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HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TOWN OF DANVERS, 
 
 FROM ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT 
 
 TO THE YEAR 1848. 
 
 BY J. W. HANSON. 
 
 "In my poor mind it is most sweet to mush 
 Upon the days gone by!" — Charlts Lamb. 
 
 DANVERS : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
 Printed at the Courier Office. 
 
 1848. 
 
 
♦ 31^ ]r\p, 
 
 Entered according to An Act of Cong^ress, in the year 1848, by J. 
 W. Hanson, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Dis- 
 trict of Massachusetts. 
 
 i^r>4o 
 
 'i^f 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The Necessity of a Town History has been experienc- 
 ed for many years by most of the citizens of Danvers. 
 It could have been wished that some one qualified for 
 the task, had undertaken it before the decease of sev- 
 eral, who carried much valuable information to the 
 grave Avith them. Much that might have been pre- 
 served for Posterity has been suffered to sink into Obli- 
 vion. The compiler has sought every known source for 
 information, has spent about a year and a half in re- 
 searches, during which time he has travelled about 600 
 miles on foot, to different parts of Danvers and Salem, 
 besides several other journeys, — examined twenty-thous- 
 and pages of manuscript, — perused several historical 
 works, and made many pilgrimages to antiquated sires 
 and matrons, and to moss grown grave-yards, where he 
 has exercised the vocation of Old Mortality, and sought 
 information from those tablets Avhich the remorseless tooth 
 of time had nearly obscured. He believes that the ap- 
 pearances of imperfection in this work could not well be 
 avoided, and that nearly all is here recorded which time 
 has spared. He confesses himself mucl:^ indebted to 
 Hon. Daniel P. King, John W. Proctor, Esq., Fitch 
 Poole, Matthew Hooper, Charles M. Endicott, Matthew 
 Stickney, and to the gentlemanly officers of the State 
 Department, the Town Clerk, Salem City Clerk, Clerk 
 of the Courts, Judge of Probate, the different Parish 
 Clerks, Clergymen in Danvers, &c. All whom he has 
 consulted have seemed to vie with each other in for- 
 warding his plans, and he takes tliis method of return- 
 
" iv PREFACE. 
 
 ing his sincere thanks. To avoid disfiguring the foUoAv- 
 ing pages, he here gives general credit for the items he 
 has received and recorded: Authentic Tradition, Pen- 
 sion and Muster Rolls, Probate Records, Registry of 
 Deeds, Court of Records, Salem Records, Danvers 
 Records, Church and Parish Records, different Socie- 
 ty Records, several Manuscripts, Mathers Magnalia, 
 Provincial Records, Mass. Hist. Coll., Journals Pro v. 
 Cong., Hubbard's Hist. N. E., Early Hist. N. E., L> 
 ham's Lectures, Hutchinson's History of Massachu- 
 setts, Felt's Annals, Barber's Hist. Coll., King's Eu- 
 logy and Address, American Archives, Thatcher's 
 Essay, Lincoln's Journals, Calef 's Wonders, Celebrat- 
 ed Trials, Wadsworth's Discourse, files of Essex Ga- 
 zette, Salem Register, Salem Observer, Danvers 
 Courier and Whig, — and other authorities. The Com- 
 piler has carefully abstained from recordmg matter which 
 does not strictly belong to the History of the Town, and 
 he has sought, so far as he could, to compress the mat- 
 ter into as small space as possible. It will be seen that 
 he has followed the general plan of Stone's History of 
 Beverly, a well arranged work. 
 
 It is interesting in the highest degree, for the man 
 of to-day, to gaze into the Past, and trace the miracle 
 of success which almost every town in the Old Bay 
 State presents. 
 
 The dim primeval woods, dripping with dews, in 
 whose gothic aisles strange mysterious echoes travelled, 
 — in whose solitary fastnesses, troops of dun deer, packs 
 of prowling wolves, the sly fox, the clumsy bear, the 
 fierce catamount, and the painted savage, glided like 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 the shadows of a dream, — all have gone. The wonder- 
 ful changes of two hundred years can hardly be realiz- 
 ed. Two hundred years ago, "where we now sit, cir- 
 cled by all that embellishes and exalts civilized life, the 
 rank thistle nodded in the wind, and the wild fox dug 
 his hole unscared. Here lived and loved another race 
 of beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls over us, 
 the Indian hunter pursued the panting deer, — gazing on 
 the same moon that smiles onus, the Indian lover wooed 
 his dusky mate. Here they worship'd, and from many 
 a dark bosom, went up a prayer to the great Spirit. 
 Here too, they warred, — the echoing whoop, the defying 
 death-song, — all were here, and when the tiger strife 
 was over, here curled the smoke of Peace." Two hun- 
 dred years have passed, and what a change. "When the 
 morning sun arises from his ocean pillow, he does not 
 look upon ancient forest, silent river, nor upon some 
 sanguinary Indian fight. Strangely have the trees 
 been transformed into palace and cottage, by the touch 
 of the magic wand of Industry, w^hile each stream 
 moves the mingling din of loom and belt and wheel, 
 and where the death grapple of red men stained the 
 sod, hamlet and village are seen. The Avoods have 
 fled, savage beasts and savage men have passed away, 
 and hammer, and axe, and scythe, and plane are urged 
 by the disciples of Industry. No longer here the 
 "moping owl does to the moon complain," — no longer 
 Silence rests upon the ancient realm of Nahumkiek, 
 but Religion, Education, and Labor, — a holy Trinity — 
 have planted temples on every hill and in every vale, 
 along each winding stream, and around each silver 
 
I vi PREFACE. 
 
 lake, and to the ear of Heaven, ascends the ceaseless 
 hum of Human Life. 
 
 The progress at first was slow. A few adventurous 
 men with sturdy arms and glittering axe, let in the 
 sunlight on the virgin sod ; — with cautious steps they 
 threaded the echoing woodpaths, and startled the wild 
 beast and timid bird. Glad of escape from religious 
 persecution, they made each day vocal with prayer 
 and praise, — and yet, forgetful of their wrongs, — they 
 burned and hung poor quakers and baptists without 
 mercy. They acted as they knew, and whib the form 
 of Bigotry sits at our own tables, and glares upon those 
 who differ from us, it does not well become us to re- 
 proach our ancestry. If they forgot human rights, and 
 striped and branded heretics, they thought they were 
 verily doing God service, and their fault should not be 
 laid at their door, Avhile the church and the school-house 
 stand, and the hardy morals which they planted shall 
 continue to blossom and adorn our generation. They 
 were sincere; they had that sound core of honesty 
 which in these days we look for and hope to find. 
 
 From the early hour of the settlement of Danvers, 
 change has followed change, like wave pursuing wave, 
 to the present day. The foot-journey out to "the vil- 
 lage" from Salem, the laborious felling of the forest, the 
 planting of the first crops, the contest with wild ani- 
 mals, the occasional visit from an Indian, or a warlike 
 visit to an Indian settlement, the musket-guarded ser- 
 vice of the Sabbath, the Awful Delusion of 1692, the 
 spiritual struggle with Satan's emissaries, the long dark 
 battle with forciirn foes, the dawn of National Inde- 
 
 =iS3 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 pendence and prosperity, and the present noon of tri- 
 umph — all these have been here. In each of these has 
 Danvers participated. 
 
 To those whose birth was cast here, — those who in 
 the long sunny days of summer played here, who first 
 learned to gaze upon the stars and watch the moon go 
 down behind these hills, who can look back upon a life 
 passed here, these pages will be pleasing so far as 
 they reflect the Past. 
 
 ''Our Fathers, where are they V "Instead of the 
 fathers, are the children." While therefore the chil- 
 dren may know the experience of the fathers, let them 
 profit thereby, — and, above all, let them so conduct, as 
 that, when their Experience shall be History to those 
 who shall follow them, it may read a profitable lesson. 
 
 ftl! 
 
GENERAL ACCOUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Town of Danvers, County of Essex, State of 
 Massachusetts, is situated 15 miles N. N. E. from Bos- 
 ton, 23 miles E. S. E. from Lowell, 16 miles S. E. 
 from Lawrence, in 42o 32' North Latitude, and TOo 
 55' West Longitude, and is bounded north by Middle- 
 ton and Topsfield, east by Wenham, Beverly, and Sa- 
 lem, south by Salem, Lynnfield and Lynn, and west by 
 Lynnfield and Middle ton. 
 
 The general aspect of the Town is rather level, 
 though it is diversified with numerous gentle, and pre- 
 cipitous elevations. Lying near the verge of the wild 
 domain of Ocean, it is fortified by many of those rocky 
 ramparts which the hand of Nature has reared to repel 
 the wild encroachments of the Deep. The soil rests on 
 a foundation of Sienite, — is composed of 3fo soluble 
 geine, 6fo insoluble geine, and 2i'o sulphate of lime, and 
 is generally very productive, being mainly a brownish 
 loam, abounding in peat, gravel, and clay, from which a 
 large number of bricks, and all kinds of pottery are 
 made. There is an exhaustless supply of sienite from 
 which the choicest millstones are manufactured, equal 
 to any in the world, and some fine specimens of quartz 
 have been found, of which No. 1312 in the State Col- 
 lection is a sample. There are many valuable farms 
 yielding rich crops of hay, grain and vegetables, and a 
 large abundance of excellent fruit. Iron ore of a fine 
 quality has been procured on the estate of Hon. D. P. 
 
10 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 King, and copper ore was found at the Orchard Farm 
 previous to the death of its original proprietor. 
 
 The whole area of Danvers occupies about ITOOO 
 acres, of which there are about 132 acres of fresh wa- 
 ter ponds, 300 acres of salt rivers and creeks, 1200 
 acres of woodland, 1000 acres of rocky waste land, up- 
 wards of 11,000 acres of occupied and cultivable land, 
 and 80 miles of road. It is 8 miles long from North to 
 South, and 64 miles wide from East to West. 
 
 Besides the tall and graceful poplar, the fir, the balm 
 of Gilead, and the elm, — which combines in one form 
 the pendent gracefulness of the willow, the strength 
 of the oak, and the aspiring reach of the pine and 
 hemlock, — the larch, and other trees which adorn our 
 streets and rural residences, the native trees and 
 shrubs are the white and pitch pine, white spruce, 
 hackmatack, arbor vitse, red and white cedar, juniper, 
 ground hemlock, white, swamp, scarlet, red, black and 
 bear oak, chesnut, beach, witch and beaked hazel, 
 hornbeam, butternut, shellbark-hickorj, mockernut, 
 pignut, black, yellow and white birch, common alder, 
 Dutch and wax myrtles, sweet fern, buttonwood or syc- 
 amore, American aspen, swamp and other willows, white 
 and slippery elms, tupelo, sassafras, fever-bush, privet, 
 white and black ash, winter-berry, button-bush, bush 
 honeysuckle, elder, naked and sweet viburnums, arrow- 
 wood, water andromeda, clethra, swamp pink, rhodora, 
 kalmia, whortleberry, high and low blueberry, cran- 
 berry, alternate leaved, red stemmed, panicled, flower- 
 ing cornel, currant, gooseberry, spirea, meadow sweet, 
 hardback, raspberry, high and low blackberry, clematis, 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 11 
 
 white thorn, chokeberry, swamp pyrus, black and choke- 
 cherry, locust, fox grape, Virginian creeper, Jersey tea, 
 climbing staff tree, red and white maple, staghorn, poi- 
 son and dwarf sumach, poison ivy, bass-w^ood, barberry, 
 green brier, eglantine, swamp rose and thimbleberry. 
 The cowberry, a species of cranberry, is a very uncom- 
 mon plant. According to Emerson's Report of the 
 Trees and Shrubs of Massachusetts, it is found in but 
 one place in the state, namely, in a pasture near Mr. 
 A. Putnam's, where it was found in 1820 by William 
 Oakes, Esq. Torrey however thinks it has been found 
 on Monadnock mountain. At all ever>ts it is very 
 rare. 
 
 This vicinity offers pleasant inducements to those 
 who seek medicine from the vegetable productions, or 
 instruction from the "Floral Apostles" of Earth, of 
 whom it has been said : 
 
 "Your voiceless lips are living preachers. 
 
 Each cup a pulpit, every leaf a book. 
 Supplying Fancy numerous teachers 
 
 From loneliest nook." 
 
 In different parts of the town may be found the fami 
 lies of grasses, mosses, lichens, plantains, cresses, ferns, 
 the wild teazel, (very rare,) life everlasting, cudweed, 
 pennywort, duckmeat, thoroughwort, colored willow 
 herb, partridge berry, water horehound, hellebore, py- 
 rola, strawberry, johnswort, brake, Canadian cistus, that 
 pretty recluse that so successfully eludes the eye of 
 the Botanist the tall Jacob's ladder, the gentle sister- 
 hood of violets, yarrow, crowfoot, blue flag, spotted 
 geranium, Canada snapdragon, dwarf ginseng, common. 
 
12 HISTORY OF DANVERS. I 
 
 running and Norway cinquefoil, blue houstonia, "wood- 
 wax, — which at some seasons gilds many acres with 
 gold, — cardinal flower and other species of lobelia, Vir- 
 ginia thyme, side-flowering skullcap, — once supposed to 
 cure the bite of a mad dog, blue curls, burr marigold, 
 conedisk sunflower, asters, purple gerardia, hawkweed, 
 ladies' tresses, fringed gentian, golden-rod, waterlilies, 
 anemone, samphire, strawberry blite, speedwell, bladder- 
 wort, nightshade, galium, bugloss, houndstongue, sever- 
 al species of loosestrife, bindweed, henbane, lady's slip- 
 per, pipewort, millfoil, calla, dragon-root, moth mullein, 
 pimpernel, bellflower, arrowhead, fever root, thesium, 
 dogbane, Indian hemp, butterfly weed, milkweed, dod 
 der, saltwort, goosefoot, sanicle, angelica, cicuta, sarsa- 
 parilla, spikenard, Virginia flax, sundew, marshrose- 
 mary, Canada garlic, star of Bethlehem, Solomon's 
 seal, bellwort, droecena, erithromium, sweet flag, bay- 
 onet bush, cucumber root, trillium, Virginia rhexia, 
 golden saxifrage, w^ater pepper, partridge bush, Ameri- 
 can senna, sidesaddle, motherwort, hempnettle, vervain, 
 trichostema, lopseed, linnea, cowheat, figwort, snapdrag- 
 on, painted cup, monkeyflower, snakehead, hibiscus, 
 caducous, poligalia, lupine, trefoil, lespedesos, peavine, 
 groundnut, St. John's wort, succory, prenanthes, lia- 
 tris, coniza, elecampane, groundsel, eighteen species 
 of asters, mayweed, coreopsis, orchises, arethusa, ad- 
 ders tongue, dragon's claw, besides many others too 
 common to demand specification. 
 
 S. P. Fowler and Dr. George Osgood afforded much 
 assistance in arranging the foregoing list of plants. 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 13 
 
 An occasional fox or a rattlesnake, a few rabbits and 
 perhaps a lynx, are all tliat remain where old Parson 
 Higginson assures us he saw ''manye Ijons," and other 
 terrible monsters. 
 
 There are several fine sheets of water, and many 
 small though beautiful streams. Brown's pond, named 
 for an early grantee, in the southern portion of the 
 town covers 30 acres ; Bartholomew's pond, — one of 
 the most charming, secluded spots in the State, named 
 also for a grantee, situated about 4 of a mile north of 
 Brown's, contains 5 acres ; Cedar pond, 1\ miles north- 
 west, contains 15 acres. In this pond Goldthwaite's 
 brook takes its rise, and running easterly, passes 
 through Foster's millpond, and joining with Proctor's 
 brook empties into the Mill pond in South Danvers. 
 Humphrey's pond, named for John of that name, is 
 situated in Lynnfield and Danvers, — say about 80 acres 
 in the latter place. Proctor's brook rises in Gardiner's 
 swamp and joins Goldthwaite's. North River runs from 
 the mill pond in the south parish, and passing through 
 Salem empties into the harbor. Water's river rises near 
 the Newburyport turnpike, and empties into Porter's. 
 Beaver-dam brook takes its rise near the 17th milestone 
 on the Newburyport turnpike, and runs a northerly and 
 south-easterly course until it makes the Crane river, 
 which empties into Porter's. Nichol's brook rises in 
 the northern part of the town, and runs into Topsfield. 
 Frostfish brook rises near the northern boundary of 
 Danvers, and running south it forms Porter's river, the 
 channel of which is the boundary between Beverly and 
 Danvers. Porter's river empties into Bass River. 
 
14 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 Ipswich or AgaAvam river is the boundary between 
 Danvers and Middleton. Besides these are many 
 smaller streams not of sufficient importance to require 
 notice. Water for culinary purposes is abundant and 
 extremely good, and, as most of the rock is insoluble, 
 the w^ater is preserved pure, and entirely free from that 
 brackish taste, so noticeable to the stranger in most of 
 the water found near the sea coast. 
 
 Among the eminences deserving of mention are Bald 
 Rock, a bold summit on the edge of Bartholomew's val- 
 ley, — Shaw's Rock, Ship Rock, King's, Prescott's, Bux- 
 ton's, Walden's, Gardner's, Mt. Pleasant or Hog, Up- 
 ton's, Cook's, Endicott's,Hathorne's, and Dale's hills, — 
 from each of which may be enjoyed charming prospects 
 of the surrounding country. 
 
 The Traveller from Boston, would be likely to enter 
 the Town at its southern extremity. Here the soil is 
 generally very rocky, greenstone, covered by sienite, 
 and supports a thrifty growth of forest trees, principally 
 oak and pine. The sienite region extends from the i 
 southern boundary to Proctor^s brook, in a northerly di- 
 rection, and westward into Lynn. As he passes along 
 the old Boston road, he skirts the margin of Brown's 
 pond, a charming sheet of wtiter, and, if he will strike 
 across the fields from thence, a little west of north, he 
 will behold Bartholomew's pond, one of the sweetest spots 
 in New Endand. Situated as it is in the most uneven 
 and woody portion of the town, it is entirely secluded 
 by groves and hillS, without even a road to lead to the 
 spot. Passing along the same road he will shortly en- 
 ter the south parish, (a) the largest village in the Town. 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 15 
 
 Here he will see business on every hand, and the hairy 
 garments of slaughtered animals which surround him, 
 will remind him that the principal occupation of the in- 
 habitants is tanning and dressing different kinds of 
 leather, or manufacturing the same into boots and shoes. 
 Indeed if he shall ever meet a man from Dan vers in 
 another part of the world, he may take the fiict of his 
 nativity v^s, priyna facie evidence that he at least under- 
 stands the nature of leather. The Old South church 
 and Bell Tavern having passed away, the ]Monument 
 and the Grave of Eliza Wharton are the principal ob- 
 jects of interest remaining. As he passes on he leaves 
 the beautiful Harmony Grove in Salem on his right 
 hand, and bearing away in a northeastly course about 
 two miles he Avill pass over the ancient Orchard Farm, 
 on which stands the Old Endicott Pear Tree, and will 
 reach the enterprising village — New Mills, the only 
 seaport in the Town. A mile further north he arrives 
 at the Plains, a village noted for the thrift and indus- 
 try of its inhabitants. Still further on in the same di- 
 rection on the Topsfield road he passess through Put- 
 nam ville, formerly known as Blind Hole, from a swamp 
 still further north. Thence in a western line, a short 
 distance and crossing Nichol's brook and reaching the 
 Newburyport Turnpike, he will follow it nearly south, 
 and passsing the finest farms and estates and Hum- 
 phrey's pond, he will reach the South Beading road in 
 Lynnfield, and then turning east, he will pass the Poor 
 House and Rocks village, situated near Goldthwaite's 
 brook, which is at the bottom of a valley, once the bed 
 of a lar^e lake. At the first road intersecting; the road 
 
 o" 
 
16 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 he is on, he will direct his course north and passing the 
 Collins House, where Gov. Gage resided in 1774, and 
 the old Parris House where the witchcraft delusion com- 
 menced, he will go through Tapleyville, and then, a 
 short distance further he will enter the ancient Salem 
 Villao^e, havinof travelled about seventeen miles. 
 
 He will have seen a fine variety. Danvers is both 
 Citj and Country. The South Parish extends into Sa- 
 lem and is essentially one with Salem, while further 
 north the scenery presents so rural an aspect, that the 
 stranger can scarcely fancy himself so near the cities 
 and the seas. There are rough sienite acclivities, (b) 
 from which are fine views of the seacoast and the 
 neighboring towns, precipitous glens, dark woods, beauti- 
 ful miniature lakes reflecting the blue of heaven, and 
 brightly glancing streams murmuring along the sward 
 with liquid sounds of peace, — broad savannahs waving 
 with rustling grass, yellow with golden corn, or embrown. 
 ed with the shadows of sturdy trees, that are wdiite 
 with blossoms, or bend low with mellow fruit, relieved 
 by billow^y hills that swell along the landscape, or dotted 
 with villages and solitary residences and farmhouses, 
 the scene is beautiful as well as suggestive of Industry 
 and Peace. Beholding the air of comfort and indepen- 
 dence, and witnessing the enterprise and business zeal 
 for which the Town has become a proverb, and feeling 
 the bosom expand with the generous liberal spirit which 
 surrounds the community like an atmosphere, the be- 
 holder of to-day can scarcely realize that he stands 
 where witches were tried and executed, and Bigotry, 
 an ugly fiend, once poisoned the air with his breath. 
 
ft 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 17 
 
 Formerly distinguished for intolerance, austerity and 
 gloom, the Town is now equally known for its enterprise, 
 and the spirit of liberality it breathes ; — Salem Village 
 has become Dan vers. 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER I. 
 
 (a) Names. The South village was origiiiiiliy call "Crooksby,'' 
 from I he convergence of Go'dlhvvaile's and Proctor's broolis, orginal- 
 ly called South and North brook, near the Old South. Whsn the 
 parish lines were drawn it was called "the Middle Precinct," or South 
 Parish, because of its situation south of the Village, between it 
 and Salem proper. The Village was originally styled "the Farmers 
 Range," and afterwards Salem Village, to distinguish il from Salem 
 proper. The Plains belonged to the Porter family, and were com- 
 monly called "Mr. Porter's plaine," on account of the even surface 
 which his farm presented. "New Mills" was called at first "Mr. 
 Skelti-n's neck," owing to the peculiar formation of the land granted 
 to Mr. Skelton, and the name was changed to New Mills, from the 
 wheat mills belonging to Arhcelaus Putnam which were erected in 
 1754. The Indian name of the neck was TVahquack. Rocks village 
 obtains its name from the rocks around it, and Putnaniville and Tap- 
 leyville are named from enterprising gentlemen who bear the names 
 of Tapley and Putnam. 
 
 (b) "The sienite is inexhaustible, and the demand for it, manu- 
 ufactured into millstones and prepared for building and other purpos- 
 es, must increase annually. The extensive beds of clay — situated so 
 near navigable waters and flnurishing towns and villages, is another 
 sure source of wealth or at Isast a comfortable rnaintainance to many 
 inhabitants. The water powers, and last, though not least, a pro- 
 ductive soil and ready market, to reward the labors of numerous far- 
 mers and horticulturists, render this one of the most eligible situations 
 in the county. The town is distinguished for the sobriety, industry 
 and economy of its inhabitants; and has for many years past been 
 ranked among the most thriving and prosperous towns in the county." 
 
 Essex Memorial. 
 Errata to Chapter L On page 10, instead of 1200 acre" of 
 woodhnd, read 3000, and add 50 acres of saltmarsh and 1200 acres 
 of I'resh meadows. 
 
18 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 A company that had been engaged in a fishing enter- 
 prise between England and Cape Ann about the year 
 1625, the members of which had witnessed the success 
 with which the Plymouth Colony had met, and the facili. 
 ties which were lying unimproved in the region of Cape 
 Ann, carried such tidings to the Old World as inspired 
 many of the more adventurous among the English Dis- 
 senters, with a desire to estabhsh a people ''whose God 
 should be the Lord" in this portion of the western wil- 
 derness. Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, 
 made several attempts to establish a colony in this 
 neighborhood, wdiich had been thus favorably represent- 
 ed to him, but it was not until the year 1628 that he 
 could prevail upon a company to embark. 
 
 On the 6th of September in that year, John Endicott 
 set sail from England, accompanied by about one hun- 
 dred persons, having in his possession a grant, convey- 
 ing all the land lying between the Merrimac and Charles 
 Rivers, to Sir Hemy Rowell, Sir John Young, Thomas 
 Southcott, John Humphrey, John Endicott, Simon 
 Whetcomb, and their heirs an'd associates forever. The 
 bounds extended "three miles to the northward of Mer- 
 rimac River, and three miles to the southward of 
 Charles River, and in length within the described 
 breadth from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea." 
 
 When the company landed at Salem or Naurakiek as 
 it w?«s then called, they found a small company already 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 19 
 
 settled there, and nine houses which they had erected. 
 The hitter on the arrival of Mr. Endicott's company, 
 immediately migrated to Charlestown, leaving Naum- 
 kiek in the possession of Mr. E's company. This Indi- 
 an name has generally been supposed to belong exclu- 
 sively to this portion of territory as a proper name. 
 Such is not the fact ; Naumkiek signifies "a good fishing 
 place," and was applied by the Aborigines to the spot 
 occupied by the city of Lowell, and to other places 
 where they found plenty of fish. When the settlers 
 first landed they caught 1600 bass at a draught. 
 
 Thus in 1628 there were but nine houses and one 
 hundred people, occupying the large territory called Sa- 
 lem, including besides the present city of that name, the 
 towns of Beverly, Manchester, Wenham, Marblehead, 
 Danvers, and parts of Topsfield and Middleton. This 
 entire spot, — this "good fishing place," was owned by 
 the Naumkiek' s, a branch of the Massachusetts tribe. 
 They had a village at Northfields, and as late as 1725 
 were accustomed to visit the soil which their fathers trod 
 in majesty. Human remains and implements of war 
 have been exhumed at Northfields, at New Mills, and in 
 other parts of the town. When Mr. Endicott and his 
 company landed there were no Indians at Naumkiek, 
 though the owners of the soil dwelt not far off. Of 
 those owners the soil was purchased, as too much of 
 this continent has been obtained. A deed was signed, 
 land was received, and a miserable recompense render- 
 ed. Mr. Endicott however, had been instructed to ob- 
 tain the consent of the red men before occupying their 
 inheritance, and he fulfilled the letter of the injunction. 
 
20 HISTORY OF DANVBRS. 
 
 The deed is recorded in Felt's Annals of Salem. Mr. 
 Higginson gives the following description of the Naum- 
 kieks. 
 
 "For their governors, they have kings, -which they 
 call Saggamores, some greater and some lesser, ac- 
 cording to the number of their subjects. The greater 
 Saggamores about us cannot make above three hundred 
 men, and other lesse Sagamores have not above fifteen 
 subjects, and others neere about us but two. Their 
 subjects, above twelve years since, were swept aw^ay by 
 a great and grevious plague, that Avas amongst them, 
 so that their are verie few left to inhabite the country. 
 The Indians are not able to make use of the one fourth 
 part of the land, neither have they any settled places, 
 as townes to dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge 
 for their own possession, but change their habitation 
 from place to place. 
 
 "For their statures, they are a tall and strong lira- 
 med people, their colours are tawnej^, they goe naked, 
 save onely they are in part covered with beasts' skins 
 on one of their shoulders, and weare something before 
 their privities ; their haire is generally blacke, and cut 
 before, like our gentele women, and one locke longer 
 than the rest, much like to our gentelmen, w^hich fash- 
 ion, I thinke, came from hence into England. 
 
 "For their weapons, they have bowes and arrowes, 
 some of them headed witli bone, and some with brasse. 
 I have sent you some of them for an example. 
 
 "The men, for the most, live idely ; they do nothing 
 but hunt and fish. Their wives set their corne and do 
 all their other work. They have little houshold stuffe. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 21 
 
 as a kettle and some other vessels, like trayes, spoones, 
 dishes, and baskets. Their houses are very little and 
 homely, being made with small poles, pricked into the 
 ground, and so bended and fastened at the tops and 
 on the sides, they are matted with boughs and covered 
 on the roof with sedge and old mats ; and for their beds 
 that they take their rest on, they have a mat. 
 
 "They doe generally professe to like Avell of our 
 coming and planting here ; partly because their is a- 
 bundance of ground, that they cannot possesse nor 
 make use of, and partly because our being here will bee 
 a meanes both of relief to them when they want, and, 
 also, a defence from their enemies, wherewith (I say) 
 before this plantation began, they were often indangered. 
 
 "For their rehgion, they do worship two Gods, a 
 good and an evil God. The good God they call Tan- 
 tum, and their evil God, whom they fear will doe them 
 hurt, they call Squantum. 
 
 "For their dealini>; Avith us, we neither fear them nor 
 trust them, for fourtie of our musketeeres will drive 
 five hundred of them out of the field. We use them 
 kindly ; they will come into our houses sometimes by half 
 a dozen or half a score at a time, when we are at vict- 
 uals, but will ask or take nothing butwhat we give them." 
 
 Mr. Endicott procured materials for building a house 
 of the Dorchester company, and immediately erected a 
 "faire house." But misfortune attended his steps. 
 His w^ife died a year after his arrival, and sickness and 
 disease attended the infant colony. "Some had scarce- 
 ly a place to lay their heads, or food to satisfy the 
 cravings of hunger. A large proportion of them died 
 
22 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 
 
 with the scurvy and other diseases, and while sickness 
 was making its ravages among them, they were desti- 
 tute of medical assistance." Add to these disasters the 
 constant fear of massacre from the Indians, and we 
 may imagine the perplexities and sorrows of the pilgrim 
 strangers. Indeed, hardly had they arrived, when the 
 serenity of the First Day was broken by the fearful re- 
 port, that the Indians 'one thousand strong were coming 
 down from Saugus to massacre the few fainthearted 
 wanderers, (a) Companies of minute men were or" 
 ganized in different parts of Massachusetts Bay settle- 
 ments, to defend the lonely homes of the settlers. As 
 soon as tlie puritans commenced their towns they were 
 sadly troubled also by Quakers, Avho sought asylums 
 from oppression, and who vrere treated with worse rigor 
 than in the Old World. In 1630 a great controversy 
 commenced between the people of Salem and the Qua- 
 kers, Brownists, Mrs. Hutchinson, &c., which lasted 
 many years, and in which the minority were of course 
 whipped and hanged. Thus, temporal and spiritual 
 foes beset them within and without ; — ''devils, wicked 
 men and salvages" seemed determined to destroy the 
 colony by crushing its vernal germ. Food to sustain 
 life was procured until the year 1631, when a severe 
 fainine visited them. Wheat w^as gladly bought at the 
 exorbitant price of §3 per bushel, and corn at $2. 
 The settlers were forced to subsist principally on mus- 
 cles and clams, and the great predominance of animal 
 over vegetable food produced the most frightful attacks 
 of the scurvy. In the midst of their affliction they 
 were dehghted by being visited by such immense flocks 
 
 K^ > 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 23 
 
 of pigeons as obscured the sun. The Keligious Senti- 
 ment of the times easily detected a parallel between 
 their own and the condition ot the Israelites, and a 
 strong faith pierced through present difficulties and be- 
 held future triumphs. 
 
 It is difficult to ascertain the precise time when the 
 portion of Salem subsequently called Danvers was set- 
 tled. Between 1630 and 1640 the work was accom- 
 plished. Some of the grants in Brooksby or South 
 Danvers were doubtless occupied first, and the Village, 
 and the vicinity of Amos King's, and different parts of 
 the town subsequently. In 1633 there were families 
 living at Brooksby, and in 1635 John Humphreys re- 
 ceived a portion of land in Danvers and Lynn, togeth- 
 er with "a pond with a little Ileland (c) containing 
 about two acres." The boundary line between Lynn- 
 field and Danvers passes through this island in Hum- 
 phrey': pond. Five years later, namely, Dec. 31, 
 1638," "Agreed and voted, that there should be a Vil- 
 lage granted to Mr. Phillips and his company vppon 
 such conditions as the 7 men appointed for the towne 
 affairs shall agree on." Who composed this company 
 is not known but this enterprise was the origin of Sa- 
 lem Village, or North Danvers. Rev. John Phillips 
 the leader arrived in Salem in 1638, and was admitted 
 a townsman Jan. 26, 1640. The Village grant was 
 ceded to him, on conditions that he should remain a 
 long time, but he soon returned to Old England. He 
 appears to have been a worthy man, whose expectations 
 were not realized in Massachusetts, and whose discon- 
 tent forced him away. 
 
2-4 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 Those grants hoAvever, to Avhicli reference has been 
 made, were mcipient steps to settlement, and houses 
 soon began to sprmg up in different parts of the town, 
 both at Brooksby and the YiUage, and Nov. 28th 1639 
 the Court passed the following order : "Whereas, the 
 inhabitants of Salem have agreed to plant a Village 
 near the River which runs to Ipswich, it is ordered that 
 all the lands near their bounds between Salem and the 
 said River not belonging to any other town or person 
 by any former grant, shall belong to the said Village." 
 The people of Topsfield afterward claimed that this 
 grant had reference to that town, but the river here 
 referred to, is manifestly the Ipswich river, and the 
 phraseology plainly designates Salem Village. In 
 1672 an additional grant was made to the Village of 
 the land on the northerly side of Ipswich road to the 
 wooden bridge, and "so, on a west line." In 1686 
 the Village Precinct declared by a solemn vote that 
 these grants referred exclusively to itself. The people 
 affirmed that they had employed the described lands 
 for forty years, considered them as theirs, and were 
 both ready and willing to go forward and defend their 
 claim. It is not possible to give a systematic narra- 
 tion of the town's settlement, commencing with the 
 first individual, and chronicling each in his turn. A 
 few of the first settlers, and grantees, so far as they 
 can be sifted from those in other parts of Salem, are 
 given below. 
 
 The Orchard Farm consisting of 300 acres was given 
 to Gov. John Endicott as the first grant, in the year 
 1632, and on account of Endicott's services the gift 
 
 
HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 25 
 
 was confirmed by the Colonial Authorities July 3d., 
 1632. It was called "a necke of land lyeing about 
 3 myles from Salem." (b) This neck of land 
 was called by the Indians Wahquamesehcok, signifying 
 Birch-wood — Porter's river, then called Wooleston, was 
 its eastern boundary, Crane river, then called Duck, its 
 Northern, and Water's, then called Cowe house, its 
 Southern boundary. The Indian name of Porter's was 
 Orkhussunt, of Crane was Conamabsqnooncant, of 
 Waters was Soewampenessett. Of course the land di- 
 verged from Porter's river, following the margins of 
 Water's and Crane rivers until the 300 acres were com- 
 pleted. As there were no roads in this part of Salem, 
 when the stanch old Governor visited his Orchard, he 
 was forced to embark at Salem, and after passing up 
 Beverly harbor, Porter's and Water's river, land at 
 about the spot where the Iron Works are located. The 
 cultivation of this land was commenced in 1633. Gov. 
 E. enjoyed several other grants in different sections of 
 Naumkeik. Mill River was in 1639 the name of a 
 small stream passing west of the Pear Tree, 
 
 The Orchard Farm remained in the possession of the 
 family until 1828. It is now principally owned by Ben- 
 jamin Porter Esq. On this farm is the far-famed local- 
 ity, the Endicott Pear Tree, supposed to have been 
 planted by Gov. Endicott himself. Concerning the age 
 of this tree are conflicting opinions. Joselyn in 1639 
 says — "there is not a single apple-tree or pear-tree in 
 all the colonys." It must therefore have been planted 
 as late as 1640. The precise date cannot be ascer- 
 tained, though there is a tradition in the Endicott fam- 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 ily that this sylvan relic was brought over in 1630. If 
 so, it must have been planted elsewhere first. It is ut- 
 terly impossible that the imported shoot could have been 
 preserved out of the earth ten years. If Joselyn was 
 correct, the tradition is not true. Another fact, is that 
 the farm was not cultivated until 1633, and that the 
 Gov. did not own the land until two years after it is alleged 
 the tree was imported. Either the shoot was brought 
 over subsequent to 1639, or Joselyn did not know of 
 its existence, and if it was in this country at all, it must 
 have been at the Governor's town residence until after 
 the farm was cultivated. At all events, the tree bears 
 unquestionable marks of age. The main part has slight- 
 ly decayed, but it has sent out vigorous suckers, and 
 bears an abundance of fruit. It looks likely to live a 
 century longer. The man of the present day, as he 
 stands beneath its shadow, cannot repress the mingling 
 emotions which rise in his Soul. In its nestling boughs 
 he surveys the past, — and beholds the light of other days. 
 
 [view or THE ENDICOTT PEAR TREE.] 
 
=1^ 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 27 
 
 Immediately above him was and is another neck of 
 land (c.) now known as New Mills. It was origi- 
 nally granted to Rev. Samuel Skelton, the colleague 
 of Higginson in the pastorship of the first church in 
 Salem, for his sacrifice in leaving Old England, — and 
 consisted of 200 acres. It is bounded on the east by 
 Porter's or Orkhussunt river, on the south by the 
 same together with the Ponomenneuhcant, a small 
 stream which passes through Page's brick yard, and 
 empties into Porter's river, on the south by the Dack, 
 Conamabsqnooncant, or Crane river, and on the west, 
 hke Endicott's, by the main land. The neck thus 
 granted, was called by the Indians, Wahquacic, which 
 certainly expresses the note uttered by a duck, per- 
 fectly, and suggests the thought that this marshy 
 neck, so nearly surrounded by water, must have been 
 a fine place for ducks. This opinion amounts almost 
 to a certainty ^vhcn we remember that the first settlers 
 styled Crane river. Duck river. (d.) This grant 
 was made by the Colonial Autliorities, while those that 
 follow were made by the "7 men" of Salem, or by the 
 people in town meeting. Those grants are expressed 
 in plainer terms than most of the rest, and indeed are 
 the principal guides in locating other grants. Mr. 
 Skelton came over in 1629. 
 
 Richard Adams. 5 acres near Trask's Mill, Brooks- 
 by. (e.) Uncertain. 
 
 Robert Adams 1. g. 1638, moved to Newbury 
 1640. Did not settle. 
 
 John and Anthony Buxton 1. g. 1637. Brooks- 
 by and Northfields. Settled. 
 
 
28 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Edmund Batter 1. g. 1637 ; 30 acres Brooksby. 
 Uncertain. 
 
 Ricliard Bartliolome-vv 1. g. 1637, near Bartholo- 
 mew's pond. Settled. 
 
 Henry Bartholomew arrived Nov. 7, 1635 ; 110 
 acres near Whipple's Hill n. w. of orchard, d. Nov. 
 22, 1692. Settled. 
 
 Hugh, Samuel, John and Christopher Browne 
 came in 1629, and settled in the southern portion. 
 
 John Bachellor 1639 1. g. 20 acres near Town- 
 send Bishop. Settled. 
 
 Rev. George Burdett 10 acres joining Orchard on 
 
 n. w. 1635. Did not settle. 
 
 Townsend Bishop g. 1. 1635, 300 acres, bounded 
 E. by Orchard, N. by Crane river and Tapley's Brook, 
 S. by the head of Water's river, and included Tapley- 
 ville, Tapley's brick yards, Collins House, &c., and 
 extended nearly or quite as far as where the Essex 
 Turnpike crosses Tapley's brook. Settled. 
 
 Christopher Berry received land in 1640. 
 
 William Clarke 200 acres in 1637, near Cedar 
 pond. He came in 1629. Uncertain. 
 
 John Corwin in 1668 owned land S. W. of Plains. 
 Uncertain. 
 
 Robert Cole received 300 acres in Brooksby, near 
 Proctor's brook, in 1630. The lot must have in- 
 cluded Wilson's corner and most of the land between 
 the Village, IpsAvich and Reading Roads. Settled. 
 
 Giles Corey owned a portion of the land owned bj 
 Hon. D. P. King. The old cellar of his house yet re. 
 mains. He was pressed to death in 1692. Settled. 
 
m 1 
 
 i HISTORY OF DANVERS. 29 
 
 Thomas Dixy, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 
 
 Emanuel Downing, (f.) granted 500 acres of 
 land in 1G38, near Bishop's. This large tract in- 
 cluded the Plains, and all the land between Beaver 
 
 and Frostfish brooks, as far as the northern spur of 
 Putnam's Hill. He had one hundred acres near 
 Brooksby. Settled for a time. 
 
 Richard Davenport came over with Endicott, and 
 received 220 acres near Enon, or Yv^enham, — probably 
 the northern portion of the town E. of the Topsfield 
 road. He ow^ned a few acres in Brooksby. Settled. 
 
 William Davis, land near Downing. Uncertain. 
 
 Thomas Edwards, 60 acres in 1637 beyond Put- 
 nam's. Uncertain. 
 
 John Endicott. See ace. 
 
 Richard Elliot, land in 1630. Drowned Feb. 
 5, 1662. Settled. 
 
 George Emery, marsh near Orchard. Uncertain. 
 
 William Flint, landed about 1640; died April 2, 
 1673. Settled. 
 
 Nathaniel Felton, came in 1633. Settled. 
 
 Robert Goodale 480 acres between Ipswich River, 
 Reading road and Newburyport Turnpike. 163-. 
 Settled. 
 
 Thomas Goldthwaite 1. g. 1634. Settled. 
 
 Samuel, Richard, John and Thomas Gardner g. 1. 
 about 1637-49. Settled. 
 
 Joshua Grafton 1649, part of a meadow south of 
 Ipswich river. Uncertain. 
 
 William Gingel, same. Uncertain. 
 
 William Hathorne received 200 acres in 1636, N. W. 
 
30 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 of Newhurjport Turnpike, between that and Middle- 
 ton, — including Hathorne's Hill, provided he would 
 leave the Dorchester Church, and join that of Salem. 
 He was born in 1607, moved to Lynn in 1634, and to 
 Salem in 1636. He was a member of Quar. Court 
 in 1639. Settled. 
 
 Richard Hutchinson, a lot in 1639. Settled. 
 
 John Jackson part of a meadow south of Ipswich 
 River. Uncertain. 
 
 Lieut. Francis Johnson 200 acres in 1635, in the re- 
 gion of King's Hill, and in the Southern part of Brooks- 
 by. He afterwards relinquished this grant and received 
 the same amount, ''1 myle further nere Seder pond," 
 N. E. from Humphrey's. Settled. 
 
 William King, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 
 
 Lawrence Leech land near Blind Hole. Settled. 
 
 Manasseth Marston land near Reading bounds. Un- 
 certain. 
 
 Wilham Nichols 1638, near Hathorne's. Settled. 
 
 William Osborne 1. g. 1638. Settled. 
 
 Robert Page 1. g. 1638. Settled. 
 
 Joseph Pope g. 1. 1637. Settled. 
 
 George Porter in 1647 owned the Plains, from 
 whom the name ^'Porter's Plains. Settled. 
 
 John PhiUips and Company — "Salem Village. Set- 
 tled. 
 
 John Putnam came from Buckinghamshire, England 
 in 1629, with his three sons, and owned a large portion 
 of North Danvers. He was born in 1583, and died 
 1662, aged 79. He owned Wenham Woods. 
 
 Thomas Putnam, eldest son of John, born 1618, 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 31 
 
 died 1699, aged 81. His patrimony was the land owned 
 by Jesse and Daniel. 7 children. 
 
 Nathaniel Putnam, second son of John, born 1621, 
 died 1700, aged 79. His land was the estate of Hon. 
 Samuel Putnam. He was a prominent man in the Vil- 
 lage Church. 7 children. 
 
 John Putnam, Jr., born 1630, died 1722, aged 92. 
 He owned the farm since belonging to Col. Jethro, and 
 Dr. Archelaus, one of which is owned by James A. 
 All of this land has remained in the family since the 
 settlement of Salem. 8 children. (Col. Perley Putnam 
 kindly furnished these facts.) All the Putnams set- 
 tled. John was very prominent in the councils of 
 Salem. 
 
 Daniel Ray, 1634, land near Jno. Putnam. Uncer- 
 tain. 
 
 John Ruck, 1638, land near Hathorne's. Settled. 
 
 Col. Thomas Reed, received in 1630, 300 acres 
 N . W. from Salem proper. Precise spot unknown. 
 Settled. 
 
 John Sibly 1. near Village 1638. Settled. 
 
 John Symonds, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 
 
 Samuel Smyth, in 1637, 150 acres "beyond the 
 farmers." Uncertain. 
 
 Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1. g. 1637, 
 Brooksby. See "Quakers." Settled. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Sharpe, 300 acres near Marble mead- 
 ows. Did not settle. 
 
 Hugh Stacy, 1. g. 1640. Settled. 
 
 Elias Stileman, land at the head of Tapley's brook. 
 Settled. 
 
32 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Job Swinnerton, 1. g. 16o7. Settled. 
 
 John Thorndike, a lot in 1635, near Needham's 
 corner. Settled. 
 
 Ralph Tomkins., land at head of Cowhouse river, 
 1635. Uncertain. 
 
 Wilham Trask, received about 50 acres near the 
 head of North Eiver, where he erected one of the first 
 mills in Salem. Settled. 
 
 Philip Veren, (Very?) land at the head of Cow- 
 house River in 1637. Settled. 
 
 Joshua Yeren (Very?) 1. g. 1635. Settled. 
 
 Robert Whidden owned 20 acres in 1645, near Bish- 
 op's and Putnam's. Settled. 
 
 John White, land near Smyth's. Settled. 
 
 Richard Waters, land near Water's River in 1637. 
 Settled. Before the erection of a bridge, the ferry was 
 known as Water's ferry. 
 
 Bray Wilkins landed at Lynn in 1634, and removed 
 to Village soon after. 
 
 William Walcott 1. g. 1637. Settled. 
 
 Francis Weston 50 acres near Stileman's in 1633. 
 Settled. 
 
 The Horse Pasture formerly called the Great Pas- 
 ture contained 490 acres. The westerly line begun at 
 the head of North River, and running N. W. on the 
 W. side of Prescott's Hill to the brook which runs into 
 Water's River, ended near Matthew Hooper's farm. A 
 four rail fence enclosed the pasture in 1642. 
 
 The foregoing notices of individuals are purposely 
 very brief, as it was f jund impossible to enter at all in- 
 to their g ;nealogy, and as it was hoped that some one 
 
em 
 HISTOBY OF DAN VERS. 33 
 
 would at some future day collect the genealogies of 
 the principal fnmilies in the town. Such a work would 
 be a valuable addition to the historic lore of the Coun- 
 try. 
 
 Besides the above, the Proctors removed here from Ips- 
 wich in 1660, the Pooles from Cambridge in 1690, the 
 Fosters from Lynn, the Suttons from Rowley, the Jacobs 
 in 1700, the Needhams, Prestons, Cheevers, Shillabers, 
 Doutys, Holtens, and other prominent and respectable 
 families at different periods. The compiler had it in his 
 original design, to give genealogical sketches,- — but when 
 the reader reflects, that some of the families, as for in- 
 stance the Putnams actually number several thousand liv- 
 ing, and also, that it is impossible to decide on most of the 
 names recorded, whether they lived within the present 
 limits of Danvers, or in some other portion of Salem, be 
 feels that he will be excused for the small number of 
 names presented, and the few particulars. Those who 
 read, can have no conception of the labor he has per- 
 formed, in accomphshing so Httle. (g.) 
 
 So great a scarcity prevailed in 1633 that a good 
 cow could not be bought for less than $125, Avhile an 
 ordinary female goat was valued at ^20. The next 
 year prices were generally reduced, so that corn was 
 but 75 cts. per bushel, and brass farthings weresupersed- 
 ed by musket bullets. In 1636 an important expedition 
 was directed against the Pequods, in which ninety men 
 under the command of Mr. Endicott were engaged. 
 A few Indians were killed and wounded, some corn and 
 several wigwams burned, and but two white men were 
 lost. June 1st 1637, a very violent earthquake occur- 
 
34 HISTORY 01^ DANVERS. 
 
 red. It passed from east to west, and was so univer- 
 sally and seriously felt, that it became a common say- 
 ing : ^'So long after the earthquake." The winter of 
 1638, was very severe, there was snow on the ground 
 from Nov. 4. to March 23d. The following summer 
 was remarkably dry, — vegetation suffered very much. 
 The winter of 1642 was so cold that Salem harbor froze 
 to Baker's Island. 
 
 Corn was very scarce in 1643, and muscles and clams 
 became a substitute. A severe earthquake March 
 oth. In Jane 1646 "suddaine innumerable armies 
 of catterpiliars" nearly swept the land. They dis- 
 iippeared as suddenly as they came. This insect, 
 nbout an inch in length destroyed nearly all the corn, 
 wheat and barley. The following winter was very mild. 
 "No snow all a\ inter long." "Not corn enough to last 
 two months in the whole countr ," May 10. 1647. In 
 June the influenza prevailed. In 16^.8 a copper mine 
 was discovered on the Orchard farm. The quality of 
 the ore was tested by Mr. Leader, c verseer of the Iron 
 works at Lynn, and was pronounced good ; — the vein 
 soon failed. Nov. 20th. was held as a day of fasting 
 and prayer, "on account of sin, blasting, milldew, 
 drought, grasshoppers, caterpillars and small pox in 
 IMassachusetts, and war and pestilence in England." 
 Long hair was forbidden in 1649. Small pox prevail- 
 ed the same year. In 1652 a splendid comet appear- 
 ed in the Constellation Orion, and was visible two 
 weeks in December. In the same year a mint was es- 
 tablished at Boston. The coins of this date bore a pine 
 [I tree and the word Massachusetts on one side, and N. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVER3. 35 
 
 E. 1652, and III, YI, or XII on the reverse. Oct. 
 29. 1653, a heavy earthquake. 1654 corn was Ss, 
 rye 4s, and barley 5s per bushel. A severe epi- 
 demic in 1655. In 1660, the winter was unusually 
 severe. There were three earthquakes in 1663, Jan. 
 26, Feb. 5, and July. The following year wheat was 
 blasted, and a comet was visible from Nov. 17 to the 
 4th of the following February. Canker worms appear 
 ed in 1666. In 1668 was a remarkable zodiackal lisiht, 
 or "sign in the heavens in the form of a spear, portend- 
 ing Indian massacres." A great drought in 1670. 
 In 1671 the widow of John Endicott received an annui- 
 ty of <£30, to be continued during her Avidowhood. A 
 petition was issued and granted the same year to form 
 a military company at the Village. The Court allowed, 
 that all who resided west of Ipswich highway, might be 
 exercised by Lt. Richard Leach. Aug. 29, 1675 was 
 a Adolent tornado, and in the year following, a iatal epi- 
 demic prevailed. On Thanksgiving day, Dec. 4th, 
 1676 occurred a storm unparalelled in the experience of 
 the Colonists. The Newtonian Comet, which will visit 
 us again in the year 2225 appeared in 1680. 
 
 Great care was taken in those days, that the youth 
 should be properly indoctrinated ; accordingly, responsi- 
 ble persons were selected to examine and instruct the 
 children of both sexes. In 1682 "Lt. John Putnam is 
 desired, and is hereby empoAvered to take car3 yt ye 
 law relateing to the Chatechising of children be duly 
 attended at the Village, and that all the famylyes doe 
 carefully and constantly attend the due education of 
 their children and youth according to law." 
 
36 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Sunday Feb. 8th, 1685, an earthquake, that disturb- 
 ed public \Yorship. The months of June and July 1686 
 were very dry and hot, and a painful drought troubled 
 the land. 
 
 Daniel Andrews was sent as a Deputy to General 
 Court in the year 1689. About this date there were 
 several of the Village men slain in Indian engagements, 
 though they were killed away from home. When the 
 settlers of Salem landed, the Indians had vacated their 
 former haunts, and never troubled our fathers except at 
 a distance. Thus we have no tales of blood, of mid- 
 night massacre and sudden ambuscade. April 1st, 1689 
 John Bishop, and September 2d, the same year Nicholas 
 Reed were killed by the Indians. In 1690, Godfrey 
 Sheldon, Daniel Elliot, Thomas Alsob, Edward Crocker 
 and George Ingersoll were killed, most of them at Casco 
 Bay. Probably there were others, — ^if so their names 
 and deeds have alike perished. The Village Company 
 elected its officers this year as follows : Jonathan Wal- 
 cott. Captain ; Nathaniel Ingersoll, Lieutenant : and 
 Thomas Flint, Ensign. 
 
 As early as the year 1666 a desire prevailed at the 
 Village to become a town by itself. Although "our 
 neibors the farmers" were very desirous af a sepera- 
 tion, the people of Salem as a whole, opposed the pro- 
 ject. Even some of the Village prayed that they 
 might not be compelled to "forsake Salem." Evi- 
 dently, however, the people of the Village wanted a 
 minister and a church of their own, though there seems 
 to have been a disposition on the part of the church in 
 Salem, to compel the people of the Village to cleave to 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 37 
 
 the former. The establishment of the Village Parish 
 was not sufficient to pacify those "v.ho desired to form a 
 distinct town. Some who lived m Salem, south of the 
 village parish line, were favorable to the petition, pro- 
 vided they could be included. Accordingly, they is- 
 sued the following petition : 
 
 "ffebuary the 20—1689. 
 
 We who are heare vnto subscribed, vnderstanding 
 there is a motion of the viUige for a Township, vnto the 
 Towne of Salem, which motion we doe comply with, 
 provided we may have an inlargement, that is to say 
 from Rum bridge (h.) down the Rever soe as the 
 Eever runs all the proprietes and the common lying on 
 the north side of the said Rever vntil we come to Beav- 
 erly bounds : Now in case the town of Salem doe not 
 see cause to grant our desiers we desier still to remaine 
 to Salem as we are ; provided our just greauences may 
 be removed. 
 
 (Signed.) Joseph Houlton, Jr, Joseph Hutchinson, 
 Job Swinnerton, Daniell Andrew, Joseph Putnam, 
 Nethanell Putnam, John Putnam, Beneamen Porter, 
 Israel Porter, Thomas fflint" 
 
 The following document will show the style of a road 
 petition. 
 
 *'To the Selectmen of ye Towne of Salem the humble 
 petition of ye Inhabitants of Salem and Salem Villiage 
 whose names are here vnto subscribed — 
 
 ''Humbly sheweth that your petitioners have had a free 
 passage of A waye Between Thomas fflints and Joseph 
 fflints this forty yeares and vpwards Till now Lately de- 
 
38 HISTORY OF DANVEKg. 
 
 prived of yt old waje hj Thomas fflint "who hath turned 
 ye "waye into such a heidius place yt, there is noe pas- 
 ing "without great danger to ourselves and our Crear 
 tures as yt some of ys know by great damage yt we have 
 Received in that place : vnder pretence as we vnderstand 
 that There was noe waye laid out, Therefore the desire 
 of your petitioners is yt you would be pleased to choose 
 a committy yt maye laye out ye old waye which we 
 are deprived of or some other conuenient waye w'h is 
 ye best waye and less danger and yt we maye have ye 
 same liberty That there maiestes alough there subiects 
 ye most plainest and conuenient, and not tp hill and 
 downe dale wh is all at present yt We have to trouble 
 you at this tyme, we crave your favour to Rectifie ye 
 above sd waye and for soe doeing we shall for Ever Re- 
 maine youer Servants to Command— 
 
 March ye 15 : 1694^5 
 
 George Locker, John hill, phillip Loslll, samuel Goold, 
 Tho. Gold, Zacharie" Goodale, sen. Thos. Businton, 
 Joshua Buffum, John King, Samuell Gaskills, Joseph 
 Pope, Benjamin Pope, Zacharie Goodale, Jr. Samuel 
 Aborn, Anthonie Needham Sen. Samuel Southwick. 
 
 This way, was the road from Reading Road across Wil- 
 liam Goodales. It has for some years been discontinued. 
 
 The winter of 1696 was the coldest ever known in 
 New England. In the year 1699 there were great num- 
 bers of bears in the woods, which destroyed corn and cat- 
 tle, and were with great difficulty exterminated. In 1700 
 Jan. 30th, an earthquake, Feb. 26th. another. May 
 2d. 1701 a remarkable hailstorm commenced and raged 
 
 I 
 
it 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 39 
 
 three days. The stones were so large as to kill many 
 cattle. Baring the following year an incurable malady 
 called the "fever and flux" raged in the town. In 1703 
 eight men were impressed from the Village to man the 
 "Flying Horse," of Salem. 
 
 In 1711 it was voted that the inhabitants of Ryall 
 side, with some of the neighbors at the Village and also 
 at Beverly be allowed to build a meeting house near 
 Horse Bridge. (Beverly Second Parish.) The same 
 year Rev. Messrs. Green and Prescott of the Village 
 and Middle Precincts had the privilege of commonage 
 granted them, 
 
 The winter of 1717 was remarkable for a dreadful 
 snow storm, the particulars of which have been given 
 by Cotton Mather as follows : 
 
 "Boston, 10th Dec, 1717. 
 "An Horrid" Sitow. Sir : — Tho' we gott so far on- 
 ward as the beginning of another Winter, yett we have 
 not forgott ye last, which at the latter end whereof we 
 were entertained & overwhelmed with a Snow, which 
 was attended with some Things, which were uncom- 
 mon enough to afford matter for a letter from us. 
 
 On the twentieth of the last February there came on 
 a Snow, which being added unto what had covered the 
 ground a few days before, made a thicker mantle for our 
 Mother than what was usual : And ye storm with it 
 was, for the following day, so violent as to make all com- 
 munication between ye Neighbors every where to cease. 
 People, for some hours, could not pass from one side of 
 a street unto another, & }e poor Women, who happen- 
 ed in this critical time to fall into Travail, were putt in- 
 
40 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 
 
 to Hardships, which anon produced many odd stories 
 for us. But on ye Twenty-fourth day of ye Month, 
 comes Pelion upon Ossa : Another Snow came on which 
 almost buried ye Memory of ye former, with a Storm 
 so famous that Heaven laid an Interdict on ye Religious 
 Assemblies throughout ye Country, on this Lord's day, 
 ye like whereunto had never been seen before. The 
 Indians near an hundred years old, affirm that their 
 Fathers never told them of any thing that equalled it. 
 Vast numbers of Cattel were destroyed in this Calami- 
 ty. Whereof some there were of ye Stranger sort, 
 were found standing dead on their legs^ as if they had 
 been alive many weeks after, when the Snow melted a- 
 way. And others had their eyes glazed over with lee 
 at such a rate, that being not far from ye Sea, their 
 mistake of their way drowned them there. One gen- 
 tleman, on whose farms were now lost above 1100 sheep 
 which with other Cattel, were interred (shall I say) or 
 Innived, in the Snow, writes me word that there were 
 two Sheep very singularly circumstanced. For no less 
 than eight and twenty days after the Storm, the Peo- 
 ple pulling out the Ruins of above an 100 sheep out of 
 a Snow Bank, which lay 16 foot high, drifted over 
 them, there was two found alive, which had been there 
 all this time, and kept themselves alive by eating the 
 wool of their dead companions. AYhen they were taken 
 out they shed their own Fleeces, but soon gott into good 
 Case again. Sheep were not ye only creatures that 
 lived unaccountably, for whole weeks without their 
 usual sustenance, entirely buried in ye Snowdrifts. 
 The Swine had a share with ye Sheep in strange sur- 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 41 
 
 vivals. A man had a couple of young Hoggs, which 
 he gave over for dead, But on the twenty-seventh day 
 after their Burial, they made their way out of a Snow 
 bank, at the bottom of which they had found a little- 
 Tansy to feed upon. The Poultry as unaccountably 
 survived as these. Hens were found alive after seven 
 days ; Turkeys were found alive after five and twenty 
 days, buried m ye Snow, and at a distance from ye 
 ground, and altogether destitute of any thing to feeil 
 them. The number of creatures that kept a Rigid 
 Fast, shutt up in Snow for diverse weeks together, and 
 were found alive after all, have yielded surprizing sto- 
 ries unto US- 
 
 The Wild Creatures of ye Woods, m ye outgoings of 
 ye Evening, made their Descent as well as they could 
 in this time of scarcity for them towards ye Sea-side. 
 A vast multitude of Deer, for ye same ^cause, taking 
 ye same course, & ye Deep' Snow Spoiling them of their 
 only Defence, which is to run, they became such a 
 prey to these Devourers, that it is thought not one in 
 twenty escaped. But here again occurred a Curiosity. 
 These carniverous Sharpers, & especially the Foxes, 
 would make their Nocturnal visits to the Pens, where 
 the people had their sheep defended from them. The 
 poor Ewes big with young, were so terrified with the 
 frequent Approaches of ye Foxes, & the Terror had 
 such Impression onihem, that most of ye Lambs brought 
 forth in the Spring following, wera of Monsieur Rein- 
 ard*s complexion^ when ye Dam, were either White or 
 Black. It is remarkable that immediately after ye Fall 
 of ye Snow an infinite multitude of Sparrows made 
 
 II 
 
42 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 their Appearance but then, after a short continuance, all 
 disappeared. 
 
 It is incredible how much damage is done to ye Or- 
 chards, For the Snow freezing to a Crust as high as 
 the boughs of ye trees, anon Split ym to pieces. The 
 Cattel also, walking on ye crusted Snow a dozen foot 
 from ye ground, so fed upon ye Trees as very much to 
 damnify them. The Ocean was in a prodigious Fer- 
 ment, and after it was over, vast heaps of little shells 
 were driven ashore, where they were never seen before. 
 Mighty shoals of Porpoises also kept a play-day in the 
 disturbed waves of our Harbours. The odd Accidents 
 befalling many poor people, whose Cottages were totally 
 covered with ye Snow & not ye tops of their chimneys 
 to be seen, would afford a Story. But there not being 
 any Relation to Philosophy in them, I forbear them. 
 
 And now Satis Terris Nivis. And here is enough 
 of my Winter Tale. If it serve^to no other purpose, 
 yett it will give me an opportunity to tell you That nine 
 months ago I did a thousand times wish myself with 
 you in Gresham College, which is never so horribly 
 snow'd upon. But instead of so great a Satisfaction, 
 all I can attain to is the pleasure of talking with you in 
 this Epistalory way k subscribing myself 
 Syr Yours with affection 
 
 that knows no Winter, 
 
 COTTON MATHER. 
 
 Feb. 13th, 1718 was observed as a fast. Great 
 
 mortahty had prevailed at the Village which threatened 
 
 at one time to sweep away the entire population. An 
 
 1 effort was made this year to divide Essex County. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 43 
 
 Dec. 11th, 1719 Tvas remarkable for a great Aurora 
 Borealis which was so brilliant as to fill the country 
 with alarm. It "rustled like a silken banner." 
 
 Tea began to be used in 1720. It was customary 
 for each lady when she went to visit a friend, to take 
 her own tea-cup, saucer and spoon. The cup was a 
 few sizes larger than a thimble. The small pox began 
 to rage Sept. 21st, 1721. 
 
 In 1723 the tide flowed back into some places several 
 miles, forcing the people in some instances to take refuge 
 in trees. The year following vegetation suffered so much 
 by a drought that it seemed as though a fire had passed 
 over it. Oct. 29th 1727 was the occasion of an earth- 
 quake which made the "earth to quake with a terrible 
 noise and shaking." Severest ever before known in 
 N. E. 
 
 Earthquakes occurred in 1728 on the following 
 days : Jan. 3d, 28th, 29th., Feb. 21st, 29th., 
 March 17th, and 19th. There were several in Nov. 
 of the next year, in 17o0 there were eleven, and in 
 1731 there were seven more. 
 
 Caterpillars nearly destroyed the foliage of the for- 
 ests in 1735^ They were so numerous that carriage 
 wheels where dyed green as they crushed them in the 
 roads. 
 
 The project which for sixty years had agitated the 
 people of the Village and Middle precincts was not aban- 
 doned,— and the desire could not be quenched. The de- 
 mand for a separation was constantly renewed until the 
 year 1732, when the following petition, which may be 
 regarded as a curiosity, was offered. 
 
44 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 "To the enliabitance of the town of Salem : whareas 
 Thomas fflint, Samuel nurs and nethanil putnam was cho- 
 sen at a legal meeting of Salem village precint, to pre- 
 far a petiton to ye town of Salem that they May Be 
 set of to Be A Distinct and sepperat town ship without 
 here, and with our parte and proportion of the anual 
 encome of ye town according to the lines hereafter 
 Mencinod. In order to there aplication to the grate 
 and general court for Confarmation thereof : the Bounds 
 are as followeth viz : Beginning at Beaverly Line nere 
 hors Bridge at Boston Road and said boston Road to be 
 ye bounds taking in Mr. porter's neck and Mr. Ende- 
 cot's neck to Cow house Rever to high watter mark 
 south of ye Brickiles so as to be the line from said his 
 watter marke to ye Lane Southerly of Mr. therndick 
 proctor's house, and said Lane to be ye Bounds to Bos- 
 ton Road and said Boston Road to be ye bounds to Sa- 
 lem Road that Ledes up by Mr. Danil Marbles to Lynn 
 end and said Salem Road to Be ye bounds to Lynn Line, 
 and said line to Be ye Bounds to Meddelton hne : and 
 Meddelton line to Be ye Bounds to topsfield line, and 
 topsfield Line to Be ye Bounds to the bound first men- 
 teined. 
 
 "We humbly Represent to the town the Oause of our 
 Desier of Coming of from ye town is : for ye following 
 Reasons : first, to witt inasmuch as a grate number of us 
 live five or six miles of from ye town hous and sume of 
 us consedrably furthere : we Cante without grate difi- 
 cnlty in Raine wather or Bad wather attend the town 
 mettings : where by frequent enconveninces insue to us 
 upon it, & second Reason is that we Leaving at the afore 
 
HISTORY OP DANVERS. 45 
 
 said Distance from the school that we have But Lettle 
 more Benefite of it then if it were in an agasent town ; 
 for which Reasons : and for what furthere Way be said 
 we hope that you will freely sect us of to Be A town- 
 ship : And as in Duty Bound we shall ever pray. 
 '^Salem Village March 5th, 1732-3 Thomas fflint 
 
 Natha'U putnam 
 Samuel Nurs 
 In the Middle Precinct, July, 1T40, "It Being put 
 to vote whither ye Inhabitants of this parrish will come 
 off ye town of Salem and Joyn with the Inhabitants of 
 Salem Village, Provided that they see cause to take this 
 Middle parrish (the whole of it,) as it is now Bounded, 
 To Joyn Together both parrishes and make a Township 
 of our solve, seperate from ye Town of Salem," — a com- 
 mittee was drafted to treat with the Village touching the 
 matter. The people of Salem raised a committee to 
 confer with "the ffarmers," and after consultation they 
 reported that the Village people might be pacified if the 
 town would raise a sufficient amount of money "to main- 
 tain two schools within the bridges, and one at the Mid- 
 dle Precinct, that should draw their proportion of the 
 School money, raise their own committees, and control 
 their own affairs." The report was accepted, and the 
 town raised X250, province bills. But the farmers 
 were not pacified, and the request was renewed constant- 
 ly The cause of these difficulties could not be destroyed. 
 The people of the Two Precincts desired to manage 
 their own affairs, and time only multiplied their reasons 
 and desires for a seperation. 
 
 In 1740 a very fatal throat distemper prevailed. 
 
1^ 
 46 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 The winter was remarkably tedious. The rivers were 
 frozen in October, and on April 4th, the snow was so 
 deep, that sleighs passed over the fences. March 9th. 
 1T45 there was a beautiful lunar rainbow. Frost cut 
 down the corn August 18th. 1746. 
 
 It is a matter of interest that in the year 1738, two 
 famihes named Putnam, and one named Dale migrated 
 from Danvers, and were the first settlers of Wilton, 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 Thus .the principal events affecting that portion of 
 Old Salem subsequently known as Danvers, previous 
 to its incorporation have been culled as far as is possi- 
 ble from the Eecords of Salem. Additional facts may 
 be found under the head of Ecclesiastical. Their in- 
 completeness may be explained by the fact, that the 
 Village and Middle Precinct's events are so blended 
 with those of Salem proper, that they cannot be distin- 
 guished. 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER II. 
 
 (A.) *'About the year 1628: when those few yt came over with 
 CoUonel Indecot and begun to setle at Nahumkeeck, now called Sa- 
 lem, and in a manner all so sick of iheyr journey, that though they 
 had both small and great guns, and powder and bullets for jm, yet 
 had not strength to manage ym, if suddenly put upon il; and tidings 
 being certainly brought ym on a lord's day morning yt a thousand In- 
 dians from Saugust, now called Lyn, were coming against ym to cut 
 ym off they had much adoe Amongst ym all to charge 2 or three of 
 theyre great guns andtraile ym to a place of advantage, where the In- 
 dians must pass toym and there to shoot ym off; when they heard by 
 theyre noise which they made in the woods, yt the Indians drew 
 neare, ye noise of which great Artillery, to which the Indians were 
 never wonted before, did occasionally (by the good hand of God,) 
 strike such dread into ym, yt by some lads, who lay at scouts in the 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 47 
 
 woods, they were heard to reiterate that confused outcrie, (O Hobba- 
 mock,) and yn fled confusedly back with all speed, when none 
 pursued ym." 
 
 Letter from Cobbet to Increase Mather. 
 
 (b) *'1632. July 3. There is a necke of land lyeing aboute 3 
 myles from Salem cont. about 300 acres of land graunted toCapt. 
 Jo. Endicott to enjoy to him and his heires foreuer, called in the Indean 
 touge Wahquamesehcok, in English Birchwood, bounded on the South 
 side with a ryvere called in the Indean tonge Soewampenessett, com- 
 monly called the Covve house ryver bounded on the North side with a 
 ryver called in the Indean tonge Conamabsqnooncant, commonly called 
 the Ducke ryver, bounded on the east by a ryver leading vpp to the 
 2 f('rmer ryver s, which is called in the Indean tonge Orkhussunt, oth- 
 erwise knowen by the name of Wooleston ryver bounded on the West 
 with the maine land." 
 
 *'The spot then was the best he could have chosen . On a com 
 manding eminence, which overlooked the country for some distance 
 around, and about one-eighlh of a mile from one of the inlets, he built 
 his house, and commenced in earnest the cultivation of his farm. Al- 
 though the ploughshare has frequently passed over it, yet part of the 
 cellar of this house is plainly discernible at the present day. On this 
 farm he lived in sort of feudal style, surrounded by his servants and 
 retainers ; the names of some of whom have been handed down to us, 
 these were John Putnam, Benj. Scarlett, Edw. Grover and Wm. Poole. 
 From the testimony of Edward Grover we learn, that in 1633 "he did 
 helpe to cut and cleaue about seven thousand pallisadoes, and was the 
 first that made improvements thereof by breaking up of ground and 
 plantinge of Indian come*" Here if tradition be correct, he introduc- 
 ed for medicinal purposes, as well as by way of ornament to his gard- 
 en, the '"'white weed," or chrysanthemum leucanthemum of the bot- 
 anist, which has since become so detrimental to the hay-fields of our 
 farmers in some parts of the State. 
 
 **The inlet before the Mansion House had nothing to interrupt it ; 
 the passage was open to the bay, and at that early period must have 
 been delightfully romantic. The shores on either side thickly clothed 
 with woods, whose dark images were reflected in the still waiers bo 
 neath them, were picturesque in the extreme. The bold jutting head- 
 lands, on some parts of the passage, lent a sublimity to the prospect, 
 
H% 
 
 48 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 which was continually varying by the winding and circuitous course 
 of the stream. The smoke from the humble and solitary wigwam of 
 the Indians, thinly scattered along the margin of the waters, with an 
 occasional gliinps at their tawny inhabitants, as they stealthily watched 
 the passing boat from their leafy hiding places, or listlessly reclined 
 under the shadow of some wide-spreading oak, heightened the effect 
 and diversified the scene." Extracts from a highly interesting and 
 valuable Biography of Gov. Endicott, written by Chas. M. Endicott 
 a descendant, and just published, entirely for private circulation. The 
 Memorist adds, that he visited some remains of aboriginal wigwams 
 when a boy, in the vicinity of the Endecotl Burial Ground. Traces of 
 the transitory abiding places of the departed Red Men are yet visible 
 ton the shores of Porter's River. 
 
 "There is another necke of landlyeing aboute 3 myles from Salem 
 cont. aboute 200 acres graunted to Mr. Sam'l Skelton to enioy to 
 him and his heires for euer, called by the Indians Wahquack, bounded 
 on the South vpon a little ryver, called by Indians Conamabsqnoon- 
 cant, vpon the North abutting on another ryver called by the Indeans 
 Ponomenneuhcant, and on the east on the same ryver." — Felt. 
 
 (c) As the island in ITumphey's pond possessed such natural advan- 
 tages as a place of security in case of engagement with the savages, 
 there is annexed as a condition of its surrender, that the inhabitants of 
 Salem and Saugus should have a right to build storehouses thereon "for 
 their vse in tyme of neede." Blockhouses were erected there inl6- 
 76, and also on "Watch-house hill" where the 1st Cong. Church 
 stands, and perhaps elsewhere. The attacks of King Philip were 
 much feared, though our ancestors seem to have been preserved from 
 the lightnings of his rage, which withered whatsoever they fell upon. 
 
 (d) Since writing the foregoing, I have conversed with those who 
 remember when the Neck was a fomous place for duck shooting. 
 
 (e) The grants were not all settled on. Some were soon sold and 
 some occupied. "Uncertain" signifies that it is unknown whether the 
 individual settled, 1. g. land granted, d. died. There are so many 
 opportunities for mistake in the particulars relating to grantees, &c., 
 that the Compiler does not flatter himself that he has improved some 
 of them. 
 
 (f) Emanuel Downing owned the Proctor estate, and the Plains. 
 His son Charles sold the first to John Proctor who was executed for 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 49 fl 
 
 witchcraft, and the Plains to George Porter. Sir George Down- 
 ing, for whom Downing Street, London, was named, was an ancestor. 
 
 (g ) The following list of the first payers of rates in the Village 
 Parish for the year 1682, may shed some light on the settlement of 
 the Town. 
 
 Lieut. T. Putnam, 
 Richard Hutchinson, 
 Nath'l Putnam, 
 Lieut. John Putnam, 
 Joseph Porter 
 Henry Kenny, 
 Jonathan Walcott, 
 Israel Porter, 
 John Buxton, 
 Lett Kellum, 
 Joseph Holten, Sen., 
 Isaac Goodell's widow, 
 Thomas Flint, 
 Giles Cory, 
 Joseph PopOj 
 Elisha Cuby, 
 William Nickols, 
 Isaac Cook, 
 William Sibley, 
 Joseph Root, 
 John Giles, 
 Andrew Eliot, 
 William Dodge, 
 Joseph Boys, 
 Samuel Sibly, 
 Job Swinnerton, 
 Job Swinnerton, jr. 
 Peter Prescott, 
 James Smith, 
 John Burroughs, 
 Thomas Keny, 
 William Way, 
 Thomas Putnam, jr. 
 John Putnam, jr. 
 Geo. Flint, 
 John Flint, 
 Wm. Osborn, 
 Nath'l Aires, 
 Thomas Bailey, 
 Daniel Rea, 
 Thomas Cave, 
 Peter Cloys, 
 
 £18 s6 d3 
 
 2 9 6 
 
 9 10 
 
 8 
 
 6 3 
 
 2 5 
 
 3 6 
 
 1 10 
 
 3 15 
 
 1 4 
 
 3 6 
 
 10 
 
 5 2 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 3 3 
 
 10 
 
 4 3 
 
 4 16 
 
 4 9 
 
 6 3 
 
 5 
 
 6 6 
 
 3 3 
 
 1 18 
 
 3 
 
 4 10 
 
 14 6 
 
 14 6 
 
 15 6 
 
 1 10 
 
 1 10 
 
 2 14 
 
 2 14 
 
 1 7 
 
 1 7 
 
 3 
 
 1 4 
 
 18 
 
 S 
 
 3 
 
 18 6 
 
 Thomas Preston, £,1 s 
 
 Wm. Buckley, 1 
 
 Benj. Holten, 1 
 Joseph Woodrow, 
 Thomas Clark, 
 John Nickols J 
 John Darling, 
 
 Joseph Holten, jr. 1 
 
 Edward Putnam ^ 1 
 
 Jonathan Putnam, 1 
 Thoma? Haile, 
 
 Daniel Andrew, 5 
 Samuel Brabrook, 
 Zaccar Herrick, 
 Nath'l Felton, jr. 
 
 Thos. ffuller, sen. 8 
 Henry Renols, 
 
 Jeremy Watts, 1 
 
 Joseph Hutchinson, 6 
 
 Nath'l Ingersoll, 3 
 
 Joshua Rea, 7 
 
 John Brown, 3 
 
 .Tames Had lock, sen, 1 
 
 James Had lock, jr. 1 
 Thomas Jeford's farn), 1 
 
 Thomas Haines, 2 
 
 Jona. Knight, 1 
 
 John Kenny, 1 
 
 Aron Way, 1 
 
 William Jerland, 2 
 
 Thomas ffuller, jr. 2 
 
 Jolm Sheperd, 1 
 
 Zaccary Goodellj 2 
 
 John Gingill, 3 
 B. Wilkens, (Wilknes,) 2 
 
 >Samuel Wilkins, 1 
 
 Thomas Wilkins, 2 
 
 Henry Wilkins, 1 
 
 Benj. Wilkins, 1 
 
 Edward Bishop, 2 
 
 Joseph Herrick, 3 
 
 Thos. Rament, 2 
 
 10 do 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 15 
 13 
 10 
 10 
 12 
 17 
 16 
 
 7 6 
 19 3 
 16 
 12 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 2 a 
 
 5 
 12 S 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 10 
 10 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 14 
 
 10 6 
 12 6 
 16 
 
 16 9 
 10 
 16 
 
 14 
 
 gq 
 
 =-^ 
 
Abraham Walcott, 
 
 £1 s9 d 
 
 Ezekill Cheever, 
 
 £ 
 
 Peter Woodbury, 
 
 2 6 
 
 Joseph Mazary, 
 
 2 
 
 Francis Nurse, 
 
 18 
 
 Alexander Osborn, 
 
 2 
 
 Samuel Nurse, 
 
 1 4 
 
 John Adams, 
 
 1 
 
 John Tarball, 
 
 1 4 
 
 William Rament, 
 
 
 fl 50 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 6l3d 
 
 2 
 
 2 6 
 9 9 
 Signed Daniel Ray, A. D, 1682. 
 
 (h) ^'Enm Bridge'^ crossed Waters River at the head of tide 
 water, on the old Ipswich road. The boundary here referred to, is 
 the Waters River. 
 
 Errata. Page 27th, line seventh from top, for south read north. 
 Page 31st, line fourth from top for was^ read comprised. Page 48th 
 line fourth from bottom, insert ?ioi between has and improved. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 In the year 1751 a Committee was raised to examine 
 and report wlietlier the people of the Village and Mid- 
 dle Precincts should take advantage of a feeling under- 
 stood to exist in Salem, favorable to their Incorporation 
 as a to^vn. After considering the matter, the Commit- 
 tee reported as follows : 
 
 "Whereas, ye Village parish and ye Middle parish in 
 Salem have agTeed to come of from ye town as a seper- 
 at-e Town by themselves, as appears by ye votes of 
 their respective Meetings, and Avhereas, we ye subscri- 
 bers being appointed and Impowered for and in behalf 
 of Each parish to Confere together, and make Report 
 att ye meeting of sd parishes Respectively, relating to 
 said Affair, have meet together and after due Consid- 
 eration make Report as follows : (viz.) That ye Town 
 meetings shall be one year in one parish, and ye next 
 year in ye other parish successively. That ye major 
 part of ye selectmen and assessors shall be Chosen one 
 year in one parish, and ye next year in ye other par- 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 51 [ 
 
 ish successively. That each parish shall share Equally 
 in all profits and Benefits that shall happen or acrue. 
 July ye 2d, 1751. 
 
 DANIEL EPES Jr. ) for the SAMUEL FLINT } . , 
 
 MALICHI FELTON } Middle CORNELIUS TARBALL > y\, "® 
 JOHN PROCTOR ) Parish. JAMES PRINCE ) ^ " ''=^* 
 
 This Report was accepted, and the Authors were fur- 
 ther instructed to "labour" Arith the people of Salem, 
 a large number of whom were opposed to the secession, 
 and, with the General Court, to effect the wishes of the 
 people of the Village and Middle Precincts. They were 
 at last successful and in the following year an act was 
 passed, incorporating the District oi Danvers. 
 
 Although thus much was gained, yet the pi*ayer of 
 the petitioners was not fully met. The t^vo parishes 
 were not erected into a town, but only into a District. 
 It may be unnecessary to inform the reader that a Dis- 
 trict had not the privilege of sending representatives, 
 while towns couid do so. The King had expressly 
 char2;ed the Governor to consent to the matins' of no 
 new towns, unless the right to send representatives 
 should be reserved. In other words no more towns 
 should be made, but whenever a portion of a large town 
 wished to be severed, it could be made into a district, 
 and thus have all the powers and privileges of a town, 
 with the single exception of the right to send represen- 
 tatives. 
 
 The Act of Incorporation for Danvers District is 
 here subjoined : 
 
 "Anno Regni Regis Qeorgii Secundi ^c, Vices- 
 simo Quinto. 
 
 "An act for erecting the Village parish and middle I 
 
9 f/Kl' 
 
 52 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Parish so called, in the Town of Salem into a Distinct 
 and seperate District by the Name of Danvers. 
 
 "Whereas, the Town of Salem is Very Large and 
 the Inhabitants of the Village and Middle parishes so 
 called within ye same (many of them at Least,) hve att 
 a great Distance from that part of Salem where the 
 Publick affairs of the To^ti are Transacted and also 
 from the Grammer School which is kept in ye sd first 
 Parish. 
 
 "And WHEREAS, most of the Lihabitants of the sd 
 first Parish are Either Merchants, Traders or Mechan- 
 icks & those of ye sd Village and Middle parishes are 
 cliiefly Husbandmen, by means whereof many Disputes 
 & Difficultys have Arrissen and May hereafter arise in 
 the manageing their pubhc Affairs Together, &, Es- 
 peacially touching ye Apportioning the Publick Taxes, 
 For preventing of wliich Inconveniences for the future. 
 
 "Be it Enacted by the Lieut. Governour, Council, 
 and House of Representatives, That that part of ye 
 s'd Town of Salem which now constitutes the 
 village and middle parishes in sd Town according to 
 their bomidaries and the Lihabitants therein, be Erected 
 into a seperate and Distinct District by the Name of 
 Dan VERS, and that said Inhabitants shall do the dutys 
 that are Required and Enjoyed on other Towns, and 
 Enjoy all the Powers, Privileges & Immunities that 
 Towns in this province by Law Enjoy, except that of 
 seperately chuseing and sending one or more Repre- 
 sentatives to Represent them att ye Genii Assembly, 
 &c." 
 
 Jany ye 25, 1752," 
 
m I 
 
 HISTORY 01? DAN VERS. 53 
 
 On the twenty-rinth instant, an order was issued, 
 calling the first meeting of the District on the fourth of 
 the following March, at the meeting house in the [N'orth 
 Parish. It commenced thus : " These may notify the 
 inhabitants of Salem alious Danvers, &c." The order 
 for the meeting was signed by Jonathan Kettel, Jasper 
 Needham, David Putnam, Joseph Osborne, Jonathan 
 Buxton, Malichi Fulton, Samuel King, Nathan Proc- 
 tor, David Gardner, John Proctor, Thomas Flint, Cor- 
 nelius Tarball, James Putnam, Samuel Flint, and 
 James Prince, and was addressed to Daniel Epes, Jus- 
 tice of the Peace. The meeting was held agreeable to 
 the call, and the following gentlemen served as the first 
 offic-ers of Danvers : Daniel Epes, Esq., Moderator ; 
 Daniel Epes, Jr., Esq., Clerk ; James Prince, Treasu- 
 rer ; Daniel Epes, Jr., Capt. Samuel Flint, Deacon 
 Cornelius Tarball, Selectmen ; Stephen Putnam, Sam- 
 uel King, Daniel Gardner, Assessors and Overseers of 
 the Poor ; Constables, David Goodale and Samuel 
 White, First Parish ; Roger Derby and Jonathan 
 Twiss, Second Parish ; Tythingmen, Samuel Putnam 
 and Archelaus Putnam, First Parish ; Samuel Osborne, 
 James Upton and Timothy Upton, Second Parish ; 
 Highway Surveyors, John Andrews, John Preston, 
 Francis Nurse, Lieut. David Putnam, Jacob Goodale, 
 George Gould, First Parish ; Ensign John Proctor, 
 Andrew Mansfield, Jasper Needham, Jonathan Russell, 
 James Gould, James Buxton, John Southwick, Second 
 Parish ; Haywai-ds, Jonathan Putnam, John Osborne ; 
 Leather Sealers, Israel Cheever, James Upton ; Fence 
 Viewers, Samuel Holten, Benjamin Patnam, John Os- 
 
54 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 borne, Ebenezer Marsh ; Clerks of the Market, Jona- 
 than Putnam, David Goldthwaite. Daniel Kea was 
 chosen to take care that ye Lawes Relateing to ye pres- 
 ervation of Deer be observed. Surveyors of Lumber, 
 Henry Putnam, David Goldthwaite ; to preserve Ale- 
 wives, James Chapman, Ebenezer King, John Brown, 
 Gideon Foster ; Hog Reaves, "Walter Smith, John 
 Vinne, George Wait, Jr., Israel Hutchinson, John 
 Cakes, Ebenezer Goldthwayte, Daniel Marble, Jr., 
 Jonathan Gsborne, Jonathan Trask ; Pound Keepers, 
 Hugh Kelly, David Foster, Ebenezer Boyce. It was 
 agreed, that all who chose might work out their taxes 
 on the roads, and those who did not so choose, were to 
 pay them in money. The number of houses at the time 
 was 140, and the population about 500. 
 
 Gne year after the erection of the District of Dan- 
 vers, the bounds between it and Salem were run as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 ''from ye great cove (so called) in the Northfields, 
 to Trask' s plain (so called,) viz — Beginning att a stake 
 standing in the Lower part of the Thatch bank att ye 
 Northerly part or point of Peter's Neck (so called) 
 owned or claimed by Joshua Orne Esq. of Marblehead 
 and by the cove afforesd and from thence Running South 
 a Little Westerly, Eighteen poles to a stake and stones 
 which stake is about five feet west of a Red oak Tree 
 on sd Grn's Land, Thence on the same course Fourty 
 two Rods to an other stake and stones, thence fourty 
 Rods to a small Gray oak Tree on ye North east side of 
 a Hill in Anna Foster's Land, Thence fourty poles to a 
 stake and stones in her land, thence fourty poles to a 
 
i HISTOEY OF DAN VERS. 65 
 
 small Black oak Tree on a Hill in Samuel Symond's 
 land, thence fourty rods to a stake and stones in Thomas 
 Symond's land, thence thirty poles to a small Walnut 
 Tree in ye sd Thomas Symond's pasture. Thence fifty 
 poles to a small red oak Tree in Robert Buffum's land, 
 & near ye stone wall by the Road, Thence fourty poles 
 to a stake & stones in Jonathan Buffum's Pasture, 
 Thence fourty poles to a stake & stones on Jonathan 
 Buffum's Hill, The course from ye first to ye last men- 
 tioned bound, being south, Little AYesterly, and from 
 the stake Last mentioned in the same course fifty two 
 poles ending a Little to the Eastward of Trask's Grist 
 mills (so called) and from the end of that Line Running 
 West Southerly to the Eastermost Elm Tree on sd plain 
 and by the Northerly side of the highway there called 
 Boston Road, Leaving ye sd Grist Mills within ye sd 
 District. The severall Bound Trees and stakes affore- 
 sd being marked with a marking Iron with the Letter 
 S. on the East side, and the Letter D. on the west side. 
 
 May 7—1753—" 
 
 In the year following, when the Colonies proposed a 
 plan of union for mutual safety and protection, the Dis- 
 trict voted against it through its delegate, Daniel Epes. 
 The same year the bounds were run between Wenham, 
 Beverly, Topsficld, JMiddleton, Lynn and Danvers. 
 February 3d, 1755 — it was voted, that Daniel Epes Jr. 
 should carry the renewed request of the district to be- 
 come a town before the General Court. Already the 
 Colonies had begun to be jealous of the encroachments 
 of the Crown of England, and they wished to be as far 
 represented and as fully as possible. For this reason. 
 
5Q HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 it was an important object to have many towns, and the 
 District, although it seems to have sent a delegate on 
 several occasions, could not send a properly qualified 
 representative, so long as it remained a District. To 
 obtain this privilege, it persisted in its demands, and the 
 last request was tendered the General Court by Dan- 
 iel Epes, June 8th, 1757. It was granted the next 
 day, so that the existence of the Town of Danvers dates 
 from June 9th, 1757. Gov. Hutchinson then of the 
 Council, entered a formal protest against the vote, as 
 follows : 
 
 "I protest for the following reasons: First, Because 
 it is the professed design of the Bill to give the inhabi- 
 tants who now join with the town of Salem the choice 
 of representatives a power of choosing by themselves ; 
 and the number of which the house of representatives 
 may at present consist being full large, the increase 
 must have a tendency to retard the proceedings of the 
 general court, and to increase the burden which by their 
 long session every year, lies upon the people, and must 
 likewise give the house an undue proportion to the board 
 of the legislature, where many aSairs are determined by 
 a joint ballot of the two houses. 
 
 "Second. Because there being no governor or heut- 
 enant governor in the province, it is most agreeable to 
 His Majesty's commission to the late governor to the 
 message of this board to the house, at opening the ses- 
 sion, and, in itself is most reasonable, that all matters of 
 importance should be deferred until there be a governor 
 or lieutenant governor in the chair. 
 
 "Third. Because the Board, by passing this bill as j 
 
I HISTORY OF DANVERS. 57 ! 
 
 the second branch of the legislature necessarily bring it 
 before themselves as the first branch for assent or refu- 
 sal ; and such members as vote for the bill in one ca- 
 pacity must give their assent to it m the other, directly 
 against the royal instruction to the governor, when the 
 case is no degree necessary to the public interest ; other- 
 wise their doings will be inconsistent and absurd. 
 
 "THOMAS HUTCHINSON." 
 
 «'CoanciI Chamber, June 9, 1757." 
 
 The tract of Country now included in our goodly 
 town, w^as known by the name of Danvers several years 
 before it was incorporated as a District, even as early as 
 the year 1745. The origin of the name can only be con- 
 jectured. As there was formerly a noble family in En- 
 gland, bearing the name of Danvers, it is presumed that 
 some of the early (a.) inhabitants of this town came from 
 the vicinity of their possessions, and baptized the town of 
 their adoption with a name which should recall the scenes 
 of Fatherland. It may be interestmg to the reader to 
 know something of this family, from which we have de- 
 rived the name of our town. The following account 
 taken from the "Danvers Whig," is substantially from 
 Burke's Extinct Peerage of England. 
 
 "The family came originally from An vers, or Ant- 
 werp in France. Although formerly possessed by 
 France, it now belona-s to Belmum. 
 
 "The first person that we learn of, as bearing the 
 name, is Roland D'Anvers, (b.) companion in arms of 
 William the Conqueror. 
 
 "In the sixteenth century, we hear of Sir John Dan- 
 vers. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Nevil, 
 
58 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Lord Latimer, and died, leaving three sons and one 
 dauditer, of whom we have information. 
 
 "Charles Dan vers, the eldest son, joined the Earl 
 of Essex in his disloyal attempt against Queen Elizabeth 
 and the Court. Upon its failure. Sir Charles, (with 
 Essex and others,) was taken and tried for high trea- 
 son. They were convicted, and beheaded in the tower, 
 in the year 1601. Sir Charles left one daughter, Elea- 
 nor Danvers, who married Sir Peter Osborne, Knight, 
 afterwards created Baronet. Their grand-son bore the 
 name of Danvers Osborn, aad was born in 1715. He 
 married in 1740, Lady ^lary Montagu, daughter of the 
 Earl of Halifax, and in 1753, he was appointed Gover- 
 nor of New York, to succeed Clinton. He came to this 
 country, but died a few days after his arrival. He left 
 two sons, and among their descendants now living, are 
 Charles Danvers Osborne, and Danvers Henry Osborne. 
 So it seems that the name at least, of Danvers is yet 
 extant in old Endand. 
 
 "Henry Danvers, the second son of Sir John, was 
 born in Dantsey, Wiltshire, in 1573. He served inthe 
 Low-country wars, under Maurice, Count of Nassau, 
 afterwards Prince of Orange, and in France, under 
 King Henry XV., by whom he was knighted. He ac- 
 companied the Earl of Essex to Ireland, where he was 
 Lieut. Gen. of Horse, and Sergeant Major of the whole 
 army. In 1603 he was created by James I., Peer of 
 the Realm, with the title of Baron of Dantsey, In 
 1626 he was made by Charles L, Earl of Danby, and 
 also member of the Privy Council, and Knight of the 
 Garter. 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 59 [| 
 
 *'Sir Henry made a valuable donation of a piece of 
 land to the University of Oxford, for a botanic garden. 
 He also well furnished it with plants, and enclosed it 
 with a splendid stone wall, whicli alone, is said to have 
 cost the noble benefactor nodiYlj five thousand pounds. 
 An Alms-house, and a E^ee school, were founded by 
 him, in Malmesbury. 
 
 "The latter part of his life Lord Danvers spent in re- 
 tirement, at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, where he died 
 in 1643. He was buried in the Chancel of the parish 
 church of Dantsey, his native village, under a noble 
 monument of white marble. Upon it are inscribed an 
 excellent epitaph, and the following lines by that good 
 man and quaint poet, George Herbert, who was a 
 neighbor of Lord Danvers. 
 
 LAUS DEO. 
 
 ^^Sacred mable, safely keep 
 
 His dust, who under thee must sleeps 
 
 Until the years again restore 
 
 Their dead, and time shall be no more. 
 
 Meane while, if he (which all things wears) 
 
 Does ruin thee, or if thy tears 
 
 Are shed for him : dissolve thy frame. 
 Thou art requited : for his fame, 
 His vertue, and his worth shall be 
 Another monument to thee. 
 
 "Lord Danvers never married, and therefore the'Ea- 
 rony of Dantsey, and the Earldom of Danby, became 
 extinct at his Death. 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS* 
 
 
 illilll 
 
 
 Mllillll: 
 
 a 
 
 ARMS OF THE DANVERS FAMILY. (c) 
 
 Gules, a chevron between three mullets of six pointSj 
 
 or. 
 
 "John Danvers was the youngest son of the three, 
 and heir to Sir Henry. He was one of the gentlemen 
 of the Privy Chamber of Charles I., and one of those 
 who signed the warrant for his execution. He died be- 
 fore before the Restoration. 
 
 "Elizabeth Danvers, supposedto be the only daugh- 
 ter of Sir John, married Thomas Walmsey, Esq., of 
 Stockeld. They left an only daughter, Anne, who 
 married Sir Edward Osborne, Baronet. Their only 
 son and heir, Sir Thomas Osborne, was raised to the 
 Peerage, as Viscount Latimer, Earl of Danby, Mar- 
 quess of Carmarthen, and Duke of Leeds. The title 
 has passed to his lineal descendant, Francis Godolphin 
 Osborne, or Francis Godolphin D'Arcy, as it is some- 
 times written, the present Duke of Leeds." (d) 
 
 In the year 1754, Archelaus Putnam, then living 
 somewhere in the neighborhood of the ColHns House, 
 went down through the woods to the place now called 
 New Mills, and seeing a fine opportunity there to 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 61 
 
 estaljlisli tide mills, he moved a small building) which he 
 occupied as a cooper's shop) to the bank of Crane riv- 
 er, and floated it down to the desired spot. He then 
 moved it to the site he intended to occupy, near the 
 store of Messrs. Warren, where he made an addition to 
 it, and thus dwelt in the first and only house standing in 
 New ]\Iills. (e.) 
 
 The next year his brother John (f.) moved down, 
 and they built a grist mill, which they partially owned. 
 This year, Archelaus Putnam had a daughter, who was 
 the first white child born in Danvers New Mills. She 
 died Nov. 19, 1847, aged 93 years. 
 
 A private highway, leading from the Plains across 
 Crane and AYaters rivers, at each of which places was 
 a ferry, was laid out in the year 1756. This was con- 
 tinued for a time, and in 1760 a highway was laid out 
 by the town, and a bridge built by subscription, at an 
 expense of £285, 4s, 8d. The bridge w^as carried 
 away by a high tide in 1770. The present brid^i^e was 
 built in the following year, and was passable June 25, 
 1771. The town refused to pay for this bridge, and 
 the surveyors sued, and recovered judgement. 
 
 The New Mills road caused a great deal of dissen- 
 sion in the town. The same year that it was laid out, 
 itw^as voted: "that Capt. Thomas Flint, Deacon Cor- 
 nelius Tarball and Joseph Putnam be a committee to 
 Petition ye Court of Generall Sessions of ye Peace that 
 ye way Lately laid out. Beginning at the Country Road 
 by Cornt. John Porter's and leading to ye New Mills, 
 be discontinued, and another laid out in ye room of it, 
 
 in a more Convenient Place &c." 
 
 s 6 . 
 
62 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 It seems that this effort succeeded, for we find that 
 the people of New Mills petitioned the next year for a 
 higliAvay of their own. However, on April 14, 1760, 
 a committee was raised to effect a private way, consist- 
 ing of the following persons : Samuel Clarke, Benjamin 
 Sawyer, Israel Hutchinson, Benj. Porter, Jeremiah 
 Page, Nath'l Brown. The selectmen granted the road, 
 and described its bounds as follows : "Beginning at the 
 said Capt. Samuel Endecott's land at the East end of 
 the New Mill Privelege in Danvers afforesd on the 
 northern side of sd Bridge and extending from thence 
 East 11 Degrees south six poles and twenty links — and 
 from thence South Thirty six Degrees East fourteen 
 Poles, and from thence South forty two degrees thirty 
 nine mins. &c." This was protested against as fol- 
 lows : "Voted : That the Town by Petition will make 
 applycation to ye Great and Genrll Court at their next 
 session for obtaining any Proper relief or redress of ye 
 Injuries done & Designed to be Done to ye town of Dan- 
 vers by certain Proprietors as they call themselves and 
 some others their abettors in their Late procureing the 
 selectmen of ye Town of Danvers or ye major Part of 
 them to lay out a private Proprietors way as they noAv 
 call it through Capt Samuel Endecott's land to Water's 
 river in Danvers aforsd and by ye sd Proprietors so 
 called and others Bulding a Bridge over that river to 
 come at another way on the Southerly side of said river 
 which ye same proprietors Pretend they have Lately 
 Purchased upon certain Conditions of John Waters and 
 Ebenr Jacobs Whereas they Imagine they can call them- 
 selves Proprietors and Deceitfully hereafter cause the 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 63 f 
 
 Town to be subject to the maintainance of Both Parts 
 of ye sd way and also of the Bridge aforsd which is 
 now a Building all being ^Yithin ye Bounds of ye sd 
 Town." 
 
 A few months after, this vote was reconsidered by 
 the town, but the people of the New Mills were unsat- 
 isfied. The question was agitated constantly, and mean- 
 while, the road Avas used. Col. Hutchinson says in his 
 private papers: "They were continually harrassing us 
 with petitions to the Court of Sessions and the General 
 Court to have the way discontinued. After they found 
 they could not get it discontinued, they proposed to 
 make a toll bridge ; w^e found that would not by any 
 ways do, as those people who had assisted us in repair- 
 ing the way, and building the bridges, would be great 
 sufferers and it would promote traveUing that way, which 
 was what the leaders, who were sellers of rum, tobacco, 
 &c. wished to prevent. 
 
 "We then applied to the North Parish to be annexed 
 to them if they were walling to take us, with all ways and 
 bridges, but they would not let us go. 
 
 "We then, after contending in the law more than sev- 
 en long years, and although we had gained our cause in 
 every case, being almost ruined, were under the neces- 
 sity of proposing to the General Court that -we Avould 
 take all the ways and bridges on ourselves." 
 
 This request was granted, and a Highway District 
 was incorporated as follows: 
 ''Anno Regni Regis Creorgii Te7'tii Duodecimo. 1772. 
 
 An Act for the subjecting the Inhabitants of a Part 
 of the Town of Danvers, called the Neck of Land here- 
 
 
w, , ■= ■ — "S 
 
 0-i HISTORY OF DANVERS. f 
 
 after described, to the Charge of maintaining and sup- 
 porting certain Bridges and Highways. 
 
 "Whereas unhappy Divisions and Controversies have 
 arisen in the Town of Danvers, in the County of Essex, 
 relative to their Highwaj-s and Bridges ; and the Inhab- 
 itants of that Part of the said Town which is a Neck of 
 Land, making the Northerly or Northeasterly Corner or 
 Skirt of the South Parish in said Town, have come to a 
 final and amicable Compromise and Settlement of such 
 Divisions and Controversies with their Brethren of the 
 other residing Part of said Town touching said High- 
 ways and Bridges, for the Ratification of which, and 
 making the same Compromise and Settlement valid 
 and binding in Law they have mutually expressed their 
 Desire, now for the closing and putting an End to all 
 such Divisions and Controversies for the future, and in 
 order to accomphsh the good Purposes of "Union and 
 Harmony in said Town : 
 
 "Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House 
 of Representatives, That the Neck of Land, as hereaf- 
 ter bounded and limited, being the Northerly or North- 
 easterly Corner or Skirt of the South Parish in Dan- 
 vers, in the County of Essex, and the Inhabitants there- 
 of, be, and the same Neck of Land and Inhabitants 
 are, and forever hereafter shall be subject to and charg- 
 ed with with the IMaintainance, Support and keeping in 
 Repair of the Bridge built over Waters's River (so 
 called) in said Danvers, and also of the Highway laid 
 out by the Selectmen of said Danvers, and confirmed 
 by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace within 
 and for said County from Porter's Corner (there so cal- 
 
 ^i — =.=' 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 65 f 
 
 led) to tlie Easterly End of said Waters's Bridge, for 
 the more convenient passing of the Inhabitants of said 
 Neck of Land to and from the place of public Worship 
 in the South' Parish aforesaid, and other useful Purpos- 
 es ; and also of all and any other Highways and Bridges 
 that shall at any Time ever hereafter, at the special In- 
 stance and Request of the Inhabitants of said Neck of 
 Land or by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace 
 within and for said County, be opened and laid out, or 
 erected and built any where within the Boundaries and 
 Limits of said Neck of Land, containing by Estimation 
 three Hundred Acres, bounded as folloY>'S, viz. Begin- 
 ning at tlie Bridge by John Verry's in Danvers, com- 
 monly called Crane-River Bridge, thence running down 
 the Channel till it comes to Li'eut. Thomas Stevens's 
 Land, about thirty Poles above the Mill-Dam hj a cove 
 in the Mill-Pond, thence running on a strait Line as said 
 Stevens's Fence now stands till it strikes Waters's Riv- 
 er, near the Bridge, upon the West Side, and across 
 said Waters's River to high Water Mark, thence down 
 said Waters's River to Frost Fish Brook River (so call- 
 ed) at low Water Mark, thence up the Channel of said 
 River to the Bridge, called Frost Fish Brook Bridge on 
 Ipswich Road, thence on the Eastern Side of said Road 
 to Crane River Bridge above mentioned." 
 
 Full power to transact all business relating to their 
 affairs was given them. 
 
 More wheat mills were built in 1764, and a new saw- 
 mill in 1768. The orioiinal owners were Archelaus Put- 
 nam, John Buxton, Sam. Clark, John Pickman and Is- 
 rael Hutchinson, jr. About the year 1798, the Salem 
 
 m ^ li 
 
Q6 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Iron Company commenced their works. Other mills of 
 different kinds and different branches of business have 
 flourished until the j^resent time,— for particulars of 
 which, see "Statistics/' 
 
 This District was preserved until the year 1841, pay- 
 ing and supporting its own roads, and entirely indepen- 
 dent of the town. The district paid from 1809 — 1838, 
 $1883,99, more than it would have done, if it had been 
 on the same footing with the rest of the town. 
 
 The Essex Bridge built in 1788, was violently opposed 
 by the friends of the New Mills Road, as it was supposed 
 that travel would thus be diverted from the Neck, — and 
 because of the obstacles it presented to the Danvers 
 shipping, the proprietors of the bridge were compelled to 
 pay to Danvers £10 annually for fifty years, as a com- 
 pensation. April 1st, 1799, the town voted that this 
 sum should be given to the Highway District. Liberty 
 Bridge was built over Frostfish river in 1788, to draw 
 travel to this quarter from Beverly, as a matter of pub- 
 lic advantage, (g.) A new bridge was built in 1792. 
 
 Perhaps it is impossible for us to conjecture the ap- 
 pearance and condition of the town at the time of its 
 incorporation. Although it had been settled over a 
 century, yet many of the roads were mere paths through 
 the woods and pastures, with the original obstructions of 
 rock, grass and stump remaining in all their glory. But 
 the desire of town excellence soon began a reform, and 
 accordingly a surveyor was directed ''to Destroy and 
 Extirpate all such Barberry Bushesses as are in ye high- 
 ways & also to cut and clear ye limbs of appletrees, oak 
 trees, or other trees that hang over ye highways." (h.) 
 
HISTORY OF DANYERS. 67 
 
 Nov. 18th, 1755, the day when Lisbon was destroyed, 
 a violent earthquake shook New England. Glass was 
 broken, chimneys destroyed, and great consternation 
 created. 
 
 There was no rain from June to Sept. 2 2d, in the 
 year 1762. The wells were nearly all drained^ and 
 vegetation seemed to be scorched, — every where burnt 
 as if with fire. Such is a brief sketch of our town be- 
 fore the Revolutionary Period Perhaps some interest- 
 ing matters may have been overlooked ; but in general 
 terms it may be said, the "Annals of Salem," previous 
 to this date, comprise the History of Dan vers. 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER III. 
 
 (a.) Among the original Settlers of Danvera the Osborne family 
 was conspicuous as it has been in the subsequent annals of the town. 
 This, coupled with the fact recorded above, that the Osborne and 
 Danvers family had mtermarried, seems to account for our name. 
 Doubtless tlie Osbornes suggested the name out of love for their cous- 
 ins across the seas. Felt, iiowever, in his Annals, declares that Lieut 
 Gov. Piiipps suggested the name through gratitude to one of his 
 patrons. 
 
 (b.) Roland D'Anvers, or Roland of Antwerp, a name given 
 Roland as a brave soldier, to distinguish him from other Rolands who 
 were with W'lliam in his bloody wars. The wealth and honor he 
 acquired seems to have been the seed, out of which grew the nobil- 
 ity of his successors. He was probably knighted by King Wil- 
 liam. 
 
 (c) Tliese simple bearings would make an appropriate seal for 
 oar town. The Editor of the Courier has suggested a better. It 
 should represent in the background "one Simon a tanner by the sea 
 side," drawing hides from the water, denoting the antiquity of our 
 staple business. In another part a currier's splitting machine, a bunch 
 of onions, a shoe-last, and a bark-mill,— the whole surmounted by an 
 2 ^A 
 
68 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 earthen milk-pan. In the foreground is seen a locomotive and full 
 train of cars, bearing 
 
 *'A banner with this strange device : 
 Excelsior !" 
 
 (d.) Danvers has never in fact, received a name. Although in- 
 corporated as the District of Danvers, yet in the Act of Incor- 
 poration, It is known as the "Town of ." 
 
 (e.) Those who behold the industry and business life of to-day, 
 will find it difficult to realize that in the year 1754, the wife of Ar- 
 chelaus Putnam, in attempting to pass to the mill from her house at 
 the place before mentioned, became lost in the dense thicket, and 
 v>'as only able to find her way by following the sound of her hus- 
 band's voice. At that time it was no uncommon thing for the farmer 
 to see a wild fox cross his path as he went to and from his labors 
 Fox Hill received its significant name because of the large number of 
 foxes which haunted its neighborhood. Mrs. Fowler, remembered dis- 
 nctly, thai in 1760 her father returned from his mill one day, and 
 threw a nest of young foxes into the cradle where she sat. The road 
 through New Mills was known by blazed trees. Mr. Putnam in- 
 tended to set his mill onlMilking Point, supposing that as it was nearer 
 Salem, il would possess advantages over the spot he subsequently 
 chose; but when lie saw the excellent privileges of the latter place, he 
 concluded to remain. From this time until 1770 this house and two 
 others were all that stood between Crane River bridge and the Plains. 
 In 1775 there were ten between the same places. It is related that 
 at this time the poorer portion of the people were accustomed to 
 cross the river and glean the forest in the track of the wealthy owners 
 of Orchard firm. These owners were accustomed to chop their trees 
 off" from four to six feet from tbe ground. Thus many choice logs 
 were left which the neighbors were glad to remove from the soil. 
 
 (f.) He was killed in the French war. 
 
 (g.) Thosi who desired to pervert travel from Danvers called 
 this bridge "Spite bridge" a name which is even now occasionally 
 heard. Those who built it, however, have always called it "Liberty 
 Bridge." 
 
 (h.) Some thirty years after this vote was passed, that is during 
 11 Dr. Wadsworth's pastorship, as the learned Dr. was one day passing 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 69 
 
 along the road, he came across a fellow named Goudy, who had the 
 reputatiou of having a dyspeptic brain. He was ciJtling barberry 
 bushes. "Goudy," said the Dr. "for what purpose do you suppose 
 barberry bushes were made?" '•! dun know for sartain," was the 
 reply, "but I rayther guess to whip ministers with, and make them 
 stick to their texts !^' This Goudy was one day away from home, 
 and a severe thunder-storm commencing, he turned to go, saying: "I 
 must go home ; my wife is bashful when it thunders !" 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The spirit of freedom that actuated the revolutionary 
 sires, and spurred them onward in their efforts to snap 
 the manacles of oppression, vas exhibited in Danvers 
 at a very early period. The people of this town seemed 
 to scent the danger from afar, and while the mass of 
 the colonists were unconscious of the progress of the 
 tide which was slowly rolling in over their rights and 
 privileges, they beheld it, and prophesying its further 
 advance, sounded the tocsin of alarm. The celebrated 
 Stamp Act passed in the year 1705, and became the 
 law of the colonies. Dr. Franklin, then in London, 
 wrote a letter to Charles Thompson, the night after the 
 passage of the act, in which he said among other things : 
 "The Sim of Liberty is set; tJie Americaris must 
 liylit the lamps of industry mid economy. "^^ To which 
 Mr. Thompson sagaciously replied : "Be assured we 
 shall light torches quite of another sort .^" Kindred 
 to this spirit, was that of the people of this town, who, 
 on the twenty-ninth of October, instructed Thomas Por- 
 ter, their representative, as follows : 
 
 "Sir. We the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of 
 
w 
 
 TO HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 tlie town of Danvers, in Town meeting assembled, 
 the Twenty first of October, A. D. 1765— 
 
 * 'Professing the Greatest Loyalty to our Most Gracious 
 Soverign, and our Sincere Regard and Reverence for 
 the British Parliament, as the Most Powerful! and Re- 
 spectable Body of Men on Earth, yet being Deeply Sen- 
 sible of the Difficultys and Distresses to which that 
 August Assembly's Late Exertions of their Power in 
 and by the Stamp Act, Must Necessarily Expose us, 
 Think it Proper in the Present Critical Conjuncture of 
 affairs, to give you the following Instructions — 
 
 "Viz : That j^ou Promote and readily Joyn in such 
 DutifuU Remonstrances and Humble Petitions to the 
 King & Parliament, and other Decent Measures, as 
 may have a Tendency to Obtain a Repeal of the Stamp 
 Act, or aleviation of the Heavy Burdens thereby Im- 
 posed on the British Colonies. 
 
 "And, in as much as great Tumults Tending to the 
 Subversion of Government have Lately Happened, & 
 Several Outrages Comitted by some evil minded People 
 in the Capital Town of this Province, you are therefore 
 Directed to Bear Testimony against, and do all in your 
 Power to suppress or Prevent all Riotous Assemblys, 
 and unlawful! Acts of Violence, upon the Persons or 
 Substances of any of his Majesty's Subjects. 
 
 "And that you do not give 3'Our Assent to any Act 
 of Assembly, that shall Imply the willingness of }Our 
 Constituants to submit to any Internal Taxes that are or 
 shall be Imposed on us. Otherwise than by the Great 
 and General Court of this Province, according to the 
 Constitution of this Government. 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 71 
 
 "And that you be Careful not to give 3^our Assent to 
 any Extravigant Grants out of the Publick Treasure- 
 ry, &c." 
 
 On the twenty-third day of the following December 
 Mr. Porter received instructions substantially the same 
 as the foregoing. But in addition, the people ask : 
 
 "Can it be thought consistant "v^-ith the Dignity of the 
 Brittish Crown, for the Parliament of Great Brittain 
 to Divest us of those Rights and Powers, Those Emolu- 
 ments, Libertys, & Privileges which have in the most 
 absolute, authentick, and Ample manner, for them- 
 selves and their successors forever been Given, Grant- 
 ed and Confirmed to us and our Heirs forever, by King 
 Charles ye First in the Fourth year of his Reign, and 
 again by King William ye Third, and Queen Mary, in 
 the third year of their Reign ; especially, considering 
 what unutterable Fateagues and Perrills we have under- 
 gone, and the vast Treasure of Blood as well as Money 
 we have expended, for the gaining and Maintaining our 
 Possessions, of those Rights, Libertys, & Privileges, 
 which too we have never forfeited or Resigned, but 
 have now near One Hundred & forty years been pos- 
 sessed of. 
 
 "Had the Inhabitants of Great Brittain any Claim, 
 or Pretence of Right to these American Wilds, when 
 our Fathers first adventured to Land here, or were our 
 Fathers Sent here by them, and at their Charge, to ac- 
 quire Such Rights for them, if not, but if our Fathers 
 thus at their own proper Risk and Charge, adventur- 
 ed into this then Howling Wilderness, why should they 
 envy us the full and quiet Enjoyment of those Territo- 
 
72 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 rys, which either by purchase or Conquest, we have 
 justly acquired for ourselves and Children ? We envy 
 them not in the Possession and Enjoyment of the Rich 
 Patrimony we wholly left to and with them, when we 
 Left the Brittish Isle, and are content with the Portion, 
 which by the Blessing of God, and with the leave, and 
 under the Directions of the King, of our common Fath- 
 er w^e acquired for ourselves &c. ^'They then set forth, 
 that as they fought against France, and expected and 
 received no advantage from England's victories, they 
 do not feel willing to relinquish any advantage the Col- 
 onies have acquired. They then add : 
 
 "In case, (if so wild a supposition may be advanc- 
 ed,) our Great and General Court being Deeply Im- 
 pressed with the Thought that the Province is very 
 havily laden with Debt, and Labours under Great Bur- 
 dens in Regard of their Trade & Commerce, which 
 makes Money exceeding scarse among us. Should Con- 
 trive a Law, whereby the Inhabitants of Great Brit- 
 tain, who so much Abound in Riches, and Enjoy so 
 flourishing and Extensive a Trade and Commerce, 
 should be subjected to a Tax for our Easement and Re- 
 lief, Can it Rationally be Supposed that our King 
 would approve of such Laws?" They then declare 
 that Taxation and Representation must go together, 
 and then say, — "It is not in their Power," (the Par- 
 liament) "to make the Easterly Banks of America con- 
 tiguous to the AVesterly Banks of Great Britain, which 
 Banks have lain and still ly one Thousand Leagues 
 distant from Each Other, and till they can do this, they 
 Cannot, (as we Humbly Concieve,) Provide for the 
 
m 
 
 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 73 
 
 Good Govermuent of His Majisty's Subjects in these 
 two Distant Regions, without ye Estabhshment of a 
 Diiferent Power, Both Legeslative and Executive in 
 Each." They then urge Mr. Porter to demand a re- 
 peal of tho stamp act. They say they are wilhng to 
 be subject to the "Greatest and best of Kings," and to 
 assist him always, but they think men of "Envious and 
 Depraved Minds" have advised him wrongly. They 
 think that their grievance is such, as "cannot but be re- 
 sented by every True Englishman, who has any Spark 
 of Generous Fire Remaning in His Breast." 
 
 It should be remembered that these instructions 
 were given in the year 1765, — ten years before the 
 battle of Lexington. 
 
 Samuel Holten, the Representative for the year 
 17G8, was requested to join a Convention to be gath- 
 ered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on the twenty-second 
 day of September, to consist of delegates from the dif- 
 ferent towns in the Commonwealth. It was held sever- 
 al days, and the differences between the Colonies and 
 the Mother country were fully canvassed. Dr. Hol- 
 ten sustained an active part in the deliberations, and dis- 
 tinguished himself for that zeal and strength which al- 
 ways characterized him. 
 
 The attention of the people continued awake to the 
 difficulties between the two countries, and they constant- 
 ly fanned tlie flame of freedom with that zeal created 
 by a love of Liberty. A continual observation of the 
 signs of the times was held, and a thorough knowledge 
 of the progress of affairs prevailed universally. The 
 morning greeting and the evening salute Avere concluded 
 
74 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 by converse on the state of public affairs, and all of 
 the social gatherings were enUvened or depressed, as 
 the matter communicated was cheering or saddening. 
 Young and Old prayed that open rebellion and civil war 
 might be averted, but demanded these rather than sla- 
 very. 
 
 The year 1770 was distinguished by the passage of 
 the Non-Importation Agreement on the part of the Mer- 
 chants of Boston. The act of Parliament of 1767, 
 which laid a tax on glass, paper, tea and several other 
 articles, was during this year partially repealed, chiefly 
 throu£i;h the exertions of Lord North. The tax on tea 
 was allowed to remain. Although the partial repeal of 
 duties mollified in some measure the public indignation? 
 yet the Colonists were unwilling to submit to this sin- 
 gle encroachment. The Non-importation agi'oement 
 therefore, passed by the merchants of several towns in 
 the Commonwealth, expressed a determination to im- 
 port no goods from Great Britain, that had passed un- 
 der the Tariff, particularly the article of Tea ; and 
 they recommended that all who were disposed to resist 
 the tyranny of England, should refrain from the use 
 of tea. On the twenty-eighth of May, the people of 
 this town voted : — "That this Town Highly approves of 
 the Spirited Conduct of the Merchants of our Metropo- 
 lis, and the other Maritime Towns in this Province, in 
 an agreement of Non-Importation, well calculated to 
 Restore our Invaluable Rights and Liberties. Voted : 
 that we will not ourselves, (to our knowledge,) or by 
 any person, for or under us. Directly or Indirectly, Pur- 
 chase of such Person or Persons, any Goods whatever, 
 
HISTORY OF BANVERS. 75 
 
 and as far as we can effect it, will withdraw our con- 
 nection from every Person who shall Import Goods from 
 Great Brittain, Contrary to the Agreement of the Mer- 
 chants aforesaid. Voted that we will not drink any 
 Tea ourselves, and use our best endeavours to prevent 
 our Families, and those connected with them, from the 
 use thereof, from this Date, until the Act imposing a 
 Duty on that Article be repealed, or a general Importa- 
 tion shall take place. Cases of Sickness Excepted." 
 To carry out the public feeling, a Committee of twelve 
 was raised, whose duty it was to convey a copy of the 
 above to every family in the town, to receive the sig- 
 natures of the people. The Committee was instructed 
 to write the names of all who refused to append their 
 signatures to these articles, and publish them as enemies 
 to the country. The resolutions were printed in the 
 Essex Gazette. Isaac Wilson (see "Bell Tavern.") 
 seems to have been the only one who opposed the popu- 
 lar enthusiasm. 
 
 Nothing more of note occurred, until June 1772, 
 when Messrs. Francis Symonds, Benja. Proctor, Gide- 
 on Putnam, Capt. Wm. Shillaber, Dea. Amos Putnam, 
 Tarrant Putnam Jr, and Wm. Pool, were chosen as a 
 Committee to take into account our civil liberties. 
 They drew up the following resolutions, which were 
 presented to, and adopted by the town, unanimously. 
 
 ''I. Besolved that we will use our utmost endeavors 
 that all Constitutional Laws are strictly adhered to, and 
 Faithfully Executed, believing that next to our Duty to 
 God, Loyalty to our King, (in a constitutional way,) is 
 Required, in Order to the well-being of the Community. 
 
76 HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 
 
 ''II. That when Government becomes Tyrannical 
 and Oppressive, we hold ourselves bound in Duty to 
 Ourselves and Posterity, to use Every Lawful Method 
 to Check the Same, least it deprive the Subject of ev- 
 ery Privilege that is Valuable. 
 
 ''III. that it is the Opinion of this Town that the 
 Rights of the Collonists in General, and this Province 
 in Particular, have of late been greatly Infringed Up- 
 on, by the Mother Country, by -Unconstitutional Meas- 
 ures, which have been adopted by the Ministry, tend- 
 ing wholly to Overthrow our Civil Priviledges ; Partic- 
 ularly in Assuming the Power of Legislation for the 
 Collonists, in Raising a Revenue in the Colonies without 
 their Consent, in Creatins: a Number of Officers un- 
 known to the Charter, and investing such officers with 
 powers wholly unconstitutional and Destructive to the 
 Liberties we have a Right to Enjo}^ as Englishmen, in 
 Rendering the Governor Independent of the General 
 Assembly for his support ; and, by Instructions from the 
 Court of Great Britain, the first Branch of our Legis- 
 lature has so far forgot his Duty to the Province, as 
 that he hath refused to Consent to an Act imposing a 
 Tax for the Necessary supjort of Government unless 
 Certain Persons pointed out by the Ministry were 
 Exempted from paying their just Proportion of said 
 Taxes ; and hath given up the Chief Fortress of the 
 Province (Castle William) into the Hands of Troops 
 over whom he Declared he had no Control ; in Extend- 
 ing the power of Courts of A^ice Admiralty to such a 
 Degree, as Deprives the People of the Collonies (in 
 Great Measure) of tlieir inestimable Rights of Tryals 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 77 
 
 by Juries, & in that we have reason to fear (from In- 
 formation,) the Judges of the Superior Court &&c 
 Rendered independent of the People for their Lib- 
 erties. 
 
 "IIII. that an act of Parliament, intitled an Act 
 for the better Preservation of his Majesties dockyards 
 &&C., (in consequence of which Commissioners have 
 been x'\.ppointed to enquire after the persons Concerned 
 in burning his Majesties schooner, the Gaspee, att 
 Providence,) has Greatly alarmed us; tlio' we are very 
 far from Pretending to justify the Act, yet we appre- 
 hend such Methods very Extraordinary, as the Consti- 
 tution has Made Provision for the Punishment of such 
 Offenders ; — by all which it appears to us, tliat in Con- 
 sequence of Seme Unguarded Conduct of Particular 
 Persons, the Colonies in General and this Province in 
 Particular, are, for our Loyalty, Constantly receiving 
 the Punishment due to Rebellion Only. 
 
 "V. that we will use all Lawful Endeavours for Re- 
 covering, Maintaining and Preserving the invaluable 
 Rights and Privileges of this People, and Stand Ready 
 (if need be,) to Risque Our Lives k fortunes in De- 
 fence of those Liberties which our forefathers Purchased 
 at so dear a Rate. 
 
 "VI. That the Inhabitants of this Town do hereby 
 Instruct their Representative, that he Use his Influence 
 in the Great k General Court or Assembly of this Prov- 
 ince, & in a Constitutional way. Earnestly Contend for 
 the just Rights & Privileges of the People, that they may 
 be handed down inviolate to the latest Posterity, and 
 as this Depends in a great Measure on the steady, firm, 
 
& 
 
 ^ 'if 
 
 78 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 and united Endeavors of all the Provinces on the Con- 
 tinent, we further Instruct him to use his Influence, 
 that a Strict Union and Correspondence be Cultivated 
 and Preserved betAveen the same, & that they unitedly 
 Petition his Majesty & Parliament for the Redress of 
 our Public greivances : we further Instruct him by no 
 means to Consent to Give up any of our Privileges, 
 whether derived from Kature, or Charter, which we 
 have as just a Right to Enjoy, as any of the Inhabi- 
 tants of Great Brittain : also, that he use his Endeavors 
 that Ample and Ilonerable Sallaries be Granted to his 
 Excellency the Governor, & to the Ilonerable Judges 
 of the Superior Court &&c., adecjuate to their Respec- 
 tive Dii>;nities." 
 
 Immediately tliercaftcr, Dr. Samuel Ilolten, Tarrant 
 Putnam, and Capt. Wm. Shillaber, were chosen a Com- 
 mittee to correspond with the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence for Boston and other towns, on all matters 
 touching the public affairs. The Committee sent the 
 foregoing resolutions to the Committee of Correspon- 
 dence for Boston. (This year a difference arose in the 
 town concerning annual and other public meetings, and 
 after appealing to General Court, it was decided that 
 town meetings should for the future be held in the 
 North and South Parishes alternately. It was agitated 
 to build a town house in the centre of the town, but the 
 motion did not prevail.) 
 
 The people continued watchful, and evidently waited 
 for an overt act on the part of the oppressor, to appeal 
 to arms. Even the clergy threw out words significant 
 of meaning, and hopeful for the cause of freedom. Mr. 
 
 rKe- 
 
HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 79 
 
 Holt at the Middle Precinct was heard to say, — "I had 
 rather live on potatoes than submit." He procured a 
 musket, and performed drill-service regularly in the 
 ranks of Capt. Eppes' company. Mr. Wads^Yorth of 
 the Tillage parish was very ardent, and when the en- 
 gagement at North River Bridge occurred, he shoulder- 
 ed his musket, and marched to Salem. 
 
 Thomas Ga^re the Roval Governor of ^Massachusetts, 
 finding his situaticn in Boston unpleasant, removed to 
 Danvers, where in the "Collins House" he took up his 
 residence June 5th, 1774. 
 
 This house, formerly occupied by Judge Collins, was 
 built by Robert Hooper, known in his day as King Hoop- 
 er, — on account of his wealth, and the state in which 
 he lived, and is now owned and occupied by Rev. P. 
 S. Ten-Broeck, grandson of Gen. x^braham Ten-Broeck, 
 who was distinguished in ihe Revolution. It is one of 
 the finest mansions in the State. See Kote. 
 
 Gov. Gage was attended by two companies of the 64th 
 Regiment Royal Troops from Castle "William. They 
 arrived July 21st, and during their stay, were encamp- 
 ed in the wide field in which are Tapley's brickyards. 
 There are many anecdotes told of the impression which 
 their presence produced on tLe peojle. (a) Although 
 they seemed quite free in theii* intercourse with the citi- 
 zens, yet they preserved a good degree of watchfulness. 
 But the people were jealous of their presence, and took 
 measures to hasten their departure. They had not been 
 encamped in Danvers quite three months, when the 
 lively spirit of rebellion in the town forced them to re- 
 main under arm^ every night to prevent surprise. "Part 
 
 •/ts 
 
 
80 HISTORY OF DANVERS. f 
 
 of the 64th Regiment encamped near the Governor's, 
 we hear, were under Arms all last Friday night." Es- 
 sex Gazette, Aug. 23. 1774. (b) At length on the 
 fifth of September the companies started in the night 
 for Boston, (c) 
 
 The restraint imposed upon the people of this town 
 and vicinity by the presence of the soldiers, was re- 
 moved by their departure, and consultations were held 
 to determme on future action. Doctor Holten was in- 
 structed September 27th, 1774 as follows : 
 
 *'Sir : As we have now chosen you to Represent us 
 in the Great and General Court to be holden in Salem 
 on Wednesday the 5th day of October next ensuing : 
 We do hereby Instruct you that in all your doings as a 
 member of the House of Representatives, you adhere 
 firmly to the Charter of this Province granted by their 
 Majesties King William and Queen Mary, and that you 
 do no act which can be possibly construed into an Ac- 
 knowledgement of the Act of the British Parliament for 
 Altering the Government of Massachusetts Bay, more 
 especially that you acknowledge the Honorable Board 
 of Counsellors Elected by the General Court at their 
 session in May last, as the only rightful and constitu- 
 tional Council of this Province. And as we have Rea- 
 son to believe that a Conscientious Discharge of your 
 Duty will produce your Dissolution as an House of 
 Representatives, We do hereby impower aud Instruct 
 you, to join with the Members who may be sent from 
 this and the neighboring Towns in the Province, and 
 meet with them at a time to be agreed on, in a General 
 Provincial Congress, to act upon such matters as may 
 
 i KH9 
 
m-^- 
 
 niSTOEY OF DANYEES. 81 
 
 come before 3'Ou, in such a manner as shall appear to be 
 most conducive to the true Interest of this Town and 
 Province, and most likely to preserve the liberties of 
 all America." 
 
 The Government of England -was virtually repudiat- 
 ed November 21st, 1774, when the ToAvn voted to ad- 
 here strictly to all the Resolves and Kecommendations 
 of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 At this time, the Representative was chosen by each 
 of the voters passing by the Moderator, and informing 
 him aloud who was his nominee. Dr. Ilolten was in this 
 way unanimously chosen. 
 
 Thus the people were ripe for a revolution. On the Ad. 
 vent of the year 1775, a year so filled with events to this 
 Republic, the people of Danvers were prepared to embark 
 in the stormy struggle of war. Accordingly, on the 
 ninth of January, it was voted to comply with the Pro- 
 vincial Recommendation, and supply each man with "an 
 effective Fire Arm, Bayonet, Pouch, Knapsack, Thirty 
 Rounds of Cartridges and Ball, and that they be Dis- 
 ciphned three times a week, and oftener as opportunity 
 may offer." It was also determined that each man 
 should receive one shilling for each half day he was in 
 service. Although there had been no rupture, no en- 
 gagement, yet the horizon was overcast, and the growl- 
 ings of the tempest in the distance, gave jortentous 
 warnings of a coming storm. The people waited for 
 the signal, to commence an effort for freedom. 
 
 On the nineteenth inst. it was resolved to adhere 
 strictly to all the requisitions of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and Capt. William Shillaber, Capt. Jeremiah 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 
 
 n 
 
 Page, Dr. Samuel Holten, Jonathan Proctor, Dr. Amos 
 Putnam, Capt. William Putnam, Capt. Benjamin 
 Proctor, Capt. Samuel Epes, and Capt Israel Hutchinson 
 were appointed to see that the citizens of Dan vers were 
 obedient. It was also voted "that the meeting of the In- 
 habitants of this town in parties at Houses of Entertain- 
 ment, for the purpose of Dancing, Feasting &c., is ex- 
 pressly against the Eighth Article of the American Con- 
 gress Association. Therefore the Committee of Inspect- 
 ion are Particularly instructed to take care that the said 
 eighth article in the Association is strictly compliedwith." 
 
 The zeal of these times may be learned by the fact, 
 that March 6th, 1775, the third Alarm-Ust chose its offi 
 cers as follows : Capt. Dea.M^sm^ Putnam; Lieut. 
 Rev. Benj. Balch; Ensign, jS:«i. Tarrant Putnam. 
 
 There had been several gun carriages made by Rich- 
 ard Skidmore a wheel-wright at New Mills, and lodged 
 at the Gardner Farm, (d.) A report of this fact had 
 reached Boston, and a detachment of soldiers was sent in 
 a transport, and ordered to land at Marblehead, and 
 march overland to Danvers and destroy them. The 
 orders were obeyed, and the success they met with may 
 be seen in the following extract from the "American 
 Archives." 
 
 (Capt. Samuel Eppes and his company of men 
 had been for some time previous in a state of read- 
 iness, and they marched to repel these invaders at the 
 first warning.) 
 
 Salem, Feb. 28th, 1775. 
 
 "Last Sabbath, the 26th inst., the peace of the town 
 was disturbed by the landing of a regiment of the king's 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 83 f 
 
 troops, the particulars relative to winch are as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 "A transport' arrived at Marhleliead, apparently man- 
 ned as usual. Between two and three o'clock, (as soon 
 as the people had gone to meeting) the decks were cov- 
 ered with soldiers, who having loaded, and fixed their 
 bayonets, landed with great despatch, and instantly 
 marched off. Some of the inhabitants suspecting they 
 were bound to jSalem, to seize some materials there 
 preparing for an artillery, despatched several messen- 
 gers to inform us of it. These materials were on the 
 north side of the North River, and to come at them it 
 was necessary to cross a bridge, one part of which was 
 made to draw up to let vessels pass. The inhabitants 
 kept a look out for the appearance of the troops. The 
 van guard arrived, and took their route down town as 
 far as the Long Wharf, perhaps to decoy the inhabi- 
 tants thither, away from the place to which the main 
 body Avas destined. The main body arrived soon after, 
 and halted a few minutes by the Town House. It is 
 said that inrpiiry was immediately made by some of the 
 officers for a half brother of Col. Browne the Man- 
 damus Counsellor. Be this as it may, he was seen whis- 
 pering in the Colonel's ear, iu the front of the regiment 
 and when he parted from the Cal. the regiment march- 
 ed with a quick pace towards the North Bridge ; just 
 before entering upon which the bridge was pulled up. 
 The regiment however pushed on till they came to the 
 bridge, not observing (as it seemed) that it was drawn 
 up. The Col. exprescied some surprise ; and turning 
 about, ordered an officer to face his company to a body 
 
84 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 
 
 of men scanding on a wharf on the other side of the 
 draw bridge and to fire. One of our townsmen (who 
 had kept along side of the Col. from the time he 
 marched from his own house) told him he had better not 
 fire ; that he had no right to fire without further orders 
 and if you do fire (said he) you will be all dead men. 
 The company neither faced nor fired. The Colonel re- 
 tired to the centre of his regiment, assembled his offi- 
 cers and held a consultation ; which being ended he ad- 
 vanced a little, and declared he would maintain his 
 ground, and go over the bridge if it was a month first. 
 The same townsman replied, he might stay there as long 
 as he pleased no one cared for that. The half brother 
 before mentioned, (it is said) made towards the bridge 
 but seeing the draw bridge up said "it is all over with 
 us." 
 
 "He has since disappeared, meanwhile two large gon- 
 dolas that lay aground (for it was low water) were scut- 
 tled, lest they should cross the channel with them. 
 But whilst one gentleman was scuttling his own gondo- 
 la, a party of about twenty soldiers jumped into it, and 
 with their bayonets charged against our unarmed towns. 
 men, (some of whom they pricked) compelled them to 
 quit it ; but before this a sufficient hole was made in the 
 bottom. This attack of the soldiers, and some other oc- 
 currences occasioned a little bickering, but by the inter- 
 position of some of the inhabitants, the disputes subsid- 
 ed. At lenii;th some 2;entleraan asked the Colonel Avhat 
 was his design in making this movement, and why he 
 would cross the bridge ? He said, I have orders to 
 cross it, and he would cross it if he lost his life with 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 85 
 
 the lives of all his men ; and asked, why the king's 
 highway was obstructed ? He was told it was not the 
 king's road, but the property of the inhabitants, who 
 had a right to do what they pleased with it. Finally 
 the Col. said he must go over, and if the bridge was let 
 down so as he might pass, he pledged his honor he 
 would not march above thirty rods beyond it, and then 
 immediately return. 
 
 "The regiment had now been at the bridge about an 
 hour and a half; and everything being secured, the in- 
 habitants directed that the bridge might be let down. 
 The regiment immediately passed over, marched a few 
 rods, returned, and with great expedition went back to 
 Marblehead, where they went on board the transport 
 without delay. 
 
 "When all the circumstances are considered, there can 
 remain no doubt that the sole purpose of this manoeuvre 
 was to steal away the artillery materials. 
 
 "It is regretted that an officer of Col. XesZiVs ack- 
 nowledged worth, should be obliged, in obedience to his 
 orders, to come upon so pitiful an errand. Various reports 
 were spread abroad respecting the troops ; the country 
 was alarmed, and one company arrived in arms from 
 Danvers, just as the troops left the town. We immedi- 
 ately despatched messengers to the neighboring towns 
 to save them the trouble of coming in ; but the alarm 
 flew like lightning (and some, doubtless, magnified the 
 first simple reports) so that great numbers were in arms, 
 and some on their march, before our messengers arriv- 
 ed." The alarm extended forty miles, and the Essex 
 Gazette of that date, says 40,000 men would have arriv- 
 
86 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 ed in a few hours. The British nurabered 140, and the 
 Americans under Col. Pickering about 50. ''Many of 
 the people were armed with pitchforks, clubs and other 
 rude weapons. One man laid bare his bosom and dared 
 the British soldier, who was threatening him with his 
 bayonet, to strike.'' 
 
 Col. Pickering informed John W. Proctor, Esq., 
 that he scuttled with his own hands, one of the gondo- 
 las referred to in the above account. 
 
 This was the first resistance, bloodless indeed, but de- 
 termined, which was made on the part of the people of 
 this country to the encroachment of foreign aggression. 
 In the Town of Salem, nearly two months before the 
 battle of Lexington, the people of Danvers joined by 
 those of Salem, opposed and beat back the foe, and 
 established their title to the quality of determined brav- 
 ery. But for the calmness and discretion of Leslie the 
 English Commander, North Bridge w^ould have taken 
 the place of Lexington, and February 26th, would have 
 been forever memorable in the Annals of the Republic. 
 
 The Nineteenth of April arrived. The day which 
 was to baptize the soil of Concord and Lexington had 
 dawned. Its history need not here be related. It is 
 sufficient to say, that in the night of April 18th, about 
 800 soldiers were despatched to destroy military stores 
 supposed to be secreted at Concord. The expedition 
 started in the night with the greatest precaution, and 
 arrived at Lexington at about four o'clock in the morn- 
 ing. The battle was fousrht, and the British were driven 
 like frightened deer, before the defenders of freedom. 
 A reinforcement came to their relief, and met them 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 87 
 
 when they "were half of a mile beyond Lexington meet- 
 ing house. The English forces, amounting to about 
 1800 men, commenced their retreat. 
 
 The noAvs of the battle reached Danvers at about 9 
 o'clock A. M., and was communicated to the citizens 
 by the ringing of bells, and the sound- of drums. The 
 call awakes the land. From every shop and field and 
 bench, the hardy sons of Liberty throng to their 
 rendezvous, near the Old South. With firm tread and 
 dauntless bearing they gather around the edifice where 
 they have prayed and worshipped, and when they un- 
 derstand the tidings, each man clenches his teeth, 
 seizes his musket, and prepares for the march, (e.) 
 The women are there. And not with entreaty and 
 fear do they gather around their guardians and protect- 
 ors. They gird the sword, and fasten the belt. Pale, 
 but strong in faith and a love of country, they bid their 
 husbands and sons and fathers God speed, and return 
 to their .deserted homes. Mr. Holt, the Minister of 
 the Middle Precinct, gave his parting benediction to 
 them, and they started for the field of death. So gen- 
 erally did the men forsake their homes to attack the 
 invading foe, "when freedom from her mountain height, 
 unfurled her standard in the air," that at the New 
 Mills, there were but two men left on the night of the 
 Nineteenth. Frank Brown was confined to his bed by 
 sickness, and Jonathan Sawyer returned just at night- 
 fall from the battle to bring news of the living and the 
 dead. Before sunset of this day, the wives and chil- 
 dren of those who had rushed from New Mills, to obey 
 the cry of Freedom, gathered^ in the house now oc- 
 
88 
 
 HISTOKY OF DANVERS. 
 
 cupied by Mrs. Reed, and thus, passed the night. 
 Amid fears of approaching foes, — doubts of the living, 
 and tears for the wounded and the dead, — they did not 
 discover the bright days of Peace and Plenty which 
 have since visited their descendants. But they did not 
 quail. The women were true. They cheerfully suf- 
 fered privation, and urged their sons and brothers to 
 "fight the good fight." 
 
 The Muster Rolls of the State, give but four com- 
 panies from Danvers, omitting the company of minute 
 men commanded by Foster. Foster is set down as a 
 Lieutenant in Eppes' company, but he himself informs 
 us, that he was placed in command of a company a 
 short time previous to the battle. Thus Danvers con- 
 tributed five companies, commanded by Jeremiah Fage^ 
 Samuel Flint, Samuel Eppes, Gideon Foster and Israel 
 Hutchinson, numbering in all above two hundred men 
 from Danvers, besides those from Salem and Beverly. 
 Thus thoy started for the scene of action, (f.) 
 When the news of the intention of the British [reached 
 Danvers, Foster sent one of his lieutenants to Col. Pick- 
 ering and obtained permission to start with his minute 
 men, without waiting for the movement of the regiment. 
 
 They arrived at "West Cambridge a distance of six- 
 teen miles in four hours. There they met the retreat- 
 ing British, and poured in a most destructive fire, (g) 
 Col. Pickering (h) with his regiment came on more 
 slowly, Hon. D. P. King has thus described the scene : 
 
 "Our townsmen heard the roar of the artillery and 
 the rattle of the musketry, and they panted to join in 
 the deadly combat. A little west of the meeting-house 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 89 
 
 is a hill around which the road wound in such manner 
 as to conceal the British. Many of the men of Dan- 
 vers went into a walled enclosure and piled bundles of 
 shingles wiiich were lying there, to strengthen their 
 breast-work ; rumor had deceived them as to the force 
 of the enemy ; it was certainly their expectation here 
 to have intercepted their retreat. Others selected 
 trees on the side of the hill from which they might as- 
 sail the enemy. But they had little space for preparer 
 tion : they soon saw the British in solid column de- 
 scending the hill on theii' right, and at the same mo- 
 ment discovered a large flank guard advancing on their 
 left. The men in the enclosure made a gallant resis. 
 tance, but were overpowered by numbers — it was here 
 that several of those whom we are proud to claim for 
 our townsmen were slain — some sought shelter in a 
 neighboring house, and three or four, after they had 
 surrendered themselves prisoners of war, were butcher- 
 ed with savage barbarity. 
 
 '^'Capt. Foster, with some of his men on the side of 
 the hill, finding themselves nearly surrounded, made 
 an effort to gain the pond — they passed along its mar- 
 gin, and crossed the road directly in front of the Brit- 
 ish column. On the north side of the road, they took 
 position behind a ditch wall. From this casual redoubt 
 they fired upon tlie enemy as long as any of them were 
 within reach of their muskets. Some of them fired 
 eleven times, with two bullets at each discharge, and it 
 cannot be doubted tliat these winged messengers of i 
 death performed their destined worl^ (i) The bodies | 
 of the slain were scattered alons; the road — the British : 
 
90 HISTOEY OF DANVEKS. 
 
 were followed till they reached Charlestown neck. Mor- 
 tifying and severe to them were the defeat and losses 
 of that day. Their killed, wounded and missing 
 amounted to about 300. — According to an account pub- 
 lished at the time, in the form of a handbill, 42 Ameri- 
 cans were killed and 22 wounded, — " afterwards ascer- 
 tained to be 50 killed. 
 
 To the English Soldiery, this must have been an aw- 
 ful retreat. The weather was very warm, the sun 
 poured down his fiercest rays, — the air was dry, and a3 
 they hurried along their route, towards the place of safe- 
 ty miles away, death intercepted their progress at ev- 
 ery step. An unseen foe, from behind enclosures and 
 from the midst of thickets, poured out a galling and 
 continuous fire, which ever and anon smote down some 
 veteran in the midst of his days and strength, while 
 from closed teeth, sharp, hoarse whispers were heard 
 Baying, "Kill that officer /" Wearied, wounded, per- 
 ishing with thirst, and diminished in numbers, they 
 were pursued to Charlestown. 
 
 The men of Danvers performed their part faithfully, 
 and informed the Country by their heroic deeds, that 
 Tyranny would find in them uncompromising foes. But 
 the victory achieved by our townsmen was fraught with 
 sadness. Seven of those who left town in the morning 
 and saw the rising sun, saw not its setting. Two oth- 
 ers were carried into captivity, several slightly wounded, 
 and two severely so. 
 
 The names of the slain were Samuel Cook, aged 33 
 years, Benjamin Daland 25, George Southwick 25, 
 (j) Jotham Webb 22, Henry Jacobs 22, Ebenezer 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 91 
 
 Goldthwaite 22, Perley Putnam 21. The bodies of tlie 
 slain were brought home, and were buried with appro- 
 priate ceremonies. Two companies from Salem per- 
 formed escort duty, (k) Nathan Putnam was woun- 
 ded in the shoulder. He and his brother Perley who 
 was killed were relatives of Israel Putnam. Dennison 
 Wallis was at first taken prisoner. The enemy were 
 80 infuriated at the havoc made by the patriot troops , 
 that they determined to kill all the prisoners they cap- 
 tured. Wallis saw this, and in attempting to escape he 
 received twelve bullets. He fell by the side of a wall 
 he was leaping, and was left for dead. He recovered, 
 and effected his escape. Joseph Bell was taken pris- 
 oner and carried into Boston, where he was imprisoned 
 two months in an English frigate. 
 
 Many chivalric deeds were performed by our citizens, 
 in winning this doubtful conflict. Brave and fearless 
 they "dared do all that might become men," for their 
 country ; and if the 19th of April 1775, was a glori- 
 ous day for America, then was it glorious also for Dan- 
 vers who sacrificed seven of her bravest sons on the Al- 
 tar of Liberty, out of the fifty who there perished, and 
 although she was farther from Lexington than any of 
 her sister towns who Avere represented at the battle, yet 
 she lost more of her children than any other town ex- 
 cept Lexington. 
 
 The utmost watchfulness was observed from the "Con- 
 cord Fight" onward, on account of a fear of invasion. 
 May 1st. it was "voted to keep a watch at New Mills, and 
 another at the crotch in the road near Mr. Francis Sy- 
 monds, and that each watch consist of thirteen men ev- 
 
92 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 ery night." So jealous were the people, and so fearful 
 were they of mternal foes, that it was voted to post in 
 the newspapers the names of all who refused to serve 
 in the Republican troops. About this time military and 
 other stores were carted to Watertown, and the town 
 voted to assist. All firing of guns &c.,was prohibited, 
 except in actual alarm or engagement. The expecta- 
 tion of an outbreak was realized on the memorable 17th. 
 of June, when the battle of Bunker's Hill was fought. A 
 regiment commanded by Col. Timothy Pickering on its 
 way to the field of battle passed through Danvers and hal- 
 ted at the Bell Tavern for refreshment. Mrs. Anna En- 
 dicott, widow of Samuel who died in August 1809, dis- 
 pleased at the delay, walked up to the Col., and with 
 the voice and manner of an Amazon said: "Why on earth 
 don't you march ? Don't you hear the guns in Charles- 
 town?" 
 
 Capt. Gideon Foster's (l.) company was station- 
 ed at Brighton then called Little Cambridge. He was 
 ordered by Gen. Ward, to escort a load of ammunition 
 to Charlestown. Capt. Foster obeyed and met the 
 Americans when on their retreat. Their powder was 
 consumed, and he supplied them with ammunition loose 
 in casks, for one more grapple with death. Capt. Foster 
 in his old age revived the reminiscence thus : "We took 
 the ammunition in casks, and conveyed it in wagons, and 
 delivered it freely with our hands and our dijjpers,, to 
 their horns, their pockets their hats, and whatever else 
 they had that would hold it. I well remember the black- 
 ened appearance of those busy in this work, — not unlike 
 those engaged in the delivery of coal on a hot summer's 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 93 
 
 day. At the same time we were thus occupier', the en- 
 emy's shot were constantly whistling by ; but we had no 
 time to examine their character or dimensions. I have 
 often thought what might have been our condition, had 
 one of these Jiot shot unceremoniously come in contact 
 with our wagons." 
 
 Captain Foster's company belonged to Colonel Mans- 
 field's regiment which was stationed on Prospect Hill. 
 Gen. Putnam commanded there. An order was issued 
 calling all th^ captains together. They were told that 
 a captain was wanted to engage in a very arduous enter- 
 terprise, and a volunteer was called for. When Foster 
 found no one willing to offer services, he presented 
 himself and was accepted. Several soldiers were drawn 
 from each company, and properly armed, they repaired 
 to Gen. Putnam's quarters to receive instructions. Af- 
 ter reviewing them, " OldPuf^ deprived them of their 
 equipments and furnishing them with axes, sent them in- 
 to a swamp, where they were engaged in cutting fascines 
 (faggots,) and in bringing them in on their backs. 
 
 *'The men expected to gain honor by their expo- 
 sure to unknown dangers : but their greatest danger 
 was from the attack of musquitoes and their great- 
 est exposure was to the mirth of their fellow sold- 
 iers." 
 
 The day of the battle was very sultry. The season 
 was far advanced. Saturday, the 17th of June, was 
 a warm, clear day. "Farmers generally had com- 
 menced haying— the new mown grass was pressed be- 
 tween the rails to form a breast-work on Bunker Hill — 
 green peas were common and plenty in the market ; all 
 
94 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 of which indicate that the season was a fortnight earlier 
 than it is on an average of years," 
 
 The day passed. The battle was fought. A shout_ 
 was raised, whose echoes have not yet ceased to rever 
 berate. The Americans lost,- — but they won, — the 
 British gained a victory, which was worse than an ordi- 
 nary defeat. Undisciplined Bravery gave disciplined 
 Tyranny a bitter lesson. Neither was it a mere fight. 
 A principle was asserted and maintained, a principle 
 which shall not be forgotten, while the Monument on 
 Bunker's Height, that "grey granite finger planted in 
 the heroes' blood-stained sod, and pointing aloft to the he- 
 roes' home," — shall endure ! 
 
 On the 17th of July, one month after the battle of 
 Bunker's Hill, the town w^atch was discontinued, "by 
 reason of Congress placing soldiers to guard the seaport 
 towns." Dr. Calef, of Ipswich, during the summer 
 of 1775, built a ship at New Mills, and on the fifth of 
 December of the same year, the Mass. Legislature 
 "Ordered, That Dummer Jewett Esq. apply to Dr. 
 Calef of I]jswich^ and require of him such information 
 relative to a (m.) new ship lately built by his direction 
 at the New 3fiUs, as he can confirm when called upon 
 on oath, and that he be desired to furnish them with a 
 copy of all the papers relative to this matter, which he 
 has received from the person or persons by whose order 
 said Vessel was purchased or built." This incident, 
 though trifling in itself, serves to show the constant vig- 
 ilance of the people and of the embryo government, at 
 that period. Not the slightest incident was allowed to 
 pass by unnoticed. Sept. 14th, Col. Benedict Ar- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 95 
 
 nold, on his way from Cambridge to Quebec, encamped 
 in Danvers. 
 
 Jan. 25th, 1776, tlie House received two petitions 
 from Nathan Putnam and Dennison WaUis of Danvers. 
 Putnam set forth that in consequence of a wound in 
 the shoulder at the battle of Lexington, he had not 
 been able to work since that time one daj at his trade. 
 His petition was referred to the appropriate Commit- 
 tee. Wallis set forth that he was taken prisoner by 
 the Ministerial troops at Lexington, was stripped by 
 them of gun, bayonet, cartouch box, watch and fif- 
 teen dollars, for which he prayed recompense, as also 
 for charges of sickness, in consequence of twelve 
 wounds which he received. Eight pounds, eleven shil 
 lings were paid Capt. Epesfor the purpose. February 
 6th, the House voted to Captain Epes, the following 
 sums for the use of the following individuals who had 
 lost guns &c. on the 19th of April. Jonathan Tarbell 
 £2. lis. Henry Jacobs ^£3. 8s. Heirs of Benjamin 
 Daland, £2. 4s. Samuel Cook, £2. 12s. Thomas 
 Gardner .£1. 4s. Nathaniel Goldthwaite, £2. Os. Feby 
 6th and Mch 6th, contributions were taken up for the 
 army beseiging Boston. The South Parish gave .£13, 
 13, 6, and the North Parish £2G, 15, 4, 10 pr. Shoes, 
 82 yds. check, 2 oz. thread, and 1 pr. of mooseskin 
 breeches. 
 
 The people of the town of Danvers, as will be seen, 
 tihirstcd ardently for an independent government, and 
 concurred in all public acts calculated to produce that 
 result. On the eighteenth of June 1776, it was "Voted, 
 that if the Honble Congress for the Safety of the Unit- 
 
96 HISTORY OF DANVERS, 
 
 ed Colonies, Declare them Independent of the Kingdom 
 of Great Brittain, we the Inhabitants of this town, do 
 solemnly Engage with our Lives and Fortunes to sup- 
 port them in the measure. 
 
 "Voted, that the iDown Clerk be, and he hereby is 
 directed Immediately to Deliver an attested Copy of 
 the Proceedings of this Town Respecting Independent- 
 ry, to Maj. Samuel Epes, Representative of said I^own, 
 for his Instructions &c.'* At the same time a bounty of 
 X13, 6, 8, was given to each man who would enlist in 
 the service of the colonies. The Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence was unanimously adopted, and copied at 
 length in the Town Record. 
 
 October 19th 1776, large encouragements were given 
 to all who would enlist during the war. Congress 
 pledged to each private soldier and non-commissioned 
 officer who would thus enlist, twenty dollars, one hun- 
 dred acres of land, a suit of clothes annually, consist- 
 ing of "two Linen Hunting Shirts, two Pair of Over- 
 alls, a Leathern or Woolen Waistcoat with Sleeves, one 
 Pair of Breeches, a Hat or Leathern Cap, two Shirts, 
 two pair of Hose, and two pair of Shoes." In addition 
 to this the State of Massachusetts Bay offered "one 
 Blanket annually ,- and Twenty Shillings per Month" 
 
 The small-pox raged extensively in the year 1777, 
 and a pest house was built. The same year the families of 
 all non-commissioned officers absent in the service, were 
 assisted by the Town. February 9th, 1778, the Arti- 
 cles of Confederation were unanimously adopted, and 
 Israel Hutchinson the Representative was instructed to 
 advocate them. The Constitution of Massachusetts, 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 97 
 
 which was proposed m 1778 was unanimously rejected. 
 Capt. Jeremiah Putnam enlisted a company this year 
 to go to East Greenwich, R. I. 
 
 April 5th 1779, Israel Putnam, John Shelden and 
 Benjamin Proctor, were appointed Committee to look 
 after and supply the families of continental soldiers with 
 all necessary articles of subsistence. Voted to have 
 no state Constitution this year. July 5th, "Resolved 
 that this town will do all in their power to reduce all 
 the Exhorbitant prices of the necessaries of life." A 
 convention was held at Concord July 19th., to take in 
 to consideration the extravagant prices, and propose a 
 remedy. It passed several laws with penalties of diso- 
 bedience, and the Town endorsed them all. Gideon Put- 
 nam was about this time posted in the "Public 
 Newspapers of this state for brakeing one of the resolves 
 of the Convention at Concord, as an enemy to his coun- 
 try." His offence consisted in selling cheese at nine 
 shillings per pound! The extraordinary prices of this 
 day imposed a very painful burden on the people. A 
 great scarcity created a high value, and it was the con- 
 stant effort of the patriotic to reduce prices. W. I. 
 Rum was valued at X 5, 5s, per gallon ; N. E. Rum X4, 
 per gall.; Molasses <£3, 19s per gall.; Coffee 15s per 
 lb.; Brown Sugar, <£50 per cwt.; Chocolate, 20s per 
 lb.; Bohea Tea, X5, 6s per lb.: Salt, X9 per bushel; 
 Indian Corn, X4, 10s per bushel; Rye, £6; Wheat, 
 £d ; Beef, 6s per lb.; Mutton, 4s per lb.; Butter, 12s 
 per lb.; Milk, 2s 6d per qt.; Hay, 40s per cwt.; Iron, 
 <£30 per cwt. The unexampled inflation of the paper 
 currency of that day explains these high prices, — as 
 
98 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 one pound in silver was equal to forty of paper. The 
 great scarcity of silver however, confined the currency 
 principally to paper, and much of inconvenience and 
 positive suffering were the consequence. 
 
 May 19th. 1780, is memorable as the Dark 
 Day, which prevailed over the most of the State, but 
 was darkest in Essex County. Between 10 and 11 
 o'clock A. M. the air began to grow dim, and in a few 
 minutes the whole country "^as enveloped in the shades 
 of night. An eye witness informs us that "Persons 
 were unable to read common print, determine the time 
 by their watches, dine or manage their domestic busi- 
 ness without additional light ; candles were lighted ; the 
 birds having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and 
 became silent ; the fowls retired to roost ; the cocks 
 were crowing all around as at break of day ; objects 
 could be distinguished at but very little distance ; and ev- 
 erything bore the appearance and gloom of night." This 
 phenomenon was undoubtedly caused by a dense stratum 
 of clouds, which, driven below the ordinary stratum, 
 made so dense a curtain that the Hght could not trans- 
 pierce it. 
 
 At this time there were many men from Danvers ar- 
 dently and constantly engaged in the army in different 
 parts of the country. Major Caleb Lowe, although he 
 was not strictly a native of Danvers, was a resident 
 of this town, and sustained an active part. In the 
 capacity of Captain he was out in the Indian Wars, 
 at Ticonderoga &c. He was promoted to the rank of 
 Major on the breaking out of the Revolution, which 
 rank he held under Washington on the Hudson River. 
 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 99 
 
 He was present at the execution of Andre. His body 
 is buried in South Danvers. The following letter, with 
 the original signature of Washington is in the posses- 
 sion of Major Lowe's grandson, Col. Caleb Lowe, by 
 whom it was furnished : 
 "Sir. 
 
 "You will be pleased to march early tomorrow morn- 
 ing with all the militia under your command and pro- 
 ceed to the landing at West Point. You will send an 
 officer on to this place, by whom you will receive furth- 
 er orders. 
 
 "Colonel Gouvior the bearer of this will apply to yon 
 for an officer and a small party of Men. These you 
 will furnish. 
 
 I am sir with esteem 
 yr mo ob'et Servt. 
 
 GO. WASHINGTON. 
 "Head Quarters Robinson's House, 25th Sept. 1780, 
 1-2 after 7 o'clock P.M. 
 "Major Low at Fishkill." 
 
 During the same year, .£150,000 were raised to sup- 
 ply the army with beef, and for other revolutionary pur- 
 poses. It should be remembered that this large amount 
 was reckoned in the continental currency. The State 
 Constitution came before the people for their acceptance 
 about the same time, and was objected to by the people 
 of Danvers. X1800 silver money were raised in De- 
 cember, to procure soldiers for the army, and XI 80 
 were offered to every man who would go from Danvers. 
 It was voted also, to compel the Quakers to take their 
 proportional part in the struggle of war. In the follow- 
 
100 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 ingyear X60,000 were raised to purchase beef for the 
 army, and it was voted to obey with cheerfulness all the 
 requisitions of the Legislature for money and men. 
 The harbor froze this year as far as Baker's Island. 
 The winter was very severe. The town declared by a 
 vote Jan. 14th 1782, that in any treaty which might 
 be made between Great Britain and the United States, 
 the fisheries should be reserved for the use of the Uni- 
 ted States. On the twentieth of the following month, 
 several persons were licensed to sell ^'Bohea and other 
 India Teas." At this time there were in Danvers, 
 18 "fall back chaises," and 21 "standing tops." Up 
 to this time a constant correspondence had been kept 
 with Boston, and the utmost vigilance had been manifest- 
 ed on the part of the people of this town, in the cause 
 of freedom. Feb. 10th, there was a dense fog "smell- 
 ing like burnt leaves." On the 9th of June 1783, 
 the following instructions were given 
 
 "To Coll Israel Hutchinson, 
 "Representative of the Town of Danvers. Sir : at 
 the first attack made by the British Troops on the 
 States of America, you took the part of the Ameri- 
 icans in the Field. Since that Time you Represented the 
 Town of Danvers to their satisfaction, which is evident 
 by the almost Unanimous Vote at the Times of your 
 Elections. Ihe Contest is over, and a complete Revo- 
 lution is happily Accomplished. This Town, Sir, con- 
 gratulates you on so glorious a Period. Sir, — as it is 
 Likely many Matters will be before the Honorable 
 House the present year, — This Town has thought fit to 
 give you Instructions in some Particular, viz : As the 
 
u 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 101 
 
 Independence depends solely, (under Divine Provi- 
 dence,) in the Union of these United States, you are 
 to consider the Confederacy of these States as Sacred, 
 and in no point to be violated. You are strictly to ad- 
 here to the Constitution of this Commonwealth ; — You 
 are to use your endeavour that no Absentee or Conspi- 
 rator against the United States, whether they have ta- 
 ken up arms against these States or not, be admitted to 
 Return, and those persons that have returned, you are 
 not to suffer such persons to remain in this Comm.on- 
 wealth. You are to give your attention, to all such 
 further Instructions as you shall receive from your Con- 
 stituents, from Time to Time. In any matters that 
 shall turn up which yua think militate against your 
 Constituents, you aro to apply for further Instruc- 
 tions." 
 
 A few other events that occurred previous to this 
 time, are worthy of preservation. In April 1771 ter 
 rible lightning killed a large number of horses and cat-" 
 tic in Danvers. In 1772, snow fell at an uncommon 
 rate. Mch. 5th, 16 inches ; 9th, 9 inches ; 11th, 
 8 inches ; 13th, 7 inches ; IGth, 4 inches ; 20th, 15 
 inches. The winter of 1780 was very severe. For 
 forty days, thirty ,one of which were in March there 
 was no thaw on the South side of any house. Teams 
 loaded passed over walls in every direction through the 
 month of March. The Hessian Ply committed great 
 ravages in 1787. 
 
 The approach of Peace allayed most of the evils that 
 had gathered over the country during the long, dark, 
 revolutionary struggle. The axe of Labor was lifted ; 
 
102 HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 
 
 the sliining scythe once more flashed with dew ; the 
 ring of the anvil sounded from the work-shop ; the hum 
 of Industry was heard arising from city and hamlet ; 
 valleys and hillsides smiled with verdure ; school-houses 
 were filled with youthful tenantry, and as the red foot- 
 steps of War were wiped away, "the smoke of peace'? 
 curled around steeple and tree-top, and the wheels of 
 Prosperity with an accelerated motion, moved the Coun- 
 try onward. 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER IV. 
 
 (a) The conduct ol the royal troops is represented as having 
 beea very exemplary. Mrs. Fowler, related iho following little inci- 
 dent, which certainly speaks niuch against the received opinion of the 
 character of the English soldiery, Mrs. Fowler, a daughter of Arch- 
 elaus Putnam who commenced the settlement at the New Mills, was 
 in the beginning of September 1774, in an orchard gathering apples, 
 when, on looking up, she saw two English officers, one of whom com- 
 menced climbing over the fence. The other, seeing that their pres- 
 ence alarmed her, said to him: — "Wait till the girl goes away; do 
 not frighten her by entering the orchard yet." 
 
 She also related that Gov. Gage used quite often to converse with 
 her father" in law, and that he was ver)- affable and courteous in his 
 deportment. She remembered hearing him say on one occasion, as he 
 sat on a log before the door: "We shall soon quell these feelings, and 
 govern all this," — stretching out his arm, as if to describe the coun- 
 try. She said also, that the soldiers were accustomed in their ram- 
 bles about the town, to call at different houses for bread and milk, 
 and that their appearance was always decorous and proper, adding: 
 "The Governor was as pretty a man in the house as I ever saw." 
 Sometimes however, the soldiers used to relieve the farmers -of the 
 trouble of milking their cows — though they unfortunately for the 
 owners, appropriated the milk to their own use. 
 
 (b) While the drums were beating to arms, Aaron Cheever rode 
 on horseback furiously through the camp, shouting at the lop of his 
 voice, "Hurry to Boston! the devil is to pay!" Others refer similar 
 
 ^1 
 
HISTORY OF DANYERS. 
 
 103 
 
 langnage to different iudividualg. Whoever the person was, he was 
 well disguised. 
 
 l-H 
 
 o 
 
 l-H 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 l-H 
 
 w 
 
 o 
 w 
 
 (c) "Near the encampment was a largo oak tree, nfierwards 
 known as King George's whipping post. When the frigate Essex wag 
 bailt in Salem, this tree was felled; and on hewing the timber the iron 
 staple, to which the soldiers had been confined for punishment, was 
 found irnbedded m the wood. King George's whipping post was con- 
 verted into the stern post of the Essex frigate." 
 
 "The house which Gen., Gage occupied was much ornamented and 
 
104 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 is still a stately edifice for this part of the country. In its front were 
 heavy posts ornamented with large balls oi spheres, which were 
 sheathed with lead. As a party of our countrymen were going to 
 join the patriot army, the tempting sight of the lead made them for- 
 get private rights and they began to strip the spheres. The owner of 
 the mansion was supposed to be in the British interest — he came to 
 the door, called them rebels and knaves, and, as was natural, used 
 strong and plain language. One man pointed his musket towards 
 him and fired, and the mark of the bullet still remains in the door 
 by which he was standing." Hon, Mr. King. 
 
 Although this anecdote is quite plausible, and interesting withal, 
 yet it may be apocryphal. The proprietor of th? edifice informs me, 
 that although this explains the advent of the bullet, yet there are no 
 means by which its authenticity can be ascertained. 
 
 (d) 'J'here are several spots located by Tradition for these arms. 
 North fields, Blind Hole, the Gardner farm, and JNew Mills have been 
 designated by different persons. Probably they were scattered in 
 each of tlicse places for safety. 
 
 "iiichard Skidmore, the builder of the carriages, was a man of 
 much humor and many anecdotes, and witty sayings are related of 
 him. He was, fifty years ago, the jester at launchings, huskings, 
 raisings and other merry meetings. He vvus at the siege of L<'uis- 
 burg in the capacity of druinnjer, and received a shot, which 
 passed through the corner of his cocked hat, raising the hair upon the 
 top of his head. His conjmander, upon viewing his narrow escape, 
 remarked that if the ball had suuck a litlie lower down, it would 
 have spoilt our conipany's music. Skidmore replied, tut, and if 
 it ha 1 passed a little higher up, it would not have spoiled my hat' 
 He served in the war of the Revolution, as a private, drummer, and 
 on board of private armed vessels. On one of his cruises, a West 
 Indiaman, laden with rum and sugar, was taken, and Skidnure re- 
 ceived for his portion of the prize, a hogshead of rum, and a barre' 
 of sugar, wliicii he brought Lome, and placed in the entry of his 
 house, the rum was placed upon tup, and the sugar was opened, and 
 put by its side. His house being small, and its entrance narrow, it 
 became necessary in rolling in the rum, to cut away the sides of the 
 door. People, who loved old Jamaica, often came to partake of his 
 hospitality. Many years after, alluding to the respect shown him at 
 this period, ho observed that as long as the rum and sugar lasted, it 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 105 
 
 was ah, "how do you do, ^U. Skidmore, how is your family ?" but 
 after it was all gone, it was, "how are you, old Skid," aa usual. 
 
 Mr. Skidmore served his country in her wars, both by sea and land, 
 and in the war with England in 1815 he attached himself to the com- 
 pany of the old alarm-list soldiers and was .^een at its head beating 
 the reveille on the same drum that had called together the sturdy sous 
 of New Engiand before the entrenchments of Louisburg. 
 
 This drum he was often heard to say he kept m hia garret, and ho 
 was accustomed to bring it down to beat it when his children were 
 very noisy, his wife scolded more than usual, or he was troubled 
 with rats in his cellar." Com. by S. P. Fowler. 
 
 (e) When Pickering's regiment halted at the Bell Tavern for re- 
 freshment, Elias Haskett Derby Esq., who afterward became one of 
 the wealthiest men in Salem, and who then was in the ranks, went 
 in to see Mrs. Southwick, the wife of Edward, who then, as well ns 
 since, lived in the homestead opposite the Monument. Although as 
 a quakeress, Mrs. S. could not consistently afford assistance to soldiers, 
 yet. 60 deeply did she sympathize with the patriots, independent of 
 her quakerism, that she brought out a large basket of provisions, to 
 Mr- Derby with the following message: '• We cannot assist thee and 
 thy feUow-soIdiers, but as there is a long and painful march before 
 iheCy and as it is not right ye should suffer, — here is a little food /" 
 
 (f) The muster rolls present no proof that Gen. Foster was Cap- 
 tain at Lexington. They show but four companies, — but he was 
 present, and acted in that capacity. 1 he explanation of the matter 
 liea in this: Mch 3d, 1775, according to the Essex Gazette, it was 
 voted in Danvers, that, agreeable to a vote of the Provincial Congress, 
 a quarter of the soldiers in the town should be minute men. 'j'hese 
 minute men were given, in part to Israel Hutchinson^ and in part to 
 Gideon Foster. Foster's men are included in other companies; why 
 ^hey are not down in a seperato list, under their commander cannot be 
 told. 
 
 (g.) "The greatest slaughter of the British took place, it is said, 
 while they were on the retrograde, sweating with toil and blood, for 
 three or four miles through the woody defiles in Lincoln and in the up- 
 per part of Lexington, and again when their flanking parties were 
 intercepted in Cambridge by one or two companies from Danvera." 
 Extract from a Com. entitled i^ Lexington and the 19?A A^ril 
 1775" — republished in the Boston JVens Letter. 
 
106 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 (h.) Had Col. Pickering been actuated by the same ardor that 
 distinguished Gideon Foster, it is not probable that many would have 
 remained of the British to have related the day's disaster. The re- 
 treat whinh was in a measure safely conducted would have been ef- 
 feciually intercepted, and Death would have exulted over the number 
 of his trophies. 
 
 (i) Many years after this sanguinary day, Gen. Foster recalled 
 the event thus: 
 
 "I was then 26 years of age. About ten days before, 1 had been 
 chosen to command a company of minute-men, who were at all times 
 to be in readiness at a moment's warning. They were so ready. 
 They all assembled on the very spot where we are this day assem- 
 bled: — they all w^ent; and in about four hours from the time of 
 meeting, they travelled on foot (full half the way upon the run) six- 
 teen miles ^ and saluted the enemy. This they did most effectually, — 
 as the records of that day most clearly prove. I discharged my 
 musket at the enemy a number of times (I think eleven,) with two 
 balls each time, and with well directed aim. My comrade (Mr. 
 Cleaves of Beverly) who was then standing by my side, had his fin- 
 ger and ramrod cut away by a shot from the enemy. 
 
 Whether my shots took effect, * I ear-not say; but this I can say, 
 if they did not, it w^as not for the want of determined purpose, in him 
 who sent them." 
 
 * These remarks were made at the laying of the corner stone of the 
 Danvers Monument. 
 
 (j.) In the 2d company of Soldiers at Lexington, Gideon Foster 
 is placed as 2d Lieut, in the muster rolls. He was appointed cap- 
 tain of a company of minute men but a few days before the battle, 
 and John Endicott was elected Lieut, in his place. Before the battle 
 Jeremiah Page's company elected Enocli Putnam 1st Lieut., William 
 Towns, 2d do.; and Joseph Porter ensign. At the battle, however, 
 the ofHcers were as they stand on page 108. Flint's company, after 
 the engagement, received Asa Prince as ensign, in place ef Israel 
 Putnam. The town generously supported Geo. Southwick's family 
 after his death. It is said that the Danvers companies all followed the 
 worthy example of Foster, and went to Lexnigton without waiting for 
 Pickering's Regiment. The company to which Sylvester Osborne 
 belonged (he was the youngest member,) captured a wagon 
 near Medford, which was carrying supplies to the British. He, with 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 107 
 
 others, was detached to escort the prize to a place of safety, and they 
 heard the report of the firearms, immediately after leaving the main 
 body. 
 
 When Foster's men threw themselves behind tha enclosure 
 from which they fired, Hutchinson, whose experience in the French 
 wars gave him knowledge, warned them to beware of the flank 
 guard. In their unacquuintance with military affairs, they knew noth- 
 ing of a fl.ink-guard, and firing on the main body as it passed, they 
 rushed out to harass its rear, when, of course, they found themselves 
 between two fires, where several fell. Job Wilson, on examining his 
 pocket after the eng igement, found his coat and a squares foot of gin- 
 gerbread perforated by a bullet. 
 
 (k.) "With reversed arms, muffled drums and measured stfps, 
 they led the long procession — on the way they were met by a band of 
 soldiers from Newburyport, Salisbury and Amesbury marching to 
 join the army which was besieging Boston — these formed in sin- 
 gle ranks on each side of the road and the mournful procession passed 
 between them. After the bodies were deposited, three voUies were 
 fired over their graves, but they could not rouse the slumberers — no 
 ! din of resounding arms, no alarms of vv.ir, no convulsion of nature, 
 can disturb tliem — no.hingbut the voice of the arch angel and the 
 trump of Gud 
 
 "Can reach the peaceful sleepers there." 
 
 Hutu D. P. King. 
 
 SOLDIERS OF THE U EVOLUTION. 
 
 (l.) The following I'st presents the soldiers of the Revoluiion 
 from Danver^. The first five companies were in the affair at Lexing- 
 ton. Those alphabetically arranged were in the Revolution subse- 
 quently. 
 
 COMPAxNY OF MINUTE-MEN. 
 
 Israel Hutchinson, Ca/'tom; Enoch YaXn^m^ first Lieut; Aaron 
 Cheever, second Lieut; Job Whipple, Ensign, 
 
 Privates. Samuel Goodridge, Eliphalet Perley, Nath'l Cheever, 
 Eben Andrew, James Burley, Samuel Chase, Nath'l Durton, Henry 
 Dwinnels, John Francis, Wm, Freetoe, Nathan Putnam, James Por- 
 ter, Tarrant Putnam, Thomas White, Samuel Baker, Samuel Fair- 
 field, Benj. Porter 3 I., Jonathan Sawyer, Wm. Towne, W. Warner, 
 
108 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Perley Putnam, Benj. Shaw, Wm. Batchelder, Jotham Webb. Be- 
 sides these, 24 men from Beverly completed this company. 
 
 COMPANY OF MILITIA. 
 
 Samuel Eppes, Captain; Benj. Jacobs, ^rsi Li&nt. Gideon Foster, 
 {iiQQnoiQ.) second Lieut. Francis Symonds, Ensign. 
 
 Privates. Goo. Southwick jr. , Sam. Cook jr., E ben Goldthwaite, 
 James Osborn, Jona. Tarball, Benj. Douty, Aaron Osborn, John Ep- 
 pes, Andrew Curtis, Isaac Twiss, Wm. Taiball, Abraham Redding- 
 ton, Israel Osborn, Nathan Upton, Robt. Stone jr., Abiel Mclntyre, 
 Richard Phillips, Joseph Whiteman, John Wilson jr., Samuel Small, 
 Benj. Eppes, Joseph Eppes, James Eppes, Wm. Southwick, John 
 Southwick, Jon. Curtis, Job Wilson, Robt. Wilson 3d., Isaac Wil- 
 son 3d., Joshua Moulton, Nath. Goldthwaite, Daniel Moulton, John 
 Reed, Daniol Marsh jr., Wm. Goldthwaite, Marble Osborn, Joseph 
 Osborn 3d., John Jacobs, Thos. Gardner jr., Sylvesler Osborn, Amos 
 Kmg, Jonathan Nurse, Jon >than Felton, Jonathan Proctor, Tim. Fel- 
 ton, Asa Felton, Eben Felton, Thos. Andrews, Joseph Osborn 4th , 
 Daniel Reed, Jona. Southwick, Thomas Day, James Goldthwaite, 
 Joseph Ingles, David Newhall, Nathl. Fitts, Wm. Frost, Newhall 
 Wilson, Jonathan Wilson 3d., Bartholomew Molton, Habbakuk 
 Lynse, Eben Molton, Jona. Ridney, John Collins, Jacob Reed, Abi- 
 jah Reed, Thos. Bond, John Getchell, Solomon Wyman, Samuel 
 Stone, James Stone, Joseph Twiss, Stephen Twiss, Wm. Perkins, 
 Benj. Daland jr., Henry Jacobs jr. 
 
 COMPANY OF MILITIA. 
 
 Jeremiah Page, Captain; Joseph VoxXqx, first Lieut. Henry Putnam, 
 second Lieut. Richard Skidmore, Ensign. 
 
 Privates. Samuel Stickney, James Putnam, Benj. Putnam jr., 
 Daniel Bootman, David Bootman, John Nichols jr., John Brown, Je- 
 thro Putnam, Jeremiah Putnam, Wm. Fenno, John Ward, Michael 
 Webb, Benj. Kimball, Benj. Kent, Stephen Putnam, Joseph Smith, 
 Elisha Hutchinson, Benj. Stickney, Mathcw Whipple, Enoch Thurs- 
 ton, Phillip Nurse, Robt. Endicott, David Felton, Daniel Verry, David 
 Verry, Archelaus Rea jr., James Goody, Nathan Porter, Sam. Whit- 
 temore, Nathan Putnam, Peter Putnam, Samuel Fowler, Samuel 
 Dutch, Eben Jacobs jr., Samuel Page. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 109 
 
 COMPANY OF MILITIA. 
 
 Samuel Flint, Captain. Daniel VxxXn^m. first Lieut. Joseph VxxX- 
 xinm, sec) nd Li^Mt. Israel Putnam, Ensign. 
 
 Private:. Asa Upton, Abel Nichols, Thom;is Andrew, Amos 
 Tapley, Wai. Putnam, Joseph Daniels, Joshua Douge, Jonathan 
 Sheldon, Wm, Goodaie, Benj. Russell, Mathevv Putnam, John 
 Hutchinson jr., Aaron Taplpy, Levi Preston, Peter Putnam, John 
 Preston, Dnniel LaUeman, Israel Cheever, Eleazer Pope jr., Anron 
 Gilbert, Nathaniel Smith, Jonathan Russell, Daniel Russell, Jethro 
 Russell, John Hutchinson, Stephen Russell, Geo. Small jr., Nathaniel 
 Pope jr., Joseph Tapley, S. Mudge,Wm. Whittredge, Josiah Whit- 
 Iredge, Eben Mclntyre, John Kettel, Benj. Nurse, Eleazer Goodaie, 
 Amos Buxton jr., Reuben Barthirk, James Burch, Michael Cross, 
 Israel Smith. 
 
 It is possible that some of the members of Flint's, Page's and 
 Eppes's companies, may have belonged to Salem or Beverly, though 
 who they were if any there were, cannot be ascertained. 
 
 Those engaged in the Revolution. 
 
 Ebenezer Andrew 
 Zacliariah Bray 
 Jariies Buxton 
 William Berry 
 Thomas Bond 
 Joseph Bell 
 Gideon Batchelder 
 Benj Balch 
 Prince Buxton 
 Pet(^r Barker 
 Benj. Barker 
 Beni. Beary 
 Daniel Bell 
 .lames Birch 
 Peter Buxton 
 Jonathan Ciowell 
 John Collyer 
 Ezekiel Cooper 
 Asa Chandler 
 Richard Crispin 
 John Colli!!s 
 William Col ley 
 Enoch Chenay 
 John Clinton 
 Josiah Cutter 
 Patrick Carroll 
 
 if. 
 
 Titus Canada 
 Joni. Currier 
 Nathim Dow 
 Charles Derby 
 Hepry Dwiisnclls 
 George Dwinnells 
 Amos Dwinnells 
 Ebenezer Ditle 
 Abraham Dempsey 
 William Dodge 
 Nalhiniel Downs 
 Win. Deadriian 
 John E. Dale 
 Wm. Danisey 
 S;;muel Deano 
 Richard Elliot 
 John Eppes 
 David Elwell 
 Samuel Eppes 
 J hn Endicott 
 Win. Fretoe 
 John Francis 
 Benj. Fovvle 
 John Fairfield 
 Wm. Flii.t 
 Samuel Flint 
 \0 
 
 James Gandy 
 Asa Goodaie 
 Tiistum Gtorge 
 Samuel Goodhu3 
 Andrew Gioy 
 Wm. Gilford 
 Wm. Ho;t 
 Joseph Hilburt 
 Nathan Hilburt 
 Israel Hutchinson 
 Joriath.in llovviird 
 Uri.ih Harrf'vviiod 
 John Hanovvood 
 Nath'l Haywood 
 J uiies Johnson 
 John Josselyn 
 Primus Jucobri 
 Benj. Jacobs 
 Benj. Ki(iibc:ll 
 Longlev K«'liey 
 Josiah K(:iiney 
 Eiij.:h Lewis 
 Jo.;a. Larr.ibee 
 James Larr.ibee 
 David L.irriibee 
 Samuel Le Count 
 
 ^~M 
 
110 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Benj. Loriiig Edward Pepor Tliomns To! man 
 
 Nath'l Leeds Allen Putnam Daniel Towne 
 
 Benj. Larrabee Asa Prince Asa Tupley 
 
 Daniel Mahew Jeremiah Page Joseph Tuiis 
 
 Hugh Malachy Enoch Putnam Samuel Twist 
 
 Samuel Mamsell Joseph Sorter Eliphalel. Taylor 
 
 Nath'l MTnlyre SunuelPage Joseph TU'iss 
 
 Richard Mayberry Wm. Rue George Towne 
 
 John M'Kay Jr. Jonathan Russel Daniel Verry 
 
 Roger Nourse Strphen Russel David Verry 
 
 Michael Nurse Benj. Reed Joseph Verry 
 
 James Nurse Caleb Rea Wm. Verry 
 
 Joseph Nichols Jacob Reed Bela Verry 
 
 Eli Nurse Abijah Reed ileiij, Verry 
 
 Samuel Nurse Wn). Reed Peter VVaito 
 
 Caleb Oakes Seth Richardson Joseph White 
 
 John Oaknian James Richardson Joseph Wyatt 
 
 Sylvester Osborne Thomas Rano Ihornas White 
 
 Johnson Proctor Samuel Stone Blatthevv Whipple 
 
 Titus Proctor Jeremiah Shelden Samuel Whipi'le 
 
 Aaron Putnam Daniel Shelden Ebenezer Williams 
 
 Edward Pepperell Robert Stone Jonathan Wa ite 
 
 Benj. Porter Benj. Shaw Moses Wood 
 
 John Porter John Symonds Michael Webb 
 
 Lsrael Putnam Sip Svmonds Elijah Wa«bbura 
 
 Timothy Putnam James Stone Jonathan Wood 
 
 Joseph Pillsbury Jonath.m Sefchel Thotnas Wines 
 
 Jonathan Porter John Se;chel David Whipple 
 
 Joseph Putnam Joseph Shaw Benj. Wl.ippio 
 
 Daniel Putnam "^lliomas Symonds Thos Whto 
 
 Thomas Putnum Th 'mas Stephens Benj. Woodman 
 
 Wm. Perkins Amos Smith Solomon Wyman 
 
 Jeremiah Pulnam Ephraim Smith ]\evvhall Wilson 
 
 Henry Putnam Ebenezer Sawyer Peter Welch 
 
 Eliphalel Perley Isriiel Smith David Wiikins 
 
 Nathan Porter Francis Symonds Samuel Wyatt 
 
 James Porter Wm. Towne John White 
 
 Peter Porter David Truel Jonathan Wilson 
 
 Phinehas Putnam George Tu:::ker Joshua Wyatt 
 
 Nathan Putnam David Tanner 
 
 Of these soldiers Levi Preston, Johnson Proctor, Jonathan Porter 
 and Richard Elliot are yet Iving at advanced ages. Mr. Pioctor m hi.s 
 prime stood six feet and a half in height, and now weighs about 300 
 
 lbs. These relics of another age are links in a living chain conneci- 
 
 iu" us with the Past. There are five men from Dauvers en- 
 gaged in the Mexican War. 
 
 (M.) The ship which Dummer Jewett was directed to enquire of 
 
 m 
 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. Ill 
 
 was a large one of about 400 tons, designed for the East India trade. 
 One Capt. Lee caine from England to superintend her building, and 
 to command her when finished. He died at the Phiins. The vessel 
 was launched in the night, and it drifted to the south side of the river, 
 where it laid many years, and ultimately decayed. There havebeon 
 at difterent tim^s a large number of vessels built at New Mills. As 
 many as seven have been on the stocks at one time. During the 
 Revolution, the Jupiter, Harlequin, Gen. Greene, and many other 
 privateers and vessels of war, besides merchant vessels, were bnilt 
 here. Four 20 gun ships were built in the revolution. The anchors 
 for the celebrated frigate Essex were made at the Iron Works now 
 owned by Matthew Hooper. 
 
 CHAPTER y. 
 
 The incidents worthy of note which have occured 
 since the close of the Revohation, have been few. The 
 history of a town or country in the Time of Peace, al- 
 though full of all that causes prosperity and happiness, 
 does not abound in prominent events. When the 
 storm of War sweeps over the land, every wave is 
 gigantic, while the calm tide of prosperity, though 
 freighted with abundance, does not attract particular 
 observation. 
 
 Efforts were made in the year 1784, to remove the 
 Court of Common Pleas from Salem to JSTewburyport, 
 against which the Town took an active part. In 1786 
 the Representative was instructed to use his utmost 
 exertions against paper money. He was also informed 
 that a "man in Danvers was taxed much more for ^100 
 value of property than if he was in Salem;" the people 
 declared this unjust, and urged him to abolish the dif- 
 ference. 
 
 Col. Benj. Tupper raised a company the same year 
 
" 112 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 in Beverlj and Danvers, to suppress "Shaj's Rebel- 
 lion." 
 
 According to some records, food was so scarce in 
 Essex County in 1789, that people were obliged to eat 
 tadpoles boiled with pea straw. Q his, to say the least, 
 is very questionable. 
 
 In the year 1799, John Adams's admimstration re- 
 ceived the approbation of the town, and the follov/ing 
 address was sent him : 
 
 "To John Adams, President of the United States. 
 
 "The subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Danver^ 
 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
 
 "Being fully sensible of the great advantages we De- 
 rive From a governm.ent Established by the People up- 
 on the true Principles of Equal Liberty, so far as the 
 good of Society will admit — and our entire sattisfact- 
 ion in the administration of the same, we had Just Rea- 
 son to expect that no forreign power would interfere in 
 our national aifairs, while we endeavored to support a 
 Just and strict Nutrality, by treating all the nations that 
 we are Concerned with agreeable to those principles. 
 Especially the French Republic, who we have ben Led 
 to beheve, and untill of Late Did really suppose, were 
 our best Friends; but we Now sensibly feel the injury 
 done to our Country by that Nation, in the treatment 
 of our people, & in the spoillations made upon our Com- 
 merce, and the Insults received by the unpresidented 
 treatment to our ministers at that republic, which Calls 
 For our highest Resentment. 
 
 "Please to be assured that your administration meets 
 our Fullest approbation, and that we Consider it as a 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 113 
 
 Favour of Providence that you are placed at tlie head 
 of our public affairs at this important Day. Although 
 we wish for the Continuance of Peace Upon Just and 
 honourable termes, yet we will hold ourselves ready to 
 encounter every Difficulty that our Country may call 
 us to, — before we will be dictated to by any Nation 
 on earth, or give up our soveraignty and independence, 
 well knowing that it was not without much Blood and 
 treasure — our ancestors put us in possession of the high- 
 est Privelidges we injoy as a people." 
 
 May 8th 1803, a severe snowstorm occurred, while 
 the trees were in full blossom. June 16th, 1806, was 
 a total solar eclipse. In 1807, several of the people 
 of Danvers were prosecuted by the town of Lynn for 
 taking sea-weed &c., from the latter place, for manure. 
 
 In 1808 an unsuccessful movement was made to an- 
 nex the North Parish to Salem. Before and since that 
 time, similar attempts have been made, sometimes origi- 
 nating in one part of the town, and sometimes in anoth- 
 er. In the year 1810 the town remonstrated against 
 removing the Supreme Court to Newburyport. Febru- 
 ary 2d 1811, a great snow-storm commenced and lasted 
 three days ; it drifted fifteen feet. 
 
 In 1812, the war known as the "Last War," broke 
 out. A large majority of the people of New England 
 opposed this War. Among those opposers the people of 
 Danvers took a prominent stand. On the 13th. of Ju- 
 ly, a committee was chosen to report on the "awful sit- 
 uation of our Country in consequence of the war de- 
 clared against Great Britain." Frederick Howes, Jon- 
 athan Ingersoll, Andrew Nichols Jr., Sylvester Osborn 
 
114 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 and Thomas Putnam were chosen, and they presented 
 the following Keport, which was adopted by the Town 
 with but three dissenting voices, and pubhshed in the 
 Salem Gazette. 
 
 "Whereas the safety, prosperity, and happiness of a 
 people essentially depend on the Wisdom, Virtue, and Pa- 
 triotism of those who manage their National affairs; and in 
 a free elective Government these qualifications form the 
 only just claims to Publick Confidence and employment, 
 it is therefore at all times no less the duty, than the right 
 of the citizens, to investigate the character and conduct 
 of their rulers, to subject the policy of their measures to 
 public scrutiny, and especially, in times of great Danger 
 and distress, to assemble and consult together for the 
 common good, and should they be convinced that the 
 evils which they feel, originate from the weakness or 
 corruption of their own rulers, they would be guilty of 
 treachery to their country, if they did not publicly de- 
 clare their opinion, and make use of all constitutional 
 means to effect a change of rulers, to avert the dangers 
 which threaten them, and to remove or alleviate the ca- 
 lamities which they endure ; and Whereas the United 
 States, after thirt\ years enjoyment of the blessings of 
 peace are suddenly involved in a War with Great Brit- 
 ain, and have become a party in a contest unparallelled 
 in its nature and extent, which has proved fatal to the 
 liberty and independence of so many once happy and 
 powerful nations, the people are loudly called upon to 
 assemble at this alarming crisis, and to express their 
 opinion freely, on the conduct of their Government, on 
 the justice and expediency, the causes and probable 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 115 
 
 consequences of the war, therefore Resolved : that as the 
 inhabitants of this Town were among the first to expose 
 their lives and shed their blood in defence of the rights 
 of the country, against the unjust and tyrannical claims 
 of Great Britain, and on the memorable Nineteenth of 
 April, A. D. 1775, suffered more severely (Lexington 
 excepted,) than any other town in the Commonwealth, 
 and animated by their example, and by the presence of 
 many who took an active part in that and many other 
 scenes in our late glorious revolution, we will never shrink 
 from the dangers and privations of a just and necessary 
 war — that we cherish our rights and liberties as the most 
 precious inheritance derived from our ancestors, and will 
 never surrender them to any foreign or domestic tyrant. 
 
 "Resolved, that the conduct of the government of 
 the United States for several years past, has in our opin- 
 ion exhibited decisive evidence of a strong partiality to 
 France, and enmity to Great Britain, a disposition to 
 palliate or conceal the aggressions of the one, and to 
 exaggerate those of the other: that we consider the 
 whole train of comm.ercial restrictions adopted by our 
 Government, as originating in a spirit of subserviency 
 to France, and hostility to Commerce, and the prosperi- 
 ty of the Commercial States, or at best as visionary 
 experiments and impotent attempts to coerce foreign 
 Nations : unjust, oppressive, and ruinous in their ope- 
 ration upon our own citizens, corrupting to the public 
 morals, and more destructive to the prosperity of the 
 Nation than all the aggressions of foreign powers 
 united. 
 
 "Resolved, that we consider the war declared by 
 
116 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Congress against Great Britain as unjustifiable, unnec- 
 essary, ruinous to the prosperity, and dangerous to 
 the union, liberty and independence of the United 
 States. 
 
 "As unjustifiable and unnecessary, because we be- 
 lieve that all our differences with G. Britain might 
 have been honorably adjusted by fair negotiation. 
 
 "As ruinous to our prosperity, because it will throw 
 millions of American property into the hands of the 
 enemy, reduce thousands of our fellow citizens from 
 affluence to poverty, require enormous and oppressive 
 taxes for its support, while it diminishes the means of 
 paying them, depress the spirit of honest industry and 
 laudable enterprise, expose our sea-coast to depreda- 
 tions, and exchange an honorable and lucrative com- 
 merce, for a demoralizing system of privateering. 
 
 "As dangerous to our Union, because as free com- 
 munities can be held together only by a visible and 
 solid interest, the commercial states may not retain so 
 strong an attachment to a government which subjects 
 them to such heavy burdens, and the most oppressive 
 restrictions, and deprives them of all those advantages, 
 the prospect of which, induced them to enter into the 
 federal compact. 
 
 "As dangerous to our Liberty and Independence, 
 because we believe that the Influence of France was 
 one cause of the War, and we deprecate an alhance 
 with that perfidious nation, which by violence or intrigue^ 
 has destroyed every repubhc in Europe, and whose 
 friendship is far more terrible than her arms. 
 
 "Kesolved, that we cannot believe this to be a war 
 
 i^ 
 
i HISTORY OF DANYERS. 117 
 
 intended for the protection of our seamen, which ^vill 
 throw thousands of them out of employment, expose 
 those abroad to capture and imprisonment, and many of 
 those at home to poverty and ruin ; nor as a war inten- 
 ded for the defence of our navigation and commerce, 
 which will sweep our ships from the ocean, and destroy 
 the remnant of that commerce which has escaped the 
 depredations of foreign powers, and the restrictions of 
 our own government; we view this measure as a wan- 
 ton sacrafice of those blessings with which Heaven has 
 distinguished us beyond any other nation. 
 
 "llesolved, that we consider the conduct of Con;i,ress 1 
 
 ' oil 
 
 in refusing the right of pubHc debate on a measure of 
 such importance as a war with Great Britain, and a late 
 decision of the House of Representatives, by which the 
 freedom of speech in that body is reduced to an empty 
 name, as furnishing just cause for alarm, and as a direct 
 attack upon principles essential to the preservation of 
 American liberty. 
 
 "Resolved, that the refusal of the senate of this com- 
 monwealth, (a large majority of whose members were 
 elected by a minority of the people,) to concur in any 
 one of the various modes proposed by the House of Rep- 
 resentatives for the choice of Electors of President and 
 Vice President, manifests an intention to deprive this 
 large and powerful Commonwealth of a voice in this 
 most important election, and, if persisted in, must sooner 
 or later draw down upon them the righteous indignation 
 of an injured people. 
 
 "Resolved, That we highly approve the late official 
 conduct of our Commander in Chief, and whenever the 
 
 
118 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 cause of our Country demands the services of its citi- 
 zen-soldiers, his orders we shall cheerfully obey. 
 
 "Resolved, That we\Yill use our exertions to carry in- 
 to effect the measures recommended in the late excellent 
 Address of the House of Representatives, to their Con- 
 stituents, that we will cordially co-operate with our fel- 
 low citizens in this county, or any part of the Common- 
 wealth, in all constitutional means, to obtain a speedy 
 and honorable peace, and for that purpose to elect into 
 office the friends of peace, being fully convinced that a 
 change of Riders is necessary to the Salvation" op 
 THE Country." Four delegates were chosen to attend 
 a County Convention to consult upon the proper meas- 
 ures for securing peace. Active efforts were made con- 
 tinually by our citizens, until the return of Peace. 
 Several companies were raised to resist any invasion, 
 and the utmost v/atchfulness prevailed, (a.) 
 
 June 12th, 1815, the town r-emonstrated against a 
 proposition to annex a portion of Dan vers to Salem. 
 The amendments of the Constitution of the State, pro- 
 posed in 1820, were received by Danvers ; the vote 
 standing 68 — 3., 
 
 In 1822 a memorial was drawn up and presented to 
 Congress against a general Bankrupt law. Oct. 2od, 
 1823, the Bark, Chocolate and Grist-mills belonging to 
 Gen. Foster were consumed by fire. For several days 
 in April 1825, the moon and stars were visible at noon. 
 March Tth, l8'3G, the Town voted unanimously as fol- 
 lows : To sustain a Rail-road that should go directly in- 
 to Boston, avoiding the inconvenience of any ferry, but 
 to give a preference to Winnissimet above East Bos- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. " 119 
 
 ton ferry. Dec. 19th. 1836 voted, that all dogs shall 
 wear a collar, and pay a tax of two dollars, and that a 
 bounty of fifty cents be given for each dog slain without 
 a collar. 
 
 On September 22d. 1843, a very destructive fire 
 broke out in the South Parish, which consumed the 
 Second Congregational Church, the Essex Coffee 
 House, and twelve other stores and houses, and a large 
 number of sheds and out-buildings, belonging to or oc- 
 cupied by John Dodge, Eben. Eustis, Mrs. Very, A. 
 Lunt, E. Woodbury, F. Dane, Jos. Morrison, Jonathan 
 Dustin, Southwick & Forrin, Samuel Southwick, Enoch 
 Poor, B. Goodridge, C. Lambert & Co., H. Morse, C. 
 Lowe, and the Misses Foster. The Unitarian Church 
 and several other buildings caught repeatedly, but 
 through the untiring exertions of the citizens of Dan- 
 vers and the neighboring towns, the flames were stay- 
 ed, after destroying property to the amount of $75- 
 000, of which $25,000 wore insured. The appear- 
 ance of this part of the village was by this disaster 
 nearly ruined. It has recovered the shock, however, 
 and presents its former thriving appearance. The small 
 pox prevailed considerably in the year 1844, and caus- 
 ed much alarm. There were thirty cases in the Town, 
 only four of which proved fatal. 
 
 A Post Office was established in South Danvers in 
 February, 1832, in North Danvers in 1836, and in 
 New Mills in January 1845. June 10th, the beauti- 
 ful village at the Plains was nearly ruined by a 
 destructive fire. Twelve houses, shops, &c, with many 
 out-buildings, valued at $80,000, were consumed, and 
 
120 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 the choicest portion of the vilhige reduced to ashes. 
 About $30,000 were insured. The property was own- 
 ed or occupied principally by Messrs. Amos Brown, 
 Alexander Coffin, Hayman & Rhodes, W. L. Weston, 
 E. F. Smith, Francis Noyes, Joshua Sylvester, Elias 
 Putnam, Thos. Bowen, D. P. Clough, Henry T. Ropes, 
 Village Bank, Post Office, Samuel Preston, D. S. Wil- 
 kins, D. J. Preston, and Messrs. Howe & Dodge. 
 Seventeen engines , and the labors of hundreds of zeal- 
 ous, active men, could only in some measure check the 
 flames which at one moment seemed to threaten the en- 
 tire village. It has now in a great measure recovered 
 from this adverse blow, and is hastening towards its 
 former beauty. 
 
 The month of November, 1847, was unprecedented 
 in the memory of the " oldest inhabitant." The weath- 
 er had all the bland genial warmth of the Indian Sum- 
 mer ; many forest trees budded as in Spring, and gar- 
 dens put forth the vegetables, whose seeds were scatter- 
 ed in the time of harvest. Windows were kept open, 
 and children played freely in the open air. This weath- 
 er continued until Dec. 16th. Until that time insects 
 filled the air, musquitoes Avere common, caterpillars ap- 
 peared, grass sprouted as in Spring, geese took a north- 
 erly ffight, dandelions were obtained for greens, and oth- 
 er unseasonable events designated the winter as one of 
 the most remarkable ever known in New England., 
 
 Dec. IGth, 1817, the town held a meeting, and after 
 discussing the subject of the War with Mexico, passed 
 the following resolutions, drafted by J. W. Proctor, Esq. 
 
 " Resolved^ As our opinion, that the war now pend- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 121 
 
 ing between the United States of America and the 
 United States of Mexico, was wrong in its origin^ — has 
 been wrong in its jyr ogress^ — and will be altogether 
 wrong in its continuance^ — and that no acquisition of 
 glory to our country by our valiant and victorious ar- 
 mies, will counterbalance in any measure a warfare so 
 unjust and unnatural. 
 
 " Resolved, That we view with fearful apprehension 
 the disposition to acquire additional territory by con- 
 quest, for any purpose whatever, however it may be in 
 conformity with the usages of Nations ; — and unless 
 this disposition in our Government shall be seasonably 
 restrained, we fear it will be ominous of a dissolution 
 of the Union. 
 
 " Resolved, "While we acknowledge " all men to be 
 born free and equal," we cannot consistently with this 
 principle do anything whatever that shall have a ten- 
 dency to extend that most disgraceful feature of our In- 
 stitutions, — Domestic Slavery. 
 
 " Resolved, That Justice demands the immediate 
 withdrawal of our armies from the territory of the Re- 
 pubhc of Mexico. 
 
 " Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives 
 in Congress, and our Senators and Representatives in 
 the State Legislature, are hereby requested to use all 
 lawful influence in their power to bring this unrighteous 
 war to a speedy close." 
 
 The town is at present steadily advancing in all that 
 elevates a community. In Religion, Morals, Industry, 
 Education and Health, the Town of Danvers will not 
 suflfer by comparison with any other in our highly favor- 
 
122 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 ed New England. To the tokens of her high pros peri- j 
 
 ty she can point with the pride of conscious excellence, i 
 
 and say with an ancient : | 
 
 These are my Jewels. I 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER Y. 
 
 (a ) When the frigate Constitution was driven into Marblehead 
 harbor by English Vessels, and thus effected her escape, she was seen 
 by some of the citizei\3 of New Mills. There were one or two alarms, 
 but no actual service performed on the part of the citizens of Dan- 
 vers. The "Ipswich Fright" of course prevailed here. A company 
 of minute-men, called an Alarm List, was formed at New Mills, the 
 muster roll of which is as follows: Samuel Page, Capt. ; Thomas Put- 
 nam, Lieut-, Caleb Oakes and Johci Endicolt, Sargts., John Page, 
 Cierk; and Thomas Cheever, Edward Richardson, Elooper Stimpson, 
 Stephen Brown, Samuel Pindar, John Fowler, Samuel Trickey, Wil- 
 liam Francis, Samuel Fowler, Benj Kent, iMoses Black, Daniel Put- 
 nam, Joseph Stearns, Jonas Warren, Eben Dale, George Waitt, 
 Nath'l Putnam, John W. Osgood, Allen Gould, Ebene2;er Jacobs, 
 Moses Waitt, Andrew Gould, William Trask, Israel Hutchinson, 
 George Osgood, Henry Brown, Ebenezer Berry, William Cutler, 
 Daniel Hardy, Jonathan Shelden, Seth Stetson, Michael Saunders, 
 Ezra Batchelder, Thomas Symonds, Richard Skidmore, Ephraim 
 Smith, Hercules Josselyn, Jeremiah Page, Benj. Wellington, Moses 
 I Putnam, Israel Andrew, Nath'l Mayhew, John Wheeler, David Tarr, 
 I John Russell, John Kenney, Jacob Allen, Daniel Usher, Israel Endi- 
 cott and James F. Putnam privates. Capt. Samuel Page's yard 
 I was the rendezvous. Another company was formed in the south- 
 ' ern and western portion of the Town. The following are a 
 i few of the names : Capt., Gideon Foster ; Lieutenants, John- 
 j son Proctor and Nathan Felton ; Ensign, DanielKing ; Ord. Sergt. ^ 
 { John Upton ; Privates, William Pool, Eben S. Upton, Rufus Wyman, 
 Eben Kmg, Amos King, John Goldthwaite, John Osborn, Oliver 
 Saunders, Joseph GritUn, Stephen Proctor, Asa Bushby, Asa Tapley, 
 James Wlson, Elisha Wilson, John Needham, Jona. Osborn, Amos 
 Osborn, W. W. Little, James Southwick, Joseph Shaw, George South- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 123 
 
 wick, Sylvester Osborn, jr., Benj Stephens, Benj. Gile, Elisha Gun- 
 nison, Eben Osborn, Solomon Mclntire, William Sutton, Samuel Bux- 
 ton, and about so many more whose names could not be asoertained- 
 There were two alarms when these comp.inies wero called out. One 
 was caused by a boat laden with sea-weed, passing by Hospital Point, 
 where the Artillery was posted. The boat was mistaken for a British 
 barge, and as it returned no answer on being hailed, it was fired upon. 
 The alarm of course travelled into the country, and th • whde regon 
 was thrown into confusion by the tidings that the British were about 
 landing. On the other occasion, Sept. 28ih, the Artillery wae alarm- 
 ed by some men who were drawing a seine, and by firing, the alarm 
 spread, it is said, as far as Coos County, New Hampshire. On 
 bot h of these occasions, these companies manifested a praise- 
 worthy alacrity in repairing to the spot of supposed danger. — though 
 tradition has whispered that certain members were taken with a 
 strange and uncontrollable weakness,, in these marches, and were 
 often obliged to sit down beside stone walls, &c., until the rest had 
 returned from their destination. It is probable, however, that tradi- 
 tion, which so often mistakes, is incorrect in this instance. 
 
 A fort of turf, mounted by two iron four-pounders, was built on 
 Hooper's factoi'y wharf. Several -fine English prize vessels laid ia 
 Porter's river, near Kent's shipyard, duruig the war. 
 
 CHAPTER yi. 
 
 STATISTICS, &C. 
 Representatives to the General Court and Provincial Congress. 
 
 Darnel Epes, Jr., 1754, 5, 6, 7, Qd, 7. Daniel 
 Gardner, 1759. Thomas Porter, 1760, 1, 2, 3, 5. 
 John Preston, 1764. Samuel Holten, /r., 1768, 9, | 
 70, 1, 2, 3,5, 80, 7. Wm. Shillaber, 1775. Samuel 
 Eppes, 1776. Jeremiah Hutchinson, 1777, 8, 9, 80, 
 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8. Gideon Putnam, 1784. Israel 
 Hutchinson, 1789, 91, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Caleb Low, 
 1790. Gideon Foster, 1796, 9,1800, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 
 Samuel Page, 1800, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14. 
 
124 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Nathan Raad, 1804. Nathan Felton, 1805, 6, 7, 8, 9, 
 10, 11, 12 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21. Squiers 
 Shove, 1808, 9. Dennison Wallis, 1810, 11, 12, 
 13, 19. Daniel Putnam, 1811, 17, 19. James 
 Foster, 1812, 13. Hezekiah FUnt, 1814, 15. Syl- 
 vester Osborne, 1814, 15, 17. WilUam P. Page, 
 1815, 16. Frederick Howes, 1816, 17, 18. John 
 Swinnerton, Jr., 1816. Thomas Putnam, 1817, 19. 
 WiUiam Sutton, 1822, 31. Ebenezer Shillaber, 1823, 
 32. John Page, 1823, 5, 31, 2, 3. Nathan Poor, 1823, 
 
 4, 8, 30, 1. Nathaniel Putnam, 1823. John Endi- 
 cott, 1825. Jonathan Shove, 1826, 7, 8, 9, 30, 1, 2, 
 3. Rufus Choate, 1826, 7. Robert S. Daniels, 1828, 
 30. Elias Putnam, 1829, SO. John Preston, 1831, 
 2, 3, 4. Henry Cook, 1833, 4. Andrew Lunt, 1834, 
 
 5, 6. Eben Putnam, 1834, 7. Jacob F. Perry, 1834, 
 
 6, 6. Daniel P. King, 1835, 6, 42. Allen Putnam, 
 1835, 9, 40. Joshua H. Ward, 1835, 6, 9. Caleb 
 L. Frost, 1836, 7. Samuel P. Fowler, 1837, 8, 9. 
 Lewis Allen, 1837, 8. Henry Poor, 1838, 9. Abel 
 Nichols, 1838. Fitch Poole, 1840, 1. Samuel Pres- 
 ton, 1841, 2. Frederic Morrill, 1843. Joshua Sil- 
 vester, 1843, 7. Richard Osborn,1844, 5. Henry 
 Fowler, 1844, 5, 6. Ehjah W. Upton, 1846, 7. 
 
 Previous to the year 1831^ Representatives served 
 the same year they were elected. Since that time they 
 have served the year following. Those marked 1847, 
 were really chosen for 1848. 
 
 TOWN" CLERKS. 
 
 Daniel Eppes jr., 1752, 3. James Prince, 1754,5, 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 125 f 
 
 6, 8, 9, 60. Benj. Prescott jr., 175T, 61. Gideon 
 Putnam, 1762, 72, 89 after Augasfc. Thomas Porter, 
 
 1763, 7. Archelaus Dale, 1761, 5, 6. Samuel Hol- 
 ten jr., 1768,9, 70,1,3,4,5. Stephen Needham, 
 1776, 7 after August, 1778, 9, 80, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 
 Samuel Flint, 1777 after August. Jonathan Sawyer, 
 1787 until Dec. James Porter, 1787, 8, 9 until August, 
 1790 until Nov. Samuel Page, 1790 after Nov. Gid- 
 eon Foster, 1791, 2, 3, 4. Joseph Osborne jr., 1795, 
 6, 7, 8, 9, 1800. Nathan Felton from 1801 to 1828. 
 Benj. Jacobs, 1829, 30, 1, 2, 3, 4, Joseph Shed 1835 
 to . 
 
 MODERATORS OP ANNUAL MEETINGS. 
 
 Daniel Eppes Jr., 1752, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 60, 5, 
 6, 7. Thomus Flint, 1754. Samuel Flint, 1758. 
 Thomas Porter, 1761, 2, 3, 72. Malachi Felton, 
 
 1764. Samuel Holten, 1768, 81, 4, 6, 7, 9, 90, 
 6 to 1812 inclusive. Gideon Putnam, 1769, 79, 
 83, 5, 93, 4, 5. Archelaus Dale, 1770, 3, 6. 
 Wm. Shillaber, 1771, 4, 5, 7, 8,88,91,2. Amos 
 Putnam, 1780, 2. Jonathan Ingersoll, 1813. Samu- 
 el Page, 1814. Andrew Nichols, 1815, 16, 17. Jo- 
 seph Shed, 1818. George Osgood, 1819, 21, 5, 35. 
 Thomas Putnam, 1820. Nathan Poor, 1822, 3, 4. 
 Robt. S. Daniels, 1826. Elias Putnam, 1827, 9, 31. 
 Lewis Allen, 1828 46. John W. Proctor, 1830, 2, 4, 
 6, 8, 40. John Preston, 1833, 7. Samuel P. Fowler 
 1839, 43, Abel Nichols 1841. Daniel P. King, 
 1842. , Jonathan Shove, 1844. Moses Black jr. 
 1845, 7. 
 
 g . ^i *?:? 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 TAXES. 
 
 The following is a list of the taxes paid each year, 
 so far as the books present them. 
 
 PROVINCE, TOWN AND COUNTY. 
 
 Year. 
 
 £. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 Year. 
 
 <£. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 1752 
 
 248 
 
 13 
 
 8 
 
 1767 
 
 631 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 53 
 
 256 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 68 
 
 314 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 64 
 
 287 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 587 
 
 13 
 
 9 
 
 65 
 
 345 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 70 
 
 581 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 56 
 
 709 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 71 
 
 735 
 
 19 
 
 8 
 
 5T 
 
 879 
 
 14 
 
 
 72 
 
 503 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 58 
 
 862 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 73 
 
 461 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 59 
 
 1115 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 74 
 
 374 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 60 
 
 947 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 75 
 
 405 
 
 
 
 IT 
 1 
 
 61 
 
 762 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 76 
 
 337 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 62 
 
 
 
 
 77 
 
 462 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 63 
 
 723 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 78 
 
 2,089 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 64 
 
 772 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 79 
 
 6,863 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 65 
 
 733 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 80 
 
 855,446 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 6Q 
 
 620 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 81 
 
 4,560 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 Silver. 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 Town. 
 
 Highway. 
 
 State. 
 
 
 
 1782 
 
 
 
 
 £1,460 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 ^1,000 
 
 
 
 1,468 
 
 19 
 
 2 
 
 84 
 
 700 
 
 
 £250 
 
 1,082 
 
 15 
 
 6 
 
 85 
 
 700 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 86 
 
 1,017 16 
 
 7 
 
 
 1,222 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 87 
 
 800 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 88 
 
 1,200 
 
 
 
 639 
 
 18 
 
 7 
 
 89 
 
 750 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 90 
 
 750 
 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 
 91 
 
 640 19 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 92 
 
 628 18 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 93 
 
 728 15 
 
 8 
 
 140 
 
 
 
 
 94 
 
 745 19 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 127 
 
 Year. 
 
 Town. Highway. 
 
 State. 
 
 95 
 
 ^2,911 68 ^200 
 
 
 96 
 
 2,859 48 833 33 
 
 
 97 
 
 2,899 44 833 33 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 Town. 
 
 Highway. 
 
 1798 
 
 $3,034 24 
 
 $1,000 
 
 1799 
 
 2,968 64 
 
 1,000 
 
 1800 
 
 2,909 25 
 
 1,000 
 
 1801 
 
 8,191 98 
 
 1,000 
 
 1802 
 
 4,214 39 
 
 1,000 
 
 1803 
 
 5,211 80 
 
 1,000 
 
 1804 
 
 5,144 16 
 
 1,250 
 
 1805 
 
 4,212 59 
 
 1,250 
 
 1806 
 
 8,751 62 
 
 1,250 
 
 1807 
 
 4,307 10 
 
 
 1808 
 
 4,244 38 
 
 1,500 
 
 1809 
 
 5,225 OS 
 
 1,500 
 
 1810 
 
 5.2S5 05 
 
 1,400 
 
 1811 
 
 5,350 64 
 
 1,500 
 
 1812 
 
 5,230 06 
 
 1,500 
 
 1813 
 
 4,806 60 
 
 1,200 
 
 1814 
 
 5,303 47 
 
 800 
 
 1815 
 
 5,240 10 
 
 1,000 
 
 1816 
 
 5,203 60 
 
 1,000 
 
 1817 
 
 5,158 24 
 
 1,500 
 
 1818 
 
 4,686 03 
 
 1,000 
 
 1819 
 
 5,061 52 
 
 1,000 
 
 1820 
 
 5,144 39 
 
 1,250 
 
 1821 
 
 5,113 95 ' 
 
 1,250 
 
 1822 
 
 5.270 79 
 
 1,250 
 
 1823 
 
 5,169 93 
 
 1,250 
 
 1824 
 
 5,107 09 
 
 1.250 
 
 1825 
 
 5,777 66 
 
 1,250 
 
 1826 
 
 5,724 73 
 
 1,250 
 
 1827 
 
 6,163 43 
 
 1,250 
 
 182S 
 
 6,129 25 
 
 1,250 
 
 1829 
 
 6,072 95 
 
 1,250 
 
 1830 
 
 8,363 49 
 
 900 
 
 1831 
 
 6,340 91 
 
 1,200 
 
 1832 
 
 7,722 86 
 
 1,250 
 
128 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Town. 
 
 Highway. 
 
 1833 
 
 $8,739 63 
 
 $1,250 
 
 1834 
 
 8,748 15 
 
 1,250 
 
 1835 
 
 9,35S 24 
 
 1,250 
 
 1836 
 
 9,599 77 
 
 1,250 
 
 1837 
 
 11,122 13 
 
 1,250 
 
 1838 
 
 9,682 77 
 
 1,200 
 
 1839 
 
 9.960 99 
 
 1,250 
 
 1840 
 
 11,832 74 
 
 1,500 
 
 1841 
 
 10,461 98 
 
 1,500 
 
 1842 
 
 11,415 15 
 
 1,500 
 
 1843 
 
 11,393 18 
 
 ],500 
 
 1844 
 
 12,964 85 
 
 1,500 
 
 1845 
 
 17,246 56 
 
 1,500 
 
 1846 
 
 20,612 64 
 
 1,500 
 
 The taxes on tliis amount were generally drawn from 
 men in the condition in which Agar prayed to be : neith- 
 er poor nor rich. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Danvers is both a manufacturing and an agricultural 
 town. The valuation of 1845, taken by authority of 
 the State, is thought to be underrated. It is certainly 
 below the actual condition of the town, but is as near 
 as can at present be estimated. 
 
 There is one Rolling, Slitting and Nail Mill, which 
 employs 11 hands, and works over 1000 tons of iron an" 
 nually, valued at $80,000. Capital invested, $9,000. 
 — A furnace which manufactures 50 tons of castings 
 annually, producing $4000, and employing 5 hands. 
 Capital, $1000. — An Axe Manufactory which turns off 
 2500 axes every year, valued at $3000; Capital $300 
 and 3 men employed. — 7 Saddle, Harness and Trunk 
 Manufactories employing 13 men, producing articles 
 valued at $8,200, on a Capital of $3,650. — 2 manufac- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 129 
 
 tories of Soap and Candles, employing 6 men, produc- 
 ing 624,000 lbs. of soap, 36,000 lbs. of candles, valu- 
 ed at $20,500, on a capital of $25,580.-2 Cabinet 
 factories employing 3 men producing wares valued at 
 $3,000 on a Capital of $1,050.— 4 Tin Ware Manu- 
 factories employing 11 men producing wares valued at 
 $17,000, on a Capital of $7,500.-1 Glue factory, 
 employing 8 men, realizing $25,000, on a Capital of 
 $12,000. — 61 Tanneries which annually finish 553,760 
 hides valued at $638,708. There is a Capital of $414,- 
 600 invested, and 268 Men employed. The Tanneries 
 of Danvers cover a good portion of the Town, and the 
 state of the Leather market determines the degree of 
 prosperity which the Town enjoys. There are three 
 Morocco Factories which dress 100,000 skins valued at 
 $40,000. There are 40 hands employed, on a Capi- 
 tal of $35,000. 
 
 As Danvers occupies important ground in the useful 
 business of tanning, if limits allowed, an interesting his- 
 tory of the enterprise might be given. The father of 
 the business, was Edward Southwick, a Quaker, and 
 paternal grandfather of P. R. Southwick, Esq., of Bos- 
 ton, known as an enterprising and accomplished mer- 
 chant. He was married in the year 1739, and it is' 
 probable that it was about that date, that he, as was 
 customary, "set up" in business. It is related that he 
 commenced by using half hogsheads for vats. After a 
 while as his business increased, he succeeded in getting 
 a gondola, which he used, until, after a few years he 
 sank three or four vats. He lived in the old mansion 
 opposite the monument, now occupied by one of his de- 
 
130 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 scendants. This venerable edifice was among the first 
 to adopt the comparatively modern square panes of 
 glass, in the place of the diamond leaded pane. From 
 this circumstance it was known for many years as the 
 Glass House. He died in the year 1791. 
 
 A large number of the houses have a small out- 
 building attached, in which boots and shoes are made. 
 Thus it is difficult to ascertain the amount of Capital 
 invested, but it is known that about 1,586 men, and 
 980 women are constantly employed in this important 
 business, who annually produce 1,150,300 pairs of boots 
 and shoes valued at $671,450. — 60 Men are engaged 
 in Brick-making who manufacture 4,100,000 each year, 
 valued at $24,600. — 31 Men prepare stone for build- 
 ing, amounting to $8,850. — 1 Pump and block maker 
 manufactures $500 worth yearly. — 1,200 bushels of 
 Shoo Pegs, and 40,000 Lasts valued at $8000, are 
 made each year. 5 men are employed in making lasts, 
 and a capital of $2,000 is invested. — 6 men and a 
 Capital of $1000, produce $4000 worth of Earthen 
 Ware. At one time this was the principal business in 
 town. Table Ware of "Danvers China" brought a high 
 price during the last war. A large number of our citi- 
 zens might then have been seen working like the laborer 
 mentioned in Ecclesiasticus 38: 29, 30. — 3000 Hides 
 are prepared for Pickers valued at $8,000, on a Capi- 
 tal of $2,000.-37,000 Shoe boxes valued at $14,500 
 are made, which employ 10 Men and a Capital of 
 $3000.-15000 lights of sashes &c., valued at $750, 
 are made by 2 men on a capital of $300. — The Dan- 
 vers Carpet Factory at Tapleyville owned by Messrs. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 131 
 
 Tapley, is about 182 ft long by 30 wide, operated by 
 an engine of 25 horse power, has about 30 looms in op- 
 eration, employing 60 hands, who work up 100,000 
 lbs. of wool and weave about 60,000 yards of carpet- 
 ing annually. There are stockings and some other arti- 
 cles manufactured in the toAvn. The stocking factory 
 is situated in a place which rejoices in the euphonious 
 title of the "Devil's Dishful." The name originated, 
 according to a popular story teller, in this way : A 
 husking party had assembled, and while the people 
 were at their labors in the barn, some young rogues 
 who were uninvited, dug a passage through the wall of 
 the house, into the oven, and abstracted the savory 
 contents, which they conveyed to an old ruined build- 
 ing, where they intended to rejoice in their ill-gotten 
 gains. While they revelled, an old negro who had for- 
 merly dwelt in the dilapidated mansion, who had been 
 obliged to visit foreign parts for some deed of roguery, 
 but who had returned and sought a night's lodging in 
 the cellar, hearing the noise, ascended through a trap- 
 door, and seeing the food, began to eat. His pres- 
 ence, of course, alarmed the young revellei's, and they 
 left the house precipitately, and immediately encoun- 
 tered the husking party, to whom they related their 
 adventure, (omitting the account of the theft,) and 
 from whom they received the mysterious story of the 
 abstracted pudding and beans. Strengthened by num- 
 bers, all repaired to the old hut, where they saw this 
 strange being at his meal, and to their excited imagin- 
 ations he had horns, hoofs, and a brimstone breath. 
 Fear soon drove them to their homes, and when they 
 
132 HISTOEY OF DANVERS. 
 
 returned tlie next day, only a '^dishful of pumpkin pie 
 was left on the table by the greedy Devil." Thus the 
 name ! — The "Danvers Bleaching Compan}^," with a 
 capital of $100,000, have a large establishment of 
 stone, and are about erecting others, for the purpose 
 of bleaching. Their facilities are uncommon, from the 
 remarkable purity of the water at their command. 
 
 AGRICULTURE, &C. 
 
 In Danvers there are 98 sheep worth 186 dolls, yield- 
 ing 257 lbs. of wool at 87 dolls. — There are 564 horses 
 worth 32,095 dolls, 1,321 neat cattle worth 30,435 dolls, 
 1,003 swine valued at 12,341 dolls. — Common vegetable 
 productions are raised with ease in great abundance. 
 Each year reahzes about 13,929 bushels of Indian corn at 
 8,357 dolls. ; 1315 bushels of rye at 735 dolls ; 344 
 bushels of barley at 223 dolls. ; 1353 bush, of oats at 
 502 dolls. ; 31,095 bushels of potatoes at 9,328 dolls ; 
 120,000 bushels of onions at 50,000 dolls.; other escu- 
 lents 2,160 bushels at 700 dolls. ; 3,097 tons hay at 32, 
 470 dolls. — Probably no town in the w )rld raises as ma- 
 ny onions as Danvers. — There is a great variety of rich 
 fruit produced consisting of apples, plums, etc., amount- 
 ing in full to 50,000 bushels, valued at 18,177 dolls. 
 Besides these, Danvers produces 52,550 lbs. of butter ; 
 1,450 lbs. of cheese; 3,500 lbs. of honey ; 200 tons 
 of squashes ; 150,000 dolls, worth of beef and pork for 
 market; 47,452 galls, of milk; 3,726 cords of fire 
 wood, valued at 15,400 dolls., &c., &c. 
 
 At all agricultural fairs, cattle shows, etc., Danvers 
 is usually represented, and premiums on domestic arti- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 133 
 
 cles, agricultural products and live stock, prove the ex- 
 cellence of our soil and the industry of our people. 
 
 The Osborne Cow, belonged to Mr. Philip Os- 
 borne, and produced 20 qts. of milk weighing 58 lbs., 
 daily. Her milk was sold at 4 cts. per quart, which 
 reahzed five dollars and sixty cents weekly. To test 
 its real excellence, the owner saved the milk one week 
 and it made 18 1-2 lbs. of nice butter. 
 
 The Oakes Cow, belonging to Caleb Oakes, was a 
 very remarkable animal. She was of middling size, but 
 on evidence satisfactory to the Massachusetts Agricul- 
 tural Society, she produced from April 5th to Sept. 
 25th, 484 lbs. of butter, being about 20 pounds each 
 week. 
 
 The Nourse Cow produced nearly the same amount 
 and the Pond Cow gave 14 qts of milk daily, for ten 
 consecutive months. 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 Village Bank. Incorporated 1836. Capital 120- 
 000 dollars. Discount days Mondays and Thursdays. 
 First President, Hon. Elias Putnam. Officers : Pres- 
 dent, Moses Putnam ; Cashier, W. L. Weston ; Direc- 
 tors, Moses Putnam, Moses Black, Joshua Silvester, 
 Daniel Richards, John Wright (Topsfield,) x\aron 
 Putnam, Joseph S. Black. 
 
 Danvers Bank. Inc., 1825. Capital 150,000 dol- 
 lars. Discount days Tuesdays and Fridays. First 
 President, William Sutton. Officers : President, Eben. 
 Shillaber ; George A. Osborne, Cashier ; Directors, 
 Eben. Shillaber, Caleb L. Frost, Eben Sutton, Jo- 
 
134 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 seph Shaw, Robert S. Daniels, David Daniels, Asa 
 Sawyer. 
 
 Warren Bmik. Inc., 1831. Capital 120,000 dol- 
 lars. Discount days Mondays and Thursdays. First 
 President, Jonathan Shove. Officers : President, Eli- 
 jah W. Upton ; Cashier, Francis Baker ; Directors, 
 E. W. Upton, Kendal Osborne, Henry Poor, Oliver 
 Saunders, Sylvester Osborne, jr., Lewis Allen, Gilbert 
 Tapley, Franklin Osborne, Benjamin Wheeler, Chas. 
 Lambert, George Osborne, Benj. Porter. 
 
 Danvers Mutual Fire hisiirance Cortipany, Insti- 
 tuted 1829. First President, Ebenezer Shillaber. 
 Officers: President, Henry Cook; Geo. A. Osborne, 
 Secretary. Amount at risk, 700,000 00. Directors, 
 Henry Cook, Robert S. Daniels, Benjamin Wheeler, 
 Eben S. Upton, Dr. Joseph Osgood, Dr. George Os- 
 borne, Lewis Allen, Henry Poor, John Whitney. 
 
 COMMERCE. 
 
 The facilities for navigation presented by Crane, 
 Waters' and Porter's Rivers, have been improved, and 
 the New Mills Village has been and is a place of a 
 good degree of business importance. During the past 
 year there have been 127 arrivals at this port ; — 106 
 schooners and 21 sloops. These brought 37 cargoes 
 of wood and bark ; 35 of flour and corn ; 15 of lum- 
 ber ; 9 of lime ; 2 of salt ; 1 of molasses, and 1 of 
 coal. Bricks and onions have been exported. Be- 
 sides these there have been 30 arrivals at the Iron 
 Factory of coal, wood, lumber, etc. 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 135 ft 
 
 FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The very effective Fire Department of Danvers com- 
 menced Aug. 25tli, 1800, when two engines were pur- 
 chased, one of which was placed at the Bell Tavern 
 and the other at New Mills. Two more were added in 
 the year 1821. At present there are eight excellent 
 engines, two sail cars, eleven hook and ladder stations, 
 and twenty -five reservoirs, located in appropriate places. 
 These engines have rendered faithful service not only 
 in Danvers but in several of the neighboring towns. 
 During the past year the town has expended 2.591 
 dolls. 16 cts. on the department. 
 
 ASSOCIATIONS &C. 
 
 Free Masons, Jordan Lodge ; 50 members ; Insti- 
 tuted in 1808. 
 
 Female Benevolent Society, This Institution accom- 
 plishes much good among the poor of our vicinity. 
 There is a laughable anecdote related of it. When 
 Rev. Geo. Cowles was settled with the 2d Cong. Soci- 
 ety, he desired to see the records of this Benevolent 
 Association. The Secretary, on examining the books, 
 found the following entry in several instances : ^'The 
 Society met, and as no one attended, it adjourned!^'* 
 
 Danvers Mechanic Institute, Inc. 1811 ; 140 mem- 
 bers ; a Library of 1800 volumes. 
 
 Rechabites, Howard Tent No. 87 ; 53 members ; 
 Instituted March, 1845. 
 
 Sons of Temperance, Monumental Division No. 
 5 ; Instituted Aug. 1845. 
 
136 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Odd Fellotvs. Holten Lodge No. 104 ; 41 mem- 
 bers ; Instituted Jan., 1846. 
 
 Daughters of Bechah. Samaritan Tent No. 22 ; 
 19 members ; Instituted May, 1847. 
 
 Besides tbese, are various societies auxiliary to 
 the churches ; ^Anti-Slavery, Temperance, Literary, 
 &c. 
 
 POOR HOUSE. 
 
 The unfortunate poor have always been regarded 
 with tenderness by our citizens, and they have receiv- 
 ed comfortable accommodations. Previous to the year 
 1808, a building was owned by the town for the above 
 laudable purpose. In that year a farm and buildings 
 were purchased of Nathaniel Nurse for 7,000 dollars, 
 for the use of the poor, and the old alms-house was 
 sold in the year following. In the year 1844 a splend- 
 id establishment was completed at a cost of 12,750 
 dolls. 69 cts. Besides the Poor House and Hospital, 
 there are 100 acres of woodland, 100 acres of tillage, 
 meadow and pasture, a lot of salt marsh in Saugus, 
 and stock, implements, hay, etc. enough belonging to 
 the establishment to render its value about 24,000 
 dollars. The average number of inmates for the year 
 1846, was 58 ; these were supported at an expense 
 of 3,458 dolls. During the year there were four 
 deaths. For convenience, cleanliness, order and archi- 
 tectural beauty, there are but few buildings in the Town 
 or County that can be said to surpass it. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 137 
 
 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 In the year 1812 the first Temperance Society in the 
 world, probably, — certainly the first in America, — was 
 formed. It was called the Massachusetts Society for the 
 Suppression of Intemperance. It consisted of about 
 125 members, of whom Joseph Torrey, Samuel Hol- 
 TEN and Benjamin Wadsworth, vyere from this town. 
 The first public society for the suppression of intemper- 
 ance in this town, was the Danvers Moral Society, 
 formed in February 1814, when it was by no means 
 a popular act for a man to announce himself a temper- 
 ance man. Art. 12, of the Constitution sets forth the 
 objects of the Society : *' The members of this Society 
 being fully convinced that the daily use of ardent spir- 
 its is unnecessary and prejudicial to health, do agree to 
 exert their influence against," etc. This Society num- 
 bered the most respectable and influential citizens of 
 the toAvn. The first Board of Officers was the follow- 
 ing : Hon. Samuel Holten, President ; E,ev. Benjamin 
 Wadsworth and Rev. Samuel Walker, Vice Presidents ; 
 Dr. Joseph Torrey, Rec. Sec. ; Dr. Andrew Nichols, 
 Cor. Sec. ; Fitch Pool, Treasurer ; Eleazer Putnam, 
 Samuel Page, John Endicott, Sylvester Osborne, Jas. 
 Osborne, James Brown, William Sutton, Nathan Fel- 
 ton. Counsellors. For several years it was customary 
 to have a yearly lecture. In May 1833, the word 
 ^° daily" was stricken from the article above quoted. 
 
 The first public action on the part of the Town was 
 had March 30th, 1818, when the thanks of the Town 
 were presented to the Selectmen for their zeal in en- 
 
 12 
 
138 HISTORY OF DANVERS. f 
 
 deaYoring to preYent a portion of the people from wast- 
 ing " health, time and estate in drinking"; and they 
 were earnestly requested to continue their efforts. It 
 was customary at this time to post the names of all 
 common drunkards in conspicuous places. May 7th, 
 1827, a committee of nine was raised to prosecute all li- 
 censed persons who infringed the laws^ and all^unlicensed 
 persons who sold ardent spirits. Dr. Ebenezer 
 Hunt this year delivered the first public address in 
 Danvers advocating total abstinence. lie received the 
 thanks of the Society for his " ingenious and independ- 
 ent" address. In June 1831, the Overseers of the 
 Poor were instructed to furnish no more alcohol to the 
 Paupers, unless prescribed by a ph^^sician. Danvers 
 was among the first towns in the Commonwealth to re- 
 fuse to grant licenses, which it did March 4th, 1833 ; 
 accordingly no intemperance has been manufactured by 
 law for fifteen years. The following year a committee 
 was chosen to correspond with other towns in relation to 
 granting Ucenses, m order to gain information on which 
 to ground judicious action. April 4th, 1836, eight 
 hundred females, " our wives, mothers, daughters and 
 sisters," petitioned the legal voters to " act as well as 
 to tJiinJc'^ against intemperance. April 3d, 1837, John 
 W. Proctor, Esq., presented several very excellent 
 Resolutions in behalf of Temperance, and paid inci- 
 dentally a handsome rebuke to the authorities of Sa- 
 lem, by requesting them, if they insisted upon legaliz- 
 ing the rum traffic, not to locate their dram shops on 
 the immediate borders of Danvers. This request was 
 !j very appropriate, when we remember that Salem 
 
 yi_„ M 
 

 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 139 
 
 has always been a source of drunkenness to Danvers. 
 The Resolutions were unanimously adopted. From that 
 time onward sober influences have been increasing. 
 The people are constantly on the watch to guard against 
 this fruitful source of crime and misery. The different 
 Societies organized to effect the eradication of intem- 
 perance, ma}'- be seen in the chapter of Statistics. 
 
 The following bill in the possession of John Page, 
 Esq., will show us the advance made in Sobriety and 
 Temperance by our people. 
 
 Dr. Coll. Page fowerman Grand Jury 
 
 Nom 6 To 15 Deners at 2s 
 
 For 1 *Duball Bole Grog 4s 
 
 For Duballs punch IGs 
 
 To 15 Deners at 23 
 
 To 1 Glass Brandy 3d, to 9 Boles 
 
 Grog 
 To 3 Glass Brandy Is to 1 Boles 
 Gyo'I Is 
 
 o 
 
 To 2 Duballs Boles punch 
 
 To 1 mug flip Is 
 
 To 8 Boles punch 6s 
 
 To 5 Boles punch 203 
 
 To 2 mugs flip 2s 
 
 To 15 Deners at 2s 
 
 To 6 Shetes Peaper 
 
 £7 9t9 
 Eecd the Above Salem Nov. 9. 1786 
 
 Jona Webb 
 *double. (tl7?) 
 
 Curious Town documents might be quoted, showing 
 I that our Selectmen were not always the sober, grave 
 
 £1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
140 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 fathers they are in modern times. Their bills for grog 
 were usually larger than those for more solid comforts. 
 At the place where Tapley's Brook crosses the South 
 Reading Road, there was formerly a public house, and 
 credible tradition relates, that the boundaries between 
 Salem and Danvers which are described by that road 
 were settled upon an occasion when the Selectmen of 
 the two towns assembled in the aforesaid public 
 house, and " perambulated the bounds" by getting 
 essentially drunk together. — Those days of folly have 
 passed, however, and Danvers now stands in the front 
 rank of the Advocates of this great Reform. 
 
 SLAVERY. 
 
 In common with other portions of New England, 
 there were Slaves in this town until the abolition of Sla- 
 very in Massachusetts. In 1755 there were nine male 
 and sixteen female slaves in the District of Danvers. The 
 anti-slavery spirit has always prevailed very extensively 
 in the town, and while the Slave here finds some of his 
 warmest friends, the accursed Institution which is built 
 of human bones, and cemented with human blood, finds 
 here uncompromising foes. As early as the year 1819 
 when the Missouri question was agitated, a letter was 
 addressed by the citizens to Hon. Nath'l Silsbee on this 
 important subject, of which the following is the sub- 
 stance. They assure Mr. Silsbee of the gratification 
 they experience in finding him, and most of the delega- 
 tion from Mass. opposed to the extension of Slavery ; 
 they say further, to be silent under the existing circum- 
 stances would be criminal ; they fear that the evil of 
 
HISTORY OP DANVERS. 141 
 
 Slavery may become perpetual ; they earnestly hope 
 that every practicable exertion -will be made, to hasten 
 ^he time, when tlie republic shall \^dtncss the complete 
 emancipation of the African ; they affirm that Congress 
 has power to act on the question of Slavery, and trust 
 they "possess the ivill and inclination to act rightly,'' 
 which views they endorse by quotations from the Consti- 
 tution ; they add: 
 
 "May we not, Sir, be permitted to indulge the hope, 
 that the cause of humanity will ultimately prevail ; that 
 ere long this infernal traffic in human flesh, will be 
 completely and entirely abolished ? With the highest 
 satisfaction, we have witnessed the eflforts that have been 
 made and are now making in the European world, to 
 effect this most desirable of all objects. And shall the 
 United States, emphatically a land of boasted liberty 
 and equal rights, be backward in a cause so noble, and 
 so good? In a cause that most forcibly appeals for aid, 
 to every principle of Patriotism, of Humanity, and of 
 Religion. Forbid it Heaven ! Forbid it Justice !" 
 They ask Mr. S. to excuse the warmth of their language, 
 saying: "on subjects of this kind, it is not easy at all 
 times to keep within the due bounds of moderation." 
 Signed, Edward Southwick, William Sutton, Thomas 
 Putnam, Andrew Nichols, John W. Proctor. To this 
 address, Mr. S. returned a suitable reply. 
 
 Since that time the people of all classes have arrayed 
 
 themselves on the side of freedom, and have sent out a 
 
 constant and powerful influence for the wronged and 
 
 oppressed Negro. Among the churches which have 
 
 1 spoken officially may be mentioned the Methodist, the 
 
 
142 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 •I 
 
 Third Congregational, and the First and Second Univer- 
 salist. A thorough organic opposition prevails, ex cath- 
 edra. 
 
 It will perhaps amuse the antiquarian, to see the fol- 
 lowing documents which reveal to us the past state of af- 
 fairs in our own town. Tlie first is from John Page 
 Esq., and the second from Warren M. Jacobs. 
 
 ''Danvers April 19th, 1766. 
 "Rec'd of Mr. Jeremiah Page Fifty Eight pound, 
 thirteen shillings & four pence lawfull monev and a Ne- 
 gro-woman called Dinah, which is in full for a Negro 
 woman called Combo, and a Negro girl called Cate, and 
 a Negro child called Deliverance or Dill, which I now 
 Sell and Deliver to je said Jeremiah Page. 
 
 "Witness ( Jona. Bancroft John Taplej 
 I Ezek Marsh" 
 
 "Dill" is now living in Salem. 
 
 "Recieved of Mr. Ebenezer Jacobs of Danvers the 
 sum of Fourtj five Pounds six shillings and Eight pence 
 Lawfull Monj, which is in full, Satisfaction for a Negro 
 Boy Named Primus, which I have this Day sold to the 
 s'd Jacobs. 
 
 X.45, 6, 8d Daniel Epes Jun. 
 
 "Danvers Aprill ye 30th, 1754" 
 
 Primus was a brave soldier in the Revolution. 
 
 The following extract from Cutler's Life of Putnam 
 will show us the New England method of punishing re- 
 fractory slaves, — a method more marked with severity 
 than justice. It occurred in Danvers, before Israel 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 143 n 
 
 Putnam removed to Comiecticut. It should be pre- 
 mised that CuDGE belonged to a neighbor of Putnam's. 
 
 " By some means, his mistress had grievously of- 
 fended the negro. He became so enraged, that he 
 swore he would take her life ; and neither soothing 
 words, nor threats, had any effect to pacify him. The 
 family was thrown into the greatest alarm, knowing 
 that his temper was of that ungovernable savage char- 
 acter that nothinsT would restrain him from indulcrins: 
 it. In this state of things, his master devised a plan 
 for the permanent relief of his family. Having made 
 his arrangements, he went out into the field with his 
 hoe in his hand, and said — 
 
 "Cudge, you have had rather hot work getting in the 
 potatoes." 
 
 "Yes, massa, hot enough.'' 
 
 "Well, I am going to give you a play-day. I have 
 sold fifty bushels, to be delivered on board a vessel at 
 the wharf in Salem, and if you would like it, you may 
 go in with the load." 
 
 "Oh! yes, massa; like it very well." 
 
 "You may have the whole day, Cudge. So you 
 can take your fiddle with you, and play a jig for the 
 sailors, and so get a few coppers for yourself." 
 
 "Cudge was highly pleased with the proposal, and 
 started off in great glee. 
 
 "Having unloaded his potatoes, the sailors, who had 
 been let into the secret and received their instructions 
 beforehand, called upon Cudge to bring out his fiddle 
 and play them a jig, that they might have one merry 
 dance before going to sea. 
 
144 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 "The negro showed his teeth, and his fiddle too ; and 
 presently the deck of the brig was as merry as a coun- 
 try ball-room at Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the dancers 
 were not niggardly in "joaying the piper." The cop- 
 pers fell on this side and that, and Cudge was some- 
 what disconcerted in his measure, by the necessity of 
 breaking off and running after them, to prevent them 
 from going out at the scuppers. Presently, one of the 
 sailors said — 
 
 "Cudge, your fiddle is getting dry ; you must go 
 below and rosin your hoiv^ This was another phrase 
 for "wetting his whistle," or taking a dram. 
 
 "Cudge took the hint with alacrity, and adjourned 
 with two or three of the party to the forecastle. Here, 
 with drinking, fiddling, singing and dancing, two or 
 three hours passed away, and Cudge had almost filled 
 his pockets with coppers. At length, starting up, as 
 from a dream, he exclaimed : 
 
 "Yah ! I must go up, and see how the cattle stand." 
 
 "He went up ; but, to his utter amazement, there 
 was neither cattle nor cart to be seen ; no, nor houses, 
 nor wharf. The brig was many miles out at sea, and 
 Cudge w^as bound to a southern clime, where slaves 
 could be more easily managed than on the hardy soil 
 of New England. He went to the same market with 
 his potatoes, and was sold for the same account." 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The excellent Common Schools of Dan vers had a very 
 humble origin. They are not as old as those of other 
 towns, from the fact that the people of this vicinity were 
 compelled at first to support those of Salem, and were thus 
 
f[ ' HISTORY OF DANVERS. 145 
 
 disqualified from sustaining schools for themselves. In 
 March 1711 the Village Parish voted unanimously to 
 have a '-Scolle master." Evidently the "Scolle master" 
 was abroad when the Clerk recorded the vote. In the 
 year 1713 widow Katharine Daland received five pounds 
 for teaching, and seven pounds in addition were raised to 
 devote to instructing youth. From that time onward, 
 the Schools have increased in number and excellence. 
 In 1734 the Village Parish, raised X37, 6, 6, and the 
 Middle Precinct raised X47, 4, 11 for the support of 
 schools. 
 
 The following extracts are from a Manuscript owned 
 by Hon. D. P. King: ''A Record of what ye School 
 Committee did in Respect of Schooling ye Youth in the 
 Third parrish in Salem In ye year 1736, by Samil 
 King Junr. Chosen Cleark. 
 
 "Decemr ye 27th, at a meeting of ye Comt. 1'-' 
 we have agreed to Errect Four Schools in ye Parrish : 
 2'^ agreed yt Collo. Daniel Epes Mr. Abel Gardner 
 Wm Osborn, Robart Wilson & John Waters Junr, or 
 ye Major part of ym, to Errect a School in yt quarter 
 of ye Parish & Capt Sam'l Endicott Mr Thorndick 
 Procter John Felton and Daniel Marbell or ye Major 
 part of ym to Errect a School in yt quarter of ye Par- 
 rish and Mr Ezekiel Goldthwait Mr Ezekel Marsh Pe- 
 ter Twist Junr. & Saml King Junr. or ye Major part of 
 ym to Errect two Schools yt may Best sute That part 
 of ye Parrish." 
 
 Stephen Osborn, Malachi Felton, Zach. King, Eze. 
 kiel Marsh and Jonathan Moulton were male teachers 
 this year, and ten female teachers were employed in the 
 
146 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Middle Precinct during the Summer of 1737. The 
 males received c£ 2 monthly wages, and the females six- 
 pence each week. 
 
 At a meeting in the Middle Precinct, on the seven- 
 teenth of March, 1739, it was voted, ^'that ye Parish 
 Comittee be Desired to talk with a man to keep a school 
 in this parish for Learning Lattin, Writing, Cyphering 
 and Reading.-' A Schoolhouse was built in 1748 "7 
 feet between Joynts, and 18 feet one Avay, and 22 feet 
 the other way, by ye road between Ensign John Proc- 
 tor's and Mr. Daniel Marble's, by or near ye Great 
 Rock in ye Road." ''It being put to a vote (in 1756) 
 whether the son of Mr. Fuller of Middleton could go 
 to school in this parish from this time to next Com- 
 mencement it passed in the Negative." 
 
 In 1765, it was voted to build a schoolhouse on the 
 land belonging to the Middle Parish. This year a 
 school was kept six months in each parish. Ten were 
 kept in 1777 three months each. The town was com- 
 plained of in 1783 for neglecting to sustain a proper 
 number of schools. Great efforts were made in 1793 
 to establish regular district schools. They remained 
 under the general supervision until 1809, when the 
 town was divided into nine districts. Subsequently, 
 the seventh, first, eleventh, second, and sixth districts 
 were divided, which made fourteen school districts, the 
 present number. 
 
 The following is the summary account for the year 
 1846 : 
 
t- --. ■- ' : ■.: 
 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVETIS 
 
 
 147 
 
 
 o 
 
 5^ 
 
 o 
 
 1 Z 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 
 > 
 
 ^^ 
 
 o^ , 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 -*> 
 
 p: 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 2-S 
 ^ o 
 
 3 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 2 CD 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 M 
 
 to 
 
 •2. O 
 
 o ■ 
 
 ' 5* 
 
 
 " P 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o' — 
 
 
 1 
 
 121 
 
 145 
 
 266 
 
 $3 
 
 ^^798 
 
 $ 
 
 §8U«: 
 
 2 
 
 98 
 
 107 
 
 205 
 
 
 615 
 
 
 615 
 
 
 o 
 
 22 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 105 
 
 60 
 
 165 
 
 
 4 
 
 25 
 
 29 
 
 54 
 
 
 162 
 
 40 
 
 202 
 
 
 5 
 
 60 
 
 49 
 
 109 
 
 
 327 
 
 
 827 
 
 
 f? 
 
 64 
 
 45 
 
 109 
 
 
 327 
 
 
 327 
 
 
 7 
 
 30 
 
 29 
 
 59 
 
 
 177 
 
 20 
 
 197 
 
 
 8 
 
 55 
 
 37 
 
 92 
 
 
 276 
 
 
 276 
 
 
 9 
 
 19 
 
 18 
 
 37 
 
 
 111 
 
 60 
 
 171 
 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 30 
 
 68 
 
 
 204 
 
 20 
 
 224 
 
 
 11 
 
 136 
 
 130 
 
 266 
 
 
 798 
 
 
 798 
 
 
 12 
 
 74 
 
 m 
 
 142 
 
 
 426 
 
 
 426 
 
 
 13 
 
 80 
 
 84 
 
 164 
 
 
 492 
 
 
 492 
 
 
 . 14 
 
 48 
 
 36 
 
 84 
 
 
 252 
 
 
 252 
 
 
 
 
 870 
 
 820 
 
 1690 
 
 5070 
 
 200 
 
 5280 
 
 
 About 900 of these studied Geographj, Writing, 
 Arithmetic and English Grammar, and all pursued 
 Reading and Orthography. The other studies are as 
 follows : Logic 1, Rhetoric 2, Geometry 2, Political 
 Economy 2, Latin 3, Geology 3, Bookkeeping 28, 
 Astronomy 30, Physiology 45, Algebra 50, Philoso- 
 phy 88, Composition 195, History 320. 
 
 STREETS, &C. 
 
 The old Ipswich highway was the first road laid out 
 in Danvers, about the year 1630. About the same 
 time, roads were made, branching from the highway 
 
\ 148 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 
 
 to the village, to that part where Amos King now 
 lives, a road through the ancient Brooksbj, and others 
 after these as necessity demanded. The jSfewburjport 
 Turnpike was incorporated about 1802 and the Essex 
 Turnpke about 1809. The streets are as follows : 
 
 Foster, Mill, Main, Central, Lowell, Wallis, Grove, 
 Holten, Washington, Sewall, Summer, Spring, Frank- 
 lin, Chesnut, Elm, Andover, Liberty, Walnut, Pier- 
 pont, in the south parish ; and Water, High, Purchase, 
 Maple, Locust, Cedcir, Willow, Ash, Sylvan, Poplar, 
 Cherry, Yillage, Pine and Collins, in the north parish. 
 Besides these streets, convenient roads lead to all parts 
 of the country, and the Essex Rail Koa(i^from Salem 
 to Lawrence, renders access to the different quarters 
 of New England feasible, while the convenient chan- 
 nel of Porter's R-iver, opens a communication with the 
 sea, which lies but two miles away. 
 
 COLLEGE GRADUATES. 
 
 Citizens of Danvers, who have received a Collegi- 
 ate education, with the name of the Institution at 
 which they graduated, — the time of taking their de- 
 gree, — subsequent occupation^ or profession, — present 
 place of residence, &c. &c.. including all those known 
 to have resided in town one year or more. 
 
 FURNISHED BY J. W. PROCTOR. 
 
 James Bayley, Harv., 1669, clerg., Danvers. 
 Geo. Burrows, Harv., 1670, clerg., Danvers. 
 Samuel Parris, Harv., 1675, clerg., Danvers. 
 Joseph Green, Harv., 1695, clerg., Danvers. 
 John Tufts, Harv., 1708, farmer, Danvers. 
 

 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 149 
 
 Benjamin Prescott, Harv., 1709, clerg. Dan vers. 
 
 Peter Clark, Harv., 1712, clerg. Danvers. 
 
 Daniel Putnam, Harv. 1717, farmer, Danvers. 
 
 James Putnam, Harv., 1746, farmer, Danvers. 
 
 Nathan Holt, Harv., 1757, clerg. Danvers. 
 
 Daniel Eppes, Harv., 1758, teacher, Danvers. 
 
 Timothy Pickering, Harv., 1763, Judge C. C. P., 
 Danvers. 
 
 Tarrant Putnam, Harv., 1763, gent., Danvers. 
 
 Archelaus Putnam, Harv., 1768, phys., Danvers. 
 
 Benjamin Wads worth, Harv., 1769, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 David Daniels, Harv., 1776, merch., Danvers. 
 
 Nathan Read, 1781, Harv. merch., Belfast* 
 
 Samuel Putnam, Harv., 1787 couns. at law, Boston. 
 
 Samuel Mead, Harv., 1787, clerg., Amesbury. 
 
 Israel Andrew, Harv., 1789, teacher, Danvers. 
 
 Nathaniel Storrs, Dart., 1796, teacher, Boston. 
 
 R. H. French, Hirv., 1793, couns. at law, Salem. 
 
 Parker Cleveland, Harv., 1790, profess, at Bruns- 
 wick. 
 
 Jeremiah Chaplain, Brown, 1799, clerg., Waterville. 
 
 Samuel Walker, Dart., 1802, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 William P. Page, Harv, 1809, clerg., N. Y. 
 
 Israel W. Putnam, Dart., 1809, clerg., Middlcbor- 
 ough. 
 
 Daniel Poor, Dart., 1811, clerg., Miss, at Ceylon. 
 
 Frederic Howes, Harv., 1811, couns. at law, Salem. 
 
 Andrew Bigelow, Harv., 1813, clerg., Boston. 
 
 John Walsh, Harv., 1814, couns. at law, Boston. 
 
 JohnW. Proctor, Harv. ,1816, couns. at law, Danvers. 
 
 George Osborne, Harv., 1818, phys., Danvers. 
 a 13 
 
 MS 
 
150 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Ebenezer Poor, Dart., 1818, clerg., Ohio. 
 
 Milton P. Braman, Harv. 1819, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 Rufus Choate, Dart., 1819, couns. at law, Boston. 
 
 William Oakes, Harv., 1820, couns. at law, Ipswich. 
 
 George Cowles, Yale, 1823, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 John Marsh, Harv., 1823, phjs., California. 
 
 Daniel P. King, Harv., 1823, gent., Danvers. 
 
 Harrison (x. Park, Brown, 1824, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 Joseph Osgood, Harv., 1824, phjs,, Danvers. 
 
 Allen Putnam, Harv., 1825, clerg., Dorchester. 
 
 John B. Richardson, Dart., 1828, clerg., Lawrence. 
 
 Joshua H.Ward, Harv., 1829, couns. at law, Salem. 
 
 Charles C. Sewall, Bowd., 1829, clerg., Medfield. 
 
 Samuel P. C. King, Am., 1831, farmer, Danvers, 
 
 Joseph W. Eaton, Harv., 1832, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 Thomas P. Field, Am. 1834, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 Richard Tolman, Am., 1839, clerg., Danvers. 
 
 Ezekiel Marsh, Yale, 1839, clerg., Connecticut. 
 
 William D. Northend, Bowd., 1843, couns. at law, 
 Danvers. 
 
 Alfred A. Abbott, Yale, 1843, couns. at law, Dan- 
 vers. 
 
 Augustus E. Daniels, Harv., 1846, gent, Diinvers. 
 
 COUNSELLORS AT LAW. 
 
 Although Danvers has given support to but few mem- 
 bers of the Bar, yet most of those gentlemen of the 
 Legal profession who have resided here have been dis- 
 tinguished. Frederick Howes, Ralph H. French and 
 Joshua H. Ward now of Salem, were at one time resi- 
 dents of Danvers, and were highly esteemed. Rufus 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 151 
 
 Clioate the distinguished head of the Suffolk Bar, com- 
 menced his legal career in Danvers. Frederic Morrill, 
 is at present in Maryland, and John Walsh is in Bos- 
 ton. The present resident lawyers are John W. Proc- 
 ter, Alfred A. Abbott and Wm. D. Northend. Mr. 
 Proctor is a lineal descendant of John of that name, 
 who was executed for witchcraft, and probably no one 
 of the present generation has taken so active a part in 
 the affairs of the town, he having served on the Board 
 of School Committee about a quarter of a century, and 
 constantly linked his name with the History of Danvers. 
 Besides these, the following gentlemen have taken a tem- 
 porary residence in this town. George Lamson, John 
 Walsh, Benjamin Tucker, Benj. L. OHver, Edward Lan- 
 der Jr., &c. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 Previous to the incorporation of Danvers as a town, 
 the physicians who practised here were mostly from Sa- 
 lem. Probably Jonathan Prince who lived on Inger- 
 soll Hill, was the first resident physician. He was fath- 
 er of Capt. Asa Prince, and great grandfather of Rev, 
 John Prince, now of Danvers. He was a pupil of Dr. 
 Toothaker of Billerica, and preceptor of Drs. Amos 
 Putnam and Samuel Holten. See the biography of 
 the latter. Amos Putnam was a Surgeon in the 
 French War, at the close of which, and for half of a 
 century after, he practised medicine in his native town. 
 He was a Justice of the Peace. A Dr. Chickering 
 from Andover resided here about a year, commencing 
 in 1793. Parker Cleveland father of the Professor 
 
152 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 
 
 of that name was here from 1796 to 1798. Joseph 
 Osgood commenced practice m 1773, and remained 
 12 years, "when he removed into Salem, retaining how- 
 ever a large practice in South Danvers until his death, 
 which was in 1809 or 10. A Dr. Nutting was here 
 from 1791 to '99, and a David Hildreth about the 
 same time. Joseph Torrey succeeded Dr. Cleveland, 
 and remained from 1800 to 1820. He now resides in 
 Beverly. Archelaus Putstam was a distinguished 
 physician who flourished 75 years since. He gradua- 
 ted in 1763. A Dr. Bowers lived here about two 
 years about the year 1800. He conducted a small pox 
 Hospital. James Putnam a son of Amos, practised 
 30 years previous to 1812. A Dr. Carleton settled 
 at New Mills about 1823. Besides these there have 
 been Drs. Clapp, Gilley, Little, Peabody, Gould, 
 Porter, (now of Wenham,) Bush, Patten, and per- 
 haps others. Edward Southwick practised two years 
 in partnership with Andrew Nichols, when he removed 
 to Vassalboro' Maine, and devoted the remainder of 
 his life to manufacturing and mercantile pursuits. 
 
 The resident physicians are George Osgood, who 
 settled in 1807 ; Joseph Shed 1807 ; Andrew Nich- 
 ols 1808; Joseph Osgood 1827 ; Ebenezer Hunt 
 1823; David A. Grosvenor 1839; S. A. Lord 
 1847. 
 
 Dr. Nichols has published ^'An Address before Jor- 
 dan Lodge, Dec. 25, 1811;" ^'Address before the 
 Danvers Society for suppressing Intemperance, April 
 27, 1819;" An Agricultural Address 1820; "The 
 Spirit of Freemasonry a Poem, 1831 ;" and the annual 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 153 
 
 J 
 
 address before the Massachusetts Medical Society in 
 1836. Dr. Hunt published an address delivered before 
 the Danvers Society for suppressing Intemperance 
 April 25th, 182T. He has in his possession a set of 
 the once renowned "Metallic Tractors," which were 
 supposed to possess such marvellous virtues in extracting 
 pain. They were purchased at New Mills by a general 
 subscription, headed by Israel Hutchinson, some sixty 
 years ago. 
 
 WRECK OF THE GLIDE. 
 
 May 21st, 1829, the ship Glide, 300 tons, Henry 
 Archer, Master, sailed from Salem for Fijii Islands, 
 for a cargo of bich-de-lamar, turtle shell and sandal 
 wood. She had twenty-two hands all told, and on her [ 
 passage out, took in others to make her complement fifty. 
 William Endicott, Henry Fowler and Leonard Poole 
 were from Danvers. Sept. ITth, 118 days from Sa- 
 lem, the ship touched at New Zealand, from thence to 
 the Tongataboo Islands, and from thence to the Fijii 
 Islands, were it arrived Oct. 9th. After five months 
 a cargo was secured, which w^as carried to the East In- 
 dies, and sent home. The ship returned to the Islands, 
 obtained a part of a cargo, during which time two men 
 were slain by the natives, and March 22d. 1831, in a 
 dreadful gale the vessel was wrecked, and the cargo 
 lost. All hands reached the shore in safety, except 
 Henry Fowler, who had an arm broken. Here, among 
 these ferocious cannibals, they sviffered a variety of 
 hardships, and incurred many risks of limb and life. 
 ■> Fowler was much honored by these grim savages, and 
 
 
154 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 thej tattoed bim, to manifest their regard for him. Af- 
 ter a variety of adventures the crew by different means 
 arrived home in the year 1832, except Mr. Fowler, who 
 reached home Aug. 9, 1833, after an absence of 4 
 years and 2 months. Their adventures have been par- 
 tially recorded in a work styled the " Wreck of the 
 G-lide.^* Famished hy Henry Fowler, 
 
 ACQUEDUCT. 
 
 The Salem and Danvers Aqueduct Company was in- 
 corporated March 9th, 1797, with a capital of $60,000. 
 It supplies water from original fountains near Brown's 
 Pond. The shares in this company are four dollars for 
 each family of three members, and fifty cents for each 
 additional member, annually. This acqueduct is of far 
 more value to Salem than to Danvers, which is blessed 
 with wells of excellent water. Three conductors lead 
 through the South Parish, and supply that village and 
 Salem with pure water. J' 
 
 MILITARY. 
 
 There have always been liberal efforts made to sus- 
 tain the military in this town. The Danvers Light In- 
 fantry is a company of soldiers yet in existence, un- 
 der command of Asa W. Sawyer ; and in former years 
 there was a fine Artillery Company. Though there is 
 some lack of military organization, yet the people have 
 shown in times past that if there should be a call upon 
 them, they v/ould be first and foremost in a struggle for 
 freedom. 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 In the year 1640 there were about 100 people in 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 155 
 
 ; 
 
 that part of Salem now called Dan vers. The popula- 
 tion in 1752, was 500 ; in 1783, 1921; in 1800, 2643; 
 in 1810, 3127; in 1820, 3646; in 1830, 4228; in 1840, 
 5020. 
 
 The following table gives the number of inhabitants, 
 with their ages, for the year 1840. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total. 
 
 and 5 
 
 389 
 
 363 
 
 752 
 
 5 " 10 
 
 268 
 
 249 
 
 517 
 
 10 " 15 
 
 242 
 
 237 
 
 479 
 
 15 " 20 
 
 262 
 
 224 
 
 486 
 
 20 " 30 
 
 509 
 
 487 
 
 996 
 
 30 " 40 
 
 358 
 
 382 
 
 740 
 
 40 " 50 
 
 213 
 
 200 
 
 413 
 
 50 " 60 
 
 119 
 
 148 
 
 267 
 
 60 '' 70 
 
 81 
 
 125 
 
 206 
 
 70 " 80 
 
 47 
 
 80 
 
 127 
 
 80 '' 90 
 
 11 
 
 21 
 
 32 
 
 90 " 100 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 Over 100 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 2502 
 
 2518 
 
 5020 
 
 There were no colored persons residing within the lim- 
 its of the town in 1840. There were 13 pensioners, 
 3 deaf mutes, 1 blind person, 2 idiots, and not one 
 over 20 years of age who could neither read nor write. 
 Since 1840 the children between 4 and 16 years of age 
 have increased from 1250, to 1700. Taking this in- 
 crease as a datum for estimating the entire population 
 of the town, it is more than probable that it would num- 
 ber at least 6,500, for the year 1847. 
 
 )^K= 
 
' ==^ s« 
 
 156 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 (/ 
 
 BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE S^ &C. 
 
 Births, 1844, 159, 1845, 194, 1846, 20 8. 
 
 Marriages, 
 
 a 
 
 51, 
 
 U 
 
 50, 
 
 a 
 
 61. 
 
 Deaths, 
 
 C( 
 
 86, 
 
 a 
 
 89, 
 
 u 
 
 97. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS, 
 
 The Firefly barely sparkled on the night of March 
 9th, 1844, since which time it has " rayed out dark- 
 ness." It was about the size of two leaves of Web- 
 ster's Spelling Book. 
 
 The Banvers Eagle was a very spirited sheet, con- 
 ducted by Samuel T. Damon, and pubhshed from Aug. 
 28th, 1844, to April 16th, 1845. 
 
 Tlie Banvers Whig was published during the Elec- 
 tion campaign of 1844. 
 
 The Banvers Courier^ a well conducted paper, edi- 
 ! ted by George R. Carlton, was established March 15th 
 
 1845, at %1 50 per annum. 
 
 t 
 
 GRAVEYARDS. 
 
 Probably no town in Massachusetts possesses so many 
 graveyards as Dan vers. In former days, it was the 
 custom for each family, or at the most, for two or three 
 families, to have a little spot in which to deposite the 
 departed. Thus these cities of the dead were multi- 
 plied constantly until in all, the number has swelled to 
 about one hundred. But there are several places be- 
 sides these, — public burial grounds which seem worthy 
 of remembrance. 
 
 The Endicott G-raveyard, is situated near the 
 former residence of the Governor. This is a very old 
 
 m 
 
 ■«>£» 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 157 
 
 spot, and contains the last remains of many of the des- 
 cendants of Gov. John Endicott. There are now but 
 seventeen headstones standing, although there are many 
 who rest with no stone to indicate name or character. 
 Descendants of the Gov. according to the gravestones, 
 as far back as the third Generation repose in this vener- 
 able spot. The oldest date is 1723. Doubtless there 
 are many who were buried here previous^, but who 
 they were, we seek in vain to discover. The yard is 
 surrounded by a five railed fence. 
 
 The Wadstvorth Buryiyig Crround is located near 
 the ancient Salem Village. It includes somewhat more 
 than one acre of land, and is prettily embellished with a 
 number of trees, the growth of a recent day. Many of 
 the stones are so old and moss-grown, and in some cases 
 so gnawed by the tooth of Time, as to render the in- 
 scriptions totally illegible. A great multitude of graves 
 are not designated, except by mounds of turf. Among 
 others there is a stone above the remains of Elizabeth 
 Parris, the wife of Rev. Samuel ParriSj dated A. D. 
 1696, bearing the following inscription : 
 
 "Elizabeth Parris, Aged about 48 years. Deed. July 
 14, 1696. 
 
 Sleep precious Dust, no Stranger now to Rest, 
 Tliou hnst thy longed within Abraham's Brest, 
 Farewell Best Wife, Choice Mother, Neighbor, Friend ; 
 We'll weep the less for hopes of thee i' the end. s. p." 
 
 The oldest inscription reads : 
 
 '' Here Lyes ye Body of Elizabeth, ye "Wife of Jon- 
 athan Putnam, aged about 22 years. Deceased ye 
 8th of August, 1682." 
 
158 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 The following curious epitaph is on the tombstone of 
 Dr. Archelaus Putnam, who was buried in the year 
 1800: 
 
 " Depart my fiiends,dry upyoni tears. 
 Here I must lie till Christ appears. 
 For Death's a debt to Nature due. — 
 I've paid the debt and so must you." 
 
 The Old South Burying Cfroimd is on Pool's Hill, 
 in the village of South Danvers, near the Salem line, 
 and is the oldest in that village. It contains a very 
 large number of graves. Most of those who have died 
 in that portion of Danvers have been consigned to this 
 Golgotha. The oldest stone bears the following legend : 
 
 " Here Lyes interred ye Body of Mr. Thomas Pier- 
 pont, M. A., second son of ye Rev. Mr. Jonathan Pier- 
 pont late of Reading." 
 
 It bears date of 1755, but the remainder of the in- 
 scription is illegible. Rev. Nathan Holt and Rev. 
 Samuel Walker lie here, both pastors of the Second 
 Congregational Church, the one buried in 1792 and the 
 other in 1826. In 1787, Miss Sally Cook was deposit- 
 ed here, and the following record speaks from her 
 monument : 
 
 *' Death thou hast conquered me, 
 
 I by thy dart am slain ; 
 But Christ shall conquer thee^ 
 
 And I shall rise again." 
 
 Another singular epitaph reads thus : " What epi- 
 taph is wanted, when affection has enshrined the mem- 
 ory V" Besides these and many others worthy of men- 
 tion, may be found the graves of Eliza Wharton and 
 Dennison WaUis, mentioned in another place. The 
 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 159 
 
 land was originally given by Lydia Trask to the South 
 Parish. 
 
 The Plains G-raveyard is situated on the edge of 
 the Plains village, and is surrounded with a white mor- 
 tared wall. It is pleasantly adorned with trees. It 
 contains a large number of the graves of those who 
 have laid aside the load of Life in its vicinity. The 
 names recorded indicate that they Avere once the friends 
 of those who now remain in the Village and its envi- 
 rons. There are several old graves unmarked by any 
 stone ; the stones are dated from IT 88 to the present 
 time. Among other persons once distinguished in the 
 town the stony lips of the monumental marble utter 
 the following inscription : 
 
 ''Sacred to the Memory of John Josselyn, who died 
 Sept. 18, 1815, Aged 81. He was a soldier of the 
 American Revolution and emphatically an Honest 
 Man." 
 
 There is also a beautiful marble monument here, 
 about 8 feet in height, erected by Benj. Porter, Esq., 
 above the remains of his ancestors and relatives. 
 
 G-ardners Hill was the name of a place of burial 
 once situated a little westerly of Grove Street. The 
 remains of about 150 persons were removed from 
 thence to Harmony Grove, when the latter was estab- 
 lished in 1810. The oldest grave-stone in Dan vers is 
 standing in Harmony Grove to which place it was re- 
 moved from Gardner's Hill. It bears the followins: in- 
 
 scription : 
 
 1669 
 
 R. B. 
 
160 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 It is probably the grave-stone of Robert Buffum of 
 Danvers. 
 
 Taijleyville Burying Crround, is a small yard near 
 the village from which it derives its name. The oldest 
 tombstone is erected above the remains of Mrs. Lydia 
 Kettell daughter of Hon S. Holten, and bears the date 
 of 1789. The remains of Hon. Judge Holten are de- 
 posited here, whose gravestone is inscribed thus : 
 "Erected to the memory of the Hon. Samuel Holten 
 who died Jan. 2d, 1816 aged 78 years. He sustained 
 various offices of trust under the State Government 
 and that of tlie Union, with ability and integrity, to 
 the almost unanimous acceptance of his constituents." 
 Among other very beautiful and expressive epitaphs, 
 the following is rarely equalled, for the calm trust and 
 confidence it breathes. The grave is that of a child; 
 the motto is : 
 
 '•Our Father's care 
 This little dnstshall keep." 
 
 Monumental Cemetery, in South Danvers, was laid 
 out in 1833. It is divided into 122 lots, 32 feet by 
 16, with regular avenues, and is owned by proprietors. 
 It is a beautiful and commodious Cemetery. The old- 
 est stone bears the date of 1805. There are many 
 very beautiful tomb stones inscribed with sentiments 
 expressive of hope, love, and trust. " Her sun has 
 gone down while it was yet day," is the affecting in- 
 scription above the ashes of a young woman. Perhaps, 
 however, simplicity and sentiment are not often so well 
 exhibited, as in the epitaph of Benjamin Gile. " I 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 161 
 
 taught little children to read," is the message he left 
 upon his tombstone. 
 
 Harmony G-rove. This beautiful City of the Dead 
 (though it lies in Salem, is partially owned by our cii> 
 izens,) has one of its entrances from Danvers, and was 
 originally granted to the city of Salem by this town. 
 There are monuments here of every style, from the 
 plainest slab to the choicest specimen of art. 
 
 Walnut Grove Cemetery. May 1st 1843 a call was 
 issued signed by Henry Fowler, asking a meeting of 
 those citizens of North Danvers in favor of laying out 
 a cemetery. A meeting was held, an association was 
 formed for the purpose, and twelve acres of land were 
 purchased of Hon. Samuel Putnam. The grounds have 
 been arranged with a refined taste, and Walnut Grove 
 Cemetery was incorporated in October 1843. June 
 23d 1844, it v^as consecrated by an address from Rev. 
 Dr. Brazer of Salem, and prayers by Revs. S. C. Bulke- 
 ly and J. W. Eaton of Danvers, and hymns by Drs. 
 Nichols, Barstow and Elint. 
 
 It is a beautiful retreat adorned with those rural 
 and artificial attractions which the genius of a better 
 age, and more pleasant views of Death have thrown 
 around the Home of the Departed. Tlie owners have, in 
 addition to the Walnut, Beech and other trees and shrubs 
 of native growth, planted a great variety of exotic 
 flowers and shrubbery, and thus rendered the grave as 
 it should be esteemed, "the very gate of Heaven." In 
 former days the graveyard w^as selected for its barren- 
 ness and sterility. It was usually a wild waste of land 
 I J:* . 1^ 
 
I — — ~~ — ^=-p 
 
 162 HISTORY OF DAN VERS* 
 
 on wliicli no fljwer bloomod, no gi'ean ti'eo cast its grate- 
 ful shade, xit the most "the rank thistle nodded in 
 the wind," and the lizard or snake, glided among nettles 
 and poisonous weeds. The voices of birds were un- 
 heard. Solitude was there, brooding over a cheerless 
 desert. Here all this has passed away. The dark 
 walnut and evergreen stands as sentinels around the 
 spot, side by side with the oak and beech. Sweet 
 scented shrubbery invites the visitor, and the pretty 
 band of the flowers throw out their graceful arras and 
 bid him welcome. When Death leads one of our num- 
 ber to this spot, he can look forward with bright antic- 
 ipation to the Heautiful Land of which this is the 
 threshold, and can lay his head upon the cool moist 
 mould without a murmur, feeling that he shall sleep 
 with the beauties of Nature around him, and that while 
 the woods shall chaunt their solemn anthems over him, 
 and the birds join with their plaintive lays, the feet of 
 kindred and friends will often press the sod above him, 
 and their tears mingle with the kindly dews that fixll 
 upon his grave. 
 
 There is a fine grave-yard of modern date near 
 Rocks village, opposite Smith's Tavern in Salem. 
 
 THE MONUMENT 
 
 In memory of one-seventh of those who fell at Lex- 
 ington, stands near the site of the Bell Tavern in 
 South Danvers. 
 i It is built of hewn sienite, surrounded by an iron 
 ! railing. It is 22 feet high, and 7 feet broad at the 
 
 _ t/Ka--- 
 
 r .'. : * ^«» 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 163 
 
 base, and cost $1,000. The inscription is on Italian 
 marble as folloA\s: 
 
 "Battle of Lexington April 19th, 1775. Samuel 
 Cook aged 33 years; Benj. Daland 25 ; George South- 
 wick 25 ; Jotham Webb 22 ; Henry J acobs 22 ; Eb 
 enr. Goldthwaite 22 ; Perly Putnam 21 ; Citizens of 
 Danvers fell on that day. 
 
 Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. 
 
 reverse 
 
 Erected by Citizens of Danvers on the 60th 
 Anniversary 1835." 
 
 The following is a summary account of the celebra- 
 tion, with the names of the committee of arrangements^ 
 building committee, &c. By Hon. D. P. King. 
 
 "On Monday, April 20, 1835, the 6 Ofch anniversary 
 of the battle of Lexington was celebrated at Danvers, 
 by the laying of the Corner Stone of a monument in 
 memory of the seven citizens of the town, who were 
 slain in that battle. At 10 o'clock, a procession of rev- 
 olutionary patriots, and citizens of Danvers and vicini- 
 ty, was formed in the square fronting the Old South 
 Meeting House, under the direction of the marshals of 
 the day — escorted by the Danvers Light Infantry, un- 
 der Capt. WilUam Sutton, and the Danvers Artillery, 
 Capt. A. Pratt, with a full band of music — and pro- 
 ceeded through Main street to the burial ground, where 
 lie the remains of several of the slain ; — three volleys 
 of musketry were fired over their graves : — the proces- 
 sion then countermarched to the Eagle Corner, where 
 
164 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 the monument is to be erected. The order of services 
 was then announced by John W. Proctor, Esq. Rev. 
 Mr. Sewall offered prayers — Gen. Foster, with the sur- 
 viving officers and soldiers of the Revolution, proceed- 
 ed to place the Corner Stone, in which was deposited a 
 box, containing the memorials of the times, &c. Gen. 
 Foster then addressed his fellow citizens. After the 
 Corner Stone was laid, the tune of Auld Lang Syne 
 was performed by the Band, and the procession march- 
 ed, under a salute of 24 guns from the artillery, and the 
 ringing of the bells, to the Old South Church — where, 
 sixty years before, religious services were held at the 
 interment of four of the young men who were slain at 
 Lexington. This spacious Church was crowded in ev- 
 ery part, and hundreds were unable to gain admittance. 
 The following was the order of services; — 1. 100th 
 Psalm — tune, Denmark. 2. Hymn, by R. S. Daniels. 
 8. Prayer, by Rev. Geo. Cowles. 4. Hymn, by F. 
 Pool, jun. 5. Address, byD. P. King,. Esq. 6. Pat- 
 riotic Ode, by Jona. Shove. 7. Concluding Prayer, by 
 Rev. J. M. Austin. At the close of the services at 
 the church, J. W. Proctor, Esq. presented and read to 
 the audience the original, honorable discharge of J. B. 
 Winchester, Esq. from the revolutionary army, (having 
 served six years and four months, till the close of the 
 war,) bearing the original signature o^ " Cfeorge Wash- 
 ington.^^ Mr. Winchester entered the continental ar- 
 my at the age of 14 ; and when discharged, he was only 
 21 years of age. Nineteen survivors of the Lexington 
 fight and of the revolutionary army, (who occupied a num 
 ber of the pews in front of the pulpit,) greatly height- 
 
I HISTORY OF DANVERS. 165 
 
 ! ened the interest of the occasion by their appearance. 
 i After the services at the church, a procession was form. 
 i ed, and escorted by the Danvers Light Infantry to the 
 ! Essex Coftee House, where about two hundred, includ- 
 I ing the above officers and soldiers of the revolution, 
 I partook of a collation, prepared by Mr. Benja. Good- 
 ridge. At the close of the collation, several patriotic 
 sentiments and toasts were given by the revolutionary 
 patriots and the company present, 
 
 ''The occasion will long be remembered, — as calcula- 
 ted to deepen our feelings of veneration for the events 
 commemorated — for the exercise of generous feelings in 
 the discharge of an honor due to the glorious dead, — and 
 the ceremonies of the day will remind us of our obli- 
 gations to those Avho spilled their blood in the first offer 
 ing at the shrine of Liberty. 
 
 "• Committee of Arrangements — Jona. Shove, chair- 
 man; Robert S. Daniels, Geo. Osborne, Caleb Lowe, 
 Fitch Pool, jun., Henry Po)r, Nathan Lakeman, Josh- 
 ua n. Ward. 
 
 '^Building Committee — Eben Sutton, Augustus K. 
 Osborne, Daniel P. King, Eben Shillaber, John Whit" 
 ney. 
 
 'i Projector of tlte 3Ionument — JohnL'pton. 
 
 ^^Architect — Asher Benjamin. ( 
 
 ^^ Marshals — Col. Caleb Lowe, chief marshal; Al- 
 fred Putnam, Eben Sutton, Hiram Preston, Benj. 
 Wheeler, AYm. D. Joplin, Ricliard Osborne, Samuel P. 
 
 jj Fowler, Jona. King, Elijah W. Upton. 
 
 ji ''There were twenty-nine individuals, — survivors of 
 
 m — — tm 
 
166 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 the Lexington fight and of the revolutiona ry army, in 
 vited to attend this celebration, — nineteen of whom 
 were present. The following are those from Danvers : 
 Gideon Foster, Sylvester Osborne, Johnson Proctor, 
 Levi Preston, Asa Tapley, Roger Nourse, Joseph Shaw, 
 John Joscelyn, Ephraim Smith, Jonathan Porter, Joseph 
 Tufts, William Flint." 
 
 THE BELL TAVERN 
 
 was once a famous "hostelrie" situated on the great 
 thoroughfare from the East and North to Boston. "Long 
 before their separation from the mother country, the 
 colonists in their various wanderings, sought this place 
 for shelter and refreshment ; and right glad was the jolly 
 host to fulfil the promise of his signboard, ''Entertainment 
 for man and beast." Nor to the wayfarer alone was its 
 promise extended. This was the common centre of re- 
 sort for the villagers to learn the news of passing events 
 and every traveller was expected to furnish his quota. 
 It was the village Exchange, where prices and every 
 day gossip were discussed, and the public affairs of the 
 colonies and the mother country settled. He re too, on 
 Sundays, the more remote villagers dismounted from 
 their beasts at the old horse-block, and walked to the 
 meeting-house, again to return after the two hours ser- 
 mon and partake in a snug corner, of a dinner from their 
 well filled saddlebags. This was also the place, where 
 the people of that and later times met, to celebrate public 
 events. The loyal neighbors here collected to mourn 
 tie demise of the good Queen Anne and rejoice in the 
 accession of the first George. His departure and the 
 
i 
 
 233 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 167 
 
 rise of bis son George II, were here commemorated 
 over the same bowl of punch. George III, was also 
 welcomed with a zeal that was only equalled by that 
 with which they drank confusion to his ministers. The 
 odious Stamp Act and all Parliament taxes on the colo- 
 nies were patriotically denounced. Tea was proscribed 
 and its sale forbidden, under penalty of a ride on a rail 
 and the brand of torjism. One conviction only took 
 place, and the unlucky wight obtained a reprieve from 
 his sentence, by furnishing the villagers with a bucket 
 of punch. His neighbors kindly gave him a share of 
 the beverage, obliging him to repeat over his cup three 
 times, the following elegant couplet: — 
 
 I, Isaac AYilson, a tory I be ; 
 I, Isaac Wison, I sells tea, 
 
 "But our ancestors, however willing from patriotic con- 
 siderations to deny themselves this luxury, found great 
 difficulty in preventing the gentler sex from partaking 
 of the forbidden fruit. They found means to procure 
 and opportunities to prepare their favorite nectar, in 
 spite of all the vigilance of the men. They would 
 evade every searching operation, get up quiltings and 
 other parties, where it was not expected men would be 
 present, and sip their stolen waters in secret. 
 
 "It was well known at the tap-room of the Bell Tavern 
 that these proceedings were going on, and it w^as strong- 
 ly suspected that a certain emormous coffee pot, a few 
 sizes smaller than a common light-house, had some agen- 
 cy in the business, as it was seen migrating from place 
 to place where the good dames held their meetings. 
 
m- 
 
 168 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 One evening a large party assembled at the house of 
 one of their number; taking advantage of the well 
 known habits of the maste^ of the house, who was never 
 known to quit his seat at the ample fire-place of the inn 
 until all his companions had departed, they resolved to 
 enjoy their usual feast in security. The great coffee 
 pot, in which the tea had been previously put was brought 
 forward, the water added, and the whole left to simmer on 
 the hearth. The savory mess was now poured out, with 
 many a sly joke at the expense of the men in general 
 and a compliment to Isaac in particular. Many were 
 the enconiums on the superiority of the tea, which ev- 
 ery one declared was the best she had ever drank. It 
 was finally tliouglit that its strength and flavor were ow- 
 ing to its having been ])oiled and steeped longer than 
 usual. Its extraordinary richness was almost intoxica- 
 ting ; tongues were loosened, and mirth and hilarity pre- 
 vailed. Their wits ran out and so did the tea. More 
 water was added to the leaves, and a weaker decoction 
 was drawn, until again the vessel A\as empty. A third 
 time the water was poured in and the tea ran out. The 
 time had now nearly arrived wdien hy possibility the good 
 man of the house might be expected home, and it was [i 
 time to put the coffee grounds into the coffee pot, but 
 first a place of burial must be made in the tan back log 
 for the remains of the tea. The lid was removed, and 
 by a dexterous jerk the contents, consisting not only of 
 tea leaves but a huge overgrown toad, speckled and bloat- 
 ed, lay sprawling before them on the hearth ! A simul- 
 taneous scream from twenty female voices, accompanied 
 by the heaving of as many stomachs, announced the 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 169 
 
 appalling discovery, and sufficiently explained the cause 
 of the peculiar richness of their beverage. It is said 
 that the discovery accomplished the effects that are said 
 to have been produced by Chambers's medicine on anoth 
 er class of drinkers, and that for some time after, tea 
 was less in demand than it was ever before known in 
 the village. 
 
 "Here congregated the village politicians and other 
 loafers of the Middle Precinct. How they watched the 
 glowing embers where the loggerheads were heating, as 
 they consulted over the public welfare, and with what 
 pertinacity did they adhere to their arguments and their 
 mugs of flip! What floods of ale and oceans of punch 
 there flowed to enliven the wits of the jolly roysters on 
 Election da^^s. With what zest did they sail up and 
 down the merry dance in the South room, to the music 
 of Cc^sar's fiddle, and with what gusto would he grin a 
 ghastly smile as he deposited the shower of silver 
 pieces in his capacious mouth." Fitch Poole. 
 
 Francis Symonds, at one time the jolly host, sported 
 a wooden bell for his sign, and informed the people of 
 his good cheer by the following strain : 
 
 "Fr.incis Symonds Makes and Sella 
 The best of Chocolate, also Shells. 
 I'll toll you in if you have netd, 
 And feed you well, and bid you speed.*' 
 
 Here was a printing office, in which Amos Pope's Al- 
 mananacs, a Price current for Wenham, and certain 
 other documents were printed. I have also seen a work 
 entitled "An account of the captivity and sufferings of 
 Elizabeth Hanson wife of John Hanson, who was taken 
 
ITO 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 prisoner by the Indians," wliicli account was published 
 at the Bell Tavern in 1780. Mr. Russell the printer 
 afterwards removed to Boston. 
 
 '*'■'' ^^.^ii'l??!^' 
 
 
 
 
 mi 
 
 
 Eh 
 O 
 
 O 
 
 K 
 
 I NOTE TO PAGE 146. 
 
 I The first Schoolmaster at the New jMills was Caleb 
 j Clark who kept his school in the house of farmer Porter, ! 
 
mHt* ■ 
 
 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 171 
 
 which stood a few years since, where Mr. WilHam Al- 
 ley's house now stands. This ph\ce afforded but poor 
 accomodations for a school. The benches for writing, 
 were nothing more than a board placed upon two flour 
 barrels. The writing books were a single sheet of pa- 
 per, bought from time to time, as was needed. 
 
 ''Mr. Clark was a teacher of some repute for those 
 days, although ho was not considered a great discipli- 
 narian. He was in the habit of whittling a shingle in 
 school, and for small offences, compelling the disobedi- 
 ent to pile the whittlings in the middle of the room ; 
 when this was accomplished, he would kick them over, 
 to be picked up again. He would sometimes require 
 them to watch a wire, suspended in the room, and in- 
 fo nn him when a fly aliLi;]ited on it. For greater of- 
 fences, he would sometimes attempt to frighten them 
 into obedience, by putting his shoulder under the man- 
 tel piece, and threaten to throw the house down upon 
 them. It is said of this Avorthy pedagogue, when 
 deeply engaged in a mathematical problem, that he 
 became so absorbed in the work as to be wholly uncon- 
 scious of any thing transpiring around him, and the 
 boys taking advantage of this habit would creep out of 
 school and skate and slide by the hour together." Far- 
 nished by S. P. Foiuler. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 
 
 John Endicott' or Endecott, the first governor of i 
 Massachusetts, was born in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, ■: 
 
' 172 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 England, in the year 1588, and was from his youth a 
 firm dissenter. He imbibed a desire for religious liber- 
 ty very early, and when the project of colonizing the 
 New World was started, he was one of the first to assist 
 the enterprise, which he did with great ardor. His 
 first wife, whose maiden name was Gower, he married 
 in England. In June 1628, he embarked at Wey- 
 mouth for America, in the ship Abigail. He arrived 
 at Salem Nov. 6th, and April 19th, 1629 he was ap- 
 pointed Governor. His wife died in the course of a 
 year after his arrival, and he married Elizabeth Gibson, 
 in 1630. He led a company of ninety men against 
 the Pequots in 1636. He was a member of the Cor. 
 poration of Harvard University in 1642, and in 1614 
 he was elected governor of Massachusetts, which office 
 he held about fifteen years. 
 
 He was a rigid disciplinarian, a man of strong feel- 
 ings and passions, warm in his friendships, and severe 
 wherever his indignation alighted. He was true to his % 
 impulses. When he thought the red cross in England's 
 banner savored of idolatry, he unhesitatingly cut it out, 
 though he knew he should thereby incur the charge 
 of treason. He was admonished, and suspended from 
 his office one year for the act. He became a convert 
 to the " doctrine of veils," and strenuously endeavored 
 to clothe the fair faces of the puritan maidens and mat- 
 rons in a manner that should hide them from the rude 
 gaze of men. He labored constantly to bring all into 
 a harmony with himself, and sought to carry out his 
 own ideas of worship, government, and manners. 
 Four quakers were executed during his administration. 
 
til 
 
 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 173 
 
 He was well qualified for the rough times in which he 
 lived. He was not ahyays as meek as he should have 
 been, for, although a puritan and a Justice of the Peace, 
 yet, on one occasion he struck "goodman Dexter," and 
 though he acknowledged his error in striking one in Ids 
 condition^ he added : *'if he were a fit man for me to 
 deal with at blows, I would not complain !" 
 
 '•In his private and public relations he was a man of 
 unshaken integrity. 'For my Country and my God,' 
 was the motto inscribed upon his motives, purposes and 
 deeds." He died March 15th, 1665, aged T7 years. 
 He may be styled the Founder of Salem. 
 
 Daniel Ep^KS^ ''the greatest Schoolmaster in New 
 England," the founder of the Eppes School in Salem, 
 and the man for whom the celebrated Eppes Sweeting 
 is named, was born October 28th, 1641. He commen- 
 ced a grammar school in Salem, in the year 1671, and 
 besides teaching he occasionally preached. April 7th, 
 1677. "Voted by ye towne y^ Mr. Daniell Epps is 
 called to bee a grammar schoole master for y^ towne, 
 soe long as hee shall continue and performe y^ said 
 place in y^ towne, prouided hee may haue w^ shall bee 
 anually allowed him, not by a towne rate, butt in some 
 other suteable way.'''' 
 
 June 28th. The selectmen "agreed with Mr. Eppes 
 to teach all such scholars, as shall be sent to him from 
 persons in town in y^ English, Latin and Greek tongue 
 soe as to fit them for y^ Yniuersity, if desired and they 
 are capable; alsoe, to teach them good manners and 
 instruct them in y^ principles of Christian Religion." 
 
m 
 
 ^' 174 HISTORY OF DANVERS. S 
 
 *'He is to receive for each scholar 20 | a year, and if 
 this is not enough to make £60, the selectmen will 
 make up this sura ; or, if more than enough, to have it 
 and the price of tuition for scholars out of town and a 
 right to commonage, and be free from all taxes, train- 
 ings, watchings and wardings. 
 
 "Feb. ITth, 1678, Mr Eppes had received from his 
 scholars, towards a half year's salary £17 19 10. 
 The balance he was to have from rent of certain com- 
 mons, of Baker's and Misery Islands, as the proportion 
 from the town." Felt. 
 
 lie held many town and county offices, was a com- 
 missioner of Excise, a Justice of the Peace, and of the 
 Court of General Sessions, and Representative to the 
 General Court. He was much distinguished and reve- 
 renced in all parts of Salem. He occupied the Derb}^ 
 Farm, where he died in the year 1722, aged 81 years. 
 
 George Burrouglis^ whose history is so intimately 
 connected with the Tragedy of 1692, Vr^as probably a son 
 of Jeremiah Burroughs, and was born in Scituate a- 
 bout the year 1643. He graduated at Harv. college in 
 1670; and settled at Falmouth or Portland, Me., in 1676. 
 He removed to Danvers in Nov. 1680, and in 1683 re- 
 turned to Falmouth at which place he held 200 acres 
 of land, 170 of which he relinquished at the request 
 of his people. In 1690, when Falmouth was destroyed 
 he returned to Danvers. He again removed to Port- 
 land from which place he was torn, and executed Aug. 
 19th 1692, on Gallows Hill, Salem. He seems to have 
 been an unambitious, kind-hearted, amiable man, and 
 
 3 5S» 
 
HISTORY OP DAN VERS. ITo*^ "* 
 
 to have merited a better fate. Bentley supposes him to 
 have been about 80 years of age, while he could have 
 been no more than 50. As will be seen from the account 
 of witchcraft, he was remarkable in an astonishing de- 
 gree for his bodily powers. The names of his first two 
 wives are unknown. His third was a daughter of Thom- 
 as Ruck. His children were George who lived in Ips- 
 wich ; Jeremiah who was insane ; Rebecca who married 
 a Tolman, of Boston ; Hannah who married a Fox, of 
 Boston ; Elizabeth who married Peter, an ancestor of 
 Isaiah Thomas L. L. D. of Worcester. Some of his 
 descendants lived in Newburyport. Willis in his histo- 
 ry of Portland says of him : "There has nothing sur- 
 vived Mr. Burroughs, either in his living or dying, that 
 casts any reproach upon his character, and, although 
 he died a victim of a fanatacism, as wicked and as 
 stupid as any which has been countenanced in civilized 
 society, and w^hich for a time prejudiced his memory, 
 yet his character stands redeemed in a more enlight 
 ened age from any blemish." Sec witchcraft. 
 
 Samuel P arris son of Thomas Parris of London, 
 was born in London in 1658. He was a member of 
 Harvard College, but left without graduating, and en- 
 tered the mercantile profession. When about 36 years 
 of age he entered the ministry, and was settled as pas- 
 tor of the Village Church in 1689. In 1691 he ob- 
 tained a lot of land and parsonage buildings from the 
 parish. He desired that this estate should be given him 
 in fee simple, and the refusal of a portion of the people 
 to consent, created the germ of the evil that subse- 
 
 II ,! 
 
176 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 quentlj sprouted out into the most baneful results. He 
 was an avaricious, arbitrary, officious man, and offend- 
 ed those he would have controlled. He left his charge 
 in 1696, and removed from the town in the year fol- 
 lowing. He lived in Concord in 1704, in Dunstable 
 in 1711 and died in Sudbury. The course he took in 
 the Great Delusion, in being chief witness against ac- 
 cused persons, in whipping his daughter and servant in- 
 to confessions of guilt, when they afterwards declared 
 their innocence, and in holding wide the sluice ways 
 through which so much evil flowed upon the people, 
 must render his character forever odious, notwithstand- 
 ing; the extenuatino; circumstances of his condition. 
 
 Thomas Nelson was born in Norwich, England, in 
 June 1661. His life was replete v/ith adventure. He 
 was a soldier under King WiUiam, and was in the army 
 which foug;ht a^-ainst James II in Ireland. He was 
 with Sir Cloudesly Shovel in the celebrated siege of 
 I Barcelona, and was in the Canadian expedition in this 
 country in 1711, at about which year he settled in Dan 
 vers. During all this time he was never wounded. 
 His numerous hardships did not deprive him of health 
 and strength ; he was upright, in the possession of his 
 faculties, with the exception of the sight of one eye, and 
 so strong as to be a match for any of his neighbors even 
 to the day of his death, which was in November 1771, 
 at the advanced age of 113 years. He walked from 
 his home to Salem but a few days before his death, a 
 distance of three miles. 
 
 &■*- 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 177 
 
 Joseph Crreen was born Nov. 5tli, 1675 and gradu- 
 ated at Harvard in 1695. He married Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Rev. Mr. Gerrish of Wenham. He be- 
 came pastor of the Village Church in 1697, and during 
 his ministry he instituted the Half Way Covenant, and 
 baptized 106 adults and 528 children, and met with 
 much success. He died Nov. 26th, 1715, aged 40 
 years. He healed the breaches made by Mr Parris and 
 was much lamented. The Church record declares 
 him: "the choicest flower and goodliest tree in the gard- 
 en of our God." His remains are in the Village Bur- 
 rial Ground, and a Latin inscription partially effaced is 
 above him. Several attempts at decyphering produce 
 the following : 
 
 Sub Hoc Cesp * 
 Requiescam in Spe Beate Be * 
 
 Reliquice Reverend D. Josephus Green A. M. 
 Hujusce Ecclesiae * * * * Spacuin 
 Pastoris * * * * 
 
 Tarn Gravitate Doctrina 
 Q,ui Dec * * 
 
 Calecdo * * * Dom BIDCCXV 
 Implo * » * Q,uadragesimum. 
 
 Benjamin Preseott was born Sept. 16th 1687. He 
 graduated at Harvard University in 1709, married a 
 daughter of John Higginson, and was settled as minis- 
 ter of the second parish in 1712, He published in 17- 
 68 "A free and calm consideration of the unhappy mis- 
 understanding and debates between Great Britain and 
 the American Colonies." He left his charge in the year 
 1752 and died about the year 1770. He was a man 
 of talent,' an excellent pastor, and during the forty 
 
^1 1T8 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 years he ministered to the second parish he was faithful 
 in his caUing. He published among other pamphlets a 
 "Letter to the First Church in Salem in 1735," and a 
 "Right Hand of Fellowship" delivered at the Ordina- 
 tion of Key. J. Sparhawk. 
 
 Peter Qlarke was born in Watertown in the year 
 1692, and graduated at Harvard College in the year 
 1712. He married Deborah Hobart of Braintree. 
 In the year 1758 he published a "Summer morning 
 conversation between a minister and a neighbor," in re- 
 ply to something written by Dr. Charles Chauncy. 
 Considerable of a controversy grew out of the matter 
 between Dr. Chauncy and Mr. Clark. He settled as 
 minister of the First parish June 5th, 1717, and died 
 June lOthj 1768, with his harness on, after a ministry 
 in one parish of fifty-one years. His remains lie in the 
 old Village graveyard. There is an anecdote related 
 of him which is somewhat amusing. One summer there 
 had been a severe drought, and the ministers of the 
 vicinity had made the matter a subject of public prayer. 
 Mr. Clarke had delayed petitioning in reference to it, 
 until some of his people began to complain. At length 
 he prayed on the subject, and before he had finished his 
 services there came a copious shower. "Ah !" said an 
 old negro belonging to the minister, "I knew when Mas- 
 sa Clark took hold, that something would have to come." 
 In the record of his funeral, it is said that the "church 
 walked before, assisted by 12 hears^ He admitted 
 in his ministry of 51 years, 309 persons into his 
 church, and baptized 46 adults, and 1226 children. 
 
eJtt>» 
 
 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 179 
 
 He continued to preach after his bodily powers were 
 unable to sustain him, and was often obhged to sit down 
 for rest in the course of pubUc services. It is related 
 of him that on these occasions his deacons would hasten 
 to the pulpit to ascertain the matter, for which officious- 
 ness he would reprimand them, as it implied a distrust 
 of his ability. 
 
 "He wrote several works ; one in defence of original 
 sin, and another in favor of infant baptism, 453 pp, 
 12mo. He held a controversy with Dr. Gill and Dr. 
 Chauncy. He delivered the Dudleian lecture in 1763, 
 Artillery sermon in 1739, a sermon' entitled Witness 
 of the Spirit in 1744, Charge at tlie ordination of T. 
 Huntington, &c. 
 
 Israel Putnam. General Putnam, or as he was fa- 
 miharly called by the soldiers, (who idolized him,) " Old 
 Puf was born in Danvers, in the house now occupied 
 by Daniel Putnam, January 7th, 1718. He was de- 
 scended from the original settlers of the town. John 
 Putnam or, as the name was then called, Puttenham, 
 was a native of Buckinghamshire, England, and remov- 
 ed to Danvers in the year 1634. He had three sons, 
 Thomas, Nathaniel and John. John had a son named 
 Thomas, Thomas had a son named Joseph, who was the 
 father of Israel. Israel was the eleventh child, and was 
 baptized in the Village Church the second day of Feb- 
 ruary. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Por- 
 ter. His boyhood was distinguished for daring intrep- 
 idity. 
 
 There is a story related of his youth so admirably > 
 
180 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 characteristic, that it may be related here. "VYhen he 
 Kved in the house now occupied by Mr. Daniel Putnam, 
 he was on one occasion sent to a neighboring pasture to 
 drive a bull down to the house. When he entered the 
 field the bull ferociously attacked him. He returned 
 home, and mounting a pair of spurs, sought his furi- 
 ous enemy. Soon after re-entering the pasture he suc- 
 ceeded in drawing his attention, and the bull gave him 
 chase. He directed his flight around a large tree, pur- 
 sued by his foe. Putnam gained in his flight on his 
 enemy, and seizing the bull by the tail, he sprung 
 on his back. Fairly mounted *'he plunged the row- 
 el in his steed." The animal rushed frantically into a 
 bog near at hand, where he stuck fast. The hero dis- 
 mounted, and sought his home. When asked concern- 
 ing the bull, he said the last he saw of him he w^as in 
 the meadow. The bull was found lodged fast in the 
 meadow, groaning in anguish, with liis sides lacerated 
 by the punishment of Putnam's spurs. 
 
 He was early distinguished for strength and forti- 
 tude, and was desirous of accomplishing the labor of a 
 man while yet a boy. In athletic exercises and sports, 
 and in arduous labor, he laid the foundation of that 
 vigor and power of endurance which distinguished his 
 after years. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one, he married Hannah Pope 
 of Salem, and removed to Pomfret Conn. It was in 
 this place that his famous adventure with the she-wolf 
 occurred, and although it is well known, it may be in- 
 teresting to the reader to find it here. 
 
 It seems that Putnam and his neighbors were much 
 
X'd 
 
 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 181 
 
 troubled bj the depredations Avhich a cimning old wolf 
 committed on their flocks, killing and wounding seventy 
 sheep and goats belonging to Putnam alone. At length 
 the farmers assembled, and determined on the destruc- 
 tion of their enemy. 
 
 "Fortunately her track was easily recognised, a por- 
 tion of one of her feet having been lost by an acciden- 
 tal intimacy with a trap. Her pursuers were thus en- 
 abled to trace her course to Connecticut R-iver, and 
 thence back again to Pomfret, when she took refuge in 
 a cavern, near the residence of Putnam. The place 
 was selected with great judgement to withtsand a siege; 
 and very few persons beside himself could have been per- 
 suaded to reconnoitre the position of its inmate. It is 
 entered by an aperture about two feet square, on the 
 side of a huge ledge of rock. The pathway descends 
 fifteen feet obliquely from the entrance, then pursues a 
 horizontal direction for ten feet, and thence ascends grad- 
 ually about fifteen feet to its extremity; being in no 
 part wider than three feet, nor high enough to permit a 
 man to stand upright. The access to the interior is ren- 
 dered very difficult in winter by the accummulation of 
 ice and snow. 
 
 "No time was lost by the confederates in devising va- 
 rious methods of attack. A competent force of dogs 
 was collected, with such munitions as were suited to 
 this novel mode of warfare. But the hounds that en- 
 tered the cave retired in great disgust, and could not be 
 prevailed upon to repeat the experiment ; the smoke of 
 blazing straw was ineffectual ; and the fumes of burn- 
 ing brimstone which were expected to prove quite irre- 
 
182 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 sistible, wasted their sweetness in vain. This system of 
 annoyance was continued through the day, until a late 
 hour in the evening, when Putnam, weary of the unsuc- 
 cessful efforts, endeavored to persuade his negro ser- 
 vant to go into the cave ; a proposition which was de- 
 clined ; and his master, after somewhat unreasonably 
 reproaching' him with cowardice, resolved, against the 
 earnest remonstrance of his neighbors, to undertake the 
 enterprise himself. 
 
 "He first procured some birch bark, to light his way 
 and intimidate the wolf by its flame ; then threw aside 
 his coat and vest, and, causing a rope to be secured to 
 his legs, by which he might be drawn out at a con- 
 certed signal, set fire to his torch, and groped his 
 way into the cavern. At the extremity he saw the 
 wolf, who welcomed her unexpected visitor with an 
 ominous growl. His examination being now completed 
 he gave the appointed signal ; and his companions, sup- 
 posing from the sounds within, that the case must be an 
 urgent one, drew him out so precipitately, that his clothes 
 were torn to rags, and his body sorely lacerated. 
 
 He now provided himself with a musket, and bearing 
 it in one hand, and a lighted torch in the other, pro- 
 ceeded a second time upon his perilous adventure, till 
 he drew near the wolf. Just as she was on the point of 
 springing, he took deliberate aim and fired ; then, stun- 
 ned by the explosion, and almost suffocated hj the 
 smoke, he was again drawn out as before. 
 
 "After a brief interval, he entered the cavern for 
 
 the third time, applied his torch to the wolf, to satisfy 
 
 11 himself that her repose was not affected, and seizing he r 
 
 <t»«= 
 
HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 183 
 
 by the ears, was drawn forth with his prize to the infi- 
 nite satisfaction of the party." 
 
 Universally known for a brave man, he Tvas comman- 
 der of a company in the French War. He distinguish- 
 ed himself in feats of the utmost hardihood. On one 
 occasion he went in company with Lieut. Robert Durkee 
 to reconnoitre the position of the enemy near Ticonde- 
 roga. The scouts, not being aware of the French cus- 
 tom of placing their fires in the middle, and screening 
 their sentinels in the darkness, were extremely incau- 
 tious, and suddenly found themselves in the midst of the 
 enemy's camp, and were fired upon. 
 
 "They immediately began a retreat. Putnam led 
 the way and in a few minutes fell head foremost into a 
 clay-pit, followed by Durkee who had kept closely at his 
 heels. 
 
 *' Supposing his companion in the pit to be one of his 
 pursuers, Putnam had raised his arm to stab him, when 
 he recognised Durkee's voice. Eoth then rushed from 
 their retreat in the midst of a shower of bullets, and 
 threw themselves behind a log, where they spent the 
 remainder of the night. The next morning, Putnam, 
 on examining his blanket, found it sorely rent by four- 
 teen bullet holes." 
 
 In the year 1757 he was appointed Major, in 1759 
 Lieut.-CoL, and in 1775 he held the rank of Bri2;. and 
 Major Gen. 
 
 When the news of the Battle of Lexington reached 
 him, he was ploughing, and seizing his coat from a tree 
 where it hung, he turned his horses loose, and leaving 
 the plough in the furrow, he rushed to battle. He held 
 
184 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 the rank of Major General at the Battle of Bunker's 
 hill, and displayed almost unexampled heroism. He or- 
 dered his men to hold fire until they could see the white 
 of the eyes of the men in the advancing columns. 
 When they fired, they accomplished the most astonish- 
 ing execution. The poet has said of him — 
 
 "There strides bold Putnam and from all the plains 
 Calls the tired host, the tard}' rear sustains, 
 And mid the whizzing deaths that fill the air, 
 Waves back his sword and dares the following war." 
 
 "In the winter of 1777-78, Gen. Putnam, who had 
 been stationed at Reading, in Connecticut, was attacked 
 by Gov. Tryon, -with one thousand five hundred men. 
 Putnam was then on a visit to his outpost, with a force 
 of one hundred and fifty men, and two field pieces, 
 without horses or drag ropes. He placed his cannon on 
 the high ground near the meeting-house, and continued 
 to pour in upon the advancing foe, until the enemy's 
 horse appeared upon a charge. 
 
 "He now hastily ordered his men to retreat to a 
 neighboring swamp, inaccessible to horse, while he put 
 spurs to his steed* and plunged down nearly a hundred 
 stone steps, which had been laid for the accommodation 
 of the worshippers of the sanctuary. On the arrival 
 of the dragoons at the brow of the hill they paused, 
 thinking it too dangerous to follow the steps of the ad- 
 venturous hero. Before any could go round the hill 
 and descend, he escaped." He was at the conquest of 
 Canada and at the capture of Havana. 
 
 His wife died in 1764, leaving him ten children, 
 and he married Widow Gardner of Gardner's Island. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 185 
 
 In the year 1779, lie had an attack of paralysis Tvhich 
 disabled him from further service. He settled in 
 Booklyn, Conn., where an inflammation destroyed his 
 life, May 19th, 1790, aged 72 years. " His name is 
 carved high and indelibly in the temple of Fame, -with 
 that of Washington, Warren, Stark, Allen, Prescott 
 and Lafayette." 
 
 Asa Prince son of Dr. Jonathan, ■\^'as at Lexington, 
 at Bunker Hill, at Lake George, and sustained himself 
 with courage and devotion to his country, through most 
 of the revolution. He was promoted to the rank of Cap- 
 tain, and manifested the traits which distinguish the 
 Patriot and the Man. On the day of the battle of 
 Bunker Hill, in attempting to cross the Neck which was 
 swept by cannon from a British frigate in Charles River^ 
 he dislocated his ancle and, seating himself on the 
 ground, he thrust the bone back into the socket, and 
 renewed his flight. 
 
 Jeremiah Page was born in the year 1722. and on 
 the breaking out of the Revolution he took a very act- 
 ive part. He commanded a company of men at Lex- 
 ington, and did good service on that important day. 
 After a life of usefulness, during which he sustained a 
 prominent position in the aftairs of this town, he de- 
 parted this mortal existence June 8th, 1806, aged 84 
 years. His body lies in the Plains Burial Ground. 
 
 Israel Iliitclmison was born in Danvers in the year 
 1727. At an early age ho manifested in an uncom- 
 
 c 16 
 
186 HISTOllY OF DANYEIIS. 
 
 mon dc!2;ree tlie coura^-e which seems to have been the 
 bh'thiiglit of the people of his time. In the year 1T57 
 he joined a scouting partj^ under Capt. Israel Herrick, 
 and penetrated the country now included in the State of 
 Maine. During the following year he was appointed 
 Lieut, in Capt. Andrew Fuller's Company, and fought 
 at Lake George and Ticonderoga. In the year 1769, 
 he commanded a company of provincial troops, and 
 was with Wolfe when he scaled the heights of Abra- 
 ham, and routed the French under Montcalm. Be- 
 fore hostihties commenced between North America and 
 Great Britain, he w^as Captain of a company of sixty 
 minute men, and when the news of the memorable 
 battle of Lexington, reached Dan vers, he instantly 
 hastened to the scene of action, and meeting the ene- 
 my on their retreat, he engaged them. His bravery 
 and military skill Avere rewarded by a Lieut. Colonel's 
 commission in Col. Mansfield's regiment, and soon af- 
 ter he Avas made Colonel, wdiich commission he held till 
 the end of the term for which his men had ena;a2:ed. 
 During the same year he enlisted 8-]2 men. He was 
 at the siege of Boston, and on the evacuation of that 
 city b}^ the British, he occupied Fort Hill. He re- 
 mained there, and on Dorchester Heights until Octo- 
 ber, when he was sent to New York, but as the small 
 pox was in his vessel, Washington would not suffer his 
 men to land. He afterwards commanded Fort Lee, 
 and Fort Washington. He crossed the Delaware Avith 
 Washington, in his retreat through New Jersey, and 
 received for his services the approbation of the Father 
 of his Country. On his return to his family he Avas 
 
 tm 
 

 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 187 
 
 chosen to serve as Legislator, which office, together 
 Avith that of Councillor, he filled twenty-one years. 
 He died March IGbh, 1811, aged 81 years, leaving 
 lo children, 118 grand children, and 7 of the fourth 
 generation. He was a hrave soldier and an ardent 
 lover of his country. He had several conversations 
 with Grov. GaoiQ during; his residence in the Collins, 
 House, and exhibited to the Royal Governor that firm, 
 inflexible love of liberty and determination to resist en- 
 croachment which he afterwards displayed on the tent- 
 ed field. His descendants now are numerous, and are 
 scattered over the country in stations of usefulness. 
 
 Enoch Pdtnani was born February 18th, 1732. He 
 was another of those brave and fearless men, who, in 
 the Revolution, opposed Tyranny and oppression. He 
 was First Lieut, in Hutchinson's company of Minute- 
 men, and in that capacity went to Lexington. He after- 
 wards did good service in the Revolution, and rose to 
 the rank of Colonel. He was a man respected and 
 beloved. 
 
 Jeremiah Putnam was born in Danvers in the year 
 1736. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and held 
 tlie rank of Captain. H3 was a useful citizen, and dis- 
 charged faithuilly the trusts reposed in him. His grave 
 is in the Plains burial ground, and the stone bears the 
 following lines : 
 
 "Li Memory of Capt. Jeremiah Putnam who died 
 
188 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Sept. 16, 1799, Aged 63 years. An Officer under the 
 Immortal Washinsiton. 
 
 This modest stone, what few vain mortals can, 
 May truly say: Here lies an Honest Man." 
 
 Samuel Flint was one of the bravest of those who- 
 answered their Country's call in the hour of her peril. 
 He was born in Danvers in 17 — ■. He took a very ac- 
 tive part in the affray at Lexington. An officer once 
 asked him where he should find him on a certain occa- 
 sion. His reply was worthy the proudest days of Spar- 
 ta: "Where the enemy is, there will you meet me!" 
 A report returned to Danvers on the evening of the bat- 
 tle of Lexington that Capt. Flint was slain, but he soon 
 returned to dissipate the rumor. He was engaged in 
 the army constantly, doing good service, having been 
 eia;ht months in the lea^-ue of Boston. He was drafted 
 with three other captains to go to New York. They 
 had but twenty-four hoars to prepare, and they met at 
 Leach's tavern, where they chose Flint, captain, and 
 Herrick of Beverly, 1st, Lieut. He was killed at the 
 head of his company, at Stillwater, Oct. 7th, 1777, and 
 was the only officer from Danvers slain in the Revolu- 
 tion. 
 
 [Abridged fro7n Dr. Wadsioorth.'] 
 
 " Samuel ITolten was born in Danvers, June 9th, 
 1738. His ancestors^ rank among the early set- 
 tlers. His father, having no other son, early intended 
 to give him a collegiate education. He was accord- 
 ingly, at eight years of age, placed in the family of 
 
 & 
 
HISTOllY OF DAN VERS. 189 I 
 
 ^ I 
 
 Rev. Mr. Clark ; but at twelve ho was visited with a j 
 daagerous inJispositiori, which greatly enfeebled his j 
 constitution and impaired his hearin-i; — -a serious mis- 
 foi't}uie that attended him through life. Unable to 
 pursue his classical studies, he relinf[uished the favor- 
 ite o])ject. 
 
 "Health beino; at lenoith in some measure restored, 
 he turned his attention teethe healing art. So intense 
 was his application, that before he had arrived at the 
 age of eighteen, the physician, under whose direction 
 he studie I, pronounced him well qualifiad for the prac- 
 tice both of physic and surgery. In his nineteenth 
 year, he commenced an accejjtable practitioner in 
 Gloucester ; but in less than two years after, at the so- 
 licitation of his father and friends, he returned to the 
 place of his nativity, where with growing reputation he 
 continued to practise in bis profession, as his public en- 
 gagements would admit, sixteen years. 
 
 "He had not reached the a2;e of thivtv when the town 
 of Danvers testified thoii' high sense of his abihties, by 
 electing him tlieir Representative in the General 
 Cjurt, and constituting him their Ajent in an unhap- 
 py dispute depending between said town and some of 
 its inhabitants. The cause he managed with so much 
 skill and address as to obtain at lengbh a final se.tle- 
 ment by an act of the leglslatu;"e, whic!i met tlio unan- 
 imous approbation of all parties. From tint time we 
 may date the united voice of the town in his favor. 
 
 " In 1768, being the first yearDoc'or Holten held a 
 seat in the General Court, he signalized himself as 
 a son of liberty. A decided part he took in behalf of 
 
190 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 his country, and became a very active and influential 
 character through the ensuing revokition. He was a 
 member of the Provincial Convention, which was in 
 session when the British troops first Landed in Boston ; 
 and a member of the committee of the convention in 
 tlie County of Essex. Highly electrified by the spirit 
 of the times, few men were more zealous ly engaged 
 in the common cause, or mo/e constantly employed on 
 important services preliminary to the freedom and sov- 
 ereignty of our country. 
 
 '' At the momentous crisis which " tried men's 
 souls," Doctor Holten ranks among those venerable 
 patriots, who courageously stepped forward at their 
 country's call, and risked their lives and fortimes to 
 save its sinking liberties. Pubhc exigencies being very 
 pressing, about this time, he relinquished his medical 
 profession entirely and all private business, and be- 
 came wholly devoted to the service of his country. He 
 was chosen first Major of the first Regiment in Essex, 
 though he had never before been in the military line. 
 A seat he held as a Representative from Danvers 
 in the provincial congress at Watertown, and was ap- 
 pointed one of the committee of safety. When the 
 provisional government of Massachusetts was organized, 
 he was constituted one of the executive council. 
 
 "In 1776, he took his seat as one of the judges of 
 the court of common pleas for his native county, and 
 performed the duties of that office about thirty-two 
 years, presiding half that time. He was justice of the 
 court of general sessions of the peace thirty-five years 
 and chief justice of the same fifteen. A commission 
 
 
m "=- = ■ — : 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 191 
 
 he held as justice of the peace and quorum nearly 
 forty years. 
 
 "In 1777, Judge Holten was one of the delegates 
 from Massachusetts, who assisted in framing the Con- 
 federation of the United States at York Town. The 
 ensuing year he was for the first time chosen a delegate 
 in the American Congress, and annexed his ratifying 
 signature to that Constitution of government. His name 
 was likewise affixed to a cession of a part of the territo- 
 ry of Massachusetts to congress. Repeated elections 
 occasioned so Ions; a continuance in the southern climate 
 as very sensibly to affect his constitution. He was one 
 of the delesiates in consrress at that critical time when 
 the legislature of Massachusetts vested in any two of 
 them unlimited power, pledging themselves to ratify 
 whatever they should accede to or transact. And so 
 high did he stand in the esteem of that august body, 
 that they elected him President of Congress, 
 and thus promoted him to the first seat of honor in his 
 country. 
 
 "He was chosen one of the Convention which formed 
 our State Constitution, adopted in 1780 ; but being in 
 congress, he was necessarily prevented attending that 
 service. At that dark period in the revolution, when 
 public credit had nearly failed, and there was reason to 
 fear the army would quit the field and return home, he 
 was one of the committee which planned the new emis- 
 sion paper currency, as the last expedient and only hope 
 of saving the country ; and which happily proved suc- 
 cessful, by reviving its sinking credit. In 1781 he was 
 elected in the county of Essex as a Senator; and when 
 ?.^ <^^ 
 
«'AV» 
 
 192 HISTORY OP DANYERS. fj 
 
 the State Cfovernment was organized, he was adYanced 
 by the geiioral court to the executive council. To these 
 stations he was re-elected several succeeding years. 
 For more than a year Doctor llolten was the only medi- 
 cal character in congress ; and to him was committed 
 the charge of the medical department in the army. 
 
 "In 1783 the great object o? Peace and Independence 
 was obtained. Bat new difficulties arose on disbanding 
 the army. He held a seat in congress at that time, and 
 was present when the house where they w^ere in session 
 was surrounded with armed soldiers, imperiously de- 
 manding compensation foi* their services before they re- 
 tired to their respective homes. He and several other 
 members, with their lives in their hands, ventured among 
 them, attempting by reason and argument to pacify their 
 minds and quell the tumult. But so violent and outrage- 
 ous were they, that with bayonets pointed at their 
 breasts for several hours, they loaded them with execra- 
 tions and threatened to immediately sacrifice them, un- 
 less tliey would grant their re(|uest. At length howev- 
 er they were prevailed with to desist and rest the issue. 
 
 "In 1T87 he was part of the time a representative in 
 the general court, and the other part a member in con- 
 gress. The next year, when the Federal Constitution 
 was submitted to the people, he was one of the delegates 
 in the convention of this State, which adopted that ex- 
 cellent plan of republican government. In 1793 and 
 the ensuing year, Judge Holten, by the suffrages of the 
 district, including the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and 
 Middlesex, was delegated a representative to congress. 
 Twice he was appointed an elector of president and 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 193 
 
 vice-president. He and several other gentlemen were 
 incorporated into 'Hhe Massachusetts Medical Society," 
 of which he was a counsellor, and a vice-president ; and 
 likewise into an ^'Agricultural Society-" He was a 
 member of the Humane Society ; and was admitted an 
 honorable member of the Bristol Medical Society. 
 
 "In 1811, whe^the court of sessions was organized 
 on a neiv plan^ he was appointed chief justice. He 
 served in the offices of selectman, town clerk, assessor, 
 and committee of safety. Twenty-four years he was 
 town treasurer ; and treasurer of the parish about half 
 a century, for which last service he wished and received 
 no other compensation than their united approbation. 
 Possessing a happy talent at healing breaches and s et 
 tling private diifermices, he was frequently employed as 
 an Arhritator in difficult cases, and occasionally attend- 
 ed ecclesiastical councils. 
 
 "Having been elected eight years as a representative 
 in the general court, five in the senate, twelve in the 
 council, five in congress as a representative under the 
 confederation, and two under the federal constitution, 
 in 1796 bein^; in low health he declined standinsi; a can- 
 didate for a re-election to congress. But September 
 the first, the same }ear, he received a commission as 
 Judge of Probate for the county of Essex, which he 
 accepted, and resigned his seat at the council board. 
 The arduous duties of that office he continued to perform 
 to general satisfaction, till admonished by the infirmities 
 of age of the expediency of relinquishing all public bus- 
 iness. Having nearly completed nineteeen years, on 
 May 10th, 1815, he in due form resigned the office, and 
 
e3P» 
 
 194 HISTOrtY OF D AXrEUS. f 
 
 spent his few remaining months in contemplative retire- 
 ment. He died Jan. 2d, 1816, in the TSth year of his 
 a2;e. 
 
 "Should tlie secret journals of Con'^ross in revolu- 
 tionary times be published, his character Avill be more 
 fully developed ; ])ut, enrolled in the archives of x\mcr- 
 ica, his name will be handed down to posterity with the 
 celebrated names of his contemporary patriots, crowned 
 with immortal honors." 
 
 The following letter from his Excellency Caleb 
 Strong, the Honorable Samuel Holten received upon his 
 resignation of the olTice of Judge of Probate : 
 
 BosTOX, May 10, 181o. 
 
 Dear Sir : — I have just received your letter of the 
 5th instant, in which, from and after this day, you resign 
 the ollice of Judge of Probate for the county of Essex. 
 The resignation, having been communicated to the 
 Council, was, by their advice, accepted. 
 
 By your long and faithful services in various and im- 
 portant stations, as well legislative as judicial, of which 
 on many occasions I have myself been a witness, you 
 are entitled to the grateful respect of your fellow citi- 
 zens ; and I am happy to express to you their acknowl- 
 edgements. I have no doubt that the review of your 
 public Ufe will alford you mach satistaction, and hope 
 that the evening of your days sy'iW be tranquil and happy. 
 
 I am, Sir, with sincere esteem and respect, 
 your most obedient servant, 
 
 CALEB STROXG. 
 Hon. Judge Holten. 
 
■■m 
 
 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 195 
 
 Sarah Gloijd. This account of an eccentric woman 
 is abridged from a very interesting biography written by 
 Dr. A. Nichols, 
 
 HISTORY OF SARAH GLOYD. 
 
 Died, on Monday night, the 10th March,' 1845, in the 
 Alms House, Danvers, Sarah Gloyd, aged nearly 98. 
 
 "About the year 1747 — on the bank of Beaver-dam 
 brook in Salem Village, near the gate or entrance of 
 the avenue to the Lawrence Farm^ stood the humble 
 
 cottage of Gloyd — and there it had stood for half 
 
 a century, and there it stood for more than half a centu- 
 ry longer; no vestige of the ancient appearance re- 
 mains : but in memory's glass I see it yet. 
 
 "An old dilapidated one story building about IG feet 
 square leaning against a gravelly knoll, with two small 
 leaded sashed diamond glass windows — one in the south- 
 ern front, and another opposite in the back side. The 
 west end was occupied by a chimney and fire place suffi- 
 ciently large to accomodate the whole family in its corn- 
 ers. Opposite the chimney in the east end Avas the door 
 with a wooden latch, (string always pulled in) and seve- 
 ral curious substitutes for bolts and locks dangling about 
 it. In this room was a bed, trundle bed, two or three 
 wheels for spinning linen, tow and wool, some old bask- 
 ets containing wool, tow and cards, pails, pots and ket- 
 tles, warming pan, frying pan and all the &c's of house 
 keeping. In irregular festoons around the walls were 
 spider webs, the wardrobes of the inmates and nume- 
 rous bundles of medicinal herbs promiscuously assorted 
 
196 HISTORY OF DANVERS. * 
 
 therewith, an old chest of drawers, a table and several 
 chairs, blocks and benches. 
 
 "Here in the month of March, year 1747, in the 
 evening, sat a middle aged woman the wife of Gloyd, 
 a daughter of Dame Cloyce, (the school mistress of the 
 parish, to whom we, the descendants of the early settlers, 
 may be more indebted for the constitution of our minds, 
 for ideas, for even theological notions handed down to 
 us from our ancestors than we can be aware of,) with an 
 only daughter about 8 years old, busily emploj-ed in 
 carding wool or other domestic manufacture, little 
 dreaming of the sorrowful intelligence which a messen- 
 ger on horseback was bearing at full speed from Middle- 
 ton Tavern to their humble residence. 
 
 "Gloyd, a jolly, laughing, ca"e-despising improvident 
 man, went in the morning of that day, to said town, 
 with several others, to chop wood. Having finished 
 their day's work, they started for home, agreeing that 
 the one of the company who should reach the tavern 
 first should be treated by the others. 
 
 "The nearest way was over Middleton pond, but the 
 thaws of spring had already rendered the ice an unsafe 
 bridge. Gloyd however intent on a draui at free cost, 
 or what was probably more seducing, the prospective 
 joy of the winner of a game, ran over the pond, fell in 
 and was drowned. The others escaped. 
 
 "The news reached the new made widow, who ex- 
 claimed, "0 dear, dear, he had a ten j^ound note in Ms 
 pocket.'''^ 
 
 "The lone widow and daughter, naturally timid, and 
 rendered daily more so, by their lonely situation, lived on 
 
HISTORY OJ? DANVERS. 197" I 
 
 alone in the cottage above described, till after a few days 
 or weeks the subject of this obituary was added to their 
 number. 
 
 "Sarah was doubtless made a baby of as long as pos- 
 sible, and then taught to read the bible, spin and sew as 
 Hannah had been before her. 
 
 "They subsisted I have said partly on charity, but 
 when the children had become old enough to earn their 
 own living and the mother still a well and able bodied 
 woman, the neighbors began to feel that their donations 
 were no longer needed and consequently withheld them 
 altogether, or bestowed them more sparingly. 
 
 "The effect this had on the family elicited strongly 
 one distinguishing trait in their character. One of 
 their number must feign sickness. And very soon Sa- 
 rah was reported sick. When visited by any one she 
 was always found in bed, her head bound up with band- 
 ages and her whole frame agitated by tremors or tortu- 
 red with pains. 
 
 "The door was always kept fastened by so many con- 
 trivances that it took several minutes to open it to admit 
 an errand boy or visitor. Knock at the door and a shrill 
 voice from within would inquire, "who's there?" — this 
 answered — "what do you want " followed. 
 
 "If the applicant for entrance and his or her errand 
 were deemed admissible, the fastening would begin to 
 rattle, and after a while the door would open. 
 
 "Daring Sarah's pretended sickness, which lasted 
 many years, it often took so long to get in, that a strong 
 suspicion arose in the minds of the neighbors, that while 
 
198 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 they were waiting, Sarah left her work, undressed and 
 got into bed. 
 
 "From one of the great perils of women she was ef- 
 fectually protected. No one, I believe, ever heard her 
 complain of being insulted by an offer of love, either 
 with honorable or dishonorable intentions. Indeed, so 
 highly was she charged with repulsive power, that to 
 have approached her within kissing distance, would have 
 been impossible. Her sister Hannah used to say, "the 
 men seemed to her like people of another nation." The 
 soldiers were a source of trouble to them at Fall muster. 
 
 "About the commencement of the present century, 
 Hannah died, and by the interference of the neighbors 
 was torn from the embraces of Sarah, and laid to sleep 
 by the side of her parents. 
 
 "Sarah lived on awhile alone, but her ill health, real 
 or pretended, her utter loneliness, and the wayward fan- 
 cies which possessed her — excited the compassion of all 
 around her. What could be done with her or for her ? 
 Against being supported by the town she had the most 
 inveterate prejudices, and the good neighbors really 
 feared that such a disposition of her, would kill her at 
 once. At length the late Capt. Benjamin Putnam, out 
 of the abundant benevolence of his heart, offered to 
 take her under his protection, if the neighbors would 
 take down her house and re-build it of smaller dimen- 
 sions, by the side of his own. Ho happening to be a 
 favorite with her the offer was accepted. The removal 
 ws accomplished by the voluntary labors of her old 
 neighbors, who transformed themselves from farmers in 
 to carpenters and masons for the occasion. In this new 
 
HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 199 
 
 location, about a mile from the place of her birth, she 
 lived five or six years in her usual style, chiefly in chari- 
 ty. Here, as every ^Yhcre and at all times during her 
 long life, she was afflicted with anomalous complaints 
 which unfitted her for much labor. Once she had the 
 misfortune to swallow a rose bug, which being in prolific 
 circumstances, filled her whole body with its progeny ! 
 and it took her at least one year, to rid herself of these 
 ugly intruders. On another occasion, she had the mis- 
 fortune to get frozen on a cold winter night, and the frost 
 did not get out of her till past the middle of the follow- 
 ing summer! This last misfortune, occurred however, 
 after she had become an inmate of the Alms house, 
 whither, having become so troublesome and dependant 
 on her generous protector's family, as to cause them to 
 feel that they had assumed a burden greater than their 
 duty required, she was carried by force about the 
 year 1806." 
 
 EXTRACTED FROM MR. KING'S EULOGY. 
 
 " Gideon Foster was born in the house which formerly 
 stood on the corner of Lowell and Foster streets, Feb- 
 ruary 21th, A. D. 1749. His father, Gideon Foster, 
 was a native of Boxford ; his mother, Lydia Goldth- 
 wait, of this town. His early opportunities of acquir- 
 ing an education were few, but he diligently unproved 
 them. He WTote a handsome hand, was a correct 
 draughtsman and an accurate and skilful surveyor. 
 For several short periods he w^as employed in school 
 keeping, but the more pressing necessities of those 
 days, and the moderate means of the people afibrded 
 
J e/Jivs 
 
 ft 200 HISTORY OF DANVEHS. 
 
 hut little time for literary improvements. He was a 
 man of more tlian common in2;ennitv as well as intelli- 
 gence. As a mechanic, he had much sldll ; the ma- 
 chinery of his mills was of his own planning and con- 
 struction, and many practical mechanics and manufac- 
 turers have derived iniportant advantages from his 
 su2:2:estiong. 
 
 "Gen. Foster was honored and trusted by his fellow 
 citizens, and in turn discharged all the important munic- 
 ipal offices of the town. For four years he was town 
 clerk ; he was long an active magistrate of the County, 
 and for nine years a member of the State Legislature. 
 
 *'In the militia of the Commonwealth he rendered 
 good service, and he considered the volunteer military 
 the safest and best means of our national defence. In 
 1792, Capt. Foster was promoted to the rank of Colo- 
 nel ; in 1796, he was chosen Brigadier General ; in 
 1801, he was elected Major General by the Legisla- 
 ture ; in the House receiving every vote, and in the 
 Senate there beins; but one dissentino; voice. 
 
 "When our country was threatened with invasion 
 during the last war, he was chosen commander of a 
 company of exempts ; the worth}^ veteran never lost his 
 military ardor, but to the last, the sound of the drum 
 and trumpet was music to his ear ; indeed for almost a 
 whole century, there has been no day when the sword 
 of the old soldier would not have been drawn and a vig- 
 orous blow struck for the defence of his country's 
 rights ; nurtured in that school of patriotism which 
 taught that opposition to tyrants is obedience to God, 
 and which inculcated love of country next to love of 
 

 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 201 
 
 heaven, his strong indignation was roused by any 
 wrong done "her or danger threatened. Liberty and 
 love of country were his early and abiding passions. 
 His country's free institutions, good order, good laws 
 and good rulers were the objects of his strongest affec- 
 tions ; he not only loved them but he did what he was 
 able, according to his judgment and understanding, to 
 maintain and perpetuate them. No distance of place, 
 no severity of the Aveather, no bodily infirmity, from 
 the adoption of the constitution till the day of his death, 
 more than sixty years, detained him from depositing 
 his ballot for State Officers. 
 
 ''General Foster, through his long life, was a man of 
 great energy, enterprise and industry. Two disastrous 
 fires had robbed him of wealth, but on his little farm, 
 with a Roman independence and more than Roman vir- 
 tue, his own hands to the last, ministered to his neces- 
 sities. 
 
 "The threatenings of the enemy to destroy the mili- 
 tary stores of the Colony, caused the provincial Con- 
 gress to order a draft of minute men — men ready at a 
 minute's warning to titke the field and face the enemy. 
 Of one of the companies drafted here, Gideon Foster 
 was chosen commander ; he was then twenty-six years 
 of age. 
 
 "On the 19th of April, the day ever memorable for 
 tlie battle of Lexington, Capt. Foster marched with his 
 company sixteen miles in four hours, to West Cam- 
 bridge, where they met the retreating Britons. His 
 prowess, coolness and intrepidity on that day, won for 
 him high honor and imperishable fame. 
 
•uUsa 
 
 '202 IIISTOKY OF DANYERS. f 
 
 *'For more than eieht montlis he commanded a com- 
 pany iti Col. jMansfield's Regiment, in tlie army en- 
 camped about Boston. lie was actively engaged on 
 the 17th of June, the day of the battle of ]i>unker's 
 liill, and ever while in the service, deserved and bore 
 the character of a brav^e officer and a good soldier. 
 
 " General Foster's mind ahvays vigorous, retained 
 much of its strength till within a few days of his de- 
 cease. His confinement was short, and it was not un- 
 til the fatal hour that immediate danger was apprehen- 
 ded. He died on Saturday, Nov. 1st. 184-5. 
 
 " On all occasions his townsmen and neighbors ronn- 
 ifested deep respect for his character and services. 
 When it was known that he was no more, the bells were 
 tolled, business was suspended and a gloom pervaded 
 the commiinlty ; there was a voluntary and general 
 mourning ; the flag of our country Avas floating at half 
 mast, a mournful token that one loved and honored had 
 passed away ; on one flag stafif, wrapped among the 
 stripes and the stars, was the pennon of the Foster Fire 
 Company with the name of Gen. Foster blazoned upon 
 it ; so are mingled with the fame of our country's revo- 
 lutionary glory, the name and exploits of the old sol- 
 dier. 
 
 *' The last commissioned ofTicer of the Revolution, 
 certainly of the early part of the Revolution, is dead, 
 the veteran soldier, the last connecting link is broken — 
 the comrade of Warren and Prescott and Stark, the 
 man who held on^icial intercourse with Ward and Put- 
 nam and Washington, has now gone to join the mighty 
 host of the worthy dead. 
 
 m —. - -^ ~-^^^ 
 
f-if' T- — ■ — rj^ 
 
 1 IlISTOaY OF DAj>rVii]U3. 203 
 
 «'The bugle's wild and warlike bl;ist 
 
 Shiill innstor them no more ; 
 An army now might tlmndsr past. 
 
 And they noi heed its roar. 
 
 The starry flag, 'neath which th?y fought, 
 
 In nriany a bloody day, 
 Frotn tlieir o!d grav?s ghal! rouse them not, 
 
 For they have passed away." 
 
 TIio funeral p^^occs3ion wa3 after the following order : 
 
 ESCORT, 
 
 Consisting of the Salem Arti'Iery, the Danvers Light Infantry the 
 Salem Li;;ht Infantry, and the liVnn Rifle Corps, (ihc latter bear- 
 ing a banner presenled by the hands of Gen. Foster to the 
 company in 1S3G. Tbis banner was shrouded in crppe. 
 The escort was a dclanhiDcnt fro'n Gen. Sn'ton's 
 hrigide, and was under the immediate com- 
 niond of Col. Andrews.) 
 Hearse, flan l:ed by a mi'itary guard, 
 Family of the deceased, in Caningos, 
 Rrig. Gen. Sutton and Staff, and Military Officers in oniform, in 
 
 Carri;igeg, 
 
 Comm'ltee of Arrangements, 
 
 Oiliciating and other Cler;,y, 
 
 (y'vil OiFicers of the town, 
 
 Danvors Mecfianic Institute, 
 
 Fire Dep^Ument, 
 
 "G".n, FosCe?"" Engine Co. No. 7, in dark dress with badg.':'5, 
 
 "Voluote. f'' FnginoCo. No. S, with badges ami in firemen's uiiiforiri, 
 
 Citizens of the neigiiboring towns, 
 
 CiiizoD!? of Danvcr.i. 
 
 The following uocnmcnt from Gen. Foster's own hand, 
 presents the coni|)any vrhich marched to Lexington nn- 
 der liis command. Some of the soldiers were from 
 
 :i3iA» 
 
204: HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Eppes's company, and the rest were other volunteers. 
 T he former are marked thus :^ 
 
 "Danvers, August 19th, 1837. 
 
 "FiTcn Pool, Jr. 
 
 "Dear Sir : It is with pleasure that I communicate to 
 you (agreeable to your wish) the following list of minute 
 men, who voluntarily enlisted from Capt. Samuel 
 Eppes's company, on the 27th February, 1775. There 
 is not one of the above named now alive, except mj^self, 
 whom God has permitted to continue to the age of eighty 
 eight years. 
 
 >"GiDE0N Foster. 
 
 LISl' OF MINUTE MEN. 
 
 "Samuel Cook, jr.,* William'' Rice, 
 George Southwick, jr.,* Joseph Bell, 
 
 Henry Jacobs, jr.,* John Setchell,* 
 
 John Collins,* Jonathan Newhall, 
 
 Benjamin Eppes,* Stephen Twiss,*. 
 
 Samuel Webber, Stephen Small,* 
 
 James Stone,* Uriah Harwood, 
 
 Solomon Wyman,* Jacob Reed, 
 
 Robert Stone,* Abel Macldntire,* 
 
 Isaac Twiss,* James Goldthwait,* 
 
 Samuel Reeves, John Eppes, jr.* 
 
 Thomas Gardner, jr.,* John Necdham, 
 
 Joseph Twiss,* Gideon Foster,* 
 Jonathan Harwood, 
 
 Probably Gen. Foster's memory could not recall his 
 entire company. Dennison Wallis, Ebenezer Gold- 
 thwaite and perhaps others, should be added. 
 
 m iU 
 
HISTORY OF DANVELB. 205 j 
 
 Benjamin Foster, B. B. a brother of Gideon, was 
 born at the same place, June 12ui, 1T50. He gradu- 
 ated at Yale College in 1774, and after completing his 
 theological studies under the supervision of Dr. Still- 
 man, he commenced the Avork of the ministry, and was 
 ordained in Leicester, Oct. 23d. 1776. In January 
 1781 he was settled as pastor of th.e first Baptist Soci- 
 ety, lie remained but two years, hovrever, when ho 
 removed to Nowburyport, and soon after to New York, 
 where, in the year 1798 lie died a victim of the yellow 
 fever which then prevailed. lie vras devoted to liis 
 flock to the last, and fell a martyr to his faithfulness. 
 He was a learned man, and a good minister. He 
 published "The Divine Hight of ImmcrGion," in answer 
 to a Mr. Fish, and defended "Piimitive Daptism," in a 
 letter to John Cleveland, and also published a treatise 
 on tJie 70 weeks of Daniel. 
 
 Benjardiii Wachioorth. B. D., was born in Milton, 
 July 20 Ji , 17o0, and graduated at Harvard University 
 in 17i^>9, and died Jan. 18th, 1826, after having been set- 
 tled in Danvcrs 53 years. Ho published seven or eight 
 sermons on di^erent topics, and long occupied a distin- 
 guished position in the town and among his clerical 
 brethren. During his ministry he baptized 68 adults 
 and 810 children, and admitted 260 members into the 
 cliurch. When he died there were but two female 
 members of the church who belonged at his settlement, 
 and no males. He was a pious man, frugal, prudent 
 and successful. 
 
 His published works are, a sermon on the death of 
 
 '- m 
 
206 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Hon. Samuel Holten ; a sermon on the death of Dr. 
 Cutler of Hamilton ; Thanksgiving Sermon Feby. 19th 
 1795 ; Eulogy on Washington Feb. 22d, 1800 ; Dedi- 
 cation Sermon Nov. 20th, 1806 ; a Sermon before the 
 Bible Soc. of Salem and vicinity April 19th, 1815 ; 
 Disc, before the Soc. for suppressing Intemperance ; 
 achargeatthe ordination of S. Gile ; right hani of 
 fellowship addressed to D. Story, &c. 
 
 UUza Wharton. The grave of Eliza Wharton is 
 one of the most interesting localities to be found in the 
 Commonwealth. It is in South Danvers. Althoui:i;h 
 this unfortunate woman is as generally known in this 
 country as any other who ever lived, as JEliza Whar- 
 ton the coquette, but very few know her real history and 
 true character. The catch penny volume of letters 
 which pretends to give her history, has but the figments 
 of the imagination of its authoress to recommend it. 
 
 Elizabeth Whitman came from a very respectable fam- 
 ily in Connecticut, where her father was a clergyman. 
 She was born in the year 1751. She was possessed of 
 an ardent poetical temperament, an inordinate love of 
 praise, and was gifted with the natural endowments of 
 beauty, and perfect grace, while she was accomplish- 
 ed with those refinements which education can be- 
 stow. She was lovely beyond words. Eut her natu- 
 ral amiabilities were warped and perverted by reading 
 great numbers of romances, to the exclusion of almost 
 all other reading. She formed her ideas of Man, by 
 the exaggerated standards she saw in the books to which 
 she resorted, and thus, when she looked around her, she 
 
HISTOllY OF DANVERS. 207 
 
 saw no one who realized her ideal. Superior, as she 
 unquestionably was to those of her sex who surrounded 
 her, she was eagerly sought after by those whose affec- 
 tions she won, but like the candle's blaze which draws 
 the moth, she consumed those who approached. In a 
 word, she was a confirmed coquette. Among a multitude 
 of offers, eligible and desirable, she found none that 
 seemed to answer her high expectations, and thus, she 
 wore her youth away, *' until disappointed and past her 
 bloom," (as a contemporary account observes,) ^'she 
 gave way to criminal indulgence, and the consequence 
 becoming visible, she eloped from her friends, and ter- 
 minated her career," Iler "criminal indulgence" con- 
 sisted in forming one of those improper connections to 
 which romantic minds are so prone. She became inti- 
 mate with a lawyer who was formerly her lover, and 
 whose heart already belonged to another; and in defi- 
 ance of the laws of God and Man, the usages of Soci- 
 ety and the dictates of a sound judgement, she sacri- 
 ficed her virtue and her reputation. Her paramour 
 equally guilty with herself afterwards became Hon. 
 Judge Pierpont Edwards, if we may believe Tradition. 
 She was brought in June 1788 to the Bell Tavern, 
 in a chaise driven by a young man who immediately 
 drove away and never returned. She affirmed that she 
 was married, and even laid a letter professedly written 
 by her husband, but in reality written by herself, on her 
 table, in order to pro.luce the impression that she was 
 married. She wrote E. Walker on the door, and one 
 day, while she was looking out of the window, a man 
 passing, stopped to read the name, and when he went 
 
ike ell'i 
 
 208 His"^0'isr OF danvers. 
 
 a way without caHiiig, slie was hoard to say, '^•'I am un- 
 done !" Probably there was some concei'fced plan that he 
 should pas3 through the town and should fmd her by 
 the name v,"hich vv-as written on the door, and would at- 
 tend her in her misfortune, if ho could do so without 
 compromising his reputation. 
 
 Her appearance of gentility and gracefulness was 
 such, that as she passed along the street, old and j^oung 
 turned to look after the "beautiful strange lady." ''• At 
 the Y/indow of the south chamber she used to sit, and 
 while away the heavy hours at her needle or guitar." 
 She was an object of intense curiosity to the people of 
 the village. As her critical hour drew rapidly nigh, 
 she so enlisted the sympathy of a neighboring lady in 
 her behalf, that she consented one evening for her 
 to take up her abode with the family the next day. 
 That night she was delivered of a still born child, and 
 died in two weeks of a puerperal fever. Those who per- 
 formed the last oinces due mortality speak of the won- 
 derful symmetry of her person, and the extraordinary 
 length and beauty of her hair. 
 
 The following letter and poem not only proclaim her 
 as a woman of refined and delicate mind, but they also 
 show us the sure results of vice. These were found 
 among her elTects after her decease, and were published 
 in the Massachusetts Sentinel, Sept. 20, 1788. The 
 letter vvas in cyphers. 
 
 L ETTER. 
 '• Must I die alone ? Shall I never see you more ? I know that 
 you wiii come, but you vill come too lata. This Is, I fear, my last 
 ability. Tears fall so, I laiow not how to write. Why did you leave 
 
s5J5 
 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 209 
 
 me in so much distress ? But I will not reproach you. All that was 
 dear 1 left for you ; but do not regret it. May God forgive in both 
 what was amiss. When I go from hence, I will leave you some way 
 to find me ; if I die, will you come and drop a tear over my grave?" 
 
 The Poem is a pastoral, and exhibits much true feel- 
 ing and artistic merit. 
 
 ■' DISAPPOINTMENT. 
 
 *'\Vith fond impatience all the tedious day 
 
 I sighed, and wished the lingering hours away ; 
 
 For when bright Ilesper led the starry train, 
 
 My Shepherd swore to meet me on the plain ; 
 
 With eager haste to that dear spot I flew, 
 
 And hngered long and then the tears withdrew ; 
 
 Alone, abandoned to love's tentlerest woes, 
 
 Down my pule cheeks the tide of sorrow flows ; 
 
 Dead to all joy that fortune can bestow. 
 
 In vain far me her useless bounties flow ; 
 
 Take back each envied gift ye power divinp, 
 And only let me call Fidelio mine. 
 Ah, wretch ! what anguish yet thy soul must prove, 
 For thou can'st hope to lose thy care in love ; 
 And when Fidelio meets thy tearf.al eye, 
 Pale fear and cold despair his presence fly; 
 With pensive steps I sought thy walks again. 
 And ki&sed thy token on the verdant plain ; 
 With fondest hope through many a blissful hour, 
 
 We gave our souls to fancy's pleasing power ; 
 Lost in the magic of that sweet employ, 
 To build gay scenes, and fa:>hion future joy, 
 We saw mild Peace over fair Canaan rise, 
 And shower her pleasures from benignant skies ; 
 On airy hills our happy mansion rose. 
 Built but for joy, no room for future woes ; 
 Round the calm solitude with ceaseless song, 
 
 •i^ H' i} if. if. it 
 
 Sweet as the sleep of innocence the day, 
 By transports measured, lightly danced away ; 
 18 
 

 210 HISTORY OF DANVEES. 1] 
 
 I 
 
 To lovo, to bliss, the iiniou'd soul was given, 
 
 But all ! too liappy, asked no biighier heaven. 
 
 And must the hours in ceaseless anguish roll ? 
 
 Will no soft sunshine cheer my clouded soul? 
 
 Can this dear earth no transient joy supply ? 
 
 Is it my doom to hope, despair and die ? 
 
 Oh ! come once mors, with soft endearments come. 
 
 Burst tht; cold prison ofthe sullen tonih ; 
 
 Thro' iavor'd walks thy chosen maid attend, 
 
 Where well-kiiovvn sh;iucs their pleasing branches bend ; 
 
 Shed the soft poison ofihy speaking eye, 
 
 And look those raptures lifeless words deny ; 
 
 Stiil he, tho' late, reheard what ne'er could tire, 
 
 But. told each eve, fresh pleasures would inspire ; 
 
 Still hope those scenes which love and fancy drew; 
 
 But drawn a thousand times, were ever new, 
 
 Can fancy paint, can words express; 
 
 Can aughl on earth my woes redress; 
 
 E'en thy soft smiles can ceaseless prove 
 
 Thy truth, thy tenderness and love; 
 
 Once th.iu couldsi every bliss inspire. 
 
 Transporting joy, and giy desire; 
 
 Now co'id Despair her banner rears, 
 
 And pleasure flios when she appears; 
 
 Fond hope within my bosom di^s, 
 And agony her place supplies: 
 O, thou! for whose dear sake I bear, 
 A doom so dreadful, so severe, 
 May h)ppy fates thy footsteps guide. 
 And o'er ihy pejceful home preside 
 
 Nitr let E a's early toaib 
 
 Infect thee with its baleful gloom." 
 
 Tlio novelty of her situation, and her attractive beau- 
 ty and manners during her short sojourn in Danvers. 
 caused the entire village and many from the neighbor- 
 in<x towns to attend her funeral. A few weeks after 
 
 
niSTOr.Y OF DAXYERS. 211 
 
 her burial an unknown hand erected a grave-stone with 
 the following eloquent inscription : 
 
 " This humhlo stone in memory of Elizaleth Wiiit- 
 jMA:t, is inscribed by her weeping friends, to whom she 
 endeared herself by uncommon tenderness and affection. 
 Endowed widi superior genius and acquirements, she 
 was still more endeared by humility and benevolence. 
 Let candor throw a veil over her frailties, for a'reat was 
 her charity to others. She sustained the last painful 
 scene far from every filend, and exhibited an example 
 of calm resignation. Ilcr departure was on the 25th of 
 July, A. D. 1788, in the 37th year of her age, and 
 the tears of strangers watered her grave." 
 
 Her grave is a Mecca for all who love the romantic. 
 Already the foot-stone has been demolished and the 
 bead-stone partially carried away, piecemeal, by acquis- 
 iiiive pilgrims. The writer of this sketch once visited 
 this spot, a cold morning in December, after a night 
 of snow, and though tlio roads were but sh'ghtly 
 travelled, yet there was a path to the grave of Eli- 
 za Wharton. 
 
 Althougli there has been a romantic moonlight thrown 
 around the name and fate of the wicked and unfortu. 
 natc, yet brilliant and amiable coquette, when Ave look 
 at her conduct coldly, and scrutinize it as wo do ord> 
 nary derelictions from the path of duty, — especially 
 when wo remember that our heroine was no inexperi. 
 enced, unsophisticated maiden, but a woman of tlic so- 
 ber autumnal ago of thirty-s()ven — we shall find matter 
 for condemnation. Still let us employ the charitable 
 
 m^ jiu 
 
212 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 reflection that age is not exempt from error, and that 
 experience does not always give wisdom. 
 
 Note. — To Matthew Stickney, Esq., an industrious 
 and talented Antiquarian, (whose rare collection of 
 coins, medals, pamphlets and other antiquities, is indeed 
 valuable,) I am indebted for the discovery of the fore- 
 going poem, and also for other facts wdiich his research- 
 es obtained. 
 
 Samuel Pagehom Aug. 1st, 1753, was one, amongst 
 the many patriotic sons of Danvers, who cheerfully offer- 
 ed his services to his country, at the breaking out of 
 the revolution. 
 
 On the 19th of April 1775, when at work with his 
 father. Col. Jeremiah Page, the news came, that the 
 British troops had left Boston, and were on their march 
 to Concord. He, and his father, (who commanded a 
 company of militia,) immediately left their work, and 
 proceeded to West Cambridge, where they united with 
 the minute men from the north part of the town, under 
 the command of Col. Hutchinson. Page and his com- 
 rades were inclosed in a yard, with bunches of shingles 
 placed around it for abreast work. Here they discharge 
 ed two volleys of musketry at the main body of the 
 British, then on their retreat. So unexpected and fa- 
 tal was this assault upon the enemy's retreating columns, 
 that it brought them to a halt. In loading their guns 
 for another fire. Page broke his ramrod, a wooden one, 
 and turning round, asked Perley Putnam to lend him 
 his, but at that instant, a shot from the enemy's flank 
 
 ffi-?^ 
 
> ".If » 
 
 rft, >-■ , ■ — . ' . - . . , ■■ — — ^^f 
 
 HISTOKY OP DAXVERS. 213 
 
 guard laid Puinam dead at his feet. Their attention was 
 now immediately directed to a large body of men, rap. 
 idly approacliing toward tliem, when Col. Hutchinson 
 remarked, "they are our ovv'n men," but Aaron 
 Cheever (father of Capt. Thomas Cheever) said, ''no 
 tliey are regulars, don't you see their red coats ?" A 
 firo from them soon revealed their true character. They 
 immediately returned the enemy's discharge, but their 
 I superior force soon compelled them to make a hasty re- 
 treat. Capt. Page made good his escape, by running 
 through an orchard, bringing a row of apple trees be- 
 tween him and the enem;/ , thus protecting himself from 
 their shot. Page joined the army under Gen. Wash- 
 ington at Cambridge, with a captain's commission, and 
 was with him at the crossing of the Delaware, and at 
 the battles of Y\liite Plains, and Monmouth. During 
 the severe winter of 1777, he was at Valley Forge, 
 and shared the sufferings, to wliich the American Army 
 were at that time exposed. He was frequently heard 
 to say, Wiicn speaking of the battle of Monmouth, 
 fought June 28th 1778, that it was the most fatiguing 
 day he ever experienced. The heat was excessive, and 
 his thirst during the engagement, was almost insupport- 
 able. The British in consecpience of wearing thick 
 heavy uniforms and ecpiipments strapped about them^ 
 suTered more severely than the Americans, who fought 
 in their shirt sleeves. Capt. Page himself on that day, 
 vroro a linen coat, now in the possession of the family. 
 ile was aho with Gen. Wayne at the storming of 
 Stoncy Point. Ho was in the advance, and Wayne 
 having determined to carry the place at the point of the 
 
eJT^ 
 
 214 HISTORY OF DANVERS. [ 
 
 bayonet alone, Capfc. Page received orders from the Gen- 
 eral, to take the flmts from the muskets of his companj^ 
 After the close of the war, he was engaged in commer- 
 cial pursuits. In the war of 1812, he commanded a 
 company formed at the New-Mills, called in those days, 
 the alarm list. That Capt. Page enjoyed a large share 
 of the confidence of his fellow citizens, may be inferred 
 from the fact, that he held many public offices, and re- 
 presented the town many years in the General Court. 
 His private character was distinguished for benevolence, 
 integrity and moral worth. He died suddenly, Septem- 
 ber 2d, 1814, aged 61 years, and was interred in the 
 burial ground at the Plains, with the following inscrip- 
 tion on his tomb stone. 
 
 A Soldier, Patriot, Christian, 
 His virtues embalm his memory. 
 Children's children shall rise up, 
 and call him blessed. 
 
 Furnished hy S. P. Fowler. 
 
 Bennison Wallis. This gentleman was born in Ips- 
 wich, in 1756, but in early life came to Danvers, and 
 was one of those from this town who went co meet the 
 British troops at Lexington. He was then but nineteen 
 years of age, and was wounded as described in the ac- 
 count of that battle in another part of this work. He 
 afterwards went out in a privateer and assisted in the 
 capture of a British transport, having on board a part 
 of the celebrated Highland regiment. His subsequent 
 life was devoted to business pursuits, in which he was 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 215 
 
 successful ill the accumulation of a handsome estate. 
 For several years he was a member of the Legislature, 
 and was generally esteemed by his fellow citizens as an 
 enterprising and useful member of society. The follow- 
 ing Epitaph, understood to be from the pen of Hon. 
 Rufus Choate, who at the time of Mr. Wallis's death 
 was in the practice of law in this town, is a brief but 
 just expression of the prominent traits of his character. 
 
 ERECTED 
 
 To the jNIemory of 
 DENNISON AYALLIS, 
 
 Who died August 16, 1825, Aged 69. 
 
 A Citizen 
 
 Enterprising, Industrious, Benevolent, 
 
 Honest and Patriotic, 
 
 A Friend kind and obliging 
 
 A man not without his frailties, 
 
 And who is without them ? 
 
 But in the main. Honorable, Wise 
 
 and Virtuous. 
 
 Although without children, Mr. Wallis always felt a 
 lively interest in the education of the young, and he has 
 left a noble monument to his memory in the endowment 
 of a School in District No. 1, where he lived. This 
 fund has been carefully cherished by the District and 
 the Trustees who have successively had charge of it, 
 and its income has always been faithfully applied to the 
 objects designed by the liberal donor. This fund was 
 originally $2,250, but has since been increased to 
 $2,800. By this judicious and benevolent application 
 
 ■m 
 
) 216 FJSTOrvY OF DANVERS. 
 
 of a portion of his estate, Mr. Wallis lias ranked his 
 name among the benefactors of mankind, and the Wal- 
 lis School ^vill long remain, we trust, to scatter its 
 blessings on successive generations of the young, as 
 well as to confer honor on the memory of its Founder. 
 
 Comrdunicated hy Fitch Poole. 
 
 3Ioses Porter was born in Panvors in the year 
 1757. He was an apprentice at the age of eighteen on 
 the breaking out of the Revolution, and immediately 
 joined the artillery company of Captain Trevctt. As a 
 private ariilleryman he was in the battle of Bunker 
 Hill and manifested uncommon bravery for his years 
 and experience. Svv^ett, in his account of Bunker Hill 
 Battle sdijs: " Captain Trevott was deserted by his men. 
 His lieutenants, Swasoy and Gardner stood by him, with 
 but seven others, one of whom vras Moses Porter, already 
 a promising artillerist." He was in the army which under 
 Washington beleaguered Boston, and through the whole 
 Revolution. He was in the Battle of Brandywinejand was 
 wounded in an engagement v/ith the British fleet on the 
 Delaware river, below Phlkidelphia. 
 
 At the close of iho war he was Captain of Artillery 
 by brevet, and was the only officer who vras retained on 
 the Peace Establishment. 
 
 He was on the western frontier for many years, and 
 was in the noted engagement on August 20th, 1791, 
 when Gen. Wayne, with nine hundied men routed two 
 thousand Indians, and laid waste their entire country. 
 From this time until the breaking out of the last war 
 he was constantly in the service of his Country, and 
 'kg ,. , |?3 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 217 
 
 among other duties he superintended the line of surveys 
 for fortifications &c., along the coasts of Maine and 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 In the late war he served on the lines, was at the taking 
 of Fort George, and commanded at Niagara, where he 
 held the rank of Brig. Gen. He accomplished in the 
 winter of 1813 a march from Niagara to New Orleans 
 in five months, throudi what was then a trackless wih 
 derness. He commanded the line of military posts from 
 Michilmacinac, Lake Huron to Natchitoches on the bor- 
 ders of the then Spanish Provinces. He accompanied 
 Wilkisson in his unsuccessful expedition against Montre- 
 al in 1814, and was stationed at Norfolk until the close 
 of the war. This post was at that time one of the most 
 important in the country, and was seriously menaced 
 by the British, but he was so skilfully entrenched that 
 they forebore all attack. 
 
 At the close of the war he still remained in the ser- 
 vice, and died in Cambridge in April 1822, in command 
 of the district he "so bravely defended in 1TT5." His 
 body is interred in N. Danvers. He was longer in the 
 American Service than any other officer of his grade 
 and in the words of Swett, "maintained an uniform and 
 distinguished reputation as one of the first artillery 
 officers in the service." Ho was a thorough "soldier, 
 and of course a high disciplinarian, and though distin- 
 guished for the inflexibility of the soldier, he was polish- 
 ed with the urbanity of a gentleman of the old school. 
 
 Sylvester Osborne was born in Danvers, in the year 
 1759. A youth of but sixteen years of age he rushed 
 
 

 218 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 to tlio affi-aj at Lexington, and afterwards served in the 
 ^Yar of the Itovolution, a short time. He -was after 
 the Revolution, promoted to the rank of Major, and died 
 Oct. 2d, 1815. He was selectman and representative, 
 and was distinguished for his peaceable life, and the 
 lidolitj with which he attended to his ovrn pursuits. 
 
 Amos Pope vrai a quiet unobtrusive, but intellectual 
 man, and deserving of honorable mention. He was an 
 excellent mathematician. He prepared an Almanac 
 for the year 1793, and according to tradition several 
 others, which he arranged in the solitude of an attic, 
 without the consolation of a fire. Ho, of course, made 
 his own calculations, which were accurate. These works 
 were printed at the Bell Tavern. 
 
 Nathaniel BotvcutcJi, L. L. D.^F. 11. S'., was born 
 in Salem, but as he removed to Danvors in his infancy, 
 and passed a portion of his childhood here, he seems to 
 belong here. Ho was a fourth son, and was born 
 March 26 ih, ITTo. His paternal ancestors had been 
 ship-masters for several generations, but his father re- 
 tired from that occupation, and became a cooper. He 
 began to manifest those remarka.blo faculties which af- 
 terwards distinguished hiin above every man in his pro- 
 fession, at an early ago, and although he vras obliged to 
 forego school privileges at the age of ten years, yet he 
 seems then only to have began to learn. He acquired 
 the Latin and French languages for the sake of transla, 
 ting Nevrton's Piincipia and La Place's Mcchaniquo 
 , Celeste, and arrived at a height of Mathematical great- 
 ly _____ e^,; 
 
1^ 
 
 HISTORY OP DAXVERS. 
 
 219"? 
 
 ness far above liis contemporaries. His work on prac- 
 tical navigation is the best in the world, and is used 
 universally by American sailors. Difficult Problems, 
 and the abstruse windina;3 of Mathematics were his pas- 
 
 time, and those calculations which were inscrutable to 
 other men were sport to him.* He died one of the most 
 remarkable vara of his dav, March IGth, 1838, a?!;cd 
 sixty-Uve years. The above is an accurate view of the 
 
 *TIii.s is not the place r>r an extended notice of one known so well 
 but it is a fact ihat cannot bo loo long dwelt upon, that Dr. Bowditch 
 
 
220 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 
 
 house in which he obtained the rudiments of his great- 
 ness, — where he first took note of the silver Regent of 
 Night and her starry flock, and commenced cultivating 
 an acquaintance with those heavenly hosts which he af- 
 terwards knew so well, and to which he seemed so 
 strangely allied. 
 
 Nathan Read. To Hon. Nathan Read, belongs 
 much credit, for the great encouragement he gave to 
 manufactures and the arts. He was one of the first to 
 test the efficiency of steam applied to Navigation, which 
 he did soon after the astonishing developments of Fitch, 
 Fulton and Livingston, in the commencement of the 
 Nineteenth Century. Fitch was doubtless the first man 
 who ever applied steam to locomotion. Fulton and 
 Livingston in the year 1806, began to experiment, and 
 in the following year they launched their first boat, the 
 Clermont, which performed a passage from Noav York 
 to Albany, at the rate of 5 miles per hour. Read saw 
 that steam might be applied to navigation and actually 
 projected experiments at least ten years before this, but 
 a*lack of means prevented him from proving his pro- 
 phetic opinions. The following will serve to rank Read 
 among the venerable apostles of Science and Industry, 
 of whom our country is justly proud. 
 
 ^'Memorandum. Li the summer of 1788 I went to 
 assist Mr Nathan Read in keeping his apothecaries 
 
 was not a mere Theorist. He was a practical man, and tested his 
 conclusions by facts. He navigated Salem Harbor in a small pleas- 
 are boat for the purposG of experiment, and rendered his conclusions 
 susceptible of demonstration. 
 
HISTORY OF 17ANVERS. 221 
 
 m 
 
 shop. The following whiter and in the summer of 1789, 
 he was much engaged on Mechanical and Philosophical 
 subjects, particularly in the construction of a steam-en- 
 gine, whose power might be advantageously applied to 
 the propelling of boats and carriages, and in order to 
 ascertain by experiment the effect that float wheels 
 would have upon the boat, I very well remember that 
 he had a light boat built by a Mr. Peirce, to which Avas 
 attached a pair of float wheels to be moved by hand. 
 The experiment was tried in Porter's River in Dan- 
 vers. I was not a witness to it, but was told that it 
 succeeded to his fullest expectations. The boat was 
 afterwards brought back and remained for some time 
 in the back part of the shop. Why the steam w^as not 
 applied, I then did not make enquiry ; and soon after 
 leaving his shop for othar pursuits, I made no further 
 enquiries about it. But have understood it was for the 
 want of a sufficient capital to put it in operation," 
 
 WM. SHEPARD GRAY." 
 
 "Salem, Dec. 1816. 
 
 "I recollect the above facts stated by Mr. Gray and 
 remember to have seen Mr. Read row about the river 
 in the boat ; but could not ascertain the time when the 
 boat was made and used." 
 
 ''JOHN PRINCE, L. L. D. 
 
 These facts serve to show that Danvers would have 
 given birth to the steamboat had Mr. Read been bless- 
 ed with a little more worldly wealth. lie now resides 
 in Belfast Me. in a green old age. 
 
 19 
 
e/«v» 
 
 i1 222 HISTORY OF DANVERS. f 
 
 Hon. Ellas Putnam., waa born in Danvers, June 
 7tb 1789. He manifested quite early in life those 
 traits of character which afterwards rendered him one 
 of the most distinguished and useful men of North Dan- 
 vers. He invented several machines for the manufac- 
 ture of Shoes, and by his skill and indefatigable indus- 
 try and perseverance, he advanced that business which 
 constitutes the basis of the Prosperity of Danvers. He 
 was President of the Village Bank from its formation 
 until the day of his death. He held many important 
 town offices, and served his fellow-citizens in the capaci- 
 ty of Legislator during the years 1829 — 80. He was 
 also a member of the State Senate. He possessed in 
 an uncommon degree the confidence and esteem of his 
 fellow-citizens, and his death was felt by them to be a 
 public loss. He died July 8th, 1817, aged 56 years. 
 The Directors of the Village Bank, on receiving news 
 of his death, passed unanimous resolutions expressive 
 of regret and sympathy, as did the Walnut Grove Cem- 
 etery Corporation, both of which enterprises he befriend- 
 ed and aided, manifesting in this the public spirit which 
 always distinguished him. 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL. 
 I. NORTH PARISH. 
 
 "The ffarmers," or people of "Salem Village Pre- 
 cinct" and vicinity, had long felt the inconvenience of 
 observing public worship in Salem proper. From time 
 to time, commencing as early as A. D. IGGG, petitions 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS, 223 
 
 . I 
 
 were presented to effect a separation between these and 
 Salem, and the estabUshment of a parish at or near Sa- 
 lem village. In 1G70, the power to form a church was 
 prayed for bj Thomas Small, Lott Kellum, (Kilham,) 
 John Smith, John Buxton, John Wilkins, Jonathan 
 Knight, Phihp Knight, Thomas Flint, Hutchin- 
 son, John Hutchinson, Richard Hutchinson, Job Swin- 
 nerton, Robert Goodalo, Nathaniel Putnam, Thomas 
 Fuller, John Putnam, Bray Wilkins, John Gingill, Na- 
 thaniel Ingersoll and Thomas Putnam. The petition- 
 ers say that they shall become worse than the heathen 
 around them unless they can have a church. 
 
 The town voted, March 22d, 16T1-2, that '-all ffar- 
 mersthat now are, or hereafter shall be wilUng to joyne 
 together for providing a minister among themselves, 
 whose habitations are above Ipswich Highway, the 
 horse bridsie to the wooden bridoie at the hither end of 
 Mr. Endecott's plaine, and from thence on a west line, 
 shall have liberty to have a minister by themselves, and 
 when they shall provide and pay him in a maintainance 
 that then, they shall be discharged from their part of 
 Salem minister's maintainance, &c." On the 8th of 
 the following October an order was issued from General 
 Court, in answer to the petition of Richard Hutchinson, 
 Thomas Fuller and others, establishing the Salem A^il- 
 lage Parish. The bounds are thus described : 
 
 " A^illage Line : 1. From the wooden bridge (a) 
 upon the hither end of Mr. Endecott's plaine, upon a 
 strait line over the swampy and miry land, leaving 
 John Felton's hedge in the swamp within our bounds, to 
 a small ash tree marked E. & AY. side at the farther 
 
224 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 part of said s\YaiBpy land. 2. The next bound Tree 
 marked on the East and West side is a small young 
 walnut Tree upon the rising ground about 20 or 30 
 R^ds distant from the ash bofFor m3ntioned, and from 
 thence forward on a strai^i>ht Line are several Trees 
 marked for bounds all the way through Nathaniel Put- 
 nam and Anthony Needham's Lands, leaving Anthony 
 Needham's House about forty Rods within our bounds, 
 to a white oak tree marked neer ye Highway that goes 
 to widow Popes. 3. From thence on a strait Line to 
 a small walnut Tree, marked, standing near that Avhich 
 is now the millpond. 4. From thence over the millpond 
 to a drie stump standing at the corner of widow Pope's 
 Cow Pen, leaving her house and the sawmill within the 
 ffarmer's range. 5. From thence, a Black or Red oak 
 Tree we have marked, standing on the top of ye Hill 
 by the Highway side near Berry pond." 
 
 JOSEPPI GARDNER, 
 JOHN PICKERING, 
 BARTHOLOMEW GEDNEY. 
 22d March 16T1-2." 
 
 There were some of the farmers who desired to'contin- 
 I ue to worship at the first church in Salem, but thougli 
 they petitioned against the request, the village parish 
 was at this time established. The money to- defray all 
 charges, was raised by levying a half penny tax on each 
 acre of uncultivated land within the parish, and a penny 
 on each cultivated acre. It was voted to build a house 
 ^'34 foot in length, 28 foot broad, and 16 foot between 
 joyntes," '^and that tlie 5 part of the rate for building of 
 
 i^!?«<=rjz.-; 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 225 
 
 the meeting house and finishing the same, shall be paid 
 in money, or butter at 5d per pound." A portion of 
 the town of Salem did not view this project favorably, 
 and petitioned the Court against it — unsuccessfully. 
 The services of Rev. James Bayley were procured as 
 the first minister of the parish, Oct. 28, 1671 — 2. 
 For the year 1671 — 2 he received £47 and forty cords 
 of wood. In the year following a parsonage was erect- 
 ed "28 foot in length, 13 foot between joynts, 20 foot 
 in breadth ; and a leentoo of 11 foot at the end of the 
 house." The building Committee consisted of Nath'l 
 Patnam, John Putnam, Joseph Hutchinson, Henry Ken- 
 ny, John Buxton, Nath'l Ingersoll and Robert Prince. 
 Mr. Bayley remained at a salary of about £bO until 
 the year 1679. He was born in Newbury Sept. 12th, 
 1650, and graduated at Cambridge in 1669. Nov. 
 25th 1680 Rev. George Burroughs was invited to set- 
 tle, and it was voted that he should receive "for his 
 raentenance amongst us for the year ensewing, sixty | 
 pounds In and as mony, one third part in mony cartain, 
 the other two thirds in provision at mony prise as fol- 
 loweth : Rye, and Barly, and malt, at three shillings 
 per bushell : Indian corn at two shillings a bushell, 
 beaf at three half pence a pound, and pork at two 
 pence a pound : Butter at six pence a pound &c." In 
 February 1680 it was voted to build a house for the 
 ministry "42 foot long, 20 foot broad, 13 foot wide, four 
 chimleis, no gable ends." A violent dispute raged at 
 this time between two portions of the parish, which re- 
 sulted in the removal of Mr. Burroughs in 1682. He 
 removed to Falmouth, whence he was driven by Indi- 
 
 ^- — 
 
226 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 ans to Wells, Maine, where he resided until 1692 when 
 he was accused of witchcraft^ and was executed on 
 "Gallows Hill," Salem. See Biography. 
 
 In 1683 Rev. Deodat Lawson was called as minister. 
 He accepted and took up his residence in Salem Vil- 
 lage in the year following. At this time the house was 
 lathed, plastered and "daubed". Two end galleries 
 were added and a "canapee" was placed over the pul- 
 pit. In 1685 it was voted that Mr. Lawson should 
 have the "strangers money." (b) In the month of 
 June this year a committee was chosen to "seat the 
 house, having respect 1st to age, 2d to office, od to 
 rates." 
 
 Joseph Hutchinson who gave the land whereon the 
 parsonage was placed, having enclosed the same within 
 a fence and claimed it as his own, a committee was chos- 
 en to act in the matter as they thought proper. In 
 February 1687 a committee was raised to examine the 
 book of records, and "coppie out any enterics that are 
 therein which they conceive have been greevous to any 
 of us in time past, or that may be unprofitable to us in 
 time to come &c." Accordingly several votes were 
 "coppied" out and annulled ; among others one to 
 build a ministry house daring Mr. Bayleys residence. 
 Doubtless this vote relates to the Ions; and serious trou- 
 bles which raged for several years about this time. It 
 is probable, that in the heat of debate and controversy, 
 many injudicious expressions were uttered and record- 
 ed. This act destroyed them, and they no longer re- 
 buked their authors. 
 
 A large portion of the people opposed Mr. Lawson's 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 227 
 
 labors, and were unwilling that he should be ordained. 
 At length a council was called to settle the differences, 
 consisting of Messrs. Bartholomew Gednej, John Hath- 
 orne, Wm. Brown Jr., John Higginson and Nicholas 
 Nojes, who recommended the parish to preserve the 
 old book of records, and to repeal such votes as were of- 
 fensive to any one, and thus, have a harmonious ordina- 
 tion. The breach was impassable however, and in 
 1688, Mr. Lawson removed to Scituate and took charge 
 of the South Society in that place. 
 
 The following is extracted from the Church Record : 
 
 "Nov. 30, 1688, Nathaniel Sheldon, well on mon- 
 day, sick tuesday, distracted thursday, and so continued 
 till friday he died." 
 
 "Dec. 20th, Sam. Wilkins a very naughty man, and 
 died hopelessly." 
 
 In June 1689, Rev. Samuel Parris was invited to 
 Salem Village and he accepted the call. His salary 
 was to be £j'<}^^ one third money and two thirds provis- 
 ion, — the parish to give more if "God blessed them, 
 and he to abate if they were not favored." Nov. lOth, 
 a church was embodied, comprising besides those in 
 the neighborhood, the following persons from the Ist 
 Church : Bray Wilkins and wife, John Patnam and 
 wife, Nathaniel Ingersoll, Ezekiel Cheever, Peter Pres- 
 cott, John Putnam Jr. and wife, Deliverance Wolcott, 
 Jonathan Putnam and wife, Sarah Putnam, Nathaniel 
 Putnam, Joshua Ray and wife, Thomas Putnam, Ed- 
 ward Patnam, Peter Cloyce, Benjamin Patnam and 
 wife, Henry Wilkins, and Benjamin Wilkins and wife. 
 The vote inviting Mr. Parris is recorded thus : "that 
 
228 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 we will give to Mr. Parice our menestrye hotise and 
 farme, and too akers of land next ajoyning to the house : 
 and that Mr. Parice take ofice upon him amongst vs, 
 and Live and dye in the work of the menestrye amongst 
 vs.'* The 1st Parish in Salem was not willing to lose 
 the benefits accruing to it from the people of the vil- 
 lage, and accordingly we find that it compelled them 
 not only to defray their own parish charges, but to as- 
 sist in supporting its minister. In the year 1690, the 
 village asked instructions of the General Court, to know 
 if they must support their own parish, and assist the 
 first parish also. The petitioners were John Putnam 
 Thomas ffaller, ffrancis Nurs, Daniel Andrew, and, 
 Thomas Putnam. This petition they renewed in 1692, 
 to the selectmen of Salem, asking the privilege of reg- 
 ulating their parish alone, ''or elce cleer vs from all 
 town charges, and then we will maintaine all our own 
 poor : and Highways : and paye our county rates with 
 the town of Salem." 
 
 The following extract from the Church Books in 
 the writing of Mr. Parris will show us that the condi- 
 tion of the minister in ancient times was not always as 
 enviable as we are apt to suppose. 
 
 "8, Oct. 1691. Being my Lecture day, after pub- 
 lic service was ended, I was so bare of firewood, that I 
 was forced publicly to desire the Lihabitants to take 
 care that I might be provided for, telling them had it 
 not been for Mr. Corwin (who had brought wood, being 
 here at my house,) I should hardly have any to burn." 
 
 June 28th, 1691,Nath'lLagersoll was chosen first dea- 
 con. Aug. 3d, 1691 the parish ask the Generi^l Court 
 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 229 
 
 to issue an order ''compelling the severall fameleyes 
 wliicli line ajacent to vs, and are constant comers to 
 our meating house to be sum wave helpful to vs to main- 
 taine our minister &c." In 1G92 the great witchcraft 
 excitement broke out, and made dreadful havoc in the 
 church. Mr. Parris took so active a part in that awful 
 tragedy, and rendered himself so obnoxious to the people 
 that in 1693 it was proposed to make void his salary, 
 (c.) The feelings of opposition increased against him, 
 until Jane 30th, 1696, when he was obliged to leave his 
 charge. During the heat of the excitement of 16- 
 92, Mr. Lawson the former minister preached a sermon 
 at Salem Village, applicable to its singular difficulties, 
 which was published, entitled "Christ's fidelity the only 
 shield against Satan's malignity." Mr. Parris resided 
 in the Village about a year after he left his charge. 
 See Biography. 
 
 After Mr. Piirrls left, unsuccessful attempts were 
 made to settle Rev. Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Bayley, 
 the former minister. Nov. 5th, 1696 was observed as 
 a "day of humiliation to seek direction of the All-wise 
 God consarninci; a minister, and wee desire that the 
 reverend Mr. Haile, Mr. Noice, Mr. Gerrish and Mr. 
 Pairpoint, to be helpfull, <fec." Mr Emerson preached 
 the last Sunday in October, and fruitless efforts were 
 made to procure the services of Rev. Simon "Broad- 
 streat" for^halfe a year." Simon Bradstreet, grand- 
 son of Gov. Bradstreet, was born Nov. 16th, 1669. 
 He preached at Medford and Charlestown, and died 
 Dec. 31st, 174—. In February 1697 Rev. Nath'l 
 Rogers was invited. Nathaniel Rogers a descendant 'j 
 
i 230 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 of the martyr John, was born in Ipswich Feb. 22d, 16- 
 70, settled at Portsmouth in 1699 and died there Oct. 
 3d, 1723. A suit was this year instituted against Mr. 
 Parris to obUge him to surrender the house and lands 
 he occupied, belonging to the parish. Mr. Parris com- 
 menced a counter-suit These were finally settled, and 
 Mr. Parris moved from the town. 
 
 In August, 1697, the invitation to Mr. Rogers was 
 renewed. Oct. 5th was observed as a day of fasting 
 and prayer. During this month, Mr. Hale preached 
 one or two Sundays. In December, Mr. Joseph Green 
 was invited, and the next, month he accepted. His sal- 
 ary was to be X60 per annum. At his installation, the 
 churches in Salem, Beverly, Wenham, Reading and 
 Roxbury were represented. The half-way Covenant 
 was instituted during his ministry. 
 
 In the year 1700, a movement was made to build a 
 meeting-house "48 foot long, 42 foot wide and 20 foot 
 between joynts ;" tobe "lathed and plastered upon the 
 planks with Limb and haire ; to be built as far as pos- 
 sible by men of the village ; to be completed within 
 two years, and to be "sett vpon Watch House hill, be- 
 fore Deacon Ingersoll's door," This house was finished 
 at a cost of .£330 old tenor, X47 new tenor, equal to 
 $156.66 ! The old house was sold. Watch house hill 
 is the swell of land occupied by the First Cong. Church. 
 
 As there were some who wished to leave the parish 
 
 and join the Second Church in Beverly, it was voted 
 
 in 1711 "that when those that petition shall have built 
 
 a meeting house and settled a minister amongst them, 
 
 y and maintaine an authordox minister amongst them. To 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 231* 
 
 witt : Capt. Thomas Rajment, and Mr. Joseph herick, 
 Jonathan Rayment and William Porter, that is, all his 
 land that Ijeth to the Estward side of frostfish river, 
 that then we dismiss them from any further charge to 
 the ministry among vs, in the Village." 
 
 On the 2oth, of October 1715, Mr Green departed 
 this life miiversally regretted and esteemed. 
 
 In August of the following year Rev. Peter Clark 
 was invited to settle at a salary of £60, with a present 
 of X90. He accepted, commenced his labors in Janu- 
 ary and was ordained June 5th, 1717. The churches 
 in Beverly, Wenham, Reading and Topsfield were 
 present. 
 
 The neighbors at Wills Hill set forth in a petition 
 to the Village, that they lived too far to attend worship 
 there, and asked leave to join with those of Topsfield, 
 Boxford, and Andover in building a meeting house on 
 "a track of ground beginning at the hornbeam tree at 
 Ipswich river which is Boxford bound," and so on up 
 the west side of the river to Reading line, up Reading 
 line to Andover line, up Andover line to Boxford line, 
 and back to the hornbeam tree. It was replied to them 
 that their prayer should be granted, when they should 
 build a house and settle an '^authordox" minister. In 
 1724 a bell was procured by ''superscription," and 
 hung by Capt. Thomas Flint. 
 
 The people at Will's Hill proposed that their boun- 
 dary line should cross the upland from CromwelFs Rock, 
 (d) but the village voted that Cromwell's brook should 
 be the boundary. In 1727 the rates at Will's hill were 
 abated, and in 1728 the lands at Will's Hill were all 
 
 w 
 
/ 232 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 absolved from taxes. It was voted to build a new par- 
 sonage in Jan. 1734 "23 ft long, 18 ft broad and 15 ft 
 stud." At this time choir singing was unknown. Psalms 
 were read line bj line in response to the pastor, bj the 
 deacon. 
 
 In the year 1740 Rev. George Whitefield then in the 
 zenith of his greatness, preached in Salem in the pres- 
 ence of Mr. Clarke. He says in his journal "I preach- 
 ed to about 2000. Mr. C k, a good minister seem- 
 ed almost in heaven." 
 
 Many people had been in the habit of consulting for- 
 tune tellers, and the prevalence of this superstitious 
 custom led the church in 1746 to vote, "that for Chris- 
 tians to consult reputed witches or fortune tellers, this 
 church firmly believe on the testimony of the word of 
 God, is highly impious and scandalous, being a violation 
 of the Christian covenant, rendering the persons guilty 
 of it subject to the just censure of the church. Voted, 
 that the Pastor, in the name of the Church, publicly tes- 
 tify their abhorrence of this practice, warning all under 
 their watch and care to guard against it." March 11th 
 1749 a contribution of X13, 8 shil., was collected to 
 ransom the daughter of David Woodwell of Hopkinton, 
 from Indian captivity. 
 
 In the year 1768 Mr. Clark's health deserted him, 
 and he was compelled to forego the labors of the pulpit. 
 It therefore became necessary to procure some other 
 person during his inability, to labor in his stead. The 
 additional burden which this course imposed, led the 
 people of the Village to fall back upon the terms origi- 
 nally agreed upon between the parties. Although 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 233 
 
 these terms were £60 per annum, yet owing to the de- 
 preciation of the currency, the parish had given for 18 
 years, £90. As Mr. Clark was unable to perform his 
 duties, the parish fell back upon £60. This caused a 
 difference between minister and people, which not only 
 ran high here, but caused an article to appear in a 
 newspaper published in Boston, accusing the people of 
 the parish, of faithlessness and cruelty to their tried ser- 
 vant. A committee was chosen to defend the parish, 
 which they did in the same paper. After setting forth 
 the merits of the case, and affirming that Mr. Clark 
 has received for many years £30 more than the orig- 
 inal contract, and that he has the best estate in the 
 parish, they close thus: "They think therefore, that 
 far from remorse at their conduct, those passages, 
 (which the author of the aforesaid piece has with res- 
 pect to them, cited for a very ditlerent purpose,) they 
 may with humble confidence apply to themselves, viz : 
 'the liberal soul shall be made fat,' and watered with 
 "the blessing from above," and with "the dew of heav- 
 en." And now to have done, would only recommend 
 to his consideration the following : 'The lip of truth 
 shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but 
 for a moment.' 
 
 Mr. Clark died in 1768, after ministering to the 
 parish fifty-two years. After his death llcv. Amos 
 Sawyer was invited to be liis successor, but he declined, 
 alleging as a reason, that the parish was divided. A 
 council was called to consider the differences, consisting 
 of Rev. Messrs. Chipman. Diraond, Barnard, Smith, 
 Holt, Sherman, Stone, and eight lay delegates. Mr. 
 
234 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Sawyer died Sept. Slst, 1769, before the Council con- 
 vened, and thus the differences ceased. 
 
 June 4th, 1770, was observed as a day of fasting. 
 
 March 14th, 1771, "Voted that in case any Person 
 that dont belong to the Parish should want to use the 
 Burying cloths, the keeper is to let them goe, they 
 paying h im one shilling four pence for the use of the 
 Great €loth, and eight pence for the use of the Small 
 Cloth &c." This year Eev. Joseph Currier was invi- 
 ted, who declined, because the parish was in a condi- 
 tion resembhng that mentioned in 1st Cor. i. 2. (e.) 
 
 There was a great deal of difficulty in settling a 
 minister; differences increased and multiplied, and it 
 seemed as though union was never to be hoped for. 
 
 At length Kev. Benjamin Wadsworth was called, on 
 the 17th of September, 1772. He accepted Nov. 5th, 
 and was ordained December 23d. Introductory Prayer 
 by Rev. Mr. Holt of the south parish ; Sermon by Bev. 
 Mr. Bobbins of ^lilton ; Charge and Prayer by Bev. 
 Mr. Morrill of Wilmington ; Bight Hand of Fellowship, 
 by Bev. Mi*. Smith of Middleton, and Concluding 
 Prayer by Bev. Mr. Swain of Wenham. Watts's 
 Hymns were used on this occasion, and Nov. 3d, 1775, 
 the church agreed to try them for 8 Sabbaths. 
 
 The ordination was a scene of great joy. All the 
 houses in the parish were thrown open, — different kinds 
 of liquor flowed in every direction, feasting and mirth 
 prevailed, and on the authority of Hon. Judge Holten, 
 one man wore out a new pair of boots in dancing on the 
 sanded floors. Although mid-winter, yet during the 
 
 k 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 235 
 
 ordination services, tlie church windows were opened, 
 and the air was mild and genial. 
 
 This parish, warmly zealous in the war, expressed a 
 willingness to tax property to any amount to raise funds. 
 Mr. Wadsworth desired to hear his part of the town's 
 expenses. He engaged to receive his salary for the 
 year 1780 and so long as the war should continue, in 
 produce at the following prices : Wool a 9 s, Flax a 
 5 s, Rye a 30 s, Indian Corn a 25 s. Oak Wood a X 5, 
 Beef a Is, 6d, and Pork a 2 s. 
 
 In 1783 it was proposed and voted by the parish to set 
 off the North Parish, and incorporate it as a separate 
 town, but as the rest of the town thought differently, it 
 was not accomplished. 
 
 April 11th, 1785, it was voted "to build a new meet- 
 ing house where the old one stands, 60 feet in length, 
 46 feet in width, 28 feet stud, a steeple 14 feet square 
 at one end, a porch at the other 12 feet square ; 58 
 pews on tho platform, 5 seats for men and 5 for 
 women." Some desired a brick house, and others a 
 wooden one, but when it was ascertained that the cost of 
 a brick house was X864, while one could be erected of 
 Wood for X350, it was decided to build a house of 
 wood. 
 
 In 1788, rates were abated of Samuel Cheever, 
 Jer. Hutchinson, James Smith, John Swinnerton, 
 Henry Putnam, Nath'l Webb, William Gifford, Ben- 
 jamin Gifford and Mrs. Eunice Hutchinson, because 
 they entertained religious sentiments differing from 
 those professed by the church. — A porch was added 
 to the meeting house in 1708, 12 feet by 8. In 1800 
 
 m 
 
236 HISTORY OF danvers. 
 
 the parsonage was sold to Hon. Samuel Ilolten for §18,' 
 25. In 1802 the body of the meetmg house was paint- 
 ed stone color, and the weather boards white. A new 
 bell was purchased, weighing G74: lbs., — at a cost 
 of $360. 
 
 '' Sept. 24th, 1805, before the dawning of the day, 
 the meeting house was discovered to be on fire and was 
 burnt to the ground in a short time. It was supposed 
 to be set on fire bj some incendiary, and a man b}^ the 
 name of Ilolten Goodale was arrested the same evening, 
 and after examination the next day was committed to 
 prison. But having his trial at the next session of the 
 Supreme Judicial Court that was holden at Salem, he 
 appeared to be an insane person, and was therefore 
 sentenced to receive no punishment but that of confine- 
 ment as a lunatick." 
 
 Notwithstanding this discouraging loss, the energy 
 of the parish was not destroyed ; a new house of brick 
 was immediately projected and finished. It was 66 feet 
 long, bG feet wide and 28 feet high, with a steeple, or 
 tower, 16 feet 4 inches square, on the end towards the 
 road leading from Andover to Salem. The whole cost 
 was §11,300,00. 
 
 The following persons were severed from the South, 
 and vrere annexed to the Nortli Parish in 1806 : Sam- 
 uel Page, John and Moses Endicott, Nathaniel Put- 
 nam. Samuel Fowler Jr., Caleb Oakes, William Pindar, 
 Jaspar Needham, John Gardner Jr., and Amos Fhnt. 
 
 The long and arduous labors of Benjamin Wads worth, 
 D. D., were closed by death in the year 1826. As he 
 was unable to fill his pulpit. Rev. Thomas M. Smith 
 
 li 
 
HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 237 
 
 preached 6 months m 1825. Mr. Waclsworth had been 
 pastor of one flock for more than half a century, and died, 
 full of years and honor. He left a legacy of $150,00 
 to the parish. Rev. INIilton Palmer Braman, the pres- 
 ent minister, succeeded him. He was born in Rowley, 
 August 6, 1799, graduated at Harvard in 1819, and 
 was ordained on the second Wednesday in April, 1826, 
 at a salary of $700,00. The services were per- 
 formed by Messrs. Putnam, Braman, Briggs, Walker, 
 Boardman and Perry. The half-way scheme was abol- 
 ished on his settlement. In the year 1833 the parson- 
 age owned by the society at present, w^as given to it, 
 mainly by Mrs. Mehitabel Oakes and daughters. From 
 Jan. 30, 1835, all new members of the church were re- 
 quired to abstain from ardent spirits, except as medicine. 
 The old parish was abolished in the year 1838, and incor- 
 porated anew under the name of the First Religious So- 
 ciety in Danvers. A very large and convenient house 
 of worship 83 feet by 6Q, was finished and dedicated 
 November 21st, 1839. 
 
 In the year 1810 Mr. Braman's health declined, and 
 he asked a dismission from his societ3^ He was ur 
 gently requested to remain, and the society supplied his 
 pulpit until his health returned. In the year 1813 Mr. 
 Braman felt compelled to renew his request, and a coun. 
 cil of clergymen was called to decide whether it should 
 be granted. The council recommended that the society 
 should consider its minister's health, and release him as 
 much as possible from labor. The advice was followed, 
 and the connection preserved, until January 1815, when 
 the request was renewed and granted. But an eccle- 
 5 . ^ 
 
238 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 siastlcal council recommended tlie continuance of the re 
 lation, and it is still preserved. The society is now in 
 a flourishing condition, having a church of 175 mem_ 
 bers, a sundaj school of 180 scholars, with a library of 
 425 volumes. 
 
 Mr. Braman has distinguished himself by holding a 
 public oral discussion with Rev. Thomas Y\"hittemore, 
 and by preaching an Election and publishing several 
 other sermons, which evince uncommon research and ex- 
 cellent ability. 
 
 II. SOUTH PARISH. 
 
 The second parish, or Middle Precinct, was formed 
 like the Village parish, for convenience. The popula- 
 tion of the town had increased, the original Church at 
 Salem was large, and the distance for many of the peo- 
 ple in that part noY^^ known as South Danvers, was too 
 great to travel. Accordingly, the Middle Precinct was 
 established, (f) 
 
 The following is a list of the Petitioners for a lot 
 of land on which to erect a Meeting House in the 
 South Parish at the Annual March Meeting 1709-10. 
 
 Samuel Marble, John ISI"urse, Abraham Pierce, 
 James HouUon, Samuel Catlcr, Ebenezer Cutler, Sam- 
 uel King, Samuel Stone, James Gould, William King, 
 Stephen Sir.all, Ezekiel Marsh, Benjamin Very, Ezeki- 
 el Goldthwaite, Nath'i Waters, John Jacobs, Richard 
 Waters, Samuel Cook, David Foster, Nathaniel Felton, 
 John AYaters, Israel Shaw, Jacob Read, John Trask, 
 Nathaniel Tompkins, William Osborne jr., John 0. I 
 
 i»'- — , . — . — - ~ ^7^ 
 
HISTORY OF D AN VERS . 239 
 
 Waldin, Antliony H. Neeclham, John Marsh, Benjamin 
 Marsh, Samuel Stacey sen., Samuel Stacey, William 
 Osborne, John W. Burton, Benjamin C. Proctor, Elias 
 Trask, John Giles, John Gardner, George Jacobs, John 
 Felton, Robert Y\^ilson, Eben. Foster, Jonathan King, 
 Skelton Felton, Henry Cook, Joseph Douty, Thorndike 
 Proctor, Samuel Goldthwait, Samuel Goldthwait jr., 
 John King, John King jr., Samuel Endicott, Nathani- 
 el Felton. 
 
 The first record on the parish books is as follows: "A 
 Genii meeting of ye Inhabitants of ye Middle Precinct 
 of Salem, This 28 of November 1710 : Voted John 
 Gardner Chosen Clerk. Voted that there be a conven- 
 ient Meeting Hous Bult for ye Publick AYorship of 
 God with all convenient speed, in this Middle Precinct, 
 and that it be Erected on ye place of ground granted 
 by the Town for that End." On the 80th of the same 
 month it w^as '' agreed that ye Building be 48 feat 
 long, and 35 wid, and 24 feat stud so as to have two 
 Galaris. Agreed that Mr. Samuel Cutler, Mr. Robert 
 Willson, Mr. Jno. Waters, Be Undertakers for ye 
 Workmanship of ye hous, and are to haue 23 9d per 
 day for so many days as they work from this present 
 time till ye 10 day of March next, and then os per 
 day so long as ye Comit}^ sees Good." The dimen- 
 sions were afterwards changed ; it was decided that 
 the house should be 51 feet long and 38 foet broad, and 
 "that ye 4 Beams be soported with Eyern bars Got and 
 maid ready and sutible at je w^orks." A day of fast- 
 ing was held in October ITll because God had guided 
 the people, and especially because they vrere about to 
 
 
m 
 
 240 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 call a minister. The house was finished during this 
 month, (g.) 
 
 The following persons contributed towards building 
 the house : James Houlton, John Houlton, Wm. King, 
 Alexander Prince, Samuel Goldthwaite Jr., Daniel 
 Foster, John Nurse, Joseph Dowty, Nathaniel Houl- 
 ton, John King Jr., Widow Cutler, John Trask, Sam- 
 uel Gardner, John Jacobs, Ezek Marsh, Nathaniel Fol- 
 som, Joseph Flint, Mr. Green, Abel Gardner, Thorn- 
 dike Proctor, Richard Waters, Samuel Endicott, Na th'l 
 Folsom's son, Samuel Marble, Samuel Folsom, Benja- 
 min Proctor, Jonathan Stone, Benjamin Nurse, Samuel 
 Stone's son, S. Cook, B. Yevy, Stephen Small, Jacob 
 Read, Wm. Osborn, John II pulton, Jonathan Marsh, 
 Samuel Felton, Daniel Epes, John Felton, James Houl- 
 ton, Ml*. Ketchin, Ezekiel Marsh, Abraham Pierce, 
 George Jacobs, and Samuel Marvel. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Prescott was settled as first pastor of 
 the church and parish in February 1712, with a salary 
 of £80, and the "strangers money." The warrant for 
 the collection of parish rates for the year 17 20^, com- 
 mands John Tarball, Collector, to collect the amounts 
 due the parish, and on the failure of the people to pay, 
 he is to "distrain the goods or chatties of the person or 
 persons soe refusing, for ye payment of ye same, and 
 for want of goods or chatties, whereon to make distress, 
 you are to seize the body or bodyes of the person or per- 
 sons so refusing, and are then to commit to ye common 
 gaoll in Salem, untill he or they pay or satisfie the sum or 
 sums that they are Rated or assessed." 
 
 In consideration of repeated deaths and extraordina- 
 
 
Sfce e/fi? 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 241 
 
 ry charges in Mr. Prescott's family, his salary was in- 
 creased c£20, in the year 1723. From this time on- 
 ward it remained the same, excepting what money was 
 raised hy quarterly voluntary contributions, until 17^5, 
 when his salary was increased to c£150, and in 1737-8 
 it became £200. In 1740 it was vo^ed to give ^Ir. 
 Prescott 25 cords of wood in addition to £150, old ten- 
 or, which was to bo his salary from that date. In 1743 
 it was voted to give Mr. Prescott £270, for his salary. 
 There was a source of difficulty which sprung up be- 
 tAveen the two parishes in the year 1743. Capt. Sam- 
 uel Endecott, John Porter, Benja. Porter, John Eudi- 
 cott, and James Prince, of the village, endeavored to en- 
 croach upon the rights of the Middle Precinct, by inclu- 
 ding within the village bounds some of those who belonged 
 in the other parish. Daniel Epes, Jr., Daniel G ardner 
 and John Proctor, Jr., were appointed to go to the Gen- 
 eral Court and oppose the motion, which was done 
 successfully. The same year Mr. Prescott's salary 
 was increased to £300, and in 1747 £100 were added, 
 and in 1749 it was swelled to £620. At this time, 
 differences arose between Mr. Prescott and his peo- 
 ple, and in 1750 he laid a complaint before the As- 
 sessors of Salem, and the parish raised £20 to defray 
 the expenses of conducting the matter. It was settled 
 at last as follows : The parish agreed to give Mr. 
 Prescott £350, for the year 1752, if he would give 
 them a discharge and no longer minister to them in 
 "holy things," — besides a present of £6\j 13s. 4d. 
 He engaged, on receiving- £80, value, good currenc}^, 
 for the years 1749-50-51, to leave the pulpit three j 
 
 iXc - =~ - - . - , , . ■ ■ ■ \ - ::r-^=rr:=:^;/iiS 
 
242 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 months, and if, in that time, a minister was selected 
 he would relinquish his claim, — if otherwise, he should 
 remain. 
 
 Rev. xiaron Putnam was unanimously invited to take 
 the charge of the parish in July, 1754, but the difficul- 
 ties which prevailed, forced him to decline. An Eccle- 
 siastical Council decided that the parish ought to give 
 Mr. Prescott 465 X to settle the pecuniary matters at 
 Issue between them, besides paying the expenses of the 
 Council which were 118^. 14s. Id. Rev. Josiah 
 Stearns was invited in Sept. 1757, and was offered £80 
 and the parsonage lands as his salary ; he desired more, 
 and the parish did not come up to his demand. Mr. 
 Prescott left in 1757. 
 
 Rev. Nathan Holt was invited to settle in Auo;ust 17- 
 58, and he accepted at a salary of X80. In June 1763 
 it was voted that ^' there be two seats on the easterly side 
 of ye broad ally for a number of persons'to assist the dea- 
 con in tuning ye psalm." This is probably the first depar- 
 ture from the old Congregational method of singing. Mr. 
 Holt's salary was increased to X 100 in 1764. The differ- 
 ences between the parishes were settled in 1764, by a 
 mutual agreement to abide by the bounds established 
 n 1700. 
 
 "On the Petition of Capt. Israel Hutchinson, Benja- 
 min Porter ye 3d, and others Inha of sd South Parish 
 in Danvers, praying that they may be set off to the 
 North Parish in said Danvers, where they say they hava 
 a great Desire to be joyned : Therefore Voted, that we 
 cant consent that ye above said Petitioners should be 
 sett off for the Following Reasons (viz.) because we 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 243 
 
 think yt ye North Parish is as able, if not abler, to 
 I maintain their minister -without said petitioner's assist- 
 ance, as we are in ye South Parish with sd Petitioners 
 assistance, Because we have a Considerable Number 
 of the People called Quakers, some Churchmen and 
 some Baptists &c.'^ In 1771, voted to widen the 
 house (i) 15 feet. In 1774, a steeple was built at the 
 west end of the house. 
 
 This parish was very zealous in sustaining the Rev- 
 olutionary War, constantly furnishing men and money. 
 In the year 1777, £1200 were raised for that purpose, 
 and in 1778 about X400, while in the year 1779 above 
 £8000, were advanced. 
 
 In 1780, a suit of clothes was given to Mr. Holt. 
 The front seat in the women's gallery was given to the 
 singers in May, 1784. In 1790, three pews were 
 added to the house, and a part of the meeting house 
 land was let to the ''Proprietors of the duck manufac- 
 ture." The Artillery Company had leave in Sept. 1791 
 to erect a gunhouse on land belonging to the meeting 
 house. Mr. Holt died Aug. 2d, 1792, and the parish vo- 
 ted to continue his salary to the end of the year for the 
 benefit of his family, besides assuming the expenses 
 of his sickness and death. Mr. Holt pubhshed a Right 
 Hand of Fellowship address, delivered at the ordina- 
 tion of Rev. I. Willard. In March, 1793, the house 
 was thoroughly repaired. Rev. Samuel Mead was 
 pastor from 1794 to 1803. The records of this time 
 are lost, and but little is now known of the history 
 of this period. 
 
 In the year 1805, Rev. Samuel Walker was set- 
 
244 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 tied as minister. He continued to labor assiduously 
 for a period of 21 years, and died July 7th, 1826, 
 after a painful illness of three months. Rev. Brown 
 Eaierson, of Salem, preached his funeral sermon, and 
 the parish erected a stone above his remains. He 
 was 40 years of age, and was highly respected and 
 beloved for his virtues. He published two Fast Day 
 Discourses and perhaps others. A reward of twenty 
 dollars was offered October 9th, 1813, fo^^ the detec- 
 tion of a person who had "sacrcligiously and repeat- 
 edly robbed this house of God of the tongue of its 
 bell." In 1814, a new bell was purchased and 
 erected at an expense of $675.00. In 1819, the 
 land in the rear of the meeting house was leased to 
 the proprietors of a chapel, and sundry persons were 
 empoAvered to erect horse sheds around the house. 
 An additional act of incorporation was passed by the 
 Legislature, declaring that no person could be a vo- 
 ter in the Society affairs unless he owned one half 
 a floor, or a whole gallery pew. The Church was 
 repaired in 1824, at an expense of $400.00. 
 
 It was voted in July, 1827, to exclude all wines 
 and spirituous liquors from the Councils and ordina- 
 tion services. Rev. George Cowles was settled as 
 pastor of the Society on September 12th, of the 
 same year, and in the year following the Legislature 
 passed an act dissolving the old parish, and erecting 
 a proprietory in its place. Mr. Cowles was born in 
 New Hartford, Conn., March 11th, 1798, graduated 
 at Yale in 1821, and at Andover in 1824. The 
 bell cracked in April 1829. The parish commanded 
 
 
£^1= 
 
 m 
 
 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 245 
 
 the school committee to remove school house No. 11 
 from the spot it occupied in September 1830. The 
 school committee objected, and the following year the 
 society oflered a small piece of land in another place for 
 a trifling consideration, and threatened to proceed ac- 
 cording to law, if its request was not complied with ; — 
 the house was removed. 
 
 In the year 1835 it was voted to build a new church, 
 and the appropriate measures were taken to effect that 
 object. The Unitarian Society offered the Second 
 Congregational Society the use of its house during the 
 time it was destitute, but the latter worshipped in a 
 hall during the period its house was building. The 
 " Old South " was taken down in 1836, according to 
 the following 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 
 
 "The original house of worship, built in 1711, for 
 the South Society in Danvers, (or what was then called 
 Salem Middle Precinct,) having stood 125 years, was 
 in the Autumn of 1836, taken down and removed ; its 
 location w^as on the ground now enclosed as the front 
 yard of the new meeting house." (j.) 
 
 In September 1836, Mr. Cowles was dismissed agree- 
 able to his own request. He perished in the "wreck of 
 the Home." 
 
 Rev. Harrison G. Park was invited as his successor, 
 Dec. 5th of the same year. The new Church was fin- 
 ished at a cost of §12,000,00, and dedicated February 
 Istj 1837. Mr. Park was installed the same day. In 
 
 21 '■■' 
 

 2-16 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 October of tlie year following, he dissolved the ministe- \ 
 rial relation. 1 
 
 Rev. Thomas P. Field received a unanimous invita- i 
 tion to take the pastoral charge, in June 1840, and took j 
 up his residence in the October following. The church- 
 was sold to the Methodist Society in 1843 for $2500, 
 and a new church was commenced. When partly fin- 
 ished it was consumed in the destructive fire of Septem- 
 ber 22d, 1843. The loss of property was about $7000,- 
 00, of which $5000,00 were insured. The society 
 persevered in erecting a house on the same site, which 
 was finished, and dedicated August 10th, 1844, at a cost 
 of $13,000,00. This splendid temple is an ornament 
 to the town. The society is large and flourishing, and 
 there is a church attached of 206 members, a Sunday 
 school with 175 scholars, and a library of 660 vol- 
 umes. 
 
 III. FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY. 
 
 In November of the year 1781, a portion of the peo. 
 pie of Danvers, who believed that the principles main. 
 tained"by the people called anti-pedo-baptists were most 
 agreeable to the Holy Scriptures," drew up a constitu- 
 tion setting forth the foundation of a future society. 
 They pledged themselves to abide by no parish lines 
 made by mian, and affirmed that no man ought to be 
 compelled to pay money to support preaching, unless 
 he thought proper. At the first meeting, held on the 
 26th of November, Capt. Gideon Foster was chosen 
 Moderator. The meetings to consider plans of future 
 
HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 247 
 
 operation ,were generally held at the dwellin^^ house of 
 Aaron Cheever. 
 
 At length a meeting house was completed at Now 
 Mills, in the year 1783, and in January of the year 
 following. Rev. Benjamin Foster was invited to preach 
 for the Society six months, which invitation he accept- 
 ed. In February, the pews were sold at pubUc vendue, 
 by xlaron Cheever ; they brought about $2,000. In De- 
 cember of the same year Mr. Foster was engaged to 
 supply the pulpit until May 1785. He remained but two 
 years, and the Society did not have constant preaching 
 for nine years. In March 1789, the Committee was 
 instructed to procure preaching once each month. In 
 the following year the Society listened to preaching 
 one third of the time, and in the year 1791 the servic- 
 es of Rov. Ml'. Crossman were secured for one fourth 
 of the time. The next year a preacher was employed 
 one half of the time. 
 
 In 1793, Rev. Thomas Green was engaged as pastor 
 of the Society, and was to have all that could be raised 
 for that year, which proved to be £79, Is. Mr. Green 
 remained about three years, when he removed to North 
 Yarmouth, Me. July 16th 1793, a church was or- 
 ganized. 
 
 From the year 179G until the the year 1802 differ- 
 ent preachers ministered, none of w^hom remained long. 
 At length in the year 1802, Rev. Jeremiah Chaphn 
 was obtained as spiritual teacher. He remained, break- 
 ing the bread of life to the people, until May 1818, 
 when he received an appointment in the Maine Literary 
 and Theological Institution, located at Waterville. He 
 
248 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 was a native of Rowley, and a graduate of R. I. Col- 
 lege. He served his people faithfully for a term of 
 sixteen years, and at his departure, a very complimen- 
 tary addres was tendered him, and his loss was much re- 
 gretted, (k.) 
 
 In July 1818, Rev. James A. Boswell succeeded Mr. 
 Chaplin. He was ordained on the ninth of June 1819, 
 Dr. Benjamin Wadsworth and Rev. Samuel Walker as- 
 sisting in the services. In the course of the same year, 
 seventy-five persons were incorporated as the First Bap- 
 tist Society. Mr. Boswell resigned his charge in the 
 year 1820, and in January of the following year Rev. 
 Arthur Drinkwater accepted an invitation to settle over 
 the Society. In the year 1821. Mr. Israel Hutchin- 
 son resii>;ned the office of clerk vrhich he had held for 
 30 years. On the 7th day of December 1821 Mr. 
 Drinkwater was ordained. Dr. Yfadsworth and Rev. 
 Mr. A7alker assisting in the Installation services. In 
 the year 182G, the Legislature empowered the Society 
 to raise its funds by taxing pews, and in the year 1828, 
 the meeting house having become old and inconveni- 
 ent, it was sold to Messrs Benjamin Kent, Arthur Drink- 
 water, Samuel Fowler, Daniel Hardy, and Edward 
 Richardson, for $400. It was removed from the site 
 it had so long occupied, to Danvers Plains, where it is 
 now used as a currier's shop, by Mr. John A. Leroyd. 
 
 Mr. Drinkwater sundered his connection with the 
 society in June 1829, carrying warm testimonials with 
 him. During the last year of his stay, a church was 
 erected on the old spot, at an expense of about $5000. 
 It was dedicated in the Spring of 1829. In May 
 

 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 249 f| 
 
 1830, Rev, James Barnaby of Amesbuiy, took pasto- 
 ral charge of the church and society, and remamed 
 UQcil 1832, when Rev. John H. Holrojd removed to 
 Danvers and became their pastor. He dissolved his 
 connection in the year 1837, and the Spring following 
 Rev. E. W. Dickenson was elected as his successor. 
 He resigned his charge in one year, and in 1841 Rev. 
 J. II. Avery accepted a call. In tlio year 1842, 
 Hercules H. Josselyn ceased to be clerk, he having 
 faithfully discharged the duties of that office, for a peri- 
 od of twenty years. JMr. Avery severed his relation 
 with his flock in the spring of 1843, imd in July of the 
 same year, Rev. Joseph Y\^. Eaton was settled. Mr. 
 Eaton is the present incumbent. Connected with the 
 society is a church of 120 members, and a Sunday 
 School of 90 scholars. 
 
 Note. On the morning of Sept. 6th 1847, the 
 Baptist Church was discovered to be on fire, and in 
 spite of the most active exertions it was entirely con- 
 sumed, together with a dwelling house owned by Aaron 
 Eveleth. With the church, a vestry was destroyed, to- 
 gether with most of a S. S. Library, and as there was 
 no insurance, it was a total loss. A house is already 
 projected, and the Society, it is hoped, will speedily 
 recover its former prosperity. The Church and Soci- 
 ety w^orship at present in Citizens' Hall. 
 
 IV. FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
 
 Organized April 22d, 1815, under the title of "First 
 Universal Society." It then consisted of nineteen 
 members from Danvers, and four from Wenham, who de- 
 
250 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 clarcd themselves in their Constitution, dissatisfied with 
 "those systems of Divinity which have for their funda- 
 mental article, the eternal misery of the greatest part 
 of mankind." Its first meetings were held in the school 
 house hi District No. 3, where Rev. Hosea Ballon per- 
 formed a third service, during a few summer seasons. 
 Different ministers in the order, held meetings from that 
 time onward, among others, Hon. Charles Hudson, 
 Rev's Walter Balfour, Lemuel Willis and others. The 
 business meetings of the society were held in the school 
 house in District No. 3. In 1830 it consisted of 87 mem- 
 bers from Danvers, Beverly, Middlcton and Wenham. 
 During this year, it began to hold religious meetings in 
 the "Old Baptist Meeting House" at New Mills, where it 
 continued until 1833, when it moved into a new house 
 which it now occupies, built for its use, and dedicated 
 June 28, 1833, at an expense of $3,100,00. The 
 Dedication services were as follows : Introductory 
 Prayer by Rev. Benjamin Whittemore ; Dedicatory 
 Prayer by Rev. Hosea Ballon ; Sermon by Rev. Hosea 
 Ballon 2d. ; Address to the Society by Rev. Lemuel 
 Willis ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. Sebastian Stree- 
 ter. 
 
 Rev. F. A. Ilodsdon occupied the pulpit from April 
 1831 to July 1832, Rev. Daniel D. Smith in 1833, and 
 in 1831 Rev. WiUiam H. Knapp became the pastor of 
 the society, which at that time consisted of 101 mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Brimblecom took charge of the society 
 in Dec. 1836, and accomplished a faithful work during 
 his stay. He was succeeded in 1810, by Rev. Asher 
 
 »*3 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 251 
 
 A. Davis, who became very popular in his society, but 
 his health soon failed, and he was obliged to suspend his 
 labors. The society furnished him with the means to 
 visit the West Indies in pursuit of health, and his pulpit 
 was gratuitously supplied by the neighboring societies 
 for six months. During his residence, a Church of GO 
 members was formed. In the winter of 1842 the pul- 
 pit was filled by Rev. D. P. Livermore, and in the 
 spring of 1813 Rev. S. C. Bulkley was settled. He 
 was succeeded in June, IS-l'o, by Rev. J. W. Hanson. 
 1'he society now numbers about 100 families and the 
 audience numbers about 200 average. It has a Sun- 
 day School of 1-iO members, formed in 1831, and a li- 
 brarv of 600 volumes. 
 
 Note. The 1st Universalist Society passed a vote 
 of sympathy with the 1st Baptist Society, in consequence 
 of the loss of its House by fire, and offered the Universal- 
 ist Church to the sufferers for purposes of worship. 
 
 V. FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Organized January 1st, 1825, "• for the purpose of 
 having a place in the South part of Danvers where an 
 opportunity could be had of hearing sentiments more 
 liberal and congenial with the true spirit of Christianity 
 than is now afforded." It numbered at its commence- 
 ment 33 members. A fine chapel was erected and ded- 
 icated July 26th, 1826. The services of this occasion 
 were : Introductory Prayer by Rev. Mr. Upham of Sa- 
 lem, Reading of Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Colman of Sa- 
 lem ; Prayer by Rev. Dr. Abbott of Beverly ; Sermon 
 
 i - - _ — - IB 
 
m m 
 
 252 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 by liev. Mr. Brazer of Salem ; Concluding Prayer by 
 Rev. Mr. Bartlett of Marbleliead. In April, 1827, a 
 church was formed of 71 memberSj and on the 11th inst. 
 Rev. Charles C. Sewall ^Yas installed as the first pastor. 
 It was an occasion long to be remembered by the So- 
 ciety. Besides the lay delegates, there were no less 
 than 21 clergvmen present, viz : Messrs. Greenwood, 
 Pierpoint and Gannett of Boston ; Flint, Upham, Prince 
 and Brazer of Salem ; White and Lamson of Dedham ; 
 Porter of Roxbury, Abbott of Beverly, Harris of Dor- 
 chester, Bartlett of Marblehead, Green of Lynn, Ran- 
 dall of Sangus, Pierce of Reading, Walker of Charles- 
 town, Sanger of Dover, Flagg of Roxbury, Ripley of 
 Waltham, and Stetson of Medford. The services were 
 performed by Messrs. Bartlett, Green, Lamson, White, 
 Flint, Upham and Brazer. Mr. Sewall was born in 
 Marblehead May 10, 1802. In the year 1829 a sweet- 
 toned bell was placed on the church. It has a fine or- 
 gan presented by l^lessrs. Sutton. Mr. Sewall remained, 
 faithfully discharging his arduous duties, and charming 
 his friends by the benevolence and evangelical zeal 
 which always distinguished his career, until the Summer 
 of 1811, when he resigned his charge. His loss was 
 deeply felt, and it was not until February 1843 that 
 Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D. D. was installed as his suc- 
 cessor. The services were as follows : Prayer by Rev. 
 Mr. Thayer of Beverly ; Reading of Scriptures by 
 Rev. Mr. Waite of Gloucester ; Sermon by Rev. Mr, 
 Lothrop of Boston ; Prayer by Be v. Dr. Flint of Sa- 
 lem; Charge by Rev. Mr. Bartlett of Marblehead; 
 Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Ellis of Charles- 
 
\ —~- — ^ — ' -=-~'m 
 
 HISTORY OF UANVERS. 253 f 
 
 town ; Address to the Society by Rev. Mr. Barrett of 
 Boston ; Concluding Prayer by the late pastor. 
 
 Against the expressed regrets of his society, Dr. 
 Bigelow resigned his charge in the spring of 1845, and 
 was succeeded by Rev. Frank P. Appleton, who was 
 settled January 11th, 1816. The ordaining services 
 were : Prayer by Rev. Mr. Thompson ; Selection of 
 Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Allen ; Sermon by Rev. Mr. 
 Hall ; Prayer by Dr. Flint ; Charge by Dr. Gannet ; 
 I Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Withington ; 
 Address to the society by Rev. Mr. Sargent ; Conclu- 
 ding Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bartlett. The Communion 
 is free. The Sunday School numbers TO scholars and 
 owns 450 books, (l.) 
 
 VI. FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY. 
 
 In July 1830, Amos Walton established a prayer 
 meeting and Sunday school in Harmony Yillage, in 
 connection with the South Street ]Mcthodist Episcopal 
 Church in Lynn. In the year 1833 a class was or- 
 ganized, which met for a while in Goodridge's Hall, 
 and subsequently in Armory Hall. In July 1839, Mr. 
 Walton commenced preaching in Armory Hall, — the 
 society at this time numbering 23 persons. In 1810 
 he was appointed by the Conference at Lowell, as min- 
 ister for Danvers, and in October of the same year, a 
 Chapel was purchased of the 2d Congregationalist So- 
 ciety. 
 
 In 1842 Rev. Daniel Webb was appointed to locate 
 
 at Danvers. In 1843 Dr. H. G. Barras became min- 
 
 j ister of the Societv. Rev. Amos Binney succeeded 
 m . " 
 
i " ^ " ■ -^ "11 
 
 254 HISTORY OF DANVERS. I 
 
 him in the following year. Rev. Reuben Ransom was 
 his successor, and in 1845 Rev. I. G. P. Colljer was 
 stationed over the society. These gentlemen are all of 
 the New England Conference. During the administra- 
 tion of Mr. Colljer, a beautiful Vestry was added to the 
 basement of the Church, at an expense of e^750,00. 
 The Church consists of 100 members, and there is a 
 Sunday School attached with about 60 scholars, and a 
 library of 100 volumes. The society now occupies its 
 second house which was purchased in 1843. Within a 
 short time Mr. Collyer has been succeeded by Rev. Z. 
 A. Mudge. 
 
 VIL SECOND UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
 
 In January 1832, there was a paper drawn up in the 
 South parish, setting forth, that there was a large num- 
 ber of persons belonging to the parish, and in its vicin- 
 ity, "who are believers in God's impartial love and 
 goodness towards all mankind, who are under the ne- 
 cessity of travelling a great distance to attend public 
 worship, or go to meeting where they cannot be satis- 
 fied." This paper called upon all who were willing to 
 embark in the enterprise of erecting a Universalis t 
 Meeting House in the South Parish, to agree to take a 
 certain number of shares in the said house. People in 
 Danvers, Salem, and Lynnfield, subscribed a sufficient 
 sum to build. 
 
 On the 26th day of the following March a society was 
 formed, consisting of 47 members. The first regular 
 meeting was held on the 6th day of the next month. 
 During the year 1832 a beautiful temple was erected 
 
fi HISTORY OF DANVERS. 255 
 
 at a cost of $4000,00. On the lOtli of the January 
 following, it was publicly dedicated to the worship of 
 God, as follows : Introductory Prayer by Rev. L. Wil- 
 lis of Salem ; Reading of Scriptures by Rqv. T. Whit- 
 temore of Cambridgeport ; Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. 
 S. Cobb of Maiden ; Sermon by Rev. John Moore of 
 Lebanon, N. H. ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. L. S. 
 Everett of Charlestown. 
 
 Rev. John Moore of Lebanon, N. H., accepted an 
 invitation to take pastoral charge of the Society in Feb- 
 ruary 1833, and he was installed on the 4th day of the 
 following April. Sermon by Rev. T. Jones, and the 
 other services by Rev. Messrs. J. C. Waldo, L. S. Ev- 
 erett, B. B. Murray, and L. Willis. Mr. Moore re- 
 signed his charge in January 1834, and Rev. T. B. 
 Thayer of Lowell was iavifced as his successor, which 
 call he declined. Then Rev. J. M. Austin was invited, 
 and installed April 29th, 1835. The Installation Ser- 
 mon was pronounced by Rev. S. Cobb of Maiden, and 
 the proper services were performed by Rev. Messrs. 
 L. Willis, I. Brown, J. C. Waldo, and W. H. Knapp. 
 
 In 1842 the Society consisted of b6 members. In 
 1843 galleries wore added to the house at an expense 
 of about §400,00. In August 1844, after a faithful 
 ministry of about ten years, Mr. Austin resigned his 
 charge. Several very complimentary resolutions were 
 passed, and his loss was universally regretted. 
 
 The next (and present) pastor was Rev. John Prince, 
 who was installed January loth, 1845. Sermon by 
 Rev. T. B. Thayer, and the other services by Rev. 
 Messrs, J. Nichols, D.K. Lee, A. Peck, S. C. Bulkley, 
 
 
256 HISTORY OF DANVERS. ■ 
 
 J. G. Adams and W. G. Cambridge. Mr. Prince is au- 
 I thor of a poetical volume entitled " Rural Lays and 
 Sketches," and also of a Theological Work, called 
 "Lectures on the Bible." The church numbers 60 
 members, and there is a Sunday School of about 100 
 children, and a library of 500 volumes. 
 
 VIII. THE COMEOUTERS. 
 
 This religious party commenced its existence about 
 the year 18-10. From a very interesting sketch by Mr. 
 William Endicott the following extracts are made : "A 
 portion of the people of the country saw that the influ- 
 ences of the Slave system w^ere vroven into the texture 
 of society. It was believed that the politics of the 
 State, the Eeligion of the Church, and even the social 
 circle, '^^ere contaminated by this enormous evil. It 
 was considered by a portion of the Abolitionists, (in or- 
 der to produce the destruction of Slavery,) necessary 
 to purge the Church first, as it was ascertained that the 
 Church sustained an intimate relation to Slavery. Ac- 
 cordingly, agreeable to the sacred precept : " Come out 
 of her my people, and be not partakers of her sins," 
 they felt it their duty to withdraw all connection from 
 those religious bodies, which did not sever themselves 
 from the sin of supporting Shivery. As this passage of 
 Scripture was made their watchword, they were soon 
 designated by its leading words : Comeouters. 
 
 " Though they diflfer in many points, their bond of 
 union lies in this : Tlie Immediate Abolition of Amer- 
 ican Slavery. As they spared no sect in their exam- 
 inations and reproofs, they soon became obnoxious, and 
 
 ■zJ^^ 
 
 ^K»' 
 
HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 257 
 
 the churches were closed upon them ; but they contin- 
 ued to assemble as they had opportunity. Each theo- 
 logical doctrine, — each mode of ecclesiastical action was 
 commented upon with unrestrained freedom. Some 
 were so daring as to enter churches, and speak during 
 religious services. In some instances^^ they were visited 
 by the law." 
 
 The Comeouters in Danvers number about 40, and 
 are distinguished for their bold opposition to their ideas 
 of wrong, and for being faithful adherents to the Truth, 
 as they understand it. 
 
 IX. SECOND BAPTIST SOCIETY. 
 
 Previous to the legal incorporation of this Society, it 
 was temporarily organized, and held meetings in Armory 
 Hall, South Danvers. Its first meeting was February 
 22d, 1843, and on December 5th of the same year. 
 Rev. Phineas Stowe was settled as Pastor of the Soci- 
 ety, and remained as such until May 9, 1845. In the 
 Spring of 1843, a neat Chapel was erected, 65 by 32 
 ffc.5 and publicly dedicated June 15th, 1843 ; Rev. 
 Messrs. Banvard, Anderson and Carlton assisting in 
 the services. In August, 1844, the Society was incor- 
 porated, consisting at that time of 31 members. Rev. 
 John G. Richardson took pastoral charge of the Society 
 January 25th, 1846. Mr. Richardson has resigned his 
 charge, and removed to Lawrence. 
 
 A church was orga,nized at the commencement, con- 
 sisting of 27 members, which number has since been in- 
 creased to 52. A Sunday School is attached to the So- 
 ciety, having 36 children, and a library of 200 volumes. 
 
 22 
 
258 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 X. THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Organized in March, 1844. The first meetings were 
 held in the School House, in District No. 13, where 
 Rev. Loren Thayer preached from August 1844, until 
 the completion of the Church, which was dedicated 
 January 22d, 1845. Introductory Prayer by Rev. A. 
 McLoud ; Reading of Scriptures by Rev. G. T. Dole ; 
 Sermon by Rev. Loren Thayer ; Dedicatory Prayer by 
 Rev. Alexander J. Sessions ; Concluding Prayer by 
 Rev. Thomas P. Fields. This church is the most ele- 
 gant in ^STorth Danvers. It is large and commodious, 
 purely white, surmounted by a lofty spire, with a clear- 
 toned bell. The Society was incorporated in March, 
 1845, and in May of the same year, Rev. F. A. Bar- 
 ton declined a unanimous invitation to take the pastoral 
 charge. Rev. Richard Tolman was installed pastor, 
 September 17th, 1845. The order of exercises was as 
 follows : Sermon by Rev. E. N. Kirk ; Ordaining 
 Prayer by Rev. Dr. John Codman ; Charge by Rev. 
 L. Withington ; Right hand of Fellowship by Rev. 
 Thomas P. Fields ; Address to the Society by Rev. 
 Mr. Pickett. There are about one hundred male mem- 
 j bers of the Society. Connected therewith, is a Church 
 numbering 45 members, and a Sunday School of 50 
 children, with a library of 233 volumes. Mr. Tolman 
 has published a Sermon against the Mexican War, de- 
 livered July 4th, 1847. 
 
 XT. WESLEYAN SOCIETY. 
 
 This Society was formed in the year 1846, and in the 
 ii summer of that year, it held a series of meetings in the | 
 
 fet^ 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 259 jj 
 
 Pine Woods, near Walnut Grove. A neat house, called 
 the Weslejan Chapel, was publicly dedicated, Dec. 30th 
 18-i7, in the following Order: Prayer by Eev. R. 
 Tolman ; Sermon and Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. Dan- 
 iel Hardy. The Pastor is Rev. Edward A. Stock- 
 man. 
 
 XII. QUAKCRS. 
 
 This peaceful sect numbers about thirty families in 
 this town, whose members are distinguished for their 
 pious principle, and purity of speech and life. They 
 date their existence in this vicinity from an early period, 
 and can look into an eventful history. Up and down 
 the very streets where now the charity and freedom 
 of a better day spread a broad shield above them, their 
 ancestors were scourged, and driven out of the colony, 
 into dark retreats, or incarcerated in gloomy cells, 
 by those who, though they were expatriated by perse- 
 cution, had not themselves a religion which breathed 
 through them, forbearance and love. The ballad of 
 Cassandra Southwick, herself an ancestress of those 
 who now bear that name^ by the Quaker Poet, John G. 
 Whittier, reveals not only the fiendish spirit which spur- 
 red the fanatic on in his persecuting' career against the 
 peaceful Quaker, but it also shows the heroic fortitude 
 with which all such unmerited assaults were received. 
 As the scenes narrated occurred in our midst, and as 
 the name of the female martyr is still borne by some of 
 our citizens, it may be interesting; to find it here. She 
 was the daughter of Lawrence and Cassandra South- 
 wick, who were banished to the East end of Long 
 
260 HISTORY OF DANVBRS. 
 
 Island, where they both died about the year 1660, "with- 
 in three days of each other. The youthful heroine was 
 imprisoned, and not being able to pay the jail fees, an 
 effort was made to sell her into slavery. The poem ex- 
 plains the success with which the stern Endicott and 
 Rawson met. 
 
 THE BALLAD OF CASSANDRA SOUTHWICR. 
 
 To the God of all sure mercies let my blessing rise to-day, 
 From the scoffer and the cruel he hath plucked the spoil away, — 
 Yea, He who cooled the furnace around the fiilhful three. 
 And tamed the Clialdean lions, hath set his liandniaid free ! 
 
 Last nii^'ht I saw the sunset melt through my prison bars. 
 Last night across my damp earth-floor fell the pale gleam of stars; 
 In the coldness and the darkness all through the long night time, 
 Bly grated casement whitened with Autumn's early rime. 
 
 Alone, in that dark sorrow, hour after hour crept by; 
 Star after star looked palely in and sank adown the sky; 
 No sound amid night's silliness, save that which seemed to be 
 The dull and heavy beating of the pulses vf the sea; 
 
 A!' night 1 sat nnsleeping, for I knew lint on the morrow 
 The ruler and the cruel priest would mock me in my sorrow. 
 Dragged to their place of market, and bargained for and sold. 
 Like a lamb before the shambles, like a heifer from the fold ! 
 
 Oh, the we.ikn.'ssof the flesh was there — the shrinking and the shame; 
 And the low voice of the Tempter like whispers to mo came : 
 "Why sit'st thou thus forlornly!'' the wicked murmur said, 
 "Damp walls thy bovver of beauty, cold earth thy maiden bed ?" 
 
 "Where be the smiling faces and voices soft and sweet, 
 Seen m thy father's dwelling, heard in tlie pleasant street? 
 Whero be the youths, whose glances the summer Sabbath through 
 Turned tenderly and timidly unto thy fither's pew ? 
 
; HISTORY OF DANVERS. 261 
 
 : '-Why sii'st thou here, Cassandra ? — Bethink thee with what mirih 
 I Thy happ\' s:hoohiintes gather around the warm bright hearth; 
 ' How the crimson shadows tremble, on foreheads white and fair, 
 On eyes of merry girlhood, half hid in golden hair. 
 
 I Not for thee the hearth-fire brightens, not for thee kind words are 
 
 j spoken, 
 
 : Not for tliee the nuts of Wcnharn woods by laughing boys are broken, 
 
 ; No first-fruits of the orch.ird within thy lap are laid. 
 
 j For thee no flowers of Autumn the youthful hunters braiJ. 
 
 ! 
 '*0h ! weak, deluded maiden ! — by crazy fancies led, 
 
 With wild and raving railers an evil path to tread; 
 
 ' To leave a whole.^ome worship, and teaching pure and sound; 
 
 ' And mate with maniac women, loose-haired and sackcloh-bound. 
 
 "Mad scoffers of the priesthood, who mock at things divine, 
 Who rail against the pulpit, and holy bread and wine ; 
 Sore from their c irt-tail scourgings, and from the pillory lame, 
 ' Rejoicing in their wretchedness, and glorying in their shame. 
 
 ; "And v^'hat a fite awaits thee ? — a sadly toiling slave, 
 
 Dragging the slowly lengthening ch.iin of bondage lo the grave ! 
 Thi'ik of thy woman's nature, subdued in hopeless thrall, 
 
 : The easy prey of any, the scoff and scorn of ail I" 
 
 Oh ! — ever as the Tempter spoke, and feeble Nature's fears 
 I Wrung drop by drop the scaldmg flow of unavailing tears, 
 I I wrestled down the evil thoughts, and strove in silent prayer, 
 j To feel, oh. Helper of the weak ! — that thou indeed werl there ! 
 
 I thoagfit of P.inl and Silas, within Philippi's cell, 
 ^ And how from Peter's sleeping limbs the prison shackles ftjll, 
 
 Till i seemed to hear the trailing of an angel's robe of white, 
 ; And to feel a blessed presence invisible to sight. 
 
 { Bless the Lord for all His merc'es ! — for the peace and love I felt, 
 i Like dew of Hermon's holy hill, upon my spirit melt ; 
 
 When, "Get behind me, Satan !" was the language of my heart, j 
 
 And I felt the Evil Tempter with all his doubts depart. \\ 
 
 SJfe M^ 
 
262 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Slow broke the gray cold morning ; again the sunshine fell, 
 Flecked with the shade of bar and grr.te within tny lonely cell ; 
 The hoar frost melted on the wall, and upward from the street 
 Came careless laugh and idle word, and tiead of passing feet. 
 
 At length the heavy bolts fell back, my door was open cast. 
 And slowly at the sheriff's side, up the long street I passed ; 
 I heard the murmur round me, and felt, but dared not see, 
 How, from every door and window, the people gazed on me. 
 
 ^■^nd doubt and fear fell on me, shame burned upon my cheek, 
 Swam earth and sky around me, my trembling limbs grew weak : 
 '•Oh, Lord ! support thy handmaid ; and from her soul cast out 
 The fear of m.an, which brings a snare — the weakness and the doubt." 
 
 Then the dreary shadows scattered like a cloud in morning's breeze 
 And a low deep voice within me seemed whispering words like these; 
 "Though (by earth be as the iron, and thy heaven a brazen wall, 
 Trust still His loving kindness whose power is over all. 
 
 We paused at length, where at my feet the sunlit waters broke 
 On glaring reach of sihining beach, and shingly wail of rock ; 
 The merchant-ships lay idly there, in hard clear bn'^^ on h gh, 
 1'racing with rope and .slender spar their net-work on tiiesky. 
 
 And there were ancient citizens, cloak-wrr.pped and grave and cold, 
 And grinj and stout sea-captains with faces bronzed and old, 
 And (in his horse, with Ilawson, his cruel clerk at h:ind, 
 Sit dark and hiugiity Endicolt, the ruler of the land. 
 
 And poisoning with his evil words the ruler's ready ear, 
 1 he priest le med o'er his saddle, with laugh and scoff and jeer ; 
 It stirred my soul, and from my lips the seal of silence broke, 
 As if throiigh woman's weakness a warning spirit spoke. 
 
 I cried, "The Lord rebuke thee, thou sniiter of the meek. 
 Thou roliber of ilie righteous, thou trampler of the weak ! 
 Co light the dark, cold hearth-stones— go turn the prison look 
 Of the poor hearts ihou hast hunted, thou wolf amid the flock !" 
 
 Dark lowered the brows of Endicott, and with a deeper red 
 O'er K.-wson's vvine-jiiipurpled cheek the flush of anger spread ; 
 
 ik» 
 
HISTORY OF r>ANVERS. 263 
 
 "Good people," quoth the white-lipped priest, "heed not her words 
 
 60 wild, 
 Her Master speaks within her — the Devil owns his child I" 
 
 But gray heads shook, and young brows knit, the while the sheriff read 
 That law the wicked rulers against the poor have made, 
 Who to their house of llimmon and idol priesthood bring 
 No bended knee of worship, nor gainful offering. 
 
 Then to the stout s'^a-c.iptains the sheriff turning said : 
 Which of ye, worthy seamen will take this Quaker maid? 
 In the Isle of fiir Barbadoes, or on Virgmia's shore. 
 You may hold her at a higher price than Indian girl or Moor." 
 
 Grim and silent stood the captains ; and when again he cried, 
 "Sp'ak out, my worthy seamen !" — no voice or sign replied ; 
 But I felt a hard hand press my own, and kind words met my ear : 
 "God bless thee, and preserve thee, my gentle girl and dear !" 
 
 A weight seemed lifted from my heart, — a pitying friend wasni'^h, 
 I felt it in his hard, rough hand, and saw it in his eye ; 
 And when again the sheriffspoke, that voice, ao kind to me. 
 Growled back its stormy answer like the roaring of the sea . 
 
 "Pile my ship with bars of s'lver — pack with coins of Spanish gold. 
 From keel-piece up to deck-plank, the roomage of her hold, 
 By the living God who made me ! — I would sooner in your bay 
 Sink ^hip and crew and cargo, thon bear this child away '" 
 
 " Well answered, worthy captain, shame on their cruel laws 1" 
 Ran through the crowd in inurniurs loud the people's just applause. 
 "Like the herdsman of "^I'ekoji, in Israel of old. 
 Shall we see the poor and righteous again for silver sold?" 
 
 1 looked on haughty Endicott ; with weapon hilf way drawn. 
 Swept round the throng his lion glare of bitter hate and scorn ; 
 Fiercely he drew his bridle rein, and turned in silence buck. 
 And siieering priest and baffled clerk rode murmuring m his track. 
 
 Hard after them the sh'M-ifflooked, in bitterness of soul ! 
 
 Thrice smote h s siafTnpon the ground, and crushed his parchment roll. 
 
 J^ 
 
'264 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 " Good friends," he said, " since both h;ive fled, the ruler and the 
 
 priest. 
 Judge ye, if from their further work I be not well released," 
 
 Loud was the cheer which full and clear, swept round the silent bay, 
 As, with kind words and kinder looks, he bnde me go my way ; 
 For He who turns the courses of the streamlet of the glen, 
 And the river of great w.iters, had turned iha hearts of men. 
 
 Oh, at that hour the very earth seemed ch:inged beneath my eye, 
 A holier wonder round me rose the blue walls of the &ky, 
 A lovelier light on rock and hill, and stream and woodland lay, 
 And softer lapsed on sunnier sands the waters of the bay. 
 
 Thanksgiving to the Lord of life ! — to Him all praises be. 
 Who from the hands of evil tobu hath set his handmaid free ; 
 All praise to Him before whose power the mighty are afraid. 
 Who takes the erafty in the suaro, which for the poor is laid. 
 
 Sing, oh, my soul, rejoicingly, on evening's twilight calm 
 Uplift the loud thanUsgivi..g— pour foith the grateful psalm ; 
 Let all dear hearts with me rejoice, as did the saints of old, 
 When of the Lord's good angel the rescued Peter told. 
 
 And weep and howl, ye evil priests and mighty men of wrong, 
 The Lord shall smite the proud and lay His hand i^pon the strong. 
 Wo to the wicked rulers in His avenging hour ! 
 Wo to the wolves who seek the flucks to raven and devour : 
 
 But let the humble ones arise. — the poor in heart be glad, 
 And let the mourning ones again with robes of praise be clad. 
 For He who cooled the furnace, and sniootheil the stormy wave. 
 And tamed the Chaldean lio;is, is mighty .still to save I 
 
 Note. — In these Ecclesiastical sketches there is ne- 
 cessarily imperfection. The North and South Parishes 
 have both lost a book of records, and those that remain 
 are not full in particulars. Could the room have been 
 afforded, an interesting volume might have been com- 
 piled, comprising nothing but the History of the Village 
 Church. 
 
 m 
 

 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 265 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 (a.) The wooden bridge here referred to, crosses Waters' river 
 at the head of tide-water; the other bounds with the exception of 
 "Widow Pope's cowpen" Mil! be recognised. 
 
 (b.) There was formerly a box at the door of each church, into 
 which strangers were accustomed to drop some contribution whenever 
 tljey attended church in a strange place. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Bacon gives a description of the mode of worship among 
 the pilgrims: "Every Sabbath they came together at the beat of drum 
 about 9 o'clock or before. The pastor began with solemn prayer, 
 continuing about a quarter of an hour. The teacher then read and 
 expounded a chapter. Then a psalm was sang, the hnes being given 
 out by the ruling elder. After that the pastor, delivered his sermon, 
 not written out in full, but from notes enlaiged upon in speaking. In 
 this church at an early period it was customary for the congregation 
 to rise while the preacher read his text After the sermon, the teach- 
 er concluded with a prayer and a blessing. The Lord's Supper once 
 each month. 
 
 In the afternoon the assembly met at two o'clock. Prayer, psalm, 
 prayer, sermon, prayer, hymn, prayer. Then baptism if necessary, 
 and exhortation to pfircnis and church. Then contribution — deacon 
 rising and saying: "Brethren of the congregation, now there is time 
 left for contribution; therefore as God has prospered you, so offer free- 
 ly." First magistrates, principal gentlemen, then elders, then the 
 congreiiation generally came up to the deacon's seat, by one way 
 and returned by another. Each contributed something. After this^ 
 admission.or church discipline was attended tO; then psalm, prayer 
 and blessing." 
 
 The following extract from a work written by Thomas Maule and 
 published in 1692, reveals a practice of our ancestors, which was cer- 
 tainly unique, and doubtless effectual. 
 
 "In ihe church of Salem, tiie women in times of service, have 
 their faces covered with a vail, which practice did not many years con- 
 tinue, and when this practice was laid aside, they had fur the more 
 order in their church to keep people from sleeping, a man that wholy 
 tended wiih a short clubbed stick, having at one end a knop, at the 
 other a fox-tail, with which he would stroke the women's faces, that 
 
266 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 were drowsy to sleep, and witli the other end would knock unruly 
 dogs and men that were asleep." 
 
 (c.) The long nnd serious troubles which raged from this time be- 
 t A'een pastor and people need but to be mentioned. They were often 
 characterized by rage and spiteful malice, and resulted in the discharge 
 of Mr. Parris, and almost in the ruin of his church. Tliese troubles 
 hastened the tragedy of '92 The parish refused to levy rates for two 
 years, the church was out of repair, and the parish would not repair 
 it, — the church and the parish did not act in harmony, and the church 
 itself was divided. In the year 1695 there were 105 persons in favor 
 of Mr. Parris and 84 who opposed him . These probably comprised all 
 the men and women in the parish, and it is enough to say that their 
 quarrel was conelucted as bittorly as theological quarrels usually are. 
 John Tarbell, Peter Cloyce and Samuel Nurse stood constantly aloof 
 from the wild excitement, and led off a number of more timid spirits 
 *n opposition to Parris and his plans. They offered complaints against 
 jheir minister, and did not hesitate to absent themselves from the com- 
 munion, and pronounce their disapprobntion of the Church. They | 
 were in turn comploined of, but they managed their case with singu- 
 lar adroitness, and succeeded in ousiing their Spiritual Guide. Par- I 
 ris sought to bring the three mutinous spirits before the church, and | 
 thus place them in the capacity of culprits, — while they sought to place | 
 him at the bar. They effected their ends in his dimissal. To their j 
 charges Mr. Parris replied in "Meditations for Peace," read Nov. '. 
 26th 1694. It is impossible to follow this vvrangle through. The fol- ! 
 ly and wickedness of Parris were at last revealed to the majority of j 
 the church, and he was driven away in disgrace from the town. A | 
 Council was called April 3d 1695, of which Increase Mather was ! 
 n)oderat<;'r, which recommended tjie Dissenters to accept the ackowl- I 
 edgements made by Mr. P. and let the matter rest thus. May 3d 16- , 
 95, a paper was signed by sixteen young men, fifty-two householders^ I 
 and eighteen church members, con)prizing the entire opposition to i 
 Parris, asking another hearing, — a different decision. They wanted j 
 Parris to leave. This call was replied to by theCouncil, who reeom- | 
 mended that the connection should be dissolved. Mr. P. replied to 
 this classical letter as he derisively termed it, and procured the names 
 of fifty-two church members, and fifty three householders who desired 
 him to remain. Thus there were one hundred and five persons de- 
 
 m s 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 267 il 
 
 termined to retain Mr. Parris, and eighty-six who were equally de- 
 termined to be rid of him. May 20ih 1695; ihe entire village was in 
 a ptorm of excitement. 
 
 In this stage of affiiirs Mr. Parris received a call from Suffield, but as 
 the church voted almost unanimously for hi(n to remain, he declined the 
 invitition. Mr. Parris's friends seem to have been as firmly attached 
 to hitn as his enemies were opposed to him. In 1696, Mr. Parris ex- 
 pressed a desire to leave the village, if he was satisfied that he stood 
 in the way of its interests, anrl accordingly he accepted of severa) 
 offers from the parish, and withdrew from iis charge. He remained 
 until he received his arrorus when he left the town. 
 
 (d.) Cromwell's rock was near the Reading boundary, and Crom- 
 well's brook was the name of a small stream which crosses Reading 
 road and empties into Ipswich river. 
 
 (e.) "For it haih been declared unto me of yon, my brethren, by 
 them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among 
 you." 
 From 1681 to 1332 there were seventeen deacons of the First Churchj 
 thirteen of whom bore the name of Putnam. 
 
 (f.) It was defined by General Court as beginning '«at the t^reatj 
 Cove in Norih field, running directly to Trask's Crist Mill inclusive- 
 thence ?,traight to the milestone on the road fiom Salem meetincr 
 house to Lynn by Lyndsey's, and then along the Line between Salem 
 and Lynn northward til! it come to Salem Village line, thenco to 
 Frostfish river, thence by salt water to the great cove first men- 
 tioned." 
 
 (G.) The following peisous were dismissed in 1713 from the 
 First Church in Salem, to f.irm a Church in the Middle Precinct : 
 Samuel, Abel and John Gardner, Sam'l Goldtbwaite, Samuel Goldth- 
 waite, 2d, Eliezer Gyles, Alex. Shafliin, Mary Tomkins, Eliz. 
 To/iikins, Susannah Daniels, Sarah Gardner, Eliz. Gardner, Elis. 
 Gyles, Abraham Pierce, John Foster, David Foster, Jno. Felton, 
 I William King, Richard Waters, Hannah Small, Eliz. Very, Martha 
 j Adams, Isabel Pierce, Hannah Felion, Deborah Goold, Robert Peas, 
 I Hannah King, Eliz. King, Judalh Rlclntire, Elis. Nurse, Sarah Rob- 
 inson, Hannah Southwick, Sarah Waters, Elis. Waters, Eliz. Cook, 
 
 Ml , J 
 
268 HISTORY or danvers. 
 
 Hannah Foster, Abigail French, Elis. Goldthwaite, Hannah Gold, 
 thwaite, Jemima Very. 
 
 (h.) a very curious letter, purporting to have been received by a 
 resident of Ipswich, from Lawrence Connnt, a member of the Ordain- 
 ing Council from Boston, pretends to give an account of this ordina- 
 tion. This letter was a hoax, cunningly devised by Fitch Poole Esq., 
 and created no small slir on its appearance in 1836, among antiquari- 
 rians. Some slight anachronisms were detected b^; Di. Alex. Young 
 of Boston; which proved the author to be a modern. 
 
 (i.) The Old South was at ihistime widened by sawing it length- 
 wise, spreading it, and filling the intervening space. Subsequently it 
 was lengthened by sawing it crosswise. 
 
 (J.) The following "Lament of the Bats inhabiting the Old 
 South," is w'orthy of preservation, not only on account of the rem- 
 iniscences it calls up, but also on account of its literary excellence. 
 Some verses are quite equal to those of tha author Mr. Poole imi- 
 tated. 
 
 Aald time-worn housie I Thee we mourn 
 Where ev'ry son of us was born, 
 Thou soon must fill, in fragments torn, 
 
 And gae to ruin ; 
 And we must gang and stray forlorn, 
 
 Or seek a new one. 
 
 We meurn thy wa's, we mourn thy tovv'r. 
 Thy crannies dark, where niony an hour 
 Our bairns hae slunk from sunlight glovv'r, 
 
 To gae a sleep in ; 
 Far better than in sylvan bovver 
 
 Their slumbers keepin'. 
 
 We mourn thy neuks, wi' grief an' pain, 
 For while around ihy ancient vane, 
 In spite alike of win' and rain. 
 We blithsame flevp; 
 'Tis there our weary banes ha' lain, 
 All hid from view. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 269 
 
 'A 
 
 We mourn thy roof vvi' tearfu' eyes, 
 Thy gude old beams that lofty rise, 
 Thy chandeliers, in ancient guise. 
 
 Thy towerin' steeple; 
 We mourn thy bell in heartfelt sighs, 
 
 But not thy people. 
 
 The wee bit bell, when ye were young, 
 On Stacy's barn where first 'twas hung, 
 In merry peals was often rung, 
 
 Till on the tower 
 The younkers thrice took off the tongue 
 
 In midnight hour. 
 
 They got thee then a bigger bell, 
 And sure we know they rang it well. 
 Disturbing us as weel's thenisel. 
 
 By sic a racket. 
 Till at a fire they rang pell mell, 
 
 And then did crack it. 
 
 We ken the times o' gude Queen Anne, 
 When Frescolt here, gjde pious man. 
 Did in thy auld oak pulpil stan'. 
 
 The people teachin';' 
 And Parson Holt we used to scan 
 
 When he was preachin'. 
 
 Anither light in auld lang syne 
 At thy auld altar then did shine, 
 Wi' graceful mien and language fine, 
 
 A friend indeed, 
 A gude old-fashioned sleek Divine 
 
 Was Parson Mead. 
 
 We ken the time in Georgie^s reign, 
 When Danvers' sons, in battle slain. 
 So nobly fell wiihout a stain. 
 
 At Concord fight; 
 Alang thy aisles were ghastly lain. 
 An awfu' sight ! 
 23 
 
270 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 We ken the times of ghaists and witehes, 
 When grannies saw them eross the ditches 
 In cock'd up hats and leathern breeches, 
 
 An' a' sic daffin; 
 To see them now preserved in niches, 
 
 Ye'd dee a laughing. 
 
 Town IMeetings then sae grave and trig, 
 Wi' Moderator fat and big, 
 Wi' einpty skull beneath a wig, 
 
 A winsome swell, 
 Here chose the power to rule the pig, 
 
 And they themsel'. 
 
 And then we saw, in times of yore, 
 (We trow it was in '74,) 
 They rais'd ye're rpire and lofty tower. 
 
 And weathercock; 
 Here Whitredge fell and rose na more 
 From sic a shock. 
 
 Come brither bats, an' drap a tear, 
 Your ancient housie douce and dear 
 Can scarce survive the passing year. 
 
 But proudly fall ! 
 Your home, alas ! be murk an' drear. 
 
 An' ruin'd all ! 
 
 (k.) Mr. Chaplin was one of those men of true modesty and real 
 worth so often unappreciated in tliis world. Although a man of un- 
 common learning and talents, he could not obtain a support ia Dan- 
 vers. and undoubtedly came near suffering hunger and cold oftcner 
 than any man ought. He remained as pastor for whatever his Society 
 would give him, and was too meek and quiet to complain. Some 
 tiujes he was seen carrying a mass of wet frozen tan, for fuel, or pa- 
 tiently catching hisdinner from Liberty Bridge. At length, when his 
 brethren founded the college in Waterville, and wished a president, 
 they surveyed the denon.ination, and could find no man qualified as 
 was— Jeremiah Chaplin. 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 271* '1 
 
 (l.) Although the Unitarian Church was incorporated under the 
 name of the First Uni'arian Church, yet ^h•. Sewall informs me that 
 he always held a seat in the Councils of the Congregationalists of the 
 Stale, as a delegate from the Third Congreguional Society rn Dan- 
 vers, and his claim was never questioned. The aames of ihe Socie- 
 ties however are given in this work as incorporated. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 / 
 
 u< 
 
 •Salem Witchcraft" is a phrase familiar to the 
 ears of all classes in this country ; a marvel to the ig- 
 norant, and an inexplicable enigma to the learned. 
 The prefix Salem would indicate that this extraordinary 
 delusion had its origin in that city, wiiich is not true. 
 There were many hundreds of cases that occurred 
 in Europe, (a.) as well as in our own country, before 
 the outbreak at Salem Village. The first public 
 trial in the Colonies, was in Springfield, Massachusetts, 
 fortj'-seven years before t'ae cases occurred in Danvers, 
 or as it was then called Salem Village, — where several 
 persons were accused of witchcraft, and acquitted. A 
 few years afterward there were three persons executed 
 in Connecticut, and from that time onward to the year 
 1692, there were many persons tried, some of Avhom 
 were executed, in Charlesbnvn, Springfield, Dorchester, 
 Cambridge, Boston, New Haven, and Portsmouth. 
 
 In the year 1692 that strange infatuation took posses- 
 sion of the minds of the people of Salem Village. 
 And it does not appear very wonderful to the philosophic 
 mind, that at this time, and among the peculiar people 
 who were the early settlers of this country, this delu- 
 
is 
 
 272 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 sion should prevail. The remembrance of the dark and 
 sombre views of God and Man and Nature, >Yhich then 
 universally obtained, and of the belief that there was 
 constantly an open or a secret communication between 
 the Human Soul and the Unseen Powers of Evil, un- 
 ravels the mystery, and solves the dark problem. As 
 a result of these views^ it was universally believed by 
 the learned and ignorant, that there were certain per- 
 sons called witches, who had "made an actual, deliber- 
 ate and formal compact with Satan, by which compact 
 it was agreed that she should become his faithful sub- 
 ject, and do what she could in promoting his cause. 
 Thus a witch was considered a person who had trans- 
 ferred allegiance and worship from God to the Devil. 
 She had the power of afflicting, distressing, and rending 
 whomsoever she w^ould. She could cause them to pine 
 away, and to sufPar almost every description of pain and 
 distress. Indeed an almost indefinite amount of super- 
 natural ability, and a great freedom and varietj^ of 
 methods for its exercise were supposed to result from the 
 diabolical compact. Those upon whom she thus exer- 
 cised her malignant and mysterious energies, w^ere said 
 to be bewitched." C. W. Uj^ham. Persons of eith- 
 er sex were supposed capable of this infernal conduct. 
 In the month of February 1692, Elizabeth Parris, 
 the daughter of Samuel Parris, and Abigail Williams 
 his niece, the one aged nine, and the other twelve 
 years, began to alarm the household by the most aston- 
 ishing conduct. "They would creep into holes and un- 
 der benches and chairs, put themselves into odd pos- 
 tures, make antic gestures and uncouth visages, and 
 

 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 273 
 
 utter loud outcries, and ridiculous, incoherent, and un- 
 intelligible expressions, and that too in all places, ex- 
 cept in the church." The family sought in vain to ex- 
 plain the matter, and at length Dr. Griggs, the physi- 
 cian ^Yho was consulted, declared he could do nothing for 
 them, and pronounced them bewitched. On this hint, 
 Mary Sibly, made experiments to discover the 
 witches, (b.) 
 
 Soon after, Ann Putnam began to be similarly affect- 
 ed with Abi^iail Williams, and the attention of the whole 
 community became riveted to these persons, and they 
 vainly sought the cause of their afflictions. At length 
 Superstition, unattended by becoming Modesty and Hu- 
 mility, crei)t in, and whispered that Satan and his minis- 
 ters, angry with the Puritans for their piety and faith- 
 fulness, were rallying in all their strength to work evil 
 and misery among the ill-fated exiles. 
 
 No sooner did this idea take possession of the people, 
 than a frenzied rage seemed to actuate them. The chil- 
 dren were commanded to declare who their tormentors 
 were, and Mr. Parris compelled Elizabeth, to an accu- 
 sation. Fear drove them to charge the cause upon some 
 one, in order to divert attention from themselves. The 
 first accusation was against Tituba, an Indian woman, 
 who was a servant in the family of ]\Ir. Parris. She 
 had formerly been a slave in New Spain, and when ar- 
 rested and searched, the marks on ber body produced 
 by the sting of the Spaniard's whip, were said to be 
 made by the Devil. When she was confronted with her 
 accusers, they cried out that she pinched and bit them, 
 and they fell down in spasms. When accused, she con- 
 
 
H 274 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 fcssed that she was a witch, and although this may seem 
 surprising, yet when we read the history of those times, 
 and learn how those arrested were tortured to oblige 
 them to confess, and on the other hand, how those who 
 confessed were suffered to live, while those who assert- 
 ed their innocence were executed, the marvel will vanish. 
 
 During the month of March following, Martha Cory 
 and Hebecca Nurse were also complained of, and wlien 
 they approached the presence of their accusers, they 
 cried out upon them for pinching, biting and torturing 
 them. The accused denied all, but were sent to pris- 
 on, (c.) together with Dorothy a little child of Sa- 
 rah Good, aged only six years, who was said to be a 
 witch, and by her apparition to bite the girls ! 
 
 The next Sunday after this imprisonment, Mr. Par- 
 ris took for his text ''Have not I chosen you tAvelve, 
 and one of you is a devil?" Sarah Cloyce, feeling that 
 Rebecca Nurse, her sister, was alluded to in the ser- 
 mon, left the church in indignation, and was immedi- 
 ately complained of, and imprisoned. 
 
 The following record stands in the Village church 
 book: ''May 1692, Dan. Wilkins bewitched to death, 
 29, daughter to Ann Douglass by witchcraft I doubt 
 not." S. V. 
 
 At this time the terrible Storm arose to its height, and 
 tlie clergy, (d.) who ought to have stilled the tempest, 
 were presiding demons, seeming to rejoice in the moral 
 war of elements. Rev. Messrs. Mather of Boston, 
 (e.) Noyes of Salem, and Pan is of Salem Village, 
 were constantly busy, instigating prosecution, and spur- 
 ring on their fellow citizens to the work of death. Peo- j| 
 
 m ^-^ -_.=========^^ 
 
HISTOEY OF DANVERS. 275 
 
 pie dared not sympathise with the accused lest they 
 should be ranked with them, and thus, actuated by a 
 desire of self-preservation, all men became accusers, 
 and joined in the fierce uproar. In all the trials, lead- 
 ing questions were put by the clergy and magistrates, 
 and a shameful ingenuity sought to entrap and ruin. 
 
 Elizabeth, Abigail and Ann were carried to Andover, 
 were they accused Mary Osgood, Mary Tiler, Abigail 
 Barker, Hannah Tiler, Sarah Wilson and Deborah 
 Dane. 
 
 AYhen Tituba confessed, she implicated Sarah Osborn 
 a demented person, and Sarah Good, Dorothy's moth- 
 er, a poor bed-ridden woman, who were immediately 
 also accused by the afflicted girls, and subjected to a 
 rigorous imprisonment. Tituba afterwards declared 
 that Mr. Parris whipped her until he forced a confes- 
 sion from her 1 Yv^hen the accused were brought before 
 tliese girls, they cried out with apparent pain at every 
 movement. They eitlier bit or trampled upon, or tortur- 
 ed them they said, at every motion they made, however 
 distant the}^ were from them. It appears by the rec- 
 ords of these examinations, that the ministers were in- 
 variably present, opening the meetings with prayer, and 
 throwing; the weidit of their tremendous influence in 
 
 o o 
 
 favor of the panic, thus fanning the flame of fanata- 
 cism. No man conduced more to this horrible state 
 of things than Cotton Mather, concerning whom, if he 
 was deluded, there cannot be too much pity, and if ma- 
 licious, scarcely too much reprehension. 
 
 After being imprisoned several months, the trials 
 j came on in the early part of June. None of those liv- 
 
 g, ^^^^i 
 
n 276 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE OLD PARRIS HOUSE, 
 
 wWMWJ 
 
 is 
 
 
 B|| ;il||i 'ililM;ii:ii;n;li:i!lll!n^ ' ■;■■-:": 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 277 
 
 ing wltliin the present limits of Danvers were tried un- 
 til the 30 di inst.j when Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse 
 with several from other towns were arraigned. Thej 
 were all convicted except Rebecca Nurse, who being a 
 pious member of the church and much esteemed, was 
 rendered not guilty by the jury. "Immediately upon 
 hearini2; it, the mali^inant and fiendlike accusers uttered 
 a loud outcry in open Court ! The judges were over- 
 come by the general clamor, and intimidated from the 
 faithful discharge of their sacred duty. Theyexpresed 
 their dissatisfaction with the verdict. One of the judges 
 declared his disapprobation with great vehemence ; 
 another said she should be indicted anew, and the Chief 
 Justice intimated to the Jury, that they had overlooked 
 one important piece of evidence. It was this : during 
 the trial, a woman named Ilobbs, who had confessed 
 herself a witch, was brought into Court, and as she en- 
 tered, the prisoner turned towards her and said : "WhatI 
 do you bring her ? She is one of us." The Jury were 
 thus prevailed upon to go out again : they soon returned 
 pronouncing the poor old woman "Guilty." Mrs. 
 Hobbs afterwards declared that she only meant to ask 
 if Rebecca Nurse, who was respected for her goodness, 
 had also become a prisoner. The governor wished to 
 grant her a reprieve, but was driven by the popular ex- 
 citement to refuse. On the communion before the day 
 of execution, she was brought into the church in chains, 
 and solemnly delivered over to endless burnings. Thus 
 she went to her death. 
 
 Sarah Good was of an unsound mind, and Mr. Noyes 
 who was nearly as prominent as Mather and Parris, 
 
278 HISTORY OF DANVERS* 
 
 urged lier to confess, saying, "You are a -^'itch, you 
 know you are a witch !" The poor old creature, driv- 
 en to rage by the persecutions of her enemies, paused 
 on the brink of Eternity, and turning upon him said : 
 "You are a liar ! I am no more a witch than you are 
 a wizzard, and if you take away my life, God will ^give 
 you blood to drink !" (f.) 
 
 Ehzabeth Proctor was accused, and when she went 
 to her trial, John Proctor her husband attended her, 
 and for this dutiful conduct, he was supposed to have 
 sympathy with her evil doings, and was accused, arrest- 
 ed, and incarcerated. His sympathy for his partner, 
 and the testimony of Elizabeth Hubbard, wxre the princi- 
 pal testimonies against him. "The Deposition of Eliz- 
 abeth Hubbard agged about IT yeares, who testifieth 
 and saith, that I neur saw the Apperishtion of Jno. 
 Proctor sen. before the day of his examination, which 
 was the 11th Aprill 1692, butsence that, the Aperishtion 
 of Jno. Proctor sen. has most grieuiously afilected me a 
 great many times by pinching pricking, and beating me, 
 choaking me almost to death, urging me vehemently to 
 write in his book. 
 
 mark 
 
 ELIZ. O HUBBARD. 
 
 It was also alleged that in prayer Mr. Proctor said 
 holloioed instead of halloived be thy name ! Mr. and 
 Mrs. Proctor were found guilty, and while in prison he 
 wrote the following letter : 
 
 Salem Prison, July 23, 1692. 
 Mr. Mather, Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard and Mr. Daily. 
 
 Eeverend Gentlemen, 
 
 The innocency of our case, with the enmity of our 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 279 
 
 accusers, and our judges and jury, •whom nothing but 
 our innocent blood will serve, having condemned us al- 
 ready before our trials, being so much incensed and en- 
 raged against us by the Devil, makes us bold to implore 
 your favorable assistance of this our humble petition to 
 his excellency, that if it be possible, our innocent blood 
 may be spared, which will undoubtedly otherwise be 
 shed ; if the Lord doth not mercifully step in ; the mag- 
 istrates, ministers, juries, and all the people in general 
 being so much enraged and incensed against us by the 
 delusions of the Devil, which we can term no other, by 
 reason we know in our own consciences we are all inno- 
 cent persons. Here are five persons who have lately 
 confessed themselves to be witches, and do accuse some 
 of vs of being along with them, at a sacrament since 
 vre were committed into close prison, which we know to 
 be Ues. Two of the five are (Carrier's Sons,) young 
 men who would not confess any thing till they tied 
 them neck and heels, till the blood was ready to come 
 out of their noses ; and it is credibly believed and re- 
 ported, this Avas the occasion of making them confess 
 what they never did, by reason, they said, one had been 
 a witch a month, and another five weeks, and that their 
 mother made them so, who has been confined here this 
 nine weeks. My son William Proctor, when he was 
 examined, because he would not confess that he was 
 guilty when he was innocent, they tied him neck and 
 heels, till the blood gushed out at his nose, and would 
 have kept him so t\Yenty-four hours, if one, more mer- 
 ciful than the rest, had not taken pity on him, and 
 caused him to be unbound. 
 ^^ 
 
280 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 These actions are very like the Popish cruelties. 
 Thej have already undone vs in our estates, and that 
 will not serve their turns without our innocent blood. 
 If it cannot be granted that we have our trials at Bos- 
 ton, we humbl}^ beg that you would endeavor to have 
 these magistrates changed, and others in their room ; 
 begging also and beseeching you, that you would be 
 pleased to be here, if not all, some of you, at our trials, 
 hoping thereby you may be the means of saving the 
 shedding of our innocent blood. Desiring your prayers 
 to the Lord in our behalf, we rest your poor afflicted 
 servants, 
 
 JOHN PROCTOR and others. 
 
 During his imprisonment his property was attached, 
 and his eleven children were robbed of all, even to the 
 food which was in process of preparation for dinner, by 
 the sheriff. He was denied the time he asked to pre- 
 pare for death unless he would plead guilty. 
 
 Martha Cory was also accused and sentenced to 
 death. Giles Cory her husband, aged eighty years, 
 seeing how others fared, and knowing that the trials 
 were utter mockeries, refused to plead, and was ex- 
 communicated, and then pressed to death, the legal 
 penalty of remaining silent. It is the only case re- 
 corded in the annals of Massachusetts. Mr. Cory had 
 been a member of the church but a short time. While 
 his aged body was bein^ crushed, and when in the ago- 
 ny of expiring nature his tongue obtruded from his 
 mouth, a monster crowded down his throat with a ruth- 
 less thrust of his cane. Mrs. Cory was also excommu- 
 

 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 281 
 
 nicated from tlie church and consigned by her persecu- 
 tors to unending ruin. 
 
 John Willard was another inhabitant of Salem Vil- 
 lage Yfho suffered. He at first joined the cry against 
 the witches, but seeing himself in error, he spoke in 
 their behalf. This was the signal for his accusation. 
 Upon being accused he fled, but was seized, tried and 
 convicted. 
 
 Perhaps the most interesting case in this town, was 
 that of Rev. George Burroughs. Although not a resi- 
 dent of the town at the time of his accusation, yet he 
 had been pastor of the church of Salem Village about 
 the year 1680. He had disagreed with the parish, and 
 although he had some warm friends here, he had many 
 bitter enemies. The careful reader of the history of 
 those early times, when he sees the bitterness with 
 which this man, then living at Falmouth, Maine, was 
 sought out and driven to his death, cannot repress the 
 conviction that the parish differences and the disputes 
 they engendered were the causes of his destruction. A 
 few of the particulars of this trial are given, in order to 
 show what evidence was necessary to convict a man of the 
 crime of witchcraft. The indictment reads as follows : 
 
 "Essex ss. The jurors for our sovereign Lord and 
 Lady, the King and Queen, present, that George Bur- 
 roughs, late of Falmouth, in the province of Massachu- 
 setts Bay, clerk, the ninth day of Ma5^, in the fourth 
 year of the reign of our sovereign Lord and Lady, 
 WilHam and Mary, by the grace of God of England, 
 Scotland, France and L'eland, King and Queen, de- 
 
 9 24 
 
 
^t '-■— ' ■ . — r ■■■■■ - ., ■ "■ 'iir : otjr> 
 
 282 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 fenders of the Faith, &c., did certain detestable arts, 
 called witchcrafts and sorceries, wickedly and feloni- 
 ously hath used, practised and exercised, at and within 
 the town of Salem, in the county of Essex aforesaid, 
 in, upon and against one Mary Walcott, of Salem Vil- 
 lage, in the county of Essex, singlewoman ; by which 
 said wicked arts, the said Mary Walcott, the ninth day 
 of May, in the fourth year above said, and divers other 
 days and times, as well before as after, was and is tor- 
 tured, afPilcted, pined, consumed, wasted and torment- 
 ed, against the peace of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, 
 the King and Queen, and against the form of the stat- 
 ute in that case made and provided." Margaret Jacobs, 
 Eliezar Keysar, Hannah Harris, Samuel Webber, Si- 
 mon Willard, Susannah Sheldon. Ann Putnam, and oth- 
 ers, were arrayed against him. 
 
 Eliezar Keysar deposed, that he saw Mr. Bur- 
 roughs one day, that Burroughs fixed his eye steadily 
 upon him, and that being in his own house that even- 
 ing, and sitting without a light, ''I did see very strange 
 things appear in the chimney, I suppose a dozen 
 of them, Avhieh seemed to be something like jelly, that 
 used to be in the water, and quivered with a strange mo- 
 tion, and then quickly disappeared. Soon after which, 
 I did see a light up in the chimney, about the bigness 
 of my hand, something above the bar, which quivered 
 and shaked, and seemed to have a motion upward ; up- 
 on which I called the maid ; and she, looking up the 
 ciiimney, saw the same ; and my wife looking up, 
 could not see anything. So I did and do conclude it 
 was some diabolical operation." 
 
 rta 
 

 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 283 ^ 
 
 •52 
 
 Samuel Webber, aged 36 years, testified that Bur- 
 roughs put his fingers m the bung of a barrel of molas- 
 ses, and hfted it up, and carried it clear around him, 
 Simon Willard affirmed that he sa^Y Mr. Burroughs at 
 Casco Bay, put his forefinger into the muzzle of a gun, 
 with a barrel seven feet long, and hold it out at arm's 
 lens-th ; Avhile he could not with both hands hold the 
 gun sufficiently steady to take sight, (g.) As Mr. 
 Burroughs was a "puny man," this wonderful feat of 
 strength was thought to be conclusive proof of his 
 guilt. When we read this we can almost believe the 
 account we have seen, that the man who first manufac- 
 tured two tubs, by sawing a barrel through the middle, 
 was thouoi;ht to have deaUn2:s with the Devil. Cotton 
 Mather, with all his wisdom, in his Magnalia, mentions 
 the uncommon strength of Mr. Burroughs seriously, as 
 convincing proof that he was a wizzard. 
 
 Mr. Burroughs made one fatal admission during his 
 trial. One of the judges warily asked him what caus- 
 ed those who accused him to fall into fits when brought 
 into his presence. "I suppose it is the Devil," was his 
 answer. "How comes the Devil then," said the Chief 
 Justice, "to be so loath to have any testimony borne 
 against you?" This answer, so miexpected, confused 
 him so much^ as to satisfy his accusers of his guilt. 
 
 "Sarah AVilson confesst yt ye night before Mr. Bur- 
 roughs was executed, yt yr was a great meeting of ye 
 witches nigh Sargt Chandlers ; yt Mr. Burroughs was 
 yr, &c." — "The deposition of Sarah Viber, who testi- 
 fieth and saith that on the 9Lh day of May, 1692, as I 
 was a going to Salem Village, I saw the Apperiihtion of 
 
 ^ 
 
 iM 
 

 5M 
 
 284 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 a little man like a minister with a black coat on, and 
 he pinched me by the arme, and bid me goe along with 
 him ; but I told him I would not, — but when I came to 
 the village, I saw theire, Mr. George Burroughs which 
 I neuer saw before, and then I knew chat it was his 
 Apperishtion which I had seen in the morning ; and he 
 tortured me severall times while he was in examination, 
 also during the time of his examination, I saw Mr. 
 George Burroughs, in his Apparance most greuously 
 torment and afilect, Mary Walcott, mercy luis, Elisa- 
 beth Hubburt, Ann Putnam and Abigail Williams, by 
 pinching, twisting, and almost choaking her to death ; 
 also severall times sence Mr. George Burroughs or his 
 Apperance has most greuiously tormented me with va- 
 riety of tortors, and I believe in my heart that Mr. 
 George Burroughs is a dreadful wizzard &c." 
 
 Ann Putnam also said, the "Apperishtion" of Mr. 
 Burroughs appeared to her, with an appearance of two 
 women by his side in winding sheets, who "turned 
 their faces towards Mr. Burroughs, and looked very red 
 and angry, and told him that he had been a cruell man 
 to them," and that they should goe to heaven, while 
 he should be cast down to hell. When "he was gon, 
 the two Avomen turned their faces towards me, and look- 
 ed as pail as a white wall, and tould me that they were 
 Mr. Burrough's two first wives, and that he had rnur- 
 thered them : and one tould me that she was his first 
 wife, and he stabbed her under the left arme, and put 
 a peace of sealing wax on the wound and she pulled 
 aside the winding sheat, and showed me the place." 
 
 This array of evidence was conclusive, and Mr. Bur- 
 
 
 'esiiS 
 
-m 
 
 «£■<» 
 
 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 
 
 285 
 
 m 
 
 roughs was sentenced to die. (h.) The night before 
 his execution, Margaret Jacobs entered his cell and im- 
 plored his pardon for the part she had taken against 
 him. He forgave her, and they wept and prayed to- 
 gether. She afterwards, in her recantation, declared 
 ''they told me if I would not confess, I should be put 
 down into the dungeon^ and would he hanged; but if 
 I would confess, I should have my life, the which did 
 so affright me, with my own vile wicked heart, to save 
 my life, made mo make the like confession I did, which 
 confession, may it please the honored Court, is altogeth- 
 er false and untrue. The very first night after I had 
 made confession, I was in such horror of conscience, 
 that I could not sleep for fear the Devil should carry me 
 away, for telling such horrid lies. * * What I said, 
 was altogether false against my grandfather, and Mr. 
 Burrough, which I did to save my life, and to have my 
 liberty &c." 
 
 Mr. Burroughs was executed on Gallows Hill, in Sa- 
 lem. He was carried to the gallows clothed in rags. 
 While on the ladder he addressed the crowd with so 
 much of feeling, that many wept, and seeing the im- 
 pression he made upon the observers, Cotton Mather, — 
 one who ought to have sought to save, — an ambassador 
 of the Savior of Men, rode around on horse-back, and 
 spurred the people onward to the work of death, telling 
 them that Satan had power to appear as an Angel of 
 Light; and an innocent man, with prayer on his lips, 
 was sacrificed, (i.) 
 
 A final check was placed on the awftd delusion by 
 the accusation of Mrs. Hale, wife of the minister in 
 
 •.ki=^ 
 
f — ~ — ' — ^ 
 
 286 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 Beverly, whose character was so pure, that her impeach- 
 ment was the signal for those enquiries which resulted 
 in a discovery of the fatal errors into which the commu- 
 nity had fallen. 
 
 The General Court afterwards endeavored to atone 
 for its errors by appropriating about £50, to heal 
 the broken hearts Burroughs left behind, and the Jury 
 who presented most of the persons executed both here 
 and elsewhere, made the following declaration : "We 
 do therefore signify, to all and in general, our deep 
 sense of, and sorrow for, our errors in acting on such 
 evidence ; we pray that we may be considered candidly 
 and aright by the liveing sufferers, as being then un- 
 der the power of a strong and general delusion, utterly 
 unacquainted with, and not experienced in matters of 
 that nature." Signed, Thomas Fisk, WiUiam Fisk, 
 John Bachelor, Thos. Fisk Jun., John Dane, Joseph 
 Evelith, Thomas Pearly Sen., John Peabody, Thomas 
 Perkins, Samuel Sayer, Andrew Eliot, H. Herrick, 
 Sen. 
 
 Mr. Parris made a public confession, and on Febru- 
 ary 14th, 1703, the sentence of excommunication 
 against Giles and Martha Cory was formally revoked, 
 and the Church books of 1705 have a tribute of repent- 
 ance from Ann Putnam, who seems to have been sincere. 
 It was said and believed that Satan gathered his com- 
 pany in a large field (j.) in Salem Village, where 
 they held their midnight riots. As often as he ob- 
 tained new followers, he gave them the seal of his cov- 
 enant by baptizing them in Newbury Falls. He is de- 
 scribed as appearing well dressed in a suit of black, 
 
=^M/5 
 
 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 
 
 287 
 
 and as looking like an ordinary minister. Probably 
 his hoof was disguised by a boot, his horns by a hat, 
 and his tail snugly concealed in a proper place. 
 
 The principal accusers in Salem Village, were John 
 Buxton, Elizabeth Parris, Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Putnam, good 
 wife Bibber, good wife Goodall, Abigail "Williams, Ann 
 Putnam, Margaret Jacobs, Mary Walcotfc, Mercy Lewis, 
 ''Dr. Griggs's maid," Tituba, Edward Putnam, Mrs. 
 Raymond, Samuel Parris, Jona. Walcott andNath'l In- 
 gersoll. Those who were executed were Sarah Good, wbo 
 left a child six years old ; Giles and Martha Cory, who be- 
 queathed property to William Cheeves of Beverly, and 
 who left two children : Elizabeth and Martha ; Bebec- 
 ca Nurse, who left a husband and eight children : John, 
 Rebecca, Sarah, Samuel, Francis, Mary, Elizabeth and 
 Benjamin ; John Proctor, (l.) who left a wife and 
 twelve children : John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Martha 
 Mary, William, Joseph, Samuel, Thomas, Sarah and Ab- 
 igail. Thorndike was born in a few weeks after his fath- 
 er's death. George Jacobs, (m.) who left a wife and 
 three children: George, Ann and Margaret; John 
 Willard, who left a wife ; and Rev. George Burroughs, 
 who left a family. One poor dog was hanged, because 
 it was thought he entertained the devil in his body. 
 Elizabeth Proctor was sentenced to death, but she 
 proving to be enciente, was allowed to live, and before 
 her child was born, the delusion vanished. She was 
 accused of killing ten, and laming many others. 
 
 The following persons were arrested and tiied for 
 witchcraft : Tituba, an Indian woman, Sarah Osborn, 
 Dorothy Good, Sarah Cloyce, Mary Warren, Avho after- 
 
288 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 wards became a complainant, Edward and Sarah Bish- 
 op, Benjamm and William, sons of John Proctor, Mar- 
 garet Jacobs, who was also a complainant, Sarah Proc- 
 tor, Mary Witheridge, Rebecca Jacobs, Margaret's 
 mother, Mary, a negro servant of Nathaniel Putnam, 
 Daniel Andrew, a bricklayer, George Jacobs Jr., and 
 Sarah Buckley, Mary Witheredge's mother. John, 
 Tituba's husband and Mary Sibly made a superstitious 
 experiment to discover the witches, and many of the 
 citizens joined with the accusers against their supposed 
 enemies. The examinations were mostly conducted at 
 the house of Nathaniel Putnam, (n.) The Judges 
 were Hathorne, Corwin and Sewall. (o.) 
 
 It is highly probable that these girls commenced their 
 ruinous course for amusement, but that, frightened by 
 the wild flame which increased so terribly, they dared 
 not tell the truth. Afterwards, if any person was at 
 enmity with another, an accusation of Witchcraft was 
 sure revenge. Added to this, the excitement produced 
 a sort of mania, which presented to a superstitious peo- 
 ple, a bewitched person in every lunatic or epileptic, and 
 a witch or wizzard in every bed-ridden unfortunate, or 
 person endowed with uncommon strength or ability, (p.) 
 
 But the delusion lasted only a few months. The 
 people's eyes were opened, and the storm which rose in 
 the Village, and drove Mr. Parris from his charge, 
 and the blast of indignation and horror Avhich scathed 
 Cotton Mather, and others who fanned the flame with 
 him, and which to this day envelopes these actors, tes- 
 tifies to those of a later generation, that if the people 
 of this neighborhood were for a short time under a de- 
 
td 
 
 HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 
 
 289 
 
 luslon, produced in part by their religious vie-ws, (q.) 
 and in part by those from whom they expected bet- 
 ter things, that their native good sense soon resumed its 
 ascendancy, and wept over former errors, while it trans- 
 mitted a lesson of wisdom to the remotest posterity. 
 
 In arranging this sketch of Wicchcraft, S, P. Eowler 
 afforded much aid, by loaning valuable manuscript vol- 
 umes, &c. 
 
 NOTES TO CHAPTER IX. 
 
 (a.) In •^Celebrated Tnalsy^' the reader may find many interest- 
 ing cases recorded. 
 
 (b.) She made a cake of the urine of the afflicted person, and gave 
 to those whom she suspected. She was afterwards pubhcly reprimand- 
 ed by the Church, and expressed her repentance. The following 
 church record is in Mr. Parris's hand writing. 
 
 "It is altogether undenyable that our Great and Blessed God, for 
 wise and holy ends, hath suffered many persons in several families of 
 this little Village to be grievously vexed and tortured in body, and to 
 be deeply tempted to the endangering of the destruction of their souls 
 and all these amazing feats, (well known to many of us,) to be done 
 by Witchcraft and diabolical operations. 
 
 *»It IS well known that vvhen these calamities first began, which was 
 in my own family, the affliction was several weeks before such hellish 
 operations as Witchcraft was suspected; Nay it never broke forth to 
 any considerable light., untiil Diabolical means was used, by the mak- 
 ing of a cake by my Indian man, who h:'.d his directions from this our 
 sister Mary Sibly. Since which Appiiitions have been plenty, and 
 exceeding much niischiefhath followed. But by this means (it seems) 
 the Devil hath been raised amongst us, and his Rage is vehement and 
 terrible, and when he shall be silenced, the Lord only knows." 
 
 The church received Mary Sibley's profec^sion of repentance and 
 retained her in the Communion. 
 
 
290 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 (c.) The following curious bill, kindly loaned rac by Mr. Felt, the 
 SuUnn Annalist, shows vvhbt treatment the supposed vviiches received. 
 
 John Arnold keeper of Boston Prison 
 
 1691-2 May 9 To chains for Saroh Good and Sarah Osborn £0 14 
 
 " 14 " keeping LeA'is Hutchins 8 wks at 2-6 10 
 
 1C92 April 5 "2 blankets for Sarah Good's child 10 
 
 May 23 " shackles for 10 prisoners 2 
 
 '• 29 " 1 pr of irons for Mary Cox 7 
 
 Sarah Good vf Salem Village 
 
 from 7th March to June 1, 12 wks 2-6 1 10 
 
 Rebecca Nurse of same place 
 
 from 12lh of Apl 7 wks at 2-6 17 10 
 
 Geo. Jacob 6 weeks &, 4 days from 
 
 May 12Lh 16 4 
 
 John Proctor & wife Elizth from 
 
 April 12th to 1st of June at 5- 1 15 
 
 Susanna Martin of Amsbury 
 
 from May 2d to 1st of June 4 wks 2 days 10 
 
 Bridget Bishop alias Oliver of Salem 
 
 fr 12th May 20 days at 2-6 a week 7 
 
 Alice Parker of Salem from 12th of May 
 
 to 1st of June 20 days 2 6 07 
 
 Geo Burroughs 7 weeks from 9th May 17 6 
 
 Samuel Passanauton an Indian 8 wks 4 dys 
 
 from Apl 28 ih 2-6 115 
 
 Roger Toothaker * of Salem ViHnge 
 
 & John Willard of same each fr May 18th 
 
 5 wks & 5 dy3 18 
 
 Sarah Osborn fr March 7 to May 10, when 
 
 she died— being 9 wks & 2 dys 13 
 
 *0f BlUerica. 
 
 (d.) Thomas Wiikins, John Tarbell and Samuel Nurse were the 
 only members of the church who opposed the progress of the great 
 storm. They did not fall into the popular panic, and did not cease from 
 exerting themselves until they had ousted its cause from the parish. 
 They were excommunicated however, and were out of the church 
 until Feb 5, 1699, when thoy and their wives were re-admitted to the 
 communion. Capt. Joseph Putnam, Israel's father, kept a horse in 
 
 m.= ==:^\ 
 
ft^«l ] 
 
 ZT^fii 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 291 
 
 »2 
 
 constant readiness several weeks, with the expectation that he would 
 be accused on account of his opposition to the Great Delusion. 
 
 To exhibit the feelings of the clergy it is recorded that Cotton Math- 
 er called Martha Carrier a "rampant bag, the Queen of Hell !" Noyes 
 of Salem said when he saw several hanging on Gallows Hill, — *'Hovv 
 sad it is to see eight firebrands of hell h.^nging there." Mr. Parris 
 seems to have been not quite so malignant as these and some others; 
 he seems to hsve been desirous of using this excitement to promote 
 a religious awakening in his parish. 
 
 (e,) During I he prevalence of the excitement, a daughter of a man 
 named Shafflin aged about eighteen, who lived on the spot at present oc- 
 cupied by Mr. Amos King, "cried out" upon a very respectable neigh- 
 bor. Her father thinking the evil spirit which possessed her was one 
 that might be exorcised in a peculiar manner took her into a room 
 where her cries would not disturb others, and trounced her soundly, 
 until she confessed that a desire of appearing as conspicuous , as Ann 
 Putnam and Abigail Williams, actuated her in her course. Had Mr. 
 Parris and others, whipped their children fur accusing instead o^ 
 whipping them to oblige them to accuse, this groat blot upon Human 
 Nature might have been prevented. 
 
 (f.) "At the trial of Sarah Good, one of the afflicted girls fell into 
 a fit, and after coming out of it, she cried out against the prisoner for 
 stabbing her in the breast while in court, and actually prociuced a 
 piece of the blade of the knife which she said was used and broken 
 in doing it. Upon this, a young man was called to prove the imposi- 
 tion. He produced a hnft and part of the blade, which the court, 
 having viewed and compared, found to bo the same; and the young 
 man affirmed, that yesterday ho happened to break that knifo and 
 that he cast away the upper part in the presence of the person who 
 now produced it. The girl was cautioned by the court not to tell any 
 more lies, but was still employed to give evidence against the prison- 
 ers whose lives were in her hands." 
 
 (g.) This gun is said to be deposited in the Museum in Fryeburg 
 Academy, Maine. 
 
 (h.) There were five persons wlio declared that Burroughs afflicted 
 them; eight confessed witches, who said he was a leader of them at 
 their infernal sacraments; and others, who testified to his remarkable 
 
I! 292 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 strength. When vv8 remember the excited state of the pubhc mind, 
 conviction is no matter of surprise. 
 
 (i.) He seems to have siid hut little in his own behalf. When 
 accused of great sirength, he said there was an Indian present who 
 could do as much: *-AhI" said one, ''the Devil is black like an Indi- 
 an r* 
 
 (j.) If the veracious pen of history might be allowed to glide for 
 a moment into the apocryphal regions of fancy, it would suggest the 
 broad level field owned by Judge Putnam, as the veritable spot. 
 But alas ! we can only conjecture where these toothless Ciittysarlis 
 pursued poor benighted Tarn 0^ Shante7-s, and made night hideous 
 with their ghastly orgies. Tradition, usually so explicit and fecund, 
 here confesses her ignorance. 
 
 (k.) Poor Tituba was imprisoned, and W'hen slie was found inno- 
 cent, her sapient accusers did not hang her, — they only mildly sold 
 her into hopeless Slavery to pay her jail fees! By this and similar cases 
 we are reminded of the old method of discovering witches : By 
 throwingthem into deep water, and, if they floated, executingthem 
 as guilty ; while if they were innocent they sunk, and were 07ihj 
 drowned! 
 
 (l.) John W. Proctor Esq. , a descendant of John, hns humorously 
 observed, that he can trace his ancestry to as elevated a position as 
 most of his fellow citizens ! 
 
 (m.) Geo. Jacobs lived on the Jacobs farm near the Iron Factory, 
 He was hung on a branch of one of his own oaks, which stood until 
 within a few years, when it was sold to Samuel Fowler Esq., and con- 
 verted into a Mill Shaft. Jacobs was buried on his own land, and the 
 gravestone is yet visible near the Iron Factory. 
 
 (N.) A negro aged 100 years, who recently died nearthe Plains, 
 attributed the troubles of 1G92, to the loss of the Church book. He 
 said it was stolen by Apollyon. 
 
 (o.) In the year 1711 the King issued an edict in which all "Con- 
 victions, Judgments and Attainders" were '-'reversed" and declared 
 "Null and Void to all Intents as if such had never been given." An 
 edict that afforded rather more consolation to the living than reparation 
 to the unfortunate dead. Soon after Rev. Jost-ph Green was or- fj 
 
HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 293- n 
 
 darned over the First Church, he made efforts to revoke the sentence 
 of excommunication against Martha Cory, and others who opposed 
 the delusion, and who were accused. May 4th 1707, the followin<» 
 Church action was had. "Whereas this cliurch passed a vote Sept. 
 11, 1G92 for the excommunication of Martha Cory and that sentence 
 was passed, was pronounced against her Sept. 14, by JMr. Sam, Par- 
 ris, formerly pistor of this church, she being before her excommui. 
 cation condemned and aftervvarj executed for supposed witchcraft, 
 and there being a record of this in our church boolc page 12. We 
 being irioved hereunto, do freely consent and heartily desire that the 
 same sentence may be revoked, and that it may stand no longer 
 against her, for we are through God's mercy to us convinced, that vve 
 were at that dark day under the power of those errors which then 
 prevailed in the land, and we are sensible that we had not sufficient 
 grounds to think her guilty of that crime for which She was condemn- 
 ed and executed (f-c. There was a maj'r part voted, — & 6 or 7 dis- 
 sented. J. Gr. pr." 
 
 This act was of course all the Church could perform to atone for the 
 evil it had done. Such J^unli^ht could not however warm the bones of 
 the slam. Ann Putnam made a public confession which is recorded on 
 the Ciiurch books in which she says : '■! desire to be humbled before 
 God for that sad and humbling providence that befel my father's fam- 
 ily in the year about 92-3, 1 then being in my childhood, should by 
 such a providence of God be mad an instrument for the accusing of 
 several persons of a grevious crime, whereby their lives were taken 
 away from them, when I have just ground and good reason to believe 
 they were innocent persons, and that it was a great delusion of Sa- 
 tan (f-c, 
 
 "Though what was said or done by me I can truly and uprightly 
 say before God & Man I did it not out of any anger, malice or ill will 
 to any persons for I had no such thing; against one of them; but what I 
 did was ignorant, being deluded by Satan &c. 
 
 ANNE PUTNAM." 
 
 She asked forgiveness of all whom she had offended. 
 
 Increase IMather, President of Harvard College, Jlarch lOtli, 
 came out to the Village, and stopped at Nathaniel Ingersoll's, and 
 this wise and reverend scholar gravely relates the wonder* he saw, 
 one of the principal of which was, that a crazy girl, named Abigail 
 
 25 
 
 m 
 
294 
 
 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 
 
 William , called out in church : "Look where Goodwife Clojce sits 
 on the beam suckling her yellow bird betwixt her fingers !" Another 
 expression which showed that she was terribly afflicted was the follow- 
 ing ; ^^It is a long text l"^ 
 
 "Mch 31st, when there was a fast at the village, Abigail William 
 said that the witches had a sacrament in the village, and that they 
 had red bread and red drink. 
 
 Mercy Lewis saw in her fit, a white man, and was with him in a 
 glorious place, which had no candles nor sun, yet was full of light 
 and brightness; where was a great multitude in white glittering 
 robes, and they sung the song in the fifth of Rev., the ninth verse, 
 and the one hundred tenth Psalm, and the one hundred forty-ninth 
 Psalrn; and she said to Iierself, "How long shall I stay here?" &c. 
 
 (p.) That the reader may see the manner in which these cases 
 were conducted, let him consult "Wonders of the Invisible World," 
 by Calef, — Thachers Essay, Mather's Magnalia and other works. 
 
 (q ) A literal rendering of the Old Testament Scriptures, a pas- 
 sage of which says: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," — was one 
 active cause of trouble then, as it is of much error and delusion at 
 present. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 27. for (c.) read (b.) 
 
 Page 33, 7th line from the top, for iZow/ey read Ipswich. 
 
 Page 43, 7th line from the bottom, for where read rvere. 
 
 Page 45, 3d line from the top, for IVay read 7nai/. 
 
 Page 56, 14th line from the top, insert ?/?, after Salem. 
 
 Pago 105, 15th line from the top, foi 7vife, read mother. 
 
 On page 106, in speaking of the ardor of Gen. Foster, it was not 
 intended to impesrh the military character of Col. Pickering. While 
 the former wa.>3 all ardor, the latter combined a commendable pru- 
 dence wiih undoubted valor, 
 
 Page 109, for Gandy, read Gondy. 
 
 Page 123. 3d line from the top, for 50, read as. 
 
 Page 123, 5th line from the bottom, for Jeremiah read Israel. 
 
 Page 135, in Fire Department, ioi' past ijear, read year 1846. 
 
 Page 162, for stands, rend stand. 
 
 On page 258, 7th line from the bottom, read 62 memlers, and a 
 Sunday School of 140, &c." 
 
 Note (h.) page 268, refers to page 240. 
 
 Page 280. 2d line from the bottom, read "it" between crowded 
 and down. 
 
 1 
 
 ^ 
 

 1^*3 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 295 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Waters, North, Crane and Porter's rivers empty into 
 Bass or Beverly river, instead of the harbor, as stated in 
 Chap. I. 
 
 Archelaus Putnam, (see page 60,) lived nearer Bachel- 
 dor's corner, than the Collins house. He moved his house 
 on the ice, instead of floating it, as stated above. 
 
 The name of Dr. George Osborne was unaccountably 
 omitted from the list of physicians. He removed to Dan vers 
 in the year 1S30. 
 
 The several ponds in Danvers, from the beauty of their 
 situation and appearance, merit a particular description. 
 And the writer cannot dismiss his agreeable labors with- 
 out speaking of Bartholomew's pond. It is said on page 13, 
 that this is one of the most "charming, secluded spots in 
 the State." The water of this miniature lake is of a 
 delicate sea-green color, and is of remarkable softness and 
 transparency. On several sides huge sienite bluffs rise a 
 hundred feet in height, and frown above, while the beautiful 
 lake answers the caresses of the Sun and Breeze by con- 
 stant smiles. The calm, quiet serenity of the water, con- 
 trasts charmingly with the sterner grandeur of cliffs, and 
 sombre forest trees, and had we some native Scott or 
 Wordsworth, this romantic place would shine in immortal 
 verse, where many a less lovely place now stands. The 
 water of Bartholomew's Pond percolates through a bed of 
 peculiar gravel, to the distance of half a mile, where it 
 enters Brown's Pond, which in its turn supplies the foun- 
 tains of the Salem and Danvers Acqueduct. The large 
 bleacheries now in process of erection, have been placed 
 in the positions they occupy, on account of the purity of 
 the water. Bartholomew's Pond has no visible outlet. 
 
 Ship Rock has recently been purchased by the Essex 
 Natural History Society, and fitted with ladders, &c. for 
 the pleasure of visitors. It is a remarkable locahty, and 
 
m 
 
 ~!a^ 
 
 296 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 is said to be the largest boulder standing above the earth 
 in New England. It is forty feet in length, thirty feet in 
 breadth, and about twenty feet thick, and presents an ap- 
 pearance closely resembling the hull of a ship. From 
 its top, the best view of Danvers may be had, that can 
 be procured at any one place. In one charming land- 
 scape, the wide extent of the town spreads before the eye, 
 together with Salem and Beverly, and to be appreciated 
 and admired, needs but to be seen. Indeed, the entire 
 southern portion of the town, and especially the immedi- 
 ate neighborhood of the pond and rock referred to, is 
 wilder and more like primitive Nature, than we often find 
 in our Slate. A very uneven surface, and a great profu- 
 sion of very large boulders give additional vigor to the 
 scenery. A native poet might here find appropriate 
 places for thought, and might people these solitudes with 
 beings, who would have as romantic a home as in more 
 celebrated, but not more beautiful retreats. Meanwhile, 
 let those inclined to observ^e Nature in her various moods, 
 resort to this region, and rejoice in its poetic combinations, 
 
 There are many choice landscapes and sea-views in 
 different parts of Danvers. From the house of Joseph 
 Adams, Esq., a very superior view may be enjoyed ; 
 twenty-two steeples are in the field of vision. 
 
 It is said on page 31, that the spot which Col. Thomas 
 Reed owned, is unknown. It has since been ascertained, 
 that his land was bounded on the west by the Proctor 
 lands, and included the West estate, Buxton's hill, and 
 that vicinity. 
 
 Mrs. Fowler, first spoken of on p. 61, was Sarah, a 
 daughter of Dea. Archelaus Putnam, and was born Sep- 
 tember 14th, 1755, and died Nov. 19ih", 1847, aged 92 
 years and 2 months. She had 5 children, 27 grand chil- 
 dren, and 60 great grand children. 
 
 Jotham Webb, one of the young men from this town, 
 who was slain in the battle of Lexington, was a brick- 
 maker, and was preparing his yard for the making of 
 bricks, on the morning of the 19ih of April. This yard 
 was situated at the New Mills, near what is now known 
 as the old Joshua Kent house, where the currier's shop 
 H of S. F. Reed now stands. He was married but a few 
 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 297 
 
 days previous to the battle, and lived in the house now 
 owned by Mr. A. A. Edgerton. Upon receiving the news 
 of the march of the British to Concord, he left his work, 
 returned to his house, and put on his wedding suit, remark- 
 ing to his young wife, who expostulated with him: "If I die, 
 I will die in my best clothes." He joined the company 
 of minute men under Col. Hutchinson, and was with him 
 in the engagement, and he received a shot through his 
 body, at the first fire of the enemy. He, with the other 
 dead from this town, was brought home in a horse cart; 
 and it is said that the grief of the young widow upon 
 seeing the bloody corpse of her husband, was excessive 
 and heart-rending. 
 
 Milan Murphy, a colored man, was also in the Revolu- 
 tion, as a servant of one of the Putnams. 
 
 George Peabody, son of Thomas, was born in Danvers, 
 about the year 1797, in the house formerly occupied by a 
 quaker named Purington, situated on the old Boston 
 Road. He passed a few years of his youth with Capt. 
 Sylvester Proctor, and after leaving him, he engaged in 
 mercantile pursuits in Georgetown, Mass. and Baltimore, 
 Md., and at length, in 1836, he removed to London, where 
 he is now a celebrated Factor and Merchant. He is lib- 
 eral and upright, a man of large influence in the mercan- 
 tile world, and generally esteemed. 
 
 Since the Valuation of 1845, as recorded in the "Sta- 
 tistics," many branches of business have increased. 
 Among other things, it may be said, that there are now 6 
 morocco factories, which annually dress 250,000 skins, 
 valued at 8100,000. 100 hands are emploved, on a cap- 
 ital of $75,000, During the year 1847, there were 152 
 arrivals at the Port of Danvers, 40 of which were of lum- 
 ber. 
 
298 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 IN DEX. 
 
 
 SUBJECT. 
 
 Acqueduct, 
 
 Act of Incorporation District of Danvers, 
 
 Agriculture, - - - 
 
 Alarms, - - - - 
 
 Alarm List, _ - - 
 
 Anecdote of Anna Endicott, 
 
 Anecdote of Franklin, 
 
 Anecdote of Goudy, 
 
 Anecdote of Mr. Holt, 
 
 Animals, _ . - - 
 
 Appearance of Danvers in 1757, 
 
 Appendix, . - . . 
 
 Approbation of Adams's ad'm. 
 
 Appropriations for War, 
 
 Area of Danvers, 
 
 Armorial bearings, 
 
 Arnold's Quebec Expedition, 
 
 Articles of Confederation, 
 
 Aspect of the Town, 
 
 Attempts to divide do. 
 
 Bankrupt Law, 
 
 Banks, . - - 
 
 Bell Tavern, 
 
 Biography of Bowditch Nath'l, 
 
 " of Burroughs Geo., 
 
 " of Clarke Peter, 
 
 " of Endicott John, 
 
 " of Eppes Daniel, 
 
 " of Flint Samuel, 
 
 " of Foster Benj., 
 
 " of Foster Gideon, 
 
 " of Gloyd Sarah, 
 
 " of Green Joseph, 
 
 PAGE. 
 

 = ■■■■ ■■ . 'jng 
 
 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 299 
 
 
 Biography of Hoi ten Samuel, 
 
 188 
 
 
 
 " of Hutchinson Israel, 
 
 185 
 
 
 1 
 
 " of Nelson Thomas, 
 
 - 176 
 
 
 
 " of Osborne Sylvester, 
 
 217 
 
 
 
 " of Page Jeremiah 
 
 - 185 
 
 
 
 " of Page Samuel, 
 
 212 
 
 
 
 " of Parris Samuel, 
 
 - 175 
 
 
 ( 
 
 " of Peabody George, 
 
 297 
 
 
 
 " of Pope iVmos, 
 
 - 218 
 
 
 
 " of Porter Moses, 
 
 . 216 
 
 
 
 •' of Prescott Benj., 
 
 177 
 
 
 . 
 
 " of Prince Asa, 
 
 185 
 
 
 
 " of Putnam Elias, 
 
 - 222 
 
 
 
 " of Putnam Enoch, 
 
 187 
 
 
 
 " of Putnam Israel, 
 
 . 179 
 
 
 
 " of Putnan Jeremiah, 
 
 187 
 
 
 
 " of Read Nathan, 
 
 - 220 
 
 
 
 " of Wadsworth Benj., 
 
 205 
 
 
 
 " of Wallis Dennison, 
 
 - 214 
 
 
 
 " of Webb Jotham, - 
 
 296 
 
 
 
 " of Wharton Eliza, 
 
 - 206 
 
 
 
 Births, - - - 
 
 156 
 
 
 
 Blockhouses, 
 
 - 48 
 
 
 
 Boundaries &c.., 
 
 - 9, 54, 55, 267 
 
 
 
 Bridges, - - 
 Bunker Hill Battle, - 
 
 . 61, 66, 68 
 
 
 
 92 
 
 
 
 Caleb Lowe & Washington, 
 
 - 98 
 
 
 
 Carriages, 
 
 100 
 
 
 " 
 
 Cassandra Southwick, ballad, 
 
 - 260 
 
 
 
 C. C. Pleas, - 
 
 111 
 
 
 I 
 
 Cessation of New Mills Dist., 
 
 - 66 
 
 
 
 Character of the People, 
 
 17 
 
 
 ' 
 
 Coins of Mass., 
 
 . 34 
 
 
 
 College Graduates, 
 
 148 
 
 
 
 Collins House, 
 
 - 79, 103, 104 
 
 
 
 Comets &c., - - - 
 
 34, 35, 43, 46, 118 
 
 
 
 Commerce, 
 
 - 134 
 
 
 
 Committee of Vigilance, 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 Commonacfo, 
 
 - 39 
 
 
 1 Conduct of Royal Troops, 
 
 - 79, 102 
 *- - 22 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1| Controversy, 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
300 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Counsellors at Tiaw, 
 Culture of Youth, 
 
 Danvers, commencement of 
 
 Danvers Family, - 
 
 Dark Day, - - - 
 
 Daughters of Rechab, 
 
 Deaths, - - - 
 
 Devil's Dishful, - 
 
 District, New Mills, 
 
 District of Danvers, 
 
 Earthquakes, - - 33, 
 
 Ecclesiastical, 1st Parish, - 
 2d do. 
 ' 1st Baptist, 
 
 ' 1st Universalist, 
 
 ' Unitarian, 
 
 ' Methodist, 
 
 ' 2d Univ'ersalist, 
 
 ' Comeouters, 
 
 ' 2d Baptist, 
 
 ' 3d Congregational 
 
 ' Wesley an, 
 
 ' Quakers, 
 
 Effort for a town, 
 Effort to divide Essex Co., 
 Endicott Pear Tree, 
 English Prize Vessels, 
 Errata, - - - 
 
 Escape of the Constitution. 
 Faneiul Hall Convention, 
 Fast Day, - - - 
 
 Female Benevolent Society, 
 Fire Department, 
 Fires, - - - 
 
 First child born at New Mills, 
 First officers of Danvers, 
 First Rate payers in Village Paris 
 First school teacher at New Mills, 
 Fish, - - - 
 
 J Flying Horse, 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 150 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 35 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 56 
 
 . 
 
 57 
 
 , 67 
 
 .. 
 
 . 
 
 98 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 136 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 156 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 131 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 66 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 50 
 
 M, 35, 36, 
 
 38, 43 
 
 , 67 
 
 222 
 
 265, 
 
 ^266 
 
 - 238 
 
 267, 
 
 268 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 246 
 
 - 
 
 
 249 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 251 
 
 . 
 
 
 253 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 254 
 
 - 
 
 
 256 
 257 
 
 258 
 
 - 
 
 - ■ 
 
 258 
 259 
 
 36, 
 
 43,50 
 
 , 55 
 
 - • 
 
 
 42 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 25 
 123 
 
 - 
 
 17 
 
 , 50 
 122 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 73 
 
 „ 
 
 - 3J 
 
 ., 42 
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 135 
 135 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 119 
 61 
 
 . . 
 
 . 
 
 53 
 
 5h, - 
 
 
 49 
 
 
 • 
 
 170 
 
 . 
 
 
 19 
 
 . . 
 
 . 
 
 39 
 
m-^ 
 
 — — — .9 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 301 ' 
 
 Fort, - - - . 
 
 123 
 
 Free Masons, - - . 
 
 - 135 
 
 Gage's Removal, 
 
 79 
 
 Gage's Soldiers, - - - 
 
 79, 80, 102, 103 
 
 General Description, 
 
 14 
 
 Grantees, - - - - 
 
 27, 48 
 
 Grant from Legislature, 
 
 47 
 
 Grant of Natimkeik, 
 
 - 18 
 
 Graveyards, - - - 
 
 156 
 
 1 Highways, - • . 
 
 61, 62 
 
 Highway Troubles, 
 
 61 
 
 Hills, 
 
 14 
 
 Horse Pasture, 
 
 - 32 
 
 Houses, - . - 
 
 54 
 
 Hutchinson's Prjiost, 
 
 56 
 
 Incorporation of Danvers, 
 
 - 56 
 
 Incorporation of New Mill Dist., - 
 
 63 
 
 Indian 'Expedition, 
 
 33 
 
 Indians, (Naumkeik.) 
 
 - 19 
 
 Insects, - - , 
 
 34, 43, 101 
 
 Instructions to Dr. Holten, 
 
 - 80 
 
 Instructions to Rep. in 1783, 
 
 100 
 
 Instructions relative to Stamp Act, 
 
 . 69 
 
 Insurance Company, - 
 
 134 
 
 Iron Factory, 
 
 65 
 
 King George's Whipping Post, 
 
 100 
 
 Lament of the Bats, 
 
 - 268 
 
 Latitude and Longitude, - 
 
 9 
 
 Lexington Battle, 
 
 86, 105, 106, 107 
 
 Long Hair, ... 
 
 34 
 
 Lynn vs. Danvers, 
 
 113 
 
 Manufactures, - 
 
 128 
 
 Marriages, - - 
 
 156 
 
 jMechanic Institute, 
 
 135 
 
 Men slain by Indians, 
 
 36 
 
 Men slain and wounded at Lcxingion, 
 
 90 
 
 Military, 
 
 35, 36, 97, 154 
 
 Mill River, 
 
 25 
 
 Mills, 
 
 65 
 
 las'— ^^ ■ — — 
 
 < 
 
"^ - ■' ■■ 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 §K3 
 
 302 INDEX. 
 
 
 
 
 Moderators of Annual Meetings, 
 
 
 • 
 
 125 
 
 Monument, 
 
 , 
 
 0- 
 
 , 
 
 162 
 
 Mortality, 
 
 
 • 
 
 . 
 
 42 
 
 Nahumkiek — extent of 
 
 , 
 
 ^ 
 
 • 
 
 19 
 
 Name Danvers, origin, &c. 
 
 , 
 
 
 57 
 
 , 67 
 
 Names Indian and Ancient, 
 
 
 17, 
 
 19, 25, 47 
 
 ,48 
 
 Natural Divisions, 
 
 • 
 
 
 . 10, IS 
 
 M7 
 
 Newspapers, 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 156 
 
 Non Importation Agreement, Town 
 
 Action, 
 
 74 
 
 North Bridge Affair, 
 
 . 
 
 . • 
 
 82, 
 
 104 
 
 Odd Fellows, 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 136 
 
 Orchard Farm, . 
 
 , 
 
 , 
 
 24, 47 
 
 Ore, 
 
 , 
 
 
 c 
 
 ), 34 
 
 Origin of Salem, 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 • 
 
 IS 
 
 Physicians, 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 151 
 
 Plants, &c.. 
 
 , 
 
 , 
 
 ^ 
 
 13 
 
 Ponds, 
 
 J 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 16 
 
 Poor House, 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 
 134 
 
 Population, 
 
 J 
 
 
 19, 54, 
 
 159 
 
 Post Offices, 
 
 . 
 
 ^ 
 
 , 
 
 131 
 
 Preface, 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 3 
 
 Preparation for War, 
 
 , 
 
 , 
 
 • 
 
 81 
 
 Prices in 1779, 
 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 97 
 
 Quakers, 
 
 ^ 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 22 
 
 Quaker's Apology, 
 
 , 
 
 
 , 
 
 105 
 
 Quakers obliged to support 
 
 Rev., 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 99 
 
 Railroad, 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 118 
 
 Rebuke of Late War, 
 
 9 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 113 
 
 Rebuke of Mexican War, 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 120 
 
 Rechabites, 
 
 ^ 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 135 
 
 Remarkable Cows, 
 
 . 
 
 
 . 
 
 133 
 
 Remarkable Weather, 34, 
 
 35, 36, 
 
 38, 39, 43, 46, 
 
 67, 
 
 
 
 100, 
 
 101, 113 
 
 120 
 
 Representatives, 
 
 , 
 
 , 
 
 ^ 
 
 123 
 
 Repudiation of England, 
 
 , 
 
 
 , 
 
 81 
 
 Resolutions on Liberty, 
 
 • 
 
 ^ 
 
 . 
 
 75 
 
 Richard Skidmore, 
 
 . 
 
 
 • 
 
 104 
 
 Road Peliiion, 
 
 ^ 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 37 
 
 Rum Bridge, 
 
 • 
 
 
 • 
 
 50 
 
 Ryall Side, 
 
 '- n.» \ \ 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 39^ 
 
 >£JJU 
 
INDEX. 
 
 303 
 
 Salem Village Dispute, _ . 
 
 
 • 
 
 24 
 
 Salem Village Grant, 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 Scarcity, . . 21, 
 
 22, 
 
 33, 34 
 
 ,35, 112 
 
 Schools, 
 
 
 
 144, 170 
 
 Settlement of Danvers, 
 
 • 
 
 
 . 23 
 
 Settlement of Naumkiek, 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 Settlement of New Mills, 
 
 , 
 
 
 60,68 
 
 Shay's Rebellion, 
 
 
 
 111 
 
 Ship built by Dr. Calef, 
 
 • 
 
 
 94, 110 
 
 Ships of Revolution, 
 
 
 
 111 
 
 Size of Danvers, 
 
 , 
 
 
 . 10 
 
 Skelton's Neck, 
 
 
 
 27,48 
 
 Slavery, 
 
 
 . 
 
 140 
 
 Small Pox, 
 
 , 
 
 34 
 
 , 96, 119 
 
 Soil, 
 
 
 , 
 
 9, 17 
 
 Soldiers of Lexington, . 102, 
 
 105, 
 
 106, 
 
 107, 204 
 
 Soldiers of the Revolution, 
 
 
 , 
 
 109 
 
 Sons of Temperance, 
 
 , 
 
 
 . 135 
 
 Southvvick, Edward, 
 
 
 • 
 
 129 
 
 Stamp Act, 
 
 . 
 
 
 69 
 
 Streams, 
 
 
 , 
 
 13 
 
 Streets &c., 
 
 , 
 
 
 . 147 
 
 Survivors of Revolution, 
 
 
 . 
 
 110 
 
 Tanning, origin of - *;- 
 
 
 . 
 
 129 
 
 Taxes, - 
 
 
 
 - 126 
 
 Tax on Dogs, 
 
 
 . 
 
 119 
 
 Tea, 
 
 43 
 
 , 75, 
 
 100, 167 
 
 Temperance, sketch of, - 
 
 
 
 137 
 
 Town Clerks, 
 
 • 
 
 
 . 124 
 
 Town of Wihon, 
 
 «i 
 
 
 - 46 
 
 Town Watch, 
 
 
 m 
 
 91 
 
 Trees, 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 10 
 
 Vote against dancing, 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 82 
 
 Vote recommending Independence, 
 
 • 
 
 
 95, 96 
 
 White Weed, 
 
 . 
 
 
 47 
 
 Witchcraft, - 
 
 
 m 
 
 271 
 
 Wreck of the Glide, 
 
 - 
 
 
 . 153 
 
 Zeal of Ministers, 
 
 
 m 
 
 78 
 
m 
 
 ^^ 
 
 304 
 
 INDEX, 
 
 PLATES. 
 
 Arms of the Danvers Family, 
 Bell Tavern and Monument, 
 Bowditch House, 
 Collins House, 
 Endicott Pear Tree, 
 Parris House, 
 
 60 
 170 
 219 
 103 
 
 L>6 
 270 
 
 S-9 
 
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