlers erected their first church edifice; the second was built
in 1651, and the third in 1707. The last one is still standing.
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19G ANNALS OP LTNH — 1640.
A foTirtli, however, was erected in 1843. The colony placed
themselves under the jurisdiction of Hartford, in 1G44, but con-
tinued very much in the way of a pure democracy. " The gov-
ernment of the town was vested in the people. They assembled
at their town meetings, had all power and all authority. They
elected town officers, constituted courts, allotted lands, made
laws, tried diiBcuH and important cases, and from their decision
there was no appeal. The Town Meeting, or General Court, as
it was sometimes called, met once a month. Every freeholder
was required to be present at its meetings and take a part in
the burdens of government. All delinquents were fined for
non-attendanco at each meeting."]
Dr. P. S. Townsend, of New York, saya the people of Lynn
also settled five other towns on Long Island ; Flushing, Graves-
end, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.
At tbe Court, on the 13th of May, William Hatborne, Samuel
Symonds, and Timothy Tomlina, were appointed to lay out " the
nearest, cheapest, safest, and most convenient way," between
Lynn and Winnisimet ferry,
Lynn Village, now South Beading, was ordered to be exempt-
ed from taxes, for two years, as soon as seven houses should be
built, and seven families settled.
William Hathorne and Timothy Tomlins, having been ap-
pointed to lay out the bounds of the town of Lynn, made reportf
on the '4th of June, that they had fixed the bounds at Charles-
town line, Reading pond, Ipswich river, and Salem.
[It appears by the Suffolk Records, that .Thomas Dexter this
year mortgaged lands in Lynn, to Humfrey Hooke, an alderman
of the city of Bristol, and others.
[At the September Court, Salem, an action for defamation,
Timothy Tomlins, of Lynn, against John Pickering was tried,
and the jury found " that y' said John Pickering shall not only
pay fforty shillings damage and fFower shillings costs, but y* in
some publik meeting at Lynn, before next Courte, the said Jno.
Pickering shall publiklio acknowledge the wronge done y* s"
Tomlins, or else shall pay and make his fforty shillings Tenn
pounds."
[A good many goats were kept in this vicinity in the early
days of the colony. Josselyn saya they were " the first small
cattle they had in the countrey ; he was' counted no body, that
had not a trip or flock of goats,"]
The Court ordered that grain should be received as a lawful
payment for debts ; Indian corn at 5s., rye at 6s. 8d,, and wheat
at 73. a bushel. The price of a cow was £$.
Richard Sadler was appointed clerk of the writs.
Mr. Humfrey's bam, Nahant street, with ail hia com and hay,
to the value of one hundred and sixty pounds, was burned by
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1641. 197
the carelessness of his servant, Henry Stevens, in setting fire
to some gunpowder. At the Court of Assistants, on the first
of November, " Henry Stevens, for firing the barn of bis master,
Mr. John Hnmfrey, be was ordered to be servant to Mr. Hum-
frey, for 21 years from this clay, towards recompensing bim."
The Court afterward allowed Mr, Humfrey for bis loss and bis
good services, X250,
There was one woman in the town, at this time, who contended
that all things ought to be common, as at one time among the
early Christians ; but she found it difficult to persuade the peo-
,ple that she had as good a right to their property as themselves.
She went "from house to house," helping herself to such little
accommodations as she wished, till her demands became so ex-
travagant, that she was brought before the Quarterly Court, at
Salem. On the 29th of September, the following record was
made. " Mary Bowdweil, of Lyn, for her exorbitancy, not work-
ing, but liveing idly, and stealing, and taking away other victuals,
pretending communitie of all things : The court sentence that
she shall be whipped; but throwe their clemency she was only
admonished, and respited till next courte,"
[It was this year voted that Lynn meeting-house he permitted
to be used for a watch-house.]
This year a new version of the Psalms was made for public
worship. It was an octavo volume of 400 pages, and was the
first book printed in America. The following is a specimeQ
of the poetry, from Psalm 44.
Our eares have heard our fathers tell
and reverently record
The wondi-ons workes that thou hast done
in olden time, O Lord,
How thou didst cast the GJentiles out
and Btroid them with atroug band ;
Planting our fathers in their place
and gayest to them their land.
They conquered not by sword nor strength,
the land of thy behest.
But by thy hand, thy arm, thy grace,
liecause thou louedst them best,"
1641.
Lord Say, having an intention of forming a plantation at New
Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, had engaged Mr. Hum-
frey in the design, with the promise of making him governor
of the new colony. Some of the Lynn people had determined
to accompany him; but the intention was frustrated by the
Island falling, for a time, under the government of Spain.
Mr, John Humfrey was a native of Dorchester, in Dorsetshire,
England, a lawyer, and a man of considerable wealth and good
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198 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1641.
reputation. He married Susan, the second daugbter of Thomas,
Earl of, Lincoln, and sister of Frances, the wife of Mr. John
Gorges, and of Arabella, the wife of Mr. Isaac Johnson. He
was one of the most influential in promoting the settlement of
the colony, and the people of Massachusetts will ever regard
him as one of their earliest and most efficient benefactors. He
was one of the original patentees of the colony, and the tret«-
urer of the company at Plymouth, in England; and by his
exertions many donations were obtained, and many persona,
among whoro were some of the ministers, were induced to emi-
grate. He was chosen Deputy Governor in 1630, and Assistant
in 1632, both before his arrival; and such was the respect in
which he was held, that when the formulary for the constituting
of freemen was in debate, an exception was made in favor of
" the old planters and Mr. Humfrey." He arrived at Lynn, in
1634, received several liberal grants from the Court, and fixed
Ilia residence at his farm. In discharging the duties of an
Assistant in the general government, he devoted his time and
energies for seven years to the service of the state, and seema
not to have been surpassed in devotedness to her welfare. He
became a member of the Artillery Company, in 1640; and in
June, 1641, was appointed to the command of all the militia in
the county, with the title of Sergeant Major General. But with
all his honors and possessions, a shade of dissatisfaction had
spread itself over his prospects, which his numerous misfortunes
contributed to darken. The disappointment of the Bahamas must
have been severely felt by a mind so ambitious of honor as his
appears to have been; and it is not improbable that he experi-
enced a secret chagrin at seeing the young and uuinfcrmod
Henry Vane promoted to the olBce of governor, above one
whose years, knowledge, and services, entitled him to prece-
dence. [Vane was young, but could he have been called unin-
formed?] It is probable, likewise, that his afi'ection for his
wife, whose hopes were in the land" of her nativity, had some
influence in determining his conduct. Living so iar removed
from the elegant circles in which she had delighted, and having
lost the sister who might have been the companion of her soli-
tude, the Lady Susan was weary of the privations of the wilder-
ness, the howling of the wild beasts, and the uncouth manners
of the savages, and had become lonely, disconsolate, and home-
sick. She who had been the delight of her father's house, and
had glittered in all the pride of youth and beauty, in the court
of the first monarch in Europe, was now solitary and sad, sepa-
rated by a wide ocean from her father's home. The future
greatness of America, which was then uncertain and ideal, pre-
sented no inducement to her mind to counterbalance the losses
which were first to be endured ; and the cold and barren wilder-
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AKNALS OF LYKN — 1641. 199
ness she dwelt in, populated by its few lonely cottages, round
which the ludiaDS were roairii'ng by day, and the wolves making
their nightly excurBions, had nothing lovely to offer to soothe
her sorrows or elevate her hopes. What the misfortunes and
disappointments of Mr, Hunafrey had begun, her importunities
completed. He sold the principal part of his farm to Lady
Moody, and returned to England with his wife, on the 26th
of October. They were much censured for leaving their chil-
dren, but their intention of visiting the Bahamas, and the ap-
proaching inclemency of the season, rendered it imprudent to
take them, and they undoubtedly intended to return or send
for them. That Mr. Humfrey posseesed deep sympathies, his
letters-,., sufficiently evince; and it would be extremely unchari-
table to suppose that the Lady Susan was without the endow-
ments of maternal love. A woman of high feelings and keen
BCnsibilities, the daughter of an English Earl, and according to
Mr. Mather's own account, of " the beet family of any nobleman
then in England " — it cannot be supposed that she was desti-
tute of those affections which form the characteristic charm of
her sex. The emotions of the heart are not always regulated
by rule, and disappointment sometimes makes sad havoc with
the best feelings of our nature.
'T is thus with the dreams of the high heaving heart,
The come but to Maze, and Ihey blaze to depart ;
Their gossamer wingB are too thin to abide
The chiUing of boitow, Ihe burning of pride ;
They come but to brush o'er its young gallant swell,
Like bright birds over oc«an, but eever to dwell.
John Neal,
[It is true, as Mr. Lewis remarks, that " disappointment some-
times makes sad havoc with the best feelings of our, nature."
Yet there are many who possess that invincible resignation, the
offspring of a true and lively faith, which enables them to meet
disappointment and disaster with a heroism that saves from all
such sorrowful results. And the sympathies and affections of
the heart are not confined to any class. The " daughter of an
Enghsh Earl," may not be, as to them, more liberally endowed
than the daughter in the lowly cot. Wlmt a terrible example
to the point do we find revealed in Johnson's Life of Savage.]
The misfortunes which afterward befell some of the children,
inflicted a wound on the heart of the affectionate father, from
which he never recovered. In a letter to Governor Wintbrop,
dated 4th September, 1646, he says: "It is true the want of
that lost occasion, the loss of all I had in the world, doth, upon
rubbings of that irreparable blow, sometimes a little trouble me ;
but in no respect equal to this, that I see my hopes and' possi-
bilities of ever enioying thoso I did or was willing to suffer any
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200 ANHAL3 OP LYNN — 1641.
thing for, utterly taken away. But by what intermediate hand
Boever this has befallen me, whose neglects and ^mkindnesa
Gfod I hope will mind them for their good, yet I desire to look
at his hand for good I doahfc not to me, though I do not so fully
see which way it may work. Sir, I thank you, again and again,
and that in sincerity, for any fruits of your goodness to me and
mine ; and for any thing contrary, I bless his name, I labor to
forget, and desire him to pardon." [Certain distressing calam-
ities that befell the daughters, of Mr. Humfrey, are alluded to
elsewhere. See notices of Jenkin Davis, under date 1635, and
Daniel Faii-field, under 1640.] . Mr Humfrey died in 1661, and
in the same year, his administrators, Joseph Humfrey and Ed-
mund Batter, claimed the five hundred acres -of land "by a
pond of fresh water," in Lynnfield, which had been given him
by the Court. The character of Mr. Humfrey has been drawn
with conciseness by Governor Winthrop, who represents him
to have been " a gentleman of special parts of learning and
activity, and a godly man." His children were John, Joseph,
Theophilua, Ann, Sarah, and Dorcas, Ann married William
Palmer, of Ardfinan, Ireland, and afterward the Eev. John Miles,
of Swanzey. I have in my possession a deed signed by her, and
sealed with the arms of the house of Lincoln,
Mr. Humfrey appears to have owned nearly all the lands
from Sagamore Hill to Forest river. His house was near the
'eastern end of Humfrey's beach, and his place there was called
the Swampscot I'arm, His lands were chiefly disposed of in
1681, when his daughter Ann sold ten acres to William Bassett,
jr., and twenty acres with a house in Nahant street to Richard
Hood. Robert Ingalla bought nine acrea of the farm at Swamps-
cot for two hundred and eighty pounds, and Richard Johnson
had sixty acres of salt marsh for thirty pounds. The wind-mill
at Sagamore Hill was valued at sixty pounds. The whole of
Mr. Humfrey's lands, at, Swampscot, wero about thirteen hun-
dred acres, besides five hundred at Lynnfield. In 1685, we find
that Daniel King, senior, having, bought four hundred acres of
this land, mortgages the same to widow Elizabeth Curwin of
Salem. He afterward married her, and thus secured it ; hut in
1690 it was again mortgaged to Benjamin Brown, of Salem. In
1693, March 20, it was ao!d by Elizabeth and Daniel King to
Walter Phillips and John Phillips, ancestors of the numerous
and respectable family of Phillips, [Mr. Lewis is in error here.
This Elizabeth Curwin was still living as the widow of Captain
George Curwin, in 1694, aa appears by public records. See
something further, under date 1650.] This tract of four hun-
dred acres is mentioned as beginning at the farther end of the
beach beyond Pishing Point, and extending to the west end
of the Long Pond. Another description of this same four hun-
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1641. 201
dred acres, makes it extend to Beaver Brook, which is the little
stream next eastward of Phillips's Pond, and runs out at the
boimda between Lynn and Salem. [It may be mentioned, in
passing, that there is another little stream, bearing the name
Beaver Brook, in the western part of Lynn. It crosses Walnut
street and flows through the low lands in the rear of the alms-
bouse, to Saugus river.] Henry Mayo bought Fishing Point,
which is the point next east of Swampscot, which he sold, 10
March, 169G, to Walter Phillips, foV .£140. Mr. Humfrey'a
house, and the land adjacent, was bought by Hon. Ebenezer
Burrill, in whose family it remained until 1797, when it was
bought by Robert Hooper of Marblehead. In 1842, hia daughter
Hannah, widow of Hon. William Eeed, sold it to Enoch Reding-
ton Mudge, Esq., who built, near the old house, a beautiful
Gothic stone cottage, worthy of the olden time.
[There is, however, without doubt an essential error in loca-
ting Mr. Humfrey at Swampscot. As remarked on page 147,
he had lands there, but I have now no doubt that his place of
residence was on the east side of Nahant street. My attention
was first drawn to the point by Mr, Joaiah M. Nichols, who
has spent much time in examining the old records; and aub-
Beqnent investigation furnished what falls little short of conclu-
sive evidence. It is certain that he had a housO' on Nahant
street, and that his adjacent lands were known as his farm.
I find in no deed, will, or inventory evidence that he had a
house at Swampscot; and is it probable that during his brief
sojourn here, he would have erected more than one ? Lechford
speaks of his farm Swampscot; not hie farm at or in Swamp-
eeot. And it may have been only a name by which his estate
at Nahant street was distinguished, a name which was afterward
applied to the territory now known aa Swampscot, where he had
a large tract of wild land. Mr. Lewis, indeed, says that Swamp-
scot was the Indian name of the place now so called; but be
gives no authority. No doubt the name is Indian; but it is
very questionable whether, if.it was thus territorially applied
at all, at that time, it did not, in a loose way, touch any of the
coast lands, from the east shore .of Lynn harbor, or Beach
street, to the Salem line. There is much reason for the belief
that the old house which many will remember as the Samuel
Newhall house, and which had ■ previously been known as the
Hood house, which stood on the east side of Nahant street)-
between Baltimore and Ocean, was the identical one in which
Mr. Humfrey lived, the one in which Lady Deborah Moodj'
dwelt, and the one which Mr. Humfrey's daughter Ann, in 1681
sold to Richard Hood, as stated on page 200.
[By a careful examination of the descriptions of Mr. Hum-
frey's lands it does not appear that his bounds included the
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202 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1641.
site of Mr. Mudge's residenco. But that the old Farm House,
which still stands on the beautiful grounds and is now owned
by Mias Fanny O. Mudge, was owned and occupied by Hon.
Ebenezer BurriJl, there is no doubt. The estate waa willed to
him by his father, John Burrill, who iivp.d at Tower Hill.
Indeed, he could not have bought it, aa Mr. Lewis appears
to have supposed, of Mr. Humfrey's daughter Ann, about the
year 1681, for he was not thou three years old. It is not easy
to determine when the hoilae was built, and hence its age cannot
be stated. But it is a venorable and most interesting relic, and
can quite well afford to dispense with a few of the honors with
which it has heretofore been invested. It stands a few rods east
of Mr. Mudge's picturesque villa and occupies a site that seems
to have been «;hoson for security against the most disagreeable
Vindfl. Hon. Ebenezer Burrill, of whom a biographical sketch
may be found by turning to page 492/ died in 1761, and was
succeeded in the property by his son Samuel, who was born in
1717, and, like bis father, became a man of note — was a Repre-
sentative during the Revolution — was a member of the Conven-
tion for forming the State Constitution — and became the envied
proprietor of the first chaise that appeared in the vicinity,
eliciting much curious observation as he rode down to meeting.
He died in 1797, and the premises were sold to Mr. Hooper, aa
stated by Mr. Lewis. Repairs and alterations have been made
about the house, from time to time, and the exterior is modern-
ized by adding a piazza. The second story projected over the
first, and the gable ends, in their turn, projected over the sec-
ond. The noble elm, in front, which dispensed its refreshing
shade for sporting children who long since became grandfathers
and grandmothers, and departed in the great procession that
returns not, stiil extends its inviting arms, invested with the
dignity of age and the vigor of yonth. It was planted there
in or about the year 1740. It ia a matter of congratulation that
the estate has fallen into the hands of one who caa appreciate
such a relic. And may the day be far distant when the Vandal
hand of uncultivated Improvement shall be uplifted against it.
[Around such venerable relics as this old Farm-House, cluster
memories of the deepest interest, even though their earlier his-
tories should be deep in the oblivion of the past; for we know
that as they were human habitations, within them must have
transpired the common events of human life — that misfortune
must have come to baptize in sorrow, and that other days
mast have found hearts overflowing with joy — that again and
again with the tide of years, must have come those ever-occur-
ring incidents, the birth, the bridal, and the yielding up of life.
No human habitation, indeed, is without its sorrows, nor, blessed
be God, withoot its joys.]
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ANHAL3 OF LYNN — 1642, 203
[Edward Tomlins, having been arraigned for expressing opin-
ions against singing in tlie churches, was discharged, 1 June,
he having retracted.]
In the early part of this year, says Governor Winthrop, "a
goodly maid of the church of Linne, going in a deep snow from
Meadford homeward, was lost, and some of her clothes found
after among the rocks."
1643.
A great alarm waa occasioned through the colony by a report
that the Indians intended to extermmate the English. The
people were ordered to keep a watch from sunset to sunrise,
and blacksmiths were directed to suspend all other business
till the arms of the colony were repaired. A house was huilt
for the soldiers, and another, about forty feet long, for a safe
retreat for the women and children of the town, in case of an
attack from the Indiana. These houses were within the limits
of Saugus, about eighty rods from the eastern boundary, and
about the same distance south of "Walnut street. The cellars
of both these buildings remain, and near them, on the east, is a
fine unfailing spring.
At the Salem Court, 12 July, George Sagamore and Edward,
alias Ned, sued Francis Lightfoot for land. The case was refer-
red to the Boston court.
[The Court ordered, 27 Sept., "for the better direction of the
watch and alarums," and for general safety, in addition to what
was called the " county alarum," as follows : " One musket
discharged sbalbee an alarum to all the sentinels at the severall
quarters of each towne, who shall answere the said alarum, not
by shooting of any more peeces, but by going to and awakening
the sev'all houses w^'in their quarf^s, by crying, Arme I arme !
Thus the towne being raised, if danger appear, it sbalbee in the
discretion of the cheife offic'a either to strengthen their sev'all
quarters, as they shall see occasion, or else to give alarum to
the whole country. It is left to the discretion of the cheife
officers of every towne to appoint the most convenient quarters
or randevoua where to set sentinels or Co'ta of garde."
[The Court made an order that every house in the several
towns should aid in the "breeding of salt peeter." Sergeant
Tomlins was appointed to see that the order was enforced in
Lynn.
[On the 12th of November, there was a very great storm.
The, tide rose higher than at any time before since the settle-
ment began.]
Governor Dudley, in a letter to his son in England, dated
November 28, remarks, "There is a want of school-masters
hereabouts."
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204 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1642.
At tbo Quarterly Court, December 14, "The Lady Deborah
Moodie, Mrs, King, and the wife of John Tillton, were present-
ed, for houldiiige that the baptising of Infanta is noe ordinance
of God."
The winter was exceedingly cold, with deep snow, and the
harbor was passable with teams for five wcelts. The Indians
said that the weather had not been so cold for forty years.
[Johnson saya that when the ice thawed it removed rocks of
above a ton weight, and brought them ashore.]
Iron ore was discovered in Lynn at a very early period, but
DO attempt was made to work it until the year 1643. It is of
the kind called bog iron, and was found in large quantities in
various places within a mile or two from the meeting-house,
where it still exists. The great want in the country of iron
tools and iron ware, induced several enterprising gentlemen
to attempt the establishment of a forge. Among the principal
of these were Thomas Dexter and Robert Bridges.. Mr. Dex-
ter was a very active and energetic man, foremost in every
public enterprise; and his greatest fault appears to have con-
sisted in speaking somewhat too freely of the government,
because they did not keep up with his plans of improvement.
The character of Hon. Robert Bridges has been given by
Johnson, in a few words: "He was endued with, able parts,
and forward to improve them to tho glory of God and his peo-
ple's good."
[It is not possible to avoid the conclusion that Mr. Dexter
had serious faults, and that be must have been an uncomfortable
neighbor. He possessed an irritable disposition and was pro-
voking in his bearing toward such as stood in any way antago-
nistic to him. And that he had an inveterate propensity for
the law is abundantly proved by the court records, Mr. Lewis
mentions two or three instances of his being dealt with for
misdemeanors more grave than that of sleeping in meeting.
See under dates 1631, 1633 and 1646. And besides what Mr.
Lewis has noticed it is found that in 1633 he was fined twenty
shillings for drunkenness; also, 3 July, 1632, it was ordered
that he be "bound to his good behav"^ till the nexte Genall
Court, and ffined v^. for his midomean'' and insolent carriage and
speeches to S : Bradstreete, att his owne howse ; also att the
Genall' Courte, is bound to confesse his fault." At the Court in
November, however, il. of the fine were remitted. There is
some amusing romance about his having purchased Nahant of
an Indian chief, for a suit of clothes; and Mr. Lewis thought
proper to add an attractive gloss by a lithographic representa-
tion. But it is clear that the transaction was not generally
deemed to have been a fair one ; and it was judicially adjudged
invalid. That be was active and enterprising, there is no doubt ;
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1642. 205
and men so characterized never pass lives of obscurity. But
we fail to perceive that he possessed those higher qualities
neceaaary to entitle him to be ranked among the most useful
class of citizens. He was never a representative, and seems
seldom to have been called to any public office. This proves
little, to be sure, for it may have been then, as it now is, that
the most worthy are not generally found in those positions,
which are the cravings of the ambitious and selfish; though
there is much reason to believe that there was far more political
principle in those days than there is in these. And it is signifi-
cant that the title of "M"' was not awarded him. He was
known simply as " goodman." Mi-. Lewis, indeed, says that he
"was called, by way of excellence, 'Farmer Dexter.'" But
it is most likely that the title was bestowed merely on account
of his occupation. His enterprises certainly seem to have had
no higher incentive than personal interest. And there are many
like him, in every community, at this day, whom it is fashionable
to laud and magnify as sincere and devoted public benefactors.
There are, however, descendants of Mr. Dexter, in New Eng-
land, of jirominence and great worth. Eev. Henry M. Dexter,
of Boston, may be named as
among tbem. A fac-simiie of -■ t" C\ n u >l_—
the signature of our famous old e^*****'^^ (^&'Qjf9^
settler is here given. It was a- , f-ri n vter
traced from a document bear- '=
ing date 1657.]
Tliis year Mr., Bridges took some specimens of the iron ore
from the mines in Saugus, and went to London, where he suc-
ceeded in forming a company, called " The Company of Under-
takers for the Iron Works," consisting of the following wealthy
and enterprising gentlemen: Lionel Copley, Esq., of York
county, England; Nicholas Bond, Esq,, of Westminster;
Thomas Fury, Esq. of Westminster; John Becx, London,
merchant; William Beauchamp, London, merchant; Tho-
mas Foley, London, gentleman; William Greenhill, Step-
ney, Middlesex county; Thomas Weld, minister, Gateshead,
Durham 'county; John Pococke, merchant tailor, London;
William Becke, merchant tailor, London; William Hic-
ocke, citizen, London. This company advanced the sum of
one thousand pounds for commencing the work. Land was
purchased of Thomas Hudson, and a foundry erected on the
western bank of Saugus river, where large heaps of scoria are
still to be seen. John Winthrop, jr., also engaged in the enter-
prise; and Mr. Endicott, of Salem, in a letter to Governor
Winthrop, dated, December 1, says, "I want much to hear
from your son's iron and steel." The village at the Iron Works
was called Hammersmith, from some of the principal workmen
R
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206 ANNALS" OF LTNS — 1642.
who came from a place of that name in England. This Iron
Foundry at Lynn, was the first which was established in America.
Several persona came from England, this year, to engage in
the Iron Works, either as superintendents or workmen, among
whom were the following ;
HiCHARD Leader — was genera! agent for the Company of the
TJndertakera of the Iron Works, and ia mentioned as a man of
superior ability.
Heney Leonabd — was a workman at the Iron Foundry.
[With this Henry Leonard, and his brother James, whom Mr.
Lewis does not notice, is, in fact, identified the whole early
history of the iron manufacture in America. And to this day,
descendants of these enterprising men are extensively engaged
in the iron business. They seem to have become interested in
the American iron works, as follows : first at Lynn, then at
Braintree, afterward at Taunton and Rowley Village, and sub-
sequently at Canton' and New Jersey. In process of time it
came to be said that wherever there were iron works a Loonard
might be found, for they seem very generally to have bred their
sons to their own occupation. And their fathers in England
were engaged in the same calling.
[Henry was at Lynn in 1642, though it does not seem certain
that .James came with him. But that the latter was here in
1651 is shown by entries in an account book of that date, kept
by the Lynn Company. These entries are given as found ex-
tracted in the N, B. Hist, and Geneal. Register, v. 5, and are as
follows : "James Leonnarde, 15 days worke about finnerey Chim-
neye and other worko in y^ forge, 1 : 13 : 0. To ditto Leonard
for dressing his bellows 3 times, 1 : 10 : 0. To ditto soe much
allowed him for bringing his goods from Prouidence, 2:0: 0."
In 1652, both James and Henry engaged in the establishment
of the works at Taunton. At a town meeting there, 21 October,
1652, as appears by the records, "It was agreed and granted
by the town to the said Henry Leonard and James Leonard his
brother, and Ralph Russell, free consent to come hither and
join with certain of our inhabitants to set up a bloomery work
on the Two Mile River." These works were what are some-,
times called the Raynham works. The Braintree works had
previously been established, and with the Lynn works had a
monopoly of the business by grant. The works at Taunton, by
the way, continued long in a prosperous condition. They were
weli-managed, and not subjected to harrassing law-suits, such as
proved so disastrous to those at Lynn.
[I do not find that James Leonard was at Lynn after this ;
but Henry was here in 1655. A deposition of his, sworn to on
■the 27th of October, of that year, contains one or two interest-
ing particulars. It is as follows :
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ANSALS OF LTNS — 1642. 207
" The Testimony of Henry Leonard, of Ilmninersmith, of the age of 37, or
thereabouls. This depoDent snith tiiat tiiere was a small Heap of Coles at
Brantrey Forge, which was Coled about nine yeares agoe ; and these Coles
Lay Itoctiug, and noe vse was made of them before they were spoyled, and
Mr. GifFord, being Agent, was to bring iu a new stock, w^ stock could not be
Layd before tlie Rotten Coles were Removed, because the Cattle Could not
Turae. Whei-eupou They being well observed both by Mr. Gifford and my
selfe, Mr. Giffijrd gave me order that if Goodman Fost«r, or some other of
Brautrey, could make any use of them T should dispose of them ; whereupon
Goodman Foster had about two halfe Loads, and some of y" Rest of y neigh-
bors thereabouts fetched Some of them; but fhOTwere soe bad they would
fetch no more, and Goodman Foster took as much paynes about tbem as they
were worth ; and although they wotdd serve his Turne. they would not serve
US at the forge ; and whereas Goodman Prey sailh he got out of them to make
a great qtiantity of Iron, I know the Labor y' hee and Thomas BiUington
bestowed about drawing of them was more than they were worth. And
whereas Goodman Pray saith he made so much Iron of them, hee made not
a quarter of a Tunn of those Coles but did cast now and then a Baskett of
them among other Coles, but they were worth nothing to his worke."
[By this deposition it may be inferred that Henry was at
Braintree about 1646. And it asema fair to conclude that aa
lie was here in 1642, he engaged in the Iron Works at their
commencement, and afterward went to Braintree and aaaisted
in eatablialiing the forges there. And this siipporta the position
that the Iron Works at Lynn were the first in America, and
those at Braintree the second.
[Henry Leonard married at Lynn and reared a respectable
family of six children. He was here in 1668, and was then
made a freeman. After the last date lie went to Rowley Village
and there established iron works. And in 1674, his sons Na-
thaniel, Samuel, and Thomas, contracted with "y" owners of y"
Iron Works " there to carry on the buainesa. After establish-
ing the works at Rowley Village, he went to New Jersey, and
there again engaged in the iron manufacture.
[James and Henry had a brother Philip, who does not appear
to have come to Lynn, The Leonards were smart, enterprising
settlers, and many of their descendants, at this day, are diatin-
giiiahed for energy and business talent.]
Henry Sttche — lived at the Iron Works. It appears by a
deposition given by him, at the Salem Court, in 1653, that he
was then 103 yeara of age. [He died in 1654, aged 104.]
Arzbell Anderson — came from Scotland, and was a work-
man at the Iron Foundry. He died in 1661. [His baptismal
name is elsewhere given as Archibald ; but Arzbell is right. In
the ofSce at Salem is " An Inventory of y' estate of Arzbell
Anderson, Scotchman, whoe deceased at y'' Iron Works at Lyn,
y" thirteenth day of y* aixt month, (August) 1661." The estate
amounted to £54.18.5.]
MacCallum More Downing — came from Scotland. He work-
ed at the forge, and died in 1683.
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208 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1643.
Joseph Jenks — came from nammersmith, in England. He
was a maciiinist, at the Iron Foundry, and was a man of great
genius, of which abundant evidence will he found in this history.
He made the dies for coming the first money, 'built the firstfire-
engine, and took out several patents for improvements in mills
and iron tools. He is said to have descended from an ancient
family in "Wales. He came over a widower, leaving two eons
in England, and married a lady whose baptismal name was Eliza-
beth, by whom he had one son and two daughters. He died in
March, 1683, and his wife died in July, 1679. His children
were: 1. Joseph', bom in England, resided some. time in Lynn,
where he married Esther, daughter of William Ballard. He
then removed to Pawtucket, where he built a forge, which was
destroyed in the Wampanoag war, in 1675. In 1681, he was
an Assistant in the government of Rhode Island; he had a son,
Joseph Jenks, Tvho was governor of that state from 1727 to
1732. 2. George, went to Virginia. 3. Sarah, married John
Chilaon. 4. Samuel, like his father, was a workman in iron, and
married Elizabeth Darling. 5. Deborah. 6. John, married Sa-
rah Merriam. 7. Daniel, went to Ehode Island, where he built
several mills. The descendants of Joseph Jenks, throughout
New England, are numerous, and several of them have been emi-
nent ; among whom is the Rev. William Jenks, D. D., of Boston.
Joseph Jenks, the founder of the family, deserves to be held
in perpetual remembrance in American History, as being the
first founder, "who worked in brass and iron," on the western
continent. By his hands the first models were made, and the
first castings taken of many domestic implements and iron tools.
The first article said to have been cast, was a small iron pot,
capable of containing about one quart. Thomas Hudson, of the
same family with the celebrated Hendric Hudson, and the lineal
ancestor of my mother, was the first proprietor of the lands on
Saugus river, where the Iron Foundry stood. "When the forge
was established, he procured the first casting, which was this
famous old iron pot, which he preserved as a curiosity. It has
been handed down in the family ever since, and is now, [1844]
1 the possession of my mother, who, I suppose, would not
it for a silver one.
1643.
Much difficulty was occasioned, for several years, by an opin-
ion which some of the people entertained, that the baptism of
infants was sinfu!. Mr. William Witter was presented at the
Salem Court for his conduct in this respect, and on the 28th
of February, the following record was made: "William Witter —
Now comeing in, answered humbly, and confessed his Ignorance,
and hia willingness to see Light, and, (upon Mr, Norris, our Bl-
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AHSALS OF LYNN — 1643. 209
der, hia speech,) seemed to be staggered, Inasmuch as that he
came in court meltinghe. Sentence — Have called our orde-
nonee of God, a badge of the whore — on some Lecture day, the
next 5th day, being a public fast, To acknowledge his fait, And
to ask Mr. Cobbett forgiveneaa, in saying he spok against his
conscience. And enjoined to be heare nest court att Salem-"
At the same court, Roger Scott was presented, " for common
sleeping at the public exercise upon the Lord's day, and for
striking him that waked him." In December following, not
having amended his conduct, ho was sentenced by the conrt,
to be severely whipped." It was the custom at this time,
during the public service, for a person to go about the meeting
to wake the sleepers. He bore a long wand, on one end of
which was a baJi, and on tho other a fox tail, Wiien he ob-
served the men asleep, he rapped them on the head with the
knob ; and roused the slumbering sensibilities of the ladies by
drawing the brush lightly across their faces.
On Sunday morning, 5 March, there was an earthquake.
[Henry Walton was presented at the court for saying "he
had as Leave to heare a dogg Barke as to heare m'' Cobbett
preach." He was acquitted, however, for want of proof.]
A controversy was in agitation respecting the right of the
Assistants to a negative vote upon the resolves of the Repre-
sentatives. Mr. Cobbet wrote a treatise, in which he advocated
the right of the Assistants, and the question was finally decided
in their favor.
On the 5th of June, says Governor Winthrop, " there arose a
sudden gust at NW, so violent for half an hour as it blew down
multitudes of trees. It lifted up their meeting-house at New-
bury, the people being in it. It darkened the air with dust, yet
through God's great mercy it did no hurt, but only killed one
Indian. It was straight between Linne and Hampton."
In June, Mr, Edward Tomlins was appointed by the Court, a
commissioner to treat with the Indians. He was also appointed
clerk of the writs instead of Mr. Richard Sadler. [Mr. Lewis
has placed his Indian mission a little too early, or else he was
more than once detailed for such service. It was on the 30th
of May, 1644, that he was "ordred and appoynted, by both
howses of the Courte to goe vppon a messuage to y^ Narragan-
sett sachems," and dismissed from the " bowse for y* present
to ppare himselfe for y' jurney." {Col, Recs,) He went on his
mission in company with Humphrey Athertou. And it is rep-
resented that one of their first acts was to catechise the benight-
ed Narragansetts on the Ten Commandments.]
Mr. Joseph Armitage, who kept the tavern on the west of
Saugus river, having become involved in pecuniary difficulty,
in consequence of certain speculations beyond his means, hia
R* 14
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210 ANNAL8 OF LYNN — 1643.
■wife Jane presented a petition to the General Court, in June,
that they would "reconfirme the custody of the said ordinary
to the petitioneas." It was signed by the two ministers, and by
thirty-two other principal inhabitants, and was granted on the
26th of October. "Joseph Armitage ia allowed to keep the
ordinary, hut not to draw wine,"
[It is probable that Mr. Armitage remained in straitened cir-
cumstances for some time, for at the June term of the court at
Salem, in 1669, he presented a petition for the payment of a
number of old demands for entertaiiiment furnished to sundry
dignitaries, which reads thus:
To the Honered Com-t now sitting at Salkon. The Humble petition of Jo-
seph Armitage Humbly Sliewoth that in the time that I kept Ordinary ther
was Bum expencea at my Howa by some of the Honored magistrates & Depe-
tys of this County as apeara by ihcr bills charged oupou Auditor Generall,
which I never Receaued. Therfor your Humbell petticioner dotb humbly
request this Court that they would give me an Order to the County Treaaiuer
for my pay & so your pour petitioner shall ever pray for your prosperity.
JosGPH Armiteqe.
[The demands and vouchers appear as follows. And they
certainly present a refreshing glimpse at the simplicity of the
times. Jnst think of a governor of the present day traveling in
the style of Endicott and Bradstreet.
[No. 1.]
M' Auditor Generall, There wero divers gentlemen, that attended mee at
my going to the election, together with the servants, that at their going &
retiUBiiig back, which had in beai-e & wine, at Joseph Armilagea, eleven shil-
lings & 4d., which I pray give you a bill to the Treasm-er lliat hee maybe paid,
4th oftheSthmoneih, 1650. yra, Jo. Bhbecott.
[No. 3. Armitages bill.]
the gouemers Espences from the Ooart of election, 1651, till the end of
October, 1651 : to hear & cacks, [beer and cakes] 6d. ; bear acd cacks to hini-
seif and som other gentUemen, Is. 3d. ; bear and cacks with M' Downing, Is.
6d. ; bear & a cack, 6d. — 3s. 8d.
to the Sargents from the end of the Coart of election, 165], till the end of
October, 1651, bear & cacks, 1 s. 9d. ; for vitalls, beear & logen, 5a. ; lo Benja-
min Scarlet, the gouerners mon,8d.; bear & vitells, 2s. ; to the Savgenls, Is.
9d.; beear and cacks, 1b.; to a man that Called aleter to wai-ne a Court about
the duchman. Is. 6d.; to the Sargents, Is. 3d. — 14s. 3d.
Mt Auditor, I pray you give a note to M' Treasurer, for the payment of 17s.
lid. according to these two bills of Joseph Armitage.
Dated the 7th of the 11th mo. 1651. Jo. Endecott.
[No. 3. Wiggins bill.]
M' tresorer, I pray you pay to Joseph Armitage the som of one shilling
fouer pence, which I expended going to the generall Court tliis 17. 8 mo.
1650. Tho. WiaoiN.
[No. 4. BradstreelCB bill.]
due to goodman Armitage, for beai-e & wyne att sevecall times as I came
by m the space of abouie 3 veares, 4s. 3d. May' 15th, '49. More for my man
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ANNALS OF LTNK — "1644 211
& horse, 08 hee retui-ned home the last yeare. when I waa a Commissioner,
hee being deteyned a sabboath day, 6s. 8d. Simom Bradstreete.
[No. 5. Annitagia hill.]
Payed, by the order of the Magiatrates, To Henry Skerry with a UdaJl a
prisoner, 38. lOd.; To Jolin Kiching going with Abnor Ardway to the prison,
3s; To the Constable, when Rubin went to prison, 3b. lOd.'; To them that
carried Robert Hithersay to prison from Salsberry, 4a. lOd. — 15b. 6d.
M' Auditor, I pray you posse this bill ailso to tlie Treasui-er,
23. 11 ino. 1649. Jo. Ekdecott, Got".
[No. 6. Samuel Symonds bill.]
7th firat mo. 1650. Due to Joseph Armitage for my refreshment in return-
ing from Boston Courts of Assistants, lOd. Samuel Svmobds.
[No. 7.-1
There is due to Joseph Armitage, of Lyn, one shilling and four pence forom-
dinner, the 6th of y= 3*^ mo. 1651.
Tho. BRinBtTRT, EsDRA-S Reade, Dopts.
Reseved of Joaeph Armitage lenn pence, Witnes my hand this 6. 3 mo.
1651. Jo. Whipple.
Reseved at Joseph Armitages foucr pence by mee.
6. 3 mo, 1651, Hugh Cabkiss, [who signs by a cross, his marli.]
Mr Auditer, pay to Joseph Armeteg fouer pound seyene shillinga one pence.
JosF.PH Jbwbt, Guard,
9. 4 mo. 1653. Ephraim Child.
It was probably ot* account of the refusal of the Court to
allow 'Mr. Armitage to sell spirit, that he procured the warrant
mentioned in the Salem court files, 27 December, when Joseph
Armitage was presented, " for procuring a warrant for seaventy
persons to appeare forthwithe before the Governor, which we
conceave may be of dangerous consequence."
[Mr. Armitage having been fined for not informing the consta-
ble of a person being drunk in his company, as the law required,
petitioned to have the fine remitted. But the Court answer, 13
May, 1651, that they see " no cawse to abate the petitioner any
part of that fine."
[Mr. Armitage died in 1680. His administrator was Henry
Styche. Eichard Haven and John Ballard appraised tho estate
which they rendered at £6.2,6.]
1644.
The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works, on the 7th
of March, laid before the Court ten propositions for the advance-
ment of their designs ; the most important of which were grant-
ed. They were allowed permission to make use of six j^acos,
three miles square in each place, wherever they might choose,
without interfering with previous grants. Their privileges
were to continue twenty-one years ; with exemption of them-
selves, thsir workmen, and stock, from all public taxes, for ten
years.
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'212 AHNALB OF LYNN — 1644.
On the 20tli of May, tlie Court allowed the town " thirty sacre
shot" for their two great guns,, of which Captain Bridges had
tjio care. [The sacre, or saker, was a peculiar kind of ordnance,
of French invention, aa the name would seem to indicate. It
was frequently used as a field piece. " Of guns, the long sacre
is most esteemed," says Dampier in his Voyages, 1688.]
At the same Court, the name of Lynn Village was altered to
[Thsre was a great drought this year, and much i
prevailed in the summer. A public fast was held in July, in
consequence.]
At the Quarterly Court, 27 August, the following persons
were presented: "Wm. Hewes and John his son, for deriding
such aa Sing in the Congregation, tearming them fooles ; also
Wilham Hewes for saying Mr. Whiting preaches confusedly;
also John Hewes for charging Mr. Cobbitt with falsehood in
his doctrine. Wm. Hewes and John his son, shall pay 50s. a
peece for a fine, and that it he Injoyned they shall make an
humble confession at Lynn, at a pubiick meeting, which accord-
ing to it the Court will consider of their fines." [The name
seems to have been spelled Hewes, or Hughes, interchangeably.
Thus, on the Colony Records, 16 Oct. 1650, is found the follow-
ing : " In answer to the petition of Purnell Hughes, wife of
William Hughes, of Lynne, the Court accept of hir acknouledg-
meut, and according to hir request, pardons hir hir offence in
selling strong waters w'^out license whereby one was distem-
' " This Hewes family does not seem to have been above
[Hugh Burt and Samuel Bennett, of Lynn, were presented
to the grand jury as "common sleepers in time of exercise."
They were fined Ss, 6d. each.]
On the 13th of November, the Jron Company presented to
the Court seven more propositions; in reply to which, the
Court, in addition to their former grants, allowed them three
years " for the perfecting of their worke, and furnishing of the
country with all sorts of harr iron." They gave any of the
inhabitants liberty to share in the work, by "bringing in within
one year, no less than lOOifi a person, with allowance to the
adventurers, &c., for lOOOX already disbursed;" if they would
complete the finery and forge, as well as the furnace, which " is
already set up." They gave them liberty, in all waste places,
"to make use of all yron ston, oryron oare," to cut wood, and
to make ponds and highways. They likewise granted them
immunities, civil and religious, equal with any in the jurisdic-
tion ; and recommended them to provide rehgious instruction
for the families of their workmen, who were to be free from all
watchings against the Indians, and from all trainings.
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AKNALS OP LYNN — 1645. 213
1645.
The establishment of the Iron Foundry was highly approved
by the Court, who passed the following order on the 14th of
May:
"Whereas it is now found by sufficient purpose that the iron work is very
successful, both in the richness of tbe ore and the goodness of the iron, and
like to be of great heuefit to the whole country, especially if the inhabitants
here should be intei'ested therein, in some good proportion, one half at the .
least, and wbei^eas the time limited for adventurers to come in will be expired
in the ninth mouth next : This Coui-t, taking tbe same into serious considera-
tion, and being careful that such an opportunity, for so great advantage to the
Commonwealth might not be let slip, have taken order, that speedy notice
thereof should be given to every town within this jurisdiction, expecting that
all such persons 8S are of sufficient ability, and intend their own benefit, with
the common good, wjli forthwith appear to come in to share in the work,
according to their abibties; and for tbeir better instruction, and direction
herein, they are hereby to understand that there is already disbursed between
£1200 and. £1500, with which the flimace is built, with that which belongeth
to it, and good quantiQi of mine, coal, and wood, provided, and some tons of
sow iron cast, and some other things in readiness for tbe forge, fitc. ; they are
also to know that no adventurer is to put in less than £100 ; but divers may
join together to make op that sum, so it come all under one name. There
will be need of some £1500 to finish the forge, &c., which will be accepted
in money, beaver, wheat, coals, or any such commodities as will satisfy the
workmen; and these are to be paid in to Mr. HenryWebb, of Boston, by such
direction as they may receive from the undertakei-s, Mr, John Winthrop, jun.,
Major Sedgwick, Mr. Henry Webb, aforesaid, and Mr. Joshua Hewes ; the
new adventurers are also to know that they must bear tbeir part in such loss
as is befiiUen the first stock, by forbearance or otherwise, to the time of the
new adventurers paying in their adventures ; and ail such as will adventure
are desired to hasten their resolutions, that the work may go on speedily."
A question has arisen, whether the first forge might not have
been estabhshed at Braintree. It certainly was not. The first
pnrchase of land for the iron works at Braintree, which has been
discovered, was not till some months after this time, namely, on
tho twenty-ninth of September, 1645, when George Ruggles
Boldtoilichavd Leader twenty acres. The grant of "2860 acres,"
made for the iron works " to be set up " at Braintree, was not
laid out till the eleventh of January, 1648, It is certain that an
iron foundry was in successful operation at Lynn, as early as
1643, and as mention is only made by the Court of one forgo, it
follows of course that it must have been this. In 1691, iron
ore, called " rock mine," was. taken from the ledges at Nahant
for the forge at Braintree,
[The first deed on record, in our County Registry, is one
from Thomas Dexter, who, " for the sum of 40^ the year, hath
sould unto Richard Leader, for the use of the Iron Works, all
that land," Ac]
The Court ordered, that youth, from ten to sixteen years of
age, should be exercised, on training days, in the use of small
guns, half pikes, and bows and arrows. They also ordered, that
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214 ANHALS OP LTNN^1645.
any person who should make or publish a false report, should
be fined ten shillings, or set in the stocks.
Mr. Edward Burcham was chosen " Olarke of the Writts, and
to record deaths, births, and marriages for the Towne."
"Thomas Layton hath liberty granted him by the house of
deputies, to draws wine for the town for one years." [The
license was granted to him at the request of the town.]
"Thomas Layghton, Edward Burcham, and Thomas Puttnam,
are chosen by the house of deputies to end small controversieB."
[These controversies, or " small oawses " as they are sometimes
called on the records, were such as in pecuniary matters did
not exceed twenty shillings.]
The number of inhabitants having been considerably dimin-
ished by the removal of so many families to ^Reading, Long
Island, and other places, a petition was presented to the Court
for an abatement of taxes. The original paper, very much torn
and trampled by the mob which dilapidated Governor Hutchin-
son's house and papers in 1765, is still in existence. It com-
mences with " hambly shewing, that whereas the overrulinge
Providence of God hath much weakened our hands, which yet
were never of like strength with others about us, to bear such a
share in the pubhqne disbursements and debts of the country
as formerly, we therefore make bold truly to informe this hon-
oured Court of our infeebled estate with which we have more
immediate cause to be best acquainted. Those fewe able per-
sons which were with and of us, its not unknowne how many
of them have deserted us; as my lady Moody, whose share in a
former rate of this town, at B0£ was above 4:£ and her es
left now in a life rate, pays not 1^ 10s. Mr. Howell, Q£.
Willis, 5£. Mr. Keayne, 2£. Mr. Edward Tomhns, neare 3^.
John Poole, 1^ ISs. Mr. Sadler, IX 10s. Nic. Browne, as much,
Lieftsnant Walker, 1£. Wm. Halsey, 1£. John Cowper, 1£.
Mr. Wade, 123. James Hubbard, 12a. Wm. Cowdrey, Wm,
Blott, Wm. Martin, Thomas Marshall, Zachary flitch, 10s., each
of them, besides above 20 more, whose share in such a rate was;
some 8, some 7," &c. The petitioners state, that between " two
and three hundred acres of the deserted farms is soe overrun
with Sorrel that it is scarce quittinge cost to such whose neces-
sities is such as with us force them to improve the same. We
would not envy our neighbor townes, which are of the risinge
hand by tradinge or otherwayes; we rather wish theyr pros-
perity; but for ourselves, we are neither fitted for or inured to
any such course of trado, but must awayte God's blessings alone
upon our Lands and Oattel ; our Earnest Request therefore is,
that this honoured Court, in which is the Confluence of the
wisdom, fidelity, and Equity of the Country, would please seri-
ously to weigh the premises touching our present estate, and
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AHNALS OP LYHM — 1645. 215
proportion out such share of Publique Charges, according not
to oar supposed but real Abilities which the Lord hath left ua ;
and we shall cheerfully put too our shoulders and continue our
joynt prayers for you and yours. Eesting yours to serve and
obey in the Lord." This petition was signed by Thomas Put-
nam, Francis Lightfoot, Henry Collins, William Longiey, and
Thomas Laighton, selectmen. The Court, in their reply, say:
" We conceive the estate of lin should be considered ; " and
when they lay the tax, which was -£616.15, they required only
£25 from Lynn.
[A few facts regarding some of the individuals named in the
foregoing paragraph, which do not appear to have fallen under
the eye of Mr. Lewis, will be here given. Those spoken of will
be distinguished by italics.
IMr. Keayne, seems to have been Benjamin, son o& Hobert
Keayne,,of Boston, the first captain of the Ancient and Honor-
able Artillery Company; and he is elsewhere mentioned in this
volume. He could have been in Lynn but a short time. Hia
wife was a daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley. But their con-
nection proved to be an unhappy one. He repudiated her and
went back to England. She was excommunicated in October,
1647, and became greatly reduced in position. Their only child,
Ann, seems to have inclined to the wayward paths her mother
trod. Old Mr. Keayne provided well for the granddaughter, by
his will, enjoining, however, that no part of the property left
for her should in any event go to her mother, and appointed
certain eminent gentlemen, with his wife, "to dispose of her
for her future education, to some such wise and godly mistress
or family, where she may have her carnal disposition most of all
subdued and reformed by strict discipline; and also that they
would show like care and assistance in seasonable time to pro-
vide some fit and godly match, proportionate to her estate and
condition, that she may live comfortably and be fit to do good
in her place and not to suffer her to be circumvented or to cast
away herself upon some swaggering gentleman or other, that
will look more after the enjoying what shi? hath, than live in the
fear of God, and true love to her."
[Benjamin Keayne had a farm at Lynn, which, in 1646, was
under a small mortgage. Those two eminent divines, John
Cotton, of Boston, and Thomas Cobbet, of Lynn, were guardians
of a young man named Theophilus Skeppar, and Mr. Keayne
was indebted to this Skeppar "in y' surae of 511. payable to
y* said Theophi: at y^ age of 21 yoares," for which payment he
had mortgaged "his farme at Linn." Keayne afterward made
over all his estate to his wife and his father for distribution
among his creditors. Upon this the guardians became alarmed,
apparently lest the assignment should supersede the mortgage,
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216 ANNAL3 OF LYNN — 1645,
and petitioned the Court on the subject. And the Court ordered
th^t the "said farme in Linn shall not be allienated or any
way disposed by y'^ wife or fatV of M' Benia: Keayne, bat
shall remain engaged for secnring y' bil. to y" said orphan, at
y^ age of 21 yeares as is pvided in y' deed above mentioned."
Benjamin Keayne died in 165S. His wife, who in her low estate
Lad become the wife, real or reputed, of a Mr. Pacey, died in
1659. And Ann, after having had two husbands, died in 1704,
[William Scdsey. I think this must mean Thomas Halsey,
who came here in 1637. He remained but a short time, and
went to Southampton. His will was probated in New York, in
1679, and in it he names three sons and a daughter. See the
ttame under date 1638.
[John Cowper. I do not see who this can be unless it is the
individual called John Cooper, under date 1635, iu the list of
land distributees, 1638, and elsewhere, who became one of the
Southampton settlers, and was "our neighbor John Cooper,"
licensed, 25 January, 1655, tasell strong liquor to all the peo-
ple there excepting Indians and such as would not "use it
properly."
[Mr. Wade. This was probably Samuel Wade who was here
in 1641 ; the same individual who was robbed by hid servant,
Richard Wilson, of " 8^ of money & divers small things," for
which the Court ordered the said Richard " to be put fourth to
Bervise for 3 or 4 yeares except hee can procure 10^. ; also hee
is to have a T set vpon his vpmost garment ; the servise is to
bee w'h his m'', if his m' will have him, or else to bee put out by
the countrey." Mr. Wade most have left Lynn before 1645.
There was a Richard Wade here, for a short time, about 1637.
\Jam6a Hubbard. There was a man of this name here, in
1637. In 1641 he went to Long Island. Prom the circum- ,
stance that the following mysterious entry on the Colony Rec-
ords, 1 December, 1640, is immediately succeeded by.two others
relating to Lynn, it is judged that the individual in question
had been complained of for assault and battery: "James Hub-
bard is discharged, the hurt being little, and done unwiting, the
other pressing upon him."]
Some of the inhabitants of Lynn and Salem petitioned the
Court for liberty to form an independent company. The Court
gave permission, and a band was formed, called "The Military
Company of Lynn and Salem." [And they were allowed to
assemble for military exercise, either in Lynn or Salem, as
often as they pleased.]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 5th of July, Samuel Eennet
was presented, " for saying, in a scornful manner, he neither
cared for the Towne, nor any order the Towne could make."
Captain Robert Bridges was appointed by the Court, a com-
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AHNAtS OP LYNH — 1645. 217
missioner to negotiate between Lord De La Tour and Monsieur
D'Aulney, the governdrs of the French provinces on the north
of New England. He was accompanied by Richard Walker
and Thomas Marshall. For their " good service " in this em-
baasyj Captain Bridges was allowed ten pounds, Lieutenant
Walker four pounds, and Sergeant Marshall forty shillings.
[On the i4th of May, the Court chose Captain Bridges and
four others to draft bills for " possitive lawes " against lying,
sabbath-breaking, profanity, drunkenness, &o.']
On tbe 14tli of October, the Company of Undertakers for the
Iron Works presented a petition to the Court, which was granted.
As the answer of the Court comprises some interesting mforma-
tion respecting the Iron Works, it is transcribed.
1. It was granted and by tbis Court ordered, that the undertakers, their
agents and assigns, ai'e hereby grauled the sole privilege und benefit of making
Iron and managing of all Iron mines and works that now ai-e, or shall be dis-
covei'ed and found out, or hereafler shall be in this jurisdiction, for the term
of twenty-one years from the former grant; Provided that the saiA adventur-
ers, their agents or assigns, do, withiii tiiree years from tlie former date, use
their best eDdeavore to their utmost skill to perfect so mauy of the said works,
tliat the inhabitants of this junsdiction be furnished with bar iron of all sorts
for their use, not exceeding twenty pounds per ton : Provided, also, that it
shall be in the liberty of any within this jurisdiction to be adventurers with
the undertakers, that by the last day of tljis October they bring in their adven-
tures, not less in one man's name than fifty pounds, with allowance to the
adventurers, for the stock of one thousand pounds by them already disbursed.
2. The Coui-t doth hereby further grant to the said undertekei-s, their
agents and assigns, in all places of waste and lands not appropriated to any
town or person, that the said undertakers, their agents or assigns, at all times
during the said term of twenty-one years, shall and may freely and at their
own discretion have and take all manner of wood and timber, to be converted
into coals, or any other uses for the service of the uudertekers, as also all
manner of earth, stones, turf^ clay, and other materials for buildings and
reparation of their works, forges, mills, or houses built, or to be built, or for
making or moulding any manner of guns, pots, and all other cast-iron ware,
and for converting wood into charcoal, and also to get, dig, and cari'y away
of all manner of stone, iron ore, and wood of all sorts, and any other material,
or things of use for their works, and it is hereby also granted to the said
undertakers, their agents, or assigns, that they shall have free liberty to make
ell convenient ways and passages, as also all manner of dams, watei-courses,
sluices, ponds of water, m all waste grounds, or other conveyances, to, from,
and for the service of the said works built or to be built not appropriated to
any town or person, duiing such time as the said works shall continue: Pro-
vided, if by any pond, sluice, dam, or any other work (though in land appro-
priated) tbey should spoil, or any ways prejudice the land appropiiated to any
tovra OF person, the said undertakers shall mi^e due and just satisfaction.
3. A&o the Court doth hereby further grant to tlie said adventurers, their
agents, or assigns, in all the grounds that are .or shall be ap^ropiiated, tlmt tbe
said adventurers, their agents, or assigns, shall have free libeily at all times
during the term, to dig, get, carry away all maimer of stone, or iron ore, and
to mate and use all convenient ways and sluices, watercourses, pools, dams,
poods of water, and other conveniences, to, from, and for the service of the
said works through all the said groands, that are or hereafter shall be appro-
priated, (except houses, orchards, not exceeding three acres, and yards) giving
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aiO ANNALS OP LYNN — 1645.
such due Eind full recompense for the same to the ownera thereof, for the time
being, ae three indiffei-eut men shall adjudge, whereof one to be appointed by
the aaid Court at the next general meeting after the undertakers, ^eir agents,
or assigns, shall make or use any of the said ways, or watercourses, or other
particulars therein mentioned for the services aforeNaid, and one other by the
owner of the laud, and the third, by the undertakers or adventurers.
4. The Court hereby do flu-ther grant uuto the snid adventurers and to
their heirs and assigns forever, so much land now or hereafter to be in this
jurisdiction, as aforesaid, as siiall contain m six places three miles square in
each place, or so much in quantity as containeth three miles square not exceed-
ing four mil^ in length to be set out in such places and parc«la, as the said
undertakers or tbeir agents shall . make choice of, not being already appropri-
ated as aforesaid, upon which said Wid the said adventurers shall have free
liberty and hereby do undertalte that within the said term of [twenty-one]
years, to search, set out, and find convenient places within the said compass
of land, for the building and setting up of six forges, or flu-naces, and not
'bloomeries only, or so many more as they shall nave occasion for. for the
making of iron as aforesaid, which they sbmi, (the iron stone and other mate-
rials appearing proper and fit for the making of iron as aforesaid,) build and
set up within the term aforesaid : Provided that the Court may grant a planta-
tion m any place where the Court doth think meet, the undertakers or their
agents there residing having first noti.ce thereof) and not making choice of the
same for part of the land to be set out and granted to them, for the design of
.planting the said iron works and making iron as aibresaid,
5. And it is further granted and ordered that what quantity of iron of all
sorts and qualities the said adventurers, their agents, or assigns, shall make
more than the inhabitants shall have need or use of for their service to be
bought and paid for by the said inhabitants as afoi-esaid, they shall have free
liberty to transport the same by shipping to othei' ports or places of the world,
and to make sale thereof) in what way and place tlie said adventurers sliall
please, for their beet advantage : Provided they sell it not to any person or
state in actual hostility with us.
6. It is further gi-anted and ordered, that the said undertakers, and agents,
and servants, shall, from the date of their presents, have and enjoy all Uber-
ties and immunities whatsoever, present or to come, equal with any in this
jurisdiction, according to the laws and orders thereof) for the time being, and
according to the riglits and privileges of the churches.
7. It is also granted, that the undertakers and adventurers, together with
their agents, servants, and assigns, sliall be and are hereby free from all taxes,
assessments, contributions and other public charges whatsoever, for so much
of their stock or goods as shall be employed in and about the s^d iron works,
for and dm'ing the term of [tw«nty-onel years yet to come frem tlieir presents.
8. It is also hereby further prantea and ordered, that all such clerks and
workmen as miners, founders, finers, hammer-men and colliers, necessarily
employed, or to be employed, in and about tlie said works, built or to be built,
for any the services thereof, shall from time to time during the term of [twen-
ty-one] yeai's, be and hereby are absolutely freed and dischai-ged of and from
all ordmary trainings, watchings, etc, but that every person at all times be
fumislied with arms, powder, shot, etc, according to order of Court.
9. Lastly. It is ordered by the Court, that in all places where any u-on
work is set up, remote from a church or congregation, unto whicb they cannot
conveniently come, that the undertakers shnll provide some good. means where-
by tlieir families may be insti-ucted in the knowledge of God, by such as the
Court or standing council shall approve of."
Oil the 22d of December, " Thomas Hudson of Linne, granted
unto Thos. Hutchinson of Linne, sixty acres of ground, amongst
the ffurnaces, adjoyning to Goodman Townsend's fiUrrae."
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ANNALS OF LYNH^1646. 219
A'book was written this year, by Rev. Nathaniel Waid, of
Ipswich, which attracted, much attention. It id entitled, "The
Simple Cobler of Aggawam, williag to help mend his Native
Country, lamentably tattered, both in Upper Leather and Sole,
with all the honest Stitches he can take." It abounds in pun-
gent wit and satire, interspersed with much good sense. He is
particularly severe on those who cause innovations in religion,
and deny the rite of infant baptism. He says, "The removing
of some one iota in scripture, may draw out ail the life, and
traverse all the truths of the Bible. To authorize an untruth
by a toleration of state, is to build a sconce against the walls
of heaven, to batter God out of his chair t " Hia book concludes,
witn the following stanza:
And fai'ewoll, Simple World,
Ef thou 'It thy cranium mend,
There is my list and Awl,
And a Snoemalter's End
16 4 6.
The proprietors of the Iron Works, in the beginning of this
year, made an agreement with Thomas Dexter, for opening a
new water-course, and enlarging the pond. They purchased
" all that parcel! of land neere adjacent to the Grantor's house,
which shall necessarily be overflowed by reason of a pond of
water, there included, to be stopped to the height agreed on
betwixt them ; and sufficient for a water-course intended to be
erected, together with the land lyinge betweene the ould water-
course and the new one, And also five acres and halfe in the
cornfield next the Grantor's house/' for which they allowed ^40.
They agreed to make a fence " toward Captain Bridges'a house,"
with "a sufficient cart bridge over the said water-course," and
" to allow sufficient water in the ould river for the Alewives to
come to the wyres before the Grantor's house." This extension
of the pond caused it to overflow three acres of land belonging
to Mr. Adam Hawkes. The whole amount purchased was forty-
five acres.
Thomas Dexter's house stood at some distance above the
Iron Works, on the left. The present road to the northward
runs through the bed of the old pond. This year the dam was
moved farther up the river, and a little canal was dug from the
pond, and brought along on the high ground, until it reached
the foundry. This canal was the "new water- o o urs o " men-
tioned in the preceding agreement.
On the 18th of February, Mr. William Witter was presented
at the Quarterly Court " fPor saying that they who stayed while
a Childe is baptized, doe worshipp the dy vill ; also Henry Col-
lens and Mathew West, deling with him about the former
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220 ANNALS OP LYSN — 1646.
speeelie, he speaks to thsm after this manner, That they who
stayed at the baptising of a Childe, did take the name of the
Father, Sonn, and holly ghost in vaine and broke the Sahoth,
and confesseth and juetifieth his former speech. Sentence of
Court is, an Iniunction next Lord's day, being faire, that he
make a publique confeaeion to Satisfaction, in the open congre-
gation at Lyn, or else to answer it at the next General Court.
And concerning his opinion, the court hath yet patience toward
him, till they see if he be obstinate, and only admonish him."
By permission of the Court, Mr. Leader purchased some of
" the country's Gunnes," to melt over at the iron foundry.
- [The Genera! Court, 6 May, passed au order forbidding the
smoking of tobacco, out of doors, under a penalty of two shil-
lings for every offence, besides recompense for all damage that
might be occasioned; "pvided, nevertheles, y' it shaibe lawfull
for any man y' is on his iourcy (remote from any house five
miles) to take tobacco, so that thereby he sets not y' woods on
fire to y" damage of any man." To avoid the inconvenience of
this order it is probable that the gracious damea allowed a com-
forting whiff now and then to be taken in their capacious chim-
ney corners.]
On the 10th of June, Mr, Joseph Jetiks presented a petition
that the Court would patronise his improvements in mills, and
the manufecture of sythes. " In Answer to a petition of Joseph
Jencks for liberty to make experience of his abillityes and In-
ventions for the making of engines for mills, to goe with water,
for the more speedy dispatch of worke than formerly, and mills
for the making of sithes and other edge tooles, with a new
Invented sawemill, that things may be afforded cheaper than
formerly, and that for fourteen yeeres without disturbance by
any other's setting up the like Invention, that so his study and
costs may not be in vayne or lost, this petieon was grauntod,
so as power is still left to restrayne the exportation of such
manufactures, and to moderate the prizes thereof, if occacon so
require."
Mr. Daniel King complained to the Court that his goods had
been taken, to the amount of fifty shillings, by " the captain of
y* trayned band of Lin, for supposed neglect of trayning, he
being lame, and willing to find a sufficient man." The Court
ordered him to pay the fifty shillings for the past, and ten sbil-
lings, annually, for the future. [But by the proceedings of the
General Court, in May, it is found that "for time to come, this
Courts doth discharge him, in regard of his bodily infirmity,
from attendance vpon ordinary traynings, for any service in
armes." And nothing is said about fines,]
Much damage was done to the corn, wheat, and barley, this
summer, by a species of large black caterpillar.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1646. 231
On tbe 4th of August, Mr, Thomas Dexter was presented at
the Quarterly Court "for a common sleeper," in meetings for
public worship, and fined.
[Joseph Armitage petitioned the Court to license " to draw-
wine," whoever the town should choose for that purpose. The
Court allowed the choice to be made, and provided that the
one chosen might act till the next sitting, at which he might be
presented for confirmation. Nicholas Potter was chosen, and
at the next Court duly licensed.]
The proprietors of tbe Iron Works addressed a letter to the
Court, in May, which was answered in September. In their
reply, the Court say, "We acknowledge with you that such a
staple comodity as Iron is a great meanes to enrich the place
where it is, both by furnishing this place with that comodity at
reasonable rates, and by bringing in other necessary comoditys
in exchange of Iron exported, but as we use to say, if a man
lives where an axe is worth bnt 12d., yet it is never the cheaper
to him who cannot get 12d. to buy one. So if your Iron may
not be had heere without ready mony, what advantage will that
be to us if wee have no money to purchase it. Itt is true some
men have here Spanish mony sometimes, but little comes to our
Smiths hands, especially those of inland tounes. What monyes
our Smithes cann gett you may be sure to have it before any-
other; if we must want iron so often as our mony failes, yo'
may easily Judge if it were not better for us to Procure it frc
other places by our corne and pipe staves, &c. then to depend
on the coming in of mony which is never so plentifull as to
supply for the occacon."
In October, Captain Robert Bridges was chosen Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
On the night of the 4th of November, "began a most dread-
ful tempest at northeast, with wind and rain." The roof of Lady
Moody's house, at Salem, was blown off. (Winthrop.)
At the Court, this month, " on the motion of the Deputies
of the towne of Linne : It is ordered that there shaibe once a
weeke a market kept there on every third day of the weeke,
being their lecture day."
[The courts had been for some time vexed by a suit — Taylor
against Eing — brought to recover damages for the goring to
death of the plaintiff's mare, by the defendant's bull, which
was decided this year. Considerable evidence as to the vicious
character of the bull was iutroduced. And some of the pecu-
liar customs of the time are so graphically exhibited that a few
passages of the testimony will be given. Robert Bridges says :
"... myself being on horseback -with my wyfe behinde me,
■y' s* Bull stood in the high way aa I was riding a Longe. When
I came up to the Bull, not knowing whoa beast it was, neither
S*
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222 ANNALS OF LTHH — 1647.
thinking of any opposition, I sfcriick at the bull, w*Ii my atick,
to put him out of the way ; ymediately y* bull made att my
mare, and placed hia borne vpon her shoulder, and had well
nigh overtlirone both the mare and his riders; and although I
endevored to shunne y" bull, yet he still so prest vpon mee y' I
cannot but conceave had not the neareman bin att band to
beat him off that some hurt had bin done, either to o'selves or
my mare, or both; but gods good hand better provided." Ann
Knight testified that " shee dwelUng with wid. Tayler, did see
her mare alive, the evening before, eating cbaffe where they
had bene winnowing coriie : and the next morning, about breake
of day, she saw the bull in the roade where the mare used to
ly, and the bull seeing her, went away, sho thinking nothing
of any harme done by him ; then going into the house with a
few stickea for the fire, she came presently out againe and saw;
the mare lying in the roade with her body lying on one side,'"
with her entrails out, and " that there was no other cattell in the
yard, but only the colt of that mare. Shee also testifleth that
shee helped to dresse the same mare of a former wound that
was very deepe." The judgment in the case was as follows:
" Boat. 7:3: 1646. ■ It was agreed that in the Judgm* of Lawe,
it is to be concluded that y* bull did kill y" mare, and y' y" own-
er of y" Bull, upon such notice as he had, ought to have taken
order to prevent any future mischief" ..." Salem, 18 5mo.
1646; The magistrates assembled at Salem, doe judge y* m'
King shall pay balfe the vallue of the mare unto m'' Tayler, w"" is
Judged to bee 7^6, that is, according to the rate of 14^ for the
mare, shee being great with foale, with a mare foale."
[The winter of this j'ear was thought to be the coldest since
the settlement commenced.]
1647.
On the 20th of January, Richard Leader sold to Joseph Jenks,
the privilege to build a forge at the Iron Works, for the manu-
facture of sythes.
On the 26th of May, Capt. Robert Bridges was chosen an
Assistant.
In June, an epidemic sickness prevailed through the whole
country, supposed to have been the influenza.
In October, the Court ordered, that every town containing
fifty families, should have a school for reading and writing ; and
that all towns containing ono hundred families, should maintain
a grammar school.
An order was passed, that if any young man should address
a young woman, without the consent of her parents, or in their
absence, of the county court, he should be fined five pounds.
The Court fixed the prices of grain to be received for taxes ;
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AHHAL9 OP LTNH — 1648. 223
Indian corn at 3s., rye and peas at 3s. 6d., barley at 4s., and wheat
at 4s. 6d. a bushel.
[The Court, 11 Nov., designated the marks by which cattle
and horses owned in the different towns shouid be branded.
The brand was to be on one of the near quarters. An L was to
be on those belonging to Lynn.
[Sarah Ellis, of Lynn, was presented at the Salem court, for
not living with her husband for eight years. But, it appear-
ing that he abused her, while they lived together, she was
acquitted.
[Elizabeth Lambert, wife of Michael Lambert, of Lynn, was
presented " for brewinge on the Lord's day. But it appearing
to the Court that she breweing on the last day did leave some
things to finish, on the Lord's day ; sentence of the Court is an
admonition, and tp pay for witnesses, 3s, id., and 2s. 6d. fees of
court.]
Among the presentments at the Quarterly Court, was the
following. December 14: "The town of Lynn, for want of a
staff for the constable."
December 29: "John Turner, living at the Iron "Workes, at
Lin, being convicted before the Court for stabbing Sara Turner,
his daughter-in-law — the sentence of Court is, that he shall be
severe! j_ whipped."
1648.
Mr. Edmund Ingalls, the first white inhabitant of Lynn, wag
drowned, in March, in crossing Saugus river. Soon after, "Rob-
ert Ingalls, with the rest of hia brethren and sisters, being eight
in number," petitioned the General Court, " That whereas their
father hath been deprived of life by the insufHciency of Lynn
Bridge, that according to the law in such cases, there shall be
an hundred pounds forfeited to the next heir." This was grant-
ed. It was in conformity with an old British law, established
by Howell the Good, King of Wales, by which the value of each
person's life was nominally fixed, and so much money paid, in
case of his being killed.
On the 23d of March, the Court allowed the town twenty
pounds toward repairing the " great bridge " over Saugus river.
On the 18th of October, thirty shillings were granted annually
for the same purpose.
On the 27tii of April,' Capt. Robert Bridges's house, near the
Iron Works, was burned. (Winthrop.)
[The following license was granted on the 10th of May:
"Whereas, Mr. Downings farme, in the way between Linn and
Ipswich is a convenient place for the releife of travellers,
it is ordered that Mr, Downings tenant shall have liberty to
beepe an ordinary, hia said tenant being such an one as the
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224 AHHAL3 OF LYNN — 1649.
towne of Salom shall approve for tbat impHment." (Col. Eecs.)
Mr. Downiug's farm was next to Endicott's.]
In June, Margaret Jones, of Charlestown, was execnted at
Boston, for a witch. This was the first execution for this of-
fence, in New England, and should have been the last.
In a letter to his son, dated i August, Mr. Winthrop remarks :
" The iron work goeth on with morohope. It yields now about
t tons per week, but it is most out of that brown earth which
lies' under the bog mine. They tried another mine, and after
24 hours they had a sum of about 500, which, when they brake,
they conceived to be a 5th part silver. There is a grave man
of good fashion come now over to see how things stand here.
He is one who hath been exercised in iron works," In another
letter, 30 September, he says, " The furnace runs 8 tons per
week, and their bar iron is as good as Spanish. The adventur-
ers in England sent over one Mr. Dawes to oversee Mr. Leader,
but he is fiir short of Mr. Leader. They could not agree, so he
is returned by Teneriffe."
[The inhabitants of Lynn desired the Court to give them a
right understanding of a clause in a grant to the undertakers
of the Iron Works, concerning taxes. They wished to know
what was intended " by ffreedome from all publicke taxes, as-
sessments, and contributions ; whether particular town taxes,
&c. both civill and ecclesiastical!." The Court resolved that the
meaning was to include " rates, levies, or assessments of the
common wealth, and not of the town or church."
[Joseph Armitage was licensed to sell wine for the year, for
twenty nobles.]
1649.
[William Hooke, of Salisbury, conveys to Samuel Bennet,
of Lynn, 15 March, "all that upland that was given him by
arbitration betwixt Thomas Dexter and him or his father Hum-
phrey Hooke." Humphrey Hooke was probably the Bristol
alderman referred to as mortgagee of some of Mr. Dexter's
lands, under date 1640.]
The Eev. Thomas Cobhet preached the Election Sermon
before the Court, on the 3d of May. [And it was voted that
"M'' Speaker, in the name of the Howse of Deputyes, render
M' Cobbett the thankes of the howse for his worthy paines in
his sermon w""", at the desire of this howse, he preached on the
day of eleccon, and declare to hira it is their desire he would
print ij heere or elswhere."]
On the 10th, the Governor and Assistants, among whom was
Captain Robert Bridges, signed a protestation against the pre-
vailing custom ofwearing long hair, "after the manner of ruffians
and barbarous Indians."
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ANNALS OP LTSH — 1650. 225
On tlie 7th of September, Nioholaa Pinion was presented at
the Quarterly Oourt, for swearing. "The deposition of Quin-
ten Pmy. This deponent eaith, that meeting with Nicholas
Pinion tho last Lord's day, cominge out of his corae, heeheard
the said Pinion aware all his pumpkins were turned to squashes."
The Court, aa a comment upon Mr. Johnson's text, (p. 33, old
edition,) " let no man make a jest at pumpkins," fined him.
[Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Pinion, was, a year or two before
this, indicted for adultery, which was then a capital offence.
She was, however, acquitted of the graver charge ; but the
Oourt, 13 May, 1648, sentenced her for swearing and lewd beha-
vior, to "be sevearly whipt twise, first at Boston and then
agayne at Lin, within one month after,"]
On the 11th of September, Matthew Stanley was tried for
winning the afiections of John Tarbos's daughter, without the
consent of her parents. He was fined £5, with 2s. 6d. fees.
The parents of the young woman were allowed 6s. for their
attendance, three days.
1650.
In the preceding pages, I have given the names of every
man whom I found in Lynn before the year 1650, excepting
those who staid but a short time, and left to settle in other
places. I shall here give a list of a few more names, which I
find before the year 1690, and after that time they become too
numerous to be continued. [But after all, a great many escaped
the notice of Mr. Lewis. And I began to prepare a list of addi-
tions, following his plan of giving brief notices. It was soon
found, however, that even this would require more space than
could be allowed. And hence, it was concluded to say a word
or two concerning a few- whose lives became of importance in
our history, and then prepare as complete a list as possible of
the surnames of all settlers down to the year 1700. Such a list
will be found at the close of the volume. And it cannot be
doubted that it will prove useful as the foundation for future
inquiries. It would he altogether too venturesome to claim
that the list is perfect, though great labor and care have been
bestowed upon it.]
Samuel Appleton, Jr. — was here from 1677 to 1688, in con-
nection with the Iron Works, which he owned at that time. He
was a descendant of John Appulton, who died at Great Wai-
dingfield, in 1414. The following record of the family is from
the old volume of Lynn Records which was discovered by me,
after it had been lost for many years. "Mr. Samuell Apleton,
Junior, and Mis Elizabeth Whittingham, the Daughter of Mr.
William Whittingham, Marchant, in Boston, was married the
19th of June, 1682. Mary, the Daughter of Mr. Samuell Ap-
15
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226 ANKAL8 OF LTNH — 1650.
pleton and of Elizabeth his wiffe, was born into this world the 30
of March, 1683. Hannah, ther Daughter, was horn the first of
November, 1684. Elizabeth, their daughter, waa Born the
10 of July, 1687." Ho removed to Boston in 16S8 ; and waa
the ancestor of the very respectable family of A.ppletons in tbat
city.
William Baebbe — married Elizabeth Kirk, 4 May, 1673, He
Lad two children; EHzabeth, born 1. Nov. 1673 ; Wilham, b. 8
Jan. 1674.
Thomas Beal — had two sons. William married widow Mary
Hart, 5 March, 1684. Samuel married Patience Lovell, March
28, 1682.
Thomas Berky ~ whose wife's name was Elizabeth — had two
sons ; Thomas, born 14 March, 1695 ; and Samuel, born 25 June,
1697. His descendants remain.
JoHS Blaset — married Elizabeth Purchis, in November,
1678. He bad a son Joseph, whose descendants live at Swamp-
scot.
Samuel Blt — married Lois Ivory, 19' Dec; 1678, and died
31 Dec. 1693. He had two sons, Theophilus and Samuel.
Thomas Beeweb — married Elizabeth Graves, 4 Dec. 1682,
and had six children ; Mary, Rebecca, Mary again, Crispus, Tho-
mas, and John.
John HsNEr Burohstbd — a native of Silesia — married Mary,
widow of Nathaniel Kertland, 24 April, 1690. Henry, his son,
was born 3 Oct. 1690. They were both eminent physicians,
and lived on the south side of Essex street, between High and
Pearl. [There were two sons, both physicians. One was a
surgeon in the British Navy ; the other was Dr. Henry, of Lynn,
who also had a son Henry, a physician.] Dr. John Henry
Burchsted died 20 Sept. 1721, aged 64. The following is his
epitaph :
SUesia to New England sent this man,
To do tlielr all that any healer can,
But he who cooqoered all diseases must
Find one who throws him down into the duat.
A chemist near to an adeptist come.
Leaves here, thrown by, his caput mortuum.
Reader, pbysiciana die as others do ;
Prepare, for thou to this art hastening too.
Thomas BtfHEAGB — married in 1687, and had six children;
Elizabeth, John, Thomas, Mary, Bethiah, and Ruth.
John Coats — married Mary Witberdin, 14 April, 1681, and
had two children, Mary and John.
Philip Giffobd — married Mary Davis, 30 June, 1684. He
had two children, Philip and Mary.
Zacchbus Gould — had a son Daniel, born about 1650, who
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AHNAL3 OP LYNN — 1650. 227
married a lady whose name was Elizabeth, and who died 3 Aug.
1691.
John Gowisg — ^was married in 1682; his wife's name was
Joanna, and he had seven children ; John, Thomas, Elizabeth,
Samuel, Joanna, Lois, and Timothy:
Samuel Haet — roarried Mary Witteridge, 29 Jan. 1673, and
had two children ; John and William. [In a deposition of Mr.
Hart, Bwom to 27 Oct. 1653, he calis himself about thirty-one
years of age, and says that he was sent over by the Company,
to the Iron Works. The two sons mentioned by Mr. Lewis
were children by his second wife, and both died young. , He
had a previous wife, also named Mary, who died ,24 Dec. 1671,
by whom he had children — Mary, who died in 1657; Hannah,
born in April, 1657; Joseph b. 10 April, 1659; Abigail, b. 15
Nov. 1660 ; John, b. 3 Ai]g. 1666, who died the next year ; Re-
becca, b. 27 Jan. 1668; Ezekie!, b. 28 April, 1669, who died in
infancy. Savage seems to think his second wife was Mary
Whiting. But I have no doubt Mr. Lewis is correct in stating
it to be Witteridge. Mr. Hart himself died 25 June, 1683. The
eon Joseph, named aa born 10 April, 1659, married, 24 June,
1685, Ruth Chadwell, and had children — Ruth, born 4 July,
1687 ; Joseph, b. 12 Sept. 16S9 ; Moses, h. 25 Dec. 1691 ; Elias,
b. 30 Sept. 1695 ; Ruth, again, b. 3 April, 1697 ; Aaron, b. 17
Aug. 1700; Edmund, b. 18 Oct. 1702; Benjamin, h. 21 April,
1705 ; Samuel, b. 15 Nov. 1707. This last named Samuel mar-
ried Phehe Ivory, and the Joseph spoken of on another page,
was a child by this marriage. He, Joseph, married Eunice,
daughter of Samuel Burriil, and granddaughter, of Hon. Ebene-
zer, whose farm embraced the beautiful estate of E. R Mudge,
at Swampscot, and had children — Anna, bora 12 April, 1767;
(who married Joseph Lye, and was grandmother of Amos P.
Tapley, president of the City Bank); Joseph, b. 1 iS"ov. 1768;
Eunice, b. 8 Oct. 1770; (who married David Tufts, who for many
years ran an express wagon to Marblehead, and was the first
regular Lynn express driver) ; Phebe, b. 12 June, 1773 ; Burriil,
b. 12 Nov. 1775 ; Samuel, b. 2 May, 1778 ; Sarah, b. 24 Jan. 1781 ;
(mother of the writer) ; John, b. 8 Dec. 1783; Joseph Burriil, b.
8 Oct. 1788. The Aaron named above aa born 17 Aug. 1700,
was fattier of Edmund Hart, who built the famous frigate Con-
stitution. For something further concerning the Harts see
other dates.]
TaoMAS Ivory — ^had two sons, Thomas and John. He died
18 July, 1690. [Mr. Ivory came in 1638. His wife's name was
Ann, and he"iiad daughters, Lois, Ruth, and Sarah. Lois mar-
ried, 10 May, 1656, John Burriil, and was the favored mother
of Hon. John Burriil, the "beloved speaker," and Hon. Ebene-
aer, his brother; notices of whom may be found elsewhere in
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228 iHHALS OP LYNN — 1650.
this volume. Euth married Theophilua Bailey, and Sarah mar-
ried Moses Chadweil.]
Daniel Kiso — married widow Elizabeth Oorwin, of Salem.
He died 27 May, 1672. His widow, Elizabeth, died 26 Feb.
1677. He lived at Swampscot, and bought a large portion of
Mr. Humfrey's farm. He had two sons ; Daniel married Tabitha
Walker, 11 March, 1662. Ralph married Elizabeth Walker, 2
March, 1663. [It appears by the records that this Elizabeth
Corwin, or Cnrwen, as Mr. Lewis elsewhere spells it, was not a
widow till 3 Jan. 1685 ; and in 1694, she was still living as the
widow Elizabeth Corwin.]
John Lyscom — had a son, Samuel, bom 16 Sept. 1693.
Daniel Needhak ■— married in 1673, and had five children;
Elizabeth, Edmund, Daniel, Euth, and Mary.
EzEKiEL Needham — married Sarah King, 27 Oct. 1669, and
had five children ; Edmund, Sarah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Ealph.
[Mr. Lewis is evidently in error about these two Needhams.
They were doubtless sons of Edmund Needham, who came to
Lynn in 1639, and the same mentioned in his will copied under
date 1640. Daniel married Euth Chadweil, 24 Feb. 1659, and
had children, Daniel, born in 1665; Judith, b. 1667; Ezekiel, b.
1670; Mary, b. 1672; Elizabeth, b. 1675 ;t.Edmund, b. 1677;
Daniel and Euth, twins, b. 1680. ■ And EzekteVs children were,
Edmund, bom in 1670; a child born in 1673, who died in infancy;
Sarah, b. 1674; Ezekiel, b, 1676, who survived but a short time;
Ezekiel again, b. 1677; Daniel, b, 1680; Ealph, b. 1682. I do
not see how the error of placing Daniel's marriage in 1673, oc-
curred.]
Thomas Norwood — married Mary Brown, 24 Aug. 1685, and
bad six children ; Francis, Ebenezer, Mary, Thomas, Mary, and
Jonathan.
Geoege Oaks — had five children, by his wife Janet; John,
born 31 July, 1664, Mary, Richard, Sarah, Elizabeth, and George,
Samuel Penpield — married Mary Lewis, 30 Nov. 1675, and
bad two children, Samuel and Mary.
JOHK Peekiss — married Anna Hutchinson, 29 Aug. 1695,
and had five children; Anna, John, Elizabeth, Mary, and Wil-
liam.
John Person — had Eleven children; James, bora 28 Nov.
1680, Tabitha, John, Rebecca, Kendall, Susanna, Mary, Thomas,
Ebenezer, Sarah, and Abigail.
John Phillips — had two children ; John, born 3 Dec. 1689 ;
Hannah, b. 6 June, '1694. He lived at Swampscot, and his
wife's name was Hannah. He died 29 Sept, 1694.
William Robinson — bad three sons; William, born 7 Oct.
1683; Aquila; John.
.SEE — had three sons; Jonathan married Eethia
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1651. 220
Marsh, 1 Jan. 1673 ; Samuel marned Mary Eistow, 4 July, 1676 ;
Henry married Grace Eaton, 18 Nov, 1680.
Hgnry Stagey — had five children; William, born 3 Jan. 1674;
Henry, b. 1 April, 1677; Sarah, b. 3 Jan. 1678; Ebeoezer, b.
4 Jan. 1680 ; John, b. 30 Oct. 1682.
[John Vinton — settled in Lynn as early as 1648, and was
in some way connected with the Iron Works. Hia wife's name
was Ann, and his children were, Eleanor, born in May, 1648 ;
John, b. 2 March, 1650; William, b. in April, 1652; Blaise, b.
22 April, 1654; Ann, b. 4 April, 1656; Elizabeth, b. in Jan.
1658; Sarah, b. 16 Sept. 1662. Eleanor married Isaac Rams-
deil, of Lynn. John married Hannah Green, of Maiden, and
removed to that place. He was an iron worker, acquired a
large property, and is now considered to be the progenitor of
almost all who at the present time bear the surname in the
country, including those eminent brothers, Rev. Dr. Alexander
H. and Rev, Dr. Francis Vinton. One of the family, a number
of years since, collected the names of more tban a thousand
of his descendants. Blaise served in th'e Indian war of 1675,
and is supposed to have perished then. The Vinton family is,
no doubt, of Huguenot origin,]
Joshua Wait — married Elizabeth Mansfield, 10 Jan. 1675,
and had two children, Moses and Mary.
Abraham Wellman — whose wife's name was Elizabeth —
had a son born, 3 May, 1676.
Domingo Wioht — a colored man, had three children; Mary,
born 31 Aug. 1675 ; Joseph, b. 23 May, 1678 ; Hannah, b, 5 Sept.
1679.
[Mr. Whiting, Mr. Cobbet, and four other ministers, send a
letter to Cromwell, 31 December, in which they say, "since
ydur honor hath so large a heart given you of the Lord as to
desire you to build him a temple amidst the ruinous heaps of
Ireland, we know not but we may attend this providence of the
Lord, hoping that as we came by call of God to serve him here,
so if the Lord's mind shall clearly appear to give us a sufficient
call and encouragement to remove unto Ireland, to serve the
Lord Jesus Chi;i3t there, we shall cheerfully and thankfully em-
brace the same."]
1651.
Mr. Richard Leader, the agent for the Iron Works, was ar-
raigned by the Court, on the seventh of May, for reproaching
Governor Endicott, the Court, and the church at Lynn. In
their first excitement, the Court fined him two hundred poun^ds,
which was afterward reduced to fifty. [The offence would be
more exactly stated by employing the words of the record:
"This Courte . . . doe flnde that, contrary to the lawe of God
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230 ANNALS OF LTNM — 1651.
and the lawes heere eastablislied he hath threatened, and in a
high degree reproached and slaundered the Courts, magistrates,
and gouernment of this comon weale, and defamed the toune
and church of Ljnne, also afronted and reproached the counata-
ble in the execution of his office." He was likewise bound in
the sum of 1001. for the payment of the fine, and for his good
behavior "toward the gouernment and people of thisjurisdiccon
whiles he remajnes in this collonje, till the next sessions of this
Conrte," And at the next general session, in October, 1651,
the whole thing came to an end. It appeared that the obnox-
ious words were " spoken in the midst of the sea, going hence to
England."] After this, Mr. John Gifford appears as agent of
the Iron Works. He married the widow Margaret Temple, and
had a son Philip. [He probably came from the Braintree works.
See deposition of Henry Leonard, page 207. And for some
years he seems to have been in a sea of trouble, arising, most
likely, from pecuniary embarrassment. Ho was subjected to
long and troublesome litigation regarding a bond given while
in England. In a petition to the Court, in 1684, he states that he
"hath now been a prisoner upon execution fower yeares and
seuen moneths," and without relief from the Court, will " inev-
itably perish in prison for want of meet suppljes for his releife."
So rigid wfere the old laws touching imprisonment for debt. It
may have been suspected, however, that he had property fraud-
ulently secreted, for he declares in his petition that it had
not been shown that he had any estate concealed, by which he
might relieve himself. The Court "having weighed the neces-
sitous and perishing condition of the prisoner," ordered that
under certain conditions, and unless the, opposing parties came
forward and performed what was required of them, he should
be released in ten days.]
On taking the management of the Iron Works, Mr. Gifford
raised the dam, which caused the water to overflow six acres
of "plowland" belonging to Mr. Adam Hawkes. For this, on
the 20th of June, an agreement was made, in which Mr. Hawkes
was allowed ^8 for damages.
On Sunday, the twentieth of July, three men of the Baptist
persuasion, whose names were John Clarke, John Crandall, and
Obadiah Holmes, came from Newport, and went to the house
of William Witter, at Swampscot, where Mr, Clark preached,
administered the sacrament, and rebaptized Mr. Witter. This
being reported to the authorities, two constables went down to
Swampscot to apprehend them as disturbers of the peace. They
carried a warrant which had been granted by Hon. Robert
Bridges. "By virtue hereof, you are required to go to the
house of Wilham Witter, and so to search from house to house
for certain erroneous persona, being strangers, and them to
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ANKALS OP LTNH — 1651. 231
I, and in safe custody to keep, and tomorrow morning
at ii o'clock, to bring before me." Mr, Clark says, " wbile I
was yet speaking, tbere comes into the house where we were,
two constables, who with their clamorous tongues make an
interruption, and more uncivilly disturbed us than the pursui-
vants of the old English bishops were wont to do." In the
afternoon, they were taken to Mr. Whiting's meeting, where
they refused to uncover their heads. Mr. Bridges ordered a.
constable to take off their hats, when one of them attempted to
speak, but was prevented.
At the close of the meeting, one of them made some remarks,
after which they were taken to the Anchor Tavern, and guarded
through the night. In the morning, they were sent to Boston
and imprisoned. On the thirty-first, the Court of Assistants
eentenced Mr. Holmes to pay a fine of thirty pounds, Mr. Clark
of twenty, and Mr. Crandall of five. The fines of Clark and
Crandall were paid ; but Mr. Holmes refused to pay his, or suffer
it to be paid, and was retained in prison till September, when he
was publicly whipped. When brought to the place of execu-
tion, he requested liberty to speak to the people, but the presid-
ing officer, one Flint, rightly named, refused, and ordered him
to be stripped. His friends brought some wine, which they
requested him to drink, but he declined it, lest the spectators
should attribute his fortitude to drink. The whip was made
of three cords, and the executioner spat three times in his own
hands, that he might not fail to honor justice. Id a manuscript
left by Governor Joseph Jenka, it is written that " Mr. Holmes
was whipped 30 stripes, and in "such an unmerciful manner, that
for many days, if not some iveeks, he could not take rest, but as,
he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able to suffer any
part of the body to touch the bed." As the man began to lay
on the stripes, Holmes said, "though my fleah should fail, 'yet
my God will not fail." He then prayed, " Lord, lay not this sin
to their charge." When be was released, two spectators, John
Shaw and John Hasel, went up and took hold of his hand to
sympathize with him, for which they were fined forty shillings
each. Such is the bitterness of religious persecution. Dr. John
Clark was one of the most reapectable physicians in Rhode
Island, and wrote a hook entitled "HI News from New Eng-
land," with a full account of this persecution.
Mr. Witter was presented at the Salem court, on the twenty-
seventh of November, for neglecting discourses and being re-
baptized.
On the fourteenth of October, the Court made an order
against " the intolerable excess and bravery " of dress. They
ordered that no person whose estate did not exceed X200 should
wear any great boots, gold or silver lace, or buttons, or silk
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232 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1651.
hoods, ribbons or scarfs, under a penalty of ten sbillings. [And
tbe Court also passed tbe following : " Wbereas it is observed
there are, many abuses and disorders by dancing in ordinaries,
whether mixt or unmixt, vppon marriage of some persons, This
Court doth order that henceforward there shall be no danciug
vppon such occasion or at other tjmes in ordinaries, vppon the
pajne or penaltje of five shillings for every person that shall so
daunce in ordinarjes."]
" In answer to the petition of George Indian of Lynn, This
Court refers him to bring his action in some iuferiour court,
against any that ungenerously withold any land from him."
The fallowing description of Lynn is from "The Wonder
Working Providence," a work published this year, hy Mr. Ed-
ward Johnson of Woburn :
Her scituation is iicere to a River, whose Btrong fresbet at breaking up of
Winter, filleth all her Banl{es,and wiih a furious Ton-ent ventes itself into the
Sea. This Towne is furnished with Mberalls of divers kinds, eapecially Iron
and Lead. The forme of it is almost squpre, onely it tabes too large a ran
into the Land-ward, (as most townes do.) It is filled with about one Hundred
Houses for dwelling. There is also an Iron Mill in constant use, but aa for
Lead, they have tried but little yet. Their meeting house being on a Levell
Land undefended from the cold North west wind, and therefore made with
steps deseeiiding into the earth; their stt-eets are sti-aite and comly, yet but
Ihin of Houses; the people mostly inclining to Husbandry, have built many
Farmes Remote. There Cattell "ixceedingly multiplied. Goates, which were
in great esleeme at their first comming, ai'e now almost quite banished, and
now Horse, kine, and Sheep are most in request Tilth them.
In his remarks on manufactures, Mr, Johnson says ;
All other trades have fallen into their I'anks and places, to iJieir gi-eat ad-
vantage, especitdly Coopers and Shoemakers, who had either of them a
corporation granted, iunching themselves veiy much. As for Tanners and
Shoemakers it being naturalized uito their occupations to have a higher reach
in managing tliese manifactures then other men in New England are, having
not changed their nature in this, between them both they have kept men to
their stand hitherto, almost dotibhng the price of their commodities, according
to the i-ate they were sold for in England, and yet the plenty of Leather is
beyond what they had there, counting the number of the people, but the
transportation of Boots and Shoes into forraign pails bath vented all, how-
The manufacture of shoes had not, at this time, become a
principal business at Lynn. A few persons practised the em-
ployment regularly; but they traded with merchants at Boston,
and did not export fof themselves. The shoes which they made
were principally of calf skin, for morocco had not been intro-
duced. Cloth was worn only by the most wealthy ; and if a
lady in the more common ranks of life obtained a pair of stuff
shoes, to grace the nuptial ceremony, they were afterward laid
aside, and carefully preserved through life, as something too
delicate for ordinary use,
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1652.
1652.
Wenepoybin, the Lynn Sagamore, on the first of April, mort*
gaged "all that Tract or Neck of Land commonly called Nahant,"
to Nicholas Davison of CharleatowO, " for twenty pounds ster-
ling dew niany yeer." The deed was signed with Ms mark,
which has somewhat the form of a capital H in writing.
[John Hathorne having succeeded Joseph Armitage "in the
ordinary at Lin,, and so standing bound to perform his engage-
ment in respect of what he was to pay for drawinge of wine,
desiring a remittment of what is due for the last halfe yeare past,
received this answer: that he should only pay after the rate
of fifty shillings perhuttfor what he hath drawno to this time."
This appears to have heen the same John Hathorne who was
proceeded against, about this time, for forgery, and confessed
himself guilty. Having petitioned, in May, 1653, for remission
or mitigation of the penalty, the General Court ordered that in
lieu of the prescribed punishment he should " pay double dama-
ges, which is twenty pounds, to the party wronged atid ten
pounds to the common wealth, to be forthwith levied ; and to
be disfranchised. If he doth not submitt to the sentence, then
the law that pvides against fforgery is to take place in euery
particular."]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of June, the following
presentments were made. " We present Ester, the wife of Jo-
seph Jynkes, Junior, ffor wearing silver lace ; " and " Hobert
Eurges for bad corue grinding." Other persons were presented
for wearing great boots and silk hoods.
Mr. Grifford this year increased the height of the dam at the
Iron Works, by which ten acres of Mr. Hawkes's land were
overflowed ; for which he agreed to give sixteen loads of hay
yearly, and 200 cords of wood. Afterward he agreed to give
him £7, "which ends all, except that lOs. is to be given him
yearly." By this agreement the water was to be so kept " that
it may not ascend the top of the upper floodgates in the pond
higher than within a foot and a halfe of the top of the great
Eock that lies in the middle of the pond before the gates."
This year a mint was established at Boston, for coining silver.
The pieces had the word Massachusetts, with a pine tree on
one side, and the letters N. E. Anno 1652, and III. VI. or XII.
denoting the number of pence, on the other. The dies for this
coinage were made by Joseph Jenks, at the Iron Works.
[The coinage was continued for many years, the mint not
having been closed till about 1686, according to Mr. Felt, or
before 1706, according to others. But the dies were not alter-
ed, at least for some years; and perhaps the date never was,
for reasons patent to our shrewd fathers. And hence a large
T*
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234 ANNAL3 OP LYMN — 1653.
portion of the pine-tree coins now In the cabinets of ttie curious,
do not bear sore evidence of the precise date at which they were
struck. It is certain that the date 1652 was retained as late aa
1685. This coinage would, under most circumstances, have
subjected those engaged in it to heavy punishment, for it in-
fringed a prerogative usually guarded with the utmost jealousy
by the sovereign. But it will be observed that it was com-
menced during the Puritanical Interregnum, and affords addi-
tional evidence that at that period almost perfect independence
was assumed by the colonists. It is stated by Randolph, 1676,
that Massachusetts established this mint, in 1652, to commemo-
rate her independence ; and adds that the adjacent colonies were
subject to her. Hugh Peters was a fast friend of Massachusetts ;
and having much influence with Cromwell, it was probably in a
great measure through his exertions that she came so near being
declared an independent commonwealth. When Charles II. came
to the throne be was greatly offended at the high-handed pro-
ceedings. Sir Thomas Temple, who knew the necessities of the
colonists, and was friendly to them, stated to the king that
money was extremely scarce in New England, and during fhe
civil wars but little could be obtained from the mother country.
And he exhibited pieces of the pine-tree' money. "What ia
that ? " asked the king, pointing to the pine-tree that adorned
one side of the coin. " That," answered Temple, with more
shrewdness than honesty, " is the royal oak that sheltered your
majesty." This well-timed insinuation regarding the loyalty of
the colonists so pleased the monarch that he gleefully exclaimed,
" Honest dogs 1 " and let the matter pass for the time. Events
that took place soon after, however, indicated that he had
reached a temper to use the noun without the adjective.
[The pine-tree shilling, aa assayed at the United States mint
proved to be 926-1000 fine, and to weigh almost exactly sixty-
eix grains ; its value, therefore, would be just about seventeen
cents of our present money.
[A comet appeared in Orion, 9 December, and remained an
object of wonder for about' a fortnight, or "till Mr. Cotton
died."
[It was this year rec[uirod that negroes and Indians shoiild
perform military duty.]
1653.
On the 17th of March, the boundary line between Lynn and
Beading was established,
Samuel Bennet, carpenter, sold his corn mill to Thomas
Wheeler, 1 April, for X220.
This year, Mr. Thomas Savage, of Boston, attached the Iron
Works, at Lynn, for the amount owed to him and Henry Webb.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1654, 1655. 235
On the 14tli of September, a special coiirt convened at Boston,
for the triah Mr. Savage obtained for himself .£894 2g. and for
Henry Webb, ^1351 6s. 9d. The total account of Mr. John
Gifford, agent for the Company, was X16,284 7a. 4d.
[The Court ordered, 18 May, that Lynn be allowed ten pounds
per annum, " so long as the Iron Works shall be eontmned,"
with a qualification relating to a former grant.]
1654.
The selectmen of Boston agreed with Mr. Joseph Jenks " for
an Ingine to carry water in case of fire." This was the first
fire engine made in America,
In August, the Court fixed the prices of grain ; Indian corn
at,3s., rye and peas at 4s., and wheat and barley, at Ss. a bushel.
At a town meeting, on the 28th of December, a grant was
made to Edmund Farrington, allowing him the privilege to build
a grist-mill, in Water Hil! street, oa condition that grain should
be seasonably and faithfully ground; otherwise the privilege
was to revert to the town.. [Mr. Lewis makes a mistake in
locating this privilege at Water Hill. The grant was for atida
mill, which of course could not have been where he states. It
was where Chase's mil! was afterward built, at the point where
Summer street crosses the stream, a little above Needham's
Landing. Mr. John Raddin now (1864) owns the mill there.
[Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet, " elders of Lyn," were appoint-
ed overseers of Harvard College.]
1655.
This year Edmund Earrington built his miU on Water Hill.
A pond was dug by hand, and the water brought from the old
brook, by a little canal about half a Hjile in length. This mill
was for many years the property of Benjamin Phillips, and in
1836 was purchased by Henry A. Breed, who dug out a new
pond of more than an acre, for a reservoir. [Nehemiah Berry
purchased the property a number of years since, and continues
the mil! in successful operation. It long ago, however, ceased
to be a mere grist-mill. But Mr. Earrington did not build hia
mill here. Hia was a tide mill, and stood where Chase's was
afterward built. See under date 1654. See also page 128.]
Mr. John Gifford, agent of the Iron Company, having been
imprisoned on account of the pecuniary affairs of that establish-
ment, a petition was sent from London to the General Court, for
his release. It was dated on the 27th of February .and signed
by John Becx, William Greenhill, Thomas Foley, and Phebe
Frost.
On the 23d of May, the General Court granted to Mr. Joseph
Jenks a patent for an improved sythe, "for the more speedy
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236 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1656.
cutting of grasse, for seven years." This improvement consisted
in lengthening the blade, making it thinner, and welding a square
bar on the back, to strengthen it, as in the modern sythe. Be-
fore this, the old English blade was short and thick, like a bush
sythe.
[The Court, 23 May, "considering the urgent occasions of
the country respecting the bridg at Lyn," ordered that Edmund
Batter, George Gettinga, Joseph Jewett, and Thomas Laighton,
be a committee to see that the bridge be completed forthwith.
And the next county court was directed to apportion the charge
to the towns ia the county, according to the law made at that
■ n.].
1656.
This year the Rev. Thomas Cobbet relinquished his c
tion with the church at Lynn, and removed to Ipswich. He was
born at Newbury, in England, 1608. Though hia father was
poor, he found means to gain admission at the University of
Oxford, which be left during the great sickness in 1625, and
became a pupil of Dr. Twiss, in his native town. He was after-
ward a minister of the established Church. He came to Lynn
in 1637, and was welcomed by Mr. Whiting, with whom he had
commenced a friendship in England. Mr. Mather says, "they
were almost every day together, and thought it a' Jong day if
they were not so; the one rarely travelling abroad without the
other." Mr. Cobbet preached at Lynn nineteen years, and
twenty-nine at Ipswich. In 1666, he preached the election
sermon, from 11. Chronicles, xv. 2. He died on Thursday, 5
November, 1685, and was buried on the next Monday. At his
funeral were expended, one barrel of wine, £6 8s.; two barrels
of cider, lis. ; 82 pounds of sugar, £2 Is. ; half a cord of wood,
4s. ; four dozen pairs of gloves, " for men and women," £5 4s. ;
with " some spice and ginger for the cider." It was the custom
at funerals to treat all the company with cider, which in cold
weather was heated and spiced. In the year 1711, the town
of Lynn paid for " half a barrel of cider for the widow Dis-
paw's funeral. Wine was distributed when it could be afforded.
Gloves were commonly given to the bearers and the principal
mourners, and by the more wealthy, rings were sometimes
added. Mr. Cobbet appears to have been much esteemed.
The following epitaph to his memory is one of the best of Mr.
Majrher's productions :
Sta viator; thesaurus hie jacet;
Thomas Cobbetus;
Cujus, nosti pi"eoe8 potentissimaB, ac mon
Si es Nov-Anglus.
Mirare, ei pietatem colas ;
Sequere, si felicitateni optes.
db, Google
ANMALa OP LYNN — 1656. 237
Slop, ti'aveler, a treasure 's buried here ;
Our Thomas Cobbet olaima the tribute tear.
His prayers were powerful, his manners pure,
As thou, if of Now England's sonB, ai-t sui-e.
If tbou reverest piety, admire ;
And imitate, if bliss be tliy desire.
Mr. Cobbet posaeaaed good learning and abilities, and wrote
more books than any one of the early ministers of New England.
Among his works, were th9 following:
1. A Treatise Aaserting the Right of the Magiatrates to a
Negative Vote on the Itesolves of the Representatives. 1643.
2. A Defence of Infant Baptism. 1645. Thia is said to have
been an admirable summary of the principal arguments for and
against the subject, and an able exposition of the error of those
who deny the vaHdity of this important rite.
3. 'The Civil Magistrates' Power in Matters of Religion, Mod-
estly Debated, with a Brief Answer to a certain slanderoua
pamphlet, called 111 News from New England; containing six
pages of grievous dedication to Oliver Cromwell. 1653.
A Practical Discourse on Prayer. 1654. Mr. Mather
I that, "of all the books written by Mr. Cobbet, none
3 more to be read by the world, or to live till the gen-
eral burning of the world, than that of Prayer."
5. A Fruitful and Useful Discourse, touching the Honor due
from Children to their Parents, and the Duty of Parents toward
their Children. London, 1656.
6. A Treatise on Eccleaiastical Order and Discipline.
7. A Treatise on the First, Second, and Fifth Command-
ments.
The following beautiful picture of the enduring affection of a
mother is from the discourse on the duties of children: "Des-
pise not thy mother when ahe ia old. "When she was young,
yea, when she was middle aged, thou prisedst, and respectedst,
and did reverence and obey her ; do it as well when she is old ;
hold on doing of it to the last. Age may wear and waste a
mother's beauty, strength, parts, limbs, senses, and estate; but
her relation of a mother is as the sun when he goeth forth in his
might, for the ever of thia life, that is, always in its meridian,
and knoweth no evening. The person may be gray headed,
but her motherly relation is ever in its flourish. It may be
autumn, yea, winter, with the woman ; but with the mother, as
a mother, it is always spring."
In descanting on the duties of children, he says : ■'■'How tender
were your parents of their dealings with men, to discbarge a
good conscience therein ; of their very outward garb, what they
ware,- and of what fashion, and the like ; but you their children
regard not what you do, nor how you deal with others, nor what
you wear, nor of what fashion, so the newest. Did ever your
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238 AHNALS OP LYNN — 1656.
good father or grandfather wear such ruffianly hair upon their
heads? or did your ^odly parents frisk from one new fangled
feshion to another, as you do?"
The following anecdote is related by Mr, Mather, " The un-
grateful inhabitants of Lynn one year passed a town vote, that
tliey could not allow their ministers above thirty pounds apiece
that year, for their salary ; and behold, the God who will not be
mocked, iAimediately caused the town to lose three hundred
pounds in that one specie of their cattle, by one disaster." With
his characteristic carelessness, Mr. Mathet dees not give any
date to this fact, [nor any account of the disaster.]
Mr. Gobbet was much respected for his piety and the fervency
of his prayers. One of the soldiers in Philip's war, whose name
was Luke Perkins, says that when he was detached, in 1675, to
go against the Indiana, he went to request the prayers Of Mr.
Cobbet, who prayed that the company might he preserved, and
they all returned in safety.
Some women of his neighborhood were one day attempting
some trick of witchery, when their minister appeared, " There,"
said one of them, " we can do no more : there is old crooked
back Cobbet a coming."
For a considerable time, he was in the practice of walking
from Ipswich to Boston, once in two weeks to attend Mr. Nor-
ton's lecture, and to see his old friend, Mr, Whiting. He used
to remark that it was worth a journey to Boston, " to hear one
of Mr. Norton's good prayers." [Mr. Lewis makes a singular
mistake here. It was not Mr, Cobbet who made these pedestri-
an excursions, but a pious layman of Ipswich, one of Mr. Nor-
ton's old pariahioners. ■ Mr. Norton had been minister at Ipswich
fourteen years, leaving there in 1652.]
The parents of Mr. Cobbet came over some time after hia
arrival The name of his wife was Elizabeth, and ho had four
sons ; Samuel, who graduated in 1663 ; Thomas, John, and
Eliezer.
Thomas Cobbet, Jr., who was a seaman at Portsmouth, was
taken prisoner by the Indians, in 1676, and carried to Penobscot.
,A.fter an absence of several weeks, he was released by Madock-
awando, the sachem, who received a red coat as a present. On
this subject, Mr. Cobbet thus writes, in hia letter to Increase
Mather; "As to what you qu ere, whether there were not an-
swers to prayer respecting my captured son. Surely I may ti-uly
say bis wonderful] preservations in all that 9 weeks time after
he was taken, and deliverance at the last, they will be put on
that account as answers to prayer ; for he was constantly plead-
ed for by Mr. Moody in hia congregation for that end, from his
being first taken (of which they first heard) till bis redemption.
So was he in like sort pleaded for by Mr. Shepard in his congre-
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ANNALB OF LTNN~1656. 239
gation at Charlestowne, and by my desire signified that way, by
Mr. Phillips, Mr. Higginson, Mr. Buckley, in theyr congregations,
and I doubt not by yourself, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. AUin, in the 3
Boston churches, besides the prayers going constantly that way
for him in the families and closets of godly ones, which heard
of his captivity and hazard. He was constantly, aa there was
cause, remembered in our congregation for that end, and which
I may not omit to mention: When Mr Moody, by post sent
hither, sent me the first news of his taking by the Indians, and
their further rage ia those parts, caUing ontfor further prayers —
I presently caused one of our Deacons to call to my house that
very day, as many godly men and theyr wives as were near us,
to spend some hours in prayer about the same ; about 30 met ;
several of them prayed ; Capt. Lord was with them in it, and
with me also, who began and ended that service; and having
beg'd some amends of our wasted son Eliezer at home as a
pledge of the desired mercies to our captived son abroad as
granted, my heart I must acknowledge to the Lord's praise, was
sweetly guided in the course of that service, and I was even
persuaded that the Lord had heard our prayers in that respect,
and could not hut express aa much to some of our godly friends ;
so was one of our sisters (as since she informed my wife,) as
confidently persuaded that she should ere long see him returned,
and that in comfortable plight, as if he were already come." He
says that his son Eliezer began to amend, "insomuch that he
who before could not walk up and down the town without stag-
ering, could yet walk up that high hill (which you know of,)
that is by Mr. Norton's, now our house."
The great age to which many of the early settlers lived, is a
subject worthy of notice. Boniface Burton died in 1669, at the
great age of 113 years; an age to which no person in Lynn,
since his time, has attained. Joseph Rednap lived till he was
110 years of age, in the full possession of his faculties. In the
year 1635, when he was in his 80th year, we find a vote of the
town granting him lands at Nahant, for the purpose of pursuing
the trade of fishing; and he seems as enterprising at that age
as if he were just beginning active life. [I am afraid that much
exaggeration was formerly dealt in with respect to the ages
of old people. It is quite certain that Mr. Rednap, for instance,
died at about the age of 90; see notice of him on page 127.]
Henry Styche was an efficient workman at the Iron Foundry in
the year 1653, and was then 103 years of age. How many
years longer he lived, history has not informed us. Christopher
Hussey was pursuing his active and useful life, in 1685, when
he was shipwrecked on the coast of Florida, at the age of 87
years. This great longevity and good health of the early set-
tlers, may probably be referred to the regularity of their habits.
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240 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1657.
and the simplicity of their diet. They seldom ate meat, and
they generally retired to rest soon after sunset. A pitch pine
torch in the chimney corner, served to illuminate the common
room, until the family prayer was said ; and then the boys and
girls retired to their respective chambers, to undress in the dark.
Nor did they steam themselves to death over hot iron. Cook
stoves were unknown, and no fire was put into a meeting-house,
except the Quaker, until 1820.
[Robert Keayne, the wealthy merchant of Boston, before
alluded to, died this year. He appears to "have had a high re-
gard for many of the Lynn people, arising, perhaps, from asso-
ciations pertaining to his only son, Benjamin, who resided here
for a time. In his will appear the following bequests: "To
m' Whiting, one of the Teaching Eld''s at Lyn, fforty shillings."
" To m'' Cobit, the other Teaching Elder at Lyn, forty shillings."
In a codicil, dated 28 Dec. 1653, he adds : " I have forgott one
Loveing Couple more that came not to my minde till I was
shutting vp ; that is Cap* Bridges & wife, [of Lynn,] to whom I
give forty shillings." Aiao, " To Robert Kand, of Lyn, Some-
time my Servant, forty shillings."]
1657.
Having purchased Nahant of the Indian Sagamore, for a suit
of clothes, Thomas Dexter was not disposed to sit down in
unconcern, when the town made known their intention of divid-
ing it into lots for the benefit of all the people. ' At a town
meeting, held 24 February, 1657, the following order was taken :
" It was voted that Nahant should be laid out in planting lotts,
and every householder should have equal in the dividing of it,
noe man more than another; and everj' person to clear his lot
of wood in six years, and he or they that do not clear their lotts
of the wood, shall pay fifty shillings for the towne's use, Alsoe
every householder is to have hia and their lotts for seaven
years, and it is to be laid down for a pasture for the towne ;
and in the seventh, every one that hath improved his lott by
planting, shall then, that is, in the seventh year, sow their lott
yith English corne ; and in every acre of land as they improve,
they shall, with their English corne, sow one bushel of English
hay seed, and soe proportionable to all the land that is improved,
a bushel of hay seed to one acre of land, and it is to be remem-
bered, that no person is to raise any kind of building at al! ; and
for laying out this land there is chosen Francis Ingals, Henry
Collins, James Axee, Adam Hawckes, Lieut. Thomas Marshall,
John Hathome, Andrew Mansfield." (Mass. Archives.)
This record is valuable, as it exhibits several interesting par-
ticulars. It shows that the purchase of Nahant, by Mr. Dexter,
was not considered valid — it exhibits the most impartial speci-
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ANNALS OP LTBN — 1657. 241
men of practical democracy in this country, t!ie lots being ap-
portioned to each householder equally, "noe man more than
another" — it furnishes an explanation of the cause and manner
of Nahant being so entirely cleared of the beautiful wood which
once grew upon it — and it shows that Nahaut was early planted
with English corn, that is, with wheat. On the passing of this
order, Mr. Dexter commenced a suit againat the town for occu-
pying it. The people held a town meeting, iu which they ap-
pointed Thomas Laighton, George Keysar, Robert Coats, and
Joseph Armitage, a committee to defend their right. At the
Salem Court, which began on the third of June, the following
depositions were given :
1. "Edward- Ireson, aged 57 yeares of there alraufH, sworne, saith, that
liveing with Mr. Thomas Dexter, I carried the fencing stutFe which maeter
Dext«r sett up to fence in Nahant, his part with the rest of the InhahitanM,
and being and hving with mr. Dexter, I neveif heard him Bay a word of his
buying of Nahant, but only his interest in Nahant for his fencing with the rest
of the inhabitants ; this was about 25 yeares einca ; and after this fence waa
eett up at nahant, all the new comers were to give two shillings sixpence a
head or a piece vnto the setters up of the fence. or inhabitants, and some of
Salem brought Cattell alsoe to nahant, which were to give soe."
2. "TbeTestimony of Samuel Whiting, senior, of the Towne of Liniie,^
Saith, that Mr. Humphries did desire that mr. Eaton and bis company i]^iglit
not only buy Nahant, but the whole Towne of Linne, and that mr. Cdtj^^and
he and others of the Towne went to mr. Eaton to offer both to liim,,.and to
commit themselves to the providence of G!od ; and at that time therei.w^Binone
that laid claim to or pleaded any interest in nahant. Save Ib^- tow^, aod at
that time farmer Dexter lived in the TOwne of Linne."
The person to whom Lynn was thus offered fop-aale, waa Tbe-
ophilns Eaton, afterward governor of Connecticut. He caros
to Boston, 26 June, 1637, and went to NewHtiven, in, August,,
of the same year.
3. "Tlie DeposilJon of Daniel Salmon, aged'abont 45 yea^es^ saith, that- he-
being master Humphreyes servant, and about 93yeai'es'agbp, there being-
wolves in nahant, commanded that the whale traine band goe tojirive thenii
out, because it did belong to the whole tpwne, and farmer Dexter'a men being
then at training, went with the i-est."
4. "This 17 Joseph Ai-niitage, aged 57. or tliere abouts, doe teslifie, that
about fifteen or sixteen yeares agoe, wee had a generall towne meeting in Lin ;.
at that meeting there was mucjii discourse about nahant; the men that diiji
^rst fence at nahant and by an act of generall court did apprehend by fencilig
that nahant was theires, myself by pm-chase baveing a part therein, afte^muohl
agitation in the meeting;, and .1^ persuasion of mr. Cobbit, they that then did!
plead a right by fenc^g, did yield' up all their right freely to the Inhabitantsi
of the Towne, of wJuchThomgsDeJCter, senior, was one."
5. " We, QeoiTge Sagomore and the Sagomoro of Agawam, doe testify that
Diike William, so called, did sell alt Nahant unto ffej-mer Dexter for a suite
of Cloathes, which cloathes ffarmer Dexter had again, and gave vnto Duke
William, so called, ,2 or 3 coalps for it again." [Signed , hy the marks of the'
two sagamores]
6. " This I, Christopher Linsie, doe testifle, that Thomas Dexter bought
Nahant of Blaefce WiB, or Dnke William, and emnloycd me to fence part of hj
wheo I lived with Thomas Dexter."
TJ 16
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242 ANSAL9 OP LYNN — 1657.
7. "1, John Legg, aged 47 yews or thereabouts, doe testifie, that when I
was Mr. Humpbi-eya servant, thei-e came UDto my maeter's house one Blaeki!
Will, as wee call him, an Indian, with a compleate Suit on hia bacbe ; I asked
him where he had that suit ; he said he had it of fFarmer Dexter, tuid he had
sould b'!" Nahant for it,"
8 were also given by Richard Walker, Edward Ho!-
_ i Parr, William Dixey, William Witter, John Eams-
dell, John Hedge, William Harcher, and others. [And it is fair
to give Mr, Dexter'a own statement of his case, on the appeal.
It waa evidently drawn up by one skilled in legal proceedings :
1. The Plaintiff pleadeth his right therein and thereto by pui-chase of the
Indians, above 36 years now past, who were then the lawful owners thereof
as by the testimony off Joo. Lege, Wm. Witter, Gfeorge Sagamore, Sagamore
of ^Hwame. 2. The Pit. pleadetb hia possession yoff by fencing and other
improvement, as by the testmioiiy of Wm. Witter and Jobn Legg, CSpt. Traske
and Mi-s, Whiteing, 3. The Plamtiff humbly comendeth to the consideration
of the Honoured Court, (I.) That the purehase was by no law then prohibited
or made voyd, but hath sioce, by act of ihe GJeneral Court; Occo. 19, 1652,
written lawes, beu confirmed as being according to God's word; ....
also divers examplea that might be instanced of sundry
persons y' do injoy those lands, which, in the infancy of these plantacons, they
came by their possesions in like manner. (2.) That as yet no act or instru-
ment made or signed by the Plaintiff hath appeai-ed to manifest any allenacon
thereof to the defendants. [3.) That they are parlies which testify against
tiie Plaintiff, and that for and in their owne behalfe, and many of them such
as have in a disorderly manner ingaged themselves in a special manner, against
the Jhuutiff and hii right; as may appear by the testimony of Ri. Woodey;
their combinacon of assaulting his person, &c, (4.) That if there be no reme-
dy but what they will swes- must passe as truth, (although the Plaintiff con-
ceives it to be veiy false,) yet nevertheless the Plamtiff conoeiveth himself to
be wronged in that he had no part found for him, whenas, bv y^ owne oath
and contes^on, as he was an Inhabitant of Lin, so he had a share vrith them,
the which as yet they have not swome, as he conceiveth, that he either gave it
them or any other, and therefore seeing he sued but for his interest therein,
whether more or less, he marvelleth y' such a verdict should b^ J)rought against
him, and humbly entreateth releif therefrom by this Honored Court.
24 (6) St. [24 Aug. 16Sr.] Thomas Desteb,.]
Mr. Dexter was afterward granted liberty to tap the pitch
pine trees on Nahant, as he had done before, for the purpose
of making tar.
A vessel owned by Captain Thomas Wiggin, of Portsmouth,
waa wrecked on the Long Beach, and the sails, masts, anShor,
&o, purchased by Thomas Wheeler, on the third of June.
Sagamore Wonepoykin petitioned the General Court, on the
twenty-firat of May, that he might possess some land, formerly
owned by hia brother, called Powder Horn Hill, in Chelsea. He
was referred to the county conrt.
[John Aldeman, of Salem, by will dated 3 July, beqiteaths
one cow to Mr. Whiting, of Lynn, and one to Mr. Cobbet. He
also gives " one cow and one cave to y' Indians y' Mr. Eliot
doth preach vnto."]
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ANSALS OP LYiNN-
1658.
At tbe Court of Assistants, on the 13th of May, the to^ns
of Lyun, Reading, and Chelsea, received permission to raise a
troop of horse, [and choose their own officers " provided, they
be not fferry free, nor have five shillings yeerly allowed them
from the country, aa^other troopers have."]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of June, Lieutenant,
Thomas Marshall was authorized to perform the ceremony of
man'iage, and to take testimony in civil cases. [Mr, Lewis
seems to have taken this Lieut. Marshall to have been Capt..
Marshall, of Lynn ; but I think he was another person and resid-
ed elsewhere. There were several of the name of Thomas
Marshall, in the colony. Capt. Marshall, of Lynn, the jolly land-
lord of the "Blew Anchor" tavern, was, indeed empowered to
perform the nuptial ceremony, but not till tho next year. See
second paragraph under date 1659. And it 'appears pretty cer-
tain that at the'iime of his appointment there could have been '
no other in Lynn authorized to join in marriage, for the appoint-
ment is prefaced by the declaration that there are " seuerall
tounes w^'iii this jurisdiction who are not on^ remote from any
magistrate, but also destitute of any person impowered to so-
lemnize marriage, the want whereof is an occasion of sometjmes
disappointment." And herein we have certain evidence that the
early ministers had no gower to marry; perhaps because the
authorities chose to look upon marriage as a mere civil contract ;
swerving to the opposite of those high churchmen who were
charged with regarding it in the light of a sacrament.]
This year there was a great earthquake in New England,
connected svith which is the following story;
Some time previous, on a pleasant evening, a little after
sunset, a small vessel was seen to anchor near the mouth of
Saugus river. A boat was presently lowered from her side, into
which four men descended, and moved up the river a considera-
ble distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly into the
woods. They had been noticed by only a few individuals; bat
in those early times, when the people were surrounded by dan-
ger, and easily susceptible of alarm, such an incident was well
calculated to awaken suspicion, and in the course of the evening
the intelligence was conveyed to many houses. In the morning,
the people naturally directed their eyes towards the shore, in
search of the strange vessel — but she was gone, and no trace
could be fonnd either of her or her singular crew. It was after-
ward ascertained that, on that morning, one of the men at the
Iron Works," on going into the foundry, discovered a paper, on
which was written, that if a quantity of shackles, handcuffs,
hatchets, and other articles of iron manufacture, were made and
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244 ANNALS OP LYNX — 1658
deposited, with secresy, id a certain place in tiie woods, which
was particularly designated, an amount of silver, to their full
value, would he found in their place. The articles were made
in-a few days, and placed in conformity with the directions. On
the next morning they were gone, and the money was found
according to the promise; but though a watch . had heen kept,
no vessel was seen. Some months afterward, the four men
returned, and selected one of the most secluded and romantic
spots in the woods of Saugus, for their abode. The place of
their retreat was a deep, narrow valley, shut in on two sides by
high hills and craggy, precipitous rocks, and shrouded on the
others by thick pines, hemlocks, and cedars, between which
■there was only one small spot to which the rays of the sun, at
noon, could penetrate. On climbing up the rude and almost
perpendicular steps of the rock on the eastern side, the eye
couid command'a full view of the bay on the south, and a pros-
pect of a considerable portion of the surrounding country. The
place of their retreat has ever since been called the Pirates'
Glen, and they could not have selected a spot on the coast, for
many miles, more favorable for the purposes both of conceal-
ment and observation. Even at this day, when the neighbor-
hood has become thickly peopled, it is Still a lonely and desolate
place, and probably not one in a hundred of the inhabitants has
ever descended into its silent and gloomy recess. There the
pirates built a small hut, made a garden, and dug a well, the
appearance of which is still visible. It has been supposed that
they buried money; but though people have dug there, and in
several other places, none has ever been found. After residing
there some time, their retreat became known, and one of the
king's cruisers appeared on the coast. They were traced to
the glen, and three of them were taken and carried to England,
where it is probable they were executed. The other, whose
name was Thomas'Vbal, escaped to a rock in the woods, about
two miles to the north, in which was a spacious cavern, where
the pirates had previously deposited some of their plunder.
There the fugitive fixed his residence, and practised the trade
of a shoemaker, occasionally coming down to the village to
obtain articles of sustenance. He continued his residence till
the great earthc[uake this year, when the top of the rock was
loosened, and crushed down into the mouth of the cavern,
enclosing the unfortunate inmate, in its unyielding prison. It
has ever since been called the Pirate's Dungeon.
[By his romantic labor in thus gathering together detached
and dim traditions, and giving them a connected form and local
habitation, Mr. Lewis has succeeded in exciting a lively interest
in many minds where a love of the marvellous could hardly have
been supposed to exist. Without any desire Jo obliterate the
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ASNALS OF LYNH-— 1658. 245
glowing impressions which a fond credulity lovea to cherisb, it
seems a duty to inquire as to the foundation on which these
stories rest. No recorded evidence has been discovered respect-
ing the persons and transactions so circumstantially brought to
view. Among the records of the various courts, which abound
in allusions, at least, to matters of even the most trivial signifi-
cance, nothing is found. And none of the gossiping old writers
who delighted especially to dwell upon whatever partook of the
wonderful and mysterious make any mention of these things.
The alleged abode of the pirates was almost within a stone's
throw of the Iron Works, which were in operation at the time;
■and yet we find no evidence that any about the Works even
suspected the neighborhood of the outlaws. I once directly
questioned Mr. Lewis as to whence he obtained the information ;
but he declined answering. It has, however, been understood
that he simply claimed the authority of tradition ; and is said to
have remarked that his inquiries on the subject were induced
by the same sort of evidence that induced his inquiries_e once ru-
ing the Iron Works. But however the researches may have
commenced, they must have been pursued under very different
circumstances. A glance at the colony records, would at once
have assured any one of the existence of the Iron Works, And
in recorded deeds they are again and again mentioned, as well
as in the filed depositions of individuals connected with them.
They were about as important in their day, as is the mint of
the United States in this. And besides, at this very hour may
be seen the heaps of scoria which were ejected from their sooty
portals, I Mr. Hiram Marble, who is now engaged in excavating
Dungeon Rock, probably has much more faith in the supposed
spiritual revelations that day by day are vouchsafed him, than
he could have in any traditions. And if he should, under th«
spiritual guidance, discover hidden treasure, and traces of a
piratical abode within the rock, then it wii! be deemed a triumph
of spiritualism entirely eclipsing the few obscure, discordant
traditions that float up from an age of mysteries.
[It was in 1852, that Mr. Marble purchased from the City of
Lynn the lot of woodland in which the Dungeon Rock is situ-
ated. He came hither, a stranger, enticed by alleged clairvoy-
ant revelations, and immediately commenced the laborious task
of excavation. And he has continued to ply the ponderous
drills and rending blasts for these twelve years with a courage
and faith almost sublime. His faith surely has not been without
works nor his courage barren of results. And. centuries hence,
if his name and identity should be lost, the strange labor may
be referred to some recluse cyclops who had strayed hither
from mystic lands. The rock is of very hard porphyry, and the
work has been so extremely uncomfortable and hazardous, that
U*
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246 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1658.
very few would have persisted in it. The course of the exca-
vation ia irregular, and such as a sensible mortal might avoid, as
involving great waste of labor. But it is declared to be pursued
under spiritual direction, the unseen superintendents — the re-
doubtable. Veal among the rest — being constantly at band to
direct where a blast should be made. As it can readily- be
believed that no mortal would give such apparently erratic
directions, spiritual interposition may as well be referred to for
an explanation.
[Mh Marble is a man by no means deficient in intelligence ;
and he is an energetic and persevering enthusiast — just such a
person as often accomplishes great things, either directly or
indirectly. He is of medium size, has a bright, quick eye, and
wears a flowing beard, of sandy hue, which does not always
bear evidence of having immediately been under the restraining
discipline of a comb. He is communicative, and in his conver-
sation there runs a pleasant vein of jocularity. He is now
verging upon old age, and his health has become somewhat
impaired, probably through the severity of his labors in that
damp, dark cavern. He is ready to converse on his plans, fears,
and hopes; and with great good nature, and some times with
an apparently keen relish, alludes to the jeers and taunts of
those who seem disposed to rank him with lunatics. It is
refreshing to observe his faith and perseverance, and impossible
not to conclude that he derives real satisfaction and enjoyment
from his undertaking. He informs me that the spirit of Mr.
Lewis has appeared, and through a writing medium endeavored
to cheer him by words of approval and promise. That being
the case, Mr. Lewis must surely have changed his sentiments
<finoe he left this world, for he was greatly incensed against
those who laid their destroying hands upon the interesting
objects of nature within our borders. And the reader, by
referring to the first paragraph under date 1834, will see how
indignantly he has expressed himself in regard to former
attempts on the integrity of this very rock. The hope of find-
ing hidden treasure has been the incentive to labors here, on
a small scale, in former years ; and it is presumed that Mr. Mar-
ble would not disclaim a kindred motive in his extraordinary
application ; secondary, perhaps, to a due anxiety " to establish
a great truth."
[At the close of the year 1863 the passage excavated had
reached a hundred- and thirty-five feet, and was of the average
height and width of seven feet. Mr. Marble — who, by the
way is a native of Charlton, in Worcester county, and was born
in 1803 — when he undertook the labor had about fifteen hun-
dred dollars which he devoted to the enterprise; and that fund
being exhausted, he has for the last eight years received hia
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AKNALS OP LTNH — 1658. 247
support and been enabled to continue his work, by the donsi-
tions of viaitors. He is accustomed, wheneverin doubt as to the
course he should pursue, to apply for spiritual direction, and
seldom or. never conceives his appHcation to be in vain. The
following may be given as a fair specimen of hia singular corres-
pondence, the originals being at hand while we write. And
that he has perfect conQdence in them as genuine communica-
tions from disembodied spirits is beyond question. The manner
in which he conducts his unique correspondence, may be illus-
trated by explaining the way in which the communication from
Veal was obtained. He states that he wrote the request in this
form :
" I wish Veal or Harria would tell what move to make next"
He wrote it in a room, while entirely alone, and folded the paper
in such a manner that the writing was covered by fifteen thick-
nesses. The medium was then called, and merely feeling of the
exterior of the folded paper, took a pencil &ad. wrote what the
spirit of Veal gave, through him, as the response. The one
called Captain Harris is supposed to have been the leader of the
piratical band.
REapoNSE OP Veal: "My dear charge: You solicit me or Captain Ilaiiis
to advise you as to what to next do. Well, as Ilarria says he has atways the
heft of the load on his shoulders, I will try and respond myself, and let Harris
rest. Ha! ha! Well, Marble, we must joke a bit; did we not, we should
have the blues, as do you, some of those rainy days, when you see no living
pei-son at the rock sare your own dear ones. Not a sound Ao you hear save
the woodpecker and that little gray bird, [a domesticated canaiy,! that singa
all the day long, more especially wet days, tiitry, tittry, tittiy, all day long.
But, Marble, as Long [a deceased friend of Mr. Marble, spoken of below,]
says, don't be discourag^. We are doing as fiist as we can. As to the course,
you are in the right dii'ection, at present. You have one more cui-ve to make,
before you take Uie comse that leads to the cave. We have a i-eason for keep-
ing you from entering the cave at once. Moses was by the Loi-d kept forty
yeai-8 in his circuitous route, ere he had sight of that land which flowed wito
milk and honey. God bad his purpc^e in so doing, notwithstanding he might
have led Moses inliD the promise in a very few days from the start. But no ;
God wanted to develop a truth, and no faster than the minds of the people
were prepared to receive it. Cheer up. Marble j we aj-e with von, and doing
aU we can. Your guide, Tom Veai,."
[It seems proper to present another illustration of this singu-
lar phase of human credulity ; and we give one that purports to
come from the spirit of the Mr. Long, who is alluded to in the
response of Veal, and who died in 1851, He was a man of
good character, and a steadfast friend of Mr. Marble. One of
the most suspicious things, in our view, concerning him is, that
going out of this world with an untarnished reputation, and with
the seal of good orthodox church membership, he should so soon
be found concerting with pirates to allure his old friend into
labors 80 severe and uufruitfui. Tho rhetorical flourish about
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248 ANKAL3 OP LYNN — 1658.
milliona of years, near the close, would be thought weakening.
did it come from a mortal. The Edwia alluded to is Mr.
Marble's son, who has faithfully borne a heavy share iu the
operations, and is, if possible, a more confirmed spiritualist
than his father.
Request of Mr. MiUBtB : " Friend Long, I want you to advise me what
REapoRSE or Loss: "My dear Marble, I have nothing to advise above
what Captain Veal and Harris, have alreai^ advised. We act in concert in
eveiy thing given you. lam aware you feel not discoiu'aged; but you feel
that ai^r ten years' hard labor, you should have had more encouragement
than you have seemiu^ly had. But, dear one, we have done the most wo
could fbr you, and though we may be alow to advise you in reference 10 tliat
which your highest aim)iiiou seems to be — tho establishment of a. truth
which but few comparatively now credit, or cannot believe, from tlie grosa-
neaa of their minds. But, Marble, you have done a work that will tell, when
you aliall be as I am. The names ofHiram and Edwin Marble will live when
millions of years shall from (his time have passed, and when even kings and
stateamen shall have been forgotten. The namea of Hiram Marble and Ihiu-
geon Rock shall be fresh on the memoricis of the inhabitants that then exist.
What shall you do ? seems to be the quesiion. Follow your ovm calculations
or impressions, for they arc right.
Yours as ever, C, B. Lose."
[These curious commanicationa are introduced for more than
one purpose. They show something of the kind of encourage-
ment Mr. Marble receives in his arduous labors. And they
likewise show something of modern spiritualism, which now pre-
vails to some extent throughout the civilized world. Lynn has
had a good share of believers, some of whom were among the
intelligent and refined. It will be observed that the orthogra-
phy and mode of expression iu the response of Veal, who, if he
were ever in this world, was here in 1658, are in tho style of the
present day. This might give rise, in a critical mind, to a strong
suspicion. Indeed it is not easily explained excepting on the
supposition that the medium, after all, acts himself, in part —
and if so, in how great a part? — or the supposition that the
spirits of the departed are enabled to continue on in the pro-
gressive learning of this sphere ; or by taking a bolder sweep
and at once awarding to the spirits the attribute of omniscience.
There are difficulties in the way of reasoning in such matters,
because they lie in that mystic province into which no human
vision can penetrate — where the vagrant imagination so often
revels undisturbed. Aud then again, the allusion to sacred
things, in Veal's response, does not seem in exact accordance
with the character of an abandoned outlaw.
[Spiritualism, however, in the case of Mr, Marble, seems to
have been productive of good. He states that he was formerly
an unmitigated infidel, having no sort of belief in man's immor-
tality. Even for some time after he commenced his labors at
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ANHAL3 OP LYNN — 1658. 249
Dungeon Kock, be clung to his frigid principles. And it was
not till after repeated exhibitions of what he was forced to
receive as spiritual manifestations, around bim, that bis old
opinions began to loosen. To minds constituted essentially
like that of Mr. Marble, anil there are a great many, the doc-
trines of spiritualism must commend tbemselves as fond reali-
ties ; and they bringing consolation and trust. And they are
doctrines wl^icb, under different names and forms have existed
ever since the world began. It must be a strong incontive that
could induce a man to quit the ordinary pursuits of life, and
take wp hia abode in a lonely forest, as Mr. Marble has done,
there devoting years to the severest toil, and undergoing so
many and great privations.
[In a late conversation, Mr. Marble expressed a desire that
the facts regarding bis enterprise might be stated in this history,
to the'end that the people of future generations might have
some data by which to judge concerning the pretensions of the
spiritualists of this period; saying that if he should discover,
somewhere in the interior of that hill of rock, a cave containing
treasure, and evidences of ancient occupancy, all according to
the lavish assurances he has been daily receiving from the spirit
host, the truths of spiritualism wil! be considered most strongly
fortified, if not established. There is wisdom and fairness in
this. And on the other hand, failure will teach a useful lesson,
a lesson that will remain before the eyes of men so lopg as the
rock itself endures. In either event, the Dungeon Rock is
destined to be forever famous; to remain a monument of irra-
tional credulity or triumphant faith.
[A few words should be added regarding the Pirates' Glen.
This remarkable locality, though exactly the opposite of the
Dungeon Rock in some of its principal features, being a deep
ravine instead of a commanding elevation, still possesses rare
attractions, notwithstanding its fame has become so eclipsed.
During the last score of years, a great portion of the wood i«
the vicinity has been swept off. The axe is the most unsenti-
mental of instruments, and by its ravages much of the former
grandeur and beauty of the scene has been extinguished. Quite
enough remains, however, to abundantly compensate the visitor
who enjoys nature in her more untamed aspect. On a recent
visit I took particular notice of the old well from which the
pirates are supposed to have drawn their supplies. It was cer-
tainly excavated by human hands and if the fact were once
established, that pirates dwelt there, it might be fair to refer
the work to them. But the reasoning which claims the exist-
ence of the well as proof of the residence of the pirates, is no
more conclusive than that which claims the fact that the Dun-
geon Rock was riven by an earthquake and a portion projected
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250 A^TJALS OP LYHN — 1659.
forward, as proof that a cave was thereby closed up and a pirate
entombed alive, with his treasure. The well may have been
dug for the convenience of those employed in the woods. Be-
ing in a swampy place, and hence requiring but little depth, a
few hours were sufficient for the labor of excavation. The
'water ordinarily stands almost at the surface. The Glen would
have furnished a most apt place for the jolly iron workers and
their sweethearts to retire to, on a summer holiday, to pursue
their sports and drink their punch. And the convenience of a
well would have been to tbem worth the small labor of the
digging. It may be remarked in passing, that the evidence
of the splitting of Dungeon Rock, by the earthquake of this
/year, is not the most satisfactory. But it is not an agreeable
Hask to reason against what a doting imagination has long held in
keeping. And, moreover, it becomes one to be wary in making
aggressive suggestions on these ' mysterious topics-, lest Mr.
Marble's future success should turn the laugh upon him.]
1659.
A road was laid out from Lynn to Marblehead, over the
Swampscot beaches, on the fifth of July. In reference to the
part between Ocean street and King's Beach, tho committe say,
"it has been a country highway thirty and odd years, to the
knowledge of many of us."
[Captain Marshall, of Lynn, was empowered by the General
Court, 18 October, to join in fnamage such persona in Lynn as
might desire his services in that interesting connection, they
" being published according to lawe."]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of November, " Thomas
Marshall, of Lynn, is alowed by this court, to sell stronge water
to trauillers, and also other meet provisions,"
The General Court had passed some very severe laws against
the people called Friends or Quakers, forbidding any even to
admit them into their houses, under a penalty of forty shillings
an hour. Mr. Zacheus Gould had offended against this order,
for which he was arraigned by the Court. On the 25th of No-
vember, "the deputies having heard of what Zacheus Gould
hath alleged in Court, in reference to his entertainment of Qua-
kers, do think it meet that the rigor of the law in that case
provided, be exercised upon him, hut considering his ingenious
confession, and profession of his ignorance of the law ; and he
also having long attended the Court, do judge that he shall only
he admonished for his offence by the governor, and so be dis-
missed the court, and all with reference to the consent of our
honored magistrates hereto." This decision of the deputies
was sent to the magistrates, and returned with this endorse-
ment: "The magistrates consent not thereto," So it is proba-
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1660. 251
ble that Mr. Gouid was compelled to pay his fine. [The Court
ordered that Mr. Gould pay a fine of three ponnds. But the fine
was remitted, 31 May, 1660, in consideration of the great loss,
by fire, which he had recently sustained.]
The Court this year enacted that the festival of Christmas
should not be observed, under a penalty of five ahillinga.
1660.
Mr. Adam Hawkes commenced a suit, in June, against Oliver
Pnrchis, agent for the Iron Company, for damage by overflow-
ing his land. The following papers relating to this subject,
were found in the files of the Quarterly Court.
Tlie depaeition of Joseph Jenks, senior, saitb, that having conference with
adorn hawkes about the great dam at the Iron works at Lin, he complayned
that he suffered great dama^ by the water flowing his groimd. I answered
him, 1 thought you bad satja&ction for all from the old cotnpanie ; he said be
had from the old company, and further sailh not.
This I, Charles Phillopes do testifle, that I, keepeing of the waiter at the
L-one Workes, since Mr. Porchas came there, Mr, Porchas did att all times
chai-ee me to keepe the waiter Lowe, thai it might not damage Mr. Hawkes,
which I did, and had much HI will of the Worlcmen for the same.
Others testified that the lands had been much ovei-flowed.
Francis Hutchinson said, that the water had been raised so
high, that the bridge before Mr. Hawkes's house had several
times been broken up, and " the peces of tember raised up and
Made Sweme." John Knight and Thomas Weilman were ap-
pointed to ascertain the damage. They stated that the corn
had been " Much Spoilled," and the wells " sometimes ffloted;"
that the English grass had been much damaged, and the to-
bacco lands much injured, " in laying them so CouUd." They
judged the damage to be the " ualloation of ten pounds a
yeere,"
[This year Charles II. took poaaeasion of the throne of Eng-
land. Joseph Jenks, Jr., who worked with his father at the
Iron Works, and who seems not to have been very strongly
attached to the monarch, was accused of treason, having, proba-
bly during some free and easy discussion with the other work-
men, or perhaps in a political dispute with the dignitaries
assembled at tbe tavern, after the labors of the day, made
divers careless remarks that did not favorably strike the loyal
minds. He was brought before the Court on the first of the
next April, and several depositions were made against him.
Nicholas Pinion deposed that he " did heere Joseph Jinks, jun.
say that if he hade the king heir, he wold cutte of his head and
make a football of it." Thomaa Tower testified that when,the
king's name was mentioned Mr. Jenks said, "I should rather
that his head were as his father's, rather than he should come
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AKNALS OF LTNN — 1661, 1662, 1663.
3 to set up popery tliere." Several othere testified to
eirailar speeches. He was imprisoned while the case remain-
ed undetermined, the punctilious authorities probably taking a
strict view of the unbailable character of treason. While in
durance, Mr, Jenks wrote a long letter to the Court ; and they
finally de:;ided that the words proved against him, "were all
too weak to prove him guilty of treason,"]
16 61..
" At a Generall Towne Moetinge, the 30th of December, 1661,
vpoD the request of Daniell Salmon for some land, in- regard he
was a soldier att the Pequid warrs, and it was ordered by vote
that Ensign John ffuller, Allen Breed, senior, and Richard John-
son, should vew the land adjoyninge to his house lott, and to
giue report of it vntd the next towne meetings."
["The canker worm," says John Hull, writing this year,
"hath for fower years devoured most of the apples in Boston,"
And he adds that the apple trees, in June, look as if it were No-
vember. So those pests are not especially a modern infliction,
in this vicinity, as some have supposed.]
16 6 3.
Mr. "William Longley prosecuted the town, for not la}'ing out
to him forty acres of land, according to the division of 1638.
The case was defended by John Hathorne and Henry Collins.
In March, the Court decided that he should have the forty acres
of land or forty pounds in money. [For some curious facts
connected with this matter, see page 175.]
On 13 May, the boundary line between Lynn and Boston was
marked. It ran " from the middle of Bride's brooke, whero the
foot path now goeth." This Hue has since become the boundary
between Saugus and Chelsea.
[This year, the price of oak wood was one shilling and sis-
pence a cord.
[It was customary, at this period, for Indians to bring ches-
nuts hither, for sale. They usually sold them at a shilling a
bushel.]
For the first time since the organization of the general gov-
ernment, in 1634, the town of Lynn sent no representative.
1663.
On the evening of 26 January, there was an earthquake. [It
took place about twilight, and proved quite severe ; chimneys
fell, and in many instances people were forced to seize upon
supports to prevent falling. On the evening of the fifth of the
next month another earthquake occurred; in some places doors
opened and shut, walls split, bells rang, and floors fell. And
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ANKALS OF LTNH — 1663. 253
between tbat time and Jnly, some thirty shocks took place. In
most eases the earth seemed to undulate, as if upon stupendous
waves, rolling from the northwest. In some instances ponds
were dried up, th0 courses of streams changed, trees torn up,
and hilla riven.]
Mr. John Hathorne complained to the church at Lynn, that
Andrew Mansfield and William Longley had given false testi-
mony in the recent land case, for which they were censnred.
They appealed to the county conrt, accusing Mr. Hathorne of
slandeTj of which he was found guilty, and sentenced to pay a
fine of £10, and make a public acknowledgment in the meeting-
house at Lynn; or else to pay £2Q and costs. [See notice of
Uichard LongJy, page 175.] On the fourth of April, the court
directed the following letter to the church at Lynn.
Reverend and loving FrieDiiaaud Brethren: We understand that John Hath-
orne hath accused Andrew Mansfield and William Longley in the church of
Lynn, for givingafalse testimony against himself and Heniy Collins, at the court
o^Ipswicb, in March this was vi month, and for which the said Mansfield and
Longley stand convicted in the churdi, and findins themselves aggrieved
thereat, hath braught their complaint against the said Hathorne in several
actions of slander, which hath had a full and impartial heai'ing, and due
examination, and by the verdict of the jury the. said Hathorne is found guilty.
Now because it is much to be desired that contrary judgments in one aud the
same case may be prevented, if possibly it may be attained, and one power
strive not to clash against the other, we thought it expedient, before we give
judgment in the case, to commend the same to the serious consideration and
further examination of the church. We doubt not but tliat there hath been
even more than a few both in the words and caniage of all the parties con-
cerned, (though not the crime alleged), which if it may please God to put
into their hearts to see and own so as may give the church oppormnity and
cause to change their mind and reverse their censures, so &r as concerns the
particular ease in question, we hope it will be acceptable to God, satisfactory
to ourselves and others, and the beginning of tlieir own peace aud quiet, tlie
disturbance whereof hitherto we are vei-y sensible of, and shall at fill times be
ready to afford ihem our best reliefj as we may have opportunity or cognizance
thereof. Had you been pleased, before your final conclusion, to have given
us the grounds of your onence, we should kindly have resented such a request,
and probably much of your ti-ouble might have been prevented. We have
deferred giving judgment in this case till the next session of this Courtjo^see
what effect this our motion may have with them. Now the God of peace aSd
wisdom give them understanding in all things, and guide them to such conclu-
sions, in this and all otiier causes of concernment, as may be agre^aye to hia
irill, and conducing to your peace and welfare. So pray your friends and
brertiren. By order of the County Court, at Ipswich.
Robert LoRn, Clerk.
To this letter Mr, "Whiting made the following reply, on the
fourth of May:
Honored and beloved in the God of love : We have received your tetter,
which you have been pleased to send to us, wherein we perceive how tender
you are of om" peace, and how wisely careful you declare youraelves to he in
preventing any cinsh that miglit arise between the civil and ecclesiastical
powers, for which wo desire to return thanks from ouj" beoi-ts to God and
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254 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1663.
«nW you coiicei-ning the matter yoii signify to i;b ; what yoiir pleaem-e is Ihot
we should attend unto, we in all humility of mind and dosii-ous of pence, have
been willing to pi'Ove the parties concerned, to see what errora they would
see and own ; and for, tis part that complained to us, he doth acknowledge
his uncomely speeches ana carriage both unto the morslial, he being the
court's of&cer, and also to brethren in the church, in the agitation of the
matter, and doth condemn himself for sin in ii; but for the other parties that
stand convicted, they either do not see or will not acknowledge any error
concerniug their testimony, which we judge they ought Wherefore we hum-
bly present you with these few lines, not doubting but they will he pleasing
to God and acceptable to you, whatever hath been suggested to youi"selveB by
others that bear not goodwill to the peace of our church; we are sure of this,
and our .consciences bear us witness, that we have done nothing in opposition
to you, or to cast any reflection upon your court proceedings, but have justi-
fied you all along m what you have done, Secundum Allegata et probata,
[according as they were alleged and proved] in al! our church agitations,^
which our odversaiies can tell, if tliey would witness; but by reason of diis,'
that some, of our brethren did swear conti'ai^ oalhs, we thought it our dutyl
upon complaint made to us to search who they were that swore ti'uly and
who did falafy their oath, and after much delMite and dispute ou Sunday
days — [this must be an eiTor; sundry days is no doubt intended. Besides
the awkwardness of the phi-ase in the mouth of such a man as Mr. Whiting,
it is a familiar fiict that the Puritans did not use the name Sunday, but called
the first dayof the week Lord's-day, or Sabbath, and occasionally First-day.] —
about this matter, we did judge tiiose two men faulty, which in conscience
we dai-e not go back from, they continuing as they do to this day. Oouid we
discern any token of these men's repentance, for this that they are, especially
one of them, censured in the church foi', we should cheerfully take off the
censui'es; but inasmuch as they justify tliemselves, and tell us if it were to do
again they would do it, and lift up their chests in high, language and come to
such animosities from the jury's verdict, we desire the honored coui't would
not count us transgressors if we do not recede from what we have done ;
especially considering what disturtrers they have been to us ; especially one
of them, for these several years. Now, therefore, honored and dear sirs, see-
ing bv what we have done we have ^one in our own way as a church in the
search after sin, wo hope tlie court will be tender of us and of him that com-
plained to UB on that account, and if we humbly crave that it be not grievous to
you that we humbly tell you that in our juitgment the discipline of these churches
must fall ; and if so, of what sad consequence it will lie, we leave it to those
Ibat are wiser than ourselves to judge, for this case being new and never
acted before in this country, doth not only reflect on our church but on all the
churches in the country ; for if delinquents that are censured in churches,
shall be countenanced by authority, against the church in their acting in a
just way, we humbly put it to the consideration of the court, whether there
will not be a wide door opened to Brastianisme,* which we hope all of
ua do abhor from onr hearts. Now the God of peace himself give the country,
courts and church peace always by all means ; gi'ace be with you all in Christ
Jesus. Amen. >
Dated the 4th, 3d, 1663, with the consent and vote of tlie church.
Samuel Whiti.vo.
On the next day, the Court replied as follows :
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ANSAL3 OF LYHN — 1664
desCrHccive to the right a
and do verily believe/the civil and eccleaiaetical power may very well
and that no cauae is so purely ecolesiaatical, but the civil power may in ils
way deal therein. We are fat from thinking the ehuvchea hove no power but
what is derived from the christian ma^atratea, or that the civil magiatrate
hath ecclesiaBdcal powers, yet may, and ough^ the matter so requiring, take
cognizance and give judgment in solving a case, not in a church hut civil way.
We suppose we have kept much within these bounds in the case that hatii'
been before us, and that our opinion and practice herein hath been as clear
from Erastianisme, as some men's asseiTioos have been from the opposite
error, and the declared judgments of our congregational divines. In that
poiii^ we own and desire so to regulate our proceedings accoi-dingly. The
jGod of order guide all our mdniEAi^tions to his glory, and the peace and edifi-
cation of his people.
By order and unanimous consent of the County Court, sitting at' Ipswich,
May 6th, 1663, p. me, - Robert Loan, Clerk.
[For a year or two, difficulties eeem to have existed regard-
ing the organization and disposition of the "Lynn troopers."
The Court, in June, judged it meet to declare, " that Capt.
Hutchinsons comission doeth bind him to comand the troopers
residing in Lynne, that are listed w'^ him, as formerly." And
in October the Court say, in answer to a petition of the Ljna
troopers, that "henceforth the troopers inhabitting in Lynne,
shall apperteine unto and joyne w*^ Salem troope, . . . except-
ing only such as shall rather choose to contiBue w*^ the Three
County Troope, and shall certify theire desire soe to doe, under
theire hauda, at the next meeting of Salem troope."
[There was a great eclipse of the sun, 22 August, the light
becoming "almost like eventyde," as a writer of the time ob-
serves.]
1664.
On the 28fch of June, Theophilus Bay ley was licensed to Itoep
a public house. (Q. C. Files.)
This year the wheat is first mentioned to have been blasted.
(Hubbard.) Little has been raised on the sea coast of New
England since.
A public fast was appointed on account of dissensions and
troubles.
In November, a comet appeared, and continued visible till
February. [In Bradstreet's journal this comet is noticed in a
manner that aptly illustrates the popular opinion regarding the
influence of such celestial visitants, " Novem. A great blazing
star appeared in the S: west w'* continued some monthes.
The effects appeared much in England, in a great and dreadful
plague that followed the next sumer; in a dreadfuU warr by
eea w'" the dutch; and the burning of London the 2* year
following," By Josselyn this ia called " the great and dreadful
comet."]
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1665, 1666, 1667.
1665.
Ou the 27th of June, Thomas La.ighton, Oliver Purchis, and
John Puller, were appointed commisdionera to try small causes,
[A fast was held, in Juno, on account of the caterpillars and
palmer worms, John Hull makes this note: "This summe'r
multitudes of flying caterpillars arose out of the ground, and
from roots of corn, making such a noyae in the aire, that travel-
lers must speak lowd to hear one another ; yet they only seazed
upon the trees of the wilderness." Could these " flying cater-
pillars" have heen locusts?] ,
On the 29th of November, Mr. Joseph Jenks was admonished
by the Salera court, for not attending public worship.
[The Court, in the absence of newspapers through which to
promulgate their orders, were obliged, on many occasions, to
resort to the primitive way of proclaiming by herald. They
order, this year, that a declaration be " published by M' Olioer
Purchis on horse backe, by sound of trumpet, and that Thomas
BUgh, the trumpeter, and Marshall Eichard Wajte accompany
him, and y' in the close he say, w'" an audible vojce, ' God saue
the king.' " It can hardly be imagined that Mr. Purchia ut-
tered the closing ejaculation with any great heartiness, as he
is Tiuderstood to have been a decided anti-royalist.]
1666.
Mr. Andrew Mansfield was chosen town recorder.
On the 7th of December, the General Court assembled for
religious consultation and prayer, in which Mr, Whiting and Mr.
Cobbet sustained a part.
[This year was marked -by several conspicuous events. The
emall-pox prevailed extensively, and a great many died of it.
An unusual destruction of life by lightning, also took place ; an
almanac memorandum says, " Divers were this year slain by
lightning." Grasshoppers and caterpillars did great mischief
during the growing season.
[Nathaniel Bishop and Hope Allen, curriers, petitioned the
Court to forbid tanners and shoemakers exercising the trade
of curriers. But the Court judged "it not meete to grant y®
pe tic oners request."]
1667.
[The spring was so forward that apple trees began to hTossom
by the 18th of April.]
At the Quarterly Court, on the 26th of June, Nathariiel Kert-
Jand, John Witt, and Ephraim Hall, were presented, "forpro-
phaining the Lord's Day, By Going to William Craffa bouse, in
time of publike exercise, (they both beisg at meeting,) an(3
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ANWAL8 OP LYNN — 1668, 1669, 257
Drinkeing of bis sider, and Eosteing hia Aplee, without eyther
the consent or knowledge of him or hia wife.''
Mr, Joseph Jenks presented a petition to the General Court
for aid to commen'be a wire nianufactory, but did not receive
snfEcient encouragement,
[Bradstreet notes that "toward the end of February, there
was a mighty long beam appeared in the S : West, and was seen
four or five nights ; it appeared like the tail of a comet, but no
starre was to bee Been, nor had it any, vnlesse it was depressed
vnder y° Horizon." This, taken in connection with the descri^.
tion given in Morton's Memorial has led some to suppose that
an unsually briliiant display of the zodiacal light then took place.
But I do not see how it could have been that. Most likely it
was a comet with the head below the horizon, or without a
head of any density. But whatever it was, it created consider-
able alarm and numerous disasters were ascribed to its agency.
The next year, Rev. Mr. Shepard of Rowley, Rev, Mr. Flint of
Braintree, and Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of Cambridge, died. And the
apprehensive Bradstreet observes, " Possibly the death of these
precious Servants of Christ might not bee the least thing sig-
nefyed by that Blaze or Beam."
[The winter of this year "was exceedingly mild above N.
English winters," says Bradstreet. There was not much snow
and but little depth of frost.]
1668.
The ministers of the several towns assembled in Boston, on
the 15th of April, to hold a public disputation with the Baptists,
Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet were among the principal.
On the 13th of June, Robert Page, of Boston, was presented
for " setinge saille from Nahant, in his boate, being Leaden with
wood, thereby Profaining the Lord's daye."
Land on the north side the Common was this year sold for
£i an acre; and good salt marsh, £1.10.
1669.
On the 29th of April, the boundary line between Lynn and
Salem was defined. It ran from the west end of Brown's pond,
in Danvers, "to a noated Spring," now called Mineral Spring;
thence to " Chip Bridge," on the little brook which runs out
near the house of John Phillips, to the sea shore.
[The Dolphin, a vessel belonging to Charlestown, lost a top-
sail and some other rigging in Ipswich Bay, aiid these were
taken up at Lynn, by Mr. King — Daniel King, it is probable,
who lived at Swampscot — and he, for some reason that does
not appear, refused to give them up, notwithstanding recom-
pense had "been tendered for all his paynes and charge in
V* 17
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258 ANNiLS OP LYNN — 1670.
securing the same. Uppon application for redress, by the mas-
ter, Major Hathorne was empowered by the Court to iieare and
determine the case according to lawe, to allow what recompense
he shall judge meet, and eaase said sayle and rigging to be
delivered tothe sajd master."
[A difference existing between the county treasurer and the
constable of Lynn, " about the prosecution of hues en cry," and
on some other accounts, the Court, 19 May, gave to a committee
power to "inspect the sajd differences, and together with the
treasurer, to put issue thereto."]
1670.
The Court ordered, that the lands of deceased persons might
be sold for the payment of debts. Before this, if a person died
in debt, his land was secure. The method of conveyance was
by " turfe and twig ; " that is, the seller gave a turf from the
ground and a twig from a tree, into the hands of the buyer, as
a token of relinquishment. [This is a mistake. The earlier
practice of the courts here, even went to the extent of treating
real estate the same as chattels ; in administration, allowing sales
to be made regardless of heirship. The old English mode of
conveying, by turf and twig, was never adopted here. It was
about this tune, however, that the distinguishing features of
real estate law began to be recogized ; and petitions for leave
to sell were occasionally presented.
[Capt Marshall, who had been empowered to perform the
marriage ceremony, at Lynn, as stated under date 1659, was
discharged by the Court, 31 May, "from ofEcyating in that
imployment." He seems to have been " abused by the misin-
f&rmation of some," and by " his oune ouermuch credulity,"
and to have exceeded his commission, by marrying parties from
other places, and such as had not been legally published. Some
of hia grievous offences are stated on the colony records. It
■is presumed that he inconsiderately performed the ceremony ia
the following case. "Hope Allin and John Pease, . . appear-
ed in Court, and y* sajd John Pease acknouledged, that not-
withstanding the counsell of the major general, who had declined
y* marrying of M"^ Deacon to Hope Allins daughter, be did ac-
company them to Lynn, to Capt. Marshall, &c, and Hope Allin
declared he did give his consent y' y" sajd M' Deacon should
have his daughter, and told Capt. Marshall y* he hoped they
might be tegally published before y* time, &c, ; the Court judged
it meet to censure the sajd Hope Allin to pay ten pounds as a
fine to the country for his irregular proceedure and John. Pease
forty shillings." And so it appears that Mr, Allen had to pay
rather dearly for manifesting a little anxiety to 'get his daughter
off his hands.]
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ANNALS OP LYKN — 1671.
1671.
On the 18tli of Januarj, there was a great snow storm, in
which there was much thunder and lightning.
The foilowing memorandum is copied from the leaf of a Bible.
May 22. " A very awful thunder, and a very great storm of wind
and hail, especially at Dorchester town, so that it broke many
glass windows at the meeting-house,"
Mr. Samuel Bennet sued Mr. John Gifford, the former agent
of the Iron Works, and attached property to the amount of
£400, for labor performed for the company. On the 27th of
June, the following testimony waa given: "John Paule aged
about forty-five years, swome, saith, that living with Mr. Sam-
uel Bennett, upon or about the time that the Iron Works were
seased by Capt. Savage, in the year 53 as I take it, for I lived
ther several years^ and my constant imployment was to repaire
carts, coale carts, mine carts, and other working materials for
his teemes, for he keept 4 or 5 teemes, and sometimes 6 teemes,
and he had the most teemes the last yeare of the Iron Works^
when they were seased, and my master Bennet did yearly yearne
a vast sum from the said Iron Works, for he commonly yearned
forty or fifty shillings a daye for the former time, and the year
63, as aforesaid, for he had five or six teemes goeing generally
every faire day." (Salem Q. C. files.)
The Iron Works for several years were carried on with vigor,
and furnished most of the iron used in the colony. But the
want of ready money on the part of the purchasers, and the
great freedom with which the company construed the liberal
privileges of the Court, caused their failure. The owners of the
lands which had been injured, commenced several suits against
them, and at last hired a person to cut away the flood gates and
destroy the works. This was done in the night, when the pond
was full. The dam was high, and just below it, on the left,
stood the house of Mac Galium More Downing. The water
rushed out and flowed into the house, without disturbing the
inhabitants, who were asleep in a chamber. In the morning,
Mrs. Downing found a fine live fish flouncing in her oven. The
works were much injured, and the depredator fled to Penobscot,
The suits against the Iron Works were protracted for more
than twenty years. Mr. Hubbard says that " instead of drawing
out bars of iron for the country's use, there was hammered out
nothing but contention and law suits." The works were con-
tinued, though on a smaller scale, for more than one hundred
years from their establishment. But they have long been dis-
continued, and nothing now is to be seen of them, except the
heaps of scoria, called the "Cinder Banks."
[Jonathan Leonard, in a letter published in the N. E. Histori-
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260 AHNALS OP LYNK — 1672.
cal aud GeDealogical Register, Oct. 1857, mentions a tradition
handed down from his ancestors, one of whom was employed at
the Lynn works, in their very infancy, to the effect that after
these works had done considerable business, the people became
alarmed through the apprehension that the quantity of charcoal
used, would occasion a scarcity of wood ; and, urged on by their
fears, threw so many obstacles in the way of the company that
the business was broken up. It is quite certain that they were
constantly beset by difficulties, and the singular apprehension
alluded to may have laid the foundation for some at least.
[As evidencQ of the desire to diffuse education among the
people, it may be remarked that at this time the law Tcquired
every town, consisting of as many as one hundred families, to
establish a grammar school, with a master able to fit the youth
for college. And every town neglecting the requisition was
liable to a penalty often pounds a year.
[That a disposition towards independence was early entertain-
ed by the people of New England, is evidenced by a note in
Evelyn's journal, under date of this year. He says, " There was
a fear of their breaking from all dependence on this nation."
Evelyn was a member of the board of trade and plantations.]
1672.
Mr. Daniel Salmon attached the property of the town, to the
value of forty pounds, for not laying out the land granted to
him in 1661. On the 27th of Jnne, the Quarterly Court required
the town to give him about six acres, near bis bouse.
[On the first of AprU there was a violent snow storm. Drifts
were lett six feet in height. And the rains that followed did
much damage. It rained fourteen days during the month.
[The whole General Court resolved to keep the twenty-sec-
ond of May as a day of fasting and humiliation, and to meet at
the court house, where Eev. Messrs. Whiting, Gobbet, John
Eliot, Increase Mather, and others, were appointed "to carry
on the worke of that day, by pi-ayer and preaching." The
solemnities were held on account of the disturbances and dis-
tresses in Europe, and to supplicate for freedom from like
afflictions here.
[Joseph Jenks, senior, made proposals to coin the money.
But the Court judged it " meet not to grant his request,"
[The first dancing school in the colony was commenced this
year. It was soon, however, suppressed by the strong arm of
the law. And up to this time there were no professed musi-
cians in the colony.
[The sun was eclipsed, 12 August, " total or very near."
[There was a great easterly storm, 10 November. It brought
in " so great a tyde as hath not bene this 36 years,"]
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1673, 1674.
1673.
On the 18th of June, a new road was laid out from Lynn to
Marblehead, on the north of the former road. It is now called
Essex street.
The second inhabitant of Nahant, of whom we find any men-
tion, was Eobert Coats. He probably lived there as a flaherman
and shepherd, and left before he married Mary Hodgkin, which
was 29 December, 1682. He had six sons and three daughters.
After he left, there appears no inhabitant until 1690.
1674.
[John Tarbox, one of the first farmers in Lynn, died 26 May.
He had seven acres of upland on Water Hillj an orchard, three
cows and nine sheep, at the time of his decease. His will says,
" I bequeath ray house and housing, with orchard and all my
land and meddow, with a greene Rugg, and a great Iron kettell,
and a round Joynd table, to my sou John Tarbox." He was a
small proprietor in the Iron Works. This was the same John
Tarbox, for the winning of the affectioHs of whose . daughter,
Matthew Stanley was fined £5, in 1649. See page 225.]
Some of the inhabitants of Salem attempted to form a new
church, and engaged Mr. Charles Nicholet for their minister;
but their design being opposed, they came to Lynn to complete
it. Mr, Eogers, minister of Ipswich, wrote a fetter to Mr. Phil-
lips, minister of Rowley, requesting him to assist in preventing
the accomplishment. This letter was handed to Major Dennison,
who subjoined the following approbation : " Sir, Though I know
nothing of what is above written, I cannot but approve the same
in all respects." On Sunday, the 11th of December, the dele-
gates from the churches of Boston, Woburn, Maiden, and Lynn,
with the governor, John Leverett, assembled at Lynn, and
formed a council. They chose the Rev. John Oxenbridge, of
Boston, moderator, and agreed that the new church should he
formed. Afterward, the delegates of the churches of Salem,
Ipswich, and Rowley, arrived, when the vote of the council
was reconsidered, and decided in the negative. In the curious
church records of Rowley, it is said that " This work was begun
without a sermon, which is not usuall. There was also a break-
ing out into laughter, by a great part of the congregation, at a
speech of Mr. Batters, that he did not approve of what Major
Hathorne had spoken. Such carriage was never known on a
first day, that I know of." After the frustration of this design,
Mr. Nicholet went to England. [Nicholas Root was active in
this design.
[This year closed with gloomy apprehensions touching the
impending storm of savage retribution.]
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1675.
Tbis year we find mention made, in the records of the Society
of Friends, of the sufferings of that people, in consequence of
their refusal to pay parish taxes. In reference to George Oaks,
who appears to be one of the first who embraced the doctrines
of George Fo3, in Lynn, is the following record : " Taken away
for the priest, Samuel Whiting, one cow, valued at £^" Oth-
ers afterward suffered for refusing to perform military duty, or
to pay church rates, by having their cattle, corn, hay, and do-
mestic furniture taken away.
On the 29th of August, there was "a very great wind and
rain, that blew down and twisted many trees." (Bible leaf)
The year 1675 is memorable for the commencement of the
great war of Pometacom, called king Philip, sachem of the Wam-
pauoag Indians, in Plymouth county and Rhode Island, just one
hundred years before the war of the independence of the United
States. Pometacom was a son of Maasasoit, but was more war-
like than his father. Perhaps he had more cause to be so. As
we have tecoived the history of this war only from the pens
of white men, it is probable that some incidents that might serve
to illustrate its origin, have been passed unnoticed. It com-
menced in June, and some of the eastern tribes united with the
Wampanoags. One of the causes of their offence, was an out-
rage offered by some sailors to the wife and child of Squando,
sagamore of Saco. Meeting them in a canoe, and having heard
that young Indians could swim naturally, they overturned the
frail bark. The insulted mother dived and brought up her
child, but it died soon after.
[Considerable alarm was felt, oven in this quarter, so powerful
and determined did the Indians appear, in this, their last great
struggle.] The military company in Lynn, at this time, was
commanded by Capt. Thomas Marshall, Lieut. Oliver Purchis,
and Ensign John Fuller. The troops from Massachusetts, which
went against the Indians, were commanded by Major Samuel
Appleton. [The following answer of the Court, despatched in
October, to a letter of the Major General, will give a glimpse
of the existing state of feeling. " Sr : Wee received your letter
dated at Lynn, 23th instant, and haue perused the particculs
inclosed, w'"" still present us w"" sad tjdings (the Lord haue
mercy on us) toucheing the performance of yo' promise to Ma-
jor Piko in your designe to rajse what force you can to resist
the enemy s head quarters at Aiisebee. Wee approove of it;
only wee presume your intelligence that the enemy is there is
vpon good grounde. Wee cannot give yow particular. orders,
but lean e the manjigement of this affayre.to yo' prudenc and
assistance of Almighty God, n^t doubting yo' care in leaving
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sufficient strength to secure the frontjer tonnes of Norfolke and
Essex, least the enemy should visit them when the fforces are
abooard. W^out douht, if their sqnawes and pappoosea, &c. ba
at Assabee, and God he pleased to dehver them into our hands,
it would be much for our interest. As for your personall march-
ing, it will be acceptable, if God inable to psecute it."
[Solomon Alley and Benjamin Faruell, of Lynn, were among
the slain at Bloody Brook, having been in Lathrop's command.]
Fifteen men were impressed at Lynn, by order of the Court,
on the 13th of November, in addition to those who had been
previously detached. Their names were Thomas Baker, Egbert
Driver, Job Farrington, Samuel Graves, Isaac Hart, Nicholas
.Hitchens, Daniel Hitchens, John Lindsey, Jonathan Locke,
Charles Phillips, Samuel Rhodes, Henry Stacey, Samuel Tarhox,
Andrew Townsend, and Isaac Wellman.
On the 19th of December, says the Bible leaf, there was "a
dreadful fight with the Indians." This was the great swamp
fight, at South Kingston, E. I., when eighty white men, and
more than three hundred Indians, were killed. Mr. Ephraim
Newhall, of Lynn, was one of the slain. [Tho following affida-
vit was signed by Thomas Baker, and sworn to, at Lynn, 8 June,
1730, before TbeophiJus Burriil, justice of the peace, and is
recorded in Middlesex Registry. " The deposition of Thomas
Baker, of Lyn, in the county of Essex, aged about 77 years,
Testifieth and saith, That I, being well acquainted with one
Andrew Townsend of Lyn aforesaid, for more than 55 years
since, and do certainly know and very well Remember that the
B* Andrew Townsend was a soldier in the Expedition to the
Narragansett under y" Command of Capt, Gardner, and that he
was in y° s* Narragansett fite and in a" fits Rec'd a wound, in oi"
about the year 1675."]
Wenepoykin, the sagamore of Lynn, who had never been in
deep friendship with the whites, went and united with Pometa-
com. He probably had some causes of offence which have been
left unrecorded. Indeed, the thousand little insults, which the
men of his race have ever been in tho habit of receiving from
white men, and which must have been felt by his proud mind,
might have been sufficient cause for his conduct. As a poetess
has well said :
Small slights, eoutempt, neglect, iinmixed with hate,
Make up in number what they want in weight.
Two of the descendants of Nanapashemet, whose names were
Quanapaug and Quanapohit, living on Deer Island, had become
Christiana by the names of James and Thomas. These united
with the whites, and became spies for them, for which they
were to have £5 each ; for which cause the Wanipanoag sachem
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264 ANHAL3 OP LTNN — 1676.
offered a reward for their death, but they Burvived the war.
Several aoecdotes of their cunning are preserved by Mr. Drake.
At one time, when they were taking him to Pometacom Quana-
paug escaped by hia skilh Quanapohit, also, came accidentally
upon six of his armed enemies, whom he put to flight, and plun-
dered their wigwam, by turning round,aad beckoning, as if ho
were calling his company.
1676.
The war with the Indians was prosecuted by both parties
with. the most determined vigor and cruelty. Many towns were
burnt and many of the inhabitants put to death. Great num-
bers of the Indians also were killed, and those who were taken
prisoners were most cruelly sold for slaves to the West Indies,
against the earnest entreaties of some of the principal ofEcers.
At last, Philip was pursued to a swamp, near his residence, at
Mount Hope, and killed, on the morning of Saturday, the 12th
of August. After his death Annawon, Tispaquin, and others
of his chiefs and warriors, submitted themselves, on the promise
that their lives would be spared; but they were unmercifully
put to death. From the expressions of some of them, it is
probable tbat they did not wish to survive the destruction of
their nation.
Thus fell Philip, the last groat king of the Wampanoags —
the last formidable enemy ^of the English. Like Sassacus, he
foresaw the destruction of his nation ; but he was |it first friend-
ly to the white people, and wept when ho heard that some of
them had been killed. The pen of the historian will do justice
to his patriotism, and the harp of the poet will eulogize him in
strains of immortality.
Tradition, legend, tune, and song,
Shall many sm age that wail proioug ;
Still from the sire the son shall hear
Of tliat stern sli'ife and carnage drear.
Wenepoykin, who had joined with the Wampanoags, was
taken prisoner, and sold as a slave to Barhadoes. He returned
in 1684, at the end of eight years, and died at the house of his
relative, James Muminquasb, at the age of 68 years. The tes-
timony of Tokowampato and Wahan, given 1 October, 1686, and
preserved in Essex Registry of Deeds, declares, that " Sagamore
George, when he came from Barhadoes, lived some time, and
died at the house of.James Rumneymarsh." The old chief, who
had ruled in freedom over more than half the state of Massachu-
setts, returned from his slavery, sad and broken-hearted, to die
in a lone wigwam, in the forest of Natick, in the presence of his
sister Yawata.
A law had been passed, prohibiting the friendly Indians from.
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going more than one mile from their own wigwams. On the
25th of October, the Court agreed that they might go out to
gather " chesnuts and other nuta in the wilderness," if two
white men went with each company, whose charges were to be
paid by the Indians.
The injuries which the Indiana received in the early history
of our country, cannot now be repaired ; but the opportunity is
afforded for our national government to manifest its high sense
of magnanimity and justice, and to evince to the world that re-
publics are not unmindful of honor and right, by redressing any
wrongs which the existing red men have received, and by pro-
viding for their welfare, in a manner becoming a great and pow-
erful nation, which has received its extensive domains from a,
people who are now wandering as fugitives in the land of their
fathers. Such conduct, it may reasonably be expected, wOl
receive the approbation of heaven ; and it cannot be supposed,
that He who watches the fall of the sparrow, will regard its
neglect with indifference.
[John Flint, of Salem, shot a hostile Indian at the end of
Spring pond, in Lynn, as appears by the record of an examina^
tion before William Hathorne, 9 October. The next year, for
causing the death of a white man, he was convicted of man-
elaaghter. He was a soldier in Philip's war.]
The leaf of the Bible says, there was " a great sickness thia
year."
1677.
[Lynn gave ^4.13, for the relief of captives from Hatfield;
Salem, M.T.
[In the Salem court files is the following : " An inventory of
y*' estate of Teaguo alias Thaddeas Braun, who was impressed
a soldier of Lynn for the Countreys service and was sent from
Lynn y° 22nd June, 1677, and was slayne in the fight at Black-
point, as we are informed, on y*' 29'" of June, 1677."]
The following letter was addressed by Mr. Whiting to Increase
Mather, 1 October, 1677.
"Reverend and Dear Cousin: I ncknowleiige myself much engaged, aa to
God for all his mercies, so to yourself for your indefatigable labors, both in
our church here, and in your writiiigfl, wbicb of your love you have sent to
me from time to time ; and especially for your late book which you sent to
me, wherein you have outdone any tliat I have seen upon that subject. Go
on, dear oousin, and the Lord prosper your endeavors for tbe gloiy of his
great name, and the good of many souls. And let me beg one request of you,
U)at you would set pen- to paper in writing an history of New England, since
the coming of our chief men hither; which you may do, by conferring with
Mr. Higginsou, and some of the first planters in Salera, and in other places ;
which I hope you may easily accomplish, having, by your diligence and search
found out so much history concerning the Pequrft war. And tJie rather let
me entreat this favor of you, because it hatli not been hitherto done by any iu
w
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266 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1678,
a polite and scholar like wny ; which, if it were so done, would glad the hearta
of the Lord's people, and turn to your great account in the last and greut day
of the Lord Jcbub. Thus commending my love to you and your loving con-
sort, with thanks to you for your kiudoess to me and my eon, when we were
last with you at your house, beseeching the Lord to bless you and all yotu-s :
not knowing how portly I must put off this eai'thlj tabernacle, I rest,
Samuel Wkitino.
[The General Court order, 10 October, that "10 barrels of
cranberries, 2 hhda. of special good samp, and 3000 cod fish,"
be sent aa a present to the king.]
At this time there was but one poKt office io Massachusetts,
which was at Boston. On the 3d of December, the Court of
Assistants appointed John Hayward postmaster for the whole
colon}'.
On Thanksgiving day, the 4th of December, happened one
of the greatest storms ever known in New England. It blew
down many houses and many trees.
1678.
This year, Samuel Appleton, Jr., took possession of the Iron
Works, by a grant in the will of William Payne, of Boston. On
the 9th of June, Thomas Savage sued an old mortgage which
he held on the property, and Samuel Waite testifies, "There is
land, rated at Three Thousand acres of Iron Mill land." In
1679, Mr. Appleton had possession of three fourths of the Iron
Works, valued at ^1500. The law suits respecting the Iron
Works wore protracted to a tedious length, and papers enougli
are preserved in the Massachusetts archives, respecting them,
to form a volume.
The Selectmen, or, as they were called, " the Seven Pruden-
tial men," this year, were Thomas Laighton, Eichard Walker,
Andrew Mansfield, William Bassett, Nathaniel Kertiand, John
BurriU, and Kalph King.
The price of corn was two shillings a busheh
[Thomas Purchis, senior, died 11 May, aged a hundred and
one years, as stated by his widow and son in a- petition to the
Salem court. He had not long resided in Lynn, having been
among the Maine settlers. It seems hardly possible that he can
have been the same individual mentioned by Mr. Lewis under
date 1640, though he may have been here for a brief period,
about that time. Somewhere between 1625 and 1629 he located
in Maine, and engaged in the fur trade. He had lands on the
Androscoggin, and sold to Massachusetts, 22 July, 1639, a por-
tion of the territory on which Brunswick now stands, of which
place he was the first settler. In 1635, iie was one of G-orges's
Council ; subsequently he held the office of sole Assistant to the
Colony Commissioners; and was a Justice under Archdale, in
1664. In 1675, his bouse was attacked by hostile Indians, and
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AKHALS OP LTKH — 1679. 267
piikged. He then removed to Lynn. ' I have seen it suggested
that he may have been a brother of OHver Purchis who was so
long an active and conspicuous man here. But I think it could
not have been sq. About seven months after his decease, hia
widow married John Bianey.
[Thomas Laighton was empowered by the Court to join such
persons in marriage as had been duly published, provided one
at least resided iu Lynn.]
The first meeting-house of the Society of Friends, says an
old record of one of their members, " was raised on Wolf Hill."
[This site was on Broad street, nearly opposite Nabant. The
first Friends' meeting, in this vicinity, is supposed to have been
held, this year, in a house that stood -on Boston street, a little
west of Bi-pwn's pond.]
The people of Reading petitioned the General Court, on the
3d of October, that the alewives might be permitted to come
up to Reading pond, as before ; that they might find no obstruc-
tion at the Iron Works, but " come up freely into our ponds,
where they have their natural breeding place ; " which was
granted.
Thomas Dexter, Jr., and Captain James Oliver, administrators
of the estate of Thomas Dexter, prosecuted the town of Lynn,
on the 26th of November, at Boston, for the recovery of Na-
bant. The jury decided in favor of the town. This was a
review of the ease decided 1 September, 1657, against Mr.
Dexter.
1679.
In the number of the early ministers of Now England, thero
were few who deserved a higher celebrity, for the purity of
their character, and the fervor of their piety, than the Rev.
Samuel Whiting. His name has been frequently overlooked
by biographers, and little known and estimated even in his own
parish. He has no stone erected to his memory, and the very
place where he was buried is known only to a few.
Dust Jong outlasts the storied stone,
But thou — thy very dust is gone.
[Since Mr. Lewis wrote the above, William Whiting, Esq.,
the eminent lawyer, who is a descendant, has erected a fitting
monument to his memory. It is a simple granite shaft, inscribed
with his name, and the dates of his birth and decease. It is on
the westerly side of the path leading from the front gate-way,
in the Old Burying Ground, near the western end of- Lynn
Common.]
This is another instance of the truth of the observation, that
men are indebted to the poet and the historian for their remem-
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268 ANNALS OP LYNN— 1679.
brance to after ages. An honorable memorial of the deserving
dead is one of the rewards of goodness, and the very desire of
remembrance is itself a virtne. We naturally love the idea that
we are remembered by others, and that oiy- names ■vvill be
known beyond the circle of those with whom we shared the
endearments of ■ friend ship. It is sweet to think that we have
not altogether lived in vain ; to persuade ourselves that we have
conferred some -slight benefit on the world, and that posterity
will repay the pleasing debt by mentioning our names with ex-
pressions of regard. It is not vanity, it is not ambition ; it is a
pure love of mankind, an exalting sense of right, that twines
itself around every virtuous and noble mind, raising it above
the enjoyment of worldliness, and making us wish to prolong
our existence in the memory of the gobd.
Bev. Samuel Whiting was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire,
England, on the 20th of November, 1597. His father, Mr. John
Whiting was mayor of the city, in 1600; and his' brother John
obtained the same office, in 1625. Having completed his studies
in the school of his birthplace, young Samuel entered the uni-
versity at Cambridge, where he had for his classmate, his cousin,
Anthony Tuckney, afterward Master of St. John's College, with
whom- he commenced a friendship, which was not quenched by
the waters of the Atlantic. Ho received impressions of piety
at aa early age, and loved to indulge his meditations in the
retired walks of Emanuel College. He entered college in 1613,
took his first degree in 1616, and his second in 1620. Having
received orders in the Church of England, he became chaplain
in a family consisting of five ladies and two knights. Sir Nsf
thaniel Bacon and Sir Roger Townsend, with whom he resided
three years. He then went to old Lynn, where he spent threei
years more, a colleague with Mr. Price. While at that place,
complaints were made to the Bishop of Norwich, of his non-
conformity in administering the services of the church, on which
he removed to Skirbick, one mile from old Boston. There the
complaints were renewed, on which he determined to sell his
possessions and embark for America, He remarked, "I am
going into the wilderness, to sacrifice unto the Lord, and I will
not leave a hoof behind me." The beauty, piety, and harmony
of the church, in our own time, induce us to wonder why a
pious man should have objected to her services. But the
church, at that period, demanded more than is now required;
and the dissenters, by their repugnance to those ceremonies
and requisitions which were excessive, were driven to revolt
again«t those forms which were really judicious.
Mr. Whiting sailed from England in the beginning of April,
1636, and arrived in Boston on the twenty-sixth of May. He
was very sick on his passage, during which he preached but
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ANNALa OF LYNN — IQlS. 269
one sermon. Ho observed that he would " much rather have
imdergoiie six weeks imprisonment for a gooci cause, than six
weeks of such terrible sea sickness," He came to Lynn in June,
and was installed on the eighth of November, at the age of
thirty-nine. He was admitted to the privileges of a freeman on
the seventeenth of December. His residence was nearly oppo-
site the meeting-house, in Shepard street. He had a walk in
his orchard, iii which he used to indulge his habit of meditation ;
and some who frequently saw him walking there, remarked,
"There does our dear pastor walk with God every day." An
anecdote related ,of him, will serve to illustrate his character.
In one of his excursions to a neighboring townj he stopped at a
tavern, where a company were revelling. As he passed their
door, he thus addressed them: " Friends, if you are sure that
your sins are pardoned, you may be wisely merry." He is re-
puted to have been a man of good learning, and an excellent
Hebrew scholar. In 1649, he delivered a Latin oration at Cam-
bridge, a copy of which is preserved in the library of the
Massachusetts Historical Society. He employed much of bia
leisure in reading history ; and he could scarcely have chosen
a study more indicative of the seriousness and solidity of bis
mind. He possessed great command over his passions, waa
extremely mild and affable in his deportment, and his counte-
nance was generally illumined by a smile. He was chosen
moderator in several ecclesiastical councils, and appears to have
been generally respected. In his preaching, he was ardent and
devoted ; but he was less disposed to frighten his hearers by
wild and boisterous efforts, than to win them to virtue by mild
and persuasive eloquence.
In the latter part of his life, Mr. Whiting was afflicted by a
complication of disorders, and endured many hours of most ex-
cruciating pain. But his patience was inexhaustible, and his
strength enabled him to continue the performance of the public
services till a very advanced age, in which he was assisted by
his youngest son, Joseph, A shnrt time before his death, he
presented to the General Court a claim for five hundred acres
of land, which he had by deed of gift from his brother-in-law,
Mr. Richard Westland, an alderman of Boston, in England, who
bad loaned money to the colony of Massachusetts. As the claim
had been some timo due, the Court allowed him six hundred
acres. [As this petition recounts several interesting facts, and
withal so faithfully exhibits the meek and pious spirit of the
venerable man, we insert it entire. The signature is a fac-simile,
as carefully traced from the original, which is still in good pre-
servation in the state archives. The tremulous hand indicates
age and infirmity; and he lived but a few months after the
petition was drawn.
W*
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270 ANNALS OF LYSN— 1679.
The humblepetitionof Samuel Whiting, seuf, of Lyn,aliewetli, that ivhereos
ymir petitioner upon my comeing to New England, which is now about foity
three yeara since, had per deed of sift of my kinde brother in law, Mr.
Richard Wesdand, of Boston, in England, aldennan, in consideration of hie
disbursement of fiftj pounds of lawful money of England, in way of loan to
this colony, then low, and in its beginning, which aura the said Mr. Westltmd
did deliver and pay unto some of y^ chief agents of this patent then, which
was some years before I left England, they promising him a compensation
with a, ferme of five hundred acres of upland and meadow, convenient and
nigh within the Bay ; 1 say, the whoU interest in the premises by fair deed
and gift, by the gentleman himself freely given to myself and wife and our
heirea forever, as without fallacie I doe aveiT and testity before God and your
honoured selves, being a dyeing man, and goeing out of tiiis world, and shortly
to appear before the Lord Jesus, y' Judge of all.
My humble request, and tlje last petition I shall ever make application of to
this honorable assembly is, that haveing been so long in the country, and as
long in y^ work of the Lord, and God haveing 'given me iseue, whom I am
shortly to leave, haveing little, of a considerable estate I brought, left for them,-
that your honors would pleas to grant to myself and my heirs, tliat wh. pet
y« free gift of my bi-other is oiu' right, viz, five or six hundred acres of land
and meadow, wh. hath been my due about this forty years, although nevet
motioned but once to this assembly, uor sliould have now been insisted on,
could I in conscience of God's command and duty to mine as a father, be
silent, and soe they lose their right in what belongs to them; or if I could die
with serenity of soule upon consideration of the promises, should I neglect to
use this meanes of an humble remonstrance.
I doe therefore humbly reitterat ■ my request, wherein I mention nothing of
use or for fbrbeai'ance so long time past, dues and donations, only the 5 or
six hundred acres, jhat my children may inherit what is righteously their
owne, and yours to' grant, and which I hope will not be denyed, beeing of
itselfe so just to be requested, and so most equitable and just to be granted.
Thus begging the Lord's presence to be amongst you, and his face to shine
on this your court, the country, and churches, that we may be saved, and
that y« choice blessing, divine wisdom, councell and conduct, may preside in
all things, I leave the whole matter to your honored selves, and yoiuBelves
with the Lord.
Your humble petitioner, friend ever, and servant for Christ's sake, though
ready to depart dieing.'
Witnesses —
Heniy Rhodes,
Samuel Cobbet.]
Mr. Whiting made his will on the 25th of February, 1679.
He commences thus : " After my committing of my dear flock
unto the tender care of that great and good Shepherd, the Lord
Jesus Christ." He gave his son Samuel, at Billorica, his houaa
and four hundred acres of land at Dunstable, valued at .£362,
and fourteen acres of marsh, at Lynn; and his son Joseph, his
dwelling-house, orchard, and eight acres of marsh, at Lynn. And
he remembered his other children. His money and plate amount-
ed to X77.2.; and his whole estate to ^570.15.6. He died on the
11th of December, 1679, at the age of 82; having preached at
Lynn, forty-three years.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1679. 271
The death of Mr. Wbiting called forth the folloi^bg elegy
from the pen of Mr. Benjarain Thompson, a schoolmaster, born
at Braintree, and the first native American poet.
UPON THE VERY LEARNED SAMUEL WHITING.
Mount, Fame, the glorious chariot of the sun!
Through the world's cu'que, all you, her heralds, run,
And let this great awnt's merits be revealed.
Which during life he studiously concealed.
Cite all the Levites, fetch the sons ofaxt,
In these our dolors to sustain a x>aTt ;
Warn all tliat value vrorth, and every one
Within their eyes to bring a Helicon ;
For in this single person we have lost
Moi'e riches than an India has engrost
When Wilson, lliat plerophory of love.
Did from our banks up to his centi'e move.
Rare Whiting quotes Colimibus on this coast,
Producing gems of which a king might boast.
More splendid far than ever Aaron wore.
Within his breast this sacred father bore,
Sound doctrine, Urim, in his holy cell.
And all perfections, Thumniim, there did dweU.
His holy vesture was his innocence;
His speech, embroideries of curious sense.
Such awful gravity this doctor used,
As if an angel eveiy word infused ;
No tui-^ent style, but Asiatic lore ;
Cauduits were almost ftill, seldom run o'er
The banks of time — come visit when you will.
The streams of nectar were descending still.
Much like semtemfliious Nilus, rising so,
He watered Christians round, and made them grow.
His modest whispers, could the conscience reach,
As well as whirlwinds, which some others preach.
No Boanerges, yet could touch the heart.
And clench his doctrine witJ) the meekest art.
His learning and his language might become
A province not inferior to Rome.
Glorious was Europe's heaven, when such as these,
Stars of Lis size, shone in each diocese.
Who wi'it'st the fathers' lives, either make room,
Or with his name begin ^our second tcme.
,^ed Polycai'p, deep Origen, and such,
Whose worth your quOls, your wits not. them enrich }
Lactantius, Cyprian, Basil, too, the great,
Quaint Jerome, Austin, of the foremost seat.
With Ambrose, and more of the highest class
In Chi'ist's great school, with honor I let pass,
And humbly pay my debt to Whiting's ghost,
Of whom both Engiands may with reason boast.
Nations for men of lesser worth have strove
To have the fame, and in transports of love
Built temples, or fixed statues of pure gold,
And fheir vast worth to after ages told.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1679.
What sweet composure in his angel face !
What soft affectione ! melting gleams of grace!
How miidiv pleasant! by his cloaed lips
Rhetoric's Wight body suffere an eclipse.
Should half his sentences he fairly numbered,
And weighed in wisdom's scales, 'twould spoil a Lombard,
And churches' homilies but homily be,
If, venerable Whiting, set by thee.
Profomideet judgment, with a meekness rai'e,
Preferred him to the modei-ator's chair,
"Whei-e, like truth's champion, with his pierdng eye,
He silenced eiTors, and bade Hectors fly.
Soft answers quell hot passions, ne'er too soft,
Where solid judgment is enthroned aloft.
Church doctors are my witnesses, that here
AfTections always keep their proper sphere
Without tiiose wilder eccentricities,
Wliich spot the fairest fields of men most wise.
In ple^ant places 1^11 that people's line.
Who have but shadows of men thus divine ;
Much more their presence, and heaven-piercing prayers,
Thus many years to mind our soul affairs.
The poorest soil oft has the richest mine !
This weighty ore, poor Lynn, w^ lately thine.
O, wondrous mercy! but this glorious light
Hath left thee in the ten-ors of the night.
New England, didst thou know tliis mighty one,
His weight and worth, thou 'dst think thyself undone.
One of thy golden chariota, which among
The clergy rendered thee a thousand strong ;
One who for learning, wisdom, grace, and years.
Among the Levltes, hath not many peers ;
One, yet with God, a kind of heavenly band,
Who did whole regiments of woes withstand ;
One that prevailed with heaven ; one greatly mist
On earth, he gained of Christ whate'er he list;
One of a world, who was botli bom and bred
At wisdom's feet, hard by the fountain's head.
The loss of such a one would fetch a tear
From Niobe herself, if she were here.
What qualifies our grief, centres in this ;
Be our loss ne'er so great, the gain is his.
The following epitaph has been applied to him by Mr. Mather.
md yet I Ir
0 Chriet, I
Mr. Whiting published the following pamphlets and books.
1. A Latin Oration, delivered at Cambridge, on Oommence-
ment day, 1649.
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ANNAL9 OF LTHH-
- 1679. 273
2. A Sei'taon preacbud before tbe Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Company, at Boston, 1660.
3. A Discourse of the Last Judgment, or Sbort Notes upon
Mattbew 25, from verse 31 to tbe end of the chapter, concerning
the Judgment to come, and our preparation to stand before the
great Judge of quick and dead ; which are of sweetest comfort
to the olect sheep, and a moat dreadful amazement and terror
to reprobate goats. (Cambridge, 1664, 12mo. 160 pages.)
4. Abraham's Humble Intercession for Sodom, and the Lord's
Gracious Answer in Concession thereto. (Cambridge, 1666,
12mo. 349 pages.) From this work tbe following extracts are
taken.
What is it to draw nigh to God in prayer? It is not to come with loud
expressions, when wo pray before Him. Loud crying in the eare of God, is
not to di-ftw near to God. They are nearer to God, that silently whisper in
His ears and tell Him what they want, and what they would have of Him.
They have the King's ear, not that call loudest, but those that speak softly to
him, as those of the council a»d bed chamber. So they are nearest God, and
have His ear most that speak softly to Him in prayer.
In what manner are we to draw nigh to God in prayer? In sincerity, with
a ttue heart. Truth is the Christian soldier's girdle. We must be tnie at all
times; much more, when we fall upon our knees and pray before the Lord.
We, in this country, have left our near relations, brothera, sistei-a, fathers'
houses, nearest and deai-est friends ; but if we can get nearer to Gfod here, He
will be instead of all, more than all to us. He hath the fnlness of all the
sweetest relations bound up in Him. We may take that out of God, that we
forsook in father, mother, nrother, sister, and friend, that hath been as near
and dear as our own soul.
Even among the most wicked ginners, there may be found some righteous ;
some com among the chaff' — some jewels among the saiids — some pearls
among a multitude of sbellst
Wlto hath made England to differ from other nations, tliat more jewels are
found there than elsewhere ? or what hath that Island that it hath not received ?
The East and West Indies yield their gold, and pearl, and sweet spices; but
I know where the golden, spicy, fragrant Christians be — England hath yielded
these. Yet not England, but the grace of God, that batli been ever with them.
We see what hope we may hava concerning New England; though we do
not deserve to be named the same day with our dear mother.
In enumerating the evils with which the people of ^ew Eng-
land were obliged to contend, he says, it is cause " for humilia-
tion, that our ains have exposed ua to live among such wicked
sinners," with whom he ranks "Atheists and Quakers."
Mr. Whiting married two wives in England. By hia first wife
he had three children. Two of them were sons, who, with their
mother, died in England. The other was a daughter, who came
with her father to America, and married Mr. Thomas Weld, of
Roxbury.
His second wife was Elizabeth St. John of Bedfordshire, to
whom he was married in 1630. She was a daughter of Oliver
St. John, Chief Justice of England in tbe time of Oliver Crom-
well. She came to Lynn with her husband, and died on the
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274 AKSALS OP LYKN — 1679.
third of March, 1677, aged 72 years. She was a woman of
uncommon piety, seriousness, and discretion; and not only
assisted her husband in writing his sermons, but by her caro
and prudence relieved him from all attention to temporal con-
cerns.
[Mrs. Whiting was a sister, not a daughter, of Chief Justice
St. John. Her pedigree, as given by Clifford Stanley Simms,
of Philadelphia, may he found in the New England Historical
and Gfenealogical Register, v. 14, p. 61. It is there stated that
Biizaheth St. John Whiting was sixth cousin to King Henry
Vn. Through the Beauchamps, she descended from the Earls
of Warren and Surrey; from the Earls of Warwick, from William
the Conqueror, and from King Henry I. of Prance. Indeed her
pedigree is traced to William the Norman, in two distinct lines ;
and in hevwere united the lineage of ten of the sovereigns of
Europe, a confluence of noble blood not often witnessed. And
yet she appears to have passed her days here at Lynn, undis-
turbed by ambitions yearnings, cleaving lovingly to her worthy
husband, and sedulously performing the duties of a laborious
pastor's wife. Surely here is an example of humility for some
of the worldlings who now traverse our streets, swelling with
pride if they can trace their lineage to an ancestor who bore,
however ignobly, some small title, or who happened to possess,
however unworthily, a few more acres or a few more dollars
than the multitude around him.]
By his second wife, Mr. Whiting had sis children; four sons
and two daughters. One daughter married the Rev. Jeremiah
Hobart of Topsfield; and one son and one daughter died at
Lynn. The other tiiree sous received an education at Cam-
bridge,
1. Rev. Samuel Whiting, Jr., was horn in England, 1633,
He studied with his father, at Lynn, and graduated at Cam-
bridge, in 1653. He was ordained minister of Billerica, 11 No-
vember, 1663 ; preached the Artillery Election Sermon, in 1682 ;
and died 28 February, 1713, aged 79 years. The name of his
wife was Dorcas, and he had ten children. 1. Elizabeth. 2.
Samueh 3. Rev. John, minister at Lancaster; where he was
killed hy the Indians, 11 September, 1697, at the age of 33. 4.
Oliver. 5. Dorothy. 6. Joseph, 7. James. 8. Eunice. 9,
Benjamin. 10. Benjamin, again.
2. Rev. John Whiting, graduated at Cambridge, in 1653.
He returned to England, became a minister of tho Church, and
died at Leverton, in Lincolnshire, 11 October, 1689, very exten-
sively respected.
3. Rev, Joseph Whiting, graduated in 1661, He was ordained
at Lynn, 6 October, 1680, and soon after removed to Southamp-
ton, on Long Island. He married Sarah Danforth, of Cambridge,
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AHNAL8 OF LYSN — 1680. 275
daughter of Thomas Danforth, Deputy G-overnor, He had sis
children, born at Lvnn. 1. Samue), born 3 July, 1674. 2. Jo-
seph, b. 22 Nov. 1675. 3. Joseph, again, b. 8 Mav, 1677. 4.
Thomas, b. 20 May, 1678. 5. Joseph, again, b. 14 Jan. 1680.
6. John, b. 20 Jan. 1681. All except the first and sixth, died
■within a few weeks of their birth.
Of the descendants of Mr. Whiting, now [1844] living, are the
Rev. Samuel Whiting, minister at Billerica ; and Henry Whiting,
an officer in the service of the United States, and author of a
beautiful little Indian tale, entitled Ontwa, or the Son of the
Forest.
[Caroline Lee Hentz, one of the most esteemed of American
prose w^'iters, descended from this venerable minister of the
Lynn church. She was a daughter of Gen. John Whiting, who
did good service in the Revolution, and died at Washington, in
1810. And Gen. Henry Whiting, of the United States army,
anite distinguished also for his literary attainments, was a bro-
ler of hers. She was born at Lancaster, Mass., in 1800, and
was married in 1825, at Northampton, to Mr. N. M. Hentz, a
French gentleman of education and talents, who was at that
time, in connection with George Bancroft, the historian, con-
ducting a seminary at Northampton. Soon after marriage, they
removed to North Carolina, where Mr. Hentz became a profes-
sor in the college at Chapel Hill. They afterward lived at
Covington, Ky. ; then at Cincinnati ; and then at Florence, Ala.,
where they established a flourishing seminary. In 1843, they
removed their school to Tuscaloosa, Florida; and afterward
they resided at Columbus, Ga. Mrs. Hentz died at the resi-
dence of her son. Dr. Charles A. Hentz, at Mariana, Florida, in
1856. And within a year afterward, her accomplished husband
died at the same place. Hon. Jeremiah Mason, the distinguished
lawyer and United States Senator, from New Hampshire, who
died at Boston, 4 October, 1848, aged 80, was a descendant
from Mr. Whiting; and the late Rev. Dr. Charles Mason, rector
of Grace Church, Boston, son of Jeremiah, was conspicuous for
his talents and piety.
[In May, of this year, a new troop was formed at Lynn, con-
sisting of forty-eight men, who petitioned the General Court
that Capt. Richard Walker might be appointed commander. The
magistrates named Walker, for captain ; Ralph King, Heutenint ;
John Lewis, cornet ; and William Bassett, quarter-master.]
1680.
[On the 9th of June, the town of Groton voted to give Thomas
Beall, of Lynn, tanner, ten acres of land, provided he would go
and live there, " and be not alienating or selling it," Probably
he did not accept the offer, for on the 14th of August, 1691,
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2T6 ANNALS OP LYSN — 1680.
the town of Lynn voted, " that Thomas Eeal! should live in the
watch house."
[Joseph Armitage died this year. In the administration ac-
coiint, filed in July, occur these items: "For coffin, vaile,
and digging the grave, 14s. In wine and Sider, for bia buriall,
£2."}
On the 6th of October, Mr. Jeremiah Shepard was ordained
pastor, and Mr. Joseph Wbiting teacher, of the church at Lynn.
On the 18th of November, a very remarkable comet made ita
appearance, and continued about two months. The train was
thirty degrees in length, very broad and bright, and nearly
attained-tlie zenith. A memorandum on a Bible leaf, thus re-
marks: "A blazing star, at its greatest height, to my appre-
hension, terrible to behold." It was regarded by most people
with fear, as the siga of Bomo great calamity. This was tlie
comet on which Sir Isaac Newton made his interesting obser-
vations. While the party, who were predominent in religious
affairs, were noting every misfortune which befell those of a
different opinion, as the judgments of God; they, on the other
hand, regarded the earthquakes, the comets, and the blighting
of the wheat, as manifestations of his displeasure against their
persecutors. [Judge Sewall remarks, in an iuterleaved almana9,
about the time the comet disappeared, "And thus is this prodi-
gious spectacle removed, leaving the world in a fearful expecta-
tion of what may follow. Sure it is that these things are not
sent for nothing, though man cannot say particularly for what.
They are by most thought to bo forerunners of evil coming
upon the world, though some think otberwise." So, it appears,
there were some above the common superstitions of the time.
The period of this comet being five hundred and seventy-five
years, it will not again appear till the year 2255. And how
inconceivable must be the distance that it journeys into space,
moving as it does in the known portions of its orbit, with start-
ling rapidity. Increase Mather, in bis introduction to a lecture,
remarks, "As for the blazing star which hath occasioned this
discourse, it was a terrible sight indeed, especially about the
middle of December last."]
Dr. Phihp Eead, of Lynn, complained to the court at Salem,
of Mrs. Margaret Gifford, as being a witch. She was a respect-
able woman, and wife of Mr. John Gifford, formerly agent for
the Iron Works. The complainant said, " he verily believed
that she was a witch, for there were some things which could
not be accounted for by natural causes." Mrs. Gifford gave no-
regard to her summons, and the Court very prudently suspended
their inquiries.
" We present the wife of John Davis, of Lynn, for breaking
her husband's head with a quart pot." (Essex Court Rec.)
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1681, 1682.
1681.
1 Worcester a representive to the General Court, from
Bradford, died in the road, on the night of 20 Febraary, iu what
is now Saugua, on his way to Boston, to attend an adjourned
session. He was a son of Rev. William Worcester, and was a
man distinguished for his piety and enterprise. He had walked
from Bradford, and, much wearied, gained the tavern at Saugus.
Being unable to obtain accommodation there, he endeavored to
reach the house of a /riend. In the morning, he was found
3ead, in the middle of the road, in a kneeling posture. He was
■)f the family from which Eev. Dr. Worcester, the congregational
minister who for some time supplied the pulpit at Swampscot,
descended.]
In town meeting, on the 2d of March, the people voted that
Mr. Sbepard should be allowed eighty pounds, lawful money, a
year, for his salary ; one third of which was to be paid in money,
and the other two thirds in articles of domestic production,' at
stipulated prices. Besides the salary, a contribution was kept
open.
[A great drought prevailed during the summer months. The
growing crops were injured to the amount of many thousand
pounds. " Yet God hath gratioiisly left vs enough for a meat
and drink oifering," piously adds Bradstroet, in hia journal.
[The Court passed an order that Lynn might have two licensed
public houses.]
1683.
The Meeting House was this year removed from Shepard
street to the centre of the Common and rebuilt. It was fifty
fijet long, and forty-four wide. It had folding doors on three
sides, without porches. The top of each door was formed into
two semicircular arches. The windows consisted of small dia-
mond panes set io sashes of lead. The floor was at first supplied
with seats ; and pews were afterward separately set up by indi-
viduals, as they obtained permission of the town. By this means
the interior came at length to present a singular appearance.
Some of the pews were large, and some small; some square,
and some oblong; some with seats on three sides, and some
with a seat on one side ; some with small oak panels, and some
with large pine ones; and most of them were surmounted by a°
little balustrade, with small columns, of various patterns, accord-
ing to the taste of the proprietors. Most of the square pews had
a chair in the centre, for the comfort of the old lady or gentle-
man, the master or mistress of the family, by whom it was occu-
pied. One pew, occupied by black people, was elevated abov&
the stairs in one corner, near to the ceiling. [Meeting-house
X
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278 ANNAL3 OF LTKN — 168^,
pews are considered to have been a New England invention.]
The galleries were extended on three sides, supported by sis
oak columns, and guarded by a turned balustrade. They were
ascended by two flights of stairs, one in each corner, on the
south side. The pulpit was on the north side, and sufficiently
large to contain ten persons. The top of the room was unceiled
for many years, and exhibited enormous beams of oak, travers-
ing the roof in all directions. The light from the diamond
windows in the gables shining down upon the great oak beams,
presented quite a picturesque appearance. The roof presented
four pediments; and was surmounted by a cupola, with a roof
in the form of an inverted tunneh It had a small bell, which
was rung by a rope descending in the centre of the room. The
town meetings continued to be held in this house till 1806. [For
divers facts, traditions and legends, connected with this interest-
ing edifice, see "Lin: or, Jewels of the Third Plantation." It
was universally known as the Old Tunnel Meeting House, and
remained on the Common till 1827. It stood opposite Whiting
street.
[Noadiah Russell, tutor at Harvard College, in a journal kept
by him, under date 26 March, gives an account of a remarkable
thunder storm which took place in the latter part of the after-
noon, it being Sunday. There was a high wind and much hail,
and the stones being large, many panes of glass were broken.
And he adds these remarkable details, which he says were sent
in a letter from Rev. Mr. Shepard, of Lynn, to Mrs. Margaret
Mitchell, of Cambridge, dated 3 April, 1682 : " Moreover, at Lyn,
after sun down, as it began to be darkish, an honest old man,
Mr. Handford, went out to look for a new moon, thinking the
moon had changed, when in the west he espied a strange black
cloud, in which, after some space, he saw a man in arms com-
plete, standing with his legs straddling, and having a pike in his
hands, which he held across his breast; which sight y' man,
with his wife, saw, and many others. After a while y" man
vanished, in whose room appeared a spacious ship, seeming
under sail, though she kept the same station. They saw it, they
said, as apparently as ever they saw a ship in the harbour w'h
was to their imagination the handsomest of ever they saw, with
a lofty stdm, the head to the south, hull black, the sails bright.
A long and resplendent streamer came from y' top of y* mast —
this was seen for a great space, both by these and other of y'
same town. After this-they went in, where, tarrying but a
while, and looking out again, all was gone, and y' sky as clear
as ever."
[This was, no doubt, an instance of the mirage produced
by atmospheric refraction. Several remarkable instances are
recorded in early New England history, of which the phan-
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OLD TI-NNEI MFE^^&HOl»E L\\N H 8i ^ee ji 377
In the IbrCiiroiiml lire ii 'couple ot iiiimly wij
ill the Stocks, likewise h Diime on her pillion
taking aii airiug wiUi her Good-inutu
db, Google
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1682. 279
torn ship at Now Haven, furnishes an esample. Similar occur-
rences are often witnessed at this day, in this vicinity; but
being easily accounted for, attract little attention. Our forefa-
thers, not having made themselves acquainted with the natural
causes of such appearances, and withal being fond of viewing
themselves as objects of special notice with the powers above,
awarded them supernatural honors. And their fears being ex-
cited, their imaginations had assistance in filling up what was,
perhaps, a very dim outline, and in rendering vivid what would
otherwise have appeared vei-y dull. And in like manner, it is
probable that some things which to ua appear wonderful and
inexplicable, will to people of future years appear plain and
natural. Mr. Lewis gives the following sketches, which aptly
illustrate atmospheric phenomena occasionatiy seen hereabout.
^H^.
[Tn another entry made by Mr. Russell, under date 16 August,
occurs this passage: "The next day, being Fryday. I went t&
wait on some company to Lynspring, where, for company's sake,
drinking too much cold water, I set myself in an ague w'"' camo
on again on Sabbath and on Tuesday." Doos he refer to tha
Lynn Mineral Spring? The romantic grounds adjacent wero
visited by little pleasure parties at an early period.]
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ANKALS OP LTNN — 1683, 168i, 1685.
1683.
This year the heirs of Major Thomas Savage sold the sis
hundred acres, called Hammersmith, or the Sands of the Iron
Works, to Samuel Appleton, who thus became possessed of the
whole property. In 1688, he sold the whole to James Taylor,
of Boston, who was the last proprietor of the Iron Works, of
whom I have fouBd any record. They probably ceased opera-
tions about this time. [I think Mr. Lewis's statement here,
concerning the time of the discontinuance of the Iron Works
is more correct than his statement nader date 1671, where he
makes tliem to have been in operation, to some extent, till about
the middle of century 1700.]
1684.
A letter written at Haverhill, this year, hy N. Saltonstall, to
the captain of a militia company, thus proceeds : " I have orders
also to require you to provide a flight of colors for your foot
company, the ground field or flight whereof is to be green, with
a red cross in a white field in the angle, according to the ancient
custom of our own English nation, and the English plantations
in North America, and our own practice in our ships." This was
the American standard, till the stripes and stars of 1776.
[The English High Court of Chancery, at Trinity Term, gave
judgment against the Massachusetts Government and Company,
" that their letters patent and the enrolment thereof be cancel-
led." This was the dissolution of the beloved old Charter, and
a fresh impulse was given to those political agitations which
surged on till the whole aspect of things was changed ; indeed
till the colonies became an independent nation.]
1685.
The following singular deposition is transcribed from the
files of the Quarterly Court, and is dated IJnly, 1685; "The
deposition of Joseph Farr, and John Eurrill, junior, testifieth
and saith, that they being at the house of Francis Burrili, and
there being some difference betwixt Francis Burrill and Eenja^
rain Earr, and we abovesaid understanding that the said Benja-
min Farr had been a suitor to Elizabeth Burrill, the daughter of
Francis Burrill, and he was something troubled that Benjamin
had been so long from his daughter, and the said Francis Burrill
told the said Benjamin Farr that if he had more love to his marsh,
or to any estate of his, than to his daughter, he should not go
into his house; for he should be left to his liberty; ho should
not be engaged to any thing more than he was freely willing to
give his daughter, if he had her ; and this was about two days
before they was married."
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ANKALS OF LYNN — 1685. 281
[A fast was appointed, 14 July, on account of the prevailing
drought. Great ravages were committed by caterpillars.]
At a town meeting, on the first of December, the people
voted, that no inhabitant should cut any green tree iipon the
common lands, which was less than one foot in diameter.
The following petition of some of the inhabitants of Lynn,
for a remuneration of their servicea in the Wampanoag war, was
presented this year.
To the Honoured Governor and Company, the General Coui-t of the Massa-
chusetla Baj', that is to be aasembled the 27' May, 1685, the humble petition .
of several inhabitants of Lynn, who were soltl, impi'eEsed, and sent forth
for the seiTice of the counti-y, that was with the Indians in the long march in
the Nipmugg counOy, and ihe fight at the fort in Narragansett, humbly show-
eth. That your petitioners did, in obedience unto the autiiority which Giod hath
set over them, and love to their country, leave their deare relations, some of us'
our dear wives and children, which we would have gladlv remained at home,
and the bond of love and duly would have bound us to choose raiher soe to
have done considering the season and time of the year, when thai hard service
was to be performed. But your petitioners left what was dear to them, and
preferred the publique weal above the private enjoyments, and did cleave
thereunto, and exposed ourselves to the difficulties and hardshipaof the winter,
as well as the dangers of that cruel warr, with consideration to the enemy.
What onr hardships and difficulties were is well known to some of your wor-
ships, being our honoured magistrates, as also what mercy it was from the
Loi-d, who alone pi"esei"ved us, and gave us our lives for a prey, by leading us
thi'ough euch imminent dangers, whereby the Lord gavel us to see many of
our deal- iriencls lose their blood and life, whicli might have been our case,
but that God soe disposed toward us deliverance and strength to retiu'ne to
our homes, which we desii'e to remember and apknowledge to his most glori-
ous praise. But yet, we take the boldnes to signifie to this honored Court,
how that service was noe whitt to our particular outward advantage, but to
the conn-ary, much to our disadvantage. Had we had the liberty of staying
at home, as our neighbors had, though we had paid double rates, it would
have been to our advantage, as mdeed we did pay our properties by om' es-
tates in the publick rates to the utmost bounds. Notwithstanding all, yet we
humbly conceive, that by the suppression of the enemy which God of bis great
merey vouchsafed, wee poor soldiets and seiTants to the country were instru-
ments to procure much land, which we doubt not shall and will be improved,
by the prudence of this honored Court, unto people that need most especially.
And we, your poor petitionei-a, aie divers of us in need of land, for want
whereof some of us are forced upon considerations of departing this Colony
and Grovernment, to seek accommodations whereby the better to mamtaine the
charge in our families, witli our wives and children, and to leave unto them,
when the Lord shall take us away by death, which we must expect. And
divers of us have reason to fear our days may be much shortened By oui hard
service in the war, from the pains and aches of our bodies, that we feel in our
bones and sinews, and lameness thereby taking hold of us much, especially at
the spring and fall, whereby we are hindered and disabled of that ability for
our labour which we constantly had, through Ihe mercy of God, before, that
served in the warrs. Now, your poore petitioners are hopeful tliis honored
Court will be moved with consideration and some respect to the poor soldiery,
and particularly to us, that make hold to prefer our petition, humbly to crave,
that we, whose nam^ are hereunto subscribed, may be so graciously consid-
ered by this honored Court as to grant us some good tracks of land in the
Nipmugg country, where we may find a place for a township, that we, your
petitioners, and oui- posterity may Uve in the same colony where our fathers
db, Google
282 ANKALS OP LYNN — 1G8C, 1687.
did, and left us, and probably many of those wlio went fellow eoldiers iii tlio
war may be provided for. and their cbildren also, in the portion of conquered
lands their fathers fougbt for. Yotir petitioners think it is but a very reasoua-
ble request, which will be no way offensive to this honored Court, which, if
they shall please to grant unto your petitioners, it will not only be satisfaction
to their spirits for their service already done, but be a futui-e obligation to tliem
and theirs after them for future service, and ever to pray.
This petition was signed by twenty-five inhabitants of Lynn,
whose names were: William Bassett, John Farrington, Nathan-
iel Ballard, Timothy Breed, Jonathan Locke, Daniel Johnson,
Widow Hathorne, Samuel Tarbox, Samuel Graves, John Ed-
munds, Samuel Johnson, Daniel Golt, Joseph Hawkes, Andrew
Townsend, John Davis, Joseph Collins, Samuel Mower, Robert
Potter, senior, Joseph Mansfield, Robert Driver, John Richards,
John Lindsey, Philip Kertland, Joseph Breed, Henry Rhodes.
It was also signed by sixteen persons of other towns. On the
3d of June, the Court granted them a tract of land in Worcester
county, eight miles square, on condition that thirty faralhes, with
an orthodox minister, should settle there within four years.
[Ohver Purchis of Lynn, was appointed on a committee to
revise the laws. He was also elected Assistant; but the record
adds, " he declined his oath." He had not probably finished
his days of vexation and mourning on account of the dissolution
of the old Charter.]
1686.
Mr. Oliver Purchis was chosen Town Clerk.
" A great and terrible drouth, mostly in the 4th month, [June]
and continued in the 5th month, with but little rain; but the
18th, being the Sabbath, we had a sweet rain."
James Quonopohit and David Kunkshamooshaw, descendants
of Nan apa she met, sold a lot of land on the west side of the Iron
Works' pond, on the 28th of July, to Daniel Hitchings,
[This year, also, David Kunkshamooshaw, and divers of his
kindred, heirs of old Sagamore -George No-Nose alias Wenepoy-
kin, gave a deed confirming the title of the town to the lands
on which it stood. For a copy of this deed, and remarks con-
cerning it, see page id, et seq.]
1687.
At a town meeting on the 15th of February, " the town voted
the Selectmen be a committee to look after encroached lands,
or highways, from Francis Burrill's barn to the gate that is by
Timothy Breed's, or parcels of land in places least prejudicial
to the town, and make good sale of any of them on the Town's
behalf, for money to pay the Indians at the time appointed, and
the necessary charges of that affair,"
On the 16th of February, Capt. Thomas Marshall exchanged
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ANNALa OF LTSH — 1687. 283
with the town his right in Stone's meadow, in Lynnfield, for a
right in Edwards's meadow ; and the town, at the request of Mr.
Shepard, made a grant of it to the ministry.
[Thomas Newhall, aged 57, the first white person born in
Lynn, was buried in the Ohl Biirying Ground, near the west
end of Lynn Common, 1 ApriL]
Mr, Shepard kept the school several months this winter, Ed-
xication, with the children of the early settlers, was a matter of
convenience rather thau of accomplishment. I have seen the
signatures of several hundreds of the first settlers, and have fac-
similes of many, and they are quite as good as an equal number
of signatures taken at random at the present day. But in clear-
ing the forest, and obtaining a subsistence, they had little leisure
for their children to spend in study; and a month or two in
winter, under the care of the minister, was the principal oppor-
tunity which they bad to obtain the little learning requisite for
their future life. The consequence was, that the generations
succeeding the early settlers, from 1650 to 1790, were generally
less learned than the first settlers, or than those who have lived
sines the Revolution.
[The statement of Mr. Lewis in the second sentence of the
foregoing paragraph may rather confuse than enlighten. The
establishment of schools here, had a religious purpose. . Thus,
the legislative enactment of 1647, commences, " It being one
chief proiect of y* ould deludor, Satan, to keepe men from the
knowledge of y^ Scriptures, as in former times by keeping.them
in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times, by persuading
from y' use of tongues, y' so at least y" true sence and meaning
of y* originall might be clouded by false glosses of saint-seeming
deceivers, y' learning may not be buried in y" grave of our
fathers in y* church and commonwealth, y' Lord assisting our
endeavors: It is therefore ordered y^ every towneship in this
jurisdiction after y' Lord hath increased them to y^ number of
50 householders shall then forthwith appoint one within their
towne to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write
and reade," &c. ..." And it is further ordered, y' where any
towne shall increase to y" number of 100 iamilies, or household-
ers, they shall set up a grammar schoole, y* master thereof being
able to instruct youth so farr as they may he fitted for y^ uni-
versity, provided y' if any towne neglect y^ performance hereof
above one yeare, then every such towne shall pay £5 to y' next
schoole till they shall performe this order." In 1654, the Court
prohibited the teaching of schools by persons of "unsound
doctrine." "Were such a fprohibibion in force now, we should
see in a glaring light the result of the religious independency
they held so dear. Who wonld be authorized to determine
what unsound doctrine is? And is it not a melancholy fact,
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284 ANNALS OP LYKN — 1688.
that in our day, either from an nndefinable fear of meddling
with some right of conscience, or from some other loose appre-
hension, the intellectual training in our schools is treated as
altogether superior to the moral? Nay has not the moral beer
well-nigh thrust out of doors? And yet, is it not, in sober
truth, of quite as much importance that children should, day by
day, be instructed in the principles that are to rule their desti-
nies for all eternity, as in the principles that have relation only
to the arts of money making or at beat mere intellectual disci-
pliue ? It does not appear that the Bible was used, at least to
much extent, as a school book, our discreet fathers probably
having too much veneration for the sacred volume to devote it,'
intact, to so common a purpose. But the Psalter, containing
extracts from Solomon's Proverbs, selections from the Psalms
of David, and, in some editions, selections from the Parables
of the NevF Testament, was long in use. And we are persuaded
that no special evil would flow if a similar book were introduced
into the schools which are the boast of this day. Even por-
tions of tho Church Prayer Book wore used for devotional
purposes.]
1688.
During tho administration of Sir Edmund Andros, the people
of Lynn had an opportunity of witnessing the tendency of arbi-
trary government. Andros had been appointed by tho British
King, James II., Goveruor of all New England, and came over
in 1686 to exercise that authority; and his administration, for
two years, was characterized by many acts of arbitrary power.
He asserted that the people of Massachusetts had forfeited their
charter, and that all tho lands belonged to the King. Edward
Eandolph, his Secretary, looking round among these lands, to
see where he might establish a little dukedom, fixed his atten-
tion upon the beautiful domain of Nahant, which he requested
the Governor to give to him. The following is a copy of his
petition.
To hia Excellency, Sir Etlmund Andi-os, Knight, Governor, &c, &c
The humble petition of Edward Randolph, that there is a certain tract of
landnighlheTowiishipofLyoii, in the Countyof Essex, in this His Majesty's
territory end dominion, out offence and undivided, containing about five hun-
dred acres, commonly called Nahant neck, for which your petitioner humbly
prays His Majesty's grant, and that your Excellence would please to issue a
wnri-ant to tiie Surveyor-General to admeasure the same, in order to passing
a patent, he paying such moderate quiU'ent as your Excellence shall please to
direct, &c Ed. Randolfh,
On the reception of this modest petition, the Council, on Fri-
day, the third of February, directed the constables to " Give
public notice in the said town of Lynn, that, if any person or
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ANNALS OP LTNN — 1G88. ^03
, persons hare any claim or pretence to the said land, tliey appear
before his Excellency, the GoTernor, in Council, on Wednesday,
the seventh of March next, then and there to show forth the
same, and why the said land may not be granted to the peti-
tioner." In pursuance of this order, the constable John Ed-
munds, notified a town meeting, which was held on the 5th of
March, when a committee was chosen, who made the following
representation.
To bis Eseellency, Sir Edmund Audros, Knight, and our Honorable Gover-
nor, with his Honorable Council to sit with him, on WedQesday, the seventh
of this mstonl Mai-ch, 1688.
Having received an order upon the second day of thia iDstant March, that
orders our constables of Lynn, or either of Ihem, to give public notic« in the
said town of lynn, of a petition of Mr. Edward Randolph, Esq., read in a
council held in Soston, on the third day of Febinaary, 168S, praying His Majes-
ty's grant of a certain naot of land, therein called vacant land, lying nigh the
town of Lynn, called Nahaut, &c., as also, that, if any person or persons have
any claim or pretence to the said lands, they appear b<'foie his Excellency, in
council, on Wednesday, the seventh of tliis instant March, to show foi-th the
same, and why the said land may not be granted to the petition, &c.
Wherefore, we, the proprietors of the pasture of Nahant, and inhabitants
of Lynn, have, in obedience to our present Honorable Governor, and his Hon-
orable Council, presented before them as foUoweth.
Imprimis; Our humble and most thankful acfcnowledgnient of the favor
showed unto us, in giving us notice of such an enterprise, as whereby, should it
take eifect, would so extremely indamage so many of His Majesty's good sub-
jects at once ; whereby we conclude His Excellency, our Honorable Governor,
and his Honorable Council, ai-e such as will search for and do justice, and
maintain the cause of the innocent, wealc, and poor, as we humbly and sin-
cerely acknowledge ourselves to be; and yet being clearly satisfied of our just
right in the tract of lands x»titioned for, have good hope onr honorable rulers
wiH, of clemency and justice, adhere toi hear and weigh reasons herein pre-
sented, why we cannot comply with Mr: Edwai-d Randolph's petition for the
alienation of our Nahants; which, we humbly conceive, is groundlessly repre-
sented to be a pai-cel of vacant land, and therefore must apply ourselves to
demonstrate to our Honorable Governor, and his Honorable Council the con-
trary. And although the time is very shoiT indeed for us to lay before your
Honoi'S to vindicate our just right to our Nahauis, yet our endeavors shall be
as effectual as we can in so short a ijme as we have to betjiink ourselves, and
show your Honoi'S, that it is not vacant land, and that the pi-oprietora have a
true and just right thereunto, wherefore we present your honors as followeth.
That we have in our records, that in the year 1635, this tract of land, viz,
our Nahants, was in the hands of the freemen of Lynn to dispose of; who did
then gi-ant unto several inhabitants to plant, and build upon, and possess ; and,
if tbey did not perform the conditions, they, to whom it was granted, forfeited
the land to the town again, to dispose as shall be thought fit; and among
those to whom'^these lands were gi-anted, that worthy and honomble gentle-
man, Mr, Humphi'eys, was one, who was a patentee and au assistant in the
firet government; therefore, sure it was the town's laud then.
That these inhabitants that did build and dwell there, they were tributaries,
or tenants, and paid their yearly rent to the town as long as they lived, or
were removed by the town ; as to instance, one Robert Coates yet living, to
testify it.
There have been some that have laid claim to this land called Nahant, and
commenaed snit at law with the town for it, but were cast at law, the Court
db, Google
i3»e ANSALS OF LTNK — 1688.
that then was save tlje town the case, justified the town's right, and never
denied it, nor lilamed them about it.
This tiact of land, it hath heeu divided into planting lots to tbe,sevei'al pro-
prietors by a vote of the town, as appeara in onr records, Anno, 1656, and the
whole fenced as a common deld, and the lots been improved by the proprie-
tors, in planting, tilling, and manuring; and afterward, by the agreement of
the pi'opnetore, converted into a pasture; and so, ever since to this day im-
proved; so we liave by hard labor and uidustry subdued it, and brought it
into so good a capacity as it is at this day, for the town's future benefit and
We have honestly purchased said tract of land with our money, of the orig-
inal proprietois of the soil, viz. the Natives, and Iiave firm confirmation thereof
ucder their hands and seals, according to law.
We have possessed and improved the said tract of land upwaj-ds of fifty
years, for so long siiice it hath been built upon, inhabited by tenants paying
their acknowledgments year after year.
We hope arguments of this nature will be swaying with so rational a com-
monwealth's man as Mr. Randolph, who hath ever pretended great respect to
His Majesty's subjects among ua, and an earnest care and desire to promote
their welfere and prosperity. The premises considered, we believe a gentle-
man, under such circumstances, will not be injurious, by seeking a particular
benefit, to impoverish and disadvantage so many of His Majesty's good sub-
jects, by seeking the alienation of such a tract of land, so eminently useful
and needful for those proprietors now in possession of it — it being a thing so
consistent with His Majesty's pleasure, that his subjects should enjoy their
properties and flourish under his government.
We are confident, tlierafore, that this Honorable Council will be solicitous
for the promoting our welfare, as not to suffer us to be impoverished by the
alienation of such a considerable ti'act of land, as this will do, if it should be
alienated, — yea, we are bold to say again, extremely prejudicial, if not impov-
erish the body of the inhabitants o^ Lynn, who live not upon traffic and trading,
as many seaport towns do, who have greater advantages, but upon husbandry,
and raising such stocks of cattle and sheep as they are capable, and as their
outlauds will afford ; for this, om: Nahant is such a place for us as God and
nature hath fitted and accommodated witli herbage ; and likewise, the only
place about us for security for oiu' creatures from die teethof ravening wolves;
which, this last summer, as well as ibrmerly, have devoured very many that
fed in other places about us, to the very great damage of sundry of our inhab-
itants accordingly. Therefore, the said tract of land hath been improved by
the jiropi'ietore as a gi-azing field with great benefit to the body of the whole
town, which otherwise would be exposed to gi-eat hardships, iaconveuiences,
and difficulties, to obtain a pooi- living; and, therefore, we cannot but be
deeply sensible, that, if the said pasture be aJienated from us, our poo i- families
will he very great sufferers, and we shall be rendered veiy uncapahle, either
to provide for them, or to contribute such dues and duties to His Majesty's
government set over us, which otherwise we might be capable of, and shall
always readily arid carerfully attend unto our utmost capacitt'.
And we humbly tmst, our Honorable Governor and his Hcuioryble Council
will show us the favor, as in their wisdoms, to weigh and oensider well our
dutiful apphcation to their order, to give in and show our reasons why we
claim tills said tract of land to be our right, as not to suffer any alienation of
that which we do so much need for our great comfort and benefit ; but rather
grant us further confirmatiea thereof, if need require.
And thus we, the proprietors of the tract of land, even our Nahant, that is
petitioned for, have taken notice of yaui Honors' order, and have, this first
day of March, 1687-8, made choice of a committee, to consider what is meet
to lay before your Honors, and of messengers, to appear and present the Same
to your Excalltfiicy, our Ilonorable Governor, and tlie Honorable Council ;
db, Google
ASSALS OP LTKN — 1688. 287
which, if thflse tilings ave not satiafsctory, we then in Iiurailin' crave the favor
of Hi3 Escellency and bis Honorable Council for such a trial and process as
the Inw may ailniit of in such a case, wherein persons are in posseBsion of
lauds, aa we of this said tract, having tenants thereon; aad furOier time and
opportunity being granted, we doubt not but wo shall produce such valid
eonfirmationsof our true and honest title tosaid tract of land, !B shall be abun-
dantly satisfactory to our honored rulers, and put a period to further debates
about it. So we rest and remtun, His Majes^'s most loyal subjects, and your
Excellency's aad Council's most humble servants, The Committee, in thn
immo and behalf of the Proprietors of Nahant.
Thomas Laophton
Ralph Kixg,
John Lewis,
Oliver Purchis,
JOH.V BuftKILL,
EnwAan Eicniims,
John Fttller.
It may appear strange to many, at this time, to notica the
humble and almost abject demeanor of the committee, ae evinced
in the preceding address. They doubtless thought, that nothing
would be lost by soft words ; but the spirit of freeman was at
length roused, and ample vengeance was soon to be taken on
the aggressors of arbitrary power. Notwithstanding the repre-
sentations of the committee, Mr. Randolph persisted in liis de-
mand, and renewed his claim as follows.
To His Excellence, Sir Edmund Andrea, Govenior,
The humble representation of Edward Randolph, sheweth ; That having,
by his huoible petition to your Excellence, prayed a gi-ant of a certain ti-act
of land lying in the, township of Lynn, in the county of Essex, called Nabant,
your Excellence was pleased, by your order in Council, the third day of Feb-
I'uarj last, to direct that the constables of the said town do give public notice
to the said towQ, thai, if any person or persona have any claim or pretence to
the said land, they should appear before your Excellence m Council, on Wed-
nesday, the seventh of tliis instant March ; at which time several of the inhal)-
itanta of the said town of Lynn did appear, and presented yom" Excellence
with a paper, containing their several objections to the said petition.
In answer whereunto is humbly offered as follows; That by their said prayer,
it does not appear the lands petitioned for, or any part thereof, were disposed
of to the inhabitants of Lynn, nor that the said town of Lynn was incorporated
in the year 1635, nor at any time since, and so not endowed with a power of
receiving or disposing such lands.
That the freemen of Lynn, mentioned in the fii-st article of their said paper,
were not freemen of the coiporation of Lynn, (as they would insinuate) cut
inhabitants only in the township, and were admitted by the General Court to
be freemen of tRe Colony, with power to elect magistrates, etc.,' and their town
of Lynn is equal to a village in England, and no otiierwiae.
And in regard their whole paper contains nothing mpre material than what
is expressed in their first article, the petitioner hath nothing further to offer,
than to pray your Excellence's grant aacording to his petition. All which is
humbly submitted.
Ed. Randolph.
On the reception of this petition, the people of Lynn held
another meeting, and addressed the Governor as follows.
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288 ANSALS OF LYXN— 1C88.
To His Escellency, Sir Edmunii Andi'os, Knight, our Honorable Governor,
Captain-GeneraJ of His Majesty's Territory mid Dominion in New England,
the humble address of the inhabitants of Lynn is humbly offered.
We, whose ilameH are subscribed, having, by the favor of your Excellency,
goodinfbrmationoftlieendeavorsof some to seek the alienation of a tract of
mnd from us, called the Nahanta, containing about four or five hundred acres,
which will prove extremely prejudicial and injurious to the body of His Ma-
jesty's sul^ecls among us; it being a tract of land honorably purchased of the
natives, the original proprietors of the soil, and possessed by' our pre'deceasora
and ourselves near upon sixty years, and to this day. We Lave also renewed'
confirmations of the tract of land by firm deed ftom the successors of the
ancient proprietors, tlje natives; having also been at great coat and charges,
and hard labor for the subduing of the said land, to bring it into so good a
capacity as it is in at this day ; having also defended our right to this tract of
land as well as oiliere possessed bj us, by blood rind the loss of many lives,
both formerly, and especially in tjie late engagments, with the bai-baroiia
pagans. The said tract of (and having been built upon, also, and inhabited
upwards of fifty years. It hath been ploughed, planted, tiUed, and manured,
and fenced in ; the fence remaining to this very day, only wanting reparation ;
none ever, to this day, from the first settlement of our plantation — called
formerly by the name of Saogus — dispoBaessing of us; but we have main-
tained our position and right, which hath been owned and defended by His
MajeHty's foi-mer government set oyer tis. The said U'act of land being also
emineutiy beneficial and needfiil for the support of our inhabitants; it being
improved for a gi'azing field for our sheep, and such other useful creatures aa
can scai-cely be preserved from the ravening wolves.
Therefore, we are sensible, that, by the alienation of such a ti'act of land
from us, BO circumstanced, many of His Majesty's good subjects — our honest,
innocent neiglibors — will be esposed to great sufierincs and hardships and
we all j'endered incapable to contribute such dues d d H M jest
government set over us, as is our bounden duty, and wl h w I II I
readily attend, knowing how consistent it is with H M pi as nd
how well pleasing to your Excellency, that we liv d p p und j u-
government
We request your Excellency, therefore, to con Id "at 1
aspect upon the premises, and that our mean and 1 tt d d ti n
induce yom' contempt, but rather obtain your pity and succor. And, thei efore,
we confide in your Excellency's favor tor our encouraging answer \o this our
petition, which is for the further and future enjoying of ourNahants.
By your Excellency's fatherly and compassionate grant of such a patent for
fiirther confirmation thereof unto ourselves and heirs forever, upon a moderate
acknowledgment to be paid to His Royal Majesty, as may be consistent with
your Excellency's prudence, and most condticive to oiu' best behoof and ben-
efit, and so that we may live and prosper under your government, that we may
have tranquillity wider the same from henceforth.
The second duy of April, Anno Domini, One Thousand Six Hundred Eigh^
and Eight. Annoqui Regui Regis Jacobi Secundi Quarto.
The above petition was signed by seventy-four inhabitants,
and, with the preceding papers, are preserved in the Massachu-
setts archives. Their interesting- nature has induced ms to
give them entire. I have only corrected the spelling.
The revenge which had been burning in the breasts of the
eastern Indians for twelve years, for their friends killed and
sold into slavery in 1676, this year broke out into open war.
Their animosity was increased by the instigation of Baron de St.
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AHWALS OF LYNN — 1689. 28&
CastinSj a Frenchman, who married a daughter of Madockawan-
do, the Penobscot chief. His house had been plundered hy
Sir Edmund Andros, the Governor of Massachusetts, and this
induced him to join with the Indians. The French of Canada
also united with them in their depredations, which were contin-
ued, with intervals, till 1698, under the appellation of Caatine'a
war. A company of soldiers from Lynn wore impressed, by
order of the Governor, and .sent out against the Indians in the
depth of winter. One of the soldiers from Lynnj Mr. Joseph
Ramadell, was killed by them at Oasco Bay, in 1690.
1689.
The assumptions of Andros and his lordly secretary, as may
well be supposed, gave great offence to the people of Lynn, and
there seems to have been no other general topic of conversation
for several years. At length the spirit of the people was roused
to such a degree, that, on the 19th of April, the inhabitants of
Boston rose in arms, wrested the power from Sir Edmund and
confined hira a prisoner on Fort Hill until he was sent back to
The people of Lynn, who had not only been injured, but even
insulted by Governor Andros, united with, some from other
towns, and went up to Boston, under the command of itev. Jer-
emiah Shepard, the minister of Lynn. A writer who was pres-
ent says: " April 19th, about 11 o'clock, the country came in,
beaded by one Shepard, teacher of Lynn, who were like so
many wild bears ; and the leader, mad with passion, more sav-
age than any of his followers. All the cry was for the Governor
and Mr, Eandolph." The Lynn people were doubtless some-
what excited, but it may be noted, that the above account
of their conduct was written by a friend of Governor Andros.
[Mr. Lewis states, in a note, that this interesting passage was
copied from a manuscript Account of the Insurrection, among
the papers of thg Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Lambeth
Palace, at London, and that it was probably written by Ran-
dolph him'self.]
In the exigency of public affairs, town meetings were held,
and a Committee of Safety for the county of Essex appointed,
with directions to make a report of grievances, to be laid before
the government. The people of Lynn made the following rep-
resentation.
At LjTin, the 24tli of May, 1689, upon a signification fi-om Captiua Jonathan.
Corwin, of the Comniittep of the County of Esses, to make inquiiy into the
grievances sufFei-ed under the late government, that it is expressed, that this
town, or any inhabitants thei'eiD. that have been ajrgrieved or burtijeued, do
manifest the same under tlieir hand, to the Committee aforesaid, or to Captain
Jonathan Convin to make known the same. We the Committee chosen by
Y 19
db, Google
290 ANNAL3 OP LYNN— -1689.
the inhabitants of Lynn, on the 20th of May, 1 T-SO, to coDsider of the significa-
tioi] abovesaid, and to draw up what grievancwf hnd hurdens we have sustained
by the late government, &c., do declare, viz. Umt thia poor town of Lynn have
sustained great wronp and damage by the said late government; iu that our
orderly, honest, and just rights, ia a tract of laod within the bounds of Lynn,
called Nahants, that hath been enjoyed, possessed, built upon, and improved,
by fencing, planting, and pasturing, &«., by the township of Lynn, well onward
to sixty yeai-s; and yet, by the injurious, unjust, and covetous humors of some
veryill minded persons, upon petitions preferred — as Mr. Randolph firet, and
Mary Daffin, of Boston, in the second place, when Mr, Randolph could not
make his petition true and valid, then he throweth in Maiy Daffin her petition
for the same lands, and as unjustly founded bs Mr. RaJidolph's. But on their
two petitions and vain pretences, we, the poor people of Lynn, have been, by
orders from the Governor and Council, called, summoned, and ordered to
^pear at Boston, and to show and make good title to said lands before Sir
Edmund Androa, and his Council, at one sitting, and a second sitting, and so
a third, and a fourth, to our great loss, and expense of time and moneys, and
no advantage nor benefit to us, because of delays and procrastinations, to screw
our moneys out of ow hands, and to make us pay, with a vengeance, for such
writings as we must be constrained to take ftirdi. And thus we have been
grieved and oppressed, and put to loss, cost and damage, near one hundred
pounds, and never the better, no justice done us, and at last put upon a threat-
ened necessity of patenting our own old enjoyed properties, and a denial of
our rights in any of our commons, always enjoyed, but now called King's lands,
and we denied to be any town. Thus we have been perplexed, vexed, and
oppressed, and impoverished ; and except the Lord had wiought for us, whose
name w;e bless, and give thanks to the worthy gentlemen, his instruments, we
had been the worst of bondmen. Furthermore, we were debarred, by the late
government, of our constant liberty of town meetings but once m a year,
whereby we could not meet to consult of defending our rights in the premises,
because it should be charged with riot ; and also of keeping a watch for our
security Irom any dangers we had too just cause to fear, which was our great
grief and burthen ; and our abuses by the profane farmers of excise ; and our
sons, neighbors, and servants impressed and sent out so remote in the vrinter
season, and consb'ained hereunto, and all sufferings, and we understand not
upon what grounds.
Per order of, or in the name of the Town and Committee,
Oliver Purchis, Cleric.
Jeremiah Shepard, aged for^-tvro years, and John Burrill, aged fifty-seven
Eiars, we, whose names ere subscribed, being chosen by tlie inhabitants of
ynn, in the Massachusetts Colony, in New England, to maintain tiieir right
to their pr«perties and lands, invaded by Sir Edmund Andros's, government,
we do testify, that, (besides Sir Edmund Andros his mii-easonable demands
of money, by way of taxation, and that without an assembly and deputies.
Bent from our towns, according to ancient custom, fbr the raising of money
and levying of rates, ) our properties, otu" honest, and just, and true titles to
our land were also invaded ; and particularly a great and considerable tract
of land, called by the name of the Nahants, the only secure place for the graz-
ing of some thousands of our sheep, and without which our inhahitanta could
neither provide for their families, nor be capacitated to pay dues or duties for
the maintenance of the public, but, if dispossessed o^ the town must needs
be impoverished, rumed, and rendei-ed miserable. Yet this very ti'act of land,
being petitioned for by Edward Randolph, was threatened to be rent out of
our hands, notwithstanding otir honest and just pleas for our right to the said
land, both By alienation of the said land to us by the original proprietors,, the
natives, to whom we paid our moneys by way of purchase, and notwithstand-
ing neai- sisiy years peaceable and quiet posseseioii, and miprovement, and also
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AKTTALB OP LTNN — 1690. 291
enclosure of the aaid land by a stoue wall ; iti wliich tract of land, also, two
of our patentees were interested in common with ua, viz. Major Humfrey and
Mr. Johnson ; yet Edwavd Randofph petidoning for the s^d land, Sir Edmund,
the Governor, did so far comply with his unreasonable motion, that we were
put to great charges and expeDse for the vindication of our honest rights
thereto. And being often before the Govemoi', Sir Edmund, and hie Council,
for relief, yet could find no favor of our innocent cause by Sir Edmund ; not-
vrithstandjng om- pleas of purchase, ancient possession, enclosure, grant of
General Court, and our necessitous condition ; yet he told us that all these
pleas were insignificant, and we could have no true title, until we could prove
a patent from the king ; neither had any person a ri^t to one foot of land in
New England, by virtue of purchase, possession, or grant of Court; but if we
would have assurance of our lands, we must go to the king for it, and get patents
of it Finding no relief; {and tlie Governor having prohibited tovm meetings,)
we earnestly desired liberty for our town to meet to consult what to do in so
difficult a case and exigency, but could not prevail ; Sir Edmund angrily telling
us, that there was no such thing as a town in the country ; neither should we
have liberty so to meet; neither were our ancient records, as he said, which
we produced for our vindication of our title to the said lands, worth a rush.
Tims were we from time to time unreasonably U^ated, our properties, and
civil liberties, and privileges invaded, our misery and ruin threatened and
hastened, till such time as our country, groaning under the unreasonable
heavy yoke of Sir Edmund's government, were constrained foreibly to recover
om" rights and privileges.
Jeremiah Shepard,
Jo HIT ISufiRlLI..
[Eobert Driver petitions the Conrt that his son Solomon, who
had been impressed, may be released, as some others had been,
"as the life of his wife Sarah is bound up in her son Solomon."
There is 'no record of the Court's answer.
[Capt. Ralph King died this year. He was a man of prom-
inence and useftilness. He left an estate quite considerable for
the time, the appraisal showing in amount £2.365 4s. Rev, Mr.
Shepard, William Bassett, senior, and John Ballard wore ap-
praisers.]
1690.
The third inhabitant of Nahant, and the first permanent one,
was James Mills. He had a sinail cottage, which stood in the
field a few rods southeast from Whitney's hotel, wherein he
resided twenty-six years. He had three children; Sarah, born
27 February, 1675; James, b. 11 October, 1678; and Dorothy,
b. 21 April, 1681. A, bay on the south of Nahant having been
her favorite bathing place, has received the name of Dorothy's
cove.
The first Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends, in Lynn,
was held at the house of Samuel Collins, on the 18th of July.
There were bat five Lynn men present.
[The first paper money of Massachusetts was issued this year.
There was an emission of 40.000 pounds, to defray the charges
of the Canada expedition.]
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ANNALS OF LYKN — 1691, 1692.
1691.
Lieutenant John Burrill was choaen Eepreaentative "to the
great and generail Court." The pay of a Representative was
three shilhngs a day.
Mr. John Burrill, junior, was chosen Town Clerk, in which
office ho continued thirty years.
April 14. " Clement Coldam and Joseph Hart were chosen
cannoners, to order and look after the great guns."
July 13. Lieutenant John Puller waa chosen Clerk of the
Writs. It is thus evident, that this office was not the same as
that of Town Clerk.
On the northern shore of Nahant is a ledge of rock, which
contains a portion of iron. Some of it waa smelted in the foun-
dry at Saugua, and more was taken for the forge at Braintree.
" It waa voted that Mr. Hubhard of Braintreo, should give three
shillings for every ton of Bock Mine that he has from Nahaut,
to the town, for the town's uae, and he to have ao much as the
town sees convenient."
Mr. William Bassott was Quarter Master in the militia, and
collector of the parish taxes. People who held offices were
generally better known by their titles than by their first names,
[The titles were used partly to distinguish persona of the same
name, middle names not being then in use.]
December 21. At a meeting of the Selectmen, " Mr. Shepard,
with his consent, was chosen Schoolmaster for the year ensu-
ing." (Town Records.)
1692.
January 8. "It was voted that Lieutenant Blighe should
have liberty to set up a pew in the northeast corner of the
meeting house, by Mr. King's pew, and he to maintain the win-
dows against it.
" The town did vote, that Lieutenant Puller, Lieutenant Lewis,
Mr. John Hawkes, senior, Francis Burrill, Lieutenant Burrill,
John Burrill, junior, Mr. Henry Rhodes, Quarter Master Baasett,
Mr. Haberfield, Cornet Johnson, Mr. Bayley, and Lieutenant
Blighe, should sit at the table.
" It waa voted, that Matthew Farrington, senior, Henry
Silsbee, and Joseph Mansfield, senior, should sit in the deacons'
seat,
"It waa voted, that Thomas Farrar, senior, Crispus Brewer,
Allen Breed, senior, Clement Coldam, Robert Rand, senior,
Jonathan Hudson, Richard Hood, senior, and Sergeant Haven,
should sit in the pulpit.
" The town voted, that them that are surviving, that was
chosen by the town a committee to erect the meeting-house,
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iKNALS OF LXNN— 1692. 293
aDd Clerk Potter to join along with them, should seat the in-
habitants of the town in the meeting-house, both men and wo-
men, and appoint what seats they shall sit in ; but it is to be
understood, that they are not to seat neither the table, nor the
deacons' seat, nor the pulpit, but them to sit there as are voted
by the town.
"The town voted that Mr. Shepard should have liberty to
remove Mr. Shepard's pew, and to set it adjoining at the east-
ward end of the pulpit."
Lieutenant John Lewis, Cornet Samuel Johnson, John Witt,
Joseph Breed, Thomas Farrar, junior, Joseph Newhall, and
John Burrill, junior, were chosen Selectmen, "to order the pru-
dential affairs of the' town." Theae were the first Selectmen
of Lynn whose names are recorded in the town book,
" The town voted, that the persons trndemaaied, in answer to
their petition, should have liberty of the hindmost seat in the
gallery to sit in, and fit it up as well as they please, in the north-
east corner, provided they do no damage in hindering the light
of the window; Sarah Hutchins, Mary Newhall, Rebecca Bal-
lard, Susanna Collins, Rebecca Collins, Ruth Potter, Jane Ballard,
Sarah Farrington, Rebecca Newhall, Elizabeth Norwood, Mary
Haberfield." (Town Records.)
The year 1692 has been rendered memorable in the annals of
our country, by the great excitement and distress occasioned by
imputed Witchcraft. It was an awful time for New England —
superstition was abroad in her darkest habiliments, scourging the
land, and no one but trembled before the breath of the destroyer,
for uh one was safe. It seemed as if a legion of the spirits of
darkness had been set free from their prison house, with power
to infect the judgment of the rulers, and to sport, in their wan-
ton malice, with the happiness and the lives of the people. The
stories of necromancy in the darkest ages of the world — the
tales of eastern genii— -the imaginary deJineations of the poet
and the romancer — wild, and vague, and horrible as they may
seem — fall far short of the terrible realities, which were per-
formed in the open daylight of New England. The mother at
midnight pressed her unconscious children to her trembling
bosom — and the next day she was st&nding before a court of
awful men, with her life suspended on the breath of imagina-
tion— or barred within the walls of a prison, and guarded by
an armed man, as if she were a thing to be feared — or swinging
in the breeze between earth and sky, with thousands of faces
gazing up at her, with commingled expressions of pity and im-
precation. The fiither, too, returned from his work at eve, to
bis peaceful household — and in the morning he was lying ex-
tended on a rough plank — with a heavy weight pressing on
his breast — till his tongue had started from his mouth — and
Y*
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294 ANSALS OP LYNN — 1692.
liis soul had gone up to Him who gave it — and all this, that he
mig'ht he made to coDfeas an imaginary crime.
The alarm of witchcraft commenced in February, in the house
of Kev. Samuel Pari'iSj of Salem, with an Indian girl named
Tituba. Thirteen women and five men were hung, and two,
Itev. George Burroughs and Giles Corey, pressed to death, bo-
cause they would not answer or confess. More than one hun-
dred others were accused and imprisoned, of whom the following
belonged to Lynn :
1. Thomas Farrar was brought before the court, at Salem,
18 May, and sent to prison at Boston, where he was kept until
2 November, more that five months. He was an elderly man,
and his son, Thomas Farrar, jun., was one of the selectmen
this year. He lived in Nahant street, and died 23 February,
1694.
2. Sarah Bassett was tried at Salem, May 23, and sent to
Boston prison, where she was kept until December 3, seven
months. She was a daughter of Richard Hood, and wife of
William Bassett, jun., in Nahant street. She had a young child,
twenty-two months old, which she took with her to prison. The
next daughter which she had after her imprisonment, she called
" Deliverance."
3. Mary Derick, widow of Michael Derick, was carried to
Boston prison. May 23, and kept there seven months. She was
a daughter of William Bassett, senior.
4. Elizabeth Hart was arraigned and sent to Boston, May
18, where she was imprisoned until December 7; nearly seven
mouths. She was an old lady, the wife of Isaac Hart, and died
November 28, 1700.
5. Thomas Hart, son of Elizabeth Hart, in a petition to the
Court, October 19, says " he has been in prison ever since May,
for imputed witchcraft, and prays to be released."
[Mr. Lewis must be in error in this last paragraph. " Thomas
Hart, inhabitant at Lynn," presents a petition, on the 19th of Oc-
tober, shewing "that whereas Elisabeth Hart, mother of the
petitioner, was taken into custody in the latter end of May last,
and ever since committed to prison in Boston jail, for witchcraft,"
&c. The petition among other things says: "The father of
your petitioner, being ancient and decrepit, was wholly unable
to attend to this matter, and yowr petitioner, having lived from
his childhood under the same roof with his said mother, he dare
presume to affirm that he never saw nor knew any ill or sinful
practice wherein there was any shew of impiety nor witchcraft
by her," And with strong expressions of filial regard, he begs
for her "speedy inlargement." The petition refers altogether
to his mother, not to himself. Not a hint is dropped of his ever
having been imprisoned. The petition indicates a pious turn of
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AHNALa OP LYNM — 1692. 295
mind, and one not exempt from the common superstitions of tlie
time; but anxiety about his mother seems to predominate.]
6. Sarah Cole, the wife of John Cole, waa tried at Charles-
town, 1 February, 1693, and acquitted.
7. Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor, of Danvers, was
a daughter of William Eassett. She was condemned to death,
but was released on account of her peculiar circumstances. Her
husband was executed.
That aged people, as some of those were, and respectable, as
they all were, should have been subjected to long imprisonment
and the danger of death, on the accusation of a few hoyden
girls, of uncertain reputation, influenced by wild malice, or a
distempered imagination, is a matter which now excites our
wonder and pity. My readers will doubtless be anxious to
know what was said about the accused from Lynn. It is really
too trifling for a serious record, and only merits notice for its
consequences.
The following is the testimony against Thomas Farrar. " The
deposition of Ann Putnam, who testiiieth and saith, that on
the 8th of May, 1692, there appeared to me the apperisbion of
an old gray bead man, with a groat nose, which tortored me, and
almost choaked me, and urged me to writ in his book; and I
asked him what was his name, and from whence he came, for I
would complain of him; and people used to call him old father
pbaraoh ; and he said be was my grandfather, for my father
used to call him father; but I tould him I would not call him
grandfather, for he was a wizardj and I would complain of him;
and ever since he bath afflicted me by times, beating me, and
pinching me, and allmost choaking me, and urging me contine-
wally to writ in his book."
The testimony against Elizabeth Hart was as follows: "The
deposition of Mary Waleott, who testifieth and saith, that on
the 13th of May, 1692, 1 saw the apparition of Goody Hart, who
hurt me much by pinching and choaking of me; and urged me
grievously to set my hand to her book, and several other times
she has tormented me, ready to tare my body in pieces."
There were several other depositions, but these were the most
important; yet on evidence like this, respectable people were
taken from their homes, and imprisoned more than half a year.
It is some satisfaction to know, that some of the judges and ju.
rymen afterward saw their error and regretted it. Some resti-
tution was also made, by the Court, to some of the sufferers,
Mary Derick was allowed £S, being at the rate of six shillings
a week during her imprisonment, and .£5, for her goods lost
and Sarah Bassett was also allowed .£9.
The first thing that opened the eyes of the prosecutors, and
tended to put a stop to accusations, was the "crying out"
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296 ANNALS OP LYNX — 1694.
against the Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, minister of the church at
Lynn, as a wizard I Every body eaw the absurdity of the charge,
and the court were convinced that if the matter proceeded much
further, themselves might not be safe. [But this unduly mag-
nifies Mr. Shepard. A uumber of eminent persons were " cried
out " against ; among them, the wife of Gov. Phipps and the
wife of Rev. Mr, Hale. And are those free discussions oa- the
dark subject, entered into by the intelligent young men of Bos-
ton, as well as the exertions of such men as Bradstreot, Brattle,
Calef, Danforth — who, by the way, had been Deputy Governor,
and was father-in-law of Rev. Joseph Whiting — and Saltonatall,
to pass for nought? It should not he overlooked that the
leaven of truth and good sense had begun to actively work
among all classes.]
In reflecting on this subject, it should be remembered, that
people at that time generally believed in witchcraft. It was
part of their religion, and under such a misconception of scrip-
ture, the sHghtest indications were proof. The more absurd,
improbable and even impossible a thing was,. the more certain
it appeared — for many people very wisely conclude, that no
one would assert an impossibility, unless it were true I We
wonder at the delusion of those days — ^but is there no mist
before our eyes at present ?
1694.
The society of Friends having increased, Mr. Shepard became
alarmed at their progress, and appointed the 19th of July, as a
day of fasting and prayer, " that the spirital plague might pro-
ceed no further." [And the versatile Mather says, " The spirit
of our Lord Jeans Christ gave a remarkable effect unto this
holy method of encountering the charms of Quakerism. It
proved a better method than any coercion of the civil magis-
trate." This is very well. And if ho himself had adhered to
the principle he would doubtless have been the instrument of
more good than is now placed to his credit. But with amusing
credulity he adds: "Quakerism in Lynn received, as I am
informed, a death wound from that very da}': and the number
of Quakers in that place has been so far from increasing, that I
am told it has rather decreased notably,"]
At a town meeting on the 25th of July, " The constables
personally appearing, and declaring that they had all warned
their several parts of the town, according to their warrants,
and so many being absent from said meeting, the town did then
vote and give power to Jacob Knight, in behalf of the town, to
prosecute against any and every person or persons, that has
not attended this meeting, according to the by laws, or town
orders."
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ANNALS OP LYNN— 1695, 169G. 297
TTie pract'ico prevailed, for many years, of warning out of the
town, by a formal maudamua of the selectmen, every family and
individaal, rich or poor, who came into it. This was done to
exonerate tho town from any obligation to render support in
case of poverty. One old gentleman, who had just arrived in
town, to whom this order was read, took it for a real intimation
to depart. " Oome, wife," he says, " we must pack up. But
there — we have one consolation for it — it ia not so desirable
a place."
1695.
The property of the Nahants, which had been a cause of
contention from the first settlement of the town, was this year
claimed by the heiresses of Richard Woody, of Boston; into
whose claim they probably descended by a mortgage of one
of the sagamores, in 1652. At a town meeting, on the 18th
of October, " There being a summons read, wherein was signi-
fied that the lands called Nahants were attached by Mrs. Mary
DafFern, of Boston, and James Mills summoned to answer said
Daffern at an inferior court, to be holden in the county of Essex,
on the last Tuesday of December, 1695 ; the town did then
choose Lieutenant Samuel Johnson, Joseph Breed, and John
Burrill, junior, to defend the interests of the town in the lands
called Nahants, and to employ an attorney or attorneys, as they
shall see cause, in the town's behalf, against the said DafFern,
and so from court to court, till the cause be ended — they or
either of them — and the town to bear the charge."
The following is transcribed from the records of the Quarterly
Court, December 51. " Mrs. Mary Daffern and Mrs. Martha Padis-
hall, widows, and heiresses of Eichard Woody, late of Boston,
deceased, plaintiffs, versus John Atwill junior, of Lynn, in an
action of trespass hpon the case, &e., according to writ, dated
.30th September, 1695. Tbe plaintiffs being called three times,
made default and are nonsuited. The judgment of the court is,
that plaintiffs pay unto the defendants costs." This is the iast
we hear of any claim made upon tho Nahants, as individual
property.
1696.
January 13. " The Selectmen did agree with Mr. [Abraham]
Normeuton to be schoolmaster for the town, for the year ensuing,
and tbe town to give him five pounds for his labor; and the
town is to pay twentyfive shillings towards the hire of Nathan-
iel Newhall's house to keep school in, and the said Mr, Nor-
menton to hire the said house."
Immense numbers of great clams were thrown upon the
beaches by storms. The people were permitted by a vote of
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298 AMKAL3 OP LYNN— 1697.
the towD, to dig and gather as many as they wished for their
own use, bat no more ; and no person was allowed to carry any
out of the town, on a penalty of twenty shillings. The sheila
were gathered in cart loads on the beach, and manufactured
into lime.
This year, two Quakers, whose names were Thomas Farrar
and John Hood, for refusing to pay parish taxes, suffered nearly
one month's imprisonment at Salem.
The winter of this year was the coldest since the first settle-
ment of New England. [During the latter part of February,
the roads had become so obstructed by snow and ice that travel
was suspended.]
1697.
On the 8th of January, the town, by vote, set the prices of
provisions, to pay Mr. Shepard'a salary, as follows: beef, 3d. ;
pork, id. a pound. Indian corn, 5s. ; barloy, barley malt, and
rye, 5s. 6d. ; and oats, 2b. a busheh
The hlackhirda had to lieep a bright look out this year, as
the whole town were in arms against them. The town voted,
March 8, "that every householder in the town, should, some
time before the fifteenth day of May next, kill or cause to be
killed, twelve blackbirds, and bring the heads of them, at or
before the timo^ aforesaid, to Ebenezer Stooker's, or Samuel
Collins's, or Thomas Burrage's, or John Gowing's, who are
appointed and chose by the town to receive and take account
of the same, and take care thia order be duly prosecuted; and
if any householder as aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to kill
and bring in the heads of twelve blackbirds, as aforesaid, every
such person shall pay three pence for every blackbird that ia
wanting as aforesaid, for the use of the town."
[Tho small pox made its appearance in Lynn, in the spring
of this year to the great alarm of many people. Samuel Mans-
field died of it, 1(1 April.
[There was a " sore and long continued drought," in the
summer. And the season was one peculiarly fatal to farm stock
of all kinds. The winter waa very severe, and the ground was
covered with snow from the first of December till the middle
of March. In February, the snow was three and a half feet
deep, on a level.
[For the purpose 'of giving an idea of the facilities for inter-
communication, at this time, the following extract from a letter
dated in February, is introduced. The letter was from Jonathan
Dickenson, at Philadelphia, to William Smith. " In 14 days we
have an answer from Boston; once a week from New York;
once in three weeks from Maryland ; and once in a month from
Virginia."]
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ANNALS OP LYNK— 1698, 1699, 1700.
1698.
On the 4th of January, Oliver Blkins and Thomas Darling
killed a wolf in Lynn woods. On the 28th -of February, Thomas
Baker killed two wolves. This year also, James Mills killed
five foxes on Nahant, Twenty shillings were allowed by the
town for killing a wolf, and two shillings for a fox.
The town ordered that no person should out more than seven
trees on Nahant, under a penalty of forty shillings for each tree
exceeding that number.
June 1. The Court enacted "that no person using or occu-
pying the feat or mystory of a butcher, currier, or shoemaker,
by himself, or any other, shall use or exercise the feat or mys-
tery of a Tanner, on pain of the forfeiture of six shillings and
eight pence for every hide or shin so tanned." They also en-
acted that no tanner should exercise the business of a butcher,
currier, or shoemaker. " And no butcher shall gash or cut any
bide, whereby the same shall be impaired, on pain of forfeiting
twelve pence for every gash or cut." It was also enacted that
no " shoemaker or cordwainer shall work into Shoes, Boots, or
other wares, any leather that is not tanned and curried aa
aforesaid; nor shall use any leather made of horse's hide for
the inner sole of any such shoes or hoots on pain of forfeiting
all such shoes and hoots."
1699.
The platform of the meeting-house was covered with lead.
The bell was taken down and sent to England to be exchanged
for a new one. Mr. Shepard's salary was reduced to sixty
pounds.
On the 7th of November, the town ordered that any person
who should follow the wild fowl in the harbor, in a canoe, to
shoot at them, or frighten them, should pay twenty shillings;
and Thomas Lewis and Timothy Breed were chosen to enforce
the order.
1700.
On the 25th of May, Mr. John Witt killed a wolf. [The town
paid Timothy Breed two shillings "for kilhng of one ffox at
nahant."
[Dr. John Caspar Richter van Crowninscheldt, bought of Bliz-
beth Allen, wife of Jacob Allen, of Salem, 20 June, twenty acres
of land " noer a certain pond called tha Spring Pond, with all
the houses, buildings, waters, fishings," &a. The land appears
to have previously belonged to John Clifford. The oldest
grave stone in the burying ground near the west end of Lynn
Common, bears this inscription: "Here lyeth y" body of lohn
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300 ANNALS Of LYKN— 1701, 1702.
Clifford. Died Tune y« 17, 1698, in y'' 68 year of his age." It
is on the west of the foot path leading from the front entrance,
and, unlike the other old stones, facea the east. The 9 in the
date has been altered, in a rough way, so as to resemble a 2, and
hence some have been deceived into the belief that there was a
burial here as early as 1628. Mr. Lewis declared the alteration
to have been made in 1806, by a pupil at Lynn Academy. This
John Clifford appears to have been the same individual who
owned lands in the vicinity of Mineral Spring. He was made
a freeman in 1678, and is sometimes called of Salem; which
would be natural enough if ho lived any where about Spring
Pond. I think be married Elizabeth Richardson, perhaps as a
second wife, 28 September, 1688, he being then spme fifty-eight
years of age. Mr. Lewis states that Dr. Crowninscheldt built a
cottage at Mineral Spring abont the year 1690. And in Felt's
Annals of Salem, under date 1695, we find the following: "This
year Richard Harris, master of the Salem Packet, bound to
Canada river, invites 'Doct, Grooncell (Crowninshield,) a Ger-
man, who married Capt. Allen's daughter at Lynn Spring,' to
accompany him, but he declined." Could it have been of his
mother-in-law, that the Doctor purchased t!je land, in 1700?
At first view, there seems something like confusion in the above;
but I do not see that the statements are irreconcilable.]
At a meeting of the Selectmen, on the 7th of June, Mr. Shepard
was chosen to keep a grammar school, for which thirty pounds
were the next year allowed.
1701.
[Henry Sharp, innholder, of Salem, let his carriage, a calash,
for the conveying of Mr. BuUdey, who had arrived at that place,
sick, to his home. But as he could get no farther on his jour-
ney than Lynn, ho here dismissed the driver, who returned to
Salem on Sunday. For the desecration of holy time Mr. Sharp
was called to answer, but was finally discharged by making it
appear that the travel was necessary. This calash is noted as'
being one of the first carriages ever owned in the vicinity. On
horse-hack or a-foot our forefathers and mothers almost exclu-
sively traveled, down to a period something later than this.
The above incident well shows the solicitude with which the
sanctity of the Lord's day continued to he guarded.]
1702.
[Rev. George Keith,, a missionary of the Church of England,
visited Lynn, in July, accompanied by Rftv. John Talbot, also a
Church minister. He appears to have come rather to combat
Quaker principles than to propagate his own. He had himself
been a Quaker and suffered persecution for his faith. But now
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ANNALS OP LYKN — 1702. 301
that he appeared as a champion against them, he seems to have
divested himself of at least the pacific characteristic that dis-
tinguishes the Quaker of this day. In his journal appears the
following account of the transactions on the occasion of his
visit. The entries are made under dates Wednesday and Thurs-
day, July 8 and 9,
I went from BosWn to Linn, accompanied witfj Mr. Talbot, and the next day
being the Quakers' meeting day, we visited tlieir meeting there, having first
called at a Qualtei''s house, vvho was of my former acquaintance. Mr. Shep-
ard, the rainieter of Linn, did also accompaiw us; but the Quakers, though
many of them had been formerly members of bis church, were very abusive
to bim, as they were to us. After some lime of silence I stood up and began
to speak, but they did so interrupt with their noise and clamor against me,
that I could not proceed, though I much entreated them to hear me ; so I sat
down and heard their speakers one after another utter abundance of fideehoods
and impertenanees and gross perversions of many texts of the holy Scripture.
After their speakers bad done, they hasted to be gone. I desired them to stay,
and I would shew them that they had spoke many falsehoods, and peiverted
many places of Scripture, but they would not stay to hear. But many of the
people staid, some of them Qualters, and others who were not Quakei-s but
disaffected to the Quakers' principles. 1 asked one of their pi-eaohers before
he went away, seeing they preached so "much the sufficiency of the Light
within to salvation, (without an^ thing else) did the Light within teach bun,
without Scripture, that our biased Saviour was bora of a virgin, and died for
our sins, &c. ? He replyed, if he said it did, I would not believe him, and
therefore he would not answer me. After their speakers were gone, I went
Up ikito the speakers' gallery, where they used to stand and speak, and I did
reail unto ihepeople that steid to hear me, Quakers and otbei's, many quota-
tions out of Edw. BuiTOUghs's folio book, detecting bis vile erroi-s, who yet
was one of their chief authors, particidarly in pages 150, 151, where he renders
it the doctrine of salvation that 's only necessary to be preached, viz. Christ
within, and that he ts a deceiver that exhorts people for salvation to any other
thing than the Light within ; as appears by bis several queries in the pages
cite£ And where he saitli, page 273, that me sufferings of the people of God
in this age [meaning the Quakers] are greater sufferings, and more unjust, than
those of Christ and the Apostles ; what was done to Christ, or to the Aposrtes,
was chiefly done by a law, and in great part by the due execution of a law.
But all this a noted Quaker, whose name I spai-e to mention, (as I generally
intendtosparethementioningof their names! aid boldly defend. But another
Quaker who stood by, confessed the last passage in rendering the Quolcera'
sufferings greater and more unjust than the sufferings of Christ, was not well
worded ; but to excuse it, said, we must not make a man an offender for a
[John Eichardson, a noted Quaker preacher, from England,
was then in Lynn, stopping at the house of Samuel Collins,
which stood on the north side of Essex street, a few rods east
of Payette. He vigorously engaged Mr. Keith, and gives an
account cf the meeting not exactly coincident with the above.
It is but fair to give his version. But we shall first quote from
bis recital of an encounter the evening before. He says:
... 1 came to Lynn, to Samuel Callings, [CoHins's] where I had not been
long before I met with an unusual exercise, which I had expected for some
lime would fall upon me, , . . Having iieard of George Keith's
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302 ANNALS OF LTHN — 1702.
being at Lynn Monthly Meeting the next day, (tiiis Lynn, as near as I remem-
ber lies between Salem in the east part and Boston,) the evening coming on,
as I was writing to some friends in Old England, one came iu haste to desire
me to come down, for George Keith was come to the door, and a great number
of ijeowle and a priest with him, aud was railing against Friends exceedingly.
I said, Inasmuch as I undei'Stood this Lynn Meeting is, although large, mostly
a newly convinced people, I advise you to be swift to hear, but slow to speak,
for George Keith hath a Ufe in argument; and let us, as a people, seek unto
and cay mightily to the Lord, to look down upon us, and help us for his name's
sake, for our preservation, that none may be hurt. , . . T went to the rails and
leaned my arms on them, near to GSeorge Keith's horse's head, as he sat on hia
back, and many people were with him ; but the few Friends who wore come,
stood with me in the yard.
[A warm discussion between tfee champions, followed this
abrupt introduction, concerning which Mr. Eiohardson, with a
triumphal air, says :
I was roused up in my spirit in a holy zeal against his wicked insults and
great threatenings, and said to him, that it was the fl-uit of malice and envy,
and that he was to us but as an heathen man aud a publican. . . . Then he
began to cast what slurs and odiums he could upon Friends, with such bitter
invectives as his malice could invent. I stood with an attentive 'ear, and a watch-
ful mind; for as I stood leaning uj>oii the rails, with no small concern upon
my mind, I felt the Lord's power arise, and by it my strength was renewed in
the inner man, and feith, wisdom, and courage with it, so mat the fear of man,
with all his parts and learning, was taken from me ; and in this state George
Keith appeared to me but as a little child, or as nothing. ... He sidd. The
Quakers pretend to be against all ceremonies, but he could prove that they
used many ceremonies, as taking one another by the hand, and men saluting
one another, and women doing so to one another; and he said that women
did salute men ; yea, they had done it to him ; as it was generally understood
by those who heard him, which I thought not wojthj of notice. He wentjon,
and said, the Quakers pretend to be against all persecution, but they were not
clear, for tlie Quakers in Pennsylvania and the Jerseys kid persecuted him,
and would have hanged him, but that there was some altei-ation in the govern-
ment. Then came out one of my arrows which cut and wounded him deep;
I said, George, that is not true. Upon that the priest drew near, aud appeared
very brisk, and said I had as good as charged Mr. Keith (as he called him) 'vrith
a lie. I replied, give me time, and I will prove that which George said was not
true,andthen thou and be may take your advantage to rescue him from that epi-
thet of a liai', if you can. The priest sdd, I know not Mr. Keith. I replied, if he
knew him as well as I did, he would be ashamed to be thei'e as an abettor of
him. The priest got away and troubled me no more in all the arguments that
George and I had afterwards (although the said priest was with him.)
[Hero let us pause a moment and throw a glance back upon
the rationale of tho edifying occasion, imagining how those
assembled partisans, on either side of the fence, must have had.
their christian sympathies refreshed and perceptions improved-
by the encounter of the sturdy combatants. Do such things give
us a particularly elevated idea of the piety of the times? Or.
does it appear that the non-resistant principles of the Quakers
had become sufBciently consolidated to withstand the pugnacity
of nature? But we will proceed with Mv. Richardson's account
of the transactions at the meeting-house, the next day.
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AOTALS OF LYNS— 1702. 303
Now to the meeting we went : Gfeorge Keith with two priesta and a great
many people gathered together of several profeaaions and qualities into one
body, and Fnends aiid some friendly people into another body ; and as we
came near to the meeting-house, I stood still, and took a view of the people,
and it appeared to me as if two armies were going to engage in battle. There
appeared with George Keith men of considerable estates, pails, and learning,
and we appeared like poor ahriibs."
[Before enteriug the meeting-house, Mr. Richardson addressed
a few words of advice and encouragement to the Friends. And
immediately after they had entered, Mr, Keith proclaimed that
he had come, in the Queen's name, to gather Quakers /rom
Quakerism to the good old mother Church, the Church of Eng-
!and; and that he could prove, out of their own hooks, that
they hold errors, heresies, damnable doctrines, and blasphemies.
Upon this, Mr. Richardson was moved to inform the assembly
what manner of man Mr, Keith was. He stated that he had
been a Quaker for many years, but during the latter part of his
walk with them, harl been very troublesome on account of his
contentious spirit; and as they had in vain labored to reform
him, he had been pubhcly disowned; whereupon he commenced
opposing and vilifying them. And sundry other roxigh person-
alities and home thrusts did the Quaker champion deliver. In
the course of the discussion divers, points of doctrine and prin-
ciples of faith were considered and more or less darkened by
the unchristian spirit manifested. Mr. Richardson proceeds :
The priest of this place, whose name was Shepard, before my mouth was
opened m testimony, made preparation to write ; and n^en I began to speak, he
had Jiis hat upon his knee, and his paper upOn its crown, and pen and ink in
his hands, and made many motions to write, but wrote nothing ; as he began,
■so he ended, without writing at all. And as Friends entered the meeting-house
in the Lord's power, even that power which cut Rahab, and wounded the Drag-
on, which had been at work, kept down in a, good degree the wrong spirit in
George, for he appeared mudi down ; but this busy priest called to him sevei-al
times to make his reply to what I had spoke. Atler some time, I said to the
priest, in behalf of the meeting, that he might have liberty to make reply. He
proposed to have another day appointed for a dispute; to which I said, if I
did make a voluntary challenge, (which he should not say we put him upon)
we, or some of us, (meaning Friends) if a day and place were agreed upon,
should find it our concern to answer him as well as we could. He said he
would have Ml-. Keith to be with him; I told him, if he should, and meddled
in the dispute, if I was there, I should reject him for reasons before assigned.
When the priest had said this, and somewhat more, an wider of the Presbyte-
rian congregation clapped him on the shoulder, and bid him sit down ; so he
was quiet ; and then stood up George Keith, and owned he had been refreshed
amongst us that day, and had heard a great many sound truths, with some
eiTors, but that it was not the common doctrine which the Quakers preached.
[Mr, Richardson repelled the obnoxious insinuation contained
in the last clause. Whereupon the other began to exhibit
charges against the Quakers, declaring that he could prove
them by their own books ; .referring especially to the works of
Fox and Burroughs. Mr. Richardson continues:
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304 AKNALS OF LTBN — 1702,
He had in a pnper, a great many quotations out of Trienda' hooks, and a
young man with hito had many booliB in a bag, ... He was now crowded
up into tlie gallery between me and the rail, with a paper in bis hand, and I
Btanding over him, and being taller, could see his quotations, and bis para-
phrases upon them; on which I told him, loudly, that ail the meeting might
hear, that he offered violence to the sense and understanding which God had
pTen Mm, and he knew in his conscience, we were not that people, neither
were our Friends' writings either damnable or blasphemous, as he, throujfh
envy, endeavored to make the world believe, nnd tiat he would not have
peace in so doing, but ti'ouble from the Lord in his conscience. I spoke in
the Lord's dreadftil power, and George trembled so much as I seldom ever
Baw any man do. I pitied him in my heart, yet as Moses smd once concerning
Israel, I felt the wrath of the Lord go forth against him, George said, "Do
not judge me," I replied, The Lord judges, and all who are truly one in
spirit with the Lord, cannot but judge thee. So he gave over i and it appear-
ing a suitable time to break up tlie meeting. Friends parted in great love,
tendei'uess, and brokenness of heaj-t ; for the Lord's mighty power had been
in and over the meeting from the beginning to the end thereof. . , . Two
rViends were desired to stay, to hear what George had to say to them who
remained, which said two Friends gase an account to us afterwards, that
Geo:^ said to the people after we wei-e gone, that the Quakers had leil none
to dispute with him but an ass aud a fool; when 1 heard it, I said, could yoti
not have replied. An ass was once made suificient to reprove the madne'ss
of the prophet. . . . George called to see me the next day, and said "You
had die advantage over me yesterday, for jou persuaded me to be quiet until
you had done, and then j^ou would not stay to hear me;" neither, indeed,
were we under any obligation so to do. I told him, I hoped that truth would
always have the advantage over those who opposed it ; and so we parted, but
met again upon Rhode Island.
[And thus ended one of those "disputes" on christian doc-
trine, so characteristic of the time. The chaoipions seem to have
been well matched as to ability and destitution of Christian
courtesy. And it ia probable that the friends of each claimed
a victory, as is usually the case ifi such contests. I have given
tbe account from the details furnished by the opposing parties
themselves, who deemed the affair of sufBcieut importance to
merit narration iu thoir journals. And certainly a strange
spectacle is presented, though one that well illustrates the man-
ner of conducting religious controversies at that period; those
controversies in which asperity of temper and bitterness of
expression were especially conspicuous. And when Episcopa-
lians, Congregtionaliats, or Quakers, of this day, undertake to
defend the course of their fathers in the faith, in every particn-
)ar, and on prineiplea that obtain at the present time, they
undertake a labor that it would be more creditable to avoid.
And when those same theological partisans, on the promulgation
of an unpalatable truth concerning their kindred of the past,
deem themselves tinder censure, they exhibit an unreasonable
sensibility.
[Mr, Shepard, the minister at the Old Tunnel Meeting House,
was present to enjoy the proceedings. And he exhibited some-
thing of that inclemency of temper which on certain other occa-
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ANSALS OP LYNN — 1703, 1704. 305
Bions reached a point that furniahed.but a poor example for
those to whom he preached forbearance and meekness. The
fact that such a sturdy iater of the Church as he, could readily
fraternize with an Episcopal miesioiiary, and stand his abettor in
assaults upon Quakerism, is instructive. But we must consider
that he had nothing to fear from Episcopacy, while Quakerism
was making great inroads upon his parochial jurisdiction.]
On the 14th of December, ten pounds were allowed for the
maintenance of ft grammar master ; "and such master to havQ,
over and above the said ten pounds, 2 pence per week for such
as are sent to read, 3 pence per week for them that are sent to
write and cipher, and 6 pence per week for them that are sent
to learn Latin, to be paid by parents and masters that send
their children or servants to learn as aforesaid."
[The price of oak Wood, was three shiiiings a cord, this year.
Walnut was generally preferred for fuel, and that sold for five
shillings.]
1703.
[The following is a copy of a letter sent to Governor Dadley,
by the Quakers of Lynn. "Lynn, 22th 4 m° 1703. Whereas,
we, the people called Quakers, of the town of Lynn, having
been requested by the governor to give in a list of our names —
in answer thereunto each person hath respectively signed by
-himselfe," The signatures are, Richard Estes, Samuel Collins,
William Bassett, Walter Phillips, Richard Oako, Joseph Rich-
ards, John Hood, Samuel Breed, Hugh Alley, William Bassett,
Jr., John Bassett, John Collins, Jabez Jenkins, Walter Phillips,.
Jr., Isaac Clark, Samuel Collins, Jr., John Estes.
[Walter Phillips, senior, being a Quaker, and refusing to per-
form military duty, had a fourth of an acre of his land seized
and sold for the payment of his fine.
[The town paid the sexton two pounds and thirteen shillings
for " sweeping y' meeting house, and Ringing y' bell for y'
year past, and one shilling for gitting y^'Claper for y' beli."]
1704.
This year another war was prosecuted with the French and
Indians, called Queen Anne's war. It was begun by the In-
dians in the preceding year, and was productive of the most
dreadful cruelty. Several of the soldiers from Lynn were taken
prisoners. It continued about a year.
Col. Benjamin Church, who commanded in this expedition,
wrote a letter to Governor Dudley, requesting "That four or
five hundred pair of good Indian shoes be made ; and let there
be a good store of cow hides, well tanned, for a supply of such
Z* 20
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306 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1705, 1706.
shoes, and hemp to make - thread, and wax, to mend and make
more such shoea when wanted, and a good store of awls,"
On the 6th of March, the town, " being informed that several
persons had cut down several trees or bushes in Naliants, where-
by there is like to be no shade for the creatures," voted that
no person should cut any tree or bush there, on a penalty often
shillings.
1705.
[There was a very violent northeast storm on the 29th and
30th of January, Immense- quantities of snow fell. Joseph
Newhall, of Lynn, perished in the storm, on the second day.
He was no doubt the same individual elsewhere noticed as a
son of Thomas Newhall, the first white person horn in Lynn.
He was born 22 September, 1658, married Susanna, a sister of
Thomas Parrar, Jr., and settled in Lynnfield. He had eleven
children, and a great many of his descendants remain.
[In June, a severe drought prevailed. "Corn and grass
', pretty much.'"]
1706.
Nahant, and the great range of woodland in the north of the
town, had from the first settlement, been retained in common.
The same spirit of practical democracy which had influenced
the people at the beginning, was carried out through all their
public affairs. Nahant was used as a common pasture, where
any one who chose, put cattle and sheep, which were tended
by a person, chosen and paid by the town, called a ahepherd.
In like manner the great woodlands had been reserved for
common use, and the people cut their fuel in such quantities as
they pleased in the woodlands nearest their dwellings. If any
required timber for building, they selected the fine old oaks
that plumed the craggy cliffs, and the tall, straight trunks which
grew in the dark pine forests, to make into boards at' the saw
mill. But now the people had so increased, and the limits of
their cultivated lands become so permanently established, that
they concluded it would be best to have some more definite
regulations for their government in future.
On the 15th of April, a town meeting was held, when it was
resolved to make a division of the public lands, only reserving
the training field, which is now called the Common. They
chose a committee of three persona from other towns, to make
the division, whom they directed to allow each proprietor at
least one fourth upland, and as near his own house as might be.
The committee were Captain Samuel Gardner, of Salem, John
Greenland, of Maiden, and Joseph Hasey, of Chelsea. [And
they make return of their dciinga as follows.]
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ASNALS OF lt™— 1706. SOT
! iiei-eunto subscribed, haviuj; boen chosen by the
by such iTiles, and in Buch w^" anc
we having agreed and made Divisi<
and amongst aU the proprietors and Inhabitants that have land of their o'
hi iee, according to said Town Voate, ho ftr as appcai'ed to us. The wny and
manner of our Dlvi^on, and that which we iiavo agreed upon to make our
rules by, are as fblloweth.
We first obtained of ihe Selectmen ofsaid Lyn, a copy of the List of Estnte
taken by them in 1705, which list being first perfected and made intelligible
to us by the Selectmen, through our desire, by their bringing each person's
land to the Bight owner, and by adding such to said List, that by Season of
poverty, or others being in captiviu, had been left out of said List, that soe
ive might come to the knowledge of all the proprietors and Inhabitants that
have Lauds of theire owne in fee ; we having made division of the aforesaid
Common Lauds according to what each propiietor and Inhabitant have of
Lands upon saiiJ List.
1. We first taking out, according to the best Information we could obtaine,
all such as had houses erected since the yeai- 1694, who are priviledged for so
much and no more than what each person hatlie of Lands upon said List.
2. A second Rule by which we make division is, that all such as have upon
said List foure acres of Land or any Less quantity, to have priviledg for five
acres ; and all such as have five acres to have priviledg for six acres ; and all
such as have six acres to have priviledg of seven acres ; and all such as have
seven acres to have priviledg for eight acres ; and no person to receive advan-
tage any further for any more than for what they have upon said List
3. A dih-d Rule of our Division is, that alt such as have upon stud List any
greater number of acres than eight, till they come to twenty acres, counting
two acres of pasture land for one of tillage Land; we finding them to be Rated
but halfe soe mucli for pf^ure Land as for tillage or Improved Lands ; are
priviliged according to the number of acres they have on the List.
4. A fourth Rule is, that all those that have above twenty acres upon said
List, until they come to thirty acres, shall receive privilidg but for one fourth
part of all they have above twenty acres ; and for what land any person bathe
on said List above thirty acres, shall receive priviledg but for one eighth part
of what is above thirty acres.
5. And whereas we, the aforesaid Committee, according to said Towne
voate, are to Leave convenient ways in all places, as we shall think fitt, we
have agreed that, by reason of the Impossibifity of making highways passable,
if Laid upon the Range Lines, Doe therefore oi'der, that all the pi-oprietors
concerned, their heirs and assigns forever, to have free Liberty to pass and
Repass over each psraon's Lotts, that is laid out by us on the commons, with
carts and teams, to ti-ansport wood, timber,' and stones, or upon any other oca-
tion whatsoever, in such places as may be convenient, vrithout any molestation,
Wdrance, or Interruption from any of the proprietor, their heiiB or assigns;
but no person to Damnifie bis ne^hbor by Cutting Dovme his tree or trees.
We have left a highway over Little Nahant two poles wide on the west end,
and soe Runing over the beach unto Great Nahant; and soe on the south-
wardly side of the hill to about ten pole above tlie Calf Spring, and running
slanting up the hill into the old way, and soe runing on the northeast end of
James Mills lus land, and soe on to the first Range in the ram pasture ; and
have left about one acre of land joining to tlie highway by the Spring to
aceoimdate Cattle coming to the Sprmg. We have also left a highway, two
pole wide fi*om the highway by the Spring, ouer into Bass neck, and soe
through the Ranges to the southermost Range on said neck. We have also
left a highway, two pole wide, on the Bay side, over to Bass neck, and so ouer
Mr. Taylor's lott, Joseph Jacob's loti, and Moses Hudson's Lottj uuto the other
db, Google
308 ANNAL9 OP LTKN — 1706.
highway; and have left a highway one pole wide over the westward end of
each Range on great Nahant; and a highway one pole wide, on the north-
waidly end of each Range oq Bass neck ; and a highway one pole wide ouer
between the ranee of lots, halfe a pole on each Range, on each side of the
Range Line on Little Naliant.
TEuB we make Retui-neof this our Doings; tliieficBt Day of January, 1706-7.
Samuel Gardheb,
John Gkeenlakd,
Joseph HAaEY.
On the 28th of Septemher, " The towns considering the great
difficulty of laying out highways on the common lands, by rea-
son of the swamps, hills, and rockenes of the land, theirfore
voated, that after said common lands shall be divided, every
person interested therein, shall have free Hbertj' at ali times, to
pass and repass over each others' lotts of lands, to fetch their
wood and such other things as shall be upon their lands, in any
place or places, and for no other ends, provided they do not cot
downe any sort of tree or trees in their so passing over." Eleven
persons- entered their dissent to this vote, but do not state
whether it was against the privilege, or its limitation. Men
frequently want to pass on to l,[ieir lota for other purposes than
to fetch wood; and in many places in the woods, if they had
not cut down a tree, it would have been utterly impossible ever
to have gone upon their lots at all with a carriage. If this vote
were a law, many proprietors on Nahant, even now, could not
go upon their lands to plant or build. But the warrant for
calling this meeting is unrecorded.
The Common Lands were laid out by the committee in " Seven
Divisions." The First Division began on the west of Saugus
river, including what was called the Six Hundred Acres, which
were then in Lynn. The Second Division ran across the north-
ern part of the town, and the Seventh Division was Nahant.
There is no record that the report of the committee was ac-
cepted, though it probably was, as it was recorded, with all the
separate lots and owners' names. The woodlands and the
Nahants were laid out in Itanges, forty rods in width, and these
were divided into lots, containing from about one eighth of an
acre to eight acres. Many of these lots were afterward subdi-
vided among heirs, so that many lots on Nahant are now six
hundred and sixty feet long, and from two feet to eight feet
wide. This renders it impossible in many places to obtain a
building lot, withont purchasing of many owners. Several lots
are aa narrow as two feet and three inches, and for each of these
a separate deed must be written. I have constructed a com-
plete map of Nahant on a very large scale, on which the lots are
ehown with the names of the original proprietors and the pres-
ent owners.
[It will be observed that the above stands as it did in the 1S44
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ANiJALS OF LYNN— 1708, 1712, 1713, 1715. 309
edition. Many changes have of course taken piace since that
time. But it will always he intereating as showing how mat-
ters formerly stood in these important particulars.]
1708.
[A fast was held, 23 June, and prayers offered for deliverance
from the devastations committed by insects, on the fruit trees.
They appear to have been caterpillars and canker worms. And
we had, in 1863, another grievous instance of the destruction
that may be accomplished through the combined industry of
those voracious little spoilers. But this unbelieving generation
instead of resorting to prayers and fasting, resorted to burning
brimstone and other stifling appliances.]
1712.
Lynnfield was set off as a parish, or district, 17 November.
The inhabitants were to he freed from parish taxes, as soon as
a meeting-house should be built, and a minister settled. The
people of Lynnfield, in the town records, are called " our neigh-
bors, the farmers."
This year, all the shells, which came upon the Nahant beaches,
were sold by the town, to Daniel Brown, and "William Gray, for
thirty shillings. They were not to sell the shells for more than
eiglit ebiliinga a load, containing forty-eight bushels, heaped
measure. Tho people were permitted to dig and gather the
clams as before, but they were required to open them on the
beach, and leave the shells. The house in which I was born,
was plastered with lime made from these shells.
1713.
Mr. John Merriam was employed as schoolmaster. The school
was called a grammar school, because Latin was taught in it.
The other studies were reading, writing, and ciphering. Eng-
lish grammar was not a common study, and no book on that
subject was introduced into genera! use, till about seventy
years after this time. No arithmetic was used by the scholars,
but the master wrote all the sums on the slate. No spelling
book was used. [So one would naturally conclude from the
ways in which words were sometimes spelled. There had been
no established system of orthography, but each spelled as best
suited his own fancy, using letters in any way that gave the
sound of the word. Some uniformity, however, now prevailed.]
1715.
The first meeting-house in the second parish, now Lynnfield,
was built. When the building of the first parish meeting-house
was in contemplation, the people of the northern part of the
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310 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1716, 1717.
town, being obliged to travel six or eigbt miles to meeting,
wished to have the house placed in a central situation, and a
committee was appointed to " chuse " a place. They selected
a hill, now included in the bounds of S^ugus, which was thence
called Harmony Hill. It was afterward determined to place
the house on the Common, and the people of Lynnfield continued
to attend meeting there till this year.
ni6.
A gentleman whose name was Bishop, wae schoolmaster.
Mr. Ebenezer Tarbox was chosen, by the town, as shepherd.
Three porches were added to the first parish meeting-house,
and a curiously carved and paneled oak pulpit, imported from
England, was set up.
[Jonathan Townsend, of Lynn, graduated at Harvard College.
He was settled, 23 March, in Keedham, being the first minister
of the place, and remained in the ministry forty-two. years. He
died 30 September, 1762, aged 64. A record in his band wri-
ting, dated Needham, 17 July, 1735, states an interesting fact
regarding a lady, who, it is probable, was a member of his
cimrch: "This day died bore, Mrs. Lydia Chickering, in the
83d year of her age. She was born in Dedham, in New Eng-
land, July 14, 1652, and about the year 1671 went up from
thence to Hadley, where for the space of about a year, she
waited upon Cob Whalley, and Col. Goffe (two of King Charles
Ist's judges), who bad fled thither from the men that sought
their lives. She was the daughter of Capt, David Fisher, of
Dedham, one of the magistrates of the colony under the old
charter."
[Governor Shute passed through Lynn, 15 October. There
was considerable parade. The Salem Troop, under Col. Brown,
came over, to escort him to their town, where he was received
in a becoming manner, had "a splendid entertainment," and
remained over night. He was on a journey to New Hampshire.
[An extraordinary darkness prevailed at mid-day, 21 October.
Lighted candles were found necessary on the dinner table, fowls
went to roost, and there was great aiann.]
mi.
Two great storms on the 20th and 24th of February, covered
the ground so deep with snow, that people for some days could
not pass from one bouse to another. Old Indians, of a hundred
years, said that their fathers had never told them of such a enow.
It was from ten to twenty feet deep, and generally covered the
lower story of the houses. Cottages of one story were entirely
huried, so that the people dug paths from one house to another,
under the snow. Soon after, a slight rain feli, and the frost
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ANNALS OP LTNN — 1717. 3H
crusted the bhow; and then the people went out of their cham-
ber windows, and walked over it. Many of the farmers lost
their eheep ; and most of the sheep and swino which were saved,
lived from one to two weeks without food. One man had some
hens huried near his barn, which were dug out- alive eleven
days after, During this snow, a great number of deer came
from the woods for food, and were followed by the wolves,
which killed many of them. Others were killed by the people
with guns. Some of the deer fled to Xahant, and being chased
by the wolves, leaped into the soa, and were drowned. Great
damage was done to the orchards, by the snow freezing to the
branches, and spUtting the trees as it fell. Thia snow formed
a remarkable era in New England ; and old people, in relating
an event, would say that it happened so many years before or
after the great snow. Hon. John Winthrop says : " "We lost at
the island and farms above 1100 sheep, beside some horses and
cattle interred in the snow; and it was very strange, that 28
days after the storm, the inhabitants of Fisher's Island, in pulling
out the ruins of 100 sheep, out of the snow bank in the valley,
where the snow liad drifted over them sixteen feet, found two
of them alive in the drift, which had lain on them all that time,
and kept themselves alive by eating the wool off the others."
The mail was nine days in reaching Portsmouth, and eight in
returning. [But the greatest snow storm of the year occurred
in April. It being so late in the season, however, the effects
were not long visible,]
The town tax, this year, was X237. Mr. Shepard's salary was
eighty-seven pounds ; and the rest was for the school, and other
town debts.
It was in one of the great storms of this year, that Samuel
Bellamy's pirate ship, the Wbidah, of 23 guns and 130 men, was
wrecked on Cape Cod, and more than one hundred dead bodies
were found on the chore. Six of the survivors were afterward
executed at Boston.
This year Nabant was. again without an iuhab-itant; Jamea
Mills being dead, and his family removed. His house and land
became the property of Dr. John Henry Burchsted, who, on
the 18th of December, sold it to Samuel Breed, He built a
house where Whitney's Hotel now stands. He was very small
in stature, and was generally called " Governor Breed." He
was born November 11, 1692, married Deliverance Bassett,
June 25, 1720, (the same who was mentioned as a child in 1692,)
and had five children; Anna, Sarah, Huldah, Nehemiah, and
William. His house became the property of his son Nehemiah,
and bis grandson William, by whom it was rebuilt in 1819,
for twenty-four years this house was kept as a hotel, by Jesse
Kice; and was purchased, in 1841, by Albert Whitney. [Mr.
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312 ANNAL9 OP LYNS — 1718.
Whitney ia a son-in-law of Mr. Rice, auci still [1SC4J continuea
the public house-]
Jabea Breed, brother of Samuel, soon after removed to Na-
hant and built a house directly opposite, A few years after-
ward, Richard Hood exchanged his house in Sahimt street for
this. He married Theodate Coliins, May 20, 1718, and had
eight children; Theodate, Jedediah, Content, Rebecca, Hannah,
Patience, Abner and Abigail. Hia descendants still live at
Nahant, on the estate of their ancestor.
The third honse on Nahant was built by Jeremiah G-ray, a
carpenter, and uncle of Lieutenant Governor William Gray.
This house, about the year 1770, was sold to Jonathan John-
son. [And it afterward became the property of his son, Caleb
Johnson, by whom it is still occupied.]
These were the only three houses on Nahant unti) the year
1803. Their occupants were Quakers, and kept no taverns, but
accommodated a few boarders in the summer, and occasionally
made a fish chowder, for parties who visited Nahant from Bos-
ton and other places.
1718.
In the beginning of this year, Mr. Shepard was unwell ; and
a gentleman whose name was Townsend, was employed to preach
five sermons ; for which the town paid him fifty shillings. The
Selectmen, on the 5th of March, were directed to employ a
schoolmaster; and in their agreement with him, "to have rela-
tion to some help for Mr. Shepard in preaching."
According to tradition — which may not very safely be relied
on in matters of importance, though it may assist in delineating
manners and customs — it was about this time that potatoes were
first introduced into Lynn. Mr. John Newhall received two or
three, which he planted; and when he gathered the produce,
a few of them were roasted and eaten, mevely from curiosity;
and'the rest were put into the shell of a gourd, and hung up in
the cellar. The next year he planted them all, and had enough
to fill a two bushel basket. He knew not what to do with so
many, and gave some of them to his neighbors. Soon after,
one of them said to him : " Well, I have found that potatoes are
good for something. I had some of them boiled, and ate them
with fish, and they relished very well." It was several years
after this, before potatoes came into general use, and then only
in small quantities. A farmer, who kept a very particular ac-
count of every day's employment, first mentions "patatas," aa
a common article, in 1733. [But in the Colony Records we
find potatoes named as early as 1628. They were among the
articles to be provided for the Ma-ssachusetts settlers and sent
over by the Company, probably for planting. Historians have
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AHNALS OP LYKN — 1719. 313
generally supposed they were not known in England before
1653, when some were carried there by Sir John Hawkins,
from Santa Fe. Bat the above indicates an earlier introduction.
And besides, as Mr, Felt mentions, Bermuda potatoes sold in
our colony, in 1636, for 2d. a pound; hut these were probably
what we now call sweet potatoes. The common potato, how-
ever, came slowly into general use. And it seems evident that
in some places at least it fell under a sort of religious ban;
Rttributable, as some have thought, to the fact that it is not
mentioned in the Bible; but this cannot have been tho case,
as the use of sundry other vegetables which were highly esteem-
ed, would, Cor the same reason have been interdicted. If it be
true that potatoes were brought here as early as 1628, for culti-
vation, as an article of food, it is quite remarkable that almost a
century should have elapsed before they began to be served
upon the table. I know it is generally supposed that they
were not introduced here till about the period indicated by the
traditions alluded to by Mr. Lewis ; and that they were brought
by the " Scotch Irish " immigrants, as they were called.]
At this time, tea was little used, and tea-kettles were unknown.
The water was boiled in a skillet; and when the ladies went to
visiting parties, each one carried her tea-cup, saucer, and spoon.
The tea-cups were of the best china, and very-small, containing
about as much as a common wine-gJass. Coffee did not come
into use until many years after.
1719.
The northern lights were first mentioned this year, on the 17th
of December. The people were much alarmed at their appear-
ance. The northern hemisphere seemed to be on fire ; and it is
said that the coruscations were distinctly heard, like the rustling
of a silken banner. [It is an interesting question, whether this
was the first time that the northern lights were observed here.
If the earlier settlers had seen them it is remarkable that re-
corded descriptions are not found. It seems now to be settled
that intervals of many years, perhaps centuries, do occur in
which they are not seen ; and then they suddenly blaze forth
again to the surprise and terror of rriankind. I have seen this
peculiarity remarked upon in a history of Iceland. The ancients
have left no account of the phenomenon, under the present
name ; though some have imagined that it is alluded to in the
book of Job, ch. 37, v. 22 — '* Pair weather cometh out of the
north: with God is terrible majesty " — the term rendered "fair
weather," meaning also bright ligM. And the last reading
seems most natural, as there is no "terrible majesty" con-
nected with fair weather. The following extract from a curious
letter, dated Cheater, 19 June, 1649, may be sufficient to con-
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314 ANNALS OF LYNN— -1720.
vince some that the northern lights were seen before this
year: "Being late out on Saturday night to see my horse eat
his Gates, it being past 12 a clock at night, we saw in the North
East, in the Ayre, 2 black Clowdes firing one against the other,
as if they had been 2 Armies in the Clowdes; The fire was
dissorned sometimes more and eometimes lease by ne. It was
not a continuing fire, but exactly as if Muskitiers were discharg-
ing one against another. Sometimes there could be no fire
seene. and then about half an hour after, we could diacerne the
North Clowde retreat: And so it did till the day began to
appear, and all the while the last Clowde following it, both firing
each at other: It was the strangest sight that ever I saw, nor
can I relate the esactnesse of it; it was in auch a wonderful
nanner that I cannot express it." It is not easy to determine
-phat this was, if it was not the aurora borealis, "though in soma
particulars the description does not exactly answer for the
usual appearance at the present day. The wonder-struck ob-
servers, however, could not have supposed that the contending
forces intended much damage to each other, as their shooting
was probably perpendicular and not horizontal.
[The summer of this year was remarkable for copious rains.
In the Boston News Letter, for the week ending 17 August,
appears this paragraph : " It is very remarkable that tho' on last
Lord's Da3' we had then some Rain, which had been grievous
for about a Month before, that after the Ministers of the several
Meeting Houses had made Intimation to their Congregations
of their intending the Thursday following, that the Publick Lec-
ture should be turned into a Day of Fasting and Prayer, to beg
of God that He would avert His Judgments in granting suitable
and seasonable Weather, after the great Rains, to ripen and
gather in the Fruits of the Earth, both by Land and Sea, that
that selfsame Evening the Rain ceased and the sun shone clear
ever since, even before the Day appointed for His people to call
upon Him for these great mercies."]
1720.
The Rev. Jeremiah Shopard was the fourth son of the Rev.
Thomas Shepard, minister of Cambridge, who came from Tow-
cester, in England, in 1635. His mother, who was his father's
third wife, was Margaret Boradile. He was born at Cambridge,
August 11th, 1648, and graduated at Harvard College in 1669.
He was the first minister of Lynn, who was born and educated
in America. His brother Thomas was minister of Charlestown,
and his brother Samuel minister of Rowley. In 1675, he
preached as a candidate at Rowley, after the death of his bro-
ther; and in 1678 at Ipswich. He came to Lynn in 1679,
during the sickness of Mr. Whiting, and was ordained on the
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AHNAL3 OP LYKN — 1720. 315
Stb of October, 1680. He was admitted a freeman in the same
year. He resided, at first, in the street which has been called
by bis name; and afterward built a house, which, was burnt
down, on the north side of the Common, between Mall and Park
streets. In 1689, he was chosen Representative to the General
Court ; and this ia perhaps the only instance in the early history
of New England, in which a minister of the gospel sustained
that ofSoe; He died on the 3d of June, 1720, aged seventy-two,
having preached at Lynn forty years.
The iife of Mr. Shepard was distinguished by his unvaried
piety. He was one of those plain and honest men, who adorn
their station by spotless purity of character ; and has left a name
to which no one can annex an anecdote of mirth, and which no
ono attempts to sully by a breath of evil. He was indefatigable
in his exertions for tho spiritual welfare of his people; but his
dark and melancholy views of human nature tended greatly to
contract the circle of hia usefulness. It is the practice of many
who attempt to direct us in the way of truth, that, instead of
laying open to us the inexhaustible stores of happiness, which
the treasury of the Gospel affords — instead of drawing aside
the veil which conceals from man's darkened heart the inexpres-
sible joys of the angelic world, and inducing us to follow the
path of virtue, from pure affection to Him who first loved us —
they give unlimited scope to the wildest imaginations that ever
traversed the brain of a human being, and plunge into the nn-
fatbomable abyss of superstition's darkness, to torture the minds
of the living by stirring up the torments of the dead, and driv-
ing us to the service of God, by unmingled fear of his extermin-
ating wrath. It is not requisite for the prevalence of truth, that
we should be forever familiar with the shadows that encompass
it. The mind may dwell upon darkness until it has itself become
dark, and callous to improvement — or reckless and despairing
of good. That Mr. Shepard's views of human nature, and of
the dispensation of the Gospel, were of the darkest kind, ia
evident from the sermons which he has left; and these opinions
unfortunately led him to regard the greater part of the christian
world as out of the way of salvation, and to look upon the
crushed remnant of the red men as little better than the wild
beasts of the forest. In alluding to the mortality which pre-
vailed among the Indians, in 1633, he says that " the Lord swept
away thousands of those salvage tawnies, those cursed devil
His writings exhibit occasional gleams of genius and beauty;
but they are disfigured by frequent quotations from the dead
languages, and by expressions inconsistent with that nobleness
of sentiment and purity style, which should be sedulously culti-
vated by the young. It was the custom in his time, to prolong
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316 AHNAL9 OF LTHN — 1720.
the sermon at least one hour, and sometimes it was exteni3ed
to two ; and a sand glass was placed on the puSpit to measure
the time. In one of liia sermons he alludes to this practice:
"Thou art restless till the tiresome giase be run out, and the
tedious sermon be ended/' He published the following works:
1. " A Sort of Believers Never Saved." Boston, 1711, 12mo.
2. " Early Preparations for Evil Days." Boston, 1712, 24mo.
3. " Genera! Election Sermon." Boston, 1715, 12mo.
[Mr. Shepard does not appear to have bfeen entirely exempt
from the prevailing custom of the early clergy of sometimes
expressing their thoughts in numbers. Few specimens of his
versification, however, are now to be found. In the first edition
of Hubbard's Indian Wars, printed in 1677, is a page of poetry,
following the "Advertisement to the Reader," addressed "To
the Eeveread Mr. William Hubbard, on his most exact History
of New England Troubles," and signed J. S.; which initials, are
generally supposed to refer to Mr. Shepard. A short extract
follows :
When tliy rare Piece unto my view once came,
It made my muse that erst did smoke, lo flame ;
Kaising my fancy, so sublime, that I
That famous forked Motmtain did espie;
Thence in an Estasie I softly fell
Down near unto the Helliconian Well.
[That the church at Lynn enjoyed a good degree of temporal
prosperity under the 'ministry of Mr. Shepard seems evident;
and it does not appear that its spiritual progress was not com-
mensurate ; though outward prosperity is not a sure indication
of godliness within. The encomiums of Mr. Lewis, so far as they
touch certain points in the character of Mr. Shepard are, no
doubt, well merited; and the reflections on the dark features
are as judicious as direct. But the entire character is not
given. One might infer, from what is said, that he was of a
quiet, retiring disposition; but such, I apprehend, was by no
means the case. He was vigorous, if not passionate. His piety
may have been deep a:nd sincere; and so were his prejudices.
In the troublous times of the Andros administration, he was
more distinguished for political ardor, than christian forbearance.
He certainly seems to have secured the attachment of the peo-
ple here; and he could not have had so many friends and held
them so long without possessing some sterling qualities. But
while preaching at Rowley be was ahuost constantly embroiled
with the people, and became the subject of severe censure. And
there is something mysterious if not significant in the fact that
Cotton Mather says nothing about him. He seems to have
preached at Rowley and Ipswich not only before ho was or-
dained, but before he had become a professor. In a note in
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AHHALS OP LYNN — 1720. 317
Gage's History of EowIct, page 20, appears this statement : " It
is understood that thia Jeremiah Shepard was not a member of
any church, having made no public profession of religion at the
time he preached at Rowley and Ipswich." He commenced
his labors at Rowley, in February, 1673, and continued there
some three years. Gage remarks that be was the cause of
much trouble in the ehnroh and town of Rowley. The town
made him a grant, 12 December, 1673, "of £50 and one load
of wood from each man who has a team, for his work in the
ministry" for that year. And they further agreed, in 1674, to
give Iiim £50 a year, so long as he continued to preach for
them. There was, however, even then, a respectable minority
■who dissented. The troubles increased, and in 1676, obstinate
hostility existed between his adherents and opponents. Before
this year closed, it became apparent that his adversaries had
risen to a decided majority. At a town meeting held 30 January,
1677, a motion was made to "invite Mr. Shepard to establish a
monthly lecture." But it failed, and a motion to reconsider was
unsuccessful, when the meeting "brake up in confusion." Mr.
Shepard sued for bis salary of that year, and his suit was con-
tested. Judgment was given in his favor at the Ipswich court,
and the town appealed to the Court of Assistants. Finally, he
took £20 as payment in full. The discord attained such an
extremity that the General Court was appealed to. And that
august body, in warm terms, uttered tbeif mandate against all
irregular proceedings, declaring that they had bylaw "made
provision for the peace of the churches and a settled ministry
in each town." What their precise view on the questions imme-
diately concerning Mr. Shepard was, does not seem perfectly
clear; but they order that certain of his leading friends, as
abettors in the turbulence, " be admonished, and pay, as costs,
£6.7.8 ; " which they certainly would not have done had they
deemed them innocent. Mr. Shepard left Rowley, soon after,
and went to Chebacco parish, Ipswich, now the town of Essex,
where he remained a short time, and then, in 1679, came to
Lynn. I have given these passages in bis life as exhibiting
points of character which Mr. Lewis does not appear to have
observed. And a biography is never perfect without at least a
glimpse at every principal trait. Mr. Shepard was compara-
tively young, at the time he preached at Rowley ; and no doubt
as be gathered experience saw more and more clearly the neces-
sity of restraining his natural temper; yet it would occasionally
assert itself, to the end of his days.]
The name of Mr. Shepard's wife was Mary. [And she was a
daughter of Francis Wainwright, of Ipswich.] She died March
28, 1710. aged fifty-three years. He had nine children; 1.
Hannah, born 1676, married John Downing, of Boston, 1698.
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318 ANNALS OP LTNS — 1720.
2. Jereraiali, born 1677, died 1700. 3. Mehetabel, died 1688.
4. Nathaniel, born June 16, 1681, removed to Boston. 5.
garet, died 1683. 6. Thomas, bora August 1, 1687, died 1709.
7. Francis, died 1692. 8. John, married Alice Tucker, 1722.
9. Mehetabel second, married Rev, James Alliu of ErooklinCj
1717.
The following epitaph was transcribed from the grave stone
of Mr. Sbepard, with much difficulty, having become nearly
obliterated by the dilapidations of time.
Elijah's mantle drops, the prophet dies.
His earthly mansion qnils, and mounts the skios.
So Siiepherd'a gone.
His precious dust, death's prey, indeed is here,
But "s nobler breath 'moug seraphs does appear;
He joins the adoring crowds about the throne.
He 's conquered all, and now he wears the crown.
Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, who had been invited, in February,
to settle as a colleague with Mr. Shepard, was ordained minister
of the first parish, in December. His salary w-as .£115; and he
received ^160, as a settlement. Twenty persons, "called Qua-
kers," were exempted, some entirely and others in part, from
the payment of parish taxes.
Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk was ordained minister of the second
parish, now Lynnfield, on the 17th of August. His salary was
^70.
Mr. John Lewis was master of the grammar school. The
school was kept in four places; on the Common, at Woodend,
in the west parish, and in the north pariah. [It is probably
intended by this phraseology that the grammar school was a
circulating institution ; not that there were four schools, but
one school kept a part of the time in each of four places. Yet
John Lewis was not the only schoolmaster in Lynn about this
time. Samuel Dexter, a son of John Dexter, of Maiden, and
afterward minister of the first church in Dodham, taught here-
in his diary he says : " Then being Desirous, if it might be, to
Live nigher my friends, by y" Motion of some, I was invited to
keep y' School at Lyn. W''fore, Quitting my school at Taunton,
I acceptedof the Proffers made at Lyn, and, Feb. 17, 1720-21, 1
Began my School at Lyn, in w"'' I Continued a year: and upon
y* Day y* my Engagement was up there A Committee from
Maldon Came to treat with me iu Reference to Maldon school;
w* proposalls I Complyed with & kept y' school for ab' six
weeks & then was mostly, to the present time, [4 Dec, 1722,]
Improv'd in preaching." He was a graduate of Harvard College,
and at'the time of taking the school in Lynn, was twenty years
of age. Some of his descendants became eminent for their
talents.]
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ANNALS OP LTNN~1721, 1722, 1723. 319
The General Court ordered fifty thonsand pounds to be emif>
ted in bills of credit. Of this, Lynn received £124.4 aa its
proportion, w^hich V{a.s loaned at five per cent. This money,
which was afterward called Old Tenor, soon began to depreciate;
and in 1750, forty-five shillings were estimated at one dollar.
1721.
The small pox prevailed in New England, In Boston, more
than eight hundred persons died. If the small-pox of 1633 was
a judgment upon the Indians, for their erroneous worship, was
not this equally a judgment upon the inhabitants of Boston?
Some men are very free in dealing out the judgments of God to
their enemies, while they contrive to escape from the conse-
quence of their own reasoning. If a misfortune comes upon one
who differs from their opinions, it is the vengeance of heaven ;
but when the same misfortune becomes their, own, it is only a
trial. One might suppose that the observation of Solomon, that
" all things happen alike to all men," and that still more pertinent
remark of our Saviour, respecting the Tower of Siloam, would
teach men understanding. (Luke 13 : 4.) But though he spoke
BO plainly, how many do not rightly understand the doctrine of
that inimitable Teacher.
[The Hon. John Burril!, of Lynn, then a Councillor, died of
the dreaded disease, 10 December, aged 63 years. He was one
of the most eminent men that Lynn, or indeed the colony ever
produced. A biograpical notice of him appears elsewhere in
this volume.]
1722.
Between the years 1698 and 1722, there were killed in Lynn
woods and on Nahant, four hundred and twenty-eight foxes;
for most of which the town paid two shillings each. In 1720,
the town voted to pay no more for killing them, and the number
since this time is unrecorded. We have also no account of the
immense multitude which were killed during the first seventy
years of the town. If these animals were as plenty in the neigh-
borhood of Zorah, as they were at Lynn, Samson probably had
little difficulty in obtaining his alleged number.
1723.
[A terrific storm took place on Sunday, 24 February. The
tide rose to an unusual height. Mr. Dexter says, in his diary,
there was "y^ mightyest overflowing of y" sea y^ was almost
ever known in this Country." Rev. Thomas Smith, in his jour-
nal notes it as "the greatest storm and highest tide that has
been known in the country." And on the 16th of the preceding
January he says, "This month has been the hottest that ever
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320 ANNALS OP LYSN — 1723.
was felt in tbe country." The hottest January, he probably
means. The Boston News Letter, referring to the storm, eays,
" the water flowed over our Wharffs and in our Streets to a very
Burprising height. They say the Tide rose 20 Inches higher
than ever was known before. The storm was very strong at
North-east,"
[It is probable that the old Friends' meeting-bouse was built
this year, succeeding the one "raised on Wolf Hili," in 1678,
The land on which it stood was given to the Society by Richard
Estes, "in consideration of the love and good will" he bore to
"y" people of God called Quakers, in Lyn," by deed dated "this
seventeenth day of the tenth month, called December in y* ninth
year of the reign of King George, in the year of our Lord, ac-
cording to the English account, one thousand, seven hundred
and twenty two." The land was given " unto y' people afore-
mentioned, to bury their dead in, and to erect a meeting house
for to worship God in; I say those in tnie fellowship of the
gospell unity with the monthly meeting, and those are to see to
y* Christian burying as we have been in y" practice of." The
meeting-house built this year was removed to give place to the
new house, built in 1816; the same which is the present place
of worship, occupying the rear of the lot and facing on Silsbe
street. The old house may still be seen on Broad street, corner
of Beach, where it stands, occupied by a firm engaged in the
lumber business. The Friends are not high churchmen, and do
not scrapie, in common with most of the denominations around
tbem, to take back an edifice that has once been solemnly dedi-
cated to the service of the Lord, and devote it to worldly pur-
poses. But even this is leas objectionable, to the orderly mind,
than so to devote it while it still remains professedly tbe Lord's.
[The first mill on Saugus river, at the Boston street crossing,
was built this year. It was an important undertaking, and the
town records exhibit, the public action in the premises, A
Jrivilege was granted, 27 October, 1721, to Benjamin Potter,
acob Newhall, and William Curtis, to erect a mil] here. But
they did not complete their project, and, in town meeting,
8 October, 1722, " resigned up their grant to the town again,"
At the same meeting tbe privilege was granted to Thomas Chee-
ver and Ebenezer Merriam, under some conditions; William
Taylor and Josiah Rhodes protesting against the grant, The
mill was soon in operation. In 1729, Morrism sold out to
Cheever. And in 1738, Joseph Gould, a Quaker, purchased
the property. He died in 1774, and the premises became dilap-
idated, and for a time remained unfit for use. They were
afterward purchased by George Makepeace, extensive repairs
and additions were made, and the manufacture of snuff and
chocolate commenced. Mr. Makepeace, in 1801, sold the pro-
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ANNALS OP LTNN — 1724, 1726, 1727. 321
perty to Ebenezer Larkin, of Boston, and another, thoiigli lie
'BtiU contimied to manage the business; and the premises were
afterward re-deeded to him. On the 6th of June, 1812, Ama-
riah Childs bought the estate, and continued the business many
years, with success. In 1844 Mr. Childs sold to Charles Sweet-
eer. Saugus is undoubtedly, directly and indirectly, greatly
indebted to these mi lis for her prosperity.]
1734.
The eastern Indians recommenced their hostilities early in
the spring. On the 17th of April they attacked a sloop from
Lynn, at the raouth of Kennebunk river, commanded by Captain
John Felt, of Lynn, who went there for a. load of spars. He
had engaged two young men, William "Wormwood and Ebenezer
Lewis to assist him. While standing on the raft, Capt. Felt was
shot dead. Lewis fled to the mill, when a ball struck him on
the head and killed him instantly. The ball was aftervvard
found to be flattened. Wormwood ran ashore, closely pursued
by several Indians, and with his back to a stump defended himself
with the butt of his musket, until he was killed by several balls.
They wero all buried in the field near Butler's rocks, and
Capt, Felt's grave stones were standing but'a few years since.
1726.
A ship yard was open at Lynn, where the wharves have
since been built, near Liberty Square. Between this year and
1741, two brigs and sixteen schooners were built. (Oollins's
Journal.) It is said that before the first schooner was launched,
a great number of men and boj's were employed, with pails, in
filling her with water, to ascertain if she was tight, [Such a
way of trying new vessels was common down to the time of the
Revolution, and was not unknown for some years after.
[At the Salem Court, this year, £18.15 were awarded to Na-
thaniel Potter, for three pieces of linen manufactured at Lynn.]
1727.
[The bridge over Saugus river was repaired this year, the
county bearing two thirds of the expense.
[News of the death of the King was received in Lynn, 14
August, and George IL immediately proclaimed.
["This was a very hott August, throughout," says Jeremiah
Bumstead, in his diary of this year.]
An earthquake happened on the 29th of October, about twenty
mimites before eleven, in the evening. The noise was like the
roaring of a chimney on fire, the sea was violently agitated, and
the stone walls and chimneys were thrown down. Shocks of
earthquakes were continued for many weeks ; and between this
21
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322 ANNALS OP LYNS— 1728, 1729.
time and 1744, the Rev. Matbias Plant, of Newbury, has recorded
neitrly two hundred shocks, some of which were loud and vio-
lent. [A memorandum in an interleaved almanac, made by
James Jeffrey, of Saiem, speaks of this as the moat terrible
earthquake ever known in New England, the first shock being
of two minutes' duration, and there being a succession of shocks
during the week. Rev. Benjamin Colman, in a letter to his
daughter, dated Boston, 30 October,' 1727, says: "My dear
Child: No doubt you felt y' awful and terrible shock of y'
Earthquake on y' last Night, about half an hour after ten ; and
some of y° after tremblings at eleven and before twelve again,
and about three and five toward morning. Y^ first shock was
very great with us and very surprising. We were all awake,
being bat just got into bed, and were soon rais'd and eat iip till
two in y' morning, spending y* time in humble cries to God for
our selves and our nei'bours, and in fervent praises to him for
our singular prose rvations. Your mother and sister were ex-
ceeding thankful y' I was not with you : that is to say, not
absent from them, as we were proposing on thursday last. And
as God has ordered it I hope it is much y* best. We long to
hear from you, how you do after such a terrifying dispensation
to y^ whole land. We hear from Dedham, Watertown, Concord,
Chelmsford, Lyn, <&c. that y° shake was y* same, and about y'
same time, with them that it was w* us. It remains a loud call
to y" whole land to repent, fear, and give glory to God. God
sanctify y° rod w"^ he has shook over us for our humiliation and
reformation." [A fast wa" held throughout the province, on
Thursday, 21 December, on account of the earthquake.]
The town, on the 22d of November, fixed the prices of grain ;
wheat at 6s., barley and rye at 5s., Indian corn at 3s., and oats
at Is. 6d, a bushel.
1728,
The General Court having, the preceding year, issued sixty
thousand pounds more, in bills of credit, the town received
^130.4, as its proportion, which was loaned at four per cent.
A school house was built in Laighton's lane, now Franklin
street.
1799.
A great snow storm happened on the 15th of February, during
which there was much thunder and lightning.
The General Court was held at Salem, on the 28th of May, in
consequence of the measles at Boston,
At the request of the first pariah, Mr. Henchman relinquished
his salary of ,£115, trusting entirely to the generosity of the
people for his support ; in his own words, " depending on what
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AHNAL8 OF LYKN — 1730, 1731. 323
encouragement liath been given me, of the pansTi doing what
may be haiidsomQ for the future." At the end of the year, the
contribution amounted to ^143. 1.4.
1730.
On Sunday evening, 12 April, there was an earthquake.
On Monday, 24' August, " Governor Jonathan Belcher went
through Lynn, and the people paid their i-espects to him in an
extraordinary manner," (Collins.)
On tho 31st of August Mr. Andrew Mansfield was killed in a
well, at Lynnfleld, by a stone falling on his head.
On the 22d of October, the northern lights appeared very
brilliant and awful, flashing up in red streams.
1731.
The Eev. Nathaniel Sparbawk was dismissed from the pastoral
charge of the north parish, now Lynnfield, on the first of July,
having preached eleven years. He was a son of Mr, Nathaniel
Sparhawk of Cambridge. He was born in 1694, and graduated
at Harvard College in 1715. He was ordained August 17, 1720 ;
and died May 7, 1732; about one year after his separation from
that church. A part of his people had become dissatisfied with
him, and some, whom he considered his friends, advised him to
ask a dismission, in order to produce tranquillity. He asked a
dismission, and it was tinespectedly granted. A committee was
then chosen to wait on him, and receive the church records ;
but he refused to deliver them. Soon after, he took to his bed,
and is supposed to have died in consequence of his disappoint-
ment. I have sixteen papers of his hand writing, the confes-
sions of faith of his wife and other members of bis church. He
married Elizabeth Perkins, who died May 12, 1768, aged 68
years. He had four children. 1. Elizabeth, 2. Nathaniel, 3.
Edward Perkins Sparhawk, born July 10, 1728, and graduated
at Harvard College in 1753. He married Mehetabel Putnam,
1759. He was never ordained though he preached many times
in the parishes of Esses, I have twenty-six of his manuscript
sermons, and seventeen interleaved almanacs. He appears not
to have approved the settlement of Mr, Adams as minister of
the parish for which he was a candidate, and calls him " old
Adams, the reputed teacher of Lynnfield." He is the first per-
son whom I found in onr records, having three names. The
custom of giving an intermediate name seems not to have been
common, till more than one hundred years after the settlement
of New England. 4. John, born October 24, 1730, was appren-
ticed as a shoemaker, and afterward became a physician in Phil-
adelphia.
Eev. Stephen Chase, of Newbury, was ordained minister of
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324 ANNALS OF LTSN — 1732, 1733, 1736, 1737, 1738.
the second parish, on the 24th of November. Hia salary was
£100.
On the 3d of August, the school-house was removed from
Franklin street to Water Hill.
1733.
[A severe northeast snow storm took place on the night of the
5th of April. A memorandum in an interleaved almanac says :
" Very wott going to the Fast."]
On the 5th of September, there was an earthquake without
noise.
In October, an epidemic cold affected most of the people in
Lynn. It ranged through America, and passed to Europe.
(Collins.)
1733.
A settlement was begun at Amherst, in New Hampshire, by
people from Lynn.
A memorandum respecting the town Meeting, on the 5th
of March, says : " At this meeting we had a great debate and
strife, so that the town was much in a hubbub." (Collins.)
[The following appears on the Lynnfield church records:
"Bee. y' 20, 1733, at a Chh. meeting. Voted that every Com-
municant of this Clih. shall pay three pence every Sacrament
day, in Order to make provision for the Lord's table."]
1736.
The first meeting-house in the third parish, now Saugus, was
built this year.
On the 4th of September, Thomas Hawkes was drowned.
1737.
On Sunday, 6 February, there was an earthquake, says Col-
lins's journal.
Square toed shoes went out of fashion this year, and buokles
began to be used. [It took buckles about three years to got
into general use. Square toed shoes were again in use in 1833,
and continued for about seven years. They are now again in
fasliion, and ought never to give place to the cramping round
or pointed toe.]
1738.
On the 31st of March, two houses were burnt; one of which
belonged to Mr. Edmund Lewis, and the other to Mr. John
Hawkes.
Mr. Richard Mower was schoolmaster.
The town tax was ^119.16.10.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1739, 1740, 1741.
1739.
On the 3d of March, Mr. Tbeopliiliis Burrill's bara was burnt.
Rev. Edward Cbeever was ordained raioiater of tlie tliird
parish, now Saugus, on Wednesday, the Sth of December.
Mr. Edraund Lewis and Mr. Ralph Lindsey, were chosen by
the town, to enforce the act of the General Court, to prevent
the destruction of deer.
1740.
A fatal disease, called the throat distemper, prevailed in Lynn,
and many fel! victims to it. In October, six children died in
one week, (Collins.)
[The summer was uncommonly wet.]
In a great snow storm, on the 17th of December, a schooner
was wrecked on Nahant rocks.
The winter was exceedingly cold, with many storras. ■ The
rivers were frozen in October. Snow began to fall on Thanks-
giving day, November 13, and on the 4th of April following it
covered the fences. (Collins,)
1741.
The winter of 1741, was perhaps the coldest ever known in
New England, since its settlement. Francis Lewis, signer of
the Declaration of Independence, drove his horse from New
Tork to Barnstable, the whole length of Long Island Sound, on
the ice.
"For these 3 weeks we have had a continued series of ex-
treme cold weather, so that our harbors and rivers are entirely
frozen up. On Charles river a tent is erected for the entertain-
ment t)f travellers. From Point Alderton along the south shore,
the ice is continued for the space of above 20 miles." (Boston
Post Boy, Jan. 12.)
"People ride every day from Stratford, Con., to Long Island,
which is three leagues across, which was never known before."
(Boston News Letter, March 5.)
"We hear that great numbers of horses, cattle, and sheep, are
femishing for want of food. Three hundred sheep have died on
Slocum's Island, and 3000 on Nantucket. Neat cattle die in
great numbers." Some farmers offered half their cattle for the
support of the rest till May, "but in vain." (Same, 26 March.)
"Dorchester, March 28. People from Thompson's Island,
Squantum, and the adjacent neighborhood, have .come fifteen
Sabbaths successively upon the ice to our meeting." (Same,
2 April.)
A letter dated at New London, on the ninth of July, five days
later than our day of Independence, says: "'There is now at
B2
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326 AHNALS OP LYNN — 1742, 1743, 1744.
Lyme on the east side of Connecticut river, at a saw mill, a
body of ice, as large as two carts can draw, clear and solid, and
I believe migiit lay there a month longer, were it not that so
many resort, out of curiosity, to drink punch made of it." (Same,
27 July.)
On the 17th of July, a mass of "snow congealed into ice,"
lay at Ipswich, " nearly four foot thick," (Same, 22 July.)
A difference had existed for several years, between Mr. Hench-
man and his parish, in consequence of their refusal to make so
large an addition as he desired to his salary, on which he declined
to accept it. This year he offered to preach lectures to them
gratuitously^ for which be received their thanks, and an increase
of his salary.
Great co,mmotions were excited in the neighboring towns,
by Mr. Whitefield's preaching. In some places^ meetings were
held almost every evening; and exhortations and prayers were
offered by women and children, which had never before been
done in New England,
1742.
The Rev. George Whitefield preached in Lyan. An evening
meeting on the 11th of March, is thus noticed. " This evening
sundry young persons were struck, as they call it, in the reli-
gious manner. This is the first of so in our town." (Collins.)
On the 18th of June, Mr. Nathaniel Collins'a house was struck
by lightning.
On the 12th of October, Mr. Jonathan Norwood fell from a
fishing boat, near Nahant, and was taken up dead.
1743.
[A memorandum, 27 June, says, "Multitudes of worms eat
almost every green thing in the ground."]
On the 13th of July, Mr. Moses Norwood, of Lynn, was
drowned at Boston.
1744.
On Sunday morning, June 3d,, there was an earthquake, suffi-
ciently violent to throw down stone wall. It was repeated on
the 20th. (Collins.)
On the l4th, a small company of men were impressed, to be
sent, with other troops from Massachusetts, against the French
and Indians, who were making depredations on the northern
frontier. Tbe town was furnished with a stock of powder,
which was stored in a closet beneath the pulpit of the first
parish meeting-house.
On the Slat of December, Mr. Theophilus Merriam was found
dead on the ice, on Saugus river.
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AHNALS OP LYNN — 1145, 1746.
1745.
On the evening of March 9th, there was a night arch.
Eev. George Whitefield came to Lynn, on the 3d of Jtily, and
requested Mr. Henchman's permission to preach in his meeting-
house, which was refused. Some of the people resolved that
he should have liberty to preach; and* taking the great doors
from Mr, Theophilus Hallowell's barn, and placing them upon
some barrels, they made a stage, on the eastern part of the
Common, from which he delivered his address. [The hara
alluded to was an outbuilding belonging to the Hallowell house,
which still stands on North Common street, the second east
from St. Stephen's church. It did not then belong to Mr.
Hallowell, who was not horn till 1750, but to Benjamin Newhall,
who built the house, and whose daughter Mr, Hallowell, many
years after, married. Mr. Newhall was town clerk, and died
during the Revolution.] Mr. Whitefield also delivered a dis-
course, standing on the platform of the whipping-post, near the
first parish meeting-house. On the first application and refusal,
Mr. Henchman* addressed a letter, in a printed |)amphlet, to the
Rev, Stephen Chase, of Lynnfield, containing reasons for declin-
ing to admit Mr. Whitefield into his pulpit. Some of these
reasons were that Mr, Whitefield had disregarded and violated
the most solemn vow, which he took when he received orders
in the Church of England, and pledged himself to advocate and
maintain her discipline and doctrine — that be had intruded into
places where regular churches were established — that he used
vain boasting, and theatrical gestures, to gain applause — that
he countenanced screaming, trances, and epileptic fallings — that
he had defamed the character of Bishop Tillotson, and slandered
the colleges of New England, To this letter, Mr, William Hob-
by, minister of Reading, made a reply; and Mr. Henchman
rejoined in a second letter. The controversy extended through-
out New Eoglaud", and many pamphlets were written, both for
and against Mr, Whitefield. Some good seems to have been
done by him, in awakening the people to a higher sense of the
importance of piety ; but seeking only to awaken them, and not
direct them to the Church, of which he was a minister, they
were left to form new separations, and to build up other sys-
tems of faith.
1746.
A packet schooner, commanded by Capt. Hugh Alley, passed
from Lynn to Boston. It continued to sail for many years, and
was a great convenience.
On the 18th of August, there was a frost, sufdcient to c
the corn.
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ANNALS OP LTNH— 1747, 1749, 1750.
1747.
The Rev. Edward Cheevev relinqnislied his connection with
the third parish, of which he had been minister for eight
years. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Cheever, of Lynn, and
was born May 2, 1717. He graduated at Harvard College, in
1737, and was ordained in 1739. He removed to Eastham, where
he died, August 24, 1794, aged 77 years.
1749.
The drought of this summer was probably never exceeded in
New England. The preceding year had been unusually dry,
but this waa excessively so. There was but little rain from the
6th of May to the 6th of July. A memorandum on the 18th of
July, by Collins, says: "Extreme hot dry weather, such as has
not been known in the memory of man — so scorched that the
creatures can but just live for the want of grass." The effect
of the drought was so great, that hay was imported from England.
Immense multitudes of grasshoppers appeared. They were so
plenty on Nahant, that the inhabitants walked together, with
bushes in their hands, and drove them, by thousands, into the
eea. [And this is the year in which it ia said the good bishop
of Lausanne pronounced the frightful sentence of excommunica-
tion against caterpillars.]
1750.
John Adam Dagyr, a shoemaker, from Wales, came to Lynn.
He was one of the best workmen for ladies' shoes, who had
ever appeared in the town. At the time of his arrival, the
business of shoemaking at Lynn was very limited, and the
workmen unskillful. There were but three men who conducted
the business so extensively as to employ journeymen. These
were John Maftsfield, Benjamin Newhal!, and William Gray,
grandfather of William Gray, Lieutenant Governor of Massachu-
setts, The workmen had frequently obtained good shoes from
England, and taken them to pieces, to discover how they were
made. By the instruction of Mr. Dagyr, they were soon enabled
to produce shoes nearly equal to the best imported from Eng-
land. Shoemakers, from all parts of the town, went to him for
information; and he is called, in the Boston Gazette of 1764,
"the celebrated shoemaker of Essex." He resided on Boston
street, not far from the foot of Mall. He married Susanna New-
hail, in 1761, and had three children, Caroline, Sarah, and Joseph.
Like many who have consulted the public interest more than
their own, he was poor, and died in the Lynn alms-house, in
1808.
[Quite an excitement prevailed regarding the raising of silk-
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AUNALS OP LYNN— 1751, 1752, 1753, 1755. 329
i and manufacture of eilk; but it died away without im-
portant results. Numerous mulberry trees, however, were
planted, wliich continued to yield their delicate fruit, for many
years.]
On the night of July 2, Mr. Robert Mansfield's house, near the
Plax pond, was struck by lightning.
1751.
On the 8th of February, Capt. Benjamin Blaney, of Swampscot,
fell from his horse, at Maiden, and was taken op dead.
[On the 10th of April, there was so great a snow storm that
the fences were covered. It was thought to have been the
greatest since 1717.]
1752.
Rev. Joseph Roby was ordained minister of the third parish,
now Saugus, in August.
The scnool house was removed from Water Hill, to its former
place in Franklin street, on the 29th of September; and on the
27th of November, it was again removed to the eastern part
of the Common.
The selectmen were allowed two shillings a day for their
services.
Dr. Nathaniel Henchman was schoolmaster.
n 5 3 .
Many sheep having been killed by wild animals, the people
assembled, on the 6th of August, and ranged through the woods,
to kill the wolves and foxes. On the 27th, a great number
of the inhabitants of Lynn, Salem, and Reading, met and spent
the day, in endeavoring to clear the forest of tbem,
[The General Court this year ordered that all persons having
barberry bushes growing on their lands, should extirpate them
before the 10th of June, 1760. And the surveyors of highways
were required to destroy all growing by the roadside within
the specified time, or the towns should pay two shilHngs for
every one left standing. The reasons for this order were that
those bushes had so much increased that the pasture lands
were greatly encumbered; and it was imagined that something
" flew off" from them that blasted the English grain.
1755.
A shop, on the Common, belonging to Mr. Benjamin James,
was burnt, on the 4th of February. On the 24th, a schooner,
ftom Salem, was cast away on Short Beach, at Nahant. (OoIHns.)
On Sunday, April 27th, the Society of Friends, for the first
time, had two meetings in one day. (Collins.)
B2*
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330 ANNALS OP LTNN — 1756.
Rev, Stephen Chase, resigned the care of the second parish,
now Lyiinfield. He graduated at Harvard Univeraity, in 1728,
and waa ordained November 24, 1731. He married Jane, Win-
get, of Hampton, in 1732 ; and hia children, born at Lynn, were,
Abraham, Stephen, Jane, Stephen, second, and Mary. He re-
moved to Newcastle, in New Hampshire, where he settled and
died.
Mr. Benjamin Adams, waa installed minister of the second
pariah, on the 5th of November.
The greatest earthquake ever known in New England, hap-
pened on Tuesday, the 18th of November, at fifteen minutes
after four, in the morning. It continued about four rainutea.
"Walls and chimneys were thrown down, and clocks stopped.
On the following Saturday, there waa another earthquake. (Col-
lins.) On the first of this month Lisbon was destroyed. [It
waa very destructive, from Maryland to Halifax, in many places.
More than fifteen hundred chimneys were thrown down or shat-
tered, in Boston; some twelve brick bouaes had their gables
thrown down ; and the spindle of the vane on the market house
was broken off. It does not appear that any greater damage
was done in Lynn than the injuries to walls and chimneys. Its
direction seemed to be from the northwest. In the West Indies
the sea rose six feet, having firat subsided, leaving the veaaela
dry at the wharves. In this vicinity the air waa calm, the sky
clear, and a bright moon shining; but the sea was roaring in a
portentous manner.]
A whale, seventy-five feet in length, was landed on King's
Beach, on the 9th of December. Dr. Henry Eurchsted rode
into hia mouth, in a chair drawn by a horse ; and afterward had
two of his bones act up for gate posts, at bis house in Essex
street, where they stood for more than fifty years. [Opposite
the Doctor's house, the cot of Moll Pitcher, the celebrated for-
tune teller, stood. And many were the sly inquiries, from
strangers, for the place where the big whale bones were to be
seen.]
In the eastern French and Indian war, Governor Lawrence,
of Nova Scotia sent to Massachusetts, in the course of two
years, about 2000 French Catholic Neutrals, who were quar-
tered in different places. Lynn had fourteen. Thomas Lewis
supplied them with provisions ; and amoog the items of his bill
are 432 quarts of milk, at six pence a gallon. The war continued
until 1763.
1756.
The manuscript of Dr. John Perkins gives a long an J partic-
ular relation of a singular encounter of wit, hjid between Jona-
than Gowen, of Lynn, and Joseph Emerson, of Reading. They
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AHNALS OP LYNN— 1757, 1758. 331
met, by appointment, at the tavern in Saugus, and so great was
the miinber of people, that they removed to an adjacent field.
The Reading champion was foiled, and went home in great
chagrin. Dr. Perkins. says that the exercise of Gowen's wit
" was beyond all human imagination." But he afterward fell
into ench stupidity, that the expression became proverbial —
"You are as dull as Jonathan Gowcn." [The championship, in
such an exercise, is much more worthy of being striven for
than the championship in those pugilistic encounters which
are the delight of this refined age. But a bloody nose is more
easttly appreciated by most people than an intellectual achieve-
ment.]
1757.
There was an earthquake on the 8th of July, at fifteen minutes
after two o'clock. (Colling.) [A witness says of this earth-
quake, "it seemed as though some small body was swiftly roll-
ing along under the earth, which gently raised up that part
of the surface that was over it, and then left it as gently 'to
subside."]
On the 6th of February, two merchant vessels, from London,
valued at one hundred thousand pounds, wore wrecked on Lynn
Beach.
On the afternoon of Sunday, August 14, the people were
alarmed, during meeting time, by the beating of drums ; and on
the nest day,, twenty men were impressed, and marched to
Springfield. (Pratt.)
On the 6th of December, Lord Loudon's regiment, in march-
ing through Woodend, took a boy named Nathaniel Low, Jiving
with Mr. Zaccheus Collins. His master followed the regiment
into Marblebead, and on his solicitation, being a Quaker, the
boy was released. This regiment had for some time been
quartered iu Boston, where Lord Loudon sported his coach and
six horses. (Collins.) [The regiment is judged to have been
a rather unruly one, from the frequent complaints made by the
citizens.]
1758.
Thomas Mansfield, Esq., was thrown from his horse, on Friday,
January 6, and died the next Sunday.
A company of soldiers, from Lynn, marched for Canada, on
the twenty-third of May. Edmund Ingalls and Samuel Mudge
were killed.
In a thunder shower, on the 4th of August, an ox, belonging
to Mr. Henry Silsbe, was killed by lightning.
A sloop from Lynn, commanded by Capt. Ralph Lindsey, was
east away, on the 15th of August, near Portsmouth.
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ANSALS OF LYHN — 1759, 1761.
1759.
[A bear, weigbiug four hundred pounds, was killed in Lyna
woods, this year.
I [The Lynn'-field church records state the death, 4 Jane, of
Margaret, wife of John Briant, of "sometbiBg supposed to
breed in her brain."
[Rev, Jacob Bailey, a Church of England missionary, on the
13th of December, having walked all the way from Gloucester
to Lynn, stopped at Norwood's tavern for lodging. And in
speaking of the company found there he says : " We had among
us a soldier belonging to Capt. Hazen'a company of rangers,
who declared that several Frenchmen were barbarously mur-
dered by them, after quarters were given ; and the villain added,
I suppose to show his importance, that ho split the head of one
asunder, after he fell on his knees to implore mercy."]
1761.
The Rev. Nathaniel Henchman was a son of Mr, Nathaniel
Henchman, a bookbinder, and deacon of a church, in Boston.
He was born on the 22d of November, 1700, according to a
statement on the Lynn records, in the hand writing of his son,
though some other records give a different date. He graduated
at Harvard University, in 1717, and was ordained minister of
the first parish of Lynn, in December, 1720. His residence
was on North Common street, between Mall and Park streets.
The house which he built was, till within a short time of its
removal, in 1855, owned by Mr. George Brackett, and now
stands on the west aide of Park street, a few rods south of the
brook.] Mr. Henchman died on the tM^enty-third day of De-
cember, 1761, aged 61, having preached forty-one years. In the
early part of his ministry, he enjoyed the esteem and confidence
of his people. His learning was extensive, and his integrity
and virtue entitled him to high respect. He was strongly at-
tached to regularity and order, and diainelined to every species
of enthusiasm. He thought the services of the Sabbath, in
general, were sufficient, and was decidedly opposed to evening
meetings. By his omitting to deliver lectures, and refusing to
admit itinerant preachers into his pulpit, disaffections were cre-
ated, which deprived him of the regard of many of his people.
Th& occasion of these difficulties is to be imputed to the opinions
of the- time, rather than to any want of urbanity on the part of
Mr. Henchman, who was very affable in his. manners, and treated
Mr. "Whitefield with great civihty and respect in his own house,
and invited him to remain longer, as appears by Whitefleld's
Journal and Dr. Wigglesworth's Letter. Mr. Henchman pub-
lished the following p
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1763. 333
1. Reasons for Declining to Ai3mit Mr. Wliitefield into his
Pulpit; ad*3ressed to the Rev. Stephen Chase, of Lynnlield.
Boston, 1744, 8vo.
2. A Letter to Rev. William Hobby of Reading, in Reply to
hia Vindication of Mr. Whitefield. Boston, 1745, 4to.
The following epitaph was written for Mr. Henchman.
Three tiraea nloud the siimnions hath been blown.
To call Lynn's watchmen to the hi^ihest throne.
First WIriting left the church her loss to weep ;
Then Shepard nest resigned Ms peaceful sheep;
Our other shepherd now ffives up the tmst,
And leaves his chai-ge to slumber in the dust.
A few fleet vears, and the last trump will sound.
To call ourtlenchman from the silent ground.*
Then we who wake, and they who sleep must come,
To hear the Judge pronounce the righteous doom.
Mr. Henchman had two wives; 1. Deborah Walker, in 1727,
and, 2. Lydia Lewis, in 1734, He had five children. 1. Dr.
Nathaniel, born April 1, 1728, graduated at Harvard University
in 1747, waa town olevk of Lynn for two years, and died May
30, 1767, aged 39. 2. Daniel. 3. Anna. 4. Lydia. 5. Anna.
On the 12th of March, at twenty minutes after two, in the
morning, there was an earthquake; and on the first of Novem-
ber, between eight and nine in the evening, another. (OoHius.)
On the 20th of April, John Stavers commenced running a
stage from Portsmouth to Boston, It waa a curricle, drawn by
two horses, and had seats for three persons. It left Portsmouth
on Monday morning, stopped the first night at Ipswich, and
reached the ferry the next afternoon. It returned on Thursday
morning, and reached Portsmouth on Friday. The fare waa
thirteen shillings and six pence. This was the first stage in
New England,
[Hon. Ebenezer Burrill died, 6 September, aged 82. He was
a uonspicuous and useful man in the province. A brief bio-
graphical sketch of him may be found elsewhere in this volume.]
1763.
Mr. John Treadwell was ordained minister of the first parish,
on the 2d of March.
There was at this time in the town a man named Robert
Bates, who had such a facility for rhyming that he usually made
his answers in that manner. Many of these have been related,
but I only notice one. The tax gatherer called on him one day,
and addressed him thus : " Mr. Bates, can you pay your rates ? "
to which he replied: "My dear honey, I have no money; I
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334 AHNALS OF LYHH — 1764, 1765, 1766.
caa't pay you now, unless I sell my cow ; I will pay you balf,
when I kill my calf; but if you'll wait till fall, I'll pay you all,"
1764.
The Boston Gazette, of October 21, says: "It is certain that
women's shoes, made at Lynn, do now exceed those usually
imported, in strength and beauty, but not in price. Surely
then, it is expected, the public spirited ladies of the town and
pifovince will turn their immediate attention to this branch of
manufacture,"
[The bridge over Saugus river was rebuilt this year, the
county bearing two thirds of the expense.]
December 28. Mr. Robert Wait was found dead on the
marsh, near Saugus river.
1765.
Among the encroachments of the arbitrary power of the
mother country, was the attempt to impose taxes upon the
colonies without their consent. Those taxes were at first
levied in the form of duties; but the people objected to this
incipient plan of raising a revenue for the support of a govern-
ment in which they had no action, and their opposition eventu-
ated in the establishment of their independence.
This year an act was passed by the Parliament of England,
called the Stamp Act, requiring the people of the American
colonies to employ papers stamped with the roya! seal, in all
mercantile and legal transactions. This act called forth a gen-
eral spirit of opposition, particularly in Boston, where, on the
night of the 26th of August, a partj' of the people collected,
and nearly demolished the house of Lieutenant Governor Hutch-
inson, and several others. In many other places the people
manifested their displeasure, by tolling bells, and burning the
" ' 8 of the stamp ofBcers.
1766.
This year the stamp act was repealed. The people of Lynn
manifested their joy by ringing the bell and making bonfires.
On the first of December, they directed their representative,
Ebenezer Burrill, Esquire, to use his endeavors to procure an
act to compensate Mr. Hutchinson, and others, for their losses in
the riot of the preceding year.
[Ebenezer Mansfield, of Lynnfield, aged 18, dropped down
dead in the street, on the 10th of January. And Ensign Ebe-
nezer Newhall, of the same place, died on the 22d of June, aged
73, " of something supposed to breed within him."]
On Saturday, the 8th of February, an English brig, from Hull,
was cast away on Pond Beach, on the south side of Nahant.
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ANNALS Of LrNN~17C8, 1769, 1770.
1768.
[There were made m Lynn, during the year ending 1 January,
80.000 pairs of shoes, as appears by a statement in the Boatoa
Palladium, of the 6th of February, 1827.
[At half past nine, on the evening of the Qth of August, the
aurora borealis appeared in a complete arch, extending from
the northwest to the southeast, and "almost as bright as a
rainbow." This must have been similar to the remarkable
appearance on the night of 28 August, 1827.]
On the 7th of November, John Wellman and Young Flint
were drowned in the Pines river, and their bodies taken up
the next day.
A catamount was killed by Joseph Williams, in Lynn woods.
1769.
A snow storm on the lltb of May, continued twelve hours.
On Wednesday evening, July 19, a beautiful night arch ap-
peared. It was widest in the zenith, and terminated in a point
at each horizon. The color was a' brilliant white, and it con-
tinued most of the evening.
On the 8th of August, as a party were going on board a
schooner, in the harbor, for a sail of pleasure, the canoe, in
which were six women and two men, was overset, and two of
the partj' drowned. These were Anna Hood, aged 23, daughter
of Benjamin Hood, and Alice Bassett, aged 17, daughter of
Daniel Bassett.
In a very great storm, on the 8th of September, several
buildings were blown down, and a eloop driven ashore at
Nahant.
1770.
After the repeal of the stamp act, the English Parliament, in
1767, passed an act imposing duties on imported paper, glass,
paints and tea. This again awakened the opposition of the
colonies. The General Court of Massachusetts, in 1768, pub-
lished a letter, expressing their firm loyalty to the king, yet
their unwillingness to submit to any acts of legislative op-
pression. This letter displeased the English government, the
General Court was dissolved, and seven armed vessels, with
soldiers, were sent from Halifax to Boston, to ensure tranquil-
litj'. On the 5th of March, 1770, a part of these troops, being
assaulted by some of the people of Boston, fired upon them,
and killed four men. The soldiers were imprisoned, tried, and
acquitted.
On the 12th of April, the duties on paper, glass, and paints,
were repealed; but the duty on tea, which was three pence on
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336 ANNALS OP LTiSN — 1772.
a pound, remained. On tlie 24th of May, the inhabitanta of
Lynn held a meeting, in which they passed the following reso-
lutions.
1. Toted, We will do our endeavor to discountenance the use of foreign
3. Voted, No person to sustain any oiSce of profit, ihat will not comply
with the above vote.
3. Voted, No tavemer or retailer shall he returned to sessions, that will
not asMBt in discountenancing the use of said tea; and Ike selectmen to give
it as a reason to the sessions.
r endeavors to promote our
The disaffection against the English government, appears to
have been occasioned, not so much by the amount of the duty
on the tea, as by the right which it implied in that government
to tax the people of America without their consent. The
colonies had always admitted their allegiance to the EngHsh
crown; but as they had no voice in parliament, it was ungen-
erous, if not unjust, in that parliament, to impose a»y taxea
which were not necessary for their immediate benefit.
[Canker worms committed great ravages this year.]
A great storm, on the 19th of October, raised the tide higher
than had been known for many years.
[A disease among potatoes prevailed extensively this year.
It appears to have been similar to that which began to prevail
in this vicinity about the year 1850, and has shown itself in a
greater or less degree every year since — - called the potato rot.]
1772.
Mr. Sparhawk, of Lynnfield, in his diary, thus remarks : " An
amazing quantity of snow fell in the month of March, such as I
never knew in the time that I have lived," On the 5th of
March, the amount of snow which fell, was sixteen inches ; on
the 9th, nine inches; on the lltb, eight inches; on the 13th,
seven inches ; on the 16th, four inches ; and on the 20th, fifteen
inches. Thus the whole amount of snow, in sixteen days, was
nearly five feet on a level. [On the second Friday of April, a
violent snow storm occurred. In some places the snow drifted
to the depth of twelve feet,]
A fishing schooner was wrecked on Long Beach, on the 2l8t
of March, and Jonathan Collins and William Boynton, the only
two men on board, were drowned.
On the 15th of May, Abigail Rhodes, a daughter of Mr. Eleazer
Ehodes, was lost. On the 24th, a great number of people went
in search of her, in vain. On the second of June, another gen-
era! search was made ; and on the 21st of July, her bones were
found in a swamp near the Pirates' Glen, There were strong
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ANSALS OP LTNN — 1773. 337
suspiciona of unfairneas m regard to her death. She left a
house in Boston street, hi the evening, to return to a cottage
in the forest, where she had been hving, and w^s seen no more
ahve. Several persons were appreheaed oa suspicion, but as
only circumstantial evidence was elicited, they wore discharged.
1773.
The opposition to the duty on tea continued unremitted.
The Eaat India Company sent many cargoes to America, offering
to sell it at a reduced price ; hut the people resolved that it
should not be landed. Seventeen men, dressed like Indians,
went on board the vessels in Boston harbor, broke open three
huidred and forty two chests of tea, and poured their contents
into the water.
A town meeting was held at Lynn, on the 16th of December,
in which the following resolutions were passed.
J. That the people of the British American Colonies, by their coDStitiitioD
of goTcmraent, liave a right to freedom, and nn osemptioii from eveiy degree
of oppreaaion and slavery.
3. That it IB an essential right of freemcH to have the disposal of their
own property, and not to be taxed by any power over whicli thoy have no
control.
3. That the parfiamenlary duty laid upon tea landed in America, is, in fact,
t of parliament, allowing the East India Company to
send their tea to America, oa their own account, was artfiilly framed, for the
purpose of enforcing and canying into effect the oppi-essive act of parlia-
ment imposing a duty upon teas imported into America ; and is a fresh proof
of the settled and determined designs of the ministers to deprive us of liberty,
and reduce us to slavery.
5. That we highly disapprove of the landing and selling of such teas in
America, and will not suffer any teas, subjected to a pai-liamentary duty, to be
landed or sold in this town; and that we stand ready to Bsaiat our brethren
iif Boston, or elsewhere, whenever our aid shall be required, in repelling all
attempts to land or sell any teas poisoned with a duty.
The tea fever raged very high at this time, especially among
the ladies. A report having been put in circulation through the
town, that Mr. Jamea Bowler, who had a bake-house and a
little shop, on Water Hill, had a quantity of tea in store, a com-
pany of women went to his house, demanded the tea, and
destroyed it. This exploit was certainly as great a piece of
patriotism on their part, as that performed in Boston harbor the
same year, and' deserves to be sung in strains of immortality.
Slander, however, who is always busy in detracting from real
merit, asserted that th,e women put on extra pockets on that
memorable night, which they filled with the fragrant leaf, for
their own private consumption.
A deer was this year started in the Maiden woods, and chased
by some hunters, through Chelsea, to the Lynn marsh. He
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338 ANNALS OF LYNN— 1714, 1775.
plunged into the Saugus river, and attempted to gain the oppo-
site shore; but some Lynn people, coming down the river in a
boat, approached and throwing a rope over his horns, brought
him ashore at High Point.
1774.
The destruction of the tea at Boston, gave great offence to the
English government, and an act was passed, by which the harbor
of Boston was closed against the entrance or departure of any
vessels. The inhabitants of Lynn held several meetings, in
which they expressed their disapprobation of the shutting of
the port of Boston, and their abhorrence of every species of
tyranny and oppression.
On the 7th of October, a congress of delegates from the
several towns of Massachusetts, assembled al Salem, to consider
the state of affairs. The delegates from Lynn were Ebenezer
Eurrill, Esq., and Capt. John Mansfield. They made addresses
to Governor Gage, and to the clergy of the province, chose a
committee of safety, and recommended measures for the regula-
tion of the public conduct, [Governor Gage, in fact, called
this assembly, aa a regular General Court, though he afterward
rescinded his call. But they convened, and presently resolved
themselves into what was essentially a provincial congress.]
The night of October 25th was one of surpassing splendor.
The northern lights cast a luminous night arch across the hea-
vens, from the eastern to the western horizon.
1775.
On the morning of Wednesday, the 19th of April, the inhabit-
ants of LjTin were awakened, by the information that a detach-
ment of about eight hundred troops, had left Boston, in the
night, and were proceeding' toward Concord, On receiving
the intelligence that the troops had left Boston, many of the
inhabtants of Lynn immediately set out, without waiting to
be organized, and with such weapons as they could most readily
procure. One man, with whom I was acquainted, had no other
equipments than a long fowling-piece, without a bayonet, a
horn of powder, and a seal-skin poucb, filled with bullets and
buck shot. The English troops arrived at Lexington, a little
before five in the morning, where they fired upon the inhabitants,
assembled in arms before the meeting-bouse, and killed eight
men. They then proceeded to Concord, where they destroyed
some military stores ; but being opposed by the militia, they
soon began to retreat. The people from Lynn met them at
Lexington, on their return, and joined in firing at them ft^om the
walls and fences. In one instance, says my informant, an Eng-
lish soldier coming out of a house, was met by the owner.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1775. 339
They leveled their pieces at each other, and firing at the same
instant, both fell dead. The English had sixty-five men killed,
the Americans fifty. Among these were four men from Lynn,
who fell in Lexington.
1. Mr. Abednego Ramsdell, He was a son of Jfoah Ramsdell,
and was born 11 September, 1750. He had two brothers, older
than himself, whose names were Shadrach and Meshech. He
married Hannah Woodbury, 11 March, 1774, and resided in the
eastern part of Essex street. He had gone out early on that
morning to the sea shore, with his gun, and had killed a couple
of black ducks, and was returning with them, when he heard
the alarm. He immediately threw down the birds, and set off.
He was seen passing through the town, running in haste, with
his stockings fallen over his shoes. He arrived- at Lexington
about the middle of the day, and fell immediately.
2. Mr. William Flint. He married Sarah Larrabee, 5 June,
1770.
3. Mr, Thomag Hadley. His wife, Rebecca, was drowned, at
Lynnfield, in the stream above the mill pond, into which she
probably fell, in attempting to cross it, on the 9th of January,
1771. She had left her house to visit an acquaintance, and
not returning, was searched for. On the 26th her body was
found.
4. Mr, Daniel Townsend. He was born 26 December, 1738.
A stone has been erected to his memory, at Lynnfield, with the
following inscription.
Lie, valiant Towiisend, in tiie peaneful shades ; we niist^
Iramoi-tal honora mingle with Ihy duat.
What though thy body struggled in its gore?
So did thy Saviour's body, long before ;
And as he raised his own, by power divine,
So the same power shall also quicken thine,
And in eLomal glory mayst thou shine.
[He left a wife and five young children. The Essex .Gazette,
of 2 May, in a brief obituary, speaks of him as having been a
constant and ready friend to the poor and afflicted; a good
adviser in cases of difficulty ; a mild, sincere, and able reprover.
In short, it adds, " he was a friend to his country, a blessing to
society, and an ornament to the church of which he was a
member," And then are added, as original, the lines given
above. The obituary notice and lines were probably written
by some patriotic friend, the latter being transferred to the
stone, when it was erected.]
In the number of the wounded, was Timothy Munroe, of Lynn.
He was standing behind a house, with Daniel Townsend, firing
at the British troops, as they were coming down the road, in
their retreat toward Boston. Townsend had just fired, and
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340 ASNALB OP LYNN — 1775.
esclaimecl, "There is another redcoat down," when Munroe,
loobing round, saw, to his astonishment, that they were com-
pletely hemmed in by the flank guard of the British army, who
wero coming down through the fields behind them. They
immediately ran into the house, and sought for the cellar; but
no cellar was there. They looked for a closet, but there was
none. All this time, which was indeed but a moment, the balls
were pouring through the back windows, making havoc of the
glass. Townsend leaped through the end window, carrying the
sash aud all with him, and instantly fell dead. Munroe followed,
and ran for his hfe. He passed for a long distance between
both parties, many of whom discharged their guns at hira. As
he passed the last soldier, who stopped to fire, he heard the
redcoat exclaim, "Damn the Yankee 1 he is bullet proof — let
him go I " Mr. Munroe had one ball through his leg, and thirty-
two bullet holes through his clothes and hat. Even the metal
buttons of his waistcoat were shot off. He kept his clothes
until he was tired of showing them, and died in 1808, aged 72
years. Mr. Joshua Felt was also wounded, and Josiah Breed
was taken prisoner, but afterward released.
[The battle of Lexington appears to have been sometimes
called the battle of Menotomy, probably from the fact that the
portion of Cambridge lying contiguous to Lexington, and in.
which a part of the battle was fought, was at that time called
Menotomy — the same territory now constituting West Cam-
bridge. Thus, in the Essex Gazette, of 8 June, appears the
following advertisement: "Losi, in the battle of Menotomy, by
Nathan Putnam, of Capt. Hutchinson's company, who was then
-badly wounded, a French firelock, marked D. No. 6, with a
marking iron on the breech. Said Putnam carried it to a cross
road near a mill. Whoever has said gun in possession, is de-
sired to return it to Col. Mansfield, of Lynn, or to the selectmen
of Danvers, and they shall be rewarded for their trouble."]
The war was now begun in earnest. On the 23d of April,
the people of Lynn chose a committee of safety, to consult
measures of defense. This committee consisted of Eev. John
Treadwell, minister of the first parish, Bev. Joseph Boby,
minister of the third parish, and Deacon Daniel Mansfield. A
company of alann men was organized, under the command of
Lieutenant Harris Chadweli. Three watches were stationed
each night; one at Sagamore Hill, one at the south end of
Shepard street, and one at Newhall's Landing, on Saugus river.
No person was allowed to go out of the town without permission,
and the people carried their arms to the place of public worship.
Mr. Treadwell, always foremost in patriotic proceedings, ap-
peared, on the Sabbath, with his cartridge box under one arm,
and bis sermon under the other, and went into the pulpit with
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ANNALS OF LYSN — 1776. 341
his musket loaded. [The Provincial Congress, in June, recom-
mended the carrying of arms to meeting, on Sundays and other
days when worship was held, by the men who lived within
twenty miles of the sea coast.]
On the 17tb of June, was fought the memorable battle of
Bunker Hill. The Lynn regiment was commanded by Colonel
John Mansfield. The English, in the battle, lost two hundred
and twenty-six men killed, and the Americans one hundred and
thirty-nine.
For many years the tavern in Saugus was kept by Zaccheus
Norwood, and after his death, by his widow, who married Josiah
Martin, who then became Jandlord, as tavern keepers were then
called. In 1775, he enlisted in the war, and Mr. Jacob Newhall
then took the tavern, which he kept through the Revolution,
and until the year 1807.
1776.
Tn January, the English troops were quartered at Boston,
and the American at Cambridge, separated by Charles river.
It was the intention of General Putnam to cross over to Boston,
as soon as the river should become sufficiently frozen. Three
of his soldiers, one of whom was Henry Hailowell, of Lynn,
bearing of this design, set out to try the strength of the ice, by
throwing a large stone before them. A party of about fifty of
the English soldiers, on the opposite shore, commenced firing
at them; which they only regarded by mocking with their
voices the noise of the bullets. They continued on the ico till
the English party retired; when, thinking they had gone to
procure a cannon, they returned, after picking up more than
seventy balls on the ice, which they presented to General Put-
nam, as trophies of their venturesome exploit. The soldiers
from Lynn were under command of Capt. Ezra Newhall.
On the 21st of May, the people of Lynn voted, that the min-
isters should be invited to attend the annual town meetings, to
begin them with prayer. I was once at the meeting of a town
in New Hampshire, in which this practice prevails, and was
convinced of its propriety. There are occasions on which
prayer is made, which are of less apparent importance than the
choice of men, to govern the town or commonwealth, and to
make laws on which the welfare and perhaps the lives of the
people may depend.
A company of soldiers was furnished for an expedition to
Canada. On the 2d of August, the town allowed them fifteen
pounds each, and voted that ten pounds should be given to any
person who would voluntarily enlist.
An alarm was made, at midnight, that some of the English
troops had landed on King's beach. In a short time the town
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342 ASNAL9 OP LYNK — 1777.
was all in commotion. Many persona left their honses and fled
into the woods. Some femilies threw their plate into the wells,
and several sick persons were removed. Some self-possession,
however, was manifested. Mr. Fredenck Breed, for his exer-
tions in rallying the soldiers and marching them to Woodend,
where he found the alarm to be false, received a commission in
the army, and afterward rose to the rank of colonel. [There
was a tavern kept in the old house now standing on Federal
street, corner of Marion, hy Increase Newhall. It was an alarm
station; that is, a place to which, when an alarm occurred, the
enrolled men in the district instantly repaired for duty. At
this King's beach alarm, it is said that the officer whoao duty
it was to take command, did not appear, and after the soldiers
returned, all safe, lie emerged from an oven, in which, panic-
stricken, he had concealed himself.]
1777.
Rev. Benjamin Adams was horn at Newbury, in the year 1719,
and graduated at Harvard University, in 1738. He was ordained
minister of the second parish, now Lynnfield, November 5, 1755,
and died May 4, 1777, aged 58, having preached twenty-one
years. He married Rebecca Nichols, and had seven children;
Rebecca, Dr. Benjamin, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann, Joseph and Nit-
than ; the two latter being twins,
[The i'riends established a school in Lynn, this year. John
[Vaccination was not practised at this time, and great feara
were excited whenever the small pox made its appearance. It
was customary for companies to retire to convenient places,
provide themselves with nurses and all things necessary, and
then be inoculated with small pox. Taken in this way, the
disease was thought to be milder. At all events, it was less
likely to prove fatal, because of the more favorable circum-
stances under which it might be had. The following memoran-
dum relates to a Lynn company: "Lynn, May 14, 1777. There
was a company of us went to Marblehead to have the small pox.
We had for our doctors, Benjamin E. Eurchatead and Robert
Deaverix, and for our nurse, Amos Breed. Hired a house
of Gideon Phillips — viz. Abraham Breed, Jonathan PhilHps,
William Breed, Simeon Breed, Richard Pratt, jr., Nathan Breed,
jr., Rufus Newhail, James Breed, jr., John Curtin, jr., James
Fairne, jr., William Newhall, jr., David Lewis, Micajah Alley,
Jabez Breed, jr., Micajah Newhall, Paul Parrington, Ebenezer
Porter, William Johnson, Amos Newhall — making nineteen in
the whole; and all came home well." The above was copied
from the original, which was handed to me, some thirty years
ago, by the Richard Pratt, jr., whose name appears as one
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ANNALS OP LTKN — 1780. 34S
of the company; and he assured me that he had carried the
same in his pocket, from the day of its date — mora than fifty-
five years. It was accompanied by this certificate: "M'head,
June 4th, 1777. By virtue of this certificate permitt y'' within
mention'd person, after being smok'd, to pass y" guards. John
Gerry."]
In the winter of this year, John Lewis, aged 26, and Benja-
min, aged 15, brothers, of Lynn, died on board the Jersey prison
ship, in the harbor of New York. Their deaths were principally
occasioned by severe treatment, and by unwholesome food pre-
pared in copper vessels.
1780.
The town of Lynn granted as much money as would purchase
twenty-seven hundred silver dollars, to pay the soldiers. Within
two years, the town granted seventy thousand pounds, old tenor,
to defray their expenses. The principal money in circulation
was the paper money issued by Congress, which had greatly
depreciated. A soldier of the Revolution says, that in 1781, he
sold seventeen hundred and eighty dollars of paper money, for
thirty dollars in stiver.
The continental currency, as it was called, consisted of small
pieces of paper, about two inches square. The one dollar bills
had an altar, with the words, depressa resurgit, the oppressed
rises. The two dolSar bills bore a hand, making a circle with
compasses, with the motto, tribulatio dital, trouble enriches.
The device of the three dollar bills was an eagle pouncing upon
a crane, who was biting the eagle's neck, with the motto, eajifes
in dubio, the event is doubtful. On the five dollar bills was a
hand grasping a thorn bush with the inscription, sustine vel ab-
stine, hold fast or touch not. The six dollar bills represented a
beaver felling a tree, with the word perseverando, by perseve-
rance we prosper. Another emission bore an anchor, with the
words, In te Domine speramits, In thee, Lord, have I trusted.
The eight dollar bills, displayed a harp, with the motto, majora
minor&us consonant, the great harmonize with the little. The
thirty dollar bills exhibited a wreath on ah altar, with the legend,
si recfe, fades, if you do right you will succeed. When I was
a child, I had thousands of dollars of this uncurrent money
given me to play with.
The 19th of May was remarkable throughout New England
for its uncommon darkness. It began about the hour of ten in
the morning. At eleven, the darkness was so great, that the
fowls retired to their roosts, and the cattle collected around the
barns, as at night. Before twelve, candles became requisite,,
and many of the people of Lynn omitted their dinners, thinking
that the day of judgment had come. The darkness increased
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344 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1780.
througli the evening, and conthraed till midnight. It was sup-
posed by some, to have been occasioned by a smoke, arising
from extensive fires in the western woods, and combining with
a thick fog from the sea. The Rev. Mather Byles, of Boston,
of punning memory, made a happy remark on this occasion. A
lady sent her servant, in great alarm, to know if he could tell
the ca\iBe of this great darkness. '^ Tell your niiatress," replied
he, " that I am as much in the dark as she is." [A writer of the
time says of the darkness of tho succeeding night, it " was prob-
ably as gross as has ever been observed since the almighty fiat
gave birth to light. It wanted only palpability to render it as
extraordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt in the
days of Moses. ... A sheet of white paper held within a few
inches of the eyes, was equally invisible with the blackest
velvet."]
The winter of 1780 was the coldest since 1741. [From about
the 15th of February to the 15th of March, the snow and ice did
not melt, even on the southerly sides of buildings, and teams
could pass over walls and fences, so deep and hard was the
snow.]
At the commencement of the war, there were twenty-six
slaves in Lynn; all of whom were made free this year. In
1675, there was a slave in Lynn, named Domingo Wight, who
had a wife and two children. Another slave, in 1714, named
Simon Africanus, had a wife and six children. Zaccheus Collins
had four slaves, whose names were Pharaoh, Essex, Prince, and
Cato. Prince was purchased at Boston, in 1746, for seventy-five
dollars. In 1757, he married Venus, a slave to Zaccheua Gould.
Joshua Cheever had a slave named Gift, whom he freed in 1756,
at the solicitation of Hannah Perkins, who became bis wife in
1745, on condition that he should free his slave at the age of
twenty-flve years. John Bassett had a slave, named Samson,
whom he liberated in 1776, because "all nations were made of
one blood." Thomas Cheever had two slaves, Reading and
Jane, who were married in 1760. Samuel Johnson had two
slaves, Adam, who married Dinah, in 1766. Thomas Mansfield
had two slaves, oiie of whom, named Pompey, had been a prince
in Africa ; and, after his liberation, lived in the forest on the
east of Saugus river. For many years, the slaves in all the
neighboring towns used to have a holiday allowed them once a
year, to visit King Pompey; and' doubtless this was to them a
day of real happiness. On the little glade by the river side, the
maidens gathered flowers to crown their old king, and the men
talked of the happy hours they had known on the banks of the
Gambia, Hannibal, a slave of John Lewis, was an example of
the good effects which education and good treatment may pro-
duce in the colored people. He was brought from Africa when
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ASNAL9 OF LYNN — 1781. 3i5
a boy, and was treated rather as a servant than a slave. He
married Phebe, a slave of Ebenezer Hawkes. By the indulgence
of his mastePj and by working extra hours, lie earned enough to
purchase the freedom of three children, at forty dollars each;
but Phobe being a faithful slave, her master woiiM not part witb
her short of forty pounds; yet, with a motive of hope before
him, Hannibal was not to be discouraged, and in a few years
her purchase waa accomplished, and his own freedom was givea
to iiim. He married in 1762, and had three sons and six daugh-
ters. I have seldom known a more worthy family. Ebenezer
Burrill had two slaves; Jedediah Collins, two ; Joseph Gould,
two; and James Phillips, Samuel Burrill, Theophilus Burrill,
Joseph Gaskins, Daniel Bassett, James Puriuton, Ralph Lindsey,
and Dr. Henry Eurchsted, one slave each; being in all, with
their children, about forty slaves.
Rev. Joseph Mottey was ordained minister of the Lynnfield
parish on the 24th of September.
Oo the 29th of November there was an earthquake.
Dr. John Perkins, of Lynnfield, died this year aged 85. His
wife Ciarisea died in 1749, and he wrote a poem on her death.
He was a very eminent physician in his time, had studied two
years in London, and practised physic forty years in Boston.
In 1755, he published a tract on earthquakes; and also an essay
on the small pox, in the London Magazine. He ieft a man-
uscript of 368 pages, containing an account of his life and
experience, which is preserved in the library of the American
Antiquarian Society.
1781.
[Abner Cheever, Dr. John Plagg, and James Newhall, of Lynn,
were commissioned as Justices of the Peace, on the 20th of
September. This was the earliest date of any commission issued
by Hancock, the first governor under the republican dispensa,
tion, to anyjustice in this county. Mr. Newball having been my
grandfather, his commission fell into my hands, and has been pre-
served with some care on account of the interesting autograph
of Hancock which stands out with its usual boldness, indicative
of the character so undismayed amid the prevailing convulsions.
And it is rather a curious fact that in that very commission,
the surname of the appointee ia spelled in difi^erent ways, show-
ing that even then people had not ceased to delight in a diver-
sified orthography. And their style was certainly, in several
respects, more convenient than ours. Dictionaries were scarce,
and it was useful in concealing ignorance. It also made the
language more picturesque, in appearance at least. And it does
not seem established that more exactness in understanding ia
attained by our formal mode. Mr. Newhall lived in the house
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346 ANNAL3 OF LYNN — 1782.
that yet stands on the northerly side of Boston street, opposite
tbe termination of Summer, To the end of hia life he was pop-
nlai-ly , known as 'Squire Jim; the appellation having been
bestowed on account of his commission, and to distinguish
him from six others of the samename who then lived in Lynn.
The nicknames of those days were in some sense necessities,
as middle names were not in use ; and the choice of them gen-
erally had some reference to personal peculiarities, though they
were often far from being dignified or select. But a word fur-
ther on this point may appear in another connection.]
1782.
Rev. John Treadwell relinquished the care of the first parish
this year. He was born at Ipswich, September 20, 1738; and
was ordained at Lynn, March 2, 1763, where he preached nine-
teen years. He returned to Ipswich, and in 1787, removed to
Salem. > [He graduated at Harvard College, in 1758. After
returning to Ipswich, he taught the grammar school there, for
two years, before going to Salem.] He was representative
of Ipswich and Salem, a senator of Essex county, and judge
of the court of common pleas. In 1763, he married Mehetabel
Dexter, a descendant of Thomas Dexter, who bought Nabant.
He had a son, John Dexter Treadweli, born in Lynn, May 29,
1768, who became a highly respected physician at Salem. [Mr.
Treadwell's daughter Mehetabel married Mr. Cleveland, city
missionary of Boston; and professor C. D. Cleveland, the com-
piler of numerous useful school books, was their son,]
Mr. Treadwell was a great patriot, a member of the committee
of safety, and foremost in all tbe proceedinga of the town during
the Revolution. It is perhaps somewhat of an anomaly in ethics,
to fiad' a minister of the gospel of peace bearing arms ; but tbe
British were obnoxious to dissenters, from an opinion that they
wished to establish the church in America, There has always
been a prejudice in New England against tbe Episcopal Church,
but there is abundant evidence that a man may be a good
churchman and yet a true patriot. Washington and several
other Presidents wei~e members of the church and some of oiir
most distinguished military and naval heroes have been church-
men.
Mr, Treadwell was very fond of indulging in sallies of wit:
and like his namesake in Shakapeare, he was not only witty in
himself, but the cause of wit in other men. One Sunday, ob-
serving that many of his audience had their heads in a reclining
posture, he paused in bis sermon, and exclaimed, "I should
guess that as many as two thirds of you are asleep ! " Mr. Jo-
siab Martin, raising hia head, looked round and replied, " If I
were to guess, I should guess there are not more than one half ! "
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AKNAL3 OP LYNX — 1783. 347
The next day Mr. Martin waa bronght up for disturbing divine
service: but he contended "it was not the time of divine ser-
vice ; the minister had ceased to preach, and it waa guessing
time." Ho was accordingly discharged, [This Josiali Martin
■who had the temerity to measure wit with Mr. Treadwell, was
an eccentric and in some respects unworthy man. He was
the immediate predecessor of Landlord Newhall in the old Sau-
gua taveni, having married the widow; of Zaccheus Norwood.
He appeared in town about the year 1760, and is supposed to
have been an English adventurer. At times he assumed great
polish of manner, and made pretension to extraordinary piety;
and at other times he exhibited the characteristics and breeding
of a gross villain. Ho was famous for indulging in practic^
jokes as well as witticisms, and in whimsical displays of every
kind, with the only apparent object of eliciting the gaze of his
neighbors. He is said, among 'othor feats, to have ridden two
miles, to attend meeting at the Old Tunnel, on a warm June
day, in a double sleigh, with a span of horses, the dust flying
and the runners grating horribly, and striking fire at every
step. And his wife was a forced passenger at his side. Ha
enlisted in the war, and never returned to Lynn.]
On the night of the 18th of March, Dr. Jpiiathau Norwood
fell from his horse, injuring himself so much as to cause his
death. He was a son of Zaccheus Norwood, born September
19, 1751, and graduated at Harvard University, iu 1771. He
lived on the north side of the Common.
[There was scarcely any corn or second crop of hay this year,
on account of the drought.]
1783.
This year, the war, which had spread its gloom through the
colonies for seven years, was terminated by a treaty of peace,
signed on the third of September ; and the then thirteen United
States took their rank as an independent nation. The red
cross banner of England was exchanged for a flag with thirteen
stripes and thirteen stars ; and Americans now regard the people
of England, like the rest of mankind — in war, enemies; in peace,
friends.
With a few remarks respecting men and manners before the
Revolution, we will take our leave of the olden time. People
were then generally a plain, plodding, go-a-foot, matter-of-fact
sort of people. Rail roads and steam hoats had not even been
thought of; the stage-coach and the omnibus were unknown;
and when something which was intended to answer the purpose
of a coach at last appeared, it was a lumbering vehicle, drawn
by two horses, passing through the town twice a week, in going
to and returning from Boston. A few of the more wealthy
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348 ANNALS OP LTSN — 1783.
farmers kept a chaise, or a chair, which was only " tackled "
OD Sundays, or perhaps once a month for a journey to a neigh-
boring town. People walked, without thinking it a trouble,
from three to six miles on Sunday to meeting; the farmer rode
on horseback, taking bis wife behind him; and two or threo
spinsters of the family, or perhaps a young wife, followed in
chairs placed in a horse-cart — for a four-wheeled wagon was
unknown in the town for more than one hundred and forty
years after its settlement; and when Mr. Benjamin Newhall,
about the year 1770, introduced the first ox wagon, it was
humorously said, that his hired man had to drive down to the
Common to turn it. The physician made his visits on horse-
back, with his big saddlo-bags on each side, stuffed with medi-
caments— for an apothecary's shop was as rare as an opera
house. There were no lectures, or lycenms, or libraries, or
concerts in those days; there were few excitements, for people
had not leisure to promote them; a reputation could not then
be destroyed, as now, in a day, for they lived too remote for
common slander — but when the spirit of invective and evil,
which had been confined for sixty years, did at length break
forth, as in the time of witchcraft, it was as if a mountain lake
should suddenly burst its cerements of porphyry, uprooting the
finest trees, and bearing boulders of granite through the culti-
vated valleys.
Gentlemen, in those days, wore hats with broad brims, turned
up into threo corners, with loops at the sides ; long coats, with
large pocket-folds and cuffs, and without collars. The buttons
were commonly plated, but sometimes of silver, often as large
as half a dollar. Shirts had bosoms and wrist-ruffles ; and all
wore gold or silver shirt-buttons at the wrist, united by a link.
The waistcoat was long, with large pockets; and the neck-cloth
or scarf, of fine white linen, or figured stuff, hroidered, and the
ends hanging loosely on the breast. The breeches were usually
close, with silver buckles at the knees. The legs were covered
with long gray stockings, which on holidays were exchanged
for black or white silk. Boots, with broad white tops ; or shoes,
with straps and large silver buckles, completed the equipment.
Ladies wore caps, long stiff stays, and high heeled shoes.
Their bonnets were of silk or satin, and usually black. Gowns
were extremely long-waisted, with tight sleeves. Another fash-
ion was, very short sleeves, with an immense friil at the elbow,
leaving the rest of the arm naked, A large flexible hoop, three
or four feet in diameter,' was for some time quilted into the hem
of the gown, making an immense display of the lower person,
A long, round cushion, stuffed with cotton or hair, and covered
with black crape, was laid across the head, over which the hair
was combed back and fastened. It was almost the universal
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1784. 349
custom, also, for womec to wear gold beads — thirty-nine little
hollow globes, about the size of a pea, strung on a tliroad, and
tied round the neck. Sometimes this string would prove false
to its trust — at an asserably, perhaps — and then, ohi snch a
time to gather them up, bsfore they should be trampled on and
mined! Working women wore petticoats and half gowns,
drawn with a cord round the waist, and neats' leather shoes;
though they generally, throughout the country, had a pair of
" Lynn shoes " for Sunday. Women did not " go a shopping "
every day then; there were few shops to go to, and those con-
tained only such articles aa were indispensable, and in very
limited variety.
Those times had their benefits, but we would not wish their
return. Nature brings not hack the mastodon; why, then,
Bhould we wish a recurrence of those gigantic days, which pro-
duced great men in proportion to great evils. That the men
were more honest and generous, or the women more amiable
and virtuous then, is not to be contended. The charm about
them consists chiefly in this, that they lived in the early period
of our history — a period which will always he interesting —
the records of which will be read with as much avidity a thou-
sand years hence, as they are to-day.
Lynn had 168 men in the Revolutionary War, of whom fifty-
two were lost, besides the four men killed at Lexington.
1784.
The whole political course of our country has been changed
by one great event. We are no longer the subjects of a foreign
power. A new era has dawned upon us. The days of three-
cornered hats and three-cornered swords are gone. Our govern-
ors are no longer appointed in England; our civil policy is no
longer regulated by her laws. We stand alone, a nation among
nations. Our thousands of little democracies, scattered through-
out the wide extent of our almost boundless country, constitute
one grand Republic, which is now trying, before the world, the
great problem, whether a free people can govern themselves.
For more than twenty years from the adoption of the state
couatitution, in 1780, the people of Lynn do not appear to have
been much agitated by any conflict of political opinions. The
insurrection in the central counties of Massachusetts, in 1786,
was the first event which disturbed the public peace ; and in the
following year, a company of twenty-three men from Lynn, went
voluntarily to suppress the rebellion. The administration of the
national government, from its commencement, in 1789, seems to
have been generally approved, until the year 1794, when a treaty
of amity was concluded with England, by John Jay, chief justice
of the United States, with the sanction of President Washington.
D2
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350 ANNALS OF LYNN — 178i.
This treaty served to evince the existence throughout the Union
of two great parties, who were separated by their different
views of the nature and extent of republican government. One
of these parties, denominated Federalists, contended that the
President, with the consent of two thirds of the Senate, had
the constitutional right, in the most extended sense, to make
foreign alliances, on terms the most favorable to the public
welfare. The other party, styled Democrats, considered this
power to be so restricted, as not to infringe the particular
rights of any State. The principle of one party had for its
object, the greatest good of the greatest number — of the other,
the greatest good of each individual. Both these parties were
Tepubtican in their views ; and were undoubtedly influenced by
a pure regard to the general good ; though they were recipro-
cally regarded as being hostile to it.
In 1781, all the votes in the town, which were forty-four,
were given for John Hancock, the first governor under the new
constitution. The smallest number was in 1784; when there
were only twenty-seven votes for governor, and six for senators.
There were, indeed, many more voters in the town, but they
were so weii satisfied with the wisdom of their rulers, that they
gave themselves no anxiety on the subject. But causes of
dissatisfaction gradually arose ; and the spirit of party began to
be more plainly manifested in 1800, when there were one hun-
dred and thirteen votes for Caleb Strong, the federal governor,
and sixty-eight for Elbridge Gerry, the democratic candidate.
The political excitement, however, appears to have been very
small, and. conducted altogether without animosity. There was
but one list of senators brought forward till 1801, and the fed-
eralists retained the ascendancy until 1804. After the death of
Washington, and the elevation of Mr, Jefferson to the presiden-
tial chair, the democrats in this town began more ostensibly to
increase, and in 1804 manifested a decided superiority. At the
choice of governor, 145 votes were given for Caleb Strong, and
272 for James Sullivan ; and this year, for the first time, a dem-
ocratic representative was chosen. The parties now began to
regard each other with manifestations of decided hostility, and
the political arena presented a field of civil warfare without
bloodshed. The most strenuous exertions were made by one
party to maintain the ascendancy, and by the other to regain it.
No man was permitted to remain neutral ; and if any one, pre-
suming on his independence, ventured to form an opinion of his
own, and to regard both parties as passing the bounds of mod-
eration, he was regarded as an enemy by both. This rage of
party continued several years, and was sometimes so violent as
to be in danger of degenerating into animosity and personal
hatred.
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ANNAL3 OP LYNH — 1786. 351
[The mode of reckoning the currency at this period is illus-
trated by a memorandum of Mr. Sparhawk, of LyniiEeld, in an
interleaved almanac "January y° 30th, Bought two pigga by
y' hand of Mr. Reod, the barrow weighing 62 poundB, att five
pence per pound . . . the other weighing 54 pounds att five
pence per pound;" the whole amounting to "two pound,
eight shillings and two pence — which is eight dollars and two
pence,"]
Uev. Obadiab Parsons was installed pastor of the first pariah,
on the 4th of February. [The following is another almanac
memorandum of Mr. Sparhawk: "Feb. y' 4th. Then waa In-
stalled, att y' Old Parish, in Lynn, Mr, Obadiah Parsons. T'
Eevnd mr. Cleaveland of Ipswich began with praySr,. y' Revnd
mr. Forbes of Capan preachd the sermon, y' Kevnd mr Rohy,
of Lynn 3d parish, gave the charge, y° Revnd mr, Payson, of
Chelsea, made the concluding prayer, and the Revnd mr. Smith,
of Middleton, gave the right hand of fellowship. The gentleman
above mentioned was settled in peace, harmony, and 'concord."
[Still another memorandum of Mr. Sparbawk says : " From
y" 14th of June untill the 13th of July, a very dry time. And
upon y'. 14th of July, early in the morning, Jove thundered to
the left and all Olympus trembled att his nod. The Sun about
an hour high; a beautiful refreshing shower. Again, July y° 15th,
the latter part of y' night, Jove thundered to the left, three times,
and Olympus trembled. A shower followed."]
On the 28th of October, General Lafayette passed through
the town, on a visit to the eastward,
[The Friends, who bad been annually paying for the support
of public schools, this year made request to have a portion
refunded for the use of their own school. After considerable
opposition the request was granted and an allowance annually
made, for some years.
[On the 26th of June, there was a remarkably high tide.]
1786-
In April, Benjamin Ingalls, in throwing an anchor from a boat
in the harbor, was drawn overboard and drowned.
[A town meeting was held on the 8th of May, at which John
Carnes was chosen representative. And the matter of giving
him special instructions was considered. It will be. observed
that the political elements were at this time in an active state,
and the most patriotic hearts, the wisest heads, and firmest
hands were required in moulding them for the noblest purposes.
A committee, consisting of Sylvanus Hussey, Col. John Mans-
field, and Deacon Nathaniel Bancroft, was selected to draw up
instructions. They produced the followmg, which were at once
voted to be given:
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S52 ANNALS OF LYMJ- — 1787.
To Mr. John Carnes, chosen to represent the town of Lynn and the district
of Lyunfleld in General Court, the euHUiug yeai-:
Sm: Our choice of you aa Representative shews that we have put great
confidence in you. But to join our voice with that of many others, in order
to save the public, we would enjoin two things in particular upon you. The
first is, That you would look into ti»e grants of public salaries and other
monies, and endeavor to prevent the laying of unnecMsary burdens in Ibis
way. But at Uie same time let every one have an adequate reward for their
seiTices. The other injunction is this, That you would endeavor to prevent
the ruin of individuals and the pubhc by endeavoring to bring about another
mode of proceeding in our law matters and to put it otit of the power of the
gentlemen of the law to take such advantage of their clients as they have
ofien done, and to put them to so much needless trouble and expense. And
if it cannot be done in any other way, that you endeavor to bring about an
annihilation of the office. But we would have you in this and every thing
else to adheue strictly to the Constitution."
[The first matter in these instructions was certainly important
and well put. But the last savora of an unworthy antipathy to
a class who probably did more than almost any other, to confirm
our liberties and establish our institutions on a true and abiding
foundation.]
The first rock was split in Lynn, this year, by John Gore.
Before this, the people had used rough rock for building. [Mr.
Lewis must certainly be mistaken in this. Do not numerons
old cellars and the underpinning of many ancient houses prove
the contrary? In 1854, some workmen near Sadler's rock,
exhumed a deposit of quarried granite, which, from the appear-
ance of the trees above it, must have lain there a hundred years,
if, indeed, it did not belong to Mr. Sadler's habitation, which
stood in the immediate vicinity more than two hundred years
before. It would be astonishing if the old Iron Works did not
turn out drills and wedges innumerable, for use in the neighbor-
hood. The art of working stone is a rudimental art, practiced
every where, even among the rudest people, and was known in
ages long before the foundation stones of Egyptian grandeur
were laid. And there must have been a clear necessity for its
practice in early New England times. How could they have
built roads or cleared lands without blasting? And how easy
it was to split up the granite boulders for building purposes.]
On the 9th of December, there was a very great snow ; nearly
seven feet deep on a level. (Sparhawk.)
1787.
[The formidable insurrection alluded to by Mr. Lewis, a few
paragraphs backhand known as Shays' Rebellion, commenced
in 1786. A town meeting was held in Lynn 17 January, of this
year, at which it was voted "to raise the men called for by
Gen. Titcomb." The town also voted that one pound be ad-
vanced to each soldier who went from here, in addition to the
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1788, 1T90. 353
"wages given by the Court." It was likewise voted that the
town pay each man " his wages ia specie, that goes for tho
town, when they know what wages the Court allows to each
man and will take the wages of the Court themselves." And
a further vot& was passed requiring the selectmen to call upon
the collectors for money to furnish the soldiers with camp uten-
sils and provisions. And if they couM not get sufficient from
the collectors, they were authorized to hire money, giving
their notes in behalf of the town. These votes show the same
commendable promptness and dotormination in the performance
of public duties that have always characterized the people of
Lynn,
[The first parish parsonage was built this year. It stood on
the south side of the Common, corner of Commercial street.
In 1832 it was sold and moved down the street, where it still
stands, at the corner of Neptune street.. There were what were
called parsonage lands before this date.]
1788.
[A sloop, commanded by Captain Pendleton, was wrecked on
Lynn Beach, 26 January. The vessel was lost. Only thirty-
five cords of wood were saved.]
General Washington passed through Lynn in October. The
inhabitants were greatly delighted to see him; and the old
Boston road was thronged with people, who came forth to
salute him as he proceeded to Salem.
1790.
[The following amusing epistle, relating to a disaster that
appears to have taken place near the old sluice, in what is now
the Dye Factory village, is found among the historical collec-
tions of the Essex Institute, and is dated 18 February:
Brother N..— I ai-rived at my house about 2 o'clock, but met with a dis-
oster upon tlie road which has lamed me a little. Possirjg the Sluice, the ice
lay so sidling I was afrrud to ride over least the slay fliowld nm over the
Bridge. Peggy got out to walk over, snd I set on the side of the slay to drive
over, and got over safe. Peggy, in passing, was taken by the wind, and must
have gone over the Bridge, if she had not set herself down. Seeing that, I
went to help he]-, and left my horae. He set out after I had assisted Peggy.
1 pursued after the horae and ran till I was vei-y much spent, and finally got
. hold of the slay, but my strength was spent and 1 was not able to get forward
to get hold of the bridle. I slipped and fell, but was loth to lose my hold of
the slay, and suffered myself to be, dravvn .upon the ice, I suppose, twenty
rods. 'At length I worked myself forwai-d, got the bridle, and stopped the
horse, hut found myself extremely spent, and much bruised and faint with my
exertions. I feel pretty comfortable now. One of my ankles is veiy much
swelled, but 1 hope it will go off soon. I now send by B Mrs. 'a
raogisons and the green cloth — am obliged to her for them — all my family
are well — my regards to yoiir family.
From your affectionate Brother.
1)2* 23
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ANNALS OF LYSN — 1791
1791.
Until this year, there were but two religious denominations
in Lynn — the First Congregational Church and the Society of
Friends. This year the First Methodist Society was organized.
The Eev. Jesse Lee, a preacher of that persuasion, came to
Lynn on the 14th of December previous, and was so successful
ia preaching at private houses, that on the 20th of February a
society was formed ; and on the 21st of June a bouse of worship
was raised, which was dedicated on the 26th of the same month.
This was the first Methodist meeting-house in Massachusetts.
Several members of the First Congregational Church united
with this society; among whom were the two deacons, who
took with them the vessels of the communion service. These
vessels consist of four large silver tankards, eleven silver cups,
and one silver font for baptism; presented to the church by
John Burriil, Theophilus Eurrill, and John Breed. The removal
of this plate occasioned a difference between the societies, and
the Congregational Church was compelled to borrow vessels,
for the communion, from.the church at Saugus. The deacons
afterward offered to return one half; and in prospect of a pros-
ecution they relinquished the whole. It is n fact worthy of
notice, that the First Congregational Church, which had opposed
and persecuted the Quakers and the Baptists, was at one time
so reduced, that only three male members remained. In 1794,
this church invited those of -its members who had seceded to
the Methodist Society, to be reunited ; and within a few years,
one of the deacons and several of the members returned. The
first stationed minister of the Methodists was Rev. Amos Gr.
Thomson. The fretiuent changes of the ministers of the persua-
sion, render it inconvenient to keep an account of them. They
are regarded as belonging to the Conference, or society at large ;
and, like the i^oatlea, thej' "have no certain dwelling place."
May their rest be in heaven 1
[It is proper to add in this connection, that the Methodists
have taken a very different view of the facta regarding their
possession and detention of the church plate, from that taken
l)y the Congregationaliats, maintaining that there was nothing
illegal or unfair in what they did — that they were in a majority
before withdrawing from the old society, but were held as legal
members and taxed for its support — that the deacons were the
rightful custodians of the sacred vessels and had not been
displaced — that they generously abstained from any attempt to
possess theraseives of the house of worship, and withdrew and
erected an edifice for themselves. They further assert that
aH eminent counsellor was consulted, who assured them they
were in the right. But does all this make out a case? With-
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AKNAL9 OP LYNN — 1791. 355
out pausing to consider what attitude the affair might liave
assumed had the Methodists remained and outvoted the Con-
gregational is ts, let us look at the facts just as they were. The
Methodists withdrew — "seceded," to use Mr. Lewis's term.
The plate was given to " The First Church of Christ in Lyna " —
as the inscriptions on the different articles prove. Now did
the eecedera claim to be that First Church? Why, no; they
claimed to be ■Methodists — a new denominiition, and one un-
known in the world at the time the pious donors gave the
vessels. They did not revolutionize the old society, but sece-
ded from it. And in the great political secession of 1861, when
the seceders appropriated all the property of the United States
on which they could lay haods, what did we call them ? If the
communion vessels of a church are rightfully in possession of
the deacons, they are there in trust and are not such property
as attaches to the person. Could erroneons legal advice have
been received? Irapiicit faith in the instructions of his coun-
sel may be admired in any party. But notwithstanding the
proverbial discernment and integrity of lawyers, it nevertheless
lias been known that while advocating the interests of opposing
parties they have slightly differed; sometiraea, perhaps, leaning
most strongly toward the side from which they received their
fees. Something like this happened here-; for it seems that the
Congregationalists as well as the Methodists consulted most
able counsel, and that each party received assurance that they
were in the right.
[It is not at all necessary for a moment to impute any evil
intent to the Methodists; for there was opportunity enough
for honest mistake, in the outset; and as the contest increased
in warmth it was not natural that their perception of the rights
of the other side should become more clear. Tbo deacons who
had charge of the plate, appear to have been men of excellent
character. And it is evident, too, that the old church did not
conceive the conduct of the seceders to be such as to preclude
them from a cordial invitation to return. And Deacon Farring-
ton did, among others, return.
[This was a period when church difficulties were beginning
to occur on every hand. Worse experiences than those which
overtook the Old Tunnel befell some others of the societies
which had been planted and nurtured amid the privations of the
first settlements. Lawsuits, with their long trains of evils, in-
tervened. And the decisions .of the supreme court, in certain
instances, fail to increase our respect for that august tribunal.
It is a singular fact that the First Church of Lynn is almost
the only one of the early Massschusetts churches that has main-
tained her integrity in doctrine — that has adhered to the Calvin-
istic faith. And perhaps her early experience with the Quakers
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356 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1792.
and subsequent conflicts with the Methodists, saved her from
wliat in the view of some of her devoted children would have
been the greatest of all calamities, to wit, the instating of
Unitarianism,]
The eighteenth of December was the coldest day known for
ataoy years. The thermometer waa twenty degrees below zero.
1792.
Eev. Obadiah Parsons relinquished his connection with the
Brst parish on the 16tb of July. He was bom at Gloucester,
graduated at Camhridge in 1768, and was installed at Lynn,
February 4, 1784, where he preached eight years. He returned
to Gloucester, where he died in Deceml^r, 1801. His first wife
was Elizabeth Wiggleswortb; his aecond, Sally Coffin. He had
nine children ; Elizabeth W,, William, Sally C, William and Sally
C. again, Obadiah, Polly, Harriet, Sally. [Mr. Parsons likewise
taught the school near the east end of the Common. After his
return to his native place, he there taught for several years,
and performed the duties of justice of the peace. His first wife
belonged to one of the most eminent families in the colony.
And it ia enough to say of his own family, that it gave to the
commonwealth the most able chief justice who ever graced her
bench. His son William studied medicine, and was surgeon's
mate on board the frigate Constitution while quite a young
man. His son Obadiah was remarkable for early mental devel-
opment, but received injury from intense application, and died a
little before he would have attained his majority. Elizabeth,
the eldest daughter, born in 1770, was married to Amos Rhodes,
who lived on the east side of Federal street, and waa a man of
property and standing. Polly, who was born in 1784, was
married to Jabez Hitchings, a citizen long well known.
[Before Mr. Parsons came to Lynn he was settled over the
Squam parish, in Gloucester, which he left, in consequence of
charges of a gross nature made against him by a female member.
A council was held to examine into the allegations, and before
it he made a strong defense. The result of the examination
appears in the following votes: "1, That the charge or com-
plaint made against the Rev. Mr. Obadiah Parsons waa not sup-
ported. 2. That, nevertheless, considering the groat alienation
of affection, especially, on 'the part of hia people, {nearly one
half having left his ministry,) and the little prospect there is of
further usefulness among them, we think it expedient, and advise
as prudent, that the pastoral relation be dissolved," The coun-
cil also made a report which was accepted by church and pastor.
And Mr. Eabson, in his valuable History of Gloucester says the
church made application for a pariah meeting to be called to
act upon the doings of the council ; which meeting was held
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AKNALa OP LYNH — 1793. 357
on the 15th of November, and resulted in the refusal of the
parish to accept the decision of the council. And they further
voted, unanimonsl}', under an article in the warrant for a pre-
vious meeting adjourned to the same day, that Mr. Parsons be
dismissed from the work of the gospel ministry. One woiild
think that this action clearly enough indicated the prevalent
opinion regarding the guilt of Mr. Parsons. Nevertheless, the
Lynn, church gave him a call. And, under all the circumstances,
one may almost he pardoned for the suggestion that some evil
spirit governed their course, in the hope that thereby the church
would be broken up.
[As might have been expected, the society was not prosper-
ous under the ministry of -Mr. Parsons. And there were not
wanting stories of hia moral delinquencies while in our midst.
If he were innocent, he was greatly sinned against, and very
unfortunate in being involved in suspicious circumstances. He
was unquestionably a man of talents, learning, and pleasing
manners, and under other circumstances might have been an
instrument of much good. I have been informed by one of our
most aged and intelligent citizens, who was a pupil at his school,
that he would frequently send by the scholars his compliments
to their mothers with the message that he would call and
take tea with them. But his reputation was such that notwith-
standing the sacred relation he sustained, the return message
that it would not he' convenient to entertain him would occa-
sionally come. He lived in the Lindsay house, as it is now
called, on South Common street, the second west from the
corner of Pleasant.]
The ship Commerce, of Boston, was wrecked on the coast of
Arabia, on the 10th of July. One of the crew was James Lar-
rabee, of Lynn, who suffered almost incredible hardships, being
robbed by the Bedouins, and compelled to travel hundreds of
miles over the burning sands, where he saw his companions
daily perishing by hunger, thirst, and heat. He finally arrived
at Muscat, where he was relieved and sent home by the English
consul. Of thirty-foiir men, only eight survived.
On the 10th of August Joshua Howard, aged twenty-nine,
went into the water, after laboring hard upon the salt marsh,
and was immediately chilled and drowned.
[Widow Elizabeth Phillips died on the 11th of December,
aged a hundred years.]
1793.
This year the post office was established at Lynn, at the comer
of Boston and Federal streets. Col. James Robinson wSB the
first postmaster. [He died in 1832; and a brief notice of him
will appear under that date.]
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358 AMHALS OF LYNN — 1794.
A boat, containing five persons, was oversell, near the mouth
of Saugus river, on the 14th of December, and three persona
drowned. These were John Eurrill, aged 67, Wilham Whitte-
more, aged 27, and William Crow, aged 15 years. They had
been on an excursion of pleasure to the Pines; the afternoon
was pleasant, and as they were returning, the boat was struck
by a squall, which frightened 'them, and caused them to seek
the shore, which they probably would have gained, had not one
of them jumped upon the side of the boat, which caused it to
be ovorset. Two of them swam to the shore in safety. Mr.
Burrill and the boy also gained the beach, but died in a few
minutes.
Dr. John Flagg died on the 27th of May. He was a son of
Rev. Ebenezer ^agg, of Chester, N. H., born in 1743, and
graduated at Cambridge, in 1761. In 1769, he came to Lynn,
where his prudence and skill soon secured him the confidence
of the people. He was chosen a member of the Committee of
Safety, in 1775, and received a commission as Colonel. Hia
wife was Susanna Fowle, and he had one daughter, Susanna,
who married Dr. JaraeS Gardner.
[Ebenezer Burrill discovered an old tan vat, at Swampscot,
which evidently belonged to the tannery on King's brook,
which was in operation in 1743, and took from it a side of
leather which had doubtless lain there forty years. Near a
branch of the same brook Mr. Burrill aiso found relics of an
ancient brick kiln.]
1794.
On the 17th of May, there was a great frost.
Bev. Thomas Gushing Thatcher was ordained minister of the
First Parish, on the 13th of August.
A new school-house was this year built by a few individuals
and purchased by the town. Six hundred and sixty-six dollars
were granted for the support of schools.
In the prospect of a war with France, the government of the
United States required an army of eighty thousand men to be
in preparation. Seventy-five men were detached from Lynn.
The town gave each of them twenty-three shillings, and voted
to increase their wages to ten dollars a month.
[The manufacture of snuff was commenced at Makepeace's
mill, on Saugus river, by Samuel Fales. Two mortars, formed
by rimming out a couple of rough buttonwood logs, were set
up. And this was the beginning of a business which became
profitable.
[Christmas day was so warm that at noon the thermometer
stood at eighty, and boys went in to swim. Such a thing was
probably never known here, before or since.]
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ANNALa OP I.TNN— 1795, 1796. S59
1795.
In a great storm, on the night of the 9th of December, the
Scottish brig Peggy, Captain John Williamson, from Cape Bre-
ton, was wrecked near the southern end of Lynn Beach. She
was laden with dried fish, consigned to Thomas Amory, of Bos-
ton. There were twelve men on board, only one of whom,
Hugh Cameron, of Greenock, in Scotland escaped. He was
ordered into the long-boat, to make fast the tackle, when the
same wave separated it from the vessel, and swept his unfor-
tunate comrades from their last bold of life. The vessel was
completely wrecked, being dashed to pieces upon the bard sand,
and the fragments of the vessel, the cargo, and the crew, were
scattered in melancholy ruin along the beach. The bodies of
eight of the drowiied men were recovered, and on the 11th,
they were buried from the First Parish meeting-house, where
an affecting sermon was preached by Kev. Mr. Thatcher, from
Job 1 : 19, " And I only am escaped alono ! " During the dis-
course, Hugh Cameron stood in the centre aisle.
[In Dwight's Travels it is stated that dnring no summer for
eighty years was there so much rain as during that of 1795.
For ten weeks, commencing in the middle of June, it rained
at least a part of half the days.
[Massey's Hall, so called, was built this year. It was on
Boston street, a few rods west of Federal, and is believed to
have been the first public hail in Lynn. Here the Republican
and Democratic caucuses were held. The first dancing school
was opened in this haU, in 1800.
[The schooner Dove, of about twenty tons, was this year
purchased by James Phillips, Jonathan Blaney, and pthers, and
was the first of the little schooners owned in Swampscot. In
1797 she went ashore in a storm, between Black Rock and New
Cove, and became a total wreck. The same year, James Phillips,
Beniab PhiUips, Joseph Fuller, and others, bought the schooner
Lark, of sixteen tons. In October, 1799, during a gale, she
sank at her moorings, being a leaky old boat. But the Swamp-
scot people were not to be driven from their purpose by these
disasters, and in the same year bought another schooner of the
name of the first — the Dove. Such was the beginning of that
class of Swampscot Hjarine, which now makes such a picturesque
appearance in her little bay.]
1796.
[The first fire engine purchased for public use in Lynn, was
bought this year. It is still [1864] in existence, and occasion-
ally makes its appearance, on an alarm, attracting much more
attention by its antique appearance than by its usefulness.]
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AKNALS OP LYNK-
1797.
[Jonathan Makepeace commenced the manufacture of choco-
late at the mill on Saugus river. And this may be set down as
the beginning of the production of that excellent article which,
under Mr. Childs, attained a world-wide celebrity. It is not
improbable, however, that before this, Benjamin Sweetser had
made a little chocolate, by horae power.]
1798.
[At a legal town meeting, the people of Lynn adopted an
address to the President and Congress, touching our troubles
with France. The address, which seems in the style of Eev. Mr.
Thacher, well exhibits the loyalty and spirit of the people, and,
together with the President's reply, is here given:
To John Adams, President, the Senate and House of EepresciitatiTea of the
United States of Ameiica :
At a period which bo seriously airests the attention of every American,
and tine friend of bia country, as tbe present, the inhabitants of Lynn, in the
State of Massachusetts, feeling it to be their duty, and impressed with the just,
wise and prudent admiuisti-ation of the Executive and the riders in general of
the AmericMi republic, ardently embrace an opporbinity to announce their de-
termined resolution to support their constitution and government, with all they
hold most sawed and dear. Convinced as we are, that tbe President has, by
fair, unequivooal, and full instructions, which he has given to our envoys, to
adjust and amicably accommodate all existing difficulties between the United
States and the French republic, done ail consistent with tlie honor, dignity, aud
freedom of his country, to preserve peace and good understanding widi that
nation. Notwithstanding our envoj^ are commissioned with full power to
eettie all animosities with the French agents, upon ^e broadest basis of equity,
they are treated .with neglect — refused an audience, lest tlieir reaaonings should
show to the world the integrity of our government and disclose their iniquity.
Legislators, Guardians ! The most nefarious designs have been plotted to
subvert our government, subjugate the country, and lay us under contribution ;
hut thanks be to the Sovereign of the universe, that we do not experience the
fate of Venice, nor gi-oan under tbe oppre^ion of subdued nations. We are
a free people, have a sense of tbe blessings which we enjoy under that liberty
and independence, which we have wrested from the hand of one king, and
will not supinely submit to any nation.
We wish not again to beliold oui- fields crimsoned with human blood, and
fervently pray God to avert tlie calamities of war. Nevertheless, should our
magisU-ates, in whom we place entire confidence, find it expedient to take
energetic measures to defend our liberties, we will readily cooperate with them
in every such measure ; nor do we hesitate, at this interesting crisis, to echo
the declaration of our illustrious chief, that "we are not humiliated under a
colonial sense of feai-; we are not a divided people." Our arms are strong in
defense of oui" rights, and we are determlneo to repel our foo,
[Reply.]
To the Inhabitants of Lynn, in the State of Massachusetts :
Gentlemen : Your addre^ to the Pi-esident, Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, adopted at a legal town meeting, has been presented to me by your
Itepi-esentative in Congress, Mr. Sewall.
When the inhabitants of one of our towns, assembled in legal form, solemnly
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ASNAL8 OF LTNN — 1799, 1800. 361
declare themselves impressed wiih the wise, just, aiid p : lent a 1 n ntion
of theii' rulers in general; and that they will auppoiT thei const tut oi and
goverament, with all they hold most sacred ana dear no mai who knows
them, will question their sincerity.
The conviction you ayow that the President has doi o all co tent with
the honor, dignity, and freedom of his country, to prese ve peace and good
underetaading Willi the French, is a gratification to me which I receive with
Aa the treatment of your envoys is vrithout a possibility of justification,
excuse, or apology, 1 leave it to your just resentment. Your acknowledgment
of the blessings yon enjoy, under your liberty and independence, and deter-
mination never supmely to surrender them, prove you to deserve them,
JoHH Adams.]
1799.
[A resolve passed the General Court, 7 June, establishing
a Notary Public at Lynn. And this being the first officer of
the kind here, it may be well to say a word respecting the
history of the office in Massachusetts. Hutchinson, ttnder date
1720, says, " There had been no public notaries in the Province,
except such as derived their authority from the Archbishop of
Canterbury. The House now first obaerved that a Notary
Public was a civil officer, which by the charter was to be chosen
by the General Court, and sent a message desiring the council
to join with the house in the choice of such an officer in each
port of the province." The custom under the second charter
must be referred to ; and we may conclude that the colonists
under the first charter operated with a high hand in this as
■well as in. many other things ; for the Court appointed, in 1644,
William Aspinwall, of Boston, Notary for Maaaacbusetta. And
in 1697, Stephen Sewall was a "notary publique."]
A barn, belonging to Mr, Micajah Newhall on the south side
of the Common, was struck by lightning, about noon, on the
2d of August, and burned, with a quantity of hay and grain, and
one of his oxen.
1800.
The memory of Washington was honored by a procession and
eulogy, on the 13th of January. He died on the 14th of De-
cember previous. The people assembled at the school-house;
the scholars walked first, with crape on their arms, followed by
a company of militia, with muffled drums, the municipal officers
and citizens. The eulogy was pronounced by Rev. Thomas C.
Thacher, at the First Congregational meeting-house. A fune-
ral sermon, on the same occasion, was preached by Rev. William
Gnirey, at the First Methodist meeting-house.
[The Legislature passed, 20 February, an act to encourage
the manufacture of shoes, boots, and goloshes.]
On the afternoon of Sunday, March 1st, there was an earth-
quake.
E2
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362 ANNAL9 OP LYNH — 1800.
On the llfh of June, Mr. Samuel Dyer, a gentleman from
Boston, was drowned in Humfrey's Foni3, at Lynnfield.
[On Friday, 18 July, the first regular New England Methodist
Conference commenced at the tneeting-house on the Common.
Among those present were Jesse Lee, George Pickering, Joshua
WoUs, Joshua Taylor, Joshua Hall, Andrew Nichols, William
Beauchamp, Thomas P. Sargent, Daniel Fidler, Ralph Williston,
Timothy Merritt, and John Pinnegan, elders, and fathers of
American Methodism, though some of them were then young-
in years. The Conference continued in session two days. The
preachers, however, remained over Sunday, when ordination
services were held. Bishop Aabury delivered an address, from
the text, Matthew ix : 36-38. While the congregation were
still assembled, the clouds gathered and a copious rain descend-
ed. This was deemed a " signal instance of divine goodness ; "
for a severe drought had prevailed, and the preachers bad been
zealousi}' praying for rain.]
On the 26th of July, Mr. Nathaniel Fuller, aged 38 years, waa
drowned from a fishing boat, near Nahant,
The ship William Henry, of Salem, owned by Hon. William
Gray, was wrecked on an island of ice, on the 1st of May.
Three of the crow were John Newhall, James Parrott, and Bas-
eett Breed, of Lynn. They launched the long-boat ; and the
whole crew, consisting of fifteen persona, leaped into it. They
saved nothing but the compass, the captain's trunk, an axe, and
a fishing line. For six days they had no water but a small
quantity which had fallen from the clouds, and laid in the hol-
low of an island of salt water ice. On the fourth day, they
caught a fish, which some of them devoured raw, but others
were too faint with their long fast to swallow any. When the
storm and fog cleared up, they went ashore at Newfoundland,
and the next morning found their boat stove and filled with
water. They subsisted three days on sea peas, thistles, and
cranberries. Several of the crew were unable to walk; but
having repaired their boat, they put to sea, and were discovered
by a vessel containing four men, who at first would afford them
no relief, but after much entreaty threw them a rope, and they
arrived at St. John, where the American consul furnished them
with a passage home.
[An elephant waa oshibited in Lynn, for the first time, this
year. Ho was shown in the chaise house of Col. Robinson, oa
Boston street, corner of Federal.
[On the 24th of December there was no frost in the ground.
Previous to the year 1800, there were only three houses oa
Nahant, owned by Breed, Hood, and Johnson. This year a
large house was erected on the western part of Nahant, as a
hotel, by Capt. Joseph Johnson.
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ANNALS OF LYNN— 1801, 1802, 1803. 363
[The maDufaeture of morocco leather was introduced into
LynD, this year. WiUiam Rose establiahed a factory on the
south side of the Common, opposite where the pond now is.
A small brook ran across at that place.]
1801.
A very brilliant meteor, half the size of the full moon, ap-
peared in the northwest, on the evening of Friday, 16 October.
["Ill all my school days, which ended in 1801," says Benja-
min Mudge, in a memorandiim, " I never saw but three femaJos
in public schools, and they were there only ia the afternoon, to
learu to write," In the Lynn school reports, female pupils are
not spoken of till 1817.]
1802.
Rev. John Carnes died on the 26th of October, aged 78. He
was born at Boston in 1724, graduated in 1742, was minister at
Stoneham and Eehoboth, and chaplain in the army of the Eevo-
lution. At the close of the war he came to Lynn, received a
commission as justice of the peace, was nine times elected as a
representative, and in 1788 was a member of the Convention
to ratify the Constitution of the United States. He was an
active and Osefnl citizen. He married Mary, daughter of John
Lewis, resided on Boston street, and had two children, John
and Mary.
1803.
Eev. Joseph Kohy, pastor of the Congregational Church m
Saugus, died on the last day of January, aged 79. He was born
at Boston, in 1724, graduated in 1742, and was ordained minister
of the third parish of Lynn, now the first parish of Saugus, 1752.
He preached fifty-one years. He was an excellent scholar, a
pious and venerable man, and was highly esteemed for his social
virtues. He published two Past Sermons, one in 1781, the other
in 1794. He married Rachel Proctor, of Boston, and had seven
children; Joseph, Rachel, Mary, Henry, Thomas, Elizabeth and
Sarah. [Mr. Roby belonged to an excellent family. Dr. Thomas
Rdby, of Cambridge, and Dr. Ebenezer Eoby, of East Sudbury,
both highly distinguished men, were his uncles. Some of the
family spelled the name Eobie, His son Thomas, who was
born 2 March, 1759, graduated at Cambridge in 1779; settled
at Chatham in 1783, and remained there till 1795. He died in
1836.]
The ship Federal George, of Duxbury, sailed from Boston in
February, bound to Madeira, with a cargo of flour and corn. In
the number of the crew were three men from Lynn, whose
names were Eassett Breed Parker Mudge, and Jonathan Ward.
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364 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1803.
In the midat of the Atlantic they were overtaken by a great
etorin, which, on the 22d, capsized the vessel, carried away her
masts, and bowsprit, and when it subsided, left the deck two
feet beneath the water. The crew, whicli consisted of seven
men, remained laahed upon the windlass for twenty-four days.
Their sustenance, for the first part of the time, was a small piece
of meat, and a box of candles, which floated up from the hold.
They afterward succeeded in obtaining a bag of corn, and some
flour soaked with salt water. Their allowance of drink, at first,
was a coffee-pot cover full of water twice a day. This was
afterward reduced to one half, and then to one third. On the
18th of March, they were relieved by the Duke of Kent, an
English merchant ship, returning from the South Sea. When
they were taken from the wreck, they had but one quart of wa-
ter left. [The Bassett Breed mentioned as one of the sufferers,
survived for many years, and died at Lynn, on the 22d of De-
cember, 1862, at the advanced age of 87. He had accumulated
considerabJe property, and was a worthy citizen.]
On Sunday, the 8th of May, a snow storm commenced, and
continued about seven hours. The snow was left upon the
ground to the depth of one inch. The apple trees were in blos-
som at the time.
On the 8th of July, Mr. William Cushman, aged 23, a work-
man on the Lynn Hotel, was drowned from a raft of timber, in
Saugus river.
On Sunday, the 10th of July, about three of the clock in the
afternoon, a house on Boston street, nearly opposite the foot
of Cottage, was struck by lightning, and Mr. Miles Shorey and
his wife were instantly killed. The bolt appeared like a large
ball of fire. It struck the western chimney, and then, after
descending several feet, separated. One branch melted a watch
which hung over the chamber mantel, passed over the cradle
of a sleeping infant, covering it with cinders, and went out at
the north chamber window. The other branch descended with
the chimney, and when it reached the chamber floor, separated
into two branches, above the heads of the wife and husband,
who were passing at that instant from the parlor to the kitchen.
One part struck Mrs. Shorey on the side of her head, left her
stocking on fire, and passed into the ground. The other part
entered Mr, Shorey's bosom, passed down his side, melted the
buckle of his shoe, and went out at one of the front windows.
There were four families in the house, which contained, at the
time, nineteen persons, several of whom were much stunned.
One man, who stood at the eastern door, was crushed to the
floor by the pressure of the atmosphere. When the people
entered the room in which Mr, Shorey and his wife lay, they
found two small children endeavoring to awaken their parents.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1803, 365
All infant, which Mrs. Shorey held in her arras, when she wag
struck, was found with its hair scorched, and its little finger nails
slightlj' burned. She lived, and became the wife of Mr. Samoel
Farrington. Mr. Shorey was a native of New Hampshire, 29
years of age. Mrs. Love Shorey, aged 28 years, was a daugh-
ter of Mr. Allen Breed, of Lynn. On the next day they were
buried. The coffins were carried' side by side, and a double
procession of mourners, of a great length, followed the bodies to
their buria! in one grave.
On the next Sunday, a funeral sermon was preached by the
Rev. Thomas Cushing Thacher, at the First Congregational
meeting-house, from Job sxxvii : 2, 3, 4. At the close of the
service, a house in Market street, owned by Mr. Richard Pratt,
■was struck by lightning. It descended the chimney, separated
into three branches, did oonsiderabie damage to the house, and
left Mr. Pratt senseless on the floor for several minutes.
On Sunday, the 28th of August, at one o'clock in the morning,
the hotel on the western part of Nahant, owned by Captain
Joseph Johnson, took fire and was consumed, with all its con-
tents. The family were awakened by the crying of a child,
which was stifling with the smoke, and had just time to escape
with their lives. A black man, who slept in the upper story,
saved himself by throwing a feather bed from the window, and
jumping upon it.
On the 8th of September, John Ballard, John Pennerson, and
his sou, went out on a fishing excursion. On the next day, the
boat came ashore at Nahant, with hor sails set, the lines out for
fishing, and food ready cooked. Nothing more was ever beard
of the crew; but as Mr. Pennerson was a Frenchman, and as a
French vessel had been seen that day in the bay, it was con-
jectured that they weretaken on board and carried to France,
On Thursday, the 22d of September, the Salem Turnpike was
opened and began to receive toll. The Lynn Hotel, was built
this year. The number of shares in this turnpike was twelve
hundred, and the original cost was $189,000, This road will
become the property of the Commonwealth, when the proprie-
tors shall have received the whole cost, with twelve per cent,
interest; and the bridge over Mystic river, when seventy years
shall be accomplished. This turnpike, for nearly four miles,
passes over a tract of salt marsh, which is frequently covered
by the tide. When it was. first projected, many persons es-
teemed it impracticable to build a good road on such a founda-
tion. One person testified that he had run a pole down to the
depth of twenty-five feet. Yet this turnpike proves to be one
of the most excellent roads in America.
The post office was removed from Boston street to the south
end of Federal street.
E2*
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ANNAL9 OP LYSN — 1804.
1804.
This year a powder house waa built, near High Rock, at an
expense of one hundred and twenty dciElara. [This remaii)ed a
curious and conspicnona little mark for about fifty years, when
on a certain night some rogue set it on fire and it was consumed.
It had ceased to he used for the storing of powder, many years
before,
[The first celebration of Independence, in Lynn, took place
this year. There was a procession, and an oration was deliv-
ered by Rev. Peter Janes, the Methodist minister. A patriotic
ode, written by Enoch Mudge, was sxmg. A large company
partook of a dinner in the hall in the west wing of the Hotel,
which was built the preceding year.
[Snow fell in this vicinity, in July ; yet the month proved, on
the average, to be the warmest of the year.]
On the ith of August, the body of a woman was found in the
canal, on the north side of the turnpike, a short distance west
of Sangus bridge. She was ascertained to have been a widow
Currel, who was traveling from Boston to Marblehead. The
manner of her death was unknown.
Rev. William Prothingham was ordained minister of the Sau-
gus parish, on the 26th of September. He continued to perform
the duties of that ofSce till the year 1817, when he was dismissed,
on his own request.
One of the greatest storms ever known in Now England com-
menced on Tuesday morning, the 9th of October. The rain fell
fast, accompanied by thunder. At four in the afternoon the
wind became furious, and continued with unabated energy till
the next morning. This was probably the severest storm after
that of August, 1635. The damage occasioned by it was very
great. Buildings were unroofed, barns, chimneys, and fences
were blown down, and orchards greatly injured. The chimney
of the school-house on the western part of the Common, fell
through the roof, in the night, carrying the bench, at which I
had been sitting a few hours before, into the cellar. Many
vessels were wrecked, and in several towns the steeples of
meeting-houses were broken off, and carried to a great distance.
The number of trees uprooted in the woodlands was beyond
calculation. Thousands of the oldest and hardiest sons of the
forest, which had braved the storms of centuries, were pros-
trated before it, and the woods throughout were strewed with
the trunks of fallen trees, which were not gathered up for many
years. Some have supposed that a great storm, at an early
period, may have blown down the trees on the marshes; but it
could not have buried them several feet deep; and trees have
been found thus buried.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1803, 1806.
1805.
For a hundred and seventy-three years, from tha huilding of
the first parish mGeting-house, the people had annually assembled
in it, for the transaction of their municipal concerns. But this
year, the members of that parish observing the damage which
Buch meetings occasioned to the honse, and believing that,
since the incorporation of other parishes, the town had no title
in it, refused to have it occupied as a town-house. This refusal
occasioned much controversy between the town and parish, and
committees were appointed by both parties to accomplish an
adjustment. An engagement was partially made for the occn-
pation of the house, on the payment of twenty-eight dollars
annually; but the toivn refused to sanction the agreement, and
the meetings were removed to the Methodist meeting-house, on
the eastern part of the Common, in 1806.
The Lynn Acadenjy was opened on the 5th of April, under
the care of Mr. William Ballard. A bell was presented to this
institution by Coh James Robinson.
An earthquake happened on the 6th of April, at fifteen min-
utes after two in the afternoon.
On the 11th of May, Mr. John Legree Johnson's house, on
the east end of the Common, was struck by lightning.
A society of Free Masons was constituted on the 10th of
June, by the name of Mount Carmel Lodge. [For further no-
tices of this institution, see under dates 1834 and 1845.]
On the 24th of July, Mr. Charles Adams fell from the rocks
at Nipper Stage, on Nahant, and was drowned.
[On Sunday, 11 October, Benjamin Phillips's house, on Water
Hill, was struck by lightning.]
1806.
A total eclipse of the sun happened on Monday, the IGth of
June. It commenced a few minutes after ten in the forenoon,
and continued about two hours and a half. The sun rose clear,
and the morning was uncommonly pleasant. As the eclipse
advanced, the air became damp and cool, like the approach of
evening. The birds at first flew about in astonishment, and
then retired to their roosts, and the stars appeared. The shad-
ow of the moon was seen traveling across the earth from west
to east; and at the moment when the last direct ray of the ann
was intercepted, all things aronnd appeared to waver, as if the
earth was falling from its orbit. Several persona fainted, and
many were observed to take hold of the objects near them for
support. The motion of the spheres was distinctly perceptible,
and the whole system appeared to be disordered. It seemed aa
if the central orb of light and animation was about to be forever
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368 ASNALS OP LYNN — 1807.
eztingulslied, and creation was returning to its original nonen-
tity. The moflt unreflecting mind was made sensible of its
dependence, and the soul involuntarily sought the protection
of its Maker. The total darkness endured about three minutes.
When the sun came forth from his obscurity, it was with over-
whelming lustre ; the dreadful silence which, had spread its
dominion over the universe, was broken ; the cocks began to
crow, the birds renewed their songs, and man and nature seemed
to rejoice, as if returning to existence, from which they bad been
shut out by the unwonted darkness.
The anniversary of American Independence was this year
publicly celebrated in Lynn, for the first time. [Mr. Lewis is
mistaken here. See under date 1804.] As the spirit of party
was exercising its unabated influence, the inhabitants could not
unite in performing the honors of the day, and made two pro-
cessions. The Federalists assembJcd at the First Congregational
meeting-house, where an oration was delivered by Mr, Hosea
Hildreth, preceptor of the Academy ; and the Democrats met at
the First Methodist meeting-house, where an oration was pro-
nounced by Dr. Peter G. Eobbins. The Democrats dined at
the Hotel, and the Federalists in the hall of the i.
And such regai'd for freedom there was shown,
That either paj-Qf wished her all their own !
[The town meetings began to be held, this year, in the First
Methodist meeting-house; and they were held there till 1814.]
1807.
The town having determined that no person who was not an
inhabitant should have the privilege of taking any sand, shells,
or sea manure from the Lynn beaches, this year prosecuted
several of the inhabitants of Danvers, for trespassing against
this order. The decision of the court established the right of
the town to pass sucha vote and left it in legal possession of all
the natural treasures which the sea might cast upon its shores.
[A rock on the east side of Oak street, was struck by light-
ning, this year, and a portion weighing some twelve tons thrown
two hundred feet,
[Theophilus Bacheller's house was burned in October.]
The depression of commerce and manufactures, at the close
of this year, was very great. This was principally occasioned
by the state of affairs in Europe, and the spoliation of property
in American vessels, by the governments of France and Eng-
land, which, in the prosecution of their hostilities, had made
decrees affecting neutral powers. On the twenty-second of
December, congress passed an act of embargo, by which all the
porta of the .United States were closed against the clearance
of al! vessels.
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ANSAL9 OP LYNN — 1808.
1808.
The enforcement of the embargo law occasioned great suffer-
ing throughout the Union, particularly in commercial places,
Tlie harbora were filled with dismantled vessels, which lay-
rotting at the wharves. Thousands of seamen were thrown
out of employment, the price of provisions was enhanced,, and
the spirit of desolation seemed to be spreading her dark winga
over the land. While the democrats were disposed to regard
this state of things as requisite to preserve the dignity of tho
nation and the energy of government, the federalists viewed
it as an impolitic, unjust, and arbitrary measure, by which the
interests of commerce were saoriflced to the will of partJ^ The
spirit of opposition, in this difference of opinion, was put forth
in its utmost strength. At the election in April, the greatest
number of votes was produced which had at this time been
given in the town ; of which 418 were for James Sullivan, and
273 for Christopher Gore. On the second of May, the people
assembled for the choice of representatives. The democratic
party voted to choose three, and the federalists were inclined
to send none. As there was some difEculty in ascertaining the
vote, it was determined that the people should go out of the
house, and arrange themselves on different sides of the Common,
to be counted. The democrats went out, but a part of the
federalists remained, and took possession of the house. They
chose a town clerk, to whom the oath of office waa'adminlstered,
voted to send no representative, and made a record of their
proceeding in the town book. The other party then returned,
aod chose three representatives. Several of the principal fed-
eralists were afterward prosecuted for their infringement of a
legal town meeting; but as it appeared on examinatioa, tliat
none of the town meetings had been legal for many years,
because not called by warrant, they were exonerated. On the
2dtb of August, a meeting was held to petition the President to
remove the embargo ; but the town voted that such a proceed-
ing would be highly improper, and passed several resolutions,
approving tbe measures of the administration. Oo the following
diy, tie federalists prepared a memorial, expressing their dis-
approbation of the embargo, and requesting its repeal, which
was transmitted to the President. The feelings of both parties
were raised to a degree of excitement, which could only be
BU^fained by political events of unusual occurrence.
[A great bull fight took place at the halfway house, on the
turnp'^e, in the summer. Bulls and bull dogs were engaged in
the cruel and vulgar sport. It was got up by a Mr. Gray, of
Salem, and great numbers attended. , Raised seats were arranged
for the spectators to conveniently watch the ferocious conflict,
24
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370 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1808.
This was the first bull fighfc in New England, and certainly
should have been, as it probably was, the last.]
On the 20th of September, the house of widow Jerusha Wil-
liams, in Market street, was struck by lightning. On the same
afternoon, the lightning fell on a flock of sheep, at Nahant,
which were gathered besiiJe a stone wall for shelter, and killed
eighteen of them.
On the night of Monday, October 31, Mr. Theophilns Breed's
barn, on the south side of the Common, was burned ; and on
the night of the following Thursday, a barn belonging to Mr.
Jacob Chase, on the opposite side of the Common, was con-
sumed ; both of them having been set on fire by a mischievous
boy,
A company of Artillery was incorporated by the General
Court, on the 18th of November, and two brass field pieces
allowed them, [Aaron Newhall was the first captain, and Ezra
Mudge and Benjamin Mudge were- lieutenants.]
This year Benjamin Merrill, Esq., came into town. He was
6be first lawyer at Lynn. [Mr. Merrill's office was in the south-
west chamber of the dwelling house that still stands on North
Common street, the next west from Park. He died at Salem,
30 July, 1847, aged 63. He was a man of fine talents, excellent
education, and kind feelings. Ho remained in Lynn but a few
months and then removed to Salem, where he became quite
eminent in the -profession ; rather, however, as a counsellor and
conveyancer than as a pleader. He received the degree of
LL, D. at Cambridge, in 1845. The occasion of his removal
from Lynn as he informed me, a few years before his death, was
somewhat singular. A deputation of the citizens called on him
wilh the request that he would leave the place, it being appre-
hended that evil and strife would abound wherever a lawyers
tent was pitched. He took the matter in good part and soon
departed. The people of Lynn afterward made some amends
for their uncivil proceeding, by entrusting a large share of their
best legal business to his hands. He served them faithfully,
and never seemed to entertain the least ill feeling toward any
here. He died lamented by a large circle who had received
benefits at his hand, and left a considerable estate. He was
pever married, which seemed the more singular, as he was emi-
nently social in his habits.
[Samuel Newell — as he spelled his surname, though Mr.
Lewis makes it Newhall — was this year preceptor of Lynn
Academy. He was feeble, and unable to keep up a rigid disci-
pline. He remained but a short time, and was afterward a
missionary in India. The celebrated Harriet Newel! was his
wife.
[A white faced cow, while grazing In the old burying ground
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AiSNALS OP LYNN— 1809, 1810, 1811. 371
broke through a tomb. Somo persons in the vicinity, at night,
observing her head raised and struggling, were much alarmed,
and horrifying ghost stories immediately prevailed.
[The trapping of lobsters was first practiced at Swampscot,
this year, by Ebenezer Thorndike. He had twelve pots,
[The manufacture of chewing and smoking tobacco was be-
gun this year, in that part of Lynn now known as Cliftondale,
Saugns, by Samuel Copp. By degrees it grew to be a large
and lucrative business.]
1809.
The inhabitants petitioned the General Court for an act to
establish the proceedings of the town in their previous meet-
ings, which had been illegal, in consequence of the meetings
having been called by notice from the selectmen, instead of a
warrant to a consta'ble. A resolve confirming the proceedings
of the town was passed by the Court on the 18th of February.
The embargo law was repealed by Congress, on the 12th of
April, and an act of non-iotercourse with France and England,
substituted in its place.
1810.
Independence was celebrated by both political parties, who
very patriotically and cordiallj'' united for that purpose. They
formed a procession at the Lynn Hotel, .which was then kept by
Mr. Ebenezer Lewis, and proceeded to the First Congregational
meeting-house, where an oration was delivered by Dr. Peter G-.
Robbins.
This year the Lynn Mineral Spring Hotel was built.
On Friday evening, November 9, there was an earthquake.
[It appeared, by careful estimation, that there were made in
Lynn, tliis year, " 1.000.000 pairs of shoes, valued at about
$800,000. The females earned some |50,000 by binding.]
1811.
On the 8th of January, Ayer Williams Marsh, aged five years,
was killed by the falling of an anvii, from a cheese-press.
A great snow storm commenced on the 2d of February, and
continued three days. It was piled up in reefs, in some places,
more than fifteen feet. In Market street, arches were dug be-
neath it, high enough for carriages to pass through.
On the 4:th of July, the ofBcers of Lynn, Marblehead, and
Danvers, had a military celebration at Lynn. The young fed-
eralists also partook of a dinner in the hall of Lewis's hotel,
which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, by the young
ladies.
The 7th of July was excessively hot. The thermometer rose
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572 ANSALS OJT LTNN— 1812.
to a hundred and one degrees in the shade. Mr. John Jacobs,
aged 70, while laboring on the salt marsh fell dead in conse-
quence of the heat.
A splendid comet was visible on the 11th of October, between
Arcturus and Lyra. Its train was estimated to be forty mil-
lions of miles in length. It remained visible for a number of
months.
[The " Lynn Wire and Screw Manufacturing Company," wa8
incorporated this year. They built a dam and factory on Sau-
gus river. There was a fair prospect of success ; b,ut the peace
of 1815, by restoring the means for cheap importations, ruined
their prospects, and the business was abandoned. A number
of substantial individuals were engaged in the promising enter-
prise.
[The first meeting for the preaching of Universalism, in Lynn,
was held in the Academy, on the Common, this year. Rev.
Joshua Flagg, of Salem, preached. He also lectured at Graves-
end.]
The Second Methodist Society was formed in the eastern part
of the toWD, by separation from the First Society. A meeting-
house was built, which was dedicated on the 27tli of November.
Their first minister was Rev. Epaphras Kibbey.
1812.
On the 4th of May there was a snow storm, all day and night,
The snow was about eight inches deep.
War was declared by Congress against England, on the 18th
of June. This was called the War of Impressments, because
England claimed the right to search American vessels for her
sailors. The conflict was chiefly conducted by battle ships on
the water, but people were much affected by it in the depression
of commerce. The Federalists disapproved of the war — the
Democrats exulted in it.
A new meeting-house was built by the First Methodist Soci-
ety, at the east end of the Common.
The buria! ground in Union street was opened.
[A pottery was commenced in what is now Chftondale, Saugus,
by William Jackson. A fine kind of earthen ware was made
from clay found in the vicinity. It was continued about four
years. Mr. Jackson was an Englishman and occupied a respect-
able position. He twice represented the town in the General
Court.
[The old Lynn Light Infantry was organized this year.
[Reuben P. Washburn, a native of Leicester, Mass., commenced
the practice of law, at Lynn, Hia office was in the building
80 long occupied by Caleb Wiley for a West India goods store,
at the corner of Federal street and the Turnpike, He graduated
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ASNALS OP LYMN — 1813, S73
at Dartmouth College, with the class of 1808, and studied law
under Judge Jackson, at Boston. He procured his education
and made bis way in the world by his own exertions. While at
Lynn he married a daughter of Rev. Mr. Thacher. He was a per-
sonal friend of Judge Story and other eminent men both in law
and letters. Considering the business of the place,, his practice
could not have been large, here, and he removed to Vermont,
in 1817. There he became a judge, and to the end of bis life
maintained a high position, and preserved an unsullied reputa-
tion. He died in 1860, at the age of 79.]
1813.
Rev. Thomas Gushing Thacher discontinued his connection
with the First Parish. The people gave him a recommendation
and made him a present of eight hundred dollars. He was a
son of Rev. Peter Thacher, minister of Brattle Street Church,
in Boston. He graduated in 1790, was ordained in 1794,
preached nineteen years, and removed to Cambridge. He
wrote many good sermons, sis of which, on interesting occa-
sions, he published.
1. A Sermon on the Annual Thanksgiving, 1794.
2. A Sermon on the Interment of Eight Seamen, 1795.
3. A Eulogy on the Death ofWashington, 1800.
4. 'A Sermon on the Death of Mrs. Ann Carnes, 1800.
5. A Masonic Address, delivered at Cambridge.^
6. A Sermon on the Death of Mr. Shorey and Wife, 1803.
[Mr. Thacher died at Cambridge, 24 September, 1849. He
was born at Maiden, 11 October, 1771. His wife was Elizabeth
Blaney; and she survived him, living till September, 1858,
when she died at South Reading, aged 88.]
At a town meeting in March, thirty-nine tithing-men were
chosen. This was for the purpose of enforcing the Sunday law,
that no person should journey on the Sabbath,
The schooner Industry was fitted out as a privateer, under
the command of Capt, Joseph Mudge, and sent in three prizes —
two brigs and one ship.
On the first of June, the people of Lynn were called forth by
an occasion of unusual interest. The English frigate Shannon,
Capt, Brock, being expressly fitted for the purpose, approached
the harbor of Boston, and challenged the American frigate
Chesapeake, to battle. The hills aud the house tops were
crowded with spectators, who looked on with intense solicitude.
The Chesapeake, commanded by Capt. James Lawrence, sailed
out beyond Nahant, and engaged with 'her adversary. After a
short aud spirited conflict, Capt. Lawrence fell, the colors of
the Chesapeake were lowered, and the Shannon, with her prize,
departed for HaUfax,
P2
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374 ANNALS OP LYNK — 1813.
The new Methodist meeting-houso was dedicated ou the 3d
of June,
Rev. Isaac Hurd was ordained pastor of the First Parish, on
the 15th of September,
This year, many racoons, driven by the war from the north,
were shot at Swampscot ; and a wild cat, after a deperate resist-
ance, was killed at Eed Rock. [It can easily be imagined that
wild animals have no partiality for gunpowder. But it seems
hardly reasonable to suppose that the war could have had much
influence in driving the racoons hither, inasmuch aa there were
military movements here as well as at the north. Such animals
abounded a short distance back, and some necessities toaching
their food may have induced their descent. They had always
been found hereabout; occasionally in considerable numbers.
As late as November, 1829, four were killed in the barn on the
Carnea place, Boston street, two of them weighing fifteen pounds
each.]
The celebrated Mary Pitcher, a professed fortune-teller, died
April 9, 1813, aged 75 years. Her grandfather, John Dimond,
Jived at Marblehead, and for many years exercised the same
pretensions. Her father, Capi, John Dimond, was master of a
vessel from that place, and was living in 1770. Mary Dimond
was born in the year 1738. She was connected with some of
the best families in Essex county, and, with the exception of
her extraordinary pretensions, there was nothing disreputable in
her life or character. She was of the medium height and size
for a woman, with a good form and agreeable manners. Her
head, phrenologically considered, was somewhat capacious ; her
forehead broad and full, her hair dark brown, her nose inclining
to long, and her face pale and thin. There was nothing gross
or sensual in her appearance — her countenance was rather
intellectual; and she had that contour of face and expression
which, without being positively beautiful, is, nevertheless, deci-
dedly interesting — a thoughtiiil, pensive, and sometimes down-
cast look, almost approaching to melancholy — an eye, when it
looked at you, of calm and keen penetration — and an expres-
sion of intelligent discernment, half mingled with a glance of
shrewdness. She took a poor man for a husband, and then
adopted what she doubtless thought the harmless employment
of fortune-telling, in order to support her children. In this she
was probably more successful than she herself had anticipated;
and she became celebrated, not only throughout America, bnt
throughout the world, for her skill. There was no port on
either continent, where floated the flag of an American ship,
that had not heard the fame of Moll Pitcher, To her came the
rich and the poor — the wise and the ignorant — the accom-
plished and the vulgar — the timid and the brave. The ignorant
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AKNALS OF LTNH — 1813. 375
Bailor, who believed in the omens and dreams of superstition, and
the intelligent merchant, whdao ships were freighted for distant
lands, alike sought her dwelling; and many a vessel has been
deserted by its crew, and waited idly at the wharves, for weeks,
in conseqnence of her unlucky predictions. Many persons came
from places far remote, to consult her on affairs of love, or losa
of property; or to obtain her surmises respecting the vicissi-
tudes of their future fortune. Every youth, who was not
assured of the reciprocal affection of his fair one, and every
maid who was desirous of anticipating the hour of her highest
felicity, repaired at evening to her liumhie dwelling, which stood
on what was then a lonely road, near the foot of High Rock,
with the single dwelling of Dr. Henry Eurchsted noarlj' oppo-
site ; over whose gateway were the two hones of a great whale,
disposed in the form of a gothic arch. There, in her unpretend-
ing mansion, for more than fifty years, did she answer the
inquiries of the simple rustic from the wilds of New Hampshire,
and the wealthy noble from Europe; and, doubtless, her predic-
tions have had an influence in shaping the fortunes of thou-
sands.
Mrs. Pitcher was, indeed, one of the most wonderful women
of any age ; and had she lived in the days of alleged witchcraft,
would doubtless have been the first to, suffer. That slie ac-
quired her intelligence by intercourse with evil spirits, it would
now be preposterous to assert — and it requires a very great
stretch of credulity to believe that she arrived at so many
corredt conclusions, merely by guess-work. That she made no
pretension to any thing supernatural, is evident from her own
admission, when some one offered her a large sum, if she would
tell him what ticket in the lottery would draw the highest prize.
" Do you think," said she, '' if I knew, I would not buy it my-
self?" Several of the best authenticated anecdotes which are
related of her, seem to imply that she possessecl, in some degree,
the faculty which is now termed clairvoyance. Indeed, there
seem's to be no other conclusion, unless we suppose that per-
sons of genera] veracity have told us absolute falsehoods. The
possession of this feculty, with her keen perception and shrewd
judgment, in connection with the ordinary art which she admit-
ted to have used, to detect the character and business of her
visitors, will perhaps account for all that is extraordinary in her
intelligence. In so many thousand instances also, of the exer.
cise of her faculty, there is certainly no need of calling in super-
natural aid to account for her sometimes judging right; and
these favorable instances were certain to be related to her
advantage, and insured her abundance of credibility. She mar-
ried Robert Pitcher, a shoemaker, on the 2d of October, 1760.
Had she married differently, as she might have done, she would
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376
ASNALS OP LYNN — 1813.
Slar^f'^^^^^
have adorned a brighter and a happier station in life, and tlie
world would never have heard of her fame. [The period in
which she lived was one in which the education of females was
very little regarded; yet it is evident that she was by no meana
destitute of education. -A fac-
simile of her signatitre is here
given. It was engraved, with
great care, from her signature
on a deed dated in 1770, con- Siguatui-e of Moll Pitcher,
veying a piece of land near her
habitation.] She had one son, John, and three daughters, Re-
becca, Euth, and Lydia, who married respectably; and some
of her descendants are among the prettiest young ladies of
Lynn. Nor is there any reason why they should blush at the
mention of their ancestress. While it is hoped that no one, in
this enlightened age, will follow her profession, it must be
admitted that she had virtues which many might practice with
advantage. She supported her family by her skill, and she was
benevolent in her disposition. She has been known to rise
before sunrise, walk two miles to a miH, purchase a quantity of
meal, and carry it to a poor widow, who would otherwise have
bad no breakfast for her children.
[The cottage in which this remarkable woman so long dwelt,
may still be seen. It stands on the north side of Essex street,
nearly opposite Pearl. But population has so increased in the
vicinity that it is now very far from being in a lonely place.
The hum of business is heard around, and numerous pretentious
edifices look down upon its modest roof. Within a short time
it has undergone repairs, and, together with its surroundings
has been made to assume more of a modern appearance. Its
essentia] features, however, remain unchanged; and the follow-
ing is a faithful representation of it as it was.]
d by Google
ANSALS OP LYNN — 1814.
1814.
[Samnel W. Cog^hall was drowned in Saugns river, 1 May.
He was a soo of Capt. Timothy Coggahall, of Newport, R. I.,
and 29 years of age.]
The district of Lynnfield, which was separated from Lynn on
the 3d of July, 1782, wa3 this year incorporated as a town, on
the 28th of February.
On the 28th of Fehruary, also, the Lynn Mechanics Bank was
incorporated, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars.
The erection of the Towa House, on the Common, was begun
in February.
A company of militia, consisting of seventy-eight men from
Essex county, was detached, in July, for the defense of the
eea coast. Of this number, Lynn furnished fifteen, and the
whole were placed under the command of Capt. Samuel Madge,
of Lynn. On the first of August, they mustered at Danvers,
and on, the next day marched to Salem, and encamped on Win-
ter Island. On the 27th, a violent storm blew down most of
the tents, and on the next day the detachment removed to Fort
Lee. On the night of the 28th of September, a great alarm
was occasioned by some men who were drawing a seine at
Beverly. Alarm guns were fired about midnight, and in loss
than thirty minutes the Salem regiment was drawn up for orders.
Nearly sixty old men of that town also took their arms, went
directly to the fort, and patriotically offered ther services to
Captain Mudge. The alarm spread to the neighboring towns,
and within an hour the Lynn regiment was in arms, and on its
march toward Salem. The promptitude with which these two
regiments were formed, the self-possession manifested by the
officers and soldiers, and tbe readiness with which they marched
toward what was then confidently believed to be a scene of
action and danger, is worthy of commendation. The company
was discharged on the first of November. During a considera-
ble part of this season, guards were stationed in Lynn, on Long
Wharf and Saugus Bridge. The town, with its accustomed
liberality, allowed to each of its soldiers, who went into service,
thirty dollars in addition to the pay of tbe government, which
was only eight dollars a month. The town received a hundred
muskets from the State, and a hundred old men volunteered to
use them.
In a great sleet and rain storm, on the night of November
19th, Mr. Ward Hartwell, of Charlemont, perished in attempting
to pass Lynn Beach, to Nahant. He lost his way and drove
into the water.
An earthquake happened on the 28th of November, at twenty
minutes past seven in tbe evening.
F2*
d by Google
378 ANHALS OF LYKN — 1815.
[Tlie manufacture of linen goods waa this year commenced
by the "Lynn Linen Spinning Factory Company." They built
a factory of wood, three stories high, on the east side of Saugua
river, and commenced with the manufacture of sail duck. Snt
the termination of the war with England afforded facilities for
procuring Hneu goods from abroad at such reduced prices that
the business was soon abandoned. Some linen, however, was
made in Lynn long before this; but it was probably more like
the ordinary tow cloth. See under date 1726.]
1815.
The Saugus parish was incorporated as a separate town, on
the nth of February.
A treaty of peace with England, which was signed at Ghent,
on the 24th of December, 1814, waa ratified by Congress, on
the 17th of Februar)'.
This year the First Baptist Church in Lynn was organized,
on the 17th of March, In May, the meeting-house which the
Methodist society had vacated, was purchased for their use. It
is worthy of remark, that this building was placed upon land
purchased of the First Congregational Church — that very
church which had persecuted the Baptists, and delivered them
up to the executioner, a hundred and sixty-four years before.
[No Baptists were executed. Some were banished, and others
fined. It is worthy of remark, also, that this building was, last
of all, occupied by the Roman Catholics, that Church which
Baptists, Congregationalists, and Methodists, as well as all other
protestant bodies delight to traduce. It was burned on Satur-
day night, 28 May, 1859. And so closed its eventful history.
[In Brooks's history of Medford it is stated that at this time,
when only a few persons resided at Nabant, it was the custom
for families in Medford to join in parties to that beautiful prom-
ontory. From ten to twenty chaises would start together, and,
reaching their destination, the ladies and gentlemen, girls and
boya, would proceed to fishing from the rocks and boats. Bach
one wore the commonest clothes; and the day was passed in
all sorts of sports. A fish dinner was an agreed part of the
fare ; and a supper at Lynn Hotel closed the eating for the day.
The party rode home by moonlight; and by ten o'clock were
sufficiently fatigued to accept the bed as a most agreeable finale.
And such parties often came from Maiden, Beading, Stoneham,
and places more remote. The dinners were generally cooked
by the parties themselves, over fires built among the rocks,
a sufficient supply of drift wood being gleaned from the shores.
They were right jolly times, and involved little expense.]
A very great storm, on the 23d of September, occasioned
much damage. The wind blew violently from the southeast,
d by Google
ANKALS OF LTHN — 1816. 379
and buildings, fences, and trees, fell before it. &. part of the
roof of the Academy was taken off, and carried by the wind more
than half way across the Common. The spray of the ocean
was borne far upon the land, and the fruit on trees several
miles from the shore was impregnated with salt.
1816.
[The first Methodist Society in Lynnfiold, was organized on
the 2d of April.]
The Baptist society was incorporated on the 15th of April;
and on the 15th of September, Eev. George Phippen was settled
as their first minister.
Rev. Isaac Hurd rclinqniahed his pastoral care over the First
Congregational Society, on the 22d of May. He was born at
Charlestown, [in December, 1185, and graduated at Cambridge,
in 1806. From Lynn he removed to Exeter, N. H., where he
was installed over the Second Church of that place, September
11, 1817. There he remained till his death, which took place a
few years since.
[The summer of this year was very cool, and little corn
ripened. There was a frost in every month; and snow fell on
the 8th of Juno. The 23d of June, however, was excessively
hot, the thermometer rising to 101 degrees,' in the shade.
.[The Quaker meeting-house was built on Broad street, this
year; and it stood on its original site till 1852, when it was
moved back some rods and made to face on Silsbe street. For
facts relating to the earlier Quaker meeting-houses see under
dates ,1678 and 1723.
[A great horse trot took place on Friday, September 6. The
course was on the Turnpike, and extended three miles toward
Boston, from Saugus river bridge. This is said to have been
the first regular trot in the country ; and it was attended by a
great multitude of spectators, from far and near. A horse called
Old Blue, owned by Major Stackpole, trotted three miles in
eight minutes and forty-two seconds. The same horse, four
days after, trotted the same distance in eight minutes and fifty-
six seconds, and again, two days after that, the same distance in
eight minutes and eighteen and three quarter seconds.
[This year another attempt was made to estabhsh the manu-
facture of hnen in this vicinity. Nathaniel Perry built a dam
over the brook in North Saugus, and erected a large wooden
building in which he designed to spin and weave a finer kind
of linen. He did not, however, succeed in his enterprisfe.
[Isaac Eurrill, who lived near Saugus river bridge, on Boston
strfeet, while returning from Boston, on a cold, moonlight night,
was robbed, on the Turnpike, by three highwaymen. He was
a shoe manufacturer, on a small scale, and was walkiiig home
d by Google
380 ANNAL8 OP LYNN— 1817, 1818.
from Boston with a bag of articles whicli lie bad received in
exchange for shoea disposed of during the day. He had also a
smalt sum of money in his pocket. When near a small shanty,
which stood on the south of the Turnpike, perhaps a mile west
of the Half-way House, and which had been erected for the
convenience of laborers on the marshes, three men rushed out
and forced him into the building. There they robbed him of all
he had of value, and bound him, hand and foot, with raw hemp.
They then left him, with the threat of instant death if he should
make any outcry before the mail stage had passed, adding that
they intended to rob that. He kept silence for the time speci-
fied, but thoy did not return. By straining and kicking he
finally succeeded in releasing his feet, and soon reached the
Half-way House. The robbers were never caught. He said
they assured him that nothing but shear necessity impelled
tbem to the act. There was no attempt to rob the mail, the
pretense about that probably being for the purpose of keeping
him quiet while they made good their escape. His pocketbook
was found, weeks after, in Cambridge port, in a ditch.]
In November, new bells were placed on the First Congrega-
tional and First Methodist meeting-houses.
1817.
Friday, the 14th of February, was an exceedingly cold day.
The thermometer was eighteen degrees below zero.
There was an earthquake on Sunday, 7 September, and an-
other on 5 October.
This year, Hon. Thomas H. Perkins built the first stone cot-
tage on Nahant.
President Munroe passed through Lynn.
[The prices of provisions were very high, in Lynn, at this
time. From the old book of a respectable shoe manufacturer
it appears tliat flour was $16 a barrel, Indian meal $2 a bushel,
molasses 70 cents a gallon, young hyson tea $1.60 a pound, and
brown sugar 18 cents a pound.]
1818.
[Herbert Richardson, jr., aged 24, and Charlotte Palmer, aged
20, were drowned in the Shawsheen river, on their way to Lynn-
field, where they were to be married, the same evening, March 3,
[There was a very long storm in April, ' A memorandum
made by Major Ezra Hitchinga, who kept a store on Boston
street, says it "began to snow the second of April, at eleven
o'clock, and continued to snow and rain alternately till the
tenth, at six o'clock in the evening."]
Rev. Otis Rockwood was ordained pastor of the First Congre-
gational Church, on the 1st of July.
d by Google
AiTTALS OP LTBN — 1819, 381
A stono building, for a aehool-liouse and Hbraiy, was built at
Kahant, and several hundred volumes were presented by gentle-
men from Boston.
The iPirst Social Library at Lynn was incorporated. [But it
would be a mistake to suppose that the first library was formed
this year. There was a good social library here before the
commencement of the present century, and Mr. Thacher acted
as librarian during a part of his ministry. The library incor.
porated this year became a useful institution, and was continued,
much according to its original organization, till it was merged
in the Lynn Library Association, incorporated in March, 1855.
And finally, in 1862, the collection went to form the basis of the
adjective-afflicted " Lynn Free Public Library." At the last
mentioned date the number of volumes was about 4.100. No
doubt care will be exercised to increase the value of this insti-
tution. A free library, especially, should be composed of only
such books as will exert a healthful influence; it should be a
corrector, not a follower, of public taste. The books of such a
library, whatever they are, will be extensively read ; and if it
contaiuB none but good ones, the influence must be highly bene-
ficial. The circulating library, as it is called, stands on a very
different footing, aod is in some sense beyond the control of
those who may stand in the attitude of conservators of the
public weal.]
1819.
The winter was unusually mild, with little snow, and the
harbor scarcely frozen. Farmers ploughed in every month;
January was like April, and the spring was forward and warm.
[The principal snow storm was on the 8th of March.]
The first attempt to form an Episcopal Church in Lynn, was
made this year. A few persons were organized as a Church on
the 27th of January, and continued to worship in the Academy
about four years.
On the 31st of January, Jonathan Mansfield was drowned in
the Flax pond. On the 6th of April, "William Phillips was drown-
ed in the Pines river. On the 4th of September, Asa Gowiley
was drowned near the mouth of Saugus river.
[The first Missionary Society of the great Methodist Church
was formed in Lynn, on the 21st of February. The tJeneral
Missionary Society was not organized till the 4th of April.]
Tuesday, July 6, was an exceeding warm day. The thermom-
eter rose to 120 degrees in the sun.
A farm of about fifty acres was purchased by the town, and a
new poor-house built on Wilhs's hilh [I do not understand
why Mr. Lewis, here and in one or two other places, calls this
Willis's hill. No one else appears to have done so. True, one
d by Google
302 ANNALS OF LXXK — 1819.
of tlie early settlers, named Wi!lis, owned lands hereabout, but
the hill does not appear to have been called by bis name.
[Isaiah Newhall, a shoemaker, who lived on Federal street,
made in three consecutive days, fifty one pairs of ladies' spring
heel shoes. The price of making, was thirty-three cents per
pair.]_
This year the Nahant Hotel was built, by Hon. Thomas H.
Perkins and Hon. Edward H. Robbins, at an expense of about
sixty thousand dollars,
That singular marine animal, called the Sea-serpent, first made
his appearance in the waters of Lynn tbis year. It was alleged
that it had been seen in Augnst, 1817 and 1818, in Gloucester
harbor. On the 13th and 14th days of August, this year, many
hundred persons were collected on Lynn Beach, by a report
that it was to be seen. Many depositions have been taken of
its subsequent appearance. It was represented to have been
from 50 to 70 feet in length, as large as a barrel, moving swiftly,
sometimes with its head several feet above the tide. I have not
seen such an animal, but- perhaps it exists ; and it may be one
of the mighty existing relics of a buried world. In 1638, Dr.
John Josselyn tells us of "A Sea Serpent or Snake, that lay
quoiled up, like a cable, upon a Eock at Cape Ann. A boat
passing by, with English aboard and two Indians, they would
have shot the serpent, but the Indians disswaded them, saying
that if he were not killed outright, they would be in danger of
their lives."
[It may be thought that so celebrated a wanderer of the sea
is deserving of a little more extended notice than Mr. Lewis has
afforded. The learned Agassiz says, in a lecture delivered at
Philadelphia, 20 March, 1849, "I have asked myself in connec-
tion with this subject, whether there is not such an animal as
the Sea-serpent. There are many who will doubt the existence
of such a creature until it can be brought under the dissecting
knife ; but it has been seen by so many on whom we may rely,
that it is wrong to doubt any longer. The truth is, however,
that if a naturalist had to sketch the outlines of an Ichthyosau-
rus or Plesiosaurus from the remains we have of them, he would
make a drawing very similar to the Sea-serpent as it has been
described. There is reason to think that the parts are soft and
perishable, but I stili consider it probable that it will be the
good fortune of some person on the coast of Norway or North
America to find a living representative of this type of reptile,
which is thought to have died out."
[The late prominent Boston merchant and worthy gentleman,
Amos Lawrence, under date 26 April 1849, writes, "I have
never had any doubt of the existence of the Sea-serpent since
the morning he was seen oif Nahant by old Marshal Prince,
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AK-NALS OF LTHH — 1819. 383
through his famous mast-head spy-glass. !Por, within the next
two hours, I conversed with Mr. Samuel Cabot, and Mr. Daniel
P. Parker, I think, and one or more persons besides, who had
spent a part of that morning in witnessing its movements. In
addition, Col. Harris, the commander at Fort Independence, told
me that the ereature had been seen by a number of his soldiers
while standing sentry in the early dawn, some time before this
show at Nahant ; and Co!, Harris believed it as firmly as though
the creature were drawn up before ue in State street, where we
then were. I again say, I have never, from that day to this,
had a doubt of the Sea-serpent's existence."
[The Mr, Cabot to whom Mr. Lawrence refers gave a descrip-
tioo of the animal in a letter to Col. T. H. Perkins, dated 19
August, 1819, from which the following is extracted:
I got into my chaise [at Nahant] about seven o'clock in the morning, to
come to Boston, and on reaching the Long Beach, observed a number of
people collected there, and eeveraf boats poshing off and in the offing. I waa
speculating on what should have occasioned bo great an assemblage there
■without any apparent object, aniil finally had concluded that tbey were some
Lynn people who were embarking in those boats on a piaty of pleasure to
Egg Rock or some other point. Inad not heard of the Sea-serpent as being
in that neighborhood, and I had not lately paid much atceution to the evidences
which had been given of its existence ; the idea of thia animal did not enter
my mind at the moment. As my curiosity was directed towai-d the boats, to
ascertain the courae they were taking, my attention was suddenly arrested hy
an object emerging from the water at the distance of ahoutonehundi'edorone
hundred and fitly yards, which gave to my ttund, at the first glance, theidea
of a horse's head. As my eye ranged along, I perceived, at a short distance,
eight or ten regulai- bunches or protuberances, and, at a short interval, three
or four more. I was now satisfied that the Sea-serpent was before me, and,
after the fii-st moment of excitement produced by the unexpected sight of so
strange a monster, taxed myself to investigate his appearance as accurately as
I could. My first object was the head, which I satisfied myself was serpent
shaped. It waa elevated about two feet from the water, and he depressed it
.radually, to within six or eight inches as he moved along. I could always
see under his chin, which appeared to hollow underneath, or to curve down-
ward. His motion was at Ibat time very slow along the beach, inclining
toward the shore. He at first moved his head from side to side, as if to look
about him. I did not see his eyes, though I have no doubt 1 could have seen
them if I had thought to attend to this. His bunches appeared to me not alto-
gether unifoi-m in size ; and as he moved along, some appeared to be depiessed,
and others brought above the surface, tliough 1 could not perceive any motion
in them. My next object was to ascertain his length. For this purpose, I
directed my eye to several whale-boats at about the same distance, one of
which was beyond him, and, by comparmg the relative length, I cfdculated
that the distance from the animal's head to the last protuberance I had noticed
would be equal to about five of those boats. I felt persuaded by this examina-
tion that he could not be less than eighty feet lou^. As he approached the
shore and came between me and a point of land which projects from the end
of the beach, I had another meaua of aatiafying myself OEi ihm point. After I
had viewed him thus attentively for about four or five minutes, he sank gradu-
ally into the water and diaappeared. He afterward again made hia appear-
ance for a moment at a shoxl distance. . . . After remiiining some two or
tiiree hours on the beach, without again aeeing him, I returned toward Nahant,
db, Google
384 AKNALS OP LYNN — 1819.
and, in crossing the Small Beach, had another good view of bim for a lonffer
time, but at a greater distance. At this time he moved more rapidly, causing
a white foam under the chin, and a long wake, and his protuberanceB had a
more uniforai appearance. At this time he must have been seen by two or
three hundred persons on the beach and on heights each side, some of whom
were very favorably situated to observe him.
[James Prince, Esq., Marshal of the District, to ivhom Mr.
Lawrence also refers, writes as follows to Hon. Judge Davis,
under date 16 August :
My Dear Sir: — I presume I may have seen what is generally thought to
be the Sea-serpe^L I' have also seen my name inserted in the evening news-
raper pnnled at Boston on Saturday, in a communication on this subject.
For your gratification, and from a desire that my name may not sanction any
thing beyond what was actually presented and passed in review before me, I
will now state that which, in the presence of more than two hundred other
witnesses, took place near the Long Beach of Nabant, on Saturday morning
Intending to pass two or three days with my femily at Nahant, we left Bos-
ton early on Saturday morning. On passing the Halfway House on the Salem
turapike, Mr. Smith informed its the Sea-serpeUt had been seen tbe evening
before at Nahant beach, and that a vast number of people from Lynn had gone
to the beach that morniiy; in hopes of being gratified with a sight of him ; this
was confirmed at the Hotel. I was giad to find I had brought my famous
mast-head spy-glass with me, as it would enable me, ft-om its form and size,
to view him to advantage, if I might be so fortunate as to see bim. On our
aiTiral on the beach, we associated with a considei'able collection of persons
on foot and in chaises ; and very soon an animal of the fish kind made hia
appearance . . .
His head appeared about three feet out of water; I counted thirteen bunches
on his back; my family thought there were fifteen. He passed three times at
a moderate rate across the bay, but so fleet as to occasion a foam in tbe water ;
and my family and self, who wei-e in a carriage, judged that he was from fifty
to not more than sixty feet in length. Whether, however, the wake might not
add to the appearjince of his length, or whether the undulations of the water
or his peculiar manner of pi-opelling himself might not cause the appearances
of protuberances, I leave for your better judgment. The first view of the
animal occasioned some agitation, and the novelty perhaps prevented that
precise discrimination which aftei;ward took place. As he swam up the bay,
we and the other spectators moved on and kept nearly abreast of him. He
occasionally withdrew himself under water, and the idea occurred to me that
his occasionally raising his head above the level of the water was to take
breath, as the time he kept under was, on an average, about eight) minutes.
. . . Mrs. Prince and the coachman having iietler eyes than myself, were of
great assistance to me in miarking the progress of the animal; they would eay,
"He is now turning," and by the aid of my glass I saw him diatinctiy in this
movement. He did not turn without occupying some space, and, taking into
view the time and tbe space which he found necessary for his ease and accom-
modation, I adopted it as a criterion to form some judgment of his length. I
had seven distinct views of him from the Long Beach, so called, and at some
of them the animal was not more than a hundred yards distant. After
being on the Long Beach with other spectators about an hour, the animal dis-
appeaj'ed, and I proceeded on towai'ds Nahant; but on passing the i^econd
beach, 1 met Mr. James Magee, of Boston, vvith several ladies, in a carriage,
prompted by curiosity to endeavor to see the animal; and we were again
gratified beyond even what we saw in the other bay, which I concluded ho
had lefl in consequence of the number of boats in the offing in pursuit of him,
db, Google
ANNALS OP LYNN — 1819. iSb
the noise of whose oars must have disturbed him, as he appeared to us to be a
hniinless, timid nnimal. We liad here more tliau a dozen different views of
him, aud each similar to the other; one, however, so near, that the coachman
exclaimed, "O, see his glistening eye!" . . . Certain it is, he is a very strange
aniuial.
[Among the papers left by the late Benjamin F. Newhall, of
Saugus — than whom no man in the community stood higher
for truthfulness — I find an interesting account of what he wit-
nessed of the seeming gambols of the monster, who appeared
to him also to be a timid animal. As he approached the shore,
at about nine A. M., saya Mr. N., he raised his head apparently
about six feet, and moved very rapidly ; " I could see the white
spray each side of his neck, as he ploughed through the water."
He came so near as to startle many of the 'spectators, and then
suddenly retreated. " As he turned' short, the snake-like form
became apparent, bending like an eel. I could see plainly what
appeared to be from fifty to seventy feet in length. Behind his
head appeared a succession of bunches, or humps, upon his
back, which the sun caused to glisten like glass."
[And, lastly, the writer well remembers traveling down to the
Beach, with other barefoot urchins, on the memorable day, bnt
arrived too late — the serpent had gone and the multitude were
dispersing. Boastful boys declared that they could have thrown
stones beyond him as he ranged about there in the morning.
[The following is copied as a fair specimen of the pictorial
representations of the Sea-serpent ivhich were given at the
time. I do not find, however, in the written descriptions, that
he was in the habit of carrying bia tail in that style. And con-
sidering the use that serpents in general put that appendage to,
it would seem improb'ibl'' that if he belonged to the tribe he
would have djiel t ntbtninp ch amci like a
ship carrying he ud ler above vi er
[A small wo k somewlat oH style but evide tly the pro-
duction of a [e so of ntell gence a d ngen tv waa p blished
at Cambridge, in 1849, undei the title, AEomance of the Sea-
serpent, or the Ichthyosaurus." It contains, in the Notes and
Appendix, divers interesting matters relating to aea monsters.
Two editions were readily disposed of, the author informs me.
[For several years succeeding this alleged visit of the Sea-
G2 25
d by Google
3&6 ANKAL8 OF LYKN — 1820, 1821.
eerpent,acoouiitswerespreadfromtime to time of liia appearance
at different poiots on the coaat. Aud so many false reports were
made for tile transparent purpose of attracting viaitors to the
marine resorts, that doubts increased as to the existence of thia
solitary rover of the deep. Little has been heard of him of late
years. In 1849, however, John Marston, a respectable and
credible resident of Swampscot, appeared before. Waldo Thomp-
son, a justice of the peace, and made oath that as he was walking
over Nahant Beach, on the 3d of August, his attention was sud-
denly arrested by seeing in the water, within two or three
hundred yards of the shore, a singular looking fish, in the form
of a serpent. He had a fair view of him, and at once concluded
that he was the veritable Searserpent. His head was out of
water to the extent of about a foot, and he remained in view
from fifteen to twenty minutes, when he swam off toward King's
Beach. Mr. Marston judged that the animal was from eighty
to a hundred feet in length, at least, and says, " I saw the
■whole body of the serpent ; not his wake, but the fish itself. It
would rise in the water with an undulatory motion, and then all
his body would sink, except his head. Then his body would
rise again. Hie head was above water all the time. This was
about eight o'clock A. M. It was quite calm. I have beeu
constantly engaged in fishing, since my youth, and I have seen
all sorts of fishes, and hundreds of horse-mackerel, but I never
before saw any thing like this."]
1820.
On the 14th of February, two barns, belonging to Mr. Joseph
Breed, in Summer street, were burnt by the carelessness of a
boy. The people by a subscription, built him a good barn
immediately, which they stocked with hay,
[India rubber over-shoes first made their appearance about
this time. They were made much thicker and heavier than at
present. Pattens, clogs, and goloeshoes were in use for keep-
ing the feet dry, before rubbers were known; but they all, to
some extent, failed of their purpose.
[There were six tanneries in Lynn, this year. But before
1833 they were all discontinued, as leather could be procured
from Philadelphia and other places at such rates as rendered
them unprofitable.]
1821.
On the 25th of January, the thermometer was 17 degrees
below zero.
[There was a violent northeast snow storm, on the 17th of
April, It was so severe as to prevent the assembling of a quo-
rum of the house of representatives, at Boston.]
d by Google
ANNALS OF LYKN — 1822. 387
Rev. Joseph Mottey died on the 9th of July. Ho was born
at Salem, Ma,y 14, 1756, and graduated at Dartmouth, in 1778,
He was ordained over the Lynnfield pariah, September 2i,
1780. He was characterized by extreme senaibiiity, and fond-
ness for retirement. His manners were affable, and his mode
of preaching mild and persuasive. He married Elizabeth Moody
and had four children ; Charles, Blias, Charles Edward, and Eliza.
1822.
A considerable disturbance was thia year occasioned in the
meetings of Friends, in consequence of a portion of that society
having embraced different views. On Sunday, the 17th of Feb-
ruary, one of these essayed to go into the ministers' gallery,
with a sword by his side, which he aaid was an emblem of the
warlike diaposition of those against whom he wished to bear
testimony ; but before be had reached the seat, he was stopped,
and the sword taken away. In the afternoon the disturbance
was renewed, by several persona attempting to enter the high
seats ; and many people having assembled about the houae, the
deputy sheriff was called from the First Parish meeting-house,
who read the riot act in the street. Pour persons were appre-
hended, and after an examination, the next day, before a justice,
were committed to prison, at Salem, where they remained until
the time of their trial, at Ipswich, on the 16th of March. Two
of them were then discharged, and the others were fined. A
report of this trial was published, with a review in a separate
pamphlet.
The first Circulating Library at Lynn was opened this year,
by the author of thia sketch. [This was a very limited collection,
and may have formed the basis of a small circulating library
kept by Charles F. Luramus from 1827 to 1832.
[A singular phenomenon was witnessed at Saugua river, in
March, and ia thus described by the late Benjamin F. Newhall,
of Saugus, who was careful in noting unusual occurrences:
"The ice in the river had just broken up, and the dam at the
bridge was overflowed with a large volume of fresh water. It
was in the evening succeeding a very foggy day, and as dark
as a foggy night with, no moon could poaaibly be. In looking
under the great bridge, where the waters swiftly poured over
the dam, my eyes were greeted with the appearance of balls of
fire, about the size of a largo cannon ball. They made their
appearance as soon as the water broke over the dam, and
seemed to dance and whirl about upon the swiftly rushing tor-
rent for a moment or two, and then disappear, to be succeeded
by others. The light of these apparent balls of Are was so
great that the whole space under the bridge was illuminated to
that extent that all objects were clearly visible. So striking
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388 ANNALa OP LYNN— 1823, 1824
and beautiful waa the phenomenon, tliat I summoned several
persons from the neighborhood to come and witness it. The
balls of fire were continuous that night aa long aa wo had pa-
tience to look at them. There was no appearance of that phos-
phorescent sparkling that ia often seen ahout the bows of a
vessel. There was no light bat what seemed to be balls of fire.
They were not seen at all on the succeeding evening, and have
never been seen since."
The Second Congregational Society [Unitarian] waa incorpo-
rated on the 15th of June; and on the 25th of Xovember, the
corner stone of the first Unit-arian meeting-house was laid with
an address by Kev. Joseph Tuckerman, of Chelsea.
As some workmen were this year digging a collar, in Liberty
street, they found the skeleton of an Indian. It was more than
six feet in length, and the skull was of an uncommon thickness.
Two large clam shells were found buried with it.
1823.
The coldest day this year, was (he 1st of Blarch. The ther-
mometer waa seven degrees below zero.
The Unitarian Meeting-house was dedicated on the 30th of
April. Sermon by Rev, Henry Colman.
On the 5th of May, snow fell, and the ice was a quarter of an
inch thick. Thermometer twenty-nine at sunrise.
A yoiing woman named Sarah Soamea, aged 19 years, living at
Thomas I^ddin's went in to bathe in Saugus river, on the even-
ing of June 15, and was drowned.
[The first Methodist meeting-house in Lynnfield, waa dedi-
cated on the 14th of October.]
1824.
The tide, during great storms, had for many years been
making its encroachments upon Lynn Beach, washing its sands
over into the harbor, and sometimes making deep channels, as
it ran across in rivulets. In compliance with a petition of the
town, the Genera! Court, on the 18th of February, made a grant
of $1,500, to which the town added $1,500 more; and by aid
of this fund, a fence was constructed, abont'half the length of
the beach, to prevent the encroachments of the tide.
On the 6th of May, the ice was a quarter of an inch thick.
Thermometer twenty-seven at sunrise.
On the 21st of June, Eev. Joseph Searl was ordained pastor
of the Congregational society in Lynnfield. He continued his
connection with that parish, till the 17th of September, 1827,
when he removed to Stoneham.
The French General Lafayette, who served in the War of
Independence, this year came to America, and waa received
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ANKALS OP LYNN — 1825, 389
with general gratulation and welcome. He passed through
Lynn on the 31st of Angust, He was received at Saugus
bridge, od the Tnrnpiko, by an escort, consisting of a battalion
■of cavalry, tbe Lynn EiSe Company, Lynn Light Infantry, the
3alem Cadets, aud a large nuraber of ofScors and citizens, by
whom he was conducted to the Lynn Hotel, where an address
was delivered to him by Capt, John White, to which he made
an atfectionate reply. After being introduced to many gentle-
men and ladies, with several revolutiouary soldiers, ho entered
an open barouche, and passed through two lines of tbe children
of the town, who throw flowers into his carriage as he pro-
ceeded. A salute of thirteen guns was fired, on his entrance
into the town; and another of twenty-four, when be departed.
On his way he passed through seven beautiful arches, decorated
with evergreens, flags, and festoons of flowers, and bearing
inscriptions in honor of Lafayette and Freedom. Proceeding
through the principal streets, he was received, at the eastern
boundary of the town, by another escort, and conducted to
Marblehead.
Kev. James Diman Greene was ordained pastor of the Unita-
rian Society, on the 3d of November,
[That very ingenious mechanic, Joseph Dixon, lived in Lynn
at this time. And here he labored on some of those useful
inventions by which he became so widely known. Among
other things he directed bis attention to the application of
steam, and was the originator of combinations that proved the
germs of some of the most gigantic and useful contrivances
through which that mighty agent works at the present day.
The New England Farmer, of 21 February, 1824, thus speaks
of one of his inventions: " We have seen some ingenious ma-
chinery for heating ateam to a high temperature, invented by
Mr. Joseph Dixon, of Lynn, Mass., which promises to prove of
much utility." And a particular description is added.]
1835.
[The Probate Court was first hold at Lynn, on the 4th of Jan-
uary. And sessions were continued here for about thirty years.]
For several days, in April, the moon and stars, with the planet
Venus, were visible for some hours, in tbe middle of the day.
There were no clouds, and the sun shone with a dim light.
On tbe 20th of April, a piece of land adjoining the Quaker
burial ground, in Lynn, was purchased by several individuals
and opened as a free burial ground. This was done because
that society bad refused to permit a child to be buried in their
ground, without a compliance with their regulations.
This year Frederic Tudor, Esq., of Boston, built his beautiful
rustic cottage at Nahant.
G2*
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390 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1826, 1827.
On Thursday, the 23d of Jnne, at the commencement of twi-
light, a remarkable sungush appeared. It proceeded from the
place of sunsetting, and rose perfectly straight and well-defined,
to the height of twenty degrees. Its color was a beautiful
bright red, and its width equal to that of a broad rainbow ; the
clouds around were variegated with the finest colors, and the
pageant continued about fifteen minutes.
[The thermometer rose, 21 July, to 101 degrees in the shade.]
On Saturday, September 3d, the first newspaper printed in
Lynn was published by Charles Frederic Lummus, with the
title of Lynn Weekly Mirror.
A comet was visible in October, on the right of tne Pleiades,
with a train about six degrees in length.
1826.
The coldest day this winter, was February 1, when tho ther-
mometer was sixteen degrees beloW zero.
A schooner, loaded with six hundred bushels of corn, struck
on a rook off the mouth of Saugua river, on the 12th of April,
and sunk.
The festival of St, John, June 24, was celebrated at Lynn, by
Mount Carmel Lodge, and five other lodges of free masons. The
address was delivered by Hon. Caleb Gushing, of Newburyport.
The Lynn Institution for Savings was incorporated on the
20tb of June.
[A temperance meeting was held at the First Methodist meet-
ing-house, on the evening of August 12. A hundred and thirty
members were added to the society, which before numbered
seventy-one. The object of the society was "the suppression
of intemperance and its kindred vices."]
The Quaker meeting-house, in Boston, with the burial ground
adjoining, having been long disused, and few or none of the
society remaining in the city, it ^yas thought best to remove
the bones. The remains of one hundred and nine persons were
taken up and removed to the Quaker burial ground at Lynn,
Mr. Joseph Hussey, who had two sisters buried at Boston, was
unwilling that they should be removed with the rest, and caused
their remains, so dear to his memory, to be deposited in the
cemetery of King's Chapel.
1827.
On the 11th of April, the First Congregational meeting-house
[the Old Tunnel] was removed from the centre of the Common
to the corner of Commercial street. Its form was changed, a
new steeple added, and it was dedicated on the 17th of October.
[It would perhaps be more correct to say that the old house
was demolished and a new one built, in which a portion of the
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1828. 391
old materials were used; the new erection bearing no resem-
blance to the old, either mside or out. The Second Universalist
Society now occupy tbe house.]
On tbe 30tb of April, Mr, Paul Newball was drowned from a
fishing boat, at Swampscot, in attempting to pass within Droad
Ledge. His. body was found, uninjured, thirty-nine days after;
having, it was said, been caused to rise by heavy thunder, which
agitated the water.
On the night of TIairsday, May 10th, a schooner from Kenne-
beck, loaded with hay and wood, was driven by a storm upon
Lynn Beach, and dismasted.
The anniversary of Independence was this year celebrated at
Woodend. In the procession were thirteen misses, dressed in
white, wearing chapJets of roses, representing the thirteen
original states, and eleven younger misses, representing the
new states. They recited a responsive chorus, written for tbe
occasion, and an oration was delivered by the author of this
history.
On Tuesday evening, August 28th, a most beautiful pageant
was displayed in the heavens. During the first part of the
evening, tbe northern lights were uncommonly luminous; and
at half past nine, a broad and brilliant arch was formed, which
spanned the entire heavens, from east to west. No one who
did not behold it, can easily imagine its splendor and sublimity.
[It was like a splendid rainbow, with the exception of tbe pris-
matic colors ; and was so transparent that stars were clearly
discernible through it. It shot up in a stream of white light
from the western horizon and extended to the eastern.]
. On several evenings in September, the northern lights were
exceedingly luminous, sometimes so bright as to cast shadows.
In the month of November were several great and drifting
enow storms, and the weather was colder than bad been known
at that season for many years. It was so cold that it froze a
large water cistern solid, and burst it.
1828.
On the 2d of May, a whale was cast ashore at Whale Beach,
Swampscot, measuring sixty feet in length, and twenty-five
barrels of oil were extracted from it.
An oration was delivered, on the 4th of July, by Eev. James
Diman Green. His connection with the Unitarian Society, was
dissolved, at his request, on the 4th of August.
[The Lynn Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized
this year— Dr. James Gardner, president, and Benjamin Massay,
secretary.]
Flora, a black woman, died on the 1st of October, aged one
hundred and thirteen vears. She was born in Africa, and re-
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392 AHHALS OP LYNN — 1829.
lated many interesting anecdotes of !ier conntry. Her father
was one of the chiefs, and when he died they built a house over
him, as they considered it an indignity to suffer the rain to fall
on his gravo. One day a party of slave dealers came and set
fire to their happy and peaceful village. Her mother was unable
to run so fast as the rest, and as Flora was unwilling to escape
without her, she remained and was taken. She had two hus-
bands and five children in Africa, and three husbands and five
children in America. She was a sensible and purely pious
woman, and was greatly respected.
In a storm, on the 22d of November, a schooner, belonging
to Freeport, was cast upon the Lobster Eocks. The crew, with
a lady passenger, immediately left the vessel, which was found
in the morning, drifted upon Chelsea Boach.
The Lynn Lyceum was established, 23 December.
1829.
One of the most beautiful appearances of nature was presented
on the morning of Saturday, the 10th of January. A heavy
mist had fallen on the preceding evening, and when the snn
rose, the whole expanse of hill and plain displayed the most
enchanting and dazzling prospect of glittering frost. The tall
and branching trees were bent, by the weight of ice, into grace-
ful arches, and resembled magnificent chandeliers, glittering
with burnished silver. As far as the eye could reach, all was
one resplendent surface of polished ice; and in some places,
the trees which stood in colonnades, were bent till their tops
touched together, and formed long arcades of crystal, decorated
with brilliant pearls, and sparkling with diamonds. But the
scene in the open village, although so highly beautiful was far
exceeded by the magnificent lustre of the woods. The majes-
tic hemlocks bent their heavy branches to the ground, loaded as
with a weight of gold, and formed delightful bowers, sparkling
with gems, and illuminated with colored light. The evergreen
cedars were covered with crystal gold, and glowed with emeralds
of the deepest green. The silver tops of the graceful birches
crossed each other, like the gothic arches of some splendid
temple; while the slender shafts, and the glittering rocks, re-
sembled columns, and altars, and thrones; and the precipitous
cliffs iooked down, like towers and battlements of silver; and
far above all, the tall pines glittered in the frosty air, like the
spires of a thousand cathedrals, overlaid with transparent gold,
and burnished by the cloudless sun. This beautiful and sur-
prising exhibition continued undisturbed for two whole days.
On the third morning, the warm fingers of Aurora found the
frozen chords which upheld the glittering show. They severed
at the touch — and from lofty spire and stately elm, came show-
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ANKALS OF LYKN— 1829. 393
ering gems and pearls, that tinkled as they bounded on the
crystal plain. The ice, which had confined the mighty arms of
aged forest trees, came crashing down, breaking the frosted
shrubs benoath, and sending through the woods a mingled
sound, like falling towers, and the far dash of waters. The
admirer of the works of nature, who, during the continuance of
this beautiful scene, was in the majestic woods, will never forget
their indescribable splendor, or doubt the power and skill of
Him, who, with such slight means as the twilight vapor and the
midnight miat, can form an arch of fire in heaven, or create an
exhibition of glory and grandeur on earth, so far surpassing the
utmost beauty of the works of man.
[On this inepiriag occasion Mr. Lewis produced the poem
which has generally been considered the most beautiful of his
productions. It first appeared, I think, in the Token, one of
those elegant gift volumes so fashionable at this period. And
surely if he had never written any thing else, this would have
been sufficient to seal him as a poet. Its insertion here seems
appropriate :]
THE FROSTED TREES.
f 10, 1829.
What sti-ange enchantment meets my view,
So wondrous bright and fair?
Has heaven poured out its ^ver dew
On the rejoicing tar?
Or am I boine to regions new,
To see the glories there ?
Xiast eve, when sunset filled the sky
With wreaths of golden light.
The trees sent up their arms on high,
All leafless to the sight,
And sleepy mists came down to lie
On the dark breast of night.
But now the scene is changed, and all
Is fancifiiUy new ;
The U'ees, last eve so straight and tall.
Are bending on the view,
And streams of living daylight fall
The silvery arches through.
The bongha are strung with glittering pearb,
As dew-drops bright and bland;
And thei-e they gleam in silvery curls.
Like gems of Samarcand ;
Seeming in bright and dazzling whirls,
The work of seraph's hand.
As if some viewless angel sate
Upon its gracefiil curve.
Causing its heart to glow elate,
And strain each secret nerve.
db, Google
394 AHNALS OP LYHN — 1829.
It seems as if some robe of God
Had been spread out below ;
As if His tiand had sU'ctclied abroad,
Where midDight breezes go:
To make the mind of nature awed
With His most glorious show.
In the snow storm on the 6th of February, a woman perished
on Parrington's Hill, on the Turnpike, one mile eastward of the
Lynn Hotel, Another great storm commenced on the 20th,
when several vessels belonging to Swampacot, were driven out
to sea. One of them remaineti five days, and went on shore at
Chatbara, where the crew were much frozen.
On the night of the 5th of March, a schooner, loaded with
coffee, struck on Shag Rocks, on the south aide of Nahant, and
was dashed entirely to pieces. No traces of the crew wore
found, and it is probable that they all perished.
Great excitement was occasioned this year in Lynn, as it had
been in many other towns and cities for some years previous,
on the subject of Freemasonry. On the 1st of April, Mr. Jacob
Allen, of Braintree, gave an exhibition of some of the alleged
mysteries of that institution, at Liberty Hall, corner of Essex
and Market streets; and on the 6th, the inhabitants, in town
meeting, voted, that they regarded Freemasonry "as a great
moral evil," and its existence "as being dangerous to all free
governments," and gave Mr. Allen the use of the Town Hall to
continue his exhibitions. [The nature and tendency of the
oaths taken on admission to the different masonic degrees were
soon vehemently discussed in the community at large, and the
principles of the institution and its value freely canvassed^' it
being generally conceded that the veil had been rent from its
privacy. Anti-masonry presently formed an active element in
politics, and its inHuence began seriously to be felt. We had
here an anti-masonic newspaper — the Lynn Record — and in
other places similar journals, conducted with zeal and ability,
sprang np. In Lynn, for several years, the anti-masonic party
were iii complete ascendancy, and managed things as they
thought best. The battle against the institution continued to
rage till in some states extra-judicial oaths were prohibited
under severe penalties. Many lodges surrendered their charters,
and then the excitement began to decline. Soon after, how-
ever, other secret societies — the Odd Fellows' for instance —
claiming to be free from the objectionable features of Free-
masonry, were established. And, finally, after a disturbed sleep
of about twenty years, the ancient institution began to arouse
and assert itself with renewed vigor.]
Eev. David Hatch Barlow was ordained minister of the Uni-
tarian Society, on the 9tb of December.
The canker worms, for seven years, have been making great
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la
ANNAL3 OP LTTro~1830. 395
ravages among the fruit trees. Many orchards have borne but
little fruit during that time, and the leaves and blossoms have
been bo thoroughly devoured, that the trees have appeared as
if scorched by fire.
In a very great thunder shower, on the 30th of July, a barn
on Nahant, belonging to Stephen Codman, Esq., was struck by
lightning, and Mr, William Hogan, a carpenter, Was killed.
In September, a .stone beacon, twenty feet in height, was
erected on the outer cliff of DreadlLedge, by order of the United
States government, at an expense of one thousand dollars. It
was thrown down by a storm, on the 31st of October.
The first complete Map of Lynn was made this year, from a
particular survey, by Alonzo Lewis. [And the first numbers
of the first edition of Mr. Lewis's history were published.
[The manufacture of flannel was commenced at Saugua, this
ear, by Brierly and Whitehead. In a few years it grew to be a
large and profitable busiuess,]
1830.
The publication of the second newspaper, entitled the Lynn
Record, was begun, January 23, by Alonzo Lewis. [Mr. Lewis's
connection with this paper ceased with the sixth number. It
then became the organ of the anti-masonic party, which soon
attained supremacy in municipal aifairs, and held it for several
years. The Record was discontinued in 1841.
[During January, not a single death occurred in the whole
population of 8.000 in Lynn, Lynnflsld, and Sangus.]
One of the highest tides ever known happened on the 26th
of March. It rose about five feet higher than common high
tides, passing entirely over the Long Beach, and making Na-
hant an island. It also flowed over the southern part of Market
street, and passing up the mill brook, swept off a quantity of
wood from a house in Bridge street.
On the 12th of July, Mr. Joseph Blaney, aged 52, went out in
a fishing boat at Swampscot, when a shark overset his boat and
killed him. [This shark must have been extremely ferocious.
Mr, Blaney went out into the bay in one of the large Swamps-
cot boats, which he left, and in a small boat rowed away, alone,
to fish. After some hours he was seen to wave his hat for
assistance. Another boat immediately started toward him, and
presently the fish was seen to slide ofl", Mr, Blaney still remain-
iiig in his boat. But the shark renewed the attack, carrying
down the boat, before the other could arrive. It came to the
surface bottom up, and the unfortunate man was no more seen,]
The meeting-house of the Third Methodist Society, built this
year, in South street, was dedicated on the 3d of August, The
first minister was Rev. Rufus Spaulding.
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396 ANSALS OP LYNN — 1831.
A great tempest of .rain and wind, on the 26th of Augast,
occasioned very great damage to the corn and fruit trees.
Donald MacDonald, a native of Inverness, in Scotland, died
in the Lynn almshouse, on the 4th of October, aged 108 years.
He was in the battle of Quebec, when Wolfe fell, and was one
of the few whom Washington conducted from the forest of
blood when Bi-addock was killed by the IndiaEs,
Vegetation this year was abundant ; English hay was eight
dollars a ton ; and more apples were gathered than in all the
seven previous years.
Another great storm tide, on the 29th of November, came in
high and furious, doing great damage to the Long Beach, by
sweeping down the ridge and throwing it into the harbor.
On Wednesday, 'December 1st, there were two shocks of an
earthquake, about eight o'clock in the evening.
On the morning of the 4th, half an hour after midnight, a
meteor, exceedingly brilliant, passed south of the moon, which
was then shiningnear the meridian.
The northern lights made an uncommonly rich display on the
evening of the 11th, assuming the most fanciful forms, changing
into the appearance of tall spires, towera, arches, and warriors
armed witli long spears.
1831.
Dr. Aaron Lummus died on the 5th of January, aged 74. Ho
resided in Lynn nearly fifty years, and v/as one of the moat
popular physicians in the town. He married Eunice CofSn, in
1786. In 1823 and 1824, he was a senator of Esses county.
[Dr. Lummus had seven sons and throe daughters, viz: Clarissa,
Hannah, John, Aaron, Edward A., George, Elizabeth C, Samuel,
Charles F., and Thomas J.
[The Essex Democrat, the third Lynn newspaper, was com-
menced this year, by Benjamin Mudge. It was published a
year or two, aud then the materials were moved to Salem and
used on the Commercial Advertiser.]
A great storm commenced on the 15th of January, in which
a schooner, belonging to Stephen Smith, was torn from her
fastenings at his wharf, and dashed to pieces against the em-
bankment on Deer Island, throwing down about sixty feet of
the new granite wall, recently built by the United States gov-
ernment.
In August, the sun and the atmosphere, for many days, pre-
sented a smoky appearance, of a greenish blue color. The same
phenomenon was noticed by M. Arago, the French astronomer,,
at Paris. [It was also observed in other parts of Europe, It
was not damp, like fog, and was entirely wanting in some of the
properties of smoke. In some places it was at times so lumin-
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ANHAIS OF LTKN~1832. 397
OU9 that people were able to read "by it, at midnight. I remem-
ber it very well, and bow much it was remarked and speculated
upon here at Lynn. Some time after it had disappeared, an em-
inent astronomer of Europe thought he had discovered sufficient
evidence to determine that the earth was then enveloped in the
tail of a comet. And such an occurrence has now ceased to he
alarming, as it is well ascertained to have taken place at other
times. The tail of the great comet which appeared in our
heavens with such startling suddennessj in 1861, is known to
have been in actual contact with the earth, three days before
it became visible. See under date 1861.]
On the evening of the 26th of August, the moon rose about
fifteen minutes before nine ; and half an hour after, there was a
shower in the northwest, and on the cloud a perfect and beau-
tiful lunar rainbow was depicted, of a yellowish color.
This year the small-pox made its appearance in Chesnut
street, Woodend. The infected were proroptly removed, and
the disease soon disappeared. One death occurred.
Another beacon was erected on Dread Ledge, at Swampscot —
an obelisk of granite, twenty-five feet in height, and three feet
square at the base.
On the 22d of November there was a singularly mingled
tempest, very violent, for an hour in the morning, with rain,
hail, snow, thunder and lightning, a strong east wind, and a
high tide. The lightning struck at Breed's End, and a vessel
went ashore on Phillips's Beach, and another on Nahant Beach.
Dr. James Gardner died 26 December, aged 69 years. He
was born at Woburn, in 1762, entered the army of the Eevolu-
tion at an early age, and on the return of peace devoted himself
to study, and graduated at Harvard, in 1788. He came to Lynn
in 1792, and commenced the practice of medicine. The next
year he married Susanna, daughter of Dr. John Flagg. He
was a skillful and popular physician, and possessed the manners
of a gentleman. [His residence was on the south side of Bos-
ton street, near Bridge ; and he was the father of a very respect-
able family.]
This year Mr. John Alley enclosed about twenty acres of
water, by a dam from his wharf to the marsh, [near the foot of
Pleasant street,] thus making a pond, on which be built a grist
miJl, and afterward a fulling mill.
On the last of December, the thermometer was eleven degrees
below zero.
1832.
[Col. James !Robinson died on Saturday, 21 January, aged
75. He was the first postmaster of Lynn — appointed in 1795 —
and for many years a most useful citizen. For a long time he
H2
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398 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1832.
resided in the ancient manaion, still statiding oq tlie nortlieast
corner of Boston and Federal streets. And in a little Rhop near
by, the post-office was kept. He was father of a large and
res-pectable family. After marrying his second wife, he removed
to Boston and there lived for a number of years. The latter
part of his life was passed in reduced circumstances, and mental
obscurity. He was a soldier of the Eevohition, and in his last
years received comforts from a small pension. His first wife
was a daughter of James NewhaU, known as 'Squire Jim, and
his children by her w«re, James, Lydia, Abigail, John, Harriet,
Lois, Janet, George, Charles, Horatio.
[The Weekly Messenger, the fourth newspaper established
in Lynn, was commenced April 14, by James E. Newhall. It
was published on Saturdays, and was as large and well printed
aa any newspaper ever printed in Lynn, up to that period. The
publishing business was not then profitable here; nor was it
for many years after, if, indeed, it has ever been. It is a kind
of business that naturally concentrates in the larger cities; and
Lynn is too near Boston to afford any great encouragement to
printers.]
The Lynn Anti-Slavery society was formed on the 25th of
April.
Eov. Otis Eockwood was dismissed from the pastoral charge
of the First Congregational Church, on the 12th of May. Eev.
David Peabody was ordained pastor of the same church on the
15th of November.
[The Lynn Mechanics Fire and Marine Insurance Company
was incorporated this year. Also Nahant Bank, which failed in
1836.
[Eight and a half inches of rain fell in May, and the summer
was cold,]
The Tuscan Chapel at Nahant was erected by subscriptions
made by gentlemen of Boston. Religious services are held in
it during the warm and visiting season.
[The first meeting for the preaching of Mormonism, in Lynn,
was held in the summer of this year. And for -the space of ten
years afterward, eiders of the faith continued to visit here and
hold meetings at intervals. About a dozen converts were made.
Several emigrated to Nauvoo, and thence, when the Latter Day
Saints, as they styled themselves, were driven from Illinois,
journeyed to the Salt Lake. Two or three finally returned,
having renounced the faith ; and one of them, a female, piit
forth a book exposing the errors and evil practices of the Saints.
Baptism by immersion was administered to a small body of con-
verts, by an eider named Freeman Nicfcerson, near the foot of
Market street, in 1841,]
A Whaling Company was formed, and five sijps employed,
d by Google
ANKALS OP LTKN — 1832. 399
tbree of which were built at Lynn. They harbored in Sangua
river, but on the crossing of tha rail-road, in 1838, they were
removed to Boston. [None of the whale ships were built at
Lynn. A ship yard was established in the western part of the
town, about this time, but no vessel larger than a schooner was
built there.
[This year the great Nullification ferment in South Carolina
occurred. Many entertained serious apprehension that it would
result in a dissolution of the Union. Indeed the fiery southern
sentiment seemed rapidly ripening into a gigantic rebellion.
But the energy and unswerving patriotism of General Jackson,
who was happily then in the presidential chair, in all human
probability saved the country from great disasters. The stern
and uncompromising proclamation which he issued on what
appeared to he the eve of a terrific political storm, created a
profound sensation, and was enthusiastically applauded in every
loyal quarter of the Union, The excited southerners at once
saw the danger of precipitancy, and discreetly abstained from
overt acts. And the danger passed away in harmless dischages
of oratory. On the evening of the 25th of December, soon
after the reception of the proclamation at Lynn, a meeting of
the citizens was held in the Town Hal!, composed of the adhe-
rents of all parties — of Anti-masons, Democrats, and National
Eepublicans — -at which the following preamble and resolutions
isly :
At a time of imprecedeiited prosperity in agriculture, c^,
fiictui-es, in our happy Union, and this Union purcliaaed with a great ti ,
and cemented with the blood and tears of orir pi-ogenitors, and hallowed by
our own devout prayers, aspirations, and laboi-a, we, the citizens of Lynn,
learn with sorrow that oui" sister State, South Carolina, once so patriotic, has
assumed false principles, and, pretending peace, made warlike preparations
to dissolve the Union so dear to the people in most portions of the nation.
We cannot consent to the proposition, in fact we do not believe, that any State
of the twenty-four States now solemnly united, can withdraw her allegiance
to the United States, whenever she may please, or dictate to the Congi*ess of
the United States the lavps which should be enacted or repealed, any further
than the weight of the representatives of such State may prevail in the acts
and deliberations of that body.
But since the acts of the State of South Carolina have undertaken to decide
the constitutjonaliiy of the laws of Congress, and iipon the same principle all
other laws of the TJnited States, when such decision is wholly confided to, and
intrusted in, the Supreme Judicial Court of the Union, by the United States
constitution, to which every citizen of the twenty-four United States owes
absolute and unqualified allegiance, and since such principles of Nullification
and misrule prevail by a majority of the citizens of one State, and are openly
approbated, and not i-eprobated, by some other States, we are alarmed for the
safety of the Union, and our own, and in common, for the liberties of the
It is with satisfaction that we have read the Proclamation of the President
of the United States denouncing the ti'easonable designs and acts of the Con-
vention and Legislature of the State of South Carolina. Tiiia Proclamation is
db, Google
replete with true sentiments upon the construction of the Federal Constitution,
of the power and duty of the President, and of the Supreme .Tiidlcial Court
of the Union ; which sentiments we, in common with our brethren of this State,
faaTO been educated, from the cradle to the present time, to cherish and love ;
and we will never abandon tliem. Therefore,
Resolted, That we abhor and denounce the doctrine of South Carolina
Nullification, and the awkward and unnatural attitude inwbicU she has placed-
herself before the Union and the world.
Resolved, That we approve of the sentiroents and principles spead before
tiie public by the President in his lata able Proclamation, and believe it to be
the duty of all good cilisiens to support such sentiments and pi-inciples to the
hazard of life and property.
Resolved, That in all cases in which the construction of the federal Con-
stitution is drawn in question, the Supreme Judicial Court of the United States
is the sole interpreter.
Rbboivbd, That no individual State or any individual of any State has a
right to declare void or nullify a single act of the Confrress of the United
States; and that the several States, and each and every citizen in them, owe
allegiance to the United States, which cannot be dissolved excepting by a
majority of the voices of the people of the whole United States, constitution-
ally and legally expressed. And, further, '
Resoived, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be signed
by the chairman and secretary, and ti-ansmitled to the President of thp United
States.]
1833.
On the 16th of January, Mr. David Taylor's shoe manufactory,
corner of Ash and Elm streets was burnt, with a large amount
of stock.
On the 2d of Fsbruary, Rev. David H. Barlow relinquished
the care of the Unitarian Society; and Rev. Samuel D. Robbins
was ordained pastor of the same church on the 13th of No-
vember.
On the 14th of February, the new Baptist meeting-house on
the north side of the Common was dedicated.
[The First Universalist Society was organized, 25 March, in
the Town Hall.
[President Jackson visited Lynn, 26 June. The old hero
was warmly greeted ; but the day was stormy, and his stay was
short.]
One of the most remarkable phenomena ever witnessed in
New England, was a shower of meteors. It commenced soon
after three o'clock, on the morning of Wednesday, the 13th of
November, and continued until day. There were many thou-
eanda, which fell in all directions, like flakes of snow. Most of
them were small, but some appeared as large as seven stars com-
bined in one. The meteors seemed to proceed chiefly from a
point about fifteen degrees southeast of the zenith, and the
display was noticed in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
[Friction matches came into use about this time. And they
soon supplanted the old tinder-box, with its flint and steel.
[Anthracite coal, also began to be used here, in small quan-
d by Google
ANNALS OP LYNN — 1834, 1835. 401
titles. But it grew in favor slowly, and sorely tried the pa-
tience of its friends. It required such different treatment, in
burning, from any kind of fuel before used, that it seemed as if
some people never conld become habituated to it,
[Metal pens, likewise, came into use at this time ; but the old
goose quill long continued in favor with many. The writing
paper of that time was not well adapted to the new pen, a hard-
er and smoother surface being required; the want, however,
was soon supplied, and then the metal pen became more gen-
erally popular,]
1834.
On the 28th of May, several persons destroyed the curious
cave in the Dungeon Rock, under the imagination that they
might obtain a treasure. They placed a keg of powder in tha
cave, which, on its explosion, blew out the lower portion of the
rock, causing the great mass above to fall, and thus destroying
the cavern. This is the third time that curious and wonderful
caves in Lj'nn have been destroyed by wantonness. If is much
to be regretted that this rage for deatrnctiveness cannot cease.
Such persons ought to be confined as destroyers of God's beau-
tiful works.
On the 31st of July, Mr. Durant, aeronaut, ascended in a bal-
loon, from Boston, passed over Nabant, and descended into the
water, from which, in about fifteen minutes, he was taken up by
a schooner.
On the 12th of August, Mr, John Mudge's barn, in Shepard
street, was burnt by lightning.
[The anti-masonic sentiment, growing out of the alleged rev-
elations regarding the evil tendency of freemasonry prevailed
50 extensively that in December the meetings of Mount Carmel
Lodge were discontinued. But they were resumed in 1845.]
1 8 3 .5 .
On the 22d of April, Rev. David Peabody resigned the pas-
toral charge of the First Congregational Church.
[In the early part of the summer of this year, George Thomp-
son, a prominent English abolitionist, visited Lynn and lectured
in several of the meeting-houses, to large audiences, on the
subject of slavery. In the latter part of the summer he again
came to Lynn, to attend a meeting of the Essex County Anti-
Slavery Society, held in the First Methodist meeting-honsc.
Some opposition was now manifested by the opponents of the
anti-slavery movement. In the evening, while Mr. Thompson
was lecturing, a great crowd collected about the meeting-house,
and a stone was hurled through one of the windows, causing
great disturbance within. A large number pressed into the
H2* 26
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402 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1836.
entry and attempted to burst in the inner doors, which had
been closed. During the tumult Mr. Thompson ended his dis-
course, and passed out, nnohaerved by the crowd. He was
presently surrounded by a guard of ladies, and conducted to a
neighboring house, whence he departed, privately, to hie tempo-
rary residence, at Swampscot.]
A comet appeared, in the constellation of Ursa Major, on the
9th of October, and continued in view about two weeks.
On the 4th of November, Hezekiah Chase's mill, at the mouth
of Strawberry bi-ook, was burnt.
The Christian Church, in Silsbe street, was organized on the
5th of November. The fir«t minister was Rev, Philemon E.
Uussel], who preached there about five years.
On Tuesday evening, November 17, the northern lights were
very lustrous, and presented the singular appearance of a splen-
did illuminated crown in the zenith.
On the loth of December, the First Universalist Meeting-
house, in Union street, was dedicated.
The 16th of December was the coldest day of the season, the
thermometer being fourteen degrees below zero.
On the evening of the 17th of December, Mr. Rufus Newhall's
barn, in Essex street, was burnt.
On the 28th of December, Ijieutenant Robert E. Mudge, of
Lynn, aged 26 years, %vaB killed by the Seminole Indians, near
Withlacoochie. in Florida, three persona only escaping in a com-
pany of a hundred and eight.
[There were one hundred families reckoned as belonging to
the Society of Friends, in Lynn, this year.]
1836.
This year a second attempt was made to form an Episcopal
Church in Lynn. It was commenced on the 7th of January, by
three persons, under the name of Christ Church. On the 5th
of November, a handsome rustic edifice, with diamond windows,
and four Tuscan columns, was erected on the north side of the
Common. [And this was the first Episcopal Church built in
Lynn.] Eev. Milton Ward was the first minister.
The Second Universalist Society was organized on the 9th
of March. Their first minister was Rev. Dunbar B. Harris.
[The act establishing the fire department nf Lynn was passed
March 23, and accepted by the town April 18.]
Tho winter was very long and cold; snow began on the 23d
of November, and sleighing continued Until the 15th of March —
sixteen weeks. [There was a frost in every month, and remark-
able spots appeared on the sun.]
Eev. Parsons Cooke was instated pastor of the First Con-
gregational Church on the 4th of May.
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ANHALS OF LTNK — 1837. 403
[The first post-office in Lynnfield was established 25 May,
in the south village.]
This year Henry A. Breed, Esq., built a large brick factory on
Water Ilill, for calico printing and dyeing. He dug a new pond,
comprising about an acre, for a reservoir. He also laid out sev-
eral new streets, and built nearly four hundred convenient cot-
tages, and other buildings, and a wharf.
[The Trinitarian Congregational Society, at Saugus centre,
built their stone meeting-honse, at a cost of |2.800.]
Dr. Richard Hazsltine died on the lOtb of July. He was
born at Concord, N. H., November 28th 1773, married Phebe
Carter in 1799,. and came to Lynn in 1817. [He owned the
beautiful estate od the south side of Essex street, between High
and Pearl streets, and there resided. He was a man of sterling
integrity, dignified manners, and commanding person. He act-
ed to some extent as a civil magistrate, and took much interest
in the common schools.]
On the 23d of September, a young man jumped off the preci-
pice of High Rock, a descent of sixty feet, and, strange to tell,
walked away uninjured.
A fire in Broad street, near Exchange, on the evening of the
18th of October, burnt the stable of Boyaton Viall and the shoe
manufactory of Isaac B. Cobb.
The brig Shamrock, Jortin, of Boston, with a cargo of sugar
and molasses, was wrecked on Long Beach, on the 17th of De-
cember.
[At this time there were but seventeen buildings of brick in
all Lynn, and only six, of any material, above two stories in
height. There were sixty streets, and the dwellings, through-
out the town were valued at an average of $500.]
1837.
On the 15th of January, at two o'clock in the morning, there
was an earthquake.
The now meoting-bouse of the First Congregational Society,
on South Common street, corner of Vine, was dedicated on the
lat of February.
On the 20th of June, the schooner Triton of Waldoborongh,
loaded with wood, was wrecked on Fishing Point, Swarapscot.
[The barn of Hubbard Emerson, Lynnfield, was struck by
lightning, 20 June, and an ox killed.]
On the 21st of June, Lewis A. Lauriat ascended in a balloon
from Chelsea, and lauded in the woods near Lynn Dye House,
Augustus, son of Israel Perkins, aged 14, was drowned on
the 1st of July, while bathing in Alley's mill pond, near the
wharf.
Independence was celebrated near Lover's Leap, by a party
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404 AKNAL8 OP LYNN — 1838.
of ladies and gentlemen of Lynn, Boston and Salem, and several
songa written by the Lynn Bard, were sung. [The "Lynn
Bard " was Mr. Lewis. He adopted the name soon after he be-
gan topobliah poetry.]
The Episcopal Church, on North Common street, was conse-
crated on Thursday, 20 July. Sermon by Bishop Griawold.
[The subject of the manufacture of silk excited much attention
in Lynn and many other places at this time. Great numbers of
white mulberry trees were planted to furnisnh food for the
worms, and high expectations were entertained. Considerable
success attended the experiments; but the matter died away
without important results. A gentleman who took quite an
interest in the business, showed me, within a few uMnths, some
handkerchiefs, which were woven from silk produced by worms
raised by him, and fed on leaves of trees which he planted.
They were of beautiful texture, and handsomely printed at the
silk printing works then in operation here.]
In August, a survey of Lynn Beach and Harbor was made by
Alonzo Lewis, under the direction of Congress; and a plan
submitted for the purpose of erecting a sea wall, the whole
length of the Beach, at an expense of $37,000; but though en-
couragement was given for a grant, yet none was obtained.
[This year the surplus United States revenue was distributed.
The amount received by Lynn was $14,879.00; and it was, by
vote of the town, applied to the payment of the town debt.
Lynnfield' received $1,328.29, and in like manner applied it to
their town debt. Saugus received $3,500.00, and appropriated
it to the building -of a town hall. "Where shall we look for a
parallel case in the history of any nation ? But, judging from the
present and prospective accumuktion of our national debt, cen-
turies will roll away before the United States will be in a condi-
tion to repeat the example.
[There was a frost every month this year, as well aa the
preceding.]
1838.
[The thermometer fell to 18 degrees below zero on the 30th
of January,]
The ladie^ of Lynn held a fair at the Town Hall, on the 4t.h
of July, for benevolent purposes. Francis Maria, [wife of Mr.
Lewis] was principal, and nearly $500 were obtained.
The Eastern Raii-road, passing through Lynn, was opened for
pubHc travel, from Boston to Salem, on the 28th of August.
Before this time, a few stages had accommodated all the eastern
travel; hut now the number of paseengera, to and from Boston,
so rapidly increased, that for the first three months, the average
was three hundred and forty-eight persons each day. The com-
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ANNALS OF LYSN — 1839. 405
pany for effecting this great unA convenient enterprise was in-
corporated on the 14th of April, 1836. [After tlie road was
opened, as above, it was rapidly extended eastward to Port-
land.] It was a magnificent project, happily accompHahed, and
it may be regarded not merely as a civil convenience, but as a
work of great moral' influence, tending to break down the barri-
ers of sectional prejudice, and to promote feelings of benevo-
lence and refinement, by bringing many persons of both sexes
into habits of social and daily intercourse. [In relation to what
Mr. Lewis says above regarding the travel by stage, before the
rail-road was opened, it may be stated that in 1836, twenty-three
stages left Lynn Hotel for Boston, daily, and there were like-
wise numerous extras. They belonged to the great eastern and
the Salem lines. Oftentimes they were well filled on their arri-
val at Lyon, and the cry " stage full," fell upon the ear of the
hurrying man of business in a way any thing but pleasant. A
great many, however, drove to Boston in their own vehicles.
And there were numerous fast horses about town.]
On the 28th of September, two brakemen a Mr. Tyler and a
Mr, Baker, who "were standing upon the top of a ear, were
instantly killed, by being struck against the overhead framework
of the little bridge near the West Lynn depot.
[Edward Franker this year bought the water privilege and
other property of the Sow England Wool Company, at SauguB,
and commenced the manufacture of flaonel. Id 1846 he in-
creased the power by raising the dam two feet, and greatly
enlarged his business, which proved lucrative and added much
to the prosperity of the place. In 1860, he bnilt a fine large
mill to be run by steam power. His mills, together with that
of Mr. Scott, are picturesquely situated io the vicinity of the
site of the old Iron Works, a location well adapted to manu-
facturing purposes.]
The Lymi Freeman newspaper was commenced on the 10th of
November — David Taylor and Charles Coolidge, proprietors.
1839.
On the 27th day of May, died, Francis Maria, wife of Alonzo
Lewis — a woman amiable, talented, virtuous and greatly be-
loved. Her funeral was attended by perhaps as great a number
of persona as were ever present at the interment of any lady in
Lynn, to whom her active benevolence, and her worth as a
teacher, had greatly endeared her.
Amid the attention which is given to the various concerns of
humanity, surely one page may be spared as a tribute to the
excellence of Woman. In the course of history, the virtues and
the worth of Man are delineated in all the features of strong and
admirable portraiture; but Woman — the inspiration of exist-
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406 AHHALS OF LYNN — 1839.
ence, the soul of humanity, without whom the world would be
but a resplendent desert, and life itself a. burden to its lordly
and lonely possessor — Woman ia overlooked with indifference,
as if she were not entitled even to a small share in the record
of human events. When a man is consigned to the tomb of his
fathers, his worth is recorded on monuments of marble, and hia
virtues illuminate the page of history ; but the grave of woman
is passed in silence and neglect. She who is the mother of man,
the wife of his bosom, the daughter of his affection — she who
haa shared all hia dangers and encouraged his footsteps up the
steep ascent of fame — she who in the hour of sickness haa
been his comforter, in the day of adversity his support, and in
the time of trial his guardian angel — generous, virtuous, unas-
suming woman— is permitted to go to her everlasting sleep,
with no mention of her name, no record of her virtues. Poetry
indeed has extolled her, but even poetry has praised her but
half. It has represented her chiefly as a thing of beauty, an
object of youthful admiration, a creature of light and fancy, fnll
of fascination and the blandishments of love. Poetry and ro-
mance follow her iu the sunny days of youth- and beauty; but
when the time of her maturity and usefulness arrives, they
abandon her for other pursuits, and leave her alone to encounter
the trials, and sickness, and sorrows of home. It is there, in the
unobserved paths of domestic life, that the value of woman is to
be estimated. There may be found unwavering faith, untiring
affection, hope that endures ail afflictions, and love that bears all
trials. There may be found the smile of unfailing friendship,
mantling over a breaking heart — the unobtrusive tear of sym-
Eathy, falling in the silence of solitude. There may be found a
eing, like a spirit from another world, watching through the
long dark hours of night, over the form of manhood, prostrate
and wasting by slow consuming sickness, and performing all the
numerous duties, and encountering aiJ the innumerable trials of
common life, with the enduring patience of years, and with no
reward but the satisfaction of her own secret heart. Man per-
forms the public toils of life, and participates the honors of the
world and the recompense of fame ; but woman, who has formed
man for his high destiny, and whose virtues and amiable quali-
ties constitute the refinement of society, has no share in such
rewards. But history cannot do justice to her merits; she
must be satisfied with the living admiration of her excellence
on earth, and the everlasting remuneration of her virtues in
heaven.
[Louisa Jane a young daughter of Samuel Stearns, keeper of
the rail-road depot on Central Square, in August, 1837, drank
Bome potash, in a tumbler of water, which had been prepared
for cleaning purposes. It destroyed the inner coating of her
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ANNALS OF LYSK — 1840. 407
stomach, and she did not eat for twenty-two days. On the 30th
of March, this year, she died, having again abstained from food
for twenty-one days.]
On the 7th of June, Kev. Samuel D. Eohbins resigned the
care of the Unitarian Society.
One of the greatest storms for many years commenced on
Sunday, December 15th, and continued three days. It consisted
of snow and rain, and the wind blew a gale, which did great
damage to the shipping in many places. The schooner Catha-
rine, from Philadelphia, for Boston, was wrecked on the rocks
near Bass Point, at Nahant. Two of the crew were instantly
drowned, and another was so injured, by being dashed upon
the rocks, that he soon died. Capt. Nichols and one man were
saved. At Gloucester, twenty vessels were wrecked, and sev-
enteen dead bodies were picked up on the beach.
1840.
On the Ist of January, Rev. William Gray Swett was ordained
minister of the Unitarian Society,
[The house of widow Betsey Newhall, in the south part of
Lynnfield, was burned, on the 4th of January.
[On the 16fch of January the thermometer was 18 degrees
below zero.]
On the evening of Sunday, October 25th, a scene of terriflc
grandeur was exhibited. A tempest suddenly rose, in which
the thunder was exceedingly heavy, so as to shake the houses
like an earthquake ; and the lightning was intense, making the
whole atmosphere, at times, appear as if it were a flame; and
in the house it seemed as if one were enveloped with five. At
the same time snow fell and covered the ground. The exhibi-
tion was singular and awfully sublime.
On the 11th of November, during a storm, the tide rose higher
than it probably had done since 1815. The M'ind had been east-
erly for several weeks, and the swell of the waters was immense,
passing for several days entirely over the Long Beach, so that
not only the harbor, but the marshes of Lynn, Saugus and Chel-
sea, were a portion of the mighty sea. There was no safety in
approaching the level shore ; but it was a grand and terrible
sight, to stand upon Sagamore hill, or some other elevation, and
view the fearful devastations of the waters. Nahant appeared
to be severed forever from the main, and ocean to he passing the
bounds of its ancient decree.
[The Puritan, a religious and secular newspaper was com-
menced this year, at Lynn. Hev, Parsons Cooke was editor of
the religious department, and James E. Newhall of the secular.
The paper was afterward removed to Boston, and being united
with the Recorder was called the Puritan Recorder. Sub-
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408 AHNAIS OF LYKN — 1841.
sequently the v.ume Puritan was ciropped and the publication
continued under the name Recorder. Mr. Cooke's connection
■with it continued till 1863.]
One fact appears evident from recent observation — either
the sea is encroaching upon our shores hj' elevation, or the
marshes are sinldng. There are strong indications, by marks
upon the rocks, that the ocean oncg broke against the cliEFs of
Saugus; and on examination of the marshes, we are led to the
almost irresistible conclusion that the whole region now occu-
pied by thera was once a portion of the sea. By some means,
not easily explained, these marshes were formed, and covered,
or filled, with trees. The trunks and stumps of those trees, in
some places bearing marks of the axe ! are now buried two or
three feet below the surface of the marsh 1 and twice that depth
beneath the level of high tides ! — so that the sea, after having
been shut out by some great revolution, appears to be returning
to claim what were perhaps its ancient limits. Another proof
that thevvatevs are gaining upon the land is the fact that the
creeks are much wider now than they formerly were; and the
trunk of a pine, which a few years since projected three feet
into the river, now projects twenty feet.
1841.
The Lyceum Hall, in Market street, was built this year.
Phrenology and Mesmerism received much attention at this
period. Many lectures were given by European and American
professors, and many interesting experiments performed to the
satisfiiction of numbers; but some remained incredulous.
This year Joseph G. Joy, Esq. built his log cabin, at Nahant,
from a plan by Alonzo Lewis. [A sort of log cabin mania pre-
vailed to some extent throughout the country. The political
campaign which resulted in the election of General Harrison to
the presidency, was called the log cabin and hard cider cam-
paign, in allusion to the alJegod fact that the General, during his
western life, lived in a log cabin and refreshed himself, wbile
toiling as a husbandman, by the free use of hard cider. It was
thought by sagacious politicians that the picture of simpHcity
thus hrought before the people, with the adjunct of hard cider
BOiJgs, had great influence in the election. Many individuals,
before and after the election, erected unique structures, for
temporary residences and other purposes, bearing some resem-
blance to the log cabins of the frontier.
[Some disturbance was created in Lynn and other places,
about this time, by the Comeouters, as they were called. They
arrayed themselves against the religious organizations, and in a
number of intances disturbed public worship b}' entering the
meeting-houses and denouncing the proceedings. The First
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1842. 409
Congregational and the First Baptist cburclies had the benefit
of their visits; but members of the congregations, witUont appre-
ciating the interruptions, quietly carried out the disturbers.
They had little respect for Sunday, or the settled institutions of
religion. In some cases their conduct became so outrageous
that they were arrested and punished as breakers of the peace.
Thoy professed great regard for morality, but seemed to thinlc
it better whea separated from religion. In a few years, how-
ever, the new light exhausted itself in extravagance of doctrine
and indecorum of practice.
[On the 17th of April a party of public spirited young meo
assembled and set trees around the Common, in Lynnfleld.
[The first Daguerreotype picture ever taken in Lynn was
executed this year by James R. Newhall. It was a landscape,
and the instrument by which it was taken was a cumbrous
affair, imported from France, The beautiful art had been dis-
covered but a few months before, and was just beginning to be
applied to the taking of likenesses of persons. No more sensi-
tive coating for the plate had then been discovered than the sim-
ple exhalation of iodine ; and the p?ate was of copper with a
face of silver; it not having been discovered that a picture
could be taken on any thing but a surface of silver. Three
minutes were the shortest time thought of for a sitting, even in
clear sunshine ; and eight or ten minutes wej-e not unfrequently
required. And after the trial of sitting, the miniatures were
dim and unsatisfactory, requiring to be held in a particular light
to have any effect, or even, in most cases, to be discernible.
American ingenuity, however, soon greatly improved the art.
And at the famous world's exhibition, in London, in 1852, the
pictures from the United States took precedence of all others.
In about twenty years after the first operations under the
process, the elegant miniatures ~ known as photographs were
produced. And presently the photograph album appeared on
the centre-table of the mansion and shelf of the cot, often dearer
than the Bible itself.]
1842
[Robert W. Trevett died, 13 January, aged 53. He was a
graduate of Harvard College, and for many years iu respectable
practice as a lawyer, at Lynn, having come in 1813. He was
a conspicuous man in our community, and something of a poli-
tician, though he never occupied a very high official position.
With general literature of the better sort, ho was more than
ordinarily familiar, and few stood before him in knowledge of the
history of American commerce and manufactures. In person
he was of something more than medium size, and in tempera-
ment exceedingly nervous, so much so, that in his latter years
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410 ANNALa OP LYNN — 1843.
his whole syetein, mental and physical, was unfavorably affected.
The closing years of his life he passed in obscurity and indi-
gence, ehunned by most of those who in his prosperous days
had received benefits at his hand. His wife was a lady eminent
for her virtues. They had four children; Sarah, Robert W.,
Susan W,, and Warren G.
[The Essex County Washingtonian, a large and well printed
paper, designed to advocate the cause of temperance, was
commenced on the 16th of March — Christopher Robinson pro-
prietor.]
The Lynn Natural History Society was formed on the 3d of
August. It was quite successful in the collection of interest-
ing natural curiosities, and continued in operation a number of
years.
[The house of Warren Newhall, at Lynnfield Centre, was
destroyed by fire, on the 23d of September.]
Another great storm happened on Friday, the 3d of Decem-
ber, during which a singular phenomenon occurred. It was
high tide about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and the tide rose
nearly three feet higher than common spring tides. Soon after
eleven, when the water had ebbed more than a foot, the wind
changed, and brought the tide in again above two feet; so that
vessels and timbers, landed by the first tide, were set afloat by
the second. This is the only instaneo on record of a double
tide, since the remarkable one in 1635.
18 4 3.
Dr. Charles 0. Barker died on the 8th of January. Ho was
born at Andover, March 8, 1802, graduated at Cambridge in
1822, and married Augusta, daughter of Rembrandt Peale, in
1828. His practice was extensive and successful, and he was
beloved by all who formed his acquaintance.
Rev. William Gray Swett, pastor of the Unitarian Society,
died OH the 15th of February. He was born in Salem, July 15,
1808, and graduated at Cambridge in 1828. He went to Cuba
in 1830, for the benefit of his health, where he spent upwards
of two years. In July, 1836, he was ordained at Lexington ;
and on the first of January, 1840, was installed at Lynn, He
was a practical preacher, and was greatly beloved by his people.
His death was a great loss to his society and to the town ; for
he was a man of talent, of active benevolence, and of sterHng
worth. Ho united high classical attainments with a manly piety,
and knew enough of human nature to mingle with all its sympa-
thies and partake of all its-innocent and social enjoyments.
In a sudden storm of snow and rain, on the morning of March
17, before daybreak, the schooner Thomas, Captain William
Sprowl, of Belfast, loaded with wood, was wrecked on the
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ANNALS 0? LYNN — 1843. 411
sowtliern end of the Long EDact. There were seven men on
board, five of whom were drowned, by tlie swamping of the
long-boat, as they were attempting to gain the shore.
A splendid comet made its appearance thia year. It was
observed on the 1st of February, in the day time, passed the
SUD on the 26th of that month, and was in its most favorable
position for observation on the night of the 18th of March. Its
train then extended from Zeta in Eridanus, to Eta in Lepus —
thirty-eight degrees in length. It was brilliant and beautiful.
The winter was very cold. I crossed the harbor on the 17th
of March, and the ice was then strong enough to bear a horse-
On the 4th of April the enow in many places was three feet
deep, and on the 8th, a man drove an ox-sled, loaded with wood,
across Spring Pond. On the 20th of April, the ice was still
thick on the ponds. There were heavy frosts on the 1st and
2d of June.
President Tyler attended the celebration of the battle of
Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June; and in that week, 20,600
people passed over the Eastern Eail-road.
Lewis A. Lauriat made an ascent, in a balloon, from Chelsea,
on the 4th of July, and descended amid thousands of spectators,
near the Lynn Bard's cottage, atSagamore Hill.
This year, Theophilus N. Breed built his factory for making
cutlery and shoemaker's tools on Oak street. [An excellent
water power was obtained by running a dam across the valley,
a few rods from Oak street, on the north, A fine pond, of fifty-
three acres, wag thas formed, which, besides answering the
useful purpose of carrying machinery, constituted a most pictur-
esque feature of the landscape. Surrounded by woodland hills,
excepting at the narrow outlet on the west, where, at the dam,
the busy little colony of iron workers was located, and with
waters as clear as an alpine lake, it never failed to attract the
eye that could appreciate the romantic and beautiful. On the
15th of April, 1851, during the memorable storm by which the
light house on Minot's Ledge was destroyed, a serious disaster
happened here. Some forty feet of the dam were carried away,
and out rushed the waters, in a current ten feet in depth, with
such impetuosity as to carry large rocks across Oak street,
down into the meadow, where they still remain. Some of the
buildings were considerably injured by the storm and rushing
waters, and other damage was done. The dam was repaired,
and Mr. Breed continued his business, which was casting and
machine work, five or six years longer, and then the works
were closed. In 1860 the dam was broken and the water suf-
fered to escape. And then the acres which formed the bed
of that beautiful pond were reduced to a noxious bog, where
rank vegetation flourished and noisy reptiles congregated. The
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412 A25HALS OF LTSN — 1843.
clink of the iron worker's hammer no longer rang among tlie
hills, the red fires of the forges went out, and the huildings
began to decay. In 1863, however, the dam was again repaired,
the pond restored, and the business of preparing hair com-
menced.]
In August, about twenty of the Penobscot Indiana came to
Lynn, and encamped, some at High Rock, and others at Nabant.
Rev, John Pierpont, Jr. was ordained minister of the Unita-
rian Society, on the 11th of October,
For about four years past, it has been noticed that the syca-
more trees [buttonwoods] have been leafless, decayed, and dy-
ing. It is supposed that their decay has been owing to heavy
frosts bh'ghting thera, after they had budded early. [But their
diseased condition was noticed in various distant parts of the
country and in Europe. They seem now, [1864] however, in a
great measure to have recovered ; though there are but few left
of what was once a very fashionable tree,]
Sagamore Hall, near the Central Square Depot, was partially
burnt in the night of the 25th of November. Loss, about $3000.
The town has beon remarkably exempt from losses of this kind —
this being the only great fire for ten years.
With the year 1843 the labors of Mr. Lewis, as the historian
of Lynn, close. He inserted a concluding chapter, bearing
date 1844, which was probably written in the early part of that
year. A few passages of it appeared to be superseded by other
matter in this edition, and the remainder is given in other con-
nections. In 1857, he made knowo his intention to prepare a
new edition, but causes operated to prevent his fulfilling his
design; and he died in the early part of 1861, I have not
thought it right, in the preceding pages, to make any essential
alteration in the text of Mr, Lewis, nor to introduce additions of
my own in a way that would render him responsible. And
hence, as elsewhere remarked, I have indicated by brackets
what I have supplied. It would have been a little more fash-
ionable, perhaps, to have resorted to foot notes than to have
introduced the new matter in the way chosen. But the most
fashionable things are not always the most convenient. And
foot notes, though often pets with writers ar6 dire afflictions to
readers. In the remainder of our volume, however, the unor-
namental bracket will of course be dispensed with, as Mr. Lewis's
matter extends no farther than this page, J. b, n.
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ANNALS OF LYNN-
1844.
Eariy this year Laroy Sunderknd gave a course of lectures on
Pathetism, as he termed his subject, in Lyceum Hall, He claimed
ability to explain divers mystical operations of the mind, and by
experiments to exhibit some of its moat remarkable effects on
the body. The attendance on his lectures waa very large. The
supposed science, however, seemed but another phaso of Mes-
merism, or animal magnetism, which created a good deal of
attention in France toward the close of century 1700, and which
Franklin, as a member of an investigating committee, referred
to the imagination. Yet, on a question of such depth in mental
philosophy it might require one greater than Franklin to deter-
mine what is imaginary and what real. During the few years
immediately antecedent to the year 1850, scores of lecturers,
many of them ignorant mountebanks, travelled up and down the
country, pretending to great discoveries in mental science, and
adopting various learned names for the dignifying of their sys-
tems. But they all seemed to fade away in the light of
Spiritualism, which began to prevail about that marked year,
1850. Great numbers among the learned and refined, as well
as among the ignorant, believed that means were now discov-
ered by which intelligible communication could be held with
disembodied spirits. The means — to wit, the knocking against
a wainscot or the tipping of a table — through which the com-
munications of the invisible ones wore vouchsafed, were, to be
sure, to common apprehension a little extraordinary; but in
matters which are altogether mysterious, and without the circle
of common events, the rules of what we call common sense
may not apply. But ail such things are perhaps useful, from
directing attention to studies which may do much to elevate
mankind; even as the old astrology, which in itself was puerile,
led to some of the loftiest discoveries in aatronoihy.
The Essex County Whig, a, weekly newspaper was com-
menced this year. In 1846, the name was changed to Lynn
News. And in 1861 it was discontinued.
The journeymen shoemakers , formed a society for mutual
benefit, early this year. They endeavored to ■establish better
and more uniform prices. The old order system — the system
under which the workman was compelled to take orders payable
in goods, for his earnings — which often operated oppressively,
was now very generally abandoned, and the wages were paid in
money. No striking results, perhaps, immediately followed the
formation of this society ; yet, like all similar movements, it was
useful -in diffusing a knowledge of the real condition of things.
and affecting public sentiment.
The thermometer stood at 100 degress, in the shade, 26 June,
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414 amals op lthn — 1845.
The Whig party held a mass meeting in Lynn, 4 September.
Eminent speakers from abroad were present, and a procession,
numbering about 3.000, moved through the principal streets.
On the 6th of September, the Democratic party had a great
clam-bake at Swampscot. A procession, numbering some two
thousand, two hundred of whom were of the military, was formed
at the Central Depot, in Lynn, and marched to the place of the
unique ent-ertainment. Addresses were made by eminent polit-
ical orators.
Tuesday, 22 October, was the day calculated by the Millerltes,
as the believers in the immediate destruction of the world were
called, to be that on which the closing up of all earthly affairs
would take place. But it passed off without any extraordinary
occurrence, probably to the relief of some whose courage was
not equal to their faith. There were quite a number in Lynn,
who firmly believed in the predictions of Mr. Miller. They
held meetings, and in some instances showed their sincerity by
abandoning their business and giving away their property. And
many still continue steadfast in the belief that the end of all
things is close at hand.
Mr. John Allej', 3d, had a swine, raised by himself, Rlaugbtered
this year, which weighed, before being dressed, 1.330 pounds.
The fat produced 128 pounds, of Jard. He had the skin stuffed;
and it became an object of curiosity at agricultural exhibitions.
1845.
About midnight, on the 4th of May, a dwelling house on the
north side of Summer street, between Market and Pleasant,
occupied by Albourne Oliver and David M. Ilildreth, was
burned. The two families had barely time to escape with their
lives. Not even a change of clothing was saved by any of the
inmates. Loss $3,000.
Mount Carmel Lodge of Freemasons, instituted in 1805, and
discontinued in 1834, under the anti-masonic pressure, was this
year reorganized and regular meetings resumed.
Joseph W. Millett, of Swampsco^ met his death, 28 May,
under painful circumstances. Some young men were in the
pastures in pursuit of geological specimens, and he accompanied
them. They charged a rock with a pound of powder, and he
volunteered to touch it off. They retired, not without appre-
hension, as he appeared so daring, leaving him to execute the
dangerous task. They heard the report, returned, and found
him dead, his body being much mutilated. He left a wife and
sis children.
The Lynn Artillery joined the escort at the funeral solemnities
held in Boston, 9 July, on the occasion of the death of General
Jackson.
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ANSALS OP LTNN — 1846. 415
The thevmometer reached 101 degrees, in tlie shade, 12 July
A yonng man from Bradford, named Noyes, was drowned,
while bathing, at Needham's Landing, 10 September, He had
come to Lynn in the hope of benefitting bi3 health by sea bath-
ing, arriving only the day before,
1846.
Between eleven and twelve o'clock on the night of 1 January,
a fire broke out in the Rockaway Honse, at Swampsoot, destroy-
ing the building and furniture, bowling-alleys, stable, and other
out buildings. Loss about $20,000. The building was formerly
the Topsfleld Hotel, and was moved from that town to Swamps-
cot, a distance of about fifteen miles.
For several days, in the early part of Jannary, the air was
so clear that the planet Venus could be seen at noonday, about
three hours behind the sun.
Amariah Childs died, 21 Jannary, agod 80. He owned the
mills oil Saugus river, Boston street, which so long bore his
name, and there manufactured that excellent chocolate which
became celebrated not onlj' throughout the United States, but
in Europe. He began, the manufacture in or about the year
1805, and sold out the business in 1840. He lived on Boston
street, nearly opposite Bridge, and was an esteemed citizen.
He married three wives, the first and last of whom were sisters,
and the intermediate one the widow of a deceased brother of
the other two. The last named was Mrs. Larkin, mother of
Thomas 0. Larkin, who, at one time during the excitement
respecting the California gold discoveries, was reputed to be
the wealthiest man in the Union, he having become proprietor
of extensive tracts of land in that auriferous region. At the
time of his death, however, which occurred a few years after, it
appeared that though a rich man, hia possessions had been
greatly over-estimated.
A house on Franklin street, belonging to John Alley, 3d, was
struck by lightning, 18 May, and two persons knocked down.
On the 21st of June, the lightning struck the house of Charles
P. Cnrtis, then in process of erection, on Ocean street, doing
considerable damage to the frame.
On Sunday, 28 June, there appeared a remarkable solar halo.
The outer edge was of a beautiful violet, and the inner red.
The first Congregational meeting-house in Swampscot, was
dedicated on the 15th of July, and the church organized.
On the lat of August, the anniversary of the abolishment
of slavery in the British West Indies was celebrated in the
woods, near Lover's Leap. The day was pleasant, and a large
company of ladies and gentlemen assembled. Some prominent
speakers from other places were present.
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416 ANNALS OP LTNN — 1846.
Thomas Nourse killed a rattJesnalie five feet long, and having
nine rattles, on the Lynnfield road, in July. The ages of these
reptiles may be determined by the number of their rattles.
They have the first when three years old, and afterward one
annually.
On Sunday morning, 9 August, one of the most destructive
fires that ever occurred in Lynn, took place. It comraeuced at
about two o'clock, in the spicef and coftee mil! of Vehemiah
Berry and Samuel 0. Childa, on Water Hill The mi!! and adja-
cent frame buildings were soon destroyed and the fiie commu-
nicated to the large brick building used tor silk piintmg and
dyeing, then occupied by Daniel K. Cbaae , and thit also was
destroyed. Total loss about 175.000. Insuiance $20 000. This
brick factory was the one referred to under date 1836.
On Friday afternoon, 14 August, during the recess at the
grammar school on Franklin street, the upper wall fell — plaster-
ing, beams, flooriDg, and all — and precipitated into the room
a cord and a half of wood which had been piled in the attic. It
came down with such force that portions sank through the floor
into the basement. Several pupils who happened to remain in
during the recess, were injured; none, however, fatally. The
average attendance of scholars was about a hundred and fifty,
and had the accident occurred while the school was in session,
many lives must have been lost,
A smart shock of an eartbqualie was felt on Tuesday morning,
25 August, at fifteen minutes before five o'clock. It was suffi-
ciently violent to wake persons from sleep, and in some instances
dishes were thrown^from shelves. There was for a moment a
dull, rumbling sound, like that produced by a train of cars pass-
ing over a bridge.
The old Lynn Light Infantry, organized in 1812, was disbanded
this year. For many years it was a famous company.
The Agricultural Society of Essex County, held their annual
cattle show and exhibition in Lynn, 1 October. The weather
was pleasant and a ver}' large number were present from abroad.
The address was delivered by Moses Newell, of West Newbury,
and the dinner was had in the basement of the First Congrega-
tional meeting-house. A levee and dance took place in the
evening.
The summer and autumn were unusually warm and dry;
more so, it was stated, than at any previous time for a quarter of
a century. There was a great failure of water in the wells about
town; some dried up that never had, before. November and
December were very cold. At Thanksgiving time there was
a great easterly storm that did much damage.
A singular disease began to affect the potato crop, this year;
and it has continued to exhibit itself with more or less virulence
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1847. 417
every season since, in some instances destroying whole crops;
the potatoes being sometimes attacked while in the ground, and
at other times after being digged. Four periods have been
marked by the prevalence of the " potato rot," in this vicinity ;
the first in 1770. The remedy in former times seems to have
been in the use of the seed, instead of the bulb, for propagation.
The congress boot began to be manufactured at this time.
Its peculiarity consisted mainly in the substitution of an elastic
gore for the old lacing, thus rendering the boot easier about
the ankle, and more tasty in appearance.
The Mexican war commenced this year. Lynn furnished
twenty volunteers, viz: Mark Anras, Henry Cheater, Benjamin
Coates, C. W. Foster, Nathan "Green, Lucius Grover, Joseph
Hepburn, Amos Kimball, Stephen Morton, Henry Newhali,
William B. Patten, Hezekiah 8haw, Walter Sherman, Edward
F. Skinner, John Spinney, William Swaaey, Joseph Wendell,
Joseph York, and two others of the name of Brown,
1847.
On the 15th of April, there were two inches of frost in the
ground. And on the 22d of the same mouth the weather waa
so warm that the thermometer rose to eighty-six degrees in the
shade. But the next day it snowed.
President Polk made a short visit to Lynn on Monday after-
noon, 5 July. He came from the east in a special train, left his
car at the Central Depot and rode through the town in a car-
riage, taking his car again at the depot at the foot of Commer-
cial street. There was great eagerness to greet him, but hia
stay was so short that few could be gratified.
The Hutchinson cotti^ge at High Rock was built this year.
Also Exchange Building, on Market street.
The Agricultural Society of Essex county, again held their
annual cattle show and exhibition at Lynn, 29 September. The
address was delivered by Thomas E. Payson of Rowley, The
dinner and other festivities usual on the occasion passed off in
a manner most satisfactory.
Samuel Mulliken died 25 November, aged 86, He was long
identified with the prosperity of Lynn, and was the third post-
master, serving from 1803 to 1807. Before coming to Lynn
he for a short time pursued the business of a watcbmalter, at
Salem. In Lynn, he did a large business, for many years, as a
tanner, and at one time kept a large store at the southern end
of Market street. He was a man of strict integrity and great
industry. He had a strong will, which, being usually set in the
right direction stood him in good stead. But he ouce related
to me an instance of its operation which seems more amusing
than beneficial. During the active portion of his life, it was a
27
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418 ANNAL3 OP LYNN — 1848.
custom, as public conveyances were few, for a couple of busi-
ness men to visit Boston in company, one provMing tbe horao
and vehicle and the other paying the tolls and horse, keeping.
One chilly November day, ne and Jeremiah Bulfinch, a neighbor,
agreed to visit Boston in that partnership way. Mr. B. was to
fiirnish the conveyance and Mr. M. to pay the expenses. When
they arrived at Charlestown, which was early in the forenoon,
they found that an additional toll, or some other charge, to the
amonnt of sis cents, on which neither had calculated, had been
levied. Mr. Mulliken contended that the extra charge should
be equally shared; but Mr. Bulfinch declared that none of it
rightfuliy fell on him. They were equally matched for 6tub-
bornness, and there they sat, disputing and arguing, till the
declining sun warned them that it was time for the horse's bead
to be turned homeward. And home they rode, each, undoubt-
edly, congratulating himself on his manly triumph. "And,"
added Mr. MuUiken, as he related the incident, his counte-
nance radiating from the old fire within, though he was then
more than eighty years of age, "I would have sat there till
this time, before I would have paid it ! " Mr. Mulliken had two
wives ; his first was a daughter of Col. Ezra Nowhall, of the
Revolution; and his children were, Jonathan, William, John,
Charles, Susan, George.
The old Lynn Rifie Company was disbanded this year. It
had been in existence about twenty-five years, and ranked high
for discipline.
The custom of pressing sea mosses and working them into
parlor ornaments, began about this time. The rocks by the
sea side and those upon the woodland hills furnish an inexhaust-
ible amount of material for the most durable and beautiful orna-
ments,; and by a tasty and patient hand it may be wrought into
pictures that might easily be referred to the skill of goddesses.
And the brilliant leaves of autumn, carefully pressed and var-
nished may be formed into exquisite pictures.
The first telegraphic wires that passed through Lynn were
put up in December. There was, however, no communication
held by them between Lynn and other places. Morse's tele-
graph was invented in 1832, and the line between y* " '
and Baltimore completed in 1844.
1848.
On the night of Wednesday, 5 January, the harness shop of
Edwin N. Pike, on Union street, near the Centra! Depot, was
burned. Loss $1,200.
Oliver Fuller, aged 60, while walking on tbe rail-road track,
in the vicinity of the Central Depot, on Thursday, 24 February,
was run over by a locomotive, and instantly killed.
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ANNALS OP LYHN — 1848. 419
George Gray, tne Lynn hermit, died 28 February, age(5 78.
He was by birth a Scotchman and came here near the close of
the Jast century, locating in a lonely spot, which he made his
home till the time of his death, though population largely in-
creased around, much to his annoyance. Two or three rude
little structures, erected chiefly by his own hand, answered for
his dwelling, workshops, and store houses. They were on
the south side of Boston street, a few rods east of the main en-
trance to Pine Grove Cemetery, It was a very wild place till
within a few years. A high woody hill rose in the rear, a tan-
gled swamp was on either hand, with a weedy brook winding
through; while in front, beyond a little area of brambles and
rank vegetation, wound the street just named. He persistently,
and often with a good deal of asperity, refused to communicate
to the curious inquirers who sometimes beset him, any know-
ledge of his personal history or the causes which induced the
adoption of his comfortless and unnatural mode of life. And
that very secrecy gave rise to innumerable romantic surmises.
Some believed that an unfortunate affair of the heart estranged
him from the world ; others that some great crime rendered his
flight from his native land a necessity. And he had the shrewd-
ness to avoid entangling himself by contradicting any current
opinion.
At times he was by no means averse to discussing affairs
with his neighbors, though very seldom could one receive a
welcome to his premises, and never would an invitation to enter
his dwelling be extended. His calls were generally made at
night. I was occasionally favored with one and usually found
him so forgetful of the passing time that it was necessary to
remind him of the lateness of the hour by a delicate hint like
that of extinguishing the lights, nothing short of some such rude-
ness appearing to be understood. Ou- one of these visits, when
he seemed in gracious mood, with venturesome curiosity I
expressed a desire to know something of his early history ; but
the sudden and lively response — "That is what don't concern
you I" cheeked all approach for that purpose. He was a reflecting
man, and one of considerable literary and scientific attainment;
but the current story of his carrying a Hebrew Bible about in
his pocket wag, no doubt, a fiction. He took great pleasure
in attending lectures, and in studying works on the abstruse
sciences. But his fondness for the mechanic arts was perhaps
his most conspicuous trait, and he became very skillful in some
branches connected with machinery. Strangers would some-
times vex him with untimely visits, and by unpalatable remarks
induce sudden exhibitions of temper. But if one assumed to
possess a knowledge of mechanics, he was pretty sure of a cour-
teous hearing. He claimed to be the inventor of a most useful
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426 AKNAL3 OF LYNN — 1848.
part of the shtp's steering apparatus ; but some one was before
him in securing the patent, and he was subjected to much ex-
pense in unsuccessful efforts to establish his claims. Rufus
Choate was his advocate and counsellor at one time.
In religion he was probably a materialist, most, of hia life.
Perhaps a dozen years before bis death he remarked to me that
it was "ridiculous for any one to contend that intelligence was
not the result of physical organization." But it is understood
that he subsequently abandoned bis old views, and died in the
Calvinistic faith. He was eccentric in his habits, and had little
regard for personal appearance, oftentimes, especially during
the last few years of his life, appearing in a grim and filthy con-
dition. He was .remarkable, even in old age, for power of phy-
sical endurance. Many a time has he walked to Boston, on a
winter evening, attended a lecture, and walked home after it
had closed, making a distance, in all, of full twenty miles, most
likely with no thicker covering to his head than a dilapidated
straw hat and upon his feet coarse shoes and no stockings.
He suffered much from disease during his few last years. And
there, in his forlorn habitation, without the sympathy of friends
or the common endearments- of home, in solitude and distress,
bis last days were passed.
Mr, Gray, at the time of his decease, possessed property to
the amount of about $4,000. Ho died intestate, and his debts
were not large ; a considerable portion, therefore, went into the
treasury of the commonwealth. His savings do not appear,
however, to have accumulated from a miserly disposition, but
rather from habits of industry and a naturally frugal turn, for
the -administrator informed me that from the appearance of
things he could hardly have taken sufficient interest in his pe-
cuniary affairs to have known what he did possess. In some
instances the evidences of hia money deposits were found
thrown among waste paper.
The death of the hermit was noticed in the newspapers,
throughout the country, and several persons appeared, claiming
to be heirs; but they failed to substantiate their claims. On
the 16th of January, 1861, George Gray and William Gray peti-
tioned the legislature to grant to them the proceeds of the
hermit's estate in the treasury. The petitioners represented
that the hermit was a natural son of William Gray, of Oxgang,
Hunbarton county, Scotland, of whom they were legitimate
grandchildren. They did not assume any legal right to the
money, but in consideration of -the fact that they would have
been entitled as heirs, had the hermit been legitimate, hoped
the legislature would favorably regard their prayer. The peti-
tion was referred to the committee on claims, but the result
was not favorable to the petitioners.
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ANHALS OF LYSS — 1848. 421
During the montli of May, some two hundred dwellings were
in process of erection or enlargement in different parts of Lynn.
On Saturday morning, 6 May, during a thunder shower, the
safe in the ticket otlice of the Central Depot was blown open
and robbed of about forty dollars. The thiof was discovered
and suffered imprisonment.
On Sunday, 11 June, a party of young men went down Sau-
gus river, for recreation, partaking of clams and other refresh-
ments. On their way back, William Austin, one of the number,
was suddenly taken ill, and died before a physician could be
summoned.
Independence was this year celebrated in Lynn by the friends
of temperance. In the evening there was a display of fireworks,
at High Rock, and a great crowd of spectators.
The second post-office in Lynnfield was established, 1 August,
in the centre village.
At about four o'clock on Sunday morning, 6 August, the
house and barn of Samuel Parrott, on North Bend, were entirely
destroyed by fire. Loss, about $3,500. Two cows and a calf
perished in the flames.
An unusually fatal epidemic prevailed in September. There
were seven funerals in town on the 17th. And on the next
Sunday Rev. Dr. Cooke, of the First Church, preached a sermon
appropriate to the occasion.
The Agricultural Society of Essex County, for the third suc-
cessive year held their annual exhibition in Lynn. The day
was pleasant and great numbers attended. The address was
delivered by Gen. Josiah Newhall, of Lynnfield. Hon. Daniel
Webster was present. The evening levee was in Exchange
Hall. A few rockets were let off on the Common, at night,
which so frightened some of the cattle that they broke from
their enclosures and fled. Three yonng cows, brought by David
S. Oaldweli, of Byfield, were found, about midnight, at the rail-
road depot, quietly reposing beside the same car in which they
had been brought.
In October, the house of Daniel Kidder, in Saugus, near the
Newburyport Turnpike, was burned. Loss $2,000, The fire
was occasioned by children playing with matches in the garret.
On Friday afternoon, 29 December, the new grammar echool-
house on the westerly side of Franklin street, was dedicated.
Though of wood, it was at the time considered a fine building.
The carriage road along the harbor side of Long Beach was
built this year by Dennison W. Goldfhwaite, under the super-
intendence of Alonzo Lewis. It cost $1,771.25, The town
appropriated |1.000 and the people at Nahant, resident and
non-resident, subscribed $1,225, A part of the town appropri-
ation was not used.
J2
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422 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1849.
Lynn Common was fenced this year. The whole cost of the
fencing fell a trifle short of $2,500. To the exertions of the
ladies the town was in a great measure indebted for the ira-
Erovement. On the 28tb, 29th, and 30th days of September, they
eld a great fair at Exchange Hall, and were so successful as to
Realize $1,636, including $245 previously obtained by subscrip-
tion. Other sums were subsequently subscribed, and the town
made an appropriation, which eflabled the committee promptly
Jo complete the work. Down to this time the Common had
remained an open area. Most of it was used as a public ground
from the earliest times, military trainings and public parades
and exhibitions being held there. In some portions the surface
remained quite uneven as late as 1830; there were hollows
and risings, muddy places and gravelly shelves. The travel
flowed partly along the sides, where North and South Common
streets now are, and partly along a road which ran, with divers
interruptions, along the centre. Just east of where the pond
now is, stood a dwelling-house, with ont-huildinga and a small
orchard. And a little farther east stood the gun-house and
town-house. At the eastern extremity was a little district
school-house, and at the western another. Almost exactly op-
posite where Whiting street opens, was the fsimons Old Tunnel
meeting-house; and so fe\y were the buildings, for most of the
distance, between the middle of the Common and the sea, even
down to the time of the disappearance of that sacred edifice,
that people in passing up and down had pleasant views of the
water. Many a time, when a boy, on ray way to and from
meeting, have I watched the vessels. In 1827-the old meeting-
house was removed ; and in the course of about half a dozeu
years thereafter the whole extent was freed from the architec-
tural encumbrances. It was then ploughed up, the circular
pond formed, the hollows filled, and North and South Com-
mon streets graded. Since the fence was built the city has
made a number of small appropriations for improvements; the
gravel walks have been formed, and numerous trees planted.
At the time the Common was fenced there were three hundred
and forty-seven trees upon it, including those within the rail-
ing and along the side-walks.
1849.
On Wednesday afternoon, 3 January, the new grammar school-
house, on the east side of Centre street was dedicated. This
and the one built at the same time, on Franklin street, and ded-
icated 29 December, 1848, were the best ever built in Lynn, up
to this time. They cost about $5,000, each.
On Wednesday, 31 January, the body of a man about fifty
years of age, who had been frozen to death, was found on Tower
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ANNALa OP LTNK — 1849. 423
Hill, near the aims-house. It was supposed that he froze the
night before, which waa intensely cold, while in a conditioa of
helpless intoxication,
A. small building near High Kock, used aa a shoemakers' shop,
was burned on Sunday evening, 25 March. The building was
an interesting relic, having been the belfry of the Old Tunnel
meeting-house, The spaces being hoarded up, it furnished a
comfortable thougb not very capacious shop.
The Lynn Police Court was established this year. It became
a court of record, in the legal sense, 1 January, 1862.
The Laighton Bank commenced business, 2 August.
A national fast was appointed for the Hi of Aitgust, on account
of the threatened prevalence of the Asiatic cholera. The day
was well observed at Lynn. About a dozen cases of the disease
appeared in our alms-house, ten of which proved fatal. A few
other cases occurred iu different parts of the town. But the
excitement was not to be compared with that of 1832, when
the disease first reached America, Lynn, at that time, partook
largely of the general alarm, though the pestilence did not then
visit her.
In September, James C. Lamphier, of Swampscot, discovered
floating off Swampscot beach, a turtle, of the enormous weight
of six hundred pounds. Its length, from the end of the nose to
the end of the tail, was eight feet and six inches, and its shell
was six feet long and three and a half wide. The animal was
dead when discovered. After being towed ashore a bullet hole
was found in the body.
Rev. Theobold Matthew, of Ireland, a distinguished advocate
of temperance, visited Lynn on the afternoon of Monday, 17
September. He held a levee at Lyceum Hall, and several hun-
dreds, mostly his own countrymen, took the temperance pledge.
On the 7th and 8th of October, he again visited Lynn and
administered the pledge to others.
A great storm occurred on the 6th and 7th of October. The
sea was driven in with siich fury that in several places it made
breaches entirely over Long Beach.
The Bay State, a weekly newspaper, advocating democratio
principles, was commenced 11 October, by Lewis Josselyn.
On the evening of 19 October a party of Ojibway Indiana
gave an entertainment at Lyceum Hall. " They had traveled
in Europe under the guidance of George Catiin, the accom-
plished Indian delineator.
The new grammar school-house, at Swampscot, was dedicated
on the 20fch of December.
A large number left Lynn, this year, to seek their fortunes in
California, the excitement respecting the gold discoveries on
the Pacific coast having set people almost beside themselves.
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424 AHHALS OP LYNN — 1850.
Nearly two htmdred went, some by water and some by lancl.
And there was as mnch diversity in tbeir success as in tbeir
characters and habits. Some returned in poverty and with
broken health, others with we ll-fi lied purses and good health;
others still remained, preferring to make new homes in that
distant region.
The grammar school-house at Tower Hill was built this year.
1850.
A curious discussion, which in some instances waxed quita
warm, arose at the beginning of this year. It was on the ques-
tion whether 1850 was the last year of the first half of the cen-
tury, or the first year of the last half.
Fifteen cases of small-pox occurred in January in one house
on Spring street; only one, however, proved fatal. All the
patients were colored persons.
At the beginning of this year there were in Lynn thirty-four
public Bchoola, employing nine male and thirty-four female
teachers. The whole number of pupils was 3.379.
A two story building on Centre street, between North Com-
mon street and the Turnpike, occupied by Peter C. Downing,
as a boarding-house, was destroyed by fire on Sunday night,
March 31.
Lynn adopted the city form of government this year. The
legislature granted the charter on the 10th of April, and on the
19th the inhabitants voted to accept it. The organization of
the tirst city government took place on Tuesday forenoon, the
14th of May, at Lyceum Hall. The day was pleasant, and a
large number, some of whom were ladies, were present to wit-
ness the ceremonies. George Hood took the oath of office as
mayor, Daniel C. Baker as president of the common council, and
William Basaett as city clerk. In the evening the new city
government, together with a large company of citizens, partook
of a coUation, in i,he old Town Hall.
A great flre raged in the woods on Sunday, 21 April, Sev-
eral hundred acres, chiefly in Dungeon Pasture, were burned
over.
Col. Samuel Brimblecom died 24 April, aged 81. He was
for many years an enterprising shoe manufacturer, and did a
great deal towards establishing the business on a firm basis.
Before liis time the whole trade was so loosely conducted that
few realized any thing beyond a bare maintenance from iinre-
mitted toil and perplexity; but many of bis suggestions tended
greatiy to systematize the business and render it profitable. In
common with all the mauufacturers of that period be met with
reverses in early life, though before the infirmities of age had
settled upon him he had secured a competency. He was a man
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AmrALB OP LYMN — 1850. 425
of philosopliical turn of mind, and estimable social qualities;
fond, of reading, and ready to aid in all efforts to improve the
mind'. He was a member of the Unitarian Society at its forma-
tion, and continued steadfast in the faith. He had seven chil-
dren, namely, Mary, Samuel, Mary Ann, two Williams, Lucy, and
Ellen, His first wife was Mary Mansfield, whom he married
4 June, 1794; and his second, Nelly Copp, whom he married
1 June, 1817. Ellen was the only child by the second marriage.
His residence was on the south side of the Turnpike, a few
rods west of Franklin street. He was a native of Marblehead,
At about midnight, on Sunday, 26 May, two buildings on
the wharf at the foot of Commercial street, were destroyed by
fire, with a considerable quantity of lumber and lime. On the
morning of the same day, a store-house in the rear of Caleb
Wiley's store, corner of tlie Turnpike and Federal street, was
burned.
Down to the last day of May, the easterly wind had been the
prevailing one for a hundred successive days, an occurrence
quite uncommon even here where our springs are so marked
by easterly winds.
The physicians of Lynn, by mutual agreement, commenced
charging seventy-five cents for each professional visit, Jnue 15.
The most common fee, previous to that, had been fifty cents.
It was a time of great prosperity, and wages in almost every
craft and profession took an upward course.
On the afternoon of Thursday, 20 June, during a thunder
shower, the lightning strucTc the clothing store of EoJand G.
Usher, on Market street. James W. Ingalls, who was standing
in the door way, was knocked down. The lightning passed
between his legs, tearing one of his boots, and burning hia
person somewhat.
The "ten hour system," as it was called — that is, the reckon-
ing of ten hours' labor as a day's work — was very generally
adopted this year. The church beils were rung at six in the
afternoon, and then labor, for the most part, ceased, in field
and shop. Mayor Hood took a lively interest in the movement.
On the night of the 18th of July, the morocco manufactory
of James Tibbets, on Sutton street, was destroyed by fire.
On tbe afternoon of Wednesday, 24 July, Pine Grove Ceme-
tery was consecrated. The weather was pleasant, though very
warm, and a great concourse attended. The address was deliv-
ered by Rev. Charles C. Shackford, of the Unitarian Society.
A son of Joseph Ramsdell, of Lynnfield, aged 10, killed a
rattlesnake, in July, which was five feet in length and had eleven
rattles.
In the summer of this year, the Salem and Lowell rail-road,
running through the northerly part of Lynnfiold, was opened.
J2*
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426 ANNAL3 OP LYNN — 1850
A tornado passed throttgli tbe westerly part of LyniiGeld, on
the let of August, at about three id the afternoon, sweeping
every thing before it. Its track was but a few rods in width,
and fortunately no buildings were in it.
On Thursday, August 15, a sad disaster occurred at Humfrey's
pond, in Lynnfield. A company, connected for the most part
with the First Christian Society of Lynn, were holding a pic-nio
on the border of the pond. Iri the course of the afternoon a
party of twenty-five, chiefly ladles, rowed out in a large Sat
bottomed boat, about a hundred yards from the shore. As some
of them shifted from side to side, the boat was made to careen;
and several becoming alarmed threw their weight in a manner
to completely capsize it. Before aid could reach them thirteen
were drowned.
The Salem and South Reading rail-road, passing through
Lynnfield, was opened for travel, 31 August.
The dry goods store of Charles B. Holmes, on Market street,
was broken into on the night of 5 October, and robbed to the
amount of some $500. Several other robberies were committed
at about the same time, in different parts of the town.
This year the potato rot was very destructive to the crops in
and about Lynn.
The first burial in Pine Grove Cemetery took place on Sun-
day, October 13. It was on Myrtle path and in lot number 212.
The stone bears this inscription: "Harriet Newell, wife of
Geoi-ge W. Stocker, died Oct. 11, 1850, aged 27 years. Faith-
ful while below, she did her duty well. The first interment and
the first stone erected in this Cemetery."
The planet Veiins was visible to the naked eye, on clear after-
noons, for several days during the early part of November.
On the evening of 28 November, George Thompson, the dis-
tinguished abolition lecturer and member of the British parlia-
ment, being again in the country, had a public reception by his
friends in Lynn, and delivered an address. The meeting was
at Lyceum Hail, which was well filled, though the weather was
stormy. James N. Buffum presided. For notice of Mr. Thomp-
son's earlier visits see under date 1835.
The law passed by Congress, this year, intended to facilitate
the rendition of slaves escaping into the free states, and known
as the "Fugitive Slave Law," met with strong opposition in
Lynn. Several largely attended meetings were held, at which it
was warmly denounced. At Lyceum Hall, on Saturday evening,
5 October, a full and enthusiastic meeting convened, at which
Mayor Hood presided, Jonathan Buffum, Daniel C. Baker,
Charles Merritt, and William Bassett, being vice presidents, and
George Foster and Benjamin F. Mudge secretaries. One or
two prominent speakers from abroad made stirring addresses,
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AHSAL3 OP LYNN — 1850. 427
and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. They
are certainly characteristic of the people of Lynn, iu the ani.
mated apirifc of freedom they breathe though the exceeding
fervor of one or two seems to savor somewhat of nullification :
Resolved, That the Fugitive Slave Bill, recently enactetl by Congress,
violates the plain intent and the strict tetter of the United States constitution,-
which secures to every citizen, except in cases of martial law, iJie right of trial
by juty on all impOTlant questions ; further, said bill outrages justice, since it
does not secure to the fugitive, or to the free man mjstalten for a fugitive, due
notice beforehand of tbe charge made agunst him, and opportunity for cross-
examining the witnesses against hira on their oath, gives bim no lime to get
counsel or gather testimony in his own behalf — riglits which our fathera
secured by tne struggle of two hundred' years, and which are too dear to be
sacriUced to the convenience of slave hunters, afraid or ashamed to linger
amid a community whose institutions and moral sense they are outraging.
Again, said bill tramples on the most sacred principles of the common law;
and even if men could be property, no property, however sacred, can claim
the right to be protected in such a way as endangers the rights and safety of
free men, therefore —
Resolved, That we protest against it as gixissly unconstitutional, as fi'aught
witli danger to the safety of a large portion of our fellow citizens, and capable
of being easily perverted to the ruin of any one, white or blacks we denounce
it as infamous, and we proclaim our deternunation tiiat it shall not be executed.
Resolved, That we rejoice to believe that there are not piisons enough at
the North to hold the men and women who stand ready to succor and protect
the panting fugitive slave, and baffle and resist the slave hunter, who shall
dare to pollute our soil.
ftesoLVEU, That every man who voted for this atrocious bill, every one
Who avows his readiness to execute it, and every one who justifies it on any
ground, is a traitor to the rights ol the tree stales, and a criminal of the deepfet
^e ; at the head of whom stands Millaid Fillmore, who from party, or even
baser motives, has set his name to a law, the provisions of which, so far
from being fitted for a chnstian republic, i-emind one only of the court of
Jeffl'ies, or the camp of Haymu
Resolved, That Samuel \ Eliot, of Boston, in giving his vote for this
blood-hound bill, dishonoied and betrayed Massachusetts ; and low as is often
the moral sense of a great city, caiikeied by wealth, we rejoice to know that
he misrepresented his immediate constituents; and we demand of them, in
the name of our old commonwealth, to save us from the infamy of his presence
in anothei" Congress,
Besolveo, That since God hath commanded ua to "bewray not him that
wandereth," and since, our fathei-s being witnesses, every man's right to lib-
erty is self-evident, we see no way of avoiding the conclusion of Senator
Seward, tiiat "it is a violation of the divine law to surrender the fugitive slave
who takes refuge at our firesides from his i-eientleas pursuers;" and in view
of this, as Well as of the notorious fact that the slave power has constantly
trampled under foot the Constitution of the United States to secure its own
extension or safety, and especially of the open, undisguised, and acknowledged
contempt of that instrument, with which the slave states kidnap our colored
citizens travehng south, and imprison our colored seamen, we, in obedience to
God's law, and in self-defense, declare that, coustitution or no constitution,
law or no law, with jury trial or without, the slave who has wice breathed the
air and touched the soil of Massachusetts, shall never be dragged back to
bondage.
Resolved, That Lewis Cass and Daniel Webster, Senator Foote and Sen-
ator Clay, and each and every oiie of the "comovomise committee of thirteen,"
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428 ANNiX3 OP LYNN — 1851.
who veporlec! and urged the passage of this hill, as well as every one who
voted for iis pageage, are unworthy the votes of a free people for any otRce
for which they may be hereafter named.
In the course of a few months other large meetings wero held,
attendedhj'promineiit individuals of the several political parties,
and similar resolutions adopted. Other places in the common-
wealth were quite as much in a ferment as Lynn, and public
opinion soon became so moulded that a legislature was elected
which made such provisions that the operation of the law was
seriously obstructed ; and the southerners grew rampant under
what they declared to be Massachusetts nullification. Some
very bad seeds were sown at this time.
George Thompson, member of the British parliament, dehv-
ered the introductory lecture before the Lynn Lyceum, on the
21st of November. There was a very large attendance. His
subject was Reforms in England.
The Central Congregational meeting-house, Silsbe street, was
dedicated on the 11th of December.
Rev. Elbridge G. Brooks was installed minister of the First
Universalist Society, on Sunday evening, December 22.
The valuation of the real estate in Lynn, for this year, was
$3,160,515; of personal, $1.674.328 — total,' 4.834.843. Kate
of taxation, $9 on $1,000. Number of polls, 3.215. City debt,
$56,960.55. By turning to date 1860, the reader will have an
opportunity to determine what progress had been made in these
particulars in ten years.
The whole number of deaths in Lynn, this year, was 262 ; of
consumption, 43. Aggregate population, 14.257. Many have
an impression that Lynn is an especially unfavorable locality
for such as are liable to pulmonary diseases. But it is thought
that a careful study of tbe bills of mortality will show that a
smaller number of deaths, from>all diseases, occur in Lynn, in a
given period, than in almost any place of equal population, in
New England; and that though"the consumptives here bear a
greater proportion, they are yet less in the whole number than
the consumptives in those other places.
1851
On Wednesday, 8 January, the commodious structure, erected
on High street, for tbe use of the High School, was dedicated.
The school was commenced 28 May, 1849, in the wooden school-
honse on Franklin street, under the charge of Jacob Batchelder,
as principal.
The carpenter shop of Thomas Taylor, on Sagamore street,
was destroyed by fire, on the night of 4 February. And on
Monday night, 17 February, the two story wooden building on
Market street, corner of Essex, was nearly burned up- The
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1851. 429
lower story waa occupied aa a crocTtery ware, grocery, and
provision store. The Freemasons and two temperance societies
had their rooms above.
On Sunday evening, March 11, a barn near the Dr. Cheever
place, in Saugus, was burned, with about twelve tons of hay.
On Tuesday, 13 March, a tremendous storm occurred. The
tide was driven entirely over Long Beach, at several points,
so that Nahant was literally an island. The new road, on the
harbor aide was much damaged, the marshes were submerged,
and considerable injury was done to the rail-road bed.
The second City Government was organized April 7 — George
Hood, mayor, James R. Newhali, president of the common coun-
cil, William Bassett, city clerk.
On the I5th of April, another violent easterly storm com-
menced, continuing two days. The wind was terrific, and
much rain fell. A higher tide was occasioned than any since
that driven in by the great gale of 1815. The sea again swept
over Long Beach, to such an extent that a continuous eheet of
raging water lay between Lynn and Nahant. Two men, on
horseback, attempted to cross the Beach, but the horses were
thrown down by a wave, and they were in great danger of losing
their lives. The lower part of Beach street waa submerged,
and much lumber, wood, and other property floated off. This
storm was more severe than that of the 18th of March. Seven
successive tides rushed over the Beach, badly gullying the road
80 lately built, and rendering it almost impassable. At Breed's
mill, on Oak street, a part of the dam was carried away and
much damage done, a more particular statement whereof may
be found on page 411. But the most serious disaster on the
coast was the destruction of the light-house on Minot's Ledge,
and the losa of two faithful assistant keepers. The height of the
building was seventy-five feet, and it was supposed to have been
so strongly built as to survive any storm. It was seen to fall,
a few minutes after midnight, by persons on boardan inward
bound vessel.
After these two severe storms it became apparent that some-
thing must speedily be done for the protection of the Beach or
it would entirely disappear leaving the town exposed to the
unobstructed inroads of the ocean. As the cheapest plan, it waa
concluded to place a line of rod cedars along the ridge, working
stones, sand, and sea debris aa compactly aa possible among
them. A guard was thus formed, answering a very good pur-
pose. The city appropriated 15.000 to the object. There
should, however, be a substantial wall of stone; and it is hoped
that government will one day supply the need ; though there is
not much prospect that they will do so at present.
Oq Friday afternoon, May 2, Miss Sarah Churchill, aged 19,
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430 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1851.
a daughter of Ivory Churchill, of Vine street, while on a pleas-
ure ride with a young man named Davis, visited the Fort, at
Marbiehead. They rode on an embankment, and Mr. Davis step-
ped from the chaise to turn the horse, when the animal suddenly
backed the carriage over the embankment, at a perpendicular
descent of some nine feet, and Miss Churchill was instantly
killed, her neck being broken. She was buried from St. Ste-
phen's church, on the following Sunday, and a great concourse
attended the solemn service.
On Sunday evening, 4 May, a barn on the Ballard estate, in
Saugus, was destroyed by fire. An ox and a cow perished in
the fiames.
At about noon, on Saturday, 28 June, Charles Furbush killedl
John J. Perdy, at the boarding house of Mr. Bailey, on Market
street, near the rail-road crossing.. Purbuah and Perdy were
both journeymen shoemakers, boarding with Mr. Bailey. They
had come home to dinner, and immediately after the meal was
ended, Purbush went to his room, and Perdy went out, hut
soon returned, and went into the chamber where Purbush was.
Presently two discharges of a pistol were heard, and some ex-
cited ejaculations. The people below rushed to the chamber
and found that Perdy had been shot ; and he immediately ex-
pired. Purbush was tried for murder, but acquitted on the
ground of insanity.
A petition was this year presented to the city council, by
Hiram Marble, for leave to excavate Dungeon Rock. Leave
was granted, in July, and then commenced those labors of Mr.
Marble in that romantic locality, which will remain forever,
evidence of his faith and perseverance. For a somewhat ex-
tended notice of the whole subject see under date 1658.
An effort was made this year, by a considerable number of
ladies, to bring into fashion the Turkish costume, or, as it was
called, the Bloomer-dress, from a lady of the name of Bloomer,
who strongly urged its adoption. They however had but small
success in inducing the sex generally to lay aside their graceful
flowing robes for those which, though more picturesque and
perhaps more convenient, have always, among the more fastidi-
ous at least, been deemed less appropriate if not less modest.
On a pleasant afternoon in July, a bevy of young ladies from
Boston, ■richly and gaily habited in the new costume, left the
cars at the Central Station, creating considerable observation if
not admiration by their short tunics, full trpwsers, bright sashes
and jaunty hats. Quite a number of the young ladies of Lynn
arrayed themselves in tho new style, but such a strong prejudice
against the innovation began to manifest itself, that they soon
laid aside the unappreciated garments.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, 13 August, during a thunder
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ANNALS OF LTNN — 1851. 431
shower, the lightning struck the house of Mr. Conner, on Eiver
street; and in a description of the singular effects, given by
one who soon after visited the premises it is stated that the hght-
ning descended the chimney, bursting it all to pieces as far down
as the attic floor. Then it passed down a stove funnel to the
chamber floor, bursting the cook stove, passing along the floor
into a room adjoining, where two persons were taking tea) In
its course here it tore up a large piece of the floor, upsetting
the table, bursting out two whole windows in the room, break-
ing the very chairs on which the persons sat, and throwing
table, dishes, food, broken chairs, splinters of wood, and broken
plastering, on all sides. Pieces of the broken iron and shivered
wood were afterward to be seen sticking in the casings of the
room, having been driven in, endwise, with much violence.
From this room it could he traced to the basement, and off into
the ground. And what is most wonderful of all, out of seven
persons who were in the house at the time, none were seriously
injured. The curious fact appeared, that pieces of the broken
stove were so highly magnetized, that in one instance a piece
about six inches square had strength enough to take board nails
from the floor and hold them by the point. At about the same
time that Mr. Conner's house was struck the lightning also struck
the store of Mr. Vickary, in Gravesend vOlage, somewhat injur-
ing it, and knocking down one person.
On Friday afternoon, 22 August, a fierce tornado visited thia
region. It was felt, however, to but a small extent in Lynn.
At Woodead, a. boat was thrown out of the pond, and an apple
tree eight or ten inches in diameter torn np by the roots. In
Gravesend, the lightning which accompanied the tornado, in one
instance descended the chimney of a house and went out through
the front door, taking the side-lights. But it was terrific in
some of the adjacent places ; tearing up lofty trees, demolishing
out buildings and fences, wrenching off roofs, and more or less
injuring many persons who were exposed to its fury.
The new grammar school-house at Nahant, was dedicated on
Tnes'day afternoon, 16 September.
On Sunday, 21 September, a great fire raged in the woods.
Some streets wore filled with smoke, and much damage was
done.
The Independent Methodist meeting-house, at Nahant, was
dedicated on Thursday afternoon, 25 September.
The Methodist meeting-house in Saugus, east village, was
broken into on the night of Thursday, Octoher 23, and the mis
sionary bos robbed of six dollars, and some thirty yards of
carpet stolen from the floor.
On Sunday night, October 26, the British schooner Brothers,
Captain Clark, was wrecked by striking on the outer ledge, off
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432 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1852
SwampsGot. The crew, seven in numlier, were landed in safety,
about midnight, by the assistance of Edward C. Bates and his
men, who heard their outcries and hastened to their succor.
The wreck drifted' over to the Nahant rocks, near Mr. Tudor's.
The new grammar echool-houso in Woodend, was dedicated
on Wednesday afternoon, 29 October. It was destroyed by fire,
21 January, 1859, being then valued at $6,000,
A new reHgioua society, called the Ceniral Unitarian Society,
was formed in Lynn this year. They commenced worship iu a
hall, on Sunday, 9 November. This society waa afterward dis-
tinguished as the Free Church.
Sagamore Building, near the Central Depot, was again nearly
destroyed by fire, 14 November.
The new grammar school-house in Gravesend was dedicated
19 November.
On Friday evening, 21 November, the brig Exile, of Yar-
mouth, N. S-i Captain Sharp, was wrecked on Long Beach.
Large quantitiea of her deck load of wood were washed ashore,
and by the means an immense fire was kindled on the Beach,
by the light of which the multitude worked in saving the lives
of the mariners, who were very much exhausted and in great
peril. By half past one o'clock all were safe on shore, but the
vessel was a total loss. It was estimated that there were a
thousand people on the Beach that night, and the scene was
one of terrific grandeur.
The first power printing press ever used in Lynn was set up
at the office of the Bay State on Christmas day. Before that
all the printing here was done on hand presses. The second
power press was set up in the Reporter office, in March, 1854.
The first meetings of the Second Baptist Society of Lynn,
were held this year.
The legislature authorized the offering of a reward of $10,000
for the discovery of a remedy for the potato rot.
1852.
On Wednesday night, 7 January, Joseph Barrett, of Graves-
end, aged 70, was frozen to death on his way home from Salem,
whither be had been to testify in the Perdy murder case.
At about sunrise, on a morning in January, a noble eagle was
observed, perched upon a house in Green street. Finding that
he waa attracting a good deal of attention, he presently soared
away.
A light snow fell on Sunday evening, March 21, and the next
morning mysterious footprints were discovered in the vicinity
of Nahant street and Long Beach. They were of a shape that
escited much curiosity, and no one was able to determine what
sort of a creature had made them. But on Monday evening.
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Mr. John Barry shot a very large gray owl, on tlie marsh, near
the foot of Pleasant street, and it was concluded that the won-
derful tracks were made by him. He measured more than five
feet from tip to tip of the wings.
An act waa passed, 26 March, to prevent the destruction of
shad and alewives.jn Saugua river, and the tributary streams in
the city of Lynn. Shad had long before disappeared, but ale-
wives continued abundant.
The Saugua Mutual Fire Insurance Company commenced
business on .the 1st Of April.
The organization of the third city government took place on
the 5th of April. Edward' S. Davis was elected president of
the common councii, and William Eassett, city clerk; Mr. Hood
continued to act as mayor, no other having been elected. Daniel
0. Baker and Benjamin F. Mudge were the principal candidates ;
but there were sufGcient scattering votes to defeat an election.
The old majority law was then in force ; and it was not' till the
eighth trial that a choice was effected. Mr. Mudge was elected,
June 12, by a small majority, and took the oath of office, on
the IGth of June.
A violent enow storm occurred on the 6th of April, A foot
of snow fell. There was also a snow storm on the 13th of April,
during which from six to eight inches fell.
On Thursday, 6 May, Louis Kossuth, the distinguished Hun-
garian patriot visited Lynn, and was received with public
honors. He arrived at about one o'clock in the afternoon, and
a procession was formed which proceeded through the Common,
between lines of public school children, and thence, by Market
street, to Lyceum Hall, where an enthusiastic reception awaited
him. He was quite ill, from exertion and exposure, but was
able to speak for about three quarters of an hour. The proces-
sion waa imposing, embracing some military, the fire companies,
the city government, associations, and citizens generally — ■ with
stirring music. It was thought that ten thousand persons were
on the Common at the time the procession passed. Kossuth
left in the afternoon. The day was quite warm, the thermom-
eter standing at eighty.
An act was passed by the legislature, 13 May, designed more
effectually to restrain people from carrying away sand, sea-weed,
and stones from the beaches. Much damage had been done by
inconsiderate and mercenary trespassers.
The Lynn City Guards were chartered this year. They were
formed as an independent company, and for a short time called
the Kossuth Guards, their first duty having been to serve as
escort on the reception df Gov. Kossuth, May 6. They were
chartered as an artillery company, William T, G^ale was the
first capfaiii, but he resigned in August, and was succeeded by
K2 28
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434 ANSTALS OP LYNN — 1852.
Thomas Herbert. Capt. Herbert resigned 15 May, 1857, and
James Hudson, jr., was chosen commander. This was one of
the companies belonging to the renowned Eighth Regiment,
which so promptly responded to the first call of President Lin-
coln, on the breaking out of the war of the great rebellion, in
1861. In five hours after the unexpected requisition, arrived in
Lynn, this company and the Light Infantry were ready for duty.
And they both departed in the forenoon of the next day.
A band of music was formed in Lynn, this year, under the
name of Mechanic Brass Band.
Swampscot was incorporated as a separate town, May 21.
And on Saturday, the 29th, public festivities were held there in
honor of the event. Bells were rung, cannon fired, and flags
raised. In the afternoon there was a procession, with music by
the Salem Brass Band, an address by Rev. J. B. Clark, and a
collation. In the evening there was a torch-light procession
and illuminations.
On Thursday, June 3d, three men were in a boat, near Pig
Rocks, when a severe squall struck them with such force as to
lift the boat entirely out of the water. It was capsized, and
two of the men, Mr. Small, of Swampscot, and Mr, Banforth, of
East Boston, wore drowned.
The bells were tolled and flags raised at half-mast, on the 3d
of July, by order of the city government, on account of the
death of Henry Clay.
The planet Venus was brighter in the month of July, than it
bad been for the ten preceding years. And for several nights
the unusual occurrence of all the visible planets being above
the horizon at the same time, was witnessed.
In July, a rattlesnake, having ten rattles, and measuring
nearly five feet in length, was killed on the Lynnfield road, by
Joshua Soule. And on the 29th of July another was killed
by Samuel J. Sargent, measuring five feet in length and eleven
inches in girth, and having twelve rattles. Still another was
billed in August, on the Turnpike, between Lynn and Boston,
by a Mr. Grout, which was four and a half feet long and had
seven rattles.
On the 28th of August, Mrs. Jerusha Rhodes died, aged a
little more than 97 years — being the oldest person then in Lynn.
On Thursday, 2 September, the Sixth Regiment of Infantry
went into camp at Lynn, occupying the field on the southeast
corner of Washington and Laighton streets. Many military
notables and others were present from abroad. Some gamblers
and pickpockets also made their appearance, but the police
interfered with their arrangements.
Building was very active during the spring and summer of
this year. Many houses of the better sort were erected.
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On Wednesday, 15 September, the now meeting-house of the
Trinitarian Congregational Society, in Saugue, was dedicated.
It cost $5,500.
An omnibus commenced running between the east and west
sections of Lynn, in October, and was continued till the horse
rail-road was built.
Funeral services were held in the First Congfogational meet-
ing-house, on Friday, 29 October, in memory of Daniel Webster,
it being the day on which his funeral took place at MarshfieJd.
The city council attended, each member wearing a badge of
mourning on his left arm. The house was appropriately draped.
Minute guns were fired on the Common from twelve to one
o'clock, the bells were tolled, and flags raised at half-mast.
Died, on Tuesday, 9 November, Isaac Gates, aged 74. He
practiced law in Lynn, for many years, but closed his life at
Harvard, his native place. He had been unwell, but recovered,
as was supposed, and went to the polls to vote the day before
his death. He retired apparently in good health and was found
dead in his bed the next morning. He graduated at Cambridge,
with the class of 1802, and possessed good natural abilities, but
had such eccentricities and irregularities, as tended to impede
his success; and he never prospered much at the bar. His
style of address was dogmatical, and his expressions extrav-
agant; but he possessed an abundance of grating wit and
loved much to indulge his powers of sarcasm, particularly in
the political caucus. His talents were sufficient to have ren-
dered him conspicuous and useful in any community; but in
Lim was afforded another of those instances over which the
philanthropist is so often called to lament. He took a good
deal of interest in the management of town affairs, and often
wrote timely articles for the newspapers; but his really judi-
cious suggestions too frequently lost their force through some
lurking prejudice or severity of expression, ■ He also loved
to write political articles for the newspapers, but hie style even
here was often so pungent as to destroy the effect. Neverthe-
less 'Squire Gates, as he was popularly called, secured many
friends by his good nature and readiness to do a neighborly act.
The following very well exhibits a common way he had of giv-
ing vent to his humor. He had in the court of common pleas
defended a man of notoriously intemperate habits against the
charge of being a common drunkard, and by some strange
good luck succeeded in winning from the jury a verdict of
not guilty. The man was so elated that he began to stammer
out his thanks. Mr. Gates, perceiving his object, sprang to his
feet, and throwing up his spectacles, exclaimed, in that earnest
manner which every one who knew him will remember, " There,
there 1 don't you try to say any thing; the jury on their oath
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436 AKNALS OP LYKN — 1853.
declare that you are not a drunkard. Now go right home and
see if you can't keep sober for a week, a thing that you know
you haven't done for the last six months." Before coming to
Lynn Mr. Gates practiced in Concord, N. H,, and Brunswick, Me.
He had one son and three daughters, and the family were refined
and highly esteemed.
On the 26th of November, an earthquake was felt at Lynn.
A hel! wae raised on the meeting-house of the Trinitarian
Congregational Society, in Lyunfield, November 26. And this
was the first church bell in the town.
At the great World's Fair held in London, this year, several
lots of shoes, the product of Lynn industry, were exhibited,
highly praised, and in one or two instances took prizes.
1853.
On Monday, January 3d, a prize fight to-ok place between
two pugilists from Boston, in a field bordering on the north-
eastern road to Lynnfield. The stakes were |300. The fight
was arranged in Boston, continued about an hour, and was
witnessed by a large number of persons, many of whom came
in carriages from other places. The combatants were badly
bruised. The city marshal succeeded in arresting one of the par-
ties who was afterward convicted in the court of common pleas.
The gaa was lighted in Lynn, for the first time, on Thursday
night, 13 January. The price to consumers was fixed at §3.50
a thousand cubic feet.
On the 16th of January, the harbor was frozen to Sand Point ;
on the 23d it was clear of ice; and on the next day it was
again frozen to Chelsea.
The new grammar school-house in the fourth ward was dedi-
cated on the 25th of January.
On Tuesday, February 1, the cars commenced running over
the Saugus Branch JE{jiiI-road.
On Monday afternoon, February 14, Eichard Koach, a man
about forty years of age, was at work near the Lynn Common
rail-road depot, sawing wood with a steam circular saw. The
balance wheel suddenly exploded, with a terrific report, and
fragments flew in all directions, one of them striking the unfor-
tunate man just above the chin, and knocking his head com-
pletely ofi", with the exception of a part of the jaw. Another
part of the wheel was thrown with such force as to cut off a
four-inch joist and shoot to a distance of a quarter of a mile;
and two pieces landed on Boston street.
Nahant was incorporated as a separate town, March 29.
The organization of the fourth city government took place
on Monday, April 4 — Daniel C. Baker, mayor, Edward S. Davis,
president of tbe common council, Charles Merritt, city clerk.
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ANNALS OF LYSN — 1853. 437
On Friday afternoon, May 20, the remains of Jesse Hutohin-
Eon were buried from the atone cottage at High Rock, which
was built by him six years before. He was one of the band of
vocalists known as the Hutchinson brothers, though his duties
lay rather in making arrangements and writing songs than in
singing. He was the poet of the family, had much skill in
touching the popular vein, and would, could he have been per-
suaded to spend a little more time and thought in elaborating
some of his pieces, have left what would have eudured. He
had a social disposition though his temper was impulsive; and
he possessed many eecentrioities that were attractive, coupled
with some that were not. He had a good printing-office educa-
tion, had traveled some, read a great deal, and his mind was
well stored with information, much of which was unavailable in
the practical concerns of life. ' He was a spiritualist, and, it is
said, pledged himself to return, after entering the spirit land,
and convince mankind of the truth of his views. But from
some cause, he appears to have failed in fulfilling his pledge.
He died at Cincinnati, where he had stopped at a water-cure
establishment on his way home from California, in the hope of
recovering his health. ' He was the father of several children,
all of whom died young, and before his own decease.
The Lynn Light Infantry was chartered this year. This was
the second company of the name formed in Lynn. See under
date 1846.
Boston street Methodist Society was organized this year, and
their moeting-house dedicated on Thursday, 9 June.
During a thunder shower, on the 23d of July, electrical dis-
charges were heard in several places near where telegraph wires
ran, resembling the discharges of muskets. When one of the
explosions took place near the Central Depot, two horses were
thrown to their knees. At the mill on Saugus river, as one of
the discharges took place the glass attachment on the ridge-pole
was shivered and pieces sent to the distance of a hundred rods.
A oomot was visible in August. It was about as bright as a
star of the third magnitude and had a tail two degrees in length,
extending upward. The best view was when it was in the west,
an hour or two after sunset,
On Fiiday morning, 16th September, a fire broke out in a
building on the north side of Federal square, owned by Joseph
Moulton, jr. A store and dwelling-house were destroyed and
several other buildings injured. Loss $3,000.
Patrick McGuire, an Irishman, aged about 23, was fatally
stabbed in Franklin street, at half past nine o'clock on Monday
evening, September 26. The murdered man was thought to
have been mistaken for another. The murderer escaped.
On Monday night, 24 October, a severe gale took place. The
K2*
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438 AHNALa OF LTNN — 1854.
eastern wing of Nahant Hotelj eighty feet in length and tlilrty
iD breadth, and containing sixty sleeping rooms and the large
dining hall, fell, with a tremendous crash. It had been raised
from the foundation for the purpose of being altered.
Albert Gove, aged 51, while near the Central Depot, 25 Octo-
ber, was caught by the arm, by a looomotive, and dragged some
two hundred feet. His injuries caused his death, two days
after. His spectacles were found on the cow-catcher, at the
Salem depot.
1854.
Pine Grove Cemetery was conveyed to the City, January 2,
by the Corporation,
During the first week in January, there were four snow
storms. Between two and three feet fell. The rail-road trains
were much impeded. On Thursday, five locomotives were
joined to force a morning train from Lynn to Boston, Some
damage was done to Nahant Hotel, by the wind.
Early this year various fashions in wearing the beard began
to be adopted. A great many laid aside tho razor .altogether,
and allowed it full scope; others kept it within what was to
them a convenient length, by the use of the scissors; others
entertained only mustaches; and soon as great diversity pre-
vailed as existed in the tastes and whims of those who cultivated
the masculine appendage.
The Ijegislature passed the plurality law in February. Tliia
was a great convenience and the means of saving much expense
at elections. In a community where the number of voters is few,
it may operate well to require a majority for an election. But
where the number reaches to thousands, and there must neces-
sarily be many opposing candidates, a plurality \a\x seems a
necessity. The majority requisition was a great burden to
Lynn, Where there were usually more than two parties. It was
not till the eighth trial that the mayor was elected, in 1852.
On Fridaj' night, March 17, a violent gale commenced from
the northeast, continuing through Saturday. For a few days
previous the weather had been quite warm, with some thunder
and lightning ; biit when the wind set in eo violently the tempe-
rature changed with a suddenness seldom witnessed even here.
In about five hours the thermometer sank from near summer
heat to below freezing point. The wind was so powerful as to
overthrow several chimneys, and the lofty flag-staff at Bast San-
gus. Upon the Eastern Rail-road a train was brought to a full
stop, while passing over the marshes, by the force of the wind.
Mr. Stevens, of the Tremont House, Boston, whde attempting
to ride across Long Beach, on his way to Nabant, found himself
and hia horse in danger of being buried by the drifting sand,
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1854. 439
and was compelled to give up tho attempt and return to Lynn,
Old people at Nahant declared tliat so severe a gale had not
before taken place, within their recollection.
The Lynn Weekly Reporter was commenced on the 25tli of
March, by Peter L. Cox and Henry S. Cox.
The organization of the fifth city government took place on
Monday, .April 3 — Thomas P. Richardson, mayor, Gustavus
Attwill, president of the common council, Charles Merritt, city
clerk.
John Estes died, 30 May, aged 41, of lockjaw. About a fort-
night before, he stepped on a rusty nail, wounding his foot ; but
the wound apparently healed and he thought nothing further
of it for some days. But on the Saturday before his death he
took cold, and on Monday took to his bed, complaining of an
unpleasant feeling in his head. His jaws presently became
fixed and no effort could relais the muscles. Mortificatioi)
ensued and on Tuesday afternoon he died.
A large and beautiful elm, on Washington square, died in
May, as was supposed from the effects of gas that had leaked
from the under-ground pipes. Several other fine trees, among
them a stately elm on South Common street, which had cast its
shade for sixty years, died about the same time, and as was
thought, from the same cause ; also one on Market street, corner
of Liberty,
On Friday, 16 June, a little son of 0. W. Jewett, died from
injuries received while attempting to turn summersets.
On Saturday morning, 8 July, a car load of cotton belonging
to a Saco company, on arriving at Lynn was found to have
taken fire from a spark from the locomotive. Alarm was given
and the fire engines appeared. After considerable exertion the
fire was extinguished. Some fifteen bales wore destroyed.
There was a great drought this year. No rain fell for six
weeks immediately preceding the first of September. On that
day copious showers took place, much to the refreshment of
parched nature.
On the 3d of August, Henry Thomas shot a white-faced seal
off SwampsGot. The animal was four feet in length and weighed
forty pounds.
Mackerel were unusually plenty on the coast this year. Old
fishermen declared them to be more so than at any other time
within twenty-five years. Considerable quantities were taken
from the wharves in Lynn.
The City Bank went into operation in September. Capital,
$100,000. John C. Abbott, president; B. V. French, jr., cashier.
The Cemetery at Swampscot was consecrated in September.
Sagamore Hotel was built this year. The stone dwelling on
the point of Sadler's Bock, at the junction of Walnut and Hol-
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440 ANKALS OF LYNN — 1854.
yoke streets, was also built this year. The stone waa taken
from the hill above, and affords a fair specimon of large deposits.
Our rough and partially barren hilla contain that which at some
future day may be esteemed rich treasure. In elevated locali-
ties especially, stone is far preferable to wood as a building
material, not only because it is more substantial and durable,
but also because it is so much less liable to he affected by
atmospheric changes. There were only three stone houses in
Lynn when this was built. But a novel material for building
began to be used to some extent at this time. It consisted of
coariie gravel, with about one twelfth part of lime, worked into
mortar. Many believed it would be sufficient to form walls firm
enough for large dwellings. But the delusion was dispelled in
a singular and effectual manner, on Monday afternoon, November
13. Joseph Hay had employed William H. Mills, a carpeuter, to
erect for him, on Breed street, near Lewis, a dwelling-house,
the dimensions of which, on the ground, were thirty-four by
twenty-eight feet, with an l twenty-three by eighteen feet.
The walls, which were of this new material, had been .carried
up twenty-two feet from the underpinning, and the roof was put
on early in October. The house was now — November 13 —
lathed, and ready for the inside plastering. Ten persons were
at work within, when, without any premonition, and with a
tremendous crash, the who!e fabric fell to the ground. A cloud
of dust ascended and great alarm spread. Nothing remained
but a heap of rubbish. Mr. Hay had three of his ribs broken ;
a young man had an arm broken ; and several others were badly
bruised ; no one, however, was fatally injured. After this catas-
trophe, the "mud bouses," as they were called, were looked
upon with little favor. But it should be added that one or two
smaller buildings, of similar material, erected about the same
time, arc still standing. The ingredients may, however, have
been better proportioned, or the weather during the time of
building. may have been more favorable. It is quite certain
that in a climate as variable as that of New England, something
more substantial is required.
The raihroad running from Danvers to South Reading, through
Lynnfield, was opened fo/public travel, in connection with the
Danvers and Georgetown rail-road, on the 23d of October.
An unusually protracted and delightful period of Indian sum-
mer ended on the 28th of October. The natural cause of the
beautiful autumn weather known in New England as Indian
summer still remains unknown. Some naturalists think it pro-
ceeds from a chemical condition of the atmosphere produced by
the ripening and falling of the fqliage.
Brick side walks began to be laid in Lynn this year, though a
few trifling patches existed before. With a view to encourage
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AHNALS OF LYKN — 1854. 441
tbe improvement, the city goverDment passed an order that
granite curb stones should be famished and sot at the public
expense, in all cases where individuals would furnish and lay
tbe bricks.
On Sunday evening, December 3, a violent wind with rain
and hail arose and did conaiderable damage, breaking trees and
destroying fences. Two dwelling bouses in process of erection
at Bass Point, Nahant, were blown down.
During the winter of this year there were thirty-five storms,
and a more than usuai aggregate of snow.
The boundary line between Lynnfleld and Reading was estab-
lished this year.
Two, of those financial anomalies called loan and fund associa-
tions were formed this year; one called tbe " Lynn Mutual Loan
and Fund Association," and the other the " West Lynn Loan
and Fund Association." It is not singular, as may be remarked
in general, and with no special reference to the Lynn associ-
ations, that many of that large class who in the hot pursuit of
riches rely rather upon their supposed shrewdness than any
settled business principle or mathematical rule, and have a child-
like credulity in regard to any speculation that promises in-
crease, should twdily join such associations as these; but it
is singular that so many reputable and experienced businesa
men, should have so'readily given countenance to what was so
questionable. Some expected to derive from them large benefits
as borrowers and others as lenders. But most were disappoint-
ed; for it turned out as a few careful computers declared, that
miscalculations bad entered into the plans of operation. The
modes by which these associations operated were complicated
and not easily understood; and perhaps that very thing was
one cause of their acceptance '; for many minds are charmed with
what is mysterious, and disdainful of what is simple. A portion
of those connected with these associations complained bitterly
of their usurious and oppressive management. And the supreme
court was appealed to for the righting of some of the alleged
wrongs ; but the appeal was barren of the expected results.
They were relieved from the charge of usury; and the purgation
was followed by such reasoning as to satisfy honest and reflect-
ing men that the tribunal still remains a human institution.
For several years a difference had existed among the Friends,
occasioned by some of their distinguished writers having advo-
cated and published sentiments which were deemed by a large
portion of the society to be at variance with some of its well-
known and fundamental principles. This difference at length
resulted in a division or separation in the Yearly Meeting of
New Kngland, one branch professing to adhere uncompromis-
ingly to the original ground, while the other had so far aban-
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442 ANNALS OP LYNN — 1855.
doned tbat ground as to acknowledge religious fellowship and
unity with those who had sought to introduce their modified
views into the church. A large proportion of the Friends'
Meeting in Lynn having declared themselves subordinate to
this latter body, no alternative remained for those members
who could not join in this courao but to meet apart from them
and thus sustain or continue the Meeting in connection with
the Yearly Meeting which had resisted the innovations upon
its discipline and doctrines. This year they erected a neat
meeting-house on Cambridge street. Perhaps the reader will
be enabled to form some just conception of the differences
existing between the two parties by tlie statement that both
contended that they were the true Quakers. Those who re-
tained possession of the meeting-house, approved the teachings
of Joseph John Gnrney, an EngUsh Quaker, and considered that
the reading of the scriptures forms an essential part of family
and private devotion -^ that the scriptures alone reveal the trua
character of sin — that the observance of the sabbath is impor-
tant— that the written gospel becomes the power of God unto
ealvation — that Christ will come again literally; The other
party, in accordance with the ministration of John Wilbur and
the early Quakers, held that the influence of the Holy Spirit,
within the heart, was the true gospel, and alone sufficient for
salvation — that the sabbath is a Jewish institution, the first
day of the week not being the anti-type thereof nor the true
christian sabbath, which, with Calvin, they believed to have a
more spiritual sense — that the reading of the scriptures is
profitable, but the knowledge of them not so essential to the
understanding or practice of a holy Jife as to preclude the pos-
sibility of leading such a life without it — that Christ has come
already spiritually,
1855.
By an amendment of the city charter, the municipal year
was made to commence on the first Monday in January instead
of the first Monday in April,
The influx of the sea was so great during the violent storms
in the early part of this year that considerable damage was
done to the embankments along Ocean street. Many bathing
houses were thrown down and King's Beach was at times com-
pletely overflowed.
" Josselyn's Lynn Daily," a good sized, well printed and ably
edited sheet was commenced in January, and continued for
some months, by Lewis Josselyn.
On the morning of January 10, Samuel Newhall shot, near
Saugus river, two eagles — one gray and the other bald.
There was an interval of severe cold early in February. On
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tbe morning of the 5th, the body of a well-dressed man was
found in the road between Lynn and Danvers. He had evidently
frozen to death. On the 7th, the thermometer stood at eighteen
degrees below zero, in the morning, but at noon it was eight
above; making a change of twenty-six degrees in four hours.
The new Methodist meeting-house in East Saugus, was dedi-
cated on Thursday forenoon, 22 February. Sermon by Bishop
Janes. The cost of the edifice, including furnishings, was about
$9,000.
On Tuesday forenoon, 27 February, Mrs- Mary Farley, aged
28, died from the effects of .ether. She went into the ofSce of
a respectable and skillful dentist, near the Central Depot, for
the purpose of having a tooth extracted, and desired that ether
might, be administered. The operator advised against it, but
after being urged complied. She died immediately, without
returning to consciousness. A coroner's inquest was held, and
the verdict was that she died from congestion of the lungs,
caused by inhaling the ether. And the jury exonerated the
operator from all blame in the unfortunate matter.
During the week ending March 3, the Swampscot fishermen
were unusually successful. The number of boats employed
was fourteen, and the aggregate tonnage, six hundred. The
total number of men employed was one hundred and twenty-six,
and the fish which tbey caught sold for $5,272.00. None of the
boats, excepting one, were out more than five days.
Rev. Jotham E. Sewall was installed pastor of the Central
Church, Silsbe street, on Wednesday, 7 March,
The Lynn Library Association was incorporated in March,
On Saturday evening, 31 March, some gentlemen at Little
Beach captured a black-fish, eighteen feet in length. The blub-
ber produced two barrels of oil.
Seven thousand tons of ice were cut in the ponds of Lynn
during the last winter.
The Lynn Musical Association was incorporated this year.
On Sunday, 6 May, a large tract of woodland, in Saugus, was
burned over. A striking display was made by the fire, at night.
Early on Friday morning. May 11, the shoe manufactory of
Nelson Raddin, near East Saugus bridge, was burned, and with
it a large amount of stock.
Several young men made a trial of their powers in a pedes-
trian contest, in Juno. Albert Eamsdell ran three fourths of a
mile in two minutes and fifty seconds ; Jacob Eamsdell ran
the same distance in two minutes and fifty-five seconds ; and
Charles Breed equalled the latter. E. F. Newhall ran one mile,
on Long Beach, in five minutes and fifteen seconds. A. M. Col-
yer, a shoemaker, ran a mile in five minutes and twenty-seven
seconds, barefoot, and on hard ground.
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444 AKKALS OP LTHN — 1855.
On the JCth of June, a turtle, weighing thirty -five pounds,
was caught in Floating Bridge pond.
True Moody died on Sunday morning, 17 June. He was a
colored man and had been out-door servant and hostler at Lynn
Hotel for about forty years. He was a native of New Hamp-
shire, an honest man and a faithful servant, and acquitted him-
self so willingly and skillfully in his humble calling that travelers
regarded him with great favor. In person he was stout, and
possessed in a well-developed form, all the physicai peculiarities
that distinguish the African race. His mouth waa capacious
and answered the novel purpose of a temporary savings bank;
for in it he was accustomed to deposit the pecuniary gratuities
that were bestowed by the numerous visitors at the house, till
he could find time to remove them to a more suitable place, or
till he required his mouth for some more legitimate use. And
there is an account of a wager by some young men as to the
amount of silver change in his mouth at a given time. To
determine the bet he consented, with his usual good nature, to
discharge the deposits into a bowl, when they were found to
amount to a little more than five dollars, the whole being in
small pieces. By his gains in this humble way, he was enabled
to secure a comfortable home and respectably support a family.
By the failure of Nahant Bank, in 1836, he lost some five hun-
dred dollars, which was a sad misfortune. And the Eastern
Eail-road, which was built a few years afterward, by diverting
travel from the Hotel, which for many years had ranked as one
of the best in the vicinity, greatly reduced his income. It is
said that at this period he was accustomed to retire to a corner
of the deserted stable and weep. He long bore the name of
Master True, and few persons were better known to travelers.
And he knew all the noted characters who traveled the road,
many of whom would rather have lost an hour on their jour-
ney than an opportunity to have a chat with him. It is said
that Harrison Gray Otis was accustomed to speak of him as an
acquaintance, and a man of great moral worth. Some newspa-
pers stated that he was ninety-seven years old at the time of his
death; but this was probably far from the truth; or he must
have been endowed with extraordinary physical poiYera. His
history affords another illustration of the fact that diligence
and faithfulness, even in the most lowly occupation will attract
attention and ensure reward.
The electric telegraph to Nahant was put in operation this
summer.
The bakery of J. C. Eldred, on Commercial street, was de-
stroyed by fire on Friday night, 10 August. Loss'$3.500.
On Monday, 20 August, a horse mackerel, weighing a thou-
sand pounds, aud measuring ten feet in length and six in girth,
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was captured between Egg Eocb and the Swampaoot sliore, by-
three men from Swampscot.
A severe drought prevailed during the last of summer and
first of autumn.
A sad accident occurred at Dungeon Eock, September 19. Ed-
win Marble, who was aasiating his father in the work in progress
there, and Benjamin Mann, were engaged in blasting, when a
■charge prematurely exploded, breaking Edwin's left arm and two
of the fingers ofhis right hand; also badly cutting and bruising
his face and neck. Mr. Mann was likewise bruised, though he
escaped with comparatively little injury.
David S. Proctor, of Swampscot, during three days hunting
in Lynn woods, killed three foxes and forty gray squirrels.
On Sunday, 25 November, the Catholic churcli, on Ash street,
was consecrated, by Bishop Fitzpatrick, Nearly three hundred
persons were confirmed on the same day. The main portion
of the building was old. It was built by the Methodists; after-
ward occupied by the Baptists ; and later stiil used for the sixth
ward grammar school. The Catholics purchased, repaired, and
enlarged it, rendering it capable of accommodating something
over a thousand worshipers. This was the first Roman Catho-
lic church in Lynn. See under date 1815.
Michael Doian, aged 22, was knocked down by a rail-road
train from Boston, at the Market street crossing, 21 December,
and So much injured as to cause his death.
At the close of December there was a splendid display of
frosted trees, continuing three days. Few people ever witnessed
euch a fairy-like exhibition. It appeared to me far superior to
that noticed under date 1829. In the forest, when the sun was
shining brightly, one could hardly realize that he had not been
transported to some enchanted land.
The Lynn Five Cents Savings Bank commenced receiving
deposits, November 27 — George Hood, president.
There were issued in Lynn, during this year, one hundred
and sixty-three marriage certificates.
1856.
On Saturday, January 5, a violent snow storm commenced,
and continned through Sunday. A great quantity of snow fell,
and the wind blew a hurricane from the northeast. Bail-road
traveling was greatly obstructed. The half past six o'clock
train from Boston, on Saturday evening, was twenty-two hours
in reaching Salem ; it became fast bound, a short distance east of
the Swampscot station, and bad to remain through the night,
the passengers, among whom were some twenty ladies, suffering
much from the intense cold, and want of food. For several
days after the storm the weather was very cold, the thermome-
L2
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446 ANNALS OF LYNN — 1856.
ter, on Wednesclay, standing at twelve degrees below zero. In-
deed the winter of 1855-6 was one of marked severity. From
Christmas to near the middle of March, the same snow, in many
instances, remained on the roofs. Sleighing commenced the
day after Christmas and continued between eighty and ninety
consecntive days. On the morning of the 10th of March, the
thermometer, in various parts of Lynn, stood at ten degrees
below zero. The ice in the harbor broke up on the 19th of
March. Cutting, winds from the northwest greatly prevailed
for ten weeks preceding the middle of March, adding much to
the piercing effects of the cold.
On the 17th of January, George H. Jiilson, aged 46, a carpen-
ter, employed on Nahant Hotel, was so badly injured by the
falling of a board from the fifth story, upon him, that he died on
the following Sunday.
A pair of bald eagles were seen upon the ice in Lynn harbor,
17 January.
On Tuesday, 12 February, Ezra R. Tibbetts, a respectable
citizen of Lynn, while passing along the side-walk in Bromfield
street, Boston, was killed by the ialling of a body of ice and
enow from a three story building, upon his head. He was a
mason by trade, and an industions, worthy man. He held vari-
rious responsible offices under the old town government, Tib-
betts's Building, so called, on Market street, was built by him.
On the night of 27 February, a sudden and vivid flash lighted
up the whole atmosphere. It resembled lightning, in some
respects, though no thunder was heard. It was probably some
brilliant meteor passing behind the clouds.
On Tuesday evening, April 8, a farewell meeting was held at
the First Methodist meeting-house, on the occasion of Rev.
William Butler's departure for his field of duty as superintendent
of the Methodist missions in India, Several dignitaries from the
church at large were present and the exercises were instructive
and impressive, Mr, Butler received his credentials and charges
at this meeting. Soon after his arrival in India, the great Sepoy
revolt took place, and he was subjected to much loss though
he escaped personal harm.
On the morning of April 10, Ihe carpenter shop of William
H, Mills, on Chesnut street, was destroyed by fire with all its
contents. Loss, about SI. 400.
A Severe northeast storm began on Saturday evening, 19
April, and continued to rage till Monday night. Numerous
buildings were more or less injured. The steeple of the Meth-
odist meeting-house at Swampscot, then in process erection,
was blown down.
The brick school-house on Howard street, was destroyed by
fire on the morning of May 15. Loss $1,500.
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AKSAL9 OP LTNH — 1856. 447
Stephen Palmer, a carpenter, aged 53, fell from a staging, while
at work on the house of Holten Johnson, at the eastern end
of the Common, on the 15th of May, and was ao injured that he
lay senselesB till the morning of the 18th, when he died.
The first Methodist meeting-house at Swampecot, was dedi-
cated on Monday, June 30. Bishop Simpson preached the
sermon.
As an instance of the quick work of one of our Lynn shoe-
makers, it may he stated that Francis D. Rhodes, in fifty days,
made, in a good, workmanlike manner, seven hundred and
ninety-two pairs of ladies' shoes, at twenty-two cents a pair,
thus earning, in less than two months, |174.24. They were,
of course, made entirely by hand.
On the evening of 26 June, a Mrs. Brazil, visiting at the house
of John Regan, South Common street, attempted to fill a lamp
with burning fluid, when an explosion took place, setting fire to
her clothes. A child ran toward her, the fire was communicated
to its garments, and it was so much burned that it died. Mrs.
Brazil was not fatally injured. This was one of many accidents
that took place about this time from the explosive burning fluid
then in such common use.
The new school house in the centre district of Lynnfield was
dedicated on the 11th of July.
On the 16th of July, Capt. William T. Gale, fell down a flight
of stairs in the Bay State Building, Central Square, and so in-
jured himself that he died the next day, remaining insensible
during the mean time. He was for a number of years commander
of the Lynn Artillery, and was buried with military honors.
A horse-mackerei, nine feet in length, and weighing nearly a
thousand pounds was captured off Nahant, 16 July.
On the 26th of July the thermometer stood at from ninety-
seven to a hundred degrees, in the shade, in different parts of
Lynn; and for the preceding five consecutive days it had stood
above ninety during some part of the day.
A colored youth named Francis P. Haskell, aged 20, was
drowned in the Flax pond, on the 3d of August, He rode a
horse in to water, and not loosening the martingale the animal
became restiff, threw his rider over his head, and with his fore
feet thrust him under water.
There was a severe drought this summer. It ended on the
night of August 5, when a copious rain commenced, continuing
in almost unbroken torrents till Wednesday noon. On the nest
Friday there was a violent thunder storm. The house of Dr.
Asa T. Newhall, on Olive street, was struck and damaged to the
amount of $250, A house on the opposite side of the same
street was also struck; likewise a brick house on Sea street,
the latter having every pane of glass, in one window, broken.
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448 AHNAL3 OP LYSN — 1856.
Two gentlemen were riding over Long Beacli, when the pole
of their carriage was strnck and shivered into innumerable
splinters. The house of John Blaney, in Swampscot, was also
struck. Indeed the lightning struck in some twenty places,
within a circuit of ten miles. The storm was extraordinary for
its -duration, raging, with very hrief intervals, for full fourteen
hours. Between five and eight o'clock in the afternoon it was
very severe ; but from half past eleven to half past one in the
night it was really appalling — the thunder jarring the most
substantial fabrics, the lighting gleaming with blinding intensity,
the rain pouring down in equatorial torrents, and the wind
roaring furiously.
Out-door services were held in Lynn, this year, by several
of our clergymen. Dr. Cooke, of the First Church, preached
his first field sermon on Sunday, 7 September, oa the Common.
But the experiment, on the whole, was not successful, the wea-
ther often interfering with the arrangements. The groves are
indeed beautiful temples, but in a climate so variable as that of
New England not so convenient for fashionable worshipers.
Egg Rock light was shown, for the first time, on Monday,
night, 15 September. The cost of the building was $3,700.
It was built by Ira P. Brown, On the 8th of 'July, a company
of gentlemen from Lynn and the neighboring places visited the
rock and hold a jovial celebration.
Patrick Buckley, the "Lynn Buck," ran five miles in twenty,
eight minutes and thirty-eight seconds, at the Trotting Park,
September 19, for a belt valued at $50. And on the 4th of
December, William Hendley ran the same distance in twenty-
eight minutes and thirty seconds.
The schooner Shark, Captain Carlisle bound from Bristol, Me.
for Boston, with wood, was wrecked on Long Beach, 30 Sep-
tember, The cargo was strewed along the shore and the vessel
went to pieces; bnt no lives were lost. The disaster was
occasioned by the Egg Rook light being mistaken for that on
Long Island.
Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfleld, was consecrated October
14. Addresses were delivered by Rev. E. E. Hodgman and
Rev. A. P. Chute.
Some of the Swampscot fishermen were very successful
about the close of the year. During the week ending Decem-
ber 13, the schooner Flight, Captain Stanley, with thirteen hands,
caught 62.700 pounds of cod fish. And a short time before, the
crew of the Jane caught in one day, among a largo quantity of
cod fish of the ordinary size, twelve v^hich weighed on an average
fifty-six pounds each. Captain Nathaniel Blanchard caught one
cod fish which weighed ninety-four pounds, gross, and seventy-
eight pounds
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ANNALS OP LYNN-
1857.
A very violent snow storm commenced on Sunday, January
18. It had been extremely cold. On Friday, the thermometer
sank to twenty-two degrees below zero, and on the morning of
the day on which the storm began, it was from twelve to
twenty below. The wind was high, and the snow drifted furi-
ously. So great a quantity fell that almost ail travel was sus-
pended for one or two days. Three powerful engines were
required to force the formidable snow plough along the rail-road
track. It was not till Tuesday afternoon that trains were able
to reach Lynn from Salem and Boston; at which time one
arrived from each place, drawn by four engines. The way
being thus opened, other trains followed, and there were eleven
engines at the Lynn station, at one time. Much damage was
done on the coast and the beaches bore melancholy evidence
of the perils of the sea.
The bark Tedesco was totally wrecked in the terrible storm
spoken of in the foregoing paragraph. She was commanded
by Captain Peterson, of Portland, and was from Cadiz, with a
cargo of wine and salt. She was driven ashore at Long Rock,
Swampscot, belcw the Ocean House, and soon went to pieces.
All on board, twelve in number, perished. Six of the dead
bodies were buried from the Methodist meeting-house in Swamp-
scot, at one time. The vessel was valued at $15,000, and the
cargo at the same. The captain had been married, at Cadiz,
immediately before sailing, but his wife ivas not on board.
From the 7th day of January to the 20th, Mercury, Venus,
Mars and Jupiter were all visible in the western hemisphere,
and Saturn in the eastern. Uranus was also visible by glasses.
Such an occurrence, it is said, Copernicus longed to witness,
but did not. Neptune was likewise, at the same time, visible
by telescopic aid.
James H. Luscomb, a youth of the age of fifteen, while driving
a cow across Long Beach, 19 February, fastened one end of a
rope around her neck and the other end around his own body.
The cow suddenly turned and rushed back toward Little Nahant,
dragging him three quarters of a mile and killing him. His
skull was fractured and his back broken in two places.
Goold Brown, aged 65, died at his residence on North Com-
mon street, March 31, after an illness of nine days. He early
directed his attention to studies connected with the science of
language and became widely known as a grammarian. Many
years ago he published a grammar which was extensively intro-
duced into the schools of the United States. And he taught a
seminary in New York city, long and acceptably. His last and
great work, which was completed but a short time before his
L2* 29
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450 AKNALS OP LTNM — 1857.
death, was entitled the Grammar of English Grammars. He
was a native of Providence, R. I,, and a descendant of the
founder of Brown University ; was a member of the Society of
Friends and a much respected citizen. He left a widow and
two adopted daughters.
Haddock appeared in great numbers, at times, during the
early part of the year. Ou the thirteenth of March, about one
hundred of the Swampacofc fishermen, in twelve boats, caught,
in some six hours, 160.000 pounds of fish, almost entirely had.
dock.
Fisher Kingsbury, a respectable citizen of Saugns, aged 70,
was instantly kilted on the Sangus Branch Rail-road, at Maiden,
17 March, Both his legs were cut off, and he was otherwise
injured, by a passing train.
A number of respectable shoe manufacturers early this year
joined in forming a board of trade. It was thought that bene-
fits would accrue from the association, particularly through the
adoption of rules regarding credit to customers and for the
security of greater uniformity in the trade generally. But all
the good that at first seemed promised was not realized, owing
perhaps in a great measure to the diversity of interests and the
unwillingness of some to yield to any regulation that might
appear to restrain the largest freedom in trade. The associa-
tion did not long continue in active operation.
Trawl-fishing began to be practised by some of the Swamps-
cot fishermen this year.
A team load of goods, while passing over Long Beach, from
Nahant, May 6, took fire, and was damaged to the amount of
sixty dollars.
On the evening of May 26, the shoe manufactory of Albert E,
Ingalls, on Union street, was burned, with a considerable amount
of stock.
John B. Gowan, a native of Lynn, arrived at Sehastopol,
Russia, June 3, to undertake the raising of the ships sunk in
that harbor, during the Crimean war, under a contract with the
Russian government. His enterprise was successful, and honors
were bestowed upon him.
The bam of Captain Fuller, in Humfrey street, Swarapscot,
was burned, June 13. The fire was set by two little boys who
were playing with matches, in the barn. One of the boys, a son
of J. A. Knowlton, aged four and a half years, was burned to
death.
The color of Egg Rock light was changed from white to red,
June 15.
On Sunday morning, 21 June a dwelling-house in process of
completion for Mrs. Raddin, widow of George W. Raddin, near
the Saugus line, was burned. Loss, about $1,200.
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ANSAL9 OF LYNK — 1857. 451
Widow Mary Wiggin, died June 20, aged 95 — tbc oldest
person in Lynn, at the time.
Independence was celebrated in Lynn, this year, A long
procession marched through the streets, consisting of a caval-
cade in fancy costumes, fire companies, bands of music, and
numerous carriages, beautifully decorated, and filled with school
children, bearing mottoa, flags, and other insignia. An enter-
tainment was provided, on the Common, for the children. In
the evening there was a display of fireworks. It was called a
juvenile temperance celebration.
At Swampscot, July 4, Henry Scales and John Draper were
seriously injured while firing a salute. Scales was badly wound-
ed in the bowels, and had an arm broken; and he soon after
died, at the Massachusetts Hospital. Draper had an arm broken,
an eye destroyed, and was otherwise injured. He was also
taken to the hospital, aud in about two months died of lockjaw.
On the 15th of July, a pleasure party from Nahant, while
fishing, captured a shark twelve feet in length and weighing
nearly twelve hundred pounds.
Much excitement took place this summer, in many places,
concerning the discovery of pearls in fresh water muscles and
clams. Many small ones wei'? found in shell fish taken from the
Pleating Bridge and Flax ponda, in Lynn, but not enough to
render the search more profitable than regular labor. It was'
quite amusing occasionally to observe some venerable and de-
mure citizen, who never in his life bad been guilty of imagining
that there was such a thing as amusement in the world, wending
his way toward the ponds, and fancying his real object entirely
concealed by the rod and line, and other sporting gear with
which he had so cunningly encumbered himself.
The African Methodist meeting-house, on Hacker street, was
dedicated on the let of August.
On the 14th of August, at about one o'clock, in the afternoon,
while the thermometer was standing at ninety-eight degrees, in
the shade, an interesting little child of five years, a daughter
of Nicholas Mailey, living on Green street, who was playing in
the garden, was sun-struck, and died the next day.
On Tuesday, the 8th of September, the Fifth Regiment of
Infantry, Col. Eogers, went into camp, at Nahant, remaining till
Thursday. The weather was fine, and the attendance of spec-
tators large.
The Franklin Trotting Park, chiefly in Sangus, was laid out
this year.
A email comet was visible, to the naked eye, in September, in
constellation Bootes.
The difi^erent fire engine companies of Lynn had a grand trial
of power, on the Common, on Saturday afternoon, September
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452 ANNALS OF LTNIf — 1858.
26. A great multitude assembled, and much good-natured rival-
ry prevaiied. Money prizes were contended for, tlie highest
being twenty-five dollars.
Blue fish were very plenty off our shores in the early part
of autumn. They are great enemies to the menhaden; and for
several days such a war raged that the beaches were strewn
with dead fish, chiefly of the latter species. Mr. Lewis, the
historian, said that in two tides, he picked up nine bushels, and
buried them in his garden, for manure.
The Congregational meeting-house in Ljnnfield, south village,
was dedicated November 11.
Great financial embarrassment prevailed throughout the coun-
try this year and affected all classes. In Lynn there was a larger
amount of suffering among the poor, than had been known for a
long period. Nu^mbers were out of employment, and many of
the necessaries of hfe were dear. Public meetings were held,
in the fall and winter, to devise means for the relief of the des-
titute. Many benevolent hearts were, stirred, and individuals
of means contributed liberally; and on the whole the cloud
passed aivay with less distress and disaster than might reasonably
have been anticipated. Very few business men failed, and not
many of the poor suffered long.
The boundary line between Lynnfieid and North Reading
was changed this year.
The number of marriages in Lynn during this year was 209.
1858.
The first Congregational Methodist meeting-house, on Ches-
nut street, near Broad, was dedicated on the 1st of January.
It afterward became the property of the Calvinistic Society
known as the Chesnut street Congregational Society.
The first vessel ever built at Nahant was a schooner of sixteen
tons. She was built by J. and E. Johnson, and launched on the
11th of February.
Joseph E. Watts, of Marhlehead, froze to death on the Eastern
Rail-road track, near Oak Island, on the night of the 16th of
February.
On the morning of February 19, the rosin oil factory, near
the Lj'nn Common Depot was destroyed by fire. The building
was of brick, and the loss of that, together with the stock, amout-
ed to $6,000. On the evening of the same day a barn, belong-
ing to Oliver Eamsdell, in Gravesend village, was burned.
The " Lynn Buck," so called, walked a plank, at Lowell, in
February, a hundred and five consecutive hours and forty-four
minutes, without sleep, and with but twenty-nine minutes' rest.
A strict watch was kept on him.
Joseph L. Hill, aged 20, while at Swampacot, gunning, on the
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1858. 453
afternoon of March 3, was instantly killed by the accidental dis-
charge of a fowling piece.
The Bun-dial, on the Common, waa set in April. The granite
pillar was furnished by the city, and the instrument waa pro-
cured by private subscription and adjusted by Gyrus M. Tracy.
Telegraphic communication between Lynn and Boston was
commenced on the 4th of May.
On the 5th of June, two small boys, while fishing, fell into
the basin above Scott's woolen factory, in Saugus, and were
drowned.
On the afternoon of June 8, the schooner Prairie Flower, Capt.
Brown, left Salem for Boston, with a party on board. When
off Nahant, she suddenly capsized and seven were drowned.
Davis's barn, in Saugus, was struck by lighting, during a show-
er, June 20.
The Eighth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia para-
ded in Lynn, on the 23d of June, in compSiment to Col. Coffin.
Eight fine companies of infantry were present, and many guests
of dignity; among them Gov, Banks. Dinner was served in a
spacious tent, and some five hundred partook. This was the
celebrated "Eighth" that gained such plaudits in the early
stages of the war of the Great Rebelhon.
The month of July was found, by observation, to be the cold-
est that had occurred for fourteen years.
On the afternoon of the 6th of August, a barn in Swampscot,
belonging to Jonathan F. Phillips, was struck by lightning and
burned, with fifty tons of hay. The well-known trotting mare
Lady Lawrence, valued at a thousand dollars, being in the bam,
was killed by the lightning.
On the evening of the 14th of August the barn of Jacob Jack-
son, on Essex street, was burned, with sixteen tons of hay. One
cow perished, and another was so badly burned that it was
necessary to kill her.
There was an impromptu "cable celebration" in Lynn, on
the 17 th of August — a firing of guns, waving of flags, and divers
similar demonstrations — on the occasion of the transmission of
Queen Victoria's message to President Buchanan through the
Atlantic cable, the instrument of high hopes that were to be
disappointed. At Federal Square, in the evening, there was
quite a display.
During a heavy shower, on the afternoon of September 11,
two schooners, lying at the west part of the town, were struck
by lightning. The whole length of the foremast of one was
splintered. The other was not much damaged.
A splendid comet appeared in the autumn of this year. It
was one of the most striking and beautiful celestial objects ever
witnessed. For many evenings it descended in the northwest
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454 AHHALS OP LYNN — 1858
with ita immense tail curving toward the north.. The tail was
determined to be, on Oct. 10, fifty-one miliiona of miles in length ;
and to the observer it appeared clearly delineated for a length
equal to something more than half the distance from the horizon
to the zenith. On the 13th
of September it was a hun-
dred and twenty-two rail-
lions of miles from the
earth ; and on its nearest
approach it was fifty-two
millions of miles distant.
It is known as the comet j
of Donati. A faithful rep- j
resentation of this beauti-
ful wanderer ishe.re given.
The meeting-house of the Second Baptist Society, on High
street, was dedicated on the 7th of October.
On Tim rs day, the 13th of October, the completion of the elec-
tric telegraph to Swarapscot was celebrated. Flags were dis-
played and guns fired at morning, noon, and night.
John E. Alley was elected, November 2d, Representative to
the United States Congress, from this district. He was the first
Lynn man, who received the honor of a seat in that august
The Catholic Cemetery, was consecrated on Thursday, the
4th of November, by Bishop Fitzpatrick, assisted by six other
clergymen. On account of the violence of the storm the ser-
vices were chiefly held at the church, where the rite of con-
firmation was administered to about two hundred persons. The
cemetery contains eight acres.
The tide rose to such a height on the 23d of November that
the Lynn and Saugus marshes were so deeply submerged as to
occasion detention of the rail-road trains. All the trains were
for a time forced to run over the Saugus Branch.
Benjamin Luscomb, aged 46, while examining his fowling
piece, preparatory to going on a gunning excursion the next
morning was instantly killed by the explosion of a charge, on
Sunday evening, December 12. Not supposing the piece to
be loaded he had taken the barrel from the stock and was
blowing in it, near a lighted lamp.
There were landed in Lynn, during the year, 5.950.000 feet
of lumber; 16.034 tons of coal; 5.820 cords of wood; 5.877
casks of lime and cement; and 79.600 bushels of grain. The
number of vessels bringing the same, was 337. What was
landed on the Saugus side of the river is not included in the
statement. And it shoiild be borne in mind that Lynn has no
back country to look to her for supplies.
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ANNAL3 OF LTSN — 1859. 455
Cyrus M. Tracy tliia year publiahed an octavo pamphlet of
eighty-eight pages, entitled "Studies of the Essex Flora; a
Complete Enumeration of all the Plants found growing naturally
within the limits of -Lynn, Mass., and the Towns adjoining, ar-
ranged according to the Natural System, with copious Notes
as to Localities and habits." The title fully expresses the char-
acter of the work, and Mr. Tracy performed his. task in a very
creditable manner. Aa it will be interesting to those who
occupy this soil in the far future, when population and art have
driven nature from her present footholds, to know what forest
trees grew and wild flowers bloomed where then will be busy
streets, this modest work will be valued long after many more
pretentious things are forgotten.
There was very little cold or tempestuous weather, in the
winter of 1858-9, before the middle of February. The evenings
of January, as regarded temperature, were generally more like
those of April, than any other season. The cumulous clouds,
on several occasions, like immense fleeces of wool, rose to a
great height, and in the moonlight made a very beautiful appear-
ance. After the colder weather set in, one of the chief amuse-
ments, not only of the school boys but the school girls and not
only of the young, but of the mature, of both sexes, was skating.
On moonlight evenings, the ponds were vocal with the merry
voices of those engaged in the exhilarating recreation.
1859.
Judaon J. Hutchinson died, January 11, age 38. He was one
of the favorite band of singers known aa the Hutchinson
brotliers. He committed suicide, by banging, at the woodea
dwelling on the west of the atone cottage, at High Rock. The
act was no doubt done while he was laboring under mental
aberration. For several years he had at times been insane, and
his mind occasionally seemed to incline to self-destruction. Many
months before the melancholy event took place, he very pleas-
antly and aa was supposed jocosely assured the writer that
nothing but lack of courage had for a long time prevented hia
destroying hia life. He was an enthusiast, and possessed many
eccentricities in manners and, modes of thought; but he was
genial in disposition, affable in manners, inteUigent, and much
beloved. He was a spiritualist, and could see no evil in taking
the abrupt road that he did to join his friends in the spirit land.
There was a "Calico Ball" at the Sagamore House, on
Wednesday evening, January 19, All the ladies appeared in
calico dresses, which at that time were the cheapest style of
dress. A hundred couples were present. The prize of a gold
bracelet was awarded to the lady who in the judgment of a
committee was arrayed in the most neat and becoming manner,
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456 ANNALS OP LTHN — 1859.
personal charms also being taken into account — and Miaa
Nellie Clapp was the fair winner of the prize. It was a very
pleasant gathering ; and the prevalence of silka and satins could
not have added to its attractiveness-
Early on the morning of the 21st of January, the commodious
grammar school-house, in Woodend, with its contents, was
totally destroyed by fire. The building was valued at $6,000,
and was builfc in 1851,
On Wednesday night, February 2, during a violent storm, the
Yeraon, a British bark of 26.5 tons, bound from Messina for Bos-
ton, with a cargo chiefly ot* fruit, was driven ashore on Long
Beach. The wind was very high and the sea in terrific commo-
tion ; but by great courage and the skillful management of a
life boat all the crew were saved. Most of the cargo was also
saved. At low tide the vessel was left almost out of water;
hut on Sunday raornirig, 13 February, she was got off and towed
to Boston, in a crippled condition. A spirited lithographic print,
illustrating the scene at the wreck, was soon after published.
There was a total eclipse of the moon early on the raorning
of February 17. The sky being very clear, an unusually strik-
ing efi^ect was produced.
On Friday morning, February 25, the tin ware and stove store
of Brawn and Morrill, on Broad street, near Newhall, was
burned. Loss $3,000.
A large hump-back whale was several times seen near the
Swampscot shore in the latter part of February.
The New England Mechanic, a weekly newspaper, of good
size, was commenced on the 19th of March, by Alonzo G, Dra-
per as an advocate for the interests of the journeymen shoe-
Tho New England Conference of the Methodist Church com-
menced its annual session in Lynn, on Wedaesday, April 6,
Bishop Ames presiding.
On Saturday night, 28 May, the CathoHo church, on Ash
street, was burned, and one or two small buildings standing
near, were considerably damaged. The value of the church
property destroyed was $6,500.
William F. Mills and Charles A. Forbes, while on a pleasure
sail some two miles outside of Egg Rock, on Sunday, May 29,
were overtaken by a squall which overset the boat. Mills was
drowned and Forbes was taken up, in an insensible condition,
by a passing schooner, and carried to Boston.
A man ran round Lynn Common on the evening of June 3,
on a wager, in two minutes and three quarters.
On the nights of the 4th and 5th of June there were severe
frosts.
Independence was celebrated in Lynn, in a very ]
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1859. 457
manner. A long procession, consisting of military and fire
companies, city officials and otbor dignitaries, with numerous
decorated carriages containing the pupils of the public schools,
moved through the principal streets, accompanied by bands of
music. A collation was prepared on the Common, and short
addresses were made by the Mayor and others. In the evening
there was a display of fireworks. The day was also celebrated
On Tuesday, July 19, Mr. I'enno went out from Swampscot,
in a boat, to fish ; subsequently the boat was found drifting and
Mr. Penno was missing, thoiJgb his hat remained in the boat.
On the 28tb, his body was found floating a short distance from
the Ocean House.
A grand regatta took place at Nahant, on the 22d of July.
The prize contended for was an elegant silver pitcher.
On Sunday evening, July 31, a fire occurred in Healey's Ar-
cade, at the west end of the Common, damaging the same to
the amount of some $2,000. The stocks in the stores were
likewise considerably damaged.
A horse mackerel was taken off Bass Point, Nahant, on the
3d of August, measuring between nine and ten feet in length
and six feet in girth, and weighing six hundred and fourteen
pounds.
On the afternoon of August 12, as a train was passing on the
Eastern Rail-road, a few rods east of the Swampscot depot, it
ran into a herd of cows which were feeding on the track. The
engine, tender, and a baggage car were thrown from the track,
down an embankment, and several of the cows were killed.
There was a brilliant display of the northern lights, on Sun-
day evening, August 28. The whole heavens were overspread.
Charles Frost was run over by a fire engine, in Market street,
on the evening of August .SI, and instantly killed, one of the
wheels passing over his head.
In the early part of September, some twenty spots were
observed on the surface of the sun, distributed in clusters.
In September, a lady living in Lynn, feeling a prickling sensa-
tion in her heel, examined and found protruding a needle, which
from certain circumstances she was convinced was one that she
ran into her foot eleven years before. In all that time it had
not proved troublesome; and when extracted was as bright as
when new.
On the morning of September 2, the heavens were tinged
by an aurora of a deep red hue. In the southwest it appeared
like the reflection of a conflagration.
The engine house, corner of Ash and Elm streets, was burned,
together with nine hundred feet of hose, the hose carriage, and
other property, on the night of Sunday, October 2.
M2
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458 ANNALS OP LTHH — 1860.
Two baroa on the Hood Farm, Water Hili, were destroyed
by fire on the mornicg of November 10, together with fifty tons
of hay, and a large quantity of vegetables. And on the night
of the same daj', the barn of Daniel Faircbild, on Boston street,
was burned, three horses perishing in the flames.
A large barn, belonging to John Mansfield, in the south village
of Lynnfield, was burned on the IStb of November. Two yoke
of oxen and two horses perished in the fire.
On Snnday evening, November 20, the Union street Metho-
dist meeting-house was totally destroyed by fire, A Sunday
school concert was being held in the building at the time, and
some five hundred persons, a large portion of whcim were chil-
dren, were in attendance ; but all safely retired. The loss was
about $8,000, The bell, organ, clock, and part of the Sunday
school library were lost.
The church bells were tolled in Lynn, at sunrise, noon, and
sunset, on Friday, December 2, on account of the execution of
John Brown, at Cliarlestown, Va., on the charge of treason,
growing out of an armed attempt to free slaves.
So many fire.s had in recent years occurred in the woods,
destroying such quantities of wood which had been prepared
for fuel, as well as that standing, that a serious depreciation in
the value of wood land seemed likely to ensue. Several large
proprietors, awakening to the necessity of some action, made a
move for the protection of their interests. Their direct efforts,
perhaps, secured no conspicuous result; but by arousing atten-
tion and operating on public sentiment some good was effected.
Eewards have been ofl'ered by the authorities, from time to
time, for the detection of rogues setting such fires. In the
spring, when the earth has become dry, and before tho new
verdure has put forth, the greatest danger exists; and many a
boy, by carelessly throwing down a lighted match has been the
instrument of great mischief; to' say nothing of those who are
8o abandoned as to wantonly destroy the property of others.
The fact that the fires most frequently occur on Sunday is sig-
nificant,
1860.
On the afternoon of January 6, three young men walked
across the harbor, on the ice, from near the south end of Com-
mercial street, to Bass Point, Nahant. No one had before so
crossed at a point so far out, for some twenty years.
The brick school bouse, in Woodend, which was built to
supply the place of the wooden structure destroyed by fire, on
the 21st of January, 1859, was dedicated on the 8th of February.
The Lynnfleld Agricultural Library Association was founded
on the 11th of February.
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ANSALS OF LXNN — 1860. 459
A great Shoemakers' Strike commenced in Lynn, in February.
No occurrence of the kind in this part of the country perhaps
ever before created such a senaation. Processions of workmen
paraded the streets, day after day, with music and banners.
Large delegations of operatives from other places joined. And
in several instances — on one occasion during a snow storm —
large bodies of females appeared in the ranks ; for the shoebind-
ers were also on a strike. On the 16th of March, a really im-
posing spectacle was presented. Several military and fire
companies belonging to Lynn and other places, numerous de-
tachments of strikers from neighboring towns, and hundreds
of women, formed in grand procession with the Lynn strikers
and marched through the streets with bands of music, flags, and
banners with devices. They moved in as close order as is
common with such bodies, and the procession was something
more than half a mile in length, and numbered, at different
points, from three thousand to five thousand individjials. The
day was very pleasant, and the demonstration passed off in an
orderly manner. In the early part of the strike there was a
good deal of excitement; and the city authorities, not deeming
themselves sufficient for the emergency, sent to Boston for a,
detachment of police officers and took means promptly to secure
other support from abroad should necessity require. After
continuing about seven weeks, the great ferment quietly sub-
sided. Thero was very little violence — a wonderfully small
amount, considering the magnitude of the interests supposed to
be at stake, and the energy with which the war of words was
kept up. The object of the strikers was the same that is com-
mon in all such movements ; namely, the obtaining of more
adequate remuneration for labor; for it was alleged that at the
current rates very few found it possible to obtain a decent
livelihood. On the other hand, the manufacturers maintained
that under existing circumstances, it was not in their power to
pay higher prices. There was probably a .misconception of
facts on both sides. The whole trade had, in truth, through
the instrumentality of some who had made heedless haste to
be rich, and others, who had operated in ways positively dis-
honest, been brought into an unhealthy condition, a condition
where it was necessary that some remedy should be applied.
But whether a resort to such means as a general strike was the
most expedient remains problematical. Yet the result did not
seem to be mischievous. The energetic discussions that took
place opened the way for a better understanding. Many facta
were brought to light, useful to employers and employed. The
suspension of labor prevented the accumulation of large stocks
on the hands of the manufacturers, which stocks, no doubt,
would in many cases have been disposed of, on credit, to soutb-
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■460 AHNAL8 OF LYNN — 1860
ern dealers, who, judgiog from the esperience of some Lynn
people, about that time, touching eouthern iotegrity, would not
have been over-anxious that the spirit of rebellion should be
curbed till they had time to discharge tbeir obligations. Though
perhaps no definite and conspicuous result of this fanjous Strike
could be shown; ye't it is far from certain that it was not bene-
ficial. Each party saw more clearly the strength and weakness,
the wants and difficulties, of the other, and the friends of justice,
on both sides, bad the moans furnished for a more intelligible
view. The whole country seemed to have their eyes momenta-
rily turned on Lynn, and through the daily journals and illustra-
ted weeklies, her travail was magnified to an extent far beyond
what was dreamed of in her own borders.
On Sunday morning, February 19, Dr. Ezekiel P. Eastman
died, aged 42. He had practised in Lynn for a number of years,
was a skillful physician, and possessed attractive manners.
The Mechanics' Steam Mill, on Broad street, near the foot of
Market, was burned on the evening of March 12, together with
one or two other frame buildings, occupied for .mechanical
purposes. Loss, about $8,000.
John Whalley, a partially deaf man, was killed on the rail-road
track, near Market street, being struck by a locomotive, on
the 23d of March.
The Third Baptist Society in Lynn, was formed this year;
and their meeting-houso, near Dye House village, was dedicated
on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 16.
There was an uncommon drought during the spring of this
year. The first rain for forty-one days fell on the 19th of May.
Vegetation, however, did not materially suffer, the dews being
heavy and the sun not in its summer position.
The Universalist meeting-house in the centre village of Sau-
gus was dedicated on Thursday,' the 24th of May. The TJniver-
Balists had succeeded to the first Calvinistic church property,
and having disposed of the old moe ting-house, which stood in
the Square, and which was built in 1738, erected their new
edifice. The ancient house was steepleless, and certainly not a
very elegant specimen of architecture; but its history is interest-
ing. It was there that the celebrated Parson Edby preached, so
many years. The spot where it stood was purchased by the
town to be retained as a public ground.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Chapel, in the ancient Gothic style,
was built this year, on Ontario Court, and first opened for service
on Sunday, June 10.
Rev. Sumner Ellis was installed pastor of the First Universal-
ist Society, in Lynn, on the afternoon of June 13.
A comet was just visible to the naked eye, in June, Its tail
was about four degrees in length, and pointed upward.
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ANKALS OF LYNN — 1860. 461
On Friday, June 29, a severe thunder storm occurred. It
coinmenced about six o'clock in the afternoon, and continued
till nine, with scEtrcely an intermission. There was some hail;
the wind blew with great fury, and torrents of rain fell. The
house of Stephen Lewis, on Fayette street, was struck by the
lightning, and slightly damaged. The meeting-house in the
south village of Lynufield was also struck.
The Methodist meeting-house, in Saugus, east village, was
entered on Sunday night, July 8, and robbed of a hundred yards
of carpeting. This was the second time that the carpets of this
house were stolen.
There was a muster of the fire companies of Essex county, at
Lynnfield, on the 18th of July. Many firemen from Lynn at-
tended, though the authorities would not suffer the engines to
be carried.
An extraordinary meteor appeared in the heavens at about
ten o'clock, on the evening of July 20. It moved slowly, in a
southeasterly direction, leaving a luminous train which was
visible for about a minute. The meteor resembled two bright
balls as largo as full moons.
A turtle, weighing thirty-five pounds and measuring, on the
shell, thirteen by seventeen inches, was taken from Stacey'a
brook, in Woodend, in July.
The jewelry store of G-eorge H. Moore, on Market street,
was robbed at noon, August 16, of some twenty watches and
other articles, of the value of about |400.
On the afternoon of August 8, the barn of Henry Clay, in
Lynnfield, was struck by lightning, set on fire, and entirely
consumed, together with a large quantity of hay and other farm
property.
John Denier, a tight rope performer, walked upon a single
rope a distance of fourteen hundred feet, at Nahant, on the
afternoon of August 16. The rope was stretched high above
Canoe Beach, in the rear of Nahant House. A very large con-
course witnessed the dangerous feat. And on the afternoon of
the 27th, he walked up a rope one inch and three quarters in
diameter, stretched from the top of a three etory building on
the southwest side of Exchange street, in Lynn, to a derrick
erected near the entrance of Mount Vernon street, and per-
formed sundry astonishing feats — among them hanging by one
foot, head downward— -wbile on the rope, many feet above the
heads of the crowd of spectators.
On the 22d of August a swing-tail shark was captured in a
net, bj' Chandler Lewis, of Swampscot, a short distance from
the beach. He measured ten feet in length. This species is
very rare on our coast.
The new light house on Minot'a Ledge was lighted for the first
M2*
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462 ANKALS OP LTNK — 1860.
time on the night of "Wednesday, August 22. The h'ght, how.
ever, was ouly shown toward the shore, it being merely an
experimental lighting. It began to be regularly lighted oa the
night of ThiTrsday, November 15.
A sun-fish was caught near Egg Bock, in August, weighing
about two hundred and fifty pounds.
A small encampment of the Penobscot tribe of Indiana erected
their wigwama oa PbilHps's Point, Swampscot, in the latter part
of the summer, and pursued their trade of basket making.
On the night of the 7th of September, a fire occurred on
Beach street, at the wood and coa! wharf of Breed and Thing.
A heap of about three thousand tons of coal took fire and con-
tinued to burn two days, notwithstanding the eS'orts of the fire
department to extinguish it, aided by a steam fire engine from
Salem. The coal and hay sheds, were destroyed, and a large
portion of the coal and wood either burned or thrown overboard.
Loss, about $9,000.
Early on Sunday morning, September 16, the baking estab-
lishment of Nathaniel Holder, on Pine Hill, was burned. Four
valuable horses perished in the flames. Loss, about $4,000.
The carpenter shop of N. P. Boynton, on Broad street, was
destroyed by fire, September 30. Loss, about $1,200.
The planet Venus was distinctly visible to the naked eye, at
about eleven o'clock on the forenoon of October 11. The sun
was shining brightly.
The Lynn post office was broken into on Sunday night, Octo-
ber 14, and robbed of a quantity of postage stamps, a small
amount of money, and a large number of letters. Many of the
letters were afterward found, broken open and rifled, some near
the High School house, and some at Oak Island.
A slight shock of an earthquake was felt on the morning of
Oct. 17. There was a rumbling sound and the earth trembled.
The Prince of Wales passed through Lynn at about ten o'clock
in the forenoon of Saturday, October 20. The special train in
which the august youth journeyed, made a slight pause at the
Central Station, and he stepped upon the platform of his car,
thus vouchsafing to some of the anxious crowd gathered in the
Square a glimpse of his royal person. Some preparations had
been made to receive him, and divers of the city officials were
present, but he did not appear to appreciate the honor.
The Republicans had a grand torch-light pVocession on the
evening of the 30th of October. Music, illuminations, fireworks,
and bonfires abounded. BrilUant lights were placed upon the
stone posts that surround the Common, making a fine show.
The procession numbered from twelve to fifteen hundred. The
demonstration was in favor of Mr. Lincoln then a candidate for
the presidenov. The other parties also had their demonstrations.
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ANNALS OP LYNN — 1860. 463
On Saturday night, November 3, the severest storm of the
season occurred. There was a strong easterly wind and a high
sea. The Gazelle, a small vessel belonging to Gloucester, broke
from her moorings at Swampscot and was driven ashore at
-King's Beach, where she went to pieces.
On the 6th of November, Micajah Burrill of Woodend, aged
96, was at the polls and voted for Mr. Lincoln for president.
He voted for Washington at the time of his election.
Captain Ammi Smith, of Lynn, was master of the ship Oliver
Putnam, which foundered at sea, this year. After the ship
went down the men remained eleven days in an open boat, sub-
subsisting on two biscuits and a pint of water a day. A Dutch
barb, bound for Rotterdam, finally picked them up and carried
them to St. Helena.
Early on the morning of Saturday, November 24, a severe
southeasterly gale set in, which was particularly disastrous to
the shipping at Swampscot; more so than any other that had
occurred for many years.
In the latter part of November, Zachariah Phillips, of Lynn,
during four days' fishing from his dory, in the bay, experienced
in a singular manner the vicissitudes of a fisherman's luck. His
first day's catcH sold for 25 cents. That of one of the other
days sold for $21.00. And taking the whole four days together
he realized $46.50, The fish sold for three cents a pound, on
the beach, and were chiefly cod.
The cars began to run on the horse rail-road, through Lynn,
on the 29th of November.
Market street was lighted by gas, for the first time, on Friday
evening, December 7,
Cars commenced running over the Cliftondale horse rail-road,
from East Saugus to Boston, December 26.
The sessions of the Probate Court in Lynn were discontinued
this year.
Tiiere was a very large crop of fruit this year; particularly
of apples and pears; and the quality was superior.
The fire department was called out fifty-six tiroes during the
year, seventeen of which were from false alarms. The whole
loss by fire was about |32.000.
By the census taken this year, Lynn was found to contain
19.087 inhabitants; Lynnfield, .866; Nahant, .380; Saugus,
2.024; Swampscot, 1.530.
The valuation of real estate in Lynn, this year, was $6,291,460;
personal, $3.357.605 — total, $9,649,065. The rate of taxation,
was $8.80 on $1,000. Number of ratable polls, 3.933. City
debt, $107,600. By turning to date 1850, the increase of ten
years may he determined. But it should be borne in mind that
Nahant and Swampscot were set off during the period.
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ANHALS OP LYNS — 186I.
1861.
Friday, 4 January, waa observed aa a national fast, in view
of the threatening aspect of public affairs.
An extraordinary change in the iveatber took place duriog a
few hours preceding sunrise, on Friday, the 8th of Pehruary,
On Thursday the air was mild, the thermometer standing at
forty-five degrees, at two o'clock in the afternoon. About that
time a change commenced, the cold increasiug rapidly, till Friday
morning, when the thermometer stood at twenty-one degrees
below zero. Thus, between two o'clock on Thursday afternoon
and eight on Friday morning, the thermometer fell sixty-six
degrees.
On the night of 18 February, a barn, on Howard street, be-
longing to James E. Barry, was burned. Two horses perished
in the flames.
A severe storm occurred on Saturday evening, 9 March. Con-
siderable damage was done to the shipping at Swampscot. And
again on the 22d of March there was a heavy blow, and while
the sea was running high a vessel was discovered some two
miles off the eastern point of Nahant, rolling heavily at anchor,
with all her masts gone excepting a portion of the mizzen. She
proved to be the bark Nonpareil, Capt, Flynn, from Palermo, for
Boston. She was finally taken safely to Boston, by a steam
tug. No lives were lost.
A snow storm commenced 1 April, daring which eighteen
inches of snow fell.
The brick Catholic Church, at the eastern end of South Con>-
mon street, was built this year. It was the finest and most
costly church edifice that had been built in the place.
Port Sumpter, in the harbor of Charleston, S. C, was attacked
by the South Carolina forces on Friday, 12 April. And thia
waa the commencement of the terrible civil war which will
forever remain a marked point in American history. Presi-
dent Lincoln immediately issued a proclamation calling out a
portion of the militia of the several states. Lynn was instantly
aroused to a high pitch of patriotic fervor. In five hours after
the requisition arrived, two full companies were armed and
ready for duty. And in the eleven o'clock train of the next
forenoon — Tuesday, 16 April — they departed for the south,
amid the cheers and sobs of the immense concourse who had
gathered in Central Square. These two companies — the Lynn
Light Infantry and Lynn City Guards — formed a part of the
Eighth Regiment of Massachusetts troops, which became so
celebrated in the early part of the war, for discipline, prompt-
ness and heroism. These troops were called for three months'
service. And just before their departure it was announced to
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ANNALS OP LYSH-
-1861.
465
tliem that six hundred dollars had been contributed for each of
the companies. The names of those who so promptly responded
to their country's call, in the day of her peril, are worthy of re-
membrance, and are here inserted. Others would have gone had
there been time for equipment, as is shown by the terse des-
patch sent to head quarters — " We have more men than guns —
what ahali we do ? " The names of such of the regtmental omcers
as belonged to Lynn, are also given.
TiMOTnr MuNROE, Colonel.
Edward W. Hinks, Lieutenant Colonel.
Ephraim a. Inoalls, Qu arte]' master.
RoLAMD G. UsHEa, Paymaster.
Bowppiab B. Breed, Surgeon,
Warren Taplet, Assistant Surgeon.
Horace E, MuNaOE, Quartevmanter Sergeant.
Company D — Lynn Light Infantry.
George T. Newlialt, Captain — Thomas H. BeiTy, First Lieutenant — El-
bridge Z. Saiiuderson, Second Lieutenant — Chorles M. Menitt, Founh Lieu-
tenant—William A. Fi-aser, Henry C Burril!, William H, Merritt, and George
E. Palmer, Sergeants —■ Daniel Raymond, Henry C. Conner, Henry H. Good-
ridge, and Horaiio E. Macomber, Corporals — James O. Clarrage, Musician.
Alley, James D..
Andrews, Oscar D.
Atkinson, Cbarles O.
Bailey, George W.
Bartlett, Alonzo W.
Bates, Lenns H.
Berry, William H.
Besse, Francis E.
Carpenter, Henry A.
Caswell, William
Cilley, Joiiu W.
Clement, Oscai- H
Coe, John T,
Curtis, George
Dudley, Alonzo G.
Elder, Josiab L.
Emerton, William W
Pales, Charles
Foss, William H.
Foster, George W.
Foster, Samnel
Foxcroft, Geoi-ge A.
Foye, John
Fraser, Joshua H.
Hills, Edwin T,
Hixon, E, Oawell
Hoyt, Wli eel Wright
Jones, James E.
Keene, William H.
Keith, Friend H,
Kelley, James D.
Kimball, Edwin H.
Lambert, Daniel
Lock, James
I^ugee, John E.
Martin, John M.
Merrill, Ailhur T.
Merritt, George G.
Mudgett, Isaac N.
Nowhall, Henry A.
Company F — Lynn City Guards.
James Hudson, jr.. Captain — Edward A. Chandler, First Lieutenant —
Henry Stone, Second Lieutenant — Matthias N, Snow, Third Lieutenant —
Hanson H. Pike, George Wafts, George E. Stone, and Timothy. Newton,
Sergeants — James R. Downer, George Harris, Joseph W. Johnson, and
Jeremiah Towlin, Corporals — Edward D. Clarrage, Musician.
Nichols, John H.
Nichols, N. A,
Noonan .Daniel
Oliver, Han-ison
Oliver, Stephen A.
Patton, John B.
PaUen, Thomas P,
Pierce, Levi M.
Pouslaud, Thomas 3,
Reed, Samuel A.
Remick, Samuel D,
Sanborn, Joseph R.
Smith, Fi-auk M.
Sweetsei-, Charles H.
Tarr, John S.
Traak, Israel A.
Tuttle, Lyman M.
Weatworth, Rufus O
Whitney, J, A. P.
Williams, J, Henry
Alley, James E.
Alley, Richard
Bailey, William E.
Barker, Patiick W.
Baxter John B.
Black, James O.
Boynton, Benjamin F, jr.
Brown, Ezra W.
Biown, James W,
Bi'own, William R
Caldwell, William
Campbell, Georjre
Chase, Charles H.
Chase, Jojm C.
Ci-yon, Thomas
30
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ANXALS OF LYNS — 1861.
Dalton, Prank
Davenport, Charles
Davia, Henry S.
Donelly, James E.
Dongberty, James B.
Edwards, George
Estes, Jacob S.
Flanders, Auj^isCus B.
Poster, John F.
Gilbert, Jolin
Griffin, William H.
Grover, Benjamin P.
Harriden, Oscar
Harris, Edwaitl
Hiller, Edward
Hunnewell, Prancls
Ji! galls, Abner
Johnson, Nalbaniel
Kelky, Danjel
Kiniliall, Josiah F.
Kimlmll, Moses
Liborda, James S.
Lake, Charles R,
LuBCOmb, Murray
Mahoney, Dennis
Martin, Robert P.
McDnvitt, William S.
Mead, Samuel
Mellen, Andrew
Millar, Andrew W.
Moulton, Edward
Moulton, James P.
Murray, James W.
Newton, William S.
Orr, Charles
Owen, Joseph
Peabody, Benjamin V
Phillips, Daniel
Pike, William J.
Pratt, Daniel W.
Rand, Benjamin
Roed, Orson R,
Reynolds, Andrew T.
Reynolds, John W.
Rhodes, Isaac N.
Rowe, George W.
Rowe, William B.
Sargent, Albert
Sargent, George W.
Snow, Warren
Sparks, Uriel
Swan, Geoi'ge W.
Sweetser, George W.
Taylor, Henry
Thompson, Samuel
Tufts, William F.
Tutt, Benjamin
Webster, Samuel
White, Geoi'ge H.
Wilson, William B.
Young, Hugh
And many of the foregoing were soon in Jiigher positions tban
tliey at first occupied. Bat with their departure the zeal of the
citizens by no means subsided. Meetings were held, funds were
subscribed by, individuals and appropriated by the city govern-
ment, new tiompanies were raised, and every thing was done
that could be expected of a loyal and patriotic people. A mass
meeting was held at Lyceum Hail, on the afternoon of Monday,
22 April, at which a considerable sum was subscribed for the
benefit of volunteers, stirring speeches were made, and divers
animating pieces played by a band of music. The following
preamble and resolutions were passed by acclamation.
Whereas, The country has been plunged into civil war, by tiie rash, tritor-
ous, and unjustifiable action of the leodera in the so-called Confederate States ;
tlierefore,
1. Resolved, Tliatwe, in the bourofperilto the nation, to free inslilutionB,
to life, liberty, and social well-being, unite as one man to uphold our govern-
ment, and to defend our country.
2. Resolved, That as our falJiers pledged to each other then" "lives, their
fortunes, and their sacred honor," to establish the institutions under which
we have lived, so we now renew this pledge, to maintain those institiitions,
and ito hand them down, intact, to our children.
3. Resolved, That the present crisis baa been forced upon us, lovers of
peace and of the Union; and that there is left for us nothing but to rally about
the government, which has shown itself forliearing, and whose efforts for a
peaceful -settlement have been met with bravado, iiiEolent contempt, and war-
like opposition.
4. ResoiiTED, That it is the duty of every citizen to stand ready for the
performance of ever^ work which the goveniment requires at his hand, till
the traitors shall desist from their unhallowed puipose, and peace be restored
to our distracted laud.
5. Resolved, That Governor Audiew, General Schoulei", and ihe civil and
military authorities of the state, have acted in an able, prompt, and patri&tic man-
ner, in this ti-ying crisis; and that their efficient action is deserving of all praise.
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1861. 467
fi. Eesolved, That the action of our City Grovemment. in making an iippip-
priation ior tlie support of the fiiniilies of oitr brave and devoted volunteers,
meets the oxigenCT ofthe hour, and receives our hearty approval.
7, Resolved, That the prompt response of the Eighth Massachusetts Reg-
iment, to which BO many of our citizen soldiei-s are attaclied, together with the
dispatch "We have more men than guns — what shall we do?" proves the
loyalty of our citizens, and inspires ub with the belief that the glorious old flag
shall not be trailed in the dust, nor be wrested, by ti'aitor hands, from its right-
ful guardians, an acknowledged majority of American citizens.
EnHstments now went rapidly on. The whole community
seemed fully awake to the demands of the calamitous exigency.
The ladies applied themselves diligently in the preparation of
clothing and other things necessary and convenient for the
departed and the constantly departing soldiers. Flags w&re
kept flying in every' direction, and drums were beating at all
honrs. And those other places, the oflspring of good old
Lynn, which are named in the title-page of this work, manifested
the same zealous and patriotic spirit. It would be an exceed-
ingly agreeable task to give in these pages a circumstantial
history of events here, as connected with the war, and to
record the name of every one who went' out from among us to
battle for the honor of his country. But it will be at once
seen that such a thing would be impossible. The most that can
be done will be to note the more prominent occorrences. God
grant that all who survive may have a reward here commensu-
rate with their labors and sacrifices, and that all who perish
may receive a reward in the better land.
On the morning of May 4th, the grocery store of Robert
Collins, corner of Franklin street and the Turnpike, was con-
sumed'by fire, with all its contents. The adjacent out buildings
were also consumed, and the dwelling of Mr. Collins was some-
what damaged. Loss, about $2,500.
The ship AbEelino, Capt. Ammi Smith, of Lynn, was captured
by a rebel privateer, 20 May, while on her passage from Boston
to New Orleans, with a cargo of ice. This was one of the first
of such seizures in the war. The officers, crew, and vessel,
were, however, soon released.
On the first day of Juno, the Lynn horse cars began to run to
Boston.
On Sunday, 2 June, Julia, aged ten years, a danghter of John
Fitzpatrick, an overseer in one of the Saugus woollen factories,
died of the terrible disease of hydrophobia. She was slightly
bitten by a small dog with which she was familiar ; but little or
nothing was thought of it at the time. Six weeks after, while
at school, she was taken with spasms and soon died, in great
agony.
The brick school-house, on the west side of Franklin street,
was dedicated on Monday afternoon, 24 June,
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463 AHNAL8 OF LYNN — 1861.
A great comet suddenly appeared in July. It ivas first seen
on "Tuesday evening, the 2d, and waa very briglit. I was stand-
ing on the slope of the hill, near Sadler's Rock, at dusk, con-
versing with a friend. On looking up, as oue or two of the
brighter stars began to appear, he remarked, "Why, there is a
strange looking star." As the darkness increased, the propor-
tions of a magnificent comet became developed. On the follow-
ing evening the celestial stranger made a still more imposing
appearance. Its position was a very little west of north and it
waa finely delineated, from the tail which spread out into a
silvery light at the zenith, to the bright nucleus at the horizon.
Observation determined that it was moving with extraordinary
rapidity; an(^ if waa soon beyond the vision of the unassisted
eye. One remarkable fact about this comet is that its tail, which
was upwards of ninety degrees in length, actually came in con-
tact with the earth. In the report of the visiting committee of
the Cambridge observatory to the overseers of the college —
which report, by the way, was signed by our emiuent townsman,
William Mitchell, as chairman — it is stated that the comet waa
subjected to a rigorous examination and its path marked with
great care, its position being determined at forty-nin'e periods.
And the report adds that as soon as its real motion was ascer-
tained, it became evident that its train had swept the earth;
and subsequent observations, both in this country and Europe
showed that only three days previous to its sudden apparition
in ourteavens a part of the train mast have been ia actual con-
tact with the earth. It ia
an ancient superstition that
comets portend dire calam-
ities to mankind ; particu-
larlv wars. And that of
1858 and this of 1861, com-
ing so opportune for the
terrible civil war, will be
likely to confirm the appre-
hensions of some unculti- Comet op 1S6I.
vated minds.
The Lynn soldiers who so promptly I'osponded to the call of
the President, and on the 16th of April hastened southward,
returned on the first of August, their three months term of ser-
vice having expired. And they had a very enthusiastic and
gratifying public reception. The City appropriated $500, and
individual liberality contributed a large additional sum, to make
the occasion one of uncommon display. Not a man of the whole
regiment had died during its absence. Col. Munroe^ had re-
signed, 12 May, and returned home, and Lieut. Col. Hinks had
BHcceeded him. The reception was quite imposing. There
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AHNALS OP LYNN — 1861. 469
was a large escort of military and fire companies, and public
and private places were profusely decorated, business was sus-
pended, and the large body of the population were in the streets.
The procession was something more than an eighth of a mile in
length, and moved through the principal neighborhoods, the
bands playing, church bells ringing, and guns firing. At about
seven o'clock a collation was had at Exchange Hall; and when
the hungry stomachs had been supplied the patriotic tongues
were loosed. And the whole furnished a notable instance of
the liberal bestowment of well-earned honors.
The Union street Methodist meeting-house (St. Paul's) was
dedicated on Thursday afternoon, 1 August.
On Thursday night, 12 September, the spacious building
known as Nahant Hotel, was destroyed by fire. It was an
immense structure of wood, with the exception of the small part
built in 1819, which was of stone; was in some parts three and
in others four stories in height; was something more than four
hundred feet in length, and contained three hundred rooms. It
was sufficient for the accommodation of a thousand visitors at ei
time; six hundred could be seated together in the dining hall;
magnetic telegraph wires connected it with Boston; and it had
every appliance of a first class public boose. The conflagration
made a striking display as seen from Lynn and the adjacent
places. And it was observed from vessels a great distance
at sea.
In September the little green in Washington Square, at the
junction of Nahant street and Broad, was enclosed by a neat
iron railing, and otherwise improved. The ladies held a fair, on
May-day, to raise funds to defray the expense. The cost was
$550.
An encampment was formed at Lynnfield, at which a number
of regiments were drilled, preparatory to leaving for the seat
of war.
Thursday, 26 September, was observed as a national fast.
In October, Miss Mitchell, whose astronomical observations
and discoveries at Nantucket had made her name familiar to the
scientific world, removed with her accomplished father, William
Mitchell, to Lynn. Besides several smaller instruments, used
at her former residence, she brought with her a beautiful equa-
torial telescope, which she has since constantly applied to vari-
jus original researches, the principal and perhaps the most
important of which are observations on the phenomena of the
double stars or binary systems. The telescope was the gift of
a few friends of both sexes, and no pains were spared in ita
construction. It was made by Alvan Clark and Sons, of Cam-
brigeport, and is unquestionably among their best productions.
The telescope is furnished with all the appliances belonging to
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470 AHHAL3 OP LYNN — 1862.
the largest class of instruments, meaaumg circles of right as-
cension, and declination, has clock-work, and micrometer. It
has six eye-piecea of powers from fifty to three hundred. The
telescope and equatorial apparatus are connected to a heavy
iron tripod resting on a firm piece of solid masonry, whose hase
is sufficiently below the surffice of the ground to be secure
from the effects of frost and the tremor of passing carriages in
the street at a distance of two hundred feet. The observatory
is a circular building of great simplicity, with an ordinary roof
revolving by means of iron balls running in grooved circular
jjlates, thus enabling a narrow scuttle in the roof to he turned
-to any part of the heavens.
On Tuesday afternoon, 26 November, Phipps Munroe, a mas-
ter carpenter, and much respected citizen, aged fifty-one, was
instantly killed by a revolving shaft, at the morocco factory of
Souther and Blaney, on Market ateet. The shaft was making a
hundred and eighty revolutions a minute, and ifc was supposed
bis clothing was caught, and be dashed against the beams, which
were but about fourteen inches above the shaft.
1862.
On Saturday morning, 22 March, the dry goods store of S. J.
Weinhurg, on Market street, was a good deal damaged by fire.
On Monday morning, 7 April, Sagamore Cottage, which had
been the home of Mr. Lewis, for nearly twenty of the laat years
of his life, was partially burned. It was at the time occupied
by Mrs. Lewis and her little hoy of four years. They were
aroused in time to make thoir escape, by a dog kept on the
premises. Most of the movable property was saved. The
building, though much damaged, was soon repaired.
At Pranker'3 factory, in Saugus, S April, a steam copper cyl-
inder, weighing about two hundred pounds and being a foot
and a half in diameter and four feet in length, used for drying,
suddenly burst, while revolving with great rapidity. Mr. Tobin,
the man in charge, was thrown some ten feet and considerably
injured. The force of the esplosion was so great that several
large windows were broken, and the iron frame that supported
the cyh'nder was snapped to pieces, and thrown about with
great violence.
Capt. Henry Bancroft's barn, in Lynnfield, was burned early
on Sunday morning, 4 May, together with hia carriage-house
and other out buildings. A horao and several cows, were
burned. Loss, about $4,000.
On Monday evening, 14 July, a large and enthusiastic war
meeting was held at Lyceum Hall. And on the evening of
Tiiesday, 22 July, another was held on the Common. And on
Saturdav, 26 July, still another was held on the Common. Sim-
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ANNALS OF LYNN — 1862. 471
ilav meetings were likewise heUl in August. The places of busi-
ness were closed at two o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday,
26 Augnet, and on each day for the remainder of the week, that
the afternoons might be devoted to obtaining recruits.
On the afternoon of 30 July, during a thunder storm, George
L.. Hanson of Portland street, was seated near a window, iji his
house, when he was suddenly thrown a distance of nearly ten
feet, receiving such a shock as rendered him apparently lifeless.
His wife immediately closed his nostrils and breathed into his
mouth; other restorative means were applied, and he soou
returned to consciousness. It was not known that the lightning
struck auy where in the vicinity. And Mr. Hanson neither saw
lightning nor heard thunder.
On Sundaj' afternoonj 31 August, an enthusiastic war meeting
was held on the Common. Religious services were omitted at
all the churches excepting the First Baptist, and the clergy
very generally attended and took part in the meeting. The
day was pleasant, and a very great crowd assembled, including
a body of soldiery. Stirring speeches were made, and national
piece's sung and played hy the military band. There was like'
wise an interspersion of religious exercises. During the kttei
part of the evening, there was a large gathering ia front of the
City Hall. And the result of the movements of the day was
the securing of a considerable number of enlistments.
On Thursday, 4 September, a grand pic-nic party under the
auspices of the Spiritualists, was held at Dungeon Rock. Some
two thousand persons of both sexes and all ages were present.
There was speaking, music, and dancing. Mediums were in
attendance, and divers revelations made. The day was pleas
ant, and the proceedings went forward with spirit. No more
delightful or romantic place could be found for such a gathering.
This was the first of a number of similar assemblages in that
attractive locality.
The 8th of October was the warmest October day since 1807,
the thermometer reaching ninety degrees, in the shade.
On Sunday afternoon, 19 October, the funerals of two de-
ceased soldiers — John C. Dow and Solomon Martin — both
victims of the battle of Antietam — took place; that of the first
named from the Christian Chapel, on Silsbe street, and that of
the last from the Second Universalist meeting-house. They
were attended by a large concourse, including the principal
city authorities.
The house of William Cheever, in Saugua was burned on the
night- of 3" November.
The Swampscot Library Association was formed this year.
On the 5th of November, the bodies of two brothers — Charles
J. Batchelder and George W. Batcheldur, were buried from the
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4T2 ANKALS OP LYNN — 1863.
First Methodist meeting-house. Botli were in the service of
their country, Charles, who was a lieutenant, died at New
Orleans, of fever, and George, who was a captain, was killed at
the hattle of Antietam. There was a very large attendance,
embracing the city authorities and a considerable body of mil-
itary ; and the services were peculiarly impressive and affecting.
This, and the other military funerals mentioned under this date
were the first of a large number, which would be separately
noticed did space permit.
There was an extraordinary yield of fruit this year, in this
vicinity, and it was more than usually excellent.
During the autumu of this year, a Soldiers' Burial Lot was
laid out in Pine Grove Cemetery. The City appropriated five
hundred dollars for the object. The lot is on the corner of Lo-
cust and Larch avenues, is square, contains three thousand and
six hundred square feet, and is surrounded hj a border of twelve
feet, for trees, shrubs, and flowers.
As evidence of the patriotism of some of our families, it may
be mentioned that Otis Newhall, superintendent of' Pine Grove
Cemetery, and Edmund Waitt, of Strawberry avenue, each had
five sons in the war, this year; and John Alley, 4th, had four.
The most atrocious murder ever committed in Lynn was
perpetrated early in the evening of 23 December. Nathan
Breed, jr,, an estimable citizen, aged thirtj'-eight, who kept a
grocery store on Summer street, corner of Orchard Court, was
killed by terrible blows from a small axe, inflicted chiefly on
the head. The horrid deed was consummated in a most daring
and merciless manner. He was in bis store, and it was an hour
when customers were especially liable to call. The murderer
must have watched his opportunity, and done the deed with
fearful expedition. The assault was made between six and
seven o'clock, and Mr, Breed lingered till three in the morning.
He had his senses, and declared that his murderer was a young
man darned Horace L.Davis,, who lived in the neighborhood,
and whose agewas about seventeen. Davis was arrested and
tried for the murder, but the jury could not agree on a verdict,
being divided on the question of mental capacity; but he sub-
sequently pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter, and was
sentenced to the state prison for twenty years,
1863.
Eev. Charles W. Biddle was installed pastor of the First Uni-
versalist Society, on Thursday afternoon, 5 February.
On the morning of 12 February, the Sash and Blind Factory,
on Essex street, near the Swampseot line, was destroyed by fire.
The little fishing schooner Flying Dart, of Swampseot, with a
crew of twelve men, on the 25th of February brought in 14.000
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AHNALS OF LYNS — 1863. 473
pounds of fisli, cauglit by tbem that day. The fish were readily
8o]d at an average rate of two cents a pound.
There was an interval of severe cold, near the middle of
March. On the 14th, the thermometer reached twelve de-
grees helow zero. The winter had been quite open, hereabout,
but it was judged to have been very severe at the north, from
the numbor of arctic birds that visited us. Four large arctic
owla were shot during one weelc, at Nahant and on the beaches,
and several eagles appeared on the marshes.
The Kerosine Oil Factory of Berry and Hawkes, on Hawkes's
Hill, in East Saugus, was burned, 20 March.
Capt. John B. Hubbard, of Gen. Weitzel'a staff, was killed in
battle at Port Hudson, in May. He was principal of the Lynn
High School at the time of his enlistment. He was a son of
a former governor of Maine, a graduate of Bowdoin College,
and highly esteemed, while here, as a teacher and a man.
Tlie large steam bakery of Thomas Austin and Company, on
Water Hill, was burned on the morning of 29 May.
The Boston and Lynn Horse Rail-road commenced running
care to Chelsea Beach, on the Ist of June.
Extraordinary numbers of caterpillars appeared in the summer
of this year. So numerous were they tbat in many instances
trees had to he abandoned to their ravages. Canker worms
were also very abundant and destructive.
The barn of Nathan Breed, on Broad street, wag burned,
June 2, the fire being occasioned by attempts to destroy, by
fire, the caterpillars on the fruit trees near by.
Lieut. Coh Charles Kedington Mndge was killed at the battle
of Gettysburg, 3 July. Ho was the eldest son of E. B. Mndge,
of Swampscot, and twenty-three year8 of age ; was an officer
of great promise, and at the time he was killed was in command
of the regiment, gallantly leading on a charge. He graduated
at Harvard, with the 1860 class.
The church bells were rung, cannon fired, and bonfires lighted,
on the 7th of July, in rejoicing over the fall of Vicksburg.
Liberty Hose House, on Willow street, was burned 30 July.
An enthusiastic reception of Ihe Lynn soldiers belonging to
the Eighth Regiment, took place on the 30th of July, on the
return from their nine months' service. There was a very long
procession of military, firemen and citizens; bells were rung,
cannon fired, and welcoming speeches made; many dwelJinga
and public places were decorated ; and a collation was served
on the Common.
Thursday, August 6, was observed as a day of national thanks-
giving, in view of the successes of our arms.
The dwelling bouse of Frank Fiske, in Cliftondale, was burned,
September 15.
N2*
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ASNALS OP LTNK — 1864.
1864.
A war meeting waB held at Lyceum Hall, on Sunday evening,
January 3, which was largely attended and enthusiastic.
Frederic Tudor died at his residence, in'Boston, on Saturday
afternoon, February 6, aged 80. He was horn in Boston, in a
house which stood on the site of the present Tudor's Building,
in Court street, on the 4th ol'Septenihev, 1783. His grandfather,
John Tndor, emigrated from Devonshire, England, to Boston,
and his father, Wiiliam Tudor, was born in Boston, and served
during (he Revolution as Judge Advocate General of the army
under Washington. Daniel Henchman, who planted the cele-
brated old elm on Boston Common, was his maternal ancestor,
and perhaps from him he inherited that taste for the culture of
trees which is evidenced by the groves now flourishing on Na-
hant. And this Daniel Henchman, by the way, was grandfather
of Rev. Mr. Henchman who was settled over the Lynn church
from 1720 to 1761.
Mr. Tudor married, in 1834, Miss Enphemia Fenno, a native
of New York city, and left six children, the eldest of whom was
born in 1837, and the youngest in 1854. Their names are as
foHows : Enphemia, now a naturalized French lady, the Countess
Kleezkowska; Frederick; Delia J.; William; Hleonora; Henry.
Mr. Tudor is justly entitled to be called the lather of the
great New England Ice Trade, which' was commenced as early
aa 1805. In 1S34, he sent his first cargo to the East Indies,
and soon found himself in a highly lucrative business. He early
became charmed by the beauties of Nabant, and in 1825 built
Lis stone cottage and laid out his picturesque grounds there.
And he continued, from year to year to reside there during the
warm season, and expend large sums in beautifying the peninsula
and adding to his possessions. There is unquestionable autho-
rity for stating that during the last thirty years of his life
he expended not less than $30,000 dollars annually — making
$900,000 foi' that period alone. Previously he had spent large
sums in building, improving roads, and planting trees. He was
8 man of great decision of character, promptness in action, and
impatience of interference with his plans. Towards strangers
he manifested great courtesy and did much to render their
visits to Nahant agreeable. The inhabitants, at their annual
town meeting, 12 March, 1864, unanimously adopted resolutions
expressive of their sense of loss and appreciation of his worth
and generosity.
On the evening of February 8, Henry Neill, aged 49, was
killed at the Central Rail-road Station. He jumped from the
platform of a car and fell in such a manner that the wheels
1 over his neck, nearly severing his head.
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AUNALS OF LTSN — 1864. 475
Eev. Parsons Cooke, D, D,, minister of the First Chnrch of
Lynn, died on Friday afternoon, 12 February. Ho was bom
in Hadley, 18 February, 1800, was the son of Solomon Cooke, a
respectable farmer, and a descendant from Capt. Haron Cooke,
conspicuous among the early settlers of that vicinity.
Mr. Cooke graduated at Williaips College, in 1822, and studied
theology under Dr. GfrifSu, president of that institution. In
June, 1826, he was installed over the East Evangelical Church
in Ware, which was his first settlement. There ho remained
till April, 1835, and then accepted a call from a society in Ports-
mouth, N. H. In the latter place he continued about six
months, and in 183C accepted the call of the church at Lynn,
and remained its pastor to the end of his life. On the 5th of
June, 1826, he married Hannah Starkweather, who died July 2,
1852, and by whom he had no children. His second wife, whom
he married July 20, 1853, was^Mary Ann W. Hawley, of Bridge-
port, Ct., and by her he had one son, born 27 October, 1855.
Mr. Cooke early displayed a love of controversy, which it
may be said grew with his growth and strengthened with his
strength ; so his life was not distinguished by that pacific
course which many believe is most strongly inculcated in the
gospel of peace. His mind was of such an order that he rapidly
arrived at conclusions, tenacionsly held to them, and was not
remarkble for his gentle bearing toward those who differed from
him. His perceptions were quick, and he had an abundance of
natural wit, which, unfortunately, was liable to exhibit itself in
the degenerate form of sarcasm. His reasoning powers were
evidently good ; but yet he possessed such an nnaccountable
vein of credulity, that their host fruits seemed sometimes never
to ripen. A reference to his S''o''k entitled ''A Century of
Puritanism and a Century of its Opposites," will be sufficient
to satisiy any one acquainted with our history, of the truth of
these remarks. Some of the honest individuals who supplied
him with information would, doubtless, have been more guarded
in their expressions, had they observed this peculiarity of his
mind. But it is difficult not to conclude that others dehberately
imposed upon him. It cannot be supposed that he made any
of the remarkable statements without a full behef of their truth;
and it is surprising that he forbore the slight examination neces-
sary for the detection of some of the more patent errors. He
was often boldly charged, in the newspapers, with wilful misrep-
resentation; but I see no necessity for the charge of wilfulness,
and apprehend that he was simply ensnared in the way indicated.
His style of composition was not what rhetoricians call elegant,
but was well adapted to controversial purposes. The sentences
were short, direct, and w^ithout any waste of words. He evi-
dently thought more of what he was saying than bow he spoke.
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476 ANiSALS OF LYNK — 1864.
Dr. Cooke was a high Ca^vinist, and often cast a fond Jook
backward, upon the "old paths," sighing that there had been
Buch a general departure from them. He was an industrious
and faithful minister, bo far as pulpit preparations were con-
cerned; but he visited little among the people of his charge. His
power and delight lay rather in the use of the pen than in per-
eonal intercourse. His ministry here was successful ; his pari-
eioners were much attached to him, and regarded him as one
of more than ordinary power. And had it not been for his
unfortunate disposition to controversy, there is little doubt that
his abilities would have commended him to the favorable regard
and respect of the theological world in general. It may readily
be admitted that he thought it a duty to always have his pungent
pen ready dipped for the defence of the truth and the demolish-
ing of error, as he deemed them; but the way in which things
are attempted often has great influence on the result. Tho
severity with which he speaks, in his "Centuries," of some of
his predecessors in the pastorate of the First Church, and the
little respect he seems to have entertained for their memories,
lead to the conclusion that he did not consider that church
one that had been conspicuously blessed in her ministry. With
some of his estimates I cannot agree, and think that in other
parts of this volume may be fouod such authenticated state-
ments as wi!] show that be labored under mistakes. And it is,
further, a matter of regret that he should have taken occasion
to give what is believed to be an undeservedly dark coloring to
the morals, intelligence, and manners of the people of Lynn.
The pulpit oratory of Mr. Cooke was not pleasing to those
nnaecustomed to it; tho delivery was rapid, in a high tone, and
with very little intonation; bijt his appearance was dignified.
He was not an adept in music, and took no part in the choral
portion of the service. In person be was commanding, being
considerably above the ordinary stature, but symmetrical. His
habits were sedentary, and in part, no doubt, the occasion
of his last protracted and painful sickness. He suffered greatly
for two years, but with the resignation that always character-
izes the good man. Immediately before his death, in a still
watchful anxiety for the souls of his charge, be dictated, and
with a tremulous hand signed, the following— the ever-living
testimony of a dying Christian.
Ltbh, Feb. Sth, 1864.
As I am Bbout to close my minieUy and my life, 1 liave one thing to say to
my people — That all the BDppoi't that I find in a dyinjr hoiu-, are the dooti'iiies
of grace I have preached, which centre iu Jesus Christ and him crucified, and
ace to my heart a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief; and that these
I would conmisnd to the acceptance of all, with my dying hreath.
Parsobs Cooke.
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ANNALS OF LYNN— 1864. 477
The publications of Mr. Cooke wers numerous. Tbe titlea
of hia books, in brief, may be given as follows.
1. Mo(3erii Universalism Exposed.
2. A History of German Anabaptism.
3. The Divine Law of Beneficence.
4. Recollections of Dr. G-rifBn,
5. A Century of Puritanism and a Century of its Opposites.
The foregoing were all in book form, and besides them he
pnbliahed some twenty pamphlets — sermons, addresses, tracts,
ifec. And in speaking of his industry with the pen it should
likewise be mentioned that for about twenty years be was one
of the regular editors of the Puritan newspaper, which publi-
cation was commenced at Lynn and afterward removed to Bos-
ton. See under date 1840.
Mr. Cooke was the first minister who died while settled over
the First Church, for a little more than a century, Mr. Hench-
man, who died in 1761, having been the Jast one before him who
died in the pastorate. And it may be noted as a coincidence
that Mr. Henchman was born in tbe first year of century 1700,
as Mr, Cooke was in the first year of century 1800; and they
attained very near the same age.
A great easterly storm commenced on the 29th of March, and
continued till the 2d of April. The wind blew with great vio-
lence, and the sea came in furiously. The beacon on Dread
Ledge, an obelisk of granite, twenty-five feet in height' and
three feet square at the base, was broken off near the centre.
Tbe fine summer residence of Benjamin T. Reed, at Red Rock,
was destroyed by fire on the night of April 8.
The school-house on Howard street was destroyed by fire on
the morning of June 8.
Saturday, June 25, was the warmest day in Lynn, of which
there is any record. The thormometor reached a hundred and
four degrees in the most shady places. At five o'clock in the
afternoon it stood above a hundred. The next day, Sunday,
was nearly as warm. The same remarkable degree of heat
was experienced in other parts of New England.
The extensive soap manufacturing establishment of George
E. Emery, on Chesnut street, near Gravesend village was de-
stroyed by fire on the night of June 26,
A severe drought prevailed this summer, and destructive fires
took place in the woods in the latter part of July.
A threatening fire occurred on Federal Square, near Water
Hill, on the afternoon of July 22. It commenced in the bakery
of Isaac H. Tarbox, consumed four frame buildings and injured
several others.
The first steam fire engine owned by the city arrived in town
on the 11th of August. It received the name " City of Lynn."
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478 ANKALB OF LYNN — 1864.
Mackerel appeared on the coast, in great abundance, during
the early part of tho autumn. The crew of the little fishing
schooner Minnehaha, of Swampacot, trn the 18th of September,
off Boon Island, caught three hundred and fifty barrels. And
the crew of the Flying Dart, of the same place, at another point,
took a hundred and thirty harrek in some four hours.
At about five o'clock on the morning of Thursday, October
6, the City Hall, on South Common street, head of Blossom,
was discovered to be on fire, and was soon destroyed. It was
of wood, and not a very comeiy structure. A good representa-
tion of it may be found on page 591, accompanied hy a brief
historical sketch. In the northeast corner of tho building, on
the first floor, was the Lock-up, a place for the temporary con-
finement of offenders, and on the same floor were the City
Clerk's office, the Mayor and Aldermen's room, and the offices
of the Police Justice and City Marshal. On the upper floor
were the Police Court room, the office of the Clerk of the
Police Court, and the Comraou Council room. Ifi the Lock-up
an unfortunate man, named Joseph Bond, aged about forty years,
was confined, and being unable to extricate himself and no help
seasonably arriving, though his shrieks were heard, he was
burned to death. It appeared that he was a man of generally
correct habits, but on the occasion of his arrest had from some
cause become turbulent.
On Thursday evening, October 27, the Female Benevolent
Society celebrated their fiftieth anniversary, by a gathering and
an entertainment at Armory Hall. This society was formed in
1814, by benevolent ladies belonging to the different religious
societies, and has ever continued to flourish, dispensing, in an
unostentatious way, blessings to thousands.
On the 2d of November the two Lynn companies of the
Eighth Regiment returned from three months' service, and
were welcomed by a public parade and an entertainment ; in
the former of which the fire department joined, and in the latter
of which the good old Yankee dish of baked beans held a prom-
inent position.
There was no Indian summer this year; a thing hardly ever
known within tho memory of man.
On the 10th of December the schooner Lion, from Rockland,
Me., loaded with granite, was wrecked off Long Beach, and all
on board — sis in number — perished. A violent storm prevailed,
and it was very cold. Though the cries of the hapless mariners
were heard upon the Beach, they could not be rescued.
The Franklin Trotting Park Hotel, in Saugus, (Oliftondale,)
was, with its contents, destroyed by fire, on the night of Dec. 19.
And here, with the year 1864, toe close our Chapter of Annals,
embracing the record of two hundred and thirty-five years.
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AUTOGBAPHS.
Several of the t'ulliiwiNg fac-siiuilies uij|)eai- in otii
volujiie; bul il maa tlioiiglit that tlie reader would be pleased to see tbeiii
collectively atj one page. With ttiOBe that do not elsewhere ap|>ear. It is uii
old fancy tlint the character of nu individual may be ileterinliied by his hand-
writing; mid to those who entertain it, autographs are peculiarly iniei-esting.
The star distinguishes those who were boi-n in Lynn.
The references to pages show where accounts of the individuals may be
found ; though in most instances they are spoken of iu several places, wliich
may be asceriained by refeiring to the index.
SiiiiHiel irii.fliMff, S-r — sotth'd Jeyemifth Sftepoid— sucwaeor to Mr. Whiting, snd
ov,;r tlie First Chureh of llrst minifiter in tlie Old Tnnnel Meetlng-lioiise,
Lynn, in 11)30, continuing in wliere he preached 3? yenrfl. Written In 1089, at
George £«rrill—hend of the ''
family on^e cBllKd the roy- ♦ Ebencer DrKd— '■ i:ncle Eben." — Wriltfn iu iriMl,
al family of Lynn. Writ- at the ageofSI. p. 6iO
ten iu 1^3. p. 115.
77«jnui» Darlcr — n nrominrnt and entfr- ♦.^fnnin lonii — Lynn bsrd and hlBtorlan.
prising Bottler. Writt»m tn 1IB7. p. 119- Wiittoiin 1S31, at the age of 87. p. 6«.
Ho=md by Google
db, Google
CHAPTEK III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
lutroduclory Kemai-ks, page 479 ^Biographical Sketch of Thomas Ncwhall,
483 — John Btimll, 489 — Ebenezei- Burrill, 492 — Jacob Newhall, 494 —
William Gray, 496 — Micajah Collins, 500 — Solomon Moultoji, 503 —
Maria Augusta Fuller, 505 — Chai-Ies F. LumniHS, 511 — Elijah Downing,
519 — Ebenezer Breed, 519 — Enoch Curtin, 528 —JosiahNowhall, 533 —
Edward L. Coffin, 533 — Enoch Mudge, 53(5- Asa T. Newhall, 537 —
Ezra Mudge, 538 — Francis S. Newhall, 539 — Isaac Newhall, 540 — Isaiah
Breed, 541 — George Hood, 543 — Alonzo Lewis, 544 — Daniel O. Baker,
566 — Benjamin F. Newhall, 567.
IKTEODDCTORY REMAKKS.
It is too often the case that those individuals whom a com-
munity delight to laud and magnify, are those who, through
some fortuitous circumstance, unsupported by anything beyond
a common share of talent or virtue, have become conspicuous.
And if a cotemporary historian, perceiving the deficiency, and
in the honest desire to deal justly, does not place them in the
popular light, he is liable to.be charged with prejudice or lack
of discernment. But he must not be troubled at this; remem-
bering that his duty, in a great degree, pertains to the future,
to the time when the meretricious mantle of an unsound popu-
larity has fallen. His duty is to celebrate deeds of virtue and
usefulness, however humble in their generation may be the
instruments who performed them. But if the historian be not
cotemporary, he must depend on recorded and traditionary
accounts; in which case, though safer from criticism, he may
not be 80 successful in developing the truth or deducing the
proper lesson, for he must be governed by what may be the
mistakes, prejudices, or whims of others.
(479)
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480 HISTORT OF LYNN.
The few Biograpliical Sketches wliicli follow, relate only to
natives of Lynn. In the pages of Annala numerous notices of
promiDent individuals from other places, who took up their
abode here, may be found ; but it was thought proper to make
a distinction between them and those who were born on our
soil. I have endeavored to present such characters as on the
whole seemed best calculated to make useful and agreeable
impressions ; but that many others who have passed away were
deserving of honorable mention is most certainly true; and
nothing but the imperative requirements of limited apace pre-
vented a large extension of the list. And theu there is the great
body of those of, whom no record remains. Beneath the sods
of the Old Burying Ground repose an innumerable company
of those whose names will stand high in a better book than this,
but who lived in retirement and departed in silence.
Men who are themselves destitute of principle usually find it
Lard to believe that others act from principle. And most people
live on, almost exclusively with a view to the present, the pass-
ing time; thinking only of their position in the community by
which they are surrounded, of their possessions, of the many
eyes that are turned upon them in admiration or envy. But
there are, happily for our race, some with more comprehensive
minds; some who realize their dignity as men; with cohcep-
tions not circumscribed by time and place, but recognizing their
duty to riiankind in general, and their responsibility to their
Maker. And it is refreshing to contemplate the lives of such
though their companionship may have been with the most lowly. -
When men seriously reflect on their ways, they seldom fail
to come to the conclusion that theya"re capable of bettor things
than they have ever accomplished; and conceited as it may
seem, of most people it is true. These reflections make them
restless and discontented; and they should see to it that their
better energies be put forth. And how many of us pass our
whole lives in an atmosphere of pure selfishness, never realizing
that our obligations extend beyond ourselves and those immedi-
ately dependent on us. It were better, perhaps, that the sordid
and vicious should pass recluse lives; but the virtuous and
wise should bestir themselves among men, that others may be
benefited by their good examples and superior wisdom. I am
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES — IHTEODUCTORT BEMAEKa. 481
i that in former times the public position of a man waa
a much surer index of his real merits, than it is at present ; and
think that in the following pages something will appear to
sustain the view.
Who does not love to contemplate the character of a true
man. And the nearer his position in life may have been to ours,
the more direct the lesson taught by his history; for we may
be animated by similar hopes, struggling with similar diffioultiea,
beset by similar temptations, quickened by similar affections.
But there can be little benefit in contemplating the characters
of others, however good or great, unless we strive to follow the
exemplar.
It is thought that the reader will at once recognize the pro-
priety of excluding from this Chapter of Biographies all who are
not natives. There certainly should be some distinction pre-
served. Mr. Lewia often, and at times with asperity, complained
that Lynn was not true to her own children ; that, for instance,
those from other places were generally called to fill her positions
of honor and emolument. And there was more truth and sa-
gacity in many of his tart observations on the subject than
some were willing to admit. She has not, in this particular,
done the best for herself; for it cannot be ^expected, in the
ordinary course of events, that those from abroad should feel
the same interest in her honor and prosperity that her own sons
would. The adopted child is not apt to take that lively interest
in the welfare of a household which the native bom does. Many
of her children, driven away, as it were, have become eminent
abroad, and employed for the benefit of others those talents
which should have enriched her.
Our task is undertaken for more than one purpose. It ia
desirable to perpetuate the names of some of the worthy ones
who have adorned our history ; and if we can present a little
something that wiU profit or entertain, there will a pleasure in
the labor. There will be a constant endeavor to pursue a
course free from prejudice or unmerited adulation. Truth is
a thing exterior to man ; and whatever he may do cannot
change its nature ; and we hope to keep the fact in view, though
it is BO difficult, in religion, in politics, in any thing, to avoid
acting as if mere belief were truth itself.
02 31
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482 HISTORY OF LYNN.
THOMAS NEWH ALL— 1630-1687.
Perhaps the most notable circumstance regarding this mai-
vjdiial is that he was (lie first white child horn in Lynn. His
father, who also bore the chriatian name of Thomas wa^ one of
the earliest set.tJera, and lived on the east side of Federal street,
a few rods south of the mill brook, owning all the lands, on that
side, between tho Turnpike and Marion street. The elder
Thomas had another son-, John, who was born in England.
He likewise had two daughters, Susanna and Mary. The former
married Richard Haven, and became maternal ancestor of one
of the most respectable of American families. See page 186.
Mary married Thomas Brown, and had several children,
Thomas Newhall, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1630,
and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Bachiler, the first minister of
Lynn, on the first Sunday after his arrival, being June 8, 1632.
A rather comical scene occurred at the baptism. Christopher
Hussey, who was a son-in-law of Mr. Bachiler, and who proba-
bly induced the reverend gentleman to come here, had a child,
named Stephen, to be baptized at the same time ; and Mr. Bach-
iler, as Thomas was first presented for the holy rite, unceremoni-
ously put him aside, declaring that he should baptize Stephen,
who appears to have been named for his reverend, grandfather,
first. Mr. Lewis seems to have thought a sort of family pride
induced this movement, which struck him as an indignity toward
Thomas ; but it should, perhaps, be viewed in the light of a com-
pliment. It may have been that Stephen was noisy and turbu-
lent, insomuch that the old gentleman was ashamed of him and
anxious to hurry him out of sight, while Thomas \vas quiet and
well-behaved. But it is not important to pursue the inquiry.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Newhall married Elizabeth
Potter, who I think was a daughter of Nicholas Potter, a man
concerned in the Iron Works, but who afterward resided at
Salem and was called a bricklayer. It is, however, I believe,
somewhere stated by Mr. Lewis, that she was a daughter of
Robert Potter, \yho was here for a short time among the very
first settlers; but I am confident this is a mistake. Eor some
facts concerning this Robert Potter, see page 126.
No striking events appear in the life of Mr Nowhall. Indeed,
seated here, in a little forest opening, amid a population that
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES — THOMAS NBWHALL. 483
could almost be mimbered in an hour, with no stirring incidents
to mark the jeara as they rolled by, there was little opportunity
for one to make himself conspicuous, whatever his talents or
ambition. But from the frequency with which his name appears
on the records, connected with trustworthy transactions, it must
be inferred that he was a man of integrity, and one in whose
judgment much reliance was placed. And he seems to have
had a very fair education. On page 126, is a fac-simile of his
signature. And it is there stated that the two last letters were
supplied. Since the engraving was made I have seen one or
two other signatures of his, which correspond in a remarkable
degree; and it is hardly possible to discover any difference
between the supplied letters and those made by his own hand
It seems appropriate and con- ^
venient to have the fac-siniile "JTtQtnc^ '^^iM^/Cd^
likewise introduced in this con- sigaat«.-e of Thom«s Newhajl.
nection,
Mr. Newhall died in March, 1687, his wife having died a few
weeks before. He was the father of ton children ; and for
many years, if,, indeed, not to the present time, the Newhall
family has certainly been deserving of commendation for its
fecundity if for nothing else.
I now propose to give a genealogical view of the principal
branches of the great Newhall family descending from this our
common ancestor. It would, however, be impossible here to
follow the blood in all its windings. A large volume would
'scarcely afford sufficient space for that. But enough will be
given, it is thought, to enable any one' of the family to trace
his connection. Great pains have been taken to have the record
correct; but still the most patient investigation and diligent
inquiry amid so many entanglements and positive contradictions
may not meet with the reward of entire success. Numerous
records and documents, besides those in the meagre archives
of Lynn, have been examined. Indeed, if Lynn alono had been
depended on, the information would have been most imperfect
and unreliable. If all our public records were as defective as
the few that survive, their loss is not much to be deplored, for
they must, at some periods at least, have abounded with obscu-
rities and ridiculous errors. Some years ago several of the
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484 HISTORY OP LYNN.
old books were copied, at some cost. And an opportunity was
thus afforded to multiply the errors; an opportunity which, I
am sorry to say, did not pass unimproved.
Though the great progenitor of the Newhall family, was
Thomas, father of the subject of this sketch, yet there was an
Anthony Newhall here, in 1636, who, in the division of lands,
in 1638, had a grant of thirty acres. He was, however, for a
time a resident of Salem, He died 31 Januarj', 1657 ; had a son
John, who married Elizabeth Normauton, 31 December 1656,
and probably other children, as in his will are found the names
of Richard and Elizabeth Hood, grandchildren. But it does not
appear that any of the present Newhall families of Lynn can
trace their origin to him. I thought that John might have
been his only male child, aud that he, perhaps, had no male issue ;
but Farmer seems to make him progenitor of Dr. Horace and
Eev. Ebenezer Newhall, who graduated at Harvard in 1817 and
1818
In what follows, the numerals placed before the names indicate
the generation to which the individuals belonged.
I, Thomas. As just observed, tliis individiial, the great progenitor of the
Newlialls of Lynn, came over in 1630, and located on the east side of Federal
II. Thomas. This is the personage whose name stands at tlio head of
this sketch — a son of the preeediag, and the first white person bom in Lynn.
He mai-i'ied, 29 December, 1653, Elizabeth Potter, and became the father
of ten childi-en, viz; Thomas, bom 18 November, 1653; John, b. 14 Feb-
ruary, 1656; Joseph, b. 33 September, 1658; Notliaiiiel, b. 17 March, 1660 j
Ehzabeth, b. 31 March, 1663, and Uving but three years ; Elisha, b. 3 Novem-
ber, 1665; Elizabeth again, b. 33 October, 1667; Mai7, b. 18 February, 1669;
Samuel, b. 19 January, 1673 ; Rebecca, b. 17 July, 1675.
m. Joseph. This, the third son of IL Thomas, was bora 22 September,
1658. He married Susanna, a daughter of Thomas Pai'rar, In 1678, and settled
in Lynnfield. He bad eleven children, viz : Jemima, born 31 December, 1678 ;
Thomas, b. 6 Januaiy, 1681 ; Joseph, b. 6 Februaiy, 1684 ; Elisha, b. 30 No-
vember, 1686 ; Ephraim, b. 30 February, 1689 ; Daniel, b. 5 Febi-uary, 1691 ;
Ebonezer, b. 3 June, 1693; Susanna, b. 19 December, 1695; Benjamin, b. 5
April, 1698 ; Samuel, b. 9 March, 1700; Saj'ah, b. 11 July, 1704. This is the
Joseph, without doubt, who perished in a great snow storm.
TV. Benjamin, son of IH. Joseph, born 5 April, 1698, maiTied Elizabeth
Fowle, 1 January, 1733, and had fourteen children, viz : Bridget, born 30 No-
vember, 1733 ; Mary, b. 11 November, 1724 ; Benjamin, b. 6 September, 1736 ;
Ruth, b, 13 January, 1739; James, b. 11 July, 1731 ; Isaiah, b. 24 March, 1734;—
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES — THOMAS NEWHALL. 485
(though this last name is plainly Josiah on the ancient town recora, I am
confident that Isaiah is right) — Joel, b. 22 December, 1735, i^o died at the
age of nine; Aaron, b. 23 Octdber, 1737, who died in infancy; Aaron again, b. 26
March, 1740; Susanna and Elizabeth, twins, b. 92 December, 1741; Mai'tha,
b. 23 February, 1743; Cathai-ine, b. 27 April, 1744 ; Joel, again, b. 17 Febru-
ary, 1746.
IV. Samuel, horn 9 Maich, 1700, son of JH. Joseph, was adopted by his
undo, Thomas Farrar, jr., who was a fai-mer, living on Nahant street, and who
by will gave him all the lands lying between Broad, Nahant, Sagamoi'e, and
Beach sti'eets. This Samuel manied Keziab, daughter of Bbenezer Breed,
who lived in Breed's End, so called, 8 Decembei', 1724, and had ten children,
viz: Anne, honi 27 October, 1725, who married Matthew Estes; Elizabeth, b.
7 March, 1738 , Sai'ah, h. 20 August, 1730, who, at the age of seventy married
Abner Jones, of Amesbury; Lydia, b. 14 January, 1733, who married Nehe-
miah Johnson; Farrar, b. 15 Februaiy 1735; — [who, singnlarly enough, has
always been known as Pharaoh ; and indeed he himself, in writing his name
as 1 perceive by some old bills, adopted the Egyptian orthography) — Abijah,
b. 15 February, 1737, who married Abigail Bassett ; Abigail, b. 4 March, 1739,
who married Samuel Purinton ; Daniel, b. 4 February, 1741 ; Rebecca, b. 28
October, 1743, who mumedAbuer Chase of Salem; Kuth, b. 12 October, 1746,
who married John Bassett
V. James. This, the second son of JT. Benjamin, being a magistrate,
was long known as 'Squire Jim — (see under date 1781) — he married Loia
Bun'ill, daughter of Ebenezer, called Esquire, and granddaughter of Hon,
Ebenezer Bui'rill, 17 September, 1756, and had ten children, viz; JjdIs,
bom 9 July, 1757; Lydia, b. 21 August, 1759; Elizabeth, b. 23 Jmie, 1761 j
James, b. 2 June, 1763 ; Maltha, b. 25 Febi-uary, 1765 ; Benjamin, b. 27 Feb-
ruary, 1767 ; Joel, b. 14 May, 1769 ; Mai-y, b. 7 September, 1771 ; James again
and Benjamin again, twins, b. 19 January, 1774 — and these twins, the former
of whom was uncle and the latter fiither of the writer lived to the respective
ages of.80 and 83.
V. rARRAR, {or Phahaoh), the first son of IV. Samuel, bom 15 Febmary,
1735, maiTied his cousin Theodate, daughter of Jabez Bi-eed, of Nahant street,
24 Apiil, 1764, and had sis children, viz : Samuel, bom 9 Mai-ch, 1765 ; Abner,
b. 34 September, 1767, and died in infancy; Winthi-op, b. 6 June, 1769; Al>.
ner agrun, b. 19 July, 1771, who died unmarried a.t the age of thirty-two ; Syl-
V8nus,"b. 18 July, 1773 ; Theodate, b. 6 Febmary, 1776, who manied Manuel
Austin; Francis, b. 23 September, 1778, who died at the age of nine.
V. Dakiel, bom 4 February, 1741, son of IV. Samuel, and younger brother
of Pharaoh, married Hannah Estes, and had four children, viz: Estes, born
SSeptember, 1770, and who died in 1857, at the age of eighty seven; Deborah,
b. 5 Decembei-, 1772, who died young ; Lydia, b. 16 March, 1775 ; Daniel, b.
21 November, 1778.
V. JoaiAH, whose father's name was John, and which John was doubtiess
a grandson of IL Thomas, married Hannah Newhall, 24 December, 1740, and
had thirteen children, viz : Daniel, b. 15 November, 1741 ; John, b. 29 October,
02*
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486 HI3T0ET OF LYNN.
1743; Josiah, b. 5 November, 1745; Hannah, h. 38 August, 1747; Lyaia, b.
25 Septembei;, 1749 ; William, b. 22 May, 1751 ; Joel, b. 19 Feljruary, 1753 ;
Natbanieljb. 25 November, 1754; Micajah, b, 18 October, 1756; Jacob, b. 16
September, 1758 ; James, b. 38 May, 1760 ; Hannah, b. 30 July, 1763 S Susan,
b. 3 August, 1764, who married a Welnian.
VI. Samuel, eldest son of V, Phai'aoh, married Sarah Phillips and had seven
children, viz: Thomas F., Phillips, Abner, Rebecca, Edward, Francis, and
Theodate.
VI. WiNTHRop, second sou of V. Pharaoh, manied Beiaey Fai'iington, and
had six children, viz ; Francis S., Heniy, Eliza, Sophia, Lydia, Horace.
VI. STLvawus, youngest son of V, Pharaoh, mairied Lydia, daughter of Ste-
phen Gove, of Seabrook, N, H,, and had five cbildren, viz: Huldah B., Anne
M., Mary, Daniel Wendaii, and Abigail C,
VI. EsTEs, eldest son of V. Daniel, was for some fifty years an elder of the
Friends' meeting. He was twice married, his fii-st wife being Hepsabeth Wing,
and his second Miriam Philbrick. By his first -wife he bad children, Paul
W. and Abba ; by his second, two daughters who died young, and Joseph P.
VI. Dahikl, youngest son of V. Daniel, married Maj'y, daughter of John
Bailey, of Hanover, Mass., aud had seven children, viz: John B., Geoi'ge, Hep-
eabeth, Joseph, Isaac, Mary, Lucy.
VI. WiiLiAM, son of V. Josiah, married Mai-tha Mansfield, 3 September,
1773, and had ten childi-en, viz: Maiy, born 23 May, 1774 ; Maitha, b. 38 Jan-
uary, 1778; Hannah, b. 6 September, 1780; Elizabeth, b. 31 August, 1783;
Nathaniel, b. 18 July, 1784; William, b. 3 August, 1786; Robert, b. 17 Feb-
i-uai-y, 1788 ; Josiah, b. 7 January, 1790 ; Sftlly, b. 17 January, 1793 ; Freddric,
b. 1 August, 1795.
VI. Joel, born 19 February, 1753, also son of V. Josiah, manied Lucy
Mansfield, 24 December, 1778, and had uiiie childi-en, viz: Joel, b. 12 October,
1779; Isaac, b. 24 August, 1782; Samuel, b. 6 Mareh, 1785; Cheever, b. 13
March, 1788; Lucy, h. 4 April, 1790; George, b. 10 August, 1793: Edwai'd,
b. 9 December, 1705 ; Horatio ; John M.
VL Micajah, bom 18 October, 1756, likewise son of V. Jowah, maiTied
Joana Farringlon, 10 June, 1779, and had twelve children^ viz: Josiah, b.
lONovember, 1780; Nathaniel, b. 9 July, 1782; Micajah,' b. 35 July, 1784;
Paul, h. 17 February, 1786 ; Otis, b, 6 January, 1788 ; Sarah, b. 17 August,
1789 ; Ellis, b. 17 August, 1791, who died in infancy ; Ellis again, b. 7 March,
1793 ; Jomia, b. 8 February, 1795 ; Hannah, b. 8 April, 1797 ; Suaan»a, b. 35
October, 1799; William, b. 13 January, 1802, who died in infancy.
The way is now prepared to give the lineage of certain indi-
viduals of the Newliall family at present among us.
Aaron Newbali — dealer in coal and wood, south end of Market street, v/as
son of Aaron, who was born 9 November, 1777, and was son of Aaron, who
was son of IV. Benjamin, who was son of lU. Joseph, who was son of
n. Thomas.
Abner Newhall — who resides on Newhall street, was son of VL Samuel,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES — THOMAS NEWHALL. 487
who was BOii of V. Farrar, (Pharaoli,) who was Bon uf IV. Samuel, Tvho
was son of III. Joseph, who was son of H. Thomas.
Daniel Wendall Newhall — who lives on Broad street, opposite Ex-
change, was son of Sylvanus, who was son of V. Pharaoh, who waa son of
IV, Samuel, who was son of III. Joseph, who was son of II. Thomas.
Harrison Newhall — shoe manufacturor, at the east end of the Common,
was son of Josiah, who was son of VI. William, who was son of V, Josiah,
who was son of John, ofwhom, in consequence of the difficulty of identifying
him among several of the name, I shall venture to assert nothing further
than that he was a grandson of H, Thomas.
Henry Newhall — president of Laigbton Bank, was son of VI. Wiothrop,
who was son of V. Pharaoh, who was son of IV. Samuel, who was Bon of
In. Joseph, who was son of IL Thomas.
Isaac Newhall — shoe manufacttiror, residence near comer of Chatham
and Marjanna streets, was son of VI. Daniel, who was son of V. Daniel,
who was son of IV. Samuel, wiio was son of IH. Joseph, who was son of
n. Thomas.
James R. Newhall — whose name appears in the title page of this volume,
was son of Benjamin, who was son of V. James, who was son of IV. Benja-
min, who was son of HI. Joseph, who was son of II. Thomas.
John M. Newhall — shoe manufacturer, on Union street, was son of VI.
Joel, who was son of V. Josiah, who w<is son of John who was grandson
of II. Thomas. See remark under "Hal son Ne hall
Joseph P. Newhall — shoe manufactu E\ ha e eet, was son of
VI. Estes, who was son of V. Daniel, 1 o was son of IV. Samuel, who
was son of DI. Josepli, who was son of II 1i s
Josiah Newhall, (Gen. of Lynnfleld)— a o of J ob who was son of
V. Josiah, who waa son of John, who i is g ands u of II. Thomas. See
remark under "Harrison Newhall."
Otis Newhall — superintendent of Pine Grove Cemetery, was son of Allen,
who was horn fi March, 1771, and was son of Hanson, who married llepsa-
beth Breed. 6 February, 1766, and was sonof Joseph, bom in 1715. who was
son of Joseph, who was son of IH. Joseph, who was son of n. Thomas,
Paul Newhall — shoe manufacturer, Soutii Common street, was son of
VL Micajah, who was son of V. Josiah, who was son of John, who was
grandson of II. Thomas. See remark under "Harrison Newhall."
Thomas B. Newhall — Justice of Lynn Police Court, Wis a son of Asa T.,
of Lynnfield, who was bora 23 June, 1779, and was son of Asa, who was
born 5 August, 1732, and waa son of Thomas, who was son of III. Joseph,
who was son of II. Thomas,
William M. Newhall — dealer in hard ware, in Exchange Building, Mar-
ket street, was son of Jacob, of Saugus, who was horn 1 November, 1780,
and married Abigail Makepeace, 33 September, 1801, and was son of Jacob,
known as Landlord Newhall, born 3 May, 1740, who was son of Locker,
born 19 November. 1708, and was son of Jacob, bom 27 March, 1686. who
was grandson of 11, Thomas.
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488 BISTORT OP LTNH.
The foregoing is perhaps sufficient to enable any one of the
family to trace his own pedigree, as it is hardly probable that
any can be found who do not claim near relationship to some
one at least of those named. The perplexities in preparing the
list were great, and the navigation among the many Jameses,
Johns, Josephs, and Thomases, particularly difficult. Double
names began coramonly to be used about the beginning of the
present century. My grandfather, who dii,d in 1800, had ten
children, not one of whom had a middle name. And my father,
who was born in 1774, had nine children, not one of whom was
destitute of a middle name. And this leads to a remark con-
cerning the bestowal of nicknames, which has been considered
an evil habit of our fathers. But the custom arose rather from
necessity. At one period there were eight persons' here of the
name of James Newhall, not one of whom had a middle name.
They were therefore distinguished as 'Squire Jim, Phthisicy
Jim, Silver Jim, Bully Jim, Increase Jim, President Jim, Na-
than's Jim, and Doctor Jim. 'Squire Jim received his appella-
tion from the circumstance of his holding a magistrate's commis-
fiion. Phthisicy Jim was afflicted with the disease indicated
by the name. And probably the other nicknames arose from
similarly adventitious circumstances. While, however, we ad-
mit the necessity for distinguishing appellations, it must be
granted that the nicknames were often more expressive than
elegant.
It is not easy to attain entire correctness in dates of birtlis,
marriages, and deaths, so loosely were most of the records for-
merly kept. And there are constant disagreements between
public and private records. I have usually, in cases of doubt,
followed the public, for the private, though often found in the
Bible, experience has shown to be most frequently erroneous.
Many disagreements occur from an intermixture of the old and
new styles, some using one, some the other, and some both,
indiscriminately. Intermarriages between those of the same
surname likewise occasionally intervene, to enhance the per-
plexity.
But our remarks must be drawn to a close. As before ob-
served, no striking events appear in the life of Mr. Newball,
the subject of this sketch; yet, inasmuch as he was the first
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES — JOHN BUEEILL. 489
person of European parentage born witSiin our borders, and was,
withal, tlie ancestor of such a goodly family, he was worthy of
the first place. Could he return, and sound the multitude who
sprang from his loins, of which of us would he have cause to be
proud, and of which ashamed? I can think of nothing that
would be more likely to astonish him than the diversity in reli-
gious profession. Even among the small number of those now
living, who have been named, he would find the Unitarian, the
UnJversalist, the Methodist, the Quaker, the Episcopalian ; and
the Congregationalist of his own order, with doctrines far more
temperate than harsh Shepard or even placid Whiting taiight.
JOHN BUEEILL. — 165S-1721.
The individual whoso name is placed above, was one of the
most eminent men in the colony, for many years. He was born
at Lynn, on the 18(h of November, 1658, and was the eldest son
of John Burrill, distinguished as Lieutenant John, who was a son
of George Eurri3i,who came to Lynn in 1630. See page 115.
Mr. Burrill lived on the south side of Boston street, on the
western slope of Tower Hill. On the 28th of July, 1G80, a
few months before he arrived at the age of twenty-two, he
married Mary Stowers, of Chelsea. Mr. Lewis says, " He gained
a reputation which few men who have since filled his stations,
have surpassed. The purity of his character and the integrity
of his hfe, secured to him the warmest friendship of his acquaint-
ance, and the unlimited confidence of his native town. Ho was
affable in his manners, and uniformly prudent in his conduct.
His disposition was of the moat charitable kind, and his spirit
regulated by the most guarded temperance. He willingly con-
tinued in the House many years, when he might have been
raised to a more elevated office ; and his thorough acquaintance
with the forms of legislation, the dignity of his deportment, and
the order which he maintained in debate, gavo to him a respect
and an influence, which probably no other Speaker of the House
ever obtained. Governor Hutchinson, in his History of Massa-
chusetts, compares him to the celebrated William Pitt, Speaker
of the English House of Commons."
This is an honest tribute to a really valuable character. But
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490 HISTORY OP LYNtr.
it is not easy to see what induced Mr. Lewis to give Pitt as the
Speaker to whom Hutchinaon compared Mr. BurrilL The Gov-
ernor does not give a name, but simply refers to the individual
as "the right honorable person who so many years filled the
chair of the House of Commons with such applause." Did Pitt
ever fill the chair with applause ? He was eminent as a states-
marij hut not as a presiding officer. The " right honorable "
alluded to was undoubtedly Sir Arthur Onslow, who had the
reputation of being the most accomplished Speaker the House
ever had. The following extract from a letter of Hon. Timothy
Pickering, dated Washington City, 28 February, 1809, and ad-
dressed to Ebenezer Burrill, at New York, is sufficient on this
point. And it will he perceived that the distinguished writer
of the letter himself alludes to hia relationship to the Lynn
Burrills. . . . "I received, last evening, your favor of the 25th.
If you are from Lynn, in Massachusetts, no doubt we aro, on
one side descended from the same stock. My paternal grand-
mother was Sarah Burrill, whose brothers were: 1st. John, of
whom Governor Hutchinson, in his History of Massachusetts,
takes distinguished notice; he was Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and is compared with the celebrated Sir Arthur
Onslow, the most eminent Speaker of the House of Commons.
2d. Theophilus, who, I believe, had no children. 3d. Ebenezer,
from whom you may be lineally descended." Besides the three
brothers named by Mr. Pickering, there were Thomas and
Samuel.
Mr. Burrill was a Representative in the General Court, for
twenty-two years, was Speaker of the House ten years, and
Counsellor in 1720, remaining in the office till his death. He
was also Town Cierk thirty-one years. These facts are quite
sufficient to show that the public had an abiding confidence in
bis ability and integrity. He was likewise a man whose advice
and assistance was much sought for among his neighbors. He
was ever ready to counsel, and, if need be, assist in a more sub-
stantial way, as he was blessed with considerable means.
He died of the small-pox, on the 10th of December, 1721,
leaving no children. His grave stone may still he seen in the
Old Burying Ground near the west end of the Common ; and it
bears these lines:
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BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHE3 — JOHN BUHRILL. 491
Alas! our patron 'a dead ! The country — court—
The church — in teara, all echo the report;
Grieved that no piety, no mastering sense,
No counsel, gravity, no eloquence,
No generous temper, gravitating to
Those honors, which tliey did upon him throw.
Could stay his fate, or their dear Bumll save
From a contagious siclcness, and the grave.
The adjacent towns this loss reluctant bear,
But widowed Lynn sustains the greatest share ;
Yet joys in being guardian of his dust
Until the resurrection of the just.
The Boston News Letter of Monday, December 18, 1721,
contained the following notice, under date Lynn, December 11:
"The ]a3t night tlie Honorable John Eurrill, Esq., one of His
Majesty's Council and one of the Judges of the Inferior Court
of Common Pleas for the County of Essex, died of the small-pox,
in the sixty-second year of his age. He had been for many
years Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives, and behaved
himself in that chair with great integrity, modesty, and skill;
having a just and equal regard to the honor of the government
and the liberty of the people; so that he was highly esteemed
and beloved by both. He was a man of true and exemplary
piety and virtue, endowed with a very clear understanding,
solid judgment, and sound discretion. And God made him a
great blessing not only to Ma town and county, but to the whole
province. Isaiah iii. 1: 'For behold, the Lord God of hosts
doth take away from Judah the stay and the staff — the judge —
and the prudent — the honorable — and the counsellor.'"
Hutchinson graphically observes that the House were as fond
of Mr. Burrill " as of their eyes." And he adds, in a note, " I
have often heard his eotemporaries applaud him for his great
integrity, his acquaintance with parliamentary forms, the dignity
and authority with which he filled the chair, the order and de-
corum he maintained in the debates of the House, his seJf-denial
in remaining in the House, from year to year, when he might
have been chosen into the Council, and saw others, who called
him their father, sent there before him." And then follows
the comparieon with "the right honorable person," before al-
luded to.
Mr. Burrili was an active member of the old church of Lynn.
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492 HISTORY OF LYNN.
His early years were passed under the teachings of the godly
Whiting, and through the long pastorate of Mr. Shepard, hia
serene presence adorned the sanctuary. He was liberal in his
contributions; and in his will, made four days before his death,
occurs this item : " I give and bequeath to the Church of Christ
in Lynn, forty pounds towards y° famishing of y* table of the
Lord." And upon several articles of the consecrated plate may
be seen engraved the Burrill coat-of-arms ; rather an ostenta-
tious display, to be sure, but one for which the deceased donor
is not to be held responsible.
EISENEZER BURRILL. — 367&-1761.
This Mr. Burrill was a younger brother of "the beloved
Speaker," was quite eminent in his day, and distinguished as
Honorable Ebenozer.' He was born at Lynn, on the 13th of July,
1679, was a son of John Burrill, known as Lieutenant John, who
was a soil of George Burrill, the first of the name who settled
here, and who came in 1630.
Mr. Burrill married Martha Farrington, and settled at Swamp-
scot, on an estate given him by his father. The- house in
which he lived is still standing, on the beautiful grounds of E.
R. Mudge, Esq., a few rods from his stone villa. And the writer
may be pardoned for remarking that hia inquiries regarding tho
Burrill family have been somewhat minute, partly from an indi-
vidual pleasure in tracing family connections, as both his grand-
mothers were granddaughters of the subject of this sketch —
one a daughter of his son Ebenezer, and the other a daughter
of his son Samuel.
Mr. Burrill had ten children, viz: Ebenezer, (called Esquire,)
born 6 February, 1702, who married Mary, daughter of General
Mansfield, and had eleven children ; John, b. 24 February, 1705 ;
Martha, b. 21 Apri!, 1707; Theophilus, bora 21 May, 1709 ; Mary,
b. 31 July, 1711; Eunice, b. 27 October, 1713; Lois, b. 7 Au-
gust, 1715; Samuel, b. 1 April, 1717; Sarah, b. 15 April, 1719;
Lydia, b. 25 February, 1721.
It would be interesting to follow somewhat at large the family
connections of Mr. Burrill, did space permit. It was his sister
Sarah, who married John Pickering of Salem, and became grand-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — EBENEZER BUERILL. 493
mother of Hon. Timothy Pickering. His son Ebenezer, distin-
guished as Ebenezer, Esquire, was Town Clerk seventeen years,
and a Representative twelve; he, the eon, lived in the house
still standing at the northeast corner of Boston and Federal
streets, and there, it is related, on one occasion, had the honor
of the Governor's presence at dinner, while a couple of iron
cannon, oa Water Hill, continned to belch forth their respects.
His son Samuel was a Representative during the Revolution,
and a member of the Convention for forming the State Consti-
tution. His grandson James, son of Ebenezer, Esquire, while a
yonng man set up business as a tin-plate worker at Providence,
R. I., became a prominent citizen, and was one of the original
members of the Providence Association of Mechanics and Man-
ufacturers, an association which still continues to flourish, and
was chosen its president, in 1797, holding the oiEce till 1809. He
likewise represented Providence in the General Assembly, in
1797. And this James was father of the Hon. James Burrill,
who was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode
Island, in 1816, and who was soon afterward distinguished as a
United States Senator for that state, dying at Washington, on
Christmas-day, 1820. Joseph, another son of Ebenezer, Esquire,
and grandson of the subject of this sketch, settled at Newport,
R. I. He was a tin-plate worker, and it was of him that his
brother James learned his trade preparatory to commencing
business for himself at Providence. And the family of this Jo-
seph was one of great respectability. The wife of Hon. Henry
Wheaton, LL, D., was a granddaughter of his. One or two of
the leading Salem families were connected with the Eurrills,
who were facetiously styled the royal family of Lynn. Micajah
Burrill, who resided on Essex street, and died near the close
of 1863, having been buried on the 10th of December, the very
day on which he would have entered his hundredth year, was
a grandson of Theophilus, the third son of the patriarch whom
this sketch commemorates.
Mr. Burrill died on the 6th of September, 1761. The inscrip-
tion on his modest grave-stone is unassuming, compared with
many on the tablets of that day, which are too often airy and
high-sounding. But the dead should not be held responsible
for the falsehoods and absurdities that are written above them.
F2
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494 HISTOET OP LTSK.
He was a man remarkable for sound judgoientj benevolence,
and activity in al! useful enterprises, was six times chosen
Representative, and was a Counsellor in 1731 and 1'746. In
1732 he was entrusted with the settlement of important busi-
ness with the Indians at Casco Bay. He possessed a large
estate in lands, and was able to provide well for his nuraerous
family. The inventory of his estate indicates that he lived in
very respectable style, and among his personal property may
be found enumerated one Negro Slave, named Cesar,
In looking up the facts regarding the Eurrills, I found that
many of the family themselves had but a confused idea of their
ancestry — a kind of confusion, however, by no means peculiar
to this family — arising, perhaps, in a great measure, from the
intermingling of names. A recapitulatory line or two may,
hence, be given. Lieutenant John, or John, senior, was the first
Burrill born in Lynn, and was a son of George, the early settler.
Honorable. John, or John, ywmor, and Honorahlb Ebenezer, (the
subject of this sketch,) were brothers, and sons of Lieut. John,
Ebenezer, Esquire, was a son of Hon. Ebenezer. . . . George,
Lieut. John, and Hon. John lived at Tower Hill; Hon. Ebene-
zer iived at Swampscot; Ebenezer, Esq, lived on Boston street,
corner of Federal. . . . James, who settled in Rhode Island,
and was father of the United States Senator, was a son of Ebi
nezer, Esq. John, another son of Ebenezer, Esq., was father
of Ebenezer who settled in New York, and died there in 18S9,
and whose body, in accordance with his dying request, was
brought to Lynn and buried in our Old Burying Ground ; he,
the last named John, was also father of Thompson, who died
here in 1842. The grave-stones of these worthies together
with those of several other old members of the family, may be
found in the sontheastern part of the burial place just named.
Considering what has been said in this brief sketch regarding
family connections, a single remark, of a genera! nature, in clos-
ing, may not be inappropriate. How few realize the important
effect of marriage upon the destinies of a family, much less
its effect upon the destinies of mankind. The greatest results,
social, political, and religious, flow from the qniet operation of
the matrimonial connection. In the history of the world may
be found instance on instance wherein the union of a young
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BIOGRAPHICAL SEETCHES. — JACOB NEWHALL. 495
man and young woman haa accomplished momentouB results,
results which years and years of war and bloodshed could not
effect. The genius of marriage is democratic; it favors no
conventional distinctions ; but through the most thorough ming-
ling of classes works out the happiest results. It was long
since remarked in the French Academy that when a nation is
on the decline, its strength and energy are to be found in the
lower classes; and a true remark it was. The jaded mental
faculties of the higher and educated class, need the physical
stamina and latent mental power of the unpampered hewer of
wood and drawer of water. And the doom of a nation is
sealed if God's great laws for the government of hia human
family are disregarded.
JACOB NKWTIALL. — 1740-1816.
This worthymember of one of our oldest families was for many
years extensively and favorably known as Landlord Newhall,
He was born in that part of Lynn now constituting Saugus, on
the third of May, 1740, and was the son of Locker, a lineal
descendant of Thomas Newhall, the first white person born in
Lynn.
A part of the early manhood of Mr. Newhall was spent in
Cambridge, where he pursued the. occupation of a husbandman,
to which he was bred. But in or about the year 1774, he be-
came proprietor of the celebrated tavern which stood on the
old Boston road, a short distance west of Saugus river. This
tavern was commenced at a very early period, and at one time
flouriahed under the sign of an anchor, painted in blue, with
the inscription "Blew Anchor," Many interesting facts con-
cerning its history may be found in this volume. He succeeded
Josiah Martin, a very eccentric individual, of whom something
is said under date 1782, and who by his irregularities had some-
what damaged the reputation of the house; but who, though
alleged to be an Englishman, being providentially seized by a
burning desire to serve the country, enlisted and went off to
the war, frora which he never returned,
Mr. Newhall kept the tavern during the Revolution; and it
was conducted on that liberal scale which rendered it a real
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496 HISTORY OP LYNN.
public benefit. He was an excellent provider, social in hia
habits, neat in his arrangements, and unwearied in his efforts to
make his house an attractive traveler's home. The poor of
his neighborhood and the indigent wayfarer he freely relieved;
and to the sick and wounded soldier, his door was always open.
In connection with the tavern, he carried on a farm; and his
business, on the whole, was quite extensive. It was not uncom-
mon for an entire company of hungry soldiers, and not unknown
for even a regiment to suddenly make their appearance and halt
for a meal. To provide for such emergencies he kept on hand
fatted oxen from which a sufficient number might be promptly
slaughtered, the beef being at once disposed of in great boilers
prepared expressly for the cooking, his large garden, which-
is represented to have comprised some six acres, furnishing the
vegetable accompaniments. The whole estahhshment was kept
under his immediate supervision ; and for some years he is said
hardly ever to have retired to a bed to rest, but to have slept
in an arm chair.
Under the administration of Mr. Martin, and down to the
oommoncement of thc' Revolution, a pictured lion and unicorn
decorated the sign-board that swung from the ponderous oaken
arm in front of the house. But Mr, Nowhall, being an ardent
patriot, substituted the more genial and hopeful emblem of a
rising sun. And there, beneath that hospitable roof, counte-
nanced b)' the benevolent spirit that presided, were enacted
many and" many a pleasant scene. The sleghing party on the
winter night found blazing fires and smoking viands, amd a clean
upper room for the sly dance; and on all occasions of great
parade the most ample provision was found. And the good
cheer and cordial hospitality induced many a guest to linger on
his way. It has been said, however, that there was one occasion
on which the landlord's usual courtesy was not exemplified, an
occasion when he manifested unwonted impatience for the de-
parture of a considerable body of callers, mostly young men,
armed with fowling pieces, and bound up the westward road.
He freely supplied their wants, but refrained from any motion
that might cause a moment's delay. It was on the morning of
the battle of Bunker Hill.
Mr. Newhall married Elizabeth Hodgkins, of Ipswich, on the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, — WILLIAM OEAY. 497
21st; of August, 1766, and had four sous and four daughters,
viz: William, bom 21 June, 1767, and dying in infancy ; Eliza-
beth, b. 21 May, 1768; William again, b. 10 December, 1769;
Sarah, b. 7 August, 1777 ; Ljdia, b. 24 December, 1778 ; Jacob,
b. 1 November, 1780 j Lucy, b. 26 July, 1782; Joseph, b. 28
November, 1783.
Landlord Newhall kept the tavern till 1807; and notwith-
standing the business was remarkably successful, his benevo-
lence prevented any great accumulation of property, and ho
continued to labor industriously, as a farmer, till old age. He
died on the 18th of June, 1816, at the age of seventy-six. The
late Benjamin F. Newhall, for many years one of the most active
and prominent citizens of Saugus, and well known for his nume-
rous contributions to the public jounials was a grandson of his.
WILLIAM GRAY. — 1750-1885.
Perhaps, taking all things into view, the most widely known,
highly accomplished, and successful merchant that New England
ever produced, was William Gray, almost univerally known un-
der the familiar though rather inelegant contraction of " Billy "
Gray. He was born at Lynn, on that part of Water Hill now
called Marion street, on the 27th of June, 1750. The house in
which he was born is still standing, and known by our older
people as the Dr. Flagg house, being the one at the eastern end
of the street, directly opposite where it bends into Boston
street.
The family of Mr. Gray settled here at an early period, though
his ancestors were not among the first comers. At the time
William was born, his grandfather, whose name was likewise
William, was one of the only three individuals in Lynn who
carried on the shoe business so extensively as to employ jour-
neymen. (See under date 1750.) His father, whose name was
Abraham, was a shoemaker, and frequently visited Salem, where
he had numerous customers to whom he took the products
of hia handicraft, in saddle-bags. The family of Mr. Derby,
into whose counting-room William subsequently entered, were
among the customers.
Abraham Gray afterward removed to Salem, where he was for
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498 HISTORY OP LYNN.
many years deacon of the First Church. He took William, who
was then quite young, with him ; and that waa the termination
of his residence in Lynn, though he ever retained an interest in
Lis native place, and maintained husiness connections with her
people. For forty years he supplied the manufacturers and
dealers here with large q^nantities of Russia sheeting, which
was at the time much used in the manufacture of shoes.
His constitution was naturally feeble, and he inherited the
melancholy trait of consumption. Salem, at that time, had the
reputation of being a very unfavorable locality for those having
a tendency to the insidious disease just named ; but the tem-
perate life and active habits of young Gray protected him from
the destroyer. Although perhaps every feature of hia face,
taken separately, would be pronounced homely, yet his whole
countenance glowed with such an invariable and attractive
smile, and his bright gray eyes expressed such integrity of soul
and goodness of heart, that he was usually considered handsome.
So one who has contemplated the perfect portrait of him by
Stuart, can fail to recognize the likeness of one of dignity and
fine presence ; it is indeed a picture that might well immortalize
both artist and subject. In stature, he was rather below than
above the medium size, but symmetrical.
The precocity of young Gray, soon after his removal to Salem
attracted the notice of Samuel Gardner, then a prominent mer-
chant of the place, who offered to receive him as an apprentice.
His father asked what compensation would be allowed, and to
his surprise was answered that sis guineas could be taken with
the best apprentice in the country, but that William would be
taken without a bonus. He very soon found himself in the best
graces of Mr. Gardner; a trivial incident, happening soon after
the apprenticeship began, doing much to effect this. He had
broken the store window by his hall, and very ingenuously con-
fessed the fact, proving, at the same time, that his apparent ne-
glect to repair was attributable to the broken promise of a glazier.
His truthfulness was warmly applauded, and a new suit of clothes
given as a reward. And the good merchant continued to clothe
him as long as he remained. A rigid adherence to Truth was
one of the most prominent characteristics of Mr. Gray. He
worshiped her. After leaving Mr. Gardner he entered the em-
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKBTOeEa. — WILLIAM G8AT. 499
ploy of Richard Derby, another eminent merchant of Salem;
and there he perfected himself in all that was necessary for the
commencement of his own illustrious mercantile career. So far
as school education was concerned, however, he never received
any thing beyond what the district school afforded.
Mr. Gray married Elizabeth, daughter of John Cliipman, of
Marblehead, though not, as I was many years ago informed by
an old lady who was intimate in the family, without some oppo-
sition from' her friends, bis prospects, at the time, not appearing
sufficient to satisfy their expectations.
The enterprise and good fortune of Mr. Gray did much to
promote the general prosperity of Salem, though Lynn was not
barren of benefits. The following epigram, which I believe was
the production of John Prince, the lawyer, very pleasantly
touches the matter of a good-natured rivalry.
Solem and Lyim for Gray's biith now contest;
Lynn gains the palm, but Salem fares the best.
Though sometimes interesting, it is in a degree profitless,
while considering the life of an individual, high or low, to spec-
ulate as to what he might have been, under other circumstances ;
yet it seem worthy of remark that had Mr. Gray's constitution
been a healthy one, it is not unlikely that he would have spent
his days as a shoemaker, at Lynn, for I am assured by one who
knew him well, that his father attempted to learn him the trade,
but gave it over on perceiving that it wore upon his health.
In or about the year 1808, Mr. Gray removed to Boston, and
there greatly enlarged his business ; and in a few years he was
reckoned the wealthiest man in the Commonwealth, if not in
all New England. He possessed the manners of a gentleman,
and was highly respected for his many virtues. Toward all
those in hjs employ, who served him faithfully, he was accus-
tomed to act with the utmost generosity. The masters of some
of his vessels were retained from twenty to thirty years. And
during the continuance of the embargo, many had reason to be
grateful for his efficient aid in procuring employment when
their legitimate calling could not be pursued. And a few of his
cotemporaries yet remaining in Lynn, cherish a grateful remem-
brance of his friendly acts. He was iiberai to the poor, and
made large donations for charitable purposes.
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500 HISTOET OP LYHN.
But it must not be supposed that the life of Mr. Gray was one
of uniform success. He met with reverses ; but bore them with
a fortitude commensurate with his dignity as a man, and furnish-
ing a most excellent example for others in similar circumstances.
Under the Decrees of Bonaparte he lost many vessels ; but it is
to be presumed that his heirs received some remuneration
from the French government, under the energetic administration
of. General Jackson.
Mr. Gray was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 1810 and con-
tinued in office two years. He also held divers other offices,
wherein his promptness and sound judgment rendered his ser-
vices of great value. He was a Federalist in political sentiment,
and at times showed some activity as a politician.
He died at Boston, on the third of November, 1825. Hia
sons were, William R., Henry, John C, Francis C, and Horace.
And the family continues to maintain the highest respectability.
His only daughter, Lucia, married Col. Samuel Swett, who is
still living, though she died some years since. Rev. William
Gray Swett, the much beloved pastor of the Unitarian Society
in Lynn, from January 1, 1840 to the time of his decease, Feb-
ruary 15, 1843, was born of this marriage.
MICAJAH COLLINS. — 1764-1897.
Mr. Collins was bom on the 19th of April, 1764, and was a
son of Enoch Collins. He received a fair education, and for
more than a quarter of a century was teacher of the Friends'
school here, ever retaining the respect of the parents and affec-
tion of the pupils. His ministerial labors were approved by
the Society for nearly forty years, and he was well known and
highly respected in the many parts of the United States, into
which he journeyed. He married Hannah Chase, of Salem, but
had no children. The last moments of his life are represented
to have displayed, in a marked degree, the true characteristics
of the dying Christian. Many friends and neighbors assembled
around his bed, and in kind words he dealt to them admonitions
and encouragements, and expressed his own assurance of a
imortality. Then he took each individual by the
I and bade all an affectionate farewell. Like the setting
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — MICAJAH COLLINS. 501
of a summer sun, he gently passed away, without a murmtir or
a sigh. His death took place on the 30th of January, 1827.
One or two extracts from a poetic tribute to the memory of
Mr. Collins, are here iutroducecl, a tribute which originally ap-
peared in the Newport (B. I.) Mercury, and was penned by
Hev. Enoch Mudge, another of the devoted sons of Lynn — the
insertion here answering the double purpose of celebrating the
virtues of one wortliy native and affording a specimen of the
poetic ability of another — besides presenting the grateful spec-
tacle of a warm remembrance of an early friendship. Though
^yp very striking conception is, perhaps, apparent in the lines,
they yet exhibit, with such clearness, the growth of grace in the
renewed heart, and its effect on the inward and outward life,
and are withal imbued with such a reverence for virtue, that
they possess a substantial value. Didactic poetry, however, in
these days, finds but little favor, whatever may be '*" docrpQ
of excellence.
I knew him when in giddy rouada of mirlli
He sought for happiness in things of eai'th;
When the light mind with buoyant feelin^^B soared,
And for delight forbidden things explored.
Quenched were the sacred sparks of holy ti'uth,
Impressed upon him in his early youth,
When the young airy mind with heighiened giee
Was from restraint hard strujiigling to be free.
Bewitching pleasure then allured his mind ;
In them content lie vainly sought lo find,
But found it not ! — till he who came to call
The wanderer back from sin, and guilt, and thrall,
Spake to his sou] ; the quickening power he felt,
Which caused his hard, obdurate heart to melt.
Pungent and deep was keen conviction's dart!
Then godly sorrow pained the broken heart!
But the good Shepherd, by his tender care.
Soothed all his feai-s, and saved him from despcdr;
And gently led him by alluring grace
In the sweet paths of righteousness and peace.
A sacred calm ensued within his breast.
And now the wanderer found a place of rest;
New ol^ects of pursuit inspired his mind,
And puiifying love his soul refined.
The fiiends of youlh he now delights to meet.
And Hit like Mary at his Master's feet;
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HlSrOEY OP LYNK.
And tender sympathy, by grace inspii-ed,
And love of truth his placid bosom fired.
In temper open, amiabie, and miid,
In manners simple, U'usting as a child ;
He to the youth a pletsiug pattern gave.
Of access easy, pious, cheerful, grave;
All classes feit an interest in the man.
For innocence through all his actions ran.
Long as an able minister he stood.
And spent his lengthened life in doing good;
At home, abroad, the humble Christian shone,
While all the Draise he gave to God alone.
SOLOMON MOULTON.— 1808-1837.
This young man, for he waB but nineteen years of age at the
time of his decease, gave promise of doing much honor to his
Dative place. His poetical ability was by no means inconsider-
able. He was born on the 7tb of January, 1808, and was the
son of Joseph Moulton, who lived on Boston street. His uncle,
John Lillie Moulton, who resided on Market street, in a house
which stood on the west side, a few rods south of Summer,
and who, in partnership with John Alley, 3d, kept a store, on
the same street, at the corner of Munroe, having no children
of his own, adopted him, and he kept in the store a part of the
time.
The constitution of young Moulton was not naturally firm,
and for many months immediately preceding bis death, which
was by consumption, bis health was sucb that he was unable to
continuously pursue any laborious occupation. When Mr. Lum-
mus, the first printer in Lynn, opened his office, Mr. Moxilton
formed an acquaintance with him, which continued as long aa
be lived. He was much in the office and assisted in various
ways. And it was in Mr. Lummus's paper, The Weekly Mirror,
that most of his published pieces appeared.
He was highly esteemed for his openness and generosity of
disposition; and won the respect and affection of those about
bim by bis fidelity to the higher instincts and better sympa-
thies of our nature. He wrote many pieces in verse, which
appeared under the signature of "Lillie," some of which were
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BIOGEAPmCAL SKETCHES. — SOLOMON MODLTON. 503
well worthy of being preserved in eubstantial form. Many of
his writings were of that plaintive cast which somehow seems
to foreshadow an early departure. A passage or two from a
poem of about a hundred lines, entitled " The Burial," are
here given, as a fair specimen of his style and execution ; and
it will probably be agreed that some of the lines would add
grace to many a pretentious and popular poem. In one situ-
ated as Mr. Moulton was — dependent in circumstances, with
few advantages of education, and in imperfect health — an early
development of the choicest powers could hardly be looked for.
And we are inclined to otter a lament in the words of one of
hh own lines :
"Alas! too soon cut dowu by cruel Death."
But yet it may be unwise to speculate as to what might have
beei. He died on the 26th of May, 1827.
ItwaB a mild and lovely day in autumn;
Earth bore the marks of withering frost;
The wintls bad sung their desolating dii'ge
O'er lovely Flora's wintry grave.
And formed her death-robe of the yellow leaves.
But still a melancholy loveliness,
A pleasing sweetness, hung arouod the scene.
The Bun was fast, descending from his proud
Meridian throne id heaven's blue concave high.
1 had beeu called a solemn ofBce to perform —
T is the last rite that man can do for man.
When lite is o'er, with kind and gentle hand
To lay his brotlier's body in the grove —
And here it was a fail' and lovely child,
Whose angel form was now by youthful hands
Unto the silent grave soon to be borne ;
Alas ! too soon cut down by cruel Death.
The heart of woman injuiy can brook;
Ay, heap disgrace upon her precious name;
Brand lier a wretched outcast fl-om the world;
Let the'envenom'd darts of slander pierce
And rend her lovely breast — take from her all,
Yes, all that renders life most dear to man ;
But leave her tender offspring to her care;
Give this, her last and most endeaiing boon.
And still she '11 bless you for that dearest gift.
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501 BISTORT OP LYN
Soon aud the funeral train were at the gi'ave ;
Gently we kid the bier upon the earth.
And then with treinblicg hands the coflin lowered
Into iiB divrk and silent home. But when
The cold, dank clods of eanli with deadening sound
Keeoanded from the grave, deep were the sighs
Th^t rent a mother's agonizing hreast;
For now the scene wiiJi all its withering force
Had hurst afresh upon her grief-wom mind.
I saw her standing by the lowly grave,
When the smooth, grass-grown clod o'er it was placed.
The work was finished, and she gave a last
And tender look toward the hallowed spot.
Then joined the silent train and moved away.
'T is past — hut still the scene on memory's page
Is lettered deep; and ofl: ill pensive mood,
Whene'er my feet in yonder grave-yard stray,
I stop to muse upon tliat well known grave.
Thougii ouv young friend wrote chiefly in verae, he occa-
sionally gave expression to his thoughts in what is called foetic
prose. And perhaps the following is as fair a specimen of his
composition in the latter form as can be found.
MORNIKG.
There is a soul-exalting hour,
And sweetly soothing is its power;
'T is when, wide o'er the spreadmg lawn,
Is ushered in the early dawn.
If there ia one time in the day more heautiftil than another, more suitei to
the mind that oan dweil wilh delight on the works of natui-e, and discovettlie
impress of the Creator in every leaf and eveiy flower — that time is moruig.
To the contemplative mind the morning walk affoj'ds an ample field fo the
observance and investigation of the numerous works of the divine Crator
which at every step, in pleasing and almost endless variety, ai-e prosentd to
our view. It is in the mornhig that the mind, freed from the vexatiousiarea
that are attendant on the more busy concerns of the day,
Views Nature's works, throughout sublime,
Unchanging still, through endless time,
And renders homage to the God
Who formed them by his potent rod.
There is a deep moral sublimity in the scene wl cl the ao-n gfib ds
And how congenial it is to be sealed on the summ I of some co n a dn g
eminence, whence to view the pale moon, just Imgc g n tl e vet as if
pausing to hid "Good morning," to the more rtspiei de t lun a y n whom
she is dependent for her light; to viow the lafct fdmt glpam of a fewingcring
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. — MAEIA AUGUSTA FCLLElt. 505
stai-s, as tliey gradually grow dim, and disappear i to hear, in the holy calm-
neea of tlie hour when tiie busy hum of men is only rememhered as a tiling
of yeelerday, the rich melody of Naiure's songsters, as on never tiring wing
they soar aloft in heaven's blue concave. In such an hour as this, tlie mind is
insensihly led to deep devotional contemplation. While we view the works
of the Creator, we ai-e naturally led to meditate on tbe Creator himself. And
from the volume of Nature, wide spread before ub, we may draw lessons of
1 far superior to the narrow tenets of the studied theologian.
MARIA AUGUSTA rULLER. — 1306-1831.
Mr, Lewis has said of Miaa Fuller, that she "was, perhaps,
the most talented and imaginative female which Lynn has pro-
duced." She was undoubtedly a young lady of rare endowment.
Accustoming herself, at an early age, to the use of the pen,
she was ecahled to produce, while still young, many charming
pieces, in prose and poetry, which fo.und their way into the
newspapers. She displayed a fine fancy, mingled with dignity
of thought, and a lively appreciation of natural beauty.
She was born at Lynn on the 9th of December, 1806, and was
a daughter of Hon. Joseph Fuller, who was horn on Water Hill,
March 29, 1772, and died at thp age of 42., He was the first
Senator from Lynn, having been elected in 1813, and was like-
wise a Representative, for six terms. His business was exten-
sive. When Mechanics Bank went into operation, in 1814, he
was chosen its president; but he died the next year. He built
the southmoat dwelling at the point formed by the junction of
Union and Broad streets, and there resided.
Her grandfather Fuller was also named Joseph. He was
born in 1748, and died at the age of 82. He was a farmer, and
owned the farm at tbe western extremity of Water Hill, where
he resided. He was somewhat eccentric, but a man of integrity
and influence ; was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention,
in 1830 ; and could write with considerable ability, though in-
clined to he more pungent than courteous. He loved contro-
versy, and was at one time engaged in a newspaper warfare
with Rev. Mr. Thacher.
Miss Fuller died on the 19th of January, 1831, at the early
age of twenfcy-foiir. She was never married, but at the time
of her decease was affianced to a gentleman who is now a min-
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506 HISTOET OP LYNN.
ister in the Calvintstic Baptist connection, though at that time
he was an active member of the Unitarian Society here. Her
manners were gentle and fascinating in tlie extreme", her edu-
cation was good; and ehe was iitted to eUcit admiration in the
most refined society. Her harp was usually attuned to plaintive
themes, and it seemed as if she ever entertained a latent premo-
nition of an early death. Yet there were occasions on which
& playful and even frolickaome nature. would assert itself. Her
chosen signature was "Fisella." And one or two specimens
of her writing follow. The prose article was published when
she was (wenty-one years of age, and certainly exhibits a rich-
ness and breadth'of fancy, a versatility and discipUne of thought,
which can only characterize one possessing far more than ordi-
nary gifts. The hues entitled " The Frosted Trees," are the
concluding portion of a piece, dated January 1, 1830, and as will
be perceived, very pleasantly allude to Mr, Lewis's well-knowu
poem under the same title — which may be found in this volume,
under date 1829 — which had just then appeared in the Token.
We have in them clear evidence that she possessed a lively wit ;
but it was refined, and never turned to the degenerate purposes
of satire. The piece entitled "To the Loved Departed," ap-
peared about ten days before her death. And the lines "To a
Sea Bird," wore found among the papers, she left. They are
all worthy of an attentive perusal; indeed they are too full of
thought and unobtrusive beauties to be appreciated by the
mere surface reader. Such a mind as hers cannot fail to have
a refining and elevating influence in any society ; and when one
like her departs tears may fall as for a public bereavement,
though there may be none to spare when the mere daughter
of fashion departs.
THOUGHTS.
There are moments ■wlieii the miiitl Is free fi-om nil uneasinesH, the Hpii'its
from aJl excitement; when the eti-eam of thought ceases to flow on, and
remains calm and umTiffled, waiting for a new impulse to turn its waters into
other channels — or sometimes stagnates into indolence. The early part of a
winter evening is the vury time foi' such aii iindetinable state of mind. I wna
myself sinking into it one evening, after having attended to sundry little pai--
(iculars, such as arranging two or three ohaii-s, which chanced to bo a little
awry, placing tlie andirons in exactly parallel lines, and blowing from the
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. — MARIA AUGUSTA FULLER, 507
hearth a quaiility of white ashes which the movemeuts had precipitated to it.
Now, the fentaBtic motions of tlie blaze amused me, shooting- up into steeples,
like the picture of an old abbey, or wreathing in red folds ai-ound a freah piece
of fuel. The coals, too, lying ia red glowing masses, seemed to smile upon
me, as I sat watching their changes, and forming H's and Fs of the interstices
in the back-log. I was awakened from my pleasing employment, by the sud-
den falling of a brand, whose curling wreaths of smoke ascended, in most
unwelcome incense, to niy face. Hastily adjusting it, I fled to the window,
and there contemplated a scene by no means new or extraordinary, but whoso
quiet loveliness opened a new and corresponding h-ain of ideas and fancies.
The moon shone upon the snowy bill-top, and threw a broad sheet of light
upon the water, crowning each little billow with a sparkling coi-onet. She
is, I believe, a sonnet-inspiring planet, and somehow associated in the mind
mtli ttie "lunatic, the lover, and the poet." Though belonging to neither of
these classes, I must still acknowledge her influence in inspiring thoughts and
" thick coming fancies."
As my eye ranged over the prospect before me, I was insensibly led to con-
trast its present appearance with what it might have been two centuries ago.
I seemed to behold the dark forests covei-ing the hills and plains — the coast
curving natui'ally I'ound, or broken into points and headlands, where now the
stiff squares, whai'ves, or artificial banks, proclaim that a civilized people reside
here. In this very spot, thought I, the Indian bent hia bow against the wild
beast of the forest; or here, perhaps, the Indian girl might have stood, listen-
ing for the sound of the returning oars of an absent brother or lover. A speck
appeared among the waves — it seemed the light canoe of the savage, bound-
ing to land.
What dreams of light and beauty might have filled the soul of that' Indian
girl ; in what clear tones might the harmonies of nature have sounded their
sublime truths to her ear. She beai'd the voice of the Spirit she worshiped,
in the sea, in the thunder, and in tlie wind. She poured foi'th her rejoicing
songs with the birds, and the anthem of her deeply felt gratitude might have
gone up to the throne with as much acceptance as if accompanied by swell-
ing organ tones, and echoed back by mai'ble temple walls instead of rocks
and hills. She might have read His purity and goodness in the wild flowers
of the wood, in the wide and grand scenes around her, in her own happy and
free existence, and the existence of all the joyous creation she beheld. Untu-
tored, una equal iited with the thoughts of others, or the wisdom stored in tho
pages of antiquity, she might have possessed intuitive powers, of which wo
know nothing; pure rills of thought, gushing in beauty, amid solitude and
silence ; realms of fancy, brighter than we can imagine.
Or here, perhaps, the tree of peace may have thrown out its strong branches,
and nations may have assembled around it; warriors may have smoked the
calumet in its shade. The same moon and stars looked upon them, which
are now shining on me; the sound of tlie mighty rush of the ocean fell on
their ears as it now falls on mine. Years have glided silently by, and where
are they ? The dust reveals not the spot where a nation of proud heails have
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508 HisroBr of lynk.
minglecl wth it. The mdden, tho hunter, have long Miice gone 1o Iheir rest
The wave of existence in which they were particles has rolled away, and its
sound died upon the air. Surely our cmtuti-y is full of poetical associations.
Have we no Ossiau to behold the spirit of the waii'ior on our misty hilla? — to
ring the forgotten glories of a departed race ? The bustle of a strange people
is going on in the land of their fathers.
There is a tinge of melancholy in such reflections; and wlien the mind
glances forward to succeeding ages, and a sense of our own brief course amid
these changes of being comes in its reality over the sold, we wonder at the
eagerness with which we pursue its trifles, and resolve to chase them no more.
The whole human family then appear to us as brethren, and the wider our
survey extends through the past and future, the more are we impressed with
the folly of those jarring interests which take away the warm and holy dispo-
sitions of our hearts, and embitter those waterH"of life which were intended to
flow on in fi-agrance and sweetness through their short coui'se. We arise
from such reflections with renewed desires to dispense our own small measure
of happiness around — that though we and the generation to which we belong
pass away and are forgotten, our life may be a summer of joy, and our dealt
but the welcome ei
THE FROSTED TREES.
Spring, Summer, and Autumn! what witching channs,
Ye wear to the poet's eye !
To pour forth yoiu- wealth to his raptured gaze
Ab ye pass so swiftly by.
But Winter comes with his scowling skies,
And rudely piping wind;
What beauty or music to waken song,
Can the wandering poet find?
IjO 1 the earth is sown with precious pearls,
And the flashing diamond shines.
And gems tliat glistened Sir down in tho sea,
Or gleamed in die dismal mines.
And the graceful boughs like rainbows bend,
And spirits ai-e resting there.
Having veiled the light of their radiant forms,
Ja the blue of the mantluig air.
O! rare, beyond the alchymiat's skill.
The spell the poet doth hold.
For by it the snow and icicle,
Arc changed to gems and gold ;
And the ice-girt boughs' to dazzling thronea.
And the folds of tlie vapor dim
Are white-robed angels, whose starry winga
Are revealed to noue but him.
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. — MARIA AUGUSTA FULLER. 509
TO THE LOVED DEPAETED.
Ye Spirits of the Dead!
Ah! whither are y^ fled ?
Mid (he dim fields of space where do ye roRm?
O, that tlirough the deep gloom,
That gathers o'er tlie tomb.
Some ray of light might shine from your far distant home.
Where is the beotning Binile,
That lighted, for a while,
Our weaiy feet along life's cloudy way?
The voice, whose lightest worda
Thrilled the soul's silent chorda,
Till the deep hidden strings gi'ew tuneful from its sway.
We watched your parting breath.
We saw the cliiJI of death
Blanch the fresh cheek, and fix the glazing eye;
Shade upon shade fell deep,
Of that mysterious sleep,
Mantling all that remained — fearful mortality!
We Itnow those forms must change ;
Perchance amid the range
Of varied forms of beauty, ye may live
111 fragrant springing flowers.
Fairest in forest bowera;
Such loveliness to dust renewing power can give.
Where shall we go to find.^ —
Hath the dull earth enshrined
That smile? — or doth it beam in the sunlight,
Dwell with the rainbow's hues,
Or mid morn's sparkling dews,
The moonlight pale, or stars that cheer the silent night ?
That tone hare we not heard,
When sang spring's earliest bird ?
Or when the winds awaked the warbling lyre ?
In murmurs of the waves.
O'er their deep ocean caves?
The whispering wood? — each voice of nature's varied choir?
Hath the light ceased to bum?
Shafl not that tone return
To cheer us as we tread our pathway lone ?
The spark that lit the whole.
That thought, that loved — the soul!
There is a mourning void -^ where has
Q2»
db, Google
mSTOHY op LTNN.
Trust, doubting spirit, trust,
When this enclosing dust
Thou shall, upspringing, from, thee castaway;
When, with new eye and ear,
Thou shah both see and hear.
That smile — that gentle tone — shall greet thee o
There, mingling with the rays
Of the eternal blaze.
The welcome beam again shall bless thme eye;
And where hosannas ring,
When blessed spirits sing.
The well-remembered tone shall sound, no more i
ThouSimofRighteo
Thy rays can warm and bless
E'en the chill cloud that gathers o'er the gra
Till its dai-k folds grow bright,
Changed to a robe of light!
O ! shine on us, bright Power! to heal us, ar
TO A SEA BIRD.
Why hast thou !efl thy ocean home ?
What seek'st thou here with wandering wing?
Thou loyed'st the bounding wave, the foam ;
Ttiou would'st not love the bowei-s of spring.
The land birds, in their gilded plumes.
Tune forth their songs from every stem, —
With wild, sad notes, and dull hued wings,
Thou may'st not come to dwell with them.
In our green woods the scented flowers
Look pure as shells in thine own sea,
Andhlue lakes slumber, fountains gush, —
But these can have no chaj-ms for thee.
Back to thy native home ! behold !
Yon pink and purple clouds have thrown
1?pon its calm, unrippled breast.
Colors scarce fainter than then* own.
And see thy mates — how swiftly o'er
The mirrored waters now they glide ;
Their wliite vrings take the roseate dyes.
And shine reflected in the tide.
db, Google
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — CHARLES ?. LUMMUS.
Stiil onward, onward ! would'st thou seek
Those billowy clouds far in the west?
Mid their bright waves perchance thou dream'et
Thy weary, toilsome wing may rest.
For thou hast seen the strong wind sweep
All beauty from the changing sea,
And leave for all yon loveliness,
A terrible deformity.
Methinks e'en now thy sad voice calls
In vain upon thy hapless mate —
Ah! wreck'd and lost — for thee and her
The welcome calm has come too late.
And thou hast left in weariness.
The lone soa for the lonelier air
Seek not earth's bowers, or clouds, for peaco;
Alas ! thou wilt not find it there.
Know thou, the gi-eea, sun-lighted earth
Thou passest o'er with wing bo free.
Holds many a prisoner, who would joy,
Could they but fly away with thee.
For darker than the oceaii storm,
O'er joy's soft mom doth soj'row close,
And woe-wom mortals seek like thee,
A calmer haven of i-epose.
But not like thee in vain. For them.
More glorious than the clouds of even,
A realm of joy and bliss appears —
An isle of rest — a promised heaven.
CHARLES FEEDERIC LUMMUS. — 1801-1638.
Mr. Lummua was born on the 17th of August, 1801, and was
one of the ten children of Dr. Aaron Lummus, who was a pop-
ular physician among us for nearly fifty years. His education
was as good as could be procured at the common schools of
the day; and tvhen at the proper age, he entered the printing
office of Lincoln and Edmands, in Boston, to learn his trade.
He grew up to be a remarkably intelligent and compauionable
young man, though his natural eccentricities would not unfre-
quently assert themselpes in a manner not the most agreea-
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512 HKTOET OP LTNN.
ble. He was for many years an intimate friend of Mr. Liewia,
who, oa liz3 decease, paid the following comprehensive though
brief tribute to his memory. " He was an excellent muatcian,
and a choice spirit. Few young men in Lynn were ever more
extensively beloved or more deserved to he. But thou art
dead I 'Alasl poor Yorickl' Thine is a loss to be thought
about, and thou shalt long live in our love,"
Mr. Lummua was never married ; which was a little remarka-
ble, considering his fondness for refined female society, and
considering that it was his own conviction, that a suitable mat-
rimonial connection would add mach to his happiness. But the
slender income afforded by his buaineas, no doubt operated to
the discouragement of an attempt in that direction. It has been
said, however, that an early disappointment led to a determina-
tion never to wed.
After concluding his apprenticeship, he worked in Boston,
as a journeyman, a year or two, and then returned to Lynn, bring-
ing a second-hand Eamage press, and a small quantity of second-
hand type. His next step was to issue bis paper, the prospectus
of which had been before the public, for some time. And on
Saturday, the third of September, 1825, the Lynn WEEKLr
Mirror made its debut — the first newspaper ever printed
in the town. Its appearance was certainly not brilliant, either
in an intellectual or a mechanical way, measured, at le^ast, by
the publications of the present time. There were hut nineteen
lines of editorial matter in the whole paper. And there was no
greeting to the public, nor allusion, in any shape, to the pros-
pects, plans, or expectations of the publisher. An original tale
occupied five of the little columns, and an orginal poem, filled
another. Mr. Lewis, I think, wrote both of these. Three or
four advertisements appeared on the third page ; and the rest
of the paper was made up of news items and short extracts.
The four pages of the sheet — that is the printed part — were
each a fraction less than nine inches by eleven in size ; the type
was much worn, the ink poor, the paper coarse and dingy.
The size of the type was long primer, — -a type one size smaller
than that from which this page is printed — excepting about one
column of brevier and two of pica. And, on the whole, the
expectant oublic can hardly be charged with undue festidious-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — CHAELES F. LtTMMUS. 513
nesB for failing to bestow very high encomiums on this new-born
child of the press. Mr. Lummus told ms, among other tbinga,
while recounting the experiences of that eventful period, that
he sent a copy to the New England Galaxy, then under the
charge of Mr, Buckingham, roqueating an exchange, but ro-
received his own back, with the second e in the word Weekly,
changed to an A. The fifth number appeared in a somewhat
enlarged form. The same width of column was preserved, but
some five inches wero addod to the length, making a paper of
much better shape. But this was done without boasting or any
flourish of trumpets. There was not a line of editorial on the
subject; nor was there, indeed, a line on any subject, in that
number. Two of the columns were in pica — a type one size
larger than that from which this page is printed — and the use of
that large type was continued, to some extent, for a long time, he
the publisher, taking all suitable opportunities to gravely assure
his readers that it was for the benefit of the aged people whose
eyes were dim ; and many thanks did he receive for his kindness.
The Mirror was first printed in a small wooden building that
stood on the west side of Market street, just where Tremont
street now opens. But in four or five years tho ofSce was
removed to another small building, at the west end of the Com-
mon, the most active business of the town at that time beiug
centered there.
For a considerable time the Mirror could boast of but little in
quantity, in an editorial way, though what there was, was very
good in quality ; and it soon became a very readable paper ; for
as the proprietor gathered confidence and became more expe-
rienced, he displayed most excellent taste and judgment in his
selections. Ho had an open eye for the substantia! and useful
as well as the exciting and entertaining, and was diligent in
looking up matters of local interest. And his brief remarks
were often strikingly comprehensive. He seldom attempted
an article more than a square or two in length, and was never
guilty of spreading over half a column what might just as well
be expressed in twenty lines. His first anxiety was to get at
the "nub," as he expressed it. And he took full liberty with
the productions of correspondents, sometimes mercilessly pru-
ning out what to them seemed the grandest passages ; and
33
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514 HISTORY OP LTNS.
when they complained, the ready answer was, "There's uo
nub to it."
Mr. Lummua was very social in his disposition ; was ac-
quainted with every body; was an accomplished musician, and
Bomething of a military man. He likewise interested himself
in political affairs but was too honest to gain a reputation for
stability as a partisan. In all intellectual and recreative enter-
prises, from the dignified iyceum to the jovial chowder party,
he was ready and active, and honce frequently found himself in
a situation where he was able to pick up matter for useful or
amusing " aquizzles," as he termed his short articles. And he
was able in a short time to gather around him quite a number
of very acceptable correspondents. Indeed it was in the little
columns of the Mirror that the beautifal effusions and essays
of Liliie, Finella, and Curtin first appeared — to say nothing
of the constant contributions of Lewis and others.
Mr. Lummus earned for himself the popular nickname of
" Philosopher," in a rather amusing manner. Lawyer Gates —
of whom something is said under date 1852 — being in the office
one day, abruptly inquired — "Charles, what does the F. in
your name stand for ? " " Philosopher," was the instantaneous
response. The ready wit sot so well on the old gentleman
that he at once gave currency to the self-bestowed sobriquet.
He had a strange propensity to frequently change the ap-
pearance of his paper. Every little while his sheet would appear,
perhaps with a new head, a different width of column, or some
fanciful display of ornamental type. His means were limited,
and his office but poorly supplied with materials. An ancient
Eamage press, which looked as if Franklin might have worked
at it, a small font of second-hand long primer, a little brevier,
and a very few little fonts of small ornamental letter, with a
case of pica and a few pounds of great primer, were almost
every thing he bad. His three stands were so aged as to totter
on their legs, and his galleys were warped or cracked. The
oniy large type in the office, for years, were two or three alpha-
bets of four line pica antique capitals, which served for the
beading of bandbiOs, and at one time for the heading of bis
paper. With such a fitting out, be could not, of course, be
expected to turn out any very elegant specimens of the art. But
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — CHASLES P. LUMMUS. 515
at tliat time such dispkya in job printing as are now made, wore
not thought of. lu March, 1832, the writer purchased of him
his whole establishment, for two hundred dollars, paying quite
as much as it was worth. He bad, however, in the mean time,
procured a small font of new long primer, and sent off the old
press
1 small ii
As to the success of the Mirror, it may in brief be stated
that small returns rewarded hard labor. The number of sub-
scribers was about four hundred — sometimes running a little
"beiow, but seldom above, Theamount of work in the olEee —
jobs, newspaper and all — could be done by the publisher and
one hand. But at first, in a corner of his ofSce, and afterward
in a separate room, Mr, Lummus kept a shop with a small stock
of stationary and fancy articles, such as are Tisually sold in a
Country book store. A few musical instruments likewise formed
a part of his Stock; and he would frequently, in times of the
greatest hurry, abruptly drop his composing stick to perform a
eolo on one of them, much to the discomfiture of his journeyman.
Indeed he did not possess quite so strong an attachment for
manual labor as for some other pursuits, 'He was fond of con-
sidering the matter in a philosophical way; and I have heard
him remark — " Well, I guess I wont work too hard to-day lest
I should have nothing to do tomorrow ; " which remark was the
sure procurser of a ride, a walk, or an interval of repose over
a book. There was a vein of humor, without the sting of sar-
casm, running through his conversation, and he much loved a
harmless practical joke.
He had an original way of ridding himself of idlers and such
disagreeable company as quartered in his oiBce; and his way
might be beneficially adopted by others; it was, to immediately
set them at some disagreeable work. No matter who the indi-
vidual might be, old or young, high or low, he would be called
to go for a pail of water, sweep the floor, or perform some oUier
equally dignified service, a plausible excuse always accompany-
ing the request; and when one thing was done another was
ready to be commenced on, until the victim concluded to depart.
I remember seeing a gentleman of the first respectability, rolling
at the press, with a hand roller, his clothes, hands, and sweaty
brow, all bedaubed with ink, while Mr. Lummus was pulling on
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516 mSTOET OP LYNX.
with all possible speed, to prevent any opportunity for rest,
his countenance wearing tlie gravity of a spbynx, excepting
when his eyo happened to catch mine.
The surest source of accumulation is economy. But of the
possession of this virtue Mr. Lummus had little cause to boast.
His financial skill was not of a high order; and he was, more-
over, of quite a libera! turn. So it is hardly probable that, had
his income been ever so great, be would have become rich, for
we do not find that the scriptural promise that the liberal soul
shall be made fat, is always verified in a pecuniary way. I
have known him to hire a horse and wagon and occupy perhaps
half a day in going to Salem, to procure two reams of paper.
And I remember of a gentleman telling me that he called at his
place one forenoon, urging him, in great haste, to ride with him
to Boston, whither he was bound, in a chaise, alone. It being
a pleasant daj-, the invitation was accepted. On reaching the
city, he drove directly to an eating house, and called for some
favorite viand, which was speedily before them. As soon as the
meal was disposed of, Mr, Lummus arose, and with an air of
great satisfaction patting the natural receptacle of all good
dinners, informed his friend that he was ready to start for home.
In the matter of dress, Mr. Lummus was far from being a
successful imitator of Brummell, though he was always decently
clad. The exterior habiliments, however, were not usually in
exact keeping with the interior. I have seen him in the street
with cow-hide boots, muddy and of uncouth shape, when I knew
that big feet were encased in fine silk stockings. And beneath
that shaggy coat of dingy white and ancient fashion, there waa
probably as fine linen as the wealthiest wore.
He occasionally conceived strange antipathies and prejudices
which would sometimes exhibit tbomselves in a manner rather
amusing than injurious. I once saw him seize the list of the
carrier for the eastern part of the town, and begin with an
eager and merciless hand to cross off names. I asked him if so
many wanted to stop their papers. "I don't care whether they
do or not," he replied, ''but if they want it any longer they've
got to move out of Woodend to get it."
Like most editors, be was fond of having his paper talked
about, and loved much to now and then create a sensation. To
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BIOGEAPHICAL SEBTCHB8. — CHARLES F. LUMMDS. 517
tbat end, he would occasionally concentrate in one of his little
paragraphs enough material to serve moat editors for a column —
charging a perfect little homb-shell' — perhaps offensive from ita
personal application, or roughly divulging some private matter.
He was once sued for a libel on one of our moat respectable
physicians, and judgment to the amount Cifaome two hundred
dollars passed against him, though I think he told me that the
Doctor did not exact the penalty. The offensive matter was,
however, the work of a correspondent.
Like most editors, too, he was pleased to see his articles
going the rounds of the press ; and he knew well how to aocom-
plish this end by inserting that which from its bare oddity would
be snapped up. For instance, he upon one calm summer morn-
ing startled the community with the bold announcement —
" Huckleberries is ripe." And the press all over the country
echoed his announcement. It was customary in former days,
as well as now, for people to complain of the dilatoriness of the
Legislature. And Mr, Lumraus once issued his paper with the
usual conspicuous heading — "Legislative Proceedings" — in
one of its columns, 'followed by a long blank space. It was
thought to be a good joke ; but he said the best of the joke was
that it saved the setting of so many types.
The Mirror was discontinued in March, 1832, the proprietor
having become involved, and the income not meeting the ex-
penses. In the summer of the same year he published the first
Directory of Lynn, It was a small 12mo. of seventy pages,
with paper covers, and contained such information as is usually
found in pubhcations of the kind.
Mr. Lummus now passed some four years without any regular,
settled employment. He worked a little at printing, kept a
circulating library for a short time, had one or two classes in
French, and several in music. He told me that in French, his
plan was to learn a lesson one day and teach it the next, tlius
keeping one step ahead of his pupils, and so near them as to see
all the difficulties of the way ; and his success was so satisfac-
tory that one large class made him a valuable present.
In the spring or summer of 1836, he commenced a small
paper, just about the size of the first number of the Mirror,
which he called The Star, and sold at one cent a copy. They
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518 HISTOET OF LYNN.
sold well. Sometimes he disposed of fifteen hundred, and gen-
erally from tbat down to eight hundred. Yet it must have been
far from a profitable undertaking, for though ho might edit
and do all the mechanical labor himself, but little could have
been left after paying for the paper and meeting the other small
expenses; and the advertising aaionnted to scarcely any thing.
Subsequently he changed the name of this paper from The Star
to The Mirror, thus returning to his first love. And finally he
enlarged a little and raised the price to two cents. This cut
down the sales very much ; and it continued in weakly existence
for a few months more, when declining health obliged him to
abandon it.
The sickness which How seized upon him proved to be his
last. I often visited him as his life was closing — for being in
sickness and adversity, he was neglected by most of those who
in his brighter days were benefited by his friendship — and
was usually accompanied by a dear companion, whose brilliancy
he so much delighted in, and whose tender sympathy was. so
soothing to him, and who, in the ways of a mysterious provi-
dence was destined soon to follow him into the dark valley. We
found him cheerful, for his christian faith was strong; and he
seemed to foel no regret at the near prospect of death. But to
the last, his natural eccentricities would occasionally exhibit
themselves, I remember that on an afternoon just before his
death, the bell happened to toll for a funeral. He heard it, and
remarked "There, there is that old bell again; well, it will
toll for me, in a few days, I suppose," without any apparent
conception that it would strike one as an unseemly remark.
At another time, we found him sitting up, eating a piece of
toast, and were surprised to hear him reply to the inquiry as to
how he felt, "0, your grandsir will be well enough in a few
days, I guess." But after he had retired and we were at his
bed-side to bid him good night, he explained himself by saying
that his remark, as we carae in, might have savored of levity,
and seemed unbecoming; that it had reference to hia death,
which would probably take place in a few days ; and he cer-
tainly trusted that all would be well with him.
It was on the 20th of April, 1838, at the age of thirty-seven,
that Mr. Lummue closed his life. He had marked singularities
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, — EBESEZBB BBEEP. 519
of cbamcter, but always proved so fast a friend and agreeable
companion that be was universally beloved. And he bad Bucb
an honesty of purpose, and strong desire to "do a little good
in tbe world," as he expi-essed it, that his memory is more
worthy of being Cherished than many of higher pretensions and
greater renown.
ELIJAH DOWNING. ~ 1777-183
Mr. Downing was for many years a highly respected citizen,
unassuming in manners, and of great moral worth. He waa one
of the early Methodists, was ordained a Deacon, and did much
to propagate the faith in this vicinity. He held responsible
town oiSees, and as an acting magistrate bis services wore
much in requisition. A remarkably retentive memory added
greatly to his readiness and success. He was postmaster; in
1807.
Mr. Downing waa born in Lynn, in 1777, and was twice mar-
ried. His first wife waa ilary Breed, wliom he married 7 April,
1793, and his children were, Mary, Eliza, Eliza again, Mary again,
a third Mary, Elijah, Elijah H., and Joshua W. Only tbe two
last survived him ; the latter, but a short time. His wife Mary
died 17 November, 1813, and he married Clarissa Jacob, his
second wife, 5 July, 1814. By her he had no children. He
died on the 14th of August, 1838. He was a cabinet-maker,
and lived on North Common street, corner of Park. His sous
Elijah H. and Joshua W. were liberally educated, and both
became Methodist ministers; Elijah, however, was afterward
received into the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
and removed to the south.
EBENEZER BREED. — 176^1839.
Mr, Breed closed his strangely eventful life in Lynn alms-
house, on tlie 23d of December, 1839, at the age of seventy-four
years. He had been a pauper there for many years, and his
life, which opened with unusual promise, closed in misery and
degradation, Lynn is greatly indebted to him as one of the
most eflicient laborers in the establishment of that business
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520 HISTOKT OF LYKN.
wliich lias so enriched her, and on which her prosperity con-
tinues to rest. He was a native of the town, but while quite
a young man removed to Pliiladelphia, where, in a very short
period, hy his talents, diligence, and correct deportment, he
won the favorable notice of some of the most eminent business
men. One or two natives of Lynn were then in Philadelphia,
largely engaged in business, and occupying high social positions.
Among them was Stephen Collins, a Quaker, who readily ex-
tended a helping hand to Mr. Breed, who was also a Quaker,
And Philadelphia was at that time, as is well known, a sort of
Quaker paradise. Every thing seemed to operate favorably,
and in a short time he fouad himself in a position prosperous
and influential.
In 1792 he visited Europe, for business purposes, and while
there did not fail to attempt something for the benefit of his
native country, which having just achieved her political inde-
pendence, was struggling to place herself in a position to supply
her own needs in those departments of the great economy of
life, necessary for an independent nation. Among other things
he set about introducing the morocco manufacture into America.
And for his success, the National Committee of Commerce and
Manufactures, after his return, awarded him a vote of thanks.
He appointed an agent at Lynn, to sell to the shoe manufaotur-
ers the fashionable cloth stuff's, such as were used in the best
manufactares of France and England. Amos Rhodes, who built
the house on the east side of Federal street, next south of the
mill brook, was his agent, and is said to have become rich on
the commissions. He also sent over some accomplished work-
men to instruct the operatives here in the elegancies of the art.
His first object seemed to be to determine that as elegant and
eubstanHal shoes could be made here as in Europe; after which
another step was to be taken.
Soon after the Eevolution, shoes imported from France and
England were sold at such a cheap rate that there was but poor
encouragement for the manufacturer at home. The trade -at
Lynn was languishing, and the most energetic were disheart-
ened. At this juncture, Mr. Collins, Mr. Breed, and a few others
joined forces in the endeavor to induce Congress to impose
such a duty on imported shoes as would nrotect the home man-
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EIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. — BBENEZER BREED. 521
ufiicturerB. Congress was at that time holding
Philadelphia, and a good opportunity was afforded for "log
rolling," — to uae an expressive modern term — which even Qua-
kers may not always disdain. Among the means resorted to for
the furtherance of their end was a dinner party, for they were
shrewd enough to know that an appeal to the stomach is
'.s powerless. The party
ns. Sundry members
inating ladies ; for female
ofteu effectual when one to the
was held at the bouse of Friend Collin
Congress were present and sundry focin
charms are another thing that even Quakers do not despise;
particukdy in a case like that before us, where a valuable end
is to be answered. The celebrated Bolly Payne, wlio afterward
became the wife of Madison was of the party, as well as Madison
himself, who was at the time an influential member of Congress.
Suffice it to say, a very satisfactory tariff, act was passed, and
Lynn immediately commenced her upward career, much to the
gratification of Mr. Breed and her other dutiful sons then
abroad.
In various other ways did Mr. Breed, while in prosperity,
exert himself for the benefit of bis native place. The post-office
was established here, in 1793, through his exertions; and being
on a social footing with many prominent individuals in various
parts of the country, be was able, in a quiet way, to do maiiy
things to promote her interests, of which few were ever directly
informed, for he does not appear to have been one of those
given to boasting of his meritorious acts.
But the smiles of fortune were withdrawn, while he was yet
in the vigor of manhood. There is some doubt as to the precise
cause of bla downward course. In bis reduced condition he
was often in a mood to converse with those in whom he con-
fided, on the occasion of his calamities and sorrows. And with
tears in his eyes he has reiterated to me that a severe disap-
poiutment in a fondly expected matrimonial connection, induced
him to resort to the wine cup for relief— that he became wed-
ded to the destroyer instead of the fair object of his nobler and
purer afi'ections, and was thus ruined. But some of his friends
bad another version, which was, that while in Europe he was
brought into association with the fashionable and gay; a class,
at that period, almost universally derelict in morals, and proud
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522 HISTOET OP LYNN.
of lavish expenditure ; and that in their society he contracted
snob habits as unfitted him for the rectified society of his native
land. In short it was asserted that he returned an intemperate,
immoral man; and that the refined and wealthy lady to whom
he was affianced, in sorrow rejected him, and afterward accepted
the hand of one ..more worthy of her confidence and affection.
Ill his utter degradation he clung to the fond belief that he etill
remained fresh in her memory. I remember with what aroused
sensibilities he one day, a short time before his death, informed
me that as she passed through Lynn, during the preceding sum-
mer, she made inquiries respecting him, and being informed
of his forlorn condition sent a kind message and comforting
donation to him, at the alms-house.
In prosperity, he became acquainted with many leading men
of the nation, and received letters which he treasured up with
miserly care. And with some asperity he charged the overseers
of the poor with wantonly destroying them. It is not to be
presumed that those dignitaries had any unworthy motive in
view when they assembled around the work-house fire, exam-
ined the epistles, and dropped them one by one into the blaze;
yet, if representations regarding them be true, some autographs
were consumed that would at this time be estimated at a high
pecuniary value. They probably apprehended that they were
removing the cause of the unhappy hours, as they supposed them
to be, that the poor old man experienced in poring over them —
not realising that he might be far from unhappy at such hours,
though tears would drop from his purblind eyes. And to the
honor of the friends of his better days it should be said that
they did not all forget or neglect him in his bitter adversity.
I had occasion to know that he received from them many kind
remembrances and pecuniary gratuities.
Mr, Breed is represented to have been, in his early manhood,
more than ordinarily correct in his habits, especially as regarded
the use of intoxicating liquors. It is said that on his occasional
visits here he was accustomed to labor hard for the reformation
of a connection who had fallen into intemperate habits; on one
occasion proceeding as far as the demonstrative argument of
knocking Jn the head of a cask containing the creature of offence.
His education was quite as good as the common schools of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — EBENEZEE BREED. 523
his day afforded. I have in my possession a considerable num-
ber of letters which be wrote between 1789 and 1810, and they
would compare favorably with the letters of almost any busi-
ness man now among us. His expressions are clear and direct,
and bis penmanship unusually fair. And three or four of these
letters I propose to introduce, believing that they will add to
the interest of this sketch. All that will be given, with the
exception of the last, were addressed to Amos Ehodes, the gen-
tleman before named as his agent at Lynn.
LoHDOM, 7 mo. 17, 1793.
Mt Deab Fr<end : I intended wi'iling chee imntediately on my ari'ival,
but nothrag in particular occurring to communicate, liave delayed till now.
We had a pi-ospei'ous passage of twenty-eight days. Since my arrival I Lave
been into the north of Bnglaud, to Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield,
Liveipool, &e. I lind I shall be able to establish a good connection in busi-
ness, and tliougb I may not get the goods to answer to iny particular plan, yet
I am sensible I shall reap advantages by coming here. I find some goods had
been shipped out to me in the spring, and by letters from Philadelphia learn
they arrived safe and were forwarded to thee. Thou wilt do the best with
them, and when tlie sales are made we will divide the pixifits. I had goods to
some amount shipped for the <, fi-om Leeds, previous to my reaching that
place, BO that I don't know what they are, Geo, Pennock is to receive them,,
and I expect to be in Philadelphia in the 9th or first of lOlh mo. in time to be'
m Lynn before the wintei-. I have ordered a considerable quantity of bindings ;i
was at the fectory aiid saw them making them. I shall not bring out many
other goods than shoe stuffs, at present I have met with a coi'dial reception
from those to whom I was recommended and have met vrith as much hospi-
tality from others as ever I experienced — have been introduced to many very
I'espectable merchants and others
I am, with much love and esteem, thy affectionate and sincere friend,
Ebenkzer Breed.
Mr. Breed remained in England but a few weeks after the date
of the above. He then went over to France, tn perfect some
business arrangements there. And his flattering success is in-
dicated, in the following letter:
DuKKiRK, (France,) 8 mo. 13, 1793.
My Dear Friend : I have just heai'd of a vessel bound to Newburyport and
have only time to inform thee of my intention to leave this place, this day,
for London, from whence I shall sliortly depart for America, I received thy
acceptable favor, and am pleased to hear thai we shall be able to vend so many
goods. I wrote tiiee last by the ship William Penn, and if nothing happens
to jirevent, shall embark before I wi'ite tliee again. I have heea making an
excursion to Pai-is and through some narts of France. Please give my love to
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524 fflSTOET OP LYNN.
my parents and inform them I am well. I have Bent out some stuffs, but have
not many other articles — thought best not to till I returnei^ ; but I can have
any quantity of goods from the people to whom I wos' recommended. I can
not enlarge now, and not knowing whether this wll reach thee before 1 do»
shall conclude with best respects to thy Elizabeth, and am, deal' friend,
Thine sincerely. Eben'r BaBEn.
In a letter dated about a raontb after the foregoing, he says,
" I wrote thee from Dunkirk, in France — have been to Paris —
was there on the day before the fatal lOtb of August." Thia
was written on the river Thames, on board the ship on which
he had embarked to return to Philadelphia, He remarks: "I
have several hundred pounds' worth of goods in this ship, all
insured and paid for."
The following letter gives information regarding a mode of
operating in shoes, rather common at that period :
PuiLADELPHf*, 5 mo, 16, 1793.
Mt Dear FaiEr^n : I heiewith enclose thee a bill of lading for sundiy goods.
The invoice I shall send on by post. I wrote thee a few days since by post
Capt. Needham leaves us tomorrow, and by what 1 can learn he intends to bo
ji the shoe business — to lend the shoemakers money on the usual interest,
with the privilege of taking his pay in shoes, they allowing him five per cent
cotninissiou for selling for what price he can. This mode of business will no
doubt do for him, but how will it prove to our business ? Why, it is my opin-
ion, and always has beeu, that I can never do any thing here while sboes are
brought and sold in such a manner. But if it must be so, I prefer Capt. Need-
ham to many others. 1 think if several of us would join and take such a
quantity of shoes at Lynn as to make them more difficult for so many hawkera
to get, it would be an advantage. But we might as well think of raising Egg
Rock from its bed, and bringing it to Philadelphia on our shoulders to exhibit
for a show, in the streets; and in fact by this I think we should make much
more money. Farewell.
Eben'r Breed.
In the following letter Mr. Breed manifests impatieiice at the
poor way in which some of the Lynn shoes wero manufactured ;
and from subsequent correspondence, not here introduced, it ia
judged that his rebukes had a good effect. It will be noticed
that he remarks that he is " in a bad way as to bilsiness." And
we are impressed with the belief that it was about this time that
he was getting into a bad way in other respects :
Philadelphia, 7 mo. 25, 179a
Mt Dear Friekd; 1 wrote tliee yesterday, since which 1 have seen Daniel
RuffandCompany,and they want six hundred pairs, or six barrels, of excellent
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — BBENEZER BEEED, 525
satinet roiid alioea. [Shoes were tlien packed in ban-sia inatead of boxes.]
I want thee to write me by return post whether thee can have them made, and
at what price we can afford them. Those sboes thee last sent are mostly on
hand, and I am perfectly sick of doing business in the shoe line here, unless
we can have sucb as will sell. I declare it would be more agreeable to me to
work journeywork than be plagued aa I am by those who buy shoes here,
unleas we cau have better ones. If I call for the money, they begin to show
me the large number of small, unsaleable ones they have left, that they never
can sell, and say I must not expect my pay, &c. &c. And what cau i say to
them? It is so, and ao it wlU be, while the ahoemakers in Lynn are a set oi
confounded fools. Ask Samuel Colliiis what liis cousin Zaccheua has written
him, and be will tell thee it is a rascally business to be concerned in, wliile
the makers of shoes thej'e liave no principle nor policy. 1 don't write this to
blame thee, for I know thy mind too well, and know thee would do well if thee
had others to deal with. I am in haste now, and in a bad way, as to biisinesB,
and see nothing that can be done in the line except we can eatablish a factory.
I wish thee to procure cosh on our goods, if possible, and tell thoae who deal
widi thee that unless they can make shoes on more houorable terms we can't
have any from tbera.
I am, my dear friend, thy affectionate
E. Breed.
Tlie following appears to have been written after the sad
blight of the matrimonial anticipations alluded to, and certainly
seems to indicate a spirit capable of bearing up tinder such
an afSiction, though there is a little something like unsav.ory
bravado in a passage or two :
Charleston, [8. C] 3 mo, 25, 1796.
Dear Amos : I was veiy happy in receiving, a few days. ago, tliy agreeable
favor of 21 December. I had written thee on my inival here, and suppose
that long before this ihou hast received it Since I wiote thee we have been
traveling tbi'ougb a part of this state, and intended to have gone to Savannah
and Augusta, but the late uncommon high freshets m the river prevented.
We spent three or four weeks agreeably among the planters, and returned
here lost week, when 1 received tliy letter E Olden his received gi-eat benefit
from the jaiint, and I think will recover. lara well and in good spirits; feel
very different from what I did when I last wi-ote thee. I have seen several
of my old acquiuntnnces here and in the coiiiitiy, whom I had seen in Phila-
delphia. They treated me with every attention and respect I could wish. I
now aee what a fool I have been, and though I am still a friend to my old
— ^ — , I think I am as well without her as with her. I now only wish to be in
some gooil buaineaa; and I have no doubt tliat I shall spend many social and
pleasant hours with thee and my other fi'iends, yet, I am not so much dis-
spirited as to be without friends. And I think tliere ai-e some girls yet left,
who can make me happy. Please give my love to my parents. Tell them 1
am very well. I sliall wish to settle our accounts as thee mentions as soon as
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526 HISTOKT OF LTSS.
possible, and I nm endeavoring to inforin myself what kiiKl of business nan be
done here in the shoe line. Several people bave inquired after shoos, and I
think I can sell considerable numbers here iu future. I expect to retura home
by land ; if so, I shall leave this city in two weeks. If I come by water, 1 shall
leave sooner. I will write thee again soon. My love to thy wife, Pntty, and
mother, and all friends.
I am, dear Amos, thy sincere
E, Breed.
The next and last letisr that can be here inserted bears
unmistakable evidence of distempered faculties. Mr. Breed had
now, for several years, been back to Lynn, his native place, and
at a rapid pace gone downward. At this time he lived in
what is called Breed's End, and procured a scanty livelihood by
cutting shoes. And it is not inappropriate to remark that the
gentleman to whom this letter was sent, and who was himself at
one time in a large business at New York, and well knew Mr.
Breed, in his prosperity, with emphasis declared that Lynn
never produced a mora- promising and honorable bnsineaa man :
Ltm, 2 mo. lltli, 1805.
Mr Good Fmend : Thy favor of the 8th inst. is before me, also a few lines
of this morning handed to me by a boy, i-equesiing me to cut some small
shoes before two o'clock. I answer thee in this way ; read the enclosed ; as a
statesman — a neighbor — a friend and brother — I esteem thee; but I am not
able to do more than I have done. Every stretch of thought, every faculty, in
fact all the powei-s of my poor mind have been exerted ; still I am poor and
unhappy. Hams Chadwell will deliver thee those sbins I lately received fi-om
thee. I will thank thee to retuni the enclosed slip of paper ; it is a favorite
study of mine ; and though I am viewed by thee as a Drunkard, my feelings
are the same as ever they have been. Accept my thanks for thy former
fiieudship, and for the present attention thou wilt pleaae to receive the grateful
acknowledgments of Thy fiiend,
E. Breed,
Mr. Breed fancied that he had a turn for poetry, and wrote
Bome verses; hut the weakness may have been superinduced
by the prominent experience, of a tender nature, which has
been alluded to, and which is of a character, as is generally
supposed, to incline its subjects to give vent to their feelings in
numbers. He was, however, a much better business man than
poet.
For several years he was an opium eater j and his cravings
for the pernicious drug were pitiable in the extreme. He used,
occasionally, in good weather, to gain leave of absence from his
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ECENEZER BBEED. 527
pauper borne, for a day or two at a time, and would tlien some-
tiroes travel as fe,r as Nahant, though hia blindness and other
infirmities, during hie latter years, compelled him to move very
slowly. And on these occasions, if he could procure the means,
he was pretty sure to heoome intoxicated. Hia person was
gross and uncleanly; and those who met him on these excur-
sions were compelled to pronounce him as miserable and forlorn
a looking object as could well be presented to the eye of pity.
When in the street he was in constant fear of passing carriages,
which, in consequence of his blind*ness, he could not see ; and, as
before said, his gait was extremely slow. I think he told me,
as I met hiin in Federal street, one summer evening, in 1837,
on his way home to the alma-house, that he had been the whole
day in walking thus far from Nahant.
While on his excursions, he would usually take the opportu-
nity to call at the office of Mr. Lumraus, the printer, a bio-
graphical sketch of whom has already been given; and from
that halting place he was never spurned, as he was from some
other places where he desired to rest. He was generally so
hungry by the time he arrived as to beg for something to eat.
"Weli, Uncle Eben," replied Mr. Lummus, on one occasion, "I
can't take you to my boarding-house table, you are so dirty;
but I'll get you something." Presently the old 'man was pro-
vided with a liberal ration done up in a piece of newpaper,
and the colloquy resumed something after this sort: "There,
Uncle Eben, see how a little nice cold turkey will set on your
stomach." . . . "Why, Charles, I thank thee, kindly. It is a
long time since I have tasted so dainty a thing as turkey.
But" — (after munching a little while) — "this don't taste ex-
actly as turkey used to; and the bones don't feel like turkey
bones. But my eyes are so dim that I can't tell what it looks
like," , . . "Well, Uncle Eben, if you haven't sight you must
eat by faith ; and mutton bones are just as good as turkey, if you
have faith to believe they are. So eat away, and be thankful,"
But with all his faults, Mr. Breed retained many fine qualities,
and rays of smothered nobleness and rectitude would not un-
frequenfcly gleam forth. And it is painful to reflect that one
whom nature seems to have designed for some high duty should
have so failen — that one who really did so much for his native
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528 HiaTOEY OP LYNN.
town, for his country, indeei^, should at last laave gone down to
a pauper's grave.
Prom a history hke his, emineiatly useful lessons may he
drawn. Our sympathies are naturally touched while contem-
plating the condition of one in degradation and distress, who
has seen better days, who has stood in a position to command
our respect. But to render such lessons most useful it is well
to consider whether the degradation and distress were produced
by causes over which the sufferer had no control or are to be
attributed to his own perverse inclination. While, however,
the lesson is being deduced, it should never be forgotten that
it is an essential part of christian duty to endeavor to comfort
and relieve the miserable, before we ask what made them so.
I knew "Uncle Eben" well, and had repeated conversations
with him, though not before ho had reached his low estate.
His sad memories and utter hopelessness pressed with almost
insufferable weight, and conspired with his physical infirmities
to render him a most forlorn and pitiable object. And I have
beard his hitter complaints at the taunts of those in brief autho-
rity over him. They seemed to have no juat conception of bis
atill lingering virtues. By the just, even the offender against
justice is sure to have his merits acknowledged. And into the
most wretched soul a ray of sunshine darts when it feels that
its little remnant of virtue is recognized and appreciated.
ENOCH CURTIN. — 1794-1842.
Mr. Curtin was born at Lynn on the 25th of July, 1704, and
was a son of John Curtin. His education was not beyond that
afforded by the common schools of his time. - And he content-
edly pursued the humble occupation of a shoemaker. But he
was a man of far more than ordinary ability. Mr. Lewis, who
knew him well, says, "He was a man of estimable qualities,
and possessed great poetical talent. He had a very happy fac-
ulty for the production of odes and songs adapted to particular
occasions. His mind was intellectual, refined, and noble, and
he was widely esteemed and beloved." In 1816, he married
Sally Ireson, by whom he had seven children ; and he died on
the 28th of May, 1842, at the age of forty-seven.
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ENOCH CUETITT. 529
Mr. Curtin furnishes a striking example of unasserted talents.
There is little i3oubt that nature bestowed on him powers, wbich,
had they been fully developed and cultivated, would have made
him eminent as a poet. He appears to have felt assured of this,
hut had not sufScient ambition to overcome a natural repug-
nance to that earnest and persistent iutelloctual labor hy which
alone one can become eminent as a writer. And in his grave,
perhaps resta another " mute, inglorious Milton." In his seques-
tered walk as a humble mechanic, however, with his contempla-
tive rather than laboring mind, he may have enjoyed more than
he could have enjoj'ed through the ringing plaudits of a hollow
hearted world. But can any one fulfill his duty to his fellow
men while allowing talents which might benefit them to remain
unimproved? And is it not selfishness to prefer a pleasurable
ease to a putting forth of those exertions which would enhance
the enjoyment of others?
As Mr, Lewis remarks, Mr. Curtin possessed a very happy
faculty for composing odes and occasional pieces. His style
was stirring and eloqnent — just what is required in such
com positions. His pen was in requisition for a contribution for
almost every sort of celebration and dedication; and the news-
boy confidently expected a glowing address for his patrons at
new year's time. If he could have disciplined himself so as to
bestow a little more labor on what might be called the ijnish
of his pieces, eliminating redundances, easing off occasional
rough turns, rectifying an imperfect image here and there, he
would, on a final perusal, have been better satisfied with his
productions, and they would have gone forth with a stronger
recommendation to the discriminating reader. In consequence
of this want of care and exactness in expressing himself, his
full meaning does not always at once appear; and hence to
the inattentive reader much may bo lost. There is a wide
difference between him and Miss Fuller, in these respects, as
the reader wilt at once perceive. Their general styles, too, are
marked by all the diff'erences that characterize the opposite
sexes : hers is feminine and smoothly flowing, his masculine and
often abrupt. But I hardly know who would place one below
the other as a favorite of the Muses.
As a writer to be read in times not his own, Mr. Curtin
S2 34
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530 HISTOEY OP LTNN.
labored under a disadvantage. His pieces were commonly
■written with reference to particular occasions or localities and
were apt to contain expressions which conid not be fully un-
derstood, under other circumstances. He wrote rapidly, gen-
erally on the spur of the occasion, and in accordance with
Bome special solicitation which his generosity would not suffer
him to decline ; be wrote, too, without expectation of pecuniary
reward; and his uniform success estabHshes the fact of an ac-
tive and trustworthy genius ; which is certainly to be preferred
to one of the pyrotechnic order, however brilliant or startling
an occasional scintillation may be. He was unassuming, and I
apprehend would have been undisturbed by criticism, as he
might defiantly exclaim, in the language ofWordsworth,
The moving accident is not my trade.
Most writers in verse who have not had considerable experi-
ence nor been subjected to the shocks of criticism — and many,
indeed, who have — injure their composition by straining after
the ornamental and disdaining the natural. But it seems to
me that Mr. Curtin, and Miss Fuller, were both singularly free
from euch an unfortunate habit. And as every one has a love
for the natural, they will never cease to have admirers. Their
styles were very different, and so were their themes; and it is
strong evidence of their appreciation of their own powers that
with each, theme and style were so well adapted to each other.
Mr. Curtin did not confine himself to poetry, by any means.
He wrote a great many excellent prose articles ; some of an
imaginative character, and others on the sober realities of
fife. And his pen was not unfrequently exercised on political
subjects. He could be caustic if he chose, but was dignified,
and seldom trespassed on the strict rules of courtesy. A couple
of specimens of his poetry follow.
SOUND FEEEDOM's TRUMP I
An Ode sung at Uie Celabration of Independence, in Lynn, July 4, 1831.]
Sound Freedom's Tinimp! The day returns,
The day that gave our Nation birtli !
The fire upon our altar bums,
Whose sacred incense fills the earth.
Let crumbling; croivnB to dust retire,
While Liberty's eternal fire,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ENOCH CCETIN. 531
O'er totieriiig thrones sheds its bright ray,
And round the earth in tritimph rolls,
A haio of immortal day,
Whose arch of glory lights the Poles i
Sound Freedom's Trump! Let each glad voice
Join the fidi chorus of delight!
This day at Freedom's Bhrine rejoice,
Wliile Europe's minions sleep ii) night!
DespotE shall mourn their regal birtli,
And sceptres vanish from the eai'th!
Let mitres in obedience nod,
Be Tyranny in ruin hurled,
And Liberty proclaim her God,
While Freedom's Trump shall wake the world!
Sound Freedom's Trump, o'er hill and dale!
TliroHghout Columbia's vast domain
Let songs of joy and mirth prevail,
And each glad voice repeat the sU'aiii.
No tyrant foot shall (read the soil,
Our fiithers bought with blood and toil'.
Firm as the rocks upon our strand.
To guoi-d the right by freedom given,
Columbia's hardy sons shall stand,
A feai'leas host — the pride of Heaven !
Sound Freedom's Tnimp ! Awake ! Arise !
And bid fhe thundering cannon's roar
Swell in loud pieans to the skies.
Anil nil the eai-th from shore to shore !
Gallia and Grecia shall be free!
And Poland shouts for liberty !
On piniouB of immortal fame.
The sawed flame each clime shall bound j
Then, while Columbia holds a name,
Let holy Freedom's Trumpet sound!
LINES,
Addressed to a young lady pf Marblehead, on the death of ber brother, who
died at Batavia, in the island of Java, aud was buried on a small island,
about half a league fi-om Batavia. In digginji; his grave aconsiderable quantity
of curious marine shells, of beautiful variety, were found embedded about
four feet from the suifaee of the earth, a nurabHr of which were preserved
and brought to this comitry, one of them being presented to the author.
Written m 1830.
Be hushed thy sighs! Oh, weep not for the dead,
Who sweetly sleeps within his coral bed ;
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HISTOar OP LYNN.
oil, cease to chide the swelling waves that bore
A loving brother from hla native shora
For the ti'umpet shall sound
And the dead shall arise,
To Inherit a crown
Fvoru the King of tlie skiea.
No more the storm shall gather round hla head,
No more the foaming waves their crests shall real
To shatter his frail bark— no more the lead
Shall tell of racks, and shoals, and quicksands net
For behold to unite
In the sweet promise given,
He has taken his flight
To the mansions of Heaven.
Oft has he braved the perils of the deep,
And heard the rude winds whistle through the shrouds.
Oft has he sti'ove his little bark to keep
Safe from the fury of the gathering clouds.
But the clouds have passed o'er,
And ihe winds are at rest ;
He now dwells secure
In the realms of the blest.
Far in the palm trees' shade his bed is found,
Where Lidiau summers yield eternal bloom;
Where spicy groves spread their rich foliage round,
And shed their fragrance o'er his early towb.
Where the lote shall wave,
And the cypress shall twine,
Till the mariner's grave
Shall it
What though no storied ni-n points out the spot.
Or marble marks his last retreat from care ;
What though no stone i-ecoids hia early lot,
Or tells — "The ship-wreck'd mariner lies there."
Yet to his sad pile
Shall the murmuring surge.
As it sweeps round the isle,
Sing the yooug sailor's dirge.
Then weep no more! Oh hush those sighs of thine;
For could thy tears recall him from that ehoi-e.
Where his blest spirit lives in bliss divine,
Melhmks, young friend, that thou ivould'st weep no more.
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BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. — KEWHALL. -
Then trust in that arm.
Whose chiisloniiig rod
Will shield thee from harm—
'Tis the power of God.
JOSUH NEWHALL. — 1790-1843.
Mr. Newliall was a biglilj' veapected aad useful citizen, and for
many years continued to fill the most responsible offices in the
town. He was a Representative for several terms, and a Senator
Hn 1832 and '33. He was one of our largest shoe manufacturers,
for years, and in. all his business relations secured the utmost
confidence of those with whom he dealt. His residence and
place of business were at the east end of the Common. In
manners he was dignified and courteous; and he was excelled
by none for integrity of character and purity of life. Por many
years he was a prominent member of the Methodist connection,
and active in benevolent enterprises.
He was born at Lynn, on the 7th of January, 1790, and was
a descendant from Thomas Newball, the first person of European
parentage horn in Lynn. He was twice married. His first
wife was Lydia Johnson, to whom he was united on the 19th
of March, 1811, and by whom he had four children — Robert,
who died in infancy; Elizabeth; Martha, who died in infancy;
and Harrison, His second wife was Clarissa Martin, whom he
married in 1832, and by whom he had two children — Charles
M., who died in childhood, and Josiah H., who is now a Metho-
dist minister.
Mr. Newhall died on the 7th of November. 1842.
EBWARD LUMIVIUS COFFIN. — 1794-1845.
Dr. Coffin was the third son of Dr. Aaron Lummus, and a
brother of Charles F. Lummus, a biogTaphical sketch of whom
jhas been given. His name was changed to Coffin, which was
the femily name on the maternal side, chiefly because his father
and elder brother, John, were at the time practising physicians
here and confusion was liable to occur. He was born in Lynn,
on the 14th of December, 1794, graduated at Harvard, and studied
medicine under Dr. Shurtleff, of Boston. He was twice mar;
S2*
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534 HISTORY OF LYNN.
Tied. His first wife waa Mary Rhodes, whom he married in
1823, and hy whom he had one child, named Edward Everett,
who died in infancy. Ilis second wife was Frances Cutler, of
Cambridge, by whom he had two children — Mary F. and Edward
C. He died at his residence, on Market street, on the 31st of
March, 1845, at the age of fifty, after a painful sickness of more
than two years.
Dr. Coffin was a highly esteemed citizen; skillful in his pro-
fession, liberal in his views, of generous disposition and affable
manners. He was active in the cause of popular education
and the general diffusion of intelligence ; was much interested
in the common schools, in lectures, and scientific discussions.
And he was not apt to denounce a new thing, without examina-
tion, because others decried it as a humbug. I remember when
the first lecturer on animal niagnetiam came to town and dis-
coursed in the old Town Hall, with what fairness he joined
thumbs with him, and how patiently he sat under the manipula-
tions, entirely undisturbed by the merriment of those in whose
minds the whole thing was forestalled as an imposition. He
was not one of the many who are so excessively timid, through
fear of compromising their dignity, that they suffer the best
opportunities for improvement to slip by unemployed. His
labors on the school committee, in conjunction with those of
Eev. Mr. Eockwood, who was likewise an ardent friend of edu-
cation, were highly appreciated. And their unity of purpose,
in this respect, did much toward creating a lasting friendship
between them; though on one important matter their views
were essentially different — the Doctor being a decided Unita-
rian and Mr. Eockwood a high Calviniet.
He possessed a vein of humor which would sometimes assert
itself in a most pleasing manner; but he did not aufi^er it to
override his dignity. Men who fancy themselves wits, and
set themselves up as such, are prone to obtrude their smart
saying as weli out of season as in season, greatly to the annoy-
ance of others and their own discredit. But the occasional sallies
of a genuine and unostentatious humorist, are like placid rays of
sunshine in the world's dull routine. Nor was the Doctor with-
out ability as a versifier, his productions being usually of a
playful character. His pieces were evidently unstudied j but
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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. — EDWASD L. COPIIN. 635
they bear unmistakable evidence of a trained mind and lively
sensibilities. The following appears in the form of a receipted
bill, dated December 29, 1827, and was sent to a townsman into
whose family he had been professionally called during the year.
His charges were certainly moderate ; particularly as he ap-
pears to have taken store pay.
1827. My friea' good Mr. William' B.
Indebted Is to Doctor E.
For sundry pills and potions,
And credited by moie amount.
As will be seen by shop account,
For claes and gloves and notions.
Feb^, When slippery Pisces led the year,
(Tail-tied, for lack of better gear,
The stai-s amang,)
Ye ken I Ve charged a gi-oat or two
For self and wife and little Sue,
Wbeu called to gang, 75
March, Item — when crinkled-horned Aries
Looked frowning fra' the vernal skies,
Rheumatics boding,
May. Item — when Maia's gentler reign
Brought in a ghostly croupy triun,
Your lugs aye loading, 1.38
June 94. When canker worms had left the trees, 70
July. And Cancer mellowed down the breeze,
(Foi- wife and wee ane,) 3.37
August When Leo's flaming eye surveyed
All Sammy's cattle in the shade.
Except— tbe HE ANE 1.62
$6.83
May He who only has the giftie,
Make you aye cantie, hale and thriffie.
To life's last hour.
May a' the Powers above defend ye,
Fra' ci-oup and toolhack always tent ye.
And blue deil's power.
And when ado^n life's hill ye 're ganging
May conscience give no fearfu' twanging,
But hopes aye braw,
And may your bonny bairns inherit
Their mither's warth, theii- father's spirit.
When ye 're awa.
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536 HISTOEY OP LYNS.
ENOCH MUDGE. — 1776-1850.
Mr. Mudge was born in Lynn, on the 28tb of June, 177(5, and
was & son of Enocii Mudge, who lived on the south side of tho
Common. At the early age of seventeen years he was licensed
as a Methodist preacher, and the next year joined the traveling
connection. He' was the first Methodist preacher born in New
England, and continued active in the niinistry for a great num-
ber of years. He was a man of fervid piety and great activity
of mind. His poetical effusions — of which many appeared at
different periods of his life — bear evidence of a mind warmly
in love with the beautiful of nature, and his sermons, of a heart
devoted to the good of his fellow men. He married, 29 Novem-
ber, 1797, Jerusha Hinkley, a daughter of John Holbrook, of
Wellfleet, by whom he had four children — Solomon H., Anne
B., Mary A., and Enoch E. ; the latter of whom erected the
beautiful Gothic stone cottage at Swampscot, which attracts so
much attention from strangers of taste.
Mr. Mudge died in Lynn on the 2d of April, 1850, at the age
of seventy-four, and was buried from the Eirst Methodist meet-
ing-house.
At the close of the biographical sketch of Micajah Collins
may be found some lines from the pen of Mr.' Mudge, His
longest production in metre, was, I think, that entitled "Lynn,
a Poem." It was written in 1820, and published, in pamphlet
form, in 1826. It comprises some six hundred and fifty lines;
is not very lively in style, and is hardly calculated to meet the
cravings of a taste that prefers the stimnlating to the merely
nutritious. Wit and humor always impart a rolish to poetic
effusions on themes which are not strictly pensive or solemnly
didactic. Without one or the other, the sentiment must be
pleasurable or the imagery glowing to render a piece at all
attractive. But I do not find that Mr. Mudge laid claim to
either wit or humor. His poetry was rather instructive and
admonitory than pleasing; and it was always valuable for its
moral inculcations and good common sense views. The follow-
ing lines, which were probably written in 1826, are as easy and
pleasant as any thing of his that I have been able to find. The
sentiment will be approved, and the comparisons are suggestive,
though an imperfect expression or two may be noticed.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, — ASA T. NEWHALL.
THE BLISS OP PIEir.
Gentle is Ilie breath of May,
At the eai'ly dawn of day;
Mill! the virgin-blushing rose,
When first opening from repose;
Sweet the odora of perfume.
From the honeysuckle bloom.
Pleasant is the morning ray,
Peeping from the birth of day ;
Pure the gentle dew or rain.
When distilling o'er the plaini
Charming to angelic ears.
Is the music of the spheres.
All these images are faint,
The Bliss of Piety to paint.
Gentler, mililer, sweeter, are
The breath of Piety and Prayer.
Music, light, and dew, and rain,
All your images m-e vain.
Breath of light and life divine,
Odors, music, all are thiito.
ASA TARBEL NEWTIALL. — 1779-1850.
Mr. Newhall was born ia the part Lyon that now forms Lynn-
field, on the 28th of June, 1779. He was a aon of Asa, who
was born on the, 5th of August, 1732, and was a son of Thomas,
who was born on the Gth of January, 1681, and was a son of
Josaph, who was born on the 22d of September, 1G58, and was
a son of Thomas Newhall, the first white person born in Lynn.
Mr. Newhali was bred a farrSer, and followed the honorable
occupation all his life. He was a close observer of the opera-
tions of nature, and brought to the notice of others divers facts
of great benefit to the husbandman. He delivered one or two
addresses at agricultural exhibitions, and published several pa-
pers which secured marked attention and elicited discussion.
His mind was penetrating and possessed a happy mingling of the
practical and theoretical; and he had sufficient energy and in-
dustry to insure results. Such a person will always make him-
self useful in the world, though he may be destitute of that kind
of ambition which would place him in conspicuous positions.
He was liberal in his views, courteous in his manners; and
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538 HISTOBT OF LTSN.
by Iiis sound judgment and unswerving integrity secured uni-
versal respect. In hia earlier manhood he was somewhat active
aa a politician, and was deemed judicious and trustworthy. He
was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820, and a
Senator in 1826. Ho was also a Representative, in 1828,
His wife was Judith Littlej pi Newbury ; and he had nine
children —Joshua L., Asa T., Thomas B., Sallie M,, Eunice A.,
Judith E., Caroline E., Hiram L., and Elizabeth B.
Mr. Newhall died at hia residence, in the southeastern part
of Lynnfleld, on the 18th of December, 1850, aged 71, and was
buried with masonic honora.
EZRA MUDGE. — 1780-1855.
Mr. Mudge was born in Lynn, on the 10th of April, 1780. He
was e-ngaged in the shoe business, here, for some years of his
early manhood, and afterward went to New York, where he
kept a large shoe store. Subsequently he returned, and re-
mained till the first administration of General Jackaou, when,
on receiving an appointment in the Boston custom house, he
removed to that city, where he continued to reside till the time
of hia death. For sixteen j'ears he faithfully represented his
native town io the Legislature, having fiist taken his seat there
in 1807. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention,
in 1820, and of the Executive Council, in 1828. He was active
in establishing the Artillery Company, in 1808, was one of the
lieutenants commissioned at the time of organization, and cap-
tain in 1813.
Mr. Mudge was a man of unaffected piety, sound judgment,
and agreeable manners. And though his worldly fortunes va-
ried, he never lost his integrity nor the respect of his fellow
men. He died on the 25th of May, 1855, and hia remains were
brought to Lynn and buried from the South street Methodist
meeting-house, he having been all his life a consistent adherent
of the Methodist faith. He waa thrice married, his first matri-
monial connection having been entered into at the early age of
twenty-one years. Hia first wife was Betsey Brewer, whom he
married in 1801, and by whom he had no children. Hia second
wife was Ruth Chadwell, whom he married in 180i, and by
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BIOGHAPHICAL SKETCHES. — PEANCI8 8. NEWHALL. 539
wbom he had seven children — Ezra A., Eliza B., Kuth C, Ezra
W., Nathan, Hannah, and Sarah W. His third wife was Haonah
Drew, and by her ho had seven children — Lemuel C, William
B,, Hervey M., Sarah G., Mary E., Maria A., and Robert B.
Ezra Warren, the fourth child by the second wife, waa Mayor
of Lynn in 1856 and '57.
FRANCIS STUART NEWHALL.— 1795-1S58.
Mr. Newhall was born in Lynn on the 30th of April, 1795, and
was a son of Winthrop, who was born on the 6th of June, 1769,
and was a son of Farrar {or Pharaoh, ab he was universally called,
and whicb name he himself adopted,) who was born on the 15th
of February, 1735, and was a son of Samuel, who was born on
the 9th of March, 1700, and waa a son of Joseph, who was born
on the 22d of September, 1658, and was a son of Thomas, bora
in 1630~the first person of European parentage born in Lynn.
Like most of his cotemporaries, his father being in moderate
circumstances, Mr. Newhall had but little opportunity to acquire
more than a very common education. At about the age of
thirteen he commenced learning the trade of a tanner, which
business his father had followed for some years. Soon after
attaining his majority he engaged in the morocco manufacture,
and did a considerable business for those times. In 1822, the
firm of F. S. and H. Newhall, familiar to every body in this
vicinity, for many years, was formed; Henry, Mr, Newball'a
brother, who is still living, being the junior partner.
Mi;. Newhal! removed to New York in 1825, and established
another business house, with a third partner, Mr. Ebenezer
Burrili — the old firm continuing in Lynn. Although the New
York firm was not successful, yet it subsequently paid its in-
debtedness in fuU. Returning to Lynn, Mr. Newhall, with his
brother, prosecuted the morocco and leather business with such
energy and success, that they soon became two of our most
wealthy townsmen. The firm was dissolved in 1850, on account
of the ill health of Henry. Mr. Newhall continued in trade for
many years, and at the time of his death was in the sole leather
business, in Boston, with his son Henry F,
He was for more than twenty years a director of the Lynn
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540 nrsTORY op lynk.
Mechanics Bank; and in 1849, through his exertions the Ldigli-
ton Bank was estabhshed, of which, with the exception of three
weeks, in 1856, ho was president till the day of hia death. He
was one of the founders of the Lynn Mechanics Isisnrance
Company, which has heen remarkably successful.
Mr. Newhail was among those earliest interested in the Uni-
tarian society, and continued through life to be one of its raosl
active and generous supporters.
He was also active in political matters, and in the days of
anti-masonry was several times chosen a Representative to the
Legislature. After the decline of the anti-masonic party he
became a whig, and was elected to the Senate in 1843 and '44.
There were but few matters of public interest or importance
in which he did not take part. Being an active man, one of
strong points and decided character, he was usually prominent.
He was prompt, energetic, and far-seeing, and possessed very
considerable skill as a financier.
Mr. Newhail was intelligent, social, hospitable, and a man of
rare integrity. In speech he was sometimes rather blunt; but
this perhaps arose more from his propensity to declare openly
an honesf conviction than a natural inclination to harshness.
He was of a liberal disposition, and in mercantile affairs espe-
cially, was a man of much influence.
In 1818 he married Lydia, a daughter of Thompson Burrili,
and a lineal descendant from Hon. Ebenezer Burrill, a biograph-
ical sketch of whom may be found commencing on page 492;
and his children were, Eliza, Persis, Henry F., Lydia A., Maria,
E., and George T.
Mr. Newhail died on the 2d of February, 1858, and was buried
from his residence on Market street, opposite Summer,
ISAAC NEWHALL. — 1782-IS58.
Mr. Newhail was born in Lynn on the 24th of August, 1782,
and was a direct descendant from Thomas Newhail, the first of
the name who settled in Lynn. He was for many years a mer-
chant, and at one time did an extensive business.
He was intelligent, and hia literary attainment was considera-
ble. In 1831 be published, in a well-printed duodecimo volume,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ISAIAH BREED, 541
a scries of letters addressed to Jobu Pickering, in which he
endeavored to satisfy the world tliat Earl Temple was the au-
thor of tlie Junius Letters, The work attracted considerable
attention, though it failed to satisfy mankind that the great tin-
known were really unmasked.
Mr. Newhall was twice married. His first wife was Sarah
Lewis, a cousin of the Lynn Bard, whom he married in 1809,
and by whom he had seven children — Sarah, Gfustavua, Marga-
ret, Horatio, Isaac, Martha A., and Louisa. He married hia
second wife in 1849, and by her had one daughter — Sarah M.
In his. youth, Gustavus manifested ambition for literary fame,
and wrote a good many pieces, in prose and poehy, which ap-
peared in the newspapers, and were well received. Mr. Lum-
mus, of the Mirror, thought well of them, and I remember
hearing Mr. Lewis speak of them as promising much; but the
promise was not fulfilled.
Mr. Newhall resided from town a good portion of his active
life, and was in business at Salem a number of years. But he
returned to Lynn and spent his latter days at the old homestead,
on the east side of Mall street, near the mill brook. There be
died, on the 6tb of July, 1858. As he was a brother of John
M. Newhall, his gene,alogy may be tracad by recurring to page
487 of this volume.
ISAIAH BREED. — 17Sfi-1859.
Mr. Breed descended from a respectable ancestry whose for-
tunes were identified with the weal or wo of Lynn, from an
early period. He was born on the 21st of October, 1786. At
an early age he commenced labor upon the shoemaker's seat,
whence he arose to become one of the most extensive and
6uccessfui shoe manufacturers of his time. He became wealthy,
and was liberal with hie means, in all enterprises calculated to
be of public beneBt; and hie private charities were large. He,
was in active business for nearly fifty years, was president of'
Mechanics Bank more than thirty years, and was a member of
the first board of Directors of the Eastern Rail-road.
Eor several terms Mr. Breed was a Representative in the
Legislature, and he was elected a Senator, in 1839; and though
T2
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542 HISTOBY OP LYHN.
he was not gifted as an orator, hia services aa a trustworthy
and indnstrioiis working member, were highly appreciated. In
person he was commanding and in manners dignified.
In his social relations — as a kind neighbor and fast friend —
he was worthy of imitation; and by his virtues he merited the
respect of all. For a nnmbor of years he was a professing
Christian of the Caivinistic school, and was most efficient in
establishing the Central Congregational Society of Lynn, toward
which he was ever generous with his means.
Mr. Breed was twice married. His first wife was Mary Blake,
and by her ho had five children — Bartlett B., Abba M., Mary
A., Isaiah C, and George 11. His second wife was Sally P.
Moore, and by her he had five children — Lucilla P., Hervey C,
Bowman B., Francis C, and James H.
For many years his place of residence was at the northeast
corner of Broad and Exchange streets, and there he died on
the 23d of May, 1859.
GEORGE HOOD. — 1806-1859.
Mr. Hood was horn in Lynn, on the 10th of November, 1806,
and aa soon as he had received the little school instruction
common with dependent youth at that period, was put to shoe-
making. He was of industrious habits and soon began to de-
velop business talents of a high order.
Just before arriving at the age of twenty -three — that is, in
1829 — in company with John C. Abbott, who was then but
nineteen years of age, he went forth into the wide world to
seek his^fortune. The united capital of these two enterprising
and adventurous young men amounted to fqur hundred dollars.
They directed their course to St. Louis, Missouri, then a very
inconsiderable place compared with what it was destined soon
to become through the energies of just such settlers as they.
In a few days after arriving there they were established in
business, and before a month had elapsed, Mr. Hood, with a
part of their stock, went down to Natchez, in Mississippi, and
commenced a branch establishment; and the Natchez trade
remained under his special charge till it was discontinued, in
1835, the principal business aD the time remaining at St. Louis.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SSETCHES. — GEOEGB HOOD. 543
During the last named year, Mr. Hood returned and took up
his abode at Lynn, commencing a commission shoe and leather
store at Boston, though he retained an interest in the St, Lonia
business till 1841. In the Boston business he continued till the
time of his decease. Mr. Abbott likewise proved himself a very
energetic and successful business man ; and he also, after a few
years returned to the east, and still resides in this vicinity. He
was the first president of our City Bank, and is at present pres-
ident of the Shoe and Leather Dealers' Insurance Company, of
Boston. Mr. Hood had great boldness in his business enter-
prises, almost, at times, approaching to rashness, yet his shrewd-
ness and tenacity seldom failed to carry him safely through.
He was high-minded and honorable in his transactions, and gen-
erous toward those less fortunate than himself
Not long after his return to the east, Mr. Hood became active
in the political field. He was a member of the Democratic party,
fought manfully for its interests, and was rewarded in various
ways. In one of the gubernatorial campaigns, he was the ac-
credited candidate of the party for Lieutenant Governor; and
he was at another time the regular party candidate for a seat in
the national Congress. In Lynn, he held the most responsible
offices, and in all of them performed his duties with credit to
himself and benefit to those who had entrusted him with the
management of their affairs. He had a strict eye to econ-
omy in public expenditure, and a generous sympathy for all
the dependent classes, especially the laboring and the poor, and
was one of the foremost in breaking up the old custom of indef-
initely protracted daily labor, and establishing the ten hour
system, as it was called, which is alluded to under date 1850.
He was several times chosen a Representative, was a Senator
in 184S, and a member of the Constitutional Convention, in 1853.
Mr, Hood was the first Mayor of Lynn, and held the office
two j'ears, administering affairs with economy, impartiality, and
fidelity. The labor was great, for the machinery was new ; but
he proved himself equal to the occasion. And there is abun-
dant evidence of the confidence of the people in his ability
and integrity, in the fact that he was elected Mayor, notwith-
standing he had all along been openly opposed to the adoption
of the city form of government. He was a man of more than
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544 HISTORY OP LYNN.
ordinary intelligence, and gifted ■with good practical common
sense views. His mind was penetrating, and in the conduct
of public affairs, particularly, he was accustomed to examine
thoronglily into matters.
But yet, after a more than ordinarily successful life, Mr.
Hood's sun went down in a cloud. He died at the Asylum for
the Insane, at Worcester, on the night of Monday, June 29,
1859; and his body was brought to Lynn, and buried from
his picturesque residence, at the foot of High Eock.
Mr. Hood's wife was Hermiono, a daughter of Aaron Breed.
They were married on the 11th of September, 1833, and she
survived him. They had thirteen children — Harriet M., George
A., Adelaide M., Edwin E., Edwin, Julius S., Henrietta A., Henry,
Caroline P., Aubrey, Ada H,, Edward K,, and Mary.
ALONZO LEWIS. — 179H861.
Mr. Lewis was born in Lynn, on the 28th of August, 1794, in
a house which still stands on the north side of Boston street, in
the vicinity of Water Hiil, and was the eon of Zachariah Lewis.
His lineage is given on page 181 of this History.
As soon as he had arrived at a suitable age, he was put to
the town school, and afterward became a pupil at Lynn Acad-
emy. He evinced a strong desire to obtain something mora
than an ordinary education, and applied himself with such vigor
and assiduity as gave sure presage of success. He never be-
came a college graduate, but as early as his eighteenth year was
qualified to teach a common school. At that ago he took a
school in Chester, N. H. There he remained but a short time,
and then taught in Lynnfleld. And it must have been about this
period that the affecting episode occurred, which, as some of
his friends have supposed, had a serious effect on all his after
life; and of which something will be said hereafter. In 1823,
he was preceptor of the Academy, though he remained in that
position but a short time. For twelve years he taught in the
public schools of his native place, and appears to have had an
ardent love for his vocation, deeply regretting the time when
circumstances rendered it necessary that he should abandon it.
With touching emphasis he says, "I commenced the profession
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BIOGRAPHICiL SKETCHES. — ALONZO LEWIS. 545
of actiool teacher from tho love of it, and devoted all my ener-
gies to its advaucemeat." One of his longest poems is entitled
" The Schoolmaster ; " and many passages might be collected
from it showing his full appreciation of the stern realities as
well as high erjoymenta attendant on the profession. He says :
I sing the Teacher's care, his daily pains,
The hope that lifts him and tlie lask that chains ;
His anxious toii to raise the gentle mind.
His skill to clear the path for youth designed,
His faithfiil watch o'er life's expanding ray,
To guide young Genius up Improvement's way.
And again :
The Teacher's lot is filled with pain and care
Which but devoted hearts are fit to hear.
His rank and wortli in fi-eedom's cause are great,
Siiipasssd by few that bleas the public state.
His is the task to fit the youthful mind
For aU the stations hy its God designed.
After Mr. Lewis had closed his labors as a teacher, he chiefly
followed the occupation of a surveyor and architect. From the
skill and rapidity with which he could handle bis instruments
and make his calculations, and the neataesa and accuracy of his
plans, he soon became so noted that his services were much in
requisition.
His judgment and good taste, also, particularly in the province
of architectural embellishment, were conspicuous. Many charm-
ing residences in their romantic nestling places among the hills
and along the shores of Lynn, bear evidence of his accomplish-
ments; for, having an eye for the beautiful in art and nature,
and a disciplined conception of harmony, he could not with
patience behold the loveliness of the landscape marred by un-
sightly structures, and hence was always ready to suggest and
advise, and even to furnish plans, in instances where he knew
the means of the recipients would not allow of their offering
adequate pecuniary compensation.
Mr. Lewis was three times married ; or rather twice, for his
second companion was an ostensible rather than real' wife, and
from her he was soon separated. His first wife was Frances
Maria Swan, of Metbuen, Mass., a woman of eminent virtues and
rare social attractions. By her he had six children — Alonzo,
T2» 35
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546 HISTORY OF LYNN.
Prances Maria, AureliuB, Llewellyn, Arthur, and Lynnworth —
and she died on the 27th of May, ,1839. His other wife, whom
he married on the 27th of August, 1855, was Amiie Ilsley Han-
Bon, of Portland, Me. ; and by her he had two children — Ina
and Ion — the former of whom died a few months before her
father, and the latter, with its widowed mother still survives.
She proved to him a faithful and affectionate companion, no
diiference of taste and association, arising from their disparity
of age — he having been her senior by some thirty-six years —
intervening to disturb their domestic tranquillity. The inter-
mediate companion alluded to, went through the ceremony
which he fondly believed was a valid marriage, in 1852, and
which was thus announced in the newspapers: "Married, in
Providence, R. I., by Rev. Henry Waterman, rector of St. Ste-
phen's Church, Alonzo Lewis, the historian and poet of Lynn,
Mass., to Miss Mary Gibson, of Boston, daughter of Rev. Willard
Gibson, sometime of Windsor and Woodstock, Tt. We are in-
formed that this is a veritable love-match in both parties; they
were engaged at the first meeting, and the day of their nuptials
was fixed at the second. The fair bride is the daughter of an
Episcopal clergyman, and is an orphan, having lost both pa-
rents— only seventeen, beautiful, talented, and accomplished.
The age of Mr. Lewis is 56." It will be noticed that in this
case also there was a great difference of age — thirty-nine
years; and the supposed bride seems not to have outgrown
some of her girlish fancies. It soon, however, to his astonish-
ment and her confusion, appeared that she had a former hus-
band stiJ! living — a young man who, from some cause had
withdrawn from her side. If she were not derelict in principle,
she must have been extremely thoughtless to suppose that her
mere separation from the first husband would have warranted
her in so hastily and unceremoniously taking a second. It
might, however, have been that she supposed he was not living,
as there appeared to have been reports of his death. In dispo-
sition she was lively, with a dash of the romantic, and had ac-
quired some reputation as a writer in the department of light
literature.
Mr. Lewis gained high commendation by his History of Lynn.
And be was a poet aa well as historian, for he produced many
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ALONZO LEWIS. 547
verses which, under critical analysis, were conceded to fully
entitle him to the exalted name. But he was not a voluminous
writer. Tho history embraced but about two hundred and
fifty octavo pages; yet it was so condensed as to contain
much more than its proportions would to appearance allow;
and unlike most works of the kind — indeed unlike most works
of any kind — seemed in the mind of the reader as he proceeded
to expand and shed more and more light. It has been said
that historical works are always interesting. But there is an
almost immeasurable difference in the degrees of interest. Mi-
nute details often weary; and yet they often possess an un-
speakable charm. Their success depends upon the judgment
with which they are chosen and the skill with which they are
introduced. Who has not perused, again and again, the fasci-
nating fiction of Robinson Crusoe 1 And who does not perceive
that without its minute details its enchantment would not exist?
By an unskillful hand, the story might have been told in a man-
ner that would have caused its rejection by the editor of a
village newspaper. Mr. Lewis's details are never wearying.
And he had the happy faculty of introducing reflections and
illustrations that opened extensive fields of useful thought;
a faculty which is of inestimable value in any writer. And his
poems, though collectively insufficient, by force of mere bulk,
to compel men to admit his claim to be a poet, were yet so pure
in morality, so refined in fancy, so apt in diction, that -the intel-
ligent and virtuous found in them much to delight and improve.
Of course those sensation stanzas and crude effusions which he
occasionally threw off for temporary purposes, and to which
he had the unaoconntable propensity to frequently attach hia
name, to the damage of his reputation, are not here taken into
account, for they may be said not to have been produced by
Mr. Lewis the poet, but by the every-day Mr. Lewis, who had
a sudden impulse, with no time to think or elaborate.
Perhaps he indulged too much in contemplation to be prolifle
as a writer. The most contemplative are rarely industrious
with the pen. Unless the words flow with almost miraculous
freedom the task of writing wearies, and tho mind soars from it
as drudgery. Ambition to become famous is perhaps the strong-
est incentive to what may be called the mechanical exertions of
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548 HISTORY OF LYNK.
the literary devotee. And that Mr. Lewis possessed enough
of this kind of ambition no one who was often in contact with
him conld for a moment donht. But yet it was not sufBcient
to overcome the sterner drawbacks to hia pen. Say what we
may, the man of genius who is dependent on his daily toil for
subsistence, often finds a heavy weight upon his fancy's wing;
though lie who is blest with independence may as often permit
iancy to fold her wings in inglorious ease. It may, however,
have been that he thought the Httle he did was enough to estab-
lish his fame. And so it was, in a circumscribed and local sense.
His memory will be cherished by the people of his native place
in distant years. But what multitudes there are born in every
community who have within them, qualities that might make
them shiue, as poets, indeed, but yet whose lamps are never
lighted. As fervid fires have glowed in the heart of some plod-
ding teamster, perhaps, as be traversed the glistening Beach
which our friend so much loved to tread, as ever inspired a
Byron. But the unlettered toiler never dreamed of perpetu-
ating his ardent conceptions in a way that would enable others
to rejoice in their light; never dreamed of applying his sturdy
hand to the art of composition, an art which in truth requires
the curbing of much of the airy freedom of thought, and which
would bind by exacting rules.
On his History and Poems the fame of Mr. Lewis, as a writer,
rests, though he wrote a good deal besides; chiefly, however,
on subjects that required little thought or investigation. Pieces
of his appeared in the newspapers scattered over a period of
more than thirty years; but they were so exclusively directed
to some special object of local interest or usefulness that they
met with no general observation. And here again the bad habit
of signing his name to effusions prepared hastily and perhaps
under excitement, would often assert itself to his prejudice, re-
ducing the value of a good name. It must be one of extraordi-
nary power and readiness who can add to his reputation in any
such loose way.
Mr. Lewis's celebrity as a writer, however unwilling we may
be to concede it, remained rather local than general, notwith-
standing his superior endowments. But this ia perhaps attrib-
iitahlfi to circumstances bevond his control; for we know the
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aspirations of genius are often governed by the stern demands
of daily life. And one may occasionally detect, even in his better
poems, passages that seem to have escaped without due atten-
tion, inducing the impression that the labor had become wear
rying, and relief been sought, by the pleasant path of mere
description, from the severer realms of thought. Nude descrip-
tioiij however, while it may interest friends and neighbors, and
those to whom the scenes described are furailiar and dear, can
never attain the highest and most enduring fame. Gray's Elegy
could not have interested Daniel Webster, in his dying hour, as
it is said to have done, simply as a description of scenes at Stoke-
Pogis. In the great thoughts, so serenely, so simply, so truth-
fully expressed, lay the real power that charmed and soothed
the noble spirit from whose sight all the beautiful things of earth
were so rapidly fading. Tet the untaught villager, who homo-
ward plods his weary way athwart the glimmering landscape in
that now hallowed vicinage, looking not beyond the mere de-
scription, feels his heart stirred at the bare mention of things
dear to him as incidents of his home. But when the poet takes
his more extended course, ascending above mere description
into regions glowing with thought, where mankind meet be-
yond all local limits, he at once attracts the attention of those
whose minds have been trained for the higher purposes of
human life. Mr, Lewis was capable of ascending to that lofty
region, and had he more often directed his flight thither would
have secured a wider reputation. .There are one or two desira-
ble qualities, however, with which Mr. Lewis was not largely
endowed. He had but little wit or humor — qualities so essen-
tial to adorn and attract, and which caii only be compensated
for by the most eminent of the more dignified attributes. He
had pathos but it was liable to manifest itself in such a form
as to be mistaken for morbid sensibility.
After what has been said, it is proper to introduce a few
selections from his poems, making choice of such asj on consid-
erable reflection, are thought to convey the most clear idea of
his general inclination of thought, his style, and execution;
having an eye, likewise, to the illustration of his varying
moods. Other pieces, however, which appear in different parts
of this volume — " The Frosted Trees," for instance, introduced
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under date 1829, will not be overlooked. The first five of the
extracts that follow, are from longer pieces, the title-lines being
BuppUed.
lotee's leap.
Delightful Rock ! that towering fair and high,
Lilie fancy's vision rises on the view!
How oft at eve, when gentle breezes sigh,
And the sun sets from skies of cloudless blue,
The youthful lover turns his steps to you.
As anciently to famed Leucadia's shore!
While sweetest charms his joyful thoughts imbue,
As Bummer tints spread out their smiling store.
And wnds through waving ti-ees resound lilie ocean's roar.
It is indeed a sweet romantic scene.
As ever poet viewed at close of day !
The spreading forest, clad in richest green.
The joyful birds that tune their evening lay,
And sing their sonnets on the slender spray,
The lofty cliff, most beautiful to see,
Eising above the plain in bold array.
The cheerful squirrel, chattering on the tree.
That eats his food in peace, and chirps right men'ily!
These, and a thousaiyd beauties more, display
Theiv varied charms to greet the raptured sight ;
While far along the streamlet winds its way
Through fertile fields, tbat glisten with delight.
And clover plats, with flowers enamelled bright,
That not a bee or butterfly wil! shun ;
And in our view throngs many a mansion white.
And ploughman, journeying home, when day in done.
And the bright windows blaze beneath the setting sun.
RELIGION — A COMPARISON.
High in the north, behold the Pole Star rise,
Shining, like Virtue, through the darkened skieaj
While round its orb tlie fiiithful Pointers veer,
And aid the seaman his lone bark to steer.
So o'er the waves of this inconstant life,
Above the storms of wo, and passion's strife,
Beligion's star with ceaseless lustre glows.
To lead the pilgrim to his last repose !
While, by lire tossing deep, with friendly hand,
The 6ithful ministers of Jesus stand.
Pointing aloft to that celestial ray.
Which shines to hght the darkness of our way!
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biogeapuical sketches. — alonzo lewis,
man's changes.
Man only changes. Man, the foe of man,
Mai'a the bright work eternal Love began.
Malignant passions in bis bosom burn,
And heaven's pure dews to noxious vapors turn.
Aa desert fountains send their waters clear,
To the bright flowers that on their banks appear,
But through foul regions as they onward glide,
Collect dai'k stains, and roll a tui'hid tide;
So gush pure thoughts in youth's exiatic glow,
WhirJi sink in age to scenes of crime and wo.
man's life.
Our youth is fleeting as the fleecy cloud
That sails across the summer moon ! and oh !
How beautiful its prospects are! — how proud
The young heart beats! — how warm tbe currents flow,
Ere the strong vems have felt the power of wo !
But soon dark clouds our smiling skies deform,
And we are sad. Such is man's life below!
A few dark days, a few loBg nights of storm,
A few bright summer euns, all beautiful and warm,
SUMMER BECHEATION,
In the sweet grove's romantic shade,
For deaj'est joys of nature made.
With a clear streamlet running by.
Whose mellowness relieves the eye,
While from it pour upon the ear
Such notes as poets love to hear.
And all around, and overhead,
Green leaves their soft refreshment shed,
How sweet to sit, in summer day,
Far from tbe sunbeam's scorching ray,
While not a fear can intervene
To blight tlie beauty of the scene ;
And there, beside the whispering brook.
To pause o'er some delightful book.
ON THE SEA SHORE.
Along thy sandy margin, level Sea !
I wander with a feeling moi'e sublime
Than ever yet hath blest my heart, since Time
Unfolded Nature's glorious pageantry!
4nd in deep silence while I gaze on thee,
Thou living picture of a mighty mind!
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The joys of hope and memory combined
Send their Boft raptures thi-oi^h my thrilling heart
The kindred scene recalls the memory
Of friends with whom it was a pain to part.
Of dear and early hours — then, with a start,
As the wave ripples on the moonlit shore,
I think of that high world, where Pain shall dart
Her arrows through my heart and veins no more !
STOEM AT KAHANT.
Call up the Spirit of the ocean wave.
And bid him rouse the storm! The billows roar
And dash their angry surges on the shove!
Around the craggy cliSs the waters rave,
And foam and welter on the trorabiing beach!
The. plo Vera- cry, and tlie hoai'se curlews screech,
As, borne along by the relentless stomi,
With turned-up wings they sti-ive against the wind
The storm-tost ship can no sure haven find,
But black-browed Death, in his most horrid form,
Strides o'er the wave and bars her destined way.
The wild winds in her shrouda their revels keep 1
And while the sailors seek the sheltering bay,
Their last cry mingles with the roaring deep.
THE EVBNIBG BELL,
How sweet and solemn is the sound.
From yonder lonely tower,
That sends its deep-toned music round
At twilight's holy hour!
When eveiy sound of day is mute,
And all its voices still.
And silence walks with velvet foot,
O'er valley, town, and liilK
When every passion is at rest.
And eveiy tumult fled.
And through the warm and tranquil breast
The charm of peace is spread.
O, then how sweet the solemn bell.
That tolls to evening prayer!
While each vibration seems to tell
That thou, 0 God, art there !
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BIOGKAPHICAI. SKETCHES. — ALONZO LEWIS.
SONG.
O Love ! ihou art a joyous Thing,
In this cold world of oiUB !
And yel Low oft thy wayward wing
Leaves thorns instead of flowers!
Thy rosypath ia glowing hright,
With gems of heaven bestrewn;
Yet thou canst mingle in thy might,
The dreaded tJiiiader stone.
Earth were indeed a cheerless place,
Without thy soul-like smile ;
And thou hast that in thy hright iace
Which can aJI ills heguile.
The cold in heart may blame thy truth,
The void of soul may fivjwn —
The proud may seek to fetter youth.
And crush its feelings down —
Yet still thou art the s'
Of all the chevuh ti-ain.
Whose task is given beneath the sun
To soothe the heart of pain.
The foregoing specimens afford sttfficient means whereby tlie
reader may judge of tbe poetic talents of Mr, Lerfis. When ha
set himself seriously at work he produced verses compact and
polished. He was then rigidly artistic, fervor nor passion get-
ting the better of settled rule. And bis best poems bear the
strongest evidence of the most elaborate preparation, affording
further evidence that labor and patience bestowed on compoai-
tiou are not wasted. In no case, exceptiog where extraordinary
genius leads the way, is it safe to trust to mere emotionary
flights, I think Dr. Channing somewhere advises young min-
isters or writers to think deeply and then write rapidly. That
he himself thought deeply is evinced by tbe light that glows on
every page; and be no doubt wrote vapidly; but as to wdiat
followed, let the printers of his generation come up as witnesses.
His manuscript was interlined and re-interlined in such an extra-
ordinary manner that it was almost beyond the power oT iiaa
to decipher. And after it was in print, he made appalling havoc
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554 HISTOEY OF LYNH.
on the proof sheets. There were occasions when the proofs
came from the Doctor's hand so much diafignred hy alterations
that the distressed printer found it most economical at once to
distribute the types and re-set them. And when he examined
even a second or third proof, numerous changes continued to
be made in words and the collocation of sentences. But it was,
without doubt, to this excessive polishing that his fame for
elegance of composition was in a great degree attributable.
His ideas were probably as fully expressed in the first instance ;
but much of the magic effect flowed from the after marshalling
of the expressions. Prescott, if I mistake not, somewhere says
that in the final labor upon his works, he examined them sen-
tence hy sentence, to see if any improvement could be made.
A beautiful lady is a sweet object in almost any garb ; but when
she appears handsomely and becbmingly clad, is most admired.
And so of other things.
There is seldom any thing startling or vivid found in the
poems of Mr. Lewis. But his descriptions are animated, his
expressions melodious, his rhymes good. There is a delightful
freshness about many of his illustrations ; an enduring value in
his inculcations of purity and benevolence; a touching languor
in his pensiveness ; a charming earnestness in his faith. It has
sometimes occurred fo me that the severe criticism which ap-
peared in the Cambridge Review, in 1831, had a serious effect
on him, and was the occasion of his being virtually driven from
a field he was so well fitted to adorn. No doubt that unfortu-
nate paper was conceived rather in a spirit of heedless sport
than malevolence. And had the writer seen the effect of his
indiscretion that I saw, he certainly would have deeply re-
gretted that he had not chosen some less sensitive subject to
exercise his youthful satire upon. But had Mr. Lewis possessed
the spirit and resolution of a Byron, he iijight have put his
assailant to open shame, and turned the occurrence to the ben-
efit of both.
Of Mr. Lewis's prose writings nothing need be said in this
connection. His entire history is embodied in the pages of this
volume ; and his matter is so designated that it can be readily
distinguished.
He was for some time a newspaper editor ; but in that
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capacity was not particularly successful, tbougli he really made
a useful and interesting sheet. Toward opponents he was
inclined to manifest acerbity, and was, withal, a little egotis-
tical. A certain amount of egotism really seems to set becom-
ingly on some people, and is useful to them, if accompanied
by good nature and employed with discretion; hut as ex-
ercised by Mr. Lewis it can hardly be said to have much
improved him.
In his earlier manhood he made some attempts at fictitious
prose writing. But it was quite apparent that without severe
discipline he could not succeed as a novelist. Much of the
charm of that' species of literature consists in well-sustained
dialogue ; and he did not seem able to divest himself of his own
individuality to an extent sufficient to make his colioquists
appear natural.
He exhibited his poetical inclination in various ways besides
the production of verses. For every locality that charmed,
either from inherent beauty or historic association, he had an
expressive name ; for the solitary gleu of the forest and wild
battlement of the shore he supplied a stirring legend ; and many
of the creations of his wealthy imagination will endure as long
as the objects they adorn exist.
In the material affairs of life Mr. Lewis was accustomed to take
an eminently practical view. He had an earnest desire to pro-
mote the permanent prosperity of his native place ; and many
suggestions of his regarding the dry ramiiications of trade were
not unprofitably heeded. His public spirit was for many yeara
conspicuous. As early as 1824 he began to labor for the pro-
tection of the Beach, which he saw was in danger of being
ultimately destroyed by the ravages of the tide. He pertina-
ciously pressed for the erection of a substantial granite wall,
Buoh as would at once prove a safeguard from the assaults of
the ocean, and a fitting embellishment of art to one of the most
beautiful objects of nature ; and at one time he was much elated
in the hope that government would undertake the work. But
he was destined never to be gratified- by the sight of a more
substantial and comely erection than a line of red cedars with
marine debris interwoven and flanked by an embankment of
loose stones and sand. The construction of the road to Nahant
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556 HISTOET OP LYNN.
along the harbor side of the Beach was an enterprise carried
forward very much through his instrumentality; and it was a
measure of great puhUc utility, as any one who has ever heen
compelled by the tide to pursue his weary way upon the ridge,
can testify. The light-house on Egg Rock was also established
more through his exertions than those of any other. It is ques-
tionable, however, whether in this matter, he did not allow his
fancy to get the better of his judgment, as many have always
thought that a light on the point of Nahant would answer quite
as good a purpose, and be much more convenient. Yet it may
not be true that the convenient is always to be esteemed above
the ornamental and picturesque. The real question, without
doubt, should be, which will in the largest degree conduce to
improvement and enjoyment. The City Seal was drawn by him,
and its emblematical representations alford evidence of his prac-
tical turn and poetic conception; though the engraver should
have suggested that something a little more simple and clearly
deiined would have looked better.
It can not be said that the life of Mr. Lewis was an event-
ful one. No more striking incidents attended his career than
fall to the common lot, with perhaps one or two exceptions.
He spent almost the whole of his days in his native place, only
once or twice, and then for brief periods, making his home
elsewhere.
His worldly condition can hardly be said ever to have greatly
flourished. Ilis mind was one that could not be seduced to the
pursuit of wealth, as a leading object. While a teacher, his in-
come was sufScient to supply all common wants, but insufScient
to enable him to lay any thing by for future necessities. And as
in that capacity the vigor of his life was spent, when he was
compelled to resort to other pursuits, his gains were often pre-
carious. There were occasions, indeed, when by his own decla-
rations, he was not exempt from absolute want. In November,
1860, only two months before his death, he writes, " my daily
support is a daily miracle," But it is not to be believed that
he maBy times found himself in any thing like an extremity of
want, surrounded as he was by those who would have deemed
it a privilege to minister to his necessities, but who, from feel-
ings of delicacy, might not, under mere suspicion, make proffers
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ALONZO LEWIS. 557
that they feared he would, in a moody moment, repulse as ob-
trusions.
The mind of Mr. Lewis was of a peculiarly sensitive texture,
and constantly disturbed hy what to most persons would seem
hut trivial occurrences. He was likewise keenly alive to the
opinions of others; and his thirst for praise almost assumed the
form of an absolute disease ; yet his mind was of too high an
order to hs satisfied with the cheap compliments that were
bestowed upon him. And in his case was furnished a notable
instance of a longing for that which, when attained, had no
power to satisfy. Some minds are of such noble quality that
they receive the praise of the mean, vulgar, and wicked, as an
indignity. But.it is quite as much as can be expected of most
people, that they look with indifference on the censure or praise
of the wrong minded. And if Mr. Lewis had disciplined him-
self to this he would have passed a great many more happy
hours. Constituted as he was, it will he perceived that he could
not always he at peace with those around him, for few are
accustomed to overlook demands engendered hy such a temper,
demands which might not uufrequently be put forth with aspe-
rity and petulance. But beneath hia sometimes unpromising
surface there always dwelt that which was really noble and
congenial j and many a cultivated mind has passed with him
intervals of sweet a^d profitable communion.
It is not worth while to deny that every one loves to see his
name in honorable, connection, in print. And in a local history,
almost every person who has in any way made himself conspic-
uous, expects that his name will appear. I have heard Mr.
Lewis censured for not noticing this or that individual, as if
his silence arose from 'prejudice. But the complaints were as
likely, perhaps, to have had their origin in wounded pride aa in
an honest desire that the most healthful examples should be
presented. Reflection will convince every reasonable persofi
that many are conspicuous in ways that it would do no good to
celebrate, and that multitudes who are known only in the most
circumscribed sphere are more deserving of having their names
perpetuated. The historian must himself act as judge in all
such matters, and is presumed to have a conscientious appreci-
ation of his responsibilities. And he far better shows his integ-
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558 HISTORY OP LYSK.
rity by silence than by elevating tbe unwortli_v, wlio, from
Bome meretricious surroundinga have become objects of momen-
tary observation. That Mr. Lewis had strong antipathies and
prejudices, his most ardent friends would not deny. Biit that
he was unable to exercise sufficient control over them to pre-
vent their having an influence in the preparation of his History,
we will not admit.
He had a kind heart, and few were more ready to aid others,
though hia interest might be compromised by his benevolence.
He never turned his back upon such aa came recommended by
misfortune. And numberless good offices did he perform with-
out the hope of reward and' without receiving even the cheap
return of gratitude. Still more; many and many a time was he
subjected to the severe trial of suffering the taunts of, those in
prosperity whom he had befriended in adversity ; a trial so
much beyond the common limit of human endurance that the
mind which can escape unembittered must be more than ordi-
nary. And when, under such trials, he was led to complain,
his complaints should not so often have been regarded as the
mere ebullitions of a diseased sensibility. In the piece just
quoted from he says, " "Within a short time I have been taunted
in the street for my poverty."
That large class of unenlightened men who are ruled by the
love of money are accustomed to view the poor, however meri-
torious or exalted by genius, with disdain. But the men of
genius, even while they can really feel nothing but contempt
toward their arrogant brethren, generally have sufficient saga-
city to avoid offending them, as from them they may, by that
flattery which always reaches the vulgar mind, derive benefits —
the flattery which supposes intellectual superiority. But Mr.
Lewis's mind was not one that could easily yield to the airs of
tbe supercilious, and hence he often subjected himself to indig-
nities where the cringing would have received favors. He says,
" If I, like others, had devoted my life solely to my own interest,
I might now be reveling in wealth ; but your hundred thousand
dollar men, who never knew what it was to want a meal of
victuals, can have no idea of him who has to support a family
without means." This is a mournful truth; but Mr. Lewis was
not the man to make it known in a way to ensure relief. In his
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ALOHZO LEWI9. 559
complaints, which he occasionally put forth in the public prints,
he was rather inchned to take a step beyond the sublime in
pathos, and his emotional extravagances excited feelings very
different from pity. Witness the following : " I have spent
more than forty years in endeavoring to convince the world
that love is the essence of true religion, and do person ever
lived in Lynn who has been so much abused, lampooned and
traduced as I." He probably wrote this in a moment of excite-
ment occasioned by the taunt of some vulgar assailant, who by
moat men of his understanding would have been passed by un-
noticed; and he should not have hastened to a printing office
and sent it forth under his own hand; for the truth is that it
would be difficult to point to another individual in the whole
history of Lynn, who presented himself as such a shining mark,
and escaped with so little lampooning.
Mr. Lewis was eminently what is called a self-made man ; and
to his industrj' and perseverence as much as to his natural gifts
was his success in the way of fame to be attributed. But it
may be assuming something to say that industry and perseve-
rence are "hot as much natural gifts as any others, though usu-
ally they are spoken of rather as habits. Indeed is it not true
that the great majority of those who are conspicuous, not to
say illustrious, in tho world, have no intellectual superiority
over the mass of those by whom they are surrounded, but are
raised by vigorous and continued effort in the pursuit of a defi-
nite object? But not many possess that earnest persistency
without which very few indeed can ascend the heights of renown.
And how many, be it repeated, feel, all their lives that thoy
have that within, which, if developed, would exalt, but who yet
dream their lives away, finding at the close that they have but
floated along, with the common tide, day by day gilding their
dreams with the expectation that the time was approaching
when they were to arouse and valiantly pursue the upward
career. It seem as if there were a destiny shafiing our ends.
A great poet has said that Providence prepared a niche for
every man. But if that be the case, one is almost constrained
to believe that it was left for each to find his own, and that
most niches had, through hUndness or perversity, become filled
by wrong occupants. Somehow early habits, social attractions,
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560 HISTORY OF LTSN.
or drear miafortune Beem to bave intervened to prevent what
might have been, and we behold the wit of a Voltaire spent in
raising a laugh among sooty-faced workmen ; the reflection of a
Newton in calculating the moves on a greasy checker-board ;
the skill of a Linneeua in arranging posies for a country lass.
These are incidents which appear among the mysteries of human
life; and there are others. Do we not every day behold in
high places of honor and trust multitudes who would better
become the miller's frock or fisherman'a fear-naught; in the
pulpit and at the bar numbers who should never have looked
beyond the lumber woods or arable fields for their spheres of
usefulness ?
Under the baleful influence of an inordinate love of money,
many denounce the person who is not constantly toiling in some
pursuit the end of which is mere pecuniary gain, as indolent, or
in some way deluded. And if they are able to perceive and
appreciate any thing of intellectual superiority or moral exaltar-
tion, they avoid an open and honest recognition of it, affecting
to despise what they cannot attain. And the world's censures
drive many timid souls from the higher path of duty and enjoy-
ment. It must have been delightful to the mind of Mr. Lewis,
as it ia to every enlightened mind, to divest itself of the clog-
ging interests of the present and flee to the communion of the
noble and virtuous of the past. Most men live only in the
present, having no apprehension of their power to enjoy ex-
tended lives, lives reaching back to times over which multiplied
years have thrown a lustrous veil. But the intelligent lover
of history has this illimitable field of enjoyment open before
him; here be holds communion with the better representatives
of our race, undisturbed by the agitations of active life around
him; here he comes, a quiet spectator of the great drama
which has been performing ever since the world began. While
the selfish and sordid see no benefit or enjoyment in thus re-
verting to the past, the philosopher and philanthropist deem it
among the most useful and elevating occupations of mankind.
It has been said that were it not for the historian or the bard,
the greatest name would aoon pass into oblivion. And without
the historian or the bard the most brilliant era would soon
become obscured. To them is the world indebted for the safe
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ALONZO LEWIS. 561
transmission of all that ia worthy of being handed along from
age to age, for the preservation of nohle names and useful
knowledge. And do not these reflections suggest that our littlo
community owes a debt of gratitude to the Historian and Bard
who labored to maintain a record of her worthies and to per-
petuate a memory of her pleasant scenes?
That Mr. Lewis himself had a more than ordinary craving for
posthumous fame is not to be denied. And with such a longing
it ia- not remarkable that he should have been willing to labor
without the hope of any such reward as with most people
would be the incentive to diligence. "While in a strictly moral
sense such a craving may not be applauded, it yet may make
the possessor an instrument of much good. And in the case
of our friend, the beneficial results were very great. A mind
constituted like bis derives much pleasure from tho pursuit of
its darling object. And be no doubt received the most satisfac-
tory compensation for his toil in the conviction that his fame
would survive and his name be lauded through generation after
generation. And his name and his fame will survive — survive
and be green in the memory of men long after the great mul-
titude of those of our community who proudly conceived them-
selves essential to the welfare of the world, are forgotten;
though a better fate will attend the names of those few whose
meritorious acts gave them a place in his History.
Multitudes begin a good course with energy, pursue it to a
certain point, and then relax their efforts, having gained, as
they would have it, the point for which they strove. And
these, having set their standard too 3ow, quit the world without
having accomplished half that was in their power. And it is
doubtful whether Mr. Lewis should not be ranked among these.
He certainly did not do all he was capable of doing. After the
production of his larger volume of Poems, and his History, he
seemed to feel as if his work were chiefly done. His mind, though
it returned often and lingered fondly about the pleasant paths
of literature, appeared soon to weary and turn to other pur-
suits. But circumstances that he could not govern may have
enforced this seeming indifference, for he says, referring to a
proposed new edition of his History, "Li the morning I set
about the History of Lynn, but my wife comes in and inquires,
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562 HiaTOKY OP LYNN.
' What are we going to have for diuner ? '" — an inquiry which
certainly might, nnder the embarraesmenta of real penury, be
expected to have s. depressing effect. As a general thing,
Email pecuniary returna attend literary labor. And praise is
better calculated to satisfy an empty head than an empty stom-
ach. The two editions of his History, Mr. Lewis asserted, in a
newspaper article, in 1860, were published at a loss. In a Lynn
paper of the 22d of June, 1844, which was a few weeks before
the issuing of the second edition, the editor remarks "We are
informed by Jfr. Lewis that he began at the pond on the Com-
mon and went to Emes's factory, in Sangus, and obtained only
fifteen subscribers." And it is not at all probable that he was
more successful with his Poems than with his History, for the
market value of prose is generally above that of poetry.
Such were the contrarieties of temper possessed by Mr. Lewis,
that he was like no other man ; and it was common for even his
intimate friends to remark that they did " not know how to
take him." It would be difScult to analyze his character, and
unfair to examine it by any but the most flexible rules.
In early life be had turns of dejection. And after he had
arrived at manhood, similar turns, in two instances, matured
into insanity, and it was found necessary to place him in an
asylum. But in bis later years, the turns were rather of irrita-
bility than dejection.
And this seems a proper place to state that some of the
friends of Mr. Lewis baVe thought that his whole after character
was affected by an affair of the heart which transpired in youth.
He had become ardently attached to a young lady who could
not reciprocate his tender impressions.' And when he becam©
convinced that it would be fruitless to prosecute his suit, a
period of deep depression supervened, weighing down his
spirits for months. The details of such affairs are not often
made public ; and as the pain is endured in sacred privacy few
can readily perceive, in a given case, the sufficiency of the cause
for the effect. The world is altogether too apt to scoff at such
occurrences, and by unfeeling taunts increase the anguish of
the wounded heart; they pity one who has lost a few dollars,
but for the yearning heart that cannot attain its dearest object
have nothing better than a sneer. There was certainly some-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — ALOKZO LEWIS. 563
thing in the character of Mr. Lewis that bore Jikenesa to one
thus affected. He had times of sadness when outward affairs
seemed brightest, and times of irritahihty, apparently arising
from a disturbance of the contemplation of softened memories.
In religion, Mr, Lewis was somewhat vacilliiting, at least so
far as the outward manifestation was concerned, he having at
different times joined various professing bodies — the Calvinistic
Congregationalists, Methodists, and Quakers, for instance. But
he never swerved from a cordial acceptance of the christian
faith, and for the best part of his life was a member of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church, doing much to sustain the early foot-
holds of Episcopal worship in Lynn. I should judge from his
occasional remarks, that among his accepted doctrines was that
of predestination, in an enlarged sense, though it did not appear
day by day to yield in him its ripest fruits, for it seems to be a
doctrine, which, whether true or false, if fully and cordially em-
braced, must impart a very great degree of rest and comfort to
the mind. So long as a man imagines himself capable of shaping
his own destiny, he will remain restless and unsatisfied. But
if he sincerely believes himself the chosen instrument to work
out the will of a beneficent Superior, and has disciplined him-
self to the docile performance of his behests he will feel an in-
describable freedom from disturbing cares and distrusts. If his
condition is humble he is contented, because he ie there, a
necessary link in the great chain that binds time to eternity,
dim for a while, but perhaps in the course of events to become
aa bright as any. If he is in affluence he feela no pride, because
no merit of his own placed him there; and though the same
Providence that assigned to him his present position may here-
after have a very different one for him to occupy, he feels pre-
pared courageously to meet what he cannot escape. The hearty
predestinarian is unassuming in prosperity, patient in adver-
sity, unmoved amid the greatest calamities, heroic on the
redest battle field. What did the doctrine do for the early
New England settlers — what for the champions of the English
Commonwealth? But there is such a propensity to throw the
shadows of a grim and exacting theology over it, when all
should be trustful, bright, and hopeful, that it becomes cheer-
less and repulsive to many a warm heart. To such a mind as
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564 HISTORY OF LTNN.
that of Mr. Lewis, it seems as if, in its full acceptance and
effect, it must have been an inexhaustible source of comfort.
There was nothing particularly striking in the personal ap-
pearance of Mr. Lewis; yet he would generally have been
noticed as one of marked character. He waa of medium height,
good form, and erect carriage. His head was large, his fore-
hoad.higii, his eye bright. He had a pleasant smile, hut seldom
indulged in a hearty laugh. During, most of his manhood, he
closely shaved his beard; but for his last few years that digni-
fied appendage was allowed to take its natural course, with
now and then a slight trimming. Up to middle life he was
rather more than ordinarily careful in the matter of dresa,
though never foppish. But in his latter days he hardly paid
that attention to exterior appearance becoming one in his posi-
tion. He never, however, appeared in a garb that the fastidious
need call- unseemly. Black, the more genteel color of the day,
he seldom chose, preferring gray or some other modest mixture.
A cloth cap or low-crowned hat usually adorned his head.
He was thoughtful, hut not abstracted; and whether in com-
pany^or in the street, nothing worthy of remark was liable to
escape his notice. He was fond of attending scientific, philan-
thropic, and other lectures, and often, when a fit occasion
presented, took the opportunity to express his approval or
disapproval of what waa uttered. And he was not opposed to
any rational amusement.
His constitution was naturally good, and capable of great
endurance, as the severe testa to which he was subjected in his
surveying excursions, during the inclement seasons, abundantly
proved. About two years before his decease, he greatly failed
in health, though he kept about, and to a considerable extent
attended to his ordinarj' duties. His supposition was that he
had been poisoned, while surveying in the woods. His final
disease, however, was softening of the hrain. It is not likely
that he Buffered much pain, and his last hours were passed in
an unconscious state.
In his picturesque little cot by the sea side he breathed his
last, on Monday the 21st of January, 1861 — the little cot, reared
partly by his own hands, which had been his home for many
years; where he loved to study and to muse; to watch the
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BIOGRAPniCAL aKETCHE9. — ALONZO LEWIS.
565
serene Itglit that proclaimed the peace of nature, or the weird
mist that heralded the roaring storm; where the spent waves,
whispering heneath his window, calmed his spirit for nightly
repose, and the solemn pulsations of the mighty deep swelled
in majestic harmony with tbe lone throbs of his poetic soul;
where the wail of his ocean dirge may still be heard; and where
he penned these entreating though unheeded linos.
O, bury me not in the dark old woods,
WLere the sunbeams never shine;
Where mingles the mist of the mountain flooda
With the dew of the dismal pine!
But bury me deep by the bright blue sea,
I have loved in life so well ;
Wliero tlie winds may r.ome to my spirit free,
And the sound of the ocean shell,
O, buiy me not in the churchyard old,
III the slime of the doleful tomb !
Wbere my bones may be thrust, ere their life is cold.
To the damp of a drearier gloom!
But buiy me deep by the bright blue sea,
Wbere the friends whom I loved have been ■
Where the sua may si ne o ti o g ass tu f f ee
And the raLos keep t ever groe
:N^'',
E ^SIDBKCe OF ALONZO IiEITIS )
Mr. Lewis was huried from the Central Congregational meet-
ing-honse, in Silsbe street, on Wednesday, the 23d of January.
The day was cloudy, damp and chill, and there was a singu-
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566 HISTOET OF LTNN.
larly small attendance. The house was cold, tlie services were
brief, and attended by no special solemnity. Some passages of
Scripture were read, the choir sang a few appropriate strains, and
an estemporaneons prayer was offered. But no eulogy or dis-
course of any kind was uttered. The remains were exposed to
view, for a short time, in the porch, and thence conveyed to
their last resting place, in the Old Burying Ground near the west
end of the Common, where his father and mother lay.
And so passed from earth Aloszo Lewis, the historian and
bard' of Lynn — a man who labored much for the good of others,
and especially rejoiced in the prosperity of his native place —
who in life was often called to drink of a bitter cup, but who,
God grant, may have an overflowing cup of joy in the world to
which he has gone.
DANIEL COLLINS BAKER. — 1816-1863.
Mr. Baker was born in Lynn on tho 13th of October, 1816,
and was a son of Elisha Baker. His parents were Quakers, and
he was a pupil at the Friends' Boarding School, in Providence,
E. I. On the 19th of December, 1838, he married Augusta, a
daughter of John B. Chase, the ceremony taking place accord-
ing to the custom of the Friends; but he did not continue in
the faith of his fathers. He had three children — Wifliam E.,
Helen, and Sarah E.
Mr. Baker was a man of great activity in business, and stood
80 well at the time the Howard Banking Company, of Boston,
went into operation, that he was chosen its president. Good
fortune, however, did not always attend his operations; and
particularly by the disastrous termination of the great Nahant
Hotel project he met with considerable loss.
For some years he was a zealous politician, and frequently
in ofSce. In 1849 and '50 he was elected to the Senate; at the
organization of our first City Government he was chosen Presi-
dent of the Common Council; and in 1853, he was elected
Mayor. As a presiding oiEcer, he stood high, disposing of busi-
ness with facility and demeaning himself with great courtesy.
Mr. Baker was a little inclined to display, and joined heartily
in public entertainments and political demonstrations. He waa
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BIOOHAPHICAL SEBTCHES. — BENJAMIS P. NEWHALL. 567
liberal in seotiment, free in expenditure, convivial in habit, and
had a kiad heart, He built the fine residence on Franfelin
street, opposite Laighton, and resided there for a number of
years. His death took place on the 19th of Jnlj, 1863, at New
Orleans, where he had been doing business for some months.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NE\VHAIX. — 1802-1863
Mr. Newhall was born in that part of Lynn now constituting
Saugtis, on the 29th of April,- 1802. Ho was a son of Jacob,
who was born November 1, 1780, and was a son of Jacob, known
as Landlord Newhall, who was born May 3, 1740, and was a son
of Locker, who was born November 12, 1708, and was a eon of
Jacob, who was born March 27, 1686, and was a grandson of
Thomas, the first white person born in Lynn.
The circumstances of Mr. Nowhall's father were such, that he
was early taught the necessity of self-dependence ; and naturally
possessing an inclination to accumulate, he soon formed habita
of industry and frugality. But in his first labors he had a
higher incentive to diligence than the selfish one of mere accu-
mulation. The necessities of a loving mother with other help-
less children, stimulated him to the most strenuous exertion.
Some time before his death he prepared a sort of autobiogra-
phy, in which many of his early struggles and experiences are
detailed in a manner always interesting and often affecting ; and
an occasional passage from it will add much to the value of this
sketch. The following, which is found under date 1815, and
relates to his mother, can hardly fail to be read with emotion.
And who will not be ready to say that with such a mothei', a
child who would not do his best must be hopelessly perverse.
The growth of the religious element, which was so conspicuous
in his character throughout all his active life, and which often
attracted the attention of -his business associates, is easily ac-
counted for. He says :
How well rlolrememberin the late hours ofuiglil, when father was away and
her dear ones were sleeping, that she would come to my hed-side, and kneel-
ing with overflowing heart ppur out her soul in prayer tliat God would pre-
eerve her darling hoy from the snares so thick around liim. She thought I
was aileep, but I was awake and the silent teaj' moisleued my young cheek,
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568 HISTOEY OP LYNN.
and I avowed before God, that a molhet's prayers should not be hi vahi. How
often she thus kneeled at my bed-side when I was asleep, I know not, but
doubtleee quite often.
How many times 1 wished that I were older, and had some good work so
that I could support her. 1 frequently euti-eated her for work, but not shoe-
making, as I could not like that. I often used to go into the chocolate mill,
and soon learaed to handle the pans, paper the chocolate, and do othei' light
work. 1 liked it, and begged her to get mo a -chance in the mill. But she
told me that only men worked there. I was sorry, but not disheacteiied.
He however got a chance in the mill, and then commenced
his first regnlar work, thongh he had previously assisted his
father a little in the shoemaker's shop. Bnfc he had a great
dislike for shoemakiug. At this time he was thirteen years old.
Autumn came, and the chocolate making commenced early and promised
well. I implored my wiotiier to get me work. She went to Mr. Childs and
told her etory. He said if I could work well I might come in. Well ! I knew
what I could do, and nevei' was a boy better pleased than I when I beard tha
decision. My mother made me a frock of a cocoa bag, and I was proud as a
ting. Never shall I forget the day when ail arrayed I marched to the mill and
went to work. Old and were the men. [The names ai'e all given
in the manuscript, but for obvious i-easons should noi all appear in print.]
drank a great deal of rum, and was cross and ugly ; but I was determined
to please him, for I knew that there all my hopes depended j he was master,
and what he said was low; even Mr. Childs dared not dispute him. When
he spoke, I sprang, and ran, obeying his eveiy nod. Besides that, I did the
very work ho wished me to do, and no other. I soon got bis good wiil, and ho
■was always kind to me.
But to come back to tbe work. I, a boy not fourteen years old, and the
business requiring ]aboe night and day, found it hard. To go to work at
sunset and continue till sunrise, four nights in the week, I could scarcely
endure, and sometimes declared — " This shall be my last night." But when
the beautiful sun shone in the morning 1 felt better, and encouraged to go on,
I haled shoemaking, and was yet determined to eara something for my mother.
If I could earn eighty-three cents a day by working night and day, it was to
me a great sum. 1 now think that such labor for a boy was too much ; but I
was ambitious. My mother often wept at my exposui-e and exti-eme labor ;
and perhaps I am now reaping the hawesl grown from the seed then sown.
Sometimes she would say that the work was too hard, and I had better quit
it ; but 1 could not think of it ; work I must, and work I would. Mr. Childs
would stand and look with astonishment to see me paper the chocolate so
much faster than was ever done before. From the beginning to the end of a
week I did not get into a bed. When the tide was over we would spread the
hot cocoa, and throwing a bag over it make it a bed. In cold weather, the
steaming cocoa was inviting; but I now think its efiects were bad. But with
all the hard work and suffering, I got tlirough my first winter at the mill ; how
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, — BENJAMIH P. KEWHALL. 569
I bore the fatigue God only knows; some unseen Hand supported me; and
wheu I was just on the point of giving up, several times, some impulse of
mind forbade it. God belped me.
Passing on to' 1818, when he wi9 Hi\teeii years olJ, we find
him still persevering in" labor, stimulited by the same high
motives.
In the BpriBg of 1818, having got thiough with mill work, my mother en
gaged me to go to work for Jesse Rice on Nahant So the next moiniQij I
stalled for my new field of labor. I was pleased with the idea, and thought
bow pleasant it would be to work at Nahant m «iuTnniei Mv labor was farm-
ing I went to work with earnestness, but soon found that Mi Rice needed
an experienced farmer and a strong man I could not hold a heavj plough,
with two yoke of oxen ; I had not learned to, and was not stout enou^'h , Mr,
Rice saw it and was sony; and so was I After a week's tml, he told me
that tke work was beyond my strength, and I had better seek some lighter
labor. He said that when I grew older and stouter I might come again. I
thanked him, he paid me well, and I returned home.
This season I learned to blow i-ocks ; and the work being new, I took hold
in earnest. For a while I did not charge the rocks, but before long I learned
to, ond could do it as well as any body.
I think it was in June [1818] that Mr. Smith sent for me to go up and tend tha
" chipper." This was a machine to cut up the small blocks of cam-wood, to
chips, so that they could be ground. It was o dangerous machine, and several
had already been injured by it. Smith cautioned me to be very careful ; and
the caution was well given. I have often wondered how my mother dared
to risk me at such dangerous work. All went on well enough for a while. I
thought myself master of the business and grew heedless. One day in care-
lessness 1 put ray left thumb under the ase, and cut it off. 1 started, and
could hardly believe my thumb vras lost, having scarcely noticed the accident
by tliepain; a pin's prick would have hurt me more, I took the severed
member, put it on its place, and started for the house, holding it on. Smith
saw me coming ; I saw him, and remembering his caution, laughed. He said,
" You have cut off your fingers." I went in, sat down, and he took a good
sized needle and thread and sewed it on. 1 bore it pretty well, and after it
was doDC started for home. My mother was sorry, and wept, and at once
sent me down to Dr. John Ltimmiis, lliat he might look at it. He examined
it and expressed some doubt about saving the thumb, but said he would try.
The night following was dreadful, I slept none, and in the morning went
down to the Doctor's again, repeating my visits to him for several successive
days. Finally the severed thumb was cast into the fire, and the wound dressed )
and it was nearly two months before I got well.
The foregoing is sufficient to give an idea of the early strug-
gles of this more than ordinary man. And we must pass oa
again, till we reach tlie year 1S25, when he was twenty-three
V2*
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570 HISTOEY OP LXNS.
years of age, about which time, in company with another, he
commenced a small trading estahlishment in Canada, Thither
he made two or three journeys. But on the whole they were
unaucceasful, and the enterprise was abandoned. After various
other trials, successes, and mishaps, he arrives at the age of
twenty-eight. He had now, 1830, just returned from Canada,
having closed up there, and goes on to speak of his condition,
prospects, and determination, as follows:
I reached liome in safety the nest day, and f d 11 li is uaual. I was
glad to get once more where I was bnowu, tl gl 1 h dl knew what to do
with the debts which I owed on the store b H er, by the aasist-
ance of my uncle Makepea.ce 1 paid up th n 11 1 b nd got one or two
ofthelargest creditors to wait. The next s i 1 t 1 some business,
that 1 might support my family. The shoe biismess (ir.sented the fairest
prospect, BE I thought; so I hired a small room iu the upper part of what is
now the Henry Nichols house, got trusted for one bundle of leather from Isaac
BaBselt and a dozen, of fcid from John Lovejoy, and hired of John Eaierton
fifty dollars, piviQjr him a mortgage on my horse and wagon for security.
With this small outfit I went to work, fully determined that nothing on my
part stould be wanting to ensure success. I kept an exact account of all I
bought and sold, so that I might at any time know whether I was making a
profit. Evei-y thing in business was as dull BS could be and woi'kmen were
hard to be got. But perseverance and pradence were my motto. After three
months of close application, I found a little had been made. This was to me
encouraging, and 1 laboi-ed on. Never shall I forget liow hard it was to sell
shoes in Boston. The seller had lo beg, and be insulted besides. But no
discouragements deterred me ; and I now look back and see a kind and over-
ruling Providence in ail.
I considered this the beginning of life with me, and felt determined to suc-
ceed, if pnidence and economy would ensure success. I began with tiie
detertniuation not to give a note if I could avoid it. So, buying as I did, on a
credit, I let accounts run six months, and then contrived to seule them
either by giving some business note which I took, or making the payment in
«ash. After a short time I made my plan work well. The first of January
and the first of July, in every year, were ta be my setding times with eveiy
one. Most of my acconnts would then have run six months, and I was entitled
to three months more clear credit on a note. When the first of January came
I had passed all my fall sales, and had notes or cash for the same. When the
fii'st of July came I had made all my spring sales, and had cash and notes for
them. So the advantage of fixing on these dates for settlements will be seen.
I could then endorse the business papei' that I had taken and thus settle all
my bills, or could get notes discomited and pay the casli. 1 got this machinery
of business well established, and never deviated from it in all the time that I
followed the business. Thomas Raddiu had tlien got into a fair business and
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKBTCHE3. — BENJAMIN P. NEWHALL. 571
had established a goo(J credit at the Commercial Bank, in Salem, and be intro-
duced me to the president, Willard Peele, Esq., aud thus I obtained the
advantage of getting a diacouni as often as I wanted one. This was every
thing to me, as money matters were then situated. I was very pimctual in
all my payments, and so my credit gyew better and better.
It would be instructive as well as interesting to follow him
in his business operations all the way up till the time when
he became firmly established as one of the most successful,
shrewd, and wealthy business men in the vicinity, and speak
more at large of bis integrity, promptness, perseverance, and
industry ; but allotted space will not permit. His projects were
often bold, but never characterized by that reckless adventure
so often seen among those who make haste to be rich. He
by no means confined himself to one kind of business, but com-
monly, to use an expressive phrase, had several irons in the fire
at the same time ; yet he was so active and watchful that none
appeared to suffer for want of attention.
Mr. Newhall's education was procured at the common school,
with the exception of a short attendance at the New Market
Academy, and the more important exception of his oivn private
application. He was qualified to teach in the common schools
of the time, when be was a young man, and did teach, for one
or two brief periods, before he became settled in business.
The religious element was always strong in his mind. He
became a professing Christian while a youth, joined the Metho-
dist connection, and preached a little before be had attained hia
majority. He however, some years afterward, swerved from the
faith be first professed and became a Universalist. He was a
man of strictly moral life and a friend to all enterprises calculated
to promote morality and education. In public affairs he took a
warm interest, and originated a number of beneficial projects.
On the 25th of Aprii, 1825, be married Miss Dorothy Jewett,
of Hebron, Ct., and had six children — Benjamin, Charles J.,
Herbert B., Wilbur F., Eilen M., and Alice A.
He was a man of medium stature, and in the prime of life was
active in bis movements, and capable of endnringmucb fatigue
and exposure. But for two or three years before his death, he
suffered greatly from chronic rheumatism, which reduced him
to the sad condition of a cripple. He kept about as long aa
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572
possible, but for many months was almost the whole time con-
fined to his room, and much of the time to his bed. It was a
sore trial to him, for his mind was as vigorous as ever. Yet
he bore his affliction with a patience and resignation seldom wit-
nessed, though his pains were at times excruciating. He often
sat up in bed to write down his thoughts, to read, or arrange
those worldly matters'which he knew were soon to pass into
other hands. He died on Tuesday, the 13th of October, 1863.
It now remains to apeak of Mr. Newhall as a writer. He
wrote a great many articles, in prose and poetry, which ap-
peared in the newspapers; some of which attracted considera-
ble attention. If all that emanated from his prolific pen could
be gathered together, volumes might be filled; and among it
would be found much of sterling value. But it must be said
that he wrote too much to do full justice to himself — that he
did not always take sufficient time to investigate and consider
his subjects. But a great portion of what he wrote was ehcited
by occurrences of temporary interest, and not expected to pos-
sess an enduring value. He however wrote many pieces that
were never published, some of which would undoubtedly do
credit to his memory, should they appear in print.
The most valuable of hie published prose writings were his
Historical Sketches of Saugus, which appeared in numbers, in
the Lynn Weekly E.eporterj commencing in December, 1858,
and continuing on through two or three years. They did not
claim to be a connected history, but were rather a coUectioa
of facts, traditions, and reminiscences, interspersed with descrip-
tive passages, reflections, and suggestions. They were exceed-
ingly interesting ; and had he been more exact in his statements,
instead of so frequently referring this or that event to-a&ow^
such a time, would have possessed greater value. But that
exactness is just what requires the greatest labor at the histo-
rian's hand ; and he had not the time to spare in such gratuitous
service. He did more than could have been expected, and has
furnished a vast number of bints and much useful matter for
some future historian.
He commenced a dalliance with the Muses at an early age,
and became quite a skillful versifier. Under date 1810, at
which time he was seventeen years old, he says :
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — BENJAMIN P. NBWHALL. 57ft
There was m the iiGighhorhood an old maid called Betty Brown. She waa
a great tattle)', or at least had the I'eputalion of beiug one. And ao I wrote
my first verse :
Betty Brown is of reno^vn,
Throughout the neigliborhood,
Tells all she knows, where'er she goes.
But never tells no good.
It will hff obsci-ved that I had never studied grammar, to understand it, and
did not tiiea see that in my first verse 1 was violating a very important gram-
matical rule. But no matter ; it was my firet effort.
He wrote on all subjects and had a happy faculty of adapting
his style to his matter — being grave or gay as occasion required.
Ent hs had too much natural kindness of heart often to be severe.
His rhynaes were nanally good, and at times showed considerable
ii]genuity. In some pieces there ran a pleasant vein ofqniet
humor which now and then broke up in a flash of satire.
The religious element so conspicuous in his character, has
been referred to. It produced in the weary and painful hours
of his last sickness much comfort; making him patient under
his sufferings, and inspiring a confident expectation of a happy
issue out of all afSictions. The following pieces bear evidence
of a devotional, trusting, and thankful spirit, and are, I think,
fair specimens of his poetry. The one entitled "Lines on My
Sixtieth Birth-day," I believe he considered hia best piece.
There certainly are some passages in it worthy of being read and
re-read. But it should be remarked that authors are not usually
the best judges of their own productions. Circiimstances un-
known or unappreciated by the reader may give them a ficti-
tious value in the mind of the writer. The other piece — that
entitled " Answered Prayer," was dictated when prostrate upon
his bed, a few days before his death. It was his last piece.
LINES ON MY SIXTIETH BIRTH-DAT.
[ApRii 29, 1863.]
How noiselessly the wheels of time have rolled along their way,
And brought once more — perhaps the last — my cherished natal day,
Which on the dial-plate of time, counts up the three score years.
Some brightened by a sunny smile, and some bedewed by tears.
Just three score years have passed away, since I, a baby boy,
Fii-st pressed that deor maternal breast, and gave a mother joy
And made a fatliei''s heart rejoice, with pure paternal love.
But those warm hearts have ceased to beat — their home is now above.
db, Google
'4 HISTORY OP LYNN.
I yet remain; but oh, how changed; the child of three score years
I cannot recognize at all ia thai which now appears ;
And were it not for consciouanesa that I am stiH the same,
I should suppose the change complete in all except the name.
But what are three score years to me? Although, the life of man,
'T is only, in the web of life, the tiny infant's span,
The lightning's flash, the arrow's flight, the dew upon the spmy.
Today 't is here, tomoiTow gone — thus life la passed away,
The tender tiea of early days, which rendered life so sweet.
The weight of three score years have crushed beneath its giant fte
Leaving a loving heart in gi-ief bowed down beneath its weight.
Adopting, as a last recourse, aubmiaaion to ita fate.
Few ties remain — how dear to me — they now ainound my bed
To wipe away the gathering tear, and soothe my aching head ;
A precious boon — a gift of heaven — a treasure more tlian gold-
They smooth each day, life's rugged way, aa I am gi-owing old.
What mixture in the cup of life, which I so long have quaffed.
How joy and grief, and smiles and tears, have mingled in the drafl
But I have almost drtuned the cup ; and little now remiuna,
Excepting life's infirmities, its siiffbrings, and ita pains.
Whatever ills may yet betide, howe'er disease and pain
May rack thia mortal tenement, O, may I not complaiii,
But humbly rest in God's right hand till life's short race is run,
And Bay, with my expiring breath. Thy will, O Lord, be done
ANSWERED PRAYEE.
For many years my prayer hath been.
That I might end thia mortal race,
Without severe and torturing pain,
And, calm and easy, die in peace.
And now the Loi-d hath heard my prayer,
Aaauaged my pains so oft severe.
And given my frail body rest,
The little time that I am here.
1 11 give Him praise, while life and strength
Shall let me speak my gratitude.
And with my last expiring breath,
I 'II calmly breathe — the Lord ia good.
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CHAPTER IV.
GOVEENORS OP MASSACHUSETTS.
t for tlie reader of a histoi7 in any way connected wjfh
DUi' Comnionwealtli, to have a list of the Governors at band, that one is here
^Iven. Down to the year 1631, those officere were elected by the Company,
In England. From 1631 to 1679, inclusive, they were chosen nnnnally by
the people here. After the dissolution of the iirat Charter, in 1684, attairs
were administered by a President. In 1687, Sir Edmund Andros became
Governor, under a roya! commission. In 1689 he was deposed by the people,
who then elected Simon Bradstreet, President, and afterward Governor. The
Governors under the second Charter, commencing with Sir William Phipps,
in 1692, tind ending with Thomas Gage, in 1774, were appointed by the King.
Willi Hancock commenced the line of State Governors.
N WlHTHROP,
1634. Thomas Dudley.
1635. John Haynes.
1636. Henry Vaiie.
1637. John'Winthrop.
1640. Thomas Dudley.
1641. Richard Ballingham.
1642. John Winthrop.
1644. John Endicott.
1645. Thomas Dudley.
J646. John Winthrop.
1649. John Endicott.
16.50. Thomas Dudley.
1651. John Endicott.
1654. Richard Bellingham.
1655. John Endicott.
1665. Richard Belhngham.
1673. John Leverett.
1679. Simon Bradstreet.
1687. Edmhwh Andros.
1691. Simon Brad.«reet.
1693. William Phippb.
1694. William Sloiighton.
1699. Earl Bellomont.
17C0. Williani Stougbton.
1702. Joseph Dudley.
1715. William Tailer.
1716. Samuel Shute.
17^ William Dummer.
1728. William Burnett.
1730. Jonathan Belcher.
1741. William Shirley.
1749. Spenser Phipps.
1753. William Shirley.
1756. Spenser Phipps.
1757. Thomas Pownal.
1760. Francis Bernard.
1769. Thomas Hutchinson.
1774. Thomas Gage.
1780. Jons Hascock.
1735. James Bowdoin.
1787. John Hancock.
1794. Samuel Adams.
1797, Increase Sumner.
180O. Caleb Strang.
1807. James Sullivan.
1809. Chri3topher Gore.
1810. Elbi-idge Gen-y.
1812. Caleb Strong.
1816. John Bi-ooka.
1623. William Eustis.
1S26. Levi Lincoln.
1834. John Davis.
1836. Edward Everett.
1840. Marcus Morton.
1841. John Davis.
1843. Marcus Morton.
1844, George N. Briggs,
1651. George S. Boutwell.
1853. John H. Clifford.
1854. Emery Washburn.
1855. HcniT J- Gardner.
1858. Nathaniel P, Banks.
1861. John A. Andrew.
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HISTORY OF LTKJS.
SURNAMES
Of all REaiDENTS or Lykn,
from tbe time the Plantation befran, in 1629, to
the year 1700.
Moat names w
re spelled in different ways; but in this list it
waa not thought necessary to
follow the ah
ost interminable variations. I
have Been in a
single depositio
n the same na
me spelled in
aa many as five
different ways
It is probable
hat a few of the uidividuals remained here but
a eliort time.
A.
Bourne.
Cole.
Famell.
Gustin.
Ahorae.
Boutweil,
Coiesworthy.
Fai-nsworih.
H.
Adams.
Bowdoin.
Collins.
Farr.
Habbei-field.
Ailen.
Biabrook
Cooper.
Farrar.
Hacker.
Alley.
Brand.
Cowdry.
Farrington.
Hackett.
Almy.
Braun.
Cowper. (?)
Feake.
Hale.
Amey.
Bredean.
Cox.
Felt.
Hall.
Anderson.
Breed.
CranstOD.
Felton.
HfllsaJI.
Andrews.
Brewer.
Croft.
Fern.
Halsye.
Appleton.
Bi'iard.
Cross.
Feiniside.
Hammond.
Archer.
Bridges.
Crown inaheld
Fish.
Handforth.
Armitage.
Briei-
D.
Fisk.
llai'clier.
Atwill.
Brig^.
Dane.
Fitch.
Hard man.
Atwood.
Brimsdell.
Daniels.
Flint.
Harker.
Audley.
Brinmali.
Dai'liiig.
Flood.
Harlow.
Augustine.
Briaco.
Davis.
Floyd.
Harndale.
Axey.
Brooks.
Dawes,
Foster.
Hart.
Aycrs.
Brown.
Deacon.
Fott,
Haskell.
B.
Biyai..
Dent.
Fraile.
Raskins.
Bachiler.
Bugell.
Derick.
Freeman,
Hathome.
Bailey.
Burclmm.
Deshoi-ough.
Fuller.
Haven.
Baker.
Biirchsted.
Dexter.
FultOD.
Hawkea.
Ballard.
Burden.
Dillingham.
G.
Hawkins.
Bancroft.
Burge.
Diman.
Gaines.
Hay.
Barber.
Surges.
Dingley.
Garder.
Haynes.
Bard.
Burn.
Dispnw.
Gaunt
Healey.
Bartoll.
Burnell.
Diven.
Geere.
Hedge.
Bartram,
Burnet.
Dlxey.
George.
Hewes.
Bassett.
Burrage.
Dole.
Geny.
Hill.
Bates.
Burrill.
Do 0 little.
Hilliard,
Batten.
Burt
Douglas.
Gifibrd.
Hinkson.
Batter.
Burton.
Downing.
Giles.
Hitchens.
Beall.
Butler.
Drivei-.
Gillow.
Beane.
C.
Drumer.
Gilloway.
Holham.
Belcher.
Galium.
Dugall.
Gingle.
Hols worth.
Belknap.
Canterbury.
Dugglers.
Goddard.
Holyoke.
Bennet.
Cai'man.
Dyer.
Godson.
Hood.
BeiTy.
Caseley.
E.
Golt,
Hort.
Bessey.
Catlin.
Eaton,
Goodale.
Houghton.
Blackmore.
Caulkins.
Edmunds.
Goof'
Howard,
Blaney.
Chadwell.
Edwards.
Howe.
Blighe.
Cheever.
Egg.
Gott.
Howell.
Bliss.
Chillingworfh
ElderkJn.
Gould.
Htihbard.
Blood.
Chilaon.
Elkins.
Go wing.
Hudson.
Blon.
Churchman.
Ellis.
Graves!
Humfi-ey.
Ely.
Clark.
Elwill.
Gray.
Hurd.
Boiiahar.
Clement.
Errington.
Green.
Hussey.
Bootfish.
Clifford.
Estes.
Gi-eenland.
Hiitchms.
Booth,
Coatea.
Ewingfon.
Greenwood.
Hutchinson.
Bordman.
Cobbet.
F.
Grifiin.
I.
Bound.
Coldam.
Fairfield.
Grunnilt.
Ingalls.
db, Google
TABLES.
5'
iDgei'gOD
Mansfield.
Phillipa.
Silshe.
Turner.
Ireson.
Pickering.
Simon.
Tutlle.
Tverts.
Marshall.
Pickman.
Simmons.
Tjler.
Ivory.
Martin.
Piei-aon.
Sivorns.
V.
J.
Mavrick.
Pigdon.
Skiff:
Usher.
Jacobs.
Mayfield.
McDugal.
McMaUen.
Pinion.
Skipper.
V.
Jefferds.
Pool.
SlawsoQ.
Venl. (?)
Jenks.
Pope.
Smith.
Vincent.
Jenkins.
Meriam.
Potter.
Souih.
Vinton,
Jewelt.
Pray,
Spenser.
W.
Jotelyn.
Mills.
Prichard.
Slacc}',
Wade.
Johnson.
Milner.
Proctor.
Stanbiiry.
Wmt,
Jonea.
Moody.
Puffer.
Scandisb.
Wales.
Joyce.
Moore.
Purchis.
Stanley.
Walker,
K.
Morgan.
Putnam.
Starr.
Walsall
Keayne.
Morfey.
R.
Starke.
Walton.
Kendall.
Mower.
Ramsdeil.
Starkey.
Wardwell,
Kertland.
Munyan.
Rand.
Stearns.
Worremore.
Keyser.
N.
Read.
Stevens.
Wathin.
KinK.
Narremore.
Bedding.
Stewart.
Watts.
Kii-by,
Neck.
Rednap.
Stocker.
Welby.
Kii-man.
Needham.
Eeilh.
Storke,
Weilman.
Kneeland.
Negus.
Reynolds.
Wellmoi-e.
Knichi.
Newhall,
Rhodes.
Styche.
Wells.
Knott.
Newlaud.
Rich.
T.
West,
L.
Newman
Richards,
Talmadgo.
Whoat.
Laighton.
Nicholson.
Richardson.
Tarbox,
Wheeler.
Lambert.
Normington.
Riddan.
Tarr.
White.
lane.
Norwood..
Ring.
Taylor.
Wbitlng.
Langley.
Nye.
Roach.
Teague. (?,
Whitridge.
Larraboo.
O.
Robei-ts.
Thacher.
Whittemore.
Lathrop.
Oaks.
Robinson.
Thorn.
Wight.
Lay.
Oakraan.
Rogers.
Thompson.
Wifey.
Leader.
Oliver.
Roolton.
Thorne.
Wilkius.
Lee.
Oiley..
Kooten.
Thoyght
Williams.
Legg.
Otway.
Roots.
Thrasher.
Willis.
Leonard.
"p.
Rowland.
Tilton.
Willman.
Lewis.
Paine.
Rummary.
Tingle.
Wilson.
Lishtfoot.
Parker.
S.
Tolman.
Wilt,
Lilley.
Parsons.
Sadler.
Tomlins.
Wing.
Lindsay.
Partridge.
Sails.
Tooley.
Winsor.
Locks.
Patience.
Salmon. ■
Tower.
Winter.
Longley.
Paul.
Salter,
Towns.
Witt.
Look.
Payton.
Sayre.
Town send.
Witter.
Lovell.
Pearson.
Scott.
Traak.
Wood.
Lye.
Pell.
Tree.
Woodey.
Lyscom.
Penfield.
Sharpe. '
Ti-evett,
Woodman.
M.
Pentland.
Shepard.
Tnimhull.
Wormwood
Mackaium.
Perkins.
Sherman,
Tupper.
Wright.
Maddock.
Pereon.
Shore.
ASSISTANTS AND COUNSELLORS.
l^^t '" t^i- « 'l"."r:^''^' \ Assistants.
164ti to 1656. Robert Bridges, ^
Oliver Puvchis was elected Assistant, in 1685, but " deelined iws oath."
1721. John Burrill, } Membera of the Crown
1731 lo 1740. Ebenezer BurrilS, J Gcvemor'a Council.
1V2 37
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HISTORY OP I.YSN.
REPRESENTATIVES OF LYNN.
DoWD tQ 1(!34 the General Court was compoeed of the wliole body of
freemen, anii individuals were sometimes fined or censured for not attending
to their legislative dudes. In May of the year just named the first House of
Deputies, or Representatives was. formed, as it had begun to lie felt that the
attendance of all the freemen was a great inconvenience. The following is a
list of those sent from Lynn, down to the close of century J700. The list
would be quite extensive if continued to the present time, and would hardly
be of sufficient general interest to compensate tor the space it would occupy.
1634
May 14.
Nathaniel Turner,
1656 to 1658.
Thomas Laighton.
Thomas Willis, ,
1659.
Thomas Marshall.
Edward Tomlins.
1660. Mnv 30.
Thomas Mai-shall.
1635
March 4.
Nathaniel Turn.er,
Timothy Tomlins.
Dec. 19.
Thomas Mai-sliall,
Oliver Purchis.
May 6.
Nathaniel Turner,
1661.
Thomas Laighton.
Thomas Smith.
1662.
[None.]
Thomas Marshall.
Sei,t. 3.
Nathaniel Turner,
1663.
Edward Tomlins,
1664. May 18
Thomas Marshall.
Thomas Stanley.
Aug. 3.
John Fuller.
1636
March 3.
1665 to 1667.
Oliver Pinvhis.
William Wood.
1668.
Thomas Marshall.
Mayas.
Nathaniel Tmner,
1669 to 1CT3.
Oliver Piu'chis.
Daniel Howe.
1674 to 1678.
John Fuller.
Sept. 8.
Timothy Tomlins,
Daniel Howe.
1679.
Richard Walker.
1680 to 1683.
1637
April 19.
Timothv Tomlins,
1684 to 1686.
Oliver Purchis.
Daniel Howe.
1687 and '88.
[None.]
1633
March 13
Timothy Tomlins,
Edward Howe.
1689.
Jeremiiih Shepard,
Oliver Purchis.
1639.
March 13
Timothy Tomlins,
Edward Howe.
1690.
[NoneJ
John Bm-rili, jr.
J 691.
May 33.
Timothy Tomlins,
Edward Holyoke.
1692.
John Burrill, sen.,
JohnBurrill,jr.
Sept. 4.
Edward Tomlins,
"Bute
ne to serve at a time
Edward Holyoke.
1693 to 1696.
JohnBunill,jr.
1B40
May 13.
Timothv Tomhns,
1697.
John Burrill, sen.
Richard Walker.
1698 10 1701.
John Burrill, jr.
Oct. 7.
Timothy Tomlins,
Edward Holyoke.
1702.
John Person.
1703. March 1
John Person.
1641
June 9.
Edward Holyoke,
May 13.
Samuel Johnson,
Richard Walker.
1704.
John Burrill, jr.
Oct. 7.
Edward Holyoke,
1705.
Joseph Newhall.
Nicholas BrOwn.
1706.
John Pool.
1649
Edward Holyoke.
1707. ISpeakei
) John Burrill, jr.
1643
Edward Holvoke,
1708.
Samuel Johnson,
Edward Tomlins.
1709. tSpoakei
) John Burrill, jr.
1644
Robei't Bridges,
1710.
John Person,
Edward Tomlins.
1711 to 1719.
John Burrill, jr.
1645
Robert Bridges.
1720 to 1724.
Richard Johnson.
1646
(Speal^er
, Robert Bridges,
1735.
Ebeneze B. 11
Thomas Laighton.
1726 and '27.
Thomas U eeve
164?
Edward Holyoke.
1728 to 1730.
Ebeneze B r II
1648
Thomas Laighton,
1731. Mav 17.
Ebeneze B rrll
Edward Holyoke.
June 4.
Richai'd Jol nson
1649
0 1653.
Thomas Laighton.
1733.
Richard Job so
1654.
James Axey,
1733 to 1739.
William Coll s
1655.
John Fuller,
1740 to 1742.
Thomas CI eve
Thomas Laighton.
1743 to 1745.
William Coll ns
db, Google
TABLES.
1746.
Elieiiezer Biirrill.
1775. May 31.
Natha el B nc
1747 and '48.
Wiliiivm ColliDB.
Jnly 12.
Edna d Jol ao
1749 BDd '50.
1776 and 77.
Edwar 1 Joh so
1751.
Wone.]
Benjamin Newhall.
1778.
Holton Jolinson
1753 to '56.
1779. May 12.
Holt Tol nwn
1767.
William Collins.
Aujr. 3.
Sara el Bu II
1758 to '63.
Benjamin Newhall.
1780 and '81.
Sam el B 11
1763.
Willinm Collins.
1783.
Holton Jol BO
1764 to '73.
Ebeiiezer Bui'iill.
1783.
Samuel Bu 11
1774. May 19.
Ebeiiezer Burrill.
1784 to 1790.
John C es
Oct. 17.
Elieuezer Burrill,
1791 to 1793.
Ezra Coll na
John Mausiteid.
I794and'95.
Johi Oa es
1775. Feb. 1.
John Mansfield.
1796 to 1803.
James Rol nson
ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ABTILLERr COMPANY.
For an account of this venerable organization, see tindei" date 1638. .
of the members from Lynn follows. It is possible that there may be an i
's of ihe Company are imperfect.
1638. Ballard, William
1638, Hewes, Joseph
163a Howe, Dauiol {Lieut.
1638. Tomlins, Edward
1638. Turner, Nathaniel
1638. Walker, Richard
1639. Bennet, Sattiuel
1640. Humftey, John
1640. Marshall, Thomas
1641. Bridges, Robert
1641. Huinfi«y, John, jr.
1641. Otiey, Adam
1643. Wood, John
Smith, Benjamin
1645. Coldam, Clement
1648. Cole, John
165S, Hutchinson, Samuel
1694. Baker, Thomas
1717. Gray, Benjamin
1821. Robinson, Robert
1822. Bi-eed, Daniel N.
1832. Johnson, George
1839. Neal, Ebenezer
1851. Usher, Roland G.
1860. Fav, Eichai-d S. jr.
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Galucia, Daniel
Lindsay, Eleazer
Stocker, Joseph
Batts, John
Breed, Frederic
Chad well, Harris
Johnson, Edward, jr.
Upton, John
Hart, John
Mansfield, Ebenezer
Rohy, Henry
Stocker, Ebenezer
Thompson, Edward
Drake, Michael
Hill, William
Newman, David
Tufts, David
Alley, Ephraim
Alley, Joseph
Alley, Nathan
AttwilJ, Tliomas
AttwitI, William
Attwill, Zachanali
Bacheller, James
Bailey, Aaron
Bakei', John
BajTy, Thomas
Belknap, Abel
Belknap, Abraham
Blanch ard, John
Bowdoin, Benjamm
Bowdoln, Francis
Bo wen, Edward
Breed, Aaron
Breed, Amos
Breed, Ephraim
Brown, Benjamin
Burnam, Joshua
Burrage, John
BuiTill, A1den
Burrill, Ebenezer
Chamberlain, Garland
Cheever, Israel
Cheever, Thomas
Cheever, Thomas, jr.
Coates, Stephen
Cushiiig, Nathaniel
Davis, Jacob
Dunn, David
Dunn ell, Oliver
Dnnnell, Reuben
Farrington, John
Farrington, Joseph
Fanington, Theophilus
Farrington, Theophilus, jr.
Fan'inglon, William
Pelt, Joseph
Florence, Charles
d by Google
HISTORY OP LYNN.
Florence, Thomas
Giil, William
Hallo we 11, Edward
Hallo well, HeDry
Hallo well, Samuel
Hallowell, TheophUus
HaiTis, Peter
Hart, Ebenezer
Hill, Robeit
Hitcliings, Nathan
I£tcbjngs, Thomas
Howard, Ezekiel
Hudson, Benjamin
Hunt, John
In galls, Daniel
Ingalls, Jacob
Ingslls, John
bigalls, Joseph
Ireson, Edward
Ireson, John
Jacobs, Benjamin
Jncobs, John
James, Benjamin
Jarvis, Enoch
Johnson, Edward
Johnson, Jaiiiea
Johnson, John
Lan-ahee, Benjamin
Lewis, Caleb
IiBwia, Isaac.
Lindsey, Blaney
Lindsey, Daniel
Lindsey, Joseph
Lindsey, Joseph, jr.
Lindsey, Ralph
Lindsey, Ralph, jr.
Lye, Joseph
Mansfield, Daniel
Mansfieid, Robert
Mansfield, Samuel
Mansfield, Thomas
Mansfield, William
Martin, Josiah
Mossey, Benjamin
Moiihon, Ezra
Mudge, Enoch
Mudge, Nathan
Munroe, Timothy
Newhall, Allen
Newhall, Asa
Newhall, Benjamin
Nowhall, Calley
Newhall, Calvin
Newhall, Charles
Newhall, Daniel A. B
Newhall, Ebenezer
Newhall, Jacob
Newhall, James
Newhall, James, jr.
Newhall, Micajah
Newhall, Natlian
Newman, Thomas
Nourse, Aaron
Nourse, James
Parrott, Daniel
Parrott, Mai sitm
Peahod(, Bimsley
Peach, Joaoph
Pepoon, Richaid
Porter, Fbi-nezei
Pioctor. John
Pi'octoi, Joseph, jr,
I Ramsdcll, Janifs
Rams dell Jimea, jr
Ramsdell, Kimhall
Ramsdell, ^hadi-ach
Ramsdell, Silas
Ramsdell, W dham
Rich, James
Richardson, Ebenezer
Richardson, Eleazer
Richardson, Solomon
Rhodes, John
Rhodes, Josiah
Bohinson, James
Eoby, Thomas
Slmms, John
Stoclter, Enoch,
Tarbox, Baxter
Tarbox, Benjamin
Tarbox, Nathaniel
Tarbox, William
Tuttle, Edwai-d
Tuttle, Richard
Tiitde, Samuel
Twist, Ephraim
Waite, Samuel
Watts, Daniel
Watts, William
Whitman, Jesse
Williams, Daniel
Williams, Ebenezer
Williams, Joseph
Willis, John
Young, Heni-y
Flint, William
Hadley, Thomas
Ramsdell, Abednego
Town send, Daniel
CLERKS OP THE WRITS -
Clerks of the Whits.
1640. Richard Sadler.
1643. Edward Tonilins,
1645. Edward Bnrcham.
1655. William Longley.
1663. John Fuller.
Town Clerks.
1666. Andrew Mansfield.
1673, Thomas Lalghton.
1686. Oliver Purebla.
1691. John Burrill.
17^. Richard Johnson.
1749. John Fuller
1755. Joseph FuUei
1756. Ebenezer B 11
1765. Dr. Nathan el Hencl n
1767. Ebenezer B rr 11
1775. Benjamin NeU ill
TOWN CLERKS — CITY CLERKS.
1777. William Collins.
1784. Benjamin Johnson,
1785. William Collins.
1786. Ephraim Breed.
1804, Henry Hallowell.
1820. Samuel Hallowell.
1831. Thomas Bowler.
1847. Jacob Batchelder.
1848, Thomas Bowler.
1849. William Baesett.
City Clerks,
1850, William Bassett.
1853. Charles Moiritt.
1855. John Batchelder.
1856. Charles MerritL
1859. Ephraim A. Ingalls.
1861. Benjamin H. Jones.
d by Google
MEMBEI^ OF CONVENTIONS.
[Convention for Ratifying the Constitu-
tioD of the UDited States,]
T}9H ^'^^^ Bumhatn, 1 Lynn and
John Carues, J Lynnfieid.
[Convention for Forming the i
Constitution,]
1779. Samuel Burrill.
the S
ConBtitulion.l
1820.
Bach ell er, Jonathan
Fuller, Joseph
Lovejoy, John
Mudge, Enoch, jr.
Mudge, Ezra '
Makepeace, Jonathan, {Saugue.)
Newhall, Asa T. (Lynnlield.)
1853.
Alley, John B.
Breed, Hiram N.
Holder, Nathaniel
Hood, George
Hawkes, Stephen E. (Saugus.)
Hewes, James (Lynnfieid.)
POSTMASTERS.
1795. JameB Robinson.
1803. Ezra HiicbingB.
1803. Samuel MulllkeQ.
1807. Elijah Downing.
1808. Jonathan Bechelter.
J639. Jeremiah C. Stickney.
3839. Thomas J. Marah.
1841. Stephen Oliver.
1842. Thomas B. Newhall.
1843. Benjamin Mudge.
1849, Abner Austin.
1853. Jeremiah C. Stickney.
1858. Leonai'd B. Usher.
1861. George H. Chase.
SENATORS.
Joseph Fuller.
— 1834. Aaron Lummua.
-1833. Josiah Newhall,
- 1836. Stephen Oliver.
Isaiah Bi'eed.
George Hood.
- 1845. Fj-ancis S. Newhall.
-1850. Daniel C. Baker.
John B. Alley.
-1857. John Batcheider.
- 1861. Edwin Walden.
- 1863. William F. JohnSM.
W2»
MAYORS.
1850.
George Hood.
1859.
Benjamin F. Mudge,
1853.
Daniel C. Baker.
1854.
Thomas P. Richardson.
1855.
Andrews Breed.
1856.
Ezra W. Mudge.
1858.
William F. Johnson.
1859.
Edward S. Davis.
1861.
Hii-am N. Breed.
1862.
Peter M. Neal.
ESIDE
NTS OF THE COMMON
COUNCIL.
1850.
Daniel 0. Baker.
1851.
James R. Newhall.
1852.
Edward S. Davis.
1854.
■Guatnvus Attwill,
1855.
Gilbert Hawkes.
1856.
Edwaj'd S. Davis.
1858.
Edwin Q, Bacheller.
1859.
Nathan Clark.
1860.
Noah Robinson.
1861.
George H. Chase.
1863.
Jesse L. Atlwiil.
ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL.
PRECEPTORS OF LYNN ACADEMI.
1805. William Ballard.
1805. Francis Moore.
1806. Hosea Hildreth.
1807. AbJel Chandler.
1807. Abner Loring.
1808. Samuel Newell.
1809. Proctor Pierce.
1811. Joseph Wardwell.
1812.- Solomon 8. Whipple,
1815. John Flagg Gardner,
1817, Amos Rhodes.
1819. Benjamin P. Emerson.
1833. Alonzo Lewis.
182.5. Ripley P. Adams.
1837. George Delavan.
1829. Joseph H. Towne.
1830. Samuel Lamson.
1833. Ripley P. Adams.
1835. Ephraim Ward.
1835. Jacob Batcheider.
1849. Jacob Batcheider
1860. JohiiB. Hub'card.
1861. Jacob Batcheider.
1863. Ephraim Flint.
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HISTOEr OP LYNN.
NEWSPAPERS AND EDITORS.
Newspapers.
[In the following list are uanied the
principal Newspapers that have ap-
peared in Lynn, with the dates of their
commencement. A number of others
have from time to time been published
for short periods or temporary purposes
which it is not uecesaary to occupy
Space in enumerating.]
1825. Lynn Weekly Mii-ror.
1830. Lynn Record.
1831. Essex Democrat.
1832. Weekly Messenger.
1838. Lynn Freeman.
1843. Essex County Washington ian.
1843. The Locomotive.
1844. Essex County Whig. (A con-
tinuation of the Freeman.)
1844. The Pioneer. (A continuation
of the Washington ian.)
1846. Lynn News. (A continuation
of the Esses County Whig.)
1849. The Bay State.
1854. Lynn Weekly Reporter.
1855. Josselyn's Lynn Daily.
Editors.
[In this list will be fouiid the names
of the priiicipal editors of Lynn news-
papers, with the names of the papers
with which they were especially con-
nected. In some cases they were en-
gaged on diffei-ent papers at different
periods. Others, not here named,
occasiontilly put on Uie editorial har-
ness for temporary purposes or for
brief intervals.]
.825. Charles F. Lummus. Mirror.
Alonzo Lewis. . . . Mirror.
Benjamin Mudge. Democrat.
James R.Newhall. Messenger.
Daniel Henshaw. . Record,
Eugene F. W. Gray. Freeman.
1841. Richard 1. Attwill. Freeman.
1843. Wm. H, Perley. Locomotive,
1843. D.H.Bariow. Washingtonian.
.844. Josiah F. Kimball. . News.
.844. Henry Clapp, jr. . Pioneer.
l848. George Bradburn. . Pioneer.
.849. Lewis Josselyn, . Bay State.
1854. Peter L, Cox, . . Reporter.
MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
158— John B. Alley.
POLICE COURT.
Justices.
1849. ThomasB.Newhall,(StQnding.)
1849. Benjamin F. Mudge, (Special,)
1849. James- R.Newhall, "
Clerks.
1849. Thomas B. Newhall,
1863. Henry C. Oliver.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First CoNCREeiTiotJAL.
[Trinitarian. Founded in 1633.]
J633. Stephen Bachiler.
1636. Samuel Whiting.
1637. Thomas Cobbet. (Colleague.)
1680. Jeremiah Shepard.
1680. Joseph Whiting. (Colleague.)
1720. Nathaniel Henchman.
1763. John Treadwell.
1784. Obadiah Pai-sons.
1794. Thomas Cushing Thacher.
1813. Isaac Hurd.
1818. Otis Rockwood.
1833. David Peabody.
1836. Paraous Cooke.
Second Cohqreg4tiokai.,
[Unltai'ian. Founded in 1833.]
1824. James Dimau Greene.
1820. David H. Barlow.
1S33. Samuel D. Robbins.
1840. William Gray Swett.
1843. John Pierpont, jr.
1846. Charles C. Shackford.
CeBTRAL CONQEEOATIONAL.
[Trinitarian. Fouaded la 1850.]
1850. Abijah R. Baker.
1855. Jotham B. Sewall.
Chesnct Street Cokoregatiohai.
[Trinimto.]
This Society was commenced in
1857, as a Congregational Methodist,
under the pastorate of Rev. D, L. Gear.
But in 1859 it became Calvinisiic Con-
gregational.
1857. D. L. Gear, (Methodist.)
1859. Je^e Page.
1860. John Moore,
1863. Abtjah R. Baker.
1863. Henry M. Painter.
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FiKST Methodist. [1791.]
Unio
•i Street Methodist. [1811
Thi
was the lii-at Methodiet Societv
1813.
Daniel Webb.
in Massachusetrs, All the Meihodist
1814.
Leonard Frost.
Societ
es in the city are Episcopal.
1815.
1817.
Solomon Sias.
Orlando Hinds.
1791.
1818.
James Ambler.
1793.
Menz«a Kaynov.
1819.
Elijah Hedding.
1793.
Jordan Ecxford.
18S0.
Timothy Merritt
1794.
Evan Rogei's.
1823.
Shipley W. WUson.
1795.
George Pickering.
1324.
Elijah Spear.
1796.
James Covel.
1825.
Epaphi'as Kibhy.
1797.
John Broadhead.
Joseph A. Merrill.
1798.
Raliih Williston.
Andrew Nickols.
isso!
Ephraim Wiley.
1799.
1631.
Shipley W. Wilson.
John Lovejoy.
1800.
Joshua WcHe.
1832.
1801.
Geo. PickerlufT, T. P. Sargent.
1834.
Isaac Bonney.
1803.
Thos. Lyell, John Bloodgood.
1836.
Daniel Fillmoi-e.
1803.
Pet«r Jayne.
1837.
John Parker.
1805.
Daniel -Webb
1838.
Aaron D. Sargent.
William Smith.
1807.
Nehemiah Coye.
1840.
1808.
Dan Young.
1843.
Jacob Sanborn.
1809.
William Stevens.
1844.
Samuel A. Cashing.
1811.
Asa Kent, Greeiilief R. Norris.
1845.
Phineas CrandalL
1813.
Joshua Soule, Daniel Webb.
184a
1813.
Daniel Webb, Elijah Hedding.
1848.
Abraham D. MerrilL
1814.
Elijah Hedding, Leonard FroeL
1849.
Stephen Cushmg.
1815.
Geo. Pickei'ipg, Solomon Sias.
1851.
Chester Field.
1816.
Geo. Pickering, B. F. Lambord.
W. Marsh, 0. Hinds.
1854.
Nathan D. George.
1817.
1856.
D. L. Gear.
1818.
E. Hedding, Jas. B. Andrews.
1857.
John H. Mansfield.
1819.
Elijah Hedding, Enoch Mudge.
1859.
William A. Bi-aman.
1830.
Enoch Mudge.
186L
Henry W. Warren.
1821.
Phineas Peck.
1863.
William C. High.
1833.
Daniel Fillmore.
1864.
A. McKeown.
1835.
John F. Adams.
1827.
1839.
Daniel Fillmore.
Abraham D. Merrill.
South Street Mbthohist. [1830
1830.
A. D. Menill, E. Spaulding.
1830.
1831.
B. Otbeman, Sel^ Stocking.
1831.
Selah Stocking.
1833.
Bartholomew Othcman.
1833.
Isaac Bonnev.
1833.
David Kilburn.
1834.
Sanford Benton.
1834.
Joiham Horton.
1835.
Amos Binney.
1836.
Thomas C. Pleree.
1836.
Timothy MerritL
183a
Charles K. True.
1838.
Frederic P. Tracy.
1840.
Charles Adams.
1839.
Mark Staples.
Edmund M.Beebe.
1841.
Jefferson Hascall, Lester Janes.
184L
1843.
James Ponor.
1843.
John B. Husted.
1844.
LoranuB Croweli.
1845.
Charles S. Mncreading.
1846.
John W. Merrill.
1847.
John Clarke.
1848.
Lorenzo E. Thayer.
1849.
William Rice.
1850.
J. Augustus Adams.
1850.
Simon Putnam.
1852.
Henry V. Degen.
1851.
George Dunbar.
1854.
William Butler.
1853.
Daniel Steele.
1856.
Charles N. Smith.
1855.
Isaac Smith.
1858.
William R. Clark.
1857.
Fales H. NewhaH.
1860.
George M. Steele.
1859.
Jeremiah L. Hanaford.
1868.
Willard F. Mallabeu.
1861.
Daniel Richards.
1864.
John H. TvTombly,
1863.
Samuel Kellej,
db, Google
niBTORY OP LYNN.
Maple Street Methodist. [1850/
1851. Mark Staples.
1852. Daniel Richurds.
1854, Abraham D, MeiTill.
1856. Howard C. DuDliam.
1858. Oliver S. Howe.
185a. Jarvis A. Ames.
1861. Ahrnham M. Osgood.
1863. Jolin S. Day.
Boston Street Methodist. [1853.]
1853. Loranus Crowell.
1854. Isaftc 8. Ciishman.
1856, Edward A. MaiiDing.
1858. Henry E. Hempstead.
I860.' Aaron D. Sargent.
1862. Convera L. McCindy.
1863. AiiHtiii F. Herrick.
First Baptist.
[Founded in 1816.]
1816. George Pbippen.
1830. Ebenezer Nelson, jr.
1830. Daniel Chessman.
1833. L. StillniaD Bolles.
1837. Joel S. Bacon.
1840. Hiram A. Graves.
184a ThomaB Driver.
1849. William C. Richards.
HjBH Stheet Baptist.
[Founded in 1853.]
1853. J. H. Tiltoii.
1858. Alfred Owen.
Third Baptist.
[Founded in 1858.]
1861. Charles H. Cole.
First Univeksalist.
[Founded in 1833.]
1835, Josiah C. Waldo.
1839. Lemuel Willis.
1843. Horace G. Smith.
1845. Merritt Sanford.
1848, Darvfin Mott.
1850, Elbridge G. Brooks.
1860. Sumner Ellis.
1863. ChHrles W. Biddio,
Second Universalist.
[Founded in 1836,]
I. Dunbar. B. HajTia.
K Edward N. Han'is.
I. Henry Jfiivetl.
.84a John'Nichols.
O. H. Tillotsoa
John Mooi-e.
J. R, JoliDson.
E. Winchester Reynolds.
1858. Henry Jewell.
1859. William P. Payne.
1863. N.R. Wright.
St. Stbpheh's.
[Protestant Episcopal.]
This corporation, in 1844, succeeded
the corporation of Christ Church, which
was established in 1836, and had erect-
ed a house of worship on North Com-
mon street, but discontinued worship
ill 1841. Both successions of ministers
are given. Mr. Ward was the first
minister of Christ, Church, and Mr.
Wildes the first of St. Stephen's.
1836. Milton Ward.
1837. George Waters,
1839. Frederic J. W. Pollard.
1841. Wm.A.White, (LayReader.)
1844, George D. Wildes.
:84a Isaac W. Hallam.
1860. Edwai-d H. True.
1863. George H. Paine.
St. Andrew's.
[Protestant Episcopal.]
This is maintained by summer I'esi-
deins. The Chapel, built ia 1960,
is open during the watering seascr
only, and there have been no settle'^
ministers.
Chris TiAW.
[Founded in 1835.]
1835. Philemon R. Russell.
1841. Josiah Knight.
1843. David Knowlton,
1842. Elihii Moves.
184a Wari'en Lincoln.
1851. Nicholas S. Chadwick,
185a Seth Hinckley.
1854. William Miller.
1860. John Burden.
1863. Joseph Whitney.
1863. John A, Goss.
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St. Mart's.
[Roman Catholic]
Catholic Hecvices were Iield in Lynn,
at a private house, aa early as 1835.
Subsequently, the Town Hall was oc-
cupied as a place ofworship, lii 1855,
the wooden building on Ash sti-eei,
which had been occupied as a Metho-
dist and likewise as a Baptist house
of Worehip, and later still as a gi-ani-
mar scKool-hbuse, having been remod-
eled and enlarged was conseci'ated to
Cathoho worship. In 1859 it was burn-
ed. Soon afterward, the beautiful brick
Grothic church near the eastern end of
South Common s^eet, and which is
etill the finest public building in Lyjui,
was erected, and made ready for occu-
pation in 1862.
1849. Cliarles Smith.
J851. Polriek Strain.
Fribkds' Meeting.
[Founded in 1677.]
See pages 441 pnd 442 for some ac-
count of a division in this Society.]
Free Church.
[Unitarian. Founded in 1851.]
1651. John T. Sargent.
1853. Samuei Johnson.
POPULATIOr«r OF LYNN.
1765. [Fii-st recorded census.) 3.198
1790. 3.Q91
1800 2.837
1810 . 4.087
1820 4.515
1830 6.138
1840 9.367
1850 14.357
1860 19.083
LYNN BANKS,
with the dates of their incorporation and the ii£
1814. Lynn Mechanics Bank,
1826. Lynn Institution for Savings, .
1832. NahantBank, ....
1849. Liighton Bank
1854. City Bonk,
1855. Five Cents Savings Bank,
iS'of their first Presidents.
Joseph Fuller.
Amariah Childs.
Ilezokiah Chase.
Francis S. Newhall
, Jolin C. Abbott.
George Hood.
DISTANCES AND MEASUREMENTS.
From Cential Square ; si. n.
To Boston — head of State street, over the Turnpike, 10 160
Danvers, 5 80
Salem, 5 90
Mnrblehead, 5 900
Lynnfield Hotel, 4 380
Nahent, (Whitney's,) ....... 4
Satigus,' {East Villajre,) 3 S30
Saugiis, (Centre Village,) 3 260
Lynn Hotel, 1 77
Swampscot, {Beach,) 1 256
Ocean House, (Swampscot,) 2 271
Phillips's Point, (gwampsco!,) 3 58
Lymi Beach 226
From Lynn Hotel to Dye House, 1 280
From Lynn Hotel to Floating Bridge, 1 287
From Village Square,('Woodend,)to west end of Coinraon, by Essex st. 1 146
TheBame,lw Broad and Market streets, 2 26
Fi-om Washington Square, north end of Nahant street, to Lynn Hotel, 1 120
Length of Common — from north end of Market street to Lynn Hotel, 230
Length of Lynn Beach, entire, 2
Length of Sti-eets, 43 17
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LYNN.
Number of Public Schools, 48
Teachera — (male,6; female, 53)— 59
P«i)ils 453a
Average age of pupils, 10 jeai's, 15 days.
Teachers' salaries, . $21,096^19
Total exMiiditure for Public
Schools, in 1863, . $31429.86
VALUATION AND TAXATION.
Valuation.
Reel Esc, 3.160.,'i]5,
Pei'sonal, 1.674J!38, i
1850
\ $4,834.8'
Rate op Taxation.
1850. On eveiy $1000, g
1855. " "
1800. " "
1864. " " " 15.60
CiTT Tax.
1850 $50,000
1855 57.000
1860 80.000
1864 112.000
CITY APPROPKIATIONS.
1864.
For Repairs of Highways, $6,000
Laying out and altering
Slreets, .
Lighting Streets,
Curb Stones, .
Printing and Stationary, 1.000
Salaries of City Officers, 7.000
Constables and Police, 5.000
Board of Health, .
Improvement of Common,
Payment of Interest, 18.000
Payment of City Debt, 8.000
Pi-ee Public Libraiy, 1.500
Pine Grove Cemetery, 1.900
Public School Depai'tmflnt, 37.000
[and receipts of department.)
Poor Department, . 18.000
{and receipts of department.)
Fire Deparment, . . 3.500
(and receipts of depaittnent.]
CITY DEBT — CITY PROPERTY.
1850. .... $56,960 55
1855 86.550 CO
1860 107.600 00
1864 281.800 00
[But it should be stnted in regard to
the latter tiiat such a portion was re-
imbursable by the state, bsing for aid
to soldiers, as would in reality reduce
the debt to about. . . $195,000.]
Value of Real Estate owned
hy the City, . . $156,490 00
Personal Estate, . . 28.806 71
Total, 1185.396 71
SHOE BUSINESS.
1864.
It is difficult to give, in a short space,
a perfect idea of the great shoe ti-ade
of Lynn. The shoes now made are
of much better quality and consequent-
ly higher price than those made a few
years since. We include under the
general term shoes, such boots as are
made here ; and by the State returns
fiiid that during the year ending Juno
1, 1855, there were made 9Ji75.593
pairs, valued at $4,165,529. During
the year ending Sept. 1, 1864, it is
probable that though there had been
a large increase in the business, there
were not much, if any, above 10.000.000
pairs made. But the aggregate whole-
sale value of these reached tlie large
sum of $14,000,000.00.
Number of Shoe Manufacturers, 174
Males and females employed, 17.173
STATISTICAL ITEMS.
1864.
Number of Voters in Lynn, 4.300
Streets, Coui'ts, and Squares. 259
Licensed Dogs, .
Fire Engines,
Church Edifices,
Obitrch Bells, .
Public Clocks, .
Public Houses, .
Grocery Stores, .
Dry Goods Stores,
Pl'iliting Offices,
Lawyers, .
Physicians,
db, Google
TABLE3 — LTHNPIELD.
LYNNFIELD
This township was granted to Lynn in 1639, and was called Lynn End. In
1783 it was incoiporated as a distiict, and in 1814 made a separate town.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1826 and 'OT. Joaiab Newhall.
1828. Asa T. Newhall.
1829 — 1833. John Upton, jr.
J833. Bowman Viles.
1833. John Upton, jr.
1834 and '35. Joshua Bewes.
1836. John Perkins, jr.
1837. William Perkins.
1838 — 1841. David N. Swasey.
1841. James Jackson,
1843. Joshua Hewes.
1844. Enoch Russell.
1848. Josiah Newhall.
1850 and '51. William Skinner, ji
1853 and '53. John Danfbrth, jr.
1856 and '57. David A. Titoomb.
[Tbe House of Representatives had
become so imwieldy that in 1857 the
Legislature made provisions for dis
tricting the State. Representatives aii
therefore now chosen by districts.]
TOWN CLERKS.
1814. John Upton, jr.
1318. Andrew Mansfield.
1823. Bowman Viles.
1833. John Upton, jr.
1833. Bowman Viles.
1834. Andrew Mansfield, jr.
1837. Joshua Hewes.
1841. Andrew Mansfield, jr.
1842. Joshua Hewes.
1843. Andrew Mansfield, jr.
1844. John Perkins, jr.
1857. John Danforlh, jr.
POSTMASTERS.
[South Village.]
Office established 25 May, 1836.
1836. Theron Palmer.
1839. Charles Spinney.
1852. Jrtmes W. Church,
1855. Henry W. Swasey.
[Centre Village.]
Office established 1 August, 1848.
1848. George F. Whiitredge.
1851. Samuel N. Newcomb.
1856. Jonathan Bryant.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First CoKoaEGATionAi..
This society adhered to the old Pu-
ritanical faith down thi-ouffh Mr. Searl's
pasioi'ate. Aftei-werd there was a Uni-
tarian supply. And in 1849, it became
recognized as a Universalist society,
Mr. Walcott being the first minister of
the Universalis! persuasion. This So-
ciety was formed as the second of
Lvnn, Augnsl 17, 1730, and the place
of worship is in the Centre Village.
1790. Nathaniel Sparhawk.
1731. Steiihen Chase.
1755. Benjamin Adams.
1783. Joseph Mottey,
1824. Joseph Searl.
1854. Luther WalootL
Orthodox Evamgelical Socibtt.
This is a Trinitarian Congregational
Society — formed 27 September, 1833,
and located in the Centi-e Village.
1833. Josiah Hill.
1837. " Henry S. Greene.
1850. Uzal W. Condit.
1856. Edwin R. Ilodgman.
. William C. Whitcomb.
Sooth Village CongregatiohaIi.
[Trinitarian. Formed in 1849.]
1849. Ariel P. Chute.
1858. Allen Gannett.
Methodist.
A society of tliis order was formed
here in 1816, and a house of worship
erected, in the Centre Village, in 1823.
But regular meetings have not been
held for several years,
1819. Oriando Hinds.
1820. Isaac Jennison.
1821. Ephratm Wiley.
1823. Leonard FrosL
1834. Henry Mayo.
1825 to 1830. Warren Emeraon.
1830. Mark Staples.
1832. Hozekiah Thacher.
1834. John Bayley.
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S AUGUS.
This tovm formed the West Parish of Lynn, till 1815, when it wi
rated under its present name, which was tlio ancient name of Lynn.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1815. Robert Ernes.
181S and '17. Joseph Cheever.
1820. Joseph Cheever.
1821. Abijah Cheever.
1833. Jonathan Makepeace.
1836. John Shaw.
1827 and "28. William Jackson.
1829—1831. Abijnh Cheever.
1831. Joseph Cheever.
1833 Bad '33. Zaucheus N. Stocker.
Joseph Cheever.
1836 and -37.
183a
Charlsa Sweetser.
1839.
Francis Dizer.
1840.
Benjamin Hitchings,jr,
1841.
Stephen E. Hawkes.
1342 ond '43.
Bejijamia P. Newliall.
1844.
Pickmore Jackson.
1846 arid '47.
Sewail Boardinan.
1850.
Charfes Sweeier.
1851.
Geoi-ge H. Sweetser,
1852.
John B. Hitchiiigs.
1853.
Samuel Hawkea.
1854.
Richard Mansfield.
1855.
William H. Newhall.
1856.
Jacob B. Callev-
1857.
Jonathan Newhall.
[In 1857 the State was districted and
Representativ
es have siiiee been cho-
sen by districtB.]
TOWN CLERKS.
J815. Richard Mansfield.
1819. Thomas Mansfield, jr.
1898.
1831.
1834.
184L
1848.
1853.
Zaecheus N. Stockev.
Isaac Childs.
William W. Boardman
Benjamin F. Newhall.
Harmon Hall.
William H. Newhall.
POSTMASTERS.
1832.
1832.
185a
[East Village.]
Henry Slade.
George Newhall.
Herbert B. Newhall.
[Cenh« Village.]
1853. J'uliau D. Lawrence.
[Cliftondale.]
1858. William Wliliams.
1860. George H. Sweetser.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Chcbch.
Tliis church was gathered in 1732,
as the third chuich of Lynn, and a
house of worehip was erected in 1736.
It remained Calvinistic till the settle-
ment of Mr. Randall, in 1826, he l>eing
a Unitai'ian. The Univerealist element
was strong in the society, and after
Mr. Randall left, the-Calvinistic branch
withdrew, leaving the Uuiversalists in
possession of the house. This eocie^
is located in the Centre Village, and is
the one to which the celebrated Parson
Roby no long ministered.
1739. Edward Cheever.
1752. Joseph Roby.
1804. William Frothiugham.
1831. Joseph Emerson.
1334. Hei-vey Wilbur.
1826. Ephraim Randall.
1835. D. B. Harris.
1837. John Nichols.
1350. Josiah Marvin.
1854. Josiah Talbot.
1857. J. H. Campbell
1860. B. W. Atweil.
1862. J. H. Campbell.
Trinitariaij Conc
This society was formed by thosa
who vrithdi'ew, leaving the Uuiversal-
ists in possession of the &at church.
183a Sidney Holman.
1843. Theophilus Sawb.
1847. Cyrus Stone.
1851. LeviBrigham.
Methodist. [East Village.)
Methodism was introduced into San-
Walton, and a few other laymen of
Lynn. And tlieclasaea formed at that
period were connected with the society
at Lyun. Li 1833, the Saugus mem-
d by Google
TABLES — SWAMPSCOT — NAHANT.
bers withdrew from the Lynn connec-
tion, anil formed a separate Boeiety in
theiv owu town. In 1827 they built
their first meeting-house, the celebrated
John N. Mafiit preaching the dedica-
tion sermon. Their present bouse of
worahipWHB dedicated Feb. 93, 1855,
Bishop Janes praaching the sermoD.
182a Warren Emerson.
1834. Henry Mayo.
1825. Laroy Sunderland.
1826. Aaron Josselin.
182a Nathan Paine.
1829. Ephraim K. Avery.
1830. John J. Bliss.
1831. Hiram H. Whiie-
1832. Rbenezer Blake.
1833. Joel Steele.
1834. Ezekiel W. Siickney.
1835. Lewis Bates.
1836. Newel S. Spnulding.
1837. Sanford Benton.
1839.
Daniel K. Bannister.
1841.
Jonathan D. Bridge.
1845.
Isaac A. Savage.
IH47.
Edward Cook.
1840
ITilliam M. Mann.
IKfWI,
Daniel K. Bannister.
m-i.
J. Augustus Adama.
im<
Ralph W. Allen.
1855.
iH.-;?,
Daniel Ricliards.
wm.
Jonas M. Clark.
IHfil.
Cyrus L, Eastman.
1863.
Daniel Richards.
Methodist, (Ciiftondale.)
WM.
James Blodeett.
1857.
law.
Solomon Chapiii.
iHm.
John S. Day.
1863.
s w
Swanjpscot was separated fro
TOWN CLERKS.
1852. John L. Seger.
1856. Francis E. Andrews.
1857. William D. Brackett
1858. John L. Seger.
1862. Samuel O. Ingalls.
1863. Daniel P. Stimpsou.
1864. John Seger.
POSTMASTERS.
i^MPSCOT.
1 Lynn and incorporated as a town in 185
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
COHGREBATIONAL.
[Trinitarian. Founded in 1846,
1846. Jonas B. Clark.
Methodist. [1854.]
1854. Edward S. Beat.
,1855. Charles Noble.
1856. John Smith.
1858. Zachariah A. Mudge.
1860. Linua Fish.
1862. George Sutherland.
1864. Moseley Dwtght.
N A H A N T .
N^ant was separated from Lynn (
TOWN CLERKS.
nd incorporated as a town in 1853.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Independent Methodist, [1851.]
1855. William R. Clark.
George G. Jones.
1859.
POSTMASTERS.
The Nahant Post-office was
lished in July, 1847.
1847. Phineas Drew.
1847. Welcome W. Johnson.
X2
Allen Gannet.
Chai'les N. Smith.
Stephen Gushing.
832 a Tuscan Chapel was erect-
e chiefly by the subscriptions of
er residents. SeiTices are held
ui'ing the warm season only.
d by Google
CHAPTER V.
CONCLUSION.
In closing our Record of Events in the history of Lynn, a
congratulatory word or two may, not improperly, be indulged in.
Twenty years have been added to the annals of Mr. Lewis, and
perhaps no score of years in our whole history have been marked
by greater changes. We have adopted the city form of govern-
ment ; and not only that, but after a sort have in appearance
likewise matured from village to city. Our population has
rapidly increased — improvements, useful, durable, and orna-
mental, have been made on every hand — larger and more costly
buildings have been erected — hissing steam and rumbling ma-
chinery have been introduced in the manufiictui-e of shoes, our
staple article — our taxable property has greatly increased ; and
so, for that matter, have our taxes — the Common has been
enclosed, studded with trees, and traversed by gravel walks —
brick side-walks have been laid and numerous ornamental trees
planted along their borders — tho road over the Beach has been
constructed — the Police Court has been established — Pine
Grove Cemetery has been laid out — the horse rail-road has
been built — gas has been introduced for the lighting of
our streets, stores, and dwellings — telegraphic communication
with the most distant quarters has been established — the schools
have much improved, and greatly increased in number — reli-
gious societies have sprung up till every true ivovshiper if not
every whim-driven soul, may find a congenial shrine — and two
of the thrifty children, Nahant and Swampscot have been invest-
ed with the blessings and responsibilities of municipal freedom.
About twenty years ago, quite an improvement in the archi-
tectural aspect of Lynn began to manifest itself. Before that
time the common, unembelHshed dwelling of one, one and a
half, or two stories in height, prevailed. Buildings of more than
(590)
d by Google
ErccleJ in 18J4 Unioi siilU Luiiiei ofM ill euy
d by Google
db, Google
CONCLDSIOU.
591
two stories, or of any material bat wood were almost unknown.
They were usually very plain, with pitch roofs, painted white,
and often furnished with green blinds. They had an air of
neatness and comfort, though indicating limited means. But
those of a very different character have, within these few
years, appeared in every quarter. Among the illustrations
of this volume may be found representations of some of our
later structures. And we are gratified in being able to intro-
duce a very perfect picture of the old Tows House, subse-
ciuently diguifled by the name of Citt Hall. It is not,
however, presented for its architectural elegance, but for the
interest that attacbos to it as being the only building ever
yet reared in Lynn, specially for ranmoipal purposes. It was
burned at about dayhght on the raoruing of October 6, 1864,
as stated on page 478. In 1863, however, a site for a new
City Hall was purchased, near the eastern end of the Common,
at the corner of Esses street; and indeed Lynn would long
ago have had an edifice better becoming her dignity could talk
have built it. The picture was taken a few weeks before the
fire, being actually photographed upon the block. A portion of
the walls escaped, and there is no knowing to what base usea
they may yet arrive.
The Town House was built in 1814, and stood on the centre
of the Common, nearly opposite the head of Hanover street.
It originally had a hipped roof, and was square in form. The
interior remained unfinished for many years. Elections were
d by Google
692 HISTORY OF LTNN.
of course be]d in it ; and military companies aometimes exercised
there; and it was used for assemblages of various kinds. In
1832 it was removed to the spot ou which it was burned — a
few rods west of Church street, on South Common — and the
ball finished. For a long time this was the largest and almost
the only hall in town, and was occupied for all sorts of meetings,
lectures, and exhibitions. On the formation of the City Gov-
ernment, in 1850, the building was thoroughly repaired and the
interior remodeled. And from that time till ita destruction its
walls continued to resound with the eloquence of the City Fa-
thers as erst they did with that of the patriotic old Town Orators.
But the glory of Lynn does not lie in the stateiiness of her
edifices or the elegance of her thoroughfares. She has not yet
attained to any thing very great in respect to these — though
if all the finer buildings were concentrated in one quarter they
would present quite an imposing array — and would rather
point to the thrift and good condition of her people; to their
industry and temperance ; to her ample provision for moral
and intellectual culture ; to her generous guardianship of the
few dependent ones within her borders ; and especially to the
charms which nature has so lavishly bestowed upon her —
charms which continue to attract, during every watering season,
BO many strangers of wealth and refinement.
n closing, to express most grateful acknoxvledgments for
the ready help that we have in numberless ii)stai:ces received. To name
every one to whom we ai-e indebted would be impossible. But acknow-
ledgments are especially due to Joseph Mototok, who is one of the moat
intelligent and reliable antiquariana among us. He has a small but choice
library, contaioing a number of the best historical and genealogical works,
aifd is always ready to lend hia valuable aid to those engaged in research
among the things of the past. He resides in the old Mansfield house, so
called, which stands on the north side of Boston street, opposite the eastern
end of Marion, which house is supposed to have weathered tlie storms of
about two hundred years, having been built, according to well-sustained tradi-
tion, during the yeai- of the great fire in London — 1666, And it is a note-
worthy fact that it has remained in the occupancy of the direct descendants
of Antlrew Mansfield, the individual who ei-ected it, and who was Town Clerk
in 1666, ever since ita construction, Mr, Moulton, on the maternal side, being
in the direct line. It has, of course, undergone repairs and alterations neces-
sary to meet the exigenciea of changing time, but remains essentially the
same. Acknowledftments are also due to Behjamih Mbboe, to WiLLiini B.
Oliver, to Waldo Thompson, to John Dahporth, Jr., of Ljnufield, lo
Elijah P. RoBiriSOH, of Sangiis, and to Joaw Q. Hammond and Da. Piper,
of Nahant, Nor should the expression of obligations to ititHAan S. Fat and
E, Redikbtom Mudqe, be omitted.
d by Google
) the book appears in tbia Itidex, ;
Abjelibo, ship, captured, 467.
Abbott, 439, 548, 543, 585.
Abigail, (Indian,) 40, 51.
Aborne, 183, 576.
Abousett (SaugMs) river, 31, 57.
Academy, LynD, 367, 370, 379, 581.
Accident at Bchool-house, 416.
Accident from bumingfluid, 447.
Accidents, fatal. See Doaths.
Adam, (slave,) 344.
Adams, 323, 330, 343, 360, 361, 367,
575, 576, 581, 583, 587, 589.
Address to President Adams, 360.
Airicauus, (slave,) 344.
Agassiz, 95, 85, 382.
Aged persons, 36, 118, 119, 131, 136,
163, 339, 366, 357, 391, 396, 434,
451,463.
Agricultural exhibi^ons, 416, 417, 421.
AgricQlture. 44, 133, 140, 169.
Afiawayet, (Indian,) 39, 40.
Alartn-houses, 303.
Alarma, 49, 138, 303, 331, 338, 341, 377.
Aldemnn, 249.
Alewives, 80, 141, 143, 144, 319, 267,
433. See Fish.
Allen, 111, 185, 190, 191, ^9, 356,
258, ^9, 300, 318, 394, 576, 589.
Alley, 183 184, 185, 263. 305, 337, 343,
397, 403, 414, 415, 454, 465, 473, 502,
576, 579, 581, 582.
Allotment oflanda, 171, 30ft
Alms-honse, 381, 433.
Almy, 169, 576.
Ambler, 583.
Ames, 456, 584.
Amey, 576.
Amherat,N.H,,settled in 1733 by peo-
ple from Lynn, 334.
Amory, 63, 359.
Anderson, 307, 576.
Andrew, 466, 575.
Andrews, 132. 147, 465, 576, 583, 589.
Andros, 50, 51, 55, 384 to 390, 312, 575.
X2*
Ahecdotes :
Apples and cider, 257.
Biter bit, 179.
Conjugal ilifflculty, 37.
Courting, 163, 186, 280.
Cow in grave-yard, 370.
Dark day, 344.
Early travel, f
Edito
t, 517.
: lawyer's experience, 370.
Girl lost in the woods, 141.
Guessing time, 346.
Holding things in common, 197.
Humors of a sick man, 518.
Indian cunning, 364.
Indian's visit to England, 137.
Instinct of young cows, 421 .
John's Peril, 61.
Lawyer and client, 435.
Man and Bear, 135.
Man and boat blown to pieces, 140.
Minister's choice, 139.
Miuistera, 337, 338.
Mutton vs. turkey, 537.
Panic stricken soldier, 342.
Piety of Mr. Whiting, 269.
Practical joker, 347,
Prayer, efficacy of, 238.
Proving a new vessel, 331.
Quaker log-rolling, 521.
Quarrel of Dexter and Endiuott, 137.
Removing boulder, 74.
Revolutionary soldiers, 341
Rhyming, 303.
Ride to Boston for a dinner, 516.
Saint Cuthbert, 87.
Singular cure of fever, 70.
Takin
IS together, 149.
Tenacity of purpose, 418.
Tj'eatment of company, 515.
True Moody's savings bank, 444.
Warning ofTa new comer, 397,
Wit, encounter of, 330.
Wit ofMoU Pitcher. 375.
Woman and wolf, 136.
d by Google
Animals, wild, found in Lynn, 43.
Annawon (Lidian,) 964.
AnniB, 417.
Anti-masonry, 394, 401.
Anti-slavery lecture, disturbance at, 401
Anti-slavery society formed, 398.
Appleton, 325, 363, 366, 280, 57a
Appropriation, city, 1864, items, 586.
Arago, 396.
Archdale, S66.
Archer, 576.
Arcbes, auroral. See Northern Lights.
Ardwav, 211.
Armitage, 114,156,157, 172, 174, 188,
190, 209, 210, 311, 331, 334, 333, 341,
376, 576.
Artillery, Ancient and Hon., 177, 579,
Artillery, Lynn, 370, 414. See Militaiy.
Asbury, 3^
Assistants and Counsellors, 577.
Astronomical observatory, 469.
Atherton, """
Atkin
.122.
Atkinson, 465.
Atlantic cable celebration, 453.
Atmospheric refraction, ciirioua ef
of,83,378. See Celestial Phenomena.
Atwill, 297, 439, 576, 579, 581, 583,
Atwood, 576.
Audley, 576.
Augustine, 576.
Aurora borealis. See Northern Lights.
Austin, 62, 431, 473, 485, 581.
AoTOGaAPHS :
Breed, Allen, 115.
Burrill, George, 115.
Cicily, alias Su-George (Indian,) 55.
Dexter, Tiiomas, 205.
Kunksbamooshaw, Abigail, 55.
Kuukshamooshaw, David, 55.
Laighton, Thomas, 155.
Newhall, Thomas, first white person
Iwrn in Lynn, 136, 483.
Pitcher, Moll, the fortune-teller, 376.
Ponham, Mary, (Quonopohit,) 55.
WhilJng, Rev. Samuel, 270.
Autumn foliage, 82.
Avery, 589.
Aiey, U5, 172, 240, 576, 578.
Ayers, 576.
Bachiler, Bacbeller, Batchelder, 100,
102, 125, 139, 140, 342, 159 to 164,
179, 428, 471, 483, 576, 579 to 582.
Backus, 101.
Bacon, 368, 534.
Bagnall, 141.
Bailey, Bayley, 120, 190, 228, 255, 292,
333, 430, 405, 486, 576. 579, 587.
Baker, 116, (117 and 118 contain tiie
romantic history of Christine, the
Indian captive,) 156, 172, 190, 263,
299, 405, 424, 426, 433, 436, 479,
(566 contains a biographical notice
of Daniel C, the third mayor of
Lynn,) 576, 579, 582.
Ball, calico, 455.
Ballads, old New England, 107, 133.
Ballard, 115, 143, 171, 208, 211, 282,
291, 393, 365, 367, 430, 576, 579, 581.
Balloon ascensions, 401, 403, 411.
Bancroft, 113, 171, 184, 275, 351, 470,
576, 579.
Banks, (surname,) 453, 575.
Banks, (money institutions,) 377, 390,
398, 423, 43&, 445, 585.
Bannister, 589.
Baptism, fiist in Lynn, 139.
Baptists, ]27, 131, 187, 204, 208, 219,
230, 257, 373, 379, 433, 460, 584.
Barber, 226, 576.
Berberry bushes, 79, 329.
Barcroft, 118.
Bard, 576.
Baidson, 26.
Barker, 410, 465.
Barlow, 394, 400, 583.
Barnstable settled by Lynn people, 192.
Barrett, 432.
Barry, 433, 464, 579. See Ben'y.
Bartlett, 465.
Bartoll, 576.
Bartram; 576.
Bass, 141, 144.
Bassett, 51 to 53, 127, 184, (185 con-
tains the genealogy of the principal
Bassett fiimily now in Lynn,) 300,
266, 375, 383, 291, 292, 294, 295, 305,
335, 344, 345, 424, 426, 433, 435, 570,
576, 580.
Batchelder. See Bachiler.
Bates, 333, 432, 465, 576, 589.
Bathing, 81.
Batten, 576.
Batter, 172, 300, 336, 26J, 576.
Battle of Bunker Hill, 341.
Battle of Chesapeake and Shannon,373.
Battle of Lexington, 338.
Batts, 579.
Baudouin, 91.
Baxter, 465.
Bayley. See Bailey.
Beach protectoi-s, 388, 404, 429.
Beach road, 431, 429.
d by Google
3, er, 78, 144, 388. 404, 431,
429, 433. See Stovma Tides.
Beacons oil Dread Ledge, 395, 397, 477.
Beal, 236, 375, 276, 576.
Beans, 576.
Bear Poud, 70.
Beard, (surname) 89, 90.
Beard, [of tha hurami face,) 133, 438.
Bears, 135, 332.
Beauchamp, 205, 363.'
Becke, 305.
Becx, 205, 235.
Beebe, 583.
Belcher, 323, 575, 576.
Belknap, 150, 173, 576, 579.
BellaJiiont, 575.
Bellamy, 311.
Beliingham, 152,181,575.
Beiis, cliurcb, 380, 463. 586.
Benuet, 95,119, 143, ITS, 313, 316, 334,
334, 359, 576, 579.
Benton, 583, 589.
Bernard, 575.
Berries, varieties of, found in Lynn, 79.
Berry, 185, 226, 235, 416, 465, 473, 576.
Besse, 465, 576.
Best, 589.
Biame, 26.
Bible not I'ead at Snnday services, 105.
Biddle, 473, 584.
Bilboes — Stocks, 148.
Billiiigton, 207.
Binney, 583.
BiooRAPHicAi Sketches i
SONAI. Notices :
Pkr-
Adams, Rev. Benj. Lynnfield, 343.
Bacliiler, Rev. Stephen, 139, 159.
Baker, Christine, Indian captive, 117.
Baker, Daniel C, third mayor, 566.
Barker, Dr. Charles O., 410.
Breed, Ebenezcr, (Uncle Ebon.) 519.
Breed, Isaiah, 541.
Britublecom, Col. Samuel, 434.
Brown, Goold, 449.
Buirill, Hon. Ebenezer, 492.
Burrill, Hon. John, 489.
Carnes, Rev. John, 363.
Chase, Rev. Stephen, Lynnfield, 330.
Cheever, Rev. Edv/ard, Saugua, 328.
Childs, Amariah,415.-
Cobbet, Rev. Thomas, 936.
Coffin, Dr. Edward L., 533.
Cui-tin, Enoch, 52S.
Dagyr, John Adam, J
), 475.
BioQKAFHiCAi. Sketches and Per-
sonal Notices — (Continued,)
Dextei-, Thomas, 204.
Downing, Elijah, 519.
Felton, Cornelias C, 86
Flagg, Dr. John, 358.
Floi-u, [slave,) 391.
Fuller, Maria Augusta, 505.
Gardner, Dr. James, 397.
Gates, Isaac, lawyer, 435.
Gray, George, the Lyno hermit, 419.
Grav, William, 496.
Hazeltine, Dr. Richard, 403.
Henchman, Rev. Nathaniel, 332.
Hentz, Caroline Lee, 275.
Holyoke, Edward, 131.
Hood, George, first mayor, 542.
Humfrey, John, 147, 197.
Hurd, Rev. Isaac, 379.
Hutchinson, Jesse, 437.
Hutchinson, Judson J., 455.
.Jenks, Joseph, iron-worker, 308.
Leooai-d, James and Henry, 206.
Lewis, Alonzo, 544.
Lummus, Dr. Aaron, 396.
Lumm us, Charles F^ first piiBter,5Il
Merrill, Benjamin, flrat lawyer, 370l
Montowampace, Indian Sagamore of
Lynn, 36, 146.
Moody, Lady Deborah, 187.
Moody, True, 444.
MotteV, Rev. Joseph, Lynnfield, 387.
Moull^n, Solomon, 503.
Mudge, Rev. Enoch, 536.
Mudge, Ezi-a, 538.
Mulliken, Samuel, 417.
Nahanton, (Indian,) 41.
Nanapashemet, Indian Sachem, 34.
Newhall, Asa T., Lynnfield, 537.
Newhall, Benjamin F., Saugus, 567.
Newhall, Francis S^ 539.
Newhall, Isaac, 540.
Newhall, Jacob, landlord, 494.
Newhall, Josiah, 533.
Newhall, Thomas, the first person of
European parentage born here —
with genealogy of the Newhall
family, 482.
Parsons, Rev. Obadiab, 356.
Perkins, Dr. John, Lynnfield, 345.
Pieraon, Rev. Abraham, 195.
Richer, Moll, the fortune-teller, 374,
Pompey, (slave,) 344.
Poquanum, Sachem «f Nohnnt, 40,
141, 146.
Purchis, Thomas, 266.
Quanopkonat, (Indian,) 42.
Robinson, Col. James, 397
db, Google
596 HISTORY
OF LYNH.
Biographical Seg-tches and Peh-
Bounties. See Soldiers' Bounties.
soNAi. NoTicus — (Continued.)
Boui'nc, 576.
Robv, Rev. Joseph, Saugus, 363.
Boutwell, 150, 173, 575, 576.
Sadler, Richard, 157.
Bowdeu, 579.
Shepard, Rev. Jeremiah, 314.
Bowdoln, 576, 579.
Sparhawlc,Rev.Nath'l, Lyuufie!d,393.
Bowdwell, 197.
Swett, Rev. William Gray, 410.
Thacher, Rev. Thomas O, 373.
Bowler, 337, 580.
Bovnton, 336, 463, 465.
Treadwell, Rev. John, 346.
Brabrook, 576.
Tj-evett, Rohert W., lawyer, 409.
Bi'ackett, 333, 589.
Tudo]-,Pi-e(lei-ic 474.
Bradbum, 589.
Turner, Capt. Nathaniel, 128.
Bradbmy, 69, 211.
Washburn, Reuben P., lawyer, 372.
Braddock, 396.
Wenepoykin, (Indian,) 38.
Bradstreet. 115, 304, 210, 211, 255, 257,
Whiting, Rev. Samuel, 267.
977, 996, 575.
Yawata, (Indiao,) 40.
Brainard, 174.
[See also Early Settlers.]
Braman, 583.
Birds, 45, 57, 80. 144, 298, 299, 433, 473.
Bi'and, 576.
Bishop, 256.
Brattle, 296.
Bistow, 239.
Braun or Brawn, 265, 456, 576.
Bitner, 111.
Brazil, 447.
Black, 465, 589.
Bredoan, 576.
Btackmore, 576.
Breed, 61, 91, 115, 171, 185, 194, 935,
252, 282, 292, 293, 397, 299, 305, 31 1,
Black Will, (Indian,) 40, 131, 141, 344,
312, 340, 349, 354, 362, 363, 364, 365,
241,242.
370, 386, 403, 411, 499, 443, 463, 465,
Black Will's Cliff, 67.
473, 473, 479, 485. (519 to 628 con-
Blake, 542.
tiuii a biographical notice of Ebene-
zer Breed— "Uncle Eben." And
Biancbard, 448, 579.
Blaney, 226, 267, 329, 359, 373, 3i}5,
541 and 543 contain a biographical
448, 470, 576.
notice of' Isaiah Broed.) 544, 576,
Bliffhe, 26, 256, 292, 576.
579, 580, 581.
Bliss, 576;589.
Breed's End, oiigin of name, 115.
Blodgett, 589.
Blood, 576.
Breretoii, 31.
Bi'ewer, 190, 226, 992, 538, 576.
Bloodgood, 583.
Briam and Bryant, 333, 587.
Bloomei-, 430.
Briard, 576.
Brick side-walks, 440.
Blott, 314, 576. '
Bridge, (sui-name,) 589.
Bly, 226, 576.
Bridge, natni-al. 60
Board of Trade, 450.
Bridges, (aui-name,) 8S, 120, l.'SO, 173,
Boardman, and Bordman, 576, 588.
185, 304, 205, 212, 216. 217, 219, 991
Boiling Springs, 70, 71.
to 224, 230, 231, 240, 576 to 579.
Bolishir, 576.
Bridges, (oyer water-courses,) 58, 60,
Bolles. 534.
70, 96, 141, 189, 219, 223, 236, 331,
Bonapaite, 500.
334.
Bond, 181, 205, 478.
Brier, 57a
Bonney, 583.
Brigga, 575, 57a
Bouython. 180.
Brigtiam, 58S.
Bootfish, 57a
Brimblecom, 91, 424.
Booth, 576.
Brimsdell, 576.
Boi-adilo, 314.
Brintnall, 576.
Boston Massacre, 335.
Brisco, 576.
Botany of Lynn, 78, 455.
Broadhead, 583.
Boiildei-s, jjranite, 73.
Brock, 373.
Bound, 576.
Brook, (surname,) 171, 179.
Boundaries, 57, 183,234, 252, 257, 441,
Brooks, (surname,) 173, 175, 378, 428,
575, 576, 584.
452.
db, Google
Brooks, (w.
m,) 144, 145, aOl,
Brown, 52, 53, 95, 109, 119, 171, 181,
200, 214, 928, 309, 310, 417, 448, 449,
453, 458, 465, 483, 573, 576, 578, 579.
Brummell, 516.
Bryan, 576.
Bryant. See Brlanl.
Buchanan, 453.
Buckingham, 513.
Buckley, 239, 448, 452.
Buffiim, 426.
Bupeil, 576.
Btilfincli, 418.
Bulkley, 300.
Bull, ferocious, 221.
Bull-fight ill 1808, ia Lynn, 369
Bum stead, 321.
Bundock, 154, 155.
Bunker Hill battle, 341.
Bm-cliam, 150, 151, 173, 314, 576, 580.
Burchsted, 26, 311, 330, 342, 345, 375,
576.
Burden, 131, 576, 584.
Bui'ge, 233, 576.
Burges, 576.
Burial places. See Burying Grounds.
Burn, 576.
Burnam and Buraham, 579, 581.
Eurnell, 576.
Burnett, 117, 575, 576.
Burning fluid, accident by, 447.
Burrage, 226, 296, 576, 579.
Burrill, 10, 51. (115 and 493 contain
genealogies of tbe Burrill laniily.)
116, 171, 173, 201, 202, 227, 263, 366,
280, 982, 987, 990, 391, 992, 993, 397,
319, ai5, 333, 334, 338, 345, 354, 358,
879^463,465,479,485. (489 to 494
contain biographical notices of Hon.
John Bumll, and Hon. Ebenezer,
Iiis brother.) 494, 540, 576, 577, 578,
579. 580, 581.
Burroughs, 994, 301, 303.
Burt, 151, 179, 175, 184, 191, 919, 576.
Burton, 171, 339, 576.
BuiTingGrounda, 44, 170, 283, 299,390,
379, 389, 390. See Cemeteries.
Juiler, 446, 576, 583.
Jutton, 49.
tyfleld, 104.
iylee, 344.
tyron, 554.
Cabot, 28, 383.
Calamy, 158,
Caldwell, 421, '
Calef, 996.
Calico bnll, 455.
Calico printing, 403.
California emigration, 423.
Galley, 588.
Callum, 576.
Calvin, 442.
Camden, 170.
Cameron, 359.
CampbeH, 465, 588.
Conker worms, 952, 309, 326, 336, 394,
473.
Canonieus, (Indian,) 33.
Cantei-bury, 576.
Capiteio, 33.
Carlisle, 448.
Carman, 169, 576.
Cariics, 351, 352, 363, 373, 374, 579,
581.
Carpentei-, 465.
Cartel', 403.
Case, ,^81.
Cftseley, 576.
Cass, 427.
Castine, 289.
Castle Rock, 60. 75.
Casualties. See Deaths.
Caswell, 465.
Catamount killed in Lynn woods, 335.
Caterpillars, 920, 256, 281 , 309, 338, 473.
Catholic Church, 456, 464, 585.
Cathohc Neutrals, 330.
Catlin, 423, 576.
Cattle, 112, J31, 136. 144, 147, 179, 23^
986, 298, 311, 325, 328.
Cattle Shows. See Agi-icultural Eshi-
birions.
Cauldron Cliff, 60.
Caulkins, 211, 576.
Cave, Dungeon. See Dungeon Bock,
Cave, Swallows', 59, 75.
Cave, Wolf's, 66.
~ !m. Roaring, 60.
Cedar Pond, 70.
Oelebiations. See Independence.
Celestial and atmospheric phenomena,
89, 957, 278, 313, 333, 397, 335, 336,
338, 389, 390, 391, 396, 397, 400, 402,
415, 496, 434, 446, 449, 457, 461, 462.
Cemetery, Pine Grove, Lynn, conse-
crated, 425. First buria! ui, 426.
Conveyed to the city, 438. Soldiers'
lot in, 479.
Cemetery, Catholic, consecrated, 454.
Cemetery, Lynofield, consecrated, 448.
Cemetery, Swampscot, conBecrated,439
Chadwell, 119, 169, 171, 927, 298, 340,
526, 538, 576, 579.
d by Google
HISTOEY OP LYNN.
ordinary, t
Chadwipk, 584.
Chamberlain, 579.
Chandler, 465, 581.
Changes of weather,
417,438,443,464.
Channing, 553.
Chapin, 589.
Chaptnnii, 154.
Cliartere, colonial, 280, 575.
Chase, 323, 327, 330, 333, 370, 402, 416,
465, 485, 500, 568, 581, 585, 587.
Cheever, 86, 330, 335, 398, 344, 345,
429, 471, 576, 578, 579, 588.
Chesapeake and Shannon, hattle of, 373.
ChesQUIs, 253.
Chessman, 584.
Chester, 417.
Ghinataubui, (Indian,) 33.
Chickering,3lO.
ChUd, 158, 211.
Childa, 331,360, 415, 416, 568, 585. 58S.
Chillingworlli, 576.
Chilson, 208, 676.
Chipinan, 499.
Choate, 430,
ChoRolate manufacture, 360, 415.
Cholera, Asiatic, 423.
Christmas, observance of, forbidden by
law, 103, 351.
Christmas-day, warm, 358.
Church, (surname,) 134, 305, 587.
Church, formation of first in Lynn, 139.
Cliurch difficulties, 140, 148, 164, 354,
387.
Church edifices. See Meeting Houses.
Church, Pi-otestant Episcopal, 100 to
110,381,403,404,460.
Churches. See Religious Societies.
Churchill, melancholy death of Miss
Sarah, 429.
Churchman, 190, 191, 576.
Chute. 448, 587.
CicilySu-George,(lndian,)39,41,51,.54.
Cilley, 465.
City form of governraenl adopted, 424,
Clerks, list of, 580.
Debt at diffei'ent periods, 586.
Property in 1864, value o^ 586.
Tax and rate of taxation at differ-
ent periods, 586.
Appropriation, 1864, items, 586.
Hall, 478, 591.
.Valuation of estates hi, at differ-
ent periods, 586.
City Guards, 433, 465.
Clom-bake. political, at Swampacot.414.
Clams, 136,144, 997. .309.
Clapp, 156, 589.
Clark, 131, 185, 930, 931, 305, 431, 434,
469, 576, 581, 583, 589.
Clairapfe, 465.
Clay, 437, 434, 461.
Clement, 465, 576.
Clergymen. See Minisiers.
Cierks, Town and Citv, lists of, 580.
Town, of Lynnfield, 587.
Toi\n, of Nahant, 589.
Town, of Sa«s»s, 588.
Town, ofSwampscot, 589.
of tiie Writs, 10, 214, 292, 580.
Cleveland, 346, 351.
Clevea, 160.
Clifford, 399, 300, 575, 576.
Climate, 80, 33.
Clocks, pubhc, 586.
Clough, 135.
Coal, anrhracite, early use of, 400.
Coates, ^6,341, 361,285,417,576,579.
Cobb, 403.
Cobbet, 48, 49, 159, 169, 179, 309, 313,
215, 394, 399, 235 lo 242, 256, 257,
260, 576, 582.
Ood-fish, 80. Great fares of, 448.
Codm
1, 395.
!, 465.
Coffee, introduction of, 313.
Coffin, 356, 396, 453, 479, 533, 534.
Coggshall, 377.
Coining. See Money.
Cold, 204, 232, 998, 325, 344, 356, 380,
386, 390, 397, 404, 407, 411, 442, 445,
473.
Coldam, 119, 143, 172, 173,175,292,
576, 579.
Cole, 190, 295, 576, 579, 584.
Coleswoithy, 151,576.
Collins, 11, 151, 154, 171, 185, 215, 919,
240, 252, 253, 282, 991, 993, 998, 301,
305, 313, 324, 325, 326, 328, 331, 336,
344, 345, 467, 479. (500 to 509 con-
tain a hiogi'apbical notice of Micajafa
Collins, the Quaker preacher.) 590,
531, 525, 536, 576, 578, 579, 580.
Colored race, 93, 277. See Slaves.
Slavery.
Columbus, 98, 271.
Colyer, 443.
Come-outei's, 408.
Comete, 234, 255, 976, 372, 390, 409,
411, 437, 451. (454, the comet of
1858, with illustration.) 460. (463,
the comet of 1861, with illustration.)
Comniiitee of Safety, Revolutionary,
340.
Common Council, Presidents of, 581.
Common, Lynn, 306, 310, 422.
d by Google
Communion plateofFlrat Church, 354.
Cooanr, 5fi, ]41, 187.
Concrete or grave! houses, 440.
Gondii, 587.
Conflict between church (lud civil au-
tliorities, 353.
CougreBS hoot, 417.
Conner, 430, 431, 465.
Consumption, 81, 438.
ContuientEil money, 343.
Contentions, Con stitu lion ol, niembei'g
of, 581.
Cooke, 409. 407, 408, 430, 448, 475 to
477, 583, 589.
Coolidge, 405.
Cooper, 151, 171, 173, 194, 195, 916,
576.
Copley, 905.
Copp,37I,435.
Corey, 294.
Com, 133, 169.
Corwin or Curwin, 900, 238, 969.
Costume. See Di'esB.
Cotton, (suniame,) 169, S34.
Counsellors and Assistants, names o£
577.
Courts, 13, 134, 146, 164, 165, 169, 250,
253, 956, 323, 335, 423, 582.
Courtship, 37, 163, 186, 932, 295, 280.
Cove, Dorothy's, 391.
Covel, 583.
Covenaut, Half-vi-ay, 166.
Covenant of First Ohui-eh of Lynn, 165.
Cowdry, 113, 171,914,576.
Cowpei', 214, 916, 57ft
Cox, 439, 576, 583.
Coye, 583.
Crafts, 173, 256.
Orandall, 131, 330, 931, 583.
Cranston, ,576.
Crimes. See Punishments.
Ci-oft, 173, 576.
Cromwell, 156,229,234.
" j, 173, 576.
Croi
,358.
Crowell, 583, 584.
Ci'owniiisehcldt, 71, 79, 299, 300, 576.
Cryon, 465.
Currel, 366.
Currency. See Money.
Curtiti,343,479,514. '{598 to 533 con-
tain a notice of E^och Curtin.)
Curtis, 820, 415, 465.
Curwin or Corwin, 200, 328, 289.
Gushing, 390, 579, 583, 589.
Cnshmau, 191, 364, 584.
Gustoms. See Manners and Customs.
Cutler, 534.
Daffiii, 290, 287.
Daguerreotype picture, first taken in
Lynn, 409.
Dagyr, 90, 328.
Daltoa, 160, 164, 466.
Dancing, 939, 960, 359, 416.
Dane, 576.
Danforth, 111. 178, 374, 275, 996, 434,
579, 587, 592.
Daniels, 190, 576.
Dark days, 310, 34a
Darling, 208, 399, 57ft
Dfishiiig Rock, 61.
D'Auley, 217.
Davenport, 98, 199, 176, 46ft
David, (Indian,) 39. 41, 51, 54.
Davis, 122, 151, 153,172. 173, 181, 193,
20(J, 376, 983, 384, 43(1, 433, 436, 453,
466, 472, 575, 576, 579, 581.
Davison, 233.
Dawes, 924, 57ft
Day, 584, 589.
Deacon, 953, 179, 958, 57ft
Deaths, accidental and singular. 111,
124, 153, 3a3, 263, 377, 321, 323, 324,
39ft 329, 331, 332,334, 335, 336, 347,
351, 357, 358, 362, 364, 366, 367, 371,
377, 380, 381, 388, 391, 394, 395, 403,
405, 406, 414, 415, 418, 431, 493, 49ft
499, 430, 439, 434, 43ft 437, 438, 439,
443, 445, 446, 447, 449, 450, 451, 453,
453, 454, 456, 457, 460, 467, 469, 472,
474, 478.
Debt, City, at different periods, 58ft
Deed, Indian, of Lynn, 49, 283.
Deer, 311,335, 337.
Degen, 583.
Dejavan, 581.
Denier, 461.
Deunison,361,58a
Dent, 576.
Derbv, 497, 499.
Doi'ick, 394, 395, 57ft
Desborough, .576.
Dcvereaux, 349.
DeWitt, 190.
Dexter, 40, 95, 119, 195, 131, 137, 133,
140, 143, 169, 172, I9G, 204, 305, 213.
219, 221, 334, 340, 341, 249, 367, 318,
319, 34ft 57ft
Dickerson, 298.
Dillingham, 130, 169, 57ft
Diman, 576.
Dimond, 374.
Dinah, (slave,) 344.
Dlnaii, 188, 199.
Dingley, 57ft
db, Google
HiaTORT OP LYNN.
Disaster at Lymifielcl Pond, 436.
Disascera of the Sea. See Shipwrecks.
DiBcoveriee and Voyages, early, 25.
Diseases. See Sickness.
Dispaw, 576.
Diyen, 135, 576.
Division of Innds, 171.352, 806.
Dixey, 118,113,349,576.
Pixon, 389.
Dizer, 588.
Doctors. See PLysicians.
DogB, number of, licensed in 1864, 5i
Dolan, 445.
Dole, 576.
Domestic animals. See Cattle. Sheep,
Donelly, 466.
Doolittle, 133, 123, 576.
Dorothy's Cove, 391.
Dorrel, 31.
Double Tides, remarkable, 150, 410.
Doiigheity, 466
Douglas, 576.
Dow, 471.
Downer, 465.
Downing, 137, 179, 307, 210, 993, ^4,
259, 317, 434, 479. (5X9 contains a
notic« of Elijah Downing.) 576,581.
Drake, 264, 579.
Draper, 451, 4K.
Di-ead Ledge Beacons, 395, 397, 477.
Di'ess, 87, 90, 182, 331, 333, 348, 430.
Di'ew, 539, 589.
Driver, 119, 172, 191, 363, 283, 291, 576,
584.
Droughts, 183, 312, 377, 283, 398, 306.
898, 347, 351, 362, 416, 439, 445, 447,
460, 477.
Drownings. See Deaths.
Drumer, 576.
Drunkenness, 135, 140, 204,211,212,
217.
Dudley, 36, 42, 45, 109. 114, 117, 203,
215, 305, 465, 575.
Dugnll, 57a
Diigglers, 576.
Dummer, 191, 575.
Dunbar, 58a
Dungeon Itock, 343 lo 250, 401, 430,
445, 471.
Dunham, 584.
Dunn, 579.
Dunnell, 579
Duuton, 156
Durant, 401.
Dwellings, construction and fasiiion of,
114, 132, 440, 590.
Dwight, 589.
Dyer, 369, 576.
Eagles, 432, 442. 446.
Early Settlers of Lynn, notices of, 111,
114,150,173,183,225. List of Sur-
names of, 576.
Eanhquakfls, 117, 182, 209, 943, 259,
321, 323, 324. 326, 330, 331, 333, 345.
361, 367, 371, 877, 380, 396, 403, 41&
436, 463.
Easterly winds, 435. See Winds,
Eastman, 460, 589.
Eaton, 229, 941, 576.
Eclipses, 955, 360, 367, 456.
Editors of Lynn newspapers, 582.
Edmunds, 130, 173, 282, 285, 576.
Education, 28a See Sciiools.
Edward, (Indian,) 303.
Edwai'ds, 466, 576.
Egg, 576.
Egg Rock, 61, 75, 448, 462.
Egg Rock Light, 448, 450.
Elder. 465.
Elderkin, 143, 172, 174, 175, 576.
Eldred, 444.
Electric Telegraph. 418, 444, 454.
Elephant, fii'st exhibited in Lynn, 362
Eiiot, 40, 181, 242, 260. 427.
Elkins, 299, 576.
Ellis, 223, 460, 576, 584.
Elwell, 184, 576.
i, 371.
Emerton, 465, 570,
Emery, 477.
Ernes, 588.
Endicott, 31, 32, 49, 95, 112, 137, 1.38.
149, 191, 905, 210, 211, ^29, 575.
Engines. See Fire Engines.
Enlistments, 465, 467.
EoteiTainment of dignitaiies, 310.
Episcopal Church. See Chui-oh.
Epitaphs :
Clifford, John, 299.
CobbeS Rev. Thomas, 236.
Henchman, Rev. Nathaniel, 33a
Shepard, Kev. Jeremiah, 318.
Stocker, Mrs. Harriet N., 436.
Townsend, Daniel, 389.
Whiting, Rev. Samuel, 278.
Eric, 26,
Errington, 576.
Essex, (slave,) 344.
Estes, 185, 305, 439, 466, 485, 576,
d by Google
Ether, singular death by, 443.
Eustis, 575.
Evelyn, 260.
Everett, 575.
Ewington, 57G.
Exchange Builditift, 41
Execution of Huph Peters, 149.
Explosion of steam cylinder, 470.
F.
Factory, Oak street, (Breed's,) 411.
Fairfield, 159, 190, 191, 193, SOO, 576.
Faime, 342. See Fern.
Fairs, Ladies', 404, 432. 469.
Tales, aiS, 465.
Fall ofa house, 440.
Farley, 443.
Farmer, 158.
Farm house, olJ, at Swarapscot, 202.
Farming, 44, 140, 169.
Farm produce, prices of, at different
periods. See Prices.
Famel,263,.')76.'
FariiBworth, 576.
Fai-r, 120, 172, 242, S!80, 576.
Farrar, 185, 186, 392, 293, 294, 995,
298, 306, 484, 485, 576.
FarringtoD. 51, 153, 171, 186, 190, 193,
194, 235, 263, 983, 393, 393, 342, 355,
3&5, 486, 493, 576, 579.
Fashions. See Dress.
Fasts, 164, 169, 255, 256, 260, 281, 309,
322, 423, 464, 469.
Fay, 71, 579, 592.
Feake, 130, 159, 576.
Felt, 233, 313, 321, 340, 576, 579.
FeltoD, 86, 576.
Female education, 363.
Fenno, 457, 474.
Feme, 185, 576. See Fairae.
Fernside, 576.
Feny, ancient, 94, 98, 183.
Fiiller, 362.
Field, 583.
Fight, prize, in Lynn, 436.
Fifimore, 427, 583.
Financial embarrassmeiite in 1857, 452.
FinncgaD, 363.
Fire Department, 402, 463.
Fire Enpnes, 235. 359, 451,461, 477, 586
Firo-flies, 80.
Fires, 121. 130, 196, 223, 324, 325, 329,
365, 368', 370, 386, 400, 403, 403, 407,
410, 412, 414, 415, 416, 418, 421, 423,
424. 435, 428, 42W, 430, 431 , 433, 437,
439, 443, 444, 446, 450, 452, 456, 457,
458, 460, 462. 464, 467, 469, 470, 471,
473, 473, 477, 478.
Y2
Fii-st Church Covenaiil, 165.
First interment in Old Burying Ground,
171. In Pine Grove Cemetery, 426.
First newspaper printed in Lynn, 513.
Fii-st Settlers. See Early Settlers.
First white pei'son bom here, 136, 483.
Fish, [surname,) 576, 589.
Fish, (of the sea,) 80, 141, 144, 219,
395, 433, 439, 450, 451, 452, 461, 463.
Great fares of, 443, 448, 463, 473,
478.
Fisher, 310.
Fiske, 473, 576.
Fitch, 111, 130, 172, 190, 214, 576.
Fiizpatrick, 445, 454, 467.
Flag, colonial, 149, 380, 347.
Flagff, 345, 358, 372, 379, 497.
Flanders,, 466.
Flannel, maoufiicture of, at Saugus,
395, 405.
Flax, 133.
Flax Pond, 132, 143.
Flint, 257, 365, 335, 339, 576, 580, 581.
Flood, 191, 576. See Floyd.
Flora, (slave,) 391, 392.
Florence. 579, 580.
Floyd, 153, 171, 576. See Flood.
Flushing, L. L, settled, in 1640, by
Lynn people, 196.
Flynn, 464.
Foley, 205, 235,
Foliage, autumn, 83.
Foote, 427.
Foot-prints in rock, 69.
Foot races, 443, 448, 453, 45a
FoibeB, 351, 456.
Forret, 192.
Fortune teller, [Moll Pitcher,) 374.
Foss, 465.
Foster, 153, 171, 207, 417, 426, 465,
466, 576.
Fott. 576.
Fowie, 158, 358, 484.
Fox, 163, 30;i.
Foxcroft, 465.
Foxes, 999, 319, 329, 445.
Foye, 465.
Fraile, 153, 173, 576.
Fronklin, 413.
Fraser, 465.
Free Church, 432, 585.
Freeman, (surname,) 153, 169, 576.
Freeman, (qualified resident.) 158.
Freemasons, 367, 390, 394, 401, 414.
French, 439.
Friction Matches come into use, 400.
Friends. See Quakei's.
Frost, (surname,) 335, 457, 583, 587.
d by Google
HiaTOET OP LYKN.
Pi-osted Trees, 393, 415. 508.
Frosts, 337, 358, 379, 403, 404, 45a
Frothingham, 366, 588.
Fruit, large crops of, 396, 463, 472.
Fugitive slave law of 1850, 436.
Fuller, 33, 153, 186. 253, 256, 262, 287,
292,359,3^418,450,479. (505 to
511 contain a biogniphiciil notice of
Maria Aupusta Puller.) 530, 576,
578, 580, 581, 585.
Fulton, 576.
Funerals, customs at, J03, 236, 276.
Funerals of <leceaaeii soldiera, 471.
Fiirbush, 430.
Furnace, great and little, 66.
G.
Gage, 316, 338, 575.
Gaines, 173, 190, 576.
Gale, (surname,) 433, 447.
Gales. See Winds. Storms. Tem-
Gannett, 587, 589.
Garder, 184, 263,57o.
Gardner, 306, 308, 358, 391, 397, 498,
575, 581.
Garments, fashious of. See Dress.
Gas, illiuninating, 436, 438, 463.
Gaakins, 345.
Gates, 435, 436, 514.
Gaunt, 576.
Gear -and Geere, 153, 576, 582, 583.
Gedney, 157,
Gb(
Bassett, 185.
Burrill, 115,499
Hart, 227.
Lewis, 181
Newhall, tracing the liueaite of four-
teen of the heads of families of
the name, now among us, up to
Thomas, the first individual of
European parentage, bom here,
483 to 488.
Witt, 190.
General Court. 134, 146, 164, 165, 169,
250, 256. 323, 335. 578.
Geology of Lynn, 73, 408.
George, 172, 576, 583.
George Rumuey Marsh alias GeorKO
No-Nose, (Indian,) 38, 39, 41, 42, 51,
131, 183, 203, 233, till, 243.
Gerry, 343, 350, 575, 576.
Oettings, 336.
Gibbons, 36, 180.
Gibson, 546, 576.
GifTord, 91, 907, 226, ^9, 230, 233,
235, 359, 276, 576.
Gift, (slave,) 344.
Gilbert, 466.
Giles, 576.
Gill, 580.
Gillow, 179, 186, 576
Gilloway, 576.
Gingle, 576.
Girls, lost, 141, 203. See Deaths.
Glover, 136.
Goats, 196, 233.
Goddard, 576.
Godson, 173, 175, 576,
Goff, 310.
Goldtiiwaite, 43L
Golt, 282, 576.
Goodale, 576.
Goodridge. 465.
Gookin, 33, 40, 47.
Gool, 576.
Goi-e, 353, 369. 575.
Goi'ges, 30, 31, 33, 34, 180, 198.
Gosnoid, 38, 29. 40.
Goss, 584.
Gott, 576.
Gould, 186, 226, 250, 251, 345, 576.
Gove, 438, 486.
Governors of Massacliusetis,listof,575.
Gowdey, 331.
Gowing or Gowan, 227, 298, 330, 331,
■ 450,576.
Grahar
Grer
i, 73.
Grasshoppers, 63. 956, ^8.
Gravel houses, 440.
Graves, 113, 130, aJ6, 263, 283, 576,
584.
Gravesend. origin of name, 121.
Graveseiid, L. I., settled in 1640, by
Lynn jteople, 196.
Gravestone, oldest in Lynn, 299.
Gray, 309, 312, 328, 362, 369. (419
and "20 contain a notice of George
Gi-ay the Lynn hermit.) 479. (496
to 500 contain a biographical sketch
of William Gi-ay, the eminent mer
chant.) 576,579,582.
Green and Greene, 229, 389, 391, 417,
.^76, 593, 587.
Greenhill, 205, 935.
Greenland, 306, 308, 576.
Greenwood, 576.
Griffin, 185, 466, 475, 57a
G]'otto, Irene's, 60.
Grotto, Mary's, 66.
Grout, 434.
Grover, 417, 466.
d by Google
Groiini!l, 576,
Guii-ey, 361.
Quna unt to be used by, oi- Bold to,
Indians, 135, 140.
Gurney, 442.
Gustio, 576.
H.
Haberfield, 999, 983, 576.
Hacker, 185, 576.
Hackett, 576.
Haddock, 80, 450.
Hadiey, 339, 580.
Hail, 978, 259, 441, 461.
Hail-, lon^, 334, 238, 333. See Bei
Hhle, 996, 576.
Half-way Covennnt, 166.
Hall, 120, 191, 256, 362, 576, 588.
Hallar
,584.
HaJlelt, 181.
Hollowell,337,341,580, SeeHolloway.
Halsall, 576.
Halsey, 179, 174, 194, 214, 916, 576.
HammiUKi, 171,576,5.92.
HamptOD, N. H., settled in 1638, by
Lynn people, 179.
Hanaford, 583.
Hflucocb, 345, 350. 575.
Handforth, 153, 173, 378, 576.
Hannibal, (alave,) 344, 345.
Hanson, 471, 546.
Hareher, 155, 172, 193, 194, 342, 576.
Hnrdman, 576.
Harker, 576.
Harlow, 576.
Ha rn dele, 576.
Hari'iden, 466.
Harris, 107, 247, 248, 300, 383, 402,
465, 466, 530, 584, 588.
Harrison, 408.
Hai'sey, 52.
Halt, 55, 188, 189, 236. [337_ contains
a genealogy of the Hart family.) 263,
282, 294, 295, 576, 579, 580.
Hartwell, 377.
Hasceli, 583.
Hasel, 231.
Hasey, 306. 308.
Haskell, 190, 447, 576.
Haekins. 576.
Hatcii, 5^.
Hathaway, 123.
Hathorne, 124, 176, 186, 196, 233, 340,
252, 253, 258, 261, 265, 282, 576.
Haven, 186, 211, 292, 482, 576.
Hawkes, 95, 121, 173, 219, 230, 233,
240, 251. 282, 203, 334, 345, 473,
576, 561; 583.
Hawkins, 151, 313, 576.
Ilawlov, 475.
Hav, 4"40. 576.
HaVnes, 575, 576
Hiiyward, 366.
Hazen, 332.
Hazeltine, 403.
He a ley, 576.
Hedding, 583.
Hedge, 242, 576.
Hempstead, (surname,) 584.
Hempstead, L. L, settled in 1640, by
Lynn people, 196.'
Henchman, 318, 323, 336, 327, 329,
332, 333, 474, 477, 580, 582.
Hendley, 448.
Heiisbaw, 582
Heutz, 275.
Hepburn, 417.
Herbert, 434.
Hermit of Lynn — George Gray, 419.
Ilerrick, 584
Hewes, 212, 213, 576, 579, 531, 587
Hickocke, 305.
Higginson, 34, 38, 51, 239, 265.
High, 583.
High Rock, 68, 73, 403, 417, 431.
High School, 428. List of Principals,
581.
Highway Bobbei-y, 379. See Robberies.
Hill and Hills, (surnames,) 185, 453,
465, 576, 579, 580, 587.
Hill, Lindsay's,- 125.
Hill, Pine; 69.
Hill. Sagamoi-e, 69.
Bin; Windmill, 127.
Hildieth, 368, 414, 581.
Hillei', 466.
Hilliard, 576.
Hinckley, 584.
Hinds, 583, 587
Hiiiks, 465, 468.
Hinkson, 576,
HitchilifTS, Hitehens, 963, 382, 356, 380,
.576, 580, 581, 588.
"■ ' 'say, 211.
I. 465.
Hobart, 974.
Hobby, 327, 333
Hodgkiiis,26],469.
Hodgman, 448, 587.
Hog, large, 414.
Holbi'ook, 536.
Holcraft, 91.
Holder, 462, 581.
Holham, 570.
Holloway, 186, 576. See Hallowell.
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HISTOBT OP LYSN.
Holmoii, 588.
Holmes, 106, 131, 230, 231, 426.
Holaworth, 576.
Holyoke, {aurDame,) 131 to 125, 128,
171, 342, 576, 578.
Holyoke, Mount, origin of name, 133.
Holyoke Spring, 70, 131.
Homicides in Lynn, 430, 437, 472.
Hood, 53, 1S4, 185, 186, 200, 293, 994,
398, 305, 312, 335, 362, 424, 425, 426,
439, 433, 445, 479, 484. (542 to 544
contain a biographical notice of Geo.
Hood, the first Mayor of Lynn.) 576,
581, 585.
Hooke, 19a
Hooker, 324.
Hooper, 201.
Hopkins, 140.
Horse-raockerel, 444, 447, 457.
Horse Eall-roads, 463, 467, 473.
Horse Ti-ot in 1816, in Lynn, 379.
Hort, 576.
Horton, 58a
Hot Weather, 169, 319, 321. 338, 371,
379, 381, 390, 413, 415, 447, 477.
Hotel, Nahant, built, 382. Eaatera
wing blown down, 438. Description
of, 469. Destroyed by fire, 469.
Hotels built Lynn, 365. Mineral
Spring, 371. Sagamoj'e, 439.
Hotels. See Taverns.
Houghton, 576.
Houses, construction and fashion of,
114, 132,.440, 590.
Howard, 187, 357, 576, 580.
Howe, 134, 135, 135, 143, 167, 169, 171,
172, 175, 177, 178, 190, 192, 193, 194,
576, 578, 579, 584.
Howell, 143, 157, 171, 194, 195, 214,
223, 576.
Hoyt, 465.
Hubbard, 101, 135, 190, 314, 216, 259,
392, 316, 473, 576, 581.
Hudson, 135, 152, 157, 172, 191, 192,
205, 208, 218, 292, 307, 434, 465, 576,
580.
Hughes, 212.
Hull, 12^ 256.
Humfrey, 56, 114, 141, 147, 149, 152,
165, 168, 169, 179, 180, 187, 191, 192,
196 to 201, 341, 242, 285, 291, 576,
577, 579.
Hiinnewell, 466.
Hunt, 580.
Hunting in Lynn woods, in 1855, 445.
Hurd, 374, 379, 576, 583.
Hussey, 135, 139, 160, 162, 179. 2:
351, 390, 482, 576.
Iliisted, 583.
Hutchitis, 120, 293, S7S.
Huichinson, 138. 151, 164, 169, 172.
178, 183, 314, 918, 928, 251, 355, 334.
340, 361, 417, 437, 455, 489, 490, 491
575,576,579.
Hydrophobia, distressing deatii by, 467
I.
Ice business, 443, 474.
Ice ia July, 396.
Impressions of feet in rock, 6 .
Impressment of soldieis, 263, 391, 336.
Independence, celebrations of, 3(
371,391,403,421,451,456.
India Rubber Overshoes intrc
in Deed of Lynn, 49, 282.
m Skeleton fouuti, 388.
Indian Summer, 83, 440.
Indian Wars, 167, 263. See Wars.
Lidians, 17 to 21, 32 to 49, 135 to Ul,
167, 178, 203, 309, 352, 262 to 265,
988, 331, 412, 423, 463. (And foi
sketches of several of the more prom
inent Indiana who resided in this vi-
cinity, see Biographical Sketches.)
Ingalls, III, 119, 171, 191, 200, 223,
240, 331, 351, 425, 450, 465, 466,
576, 580, 589.
Ingerson, 577.
Inns. See Taverns
Inoculation for small-pox, 343.
Inacriptions. See Epilapha.
Insects, destructive. See Caterpillars.
Conker Worms.
Installations. See Ordinations.
Institutions for savings, 390, 445, 585.
Instruction. See Education. Schools.
Instructions to John Cariies, Repre-
sentative, in 1786, 352.
Insurance Companies, 391, 398, 433.
Intoxication. See Di-uiikenness,
Inventions, mechanical, 330, 936, 389.
Irene's Gj'otto, 60.
Ireson. 173, 187, 241, 528, 577, 580.
Iron Works on Saugus river, first in
the- country, 69, 97, 204, 211, 213,
313, 217 to 324, 330, 333, 234, 235,
251, 359, 366, 380.
Iron Castings, first in the cottntry, 208.
Iron Mine Ledge, 61, 213, 292.
Iron Factory, Oak si. [T. N. Ureed's,)
41L
li'on-woiters, 906, 207, 208, 339, 411.
Iverts, 577.
Ivory, 179, 173, )K6, 327, 577.
d by Google
Jaclison, 373, 373, 399, 400, 414, 433,
500, 538, 587, 588.
Janoh and Jacobs, 307, 373, 519, 577,
580.
Jamaica, L. I., settled in 1640, by Lynn
people, 196.
James, (surname,) 33©, 580.
Jamei, (Icdiaii,) 34, 36, 38, 40, 41, 4S,
119,131, 146,264, 2S3.
Janes, 366, 443, 583, 589.
JarviB, 580.
Jay, 349.
Jayne, 583.
Jefferds, 577
Jefferson, 35
Jeffrey, 332.
Jeffries, 437.
Jenkins, 189, 305, 577.
Jenks, 208, 330, 231, 933, 234, 23r 851,
252, 256, 257, 260, 577.
Jennings, 118.
Jenuieon, 587.
Jewell, 584.
Jewett, 211, 336, 439, 571, 577.
Jillson, 446.
Jocelyn, 577. See Josselyn.
John, (Indian,) 36, 38, 131, 146.
John's Peril, 61.
Johnson, 51, 113, 127, 132, 154, 162, 179,
iLyn,
KieiV, 192.
Kilbni'n, 583.
Kimball, 417, 465, 466, 589.
Kinff, 51, 52, 53, 126, 130, 300, 204,
330, 221, 223, 228, 257, 266, 275,
287, 391, 392, 577.
Kingsbnry, 450.
Kii-bv, 577.
Kii'k; 226.
Kii-m
I, 577.
393,297,312,342,344,
447, 452, 465, 466, 485, 533, 577, 578,
579,580,581,584,585,589.
Jones, 324, 465, 485, 577, 580, 589.
Jortin, 403.
Josselyn, 29, 43, 196, 255, 382, 423, 442,
583, 589. See Jocelyu.
Joy, 408.
Joyce, 577.
Justices of the Peace, first i
under the Constitution, 345.
K.
Keayne, 121, 158, 178, 183, 214, 215,
216, 240, 577.
Keene, 463.
Keith, 109, 300, 301. 302, 303, 465.
Kelley, 465, 466, 583.
Kendall, 577.
Kent, 583.
Kertlaud, 88, 154, 15.^, 179, 192, 193,
194, 336, 256, 266, 282, 577.
Keyser, 131, 132, 125, 143, 187, 241,
577.
Kibbey, 372, 583.
Kichine, 311.
Kidder, 431.
Y2»
:liowska, 474,
Kneoland, 577.
Knight, 171, 190, 222, 351, 396, 577,
584.
Knott, 169, 577.
Knowltoii, 450, 584.
Kossuth, 433.
Kunkshamooshaw, (Indian,) 40, 51, 54,
383.
Labor, prices of, at different periods.
See Prices.
Laborda, 466.
Ladies' Dress. See Dress.
Ladies' Fairs, 404, 422, 469.
Lafayette, Gen., his visits to Lynn, 351,
Laichton, J55, 171, 214, 215, 336, 941,
356, 266, 367, 287, 577, 578, 580.
Lake, 466.
Lambert, 190, 993, 465 577.
Lambei'ton, 139
Lambord, 583.
Lampbier, 423.
LamsoH, 531.
Land, ancietit mode of conveying, 358.
Landing, Ballard's, 98.
Landing, Needbam's, 98.
Lands, division of, 171, 253, 306.
Lane, 577.
Langlev, I76,.577.
Larkin, 321, 415.
Larrabee, 339, 357, 577, 580.
Lalhrop. 154, 577.
Laud, 103.
Laurlat, 403, 411.
Lawrence, 330, 373, 383, 383, 384, 385,
588.
Lawsuits, 196, 303, 221, 234, 341, 2.^1,
253, 358, 259, 260, 366, 267, 297, 368.
Lawyers, 370, 372, 409, 435, 585.
Lay, 577.
Leader, 206, 213, 220, 233, 224, 929,
577.
Le Bean, 117.
Leap from High Rock, 403.
, Leap, Lover's, 69, 73, 403, 550.
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HIBTOSY OF LTKN.
LGQTite, 31,
Lechford, 32, 104.
Lee, 354, 363, 577.
Legg, 242, 577.
Legislature. See General Court,
Leif, 26.
Lenthall, 31.
Leonai-d, 206, 207, 230, 359, 577.
Letter of Rev. Mr. Whiting to Incr
Mather, 265.
Letter of Rev. Messrs. Whiting
Cobbet to Cromwell, 329,
Letters of Ebenezer Breed, embodying
informHtiDu respecting the shoe ti'ftde
of Lynn, soon after the Revolution,
533 to 526.
Leverett, 158, 281, 575.
Lewis, 11, 13, 20, 23, 34, 28, 43, 49, 54,
62, 67, 68, 72, 79, 84, 91, 96, 10], 108,
116, 120, 125, 136, 128, 129, 133, 147,
151. 154, 155, 156, 158, 163, 166, 167,
169, 170, 173, 180, 181, 182, 184, 195,
199,200,201,204,205,206,209,215,
im, 227, 338, 335, 238, 243, 244, 245,
246, 266, 267, 275, 279, 280, 263, 287,
289,292,293,294,299,300,813.316,
317; 318, 331, 324, 325, 330, 333, 342,
343,344, 352,355, 363, 368, 371, 381,
382, 390, 393, 395, 404, 405, 408, 4] 2,
421, 452, 461. 470, 478, 479, 461, 482,
489, 490, 505, 512, 514, 528, 529, 541,
544. (544 to 565 contain a biogrojih-
ical sketch of Alonzo Lewis, tne liis.
torian. And on page 181 may be
found his geneaiogy.) 566, 577, 580,
381, 583, 590.
Lexington, battle ol^ 338.
Libraries, 381, 387, 443, 458, 471, 517.
Lightfoot, 155, 172, 203, 215, 577.
Ligiit Houses, 61, 490, 448, 450, 461,
556.
Light Infantry, Lynn, 372, 389, 416,
437,465. See Military,
LightJiing, 69, 256, 259, 322, 326, 329,
331, 351, 361, 364, 367, 368, 370, 395,
397, 401, 403, 407, 415, 421, 425, 431,
437,438,447,453,461,471.
Lilley, 184, 577.
Lincoln, 434, 462, 463, 464,511,575,
584.
Liiidsey, 125,341,263, 282, 335, 33),
345, 577, 579, 580.
Lindsey's Hill, 125.
Linen, -manufactui'e of, in Lynu, 321,
378, 379.
Liniiieus, 91, 5G0.
Lislet, 23.
Little, 538.
Loan ond Fund AssooiatLons, 441.
Lobster Rocks, 62, 392,
Lobsters, 80, 144, 371.
Locke, 363, 383, 265, 577
Lockier, 109.
Lockjaw, 439, 451.
Log Cabins, 408.
Long, 247, 248.
Longevity, See Aged Persons.
Longfellow, 85.
Long Island, N. Y., settlement of Lynn
people on. in 1640, 193,
Longlev, 155, 172, 175, 176, 215, 236,
252, 253, 577, 580.
Look, 577.
Lord, 339, 253, 255.
Lord's day, 110. See Sabbath.
Loring, 531.
Loudon, 3.31,
Lougee, 465.
Lovell, 226. 577.
Loveioy, 570, 581, 583.
Lover's Leap, 69, 73, 403, 550.
Lumber, amount of, landed in Lynn,
in 1858, 454.
Lummis, 581.
LiimmuB, 387, 390, 396, 479, 502.
(511 to 519 contain a biographical
sketch of Charles F. Liimmus, the
first printer established in Lymt.)
527, 533, 541, 569, 581, 382.
Luscomb. See Lyscom.
Lyceum and Lyceum Hall, 392, 408,
LYNN:
Indian Deed of, 49.
Geaerai Description — Topography,
Phenomena, Natui'al History, 56.
First settlement of. 111.
Incorporation of) 134,
Description of, in 1633, by Wood,
143 ; and in 1651, by Johnson, 932.
Receives its present name, 169; the
orthography and origin of the
name, 170.
Lands divided, 170, 306.
Surnames of all tl e early residents
of, 576.
First Directory of j 11 shed 517
City form of go e a ent adop ed,
424.
d ffe e pe lods.
Populati
585.
[And see Tables beg ii ug o
576.)
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Lynn Mutual Fire Insurance Compa-
ny formed, 391.
Lyna Village, 182, 196, 312.
LYNNFIELD:
Territory forming, granted to Lynn,
Made a District, or Parish, 309.
Incorporated as a Town, 377,
Forest Hill Cemetery consecrated,
448.
Lists of Representatives, Postmas-
ters, Town Clerks, Reliftious So-
cieties, and Ministers, 567.
And see pages, 76, 149, 183, 306,
310, 318, 323, 3S4, 330, 333, 334, 843,
345, 353, 363, 379, 360, 387, 388, 403,
404, 407, 409, 410, 431, 435, 426, 436,
440, 441, 447, 452, 458, 461. 463, 469.
470. See also Deaths. Lightning.
Fires. Storms.
Lynnmere. 71.
LvBcom, Luscomb, 236, 449, 454, 466,
577.
M.
Mackalum, 577.
Mackerel, 80, 144, 4^, 478.
Macomb er, 465.
Macreading, 583.
Madison, ."iSl.
Madoc, 38. 577.
Madockawando, (Indian,) 338, 389.
Maffit,_5^.
Magazines, powder, 336, 366.
Magee, 63, 384.
Magnetic Telegi'aph, 418, 444, 453,
454, 469.
Mahoney, 466.
Mailey, 451.
Makepeace, 330, 360, 487, 581, 588.
Malicious mischief, 259.
Hallalieu, 583.
Manatahqiia, (Indian,) 39, 41.
Mann, 445, 589.
Manners and Customs of olden time,
99, 103, 107, 132, 133, 183, 209, 236,
240, 276, 347, 378, 496.
Manuing, 584.
MansfieVd, 122, 145, 151, 173, 175, 176,
187, 188, 189. 190, 229, 340, 353, 256,
266, 382, 293, 398,^, 328, 329, 331,
334, 338, 340, 341, 344. 351, 381, 425,
458, 486, 493, 577^8, 579, 580, 583,
587.588.
Mansfield's End, origin of name, 187,
Mapleediirme, 577.
Map of Lvnn, fii'st complete, 395.
Marble, 345 to 250, 430, 445.
Marhlehead, roads to, 250, 261.
Marine Disasters. See Shipwrecks.
Market, ancient, at Lynn, tSl.
Mari'iage ceremony, 103, 343, 250, 258,
367.
Marsh, 371, 581, 583.
Mai-shall, 155, 156, 157, 179, 214, 217,
"^ ■ " 343, 250, 358, 262, 282, 577, 578,
!,408.
579.
Marshes, salt, 76, 144, 3
Marston. 386.
Martin, J20, 122, 214, 341, 346, 347,
465, 466, 471, 495, 533, 577, 580.
Mai-vin, 588.
Mary's Grotto, 66.
Maacouomo, (Indian,) 138.
Mason, 375.
Masonic Celebmtion. 390. See Free-
Massasoit, (Indian,) 33, 363.
Massey, 359, 391, 680.
Matches, friction, come into use, 400.
Mather. 48, 49, 71, 159, 178, 199, 236,
237, 938, 260, 265, 273, 276, 296, 316.
Matrimoiiial BifficuUies, 37, 223, 276.
Matthew, 493.
Manle, 125.
Mavrick, 118, 121, 146, 577.
Maylield, 577.
Mayo, 201, 587, 589.
Mayors of Lynn, list of, 581.
McCui'dy, 584.
McDavif, 466.
McDonald, 396.
McDugal, 577.
MoGuii'e, 4S7.
McKeown, 583.
McMalleii, 577.
Mead, 466.
Meadows, 77.
Measure merits and Distances, 585.-
Moeling-houses, 107. 139, 197, 232, 267,
277, 292. 293, ^9, 305, 309, 310, 330,
334, 372, 374, 379, 388, 390, 395. 398,
400. 402, 403, 404, 415, 438, 431, 435,
443, 447, 451, 452, 454, 458, 460, 464,
469, 586.
Mellen, 466.
Memoirs. See Biographical Sketches.
Meriam, 208, 309, 320. 336, 577.
Merrihue, 577.
Merrill, 370, 465, 583, 584.
Merritt, 363, 436, 436, 439, 465, 580,
583.
Mesmevism, or Animal Magnetlem. 408,
Metal Pens come into use, 401.
Meteoi-s, 363, 396, 400, 446, 461. See
Celestial Phenomena.
db, Google
HISTORY OP LTNN.
Methodist Coiiferenccg at Lynn, 363.
456.
Methodist SoRieties and MiniBters, 354,
583, 584, 587, 588, 580.
Miantonimo, (Indian,) 17, 33.
Miks, 300.
Military, 135, 138, 140, 141, 143, 147,
177, 213, 213, 216, 230, 334, 943, 255,
363, 375, 392, 305, 331, 341, 358, 370,
372, 377, 414, 416, 416, 433, 434, 453,
465, 469, 579.
Miller, 414, 466, 584.
Millerism, 414.
Millett,'414.
Mills, (surname,) 291, 297, 299, 311,
440, 446, 456, 577.
Mills, [for grinding,) 119, 127, 128, 14%
147, 153, 157, 165, 200, 230, 234, 235,
330,397.
Milner, 190, 577.
Miuei-al Spring, 71, 98, 257, 365, 379,
300, 371.
Miitisters, 146, 159, 169, 377, 341, 398,
401, 403, 407, 412, 428, 443. Soc
cession of, in the variotis societies of
Lynn, Lyniifield, Saugus, Swamps-
cbt, and Nahant, 583 to 589. And
see Ordinations. Salaries.
Minot, 63.
Minot's Ledge Light, 4^, 461.
Mint, for coininf^ silver, established at
Boston, in 1652, 233.
Mirage, ^378. See Celestial and At-
mospheric Phenomena.
Misdemeanors. See Punishments.
Missionary Society, first Methodist,
formed, 381.
Mitchell, 257, 278, 46S, 469.-
Moll Pitcher, the fonune-tellev, 374.
Money, 43, 150, 233, 260, 391, 319, 323,
343, 351.
Montowampate, (Indian,) 36, 38, 137,
138, 140. 146.
Moody, 187, 188. 199, 301, 204,314,
331, 238, 339, 387, 444, 577.
Mooi-e, 389, 461, 543, 577, 581, 583,
584.
Morgan, 577.
Moriey, 140, 577.
Moi-monism in Lynn, 398.
Morocco leather, manufacture of, 363,
520.
Morrill. 456.
Mollis, 132.
Morton, 101,257, 417, 575.
Mosses, pressing of, 418.
Mott, 584.
Mottey, 85, 345, 387, 587.
Moulton, 437, 466, 479. [509, "3 and '4
contain a hiogmphical notice of Sol-
omon Moulton.) 580, 593.
Mount Holyoke, origin of name, 123.
Mount Tom, origin of name, 134.
Mower, 190, 282, 324, 577.
Mudge, 201, 302, 327, 331, 336, 366,
370, 373, 377, 396, 401, 403, 426, 433,
473, 479, 492, 501. (536 contains a
biographical notice of Rev. Enoch
Mudge. . And 538 contaios a hio-
graphical notir* of Ezra Mudge.)
580, 581, 582, 583, 589, 592.
Mudgett, 465.
Mud Houses, so called, 440.
Mulliken, 417, 418, 581.
Muminquash, (Indian,) 264.
Miuiroe, 339, 340, 380. 465, 468, 470,
580.
Music," band of, fot-med in Lynn, 434.
Musical Association, 443.
Myles, 109.
N.
INfAHANT:
Enrly accounts of, 26 to 33.
Description of, topographical, and
general, 58 to 67, 74, 75, 80 to 85.
Puichase of, from fcidian Sagamore,
for a suit of clothes, claimed by
Thomas Dexter, 131, 148, 340 to
342, 267.
Efforts of Randolph to obtain grant
of from Andros, 384, to 091.
Sea-serpent's appearance in the wa-
ters of, 382.
Licoi'poraled ns a separate town, 436.
Hotel built, 382 ; deaci'iption of, 469 ;
destroyed by fire, 469.
Names of Town Clerks, Postmasters,
and Ministers, 589.
And see pages 20, 26, 41, 57. 63, 70,
113, 119, 131, 135, 141, 144, 148, 304,
213, 233, 240, 257, 261, Q91, 292, 297,
306, 807, 308, 309, 311, 312, 319, 334,
335. 362. 365, 370, 378, 380, 381 , 389,
395. 407, 421, 499, 431, 438, 444, 451,
452,453,457,463,474.
See also Deaths. Fii'es. Lightning.
8hi|)wreclts. Storms, Tides.
Nahanton, (Indian,) 41, 42.
Names, double, 488.
Nanapashemet, {Indian,) 33 to 38, 40,
263. 282.
Narremore, 577.
db, Google
Natural Bridge, 60.
Natural History Society, 410.
Neal, 185, 199, 579,581. See Neill.
Neck, 577.
Needham, 98, l68. 189, 194, aa8, 524,
577.
Needle, singular case of, in human
body, 457.
Negros. See Colored Race. Slavei-y.
Slaves.
Negus, 125, 577.
Neill, 474. See Nea
Nelson, 584.
Newbold, 185.
Newcomb, 587.
Newell, 370, 416, 436, 581.
Newbail, 125, 139, 155, 172, 181, 185,
186, 194, 263, 383, 293, 297, 306, 313,
330, 32J, 398, 334, 341, 342, 345, 347,
348, 361 , 364, 370, 332, 387, 391, 398,
402, 407, 409, 410, 417, 418, 420, 429,
442, 443, 447, 4&5, 472, 479, 577, 578,
579, 580, 581 , 583, 585. 587, 588
And biographical notices of deceased
memberB of the Newhall family may
be found as follows;
Thomas Newhall, the first white
person boi-n in Lynn ; with a ge-
nealogical sketch of the Newhall
JoMah Newhall, (Hon.) 533.
Asa T. Newhall, (Hon.) 537.
Francis S. Newhall, (Hon.) 539.
Isaac Newhall, 540.
Benjamin F. Newhall, 567.
Newland, 577.
Newman, 577, 579, 580.
Newspaper, first in Lynn, 512.
Newspaper Editors, list of, 582,
Newspapers, 390, 395,396, 398, 405, 407,
410, 413, 423, 439, 442, 458, 512, 582.
Newton, 276, 465, 466, 560.
Nicholet, 261.
Nichols. 201, 342, 362, 407, 465, 5S3,
584,588.
Nicholson, 577.
Nickerson, 308.
Nicknames, 488, 514.
Night Arches. See Northern Lights.
Noble, 589.
Nonupaiiohow, (Indian,) 39, 41, 51, 54.
Noonan, 465.
Normenton, 397, 484, 577.
Norris. 208, 583.
North Spring, 70.
Northern Lights, 313, 323, 337, 335,
338, 391, 396, 402, 437.
Northey, 185.
Norton, 938, 939.
Norwood, 228, 293, 326, 332, 341, 347,
577.
Noioiy Public established in Lynn,
361.
ourse, 416, 580.
Nowell, 115, 152.
Noyes, 415, 584.
Nullification, Lynn vs. Soutl] Carolina,
399, 497.
Nidtonanit, (Indian,) 32,
Nye, 577.
Oak, old, 147.
Oakes, 238, 263, 305, 577.
Oakman, 577.
Obatiniia, (Indian,) 35.
ObseiTatory, Astronomical, at Lynn,
469.
Old Burying Ground. See Buiying
Grounds.
Old Mansfield House, 592.
Old People. See Aged Persons.
Old TeBor, 319.
Old Tunnel Meeting-house, 977. See
Meeting-houses.
Olden, 525.
Oldest Grave-stone, 999,
Oldham, 31, 32.
r, 158, 183, 367, 414, 463, .W7,
running, 435,
,)40.
581,;
Omnibus ci
Ouslow, 490.
Oonsuroog, (Indiai
Opium eater, 526.
Ordinations and Installations, 165, 376,
318, 393, 335, 329, 330, 333, 345, 351,
358, 366, 374, 380, 388, 389. 394, 398,
400, 403, 407, 410, 412, 428, 443, 460,
472.
Orgiu, 580.
Orr, 466.
Osgood, 584.
Ossian, 19, 508,
0th e man, 583.
Otis, 117, 444.
Otiey, 190, 577, 579.
Otwny. 577.
Over-Blioee, India rubber, inti-odtwed.
386.
Owen, 466, 584.
Owls, ^3, 473.
Oxenbridge, 261.
Ox-vvagoD, firs! in L--
Oyster Bay, L I-
Lyiin weopl'
,.».*■ 1610.'
db, Google
niSTORY OF LTNN.
P.
Pacey, 316.
Packet schooner I'un between Lynn
and Boston, 337.
Padington, 194.
Padlshall, 097.
Pa?e, 123, 957, 58S.
Pahpocksitt, (Indian,) 38, 41.
Peine and Payne, 190, 266, 521,577,
58!!, 584.
Painter, 582.
Palfrey, 141.
Palmer, 900, 380, 447, 465, 587.
Pnpasiguineo, (Intliaiij) 37.
Paper Money. Bee Money.
Parens, 91.
Parker, 157, 173, 363, 577, 583.
Pams, 394.
Pan-ott, 362, 421, 580.
Parsonage, Fii-st Pariah, and Parsonage
Lands, 353.
Parsons, 113, 351, 356, 357, 577, 563.
Partridge, 179, 577.
Passaconaway, (Indian,) 36.
Patience, 577,
Patten, 417, 465.
Paul, 359. 577.
Payne. See Paine.
Pavaon, 351, 417.
Paytou, 577.
Pea Island, 59.
Peabody, 398, 401, 466, 580, 583.
Peach, 580.
Peale and Peele, 410, 571
Peai'la, discovery of, 451.
Pearson, 577.
Pease, 358.
Peat Meadows, 77.
Peck, 583.
Pedestrian exercises and contests, 443,
448, 452, 456.
Pedigi-ees. See Genealogies.
Pell, 172, 577.
Pendleton, 353.
Penlield, 328, 577.
Fennei^on, 365.
Pennock, 523.
Pens, Metal, come into use, 401.
Pentland, 577.
Pepooii, 580.
Perdy, 430, 432.
Peril, John's, 61.
Perkins, 228, 238, 323, 330, 331, 344,
345, 360, 383, 403, 577, 587,
Perley, 589.
Perry, 379.
Person, 228, 577, 578.
Petagoonaquah, (Indian,) 39.
PetngiHisk, (Indian,) 39.
Peters, 102, 135; 149, 192, 934.
Peterson, 449,
Petitions: Edward Roiidoiph to G!ov,
Androa, for a grant of Nahant, 984.
Soldiers of Wampanoag war, for
grant of lands, 981.
Pews, meeting-house, 277.
Phantom Ship, 129, 130.
Pharaoh, (slave,) 344.
Phebe, (slave,) 345.
Phenomena at Saugns river, 387,
Phenomena. SeS Celestial and AtaiosJ
pheric Phenomena.
Philbrick, 486,
Philip, (Indian,) 964.
Phillips, 900, 238, 335, 239, 351, 357,
961, 963, 305, 342, 345, 357, 359, 367,
381, 453, 463, 466, 486, 577.
Phippen, 379, 584.
Phippa, 296, 575,
Photogiaphs, 409.
Phrenology, 408,
Physicians, 996, 976, 345, 358, 396, 397,
403, 410, 495, 533, 586.
Pickering, 116, 196, 363, 490, 493, 493,
541, 577; 583.
Pickman, 577,
Pic-nic at Lynnfield pond, disti'essing
accident at, 426.
Pic-nic, Spiritualist, at Dungeon Rock,
471.
Pierce. 141, 465, 581, 583.
Pierpont, 413, 583.
Pierson, 157, 192, 195, 577
Pigden, 577.
Pigeons, wild, 45,
Pike, 962, 418, 465, 466.
Pine Gi'ove Cemetery. See Cemetery.
Pine Hill, 69.
Pine Tree Coins, 933.
Pinion, 325, 251, 577.
Piper, 592.
Pirate, shipvn'eck of, 311.
Pirate's Cave. See Dungeon Rock.
Pirates' Glen, 70, 244, 249.
Pii'ates, traditions concerning, 243.
Pitcher, 330, 374, 375, 376.
Pitt, 489, 490.
Plant, 322.
Plants found in Lynn, 79.
Plurality Law, ^8.
Pococke, 905.
Poetry, specimena of, by deceased u.l-
tives Lynn. See Specimens of Po-
a Proa
I Writei's,
See
d by Google
Police Court, Lynn, 493, 582.
Political Mass-meetings and Procee-
aions, 414, 463.
Political Parties in Lynn, 349, 350,
368, 369.
Polk, 417.
PollBrd, 584.
Pometacom, (King Philip, Indian,) 17,
263 to 364.
Pompey, (slave,) 344.
Ponds, 70, 127, 143, 149, 411.
Ponus, (Indian,) 139.
Pool, 157, 171, 214, 577, 578, 589.
SPoor-houBE, 381, 423.
Pope, 343, 577.
Population of Lynn at dilFerent periods,
583.
Poquanuin, (Lidiau,) 39 to 41, 47, 119,
141, 146.
Porphyry, 73.
Poiter, 343, 580, 583.
Poat-masters, 581, 587, 588, 589.
Post-offices, 266, 357, 365, 398, 403, 421 .
Potato Rot, 336, 416, 426, 433.
Potatoes introduced, 313.
Potter, 51, 136, 157, 171, 190, 231, 383,
293, 320, 321, 483, 484, 577.
Pottery established, 372.
Pounds, 91.
Pousland, 465.
Powder Magazines, 336, 306
Pownal, 575.
Pranker, 405, 470.
Pratt, 11, 331, 342, 365, 466.
Pray, 190, 207, 235, 577.
Prayer, 373.
Prayere, answer to, 238, 362.
Prayers at funerals not custottiaiy here,
in early times, 103.
Preaching in the open air, 327, 448.
Preaching of Whiteiield, in Lynn, 336,
327.
Predestination, doctrine of, 563.
Preecott, 85, 654.
PresidenB of Common Council, list o^
681.
Presidents of the United Sta'tes, Visits
of to Lynn, 353, 380, 400, 417.
Price, 268.
Prices,' 134, 136, 175, 196,222, 235, 252,
357, 366, 298, 305, 322, 330, 380, 396.
Prichard, 577.
Prince, 62, 101, 162, 344, 332, 384, 499.
Prince, (slave,) 344.
Princeof Wales, his ^isit to Lynn, 463.
Prin^, 29.
Printing office, fii'st in Lynn, 512, 514.
Printing offices, in 1864, 586.
Privateer, 373.
I Prize Fight in Lynn, 436.
I Probate Court at Lvnn, 389, 463.
' Proctor, 184, 395, 363, 445, 577, 580.
Provisions, &c., prices of, at different
I periods. See Prices.
I Public Houses. See Taverns.
: Puffer, 577.
Puipit Rock, 60, 75.
Punishments, 140, 142, 143, 152, 157,
' 163, 165, 173, .183, 191, 196, 197, 304,
209, 212, 216, 220, 223, 225, 230, 233,
253, 256, 268.
Purchis, 9, 10, 51, 157, 190, 192, 226,
251, 256, 262, 266, 267, S82, 287, 290,
577, 578, 580.
Purinton, 345, 485.
Puritanism, 100 to 110.
Pury, 205.
Putnam, 86, 133, 190, 214, 215, 295,
333, 340, 341, 577, 583
Pynchon, 131, 1.33, 133.
Q.
Quaker Doctiines discussed by George
Keith and John Richardson, in 1703,
at Lynn, 300 to 305.
Quaker Meeting-houses, 267, 320, 379.
Quakers subjected to indignities and
oppressions, 350, 2®, 273, 296, 398,
305.
Quakers, riotoue pi'oceedings ot^ in
1833, St their meeting-house, 387.
Quakers divide on point of doctrine,
and point stated, 441.
Quakers, various facts concerning, 47,
125, 291, 296, 305, 312, 318, 329, 342,
351,390,402,536,585.
Quauapaug, (Indian,) 363, 364.
Quanapokonat, (Indian,) 42,
Quarrel between Thomas Dexter and
John Endicoll, 137.
Queakussen, (Indian,) 40, 41.
Quonopohit, (Indian,) 51, 54, 55, 263,
264, 382.
Racoons, 374.
Raddin, 335, 288, 443, 450, 570.
Rail-roads, steam and hoi-se, 100, 404,
411, 436, 440, 463, 467, 473.
Rain, 260, 262, 283, 314, ^5, 359, 398,
440.
Ramsdell, 126, 339, 343, 389, 339, 435,
443, 452, 577, 580.
Rand, 190, 340, 393, 466, 577.
Randal!, 588.
Randolph, 234, 284 to 291.
d by Google
Kattlesnakes, 416, 435, 434.
Raymond, 465.
Kay nor, 5S3.
Read, 211, 276, 577. See Reed.
Eeading aettled in 1639, by Lyiin peo-
ple, 183.
RebellioD, Sliays's, 349, 352.
Rebpllion, Southern, of 1861, patriotic
proceedings in Lynn at commence-
ment of, 464.
Records, Town, 9, 483.
Bed Rock, 69.
Rfla Spring, 71. See Mineral Spring.
Redding, 577.
Rednap, 197, 173, 239, 577.
Reed, 201, 351, 465, 466, 477. See
II, 577.
ReligiouH Cliai-aetei- of the Ekirly Set-
tlers, 100.
Religious Societies, lists of, find Minis-
ters, 583, 583, 584, 585, 587, 588,- 589.
Remick, 465.
Representatives, 134, 146,293. Names
of— Lynn, 578; Lynutield, 587;
Saugus, 588.
Resolutions adopted in 1773, concern-
irg the duty on Tea, 337.
Resolutions concerning the South Caro-
lina Nullification of 1832; 399.
Resolutions concerning the Fugitive
Slave Law of 1850, 427.
Resolutions concerning tbe Rebellion
of 1861, 466.
Revenue, U. S. surplus, distributed, 404.
Revolutionary matters, 3^4 to 349.
Revolutionaiy Soldiers belonging to
Lynn, names of, 579.
Rexford, 583.
Reynolds, 466, 577*, 584.
Rhodes, 91, 143, 157, 190, 363, 332, 392,
330, 336, 356, 434, 447, 466, 520, 523,
534, 577, 580, 581.
Rhymster, 33a
Rice, 311, 312, 569, 583, 589.
Rich, 577, 5S0.
Richards, 126, 127, 143, 184, 282, 287,
305, 577, 583, 584, .589.
Richardson, 302, 303, 380, 439, 577,
580,583.
Rickman, 89, 90.
Ricrafl, 172.
Riddan, 577.
Rifle Company, Lynn, 389, 418.
Ring, 577.
Roach, 436, 577.
Roads, 94, 100, 137, 196, 250, 260, 421.
Roaring Cavern, 60.
Robbeiies, 21(5, 379, 421, 426, 431, 461,
463.
Robblns, 368, 371, 382, 400, 407, 582.
Roberts, 577.
Robinson, 2a8, 357, 362, 307, 397, 410,
579, 580, 581, 592.
Roby,329,340, 351, 363, 460, 579, 580,
Rock Temple, 64.
Rocks, 60, 61, 62, 66, 68, 69, 73, 73, 74,
439.
Bockwood, 380, 398, 534, 582.
Rogei-s, 162, 261, 451, 577, 583.
Roman Catholics. SeeCathollc Church.
Roolton, 172, 577.
Root, 261, 577.
Rooten, 577.
Rope-walking, daring feals of, 461.
Rose, 363.
Rouillard, 63.
Rowe, 466.
Rowland, 577.
Rubin, 211.
Ruff, 524.
Ruggles,3]3.
Rum exchanged for Negro Slsvvee, 178,
Rummary. 577.
Rumney Marsh, 39, 76.
Russell, 123, 206, 278, 279, 402, 584,
587.
Sabbath and Sabbath-breaking, 105,
110, 209, 217, 223, 256, 257, 300, 373,
Sadler, 10, 94, 95, 157, 158, 173, 174,
183, 196, 309, 314, 353, 577, 580.
Sadler's Rock, 69, 72, 95, 439.
Safety, Committee o£, Revolutionary,
340.
Sagamoi'c Hill, 36, 44, 69, 93, 121, 128,
131, 165.
Sagamoi-e Hotel built, 439.
Salaries, 277, 298, 311, 318, 322, 324,
326.
Sails, 577.
Salmon, 137, 241, 253, 260, 577.
Salter, 577.
Saltonsla!], 154,280,296.
Saltpetre, reantifacture of required in
families, 203.
Samson, (slave,) 344.
Sanborn, 162, 465, 583.
Sanchez, 28.
Sancho, 23.
Sandwich, settlement of, commenced
in 1637 by Lynn people, 169.
d by Google
Sanford, 193, 584.
Sarah, (lEdiaD,) 41.
Sargent, 363, 434, 466, 583, 584, 585.
Saasacus, (Lidian,) 17, 33, 168, 364.
SAUGUS :
Incorporated as a separate town, 378.
Names of Repreeentatives, Towu
"' ' " MiniBten
Clerks, Post-n
588.
Alld B
>aees 20, 37, 72, 75, 334,
I, 363, 366, 373, 379, 395,
404, 405, 408, 429, 430, 431, 435,
438, 443, 450, 451, 460, 461, 463,
467, 470, 471,. 473, 573. See also
Meeting-houses. Fires. Iteatha.
Lightuing. Stortns.
Saugus River, 31, 57, 76, 144, 183, 305,
233, 333, 372, 378, 390, 415, 421.
SaundersoD, 465.
Savage, 120, 123, 155, 156, 158, 191,
195, 234, 235, 259, 266, 280, 589.
Savage Rock, 28.
Savings institutions, 390, 445, 585.
Sawin, 588.
Say, 197.
Sayles, 158.
Sayre, 171, 193, 194, 577.
Scales, 451.
Scarlet, 210.
School-bouses, 333, 324, 339, 358, 381,
416, 421, 42i, 423, 424, 428, 431, 432,
436, 446, 447, 456, 458, 467.
School-masters, 131, 203, 283, 292, 297,
300, 305, 309, 310, 312, 318, 324, 329,
581.
Schools, 222, 260, 283, 284, 305, 309,
311, 318, 342, 351, 363, 424, 586.
Schouler, 46a
Scott, 172, 209, 405, 577.
Sea, damage by the, 388, 429, 443.
See Tides.
Sea-guards erected on Beach, 388, 404,
429.
Seal, City, 556.
Seals, 137, 439.
Searl, 388, 587.
Seccomb, 577.
Sedgwick, 213.
Seger, 589.
Selectmen, 165, 266, 282, 293, 339.
Senators, names of, fi'om Lynn, 58).
Sermons, 105, 149, 178, 316.
Settlers, See Early Seltlers.
Sewail, 119, 127, 179, 376, 360, 361,
443, 5S2.
Seward, 437.
Shackfoi-d, 94, 425. 583.
Shag Rocks, 60, 394.
Shakspeare, 123.
Sharks, 395, 451, 461.
Sharp, 300, 433, 577.
Shattuck, 113.
Shaw, 231, 417, 588.
Shays'a Rebellion, 349, 352.
Sheep, 131, 233, 286, 290, 311, 325,
ShelH beach, 309, 368.
Shepard, 338, 257, 276, 377, 378, 283,
289, 291, 2S2, 293, 296, 298, 299, 300,
301, 303, 304, 311, 312, 314, 315, 316.
317, 318, 333, 492, 577, 578, 582,
Shepherd, tovni, 310.
Sherman, 91, 417, 577,
Shipwrecked Mariners, sufferings of,
124, 357, 362, 364, 463.
Shipwrecks, 124, 136, 141, 242, 311,
325, 329, 331 , a34, 335, 336, 353, 857,
359, 362, 390, 391, 393, 394, 396, 403,
407, 410, 431, 432, 448, 449, 456, 463.
Ship-yards at Lynn, 331, 399. [478.
Shirley, 575.
Shoe business in 1864, 586.
Shoe-makers, 88, 89, 91, 154, 256, 299,
328, 382, 413, 424, 447, 459, 586.
Shoe-makers' Strike, in I860, 459.
iioes and Shoemaking, 86, 232, 299;
334, 334, 335, 361, 371, 520, 533, 524,
525, 570.
Shore, 577.
Shorey, 364, 365, 373;
Shrud, 138.
Sburtleff, 533.
Shute, 310, 575.
Sias, 583.
Sickness, 34, 81, 146,213, 222, 255, 256,
265, 398, 319, 324, 335, 342, 397, 421,
424, 428, 490.
Side- walks, brick, 440.
Signatures. See Autographs.
Siguenot, 117.
Silk, manufacture of, at Lynn, 339, 404.
Silsbe, 153, 184, 338, 292," 333, 577.
Simmons, 577.
Simms, 274, 580.
Simon, 577.
Simpson, 447.
Siverns, 577,
Skating, 455.
Skeleton of Indian exhumed, 388.
Skelton, 141,
Skeppar, 315, 577.
Skerry, 210.
Skiff, 577.
Skinner, 417, 587
d by Google
HISTORY OP LYKN.
Slade, 5S8.
Slave, Fusltive, Lnw, of 1850, 426.
Slavery, 2a, 178, 187, 364, 426.
Slavei^y, abolishment of) in the West
Indies, celebrated in Lyno, 415.
Slaves owned in Lyuu, 344.
Sinwson, 577.
Sleeping in Meeting, 309, 213, 221.
Sleigb Ride, perilous, 353.
SmSa, 434.
Small-pox, 146, 256, 298, 319, 342, 397,
434, 490.
Smith, 30, 33, 127, 163, 171, 187, 398,
319,351,384,396,463,465,467,569,
577, 578, 579, 583, 584, 585, 589.
Snakes, 62, 416, 423, 434.
Snow, (sui-oame,) 465, 466.
Snow and Snow Storms, 141,146, 176,
303, 304, 3.59, 360, 398, 306, 310, 332,
324, 325, 329, 335, 336, 364, 366, 371,
373, 386, 391, 403, 433, 438, 44], 445,
449, 464.
Snow in July, 366 ; in June, 379.
Sniiff, manufacture of, 358.
Society, Female Benevolent, 478.
Soldiers. See Miliiaiy. Volunteers.
Soldiers' bounties, 341, 352, 358, 377.
Soldiers, funerals of deceased, 471.
Soldiers' lot in Cemetery, 472.
Soldiei-s, names of, who volunteered
at outbi-eak of Rebellion of 1861,
465,466.
Soldiers of the Revolution, names of,
579.
Soldiers, public reception of, on their
return from war, 463, 473, 478.
Soule, 434, 583.
Sontli, 143, 171, 173, 577.
Southampton, L. I., settled in 1640^ by
Lynn people, 192.
Soutlier, 115, 470.
Sparhawk, 318, 323, 336, 351, 587.
Sparks, 466.
Spaulding, 395, 583, 589.
Spear, 583.
Specimens of Poeti-y, by deceased wii-
tere, natives of Lynn, 395, 501, 503,
504, 508 to 511, 530 to 533, 535,
537, 545, 550 to 553, 565, 573, 5t4.
Spencer, 94, 115, 172, 174, 183, 191,
577.
Spies, Indian, 263.
Spinney, 417, 587.
Spiritualism, 246, 413, 437, 471.
Sports of the Indians, 46.
Spouting Horn, 60.
Spring Pond, 71, 299. 411.
Springs, 70, 71, 121, 147, 279, 300.
See Mineral Spring.
Sprowl, 410.
Squid raysett, (Indian,) 141.
St. John, 373, 374.
Stacey, 190, 229, 263, 577.
Stackpole, 379.
Stage Travel, 99, 333, 405.
Stamp Act, 334.
Stanbuiy, 171, 194, 577.
Standish, 577.
Stanley, 165, 225, 361, 448, 577, 578.
Staples, 583, 584, 587.
Star, The, the first penny newspaper
in Lynn, 517.
Starke, 577.
Starkey, 577.
Starkweatlier, 475.
Stan-, 577.
Stavers, 333.
Steatn Cylinder, explosion of, ^0.
Steam Fire Engine, fii-st in Lynn, 477.
Steams, 406, 577.
Steele, 583, 589.
Stetson, 147.
Stevens, 197, 438, 577, 583.
Stewart, 577. See Stuart.
Siickney, 581, 589, 592.
Stimpson, 589.
Stirling, 192.
Stocker, 156, 298, 426, 577, 579, 580,
588.
Stocking, 583.
Stocks, Bilboes, 142.
Stockton, 123.
Stoddard, 117
Stone, 465, 588.
Stone Houses, 201, 380, 381, 440, 469.
Stores in Lynn, iu 1864, 586.
Stoi'ey, 37a
Slorke, 579.
Storms, 124, 150, 203, 209, 221, 259,
260, 266, 278, 306, 310, 319, 322, 324,
325, 329, 335, 336, 359, 366, 371 , 378,
380, 386, 391, KI6, ^7, 407, 410, 416,
423, 429, 433, 438, 440, 441, 445, 446,
449, 461, 462, 463, 464, 477.
Stoughton, 575.
Stowers, 489, 5^
Strain, 585.
Strange proceedings in forming a new
church, in 1674, 261.
Streets of Lynn, in 1864, 586.
Stiike, Shoemakers' in 1860, 459.
Sn-ong, 350, 575.
Stuart, 497. See Stewart.
Smyvesant, 188.
. Styche, 207, 311, 339, 577.
d by Google
Styles, oia and new, 95.
Siifferinjrs of Shipwrecked Mavinsi-s,
194, 357, 362, 364, 463.
Sullivan, 63, 350, 369, 575.
Summer, IndiaD, 82, 440.
Sumner, 575.
Sun, spoB on. See Celestial Pheaom-
Sunday Seivicee, customs at, 105, 909.
See Sabbath. Sleeping in Meeting.
Sunderland, 413, 58a.
Sun-dial on Lynn Common, 453.
Sun-flsh, large, 462.
Sunk Rock, 63.
Surnames of all Lynn Settlers down to
the year 1700, 576.
Surplus United States Revenue distrib-
uted, 404.
Sutherland, 589.
Swaine, 59.
Swallows' Cave, 59, 75.
Swamps, 78, 119, 128.
SWAMPSCOT:
Incorporated as a separate town, 434.
Ortlioffrapliy of the name, 170.
First Fishing Schooner at, 359.
Cemetery consecrated, 439.
Lists of Town Clerks, Poat-mastera,
and Ministers, 589.
And see pages 20, 67, 73, 131, 350,
358, 374, 391, 395, 403, 414, 415,
493, 443, 445, 446, 447, 448, 450,
451, 450, 457, 471, 473. See also
Shipwi-eiks. Storms. Lightning.
Tides. Fires. Deaths.
Swan, 466, 545.
Swansey, 417, 587.
Sweetser, 321, 360, 465, 466, 588.
Swett, 407, 410, 500, 583.
Symonds, 130, 150, 196, 211.
Sythe, improved, patented in 1655, by
Joseph Jeuks, of Lynn, 235.
T.
Tables of names of Public Officers and
others. Statistics, &c., 575 to 589.
Tailor, 575. See Taylor.
Talbot, 300, 301, 588.
Talniage, 130, 171, 173, 176, 577.
Tanneries, 112, 386.
Tapley, 227, 465.
Tar, manufaetui-e of, 242.
Tarbox, 114, 190, 325, 361, 263, 2^,
310, 478, 577.
Tarr, 465, 577, 580.
Tavern bills, curious, of certain colo-
nial dignitaries, 21li
Taverns, 114, 156, 165,910,314,223,
255, 977, 341, 343, 365, 371, 382, 438,
439,469,495,586.
Tas, City, at different periods, 586.
Taxation, rate of, at various times, 586.
Taxes, 145, 292, 31 1, 334, 334, 335, 586.
Taylor, 137, 179, 190, 921, 329, 280,
307, 320, 362, 400, 405, 498, 466, 577.
Tea, early use of, 313. Votes passed
in Lynn, in 1771 and 1773, concern-
ing the use of, 336, 337. Desti'uction
of, in Lynn, in 1773, 337.
Teague, 965, 577.
Telegraph, 418, 44^, 453, 454, 469.
Temperance Levee of Rev. Theobold
Matthew, 423.
Temperance Society, 390.
Tempests, 150, 209, 221, 959, 262, 366,
396,397,407. See Storms.
Temple, 230, 234, 541.
Temple Rock, 64.
Ten Hour System, 425.
Terry, 194.
Thacher, 86, 150, 239, 358, 359, 361,
365, 373. 381, 505, 577, 589, 587.
ThaQkegivinga, 143, 473.
Thayer, 583.
Thing, 469.
Thorn, 577.
Thomas, 124, 139, 155, 439.
Thompson, 271, 354, 386, 401, 402,
496, 428, 466, 577, 579, 589, 599.
Thorn, 172, 577.
Thoi-ndike, 371.
Thorwald, 26, 27.
Tboyght. 577.
Thrasher, 577.
Throat Distemper, 325.
Thunder. See Lightning.
Tibbeis, 425, 446.
Tides, remarkable, 150, 903, 960, 319,
336,351,395,396,407,430, 423, 454.
Tight rope, remarkable fe^ts on, 461.
Tillotson, 397, 584.
Tiiton, 190, 904, 577, 584.
Tingle, 577.
■Kepaquin, (Indian,) 264.
Titcomb, 352, 587.
Tobacco, 141, 220, 250, 371.
Tobin, 470.
Tokowampate, (Indian,) 264,
Tolm
I, 577.
Tom, (Indian,) 40, 41.
Tom, Mount, origin of name, 124.
Tomlins, 127, 198, 143, 146, 147, 157,
165, 171, 172, 177, 196, 203, 209, 214,
577, 578, 579, 580.
Tontoquoii, [Indian,) 39.
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HISTORY OF LYNN.
Toolej, 577.
Tornados, 436, 431. See Tempests.
Storms. Winds.
Tour, 217.
Tower, 251, 577.
Towlin, 465.
Town Clerks. See Clerks.
Town House, 377, 434, 478, 591.
Town Meetings, 133, 196, 241, 278,
290, 296, 324, 360, 367, 368, 369, 371.
Town Records, 9.
Towne, 577, 581.
Townsend, 159, 172, 196, 218, 263,368,
282, 310, 312, 339, 577, 580.
Trncy, 453, 455, 583.
Trade, Board of, 450.
Trask, 343, 46.5, 577.
Travel, modes of, and facilities for.
93, 99, 298, 333, 405.
Trawl-fishiue, 450.
Treadwell, 333, 340, 346, 347, 582.
Treason, 143, 251.
Tree, (surDame,) 577.
Trees, Frosted, 392, 445, 508.
Trees, misoeUaneous notices of, 77, 79,
82, 147, 302, 403, 412, 438.
Trevett, 409, 577.
Troopers. See Military.
Trot, Horse, in 1816, at Lynn, 379.
Trotting Horse killed by lightning, 453.
Trotting Park, Franklin, laid out, 451.
True, 144, 583, 584.
Trumbull, 190, 577.
Tucker, 318.
Tuokermau, 38S.
Tuckney, 268.
Tudor, 63, 389, 432, 474.
Tufts, 237, 466, 579.
Tuppar, 169, 577.
Turner, 128, 129, 130, 133, 140 to 143,
146, 147, 165, 167, 177, 223, 577, 578,
579.
Turnpike, 100, 365, 478.
Turtles, 423, 444, 461.
Tutt, 466.
Tuttle, 122, 465, 580.
Twis8,236.
Twist, 580.
Twombiy, 583.
Tyler, 190, 192,405,411.
Tythingmen, 165.
U.
Unitarian Society,fiTst in Lynn, fonned,
368. Succession of MiuisterB, 582,
Unitarian Society, Central, (Free Ch.,)
formed, 432. Succession of Minis-
Universal ism, first preaeliing of, in
Lyiiu, 373.
Universalist Society, first in Lynn, 400.
' Succession of Miiiistei-s, 584.
Universalist Society, second in Lynn,
402. Succession of Ministers, 584.
Univei-saiist Society in Lyimfield, 587,
Universalist Society in Saugus, 460,
Vaccination, 342.
Valuation of Estates in Lvnn, at diil
ent periods, 428, 463, 586.
Vane, 167, 169, 198, 575.
Vasa, 22,
Vassall, 158.
Vaudreul, 117.
Veal, 244, 246, 247, 248, 577.
Vega, 38.
Vegetable-animal, (rose-fish,) 80.
Venus, (slave,) 344.
Viall, 403.
Vickaiy, 431.
Vicksburg, fall of, celebrated, 473.
Viles, 587.
Vincent, 577.
Vinton, 220,' 577.
Visit of Kossuth, the Hungarian Ex
433.
;, 351, ;
Voltaii-e, 560.
Volunteer Soldiers, 465, 467. See Mil-
Voyages and Discoveries, early, 35.
W.
Waban, (Indian,) 364.
Wnbaquin, (Indian,) 41.
Wabbacowet, (Indian,) 35.
Wade, 214, 216, 577,
Wages. See Pi'ices.
Wainwright, 317.
Wait, 329, 256, 266, 334, 473, 577, 580,
589.
Walcott, 295, 587.
Waldeu, 581.
Waldo, 584.
Wales, 577.
Wales, Prince of, in Lynn, 463.
Walker, 130, 135, 138, 151, 171, 179,
190, 214, 217, 228, 243, 266, 275, 333,
577, 578, 579.
Walsall, 577.
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Walton, 171, 173, 194, 209, 577.
War Meetings in Lynn, 466, 470, 471,
474.
Ward, 219, 363, 402, 581, 584.
Wai-dwell, 677, 581.
Warmest weather ever known in Lynn,
477. See Hot Weatlier.
Warniug off a Settler, 297.
Warremore, 577.
Warren, 583.
Wars, 34, 167, 369, 264, 988, 305 330,
331, 340, 372, 417.
WascuBBue, (Indian,) 129.
WMbbum, 373, 575.
Washington, 350, 353, 361.
Washington, President, visits Lynn,
353. His memory honored, 361.
Washington Square enclosed, 469.
Wastall, 154.
Walennan, 546.
Waters, 584.
Wathiii, 172, 577
Waiiaquattinusk, (Indian,) 39,
Watts, 137, 452, 465, 577, 580.
Weather, extraordinary changes ia the,
82, 417, 438, 443, 464.
Weather, warm. See Hot Weatlier.
Webb, 194, 213, 234, 335, 583.
Webbocowet, (Indian,) 35.
Webster, 163, 421,427,435,466,549.
Weinberg, 470.
Weitzel,473.
Welby, 172, 577
Weld, 205, 273.
Wellman, 190, 329, 251, 263, 335, 577.
Wellmore, 577.
Wells, 172, 174, 190, 192, 193, 362, 577,
583.
Wendell, 417.
Wenepoykin, Wiiinepurliit, (Indian,)
36, 38 to 42, 51, 146, 233, 242, 263,
264,282.
Wentworth, 117, 465.
Wenuchus, (Indian,) 36, 38, 41, 59,
138.
West, 173, 219, 577.
Westland, 269, 270.
Whales, 330, 391, 456.
Whaling Company, 398.
Whalley, 310, 460.
Wheat, (surname,) 577.
Wheat, Igrain,) 255.
Wheatley, 92.
jVheaton, 493.
iVbeeler, 143, 234, 242, 577.
Wheelwright, 164, 169
Whipple, 211, 581.
Whip-poor-will, 83.
Whitcomb, 89, 90, 587.
White, 130, 172, 289, 466, 577, 584, 589.
Whitefield, 326, 327, 332, 333.
Wliitin^, 145, 165, 169, 179, 213, 337,
229, 231, 235, 236, 238, 240, 241, 242,
253, 254, 256, 957, 260, 265, 966 to
276, 296, 314, 333, 493, 577, 582.
Whitman, 580.
Whitney, 391, 311, 312, 465, 584.
Wiiitridge, 172, 227, 577, 587.
Whittemoi'e, 358, 577.
Whittier, 91.
Whittingham, 395.
Wiggin, 210. 242, 451.
Wiggleswortli, 332, 356.
Wight, (slave,) 339, 344, 577.
Wilbur, 442, 598.
Wild Animals found in Lynn, 45.
Wild Fowl, 80.
Wildes, 584. .
Wiley, 372, 425, 583, 587.
Wilkins, 133, 130, 577.
Willey, 151, 577.
William, Duke, or Black Will, (Lidian,)
40, 131, 141, 144, 341, 243.
Williams, 48, 117, 164, 335,370,465,
577, 580, 588.
Williamson, 359.
Willis, 85, 130, 146, 171, 214, 381, 383,
577, 578, 580, 584.
Williston, 362, 583.
Willman, 577.
Wills, curious, 191, 192, 188.
Wilson, ia2, 146, 169, 216, 271, 466,
577,583. ■
Wilt, 577.
Windmill Hill, 137, 165.
Winds, high, 966, 278, 378, 425, 426,
431,437,438,441,463,477.
Wing, 162, 486, 577.
Winget, 330.
Winser, 577.
Winslow, 35, 169.
Winter, (surname,) 160, 577.
Wii^ers, remarkable, 257, 298, 381.
TOnthrop, 95, 100, 114, 124, 129, 133,
136, 137, 139, 140, 141, 146, 155, 160,
164, 168, 169, 183, 187, 193, 199, 200,
203, 205, 209, 213, 334, 311, 575.
Wire manufacture, 957, 372.
Wit, singular encounters of, 330, 346.
l^^tchcraft and Witches, 186, 224, 238,
276, 293 to 296.
Witherdin, 326.
Witt, 190, 193, 356, 293, 399, 577.
Witter, 130, 131, 208, 219, 330, 231,
, 242, 577.
! Wolfe, 396.
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