(H.. /lyu, ^/ hi-, ! n I h 0^ (r"^'-'-' yv^^^>*— " J / 1^' A> 1/ THE DIARY OF WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D, PASTOR OF THE EAST CHURCH SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS January, 1793 — December, 1S02 SALEM, MASfe. Cbe aE0$et 3nstirutr ■J* S > i k ■ l iK *K 'ij: I« A*» •* ■:! ^f^^.l^f ;*7i%^' i< •IP/, 'i-f. . sT f^ ■ ^ ' 1 ^¥'^ 'If ^ ■***Ssr^-'^tK^^ miilUlitiiiiiniiimniniiiiiiiirmiHi DIARY OF WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. January 1, 1793. Our Lodge Officers were installed this evening & I totally disengaged myself from any Office in a Lodge. An alarm of iire this evening, great danger, but speedy relief. 2. The Town of Salem in the alarm of last night had instant & plentiful relief from the Centre Cistern, lately prepared for them. 3. It is pleasant to observe the distinct objects of the several social institutions, the fire clubs to protect property, the marine so- cieties to lesson the dangers of trade, the free masons to assist the stranger, & the public worship occasionally to recommend & exalt them in their turn. There have been two prosecutions of Masters, Sinclair & Welman, for abuse. The first on a Guinea Voyage a year since, the last for abuse of a negro in a late West India voy- age. The examples were cruel & roused the public resentment. 4. Upon the Completion of the third century everything has been said of Columbus, & among other things the following of Cat Island on which he first landed. Cat Island, called Guanihani, lat. bet. 24 & 25 north, long, about 76 west from London, 90 miles from Providence, long & narrow. Most easterly of the northern Bahama, & clear of Bahama Bank, long, about 43 miles, broad, seven miles on an average, extending north & south. Shores faced with reefs of sharp rocks lying about half a mile & frequently less from the Island, & furthest upon the western side within is anchorage upon a sandy bottom, & the landing is not difficult particularly on the western shore, excepting there have been strong northwesterly gales, which are not so common here as in higher northern latitudes. The Soil is generally barren being a loose sand and covered with small woods, in some places almost impenetrable, infested with lizards, guanas, land crabs, & a few goats, & wild hogs, infested formerly by pirates, & now inhabited by a few families from Prov- idence. In some places there is tolerably good timber, & a few hills with wood towards the center, which make a pleasing appear- ance but are difficult to approach on account of the salt ponds & underbrush. There is excellent fishing & turtling on the coasts. There are ruins here of buildings constructed of the native rock when broken & a soft white stone found on the island. Some have 2 DIARY OF [Jan. been imputed to Columbus. They may be remains of Indian antiq- uities, or some European settlers. 5. A few reflections on the use of an Organ, a novelty in our Churches. The voluntaries, &c. not practiced in the protestant & reformed Churches on the continent it seems have intruded upon a congregation, who consented to the use of the Organ, upon condi- tion of their prohibition. 6. Sunday. Notes. Rebecca Fairfield, d, of her mother & for son at Sea. Nicholas Lane & Wife, her delivery. No singing in the morning. 7. An infamous report brought from the W. Indies, that Egout who had received every indulgence from our family had spread in- sinuations against the chastity of our women. The resentment falls severely upon the french, & occasions no small uneasiness. I have suspicions this is a contrivance of some vile man. 8. By the most careful accounts 710 persons have been inocu- lated in Town since the 18 of October, & 275 at Brooklyne, Boston & Charlestown, since the fifth of September last. 9. The Courier takes a decided part against the Jacobins, & openly ridicules the characters of their Generals. Electioneering in the Gazettes even in Salem is carried on by unmanly invectives, which are not without replies. It is not a local distemper. 13. Sunday. Notes. D. Cloutman, d. of his sister M^'Grew.* A. Lander, aged & dangerously sick. 14. 150 fire buckets ordered to be provided at the expence of the Town and a night watch to continue till April. 15. Messieurs Clarke & Eliot in Town from Boston this day. The Players have left the Town, &c. The Town have granted the intended proprietors of the Market a quit claim to the land to be appropriated for the same to them & their heirs forever. 16. M" Tileston with me from Boston. Visited the Manufacto- ries of Salem & Beverley, & found the Cotton in Beverley in full employment. A new Jenny contrived to feed itself added to the entertainment. 17. Have been a fortnight troubled with a cold, which I impute to the interference of my employments with my daily walks. News of the death of Cap' Holman, a young [man] who married a Pierce, a most agreable girl. 18. Proposal to drop Honour, reverend, &c. titles, for that of citizen in Massachusetts.! 20. Sunday. Last Thursday died a Glover, a female, at the Hospital of the Natural Small Pox. There is no person now in- fected in any way, who is known. 21. Reports of great preparations making in Boston & the •Widow of John McGrew. tAn effect of the French Bevolution. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 3 towns adjacent for the celebration of next Thursday. No move- ments with us even in the barber's shops yet. 22. Bill of Mortality for first parish in Gloucester, 50 persons, 24 males, 26 females, 10 of consunnptions. Bill for Marblehead, 75 deaths, greatest number in March. The Selectmen of Salem have informed the public that all the hospitals are cleansed & that no further inoculation will be permitted. Some are indus- trious to introduce the french language of Citizen into .Boston, & the newspaper of Edes, has absolutely published in this manner, the names of Clergy & laity. 23. Tined copper for Ships, houses, worms, &c. as a new article of sale is offered by patent for sale in the Gazette. The Patentee is C. Wyatt, of Birmingham, England. 24. Walked on the neck at noon with great pleasure, observed the shores & the ground free from snow & ice. No notice was ta- ken of this day in Salem, excepting by a few boys with a paper balloon, who first burst it, & afterwards set fire to it. Some faint struggles by individuals were used, but soon ceased without attain- ing to the firing of a gun, the hoisting of a flag, the kindling a bonfire, or even the noise of a winter evening. This is not owing to an indifference to the revolution in France, but to the manners of the people, who are easily checked in any expences. When Gen. Washington visited, he desired no parade, as the language of his modesty & his heart. The occasion called for expence & joy. He was taken at his word. When before, the Marquis de la Fayette visited,* he left the Town to themselves, a very elegant dinner was provided in which the poor had no part, & were not but at will diverted a moment from their employments. They did not consid- er this as neglect, but prudence. It was intended as such, & oper- ated as such. Vive la nation is not yet translated among us. 25. A particular account of the celebration at Boston last Thursday. The roasted Ox , exhibited with great pomp, fell a prey to the fury of the rabble. Every other ceremony was performed agreably. The children of the schools formed a delightful appearance with national cockades. The several companies dined in the public rooms, & the whole concluded with a bonfire. 27. Sunday. Notes. John Collins, sen' & wife & children, death of her Mother & p. for son at Sea. Noah Hobart & Wife, d. of his brother at Sea. The first died at Amsbury, & the last sailed out of Newbury. 28. Received a letter from G. Lodge, containing their Vote that I should confer with the Essex lodges, & accompanied with Letters, & six copies of the Constitutions lately published. The vote re- specting my service is " that I confer with the several Lodges in the County of Essex." » Oct. 29, 1784, 4 DIARY OF [Feb. 29. The Americans in their rejoicings interest themselves in the fate of the Marquis de la Fayette. Talk of celebrating the birthday of Gen. Washington in Salem, on February next. A rem- edy by an open passage three inches square to the evil from burst- ing chimnies with stoves, & to the gumming, &c. 30. The Vessel has returned which carried Egout to Martinico & the Master confirms the disingenuous behaviour of this ungrate- ful boy. 31. The papers yet abound in accounts of Celebrations, par- ticularly at Plymouth & Watertown. Twenty four Frenchmen in Boston have entered their protest against the French revolution at a notary public's office in Boston. This has proved a very unpop- ular measure, among the inhabitants. After a very pleasant season so far, the earth is most compleatly covered with snow, & the air is severe. The harbour yet has never been skimtned over with ice, or business in the least retarded. Health has been general, & full employment to lay the foundation of general satisfaction. February 1. [1793] To quiet some devout minds the Papers have republished some reflections cast by the French upon the character of David. Such papers are most openly contrary to all ideas of a revelation because they extend to the devotion. But may not we allow David's Kingship not divine & his Psalms, & not question the just evidence of Christianity? 3. Sunday. Very slippery. Two aged men fell & hurt them- selves, one of them spraint his wrist. Service very short, com- municants very few. 4. Began my translation of french from the english under M. Bonne-maison. 6. Weather so comfortable as to be under no necessity of fire. 10. Sunday . Notes. Hannah Hosmer for her delivery, husb. & Brother at Sea. Isaac White & Wife, her delivery. 11. Severall failures in Boston occasioned by the Banks, which render them the subject of conversation. All reprobate them & yet they are employed as an evil indulgent to the want of public resolution. 12. The Beverley Manufacturers a little touched by his Excel- lency's Speech. Shays, the celebrated head of an insurrection un- der Bowdoin's administration in this State, has petitioned it is said, to be restored to his citizenship. Petitions for four Bridges over the Merrimack at Methuen, Haverhill, Amesbury & Dracut, before the G. Court. 15. News of the death of Edward Crowninshield, sixth son of Cap' George, a promising youth. It is presumed that a disappoint- ment in his voyage occasioned this unhappy event. A Family that has been remarkably spared. 16. Application by a Committee to deliver an oration on Friday next, the birthday of General Washington. The first arrival of THE NORTH MEETING HOUSE: SALEM. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 5 News from England, of the progress of revolution principles being discovered in England. A Ship upon the rocks in Boston bay lost in the late Storm. 17. Sunday. Had the company of Capt Pratt from Orford. 18. Repeated application for the Oration & I consented. The place appointed is the North Meeting House.* The other arrange- ments not yet made. 20. Death of Capt. Manley, notified, funeral at Boston with Great Masonic attentions. 21. Some jealousies respecting the appointment of an Orator for the morrow, on the part of the Clergy. 22. The day was introduced by firing cannon at the forts at sunrise. The bells all ringing. At eleven the subscribers for the feast met in Stearns & Waldo's Hall,t & from thence proceeded to the North Meeting House escorted by the Artillery company. The procession began with the military officers, then followed the Se- lectmen & Orator, Town officers, & private Gentlemen. After they were seated, in this crowded assembly, in the pews reserved for them, the band of music performed several chosen pieces of music. Then the Officer of the day notified the occasion of the meeting, & there was a piece of church vocal music performed in the Gallery. Then a short prayer was made by the Orator, & then the band per- formed several pieces of music. Then followed the Oration, then the band performed again, & there was a contribution at the doors for the poor. There was provision made in the Charity house for a good dinner of excellent chosen beef & plumb puddings. The pro- cession from the Meeting was through the back street, down by D"" Stearns, & through the main street down to the East Meeting house, & then through the Lane into Water Street to Washington street. The proper salutes were given at Gen. Fiske's & at the house of Cap' Joshua Ward, where Gen. Washington rested while in Town. In the Hall were seated with great convenience above 200 persons in the greatest good humour & enjoyment. The Ta- bles were spread with great good order, & a plentiful dinner pro- vided which we enjoyed, while the music was playing & the Can- non firing without. Toasts provided for the occasion were given & great good order, & the firing of the Cannon upon the Common, & Ringing of the Bells concluded the joyful day. 23. A very respectable Committee waited upon me, & requested a copy of my Oration for the press but for special reasons, I de- clined a compliance with all the delicacy of which I was master. 24. Sunday. Very rainy weather, & few people out, especially women. Entrusted the Copy with General Fiske for his own pe- rusal & for the examination of his family. *Then located at the corner of North and Lynde streets. tin the building at the corner of Essex and Washington streets and for many years known as "Washington Hall." 6 DIARY OF [March 25. The number who dined exceeded two hundred. The con- tribution was 40 £, much less than I expected. The feast includ- ing all expences will amount to about 10^6 to each individual. The wind of yesterday compleatly demolished the old rope walk at the eastern part of the Town.* It was a high wind at southwest, & was this day, in the opposite point of compass. 26. The Gazette of the day furnishes an account of the celebra- tion of the Day, in Danvers by Stimson's artillery , in Beverly by an entertainment, & in Cape Ann by a Ball, 27. Talk of using wind mills for grinding bark in the Tan yards. A competition arising in this Trade. About one hundred dined at Webb's on the feast of last week. March 1, [1793] Great expectations of a war in Europe, The competition for the Scheld will render the war serious. The fail- ures have made the Banks very cautious. 2. Subject to great enquiries respecting the oration, & obliged often to confess that the conduct of the Clergy has obliged me to a refusal of a Copy, 3. Sunday. G. Crowninshild & wife & family, d. of youngest son & children at Sea. James Brown & wife, her delivery, Broth- er at Sea. Samuel Derby & wife. Twins, 4. The report last year of a Standard for weights & measures was a cylindrical uniform rod of iron, of such length as in lat. 5 in the level of the Ocean, & in a cellar of uniform natural temperature shall perform its vibrations in small & equal arcs in one second of mean time. That it be divided into 5 equal parts, one of which to be called a foot, shall be the unit of measure of length, foot divided into 10 parts called inches, inch into 10 lines, line into 10 points, 10 feet make a decad, 10 decads a rod, 10 roods a furlong, & 10 furlongs a mile. The measures of Surface by squares, the unit a square, where of every side shall be an hundred feet, to be called a rood, each rood divided into 10*^^ & 100'''^ 10 roods make a double acre, 10 double acres a square furlong. The unit of meas- ures of capacity be a cubic foot to be called a Bushel, a bushel 10 pottles, a pottle 10 demipints, demipint 10 metres ; 10 Bushel a quarter, 10 quarters a last or double Ton. The unit of weights, a cubic inch of rain water, called an ounce, measured & weighed in a cellar of equal temperature. Ounce, 10 double scruples, double- scruples into 10 carats. Carat 10 mimins, or demi grains, mimin into 10 mites. 10 ounces a pound, 10 pounds a stone, 10 stones a kental, 10 kentals a hogshead.! 5. This day being the day on which the Tyrian Lodge at Cape Ann meets, I determined to persevere tho' the weather was foul, to accomplish the business of the Grand Lodge in Essex. The roads were bad, & after the civilities of Manchester, the French Gentle- ♦Probably the old Hillard rope walk at the head of the Neck. tAnother result of the French revolution. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 7 man, who accompanied me, dined with me at Major Craft's, the public house. After dinner, through this horrible road we continued on to Cape Ann, where we arrived in the afternoon. I could not refrain from observing that the appearance was very different from that the Town assumes from the confluence of Strangers on public festivals & days of rejoicing. There was too much complaining for a belief of a general content. In the evening I was conducted to the Lodge convened in an upper chamber, by a Committee, & re- ceived with every civility. With the utmost coolness I waved every dispute, & proposed the object of my conference, a permanent union of interests in the present Grand Lodge. After my introduc- tion the conversation led to the following discussions. The first related to the Convention at Charlestown in 1785. They repre- sented themselves aggrieved by the measures of that convention, in which they were not represented, as it must have been a volun- tary convention, & could not destroy the charters of any Lodges previously given. That however they were threatened that they should be erased, & besides unmasonically be posted. They offered to shew the papers. This I waved, & declared that tho' I was a member of that Convention that I had not patience to tarry till the result, & that the late proceedings in the newly constituted Grand Lodge, were independant of any measures of that Convention, & consequent upon a coalition of the S' Andrew, & S' John G. Lodges, an event not taking place till after the Convention, & constituting an entirely new interest. The next related to the Terms. Were they to relinquish any privileges, pay any arrear, or renounce any right to regulate their own lodge ? In answer I replied , that as the G. Lodge had published the Constitution they had adopted, that must be the Text Book by which they might judge how far the sentiments of the G. L. were different from their own. There was room still to observe, that as the G. L. allowed all Lodges to continue their Charters, even if consenting to be represented in their G. L. no loss of privileges was to be feared, I however took notice before them, that as they had erased name or names from their Charter, they had taken very great freedom with it. As to arrears from the state of Masonry in 1775 to 1793, 1 observed there could be no[ne] claimed. For as they acknowledge neither of the G. Lodges existing in any part of that time, neither could possibly have claims, or if one, then both. That this Constitution was never existing till 1792, & as the G. L. had addressed them on the subject of a union, there was not the least reason to fear that they would require anything before the union had commenced, & the con- sequent assessment by the words of the Constitution. That as to the regulations of their own Lodge, the bye laws must be framed by the concurrence of their representatives with the G. Lodge, but as to the manner of working, the Constitution had left it entirely at the discretion of the old Lodges, & only recommended to the New- 8 DIARY OF [March ly Constituted. The whole was represented as an alliance formed to increase the benelits of the Craft, & prevent irregular Lodges, as was represented in the Book of Constitutions. They then chose a Committee of five persons, & ordered the Secretary to report their proceedings to the Grand Lodge. This Committee is to deliberate on the subject, & report to the Lodge their opinion. We then had an elegant Collation, & after supper some choice songs, & retired. 6. This day was spent in visits to Kev*^ Forbes, the Rogers, Pierces, &c. M"" Beach introduced me to his Brother, arrived with his family from Bristol, a Tobacconist, an intelligent man, & fur- nished with a very good Library, from which he spared for my perusal Martin's diet, of Natural History, ornamented with figures highly coloured. We were received in the best manner at Captain Beach's ; & he deserves our gratitude. We saw here specimens of the Cornwall ores. After dinner we went with M"^ Rogers to see his farm of 300 acres at eastern Point. M"^ Rowe, the Attorney, & Son in Law of M"^ Rogers accompanied us. The road was horrible, & my young companion after travelling across the neck to view the Thatcher's Island lights accompanied me into the Town on foot, both of us dreading to ride back through such dangerous passes. In the evening there was an assembly, at which my young compan- ion attended. He gave me a very humorous account. They had six candles, 12 ladies, 7 gentlemen, a black fiddler for 2% & a fifer for 1* 6. Both sexes partook of the grog provided on the occasion. 7. In the morning we breakfasted at M"^ Beach's & we had the company of the two english young Ladies, Daughters of M"" Beach of Bristol. The greatest propriety distinguished this social hour. At 10, we left Cape Ann & reached Manchester, & dined, & at 2 o'clock arrived again at Salem. We were told at Cape Ann, that they could with difficulty provide hands for their bankers,* from the general persuasion that the Bay boats were more lucrative, & from observing the success of Sandy Bay, Squam, & Chebacco. Beach's rope walk was in great good order. Sergeant's now shut up, it is said, is sold to D. Plummer. Pearce has had several good Whale voyages, & a Ship lay ready to sail for the Cape of Good Hope. He expects to set his Sperma Ceti works agoing again. His distillery has stopped, during the winter. The Meeting House is repaired. 8. Contending interest for the School, & neither of the Candi- dates such as might be thought of. Is not habitual indolence prompted by suffering more to be hoped for, than youthful depravi- ty verging to intemperance, irritation, domestic feuds, & vanity? 10. Sunday. Notes. Thomas Diman & Wife, her sick. 11. This day for the annual Town meeting. The Selectmen were chosen for the first time within my knowledge by Ballot,t & •Grand Banks fishing fleet. tThe earlier practice was to rise and stand uncovered until counted. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 9 not one of the former number was recliosen, 38 votes made a choice. The school Committee enlarged. Some of our Clergym. were chosen but declined. 12. Last night the Chimney in the back part of Madam Lam- bert's house* on the Common fell upon the kitchen, & crushed the whole. It was damaged by Thunder 20 years ago, & moved by the late winds. Three women in the other part of tlie house were safe. It was stark calm when it fell, frost coming out of the ground. 14. A dismasted Brig off bouud to Newbury. News from Pat- terson his vessel has leaked, & he put in at Cape Francois. Last evening occurred in the family of Esq"^ Manning a curious example of the effect of religious folly, or fanaticism upon young women. A girl belonging to New Mills had lived in the family as a servant. Before her engagements she had been dipped, as the true baj)tism, & since has followed night & day the runners. After she had got- ten into bed, she dreamt that a dead neighbour desired her to put her hand into the coffin, & that she died. She awoke in terrible fright. Her whole system was convulsed for three hours. All the exertions of the family could not pacify her. Fortunately for her the family had not a tincture of the superstition. Fearing the conse- quences, the family called the Physician , who was her best friend, & put her to sleep. She has appeared since with more composure, & some conviction of her folly, perhaps as much as her understand- ing can admit, while she feels the smart of the Rod for a naughty girl. Yesterday morning died the Rev** John Murray! of Newbury Port. He was an active Scotchman, & came to this country, but being a Presbyterian, to which interest, tho' small he attached him- self, he was called upon for Credentials from his own church, & in the Credentials he produced there was some fraud for which his rep- utation was essentially injured. His great pulpit talents armed against him not only resentment, but envy, censure, & excommuni- tiou. His defence was not satisfactory, but he retreated to Maine, & at Boothbay was useful for many years. Soon after the death of Whitefield at Newbury Port, the P. Church was vacant till the death of IVP Parsons, & M"" Murray was invited thither. He had demeaned himself so as to gather the largest Congregation in New England which commonly consisted of 1500 persons, & often ex- ceeded 2000. He was Calvinistic in his doctrine not metaphysical in his genius but fine memory, great fluency, clear, & full voice, not much gesture, but great animation. He was a student, & more than commonly is to be found, versed in the oriental criticisms. He produced few of his own, & had little invention. He has been known to stand six hours in a service, I have been present at four hours, without fatiguing his audience. It was unhappy that his reputation is stained by many evil reports of his mercenary, & un- •On Brown street near WiHiams street. tFor portrait, see Diary of W^illiam Bentley, D.D., Vol. I, p. 61. 10 DIARY OP [March generous actions. How far they are true is very uncertain. It is true that he fell into hands which did not spare him, & was prohib- ited almost all the pulpits of the United States. He was the head of a little presbytery, who were properly Seceders. His Church Government was varied from the letter of the presbyterian form. He was a Gentleman in his manners, at the table, & among his friends. He was President of the provincial Congress in 1775. He has left several pamphlets & Books which will not assist his memory. 15. Had an oppertunity of writing letters for a natural son who had accidentally in conversation with a lady upon whom he attend- ed in a public house, heard of his connections, & was encouraged to hope favours from her most tender intercessions. M'Farrington a celebrated Singer from Andover, employed by the Tabernacle, visited & spent the evening at my House with my singers. 16. I went to the farms to the beach & hills in a summer air, and all around seemed little spring. M" Lydia Gerry was with me in the Chaise. Capt Collins enlarging his tanyard & buildings has again disturbed the bones of the Indians. The bones were of a man the feet stretched out, but always finding the cranium & ver- tebrae together, it is concluded all must have been placed in a sitting posture. There was found a stone formed with a head resembling the leads fastened to cod lines as used by the Indians, being oval tapering most at the lower end. 17. Sunday. It is reported that the Tabernacle Ass is braying against Heresy. 19. It having rained in the morning, I delayed setting out for Newbury Port till eleven, & upon the road was informed that the funeral of the Rev<^ J. Murray, of Newbury Port, would be attend- ed this evening. The roads were as bad, as they ever are, & after having dined at Ipswich I could not reach Newbury Port till after 4 o'clock. Upon my arrival I found the people in the Meeting House, & with difficulty heard the close of the last prayer, & the Singing. I was informed that the first prayer was by D'' Langdon, of Hampton, the Address by M^ Whittimore of Stratham, & the last prayer by M"" Morrison of Londonderry. The order of the day was read from the pulpit by M'' Tombe, now preaching in the Con- gregation. After service the procession formed for the Burial ground, in which M"^ Miirray requested to be interred, rather than in the Tomb under the Pulpit with M"" Whitefield, Parsons & Prince. The easy access to it, had rendered it exposed to indecent freedoms, which disgusted him. In the procession first went the Church, Deacons & Elders, & the Clergy present on the occasion. Then the corps supported by young men of the Congregation, & the pall supported by D"" Langdon, D'' Bass, D'' Haven, McClintock, M"" Euwer, & M^ Morrison. Then followed the relations & friends. Above 350 couple were in the procession, & crowds in the street. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 11 Above 6,000 people were collected on the occasion. After the ser- vice I spent the evening agreably & lodged at Doctor Swett's. D'' Swett assured me that M"" Murray discovered firmness till the close of life, spent the time in exhorting his friends, who crowded round his dying bed, & could not be prevented by the most earnest remonstrances of his friends, & the physicians. M'' Murray gave them to sing in his house the 33 & 75 Hymns of the 2*^ Book, Watts. 20. After breakfast with Capt Noyes I rode up to the bridge over the IMerrimack, & confess myself much pleased with plan & the object. The execution is equal to the design. The proportions I had already seen. The Island may be rendered delightful & there is a public House already erected by the proprietors of the Bridge upon the Island, & it is nearly finished. As yet it has produced nearly double to the simple interest of the money, but how far curi- osity, & the openness of the winter, by which the ice has been im- passable, may come into the account, cannot yet be determined. I returned & dined in company with the M'' Traceys, & Jackson & D'' Swett, with Col. Wigglesworth. He is a hospitable man, sui generis. His little daughter gave us some pleasing specimens of her music in singing. In the evening we visited S' Peter's Lodge. The reception was kind. The tables diagonally placed, the com- pany too numerous for the tables, the room badly illuminated. The lodge was opened & closed with Prayer. The Master M. Gale. The subject was opened to them, & the principal difficulty consid- ered was the assumption of the present G, Lodge. How they could form a Grand Lodge with the Powers they possessed. It was re- plied that the interest of Masonry being divided by antient & modern, neither could be renounced, & the work must be done by coalition. That the political state of our country rendered this measure the more justifiable. That if we repaired to Scotland, why should a Charter from them prevent a regard to the York, & Eng- lish or French Lodges. Why should we enter upon these disputes. Did we assume what was not in the sense of the Charter. And did not important events lead to the assumption. It was asked why was the G. Lodge modern. Because all Lodges held their Charters, & the majority of the Communications were modern. If Members of old Lodges asked charters must they work in the modern way. Not if they were considered as Ancient Masons, by a majority of their members being antient, because then they claimed under their old Charters. After debates the Lodges unanimousl}' voted a Com- mittee, & thanks to the G. L. The members of the S* John's Lodge who were present assured me that a committee of Conference be- tween them & S* Peter's L. had been chosen. That their present plan, was, to unite with S* Peter's, provided they would come under the present G. Lodge, & then they would give to them for the Stock, their present fund exceeding 50 £, as their charter had been lost for many years, & they had had no regular Lodges held for several 12 DIARY OF [March years. They confessed that the royal Arch by its frequent meet- ings had dissolved this Lodge, which seperated from S* Peters. Spent evening at D"" Swetts with some french company. 21. Breakfasted with M*" J. Tracey, spent Morning with M^ Jackson & D'" Bass, & rode to the Academy* & dined with the Pre- ceptor. The road was very bad, & clay, & a violent snow storm came on, which lasted all day. The Academy is much repaired, a new white balustrade fence is before the Mansion House. The Old School built for M. Moody, & since a writing school, is neglected. It contains only the great desk provided by M"^ Moody for the Acad- emy chamber, which is now cleared for exhibitions. There are about 20 youth at the Academy, & the Preceptor is a man of great diligence. He usually preaches in the academy on Sundays. In the evening I was received at Swasey's Tavern by a Committee from the Unity Lodge in Ipswich. The members present were the Mas- ter Col. Wade, the Secretary Major Burnham, & Major Swasey, & Capt. Dodge. They represented their Lodge as having only 12 members & seemed more retarded by the smallness of their numbers than any other cause. In the war their members exceeded forty. Capt. Dodge was with me in the Convention, & still seemed wounded with the idea of working under modern masons, an idea which had been expressed with some warmth by B. Boardman, past Master, in S* Peter's Lodge. It was agreed to give me Letters & I found afterwards to pay my expenses. We supped together, & I enjoyed the Company of a very respectable Committee. 22. Rose early, & after breakfast returned home. The roads very bad. Newbury Port is evidently flourishing. Many new houses in high Street ; & Stores opening on account of the position of the Bridge three miles above the Town. Several french families here, & a greater number of emigrants than in any other place ex- cept Boston. Great West India Trade. The Anabaptists, & Mil- tonians are preparing for a harvest upon the death of M^' Murray, who united the lower classes of people. M"^ Bancroft has resigned the Town Grammar School, & Master Rogers has engaged to enter upon it next Monday. He engaged with the greatest preposses- sions in his favour. He has taught writing & reading, & therefore he certainly can teach Latin, & Greek. The teaching by Duncan's Cicero, & Davidson's Virgil is so common, said the Preceptor of Dummer Academy to me, that no other School Books are to be found. The Select Orations of Tully, without a version cannot be purchased. The new way is taught at the Andover Academ}', 23. My old Genevan friend, Albert Gallatine, who came into this country a Pilgrim, has settled in Pennsylvania, & is chosen a member of the Senate of the United States. He was introduced by D' Cooper to be Instructor in the french Language at Cambridge. ♦Dummer Academy, Byfield. See Diary of William Bentley, D.D., Vol. I. p. 291. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 13 Great complaints of the stagnation of business in Boston. The af- fair of Forrester & Ward, decided against Forrester, he is to pay the parish Tax assessed upon him for his house, & property. Thus ends a long debate in the parish. 24. Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth Watson & Mary Gardner, d. of Sister Collins, aet. 84, at Marblehead. Joanna Silsbee, apprehended near unto death. Judith Archer, her delivery, husband & brother at Sea. I prepared a sermon shewing the resemblance between Asses & false prophets from II Peter 11. 16. but influenced by the advice of a discreet female friend to whom I communicated it, I withheld it from the pulpit, as tending to excite too much laughter & enjoyed it with a few select friends at a private reading. The occasion was the late declamations at the tabernacle, against Uni- tarians, modern communicants, & the cant of an Ass. This man asserted Unitarians were Atheists, because to deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, was to deny a God, because he was a person in the Godhead. 25. The melancholy news of the beheading of the Roi de France is confirmed in the public opinion, & the event is regretted most sincerely by all thinking people. The french loose much of their influence upon the hearts of the Americans by this event. 28. This day was printed in the Town an handbill, being the substance of the News from France by the last Ship from Dublin. 29. The Committee this day examining the claims of the Town below the lands of Ives & Richardson, & at the bottom of the Com- mon, & on the flats adjoining, in consequence of Richardson's peti- tion for a deed of gift. It was proposed to me to petition the Town for liberty to take such rocks from the Poor's Pasture, as would be sufficient to inclose the part of the Minister's pasture belonging to my shave, at the southern end of said pasture, from the impractica- bility of keeping rail fence around it. 31. Sunday. M"" Harris in Town, who is a Candidate at Lynn. He informs me that the Methodists are very impertinent in the ques- tions which they propose to the Ministers of the Congregational Communion, & are very assiduous to keep up the ill will of the parties by management. Little prospect of being agreably settled soon. The same seems to be true in the parish, lately held by M'' Holt, of lower Danvers. April 1. [1793] The Bells were ringing all day for the several meetings of the Town. The choice of Senator* for the federal Gov- ernment being between Holten, & Austin. The friends of the lat- ter sent on votes with no small degree of resentment on the part of some rich men, even in the meeting. For the choice of Senators for the State, Salem had been urged to nominate one of its inhabi- tants, but such contrary opinions prevailed of characters, & such ♦Representative. 14 DIARY OF [April numbers had votes, as to frustrate the design, & add little to the reputation of the Town. The Town refused the opening of the Hospital. Appointed a committee to examine the spot for the new road by the Tabernacle, & accepted the report upon the petition of Richardson, obliging him to remove all obstructions, & appointing the Committee to see the same put in execution. A road forty feet wide is to be laid out, the residue of the land on the south side is to be sold reasonably to the proprietors, &c. 2. Several notices have been taken of the death of the French King. In Boston a black rose on the left breast of the Ladies, & in Providence we are told they tolled the bells in the evening after the news arrived. We see too little theory in the Americans. 3. The sensations which are most painful to me, & which com- monly require great guards especially over temper. Exercise is my remedy. 4. Went & viewed the house which M"^ Rhust is building in the new back street, leading from the Court House to the Town House for Twine, & Cod Lines. It extends over the Bank, which he is now preparing for the walk of the spinners. 5. Was circulated here in the form of Ballads, &c. an Elegy & character of Murray of Newbury Port, — purporting to have been written by a Jonathan Plummer, in which by the dogril verses & the curious character, the Hero of the piece is held up to contempt, & a strange curiosity excited to investigate all the exceptionable parts of every exceptionable character. It is not known here how many hands were concerned in it. 6. The people, or rather the ladies, have a plan of a genteel present to characterise the tenth year of my mission. 7. Sunday. Samuel Leach & Wife, her delivery & d. of the Child. Anna Foot, her delivery. Husband & brethren at Sea. A night meeting of most bitter invectives, &c. 8. A Present from a number of Ladies in my society, whose names & subscription I insert from grateful remembrance. The plan was projected by M" Hodges, Wife of Benj% & the Gown, &c. made by M" Gibaut & M'^ Whittemore. Allen, Wife of Edward, 67 Cooke, of WilHam, 678 Archer, " of George, 6/ Crownin shield, of George, 6/ Boardman, Wid. of F., 12/ Crowninshield, of Benj% 6/ Bickford, of John, 6/ Derby, Miss Elizab., 6/ Briggs, of Johnson, 6/ Fiske, of John, 13/4 Byrne, of Clifford, 6/ Hodges, of Benj% 12/ Berry, Abigail, 6/8 Hodges, of Gam., 12/ Brooks, of Samuel, 6/ Hodges, of George, 6/ Brown, of W™, 3/ Hovey, of Amos, 6/ Cooke, Miss Betsey, 12/ Hosmer, of Joseph, 6/ Collins, of John, 6/ Ingersoll, of Sam., 12/ Chever, of James, 6/ Lambert, of Joseph, 6/ 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 15 Manning, Elizabeth, 6^ TownsencI, of Moses, 678 Manning, of Rich, jun'' 6/ Richardson, of Nath., 12/ Patterson, of W">, 6/ White, of Joseph, 12/ Prince, of Henry, 6/ White, of Isaac, 12/ Phippen, of Nath., 3/ Welman, of Timothy, 6/ Eopes, of Sam' 6/ Watson, of John, 6/ Ropes, of George 6/ Vincent, of Joseph, 6/ Palfrey, of Thomas 6/ Vincent, of Mathew, 6/ Sleuman, of Andrew 6/ Webb, of Benjamin, 6/ Rantolph, Widow of Rob* 6/ 43 persons £15, 9, 4. Thanked in form. 9. At the first election of Selectmen, all the first were neglected. The new chosen resigned or declined, the first were reelected. Northey & Sprague declined. 10. M' Farrington of Andover begun his singing School this week. He has been teaching for the Tabernacle, & for the first time, the Singers themselves have employed a Master, after engagements to assist them with about twenty dollars for the quarter. 11. The Annual Fast. John Collins & Wife, d. of his brother at Liverpool in Nova Scotia. The Contribution this day £ 9, 18, 0. 12. The information from the decrees of France, & the message of the King of England sufiicient to satisfy us that France has de- clared war against England & Holland. This is the topick of the day, & there is a general anxiety to know what part America is to take by the treaty with France. The conversation will shew which is most powerful, honour, or interest. 14. Sunday. Notes. Lydia Townsend, delivery, Husband & Brethren at Sea. M' Eliot in Town from Boston, & spent a few hours with me. Undertook to form a discourse upon the subject of my present from the Ladies of the Congregation. Such things are more easily pardoned when they are expected, but they loose their effect. 15. Walked to Beverly to enquire of a vessel, which had arrived there. 16. Things at Market rising as exports for a war price. Molas- ses falling. 17. So metime since outrages were committed in Boston ag. the Fire Engines, pumps, &c., & no person was detected upon the promise of a large reward by the Town. Last Monday evening Trinity Church was broken open, Elegant Bibles stolen, cushions cut & the ornaments defaced, the Organ & clock injuried, & the windows broken, & a reward of 100 dollars is offered for the vil- lains. Such things are repeated at Cambridge & Boston, & the same thing happened at D' Cooper's Meeting many years ago. _ 18. Capt. Patterson sent me a box of Books. They discovered his intention, but they absorbed much time to get them from the Vessel, & were of very little value. 16 DIARY OF [April 19. We have no information of the first bold stroke upon the opening the war. The newspapers are eagerly called for from every quarter, & the places of concourse are frequented every day with great solicitude. 20. News by Letters from Hodges of his safe arrival in E. Indies, of Gibaut's detention in Pegu, &c. Parties begin to appear for & against the french. The old friends of England begin again to shew their heads. 21. Sunday. Thomas Diman & Daughter, d. of his Wife. Mansfield Burrill & Wife & Children, d. of her mother Silsbee. Martha Babbidge & children, d. of her mother Silsbee, & Son at Sea. Sarah Silsbee & children, d. of her mother in Law Silsbee, & son at sea. 23. Set off for Tewkesbury to visit my old Landlady. Did not easily recollect the road in Danvers, which turned off 1 1-2 mile to the left, & again about 3 miles at a house projecting at the angle. Keeps to the right directly. After stopping at the Widow Upton's found the left hand direct road, the highest, not the best, & when I came within sight of the precinct Meeting house of Eeading, I turned to the right & came out by the meeting house, when 70 rods nearer, I might have kept on & come out at the public house, 1/2 a mile beyond the Meeting House. After having passed Wilming- ton above a mile past Esq'' Ford's on turning to the right I passed between the House & Barn which were the second on the road, then kept to the left, & upon passing the Shawshin rode upon the banks of the River to the Mills & to Boardman's. After dinner I rode on to Andover through Tewkesbury woods. It is five miles from Boardman's to the South Meeting. The road direct. Some danger of turning to the right. Passed the Shawshin below the south meeting house, which was then a beautiful stream. I stopped at the meeting House lately finished & obtained entrance. The ex- terior appearance is the best. The house is crowded within & has no pleasing appearance from the proportions. It has a pendant canopy, & an inscription over the pulpit. Holiness becomes thy house O Lord, forever. The communion Table is in what we called the Elder's seat. So that we find the desenters begin to inclose & we are told as to the discipline they enclose in this place with a vengeance. The way to mount the Tower is not convenient. The Bell is in the Tower, & too much enclosed. It is a fine Bell, & is the gift of Samuel Abbot Esq"" whose name is upon it with this In- scription. To all the people I do call, & to the grave do summon all. It is deep toned, & excellent. The lantern, as it is called, upon the dome has not so good an effect, as I should have wished for so much expence. There are a number of fine houses in the great road which have a fine effect upon the Traveller, & astonish him noticeably with the idea of ease by affluence. The Farms have great neatness, & convenience. I then went on to M"^ Isaac Parker's 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 17 & Col. Lovejoy's at the entrance of a Lane about 1/4 of a mile on the south side of the South Meeting House. I found in one a good farmer & in the other a very attentive Gentleman. The farmer has everything in order around him, & much of that facetiousness which makes the most laborious employment set easy. He has a wife & four very young daughters very agreable. The family were baptised by me last fall. An aged father, trembling with the palsy in the limbs, & helpless, with a good coantenance bore ample testi- mony by his language & appearance to the fidelity of his children. He had been an old soldier in the french wars & had a very open, & engaging look. The son had been in the American naval service in the last Civil war of America. At this house, which is furnished with a large chamber, this evening a company of 20 couple were to assemble for dancing & amusement. They visit this house for these purposes in classes, according to their ages, not with any regard to their condition, as in the Seaport Towns. They seperated at the usual hours of Assemblies. They have Violins & flutes for their music, & sometimes the drum. For the convenience of Lodging after Tea I went to Col. Lovejoy's. He conducted me to the North meeting house, which was built 40 years ago. The order of the Door has not that appearance which the improvements in archi- tecture would give it at this day. The hipped roof of the Porch I prefer to the pediment of the new House. The steeple is too small as it rises from the dome, but the ill effect has been lessened since the late repairs by diminishing the shaft above. The interior view of this house from the convenience of parts makes it look larger than the other house, & it is much better finished throughout. The swell of the pulpit is not sufficiently large but the whole has a good effect. They have a clock upon the front gallery, & a very excel- lent one in the Steeple with pointers. The pendulum is not hung with ease, but the clock is good. The bell of about 500 W* is sharp & clear, a good tone. We returned to the Col's & after familiar chat we retired in good season. 24. This morning we rose & rode 3 miles towards the river. Then walked to the place intended for the New Bridge, & for which the Banks are cut down to move the Timber, & here we saw the people on each side seining for Salmon & other fish. We saw a 1000 alewives caught in one draught. They had taken one salmon of 20 w' : pick [er] el, shad, suckers, &c. Their method was in a flat boat of about 14 feet in length, & three in breadth with a wide stern, upon which is a table for the seine, which is furnished with scuppers to void the water. With this they go up the eddy formed by a projection of rocks & logs into the river, & then row violently into the stream [and] discharge the net from the stern. On the shore two men hold the rope fastened to the seine & begin instantly to draw down. The men in the boat quicken the motion of the boat in the stream till the whole seine is drawn from the boat & 18 DIARY OF [April then make towards the shore, the rope from the boat to the seine being about 3 times the length of the boat, as is the length of the wood, which forms the eddy. The men on the shore continue to draw down till they have come within 100 feet of the boatmen, & then draw the ends of the seine upon the shore. Then they pull up the seine, clearing it as it comes up within a few feet of the shore. Then they rest a few minutes till the fish cease their furi- ous slapping in the water, & then they empty the seine, & begin again. The Seine is about 100 feet long. It is sunk at bottom by the leads, & floated at top by wooden buoys, 2 feet distance. The intertexture of the lines is called the Marish. The middle of this seine was of the alewif e marish, of a smaller texture than the other parts. We received a dozen of the alewives from the fishermen, who sold them at 2*/ pr. 100, or as caught in the brooks by the order of the Town, at a pistareen. The vote of the Town last year was that a committee should be chosen to fish in the brooks at the Town charge, & the fish were to be delivered at a pistareen pr. 100. We left the river »& then rode through the woods, which are of pine shrubs, & exhibit a melancholy contrast to the other parts of the town. The buildings, the inhabitants, & the animals, all shew the unfavourable soil upon which they are employed. After a zigzag ride of four miles, repeatedly crossing the sweet stream of the Shawshin, which here finished its course in the Merrimack, we ar- rived at the Paper Mills erected upon this river, & found them in great order. The vats below, the two mills above, the conveyance of the water, the various employments of the persons at work, of both sexes, gave pleasing entertainment. The drying rooms were large, & convenient upon every account. The powder mills were a novel sight, upon the construction of Fulling mills as to the motion given to the pestles in the mortars, by levers from the axis of the wheel. We then passed the S. Meeting towards home, which we reached at noon. We dined on Salmon, & the Alewives were re- ceived & the alewives fresh made no mean entertainment at the Col's Table. We were much indebted undoubtedly to the Cook, who excelled on the occasion. After dinner I returned through Boxford & Topsfield to Salem, which tho' of a distance much greater than on the roads by Reading or Middleton, amply compen- sated me by the goodness of the roads, the fine farms, the beautiful landscapes, ponds & rivers. At Topsfield I spent an hour in chear- f ul chat in a wedding house where the minister, Lawyer, squire, &c. were assembled, the men in one room, & their wives in another, the men having the best room, & all the attendance. For my amuse- ment besides anecdotes, &c. I was furnished with several late pub lications of the ministers in this neighbourhood which informs us of the state of this order which has so much influence on society. Bradford of Rowley, Sermon at the Ord. of his Brother forms the clerical character upon the cant term of "experience" which will 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 19 admit of many consequences, being explained only by inward light. Dutch of Bradford, at the dedication of his new Meeting House, taking as his text the gold letters over his pulpit, " 0 worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness," runs along in a muddy stream, till he unburdens himself with the account of the oblivion of the old house, which should teach them to put into the bottomless pit ; the same ; their old man, not the old minister who was already dead. Williams of Methuen has offered to the world his farewell sermons, after a most bitter dissention. He is a son of an old Presbyterian Williams, natives of Ireland & the father often deranged. The dispute began about a Wood lot of the Parsonage & a challenge from the pulpit at a weekly Lecture, which one of the parishioners accepted. The parson seems to wish them well, but is terribly in- veterate against a class of illiterate ministers, & a class called Hopkintonians, tho' not here named. Neither of these perform- ances contribute much to prove the clergy enlightened, simple in the ideas, or sweet in their tempers. The inscription upon their Houses is not in the style of sentiment of the New England settlers, & proves infallibly, that the Catholic Church is formed of mate rials existing in the constitution of human nature, as connected with certain states of society. The I. H. S. on the front of the S. Pulpit iu Andover may well express in Humanitate Sum. In drawing comparisons nothing can be said in favour of these men, as in their office, in regard to society, we see, morals will make the worst opinions harmless. The situation of Andover being elevated there are fine prospects from its hills, & the view of the Town is opened in every part, & beautifully diversified. There are seven bridges over the Shaw- shin, which is nearly of the same width & depth through the Town of Andover. It is said to rise in Lexington. Seems as large in Tewkesbury as at its mouth, & being deep in its bed, & confined, is subject to sudden flows. It is about 20 feet wide, & from 2 to 6 deep, where it is not obstructed. The Town of Andover is much cut up by roads. The poverty of the Land towards the Merrimac prevents this from being a great evil in that quarter. The Shawshin rises & falls 10 feet in 12 hours, & the bridges are high upon that account, but too narrow, an evil from being a Town charge. There is not much fishing in this river, which is obstructed by the Mills built upon it. I saw some children with scoop nets amusing them- selves. I found my friend Boardman has detached his interest from M'' Simons, renouncing all right in the house near the mills & the lands, & giving up the Mills saw & grist mills upon the Shaw- shin for an annual quit rent of 50 bushels of grain during Board- man's life. They have settled a M"" Barton at Tewkesbury. Mad- am Boardman has passed her 80*"^ year. The land is in general poor in the Town of Tewkesbury. Salmon here at /5^ a pound. As to the Cultivation of Andover, I found at Col. Lovejoy's that he 20 DIARY OF [April had the reputation of the greatest quantity of English Hay, & that M"" Parker had preserved excellent wood upon his farm. Among the elegant houses, the one which meets us coming into the great road from Tewkesbury, belonging to one Poor, a Tanner, is not the least elegant. There are several Physicians in the Town, among whom Kitteridge is distinguished by his elegant situation, agreeable manners, & extensive practice. The minister in the south parish asserts the rigour of his predecessor, & supports the character of the last age of American manners. The influence of example is every day increasing. He decides upon the secular concerns of his church agreably to the antient rigour. The most aged minister in this vi- cinity, M'' Morrill, is approaching to the end of a long life by means of a Cancer in the Mouth. He has been subjected to great mortifications for Arminianism, a charge which implies liberal enquiry, & popular prejudice, & stands for anything unhappy in a man's situation. I returned to Salem with S* Cyprian's works, & a bunch of sweet Thyme for the Ladies, & so ended a short journey in which the roads were in the best order, & the weather the finest conceivable. I rode without surtout. 25. We hear that the Academy at Berwick is to be opened under Samuel Moody, formerly of Newbury. Great complaints of coun- terfeit dollars & dollars short of weight. 26. The prejudices & the fears begin to display themselves in regard to the war in Europe. Reports are propagated that the American minister in France has been insulted & even killed by the mob. Stories in endless variety are in circulation. 27. For our amusement a fishing Schooner was launched by Capt John Becket from his Wharf. The clock was hoisted this af- ternoon into the steeple after having been cleansed by M' Mulliken. The Bell is crackt through. 28. Sunday. A French Opera has been performed at Boston, a curious progress of Theatrical exhibitions, which it has been said are intended to assist the pulpit. Notes. John Fiske & Wife, d. of her Brother Wendell at Antigua. Mary Bowditch & children, d. of her son John, & Children at Sea. Benj'* Archer & wife, her deliv- ery, Brethren at Sea. 29. M'' Atwell & Mansfield of Lynn, musicians, with me this evening. They recommended & performed the music of one Oliver Holden. From a great scarcity of such kind of Books, & almost the want of Composers in the Bay, we find the market glutted with their productions. The most successful Books in this way now are the " Collections," which have a little of each, excite a curiosity, & gratify it enough to keep the Music in circulation. 30. The Ship Commerce has been stranded on the coast of Arabia. She belonged to Boston. The greater part of the men perished or were left upon the road travelling from the place of their misfortune towards Muscat. Two have arrived, one Saunders belonging to this Town. The event happened 10 July, 1792. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 21 May 1. [1793] The Small Pox has broken out this morning upon the daughter of one Haskell, in this eastern part of the Town. It is supposed that she took it by visiting the Old Fort, where the inoculation was last year. 2. This morning the Miss Haskell, mother, & a young Silsbee were conveyed to the Hospital in G. Pasture. The Top of M'' Gard- ner's house at the corner of the CJommon raised & a canal dug down the common to convey the Avater from the street. In the Ship Commerce, Capt. Williams was S. in law to Pierce, Cape Ann, 3. Several Thiefts committed. Two Irishmen committed to goal. For breaking open the Vessels of Chever, Archer, & Russel. They were apprehended in doing the last act. Last night the house of Joshua Ward was broken open, & the apartments entred belong- ing to IM"" Ward & Capt. Jon* IngersoU, from which were taken plate, gold watch, &c. to considerable amount. It is not many years since the same Ward suffered in the same manner. W^ithin a year past Billiard Tables have been indulged in the public houses, & the consequences have been serious to several families, & young persons. Complaint has been entered in form by a most respectable character in Town. 4. Every measure seems to be pursued in America for peace. The reports have been various, which have agitated the public & quite opposite reports in regard to the progress of the freuch arms. The passages in the Treaties with foreign Power at War & the proper certificates are to be found in the several Gazettes. 5. Sunday. Notes. James Chever & Wife, her delivery, & friends at Sea. Since I belonged to the Salem Association five soci- eties have fell into the hands of the orthodox of the lowest class. A proof in what direction the progress of society is. And we camiot claim on our part one manly exertion. Are we to blame mankind for attending to these, who seem most regardful of their interest. There are insuperable obstacles to our exertions, as some of us wish as well to the opposite party, as to our own, which has a many sided figure. 6. The Town May Meeting for Representatives, & Money mat- ters. The Town Debt is reduced to three thousand pounds, seven hvmdred povmds have been paid in the last year, the pavement costing seven hundred pounds, the small pox five hundred dollars, & other incidental charges. It is owing to the indiscrete zeal of a Merchant in the Town that the whole debt was not paid several years ago. 8. We are filled with reports. It is said attempts were made to enlist mariners in Charlestown for the French service which was prevented by authority. A Newbury Port vessel was burnt in Philadelphia lately by accident. 9. Proposals appear for a history of W^orcester County by M' Whitney of Northborough. The historical society have provoked 22 DiAKY OF [May great enquiries & almost universal respecting our Country. To copy the European news seems to be only to copy reports contra- dicted at every hour, & yet these reports discover the prejudices, & the fears of the people. 10. Permission has been given to Danvers, upon application, to carry their infected persons into the Hospital in G. Pasture. The persons under inocculation amount to 12 belonging to Salem & Danvers. It has been asked, why has the infection always been conveyed to women. Have they a greater susceptibility? Surely there are very many men who are yet liable to it ? The fact is curious. A young daughter of Capt. IST. Silsbee belonging to my Society, and is now under Inoculation. 11. Proposed to M' Bonnemaison to leave off the study of French. I have for a long time understood this language. Last December I engaged this young Gentleman to instruct me in three points, in pronounciation, writing, and conversation of the Lan- guage. In the first the object has been partially obtained, as to the second it has failed of any great success, & the last has entirely failed. The making of conversation in an unknown language upon mere compliments was to me the most insipid business in the world. I could not be steady, & it absorbed much time, so I aban- doned it. 12. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Gaffeney, d. of her mother Lander. Jon^ Millet & Wife, her delivery, Brethen at Sea. D*" Belnap* in Town, & with me this evening. 13. Had an opportunity with D'" Belnap to visit the Mansion House of the late Philip English, who in 1G92 fled from this State after having been confined in Salem & Boston goals under accusation of Witchcraft. I have promised to repeat the visit to Madam Har- thorne the G. daughter, & copy from her lips all the circumstances. We visited the most remarkable places in Town. 14. Association Meeting at Cutler's, Ipswich Hamlet. Much talk about Chronology. M"" Prince referred to the matter oi private Baptism, but there was no room for complaint as to my private steps in the affair. He complained that it was against all religious institutions, because in fact a noncompliance was against his inter- est. The Lawfulness could not be in dispute, but the expediency. I left the redoubtables hammering by themselves the point. 16. M'' Clarke furnished me a model of the knife intended to be used by the assassin of the late King of Sweden, if his pistol had missed. It was bearded, but on the left side at the place of the beard, serrated, on the right was a small double bearded knife at each end, moving on a pivot obliquely, so that drawn back it should return at right angles with the great knife. An horrid instrument of death, about eight inches long. 17. The Town has opened the Road back of the Tabernacle. *Rev. Jeremy Belknap, the historian. 1793] WILLIAM BEKTLEY, D. D. 28 M'' Briggs has raised his house iu South fields, & the Town is in a flourishing condition. Subscription is opened to erect on the flats ; & Gardner's point, at the entrance to the Wharves, two piers for the convenience of Vessels, which cannot get up, that they might not lay upon the flats, &c. 19. Sunday. Notes. Jonathan Archer, d. of his youngest Child. Mentioned the subject of supplying preachers for the East- ward, to the Congregation to check the extravagances into which they are led in the province of Maine by the ignorance & fanaticism of lay preachers. 21. Hay up to 18, 20, & 28 dollars from the drought. Appear- ances of rain but no rain. There was rain at Boston last Sunday. Substance of Madam Susannah Harthorne's account of her G. Father English, supplied with dates from Calef, &c. The Mittimus for Mary, the Wife of Phillip English is dated, Salem, 21 Ap. 1692. M"" Cory was examined & committed 24 May, 1692. John Arnold was Keeper of the Prison in Boston. Mary English was the only Child of William Hollingworth who married Eleanor Story, from England. The family lived at the point of Rocks, & Mary the accused, was born at the Blue Anchor, at the Head of English's wharf east- ward. This House afterwards became a public House, & has been taken down about 33 years. The family of Hollingworth had a House, & large Store on the land lying between the Common & the Great Street, opposite to Turner's & Becket's lane, now occupied by small houses, formerly by negroes. The Governour has been enter- tained in an orchard which stood there. The House has been down 20 years. The property out of the name is yet among the descend- ants. This Madam Hollingworth was cried out upon, but one of the Court said she had been dead 2 years, dying in 1690. When M"^ E nglish died he left the following dwelling Houses, &c. (Only two are now standing, Harthorne's & the Mansion) : — Upon Point of Rocks, Two Houses, Hollingworth. A great Store taken down after his death iu the south west corner. Blue Anchor, Hollingworth. Deise's,* House & Land joining to the Blue Anchor. Allen's, opposite to the Blue Anchor. Mansion house. House, Hollingworth. Land opposite to. Turner Lane. Store very large on the same land. Gale's, a lot & house bounding on the above. Two Houses, on the Corner, going to the Bridge, on the left. House, opposite to the east end of Daniel's Lane eastward. House, where the Church of England now stands, taken down when the land was given to erect a Church by M'' English. House, Minzey'sf where the Harthorne's now live about Hopkin's meeting. He had three Stores upon his Wharf, now entirely decayed. M'' English was a Jersey man, came young into America & lived with M"^ W. Hollingsworth, whose only child he married. He ob- •Dicey'8? tMenzie's. 24 DIARY OF [May tained the register of his age several years before his death which then made him 84. His God father & G. mother, My Lord, & my Lady Dutiful. MJ English being a man of property was visited by the Ministers of the Town & in his absence his Wife was adequate to the sole care of his business. He owned above 20 sail of Ves- sels. His Wife had the best education of her times. Wrote with great ease & has left a specimen of her needlework in her infancy, or Youth, It is about 2 feet by 9 inches, like a sampler. It con- cludes with an Alphabet & her name, in the usual form. The fig- ures are diversified with great ease & '.proportion, & there are all the stitches known to be then in use, & an endless variety of figures in right lines, after no example of nature. She had already owned her covenant, & was baptised, with her children & now intended to be received at the communion on the next Lord's day. On Satur- day night preceeding she was cried out upon. She was 42 years of age when she died in 1694, two years after. She had stood three weeks for full communion. The Officers, High Sheriff, & Deputy with attendants, came at eleven at night. When the Servant came up, M"^ English imagined it was upon business, not having had the least notice of the suspicion respecting his wife. They were to bed together in the Western chamber of their new House, raised in 1690, & had a large family of servants. The Officers came in soon after the servant, who so alarmed M' English that with difficulty he found his cloathes, which he could not put on without help. The officers came into the chamber, following the servant, & opening the curtains, read the Mittimus. She was then ordered to rise, but absolutely refused. Her husband continued walking the chamber all night, but the Officers contented themselves with a guard upon the House till morning. In the morning they required of her to rise, but she refused to rise before her usual hour. After breakfast with her hus- band & children, & seeing all the servants of whom there were twen- ty in the House, she concluded to go with the Officers, & she was conducted to the Cat & Wheel, a public house east of the present Centre Meeting House, on the opposite side of the way. Six weeks she was confined in the front chamber, in which she received the visits of her husband three times a day, & as the floor was single she kept a journal of the examinations held below, which she con- stantly sent to Boston. After six weeks her Husband was accused, & their friends obtained that they should be sent on to Boston, till their Trial should come on. In Arnold's Custody they had bail, & liberty of the town, only lodging in the Goal. The Rev. Moody & Williard of Boston visited them, & invited them to the public worship on the day before they were to return to Salem for Trial. Their Text was, they that are (if they, you) persecuted in one city, let them flee to another. (Moody the Preacher & most active.) After meeting the ministers visited them at the Goal, & asked them whether they took notice of the discourses. M' English replied, 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 25 he did not know that he had as he ought. The Ministers then told them their danger, & urged them to escape, since so many had suf- fered. M"" English replied, God will not permit them to touch me. M" English said, Do you not think the sufferers innocent ? He (Moody) said, yes. She then added, Why may we not suffer also ? The ministers then told him, if he would not carry his wife away, that they would. The Gentlemen of the Town took care to provide at midnight a conveyance, encouraged by the Governour, Goaler, &c., & M"" & M" English with their eldest child, & Daughter, were con- veyed away, & the Governour gave letters to Gov'' Fletcher of New York, who came out & received them, accompanied by twenty pri- vate gentlemen, & carried them to his House, & they remained 12 months in the City, While here they heard of the wants of the poor in Salem, & sent a Vessel of Corn for their relief, a bushel for each poor child. Great advantages were proposed to detain them at New York but the attachment of the Wife to Salem was not lost by all her sufferings, & she urged a return. They were received with joy upon their return, & the Town had a Thanksgiving on the oc- casion, & Noyes, the persecutor, dined with him on that day in his own house. After M' English was cariied to Boston, they seized upon his property, took seven vessels, a great quantity of wine from his Cel- lar, all his furniture, plate, & were six weeks conveying goods from his stores. Only a hogshead of malt escaped them, which being covered accidentally with shavings, by the Carpenters, they were deceived as to its value. 200 Sheep were taken from him, which were upon his 30 rights in the Great Pasture. His four children, one being with him, were put to board in Boston at M""* Holyitt in Boston. His daughter Susannah remained there till she was 18, boarding with Madam Tuffrey from England. She was five years old when he went to New York. There is also a Specimen of her employment at School, nearly 3 feet by 2, edged with points, & tufts upon them, eight sprigs with balls of Gold within the edging, flower pots & flowers at the lower corners of gold, between a pot with flowers of Cruel. Two Birds between, of gold bodies, & one in the Center of the same. Above are worked two false pocket holes, forming an apron. At the Thanksgiving the poor were as- sembled & M"^ English said to Noyes, & you eat among the rest. When a person present mentioned the greatness of his losses, which affected his young daughter, he turned & said to her, we have enough for all the poor who come, let none go away empty. Noyes came twice a week to dine with him afterwards. The Mansion house now standing* & most compleatly finished for the times, having cellars, stoned at bottom, lathed & plastered over head upon the floors above, divided for all purposes, furnished with fire *8ee Diary of WiUiam Bentley, D. D., Vol. I, p. 249. 26 DIARY OF [May places, & ovens, laid in lime, floors which are good now after one hundred years, pantries, counting house, shop, & various apartments, halls, was more splendid in that day. Two gable ends in the west part, & another in the east have been taken down, a plank floor was laid upon the top, & an entire balustrade around it, extending to the peeks, upon which were erected ornaments rising two feet. At the southern door was an open fence, with a Gate & Knocker. Over the Shop door was a Balcony with seats, and a door commu- nicating with the southern chamber, & the dial was over the door. A very large Barn, where the prison now stands. Philip English gave the Land where the English Church now stands & pulled down a double house which was on the spot, & dressed himself in a new suit of cloathes at the supper. He died about a year after, said to be in 1734. A Pew remains in the East Meeting House, belong- ing to his heirs from him, & he was in the Communion, says the family, but no record is found that he was a Communicant. Calef says that English's losses were estimated at 1500£ & that 300 were paid to him. The family reports, that the body of Curwin the Sheriif was taken in funeral procession, & detained several days in a Cellar of the deceased's House for a Book debt & that the plate, linen, &c. were delivered up. That Osgood, afterwards Deacon, offered the payment of 200£, it is not said upon what authority, but it was refused. That Major Sewall, father of Judge Stephen Sewall, gave an obligation for it to be the heirs, & that about 45 years ago, one Northey recovered it, he receiving half for his trouble of the Judge, & no interest paid. 22. This day the long wished for blessing came of a fine shower of rain. It seemed to pass northward of us, & we began to fear our loss, but it curled round as it approached the water, & with inces- sant thunder, refreshed us. A tree was torn by the lightning in northfields, but nothing could abate the general joy upon our relief from an unusual drought. We almost dared to say that we saw the vegetation sprought. Several barns at Lynn, &c. were injured or torn down by the gust. 23. M"" Prince was with me to confess the alienation for six months past was upon false grounds, & that he had authenticated none of the reports, which have all been satisfactorily proved false. This is the third time a similar process has been used by the same man, without success. He proposed to renew the intercourse. 24. A Vessel from Oporto has made a great freight upon Lemons from eight pistareens cost & charges, from 16 to 20 dollars from the entire scarcity. It seems impossible that the public mind should be less agitated than at present. Reports fly unheeded, & business as yet keeps its old channels. 25. The mafket of provisions is high in Boston, & much higher than in Salem. Beef for the Table, prime pieces, have been 1^ p"" lb. never in Salem above 6'^. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 27 26. Sunday. Expecting rain but no rain coraes. M"" M'^Keene preached with us. An inconvenience easily to be avoided, the preaching of the same sermon on both parts of the day in different houses. Many heard the sermon on both parts of the day. 27. Various reports continue respecting the war in Holland, & the fate of the West India Islands. There seems to be a dread of war in America, & little of that enterprising, growing spirit which such opportunities commonly quicken. Indeed the people in gen- eral are without opinions, & are waiting for the event of the war to determine them. 28. Went for Boston to spend the Election days. Heard D*" Walter at the Trinity Church before the Episcopal Convention. Four Clergymen of that Church appeared, & all except D'" Bass of Newbury belonged to Boston. The Assembly was very thin, & the Contribution could have little support from the few present. The Doctor included the ministerial qualifications under knowledge, holiness, & zeal. Under the first he included Casuistry, & talked much in the methodistic style. He delivered well, & was very solemn in his address. 29. Being the day of Election we attended at noon at the Court House, from the indisposition of the Governor, neither he nor the Lieutenant Governor attended, nor was there the least military parade in the procession. A Company paraded on the day but in no connection with the orders of the day. This is the first time on which -an Episcopal Clergyman has appeared. D^ Stillman the Anabaptist did appear some years since. The Doctor Parker had his prayer written before him, & it was very acceptable. No provis- ion was made for the music, which was performed below by the Clergy after some delay. The Sermon was unequal in its parts, lengthened by quotations, but abounding in salutary advice respect- ing the importance of righteousness to a people, & was very accept- able. 30. In the morning I visited the Twine factory at the North end. I found the scaffoldings from the buildings very convenient, & the plan enlarged for other spinning, so far as the length would admit. The convenience of the apartments, & neatness pleased me much. I saw for the first time the spinners turn their own wheels, by fastening to their side a hook joined to a rope passing over their heads over a pulley, to another pulley below the axis of the wheel & thence obliquely to the pulley on the axis of the wheel, & leading round a pulley at the other end of the spinning loft. At the Con- vention we were entertained by the benevolent M'' Bernard of this Town. If his Text & his exordium were not so striking, the famil- iar arrangement of the pleasures & the duties of this friendly meet- ing, were most affectingly represented. At the Dinner at D"" La- throp's we had the free wilier, M"" West, & the Necessarian, M"" Niles, & a great variety of characters. After Dinner I went in the Cam- 28 DIARY OP [June bridge Stage to Cambridge. I found the bridge one third of the distance finished. I tarried with M' Winthrop & amused myself with his rich & very engaging conversation on all interesting subjects. 31. In the morning I stopped at M"^ Barrell on Cable hill, so called when a fort was erected there. The plan of the Building is to me new, & not entirely executed. The Saloon is oval fronting the Town. The Cellars are in the best order. The flights of stairs in a vast entry opening towards the country & meet upon the first floor. There is an oval opening above which preserves the communi- cation above, with a neat balustrade & the stairs are back. Every thing discovered expence, but taste, & elegance. The prospect is the best I ever beheld. Before dinner I was in company with John Gardner, so well known for his character with Thayer, in the General Court, in Unitarianism, & in all he does. Returned in the Stage to Salem. June 2. [1793] Sunday. Notes. S. Eowell, wife's delivery. A gentle rain all day, which gave a new face to the earth. Thin Congreg. The long, dull weather has had its usual effects we are told. An unhappy but agreable man, leaped from his house in Boston & finished life. I knew him well. Such events are more frequent in Boston in proportion to the numbers. Would not a calculation of the ratio of social advantages, business, &c. deserve to be taken into consideration as well as weather on animal spirits. Thought of recording subjects of devotion for every day, in full, or in hints, as might be convenient, as well as review the state of the members on every Communion solemnity. 3. Ordered the Chair received from the family of English in memory of 1692 to be painted green, & on the back 1692, upper slat ; middle slat, M. English ; lower slat, ^7;. 22, the time of her mittimus ; on the front upper slat. It shall he told of her* 4. This City has addressed Gen. W. iipon his late proclamation. 6. It has been dull weather, & several private Quarrels alive. 8. Had the pleasure of seeing four of our Vessels return while I was at the fort. The flourishing Town of Lynn has had a mo- mentary check in the immense sales of shoes, from the slight in the manufacture. Applications are now depending for bounties on the Glass House, Duck Manufactories, &c. The public opinion is much divided about the real utility of such encouragements. 9. Sunday. Notes. N. Richardson & Wife, d. of her mother Putnam. W. King, her delivery, & Brethren at Sea. Nancy Masury, her delivery, & Husband & friends at Sea. 10. So warm as not to go without doors through the whole day, purely upon that account. 12. The Ship G. Turk returned this day from her voyage to *ThiB cbair was afterwards iu the possession of Bonjainin Crowninsbield. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 29 China, & brings the effects of Gibaut's voyage, leaving him behind, on account of his health, 13. We were relieved this afternoon by a brisk wind from the most severe heat that I ever experienced for such a length of time. I have scarcely been able through the week to open a book, to wear cloathes, or go abroad for necessary exercise. 15. Saw at S. Ingersoll's a worked apron, petticoat, & ring, belonging to Susannah, D. of Philip English of 1692. Fish Street Wharf was upon the Winter Island, just within the Cat Cove. The remains have been unmoved since my day. 16. Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth Williams, dang, sick, & hus- band at Sea. Hannah Macgregory,* dang, sick & husband at Sea. Samuel Archer & Wife, her delivery, & friends absent. 18. A Copy has appeared of the Salem Address to General Wash- ington. It is not penned with that accuracy which could have been wished. The clause of the opinion about others is not very perti- nent. 21. I find the necessity of extreme caution every day, where there are so many busy bodies, engaged in promoting the enmities of life. Market going on in this Town. A certificate given of a marriage between Miles Greenwood & Elizabeth Elkins, to obtain a divorce. 22. Talk of fortifying Harbours, &c. A Launching in South- fields of a Vessel of 100 Tons in the evening, from Brigg's Shipyard. 23. Sunday. Notes. Margaret Young, d. of her Son & friends at Sea. Priscilla Lambert, delivery, husband & Brethren at Sea. 27. Rode with D*" Loganf & was politely received at Col. Orne's, & dined at Rev"^ Story's. $ In the afternoon we rode to the Farms, & returned to Salem about Sundown. Col. Orne's House, below the Old Meeting House stands upon the spot, where the first minister Chever lived. There was no fish in at this time, but the truth of the number of children in the place seemed amply verified. A Launching at Ashbey's of a Schooner near Gray's Wharf. 29. Great apprehensions in regard to the detention of our vessels to search for French Property. 30. Sunday. One of the hottest Sundays I have ever ex- perienced. Notes. Joseph Joy & Wife, for her Sister sick. July 1. [1793] The house at the corner of Ives' lane on the Common was built by the father of Deacon Prince, inherited by the Son, the son in Law Mascoll & the G. G. son Knights, & now by bis Widow & children. § 2. Was our public visitation of the Schools, the Committee by subdivisions visiting monthly. At this annual visitation the Select- men & Clergy are invited. We met at nine in the morning at the ♦Wife of Capt. John McGregor. tDr. George Logan of Charleston, S. C. jIn Marblehead. §See Essex Institute Historical Collections, Vol. XIV, p. 251. 30 DiAEY OF [June Court House, & proceeded to the Grammar School. This has been successively since the war in the hands of M"" Steward, M"" Noyes, & M"^ Bancroft. The first was a Clergyman, of great oriental learn- ing, but perhaps of the least popular talents, the least taste, & gov- ernment, & tho he tarried several years, it was at the expence of the School, which did not receive a dozen pupils. He was at length dismissed, & went to Cape Ann, Squam, as a Minister, &c., & thence to Holliston, & Vermont. He was a married man. M"" Noyes suc- ceeded him, & was perhaps the best man ever employed in the Grammar School. He belonged to Boston, & was of the same class with President Willard at Cambridge. After his degrees he went into the southern states as a School Master in private families, & afterward to the Bahamas, Providence. Upon his return to New England, he came to Salem, & took the Grammar School. He was respected & received in the best families, & published a Collection of the rules of the Latin Language, which he was permitted to in- troduce into the School, & which is now in use. It has in its recom- mendation that it flattered the humour of the day, to have this lan- guage taught by English rules rather than Latin. M' Noyes pos- sessed a sober, & decent mind, rather inclined to the opinion of the Glassites, or Sandemians, as they were called in this Country, & had great respect for the father & son as writers. He bad no fugi- tive thoughts, little relish for wit, & no ease in being pleased to con- form to the entertaining part of conversation. Being a single man he had the stiffness & reserve of the character, & all the airs of the Pedagogue. From large proposals from his friends in the Southern States, & a discontent with the then scanty salary from the state of the Town affairs, he suddenly renounced his connections, which he regretted soon after, & wished to renew, but death soon overtook him at Savannah. His successor* was a Graduate immediately from College, & who had no other object than to qualify him for another profession & chose that of Law. His education never formed him even for a momentary relish of classic erudition, & the School sunk to a very small number of pupils, seldom twelve. Some attempts were made to assist it, by uniting instructions in the eng- lish Language & so sending the best Boys from the other Schools, but the experiment failed in the first attempt, & was silently abandoned. In the present year the School was intrusted to M"" N. Rogers. This is a descendant from the well known John Rogers, Martyr of Q. Mary's reign, & whose ancestors have been in the ministry, G. Father & Father at Ipswich. He was educated at Cambridge & going into Trade, was unsuccessful, & in very em- barassed circumstances. His friends invited him several years since into this Town to accept a private School, & he was received with great attention. He is a man of great ambition, warm passions & ^'Thomas Bernard (1765-1807), afterwards Clerk of the Courto. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLBT, D. D. 31 application. He married a Wife* at Ipswich contrary to the wishes of her Friends, by whom she was rejected, &. from her accomplish- ments he has had great assistance in his designs. She possesses the best education of our New England families, Avith a steady & firm temper, & has had the greatest applause in the education of our daughters, of which she has instructed sixty at one time. In teach- ing the reading & writing of english M*" Rogers had such a share of esteem, as to obtain from every other candidate without even a division, the appointment to our Grammar School. By the lioys which he has brought with him, & by adopting the plan of teaching all the branches of his former school gratis, even to writing, we found forty two youth upon the seats, a number more than double to any number I had ever before seen, excepting 24 once under the care of M' Noyes. As the school was young, nothing could be con- cluded. The method was different from the usual one in our schools in Boston. One of the Committee corrected the Boys in the exhibitions at his pleasure, the Master distributed Books to the Visitants, & begun at the top of his Schools. The Books in order were Virgil, Ctesar, Eiitropius, Erasmus, Clarke's Esop, Corderius. The pronunciation was bad, the voices low, & the method confused. Greek was omitted, & some writing Books viewed at the Desk. "We then went below into the Writing Center School, under the care of ^M"" Gray, & formerly under M*" Norris, a descendant of the Minister Norris of Salem. There were about one hundred Boys, badly cloathed. The reading was indifferent. The best writers were, Samuel Rhea, Enos Briggs, John Norris, & W™ Preston & Fogerty, neither eminent. There was a Negro named TITUS AUGUSTUS, who read, & shew writings equal to any of them, & there was another African as stupid as the worst of them. We then passed to the East School, which has been under M"" Lang ever since it was opened. It was formerly the fullest school, & has had several assistants, M' Snelling, now assistant at Boston, M"" Moses, since dead, & M"" Southwick, a friend, who keeps a private school directly opposite, & who left upon some disgust. M*' Watson's Private School in the street, M*" Southwick's on the Common & M"^ Rogers' have drawn many youth from this School. M"" Lang, the Master, is a most worthy man. He was a Silversmith by profession, but re- duced in his circumstances, he accepted this School, in which he does not succeed to the public wishes. His children are small, poorly provided with Books, not in the best subordination, & excell in nothing. My Charity Boy, Joseph Franks, set. 10, is at the head of the school, & was the best reader & writer in it. No other children were noticed. We then passed to the West School, which obtained universal preference, especially in the writing exhibited. George Cleveland & Joseph Pierce were the Competitors for the •Abigail Dodge. 32 DIARY OF [June highest fame in this school & in the Town. They have great claims. The plain round hand of Cleveland has the greatest charms in my eyes. Pierce's hand is the most elegant. A Watkins entered the list of fame. The Master Hacker, a Quaker, is an honest, open hearted friend & has a fine talent at teaching the use of the pen. To pronounce a Quaker a reader might be absurd at this day. He had above 100 boys, in good order, & numerous writers of a second class equal to any others of the first classes in the other schools. We had the pleasure to receive at this school the Misses after the Boys were dismissed, which exceeded 80 in number, & for neatness & good behaviour were deserving of applause. They read before the Committee & shewed specimens of their writing. In this School the economy of human life was read by the first Boys & in the east School, the Children's friend. Whatever the merit of the first Book might be, I objected to the style as not adapted to teach the English Language most happily. Greater freedom is used by the Monthly Committees, & we may hope many improvements to be found among our neighbours, which have not yet obtained among us. 3. The conduct of the English to our American Vessels is a sub- ject of debate in conversation & in the Gazettes. The old English prejudices exist in all their vigour in some minds, & the late war with others. A curious publication assures us of the delivery of a poem on the fourth of July, voluntarily to display genius, &, beg bread. 4. The celebration of this day was agreed upon in our Lodges by the subscription of the members to go upon the water, & visit the Islands. About 16 could attend, »& in a proper sloop we went down. Great harmony, & good spirits were in the company. The wind was light going, but pleasant upon our return. The fishing without great success. 5. Capt Crowninshield amused me for a very hot day with the water soaken remams of a good Traveller's library, given to him by the Owner. There was a little of every good work. Capt C. has brought home more of the Immortal. The first specimen on a former voyage remains fastened in my chamber, & in as great ap- parent perfection as when first put up. This is accounted for from the dryness of the calix. 6. Severe Lashing of the Am. Geography by M'' Morse from various hands in the Centinel for omission of Great Names in this State, & the free insertion of less distinguished names in Connecti- cut. 7. Sunday. Notes. Mary Swazey, d. of G. Daughter Williams, & Son at Sea. Sam' Swasey, & family, d. of his daughter Williams & Son at Sea. Ann Brown, d. of her Br. Brown & Son at Sea. Hannah Webb, delivery, Husband & Brethren at Sea. This was one of those agreable days, on which I enjoyed myself in the services of the Pulpit. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 33 8. M*" Derby presented one of the Great Turtles to the Marine Society, who made a Subscription feast at 2 dollars, money paid at subscription & on receiving the Ticket, & an invitation to the Clergy gratis. This regulation was made in consequence of a de- fection of some of the guests at the time of payment on the last public occasion. The turtle shell in which the pie was served measured 3 feet by 3 feet, 7 inches. About one hundred guests were served in Washington Hall. At the giving of the Toasts I was obliged to retire to the Catechising of the female children, & by some mistake of the notice their number did not exceed eighty. 9. The conduct of the rain has been as singular as the drought remarkable. On Saturday I observed the Clouds from Marblehead Farms in the middle of a very extended plain. The Horizon was clear from east to south over the ocean in my view. The clouds moved with a rapid circular motion at the altitude of 20°, with un- common blackness, while in the zenith, the bright tops left an open- ing much like our room ventilators. Here & there the rain seemed to fall, & then it was soon bright again in the horizon. Once in the north it seemed to sweep toward the sea. I was an hour in this condition seemingly in the Center of this Whirlwind, in dead calm, while the clouds seemed slowly to contract equally on all sides, & as tho' exhausted dropped gently a little rain which obliged me to retire to the House. Upon my return on the Hill beyond Gard- ner's mills about 1/2 a mile, the rain had descended with violence, after crossing Forrest river, I found the dust scarcely laid, & so on to Salem. At Beverley we are told the rain was plentiful but at Ipswich where I beheld the sweep towards the sea, there descended in a short time, & about three miles in extent having the Town as the Center, a Tempest of rain & hail, of which the following is a discription. It was preceeded by a flood of rain, & the hailstones, measuring some of them 6 inches in greatest circumference, dis- stroying grain, flax, trees, & breaking several thousand panes of glass. At Middleton just before, a large tree was struck of 3 feet i n diameter, split into numerous parts, clif ts thrown at a distance, over other trees 20 feet high, & limbs strewed in the greatest con- fusion around. Carried before an Officer of the peace, an Apothe- cary of the Town, for purchasing at low prices, goods & effects of children, servants & minors. By the Search warrants property of various kinds was found to substantiate the charge, & he was com- mitted. There are strong presumptions that he had been receiver for several Housebreakers, and a young idler, formerly shop keeper suffers much in the public opinion, having sold his wife's plate at the apothecary's. 11. The affair of Glover versus Basset for a cable stolen enga- ges the multitude, as there is much passion in the affair, & a great part of Marblehead over. Court house full. Templeman is making great repairs at the head of the Kiver upon the estate of Bacon, 34 DiAEY OF [July especially on the House facing the road as you pass to Marblehead. 12. An attempt to move a Negro hut upon Land opposite to Hawthorne's land in the Great Street between Becket's & Turner's Lane, by a man who professes to be a friend to the Parish, on di- vision of the Town, but has not more than his share of feelings. Such Buildings proving invariably an injury to the neighbourhood, depreciating property, dispersing all the good Tenants, & subject- ing the persons near to every interruption. 13. We have the horrible news of the entire distruction of Cape Francois in the Island of Hispaniola. After the arrival we are told of thefrench Ministers (the mulattoes were admitted into the Town, who arming the Negroes, made a general massacre of the in- habitants, plundered, & then set fire to the Town). In the mas- sacre we are informed eight thousand may have perished. We hope the next accounts will be more particular, & less shocking. This is pronounced to be among the first commercial Towns in all Amer- ica. We are public spirited in Salem at least in our projections. The Market House is preparing with great expectations. The piers at the entrance of the Channel are supported by a subscription, & should it be incompetent, individuals propose to execute the plan. The Turnpikes, levelling, & railings of the Common are liberally sup- ported & for the beauty & convenience of the Town, it is hoped, will succeed. The whole expences , it is supposed may be, two thou- sand pounds. An apprentice having frequently run away from his master was at last apprehended, & tied, & confined. Several mem- bers of the Board of Overseers interested variously, interfered, & at the Court of Common Pleas, tho' contrary to the Judgment of the Court, the Jury fined the Master ten pounds for abuse. The Servant was indentured by the Town, & related to the friends of the Overseers. There is an appeal from the Master. This prece- dent has been effected by the most unmanly prejudices, & shews the great misfortune of a Town in electing into trusts men of narrow minds. Gen. Abbot & Col. Pickman of the board of Over- seers remonstrated against the measures. I am personally acquaint- ed with the management of the Master. He has an action against the Town for the confinement of his servant in the Charity House after a public advertisement. 14. Notes. Barnabas Herrick, d. of his mother. Benj* Brown, & Wife, her delivery. Brother at Sea. D'' Logan very low, & I am to set with him this night. 15. Viewed a Catamount, exhibited here at 4 1/2*^ discribed to be eight feet long, & two & 1/2 high from nose to tail. He is cas- trated, was taken helpless from its dam, & is about eighteen months old. He has lost much of his savage temper by his situation. Is of a mouse colour, very indolent. His Head is of the Cat kind, his body long flat, & his paws large, & feet of good length. I could make no enquiries in a Crowd, which was around him. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 85 16. D' Logan died this morning at ten o'clock. He was calm in the Whole scene, & attended his devotions with resignation, & gave all the most particular directions respecting his affairs & intwment. From the Gazette we learn the arrival of 50 passengers, chiefly me- chanicks from Liverpool in England, Avho report the distressed state of that Kingdom. 17. Being Commencement at Cambridge, I could not attend on account of the Funeral of D"^ Logan.* He was laid out in his un- dereloathes & Gown as he usually dressed, without shoes. On his Breastplate, George Logan, jNL D., Edinb. obiit. Julii 16, 1793, jEtatis 45. He was buried in Masonic Order, having been the sen- ior Warden of Union Lodge, Charlestown. The brethren preceed- ed the Corpse, & moved towards the Meeting House at 4 o'clock P. M. The Pall was supported by C^ Holyoke & Paine, William Gray, Gen. Fiske, Col. Pickman, & Capt. Jon* IngersoU. Prayers- were performed in the Meeting House before a crowded & very re- spectable audience, & after the Music a Sermon was delivered.. The Procession to the Grave was very respectable, & uncommonly long, amidst a crowd of Spectators. The funeral service of the- Masons was performed at the Tomb, & the body deposited in the Mason family Tomb. The greatest respect, & sympathy were shown on the occasion. 18. Was brought to the Long Wharf by M'^ Pierce of New Mills, . a Sturgeon which he says leaped into his Boat, just without Bever- ly Bar. It was six feet, 8 inches long, & girded over the pectoral fins two feet 10 1/2 inches, weighing 97[lbs.]. 19. The conduct of D' Parker in preaching at the public elec-^ tion a translation from Saubin made by another hand, & afterwards printing the sermon, has given great offence, & has been revived as a subject of conversation at the late Commencement. This has been without example, except in our late professor of Divinity up- on the death of Judge Winthrop, when the Sermon was extracted from Leland's Nature & necessity of the Ch : Revelation. 20. At the Commencement 37 Batchelors received their degrees, & the people passed from Boston over the new Bridge, to the no small disappointment of the persons who bring carriages on the oc- casion. Went this evening with the four principal Singers of my seat to drink Tea at Perkins' on the neck. Their deportment was modest, & I was better pleased than I expected. Every thing must be done to preserve the Singing. 21. Sunday. Notes. S. Silsbee & Wife, d. of daughter M*^ Gregory, & for sons at Sea. S. Silsbee, jun' & Wife, d. of Sister & Brethren at sea. Deborah Sage, d. of Sister, husband & Brother at Sea, & d. of his father. 23. Corpus w* 202, which shews a continual increase. D' Hol-- *He married a sister of the wife of Capt. Edward Allen, and died at his hoase .. 36 DIARY OF [July yoke has an advertisement in the Gazette of the day to apprehend, at 10 dollars reward, the villain, who last Sunday night, threw an iron bolt into his window, & among his family, weighing 1 1-2 lb. It might have been expected from the indecent behaviour of some of the young bucks on the Neck, & as they passed the houses of worship in time of service, I wrote to the Printer on the sub- ject, but my paper was not published. 24. We lind from the Gazette that some alarming appearances respecting privateers, had called forth the vigilance of the Town of Boston, who with remarkable vigilance & unanimity are employed agreably to the resolves of the Town, to prevent any sea piracy under any pretences whatever. Some reflections are cast upon the ofiicious zeal of the French minister Genet at Philadelphia. The Universalists of Boston have proposed a Convention next Septem- ber, for the first time in this state, at Oxford, in Worcester County. It is supposed to find out their strength, as no societies are formed but at Oxford, Boston & Cape Ann, 25. Several British Vessels, it is said, are detained in Boston harbour, from their apprehensions of the late Sea Pirates which have sailed clandestinely under the name of French Privateers. Roger, a negro Servant of Capt. Allen, attempting to remove with his fellow servant a boat from Derby's to Allen's wharf, fell into the water near the wharf. His fellow Servant saw him not again, but ran to his Master, & before he could be relieved, he was dead. It was not in more than six feet of water. We were engaged in a water party on the next day, & have purchased a disappointment from an agreable circle at the expense of the life of this valuable servant. He was brought from M'"^ Allen's patrimony, & employed upon low wages to the satisfaction of all parties. This happened at eleven o'clock in the evening. 26. Poor Roger was buried this afternoon, in due form, & the Negroes appeared in all order, & well clad. The procession returned without confusion to the House. The Coroner appeared to make inquest after the company was assembled, but it was a doubt whether he ought to have been indulged. The Servant was in his master's service, perished in his territories, & no suspicion was en- tertained, even that he was dead, when taken into his care, much less that he had been abused. There is reason to apprehend he was in liquor, as he fell from Derby's Wharf into the dock from which he took the Boat. 27. Some pique against the "Centinel" obliged the town of Boston to call a meeting to refute a charge of its being generally known that armed vessels had been fitted out. And it was the sense of the Town that the charge was not supported, tho' a Vessel armed returned & was disarmed by authority of the French Consul. 28. Sunday. Notes. Edw. Allen's Family, drowned Servant, sons at Sea. M' West having appeared in that celebrated contro- 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 37 versy on the will, there will be some employment for the busy minds of these singular eontroversalists, to strengthen the things which are ready to die. 29. Subscriptions for the Coiuraon going on but slowly at pres- ent. Curiosity brings some to view, & give their judgm<^nts. Fiske's New Ship, pierced for Guns has arrived at the Long Wharf from the Eastward, where she was built. She is intended for a Sailor. M"" Merchant returned, & proposes to go on to Doctor Swett at iSTewbiiry Port. 30. The President's proclamation by the opposition, has awakened attention in the mercantile interest, the merchants of Beverly have passed resolutions tending to support it. Letter from a prisoner at Algiers, who has been there 8 years, complaining that he was so long left in confinement. Aug. 1. [1793] The work of our Market goes on much slower than the first zeal seemed to promise. The piers on which it is to stand are down, & the frame has not yet appeared. The piers for the Channel are now in hand. The Common upon subscription yet, & its fate undetermined. 2. Conversation revived respecting a Mill over the Cove between the Bridge Point, & Neck Point upon which the Pest House stands. It must be confesesd that it is very easy to constriict a Causeway there, & that it would be convenient for Beverley as well as Salem. This subject was considered in 1773, & dropped on account of the political affairs of the Country. One King is mover now, & it may be serious in the mind of some projector. 3. The pier upon Gardner's point in the Channel is now done, & the other on the opposite side is ready for launching. The rocks are to be removed from the point to sink the piers, & can be taken away, & applied to this use at little expence. 4. Sunday. A M'' Rolfe is at Danvers, who, discribing the joys of the saints at Cambridge, expressed their emotions in the cry Gaudeamus, which word, like the Shoemaker in Friar Gerundio, was taken for a very common wish in vulgar language. 7. Made an excursion with Master Lang* to Brown's farm & we were landed on Ram Island, which lays off the shore opposite to ^Marblehead farms. Our course from Brown's Beach was about a mile, & it must have been 3/4 from the directly opposite shore. We landed upon the Western side, & found a Rocky but not a bold shore. The whole Island is iron bound. Tinker's Island off the Neck seemed approached by stepping stones. Tlie Rocks off Phil- lip's Point stretch in a range with egg Rock off Nahant. The is- land is all of the Hard Rock, & alfords maintenance to six sheep which we found upon it. There is about one acre of ground among the Rocks, there being only a small spot tolerably clear opposite •Edward Lang, master of the East school. 38 DIARY OF [Aug. the shore. The highest part of the Islaud is towards the sea, & from the three highest rocks at the projections of the Island give the Island in all its irregularities the figure of a triangle. Within us on the shore, two boats from Boston, with a great number of hands were lading with paving stones for the Town. We missed the steeple of Marblehead church from which we imagined it must have been taken down. We caught Perch as large as at Phillips' from the rocks of the Island, but we were told no bottom for Lob- sters. We disturbed a few birds, but we saw no nests. The motion of the sea upon the shoal water as we approached the Is- land gave the Stones at bottom in 10 feet of water a white appear- ance but they were of the same rocks of the Island. We discov- ered no spring on the Island, but water lodged in the cavities of the Rock. 8. IVF W^. Browne in behalf of London, formerly his Negro Ser- vant, removed a building from the South part of the Town, upon land below the east meeting House, near the place, where many Negro huts had been erected, & by the exertions of the neighbours had been cleared of their disagreable inhabitants, who suffered neither wood, fence nor any thing else to be within their reach. Seeing this building, destitute of every accommodation, sent to take place of their former incumbrances, they remained long in disquiet, till repairs were begun, & then in the night they ruined the building. A Prosecution is on foot, & very great threats are against the sup- posed offenders. The building was not 10 feet Square, & of only one room. 9. This evening two sons of misfortune in a small sloop upon their last adventures in the W. India Trade, found a dismasted & deserted Ship at Sea, & brought her into Port, richly laden with west India goods from Jamaica for England. 12. The opinion begins to prevail that we shall be involved in the war & the controversies begin to take hold of the minds of the people. Business still preserves its old channels, & circumstances are pleasing in regard to the success. In Boston the names of sev- eral Gentlemen as Aristocrats have been held up to the prejudices of the Patriots & even affixed to the Masts of one of the Ships of war. 13. William Lord buried this day from Silsbee's. The proces- sion was respectable. His mother lives with a third husband at Berwick. M"" Wheelwright was at the funeral, his former master, & M"" Baker of Beverley, who claims to be a relation. 14. A List of 14 French Privateers hovering on our Coasts. Consul Genet expected this way. Parties beginning to prepare themselves. 15. Arranged all my papers & made an entire disposition of my affairs. Had an invitation to the Dartmouth College Commence- ment, & have a plan of going up. Uncertain of the best course. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 39 16. Was in pursuit of a preacher to supply my Desk. M' Tread- well formerly minister of Lynn, had refused so often, that he could not consistently comply. ]\1*' Green, formerly of Medway, now at Marblehead, had utterly renounced all intentions of entering the pulpit. At M^veene I was disappointed of the young gentle- man 1 expected to find there. I could not go to Mansfield, of Exe- ter formerly, now residing at Marblehead, & supplying a parish in Gloucester. Jobbing ministers are much out of repute, & perhaps deservedly from their abilities. 17. Went to Danvers to Rolfe, & he promised to supply or send Noyes, or Preceptor Smith. For the first Sunday I am to be supplied by Quarles, a buffoon. Farmer, peddling minister, & black- guard. But as he is decent in the pulpit, we are obliged to forget on occasions what deserves more attention, that bad men hurt a good cause. 18. Smiday. Mind concerned for the enjoyment of the ensuing week, & the journey into New Hampshire. When anticipation is great, I think of Paul's words, rejoice with trembling. I leave Salem in company with Capt B. Hodges & Wife, & two sons, & a Son of Gen : Fiske. 19. At sunrise we left S. and continued our rout through Read- ing Precinct, intending to breakfast at the Causey, beyond the meeting House, but disappointed in appearances & not admiring the house of Flint, tho' he had a good barn, we continued, intending to stop at Jones' on the road from Boston to Haverhill, & where the stage puts up, but deceived by a new house well painted below Esqr Ford's we stopped & breakfasted. Stone's parish gives us a good prospect. The soil is hard & not the best. At breakfast we were not accomodated with taste, but by the pleasing officiousness so often disgusting, &c. Our bills for breakfast were 9d. At this Tavern in Wilmington we heard of the death of the Rev. Isaac Morril, aet. 76. A most useful, popular & benevolent man. Asth- matic complaints distressed the latter part of his life. He at last died of a Cancer. His funeral is to be on the morrow. With good roads we passed to Tewkesbury. On this road this town presents a face of poverty, &c. As we entered the woods we saw a stubble field filled with pigeons, which started at our approach. Their his- tory in New England. They perched on the first trees & dispersed themselves in close order upon the limbs, so as to have afforded fine sport for the friends of the game. We passed into Bilerica, & the idea was pleasing to see realised the ease & independance of the mechanic professions. The first house in good style was near the shop of a mechanic who at advanced age was in the habits of his application. At Bilerica in the meeting House we found a contrast to the usual attentions of the parishes. The Tower was of rough boards & the Bell uncovered upon it with the shattered remains of a wheel, which could assist but little in the management of it. 40 DIARY OP [Aug. Can it be said that having an enlightened minister information has not the same power as superstition to direct on the repairs & orna- ments as are found in these places. The situation of the Town & M. H. upon the eminence renders it distinguished among our Bay- Towns. The Houses upon the road to Bedford & the farms have a better appearance than on the road to Chelmsford. We intended to dine at Pollard's in Bilerica but we were so early that we deter- mined to pursue our rout to Chelmsford. The descent to the beau- ful Kiver the Concord was pleasant & we were delighted in passing over the new Bridge, which being arched high on account of the freshets, at this time when the river was low had a fine effect. The Bridge might be about 100 feet long, too narrow & supported in eight piers with sills in the bed of the River. The railing did not lessen the effect. The river in this place does not divide the Towns, but Bilerica extends 1|- miles beyond it, till we enter Chelmsford, This part of the town towards Tyngsborough is the meanest part. We had unequal & rough ways but barren spots, or covered with mullen & shrub pines & miserable hovels. We ob- served two women sitting at an excavation at one end of a log build- ing feeding a small fire which sent its smoak into the building, Quere. We passed the decent buildings of Gen. Bridge, who is one of the Senate, a popular & useful character. He was unfortunate enough to incur censure at the commencement of the war, but he has not lost the public confidence. He was but a little time in married life & has no children. He was a resident at Cambridge while I was in office there. He has taken possession of the man- sion of his father the late minister of Chelmsford & has dismantled it, & dispersed it in the form of a right angle with hip roofs. It is directly opposite to the Meeting House. The event which has in- duced this change, has also produced a new meeting house. The Father, who above fifty years has sustained the office of the minis- ter, last year deceased. The old house was abandoned when its old possessor left it. Proposals were desired to erect one upon a better plan. Gen. B. with other inhabitants engaged to erect one for 1000£, & the old House woi'th 30£ or to receive 400£ & the privi- lege of selling all the pews & seats. The last offer was accepted. The house is compleatly finished, tho' not upon any consistent plan. It is underpinned with stones split & faced from a quarry in West- ford, some of which a foot in height are between 9 & 10 feet in length. The frame of the whole building is of oak, & the posts of the Tower are above 60 feet high. The house is painted well with- out, & the Steeple is more modern than such as are commonly found. The Tower is joined to the Steeple by a belfrey yet destitute of a Bell, but they have not a pleasing effect together. The interior part of the house is painted upon the front of the Galleries & the pulpit, & there is gilding below the pannels in Chinese work. The Canopy is pendant, the window executed in the Italian, but not 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 41 bold enough for a good effect. The roof is little arched but the work under tlie galleries ai-ched boldly. There is a swell in the front gallery which has a good effect, & would have a greater, pro- vided the gallery was but half tlie depth. The pews are square & inconvenient but as the pulpit has two flights of steps, & the long seats open before the pulpit, the eye forgives the flat pannels in the projection of that principal object in a Meeting House. The front porch, if a porch can belong to a large & elegant building, has double pilasters on each side of the door in front, & the same on each side of the window over it. If pilasters belong to jjorches, when no columns belong to the House. We forgot the bui-ying ground, while dinner was preparing & we did not see it to be near, till we entered our carriages. Gen. Bridge furnished us his company & while we heard the tales of the aged mother of our Landlord, aet. 90, told us of Esqr Tyng, the great Landholder of the adjacent town, who is of the same age, & intending for his heir a young Lady of 13, is preparing a house to which he may retreat a few years hence if it should be disagreable to her to live [with] him after her mar- riage. The Gen. assured us the expences of the Meeting House were 1400£ & that he had found within two miles a quarry from which he had cut stones equal to those under the Meeting House & which might easily be taken out 19 feet long. He observed that there Avas a remarkable equality in the Town, & few poor, a cu-cum- stance truly desirable in the peasantry. He was told that an advertisement in the adjoining room expressing that the " poor were to be set up at vendue," did not accord much with their humanity. We conversed "with Mr. Packard, a Tutor at Cambridge, who is in- vited to the ministerial office, & has accepted & will be ordained in October next. 90 ag. 19 is considered as a remarkable unanimity. And this is more necessary as there is a Baptist Society within two miles whose characteristic tenet is not so much the religious tenet of that denomination, as a right to exempt themselves from parish taxes. We dined at Bollan's & paid 1^, our engagement being to have no charges for the horsemen & his horses, & at 1/2 past 3 set out for Groton. The first part of the road was again rough but soon we were relieved by the view of our generous oaks, chestnuts, & walnuts, & orchards laden heavily witli fruit. Some trees we found absolutely destitute, but the greater part were richly laden, & many limbs born to the ground. As we entered Westford we saw the best corn, & the best tobacco, & a few small hop yards. Corn being planted in all the farms & a patch of tobacco near many of the barns, & some towns through which we passed are remarkable for hops. After passing a burying ground we ascended a high hill, & soon came to the meeting house, a painted building, without any front porch, & not less agreable on that account, as an object to the traveller. Nearly opposite, & almost compleated we found a build- 42 DIARY OF [Aug. ing intended for an academy. It is upon the general plan of Philips', being of two stories, and with a belfrey. The interior partitions were not up. We were pleased with the Houses & farms in the neighbourhood, & for the first time had our eyes relieved on the hill by a sheet of water of but moderate breadth but extending above a mile in length, & at the foot of the hill we found Iron works, & the furnaces at work. We did not stop to examine the different buildings near the water works which were but tempora- ry sheds erected for the purpose. From the rough roads we passed over several miles of pines & sandy land, & soon were relieved with the elegant seat of G-. Prescot, & the Buildings of his Son about 1/2 mile below him. The seat is opposite to the Boston road which at this place enters into the cross road to Worcester. The Meeting House soon presented, painted white, & being finished better than at Chelmsford, without a front porch, would have been a delightful object, had not the steeple been so narrow in its dimensions at the dome as to resemble the oldest & worst fashions of our country. Near the M. House a building was erecting much in the form of the Westford Academy with a door at one end prob. for a Court House as a C. of Common Pleas, &c. is now to be held in this Town in which for a long time the probate has been held. Gen. Prescot house has near it a stone shewing that it is 36 miles to Boston & 30 miles to Worcester. Called at the General's & found an elegant House in good order, but he was not within. Alighted at Eichard- son's above the Meeting House. We passed two droves of sheep as we entered Groton, the last of which was very large & an honour to our country, going to the Market. The School in good repair. The building we supposed for a Court House is another academy by Act of Court. The probate twice at our Landlord's in a year. We left Richardson's at 6 in the morning & soon after passed the Nashuay over a Bridge of about half the length of the Bridge at Bilerica over the Concord. This Bridge was of the old Con- struction of the Bridge over the Charles at Cambridge supported over head by a cross piece & braces. We passed through a corner of Peperell, & soon entered Townsend near a great Store kept by Baldwin near the Quanikook which runs near the road & on our left & supplies some saw mills. After passing the Town at the upper end we saw the mills upon a bed of rock over which Wil- lard's stream descends & crosses the road after winding at the foot of a mountain. We then ascended the hill & passed over a ridge narrow as the road, & we passed again Willard's stream. The road for three miles was then very rocky & mountainous, & near to Ash- by Meeting House we stopped at Wy man's for breakfast, just 4 miles & 1/2 from New Hampshire Line, fifteen miles from our de- parture & passed three miles in Pepperall & 6 in Townsend. We were much pleased with the hospitality. We found this place with- out a minister & it has been destitute nearlj' eleven years. They 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D, D. 43 settled a minister named Whitman, whose maxim was to adopt no prudence in declaring his sentiments on religion, which were rigid- ly Hoi)kinsian. His unyielding temper soon framed him an oppo- sition, which rendered it necessary for him to depart, after having justified the charge that the controversy he had introduced had cost the parish more than their whole part of the American war. He has since settled in Goshen. In Pepperell formerly was a Mr. Emerson, a very affable man, but now a Mr. Bullard, one year be- fore me in his education at Cambridge. We begin to observe the road deeply gullied especially where lately repaired, by the late ex- cessive rain about a fortnight since. In Ashby all things bear the face of a new country. The pines rise a very considerable height & first make the bold appearance belonging to the stately tree. On all the fields we beheld the Trees strewed in great numbers & the marks of the fires which have lately passed through the new grounds. Many girdled trees stand tottering. The country abounds in the pine shrub & promises nothing but to the last labours of in- dustry. Their beehives are constructed upon the old fashion without any of the modern improvements. The lioads have all the marks of great labour but much remains to be done. Beyond Townsend meeting house, which we left at the entrance of a road to the right, there is an entirely new road to the left & much shorter. This TovvTi is well watered, & the streams are beautiful. After we left Wyman's & advanced towards the New Hampshire line [we saw] a Conical Hill of a very regular shape, covered with pines to its summit, excepting a small bald rock to the south near to the top & of an elevation considerably greater than of the adja- cent hill, which stretched northward. We soon rose the Hill having the Hill Wonomenock on our left, & crossed New Hampshire line & we continued for many miles ascending & descending hills, cliffs, & rocks in all forms & in the greatest irregularity, as we passed be- tween the mountains through a corner of New Ipswich, through which this road has been lately opened. The opposition of the in- habitants of New Ipswich was steady, because it did not pass through the middle of their Town, but at length a County road was laid out & tho' we might from the present state imagine opposition or some other cause had prevented all attention to the road, yet we have reason to believe much has been expended upon it, & when we consider that a few years since it was utterly impassable by any carriages, we may confess that great labour has been bestowed but much more is necessary to prevent every discouragement to those who do not travel by necessity. Large projecting stones, immense quarries, flat stones, cross naked pieces of wood in the low grounds, make Gov- ernoi-'s Hill, as it is called, terrible to the Traveller. We walked the greater part of the distance from this terrible hill into Rindge, first from fear, & then from necessity, having broken the stud of our right back spring. The road was in the latter part of it in a more 44 DIARY OF [Aug. open but not a well cultivated country. The houses were generally framed, of one story & of two apartments, with a door in front, & two windows not well supplied with glass, sometimes shingled, often slabbed & never clapboarded. Some of their hay is stacked. We found many log pens, & the barns were the largest & best buildings. The settlements are evidently in their infancy & the soil very unpromising, & little observable difference to be seen. Before we reached the meeting house we saw the first fulling mill on our right, with its cloth of a deep brown colour. We were very glad to reach the Meeting House at Rindge near which was a hand- some house built by a young Trader from Brooklyn & now occu- pied as a Tavern. A large House on the right, well painted, of a light Colov;r, & square appeared an agreable object in the general poverty. This House was lately erected by the Minister. This Gentleman was of the same Class with me at Cambridge, & had an opportunity in this place to indulge his propensities towards a rural life in pleasing affluence & with the greatest affections of his charge. In seeing him & observing his simplicity of manners & good information, & good taste, & usefulness, it was impossible not to think of the parish vicar of Rousseau in the happiness of his charge without one idea of his insincerity & political conformi- ty. He had a predecessor who tarried only a few years, & then retired. He mentioned that his Brother Payson of Chelsea who preached his Ordination sermon in 1782, recollecting that he had been in these parts in the character of an Indian hunter from the observations on the Hill above the Meeting House, which is the highest land in the Town & the Pond below, determined the spot of the Meeting House must have been the same in which he lodged in his blauket in the woods not 30 years before. The charge & the occasions excited an agreable surprise, & some happy reflections on the occasion. There are thirteen ponds in this Town, some of which empty into the Connecticut, & some into the Merrimack. We were informed that from a pond near the Road the well known river Contoocook originates. Mr. Payson was of the opinion we did not pass it on our road. The Contoocook passes from the pond in Rindge to the Pond in Jeffry & then the stream enlarges in the edge of Jeffry & passes till it empties into the Merrimack above Concord. Had a pleasing interview with Mr. Payson & saw at his house Revd Cushing from Asburnham. They intend for an Asso- ciation Meeting on Wednesday at Fitz-William. This association professes to be free from the peculiarities of the Hopkinsians & are of that class of Calvinists who make their opinions consistent with the quiet of their tempers & characters. At Gardner's we found good entertainment & a woman of very agreable manners. The house is finished handsomely but in no uniform style. There is something much above what we have yet found. We drank Tea with Mrs. Payson & found in her all 1793] AVILLTAM BENTLEY, D. D. 45 the qualifications for the useful character she has to sustain. She has some deafness which threatens to become an infirmity. Our Children amused themselves in collecting blackberries with which we were regaled, & Avhich abound in the place & we found a species of the double spruce, which was brewed into a very agreable beer. Mr. Gardner has a store opposite to his house & has frames for shops, & convenient apartments adjoining to his barn above 200 feet in length. After our Carriage was repaired, tho' by an unsuit- able workman, for it has suffered much in the last stage, after breakfast the next day, at seven we left for Malborough, marked in Holland's Survey, Oxford. We had the Grand Menadnock in full view, as we had the Wachuset from Gardner's in the south, at 15 miles distance. The line between Jeffry & Dublin runs over the top of this mountain which erects its sublime head & with its bald pate mounts into the Clouds. Mr. AVinthrop attempted to ascertain its height in 1780 & brought his barometer, &c. for the jmrpose, but it was broken in ascending, & we ha.ve his opinion only for the height of nearly 3/4 of a mile from the level of the sea. On this occasion several gentlemen ascended, it being at the ordination of Mr. Sprague, who is one of the examples of a mans being indulged in his wishes, without qualifications & of the power of wealth to support an entire insignificancy of character. We were near the G. Menadnock in the whole of this stage. Its first appearance as viewed from the South east on the road to Jeffry was near by. We promised ourselves a better road as we were much disappointed for the first five miles & till we reached a tavern in Jeffrey eight miles But we had very long & rough hills to descend which obliged us to walk the greater part of the way, and even in the hollows the naked pines laid across added to the disagreable circumstances of our journey. At length when in full view of our next place to stop at, in Malborough at another Trader's 1/2 mile beyond the Meeting H. we snapped off the stud of our spring, which had been most miser- ably repaired by the clumsy smith in Eindge & were obliged to fin- ish the stage on foot. These Traders have been very successful in our Country Towns, & are commonly young enterprising sons of Farmers, who having a small patrimony, by a few years of persever- ance are commonly able to acquire very easy fortunes. Their wealth in itself inconsiderable, is comparatively great, & they com- monly exhibit it in their large painted Houses, in the Center of Towns, which are contrasts to every other part of the Roads. We had a view of some good oaks just before we reached the middle of Malborough which was a pleasing relief amidst the pines, & the rude appearance of perishing trees, fields covered with stumps or yielding an ordinary crop of corn. 7 miles from the Tavern at Jeffry brought us to Sweetzer's at Malborough. The Meeting House at Jeffry was four miles east of the Tavern. As we were preparing to leave INEalborough we found a large company of males 46 DIAKY OF [Aug. & females riding towards Dublin & found that they were to be present at the raising of some frame for the house of a good farmer. We soon saw the intended minister & a veteran farmer following in the same rout. There must have been a great assembly on the occasion & this is a well known opportunity to unite the assistance of the neighbour & townsman with the social enjoyments & merri- ment of rural life. At Malborough we parted from an honest Ver- mont yeoman who had been in pursuit of a stolen horse, who had greatly endeared himself to us. His name was Bigelow. He ob- served at Eindge our misfortunes & our solicitude on account of the badness of the roads before us & finding us strangers he kindly tar- ried & gave us his company through the worst passes of the road discovering a generous freedom from that mercenary temper too conspicuous among the virtues of our N. Eng. adventurers. Our carriage having been sent on a mile for repairs we descended a long hill of the whole extent on foot & had an extensive & delightful prospect. The whole country below us seemed divided into little hills, covered with pines, & beautifully distinct in our view. We soon joined on our right in better road than he had hitherto found, the northern branch of the Ashavellot, saw two branches unite & passed them on a very poor bridge just before we reached Keene. This river joined above by its principal branches pursues its course through Swanzey, Winchester, & Hinsdale, into the Connecticut., Upon entering the Street of Keene we were agreably relieved from the inhospitable appearance of the Houses in the farms by the ap- pearance of Trade, & prosperity. The Meeting House is new, its paint does not recommend it, & its steeple is too small, & the spire in the old fashion. As may be seen in the Connecticut river, some errors about electrical rods have induced them to support them without the vane which gives them an awkward, as well as unphil- osophical appearance. The House appears better within than without. There is a Tub Pulpit supported much in the fashion of our common pulpits excepting its stand upon a post below attached to the balustrade behind. There are many long seats in the body of the house. It is well arched. The old meeting, standing a Httle back on the right of the new meeting, has been given to the County for a Court House. It is in a most neglected condition. Several of the best houses seem to be occupied as Taverns. There are sev- eral gentlemen of the Law in the Street & several variety stores. The street is wide, but no uniformity of buildings & from the posi- tion of the meeting house, & the road running west, the whole has a scattered appearance. We stopped at Richardson's near the M. House after a ride of six miles. Revd. Fiske of Wilton & Liver- more with Mr. Hale of the Town gave us their company in the evening. At 6 in the morning we set out from Richardson's in Keene for Walpole 14 miles. At this house we saw the spring which runs 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 47 under the Street & for a small expense is led to the respective houses & furnishes already water for his troughs, & is intended for every domestic use. The convenience is hardly imagined till it is seen. Our road lay through a corner of Westmoreland & Surrey & after 2 1/2 miles Ave took the left hand road, to pass through Walpole Street, the other road leading through the upper parts of the Town. "We found the road such that in comparison with the past we might pronounce it good, excepting the long hills, frequently above a mile in the ascent only & with some steep descents. We hrst descry the ^Meeting House over a Hill with a crown top at 2 miles distance in the road, but not more than half that in direct distance. We descended a remarkable hill before our entrance upon the Street. The INIeeting House to be central, when lately rebuilt was removed half a mile on this side of the street, is well painted, & has a spire. The appearance of the street is much in juried from the hill as we approach from the winding path in which we enter it under the Hill. As we entered, we saw for the first time the Connecticut, & the in- tervals afford a very pleasent view with Westminster in Vermont just rising from the opposite banks & with a spire in a group of painted houses. The land appeared good & well cultivated, & for the first time the farmers appear with two stories upon their houses without the street. The land presents a very hilly appearance towards Vermont on the opposite side of the river. On this road I met my class mate Crosby from Charlestown in which he lived. The attachment which had been so sincere in this relation gave me fresh joy, & compensated for the difficulties through which we passed. When I arrived I found my first attention drawn to my classmate Sparhawk who lived at Walpole with great reputation as a physician & is an example of the great disappointments we often receive in the abilities, applications & success of young Gentlemen at the University. He was absent on business. I could only leave my name. He remains in unmarried life, possessed a new & handsome square house on the Street, which is conspicuous in this pleasing situation. Walpole like Keene is surrounded by high Land, & protected from the violence of winter. The minister named Fes- senden, in a Sermon preached this year at Charlestown on the death of their Minister set. 60 & in the 33d of his ministry, says that he was the eldest minister in the county & that as yet only one had died in the ministry, Mr. Wheaton of Claremont, & till now no one had deceased among his people. After a late breakfast at Munn's we set out for Charlestown, 12 miles & in the first part of the road had some of the Walpole hills which soon gave place to the sandy plains in the neighbourhood of the Connecticut. We passed between Great Falls Mountain, over the river which empties at its foot, & the Connecticut, & observed on the left as we were leaving this pass the rough rocks which here obstruct that river, & lay across its course. They continue at 48 DIARY OF [Aug. some distance & over them is a Bridge with a gate on the opposite side. The arrangement of our stage so as to bring us into this sit- uation at bui'ning noon prevented that particular attention which the cascades & rushing waters demanded even in the present re- duced state of the Kiver. We had scarcely passed the gates of the Intervals before we were alarmed by the loss of a linch-pin from one of the fore wheels which we discovered timely enough to pre- vent the upsetting of the coach. The farmhouses here are much improved & we indulged ourselves in frequent stops on the road on account of the heat, which gave us opportunity for more particular observations. We saw one field of hemp in a very flourishing con- dition, which they were cutting. We passed several tan yards which seemed to be long in the business. We found Charlestown in appearance better than Keene or Walpole. The Houses are bet- ter than at Keene & not so much the air of an entirely new Town as Walpole. The Buildings of two Stories are less confined here to the Street & are not all belonging to the present generation. The Meeting House has as good proportions as any of them, & a much better spire, with a lantern upon the Dome, with a Bell, & public Clock with pointers, & seems to have been the predecessor of all these buildings, & tho' a fruit of more early zeal not refusing a competition. The Gaol here has much the resemblance of the old Meeting Houses, & it was at first a conjecture that as at Keene they had con- verted one into a Court House. Here economy had formed a gaol that nothing might be lost. We walked down to the Great Landing after dining at Williard's & saw the Connecticut rolling quietly along. We observed a great number of the birds, called here night hawks, playing in the air. The number was said to be unusual. There is a pointer in the Road to direct the passenger to the right in the way to Dartmouth College. We tarried & drank tea at Wil- lard's & lodged. We rose in the morning & passed to Claremont. W^e soon dis- covered the traces of the History of New England. In the Charter Government of New Hampshire, great pains were taken in the grants to make provision for the English Church, & in consequence of it the Congregationalists had great difficulties as maybe known by the late attempts to revive the Controversy by one Ogden of Portsmouth. We found an English Church in this place which was early introduced & which was under the care of one Cossart, who left soon after the peace from the loss of his support from the society for prop : the Gospel, which was withdrawn from all the churches within the jurisdiction of the United States. He retired to Cape Breton within the Brit- ish dominions. The people did not fail to try for a support of a Minister within themselves but without success & as the parish is nearly divided the whole remain destitute & sufferers. We entered this place after passing the woods, mounting the Hill 7 1/2 miles. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 49 The Church in view is back of the road. The Meeting house three miles back is not in sight. We passed some heavy hills. In this Town we passed the Sugar, a river which has a very considerable stream & whicli is so named, say the Inhabitants, from the maple trees, which abound most in this place. We here rode through tlie best cultivated part of the country & after 5 miles we passed into Cornish. We found the meeting house near the ferry, not finished & without a minister, occasionally sup- plied from the other side of the river. We passed the River & entered Windsor, from which a county is named in Vermont, & in which the Constitution of this state was accepted in July last. We here found the greatest appearance of a busy town & at Conant's found a Hall for their Assemblies. We found no meeting House. The people are divided in their religious opinions. The populace adhere to Mr. Bell who was lately dismissed from Almsbury on the Merrimac & the rest to Mr. Shuttlesworth. The last assemble in the Court house & the first in a School house as we enter the Street, both on the left hand. The Court House above Conant's has a modern win- dow in it towards the street. Shuttlesworth's society has taken the title of the Catholic Society. Mr. Bell occasionally ofiiciates at Cornish. Here as everywhere else Truth seems not to command respect, as superstition. Tho' this place has the least regularity of all the Towns in which the houses are collected in a neighbourhood, yet the mechanic arts seem more flourishing & employment more sure. Many new buildings are preparing & the ornamental parts all attended to with distinguished regard. There is a printing press in this Town in which much of the paper Currency was emit- ted & in which they have printed the Constitution. The buildings are in all that variety which a busy Town in various success would appear from the convenience of the inhabitants. They are inter- mixed. Printing Presses are at Keene, Walpole, Windsor, but we see the advantage of an alliance with Thomas of Worcester in the Walpole Gazette. There is the greatest appearance of business in the County Trade at Keene. Great exertions have been made to in- troduce Town & circulating Libraries. I found Mr. Payson had laid the foundation of a social Library even in Rindge, & the Collection was more judicious in every branch than in divinity. We visited Shuttlesworth & found his wife the agreable sister of Fisher Ames, Senator of Congress. We left Windsor, full of expectation in re- gard to the road, & soon passed a company repairing a dangerous hill, & passed on to Hartland. The Meeting House is 2 miles above the River road, & some new arrangements had taken place in that road. A new Church upon a Glebe of 300 acres with a Manse was building. It is said Mr. Ogden is to officiate depending on the Glebe, & such hearers as he can gain from the neighboring towns. We have seen the success often enough. This Church is in a Cor- ner of Hartland near the River. We went above & crossed the 50 DIARY OF [Aug. river at Baldwin's ferry, about 9 miles above Windsor, & 9 miles from College. We were deceived in the road & found it very uneven till we reached the Dartmouth College. W^hen we arrived it was too late to make any observations. We were received at Gen. Brewster's Tavern, at the Corner entering upon College Square. Here we found a full house, & I experienced the inconvenience of being lodged in a room with Strangers. But as we had walked much in passing through Plainfield & Lebanon since we crossed the river we retired with as little satisfaction as on any part of the jour- ney. In Lebanon we passed a pleasant group of houses. We found our house of entertainment decorated with the Arms of Lord Dart- mouth after whom the College is named. Arose in the morning and attended prayers with a Cambridge & Dartmouth Graduate. The Chapel is improved for Sunday wor- ship as well as this purpose & stands near the College projecting between the President's house & the College. The conversation is respecting the building of a meeting house when it is to be hoped that the Chapel may be better accomodated to the Students. The Chapel was built in the present form by the expence in part of the neighboring inhabitants, who are to be paid whenever a new Meet- ing house is begun. The President prayed this morning. He was short in the exercises and had a low voice. After prayers we passed through the New College, which has entries at right angles & twelve apartments on the floor. We rose the three stories & viewed from the Belfrey the adjacent houses, for there was no dis- tant country to be seen. The roughness of a wild country appeared every where. A more particular discription of the College & its vicinity I leave for my return. After breakfast I saw Professor Smith who officiates in the pulpit. He has not an agreeable person, but a good character. I was introduced to the President by Major Saunders who received us with great courteousness & with his characteristic hospitality. We spent a few minutes & retired, at this busy season of preparation. Mr. Smith will shew me the public Library, Apparatus, &c. at my return. We left the College & passed through Lime. Stopped at Wilson's in Lime to dine at nine miles from the College & after dinner reached Morey's farm, purchased by Capt. Joseph Pratt, to whom our visit was in- tended, at three o'clock Saturday, August 24. Orford was settled about 28 years ago. Capt. Mann was with us, who informed that he was the second person who entered, one Cross was here before him. There were five families thafc season. They entered by marked trees, & for seven years there was no road for any carriage whatever. At the Census last there were 540 souls, & are now 120 families. About five years ago they settled a Mr. Sawyer whose parents had moved into the settlement. No Indians have been seen in the settlement from the beginning. Some do ap- pear at the Colleges of whom Capt. Pratt purchased a Birch milk- 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. D. 61 pan. The bottom is square & sewed to four pieces of the bark which are formed so as to appear round when the bottom of the pan is covered. I saw on Sunday morning for the first time a Hedge hog, which was then bleeding. Its quills resembled the porcu- pine except in size. I preached with them under the frame of their meeting house which is not provided for galleries & has a Tixrret at the South end. About one hundred only attended as the minister had notified his absence to preach on the other side of the river & there was preaching on the opposite side by a Mr, Gould & on the edge of Lime by Mr. Lyon. Spent the evening at Capt. Pratt's with Capt. Mann & some of the inhabitants. On jNIonday morning we travelled one mile 1/2 from Capt Pratt's to see the Quarry of soft stone called by Eelnap improperly the Soap stone. We saved several pieces & brought several inkstands formed of it. It is of a light colour mixed with blue in the quarry but has a dirty colour when oiled. We visited the Mills. There are five in the Township for grists, for saws, fulling & for iron, which is of an inferior qual- ity. An Indian path was visible through the town from the N. W. cor- ner towards Merimack & the canoes, men & prisoners were marked on trees so as to record the events on the spot. Piles of clamshells were found in several places. The bones of several of Rogers' men were found & by a stone kettle they first were led to discover the nature of that curious stone they have now at hand to work into hearths, mantles, jambs, & every familiar use. In the afternoon we visited Mr. Sawyer, & saw Mr. Smith at his house. The last is settled in Haverhill, & has been the cause of a contention trifling in its cause, but of probably evil consequences. It began at cen- sures requested of a Rev. Mr. Lambert of Newbury upon two men for refusing ministeral taxes, & for leaving the goal after having been taken when purposely left open for their escape. Spring, Merrill, & Dutch are of the ex parte Council. Mr. Fiske was with us in the evening. Mr. Ogden just returned from Canada makes his usual pompous appearance in the Hanover Centinel, full of that self importance, which characterises this vain & weak man. He probably will do much mischief in this country. Col. Simpson is an agreeable man & Gen. Morey has all the marks of a temperate & industrious man. We visited Capt. Mann, a most lovely char- acter & a Mr. Phelps, a leading & popular character. On Tuesday it was our first design to have returned to the Col- lege but not being able to provide accomodations, & a night's quiet we preferred our present situation, & to forgo the exhibitions of this day, as we had those of yesterday. After breakfast we crossed the river into Vermont, into the town of Fairlee & passed 2 miles through the woods to Gen. Morey's. He conducted us to a hill from which we had a fine view of his meadows, & his mills. He has turned the injury from rain by producing gullies inthe road 52 DIARY OP [Aug. to a lesson of instruction, by conducting water to the edge of preci- pices & so forcing the land down to make his causeway & save la- bour. We returned to dine & after dinner crossed again to Free- man's who keeps the ferry & regaled ourselves with his water mel- ons. We were here at the foot of Mount Conny, which is continu- ally dropping part of its precipices below. Ice has been at the spring in July. We returned & prepared to rise early for Com- mencement. We had every attention from Eevd. Mr. Sawyer on the road & reached the Colleges before ten. Soon after our arri- val the bell gave notice of the procession. My companions quar- tered themselves upon their acquaintance & visited the President's house from which the procession moved. The doors were open to all, who pleased to enter, liquors were prepared, & the President entered occasionally to pay his respects to the company. The pro- cession was round the square, into the Chapel. The windows were taken down to accomodate the crowd without. The order was of Batchelors & masters, the president preceded by an officer who on this occasion was the Printer & Master of Moor's School, with a white staff, the Trustees & Governors, & beyond them there was no arrangement. They who seemed to be first were not so. After a short prayer by the President, the Batchelors began their exercises in the following order. Latin oration on the fine arts, with a sal- utory address. Then there was a syllogistic disputation on the use of Luxury, urged by population, agriculture, arts & political cultivation upon which the President determined Luxuris qua requitiam promovet per nicisia est. The Forensic war upon the useful, whether determined by intuition, experience & reason. Upon which the president decided we learn by experience, & compare, & comparing our reason. We then had a dialogue upon the benefit of conquests to mankind. We then had the trial of Louis XVI. which was a farce being destitute of all expression. A Greek dialogue concluded the morning service, & we adjourned to dinner. The Hall is in the end of a long building at the right of the College, above which is a low building with wings joined by a Piazza, for- merly appropriated to the entertainment of the students, & in part kept at present for the same purpose. The Moor's School, ovw which is the Printing Office, is at the Upper corner of the Square on the line of the river, & is a two Story School House. The President's House is on the left of the College & is a plain Build- ing with a Crown Roof upon the second story, standing length on the square & having a large yard, & agreable ascent before it. The Chapel on a line with the president's yard, & in front of an opening between his house & the College, hinders afviU view of the College except in the full front, & has no exterior appearance to de- note its designation. It is not glazed in the second range of win- dows & is not high enough to admit galleries. The arching pre- vents the second range of windows within. The College itself is 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 63 not disagreable & of fine elevation. As we approach we find it a very unfinished building. The stairs are in the cross entry. The long entr}^ is dark & the building in an unfinished state. The gal- leries & Balustrades on the Cupola give it a Heavy appearance. Behind even the Yard is in a rough state. In the Hall about one hundred Gentlemen principally of the Clergy dined, with the Pres- ident, Governors, & Trustees. There was room for a still greater number. The Grace was offered to strangers, & performed by aged Clergymen. No Toasts were drank by the whole Company. Wines & other Liquors were prepared & the Dinner was served up with good order & good attendance. The whole company retired upon the returning of thanks without a single ceremony & in a few min- utes, the Bell gave notice of the evening service. A wish to ac- comodate myself & friends & to avoid the confusion of the rabble, obliged a proposal to take lodgings at some distance from the Col- lege. We had invitations to the Assembly of Ladies in the eve- ning. We continued our way from House to House, but could not obtain any lodgings till we were below the ferry on the east side of the river in Plainfield, ten miles below the Colleges. Here we saw the Church, found our Landlord one of the four to erect it, & to patronize Mr. Ogden, respecting whom I could not refuse to drop a few hints for the Gazette at Hanover, in which he made so pom- pous a figure last week, corresponding much to his ostentatioiis appearance at Commencement. The ejecting of the minister at Plainfield, the discontent at Hartland, speak loudly the consequences of his measures in this Country, all of which have reference to the glebes in this government found in the old charter, & guaranteed by the Society for propogating the Gospel in foreign parts. The or- ders of this Society, & the various opinions of the people will be causes of most odious contentions. I hope from this stage to be free from the painful recollection of ecclesiatical disputes, & soon to enter upon the old establishment of puritanical simplicity & sin- cerity. As we had ridden a mile below the first ferry to Hartland & Windsor, which we crossed going up, we concluded to continue our route on the east side, & very soon discovered the long hill, which induces travellers to pass the river, & go through the pleas- ent town of Windsor. W^e continued on & passed the first ferry & stopped at Cornish at Chase's where we made our breakfast. Here I begun those disagreable hours which disqualify for all enjoyment & riding in the extreme heat of the day. We reached Charlestown about two in the afternoon. Here I took a little milk, was obliged to explain myself to the Company & passed, &c. Mr Hedge the Preceptor of the Charlestown Academy, conducted me to the build- ing, which stands on the plain back of the Street & is a neat Build- ing, with an entry passing through the middle, & the two rooms be- low are appropriated the one to the learned Languages, the other to the reading, writing & studying english, arithmetic, &c. The second 54 DIARY OF [Aug. story, well arched, is one spatious Hall, used for dancing, fencing & for the Academic exhibitions. There was a favourite youth in the Grammar School, a natural child, fitted for the University & to be assisted by charity. He submitted to an examination & ac- quitted himself with approbation. The youth in the english school performed their exercises while I was present & deserved commen- dation. Males & females are admitted, & the number amounts to eighty of both sexes. The Academy is incorporated, but supported by the Tuition. Happy sight this in a country but lately redeemed from the Avilderness. I found a M. St. Pol who exhibited with Placide at Salem, the Dancing Master, Fencing Master, & Teacher of the French Language. His deportment has been decent at this place. Alexander's English Grammar is used here, of which a copy was presented by the master. Mr. Hedge was one of my pupils in the University of Cambridge. We left Charlestown & on the road determined to return by Springfield in Massachusetts. After eight miles in our former road, we passed into Vermont over a Toll Bridge, at the Great Falls at the foot of the Mountain & entered Rockingham. We were embarrassed at first by the lower road, as a new one has been opened above & after three miles we arrived at Spooner's a new Tavern, two miles above the Meeting House. Here we were kindly entertained for the night, had a sight of the Ver- mont Laws published by authority in 1791 in 8vo. & were present- ed a copy of one of the Court Sessions. We rose in the morning & breakfasted and then passed through Westminster. The street is far from giving us the same agreable appearance, as when viewed from Walpole Meeting House hill. There is a Court House here, but the Courts have been removed. This is the County of Windham, one of the Covmties which lays up- on the Connecticut. Windsor is next above, & then Orange. On the other side of the State are the Counties of Bennington, Rutland, Addison & Chittenden reckoning upwards. They intend the divi- sion into a greater number of Counties, but have not yet accom- plished it. The Meeting House is well painted & has a spire. We mounted several hills in our road to Putney, & had a pleasing view of the Meeting House & high land in Westmoreland, a Town which upon the Census had the greatest number of inhabitants in the Coun- ty to which it belongs. The view was romantic. We stopped a few minutes at Goodwin's having ridden 10 1/2 miles & then put in for Brattleborough, through the lower part of Pelham, alias Dummers- town. The road of good bottom & in good repair but very hilly. After 9 1/2 miles we reached Dickerson's. We passed West river in Brattleborougli soon after our entry into the Town over the new Bridge, erected by a Lottery, about four years since. It cost about 680£. The bed of the River was wide & covered with a broad rip- ling sheet of water, & fordable with ease, except in the time of the freshets. The prospect around is more beautiful. We saw the hills 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 55 in Chesterfield on the opposite side of the River topped with Clouds, that move gently along, after the rain which kindly showered upon us hist night. We tarried at Dickersou's to dine and had a good dinner. After dinner we left for Alvord's in Bernardston & having passed a mile on Ave found anew road leading to the right through Guildford, rather than Hinsdale & which was said to deserve a preference. From the junction on the top of the hill, we beheld below us, at about 1/2 miles distance the well known spot, where stood Fort Dummer, which I visited above 12 years ago in winter. Willard who then lived there is dead, & the spot is occupied by Esqr Chandler, At my first visit, some of the work of the old fort re- mained, but now the whole is gone & a small farm house takes the gi'ound. Our road was here hilly, woody, narrow & in the low grounds swampy, and the houses in Guildford on this road were miserable. We passed the Massachusetts line about a mile before we reached the house in Bernardston to which we were directed. It was a new & imfinished house & the stage was the worst we had made upon our return. Besides the prospect of the Country which was poor, the accomodations were mean. We were in rooms with- out partitions, without clean linen, & without the knowledge of the persons who slept near us. I lodged upon the bed, in no sense in it. After breakfast we passed towards Greenfield, & observed on our left a new Meeting House belonging to Bernardston, painted of a light colour, & very agreable as a distant object. From Bernardston we passed near Greenfield Meeting House which is in a neglected state, & two miles from the streets which are quite on the southerly quarter of the Town. This neglect is formed on a dispositon to divide the Town into two Parishes, the N. House being central, but at an uncommon distance from many of the inhabitants. Green- field streets are much changed for the better, since my former vis- its. There is a printing press in the Town, & a weekly Gazette. There were several large shops of goods, & the appearance of in- creasing prosperity. In 10 1/2 miles we reached the Streets & passed over the best road taken together in the whole journey. It was level , hard bottom, being almost all the way a quarry of slate. Within the distance of a mile & 1/2 of Deertield M. House, we passed the River Deerfield, & then entered upon a highly cultivated spot, till we entered the street. The condition of this town is little changed. In the street are some of the richest Land holders in New England. The Meeting House is now painting. There is a public Clock, a lantern upon the Dome, & a fine appearance of the private buildings. Here I was obliged to stop & remember my for- mer acquaintance. Mr. Hoit at the Tavern waited upon me to vis- it Mr. Stebbins, aet. 74, with whom I once boarded. He is the rich- est farmer in Hampshire County & l)egan by his industry in Shoe- making, Tanning, &c. I visited the Houses of Messieurs Dickenson, &c. but found almost all the men absent in the meadows. foun 56 DIARY OF [Aug. Deacon Armes, Esqr Sexton, Esqr AVilliams, Col. Stebbins, &c. We were not 13 miles from Alvord's, Bernardston. We then rode on 9 miles to Smith's, Whately. We passed through the Deerfield mead- ows in high cultivation, with Wapping on our left towards the mountains. We passed Bloody brook & the monument erected to the memory of the men, who perished by the strategems of the In- dians, in an early period of American history. At Hoit's we saw the house which alone escaped the flames when Deerfield was taken, & the door of which is preserved as a specimen of their attack upon it. We did not see the monument from mistaking the side of the Eoad on which it was erected. At Deerfield they settled a Mr. Tay- lor 4 years ago last Feb. We saw in this place the red stone taken from the bank near the Town, which is cut into steps, & for uses in building. As we passed, a road went to the right towards Conway & soon after another to the left to Sunderland ferry. Conway is one of the examples of remarkable population. Mr. Emerson their minister assured me that when he settled it was small, at ray visit 12 years since. It has continued its increase & now is in competi- tion in numbers with Northhampton itself. It is a great grazing country and is known for its fine breed of Horses. At Smith's we dined indifferently & paid dearly & then left for Hatfield, 5 miles. We saw Toby on the opposite side of the Eiver & the Sugar Loaf near us & entered Hatfield, whose M. House is benefitted by chang- ing a red paint for a more ornamental. On all the road we saw Amherst Xew Meeting House with a spire & glanced at Sunderland through the trees, having also a view of Hadley below us. We con- tinued 5 miles further & reached Northhampton. This Town exhib- its a good M. H., just below a neat Court House with a Cupola, & below that an Academy. We stopped a moment at Lyman's & be- ing determined to spend Sunday in Springfield we hurried on five miles further passing a part of East Hampton to another Lyman's. On the hill 3 miles from the Town we beheld the Steeples of N. Hampton, Hatfield, Hadley, & Amherst in full view. After having ridden two miles through the intervals & very close to the bank of the Connecticut, which was in the greatest calm winding its course slowly along. We passed a Bridge soon after we left the Meeting House, as we did at Hatfield, & received no small assistance from the painted directions placed at the parting of the Roads. At North- hampton we found a Printing Press & weekly Gazette & an account of the New College lately founded by an act of the Government in Williamston. They have adopted the plan of Yale College admit- ting an examination & studies in french instead of greek, whenever it should be preferred. Their first Commencement is to be on first Wedn : of Sep. 1795, and then annually. The College Building is prepared. Board at 6/ pr. week. We tarried & lodged at Lyman's & on Sunday morning rose early & breakfasted & set out for Springfield. Two miles on we came to 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 57 the bed of rocks, which make a bad & rough road, & passed the river forming the falls, over which we found a Lock, & Canal extending two miles & which with the help of the inclined plane over which a machine moved by water is to carry boats upon a descent of 50 feet. It was on the east side of the river, & the day would not al- low our examination of it. It is to be completed this fall. The dam is of wood, inclined like the similar constructions for miles over water falls, where there are freshets. The whole expence estimated at 40,000 dollars, & the expence of passage by Ton is fixed at 4/6. We passed through West Springfield, & crossed the ferry so as to be at East Springfield at the 2d bell for Morning Service at Parson's, 15 miles from Lyman's. We attended public worship. The con- gregation was large & respectable. Mr. Howard's Sermon adapted to the Communion which was celebrated this day. The whole front of the Gallery was filled with a respectable number of Gentlemen & Ladies, & the Music excellent tho' not pronounced their best performance by the people, the Choirester & bass viol be- ing absent. At the Communion the Church was full. The whole number exceeding 70 males & 150 females, most of whom were present. There were two prayers before & after the breaking of bread & distribution which formed the service. I dined with IVlr. Howard & his father in Law Mr. Williams & preached in the after- noon. Col. Dwight & my friends joined us at Tea at the Parson's & after Tea we walked to the Col's & to see several antiquities of the Town. The Chicabee enters after a course in Massachusetts in- to the Connecticut just above east Springfield street, & the Agawam on the west side below West Springfield M. House. The Agawam has a strong current & over powers the Connecticut passing its cur- rent to the opposite bank. It has repeatedly changed its bed, & logs have been found buried 20 feet below the surface in great abun- dance. We found here as in ail parts of this country springs con- ducted from the adjacent hills & in the Distillery of Col. Dwight he told us that he was supplied with water at the full altitude of all his tubs at 28 feet. We visited Pynchon's house, perhaps as old as any in the government. This eminent man built his house of brick & the red stone which is abundantly supplied in the country. It has a large porch in front, with two rooms. A long entry. The Chimnies above the roof are ornamented by as many diamond fig- ures as smoaks seated upon the square of the Whole with some smaller ornaments. The rooms are panelled, & the whole front from window to window is one continued seat. The Coving pro- jects 2 feet & the altitude of the rooms is good. Other buildings are now attached, but the old part with little repairs is yet in good order. This building alone escaped at the burning of Springfield. Before the House are two stately & aged elms, which have suffered by wind & lightning, but which yet make a venerable appearance. They must have been planted above 120 years. One of them at 8 68 DIARY OF [Sept. feet from the ground measures 22 1/2 feet round & the other 24 & the swell of the roots from the ground is 103 feet. A plum tree be- tween not resembling anything known in our country, is yet stand- ing at considerable height. Tarried all night at Parson's & in the morning set out from Springfield towards Boston, accompanied by Mr. Howard to the Arsenal 1/2 mile from the Town. We stopped here some time to survey the spot on which the noted Shays were attacked, & the buildings which contain the military stores of the Continent which are in this State. We found a Capt. Bryant at the Arsenal who lost an arm in the continental service. The Largest Building contained on the lower floor a variety of articles laid upon each side with great good order, such as Brass guns, Coehorns, mor- tars & the necessary apparatus. Above 4,000 stands of arms, prin- cipally french, all in good order, & happy arrangement made a more agreable figure. From the Arsenal we passed to the Gunnery where there was nearly the same arrangement & from thence to the Foundery. But as the furnace was not at work we had only an oppor- tunity to see their rough work, moulds, &c. They work only in brass. Barracks yet remain out of the great number which were built on this spot. We observed the place where Col. Sheppard stationed his regiment when he fired upon Shay's & the ground over which he so precipitately retreated. There is a general opinion of the true courage of this unhappy man, but not of his infoimation, or knowledge of his own party. We were informed at Deerfield that about 10 days before our arrival he was openly begging from house & after several days gained eleven dollars from such as had favored his party. After riding nine miles we descended a hill & crossed the Chicabee which we passed again & again till we left Brookfield Pond. Seven mile pond on our left had an appearance of a river. We saw another small pond on the same side & another on our right. We passed at 12 miles a long rough hill in Parmer, after passing a miserable Baptist Meeting House on our left in the Corner of Wil- braham, 13 miles from Springfield we stopped but could not be en- tertained at Greave's & proceded 1/2 mile to Esq"" Scott's where we were delayed to partake of a miserable dinner. We crossed the river into Western over Reed's rocky hill, & passed their shattered Meeting H. & after the whole ride of 28 miles for the day we stopped at Hitchcock's in Brookfield. Here we observed the new School house with a large belfry upon it. At the public House we could observe the manners of the Peasentry after meeting for pub- lic business. Many of them did not leave the Tavern till midnight & some not without assistance. They had hardly retired; before the stages began to move in opposite directions so that the motion was incessant through the whole night. We had good accomoda- tions. The road hitherto afforded no pleasant farms, & towards Springfield was the worst soil. We passed the West M. H. in 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 59 Brookfield to the Centre M. H, which has a spire, & saw several pleasent farms. We stopped in the edge of Spencer but found no accomodations, we tlien persevered to Leicester over the hills pas- sing a neat M. H. in Spencer. There is anew Meeting H. in Lei- cester & near it the Academy formed from the Building of Mr. Lopus, the Jew, who was the only one of reputation who lived in the enjoyment of his religion before the war in this state, & who perished by a singular accident, as he was passing towards Rhode Island, by falling into the River in the road from the sudden plunging of his horses. The Bviildings are much out of repair & made not that appearance which corresponds to their general char- acter in the Country. We found the Minister withdrawn from his labours by the gravel, a complaint under which he has not the usual share of pity from the habitual indolence of his life. We continued on to Worcester 21 miles from our departure at Brookfield. The fine walls on the farm, as well as the extensive prospects of Stickney's house in Leicester attracted attention as we passed. We entered Worcester but the Town was evidently not situated for a prospect or to engage a Traveller. We wind into it from the adjacent hills, and no metamorphosis can be greater than is observable here within a few years. The Meeting H. is elegantly repaired & painted. The Catholic Society have erected their House 7 miles below, a little back from the Town upon the turn of the road towards Boston. They have a Schoolhouse & a neat Building whose cupola is not yet finished which is held by proprietors & subscribers in the Town for the special advantages of education. Mr. Bangs of the Law & Mr. Bancroft of the Catholic Society accompanied us to view the Town. The Court House is a neat, small building on the left, of fine elevation. The Goal was the first specimen in our state of a strong stone building & it has been imitated with success & upon a larger scale at Concord, & the Master workman unhappily lost his life lately in erecting one at Amherst in N. Hampshire. This place has been the most remark- able for Criminal cases of all in the Bay. There is one now coufined for murder, another for Burglary & a female for Forgery. The murderer was tried several years ago for the murder of his father & acquitted upon the plea of mental debility from the benefactor, whom he has now murdered, Capt. Allen. We visited the Rooms, find four on the lower floor all of stone & convenient apartments in the third loft for debtors with the privileges of the yard, for whom a passage is provided over the fence that they might not pass the lower yard. We then visited the printing press of Mr. Thomas which is the largest employed in New England. We found in one apartment the press employed in an 8vo. ed. of the Bible. In an- other, a press upon Whitney's history of Worcester County & the whole apparatus in great variety. Here is the Best Book store. Of the Books a Catalogue was presented. They are chosen from the 60 DIARY OP [Sept. common demand & contain few curious or rare Books. We dined agreably at Barker's & left the Town after 3 o'clock, passed one Meeting H. in Shrewsbury on our left & left the other at some dis- tance from the road, at this season out of sight. We passed North- borough M, H. & Town & at dark arrived at William's in Marl- borough above the Meeting H. 30 miles from Boston. The mile Stones of the Conn. Red Stone were our constant company on the road from Springfield to Worcester, but were not regular afterwards. At this stay I had the entertainment of recollecting past scenes as I had tarried several weeks in this place in a public character. Our house was full & we were crowded together. At Shrewsbury we passed the residence of Gen. Ward, so well known in this State by the chief command at Cambridge till Gen. Wash:'s appointment. He has changed his fortune & his condition as little as any man, who has taken so active & distinguished a part in our revolution & perhaps our country may plead examples of this kind with as much justice as the Romans, & as easily refute the charges of mercenary & private ends. After we left Williams we came to Marlborough, a rich grazing town in which we found things in a state similar to that in Deer- field. They were generally rich, but no appearance of any great change since the revolution in our country. The house of the young minister, Mr. Packard, from a happy marriage, the principal advantage of the Clergy for wealth, was much distinguished from all other buildings, public & private. The Meeting House is neg- lected which commonly denotes some political or religious cause. In this Town, the want of a central situation & the hope of divi- ding the Town influence. We soon found here the complaints from want of rain justified. The whole country seemed parched, & we rode in clouds of dust, so as often not to distinguish each other in the Coach. Our expences too rose high. When we en- tered Sudbury we found improvements, more ornamental life than was observable before the revolution. We stopped to pay compli- ments to a worthy & wealthy minister in East Sudbury, after pas- sing the Causeway. We found the people had improved the dry season to clear their river near the bridge & to dike their meadows & with great advantage. We rode on 15 miles to Flagg's at Wes- ton where we dined. Here we found the Stage from Worcester, & the management & attention paid to them in Stage Inns. We had in the course of this stage passed six stage coaches & wagons. From Flagg's we passed to Waltham, which has derived great advan- tages from the late taste for improvement. The Houses were in better order & we saw rising on our right a splendid seat belonging to Gore. The right wing was not compleated but the whole formed a fine object. On the left & opposite hands as we went down, we saw the advantages derived from an agricultural society, which has induced Gentlemen of taste to attend to the extensive experiments [1793 WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 61 made to facilitate the management of the farm. The Barns had every advantage from the modern improvements. The History of our Towns is better known than at any former period from a sim- ilar institution. We passed on to Watertown, & found a greater market than at "Waltham for Cattle which this day seemed to throng in the whole road. We stopped to view the mills of various con- struction & for different uses in this place, but none of them were in use from the remarkable want of water. We continued into Cambridge, & as this was the day for the Dudleian Lecture, we ar- rived just before that Lecture was finished. The Subject this year was Popery, but all the attempts to bring this subject into view by the missionaries did not seem to have excited the curiosity of one man beyond the walls, & the trusts of the College. The Lecturer too, was a man whose feelings were as abhorent of controversy as any man's in the Government of the United States. Spent the evening with Judge Winthrop, & on the next day we visited the public rooms in the College. The conversation is revived from the number of students, respecting another building or Hall for the Students. Many were obliged to quit the benefits of the institu- tion, from the high expences of private families. We found the Library increasing & the Museum , which has long been an indiffer- ent one, of growing importance. The Orrery by Mr. Pope, the en- gravings, & the portraits of the Philosophy chamber engage atten- tion, & the Apparatus is pronounced the best in America, but has received least since the revolution. The Ofiices of the College are all filled, & the Tutors are quite young men, from the late invita- tions given to their predecessors for the ministry. We rode down to the Causeway of the new Bridge, but could not conveniently see the progress. It is to be passed this autumn. We passed from Cambridge through Medford. This Town has lost much of the eastern Travelling by the Maiden Bridge, which is over the mouth of its river, & depends on a few persons for its importance. The projected canal from the Merrimack through Billerica, W^ilming- ton, & Woburn into the head of this river, may prove no injury to it. We proceeded in the usual rout to Salem, & reached it about 5 P. M. on Thursday Sept. 4, 1793, after an absence of 18 days in which we rode 419 miles. 5. Foand my friend Capt. Patterson d3dng,& wishing to see me. I went instantly to his House, & continued with him all night. 6. In the morning I retired for a little rest, but returned, & re- mained with him till he expired at 3 o'clock P. M. after a most painful struggle. This Gentleman was entitled to every attention. He possessed good natural abilities, & the improvement of them to the full extent of his profession. He was upright, frank, just in his remarks, & able to give them the importance he wished on all occasions. Silent when others loved the conversation best, but 62 DIARY OP [Sept. ready, wlieu others wished him to reply. Entring easily into char- acters of men, & with great self command, when adapting himself" to them. He was faithful to every Trust. Most indulgent in every domestic relation, preserving equal spirits, & was an example- of entire resignation in death. 7. Recruiting after the journey, & the loss of my good friend C. Patterson. Was happy in finding no death in my absence, & gen- eral tranquility. 8. Sunday. Cap^ Patterson was buried this day, & his funeral attended by the Marine society in form, & by the usual concourse of Sunday evening. Notes. Lydia Smith, delivery, recovery from dangerous sickness, Husband & Brethern at Sea. 9. In the morning began a fine rain, which continued the whole day, and is the only refreshing rain which we have enjoyed for the whole season. A remarkable Pond in Northfields was left dry & the eels taken out of the place by hand. The water was never before known to have left this spot. The upper Cistern lately dug in this Town was entirely dry. The ponds on the common dry, & at Marblehead water was carted from the farms into Town & sold. 11. This day the part of the Estate of John White which lays near Derby's Wharf, was sold at public Auction. There were several bidders, & it sold in Lots at nearly double the appraise- ment. ]\F Derby purchased the eastern Store adjoining to his own Wharf at 290£, & Cap' Jo: White the western at 310£. The House on the opposite side of the way between Crowuinshield & Derby, Derby purchased at about 200£. 13. Brown on the Common is selling off his House & real es- tate in Town, to go to a farm he has purchased in Andover, One of your unaccountables. Brown's Store is contracted for at 500£ but at long payments. The rise of real estate is visible. 14. The Meeting House repaired in the clapboards of the Tower, & Weather board on the eves. A man, by name, Elisha Sylves- ter, Avith a recommendation from the Selectmen of Greene, came to borrow & beg Pamphlets, &c. for the use of the Town, &c. I gave him a load of Books useless to me, with a large collection of ser- mons, & tracts, a bushel full. He calls himself a School Master. Greene is in the district of Maine, & County of Lincoln. 15. Sunday. Notes. Mehitable Patterson, d. of her husband & son at Sea, with her Mother, D. in Law, & children. Robert Smith & wife, d. of his Brother Patterson. Hannah Malcom, d. of a G. Child in district of Maine, & husband & sons at Sea. Robert Voorhoes & wife, d. of their child. Evening service changed to the old time of 2 o'clock, 16. The inhabitants bounding upon the Common, are inclosing the land leading towards the neck, leaving only a 50 feet way. Briggs has contracted for Brown's house on the Common and the out buildings & land adjoining at 420£. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 63 19. The great Ship* is at the first pier lately built, for repairs & for another voyage. 20. The affairs of the Hospital have again fallen into the hands of a committee, & some threats of an incorporation of the proprie- tors are issued. The Cistern at the corner of the Common is about 14 feet. & no thought of going deeper. Opinions differ about it. 21. AVe begin seriously to think of an Indian War, as the States will not agree to relinquish their Ohio Lands. 22. Sunday. Margaret Allen, d. of her sister in Carolina, Hus- band & Sons at Sea. 23. Saw letters in Answer to D^ Logan's last letters from his Wife. The first are in answer to the high spirits of the Doctors, & the last to his solitary & dejected hours. In the first he recommends in the strongest terms the friendship he had received, in the last it seems complains that he was much alone. I am sorry that an ab- sence of three days justifies the charge, but had I imagined that I had not opened a large acquaintance for the Doctor, I would not have suffered it. We should not leave for others what we can do by ourselves. This evening the Town Cryer sounded the alarm that a Vessel had arrived in Xantasket road, & that the Sailors had at- tempted a landing. This was a most indiscreet communication. 25. We had our military review this day. The Eegiment under arms in companies, & in the afternoon together on the Common. This is a preparation for the intended Brigade Muster in Danvers on the ninth of next month. Xo entertainment. A Gazette is es- tablished in Haverhill in this County, on Merrimack. 26. In consequence of the Fasts in New York & Boston, I pro- posed a similar observance in this Town.t The Selectmen were un- able to act, & were advised to address the Clergy for an opinion. As in a former instance they complained of neglect, on this occa- sion it might be seen how they would act in concert. The result was that Boston & 2s ew York were found to be capitals of the re- spective states, but that we who carried on a large share of the Phil- adelphia Trade must omit the usual ceremonies, till either Govern- ment warned a Fast, or the danger became more eminent. The point deserving attention is. not the want of superstition enough to do any thing, but the little interests which prevent acting together. Hereafter a man may hold himself free to act his own will. The fast in Boston is on the present day. This evening the Widow Ran- dolph t was married to M' S. Very, after several addresses which have been made to her, quite unworthy of her, 28. The assassination of Marat by a Female, & her intrepid con- duct excites the public attention, with different opinions. Our news from Philadelphia is not very encouraging, but it yet continues to •The Ship Grand Turk? tOn accoant of yellow feTcr then raging in PhiladelpbiA. (Ran tool. 64 DIARY OF [Oct. be without particulars. The Physicians are not agreed about the manner of treating the fever. 29. Sunday. The influenza about, & many complaining. No Notes in our assembly, & the general appearances of health. This day compleats the tenth year of my ministry, & furnished the sub- ject for the day. 30. Military Company at Beverley under arms. Mr. Herrick with me, who has begun to preach. Oct. 3. [1793] This day Bates' House was sold by public vendue to Mosely* for 370£. A very general cold among the people to which I also am subject. It assumes the modern name " influenza," but is nothing new in the thing. 4. The Clergy of this Town have had a meeting to reconsider their former resolve relative to a fast, & have appointed as their fast on the present alarming state of Philadelphia, Sunday afternoon after dinner, as most agreing with the established modes of worship. I am notified of the matter, being at too great distance to have been consvilted. 5. Had the first fire in the study yesterday evening from the state of the influenza, which seized me with a sudden shaking, a cough which affected the head. I took sagef before I entered the warm bed, & was relieved, so as not to be confined one day. 6. Sunday. Notes. Edw : Gibaut & Wife, her dangerously sick & only son absent. Lydia Masury, delivery & husband at Sea. Benj^ Webb & Wife, delivery & brethren at Sea. This afternoon agreably to a notification a discourse was delivered on the subject of the distressing sickness at Philadelphia. 7. M'' Freeman has published his remarks upon Morse's Univ. Geog. which expose that Geographer so fully to the world, as to lay his geographising abilities under suspicion, & perhaps they in future will be in little demand. The influenza is about among the people. Few escape. Everywhere the people are coughing & com- plaining. The Small Pox has broken out in Newbury, & in the Port seven persons were under it last Saturday. The Alarm from Philadelphia makes us forget this once terrible calamity. 8. Extract from a Letter to Rev"^ J. Clarke from Hon. T. Pickering of Philadelphia, dated Oct. 1. "Nothing is more difficult than to discribe the present state of the city. A few days of cold weather seemed to check the disor- der, & on the return of warm weather, the deaths are again multi- plied. Probably, in the whole, full 15,000 have died." He repre- sented that there has been want of proper attendance, & fatally er- roneous treatment by the Physicians. Stephen & Kuhn pronounced it a disease of debility & putrefaction. Rush, since the weather has grown cool, has found it necessary to bleed before he gave his *Capt. Josevih Moscley, tSage tea. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 65 purge of calomel & Jalap. The regimen recommended to the well, is uncommon temperance not incurring debility. " We eat," says he, " largely of bread, & vegetables, little or no butter, but molasses & honey instead of it. Tea, coffee, & chocolate, barley soup, & very little meat, no wiue, but porter much diluted with water." Keep the body gently open. Castor Oil, found most convenient taken about once a week. "The exercise of fresh air of the country I have found uniformly as beneficial, as grateful." He recommends for the special benefit of the poor to have discreet persons appoint- ed to visit in every ward. Of himself, temperate diet, & gentle purging were sufficient to remove what he supposed his symptoms." This day in Boston is to be signalized by the first appearance of a regiment of Militia in a uniform. We expect to hear great things. We are ourselves employed in thinking of the Brigade review under B. General Abbot on Danvers plains on the morrow. Four regi- ments are to be present, including the regiment of this Town. There is an invective in the Gazette against the Militia Law as aris- tocratical, because of the characters exempted from duty. We might rather suppose the writer an aristocrat who was determined to dis- solve the militia, & provide different resources. Our french Instruct- or, M"" Jordie, appears in the print to vindicate his reputation in forcibly carrying away a receipt with a greater sum specified than he had paid. He tells us the man was a greedy tvorshipper of Plu- tus, that like a canker worm blasted his reputation, & that he was unwilling to enter the field of Themis with his antagonist, &c. So much for the silly German, Our accounts from the West Indies are so wrought up with the prejudices of the Absentees who are among us, that we can place very little confidence in the represen- tations. It appears that there is a most licentious use of the au- thority of parties at war in privateering. The distresses to lawful commerce are real, & call loudly for redress. This day departed this life his Excellency John Hancock, Esq"", who has so long been the object of the public confidence, & whose political career has been marked with the least inconsistencies belonging to so trying a sit- uation. Great preparations were made for the military parade of the day, but the whole laid aside upon this event. This evening died M" Sarah Gibaut,* who has been my unwearied benefactor. Under whose care all my linnen, cloaths, & little arrangements have been conducted. Who honoured me with every confidence in family visits, & endeared herself by a uniform regard to my inter- est. She has died a victim to the tender feelings of a mother to her only Son absent. Upon the news of his detention in Pegu, she lost the use of her speech, so as never to articulate clearly & from convulsive stage to stage, she has hastened to dissolution. 9. The designed parade day of the first Military Brigade in Es- sex. Marblehead & Cape Ann were excused from the absence of •Daughter of John and Anstiss (W^illiams) Crowninstaield. 66 DIAKY OF [Oct. their fishermen. Manchester did not send more than 14 men in a company. The whole number of the four regiments it is said amounted to 824 rank, & tile. Col. Lovejoy told me that his Ando- ver regiment at a late regimental review produced 900 rank & tile. So the Law of exemption of Seamen & others, &c. operates in the several places respectively. The order of the line was, Ipswich horse on the right, Andover horse, Salem Cadets, Salem Artillery, Danvers Artillery, Salem regiment, Lynn, Danvers & Beverly Regiments. The whole was reviewed in the morning by Major General Fisk, & under the Command of Brigadier General Abbot. A Collation was provided in the tield, of which the Officers & such gentlemen of the Clergy as were present partook standing, & with their own knives. Afterwards there was a military exhibi- tion of an engagement, the usual tiring, & a dismission an hour be- fore sun down. No accident interrupted. After the disbanding, scattering firing was heard, & suspected from our Salem culprits. Col. of Beverley shew a proper resentment. I had the honour of accompanying the families of the Generals to the parade, & return- ing with them. The parade was in the field bounding on Topsfield road westward, & on the road to Beverly southerly, opposite to Col. Page's. The concourse was unusually great, & the day remarkably fine. A general satisfaction was expressed, & all disputes prevent- ed. The Soldiers retired with much good humour, & the Officers associated with confidence. It was proposed to assign some badges of mourning. But from the want as yet of funeral ceremonies, & official notice from the Government to the Generals, & from them to the Officers before their departure from home, a partial respect was rejected. 11. Attended three funerals. One of a daughter of one Wood- berry of Beverley, who travelled on foot to & from the parade at Danvers last Wednesday, died of the Quincy next day, & was bur- ied this day. M"^ M^Keen of Beverley was absent on the death of his father who died suddenly. M" Landers, whose minister M'^ Price was absent, & M" Gibaut's. Master Lang lost a daughter suddenly by a fever this day. 12. The Funeral Ceremonies of his Excellency are to be on a large scale. The Uniform Troops & Cavalry of the vicinity [and] the military Officers are to attend. The Town of Boston have voted to shut up all places of Business during the hours of procession, to toll all their Bells, & shew every respect. The whole arrangements are not communicated. 13. Sunday. Notes. Edw. Gibaut, d. of his Wife, & only Son & child absent at sea, Mary Elkins, d. of Sister Gibaut & only Son at Sea. Joseph Lambert & Wife, d. of her Brother, and Brethren at Sea. Lydia Hodges, delivery, Husband and friends at Sea. Joshua French & Wife, her delivery. Besides attention to my good friend, M" Gibaut, I took liberty to notice the death of 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 67 the Governour of this Commouwealth, with such review of his character, honours & administration as I thought deserved by his great services to the state & mankind. 14. Governour buried this day. Procession published. Our Flag hoisted half mast at the Fort on Winter Island. M'' Walter Palfrey buried this day, has for these ten years led a life of entire indolence. After the death of Capt. Jo Hodges, he retired to his house, has gradually debilitated, at length became bedridden, & had received hardly any sustenance in the last weeks of life. His legs were drawn up, so as not to be straitened. His daughter married to a Richardson has discharged every duty to him. The military officers set off this morning for Boston, & the highest encomiums are not thought too great for the deceased governour, even from some of his former opponents. 15. The day being appointed at length for the perambulation or travelling survey of the Town of Salem we agreed to meet the Committee & Selectmen of Danvers, & set out at 9 o'clock. M"^ Ward, Capt. Saunderson, M"^ Norris, & Major Waldo on our part, & we were joined in Danvers by Col. Foster as one of the Select- men, & two Gentlemen of the Committee. We first went up Bos- ton road & returned & dined at Frye's, & then passed through Northfield to the River. But as the reckoning & course begins Avhere we ended, the account may proceed in the same order. We did not satisfy ourselves precisely of the point on Peter's point where our reckoning began in the Thatch bank, but took the direct line from out last landmark, leaving no landmark on the bank. We found at 18 Poles from the bank, the stones lying five feet from the stump of a red oak tree, westward towards the Mills, which was the Course not set off by Compass. We added a stake, & marked a tree 7 feet, S. D. We continued 42 poles the same course into the field, which had been ploughed the former season, & found not the stake & stones, but put them in the range. We then continued to the third stake & stones, found it near the edge of the rising ground in a thicket 39 poles from the former. We then con- tinued to the fourth stones & stakes, found the stones, 41 poles, not far from the w^all on the west side, added a stake, & proceeded to the top of the hill, & found the Tree, 40 poles, of black oak upon the nole, marked S. D. & renewed the march, & heaped stones around the Tree as the fifth mark. We then crossed the Road from Salem to New Mills, at one miles distance from North Bridge. Just beyond the road on the opposite side we found the sixth land- mark, a heap of stones to which we added a stake, 40 poles. We then proceeded to the seventh landmark ascending a nole, & not far from the wall, 40 poles. Here we were uncertain till we ranged, found the stones & added a stake. We then made our eighth land- mark after 30 poles to the stones, to which we added a stake, & then our ninth to a conspicuous tree of red oak, marked S. D. with- 68 DIARY OF [Oct. in one foot of the wall. We then found our tenth with stones to which we added a stake at 40 poles, & our eleventh on the Hill in view of the Mills at 40 poles, leaving the Mills at 52 poles distance our line passing to the eastward of the Mills. We then ranged from the point eastward of the Mills to the Elm Tree standing in Boston road, crossed the road at right angles to the South side. Contin- ued as it was said on the south side till we passed the Plains & de- scended to the Bridge & Brook, passed the Brook, Strong Water, continuing on the south side of the Road about 4 rods & turning in after passing the first House in the direction of old Boston road in a right line, till the old Road comes into the present road at an an- gle in the wall, 4 rods short of the road leading to Salem called Eborn's lane. Then continuing on the same side of the road to Boston till we reached the Brook, Butts, then between the bridges passed to the north & westerly sides of the road & continued 4 miles & half to a Mill stone laid near the wall at Lynn bounds, on the south side & on the opposite side to a flag stone laid again [st] the inner side of the wall. We leave Brown pond, alias Long pond in Danvers. 16. We left Salem in ISTewhall's Coach, M"" Ward, Saunderson, Waldo & Norris, Selectmen, to perambulate the bounds between Salem & Marblehead. We met Col. Lee, & two Hoopers at Gener- al Glover's, & passed to the Cove, where our Boimds begun. We could find no stones that were clearly defined to have been laid as landmarks, from the want of stakes, but as we agreed on the ground, piled the stones on the north side of the inlet, for there is little winding of the shore, & only a place over which the sea breaks into the meadows & down which the w^aters of the meadow pass as in a hollow. We had no other landmark till we came to the General's, about a mile, at an apple Tree in his Orchard several feet beyond his house near the stone wall within, as the wall now stands but which he intends soon shall be without the wall from a new line in which he intends it shall run. The line from the cor- ner of the house is about N. W. We found the course from the cove nearly W. to the stump which is all that remains, which was marked M. As the Lynn Committee did not attend we observe that their line began about 4 poles S. W. from the Marblehead line. The gore must be determined at the next survey. From the apple tree stump we returned on a N. E. line to stones on the north side of the way, about a rod & 1-2 from the wall, & then continued in the same course to stones not far from the cross road leading to Forest river, near Silver hole so called on the S. E. side of Legge's hill. We then in the same direction crossed the road to a steep rock and stones on the N. Side near the rock, over the wall, & thence a Line N. 7 degrees W. to Forrest river gave the bounds. We as- certained the stump by the Testimony of (xen. Glover, & M"^ Ven- ning who have been at repeated perambulations, particularly the From painting in possession of Mrs. Henry E. Waite. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 69 last person, & the General was on the last in 1788, & lived near. What we received respecting Lynn bounds, the survey of which is put otf till next week is, that running from Boston road, where our Survey ended at the Mill stone, they pass over a branch of Spring Pond to stones at the brink of the Hill. N. E. of Lynn Spring, so called, to a Large Rock partly in the Line on to a second Large Rock in the divisional wall to a Maj^le Tree, marked, S. L. in a Swamp with stones around it 2 rods south of the wall, on to the Country road from Marblehead to Lynn, across the road to stones near the Avail on the side of a Hill to stones on the Hill, to a heap of stones in a pasture, to stones within 6 feet of the old house for- merly Blaney's to the sea side, 4 poles W, of mouth of the Brook in the Cove, near Fowle's on a nole opposite the House, about half way up the N. side. We were told by the resident Farmer, who had long been there, that Lynn Line ran over the chimney of Blaney's house over the spot where we then were, passing eastward of the eastermost outhouse at Fowle's in a line with the South point of Ram Island. I was astonished to find not one admeasurement, course or distance in the whole reports. Vinning confirmed these declarations. The gore made from Glover's Tree Stump to the Cove & thence to Blaney's house, & from Stump to House deserves to be measured. The general received us with Great Hospitality, & he communi- cated a projection of his own which assisted my knowledge of this part of the country. He projects a Canal leading from Forrest River into the Cove belonging to Salem, at which our reckoning begins. He proposes it in the following manner, & shewed the course to me. A 1/4 of a mile from Forrest River is Coy's Pond, which now communicates with the river, this at the distance of about 1/6 of a mile communicates with deep pond, which is in the form of one of the Hollows called dungeons, not of great circumfer- ence & regular descent to the center, where it is 28 feet deep by his admeasurement. This is near the Road over which & several rods on each side there is some elevation, but not great, irregular or rocky, or obstructed. Then there is a small pond near his house, seldom dry, which communicates with the meadows, & when full conveys its waters through the Orchard, east of Blaney's House into Salem Cove, which we have surveyed, making a Course short of two miles. General Glover seemed to think his house without Salem Line in Marblehead. But there was no scruple in my mind, as the observations then stood. We rode to Lynn, & enquired the reasons of their neglect. Found means to communi- cate our opinions, & rode round to Boston road, down to Frye's where we dined yesterday, & arrived at 3 o'clock at dinner. We then rode home, hoping to provide stakes and stones, courses & dis- tances, to make our survey at least at the next time more satisfac- tory. We learn the procession from our returning friends at the 70 DIARY OF [Oct. Governor's funeral last jMonday. They were unabled to keep the Lody & privately interred it on Saturday morning. The bells tolled at sunrise, the Shops were shut at noon. The curiosity of the inhabitants was so great that few were in any other character than Spectators. Three Companies of horse preceeded in the Pro- cession, followed by the Artillery, then two Battallions of infantry, then by the Major Generals of the three divisions & their officers, & then hj the officers of the State. The Pall was supported by six Councellors, the relations followed, attended by the Court, Members of Congress, Foreign Ministers, Literary Professors, Clergy, & Citizens, & the antient & honorable Artillery company & closed with the Carriages. Minute Guns were tired at the Castle, & answered from Beacon Hill by the Artiller5\ The whole was gen- erally approved, & pronounced the most solemn, regular, splendid & numerous procession ever seen in Boston. A Monument is pro- posed. 17. It is presumed that the gust of wind has done damage in the Bay last Tuesday night. Particulars not yet known. From the appearances evil is apprehended to our Coasters with lumber. M"" F.* has appeared against Morse's Geography, & the cause is contested with great party zeal. They who will admit the justice of M' F's remarks, will not so readily agree to justify the manner of them. All love to see pride debased, but confess the Taste dif- ficult to ingenuous virtue. M"" Pickering who wrote with so much confidence in the success of Rush's Method, has had occasion to al- ter his language having since lost a young son by the Fever. 18. Having proposed an exchange with M^' Bancroftf of Wor- cester, I left Salem this Morning in the Salem Stage for Boston. In the evening I attended the Lecture of M"^ Eliot, & for the con- venience of my journey in the Worcester Stage next morning, I lodged at the sign of the White Horse, southend. There are three stages which run this distance, but only one on Saturday. The Mail has for a passage 16 */ & takes only four passengers. There is a dispute between Peese of Boston & Patch of Worcester for the Common Stage, & the first asks 12^/ & the last 9*/- We had a cheap conveyance, but the Horses were not of the first quality. 19. We left Boston after 6, & reached Flagg's in Weston for Breakfast at 9 o'clock. We shifted horses in East Sudbury beyond the Causeway, & dined at Mnnro's in Northborough. At five we reached Worcester, before sundown. We had agreable com- pany. We saw the long Worcester pond, which is narrow in our view from the road, but widens beyond, & is 5 miles long, extend- ing to Sutton & Grafton, & near the Bridge, Worcester & Shrews- bury part. The Parish of Shrewsbury back from the road, is now incorporated by the name of Boylston. •Rev. James Freeman of Boston. fRev. Aaron Bancroft, D. D., father of George Bancroft, the historian. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 71 20. Sunday. We attended in W Bancroft's Ncav Meeting House which is small, but yet ample for the present (.'ongregation. They still regret that it is so small as above 60 families have ac- ceded to them since their establishment. The audience engaged respect, their music was good, & their numbers increased in the evening service. A drunken fellow in the gallery gave us some in- terruption. I dined with M'' l^angs, Attorney, ray classmate, & drank Tea with him. Spent an hour with Thomas, the celebrated Printer who is not pleased that MT F. should check the sale of Morse's Geography when the copyright was entirely in his own hands, & when the supposed cause of offence, Morse's reflections on an altered copy of Watts' Cradle hymns, made him also a sufferer. In religious affairs there has been much bigotry shewn in this Town. The majority of property tho' not of numbers is with M"^ Bancroft. This is conceded by an offer from the numbers to di- vide the Taxes, & assess together. M"" Bancroft's rival is a Mr. Austin, once settled at New Haven. M"^ B. proposed to join the Association in this Neighbourhood. M"" Austin made the same pro- posal, without knowing M'' B's intentions. M"^ A. was received without hesitation, & M'' B. received no answer. M"" B. wrote to the body, & the result was that M'' A. would not even associate with, such members as had admitted M"^ B. into their pulpit. A Seces- sion has taken place & M'' B. proposes with M' Sumner of Shrews- bury, the lately ordained M"" Thayer of Lancester. M"" Avery of Holden, & the minister at Rutland to form a New Association. The occasion will assist his liberal sentiments. M' Sever the Attorney, B. in law to M'' Bancroft, was very attentive to me. M'' Allen, & M' Chandler with my other friends, spent the evening with me at the parson's. 21. Rose at six, & before seven left Worcester in the same stage in which I went up but with an entirely new company. We breakfasted where we dined, going up, & dined, where we break- fasted. We had great detention at dinner, continued our rout through Cambridge, but Salem Stage had passed on. I met on the Bridge my neighbour Manning, who gave me a seat in his chaise, & at 9 I reached Salem. The whole distance between 60 & 70 miles, probably 66 miles. 23. A Trunk has reached the shore from the suffering Vessels in the Bay, which from its marks renders the fate of John Gardi- ner, Esq"" of Pownalborough suspicious. 27. Sunday. Notes. Widow Mary Lambert, d. of her G. Child Welcome. Joseph Lambert & Wife, d. of his Sister Welcome, & Brethren at Sea. Moses Townsend & Wife, thanks for his return from Sea & d. of her Sister Welcome. Elizabeth Millet, d. of her Brother, & for Sons at Sea. Sarah Millett, her delivery, Husband & Brother at Sea. Amos LeFavre & Wife, her delivery. 28. They are alarmed in the southern states by the too free 72 DIAKY OP [Nov. admission of Mulattoes & Free negroes from the West Indies, & have taken precautions in S. Cai'olina, Charlestown, to prevent the most distressing consequences. The Hull of the Vessel lost in our Bay is now within the harbour, but it has not yet been turned up. The Keel lays out of water. 29. The first Snow & a perfect Snow Storm which continued all day. 30. The District of Maine are making new motions towards be- ing a distinct State at the revision in 1795. Our Actors for the theatre have arrived at Boston & a gold medal is offered for the best prologue at the opening of the Theatre in December next. 31. The Town have kept a man at the fort to hale all Vessels entring, & to enquire whether any passengers from Boston. Nov"^ 1. [1793] Snow gone. Threatening weather which clears off. Our Vessels which arrive speak well of the armed Vessels of the King of England, but with the highest resent- ment of the Providence privateers. Mates, second in command for East India voyages are not to be obtained, from our little experience in those seas. 2. A remarkable preservation from fire. The bells rang at day- break, but few could find where the fire was. The greatest uncer- tainty prevailed. At length it was found that the buildings of M' Nath : Richardson had been on fire. The Ashes Hole had been opened at the bottom, & not stopped again. The fire ran up to the floor, & thence spread over the whole apartments in a large Store adjoining to the House. It was discovered by a Stranger, who lodged at the house, & who rose very early to go ou his journey. A few minutes more would probably have rendered it impossible to have saved a very large interest. This day they succeeded after many attempts to turn up the Schooner which was upset in the Bay last Tuesday fortnight. They found a great inconvenience in a purchase on one side, & obtained assistance from a Ship on the other to keep her from raking. They found her an excellent & new vessel 24 feet beam, 64 keel, & 7 feet hold, for coasting. Her masts were broken after she came to touch the bottom, the fore- mast near the deck & the mainmast ten feet. Her Jib was loose, her mainsail down & boom broken, foresail up. 3. Sunday. Notes. Lydia Phippen & children, d. of her hus- band abroad. Lydia Palfrey & children, d. of their Son & of their G. Father. 4. The wreck at the wharf. 70£ found on board in cash. M' Gardner's chest containing papers, books, cloathes, &c. A few women's cloathes. 6. The Sickness in the West Indies has deprived us of two young men, M' Phippen who had left a destitute family, & M' Peele who has left a young woman with child, waiting & needing his support. I have had the business of preserving the papers be- 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 73 longing to the late, well known Gardner, which were found with Schoner Lucey from the Eastward, & taken out last Saturday. M' Gardner had the best education abroad, & was distinguished by some traits of merit, as he was by his numerous singularities. He has published an oration upon Independance, a Treatise upon the Theatre, & some poetic effusions, particularly the Widowed mourn- er. They Consist of a solid Poem de Jure divino, two copies of his Speech, &c. upon the Theatre, one of them corrected with addi- tional notes, directed to the Library at Cambridge, but written above, " once so intended," four copies of his Widowed Mourner, 4 parchment deeds, & other deeds & papers. We had very plentiful rain for our Market day, which was not plentiful, particularly in poultry, as this is three weeks earlier than our customary thanks- giving. 7. Day of Thanksgiving. In the morning M"" Derby sent a note inclosiug 30 dollars in bank bills for the poor, in the public contribution. God bless the Poor man's Friend. The Contribution of the day, including M"^ Derby's generous Act, amounted to 26£ 19. 3. including also four dollars from the Common Rights present- ed by the Proprietors, &c. Assembly thin, singing ordinary, &c. 8. AVe finished our Perambulation, taking M"" Derby, Ward, Saunderson on the part of Salem, & Messieurs Breed, & Hawkes on the part of Lynn. We began at the Cove, at a Pile of Stones as described Wedn. Oct. 16. We found the Stones west from the stagnant water above the Beach & so far in to avoid being covered, or removed by the Storms. We conjectured at the line from the Nole opposite [Fowle's house], a little north of his out house, ranging over southern part of Ram Island in the saddle of the out- er rocks, & found the Chimney of Blaney's house not far from the line of Stones, ranging 6 feet south of that house. We wrote a note to be left for Walter Phillips tert. for removing the stones, which was the Landmark, & passed to the next hill, found the line inclin- ing southerly, stones much scattered, & passed to the heap of Stones under the hill, then directly to the Road & crossed at the divisional fence, & traveled a mile before we found the stump of the Maple tree, 2 rods from the wall, & well covered it with Stones. Then continued till we found the great Rock in the divisional line & not far to the Second Rock partly in the divisional line, then to the Stones on the Hill, which is beyond the spring & which projects into the pond, & thence to the road. This was the first time I had ever seen Spring Pond, which is a beautiful object, about 1/2 mile from Salem road, abounding in small fish, & extending nearly north & South above half a mile, & about a 1/4 wide. The Oliver farm extends 3/4 of the western side. On the Southern side at the southeast part is the Spring, celebrated for its mineral qualities, which was very low, & did not run, having been much neglected, & choaked up with dirt, & leaves. Southward not many rods was a 74 DIARY OF [Nov. small pond, called Shrub pond, for the bushes which did surround it. It is at present clear. Above the Spring is to be seen the Cellar of the house on Spring farm. The Chimney was built on the north side & the Cellars under each end of the house. The Barn was nearly contiguous to the house northwesterly, & ran west- erly. The pond in length nearly N. N. W. This Farm once in re- pute is now run out. It contains 33 acres, & 1/3 of it was lately sold for 11£ for pasturing, for its poverty & out of the way situa- tion. Capt. Derby told us that his G. G. Mother was here addressed by a German Physician from Leipsick, named Crowninshield, by whom that name was introduced into our part of the country. Spring Pond empties by the brook at Osgood's in Boston road, one mile above Danvers' lower meeting House. Spring Pond is within the Bounds of Salem. On the Southerly side the pond runs on the sides of two hills, & is much indented. There is another Embay- ing on the west side. The Body of its waters are in full view at the Spring, & its approach is good everywhere. The people of Lynn talk of conveying its waters to their own Mills to the detri- ment of the present Mills towards Danvers, as they claim so much of the pond as is embayed beyond the pile of stones on the hill, & running westward. We went in Burrill's Carriage, & alighted at Fowle's & were taken up again in Boston Eoad, & conducted to Frye's, where we dined. 9. The principal information & conversation of the day is upon the Treatment the Am : Vessels receive from the Powers at War. Such accounts do not excite in me the same resentment, since the persons who give them have come within my cognisance, & the nefarious means to cover property not only from the Armed pow- ers, but from its owners. 17. Sunday. Notes. W™ Peele & Wife, d. of youngest Son, & friends at Sea. Bob. Peele & Wife, for him bound to sea, & d. of his brother W. Lydia Peele, d. of a dear friend, the dec. young man. Thomas Williams, ret. from sea, d. of Wife in his absence. 18. M'" Augustine Lomelliui exhibited to me his certificate from A. B. of Genoa, & Eng. Consul at that place authorising him to get subscriptions for his Priends in captivity at Algiers. As the Sub- scription was slow, I took a humble place on his list by a small sum without a name. He is a man of few qualities to assist such a design. 20. The public are employed in conjectures respecting the oper- ation of the defeat of the Duke of York upon the English Nation. Already they see Ireland in Rebellion, Scotland reviving its antient claims, Canada united to the States of North America, &c. We dined at Gen. Fiske's with the Judges, Gentlemen of the court & clergy, with great conviviality. The little folks are divining how Gen. Washington will get clear from Genet. 21. The military parade at Cape Ann, which was omitted at the 1793] WILLIAM HENTLEY, D. D. 75 review of the divisional troops on account of tlie iishernien. Last Tuesda}', several military companies paraded at the opening of the new l^ridge over Bothwell ferry on the Merrimack between Ando- ver & Methuen in this County. Last week was buried at Wind- ham, laying between Methuen & Londonderry, settled principally by Irish emigrants, & of the presbyterian church, M"" Williams, their minister. He left Ireland young upon an early amour, & went to London from whence he embarked for Jamaica. & contin- ued a School master. Thence he came to Philadelphia, in the times of the zeal of Whitefield, joined that sect, h was charitably assist- ed to obtain an education in New Jersies, & thence he travelled to AVindham, Avhere he died. The Elders declined a sermon at the funeral, alledging that it was contrary to their custom. A prayer was made at the house, after which a dram of New England Rum was regularly distributed to each person of every age & of each sex, then another prayer & dram, & then the funeral procession. 22. The Court rose in this Town. Several interesting cases before it. Three Thieves are sentenced to correction & the Castle. Our News from France seems in the public mind to be encouraging. The alarm in regard to the intermixture of the W. Indies French Negroes with the Southern Slaves by Gov. Moultrie's proclamation seems serious, 25. St. Catherine's day celebrated with uncommon shew & noise, guns firing, flags displayed, &c. M"" Briggs is the chief promoter of such folly. M'' Vincent made no exhibition on the occasion. 28. The Day appointed for the public correction of some offen- ders in the Goal. The Subjects were two men & a woman. The woman & man were Irish, the young man. Smith, of this Town, for Theifts. The whole was conducted by the Deputy Sheriffs with- out any order. The prisoners were audacious beyond example. Upon mounting the Gallows on which they were to sit, through in- toxication one of them fell off, & was carried away senseless. After insulting the Spectators, & the most profane words & indecent be- haviour, the woman & man were whipped, but the ladder was filled with spectators, & the Sheriff had not room to move his arm. The whipping produced a few tears from the Culprits, or rather the Cold. The whole was a scene of unseasonable mirth in which fools below, & fools above made a mock at sin. My old chum Herrick, being about to try his powers at preaching, has repeatedly called on me for the loan of six pounds. I tried to draw it out of M'' Ber- nard, but without success. I begged it however of Capt. B. Hodges, giving my note, payable immediately, & taking Herrick's to be paid, when I can get it. But let us encourage one another. 29. The Catamount was shewn again in Town, & to draw cus- tom tliere was a Wolf shewn by the same person. My curiosity was strong to see the Wolf, & I found he corresponded in his appear- 76 DiABY OF [Dec. ance as nearly to my ideas formed, as I could expect. I could get no better information than just the sight. 30. Several vessels freighted with French men from the West Indies have been lost on our coast, or been discovered to be wrecked, Dec. 1. [1793] Sunday. Notes. Lois Odell, sick. After all the pretended disquiet, the Congregational Churches of this Town have complied with the rules of Private Baptism. In this affair we ascertain whether interest or religion governs. 2. Apprehensions that the Small Pox is in different parts of our parish, taken from the Vessel lately arrived in Port, whose Crew was carried to the Hospital. The wife of one of the men, the family of Joshua Phippen, including Wife & several Children, the first on the common, the last in the lower part of the Town & a Negro in Northfields, are conveyed to the Hospital. 3. This evening our Lodge Night for the election of Officers. Our good Master declined, & B. Pulling was elected. There were several resignations, & all but the right one. The Lodge meets on S* John's for investiture, & have voted a Dinner. M"^ Prescot, one of my pupils, this day made his appearance in the usual way of noticing a marriage by a Collation for everybody. 8. Sunday. Last night Showers, thunder & Lightning. Notes. Joshua Phippen for his family under the Small Pox. Susannah Say ward for her daughter Dale, & g. children under the Small Pox. Hannah Peele, delivery, Husband at Sea. Thomas Palfrey & wife, her delivery . No Singing the whole day from the insolent behaviour of the base wretch, who has too long, had the man- agement. 9. Visited the Hospital, found all in good way apparently. M" Dale loaded. Phippen's Son few & well. Joshua complaining. None inoculated have broken out. A Dane has been this way with plans of curious machines, which he says will turn 70 jennies by one power, & work many looms by one Horse. It is reported that the experiment has succeeded in Denmark. 11. The New Militia law has made some business among us. There has been a contention upon the Article which limits the number of Soldiers in a company below which no man in said Ward, or com- pany can join himself to any neighbouring independant Corps. And we are told that on the morrow a Court Martial is to set upon an Officer who refused to obey orders. 12. Fire Club supper this evening. Tho' we may be subject to many mortifications in such associations, yet they are excellent Schools, & such as my own mode of life requires. If we do not love mankind more, we see them better, & when we understand how they exist, & are governed, we are less often deceived by trusting to the sublime effects, we hope, from candid disquisition. After supper walked in company to the Bell. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 77 13. Found several occasions on which I have been taught to be on my guard against a too free communication of my opinions on men & things. Doing well at the Hospital. 14. Keports that a late marriage between a young widower, & a widow & between two sets of children, has been up several days, & they have agreed to abstain for a time by virtue of a very strong disagreement. The President's address is excellent, & worthy of his character. He feels for the dignity of the nation to which he belongs, & urges to prepare to avenge the insults, which are ever offered to weakness. In his message he takes notice of the conduct of Genet, the french Ambassador. There is a Mezzotinto of the President by Savage. 15. Sunday. Notes. Isaac White & Wife, for d. of her Brother Palfrey. Thomas Palfrey & wife, d. of his Brother. Mary Very, d. of her Brother Palfrey, & for husb. at Sea. 17. Last night the exhibitions of the Players were attended by a great Miiltitude. Col. Mansfield with me to enquire respecting M"^ Rolfe, whom they wish to elect their minister at Lynn. Seve- ral persons drowned from a Scough near the Pines. They all would have saved their lives, if they could have swum to the shore, which was not far distant. The Sufferers were related to several members of our Society. 18. Astonishing how much mankind can enjoy each other's misery under the pretence of pity. This applies to an unhappy man under the public censure for intemperance, & who has hereby determined the fate of a most worthy family. 19. Study comfortable after 10 in the morning without fire. No snow upon the ground, & very little ice to be seen. Reports that Capt. Spence Hall died in the Guinea Trade.* He has left a wife & six children, belonging to the english Church in this Town. He has been an unfortunate man, & thus sought " base means for his redress." The report of last Saturday respecting the Widow yet in circulation. 20. The Players in this Town are encouraged by the attendance of the most wealthy families. They are now upon benefit nights. M^ David Ropes died this day, after a most tedious sickness. He has been assisted by the bounty of his friends. Formerly a Car- penter, lately a Tide waiter, he spent a handsome estate in building & setting houses. There are four dwelling houses built by him in this part of the Town. Yet every person loved David. 22. Sunday. Notes. Mary Hawkes, death of her Father & & Brother drowned, deliverance of two Brothers, & Mother in sick- ness. This is the case mentioned December 17. 23. All the apprehensions for the political state of our Country, which can mark the most alarming fears. The Algerines aretodis- troy, the Combined forces attack, Commerce lost, while others care 'Slave trade. 78 DIARY OF [Dec. little for these things. In reviewing Books cursorily find the fol- lowing Statement accurate enough to advance as the State of our Society. About 233 is the whole number of persons buried, or known to have died since 1785. The number of male heads of families about 46. Persons who have died abroad 38. Of this number dying abroad 11 were Masters of Vessels, & 27 Mariners, and of the number 9 were drowned, 14 died of fevers on shore, 8 were Shipwrecked, 5 died with fevers on the passages, & 2 were shot by slaves. One of the Shipwrecked vessels suffered on the Texel in June, the other on the Londoner, Cape Ann, in March. In the whole number of deaths, 136 males, & 97 females. From a list of all masters of Vessels belonging to the Society & of such Owners as are known, the Statement stands for the year 1790, at 44 depar- tures, & 45 arrivals, 89, 25. Christmas. Rained all day. The inspector of Police in Boston has forbidden the " Anticks," as they are called, by which the resemblance of this Christian feast to the Saturnalia has been so admirably maintained. The friends of the British Interest en- deavour to exculpate it from the charges of having designedly let loose the Algerines upon our Trade. It is pretended they might have done it long ago. But the connection of these measures with some others pursued in regard to France have a different appearance. 26. News that a vessel of E. H. Derby jun"" & navigated by Capt. Ashby has been taken by an English Privateer, & carried in- to St. Vincent's. Her destination by written orders was for Eusta- tia. Verbal orders may have been for Martinico, & she had a large quantity of sail cloth on board. 27. Our Lodge celebrated S* John Ev.'s day in General Ab- bot's long Room. Several Brothers in law were invited, & Ave had six visiting Brethren both Americans, english & french. The In- vestiture was put off by the unavoidable absence of our former mas- ter. We had pleasing conviviality, in which our English Brother Wait greatly assisted. The persons invited were at Brother Ab- bot's selection & not from the original design of the Lodge. 29. Sunday. Notes. Mansfield Burrill, d. of his Brother, drowned at Lynn. Andrew Sleuman & Wife, her delivery & Broth- er at Sea. Samuel Silsbee & Wife, her delivery & Brethren at Sea. The air clear & mild, ice melted in the Street. This is sudden from the late severe cold. 30. Weather like Spring. Windows open, & people of every class abroad in the Sun Shine. The Gentlemen of the Town deter- mined to prevent the Billiard Tables from the use of the young men. There are three in this Town. One at each of the public Houses, & one at King's, over the New Office, where the old Town House stood. Fear of their Licences stops the Public Houses of Webb & Buffington, but W. K. is too unprincipled to be restrained without some heavy threatnings. 1793] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 79 31. A Captain taken by the French from Guadeloupe relates that the treatment was not less severe than Capt. Ashbey exper- ienced from the English at S* Vincent's, which M'' Derby of this Town has so pointedly represented from the letters of the Captain in the Centinel. When the sources of information are near us we find so little ingenuously done to purify them, that we find insensibly an incredulity as to even common events. The present yeai' closes with moderate weather. The ground is entirely free from Snow. There has not yet been enough for a slay even for a few hours. Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday have been very moderate. The Harbour is not frozen. A little broken ice about the Wharves. January 1, 1794. Put thy hand upon the Door of thy mouth. The Algerine news seems now distrusted, as to the Circumstances at least. A Small Society has begun a Charity for the relief of the known prisoners in the hands of the Algerines. Upon enquiry I find there was a family of Cromwells* in this Town. Philip, or John, who lived & died a Batchelor, & left an estate to two sisters, who married a Pickering, & a Phippen. A daughter of this Pick- ering was Grand Mother to S. Silsbee, aet. 60, now living. From the Phippen branch came the Wards & Clarks. His property is said to have been, his mansion, where nowD"" Holyoke lives, &upon which was a Butcher's Shop, the pavement of which was removed when said house & yard were repaired, the House being built for a Bow- ditch, & by some mistake the estate having fallen into the hands of the Browns & Bowditchs. The portions of his estate are said to be on a line with Derby's Store on Brown's land to the water, fronting as far as Market Street & so proceeding cm the East line to the wa^ ter excepting only Felt's House & land. In the Eastern Quarter of the Town, upon the southern bounds of Smith's land in Daniel's land, crossing New Derby Street down to Glanville's then running eastward to a line with Diman's land, back of Smith's land to the nothern line, then east of Turner's lane before Beadle's, a square, & the oblong between Dean & Barker though to Hardy's Lane. The oldest house in Salem was Giggles where now N. Silsbee'sf & they had the first child, say S. & tho a daughter, named her Ebenezer. By first house, first framed, &c. 2. The Committee gave an invitation to Levi Maxey, Stone Cut- ter, to assist in our Music & this evening he was at my House with the Singers, & is to give an answer next Thursday. 3. The Sledding good in the back country as far down as Hav- erhill, whence they pass down on the river into Newbury Port, which gives them a plentiful market. We have not the least re- semblance of winter in our appearance. In the afternoon comfort- able without fire. •Hee Essex Institute Historical Collections, Yol. XXXIX, p. 365. tFoot of Daniels street. 80 DiAEY OP [Jan. 4. Abroad without Surtoiit, & in the day at home without fire. 5. Sunday. Some attempts as in all winter seasons to make a religious stir but at present it is confined to few, who scruple not to take whole nights for their exercises, & call the hours to midnight seasonable. The Methodists have made these unpopular. 6. We have news that Carnes in an East India Ship belonging to the Derby family after 3 Years' Voyage has been lost in the West Indies, & the Crew saved. 8. An ordination in Lower Danvers. The minister is to be maintained by a free Contribution, & not by Parish Lines. 10. One of the Schools had open windows all the afternoon. I kindled no fire through the day. 12. Sunday. Last night a Storm of Snow began, which contin- ued till eight in the morning & was succeeded with clear, & cold north wind. 19. Sunday. Notes. James Archer & Wife, one of their family, death of, & Broth, at Sea. Stephen Cloutman & Wife, her delivery. 21. M" Solomon, an actress now in Town, is complimented up- on her performing of a Low Character well. M"^ Jones has returned & made a good voyage. He is now at liberty, having had the Small Pox. This adventurer has been a Blacksmith, Chymist, Baker, Rantor, & at 50 was determined to retrieve his circumstan- ces by adventures at Sea. He was taught navigation, & has re- turned with success. 22. Several days we have had foggy & rainy weather. Little frost is left in the ground. All the appearances of Spring. 23. A Second Guinea Captain has died this season, Burditt, who with Hall lived in this part of the Town, & were of the Eng. Church. The first belonged at Charlestown, & sailed from it near Boston. The last was a foreigner, both married in the Town. The news produced a bonfire on the Common, in all the rain & the peo- ple were alarmed, supposing it to be a building in flames. 24. Great blame cast upon the contriver of the bonfire last evening, from the labour occasioned by the engines from Beverly & Marblehead. The whole disgraceful & unseasonable. One Briggs was the promoter, & gave the Liquor. 26. Sunday. Intense Cold. Short Services, & thin House. Both Wardens absent. Notes. Jon* Archer tert. & Wife, her delivery. 30. Yesterday went with D'" Holyoke to visit Goodale springs with a Thermometer. The Glass in open air at 29°. In the water at the Spring at 48°, one degree above the last year's observation, after a very hot Summer. Since the wood has been taken from Watson's Lot, the Spring which has been steady for several years since the ditch was dug into which it entered, has failed. This is said to be a common effect. 31. Snow fell, but much in drifts. Before it fell the travel- 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 81 liug was very bad in the interior country. No Slaying for 80 miles back of us. February 2. [1794] Sunday. Xotes. Samuel Dodd & Wife, for him sick. ]Mary Wardelow, sick. Seeth Ropes, her delivery, husband & friends at Sea. John Aubree & wife, her delivery. A M" Murray died suddenly by the rupture of a Blood vessel. She had long been affected by an obstinate cough. 3. The merits of our Charities render some provision for stran- gers needful. Dodd is of Marblehead. They make no provision for their poor, but a house. This makes the poor reluctant to re- turn, & Overseers of other Towns unwilling to send, especially when they must pay expences. The State's poor must not belong to any part of the State, & each Town, at least Seaport, must be cautious of poor from near Towns, to avoid a burden that would unavoidably fall upon them. A Society for relief of indigent resi- dents ought to be formed. 5. The Theatre opened for the first time is now the subject. The enlightened who have not determined upon its utter abolition have yet generally agreed that it is too early introduced into our country. The success upon the first night (last Monday) was not equal to expectation, nor could it be. The brilliancy of the novel scene, the interested representations of men who have contended & yet are contending for the object with passion, & the expence with which it has been attended cannot silence a complaint that the Actors are not of the first abilities. The choice of pieces may be called good but the loudest applauses did not attend the Tragedy. The audience will not only call for their favorite music, but for in- dulgence to their favorite passions. Such was the eagerness with which Tickets were purchased, that they afforded matter for profit- able speculation. The same performances are to be twice still repeated this week. 6. Our Salem players have withdrawn, or rather have dispersed. Some have gone on to Cape Ann. All of them it is said loaded with debts they will never discharge. 8. The Prince Edward of England is in Boston, the second visit ever made to that Town by an heir of the English Blood Royal. The Theatre has not been crowded, according to expectation Avhen the second and third exhibitions of G. Vasa were offered. 9. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Lydia Alexander on d. of her mother Murray, Son at Sea. Mehitable Valpey, d. of her mother, husb. & Brethren at Sea. Hannah Homan, d. of her mother, Son & Breth- ren at Sea. Sarah Burroughs, sick herself. 14. With Pratt this day at Hodges' & find Ogden continuing his mischief. With Capt. Dodge who has been at Pegu, which is now subject to the King of Ava, but could get no particular infor- mation. He saw an engagement of the Peguans with the Siamese in which 9, 000 men were engaged & he was told the first time with 82 DIARY OF [Feb. fire arms, & only one wounded. They fought from gun Boats. This might be the first time of trusting solely to firearms, but so general use could not be a first effort. 15. The Newbury Stage broke away, & ran over Smith the Hostler & broke his ancle, & over the thigh of a female child of one Groce, & broke it. 16. Sunday. Notes. Sally Waters, delivery, d. of the child, Husband & friends at Sea. Dined with Chase Taylor of Sanborn- ton & his wife, formerly Sarah Elkins at M' Browne's. 20. This morning died M""* Dean.* A woman remarkable for a fondness of dress in yovith & for a levity of temper which she pre- served till death, not being destitute of that vivacity, & yet steadi- ness, which preserved her character free from any vitious imputa^ tion. 21. We have very discouraging intelligence respecting our friends in the West Indies and in Europe. All our Vessels are de- tained, & some condemned in the British Ports, & the Islands swarm with privateers. The Algerines have taken we are told sev- eral vessels & it is believed Patterson, belonging to our Society. 22. News of the death of Capt. Johnson Briggs, an industrious man, who has left a wife big with child, & 9 living children. They could spare nothing but his example. General Washington's Birth- day. It was not observed in form on this occasion, fearing the pre- cedent. Several Companies of young men dined in Town & at Osgood's. Several Flags were hoisted at the wharves. The bad news seems to have dispirited the inhabitants. Insurance upon no terms. 23. Sunday. Funeral of M''* Dean this evening. Ventured to notice the political situation of our cotmtry, as consistent with duty, in this day of common fears. 24. From M""^ Ingersoll a descendant I learn that the first family of the Holingworth was by a marriage with Susannah Woodbery; that the Son William married an Eleanor Storer, who lived in England with an Aunt, but having a love engagement, contrary to her Aunt's wishes she proposed to follow her Lover into America. He landed at Boston & she at Salem, but as he did not wait upon her the first night after her letter to him of her arri- val, she married William Holingsworth. She preserved her ideas of importance, as she never went abroad in the evening, unless with a servant before, & another behind her. She preserved a medallion given to her Aunt by King Charles as he passed through the house when she was a Girl, fleeing to the Island of Jersey, & this was given to Eleanor, & by her to her daughter Susannah, & tho' ordered to be transmitted, it was sold by Pickering her executor during the minority of the children. It was with double crosses on one side, & a man on horseback on the other. Her husband was •Mary, wife of Capt. Thomae Dean. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 83 killed by the Indians in Virginia, while looking up his Lands in that country. Her Son Richard was wounded in a duel & lost one eye, & is buried near his mother, «& the grave Stones are said to be now standing on the Graveyard point. 25. A Lottery has been granted to Harvard College for the erecting of another Hall for the accomodation of the students. The idea of Lotteries are reprobated seriously by some people. M"^ Bar- low's remonstrance to the National convention has been printed, upon which tliey have been said to have decreed '< Lotteries of whatever nature they may be, or under whatever denomination they may exist, are suppressed." 26. We have news of our East India friends who have been embargoed live months in the Isle of France. Several of our ves- sels embargoed in Bourdeaux. 28, One of the most pleasant days. Wind in the west, clear sun, good walking, & the streets filled with visiting parties. Upon the whole this has been a very favourable winter, & excepting for these three days past we have had no slaying. These days have given us full markets, particularly of wood, where price from 5 dollars is reduced to 3. The Fishermen in Cat Cove are rigging their vessels to remove them from their winter station. No ice is to be seen in our Harbour. The snow on the ground is not deep, & consists of the remains of three flights. March 2. [1794] Sunday. Thomas Dean & Children, d. of his wife, & Brother at Sea. Wid. Mary Waters, d. of Sister Dean & Son at Sea. Wid. Hannah MascoU, d. of Sister Dean. Susannah Dean, d. of Sister Dean & Husband at Sea. Ruth Briggs & children, d. of husband, & for Son at Sea, & d. of Sister. Elizabeth Thomas, d. of Br. Briggs & Sist. Burroughs, & Son at Sea. Mary Burroughs, d. of her mother, & brother at Sea. Deborah Sage, de- livery, husband & brother at Sea. 9. Sunday. Notes. Benj* Hutchinson [& wife], her delivery, Brother long absent, & another at Sea. Letters from M' Goodhue, our Member alarm us with apprehensions of a War with Britain. As we know not upon what grouuds his fears arise we cannot judge. He speaks of repairing forts, & establishing in each a garrison of 20 continental soldiers. There is the greater part of American Shipping abroad at the present day. 10. The annual Town Meeting. In my turn, I was to pray, & find myself surprised at the effect of unusual situations. The pub- lic being engaged by most interesting objects, property detained aboard, stagnation of business, & apprehensions of a War, one hour sufficed for the election of every Officer, & every nomination was heard. 11. Several of our Vessels we learn are condemned at Monserat. Capt. Geo. Hodges was liberated from New Providence. Capt. Welman of my Society it is said is among the condemned. Vessel 84 ^ DIARY OF [March & property his own. Some of our friends we are told are conveyed from Spanish Ports beyond the reach of the Algerines, & are upon their voyage home. 12. We are not able as yet from all our information to under- stand upon w* grounds the British Courts condemn American Ves- sels, & the conduct is undoubtedly different in different ports. The Gazettes are filled with disputes about the information, while both parties are unable to state the question. Electioneering for our State primates goes on with the usual abuse. 13. This evening returned home Capt. Patterson, whom we sup- posed to have been a prisoner at Algiers. He had a strange escape from the dullness of his vessel. Our friends in Algiers are treated as Slaves, their heads shorn, chained together, dressed in frocks & trowsers, & employed upon the public works. 14. The public mind distressed by the state of property abroad. Neutral vessels have no advantages as one nation adopts the meas- ures of its rivals, & makes the terms as severe. The Captain of the British Frigate now in Boston says, he has instructions to take all vessels bound to & from the french ports, & send them into British Ports, 15. The merchants of this Town have had a meeting upon the subject of a representation to Congress, and it appears 2/5 of the Trading Stock of the Town is employed in the West Indies, & probably 1/3 of that in the hands of the British exceeding 200,000 Dollars. 16. Sunday. Noah Hobart & Wife, d. of her mother at Hing- ham. 17. One of the Boston Indiamen has arrived at Portsmouth, but dare not cross the bay for the port of Boston, on account of a Frig- ate from the English in the Bay. The whole Commerce of our country is sacrificed, & all the flatteries we bestow upon the Eng- lish are now converted into the most bitter invectives. 18. A Judgement at Monserrat upon one of our Vessels, speci- fies the charge '* sailing under the privilege & adoption of a French Vessel, & that with the privity & knowledge of the Owner & Cap- tain." 20. For the first time bathed in open air at the Juniper. Let- ters from Government teach us to expect a war, & at present the sound is more acceptable than we could have imagined. 21. Two of our vessels have run from the Harbours of the British & escaped, & have arrived. The public countenance moves at every event, like the countenance of a criminal expecting, & hoping a reprieve. 22. Capt. Elkins came into Town this day after his Voyage from Cadiz. Discontents of the poor unemployed increase, but no disturbances or threats. 23. Sunday. Notes. Margaret Derby, d. of Sister Preble at 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 85 Portland, Husband & Brethren at Sea. Wid. Mary Lambert, d. of G. Son Preston, & G. Sons at Sea. And. Preston & Wife, d. of Son abroad, Amos LeFavre & Wife, d. of Brother Preston. Sarah Shehane, d. of her Son, & pr. for a Son at Sea. Daniel Shehane & wife, d. of Brother, & Brother at Sea. 2G. News continually of seizures of Vessels, & now of cutting them from neutral ports. The people are enraged, but are perfectly duped. From the want of resources, & fears of revolution in gov- ernment, they are kept quiet till they are stript, & then the meas- i;res they take because veniunt Ilomani, will promote the piu-poses they abhor. 27. This afternoon we have reports of the delivery of the prop- erty belonging to America being ordered by Administration. It is said to come from Boston by the way of Halifax. The countenan- ces of the people change easily. There are no stable principles of polity in our country, & the confidence in the government daily diminishes from the want of energy every where perceived. 28. The Xews is converted into a hand bill, representing the application of some merchants to the Minister for explanation, rep- resenting it to have been dated 6 Nov"^ but published at the end of December. Instructions are consequently issued revoking the first, & excluding the article, bound to or from any French Island, & in- serting such only as in a state of seige, &c. The public upon an examination have abated their joys & find by the arrival of a Cap- tain from S* Kitts, that vessels are still condemned, & his own among the rest. I find myself deeply interested by a sympathy with the public. A privateer is already up in Becket's yard, & several are said to be engaged. 29. Ashbey arrived this morning after having been detained several months at S* Vincents, being found near Martinico from Europe. Part of his Cargo was condemned, himself maletreated, had to pay his own charges, & returned with his Vessel & one third of his original Stock. The Condemnation of our vessels is con- firmed, but the fears of the people prevail against a war. Some of the Captains have returned. AVelman has returned, & lost all m S* Kitts. 30. Sunday. News of an Embargo through the United States, forbidding all Vessels to sail for foreign ports. In less than 3 days from Philadelphia. John Usher & Wife, d. of his mother in another Town. 31. Some little discontents respecting an English vessel which sailed yesterday morning at the time of laying the embargo. This day the return of many of our Captains & friends from the West Indies after the condemnation of their Vessels & Cargoes. At present general satisfaction with the Embargo. Great uncertainty what measures will be pursued, but less hopes of peace, & greater disposition for War. 86 DIARY OF [April April 1, 1794. The negro General of Martinico has been bribed to deliver up S* Pierre in Martinico, & has arrived at Boston. Hia name Bellegarde. He has made his appearance without any other compliment than a crowd of Boys. In this time of general appre- hension M' Derby with his usual benevolence to the public, has agreed to employ three Masters to teach the art of navigation gratis to 60 young men, that the present time might not be lost, or idle- ness serve to corrupt them. To this generous act he has added some of great private munificence. Archer, Frye & West. 2. We had a beautiful Launch of a small Vessel from Brigg's Ship yard at noon, belonging to Capt. West. M"^ Derby sets up another immediately, upon the model of a Privateer, 3. News from Congress that they have formed some spirited re- solves respecting the English debts m our Country, & were engaged in debates upon the manner of detaining them to compensate the Sufferers for the late violent seizures. It is reported Vermont has offered to go & take Quebec from the English. 4. The merchants have a meeting this day to receive a Commit- tee from Newbury Port on the subject of the late captures. The object cannot be well within their reach. 6. Sunday. Notes. Anna Dwire, d. of her Husband in East Indies. Francis Grant & Wife, d. of Son in Law Dwire. Wid. Mary Crowninshield, very sick, Children at Sea. 7. The day for the election of Govern our. Parties have been so violent in Boston & even in the Chronicle of the day, that it was curious to watch the influence of example in this Town. 3/5*''* had plainly a wish to continue Adams, upon the preposses- sions in favour of his republicanism. They who only vote at the spur of the moment, instigated by friends, & particular views favoured Cushing. They who always vote, & had doubts of Adams' qualifications, & yet had no counter republican motives voted for Gerry. The Box was open from 11 A. M. to 4 P. M., and I doubt not we shall find the distinction between the Citizens run as fairly by these Votes, as a thing of this nature can be determined. Adams 167, Cushing 50, Gerry 12. 11. The Grand Turk returned from the Southward, & is now in our harbour. Uncertainty is in every man's opinions. Various re- ports in circulation. 13. Sunday. Notes. Widow Susannah Harthorne, d. of Brother in Law Harthorne, & prayers for two infirm grand children. Wid. Mercy Wellman, d. of Son in Law Daniels & pr. for Sons at Sea. Wid. Abigail Masury, very sick & weak. 14. Instructions have come to the General Collector & Select- men to provide a place to erect one or more Forts or Batteries, to guard our harbour, & this day the Gentlemen accompanied with several citizens of distinction surveyed the ground. There is a Town meeting warned for next Wednesday, to deliberate on this subject. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 87 16. Informed myself of the landing at Point of Rocks which had a Stone causeway 20 feet below the Bold Rock, within the western point, which is now seperated from the Shore, & is every tide surroimded with water. The Bold Rock at landing is yet con- nected with the Bank, but the earth is gone someway back of it. The rocks in confusion lay behind it up to the Bank. 16. A Flush of Joy from the arrival of a Vessel bringing news that they ceased to condemn vessels in the W. Indies belonging to Americans. We had not so pleasant tidings of some of our friends in the evening. 17. Fast. Notes. W™ Browne & family, d. of his Mother, friends at Sea. The joy of yesterday is in some measure checked by the arrival of some of our friends stripped of their property, & without hopes of a recovery. 20. Sunday. Abigail Masury, d. of Mother. Elizabeth Millet, delivery, Husband & friends at Sea. 21. News of the Continuation of the Embargo till 25 May. Anx- iety came upon many minds lest it should not be continued, while others were really making preperations to start at a moment's de- lay, & even those who were entrusted with the public measures of the merchants. How little integrity is to be seen in human affairs. 23. Went to Manchester at the review of the Regiment of that Town & Beverly. 400 men were under arms under Col. Francis. They paraded on a plat of ground on this Side of the Harbour, marched into Town round the square, & performed several street firings, &c. The men were well made, decently clad, & well armed. The Collation was in a Fish House near the parade, & the entertainment was boil'd salt fish, potatoes, butter, oil, & hard bread. The men were finally dismissed at four o'clock, & without any accident. The officers in commission were escorted from parade by the noncommissioned officers & music, & private gentle- men to the public house held by M'' Crafts. 24. A Committee from Boston, «&c. of Merchants meet the Salem Comm. this day in this Town. The result of their important delib- erations have not transpired. 25. This Committee has chosen another Committee of three, one from each Town, viz' Boston, Salem & Newbury Port, to go on to congress to make a statement of their affairs. M' John Norris of Salem. 27. Sunday. Went this morning on an exchange to Boxford, South Parish. The Rev. Holyoke is disabled by a paralytic stroke. I took the road, leaving Topsfield meeting on the right, & after 3/4 of a mile took the right hand through a road which did not seem to be much used, & which was but poorly settled from a visible cause, the poverty of the soil. The Rev. Mr. Holyoke & his family re- ceived me kindly. His wife is agreable. An only daughter at home gave us her company in modest silence. The meeting house 88 DIARY OF [May is small, well painted, without spire or bell, & the congregation made a very decent appearance throughout. A M"" Adams from New Rowley, an adjoining vacant parish gave us his company at dinner, & told us the Anabaptist minister had also left from the circulation of some reports respecting his immodest freedoms. This is the third seperation of these amorous zealots in the County since I have lived in it, besides other uneasiness from the same cause with men of the same character. 28. The arrival of Cap* Scott, & other Ships from England sat- isfies for the moment the public mind, but the arrival of some of our stript Captains from the West Indies adds to our perplexity in regard to the event. May 1. [1794] Cap* Gibaut* arrived after a voyage of three years from India having been detained & embargoed in different ports 17 months. His first detention was at Pegu, where his vessel was taken into the service of the King of Ava, he then sold & took passage to the English Ports. Upon his return he found the Ship Henry at Isle of France, with the Master made a new pur- chase & took charge of his Ship for home. Stopped at the Cape of Good Hope long enough to have a share of British Insolence, & has safely returned, 2. Capt. Gibaut who visited the conquered province of Pegu, now subject to Ava, assured me that from the Port all the circum- jacent coimtry was uncultivated. That he went above an hundred miles upon the river to the Capital which they are now restoring. That people of every condition wear only a cloth fastened at the waste reaching to the feet & open before with a short jacket with sleeves. Extremely ignorant. The religious prohibition of killing animals, tho' not of eating them when dead, led them to many prac- tices disagreeable to us. Some Portugese & Scotch were among them. He heard at Ragusa the tigers, & was witness of their hor- rid noise as he passed up the river. Executions frequent. 3. M' Gibaut furnished me with several Arabic & Persia letters written by Merchants, & has promised me a specimen of the Peguan language & writing. The letters I have received are written on the paper in various directions. Some parts obliquely, others in col- umns, &c. 4. Sunday. Elizabeth Thomas, d. of her eldest Son, M"^ S. Derby has arrived safe & we hope will make up for his misfortunes. 7. The day appeared in the morning to be very unpromising for military parade, & there was some rain, & it continued cloudy till just before Sunset. The regiment turned out with the Cadets, & artillery, & were very well provided according to Law. The dinner was frugal in Marine hall at Gen. Abbot's, & the Clergy were in- vited by the Ofl&cers of the Regiment, & such Military Gentlemen •John, son of Capt. Edward and Sarah (Orowninshield) Gibaut, afterwards collector at Gloucester. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 89 as were in Town. The officers of tlie Cadets & Artillery were not with us. In the afternoon tliere was the customary firing, & the day ended with joy, & without accident. 8, The Two Gentlemen chosen as representatives for this Town are J. Saunders, Esq"^, & E. H. Derby jun"". The old member, Har- thorne, has been rejected by the spirit which now worketh in the pacific measures of our Country. An attempt to choose a third mem- ber proposed by ^U Derby, on account of his avocations, was coun- teracted by the resolute opposition to the member, IVP Harthorne. 9. A little squabble in words between a late member & a Clergy- man at the dinner on last Wednesday serves to fill up a vacant hour in this time of idleness. It seems the member observed that in the last war the clergy were the most busy, but now the most si- lent. It was replied, they would be as active as any men was a war declared, &c., so the conversation proceeded to some bitterness. 11. Sund. Notes. James Collins, d. of his wife. Mary Wardelow, d. of Sister Collins. Mary Ledbeter, d. of mother Col- lins. James Collins, Wife & Children, d. of his Mother Collins. Margaret Curtis, d. of her Sister Collins. Anna Gale & children, d. of her daughter. Thomas Keen & Wife for her sick. 12. On Saturd. & Sunday we have great news. A General Delivery in the West Indies, open english Ports, & other great things. There is suddenly called a meeting at 6 this evening to consider of the embargo. No changes can be more sudden, than are seen in the countenances & the views of men. 13. Last night an almost universal CONSENT to leave the em- bargo to Congress, or express such a sense to Congress, & that they are not opposed to its continuance. The first association this year held at Marblehead. There they have commenced the Taxation of funded property in the hands of a Clergyman. 14. Yesterday was launched at Becket's a Schooner built in the form of a privateer & set up upon the first alarms of the West Indies. Another of the same construction is to be set up immedi- ately. 15. A D"" Lord, native of Ipswich, & practitioner at Marblehead, having removed to Ipswich, contemplating a return to Marblehead, from the inveteracy of an habit of intemperance in himself, &c. put an end to his existence by arsenic. In loosing our old friends, or acquaintance may we not attribute much to the familiarity. We cannot bear such intimate views of human nature, without detesta- tion of it, as we detest its guilt in ourselves. And can we see the best men, & not see guilt. 18. Sunday. Weather uncommonly cold, so as to require a fire all day in all our Rooms. Ice last night of considerable thickness in our yards. 20. The arrival of Ingersoll's Vessel from Dominico & the news of many vessels liberated in that Island gave a transient encourage- 90 DIARY OP [May ment but the coademnation of Forester's bark, & Gray's Ship, the owners having been zealous abetters of the doctrine of restitution, damps the hopes. M"" Smith has arrived from Dutch West India Ports. 21. This morning the melancholy news reached us of the death of M' Parish, the Minister of Manchester. He has exceeded a little two years in his ministry, & tho' not distinguished for any- thing, but his good nature, this was no mean quality in rigid or- thodoxy, so far as he was capable of understanding it. There were the seeds of controversy on the subject of baptism springing up. He denied it, or rather declined giving it, except to the children of communicants. This day I visited Marblehead, with intention to examine the Neck which forms their hai'bour, but not having even my compass I was obliged to content myself with a very superficial survey. Kev** Messieurs Story & Hubbard accompanied me. We travelled near the shore from the high rocks before the Town called Bartold's head, leaving below us the new wharves. Above were the old wharves called Nickes ||cove|| wharf. We then passed Wal- dron's cove & reached Skinner's Head, & cove, & then red stone cove, & then rotten Cove, & then Whale cove, & came to Euit's head, & came to the Sea bank called river's head. We passed on the outer side, & on the further part saw the new works erected from the late Lottery, against which the public has so much com- plained. We found the Stones thrown up at considerable height as we approached the Neck. The tide being up, most of the rocks which lay off towards Kam Island were hidden, & those which lay between the neck & Tinker's Island. We reached the Western point, & from the headland, had an elevation which opened Tinker's Island, so as to shew the passage the Sea has between the parts of it. We continued our walk on the outer side of the Neck, which has rocky head, & beaches between as on the Shore of the Towns tho' not of so great elevation, excepting about the middle of the neck, which is supposed to extend half a mile in a straight line, but must exceed that distance. In this dry time we found several places filled with water, & the low land in a very neglected state. It is said the whole neck includes 180 acres, the greater part of which is pasturage. M"^ Andrews who has the best House on the Neck, is wealthy, possesses 27 acres, part of which lays in the rights of the Common land, tho' each man knows his special prop- erty. There are now three dwelling houses upon the Neck besides their barns, & several fish houses. It is said that there were for- merly 12 houses, but by the cellars they are judged to have been small, & not to be compared to these now standing. M'' Andrews' house was built before the war, is painted & in good repair with out houses, & excellent stone walls. The other houses are the common farm houses two stories with pitched roofs. The neck is widest about 2/3 up toward the causeway westward, & it is one 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 91 mile 1/2 from Capt. Andrews' House to the New Meeting House in the Town over the Causeway, about half a mile across the harbour, which is nearly of the same width throughout. The point of the Neck outward between Marblehead Rock & Tinker's Island has rooks laying oif called Toni Moore's Rocks. The point opposite to the fort, & which makes the mouth of the Harbour is called Point Black Jack, & within it is formed a Cove called Carder's Cove. The Fort was erected in the last war upon a Headland below the Town, & which is never separated at the highest tide from the main- land, & beyond it lays Orne island, which can be approached on land only on the ebb. Above the fort lays Ingoll's beach upon which Leslie landed his troops at the commencement of the War in 1775. The Harbour is not sheltered from the east wind, & between Boden's point & Skinner's head about 1/4 over is Boden's ledge of Rocks upon which there is in the common ebb 11/2 fathom of water, & at the lowest ebb 7 feet. They are Called Boden's Rocks, but are a real Ledge of some extent, & scattered round. I did not have the pleasure of visiting Tinker's Island, which I was assured could be visited from the Neck by wading in about 3 feet of water. It has much less land than I thought as viewed from the Neck, than I judged from the Sea. There has been one melancholy shipwreck upon them since I have lived in Salem. The Sunken rocks laying eastward of Cat Island, called in Salem, Satan, are called in Marble- head, the Porpusses. 22. The M"^ Eulin who married into the White family, & against whom so many exertions were made, has already proved his base- ness by leaving his wife, carrying off all her property he could com- mand, embezzling cash paid to him to discharge debts, & as the last consolation he has written to her, that he was but an old man, & that if she was uneasy at his long absence, she might easily call in her neighbours. M"" Major,* last from Marseilles, has not con- ducted in the same fashion. Lately married, he went away, & we could not find in what direction. We conceived him gone forever. But this week he returns from a successful cruise against the com- bined powers, with a little vessel & Cargo of his own, his fiddle, & all his pleasures. 23. Went for Manchester, to attend the funeral of Rev* Ariel Parish. There were few arrangements. A Dinner was provided at the house of the deceased, a circumstance which did not please & I dined at a private table. The procession was at three o'clock. The School boys «& Master were first, then the Church & then the Clergy. Then the corps carried by the young men, & the pall supported by Messiem-s Cleveland, Forbes, Hopkins, Cutler, Mackeen, & Judsou. The Corpse was left at the door, from the cause which too often ren- ders it necessary, being above the ground too long. The prayer was by Rev. Cleveland, the Sermon by M'' Forbes, & the closing •Majory, alias Masury? 92 DIARY OP [May prayer by Professor Tappan of Cambridge. At the Grave M'" Cleve- land observed his own fashion of making an address, & then the company dispersed, the bearers & relations returning in form to the house, which was near. 24. Last day of the Embargo, & all busy to prepare to crowd to market. Some enquiring, why was it put on ? Others, why taken off ? Some wounded by their losses, others exulting in their gains. Among them all not the best signs of public virtue. 25. Sunday. Lowry, & Showers. Arrivals. Notes. John M* Gregory, returned from sea, d. of his wife, br. at Sea. News that Cap*' Ropes in a Schooner belonging to Hodges, &c. foundered at Sea. The Capt. & hands have returned, taken from their boat at Sea. 26. Our harbour tilled with Vessels ready to push out, & make great fortunes. They who cannot go Shares betray the most point- ed envy. Others complain of the want of public virtue, & the seeming patriotism is now lost, & the tonic for the present northern members & measures. No war. 27. Vessels against wind & weather striving to get out of the harbour bound to supply the Islands from which we have received the greatest insults. Even a privateer raised upon the stocks in resentment, was the first to sail with supplies, and at the risk of the same owners. Never did interest discover its influence more forcibly. 28. Day of General Election. This morning news arrived of Simcoe's forces entrencing within our Territories in the Miami country & for a moment the alarm was great. We soon found an excuse. It might have been from November orders, & they might be repealed. I arrived in the Stage at Boston , attended the public sermon, & had a pleasing interview with my friends. 29. Convention day. The Clergy are full of projects they can never execute. Strengthening association, providing discipline, & directing the examination of candidates. I walked to Jamaica plains in Roxbury, & then to Brooklyn, & spent the evening with Rev"^ M"" Jackson. 31. The observation of the holy days at Election is an abuse in this part of the Country. Not only at our return yesterday, did we observe crowds around the new Tavern at the entrance of the Town, but even at this day, we saw at Perkins' on the neck, persons of all discriptions, dancing to a fiddle, drinking, playing with pen- nies, &c. It is proper such excesses should be checked. June 1. [1794] Sunday. Notes. James Collins, dang, sick of a fever, & Son at Sea. 5. Madam Crowninshield, widow of Clifford* & an Ives died this morning after lingering illness. She is the last of the Ives fam- ily among us. *Mary, daughter Capl. Benjamin and Anne (Derby) Ives, widow of Johu Crowninshield. 1794 I WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 93 6. Died M' James Collins, whose wife died about a month since. M*" Collins was an example of a temperate man who kept always in his Shoemaker's shop, articles for sale to Seamen & spiritiious liqueurs, without incurring censure of being addicted to the low vices. 8. Sunday, Anna Foot, d. of mother Crowninshicld, & husband at Sea. Thomas Palfrey & Wife, d. of her mother Crowninshicld & Brethren at Sea. James Clearage & AVife, her delivery. 9. The foul weather still continues, & it counnenced at the Ces- sation of the Embargo. It has been a continued Fog with little rain, & wind out. J^Iany vessels are now detained. It is called the Grand Embargo &, from its singular effect is subject of constant remark. 10. Several of our adjudicated Captains have returned. The Spaniards have sent on their Certificate of admission into their ports, guarded against any advantages to the french. 11. Weather cleared at 10 o'clock & before noon 30 Vessels were in the Offing, under sail for different ports. 12. In M'' John Derby's Two mast Boat in company with Cap- tains Gibaut & Orne we sailed for pleasure out of the harbour, in- tending to visit Tinker's Island. We had a pleasant time, & sail- ing out the southern way, we went within grey's Kock, & without Marb'head Rock, & continued our Course till we reached Tinker's Island. We could not land easily, as we brought no small boat with us, having first attempted it on the beach between the two heads, on which we might have succeeded had the tide been flowing & we not been afraid of grounding. We dropped towards the northern end, on the inside of the island, within the n. w. rock which lies off, & went on shore. We found the Island laying near- ly north & south, but having no good instruments we dared not trust them for nice observations. The eastern side is a ragged Eock, much broken. & among the fragments we found lodged much of the late rain. The tops of the Rocks are in a state called rotten rock, we found the hard rock of the coast, this rotten rock & grey rock together. In the middle of the Island is a spot, short of an acre, of good grass land, & the best english grass standing upon it. There is a coarser grass upon the southern head, but the spot is small. The two heads are nearly seperate, but the tide does not commonly seperate them, or the sea go over, the Southern end re- sembles a horn, joined on the western side of the Island going east. We returned within Tom Moore's Rocks & Marblehead Rock & then entered Marblehead Harbour, landed on the Neck& dined with Capt. Andrews from whom we received everything in primitive hospitality. After dinner we sailed for Eagle Island. W^e passed between the Breaker & the eastern Side of the Island, & landed upon a flat sided rock & by coming too far westward grounded our boat which occasioned some trouble. We found the Island laying 94 DIARY OF [June nearly north & south a point from the southern end trending wes- terly. The northern end is of the hard rock, but the southern is altogether of the Slate rock. The Soil is lodged on the tops with steep banks, & the approach sudden. The surface is covered with a variety of natural plants in all the luxuriance of uncultivated nature. We reckoned no less than twenty exclusively of the grasses, & some bushes & shrubs, & even wild cherry shrubs higher than the head. We passed through in a path running the length. When we had launched our boat we returned to Salem. The Cen- tinel represents that the Vessels lying in the Port of Salem at the end of the Embargo, May 26, usually employed in the Merchant's service, were 66 Vessels, 6 Ships, 33 Brigantines, 26 Schooners, 1 Sloop. 8,270 Tons. All belonging to Salem, & more than 1/2 ton^ in said port. In coming up we passed between Coney Island & the Breakers & found some breakers below the range of the Islands & dry rocks, but verging northward from the dry rocks then out of water, from one hour flood. These are noticed by Holland. Holland has noticed shoal water from the south western point of Eagle Island, but we made no Soundings. The Ledge, as may be seen from the observations, lay on the other side of the Island, & has no connec- tion with any visible point, or bed of rock, but was well out of water, & of considerable surface. 13. Rochefontaine intends to remedy the complaints against forts in barbet without embrasures by raising the parapet, & eleva- ting the guns upon high & new constructed carriages. He prefers the situation of the old fort, which he will contract, & mentions two cannon at the Juniper. 15. Sunday. Notes. Habaccuc Bowditch, d. of Son & Sons at Sea. Mary Martin, delivery, d. of Brother, Husband & Brother at Sea. Hannah Collins, d. of her Father Collins & Husb. at Sea. John Collins & Wife, d. of his Father & pr. for brother at Sea. Robert Hill & wife, d. of her Father Collins & pr. for Br. at Sea. Mary Ledbetter, d. of her Father Collins & pr. for friends at Sea. Margaret Curtis, d. of her Brother Collins. Benj"* Dean & Wife, d. of her only Brother & pr. for friends at Sea. Samuel Webb & Wife, delivery & pr. for Brethren at Sea. 16. News from S* Helena that a Brig of Gen. Fiske's, putting in for water has been unladed by the British, & detained. Reports of several Vessels released at Jamaica, paying costs. M'' Gibaut at my request tryed an experiment upon the Orford stone, the Stea- tites. He found the size not diminished, but it lost an eleventh part of its weight, was cracked, but much harder than before, so as to defy any carpenter's tools. Its colour was internally changed, but on the surface it had only the effect produced by baking, not having lost its original colours entirely. 17. Rochefontaine has been staking out our intended new fort. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 96 but unluckily this is one of the peace days, when it is reported that Simcoe has reti'eated beyond the Western territory. 18. A manufactory for woolens has been erected in Newbury, By field, the building is 90 by 30, & of three stories. 19. Some fine showers & a very remarkably noisy time with the frogs in the Common ponds. We were all obliged to recollect the well known story of the Windham frogs, that brought the good Connecticut people imder arms. As Rochefontaine has staked out the fort, it will be within the present, the N. W. line measuring, by a pole about 12 feet in length, IX. The N. E. VIII., the S. E. IX., the S. W. v., pacing 46, 39, 49, 26, but the S. W.line is the present brick wall, «& the fort is to be continued on that side into the outer works, & the barracks are to be removed. 20. Received M"" Jordy to teach me the German pronunciation. M^ Curwin* visited me this afternoon. He is 80, has lately re- turned from England, which he has repeatedly visited. His father a minister in this Town. 21. Pleasure of dining with Gen. Eiske in the company of Gen. Rochefontaine, the Engineer appointed to survey, &c. forts, &c. I found him an agreable man. 22. Sunday. Notes. William Eoye & Wife, for her danger- ously sick. Bethiah Shehane, delivery, Husband at Sea. Wrote the Sermons I preached this day. 26. Visited in company with M" Appleton, Orne, & Saunders, the family of M"" Fousset, the only family of the french Refugees which has in due form established itself in Salem. It occupied the mansion house of Capt. R. Derby deceased. Several Vessels have arrived from Jamaica, after a long detention, but bring \is no interesting intelligence. One of the Vessels belonged under covert to M' Fousset. 27. Peter Barasse, an Italian, who had accumulated a decent in- terest, sometime since returned to his own country, & settled at Leghorn, for a purer religion & to make more money, among a better people. But Peter has returned, & shakes his head, with his purse almost empty, regretting his adventure. 28. Last night a Burglary was committed upon the house of M"^^ Clarke, a Shopkeeper in the Old Paved street. It was detected by a light seen through the key hole, by the Town Watch, which light was put out, when the watch haled. They then called upon the woman of the House, & finding her family in bed, beset the house, & apprehended the offenders. They proved to have been old sinners, who have been heretofore in our goal, & are french men, just liberated from confinement. 29. Sunday. Was at Marblehead. Christened there a child named William Williams. Notes. Sam' Silsbee Jun' & Wife, d. *Samuel, son of Rev. George Cnrwin, Captain in the Louisburg expedition and a prominent loyalist whose journals have been printed. 96 DIARY OF [July of their daughter. Elizabeth Chipman, d. of her eldest daughter, & Husband & Brother at Sea. William Foye & Wife, again for her very Low & Weak. Elizabeth Millet, d. of her g. daugh : Chipman & Sons at Sea. William Peele & Wife for her sick of a Fever, & Son at Sea. Lydia Peele in a low condition, prayers. 30. The girl who married the Mulatto on the Neck has been found guilty of obtaining in the names of other persons & conceal- ing effects, &c. So certainly will the want of character produce such consequences. July 1. [1794] This was the day for the visitation of the Schools, but as it was very hot, & notices but partially given, we had not a very excellent feast. We entered the Central Writing School under M'' Gray about 10 A. M. We had reading, & speci- mens of writing. Among the writers an African child attracted notice by a very decent hand writing. We found blacks in all the the writing Schools, but no one to be compared with ISAAC AUGUSTUS. In the Central School we found about 100 boys. In the eastern School under Master Lang the number was greater, but the Boys were smaller, which may be accounted for from the early employment of the children of mariners, & perhaps from the num- bers at the private Schools of Watson & Southwick which are near, and at which are such as are able [to] finish their School educa- tion. The Master was not prepared for us. The Children read a history of the late American War in the style of the Scripture his- tory, a very unsuitable attempt either to gain reverence to the Scriptures or a knowledge of Language. Complaint was made that by the elevation of the windows the air was prevented from a free circulation among the children. It was proposed to raise the Floor, & not admit the great descent. My proposal was entirely to re- move the partitions, & effectually answer the purpose of giving ven- tilation, a floor & ample room to the Scholars. We then passed to the Western School under Master Hacker. He is esteemed the best writing master. He declared he was not prepared, & his specimens were not equal to the last, but his readers were the best. His Boys were largest. We saw at no school any girls, which must have been a pleasing sight. The Boj'S whose writings were presented to me were as follows. In the Central School, W" Fogerty, & W" Hunt, & Isaac Augustus, a Black. In the East School, Jeremiah Sheppard, & Abram Brown. In the West School, G. Cleaveland, J. J. Cleave - land, N. Fisher & Isaac Hacker. From the Central School we passed into the Grammar School which is over it, & under Master Rogers we found it flourishing. Above 40 youth was a sight I had never before seen, & considering the Master's indisposition the per- formances were pleasing. Much remains to be done in order to ex- tend & improve this exhibition & in regard to the grammar School it was a subject of conversation. Upon my return I had a delight- ful beverage with that valuable Citizen Deacon Saunderson. I 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 97 must continue to blame the Book called the " Economy of human life" as very unfit to teach the English language, from the unnat- ural style, & oriental manner in which it is written. And "Perry's " division of syllables is too much in Scottish manner to suit my prejudices from the former usage. 3. This day died suddenly Robert Hooper, aet. 68, a batchelor. He dined as usual & went to Gen. Abbot's to purchase a few arti- cles for himself & his mother with whom he lived, she being aet. 88. He sunk down in the Shop, & was dead instantly. He has long embarrassed the laying out of ferry lane by his land which projects at the eastern corner, & has been laid out by the sessions, & advanced for by subscription, but not yet to his expectations. His miserable buildings stand upon the intended road. He was a man of good natural parts, talkative, great integrity, & has by econ- omy & industry made a piece of land, less than an acre, from his As- paragus, &c., with a little assistance, give him a livelihood. Every one seemed to regard Robert in spite of his singularities. Capt. B. West received the body into his house from which it is to be in- terred. He is in some way related. Robert has of late complained of the Rheumatism, &c., but has enjoyed a state of health without any confinement, or particular interruption. 4. The day of independance. Our only celebration consisted in firing guns at noon, sundown & the evening upon North Field bridge with a few huzzas of such as were assembled. 10. The College Lottery is granted to build another Hall for the use of the Students. This liberty for building Colleges, & meet- ing Houses seems a public licence to the clergy for speculation, which many of them chearfully embrace. 12. Wind. And tried our new Wind mill without success. Either from the construction, or friction, the mill would not go.* 13. Sunday. Notes. William Peele & Wife, d. of g. child, her sick, & Son at Sea. Widow Lydia Peele, d. of g. child & daughter low. Lydia Peele for herself low. Sarah Martin very low. Wil- liam Foye & Wife for her very low. 14. A Miss P. from Boston, at whose house the Son of D' Priest- ley put up, says, that he had most forbidding manners, & except- ing a very few persons, had no favour of the visitants at the House who condemned his austere reserve. 15. Accompanied M" Smith & Miss Philips to spend the day at Col. Orne's, Marblehead. The Col. was not at home, but his wife, & the Nieces received us with great attention. After tea we returned by the way of Brown's Farm after a ride upon the Beach. At half tide the Little Harbour within Orne's Island, seems to have its center within the Island, extending its arms like the five fingers, the longest arm toward the west, another not so long, more south- *Probabl7 Richardson's on East street. 98 DIARY OF [July- ward, another between the island and main, & another at the entrance. The fishermen were washing out their fish. At the pond above the Burying ground, were whole families washing their cloaths. The water is said to be excellent for the purpose. 16. I arose early & went to Cambridge to be present at Com- mencement. I was a little embarassed by the company of a french- man, M. DuFilhol, an entire stranger. I went with him to Boston, over the new Bridge, which received all the Company of the day, so that the old path through Charleston was not trodden more than on a common day. The concourse was extraordinary, & the whole closed without any disorder. The class was not large. The Col- lege have a Lottery to provide for the building a new Hall for the Students. I found the Tutors all strangers. The Library has had few late editions. M"" Winthrop was asked an explanation of his charge that I was to be an answerer to his Book on the Apocalypse. This whimsical work shews my friend to have grown learnedly delirious. 17. On Thursday I was introduced to a disciple of Baron Swe- denborg, by name William Hill, who boards at M" Chadwick's at whose house IVP Winthrop dines. He is a man who strongly recom- mends himself by a marked countenance, bearing a vigorous eye, & a very benevolent disposition. I found him possessed of all the strongest attachments to the opinions of the Baron, & with all the means of defence. He has given a Copy of the Baron's works to the library at Cambridge & has an ample store of the best defence of his works in english. He has a fine portrait of his friend the Rev*^ M"" Cloughes of Manchester, to whom he expresses the warm- est attachment. And another friend, whose name he does not men- tion. These are drawn so exquisitely as to urge the sympathies of a Swedenborger, & to produce the correspondence of a Lavater. He furnished me with a small Volume of Dialogues from which I might collect the leading opinions of the New Jerusalem Church, established on the Baron's writings. M"" Hill has been kind enough to lend me several other volumes for my further instruction & has presented an head of Swedenborg. I felt a sincere love for the man & urged his visits repeatedly. Went to Boston & visited my re- lations. 18. Returned to take charge of my pupil, & found my instruc- tions were not without effect, I recommended to him to read cor- rectly, & to write his latin grammatically. I told him that to do these things well would ensure him the favour he wished. My tarry gave me an opportunity to collect a few pamphlets respecting the affairs of the day, both sermons & other things. 19. I received my pupil, & returned to Salem. The day was hot. Was happy in returning to my old bathing place. 20. Sunday. William Foye, d. of his wife. Wid : Mary Masu- ry, d. of her daughter & sons at Sea. Martha Chard, d. of sister, 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 99 & husband & sons at Sea. Ruth Briggs, for her delivery. Lydia Peele, for herself, apprehended near to death. John Hill & wife for her delivery, 21. Busy iu repairing my room. 24. The Manchester people have asked supplies for their pul- pit, I hope not with the same views as Weuham, to discard us, or rather for us to exhibit the same folly, in making no exertions to unite a people with ourselves. There must be a want of vigour in the clergy, or their leaders. 25. I have never possessed so much tranquility as when I have concealed innocently my opinions of man without offence. 26. Spent the day on the water party, but our Boat grounded on the Eocks we being deceived by the beach above the water, & driv- mg on. The entrances to the beaches on each side of us were free. We tai'iied 7 hours, & reached the harbour after nine in the even- ing. We struck the rocks above the Beacon on the Point oppo- site the Town. We laboured hard in the water to launch the boat at Cat Island but were at last obliged to wait a whole tide. Cap** Gibaut & Silsbee were with me, & the Servants. 27. Sunday. Notes. Joseph Valpy & Wife, her delivery, Brother at Sea. Eunice Cooper, on sudden death of her Son. Warm day this for a congregation. 28. Spent this day in painting chamber, & making preparations for it. The subject of restitution now revives. The report of good voyages tends to efface all former ill impressions. 30. There was early an appearance of fire towards Boston. From the alarm I immediately went for Boston, & found a fire had made tremendous havock upon the part of the Town above the Bopewalks beyond fort Hill. A very beautiful part of the Town was destroyed. There was a great loss of furniture from the sudden force of the fire, the wind being fresh from the northern to the eastern point. This afternoon I saw the execution of the three pirates, under condemnation for the murder of Wood. They were attended by a catholic priest, & behaved with great decency. 31. Busied myself in cleaning Clock for the family. Such trials of mechanic skill are not amiss, & perhaps an institution like that of the Jesuits will be useful, when we execrate their intentions. Aug. 1. [1794] Had the pleasure of seeing M"^ Osgood & family, with the blisses Franklin, the children of his wife's former marriage, at Gen. Fiske's. 3. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Hosmer, delivery, Husb. & Br. at Sea. Good singing & Congregation as full as common, tho' weather lowry. A young woman in a family dear to me, published to a frenchman sans mjeurs & sans goute, and without property, covered with debts, & the most unhappy suspicions of necessity. 5. Corpus w* 193 lb. Our voyages to the W. Indies will not be so great as we expected. 100 DIARY OF [Aug. 7. Green, an anabaptist preacher, lias been attacking some of our Clergy & tho' Green was the aggressor in fact, yet in the gazette he was provoked by scurrility. The low wit of both parties is \ipon Green & Peak, the anabaptists, & Prentiss & Sergeant, the Congregationalists. 10. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Lydia Peele, d. of her eldest daughter, & Son at Sea. Hannah Taylor, d. of her Sister Peele, Husb. & Brother at Sea. AV" Peele & Wife, d. of their friend, & Son at Sea. Thorn. Masury, ret : from Sea, d. of his Sister in his absence. James Collins, ret. from Sea, d. of his Father in his ab- sence. Bradstreet Parker & wife, her delivery, Sarah Hodges, her delivery, Husb. & Brother at Sea. 12. Our association at Bernard's & the Candidate for Lynn to be ordained on the morrow, officiated. His situation is critical. The point of a dismission to be given by the Church to the former Minister as a member in good standing, is yet a question to em- barass their affairs. 13. Being the day for ordination at Lynn I went with Captain Gibout, but finding ourselves early we rode to Nahant, which we found to be full, & after refreshment retarned, but were too late for the services, & so rode on to Philips' Beach where we fished, drank Tea, & then returned. When I rode last I found them re- pairing the road from Philips' Beach towards Marblehead, & upon this visit I found they had taken all the gates away. I rode for the first time towards Philips' Beach from Lynn. We passed the Friends' meeting house above 1/4 of a mile keeping the right hand road, till we came to the place where the open road inclines to the left, & then entered the Gate, & soon afterwards another Gate, & found a good road down to Needham's Beach. We rode a little way upon the Beach & then mounted the upland & opened a Gate at Blaney's, & then passed over the Beach & opened a Gate at Philips', & there we found our accommodations. They reckon from Philips' to the Friends' meeting 2 1/2 miles. Allowing four miles 1/2 to Philips' the distance cannot much exceed in this way to Nahant, & a better road it is now than Salem cross road, or Marblehead great Road, excepting the gates for which we are re- paid in the water prospects, & the fields in which we pass. 14. We had the launching of a Schooner for Cap* B. West, as part of the amusement of the day, at Frye's mills, burden 80 tons. These occasions collect much people & detain them just long enough to avoid fatigue & excess. 15. The partiality to the french has never been more visible than in the various attempts to explain away the naval victory ob- tained over them. Every Construction has been forced, but the facts remain. 17. Sunday. Notes. Jon* Mason & Wife, d. of G. Son, drowned, absent friends, Saunders. Hannah Taylor, delivery, d. of Child 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 101 Husb. & Broth, at Sea. Susannah Jeffrey, delivery, Husb. at Sea. Sam^ Derby & Wife, delivery. 18. We hear the noted Winchester is dealing largely upon the prophesies in Boston, & designates the coining of Jesus upon earth, the city into which he is to enter, & the plan of heaven with greater freedom than any former prophet whatever. Capt. Stephen Hall, who was brought into Town & buried from on board Vessel, which entered last week, has suffered from the detention in the Spanish West Indies. He was deemed a worthy man. 20. Was taken in our harbour the Fish, commonly called " Thresher." It was distroyed before I could obtain a sight of it. From the discription, it was above twelve feet long, & had a Tail as it was called " six feet out of water," with which it was threshing the water, among the alewives who visit our coasts at this season in abundance. It has never been seen here before, tho' often in the great Seas. 21. For the first time the neiv Market House was open for the purposes of selling provisions, &c. The Building is compleat out- side & finished below. The opinions are different widely as to the success, & the advantages. It is built by proprietors. 22. Reports are various as to the restitution which engages the public attention. Some predicting the most amicable adjustments, while others pronounce the most unfavourable symptoms. The public companies include three classes, your fortune hunters, & for- tune keepers, & your irritable folks, two against one. 23. The Friends at Lynn permitted grave stones, till the Breth- ren from Europe discouraged it, & then they removed them. The Methodists at Lynn raise their money by a free contribution every Sunday, by quarterly contributions, & by the contributions of the Classes. The three parties in this Town are nearly equal. The Friends are the most respectable Landed Interest. 24. Sunday. Xotes. Widow Mary Bates, d. of her Son Ben- jamin, G. Sons at Sea. Wid. Mary Becket, d. of her Brother Bates, Sons at Sea. Hannah Malcom, d. of her Brother B., Husband & children absent. Joseph Crookshanks & Wife, for him dang, sick, & her Son at Sea. James Archer & Wife, her delivery. Brothers at Sea. Samuel Swasey & Wife, her delivery, Friends at Sea. 25. Dined at Gen. Fiske's with Madam Hancock. The ungrate- ful wretch our present Governour,* after every abuse, having cringed to his late excellency, has never noticed his widow since his decease, as he has now no dependance upon her. The meanness of this wretch is beyond disci'iption. Was in South Fields at Briggs.' He possesses 4 acres as a purchase at about £200, & is well accomo- dated for Ship Building. 26. A Gust Avith Thunder Storm. A Boat below the Town was upset, & all perished. There were three persons. Skipper Peters, *SaraueI Adams. 102 DIAKY OF [Aug. set, 62, his grandson, & a noted Negro, called The Doctor. It was a large Moses Boat rigged Sloopwise. 27. The old Gentleman & his G. Son were found on west Beach about two miles below the place in which the Boat sunk, & the oars with them, so that probably they swam a great distance, & early relief would have saved them. In the Gazette we have an attested Copy of the number of Vessels adjudicated in the West Indies, exceeding three hundred, from the records of the Office of Department of State. Whether all were finally condemned is not determined. 28. By Newbury we have the reports of the taking of Ostend by the French. The people could not refrain from public expres- sion of their Joy, & the Cannon were fired from the wharves before Sunset in this Town. M"* Carleton has returned, having in Twen- ty days, visited Baltimore in the usual Stages & Packets, & paid visits in the principal places. The time has now arrived when we are openly called in question for our opinions, & when we must answer the clumsy objections which ignorance swelled with wealth may puff at us. M'" Paine's age of reason will have strange effects on mankind. 29. M"" Jordy exhibited an account by which he brought me in debt for his former visits, & put my charities bestowed upon him, as part of the credit. I dismissed the vile fellow forever. Went with Capt. Gibaut & Capt. G. G. Smith into the Bay, but I was very sick from the motion of the water. Our small fishing was ex- cellent near the piffs which we visited at full tide. They then ap- peared in four parts, the highest being furthest off shore, & the next within it, & the other two lying at opposite points were lower. Their angles were entirely worn off by the continued action of the sea. We fished on the S. W. side of the innermost in several fathom of water close too, & found a very great number of Shags on the rocks, which dispersed upon our approach. The Rocks lying in the two heads are well out of water at all times. The four groups at high water seemed to have a bason within them, which looks less regular when the tide ebbs. They lay three miles from the shore opposite to the Beach where Salem divides Lynn & Mar- blehead. 30. Spent the afternoon agreably at Derby's farm, at which Master Lang & myself were regaled with the excellent fruit & gratified with the beauty of the works of art by Avhich the spot is decorated. We went up by Gardner's & returned by Prescot's Tomb, crossing homewards into the road opposite to that leading to Orne's Farm. 31. Sunday. Mary Crookshanks & Children, d. of her husband & a Son at Sea. Rachel Swasey, delivery. Husband at Sea. Sept. 1. [1794] Obtained of Foster his Theodolite & Chain, out of repair, but for present use. I am sorry that I have meddled 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 103 with the matter. This day we were to have begun our survey of the Town, but the characters in which we are to act are not well defined. 3. INF John Derby fell from the Chaise upon the Pavement in consequence of an attempt to leap out, the bits of the Horse having given way, & is much hurt. Had a walk from the fort with Gen. Eochefontaine. He has been laying out the fort & buildings, & the work is to begin immediately. 4. Engaged on our Survey. Cap* Gibaut managed the Theodo- lite. M'" Bowditch the offsets, & kept the Book. M' Ward was Provider & assistant, & Messieurs Boise & Teague were the Chain- men. We began at the extreme part of Salem on the Boston road, & travelled homewards. We were repeatedly interrupted by the rain & reached only to Butt brook. At the bend below Oliver's we made a perpendicular offset of 20 links, & at the cross road leading through Danvers eastward we made a Triangle to avoid the bushes & by this triangle kept the road. We passed into the pastures be- low this offset, & our station was on the Hill before Butt Brook. The whole formed seven stations of which the last but one was above 2000 feet, & the last much longer. We observed the eminences & steeples as we passed, & noted the Houses, buildings. Rocks & antient names, &c. 5. Capt. J. Derby still lays in a state of insensibility. D'' Warren of Boston has visited him. The Swellings prevent any de- termination respecting his case. 6. We went over to Marblehead side. Capt. Ward, Saunderson, Korris & Waldo, Selectmen, Gibaut & Bowditch, Surveyors, with attendants, & met the Marblehead Selectmen, Sewall, Lee, Hooper, Foster, Watson, &c. They questioned our bounds at the Stump in the front of Gen. Glover's House. We first measured from the Stones in the pasture 83 rods home to the House, & found an agreement. We measured from Darling's Cellar & found to agree, the only difficulty was from the house 6 poles, but as this was a new house, & the bounds, were home upon the Road, we hesitated not to confirm the tradition, & to persist in our boundary mark. Afternoon we went to the Shore & fixed the bounds there. We took a base of 10 Chains on the Beach to settle the Islands, & hav- ing fixed stations at the end of our line, on the hill before Fowle's, & at the Beach, we advanced on to measure this line, having offsets at the run of water within the beach, & then to avoid the swamp, and the pond which lay just above. We fixed a station higher than Philip's house, upon which with a painted board was a mark to be seen above the Trees as far as the Hill before Fowle's. Capt. Goodhue furnished a plan of the great Pasture. 7. Sunday. Judith Archer, delivery. Husband & Brethren at Sea. Noah Hobart & Wife, Her delivery. 8. This morning Capt. J. Derby revived so as to speak the first 104 DIARY OP [Sept. time since his fall from the Chaise 110 hours before. He has laid without sense of feeling, but without any other observable sense. He received into the mouth without notice, he was not agitated by any sounds. His eyes were closed by the swelled bruises upon the temples. On Saturday a blister was applied to the head, & the head shaved, & on Sunday Warren & Jar vis of Boston opened the Temples & scraped the bones to observe any possible fracture, & they found none. Since his speaking he has been kept still, & we wait for consequences. We went upon our Survey. We defined the line from Salem bounds at the beach to Gen. Glover's, running N. 60 W. & cleared the General's Store & House. We then took a perpendicular to the Marblehead from the Lynn line which gave 32 rods, which would be exceeded by the Angle at the Generals. We passed the hill & Cliff & took the distance from the latter to the Stones at the Road by angles in the Road. 9. Association at my House. Present, Rev. Bernard, Prince, Wadsworth, Story, Hubbard, Thatcher. M"" Story preached. M' Thatcher of Lynn joined us. A very pleasant day. Col. Pickman, Gen. Fiske, & Master Rogers dined with us. 10. From my absence yesterday I was not able to observe the survey from Lynn road to Spring pond. We began this day at the stones upon the head between the branches of the pond, leaving little of the pond on the side of the Spring in Lynn, but a consid- erable part of the branch toward the road. We then took a direct course towards Boston Road. After our repast we returned to sur- vey the Pond, & while the Surveyors were employed I perambu- lated. I found that the highland in which the Spring was found was nearly seperated by water from the surrounding hills. Just beyond the Pond was another Pond, & opposite to it a cleared Swamp which was drained into Spring Pond by Lynn Branch. The place where the house & buildings formerly stood was dis- covered as above, at the perambulation, which see. At the house the spring is upon the right hand. Just beyond is a pond, whose greatest length might be, as I had no compass, easterly & westerly, surrounded with bush & Swamp, & not 12*^'' part of the dimensions of the Spring Pond. There were foot paths & a road as if leading from hence to a settled part of the country. Leaving this pond which cannot be deep, because the pond lillies grow across it, leav- ing only the eastern side clear, yet on all sides inaccessable without wading. Pursuing the road which led directly to the houses at Flax pond, easterly I found another pond, whose easterly bound was high, & opposite towards Flax pond low. It had an house at the south- ern end, & on the westerly side through low ground communicated with Flax pond. On the northern Hills is to be seen Nahant & Rock, the Settlements near the friends' meeting, the Full Ocean, the Outer & Inner part of Lynn Bay, the Middle is covered by a Hill, the Blue Hills beyond Boston, Islands & Light House, &c. There 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 105 are 3 Houses between the Flax Pond & the oblong Pond east of it. This Pond is clear & 3 times larger than that near Spring Pond. The Pond near Spring Pond is banked out from it by nature, & takes a passage through the Next Pond south of it into Flax Pond, & so into Lynn Bay, while Spring Pond flows into Salem Bay. The Pond near Spring Pond may be higher than Spring, & may not the Spring be occasioned by this Circumstance ? While the Company were employed on the Southerly side, I travelled round the other sides of Spring Pond from the Spring quite round to the outlet, & found it one uniform gravelly surface, with large stones worn smooth as beach or paving stones, excepting only where the stagnant waters had gathered a slime as at the heads of the two branches, & in the curve of the high Hill which stands bold upon the northern shore, «& in which three places alone did I discover any pond Lillies, in all other places the shore was clear in its waters, & it was uniformly stony bottom. Near all the high lands there were Eocks two feet out of water, & they were multiplied near the highest land which was the northern hill. There were some Stones at the Bottom of a Path over the gi-eat Hill which were put to form a landing place, & probably when the little farm adjoining & laying on Boston road, was a Seat of pleasure to the Proprietors. In travelling downwards from the Spring I endeav- oured to keep the Course of the outlet, but at the first fence was obliged to retreat at some distance by the thick woods, chiefly pine, & the course of the water seemed embarassed, but below at a live spring the waters had abundant recruits from the side nearest the road, & together they formed a beautiful stream, not inferior to that which passes from the other ponds through Lynn, & in both which the alewives are found in great plenty in the spring of the year. Prom the Swamp between the two ranges of hills below, this stream has another supply, which is constant, & besides the waters drained from the Lands & Roads the Stream is quite re- spectable at Butt Brook, where they are so named when passing the Bridge in the Road, at the place where the Road falls altogether into Danvers division from hence towards Salem. I observed the bed of the Stream very much resembled the bed of the Pond below the junction of water, where the soil was compleatly washed away. M"^ Bernard of this Town has received a degree of Doctor in Divin- ity from the College in Providence, in the State of Rhode Island. 11. Cap* Derby lies in a high delirium so as to leave his fate uncertain. Ground has been broken from the Port, & they are now blowing a bed of rocks in the ground, where the Magazine is to be planted. This afternoon I received a letter from D'' Swett of New- bury Port, recommending the Bearers, two Gentlemen from Algiers, who have lately arrived in that Port from Rotterdam, in Capt. Edmund Wingate, & are travelling onward to Philadelphia. Be- sides the testimony of the chapter at Newbury Port, signed by 106 DIARY OF [Sept. Gage, Greenleaf, Tucker, & Swett, & b}' the Secretary Osborne, they have testimonials from the Peace Officer, of their good con- duct in that place, M'" Pike, & exhibit the many testimon- ials from abroad. General Fiske was kind enough to take them to his house, where they are at present. Their purposes are un- known as well as their persons. They provoke the public ciu-iosity b}- their dress, &: when they enter the streets, are followed by the children in crowds. 12. The public opinion is free about my Algerines. Some say they are vagabonds, who have been in the West Indies. Others detest the nation & breath the spirit of retaliation, & the greatest uncertainty arises how to conduct towards them. Gen. Piske has received them with his usual humanity, but he is capable of being moved by the public opinion. 13. I found my Algerines not disposed to start & represented the nature of my obligations on Sunday, & the expectations of Gen. Fiske respecting the visits of his friends, & so disposed them to accept a Chaise & boy to carry them to Boston. They seemed dis- satisfied that a Lodge was not opened to receive them, particularly when they found that the donation they were to receive was small, 5 dollars from the Master & gold 23^7 from Capt. H. Derby, vnth. my provision for their Journey free of expence. But as there were different opinions respecting the persons & their designs, & a gen- eral distress in the public mind respecting our suffering brethren in Algiers, it was thought best to conve}' them onward in the most speedy & quiet manner. We drew a letter to the G. Master, which was signed by the Master Esq' Pulling & myself, stating the man- ner in which they were conveyed to us, & our assurances of their demeanour in a peaceable manner, but that we had not opened the Lodge. Gen. Fiske entertained them free of expence while they were here, furnished them with cloaths when they departed, & gave them with his usual bount}-, money, when they bid him farewell. They have letters for the Governour in Boston, & we wish them well. 14. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Majore, delivery, husband, & Brother at Sea. Pleasant & warm Sunday, evening service at 2 o'clock. 15. Blowing Rocks at the Fort to prepare for the Magazine, & 5 Soldiers are already enlisted to be stationed in the Fort. 17. This day was spent in the Survey upon the neck. We crossed from Planter's Marsh to the Pest House, & found a greater quantity & depth of water than we imagined. On the preceeding evening swimming with the chain they lost it in this place. We passed the forts & were upon Abbott's Cove at Sunset. 18. From Abbott's Cove we proceeded round Winter Island to the Point of Eocks, & from the Eocks to our Station on the neck, 6 into Town. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 107 19. Had a sight of that scandalous insult from T. Paine called his age of Reason, upon all the institutions of religion. So imper- fect. So rash & so malicious. 21. Sunday. John Collins & Wife, her delivery, Brethren & Friends at Sea. Penn Townsend for his daughter dangerously sick. 25. The names having been given to the Streets the boards ap- pointed to be placed at the end of each street were put this day. The names are whimsical & do not include so much of the history of the Town as I should have supposed. Gratitude in some cases had a struggle, from the prepossessions of the Committee. 26. "Went with the Surveyors & visited the celebrated Legg's Hill. We raised the monument, & surveyed Gardiner's Pond. The inlet back of Pickman's farm, tho' curving at the foot of the Hill, preserves a regular course till it is lost in the meadows. Forest river continues only with two general inflections, with its meanders in nearly the same general direction, till it reaches the foot of the Pine Hills, then a brook joins it by which the waters are conveyed from the Great Swamp. A Small Swamp below the great Swamp on the right empties into the brook, & a small elevation of Land & Eocks seperates this Swamp from that below which falls into Clay Brook, & empties near Castle Hill. Coy & Deep Pond range nearly from Legg's Hill Summit to General Glover's. Coy's Pond nearest the Hill has the most Swamp & brush, & a Forest of Trees stand- ing in the under brush. Deep Pond coming up nearly into the Eoad from ]\Iarblehead to Lynn is suirounded with Trees on its border. 28. Sunday. Some insinuations against my opinions & public discourses concerning Paine's " Age of Eeason." I still insisted that it was in my opinion, "a contemptible publication." 29. D' Holyoke furnished us with a Sector, of a foot length, which, with a leg, forms a Triangle for observation & by the shadow of a Pin upon which is suspended a plum line, is given the Latitude of the place. It is marked Edward Holyoke 1712, & was imported by the President his Father for his calculations of Antient Eclipses of which a Volume in manuscript yet remains in the Doctor's Pos- session. M'' Prince reported a singular case attended with symp- toms of locked Jaw. A ^laid in the family of ^i^ Eead trod upon a nail & drove it into her foot. The wound soon healed, & she went abroad as usual, & even to Beverly to visit her friends. Afterwards she felt her feet fail her as she descended the stairs, she wrapped up her Jaws as stiff, as she supposed by a cold, & at length her deglutition fail'd. D"" Eead supposing the cause, called for aid. The power of electricity was tried. Faint shocks were thought best from the irritability of the system in such cases. But they availed nothing. By accident one of the Jars burst in one opera- tion, & gave a more severe shock than was intended, & instant re- lief was given. Severe shocks have been since applied, & the pa- 108 DIARY OF [Oct. tient in now thought to be out of a danger. She once declined the painful experiment & it was delayed. But pressing necessity urged her requests of what she had refused, & it was applied with the usual success. 30. Death of M"^ Joseph Pierpont, set. 88, in Dan vers. His character for Charity is given in the Gazette from Rev. Mead's Ser- mon. His age & good spirits is an example against Rush, who supposes old Bachelors not to have great age. Sympathy has in this example a kind effect without women. Oct. 1. [1794] Lost one of our most attentive Singing Girls.* The last of a Consumptive family. She died on the same day with her mother, who deceased Oct. 1, 1786. The Sister has died since, the Brothers before, & now all are dead. Her form betrayed her danger, but she seemed possessed of health, till her complaints about 4 months since, after which she has been gradually declining, without any hopes of recovery. By the marriage of her mother in law, the only two girls we have lost from the whole number of our Singers, belong to one family. The whole number entered is 93, which includes all who appeared as belonging to the several Schools, whether they tarried for a longer or a shorter time. M"^* Barrf buried this evening aet about 70. Her Father died several years ago at 100. The mother died at about 79. And about that age the children faulter. Children follow oftenest the age of the female parent, as is true of almost all our aged women. 2. Our Seamen fill us with horror upon their reports respecting the Gillotine in France, & the cruel manner in which it is employed. 3. The Town having by a Committee named the several streets, & having placed Boards with the names at their respective Corners, the following fall in om' division of the Town. Essex Street, running the whole length of the Town proceeds from Andrews' Corner to Neck Gate. Derby Street, running from the Head of Union Wharf down to the Ship yards, &c. Union Street, passing from Essex Street to Union Wharf. Herbert Street, passing below into Derby Street from Essex Street. Cu7i;is Street, passing below into Derby Street from Essex Street. Orange Street, passing below into Derby Street from Essex Street. Daniel Street, passing below into Derby Street from Essex Street. Hardy Street, passing lower Meeting H. from Essex to Derby Street. Turner's Street, passing from Essex into Derby Street. Beckefs Street, passing from Essex into Derby Street. English Street, passing from Essex into Derby Street. Brown Street, passing North of the Common. ♦Anna, daughter of Penn and Anna Townsend. tPriscilla Symouds, second wife of James Barr. 5 S 5 ^ 1794] WILLIAM bentm:v. It. i>. 109 Pleasant Street, passing from Essex Street eastward of the Com- mon. Street passing from Conmion eastward to Essex Street. Winter Street, from Brown's Street to Bridge Street. Bridge Street, from Winter Street to the Essex Bridge. Locust Street, leading from Bridge Street nortliward to lliver. Locust Street & Orange Street ought to have preserved the names of their antient proprietors. The Skerries are the only aboriginal proprietors holding from the first Settlement. Locust sliould have been Skerry Street, & Orange Street, Bush Street. 4, Rev^ Shaw's death at Haverhill, sudden. He preached all day, enjoyed his friends in the evening, & was found in bed with his wife, dead, by a child who came into the chamber in the morn- ing. 5. Sunday. jSTotes. Penn Townsend & Wife, d. of his only Child & Daughter. John Symonds «& Sister, d. of their Sister Barr. James Whittemore & wife, d. of their Brother, & Breth ren at Sea. 9. M^ Gray ,* it has been said, intends a removal to New York & is now on his journey, & happily escapes the reflections which will be cast upon his zeal. However the matter may be accomo- dated they discover a determined delay. 12. Sunday. Notes. Thomas Squires and Daughter, death of his Wife. Ruth Newton, d. of daughter Squires, pr. with her children. Sarah Martin, dangerously sick. 13. Last Saturday we had the launching of a fine Ship,t Copper bottom, pierced for 16 guns, on Stage Point, Briggs building yard, belonging to G. Crowninshield & Sous. And this day a launch from Becket's yard in the eastern part of the town of a large mer- chant Ship.J The first was launched with all her masts standing, &c. but the second was not finished, & the tides would not admit delay. They both went off without the least accident or interrup- tion. The last Ship belonged to E. H. Derby junior. 14. At Association in Danvers. For the first time we approbated a young candidate in nearly the following words : At a meeting of of the Reverend Association of Salem & its vicinity at Danvers, A B., a Candidate for the ministry offered himself for examination. The Association, having heard a theological discourse, which he exhibited & having been satisfied of his moral character, do testify their approbation, &i recommend him, &c. A neighbour, Capt. Radix, has died of the yellow fever in the West Indies, & only one of his Crew escaped. 15. This day opened a new Scene. The Cadets appeared for their military exercise, & dined at Frye's, at the entrance of the Town. While they were in this position a number of men appeared mounted with a Standard & with Music. The cause was unknown •William Qt2,j, the merchant, who afterward removed to Boston. tShip Kelisanus. tSbip Recovery. 110 DIARY OP [Oct. but it was soon discovered that their object was to pay a national Compliment from the French to Captain Richard Derty, who had brought up a large number of the French, had entertained them at his own expence, & conveyed them without charge to the Consul in Boston. They received the usual salutes, & were by the Cadets conducted to M*" Derby's House, where they' fired a Salute. They were then escorted to General Fiske's, where they sung some nation- al songs, & then to E. H. Derby, where they had the same enter- tainment. The evening they spent at Gen. Fiske's with the Mili- tary Officers of the Town, & with all the hilarity so distinguishing in that nation. They brought an address, of which the following is a copy. Derby we come to pay the debt Of Gratitude, for our nation. Generous favours done so truely Live in daily recollection. When our dear fathers we salute, Our Gratitude will bid us tell That in your country we have found Republicans & Brethren dwell. This STANDARD, we with joy display To your rich virtues it belongs. Let us know you think us grateful And then new joys shall fill our songs. Friend, receive from us this homage Of your known virtues 'tis the claim, Take this Standard from our nation, Inscribed by friendship, see your name. View the fau- emblem, which it bears. Celestial liberty its root, Derby, 'tis yours, to claim the Tree Of which you taste the richest fruit. Derby, forever live, the French your praise begin. Throughout the world such deeds eternal glory bring. Two Gentlemen breakfasted with me, & one lodged. M"^ Pier- onnet lodged. He is a Disciple of Priestley, & has fled his country, in apprehension of a prosecution for Republicanism. Monsieur Drouin Vaudrin is a French naval Officer. 16. Upon examining the Standard, I find the Inscription to be Les FrauQois reconnaissans a Derby Cap*. The Tree displayed has two cross flags upon its Trunk, the French on the right, & the American on the Left. There was a National Cockade at the rise of the Branches from the Trunk & a Cap over the Tree. 20. Last night a M'' Usher, Tinman, made another escape from his Creditors, by retreating bag & baggage, to his friends at Med- 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. Ill ford. lie has several times begun &, ended in the same manner. He is suspected of belonging to a gang of gamblers which infest our Towns. 21. Carleton has taken the Salem Gazette into his hands, & promises impartiality. 23. This day an accident happened at North Bridge, which was repaired about five years ago, as some cattle were driven into Town & about 20 of them upon the draw, the draw gave way, & they fell into the water. Only one was killed. The tide being full, the draws which were supported only on the external angle, ag. each other, turned inwards, & had the force of a lever to snap the hinges. There was a descent of eight feet to the tide, & so the water re- ceived the draw. The Builder of the Bridge, one Gould, was totally ignorant of mechanics. As the Draws were not entirely dis- engaged from the Abutements, the Cattle escaped or they must have been crushed, which would have been the case, had the draws not fell into the water, before they descended their whole length. 28. The quantity of Flower is so great, which was taken at Halifax from the Delaware Fleet, that one man has brought into this State 10,000 Barrels which upon the average price did not ex- ceed 3 dollars pr. Barrel at Halifax. Yet the exportation is so great as to keep up the price of all articles at the highest known rate. Nov. 2. [1794] Sunday. Stephen Hill & Wife, death of their only child. Susannah Harthorne, d. of her g. child, & pr. for her other children under infirmities. Joseph Joy & Wife, her delivery. 3. Millet has arrived dismasted, & several arrivals inform us of deaths abroad of persons belonging to the Town, Our Country men from Bass Bark have manufactured wrapping Paper. 6. The celebrated Quaker Preacher in Town, Sans of Philadel- phia & there was a meeting in the Evening. After waiting in silence two hours, being prompted by curiosity with the multitude, he rose, & commended the patience of the Crowd to set still so long, said he was under a cloud, wished them the inward light, & told us that he seldom knew so many children set still so long. This man has preached in one of our Meeting Houses & has been very much caressed. He told us that the meal we once wanted for our bellies, we now put upon our heads. The most desultory speech for 10 minutes that could be uttered. 7. Our Quaker Preacher tells us that the world is to be reformed by being thinned. Nothing like it yet appears. He forgets that he is out of Philadelphia. John Carnes who married a Derby has re- turned after having been shipwrecked in an Imperial Ship upon the Coast of Africa. 9. Sunday. Notes. George Lazell & Wife, death of g. Son. Samuel Masury & Wife, d. of a child, & friends at Sea. Ruth Newton, d. of her G. Child, Whitehead. 112 DIARY OF [Nov. 11. The Artillery under Cap* Hovey paraded & upon the neck fired at a Target, which they struck twice in the time of their firing. 12. The Criminals arraigned this day for trial on the Morrow. As the people suppose them to be capital offenders, it is hard to supply the jury, four have already paid their fines rather than serve. 13. The Trial of the two Thieves for Burglary. The Trial be- gan in the morning & the Case was delivered to the jury at four o'clock P. M. The State's Attorney was Sullivan, the Council for the Defendants, Sewall & Dane. Their Plea was grounded upon the questions whether M""* Clarke's House was properly a dwelling House, & whether noctanter, did not intend by the late Law, break of Day, or the Commencement of Twilight, which in the month of June was at 2 o'clock, the watch declaring that they detected the thieves at 28 minutes past 2 o'clock. The Court overruled the first, as not a question & the Attorney replied that noctanter was explained while the countenance of a man could not be discerned. No disputes about the facts committed. 14. The Jury sat all night, but could not be prevailed upon to bring in their verdict, guilty of death, so firm are the people against sanguinary Laws. They brought them in guilty of Thieft, & they sentenced to sit on the gallows, be whipped & confined to labour 15 years at the Castle. 15. The Boys appeared upon the ice yesterday for the first time, & the earth is now covered. Capt. Jacob Crowninshield has ar- rived after a most successful voyage to India. 17. For the fourth time employed in making a summary for the Salem Gazette to assist my fellow boarder, M"" Carleton. Perhaps I may get my hand in at last. 19. News that Capt. John MacGregory, who has been building a vessel at old York & long in a decline, having adventured abroad against the advice of his friends, being hardly able to move, has died at York yesterday. He buried his wife not long since. 20. Thanksgiving. The Contribution was above 31£ including nine pounds sent generously by M'' Derby to belong to it. 21. Had the pleasure of receiving William Priestley, the Son of Doctor Joseph Priestley, from Boston. His family have purchased a Tract in Pennsylvania, & the Doctor now resides at Northumberland above an hundred miles from Philadelphia on the Susquehannah. 22. Spent the morning in visiting different parts of the Town with M"" Priestley, & the afternoon with General Fiske & some company at his house. Christened the Children of M"^ Putnam. The first instance of goiug beyond my limits. 23. Sunday. Notes. Samuel Silsbee & family, death of his Son in Law M*=Gregory, Son at Sea. George Hodges & Wife, death of eldest child, & Brother at Sea. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 113 24. Left Salem with M"" Priestley ou a Journey to see the new Bridges of this County. We visited the Beverly Manufacture, which from the fruitless attempt to manufacture cotton velvet, & unfashionable goods, is now converted to the profitable business of Bedticks, & the demand is much beyond the ability of M'' Burnham to supply. 60 hands are now employed in Beverly ^Manufactory. We reached Ipswich & were kindly received at Rev*^ Dana's, for whom we carried Letters. After viewing the New Court House the plan of which is to be seen, tho' yet it is unfinished, we passed after dinner to the Academy Dummer, & spent an hour with the worthy Preceptor Smith. We had not time to visit the Woolen Manufactory established three miles from the Academy, from the shortness of the Days. We spent the first part of the evening at Rev** Andrews in company with Rev*^ Carey, very agreably, & then went & supped at M"" Jackson's, & lodged at his house. They have purchased an elegant organ for the first Church, of American manu- facture. 25. We spent the morning in visiting the Town. There is a new Meeting House built for a number of Seceders from the Pres- byterian Church, who have at length settled a M' Milton, & the Presbyterians have settled a M"" Dana, to whom we had letters of address, & by whom we were kindly received. We visited the rope walks, which were now decorated in honour of Queen Catharine, on a day bearing the name of a Saint Catharine. We visited the new Charity house, which is a brick building, now erecting, & only fin- ished on the ground floor. An entry passes through the middle leaving four rooms on each side, exclusively of the rooms assigned for the Overseer at the northern end. The upper part is to contain two large Rooms for business, & for the Overseers ; till they are necessary for other purposes. We visited M' Parsons, our eminent Lawyer, & various other characters, & dined with D"" Lovett in company with the amiable M"" Jackson, who returned the visit to D"^ Swett, who had breakfasted with us in the evening. After din- ner we took leave & went towards Haverhill. We were advised to go up Newbury side of the river, because the road was better, tho' the Amsbury side was shorter. We passed half a mile above grass- hopper plains, where stands a meeting house, to view the New Bridge, & returned, by a path which shortened our distance, to the plain near the meeting house making a Gore of Land. We were advised to pass Cottle's ferry, or at Bradford lower Meeting at Bus- sel's ferry but we continued up till we reached the Bridge, and it was too late to examine it. We spent an agreable evening at Herod's, & lodged that night at his house. We had a pleasing company of Ladies. 26. In the morning, M"^ Bartlet, our high Sherif, & a candidate for Congress, who superintends the building of the Bridge, waited upon us to examine it. We found the piers of Stone, & three 114 DIARY OF [Nov. arches. We wait for a circumstantial discription to be assured of all its proportions. We then had purposes of visiting the Bodwell Bridge between Andover & INIethuen, but the cold & the wind in our faces made us relinquish this object as well as the Canal at Patucket falls, & even above at Goff's Town, with the Bridges. We returned by Boxford & Topsfield to Salem, & arrived before Sundown. Haverhill Bridge is 863 feet long, with three Arches 183 feet each in length, 34 feet wide, upon stone piers, & abut- ments. 27. Col. Pickman gave me the following articles from his papers. Great fire, 28 June 1678, began at a warehouse, the property of Timothy Lindall, standing on the spot where now the Widow Gardner lives, near opposite to S* Peter's street, at little easterly. The Warehouse was consumed, & a Dwelling House, the property of Major Pilgrim, & inhabited by himself, standing where now Capt. Lander lives, eastward of the warehouse, & a Dwelling House, the property of Hon. W™ Browne, where M'" W. Gray now lives, opposite to Lander's & still more easterly, & a Dwelling House at the corner of S* Peter's Street, where Cap* Joseph White now lives westerly of Gray's. The next Fire was 6 Oct. 1774. By a communication from Cap* John Becket, it appears that John Becket, senr, did on the 1 Nov. 1683, by will, dispose of the Lane, formerly called Becket's Lane, now Cromwell Street, in these words, " I give to my Wife Margaret, my Dwelling House & all the Land now in fence belonging thereunto, &c., only there is a convenient highway to be left through the land on the west side thereof, for the use of my Children & their heirs, &c. to go to the high Street." It further appears by the Will of his Wife Margaret, then Crom- well, did dispose in virtue of this fee in her of said land, to Han- nah Becket, Wife of Isaac Sternes, as to her daughter, bounded as follows, about half an Acre, southeasterly on William Becket the Son. Northeasterly on Joseph Swasey, & John Carter, formerly the Land of one Sallows only. Northwesterly on the Land of my Children, & on the Land Southwesterly laid out to the Children. 30. Sunday. Notes. Jonathan Mason sen. & Wife, d. of Brother Mason's Wife, & friends abroad. William Oliver & wife, d. of only child, & Brother at Sea. Mary Whitford, d. of g. son Oliver, & for son at Sea. Dec. 1. [1794] Capt. P. Townsend brought with him a Vessel, which he took up in the West Indies, without a Cargo, or any liv- ing person on board. 5. Capt. Gibaut has unhappily had a difference with M"" Derby, which prevents the prospect of his voiage at present, & may in the end assist our plan of the Town, M"^ Bowditch was going with him. 6. A Vessel entered this port, which had been taken by a Ber- muda privateer. The Captain, one hand & a boy were left on 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. I). 115 board with 6 men from the Privateer. Capt. Flint rose uj^on them, shut them below and after continuing 14 days upon deck carried her into Martha's Vineyard, where they liberated their prisoners, & carried the Vessel home with the great part of the outward bound cargo. She is owned in this Town by Peabody & Perkins. 7. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Sarah Knights & children, death of her Son abroad & Son at Sea. Sarah Martin, very sick in the Charity house. Martha Chard, Son sick of fever. Husband, son, & Brother at Sea. Susannah Dale, delivery, Husbaud at Sea. 10. A Fish came on shore at the bottom of Locust Street on North River, called by the seamen Grampus, measuring eight feet in length »& continued from head to neck, so as that from mouth to neck was a quarter round. It was very large in proportion over the upper parts, but being in a state of dissolution the parts could not accurately be ascertained. It probably is of that species called vulgarly the snorting pig, thicker than the common porpus. I have not yet seen a person, who has seen the like, upon whose Judgment I can depend. As I visited the fish I found the projecting angle of Hooper's Land taken off, a favour that could not be obtained in his life time, not only from the singularity of the man, but from the position of his buildings. His barn & lintel,* & part of the dwell- ing house were over the Line. For the first time I entered the House, which is all now standing, the lintel having been taken down. It is very antient, & has stood till it looked dangerous. It consisted of one Room & chamber. The chimney was in the west- ern end, & covered by the Lintel, which was not framed into the house. The Posts were of Oak, large, & supporting upon a large projection. The beams which, as the ground work was gone, by sink- ing perpendicularly into the ground, had bent the house at a con- siderable angle in the middle, there being only three posts of a side, two of which on each side were at the Corners. The entry was in the space between the Chimney & the side of the House. The Stairs ascended over the projecting work of the Chimney, which contained the oven. All the wood work of the house exhibited the Account book of the Old Batchelor, for it was entirely covered with figures, neatly made, & with the names 'of the Creditors. Dates might be traced for years past, & the course of his labours ascer- tained. The windows remained, of diamond glass & lead, of 2 feet by one. The fire place as large as the Rooms would admit. The House filled in with Clay & Bricks. The Clapboards had been so long upon it as to be as thin as their adherence together could ad- mit. The house siink in the middle one end resting on the founda- tion of the chimney, & the other being on a range of cellar wall. 11. This day a launching from Brigg's Ship Yard, opposite the harbour, a Vessel about 100 Tons burden,! belonging to Hodges & •Lean-to. tBrigantine Friendship. 116 DIARY OP [Dec. C** destined to an East India Voyage. Our fire club this evening. We lost by death one of our young members last week, William Archer. 13. The weather continuing exceedingly pleasant, no kind of business is interrupted. The observations are, that never were the days of December so pleasant. 14. Sunday. There was something singular on the notes this day. All the cases were of seperation. The Widow Bowditch was left by her husband many years since. Capt. William Wyatt who died at New Orleans, left his family several years since. The Father does not visit or cohabit with his wife. M''* Martin who died in the Charity house was left by her husband, who may be yet living, as far as we know. Mary Bowditch & children, d. of her son, friends at Sea. Sarah Wyatt, d. of her Son, & Son in law at Sea. Sarah Wellman, d. of her Brother Wyatt, & husband at Sea, Jane Wyatt & children, d. of her husband. Elizabeth Whitefoot & children, d. of Sister Martin, A Son at Sea. William Sage, Wife & Children, d. of a Son, & Sons at Sea. 17. News from Charlestown that Joseph Grafton of this Town put an end to his life by cutting his Throat. The morals & man- ners of this man have been singulai*. The past incident of his life at the death of his Cousin, the particulars of which may be found in the day book as I was an eye witness. The disinheriting a wife & children, the marriage with a woman who distressed the family & without reputation, the attempt to impoverish his aged benefac- tresses by a law suit for 1500£, when he was in debt 300£, his active zeal to divorce his mother in Law, his injuries to his brother, his contempt of all religion, his idea of success constituting moral- ity, the suits which perplexed his last hours, leave no room to doubt that his mind was disquieted without consolation. 19. There is another small publication upon Crows in the New- bury Gazette, intended to insult D"^ Cutler for his conduct in the Ohio business. That gentleman had much better confined himself to his share of fame in Botany, than have adventured so deeply, at the expense of his reputation & of his ease, which must be inter- rupted by endless Lawsuits, & the most disgraceful claims, to which he is continually liable. 20. The theatre opened again in Boston, but their new importa- tion does not exceed the last. They do not appear better pleased. The price of Tickets in the gallery being raised from 1/6 to 2/3 is not a pleasing measure to the poorer class of people. The Gazettes do not spare the actors. 21. Sunday. Note. Samuel Dodd & Wife, Her delivery, & he sick. 22. A Man not belonging to the Town drowned in the Harbour. News that Kilham, belonging to John Derby, has lost his vessel among the Bahamas. An attempt was made by a delirious woman 1794] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 117 to drown herself by leaping from one of the wharves in the night time, but she was discovered in the water & preserved. Name Pillsbury. 23. Capt. Phillips in the Ketch [Eliza] sailed for India, & to him I committed the Letters for the Consul, &c. His Vessel is said to be a fast sailor, & there were many to observe her as she went to Sea. 24. The weather continues remarkably pleasant. Around the shores there is not the least notice of winter. No ice is seen upon the rocks, or at the water line of the tide. Walking abroad is pleasant, & no occupation is interrupted. The fire side is deserted, & healthy people neglect their fires altogether. 25. I walked with Col. Pickman to Marblehead & attended the services of S' Michael's Church. We had a pertinent discourse from j\P Harris, & I attended his communion. He is a candid man. The man of S' Peters,* Salem, has refused all ministerial inter- course, because he admitted his Father & Brother into his pulpit, they being dissenters from the Cliurch of England. Such is the clerical pride of a Church which in this Country is a small sect, & in the whole state in which they can give but one competent living, & have not above five regular assemblies out of several hundred religious congregations. 28. Sunday. Notes. John Collins & Wife, her delivery. This evening from the indisposition of the Ecclesiastic Episcopal, I at- tended the funeral of a Black man of middle age, who called himself BARNABAS SPRAGUE, & was born in Virginia upon James River. 29. As John's day came on Saturday with the principal Lodges on the Continent we deferred the celebration till Monday, & this day met & had the feast at Gen. Abbot's in Church Street. The entertainment was good, & we paid the sum of 10^6 each includ- ing all charges. There were 24 persons, & no invitations were given to such persons as were not Brethren. We had several fine songs. After the Installation about 5 o'clock we all retired having paid the reckoning. M'' Gaines was invited & entertained by us, & an additional charity was raised for him of 6, 13/2, to the sums he has received this season. For the principal part of this charity we are indebted to our most worthy brother Derby. 30. For the first time in this month we had snow. It began about 2 o'clock & was moderate till the evening, grew fine, & misty. 31. From Joseph Hiller, Collector of the Port of Salem, is the following Communication. Account of Vessels belonging to the District of Salem & Beverly, 1794. *Rev. Nathaniel Fibber. 118 DIARY OF [Dec. Ports Trade Coasting Fishing is OQ m PC ■aSo S p. 1 o o o OQ Sloopi Boats Scboo Boats Salem 15 48 6 47 4 11 12 1 13 3 Beverly- 2 1 13 0 1 2 5 21 4 Ipswich 3 1 2 8 3 53 Danvers 3 1 1 15 50 7 66 5 14 14 15 38 60 « «-i B » ""'^a, u tBai S M 9 « O oj.2 O O * o sS o a Ports. S2 C 2 OQ <3 « "i ^1^ Hfal> 3 2 H Salem 160 14,964 1,100 724 16,788 Beverly- 49 1,292 223 1,292 2,805 Ipswich 70 292 189 704 1,185 Danvers 5 220 11 58 289 284 16,768 1,523 2,778 21,067 My grandfather Thomas Bentley, was born in England, in the west, on 3 May 1699, & came to Boston, America, with his father in the year 1711. He was a Lieutenant in Col. Clayton's Regi- ment, & had served under the Duke of Malborough. He encamped on Noddle's Island in Boston harbour. The G. G. Father was on the unfortunate expedition to Canada, & before the fleet sailed from Boston, he brought my G. Father to Boston, & bound him an ap- prentice to a M' R. Witteridge, a Ship Carpenter, upon condition that if he returned from the expedition, he might receive his son again, otherwise he was to serve his time out. But my G. G. Fatlier was one of the sufferers in the Fleet, that was cast away. My G. Father after his apprenticeship went to Sea several years, then followed his trade for the space of 60 years, till the end of life. He was a social & honest man. He has often told me, that he found the connections of his family in reputation, & easy cir- cumstances in London, & has mentioned that being full of spirits his pride was piqued in regard to his habit, & he declined any fur- ther acquaintance. He died 22 November 1783. He married Stisan7iah Toivnseml* 5 February, 1725. Thomas & James^ Twins, were born Nov. 2, 1725 ; both died in 4 months after birth. Joslma, was born, Wednesday, 18 Jan^ 1727. This is my Father. ♦Daughter of James and A ice (^ev ell) Townsend of Bostou, 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 119 Thomas was born, 1 March 1729. After he was of age, he fol- lowed the Sea, & was Master of a Vessel, out of England, & we apprehend died abroad. Susannah was born, Sunday, 20 December 1730, married a M' P. Farmer, Master of a Vessel, who died abroad, died in Boston Jan. 23, 1813. Alice, died soon after she was born. Benjamin, died soon after he was born. Caleb, was born 20 January, 1735. Died of the small pox in his W^ year. Mary, was born Thursday, 4 November, 1736. She married Jonathan Heyden, who died & left several children. She died July or Aug. 1804. Dorothy, was born on Friday, 22 December, 1738. She married M'' W. Wheat, son of D' Wheat, of Newton, went to live at Provi- dence, R. Island. He was drowned a few years ago. The three children are all married in that place ; died at Providence. Nathaniel, Sept. 3, 1741 born, died at 20 months. Nathaniel, born, Aug. 16, 1742, died in 1744. Alice, born February 16, 1745, married a M'" Banks, a Scotch- man, Physician, went to live with him in New Hampshire, was there several years & died at Wilmington, on a visit to her friends, & was buried at Boston. She left a Son, who was at Boston a year since. Susannah my Grand mother died in Child bed, Sept. 9, 1744, aged 42 years. She was a daughter of M'' James Town send. Shoe- maker, who in the latter part of life, was an attendant upon the Mathers, & Sexton of their Church. My G. Father's Second Wife was Martha Townsend, Widow. She died 22 July, 1781, aged 81 years. S'" John Bentley when in America made enquiry after a branch of the family, supposed to be in America, & from him my G, F. got information. The History of my Mother's Family. William Paine, was descended from the family of Paines who settled at Salem, Wenham & Boston, at the beginning of the plan- tation. William Paine was born, in 1711, died INov. 1786, aged 75 years. Mary Paine his wife, was of the family of Ruggles in Roxbury, an antient family, was born in 1717, died Jannary 27, 1783, aged 66. Their children were : Mary, born 26 Feb. 1735 & died 15 Aug. 1792 aet. 57. She mar- ried Deacon Samuel Ridgway, as his third wife. She left one child, a Daughter, Mary, who married a JM*" Wilds of Boston, Merchant. 120 DIARY OF [Dec. William, born 7 Dec. 1735, died Feb. 4, 1773, set. 36, at Charles- town. He married Mary Howell from Long Island, N. York. He left three Sons & a daughter. The eldest Son is settled on Long Island, William. Thomas & George, are Merchants of Boston. Mary, lives with her mother in Boston. Elizabeth, my mother, of whose family hereafter, born 17 March, 1739, died 1 Nov. 1804. Sarah, born 25 January, 1741, died unmarried 8 May, 1772, set. 32. Thojnas, born 23 April, 1 743, died March 29, 1768, at Charles- town, set. 25. He married a Sigourney, but left no children. Diana, born 24 February, 1745. She married Thomas Adams of Boston, a Master of a Vessel, & Merchant, & had several children. She lives a Widow with her children in Boston, died . John, born 30 Dec. 1747, died 12 Januarv, 1748. John, born 22 Sept. 1750, died Oct. 5, 1784, set. 34. He married a Rich of Truro, Cape Cod. He left one child, a Daughter. Family of Joshua & Elizabeth Bentley. My parents. They were married by Rev^ D'' Pemberton, 30 March, 1757. Their Children were : Joshua, born May 11, 1758, died about 4 months old. William, born 22 June, 1759, Friday. Joshua, born April, 1761, died May 19, 1777, in a guardship, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Thomas & John, Twins, born 10 January, 1764, Tuesday. John died at 7 months of age. Thomas since married. Died 11 Dec. 1804, set. 41. John, born 21 Nov. 1765, Wednesday. Mary Paine, born 13 January, 1768, Thursday. Elizabeth ,\)Ovn 13 December, 1769, Wednesday. Samuel, born ;'» Dec. 1772, died about 5 years old. Susannah, born Aug. 22, 1774, Monday. Samuel, born April 8, 1777, Tuesday. Caleb, born 14 January, 1779, died at 3 months. Notice is taken of the d. of Mary, Wid. of Capt. W. Bentley, East Greenwich, R. I., in August, 1815, set. 87. Three branches of the family came. One settled in Virginia, one in Rhode Island & one in Boston, Massachusetts. The Settlement, &c. of the Children Thomas, married Mary Skillings, by whom he had : Richard, born Aug. 30, 1787, Thursday. Thomas, born Nov. 10, 1788, Monday, died. Mary, born Jan. 20, 1790, died 25 Sept. following. Mary, born May 9, 1791, Monday, died. William, born July 9, 1792, died. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 121 Elizabeth, born Dec. 15, 1794, Sunday. Thomas, born March 22, 1795, SundaJ^ Brother Thomas & family removed to Cape Ann, in 1796. A Goldsmith, apprentice to Emery, Boston, returned to Boston in 1799, died 11 Dec. 1804. John Bentley, married in district of Maine, 15 July, 1792, P21iza- beth Blythe (Settled in Maine, was a Cooper, App: to Hitchborne, Boston), by whom he had : John & Tobias, Twins, 14 April, 1793, Sunday, died soon after birth. Joshua, born 1 July, 1794, Tuesday. Mary, born 4 May, 1796, Wednesday. Elizabeth, John, T. Jeffer- son, W. Madison. John's Children reported in the year of his death, 1814. Joshua, 21 y. July, 1815. Mary, 19 in May, 1815. Elizabeth, 17 in Feb. 1815. John, 12 in Oct. 1815. T. Jefferson, 10 in June, 1815. Harriet & William, 7 Oct. 1815. Marij Faine, married Robert Dawes, 8 Nov. 1790. A Goldsmith, app. to Emery, Boston. Robert Dawes was born 22 May, 1767, at . They removed from Boston to Harvard in 1793. Their Children were : Mary, who died soon after birth. Maria, Eliza, Sophia, William Bentley. [Robert, Emily, Harriet.] Elizabeth, married Henry Fowle, 4 Nov. 1789. Blockmaker, app. to Skillings, Boston. Henry Fowle was born 19 Sept. 1766, at Medford. Living in Boston. Elizabeth, died 18 Jan. 1811, aet. 41. Their Children : Henry, born 22 Sept. 1790, died of Small pox. Elizabeth, born 20 May 1792, died 29 Dec. 1796. Henry, born 19 [12 ?] Jan. 1794. William Bentley, born Oct. 17, 1795. Joshua Bentley, born June 17, 1797. Elizabeth, born 23 March, 1799. Henry Fou'le was born in Medford, Sept. 18, 1766 & married to Elizabeth Bentley in Boston, Nov. 1. 1789. Their Children : Henry, born Sept. 26, 1790, died Sept. 15, 1792. Betsey, born May 20, 1792, died Dec. 29, 1796. Henry 2d, born January 13, 1794. William Bentley, born Oct. 17, 1795. Joshua Bentley, born June 17, 1797. Betsey 2d, born March 21, 1799, died March 12, 1809. Thomas Patten, born Dec. 5, 1800. After his G. Father. John Skillin, born Aug. 5, 1802. His Father's Uncle. George, born Sept. 4, 1804. Ann, born April 18, 1806. Caroline & Augusta, Twins, born June 29, 1808. Augusta died May 1, 1809. The Mother died January 18, 1811, set. 41. 122 DIARY OF [Jan. Susanna, married Capt. Charles Woolley, April 4, 1796, by whom she had children : Susanna Ann, born Oct. 8, 1800. Charles, born Aug. 4, 1802. Capt. Wooley died Sept. 29, 1802. S^isanna afterward married David Child, of Groton, in 1806 & had by him, Mary Paine, Jan. 3, 1807. Samuel, a Cooper, with his brother John, a Blockmaker, with his Br. Fowle, was married to Eebecca Fowle half sister of the above Henry Fowle, May 13, 1810, & have children : Elizabeth Paine, born Feb. 13, 1811. Mary Ann, born June 7, 1812, died June 1, 1816. Rebecca, born Sept. 24, 1814, died Nov. 11, 1816. Samuel, born Nov. 17, 1816. Henry Fowle was again married, July 11, 1811, to Mary Adams, daughter of Capt. John Adams of Boston, died in child bed, July 18, 1814, set. 40, leaving no offspring. He was married a third time, Dec. 1, 1814, to Ruth Skimmer, d. of Capt. John Skimmer of Bos- ton, & a relative of his second wife. By her he has had children : Augusta, born 1816, & Ruth, 1817. Henry Fowle, the Son, born 1794, married April 26, 1818, to Mary Elizabeth Edes, daughter of the late Edward Edes, at the North end, Boston, «& g. daughter of Justice Gardner, who lived in School Street. Jan^ 1, 1795. Snow, but very pleasant evening. Every per- son remarks the most agreable weather of last month. 26 fair days in December are rarely to be found, & the most mild weather , with- out even the changes incident to our Climate & the season. 2. This day was buried from the Charity House, a mariner who was brought into this port in a Vessel bound from Jamaica to Ken- nebunk, of which place he was an inhabitant. The Captain being sick, the mate undertook to bring the poor fellow ashore, & after hoisting him in & out of the boat, & carrying him about in the streets in the evening for lodgings, the mate was arrested by the police, & the man sent immediately to the Charity House, but be- fore he arrived there he expired. The Mate is now in the hands of the officer. The man died of the contagious fever of the West Indies. 3. Attended the funeral of a Child belonging to Teague, Sexton of M'' Fisher's Episcopal Church, he being unable to attend from lameness. Great censure has been passed upon the representation in the Gazette respecting Joseph Grafton. From the piece it has left the public uncertain whether it came from a friend or an ene- my. If it came from a friend as is supposed, it must have come from a fool, talking of the loss of reason & calm resignation in the act of cutting his throat. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 123 4. Sunday. The old church of the Ep. Church shut up. The morning was rainy, & stormy, so that the congregation was thin, only four women on the floor of the house. At one the sky was clear & the sun bright. A M' Hearsey, who lately married a fine girl of my acquaintance, & whom I saw abroad in the evening, put an end to his life last night. He was a natire of Hingham, & a Hatter. He has lately forfeited a good character, & been exces- sively addicted to intemperance. He used a dose of Laudanum. Notes. Samuel Dodd & Wife for him remaining very sick & in- firm. 6. Published at Carleton's request Jemmy Jaip. It brought the unhappy man over. It worked liked an emetic. He rejected the paper with disdain, was angry, threatened, & won't sleep well this night.* The Jury of inquest was called upon young Hearsey, to silence the clamours of the people, but they soon decided insane, upon the whole conduct of the past year. The 2 oz. of Laudanum which betook at 6 in the evening, did not finish him till past 12. D^ Holyoke administered the most violent emetics without any apparent effects. The most violent motions were given him, with the same success. He breathed with extreme difficulty, groaned, & died a hard death. His Father was in Town from Hingham. Major Saundersf was accepted this evening & Captain Frye admit- ted as a member of our Lodge. The plan of our Certificate was viewed in the Lodge & reported. It was proposed to keep a trans- lation of it in all the Languages of Europe upon the Lodge Books, to be transferred at the request of the members to the back of their Certificates. 7. Departed this life, Sarah Putnam, Daughter of General Fiske. She possessed a happy tempei-, & was an agreeable wife, & is added to the list of bereavements, which have been multiplied in the Gen- eral's Family. She was in her 23^^ year, & has left one child, a son, behind. The weather has been so uniformly pleasant that vege- tation has continued in a very unusual manner. Tliree Savoy Heads of Cabbage were presented to me by M"" Joshua Phippen, which since the first of November had formed upon stumps, placed in the bottom of his Cellar. They were as flourishing, sweet & perfect as any I ever saw. 10. This day M" Putnam, daughter of General Fiske was buried. The funeral procession was long. The Corpse was preceeded by the Cadet Company, of which M'' Putnam is an Officer. The Marine Society attended after the mourners, & a great number of Citizens closed the procession. We have a melancholy report of the death of Capt. Benjamin Orne in the West Indies. As a resident in the same house, & an intimate acquaintance, I should be sorry to have this news confirmed. *See Salem Gazette, Jan. (>, 1795. tMaj. John Saunders, first commander of tlie Salem Light Infantry. 124 DIARY OP [Jan. 11. Sunday. An arrangement was made so that the funeral dis- course should be delivered in the afternoon, & the General & family- should attend in the morning at M"" Prince's with M"^ Putnam. Notes. Sarah Patterson, delivery, Husband & Br. at Sea. John Piske & family, d. of Daughter Putnam. 13. We are told that great as have been our losses in the West Indies they have lost no person from Marblehead in the fisheries. 14. From Newbury we learn they have shifted their lights on the end of Plum Island, so that the lights abreast might bring a vessel over the Bar, by shewing the true course. 16. M"" Wm Priestley paid me a second visit in company with a M"" Palmer, Son of the Minister at Hackney, & a M'' Bunting from Yorkshire, A M*" Davison was with them on his journey to Kenne- beck where he resides, having married a daughter of Gen. Lithgow. 18. Sunday. Notes. John Collins & Wife, d. of their child & p. for friends at Sea. Sarah Dodd for her husband very low, & im- pared by paral. stroke. 19. A M"" John Smith was brought into this Town. He returned with Capt. Welman, & died in Boston Harbour. He was a native of Ipswich, & lived with his family in our neighbourhood. 20. Last Evening had some account of Jeheca.* The Island which lays between the two branches of the river, with the high land is called Hog Island. The Peninsula within, Burnham's Laud. The small Island within two penny Loaf on the Gloucester Shore opposite Hog Island is called Corn Island. The Island in the south branch called Round Island. 21. A worthy good woman M""* Tompson died last night at M"^ Ring's. The Children out in richest glee enjoying their snow balls. An Illumination was proposed in the Gazettes of Boston on Thanksgiving evening, but it had such serious opposition from the habits of the people who observe such days with the silence of Sun- day, that in the next papers it was renounced as impracticable. 22. Capt. Carnes & JNP Turell with me for the evening. Capt. Frye has lost one of his men by desertion. This little corps is com- posed of some unhappy men who having made every experiment upon the low vices, & having tried the air & discipline of our goals & the castle, are now upon the last experiment of continental wages at three dollars p' month. 24. Capt. Becket has gone with his cousin David Ingersoll to take possession of a little farm in Richmond, N. H., upon our line towards Connecticut river. His Brother John is there before him. They consider their Town as not at all benefitted by the want of public instruction, & the visits of itinerants. M' D. Ingersoll was not a little discouraged & dejected when he left us. Serious thoughts are entertained of celebrating the President's birthday, & D'" Little is spoken of as the Orator of the day. •Chebacco, now the town of Essex. 1795J WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. D. 125 25. Sunday. The President's proclamation was read, & the as- sembly notified of an intended contribution for our brethren in Algiers, should the matter be general, as the printed & circulated papers seemed to import. Notes. Tiiomas Dean, d. of his G. Child Waters, & p. for Brother at Sea. Sarah Kichardson & children, d. of her Husband. Mansfield Burrill, her delivery. 28. In the evening I passed a few hours at a Young Physician's, in company with two of the same faculty, a young Lawyer & a Clerk of a Court. I never felt myself in a more awkward or disa- greable situation. The young Lawyer teazed me with endless im- pertinent questions & quibbles. The young p. one with a strange reserve, another with talkative conceit, & another with the most marked insignificance employed my eyes, my ears & my tongue upon the strange jumble of characters & conversation. The poor Clerk aided the ridiculous scene, by a desire to applaud all as it passed. Disgust soon succeeded to contempt. Expressions to emotions, & we parted early. On my own part determined not soon to be in so painful a situation. Am I unlike the world, & unfit for it, that it looks so to me ? 30. I was addressed this day from a man unknown promising ample rewards if I would disclose means to find the precise spot where the Pirates 110 years since hid their money upon Euler's Island in Maine. The man said that he had been digging with his Companions, had seen the chest, but it had escaped from them, & they knew no way to detain it. I was not then in a mood to pursue the matter in any form, & I dismissed the man, by directing him further, without asking his name. 31. The M'' John Richardson for whom prayers were last Sun- day, died in his 32"^ year. He attended the worship of the English church. His wife with us. He was a native of Portsmouth in England. Died on his passage from Virginia to Europe out a fort- night on board Cap* Godshall of this Town. He died of the India Flux, as it is known among us, from the effects of a former voyage. He has left 3 children , two boys, all young. Feb. 1. [1795] Sunday. Notes. Sarah Wyatt, d. of G. child Wyatt. Jane Wyatt, d. of only daughter. Nancy Crandall, deliv- ery, husband at Sea. 2. M'"^ Hooper aged 90 years died this afternoon. She has been known by living with Robert at the Corner of Bridge Street, in an old house now to be taken down. 3. There was a vessel of 100 Tons, launched at Becket's Yard in the eastern part of the Town. 4. Went for Boston, a Complement to Capt. John Gibaut, who is to sail from Boston to the East Indies, & also to see the Elegant collection of French Books which M' E. H. Derby, Jun' has pur- chased. They amount to 700 Volumes, an unusual purchase in our Country. I failed of the last object from the Absence of M' Derby 126 DIARY OP [Feb. whom I met on the road going to Boston on my return. At Boston I saw the PANORAMA, a catch penny shew, but not without its merit in our Infant Country. It encourages better attempts. I heard that from Foster's Pasture the New Court House* would probably be projected for the pasture near Gov : Hancock's,which has been offered for the Purpose. Great Repairs visible in Boston since I was there. Prepai-ations for building the New Frigate at Hart's Yard. Vessels fitting for East Indies. Great Exportation of Sil- ver. Violent opposition to Jacobins. Two publications for the ensuing Thanksgiving. One by the president, & the other accom- panied with the Gov's approbation. 5. Lodged last night at my Father's, & spent the morning with Deacon Ridgway, D"" Lathrop & M"" Eliot. At College the Tutors resigned, it is said in hopes to have their Salaries raised, but new ones have been elected in their places excepting of one who urged the resignation & seasonably withdrew his name, by that meanness which belongs to some men. 6. Communicated to the Printer several papers on the following subjects, Comparison of Agriculture of France with England. Veg- etable Paper of Schmidt. Population of Rome. Representation in England. Revenue of Ireland. State of the West Indies, & reve- nue of East Indies. Anecdote of Geddes & Epitaph at Guildford. 7. The blow last Thursday week from the S. W. was severe. Not so much felt at Boston as at Salem, & more severely as we go eastward. It did considerable damage at Portland, & the Grand Turk of this port suffered much in it coming on the Coast. 8. Sunday, Notes. Jane Wyatt, recovery of her eldest Son. Sam^ Dodd & Wife for him sick. Andrew Ward & Wife, Her de- livery, Brother at Sea. 9. Rev*^ Thomas Bernard in addition to his Doctorate at Rhode- island t has a Crowner from Edinburg, we are told by the interces- sion of his friend Thomas Russel of Boston. 10. D"^ Priestley's late pamphlet, being a continuation of his Letters, &c. was ready at the Salem Press, this day. I have en- gaged several copies, & have encouraged the impression. This evening the Town, upon a notice in the Gazette, assembled to con- sider of the intended contribution for the Algerine prisoners. But when together, the notice was found to be unsubscribed, the Officers of the peace had not been convened, the Town had no power in a legal assembly to direct the religious incorporations, their mem- bers nor committees had been cited, or notified, no plan was laid, & upon the whole it was determined to adjourn till the Annual March meeting, a few words convincing them that the Subject did not in any way come before them. 13. A notorious Negro Selling master was killed in his bed at An- *Tbe present State House. (Brown Univeriity. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 127 dover last night by a Negro who is represented as Insane & has been in long confinement. A Fit of Insanity came upon a lad named Buteman this day in this Town. The Officers of the peace gave orders to apprehend him, & to watch him, that he might do no mischief. 14. Upon an engagement to exchange with Rey^ Eliot of Bos- ton, I went to Boston. The improvements are really great in their Buildings, especially in "West Boston. The matter seems nearly settled that the Court House shall be in Governour's Pasture, on the side of the Road ascending Beacon Hill from the Common. The Clergy have very much neglected their interchanges among themselves. Such interchanges are universal almost, but less fre- quent. It is a matter of charity rather than as formerly of con- venience. They are more considered in point of faith, & are indulged rather than approved in each other's pulpit. 15. Sunday. The Congregation belonging to the New North Church was much changed since my attendance in it in youth. The galleries were less crowded, & partly removed. The Assembly was chiefly on the floor, which is large. There are not more houses of worship in the North end of Boston than 50 years ago, but they are differently filled. The Two anabaptist Societies & the Universa- lists have thronged Galleries, & the Lowest class of people neglect public worship, having indeed descended below their former condi- tion. They have no Grammar school for the learned Languages in the North part of the Town as formerly. 16. M'^ Freeman accompanied me to several new buildings. Over the Arch of the Tontine Segment,* I was led to the Room now fitting for the Town Library. It is to be finished in a Circular form, & has a very promising appearance in the present progress of the work. Over this Room the Historical Society have their apartment, which is to be finished in a Square. Several natural Curiosities are already collected, & a foundation is laid for a good Library upon the plan of their institution. The principal Books respecting America have been already collected but their number is small. Piles of Gazettes afford the eye little entertainment. Their Table is of an oval form & suits the general appearance of the Room. We passed from the Tontine buildings to the Theatre, into which we were admitted by Col. Tyler. We visited the gal- lery, the Slips, the Boxes, & from the Boxes had a view of the As- sembly Room which we did not enter. The Theatre is handsomely finished, but as it was the first building of the kind which I had ever seen, I was pleased, rather than disposed to judge. I found the friends of the Theatre were not a little solicitous to induce the Clergy to attend the exhibitions, & they invited us to the Theatre as they would have invited us to a Lecture from some favorite Preacher, without leaving you to yourself, & not suffering the sub- *0n Franklin street. 128 DIARY OF [Feb. ject to pass, till you had given your opinion or your excuse. The Clergy of Boston have not generally attended. 17. Exertions are raaking, & Subscriptions are out for a petition to open Pleasant street into Bridge Street below the Workhouse, & so to continue from Essex Street. There are purposes to republish the work of Calef , which made such a figure in opposition to the Witchcraft. 18. News of the Confinement of a Captain Wood of this Town, at Boston, for cruelty towards a boy in his custody, a Spaniard, by which he miserably died. This affair has engaged the public re- sentment but the cry with some is, money answers all things, can't you buy him off. I received a letter from one of the Beverly en- thusiasts without rhyme or reason. This may be a prelude to some religious contention. 19. The Thanksgiving day. The House was thin. The Contri- bution for the Poor exceeded 10£. The music Avas the first attempt of an Anthem for these many years, & would have suc- ceeded well, had it not been for a raw boy, admitted into the Seats. There was not a Contribution in all the congregations, nor in such as contributed for the poor only. They contributed also to assist the Church Music. 20. Employed myself in providing the Plan of the Town, which has been miserably left by the young men employed upon it. 21. Wrote a certificate for the daughters of Count DeGrasse, named, Amelia Maxima Rosalia Grasse, Justina Adelais Maxima Grasse, Melania Veronica Maxima Grasse, Sylvia Alexandrina Maxima Grasse. They arrived from France at Boston, July 7, 1794 & have since lived at this Town, Chiefly at Robertson's, & lately at Col. Pickman's House adjoining to his mansion. They have behaved well. 22. Sunday. Mathew Vincent & Wife her delivery. Lydia Newhall, her delivery, husband & friends at Sea. Abigail Archer, her delivery, husband & friends at Sea, Brothers. Samuel Dodd, yet remaining sick. 23. On Monday engaged with Cap* B. Ward to visit the Town Land in & near the great Pasture. We left the Town about 10 in the morning, & directed our Course for the bend in Pickering's wall, near what is commonly called Curtis' folly. We were told by M"^ Medcalf who lives in Flints' Pasture, which is within the limits of Great Pasture near clay Brook, that from Curtis' Folly we passed Acorn Hills, & Brook, Barnes Hill, Lord's Hill, Thistle Hill, Long Swamp, near which was the Tree & Stones in Pickering Pasture. Here Pickering's Lane puzzled us. We thought we had reached Ash Swamp, & did not correct our error till we foimd on the range of this wall, Lower Danvers Meeting House, & Town, & observed above us the remarkable Stones laying on the Hills eastwards of Boston Road. We persevered till we reached the Lynn line near to 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 129 the Spring Pond. We then passed the Bohl rock mentioned in the perambulation between the Fond & Maple Stump, Mounted l^elly- haek Hill, Timber Hills, & continued on Lynn side of Ash Swamp, passing the wall on the Eastern part of it, having passed Alister's Swamp near which there is a mark of Allister's Cellar, & continued down to Rattlesnake Rock, from which we had a full view of Chip Bridge & the whole extent of the Great Swamp. We found its straitest side upon Picknian land, its widest part towards the two indentures on the side towards the pasture. We had a full view of Pine hill at the lower part of the Swamp towards Forest River and we saw the opening by which Pine Swamp communicates with the Great Swamp, & which has also part of its water from Blueberry Swamp on the Line of Pickman's Land, between Salem & Lynn. We find that there has already been a controversy whether the natural obstructions should Ije removed which would bring the waters of the Great Swamp down by Clay Brook to the mill pond, rather than suffer them to pass by Forest River. This might easily be done, but things were left in their natural State. Just below Cottonwool swamp, so called from the curious mess on the rocks, & which communicates with Forest River, is Round Swamp which communicates immediately with Clay Brook. This seperates Holmes Neck from the Great Pasture, having Forest river, Cotton swamp, Round Swamp & Cold Spring as its Boundaries. We found upon the S. E. side of the hill between Medcalf's & the Hospital, the Cellar of the House in which Holmes lived. He removed after- wards to the situation of Pickman's House. We found Clay Brook run S. E. under a corner of Medcalf's wall, & passed out near the corner of the opposite wall, running near the upper wall of his pas- ture, & so till it received the waters of Round Swamp. The upper Divisional wall was made about 7 years since. After we pass the bars in the divisional wall near great monument we mount the hills called Spring Hills. Belly Hack Hill is nigh Ash Swamp. The very high hill toward the Great Swamp is the Head of the Timber Hills. 25. Subscriptions about for the Sermon preached on the last Thanksgiving by D"" Bernard of this Town. The Audience was thin, but it is highly praised & the subscribers are large in their numbers & probably will succeed. It is said that Bradford of Rowley has given one of pure democracy, that several will be printed in Boston, & that a counterpart is wanted. We shall not have as I expect an Osgood's Sermons, but a betwixt & between, without any new or well defined opinions whatever. The Clergy are now the Tools of the Federalists, & Thanksgiving Sermons are in the order of the Day. 26. A Ship has laid below the Town for whose fate we were anxious, but they have been visited from Marblehead & are found to have come from Maine towards Boston. The Singing this even- 130 DIARY OP [March ing on the second night of the new establishment was attended by several little boys. Our prospects are not great. 28. The whole harbour frozen over which has not been the case for these two years past. March 1. [1795] Sunday. Notes. Nathaniel Rogers, d. of youngest child. 2. When I consider the rash zeal with which the clergy have embarked in the controversy respecting Constitution & Clubs, I could not help thinking of a place in this Town, called Curtis' folly. The good man attempting to descend a steep place, thought it best to take off one pair of his oxen & tackle them behind. But while the other cattle drove down hill, they drew the others down hill backwards & broke their necks. Had the French Clergy con- tinued with the people & meliorated their tempers they would have served them & the nobility. But by rashly joining the emigrants they have irritated the people & have become a useless load upon their friends, who can hardly pity & never loved them. 3. Several of our poorer inhabitants have enlisted in the corps of State Militia stationed at Fort William in this Town. We find what will make soldiers. Several Roads are thought of to be laid out at the next March Meeting. The Continuation of Pleasant Street into Bridge Street. Of Derby Street through the Rope Walk till you reach the Neck. Across the Lots between Essex Street & Pickering Hill, & upon the River Lots in Northfield leading to Frye's. 4. We are told that Congress have bestowed upon the daughters of Count de Grasse, who are in this Town, the sum of a thousand dollars each. 6. D"^ Cutler, our noted Botanist, in a high rage at a paragraph in the paper which implies his inaccuracy, & not having found the Asclepias syriace. I have sent on Bomare's discription under the name Aporynum, majtis from, Bomare, which may serve to stop his noise, after having published his folly & his real ignorance. 7. D' Bernard's Thanksgiving Sermon has appeared but I do not think it can add much solid reputation. 8. Sunday. Notes. Nancy Masury, delivery. Husband & friends at Sea. Sarah Waters, delivery, Husband & friends at Sea. 9. Another Letter from D"" C. in which he threatens to publish every anecdote, true or false, if he has provocation, & tremblingly alive, calls for vengeance, hopes to negociate, & then seems ready to beg for terms. The Annual Town Meeting this day. It was not full in either part of the day. The Debates were not managed with clearness, and personal quarrels made their appearance. The Town Of&cers were chosen with calmness. M"" E. H. Derby jun' resigned as Selectman, & M*" Jon* Lambert was elected in his place. Pains are to be taken to remove all obstructions in the public roads. No money was to be appropriated for pavements. The New REV. MANASSEH CUTLER. From a painting by N. Lakeman in the possession of the Essex Institute. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 131 toads to be considered & reported by Selectmen at the adjourn- ment. New officer of Inspector of Lime chosen. 10. Employed myself upon one of the French Watches which did not iise the Special Barrell but carried its power in the Barrell. This method is generally condemned by the Artificers of the pres- ent day. 11. This morning took a walk upon the Western Sands of the Town to observe the Course of the waters. 12. Cutler again in Town. He has given up his Gazette, & taken away his paper. He has entered for the Gazette again & re- turned his paper softened. So it is at length to appear. Report brought to me that John Pynchon, an attorney, from the papers of his Father, is about to compose a History of this Town. I was in- formed of it by a friend, whether from privity, or by accident I do not know. He denies the first. I have made such overtures as will^ I hope, ascertain the fact, & so regulate my conduct in the same undertaking. 13. A violent Snow Storm at N. E. It continued all day & the night preceeding without cessation till 4 oc. P. M. It drove several vessels from their Anchors, & the Wharves. One ship was on Beacon Point, another beyond it, & small vessels ashore on all the range of the Leeward. We have heard it was much worse in Marblehead. That their Fishing craft were driven from their moor- ings & some of them sunk. Particulars in or out of Town have not reached us. I walked out at noon. Snow foot deep & stifling. I found few persons abroad at that time of day, even near the wharves. We cannot say we have had no winter. 15. Sunday. A Contribution for the Singing at which, upon the notice of the morning, was collected 31 dollars. A Drunken Sol- dier gave us disturbance in the gallery. The second interruption from the same cause. His Companion after having led him out returned to his seat. 16. This day the Selectmen staked out the Roads in the eastern part of the Town for which the petitions are now depending. The first being a continuation of Derby Street, till it reach the neck, & by the elbow to avoid the Shore, it comes out just within the cor- ner of the present road, before we leave the outer lot. The other Road is the continuation of Pleasent Street into Bridge Street. This is staked out nearly in a line with the Street after we leave the Common. Other Roads have been proposed in both these places. From English Street above English's House to the old road at Di- man's House on the Cove, & from Pleasent Street opposite to Locust Street. 17. Prayed & Dined with the District Court. I found an ingenuous frankness in Judge Lowell, & much political informa- tion. W Gore the attorney, M"" Goodale the Clerk, & Col. Brad- ford, the Marshall, formed this judiciary body. We drank Tea at M""* 132 DIARY OF [March Neal's, a very handsome Lady, & we supped & spent the evening at Esq"" Pulling's, where Judge Lowell gave us his company. M"" Cutler appeared in the Gazette with all the bitterness of wrath & the highest charges of carping, ignorance, & even baseness. 19. No distressing reports from our Coasts as we expected. News that a vessel has been seen from Isle of France, in which we are apprehensive several of our vessels are detained. The great Ship, so called,* which was built in this Town by E. H. Derby, has been sold in New York for 32,000 Dollars. She was much too large for our Port & the method of our Trade. 20. " The Jew," by Cumberland, & <' Every man has his fault," are celebrated by our best Judges as fine pieces now upon the Bos- ton Theatre. They feel the Compliment of a Visit to the Theatre, as our Country Gentlemen used to receive the news of a Visit to their Minister. Repeated complaints have been made of the Sol- diers in the Fort, & several quarrels have happened already. Being often drunk they have also been insolent to women in various in- stances. This day Derby Street was surveyed by Compass & a sworn Surveyor, on account of some controversies between Mess''* Derby, Forrester, & Brown, &c. about encroachments. The Compass variation was fixed 10 minutes short of the observation 7° in 1763, & Derby was found among his neighbours. 21. Provisions very high. Beef from 8 to 10 Cents. Veal 10 Cents, & every other article in proportion. Owing to the Exporta- tion & the exchange of money from Banks, &c. 22. Sunday. Notes. Mary Ropes, her delivery, Husband & Brethren at Sea. 23. Had another walk into the great pasture, & hired Medcalf who lives there to accompany me. I was sorry that I had not a compass upon which I might depend. We began in the corner of the Hospital wall & we found the Cellar of Holmes' House from the Corner of Hospital wall, N. 40 E. Below the hill we saw a small swamp emptying into Forrest River. At the foot of the Hill westward 10 rods from bend, a Garden with Stone wall. Perhaps five rods length on the wall & 6 to the inner wall. Hospital faces due South, other building inclines 7° eastward. Smoak House bears from Lower Corner of the Cleansing House, E. 20 S. We visited the Pine Hill, round which the Great Swamp disposes its water into Forrest River. Here we had a fine view of Blueberry Swamp which empties into Great Swamp. We then passed the Causeway over the run of Great Swamp & reached upon the north side Conconut Hollow, where the Trees grew, & where is a fine liv- ing spring of the Purest water. There is also a Spring from Monu- ment Hill, which empties into Great Swamp. We came afterwards to LONG SWAMP. It runs between a ridge of Hills called on the West Side, Timber Hills, & on the eastern Side, Spring Hills. »The Grand Turk. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 133 Spring Hills have several Springs, & empty them into Long Swamp, The principal empties nearly opposite to the Kun from Ash Swamp. At the same place is a run from the Sheep Pasture by Belly Hack. Here we came to Alister's run, or the Long Swamp near the garden, & place of Alister's House. Where Alister's House stood, there probably could have been no proper Cellar. The Garden is due E. from the House, rather higher upon the Hill, & the wall is quite visible. Lord's Hill, the Highest Land was N. Belly Hack Swamp, was W. 20 S. Rail, or Thistle Hill lay between Lords & Pickering Hill which is in the bend of the Sheep wall. Barnes' Hill & Swamp was below the Monument. Acorn brook en- tering the great Pasture ran a S. E. course from the wall. Split Rock Spring was 50 rods, about, on the other side of the wall empty- ing into Acorn Brook. Canted Rock on the Hills ranging with Boston road, W, 40 N. There is near the upper divisional wall of Pickering's Pasture, a Spring called Flat Rock Sprilng. 24. Took another walk to examine Castle Hill Is and, for it is such every high Tide. Observed at the Corner of the road turning up towards the Hospital "from Marblehead road, the House on the Hill over the Farm House. After entering the gate there is a nole rather to the right hand, below which the water passes at full tide across. 25. Had my walk from Porter's River round the Shore of Horse Pasture Point till I reached North Field Bridge. 26. The Rope walk is the principal obstruction to Derby Street, to the great detriment of our part of the Town. Parties were warm, angry & insolent. 29. Sunday. Notes. Sam. Ropes & Wife, d. of their Brother Abroad, & pr. for Brethren at Sea. Seeth Ropes, d. of her Hus- band's Brother, pr. Husband & Brethren at Sea. At three o'clock on Monday morning a Fire broke out in a Barn belonging to M' Dunlap, formerly the property of Joseph White. The fire had made great progress before it was discovered, the building being down Hardy's Lane & away from Derby Street. The time was favourable to the checks it received. It was dead calm, otherwise it would have been impossible to have saved the adjoining & neigh- bouring buildings. The tide was out, & no relief from that quar- ter. The wells were few & soon exhausted. Had there been any wind the whole must have been sacrificed. The people turned out slowly. 30. The generous kindness of our Marine Society's committee will deserve grateful recollection. A Vessel belonging to Connec- ticut River, put in here in distress. The captain & two hands were dead. The mate & one hand did the duty, & two were sick & dis- abled below. Their Sails were chiefly gone, & they were in danger of the rocks when they entered our harbour in a storm last friday. Captain Collins deserves particular praise. They got off cables & 134 DIARY OF [April anchors to them, & Capt. Collins did every service for them till they were, on Sunday morning, taken on shore & carried to the Pest House. Their Provisions were made at Capt. Collins' own house. April 1. [1795] The whole Town upon me for the whipping said to have been given me by Cutler in the last Gazette. 8. The noted Barbary Waters died at Wenham, past 90 years. She belonged to the family of the Williams, & was maintained by them. Delirious in the old maid fashion. 9. The losses at Bermuda vex the people in Commerce very much. But we have no refuge. Navy we have none. Armies we cannot command except against Canada. We give the greatest as- sistance to France by our supplies. Provisions are very high from the great demand, & some articles are to be obtained with difficulty at any price. 11. Making enquiry into the History of the farm upon the Neck. M. Renew insists upon her particular knowledge of Tapley from whom her G. Father bought the Tavern House, that one Crow* lived upon the Island while it was the property of Col. Hig- ginson, & that the house was deserted some time before it was taken away. 12. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Malcom, delivery, sick, husband at Sea. Reuben Shed & Wife, her delivery. 16. Gen. Fiske's Sloop arrived this evening into port, with the master & Crew of Derby's Great Ship from New York, I had the pleasure of visiting Young Derby's fine Library. 17. Patterson has arrived. He was carried into Monserrat, but dismissed, having been upon a European voyage, & touching at the West Indies upon his return. His owner was G. Williams, who has been a warm abetter of the English, & some persons have wished him a full share in the sufferings. 19. Sunday. John Collins sen., Wife & children, for him dan- gerously sick. Hannah Webb, delivery, Husband & Brethren at Sea. M'' Dodd died this day, after having passed through the most painful & lingering sickness. From early life he was troubled with an involuntary motion of the head, & being a Ropemaker was fre- quently seized with fainting. These evils terminated in convul- sions, excessive pains in the head, swellings in the Breast, & final ly in the palsy. He lived beyond all expectation through the winter, & seemed to recover, so as to walk a few days ago to the Ropewalk. He died after loss of appetite with frequent complaints of want of breath, but no returns of his former complaints in any unusual degree. 21. Launched at Briggs', a fine copper bottomed Ship,t above 200 Tons burden, for M' Derby. Another is ready upon North River at Frye's mills. Yesterday Mr Ward, the Surveyor, put a *Crowell? tThe ketch John. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 135 drain across East Street, which is one step towards clearing that infamous mud hole. M""* Hathorne intends to remove her fence which will cover as private property another part, & the Bridge be- low we trust will remove the whole. 24. A Vessel launched at Fry's mill, but grounded as soon as she was in the water. 26. Sunday. Mary Whittemore, sudden death of her Sister. May 2. [1795] Saw the raising of Hosmer's House.* Capt. Lee from Grenada writes that he has lost 4 hands out of six from his Schooner. 3. Sunday. Elizabeth Watson for death of her G. Son at Windham, Maine, by a horse. Sarah Dodd & children, d. of her husband & for Brother at Sea. Mary Dodd & children, d. of her Son. Thomas Palfrey & Wife, her delivery. 4. M*" John Derby, whose barn was on fire not long since, has been alarmed by a report from a girl who says she over heard a white & black man in the fields talking about making a second ex- periment as they had failed in the first. 5. Review of Arms according to Law. The Cadets appeared in the morning. In the afternoon the Artillery, which was employed to fire at a Target, & afterwards the Militia, who received Col: Harthorne in the usual forms. 6. Yesterday returned Cap' James Veryf from an intended Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope. He was caught in the currents off the Brazil coasts & after attempts without success returned home without touching at any port from the time of his departure on 14 November last. As an apology it is confessed that his Ves- sel was a bad Sailor & other Vessels have returned in the same predicament. It is a mortifying situation. 7. Rode to Philips' beach. Upon our return we passed into the Gate leading to Philips' House on the Head of Bartlet's Beach, & left our Carriage & crossed a Meadow emptying into the pond, & then by the House till we came to the beach. Upon our return we entered the road above the meadow & crossed a Bridge laid near the Wall. This in Summer must be an agreable way of visiting the Beach but the road was now very bad, after we entered the Gate. Came homewards by Marblehead road, & found Osgood's, formerly Briton's, well stored with company. M'' Osgood has lately taken possession, to keep an house of entertainment. 10. Sunday. Notes. Tarrant Perkins & Wife, d. of Brother. 13. Another Petition with above 60 Subscribers to open Derby Street from Becket's as far as the Neck. The Greatest exertions are to be made as the first attempt was without success. The want of any communication excepting by the Shore, is a disgrace to the Town. •Capt. Joseph Hosmer's, on what is now Pleasant Street, afterwards owned by Judge Joseph G. Waters. tFather of Jones Very, the poet. 136 DiAKY OF [May 14. We learn that the noted D' Whitaker,* formerly of this Town, died at Hampton, in Virginia, on the 21 Day of January last, set. 62. He had been in the ministry at Norwich in Connecticut, & from thence he went to England with the well known Indian Preacher Occum, a disciple of Wheelock. In 1769 D"^ Whitaker removed to Salem, Mass. Here he tarried till 1784 when he re- moved to the District of Maine, & accepted a charge at Canaan up- on the Kennebec above the navigation. He was soon removed, with some of the most vile charges against him. He lay some time in Goal in that District, & then removed to Virginia where he died of the Fever & Ague. As to his Life it was an uncommon scene of elevation & depression. He had popular Talents & triumphed in the pulpit as a Champion of Orthodoxy. He was zealous for the Presbyterian form of government, which he could never freely ob- tain in Salem. There was no vice which was not laid to his charge, consistent with a claim, from one moment's delay to escape the vengeance of an enraged people. 15. M'" M^^Keenf assured me that they had lost thirty sea- men in the past year, & Manchester at home 1/18"^ part of its in- habitants. 16. From the paper to be delivered to Capt. Gideon Foster of Danvers. Line between Salem & Danvers. station. Bearings. Angles. Links. Off. 1 N. 25, 10 E 194 2 49,48 156, 5 1285 3 71, 12 160,4 881 4 32,23 221, 55 523 6 35 216, 36 221 set of 20 links. 6 6 173,5 3268 7 35,30 152, 30 6923 (13295) 8 191, 25 441 9 63, 20 138, 15 2818 10 100, 15 140, 30 3139 11 72,30 206, 50 1769 12 73,35 178, 20 1420 13 65, 50 187, 54 728 17. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Archer & 2 G. Daughters, d. of G. Son Byrne. Susannah Becket, d. of G. Son, & G. Sons at Sea. Mary Bates, d, of G. Son Becket, & for g. Son at Sea. Mary Becket, d. of her Son & pr. for another Son at Sea. Elizabeth Phillips & Daughter, d. of her only Son. •See Diary of William Bentley, D. D., Vol. I, p. 35. tRov. James Mackeen of Beverly. 1795] "WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 137 19. M^ Gerry* in this Town from Cambridge. He is upon a tour through New England for his health, & his family is with him. They proceeded to Ipswich. 20. This morning in a Sulkey, in company with Capt. Sam' Chever & Wife, we left Salem for Andover, We made our Stage 7 miles in Dan vers at Upton's. The former innholder at this place, of the same name, is dead, & his widow married a Putnam. From this House we took the north road, E. of the river, & found it much the best tho' a few rods further. We continued several miles be- yond Reading Precinct Meeting before we reached M"" Peter Chev- er's where we were to dine. It is reckoned IG miles to Salem. Here we were kindly received. We walked into his wood lot, which is chiefly pine, & observed a spot in which the tall trees flourished only at top, not admitting the light to reach the soil in which they grew. The prospect here is extensive on the so th west, from which we see the high land of Stoneham. We travelled two miles & reached the Academy. Here we found all flourishing. Nothing disgraced the splendid forms of the New buildings, but the relicks of the old school house, & belfry, in which this academy spent its infancy under M^ Pearson. Since my last visit the new Meeting House has received a Cupola upon the Tower. Our directions were, in order to proceed to M"^ Beckford's, who lived on the extreme part of the Town towards Merrimack River, to pass the Bridge over the Shawshine below the South meeting, take the right hand, keep on till we passed a Tavern near which iVP Browne of Salem lived, then to turn short to the right out of this road leading to Tewkesbury, then to the left, then to keep the right hand. We found on this road one long hill, but not of great height in our rout. Near this place is Haggett's Pond of one mile in length. A Brook after run- ning 3 miles empties into the Merrimack. From M'' Beckford's we travelled 1/2 a mile to the River, not 1/4 of a mile wide, & passed over a ferry called Richardson's Ferry into the upper part of Methuen. We travelled about 1/4 of a mile then entered Dracut. We passed a Brook as we went to the boundary Meadow just as we passed a Brook in Andover emptying into the Merrimack. The first Farm in Dracut upon the river belonged to a M' Parker, who has been upon it above 40 years. He has a fine Orchard, & the people account for the apple trees scattered in their fields from the dung of their Cattle. At this Farm I purchased a check handker- chief red & white from the Loom of a daughter in Law who was at work. At Richardson's we saw a dumb child. Such sights are very rare. At M"^ Beckford's we lodged, & we were entertained with great neatness. The house was of one Story, the farm of 50 acres. The man a native of Salem had experienced the changes of life. All was Content & harmony. 21. In the morning I left the company & went for the Petucket •Elbrldge Gerry, afterwards Vice-President of the United States. 138 DIARY OF [May Falls. From this house my direction was to inquire for Brown's ferry. This Ferry is from the Eastern part of the mouth of Con- cord Kiver as it empties into the Connecticut. M"" Brown owns a large house, once in better repair. The situation is .elevated. We have a fine view of both rivers. And before us lay Hunt's falls, over which the water broke. The river was 6 feet lower than it had been in this season, & will be 4 feet lower soon. This Hunt formerly lived near the lower saw mill on the Concord, & had the first house ever build ed in Tewkesbury, to which Town this side fo the Eiver belongs. We found the best part of Tewkesbury on this quarter, & at Fall's mills found a pond which gave amj)le water. We had on our left the road leading into Tewkesbury by D"^ B. Kitteridge's, and beyond the mills the best road leading to Brown's as he informed us, A young man on horse back, volun- tarily became my guide in this disagreable road. After passing the mills going to Brown's Ave have a fine view of the river & ride upon the Bank. Besides the Mills & rivers we have in full view S. 20 E. a hill called Fort Hill, in Tewkesbury, about one mile from Brown's, on the Top of which are the stones of the old Garrison Fort used here in the early settlements, & in which his ancestors had watched during the Harvest. The Falls below Bodwell's Bridge were antiently called Pantucket falls. They are ten miles below Petucket falls. About a mile below Browne's observed an island in the river but could not obtain any name for it. Descen- ding Brown's Hill, & passing a Saw mill, passed two Bridges which unite upon an Island near the mouth of the Concord, the western most is widest, & continue up a few rods, & reach the canal, which has a S. W. course, 1/4 of a mile from the first Lock to the second. The first is formed to spring open but is to be changed. Fort Hill in full view here. This is in Phipjj's Farm, then Borland's, & now it is the seat of M'' Woodward of Boston. At the second Lock a water wheel hoists by a lever, the draw, one notch or 4 inches, by a turn of the Crank. They were making the frame of a third Lock above, about 1/2 mile from the River. Here we found the first men at work as Carpenters & till we pass further the Canal has the advantage of a bran ch of the Concord. At the first rocky bottom we found men clearing the bottom by throwing out the Stones. Then the Canal sweeps round in a northerly course, & the rock is more slaty than before but no where in great masses. Rocks near the Bridge crossing to Billerica. When we came to the place where the Canal is deepest, there was to be observed a Ground Bed of Black mould from 2 to 3 feet, then a bed of sand & Rocks of dif- ferent sizes lodged in the sand, & more rocks as the Canal was deeper. Further was a whitish sand. A Bridge was over the Canal towards the Merrimack. The Petticket Bridge over the Mer- rimack passes about S. E. & has its center upon a Bold Rock. It is not 1/4 of a mile over. This Bridge runs from Chelmsford Neck 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 139 SO called into Dracut. It is about a mile above the mouth of Con- cord river & the Canal about 1 1/2 mile in length. Upon passing the Bridge, observed the Frame of a large Building lately shingled & boarded, & upon enquiry found it to be intended for a meeting House, which is to opened for public worship on the lirst Sunday in June. M"" Varnum has a neat house on the west side of the meeting House, now improved as a Public House. This INIeeting House is in Dracut & they reckon downwards on their side of the river seven miles to Kichardson's, whom I visited yesterday & the Town of Dracut extends above a mile upwards, nearly 9 miles of the River. The cause of building this House is because of the sit- uations chosen for the two new jSIeeting Houses in Chelmsford & Dracut, which are said not to accomodate their inhabitants. They expect some families from Tyngsborough to join them. They are called Congregationalists, & some of them of the most liberal cast. M"" Pipon, the Butler at Cambridge, is to preach the first Sermon in the House. Upon my return I followed the road toward the Bridge over the Mouth of the Concord, but was soon stopped by a fence. A new road having been laid out beyond the houses southward of the old road & further from the river. It has as yet been little used. In order to find Middlesex Canal which communicates with the Concord about four miles from its Mouth, I crossed the Pe- tucket Canal near the Concord, & kept nearly a South Course. Here also were new roads, & not the better from that circumstance. Soon after I left this Canal, which is at its beginning, keeping a di- rect course I came to Billerica Causeway, which is 1/2 long & opens before you very agreably. This work is now in hand & was executed in consequence of a petition to the County for another Bridge over the Concord. As soon as you leave the Cause- way, which is well done, so far as it has been built, you reach Bil- lerica Bridge which is narrow, & being new, at present looks neat. It stands upon a few piers in the bed of the river which support a frame without Braces. Stopped at Pollard's Tavern. Saw M' Pemberton formerly preceptor at Andover, who is now about to open a private school in the Town of Billerica. Passed through Tewkesbury and having an oppertunity to compare its present state with its condition in the war, must confess a great cultiva- tion. Passed to Butt's mills now in possession of M'' Boardman. Came to Wilmington & lodged at Jones' Tavern. Here I was in- formed of the State of the Town. They have lost a M"" Morrill, a distinguished minister, & are preparing for a resettlement. They have had only two ministers. jNF Varney died insane, & was not long with them. They are much divided because the minister is what is called an Hopkinsian. It is the unsocial character of the professors of this sect which makes them odious. In other words, they are a new sect, & not so old as their neighbours. I spent an hour with ray old friend Captain Ford of Wilmington. 140 DIARY OF [-^Jiiy He is among the disaffected in this matter of settling IVP. Reynolds. Upon my return I took the north road through Reading going South of the meeting House in the Precinct, & leaving Andover Road, where I entered going up on my left. Stopped at Upton's. Found M"" Crane on N. Ropes' Farm & entered Salem at twelve o'clock. 23. Two arrivals this day. S. Townsend from Bermuda where he has been detained & from which place he was dismissed after paying costs, and Capt. Edwards, who has been absent 19 months upon a voyage to the Isle of France, & been under several deten- tions in different ports. 24. Sunday. Notes. Andrew Preston & Wife, d. of g. child Le Favre, & friends abroad. 25. The Ton* now for Academy education. Several out of my Society, children at Andover. A neighbouring Clergyman has published a Sermon to which he has no just claim, & has added to his folly a declaration at the beginning that he hoped an apology, as he did not offer such to the world as correct writing but as " nat- ural effusions." Alas, Isaac Story. 27. Being election day, but being detained about the plan, at 10 I walked 5 miles to Philips' Beach & dined there & returned in the afternoon. At Reading's, Alias Breton's, now Osgood's, about the cross roads beyond Fitch's going to Marblehead, there was a great concourse of people, & the greatest resemblance of Commencement in riding up & down. The town seemed to be evacuated & the greatest silence reigned till the evening. The whole ended without any disturbance. 28. Last Monday attempts were repeated to carry the point of opening Derby Street from Becket's Street to the Neck. There was no doubt of the convenience, the only question was of the expence, & this extended only to the old Ropewalk which was in a misera- ble state. It was carried by a great majority who attended for the purpose. This measure may cost some ill blood but will be a pub- lic benefit. 29. Went to Boston & in the afternoon was entertained at the King's Chapel by the Address of Judge Minot to the Charitable Fire Society. The prayers by M"" Freeman & the music made up the services of the day. It was rainy & so few Ladies were present. The Contribution was 150 Dollars. 30. Lodged on Friday night with M'' Freeman, breakfasted with M"" Eliot & spent the morning with him in the Historical Library, from which I borrowed some books. I returned this evening to Salem. 31. Sunday. Notes. Jonathan Millet & Wife & children for him very sick. Susannah Jeffrey, d. of Mother Smith, pr. husband & Brother at Sea. Rebeccah Williams, d. of M. Smith, pr. husband & Brother at Sea. Sarah Sloacum, d. of yoimgest child, pr. husband at Sea. ♦Bon ton. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 141 June 3. [1795] Kode to Nahant where 1 found Rev'' Kendall of Weston & a Company; we dined at Woods, & in the afternoon rode through the Farms to Kartlet's Beach which to our surprise we found changed from a hard Beach fit for Chaises, & uncommonly smooth to a bed of stones. Only the west part under the Hill, & defended by the rocks, could admit a Carriage. A little Daughter of Capt. Allen went with me, Nancy. 4. Capt. Jon"^ ]\[illet our neighbour died this morning, & soon after a M" Appleton*, both in full view of my windows. Capt. Millet has sustained an excellent character & brought up his child- ren well. 6. Saturday a small vessel arrived, purchased at Bermuda. The Bermudans adjudicate, & our own people go & purchase them. If it be legal, it is not very honorable. But interest leads men every where & in every manner. 7. Sunday. Sarah Millet & Children, d. of Husband, pr. for Children at Sea. Margaret Nourse for her husband app. near death. 9. The taking down the large housef of Col. Brown by M"" Derby is a strange event in this Town, it being the first sacrifice of a decent building ever made in the Town to Convenience, or pleasure, unless the School House which stood where the Court House now is, may have been such a Sacrifice. 10. Friend Hussey, who began the present flourishing state of Lynn by his successful business, was buried this week. He has been of great importance to that place whose condition before he settled on the plain could bear no comparison with its present thriving situation. Several accidents have happened. One man. Pope, belong^ to Danvers, killed by his Team. Another, by an horse. One woman in Town found dead in bed. She was intem- perate. 11. Last evening died a daughter]: of Capt. R. Stone. About a year since it was discovered that she was growing deformed. The deformity increased till she died last evening. She had been in great pain but had the free use of her senses till the last instant of Life. News that one Brookhouse belonging to Salem, sailing from Boston, foundered at Sea. 12. Rev'' ISf'^Keen with me to day. His Meeting House is to be enlarged, from the increase of the inhabitants. Beverly is more in the Fishery than at any other period, & its fishermen very indus- trious. 13. News that Capt. R. Ives§ is sick at Lisbon. He is a descen- dant from the Hales at Beverly, a distinguished family in this neighbourhood. 14. Sunday. Notes. Rebeccah Millet, delivery, pr. for Husb. *Anna, wife of William Appleton. tThe site of the present Derby square. tRIixa, a^ed 9 years. §Died at Lisbon, June 4, 1795. 142 DIARY OF [June & Br. at Sea. Capt. Stone gave an example of an open contempt of the religious devotions so usual after any family distresses.* The family & friends were absent. 16. The New Tombs were closed this day. As Gen. Fiske'a Family had been known to me, I visited the Grave Yard,t while the family was removed. English told me that he buried Rev^ S, Fiske in the corner of the Ground, at the projecting angle of Peele's fence, near the place in which M'' Norris lay. But as the fence had been moved & the bones we found were westward of the spot, we returned them. In removing the other Bodies the sextons were directed by the Grave Stones. The first M" Fiske was found in the earth as the Coffin had broken, & the bones were gathered from the earth. Buried in 1782. The second M" Fiske was found, the Coffin was broken but not so as to admit the earth. The Grave Cloathes were yet to be seen & the folds in the Shroud plainly, but as tho' they had been applied wet to the body. The Substance of the flesh was like a liquid in which the Bones were laid & from, which they could not free themselves when the Coffin was turned over,, without striking with a spade on the bottom and then the small bones did not disengage themselves. Upon examing it, it was found in the Sun to be alive with a motion from the worms which covered the whole surface but which were clearly distinguished near the part on which the body rested. This Substance spread over the whole surface whether occupied by the body or not. Buried in Nov. 1785, eet. 32. Lydia, eldest daughter of Gen. Fiske. Buried in Sept. 1785, set. 17. She was found with the greater part of the grave cloathes easily seperable from the bones, but no flesh remained. Her hair was as entire & in as apparently good order as when she was buried.. The Bows of Silk ribbon were entire & the parts not in immediate contact with the body were as sound as ever. They looked fresh when first exposed to the air but afterwards changed to a snuff colour. I brought away one of the silk ribbons & have preserved a part of it. Margaret, 20 Oct. 1792, aet. 17. The Coffin was sound & the Plate as legible as when first put into the ground. The body remained entire, & the grave cloathes, only the dark appearance in the last stage of putrefaction. M" Putnam, Sarah, about 22 set., buried last year had begun to mould. The little child buried in 1783 was found in the earth & only a few bones remained. M" Putnam's child buried not long since, coffin was not opened. 17. I left Salem this morning to attend Wilmington Ordination, siipposing this to be the day of ordination. But the people expect- ing opposition had convened the Council this day, intending to dis- cuss all matters & to have the next day free for ordination. The *A private burial? tCharter Street Burying Ground. TOMBSTONES IN THE CHARTER STREET BURYING GROUND. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 143 Council was of 13 Churches, 12 of which attended, & opened at 12 o'clock. The Andover Association formed the greater part. The Candidate was M"" Free Grace Reynolds, A. jM., Yale ('ollege. After dinner the Council for convenience removed to the Meeting House & opened their deliberations. The Charge stated was that the acceptance of the Candidate was inconsistent with his former nega- tive answer. That as appeared by Capt. Ford's protest, the measures had been illegal. That, the Candidate had advanced as they sup- posed false doctrine. They supported their charge in tlie the fol- lowing manner. Col. Blanchard said, that the Candidate negatived the first call upon account of the opposition, which still continued to increase & had not lost one member, & that a fair statement had been made to him. That Ford's protest established four points of illegal & unfair proceeding. The iVIajority had admitted minors to vote. That Fathers had qualified their Sons before an actual divi- sion of their estates, when the Law did not allow a Landholder & his Tenant to vote at the same time. That they had qualified Widows to vote by a vote of the Town when they were disqualified by an act of the Commonwealth, & had actually received such votes. That the Town had voted 90£ salary annually & 150£ settlement, & the majority had agreed to make up upon settlement 50£ more by subscription, & that the Candidate was content. But that the majority at their last meeting, iu the absence of the minority, had shifted the sum subscribed upon the Town so as to bring this charge upon the minority as part of the Town. In point of doctrine they objected, that the Candidate had declared that God was as much the author of evil as good, that God did elect & reprobate without regard to future actions, that some were born to be damned, that God needed the help of Sin, that all infants were not in a salvable condition, & the Gospel not offered alike to all. Col. B. appears to advantage in the affair. We had not the same advantage of stating the other side because there was but one intelligible speaker, M"" Jaquith, & he had no method & could reply only to the questions on Town affairs. On the charge of inconsistence & on the doctrines we could get nothing but from the Candidate, and under the disadvantage of questions, differently proposed by different men. It appeared from the Con- fession of the Candidate that he had been governed by such repre- sentations as had been made to him & that there were at times more favourable appearances, & that no charge laid against him, but that there was room for the enquiries of the Council whether it was upon the whole best to settle. In Town affairs the articles of Ford's protest were found not to be groundless but there was more zeal than intentional wrong in the people. In point of Doctrine, the Candidate vindicated himself from all the practical consequences charged upon his Theory, & discovered good abilities in stating the articles of his belief. He was in the situation of men of Theories, 144 DIARY OP [June who cannot impart the same views they entertain to their hearers, & who therefore seem to depart from their Theories in their con- clusions. We might reprehend the too free nse of disputes which could not be comprehended in a common assembly rather than any thing new in the doctrine. The Council adjourned. 18. The people began to collect early so that all quiet in debates in so public a place was at an end. The council were soon obliged to retire from the Meeting House & so the public hearing ended. M"" Symmes moderated with great candour. M'' Cummings proposed the questions proper on the occasion with great coolness & nothing was touched upon which the Candidate had not entered upon freely in the pulpit & thereby rendered proper for discussion, M'' Stone assisted in the enquiries with great candour. M"" Backus, with a clearness which did him honour, assisted the Candidate in favourable views of his opinions & M"" French gave an oppertunity to view the questions apart from all the practical consequences, which are too often charged upon them. The Council after consider- ing the State of parties, did not consider it prudent at this time to proceed to ordination. A Subscription Paper of the Aggrieved appeared with 23 names, & prejudices were strong. The divisicm of the members of the Council was 23 ag. 17, the churches equally divided. I left the Town ^^pon the result & reached Danvers & lodged at the Widow Upton's, now M'' Upton's, 7 miles from Salem. 19. Returned to Salem. Found my friend Gen. F. much deranged by the ill success of his business & all his friends exceedingly anxious upon his account. 20. Went for Boston, reached at noon, spent the day in domes- tic engagements & family visits. Found all well. In the evening a mob undertook to distroy a Berraudan Privateer. They shared the pineapples, & threw over into the Sea the hides, & burnt the vessel. She was not entirely consumed on Sunday morning. 22. Reached Salem at six by the Portsmouth stage. Walked down to my friend Fiske's, found him greatly deranged & depressed. Had several conversations upon the subject. From the greatest flow of Spirits the most abject depression has ensued. I am greatly alarmed for consequences. 25. The different opinions respecting the mob of Saturday in Boston have thrown the Town into Convulsions. They have threatened to distroy the House of a Factor who did business for Nova Scotia. The Govern our's Proclamation, the 500 D. offered by Government, have increased this effect. 26. M^'" Philips with us at M" Dunlaps at Tea. She is an agreable woman. We had the pleasure of anticipating a Nahant Ride. The Town's Committee are in search of Land for a new Burying Ground. I have interested myself in the search for such a place & given the Printer a hint to recommend Windmill Point.* •Foot of Northey Street. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 145 27. The Merchants of Boston have remonstrated ag. tlie mad proceedings of Boston, & the riots which have been lately commit- ted. One person who went out to see what was going on upon a late occasion, or second meeting, lost his watch, & has advertised for the Robber, alias, mobber. 28. Sunday. Went to Lynn. Found the increase of this Town to be such that the whole deduction of the Methodistic society did not sensibly diminish their numbers, compared with those whom I found in some past years. At my House, Xote, for wife of Capt. Joseph Lambert very sick. 30. Rode to Phillips' Beach and in my way travelled round Coy Pond. The Shore of the Pond is clear in no part but upon the eastern side «fe for a small distance. It is situated in one of the dungeons, or hollows, so called, & is about half way at its center from Legg's Hill to Gen. Glover's or Salem Boundary from the Sea at the angle with Marblehead. At the Beach they were mending the road & blowing the rocks from which care much improvement is observed already. July 1. [1795] D"" Paine of Worcester informed me that to bring the use of Rye Flour to the palate & the eyes of those who were accustomed to Wheat, 4 quarts of white Beans were ground with every bushel or mixed with success. 4. This day the Corner Stone of the New Court House* is to be laid in Boston in MASONIC ORDER, & on this day was the declaration of Independance. Commemoration everywhere. An oration to be delivered at Boston, Portsmouth, & Portland, with, great preparations at all those places. We have our evils. The Bermudans take us in our own Bay, & carry our Vessels for adjudi- cation. We have news also that the Algerines are out again upon us in the Atlantic, & all help from Portugal, but in their Trade, is now to be dispaii-ed of. 5. Sunday. A Wedding Sermon. There has been printed & circulated a Book entitled Common Sense, against Supernatural, which contains professed Atheism. It was printed covertly at first in Boston ; then a license was taken in the name of a young man ; it was then advertised & no place assigned ; it was then plead in the Gazettes, why such a fear should exist ; & some intimations that the Clergy would not hate the investigation of Truth, & stop the sale. The Book I have seen in common hands. But tho' it is a bold performance, it will not have the currency, & perhaps not the effect of the age of reason, because it had not Paine's name to it, nor his manner, which is uncommonly popular. Let posterity judge of the Taste of infidels in the present generation. 6. M' W. Gray has subscribed 20 dollars, & M^ Derby 10, & other Gentlemen to the amount of 70 dollars already to inclose the Land of the Widow Whitford upon the new Street, continuing *Ttae present State House. 146 DIARY OF [July Derby Street, & to assist repairs upon her House. Capt. John Becket aided the subscription. 9. This day a visitation of the Schools. Xotice was given by a Card from the Committee on the day preceeding. & appointments to meet them at the Office of Insurance* near the Centre of the Town. They started at 8 o'clock & I had no sight of the upper writing School. The Grammar School exhibition was opened by an Oration by Master Gray, & closed by an oration from Master Pick- ering, both in English. The youth recited in Virgil, Tully, Justin, & Erasmus, & the Greek Testament. In the Middle School they spelt well. There was Isaac, the black boy again. In the East School there was little Ceremony, to say the least, about the Visit. D"" Waldo gave the clergy invitations to dinner, which some ac cepted. 10. Capt. Webb arrived last night from the E. Indies via Phila- delphia. This gives little relief to Gen. Fiske, as his derangement continues. Many persons in all our Seaports are displeased with the Treaty, as it increases no privileges we now hold, & takes away other privileges. 11. An attempt to launch a vessel at Becket's of 180 Tons. But from some cause all our efforts were ineffectual & we left her upon the Stocks. The public resentment is so great agaiust the Treaty, that it is believed that Jay has been hung & burnt in Effigie both in New York & Philadelphia. The public indignation is roused, & the papers begin to talk of lost liberties. In Boston, such persons as assembled on the subject of the Treaty, voted their dislike in the most pointed terms, & their contempt of the whole. The Secrecy under which this business has been covered has served to exasper- ate the public mind, upon the discovery. 12. Sunday. Notes. Cornelius Bartlet & Wife, d. of their only child, & pr. for friend at Sea. Benj* Brown & Wife, her delivery, Brethren at Sea. 13. News of the burning in Effigie of Mr. Jay in the neighbour- hood of Philadelphia. The bells tolled on the 4 of July instead of ringing, & a mournful silence prevailed through the City. In this Town the men who hold securities under the government are suffi- ciently influential against the disquiets & angry expressions of more dependent people. 14. Preparing for Commencement & a Journey into the Country. Left Salem 8 a. m. on the 15**^, being Commencement Day, in consequence of an engagement to visit my Brother Dawes, at Harvard, & to preach for M"" Emerson. Reached Cambridge at Noon, & dined with Judge Winthrop. Pound the Judge in com- pany with a few friends, & spent a few hours in conversation. At •The Insurance Oflaces then served the purpose of the modern club. The men of the town there repaired to exchange intelligence, to smoke and to discuss the shi p news and politics. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 147 4 o'clock left Caiubriilge on a Jouiney to Concord. "J'he Distance from Concord to Charles liiver at Charlestown Bridge 18 miles. Rode through Menotomy, Found the appearance of the Houses much beyond the former state, besides several new Houses since my last Journey. Below the Rocks there is erected a New Baptist ^Meeting House, which was very decent, but seems now to be going out of repair. The House is a new building, but the division it was intended to support began upon the first visits of ]\[r. White- field in this country, as was said by M"" Cooke the former minister in this Parish. Their more happy state under M"" Fiske has ren- dered the disaffected unable to maintain their Minister, one Green. For a short time some new division in the old Parish of Woburn gave them some assistance, but the Woburn diflRculties becoming more serious, they erected a Baptist Meeting House more central, at which one officiated, & Green removed to the New Mills, a part of Danvers neck which lay at the head of Porter's river, & communicates with North river above Essex Bridge. Passing on, I found at Lexington an excellent new Meeting House had taken the place of the Old one, & upon nearly the same spot. The former House had two galleries, without a steeple & was painted yellow. The present House is ornamented with a Steeple, & is painted green. The Belfrj' is high, & the Dome has a curve inwards so as to meet the bottom of the spire. The Spindle is furnished with Letters to mark the Cardinal Points under the Vane. The House is handsomely underpinned & furnished with stone steps, & railed in. It is also well furnished within. The Pulpit is in the usual form, excepting that it has two flights of steps & has a round pen- dant Canopy. The furniture of the Pulpit is damask silk. The Seat for the Elders & Deacons is between the stairs of the Pulpit. There is an open space before the pulpit, & a very handsome swell in the front gallery. The pews are square in the old inconvenient form, & long seats are left free in the body of the House. The Sashes & Corners of the House are painted white, & the House within is of a light stone colour. No expences have been spared to complete all the work, & nothing is neglected. Rode onwards towards Concord. No great changes appear on the road till we reach the middle of the Town. The first object which attracts the notice of a person who has seen Concord before, is the large building in which are the Stores occupied by White, beyond the Meeting House. The Goal is now finished & was de- scribed at a former visit. The Fences round it look neglected. Opposite to the Old Court House which still stands, tho' in a ruin- ous state, is the new County Court House, but \infinished. The Court room was used last April. The lower part of the House designed for Offices is yet in a rough state. The Meeting House ia so well repaired that it assumes the form of an entirely new build- ing. It had formerly two galleries & resembled the Meeting House 148 DIARY OF [July at Lexington. But it has now been lengthened 12 feet, & has a steeple much resembling that of Lexington who have piqued their pride by the late exertions in that place. The Steeple is painted white. The Pulpit remains in the old form excepting a pendant Canopy, but they excell their neighbours in making all the body pews long, that the hearers may sit with their faces towards the Speaker. There is a swell in the front gallery & a clock upon it. The paintings within are plain, but the pews are not painted. There are several new Houses, one particularly near the Mansion house of M' Hubbard, building for his Son, at the Corner after passing the Pond bridge near the Meeting House. There is a brick House building beyond, opposite to Jones' & one on the corner above. The new Houses have not been so numerous as at Worces- ter, & do not afford so gay & flourishing an appearance. I visited M'' Potter, with whom I lived when the Students from Cambridge were assembled at this Town, & I found him in his 91 year, in good spirits, able to walk a mile every Sunday to meeting & to do work abroad in the fields in fair weather. Next Morning I visited M' Ripley the Minister, & found a likeness of the late M*" Bliss, the Father of his wife, & who had been also a minister in this place. Went on to Acton. The road repaired, & made more direct. Arrived at M*" Jones', one of the first Settlers, & found him 88 years old. I dined with him, & then went to Col. Faulkner's, & spent the day. The Col's two daughters & a M"" Brooks, School- master at Lynn, belonging to this Town, & a Son of the Col., Stu- dent at Cambridge, made the Company. Lodged here. A M' Wheeler visited us and helped to amuse us. This man was known to me in early life. He had a strange curiosity to know how things were in the Hebrew. The next day I visited a Son of a M*" Cutting, who married a Ruggles, a neighbour in Boston. His mother was living at 86, & her mother at 84. This Cutting was son of a Mulatto, who upon the death of his master, accepted some wild land, which he cultivated & upon which his descendants live in in- dependance. We then visited M' Jones' Son. The old Gentleman travelled with me all this distance with his staff, & climbed walls without fear. Acton has not been long settled. M"" Jones was among the first, about 60 years since. 17 families were in it when incorporated. M'' Swift was Minister 25 years, & M"" Adams, their present Minis- ter, has been with them 17 years. Some of the first land has been set off with part of Concord to make the Town of Carlisle. Another part with a part of Stow to form Boxborniujh. We pass through Boxborough on this road to go to Harvard. The Meeting House of Boxb. is a plain building seen on a hill to the right. Nothing presents very engaging to the Traveller upon this road. Passing along to Harvard, as we mount the great Hill, a very extensive prospect opens at once. The Wachuset & the Menadnoc appear 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 149 in the Horizon. The Meeting House of Harvard on the acclivity, lately painted white, makes a pleasing object. Bromfield's House appears on the left in a Vale of Trees. This House was built by a former Minister, M'' Seccombe, of the name with the Author of Father Abda's Will. Two miles beyond I reached my Brother Dawes', near the Baptist Meeting. Soon after my arrival, M' Par- ker, the Baptist Minister & the Physician came in. He has builded a large square House not far from the house which he sold to my Brother. He has a good farm. Is not a man of education. Is in- clined to Universal Salvation , having already shewn an inclination different from the severe restraints of his sect, & perhaps from the moral rules of life. His Congregation daily diminishes. I called at M" Grovenor's, going up. She is the relict of a reputable Min- ister, formerly settled at Scituate, & afterwards for a short time in Harvard. She was a daughter of the last celebrated M"" Clark, Minister of Salem Village now Danvers upper. On Saturday I rode from Harvard five miles to Shirley to see the settlements of a sect called Shakers. They are more easily des- cribed by their modes of life, than by any doctrines they retain. The sect began among illiterate people & originated not in any speculative knowledge. In every period of its existence it assumes a new form, & its temper is meliorating, while its appearance be- comes less & less forbidding. I saw it in its infancy, & attended the lectures of one of its elders. He was a man of good natural abilities, a Farmer, of good heart, ever fond of novelties, & changes, which had had an ill effect upon his temporal affairs. I saw nothing to bring his designs under suspicion, but I knew enough of the man to know that he could easily impose upon him- self. His address was ready, & his manner not unlike the common rant of our New Lights. He had no distortions, but his hearers being about 16 men & 25 women, were greatly agitated, particular- ly in the confused singing, or noise called labouring. As soon as they had made converts sufficient for little societies, they became fond of settling together. These settlements did not appear to be a part of any original plan, but a dictate of fanaticism, & directed by numerous conveniences which they proposed. To see a Sect ad- vanced from such unformed state, to the more civilized condition of little Towns, & families, was an object which provoked my greatest curiosity. As I passed I took notice of the quarry of Slate, which has been worked upwards of thirty years, & is now directed by ]\I'' Wales of Lancaster. We saw the workmen seperate the Slate in the quarry, bring it out & split it. A Square contain- ing 100 square feet, is called a good day's work. A farmer's son makes 40£ pr annum by his labour in the quarry, & the frequent calamities from fires, which break out in great Towns, makes the demand equal to all they can prepare for the market. This same gentleman has the direction of a Quarry upon the Hudson, which he expects to work with great profit. 150 DIARY OF [July About one mile beyond we saw the settlement of the Shakers in Shirley. Upon our arrival we were kindly received at a House near the meeting House, by one of the Brethren, who seemed to act as an Overseer, named Perram, who gratified our curiosity & displayed the greatest hospitality. M' Elijah Wild, & his quon- dam Wife, now Sister, were also distinguished by their kind atten- tion to us. As the spiritual elder was absent we directed few en- quiries towards their religious opinions. We first viewed the meeting House, which drew our attention, because beautifully painted white on the sides & even over the roof. The doors were green. Within, the wood work is painted of a deep blue, & the seats are of a chocolate colour. The Seats are moveable benches, placed round the room, while the area is clear like a Dancing Room. There are two Stoves inserted into the two chimnies at the end of the Building, but they are not in the middle, but so placed as to unite with the sides of the passage which lead into the chambers, with which there is a communication from the sides of the building without, near the front corners. The two doors on the north side fronting the road, open into the House, & we ascend by these steps of hewn stone placed upon a broad flat stone, & which were brought 9 miles. At each end & near the corners are doors with the same steps, which open immediately upon the Chamber Stairs, & lead to the apartments of the elders. These we were not permitted to visit. In the Meeting Room were pendant brasses to receive lights if they should be at any time necessary. These brasses were flat plates not formed like our Chandeliers but to set candle sticks upon, which are brought into the Hall. They shove up, so as easily to be put entirely out of the way. We were told that the Chambers were in five apartments & the lofts in three partitions. Above 400 lb, of white lead was used upon the outside of the Building. We could not imagine that there was so much room in the Buildings till we entered. For they have one plan of all their Houses. The eves are in the middle of the second story as in our common garrets, & this story has its light from luthern windows, & the third story only from the ends. Hence the upper rooms are used for vestries, store rooms, & such purposes, particularly the middle apartments, which have light only from the door. The Meeting House is in the Center of a Square, which is railed in by a handsome fence of rails, dovetailed into the Sill & the cross beam open & flat. The whole surface of the square is laid in turf, brought from an adja- cent field. And that it might not be injured by rain from the building, spouts & gutters lead off the waters into a stone drain, which conveys them into the Street under the surface of the ground. In different directions around the Meeting House are the houses for the accomodation of the Brethren. Such as they have built are all of the same construction. Such as they have purchased remain much as they were before the purchase. They declare all the work 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 151 is by their own hands, & that they had no carpenters among them when they undertook. They began upon the Meeting House, first. There were seven rooms opened to us in the men's apartments in the eastern end of one building, & the partitions between these, & the apartments for the women at the other end of the House, were formed by large doors, which might be opened in times of their de- votions. All these rooms were furnished with stoves & the doors were opened to shew us their construction. The Beds were piled upon each other in the same form in every room & while they seemed a very high mass to the Spectator, had a large covering which gave them the appearance of a high bed, with a large cover- ing reaching to the floor. Such linen as was in sight was as neat as industry & good materials could make them & in the greatest simplicity. The whole furniture of the rooms corresponded, in the greatest good order. We were shewn the apartments in the loft, in which were all the chests & cloathes, belonging to the family of the House. The men's in one apartment, over their rooms, & the women's in the adjoining apartment. We observed that the men did not go into the women's apartments while the women were present. We were told that there were three families here, each containing about 60 souls, & all worshipping in the great House every Sunday. They possess here about 3,000 acres of land. The Soil is not good, but the cultivation is the best, with which they are acquainted. They have two fields, each of 30 acres, with rye. They were hoeing a good field of corn. Their flax was in admira- ble order. We visited their furnace which was not at work, but which had been employed in casting stoves, andirons, boxes for wheels, & such like purposes. They had a place for the manufac- ture of shoes, some of which were shewn to us. From the Black- smith we purchased one of their brass Candle sticks, which was very plain & neat. We saw Iron candlesticks of the same form. They make all their own iron work which they employ in their buildings, carts, gates & furniture. Their brass work in the Meet- ing was made by themselves, & all their gates are screwed together, & not fastened by clinched nails, & they open both ways. They have built a strong timber bridge of 100 feet in length over the Nashuay, which passes through their Land. They are now em- ployed in straightening the road for one mile & an half, before the Meeting House, & a great part of the distance is finished. They have removed vast beds of rock, & builded large stonewalls, upon which the fence is to stand. Their Lines are as straight as they can be made. They have filled up great hollows, to preserve a hor- izontal line in the fence. We conversed with only two women, the Wife of M'' Wilds & another who brought us some articles of their manufacture for our examination. We were shewn some excellent blue & white check handkerchiefs, linens of various kinds, some very fine & thin, & 152 DIARY OF [July some fit for shirting. Good specimens of women's wear, such as they used were shewn to us. Most excellent diaper, which we could not refuse to engage for ourselves, & we had the promise of the same quality. We saw some excellent stuff for women's cloaks, & some Women's muslin handkerchiefs. The women were busy at their Looms & their wheels, & tho' we were not introduced to them, they were kind enough to shew themselves at the windows, & to give us the usual civil tokens of their regard. Such as we saw were modest, more free than we expected, & discovered oblig- ing manners. They were not extremely emaciated , but we observed none of full habits. Their neatness at their employments exceeded every thing of which we had been witnesses. Their dress much resembled that among the people of the Country, & no mark of dif- ference was so visible as the wide borders on their caps which hid the greater part of the face & had no share of our approbation. Things upon the whole made a favourable impression. In the house we were invited to drink. Several white mugs were brought, one of them had spirits & water with loaf sugar & nutmeg, others had good family spruce beer, & milk. We were invited to smoak, & some pipes of their own casting were brought. They were of clay, & the stems called stalls, were of osier. They solicit- ed us repeatedly to stay & dine in their house, promising to provide for us at any hour, & according to our wishes. They were reluctant in taking pay. For a handkerchief, the women absolutely refused to take money, till at last they were persuaded to accept a small sum as a gift. For a dozen of their pipes they would receive noth- ing. We paid the Smith for his candlestick & had it marked in memory of this visit. They confess their inferiority to their breth- ren in Harvard, of whom they speak in the highest manner. Amidst their praises ,which awaken our curiosity, one of the women told me that they did indeed exceed in everything but in their linen manufactory, that she could not cede to them in that matter. The present state of this Sect is unknown to me. Abroad it is said that it is not in a flourishing condition by continual increase. It is said, the services are too severe, which are exacted. But upon their countenances nothing could be seen which discovered discon- tent. In their general industry, & equal condition, there seemed no present cause for complaint. There were persons of all ages, & in the proportions usual in our Towns. We saw none of their elders, who are said to enjoy the riches entrusted to them, by plain but good cloathings, a generous payment of all their expences which their own discretion may incur. They referred us to Harvard for the best manufacture of whips. The stuff resembling Lasting, of which their shoes were made, was of their own manufacture, but admitted of improvement. As we parted, they reminded us of an acre of melons both water & musk through which we had passed, & of which they wished that we had been in season to partake. They 1795J "WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 153 had several Clocks of their own making. At noon we returned to Harvard. On Sunday we found a decent Congregation at Harvard, & the reception at Madam Grovenor's, the lodging of the Minister, was very obliging. The ladies, her daughters, knew how to recommend them- selves. In the meeting House the Singers are placed behind the long seats in the Body of the House. There is a Seat for the Elders & for the Deacons before the Pulpit, which gives two rows of pews on each side. The Pulpit is high. The House is light & well situated. Cleverly, an Episcopal reader from Braintree is here, who makes himself known on the holy days, Penuiraan also an outcast Con- gregational minister from Bedford. There is a young Doctor Park- er here, & Curtis keeps the public House. Winchester has preached here lately among the anabaptists, & I had the honour of preach- ing after the evening service in the same desk. 20. Monday morning we left M*" Dawes' House to visit the Shakers in the northern quarter of Harvard. We called upon Major B. Kimball, Esq'", the Representative, who expected to accompany us. We passed the Cong. Meeting House, & proceeded in a very bad road, until we reached the settlement. We came to an house 1/2 a mile before we reached the Meeting House, above which is the house lately built by Shadrack Ireland, whose follow- ers were never to die. We found the same attention here as we had enjoyed in Shirley. M"^ Jewett & M' Willard gratified every rea- sonable wish. Both of them had been good farmers, & the first was advanced in years. They shewed us their Meeting House, which had all the proportions of that in Shirley, only the inclosed area was not so large around it, & the rail fence was only nailed upon cross pieces. It was painted as the House in Shirley. They hold about 1000 acres of land & there are three families, one of which consists of more than 90 persons. All together exceed 200 persons. Besides Ireland's house in which we were entertained & which is a square house of two stories & a crown roof & chiefly improved for Shops, they have several farm houses which are around the Meeting House upon the country roads, & 3 of two Stories. There are several small buildings. In front of the Meeting House is a new road laid out above one quarter of a mile. The walls are excellent & high, & upon an horizontal line, & as straight as they can be laid. The Road is not quite finished but a good path is already finished. There are three new buildings upon the Street for the Dwellings of the Brethren, & another upon the full proportions of their buildings, already framed & raised. This gave us an opertunity to see the construction. They have very much timber in their frames, & even in the Meeting House, at each end of the Beams, there are, as they call them, Dutch Braces, which are sealed, & of the same proportions with the Beams. At the head of their garden on the north part, facing 154 DIAKY OF [July southward is the Gardner's House, in which are kept all his Tools of agriculture, & his seed, with a little room in front, for company. Four acres in front of it were planted as a Garden. There was one full acre of Carrots. Their produce from one acre in one Garden last year was 400 bushels. Everything belonging to the family garden was here to be seen. Besides their beds of Sage & Baum, there were large beds of Onions, parsneps, potatoe fields, cabbages, &c. Nor were ornamental flowers forgotten as we saw the Piana, & other flowers in the first bed. The Gardens have large paths through them & are of easy descent so as to have a good effect when viewed from the upper part of the garden. Each family has its garden. The principle garden was not far from the Meeting House. We were inquisitive here into their institution, particularly as M'' Whitney has scetched it in his history of the County of Wor- cester. But we obtain little information, but about facts. They re- ferred us to a letter written by Elder James,the same perhaps referred to by Hannah Adams. This is the only written work they avow, & this was designed for a deaf woman. I could find nothing which agreed with Whitney's account, & suspect he was misinformed. The following is the account which I received. They have one su- perior, Joseph Meachuvi, who lives in New Lebanon, in New York State. To him all others are subordinate. He was bred a Mer- chant. The Elders have now their particular departments allotted to them. Eleazar Rand is the Elder for Harvard & Shirley, & had this morning set out upon a visit to the Brethren in Maine. So well as they could recollect they shewed us the extent of the Brother- hood. They have friends & families at Canterbury in New Ham- shire, & at Enfield near it under the Elder Joseph Bishop. They have families at Sanford & Alfred, & near Sabago pond in York & Cumberland Counties, Maine, under Elder John Barnes. They have families at Hancock, Hamp. C, Mass., under Calvin Harlow, a Surgeon & now an Elder, who had a Collegiate education. They claim another at Enfield, Conn., as well as another above Albany. Such were all they collected. They confessed that they had no cor- respondence with any Brethren in England, or any part of Europe. They were not able to estimate their whole number, & it seems all these persons possessed was collected from conversation. Upon the important question how they were to exist without the intercourse of the sexes, they seemed to resolve all into the will of God, &> the visible means were such as had supported the religious orders of all nations. Proselytism. Elder Rand, with a Brother Companion, has to his own use all the rooms appropriated in the Meeting Houses. This man was bred at Harvard in the family of a wealthy farmer, upon charity, & had no advantages but such as perservance & good natural sense can give him. In the House we found several articles of their manufacture. We purchased two excellent whips 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 155 which were made with great ingenuity. We had some stailes given u3 for our pipes, & we purchased a specimen of their Shoe brushes. They had not a furnace as at Shirley, but they have their Black smiths, & White smiths, & they shewed us a Surgeon's instrument made with great exactness. Their Hammers here as well as at Shirley discover neat & sufficient workmanship. After every civil- ity & payment, which was readily received, we separated. While at Harvard I had the attention of M"" Pollard & Son who live a mile beyond my brother, from M"^ Whitney, Major Kimball, & E. Haskell, Traders in company. I visited the Townsends of Bol- ton, & took a pleasant ride through Lancaster, & paid my last re- spects to the Reverend Mr. Harrington who is at the close of life. Monday morning we walked one mile to see Bear Hill Pond. In no part is it 1/2 mile wide, & above 1/4 only at the S. W. end. We had not a fair view of the N. E. part, but I marked a plan of it on the spot from a Hill on the S. W. & found its outlet about 1/2 mile S. W. on the road from Harvard Cong. Meeting House. A point of Land seemed to divide the N. part of the Pond, & the pond entered more deeply on the E. branch. We met upon our return Deacon Willard, going to reap an acre of wheat near the pond. On Mon- day after our return we were entertained at the Free School by Louisa Waldo, who keeps for young children in the summer months. She gave us an exhibition of 20 small children, who read, spell, & answer the usual questions of punctuation & grammar with pleasing readiness. They also exhibited select pieces of dialogues with great ease & propriety. The writing was good. All these branches were under the sole direction of this young woman. Her reward is by no means adequate to her services. Next morning I breakfasted with Col. Bromtield one mile below. His house was on an hill from which 14 Meeting Houses could be distinctly seen. Returned July 22, Wednesday noon. Found the people pleased with M' Emerson & one funeral had taken place in my absence & one marriage. Notes left on Sunday, July 19. Thomas Rue & Wife & Children, death of his Son, pr. for Sons at Sea. Wid. Susannah Becket, d. of her G. Children, & friends at Sea. Peter Murray & AVife for her dang: sick. Anna Dwire for her child sick. 24. Drank Tea at M'' Stone's. The first visit after nine years. M"" Gerry in Town to visit his friend Gen. Fiske. Great grief to me, the ill conduct of my pupil, son of the General. No change for the better in the General's State. 25. A M"^ Law has arrived in this Town who is well known for his success in teaching Psalmody in the best societies of Connecti- cut. His great success induces us to aid an experiment in this Town in which so much labour has been expended & much money without any valuable effect. 26. Sunday. Notes. Stephen Webb & children, pr. d. of Daughter Murray, pr. for friends at Sea. Wid. H. Murray, d. of 156 DIARY OF [July Daughter in Law Murray, pr. for absent friends. Peter Murray, d. of his Wife (pr. with his daughter) pr. for Brethren at Sea. Wid. M. Waters, d. of her only Son (pr. with her daughter) & pr. for friends at Sea. Wid. S. Leach, d. of her Son in Law Waters. Sarah Waters, d. of her husband abroad. Elisabeth Millet, thanks for delivery, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. 27. Several Vessels have returned, & have suffered great losses of men. Ten persons are reported to us in the last week belonging to this Town. Such is the mortality in the West Indies. The Minis- ters had a conference upon the intended Plan of Singing at the Rev. M' D. Hopkins this afternoon. The result was that they agreed that they would approve the design, confer with their Committees, recommend it to the Students, & use prudent means to facilitate, &c. the success in the Town. 29. Rode to Nahant & the Beaches in Company with two young — . This ought to prevent any other attempt to enjoy with familiarity those whose education does not provide the best rules for the mind. Fowles died a few days since, who possessed the Farm upon Mar- blehead Line as we go to Phillips'. He had wasted life in a misera- ble manner. The objection to the House of pleasure on Nahant offered by Friend Wood, is, that it would be visited only two months of the year. But would not apartments for invalids always be filled if they were provided with conveniences. 31. The road through the Rope Walk is now the subject. The Selectmen are unwilling to proceed to open a passage, from Threats of a prosecution. The neighbours feel very uneasy upon the subject. Aug. 1. [1795] A Bison in Town. It confirms Buffon's opinion that it is the Cow in a state of nature, & that the difference is acci- dental. In the afternoon it was carried through the Town, & such persons gave as pleased to compensate the man for his Trouble. 6. Bradford of Rowley, has suffered much from his Antifederal Sermon. The Association have disapproved it, & have received some acknowledgment. So says report, & the Gazette, & in sub- stance it is true. A Vessel launched this afternoon at Becket's Yard. Pomp executed at Ipswich for the murder of his master, Plummer's account of him has a tendency to make Dying Speeches ridiculous. It is 75 years we are told since the execution of any person at Ipswich. It was done upon Newbury road above the Town. Only two persons in a Century executed in Salem. 7. Had the pleasure of the Company of D' Bass, of Newbury Port, who reached my house at 11, & left after 4 o'clock. It is a great pleasure to receive an old man who has maintained his integ- rity, usefulness & reputation, through a long life, & who has resisted all the temptations into the thorny path of Ambition. He has been elected Bishop by the Episcopal clergy of this State & New Hamp- shire. He has since been elected Bishop of Vermont, but he has preferred the plain path o£ life. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 157 8. Arrived here, Capt. Fairfield from Ireland, with the famiU' of M'' Dun lap whose son has lately been settled among us. We are told that 80 persons have come passengers in this Vessel, principally mechanics. 13. Dined with Dunlap, & with the family. Report that there is a M"" Titler* in their company, banished from Scotland, who is a well known Chymist. I have seen his poem on Liberty written on board Ship, & his printed answer to Paine is in Town. He is said to have written upon the article Chymistry in the Scotch Eucyclopedie. 15. This morning the melancholy talk of the murderous stab given to a young English Seaman in the House of Blackburne the Chimney Sweeper. I was present at the Charity House when he made his last dying declaration that he was stabbed by the wretch above named. He solemnly & upon oath declared that there was no previous quarrel, & that he was coming away peaceably. The wretch made no apology for his conduct, but from his intemperance. 16. Sunday. This afternoon the Jury of inquest was upon the Body of George Wilkinson murdered by Blackburne. A M"" Bott refused to acquiesce in the verdict murder, but as he came late upon the Jury & the number was complete before, all above twelve were dropped from the Jury. The prayer was made in the yard, before a great concourse of people. The body was detained for some time afterwards till the verdict was given. 19. A proposal has been made by subscription to repair the Weather Cock, paint the Spire, & do other necessary work upon the East Meeting, as has been just done upon the old Meeting. The Sum proposed to be raised was 500 dollars, above 300 of which have been already obtained, & the stages are now erecting upon the Spire. 20. This day at noon the W^eather Cock was delivered to us below from the Spire, & sent on to the blacksmith's for a new Tail or to take the old Tail which was blown off. It blew off in March, 1783. 23. Sunday. ^Mary Crookshanks with her Children, d. of her daughter, Son at Sea. 24. Visited M"" Gardiner's Farm, & M"" Derby's & took Tea with M'' Gardiner. From him I found the people more attached to the open & sincere manners of their former Pastor, than to any severe manners of sect & party. It has not been a remarkable year for fruit in Derby's garden. The quantity of Hay is uncommon. Common Apple orchards are flourishing. 25. A Certificate written for Jean Baptiste Marie Fage, born at Doulon, near Nantes, parish of St. Medard, arrived at Salem, 7 July 1794, where he has constantly resided till Aug. 24, 1795. This day the Weather Cock ascended the Spire, with his coat of Gold. 2G. Went to Beverly to see the repairs upon their meeting house, *Jamee Tytler. 158 DIARY OF [Aug. & find a portico supported upon fo\ir columns extending 50 feet in front of the house. The pediment does not ascend beyond the first story & has not a very good effect. 30. Sunday. Very warm. The glass at 90° before noon. The service was tedious to the exhausted public speaker. Nicholas Lane & Wife, her delivery. 31. There have been alarms of Fire. Reports were of a design to put fire to the house of Capt. Carpenter, but the circumstan- ces do not warrant such a fear. In the afternoon fire was cried, & the barn of the Sun Tavern was full of smoke. This was a suspicious case, but no person could imagine how fire should get at the bottom of a Hay loft in full day. In the evening the Fire was more serious. After one o'clock a fire broke out in a low barn belonging to M' Brook's, Truckman, situated upon Palfrey's Wharf, in Daniel's Street, eastern end of the Town. In it all his four horses were distroyed. He disowns, at that time to have carried fire into it. He was in it at 1/2 past 10. One of the neighbours passed it at 11 o'clock, & the men who returned from Stage point from graving a Vessel at 12 o'. There had been a fire on the preceed- ing day at a Boat builder's Shop at some distance but the barn was to windward, & one load of Hay had been carried into the Barn. The flakes of fire passed the east Meeting House. Sept. 3. [1795] Fixed the Electric Rods upon the Steeple, & took away the upper Stages. M' Tytler has published his poem upon liberty. Had it been published in the beginning of the war, from an Emigrant, it would have been a rapsody adapted to the character of the times. But it does not take hold now. 5. Committee met at the Meeting House & finally agreed to paint the outside of the Meeting, to put a narrow porch in front, to build a fence back of the House, & repair the stones in Front. 6. Sunday. Notes. Ruth Collins, d. of her Child & Husband at Sea. Sarah Prince, delivery, Husb. & Br. at Sea. 12. Rode in company with the Southern Gentlemen to Derby's Farm & to Chipman's at Beverly. This Gentleman entertained us with his Tannery, & particularly with his Horizontal Windmill which he is constructing to grind Bark. Possessing the resources of a good mechanic genius he is determined to repeat an experiment which has hitherto proved unsuccessful. He has made only one alteration as yet, & his works not being ready for trial, we knew not with what success. He observed that the Leeward Vanes trembled first, & that on the present construction they were not fixed to re- ceive the air, & observing how ships trim to windward, he has made a model which receives all the wind which escapes through the windward vanes on the Leeward before it escapes, & so as to assist the motion. His Stone is less heavy than Richardson's in this Town. His gudgeons are brass. His Vanes are supported by arms without braces. He shew us a farm in good order. A well contrived stye, 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 159 a fine pigeon house, the doves chiefly Avhite, a convenient barn, ex- cellent stone wall, & j)i-ovision for greater improvements. He does not wish for the Mill to break his hides. This shave has blunted teeth on the inside, which he has introduced & which breaks the inner skin effectually in twice drawing. His bark house is proper- ly secured. All his Vats convenient. His lime holes emptied by a drain below. He informed us that he contrived the pumps which deliver a bucket at a stroke with great ease. We passed to the Factory,* surveyed the Jennies for spinning, the cording ma- chines, the roping, the twisting, the winding, &c. They make ex- cellent bed ticks in the Factory. jVf Chipman thinks the power might easily be made greater in Kindley's machine for making brick, which would give a greater ease in managing it. 13. Sunday. Notes. W™ Peele & Wife for youngest daughter sick, & Sou at Sea. 20. Sunday. Note. Hannah Collins, d. of j^oungest Child, pr. Husb. & Son at Sea. 21. By enquiring & examining, the boy named Macmillon con- fessed to M"^ Dunlap that he attended a Negro in the business of putting fire to the Out House of M"" Dunlap. 22. Upon further exam, of the Boy, he confessed that with his own hands he carried the fire to the Out house of M"" Dunla]) in Tinder in a Tinder Box, & that his design was to burn up Capt. Allen for some disagreement between Capt. Allen & his Father about a Farm. He confessed that he had stolen Capt. Welman's axe, which was taken away when preparations were made for a fire at his House adjoining to Capt. Allen's, by placing a pitch Tub & an empty Barrel where a fire might be kindled in the Barn. He also Took the Axe of Hawkes & Babbidge from the building nearest to the fire adjoining to Brooks' Barn which was burnt not long since. Fires supposed to be kindled by this wretch are : Three times in Capt. Jn° White's Barn adjoining to his Father's House in Curtis St. Once at the back of the House belonging to his Father in Curtis St. Once at Capt. John Derby's Barn, Derby Street. Once at Brooks' Barn, which was burnt down. Twice at Dunlap's, once the Barn was burnt. And preparations at Timothy Welman's near Allen's. 23. Spent this evening with M"" Curwinf who has passed his 80"* year. He shewed me his collection of natural history, of coins, & curiosities, & gave me some specimens to take away with me. A collection of this kind however small is a curiosity in our Country, and our Public institutions are yet in the greatest infancy in these respects. Wrote a Subscription paper for Deborah Foot to assist her to recover the property of Jonathan Foot in a Lot of Land, now held by Solomon Lufkin, & also an undivided fifth part of Malachi •Beverly Cotton Factory. tJndge Samuel Curwen, the Loyalist. 160 DIARY OF [Sept. Foot's estate, now in the possession of Solomon Lufkin. Jonathan Foot is now aged & poor & burnt out at Boston. 24. The new road continuing Derby Street was opened last Tuesday. Three gentlemen, Brown of Beverly, & Hooper of Mar- blehead, & Shillaber, were referees & they gave the widow Orne 275,£ for her privilege in the Ropewalk. There is now a continued way to the Neck by M" Whitford's. 25. Capt. Berry arrived in Dunlap's Schooner from Gonaives, Hispaniola, & brings us news of the death of William Dunlap his supercargo, & John Dale one of his foremost hands. M" Vincent, & M" Perkins buried this day. 26. This day M" Sage's child died which made the second child in one week, the first time that such an event has occurred in my ministry, that I recollect. 27. Sunday. Notes. Joseph Vincent & Children, d. of his Wife & their mother. Samuel Cheever & Wife & Children, d. of his youngest daughter. Tarrant Perkins, d. of his wife. Oliver Webb & Wife, d. of their Child. 30. Took a walk in Company with M" Orne & her two Daugh- ters, a Miss Whetmore, & the four daughters of Count de Grasse, with Messieurs Fage, Herengl, Rodrigue, & Melece, to M" Orne's Farm four miles in Danvers toward Lynnfield. We arrived after Twelve. From the farm I took a solitary walk to explore the pond found in this neighbourhood. I travelled on in the road above ^ mile and then below the second house from Orne's I turned in by a pair of bars into a pasture & mounted a rock near a wall, which was seen upon the hill soon after I passed Orne's house. From this Rock I passed in a hollow leaving a hill with trees on my left to a large body of Rocks, & leaving them on the left I soon reached the top of the Hill, from which I saw the pond. As the north Steeple bore down the road from M""^ Orne's this must have been N. W. from the Town by the opening in the Trees on the road. The Pond has an Island in it, which has an Orchard iipon it, & I was told was called Humphrey's pond. The Island approaches to the Shore, & can be waded to at 5 feet depth in dry times. The pond has less than 100 acres of surface. The Upper Steeple of Danvers was plainly to be seen & the whole road up as far as the Widow Upton's. The Houses in Lynnfield & Reading were to be seen but Lynnfield meeting House being low was not distinguished & Reading Steeple was behind a hill with Wood upon it. I returned to the House by the same roiite. After a plain dinner we walked around the farm containing above 100 acres besides a lot below on the great road adjoining to Derby's Farm. The farm runs almost from the road on which the House stands to the road leading to Upton's & Read- ing Precinct, the Country Road. In the evening early we returned to Salem. Oct. 1. [1795] The day appointed for the Brigade review un- 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 161 der Gen. Abbott at Danvers. Col. John Harthorne at the head of the Salem Kegiineut. There were present Salem, Lynn, Danvers & Beverly Regiments. The late appointment of Watkins, Brigade Major did not please many persons. The day was fine & the con- course great. I travelled upon foot, but not being able to pass at Waters' Bridge, where M"" Reed is at work, & not trusting the Dory, with a few friends we attempted to travel across to the other Dan- vers road, but we should have found it better to have returned upon om* own steps, into the cross road by Gardener's Farm, for after we entered the pastures at Waters Bridge, we were soon obliged to head an inlet which bent southward & then the low grounds were so wet that we were under the necessity to ascend to a cross road, & keeping our right rather than the left hand we were led down- wards toward the branch of the river opposite Hooper's now Collins' House, & then finding no passage from the full tide were obliged with great trouble to return, & enter the road above the house on the right hand, before we reached Putnam's brick house on the Danvers Road. We arrived at Noon, as the Review was closing, & took our dinner in the Tents with good appetite. In the afternoon there was SHAM fight, but from the hill we saw only the smoak, & had some amusements of chitchat till the troops were dismissed. I returned on foot by Waters' Bridge which was passable on plank at low tide. There was great good order & no accidents this day. Cape Ann Regiment is to be reviewed on the 19 October. 2. One young Nourse was injuried upon his return last evening, by the careless trick of tiring off a gun near his breast. There was much of this ill behaviour on the occasion against the remonstrances of the Officers of every rank. This young man was one of our most useful Singers. 3. This day Gen. Fiske was brought back from Free Town near Taunton. He left this Town at midnight last Tuesday. He was found destitute of money, ragged & dirty, by a Physician, & on foot having left his Horse & Sulkey several miles behind upon the road. The Physician took him home, & on Saturday this day brought him back to Boston. 4. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Dale, d. of her Husband. Su- sannah Seward, d. of her son Dale. James Collins, ret. fr. Sea, d. of child in his absence. S. Archer & Wife, d. of youngest child, pr. for Brother at Sea. 5. This day M*" Vincent put down his last pier in the Cove to extend the length of his Ropewalk. There are now 20 piers of 360 feet from the Shore. They were built by M"" Addison Richardson, M"^ Kilham who built the stages round our Spire for 20J2, took down & last Saturday put up the Vane at Beverly for S£, all the stuff & help being found for him. They are painting the Old Meeting House in this Town. 7. Several axrivals. Among others the Vessel called the Ketch 162 DIARY OF [Oct. belonging to M' Derby which sailed from this port Dec^ 23, 1794, & has accomplished the Voyage to Calcutta in 9 months & ^. 11. Snnday. Notes. Daniel Sage & Wife, death of 3 children, He returned from Sea. Sam^ Silsbee & Wife, d. of 3 grandchil- dren. 12. The great Brig. Gen. takes in dudgeon the reflections cast in the last Gazette upon the Brigade Major elect. This timid offi- cer has been either frightened from his j)0st, or his less efficient son has obliged him to resign. A redoutable Deacon & Captain has taken their part, & in full vengeance has refused the Gazette which has made the mighty stir. The advertisement of blank resignations has damped the military ardour in this place. 15. The revolution in France has rendered cheap the Clocks, & the Pictures of that Nation. And the cheapness has multiplied them in our Country. The decimal division has made them ready to dispose of the old Clocks of 12 hours, & several fine clocks have been an easy purchase to our Seaman. The disposal of so many estates has made pictures also very cheap. Such as have already arrived have had some good pieces, but in general they have been ill chosen. Capt. Carnes carried me to see a collection made by his Brother Charles. There were two fine views of Vesuvius & of -^tna, & well coloured. They exceeded the painting in the Cham- ber at Cambridge. The other pieces were fancy & not all of the most chaste character. One of them was inscribed Que ni est si encore, & another, il dort. A few on silk were upon the revolution, fancy pieces. 16. Extremely difficult to break the old custom of keeping the dead several days. The Fever which has prevailed has at last jus- tified the caution that has been used in the great Cities of carrying away the dead at the earliest hour which could be convenient. In New York it is done by a Hearse, & some such practice prevailed at Philadelphia. W^e succeeded in one instance but not very quietly. 18. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Malcolm & children, d. of Daughter in Law, pr. for Husband & Sons at Sea. Mary Becket, d. of her Sister, pr. Husb. & Brethren at Sea. Sarah Hodges, d. of her child, pr. Husb. & Brethren at Sea. Sarah Kichardson, d. of her daughter, pr. for friends at Sea. Sarah Hunt, praj-ers for her husband dangerously sick. Stephen Cloutman & W^ife, delivery, Brethren at Sea. Made the first fire in the Study this evening, glass at 51°. 20. News from Watertown that M" Dunlap so lately arrived from Ireland, & with such fine prospects & hopes, was interred yes- terday. This is the second breach upon this family, amidst all their hopes. 22. Moving Welman's Building at the Corner of Derby & Crom- well Streets to enlarge that Street. Nutting & Ingersoll opposed 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 168 upon their Lots, in hopes of making more money. Reports that some of our Salem Vessels will make great \'oyages at the Isle of France, & probably in the East Indies. 23. Busied myself to provide a Catalogue of Coins from M' Cur- win's Collection for JNl"" Winthrop. Such Collections are rare in this Country, & in some parts utterly unknown. This is the larg- est that I have ever seen. The real antiques in silver, are an Athe- nian City, a Greek City, a Consul, Scipio, Tuba, Julius Ctesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Adrian, Marcus Antoninus. There are a considerable number of Copper & Mantuans, which the Con- noisseurs must distinguish. Among the modern is to be found a MARYLAND Coin, CecUlus C. Ud Baltimore. A Specimen is to be seen of all the Modern Coinage in this Collection. 25. Sunday. Notes. Mary Andrew & children, d. of a Son. Susannah Jeftiy, d. of her child, Husb. & friends at Sea. Lydia Masury, child sick, Husb. & friends at Sea. Thomas Hunt for re- covery, Father & friends at Sea. 26. Another Ketch launched by M'' Derby upon the model of that which made & finished the Voyage to India in 9 months. Built by M"^ Briggs. 28. Sent & purchased at Boston a Bass Viol for 21 dollars. The fondness for Instrumental music in Churches so increases, that the inclination is not to be resisted. I have applied to M'' Gardner to assist the Counter with his German Flute. 29. Attended the Funeral of Ester Lathe,* a poor Stranger from Woburn, who had been confined as delirious, & died of a dysentery. She was collected in her last moments. Four Brothers from Wo- burn, & her Son in Law Bruce attended her Funeral. 30. Capt. Forester, a rich man in this part of the Town, lost his eldest daughter this morning. She had had the Fever & Sore Throat so prevalent & her fate was determined in three days. Supplied with a specimen of the gum Laccat by Capt. Hodges. It is yet upon the branch & came from Pegu. He tells me that he purchased a considerable quantity of it, but could not dispose of it in America upon any Terms, but sent it to Holland, & could get no information of its value. It is used in painting, dying, jap- anning, varnishing, & even in sealing wax, & yet the use of it is yet a Stranger in America. Such the present state of the arts in America. 31. There is a purpose at Newbury to make the third division of the Presbyterian Church under a M"^ Bodily, a most i)rejudiced man. The building is to be of brick, & in a central part of the Town. His adherents are numerous. He is a stranger lately ar- rived in this Country, & some parts of his domestic character are doubtful. •Esther Richardson, born at Woburn in 1729, married Francis Leathe. tLacqaer. 164 DIARY OF [Nov. Nov. 1. [1795] Sunday. Notes. George Bruce & Wife, d. of mother Lathe. (They have 7 children.) Eliz. Thomas, pr. for child very sick. 2. The Episcopalians have greater force in Connecticut, than in any part of New England. Since the promotion of D*" Dwight to be President of Yale College, their friends have given out some hints that the College ought not to be m the hands of the Clergy, but left upon a more generous foundation. They claim from D"" Dwight's liberality. But if Oxford and Cambridge had shown the least liberality in this respect, these ecc. rulers would shew better claims for a revolution. If any thing short of liberty to establish their own sect had ever appeared to please them, & any truly gen- erous design had been proposed, they would have the highest claims upon every man employed to promote truth in the world. They have in this State complained of the Interference of our Fast & Thanksgivings with their Days. In Connecticut they have put their Thanksgiving on the day before Christmass. This must offend, because it hides their own splendid festival, & takes the spell from the vulgar. 3. The West Indies are odious to our Sailors from the great sickness which has prevailed. Sailors can be obtained for the East Indies, where our men have suffered very little. Almost beyond belief they have been preserved. Besides, at this time, the sound of Adjudication strikes terrour into our Merchants, as well as mariners. 4. At Capt. Allen's saw a Scotch Man, lately arrived, very ig- norant of the Arts as he came from Galloway, at Stranrawr. He has some notions of the Kirk, but very indistinct. He had been in the Isle of Man, in Ireland, & as far north as Skie. 5. The fifth of November. Not all the revolutions which have passed over our Country can yet efface the remembrance of this an- niversary. The boys must have their bon fire. But the light of it is going out. We have little concern in powder plots of Kings at this day. The Town of Boston have determined not to disturb any ground in the antient Burying places. For a long time these grounds have been crowded, & it was impossible to observe decency in the opening of graves. The Charge is just in a great degree against the old ground in this Town, but the objections have not yet become serious. 7. Great changes are making in the roads in the eastern parts of this Town. Cromwell Street is much enlarged. English Street is entirely changed. It has been talked of to continue Derby Street towards the water rather than in the direct line of the road, from the nature of the soil. 8. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Crowninshield, dang. sick. Mar- tha Babbidge, d. of her g. Son, & pr. for friends at Sea. Andrew Ward & Wife, d. of their youngest child, & p. for Br. & fr. at Sea. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 165 William Burrill & Wife, d. of eldest child, & pr. for friends at Sea. Sarah Evoy & children, d. of her husband abroad. 9. The ordination attempted at Wilmington in June last has at length succeeded. The party for M"" Reynolds chose a new Council from which they ejected all the former majority, & in their stead, chose the three following gentlemen known to be of their principles, M'' Emmons, of Franklin, M"" Niles, of Abington, & M'' Spring, of Newbury Port. The Council heard the parties, & the result on the next day was ordination. The Clergy are now so divided into Sects that they balance themselves, & must soon loose at least all danger- ous importance in the Commonwealth. They may lose all their in- fluence. 10. The Supreme Court in Town. The Court did not open till the afternoon & then they could hardly get a Jury, from various ex- cuses. The charge from Judge Dana was full upon all the Sub- jects which would come before the Jury, & particularly explicit upon the Subject of Treason against the State, & the nature of riots, which he deprecated as in every respect unfriendly to the liberty & existence of Society. He gave clear ideas of Homicide iu its various senses, & applied them to the supposed case which would be before the Jury. He did the same of Arseuy, or Burning Houses, buildings, which he applied to the possible case of the un- happy boy of this Town. 12. This day came on the trial of H. Blackburne, the Chimney Sweeper, for the Murder of G. Wilkin gson, Aug. 15. The woman & companion of George deposed that H. asked for money, but no quarrel ensued. That they were repeatedly desirous to go home, but that H. said he had fastened the door. That she saw H. blow the light out. That H. threatened with death any person who should enter, &c. M''* Parker living below was awakened by the groans, & after some time went up to light her candle, returning in the entry she was told by the woman what was the matter. She declared that she heard the threats, & that she alarmed the neigh- bours, & assisted to get G. on the bed, as he had laid on the floor from after 10 till 3 in the morning. The evidence was clear, con- sistent, & corroborative. Three deposed that H. pretended no wound, till two hours after sunrise. The deposition of the deceased, was that there was no quarrel. Sullivan was State's Attorney & Andrews & Dane for the Prisoner. The Case was delivered to the Jury at 5 P. M. & the Court adjourned till six. Before seven the Verdict was given, guilty of Murder. 13. Last evening a crowd attended the Trial of Blackburne. The crowd became impatient, & a young fellow mounted the Stove, which hid the view from the Back standers. The young fellow, lately of some consequence, began to display some ignorant imper- tance to the officer, who had repeatedly ordered him to come down. The Court then took up the matter, gave a commitment. The 166 DIARY OF [Nov. young man lay all night in Goal, & was dismissed this morning, upon asking pardon in open Court & without paying Goal Fees. Such examples have a happy effect upon licentious fellows. 14. The business of our Lodge cannot be transacted without the narrow prejudices of private life. A most affecting proof that the success of liberal institutions must be secured by the principles of good education, or the passions will surmount all their obliga- tions. I think that I shall attend no more. 15. Sunday. Notes. William Peele & Wife, d. of his Sister, pr. for their Son & friends at Sea. Sarah Silver, d. of her daughter, pr. for G. Son at Sea. Mary Martin, d. of her youngest child. Husb. & Brethren at Sea. William Becket, thanks for his return from Sea, pr. on d. of his wife while absent, & pr. for brethren at Sea. Lydia Masury, d. of her youngest child, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. 16. This afternoon Henry Blackburne was brought out to receive sentence of death. This was the first time on which I ever saw such a thing done. The State's Attorney recited the case, & in behalf of the Commonwealth begged sentence against the Prisoner. .Judge Dana then asked the prisoner if he had more to say. He began to run on about the evidence, that the woman was a bad woman, & that he had no intentions of murder. The Judge told him that his liberty was to declare if he had any point of Law in his favour, & then proceeded, after expressing horrour at his Crime, & exhorting him to repentance, & telling him that hu- man tribunals might err, but God before whom he was to appear could not err. He pronounced sentence of death in the usual form. The Judge was much affected, & hardly able to deliver himself. For the first time the Prisoner was moved, he smote his breast & shed abundance of tears. 21. The Thanksgivings of New England progress Southward. Governour Jay has appointed a Thanksgiving in New York on the 26 instant. It is remarked that his recommendation discovers a timidity in an experiment which he did not know that he was au- thorized to make. 22. Sunday. Notes. John Diamond Preston & Wife, pr. her delivery, & Brethi-en at Sea. 23. Webster, the famous Lecturer on the English Language, has desired all proper communications on the subject of the late Fever. He has from various quarters had no small share of irony bestowed upon him. A hint has been given of his Lectures, & the amphibi- ous nature of the language. 24. The Town of Stoneham after all the vileness ag. Rev^ Cleve- land have united and settled a Stephens. So that our predictions are not always safe. 25. This day was honoured by the Ropemakers by displaying flags of all nations upon their Rope walks, & by a jolly Supper in 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 167 the evening. To day laid the phxu for introducing a German Flute into the meeting liouse. 27. Ice in tlie I'ond on the Connnon sufficient to bear the boys for the first time. The air uncommonly serene. The Ocean in most perfect Calm. Not any motion around the Shore, l^ut the pre- dictions of hard winters endless. In the Almanacs, in the Gazettes, in Two penny pamphlets, from the public, &, Woe Trumpets ex- pected from some wise men. 29. Sunday. Notes. Jose])h Hosmer & Wife, d. of Eldest daughter, & pr. for other d. sick, & for her brethren at Sea. Han- nah Webb, d. of her g. child .S: pr. for son at Sea. Hannah Keen, d. of her husband & pr. for Sous at Sea. James Chever & Wife, delivery, pi-, for friends at Sea. Dec. 1. [ITDo] Capt. Hosmer has lost his other daughter, yet it is not at present a sickly time. Wood rises to a high price even in moderate weather. Flour keeps its price up, but provisions of the market are plentiful indeed. G. Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth King, delivery, Husband & Brother at Sea. Disagreeable reports that Capt. D. Martin is very sick at Petite Gonaive, & that he has lost his mate, a son of the Widow Hannah Webb. 7. Left Salem to visit Andover, where my friend General Fiske is confined. Found the guide posts upon the road a great assistance among the cross roads. I took the route of Topsfield in preference to ]\liddleton, tho' three miles further, being 21 miles from the Town House Salem to North Meeting H. Andover. Found M' Kimball,* the celebrated Musician, at his father's. It is his purpose to establish himself in the Law in Maine. Arrived at M"" Isaac Parker's & there lodged. 8. Visited Gen. Fiske's at Deleway's upon the Farm formerly belonging to the Lpc's, one mile south of the north Meeting House. I found him totally regardless of home, & in all the flighty schemes of a very bewildered imagination. I dined with I), Kitte- ridge & as it was exceedingly stormy, the wind very high, & the rain in Torrents, I continiied at his house till morning. 9. Breakfasted with Col. Lovejoy, & took leave about eleven & returned by Topsfield to Salem. M'^ Kimball gave me some encouragement that he would visit me, & spend one evening with my singers. Find upon my return that 40 fathom of Vincent's Ropewalk was blown down by the wind yesterday, & an old Barn belonging to Dean in Daniels Street. 10. We find that in Tuesday's Storm a Brig from Halifax drove ashore at 6 in the evening upon Nahant Beacb, & all but one per- ished. She had fish in bulk on board, & passengers. 11 persons perished. Some of the fish may be saved, but the vessel stove to pieces. Fire Club this evening, & the Annual Supper. * Jacob KiuibaU of Topsfield, author of Rural Harmony, Essex Harmony, etc. 168 DIARY OF [Dec. 11. Yesterday afternoon died M"^ Isaac White of Boston, Father to a Gentleman of the same name in our Society. He was a man of industry, & had acquired a handsome property by Tallow Chand- lery. 13. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Webb, d. of her Son, & g. chil- dren & friends at Sea. Joseph Hosmer & Wife, d. of their children & her Brother. Samuel Ropes & Wife, d. of his mother, & pr. for friends at Sea. Seeth Ropes, d. of H's mother, & pr. for Husband & Br. at Sea. Lydia Odell & children, d. of daughter & pr. for friends at Sea. Elizabeth Perkins, prayer for herself dang, sick (Husband a vagabond, & 3 children helpless). 15. Our Friend Vincent in eager pursuit, has at last obtained a M'^ Groce's Consent to live with him, & was published last Sunday. This woman is to take the place of a fine woman. 19. Blanchard made an attempt with one of his Balloons this afternoon at three o'clock. It was clear weather & a little wind to the northward. The Balloon ascended & continued at the same height for a long time & at last fell beyond Long Point into the water. The Parachute with the animals fell while it was at its greatest height just beginning to fall. 20. Sunday. Notes. Margaret Curtis, d. of her Sister Wardil- loe. Robert Richardson, d. of his Mother in Law Wardilloe. Sarah Evoy, d. of G. Mother. Hannah Mac, d. of her only child, pr. for husband at Sea. Thomas Diman, dang. sick. Samuel Archer, Wife's delivery. 22. Master Lang has lost another daughter. He buried one last Sunday evening. This makes the third daughter, & the fourth child, including a Son who foundered at Sea, which have been lost to him within two years. Uncle Diman died last night. He was the oldest man of our church. In the close of life, being poor, feeble & of moderate abilities, he became intemperate, not having the best care taken of him. By falling into the fire he hastened that death which was before fast approaching. 23. This day died M" Gardner, wife of Jonathan, a most worthy woman. She had great self command in the hour of death, & resigned life with great hope. 25. Report of the Death of Master Moody, a long time the Pre- ceptor of Dummer Academy. He died suddenly, we are told, at Exeter. He was away from his home at York in one of his deranged frames. 26. Gen. Fiske escaped from Ropes, who attended upon him to Andover & occasioned great anxiety. He was found next day at Boxford. We have news of the death of M'' Newliall, whose wife died last week, & of Capt. Martin* & all his Crew at Hispaniola. 27. Sunday. Notes. Mary Ropes, d. of her daughter, pr. Hus- band & Friends at Sea. William Browne, one of his G. Children, •Capt. David Martin, of Ipswich, wlio married Mary, sister of Nathaniel Bowditch. 1795] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. 1>. 169 pr. Sons & Friends at Sea. Mary Crookshanks, repeated loss in another daughter, pr. for Sons at Sea. Elizabeth Thomas, d. of her Niece Lydia Newhall. Amos Smith & Wife, d. of her Feather Dy- man. Hannah Ward, pr. for her dangerously sick. John Fair- field & Wife, d. of his Sister Gardner & her child. 28. Attended as Pall Holder to M"" Joseph Prince, who lately preached for me, & Avas a Candidate for the Ministry. He died of the Putrid Fever & Ulcerated Throat after a very short illness. The Pall was supported by Rev*^ Story, Prince, McKeen, Bentley, Hub- bard, & Harris. M'' Story prayed at the House. 29. There have been uncommonly few arrivals for several weeks past, which obliges us to be anxious for some of our friends as missing Vessels. The good old Parson Harrington, past 80, who for many years made us an annual visit, is no more. His Speech failed him & he had a distressing illness. Jan. 1, 1796. Funeral of Madam Lambert,* set. 90 next May. She was a woman of an inoffensive character, & good constitution. She was a Williams & connected with the family of the Hodges, & by her children with a great part of the Town. Her descendants who were living at her decease were 5 children, 26 grand children & 60 great grand children, besides 21 persons allied to her posterity by marriages. She was infirm in old age, but not so feeble in her animal as her rational faculties, which had sunk into a second child- hood. 3. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Sarah Underwood, d. of her Mother Lambert, pr. 2 Sons at Sea. Wid. Mary White, d. of her M. Lam- bert. Andrew Preston & Wife & Children, d. of Mother Lambert, & pr. for friends absent. Wid. Elizabeth Phillips & Daughter, d. of of her ^Mother Lambert, & pr. for a Son at Sea. Isaac WTiite & Wife, d. of his Father, & th. for recovery of eldest Son. Benj* Gardiner & Wife, d. of their child. Andrew Ward & Wife & Brother & Sis- ter, d. of their Sister, & pr. for a Brother at Sea. 4. The weather open like Summer. The ways good & dry. No sign of snow or ice upon the hills or the shore. 6. Had the Singers at my House. The other Societies have come uuder the instructions of M'' Law. We alone are apart. The old Singers are more fond of patronising us in our present situation. It appears that M''® Lambert's posterity if all alive would have been 132 descendants, & 31 related by marriage. As 6 children, 23 grand children, & 12 great g. children have deceased besides 10 per- sons married into the Family. 7. Last night in the Storm at 2 o'clock, came ashore the Ship Mass., 250 Tons, 90 days from Amsterdam, upon the reef of the Eastern Gooseberry. The Captain & 3 Hands perished. 7 persons were saved. They were seen first at Beverly, & also in the morn- ing &i had instant assistance from Beverly & Marblehead. The men 'Mary, widow of CapC. Joseph. 170 DIARY OF [Jan. who escaped reached the Gooseberry head. This Ship belonged to Boston, Mackay, Commander. It is attributed to imprudence. 9. Last night an unfortunate accident happened. As Marston & Kilham went to point of Rocks to attend their boat at 6 o'clock, it being very dark, by some accident they fell into the water. Mars- ton was found lashed to a rope from his Boat, next day. They were heard to cry for help by a Negro, who was Ship keeper in the harbour & had no boat from 6 till half past 7. Both were drowned. These men continued in the business of Boat fishing, & probably fell from the wherry which they were entering to come on shore. 10. Sunday. Notes. HabbakkukBowditch,d. of his Son Mar- tin, pr. Sons at Sea, th. for recovery of his Daughter & g. daughter. Mary Martin, d. of her husband, rec. of her child & sister in her family, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Sarah Silver & children, d. of her daughter, & for g. son absent. Mary Ropes, pr. for eldest daugh- ter, & for Husband & Friends at Sea. Sarah Kehoe, delivery, Hus- band & friends at Sea. 12. We find by the Arrival of Capt. Edward Allen jun' who came passenger with Capt. Butles Ward,* in a vessel belonging to Capt. Waters, that they ran upon the Misery last evening about eight o'clock, & all escaped to the Island with the total loss of the Ship & Property. 13. We have the news that another Ship was lost off Cape Ann on Monday evening. Every Soul has perished. She belonged to Boston it is said. Capt. Barnes, Ship Industry, from Portsmouth, England. 14. This day Henry Blackburn was executed upon the Neck for the Murder of George Wilkinson. He was cloathed in a white frock, & was conducted to Church at 11 A. M. & at two conducted to the Gallows by a guard of the Militia. He behaved, from some cause or other, with his usual insensibility, but not with indecen}'. The Rope broke, but he was senseless. He was soon hoisted again. From indispensable necessity, began the use of WINE with my food, not having heretofore used it through life. 15. Reports of a Vessel ashore at Plum Island. Several of our Vessels have been near, & have not yet arrived. A time of general anxiety. This proves to be a Vessel spoken with from England by Barnes in the Industry. 17. Sunday. No notes through the whole day, an unusual cir- cumstance of late. Dined with the new M''^ Vincents, with great happiness. 18. This day M"" Melee, who has lived in this Town above three years, & the greater part of the time with us, sailed in the Sch. Betsey, Townsend, for Martinico. 19. Capt. Barnes, mate, & some of the Crew, have been found, & decently interred at Cape Ann. We are apprehensive for some of •Capt. Ebenezer Buttolph Ward. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 171 our Vessels which have been seen some time since on the coast, & have not yet arrived. Capt. G. Smith writes word that the adven- ture of Mr. Newhall, who lately died in his vessel & whose wife also died at home, has been taken away by a Spaniard. So the poor child is left destitute indeed. 20. The Snow Storm which began on Tuesday night has con- tinued through the Succeeding Day & all last night without inter- mission, or cessation. It is now snowing at N. W., & many of our Vessels are known to he on the coast & several are expected at this Port. A Vessel arrived this morning, which touched upon the Outer Breakers, & j ust escaped by seeing half way Rock, & entered between the Gooseberries & Satan. 22. Left Salem in company with M"" Putnam, the Misses Fiskes & Miss Gerry, to go to Andover to see Gen. Fiske. In the last Snow Storm a very large body of Snow had fallen, & the roads were not thoroughly broken. We also were caught in the Snow Storm of this day which lasted several hours. We left Salem at 10 & found the road tolerable as far as Eastie's in Middleton, with whom we stopped & dined. We left his house after dinner & reached Stevens at Andover at 2 o'clock. We then passed in a single Slay, M' Putnam & myself, to Deleway's, where the General is kept. We paid our respects to M"" Isaac Parker, & Col. Lovejoy'a as we passed, & took the Col. with us to the General. M"" Putnam did not see the General, who was in a very ill mood at this time. We returned & supped at Stevens' & left his house about six o'clock, & reached Salem before 10 o'clock. The length of the Storm expedited our travelling as few teams had as yet turned out & few were upon the road. 24. Sunday. Notes. W™ Browne & Wife, d. of their G. child Ropes, & pr. for Sons & friends at Sea. Mary Ropes, repeated stroke in d. of eldest daughter, pr. for Husband & friends at Sea. Nathaniel Phippen & Wife, d. of her youngest Brother, pr. for Son at Sea. 25. Just before 6 o'clock a melancholy accident happened at the corner of Daniel's Street, occasioned by a building removing towards Derby Street from Essex Street. M'' N. Richardson upon turning the corner took the charge of his own Oxen, & as the building slid towards the fence, the Shoe caught his Great Coat, & before it could be known, he was thrown down, & his head passed between an open joice of the Building & some timber piled against the fence, & it was instant death. The Timber was covered with snow, so that he could not know that the timber was there, set, 54. The body received no injury but upon the left side of the neck where the wound was deep & extended over the whole left side. He was a man of indefatigable industry. His Tan yard was the largest in the County, & he has four Vessels at Sea. He has left an amiable wife, & six children to lament his sudden death, & the public are de- 172 DIARY OF [Feb. prived of a wealthy Citizen & an uncommon example of attention to business, & of sacred punctuality. 31. Sunday. Notes. Eunice Richardson & family, sudden death of M"" N. Richardson, her husband, & for a Son at Sea. Feb. 5. [1796] This day was buried M'' John Symonds, a Batchelor, from his House near the ferry. With the loss of this man the appearance of the last & the beginning of this Century is lost. His father died a few years since at 100, & John died at 74. The children all lived in single life till they were advanced, & only one ever entered into married life & she after 70. The win- dows of this house are of the small glass with lead in diamonds & open upon hinges. The Doors open with wooden latches. The Chairs are the upright high arm chairs, & the common chairs are the short backed. The tables small & oval, the chest of drawers with knobs, & short swelled legs. The large fire places, & the iron for the lamp. The blocks of wood in the corner. The Press for pew- ter plates with round holes over the door of it. Large stones rolled before the door for steps. Old Dutch maps & map mondes highly coloured above a Century old. The Beds very low, & the curtains hung upon the walls. The woolen caps worn by the men, & the small linen caps tied under the Chin by the women. 6. Aunt Mercy Smith buried from the Charity House, & a child belonging to strangers was carried in a Chaise behind. 7. Sunday. Elizabeth Symonds, d. of her Brother. Molly Foster, d. of her Husband, with her Mother & Sister, pr. for her Brother at Sea. Wid. Mary Bates dangerously sick. Stephen Webb & Family for him under great infirmities & for his g. daugh- ter dang. sick. 8. I renewed the reflections of last Friday, by a visit to the Surviving Sister of John Symonds. I grieved to see the connection between the last& the present century so entirely lost. There is something agreeable, if not great, in the primitive manners. So much pleasure & peace at home, while the great world is scarcely known. These things charm upon the small scale, & when we see society only in its first stages. I would purchase all the furniture of the house could I dispose of it with convenience in some place. There are proper materials for a Cabinet. From the Spoon to the broad platter, from the Shoe to the whole of the Wardrobe, from the chair to the bed. Everything in its own likeness, & away, far away from present fashion. 14. Sunday. Notes. Stephen Webb & Children, d. of his g. daughter Welcome in his family & pr. for the surviving orphans of the same family, sons at Sea. Lydia Smith, her delivery, Husband at Sea. Sarah Beckford, her delivery, Husband at Sea. 17. M*" Burford, an English gentlemen lately arrived in Town, dined with me in company with D'" Little. It was from this gentle- man's information we had our prejudices against Duff the Irish Minister. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLBT, D. D. 173 18. A young Company under the firm, Smith & Flinn, was obliged in this Town to shut uj), to the great loss of their Creditors, considering their stock. The deficiency is now reckoned at 10,000 dollars & the whole stock at double that sum. They did not be- long to the Town, & have been here but a few years. Smith is Son of Rev. Smith of Middleton deceased, & Flinn's mother lives in Boston. 19. We had news that Harthorne, so long upon our Coast, & re- specting whom we had so great apprehensions, has safely reached Norfolk in Vu-ginia Capt. Allen has a Son on board. 22. This day was the celebration of the birth of Gen. Washing- ton. The Vessels hoisted their Colours, the Fort, & all the Work- houses which had proper poles. The Seamen in jolly sort went up & down the streets with Flags, Drums, fifes, & the Boatswains calls, accompanied with crowds of children. The Militia dined at Frye, at the Lion, & the Marine Society, & private gentlemen at the Public Houses. As it snowed all day much was not to be seen in the Streets, but the countenances all appeared happy. 23. Gave the Gazette an extract from my visit to the Shakers. It is possible that I conceived too highly of their present situation, it is so far advanced above their former state. But the progress of a society must be rapid that in a few years can accomplish a settle- ment at their ease out of the most disorderly enthusiasm. 24. Every attempt to force upon the public notice the celebra- tions of the birth of Gen. W^ashingtou. The Colleges at Cambridge were illuminated with above 3,000 candles. The Federal party, as they call themselves, are determined to unite in Judge Sumner in their votes for Governour. 28. Sunday. A fine Summer's Day but wet walking. Notes. Clifford Byrne & Wife, d. of her Sister Walker. Priscilla Lambert, d. of her youngest child at Saco, Husband & Brethren at Sea. 29. A Lottery has been granted for the repairs on the road from Ipswich & Manchester to Gloucester. Both are intolerably bad, & that to Ipswich perhaps the worst, but that which we travel from Salem is bad enough. A few years since the Town made some exertions to mend the road as it approaches the harbour, & by throwing up dirt upon the Rocks succeeded beyond expectation. There still remained the road below Kettle Island cove, & the Hills, which were steep, rough, narrow, winding, & sharp so as to sur- round the traveller with every danger at the same time. Talk has been made on the subject of carrying the road round Break neck hill, but the matter is now seriously undertaken by a Lottery. Mar. 1. [1796] M" Rogers* opened again her School for young Misses. Her success in the public opinion was so great, that with difficulty she could close the School last spring, pleading her health, but rather inclining to follow her husband's inclinations in a Shop. *Mn. Abigail (Dodge), vrile of NaUianiel Rogers. 1Y4 DIART OF [March The experiment from various causes has not succeeded, & this day we saw the little flocks going up. M''^ Eogers has advanced her price upon the kind opinion. 2. A Letter arrived from Capt. John Gibaut who was at Bom- bay, 17 Aug. after a Passage of above 160 days. His vessel a bad Sailor because too deep. No prospects at present of a very good voyage. The young man bar keeper at the Sun complains of hav- ing lost this week by some thief several hundred dollars. 3. M''^ Allen had direct information that her Son was living & with Hawthorne at Norfolk. They have lost six out of their num- ber & have been repeatedly driven off this coast. 4. The Tanning Business which was lately extremely lucrative, has by the number of hands engaged in it, become dull, so that a new Tan Yard is now for Sale, or Lease, only from the pres- ent unprofitableness. When I came into the Town there was but one Tan yard within the settlements & now there are eight only in the eastern part of the Town. 7. A melancholy accident happened at Beverly this morning. A M"" Raymond was at work in a Sail Loft, & a young man care- lessly handling a gun, discharged it into his neck, & it was instant death. There was a cry of fire at 1/4 past one from a Chimney. It was a rare sight at this hour, but extinguished without danger. 11. We hear from Jeremie that the attempts to enlist American Seamen, met with a brave resistance from the Seamen who lost one man in preventing the boat from coming to the vessel, & that at 2 conflicts tbey killed 3 of the Enemy, & wounded six. The Com- mandant on Shore took care to assiu'e the Americans of freedom from any future insults. 12. Electioneering goes on in our own State & in New Hamp- shire. It extends itself in Boston for the petty Officers of the Town. This is the Commencement of a new Career. Their School com- mittee business does not operate to the satisfaction of the Masters, or the Town. 13. Sunday. Notes. Sally Swasey, d. of her husband abroad, pr. for friends at Sea. Samuel Swasey, d. of his eldest Son Samuel, & his g. Son George Symmes & p. for Son absent. Wid. Margaret Swasey, d. of her G. Son, & pr. for absent friends. Mary Town- send, delivery. Husband at Sea. 14. The Annual Town Meeting. Col. Hawthorne, Moderator. The same Gentlemen were chosen as last year. All served but M"" Saunderson, in whose place Addison' Richardson was appointed. The Overseer's board was changed & Capt. B. Hodges, & Capt. Marston, elected in the place of such as resigned. Upon the School master's Salary there was a long discussion. It was supposed that two large grants had been made by the Committee, & therefore the discretion- ary power ought not to be continued. After many relative affairs it was concluded that the Town assign a Salary, which was 150 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 176 pounds, equal to 500 Dollars. There were proposals to give the Grammar Master only 100 Pounds but the Committee declined making such an offer & the matter was left till the adjournment. County Register & Treasurer were voted for at this meeting. The tolling of Bells in the present form was objected to & the method of 4 strokes in a minute proposed for the Old Church liell which is central. It was objected that it need not extend to other bells. 15. At the last meeting of the Town the present Market hoiise* ivas offered to the Town, at the Bills which it cost, which were stated at 1850.4^, or about (5,000 Dollars. But no persons appeared to urge the purchase. It was to the Town rather a subject of diversion. 10. The Violin for the first time was introduced last Sunday, We expect two German flutes, & a Tenor-Viol in addition to our present Bass viol. 17. By the high wind this morning a chimney in the Barber's Shop at Andrew's corner blew down, drove in the roof, the floor be- low, the plastering, & by a very fortunate escape, a boy who was on the floor below, fled from under the broken beam, which was pre- vented from falling only by a shingle which stood upright & lodged on the lower part of the Chimney. 18. The high wind yesterday utterly destroyed the old House of Beadle standing in Turner's Street, bet. Essex & Derby Street. It has long been the terrour of the neighbours, & and was inhabited long after it was judged unsafe. 19. The westerly winds have so prevailed that a vessel from China is but a fortnight later than the last arrivals from Europe. 20. Sunday. We were alarmed after service by a messenger from Andover, who reported that General Fiske was thought to be dying in a lethargy. He had been speechless & insensible from the morning. His wife & eldest daughter with company went for An- dover immediately. 22. The printer of the Mercury in Boston, to steal a march on the Printer of Wednesday, came to this Town & borrowed the types standing, & struck off the news in a Mercury special on the spot, & went with them to Boston. Such competition. This evening my instrumental music with me. The Company, Masters Macintire, & Palfrey, & Heard, Becket, & a yoimg man, name unknown. They supped with me and were encoviraged I trust. 24. M' Law has notified me of his intention to have a Singing Exhibition at D"" Bernard's Meeting House on the morrow evening. Spent the greater part of this day with M' Webb who was dying. He long kept the Fort to which we usually resorted on Pleasant Summer Days. 25. jNI'' Law had his singers in the Front of the North Church gallery. There was a large collection of people on the occasion. A •Located at the foot of Central Street and destroyed by Are in 1844. The present Phoe- nix Building was erected upon the site. 176 DIARY OP [April Disturbance from the cry of fire. Capt. Prince attempting to get out of the harbour with his Ship for India, grounded on Marble- head side. 27. Sunday. Notes. Children of Stephen Webb, on his death, one of his Sons & a Son in Law at Sea. John Webb & Wife, d. of his Brother, pr. for Sons at Sea. Wid. Hannah Webb, d. of Brother in Law. George Lazell & Wife, for him dang, sick, pr. for g.Son at Sea. 30. Several Spittings of Snow but in the evening a violent snow storm from the S. E. which continued several hours, with a con- siderable fall of Snow. 31. The house was not full.* The usual Contribution was made, which amounted to 61 dollars 66 cents. Our Singing was good, & the Counter exhibition provoked in thought by Law's exhibition in the North Meeting House is abandoned. April 1. [1796] The Sermon delivered by D^ Barnard had great acceptance yesterday both in his own Society, & in the first Church. No notice was taken of the Sermon by their own Minister in the first Church in which a subscription begun. Eeceived a let- ter from W Belnap, Corresponding Secretary of the Historical Soci- ety, notifying me that I was elected a Member, & desiring an answer. 3. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Jeffrey, d. of her Sister, pr. for Husb. & Br. at Sea. Joseph Brown & Wife, d. of youngest Child, pr. Br. at Sea. Joshua French & Wife, d. of his Brother, pr. for his Son at Sea. Thomas Rowell & Wife, pr. her delivery. 4. The Day for the election of a Governour. Adams had ren dered himself odious to the Federalists, & was not in high esteem, from his age & character, with many of the Anti-Treaty party. In the Gazettes of Salem he had been not even named. M' Philips of Andover had been once mentioned with respect, but the greatest zeal was discovered for Judge Sumner. At the election the men of property appeared chiefly for Sumner, but there were no combina- tions in his favour. The democratic party were not without men of firm minds, but were not qualified by education to plead or to write. They influenced one hundred, where importance was in their numbers, & in their leaders, as they had little private in- fluence. The votes resulted for Sumner, 190, for Adams, 103. 5. By the Gazette we find 1500 votes for Adams in Boston, & 800 for Sumner. In Marblehead, a majority of 83 ag. 37 for Adams. In the other towns, a majority of votes for Sumner, in our neighbour- hood. The vote of the Clergyman Story in Marblehead, was ques- tioned by the Selectmen, more to vex than to prohibit. 8. The weather so smoaky together with a Sultry heat, as to give rise to conjectures of great fires in the western countries, •Tbe ▲nnual Fast Day. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 177 & the smell of burnt woods some presumed to discover. All Windows open. News from Boston that last night the Hon. THOMAS RUSSEL, an eminent Merchant, died of an apoplectic fit. He was distinguished by his humanity & benevolence. Every institution of our country has profited by his liberality. It is suspected that he has left uo one of his posterity to enter upon such extensive business, & to distinguish himself with such abun- dant charities. 10. Sunday. Notes. Walter Jeffrey & Wife, his return after a long detention on his voyage by contrary winds, d. of youngest child, mother & Sister in Law in his absence. Brother at Sea. Thomas Masury & Wife, his return after long absence on his voy- age, d. of his youngest child in his absence, friends at Sea, 13. Captain Amasa Davis, Captain for the present year, waited upon me requesting me to preach the Artillery Election Sermon this year. Capt. Perkins of the Castle accompanied him & we vis- ited the Forts upon the heights below the Town. Capt. D. told me that the votes were unanimous. 15. A Ship belonging to M' Derby has arrived from India. She brings no news, but of her own success, & wealth with full tide flows in upon that successful man. 16. Sunday. Notes. Sai'ah Millet, delivery, Husb. & Brother at Sea. I read after service a paper from the Committee, directed to me to be read to the Congregation, to raise one hundred dollars towards the painting & whitewashing of the inside of the Meeting House. The former Services have been all settled & the painting is intended for such work as has been already painted, & does not include the Pews & Seats. 18. I left Salem to go to Andover, to visit my friend Gen. Fiske, who has been long in that place for the advantages of the air, the retirement, and the attention of D"" Kit- teridge,' who is famous for his success with deranged persons. When I arrived at Stephens' I found the fishing Time had come on, but the Fishing in the brooks was by the Town, according to Law, an exclusive privilege in the hands of a Committee. One of the particular brooks is the Quochechiuque which is the outlet from the pond one mile N. E. from the Meeting House to the Merrimac, be- ing about two miles in its course, passing the road not a mile N. of the N. Meeting House. The pond is large, & of an irregular shape. It is several miles aroiuid it, but I only saw it from the Hills. I was upon the hill opposite Frye's which I had visited once before, & upon the hill north of it, between Frye's & the Pond. I did not go to Wyere Hill which is between the Meeting House & the Pond. 19. This morning after breakfast in company with Col. Love- joy I left Andover to see Methuen, one of the Towns of Essex County. I had crossed the river before at Bodwell's falls, & at the 178 DIARY OF [April upper part of the Town at Kichardson's but had not been far from the banks of the River. We had to ride about three miles to Bod- well's falls where the new Bridge is erected. We crossed the Bridge on the Shawshin at Poor's in a mile & 1/2 & a Brook called Cold Spring, & had in full view a regular hill called Tower Hill in Methuen, which touches the river between Bodwell & Peter's falls, & has a ferry on the river. We turned short to the right hand and came to the Bridge. I was not able to get the dimentions of this Bridge. It was represented on the planking to reach 38 rods, above 600 feet. The water courses are four, & all supported overhead. The first floor is flat, but the other three are arches. The piers are covered with square timber & filled with rocks, & the work looks well throughout. There were seines employed on both sides of the river, but they took only Shads, Suckers & alewives. We pur- chased a few as they came out of the water. Having passed the Bridge, we left White's on the right, & soon passed a guide Post, telling us, that it was 17 miles to Londonderry, & so to Patucket falls, which is said to be a corruption of Pantucket. We crossed a Brook, & then came in view of the Spiquet, a beautiful Stream, which rises in New Hampshire, passes through Methuen & empties into the Merrimack, opposite to the Shawshin. Its course was judged to be S. E., & it passes near New Salem Meeting House in N. H. near the Road. As we ascended Conant's Hill we saw the Spiquet pouring its waters along at the Foot of this Hill, which is high & steep, & now the land begins to look of a much better soil, as well as cultivation. A view of Methuen from the opposite banks of the River would give the beholder a very unfavourable opinion of the Townsliip, & would justify the censure of Andover, whose inhabitants long called it Littleworth. But the opinion is more favoura.ble when we see their Oaklands, well cultivated spots, & the general appearance of ease & prosperity. It is said to have gained much within a few years, & the Farms are in better hands. The high lands give fine prospects, & we were relieved from the fatigue of mounting Conant's Hill, by the scenes which opened be- fore us. As we approached the Falls, the Farm house, & the Farm of one Osgood appeared on the other side of the river in good order, & cultivation. In two miles from the Bridge we reached the Cas- cade at the Falls of the Spiquet, which is indeed romantic. The Road runs just above & just below the falls, & there are the best advantages for viewing them on every side. While the stream is full they are enchanting. The whole fall is fifty feet, but the de- scent over the rocks, which forms the cascade, is 30 feet. Above the falls the stream divides & leaves a little Island over which a road passes by two small bridges. The Island is full of large Oaks. The east branch would lead off the water, & as it passes the Island, is not interrupted. This branch is checked below the Island by the Timber, which passes over its mouth, & keeps it up several feet. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 179 The western Brancli is brokeu by continual falls over the Rocks, till it reaches the rocks, where it mixes its waters with the other branch & pours down in the beautiful Cascade, into a bason below. On the western side there is a grist mill, & fulling mill, & on the eastern a small wheel to grind scythes, & all tools of iiusbandry. The water passes from the bason below with an inclination east- ward, which gives a convenient stand in front of the falls to see the water precipitate itself from the rock. The cascade is several times broken, but the whole has but one interruption from the projecting sides of the rocks at 2/3s the height. The rock is shelving, & slate rock. A Sergeant holds the mills, & keeps a public house in this neighbourhood. In one mile we reached the meeting House leav- ing on our right the parsonage lot of wood chiefly oak. Not far from the Meeting House is the late Mansion of the first IVIinister, Sargeant, who was the father of our late Judge Sargeant, so emi- nent on our Supreme Bench for his Law Knowledge, & lately de- ceased at Haverhill. The Estate is now held by a Bodivell by pur- chase. Rev. Sargeant was in this Town 50 years, & not long since died. He was succeeded by a M"" Williams, Son of the Rev*^ Williams of Windham, not far from this place, for whom a Manse was built upon the glebe not far from the Meeting House. M'' Williams soon left his charge from some civil dispute, &, is since settled at Mere- dith. Last December they ordained a Perley from Boxford. By an advertisement on the Door of the Meeting House, it is to be taken down on Wednesday April 21, which is the next day. The Pews had been taken out, & preparation made. This is their first Meeting House. It was small, & in the usual proportions of our Meeting Houses. Never painted within or without. The timber was on the spot for a new Meeting House, which they expect to raise in May. It is to be upon the plan of the New Meeting House lately finished in the lower Parish of Bradford. With a tower, & Cupola. The situation is truly delightful. The Hill on whose top it is to be placed, rises gently, & the best farms are near it. It commands a very extensive prospect. One Hildrich keeps the Pub- lick House near the Meeting House. At a distance N. Westward, appears a handsome House belonging to one Huit. We left the Meeting House & continued our rout eastward, after having been informed that we left the Meeting House of the Seperatists, half a mile on our left to the west when we were at the Falls. We did not see it. It is now vacant, & the Congregationalists are to meet in it, while their House is building. The minister, Stephens of the Seperatists, has removed & settled in Stoneham, Middlesex Co. The Baptist meeting is at some distance on the extreme part of the Town towai'ds Dracut, and is unfinished, & without a Teacher. In passing from the M. House eastward, we went near a Square House, belonging to one Swan, which was well constructed, & in good order, & we had a fine view of the houses eastward, as we de- 180 DIARY OP [April scended the long hill, till we reached Esq' Ingall's, to whose house we intended to visit. He is an old man, one of the Justices of the Sessions, & has been in the General Court. His house is two miles from the Meeting House. To extend our acquaintance as far as we could we did not return the same way, but took our route through Bear Meadow woods, it being four miles from Ingall's to the Bridge on this road. We passed Bear Meadow Brook, & on our right a Clay Pit, which is said to afford as good Clay as in the County. There was no Kiln prepared when we passed. After we had passed the Woods, we came to Sow Brook, which near the road, meandered in the most singular manner, leaving only a few yards across to its course, after running in opposite directions several rods. It is above a mile from Ingall's. We then came to Bloody Brook, which empties into the Spiquet, & saw the Ironworks. There was a Furnace here, but it had not lately been at work. Ore had been found in this quarter, but I did not hear its quality, quantity, or its situation. Below on the Spiquet we saw another small fall, at which was a Mill Seat, & was told of another, below it towards Merrimac. We passed the road to Swan's Ferry by which our road to Andover would have been shortened two miles, but as the attendance was uncertain since the Bridge had been built, we continued our route to the Bridge passing White's on our return, which we had left on our right when we entered the Town. From the Bridge we had a view of the mouths of the Shawshin & Spiquet, 1/2 a mile below. After passing the bridge, where toll was 12 1/2 cents, we took the new road & instead of turning as when we passed before, kept a direct course for the Overshot Mills, which stand upon an artificial pond, near the Shawshin. Here a Saw, Grist & Fulling mill are supplied with their little streams. We then entered the road to Billerica & Con- cord, & keeping the left reached the North Parish, ascending a long Hill, from which the prospect is very extensive, & entering upon Boston Road from Haverhill. I dined with Col. Lovejoy, & in the evening through Topsfield retui-ned to Salem. From Methuen we could see the Academy at Atkinson on a hill to the eastward, with the Meeting House, Manse, & adjacent Buildings. 20. The Body of David Killum came ashore upon Winter Island this morning. He was drowned in Cat Cove with Marston in Jan- uary. He was buried in the Pest House Burying Ground, & I at- tended. From Capt. Frye I was told that the iron works at Methuen were supplied with a very small part of their ore from Methuen. Some of the Ore was brought from Wells in Maine, & some bought in pigs. He did not remember the spot at which any was obtained in Methuen. 22. Baker's Island was so called as early as 1630, & lays on the south side of the principal entrance into Salem Harbour in Mass- achusetts Bay, bearing east from Fort William on Winter Island, 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 181 about four miles from the fort, which is a mile below the Town. It contains 55 acres of Land, & once had a good house, & conven- ient outhouses upon it, with a good well of water. The Buildings were greatly injmed in 1776, when Boston was in the possession of the British Troops & were sviffered afterwards to be distroyed. There is a divisional wall across the Island, made by the former proprietors, & an excellent spring of water upon the South eastern Side, not far from the range of the wall. A Beacon was raised upon the island by the Marine Society of Salem, on the northern height of land on 20 July, & completely finished in August 1791. It is 67 feet to the top of the Ball, & 19 feet in diameter within at bottom, forming a convenient room for water parties or for shelter. There is deep water near the Island but no convenient landing place. The outward or eastern side is high & rocky, the northern side is highest, but more shelving. Upon the western side is a beach upon which there is a constant swell, & from which stones for pavements have been taken in great quantities. This Island with all the islands near this shore belong to Salem. The Trees have been distroyed, but the soil is good, & will admit an easy cul- tivation. The greatest length of the soil is from north to south, above three eights of a mile, & the rocks extend at each end beyond the soil. It is widest on the northern part, high & projecting on the eastern side, but entering on the western side. Towards the south western side might be formed the best landing place. There is a Channel between the southern rocks of the Island, & the Break- ers, near the Island, but it is not deep & can be safe only at high water, & only to those who are acquainted with it. 23. Capt. White as one of the Committee to obtain signatures to the memorial to be presented to Congress, begging that the Treaty with England might be carried into effect, offered it to me to sign. The memorial was drawn up by one Treadwell, but nothing was shewn to me but my fellow signers. I put my name on the list. It is expected that 700 will be obtained. The Four remonstrants are Col. Harthorne, Capt. W. Cleaveland, Capt. R. Stone, & Capt. T. Webb. I was called to visit John Brooks, set. 47, when dying. He is the only one of a large family of Brothers, who has not suc- ceeded in the world. Some early disappointments, drove him as a sutler into the army from which he returned without morals & without hopes. 24. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Webb, for delivery, child dead, Husb. & Brethren at Sea. Joseph Hosmer & wife, her delivery. In the evening attended the funeral of John Brooks, Rev** Hopkins absent. 25. M"" Gibson Clough in giving me the list of Sextons who have served in the East Meeting House, reported them in the following order. The first of whom I had heard was called *^ Funny" Bab- 182 DiAEY OP [May bidge.* To him succeeded Aborn, who was here till 1750, then came his Father Gibson Clough, who was from Boston, & afterwards at his death in 1761, came John Gavot, to whom in 1765 succeeded M"" English who now holds the Office. Yesterday was a Contribution in consequence of the order of the Committee, read on the preceed- ing Sunday. The Collection exceeded 120 dollars, 26. The Irish priest this day returned in Triumph. He rode through the Town a la mode, & by his gestures & reeling, told the nature of his last voyage. He had not his sea legs, but the Sea sickness on horse-back, & was more than half seas over. I trust that the Town will now open their eyes, & cease from censure. 28. Capt. Allen is repairing the House upon the Neck Farm which was very much abused by the late Tenants. It is now occu- pied by M"" Brown. May 1. [1796] Sunday. Notes. Samuel Brooks & Wife, d. of his brother. Luke Brooks, d. of his Brother. 3. The day of preparation for Training. The Companies were under seperate commands & at their respective parades. Some were found with Damn the Militia Law upon the knapsacks upon the levelling scheme. Some, No Treaty, & others, Treaty. But no notices were taken of these excentricities. Some were impudent, ill dressed, & ill provided. Some reproofs were used. But there are too many effects of our revolution to be seen. Many minds are disorganised. 4. The Military review. The Cadets & Artillery in fine order, powder at 9^/ p"" pound, 11/2 dollars, & so no firing. The Regi- ment thin fi'om the dislike to subordination, rather than the Mili- tia Law. The whole were reviewed on the Common by Gen. Abbot. 5. Everywhere followed with persecutions for the speech made to a Captain, recommending the punishment of a disorderly person. He is supported by a desperate company, & I have had already several visits, & at last a letter threatning a civil prosecution for insult & abuse. Our meeting is to be at my house at ten in the evening for a conference. Just free from Duff, I plunge, & plunge. 6. This matter was settled this day after the most humiliating concessions on my part. Two long hours, besides last night's dis- quiets, was the excessive Tax upon me for my imprudence in put- ting myself into the power of such men. Bu.t we parted in peace. Since it has been renewed. The wretch has notified me that he shall wait upon me with his Officers. At nine in the evening they came. Captain James Becket, Lieutenants James Brown, & Joseph Vincent. The horrid struggle with the most distressing passions may be conceived. But I soon finished this interview, & the busi- ness ended. No friend visited me. No friend comforted me. No friend asked me of the event. •James Babbidge, son of Christopher and Lydia. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 183 7. My mind yet agitated by the situation. Nothing done. The excellent Bell of the North Meeting is cracked. The Irish Parson has had another bout, piiblickly. 8. Sunday. Publications of the Town. Fisher's Sermon on the day of the Execution of Henry Blackburn. The address was the most popular. M'' Spaulding upon the prophecies. His millenium is after the resurrection. D"" Bernard's Fast Sermon recommending Religion, attention to public worship, to contemn prophanity & avoid infidelity. Emmons Smith & Wife & Children, d. of his Eldest Son. This Son of Smith was named Stephen, & had been long decaying in a Consumption, was by occupation a Rope Maker, living with Briggs & several years of the first of life in Danvers, with the father of D"^ Archelaus Putnam, set. 23. 10. The repairs of the Meeting House began on the inside. The whole frame & galleries to be painted. The Bannisters to be taken from the women's Gallery, &c. 11. The Mercury in Boston is to be printed daily, which will be the first daily paper in the State, or that ever was published in it. It is proposed to print two in a week in Salem. There are printed in this State, which come to our hands Semi-Weekly Gazettes from Boston, Centinel, Chronicle, Orrery, & Mercury, be- sides Edes' weekly paper. In the other parts of the State, there is one in this Town, two in Newbury P., one in Haverhill, three in Maine, two at Portland, & one at Hallowell. One at New Bedford. Inland papers, from Worcester, Leominster, two from Springfield, one from Stockbridge, Greenfield, Brookfield. 13. Was shown a Cradle in the possession of M" Williams in Union street in which was rocked the first male child born in Salem. It was made of oak, the rockers were pinned into the feet of the square corner posts of the Cradle, & the sides were panelled. The rockers were gone, Ss the top, which was peaked & the end pannell entered the grooves in the head posts. The Cradle was deep. It was delivered from the Massey family to their grand- daughter who married an A rcher, & by this Archer was delivered to M" Williams, a descendant. 14. The Staging taken from the Meeting House. The Commit- tee present. M" Derby pres ented a new Covering for the Com- munion Table, with a napkin. The Committee have given permis- sion for a new Curtain, particularly Cap*' Hodges, & the green blinds are to be put below it upon the window to keep it from the Sun. 15. Sunday. This Sunday upon account of the painting our Meeting House was shut, for the first time, since I have preached in it. I went up to the South Parish in Boxford, & preached for M'' Holyoke who has suffered & is impaired by a paralytic stroke. His Son Samuel who is eminent for his Musical publications, & his talents in the Instruction of Musical Companies was with us. His 184 DIARY OF [May success was great in Newbury, in the society under M"" Spring. He says that he rendered them so perfect, as to make 90 scholars sing in such harmony as that the parts could not be distinguished when intermixed, & that the voices of each part were sounded so as to be exactly the same. He shewed me beside his first Compositions, in 4to the 3Iassachusetts Compiler, of which he & Hansgram & Oliver Holden are the professed Editors. The Rules are compiled from D'Alambert, Rousseau, Selzer, Aodson, Peux, & others. The old Gentleman tells me that the first Minister of this Society was a Symmes, who removed to Bradford. That afterwards was a Mr. Rogers a native of Salem, who continued 40 years, & that he H. was ordained in 1759. A Child of one Foster was christened, by the name of Moody. Upon my return, I remarked that from five towards eight o'clock from Boxford to Putnam's in Danvers, 8 miles, I did not see abroad or at the windows, one person of any age or of either sex. 16. The Measure of the old Meeting House is given, 53 1/2 feet by 70 1/2 feet ; of the East Meeting House as it is now, 56 feet by 63 feet. Provision making for painting the pews of one colour. Many will be painted. 18. This afternoon died M*" Josiah Gaines, the Ropemaker, set. 76. He has been the victim of all the cruelties of the Gout. A man of a most irreproachable character. He was well in the morn- ing. Some difficulty with Low the Stage Driver from Cape Ann. He had in trust for the managers of Gloucester Road Lottery, un- sold Tickets, for which he gave a receipt in Salem to deliver them to the Managers, & he opened the Packet, sold some of the Tickets, & had the highest prize in his custody. He was obliged to relin- quish it, with great loss of reputation in Cape Ann. 19. M"" Carleton presented to me 300 copies of the Catechism, that I use in my Society, in the 4th edition, published at my re- quest. The Curtain purchased for the pulpit, but of mean mate- rials from the neglect of the upholsterer in Boston, Grant, or rather from the neglect to send some person to inspect it. The former one was purchased 12 years since at Bright's by M" Carleton. 22. Sunday. Opened our house of Worship after the Repairs. Notes. Elizabeth Gaines, d. of her husband. Mary Peabody, d. of her brother Gaines. Martha Martin, d. of her Mother in Law at Ipswich, pr. brethren at Sea. Samuel Silsbee jun'' & Wife, her delivery. Ruth Babbidge, Her delivery, pr. for husband & Son at Sea. 23. M' Law had a Musical Exhibition this evening, & persons were introduced only as they had tickets to be delivered at the door. He aims to have his music very soft, & the Treble is the leading part, not one note of tenour was heard through the Evening. The greatest good order prevailed, & the visiting Company was respect- able. In their attempts to sing soft, many of the voices do not 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 185 accent the notes so as to suable the ear to distinguish the strains from soft murmurs. He must have had above one hundred Scholars. 25. Left Salem in the Stage to attend in Boston at the General Election. M"" French of Boston was the preacher. After service I visited my parents & dined with them, & then my brethren & Sis- ters. I spent the evening with Rev* Eliot in company with Rev. Thacher of Dedham, D"" Warren, &c. I went to White's Book Store, & to Nancrede, & made several small purchases. Visited Bo wen's Museum. 26. Being Convention. After several walks about the Town I went to the Brattle Street Church, to hear the sermon by D'' Belnap. He was upon the afflictions of the Clergy & after enumerating sev- eral, he enlarged upon their right to speech in politics. I dined at Rev** Eliot's with several clergymen & candidates & left & re- turned to Salem. 28. Last week in the upper part of Salem a woman of 40 years, named Proctor, a maiden, put an end to her existence by a skein of yarn. She made a noose of one end, & hung the other upon a beam. She is the third in the same family connections within a few years. A M'' Sawyer at Haverhill, who jumped from the Tower of the Meeting House & Thorndike Proctor in this Town. She was evidently delirious. 29. Sunday. Notes. John Archer & Wife, with children, d. of their Son,* prs. for Sons at Sea. James Archer & Wife, d. of her Brother, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Abigail Archer, d. of her Brother, pr. for Husband & Brethren at Sea. Ebenezer Tozzer & Wife, her delivery. 30. At the request of some gentlemen of the Town, I went down in company with Captains White, James Chever, & C. Byrne to ex- amine the elevation & natural History of Baker's Island at the re- quest of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, who had been addressed on the occasion of erecting the intended Light house upon the Island. By such means as I had, I conjectured the height about fifty feet upon which the Light house is to stand. In answering his questions the following things may be communicated. Who ownes the Island? The family of Irving. The heirs in England, but an agent resides in the neighbourhood, who is empowered to sell or otherwise dispose of it. The size of it. It may be reported from the printed description to which may be added, that the Cellar of the House, & the foundation of the Chimney remain good, & that the materials of the present monument being sound, would almost entirely compleat the Dwelling house & not at an inconvenient dis- tance from the Light House. The Stone Walls are very little in- juried. The House stands in an inclosed square. The south wall runs E. 25 S. across the Island, down to a living Spring. Its 'Jonathan, died at Hispaniola, of fever. 186 DIARY OF [May capacity to produce grain, grass, & garden vegetables. It has been employed for all these purposes. It has produced fine Indian Corn. No wheat, rye, or barley has been attempted upon it. An excel- lent Garden has been here, & the spot is enclosed. Its condition as to woodland, ploughland, pasture & meadow. It is capable of pro- ducing any New England woods, & oaks were upon it before the late War. There are only some Juniper Shrubs now growing among the rocks. Almost the whole surface may be plowed. It is not free from Rocks, which may make the eight part of the whole surface, but such spots as have been broken by the plough are very produc- tive. The whole is now pasture, but when under cultivation, the northern part was left for this purpose. It has no meadows. The whole Ishind lays very high, & the Shore is either covered with rocks or a beach. All the grasses usually cultivated in N. E. have been introduced. As to Stones, it abounds in such as are most convenient for the light house. They lay in strata from 8 inches to 2 feet in thickness, & so split as easily to be removed in any dimentions in which they can be wanted for walls or for the Light house. The strata are inclined about 45 degrees, & could supply the largest cities. No clay is to be found, or lime stone. It is the hard stone found in the shores of New England. No minerals are discovered in it. As we passed Coney Island Capt. James Chever told us that the rocks of Coney Island dry breaker at low water formed a pond in which are the best Claras, & very large. We had showers all the time. Our company went off to take fish & returned& cooked a Chow- der upon Baker's Island. Upon my return I provided a plot of the Island, & an answer to the letter of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, & delivered them to Cap' Joseph White under Cover for the Committee of Marine, Col. Pickman, W. Gray, & J. Derby. 31. Had our Philosophical Library meeting. At this meeting I had to pay four dollars as a fine for detaining four volumes over the Annual meeting. My apology was that I did not know the law. The reason why I did not, was that I had seldom used my privi- lege, & had no notice that the Books must be returned. In excuse I added, that the Books were taken out for the use of the Survey of the Town. Nothing was said, four dollars were too much to loose, and I paid the money. June 1. [1796] D"" Bass was elected Bishop of the Epis. Church in this State unanimously at Boston on the day preceeding the General Election being May 24. He was elected Bp. of Mass. & N. Hamp., 2 Feb. 1790 at Salem, but did not accept. It is now sup- posed that he will accept. He is a primitive man. 3. M'' Rogers was kind enough to communicate in his letter to me an account of the new road to Gloucester, by which they mean to avoid the dangerous hill. They expect with 2,000 dollars to make the new road passable, & then perhaps establish a Turnpike. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 187 5. Sunday. After Service, I left Salem to go for Boston, hav- ing been appointed to preach the Artillery Election Sermon, & be- ing advised to go this evening, because of the uncertainty of the weather next morning. I reached Boston before nine, & lodged at my Father's. 6. In the morning, I visited Capt. Amasa Davis, who was in command of the company, & then returned to Rev. Freeman's, with whom I tarried till the service begun in the Old Brick.* After service we dined in Faneuil Hall, & at 3 I took my place in the Historical Society. 7. At Boston last evening died Colonel Azor Orne, who from the forming of the Constitution has been one of the Council. He was in his 65 year. He belonged to Marblehead. He was an hon- est, faithful, consistent, firm & benevolent man. The best public man in Essex. The best friend to the poor & mankind. The ben- efactor of all his bereaved relations, & a good private character, 8. Visited Marblehead on my return, expecting the funeral, but the solemnities are delayed till the morrow. In the morning D"" Lathrop entertained me in the Library kept in his House belonging to the American Academy. I was highly entertained with some ex- cellent engravings, maps, history pieces, landscapes, & fancies. 9. We had an attempt to launch a Vessel at Becket's but failed. One was launched at Brigg's last Tuesday, & one at Frye's Mills last week. Was over at Col. Orne's fmieral this day. The pro- cession moved & returned upon the Street below the old meeting House. It was numerous as the people generally attended, & the children were beyond number. 10. The widow Bates, f who died last Saturday had experienced sad reverses of condition. From flourishing circumstances she had been reduced to an entire dependance upon her neighbours, & yet she bore her adversities with singular patience, having always had adverse events to struggle with either from temper, or domestic occurrences. 12. Sunday. Notes. Mary Becket & children, d. of her moth- er Bates, pr. for Son at Sea. 13. Rode to Nahant with Phebe Buxton, a Niece of M"- W'" Browne's present Wife, & adopted into his family. We went by the way of the Beaches, & reached Nahant Houses bet. 11 & 12 o'clock. We found the Carnes's at Woods, but obtained admission at Breed's. We found an invalid here, daughter of Col. Fox of Fitch burg. We after dinner, fished, & then drank coffee & came away. 14. Upon invitation visited near the l^ridge a maiden Symonds, the only surviving descendant of an old gentleman by that name. M"" Phippen & Wife, M'' Hill & Wife, & a Sister in law made our •The Old Brick church on Hanover Street. tMary (Dolbeare), widow of Capt. Benjamin Bates. 188 DiAEY OP [June party. We took fish in the river, & supped upon the fruits of our labour. 15. Undertook to repair the Family Jack,* to acquire mechanic skill. This day died Ezra Burrill, who has driven the stage be- tween Boston & Salem ever since its establishment. He has been a useful man in his station, & has made himself happy in his circum- stances from the encouragement he has had in it. 19. Sunday. Notes. Mansfield Burrill, d. of his brother Ezra Burrill. Abigail Phippen, d. of eldest Sou at Sea, pr. for Husband & Son at Sea. George Ropes & Wife, her delivery, pr. for brethren at Sea. At the christening of M'' Prebble's Child, f was exhibited the most elegant Service of plate at the Tea Table, which I had ever seen, & which was allowed to be the best in the Town. It was imported entire, consisting of a font of circular figure upon four legs, a coffee urn, teapot with flute & beeds, & work in relief, vases for sugar, cream, & butter with ladles, spoons, & a beautiful set of white china, having only a blue sprig. 21. Went around & observed the names of the Streets, & wrote a letter to Hacker to obtain the history of the Friends in this Town. The three principal Streets are Essex, Federal & Derby Streets. Essex Street, through the Town. Derby Street from Union Wharf to the Neck. East Street from the Common into lower part of Essex S. Brown's Street from the Church to the Corner of the Common. Winter Street from Brown's to Bridge Street. Bridge Street from Winter Street to the Bridge. Locust Street from Bridge Street to North River. English Street from Essex, crossing Derby Street to the Harbour. Cromwell Street above from Essex to Derby Street. Becket's. Blaney's Street opposite to Cromwell's S. of Derby Street. Turner's Street, westward from Essex, crossing Derby S. to the harbour. Hardy St. westw. from Essex crossing Derby S. to the harbour. Daniel St. westw. from Essex crossing Derby S. to the harbour. Orange St. yet going W. from Essex into Derby S. near the Wharves. Pleasant Street from Essex on the eastern part of the Common. Curtis Street from Essex into Derby Street. Herbert Street from Essex into Derby Street. Union Street from Essex to the Long Wharf bet. Derby & Neptune S. Walnut Street from Essex into Neptune Street. Elm Street from Essex at head of Common crossing, bet. Nep- tune & Vine S. •Apparatus for turning a spit before an open fire. t Elizabeth, daughter of Ebonezer and Elizabeth (Derby) Preble, 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 189 Newbury S. from Essex on the west Side of the Common to Browne's S. Neptune Street from Union Wharf to the bottom of Vine Street. Charter Street from Vine Street to Market Street. Liberty Street from Essex, crossing bet. Vine & Charter into Water Street. Water Street from Elm Street to Fish Street. Fish St. from W^ater Street to Market Street. Market Street from Essex St. at the Sun to the Market bet. Charter & Front S. Williams Street from common N. W. Corner to North river. Ingersoll Street from Derby Street to Neck Gate N. W. ly. Front Street from Market Street to Short & Washington Street. Short Street the N. eastern Side of the triangle lay« bet. Front, Washington & Short S. Washington Street from Essex S. 0pp. to Court street, to Norman Street. Norman Street from Washington to Summer Street. Mill Street from Norman St. to the Mills entering S. Fields. High Street leading from Mill street over the Hill to Summer Street. Summer Street leading from Essex S. opp. to North S. to Picker- ing's Hill. Road by Pickerings.* Cambridge, a new Street from Essex enters opp. to Factory.-)- Chestnut, a new Street crosses into Summer Street. Flint Street from Pickering's into Essex Street. Boston Street from Buffum's Corner, end of Essex Street to the Town Bridge. Federal Street from Boston to North Street. Dean Street from Essex to Federal Street crossing it. Bickford Street from Essex crossing Federal Street. River Street running from Bickford Street to the River. Lynn Street from River S. to Federal Street. Andover, a New S. parallel with Federal Street, & River Street bet. Lynn & Bickford Street. North Street from North Bridge to Essex Street by North M. House. Lynde Street from North Street to Court Street by N. M. House. Malborough S. from North Street to Court S. from Federal S. Court Street from Essex to North River, on it the Court House. Church Street, leading from Court S. to S* Peter's S. to the Church. County Street from Court S. to S* Peter's by the Common Goal. Ash Street leading from County S. to the River. •Now Broad street. fThe duck fuctory. 190 DIARY Of t^une These are the Streets in what may be called the Town, excluding North & South Field Roads, & the road to Boston beyond Town Bridge, & the road upon the Neck. 22. Attended with the Instrumental music for the first time. We had one Bass Viol, one Tenour viol, & two violins & two flutes, at Heard's. The principal objection to these interviews are, that in private houses they give occasion to the too free use of spirituous liquors. 23. Went into Southwick's School House which is built upon Symond's Lot, which he has purchased. The School is to be in the chamber, with which the communication is to be on the western end. 24. Spent the day at Allen's Farm in Lynn with Judge Sullivan & Lady, Col. Cushing, M'' Goodale & several other families, upon the invitation of Capt. Thomas Lee. I went with him, but our Chaise broke down. M'' Allen did the honours of the day well, & in good season we seperated. The Beaches & Heights afforded us rich amusements, & the day passed with full employment, & real entertainment. Had a Card for Law's Music School exhibition in the Concert Hall* this evening. 25. The Masonic Brethren appeared at Charlestown & our Br. Harris again appeared as the Orator, on the 24th. Col. Revere enters into the Spirit of it, & enjoys it. 26. Sunday. Mansfield Burrill, jun"^ & Wife, d. of her Brother Randall of Newbury Port, Brethren at Sea. Benj* Archer & Wife, d. of his brother absent with him, pr. his return, & Brethren at Sea. 27. All persons are speaking of the uncommon fertility of the season. Twisse who lived on the Neck 37 years, says he never saw the like. No Farmer dares to say that the grass is not abundant. 29. Made an experiment at fishing from the end of Vincent's walk* in Shallop Cove. Paid the expences of a Singing School at the Master's, but few of our young men appeai'ed on the occasion, tho' many of our young women attended. 30. M"" Tytler, a Scotch Emigrant by the way of Ireland, who wrote an answer to Thomas Paine's Age of reason, in Ireland, has in this Town written an answer to the second part, which is now offered to the printer. It is said that it will be patronised. The Band of Instruments were at my house this evening. The per- formance was pleasing. We have shared a few censures from a rough man. July 3. [1796] Sunday. Mehitable Valpy, delivery, pr. for husb. Joseph at Sea. The Bass Viol is transferred into new hands. The first performer has just learnt, & has given the slip in the fashion of such performers. 'Second floor of the Market House. tBope walk. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 191 4. The only celebration in this Town of 4 July, was the hoist- ing of a Flag upon the Top of the New House, which E. H. Derby is building in Essex Street, At the Catechising of the Females, there were present 111, chiefly below 12 years of age. I distrib- uted to each a copy of Zollikofer which had been printed at my re- quest from his exercises of piety for a child & youth. 6. At the catechising this day of the males 126 were present, so that the whole of both sexes this time were 237. 6. News from Philadelphia, that W"' King, belonging to a good family in this Town, after having dragged his family from Town to Town, left a note that he was going to drown himself & disappeared. It is supposed that he means to ramble unincumbered. The family are to return to Salem. 7. Capt. Very bound for Alexandria, in a Schooner from this port, with Lime, & other freight, took fire from water which got at liis lime & his Schooner burnt to the water's edge & was totally lost. It happened in the ofling within Baker's Island in the evening. Nothing was saved but the sails, & the remains of the hull are be- low Mackerel Cove. 10. Sunday. Notes. John Fiske & Wife & Family, death of his only g. child Putnam & pr. for only Son at Sea. Sarah Keheue, d. of her only child, pr. Husb. & Father at Sea. Susannah Rue, d. of her g. child Keheue, Husb. at Sea. Jonathan Archer tert. & Wife, her delivery, pr. for brethren at Sea. 11. Visit to the Schools. Nothing remai'kable in the exhi- bitions. Col. Harthorne is determined on a public exhibition in the Court H. on the next annual visit. There is a want of spirit, & ex- ertion in the present arrangement & process. 13. M'^ Lydia Hodges,* long infirm, died in Childbed, or rather miscarrying. She had a fit on Saturday night, with some apoplectic appearances. She had been very sick last fall, & danger- ously ill with Rheumatic Complaints. Received my Artillery Elec- tion Sermon from Boston. 14. The inferiour Court in Town. A curious M'' Lane from Bed- ford in Town to sell Anthems. A curious Captain Thomas Webb of this Town, a remai'kable man ag. the Treaty, is selling off all his goods, from a disagreement with his wife, determined to abandon his country. A singular character indeed. Capt. J. Very who made an attempt to get to the Cape of Good Hope & returned, has made a good voyage to the West Indies. 16. Capt. Gibaut tells me that he had private orders to execute in his Ship at Canton, amounting to 4,000 dollars, for the little elegancies of life. What would once have been a good stock in Trade in this country. So rapid are om* Strides to wealth & luxury. 17. Sunday. Notes. John Hodges & Children, d. of his d. in *Daagbter of Benjamin Gale and wife of Capt. George Hodges. 192 DIARY OF [July Law Hodges, Son at Sea. Hannah Webb, d. of her Sister Hodges, Husb. & Brother at Sea. 18. The first voyage from Charleston, S. C. round the Cape of Good Hope was finished by the Friendship in June last. She was gone only 7 months. The Trade to the Isle of France to which she went, & to the East Indies now extend through all the great Towns of these States. 19. Went with Capt. Gibaut to Boston to enjoy the Commence- ment time. Capt. Gilaaut gave me many anecdotes of great conse- quence in regard to the conduct of some of our most reputable men abroad, who have given notes for sums of money in Canton, which they have taken no pains to discharge. 20. The Commencement was attended by Crowds of the people of every condition. For the first time all the services were given together, & the whole services finished before they left the Meeting house. They were spoken of with respect, tho' partial politics & low fun are not essential parts of such entertainment. In the Hall the guests were rather noisy, but the day & evening passed pleas- antly away. 21. M"" Shapely, the Librarian, permitted me to enjoy myself in the Library. I find few new things. The additions are not regu- larly made & the works are chiefly private donations. 22. Spent part of the day in Cambridge & returned to Salem in company with a young graduate of this year, J. Pickering, Son of the Secretary, who was upon a visit to his friends in Salem. 24. Sunday, Notes. James Brown & Wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. 29. Capt. J. Orne arrived from Batavia, lost two men, who died at that place & left two at Isle of France sick. We hear by him of Webb & J. F.* 31. Sunday. Had sight of Tytler's Book against Paine. He talks of himself as at least of equal rank with Paine & writes on & writes on, satisfied that he has written, & has another work in hand, which is his last work for the world, for men have written a great deal, but have not yet found out the way to write. August 2. [1796] M"" Law has new formed his Music School from the object of particular singing for religious societies, to the mere teaching of the art, which is a commendable exchange. Sing- ing has never been taught in New England as a Liberal Art, in public schools, but by private tuition. Our Song Singers are gen- erally self taught & sing best alone. By learning music upon a large scale, real advantages are to be hoped. M"" Law has not the extent of the plan. But he teaches the Rules without regard to performance in the churches, tho' by Psalmody only. 3. Went to see a Ship of 300 Tons launched at New Mills, Danvers. I went with M' Smith in his small boat up the River. •John FiBkA, jr. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 193 Upon Royal side we saw the inlet which goes up to Beverly road & is now called 3Iill river, we then passed Greenes wharf now standing, & soon came to Cressi/s Cove. On Northfield side we passed Orne's point, & soon came to Broad Cove, & then to Shij}- ley's Cove, & then passed Horse pasture point, &, opened the inlet which goes to Goodale's Spring. We passed on Royal side, Jacob's point, & on the opposite side Crane's j^oint running out from Endi- cot's Neck between Duck river, which passes under the New Bridge erected by M"^ Reed, & prepared for his intended Iron Works, & Crane river, upon which the New Mills, & Causeway are erected. Porter'^s river at Porter's Neck point, opposite to Crane point, runs under the new Bridge leading from Danvers to Beverly, & by the Neck it is seperated from Crane River. We had a pleasant sight of the launching. Between Shipley's Cove, & Horse pasture point there is a small inlet, where formerly one Manning had a wharf, & near it were Clay pits & kilns, named Melancholy cove from an ac- cident by which a man was drowned in it very early in the time of the settlement. 6. Extreme caution will not answer. I am again called in ques- tion in a little family dispute, & I am between the parties. They pretend they have found something which needs explanation. 9. Association met at D' Bernard's. I returned to my old place. D' Clarke made the first prayer, & D"" Thacher the sermon. The meeting was full, chearful & happy. Sent to me a large worm called green worm, found in our gardens, from 3 to 4 inches long, with 4 red, & 8 yellow points, & with six feet before & eight larger on the body, with corresponding points of blue to those on the back, & head. 11. Went with some friends upon the water. We left the town at five in the morning, breakfasted on Marblehead side, below Naugus' head, then passed between Grey's rock & Eagle Isle out upon the outer breakers. In our voyage being short of clams, some of the company went in search of them at Coney Island Ledge. The tide was returning & they obtained some very large muscles. The Clams are large & the muscles upon this ledge. We returned just after nine in the evening, after calms, rowing & at last a head breeze. 13. A long spell of warm weather. I went & bathed at Block House point twice in the course of this day. 14. Sunday. Notes. Edw. Archer, her delivery. Brethren at Sea. And. Sleuman, her delivery. Brother at Sea. 17. This day the frame of the Cupola upon the North Meeting H. was raised, which takes the place of the ponderous steeple which was lately taken away. It is about 30 feet in the place of 70 feet. 18. A Robert Laurie of the Gut of Cancer writes to a friend in this Town that after many years study he has found out a method to determine Longitude, by sea or land " within one third of the 194 DIARY OF [Aug. Arch of a great Circle upon the Equator." A long letter from Professor Ebeling lays me out a great scene of duty in providing Books in return for his donation, & in examining his work. 19. M' Bowditch was kind enough to fill up my List of minis- ters of this Town, so that that article is complete. M"^ Norris has lent me another volume of the Town records. 21. Sunday Notes. Eb. Prebble & Wife, d. of his Sister Cod- man at Portland. Sam^ Kopes & Wife, d. of his Sister Pierce in Salem, Son & Brethren at Sea. Seeth Ropes, d. of her Sister* Pierce, Husband & Brethren at Sea. Jane Wyatt, pr. for a child dang, sick with a fever. 22. Our accounts from Newbury Port represent that the Town has been much alarmed by the Fever. 19 have died since its ap- pearance, & only two who have had it, have recovered. The dead are removed instantly upon their decease, & attendance is hard to be obtained. Families are moving out & yet only two were sus- pected of having it, on Sunday evening last. The Town had a meeting on Saturday, to take every precaution. The alarm is greater than the evil, which is serious. 23. Beverly Clock & Dials are up. They have made a happy exchange for their miserable former Bell. 28. Sunday. Jane Wyatt, with her Son, d. of her youngest Son, Pr. for friends absent. Sarah Wyatt, d. of her g. son, & pr. for friends at Sea. Ruth Newton, sick, Son long absent at Sea. Andrew Ward & Wife, delivery, pr. for Brother & friends at Sea. 29. At the request of M" Joy attended the funeral of her Father from the Charity House. He was Brother of that Fisher- man drowned at Point of Rocks last winter. Attended from the Charity house the Funeral of James Leslie of N. Y., a young man of very indiscreet behaviour, who has lately arrived in Capt. J. Orne from Batavia. He belonged to the Church of England, & was attended by the minister of that communion in his dying moments. 31. The Pump near our house was taken up, & the water besides a most filthy smell, had become black, & completely dyed the Tim- ber of the Pump of the same colour. The cause has not yet been discovered. Sept. 1. [1796] Hearing much of the malignant fever in New- bury Port, & wishing to hear with my own ears, what was said in that place, as well as the state of the Inhabitants, I listened readi- ly to a proposal from D' Little to take a seat in a Chaise, in which he was going to Newbury Port near which was the place of his na- tivity, & in which he had his medical education under D"^ Swet who was a victim of the disease. We left Salem about ten o'clock & dined at Ipswich at the States Arms. Before dinner we visited Rev<* M"" l3ana, who was at his father's house, & who belonged to *8arah, wife of Jenitbmiel Peirce, and daughter of Benjamin Ropes. 1796J WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 195 Newbury Port. This Gentleman was supposed to have had the symptoms of this fever, & is now upon the recovery. Upon our arrival near the Town we stopped at the father's House of D'' L., & finding the family at Lecture in the old town we thought we would stop at the old meeting to hear what D"^ More the Minister had to say about the fever. A young man Pierce, candidate in Salisbury, preached. We found the alarm was great. We rode into Newbury Port & stopped at Davenport's & there found M' Marquan,* so famous for his bold imagination. He had a servant sick of this fever, a negro, & in a high delirium. He had left his house, but was afraid to leave it with the negro, who had torn his bed to pieces, & such men as were sent to watch him. Marquan's account did not want colouring. We found Water street shut up by a chain & that M' Carter, & M"" Mycall were the only persons who had courage to tarry in it. We found the Town much deserted, & there had been public religious services for several days successively. We sought the Clergy, & with Messieurs Cary & Andrews I spent an hour. They could only assure me of the facts of the deaths, & alarms, without any reasonings upon the matter. I then went in search of Captain Joseph Noyes. His house was shut up, & his family had gone to Hampton. I found him at his son's, & as he was one of the Health Committee, I by his request accompanied him to the Town house where the Health Committee continued assembled all day. Capt. Noyes was present with D"^ Swetf when he died. D"" Swet was taken by vomiting on Saturday, & determined upon his own fate upon the first discharge. D'^ Sawyer visited him, but did not prescribe, & I have not yet heard what method D' Swet ob- served. A coldness in the extreme parts was observed on Monday, but the D' died on Tuesday. He rose by his own strength on the bed, spake to Capt. Noyes, turned himself, & without stretching himself, sunk instantly. The body had rather a purple appearance at death, which soon changed for yellow spots on all parts of the body. He was buried decently the next day, but since that time there has been an hearse provided, & Coffins for instant burial with- out any ceremony. The D'' died 16 Aug. After this fact my next enquiry was into the origin of the Fever. I had visited the family, but did not think it proper to make any enquiries respecting the Doctor's opinion, or conversation. Abroad it was agreed that the D"^ imputed it to putrid fish belonging to M"^ Atwood, near the place in which the fever spread. It seems that on 31 ^lay there arrived near this place a vessel from Jamaica, & on the homeward passage several men died of the yellow fever. The vessel was unladed on 1 June, having only a few puncheons of rum on board. The people say that all the cloaths belonging to the dead, near to them on their sickness were thrown into the sea. The reports of any deaths from •Marquand. tDr. John B. Swett. 196 DIARY OP [Sept. visits to this vessel are denied by the Health Officers. They say that the pilot is living, the inspector living, all reports to the con- trary not with standing. They say that Capt. Mulberry took all the precautions in his power. On the other hand, they say, that where this putrid fish was, & the vessel did lay at the same place, have been all the instances of mortality, & that there are no fair examples of its being conveyed to any persons who have not been actually upon the spot. They begin the effects of this malignant fever so late as at the 15 of June. The Physicians concur in these facts. No persons attending the sick have actually suffered. Since the 15 of June 26 persons had died at this time, 13 males & 13 fe- males. At nine in the evening we left the Town of Newbury Port, for Newbury. 2. We left Newbury, & went into Byfield parish to see the Man- ufactory. We were introduced by M"" Perkins* to the Apartments. We first reached the house in which this ingenious Mechanic lives, on our left. We then came to the new building intended for grist & boulting mill, & passing the house for the workmen we reached the large manufactory, which stands on a stream emptying into Parker's river, which is above a mile from the Academy. Below we saw the house for dying their woolens on the left, & on the right we saw the house for sheering, & beyond the Great Manufactory was a blacksmith's Shop. The Manufactory is large, of three upright stories, besides a loft. On the lower floor there is a partition. The bands pass over a Cylinder moved by the water works, & communi- cate with the Nail machines, & pass also through the floor & move the Carding Machines above. In the nail manufactory we first came to the machine for cutting the plates, which did the work very ex- peditiously. They were four machines for the brads, & then a ham- mer for heading of the nails. The whole was done in a masterly manner. The second loft was occupied by the Carding Machines & Jennies, & the Third by the Weavers on one side & the spinners on the other. On the upper loft & on the one side of the partition below, were deposits for their wool, & yarn. In the Sheering House we saw many specimens of their Woolen Cloths, which ap- peared to be good. They weave 7 1/4 wide & they use altogether the Spring shuttles. In sheering they prefer the sheares moved by the right hand onward, & commanded by a spring moved by the left, the one blade rests, & the other cuts at a considerable angle. 3. The probability of the uafection from the fish was confirmed at Newb. port in their minds, by similar facts at Portsmouth, & lately at Sandy bay, as well as by the testimony of D"" J. Pringle upon the Jail fever. In my absence I was chosen one of the Health Committee of Salem, & last evening I was with the Committee. We have 20 members including the Selectmen, & are subdivided into 5 Committees with our days for attendance respectively. ♦Jacob Perkins. For biographical sketch, see Essex Antiquarian, Vol. II., p. 69-74. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 197 4. Sunday. Note. Joseph Joy & Wife, d. of her father Mars- ton & her mother delirious. 11. Sunday. John Webb & Wife & Children, d. of his Son Stephen at Sea, & pr. for Sons at Sea. 13. The Association Meeting was at my House. M' Curwen & D' Little were invited. Forbes preached. Present, Fuller, Story, Hubbard, MacKeen, D'' Prince. We had a very pleasant day, & seperated in peace. 15. A Brother under full sail, came to invite me to an installa- tion at Roxbury. But as he neither told me his commission, nor his office, I got him on board as soon as I could, with a belly full of good liquor, and on the current, with a heavy sea roll, he took his departure, &c. 19. Had a most severe reprimand, & some licentious reflections for the delay of a family visit, tho' I have been very attentive hith- erto, & had ample apologies for it, & surely no ill intention. 20. M"" j\[''Keen left me the following questions, some time since. What is the number of people in your society ? Ans. about 1300. What is the mean niunber of annual deaths at home ? Ans. 24. 61 have died abroad besides. What is the mean number of Births annually ? 48 baptisms, nearly corresponding to Births. 21. After dinner took my compass & pencil, & went for a walk by the new Mills to Beverly, to return by Essex Bridge. The North Field Bridge has been lately repaired by a M"^ Woodkins. The Draw no longer rises by Levers & ropes over head, but by balances, & a crank below. It appears strong enough. The leaves rest against each other & depend on the strength of the work behind them. North-fields do not appear in a very flourishing condition. The fields belong chiefly to non residents, & the houses are occupied not by the most industrious citizens. After we pass the cross roads the Negro houses appeared very decent, especially compared with them in Town. At M"" Gardiner's, in Danvers, we find a decent building. The present owner, since his purchase from Bradish, has much changed the appearance of the house & Land. Below at the Bridge, which is handsomely repaired, the mill works go on well. On the southern shore all the frames, & sluices are prepared for the water works, & on the north side, the foundations are nearly complete. Much of the waterworks are finished, such as the water wheels, trundles, &c. From this spot I walked to M'^ Reed's* house, which fronts south, but is quite north of the top of the hill, & upon the descent, & so looses much of the front prospect, & gains nothing behind. It was built for a farm house upon 30 acres of Gov. Eudicott's farm sold by his heirs. Another part of the farm which included the whole neck between Duck & Crane river, is alienated with its farm house to Col. Sprague of Salem. A third division on the S. W^. is yet retained by the heirs of Endicott. W^e •Nathan Bead, M. C. 198 DIARY OF [Sept. visited this man who was of the seventh generation from the Gov. At the door we found the Gov.'s dial,* which was in copper, a very fair impression, & in the highest order. It was marked " William Bowyer, London, Clockmaker, fecit. I. 1630. E. (the initials of the Grov.'s name). On the gnomon on one side Lat. 42, & on the other Salem. We entered the house which had nothing to recom- mend it, & saw the old family picture of G. Endicott. Copies have been taken. One I have seen in the Senate Chamber & another at Col. Pickman's, Salem. It is hardly to be discovered. The face is the only part, which is not entirely gone. The canvas is chiefly bare. We then passed into the Cornfield to find the Site of the old Mansion. We found that this house, gone before the memory of any persons living, was upon the descent of the hill facing south- ward. The place of the Cellar, which is to be seen is distinguished by an apple Tree growing on it. Behind was a building for the family servants, & domestic laborers, the place of which is now to be seen. There is a fine prospect in front, & a gentle descent to a little creek, in which the Gov. kept his Shallop. Tradition says there was a walk to this place with damson trees & grape vines so thick that a person might walk unobserved. These have all been gone for many years. This place was called the Gov. Orchard as he planted early Trees around his house. There is only one Tree left, which bears the Sugar Pear, & by tradition was planted in 1630. It is in front of the site of the House, it rises in three trunks from the ground, & is considerably high. It is much de- cayed at bottom, but the branches at top are sound. I brought away some of the pears & engaged such as remain, to be brought to my house to send to the Governour of the Commonwealth. There is a beautiful spring near Crane river, just before we came to the gate on the road. I then took leave of M"^ Reed, after observing the fine shag bark which grew upon his land & which formerly abounded on this farm, & passed the New Mills upon the Bridge beyond the Meeting House over Porter River the main Branch. At the Bridge I passed into a path at the head [of] a Creek, & soon reached another Creek not far from a north Course from the river. At the head of the second Creek I passed through some woods on an east course, & found a third Creek running nearly up to Rial Side road. Just beyond a small brook descends from the southern part of Brown's Hill. On the right of the road was a small burying ground, belonging to the Leaches whose farm house had a very decent appearance. Passing on & seeing mean houses, some with the old shattered diamond glass, I reached the top of the rising ground opposite to Crane neck, having all the country open on this side of the river, land poor & only 5 Trees in the whole view of the river. 50 years since this parish could vie with the southern parish, & the most independant *Now in the museum of the Essex Institute. GOVERNOR JOHN ENDECOTT. Frorri the Original Painting iq the Possessioq of Williani C. Endicott, 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 199 Farmers lived on these grounds so celebrated in the early history. After a few civilities in Beverly, I returned to Salem, & reached it before the clock struck 6. 23. A M'' Lane with our singers. Great disturbance around the Singing School. Such is the insensibility characteristic of some young men, that they will venture into places from which they are utterly prohibited. 25. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Harthorne, d. of g. child of Col. Harthorne's two children yet sick, friends at Sea. Joseph Vin- cent & Wife, d. of her Sister. Mehitable Byrne, her delivery. Husband & Brethren at Sea. 27. Visited at Beverly, & with the Ladies, went to the spot on which old fort Derby stood.* We crossed the fields from the street, & passed down to the beach below Hale's grove. We left the Grove on our left, passed below the sluice of a water mill, till we reached an entrance at a pair of bars. We then ascended Woodberry's head, which was covered with trees, in wild luxuriance, but not with a very profitable growth, being chiefly small locust, a few oak, & one or two walnuts. Following in the path, we reached the other side of the head, where we found a new wharf covered with wood from the eastward. Here we entered a road leading into the great road of Mackerel Cove. We crossed it & kept on in a cart track towards the place of the old fort. We passed below high water mark, for the access to the Fort Hill must be difficult at full tide. We left a small marsh on our left, which unites the Head land to the Main. We then passed along on the side of the Hill, leaving a wharf on the western side filled with stones but not finished, & walking round the western side we reached the top of the hill. The prospect was very extensive. We returned on our own steps, met the children coming out to us, & got home at Tea. The distance about a mile, in the way we went. On the Fort Hill we found two Fish Houses, but as the whole Hill of several acres was all ploughed up & planted, & as a new breast work was erected here in the late revolution, unless some antient settler had been with us, it would have been impossible to distinguish by any marks where the fort stood, or how it was built. Jeffrey Massy had leave very early to plant & to plow here, as soon as the Settlement progressed up the river, & on Salem side, which permission laid an early foundation for the distruction of the Fort. 28. Capt. B. Webb was kind enough to favor me with some of the preserved Mangoustan, about as large as a small orange & having six flutes in the form of it. The fruit is laxative but the shell is not so. A tea made of it good for dysentery. Brought from Java. He presented to me also the Bird of Paradise, or Manucodiata, one of the thread pulled out by the Children, as it •Dr. B. was in error, I tbink, concerning the locality of this fort. See Hiat. Beverly, p. 13. B. M. S. March 20, 1847. [Pencil note by Bdwin M. Stone.] 200 DIARY OF [Oct. hung out beyond the wings. So called by natives as the bird of God. Portugais call it bird of the sun. 29. Took Fontaine Gibaut's boys with me & plentiful stores & went to Medcalf's at Clay Brook. I then visited the hospital, & afterwards with Medcalf travelled over the great pasture. We first reached the monument, or hill with three piles of rocks upon it ; then we passed to Lord's Hill, on the west side of which is AUis- ter's run & the site of Allister's house. We then passed by Bally- hack to Lynn wall, passed into the Sheep pasture & reached Spring pond. The spring now choacked up with leaves & dirt, furnished us no draught of its mineral waters. All the Stones round the pond bear evident marks of the iron in this neighbourhood. Upon our return we passed down the southern side of Spring pond & crossed the rough ground till we came to our old path at Lord's Hill & thence went to Medcalf. Jenny Briscoe had prepared our dinner in a very neat manner & in a variety of conversation we passed time till five o'clock & then returned to Town. 30. This morning, the young man, Joseph Dunham of Saco, died in our hospital, into which he was carried, from having the Small pox. It is represented that he died without distress, having been all night apparently in a sleep. Oct. 1. [1796] We find Murray, the Universalist, at Portland. He had left Boston for the present under the imputation of the lowest vices. Of a criminal correspondence with the wife of Col. Greene, as appears by her confession as she apprehended upon her death bed. Much must be attributed to prejudice which is ad- vanced against him. Such are these characters introduced among us. 2. Sunday. Note. Euth Newton, prayers, dang, sick in the Charity house. An unhappy woman in the conduct of life. 3. By an attempt to enquire into the Crowninshield family from Leipzig, we find there were three sons, John, Kichard, & Clifford, the first & the last settled at Salem, early in this Century, Rich- ard settled at Attleborough. Some natural descendants of Clifford are at Marblehead, descended from a natural child of Clifford, who was at first called John Diman, after his mother, but married by the name of his reputed father. The ancestor, Johannes Casper von Richter von Kronenscheldt, must have arrived before 1700. His son John born in Boston, Jan., 1697. Last night the wind was so high, as to blow into the Cellar, the store lately removed by Adams down the Street laid out by Williams from the Common. The building is much injuried. It was a proper North East Storm. The rain was not pouring but constant. We have not so many of these as we used to have. 5. The Overseers are busy in making a new platform before the east School & digging a new vault upon the Common, near the place on which the old one stood. They promise next season a 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 201 yard to inclose the School & a fence against which the Gun house, Engine House, & other buildings may stand & not ag. the Lots. 9. Sunday. M'' "Whitman [of Pembroke] preached in the evening service an excellent sermon, which was very acceptable. Notes. Mary Berry, death of her G. child, pr. for son at sea. Mary Berry, d. of her child, Husband at Sea. Thomas Williams, d. of his wife in his absence, pr. for friends at Sea, & th. for his own happy retin-n. Joshua French, d. of his mother Cout of town), Son at Sea. Martha Harrington, delivery. Husband & friends at Sea. 10. Rode with M' Whitman, in company with Messieurs Briggs, Father & Son, & Capt. Terry, to see the bridge at Duck river, New Mills, Beverly factory & to return by Essex bridge. 11. Rode with Rev'* Hubbard to association at Dan vers. Wads- worth's. M"" Whipple prayed, & M"" Oliver of Beverly preached. Whipple is dismissed at his own request from Alexandria, N. H. & is preaching at Squam, Gloucester. M'' Oliver laid his affairs be- fore us for advice. The question upon which we divided, was, whether Oliver could agree to a dismission & have it ratified by a Council, without an enquiry into the cause, & then have a claim upon the Council for a recommendation as a Minister after having been dismissed without such enquiry. Which I thought ought not to be. M"^ Oliver is deserted by almost all his congregation & they have covered their estates from the Parish Tax by joining other denominations. 12. I left Salem for Roxbury, where I engaged to appear, tO' deliver a discourse to the Masonic Brethren, upon the establish- ment of a Lodge called Washington Lodge in that place. I did not find my friend Winthrop at Cambridge, nor Rev^ Porter at Rox- bury. I therefore put on to Dorchester to Brother Harris's. Lib- eral as I once thought his opinions, I find him willing to fetter himself & almost abjure his former friends. Clarke was deserted by many at his last visit, & the zeal of the people excludes Harris from the Boston Association. He who once preached for Freeman, now exchanges with Stilman. He has built a very large House, which has embarassed him, but it is expected that his Father in Law Dix will help him through. j\I" Morton was building a new house upon the road & Dorchester seems much more rich in build- ing upon the great Road. 13. In the morning I left Harris' & rode to Roxbury & left my Horse at Simeon Pratts. At Roxbury arrangements were made for the Consecration & installation. The Senior G. Warden made an address in the Lodge. It was my office to Consecrate & make the Prayer. W'e left the Grand Lodge for the Meeting House after two o'clock. The service was opened by the band of music, an address was delivered by Brother Dix, then an Hymn given from Barbault by Brother Harris. Then the Rev*^ M' Porter of the Par- 202 DIABY OF [Oct. ish made a prayer & My discourse followed. I closed the service with a prayer. We then retired to the Hall & from there were conducted to a dining room, accompanied by Judge Sumner, Gen. Heath, the Selectmen, Town Officers, & private Gentlemen, with 200 brethren. The dinner was in good order. Brother Boardman graced the entertainment by the best executed vocal music & the whole closed before sundown with great harmony & public satis- faction. The evening in good company was spent at Judge Sum- ner's, at whose house I had an elegant supper, & a jovial evening, & retui-ned & lodged with M'' Porter. 14. I delivered upon importunity a copy of my discourse for the press & left Roxbury & went to Boston. Brother Freeman told me that he had received 500 dollars towards printing Unitarian Books & that he proposed to begin with Priestley's Corruptions. He has a plan to employ & not to expend the fund, by disposing of Books enough for the expence & reserving enough for donations. 15. Judge Sumner assured me that upon the best authority at Hadley, it was declared that the skeleton of a man was found in the wall of the cellar of M'' Russel the minister, supposed to be the body of one of the regicides. 16. Sunday. Capt. Penn Townsend, returning with Capt. Jn° Archer from Boston on a Coasting voyage, was thrown overboard by the sheet of the mainsail & was drowned off Nahant. Notes. Elizabeth Maservey, d. of her Mother. Wid. Nancy Brown, d. of her Mother Maservey, pr. Son at Sea. Mercy Welman, d. of Sister Maservey, pr. Sons at Sea. Elizabeth Bartlet & her Husband, d. of Sister Newton, pr. for Sons at Sea. In my absence died Ruth Newton set. 70, not of my society, but at death. Also M" Meser- vey. She was a Welman, had been long feeble, set. 73. She lived the latter part of her life at her Son in Law Osgood's. 18. In company with Capt. Collins of Liverpool, Nova Scotia. He faults Des Barres Charts, because they have changed & neg- lected the old names by which places are laid down upon that Shore. Because he has placed too far southerly Cape Sable & the Island, 20 miles. Because he has placed the island before Liver- pool, almost in the middle of the Entrance. He gives the prefer- ence to Cooke's drafts of the Labrador Shore, which he has found to be particularly accurate. The same Cooke, who was afterwards circumnavigator. 21. Capt. IngersoU from Cape Fourchu, with several passengers from Nova Scotia to enquire for some of our New England preach- ers. The runners of that country are most contemptible charac- ters. Capt. Ingersoll speaks of visiting a place near Canso, called Vine Harbour. 22. The Northfield Bridge did not answer the purpose upon Woodkin's projection, at full tide. His balance was distroyed when the works were under water. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 203 23. Sunday. Notes. Martha Townsend & Son, death of Hus "band suddenly. Jonathan Twist & wife, d. of her father Chapman, Beuj* Hutchinson & Wife, d. of her Sister Hitchins in Boston, pr. two Brothers absent, & friends at Sea, also th. for her delivery. Rebecca Millet, her delivery, pr. husband Brethren at Sea. 24. M"" Twisse tells me that he is 63 years of age, & that about his tenth year his G. grandfather died. Peter Twisse died about 70 years of age so that coming young into our country from Edin- burg in Scotland he must have come at the close of the last Centu- ry. His Son Peter died in Danvers & the grand Son John, father of the present Jonathan. M"" Chapman his wife's Father, died last week aged 87. Yesterday afternoon died Miles Ward in the old mansion house of Richard Derby. 25. Young Hutchinson back of his Blacksmith's Shop upon the entrance of Long or Union Wharf has opened a fish market & has a 15oat in his own name. This is the first covered place I have yet seen for this purpose. 27. The intended street from Winter Street to William's new Street, does not obtain from the objection from those who have claims on Williams Land. A curious man, who has money, in Bev- erly, objects to his minister, that any divine who is Doctor should preach in their desk, & for the present it has prevented a commu- nication of that sort. His name is Burley. 28. Applied to Capt. Giles of Beverly, lately from Bristol, to be introduced to the two Catawbas which have returned in his ves- sel. This is one of the tribes upon which, at great expence, civil- ization has been tried. They have a town upon the River of the same name, which empties at the K. E. quarter of S. Carolina into the Wateree & discharges from the Santee into the Sea. They are addicted to intemperance. I am to see them on the morrow. Their Names are White Wire, Kianacky, & Green Bird, Kutchinwhy. 29. My two Indians came to see me. They told me their tribe had 500 ; now no King, but a General. The Green Bird said his name was Cap' Harris, the other John Stevens. They dined with me & I accompanied them homewards as far as the Bridge. The Interpreter who honestly told me that he had been upon the Theatres in England & Ireland, said he went to England only to get a little money. He was frank & quite intelligent & spoke Eng- lish freely. M"^ Jasper Bentley, a Candidate for the ministry, was with me & has promised to see me again soon. He is in a School at Danvers. 30. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Babbidge, aged, sick, pr. for friends at Sea. Benj* Ward, d. of his Brother Miles, pr. for friends at Sea. Mary Bateman, delivery, Husband at Sea. 31. The Compliment intended to M"" D.* by the Printer, which I only put into form, operated very different effects from those in- •Elias Hasket Derby. See Salem Gazette, Nov. 28, 1796. 204 DIARY OF [N0V»~ tended. He went to the Printer, not with modesty to refuse, but impud. to challenge his right to put him in his paper. He com- plained to a parishioner that he could not buy a twig but it was published, & that he would let me know his mind. A wretch. Nov. 1. [1796] M"" Bentley was from Norwich, without father or mother living. I suppose he must belong to the Rhode Island part of the family. Three families came early into this country, the first into Virginia, my G[rand] F[ather] into Boston, 1711, & the other into Rhode Island. My G. F. has told me that his Father was a Lieut, in Col. Clayton's Regiment. At least he was in the service of Queen Ann under the D. of Malborough. Was ordered to Canada & died upon this expedition at his arrival. My G. Father was then brought to Boston. S'' John Bentley was at Nova Scotia in the next war. 2. Dunlap's Ship, to be commanded by John Gibaut, was- launched at Becket's. We were agreeably disappointed in a good launch, for at this yard they have repeatedly failed. An Epitaph which will come in use. If to live without morals & die without religion, be a praise, he deserved it in an eminent degree, A Certain Clergyman. To converse on one's own troubles before uncertain friends, is to fix their purposes never to be truly sincere. Gave M'" Daland, W" Robins to Elizabeth Cox, 18 Aug. 1771, from Church Book. 3. M' Tytler* still lives at the New Fort, apparently destitute of all means of subsistence. His writings, his chymical works, & all his pretentions, do not give him ambition enough to accept offers to render him comfortable. 4. Capt. Benajah Collins of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, tells me that Capt. Johnson of that place asserts that he has lately had two- new teeth in his 76 year. He is a man of fine constitution & usually goes to bed intoxicated. This puts us in mind of the Countess of Desmond. 5. M"^ W. Winthrop was with me. He has the plan of a Cata- logue formed upon that triennially published by the University of Cambridge, in which he intends to insert the Profession, residence & death & age of all who have received the honours of the Uni- versity. He had all the assistance I could give him. 6. Sunday. Notes. Andrew Preston & Wife, d. of a grand daughter, pr. for friends at Sea. 7. I have now to conflict with an unprincipled man, because I granted a plan of the Town Wharves to another man, who happens to be engaged in a dispute with said man. Ignorance is a curse when armed with power. 8. The Supreme Court opened this afternoon. After the usual articles of Charge the Chief Justice Dana remarked upon the slan- ders against great characters in the service of their Country,, •James Tytler, 1747-1804, author. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 205 & recommended that nuisances, as much as possibly could be done, should be removed from Towns & Highways. 9. M'' Pickering's Answer, as Secretary of State, to Adet, is be- fore the public. It is little short of a charge of bad faith in the french & it is an over charge of dishonourable conduct in the Minister in the publication. It explains silence, because it was the best way to bear insults from inferiours, or servants. 10. The Controversy between Crowninshield & Derby occupy the public attention. It is before the Court which is thronged on the occasion. Can the people of S. be considered as a well informed people, except in the ensign Staff, or do bodies loose their dazzling greatness by approach ? 11. The aitair of Derby & Crowninshield was determined against Crowninshield. He is to lose the last addition of 12 feet to his wharf. Capt. Jno. Collins was foreman of the Jury. The Judges were full against C. Mess. Derby, W. Gray, Jno. Hodges, «S: the most respectable citizens were witnesses against C. that the channel actually did run under the Wharf, or where it is now built. 12. The affair of Very at Court. He suborned A. Lefavre to sware that there was a carnal communication between this simple- ton & a woman for the purpose. The Court granted a divorce to the woman but he was taken for adultery. Many persons signed a petition in his favour believing him to be a dupe of his own artifice, & the fool of Lefavre, & he was acquitted. 13. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Wyatt, herself sick. Nath. Phippen, Son & Wife, d. of his eldest Son. He & Son returned from Sea. John Berry & Wife, d. of youngest Child. He returned from Sea. 14. The funeral of M'"^ Eunice Harraden, Daughter of Rev. James Diman, eet. 45. Haraden had been master of the Marine Society. The Members generally attended & preceded the Corps. 15. M'' Williams was married the third time last Sunday night & has not exceeded thirty years of age. He appears now to have a tine woman who may out last him. A Fire in Boston last Sunday, in which Folsom the Printer was a great sufferer. 17. Plummer, a droll fool, has published an elegy upon the suf- ferings at Newbury Port, like that upon M'^ Murray, & hawkes them with success. 18. A man named John Punchard has been very busy at work with the points.* He has them to sell & he has just brass & iron enough to employ them freely. He has been in several parts of my society & some he has deluded, to the experiment, I trust, but not to the purchase. 19. This evening I went with M"" Jasper Bentley to his Lodg- ings at D"" Clevelands in Danvers. The Tractor Points & not the five pointst were the subject. *Dr. Elisba Perkins' patent metallic tractor points. tTtae five points of Calvinism. 206 DIARY OF [Nov. 20. Sunday. Notes. Abigail Lambert & children, d. of eldest Son,' set. 14, Husband & brethren at Sea. Mary Cox, d. of Mother Eunice Whittemore, Husb. & Friends at Sea. Margaret Edwards^ delivery, Husband at Sea. 21. On the 3*^ died Col. John Low, set. 69, of Gloucester. He has been a very useful man, in all public employments, & had been a selectman 40 years. He has been in the House of Repre- sentatives, & was in the Convention both of the State & United States Constitution. 22. The Gazette tells us that in Middleton in our neighbourhood, in four months four persons have died bet. 86 & 90. There are now living nearly 30 persons from 75 to 80 years of age, & about 12 from 80 to 90, upon a population of 600 souls. Prince Hamilton, a Negro, called Connecticut Governour, died last week in the Almshouse, aged 85. 24. Serious purposes are professed of an aqueduct* from Spring pond to this Town. Upon the plains at Danvers, just above the Town, they have had success for a few Houses. Proprietors in- tended at first, but now a Subscription is open for the whole Town. The work will probably succeed, but the form is doubtful. 25. The first snow for this year. This day celebrated by the Ropemakers. They supped together at the Ship & had military mu- sic with them as they marched through the Street. 27. Sunday. Notes. Mary Chever, prayers on death of her Sister Wyatt.f Wid. Jane Wyatt, d. of her Mother in Law. Tim- othy Wellman, d. of her mother Wyatt, pr. for son at Sea. WiUiam Patterson & wife for her delivery. 28. M' Eliot of Boston dined with me, & spent the afternoon. He preached for Prince. By him I hear of our friends at Boston & the current reports of the day. 30. Dined this day with Esq' Pulling, with the regular Clergy & principal Gentlemen of the Town. Conversation free & happy. Dec. 4. [1796] Sunday. Madam Gardner^: gave me some account of M' Robert Stanton, first Minister in our Society. He had a piercing eye, was tall, graceful, ready in conversation, chearful, open, & censured without real blame. Was rather too gay for a minister. He was athletic, could leap with great ease, & move with great activity. He was fond of gunning, as his sport. He was blamed as imprudent. A Goody Beadle, who lived in Essex Street in a house from the street, bet. Curtis & Herbert Streets, was noto- rious for her shrill voice in calling her son Jonathan at Stage Point. The Parson incurred the displeasure of the good woman by an exact imitation both of the loudness & shrillness of her voice. She would never be reconciled. He lived in the house of •See Essex Institute Hist. OoUs., Vol. II, p. 105. tSarah, wife of William Wyatt, and daughter of James Chever. {Mrs. Mary (Pickering), wife of Jonathan Gardner. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 207 the parent of my informant, before he married, and was very apt to divert himself with the little incidents of life. Upon seeing a sick child, of which he was fond, he burst instantly into tears. He was much beloved. He married a g. daughter of Barton, of Boston, near Barton's point, & died of a violent fever. Upon being quoted by a Clergyman for what he never said, to the disadvantage of his interest, when told of it he replied, I will not unnecessarily contra- dict it. I had rather suffer in the opinion of my friends for a wrong judgement, than that a useful man should suffer in his moral reputation for what I hope is the first offence. He was from Stone- ington in Connecticut. 5. Rev** S. waited upon me with the Comp. of D'' P.* with his metallic points. I thanked him for his own & the Dr's civility, but assured him I was too great an unbeliever to feel at liberty to receive them. He told me that he had had a less courteous recep- tion from the Episcopal Church, who had entered his house, pro- nounced the offer an insult, called the D"" an impostor, & after much abuse left the house without civility to any person in it. In the evening was arraigned as a preacher over people's heads, with such like insinuations, to the sore wounding of my spirit. But I bore it from an old man a la mode de Pretre. 6. Supped with several of the Clergy & private gentlemen at M' Micah Webb, just married. Conversation various. I left my hat in the affray. The Col. insisted that it was his own, tho his own was different as the form could make it. The Col. owned in the morning that he thought it best not to stop to see. One of our Brethren plead hard for hidden iniquity. Fame said he may blew both her trumpets, he should not interfere & blow them for her. A good old Puritan was hardly accounted to believe Priestley's piety, because it was too exeentric to be sincere, while a hearty Brother said yes to every good natured opinion he thought that he might be supposed to understand. The Lady did the honours of the house very well & we all arrived safe at our homes. 7. Last night the wind was high. Several persons were drowned in Marblehead harbour, in an attempt to get on board a vessel. Damage was done in Boston & there were great apprehensions for Vessels known to have been in the Bay. We suffered nothing in this Town. 8. This evening our fire Club annual supper. Men of quite opposite political views assemble & associate on the occasion. Says one, how finely Adet was drubbed in the Centinel. The french are deceitful. In another chair a whisper. Parson, how some people curse the french, such as you would not think of. I hope Jefferson will obtain the election, & be president. I say nothing, however. Says another, have you seen the new ed. of the Forresters, a new chapter gives the Jacobins, the title of Mother Carey's chickens, •Perkins. *208 DIARY OF [Dec. &c. A good supper hushed all jealousies, & good wine cheered the heart. But unluckily brandy was served to some through mistake. I drink no spirituous liquors, & therefore could laugh over my beverage as much as I thought decent. 9. By an agreement with Capt. Joshua Ward & Capt. B. Car- penter went on foot to visit the Iron works at Duck River. A Capt. Webb, lately from France, joined us. We found the Tripp Hammer in the Southern Building ready for work & a forge, which had its bellows moved by water. They had begun their furnace in the northern building & had raised the chimney to the roof. The Bricks near the fire were supplied from Gay Head at Martha's Vineyard, from what is called Pipe Clay, tho' coarser than what is usually employed in that service. The Sand of their Mortar was supplied from an island in Ipswich river towards Wenham. The Smiths were at work. There were sluices provided for two other hammers in the Southern Building & the wheel was intended to carry a Cylinder upon which the machines for Cut nails were to work. The work is yet in its infancy. M"" Barrett, the Smith from Bridge- water, who is preparing the iron work, says that the wood work is upon the plan of their works in the old Colony, but the Iron work much larger. He hopes to show us something much more perfect in a month. Capt. Osgood has the direction of the business. They bought M"^ Reid out, at his bills, for the land, repairs of the Bridge, & expences amounting to one thousand pounds. Then M"" Reid bought in. There are 50 shares & the whole expence is expected to exceed thirty thousand dollars. Major Sprague is now the largest proprietor. 15, Died this Morning, Capt. W. Wyatt, unexpectedly. He buried his wife three weeks since from whom he had lived long seperated, & kept on board his Coasting Sloop in which he freighted from Salem to Boston. He lived many years in this way. Last season on account of his infirmities he left his business & tarried at home in the house of his Son in Law Welman. He has been failing, but he is one of the examples of rapid decay after leaving an old employment. 11. Sunday. Widow Sullivan, d. of her Son, pr. for friends at Sea. Capt. Wyatt buried in the evening & the procession of the Marine Society on the occasion. He has been lately received as a member. It is said Capt. W. expected to have formed new connec- tions. 12. Determined to enquire of M"" Barrett, the Smith at Duck River, to obtain a wooden alarm clock from Bridgewater. They are made at that place very cheap & they answer a very valuable purpose in the morning. 13. This evening preparing the music for the Thanksgiving. 15. This was the Thanksgiving Day of our Commonwealth. The service began with instrum : music. Then Denmark was sung 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 209 after the short prayer. Addison's Hymn of gratitude was then sung after a long prayer. At the time of Contribution, Conquest ; afterwards, Albany, & the service was closed with instrumental music. The Contribution was of 1111/2 dollars, including 30 dollars sent from E. H. Derby Esq^ 16. An application from the Lodge for an address on St. John's day. I disapprove the undertaking because an embarassed one, but it is to be in the Lodge. The difficulties have been removed, it is said, & so the matters end. 17. M'' Oliver of Beverly assures me that his Church & Con- gregation had concurred in a mutual Council of 9 Churches. Chosen by the Church, D'' Cutler of Hamilton, Dana of Ipswich, Wads- worth of Danvers & INIcKeen of Beverly ; by the Pastor, Emmons of Franklin, Sandburn of Reading, Hopkins of Salem, & Parish of Newbury. Mutually chosen, French of And over. The Civil matters left to a reference according to Law. 18. Sunday. Notes. Mary Chever, d. of her Brother in law Wyatt. Sarah Welman, d. of her Father Wyatt, pr. Husband & Son at Sea. William Browne & Wife, d. of his G. child, pr. for friends at Sea. James Browne & Wife, d. of youngest child, pr. Brethren at Sea. 19. Capt. W. Patterson upon his return from Issequibo on the Maine,* produced several things which he had brought. The bows & arrows of the Buck Indians. The teeth of the Agouti, as big as a rabbit, & teeth like the Beaver & Marmotte. Two above & two below. He gave me a Calabash stained black by the natives, & cut with a pleasing foliage. He gave me also a fragment of the Plymouth Rock on which our first P. Settlers landed in 1620, Dec. 20. He had also a little flap of the natives made of white beads. 20. Capt. Gibaut sailed this day for India. M'' Dunlap his owner went passenger on board, for his health. Doubts of his re- turn are entertained. 21. Had an opportunity to see the late edition of the Forresters, written by D'' Belnap. I confess that I read it with great pleasure. The style is a little too much raised above the subject. Swift's style is peculiarly adapted to such a work. 22. Received from Isaiah Thomas his beautiful edition of Char- lotte Smith's poems, & his Almanac for the year 1797. He assures me that the work is his own from the rag. His apology for the plates in the work to an American is satisfactory, as we were, & perhaps now are, behind all the world in the art of engraving, & perhaps also in taste for good executions. 23. For the first time was asked to pray in a family in the evening after a visit. The circumstances were : The head of the family had been gone for several years. In his youth it was cus- ■Etaequibo, od the Spanish M»in. 210 DiAEY OF [Jan. tomary. The custom is now lost, but he had not measured the change of manners with the time. It always was a salutary prac- tice in our country. 24. The grammar School Master, N. K.* has behaved so much out of character that he is to receive notice from the School Com- mittee, that from their own feelings & their duty to their Constitu- ents, they are obliged to assure him that they can employ him no longer. The public discontents have really become great. This young man is descended from the well known Martyr John R. so often seen in our primmers.f His Father & G. Father were in the ministry, but he has not kept the faith. 25. Sunday. Christmas on Sunday & a pleasant day. Notes. Samuel Leach & Wife, d. of their youngest Child. A Christening between meetings for the first time. 27. This day we celebrated in Masonic order this festival. The brethren were all present, who could attend. I delivered an ad- dress on the occasion. We dined in Gen. Abbot's Hall. The ofi&cers were invested in due form by the Master, & the music, alto- gether vocal, was well performed. Good fellowship prevailed throughout the day. The Ofiicers invested by R. W. Master Pull- ing were, B. Hodges & S. Derby, Wardens, Gen. Abbot, Treasurer, Master Lang, Secretary, &c. 28. I spent a great part of this day in conversation with a good old chatting woman, who travells on foot in the neighbouring Towns. From her I got the history of all the prejudices of the neighbour- hood. A fine memory enables her to retain, & a love to talk, to tell all she knows, and her integrity prevents her from shewing any but the first impressions made upon her mind. 30. Mr. S. Silsbee, Daniel's lane, informed me that a Spaniard died this morning at his House, named Joseph Reynier, left at this Port by Capt. Keyron Walsh, who has gone on to Portsmouth upon business. I wrote a letter to him, at Mr. Silsbee 's request, respect- ing this man, whose effects were on board a sloop freighted by Capt. Welsh in this port bound to Portsmouth, & his chest at Sils- bee's. 31. The Spaniard was buried this day, he was carried by some young Seamen. In the past month we have all the appearance of a severe winter. The ice now confines the whole harbour. The ground is every where covered with snow. The cold is often se- vere & is continual. The last day was the more moderate day. The weather changing. Clear, clouds in every form, spits of snow, or snow, in quick succession. But it is healthy. Few colds, or com- plaints. So ends the year 1796. Jan^ 1, 1797. Sunday. Note. Peter Murray & Daughter, d. of his Mother. This day a pair of new Silver cups appeared on the •Nathaniel Rogers. tAn error. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 211 Communion Table purchased from the Church Stock, receipted at 43.75 dollars. There was a contribution for another pair, with suc- cess. 2. The Town voted last week to purchase four engines for their own use, one of which is already engaged at Philadelphia. There are four already in the town, neither of them large. There are also four Cisterns in the Town at the public expence, one on the Com- mon, another at the corner of old Court street, another near Beck- ford street in Essex street, & another at Buffum's Corner. 5. We have news that last Thursday D'' Caleb Eea,* who married a daughter of Capt. John White, died at Windham in the 39 y. of his age. He has not been long in that Country, but re- moved to enter upon lands of his Father in Law. Of late years he had become very corpulent. Died of a Fever. 7. General Fiske had a shock of the Palsy, but he has so far re- covered as to dine with his family this day. Madam D. tells us fine things of the growth of the Brattle Street Church. It contin- ues to lead among the Congregational Churches. Its fine organ, charming voice of the Preacher, situation, & proprietors give it siiccess. Madam Rnssel keeps up the generous attentions of her husband to the Minister & Society. 8. Sunday. This will be remembered as a cold Sxmday. The glass below 12 minus. The congregation thin, the service short. 9. Great danger of an alarm of fire. In W'" Eveleth's house a billet of wood burnt in two in the night & rolled out upon the floor, which was bm-nt through & the fire had reached a closet door. 13. This day there Avas a plenty of Bass in our market. That this is not common appeared from the readiness with which they were bought «& the many enquiries respecting them by many who had never seen them. The striped Bass were in plenty & a few of the Sea Bass were brought. I dined upon the striped Bass for the first time. Our Town was called Naumkeag, or Bass Town from this fish which visited the River north of the Town. But they have long since left it. And D*" Belnap says the same of the Piscataqua, that the Bass have left it. A Law was made against the supposed cause, the taking them at all seasons, but no effect has been pro- duced. 15. Sunday. Xotes. Samuel Brooks & Wife, d. of his mother, aet. 72. Luke Brooks, d. of his mother. 19. By suffering a log to fall from my hands, I was this day for the first time confined by a wound on the foot from my usual walks. 20. Confined to the house, I had little enjoyment. The un- happy state of Mr. M.f in Danvers, humbly retracting the errour of his Letter of reproach to all the parish, is the subject of conver- sation. •See Essex Institate Hist. Colls., Vol. XVin, p. 86. tRev. Samuel Mead of the Middle Precinct. 212 DIARY OF [Jan. 22. Sunday. Being stormy, my house was shut up. This is the fourth Sunday of absence that I recollect since I have had the direction of my own life. 23. Remarks have been made that of all the young girls sent into families to provide their own maintaiuance those who have gone to Boston have been the most unhappy. Almost all of them have returned heavy laden to their friends in Town. The difference of morals is great, but the force of parental presence & advice is greater. 24. The business of our Aqueduct seems seriously undertaken. The second payment has been notified. As the day was mild, some attempts were made to break the ice in the harbour, which has been firmly closed since the 23 of December. 25. We hear that the logs of the Aqueduct are to be bored at 2^ p'' foot by Foster of Danvers, so that the business of the Aque- duct has begun in earnest. This day was buried Robert Bartlet. A man of a fine constitution, but miserable in his manners & con- nections. Strangers have often amused themselves while in Town in hearing his Street Cries. One of them has been applied to him since his death, " I have sold all, & am going home.'^ He has sold all, & gone home. A notice to his Customers, to speak for clams, muscles, pearch, & River Fish, next time. 26. Our Chymist* at the new fort has at last consented to par- take of the public charity. His pans have not produced salt for his porridge & his medicines have not relieved him from extreme indigence. His books are good for worms. Much was said in fav- our of his knowledge & much believed by such as called themselves thinking people. Charity he ought to have in the tenderest manner but politics, for which he pretended to fly ; religion, which he has undertaken to defend; & Philosophy, of an acquaintance with which he boasts, do not owe him the least obligation. 27. Capt. Collins, as one of the Committee of the Marine society, called upon me. A Committee sometime since had been chosen to exhibit [a] Certificate for their society, to be given to their mem- bers. One had been given, representing a wharf, store, & mercan- tile business, but without one circumstance incident to the Town. He asked me to consider of the design & proposed to call upon me with the Committee to observe the result. I prepared, while thus confined, a plan of a Certificate, which I communicated to W. Pick- man, Esq. to avoid all blame of interference with the former plan exhibited, &c. I mentioned to Collins the subject of the Clerk of Enquiry. 28. Received thus late a few copies of my Discourse at Roxbury. To keep himself in countenance B. H. has inserted a number of Ti- tles which are disgusting to modesty & never pleasing in young per- •james Tytler. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 21S sons. I made an immediate circnlation of all such as came to hand, to lessen the wounds of that pride which had nearly sold the bear before he was caught. 29. Sunday. Notes. Joseph Lambert & Wife, His safe return, d. of eldest son abroad. Elizabeth Bartlet & children, d. of her husband, pr. for son long absent & g. child sick. Robert Bartlet & wife, d. of his father, pr. for absent brother. Mary Millet, her delivery, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. 30. We have news of the d. of General Glover, who lives upon Salem Gore, ^Marblehead side. He was very useful in the Army & in the representation of the Town of Marblehead. He conducted Burgoyne to Cambridge. ]\I'^ IMead was escorted into Danvers by his parish & an act of obliteration of past offence has passed. We have news of our friends. One is captured & another detained & all terrified. The English panic was scarce over when we became subject to the insolence of the French Privateers. Feb. 2. [1797] The noted D'' Perkins has made a good inter- est in Lands by his points. An advertisement to a large amount has been made. So successful was the opinion, if not the imposition. 4. Mr. C[arlton] has delivered his proposals to the public for the printing of Calef on Witchcraft. This work is out of print. It was published at the time of this melancholy event & will deserve to be transmitted to posterity. 5. Sunday. Notes. Deborah Sage, delivery, pr. husband at Sea. This day for the first time our Communion table was fur- nished with its own riches. Two pair of silver cups have been provided. New handles to the old. The neglect has been unex- ampled in our old town & has been occasioned by a division of the public bounty. 6. Several arrivals by which we hear of our friends & receive some of them again. Gibaut has reached Guadeloupe & Dunlap is yet living. Another Class of Gloucester Lottery is out. 9. The Council to be convened on the affairs of Upper Beverly- are to sit in the latter end of this month, upon the affairs of Mr. Daniel Olivei*. The Hopkinsian opinions ai'e distinguished, not so much by their intrinsic character as by the opposition of the Clergy, & the divisions in all the societies consequent upon that opposition, encouraged or patronised. A young man settled in this manner & em- bittered by constant opposition & even abuse, has not the chance which other candidates have of a more complying temper. Upon a fair estimate they are not beneath their brethren. If they lack any- thing, it is a general acquaintance with the history of opinions. 11. News that Capt. B. Dean has suffered much on his passage to Europe & has put into the West Indies, having lost several of his hands, some of which belong to our society, & deprived of fathers, young & rising families. 12. Sunday. Notes. Robert Hiller, &c. for her delivery, pr. 214 DiAPwY OF ' [Feb. friends at Sea. Hannah Murray, delivery, husband & Brother at Sea. 13. 10 hundred weight of turkies & fowls brought into our mar- ket by one farmer this day. They had been preserved in Snow. 16. Mr. Bodily, who has been received at Newbury, preached in the tabernacle in this Town this evening. He is troubled with a wonderfull inflamation of the nose & eyes. 19. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Malcom, d. of her husband abroad, Pr. for Sons at Sea. Catharine Shad, d. of her husband abroad. 21. This evening attended the funeral of Sarah Lemon, at. 95, from the Charity House. The woman was of the family of the Hibberts of Manchester & came to Salem while a young woman, at service, & married John Lemon, an English subject. He left her a widow & she lived at the western corner of Locust Street, on Bridge Street. The House was taken down three years ago, when she was removed to the Charity house. She has left two daughters, one in Andover & one in this Town. 22. Was celebrated in this Town the Birthday of General Wash- ington. Sleet fell through the whole day. An handsome Oration was delivered by M"^ Benj. Pickman juu"" & the day was honoured with festivity. A contribution for the poor was made from the as- sembly after services, amounting to upwards of 140 dollars. After dinner, for the Algerine prisoner, who appeared in the Hall, up- wards of 40 dollars. A dinner was provided in the Charity house & in the evening a party at Webb's collected 17 dollars for the pris- oner. The Artillery fired at Sunrise & the Bells rang. The Cadets did the honours of the day & discharged their firearms at the pro- claiming of toasts. Attended well. 23. Messieurs Rich & S. Derby introduced a young gentleman, who calls himself a Polish Count, named NERITH, who was taken with Kosciusco by the Russians & escaped from their power. In the evening was visited by John Arnold Schseffer from Harris - burg, Penn., on his way to New Hampshire. His property has been destroyed by fire & he brings certificates to entitle him to the assist- ance of the Brethren. His certificates say that he was a Captain in the Dragoons, that he had encouragement that he should be on the Peace Establishment, that he had a Commission of Justice of the Peace in N. Y. State, Onondaga C, that he had been a Merchant in N. Y., had kept an Hotel in Harrisburg, Penn., had been in- volved by bonds for other men, & lost at last all by Eire, had been relieved by G. Lodge, Penn., had paid his debts with the money & now required assistance for life. (Proved a Villain.) 24. Mr. Schseffer's case obtained a special Lodge & 80 d. were in- stantly collected. The stupid ass at the Tabernacle keeps braying & the severest satyrs are not distinguished by him from the most happy compliments. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 216 25. Emplojed in collecting some of the charity from absent members. We collected so as to give 100 d. to Mr. Schaeffer & proper letters towards Newbury Port & Ipswich, to Swasey & D. A. Tyng. 26. Sunday. News of a Five in Boston which yesterday con- sumed the Ropewalks in West Boston, 3 walks & 4 Dwelling houses. We have been remarkably preserved from fire. Capt. Forrester of Salem lost 25 1/2 Tons of Hemp at £89 pr Ton. Reproved some young men publicly this day. March 1. [1797] Gibaut, sailing for the East Indies, has been at Gaudeloupe & has returned to New York with Mr. Dunlap his Owner. 2. The public attention has been challenged by some satyrs upon a parson of this town who presumed to write about Washington. The people have laughed so much & so heartily as to begin to repent. 3. ]Mr. Kendall visited me, he is a Candidate for the ministry, educated at Cambridge, from Athol, Worcester County, Mass. He is appointed our Grammar School master & was this week inducted by the Committee. Mr. Rogers was dismissed & has opened a pri- vate School. 5. Sunday. A fire this morning in Boston which burnt the house of Mr. Turner in Beacon Street. He is Son in Law to Dr. Holyoke of this Town. Notes. Samuel Silsbee & wife, d. of his g. child & Son at Sea. S. Silsbee & W. jun^ d. of his child & pr. for Aunt Eunice Flint sick, & Br. at Sea. Wind uncommonly high & cry of fire in the evening. No damage done. 6. A Mr. Whidden, lately from Portsmouth, died at Guadaloupe on board of Capt. Gibaut. He has reputable friends in N. H., & has left a wife & 3 ch. indigent in this Town. 7. Took a walk to Duck River to see the Iron works there & found that an experiment had been made & that they expected to be ready to work next week. The semi diameter of the water wheels is 11 feet. They roll & cut Iron. The furnace is double, of the best clay & keyed, & all the works substantial. A well has been successfully sunk into the bed of the river & brought under the cover of the works, to supply fresh water for the works. They have a promising appearance. From the Iron works I crossed to the jMills upon the Stream from Spring pond, called Butt brook, to see the Logs which are to be bored by water works. The first experiment has pointed out some improvements which are now making. 8. Mr. Blodget, aid to Gen. Greene, & who surveyed Conn. & Vermont, & who has fine talents in musical execution, has been long the dupe of his intemperance & is now in this Town cast upon the public charity. Intended for a friend but suppressed. 216 DIARY OP [March Why S * making such a pother, About Moses or about any other. Alike to thee are all unknown St Francis' Geese, or old Pope Joan. Let Negroes stare, or children weep, They'd be as wise, if they should sleep. Let Asses cry, & Fools be sad ; Asses are sober, never mad. On tubs to preach you are design'd, Be to your fate quite well resign'd. To teach, or think, you know not how, But have no blush upon your brow, For thinking is a dev'lish plan To favour reason, & the God in man. Nonsense is MYSTERY throughout. And fools can speak it without doubt. The wise may laugh, or turn away, But folks will think it best to stay. First think, then speak, is reason's voice But to obey, you have not your choice. Restraining grace with kind intention. Would never let you feel temptation. Full happy man, go on rejoicing. In all you do, reason has no voice in. Not malice, or the world can say This man has reason led astray. A Fool throughout, in every motion, Heaven, once on earth, has wrought perfection. I could not help observing how a late compliment in the Gazette, sinks a poor man from a sun down into a star. It is funny indeed.. It has put me in mind of a talkative man, praising a big friend. " Faith " says he, " he is as big as a hogshead." Finding the sober folks staring, he corrects himself, " Well, he is as big as a Tub, & that a large one." Fond of proving, he went on, " For a tub is part of a hogshead. For if it has lost its head it still has a bottom ; & if it be not as deep, it is certainly part of a hogs head, after it is sawed in two." 10. A Voluntary watch joined to the Town watch from the appearance of suspicious persons in Town. 11. A Trial or examination of a Stranger in the Court house upon suspicion. He pleads to have come from East Haddam, C. upon a visit to his friends in Newbury. He was dismissed after some enquiries & conducted to Ipswich. 12. Sunday. Notes. Martha Widden, d. of her Husband (with Gibaut) abroad & children. Jon* Millet & wife, her deliv., d. of the *ReT. Joshua Spanlding, of tbe Tabernacle church. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 217" child, br" at Sea. George Lassell & wife, d. of her G. child ; son, George L. sick. This G. Son of Lassell, was a g. son of his Wife by a Crispin, & was a natural child by John Jenkins, whose name he bore. He was bound out from the Charity House to a man in ]Vrarblehead in the fishery, & was just free, & went his first voyage with Capt. Needham of Salem, & died of Small pox in the Southern States. This George Widden is from Portsmouth, N. H. of reputa^ ble parents in that place & has lived four years in Salem. His wife Martlia was a Haslett of the same town & has four small children by him. Died in Guadeloupe, Intemperate. 13. News that Capt. Gam. Hodges is carried into St Domingo, particulars unknown. He was on a voyage to the East Indian Seas. 16. A Voluntary Guard having been proposed in the Upper part of the Town & a cheerful subscription having obtained to the de- sign by a large number appearing to mount guard in the order of signing, fom" each night. A subs, was proposed for the Eastern part of the Town headed by General Abbot & signed by all present. Highway robberies this week in the neighbourhood of Boston, besides attempts at fire. These are new things in our young Coun- try. Speaking of windy weather. The last week was compared to the windy weather when the Church Steeple blew down, which was agreed to be in 1740, July, upon the best evidence then obtained. It was a lantern & Spire with turrets at the corners. 17. The young man found in Boston & apprehended in House Breaking is condemned to die. He has appeared very penitent. Another has been apprehended in the same manner. Attempts to put fire to Dwelling Houses have been repeated. 18. Mr. Norris, Senator, from the accounts from the Old Colony, has been persuaded to sell out of the Iron works on Duck River. The profit of the Anchor work is more doubtful than of the Rolling & Slitting mills. 19. Sunday. Notes. Joseph Valpy & Wife, d. of her Brother, & friends at Sea. Benj* Boylston, sick in the Charity House. Stephen Cloutman and Wife, her delivery. Brother at Sea. Our project of a Voluntary guard is in danger of failing from the too ready admission of Substitutes & Talesmen, by which means the best Citizens are rendered companions to the servants of Gentle- men. This Boylston was born in England, came over to New Plymouth, was there married & has two daughters, one married at Plymouth & another in Salem. He has been 15 years in Salem, a ropemaker, & is about 72 years of age. His second wife is with him in the Charity House. He is paralytic & has been speechless two years. He has been in the C. House three years. The Brother in law of ^Ir Valpy was Jonathan Glover, aged about fifty, who chartered a Vessel for N. C. & had his Son & Son in law with him. The Vessel & Cargo were lost in the late stormy Weather in N, C. & J. G. the master perished. 218 DIARY OF [April 20. Took a walk this morning to Duck Kiver to see the Iron Works at work. There was not a good head of water & the trip Hammer struck 90 times in a minute. It is said to have struck 120 times with a good head of water. 800 lb. of iron has been rolled & slit in 13 minutes. The sheers did the business instantly & with- out noise in cutting the bars of Iron. 26. Sunday. Notes. Lydia Carnes, d. of her Husband, pr. Brother at Sea. Saml. Masury & Wife, her delivery, Son & Brother at Sea. John Hill & Wife, her delivery. 28. Capt. Preston born in Beverly remembers when only 9 houses between the ferry & the meeting house upon the main road, where now is a very flourishing town. Capt. John Carnes, who died at the Cape of Good Hope, married Lydia Derby, Sept. 12, 1782, much against the will of her parents. He has not conducted with that prudence which belonged to his obligations. He had various complaints from his irregular living. 31. Mr. Healy,* a Class mate, dined with me, from Hampton Falls. I have not seen him before for many years. He rehearsed some of his poetry or so much as he could remember. Is now in trade. He tells me of Penhallow & Goddard, settled in Ports- mouth. April 3. [1797] Went to see the boring of the Logs for the Aqueduct. It is performed by a water wheel & Cog wheel moving into a lantern below the floor, which carries a cog wheel teeth down- wards, which turns the wheels upon which the Augers move as a continued axis supported in their shank at proper distances, the place where the worm augur begins, being about 8 feet in the worm. The Augers are of different bore, one being 3 1/2 inches & the other 2 1/2. From the Lantern axis cords pass upon grooved wheels which hoist the logs out of the water & in the same manner, by grooved wheels, the carriage is brought forward in boring. The carriage is moved by a water wheel. They bore far in at one end, & meet their boring by turning the log. How true they cut, I did not examine. A public quarrel at noon & repeated in the evening, between R. Stone & one Beauford, an Englishman, respect- ing a debt at gambling. Such quarrels have a tendency to render disreputable a practice which obtains, but under the greatest guards of secrecy. A Few such adventures at times expose the folly to the public. 5. Saw my classmate Kilham, whose political changes have convulsed his affairs so as to operate an almost total aversion from this world. At Tea with Mrs. Porter, to gain whom a neighbouring minister offered a sum of money to be released from former engage- ments. 7. This evening a curious change of weather. After having ^Nathaniel Healey, a shipbuilder. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 219 felt the summer heat, the clouds began to look sour & threatened all day. At seven in the evening after spitting a little, there was a violent snow storm from the S. E. which lasted till after nine, during which time the snow descended in great flakes & covered the whole surface of the ground & buildings, notwithstanding the absorption from the state of the earth & buildings. It then rained -& so continued. 9. Sunday. Xotes. Samuel Silsbee Juu'' & Wife, death of her Aunt Eunice Flint, & pr. for Brother at Sea. 10. In an excursion found the Grave Stones of Abigail Jenni- son. Wife of Eev** William Jennison in Danvers ground. She was buried here from the house of her Son living in this neighbour- hood. Was invited with the Committee to visit the Schools. Found a Mr. Kendall in the Grammar School. His short time in the office prevented any arrangements under his care. We had several exhi- bitions. The English recitations pleased me. The dialogues had too much spouting for my taste. In the East School under Mr. Lang, every thing was in much better order than any of us could expect from the mean appearance of everything in the last visita- tion. 11. Visited Mr. Derby's garden in Danvers. The hot house was in good forwardness & the gardens were all ready for spring. We went to get a few Trees & we obtained such as were excellent from the nursery. Every year the arrangements are more extensive & more happy. The importation from the Isle of France did not succeed. Many were dead before they reached the garden. 13. As uncommon a Snow Storm as we know. In the morning the ground & houses were covered several inches. The snow con- tinued till 10 A. M. & then hail & sleet & rain continued till even- ing, when it began to snow & continued till Friday Morning, the snow laying several inches deep upon the ground which was very open & springs low. Fish market well supplied. 16. Sunday. Notes. James Archer & Wife, d. of their Child, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Subject of conversation was Oliver of Beverly, against whom the people have shut the doors of the Meet- ing House, after having paid him his Salary, refusing any Ecclesi- astical Council, or Reference on their part, conducting all with passion. 17. Took a walk with Rev^ Barnard, as far as New Mills, to <}onverse with Mr. Bentley, Schoolmaster, upon the subject of taking the ministerial charge of Cape Forchu in Xova Scotia. He mod- estly heard our proposals and is to give an answer on Wednesday. At Reed's we found him providing to straiten the road by his own house, planting trees, & having formed a model upon which he expects to have a cutting machine for nails to head them at the same time. 19. Endeavouring to persuade Mr. Jasper Bentley to go to Cape 220 DiABY OF [April Forchu, Nova Scotia. Mr, Flint from that place was with me, & Dr. Bernard. Mr. Bentley came with Capt. S. Page from the New Mills. Mr. Flint represents that their Township under the name of Yarmouth is extensive, including 130,000 acres. It includes above 250 families, is divided into 150 lots, to each of which 15 acres of Marsh is assigned. The principal Settlement is at Cape Forchu which we saw clearly upon Des Barres Map of that Country. The Meeting house is on the East Side of the harbour, after you have passed the entrance formed by the peninsula & jomed to the main by a bar of sand. Jeboge is another settlement, & has a Meeting House, which is four miles across, & which has an entrance round Jeboge point. They are chiefly people from New England at Cape Forchu, & some from this neighbourhood. We did not succeed with Mr. Bentley. It is about 70 Leagues in their reckoning from Cape Forchu to Cape Ann. The roads in the interiour country are bad, so that few of them have any tolerable accounts of the distance by land, & their Shallops always furnish them with ready means by Sea, & they have excellent harbours on all the coasts. 21. Mr. B. Ward sen. set. 73, tells me that he knew very well the first Vessel built for Marblehead, purposely for a Merchant Vessel. That she was a Snow purchased by Swett & Henley, & commanded by Edmund Gales & afterwards purchased by Dr. Top- pan of Salem & navigated from this port. 23. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Harthorne, d. of G. Child epi- leptic, d. of Col. John H. William Peele & Wife & Ch., d. of G. Child, pr. friends at Sea. Kobert Peele & Wife, death of eldest son, pr. fr. at sea. Samuel Derby & Wife, her delivery. 25. Attended & took my turn as one of the Voluntary Night guard of the Town. I subscribed at the fire Club in March. The Town hired Watch was continued. It consists of ten persons. Four in the Middle in the Court House, 3 at the East End in the East School House, on the Common, & 3 at the west end, at the School House, Dean Street, near the River. There were eight in the Voluntary watch. We left Two in the Store opposite to the Old Meeting, & the rest in 3 divisions travelled the Town. We were oiit almost all night. I went from Washington Street crossing in- to Essex Street by the cross Street as far as the Neck, & returned by Essex Street. Then went up by Essex Street & Boston Street & returned by Federal Street, crossing the Streets near the River. There was a party out in the North Fields. We went up to Fry's Mills & met them returning, ordered them to be quiet. We then passed by High Street into the South part of the Town & returned by Summer Street. Then by County Street down to the Shore & returned by Winter Street. Then morning came & we were done, retiring at four o'clock. 28. Miles Ward, the Father of the Wards now living, who died at 90 years, lately, remembered the funeral of John Massey, the first 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 221 •child born in Salem. Went with Col. Pickman upon straitening South Field Road, & saw them laying out Barton's Square, being the two Sides leading from Essex Street, old paved Street, into Washington street. It now forms four lots. John Derby has bought upon the Street & the House, the widow is to have part of the Buildings moved upon the Southern Lot, and S. Derby takes the S. western. The S. Eastern Lot & House in Washington street was sold to IVIr. Marston. This evening Beverly Sexton, Wallis, dropped dead at the Bell rope. 29. Mr. Smith at the Ferry, past 70, whose ancestors were con- temporary with the Masseys, & primitive families, says he always knew the river at W^aters' as Duck river, & he & Father Symonds, who died aged 100 sometime since, & lived in the fields, & at the ferry, always used it. Massey's Cove is the first round Orne's point & Fraser's is the first before you pass the point lying S. of it. 30. Sunday. This evening was buried from the South Fields, a young Macintire, subject to Epilepsy, who was drowned in the Mill pond. He was out in a Canoe & it is supposed suffered from his constitutional Infirmity. May 2. [1797] The day assigned for the Military Review throughout the United States. The rain was so incessant that the Militia were barely under arms & dismissed. I was deprived of the Launch upon Crane river. At a late Town Meeting the Treasurer was offered 9 £ for his services, but he objected, declaring that 7 £ were enough. 3. Took a walk over North Field Bridge. The Mills at Duck river were not going. Saw at Crane river Mills, Col. Hutcheson, a man known for his political zeal & long a member of our general Court. He had always known his own river upon which his mills stand, as Crane river, & Duck river as Waters' river. Woolosten River as Porter's communicating with frost fish Brook. The new Mills settlement between Crane & Porter's river was Sheldon's faiun so Avell known in Salem records. The Col. is to send me such papers as he has relative to these Rivers, & referred me to Old Doctor Amos Putnam, who possesses a farm, part of Endicott's be- low the brook emptying into Duck River. Col. H. thought the Cow House stood near Dr. Putnam's but the Dr. recollected nothing of it. He recollected within his own memory when Crane river was cov- ered with a forest & actually had seen, he declared, Cranes (now called Heron) very large, which had been taken upon it. This riv- er had always been known to him as Crane river. From New Mills to the Dr's on the great road, I was directed to pass by Endicott's, at Sprague's gate, but to avoid the brook entering Duck river was advised to pass the new Mills & enter 1/2 a mile above & cross be- low the site of Porter's mansion house & Putnam's Tavern into the road leading to Hooper's, but at the bars was tempted to turn in again & so crossed the brook running to Duck River. In going up 222 DIARY OF [May I kept near the bank of Crane river. It has several points of land round which it winds & soon becomes a brook having the westerly- land high upon its banks. There is an hill back of Endicott's lying N. W. from the House which has a good prospect. They were actually surveying the land north of it, for a sale by Mr. S. Sewall^ who purchased it from the Creditors of jVIr. Hooper, whose elegant hoiTse, now possessed by Benajah Collins Esqr, of Liverpool, N. Scotia, faces us in good order. The willows look beautifully along the brook running into Duck river. It must be a pleasant walk in a dry time. Upon my return stopped at Mr. Derby's farm, & pro- vided a fine mess of Asparagus. At the north bridge made a pur- chase of a Butcher, & reached home at half after twelve. Dr. Put- nam told me that some of Porter's Pear Trees, which he brought from England are now standing. The present Mansion is in the place of the old, & is of a century of years. 4. The Annual Fast Assembly respectable, but thin as usual on such occasions, but the Few were the best part of the Congregation. There was a Contribution for the poor as usual. The weather was not fair in the morning. We wish foul weather to restrain the chil- dren & servants, & fair weather to assist the charities. Contribu- tions exceeded 62 dollars. 5. I was shewn the speckled garden bean, whose botanical name I have not reached, which bears the name Staunton Bean because Mr. S., the first minister in our society, either introduced or was fond of it. It is thought that it came into this country, & this part of it, with the Williams' of the first planters. 6. They have begun to open the ground for the course of the Aqueduct. Several of these in the sessions last, were permitted in different parts of the State. Gambling as a vice is more infectious than at any former period. The Town have dismissed all the Town watch but three persons & the volunteers begin to be uneasy, be- cause they suppose that some men are not disposed to do their duty in the service. 7. Simday. Widow Hannah Hannon, dang, sick, pr. for a Son & friends at Sea. 9. The association met at the Old Church in this Town, Mr. Prince's. The music was performed under Mr. Holyoke, the prayer was by Mr. Forbes of Cape Ann , & the sermon by Dr. Clarke of Bos- ton. Mr. Forbes has printed his Sermon on the death of Col. Low. 11. Took a walk with Little, Holyoke, & Bancroft, to see the Aqueduct. We first visited the Mill at which the Logs were bored & then passing to the northward of the Stream by Dales', reached the Butt Brook in the road. Just above they were laying the logs. They have a shave which works in an handle, the core of which goes into the hole of the Log, while the shave moves round within the handle upon the surface of the log. The hole is enlarged by a spoon 3/4 augur, while on a long handle an half circle spoon au- 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 223 gm- takes off all inequalities. The logs are confined by an iron ring after they are worked by the augur intended to open the bore to receive the end of the log. We then passed into the road after having observed the trench three feet deep & reached the pond. We travelled to the Spring & cleared it out. The Dr. thought it highly impregnated with the vitriolic acid, to me it appeared a mere chaly- beat. We passed homeward through the great pasture & came along by the Great ^Monument. 13. Find that the Smiths at the Ferry remained till the last strongly attached to Mr. Fiske, & could never be persuaded of the charges against him. Mr. Fiske lased to say his wife was christened when he was in his 21 year. Capt. Elkins who has been successive- ly plundered by English & French, has seen his Ship founder at sea & has been repeatedly cast away. Once on the Texel lost his Vessel, & every person on board besides himself perished. He says he hates to hear every man say, poor unfortunate man. 14. Sunday. Exchanged with Mr. Hubbard.* His Meeting House has stood above a century of years, has been enlarged, & has double galleries on the wings. The Steeple has been added to the first building. Sometime since he preached a Century Sermon. The Congregation was attentive. Mr. Story visited us at noon & I took Tea with him. Mr. Hubbard has six children, three sons & three daughters. Mr. Story, eight children, four sons & four daugh- ters. Mr. Hubbard has good singing & teaches his own society in person. 18. Opening roads, & the inhabitants dispute as warmly for an inch of ground, even in roads they have petitioned for, as ever they did in the American revolution. They will not give conveniences at their own doors, unless paid for. 19. It has been my wish to preserve the heads of the first Set- tlers. This is a mem. to know where they may be found. Gov"" Endicott is in the hands of the family 2/31., much defaced, tho' the countenance is preserved. Col. Pickman has a copy in fine order & well imitated. There is a picture of Pynchon at Spring- field and a good copy of it, 1/2, at Mrs. Pynchon's at her daughters Orne's. Higginson is in the Council Chamber. Judge Sewall & his wife have been given by the late Mrs. Higginson, a daughter, deceased last Month at Beverly, to her Daughter Lee, in Beverly. I have a miniature of Governour Winthrop from the original. Epes is in the hands of his descendants now living in town. There is in the Bradstreet family one of the Gov. which I have not seen. 21. Sunday. Notes. Jon* Archer & W^ife, for him dangerously sick. Catharine Shad, her delivery. William Ropes & Wife, her delivery. Brother at Sea. 23. Died in this Town William Vans Esqr. set. 67. His second wife was a daughter of Master Nutting & his first, a Clark. He was •Rey. Ebeneser Hnbbard of Harblehead. 224 DIARY OF [May corpulent, but a good figure, often a Kepresentative, & Moderator in public meetings of the Town, full of conversation, & affable, tho' tinctured with superstition. He had the manners of a Boston Mer- chant & came from that place. His theological conjectures he ob- tained from his Uncle Pemberton, D. D. He had a lingering sick- ness. Had not been prosperous in his affairs. A good address was his distinguishing talent. 26. Rode with Major Lindsay to Beverly. Visited Mr. Dane & walked into Thorndike's garden. Mr. Dane as one of the commis- sioners in Maine, finds great fault with Sullivan, as compiling his history without regard to documents easily to have been obtained, & upon reports only, in many cases of some consequence. 27. Mr. Bowditch gave me for the Historical society, a short sword like that of English gentlemen, marked 1553, in the first year of Queen Mary. It was brought into this Country by William Bowditch who came into this Country in the close of last Century, from whom probably Bowditch's Ledge, called Tennapoo. 30. Went in the early Stage which runs before 6 in the morning to Boston & reached the Town before 10 o'clock. As this was the day on which the Bishop Edw. Bass, D, D. was to be received by his clergy, I attended at Trinity Church. There were few persons present, not exceeding thirty, & only a part of the Clergy. The Credentials were read by Dr. Parker, standing at the left side of the Altar & the Bp. was on the right. Dr. Walter addressed him before the altar, the clergy standing without. The Bishop rose when ad- dressed & answered in the same position. The Bishop had a surplice under a cloak without sleeves. Dr. Walter read prayers & the Bp. preached. The Solemnities were not calculated to produce a grand effect. 31. Went round the Town to finish the walk of yesterday. Saw the new Ship & the beautiful draught of Col. Claghorn. Saw the Head, called Constitution, finished by Skillings. It is an Hercules, with the [ ] of the United States & the Constitution, stand- ing upon a rock, & his battoon lying beneath him. In the same place were the Capitals for the Corinthian Columns of the State House. Saw the Court House, which is as yet in an unfinished State. Tombs are fast building in the new burying ground below the Common. In the public Services of this day there was great good order. The Sermon was long, but not displeasing, & Gov. Adams appeared for the last time. June 1. [1797] This being convention day, the Clergy assem- bled in the Brattle Street Church & the Sermon was from Dr. Tap- pan, professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge. The audience was attentive & pleased. On the last evening, I was at the first Baptist church, & the vocal music was excellent. Dr. Still- man preached with his usual animation. This evening I went to the second Baptist Church, & the Sermon was from Mr. Milton, late- ly received at Newbury Port. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 225 2. This day the Governour Sumner was escorted into l>oston f i-om his Seat in Roxbury, to take the Oaths of Office. The atten- tion on this occasion was unusually great. The Carriages were all employed & above two hundred appeared on horseback. The new Governour was proclaimed from the Balcony & received by the shouting multitude. Cannon were discharged at Fort hill & an- swered from Castle William. I received from Mr. E. Prebble, who has removed from Salem to Boston, most politely, a present of an whole suit of Cloathes, completely made & fit for use. 4. Sunday. No notes. In the evening two funerals. An aged paralytic woman, IVIrs. Stone, & the "Wife of Samuel Gray, from a sickness after laying in & long infirmities. 6. Was with Capt. Prince, lately from Manila, who has made the greatest voyage from this Port, tho* not the greatest in propor- tion to the Stock, but upon the actual advance of the Cargo, for Mr. Derby. 7. Died this morning, suddenly, Mr. Benjamin Gardiner, Rope- maker. He had within a week past moved to his daughter Hitch- ins', feeling infirmities which took him from his labours. He was born in Boston. At the commencement of the war he moved to Marblehead where he married his second wife & thence removed to Salem. This second wife died 6 Ap. 1787, & since this time he has lived with a Widow Hawkes. He lived upon terms of intimate friendship with Mr. Josiah Gaines who died 18 May 1796. He was industrious till the close of life & had never known sickness. He was in his 77th year. He was a most worthy, consistent & indus- trious man. I loved him & visited him often. He married in 1751. His wife died in Salem, 1781. He married again, Nov., 1782, in Salem. 9. Took a ride to Nahant with Sally Silsbee. We dined at Breed's & took coffee at Allen's Farm. We found Mrs. Bangs of Worcester at Nahant, with a Silas Paul, a student in Law with E. Bangs Esqr. We found Mackerel for the first time. Mrs. Blaney was buried from the House we passed on the Beach. The Corpse was carried on shoulders but the procession was in chaises chiefly. No women were on foot. 10. This evening was buried Henry Hiller, a lad from Phila- delphia, brought in from the W. Indies by Capt. Joshua Richardson. He was in the Charity House & I paid him all the attention in my power. He had been bred a Baker, belonged to the Dutch Congre- gation, has a Mother yet living, being about 22 years of age. 11. Sunday. Notes. Abigail Berry, d. of Sister Stone, pr. for Sister sick. Abijah Hitchins, wife & children, d. of her Father Gardiner. Mrs. Palfrey died suddenly this evening of a fever, which was violent & short. 12. Died this morning, Capt. George Williams. This gentleman has brought up a large family. His children have been uncommon- 226 DIARY OF [June ly reputable. His eldest Son is now Consul at Hamburg & his oth- er children, liberally educated at Cambridge, are in Boston, Salem, & Watertown, &c. His daughters have married Theodore Lyman, a distinguished Merchant, & Mr. Pratt, of the house of Boot & Pratt. His Sons are all unmarried & two daughters. He has 6 sons & 4 daughters. He was active in the American revolution, & often in the House of Representatives. He acquired an handsome interest in our West India trade. His second Wife, by whom he had the above children, was a daughter of Deacon Timothy Picker- ing. He had children by his first wife, & g. children are living. Mr. W. was industrious, frugal, enterprising, & respected. 13. Association at McKeen's, Beverly. Wadsworth preached. Dr. Pisher observed that Jefferson was a Scholar among Gentlemen, but not a Scholar among Scholars. Waited upon Mrs. Dane & drank Tea at Mrs. Homan's. 14. Puneral of George Williams Esq. The procession was long. The relatives numerous «&the attendance of the inhabitants general. He was buried on the Point with his own family & not with the Pickerings. 15. A Scotchman employed in mowing, insisted upon having his sithe furnished in the manner of his own country. The Handle is above eight feet long & two inches in diameter at the head, so to balance the weight. The instrument with which he wets his sithe is of oak & fastened at the other end. It is supported on the arm & the hold is taken while it rests upon the arm. The Sithe is sharpened by sticking the point in the ground. 17. The Causeway at Gardiner's mills is to be widened 18 feet upon the bounds of Marblehead. At present it is winding, narrow, & much out of repair. 18. Sunday. Rain all day, & thin Congregation. Notes. Dan- iel Shehane & Wife, d. of their Sister, pr. Brother at Sea. Hannah Taylor, delivery, pr. for Husband & Br. at Sea. Hannah Webb, delivery, pr. for Husband & Brethren at Sea. 20. Reports now are that our Vessels bound for Hispaniola are carried by the English to Jamaica & there sold at 10 pr. cent ad- vance upon their Cargo. Their plea is the distressed state of their Island from French Privateers. This evening observed the pro- longed twilight till 10 o'clock. 24. This day was celebrated in various parts by the Masons. I was present at Marblehead. For 15 years they have neglected the Institution, which was introduced in 1759. They are now author- ised by the Grand Lodge under the name of the Philanthropic Lodge. The present Master is E. Story, Physician. Mr. Fetty- place & Green were present, both past 70 years of age. They have in number about 30 members. Mr. B. Green gave the oration, which was popular. It was delivered in the new meeting house, & the dinner was in Wait's Brick House at the entrance of the Town. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 227 Cols. Lee & Orne were present & the Companyr eputable. No per- sons of other Lodges by invitation. 25. Sunday. In Marblehead yesterday, the Episcopal Minister would not come even to hear his Brother in Law & one of his war- dens address the Freemasons, was reluctant in lending his habit, & glad to have the service not in his own Church. Such is the affec- tation of goodness even in the present age. 28. The School Committee have assigned the Grammar Master a salary at the rate of 500 dollars a year. He now enquires into their intentions & whether he can have an establishment. 29. Briggs launched another Vessel this day on South field side. 30. Went with Capt. Hodges to Nahant, to place his son there in the purer air for his recovery. July 2. [1797] Sunday. Notes. Eliz : Millet, delivery, Husb. & Brother at Sea. 4. Last night died suddenly, Benjamin Cloutman, Carpenter. He went to bed in health & spirits, by his snoring waked his wife early in the morning, & was dead before she could obtain assistance, without speaking or discovering any sense of his danger, or even knowledge of anything. This day celebrated. Was at Nahant. 6. Had a party of pleasure in the North Fields upon Silsbee's Lots. We had our gambols & in the evening returned. The cultivation of these fields is much beyond what it was when I first came to Salem. Some of the Lots are far behind other Lots. 7. The temporary Theatre in Salem has advanced as far as the eighth night & begins to fail. Tho' the performances are mean, the principal cause is that the people have not the money to spare so often as three times in a week. 8. Watermelons brought from N. Carolina give an anticipation of the season. Experiments upon the new Fire Engine from Phil- adelphia. I have not seen the interior, nor a description. It is worked over the ends of the tubs so as to increase the power of the levers. It has more free air, but does not carry at greater height as yet. 9. Sunday. John Collins & Wife, d. of her Mother, Steward, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Amos Hovey & Wife, d. of her Mother, Steward. Elizabeth Cloutman & children, d. of her Husband. Stephen Cloutman & Wife, & Sisters, d. of their Brother, Brother in Law at Sea. 10. The loss of several Vessels belonging to this Town, captured by the French under circumstances of which we have no suspicions & in Spanish ports, has given a serious alarm to our Merchants. 11. Various reports to agitate the public mind. The true sense of the Americans will more depend upon the incidents of the sea- son, than that of any people on earth. Disaffected by the British, & affronted by the French, they will be deceived by the fii-st thing which looks like interest. 228 DIAKY OF [July 12. Plenty of Mackerel in the market at 6 cents pr. lb. A Bath, honse is begun on the back of our land which is to extend 64 feet upon B.,* & to have eight apartments. The success is doubtful for it is said such a thing much talked of was not much used when gotten. 13. The first Tautaug or Sheep's head, was in my possession this day that ever I owned. It was caught from Essex Bridge. This fish has not been common & seldom taken so near the Town. 14. Showers, which were gentle & kind, & the thunder contin- ual but not severe. We had no ideas of the Storm in the S. W., but in the evening Master Lang came to my house with a mass of hail stones in a state of congelation as large as his handkerchief could conveniently hold, which he had brought in the heat 12 miles from Maiden. He declared, & his Son the Doctor attested, that they saw a gentleman from curiosity wade to his knees in the pile in the road. The extent of the damage is not known. We may expect particular account on the morrow. I spent the evening in carrying the hail stones in a plate round to be viewed by my friends. 16. Sunday. Changed with Thacher of Lynn. The character of this Town has been much hurt by religious convulsions. They have all the uncharitableness of debate without the usual informa- tion in such religious quarrels. Notes. Sam. Ingersoll & Wife & children, for his eldest Son, dang. sick. 19. My Brother called upon me for assistance from Cape Ann. He has not discretion enough to keep his affairs in good order & the loose coins I had collected were disposed of in his service. 20. Capt. S. Ingersoll, far gone in a Consumption, insisted upon being carried in a Sloop into the offing. The experiment was con- ducted with the greatest caution & he returned alive, contrary to the general expectation. 21. This morning early Capt. S. Ingersoll died. He discovered presence of mind & took leave of his parents & friends. 23. Sunday. Notes. S. Ingersoll & Wife & ch., death of his eldest Son, Wife sick. Susannah Harthorne, d. of her g. son S. Ingersoll. James Whittemore & wife, d. of her Brother, pr. for Brethren at Sea. James Chever & Wife, her delivery. Hannah Webb, her delivery, pr. for Husband & Brethren at Sea. 24. An arrival of N. Silsbee from East Indies, encourages our hopes for our Ships in these seas. The property abroad great in that quarter. The Printers changing the forms of their business, this day disengaged me from the Gazette, & once again placed me at liberty. 25. Left Salem early for Boxford, in company with Mrs. Porter. We reached Topsfield early enough for Breakfast, & were with Dr. Cleaveland. We then stopped at Revd Huntington'sf •Bath street, now Washington square, south. tKev. Asahel Huntington, father of Mayor Huntington of Salem. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 229 where Ave were kindly received. We then passed to Parson Hol- yoke's & found liis Son iS: family well. The infirmities of the Par- son take him entirely from his services. We passed into the great road at Spalford's Tavern & crossed to Mr. Perley's. There are seven ponds in this Town. One, back of Perley's, lays nearly east & west, widest toward the western end, terminating in a meadow at the east end. It must contain 200 acres. I walked on the southern side as far as the meadow. The ground is high & uneven, Avith some fine trees, but of poor pasturage. We tarried for the night & our Host was very sick while we were with him. 26. We returned after Breakfast by the great Haverhill road, it being both nigher & better. At the burying ground we found a new monument erected by the Town in honour of Capt. Wood, who has lately deceased & has left 2000 dollars to the Town to assist the Grammar School. The stone is a parallelogram at the bottom on which is erected a slate stone, in the form of an obelisk, tho' flat as a grave stone. It is ornamented above with marble. There is a tomb erecting near it for the same family. The arch is first raised in brick & lime & then covered with stone laid in lime of double the thickness of the first arch. The Tomb very narrow. Upon our return, I had the great pleasure of seeing Calvin, a dwarf child from Bridgewater, which has lately been exhibited at Boston. It is in the finest natural proportions & a perfect miniature. The muscles are free, the motions regular, the passions strong, the tongue at liberty, & yet at seven years is only 26 inches high, & weighs 12 pounds. It is carried about by its relatives, who are un- acquainted with anj' arts, & who plead the poverty of its parents. They have taught it only the childish amusements of ball, play at marbles, & with a whip, having no acquaintance with the fine arts or any other than country amusements. Such a sight was novel. Mrs. Leach of Beverly who lived above 60 years had an head of the usual size, but the substance of the bones was cartilaginous. She was deformity itself. But here nature has varied from her plans, not in proportions, but in dimensions. And we see harmony, while we see very far below the usual growth. The reason offered for so little attention to its mind, are its impatience, & obstinacy, & the design of exhibiting him continually to the public. 29. Apprehensions for some of our East India men, not arrived & out of time. The depredation on our Commerce has been so great that we seriously feel the merchantile interest impoverished. 30. Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth Phippen, d. of G. ch. Archer, prs. for absent friends. Elizabeth Archer, sudden d. of only child, pr. Husb. & friends at Sea. 31. The old house in English street on the south side, belonged to a Mascoll who sold it to a Son in Law Webb, Avho disposed of it to D. Hilliard, whose heirs occupy part of it at the present time. This Mascoll was brother to him who lived bet. Derby & Cromwell street. 230 DIARY OF [Aug* Aug. 2. [1797] The new Engine from Philadelphia was tried by a person sent from Briggs, the Inventor. It raised water to the top of the Shingles on Prince's meeting, 100 feet. The liose made not of Leather, but woven, did not answer but suffered the water to waste. It is said that brine will cure that defect. 4. Went with Gen : Lincoln to examine Baker's Island for the erection of a light house. The digging had already begun. I was sick down & up & endured all the nausea which the full effect of seasickness brings with it. 6. Sunday. Col. Pickman delegate from the North Church, gave us some account of the Council last week at Beverly. The follow- ing were the Members. By the Pastor, Hopkins of Salem, Spring of Newbury Port, Emmons of Franklin, & Morse of Charlestown. By the Church, Dana of Ipswich, Cutler of Hamilton, Wadsworth of Danvers, & Bernard of Salem. Mutually, French, of Andover, & a delegate each. They met on Wednesday. They attempted an adjustment without an hearing, but without success, by a commit- tee to confer with the parties. Thursday & Friday the business was heard. The general disaffection was then found to depend on such imprudencies as belonged to the general character of the pas- tor, in uttering his censures upon character, talking largely so as to be thought false, but particularly for arbitrary proceedings, in re- fusing to record votes, &c. Upon the whole a seperation was deemed necessary & after a hearing the Council resulted in sub- stance, that the Pastor & Church in turn had been imprudent, that a seperation was to be advised, that the Civil affairs should be left to a joint reference. Choate, a delegate from Ipswich, was chosen by the Church & Holten by the Pastor, another was to be chosen mutually, who were to determine the sum due to the Pastor. The witnesses were heard upon oath, & Hopkins was Moderator. Thus ends, we hope, an affair which has long been a subject of conversa- tion & which has occasioned some very disgraceful proceedings on the part of the people, tho' not entirely without provocation. 7. Preparing to go to Amherst with Mr. Logan* of Charleston, S. C. 8. I left Salem early. We made our first stage at Upton's in Upper Danvers & then proceeded on the north road, having Ipswich river on our left, through the north parish of Reading, till we reached Esqr Ford's in Wilmington. Here I once had a residence in the times of the siege. We then passed on through Tewkesbury to Billerica & dined at Pollard's. After dinner we viewed the new Meeting House which is now finishing. The Tower only is raised. It is situated north of the former & is near the road so as to be seen as we rise the hill. We visited Pemberton's School of which he is the sole proprietor. This Gentleman, a descendant of the Hev. Pemberton of Boston, & educated by the late Rev'' Dr. Pem- *Son of Dr. Qeorge Logan, who died in Salem, July 16. 1793. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 231 berton, gained great fame at Andover, from which he removed upon account of his health, & first took a private School at Billerica & since has married, opened the present School or Academy at his own charges. The building stands at the foot of the Hill as we go to- wards Chelmsford on the left hand. It has a pitched roof rising to a Crown, & in front, a tower of two stories which joins badly on to an house of one story. It is arched within & open on all sides. The seats are mere benches, before moveable tables for writing, with boxes & can be easily disposed in any form which the Master chuses. Not more than two can be accomodated at these tables & they must sit facing each other. After dinner we passed the Con- cord, & the new road raised through the low grounds, & reached Chelmsford. We stopped at Barnes', called upon Gen. Bridge, & passed to Westford & lodged at Wood's. We were here kindly no- ticed by a Mr. Prescot a Lawyer, who waited upon us to view the public Buildings. Since I was here, they lost their Meeting house by fire. They have since erected one upon the model of Chelms- ford, but they have not so highly finished it. It has a Steeple in the same form. The pulpit has one flight of stairs, the front gal- lery swells. The canopy of the pulpit is pendant, & the lower win- dows are arched instead of the upper as in Chelmsford. Opposite to it stands the Academy. It is a plain building with a Belfrey in the middle of two stories, neatly painted. It is entered by a porch on the east end & by an entry in which are the stairs by which we ascend into the Exhibition Room above. The Desk of the Master is elevated & inclosed like a large pew. The benches are disposed on each side so as to leave a spatious area. The seats receive two boys & they can pass out at each end, excepting such as at the west end of the School are against the wall. They rise suddenly but have not the advantages of moveable seats as they are more crowded & cannot be accomodated so readily to the number of youths & any present convenience of light & service. In the exhibition Room, the west end is formed like a stage of a Theatre with curtains, & for scenery. 9. This morning we saw the stones which they cut at Westford out of the mountains, which are now had in such abundance & with such ease that whole Cellars from their foundations are built with them. From these Chelmsford as well as Westford Meeting Houses were supplied with the stones in their foundations. In company with Mr. Prescot, after breakfast at his house, we passed to Groton & were kindly desposed of at Gardiner's near the Meeting House. At this place we found that no arrangements were made for our reception, as the letters had not been communicated, & an- other person had been asked to preach at Amherst. All these mat- ters were at length adjusted by the Grand Master, Mr. Nath. Adams, upon his arrival in the evening. Groton Meeting House has been lately repaired. It was much injured by lightning which 232 DIARY OP [Aug. destroyed the steeple & the end of the House contiguous to it. The Academy is a plain building without paint. It has about 20 stu- dents , as has that at Westf ord, but Pemberton has 60. The num- ber is very variable & depends upon the time of year. In the Ma- sonic service everything was conducted well. Mr. Harris gave us a pertinent discourse & Brother Thomas delivered a charge. The consecration was in the public assembly, which was large and bril- liant. We dined abroad under a very convenient booth. A contri- bution was raised for Brother Harris & his discourse is to be print- ed. We visited Gen. Prescot, Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex, & lodged at his Son's, Dr. Oliver Prescott's, half a mile below his Father's. 10. We rose early to go to Amherst. The G. M. & Capt Whiting attended us upon our route. We breakfasted at Mr. S. Dana's & stopped at Capt. Whiting's in Hollis & reached Amherst at ten o'clock. In this rout we passed the Nashua in Hollis, a smaller riv- er called the Nissitisset, & then the Souhegan west & a branch of it before we reach the plain on which the Town stands. This was the Indian name of Amherst. The Lodge assembled at Judge Dana's, who is Judge of Probate, formerly Minister of Groton, since at the Bar, & who is Master of the Lodge. The Grand Lodge were re- ceived after twelve & we proceeded to the Meeting House about one. The Clergy did not assist us in the Meeting House, & after Sermon & the Consecration, the Master of the Benevolent Lodge gave an. address. We dined in the Assembly Room, & the greatest good or- der & conviviality appeared through the day. After service I re- turned to Col. Mean's, where I had been introduced by G. M. Adams. I passed the Street & found from the Monument lately erected to the Memory of their first Pastor, that when he received his settlement in 1741, he had but 14 families. In 1790 there were three parishes & 2369 souls. This place was granted by Massachu- setts & at first called Souhegan West. It is now a Shire Town of Hillsborough. The General Court sometimes meets here & the Courts of Justice are held here. I visited a spot eastward half a mile where the first meeting House stood. The present House ia handsomely painted, with a steeple & Bell. They have a Court House which serves also for an Academy. The Academy has not yet sufficient funds but we found an Instructor in it. The goal is small but has two stories of wrought stone & contains four rooms. On the south west side it appears only of one story. The upper story is of wood. The Assembly room is sufficient to receive 200 people, has a music gallery, & is arched & illuminated by Chande- liers. In the family of Col. Means we found the most engaging manners. The Col. has an excellent person & his wife has a very good countenance. The daughters are well instructed. To an ease of manner they have united a proficiency in the female accomplish- ments. Their little library was well chosen. Their needle work 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 233 was of the first character & some efforts at painting were pleasing. Dancing forms a lovely amusement & conversation has its richest pleasures in their company. The House was disposed with taste & hospitality was the element of their virtue. In Company with the two eldest, Betsey & Polly, we walked at sundown to Esqr. Ather- ton's, the Attorney General's House, & there we had a family dance. In this Gentleman we found everything agreeable. His lady was affable & the daughters amiable & lovely. In good season we returned to Col. Means and after the happy exercises of devo- tion retired to rest. 11. In the morning a copy of the discourse was requested by a Committee, & at length consent was given after every proper remon- strance. Such persons do not consider how soon the joy of such moments may be lost. In company with the G. M. this morning we visited the Master & breakfasted with him. There were still the appearances of a Country minister's family, & we were kindly received. We then, in company with the G. M., proceeded home- ward. We stopped & paid our compliments to Esq*" Atherton, & there parted with the G. M. We continued our route by the new road, through a part of Merrimac and at fifteen miles reached Pol- lard's in Dunstable. We there had our homely fare & found Mr. Kidder the minister lately dismissed for inability. We then stopped at Houston's in Tyngsborough. Here we were upon the banks of Merrimac River & the prospect was enchanting. We had the curious history of Col. Tyng, the parent of these settlements, who lately deceased aged 93 years. A Betty Pitts is the heir of this landed interest, extending as far as Groton 7 miles. The Meet- ing House is beautifully situated upon the banks and at a bend in the River. It is painted white [and] has a fine tower ornamented with a double row of turrets. The Houses near look well, & the whole has an uncommon effect. Just below we came to another branch of the Tyng family & we found great repairs going on upon the buildings. We then passed Chelmsford neck & viewed the triple locks of hewn stone which were nearly finished on the bank of the Merrimac to receive the waters of the Concord. We then passed the Stony River & soon reached the Concord & continued till we reached Rogers' in Tewkesbury, a mile beyond the Meeting House, where we had agreable accomodations for the night. 12. In the morning we took our course homewards. At Tewkes- bury Meeting House we found some new buildings & the Meeting House well repaired & painted. Soon we came into our former route & reached Salem after twelve o'clock. 13. Sunday. Notes. Thomas Palfrey & Wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Benj* Brown & Wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. 16. Mr. Derby & Company went into the Bay to try the Ketch. At Boston this day the President of the United States, Mr. Adams, 234 DIARY OP [Aug. was to be received with great ceremony. I had several amusements but particularly the cold bath of the evening, with a sportive company. 17. An uncommon number of Lobsters taken this year in nets upon the bar & near the rocks, & a great plenty of mackerel. A smaller number than usual of the Horse Shoe or Molucca crab, tho' abundance of the small crab. The tautauog has been taken more frequently than is usual. 18. The Sport of Fowling seems daily to increase. Few till lately have been seen upon the neck in this sport, who had not mo- tives of gain. But now parents & children are seen engaged & lately the small birds called peeps have been killed in great num- bers. 20 have been killed in several instances at a shot. 19. Mr. Clark Brown with me. About two years since he was ordained at the Brattle Street Church, over the Church at Machias, C. of Washington. The increase of lay preachers made his living incompetent & he has asked a dismission. This evil is severely felt in Maine. 20. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Sarah Millet, d. of her Brother in Law Millet, suddenly. He was sexton at Hopkin's, pr. for Son at Sea. R. Manning jun"^ & wife & children, d. of her Sister Giddins at Claremont, N. H. 21. Mr. Gibaut & Bowditch have engaged to perfect upon a small scale the whole map of the town, & are now employed upon the business. 22. Last night one John Moriarty, an Irishman, well known for his revels, was upon his late return homewards, & being ill able to find his way, both from the darkness of the night & of his own fac- ulties, tumbled into a well in Ash Street, which was deep but en- tirely dry, & perished. He was not found until towards night, having been about twelve hours in this condition. Said John has been a remarkable settler of accounts, & very busy in litigious suits at Law, a writer in the Clerk's office & at last a Bookseller. He came from Ireland to the Bay of Fundy, & at the Commencement of the Am. war, to Salem. Purchased an estate belonging to the Heirs of Rev. Prescot in Danvers & lost it & went through many revolutions in his affairs. A daughter with whom he lived, has lately arrived, for he left his family behind, excepting one Son, whose widow with two children are of this place. The woman who prepared his grave Cloathes, found his pinch of snuff fast between his thumb & finger. 23. Mr. Wm. Manning this year has been into Canada. The route he took going up, he told me was, to pass the Connecticut at Lyme in New Hampshire, & take the course of Onion river to Bur- lington, then to cross to the grand Isles in Lake Champlain. But the passage being disagreable to ride in the water to the Islands he returned by Mischosconi Bay, passing through High Gate & St. Al- bions, & then entering his old route. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D 235 24. The last reports that Pickney would be received in France lias enlivened the countenances of our Merchants, & more vessels in port are ready to sail. A French Privateer lays in Marblehead & the sailors are continually passing through this Town. 27. Sunday. A INIethodist has applied for the Court House in this Town for public preaching, but the request was not granted. 28. We had this day, the funeral of a young Black, born of Af- rican Parents, according to the rites of the Church of England. The appearance was pleasing to humanity. Tho' the number of men was not great yet that of the women was so. All of them were clean & they were dressed from common life up to the high- est fashions. "We saw the plain homespun & the rich Indian Mus- lins &, trail, so that they completely aped the manners of the whites & in happiness seemed to surpass them. They did not -express so much sorrow at the funeral, as real gratification at ap- pearing so well, a greater sympathy with the living happily than the bereaved. 29. Mr. Nancrede, the Editor of the Am. ed. of the Transl. of St. Pierre's Studies of Nature, was with me. He was desirous to ex- tend the sale in Salem, in which he had not sold a single copy. It is pleasing to see how easy it is to extend a literary correspondence upon one's tongue. He tells of an intended Magazine under Den- nie of Walpole, the Editor of the Farmer's Museum. This Gazette has gotten him great fame. He has above 2,000 subscribers & a considerable number even in Salem, are upon the subscription left at Dabney's. Mr. Archer's funeral this evening was with a long procession. 30. Went to the Market House to see the Elephant. The crowd of spectators forbad me any but a general & superficial view of him. He was six feet four inches high. Of large Volume, his skin black, as tho' lately oiled. A short hair was on every part, but not suf- ficient for a covering. His tail hung one third of his height, but without any long hairs at the end of it. His legs were still at com- mand at the joints, but he could not be persuaded to lie down. The Keeper repeatedly mounted him but he persisted in shaking him off. Bread & Hay were given him and he took bread out of the pockets of the Spectators. He also drank porter & drew the cork, convey- ing the liquor from his trunk into his throat. His Tusks were just to be seen beyond the flesh, & it was said had been broken. We say his because the common language. It is a female & teats appeared just behind the fore-legs. September 1. [1797] Spent the evening at the River Street, commonly called Cape Driver, passed the river into North Fields, at the place called Paradise & returned in a Moses Boat. 3. Sunday. Notes. Eliz. Archer & children, d. of her Hus- band, Son at Sea. Benj» Knight & Wife, d. of her Br. Archer. Jona Archer & wife, James Archer & Wife & Jacob Norman & 236 DIARY OF [Sept- Wife, death of their Father Archer, pr. Br. at Sea. Sarah Millet, d. of her F. Archer, Husband at Sea. 4. Walked with Logan to the Hill, called Paradise, which is seated at the bend of North River on the north side & back of the intended new road which has lately been laid ont in Northfields to run from the Bridge to Frye's Mills. The property is very extensive & the most beautiful near the Town. At Frye's Mills, under one Nichols, is a Mill to grind Bark which it performs by water expe- ditiously, grinding a cord in three quarters of an hour. The mill is constructed upon the general principles of a grist mill, excepting it stands higher for the benefit of the loft, has the eye of the stone more open, & the mouth wider, to discharge the ground bark. The bark is broken by feeding the mill over a Break, which consists of two iron bars passing between two wooden ones, & raised by the help of levers & moving upon an axis at one end, & so falling with all their weight upon the bars. 5. The Town have accepted the road leading from Pleasant Street to Bridge Street, & the road bet. Gardner's land & the Char- ity house. Proposals have been made to the Town to accept the' Aqueduct for public purposes, provided a larger conduit be provid- ed. It is left to a Committee. 6. The antifederal party have attempted to make disquiets rel- ative to the visit of the President at Boston. Some few inflama- tory tempers have caught in this Town. Mobs were thought of in Boston, & we are told that a mob was in contemplation when the French Privateer lately lay in Marblehead. Thus the vulgar of each party are impelled by the same prejudices to opposite mea- sures. The mob in Boston was to disturb the preparations for the President. Only a few excentricities appeared. 7. Rainy, lowry & cold all day. Several vessels put into our Harbour. Among the Gotha learned Gazettes I find the Re- viewer not friendly to Morse. He speaks of Morse's second ed. 1792 as rather a catch penny thing. See the article 1796, p. 751. Morse's Gazeteer & Scot's are with the public. 9. Rode with Logan round the square over Essex Bridge by Putnam's Plain over Northfield Bridge. Visited the Factory for Bed Ticks. Here they manufacture at present 24,000 yards a year. Their prices are from one dollar to 70 cents. At the Iron Manufactory at Waters' Bridge, we found the Anchor smiths at work. The furnaces & the slitting mills were at rest. They had been rolling shovel plates in the morning. Their grist Mill has not yet been at work. They have trip hammers as well as lift hammers & have multiplied their bellows, which go by water, since was here last. 10. Sunday. Notes. Philip English & children, d. of his Son Waters. Joseph Waters & Wife, d. of his Brother John. Lydia Dean & Children, d. of her Brother Waters, pr. of her Brother B. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEV, I). D 237 Waters & Caroll dang, sick by long infirmity. George Hodges, d. of his wife in his absence, pr. for Brethren at Sea. James Collins & Wife, for her sick, pr. for Son at Sea. 11. Walked with Mr. B. to the new Mills, & thence by Rial's Side through Beverly homewards. Saw at Brown's a new frame of a Mill erected upon the Bass River, where the old mill stood, which looked well. At the low tide the workmen were engaged on the stone work near the flood gates. Mr. S. Lassell died this afternoon. He said he was from Rhode island, had been married in England, came into this Town, has been married 18 years, & had no children here. Has been paralytic 13 years & sustained a most excellent character. 13. A pleasant day & many vessels left this port for Sea. Many vessels in at Beverly & Marblehead with plentiful fares of fish. Mr. Biglow* applied for Lodgings at my House. He is a Schoolmaster & Preacher. 14. Two fire Engines have arrived from London for this Town, at Boston. The Old Church has been painted anew within, & rich- ly ornamented by a suit of damask for the Pulpit. 17. Sunday. Margaret Lassell & Children, d. of her Husband. James Collins & Children, d. of his Wife, pr. for Son at Sea. Wid- ow Masury & Children, d. of her d. Collins. John Collins & Wife, d. of Sister Collins, pr. for Son at Sea. Sarah Shehane, d. of her Sister Collins, pr. for Sons at Sea. Mary Ledbetter, d. of Son in law Collins, pr. for absent friends. 18. Have seen the new Engines. They work upon the sides as formerly, but discharge by a pipe at the end of the cistern, so that the pipe is managed on the ground. They have suction hose & the cistern is not half the depth of the Philadelphia Engine. 19. Went in Company with Capt. Gibaut's friends, in Newhall's Stage & reached Boston at eleven, to see the Launch of the Frigate CONSTITUTION. Went to Mr. Dunlap's & visited the Long Wharf, which has now another pump & the old whai'ves are re- paired & have very large stores upon them. Saw Mr. Prebble & ■ had an invitation to go with him & see the Launching. 20. Laid off in the Portland Packet, but we were disappointed. No means could succeed & the Frigate moved only 19 feet. The Concourse was great & nearly 200 boats & Vessels of all sizes were anchored in the river. The Shores of Charleston & of Noddles Is- land were covered, as were the tops of all the houses. No damage was done, excepting some of the small craft went foul of each other, but without great injury. After dinner I walked over the bridge to Charleston, Went below the old Battery & then passed over Breed's hill, surveyed the monument upon Gen. Warren, & then returned to the road up Bunker's Hill. Here a Fandango is *WilIiam Biglow, author of several text books, and afterwards scboolmaater at Bostoa and Natick. 238 DIARY OF [Sept. erected, which was invented at Haverhill. On two ropes a chain slides down hill to a place accomodated to receive it, with the person who dismounts below. We visited the new Mill seat, which was preparing for water works in this Town & at dark returned. 21. On this day I visited Mr. Freeman who accompanied me to Mr, Swan's & went with me to examine the Court} House. The Council Chamber is at the west end & the Senate at the east & the Rep. Chamber between. It is to be finished within so that the As- sembly may meet in it next winter. There is an extensive view from the Cupola on the Dome, The Columns in front stand on brick arches, & the front is laid with freestone within the arches. In the afternoon I returned to Salem in the Stage. At Lynn I was informed that in Shoemaking business they had many apprentices from Marblehead. The present number far exceeds one hundred. This is owing to the discouragement in the fisheries. 22. The launching of the Frigate was again attempted in vain. People not so numerous as before. 24. Sunday. Note. Henry Webb & Wife, her delivery, Breth- ren at Sea, 25. Visited the Iron Factory at Waters' Bridge, which has suf- fered from the carrying away the gates. The water undermined the wall & let down the nail machine & the Rod house & did con- siderable damage. The Iron is nearly all recovered. 26. The Gazette gives notice that Page at New Mills, Crane River, Danvers, has had gr. success in the fishery. A Sch. of 86 tons has delivered above a thousand Quintals of Fish & 24 Br : of oil this week. In 1792 the same had a fare of 1176 quintals & in 1793, 1469 at one fare from the Bay of St. Lawrence, These are the largest fares known says the Gazette. 28. Last night my good friend Gen. Fiske had another & more violent shock of Apoplexy. I was called from my bed at one o'clock & continued with him till 43 minutes after one next day, just after dinner, when he died. The Convulsions were strong, the aid of the Physician was administered in vain, he lay senseless till he expired. Thus ended the life of my friend, Major General John Fiske, ^t, 63. The best & most constant of friends. Ever since June, 1795, he has been deranged by a stroke of apoplexy & palsy. 29, It being found impracticable to keep the body of Gen. Fiske, his funeral was fixed for this day, & letters sent to his friends in the neighboring towns. All the Vessels in the Harbour hoisted their colors half mast on the occasion. The Artillery turned out in uniform & fired minute guns, the shipping did the same. The Ca- dets did the honours of the procession & fired three vollies at the grave. The Marine Society preceeded the Corpse & followed the Cadets. The pall was supported by Capt. Edward Gibaut, an old neighbor & friend. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 239 Col. Pickman, an intimate companion. Maj. General Abbot, the Military friend in his promotion. Capt. Haraden, the naval commander with him in State service. Hon. Jo. Norris, with him in business formerly. Capt. B. Hodges, who holds his Store & is with him in East So- ciety affairs. The most reputable people attended in the procession & the whole was conducted amidst a crowd of Spectators. 30. Yesterday I attended the funeral from the Charity House, of a woman named Hannah Pitman, wife of Joshua, both in the House. She was a Stealy. A woman of very bad character. They have had many children, & three survive them, two sons & a daugh- ter, provided for in private families. She was a woman of uncom- mon strength & activity. Her illness short. A colic with mortifi- cation of the bowels soon finished her. Very dissolute. October 1. [1797] Sunday. Notes, Sarah Pisk & child, d. of General Pisk, her husband. John Edwards & wife, d. of her Br. Pisk, pr. Son at Sea. Wid. Sarah Stivers, d. of her Br. Fisk. Eleanor Odell, d. of her youngest Child. Sam' Archer & wife, her delivery, pr, for absent friends. Joseph Webb & wife, her delivery, pr. for brethren at sea. William Lane & Wife, her delivery. 4. Dr. Keed supposed that Newhall of Stow, has stolen part of his machinery & not gotten a patent for it. The Waters' Bridge party say that Perkins has destroyed clandestinely some works in his neighbourhood. The little squabbles among these Mechanic geniusses, or duckies, are as curious as between our itinerant Bap- tists & Methodist preachers. Capt. Allen's Scotch John, who pre- tended to squeese the nose of the old man's pump to get water, has most artfully robbed the old man's stores to carry abroad. He was by trade a Smuggler. 6. Walked with Logan by Clay Brook to the Hospital, Pick- man's farm, & Legg's Hill, & through the Dungeons into Marble- head road. We repaired the monument on Legg's Hill. A Priend gave me as I passed, a Cantelope, a species of Melon for the first time cultivated among us. 8. Sunday. Notes. Eliz. Masury, d. of her Husband. Sam' Masury & Wife & children, d. of his father, pr. for son & children at sea. 9. Capt. Collins' Brother who purchased Hooper's Estate near Duck, alias Cow House river, has arrived with his family from Liverpool, Nova Scotia, to reside here. It is a blooming family. 11. This day was the Review on the Common. Capt. Lawrence of the Cadets was the head of the Regiment. The Cadets Sa Artil- lery did well. The firings were upon the Common. 15. Sunday. Notes. John Watson & Wife & ch., death of his Mother Watson, pr. absent friends. Wid. Mary Gardner, d. of her Sister Watson. Martha Chard, d. of her husband abroad, pr. for 240 DIARY OF [Oct. Sods at Sea. Thomas Palfrey & Wife, d. of his Father, pr. for Brethren at Sea. James Very & Wife, d. of her Father Palfrey, pr. for Brother at Sea. Singing failing, only the master at the Tenour & a man at the Bass Viol. The Ladies yet attend. 16. This day one Robinson below the Church took Ratsbane & distroyed himself. Attempts to relieve him were in vain. It was 4said to have been done in consequence of a fray between himself & his wife. Gwiu the Overseer of the Ropewalk says he paid him off on Saturday & he was in good condition. Robinson has been in the Charity House. He has left a wife & six children. Robinson was an Englishman. 19. In consequence of some pecuniary engagements to a Brother in law, James Greenleaf, Mr. John Appleton,* Son of Rev<* A. of Cambridge, has been obliged to declare himself insolvent. The sum is reported to be 40,000 dollars. This G. of Boston has been a great speculator & has involved a man who has accumulated prop- erty by the most severe economy, & by all those advantages which political confusion offer, but is caught at last. 21. Did not go down to Gen. Fiske's this day. Ever since my ordination I have dined at this House. But since my old friend has gone, I wish gradually to prepare myself for the dissolution of this very happy connection. 22. Sunday. Notes. B. Ward, d. of his wife. Wid. Susannah Babbidge & Daughter, d. of Daugh. Ward, pr. for absent friends. Jona Mason & Wife, d. of her Sister Ward, pr. for absent friends. Joseph Hosmer & Wife, her delivery. 23. This morning died Wid. Eliz. Jeffrey, set. 62, a daughter of the well known Esqr. Bowditch & the inheritor of his Estate. She has left all to a daughter married to a Reed.f Deacon Lewis Hunt, set. 51, has died after long indisposition. He was D. of the Old or First Church. Also B. Waters, 48. He married a sister of the Hon. Nathan Dane. He has been long infirm & useless. His chil- dren are agreable. Mr. Logan presented to me a fruit of the TO- MATOES. It is used in sauces in South Carolina. This was raised in Salem from seed brought from that State. 25. Yesterday was the Military review at Beverly & on the pre- eeeding day at Gloucester. Essex Reviews this year have not been in pleasant weather. The review at Lynn was in the past week. Some complain in town bitterly of the Military Law for its exemp- tions. We have gotten to such times as to be dissatisfied with ev- erything. The State of Commerce holds many in fretful uncer- tainty. How extensive are the regions of discontent. How miser- able men become in regard to things they cannot know or influence. •Built and occupied the brick building on the corner of Essex street and Barton square. Kept a store in which Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) served as an ap- prentice. tHon. Nathan Bead. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLBY, D. D. 241 29. Sunday. Notes. Samuel Cavltou & Wife, d. of her Brother Hunt, pr. for Sons at Sea. Benja. Waters with his Brethren & Sis- ter, d. of their Father. Joseph Waters & wife, d. his lirother. Christiana Waters, d. of her Brother in Law Waters, since d. of her husband. Widow Lydia Dean, d. of her Brother Waters. Widow Mary Stephens & her Sister ISIargaret Valpy, d. of their Mother Valpy. James Creely & Wife, d. of her Mother Valpy. 31. I left Salem in company with young Logan, to visit Milton, on the intended Ordination of the next day. We passed through Medford, which seems in a flourishing situation & reached Cam- bridge at one o'clock. We went to the public House & thence to the Court House where we heard the Charge to the Grand Jury by Judge Dana, & the customary prayers by Mr. Holmes. The Judge was particular ag. Sedition & in providing cautions ag. the neglect of Highways, pointing out some places which deserve the notice of the Jury. The Steps of the Court House now lead into the House by the sides of the door & not in front direct as before. At dinner I found Leonard Williams, Student in Law, Son of our former Pro- fessor, who lives at Rutland, Vermont. He informed me that his Father was continuing his History of Vermont in another Volume. After dinner we waited upon the President of the College at his In- vitation & were kindly received. He was enquiring for a Candi- date to go to Orangeburg in South Carolina. We retired & touk tea at Mr. Holmes' the minister of the Parish. He was Son in Law to the celebrated Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College, & has the cu- rious Library which that great Antiquarian had collected. In the evening we passed to Wm. Winthrops on Phipp's Farm. This gen- tleman has amused himself in his leisure hours with the History of all persons included in the Catalogue of Graduates in Harvard Col- lege. He has had great success. November 1. [1797] We rose early & went to Judge Winthrop's, but being desirous to be in season at ]Milton, we only passed com- pliments & went on & took breakfast at the Punch Bowl in Brook- lyne. Here we met Dr. Aspinwall, who has been so successful in this place in the Inoculation for the Small Pox. We employed the hours in conversation on the merits of Father Jackson & the hap- piness of a resettlement at so early a period. The family, includ- ing the relict & her daughter, have removed to Braintree, to the House of the gentleman the daughter has married. We passed from this place to Roxbury & called upon the governour. We found him at his table with his Lady at breakfast, just done. A former freedom entitled me to this visit & we were very kindly received. Conversation upon Salem, &c. filled up the hour & we passed on for Milton. The roads were full & at eleven we reached the Meeting House. We left our Horse & Chaise at Col. Joseph Vose & travelled a mile up the road to spend the time till the Council should come from the Village at the Bridge to the Meeting House. Here Mr. 242 DIARY OF [Nov. Hill joined us, & Mr. Jenks, the one a Swedenborgian & the other an ingenious graduate of Cambridge & Schoolmaster in Boston. After various conversation Ave returned & reached the Meeting House just after the Service had begun. The House was crowded, tho' new, large, & spatious. Dr. Thacher of Boston, made the in- troductory prayer with his usual fervour. Mr. Eliot of Boston, preached a candid, catholic & proper discourse. Dr. Haven of Ded- ham, presided. Mr. Dana of Ipswich, made the ordaining prayer with uncommon solemnity. Dr. Haven gave the charge, explaining its candid intent. Mr. Bradford of Roxbury, made the last prayer with pathos. Mr. Harris of Dorchester, gave the fellowship, so ex- pressive of his character, & the whole concluded with an Anthem, in the greatest good order. The Clergy retired to Swifts, & upon invitation, I went to E. C. Bobbin's, Son of the former minister & Speaker of the House of Representatives. Here we were elegantly entertained & above 150 persons seated. The Company was most happily selected of both sexes. From Milton we returned to Dor- chester & lodged with Mr. Harris, the Pastor. The kind reception, & the amiable manners of the family, made these hours very agreable. Mr. Harris is to give a discourse this week at Bridge- water, Angler's parish, at the consecration of a Lodge. We dis- coursed on masonry. He gave me an account of Robinson, who had come on from New York to take Picturesque views in the Country, & of a M. Schweizer from Zurick, a kin by his wife to Lavater. This gentleman has, from Mrs. Harris account, too much of the Misanthrope. He is upon a work on Public & political happiness, which he prosecutes with great application. He now takes lodgings in Boston. The prospect from Mr. Harris' House is beautiful but the Society is not the most eligible for a Minister. The elegant Seats are occupied by inhabitants who regard the in- stitutions of religion with indifference. And the lower class are induced by no friendship to conform in the least to the manners of these new inhabitants. To renounce any part of the antient super- stitution seems an accession of strength to the new infidelity. 2. In the morning we took leave of this lovely family & rode in- to Boston. We first arrived at the Revd Freeman's whose polite attention was unbounded. He first offered us a view of his own elegant Chapel. He then waited upon us through Hutchinson's Street to the new & lofty House of Mr. Harris which is erected on the south side of Fort Hill. This Building is of five Stories, a height unknown in the town, is plain, of Brick, & is not yet finished within. The expence is enormous but the work faithful. The plastering of the walls exceeds anything yet seen among us. From this House we passed through the Tontine Buildings to the Old Theatre of which we were indulged a view in private without inter- ruption. The proprietors have compounded with the New Theatre for part of the year & it will soon be opened for the winter season. 1797J WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 243 New paintings are now going on & preparations for the new Com- pany. We then mounted over the Arch of the Tontine Buildings into the Library of the Historical Society. This is a Square room & is tolerably well furnished with publications of the Country, which the Members are determined to render their first object & to seperate from all other donations. The size of Gazettes & the an- tique appearance of many l^ooks do not give an elegant appearance to the Room, but evince the industry of the members to increase their Collection, & future times must increase the means to employ the Bookbinder on the loose & broken Volumes. There are many Indian curiosities & some foreign. Not much of Natural History, but a very good beginning. Mr. Davis, the Librarian of the Boston Library, which is deposited in the Room below, opened this Library to us. It is circular upon account of the Stairs which pass up in the Southern corners, but it has places for convenient closets be- yond the circle in the corresponding sides on the north. It is of greater elevation than the room above, but has not so much room on the Floor. The Shelves are not full. A Catalogue has been published of the Books. They ^can never look neat because the Books being read by persons of every description & in every man- ner must be soon sullied & injuried & no covers can prevent this inconvenience. Continual additions are making to this new Insti- tion of a Public To"\\ti Library. From this quarter we passed to the Court House, which we surveyed in all its apartments after we had passed through the beautiful Beacon Street. We took leave of Mr. Freeman & then passed to the North End. At the head of Hancock's Wharf we saw the Frigate & received the kind atten- tions of Col. Claghorn. We then left the to\vn, passing the North Church in Salem Street & over Charlestown & Maiden Bridges con- tinued our route towards Salem. 3. Mr. Harris told us at Dorchester, that digging a well on the hill near his house, 80 feet deep, at the greatest depth he came to sand and stones, exactly resembling the shore, & to marsh, which had the same eifluvia as on the shore, tho' a more perished appear- ance, but of the same colour. That the Well for a time became use- less from the stench of the waters, & at last they ceased to pump it out or draw it & used the well only to hang down meat so to pre- serve such things cool. That by accident a string broke & 18 lb of Beef fell into the well. Attempts were made in vain to recover it. Soon afterwards a frothy substance appeared on the surface of the water, which gradually disappeared, & the water now is of as agre- able a taste & as clear as any which can be drunken. I drank of it in his house, not knowing its history, with great pleasure. 4. We are told that in an attempt to raise the steeple of the New Meeting House in Billerica, the Steeple fell, & was crushed to pieces, from a defect in the ropes. My most worthy friend Madam Bethune was buried last week at Boston. I am more indebted for 244 DIARY OP [Nov. discreet counsel to this Lady than to any of her sex. She took me by the hand, when entering into life, gave me pleasure at her table, lodgings in her house, & welcome to all my friends. This was at the time I preached in Little Cambridge. 5. Sunday. Generally as the winter approaches, the New lights open their lectures in the evening & discharge their artillery against their neighbours, not so much because they hate them, as because they are in the way. It becomes necessary then on our part to give out some hints that we are ready, & this day the arts of designing men were exposed for the instruction of the Congregation. 6. Received at my house my old Preceptor, Mr. Samuel Hunt & his Lady, & they broke bread with me at noon. He was upon his old favorite topic in 1777, which he uniformly talks about, salary & short payments, depreciation, & the hard lot of Salary men. After he left me, upon engagement, I went to Hooper's Farm, so called, & lately occupied by Benajah Collins, late from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. This gentleman has not been a month on the place & received us, his Brother, Wife, &c. with great hospitality. He has four daughters with him. Deborah was attentive, Triphenia silent, but sprightly, Hepsibah sweet, innocent & chearful, Ruth full of spii"its, gaiety, & fancy. We dined &c then visited Mr. Der- by's Farm, & were received by the Gardener, Mr. Heusler, an Alsace man, with the good sense & good manners not always to be found in that condition. In private conversation he could not refrain from blame upon John Tracey who invited him from Holland, & in the perplexity of Bankruptcy cast the poor stranger unpaid upon the world. This is not a solitary instance of the evils from the rapid changes in speculating men. We learn that a Spanish lad lately died in Danvers, at Leach's, & that the good people were scrupulous of giving him interment in their Burying Ground. If this be true we do not make rapid advances towards humanity or real civilisation. How much do such prejudices depend upon the Clergy ? Danvers have conversed upon the propriety of making the minister pay taxes upon land he holds in the Parish. Can a man deserve to be taxed who enlightens them ? 7. Yesterday the Town had a meeting on the subject of military duty. A bounty was voted to the proportion of the 80,000 men to be raised by Government. To obtain a bounty for all soldiers in the Militia upon Muster days was also proposed with great warmth. The heat of parties was however overruled by the choice of a com- mittee to report in December. The highest military officer is a good man & good soldier, but of a most defective education, and the exemptions are so many in the Town, that some precipitate persons would have consented to any rash measure. 8. The Cistern between Derby's & White's wharves in Derby Street, below Orange Street, begun. The sense of the people is generally against it as an improper place. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 245 9. A new Gazette has been proposed in this Town by Mr. Carl- ton. I have been addressed upon the subject by an agent, &c. He piles bugbears higher than Atlas. The peace of the Town, the danger of abuse, the viriileuce of party are not the least. How terrible is change to some minds, how hateful rivals. In Newbury Port they have two Gazettes without fear, & in Philadelphia nearly twenty. 10. Went on the Neck to see the bald rock at the head of Cat Cove & before the Farm House, split with powder. But the pow- der was not confined enough only for one crack, from the neglect of the rammer. Saw several rocks split there with wedges. Opened for the first time our Singing School in part of Mrs. Hutchinson's House in Turner Street. A young band was present in the even- ing. 12. Sunday. Note. John Collins & Wife, delivery, Son & Friends at Sea. The time changed till half past ten. But such in- dulgence does not increase the number of worshippers. 13. A letter from Silas Dinsmore, a graduate of Dartmouth, to Mrs. J. Bowditch, says " from Lat. 35", 15' N., on the N. E. side, or right side of the Tennessee opposite old Fort Loudon, I have been waiting upon the Corner running the Indian boundary. Since my retiirn from the line I have visited all the lower Cherokee towns, a circuit of about 500 miles, & am now preparing to visit the upper Towns in a mountaineous country. I find manners deserving imi- tation, & curiosities in the rugged mountains. The Cherokees are docile. They raise good corn, cattle, hogs, & poultry in abundance, peaches, melons, the sweet potatoe, beans, pease, & pumpkins. They cultivate but few portular or culinary plants, except turneps & colewort. In some parts they raise considerable quantities of Cotton. This has been introduced under my direction, & by the most indefatigable perseverance. In opposition to savage preju- dices, I have introduced spinning & weaving, & some are now wear- ing cotton cloth of their own making." 27, 7'^'^ 1797. Tellico Block House, Banks of the Tenessee, 36 miles S. of Knoxville. 14. This day it was my service to open the Supreme Court with prayer. In the conversation I discovered such virulence of politi- cal prejudices as exceeded even the vulgarity of Jacobinism or what is stigmatised a vile democracy. When the higher orders have such unmanly prejudices, how can a country be safe & well gov- erned. 15. Saw the supporters of the great Rock, head of Cat Cove, blown. Captain Gibaut has been the purchaser of a farm in Glou- cester, near the 4th Meeting House, with convenient mills, &c. at 1800£. 16. The Court is in town. A Fogerty, lately a schoolmaster, was before the Court for opposing the Officer in his duty. Several Thieves. Dr. WiDiams, an apothecary of this Town, was arraigned 246 DIARY OF [Nov. at the bar for receiving the stolen goods, knowing them to be stol- en. Court House crowded. 17. Yesterday went in pursuit of one Joseph, who, in company with some other Bakers on their Carts, endangered the life of my friend Bentley on the Danvers road. The habits of selling bread on the high roads has divested the apprentices of all decency of manners. We found Joseph who denies that he was the faulty cause so that we concluded not to stir any more among such scoun- drels but keep out of their way. 19. Sunday. Note. James Carroll & Wife, Her delivery, pr. Brethren at Sea. The day more pleasant than for many Sundays, but weather changeable. The proclamation read for the Thanks- giving of November 30, with advice. In the evening the first Snow which has covered the ground. 20. A Mr. Hervey here from Reading, upon the subject of con- stituting a Lodge in that place. The design of this visit was to find the cheapest Lodge, in order to make the first members, who are to petition. There is a Mechanic society in Reading, which they hope to absorb in their new Lodge, & they expect members from Woburn & the towns adjacent. 21. This day we were assured of the assistance of the Musical Society who have formed to promote instrumental music. Music has ever been low in this place. They who taught it knew little of composition & had no acquaintance with the best masters. The com- positions were not excellent used in the churches, being chiefly mangled from the old Psalmody. Mr. Billings, with more genius than Taste, introduced new composition, but vocal music had its greatest progress in Connecticut. A few years since a Mr. Kimball, & Mr. Johnson, taught in Marblehead, & last year a Mr. Law from Connecticut, & a Mr. Holyoke of this country. Law was calcula- ted for solemn, slow & soft music, but it could not well succeed to the noise to which we had been accustomed. Holyoke was more indulgent to the common taste, tho' far above it in his genius. Hol- yoke introduced much instrumental music & from his instructions has commenced the society now forming. Every effort of this kind has been short, but this is more general than any other, being not formed for any choir but for all the societies for private amusement. 22. The talk now about Mrs. Morton's Poem, Beacon Hill, & it is said to exceed any poetic composition from a female pen. She is called the American Sappho. Mr. Paine calls her so. Besides, Mr. Stearns is soon to publish The Lady's Philosophy of Love, which they have begun to praise before they have seen it. These poems are reduced to no class. The American genius refuses restraint. Posterity will wonder at the present age when they find what we admire. We had our Singing Band this evening at S. Archer's. 23. Capt. T. Welman has arrived from Petersburg. He says that the Prussian Colours are flying at Memel & the Russian at 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 247 Libau, & that iiiauy were excited by the curiosity of the first dis- play of the 15 stripes of America. Have none of our Vessels vis- ited these ports since the Revolution? 24. The furious manner in which Commerce has been driven in this country upon every change of affairs, is attended with most serious evils to the honest. Mr. Lane had a legacy, the interest of which he ought to have at 200 d. annually. He has drawn for 1500 dollars. The Merchant sends it to his friend. He receives 700. The rest is delayed. Will you take in goods. Goods advanced 30 pr. cent, above the market. He must then write again to Eng- land. The Legacy has been due twenty years & is reduced to this sum. 25. This day celebrated, by the Flags flying in honour of St. Catharine, by the rope makers. Saw Pierce blow another slice of the great rock at the head of Cat Cove. The Children in whole flocks upon their Skates, & the ice bending under them in the little ponds upon the Common & Neck. 26. Sunday. Notes. Tabitha Grooves, delivery, Husband & Brother at Sea. 27. Last Friday, a Sam. Car win Ward was distrained upon by his Creditors & was obliged to shut his doors. Such events so sel- dom happen in Salem that they are attended with great alarm & form the whole conversation. This Ward has been much abroad from his family, often at the public Taverns, & very negligent of his affairs. Is young, but in a very embarassed situation. The weight of his debts falls upon his young companions & the manner in which they were contracted does not appear. 28. A Mr. Samuel Ward published Mr. Ebenezer Beckford for a base detention of papers to his own benefit, with a little honour less valued thanpropeHy. It seems these papers were lent several years since to Wm. Gray junr, & by him intrusted to this Beckford, who detains them but promises to excuse himself. The sense of the Town is at present against said Beckford. Such are the mean tricks of some men who have amassed vrealth. 29. A Bison in Town. It is larger than any I have seen but I did not measure. The Keeper tells that he came /rom /ar, but he had not his bill of sale with him. A Chimney alarmed us in our neighbourhood, & we fovind the Common Engine frozen & were obliged to bring the Derby Street Engine. The Bison is described in the Advertisement, as " having her head covered with long frizled hairs with a pair of horns & a long beard. She measures five feet high & girts nine." But her girt must be over the trimk & near the fore legs for behind she is not larger than a common mule. 30. The Day of public Thanksgiving, clear, cold, & very windy. We had for the first time a band of instruments in our Choir. The members were from different parts of the Town & were kind enough to give us the first exhibition they have ever made in public & the 248 DiAKY OF [Dec. first of the kind ever on a public religious solemnity in the Town. The scandalous indifference to vocal music has obliged us to have recourse to such expedients or our Church music must have been lost. In all our societies the Bass viol has been used, having been introduced about two years since. A Violin & Clarionet followed in our worship. The number of these, with the Tenour viol, formed our Band on this solemnity. The order of service was. An air — Hymn 73, the instruments going over the tune, before the vocal music joined — Introductory prayer — An air — Lesson — Hymn 4 — Prayer — 32 Psalm — Sermon — Collection for the Poor, an air, with a chorus — Prayer — 42 Hymn — Blessing — Concluding air. December 1. [1797] This evening the Contribution was dis- tributed. It amounted, including Mr. Derby's donation of 30 dol- lars, to a sum upwards of 155 dollars & is the largest which we have as yet received. Last evening Capt. B. Hodges lost his second son John, a promising youth. He had always a weakness of the Lungs, & died in a Consumption. I waited upon the several School- masters to engage their attendance & the procession of Boys on this occasion. 2. Capt. B. Hodges' Son John was buried this afternoon. The children of the Schools preceeded the Bier & the Masters of the Schools attended them. Above 60 couples were in the procession. They opened at the gate & the relatives & friends passed through. They were then dismissed. Judge Dana when in town, speaking of the Poor said that the poor's Tax of Cambridge exceeded 600£, which is high in this county. And that it had increased since the Students were discharged from the duties of freshmen. So many obtain a precarious & mean support from a lounging life as waiters upon the Students, that by their intemperance & low vices they soon become miserable & a burden upon the public. 3. Sunday. Notes. B. Hodges & Wife & Children, d. of son John, pr. Br. at Sea. Elizabeth Murray, sudden d. of a Son, drowned at Sea, pr. for another Son at Sea. This Murray fell over from the Vessel commanded by Capt. Daniel Ropes on the day after they left this port. 4. Capt. John Collins told me that his Father 37 years ago in the spring of 1759 was one of the first settlers which arrived from Chatham, Cape Cod, at Liverpool, in Nova Scotia, which has become one of their first settlements. Yesterday our Singers paid the debt of Thanksgiving by going up to the old Church to sing in the afternoon. The friends of the University of Cambridge declare that the University was never more reput able in its Professors & government, more quiet in regard to the students, who for several years have incurred no heavy penalties, & who are distinguished not merely by the love of order, but by their attention to the instruc- tions & Lectures with which the university abounds. The attacks will not in the end impair the reputation of that antient Seminary. 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 249 5. Ward has answered Beckford gravely & yet so as to convict him of intentions of defrauding him of papers from which he evi- dently can derive no advantages. lie evidently had the papers in trust. These squabbles evidently contribute to animosities in a town, but they discover much of the temper. And it is too much the opinion that a poor man ought to cede even his rights to a rich man. 6. Two funerals, one of an aged Lady past 90 & the other of a poor Marblehead beggar quite suddenly. His honesty & his infirm- ities have plead for a welcome to the homes of the Town & he was richer at death than many who entertained him as to his purse & cloathing. Also, Mr. Jacob Norman was drowned on his passage from Boston. This man was a Swede, of very sober manners, & great industry. He owned part of the Sloop from which he was lost. 7. Mrs. Bowditch died, a Gardner & D. in law, aet. 64, of Esqr. Bowditeh. She has left a Son, who suffers from the disappoint- ment in the loss of the Esqr's estate. Supped this evening with Col. Pickman, &c. at Capt. John Becket's. 8. Mr. Winthop assures me that Hill would come & assist me but being of the New Jerusalem Church I must expect the three in one, & some of his peculiarities. 9. Two arrivals this day. 12 vessels from the Indies are ex- pected this season. The French in the West Indies do not inter- rupt the neutral trade from all British ports, but such only as are taken from the French & in British possession. Frequent alarms of Mad dogs. The public have run mad on the subject. Reports are handed about that children & everything else have been bitten by them. And even the Gazette tells of a horse bitten by a dog, who ran up stairs after a woman. Witchcraft will come again, I fear. 10. Sunday. Master Bigelow came down & preached for me in the afternoon. Notes. Margaret Young, d. of her Sister Renough, Martha Townsend, m. in law Renough in her house. Mirah Re- nough, d. of his g. mother. He the only remain^ descendant. 13. I saw the Coopers packing the Herring from Squam. These are not so broad as our Alewives & have not the bones of the belly 80 hard, but they are not so well distinguished as is to be wished. These are the Herring of the Atlantic, while the Alewives are the Herring of our rivers, & tho' they resemble them much are not the same fish, or of so good quality. 14. At our Fire Club supper, Mr. Appleton, a member, was rec- ollected. By confidence in a Brother in Law & by indorsing, he is ruined in his temporal affairs, & remains shut up in his House. It was proposed that a Billet should be written to him, & an hand- some supper sent from the Table as a testimony of our kind re- membrance & generous good wishes. 250 DIARY OF [Dec. 15. Called up by the Town watch at night. In the part of the house occupied by the Son of my Landlady, the log on the hearth had taken fire & was in flames. No damage done. I entertained the guards with brandy, gin, some cold pork roasted, & pies, & upon the whole they were satisfied in having done their duty. The singing School in the evening was thin & rather inclined to be dis- orderly. Such companies sometimes have members from the dregs of mankind. It is a sad necessity to attend upon them. And the disgust is increasing so that our Churches will soon renounce the ideas of vocal music from voluntary companies. While our ances- tors sung from devotion, better acquainted with the heart than rules of music, they preserved a consent in this part of service. But what is a Choir, without decency of manners, without any con- ceptions of religion, & without notice, when out of the music gal- lery, better than organ. Certainly no religious motive can be plead for the maintainance of such an insult to every thing sacred. There is no part of a house of worship in which less decency is observed & it is true when the manners of a congregation begin to be disor- derly they begin here. Price & Kippis would shut their mouths, when they should behold our zeal so ill rewarded. 17. Sunday. Notes. Mary Norman & Children, d. of her Hus- band, drowned. Eliz : Archer & Children, d. of her Son in Law Norman. James Archer & Wife, d. of Br. in Law Norman, who died from his vessel, drowned, pr. for Brother at Sea. Mary Berry, her delivery, pr. husb, at Sea. Mary Andrew & her children, d. of her Sister Bowditch. 18. A Capt. Pitman of this Town ran, last Saturday night, upon Milk Island Bar, but the Vessel & Cargo will probably be saved, as she is not damaged. 19. Yesterday a Ship, Capt. Mason, sailed for the East Indies & probably Manilla, & a Schooner for Bordeaux. In the harbour several vessels are fitting for Sea from the present milder measures of the French. 20. This morning the cry of fire. A fire caught in the Schooner Lively at the Long wharf, eastern side. It was discovered in sea- son to save the Vessel after ruining the Cabin, &c. It caught un- der the hearth of a brick Chimney & burnt the floor, ceiling, &c. Night before last an accident of a similar nature happened from the chimney of a Vessel at Derby's wharf. It was extinguished at eleven o'clock before much damage was done. 22. Severe weather on the coast. Several vessels have gone out after the Grand Turk, a very rich ship from Canton, which has long been suffering upon this coast & has been on the western coasts of America. Our harbour is frozen over as far as the Fort. 23. Saw the numbers of the second Volume of the Theological Magazine printed at New York. The editor complains that he has been censured for the latitude of his works, but no public commu- 1797] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 251 nications ever had less. The writers commend Watson on all points, but where he is silent, & there they suspect him. Clarke has furnished a long quotation. Smith of Princeton furnished a perfect rant against anti trinitarians & anti atonement believers. There was a life, scanty indeed, of the old Apostle Eliot, & a life of my friend Elisha Parmele settled at Lee. They gave him full credit for his Walton's Polyglot but they publish all the infirmities of a decayed constitution as the picture of the man. To the Uni- versalists they shew no mercy. They are condemned, silenced and damned at once. There is a little specimen of freedom with the Masons in the address of one Backus to the Lodge at Litchfield. He tells them that he knows nothing of their secrets, he loves their benevolence, & trusts that they will never be judged as political clubs, or stigmatized as Bacehinalians. 24. Sunday. Note. Joshua Dodge, d. of his Sister in Law Dodge, & pr. for his mother very sick. It was a clear day, & a thin house. The character of John was considered & in the evening the subject of the nativity with great freedom. I cannot persuade myself to believe the common history. In the evening Lydia Phip- pen, alias Yalpy was buried. She belonged to Eng. Church & from the business of Christmas fell into my hands. 28. This day was our celebration of St. John in great harmony. In the discourse I noticed from my memory, that not only the Mass. & N. H. Grand Lodges had united at Amherst, but lately the Mass. & Rhode island Grand Lodges at Bridgewater, & G. M. Bowen, Chancellour of the College, State Governour of that State, was G. Master. Brother Harris preached, & Brother Orr addressed the Lodges at Bridgewater. Our Dinner was fifty dollars & the con- tribution exceeded fifteen. Our whole number was about twenty. A Eefreshment was sent from the table to Brother Col. Samuel Carleton, paralytic & disabled, with a note expressive of esteem, & affection. 29. This Morning I rose & found the mice had been at my nuts in the Library Closet. They eat some, spoilt others, & made gam- bols of the rest, exactly like the French army in Germany. It took me all day to fortify against their inroads, after they left the ground. The Germans were never more busy at jVIentz, or on the Danube or Ehine. And the return of the French was never more dreaded. I called a carpenter & before night we fortified our fortications & batten upon batten gave notice to the enemy that they had strong works to force in every direction. 31. Sunday. Notes. Lydia Valpy & g. children, d. of her daugh- ter Phippen. Elizabeth Valpy, d. of her Sister Phippen. Widow Mercy Masury, sick, pr. for Son at Sea. January 1, 1798. Mr. Bigelow furnished the poetry for the Post Boy.* He runs round the world & makes our apple the biggest. A •Tbe annaal Carriers' Address. 252 DIARY OP [Jan^ Mr. Caleb Dodge drowned himself this day in a Distill House which he kept at Beverly. He has long been irregular & intemperate. He was heard to complain that 2000 gallons were wanting in his ac- counts. He fastened the door & put his foot into an iron pot & lashed the handle over his thigh & tumbled into a cistern of fer- menting molasses. He was beyond recovery. Great exertions were made to have a verdict, insane, & they succeeded. 2. The ice begins to break in our Harbour & around Beverly wharves. 3. Walked to Beverly to dine with Mr. Dane & a select company of friends. The Conversation was free, but as some of the Clergy were there, I thought it might appear full as free as it was in a second edition. As we returned upon the Bridge, for the first time the Lights at the Light House on Baker's Island were lighted. I spent part of an evening with Mr. Steward who has lately come into our neighbourhood from Lisbon, & married a Wife in that place. He is related to a Wife of John Collins. 7. Sunday. Elizabeth King, d. of her Mother in Law King, pr. for Husband & Brother at Sea. Widow Sarah King, d. of her Mother in Law King, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Andrew Ward & Wife, her delivery, pr. for friends at Sea. 8. The Tabernacle is upon the plan of converting negroes to the faith. And they who can neither read nor write are not left in the Cant of the Gentiles but conducted in by a full confession into the Holy of Holies. If the old institution of Catechumens was re- vived it might help in such cases. 9. The Ship* from Canton so long in our bay, which reached Port- land at last, has been carried by the ice upon the shore, & has bilged. 10. Dined with Dr. Holyoke. Col. P. insisted upon the tradi- tion that the present first Church have their third Meeting House. Mr. Fiske might lead to this mistake, when he says " this is the Third House erected for the public worship of God, on the same spot of Land on which the first Church was built in this Town & which was t\ie first in the province." So much is conceded that this was the third house upon the same spot & that the Church is the first in the province but not that they had only three houses of worship. For the Town Records say : 1634. A Meeting House built in Salem. Mr. Norton to have ]00£ for it. 1671. The Town voted a new Meeting House to stand in the place of the old one to be 60 ft. in length & 60 in width, not to cost above 1000£. 1718. A Meeting House built, the same now standing. Now had they no house till 1634, for five years in the most flour- ishing Town, when all the other churches had Houses of Assembly, when provision was made in England for them ? •The Grand Turk. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 253 1629. Oct. 15. At a general Com-t of the Massachusetts Com- pany in London, Agreed, that the Charge of jNIinisters, & of building convenient Churches be borne, half by the joint stock for 7 years & half by the planters. Before 1634, Salem had had two Ministers, & there were Houses for public worship elsewhere as at Boston, Charlestown, &c. The marks under the words ,/7r«? shew that the building belonged to the jirst Ch. in the Town &, the jirst in the province & not that the first building ever erected was upon that spot. The Col. was insolent upon being contradicted. 12. This evening the Town was deprived of the amiable Wife of John Derby. She was Sarah Barton. To an excellent temper she united a most charitable disposition & a very pleasing share of useful information. In her person she was small, but well propor- tioned. Her eyes bright, but countenance pale. Her features ex- pressive of sympathy. She endeared herself to her Husband, rela- tives, friends, & to the world, & she is a woman whom all lament. She has left three children & dies young. 13. Yesterday the Legislature met for the first time in the new State House & Gov. Sumner then made a speech to both Houses. The House is indeed superior to anything we have seen in these parts of the Country, further I cannot carry the comparison. 14. Sunday. Note. Richard Valpy & Wife, d. of their daughter, pr. for friends at Sea. 15. The weather unusually mild. Sent to Boston for peas. None of any quality in this market. The Bugs have distroyed them in the Towns from which we are usually supplied. 16. The Tomb of Derby was opened this day & as the Father, Richard, before his death had a Locust tree growing before his door, cut down to make a Coffin, from an opinion of its great duration, I went down to examine it. The oak bottom was soft. The Locust sides were firmest. The top covered with mould had the internal tex- ture visible, but the fibers easily broke. In fourteen years then from the excessive dampness , all was in a state of perishing. 17. Mr. Edw. Norris shew^ed me a Ring belonging to the first Edward Norris & now held by the sixth for the seventh, a minor. It is of gold, enameled with a death's Head, with a posy LIVE TO DIE. Mr. Andrew Greenwood & Doctor Little dined with me. Mr. G. was of Boston & has been at Charlestown in the practice of Law & has returned for his health, intending to stay in this quarter. 20. Went in the Stage for Milton having agreed with Mr. Mac Kean upon an exchange. When I reached Boston, I found the Mil- ton Stage from Boston full, & at length I obtained a seat in the Stage to Canton, a Town lately formed from Stoughton, as is also Sharon. This Stage runs the Brush Hill road after passing the River at the upper Mills in Milton. Mr. Fisher, the Stage man, was very kind. By alighting at Brush hill, I had to pass only half a mile 254 DIARY OF [Jan. down the Hill to a near relation's House, at which I wished to put up. These are the kindred of my G. Mother Paine who had the whole charge of my education & thereby brought her own immediate kin- dred nearer to me. Aunt Tucker, so called, was Catharine Williams of Roxbury. She married John Ruggles, the only Brother of my G. Mother, & upon his decease, William Tucker of Milton, Deacon of that Church, long since deceased. She has only one Son living of all her Children. John Kuggles married a Wadsworth of Milton,. & sister of the Revd. Benjamin Wadsworth of Danvers, & is now a Widower, & lives with his mother, being Town Clerk, &c. of Milton. He has one Son, John Ruggles, who lives with his father & g. mother «& is at Man's estate & holds the Farm by his Mother. There is a gi'and daughter who also lives with them, descended from a daugh- ter of Mr. John Ruggles, Madam Tucker's first husband. She is now 80 years of age. Comely, in good health & spirits. Retains her voice & sprightly conversation. Complains only of her hearing, which is yet sufficient for colloquial discourse. Revd. Wadsworth's Mother was Deacon Tucker's Sister. Aunt Tucker has a Sister living with a few miles of her House in Dorchester, who has passed 91, named Robinson, & a Brother in Pomfret, Connecticut, who was aged 94 in October last. They remain in the Deacon's old Mansion house, but have very affable manners. The Son plays well on a Bass Viol, & the g. daughter sings well, while the Father retains a sweet voice, even after fifty, & performs in the Meeting House. They had made the largest collection of Music I had ever seen in private hands ; entirely church music & all American publications. It is to be re- gretted that America has produced so few good writers of Music, when there is so ready sale for all works which pretend to the name. The love to sing & the readiness to continue without disgust or apol- ogy, speaks in favour of the best music of the heart. 21. Sunday. In the morning we walked from Uncle Ruggles^ to Mr. W. Shaw's, who lives upon the farm & in the Mansion House of the late Revd. Mr. Robbins of Milton. Here we tarried till the time of service & after the morning service came back & dined very hospitably in company with a Mr. Jackson of Boston. After the evening service we returned to Tea & the Ladies possessed all that ease and love of conversation which most engages our attention & our fondness for their company. After Tea we rode to Mr. Swifts, at whose house the Minister now lives, & there we supped & had every attention we could desire. After supper I returned to Mr. Shaw's. The Meeting House is new, neat, & well proportioned. The Bell of the old House is in the Steeple, but it is too small. The gallery projects in front, but a gentle swell would have been more pleasing to the eye. The canopy is pendant, the pews long, & the Gallery in the usual fashion. The audience was not full, but atten- tive. The fault of coming in at the beginning of service is repre- hensible. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 255 22. Mr. Swan conveyed me to Boston, & I alighted at Brother Freeman's. Here I saw Mr. W. Jenks, whose attention to study has occasioned some derangement, the evils of which he may prob- ably feel forever in some degree. In the afternoon I visited at Dr. , Lathrop's, the Boston Association of Ministers, for the first time, & the usual prayers were required of me upon admission. I was a stranger to this Custom. We had the ingenious Historian, Dr. Bel- nap, the lovely Heretic, Dr. Howard, the pious Dr. Eckley, the ele- gant Dr. Clarke, the good Dr. Lathrop, the Geographer Dr. Morse, with the judicious Eliot, & the cautious West. After tea we had some agreable conversation & the young Ladies of the family entertained us with vocal music as an accompanyment of the Forte Piano, upon which one of the Daughters performed very excellently. The amiable Mother assisted them with her voice. 23. Mr. Eliot accompanied me to the Library from which I [had] an opportunity of gaining knowledge of several facts adapted to my intended History of Salem. He funrished me also with a Mss. upon Witchcraft which is to be published in the Collections. We wait- ed upon Dr. Belnap, who has suffered from a paralytic stroke, who fiunished the Mss. of W. Hubbard's History of our Country. The Dr. was attentive & kind. In the afternoon I examined Books & papers at Mr. Eliot's & spent with him the evening at our writing Master's Mr. Tiliston, whose long & faithful services merit the pub- lic gratitude & the everlasting remembrance of his Scholars. 24. Visited my old Uncle Ridgway, deacon of the North Brick Church, who has reached 70 years & evidently declines. A worthy man. Called upon the family of Isaac White & then renewed my visits to that best of men, Mr. Freeman. His candour entitles him to every notice. I then waited on Mr. Dunlap, who proferred me a suit of Cloathes. After dinner I returned in the Stage from Bos- ton, having carelessly left my Bundles & Papers behind in the care of the Bar keeper in the Stage House where the Stage man left them forgotten. We reached Salem at after sundown & this even- ing was appointed to receive the little band of Music which so kind- ly entertained us on the last Thanksgiving day. We had 2 Bass Viols, 3 german flutes & 6 Violins, & passed the evening happily. The Company left us at 9 o'clock. The people were very much pleased with Mr. MacKean. No language is strong enough to con- vey the sense of their gratification, & of their expectations from him. The notes on Sunday were Mehitable Valpy, delivery, Hus- band & Brethren at Sea. Rebecca Millet, d. of her Mother, pr. for husb. & Brethren at Sea. 30. Went to Boston to attend upon James Steward in order to obtain for him naturalisation. We first called upon Judge Win- throp who gave us the opinion which Mr. Dexter had advanced in their Court. His own opinion was rather of friendship than of Law. At Judge Dana's we were received with more reserve. He ^56 DIARY OF [Feb. would decide nothing nor give us leave to decide upon his indi- cision. He doubted the Legislative power of the State, but con- vinced us, & yet did not advise us not to apply. Upon the whole he discouraged us. At Boston, among the Members of the House & Senate, there was a strange uncertainty till they had consulted the Speaker, &c., &c., who decided that the Legislature had nothing to do in the business. The Secretary was as clear, & who was not who had read the Law. But do they always mind their own Busi- ness. We then had Fisher Ames' opinion in Davis' Office, who is the Attorney for the District Court, & we found at last that James Stewart, not born in this State, is a foreigner & must leave his name on record to have claims after the usual residence. And thus our Business ended. 31. This day we returned. In our absence a fire broke out in the Grammar School in Salem. Its origin is unknown as it did not arise from the Stoves or the Chimney. It being lecture day the fire was discovered after 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The Social Library has suffered most as some of the books are materially dam- aged. February 1. [1798] The Library suffered yesterday very much. It was the best private library in the State but the Books injuried by the fire are in such deplorable condition that it must injure the Library to attempt to preserve them. I am not sufficiently con- vinced that the fire was not a wanton act of the boys from some disgust at the discipline of the day, for the fire had no communi- cation with the chimney, or stoves, but began under the partition & burnt into the Library, & the School had not been left one hour before the fire was discovered. 2. We have discovered the cause of the fire. It was occasioned by a mischievous boy who put fire into a hole near the partition. A wanton Boy this, & not like the Boy yet confined in the charity house, who put fire to several buildings which were consumed, & who is evidently impaired in understanding. 2. Last evening the Federal Theatre in Boston was burnt Nothing was saved. Various causes are assigned. Some say the exhibitions of Fire preparing, others say, the usual fires in the Rooms occasioned this event. The general opinion has been long against these amusements & it is openly proposed that the New Market Theatre should be distroyed. The Public have suffered from the indulgence of such Houses, & the Capital in particular, from bad management. 4. Sunday. Widow Martha Chard & her children, d. of her mother Masury, pr. Br. at Sea. Mr. Hill preached all day. There was a gravity of manner. The text. Kingdom come, was handled mystically. The evening Text Will be done, was handled doctri- nally, & his God man was freely introduced. A suavity of manners, an ease of deportment, & a charming countenance form an ample 1798] WILLIA.M BENTLBY, D. D. 257 recommendation. In the morning was the alarm of fire on board a ship in the harbour, so that on Monday we were roused at four o'clock. AVe coxdd do little, but the Ship has not been entirely lost. 5. The Ship* we find belonged to Mr. W. Gray, outward bound, commanded by Capt. Felt. Her cargo was principally rum & sugar. One Duncan was left on board as Ship keeper. He lost an arm in the war. He had been before dismissed from service for intemper- ance. He perished in the flames & but a small part of his body was left unconsumed. It was doubtless his folly which occasioned the damage to the Ship & the loss of his own life. G. While they were cleaning one of the Engines this day, a double Slay from the Country started & the Horses in it precipitat- ed themselves over a wharf into the River. One of them perished. There was a Contribution in behalf of the Owner for his loss. The School Committee have directed the Master to command the boy to withdraw from the public School, who has occasioned so much trouble to the School & finally put fire to it, by which it was so greatly injuried. The father pleads the insufficiency of his Son & apprehensions of transient deliriums. But he did not plead so when he made a former Master unhappy & contributed to drive him from his employment. It is uncertain what steps the Committee & Selectmen will take to make a just example of the lad or to recover damages. The Father is wealthy, superstitious, covetious, & devoid of feeling. 11. Sunday. Note. Mary Townsend, delivery, pr. for husband & brethren at Sea. 14. Capt. Allen has lost a promising son,t but is plagued with a living one, from whom he expected great consolation. 16. My character as an Interpreter subjects me to some odd circumstances. This day an honest sea captain gave my barber a Dutch letter from the Cape of Good Hope for me to translate, as he suspected it would indeed contain some public news. Besides honey compliments & present of some garden seeds & some good wishes to the English, who were eating them up rather than serving them, it closes with good will from Lady to lady, & with these ex- pressive lines, thus rendered The bed to man soft as clover, Father likes it best with mother. Engaged Bread from a Baker. Thus I suffer myself to encroach upon the business of the Boarding house. Soon they will expect my supplies & then I shall ruin the business as in a former in- stance & destroy my welcome by my generosity. 18, Sunday. Notes. Edwd. Allen, Wife & Children, d. of his Son, & pr. for Sons at Sea. Appeared for the first time in the new style of a Cloak which has been lately added to the gown of minis- 'Stiip Aarora. tJordaa Lockhatt Allen, aged 16 years, lost over-board off Cape ot Good Hope. 258 DiAEY OF [Feb. terial dignity. Are we as studious of real goodness as our fathers in the plain band & the dress of the times belonging to old & grave men. 19. Capt. Sage gave me his bill this day for books brought from India, & has made me pay for trusting so unfit hands. I am to pay 80 dollars for books which cost him this sum & which I might have imported from England for 30. Here are 50 dollars left from the hope of a small purchase & a generous gift. Never again must I smart so for my folly. I ought to send prices. 20. Went to Boston to see Porter upon the form of the new Cloak, which was too short. Going I had the company of our mem- ber, Esqr. Treadwell, who related circumstantially the affair between the Chief Justice & the State's Attorney. There is a cause depend- ing respecting the Eastern Lands bounding & lying upon the An- droscoggin. The cause was heard, but upon the first hearing when the verdict was delivered, one of the Jury dissented. It was heard again in Worcester, & the verdict was set aside by the Court because the Jury did not determine which falls were intended in the grant of the Claimants. The State's Attorney represented to the Legislature the affair, so as to bring censure upon the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice Dana, has written to the House, begging leave to vindicate himself against the Attorney General Sullivan's charge, declaring that his representation is imperfect, misstated, & in part false. The result of this business is not known. The House chose a Committee. 21. Mr. Wm. Gray presented to the Engine men, who first reached his Ship at the late fire, 140 dollars. The Company agreed that the seven who went off with the Engine should receive it. And the seven agreed to give the Company an entertainment from it at Frye's on Washington evening. Such notice has a good effect upon the spirits of these enterprising men. This week a number of sail- ors buried in Boston a Ship mate, an Englishman, with flying col- ours in the procession. The fiirst example of the kind of which I have heard. Mr. Gray's Coach appeared at the funeral of Mrs. Lydia Lee this evening for the first time. This fashion begins to obtain. 22. In honour of General Washington's Birth, Guns & Cannon were firing all day & an entertainment was at Frye's at the entrance of the Town. 23. The Clergy made the loss of the Theatre in Boston a sub- ject of congratulation. They forgot that it was the loss of property but no change in the manners of the people. Such were some of them. It was a subject of gratitude even in their devotions. A Doctor, Chaplain of the Court, met on the next morning an emi- nent Physician, who thought himself weaned from Houses of wor- ship, by ill treatment upon political accounts, & says the Dr. with an air of triumph, to the friend & proprietor of the Theatre, " was 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 259 not the distruction of the Theatre a splendid scene ? How com- pletely enrapted in flames. What a sublime Spectacle. The grand- est I have ever seen. Did you ever see a greater ?" " Never but once " replied the Doctor, " & then I was a Spectator, with Bur- goyne, of Charlestown Meeting House in flames." Burgoyne has given a description of this scene. Sam' Phippen died last night aged 53. 25. Sunday. Notes. George G. Lee, d. of his wife. Sarah Fiske & children, d. of her daughter Lee, pr. for a Son at Sea. Samuel Lambert & Wife, d. of his Brother Richard abroad, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Kobert Hill & Wife, d. of one of their twin Children, pr. for his own long sickness, & for a friend at Sea. 27. The whole conversation is upon the descent upon England. Many Projections to accomplish it. Some have proposed a convey- ance in the air & some under the water. Some have proposed fire arms to burn the ships & some a portable camp. Opinions are divided about the attempts to land upon an Island so well defended as Gr. Britain. The question of arming vessels is turned from the lawfulness to the expediency in a neutral power. 28. Seriously engaged in the First Church upon the subject of an Organ. Subscriptions have already amounted to one thousand dollars. The absolute want of vocal musick is a plea which they can advance with justice. The first Organs were at Old Church in Boston, Dr. Clarke's, then at Brattle Street, Dr. Thacher's, then at the New South, Mr. Kirkland, tho' one was provided soon at the Bennet Street by the Universalists. A few years since one was purchased for the old Church in Newbury Port. I have heard of no other Congregational Churches. The old Church in Salem has has now made a subscription & an Organ will probably be obtained. There is a small one in the Cong. Church at Charlestown. March 1. [1798] Mr. Bancroft, the Clerk of our Common Pleas & Sessions, was kind enough to let me have access to the County Eecords for the first time. I passed over the first Volume. The first Court is in 1636, but from 1641 to 1660 there are no records,. & yet the Book continues entire so that nothing could possibly have been taken from this Book, which probably from the hand writing is indeed no more than a Copy. As the County was erected in 1643, by account, in that Volume there is no record of the first trans- actions. 4. Sunday, Notes. Prisilla Gill, d. of her Br. S. Phippen, pr. for Br. Nath. at Sea. 5. Visited the County Registry of the Court of Sessions & Pleas, but added little to my stock of information. In the afternoon I visit- ed Mr. Curwen but obtained little from him from his age & want of memory. A contemporary, by comparing ideas, might even now get much from him. He was a Son of the Rev. G. Curwin & from early life was fond of possessing & noticing every thing curious & 260 DIARY OF [March has saved from distruction many curious things, but leaving the Country in the Civil war, his Books & Papers fell into unworthy hands & were dispersed or distroyed. He has a very rich three quarter portrait* of old George Curwin who came to Salem in 1633. He had a round large forehead, large nose, high cheek bones, grey eye. His dress was a wrought & flowing neckcloth & a belt or sash covered with lace, a coat with short cuffs & reaching half way be- tween the wrist & elbow, the shirt in plaits below, a cane, & on the ring finger an octagon ring. This dress was preserved till the pres- ent Century & was stolen & the lace ripped off & sold, for which the offender was publickly whipped. This was the great Grand father of the present Samuel Curwin. His Son Jonathan was the Father of the Reverend George Curwin who was the father of the present Sam- uel. The Revd. Peter Thacher of Milton, is preserved in the fam- ily collection, because he married a Sheafe, the grandmother's mother of the present Mr. Curwin. He has a round short face, without much expression, had a black cap & wide band, coat with small buttons on the cloaths. Revd. George Curwin is in a gown of wool, with a long band of wide hem, in a high wig, having a mild countenance, high forehead, but not retreating, blue eye. Mr. Curwin thinks the Court House raised near the old Church in 1719 & that the Courts were formerly held over the School House in the same street in which the Brick School house was afterwards built & standing, tho' nearer to Essex Street, as the Present Court House. In the great fire of last Century, he represents Hurst's House to be where Plais- ted's, now Shaddock'sf is. W. Gray's is where Browne's was. Lendall, where B. Pickman's, & Pilgrim's, where Lander's. 6. Saw a little pamphlet written by one Low of Beverly, Cord- wainer, in which he attacks Mr. Baldwin, Baptist Minister of Bos- ton, Green formerly of Cambridge, & Clark of Med way. The Sub- ject is when Gospel Baptism begins. B. begins with John. Neither of them seem to imderstand the subject. Low brings Hebrews to prove the death of the Testator first, but according to this, the dis- ciples of Jesus who baptised in his lifetime were to be baptised over again. These are all men without education. 8. Spent the day in searching the Town records for this century. These are chiefly in waste Books & incomplete. The Town had en- gaged in unhappy factions of which too many traces appear. At our Fire Club it appeared that two buckets only were missing from the number lost in the Ship in the harbour. The Clubs replace such a are lost by the members. 9. Finished my examination of the Town records. Find that there were 7 Indians found buried at the Point of Rocks at the Southwest end, with these stone balls with heads supposed to be used in fishing. This Land is now entirely gone. Mr. NoyesJ was •Now in the mnaenm of the Essex Institute. tA. yariant of Chadwick? }ReT. NicholM Noyea, pastor of the First Gburch. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 261 a corpulent man, according to tradition & uncommonly so. Not so gloomy as sanguine. 11. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Susannah Becket,d. of her Brother Fowler, N. H., pr. friends at sea. It is difficult to persuade our young people to go out in the day time. It perhaps would not be so difficult in the evening in worse weather. 12. I went to Boston to attend a Committee of the Grand Lodge. Upon my arrival & for a moment's amusement I visited the Learned Pig & the exhibition greatly exceeded my expectations. It was taught to discover the cards, to assort the letters of words, & to bring numbers for any purpose. I afterwards visited Bowen's Museum & tho' the arrangement by no means met my wishes, yet I could select many things to give me pleasure. The wax work is extensive, but I can pronounce nothing. The tapestry obliged my attention. The painting. Death of Lewis,* from which the wax work of the same event is taken, was good, but the resignation of Washington interested me. There are many portraits which are in- teresting. The musical clocks discover ingenious mechanisms but the notes of the clock discribing the Organ & Claronets were capti- vating. In the menagery was a bear sleeping & slumbering with an insolent contempt of every visitor. A Babboon, more fond of enter- taining his guests, an affronted porcupine, & two owls who gave us no share of their notice. 14. Was amused in hearing how often my liberal friend Free- man had been called to lay spirits. The facts confirmed the opin- ion that the vulgar still consider the Clergy as Magicians. 15. A small lad, belonging to one Dodge, lately moved into a house near the Bridge, on Salem side, was drowned at noon at Hor- ton's point. The boy was playing with a small boy upon the loose ice & the current setting quick round the point alarmed him & he jumped off & terrified, was drowned in about 4 feet of water. 16. Was called to the Charity House to attend the funeral of two natural children. The first, of one week, was paid for at 150 dollars, to the Town to quit him, by J. C. Ward, & the child died immediately. The mother is of the family of Newton. This fam- ily is a rare example of dissolute manners generally & in a sad ex- treme. The Mother & daughters have been all confined in the pub- lic Charity house. Chubb, another sister, has been infamous, & another Sister. Their Mother Searle is now living, the oldest per- son in Town, aet. 97, a woman of known temperance. The Father was a Butcher, a brawling, obscene man. The Second child was by a large Mulatto, called Obed, on Margaret Tozzer. Peg is deficient in understanding. Her parents & gr. parents were unexceptionable. She is deformed & her child partook of her deformity. 17. Attended the funeral of Asa Dodge, aet. 8, mentioned as Drowned. The Mother is from Hamilton & lately moved into this •LouliXVL 262 DIARY OF [March Town , being left by her husband in Derby street, corner of Turner's S. at Capt. Dean's. She has great singularity & uncouthness. Sold all her furniture & removed again to a house near the Bridge to Beverly on Salem Side. She does not seem to chuse the most happy acquaintance. She has two children left, a Son also, & D. set. 12 y. 18. Sunday. Notes. Wife of Asa Dodge, d. of a Son drowning, pr. for Husband at Sea. Mary Romiere, d. of her child. Hannah Webb, delivery, pr. for husband at Sea. MJ Watson says that in trenching near the inlet upon his land in north fields, he found ■wood cut by the teeth of the Beaver, so that antiently there must have been Beaver Dams in that place. 20. Was at M" Wadsworth's* funeral. There was a general at- tendance of the Clergy of the neighbourhood. Prayers were in the Meeting House, a funeral anthem, & Funeral thought. Mr. Forbes of Cape Ann made the prayer, & led all the services. There was no regard paid to association but by unanimous consent, the elder Clergy present supported the pall, or rather were designated for that purpose. Escutcheon. Mary Wadsworth, aet. 46. Left two daughters. 21. Finished for Harris the part of the new intended publication of Masonry. The prayers were copied from my Manuscript. The funeral Service was chiefly composed & partly compiled. My Masonic address was sent on for the Historical, & a collection of Toasts was marked from Masonic publications. 22. The arrival of a Vessel from Algiers, with an Algerine Crew, upon a Trading voyage, this month at Baltimore, is a new thing un- der the Sun. Such a Vessel has never been before on these shores. Like Hez : the people are disposed to show them all our Treasures. 24. Our friend young Hasket Derby has closed his doors & been in confinement in his own Castle this fortnight. We know not when he will see the light. The father has refused to bestow more of his wealth in the payment of debts & the Son is for the present to be fed in his cage & to give his notes through the win- dows. Some of the debts of this young man fall hard upon some worthy men & the excessive wealth of the father is a strange con- trast to their sufferings. 25. Dined with some Kittery men. They tell me that Jonas Hartwell is dismissed from his people in Father Steven's parish, for intemperance. That Litchfield, in that Town, in another parish, is partly owner of seven sail of fisherman & with success & without loss of reputation in his ministerial character. 26. Capt. G. Gurley Smith is in daily expectation of being ar- rested. On a late voyage he drew by order of E. H. Derby jun"^ upon Consul Pratard in Madeira to a considerable amount, & re- turned the property with vast profits to the Owuer. The Owner has •Wife of Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth of Danvera. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 263 failed, & the Bills are against him by default. He expects impris- onnieut, & then will arrest his Owner, if to be found. 27. A most seasonable discovery was made this morning of a fire which, in the S. W. upper chamber of the celebrated Brick Store of Stearns & Waldo, S. E. corner of Court & Essex Street, had communicated to a beam & had entirely burnt it off & was proceed- ing to the floor. A fire had been made upon a brick hearth laid on the floor & seperated by salt & mortar. The bricks of double thick- ness. And on this were laid pans of fire to dry a quantity of damaged tea in that apartment. 28. Mr. Henfield the best gunner in Town & best acquainted with the game which is to be found on our shores. 30. A Letter from M"^ Philip Rodrique, dated West Point, March 20, 1798. In this letter he begs me to take charge of a Trunk, &c. left by Misses de Grasse* at M" Home's, & to convey it safely by water to the care of M*" Heinback, Merchant of New York, & to be committed to the care of M. Larue for him. I called upon M"^* Orne & left the letter with her. She is to communicate it to M' Faye, who brought the effects to her house, & then to accept my direc- tions. This Rodrique lived with the Misses de Grasse at Salem. An uncommonly pleasant & warm day. Windows open everywhere & the gardens clearing for Spring cultivation. Some seeds sewn. 31. Several Foxes taken on Nahant for the first time within the memory of the present inhabitants. The expectation of a war be- comes more serious daily. April 1. [1798] Sunday. Elizabeth Archer, Widow of Jona- than, dang. sick. 2. This morning the melancholy news reached us that our most worthy Brother Rev. D"" Clarke of Boston, expired at 3 o'clock. He was taken in an Apoplectic tit in the Pulpit, when in his Sermon in the evening Service, & died in 12 hours. For devout temper, worthy character in his profession, polite accomplishments, the belles Lettres, & knowledge of Divinity, he has left few equals & no superiors. 3. At one o'clock this night a fire broke out in the Cabinet maker's Shop which stood on the north west corner of Andrew's Land, in Newbury Street, & on the S. W. corner of the Common. It had made such progress, that tho' at but a small distance from my windows & in a public place open to view, it was not discovered till it was wrapt in flames. The Owner (M' Adams) supposes that it must have taken fire from some defects in the hearth which the rats have repeatedly undermined. The Shop was shut at dark & the Boy took the usual precautions. 4. iVf Adams hired the Shop of M'' John Gardner which was burnt down last night. He has been guilty of many acts of care- lessness so as to be a terrour to the neighbours. *Daagbt«r8 of Coant de Grasse. 264 DIARY OP [April 8. Went for Boston to attend the funeral of D' Clarke. Found the grief universal. The Funeral procession was at four o'clock. The Clergy preceeded, being 40 in number. Then the Church & Congregation with their Children & Families. Then the Corpse. The Pall was supported by Doctors Willard, Howard, Belnap, West, Lathrop, & Thacher. After the mourners was a countless train of Inhabitants & then the Carriages, amidst a crowd of Spec- tators. The procession moved from the Parish House in Summer Street, nearly opposite to Trinity Church, through Malborough Street to the Old Church. The Music was a Dirge, the Funeral Thought, & the Anthem, Blessed are the dead. D' Howard made a solemn & proper prayer. D' Thacher with his eloquence gave a moving discourse. From the Church the Remains were conveyed under the Chapel Church to be deposited in the Tomb of Joseph Barrell Esq'', a most sincere friend & one of his Congregation. The Coffin was covered with black broadcloth & lined with flannel, white. There was a narrow metal lace upon the edge, black. The Initials of his name upon the handles. On the Escutcheon, Rev** John Clarke, D. D., Pastor of the first Church in Boston, aet. 43. 9. Visited my friends & the Clergy, but the constant topick was the death of Clarke. I purchased a few Books of Spotswood. Dined with my Father. Saw the young Greenland Bear in a Sav- age State, & in the Stage returned to Salem. They were pulling down Coburn's, &c. on State Street, to make a place for the Bank. Saw nothing else new. 8. Sunday. Notes. Bethiah, D. in Law, Nath. & Eliz. Archer, d. of Mother, pr. Br. at Sea. Jon* Archer & Wife, d. of Mother in Law, pr. Br. at Sea. James Archer & Wife, d. of M. in Law, pr. Br. at Sea. Wid. Mary Norman, d. of M. in Law Archer, pr. Br. at Sea. Sarah Millett, d. of M. in Law Archer, pr. Husband at Sea. B. Knight & Wife, d. of Sister in Law Archer, pr. for friends at Sea. Elizabeth Palfrey, delivery, pr. Husband at Sea. 9. Town meetings begin to be called upon the subject of War or Peace. The prospect of our Union is very uncertain. This day was buried Colonel Ezra Newhall, a native of Lynn, aet. 66. He was very much respected & was a Continental Officer. A School Exhibition in Washington hall by M'' W. Bigelow. This may be considered as the first in a private School. These Spouting Clubs never pleased me & I excused myself as well as I could. They seldom aid real knowledge, modest deportment, just confidence, true eloquence, or generous truth. The Children are the puppets & the Schoolmaster moves the wires. This Town has now made a begin- ning in imitation of the Capital. Ensign Ezekiel Marsh, who died at Danvers this week, aet. 89, lived in married life with his wife 66 years. She survives him. 12. Visited Major Epes & saw at his house his Ancestor our Representative & formerly Schoolmaster, taken 1715, aet. 66. He 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 265 appears in his own hair, flowing, & white with age. A Russet Gown, sleeves to wrist, & neck band hanging before, as M"^ Curwin, excepting the Clerical band. As a youth he has the School gown which covers the body, hair flowing, open countenance. The mag- istrate & Schoolmaster is to be seen in the first, but there is a com- posed, not a severe air. The Indians must have been upon this ground just before the English Settlements as the places of their Wigwams & Shell fish were visible in the present generation. The dead were also found above the Town Mill on the south side of High Street Hill. 14. A woman in Danvers, delirious, named Traske, drowned herself in the past week, & some of it was proper hanging weather, as we call it. Tom Bowling, another Sailor, was buried this day. Tom kept it np till the last breath, swearing, raving, praying, & the last came in only by the edges. He was a true Sailor, lost one hand in the American service, knew a Ship well, & had all the true manners of a Ship of war. The Song, Tom Bowling, was sung in private houses by his friends. What his true name was I never could learn. By conversation with M"" Enos Briggs, Ship builder, that since he built the great Ship,* so called, for M'' Derby, he has worked on Stage Point on the South Side of the Channel, & has now ready to launch the Third Shipf upon that Spot, above 300 tons, besides having built several of smaller dimensions. The three Ships were coppered, & were for E. H. Dei*by, Pierce & Wayt, & the present for Marston Watson of Boston. He has a Coasting Vessel now on the Stocks. 15. Sunday. Edw. Allen & Wife & Children desire prayers, d. of her Sister Gibbes in North Carolina, pr. for Sons at Sea. Abi- jah Hitchins & Wife, d. of his mother Hitchens, set. 82, of Lynn. She an Ingalls. The death of M" Gibbes happened in N. Car- olina in 1795 & has not reached us by any communication, till this date. This must be accounted for from the neglect of a Post Con- veyance for the Letters. 17. Last evening begun a Snow Storm & in the morning every thing had the appearance of the depth of winter. Every thing was covered & the snow continued to fall in great quantities. At noon the drifts on the neck were above knee deep. 18. Have had the pleasure of seeing the New Hall finished in the New Market House. It combines many advantages & has the public approbation. The Hall is towards the Street. Great plenty of Cod & Haddock in the Market. The Oyster men make their fijst appearance for the season. 19. I find that the Tabernaclers are making an entring wedge at our part of the Town. Having established one House in Mal- borough St. for their weekly devotions, they have obliged the As- *8taip Onnd Turk. tBblp AlDACOD. 266 DIARY OF [April sembly Church to purchase another as a counterpart to their Labours & to prevent the loss of the Sheep. They begun this ca- reer by morning lectures in Knocker's hole* & thence have extend- ed them in different families. At length the instruction of Negroes came into the plan at M" Norris's. Having visited every other part of the Tovs^n, they are now beginning among us these edifying lectures & as they begin at the small end, they have induced their Tything man of the smallest capacity, a journeyman ropemaker, to make an entrance upon the wheel & to begin the first thread. It began last Wednesday night fortnight, but the Creepers into houses have not succeeded to lead any captive & it is to be hoped our vigi- lance will be sufficient to prevent success. But the commonality are exceedingly illiterate. Witness the quarrels with Skelton, Williams, Higginson, Nicholas Noyes, Witchcraft, Fiske, Leavitt, Barnard, Whitaker, & the rows of Church meetings about the most uninteresting questions, 22. Sunday. Notes. Mary Hawkes, d. of her mother Burril, aet. 69, at Lynn. Jon* Archer 2"* & Wife, her delivery, Br. at Sea. Some of the Tabernacle have deserted their pious pastor for serv- ing up too often his french pastry & soups. 24. The public frenzy obliged me to sign on behalf of the Brit- ish Treaty & the busy temper of the Clergy has entailed this evil upon the order. 28. I have not been able to obtain the portraiture of L' G. Lev- erettf from Mr. Treadwell of Ipswich. Desire of it has given it value. Arts are used to engage the Clergy in the English Interest. The french friends are said to dispose their talents as usually be- low mediocrity. But the Clergy will not be supported in Republics by public favour only for State purposes & if a few insinuations are to decide them, they will have them plentifully from the party they abandon. 29. Sunday. Not less than nine vessels on foreign voyages ar- rived in the harbour last week. A John Culbertson of Elk ham Eiver, 15 m. from Kentucky capital, Lexington, was brought in from Lisbon by Capt. B. Dean on 26*'*. He represents that he was taken by the Spaniards & carried to Cuba. Was taken in a Span- ish vessel & carried by the English into Gibraltar. Thence passed to Lisbon, & being sick, the Consul sent him to America. May 1. [1798] Addresses from all quarters to the President. The address in this Town goes on swingingly. The Gazette shows us a little quarrel between the Pedagogues of the Town, in which they reciprocate their abuse & prove to the Town what an excellent choice it has in them. The poor wretchj at the Tabernacle by his Fast Sermon has earned the vengeance of those who hate his popu- •The locality about what is now High Street. The name said to have been derived from the constant hammering in the shipyards nearby. tNow in the museum of the Essex Institute. jRev. Joshua Spaulding. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 267 larity & suffer from Lis eutliusiasm. He is a fool, but he is not to be killed for folly. He is an Incendiary, but he is not opposed in that character. He has exposed one enthusiast & taken his popu- larity from him, that is one crime. He has made some cushions to easy Doctors uneasy, & that is another crime. And now all their vengeance screened under the present political zeal is poured upon the man & he is to be buried under the ruins that his Fast Sermon is to bring upon him. He dieth as a fool dieth, but his Crime is not in the inditement. This day our militia was to be mustered, but there was hardly to be seen the appearance of anything milita- ry, except in the Artillery Company. So unpopular was the Mili- tia Law that but one captain was to be found & no superiour offi- cers. The companies were warned by Sergeants & some neglected to do their duty. The few who appeared did not attempt the man- ual exercises & only appeared at the muster roll call. The dis- charge of the Artillery closed the scene. It was rather a burlesque upon Militia than a military exhibition. 2. Our good friend the Centinel has given us one slice of a fine exhibition to deal freely in politics on the next general fast. The other party deal largely in invectives against it. The Clergy suffer most when so violently tugged opposite ways. In my perambula- tions I went to Beverly. Hearing the Parish Bell for the monthly lecture , I went in & heard a young M'' Stone. The attendance was the same as in Town, by few men not many women & these chiefly advanced in life. Called on M"" Dane & suspect him to be the Au- thor of the Letter to the Parson upon his late Political Fast Ser- mon, or as the people called it, upon his War Breeches. 3. In the afternoon walked up to Esq' Collins' & stopped at Derby Gardens. Found Esq"" C. busy in preparing his gardens. Saw a Connecticut Night Cap of a Conn. Woman, G. Grand Moth- er of Madam Collins. It had a wide wrought border & a goar at the top to bring off the border. The back part was full & plaited & drew together & fastened upon the top of the head. The fore parts tied under the Chin. 6. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Kehou, delivery, pr. Husb, & Br. at Sea. The Anabaptists three weeks since succeeded so far in Beverly as to gain three proselytes & they were immersed at Ellingswood's Head. The novelty collected a crowd of people, es- pecially children, & two Beverly women & a young woman from Wenham were the subjects. It is several years since any thing of the kind has been done near us & there are no records of any such transactions in this Town, tho' doubtless in the past Century such things may have happened. The Baptist Dipper was one Lovel. 7. A ^lanuscript written with great care was put into my hands. I have at present my suspicions by the date of a discourse at the end declared to have been written in N. England in 1642, & inter- spersed with notes by different hands that the best writing was 268 DIARY OF [May from Parker of Newbury, & the Notes are as correct as Noyes, in an older hand. It might be left with Noyes of Salem, who was fond of Prophesy & of his Uncle Parker, & so pass into the Gard- ner family after Noyes' death. I have not yet had opportunities to aid or refute these conjectures by the present owner of the Book, who is not a man of enquiry. 9. The fast appointed by the President of the United States. Much expectation was expressed respecting the conduct of the Clergy on the occasion. We are told at Church, they had bitter invectives against the French. Nearly as high at the old Church, less at the North Church, & among the New Lights quantum suffi- cit in the opposite politics. 10. This morning we had an alarm of fire. A barn of M"" Orne was on fire & was discovered at six in the morning. Speedy assist- ance was obtained, & the Building was not entirely distroyed. The general fear of incendiaries was the first alarm, but there were rea- sons to suspect accidental fire. At M"^ Lee's, in Paved Street,* op- posite the fire, I saw in his garden one of the stone Corinthian Capitals which formerly belonged to the house built upon the spot he possesses by M' Marston. That House was of brick & was de- molished from the prejudice against brick houses & the present house was raised in its stead. The outhouses were also of brick & the last of them was taken down within the memory of the present generation. The capitals were purchased & some of them removed to a Building possessed by Kitchen & afterward Turner at W. cor- ner of Beckford & Essex Street. They have several family por- traits & a fine view of Vesuvius. M"" S. Gardner & Wife, lately of this Town, are in the number of portraits. There is a most beauti- ful garden spot behind this house extending almost to Norman Street. 11. The paper squibbing of the Schoolmasters or their friends continues. The learned Pig does not find great encouragement to stay in Town. The Theatre is continued. A Concert of Musick is promised. A celebrated Teacher on the Fortepiano has appeared in Town, but with slender encouragement. M"" Turner, the English Master,! & M' Outein the French Master, have their Dancing Schools. The fashion now for short dresses, coloured shoes, but plain french head dresses, among the Ladies. The men as they were. 12. Mr. Rodrique's trunks went on the Sloop Industry, Tomlin- Bon, Master. Capt Hodges assisted me in this business, & proper letters & receipts were sent forward to M'^ Heinbach. M'' Macintiret is engaged to make my bust of Winthrop, & spent the day in examining my collections in this way. •Corner ol Crombie street. tMarried a daup;bter of Dr. Holyoke. tSMBoel Mclntire of Salem, architect and wood-carrer. GOV. JOHN WINTHROP. Bust carved in wood by Samuel Mclntire in 1798, and now in the Dossession of the American Antiquarian Society. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 269 13. Sunday. Exchanged with a Candidate, & went for the first time into Upper Beverly M. House. It has all the marks of antiq- uity & the pulpit lias so high a front as that when seated none of the Congregation below can be seen. They have not settled with their former pastor. (Timothy Alden). 14. An officer of Police, a new officer of the Town, M'' Waldo, has made his address to the public. The public sufferings from the want of cleanliness in individuals is the first cause of this appoint- ment. 15. The Association met at M"^ Thacher's in Lynn. D'' Eliot of Boston preached very acceptably, & a M"" Sabins was approved in the usual forms as a Candidate. He produced certificates of his moral life from his Pastor, of his academic studies from the Presi- dent of the College of Providence, & of his theological studies from D'' Barnard. He then read a discourse. In giving credentials, we have had two methods which have occasionally obtained by consent, to sign by the Moderator & scribes or with the names of all present. We have now agreed to combine the two methods, by signifying what members were present at the preamble of the credentials & then sign by the Moderator & Scribe. 19. Capt. Kitfield riding through Beverly to Manchester with an unruly horse was thrown from the Carriage, & died in a few hours. His wife was much hurt, but was still living when the news arrived. 20. Sunday. Robert Hill & Wife, for him dangerously sick. Mary Foster & Sister, pr., d. of their only Brother Holt. Major Oilman of Cape Ann carried home this day. Died at Reading. 21. M'' Maclntire returned to me my Winthrop. I cannot say that he has expressed in the bust anything which agrees with the Gover- nour. Parties high, or rather the Federalists are in triumph & few dare to speak however obstinate their tempers & their prejudices. The poor Tabernacle Minister is obliged to meet the general resentment turned against him for his ignorant & unseasonable political bawl- ing. Old M"" Goodale buried last night at a very advanced age, set. 90. 25. Talk of building by subscription a 20 gun Ship for govern- ment at Newbury Port. Fast Sermons for the press in Essex talked of. Those from Beverly in the press. Salem Gazette never had so many advertisements of the same kind as at this day. The Theatre for this Evening at Washington Hall. Ibrahim Adam Ben Ali, a Quack Doctor, cures all. A New Stage to run from Boston. We have two from Salem already. P. A. Von Haegen, jun : on the Forte Piano. 5 D. entrance. 6 D. for 8 les- sons. M'' & M" Rosier's Concert on 1 June. M" Solomon, an Actress, to teach Tambouring. Besides these we have Hotels, French dancing Masters, French Grammar Master exclusively of Am. Dancing Master, & many private Schools. The Pig of Knowledge has left the Town. The Dog went before him. 270 DIARY OF [May Such is the change since I have been in Salem, in which there was but one public School house, having a Grammar & Writing School & no constant private School. Now there are four public Schools & three Houses, four private Schools, Women's schools for needle work, four well known in addition to the great number for reading only, or common work. 27. Sunday. Notes. Sam. Silsbee & Wife, Her delivery , Brethren at Sea. Mead, of Lower Dan vers, suffers from a general disaffection. The Proprietors' meeting expressed the sense of a large majority that he should leave them & a seperation is expected. Oliver* is charged with imprudence. Mead with neglect of his people. Both are of the Hopkinsian Sect, but not men of abilities. 29. Went in the Stage from Salem to Bosten & heard the Sermon by Rev** John Gardner, Assistant Minister of Trinity Church before the Episcopal Convention. This gentleman commands an happy style, & recommended Unity among the clergy of his Communion. 30. General Election. M' Emmons preached before the govern- ment. His voice was feeble, but his discourse acceptable. In the afternoon I visited West Boston in company with a M'' John Allen, a great proprietor in that part of the town. Great improvements have already been made & greater are expected. The Marsh near the Bridge is to be tilled for House Lots. A Negro town has been encouraged on the Hill south of the road to the Bridge. Barton's Point is purchased for an Almshouse. There is a great Brewery established. The Rope walks are rebuilt with Brick Heads & Houses are building in every direction. I was entertained by the private Musetim of Joshua Pierce, who is Messenger at the Customs. His collection is curious. In the evening at the first Baptist Church I heard Dr. Smith of Haverhill. He preached without notes & without ideas. 3L Was the Convention. Dr. Osgood gave us a good discourse & free from that political frenzy into which he has worked himself. In the afternoon I attended the sacred concert at the New South Church. In the evening I heard Baldwin of the Second Baptist Church. June 1. [1798] I paid the occasional visits due to my friends & returned in the evening stage with Burrill to Salem. The congrat- ulations on such occasions, when they lead us to recollect the pleas- ant parts of past life, are a lively pleasure which this anniversary of our State brings to our embraces. 3. Sunday. Note. Eliz. Clarke & children, d, of her mother. 6. I bathed in the Sea for first time this year. The recruiting GflBcer is still seen in our Streets, to provide men for the Frigate Constitution. 7. Friend Philips came to the Quarterly meeting of the Friends at Salem & called to see me. He is eighty & yet firm, neat in his •Rer. Daniel Oliver of North BcTerly. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 271 person, active, chearful & one of the best of men. He tells me that there are not above a dozen of the Quakers left in Boston. Mr. Hareny with me. He complains, as all the french Refugees do, that indiscriminate resentment is poured upon the whole french character. This afternoon went to Beverly to a weddiny. The dif- ference of manners proves the great power of local prejudices. The continual squalling of a child, & talking, never suggested the expe- diency of carrying it out of the room. 8. Reports continue of the most insulting measures upon our coasts. It is said the Consul General has been refused & that the Consul at Boston has disappeared. The french are withdrawing from our country. Reports that Capt. Daniel Ropes has been carried into Guadeloupe. 10, Sunday. Cleveland formerly of Stoneham is resettled in a parish of Wrentham. No poor creature ever suffered more insults than he had at Stoneham. First instance of going abroad in form* to marry in the morning. 11. We have news that Ropes who rose upon his vessel & re- covered her has been recaptured by another privateer, & cruelly used. All intercourse with the /re/icA is interdicted by a Law, pointing out the times when such Law shall have effect. 13. Reports that the Ganges, an American Sloop of war, has taken a French Privateer. It seems to be determined that unless France decides, the Americans will make war without further Cere- mony. 14. A person found in Town having the Small Pox. Nothing will induce the people to change the wretched policy of keeping it out of the Town. In this policy they are kept not more from their own fears than from the injury to the market, which will be deserted. 15. My Brother^ with an officer at his heels, from Cape Ann. Pay or go to jail. So I have been obliged to advance three times upon the same debt. I charged him to have it cancelled & to bring me a receipt, but he took the money & went off. He is a poor wretch, easily seduced by any mean creature who chuses to gull him, fond of the bottles & ingenious always against his interest. 17. Sunday. Robert Hill & Wife, for him dangerously sick. Alice Ropes, her delivery, Husband at Sea. Samuel Webb & wife, her delivery, Brethren at Sea. 20. Capts. Derby «& Prince & Col. Page gave me a sail to Baker's Island for the first time since the erection of the Light House. It is a very plain building. Capt. Chapman who keeps it was in Town. We had our fish dinner & returned in the afternoon. As the tide was low we had a very distinct view of the rocks. We passed over the Kettle Bottom, known by the House & rock & grey rock & Cat Island. Mr. John Dimon Preston is missing. They left this port •In gown? 272 DIARY OP [June in a small fishing smack belonging to Capt. S. Ingersoll, bound to the W. Indies. Mr. T. Welraan has been taken by the french. 21. A Letter from Mr. White. Another take in by purchase of Books. Wakefield's Lucretius comes to me at thirty Dollars from White. I shall sink under an insupportable weight of debt. Ap- plied to Dabney for supply of Gazettes. 23. Left Salem to go for Worcester, agreeably to an invitation from the Brethren of Morning Star Lodge. I passed from Medford to Menotomy & crossed to Waltham plains, but found a perplexed road & instead of entering Waltham Great road at Gore's, one mile below the Meeting House, I came out at the Meeting House, said in the new road to be ten rods further. By this mistake I had a sight of Mr. Liman's* elegant Seat. I reached Weston at dinner & dined at Flag's who was so good as to give me my fare for past minis- terial services. From Flag's I passed to Williams', Marlborough, where I lodged. This is an excellent tavern & here also my Bill was given to me. 24. Sunday. I tarried & spent the Sunday at Marlborough & preached all day for Rev. Mr. A. Packard who was my pupil at Cambridge. He has married a Quincy, a rich wife, & is convinced of it. 5 children were christened. In this town french influence has prevailed, tho' now abating. On the national fast, an English Flag was displayed on the Parson's Barn. His discretion has not been seen in political discussions. The public mind is now chang- ing. After the evening service I went for Worcester & after a vis- it to Dr. Paine, to see Miss Nancy Fiske, I went to Mr. Isaiah Thomas's, the celebrated Printer of New England. 25. This morning was rainy & we were disappointed of most of our Company from Lancaster & other Towns. At one we proceeded from More's & Free Mason's Hall to the New Meeting House. Good Music was provided, instrumental & vocal & the Two Ministers went into the pulpit & Mr. Bancroft made a prayer. Denmark was then performed & a charge delivered. After service we returned to a good entertainment & spent the day agreably. Mr. Heyward was Master of the Lodge. The new Meeting House has now a fine Bell & Clock upon it. 26. This morning breakfasted at my Classmate Bangs. Saw his beautiful garden spot. He has a fountain from the mill pond, a canal & a river through it, & a wild luxuriance of growth near the river. We dined at Mr. Caldwell, the High Sheriff, & his amiable Lady excellently performed the -service of the Table. The dinner was excellent. A most beautiful company of Ladies spent the even- ing at Rev. Mr. Bancroft's at Tea. 27. Went to see a widow Stickney, alias Lyons, alias a daughter of the Carrolls. She has an enthusiasm bordering upon derange- ment. She gave me some of her compositions. Her son Stickney, •Theodore Lyman, who married a daughter of George WilUama of Salem. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 273 shew me some plans of building. He has good talents. His plan of a Bridge pleased me. At ten I left Dr, Paine's & dined hand- somely at Pease's in Shrewsbury. Here I saw a widow Jones, alias Baldwin, a native of Wenham, named Mary Richardson, aet. 106. Her hearing is much impaired, senses failing & few recollections. Reached Malborough & lodged with INIr. Packard. 28. In the morning, accompanied several miles by Mr. Packard, I passed from ]\[alborough to Concord entering about one mile be- low ]\Ialborough Meeting House. The roadway good & made easy by the guide posts. The Court House made a stately appearance & the changes for the better. Reached Charlestown & lodged in Boston. 29. After waiting upon Dr. Eliot I returned to Salem. At half past twelve there was a severe rain storm & after the rain had greatly abated, the lightning struck the ship Martha belonging to Mr. Derby, John Prince, Master, lately arrived. The lightning broke the top of the foremast proceeding down to the three spars, till it reached the windlass. It then passed the foot of the wind- lass & took a bolt, under which sat a Mr. Murray in the forecastle, entered his head, & passed out of his foot to a chest upon which his foot rested & passed out of the ship at water mark. It killed INIurray & set him on fire. It struck also Mr. Edey, who almost immediately expired. One Elison was senseless, tho' now recovering, 6 one Ireland who was bruised by his fall, probably from his cabin. 7 persons were in the forecastle & 11 persons on board. A similar accident of a person killed by lightning has not occurred since the death of Caleb Pickman, 54 years ago. A cry of Fire was made in the Town & the Engines were put in boats but the fire was only in JNIurray's cloaths. The sole of Murray's shoe was cut in various di- rections. He was very much burnt by the fire over him. 30. Were the funerals, which I attended, of Murray & Edey. Above 100 couple attended at each & the prayers were in the street before theii' houses. The unusual event engaged the public notice. The Town is much alarmed by the spread of the Small Fox. In my absence a Vote obtained to open the Hospital. Above 100 pa- tients have been already received. The subjects are discovered continually in town. July 1. [1798] Sunday. Notes. Margaret Edey, awful d. of her husband by lightning, pr. for her aged & infirm mother Clarke. Mary Chubb, d. of her only son Edey. B. Bray & wife, d. of her B. in Law Murray by lightning, pr. for her B. wounded by the Lightning, pr. for a B. at Sea. W. Millet & wife, her delivery of Twins, pr. for a B. at Sea. 2. I left Salem for Xahant, taking with me Miss Harriet E.* We found Lieut. Gov. Gill & his fishing suite & were invited to join them. Mr. Gill & wife, & Mr. Gill his Nephew, were with •Harriet Elkins, who married Col. Eaos Cutter, U. S. A. 274 DiABY OP [July him. We spent the day agreably & returned in the evening. The weather in Town was extremely hot. A frenchman has been sup- posed to have been drowned in the Harbour, & a Mr. Mclntire, fisherman. 3. Weather still hot. I went to Nmigus head in the afternoon to enjoy the cool air & Mother Morse's Ale. 4. 1 visited the Hospital. This is the sixth day. A few begin to complain. A greater than usual number of parents & friends are admitted with the patients. The Town continues healthy. A Celebration of this day in Boston «& in several other Towns. All the Flags were hoisted at the Shipping in this Town but industry & silence had no interruption. No man omitted the labour of the day. Some of the old cannon of the dismantled works of the neck were cleared of the balls with which they were choaked up. But nothing is yet done to repair, defend, or provide for the fortifica- tions. This Town has as yet taken no part in the Loans to Gov- ernment for a Navy. A List of persons of the East Society taking Small Pox by Inoc- ulation in the Hospital, Great Pasture, Salem. Little & Pickman, Physicians. Entered, June 29. Sarah Allen, set. 6 ; family of Capt. Edward & Marg. Allen. Edwd. Briggs, set. 9 ; family of Johnson & Kuth Briggs. Sarah Browne, set. 14 ; family of James & Sarah Brown. William Browne, set. 9 ; family of James & Sarah Brown. Benja. Crowninshield, set. 15 ; family of Benjamin & Mary Crown- inshield. Maria Crowninshield, set. 12 ; family of Benjamin & Mary Crown- inshield. Hannah Crowninshield, set. 9 ; family of Benjamin & Mary Crown- inshield. Elizabeth Crowninshield, set. 4; family of Benjamin & Mary Crowninshield. Ward Chipman, set. 16 ; family of Thomas & Elizabeth Chipman. Thomas Chipman, set. 9 ; family of Thomas & Elizabeth Chipman. Mary Foster, set. 20 ; Widow of David Foster. D. Hovey, set. 30 ; family of Amos & Deborah Hovey. Rebecca Hovey, set. 5 ; family of Amos & Deborah Hovey. Debora Hovey, set. 5 ; died 11 July ; family of Amos & Deborah Hovey. Sarah Hovey, set. 2 ; died 21 July ; family of Amos & Deborah Hovey. Mary Ledbetter, set. 10 ; family of Mr. Hovey. Mary Millet, set. 19 ; family of Jonathan & Sarah Millet. Hardy Millet, set. 22 ; family of Jonathan & Sarah Millet. Jonathan Millet, set. 8 ; family of Jonathan & Elizabeth Millet. Sarah Prince, set. 13 ; family of Henry & Sarah Prince. Henry Prince, set. 10 ; family of Henry & Sarah Prince. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 275 George Prince, set. 8 ; family of Henry & Sarah Prince. Mary Porter, yet. 12 ; family of Thomas & Ruth Porter. John Tit: Ropes, «t. 18; family of AVilliam & Mary Ropes. Sarah Ropes, ait. 40 ; family of Samuel & Sarah Ropes. George Ropes, iet. 10 ; family of George & Seeth Ropes. Henry Ropes, ret. 6 ; family of George & Seeth Ropes. Zech. Silsbee, set. 15 ; family of Nath. & Sarah Silsbee. Lydia Townsend, jet. 11 ; family of Moses & Lydia Townsend. Priscilla Townsend, set. 8 ; family of Moses & Lydia Townsend. Mary Townsend, let. 5 ; family of Moses & Lydia Townsend. Samuel Townsend, set. 8 ; family of Samuel & Mercy Townsend. B. Webb, aet. 13 ; family of Benjamin & Hannah Webb. Eliza Webb, set. 11 ; family of Benjamin & Hannah Webb. John Webb, aet. 9 ; family of Benjamin & Hannah Webb. Widow B. Masury, set. 77, in East Street; died Aug. 8. Aug. 3. Mary Collins, aet. 15, carried to Hospital, D. of Capt. John Collins. Inoculated Three Sons & a Daughter of Capt. John Collins, Robert, Henry, Charles & Caroline. Aug. 4. A black Boy died of the natural Smallpox, belonging to Capt. Clarke, at the Hospital. Aug, 14. Died a daughter of Friend Purrington, set. 23, of natu- ral Small Pox. She lived in Danvers. July 7. The Body of Nicholas Martin was found. This ciril young Frenchman married four years since a d. of Robert Bartlett & has behaved well. He was employed in one of Mr, Derby's Ships in the harbour. Came on board in the evening & after light- ing his segar went on deck to smoak it. No more was seen of him. Reports were various. Some that he had gone away. But it ap- pears that from some accidental cause he fell overboard & was drowned. The body was taken up near the Aquae Vitae by Mr. Crandall. Martin had had offers in a ship which lay near & bound for Boston &c it was the general opinion that he had departed in the night. He had conversed that evening with the Inspector on board, about the advantageous offers. Others said he had been running goods & others that he had been guilty of tricks, &c. All utterly false. 8. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Archer & g. children, d. of their Brother, frs. at Sea. Elizab. Martin, d. of her husband, pr. for Brother long absent. Elizab. Bartlet, d. of her Son in Law, Mar- tin, pr. for Son long absent. Sarah Preston, delivery, pr. for hus- band long absent & missing. Capt. Collins came from Nova Scotia & arrived this day. 9. This day was the visitation of the Schools. We first went to the West & then to the East Writing School & finished in the Cen- tre. We had no remarkable specimens of writing or reading. The grammar School's exercises were tediously lengthened, & more 276 DiAEY OF [July seemed due to the youth than to the Preceptor. Mr. Hopkins ad- dressed the East & Centre Writing Schools. 11. At the Hospital, Major Hovey lost, under Inoculation, one of his beautiful Twins. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful little girls that ever was seen. A general sentiment of affliction is to be perceived. The last Tuesday's Gazette arraigns the Town of Salem for not celebrating the Jfthof July & subscribing to the aid of Government. Tho' all the Flags were displayed at the forts & upon the Ships, a more perfect silence never reigned on any occa- sion. And tho' Newburyport have laid the keel of their Ship, Sa- lem has not shewn even a subscription, 13. The Court of Common pleas in Town. Mr. Treadwell for the first time on the Bench. An hot pressed Bible proposed in Philadelphia. Specimen brought hither. The first attempt of this kind in America. Thomas at Worcester has printed four Bibles, a folio, quarto, large 8vo & common Bible. 14. Mr. B. Knight who was buried this day has been long para- lytic & he was one for whom a Contribution was made to purchase Perkin's points. The poor man made many attempts to use them but without any relief. 15. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Knight, d. of her Husband. Wid. Sarah Knight, d. of her Brother in Law. Joshua Dodge & wife, d. of his mother, set. 72, in marriage 51 years. Sarah Creely, delivery, Husb. at Sea. 16. A disposition appears to carry on with vigour, an enmity against every man who shall refuse to wear the black rose or nation- al cockade, or who shall in any degree or in any sense dissent from the public measures. Persecution is licenced against all the sus- pected. A subscription has been opened to build a frigate & loan her to Government. 17. Put the cockade in my own hat, determined not be behind in the little things with great consequences to our peace. 18. Went for Cambridge. Was very much disgusted at the in- discriminating claps & shouts of the multitude in the time of the service. Dined with Winthrop who perseveres in the defence of french principles, as they are called. President dangerously sick. Dr. Howard ofiiciated. 20. Visited my several friends. Did not find one Clergyman besides myself with a cockade & I have spoken most bitterly ag. the necessity of wearing it. The prejudices of Salem, & the assurances deceived me. 22. Sunday. The Conn. Episcopalians carry their zeal so far that Mr. Eliot of Fairfield tells me they rebaptise, & one of the Clergy has given the example. The Episcopacy will soon be more than a name if some zealous men have a success corresponding to their endeavors. 23. The Two Frigates, the United States & Constitution, in Bos- ton lower Harbour & they have been out in our Bay. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 277 25. A Letter from Wntertown Lodge requesting a Sermon in September. Our neighbor Ball is dead. She was a worthy woman as I hear. Ilahb. Bowditch had a paralytic stroke for which he has been preparing himself by many years of intemperance. He has a fine family. A Quaker funeral this afternoon. A White naked Coffin was among the singularities of the occasion. 26. The Subscriptions of Salem for Ships of the Government does not proceed with that energy discovered in many towns. Ar- rived the Ship Bellisarius from Isle of France, belonging to Crown- inshield. She is pronounced one of the richest ships of our Port. 29. Sunday. Was obliged to shut up the Meeting House [on account of illness]. Mr. P. attended Mr. Bowditch's funeral & I excused myself from the marriage service. 30. We find the Alarm from the Yellow Fever in Boston serious from the loss of a lovely youth, Benjamin, Son of Robert Stone, who was a Clerk to his Brother in law Dunlap, near the place of infec- tion. Particular circumstances cannot be gathered from confused reports. This town is taking every precaution in clearing the Pest House, & removing every known & possible cause of infection. The Small Pox breaks out among us as we might expect. During my indisposition I have read over Holmes' Life of President Styles. I confess the fullest convictions of his piety, affability & learning, tho' nothing I have yet seen or heard, convinces me of his judge- ment, of his talents, or his experience. His Diary, I know some- thing of from personal use. Being bred a C[ollegian] I followed early the practice of writing my experiences. The volume had hun- dreds of pages. But cool reflection told me a few devout prayers & well conceived reflections were better than whole volumes of con- fessions of feelings & of vanity. Humility is not so expressed. It has no language for man or God. Passion should be described, not lamented. Resolutions should be noticed not as made but kept. And a full record of danger escaped and of the means may be use- ful. Life should appear & the appeal should be to our actions. August 4. [1798] In the morning of this hot day, I went with Major Hovey to the Hospital. Mary Collins came to the bars. 5. Sunday. Notes. Amos Hovey & wife, d. of their two Children by Inoculation, pr. for fr. with Smallpox. Susannah Harthorne, d. of one g. Child by Inoculation, Thanks for recovery of four, pr. for one absent. Nath. Bowditch & wife & Sisters, d. of his Father Habbaccuc. Jona. Archer & wife, d. of her Sister in Law Ball. Abigail Archer, d. of her Sister in Law Ball, pr. for husb. absent. 7. Small Pox broke out in Danvers among the friends. One was carried in to the Hospital in the natural way & 11 for inocu- lation. 8. Old Mrs. Masury, set. 77,* died at the hospital. 9. Weather still very warm. The reports of the sickness in •Mrs. Deliverance, widow of Benjamin. 278 DIARY OF [Aug. Boston contradicted in the extravagant form which they have as- sumed. The place of contagion so deserted that a man lay dead there a week, & he was not discovered. One of the men who went to bury him on Bird Island was killed by lightning. 10. A Mr. Lewis travelling from this Town to Boston, from the great heat, died at 7 in the morning at Newhall's. We have never known a warmer season. 12. Sunday. Notes. Mary Batten, d. of her Sister Masury, pr. for Son at Sea. Mary Lewis, d. of her husband. Mehitable Valpy, d. of her Sister Webb, pr. husb, & Brothers at Sea. Joshua Webb & Sisters, d. of their mother, pr. for Brother at Sea, 13. Major Lawrence lost a son of 10 years by a fall from a horse near the North Meeting. There was no external injury but by the shock. 14. The great Dr. Morse has replied with his feeble attempts at wit & quite run himself down below notice. I have come to a present resolution to make no reply as my friends say he is in the mud. 15. For the first time I was afflicted with the Toothache & obliged to use a bandage. The Physician declined drawing the tooth. Ordination at Hamilton, of Daniel Stori/, for the Ohio Set- tlements at & near Marietta. His Brother of Marblehead preached. 17. Dangerously sick with a bilious or rather a y. fever, Mrs. Millet. Daughter of Mrs. Phillips buried last Sunday. They both were taken sick together. On Sunday Capt. B. Hodges directed the putrid fish in & about the Hogsty to be removed. Quere? 18. At noon Mrs. Millet* died & was buried in the afternoon. The Physicians pronounce this a bilious fever in an aggravated state differing in nothing essentially from a Yellow Fever vulgarly so called. The Alarm is great, but the treatment of the patients is kind & easily secured for them. 19. Sunday. Notes. Widow Eliz. Millet with her children, d. of her D. in Law, pr. for Sons at Sea. Margaret White, D. of her Sister Philips & Niece, pr. for friends at Sea. Sarah Underwood, D. of her S. Philips & Niece, pr. for Son at Sea. Andrew Preston & wife, d. of her S. Philips & Niece. Widow Hurdle, d. of her moth- er Masury. Widow Shehane, d. of her mother Masury, pr. for 2 Sons at Sea. Francis Grant & wife, for him dang, sick in Charity House. 21. Went with Revd. Story across the harbour to Haskell's on Marblehead Side. Morse, at last, to create hatred rather than re- fute, has insinuated that I might be one of the Illuminati. This poor wretch is now done I trust. 22. Upon a Ticket, I went to the Installation & consecration of Mount Moriah Lodge in Beading, Middlesex, ten miles. Tho' near to Salem this road is seldom travelled from the town. The Grand •Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of John. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 279 Lodge met at T. W. Boreman, 1/2 a mile S. of the Meeting H. & below the Hall. The Lodge preceeded the Grand Lodge in the pro- cession to the Hall & Meeting House. The assembly was large, & quiet. Mr. Prentice made the prayer & Rev. Kipley of Concord preached & Mr. Murray made the concluding prayer. From the Meeting, at three o'clock we passed to a Booth in the field opposite to the Hall, in which we had an agreable collation. The Tables were sheltered by sails & at a proper distance Pines were placed to give a shade around. I left the tables at four & proceeded to Lynntield on a visit to the amiable Revd. Mr. Mottey. I found him where he always loves to be found, in the duties of his family & his Charge. I reached home at 9 o'clock. 24. At Beverly they are erecting a pier upon the head of the Bar which is done by a voluntary contribution upon the tonnage of Vessels. The jner is already up. The Beacon is soon to be erected upon it. 25. A stone wall is finished at the water side of the Pest H. Burying Ground on the neck. 26. Sunday. Notes. Mary Grant & children, d. of her hus- band. Anna Steward, d. of her Father Grant. Elizabeth Daniels, d. of her father Grant, pr. Son at Sea. Hannah Patterson, her de- livery, Husb. & Son at Sea. Several Sick with fever which have not a uniform character. 28. Mrs. Browne* died this evening of the fever, at 6 o'clock. A fine woman. This morning the pier & beacon were raised upon Ramhorn Rock within Beverly bar. 29. Mr. John Fiske has returned with Silsbee from his voyage to Genoa. He has presented to me the new Coin of Genoa & a specimen of the old Republic. 31. Mrs. Parkerf died of vomiting. No Physician could offer her any relief. She was an excellent domestic woman. The vomit was such as gave us fears that something singular was in this case. The Town is in great fears of the Yellow Fever. She was buried in the evening after her death, in about six hours. She was sick but for a short time. September 1, 1798. Capt. E. Allen Junr. brought me Pallas Travels in Siberia, in sheets. I went on board the Ship to receive it, by favour of G. CroA\Tiinshield Junr., a man of original character & some grand lines in it. The several persons sick of the fever remain in the same state. No new cases have appeared. Several arrivals at this port. Allen, Devereux, Mosely, Jona. Hodges. We are much favoured by these arrivals. 2. Sunday. Notes. Priscilla Lambert, d. of her Son, pr. Husb. & Br. at Sea. Tabitha Groves, d. of her Brother Marston, pr. Hus- band at Sea. Dorcas Marston, d. of her Son, pr. Husb. at Sea. Philip Furlong, sick, of Wexford in Ireland. •Mrs. Sarah fMasury), wife of James. tMrs. Hannah, wife of Bradstreet. 280 DIARY OF [Sept. 3. At Boston, has died, Shippie Townsend, a noted follower of Sandeman, then a Seperatist from that communion, then in the Universalist scheme, & a writer in the Gazette, & Pamphlets, While his mind has been in the tide of opinion, he constantly sup- ported the character of a sincere, consistent & good man. Marble- head Company of Exempts, commanded by Cols. Lee & Orne, have not been able to make a movement in Salem. The fort lays neg- lected, the Kegiment unorganized, the subscription for building a Ship unsigned & lost & not one public measure pursued excepting a petition to know how much the U. S. will do in finishing the forti- fications. 4. Left Salem to attend «& preach at the Installation at Water- town. Reached General HulVs & took Tea with him & lodged at his seat in Newton. I find him an accomplished gentleman, but evidently impaired by his paralytic affections. The suspicions from his political sentiments have been lately strengthened by a writer signing Civis in the Centinel. He read the paper & made his comments without any severe emotions. He denied any writing against Gen. Washington. He declared that his Charge was before the proceedings of the Commission abroad was known from France. He has been in France & is not without his prejudices in favour of that nation. He is Major General & one of the Judges of the Ses- sion. He is a very valuable man. His wife, d. of Abraham Fuller, lately a faithful member of the Council, possesses great integrity. His eldest daughter performed on the Harpischord & his other chil- dren were agreable & very familiar. His former house he has converted into an academy, which is kept by a Physician named Stearns. He is now erecting a brewery upon the river & has finished the great Building 120 feet by 42. It is 27 feet to the eves, & un- der the side of an hill so that the aqueduct from the surface enters at the second story. He prefers clay to tiles or Bricks for the floor of his malt house. The wharf is already finished. He has several buildings on his farm for Tenants. A small brook enters the river south of the Brewery. His Aquaduct is led a mile from a western hill & is carried in every form round his House built with Brick. It supplies the fountains in front of the house, the cold Bath, the Barn yards, the gardens, & at different distances in the fields may be unstopped for use. The Town of Newton has its boundary upon Watertown in the field between his House & the brewery. The Dwelling House is so constructed that it may at some future time be a Public House of entertainment. At present, the travelling is much diverted from the road leading to Little Cambridge, onward towards the West Bridge of Boston which saves one mile & 1/2. I admire the free & open manners of his children, six daughters & a Son. The Son is a very enterprising little fellow. 5. The morning was Showery. However, I visited after break- fast, Revd. Mr. Homer, my Classmate at Newton, He has a Son. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 281 His fondness for Scripture antiquities has induced him to make this the choicest part of his library, which is a good one. But he has never compared systems, distinguished authorities, or given a decided preference to any of his Authors, His piety is sincere & his studies faithful. The world he does not love & therefore does not know or visit it. He came with me to Watertown. The pro- cession formed at the Hall of the IVIeridian Lodge at 11 & moved at 12. There were above 200 Brethren. The Crowd was great & the Meeting House full. The G. Chaplin, Mr. Harris, did his part of the Service. Revd. Brother Eliot of Watertown made the prayer. After Sermon were the ceremonies. The Church music was good & the Band was from Boston. We returned to dine after 3 o'clock & three tables were spread on the eastern bank of the river under a temporary covert. The Dinner was liberal & elegant. Revd. Gush- ing of Waltham said grace and Revd. H. of Kewton returned thanks. The Toasts were select & so were the Songs. The day finished in quiet. I took Tea at Mr. Fowle's & lodged at Gen. Hull's, Gen. Hull entertained a brilliant circle in the evening at his elegant Hall. 6. After Breakfast I took leave of this lovely family & went in- to Watertown. Visited Mr. Faulkner, Son of Col. at Acton. Then took another breakfast at Esqr. W. Hunt's, stopped at Fowle's & then rode to Camlpridge. Conversed a moment with Judge Win- throp, who was engaged with his Probate Court, & then rode down, to Boston over the West Bridge, & came towards Salem, over Charlestown Bridge, & dined in Lynn at Newhall's. Upon return- ing found Mr. B. Parker sick & wife of Joseph Hodges. Both ex- piring of the fever. Mr. Parker died at 5 o'clock. Mr. Parker went to Boston, Auff. 6,& returned the same day, fatigued. Complained of an Headache & of feeling cold. But kept up& on Thursday 9th went a gunning & drank freely of cold water. On Saturday he was sick & on Tuesday confined to his bed to which he has been confined 23 days till he expired. The Physicians constantly at- tended him. The bowels swelled, but 24 hours before death the swellings subsided. At 10 p. m. died Mary Hodges wife of Joseph. She was an Andrew & her mother a Gardner. She has been sick only tAvo days. Xot in best posture of defence against malignant disease. 7. Efforts were made for the first time to hasten the burial of Mrs. Hodges. The neighbors in St. Peter's Street petitioned the Selectmen & they gave written orders to the Master of Police. The relatives were offended. 3 o'clock had been appointed, from 12 it was delayed till 1 then till two, & then there was delay as the sex- ton had notified the pall bearers at three, & after three was the pro- cession. No attempts were made to hasten the funeral of Mr. Parker & he was buried at the usual hour. 8. Gen. Hull is attacked in the Centinel, and the Masons have 282 DIARY OF [Sept. been charged to have installed two Right Worshipful Democrats. The virulence of invective was never more violent. Mr. Tytler is rolling rocks in Block House Cove on the Neck, for Salt Works. 9. Sunday. Notes. Mary Andrew, d. of her d. Hodges. Jo- seph Hodges, d. of his wife, pr. for two children sick. William Browne & wife, d. of his d. in Law Browne, pr. for three grand children sick & for Sons at Sea. James Browne, d. of his wife, pr. for three children sick & for Brother at Sea. Wm. Ropes & wife, d. of Sister Browne, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Benja. Browne & wife, d. of his Sister Browne & her Sister Hodges, pr. for Brethren at Sea. AVilliam B. Parker, d. of his Brother & Sister, pr. for absent friends. 10. This day a Ship launched in North River at Frye's Mills & last week one launched at Stage point. Saw the yam from the Ha- vanna, growing in Brigg's garden on the Common. Expectations are now strongly excited that Salem will produce a frigate. Mr. Gray offers to subscribe 9/lOths of the sum subscribed by Mr. Derby. 11. Repairs are begun at the Fort. The Americans from Ha- vanna came home from Cuba under the convoy of one of their Ships armed on the spot, & this night they arrived, so many as belonged to this port, with their Convoy, & gave us a midnight salute. The armed Ship belonged to Mr. W. Gray, a merchant of this Town. 12. My Brother Samuel with me from Boston, lately returned from his first voyage & from Copenhagen & the Baltic. Many ves- sels fitting out. Chiefly for the North of Europe. 13. Seven Square rigged Vessels sailed this day besides smaller Vessels. Business for a moment is brisk. At our Fire Club this evening. Two Buckets paid for as lost near Mr. Gray's Ship in the harbour. The digging of Cisterns has begun & that in Market Street is in great forwardness & it is expected that it will be well supplied. 14. Platforms preparing at the Fort. The Aurora charges our Sa- lem Printer with an intentional mistranslation of Gerry's correspond- ence & with omissions, which the Printer pleads were accidental. 16. Sunday. Notes. Mary Andrew, with her children, d. of a grand child, pr. 28 children sick. Joseph Hodges, d. of his daughter, p. for two children sick. Mary Cox, d. of her husband, pr. for absent friends. Hannah Keen, d. of her Son Cox, pr. for a Son at Sea & a Son long absent. Hannah Murray, d. of her Brother Cox, pr. for husb. & Br. absent. 17. Tho' oppressed by ague I consented at noon to go for Bak- er's Island. We left Forester's wharf at two p. m. & landed for ale at Mother Morse's at Naugus head & reached the Island at sun-down. Too late to retreat, we agreed for our quarters for the night. But our company was too large to expect full accomodations from a single family. The Females occupied one chamber & the Males an- other. We lay down in our Cloathes in too good spirits to go quiet- ly to rest. Not a Soul was allowed to sleep by the children. 5 c O 0) c - U CO -^ o 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 283 18. In the morning our party was employed in fishing, but my part had been till after midnight to discourse with a worthy batchelor \ipon the doctrines of our faith. I excited his curiosity. He was in such habits as neither allowed him to retract or to hate. We left the Island at two & with a fine breeze reached the wharf at three. A Mr. Hatch, called & lodged at my house in my absence. A can- didate for the Ministry. 20. Cistern, Derby S. & Turner's S. promises much good water. News of the death of Capt. Oliver Webb. We now conclude that Dimau Preston & his Crew, who have been long missing, & who left this port for the Spanish Main in a Shallop, have foundered at sea. Their vessel was deep & small, & they had an heavy gale up- on leaving port. Our young men go out among the islands in small boats & return on the same day with an hundred cod & haddock. 22. Put three packages on board the Ship Friendship, Israel Williams Commander, belonging to the Merchants Pierce & Wait of Salem, containing Books & papers for Professor Ehling of Ham- burg. The first a large Box, the second smaller & the third a pack- age. The Ship lies below the Bridge off Beverly. 23. Sunday. James Archer & wife, her delivery, pr. for Breth- ren at Sea. Yesterday a man sent to the Pest House, a stranger, ■who had the fever ^ this day another from Boston, named Jeffords, who died in the night. 24. This day died the other man carried to the Pest House on Saturday, named Riker, from Kew York. This day another Stranger, a Spaniard, who came in with Capt. Welman, as did the other man, w-as carried to the Pest House in a fever. 25. The Fever has deprived us of three distinguished ^^rm^ers. Fenno, United States Gazette, Philadelphia. Bache, the Aurora, republican paper, Phil. Greenleaf, The Argus, at New York, Rep. The celebrated song, Adams & Liberty, was sung at the Singing School. I paid for a copy of the verses to all the singers. It was written by Thomas Paine. 27. Several Cisterns now making. That at the Market covered this day. That in Derby & Turner street timbered, & that in Essez & Daniels beguu. One behind the Court house in great forwardness. 28. They are fixing their j^ier & their beacojt, at the Lobster rocks in Beverly Harbour. Their piers are better done than ever before. 29. I was favoured from Madam Skinner of itarblehead with a likeness of Mary Davis, which had this paper accompanying it. The effigie of Mrs. ]Mary Davis aged 117 years. She had three husbands by whom she had 9 children. 45 Grand Children. 215 Great (rrand Children. 800 Great Grand Children's Children. At 104 years she could do a good Day's work at Shelling Corn. At 110 years she sat at her spinning wheel. She was driven from the Eastward 40 years. By a notice on the canvas 19G2, probably 1662, that might be the year of her arrival, for the settlement on 284 DIAKY OF [Oct. the Kennebec at Wiscasset Point, was in 1663, under one George Davie, whose children write Davis, & Sylvanus Davis was Couucel- lor there in 1701 & appointed for Sagadahoc in 1692 under the Charity- Government. In 1680 they were driven away, & in 1730 began, again, but on Sheepscott Kiver. The peace of Utrecht was in 1713. If Davis returned there at this time it was 33 years. He might have returned before or as late as 1720. She died at Newton & did not return. Mr. Gibaut mentions an horse mackerel as com- ing on shore at Cape Ann, weighing a 100 wt. 30. Sunday. Jona. Mason Senr. & wife. d. of grand child at Charleston, S. C, pr. for absent friends. Oct. 1. [1798] Found that the notions of Witchcraft & the be- lief of the facts of 1692 were not eradicated. An aged lady sat with the greatest composure & delivered her firm assent to wonders of wonders more wonderful. Work at the fort slowly. Subscription, slowly. INIilitia nothing. 2. The Workmen at the fort trying to get an advance of thirty dollars for their labour. One platform on the north quarter is fin- ished in stone, but the fort otherwise remains the same. A Sub- scription carried round to all the inhabitants to get signers for a sum to be advanced to government for the Frigate. Such sums as of ten dollars are mentioned. 6. A Seal was taken last week in a mill pond one mile from Cape Ann Town. These are not so frequent visitors as formerly. 8. Attended from the Charity House the funeral of a child of Ruth Austin, a common girl, who was delivered of this child in north fields in the severity of a storm last winter & had her only shelter under the ruins of an old building partly occupied by ne- groes. She lay exposed in open air. Last evening died at Gen. Fiske's mansion house. Madam Sarah King, jBt. 84. 9. Association at Marblehead & my turn to preach. The Con- gregation thin at the old Church. Walked around the Town. Vis- ited the fort. It is now without men. A Sergeant & three men were stationed there for three months. The new brick building of Rochefontaine & the wooden house of the old fort are standing, & the latter repaired. Nothing is finished. They have proved their Cannon & now remain dismounted. Six pieces, three of which are good, 2 of 42 pounders & one 24 pounder & there are 2 of 18 & one of nine. 11. Was observed by the Tabernacle Church as a day of Fasting & Prayer. This is noticed because it is the first thing of the kind since I have been in Town & merely the ebullition of an ignorant zeal. For the first time, it was my charge to preach in the Charity House. All the forms of public worship were observed & the peo- ple were well clad, quiet, & decent. The Artillery Companies of Danvers & Gloucester paraded this week, & are expected to join the- Salem artillery on Thursday next. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 285 12. Our friend Mr. Tytler who by the help of his own hands had contrived a place for his salt pans in Watch House Cove, on the N. part of the Neck, lost all his labour by the last storm. I advised him to occupy the redoubt just above & convenient to the water. The well at Daniel & Essex Street near the lower meeting house covered this daj'. They digged 17 feet & bored 40. They passed one bed of clay into sand & then into clay again. Some water oozes from the passage but no generous supply. One quart in a moment. The boring in the wells has been attended with little advantage in the different experiments. There is now a well above North River Bridge & another as you pass to Mill Street going to !Marblehead. 14. Sunday. Notes. William Peele & wife & ch., d. of her Sister Felt, pr. abs. friends. John Becket, wife & fam., d. of his sister Felt, pr. son & fr. at Sea. Wid. Rebecca Fairfield, &c., d. of her Sister Felt, pr. son at Sea. Wid. Hannah Cloutman, &c., d. of her Sister Felt, pr. son at Sea. Wid. Sarah Silsbee, &c., d. of her Sister Felt. John Barker & wife, d. of a Brother in law, Briggs, pr. for a sister sick. Timothy Welman, [& wife] her delivery, pr. Brethren at Sea. 15. Saw a letter from Dr. Rush of Philadelphia, to Dr. Oliver of Salem, in which he complains of a persecution of the bleeding method. Says he has saved 9 out of 10 under his care , but in his practice he has been confined to the poor, whose necessities threw them into his hands. He thinks the fever of 1797 & 8 different from 1793 in its malignancy & talks of a morbid perspiration in one case, & of putrid external cavises in another, confusedly enough. The Dr. confesses that great prudence is required in his method & that he has lately added emetics. In truth the disease baffles the Physician. He consents that his method gives most pain but he thinks & affirms that it ensures most relief. 16. A little introductory parade on the Common of the Artillery with a few discharges of their pieces. Their gun house is now fin- ished on the Common & tho' it has no majesty of appearance, yet it has not the contemptible meaness of the building which was em- ployed for that purpose. By great exertions in Cape Ann, they have erected a gunnery of two stories, & furnished a very handsome hall for the company in the second story. It was done partly by contribution, partly by voluntary labour & partly by the sum offered from the public. 17. Last Friday the ShijD loaned to Government, the Merrimack, was launched at Newbury port. She will carry 20 nines & 8 sixes, is coppered & was built in 74 working days, & will soon be fit for Sea. The town of Newburyport has distinguished itself by this exertion. We in this Town are yet subscribing but have not yet reached the sum which instantly gave strength to the Carpenters of the Merrimack. Some subscribe here to pay in work, in which way a Ship would be a dear acquisition to the States. The character.s 286 DIAKY OP [Oct. of such subscribers are well known & sometimes they avow their intentions. 18. A polite notice of the Ball for the evening in honour of the Birth of President Adams on the 19th instant, I have received in season yesterday. This day a military parade on the Common of the three Companies of Artillery from Salem, Gloucester, & Dan- vers. The national dress is blue, but as Salem & Danvers were provided, they appeared, Salem in black, & Danvers in red uniform. In the afternoon they visited Fort Lee, or New fort, & had several military forms of cannonades before a large crowd of Spectators. Last Tuesday a Marhlehead Standard was offered to Capt. N. Hooper's Company by Mrs. Lucy Johnson, in behalf of the Ladies. 19. No public notice of this day in any sort. The famous house in Essex street, lately erected upon the Bowditch Estate,* is to be sold in November at public Auction, It is offered at 10,000 dollars. 20. Weather easterly, made first fire in the study on Thursday Oct. 18. The French Embargo upon American vessels in France taken off. 21. Sunday. Notes. Rebecca Millet, her sick, pr. for Husband & Brethren at Sea. Lydia Maley, d. of her Sister in law. Brethren & Sisters at a distance. Elizabeth Bowditch,t d. of the late Capt. F. Boardman, was buried this evening. The third young wife from the house of Capt. B. whose funeral I have attended. The others were the wives of Richard & George Hodges. 22. A large fleet was under sail from this harbour & their guns were fired , but the wind shifted & then a stark calm. As many as could returned to the harbour again. 25 sail passed down from the wharves. Several ships & coasters were in the harbour. They are now altering the draw of Essex Bridge reducing its width to 20 feet by which it may be more easily raised. 23. The Gazette tells of the death of the Last of Lovell's men who were in the action at Fryeburg. Another Frigate of 20 guns has been launched at Fortsmoxtth, N. H. Last week there was a review of the Upper Brigade of Essex under Brig. Bricket, by Major Gen. Abbot. 25. Last Tuesday a Committee of 5 persons were chosen to pre- pare the building of the frigate which is to be of 800 Tons.J We have information that the Sch. Sukey of Boston is actually lost near Sandy Bay, Cape Ann, & all on board have perished. 26. Dr. Cutlei^s note to his Charge at the Ordination of Mr. D. Story for Marietta, has appeared in the Gazette. It is on the sub- ject of the Ohio Mounds of which he conjectures many things. As, first, if there are trees why may not this be the second growth ? And if the Indian had human sacrifices, why were they not as probably at this place as at any other. In this way he has cast •The Read-Prescott-Peabody house built in 1793. tWife of Nathaniel Bowditch. tXhe Frigate Essex. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 287 great light upon the business. Last night Kussel Sheldon lost his house at Reading Precinct by Jire. He was absent & the fire proved a total ruin of every thing in the house. A Vendue of l^ooks, among which a few good books are to assist the sale of very indif- ferent works «& infamous editions. 27. We have the alarming report that the loss of the Sch. Sukey will probably prove the loss of many valuable lives «& of many ex- cellent women. Preparations are making in Boston for the cele- bration of the Birthday of President Adams on Tuesday next. Gen. Knox has involved Gen. Lincoln & Gen. Jackson, but it is hoped that he will be able to compensate his creditors in the end. Our great men have been at least bold projectors & daring specula- tors. Gen. Lincoln has been an indorser & has shewn all his prop- erty candidly. 28. Sunday. Notes. William Peele & wife, d. of his Sister Nichols* pr. for absent friends. Wid. Mary Boardman, & chil- dren, d. of daugh. Bowditch, pr. for Son in law & fr. at sea. Mary Martin «& her Sister, d. of Sister in law Bowditch, pr. for Brethren absent. 30. The Green Mountain farmer or Washington & Victory is now the favorite song from Mr. T. Paine. November 1. [1798] This day was buried from our Society, Ruth Searle, widow of Joseph Searle, in the 96th year of her age, which she would have finished in the next month. So far as the history of this woman has come to my knowledge it is this. She was of the family of Fowle. Two Sisters have been within my time living. Sarah Silsbee died a Widow at 80, in 1793. Her maiden Sister Sarah Fowle is now living above 80 years of age. Ruth married Joseph Searle, who was a butcher & one of the rough & uncultivated mortals & very infirm with the gout & other disor- ders of corpulent men. She has left two Sons & two Daughters. Some of her Children have behaved very well & some exceedingly ill. One daughter now living is a good woman, & one of the Sons. The other Son is in the Charity house, more remarkable for an in- dolent than a vitious temper. Ruth fared hardly for the greater part of her life. JEt. 84. Elisabeth Allyne was born in this town but for a long time kept the house of one Gunter in Boston. About thirty years ago she returned to Salem & supported herself upon the little sums she had accumulated. But last year she had a fall which injured her hip & from this injury she never recovered. The rheumatic pains she had suffered joined with this, rendered her very helpless. She was christened in the Old Church, Oct., 1714. I find that two Sisters of Mrs. Searle, now dead, lived each above four score years. One by marriage, named Foot, removed, & one named Valpey died in this Town. The ^Mother Fowle lived also to an advanced age. The father was from England. A Mariner. *MrB. Lydia, wife of Jonatban NicbolB. 288 DIARY OP [Nov. 2. We hear of the capture of another Salem Vessel by the French in the West Indies. The Charge is trading with the Eng- lish. A Bass in the market of 30 lb. Bass are not commonly brought this way because seldom used. 3. The Woman I saw, set. 105, Mari/ Jones of Shrewsbury, is now dead. She enjoyed a good degree of Health till a few weeks before her death. This morning died R. Millet, aet. 28. This young wife discovered more of Chi-istian patience, resignation & sentiment, than ever I had before seen in the most perfect Christian. 4. Sunday. Thomas Dean & Children, d. of daughter Waters. Joseph Waters & Children, d. of his wife. John Searle & wife, d. of his Mother, pr. for her sick, pr. for Son at Sea. Eliz. Bartlet, d. of her Mother Searle, pr. for Son long absent. Wid. Mary Chubb, d. of her Mother Searle. John Millet, thanks for his return & pr. for friends at Sea, pr. d. of his wife & her Mother in his absence. Elisha Harrington & wife, d. of his Father, pr. for his Mother sick. Samuel Woodkins & wife, pr. for only daughter very sick of a fever. 5. Capt. Francis Roache, set. 43, died this town after long indis- position. 6. During the sickness of Mrs. Millet, a netv li^ht minister nsnued. Hopkins* endeavoured to intrude, but her ingenuous firmness kept him out. He asked to pray & was permitted, but was not noticed afterwards or invited. 10. They are blowing the rocks on the neck in the road to Winter Island, & there is a fine road begun on the Island from the Fort. 11. Sunday. Notes. William Browne & Wife, d. of Son in Law Roache, pr. for Sons at Sea. James Browne, d. of his Partner & B. in Law Roache, pr. for Br° at Sea. Sarah Millet & children, d. of D. in Law, pr. for friends at Sea. Sarah Webb & children, d. of her husband Oliver Webb, abroad, thanks for recovery & return of her Son. Samuel Woodkind & wife, d. of their only child & daughter. John Barker & wife, d. of their Sister Briggs soon after her husband. Rev. Mr. Wads worth of Danvers' Epitaph upon his wife taken from the stone at the grave. Inscribed to the memory of distin- guished female excellence, exemplified in the life of Mi's. Mary Wadsworth, the amiable consort of the Revd. Benjamin Wadsworth, of this Town. Her heart was a temple of piety, & rarely shines so rich a Constellation of natural endowments & fine accomplishments & christian virtues as dignified, embellished & endeared her char- acter. Highly esteemed she lived & greatly lamented she dropped mortality in full hopes of heaven, March 16, 1798, in the 47th year of her age. Sleep sacred dust ! till the last trump shall sound And wake to life all nations under ground. Then burst the bands of death & mount on high Enrobed in blissful immortality. To join thy kindred soul in realms of joy ! ! ! *Rev. Daniel Hopkins, pastor of the South Church. 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 289 13. One of the blessed fruits of Clerical interference is that the general Court has recommended to them the reading of the Laws on fast da3'S. They have begun with that on Profane Cursing & Swear- ing as least exceptional. The Supreme Court opened in this Town & Judge Dana gave a charge to the grand jury of considerable length. He defined treason & Misprison of Treason & then passed to a vindication of the Sedition & Alien Bills & then to the nego- ciation of the United States with France. The necessity of the sedition Bill he argued from a Liberty Poll* & Inscription in Ded- ham. Talleyrand was handled, as he might, but perhaps in regard to facts, ought not to have been believed. He observed to the honour of the Country that there was not one criminal case before the Court. We have the melancholy list of the unfortunate suffer- ers in the Sch. Susannah cast away off Cape Ann from Penobscot. There were 15 men on board & 5 ladies. Three of the Ladies were of the family of Hitchborn. l.j. The Court sitting in this town. Several Civil actions ex- cite the public attention. Dunlap's Soap made of Train Oil, & the action of S. C. Ward for a sum at gambling, gained & received of said Ward. 17. Electioneering begins with all its frauds to prevail in Amer- ica. Our gazettes are the vehicle of the several means of inflaming the public mind. One Isaac Clark has been expelled from the Ver- mont Legislature for distroying votes. 18. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Hannah Malcolm, d. of eldest Sister in Dan vers, Bullock, prs. for Children at Sea & absent. Abigail Bullock, d. of her mother in Law, pr. Brethren at Sea. Hannah Webb, delivery, pr. Husband & Brethren at Sea. An action at our last court ag. one Plummer for striking Mr. Moore, the minister, at Newbury, Old Town. 19. Officers of Salem Marine Society for the ensuing year. Capt. Benjamin West, Master. Capt. Edward Gibaut, D. Master. Capt. Jonathan Gardner, Treasurer. Capt. Jonathan Mason, Clerk. 22. 20, 9 pounders from Scituate, R. I. have reached Portsmouth for the sloop of war. A twenty gun ship launched at Becket's yard this day for E. H. Derby, f 23. This day was the visitation of the Mass: Grand Lodge to Essex Lodge in Salem. The members of grand lodge were received by appointment at the Sun & dinner was ordered to be on table at two o'clock P. M. The Tables were happily disposed & about 40 were obliged by a very elegant Dinner in all respects agreable to the whole Company. After dinner the Lodge retired & opened in the Lodge Hall & sent a committee of Master Masons to wait upon the grand Lodge. The grand Lodge opened & after due examina- tions the G. Master addressed the Lodge & a polite reply was made in behalf of the Lodge. The G. Master & his Lodge then retired •French Liberty Cap? tSbip Mount V«rnoa 290 DIARY OP [Dec. & after refreshments departed for Marblehead to visit the Philan- thropic Lodge in that Town. 25. Sunday. Notes. Daniel Shehane & wife, d. of their young- est child, pr. for friends at Sea. Wid. Sarah Shehane, d. of her g. child, pr. for her Son absent at Sea. 26. Blind Mrs. Phippen is to be buried this day. There are now only two blind persons among us, Muley & Black Caesar, both of whom are active, known to me. I am informed of three others, — Betty Whiting & Betty Archer not entirely blind, in the Charity House, & a young man named Perkins. In no case has blindness arisen from any neglect. In most cases it has been preceded by disease or casualty. Very few if any examples present of imper- fect limbs, & no cripples are seen in the street. 28. I offered the Printer an extract from Ebeling's Letter but he would not consent to publish it unless he was permitted to make comments upon it, to which I would by no means submit. My ex- tracts from Belsham upon Wilberforce he treated with as little cere- mony in laying them over for consideration. If all the Printers were as cautious, government would have no need of a Directory-Com- missioner to guard the press. 29. Thanksgiving Day. There was Rain in the Morning but soon afterwards it cleared off & tho' the walking was wet, yet it was a pleasant day. The fame of our Music attracted the notice of many persons, especially the young, & the house was unusually full, but it did not add to the whole amount of the Poor's Contribution five dollars. The order of service was Opening with Instrumental Music. Two bass viols, tenour viol, 3 violins, hautboy, 4 G. flutes & voices. Introductory prayer. 42 Hymn set to Music vocal, accompanied. Lecture. Instrumental music. Prayer. Particular metre, Barbault's Hymn 15th, set to music by Mr. Palfrey. Sermon. Instrumental during the Contributions. Anthem on the occasion. Prayer & Blessing. Then the Song of the Day, •* Adams & Liberty." 30. This evening in company with the family of Silsbee, I went up to Castle Hill to spend the evening with the family of Easties, lately connected by marriage. Mr. Easties shewed me two places, where evidently had been cellars, north of the hill & one below the other, easterly. I also saw the place on the south side, in a valley formed on the south side of the hills, where formerly was a Potter's kiln. The iron funnel was found under the roots of a black cherry tree & is now the iron of a mantle in a chimney of the farm house. The houses on the Cellar must have been early as they were not recollected by the father of the last Judge Lynde as early as 1680. December 2. [1798] Sunday. Notes. Abigail Thayer with her friends, d. of her Husband. Elizabeth Thayer with her friends, d. of her Son. Mary Becket, d. of her youngest child, husb. & friends 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 291 absent. Hannah Malcom, d. of her g. child Becket. Deborah Sage, delivery, husb. at Sea. 6. This morning was laxinched at Brigg's Shipyards just above stage point, a Brig with her masts & standing riggings, for Thorndike of Beverly.* She moved into the water with that graceful regular- ity which distinguishes the builder upon that favourable spot he possesses. It is the fashion of late for the Printers of the United States to subjoin all diplomatic & other communications some salu- tary commentaries which being put below & written in a vulgar stile have a tendency to pervert the minds of common readers, so that as soon as they have read & begin to think, they are blusteringly arrested by some absolute decision upon the construction they ought to put. Thus Truth has free course & is glorified. All Confidence in the french must & shall be distroyed. 8. In yesterday's gazette we had the last roar of poor Morse. His only fort was in recourse to vulgar prejudice. He did not dare to meet an argument fairly. He ranted upon the zeal of Ma- sons his old Copie[s/c] of Robison, then condemned all Secret So- cieties, & after saying that 3/4s of what had been said was nothing to the point, he ended by saying that nothing was understood. He had published an account of his benevolence which in the Centinel of this day is proved to be false, attributing to his own zeal the generous exertions of those who were independant of him & dis- pised him. Dined, as we expected for the last time, with Madame Fiske in the mansion House. She removes into the upper part of the town to accomodate Mrs. Allen. 9. Sunday. A snow storm for the whole day & I preached from scetches. Note. Margaret Clarke, dangerously sick, aged. Mr. Rogers & wife in town from Newbury, hoping to return to their School in this to\vn from which his imprudence drove them. At Neivhury Port the School felt all the force of religious &l political party. The Children contended with the zeal of their parents. It is observed that every person that can possibly afford it, keeps a carriage, & the children ride to & from their School. This is very- different from the practice of Salem. 10. There is a Schooiier ashore on Nahant Beach, from Surinam, belonging to Boston. Crew & Cargo saved. The storm was very severe. Subscription has been opened in this Town for Mr. Tytler's Compilations on the Yellow Fever. This is an artifice of the Print- ers, with the aid of a Quack, to force a little money from the public. Compilation, Compilation, Compilation is as much the cry as beau- coup d'argent from the poor frenchmen. 11. Capt. Hosmer has brought from Russia a German Clock chiefly of wood that performs upon a German harp. It is much to be preferred to the chime clocks, from the more distinct sounds & less continued vibrations. This is the first specimen I have ever •Brig Rorer, 13£ tone. 292 DIARY OF [Dec. seen of this kind. The harp may be taken down & played by the hand at pleasure >& is an instrument of music always in the house. 15. It is said that the Grammar School master in this Town has resigned. The School has dwindled to 14 scholars, of which all were never present together. The Salary was equal to the mean of all the salaries of the ministers in Town & therefore above all but one of them. 16. Sunday. Note. Jona. Archer, pr. for a daughter, dang, sick & for a Son at Sea. I preached without notes again as a more animating method when the services are short & the weather ex- treme. Our music assisted by the singers from the Old Church. 17. Mr. Bond's handsome nero House in Walnut street was sold at Vendue this day for 850 dollars, it being under the following in- cumbrance of a ground rent of 30 Dollars per annum for 20 years, after which term the land may be purchased at an appraisement. 18. Some efforts are making in this Town to create a love of Musick. A musick society was formed by young mechanics who met occasionally. Another of a different class united key with wind instruments, to which the first were confined. A Selection of members formed another Society, who have provided an hall in Cambridge Street, of 30 by 20 feet properly arched. To this Mr. Dodge is to send his Organ which he has built in this Town, im- porting the stops. Other Instruments are to be conveyed to this place. The hall is to be used on common occasions to teach Vocal musick. Dined & spent the day at Esqr. Collins' at his seat in Dan- vers which was built by Hooper & was in 1774 the residence of Gov. Gage. It is in good order. To the original land, Esq. C. has purchased a neighboring farm north of it & a 50 acre lot in front eastward of the Endicott's giving him the Duck river branch of the Cow House river & the large willow hedge. He is taking pains for an orchard, but fears for the event. He tells that apples succeed little in Nova Scotia. But that near Malagash they have plenty of cherries & plums. The apples succeed better in the rough land than on the sandy plain where he now lives. In the evening with his Brother I returned to Salem. 21. Gloucester exempts in our neighborhood have formed a com- pany under Col. Pearce. Praise is given to their Militia & Artillery. A plentiful tnarket in a fine day & good sledding. 22. Timber continually passing for the ship to be built for the U. S. on the neck, & some of the work preparing. 23. Sunday. Dined with Capt. Hodges on a wild turkey taken from a flock of turkeys kept by Breed upon Nahant, which never come under shelter, but of the trees in the neighborhood of the house in winter. These Turkies are pronounced good by the connoisseurs of the palate. 27. A pleasant day & I assisted in the celebration of St. John's •day with the Brethren. We were not full, but had several visiting 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 293 Brethren from Marblehead, Beverly, &e. The Past Master Hiller installed the Officers in the usual forms & an elegant dinner was pro- vided. My part was the prayers, address, arrangements, &c. 28 dollars were collected from the Brethren of the Lodge for the poor & penniless & the Lodge closed at sundown. 30. Sunday. Notes, Hannah Mack, d. of her child, Husb. & Br. at Sea. Susannah Sowers, d. of her g. ch. Mack, Son at Sea. The old Church yet shut from the indisposition of the Pastor. January 1, 1799. Mr. Sennert* buried this evening. A gentle- man from Boston generously paid all the charges of the sickness & fimeral as long illness had impoverished Mr. Sennert. 2. The New Year's wish of the Gazette says of Salem, Tho' often last, she's never least, And fame & fortune to secure Tho' very slow, she's very sure. This is supposed to have been written by a Mr. Bigelow who keeps a private school in the Town & was educated at Cambridge. 3. A very great burden of snow now upon the ground. In the Coimtry roads it is as high as the fences, & still higher in Maine. 5. Weather intensely cold. At 9 minus at sunrise & at one o'- clock P. M. after a clear sun, Dr. Holyoke's thermometer in the great street stood at 1 minus. The timber for the frigate comes in merrily. 6. Sunday. Notes. R. Collins, d. of his friend P. Sennert, Sons absent. John Poor, d. of his friend P. Sennert, Friends absent. Mr. Archer's d. was buried this evening & proper attention paid.t 7. Mr. G. Ropes, determined no more to submit to insults on the sea, has purchased a farm in Orford, N. H., on the Connecticut river. The nearest rout he gives me is the following : from Salem to Topsfield, Haverhill, Plaistow, Hamstead, Chester, Pembroke, Concord, Boscawen, Salisbury, New Chester, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Rumney, to Orford & then 7 1/2 miles to the ferry on the Con- necticut near Prat's farm. The whole distance being 137 1/2 miles from Salem. Three Salem families will be upon one farm when Ropes arrives. Captains Story, Butman & Ropes & all have been mariners. 10 families enter Salem, for one that retires into the Country, with this difference that the families which come from the country are commonly of young enterprising tradesmen, while those which retire are generally possessed of a competence, which they hope to enjoy more at their ea,se or with less expence & hazard. 8. The timber for the Ship has come in so freely, & it has been fresh unusually good sledding that a general supply is obtained. The Harbour is covered with ice excepting between the fort & Nau- gus. Macanulty with us, intending to board with us. Betsey Page, d. of S. Page, buried this evening from Col. Lawrence's. 10. To help the launch of the Frigate, now we have the timber, •Patrick Sennert, an Irishman. tMarjr, daughter of Jonathan and Mebitable (Kimball) Archer. 294 DiABY OP [Jan. a report is given from a Senator, U . S., Jacob Read, that they talk of an invasion of the Southern States from Gaudeloupe should there be a war. The French have a Baltimore Schooner of 12 guns & the English have robbed one of our Ships of some of its hands. 13. Sunday. Notes. Jona. Archer & children, d. of his daughter, pr. for his Son at Sea. George Taylor & wife, her delivery. Wil- liam Boyd & wife, her delivery, pr. for friends abroad. A Wid. Jenkins slipped down & broke her leg in two places. Mrs. Fiske has hired a seat in the old Church, as she has lately removed into the Town, & has left us sans ceremonie. 20. Sunday. Notes. Eliz. Martin, her delivery. Brother long ab- sent. Her husb. was drowned last year in the harbour. Capt. C.'s Ship fired upon the news of the arrival of their Ship from India at New York. This is the first time for an arrival at another port. Nancy Wyatt applied to Capt. Hodges & myself to assist her in her provision for her natural children. It was at first agreed to go to Andover but it afterwards dropped. This day died Samuel Fiske, Son of Revd. S. Fiske of Salem, & an infirm Brother of the late Gen- eral Fiske, aet. 58. Upon account of his infirmities, he was main- tained at Manchester, 9 miles from Salem. 21. News of Capt. Jona. Mason junr., who has been absent above 13 months, & not heard of after he passed the Cape of Good Hope. Spent the evening with Mr. Bigelow who for the present has moved into our part of the Town. He keeps a school in the Brick Store, S. E. corner of Court Street. He has married a Lander. 22. Capt. Paul Read of Maine buried in Salem. Attended the funeral of Samuel Fiske at Manchester. Mr. Crafts formerly min- ister of Princeton officiated. The Corpse was left in the Burying Ground from thence to be conveyed to his Brother's Tomb in Salem. 23. A request having been repeated, sent from Anna Wyatt now at Andover, under the care of Dr. K[ittredge] her Physician, that I would in company with Capt. B. Hodges call upon her before her death, we consented to go & left Salem at 10 A. M. & reached Peter Osgood's where she had boarded, at one P. M. but she had died in the morning before our arrival. The cause of her request was a de- sire to secure to her natural children, what the Law unjustly de- prives them of, such property as she was in possession of at her de- cease. The history of this young woman is — She was born of par- ents who lived at variance, & the father, in the coasting trade, for many years made his home in his sloop at the wharf when in port. The children were all of warm tempers & greatly at variance. This d. being the youngest child, lived with the mother & yet had all the affections of the father & by her was the only communication of all things between the parents. In all other points but that of domestic variance the parents were unexceptionable. When I came to Salem there was a proposal to revive the singing & among other children An- na was sent to the School. To a good person she united the best voice 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 295 & judgment that ever I had known. She soon took the first place & was solicited to perform on all occasions. Her education had not provided the due guards for such a situation. Everywhere her com- pany was desired. And when the sons of God came together Satan came also among them. A young man named Bray, of good person, paid her every attention & seduced & then abandoned her. She had refused the addresses of a young man of greater industry, but less address, who had succeeded well in the world. In this situation she was forsaken by all her young companions & was without the the resources of good counsel, which may relieve the misery of such condition. She fell sick & was for a long time very low but recov- ered. After several years she was addressed by a young carpenter, a stranger & widower. He at length seduced her, lived with her, encouraging her hopes, till his debauchery & abuse obliged her & all her friends to call upon the police & expose her to the public notice. She was confined in the public workhouse till he would con- sent to leave the Town, & she, enfeebled by the worst abuse which ever was known, retired to Andover to finish a life that opened with the best prospects & closed at 33 years of age with the worst. No vice was to be charged to her but high passions. She had retained her patrimony which, in the best manner she could, she bequeathed to her two natural daughters, which Charity of the noblest kind has in charge. We returned the same evening bringing with us an aged & kind Aunt & the two little Children. 27. Sunday. Notes. John Edwards & wife, d. of her Brother Samuel Fiske, pr. Son at Sea. Sarah Stivers, d. of her Br. S. Fiske. Mary Chever and the children of Anna Wyatt, ford, of Anna Wyatt. Tim. Welman & wife, d. of her Sister Anna Wyat, pr. for Son at Sea. Benja. Bray & wife, d. of their youngest child, pr. for breth- ren at Sea. 28. Hannah, of Anna Wyatt, has been disposed of in the fam- ily of Capt. Nichols, & the younger is at Capt. Welman's at present. The Judge reports that the signature Anna Wilkins* must oblige him to notify the heirs fully of the matter so that at last it will be by consent, & the heirs are not of the best hopes. 29. News of the death of Mrs Elizabeth Prebble, at Boston. She was a daughter of Hon. Richard Derby of Salem, & had moved from Salem to Boston. She was the third wife of Mr. E. Prebble, & has left three children. Mt. 29. The Widow Patterson fell down at her door this morning & broke the bones above the wrist. She was a very corpulent woman. 31. Went with my friend Mr. Derby to Boston to attend the funeral of his Sister Prebble. I reached Boston in season to hear part of the Sermon at the Thursday Lecture. I found Dr. West of Boston in the pulpit. He speaks without notes but evidently from recollection & without energy. The Funeral was from the Tontine *HawkiBS, in Bentley's Parish Deaths. 296 DIARY OF [Feb. Buildings & Mr. Kirkland officiated. We proceeded to the new grounds at the bottom of the Common. I then passed to Freeman, who invited Mr. Nichols to spend the evening, & we did spend it in great glee, & supped on venison. I returned to my Father's at 12. February 1. [1799] Waited on Dr. Lathrop. He informed me of the zeal of Professor Pearson to oppose my interest from the late controversy with Dr. Morse upon Robison's Free Masonry. Mr. Freeman mentioned a late voyage 07i the N. E. parts of Europe with great respect. After having obtained the literary news, at 11 I left Boston & reached Salem after one o'clock. I found Mr. Bentley at my house & I returned in such haste, to attend a funeral, which was deferred at my request. 3. Sunday. Notes. Samuel Derby & wife, d. of Sister Prebbles & pr, for Br. Jona. sick, Margaret Edey, d. of Mother Clarke, M. E. with her children. Eliza. Clarke & her children, d. of her mother in law Clarke. 4. My address to Essex Lodge out of the press. Pres. A. talks like a boy about the danger of the institution. Men of sense who ridicule or oppose the Institution are surprised at his simplicity. If he affects to be afraid, he loosens by the pretence because indif- ferent persons consider it as a weakness & his judgment suffers, so that he gets neither aid nor confidence. 11. The old spot on which stood the Blue Anchor Tavern of Hol- lingsworth & was afterwards the place of a well known store & Cel- lar belonging to English, & afterwards purchased by Capt. R. Der- by & sold by his heirs to Capt. Allen, is now disposed of for a build- ing yard to Retire Becket. The Derby street separates this part of the lot from the upper Lot lying on English street. 15. News of the loss of Capt. Preston's Son & G. Son at Wood Island off Saco. They were upon their passage upwards. This Preston was a Baker & lived in the S. part of the Town. A wife & 6 children survive him. He was lost on night before Christmas. 17. Sunday. Note. Abigail Bullock, delivery, pr. for Husband sick abroad. Mrs. Hubbard, a native of Canada, promised me an account of Lake 3Iemphremagog. I drank tea with her, in company with the Spanish Consul, Mr. Stoughton. 22. This day is announced by the discharge of Cannon as the birth day of the Illustrious Washington. May God send him worthy successors. Last evening I was amused by the dancing of a little circle of girls. How beautiful, if this exercise were only a domestic amusement. Cannon were fired on the Common & on Union Wharf & at Beverly. Several gentlemen dined together in the public houses. 24. Sunday. Notes. Andrew Preston & wife, d. of his Son & G. Son at Sea, pr. for only surviving Son at Sea. Joshua Webb & sisters, d. of his Brother, pr. for Brothers at Sea. Noah Hobart & wife, her delivery. Capt. Preston lost his Son who has left a wid- 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 297 ow & six Children, four sous. This Son was returning with his sou from Castine, Maine, where he was an Inspector in the Cus- toms of the United States. He had his Son with him in a Coaster & were lost at Wood Island. Captain Preston has been an uncom- mon example of suffering at Sea. There is scarcely any form of danger which he has not experienced. Mr. Hobart belongs to the Old Church which was shut from the indisposition of the Pastor. The Clergy have been highly complimented for their attention to the political concerns of the County, on the late festival. 25. Mr. Retire Becket has engaged three vessels in his Building yard. A Keel piece was brought^on Saturday of walnut measuring 64 feet. On Saturday sailed the Ship of Capt. G. Crowninshield & Sons, carrying 2Jf. guns. Much is said in her praise.* Capt. G-. Archer prepared to engage a french privateer but she declined. 26. Our gazette gives a pompous account of the Salem Cele- brations & their remarkable toasts. We did not hear much of the matter. March 3. [1799] Sunday. Notes. Samuel Vincent & wife, d. of her Son abroad, William Thompson set. 23. Mary Moore, sud- den d. of her child, pr. husband at Sea. Sarah Patterson, delivery, pr. husband at Sea. Mary Millet, delivery, pr. husband at Sea. 4. Saw the Thanksgiving Sermon of Mr. Abbott of Haverhill. It discovers the fire & imagination of youth, but it details all the American & English abuse upon the Illuminati with the zeal & discretion of a boy. 7. Much snow on the ground. The foundations of the build- ings on the Winter Island are laid & 20 carpenters are at work. The old fort house «& barracks are cleared for the workmen on the Frigate. 8. Dined ivith the Selectmen, Overseers & Treasurer as is usual in turn with the Clergy who officiate on the Annual March Meet- ing. 9. News from Capt. Philips at Lisbon, that in a gale, among others that he lost the younger son of William Pickman Esqr. of this Town. Sunday. 10. Notes. Robert Smith & wife, d. of his Sister Grant, his wife sick. Wid. Mehitable Patterson, d. of her Sister Grant, 3 Sons at Sea. Wid. Martha Townsend, d. of her mother Grant. Anna Steward, d. of her Mother Grant. Elizabeth Daniels, d. of her mother Grant, pr. for Son at Sea. Hannah Mal- colm, d. of her Sister Waters at Beverly, pr. Children absent. 11. It is said they are going fast into the use of navigation in Lynn. It was my turn to open the Town Meeting with prayer. Town meeting without contention. 12. The Town have secured to the Inhabitants the use of the •The ship America. 298 DiABY OF [ March lot3 in the Great pastures upon account of the interruptions on the neck this year from building the frigate on Winter island. 16. Dr. Prince's Son returned to him from Cambridge, by sus- pention from the University. 17. Sunday. No Notes. A great body of snow upon the ground. A Mr. t/bna. Whitaker lately settled at Sharon, engaged conditionally to preach for me, but went off. His text after or- dination was / am the rose of Sharon. Not true. He was a son of the well known Dr. Whitaker of this Town of Salem. 18. The Bope walks which are asked, or rather the lots for them on the Neck, leads to the history of them in this town. The Rope walk on the south side of old paved street is said to be the cause of its straitness. When Rogers left it it was removed down below Frye's or to Crowninshield's lot which now is, running out to Man- ning's lot, on the lot below Ingersoll's street lately laid out from Derby street to Neck gate. Then Mr, Crowninshield removed it to Orne's walk, as it is now called, the new road passing over the spot between Becket & English Street. Then Vincent's was built upon Hodges' Lot eastward of the Common & lately Brigg's, upon Stone's Lot N. W. from Vincent's, & then Haradan's on Brown street, upon Derby's Lot. There are several outdoor spinners. One upon English's lot eastward of English street. Several on the plot of Orne's ropewalk. One between Turner & Becket street from Derby street. And there is a walk partly covered on the East side of Williams street. There are spinners in the Duck factory on Pickering's hill & also beyond it. There was but one proper Rope walk in Town when I came. Orne's had decayed & there was no gang of hands in it. 24. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Preston, d. of her youngest child, husb. absent, brothers at sea. My landlord Capt. Crowninshield sailed. 25. A pleasant day. Could for the first time be comfortable without fire. Several arrivals & salutes. Some of our vessels have fallen into the hands of the french. 26. A. Coverly, Bookseller, printer, &c., just appeared here & vanished away. 28. Our common topics are the captures of French vessels. Ev- ery thing is done to excite our joy upon these events, but we re- joice with trembling. The news of an Insurrection in western Parts of Pennsylvania is much in the fog & the tale of the tub has van- ished. We have the story of Brown, a ridiculous fellow in our gaol, for another alarm, & what is more serious, the President is to call out his additional 24 regiments. Political violence in party is not a proof of quiet possession, and this stir makes us fear more from the directed strength than the progress of any party. 29. The Salem Gazette is loud and more loud. Philips declines being Lieut. Governor. He could not get it. Dane declines being 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 299 Senator, Party is too strong against him for his moderation. The Lynn Parson is upon the list, where he probably is by his own con- sent. And the public are challenged at this dangerous crisis, to come forward & elect him. ,30. A Frenchman from a prize taken by Capt. Decatur is in our gaol. Wrote a Letter to the Marshall, Col. S. Bradford, in be- half of Laurance Simonet the french man in gaol. 31. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Collins sick, husband & sons at sea. Mary Peale, delivery, pr. husband at Sea. I exchanged with Mr. Thacher of Lynn, who went to Marblehead, & Mr. Hubbard came to Salem. Electioneering in Lynn embarassed by a necessity ■of circumstance to chuse as a Senator the man whom they could not endure as their teacher. Apr. 1. [1799] Election of four Senators. The people were called together, & the Lists of Senators stood as 5 to 1 in the op- position. Treadwell obtained as Salem Candidate. It is now evi- dent that elections do not give us the wisest men. The Salem op- position party is now begun & in its first efforts amounts to 47. Mr. Bigelow's exhibition this day attracted notice & was well at- tended. These dramatic exhibitions tend to introduce the love of the Theatre & to form those manners which we ought to detest. Master Kendall who opposed them, is now no more in office. Op- position will cease. Our manners change & our evils multiply. 2. Capt. Gardner came to Town. Relieved a wreck & saved the Crew. The Ship Yard begins to be alive with Carpenters. 3. The Centinel notices the excentricities at Cambridge at the Elections of yesterday. The Students of the Universities huzzaing at the door, the Constables threatened with a prosecution for clear- ing the house. The conduct at College is ridiculous. 4. The national fast. A decent but not crowded assembly. I read the Law against swearing & cursing, standing below at the Com- munion table before I entered the pulpit in the morning. 6. This day they began to prepare the ground for the Keel of the Frigate. 7. Sunday. Note. Nathan Millet, d. Wife & Child in his ab- sence, pr. for absent friends. Proposed at the Communiou to pur- chase two silver flagons price supposed to be 120 dollars. 30 dol- lars being on hand. Snow in some of the back streets of Salem & on the Neck lies in places 3 feet deep. 10. Last Sunday night a tipling fellow, one Whittemore, was drowned in the pond above Frye's upon his return homeward. Sev- eral instances of derangeinent lately. The Alewives have begun to return to our waters. ISIr. Bowditch tells me that Cadiz is sup- posed to contain 90,000 souls. That the streets are narrow but kept clean. That the Observatory on the Island three miles from the City is in happy progress. That their Instruments are chiefly from England. Their Nautical almanac is printed from the Green- 300 DIARY OF [April wich excepting the accomodation merely to the Longitude of Cadiz. That the Spanish character is changing with great rapidity. At Alicant, which is said to have 9,000 souls, which number he doubts, everything has a mean appearance. He was not able to visit the lagoon a few leagues from the City. 12. Mr. Curwin, aet. 85, tells me that he has left the Club called old Club,* upon account of his hearing. The present members left are Dr. Holyoke, Mr. Roby & Hiller, such Clergymen as occasional- ly attend. I have attempted to persuade Mr. Curwin to give Mr. Thacher of Milton's portrait to Dr. Thacher of Boston, & of his an- cestors to the Historical Society. 13. The Centinel entertains us with the zeal of the students of Cambridge to resent their being excluded from the Town meeting by breaking the windows of the last representative. He confesses this last measure not federal. I rode to see Spring pond, to visit the Spring & the fountain of the Aqueduct. It stands on a line with the Stone wall, the first wall after having passed the rising ground left of the road after crossing the brook called Butt's Brook. 14. Sunday. Notes. Robert Richardson & wife, d. of his only child Collins, pr. for Son in law Collins at Sea. John Collins & wife, d. of their sister, pr. for Son & brother at Sea. Sarah Hill, d. of Sister-in-Law Collins, pr. for friend at Sea. Samuel Archer & wife, her delivery, pr. for friend at sea. 16. Remarks upon the length of winter. 18 weeks the Mail sleigh successively passed through Keene, N. H. & ice now lays in the paved street of this Town. In the fields the snow is yet several feet deep in vallies. 17. Attended the Vendue of Books at which little regard was shewn to fair play. Bidders without & within known to have con- nection with the Owners made all the Books in the afternoon pass to the account of one man. The Sales were managed disgracefully. There were few persons of common education who attended. Only such as might be easily gulled. 18. Mr. Jonathan Derby buried this day. A large Collection of Gentlemen. The Father of Jona. Derby, Hon. Richard Derby Esqr, died in 1780, aet. 43 ? Judge Trowbridge, alias Goffe, was very much attached to him. 19. This day after one o'clock, died Elizabeth Derby, set. 64, wife of E. H. Derby Esqr, Merchant in this Town. She was a Crowninshield. A Woman who felt & enjoyed all the pride of great wealth, with an understanding not distinguished & poorly cultiva- ted, but a woman who took the greatest pride in being known as a Charitable woman, as she was indeed to the poor in general, but con- stantly so to all her poor & dependent kindred. It was at her in- stigation the Elegant Mansion house was built where Col. Browne's stood, but she did not live long to enjoy it. All have anecdotes of •Old Fire Club. 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. D. 801 her folly & vanity, but all reverence her charity & kind disposi- tions, i spent part of the afternoon with Mr. Pulling, late Master of Essex Lodge. He is totally ruined by his paralytic atfections & cannot be expected long in so miserable an existance. Examples of greater debility are rare. 20. Dined with ^Mr. Dane at Beverly. Present, Brown & Thorn- dike, ^Merchants, lievd. McKeen, Fisher »& Whitney, Physicians, Mr. Perkins of the Law, Salem, & Mr. Reed. The conversation was mixed at the Table, but Politics for the desert. Chiefly to inspire prejudices against the french. Mr. Dane is able to manage such conversation. 21. Sunday. Notes. Mary Ropes, d. of Mother in Law Ropes, pr. for husband very long absent, her son & friends at Sea. Sam. Derby & wife, d. of Brother Jonathan, pr. for Brother at Sea. Mary Brown, d. of her only daughter, pr. for husband & Son at Sea. Mr. Derby's death affects the public mind sensibly. Preached on the occasion. In the evening service took notice of the ^first Salem Cov- enant & made such remarks as agreed with my sentiments upon it. I can find no traces of the logical inquiries in it or of a plan. 23. Mrs. Derby's funeral was attended with great Ceremony. The number of Spectators was very great & the procession unusual. The Crowninshield family would not attend in consequence of a dis- affection of long standing. Attended \h& funeral of one of the french j)risojiers from the Charity House. We had this evening agreable news from all oiw absent and missing friends. Capt. Buttolph Ward was saved with his Crew from the wreck and the northern ships were found frozen up in their ports. 24. This day there was a snowstorm & the earth is completely covered with snow in all the appearance of winter. 25. Public Fast of the United States by President Adams. The Service was more decently attended than usually & Mr. Alden preached in the evening service. After service I rode to Marble- head to attend the funeral of the widow of Col. Azor Orue. I met the Clergy at Story's & after Tea returned. For the first time the Gate of the Neck in Salem was locked to prevent Chaises from pass- ing in Service time, but the lock was broken. Col. Orne's Tomb has been built since his decease, in the back part of the Town of Mar- blehead & the body removed into it. This is the first Tomb in the new ground. News of the death of the Reverend John Cleveland, set. 77, of Chebacco, Ipswich. He was the eldest minister in the County of Essex. Died Monday, 22 April. 28. Sunday. A Lock having been put upon the Neck gate, Salem, it was broken by one Mann, a builder at Frye's Mills. An action for trespass was commenced at Esqr. Ward's & Mann was cast. He has appealed to the Court of Sessions. Notes. Mary Elkins, d. of her Sister Derby. Edward Gibaut & family, d. or his Sister in Law Derby, pr. friends at Sea. John Hill & wife, her delivery, Br. Hill 302 DIARY OF [May- long absent, & Brethren at Sea. Mr. Browne my warden tells me that his g. Mother lived till 92 years of age. Of his Aunts, four lived, one to 98, one to 95, one 88, one 86 & his Mother 81. 30. Mr. Retire Becket launched a vessel for Mr. Derby this day but hardly escaped from doing the greatest injury by his indiscre- tion. She fell upon the wharf & slid off, only beating off her Cut- water, This was repaired & she floated in the evening. This man is a good workman but a careless man in launching his vessels. May 5. [1799] Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth Archer, delivery, Hus- band at Sea. Sarah Knapp, Child sick, Husb. at Sea. The pro- posed ^a^^ows mentioned ag. at the Communion. News that my first Fast Sermon smelt of Jacobinism. This is the first time that ever I heard of it, after it had been the subject of conversation, & some pretended to have been offended at it. The last healed the wound, as nothing has been said about it since. 7. Last night a House of one Parsons was broken open at the head of Brooks wharf. The thief robbed the Bed Chamber. Day of Military parade, of which there is hardly the form «& why should there be when there is so much done for a standing army. The Ar- tillery in their uniform marched over the Common, returned. There were few if any Commission Officers in the Militia. 8. On Monday I attended the funeral of Jude, an African wom- an. As neither the Sexton nor the priest of the Episcopal Church were ready, the office of prayers fell to me. She has been long cel- ebrated at Twisse's as a ForUme teller & in this age of illuminatism has had ample encouragement. A proof of the progress of know- ledge. Dr. Morse is as lucky as Jude for he has found out illumin- atism in everything, & has promised to expose a Lodge of Emigrants. He unblushingly declares his discovery but I have only seen his hearsay in the Mercury, which was promised in the Centinel but seized by this publisher. 9. News from New York that John Saunders, who left this Town, has failed in that City. His affairs were not most happy when he left this quarter. 11. The Alewives bring in the FisJi. I saw 60 Haddock caught within a few hours by a small boat from the fort with two men. 12. Sunday. This morning we had a flight of snow in all th& forms of winter, large, driving, steady. Notes. Abigail Bullock, sick, «& pr. for Husband sick in England. There has actually been raised a Baptist Meeting House in the lower parish of Beverly not far from the Parish Meeting House. In the subscription it is pro- posed,— We being desirous to have the gospel preached. 13. Capt. John Gibaut invited me to go with him upon a visit to his Farm & mills in Cape Ayin Island. We found the road through Cape Ann woods much assisted by the new road but there remains 1 & 1/2 mile yet unfinished to remind the traveller what that road once was & has lately been. We were told that 300 dol- 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 303 lars had been appropriated by the Town to finish the work, as the three Classes of the Lottery were incompetent. We reached the Harbour or Town, at one o'clock & passed, after a few compli- ments, to Old Town, where was the Farm we were to visit. The river which empties into Squam River, on the west side of that riv- er, meets about 1/2 mile below the mills from whence it has a southerly course beautifully meandering, when the tide is full, through open ground, & sloping hills, which are a strange contrast to the broken ground, and towering rock around. There is a good view from the rising ground opposite to the Farm House at the Mills but a better view 1/2 mile upward from the bald rock of Fool^s Hill which gives a view of Boston & Ipswich Bay «& of the adjacent country. The Mill pond communicates with Cape Ann pond about three miles distant & the tide flows as far as the Fresh Water mills, one mile upwards or S. where the fresh streams turn eastward. The mills have been thoroughly repaired & a large store is finished upon the west side upon a Cobb wharf joining to the Mill Dam. As the river runs toward the Town there is a beautiful view up the river of the Spires & houses as we approach the Town. After dinner with Capt. Smith's lovely family, who is upon the farm, & in company with Gibaut, we prepared for sailing down Squam river. As the tide was low we walked down to the point below the mills where Squam river meets the Mill river. At this point we found the remains of Col. Low's wharf which, at an early period, was a place of considerable business, & there is an unusual depth of water. Round the point at Gee's wharf in Squam river, 6 fathoms may be found at low water. There is a road from the Town to this point but from the change of the place of business from the Upper Town, as it is called, to the Harbour, so called, it is neglected. In Squam river lay four islands. The largest are furthest up the River. They are small. Pierce's & Rhust's are well known. In Squam Harbour a Cape runs inland at the head of which stands the Meeting House. Not in very good repair but bet- ter than at Sandy Bay. It is of two stories, not highj small & fin- ished in the plainest manner. We saw the wharf at the point built by Capt. Haraden, now of Salem. Baker's Orchard, west of the Town, was said to be as large as any upon the Island, & it made a good appearance in this singular situation. Opposite to Squam was the well known Sand Beach, which supplies all the shore with sand for the use of families from Boston to Portsmouth. It is best nearest the rocks, or upon the most easterly part or N. E. We then having passed Lobster & Goose coves, to Squam Cove, came in view of the Bar Rocks which lay near to Squam Bar & which trends to- wards Wigwam Point, on which we found a Beacon, upon which is hoisted in foul weather a Lantern to aid the Fishermen in passing the Bar. The Lobster Rocks go to the Channel and they enter by bringing the Bald Rock between the bar and two sharp rocks on the part 01 ipswicn. xney periorare a large scone cc raise a tre its roots & stripped of its branches, & then slide the stoue o stock of the tree upon the root. The root prevents the ston* a seperation & this is carried & sunk in a convenient place t remaining like a post above water. The fish houses are at tl of these coves, & from the number of sunken trees we may ascertain the number of boats in the Cove. About 300 is th^ ber for the whole Island, half of which belong to the part Sandy Bay. From Wigwam point we passed to Neck point, affords two coves, that on the west side being called Neck ( that on the east side, Hodgkin's Cove & is considerable. W opened Plum Cove & afterwards Lane's Cove & after having an Head called Gallop's folly, we opened Gallop's folly Cove next point is the extreme of the Cape called Halibut poin1 then put out into the bay among the wherries which are sm; bottom boats »& are as numerous as the Jebacco Boats, & wl good weather make two fares a day & sometimes take as m five hundred Cod & Haddock. They are rowed cross handled man & even by boys of 10 & 12 years. We succeeded in fisl for the first time I caught several haddock, but the wind br( I was soon too sick to persevere. We returned at Sun down Mills & after Tea had more sport at the Mill tail. The eeh down in abundance, & the alewives striving to ascend tossed back by the water, great numbers were easily takei scoop net without any labour but of dipping it into the strea is but lately the alewives have been led into this course, i. few of them pass the freshwater mills above the mil Pond. There has been a vexing Lawsuit upon th( ject a few years since upon account of the refusal c privilege & the Claims of the Mills being supported, the To\ hitherto neglected to purchase the privilege. The grant mills was made to a former minister, one Emerson, & all t habitants, except a few on Jebacco side, bound themselves t their grain to this grist mill. The exempts were better acco ed at a nearer place. From the conversation we might expe< the Town would soon see their true interest & purchase the r a passage to these fish so important in our fishery. These al not only draw in the large fish, but 2000 dollars are suppoj tually to be expended in Cape Ann for Alewives as bait fr( baco & other Towns. 14. In the morning we prepared to take the Tour of the Capt. Smith took a Mr. Phelps, an Apothecary, in a Chaise, t Gibaut & I rode together in another. We stopped in the H to be shaved by a woman named Becky who in due form ex 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 305 all the functions of a Barber. She has her shop decorated with all the pictures which belong to such places of resort, from the meanest Black print to the best engraving, with all the songs which are in the taste of the varied multitude of her customers. It was a solitary example of a woman in tliis employment. She shaves well but has few attractions of her sex. As soon as we left the Town we had a view on the right of Salt Island so memorable by the fate of our mariners. It lies at a Small distance from the shore, has a sand beach within it & is almost a bald rock of considerable elevation. The roughness of the road is much less than formerly & at present not to be compared with Squam side. We passed Col. Foster & his Son at work in the field about 2 miles from Sandy Bay. Their farm is a welcome object amongst the greatest rudeness of nature. Opposite to the pond we stopped in the Road «& passed to the right to view it. We ascended a bald rock on the western side not far from the northern end of the pond, about 40 feet elevation, & here we saw the form of it. It rather exceeds half a mile in length. It lies about a mile in line from Streightsmouth, & not so much from the Eastern Shore of the Island. We could see no places to take bearings on the Eastern shore as the Islands were hidden. It lies in length nearly north & south. Its form is not very winding upon the eastern side except a little at the south end, at which it is narrowest. It then trends S. W. unequally till it goes westerly to the outlet which is about 1/3 of its length from the S. end on the western side. It then remains of its greatest width for some distance till it becomes more narrow at the northern end. Its greatest depth is said to be on the N. E. side opposite to the high rock on its W. side from where we viewed it, reckoned at 30 feet. It has the Pickerel & perch in great abundance & is a pleasant body of water. The land about it is high excepting a meadow at the north end, & down this the vallies open as far as Streightmouth which is seen in this opening. We passed from the pond to Sandy Bay, which, tho' it has a scattered appearance while in the Settle- ment, has from several heights a very pleasing form from the neighbouring heights. We stopped in the upper part of the settle- ment at Mr. Rollins, a Trader, who was absent upon business. But from his wife we had every attention and a most excellent fish din- ner. We here saw neatness & simplicity. Her husband is a car- penter & has built many houses in the place & is in flourishing cir- cumstances. From this house we passed to view the settlement stretched along upon several coves & this place has half the num- ber of Boats upon the whole Island. It had no houses which ex- pressed the wealth of Cape Ann To^^^l, but it had none of the marks of poverty which many houses in that place display. The Houses are small & of two stories & generally painted. The Doors are commonly on the side so as to afford a good front room & back kitchen, with a bed room back of the front entry. Some are double. 306 DIARY OF [May The School house was neat. The Door was at the Eastern end but there was a partition between the Doors in the same frame to keep the stairs leading above seperated from the room below. There are two windows on a side. The roof hipped with a Belfrey. The House painted green & roof red. The Meeting House is small & the body filled with seats, much neglected, roof rotten & open, standing near the shore below the School House. Formerly there were ministers in all the parishes but at present there is but one in the Island, the Revd. E. W. Forbes, in the Harbour or Town, so called. Mr. Rogers was formerly in the Upper Town & the meet- ing house is decorated with an handsome steeple but it is going rapidly to decay, having been long neglected. A Mr. Wythe & Par- sons were at Squam, but a seperation ensued from their impru- dence. They are both living. At Sandy Bay was a Mr. Cleveland, still living, who has repeatedly preached among them. Some from these parishes, visit the small house for the Universalists in the harbour, but this Society has no stated minister since Mr. Murray removed to Boston. As we pass in Sandy Bay down towards Streiffhtsmouth, the Light Houses on Thacher's Island open on the road before us, & as we went towards Streightsmouth were in full view. The longest side of Streightsmouth Island is open towards Sandy Bay, the E. part running outwards from shore. The Streight is narrow & has not much water at low tide & is winding. A Bluff head terminates the N. end of the Island near the shore under which is a little soil to be seen. There is a beach upon the shore within the streight & on the shore a Bluff opposite to the bluff on the Island. Upon our return we observed the very decent appear- ance of the women & children, which have good forms & most florid countenances united with an uncommon cleanliness in their dress. At Rollins' are found some infant specimens of Taste. Some mon- umental drawings in memory of some deceased Children, done by one Saville, a Schoolmaster, with such inscriptions as are adapted to the heart of a parent, & are the best tribute to the memory of the good we love. After dinner we took our departure for Squam. We nowhere saw Halibut j)oint from Sandy Bay, as it was covered by Anderson's point. As we proceeded along Pigeon Cove we had a miserable road, but before we reached it we had a pleasing view of Pidgeon Hill. A few Trees on the top yet remain, but the gen- tle rising & the central figure of the Hill, as well as the verdure everywhere on its sides, was a contrast to the rude forms of rocks & declivities which everywhere else appear. The Salvages lay off before us & the three white rocks on the eastern group which lay before us are coloured by their daily visitants, the Birds, to warn the Mariners of their danger. The Mariners speak of applying to to the .Marine Societies of the neighbourhood to assist them in rais- ing a Monument upon Pidgeon hill, as the Trees are decaying con- tinually. Upon this road we saw several neat Houses, & two neat 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 307 School Houses of one Story, well painted. Halibut Point nowhere presented to the eye as we passed in the road. We found it a pile of rocks, split into flat stones of all dimentions. They seem to in- vite for every use. But they can seldom be taken from the shore on account of the swell, & the roads are too rough to admit their removal. Gallop's Folly point beyond has the same kind of stones but not in the same preparation for use & split so regularly. At Gallop's Folly we found much loose sand in the hills which we had opportunity to examine as we stopped just beyond Mr. Gott's who has a good Farm which has profited from this sand, which has been strewed upon his meadows. This Man is an Outre. He was for- merly employed in a Coasting Vessel but at present is seperated from his wife & only Child. He discovered to us the most hospitable temper, but there is a derangement of mind, rather than a corrup- tion of heart. He shewed us his farm. He has helped his Sandy plains & hills, by the Locust. He has planted the Sassifras & has a good Orchard. He showed us his woods in which he has the best oak timber on the Island, some of which he is cutting for Ship Timber. He has several nurseries of trees. He talks of a Ship yard & he has many conveniences on the shore. In a mile from Gott's we reached Squam. This has a scattered & poor appearance. It once was much more prosperous than Sandy Bay but is now far surpassed by the Inhabitants of Sandy Bay, yet, should the fisher- ies again revive, we may hope will again enter into competition with its neighbours. The road from Squam to Upper Town mills, over the two Squam hills, was in a very neglected State & by far the worst of any we found upon the Island. It is so easy to pass up the river & the distance is so much less that men always in their boats never think of stretching 3 miles over the worst roads, when they can sail pleasantly only one mile. Before Sundown we reached our home at the Mills having completed what is called the Tour of the Cape in the distance of 15 miles as it is reckoned. At leisure examined the Tide Mill, & found few improvements in the construction. The water wheel is upon the new plan of side boards & flats instead of the old floats tunnelled upon shafts. The rounds in the Lantern were short & not large enough. The Lantern was large enough. The Shoot was open & the clack was by iron claps on wood instead of open iron, & the spout was short & trough narrow. At the mills they have frequently caught a fish which they have not preserved but which the Sailors thought like the Skip jack tho' smaller. I have asked to see one when taken in Autumn. 15. This day we agreed to visit in the Town & to dine with our Companion Mr. Phelps. We reached the Harbour at 11 o'clock. Our first visit was to the New Ship Yard. They have never yet built ships of great Burden. The first attempt by Col. Pierce en- gaged much of the public attention. On every road we heard of 308 DIARY OF [May the enterprise & every man knew how much timber he could spare. The first ship heads 76 feet, 27 feet beam & 12 feet hold within the timbers, to be about three hundred Tons. She is up in her frames already. As much talk has been made of Dock Yards. Cape Ann think they can afford a convenient one in a Cove at the head of their Harbour, within 5 pound island. Their claims are not the meanest which will be advanced. 20 feet of water can easily be had. The Cove is large enough and the entrance small & the posi- tion of the Cape is the best in our Bay, to be ready for Sea. Near the Cove is a perpehial spring which is conveyed in a wooden spout so as readily to afford any quantity of the purest water. A con- stant stream fills the spout & wastes into the Sea. There are two Rope walks in the Town. One in Middle street, not far eastward of the Meeting House, belonging to Beach, & another in the lower part of the Town, formerly Seargeant's now Plummer's. From the Ships we went to the Bank. It is a building in Front Street, of one Story. We descended into the vault which is formed of the largest stone which can be easily transported & it is formed in the cavity of a rock. It is small but more secure everywhere than at the door. The back room of the Bank is a Lawyer's office and it is kept by Mr. John Rowe, their present Representative. Towards the entrance of the Town is the Neiv School house, of two apartments, one on each story, with a Cupola. And behind the Meeting House is the Proprietor's School which has two fronts & has also a Cupola & two Doors under the same frame. A Mr. Black, now in Gloucester, proposes to open an Academy & to unite his labours with two young gentlemen who are to teach writing & arithmetic, Messieurs. Saville & Woods. It is said that Mr. Black has engaged the School, but that the plan of an Academy will not probably succeed. As we passed along we found the Minister di- recting the plowing of a spot of land adjoining to an house left him by an antiquated Irish midwife, who died in the Town. We visit- ed Mr. D. Rogers, who has long been a man of influence in the Town, & paid our respects to his Son John Gorham Rogers, a worthy gentleman. At Table, at Mr. Phelps', we found his Wife's Sister. They are g. daughters of Mr. Coffin, whose farm is so well known opposite to the entrance of Jebacco, & who had lately de- ceased. Mrs. Phelps is a worthy and agreable woman & soon ioxva.Qdi2i party for us to go to Eastern jjoint. Mr. Smith, Mr. Phelps, & their wives, Mr. Fulger's wife, Capt. Gibaut & Mrs. Coffin & my- self & Clementina Beach, made the party. Mrs. Fulger is sister of Miss Beach, both fine women. Clementina is a young lady of ac- complishments. We enjoyed ourselves and returned to tea at Mr. Phelps'. In Cape Ann they tell us that Hog Islayid in Jebacco, of- fers the best Veal in the Country, & that their own Springy tho' Rocky Hills afford the best tyiutton in America. 16. We had engaged this day to dine with Mr. Fulger. In our 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 309 visit to the Town we had au opportunity to be informed of the great increase of new houses. As Squam & Upper Town have de- cayed, the Harbour has been enriched. The military Character of Cape Ann is established. On a point of land, they can afford to employ the greatest hospitality towards all who visit them, and forming all their pleasures among themselves, they must be fond of all social institutions. They excell in their parties, in their clubs, & also in their Military parades. A late proof has been given. Their Artillery House is beyond example in the Country. It is of two Stories. In the lower there is all the Arrangement of an Ar- senal or a Laboratory. Their own Two Brass field pieces, & Two Iron 9 pounds, with all the apparatus are disposed in the best order. In front is a piazza & the building has folding doors which open under it & form a full communication with it. Over the Pi- azza is a balustrade & place to accommodate a large company & the apartment of the second story is provided for an hall of enter- tainment. In front is suspended a Bell given to call them to din- ner. It has this inscription: Ansottes segeu ist alles gelocheben. It is friendship which gave the bell independently of its being cast in Denmark, or so inscribed. At Dinner we had the Company of Mr. Black who is a Scotchman of great pretentions, as was said, but nothing could be ascertained except that he had the education of many travelling Scotchmen. After dinner Mr. Fulger permitted me to examine a Collection of shells & was kind enough to present some of them to me. We left his amiable family at five o'clock & reached Salem at eight in the evening, abundantly gratified with our company & amply paid for our visit to Cape Ann. How un- happy it is that an air of dissipation should appear in so lovely a place in which they could give to themselves any manners they please without any danger of contamination from foreign influence & fashions. I gave ab Table, being requested, "The hospitality of Cape Ann, may it be preserved in our National Character." In no place which I have ever visited can they so easily combine for any social pleasure, in no place can they pursue pleasure with so little interruption and yet they have all the jealousies, competitions, & even enmities, belonging to little Towns & to human Nature. 17. Mr. Rogers told us at Cape Ann that Mr. Cleveland, not being able to obtain readily clerical assistance at his ordination at Jebacco, that Mr. Rogers' father from Kittery, D. Rogers from Ex- eter, & N. Rogers of Ipswich, brothers, ordained him. The Broth- er of this D. Rogers was at the Upper Town in Cape Ann. These Rogers are descendants from J. Rogers, the martyr of Smithfield. 19. Sunday. My first /cw^ Sermon subject of much conversa- tion & gave great offence to some interested men. INIy sermon on "Dissolute manners" also gave offence, and political prejudice will make many other things give offence. Notes. John Barker & wife, Child dang, sick, died at sundown. Mary Ropes, her deliv- ery, Husb. at Sea, Son & Brothers at Sea. 310 DIARY OF pMay 20. Went to Boston with Capt. Gibaut to see the new Frigate Boston, launched. She went off slowly & gracefully & the whole business was conducted with great good order. The President of the United States & the L. Gov. of Mass., &c, were present on the occasion with a great multitude of Spectators of both sexes. 23. Eode with Lucia Waters upon the Neck & upset the Chaise, without damage. We were in the bad road near Allen's Farm. 24. Several arrivals this day both in Salem & Boston. The mortality has been great from this port in Havana. Capt. Meek lost 11 who sailed from this town, tho' belonging to Marblehead, &c. Endeavours are used to get a law of quarantine to embarass the Merchants. 26. Sunday. Notes. John Collins & wife & Children, death of Son at Sea. Wid. Eliz. Cloutman & Children, d. of her Son with E. H. Derby. John Barker & wife, d. of their only child. Benja. Cheever & wife, d. of Brother Collins, pr. for Brethren at Sea. 27. A Boy belonging to Fogg fell from a Carpenter's stage at the point, below Daniel's, & fractured his Skull badly. (Died on Saturday following.) 28. Went to Boston with Capt. Gibaut in order to attend my Uncle Ridgeway's funeral. He was lodged in the Chapel ground in the tomb of Gedney. After the funeral, spent an evening with Dr. Lathrop who is still in his theologico-political career, publish- ing sermons on fasts, &c. Endeavoured to make glad the heart of my father by some presents. 29. The Election day was pleasant. The concourse of Clergy great. The President of the United States favoured us with his presence. The Governour still remains dangerously ill. The preacher had great discretion. At dinner with Mr. Freeman we had a select company. Spent the evening at Club at Eliot's agre- ably. 30. For the first time went into the Convention in consequence of some proposed addresses to the people & to the Legislature. These were happily overruled by the exertions of Mr. Payson of Chelsea, who was well supported, & an address to ministers was substituted. This address was the joint labour of Osgood, Tappan & Thacher, to whom Morse was added. The Sermon was from Forbes of Cape Ann. I dined agreably at Eliot's with a lovely circle of Clergymen. June 1. [1799] A 7nan drowned in North River this week, named Fowler, Blacksmith. A woman burnt to death by name of Pickering. 2. Sunday. This evening I attended the funeral of the young man who was killed by a fall from a stage, named Fogg, Dr. Prince was out of town. Wrote letters to the father at Pittsburg, N. H., & G. Mother at N. Hampton, N. H. 3. A very old House comer of Elm street and Essex street. The chimney has fallen down. Among the oldest in town. 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 811 5. Rode to Phillips' Beach with S. C. Found Mr. Phillips, aet. 83, living. The House was built for his Grandfather in 1660. An ash frame now firm. This part called Quamskutt.* His g. g. father was among the first settlers. Everything wears the appear- ance of neglect. A beautiful Ash before the house was planted from a walking stick with which he drove homewards his team. They still complain of Foxes, Martins, etc. in their woods, tho' they are not so common as the skunks. At Phillips' I saw an old Cradle much resembling that at Boston, in which John Massey the first Male Child was rocked. 6. Went with a party of friends upon invitation to dine with the Widow Grafton at Wenham. We amused ourselves with the Ale- wives, Lamprey eels & small fish of Wenham pond, & after an ele- gant social dinner we went to Pleasant pond oXiOMt 1/2 mile north- westward from the meeting house. There is a beautiful prospect from the ridge eastward of the pond. The pond is of about 40 acres & the approach is beautiful upon the western & especially on the east- em side. On the north & South are communications with Swamps. I went round the pond. After Tea we returned to Salem. Having no boats we could not enjoy the fishing which is so good in these ponds. The lands near Pleasant pond are like the dungeons, are in great hollows , but too much cleared of wood. In the graveyard we found the monument of Revd. Joseph Gerrish who succeeded to Revd. John Fisk. It has been repaired by the Inhabitants but a small part was legible. There are also the monuments of Revd. Ward, Warren, & Swain, who have been successively ministers in this Town. We found also two of the name of Fisk. One, a Deacon aet. 85, who must have been born in 1644, & a William Fisk, later. By this it appears that all Wenham did not probably remove to Chelmsford with Revd. John Fisk, & probably he might leave some Children upon his Lands in Wenham. Mr. Gerrish's Latin inscrip- tion expressed that he was born in Newbury & as the word Parker appeared, probably educated under Rer. Parker of that place. 7. Read the celebrated Novel by Leivis, called the Monk. There is intoxicating pleasure so far as Matilda carries him into wedlock. There is too much of the supernatural in the consequent scenes. Ambrosio's stiniggle between nature & education is well done. Character is better than the narrative. Action is better than the time. Unity is lost everywhere. We are never prepared for what happens. The Devil does all at last. The poetry most ab- surdly introduced is always of the inferiour kind. This work may render virtue always suspected. But it is unnatural. Allowing only that one man cannot have all the propensities which are too inconsistent to live together. We may find men from nature and habit, neither thieves, liars, debauches, nor murderers. This day at 11 o'clock died his Excellency INCREASE SUMNER, Governor •Now the town of Swampscott. 312 DiAEY OF [June of Massachusetts, set. 53. In his temper, amiable; in his person, handsome ; in his appearance, noble ; in his manners, pure ; as a Judge, impartial ; in his administration of the State, happy. He lived with honour & died esteemed & beloved. 8. Major Saunders who removed from this Town to New York & failed in his affairs, must have been very unsafe in his transactions or a villain of prime magnitude. Constant examples of being false in his trusts arise. Mr. B. Ward desired me to write to my Brother Wooley upon the subject of finding him at Sea. 11. Association. Members present at my house, Dr. Barnard, Rev. Mess. Story, Wadsworth, Thacher, Green. From Boston, Dr. Eliot, Revd. J. T. Kirkland. Gentlem. Prec. Parker, M. D. Little, Capt. Gibant. Mr. Kirkland preached. A lovely man & fine preach- er. Day appointed for Governour Sumner's Funeral procession. The day was showery in the morning, but more agreable in the after- noon. The shipping paid the usual respect and the Bells tolled from 3 to 4 o'clock. 13. Last Friday night was so unusually dark that Travellers on the road were obliged to stop in the roads. A Clergyman pass- ing from Milton to Dorchester, missing his road was obliged to turn his Chaise by the storm «& continue in it till morning. Teamsters on roads to which they were accustomed did not dare proceed after the Darkness was extreme. The greatest darkness was after mid- night. 14. Major Zadock Buffington was buried in this Town yesterday. He taught vocal music several years in our society & having mar- ried Debby, at the Ship, he kept that public House till his death, set. 47. 16. Sunday. Notes. For Thomas Squire, dang, sick, & pr. for Son in law at Sea. Took notice of the death of Gov. Sumner & gave a gen. history of the men in that office from the beginning of our Commonwealth. Full assembly. 17. Capt. Gibaut entertained me at Tea with roasted clams from Cape Ann. They are not the long large Clams of our Beaches, nor the Quahoag, but really a larger species of the Hog or Common Clam, differing from the long or large clams, by being between that & the common clams & retaining all the tenderness of the shell of the small clam, so that we found it very difficult to roast them as the shell could not resist the fire. 18. Went to the mouth of Abbot's Cove. Alewives innumer- able. Porpusses playing. Polluck skirting. Took three cods & other fish & returned in two hours. 19. Spent the day at Nahant. Many persons there as invalids. A Mr. Dana, minister of Barry, Worcester C, Mass. Fish were abundant. Visited Swallow Rock. Came home by Lynn Town. Spent an hour at Robinson's & reached Salem at 10 in the evening. 22. Caesar has been here to tell me that I am this day 40 years 1799] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 313 of age. This blind fellow has a strong memory & gets his living by- such tydings. Capt. Taylor has arrived from Havanna & has lost two hands by the fever. News from Capt. Mac. He did not leave the OrT^nies till Mai'ch after he was cast away. He is expected homewards. A severe season in those regions. 23. Sunday. Notes. Nancy Melzar, d. of her father Squires, h. at sea. My Theological treasures are increasing in the versions of Geddes, Michaelis & Statz, in the Sermons of Zollikoffer & other German Treasure. 24. Book of the Commoners of Sale7n, lately obtained from Shil- laber, delivered to Major Waldo in the presence of Mr. B. Ward, for Selectman. A concert of Music & a theatre opened this week in Salem ! 28. Went to Mr. T. Bowditch to receive some Indian curiosities from Sandwich islands. The reports of the Sandwich islands are different from those of Cooke, & very incredible as are often the vagiie reports of seamen who have heard & not seen. 29. Went to Hovey's at West Beach, with my favorite Harriet.* We went from the Beach in a wherry from rock to rock till we reached the ledge below Mingo's beach & there we supplied ourselves with perch. Sarah & Rebecca, daughters of Mr. Hovey, accom- panied us & a Nancy Thorndike, daughter of the Wid. of Isaacf Thorndike, quite an agreable girl. A young son of Mr. Hovey & I tugged at the oars. Miss Nancy returned home in the chaise with us very agreably. We had a good dish of Coffee & fried fish & reached Salem at nine o'clock. 30. Sunday. Notes. Nath. Phippen & wife, d. of his 2d son at Sea, pr. for Son in law Knap & for her Brother at Sea. Joseph Val- py & wife, d. of only daughter, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Peabody Dole of Danvers, d. of his wife. July 2. [1799] The list for a board of Health in Salem proposed 21 June, 1799. It authorises enquiry in the day time into any nuisances, it permits examination of any fish or flesh for the mar- ket, it provides ag. the sale of sheep for food within 3 days after they are driven, ag. hides, empowers to quarentine, to provide hos- pitals, the Committee to be of nine persons, not less than two out of each ward in the town. 4. The day of our Political birth celebrated in this Town by fir- ing guns & by the public appearance of the Cadets. The ship Mount Vernon fired an excellent federal Salute at Sun Down. 5. A yoimg Stickney has been trying an experiment of a diving bell. It is in the form of a Cylinder, has two pipes & a machine to free it from foul air. Capt. Gibaut speaks kindly but the exper- iment discovered that it did admit improvement. 7. Notes. Hannah Peale, delivery, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. •Elkins. tlsrael? 314 DiABY OF [July 8. The health Committee are preparing for their building on the extreme & northerly part of the Neck. The building is to be 40 by 20 feet and the Cellar 20 square. 9. Capt. J. Orne has arrived this day from Calcutta. Enquired of Haggett, who lives upon the Merrimac, respecting Salmon & Smelts. The Smelts are found in the winter. The time of the Sal- mon's return he says is unknown to the inhabitants near the river. He has seen three Salmon caught through the ice by a hook in Feb- ruary at Pentucket Falls, & they are known to be in the river till September with their spawn. He gives it as the prevalent opinion that they pass under the ice. 10. A Negro going out in Fairfield, in a sulky mood drowned himself below the Haste. 14. Sunday. Notes. John Fairfield, d. of his Son John, a Son at Sea. William Foy & wife, d. of Child, pr. friends at Sea. Nancy Crandall, delivery, pr. husband at Sea. The news of the d. of Capt. J. Mosely confirmed. He was killed by an English Ship of war, which fired a broadside into him. Capt. Israel Wil- liams arrived this day from Hamburg. 16. Capt. Lee of Manchester bitten last week by a Rattlesnake in the woods of that Town. The swelling was instant in the leg & in the tongue. By the Bath & oil he had relief & our hopes are increased. 17. Being Commencement I went to Cambridge. A lovely circle at Judge Winthrop's gave great pleasui-e. The Day was without riot. Professor Willard appeared in the services of the day, but of such meagre form as to leave his friends little hope that he will appear again on such an occasion. 21. Sunday. Notes. Joshua Phippen & wife & children, re- turn of their Son, pr. for Sons at Sea. Elizabeth Fairfield & chil- dren, d. of her Son, pr. for Sons at Sea. Lydia Valpy & children, death of her Brother Gibson Clough. Patience Nichols, child sick, pr. for husband at Sea. John Barker & wife, her delivery. Yes- terday & this day died at our Hospital, two men, of the Fever which has so alarmed our Country. They laboured on board a Vessel together. Worked late & lay upon deck. The Vessel a coaster. 22. Hospital on the Neck prepared for such sick & infected persons as enter by water. Visited Cockle's grove near Spring pond, entering by Gelusha's range of wall, & returning through Oliver's farm. The precipice, the valley, the pond & the rural scene com- bine unusually in this delightful spot. I found a boat had been placed in this pond, & another in Brown's pond opposite to it. 28. Sunday. Notes. B. Hodges, wife & children, d. of his Father, pr. for Br. George at Sea. Gam. Hodges & wife, d. of his Father, pr. for Br. G. at Sea. Hannah Hodges, w. of G., d. of his Father, pr. for Husband at Sea. Patty Friend, d. of a near friend Capt. J. 1799] WILLIAM BBNTLEY, D. D. 816 Hodges. She lived with him above 20 years. Thomas Palfrey & wife, d. of her B. in Law Capt. Mosely killed by a Privateer at Sea, pr. for Brothers at Sea. Eliz. Bartlet, wid., d. of her Sister Chubb, pr. for a Son long absent. Joseph Webb & wife, her delivery, pr. for Brothers at Sea. August 1. [1799] The Cannon for the Salem Frigate have ■come to Winter Island. They have begun the new work on the n. w. angle of the Fort on Winter Island. 2. A barn burnt by lightning at Lynn. Welman & Brown have bought the W. Comer of Long Wharf at 2300 D. This has been long occupied by Brown as a Store. 3. Becket launched a Ship* for Hodges & Nichols at noon this ^ Bernard, was the oration. The music was altogether instrumental, as the masters of the Choirs were pre- vented from vocal music by the duties of the Day. Minute guns were fired on the Common by the Artillery & all the bells in Town were tolled. The Elags displayed at half mast. The concourse was great, but the greatest order was seen in all the solemnities. A few hours of preparation must be an excuse for him who thinks no human talents can do justice to W. 3. Went to Reading to attend with the Military Ofl&cers & the Lodge of Mount Moriah in the processions expressive of their sym- pathy upon the death of Washington. A good dinner was pro- vided in the house where the Lodge meets, & after dinner at two o'clock the procession formed to go to the meeting house. The chil- dren of the School were first in the procession then the citizens ac- companied with the Magistrates & Clergy. Then such citizens as had a military uniform, with their ofiicers, then the Lodge, & the Officers with the Orator. The procession had a muffled drum, bass viol, violins, flutes, &c. The prayers & service were accompanied with vocal Church music. After the public services the brethren & principal Characters returned to the Lodge in which the Masonic fu- neral service was performed by the Master and Wardens. The Lodge was prepared with mourning. Every part was covered & all the badges properly prepared on the occasion. After the services I represented to the case of Illuminatism & we left the Lodge at six o'clock. I drank tea at Rev*^ Prentice's & we spent the evening agreably together at Esq. Cordis' near the Pond. 4. News that Henry White is cast away upon Long Island. That William Bowditch, S. of Hab : B., has died in the West Indies. 5. Sunday. Notes. Sarah Collins, d. of her Father James Col- lins, pr. for Brethren at Sea. This James Collins was a mariner in United States service.* Sarah Shehane, d. of her Br. in Law, James Collins, pr. for Son at Sea. John Collins, d. of his Br. James Col- lins, pr. for Son at Sea. Sarah Hill, d. of her Br. James Collins, pr. for friends at Sea. Mary Martin & Sister, d. of their Brother Wil- liam Bowditch, & pr. for their Br. Nath. Bowditch at Sea. This William Bowditch was a youth of distinguished piety, & good infor- mation, & his death was upon his first voyage to Sea. He had been a Shopkeeper, but wished a more active & more lucrative employment *ln the frigate Constitution. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 327 6. The Celebration at Marblehead was on the same day with Salem. A young Mr. Story delivered the Oration. We hear of the death of D. Rogers Esq*" the principal Merchant in Cape Ann. He died suddenly. He had a good estate & many Children. 7. The Bill of Mortality for Salem in 1799 gives 169 Deaths, 79 males & 90 females, upon a population of 9400 inhabitants. Of these dead, 53 are marked as dying of consumptions, & 17 of Fevers. 8. We have lost several vessels by French Privateers. I went to Boston to see the procession in Honour of Gen. Washington, hav- ing heard much of the funeral honours to Hancock & Sumner. But I prefer the melancholy silence & the mournful countenance of Salem to the rabble rout of Boston which cannot be quiet from point of devotion. The Orator, Judge Minot, did himself honour. Eay, Fay, & Eaton performed the vocal solos of the Music well. I returned the same day. The Masons were offended & have deferred their appearance till 22 Feb. & have appointed a large Committee for the purpose. 10. Plain Truth appeared in the Salem Gazette. I wrote this in opposition to vulgar prejudice. Perkins' medal of Washington exposed for sale. A Mrs. Stevens, who formerly lived in our So- ciety, died lately at Windham, Maine, in her 94''' year, at her Son in Law's Barker. 12. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Mary Hutchinson sick, pr. for two Sons abroad. Wid. Mary Knap with her children, d. of g. child, pr. for Sons at Sea, Wm. Hastings born in Boston. 12. Paid Mr. Huntington of Topsfield, the thirty dollars as signed for the relief of Mr. Jasper Bentley. Said Bentley is now said to be in Attleborough, Mass. The Town at their adjournment have voted to raise in Salem 6000 D. to be appropriated in funeral & other honours to Gen. Washington. Only 100 copies of the Ser- mon are to be printed at the expence of Salem & of these, 10 copies are to be given to each of the 6 ministers & the remaining 40 to be left with the keeper of the Social Library to be lent to such as can- not purchase. Each Society will now defray their own expences, which is better than the former expensive & injudicious distribution. 14. The Town have adopted the mode of consent to be taxed for all sums, or six thousand dollars, as a tribute to the memory of Washington. 19. Sunday. For the Communion Plate 100 dollars has been idised. The Charge is expected to be 120 dollars. Mr. Browne took out for the services & charges 28. 42 cents, not included in the 100 dollars. Mr. Pratt tells me Mr. Forsyth, a Scotchman, preaches in Orford. Capt. Pratt is a Member of the N. H. Legislature. Eevd. Mr. Hubbard's affairs in his Parish have become desperate. His Parish have refused to augment his Salary beyond 150£ or 500 D., & he assures them he must decline the pastoral relation in 328 DiAKY OF [Jan. Marblehead. A Mr. Dow supplies Wenham, who have dismissed Judson by contract. Upper Beverly is supplied by a Mr. Stone. 20. A subscription paper in this Town for a new Gazette by Mr. Carlton who formerly printed in this Town. In proposing to print all the Sermons of Salem, the Town has tied a Stone to their Ora- tion & has sunk it forever.* 21. Capt. Waters, from the ferry near where is now Beverly Bridge, tells that in his Youth Mr. John Symonds used frequently to take the Bass near that place & the Bar, preserving the black lobster for its hardness as bait. He says he caught the Whiting last year with [in] the Islands. He observed the difference in the Clams above & below the point where the Bridge now is. Those below in the mud & gravel, are small while those towards Horton's point are large, sweet & of a much finer shell. 22. Visited in Company with Capts. Becket, & Ward, & Miss Betsey Becket, the seat of Capt. Jona Ingersoll, Danvers. As the weather was cold we could not inform ourselves of the extensive prospects from the hill. The Building is handsome & commodious. The heads of the family were absent but we had every attention from M>ry. All the Pablit Societies have agreed to hava kheir Eulogies on a day preceding the 22*^ of February, that this day may be reserved for private devotion & domestic grief. 23. Saw Mr. J. Lendrum, the author of the compiled History of the American Eevolution , & the Author of Morse's Gazetteer. The poor man views himself as oppressed & has been deranged. He thinks he can at Law recover his right in the Gazetteer. Mr. Dab- ney furnished me with a pile of French papers. 26. Sunday. Note. Jon* Mason & family, d. of his Eldest son, pr. for friends abroad. February 1 [1800]. John Skillings, an eminent Carver in Boston, died suddenly Jan. 28, aet. 54. This man has long been known in this branch, particularly by our Seamen, in all our Seaport Towns. 2. Sunday. Notes. Margaret Strout, d. of her Son, Benj. Dor- rell, pr. for husb. at Sea. Hannah Pierson, d. of her Sister Strout 's Son, pr. for her Son & Br. abroad. Martha Harrington, her delivery, pr. for her husband abroad. Joanna Webb, delivery, pr. for hus- band & brethren at Sea. Andrew Ward & Wife, her delivery, pr. for their Brethren & friends at Sea. 4. A melancholy event arrested the public attention this morn- ing. A married woman named Mack, in the eastern part of the Town, of ill fame, & whose husband has been alienated by her im- prudence & married abroad, delivered herself on Sunday in the time of the morning service. The families in the house were alarmed by appearances & finally on this day applied to the Over- seers of the Poor. They went to the house & found the child weighing 8 1/2 lb. sewed up in a bag, & concealed in the straw bed *Dr. BeDtley'B oration was never printed. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 829 upon which the woman lay. The physicians determined that the child had been alive & the Jury of Inquest, that it perished by wilful neglect. The woman is attended by an officer, till she can be removed. There have been several examples, even in good fam- ilies, of unexpected deliveries, but none in married life. 6. Was buried, Peggy Perkins, eldest D. of the Widow Orne, aet. 25. A young Lady of pleasing accomplishments & of a lovely mind. A new singing School begun. Success doubtful. Frequent examples of papers lost from the Post Office. 7. New E. more than ever abounds in Catchpenny productions. Catchpenny Sermons, Eulogies, music, &c. are in every shop. Dr. Morse is for the present done with the stale work of Illuminatism, & now he has for sale, sermons on the d. of W. Characters of Washington & W. addresses all turn to profit, not a thought upon the reputation of the Country. Then come out the proclamations of the Gazettes, not a word in France about our Country, so dear to itself & so deservedly dear to the world. 9. Sunday. Mr. Stone, who has been so long preaching in up- per Beverly, has engaged in the New Proprietor's Academy in NoiiJi Andover. Exeter N. H., Academy iis riiiinij' in Fame. Sev- eral Youth have gone to it from this Town. Young Tuckerman & Salisbury, of rich families in Boston, are Candidates for the minis- try. Tuckerman has preached. It is very rare to find rich families giving their children to the ministry. These are families which have lately risen by industry & the success of the present genera- tion. 10. Went for Boston with our Tiler, Mr. Simon Lamb, whom I carried with me as a reward for his very faithful services in the Lodge. 11. Was the day of Masonic procession. My part was in the funeral service which was accomodated to the Solemn Occasion. We left the Procession after 6 o'clock, having been assembled above seven hours. I supped with Paul Revere, an antient past G. Master, & we had a select company. Isaiah Thomas the Father of the Press in New England, & who has aided its improvements & carried the extent of the Business beyond any man in America, who also is high in Masonic honours, was with us. So also was Mr. Perkins of Newburyport, so eminent for his Mechanic genius, & on this occasion so well known by his excellent medals, in a great var- iety, of our General Washington. He has also executed with great success, a Medallion on the same interesting occasion. In addition to our company, we had the ingenious Mr. Reynolds, who formed the admirable Urn & weeping innocent, which was displayed with so great success by the Brethren for the public admiration. He ex- hibited for our entertainment several busts in artificial Stone, which had great effect & were honorable to his talents & peculiarly expressive of the true countenance of our departed general. This 330 DiABY OF [Feb. was a Feast upon our Solemnities, which the most exalted genius might enjoy with enthusiasm. 12. My good friend Lamb went with me to see the Museum.* He was greatly captivated with the China Clocks & movements. The fine paintings, such as are not commonly seen in America, & the few specimens in natural history attracted my eyes & my heart. The whole effect is lessened by the want of arrangement, by the monstrous excess of wax figures, & the absurd appearance of the whole in one view. Still it is a wonderful beginning in our Coun- try. In the afternoon I returned to Salem. Expences at Boston, &c. Paid Hall printer 4.25 ; Hagen for Bass Viol Strings 1.90 ; Medal for Lamb 3.50 ; Exp. in Stage 3.00 ; My father for papers 3.00; Left in Family 3.00 ; Visit to Museum 1.00 ; Exp. for L. at Theatre, &c. 1.00. The whole amounting to 20 D. 65 Cents. 14. Last Tuesday night the friends of Hannah Mack made forci- ble entry into the Goal in this town & rescued the prisoner. This act of violence is abhorred by the quiet citizens, & advertisements to apprehend the prisoner & the men who made such forcible entry are in the Gazette. 16. Sunday. This morning, before 8, 1 was present in the last moments of Anna Lane, the wife of Mr. Nicholas Lane. A most worthy mother. The Ministers are not well agreed how to spend next Saturday, the day assigned by Congress to commemorate Wash- ington. 18. Noah Webster, that literary Quack, has written an answer to Dr. Priestley. He has also attacked Jimmy Tytler on the pesti- lence, having compiled a Book on the same subject which he thinks better. There is no Gazette scribbler who does not think himself equal to any writing against Priestley. So impudent is party. 19. The Gov.'s proclamation has appeared offering a reward to apprehend the persons who violently entered the goal in Salem. Judge Dana took notice in his charge at Boston of the restless aliens who are spreading their disorganising principles, «Si:c. 21. Saw Mr. Fisher Ames' Eulogy on Washington delivered be- fore the Legislature of Massachusetts. It is not in an equal style nor is all its imagery happy. He has not fairly stated the European Opinions respecting America, even in its glory. His Counter de- scription is false & injurious. The exception in favour of Massa- chusetts is not true in the comparison. The change at the acces- sion of Washington to the chair of president, was not real. His ac- count of France is in the spirit of Party, blending good and bad to- gether & his history of Jacobinism is of the same complexion. The Praise of Epaminondas, who is considered as " perhaps the bright- est name of all antiquity," cannot agree to Washington. Saturd. Feb. 22. The Day of National Sorrow, & public GRIEF UPON THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON. The ReligioUS ExCr- • Bowen's Columbian Museum. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 331 cises of this Town on this day were, Dr. Bernard & Prince had prayers & read Ws address. Mr. Hopkins prayers & discourses. Mr. Fisher read prayers at Church & Savage gave an Eulogy. At our House we had prayers & an address. All there at 10 A. M. to- gether. In the Evening Spaulding had a Sermon at 3 P. M., ag. keeping the day. 23. Sunday. Note. Nicholas Lane & family, d. of his wife, & pr. for Son in Law at Sea. The day was pleasant & it finished my Eighth service upon the death of Washington, & the public mourn- ing of the Congregation. March 2 [1800]. Sunday. Notes. Mary Preston & Children, d. of her Husband, pr. for son & g. son at Sea. John Collins & wife, d. repeatedly of sons Abroad, pr. for Son at Sea. Marg. White, d. of her Br. in Law Preston, pr. for friends at Sea. Samuel Ropes & wife & children, d. of eldest Son abroad, pr. for Son at Sea. We have been entertained by the preaching of a Blind Woman, who it is said, has done wonderful things in Hamilton. New Silver Flag- ons first upon the Comm, Table. 5. Mr. Hubbard in his Letter from Berwick, 28 Feb., tells me that he was upon the River St. Francis. That from the Field Book of the Surveyor he found Memphremagog, nearly north & south, about 19 miles long & from 3 to 5 broad. " It is circumscribed with a remarkably fine tract of Country, covered with a heavy- growth of Timber, such as rock maple, black & yellow birch, & ash. Almost the whole of the Land is located & a great part of it settled." Vermont Line embraces about 4 1/2 miles of the southern part of the Lake. A great plenty of fish, such as pike, what we call pick- erel, white fish, & Trout. A trout of 25 lb. was taken out this sea- son, & they have been taken of much greater size. This is the greatest source of the River St. Francis, which flows gently about forty miles into the St. Lawrence at the parish of St. Francis, which is on what is called Lake St. Peter, 20 french Leagues below Mont- real, The parish is large & is considered as one of the richest in the Province. At the head of this Parish, about four leagues from Lake St. Peter, is an Indian Village in which he resided two days. From thence to Lake Memphremagog the country is thinly inhabited but a good road was cut last season to Connecticut river which saves 100 miles in travelling to Quebec. 7. The Salem Gazette talks of a Company under the name of Washington Light Infantry. The plan is proposed for the public convenience. 9. Sunday. A Deacon of the third Church told me that it had been under consideration to promote a mutual agreement for the change of ministers between their church & the Tabernacle, on oc- casional services, but that their Church had refused in consequence of the excentric conduct of the Tabernacle minister on 22 Feb. He then after having attempted to put all services aside, being sup- 332 DIAEY OP [March ported by two members, had their consent to fix the hour & to change the exercises into a Lecture. He then inveighed against birth days & the proceedings on the day & closed his services. A man without judgment. Note. Enoch Swett & Wife, d. of his Brother in New Hampshire. 14. Mr. W. Cabot's Estate in the old paved street, has been sold. He is a Batchelor & intends to remove to Boston. Several estates for sale. Hosmer's on the Common. He intends to return to his native place Norwich, Conn. The Mansion House & wharf of late Hon. Richard Derby Esq., in Union Street & Derby S. 17. More troubles about the Singing. We must not pray, Open thou our mouth. The Militia Law promises to give greater present satisfaction. No exemptions but of the Clergy, & they who will not appear in arms, shall work. The subject of Exempts has been ex- tremely odious in this Town. 18. The editor of W's Political Legacies boasts of 4000 Subscri- bers. A more free subscription in this Town than is usual. Few things printed out of Town have equal encouragement. Cushing succeeded well with Millot. 20. Prepared the Topography of Salem & sent it on to Eliot of Boston in 5 sheets. It is quite in an unprepared State & entirely detached from the History. 23. Sunday. Notes. Mercy Welman for her d. Margaret dang, sick. Mary Brown, delivery, pr. for husband & son at Sea. The New Catholic Church begun in Boston will be the first in New Eng- land. Poterie enjoyed & decorated the old Genevan Church in Bos- ton. But the character of Dr. Matignon has long held the public confidence, after all the ill conduct of Poterie, & Rousselet, or the imprudence of Thayer. 24. The Ship America belonging to Crowninshield reached Bos- ton in the Storm yesterday. 40 Sail left the Vineyard before the storm. The storm which begun on Saturday, lasted above 48 hours, the wind being at N. E. A considerable quantity of Snow fell, be- sides rain & hail. 26. A great number of wild geese, & black ducks, brought from Chebaco. The ducks sold at 1/6 pr. pair. 28. The Portland Gazette attacks the proposal of Carlton for a New Gazette, as another Jacobinical projection. Much is said in the Telegraphe of the Essex Junto & in the Mercury there is an address to warn the County of Essex. This is the Language of party. 30. Sunday. Notes. Thomas Rue & wife, d. of his Son Philip, pr. for Sons at Sea. Sarah Kehoue, d. of Brother P. Rue, pr. for husb. & Br. at Sea. Thomas Rue, jun', ret. from Sea, d. of his Br. P., pr. for Brethren at Sea. 31. Now lay dead in Salem : a son & only Son of Major Gen. Abbot, debilitated by epilepsy & about 12 years of age, & a Son & the only Son of Dr. Thomas Bernard, ruined by Litemperance, above >- C/) o ^ o o 5 « 1800] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 333 twenty six. Old Mr. B. Ward, nearly 80, living near the Prison, told me that the old prison was an oak frame covered within with oak plank & spiked & filled with stones. That it stood till the new one was finished. That the old one stood between the New & St. Peter's Street, eastward of it, upon a stone nnderpining. That the New Goal is made of 7 inch timber hewed so as to close, then cov- ered with iron plate, & planked upon all the prison part. April 1 [1800]. Derby's Lot near the Meeting House, bet. Essex & East Street, sold for 850 Dollars to S, Silsbee. Water Cresses at Table. Country near generally free from Snow. 3. Several accidents in the Town. A girl lost an eye by the springing of an hoop pole. A Child kicked in the skull dangerously by a horse. A Mason fell from a Ladder. A Child broke its arm. All in the past week. The persons are not within my acquaintance. Gen. Abbot buried his only Son, set. 12 years. He had been epileptic. The procession was numerous, iDut not of such persons as attend on the proper days. 4. Saw a Mr. Allen, formerly of Beverly, & who lived on West Beach farm before Mr. Hovey took it. He says he lives at Sedg- wick, a Town in Maine, that has Castine on the west & Blue Bay on the east. He says it now contains 2000 inhabitants or 200 fam- ilies, has a meeting House nearly finished, & Daniel Merrill their Pastor. 6. Sunday. Note. Joseph Preston returned from Sea, d. of his father in his Absence. Professor Tappan of Cambridge at Dr. Barnard's this day. This man is a warm politician, as a federalist, & acceptable to the Calvinists. 13. Sunday. The death of M[argaret] Welman was affecting. She supported her prospects of dissolution with great calmness till just before death. She sent for me. With some earnestness she asked prayers. I delayed & asked her to be calm, she pressed. A derangement ensued, & the language of reproach on all her friends. Nature agonised for a moment & sunk. She was the most lovely & the most beautiful girl I ever saw in Salem. Mt. 19. Note. Mercy Welman & children, death of her d. Margaret, Sons at Sea. 15. A Sum for a Marine Insurance Company in Salem is filling up. It is raised already to 200,000 Dollars. Subscriptions are ready for a larger sum. 20. Sunday. Dr. Archelaus Putnam of Danvers, before his death, was persuaded to offer a humble confession of his sins to the Con- gregation. 21. The weather has continued pleasant for a long time, as sum- mer. Children were stripping to swim & the whole Coast is covered with boats. 23. I obtained the Almanacs of Mr. Joseph Henfield which he had kept for 40 years from 1760 & an Almanac for 1741, kept by the father of the' late Esq' Joseph Blaney. These papers furnished 334 DiABY OF [April my Day Book with a complete account of the Winds, tides, ap- proach of fish to our Shores & many useful dates in the history of Salem. He gave them with reluctance from the private notes con- tained in them. He is Brother to Jonathan Henfield. 24. Upon the news of the Death of Mr. James Dunlap & of his funeral this day, I went in the stage to Boston. I waited upon Dr. Eliot, & with him went to the Thursday Lecture. Dr. Morse preached a Sermon well adapted to the dark ages. It was the first time that I had seen him in the pulpit. His voice was soft & sweet, not strong, but approaching at times to a tone peculiar to whining folks. I dined at Mr. Batter's with Dr. Parker, the Editor of the Telegraphe, who is preparing to practice physic in Boston. After Dinner I went with Freeman to the new room granted in the State House by the general Court for the Library of the American Acad- emy. It was chiefly a donation from Gov. Bowdoin. It was then prepared for its new arrangement. I attended the funeral, & then christened the child of Mr, Dunlap, & of Mr. Gillis, his Brother in Law. Mr. Dunlap has left a most amiable widow, who was very faithful to him. After Tea I returned & enjoyed the evening at my Father's house, with Kev^ D' Eliot & Kev'* M' Emerson & some other friends. 25. After Breakfast I went to Mr Wolcot's in Cow Lane, now High Street. This worthy member of the Hist. Society has the largest Collection of American Books I have ever seen. He is a Batchelor, & this is the horse he rides. 28. Went to Newbury. My object was of the degrees of Red Cross & Templars. I spent an evening agreably with Mr. Carey & lodged at his House. They are now laying the foundation of a New Episcopal Church upon the same spot on which the old one stood. While it is building, Bishop Bass officiates in the new 2d Presby- terian Church, in which Mr. Boddily preaches. The Bp. begins at 9 in the morning & at 1 in the evening. The old Church think also of a New Building & to leave the square where the church now stands, open. They speak of a field below Boddily 's. After sever- al visits, at 9 I left Newbury & returned to Salem. At Ipswich I dined in company with Mr. David Pierce, the son, formerly of Cape Ann now of Boston. He had been journeying with his wife & Sis- ter in Law into New Hampshire. May 1 [1800] . Last Friday died the Widow Elizabeth Carnes, eldest daughter of Hon. Richard Derby Esq' deceased. She died at her Brother in Law's House, Mr. Ebenezer Prebble, who mar- ried two Sisters. She was early attached to Mr. Carnes & all the entreaties of her friends could not prevent marriage. But he was a Villian, by his vices, to waste her patrimony & to bring her to abject dependance. Still she never forsook him & in her dying moments made provision for his Mother out of such estate as by the death of her Brother had fallen into her hands. After the death of 1800] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 335 Mr, Carnes, she was addressed by a Mr. S. Gray of Salem, but when every thing was prepared for marriage Mr. Gray excused himself & Mrs. Carnes fell a victim to her own disturbed feelings in this situ- ation. She was a woman of a firm mind. Persevering in friend- ship, pious in her life, & in the most trying scenes was undaunted. The last disappointment had its power from her feeble constitution. But her last hours were as tranquil as is possible in the solemn ap- prehensions of a future & eternal existence. On Wednesday died Mr. Joseph Bowditch, a Batchelor. He was educated as a Merchant in the house of Richard Derby, but being deposed of the estate of an Uncle by the intrigues of a Female, he never prosecuted any busi- ness. He was well informed of the neighborhood, in private anec- dotes, & in local occurences, & there was often an appeal to him in Company. He could make himself very agreable, but his anecdotes did not always gain him friendship. Tho' educated a Dissenter, he was a zealous Episcopalian of the English Church. Upon the death of his mother about 3 years since, he retired to Middleton, to live upon his little inheritance, & in that place he died. I found Joseph very useful in collecting domestic intelligence. He was sincere in his friendships, open, ready to serve & if his whole character was not blameless, so far as his religion governed it, it was excellent. He wrote a good hand, communicated his thoughts with ease, & made to me some happy remarks upon the conduct of his life. He expected death & was reconciled to it. 4. Sunday. Notes. Samuel Derby & wife, d. of his Sister Carnes. James Archer & wife, d. of their Child. The New Meeting for Boddily gives a good example of candour in permitting the worship of the Episcopalian Bishop in Xewburyport. I am told few of the Presbyterians attend the service. Boddily has done himself no honour in his discourse upon the death of Gen. Washington. His invectives against the English Nation are too illiberal for any party, especially from an Englishman who has lately left the country un- der suspicious circumstances. Even Priestly urged by persecution has not been so unkind to his native Country. Mr. Hubbard of Marblehead has resigned his charge. He preached in this Town this day. This day is the first of his absence from them. 8. A Ship belonging to Mr. Gray launched at New Mills, Crane River, Danvers. Rain till noon, so that we were deprived of the sight. She passed Essex Bridge next morning. She was of 400 Tons. Plenty of fish. The boats not below the Haste have re- turned with 400 haddock, & several had good success elsewhere. 12. Mr. Carlton has published the first n° of his Gazette, the Im- partial Register, this day. Mr. W. Gray has four or five of his Vessels in Beverly Harbour for the convenience of unlading at the wharves. The publishing of another Gazette in Salem is a subject of regret to many persons who, confined to a system of politics, con- sider the public safety allied to their own opinions. The evils of 336 DIARY OF [May invectives are more serious when the printers become competitors & vex the town with their own follies & the follies of their friends. The whole business depends as it concerns the public upon the men who are to conduct the Gazettes, whether they have a reputation to give the public as security for their own good behavior or are un- principled men. 13. The Estate of Richard Derby was sold this day in Lots at the head of Union Wharf for 17,000 D. The House was sold at 6020 & the lot behind it at 800 Dollars. 16. A curious adventure lately happened at Andover, of which Mr. Parker who detected the cheat gave me an account. Rev"* Mr. Symmes of Andover has been often perplexed by the excentricity of his Children. His son Daniel has been absent in Virginia 14 years. Last year he wrote to Daniel an account of the death of an- other Son & had an answer in autumn. About a fortnight since a young man came to his door, declared himself to be this Son Daniel, told of the letter & repeated the story. The Parson was not convinced & denied the man to be his Son. The man continued to insist & at length the neighbours were alarmed. The best pa- rishioners remonstrated against the cruelty of a parent in denying his own Son. The Parish was convulsed, & the report spread still further. All had an opinion & it was generally against the Parson. To relieve the Public mind he consented to pay the board of the young man till the matter should be further investigated. He sent to the house some cloathes, & a comfortable gown, & several con- veniences. Mr. Parker undertook to discover the imposter. He traced him at length to the County House in Ipswich from which he had eloped after having imposed in the same manner upon a worthy family in Newburyport, & after having actually insisted upon being the husband of a woman whose husband had long been absent, & supposed to be lost at Sea. This fellow had the address to interest an whole society in his favour & Mr. Parker told me that when he went to Johnston's with [a] Constable the mistress of family reproached the hardness of his heart. He is now in Bride- well in Ipswich. A Letter from G. Master Dunn upon the subject of going to Newburyport, to lay the foundation of the new Church to be erected for Bishop Bass. 18. Sunday. Notes. Ann Elizabeth Steuart, d. of her only Brother & for her husband at Sea & for her Sisters in a foreign Country. She was born in Portugal in Lisbon, where her father was an English Merchant. The Brother died last September in Leguira when on a voyage to that port. The family name was Bockman. Nathaniel Trow & wife, her delivery, pr. for absent friends. Upper Beverly have given a call to a Mr. Stone to settle in the ministry. Master Dunn assures me that he shall aid at the foundation stone of N. Port. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. D. 337 19. The affair of the sudden dismission of Mr. T. Pickering from the office of Secretary of State of U. S. by President Adams, arrests the public attention. It is an event wrapt in darkness. As this Salem is his native place it is more interesting to the Citizens. All are surprised & many glad. Mr. P. was very indignant that he was obliged to resign his otfice as Adjutant Gen. in the Am. War, to Gen. Washington. He uttered all his resentment ag. that great man, but he declared it was necessary. P. now has refused to re- sign & has been at once dismissed. 20. The jNlenhaden have come in early this year. Salmon at /9d in the Market. 21. I left Salem for Newbury Port in company with Major Hiller to attend the G. Lodge in laying the Corner Stone of St. Peter's Church to be erected for the Right Reverend Bishop Bass. The season is not far advanced but the grass is plentiful as have been the rains. We have not yet forsaken the fireside. A very polite invitation from Mr. Tyng introduced us to his house where we had every attention & accomodation. We found every care to provide a plate & medal for the stone, but nothing done for the service. We adjourned to Col. John Tracey's & there the G. Lodge assigned me an address which I retired at 10 o'clock in the evening to prepare. The Service & responses were ordered to be printed im- mediately. It was first a religious service with responses, then jNIasonic with a general prayer. 22. Next morning after the usual walks & salutations the G. Lodge assembled at Brother Gage's not far from the Lodge of St. Peter, & there the Ceremonies were arranged. M. W. Master Dunn & Revd. Br. Harris led the masonic bands. The procession was handsome, & the Music of Hautboys, & Bass viols, & violins excel- lent iinder the celebrated ]Mr. Holyoke. After the morning service at Mr. Boddily's by the Bishop, we passed several streets & reached the church. The ceremonies of proving the stone & depositing the medals being over, the service began with proper pauses for the music, vocal & instrumental & then was the address. We then re- tired in due order & had an excellent dinner at the Hall of St. Peter's lodge, & the Lodge adjourned till 8 in the evening. The intermediate hours permitted Br. Harris & myself to pay our re- spects to the worthy ]Mr. Gary, & then in his company to take tea at Dr. Bass'. AVe returned to the lodge & after the usual cere- monies & addresses we retired about 11 o'clock. It was Ascention day. 23. After Breakfast in company with Mr. Tyng & Mr. Hiller, I visited the falls of the Pauwau, a river flowing into the ^lerrimac between Salisbury »& Almsbury. We passed the ]\[errimac Essex Bridge, & kept along through Salisbury into Almsburj- on the lower road & upon the lower bridge, & then passing on our left the Cong. Meeting House & the Presby. of one story on our right, we ascen- 338 DIABY OF [May ded to the Tails, whicli Mr. Tyng assured us from careful admeas- urement were in their whole course of half a mile, 100 feet. Our first visit was at the head of the falls to the Nail Manufactury in which we found an enormous wheel of 30 feet diameter, as the Water wheel, with a corresponding width, floored below the shoots, which are broken on the imder side at a considerable angle to re- ceive & discharge the water. Its cogs are of cast iron & it plays into cogs of the same kind upon the lantern, or smaller wheel, which carries the spindle upon which all the works in different lofts move. There are 8 cogs upon a piece & disposed with the greatest exact- ness. The water wheel cogs are to the lantern wheel about as 20 to one. In the heading machines some work by the same & other by two powers to seize & to flatten the head. The other works are the same as I saw at the former nail works on the Parker in Newbury, near Kowley. The Falls are so continued as to afford numerous waterworks. We found Forges, furnaces for the Ore near to them, Linseed Mills, grist mills, many saw mills, & cotton & woolen machines which move by water. We had not time to as- cend the beautiful hill one mile above, but returned by the upper road through Salisbury to Newbury Port. We found many vessels upon the stocks & some ready for launching. After this lovely view we returned to Mr. Tyng's & dined, & then left for Salem which we reached before Sundown. 24. Mr. Walsh* with me upon the subject of his Mercantile Arithmetic. I went with him to the different gentlemen to whom he was addressed. 25. Sunday. A great change upon the Merrimac Kiver. For- merly the most candid ministers called Arminians, such as Dr. Tucker, Dr. Webster, Father Balch, the three Bernards, &c. Now their places are filled with men much inferiour upon every account. Dr. Tappan while at Newbury officiated at one of the Conferences held in the evening by the devotees of that place, in the true style of their devotion. 26. Prepared a plan of Marblehead for Ebeling. The Impartial Eegister, Gazette, laught openly at Pickering. Two vessels were launched in Salem last Saturday. 28. In the Stage I left Salem & reached Boston at 9 o'clock. I visited Nichols & White, my Book Sellers, & obtained such things as they had received for me. The religious servicesf of the day being performed I went to Mr. Isaac White's & dined with a lovely family of Curtis. After dinner I spent the afternoon at Mr. Free- man's in general conversation. In the evening at the Baptist Church I heard Mr. Robinson the Baptist Minister at Harvard, & then re- turned to my Father's. 29. After the usual salutations we attended the Convention Ser- *Michael Walsh, schoolmaster and arithmetician. tGeneral election. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 339 mon by Dr. Lathrop, & dined at Dr. Eliot's with a number of the Clergy. After Dinner I had some pleasing conversation with Broth- er Kirkland, & in the evening I heard the Celebrated Nyles of Ab- ington. He prayed at the missionary Lecture in the Old South on Tuesday evening, which I did not attend. This Missionary Society are to propagate Hopkinsianisra, & the terms required of the Can- didates were evidences of special grace. The meeting in Boston is intended to aid their pecuniary concerns, as not one of the Boston Clergy are as yet admitted to their Society. 30. I spent the morning with Thomas Wolcot, in Cow Lane, and again looked upon the greatest Collection of American Books in America. I spent the morning in visiting the places once famil- iar to my youth. I passed the Burying Grounds, visited the North Church, as I had the Chapel, while Mr. Freeman was performing the Funeral Service upon the death of the Clerk of his Church. I went under the North Church & found by the Monumental Inscrip- tion upon Dr. Cutler that he died in 1765, aet. 81 & is buried un- der the alter of the Church. At Twelve the new Governour Strong was received with ringing of Bells & firing of Cannon & by a large number of Citizens on Horseback & in Carriages. In the afternoon Stage I returned to Salem. 31. The weather begins to feel like Summer. I bathed in the river this evening, & the Bath House was opened for the first time. June 1 [1800]. Sunday. Notes. Jonathan Archer, for him dang, sick, pr. for Son at Sea. He died in the evening. Ed. Chevalier & wife for him dang. sick. Died next day. 2. In the night was the alarm of fire. It was near the Bell Tavern in Danvers & the Store House of Major Osborne was con- sumed & the buildings around much endangered. 5. Report that Mr. Herriek, grad. of Cambridge, 1767, long since a Schoolmaster in Beverly & long deranged, put an end to his existence yesterday at Beverly. 7. The wife of Richard Valpy expired suddenly about sundown. 8. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Babbidge, & d. Lydia, d. of Daughter Mason, pr. for absent friends. Jonathan Mason & fam- ily, d. of his mother. Henry Elkins & wife, d. of her mother, pr. for her brother absent. Martha Babbidge, d. of her Sister in Law Mason. Hannah Brown, d. of her Brother in Law Archer, pr. for her Sons absent. Thomas Rhue, junr. & wife with her Brothers & Sister, d. of her father Archer & pr. for her Brother absent. Abi- gail Chevalier, d. of her husband. 9. News of the death of Dr. Thorndike of Beverly at Norfolk, Virginia. He was Surgeon of the Congress, Frigate. He perished we are told by his own hands. We have good news of our Frigate Essex at Cape of Good Hope in ^March. 10. I was at Story's Association, & Dr. Eliot visited us. Mr. Fuller of Cape Ann preached. We had an elegant entertainment, 340 DIARY OF [June visited the different parts of the Town, saw the works at the Fort, which are large. Marblehead has had good fares this spring, & many repairs are made in different parts of the Town, Mr. Hub- bard is restored to favour & they intend to repair the Meeting House. Judge Sewall spent the day with us. 11. Mr. Webster threatens the world with a Dictionary, first for Schools, then for Counting Houses, & then for the learned. He pretends great changes in the Language already. In a MS. Life of Father Bernard, so called, of Marblehead, in 48pp. sm. 4to, with notes, are the following articles from his own pen & signed by his own name in the Form of a Letter. John Barnard was born at Boston, 6 Nov., 1681. He was at the School in Boston under the famous Ezekiel Chever, He entered the College at Cambridge in July 1696, under President Increase Mather, Tutors John Leaver- ett afterward president & Wm. Brattle afterwards Minister at Cam- bridge. Preached Kev. George Curwin of Salem, funeral Sermon, who died 23 Nov. 1717 set. 35 & whose life he had saved when at College when in danger in the Charles river at Cambridge Bridge. Took his first degree in 1700. Dr. Colman in 1705 Oct. invited him to preach which he had neglected for sometime as he was thought a Mimick & Tool of the Mathers. And the Mathers feared him, as a manifests man, alluding to Colman's Church. In 1707 he was appointed Chaplain in the Army (Capt. Putnam for Salem), 13 May sailed from Nantasket for Port Royal & returned 30 of July to Passamaquody Bay. In 1708 he saved Stoughton Hall from flames by his activity. In 1709 he sailed 9 July for Barbadoes, & reached in 21 days, & in 5 weeks sailed for England. Preached among the Dissenters & returned to America in 1710, November. The Mathers prevented his settlement at New North & in 1714 he engaged at Marblehead with Mr. S. Chever. As they were divided between Mr. Holyoke & they agreed to go together. He was or- dained in 1716, 28 July. The old House is yet standing. Holyoke ord. Ap. 1716. In 1727 wrote to Bp. of London, Dr. Gibson, ag. John Checkeley, who had gone for Episcopal ordination for Mar- blehead. This Church set up about the time he came to Marble- head. He calls not the minister by name. Of the first, he says, he was neither a Scholar nor a Gentleman. The Second, something, but bitter ag. Dissenters. Of good morals. The third, pretty good School Learning, & worthless. The fourth, a Scotch gentleman, inclined to kirk of Scotland, of great Learning, no Bigot, true to Church of England, went to Maryland. The fifth, worthy Mr. Bowse,* ed. at Camb. N. E. The sixth, Mr. Weeks, a worthy man. When the Bp. was disposed not to send Mr. C. he had his eyes up- on Mr. Price who soon after was sent to Boston. Mr. Pigot of Providence came to Marblehead, but the Sexton said — " they had had four & all run away." Mr. Holyoke chosen President, •Rev. Peter Bonrs. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 341 May 30, 1737. iMarblehead people said " Old Barnard prayed him away." Simon Bi-adstieet, S. of Revd. S. B. of Chailestown, ord. 4 of Jan. 1738. W. Whitwell ord. 25 Aug. 1702. The following is Father Barnard's accomit of Marblehead in his own handwriting. When I first came there were two Companies of poor smoak-dried, rude, ill cloathed men, trained to no military discipline, but that of whipping the snakes, as they called it, whereas now there is a distinct Regiment, &c., &c. When I came there was not so much as one proper Carpenter, nor Mason, nor Taylor, nor Butcher in the Town nor anything of a Market worth naming, &c. There was not so much as one foreign trading vessel belonging to the Town for several years after I came into it, &c. Nor could I find 20 families, that upon the best examination could stand upon their own legs, & they were generally as rude, swearing, drunken & fighting Crew as they were poor. I could engage no reformation till I met with Mr. Joseph Swett. He first sent a small Cargo to Barbadoes, built Vessels & sent Fish to Europe. His example was followed & we now have between 30 & 40 Ships, Brigs, Snows, & Topsail Schooners engaged in foreign trade. Mar- blehead, 14 Xov. 1766. The New Meeting House first opened for public worship in Marblehead, 9 Nov. 1715. 13. The Lightning this afternoon burnt a Barn belonging to Newhall in Lynn. Rev. Eli Forbes of Gloucester advertises for the press a Vol. of Sermons. The good old man would do better to keep them at home. 14. Gov. Strong arrived this day in Salem, upon a visit to the Town. 15. Sunday, Gov. Strong attended public worship all day in the North Church. In the evening we were invited to spend an ho\ir with him at Mr. Goodhue's. He appeared a modest & a well informed man. Note. Elizabeth Millet, sick, pr. for Son & g. sou at Sea. Mr. John Barnard, the ^Minister at ]Marblehead, says from Nov. 1702 to Nov. 1766, sixty four years, I have never been con- fined by sickness to my bed. He shut his house of worship twice by a Cold, & having something of a Sciatica he journied to Rhode Island & supplied for two months in 1732. He says — " So con- stant have I been in the labors of the Pulpit throughout the course of my time, that I have been often years without any assistance, & once I find near Eight years where in I have not so much as had the relief of one half day." 19. AVent for Jonathan Ingersoll's farm in Danvers. Stopped at Mr. Derby's Garden in which we experienced the utmost atten- tion of Mr. Heusler the Gardner. He first fed us with Cherries, & Strawberries, & then exhibited the Luxuries of the place. We saw Lemons growing in the Hot House. A great variety of the Aloe plant was shewn to us. We were shewn 5 species of the Geranium. We saw the prickly pear in flower, & received some of the flowers. 342 DIARY OF [June I brought away a specimen of the Roof House leek, which was a beautiful species. At Mr. Ingersoll's I obtained a specimen of the Turkey Wheat, which is the true zea or Maize, but more succulent, fit for immediate use, but not so nourishing I presume as our Eng- lish Corn. It resembles more the white, flat Virginia corn, than the bright & round Indian Corn of New England. Upon this farm I had the pleasure of seeing them cut peat from the Meadow. A Knife is first used to take off the sod, for 4 inches or more, & then a knife with a spade handle cutting two ways, & at right angles, takes up a square sided turf 5 inches wide & 20 inches long, which is delivered upon the knife into a square box, like the hod used by masons, only longer & taken in the arms. It is only within a few years that peat has been regarded. It is said as commonly used, when well cut to be almost as good as wood, as 7 to 8 a cord. But a use of it with grates considering how close it may be measured, it is said might be equal to the same measure of common wood. In the ditch formed by cutting this peat, a boy took 1/2 dozen pouts, one of which I took with me to Salem & examined it. It was full of spawn. 20. This day by invitation from Mr. B. Pickman I had the pleasure of paying my respects to Major Gen. Hamilton, late Sec- retary of State, & Father of the Finance of the United States of North America. There was a collection of Citizens on the occasion. In the afternoon Mr. Hamilton passed eastward accompanied only with a few persons in military suite. 23. Gen. Hamilton returned through Salem. The ceremonies of receiving him were not well arranged. I rode to the Fort, to the Bridge, to the Inn & never saw him. A dinner was provided at the Inn & he dined on fish at the fort. Company prepared to re- ceive him in Town, & he was at Fort Pickering. In the afternoon I rode to Lynn & Marblehead farms. At Capt. Devereux's in Sa- lem, I received such things as he had lately brought from Japan.* He is the first person who has made a voyage thither from Salem. He exhibited such things as engaged his attention. The Stone Tables, Tea Tables, Servers, Knife Cases, Small Cabinets, had no other recommendation than the excellent Lacquer gave them. Some were black & the best, others of a shining snuff colour. One Tea Board measured in its greatest length 3 feet 10 inches. The stuffed gowns, which on both sides silk, are filled with a very fine cotton, were luxuries. The paintings were totally destitute of per- spective. The imitation of animals for toys were as good as hair could make them but have their best effect by Candle light. The Birds have their tails so balanced as to mov^e easily, they are made from hair & not with feathers. The monkeys, dogs, mice, &c. were capable of answering their intent wonderfully. Their work on metal had no ease in the execution such as were for hinges, covers, clasps, &c. •For account of the voyage, aee Essex Institute Hist. Colls., Vol. II, p. 287. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 343 27. Reports that a Ship from Salem has been carried into Hali- fax, Nova Scotia, by the British. Capt. Jo. White, the Owner, is going to Halifax upon the occasion. To prosecute Mr. Walsh's plan of a ^Mercantile Arithmetic I had an opportunity to consult Capt. B. Hodges who furnished me with the papers of his voyages to Calcutta, Madras & to China. I have the promise of much further assistance from later voyages to Batavia, Japan & Manilla. 29. Sunday. Note. Mary Berry, delivery, Husband at Sea. 30. British Adjudications the topic of Conversation. A Ship from Boston, & a Vessel from Salem, & another from Marblehead, have been carried into Halifax for adjudication. Having been told that at Boxford in this Country, 10 June, they distroyed 1575 Blackbirds, Mr. Peale of the Museum of Philadelphia, remonstrates that these Birds distroy the worms, & do more good than harm. Smoaked & baked meat preferred to salt for long voyages. July 2 [1800]. The first sick man ever entered into our Hos- pital now lies dangerously ill of the West India fever. The ground was inclosed by order of the Committee last Monday. Some would have preferred an Island for an Hospital. The Essex Junto is de- scribed & vindicated in the Centinel of this day. The Characters are given in the following Order, Theophilus Parsons, Jonathan Jackson, John Lowell, Stephen Higginson, George Cabot, & Timo- thy Pickering. They are certainly men of the first [standing ?] whatever may be their political opinions. The term is said to have originated in the time of the Insurrection under the head of Gov. Bowdoin, in the gazettees of Edes & of Adams & Nourse. 4. This day was celebrated in Salem by firing of Cannons, dis- play of Flags and the public recreations. The Cannon roared at Boston & a public Oration was delivered. I went to Nahant & spent the Day. 7. Mr. Gray's ship commanded by Capt. Ward, arrived from East Indies, & Elias H. Derby from the Mediterranean. T. Wel- man came from Havanna a passenger. 9. Died suddenly this morning, the widow Woodman,* aet. 79. Died Lydia Babbidge, aet. 67, who with her mother now aged 86, has kept a school for little Children. Her mother has been a School Dame above 1/2 a Century. 10. Court of Sessions in Town. A Committee upon the new road proposed in Southfields. 13. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Babbidge, d. of her only Child, pr. for G. children absent. Martha Babbidge, d. of her Sister in Law. Jona. Archer and wife, d. of her mother Woodman, pr. for Son at Sea. Benj. Archer & wife, sudden death of her mother Woodman, pr. for Brother absent. Wm. Millet & wife, d. of his mother, pr. for Brother & friends at Sea. Jona, Archer & wife for •Mrs, Lydia (Phillips), widow of Benjamin Woodman. 344 DIARY OF [July her delivery. Saml. Silsbee & wife for her delivery, pr. for Breth- ren at Sea. 14. The Visitation of the Schools. We proceeded to the West School, where as usual we find the best writers. There was still an air of poverty in the appearance. At the Centre Writing School under Mr, Gray we found the best readers. The Grammar school exhibited only 17 Scholars. The East School had as many boys as any School, & the Writing Schools about 100 each. Mr. H. with his usual insipidity addressed all the Schools. The other ministers felt some disgust from some circumstances of the Day. 15. After 4 I left Salem for Boston in order to attend Com- mencement, Cambridge. I carried with me H. Elkins, whom I dis- posed of at Mr. Smith's. 16. In the morning I rode to Cambridge & took charge of Mr. Taylor & wife & of my Ward. I placed them conveniently in the meeting House & then went abroad among my friends. The presi- dent of the United States, Mr. Adams, & the Gov. of Conn., Mr. Trumball, accompanied Gov. Strong on the occasion. There was no unusual parade, or brilliancy on the occasion. Several gentle- men whose Sons received honours distinguished themselves by en- tertainments on the day, among whom Mr. Gray of Salem & Mr. Marston Watson were most known. The performances were not eminent. A young Buckminster of 16 years was entitled to the highest praise. I dined with Judge Winthrop with my friends, & then visited such persons as had honoured me with their particular attention & invitations. We walked over the Common to see the several amusements & to observe the Merry Andrews, federal wheel, &c. In the evening we were joined by a Circle of Ladies, &c. at Judge Winthrop's. The Catalogue was published this year, which leaves 1561 of the Sons alive & out of 1158 Clergymen, 371 Sur- vivors. Mr. Taylor & wife returned to Boston. Harriet was left at Mrs. Hilliard's. The day was lowry & cool, but very dusty. No accidents. 17. The P. B. K. had the Oration & the Poem in the Chapel but no great talents were discovered on the occasion, in the foulist political rant. AVe dined at Mrs. Hilliard's after having visited the public rooms, & having seen a Curious Bird, the Cassawary, whose admeasurement we did not take. Upon our return to Boston, I visited the Hist, Society & we were honoured by the presence of the Gov. of Connecticut. We took tea together at Judge Sullivan's & the P. of United States was nominated as a Member & Mr. Fos- ter writer of the Hist, of Rhode Island, 18. This morning I visited Mr. Pierce of West Boston, who has a large Collection of American Curiosities, & Mr. Turell, our Cabinet Keeper, who has a great variety of Indian Curiosities, Shells & Fossils. Here I saw a curious Cabinet, said to have belonged to Oliver Crom- well. At Mr. Nichol's I saw a large importation of Eng. books from 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 345 Avhich I made some purchases. After dinner I returned home to Salem, 19. 'My. Walsh with me. I had sent on his letter by young Mr. Cai'ey to Newburyport in 10 sheets on the subject of his Collection for a Merchant's Directory. 20. Sunday. Note. Retire Becket & wife, d. of their only daughter. Died last week in Salem, Primus, formerly servant in the Manning family. Primus' best days were over, & he held out much better than Blacks usually do. He was esteemed very honest, but had become intemperate. Above 60 set. Francis Clarke, Su- perintendent Clerk for W. Gray, Merchant, & Son of the Capt. of our Salem Fort, last French war, aet. 47. He was a victim to In- temperance. 23. Applications in behalf of John Newhall on board the British ship at Boston. I gave a Certificate & a Letter to General Lincoln. 27. Sunday. Note. Mary Peele, delivery, pr. for Husband & rother at Sea. 31. This day opened with unusual heat & at noon the Th : kept by Dr. Holyoke stood one hour at 100. At two the clouds began to collect & run wild in every direction. At four I was in a Moses boat with a Jib & Mainsail, we went before it. All our tackle gave way, & we reached the Marblehead shore in as violent a gust as is commonly known. The vessels drove at their anchors & we should have reached the house without danger of the rain, had not the immediate danger of a Sloop called for our assistance. A great abundance of Sea weed was found floating upon our return. Fogg's wharf* was cleared of its lumber but no great damage was done. Several Buildings were moved, Trees broken down & corn torn up, &c. August 2 [1800]. Oil upon rain water to prevent insects from breeding in it. 3. Sunday. Note. JNIary Rochestein, d. of her husband abroad. The old Church at Marblehead under repairs after having been long in a neglected state. The Aifairs of that [society] now in quiet. 4. A Ship belonging to Hodges & Co. arrived from Bombay, the whole voyage having been performed in less than nine months. 7. Mr. Marston Watson, an eminent Merchant of Boston, & lately of Marblehead, died yesterday of a fever. He married a d. of Major Lee of ^lanchester. A Son graduated at Cambridge last Commencement. Several fishermen of Danvers & Beverly have come in with good fares. ^Mr. Page at the New Mills has con- tinued success in the fishery. 9. The Centinel gives a hint that the Salem Cordage of the Ship Essex did not do much honour to the skill, or honesty of the Salem Ropemaker.f Saw what the sailors call a Cornwall dia- mond. Copper ore with spar. •At the foot of Daniels street. tSee Essex Institute Hist. Colls., Vol. X, p. 60. 346 DIARY OF [Aug. 10. Sunday. Notes. Walter Jeffrey & wife for him sick. Anna Foot, d. of Son abroad, pr. for Husband & son in law at Sea. B. Russel thanks for return of his two sons & son in law & pr. for two Sons at sea. The Organ for the Salem First Church has arrived at Boston. It was procured by Consul Williams who gen- erously gave his services. Mr. Dow who declined the call at Wen- ham, is preaching at Beverly, upper parish. Mr. Burleigh, the Speculator of Lower Beverly, refused the services of Mr. MacKeen & sent to Salem for Mr. Hopkins. His objections were that Mr. MacKeen loved Drs. in Divinity & was willing to be one himself. So absurd are the prejudices which vulgar men bring up with them. Our Choirister for 7 years intends to remove next week to Lynn. Several of them are adrift. One by a tavern, another by a spec* in Maine, & another from a Mechanic turns Tailor. 17. Sunday. Capt. J. Collins & Judith Archer consented to conceive their friends lost. Notes. John Collins & wife, d. of their eldest son lost at Sea. Judith Archer, d. of her Husband, lost at Sea, pr. for brother & fr. absent. Mary Bullock, d. of her Brother, died in Havanna, pr. for Husband at sea. William Boyd & wife, her delivery, pr. for absent friends. Poor Timothy Dexter who has given bells to Churches & has had so many f rolicks is at length lodged in the County house as a Madman by his own family, for outrageous threatenings, & dis- orderly management. 20. Went to Baker's Island in the Health Boat. Mr. Jona. Henfield told me that passing between Hodges' & Fitch's point in South fields about 200 yards from the shore he observed a boiling spring into which he entered his paddle without any resistance, in two feet of water at the ebb. 21. Preached in the Charity House. The Keeper assured me that there were 120 Souls in the House & that this number had been complete by coming & going & yet that there had not been a funeral from the House since last Octol)er. The House has all sorts & all ages. 22. I spent at Collins' farm, Danvers. He is clearing the Swamp before the House. I visited the antient site of the House of Gov, Endicott & plucked some pears from the antient Tree which he planted in 1631. The late gust took down the Trees before C's house & two chimnies from his outhouse in which the farmers boarded. The Land is not so good as the house he inhabits. 24. Sunday. General Health. The old Church shut to pre- pare the Organ which is to be introduced for the first time into our worship in Salem. 25, Our grand Election Day. The Gazette & Register had long excited the public mind. In the Register, Read had been ridiculed, & Crowninshield extolled. The parties were represented with great 'Speculation. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEV, D. D. 347 humour as prepared for actiou. Their position, strength & move- ments were determined. The Republicans had also Tickets struck off with the English arms for Head, & the Am. Eagle for Crowniu- shield. The whole had the effect the Republicans expected & a great majority unexpectedly appeared upon a side which had been treated with contempt in the late choice of a Governour. No seri- ous quarrells ensued but Victory in silence produced a new era in the politics of Salem. 30. A man having died at Boston Hospital & being at first pre- served in spirits »& afterwards interred, the Spirits were sold by the Sexton to a Merchant for his distillery, but discovered by the Board of Health & distroyed. A prosecution has commenced by the Board. September 1 [1800]. Attended the funeral of a Child from the Pest House & then went in the Light House boat to spend a few days at Baker's Island & thence in fishing, fowling, etc. We left Salem at 3 o'clock & reached Baker's Island at sundown. 2. In the morning we caught the fish upon which we dined & after dinner we sailed to House Island. I never before had been able to land upon this Island either from the surf or the want of a small boat. We landed on the western side, well in, & climbed up through the sweet bay which grew in abundance. The Island is rough. Many Pines & Dwarf Junipers are standing, & several Walnuts. The trees are chiefly on the Western side. The soil might be profitable. Sheep have been kept upon it, and there was formerly a small house. The small Island which lays up within the Misery, & Manchester entrance is called Crow Island. The dry rocks S. of it are called Solace's Rocks. 3. We agreed to go to Kettle Cove* 4 miles below Baker's Island. Gale's Head is from Land which forms the outer part of Manchester Harbour. S. E. 3/4 of a mile is the Ledge dangerous to ]\rariners going into Salem. Little Egg Rock lies near the shore & is high & out of the navigable waters. Salt Rock S. E. a bare rock low over which the full tide breaks, has a Ledge W. S. W. 1/4 mile distant at low water bare & another Ledge E. S. E. about 1/4 mile. Water deep round Salt Rock. There is a high Bluff head on the west side of Kettle Cove round which is the harbour in which Stone, the Ship Carpenter, has built 40 Sail of Cape Ann fishermen. On the W. head are a few scattered pines. This part of the Cove or harbour is of shoal water after we passed the head. Round the head are Marshes palisadoed to prevent the shifting sand from the eastern part of the Cove. The water at full tide winds beautifully in the marshes of about 8 acres, & at the head, at the foot of the hill is a living spring toward which is an open path. On the Bluff head is a small circular redoubt thrown up during the last war, to prevent small vessels from depredations. It is raised with stones •Now MagnoHa. 348 DIARY OF [Sept, in front & it is made hollow within. Kettle Island bearing from the Redoubt E, S. E. 1/2 mile. There was a cornfield on the N. W. slope of the Bluff towards the Harbour, abundantly guarded against the Crows. We passed iip to Mr. Stone's by a road which, led to Cape Ann great road, & went to Capt. Hooper's. On the East side of Kettle Cove near the road was a small pond & beyond a beach. On the S. of House Island the rock was mixed, with black slate rock in veins, but nothing of this kind seen here. There were two stately walnuts just above the eastern point. The land on this side of Kettle Cove not so rough, well walled, & clear pasture, &c. 4. Dined on Tuesday on fish, Wednesday on roast chickens & this day upon a Pie of beach birds. After dinner we returned to Salem but did not see the launching of a ship at Becket's. 5. This day Mr. E. Sprague, minister of Dublin, visited me. This singular man has come into the possession of a very handsome estate & continues to preach to an audience who have not the most exalted opinions of his understanding, tho' not the most competent to judge of his abilities. I spent the evening with him at Hersey Derby's Farm in South Fields, to remind me of the intercourse in our Collegiate life. 6. Visited Mr. E. H. Derby to see the Curiosities from Italy he had collected. The marble & inlaid tables, the Bustos, & the Coins & the rich engravings formed a grand repast. He made me par- take in his bounty. He has also enriched his Library with some views & contributed to introduce works of Taste into this Country. 7. Sunday. Notes. John Fairfield & wife, thanks for safe return from Sea, d. of Servant Boy. This beloved foreign youth died at Havana. Thomas Green* & wife, d. of their youngest child at the Pest House. 9. It was my turn to attend the District Court in this Town, Judge Lowell was very polite, my friend Davis, the D. C. Attorney, Marshall, &c. Mr. Ames so celebrated in the history of our pol- itics gave us his free conversation on the character of man, & was the chief speaker. W^e dined in good humour, & the day passed along agreably. 10. Mr. George Richards, the Universalist of Portsmouth, was with me this day. He is on a professional journey to Orange, Mass. He has great vivacity, but his numerous poetical lucubrations need the correctness of Taste. He has published largely upon the death of Washington. We dined at Vincent's. 11. This day we had a pleasant walk on the Shores, & a little Musical Company in the evening at Bray's & passed the time agreably. A Daughter of my old friend Herrick, who in his insanity, put an end to life, was with us, a sprightly girl, born to bitter things, but not at variance with her fate. 14. Sunday. Notes. Ebenezer Sloacum & wife, d. of their •Of Liverpool, England. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 349 Child. Daniel Caldwell & wife, d. of their Child. Josiah Flag & wife, d. of their Child, pr. for a l^rother at Sea. Mrs. Silsbee observed in Daniels' Street below Essex Street, that a child now dead was the tirst below her house for 17 years, since she had lived in the street, & yet several large families had been educated below her house. 15. By the arrival of Capt. Philips from Calcutta in the ship Recovery, we learn the death of Winthrop Gray the last of a Company of jolly fellows in Salem. They have all been early victims. We hear of the death of several of our promising young seamen. Thomas Lechmore, Esq. said to be a native of Salem, is app. an alderman at Bombay. A Concert is determined for Friday, at the Old Church upon the New Organ. 16. Attended the funeral at Dan vers of Catherine Symmonds, d. of S. S. by a Phippeu, formerly the Widow Hobbes. Passing from a part of the House, from the door, she was met by a man running swiftly, was thrown down upon a stone, & expired in a few hours. Upon examination there was no external injury, but after her decease her left kidney was found to have been distro^'ed by the pressure of the man upon her, & by her fall. The funeral was this afternoon , & the funeral service I performed in the Meeting House from the number of persons assembled on the occasion, the Pastor being out of Town. 18. Took a walk in Company to Spring Pond. By the occasion of part of our Company we left our first rout from Gallows Hill & passed higher up into Sheep Pasture. On our return we kept up from Spring Pond to the great rock on the hill called Plum Hill & thence E'ly between the two rocks on the hill below. We then saw the To"\Am & followed the walls till we passed into Gallows Hill pasture. Our route then was at the foot of the hill on the W. side of the Bay & then on the east, & we came round the Hill to the Bars near the Haymarket. Below the hill was a Cistern of the Branch aqueduct & at the entrance of the Pasture from Haymarket, a covered Spring & another opposite to Fry's Tavern Avhich is near Fry's Mills. We saw abundance of wild grapes near the Butt Brook & Spring Pond, & collected a great quantity of pennyroj^al. There is also much Sweet Bay. The Springs which feed the Aqueduct of Salem, issue from the ground over a considerable space of ground, but in no place could we collect water enough to drink unless we opened the ground. 19. The Concert at the first Church intended for this day is put off sine die. So we shall not hear the new Organ so soon as was expected. Timothy Dexter is still writing. Since he left the County House he has retired to Ballston's Springs for his health. How capricious is fortune says the world. 20. Several American vessels from Havana have been condemned at Halifax. Strout, Lieu, of the Warren Am. Sloop of War, is in 350 DIARY OP [Sept. Town. He is the only officer of the Town in the United States ser vice. A Ship launched at Becket's, below English Street, this day. 21. Sunday. Notes. Mary Hutchinson with her Children, d. of her Son James, pr. for Son absent & friends. Benja. Hutchinson & wife, d. of his Brother, p. for Br. absent & friends at Sea, also thanks for her safe delivery. Ruth Porter, d. of her Sister in law Perley at Boxford, pr. for Absent friends. Sam^ Townsend & wife, d. of their Eldest daughter, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Nathaniel Trow & wife, d. of their only child, pr. for absent friends. A Can- didate, Isaac Averill, set. 34, belonging to Topsfield, & having a call to the ministry in Brookfield as successor to Dr. Fiske of Brookfield, died in Topsfield upon a visit to his friends, & when bearing Letters Missive to the Churches for his Ordination. He was to have been ordained on 1 October. 23. The Lots between Capt. Prince & Crowninshield in Derby Street were sold this day in Lots, & the sale exceeded 8,000 D The Small House built by Giles, & belonging formerly to Capt. John White, sold at above 2,500 D. The neighbours bought the Lots,which were sold by John Derby being part of the real estate of E. H. D. left to him. On this Land in 1780 Mr. Derby raised a Great House which he never finished. The third story was as high as the first & higher than the second. The pediment was lost in the roof & the Cupola which was finished was without any good effect. The back part was finished but the front only covered with boards & was very rotten. It was sold this day to the Carpenters for 600 Dollars. A more uncomely mass was never piled up for a building. The Lot under it sold for above 2,000 D. It has now stood 20 years a monument of folly. 24. A Vessel, Schooner, was launched at Brigg's, South field side, with all her standing rigging. 27. A Schooner was discovered to be on fire at the head of the Long wharf. She had admitted water upon the lime on board. It was soon agreed to scuttle her, but as the tide was low, the water could not cover her, & the Engines then could not. It was soon found it was wrong to scuttle her in Shoal watter, & when Engines were near which could fill her in a short time. Her Cargo suffered much & the Hull less than was expected, & chiefly from the dam- age done to save it. This is the second vessel set on fire by Lime in this Harbour, since I have been here. The other was in the night & burnt to the water's edge. 28. Sunday. Notes. Sam^ Webb & wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. William Billings, set. 60, died also at Boston. This self taught man thirty years ago had the direction of all the music of our Churches. His Reuben, as he whimsically called it, with all its great imperfections, had great fame and he may justly be con- sidered as the father of our new England music. Many who have imitated have excelled him, but none of them had better original 1800] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 351 powers. His late attempts & without a proper education were the true cause of his inferiour excellence. He taught the Singers at the Brattle street Church in 1778 with great approbation & his fame was great in the Churches. He was a singular man, of mod- erate size, short of one leg, with one eye, without any address, & with an uncommon negligence of person. Still he spake & sung & thought as a man above the common abilities. He died poor & neg- lected & perhaps did too much neglect himself. 29. I went to Chelsea to attend the funeral of the wife of Rev* Payson, D. D. She was a Stone, & had been delirious ever since the loss of a favourite daughter. Her daughter Betsey was tirst taken & is since quiet. Her son Philips is often deranged. The Brother of Mr. Payson has been in the same way, & there have been apprehensions for others. There was a very respectful attention to Dr. Payson on the occasion. It was a circuitous rout to the Bury- ing ground. Upon the grave stone of the first Pastor, Mr. Chever, I saw written that he deceased " December 1749, set. 92." He was for a long time at the head of the Cambridge Catalogue, & his par- ish was called Romney marsh. After him was settled a Mr. Mac- clanochen, who afterwards took orders in the Church of England. His Installation at Chelsea was affected by the lay part of the Council after a serious struggle, as I was told by a Clergyman pres- ent at the time of the Council. Mr. Prescot was moderator. Mr. Hobby was persuaded to pray, the Candidate to preach, the moder- ator to give the Charge & Mr. Henchman to give the right hand, to which Mr. Henchman consented, if done in the name of the Coun- cil. Henchman's wit upon his Contemporaries was, Good Emerson, proud Hobby, Silly Carnes, & Coxcomb Roby. Emerson of Maiden, Hobby of Reading, Carnes of Stoneham, & Roby of Lynn. I spent the evening at Lynn, with Rhoades, Rob- inson, & Massey at Thatcher's. 30. As I rode to the funeral with Mary Thatcher I invited her to spend the next day with me at Nahant. We caught fish, & vis- ited the usual places, dined agreably, had our melons, & returned to Lynn. Before night I reached Salem. October 3, 1800. Mr. Endicott with me & brought some pears from the Tree which Gov. Endicott planted in 1630. He tells me that he is of the fifth generation. That Gov. Endicott had four Sons. That his Son John had a Son John who was Surgeon in the British navy & afterwards lived in England. That his Son Sam- uel came to America & inherited the patrimony and that John the Son of Samuel was the father of John who was with me. He could not give me the different branches with accuracy but told me that he had four Sons, who were engaged in seafaring business from Sa- lem, & that he had now six sons & four daughters living. John & Samuel, masters of Vessels, are his Sons in Salem & have children. 352 DIARY OF [Oct. Mr. Eadicott assured me that there was existing in the family a Letter from Gov. Endicott upon the loss of the first minister Mr, Higginson, which he has promised to enquire for & deliver to me. He says also that he has in his possession John Endicott's, the grandson of the Governour, will, which he will put into my hands. 4. Mr. R. Becket mentions that his G. Father often told him that HoUingsworth hadshallops of 40 Tons which came up the Cove above East Street & opposite Becket's street & that Mr. Masury who lived upon land joining upon East street, now inclosed opposite to Turner's street, used to stand at his door & fish for eels & other small fish. That the only vessels built in Marblehead were two Schooners, Avithin the memory of the present generation, by James Barter, the largest about 80 Tons. He spoke of the deep water above Ram Horn Rock westward between it & Roache's or Pest House point. Thei-e is nothing remarkable now. The primitive Settlers did the principal part of their business in Shallops of 40 Tons. 5. Sunday. Notes. Widow Mary Murray, d. of her only Son & Child at Sea, pr. for friends at Sea. Emmons Smith & wife, for her sick, pr. two sons at Sea. Thomas Goldsmith & wife, d. of his mother at Osapee, 39 m. from Dover, N. H. Nathaniel Goldsmith, d. of his mother. 10. The Sale of Pews has occasioned conversation about enlarg- ing the Meeting House. This Subject has been often under consid- eration. The Character of J. C. & thy History of the family of Crowninshield has been attributed to me, for which I have my share of newspaper abuse. 12. Sunday. Notes. John Peters & wife, d. of her D. by Nor- man. Wid. Lois Odell for her sick & pr. for Son absent. Wid. Mary Edey for her only D. sick. Mary Brown, delivery, pr. for her husband & friends at Sea. I was to have exchanged with Hub- bard of Marblehead but he was taken with a fever. An alarm of fire this morning by the firing of guns from Crowninshield's Ship, the America, now under quarantine, but it proved to [be] a riot on board which had lasted all night with the Capt. Stephen Webb & his Crew because of their detention. The neighboring Towns were all alarmed & turned out at four in the morning. A shameful & wanton transaction. At Ponifret, Aaron Hutchinson, Revd. has died aet. 79. The same man who was upon Council ag. Dr. Tucker of Newbury & who wrote in that affair, & upon whom the Dr. in- geniously satirised when after a refutation he chose the Text — And Aaron held his peace. He was a busy meddlesome man. 13. The Obloquy cast upon individuals in political altercation will bring reproaches. Men are not usually modest upon such oc- casions. A Refugee Colonel may expect that his ill timed interfer- ence will bring reproach as well as a broken Clergyman, especially if his avarice has betrayed him to the world in some shameful 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 353 actions. The rash curses of merchants are remembered & their deeds of great injustice are recorded in the memory of the sufferers. 14. This day Forrester's Brig arrived & we find that Capt. J. Murphy, her Commander, has died on his passage from Calcutta. He was an invalid when he sailed from America. 15. A military parade of our Artillery Company in Salem. Rev** French of Andover was with us in Salem this day. Mrs. West entertained us with her usual elegance & shewed us the great repairs she was making upon the house she occupied, as she had been disappointed of the Mansion house of her Father Derby. At a late Training at Beverly, one young man lost his leg, from salut- ing, a savage custom familiar to the former times of this Country of running with a gun & discharging the powder about the legs, & the smoak in the eyes of the man they saluted. 16. Went upon Ellingswood's head to view the Salthouse Rocks vulgarly called Saltus Rocks & the origin of the name is forgotten. The rocks by Ledge & marsh are now joined to the main or Salt House point at the N. W. seperation of Bass river from Wollaston, after passing Ellin gwood's Head & Orne's point. The Rocks are low and covered every tide & laying well out of the Channel. The present generation remember when they were free from the marsh and Ledge. Beyond, going up Wollaston's river, in a cove just above are the best black clams, which take their colour & richness from the soil mixed with the sand in which they are found, & they are the nearest in size & goodness to the Squam Clam. On the beautiful spot above Salt House point were the Salt Works erected by a Son of Gov. Winthrop at an early period of our history. A bruising match this day upon the Derby Wharf, between Capt. E. H. Derby, eldest Son of E. H. D. & his Brother in Law West,* who married the eldest daughter. The division of the estate is the moving cause of the painful divisions in that now unhappy family. 17. Carried my Tide Gage to the Essex Bridge & delivered it at the Toll House. Yesterday & this day the death of Revd. E. Hub- bard of Marblehead carried me to that town. He was buried this afternoon. He was in the same class with me at College & was one year & one month older & settled one year before me in the min- istry. He was aged 42 years & 5 months. The Pall was supported by Rev^ Forbes, Fuller, Wadsworth, Barnard, Prince & Mackeen. The meeting house was shrouded & Forbes prayed. There was a general attendance & Mr. Hubbard was laid in a grave near to his predecessors upon the Burying Hill. Mr. Hubbard has left a wife & 8 children & another expected. She was a daughter of Col. Glover. The late quarrel is over & the parties are reconciled to peace. 18. The high Wind & rain of this Night was attended with a •Capt. Nathaniel Weat, who died in 1801 and was one of the last men io Salem to wear smaU elotbei. 354 DIARY OP [Oct. very high Tide which swept much lumber from the wharves, floated such piers as were not well secured, & sunk a small vessel loaded with naval stores, laying at Derby Wharf. The tide was not so high at noon on Sunday at the Wharves, but 8 inches higher on North River, than in the preceding night. 19. Sunday. This day was buried Abigail Curtis, aet. 86. She had followed hard labour till near the close of life going abroad to washing in families. A good woman. On 15 Oct. died Rev* Ebenezer Hubbard of Marblehead. He was born at Concord, Mass. in May 1768 & graduated at Cambridge in 1777. He was ord. at Marblehead in the first Church in 1782, and had been happy with his people till they withheld the additional grants of Salary. He then asked a dismission which they readily gave him in May last. He then was persuaded to represent his willingness to continue upon his original contract & he was accepted. His high temper had often involved him in great dijfficulties, & tho' he survived this storm he fell in the calm which succeeded it. He was a man of moderate abilities. The seperation from his father in Law Col. Glover, occasioned for him great trouble. The loss of Col. Orne who was the Baron of the place, was the loss of his authority & he had not talents to win. He was a good singer & since his difficulties taught a School of Children reading & another of Church Music. 20. The tide rose at the bridge last Sunday 2 1/2 feet above the common perigee Tides, or the tides at the change and full of the Moon. It covered the Beverly Wharves. Mr. Pierce tells me that the tide rose 2 feet above the high tides at the Fort on Sunday, half a foot less than on Saturday night. That the swell was about two feet by the marks which made the tide 14 feet at the mean. 24. Dr. Cutler who had made himself a Candidate for the fourth district at a Caucus in Newburyport, at which Judge Bradbury presided, was superceded in the nomination of Asa Andrews, Esqr. of Ipswich. 25. For the first time the zeal of Caucusing has been introduced into Salem. In former times, particular men of influence have met to agree upon a Candidate for office, but then the meeting was of few & all upon one side. Now parties are armed at all points, & large associations are forming & alliances offensive & defensive as reputation, interest, & all men hold dear are involved in the con- troversies. 26. Sunday. Notes. Abigail Jenkins, pr. d. of her Mother Curtis. Thomas Palfrey & wife, d. of her Br. in Law Murphy, pr. for a Brother at Sea. Samuel Odell & wife & Sisters & Brothers, d. of their Mother. Eleanor Voorhees, d. of her Mother Odell, pr. for her Husband at Sea. Nancy Masury, delivery, pr. for husband & Brother at Sea. Br. Story preached the first Sunday after Mr. Hubbard's Death in the first church at Marblehead for the first time after fifteen years. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 866 27. Thomas Kitteridge, Physician at Andover, appears as the opposition Candidate in the fourth District. As Asa Andrews has declined in Ipswich, the Caucus at Newburyport has made a second nomination, & by the influence of Blanchard of Wenham, have rehictantly adopted Dr. Cutler of Hamilton, the man who obtained the name of Hamilton for his little tovna. Such at present the Electioneering. 30. The rising sun saluted by the discharge of Cannon as the celebration of the Birth of President Adams. The ships were dressed accordingly. Went to Beverly to see the first example of the Kine Pox in our neighbourhood. Dr. Whitney inoculated his own four children, the three eldest females. The symptoms were long & severe, with shivering, pain & fainting & lasted six days. The eldest had few pustules, but very sore, was of a slender habit. The second daughter had it less severe in the symptoms but more pustules & very sore. The third daughter of more full habit had the symptoms very severely & was loaded especially about the face, arms & feet. The Son was very faint, & feeble, has few pustules, but great debility, just recovering. As I found the pustules they were large & the pustulous matter more clear than commonly in the smallpox, but not essentially different. The pustules did pit, were not much inflamed at the edges, were confluent, & of bright yellow when drying away. Firing was continued all the day in different parts of the Town, & a party regaled themselves at the North Bridge. Nov. 2 [1800]. Sunday. Note. Edward Allen & wife& family, d. of her Brother Jesse Lockart, Co. of Hyde, N. Carolina, & 2 sons at Sea 3. The day of election of Members for Congress. Every prepara- tion was made in Salem by both parties & the Candidates were as before. As the Poll was closed before 2 o'clock, it was now open till 4. 4. Great alarm respecting the Cow Pox. The family I visited Oct. 30 are now firmly persuaded that it is the Small Pox. Little of this town has inoculated his own child. The matter which W^hitney employed is suspected & all the attempts cannot quiet the public mind. Dr. Holyoke doubts whether it be the Small pox, as the Chicken pox may be confluent, &c. Many Physicians say they proceed with great success. 7. The Representatives of Salem who wrote a Letter in favour of Read, challenge an explanation & pretend that in the whole affair they had no regard to public character, tho' they & they only signed conjointly. Their Constituents ought to know how to appreciate their services. Dr. Cutler has the unanimous consent of his people to go to Congress & perhaps he might obtain it as readily to leave them forever. 9. Sunday. Notes. Jonathan Beckford & wife, d. of his Sister Archer, pr. for Br. & Sister in N. H., pr. for a Br. at Sea. 356 DIARY OP [Nov. William Patterson & wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Edward Archer, her delivery. Revd. Joua. Stickney, ord. at Ray- mond, N. H., was from Newburyport & had not a public education, but had been till lately a goldsmith. Died at Washington, formerly Cambden, N. H., C. of Cheshire, Eevd. George Leslie aet. 73. This was the man who entered into controversy with Thayer, the Catholic, soon after his return to America. He was settled in a parish of Ipswich, Mass. formerly called Fire town, where Mr. Williams now is incumbent. 11. In consequence of the imprudent management of the Cow Pox, the real Small pox has been spread over Marblehead, & yes- terday the Town agreed upon a general Inoculation. The poverty of the Town must render this a distressing calamity. This day there was a Meeting at Beverly, but by the artifice of some, the Committee which was chosen were put under the care of the Select- men, & so all measures were overruled. There is to be a meeting in Salem on Thursday next on the same subject. Dr. Little by sending the patients inoculated in his own house, to the hospital upon the first alarm has prevented much public uneasiness, and no one has yet had the Natural small pox in Salem. 12. Mr. Goodhue of this Town has resigned his seat in the Senate of U. States. 13. At the Town Meeting all concerns relating to the Small Pox were left to the Selectmen & Health Committee. 14. At the Supreme Court in this Town this day, one person from Rowley was found guilty of adultery, & another belonging to N. H. of forgery. The first was sentenced to two months' impris- onment & to a fine of 50 dollars or the pillory. The last to the pillory & to have his ear cut. This day was biu-ied Thomas Duck- ingfield, the late Town Crier. He was a Mulatto & had been an occasional Servant to Gen. Washington. He attended upon the Courts, upon Assemblies, the bellows of the Organ, &c., & was well known for his singular manners, & great integrity. George Crown- inshield & Sons have given two hundred Dollars to Marblehead to relieve them under the present general inoculation for the Small Pox. 16. Sunday. They have hired a Baptist Preacher in Beverly for one year. He pretends to the use of the Hebrew bible, which he sent to the book binders' in Salem. This is a depth of knowledge uncommon among the Clergy of this denomination. Dr. Foster who lived at the New Mills in Danvers & was the Father of the Baptist Society in that place, & who removed from thence to Newport, R. L, & thence to New York, was the only Baptist minister to whose knowledge of Hebrew I have any information in America. Condy of Boston was their best Belles Lettres Scholar & a friend of James Foster of London. 17. A Moose exhibited as a Natural Curiosity for /9d. Brought 1800] WILLIAM BBNTLEY, D. D. 857 from the province of Maine. An Ape was exhibited at the same place in the full dress of a Sailor. 22. The Storm drove in the Tide at Salem so that it rose above fifteen feet on a gage at the Bridge on which it commonly rises but to eleven. At the ebb it was below one on the same gage. The night tide was inconsiderable. The Storm so beat on the sandy shore from the Bridge to Morton's point as to leave a perpendicular bank from 1 to 3 feet where was a gentle descent & at Windmill point in the North River it laid bare all the roots of the Locusts, within the fence, & partly buried the fence in the sands. The same waste was seen from the point within Salem Bar «& Hospital point. 27. Thanksgiving Day. The weather mild. Contributions as at the last. The Music was good, & was assisted by Dr. Hardy of Bradford, Mr. Lefevre of the Town & by Monsieur Maurice, Teach- er of Music and Dancing in Salem. This French gentleman was excellent upon the Violin. A Musical Composition published by Holden of Charleston, called West End, was performed after Sermon. Monsieur Maurice had a ball in the evening, the first time in Salem by any public notification in the Gazettes. 29. The spreading of the Small pox creates great uneasiness in Marblehead. 17 have already died of the Infection, & there are reports that the Physician who incautiously spread the disease has been shot at with a pistol. As the sickness now becomes serious we are anxious for Consequences. The use of the Kine pox has not been unequivocally successful, & we hear that Waterhouse* has written to some patients his apprehensions of some of his variolous matter. In Salem all Inoculation has been prevented for the pres- ent in any form. The persons in our Hospital all do well. The Gazette gives notice that William Black the Scotchman, who has lately married Col. Pierce's daughter & who challenged Gibaut for the questions of his literary pretentions, is dead, aged 26 years. 30. Sunday. In Upper Beverly difficulties remain & some have visited the Episcopal Church in this Town to avoid taxes. Wen- ham is unsupplied. December 2 [1800]. Our Lodge Choice of Officers. Same Master in the Chair. The Lodge was for the first time decorated. W^e had hitherto been contented to set at a board covered with a cloath & supported on legs. Now the Master & Wardens have each a pedestal, & the Master a Canopy. The Seats are around the room, the officers in different places. The Bible is large with Sil- ver Emblems & with an handsome damask Cushing. Other decora- tions appear for the first time in this Lodge. 5. The attention of Salem, from the introduction of an Organ, is to Singing. The North Society have raised a small building for the purpose & the South Society use a Hall near them occupied, by Mr. Town. Mr. Holyoke is to teach the North Society. Our own fate is •A pbyeician &t Cambridge. 358 DIARY OF [Dec not determined. The zeal of the North Society will probably ter- minate iu an organ where it begins. 6. This day died Charles Collins, mate of the Ship Recovery, from a bruise he received by the fall of a hogshead out of the Hooks. He was a very industrious, faithful & very active man. He was from Ireland. 11. Our fire Club met this day & dined at the Ship, kept by Bufifington. Some misunderstanding occasioned our removal from Gen. Abbot's for the first time. Capt. William Ward was received at this meeting. 12. An address to the Humane Society in behalf of George Crowninshield, Junr. at the request of Richard Manning whose son John was saved from drowning 25 Oct. 1800. 13. The cruel invective against Mrs. Rogers* was from Dr. Ber- nard. It was obtained by Capt. Nichols who wishes to dissolve an intimacy formed between his Daughter & Story the Poet of Mar- blehead. The Dr. in the purity of his heart endeavoured to extend the censure so as to deprive a widow & her four children of subsis- tence. Mr. Gushing refused the answer & we are to have it in the Imp. Register. 14. Sunday. Notes. John Gunnison & wife, daughter dang, sick in Charity House. Deborah Sage, her delivery, husband at sea. Josiah Gatchel & wife, her delivery. Upon enquiry of Mr. W. Winthrop I searched for the ordination of Joseph Browne at Charlestown. I find only the tradition of the family who left Sa- lem in the time of the Revolution, & his dismission to the Church in Charlestown, Feb. 1674. 15. An answer appeared to the inclement writings of Dr. Ber- nard against Mrs, Rogers. The black Coat is not off and the Saint found to be the Sinner. 17. Mr. Foster, one of Marblehead assisted by the Town of Sa- lem during the Small pox, dined with me. He is facetious at above four-score. 21. Sunday. Notes. Abigail Knapp, delivery, Husband & friends at Sea. Samuel Archer & wife, her delivery, friends at Sea. There are more serious appearances of forming a Baptist society in Beverly than formerly. Mr. Young at present is their Minister. 23. This morning died in Walnut street, Hubartus Mattoon, aet. 78. He removed from Newcastle, N. H. after his marriage & was a zealous follower of Whitaker & an Elder of his Church, & he nev- er renounced his attachment. He was as far from beauty as he could be without deformity, & as brutal in his zeal as he could be without persecution. He was ignorant, noisy, petulant, but happily neither his organs nor his abilities made him intelligible. He was a Blacksmith with the same fame as he was religious. There was no polish, no invention & no praise in what he did, more than iu •A well-known school mistreaa. REV. THOMAS BARNARD. From the painting in possession of the North Church, Salem. 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D, 369 what he said. He declined at last into intemperance, dishonesty, & derangement & died of a cancer which took away all his face, & made him as gastly to behold as he was terrible to hear. His wife was glad he was dead & even Charity had not a tear, tho' she com- forted him in his sickness & carried him to the grave. The race is extinct, & like the Mammoth nothing is left but his bones. 25. I rode to Boston to spend Christmas among my relations & with my parents. I reached the Chapel in the Ante Communion Service, & heard Mr. Freeman's excellent Sermon on the desire of all Nations. Had he dropped the spiritual & typical part altogeth- er & adduced Virgil's poem in favour of the united consent in the morals of the gospel or had he added even Plato's discription of a just man, he might not have rendered the discourse less valuable to my taste. The Church music was excellent also & assisted by the great Rea, whose astonishing voice still retains its force & command after 70 years of age. I dined with my father. In the afternoon I went to the Universal Church at which the Music was good but not so commmanding as at the Stone Chapel. The Mountebank preach- er J. Murray began his services by reading a Chapter in Luke & then he prayed in the incomprehensible language of Relly. The Spiritual hymns of the same man fed the music & the Sermon was upon Emanuel God with us. The remarks were curious & gave good opportunity for reply. It was astonishing that all men. did not see the Trinity? Was it not astonishing that all men did not see Universal salvation? We could not find out God to perfection, nor by searching find out God. But may we not be at liberty to put a sense on what is told us? And what else is a revelation? but something brought down to us. In shewing the Trinity he was a Swedenborgian as the human of Jesus was as body to spirit, & God did not die, because a man's body only dies. The pronoun us gave a great field to expatiate upon human nature, & with us he that is not for us is against us. A pretty rant, &c. The evening I spent with the family. 26. I spent this morning in searching the Garretts of Mr. Wol- cut for the Books which he had collected & I was pleased to find a lai'ge collection of most useful American publications'. 27. Our Essex Lodge celebrated the feast of St. John & it was my office to deliver an Address. Gen. Abbot furnished a good dinner in his hall, & there were 27.60 cents collected in charity & three widows to share it. We had a ver}- agreable day & some visiting Brethren from Beverly. It was so warm we opened the windows. 28. Sunday. Notes. Ruth Briggs, d. of her son John at Ha- vanna. Martha Harrington, d. of Husband drowned on Coast of Georgia,* Br. at Sea. Mansfield Burrill & wife, d. of his Son in Law Harrington, pr. for Son at Sea. *Capt. Klisba Harrington, in a brig from Jamaica. 360 DIARY OF [Jan. 29. The domestic topic is the New Road intended at present on the north side of Gallows Hill, through the Sheep pasture & con- tinued through Lynn Lotts south of Flax pond, on to Lynn Com- mon. It is then said it will be continued on the South side of the Burying Ground over the marshes to reach the new road to Boston, if not to Chelsea & so over Mystic river to Charlestown point. The whole is a project suggested by the thought of a new rojid to New- bur)^ort, which is to save 4 miles. This might save 5 miles. 31. The result of the family Contribution for the Inhabitants of the Isle of Shoals was 12 Cotton Shirts, 6 ditto, 6 Cotton Shirts for Children, 9 Cotton gowns, 11 Handkerchiefs, 7 Blue checked Shirts, 3 new red baize petticoats, 3 loose gowns of red baize, one tow sheet, 2 pair of men's drawers, linen, 3 old baize petticoats, one old loose green gown, one stuff gown, 3 quilted petticoats, one linen long loose gown, 2 old skirts, 2 old Children's cloaks, 3 pair of worsted stockings, 14 pieces of bedding, 9 hats, 4 pair of boots, 2 pair of shoes, 12 pair of breeches, 2 men's coats, 13 Children's Trousers, 21 Children's Jackets & Coats, One Bed tick, one bundle of rags & thread, &c., 154 Articles. January 1, 1801. The weather still mild. The news as moder- ate as the weather. All Business continues abroad, uninterrupted by winter. Wood does not rise. The small flight of snow does not assist the Sled in town. Last Tuesday evening died Mr. Jona. Phelps, aet. 93 last October & the oldest man in Salem. He has been able to go about till the close of life, excepting a little con- finement to the house in his last illness. For the last fortnight he took little nourishment, but preserved his senses in his last hours & his love of life. He was by trade a Blacksmith. Not over fond of labour, scheming, warm in the vulgar theology of strong pas- sions, but addicted to no excesses. Interested himself easily in everything he said. In person of moderate size, a good chest, slen- der legs, large head, vigorous eye, long depressed nose, small hand. He has left a numerous offspring. His death it is said, leaves the first place in age to Mr. Samuel Curwin, Son of the for- mer minister, who is of the thinnest habit & at 50 was supposed by the physician to be of the most slender habit. Mr. Jonathan Phelps had posterity, 12 children, 83 g. children, 97 g. g. children, & 2 g. g. g. children, 194, of which 138 are now living. 2. Was present for the first Time with Mrs. Rogers' Reading school, &c. This woman is suffering from the base invectives of a writer in the Salem Gazette whose name can not be obtained. It may cost her her life. 4. Sunday. Notes. James Carroll & wife & family for their only Son missing at Sea. Abigail Rogers in her present illness. Mr. Ebenezer Bradford minister of Rowley lower Parish died sud- denly last Friday, set. 55, He was in his pulpit on the preceding Sunday. He has been a very excentric man, so that this wit was 1801] WILLIAM BKNTLET, D. D. 361 attached to him. " Ministers made here cheap for Cash or short credit." He opposed the necessity of a public education & did not substitute an adequate private education in its stead. He intro- duced Mr. Spaulding of Salem into the ministry in the same way. He was enthusiastic in his manner & once declaiming in Manches- ter pulpit he was ordered out by one of the assembly. He made Democracy odious also by his absurd opposition to some national measures & lost the confidence of the Association to which he be- longed by sermons which he printed. He also printed a Courtship as a guide in this business which was treated with great contempt. Of late years little has been said about him, as his influence was gone. He was a man of good person, sanguine, but not destitute of good natural abilities, yet of little discretion, & judgment. 5. At Mrs. Ingersoll's I had the pleasure of seeing an old Trea- tise of Navigation introduced into this Town in the first century among its first settlers. The beginning was gone, the charts were all dutch & expressed that they were given by Peter Goes in 1665. The work was entitled the Lightning Sea Columne or Sea Mariner. It was in two parts large folio. There were some reckoning in writing on the blank leaves & some scrawlings of young children. This had been the property of their grandfather Ingersoll. 7. This day the East India Marine Society made their second Annual appearance & dined together at Webb's. The dressing of one of their company in a Mandarin's dress, was no compliment paid to themselves on the occasion. Might they not rather have given the dress to one of their Servants or have exhibited a figure to the wondering multitude. 8. Died in this Town, Capt. John Clarke, set. 82, father of the late much esteemed Kev'd John Clarke of Boston. He lived much of his life as a Mariner at Portsmouth where he was born & re- moved to Salem in the war to live with the relatives of his wife who was a daughter of the well known deacon Timothy Pickering & sister of the late Secretary Pickering. He has left a "Widow & one daughter. He has long been beyond his services tho' he wrote at times in the Kegister's ofiice. Capt. Clarke was agreable, of good natural powers, not much cultivated. He was not so circum- spect as he ought to have been towards the close of life. 11. Sunday. Notes. Aaron Kehew & wife, her delivery, d. of his father, Brs. at Sea. Sarah Kehew, d. of her Father in Law, Husb. & Brethren at Sea. 12. By letters missive I learn that Rev. Philips Payson D. D., of Chelsea, died on Sunday morning & that his funeral is to be on Thursday. 13. Marblehead is to be opened this day. Only one under Smallpox. They acknowledge to have received 3770 Dollars in Cash besides other valuable donations. 200 from Crowninshield & Son, 2800 from Salem, 100 from Hon. Gerry, 200 in effects from 362 DIARY OF [Jan. Andover, 600 from Boston, 50 from Messieurs Story. Our East India Marine Society was formed Nov. 1799 & has 53 members. 50 of them Captains in the Indies. Died this morning after a short illness, Elizabeth Bancroft,* d. of Hale Ives. An early acquain- tance with the mother who was a Bray & a disconsolate widow led me to record this painful event. 14. Catharine Graves has died at Beverly, aet. 96, the oldest person in that Town. 15. Took stage for Boston in order to be at Chelsea at the fun- eral of the Eevd. Philips Payson, D. D. The Hackney coach which I took from Boston in company with Dr. Eliot did not reach Chel- sea till the funeral service was nearly over. It was very rainy and no persons could attend on foot. The Ceremonies of the procession began at the Meeting House & instead of passing in the usual road, we passed through the inclosed grounds to the graveyard near the Meeting House. The pall was supported by Revd. Mr. Forbes, Dr. Cutler, Dr. Bernard, Revs. Mackeen, Bentley & Greene. There were six Doctors of Divinity present, but the old rule of preferring the associated Clergy obtained. I returned to Boston. Dr. Ber- nard delivered the funeral discourse & Mr. Forbes prayed. The Escutcheons on the Coffin said aet. 65. He was buried near his predecessor Chever, in a common grave. Drs. Thacher, Howard, Osgood & Eliot & Rev. T. C. Thacher of Lynn attended. I find political heat greater in Boston than in Salem & ten thousand more inflammable materials. I walked through the North End & found the part north of Winnisimet ferry opened & much im- proved. In the North Burying Ground I did not find new grave stones enough to supply the place of those which had been thrown down or thrown away. After dinner I returned in the stage to Salem. 18. Sunday. Notes. Mary Collins, wid., delivery, d. of her Child, very sick. Son at Sea. Elizabeth Bartlet, wid., danger from a fall, Two Sons at Sea. Robert Smith & wife for her sick & very weak. Joshua Phippen, wife & Children for her very sick, pr. for a Son at Sea. Mary Tozzer, delivery, Husband absent. Sara Mil- let, delivery, Husband at Sea. 22. William Belstead, a famous musician, has died at Boston, aged 49. It is said that he has been Organist for Trinity Church in Boston 20 years. He was distinguished upon his violin which he often played when seemingly oppressed by sleep & utterly un- able to answer to his name. 24. We were in great danger last night from a fire which had begun in the printing office but it was providentially extinguished. Frances, the wife of the Hon. B. Goodhue, was buried this after- noon set. 49. 25. Sunday. Notes. William Foster & wife, d. of their eldest •Wife of Thomas Bancroft, H. C. 1788. 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 868 child, Brs. at Sea. Joshua Webb & wife, delivery, pr. for Bretliren at Sea. 25. Sunday. They have given a call to Mr. Dow at Upper Beverly, the same man who had a call at Wenham & declined the acceptance. Mr. Chipman, son of the former minister, withdraws. Mr. Oliver is yet upon the spot. Dr. Bernard of Salem preached at the funeral of Dr. Payson. Mr. Kirkland, the famed Federal preacher, has introduced the custom of party dancing by actually dancing in a set Company. As the Society had been distressed by Mr. Everet's Indiscretion before marriage, a violation of an antieut rule ought not hastily to have been practiced. A. B. Fenelon would have told him, let them dance, but do not dance yourself. This polite gentleman may find it a mistake as to the influence of relig- ion & perhaps of the happy reputation of ministers. 26. Last Saturday night an attempt was made to put lire to the Store of Jonathan Archer. Our House had been fired into & Carl- ton's Printing Office had been on fire in the same week. A reward is offered. We are told four Banks are contemplated in Essex, be- sides the three now in the County. Col. Revere in his note on the price of Bells, says, " The price we have for a Bell is two shillings & eight pence p'' pound. I give twenty cents p"^ lb. for old Bells if the metal is good." The Widow Gerald died in our Charity House, said to be aged 93. 28. Had the sublime pleasure of the company of tale bearers, who not in brief but in full related the complaints that I was long in my services, so said P., so said B. He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a strong citv. Feb. 1, 1801. Sunday. Notes. William Foster & wife, d. of another & only Child, pr. for brethren at Sea. Mary Knap, d. of her g. child Foster, pr. for Children at Sea. Emmons Smith & wife, her sick, pr. for 3 Sons at Sea. 7. Last evening died John Fisk, aet. 21. He was for many years a pupil of mine & Benoni to me, but as soon as he was admit- ted into the University he became intemperate. All means were used to reclaim him. He went to Sea & was a prisoner in France, but no sufferings ever changed him. Through the worst stages of intemperance & after repeated attempts to destroy life, he expired in the pains which his excesses had produced, with the consent of all his friends to this event of divine providence. He was the only Son of General John Fisk & the last of the name, descended from Rev"* Samuel Fisk & the last of the descendants of the primitive John Fisk that has been born in Salem. 8. Sunday. Notes. Mary Whittemore & children, d. of her Son abroad, pr. for a Son at Sea. Margarett Strout, d. of her only daughter, pr. for husband abroad & for aged parent in decline. The wonderful meteors, earthquakes, torrents, &c. have been employed to excite religious fears & to promote secular ends. Much has 364 DIABT OF [Feb. been said of them in the Gazettes. Mr. Breck, formerly minister of Topsfield, Mass., then of Hartland, Vt, & now living in the last place, mentions a religious stir in that neighbourhood. In New- bury Port the religious convulsions are the greatest height. The ministers, Spring, Dana, Bodily & Milton have engaged heart & hand in the work, & they have a lecture every evening, but the meetings are confined to the Public Meeting Houses. At these times Men, Women & Children are permitted to pray, exhort & speak. The new experiment of these public places, it is insinuated, is to prevent any advantages which the Methodists & Baptists might take of private houses, & to distinguish & detect the converts of the latter sects. There are such preachers in the place who ob- serve the policy. Ministers come into Newbury Port from other Towns to assist the good work. Bishop Bass of the Episcopal Church observes his usual prudence, & Messieurs Cary & Andrews of the first Church are obliged to a painful silence from the inter- course these enthusiasts have with their own people. There are those who wish to extend such enthusiasm throughout our county. 9. Wrote to Capt. Prat of Orford respecting the Flagons & 3 dishes for the Communion which we have agreed to give for the use of the Church in the place where he resides. 15. Sunday. Notes. Edward Allen & wife, d. of her only Brother John Fiske. Ruth Babbidge, delivery, pr. for Husband at Sea. The fanaticism of the Clergy of Newbury Port has exhibited a new example of Clerical stupidity. One Eliphalet Gillet, or- dained at Hallowell, Kennebeck C, & educated under Spring of Newbury Port, had made proposals of marriage to a daughter of Dr. Coffin of Newbury Port, & had come up to be married. Every thing was prepared & the Company had assembled. The Bride & Bridegroom retired & delayed to return. Enquiry was made for them. The Bridegroom returned & represented as he had no evi- dence of a saving change in his intended wife, he must decline the marriage. Such are the stupid enthusiasts which yet exist in New England. 16. I am told the young people of both sexes have had separate meetings on the subject of the continued abuse of Mrs. Rogers & her pupils. The Salem Gazette dared not to print the second in- vective. It appeared in the last Centinel. The Sportive females known as the Social group & the Musketo Fleet, terms applied by the gay youth of the other sex, have been in form arraigned at the bar of the public in the Centinel. The subject has arrested the public notice & will doubtless end as such things ought in the pun- ishment or contempt of the Aggressors. 27. Capt. Gibaut reached town, after his return from his East India Voyage. From the state of his health we have had little hopes of his return. 28. The Virulence of a secret enemy still is employed on the 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 365 School affair & I am the subject of all the malevolence which the Centinel could utter. March 1 [1801]. Sunday. Note. Josiah Rhodes Atwell, her delivery. At 1/2 past three O'clock the Congregation supposed that they felt a shock of an Earthquake. It was small but heard in all parts of the Town. 2. Sent to Boston with orders to stop the Centinel & to pay off. 8. Sunday. Notes. Richard Manning & Brothers & Sisters, d. of Sister Elizabeth. Robert Smith & Children, d. of his wife. Emmons Smith, pr. for his wife sick, pr. for two sons at sea. 9. By enquiries at the point near Beverly ferry, formerly Bev- erly Ferry, in regard to the Houses, five in number, now standing, but much decayed, it appears that John Massey's house was built as early as 1684, has been a Tavern till lately, much enlarged, &, has been occupied by Mr. Waters' Son & heirs. Robert Smith, Ship Carpenter, built the house on the left side of the bank which was afterwards made a double house by his Son in Law Grant. About 1690 was the first building. His son Robert Smith built the large house on the height of Land, about 1716 & built vessels below on the shore, & this House is now occupied by his Son Robert, aged 76. Mr. John Symonds of Northfields, Ship Carpenter, married the only daughter of the first Robert Smith & built a House opposite his brother Robert about 1720. These were the only two children of the first Robert Smith. Robert Smith the second, built the low- er house on the right hand in 1760 for his son in law Giles, & it still remains in the same hands. 12. The remains of the old Tavern House fronting Market street & which has been employed as the Sun Tavern for 30 years, be- longing to the Estate of Browne, are now entirely removed. 13. Mr. Macnulty tells me that Mr. Tytler the Scotch Emigrant is about to compile a great & small geography. This man has com- piled against Paine, on the yellow fever, & several other things in America, without great success. His poetry, Sunrising in the West, is indeed siii generis. Mr. Macnulty has published a book of Kimball's Psalmody. This young man was very amiable, till he become addicted to intemperance. It is lamentable that so many publications in this country are evidently only catch penny productions. Not even suggested by genius, but first asked by the promise of Cash for the Compila,tion. 15. Sunday. The work at Newbury Port, we heard, in some degree relaxes. Zeal is not so much inflamed, but unexampled en- thusiasm in our times, still occupies this favorite spot of fanaticism. Mr. Milton leads, I^Ir. Boddily assists, Mr. Dana consents, Mr. Spring doubts. Messieurs Gary & Andrews of the old Congrega- tion, & Bishop Bass have not come in on the work. 16. The Shop Window of the Widow Williams was opened last Saturday night & shop goods, not of great amount were taken. 866 DIARY OP [March Union Street. The Town of Salem have actually purchased part of the Locust Field for a Burying Ground.* This object is at length obtained. The entrance is near the Rope Walk on Brown Street. The front lot has been purchased by Capt. S. Webb of the heirs of G. Williams. The Burying Ground will lay upon North Biver. The extent is between one & two acres including the pas- sage. The sum said to be given is 2200 Dollars to W. Orne & John Ropes. Some objections are made from an intended new road from County street to Winter street, but as the Rope walk now crosses the ground, these objections will have little present force. At 5 P. M. died in our neighbourhood, Corner of Walnut street facing Essex street, Mr. George Peale, set. 73. He has led a single life, inoffensive, economical, & unnoticed. He was em- ployed several years as a Master of a Vessel in the Coasting Trade, but for 20 years has kept a little Shop. Honest, uniform, unsocial, not unkind. A maiden sister has lived with him the last years of life. 17. Capt. J. Osgood having purchased part of Woodbridge's estate in Ferry Lane, formerly so called, the lots lying near Horton's point, so called, on the point below Skerry's, fell to his share. Westward of the point the ground rose higher than upon any land below Windmill point, & having been covered with Locusts, it had acquired a soil which gave it the appearance of a nole rising from the natural soil. Capt. Osgood made the purchase among other purposes to remove this ground from North River side to Planter's marsh side, & in digging he found the natural six feet below & that this was only accumulated land, blown from Horton's point. On the ground he found several Loads of Rocks bedded in Clay as was usual in the Cottages made by the first settlers. Up- on this hearth he found coals from oak wood, & cinders from fossil coals, specimens of which I took away & preserved. Around these ruins the sands probably accumulated, as the Clay & rocks were bedded in the natural soil. The rocks must have been brought from Lobster point 1/4 of a mile or from Beverly side. They were rude & of irregular snapes. 18. This day was ordained at Upper Beverly, Mr. Dow. Few went from Salem, but there was a considerable concourse from the adjacent towns. 21. There have been several petty thefts in this Town & at last a Negro stranger has been apprehended. Party took occasion to represent in the Gazette that this act was republican, & consist- ent with sense of liberty which that interest indulged. So licen- tious & abusive are parties. 22. Sunday. Notes. Judith Archer, d. of her daughter, pr. for Brother at Sea. Last week died at Maiden, ReV^ Eliakim Wil- lis who graduated at Cambridge in 1735 & was aged 87. He was *Tbe How»rd street oemetery. 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 86T ordained upon a division in the lower parish of Maiden, when Mr. Emerson was in the other parish. His parish dwindled & was very small, when I was young. He at last agreed to preach & to receive as salary, the manse & Glebe & finally the House was deserted vt blew down. After Mr. Thacher removed to Boston (& he succeeded Mr. Emerson who succeeded Mr. Wigglesworth, author of the Day of Doom & father of the celebrated Professor Wigglesworth) Mr. Willis was invited to the Old Parish & Mr. Green the present incumbent was ordained colleague Pastor. Mr. Willis always recommended himself by the virtues of life rather than by his talents. For several years before death he was past all services & died esteemed. His classmate, Samuel Curwin, at 85 is now living in Salem & his powers are vigorous, his body feeble, but all still see him, tottering & yet constantly passing & conversing in our Streets. Mr. Andrew Beattie, aet. 34 has also died at Salisbury. This gentleman was not of our College, & was soon taken sick after his settlement. His predecessour was Dr. Webster, who was a man of distinguished powers, & of a liberal & well informed mind. Mr. Beattie was rather an opposition preach- er, than successor of this worthy man. He is spoken of as of a good temper, but zealously orthodox in the new Divinity. There has been an Ordination at Edgecombe in Lincoln C, Maine, of Revd. B. Chapman. I am a stranger to the man. Last week there was an Ordination of Mr. Moses Dow, at Upper Beverly. None of the Salem Clergy Avere invited of any denomination. This man is also a stranger not educated among us. He lately had a call at Wenham & did not accept. Mr. Chipman, son of the former min- ister & most wealthy inhabitant, is opposed to him in Upper Bev- erly. This Parish was happy in their former minister Mr. Chipman & lived with him in kindness all his life. His successor was the present, Dr. Enos Hitchcock of Providence ,R. I. This G. did not make the figure he has since, & requested leave to go as a Chaplain in the American Army, & finally fixed him in Provi- dence. Mr. Parsons an ejected Minister from Squam, Cape Ann, supplied them afterwards for several years, & then settled at Lynn from whence he was ejected & is now an officer of the Peace in Cape Ann. Mr. Daniel Oliver was then settled in Upper Beverly, but has lately been ejected, & Dow takes his place. A witty man remarked that it was not an ordination but an alteration. Last Sunday for the first time since I have been in Salem, we had lay exhortations in public worship on Sunday. In the Tabernacle, Mr. Spaulding being confined by the indisposition of his family, the holy Brotherhood took turns at prayers & exhortations for the edi- fication of the Flock. I have not heard that this ever took place before except in a more qualified sense in our own Parish. In 1735 during Mr. Jennison's time, who was at last dismissed by consent from his known intemperance, when he was not able to at- 368 DIARY OF [March tend public service he advisecj Deacon Elvins to pray & read & ex- hort & then dismiss the Assembly. A wag once wrote on the Church Door " Our preacher silly Billy's sick, & we've our preach- ing from our Baker Dick." Mr. Elvins was flattered by his success & instituted praying meetings at his house & finally mounted the Pulpit & afterwards left his occupation & went & settled at Black Point, now Scarborough, Maine, & married the Widow of his predecessour Mr. Willard, & the mother of the present President of Harvard College. My predecessour Mr. Diman thought him an artful man, & that he took advantages of Mr. Jennison. But in his society, he was much respected till death, & his plaintive strains vouched for great sincerity in his ministry. 27. The uncommon rains have produced in our interiour coun- try great evils to dams, & even our towns near the banks of rivers have suffered much. Some talk that such freshets have not been since 1692, others say for 20 years, but probably not in the memo- ry of the present generation. 29, Sunday. Notes. Joshua Phippen & Children, d. of his wife & their Mother, pr. for four of the sons at Sea. Emmons Smith & Children, d. of his wife & their Mother, pr. for Sons at Sea. Hannah Peele, delivery, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. Mary Millet, delivery, pr. for husband & brothers at Sea. Mar. 11, Micah Stone was ordained at Brookfield as successor to Dr. Fiske. This young G. is Son of Kev"^ M. Stone of the North pre- cinct of Reading, Mass. A man of reputation & a diligent farmer. The young man was a Tutor at Cambridge in the University & in the petition for Salary was left to resign his Office. He has preached in the vacant parishes of Milton, of Boston, & Beverly & at other places. At Beverly he had a call but there was not a unanimity. He has since kept the new Academy in the North Parish of Andover. A very moderate man. 31. Master John Watson who has kept a Writing & Reading School above 30 years at the head of Union wharf & directly oppo- site to the house where I have lived 12 years, this day notified his Scholars that he should resign his School to John F. Cary who graduated last year at Dartmouth College, & has a good recom- mendation from President Wheelock, as attentive, amiable, exem- plary, & strictly moral. The Pastor of the church at Lempster, Elias Fisher, in which the Father is Deacon, represents him qualified for a grammar school. Mr. Watson was a good penman, of good morals, strict dicipline, & very successful in his public character. Born & bred on the spot & among his kindred, he had all the support which could be given to him in his office. April 2 [1801]. A pleasant day, after a very long course of easterly weather. We have continued accounts of the damage done by the Rains, & few houses in town have their Cellars free from water & some are full. The sales of Houses at a high price, have 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 369 induced many attempts to sell, but houses frequently for sale are not now so much in demand. The inspector of Fork & Beef, Joshua Phippen, tells me that the exportation is so small from Marblehead, that no person in that town has applied for the office, & that he rides to jVIarblehead on the occasion. 5. Sunday. Notes. Nancy Brown, loss of her husband after long absence & expectation. Mary Welman & children, d. of her Son Adam Welman & g, son Stephens, Sons at Sea. Wid. Mary Stevens, d. of her Son, & her Brother Welman, pr. friends at Sea. Nancy Brown »S: children, d. of her Son in Law Welman. In Newburyport the awakenings continue. I do not know what effect the warmth of political election will produce, or how religion will influence the elections. It seems they are opposed to their present Senator. The curious quarrel in this town between the New light Ministers about the night lectures, as the Sunday evening* command the crowd, is a farce, which displays ignorance, & vanity. It seems Spaulding finds that Thursday night will not command the crowd as Sunday night, & he insists that Hopkins ought to exchange. Let dogs delight to bark & bite, for 'tis their nature to. A young Candidate in the old Church at Marblehead, Son of the Revd. Dana of Ipswich, has been obliged to matrimonial connections. His confession was read lately to the Church in which he officiated. He was orthodox. 9. The day of the Annual fast. Connect, had their fast in the week before us, & New Hampshire will have it after us. The evening was appropriated to consider the subject of Militia, which is under every discouragement in this Town. A Standing Army is more coincident with the views of some men whose political preju- dices have alienated them from everything popular. Few rich men appeared. A Committee was chosen, but chiefly of persons absent, & of no military character. Little was said, nothing done with good hope of success. The Republicans must undertake. 11. At a meeting of the Committee of East Society for the Charities, a Subscription was drawn & delivered to Capt. Moses Townsend for a new Bell, as the present is fractured, & has but a feeble sound. The subject of enlarging the meeting House, was imder consideration. It was proposed to defray the expence upon the new Pews. The only present obstacle is the inconclusive manner of the application. 12. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Hannah Cloutman with her children, d. of her Son lost at Sea, pr. for son at Sea. Mary Crandall & children, d. of her husband lost at sea. 13. This day was sold at public vendue the house in Derby street, S. E. corner of Hardy lower Street, formerly owned by a family of friends, the first built in the square, & since my day suc- cessively by Capt. Jo. White, Mr. Dunlap, Capt. Philips, & Capt. •i. e. iftemoon. 370 DIARY OP [April G. Archer. Also the new House below in Hardy Street, lately built by A. Lefavre. The House at the corner formerly belonged to one Pope, & is the oldest building in the Square. Col. Turner's House was purchased by his Father from Norton, & the Western part was built in 1674-1676. The western part of Pope's House is still older. As it is now repaired with its out houses it fetched at Vendue, 2510 Dollars, & Lefevre's new house, 3190 Dollars. 13. Mr. N. Bowditch has prepared an edition of H. M.'s Navi- gation, & has corrected many errours in the tables. It is to be printed by Blunt of Newburyport. Blunt has also prepared an edition of Walsh's Mercantile Arithmetic. Mr. Michael Walsh is of Newbury Port, but a native of Ireland & a Schoolmaster in that Town. 14. This day a vessel was launched at Becket's yard, & a fort- night ago one at Brigg's. Another is up at Becket's & another at Brigg's. 18. On Thursday a man named Foster was accidentally shot on a gunning party at the Fort on Woodberry's Head, Beverly. The interiour of our County has its supply of population in the present state of our County. The young families retire to new land, & leave the population nearly as at 'the last Census. Mr. Homer ob- serves the same of Newton near Boston, which is a most healthy settlement. Topsfield is about 8 above its Census in 1790 & the Town of Middleton below. 21. In Salem are found 53 males from Seventy years upwards. 39 persons of 90 years carried to the number below. Exclusive of North & Southfields nearly 1/2 population east of the Town House. 23. Had a visit this morning from an Indian Chief educated at Dartmouth College, belonging to the Stockbridge or Six Nations. He told me that they were determined to sell their reservation Lands & go to a territory south of Erie, 24 miles square not far from the Miami. He said he had a son at Andover. He is called in the Gazette of the Day, John Rohpnehhonwoh, Wenh-a-pot. We are told that 1500 D. have been subscribed for the Militia in this Town in order to uniform apprentices & other persons requiring aid. Some Captains & Subalterns are chosen, but the work does not pro- ceed as with the genius of a Fiske, & with his enthusiasm. 26. Sunday. Notes. John Pierce & wife, d. of his Brother, pr. for a Brother at Sea. Sally Welman, delivery, pr. for Husband at Sea. The Cong, of the first Church in Marblehead are much divided upon the subject of an invitation to Mr. Dana from his late lapse which obliges an early marriage. 29. News that the Ship Borneo, built for Gibaut, on her second voyage from Boston, was seen a wreck at sea, deserted, on 12 instant. She had a Cargo of Flour & a large sum in spice. The loss of the Underwriters in this Town will exceed 30,000 dollars. May 1 [1801]. A Fishing Schooner launched at Mann's, Trask's 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 371 Mills, for Beverly Fishery. The great Storm destroyed the Boat at Baker's Island. She broke from her moorings & beat to pieces upon the rocks of the Island. 3. Sunday. Note. Lydia Valpy for her sick. From Peters- burg, V. we have the history of another instance of fatal debauchery in the family of a IVIinister, from the education of daughters beyond condition, to confirm the examples so often lamented in England. The example of Miss Whitman* interreil at Danvers is not forgot- ten. The beautiful Mrs. Hastins alias Armstrong, lately deceased at Petersburg, was the daughter of the Rev*^ Munroe of England. Wrote to Ebeling the history of our Psalmody. From the single part in our old Bibles, and the Tunes to every Psalm in Sternhold & Hopkins till the New England version, then mentioning Increase Mather's measured prose, Prince's poetic version & Barnard's of ]\Iarblehead. The introduction of Tate & Brady by Dr. Colman & of Watts by Mather Byles. The Collection for West Boston Churches b}^ Dr. Howard, my own Collection in Salem, Dr. Belnap's Collection in Boston, introduced into several Churches. Kelly's Hymns among the Universalists & the Scotch Version among the Sandemanians. I then noticed the progress of music from the single part to Tenor, bass & medius. The work of Tansur & the improvement by Williams. The singing of appropriate tunes to Psalms interrupted by the new Version. The Selection of Tunes. The change by Billings, his Reuben & other books. The works of Holyoke, Kimball, & Holden, & the numberless publications which have appeared in New England, which I did not presume to enu- merate. I mentioned the compilation of Holyoke & Holden for Instrumental music, & the expected publication of political songs. This is the outline of a long history which I wrote to him. 5. A day of military parade. The officers of the Regimental Companies have received their Commissions, but it was judged best not to review the Regiment at this time. The Cadets appeared in all the neatness of their uniform, & the Artillery was composed of some of our hardy sons. These exhibitions provide a day of merri- ment for citizens of every class. Fish abundant in the market. Lobsters for sale. Cod taken freely at Essex Bridge. A great number of the Rays, called Scates, which are not eaten. 7. Messieurs Brown & Pierce building their Tombs on the point. They had many dead to remove, for the ground, tho' in the stranger's part. The new ground below Brown street, on North River, prepared. 8. The capture of Capt. S. Forrester's vessel has occasioned no small irritation in the mind of this warm Federalist against the English. This evening a man, by name Moses Stickney,t was drowned at Hospital point, attempting to pass from the shore to the Sloop to which he belonged, laying near the rocks in some danger. •Eliz» Wharton. tOf Brentwood, N. H. 372 DIARY OP [May 9. Mr. Archer moved his house to widen Walnut street which opposite to his house was only 13 feet in width. Much has been done to widen streets within a few years, with great public advan- tage. 10. Sunday. The drowned man was buried this evening, & a great Concourse at the funeral. Bradford who was minister in Rowley, Essex, was lately dug up to lay the foundation of a mon- ument. A new kind of zeal was displayed. The Bell was tolled & the assembly were invited of all ages to come & see the corps which was exposed to public view, in a high state of putrefaction. This is a new kind of curiosity, & a new way of exciting it. They never expect to find his equal. He was a great enthusiast. New- bury Port still continues its zeal. A friend who lately visited that place said that Lectures were every day & evening, & often held till midnight. After the Sermon the preacher said, converts pray. Several begun & yielded at length to the most impetuous. There has been proposed a morning school in Boston by Aiken. This is a novelty in this state. Our morning exercises in Salem have been at praying meetings on Sunday. At Marblehead, Mr. Dana is desired as their Minister by part of the old Church. His late im- prudence has divided them upon the subject. The Several Socie- ties in Salem have been induced to encourage Music from the in- troduction of an Organ into the Old Church. Macintire teaches for the North Church, Town for the Independants, & Day for the Tabernacle. Mr. Hurd officiates for the East Society. Much ig said of Mr. Holyoke's success at Newbury Port. 14. In Boston the Eepublican Ticket for Eepresentatives obtained by 200 majority. Upon this Ticket were Messieurs Tilden, Jarvis, Austin, Fellows, Prince, Blake, Sturgis. In Salem the Federal Ticket was managed artfully enough. The Militia has laboured hard & after the death of General Fiske sunk from the public regard. The Federalists who discouraged it, now became its friends, & proposed their friends as Officers. The Republicans from the want of leading men yielded. Their Field Officers were the Representatives. To accept one service & oppose another was inconsistent. The Rep. disappeared at the choice of Representatives, & between 1 & 2 hundred men did all the busi- ness. 15. This is the first spring like day for some time & no person living remembers that the wind held to the eastward so long as from the first March to the middle of May, with only a few hours of wind on the western side of the Compass. The more early the easterly winds set in, the longer they usually continue. Capt. Mugf ord sailed in the ship 13 lysses for Hamberg by whom I sent several packages. 16. Henry Kane, who came to offer himself as an Irish gram- mar school master, fetched up, as the sailors say, in three days in 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 373 the workhouse. He has been ordered out of Town. He was very intemperate, & yet obtained a Certificate from Revd. Abbot of Haverhill. 17. Sunday. Notes. Benjamin Stickney, pr. on sudden death of his Brother drowned. John Perkins & Family, d. of Moses Stickney who lived in their family & pr. for Son at Sea. Buried this evening with a long procession, George Braxton Esq'' aet. 38, from Virginia. He had been a few days in Town & came for his health but he had renounced almost all hopes of life, before he left home. Mr. Teague delivered me on Saturday a steel seal such as commonly suspended at a watch chain, which he said, he found on Hospital Point, or the point opposite to Beverly, much used in former times. It was an oval flat having another with a support & a harp formed head, something like a shield, was marked with foliage more fully on the right than left side of the impression & the letters were E. A. D. Could this be Emanuel Downing Amer- ica?* 20. Mr. Nath. West at the request of his wife had a ball this evening for the young people of the most early age that attend the dancing master. There was a great number of youth & specta- tors, & a great display of plate, &c. 21. Several Fishing vessels have arrived at Beverly & Marble- head with profitable fares. It is not time for Salem to go fairly into the Fishery yet. Its merchant voyages are too profitable. 23. Blowing of rocks upon Winter Island, at the bottom of Fish street, so that posterity will have no judgment of the form of the Shore upon which the first business was done by the primitive set- tlers. These rocks are for the new road which is to pass over the inlet between Fiske & Woodbridge's from Neptune street to Water street. They have blowed also the rocks lying below the New Fort on the opposite side of Cat Cove, or Winter Island harbour. 24. Sunday. A painful accident happened. As Mr. Jesse Kenny was passing in East street upon a Carriage, being apprehen- sive of its overturning, he leaped from it, & broke his leg at the ancle in such a manner as to require an immediate amputation. He has a wife & 3 children & married a Mascoll. Mr. Pierce called upon me to draw up a subscription for the relief of Jesse Kenny. 25. The subscription for ^Ir. Kenny succeeds well & will collect him several hundred dollars. 26. Went for Boston in Manning's new Stage for the first time. This day was the Episcopal Convention. Bishop Bass appeared with Rev^ Mr. Harris of Marblehead & Dr. Parker & Mr. Gardner of Trinity Church, Boston. This is the whole Convention. Fisher of Salem has refused, by a letter of reply to their invitation, all connection, and Wheeler of Scituate has not been more complying. Montague of Dedham prefers his farm to any Episcopal acknowledg- •Or " Armiger? " 374 DIARY OF [May ments or dues. Dr. Parker preached on the occasion to a very thin Assembly. The Bishop assured me of the singular message of Fisher. In the afternoon the New Missionary Society of the Hop- kinsian sect had their annual Sermon at the Old South. The Ser- mon was from the noted Niles of Abington. •' The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nation." His doctrine of means was not the most encouraging to be imagined. The assembly was chiefly of the Clergy, & the greater part drawn together by curios- ity. 27. The Anniversary of the General Election, There was not an unusual concourse. The Governour was chosen by a majority of 4000. Mr. Bancroft of Worcester preached, but his voice was too low, 80 that I heard but little of his discourse. I heard enough to convince me that we do every thing by halves. This man once strenuous as a heretic for liberty, is now as licentious in his invec- tives against false philosophy as the greatest bigots of the age, & the liberal Clergy are often betrayed into this inconsistency. In the evening I heard part of a Sermon from Murray the Universalist. It was upon the divinity of Christ, but appeared a stranger to the whole controversy. His audience was not large, nor were many strangers present. The Singing was excellent, & the Organ did not overpower but aid it. 28. The Convention of the Congregational Churches. Mr. Dana of Ipswich preached. He is a moderate Calvinist. His temper is amiable, his style purer than common of his age. His thoughts not original in matter or form on the occasion. His appeal for the Charity short & happy. For the first time that ever I saw it, printed proposals were left in the pews before the sermon was delivered. In the present manners of our Country, this was felt as a great indelicacy. They tell such things of Dr. Cotton Mather, as of delivering Sermons for the press before the delivery, but this is the first of a Subscription prepared for the purpose by a Printer. 29. This morning the Bells of Christ Church rang upon the ar- rival of a Mr. Haskell to supply the pulpit of that Church. At the furnace I engaged a bell, whose wt. was 892 lb. without a stock or tongue, for our Society. Mr. Revere has a furnace at North end. Visited every part of the Town. Was pleased with the walk pro- vided with Lombardy poplars & laid out last year on Fort Hill. It is circular, but it will be very pleasant. The increase of Buildings in West Boston is great. The new Burying ground below the Com- mon has already three sides filled with Tombs lately built. The new Charity House is in excellent order. The out houses are con veniently disposed on the water side of the Buildings & a large wharf is now building. I visited the principal public buildings. They talk of filling up the mill pond. Some purchases have been made for that visef ul purpose. It contains about 45 acres of ground which may be happily disposed. The water in full pond is about 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 875 6 feet, in the channel 10 feet deep. This afternoon we were enter- tained in the Chapel with a variety of Instrumental & vocal music ■& Mrs. Jones of the Theatre performed the Ode after Service. The Charitable Fire Society had their annual meeting. Mr. Emerson's eloquence gave a power to the devotional exercises & Mr. Kirk- land's genius lent a generous aid to the purposes of Charity. The Lessons were short & from the Scriptures. Even those enlight- ened Clergymen are brought to inveigh against the false philosophy & many other things under equivocal titles. So surely is the progress of enquiry retarded & so truely is genius enlisted in the service of the partial views of politics. 30. Returned in the morning stage from Boston. The Turnpike is all the subject. Three directions have been thought of. From Noddle's Island to Boston, but this would shut up Charleston. The Road through Chelsea by Powder Horn hill to Charleston point, and the Road to the New Road leading to Maiden Bridge. The second road has been approved by Lynn, but it is opposed by Maiden, the proprietors of Maiden Bridge, & part of Charleston, & probably by Mystic, as it puts a new obstruction on the River. The Town of Salem are to consider of the subject next Monday. A great sum will be required but we are told no money will be wanting. Ballard, at Newhall's Tavern, at which a new house is built & not yet occu- pied, is opposed to the removal of the Road. 31. Sunday. Sylvester Dana was ordained at Orford, N. H., on Connecticut river on the 20th of this month. A Scotchman officia- ted sometime after the dismission of the first pastor, John Sawyer, who was settled 1787, & removed in 1796. Mr. Sawyer is now at Booth Bay in Maine, their Minister. The Scotchman also went to Maine, & has since gone to Nova Scotia. His discipline was severe, & his character not the most sure recommendation. Our Church have given their flaggons, given to them by Col. Turner, through Capt. J. Pratt to this Church. June 2 [1801]. Yesterday a Town Meeting was called about the Turnpike road to Boston. So few persons were interested, that few attended the meeting. The adjournment till 6 in the evening took place, & the unusual hour for such a meeting by the ringing of the bells spread an alarm of fire. Enough were assembled for the pur- pose, above an hundred. 4. Our Candidate, Mr. Jacob Crowniushield, has been tried on all quarters. We could not get him into Congress, The House did not chuse him into the Senate & our own folly prevented his choice into the house of Representatives. The greatest obstacle to his promotion on the civil list is the character of the Father, which is the most imprudent to be imagined. The children are very deserv- ing & would be much more so, did they act independently of his caprice & example. The objection among politicians is that Jacob C. was the cause of all the falling off in Essex, which the Essex 376 DIARY OP [June Junto found contrary to all their expectations. Kitteredge obtained for the Senate. 5. Capt. Bullock who arrived a fortnight since & made a very successful voyage to Samarang in Java, was the first American ad- mitted to trade at that place. This day Jacob Crowninshield suc- ceeded & gained a majority for an election into the Senate. The opposition from the Salem members was in vain. This evening one of the Newbury Port Carpenters exhibited in the Tabernacle, to give us a specimen of the wonderful work in that place. 7. Sunday. Notes. Michael Bateman & wife, her delivery, d. of the Child. Mary Batten, d. of g. child Bateman. Some little disquiets again at the Tabernacle. That Society inherits confusion, & was born in a quarrel. 9. A Mr. Ramsdall has been invited to preach & to settle at Manchester, upon an offer of one hundred pounds, besides 3 hun- dred settlement, & the glebe lot, & wood. He was advised to accept. There has also an invitation been given by the first Church in Mar- blehead to Mr. D. Dana, which he probably will accept. The Bell for our Steeple has reached Salem, & is prepared for its place. Mr. Dow of Salisbury did the wood work, & Mr. Barker the iron work. The bell weighs 892 lb. & the tongue 27 lb. 11. We raised the New Bell into the Eastern Steeple. Capt. G. Crowninshield jun"" superintended, & every thing was done with great ease, & success. The bell was fixed with a counter balance, so that it might ring easily, & no accident happened. 14. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Webb, delivery, husb. & Brethren at Sea. Sarah Creely, delivery, husb. at Sea. James Archer & wife, her delivery. Brother at Sea. Sarah Dean, very sick & weak. Mary Chipman, weak & low. 15. Capt. G. Crowninshield jun"" carried me in his remarkably fast sailing Boat from Salem into Beverly Harbour. We made the whole course in 15 minutes & returned in 34, wind fresh at S. W. We made no tack in going, & one in Salem Harbour upon our return. I never did sail so much at my ease in any other boat. 16. The thunder & lightning with the rain was severe. The. lightning struck Major Pickman's store on the Derby Wharf. A Clerk, Mr. Osgood, a young man, was in the eastern room adjoining to the Counting House, or room. He found himself stunned for an instant, but suffered no eventual inconvenience. 17. We had our first military muster under the new establish- ment of the militia in this Town under Col. E. H. Derby. It was only in Companies. It was by no means an unpromising specimen of good behavior. 18. Saw for the first time the new Southfield road* undertaken by Mr. H. Derby. So far as it has proceeded, it promises much, & the Town will be much indebted to the ambition of Mr. Derby who *The present Lafayette Street. 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 377 has surmounted every prejudice to his undertaking. The former road was not only winding, but very narrow, & very liable in winter to be shut up with snow. As I have been cast away in the drifts, I may judge from experience. 20. The volume of Hist. Collections for 1800 contests my character of Williams. This is under the eye of Morse. The pub- lication expresses that personalities are withheld, tho' the paper is anonymous. It betrays an ignorance of the subject by confounding the testimonies & misjudging the authorities, & is rather for party than victory. Would it not have appeared as well, if the Scribblers had suffered me to finish my work before they asked for my authorities? 21, Sunday. Notes. Sarah Kehou, delivery, husb. & friends at Sea. Some dispute in the Tabernacle upon the form of Church discipline. The Chiu-ch Bell for the East Meeting House has been charged at 920 lb. at 2/8 pr. lb. at 408 Dollars. The Old Bell without the tongue was 583 lb. received at 116.60 cents, & the balance to be paid was 292.28 cents. 28. Sunday. Notes from the d. of Mrs. Eunice, wife of Thorn- dike Deland, who was of the family of Becket. John Becket & wife, death of Sister, pr. for Son at Sea. Robert Peele & wife, d. of her Sister Deland, pr. for Sons at Sea. Wid. Sarah Silsbee, d. of her Sister Deland, pr. for Sons at Sea. Wid. Hannah Cloutman, d. of her S. Deland, pr. for a Son at Sea, Wid. Rebecca Fairfield, d. of her S. Deland, pr. for a Son at Sea. Benja. Bray & wife, d. of his mother Deland & of her Brother Elison, & pr. for Brethren at Sea. Mrs. Deland's first husband was a Bray. Martha Fair- field, d. of her Brother & Sister, pr, for Husband at Sea, Mary Chipman, pr, for her sick & weak. At Newbury died Rev"^ Abra- ham Moore, lately settled in the old parish as successor to Rev*^ Dr. Tucker. 29. Good Mrs. Chipman* died at Vincent's. She had married into the Nowall family of Boston, which descended from Old Councellour Nowall, & are well known at the North End. An un- common number of deaths & fires by lightning. July 1 [1801]. Preparations are making everywhere for the celebration of the 4 July, the birthday of our Nation. In Salem we shall have some partial exhibitions, without much parade. 4. I attended & assisted at the Celebration at Marblehead. Mr. Joseph Story did himself honour in the oration. The Dinner was served in the Masonic Hall near the Town house with great good order, & the Toasts were spirited. The discharge of Cannon continued through the day. In Salem, Capt. Israel Williams' Com- pany of Militia made its appearance & did great honour to them- selves & their Commander. There was no other Company of Militia out this day. The Cadets & Artillery as usual. *MrB. Mary (Carr Nowell), widow of Henry Chipman, aged 84 years. 378 DIARY OP [July o. Sunday. Joseph Vincent & wife, d. of her Mother Chipman. Barnabas Herrick & wife, d. of his eldest son Jonathan. They have given a Call to Mr. Dana at the first Church in Marblehead. He is recommended by the Ipswich Association & is of the sect of the Hopkinsians. They have not consulted the Salem Association, or called a fast. Last Sunday was the first time that ever the Old Meeting House was opened for a Lecture after the evening service. The Glory of this Church has departed. We blame Marblehead, not for deviating from the antient order, but for the neglect to pursue & form any plan at all, so as to know their own minds & prepare for any difficulties which may arise. The difficulties at the Tabernacle on the subject of Church government are not over, but the controversy is managed with great concealment, so that a disquiet, but no particular circumstances appear. At the Cele- bration in Marblehead the public services were introduced by a New England Tune & Verses accomodated to it by Mr. Billings, who was the first man to introduce original composition in Church Music, & who composed several volumes, being self taught. This man composed several pieces at the Commencement of the War & among other compositions was Chester, which still continues in common use. This was sung at Marblehead as appropriate, & in Billings' own verses. Let tyrants shake their iron rods, & Slavery clank her galling chains, We see them not, we trust in God, New England's God forever reigns. This was as appropriate as the Marseilles Hymn or the French Ca'ira. 6. Yesterday died, aged 78, Capt. Thomas Mason. He was formerly an active Master of a Vessel, engaged in the most profita- ble part of the trade of this Country, by which he amassed a great estate, which he has chiefly spent in acts of kindness to his depend- ant relatives, & to the needy in general. His children died young, & he has not shut his hand against any man. For many years he has been paralytic, & for several years incapable of any serious concerns, but his character is esteemed deservedly. 9. The levelling of the Common & the Planting of Trees has been proposed in the Register of this day. This has been intended for some time, but has always failed, & just at this time we can have not very great expectations. Capt. Boardman had he lived would have performed. Gen. Fiske had intended it. There is no influential person on the Common & great hopes cannot arise with- out some personal interest in common miuds. The South field Eoad will be an honour to Mr. Derby. The new Road tho' short, lately opened from Bridge Street to Horton's point, called March street, is 60 feet wide with trees on the sides. 10. We opened our Singing School this evening at Mrs. Hut- 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 879 cheson. Our hungry master, who has returned from Lynn, does us no small disservice by his wants, as he is determined to lead again, or injure us. The singing just now has considerable reputation in this Town. 11. A Turtle Feast of the Marine Society at Osgood's in South Fields. The Turtle was given by a Gentleman in Havana. The Clergy were invited. Our chief Cook was Prince Hall, an African, ■& a person of great influence upon his Colour in Boston, being Miister of the African Lodge, & a person to whom they refer -with confidence their principal affairs. The Clergy were introduced to him, & the principal gentlemen took notice of him. Brother Free- man of Boston pronounced him a very useful man, & that the Masonic Negroes are evidently many grades above the common blacks of Boston. Prince Hall assures me that he has lately published another Charge, which he is to send to me. His first Charge tho' not correct, was useful. 12. Sunday. Notes. Esther Waters, d. of her Brother at Sea, John Waters, set. 26, soon after being cast away near Bombay, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Elizabeth Valpy, d. of her Mother, for her ■& the g. children. Preached in Keading & saw for the first time the New Baptist Meeting house erected 1/4 of a mile easterly from the Old Meeting. They have occasional worship, & the Congre- gation is made up from the neighbouring societies & Towns. This work has long been intended. They had no worship this Sunday. It is said zeal drove them out from great distance in the worst weather, but it abates. The increase of such societies are a present evil, but may be a future political good. 14. Remarking upon the frequent damage by lightning it has been affirmed that excepting the case of Caleb Pickman above 60 years ago, & the two men killed in the Ship Martha, year before last, there are no persons who remember to have heard of any death by lightning in Salem. 19. Sunday. Mr. Rea, the celebrated Vocal performer, who was in the singing seats of the Brattle street Church under Dr. Cooper, was with us this day, with great effect. He had had the greatest compass of voice ever known. Gen. Washington declared his astonishment, when publicky received in Boston & said he fixed his eyes & did not see any other object during his whole perforniance. He collected a full choir, & a full church of consequence. Mr. Rea is now 60 years of age. In Boston they have lately been engaged by a pupil of Dr. Smith, President of Trenton College, named Kollock, son of a Printer in Elizabeth Town. He is Calvinistic, a good speaker, imitates Smith, has his model on the French preachers & uses many apostrophies. Very popular. Mr. Forbes of Cape Ann, who has lately published a volume of Sermons, preached last Sunday for Baldwin the Baptist minister in Boston, & Baldwin preached at Lynn. We are more indulgent than other Sects, for 3S0 DiABY OF [July Harris in Episcopal orders told me, that having written three letters to Fisher at Salem, he refused to answer them & sent a verbal message by Joseph Bowditch that he would not exchange with him unless he would give him assurances that he would admit no dissent- er from the English Church into his pulpit. As his Father & Brethren in Law are distinguished Congregational ministers he could make no such agreement. Parker at Trinity Church in Boston, allows they might admit Dissenters, but not preach in their Churches whick he did in preaching the Election sermon. 26. Sunday. Notes. Widow Rebecca Patterson, dang, sick^ pr. for a Son at Sea. Sarah Delano, delivery, Husband in Maine. Last week died & was buried, the Wife of Jona. Lambert, one of our Selectmen. She was a daughter of a celebrated Capt. Lee of this Town, a well known Navigator, & commonly called Philoso- pher Lee. The freedom of his own temper he has not transmitted to his posterity. The deceased daughter, in concurrence with her more noted Sister Norris, has been very active in disseminating a zeal for religious opinions, or rather for religious associations not of the most happy character for candour, knowledge, or friendly dispositions. She was a woman of a good heart, & guided by those who could profit by her zeal. She has been very unhappy in her sons, as has been her Sister. So that they have not been example* of ruling well their own houses, but remarkably of the contrary character. This Sunday for the first time the law was vigorously executed^ which prohibited the opening of shops for shaving & dressing on Sunday. The Barbers to prevent any advantages from their credulity, agreed with each other that whoever should be detected in taking secret advantages should for the first offence forfeit one hundred dollars. The Grand Jury prohibited the practice. This agreement was for the security of their interest, & was voluntary among themselves. Riding on Sunday which had become & nuisance has also been prevented & a Bill was found against the Mail Stage at the last County Court. It does not appear that there was the least opposition. For several months, the Concourse at the Corners of the Central Streets has been prevented by the Town Constables. Br. H. of Dorchester assured me that upon a late exchange with H. of Newton, a good classmate of mine, Br. H. of N., sharply re- proved his amiable wife at D. for cooking on Sunday, a fine pig, which the affection of a parishioner brouglit 5 miles in the rain on the evening before, & which must have been lost had not it been provided for the next dinner. The excuse was not admitted — "better loose the pig than a soul." These are puritanical manners in all the starch of antiquity. 29. Nothing has yet transpired from the Ecclesiastical Coun- cil at the Tabernacle. It is a subject rather of ridicule at present 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 381 than of serious investigation. Religion gets no aid from such transactions. My Landlord, B. Crowinshield, has returned after 8 months detention iu Alquizeras. He tells many stories which are to be in the Gazette. 30. My Barber shew me the agreement among the Barbers & Hair Dressers against any employment in the Sundays. This rule is to be pursued with rigour. It is a severe restraint, the last pen- alty agreed upon among themselves is 50 dollars for each offence. The restraint is opposed, but only by those who have little charac- ter & little influence. The prediction is that not arising from the public wishes, it cannot last long. The grand jury men who press it, have not personal consequence. 31. Gray's Ropewalk struck by Lightning on 25 instant, dam- aged 230 feet. August 1 [1801]. Went to Philips' Beach. Aunt Molly tells me that the g. grand father of her Father first came to America early in the settlements. That the land they possess was purchased of one King, who lived near where Burrill lived, now Hooper's. That he sold also to Blaney & their Ancestor married a Blaney. The Family Bible was printed in London 1730 & the gold sleeve but- tons delivered from their ancestors were small, of round figure, plain & rim bent inwards. The Philips' became Quakers in America, in the time of persecution. She could not be trusted with a more minute detail. 2. Sunday. Notes. Joshua Phippen & family, d. of Daughter Dean, pr. for 2 Sons at Sea, Th. for one returned. Thomas Dean, d. of d. in law Dean, pr. for g. son at Sea. William Oliver & wife & mother, d. of their youngest Child. Spaulding's Council resulted unanimously against him. That he had no right to ask a negative upon the whole Church & that they were right in holding the special articles of the first agreement at his ordination. Spaulding refuses to express his approbation, & it is said has not in form asked a dismission, but has written a Let- ter, but at present no reply is to be made. Mr. Punchard was the person who gave this information & who replied to Mr. Spaulding before the Council in answer to the Pastor. 5. Mr. Benjamin Ropes, son of Mr. Samuel Ropes, being second mate on board the Bellisarius, was employed in taking down the topmast & was suddenly struck & died instantly. He was on the cap of the Foremast, & received the whole weight of the Top Mast. He was greatly esteemed. He was killed yesterday, & buried this day. About 400 persons attended in procession, & he was the first ever lodged in the new burying ground, which lays below Brown street, & between Peter's street & Williams street extending to North River. 6. Visited Capt. James Chever's family garden in front of the East Meeting House. It was happily arranged, perfectly clean. 382 DIARY OF [Aug. productive, & ornamented in great simplicily. The Drain led through in planks, afforded a constant & clear sheet of water. This is a model for a family garden. The Mrs. Perkins who died yester- day, certainly died of the yellow fever, in Essex S. corner of Hardy street. 9. Sunday. Notes. S. Ropes & wife & Children, D. of Son Benjamin by fall of mast. James Perkins, d. of his wife. Abigail Porter & Children, d. of her d. Perkins, pr. for a Son at Sea. Samuel Lambert & wife, d. of his Mother & Br. in his absence, returned from Sea, pr. for absent friends. Nathaniel Trow & wife, her delivery, pr. for absent friends. A Newburyport Story is that Gillet, Minister of Hallowell, had addressed a daughter of Dr. Cof- fin, & had appointed the hour of Marriage. The friends were as- sembled, & the Minister excused himself, & retired. The company dispersed & this is the second excentricity in the Clergy who visit that place. The meetings still continue & they now have Street preaching. It is expected that the zeal will abate & Lectures will be less frequent. On 24 July a Baptist Church opened in Port- land. Greene who was at Menotomy & afterwards at New Mills, Danvers, has had great success in North Yarmouth, & divided the parish. 11. The day for our Association at my House. Present, Revd. Forbes, Fuller, Wadsworth, Barnard, Prince, Mackeen, Thacher, Green, Dr. Eliot & Revd. Emerson from Boston visited us & Mr. Emerson preached an ingenuous discourse & pious, upon confidence in God. Messieurs Curwin, Parker, G. S. Master & Dr. Little dined with us. Captains Crowninshield, Hodges & Gibaut let us have their servants. 13. Visited in Company with Capt. Hodges & Gibaut the Museum of the East India Marine Society. As they have not been long in the habit of Collecting, the Collection is entitled to notice. They are furnished with several images & paintings of Hindostan, China & Japan, with complete dresses in the Chinese fashion. They have various specimens of the Oyster shells of Sumatra. Large collec- tions of the smaller shells & some of them beautiful. The Alba- tross, birds of paradise, parakets, & several birds. No fish, & but few insects. Some antiquities, & a handsome number of Coins given by E. H. Derby. A few specimens of stones, ores, &c. not arranged, petrefactions, & curiosities, in all 185 articles. They have a foundation for a Library well begun, as it contains already Cooke's Voyages, Perouse, Vancouver, &c. Their Museum is kept over the Marine office in the Brick Building, east corner of Court Street, fronting Essex street. Communications are required on the Voyages of Members & such only are members as circumnavigate Cape of Good Hope. Capt. Sage has lately delivered a Chart of a Voyage with the tract of his Ship, & it is a good beginning. There has been very lately opened an Indian Grave near the Iron Factory 1801] WILLIAM BBNTLEY, D. D. 383 on Cowhouse or Duck river, at Waters' Bridge. Capt. Osgood who shewed me an oblong, smooth & flat stone about 7 inches long, much in the form of a Chisel but not sharpened at either end, told me that there were found graves of a grown person & of a Child. Of Mr. Goodale, who opened the grave, he got no })articulars, only that he thought the Child may have been wrapped in Copper. He did not explain himself. The parts of bones remaining were left with Mr. Reid. 14. I took a walk to the Iron works, to observe the spot on which the bones were found. It was upon the top of a Nole, E. of the road, & on the N. W. side of the river, just behind the new house built near the new wharf, for the benefit of which the earth was removed. No person employed saw the bones till they attempt- ed to remove the earth with a wheelbarrow. As the earth is filled with stones of various sizes, «& very loose, digging at bottom loosened it so that it fell down in large quantities, & the true position could not be ascertained of the Body. The piece of the thigh bone was found horizontally sticking out beyond the earth on the side of the nole, which had been dug into a perpendicular of 12 feet, at the distance of 3 feet from the surface and a stone of one foot diameter lodged upon the bone. As the hip part of the bone was in the ground the face must have been rising to the south, & if sitting facing to the south, if lying facing to the south, but lying to the north. As the part of the scull fell out before the thigh bone was entirely disengaged the presumption is that the skeleton was sitting. The part of the scull was the back part. Near & with it was found the chest, supposed to be of a child, containing several ribs, supposed to have been wrapped in a skin, tied round by a leathern thong on which Copper was strung. As I saw none of the bones & no person had preserved any of the Copper I can rest only upon the united testimony of the Smiths & all who saw it that it actually was Copper. This preserved Chest of the body which still held its form for seven inches in height & 4 inches through, has been supposed to be a dog by some, but did they tie copper on the body or neck of a dog? Mr. Skidmore told me on the spot that he had dealt much with the eastern Indians, & that at the Cape Sables, they buried a stone or bone marked across with a line for the children, distinguishing those for females by a round hole in the marked line in part or entirely through the stone or bone. Dr. Putnam says that Indians have been seen on this point since his day within 80 years, who sold brooms, &c. to the Inhabitants but these accounts are confused. It is determined that the Inhabitants of Salem found none of the native Indians of this quarter 120 years ago in this vicinity. The tame Indians travelling about might tarry here about a short time, but there would be traditions of their burial places, if in any number. There has been a tradition of the Northfield Indians, said upon the authority of Revd. John Higginson. These may be the Indians 384 DIARY OF [Aug. which Putnam might see or hear of, & these might have been in Higginson's time, & have continued some time after his death? Mr. R. Manning jur"" assured me that Mr. Coates who afterwards lived & died in Boston, did before the War hold a Coach, with which he went to Boston once a week, & that he, Mr. Manning, assisted as a Blacksmith to repair it, & that it was burnt in the Great Fire of 1774. In talking about Indians do we not often talk obscurely. We say the Indians go back ? What Indians have forsaken their own Territory or have crowded back on more remote tribes? Have they not been consumed, before their whole Territory has been oc- cupied by the European settlers? We ought to settle this point in the present generation, that posterity may be well informed. Is it not better to believe that the state in which our first settlers found the Indians was their common state, as it agrees with what we fin d upon the whole extent of the North West Coast, rather than to give credit to traditions about their distruction by a plague, war, or any other sudden Calamity? 15. Attended, in the absence of Dr. Bernard, the funeral of Abiel Hooper, wid. of Benjamin Hooper, Ship carpenter, who has been dead above 20 years. She was a Bright, & had no children, married late & was the second wife. Saw dug up a Grave stone on the grave of Thomas Downing who died 1702, set. 36, and of Sarah Butler, wife of Edmund, who died 1670, set. 60 years. 16. Sunday. Note. Abigail Phippen, d. of her Mother in Law Hooper, pr. for Husband & Br. at Sea. At the Association was regularly introduced the correspondence of Mr. S. Dana with the second Essex Association, by which it appears that they are per- fectly satisfied with his penitence & humility. No measures were adopted & it was accepted as a communication. Mr. Dana has re- ceived a call from the first Church in Marblehead. The smart of discipline has kept Story from our Association. The great Doctor Morse in Town today at the North Church. It is to be hoped he will have no opportunity to do any mischief. 17. The eldest son & second daughter of John Winthrop were with me this day. He tells me that there were not so many of the name of Win throp in the United States as there were in 30 years after the first settlement. That all branches are well known & that only 22 persons in the United States bear the name of Winthrop. His Father was the only son of Judge & Professor Winthrop that has married. They are going to visit their land & property in Maine. 18. A Mr. Brown, Baker, died of an high bilious fever in Derby street, between Daniel & Hardy Street. He always wore an in- flamed countenance. This resembles the yellow fever so much, that the yellow fever is considered only as a more advanced state of disease. 20. A youth named Leach, set. 15, drowned in the Mill pond, / 1801] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 385 last evening, bathing, killed by the Sluice gate. A daughter of Skidmore of Dan vers has murdered her infant child. The Jury have brought in their verdict, murder. Mrs. West a great mover of the Female association for relief of poor children has declined the con- nection because she was not chosen Directress tho' she had refused to serve, but claiming the honour as D. of Mr. Derby. 22. Madame Harthorne,* past 80 years of age, tells me that George Fairfax, she thinks his name was George,t did assist at the building of the Episcopal Church in Salem. As she expressed it, cast in his mite, but she thinks he did not contribute greatly. He was Brother to Lord Fairfax, had with him two sons, George & Thomas & two daughters. That his wife died at Salem & that ap- plication was made for the use of the First Church for the Funeral Service & Sermon, but was not granted. That in consequence ap- plication was made to the Second or East Church, & the service was performed in it. That the English Church was then building. The windows of the Church were glaized in English's Shop in front of the Mansion house, Essex Street, corner of English Street, by a Mr. Rutland & his daughter from Beverly. That the supper at the raising of the Church was at James Gibson's who lived where Deacon Holman now lives, Essex street, east side of Cambridge street, & Mr. G. Fairfax lived in Harthorne's House on the west side of Cambridge street facing Essex Street. Mr. Fairfax married for his second wife, Deborah Clarke, sister of Capt. John Clarke who commanded at the Fort. That Mr, Fairfax finding the living in the Customs at Salem in the service of the Government incom- petent to his maintenance was appointed by his Brother's influence to an office in Virginia, in which his Salem wife died. She could not say whether he died in that Colony. The painting of the Lord's prayer, 10 Commandments & Creed cost 300J6 old tenour, tho' I suspect that she was deceived in the sum. It was probably smaller as Esq' Bowditch made the matter memorable by asking the people how much they all were worth, & then by telling what they all cost. The painter came from Boston. She supposed that there were about 12 original proprietors of the Church, some of which lived in Marblehead. She remembers her G. Father English gave the land, & her Father Tousel assisted. Capt. John Clarke, Mr. James Gibson , a Mr. Manning, &c. Dr. Cutter, Mr. Peirce, & Har- wood supplied the desk till Brockwell's time. She was christened by Mr. Brockwell. She remembers them all at her grandfather's & Father's. Mr. Macgilchrist lived & died in the House which be- longed to her family & in which she lived. 23. Sunday. Notes. John Watson & wife, d. of her Sister Treadwell at Ipswich. She was a White of Salem. Hannah Webb, sudden d. of her Child, pr. for husb. & friends at Sea. Robert •SusftDDA, daaghter of John and Susanna (Tooael) Hatbome. tWiUUm. 386 DIAKY OF [Sept. Voorhees & wife, death of her Brother, pr. for Br. at Sea. He is a Mulatto married to a White woman named Odell, married in their own way, but he is a worthy man. Judith Caley, delivery, Husband & Brethren at Sea. Dr. Morse's Sermons at the North Church were to be asked for the press. A Son of Treadwell has carried round a subscription paper. They were said to be suited to the times. We hear no more. 25. Mr. John Andrew informed me that he was at Brunswick at the Election of a President. That Dr. Dean had been previously asked to accept that office, but had absolutely declined. That re- peated trials were made to obtain Mr. Bradford, Minister at Wis- casset, without success, & finally Mr. McKeen obtained the Election. 26. The Theatrical Exhibitions of this Town have been con- ducted with greater success for the Players than at any former visit. The drollery is the part which has the highest applause, & the Actors are of a Character to excell in the small way. 27. As the Pond on the Common near the Brown street was nearly dry, I was shewn a very great number of Eels struggling in the water left, from 7 to 3 inches in length. September 2 [1801]. Attended the funeral of a Widow Cox, in Summer street, set. 86. Two Ministers had gone to the ordination this day at Manchester & two to Connecticut for their health. 3. A Son of Mr. Taylor of Merrimac visited in Daniel's Street. He has been dang, sick of the Yellow Fever. Mrs. Perkins & Mr. Brown died of it. Mrs. Perkins, Essex street near the Meeting House ; Brown, between Hardy & Daniel's street, in Derby street, among the small buildings. 6. Sunday. Notes. John MacEwen& wife, d. of Child, pr. for two Children absent & pr. for Brethren at Sea. John Hill, her delivery, Brethren at Sea. Last Wednesday, Abraham Kaiidall was ordained at Manchester. He was accepted with great unanimity. Mr. Forbes of Gloucester made the ordaining prayer, Mr. Frisbee preached, Dr. Dana gave the Charge & Mr. Fuller the right hand of Fellowship. The prayers were by Mr. Newell of Stow & McKeen. This Society long enjoyed the ministry of Mr. Tappan, Mr. Parish his successor lived but a little while, & a wish to confine baptism to the Children of the Communicants threatened him with great discontents. He was a man of small powers, but acted under the influence of his Brother at Newbury. The Town lost more by a fever and sickness in one year according to its population than Philadelphia in the worst year of the Fever. We think they will retrieve their circumstances as they are poor. Mr. Eben Parsons of Boston, Merchant, has been very bountiful to them, in assisting their settlement. They are commonly called the Little City, They are poor as Fishermen & generally as Farmers, & have little infor- mation. They have been often disturbed by the New Lights & Itinerants & suffered much from the indiscretion of Mr, Cleveland 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 387 of Chebaco, who lived to repent of his many irregularities. Major Lee had the principal influence among them when I first knew them in 1782, Mr. Tuck, the Custom house oflicer of Gloucester, now leads. Major Stover has the greatest interest and trade in the place. They give 800 D. settlement & 500 1). salary to the New Minister. 8. Our Association at Danvers, Wadsworth's. I saw for the first time ^Mr. Dow of Upper Beverly, & Mr. Dana the Candidate for ]\Iarblehead. Mr. Dana preached in all the plentitude of or- thodoxy. Arrangements were made for the Ordination. Mr. Randall with us from Manchester. I was obliged to return to Salem to attend a funeral. Report says Mr. Wadsworth is about to mai-ry a widow, daughter of Judge Holten. 9. This day was our military Review. There had been great preparations & hence there were great expectations. I had not a full view of all the military exhibitions. I should have loved them more had I supposed a liberal design to serve the public interest had been the real cause of the present arrangement. 12. I agreed upon an exchange of Pulpits with Dr. Macclintock, of Greenland, & engaged at first a passage in the Stage, but con- sented to accompany Capt. Gibaut who in a Chaise intended a tour to the eastward. We left Salem early & took breakfast at Ipswich. No essential changes had taken place in this decaying town since my last visit to it. We reached Newburyport at noon. We visited the Presbyterian Meeting House in which Mr. Milton preaches and found it cut open with the purpose of enlarging it. It was open exactly in front of the front gallery. We then visited the beautiful mall which they have railed in High street above the pond. As it is now in high style & good order, it has a very good effect. We then visited the new Meeting house, which is to receive the Old Church, formerly standing on ^larket Square & which is now pulling down. Every elegance is pursued in the new Building, which stands in a cross street, but must have looked better in High street. Only the frame of the Spire is up, & the pulpit unfinished. The wall below is painted blue, the pews of a light green. The pulpit is entered at two doors, which communicate with a large Porch or Vestry behind it. It is rich with composition work as is the gallery, without the simplicity of the gallery in Exeter, tho' the columns are in greater proportions, yet not so well displayed, as the foot of the shaft is below the pews in Newbury, but more happily above in Exeter. They were preparing the work before the pulpit on the floor at Newbury, & this I disapproved, as I did the work at Exeter, & proposed to have it left open entirely. The Steeple above the Tower in Newbury, I suspect will have a better effect than in Exeter, but the Tower will not as I think at present. I saw Timothy Dexter's large Columns & Lions in front of his House as I passed along. I paid my civil respects to Revd. Gary, & my duty 388 DIABY OF [Sept. to the good old Bishop Bass. Every visit discovers great improve- ments in High street. I observed the old neglected Grasshopper Plain meeting house still standing. We visited no families but passed on to the Bridge & dined on Carr's island. We passed by Salisbury meeting house lately vacant by the death of their min- ister. We saw two vessels on the Stocks. In Hampton Falls we passed first a Baptist meeting much out of repair, & then a Quaker meeting house. The Congregational meeting house was upon the road to Exeter, We found Well's Tavern much repaired, partic- ularly on the outside. At Hampton the late divisions have caused a new meeting house, northerly from the old, which is occupied by the more zealous. North hill, called Northampton meeting house, is without a spire, as is the new Meeting at Hampton. Mr. Thurs- ton the minister of North hill has given up his charge & gone to Maine. We reached Greenland at 5 o'clock. It is a plain & said to be a wealthy town. No ostentation marks their wealth. We found a Mr. Clark an obliging school master at Dr. Macclintock, & a daughter & g. d. of the Doctor. Mr. Clark lives in the neighbour- hood. He has been Schoolmaster 11 years, an advantage in a Town as it renders the school constant throughout the year. 13. Sunday. The meeting house built at the Ordination of Dr. Macclintock is without any ornament or paint within or without. It has a decent steeple, & a bell lately purchased from the foundery of Revere & Son at Boston, of 700 weight. Their former bell had cracked. Dr. Macclintock was settled in 1756 when the New Meeting house was built. Their first minister W. Allen was ord. in 1713 & died in 1760, set. 84, So that two Ministers have nearly completed a Century in this town. It was originally part of Ports- mouth. As the Farmers are in easy not affluent circumstances, the Faims continue much as they have been for many years. The increase is great but the emigration keeps the population of the Town nearly the same. Their numbers in 1775 were 759, but in 1790, 634. At a late Emigration 50 souls went into the interiour country, so that the population is probably still dimished by the late census. In the public worship, the singers are placed in the center of the ground floor, & the principal families around in pews near the wall. The pews near the walls in the galleries are also filled by the young of both sexes, and the negro servants in the front seats of the gallery & a few children on the sides of the gallery. There is observed a great silence & decency, for which they are distinguished in time of service. Dr. Macclintock has had a large family of 16 children. His first wife is long since dead. His second wife was a Fernald & the widow of a Mr. Dalling of Ports- mouth. Most of his children are dead. He has two sons, merchants in Portsmouth, He was born in Medford, Mass. & his father came from Ireland. He was educated at New Jersey College under President Burr, who had the special charge of the class to which 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 389 Dr. M. belonged. He was Chaplain in the Army after he graduated & before he settled in the ministry & is now 70 years of age. He has a good person, great ease of manners, quick eye, open counte- nance, fine taste, & an excellent imagination with good judgment. No man ever prepossessed me more at first sight of his countenance. He has admired the style of Robertson's H. of Scotland & has gained much of it, with his own characteristic sprightliness. In Controversy he is ready, & distinguished for point. Satire is his own, never cruel, but powerful. His prayers are solemn, but more of narration, than passion, more of reflection than petition, more of thought than devout expression. His sermons are clear, compre- hensive & judicious. His wit is too humble for his style, because it is intended for his audience while his sermons are written with the greatest purity & exactness. He has no equal in his own State, & perhaps no superior in New England. No man in N. H. will be called into comparison with him. He is a republican in his integrity, in his manners & in his opinions. He is free to confess himself, as in his Oration of the death of Washington, an adorer of no man, a friend to the honours which are bestowed on merit, but not to the Owls perched in open day, or the timid Whigs, who fear to defend liberty, but never forget the loaves & the Fishes. The Brother of his wife, Mr, Samuel Fernald, gave us his company for the day. 14. This morning I called upon Mr. Huse at the Tavern in Greenland, & hired for 3 shillings, 1/2 D., a horse & Chaise for Portsmouth, 6 1/2 miles. I reached Portsmouth early & breakfast- ed in the north part of the Town at Mr. Samuel Fernald's at his request. Judge Pickering waited upon me from Brewster's to Mr. Fernald's, & it was a subject of grief that a gentleman of his tal- ents & high office, should bear such marks of intemperance. He was free for conversation & it had all the fire of his habits, but nothing of their folly. He gave me much useful information. Parties are at their height in Portsmouth & the Republicans pre- vail. They look to Mr. Langdon at present as a more successful candidate than Walker & hope to elect him Governour of the State at the next choice. I found Brewster had retired from the former stand & kept only a boarding house on a cross street. Upon enter- ing the town I found a ropewalk on my right, I saw another in the south part of the Town, & two others in the north part, not far from Boyd's Lots, & the new burying ground. The Portsmouth pier has every advantage over the old Long wharf. Besides hand- some & convenient stores, it is very convenient for business. We saw the packets descend the river with their articles for the mark- et. The Navy yard was in good order for timber & the piers in full view. On Pierce's Island one ship was building for Pierce & Sheafe. The Creeks which enter the town must ultimately prove a nuisance if left in their present state. Grave Point has an antient grave yard in the greatest confusion & tho' the monuments of the 390 DIARY OF [Sept. best families are to be found in it in the utmost neglect. The flag stones on the side of the streets are a great convenience, for they have only one short & narrow street paved. In the north part of the Town, Boyd's house is pleasantly situated. The lots before it are staked out for sale. He died on his return from England in 1787. The old Meeting house is the largest & in good repair, it has a clock with an hour pointer. There are three steeples in the Town, but none of them erected since the war. They stand upon the Old & South Meeting Houses & upon the Church of England. The single row of arched windows in the Church look well, but the porch on the south side does not. It has the best situation. The sect of Drownists still hold their house, but diminish. A Mr. Walton, a Carpenter, officiates commonly. The Universalists have a small building of one story, not filled, under George Richards. They talk of erecting a steeple. Mr. Humphreys in a private house instructs the Sanderaanians or Glassites who remain. The Church of England is in a more flourishing state, than at any time since the war, under a Mr. Willard. Mr. Buckminster of the Old Church & Mr. Alden of the South Church have opened a weekly lecture in the spirit of Newbury, but there is less danger of fanati- cism in Portsmouth than in Newbury. The people are not most attentive to public worship. The new Market house in the Center of the Town is of brick. The lower part is in stalls & is provided only for a meat market with 8 stalls & under good regulations. The second story will afford a handsome room, but it is not yet finished or appropriated. The Assembly room is private property & is much out of repair. The whole Town includes many fine houses, but the whole has not a very great effect. The numerous porticos have not a good style, & the Cupolas are too heavy, if any Cupola can have a good effect upon any house whatever. Ports- mouth still preserves its reputation for hospitality to strangers, & no town in New England ever did come in competition with it. At 11 I reached Huse's in Greenland, & there dined with my friend Capt. Gibaut, & then we departed for Exeter. It was a more pleasing town than I expected to find. It had a gentle slope to the water of the basin which communicates with Exeter. The spire & lands of Newmarket enriched the view, & the soil was not contemptible, or the houses neglected. It was incorporated in 1693 & has had three ministers. The present, a disciple of Mr. Murray, has been very active to assist in the great work at New- bury, & has encouraged & promoted it in his own parish. The population diminished from 1775 to 1790, one fourth part by emi- gration. It pays a third more taxes than Greenland, being a much larger tract of country. From Stratham we passed to Exeter over a small bridge at the head waters & near the mill seats, just south of the Town. Having reached Hutchin's Tavern, my first wish was to see the Town & Public Buildings. The new Church is the 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 891 most elegant in the state. And as this town is the place of the Oovernour's residence it becomes the present seat of government. The Church has an elevated situation, in regard to the navigable waters, standing on the great road & upper street. It has a pedi- ment in front well supported, & upon tlie Tower two Lanterns with as good effect as this kind of architecture admits. There is a flight of stone steps to the entrance in front & the building within is arched & finished well. The pulpit stairs pass behind. The front of the galleries is the best finished work I ever saw, & with admirable effect. The pews are all long, entirely unornamented, & not even painted. I am sorry to see any of them touching the walls of the house. The isles ought to be through & round such a house. It is said that Dr. Morse intended to have this house, as New Hampshire is better for his Lordly temper & that he encour- aged the Governour to write the letter to Mr. Rowland recom- mending it to him to ask a dismission. Good Dr. Macclintock expressed a due resentment of such ungenerous conduct. The difficulties have at present subsided & Mr. Rowland, tho' not a man of talents, remains in his charge. Exeter is the place of an Academy which is undoubtedly the most flourishing in New Eng- land, & perhaps the best endowed. Its rivals are at Andover & Newbury. Philip's Academy in the south parish of Andover has been checked by the rivalship of a private Academy in the north parish. It begun under Mr. Pearson, now Professor at Cambridge, & flourished greatly under Mr. Pemberton who has now opened a private academy at Bilerica. After his time it sensibly gave place to Exeter. The Dummer Academy at Newbury has at present scarcely 20 scholai-s under Mr. Isaac Smith. This gentleman is a good scholar, of good manners, had been Tutor at Cambridge & or- dained in England, but he has no success as a preceptor. Exeter Academy at present holds the highest place if not in New England certainly it admits no rival in New Hampshire. It was incorpora- ted in 1781, & called Philip's Exeter Academy. Its funds were valued as high as 10,000 pounds but the income is not equal to the interest of that sum, because the lands are not all productive. Thoughts have been entertained of converting it into a College, but as these Institutions are already too numerous & very insufficiently endowed, the plan has for the present been abandoned. Mr. W. Woodbridge was the first preceptor, but his successor Mr. Abbot still holds with great reputation the office. It has at present above 60 students. More than half the Students from 1787 to 1790 be- longed to Exeter according to Dr. Belnap's account. The Building is spacious, upon an open plain, not far from the Meeting House. It has a large open yard & a large flight of steps, the western end is the school room. The stairs ascend between the Philosophy & the writing School in the eastern end & above is a large room for the Exhibitions. There is a good apparatus for Philosophical ex- 392 DIABY OF [Sept. perimental lectures & the Library will probably increase with use- ful Books. The number amounts already to several hundred, but they were not selected for the School. There are two Assistants. One of them is a son of Revd. Buckminster of Portsmouth, who graduated lately at Cambridge. I saw at the public house Mr. Hancock of Boston who had come to Exeter as a Miniature painter. And the young masters were in the same house at a Dancing School under Mr. Turner of the Boston family so well known in that employment. Exeter was incorporated among our first towns, five years after Portsmouth in 1638. Its Church was at first under Wheelright, but D. Rogers introduced into it in the new light times, religious diversions & founded a Church in 1748 of which he re- mained pastor 37 years & died 1785, set. 79. This Fanatic had great zeal but inferiour talents, & was little esteemed by the Cler- gy. The House is now standing which was built for him & Itiner- ants use it as they pass. A person preached in it last Sunday known by the nickname Aunt Sara. The square tower on one end, with a steeple upon the flat of it exactly resembles the tower & steeple of the former Brattle street Church in Boston. I personal- ly knew Mr. Rogers. He was a Candidate at the new North Meet- ing & the society were blessed in the event, as they had the cele- brated & esteemed Dr. Eliot in his room. Dr. Eliot was indeed one of our best preachers & Daniel Rogers one of the weakest. I observed a Chandelier in this old building which is a rare thing in our Churches. The Town School House stands on the side of the Academy Square between the new Meeting house & the Academy in a cross street. It is a plain building with a small part of the at- tention usually bestowed upon such buildings in the Country, & seems to preach, while the Academy towers over it, the doctrine so much believed that Academies distroy Town Schools. The Court is a small but neat Building of two Stories not far from the mill seats & the Bridge. It suffers from a narrow pediment which does not afford a proper piazza, which might well fill the front. In passing to the River, I observed that there was no Vessel in it. They were repairing the wharves or rather filling up two breast works. Only three wharves deserved the name & none of them had double births for Vessels. There are three streets or ways includ- ing the passage near the shores, below the Academy square, & the open or great street above. Several cross streets open the commu- nication between them. The best Houses were not together, & there were no splendid buildings. At the Ship yard, I found two Vessels on the stocks between 100 & 200 tons. They were in the old model. On the opposite bank was a small brick building for a powder house. In one of the cross streets was a Duck Factory of two stories, not clapboarded, or employed at present. Below on the bank were several negro houses with many signs of poverty. Near the Mill seats the waters fall over a Slate stone which has not far 1801] WILLIAM BENTLBY, D. D. 393 from a perpendicular stratum inclining northerly. The mills were old, & with few improvements. There were 3 grist mills, 2 saw mills, one oil, & one fulling mill. There is a gentle rise to the plain, but they have brought water into Town by an aqueduct from one mile's distance. Near the Church the grave stones & monu- ments are laid flat upon the graves, which I had never before seen. At first I supposed that it was done to make the passage more open to the Church which is partly built upon the burying ground, but I observed in the new ground that several slabs of white stone were lain upon the graves in the same manner, tho' some grave stones were erect. In the first way, they were very liable to be removed. Kanlet's printing ofiice was in the lower street below the academy. Much music printed by types has been spread in New England from Ranlet's press. At the Inn we had every attention, but as the Supreme Court were to open on the next day, the house began to be filled with Company. There was another public house near the Bridge, but Hutchins had ensured the preference. 15. In the morning we left Exeter upon the route to Kingston. We were several miles in the Township, & found it necessary to ascend several hills over which the roads were rough. The country became more pleasent as we approached Kingston meeting house which was upon a plain of one mile in extent having on the right as we passed a very extensive pond, which probably contained over 200 acres. The meeting house on the plain had a bell & steeple. We then entered Plaistow, & in the second house we found a Tavern in good order kept by Mr. Sawyer at the sign of the white ball. In going this road we were puzzled by the guide posts directing to the left to Sweat's ferry, without any notice of the great road. King- ston is an old town having been incorporated as early as 1694, but Plaistow was joined to Haverhill as lately as 1749 & the Meeting House stands upon the Massachusetts line. Their minister Mr. Giles Merrill, who had been with them 36 years, died lately & they are now vacant. From Plaistow Meeting house we had only three miles to reach Haverhill Town & were 3 miles from Sawyer's Tavern. The appearance of Haverhill in this route was not very promising & in season for dinner we reached Haverhill town & dined at Harrod's. This man was my neighbour at Boston, & he has a fine family of daughters whose only fault is in their education for a life which puts them at variance with the plan of industry & domestic usefulness. In Haverhill there are some late changes, but not a great appearance of increasing prosperity. At the corner of the wide street, which leads to the Meeting House on the left as you ascend, is a new & spatious brick store of three stories, of Avhich Mr. Carlton is a proprietor. The Baptist meeting house has assumed a new form, being repaired thoroughly on the outside & having a tower & turret & Bell. The Bell was the gift of the late Mr. White who deceased this year. In the ship yard, two vessels were on the 394 DIARY OF [Sept. stocks, between 100 & 200 tons burden, & one had lately been launched & sent down the river. There was no Vessel lying before the Town. I saw men working nails by hand. The plates were heated & cut by shears & then by hand put into a machine which held them till they were headed by the stroke of a hammer. 16. After breakfast we left Haverhill for Salem, the distance being 22 miles but the guide posts very improperly divide the distance. A new Tavern has been opened on the road from An- dover in Boxford, & Dr. Cleaveland in Topsfield has converted the mansion house of Porter into a very convenient tavern, below the meeting house in Topsfield. The approach to the Ipswich river is much improved, & the ascent of Topsfield Hill beyond it, going to Salem, is much more easy than formerly. We pursued our course & reached Salem at noon. The whole road from Haverhill to Salem appeared as good as it could be made & no obstructions did remain which art could remove. I found upon my return that Dr. Mac- cliutock left Salem on Sunday evening for Beverly & was upon his return homewards on Monday. In the afternoon I received the members of the Royal Arch Chapter at my house & was assured that they had appointed me their Chaplain & had carried on a Proxy requiring me to officiate on that occasion. 17. Mr. W. Gray our principal merchant, upon experiment has bought the Rope walk near the New Burying ground in Browne street, & hired the north rope walk upon Pleasant street below the Common, & is driving the Cordage business. He has raised the price of labour in the employment with great alarm to those of less stock in the same business. There are various conjectures about the success of his plans. The Baptist Meeting House in Beverly is raised, not far above the first Congregational meeting house. This renders it a critical state of affairs at which Mr. Mackeen has his invitation to Bowdoin College. 20. Sunday. Notes. Joseph Trask & wife, d. of their only child. John Collins & wife, for her dangerously sick. Gamaliel Hodges & wife, d. of their eldest daughter. Nathaniel Kinsman, d. of their child, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Sarah Knap, herself & child sick. Husband absent at Sea. 25. Was called to attend a funeral below Ashe Street upon the Bank of the river, in Gen. Abbot's Buildings where his potash works lately stood. There has been considerable mortality in the square in which this place is. Two persons were buried this afternoon who lived not far from each other. 27. Sunday. Notes. John Pierce & wife, d. of their Child. Jeremiah Abbot & wife, d. of their Child. Elizabeth Donaldson, delivery, pr. for husband & friends at Sea. 28. A Mr. Hunt has appeared to pay his addresses in the family of Richardson. I am not much prepossessed when the first tempta- tion is from duty. Mr. Hunt comes from Charleston & tells me 1801] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 395 that the Academy is now shut & much neglected. That my class- mate Crosby is still in the Post office & speaks highly of the moral character of Mr. West of the Law, who has a seat at Charleston. 29. Mrs. Collins* who died this morning was a most worthy woman. Few with such small means could educate so large a family & in so good reputation. Few could remember so many blessings, when the world might think they had few, & support severe duty without complaint. Few could have so much religion in actions, with so little superstition & so little instruction. Few can die so happily. October 1 [1801]. Went to Newburyport to attend at the dedication of the New Meeting House for the First Church in that Town. The Consecration Music was composed by Holyoke. The Organ played by Von Hagen, There were several flutes, violins & Hautboys. A very large band of singers of both sexes & the per- formances excellent. Mr. Appleton delivered the prayer, & Mr. Andrews delivered a Sermon adapted to the occasion. There was an excellent dinner for the Clergy & a Concert in the afternoon. The house was crowded. I spent the evening with Revd. Cary & lodged at his House. 2. Breakfasted at the Bishop's & he accompanied me to display his new Church. It has great simplicity & the same expences could not have been more economically or advantageously displayed. On the front Gallery there is a tribute of respect to Timothy Dexter for a donation of 333 1/3 D. Over the altar & above the bread & Commandments, is a spread eagle holding the Bible & the Common Prayer. The Bible hangs on his Breast, & the Liturgy is held in his talons. It is shut & the Bible is open, which with some might be an instruction, that it ought to be shut, wherever the Bible is openor known. The pannels of the Altar, which contain the Creed, &c., are rather too wide for their length. But as a whole it is beautiful. A small cupola contains the Bell & caps the Tower but it is rather too large for a good effect. In Cary's new house, I should have preferred the front of Exeter gallery to their own with all its ornaments. But the effects from the paintings are incal- culable. The Walls as high as the Arch are covered with paper & painted blue. The pews, a faint green with caps of orange colour. The Arches are pure white as are the paintings of the gallery & House & pulpit. The part below the pulpit contrary to my wishes is inclosed. The house cannot display such a front as the Exeter & the Steeple is not yet finished. Returned this afternoon to Salem. 3. The mortality great among Children, 3 & 4 of a day. It has been chiefly in the center of the Town but it now begins to spread. It is chiefly by the Dysentery. Many are now sick. The number of 600 has been given as under the hands of the Physicians at the same time tho' not all of them dangerous. •Mrs. Hannah (Porter), wife of John Collins. 396 DIABY OP [Oct. 4. Sunday. Notes. John Collins with his Children, d. of their Mother. Joseph Miller, d. of his wife & youngest child. Robert Bartlett & wife, d. of their Child, p. for Sons & Brother absent. Luke Brooks & wife, d. of her brother N. Harthorne at Havanna. John Berry, wife & his mother, d. of his youngest child & only daughter. John Lewis & wife, for her dang, sick & for a son sick & a son at sea. Rachel Meekin, delivery, pr. for husband at Sea. John Peters & wife, her delivery. Benja. Archer & wife, her delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. At the dedication in Newbury- port were present the Ministers of every denomination. Bp. Bass asked a blessing at the entertainment provided for the Clergy & Mr. Spring returned Thanks. Milton & Bodily were at the Board with the Clergy of the vicinity. Leave was taken of the old Meeting in Sept. 27, last Sunday, & immediately after they began to take it down. The zeal abated. Mr. Crouch, a Carpenter who has had great success as a lay exhortor, has sold his tools & is now at Dummer Academy to get, as he calls it, " human learning." His behaviour there is quiet & quite inoffensive. The new house at By fie Id Parish, Newbury, is now unoccupied. The zeal which built it frustrated its own design by the pretence of rational doctrine con- nected with cheap preaching. The party lost its power by employ- ing such as were unworthy of favour. 5. For the first time that I recollect I attended four funerals in one afternoon. Three were of children & one a married woman. It begins to be an alarming state of sickness in our families & many are now sick, tho' chiefly children, & principally infants. The complaints began in the middle of the Town & now are in every part. Among children the disease began with a cough which would continue many weeks before the Dysentery appeared. Those which I have buried had not the dysentery in a severe degree, but seemed rather to have died of a high internal fever, & I suspect in no instances under my own observation has the true dysentery ap- peared. But the Dysentery is the name under which the alarm is given. One of the Physicians has insinuated his apprehensions of a real bilious fever. 6. There was before the Lodge, the Circular Letter of the Grand Lodge respecting the means of enriching that Body. . They have scarcely surmounted the difficulty of their establishment, be- fore they have engaged in the speculating character of our Times. There are various articles but they all express the same thing. What shall enrich the Grand Lodge ! As that Body never was more destitute of Talents than at this time, implicit confidence may not be requisite in its deliberations. It proposes a new Diploma but I cannot consent that it should be exclusive. I see no necessity that all the profits should pass to the Grand Lodge, or that other Certificates should not be admitted with it & paid for. The contempt cast upon the present certificates as they are not in- 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 397 feriour to the private Certificates of foreign Lodges, appears to be a design to impose their plan upon the Brethren. The Temple of Benevolence should not be thought of while the money is not in the Treasury. Aid may be asked, but there should be some begin- ning to encourage private Contributions. The present form is safe to the State & is not oppressive to the Lodges. Should the wealth center in one place, there will be alarm & corruption. 7. This was the day appointed for the Ordination in Marble- head. The troubles with Hubbard had abated. In their settle- ment, the less friendly to Hubbard again united to the Rock meeting party, who built a house of that name now standing, tho' disused, & refused to Methodists & Baptists, & they took affairs much their own hands. To prevent their violent proceedings, which some had threatened, the most prudent acquiesced in the regular choice of the gentlemen this day ordained. Tho' anti-nup- tial indulgences had forced hira into marriage, yet the prevailing sense of his Father & Brother's piety overcame all opposition & his very humble confession was admitted. To his friends it was at length agreed that the Salem Association should be united in Council & 19 Churches were invited. In the Salem Association it was thought that the excentric conduct of the minister of the 2d Church in Marblehead entirely excluded him from any notice in the solemnites, & accordingly no part was assigned to him, tho' incon- sistently he was invited to return thanks at Table. Mr. Forbes was chosen moderator, & Mr. McKeen of Beverly, Scribe. Dr. Tappan of Cambridge, was appointed to make the first prayer, Dr. Dana of Ipswich, the Father, preached. Mr. Frisbee of Ipswich, made the ordaining prayer, & Mr. Forbes of Gloucester gave the Charge. Dr. Barnard of Salem, gave the hand of fellowship & Mr. Dana of Newbury port, made the concluding prayer. There was music at the beginning & end of the public Services. There were no distinguishing performances on the occasion. The public exercises continued for three hours. After the solemnities the Clergy, Strangers of public education, &c. were invited to dine with the Council & above 70 were seated at convenient tables in the Hall of the Masons & an elegant dinner was provided. The Town was crowded on the occasion with persons of every condition, & the hospitality which displayed itself on the occasion was truly characteristic. The Hall was soon cleared after dinner. The whole road between Salem & Marblehead resembled much the road between Boston & Cambridge on Commencement Day. The Fort below the town was visited by a great multitude of people. It was a rich enjoyment to see happiness so generally diffused. Groups of every kind were seen in innocent mirth. The Fishermen at their more athletic games. The Free Negroes at their dances, & thousands [«ic] of children poured into the streets. The windows filled with Spectators who had no other sight than the passing 398 DIARY OP [Oct. multitude in which they took a place in turn. All busy, all pleased, but I saw no man who seemed to be making money at the expense of his neighbours. All were giving & receiving freely. I went into the farms & took tea with Friend Northey & returned. 9. A Mr. Brown & wife have opened a School in the Barton House opposite St. Peter's street, in Essex Street. This Brown has been a dissenting Clergyman of various Communions. He preached in England, & at Exeter, N. H. & has lately returned from Nova Scotia. The Essex Bridge is again rented to Mr. Leach. He has. had it for several years. The Seals seen in Bass river just below Essex Bridge. 10. There is a Subscription abroad for beautifying the Common. As it is not immediately closed, the presumption is that this subject^ considered for generations, is not warmly encouraged, tho' it may be finally successful. 11. Sunday. Notes. Emmons Smith & wife, d. of his Father, pr. Brother at Sea. Mary Smith & sisters, d. of their Father, pr. Brother at Sea. Wid. Sarah Shehane, d. of her G. child, pr, for Sons at Sea. Daniel Shehane & wife, d. of Child, pr. for him sick,, pr. for friends at Sea. John Lewis, d. of his wife, one child sick. William Hampson & wife, d. of child, pr. for Brother-in-law at Sea. Joseph Webb & wife, d . of their Son, pr. for a Brother at Sea. Elizabeth Archer & Mother, d. of two children, pr. for Husband absent. Joseph Walden & wife, d. of their only daughter.. Joshua French & wife, d. of eldest Son abroad, pr. for youngest child sick. At the ordination at Marblehead, Mr. Story of the Sec- ond Church was passed by on account of his irregularities. Story was a child of our New Brick Church in Boston & educated at Trenton College. When a Candidate it was proposed to our Dr. Pemberton to settle him as Colleague but the Dr.'s reply was *•' I will never consent to settle a man in the ministry in Boston whom I do not judge a man of sense." He, soon after the settlement, be- gan to preach in the Deacon seat, & at length to expose himself to shame. He has acquired considerable property by speculation. He is much disesteemed. He published a Sermon as his own which had just before been preached & printed at New York. Dr. Dwight, President of Yale College, in his Tour eastward, preached at Haverhill & at Cambridge. We hear of no political Conver- sions. He is not supposed to possess the Talents of Dr. Smith of Trenton, in the pulpit. It is hoped by his friends that his " Con- quest of Canaan " will awaken the praises of posterity. 13. Briggs, in South Fields, launched a Schooner this day. His- situation on the south side of the river gives him a ready descent so that he is always successful. 17. Col. Derby's Ship arrived from Arabia, having been at Moka, &c. Saw at Dr. Little's, the Son of our late Secretary Pickering, who- has brought with him a valuable classical library from Europe. As- 1801] WILLIAJSI BENTI^y, D. D. 399 Classical Libraries are rare, & a tolerable one is not to be found in America, it is to be hoped, that some part of the increasing wealth of OUT Country should be appropriated to this ^important purpose. It is a shame that the Cambridge Library should be deficient and that since the revolution none of the best editions have been pro- vided for it. It is not more from want of funds than want of taste. 18. Sunday. Notes. Joshua French & wife, d. of their young- est child. Susannah Cabann, d. of her only child, pr. for husband & friends at Sea, with her grandmother. Thomas Rue & wife, d. of their g. child, pr. for their Sons at Sea. Mary Peele, d. of their youngest child, pr. for husband & brethren at sea. Joseph Browne & wife, d. of their youngest child. William Browne & wife, d. of their g. child, pr. for sons & a g. son at Sea. Anna Masury, d. of her youngest child, pr. for husband & brothers at Sea. Richard Collins & Wife & daughter, d. of their only son abroad, & pr. for a daughter absent. Mary Gardner, d. of her Child. 19. Was the day for the jMilitary Review of the Regiment in this Town. The Troops were upon the Common at ten in the morning & were reviewed at noon. The day was the coldest we had had for the season & the wind blustering, so as to render the Common uncomfortable. On the right formed the Cadets under Col. Lawrence, & then the two Artillery Companies of Salem & Danvers under Major Hovey. The Eight Companies of the Reg- iment followed the grades of their officers. Never did the Regi- ment appear so nearly uniform, or so generally attentive, silent and well disposed. Major General Ropes, with his suite, & Brigadier Davis of Gloucester, reviewed the Troops & then the Officers were escorted by the Cadets to the Sun Tavern at which an elegant dinner was provided in rich abundance. After three the Company retired, & the troops were formed for Military exercise. In this little can be commended. They did not perform so well as at the last time. Their Evolutions were not exact, & their firings were scattering. The day ended with great satisfaction to all who ven- tured upon the Common. Col. Derby & his Majors, Pickman & Prescot, conducted with great propriety but not with the best Mil- itary address. 24. I spent this day in a ramble with Miss Mary Collins & H. E.* to the farms. We were received at Capt. John Gardner's on the hill in Danvers & at the house built by Bradish, in the primi- tive style. Every thing was neat. The dishes of fruit excell ent. The Current wine of the farm as rich as art could make it, & to remind of his former life, a bottle of his sherry of 15 years' age graced the table with its humble form, but ample vouchers for its long abode. From Mr. Gardener's we passed to Col. Derby's farm. He has added nothing to what his father had done. Autumn ap- •Harriet Elkina? 400 DIARY OP [Oct. peared everywhere but in the hot house, where we saw Oranges, & Lemons & the Lemons in high perfection. Mr. Heusler of Alsace, bred at Haarlem, the gardner, lavished every attention upon us. We passed through the new road, which the workmen are now em- ployed to finish through the farm & confess the almost complete state of this most beautiful avenue. Through the great pasture we passed to the house erected by Mr. West, & executed in the taste & under the direction of his wife, the eldest daughter of the late E. H. Derby. Its front eastward commands a most ex- tensive prospect. The house in front is of two stories with four equal rooms. The apartments are finished in as good order as any I have ever seen. The furniture was rich but never violated the chastity of correct taste. The family of Esqr. Collins joined us to enjoy the rich beauties which multiplied around us. The pictures were excellent. The paper & linen hangings were superb. The movable furniture, rich, uniform, but simple. The Mirrors were large & gave full view of every one who passed, & were intended for the house in Town but were exchanged as those for this Seat were too large. The markee Bed was preferred to the full bed for its simplicity. It was surmounted by a golden eagle. The work of the room was finished by the needle of Mrs. West. The back part of the house combines every convenience belonging to the farm house or the elegant Country seat. We could not enumerate the beauties we saw. All we could not see, as they were not glar- ing, but asked our search, & long attention. We then passed & dined at Esqr. Collins' at the house built before the revolution by Esqr. Hooper of Marblehead. Here we found an honest & very benevolent man, with a most worthy wife & a lovely family of daughters. Everything published economy, affection, order & en- joyment. The table was plain, but nothing was wanting. Hospi- tality reigned without luxury, & confidence gave a great chearful- ness to the conversation in which all readily partook, I was hap- py to learn that the Widow of my worthy friend Taylor had been well provided for in a comfortable estate he has left her. In the afternoon I visited the Old Spot which was the first Choice of our old Gov. Endicott. The old picture grows dimmer by the smoak. The old dial was broken & the pears from the old Tree were all rotten. The Descendants of the old Patriarch in Salem encourage the hope of the rising of the family, & they laugh & say they hope to mend the breed by the blood of the Putnams. I returned & took tea at Esqr. Collins' & after many civilities which we received I accompanied my young companions homewards on foot into Salem. 25. Sunday. Notes. Moses Townsend & wife, d. of d. Mary, pr. for missing & absent friends. John Albree & wife, d. of their youngest child. Benj. Bray & wife, d. of his Sister Deland, pr. for Brethren at Sea. James Browne & wife, delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Bishop Bass was this day at Marblehead upon the good 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 401 old errand of Confirmation. We have not heard what number were thus established in the holy faith. 26. Mr. Gardner furnished me at his farm with some of the good Pear called JNEonsieur John, and of the good apple called Wil- ton. At Col. Derby's Farm I obtained from Heusler as his best, as he called them, The Brown Peru pear, The Winter Bon Pretien, The Squeeze me Madam, The Swan Egg, & St. Germaine. 29. Last evening died at Beverly, Mr. Thomas Stephens, one of the Representatives of the Town in General Assembly. He has left a young family & was esteemed. His Father was Treasurer of the first Parish when I first preached in it & the whole family ap- peared in good reputation. In every family the topick is Master Turner's Ball. This son of the long celebrated teacher of the art of Dancing has married a d. of Dr. Holyoke, & so acquired a permanent authority in these arrangements. His Ball, given by his Scholars at the close of their term at Boston, was given in the Theatre & a most pompous account was given of it. He has about 30 scholars in Salem & by buying & selling tickets a large company is to be raised this evening. The youth have been long in preparation & great expectations are excited. The great attention shews that the subject is not very familiar to us, & to a discerning mind may mark a period too seri- ously observed by posterity. The Miniature Theatre had more en- couragement in the last season in this Town, than it ever before had. Yet whatever may be our fears, the Town never had less open vice in it than at the present time. But education certainly is not so well directed towards industry as formerly & many can- not enjoy the bold scenes they anticipate. 30. Last night died Abigail Mason. By her Brother she pos- sessed an handsome interest, but she was a very uncleanly crea- ture. November 1 [1801]. Sunday. Notes. James Clearage & wife & children, d. of their Son. Mary Foot, d. of her g. son Clearage. 2. Mr. Weld Gardner, Merchant, set. 56, who died this morning in this town, was son of the late Samuel Gardner Esqr. deceased. We are told that in consequence of a will of George Gardner, upon the decease of his Brother Weld, the following Legacies, con- tained in his will made in 1773, are to be paid. To the Town of Salem for the benefit of the poor, £400. To Harvard College for the benefit of poor Scholars, £1333. To the Marine Society for the benefit of superannuated seamen, £2000. Mr. Weld Gard- ner died a Batchelor & has long been a paralytic. 4. This evening Capt. Townsend sailed for East Indies by way of Europe. Never has the subject of wills been a more serious cause of dispute than at this time. Capt. Thomas Mason died & left the principal part of his estate to the children of his deceased 402 DIARY OP [Nov. Brother Jonathan, particularly Jonathan. The other branches en- deavored by every effort to destroy the will. They did not succeed, & then used their influence with the sister of Thomas, Abigail, who has lately died, & been partial to the Peele branch of the family. The other party now threaten to put that will aside under the plea of an expression which may be made to imply a right to dispose of it after possession, &c. The will of Weld Gardner is now threat- ened as his will is made in favour of the family of Thomas Lee with whom he lived, to the detriment of his nearest kindred. 5. Not the bare recollection of the antient festivity, & amuse- ments of this day. I could not notice even a thought that it was the old day of Pope & Devil. Instead of Joy it was a fast in the Tabernacle Church on account of the religious jealousies which prevailed among their superstitious. When will mankind be con- sistent & sober in their thoughts & actions. A party among them threatens to build a new meeting house, if the minister be dis- missed by the majority, if they be able. Mr. Spaulding has all the confidence of zeal, the obstinacy of ignorance & the repulsive force of ill manners. 7. A Ship, coppered, launched at Becket's Ship yard for Derby family.* 8. Sunday. Note. Patience Nichols, sick, pr. for husband at sea. On Thursday the Tabernacle Congregation had a fast. Nothing of consequence has transpired. Honest Deacon Gould says, when I work I use the sharpest tools I can find. Mr. Spaulding differs from his neighbors, as he prefers the dullest. Well said. Deacon. It is the prevailing opinion that a seperation is unavoidable. Last week for the first time I ventured to christen at Mr. Lam- bert's, the children of Mr. John Rhust, who belongs to the society of Mr. Hopkins. As no personal enmity does subsist & every care was taken to guard against any unfriendly construction & as he had come into the house of a parishioner, I hesitated, but did not finally refuse. Mr. Murray, the Universalist, has taken another ex- cursion for his health into the Southern states. This singular man is the first example in New England of a man who had connected himself with a religious society, who has taken the liberty of evan- gelizing in our great Cities, & of leaving them for months to pro- vide for themselves. It is doubtful whether the toleration of such practices originates in indulgence or indifference. It is to be no- ticed, because by such examples most frequently innovations are made in the received practices of all countries. 9. The Town met this day upon the subject of the Common. 2000 d. are subscribed. 10. This day the Supreme Court opened in this town. Judges Dana, Sewall & Thacher were on the Bench on the first day. I did not hear the Charge. This was the first time at which a Solicitor • Ship Java. 1801J WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 403 General attended in the usual duty of an Attorney General with the grand jury. Davis acted. 12. This day the ground was first broken on the Common for levelling, & the filling of the northwest pond was begun. There is a great disposition to remove all public buildings & a vote fa- vourable to the design has been obtained in a thin meeting. I see no necessity but rather admit the beauty of public buildings on open Squares. That the Common was appropriated at first for a training field is as good an objection to pleasure walks as to public buildings, as the pleasure walks are not fitted for parades. 15. Sunday. Notes. Ebed Stoddard & wife, d. of their Child, pr. for a Son & friend at Sea. Charles Johnson, d. of his wife, pr. for her brother at Sea. Hannah "Whitefoot & Sister, d. of their Sister Johnson, pr. for Brother at Sea. 16. This day the Agreable News of the signing of the prelimin- ary articles of PEACE between Britain & France reached us from Boston. The evidence of the fact was ofiicial & yet no news of such importance could be received by all parties with greater silence, or more mixed emotion. All rejoiced at the sound of peace, & all recollected the great com- mercial advantages of our Country in the late war. Passion & Judgment struggled without victory. We can say little of the terms as they are offered only upon conjecture. The french have undoubtedly obtained more than the English & their friends expect- ed. The peace leaves France a powerful republic. 22. Sunday. Note. Elizabeth Fairfield and Children, d. of her Sister Patience Nichols & d. of her son absent, pr. for two sons at Sea. On 18, ordained at N. Hampton, N. H., Jonathan French, Jun', son of Jonathan French, Minister in South Andover. The father is esteemed as a good man & had been Seargeant at Castle William under my friend Col. Burbeck, who spoke highly of his disposition. He has as much of the influence of a Clergyman, such as was known in former days, as any man in New England. 23. By a written Invitation from my Brother Fowle, who was to be installed Master of Mount Lebanon Lodge, newly constituted & to be in ample form invested, I went for Boston. I found that the Baptist Ministers were to be invited & that this particular circum- stance did attend this Lodge, that its members were principally from the members of the Baptist churches, & that many of them had a full persuasion that they could bring masonry to themselves & not be brought to masonry, by the social habits it so readily intro- duces. The ministers attended & at table solemnly testified in say- ing grace, to the devout manner of all the ceremonies. The Hall, which was upon the third & fourth stories of a Brick building on the W. side of Market Square, was superbly decorated. In the east was a rich painting. In the south a beautiful representation of the 404 DIARY OF [Nov. Urn of Washington, & in the west a Crescent in bronze well ex- ecuted. The elevation of the Officers was happy & the disposition throughout convenient. An elegant glass chandelier illuminated well the arch of the building. The Master sat in an arch upon col- umns decorated, & in the keystone an eye motto, He seeth in secret. Tho' no stress can be laid upon the order of ceremonies, yet this may serve to compare with future ceremonies. The lodge to be consti- tuted was placed on the right hand of the Master & the Officers in front properly cloathed. In the East were the Members of the grand Lodge, excepting the wardens who were in the West. The Breth- ren were on the sides, & the music was disposed of in the area be- fore the wardens upon the western part of the house. There was no ceremony upon the entrance of the Grand Lodge, but of rising. Soon after the Music began. There was an Anthem, & a prayer. The g. Master then made the necessary enquiries & received the answers. The Jewels were brought to him. The Master was in- vested & took the usual oaths of the Constitution, by a reply, I will. Then the wardens invested the wardens, the Treasurer & Secretary, the corresponding officers, & then the Master of the Lodge invested & charged all his officers which had not been invested by the grand officers. There then was a prayer, kneeling & a hymn, standing. The past G. Master made an address, & the whole was closed with music & a benediction. We were then conducted in procession to a Hall in Wing's Lane & were entertained with a rich & elegant sup- per and at ten retired. Many little ceremonies were omitted, but the whole had a fine effect. 26. We had a very pleasant day for Thanksgiving. The air was mild & the Congregation full and attentive. Our music gallery was full & the Music, tho' not extraordinary, was good. I said all could in favour of an enterprising spirit, as it has been the abun dant source of our riches & prosperity. 29. Sunday. Note. Richard Nichols & Children, d. of his wife. Died, Revd. Phineas Adams, last week, Pastor of 3d Paris in Haverhill, set. 60, in 31 year of his ministry. He married a Sis- ter of the wife of B. Wads worth, minister of North parish in Dan- vers. At Franklin, Conn., Mr. Jasper Bentley, aet. 38. Mr. Bent ley was descended from that branch of our family which settled at Rhode Island. The other two branches settled at Boston & in Virginia, His parents died while he was young & he was educated by an Un- cle at the College in Providence. He was never in good health or spirits, but of a good disposition, & was invited to take the Town School in South Danvers. From that School he removed to the School kept at the New Mills, or head of the tide waters on the River between Danvers & Beverly. He had not great success as a Schoolmaster, but was much esteemed as a man. He went into the Pulpit, but, as his voice was feeble, & his manner not popular, he was soon discouraged. He preached for me Oct. 30, 1796. He was af- 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 405 terwards sick at the Kevd. Mr. Huntington's of Topsfield, at whose house, tho' a stranger, he was received with great humanity. The Essex Lodge gave 30 Dollars as the balance of his accounts with this hospitable minister & Mr. Bentley returned to Connecticut, his na- tive state. He made repeated efforts at School keeping, but his health was lost & he died at Franklin. December 1, 1801. A most vilifying paper appeared in the New- bury Port Herald attacking Mr. Tytler because he had intentions of writing a Universal Geography. The invective discovered a total ignorance of the man , whatever it might conclude about his employers. Some tool of Morse is supposed to be engaged in this ungenerous employment. 3. The vile slanders propogated last year to injure a school mis- tress* in this Town, have been echoed from other parts of the Con- tinent, and the writer under the name of the Hindu, has dared to report that a Teacher in Salem instructed her female pupils in the art of skaiting. A proper notice of this absolute falsehood is taken in the Imp. Eegister of this day. 6. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Elizabeth Eeath, d. of her Son at Sea. Samuel Carleton & wife, d. of her Br. Reath at Sea. George John- son & wife, d. of her Br. Reath at Sea. Lydia Masury, d. of her Sister Cooper, pr. for husband long absent. Elizabeth Sullivan, d. of her sister Cooper. 10. The day rainy but so mild that our Eire Club dined at the Sun without any fire, & we were all very comfortable without it. This morning a Marblehead Schooner running in struck upon a rock, & the whole crew deserted her. At daybreak they were found upon the Haste, & the Schooner safe ashore in Doliber's Cove upon Scot's beach. She was from the Mediterranean, laden with wine & fruit. 13. Sunday. Notes. James Whittemore & wife & Brother & Sister, d. of their Brother, pr. for Br. at Sea. Sarah Knapp & her children, d. of her Husband. Wid. Mary Knapp & her children, d. of her eldest son John, pr. for sons at Sea. Andrew Ward & wife, her delivery, pr. for absent friends. Was present this day with ;Mrs. French & Mrs. Ashby when they expired, both of them victims of their imprudence. 14. There has been a late attempt to gain the ordination of a Mr. Hull at Amesbury, brother of Mr. Hull of Seabrook, N. H., next town to Salisbury. The connection Mr. Hull has had with the Methodists & his claims of the validity of his ordination from them, would not permit the Council of young ministers to proceed to his installation & they advised to a larger & older Council. 17. Died, aged 72, Capt. John Baton, commonly called Batten, & often French John to distinguish him from another John Batten. This honest & well informed man came young to America from Rochelle. He had all the ease of a Frenchman united to a sedate •Mrs. Rogers. 406 DIARY OF [Dec. manner that left a good impression upon all who knew him. Well educated & well informed he still so far forgot his interest as to connect himself with a widow who had no recommendation beyond an uninstructed simplicity. He lived with her above half a Centu- ry. Has long been out of business, & tho' possessed of a comforta- ble house, still poor. I have seen no man so evidently deserving, so concealed from the world, & so indigent. Yet always neat, chearful, tho' not in good health, he lived without reproach. He formerly worshipped in the Church of England, & his family with us, but he had left public worship since the War. I thought him a Catholic & as such introduced Dr. Matignon to him. But tho' con- fined to his bed , with the true spirit of a Huguenot, he rose on his arm, pointed out the place of his nativity, celebrated in the contro- versy, & expressed that he held his native place & its zeal in the highest honour. We then passed to agreable & to general conver- sation. 18. This morning was announced to me the death of Mrs. Briggs whose family I often visited. This was without any warn- ing to me, & of a Lung Fever after a confinement of only five days. The last time I saw her she was in perfect health. She has left behind her orphans, nine fine & healthy children. An account of the worthy Capt. John Baton from his own MS. " April 18, 1746, I sailed from Rochellein France in a Snow bound to Havanna & on the 20th of May was taken by a British Priva- teer called the Sandwich, from Bristol & was carried intoSu rrinam & from thence I obtained a passage to Salem, N. E. with Capt. Jo- siah Orne in the Brig Essex. I lived at Salem three years with Captain William Masury. I was born in the Isle of Oleron, 1 March, 1729. I married Elizabeth Slade, widow of Jonathan Lander, Aug. 2, 1750. She was born Nov. 16, 1726. Elizabeth Batten was born 23 Dec, 1750, married a Kingot. Mary Baton was born 4 July, 1754. Mary twice married, Eulen & Goss, 1774, 1799. Margaret Baton was born 4 Oct., 1756, married a Dorrell & Strout. Hannah Baton was born 28 May, 1758, married a Parsons. Abigail Baton was born 6 Nov., 1761, died 11 March, 1791. Susanna Baton was born 17 July, 1763, was drowned before the door 13 Sept., 1767. John Baton was born 27 Nov., 1765, died in Jamaica in 1798. William Baton was born 10 Feb., 1770, died abroad in 1783." In consequence we learn that his wife & four daughters survive him.* *Capt. Batton's original memorandum yet preserved by the American Antiquarian So- ciety in the Bentley Alisc. MSS., contains the following additional information: " Sum of our grandchiklrens ages. John Gray was born ye 2th of May, 1771. Peter Kinggot ■was bom ye 4th February, 1777 & died abroad. John Conley [or Couley] was born ye 17th March, 1782, died abroad. Hannah, our Sister Murray died ye 27tb Decemr, 1796." 1801] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 407 20. Sunday. Notes. Widow Mary Batten, d. of her Sister Sarah Cooke, a^t. 77. Thomas Ashby, d. of his wife, for him & his ch., pr. for his sister very sick. John Watson & wife, d. of her Sister Ashby. Joshua French & children, d. of his wife. Nathaniel Ar- cher & wife, her delivery. 27. Sunday. Notes. The Children of Capt. J. Briggs, on d. of their Mother, Brethren at Sea. Elizabeth Thomas, d. of her sister Briggs. January 1, 1802. A mild & very pleasent day. A walk round the Juniper point was very delightful. The water smooth, the wind westerly & business brisk. A most interesting year to our Country. The Family at Mr. Ward's. 2. The Salem Register has dropped the title Impartial, to leave the public to judge of its character. 3. Sunday. Note. Mary Ann Richardson,* pr. for her near to death. A most serious Dispute has been opened in the Gazette in regard to the Clergy. The Clergy had so plainly spoken & written upon the subject of the present administration, that a writer said to be the Attorney General of the U. S. under the signature of a *' Farmer," in his 10 number has openly attacked them. The blow is serious, & the more the Clergy & their friends attempt to defend themselves, the more severe are the strokes upon them. This sub- ject never was so freely handled in New England & never did the Clergy suffer a more serious diminution of their influence & of their power. Mr. Dorr gave me some anecdotes relative to the Clergy in the neighbourhood of Salisbury. Amesbury are without regular Clergy. Salisbury are divided. Mr. Tombe of Newbury is in trouble from charges against his moral conduct. Mr. Milton has had painful charges against the honesty of his wife. Mr. Thurston who left Northampton, was in disgrace. At Stratham, a Deacon claimed the right to officiate & Mr. Miltimore patiently suffered it. M. was a disciple of Murray of N. Port. 4. This day we had news that Hon. G. R. Minot Esq. died last Saturday evening at Boston. This worthy man was in the next class to me at College & lived the last year with Mr. Freeman with whom I lived the first. He possessed an amiable disposition. Was tall & of a slender habit, was affable, but more endeared by his good sense, than his address. He was the son of a merchant in Boston. He studied Law & was judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk. His History of the Insurrection in Mass. first brought him to the public notice. This work was soon followed with his continuation of Hutchinson. These works were correct, judicious, tho' not marked with the classical taste of Belnap, whom we expected Minot would succeed in some more perfect work than he has already pub- lished. All his publications do honour to his memory. His cool- •Widow of David, of Woburn. 408 DIARY OF [Jan. ness, impartiality, & his exemplary life will be remembered. He was a most useful man to Mr. Freeman by the authority of his name & character in the reformation of the Liturgy in the Chapel Church in Boston. These are the first recollections of a friend, before any panegyric, or report had reached us. It is to be hoped that justice will be done to so valuable a man. While President Willard was sick, in the best Companies, Minot was thought of to supply that ofi&ce in the University. His best friends could find no deficiency but in classical knowledge. 9. We all observe the uncommon mildness of the season. Busi- ness abroad has not yet been interrupted. The Crowninshield/fam- ily have begun the use of the new Wharf below English Street, & three vessels are now actually at it. 10. Sunday. Notes. James Becket & children, d. of his wife, & for her Mother dang. sick. Wid. Mary Becket, d. of her Daugh- ter in Law Becket. Retire Becket & wife, d. of their Sister. Sally Sloacum, d. of her sister Becket, pr. for her husband & friends at Sea. Samuel Leach & wife, d. of Sister Becket, pr. for friends at Sea. Enoch Swett & wife, d. of his Brother at Topsham, Maine. Sarah Sweetser, with her husband, d. of her Mother Richardson. Elizabeth Murray, d. of her g. child, pr. for her daughter sick. Hannah Murray, d. of her child, pr. for another child sick. Widow Martha Rice, pr. for her daughter sick. In our Eastern Church are 63 Communicants, 44 of whom have been received under the pres- ent pastor. Spaulding's defence of his opinions against his Church in this Town is in the press. The defection is general. 11. A Singular circumstance occured in our Market. Several hundred of Turkies were driven into the vicinity for the Market. This Bird is not one of the most yielding, but the method very favourable to the Farmer has had its full success. No snow upon the ground as y^t, but the weather begins to grow cold. Yesterday was an uncommonly warm day. At sunrise the glass was at 50 & at 10 before the morning service, at 55. 12. A late ebullition of party spirit appeared last week at the annual feast of the East India Marine Society. A Committee for the Toasts were chosen, & the Toasts selected. The Master know- ing that the Ex-Secretary Pickering & the Ex-Senator Goodhue were at Table, consented that the Secretary N. Bowditch should read them at his pleasure. He omitted a part of some & the whole of others. The Offended have required a publication of the Toasts for the public judgment & threaten a meeting on the subject. The Society will undoubtedly be injuried. 17. Sunday. Notes. Daniel Proctor & wife, d. of his eldest Sister, Wood of Danvers, pr. for Brother & Sisters absent. Hanna Franks, for her sick, & for her Brother absent. 19. Female associations for the benefit of the female children are adopted through the United States. There has been one lately 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 409 established at Savanna. There has been one at Baltimore & one in this Town, besides there are in several other places, lioston, Phil- adelphia, N. Y. The widow of Gen. Fiske is Directress of that at Salem & they have upon the printed List above 140 members. I am happy to find the concurrence of many of my own parish. In the List I find of my own Females, 6 out of the 8 & one third of the members. 22, Public manners may be very nicely ascertained by public entertainment. Raynier, the Ventriloquist, made his appearance in this Town. On his first night Tickets at a dollar was forbidding, & there was a select & small company. Tickets fell to 1-2 on the next night & there was a great concourse. The next night not so many & greatly satiated. Last night great additions were prom- ised to the amusements, but the whole has fallen from high ap- plause to a general indifference which does not promise common success. 24. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Alice Cotton, sudden d. of her eldest son, pr. for son & friends absent. John Long, set. 21, drowned at Cape Francois, Hispano, born at Cape Ann, sailed fr. Boston. Mary Brown, delivery, pr. for husband & son at sea. The Baptists by attaching themselves to the present administra- tion have gained great success in the United States & greater in New England than any sect since the settlement, even beyond com- parison. This seems to be a warning to the Churches of the other denominations. The late address of the Danbury Association of Baptist Churches to President Jefferson with'^liis answer of the present month are before the public. The president is in full con- sent with them upon the use of civil power in the Church. The Baptists are in their constituencies more republican than the Methodists tho' hardly much more join their profession. Monarchy is the soul of John Wesley's Scheme. A Bishop, a dependant Clergy directed by a head, charged at the will of superiours, is not so simple as a Clergy moved only by the will of the employers, & having no controul. Last week there was a meeting at Marblehead Second Congregratiou to consider of the request of Revd. Isaac Story for a Colleague Pastor. This weak man has a large interest, acquired & inherited. He always Avas insignificant, tho' by his zeal for a long time, popular. He has always been a fool in his conversation, is obscene & intemperate. He has printed a Sermon, printed the same year at New York, as his own. His people have requested him to accept a dismission & they are to give him four hundred dollars after paying all regular demands. It will be a happy riddance to all friends of the Associated Ministers. Spauld- ing's defence is before the public & it has all the properties of its father. It betrays ignorance, presumption, & blind zeal. He has proposed a mutual Council to consider of the affairs of the Church to be called to decide between the majority of the Church & the 410 DIARY OF [Jan. Pastor & Minority. To this they object. He has then proposed to call the Council on affairs between the Church & Pastor & leav- ing to the Council to judge whether they can be a mutual council when the minority is not considered. This has been rejected as leaving his consent discretional, as the former might excite divi- sion in the Church. It was then proposed to leave it to Revd. Niles of Abington, a man who has sophistry enough for any cause. They intend to consult him & then leave it to him if they please. 25. Received Mr. Tytler for the first time at my house on the subject of his geography. He appears to be engaged with ISTancrede & Macanulty who have an object of pecuniary advantages from the labours of this Compiler, & they intend, if they can by any arti- fices, for I conceive of no honour in their intentions, to engage me in the assistance of Mr. Tytler. Nancrede, who is a frenchman, is gone to Europe to facilitate this business so far as the maps are concerned, & to provide such new works as appear, while Maca- nulty, an ignorant, but not very modest Irishman is to impell Tyt- ler & such help as he find at a cheap rate to our labours. I would not hear of the business had not honour obliged me in frequently vindicating Tytler against Morse, to assist the expectations I had raised & to justify them amply to the world. No present conjectures can be made of success, & little honour gained from our employers. My parties not yet develloped, b it I had infinitely rather take the whole according to the present prospect, than mend for others. We begin to feel for the first time that it is winter. A thin ice has formed around the upper wharves, & the glass all day for the first time has been below freezing point. All say they never knew a more moderate season hitherto. I am still burning my first cord of 'wood in the last week in January. 29. A reward is offered for the detection of such persons as open Post Letters. 31. Sunday. Notes. Mary Sleuman,* with her children, d. of her husband abroad. Mary Macdonald, with her children, d. of her mother Cox. Mary Jeans, with her children, for a son long missing, believed to be lost at sea, pr. for husband long absent. Daniel Proctor & wife, her delivery. Andrew Sleuman was mar- ried with most pleasing prospects, but by the most obstinate habits of intemperance he was obliged to renounce his family to whom he was an incumbrance, disgrace & torment, & went into the southern states. There he became a tax upon his friends, & descended from one employment to another till he was abandoned & died in the Island of Guadeloupe, & was buried by Capt. H. White. When he entered married life he was a handsome man of fine person, pierc- ing eye, & through life inclined to no vice, but intemperance. He was benevolent, above anything mean, but a slave to intemperance into which he never was drawn by any society, gambling or misfor- •Daughter of Capt. Henry and Mary Elkins. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 411 tune. It was the native propensity which conquered a most vin- dictive spirit which scourged him to his guilt & made the most awful remonstrances against his crime as he not only confessed, but discovered in the most distracting horrours, & the most solemn promises of reformation. Story of Marblehead preached his Fare- well Sermon to his society last Sunday. It is said he hopes to re- tain some relation to his Church, to be exempt from taxes to the government, but they have hopes of buying him out or of making him pay a Tax of silence, which must be heavy upon his imperti- nence. A candidate is employed this day. VVe hear of but few candidates for the Ministry. The increase of sects will at present have an unfavourable influence upon the learning of the Clergy. It may in the end increase it. Mrs. Cox was a Village. Village, was, as he is called, an old country man who married a Lufkin. The old folks say she danced with a Candle in a Candlestick upon her head. They were low & miserable. Mrs. Jeans was a Welcome & married a Williams & a Cody, before Jeans. The Son she has lost was a John Williams, aet. 20, who was bound to Capt. Lovett of Beverly. The Vessel in which he sailed has been missing twelve months. February 2 [1802]. A Ship launched at Becket's Ship yard this day for Hodges & Nichols. A communication from the Grand Lodge who have receded from their former propositions, against which we have remonstrated, & now send as a direct act of their authority their unanimous resolve, which is as great an encroach- ment as their former recommendation, & tends only to the increase of power in that Lodge. It proposes District Deputies, who are to be spies of the Lodge, & by the Discharge of all Grand Lodge dues. Secretaries in fact to the Lodges. They are to visit annually. This gives them a right of entrance with power into the Lodges & a con- troul over the Lodges. They are to be furnished with Diplomas which they are to dispence to the Lodge so as to command all the honours of the Lodges. They are to supercede the Masters, because as they, not his Lodge, represent his conduct, he is or is not to re- ceive a master's diploma. This Deputy is to be paid from the grand Treasury so that he will hold his obligation to them & as he is to be paid by order of the Master, he will hold directly from him. No provision is made for the purchase of a Master's certificate, provided the G. Lodge do not please to give him one. And to add to this Farce of all Farces, the Secretary ventures in his own name to give us his advice, but as the Letter is printed, he must have been told his Duty, & begs pardon for venturing to suggest that it would answer the intentions of the Grand Lodge, if these articles were engrafted upon our Bye Laws, & read with them, when they distroy the Bye Laws & Charter besides. And in this transaction a Committee is concerned whose names have influence, & of them all perhaps not one has fairly calculated the consequences of such 412 DiABY OP [Feb. proceedings. The majority will probably accept, & the private Lodges loose their Liberties. 7. Sunday. Notes. Mary Moore, d. of her husband abroad. She a Ryan, he from New Hampshire. Joshua Phippen, ret. of youngest son & pr. for two Sons absent. The desk of the New Church formerly supplied by Isaac Story has been supplied by the Congregation so that his ministerial labours have ceased in Mar- blehead. The last scene has been the subject of much conversa- tion at the expense of that foolish man. Some little trial to make a stir with Randall at Manchester, 'tis hoped without success. This obscure town has been much disturbed with religious vapours. It is said that the number of Candidates for regular Churches is small. The Sermon at Mr. S. Dana's Ordination in Marblehead has been printed & the two Sermons delivered on the ensuing Sunday. Whatever they may promise of the pastor, they give no great earn- est of his talents. 8. Much motion was excited by the mention of a debt of honour as due from Mr. P.* our representative, who has uttered some severe invectives against Mr. Jefferson. To aggravate the point & sharpen it, a report accompanies it that the Father, a refugee, re- fused a guinea to one of the now first Merchants in Salem, when a prisoner in London & told him he would give a guinea to have him hanged. The said Rep. has called repeatedly upon the Printer and trembling [with] anger has threatened him with a prosecution. 11. Extracts from remarks in Capt. John White of Salem's Almanacs from 1774 to 1790. This man of good natural powers was early in life a fanatic under a Mr. Leavitt. He prayed con- stantly in his Ship, but at length intemperence relaxed his good habits, & he lost everything dear to a good man, & was shamefully depraved in his last days. After this time my acquaintance with him begun, & he now discovered signs of what progressed with great rapidity & brought great disgrace upon him. The melan- choly effects upon his children since his decease are sufficient to make us deprecate his example, while we admire his natural abilities. 1774. Aug. 24. The British Soldiers came in to Salem from Winter Island to prevent the Town Meeting. Oct. 6. The fire broke out in Frye's and consumed Col. Frye's House, Dr. Whitaker's Meeting House, Coats & Nattey'sf do., Briton's do.. Ropes do., D. Chever's do., Jn°. Appleton's old house, Sam. Field's do., Walter Bartlet's do., beside out houses. 1775. Jan. & Feb. very moderate. Harbour not frozen this year. The most moderate I have ever seen here. Jime 12. At Machias they took an English Tender Schooner, which came to protect Ichabod Jones. People were there from Chand- • Pickman. t Northey's? 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 413 ler's river S miles, from Pleasant river 25 miles, & from Goulds- borough 50 miles, all by land. Some killed on both sides. Jones was apprehended in the woods on 22 June. Oct. 10. Fired upon a Ship of war,«& D. Newell lost his hand. 1778. Sep. 15. Franklin privateer arrived from her Cruise. Nov, 3. French fleet sailed fr. Boston. 1780. Jan. 6. The greatest quantity of snow I have seen for many years. 13. Blocked up with snow. The sharpest & continued season Sc more snow than ever I knew. 28. Passing in the Ice as low as the Aquae Vitae. May 19. This day has been remarkably dark. The darkness began about 10 o'clock by a Cloud from the N. W. the appearance of a Thunder Squall, tho' no thunder to be heard at that time. However in the morning at 5 o'clock heard thunder in the west, & saw it there very dark & hazy. The wind has been easterly several days &. exceedingly hazy. It is S. E. or thereabouts this time of darkness here, tho' to appearance N. W. up the Country. The darkness increased from 10 o'clock till about 1 o'clock, at which time the degree of darkness was I judge as an ordinary star light night with half moon. The darkness went off gradually as it came on, the Cloud or haze passing to the S, E. I could see a glin m the east stretching about half the horison round from N. E. to S. W. all the fore part of the darkness. We were obliged to have a Candle to do the ordinary business of the house & for dinner, for the space of three hours or more. 1783. March 21. In the course of the week past our Parish Meeting was held, in which our old parson Diman was restricted to his salary settled on, which is 50£. This day Sunday no public worship in our Meeting house. Sept. 24. W. B.* ordained Pastor to the E. parish, Salem, P. S. or Elder Colleague, &c. with James Diman our older minister or the Lord knows what. Our Land is burdened with this order of Men. The Lord deliver us. Oct. 10. Last night old Derbyf died. Nov. 12. First snow. Ice in harbor at end of Dec. 1785. Feb. 8. Jo. Douse buried on 6th instant. July 6. The greatest crop of Hay Supposed known. Dec. 21. A spell of Southerly VV. no snow or ice to be seen, provisions cheap. Pork, /4 ; Indian meal, /4 ; Turkey, /4 ; Geese,/3 ; Beef, 23/ per hundred. 1786. Jan. 28. Dr. Joseph Orne died. April 1. As much snow as at any time in winter. On trade he remarks, on the depravity of men in trade, &c. I thank God I am clear from this sin in all my commerce. •William Bentley. tCapc. Riuhard Derby. 414 DIARY OF [Feb. 16. Francis Cabot Esq' buried. 21. A Fire in Gray's Shop consumed it & an adjoining building. May 23. Joseph Blaney Esqr, died. Dec. 10. The tide higher this day than it has been since Oct. 20, 1770 & within 4 inches of that. Many vessels ashore, & many men have perished. Wind N. E. 21. Indian hanged. 22. Col. John Turner Esqr. buried. 25. Capt. David Britton buried. 1787. Oct. 4. Ice for the first time. Last attendance of Kevd. Diman. 1788. August 15. Dr. Ebenezer Putnam dead. Oct. 9. Last night Eevd. James Diman died, set. 81. Nov. 27. Used a Stove first time. 1790. April 12. Derby's ship, Grand Turk raised. May 20. Master John Nutting died, set. 96. 22. Hon. Robert Hooper Esqr. of Marblehead, died. June 28. Daniel King dead. Mathem. Instrument Maker. July 5. Abraham Watson died, aet. 78. Brother in Law. Aug. 17. Joseph Lambert died. A brother in Law. Nov. 21. Baloon raised in Town. 12. The Salem Gazette has vomitted much of his filth upon me in the paper of this day. I am content to bear it without fear. Died on 10 Instant at Andover, Honor. Samuel Phillips, set. 50, Lieut. Governour of this state. He graduated at Cambridge in 1771. For 25 years successively he was in the House & Senate & for twenty years he was President of the Senate. He assisted the establishment of the Academy in Andover which bears the family name. Amidst the changes in the highest offices he was over looked till last year, & then he was chosen by the consent of the friends of the Candidates to prevent the promotions intended by the republican interest. He was a man exceedingly attached to in- terest so as not to leave a pure reputation near him. He was of a slender form, not engaging. Reserve & prudence & a great estate gave him the honour of being governour from Essex County. His political influeuce with the majority in Andover has long been lost, & an Academy in competition has been erected in the North part of the Town. 13. To assist the knowledge of the Town. Carpenters and Join- ers were : Macmellon, who was old in 1718 ? Neal, who built the present meeting house. Easties was a proper House joiner. Beadle was a House joiner, & Carver. Some of his work long re- mained on a house near the Church. Trades much confounded to- gether. Beckets, Ship Carpenters. Had a rope walk near old paved Street. Holeman & Luscomb, painters, & Gray, all living since 1700. Macmellon's great ax in hewing, & Neal's small one, pro- verbial. Manning, a Blacksmith, died set. 93, 46 years ago, born 1653 ? Hodges, from Wales. Newfield point, now Horton's. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 415 14. Sunday. Note. Elizabeth Martin, d. of her youngest child, pr. for brother absent. 15. This day Gov. Phillips was interred in the family burying ground at Andover. Mr. French prayed & Dr. Tappan preached. The Pall was supported by the Governour, three of the Council, the President of the Senate & Speaker of the House of Representatives. In Boston a Sermon was delivered by the Chaplain of the House, Thomas Baldwin, & a prayer by Dr. Thacher, Chaplain of the Sen- ate. The Bells tolled, & minute guns were fired from 2 to 4 o'clock. 16. An Inhabitant of Salem, & descendant of the Skerry fami- ly, assured me it was a tradition in the family that herg. g. mother, the first of the family that came to Salem from Yarmouth, always swept her hearth & set a pail of clear water upon the hearth before she went to bed for the Fairies. This may easily be believed as the doctrine of fairies is still believed in the North of Scotland, tho' not so common in the Island of Britain at large as formerly. This day was interred in this Town Mrs. Olive Pluramer, set. 47. She was the widow of Dr. Joshua Plummer & daughter of the Rev. Mr. Ly- man of York, Maine. She was frequently at Gen. Fiske's in his day. Since that time my acquaintance with her has lessened. She was chearful, talkative, agreable, & in all senses good company. 19. Died in Salem, the wife of Revd. Joshua Spalding. She was unknown to me, but while living supported a good reputation. This event happening just before the meeting of an Ecclesiastical Coun- cil upon the affairs of his Church must be very distressing. Com- mon opinion is that Mr. Spaulding is certainly deranged. There appears something upon which the public might pronounce such a judgment. 20. Two vessels building near North Field Bridge, N. of the Bridge & one at Briggs' in South Field's opposite the Wharves. This trade of Ship Building & of Boat Building has been a profit- able Trade in Salem. The increase of Trading Shops is truely great. No Town of its population had so few 20 years ago & now the number is in the mouths of all the Inhabitants, & yet none have lost credit or failed. Mr. S. C. Ward has been declared a Bank- rupt, but his want of common atttention to business has wasted the best estate, & destroyed the best prospects. In no Town are fewer bad debts contracted. Building continues & many new houses are erected. The removal of Houses once a rare spectacle, is now com- mon, & we are not surprised to find a house in the street taking a new departure. 21. A Council has been summoned at the Tabernacle Church in this Town upon the subject of the dispute between the Pastor & Church upon the Discipline of the Church, the Pastor favouring the the Presbyterian & the Church the independant form, & both plead- ing the practice of the New England Churches or rather one the Platform & the other the practice. 416 DIARY OF [Feb. 22. About 4 in the morniDg began a Snow Storm which was in- cessant through the day & till midnight, & the wind continuing very- high & blustering. For the first time in my life I found every in- vention fail me in keeping fire upon my hearth. The blasts would force the coals & ashes into the room, & even beat down the cover- ing which was placed over the fire place to prevent entirely any communication between the Chimney & room, to avoid the smoak which was intolerable. Confined to the house I have as yet known none of its effects abroad. One favourable circumstance was that the cold was not severe, the glass standing anywhere in the house at freezing point. Hail mixed with the snow, but the snow blew so as to be suffocating & rendering it impossible to see the nearest houses, increased every danger abroad. In the evening the dark- ness was excessive. 23. We found ourselves completely banked up. All roads were obstructed. Stages stopped, & one man with the mail forced hi way from Boston with great hazard. The Town officers with a Drag & twenty Oxen are out breaking the roads through the Town. We hear of no damage tho' we have not been free from great apprehen- sion. 24. Mrs. Spaulding was buried & no one of the Council had reached the Town so the pall was supported by Revd. Hopkins, Fisher, Bernard, Prince & Bentley, & by Deacon Saft'ord, in whose tomb she was interred. The travelling remains very bad. We went on the side of the street to the main street, & then up the middle of the same street to the Burying Hill in shovelled paths. 25. Several of the Council in Town but it is doubtful whether the whole Ecc. Council can convene from the nature of the travel- ling. As the time approaches, &the public mind gets agitated, es- pecially by the domestic affliction of Mr. Spaulding, the conse- quences become more serious to the peace of the Tabernacle church, whose members are of that class of Citizens we deem most movable by all the round of passion. I am indebted to Capt. B. Hodges & Capt. R. Stone for an ample vindication of me in the affair of the debt of honour against Col. Derby & Major Pickman. Derby has become the Bully of the Town, always fighting & always beat. He has lately fought with his Brother in law West, on the Wharf. He quarrelled bitterly on the subject of the toasts of the E. I. Ma- rine Society & then was forced to confess he did not understand the subject. He has now been publickly silenced for his impertinence in the affairs of the Gazette & the Register. He cannot wi'ite a line in any language, so that nothing is expected from him but the blows. 26. The rain continued incessantly throughout the whole day. Such was the quantity of snow & such the drifts that to pass was very difficult. The rain had rendered the passage of foot travellers very tiresome even in the streets, so that a person abroad was hard- ly to be seen in the most frequented parts of the town. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. I). 411 27. This morning the wind was variable, but fixed at last at N. E. with rain, but moderately. At noon it began to snow & blow. No regular stages. Yesterday the Cape Ann stage by the help of the people of Beverly got into this Town, but passengers do not chuse to venture beyond. 28. Sunday. Notes. Mary James, sudden death of daughter, pr. for husband long absent. William Sage & wife, for him sick, pr. for sons at Sea. The whole day it continued snowing, the wind still at N. E. Some of the Council to be convened for the affairs of the Tabernacle Church have come on, but the travelling will pre- vent the meeting of all the members. March 1, 1802. This day the melancholy news reached us that the three Ships* which sailed from Salem on Sunday, 21 instant, are shipwrecked upon Cape Cod. The accounts are distressing, but particular events remain unknown. Died last Friday, Thomas Bul- finch, ^L D., aet. 73. Doctor B. was Brother to the wife of the late Revd. Dr. S. Cooper & descended of a good Family. He had a good share of reputation. He married into the Apthorp family, & main- tained a great degree of respect as a Gentleman till the Georgia speculations of his Son involved him in complete Bankrupcy. His son Charles is the most eminent architect of our Country, to whom we were indebted for the very elegant Theati'e which was the first in Boston & was burnt, for the Tontine Building in Franklin place & for the new Court House. Since the distress of his affairs he has held several town offices, which afford him a comfortable sub- sistence. The Father in his old age could not support the oppres- sions which befell his age, & indulged so freely that he lost that influence which the best conduct in poverty can seldom support, & without which poverty has no consolation. 2. Numerous accounts of Ship wrecks are reported to us. Some are contradicted but additions are made with aggravated Calamities. Capt. Thistle with whom Mr. W. Mason , who has lately been with us with his wife, was cast away on Cape Hatteras. Capt. Brown bilged his vessel going to Washington, N. Carolina. The evils have been round the Globe. We are still waiting with anxiety to hear from our friends at Cape Cod. Capt. George & John Crowninshield are gone by land. Capt. Chever & several others in three vessels have gone by water. 4. News from our Ships on Cape Cod. The Brutus is totally lost, & the Captain & 11 hands have perished. The Ulysses has bilged, but Crew safe. The other Ship, entirely new is found & will probably be saved. The Brutus the best Sailor, passed a mile be- yond the Ulysses before she struck. Such as perished, perished on shore. The Third Ship struck three miles short of the Ulysses, but being entirely new, may be saved. The mate, Mr. Rhue, of the •The Ulysses, Bnitus, and Volusia. 418 DIARY OP [March Brutus was saved , & four of the hands, but their names we have not been able to obtain. 6. Mr. Blair has arrived from Cape Cod & has afforded us the great alleviation of our distress that no person belonging to our so- ciety has perished. Young Eue, Rowell, & Phippen took the pre- caution of keeping under the bank, & so escaping from the fury of the wind, Snow & Sands, & were saved. 7. Sunday. Tho' our loss of property has been great yet gener- al joy was expressed that we had no loss of lives from our own so- ciety, tho' distress had reached our neighbours. As Capt. Brown was about to marry in the Society & intended to belong to it, we cannot refuse to feel a large share of the grief his death has occa- sioned.* By the retreat of the British Troops from Boston, the King's Chapel, now called the Stone Chapel, becomes vacant, & both its ministers have since died in England. To supply this Church, which as a building & a congregation would bear comparison with any in America, was an object of too great importance to be forgot- ten, especially in the time of a revolution. The English Church were very nearly attached to the cause of the parent Country, & were regarded with that peculiar jealousy which the desertion of the greater part of its ministers had inspired, so that its members dared not to employ its open interference in the first steps to sup- ply this Church. Dr. Cooper who had seen the influence of this Church under royal patronage, discovered an opportunity to sever it from the Communion, which would have urged the same temper, if not with the same success. He prevailed on his brother, who took the direction of its affairs, to provide a dissenter, or a more moder- ate clergyman, who would be interested in retaining the good will of the Congregational churches. As I was then in the Grammar School frequent proposals were made by Dr. Bulfinch & Dr. Cooper at the house of Dr. Cooper. The objections which were urged, were drawn from the exceptionable parts of the Liturgy, & the difficulty of an ordination after any innovations. The subject of alterations was frequently debated, & the nature, & extent as well as necessity of them. Finally to avoid all difficulty, a minister in holy orders, a Mr. Fisher, since settled at Salem, was mentioned & I believe, because he says it, measures were taken to obtain him. At least, he came from Nova Scotia, in full expectations. Dr. Cooper op- posed his establishment, on the ground of his talents, manners & in- formation, but principally from a wish to prevent an Episcopal Or- dination. The worthy Mr. Freeman appeared. He met every diffi- culty, reformed the liturgy, accepted an ordination from the author- ity of the members of his own Communion, despised the protest of the Clergy, while by his association with the Congregationalists, he gave himself a permanent establishment with great & growing rep- utation, *He was aboat to marry Priscilla Webb. After the death of Capt. Brown she remained unmarried and lived in a retired manner until her death in 1866, aged 80 years. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 419 Mr. Oliver formerly minister of Beverly has undertaken to pub- lish an English Work against the Anabaptists by Peter Edwards. Its recommendation is from the Evangelical Magazine of which I know not the authority. The Congregationalists begin to be alarmed at the great progress of the Anabaptists, but the progress is not from their opinions, but from their political situation to oppose the busy Clergymen who are tools of the Anti -Jefferson party. The Contro- versial Books will be little read, unless to make bigots on one side, & to strengthen opposition, & oppression will make more friends for the Anabaptists among those who despise their opinions & their sect. 12. Arrived in town, W. Rowell, one of the hands from the Brutus. He tells us that the ship struck at 1/2 past 7 on Monday night, that they discharged so much of their Coffee into the sea as to lighten her, that she began to come to pieces at 1/2 past nine & then by the help of the Main mast, all but one reached the shore. That they took their way across the Cape, & at length Capt. Brown failed, & advised them to sit down & die together. They helped him as long as they were able & then left him. He was thin clad. The other second mate failed, Mr. Ayres. He had lost his boots, & so their number continued to diminish till day break. Two of the negroes were found locked together in each other arms. That they first discovered the Ship Volusia but she was so covered with ice, they did not know her. They haled, but no person was on board. At length they found a fence & from that discovered the Light House, at which they had assistance. Young Phippen failed at the fence, but the Light House Keeper brought him in in his arms. The men were found next day & brought to the same house & next day were buried from the Meeting House in Truro. Capt. Browne was buried in Province Town. Young Rowell thinks it would have been impossible to tarry on the beach or to have erected any shelter in their exhausted state. He says that if he stopped only a few minutes he fell down oppressed with sleep, & all the dead were found upon their faces, & the mate with one arm under his head. He froze only his hands, which were without mittens, & uncovered all night. He had on his boots, & suffered no inconven- ience from his feet. The Cold by thermometer in Town was below zero, & the snow & sand blew incessantly. Ober, who survived till next day & was taken up alive, was almost choaked with sand & died soon after the attempts to relieve him. He remembered to have heard them walking round him, was buried in snow & stretched out his hand that it might be seen above the snow, but it was not dis- cerned. A boy found him next morning. This is a proof that in snow there is more sure preservation after they were exhausted. The side which was longest bare was irrecoverably frozen. Young Rowell says that he narrowly escaped death by the falling of a beam of the ship while he was below, & had not their lights been put 420 DIARY OP [March out, & so they had been obliged to retreat they must have all per- ished, for the last man, finding the mast disengaged by falling into the water, instantly perished among the floating timbers & casks. 14. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Murray, d. of another of her Children & for herself sick. Elizabeth Murray, d. of her G. child, pr. for a son at Sea. Thomas Rowell & wife & Children, thanks for the remarkable preservation of their sou William in the most ■distressing situation of Shipwreck when Captain Browne & the •greater part of the Crew perished on Cape Cod, pr. for Sons & friends at Sea. Josiah R. Atwell & wife, for great preservation in eminent danger. He was fixing the standards of a walk upon a store, & fell from the roof upon the hard ground, the eves being fifteen feet high. He came up on his hands & knees. He broke the pan bone of one knee, & strained the wrist of one of his hands. Thomas Palfrey & wife, for him dangerously sick. James Bowers who has officiated in the Episcopal Church in Bath, Maine, is now at the Episcopal Church in Marblehead. In both places the numbers are small, & bhe wealthy are few upon whom the support of public worship must fall. The CouQcil to be convened on the affairs of the Tabernacle Church is postponed till the 14 day of April. Our Friends shipwrecked at Cape Cod, both at Province Town & Truro, do not speak favourably of the talents of the Clergymen displayed to alleviate their calamities. Tho' no impeachment of humanity can be laid, they derived little aid from their devotion as the guardian of sympathy. There was nothing done which they could call pleasing accomodation, in the public solemnities. Speaking of the great humanity to the persons of the Sufferers, but the gross violation of property as characteristic of all the Cape Cods in the world, or places in which shipwrecks are common, it has been told of old Mr. Lewis of Wellfleet, that on a stormy Sunday upon seeing a wreck on shore from the pulpit window, he closed his book, put on his outside garment, & descended from the pulpit not explaining his intention till he was in the aisle, & then he cried out, start fair, & took to his legs. The Con- gregation understood him & soon followed. Our friends report that they visited a house for help while the woman was at prayer. An apology was made by one of the children, that the father was out a moon cursing. Too much cannot be said of their humanity but no apology can be made for their strong propensities to seize the property of the wrecked in their power. 16. In the Register of yesterday the Electioneering campaign opened. It begun with some regard to decency, but the reply of this day, tells of stews in populous towns, & sweepings of ship's holds, & everything insolent to deaden while it indeed inflames the zeal of party. We have three Candidates for the Senate in this Town, Treadwell & Pickman by one party, & Crowninshield by the other. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 421 18. Never were greater exertions made in Essex since I have lived in it than to obtain an entire change in the administration of affairs in this State. So far do all measures contravene the general government, that the most serious political evils are to be appre- hended. Our prejudices against French & English bear no com- parison with the enmity we feel against a most dangerous enemy, as we suppose, at our own doors. Letters are sent, the presses snioak, & conversation has the constant tang of politics. We are told the natives of the east eat assafoetida. We may have as good an appetite. 19. This day I came in for a share of censure from the Gazette. By helping the Register, I am the friend of its cause, & am treated without mercy. Mr. Pickering was nominated in Newbury. They forgot his want of residence to qualify him as a Senator. Mr. Pickman's friends considered this as a measure to withdraw votes from him. The zeal of Newbury is engaged by the alarm that the Republicans are to have no religion. Their friends of toleration will sell their liberties, to quiet their religious fears. For what has the State to do with their religion? 20. Capt. Clemens has arrived in town. His ship was cast away upon Cape Sable & lost. Part of the Cargo saved, & all the men. This is another loss to add to the list of our calamities. The Vessel was owned by Porter & Upton & the master. We are told from Cape Ann, that the Anglopeds are loosing daily that interest they have usurped in the public opinion. 21. Sunday. Notes. Abigail Jenkins in a weak & low condi- tion. Joshua Phippen & wife & children, for preserving his Son in the greatest danger from shipwreck, now sick, & for two sons at sea. 25. A curious act of theft happened in Daniels' street one even- ing last week. A Miss Crowninshield visited at Capt. Silsbee's & left her muff, tijDpet, hat, & gloves in an opposite room to that in which she sat. A candle was burning in the room in which she left these articles. A Mrs. Adams, lately from Danvers, with her husband, entered the room, took out the articles & with them the candle & candlestick. She was observed going out by a person descending the stairs. An alarm was made & several young men pursued her. She threw the brass candlestick over the first fence she passed, then the muff, & pursued from street to street & from yard & houses as she passed, she finally returned home & was seized in her own house. She made no decent apology & as a stranger her character was unknown. The effects were all returned, the house searched, and other inquiry made, on account of her husband, who appeared to be the greatest sufferer. They returned immediately to Danvers. Last Tuesday died in this Town IMary Hathorne, possessed of a property of 40,000 dollars. She was a d. of William Hathorne, & early became a great pedestrian trader. 422 DiAKY OF [March From small beginnings, great economy, & unceasing attentions, she acquired a great interest. She had few female attractions, but was far from any natural defects of person or understanding. Her mind was not cultivated, her passions strong, & her love of wealth boundless. Her life has been shortened by an intemperance of which she had too many examples around her. She never was known to make any small presents. From small things she made great savings, but friendship could not render her liberal, & bounti- ful. She never forgot an injury, but she was not apt to take oifence. Her mother & surviving sisters have been blessed in her life & in her death. 27. This evening for the first time our New Bell rang for Fire. The alarm was first at the South end of the Town, & then at the Work House on the Common. The outhouses were consumed, which with their contents are a loss to the Town of 3,000 Dollars. Much is said of intention, but no discovery has yet been made. A Black boy who put fire to a building in Portland is in confinement upon suspicion. Some supposed it done by fire from a pipe. Bell put up in June last. 28. Sunday. Notes. Elizabeth Masury, d. of her Son, long missing, pr. for Husband & Brethren at sea. Susanna Sage, d. of her husband, pr. for her sons at Sea. Charles Steele, d. of his Brother Joseph, drowned at Andover. Benj. Brown & wife, delivery, pr. for Brothers & friends at Sea. At Beverly, some of the first Parish wished to prevent their; Pastor, J. McKeen, from accepting the invitation to be president at Bowdoin College, Maine, & urged that his annual salary of two hundred pounds during his labours should be continued & secured during life, & that twelve hundred dollars by Installments should be paid in six years. This obtained by a majority of two. And then the opposition subscribed 3,000 D. for a new meeting House, on the Common near the old one, so that the result has not been favourable. 29. The Black boy confined for the putting of fire, has con- fessed it. He says he did it with flint, & steel & oakum. There is a strange inconsistency in the boy, he does not seem malicious, nor cunning, nor an idiot. A characteristic ignorance which yields to propensity in everything. I received a most valuable letter from good Dr. Maclintock* which will go far towards the assistance of the Republican interest. Shall I be right in publishing it. My friends say I shall. 31. Great talk of another place for the Work House besides the Common. Some wish for Windmill point, & some for a part of the Neck towards the South river, or Salem Harbour. A Subscription is open. It is said an agreement has been made for levelling the Common, with an undertaker for 11,000 Dollars* The printer of the Telegraphe in Boston is fined 200 Dollars & impris- •Of Greenland. N. H. JUDGE SAMUEL CURWEN I 71 5-1 802. From the pastel made by BIyth in 1772 and now in the possession of the Essex Institute. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 423 oned for 3 months for calling the Chief Justice, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Law of England. April 1 [1802]. No fool day this in the public mind. Elec- tioneering above blood heat. The Gazette Printer has threatened the Printer of the Register with a prosecution. All parties inter- ested. The election near. 2. Capt. G. West who died in this Town yesterday, has been a very successful teacher of Navigation, for many years, & since he left off going to sea. The best master that ever I knew was a Mr. Smith, who had been a pensioner in the Greenwich Hospital, & who upon the death of his wife in 1791 returned to England. This Mr. Samuel Smith had great practical acquaintance with navigation, •& a great fondness for mathematical studies, & had a reputation advantageous to the Town. Upon his departure Capt. G. West en- gaged, but he had not the same mathematical knowledge, but his auccess was sure with young seamen. Several persons undertook to teach navigation but tiieir success does not deserve to be named. 3. The last day of asking, & political interests were never so seriously engaged among us. Emmons' Fast Sermon describing Jefferson under the odious name of Jereboam, was distributed gratis. The Republicans had no aid in this way, except what an extract from Dr. Macclintock's letter in the Register could afford them. Votes are openly distributed. The general wishes are that the Electioneering week was over. The Law respecting the List of qualified voters, which is to be exposed in every part of the Town, occasions expence & trouble & great uneasiness. 4. Sunday. Notes. Priscilla Clark, d. of her Brother. Mar- garet Edey, d. of her Brother Clark's Son. Mary Ropes, delivery, pr. for husband, son & friends at Sea. 8. The Annual State Fast. I had the pleasure, so often valued in my youth, of dining upon the Dent de Lyon,* one of the richest herbs of our pasture. Capt. Kindsman arrived this day having sold his Vessel. 10. Last night departed this life Samuel Curwin, Esqr., »t. 87. He graduated at Cambridge, 1735. He was of the most slen- der form, I ever saw, & yet the most active old man to be seen in our streets. He was a merchant in Salem. His slender habit was exceedingly irritable. He was indifferent to nothing, seized vio- lently & preserved firmly. The times of the American Revolution were no times for him, & partly by timidity, & partly from an hab- itual disinclination for all popular measures, he left America & went to England. When he left our Country he possessed a Con- venient House in Essex Street, not far west of North street, & he had a good assortment of goods. His wife, an aunt to the late em- inent merchant Thomas Russel, was left behind with the property, & being not too well acquainted with business & deluded by a •Dandelion. 424 DIARY OF [April nephew Russel Weave, there was almost an entire sacrifice of the property. The remains of a valuable Library were sold just before his return by his Nephew Richard Ward, Esqr,, & it was sacrificed. A rich Collection of Coins was robbed of its best pieces, & indeed things were in such a state as must have been disagreable to a less irritable man than Mr. Curwin. Mr. Curwin returned to Salem after the peace, but he did not continue long, but went back to England. Still his love of his native home returned upon him, & as his wife had died, in his first absence, he resolved to die in America. His distressed finances were relieved by a British pen- sion & he lived first at R. Ward's, then at S. Curwin Ward's, & finally died at Mr. Pope's, whose wife had lived formerly in Mr. Curwin's family. I got an early acquaintance with Mr. Curwin upon his return, & frequently had him at my house, & visited him in turn. He was an excellent Antiquarian, & I profited much from the few things he had saved from the destruction which befell his library. Cabinet & private papers. He was a good Classical Latin Scholar, well read in History. Had conversed much with men. Was much of a gentleman, & had a good address. He appeared in our streets, much like a Patriarch. The English tye Wig, the long Scarlet Cloak, the heavy rings, & the golden headed cane, attracted notice after the war, tho' it was the best dress before it, for persons of condition. 11. Sunday. Notes. Martha Palfray with her Children, d. of her husband, & the death of her Husband's brother Hunlock Pal- fray. Wid. Elizabeth Murray, d. of her daughter in law Murray. Wid. Hanna Keen, d. of her only daughter Murray. Sarah Sinclair, very sick, pr. for her husband at Sea. Joshua Phippen & wife & Children, for the recovery of his Son from a sickness consequent upon his sufferings at Cape Cod, pr. for two Sons at Sea. Joseph Webb & wife, delivery, pr. for Brothers at Sea. William Patterson & wife, delivery, pr. for Brethren at Sea. 13. Mr. Curwin's funeral was attended, & the pall supported by the six ministers of the Town, Hopkins, Fisher, Bernard, Prince, Bentley & Spaulding. In the evening a fire consunied a negro House at the bottom of St. Peter's street. A negro woman perished in the flames. The will of Mr. Curwin had the same effect as at- tends wills in general. Some of the relatives would not attend the funeral. Of late we have had several such contentions among the Masons, Gardiners, Hathornes, & now among the Wards as the Curwin family name is extinct. It is said that the son of S. C. Ward is to bear up the name Samuel Curwin. 15. Capt. Stoddart with his Company including 64 Soldiers marched through Salem this morning on his way from Newport to Portsmouth. Another alarm of fire at ten o'clock in the forenoon. It was near Cape Driver, in River street. The fire began in a small house of two rooms & two stories & in the upper story. The family 1802] WILLIAM BKNTLEY, D. D. 426 were sitting below & did not discover the progress of the fire, till the fire burst out. All the beds belonging to the family, consisting of a husband & wife & 8 children were consumed, & everything in the Chamber. The house belonged to ^Mr. Woodberry, Carpenter. 16. His Excellency William Browne, who died at Westminster, England, ait. 65, was born in Salem, & lived there with reputation till the revolution obliged him to remove, as he had engaged in the measures of England & had been in the Court & Council. He was a Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court in 1774, & Col. of the first Regiment in Essex. After he became a Refugee, his British Majes- ty appointed him governour of Bermuda & from this command he returned to England. He graduated at Cambridge in 1755. Was a representative of Salem in 1765, & in 1768 when the House would not rescind. He then fixed his choice of measures, as Gov. Bernard then dissolved the General Court. 30 persons in Salem approved of his willingness to rescind, but the Town justified the Court & sent to the new Court in 1769 new Representatives. In 1770, Col. Brown was appointed one of the Mandamus Council & would not resign. His officers in the Regiment gave up their commissions & he retired to Boston. He was short, & of a full habit, & remarka- ble for large legs, by which he had a distinction from another W. B. of the tovm. It was supposed that the favour of the people was so great towards him, that he might have returned home from Bos- ton had the public mind been properly represented to him. 17. Had agreed to exchange with Dr. Lathrop & went for Bos- ton. Found the Turnpike* engaged the public attention, but the exact course of it is not yet fixed. One of the Surveyors told me they were then measuring through the Town of Lynn. The new Tavern house by Ballard's, must become a sacrifice, & undoubtedly it is much to be pi-eferred to any house opened for entertainment on the road from Boston to Salem. 18. Sunday. The weather rainy, & the Congregation thin. The members of the present 'New Brick Assembly complain of the small number. The Galleries are entirely forsaken, which have not for forty years been full. The Singing poorly supported. In this part of the Town the largest House & Assembly is in the New North, which has much less number in the Gallery than formerly, tho' full upon the pews below. In the Bennett street Meeting House under Dr. Mather was for many years the smallest assembly I ever knew. It is now crowded by the Universalists. The first Baptist Church under Condy was small, it is now crowded by Stillman's friends. The Second Baptist Church under Bownd, Davis & Skillman was small, it increased under Geyer, but has been enlarged & is now filled under Baldwin. It seems then that there is but one congre- gation more thin than formerly, & indeed the New Brick was as thin before the war iinder Pemberton as it now is, but the whole •The Salem and Boston Turnpike. 426 DIARY OF [April old North Church which joined it upon the destruction of their Meeting House in the Siege is now swallowed up & totally lost. The cause of Lathrop's decreasing popularity is to be sought in him- self. He began as a superficial preacher with a popular manner. He had an excellent person, but not pleasing elocution. His heart was more sure than his head. As he became acquainted with life he renounced his prejudices. He consented to baptise adults by immersion, & he did in his own Meeting House. The tub baptism gave offence to the Psedobaptists, & won none of their opposers. He adopted the Universal Scheme of Chauncy & Clarke, but he had not their talents, & so never gained the more rational, as near to Murray, he never could the Antinomian Universalists. He con- sequently has been picked by all, & is left in the hands of those who accept a tax upon friendship rather than the choice of a preacher. His son is abroad in India, & informs us, well patronised in Calcutta. He publishes a gazette, & promises a translation of Persian works. The Doctor is an amiable man, & his manners are very agreable, but eminence in his profession will be no part of his just praise. 19. Took an opportunity to visit all parts of Boston. I went round the North End before Breakfast. They are widening at the place of the late fire, at the bottom of Cross street where the Street was narrow. The mean buildings which have been consumed, have certainly been overrated. The town will gain by the improvements in the streets & buildings. The Constitution was at Union wharf undergoing great repairs. This Ship was built in Boston. Mr. Revere at his foundery in Lynn Street, formerly called New Guinea, has not only cast Bells, the number of which he assures me is al- ready 54, but Cannon, & he is now making experiments upon Sheet Copper having already succeeded in casting spikes & copper bolts. He is an enterprising mechanic. This part of Boston by a wide street & good buildings has become a very pleasant part of the Town, from having been the most filthy & neglected. In passing to the south part of the Town I visited that part of Long Wharf upon which the stores lately consumed did stand. They were mean, & the brick buildings now to be raised will be a great security to this part of the Town. I passed over the neck & saw the increasing wealth of the south end, so called, but the growth of West Boston by the new Bridge from Cambridge is very great. Where the pop- ulation was thin, since my remembrance, & there were fields & marshes, are now splendid houses & crowded Streets. The Rope walks I visited & found in excellent order. They lay up as they call it by horses & wheelwork, which they obtain by patent. I visited Dunlap's Brewery which is near the Causeway in West Bos- ton, & is upon an extensive scale. I saw also the soap & candle works at the south end. The new wharf near the Charity Build- ings at Barton's point has given a new face to this formerly neg- lected part of the Town. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 427 20. I visited Trinity Church & heard Parker's Sermon to the Episcopal Charitable Societ)'' as it was Easter Tuesday. There was no public Contribution, which would have been small, had it been encouraged. Yesterday I went into the vestry of Christ Church to see the engravings of l)r. Cutler, formerly of that Church, & Dr. Walter, also the late Incumbent. I saw there also Dr. Brinton's of Halifax & Dr. Caner's of King's Chapel, I find that of the four extemporaneous preachers of Boston, Dr. West, Mr. Murray, the Universalist, Dr. Stillman & Baldwin the Baptists, my clerical friends prefer Baldwin, but as it appears to me from prejudice. It is agreed on all hands, that Baldwin has added nothing to his repu- tation by his Sermon on the death of Gov. Philips. His own hearers say, he does not shine among the Keaders, as he read his sermon on that occasion. There is something free in Murray's manner. Something sweet & ready in Stillman. Too much study & too little animation but some strength in Dr. West, & there is less accuracy, but much animation in Baldwin. Among my private friends I was happy. Old friend Philips, aet. 83, gave me one hour of his company. My Brethren & Sisters met at my Father's & gave me their affectionate good wishes. My father is now at 73 & my Mother at 62, but they will not reach the age of my g. Father Bentley, 87. Returned to Salem. 21. Found the Council still busy at the Tabernacle, but have not yet heard of the result. The public opinion does not seem very favourable to the talents of the members either in Council or in the pulpits which they have filled in the evenings after their work. Mr. John Punchard, Shoemaker, has taken the part of the Church. Mr. Spaulding has not made a very able defence. But as I have not visited the Coimcil I can only judge by comparing the opin- ions which have been delivered. Orthodoxy has not gotten great help by this list. Dr. Eliot thinks that we shall get a Baptist Church into Salem, which the Orthodox do not intend. We shall see soon how things are. 22. Had the Pleasure of seeing & hearing Dr. Oliver's Organ. It ia the first ever built in this Town. The pipes were imported from London in separate stops. The frame is handsome, exhibiting a front of 5 by 8 feet probably, with pedals, exhibiting the pipes in a central Oval, & with two towers on each side, surmounted with some instruments of music in high relief with good effect. The wood work was finished by that ingenious mechanic Mr. Macintire. The Dulciana stop was fine, & worthy of any instrument. When this is pronounced to be the first it must be understood, completed. A Mr. Pickering Dodge, had begun one upon a smaller scale, & with fewer steps, importmg the pipes, & finishing it at his leisure. Dr. Oliver has made provision for several stops which he has not yet received, & so has Mr. Dodge, but Mr. Dodge has not proceeded so far as the Doctor. 428 DIARY OF [April 24. The levelling of the Common continues with advantage. The Trees are disposed so that the Elms should be 30 feet apart, & between them two Lorabardy poplars. 25. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Elizabeth Phippen, d. of her hus- band, pr. for a Son at Sea. Wid. Catherine Shad, d. of her youngest Son. We have the news of the death of Dr. Henry Purcell, rector of St. Michael's Church, set. 63. The Doctor had much address as a gentleman, & all the manners of rakes without any fault, but of dissipation. '< Lay there divinity" said he taking o& his coat, "till I flog the fellow." He once gave "the Devil," as a toast at an en- tertainment, for said he, we often toast not those we love but those who find us employment without any great good will to us. With every effort I have not been able to get a tolerable account of the Council in this Town at the Tabernacle. No objection was made against the moral character of Mr. Spaulding, and no one offered against his preaching. The difficulty was, should he have a nega- tive on the church, sufficient to stay the Church as he expressed it, when he could not consent with the majority. The people opposed & produced an article in their first agreement by which they held the full power of determining by their own majority, the pastor having only a single vote. To this the Pastor would not now agree. The Council therefore agreed to consent to a dismission, & this day he preached his farewell sermon to a full house, & the relation is dissolved. Mr. Spaulding proposes to continue to preach wherever invited. What a whole fortnight has been spent about, I pretend not to say, as I never was a hearer. 29. At Portland has died Joseph Hooper, Esq""., set. 44. He was of my class in the University of Cambridge, & was distinguished by the attention to his person & the modesty of his manners. After he graduated in 1777, he went upon a farm in Windham, Maine, belonging to his Uncle Blaney, from whom he had great expecta- tions. By the derangement of the affairs of his Uncle he was dis- appointed, & at length married & moved to Portland. There he be- came a Schoolmaster, Justice of the Peace & Episcopal reader. But at length he lost his wife, became intemperate, lost all decency of character, lived on his wife's interest, became neglected, miserable & at last died in contempt. Curious incident happened yesterday. As a Company were attending a vendue of the goods of Ichabod Glover, lately deceased, in the chamber of the dwelling house of the deceased which was partly new, but not finished, the floor gave way, & the whole company of forty persons with the furniture & articles for sale fell down together. No person was killed, several were wounded, many bruised & all frightened. The House is in Federal street. 30. This day Capt. Edward Gibaut, set. 74, left Salem for his new home at Gloucester. He is gone with his wife to live with his only Child & Son at Gloucester. In his family I became intimate 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 429 iu 1783. His first wife,* a Crowninshield, was one of the most motherly of women. I have kept up the connection for 19 years. It will be impossible to be so intimate & happy in any other family. He was from the Island of Jersey, came in his youth & married his masters daughter. ]May 1 [1802]. Supplied yesterday a new gage to Mr. Wil- liams at the Bridge to notice the tide, & to be assured of its actual course in this vicinity. ^Mr. Timothy Hunt Avho has engaged to level the Common & has had great success, was one of the tJnited Irishmen. He has laboured upon the Middlesex Canal for several years & has a certiiicate from Col. Loammi Baldwin, who superin- tends that Canal, that he is able to do more work than any man who has laboured in his service, & is capable of overseeing the work for which he has engaged in Salem. He is to receive eleven hundred dollars & to find everything he may use. He employs from 12 to 15 hands & succeeds beyond all expectation. He says that if he were to remove earth 70 rods he should prefer the wheelbarrow. He is of middling stature, strong, but not large built, but does great labour with great ease, & turns readily to all parts of the work. The quantity of labour which he is able to finish with his men in the day is surprising. They never perform two things to- gether. If they wheel empty barrows, they do not wheel loaded barrows. If they dig they do not wheel. If the distance is consid- erable it is divided, but the motion is incessant. The occasional labour of levelling, moving the planks, providing, &c. he does by his own hands. 2. Sunday. In Beverly, the Subscription for a new Meeting House has gained 6000 Dollars of which Mr. Burleigh gives one thousand. In Salem, a Subscription has obtained for a Meeting House for Mr. Spaulding, the Minister ejected from the Tabernacle. It was supposed that his party was so weak as to make no effort, but 3900 Dollars have been already obtained. Mr. Smith, a Brother in Law of Mr. Spaulding, gives one thousand Dollars. Mr. Spauld- ing preaches this day at Rowley & his former society are supplied by Mr. Litchfield of Carlisle. The Society under Mr. Hopkins have a subscription for a new & larger Meeting House under which the amount of 5,000 Dollars has obtained. 3. In the elections of this day great exertions were made & many dirty tricks practiced by the high party, which were publickly de- tected. Such as, one alien Dutch man accepted, & another refused. Both rejected at length. A Voucher for a man, whose family never lived in town. A. Voucher for a Negro who had not one farthing of property, & the men were no less than a Derby, an Orne, & a Marston. The list of the high party obtained. 4. A military day for the Companies of the Regiment, under •Sarah, daughter of Capt. John Crowninshield. 430 DIARY OF [May their respective Captains. The Artillery was out with them. Capt. Folger has reached Salem from a north west coast voyage in which he has had great success, May 3, in Ship Minerva. She sailed from Salem, October, 1799 after seals & made her voyage by the way of Canton. He came from Canton in 153 days, laden with Teas & Nankeens. The Ship was owned by Capt. N. West & Clifford Crowninshield. 6. Very convenient regulations have been adopted by the Board of health. No animal substances or filth are to be suffered in any street or passage, or on any shore. No vaults are to be opened without licence. Oysters not to be sold from 1 June to 1 Oct. No fish to be sold but at the stalls, excepting salmon, live & small fish, & all fish must be cleaned before they are brought into the town. No cloathing or beds brought from infectious places without licence. Several willows have been added to the number planted last year around the Health Hospital on the Neck. 7. Hon. John Lowell Esq'^, aet. 59, died at Koxbury. Chief Judge of Circuit Court. He had a characteristic impetuosity, still a frank- ness. He was a member of the Corporation of Harvard College. He had been much tortured by the gout, & intended to take a voy- age to England. He was in Salem about a fortnight past. Son of Rev** John Lowell of Newbury Port. 8. A man drowned near the wharves, it is supposed by accident. He was found floating in an erect posture with his hat on, & was seen by the watch in the streets after midnight. He was not care- ful of himself. Joseph Parnell, set. 48. Mr. Spaulding tells me he shall leave the Town for the present certainly. Capt. Michael Smothers returned to his house & sat down to dine & expired at the table, set. 74. 9. Sunday. Notes. Mercy Townsend & her children, appre- hended death of her husband Samuel Townsend, who has been miss- ing eighteen months, at sea. Mercy Welman, d. of her Son in law, S. Townsend. Nathaniel Weston & wife, her delivery. 10. Capt. Folger, who lately returned from his Voyage in the Ship Minerva, I am assured, is the first Circumnavigator from Salem. He went round Cape Horn, engaged in a sealing Voyage, carried his skins to Canton & returned round the Cape of Good Hope with a China Cargo. The whole voyage has been completed in eighteen months. Another Vessel sailed at the same time, & has reached a better market at the same port, but she has not yet returned so that the Minerva has the first claims to fame. 11. A description of Beverly not long since, before the Cabot family established itself in the place. An old Meeting house & a few scattered houses were upon the great road, with all the appear- ances of a farming town in the memory of the present generation. The brick & elegant Houses have all been built since I came to Sa^ lem & since I preached at Beverly. The Wharves have been put 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 431 into an entirely new condition. The old House of Col. Hale now standing & the mansion House of Rev"^ Blowers since burnt down, were the only houses that had the shew of wealth, & these only in the more grand propoi-tions. Not in any thing modern. Most of the old buildings have been taken away. 16. Sunday. Jonathan Brown & wife, d. of eldest daughter, pr. for a friend at Sea. She was addressed by B[enjamin] Waters. Jonathan Twiss & wife, d. of their g. daughter Brown. 17. Mr. G. Ropes' dumb boy* is very successful at painting. He is instructed by Mr. Corn6. The most successful of our Schol- ars under this Italian is Anstis Stone, second daughter of Robert Stone. Her larkspur, rose, & bust of Bonaparte do her great hon- our. The head of the bust I admire. 18. The Lobsters are taken, but small. The Perch are taken in Boston bay, but not yet on our shores. PoUuck are in plenty. Many tusk are taken, and an abundance of Cod, & particularly Had- dock. The season is backward. Cows go this day upon the neck. It is said that it is agreed to call the Common, which now is almost levelled & railled, Washington Square. This is better than walk- ing in common. 21. Mr. Hunt has succeeded in levelling the Common. The Subscription is not sufficient to answer all demands & is to be re- newed. Col. Derby deserves all praise. The town have granted leave to widen Pleasant Street. The opposition was so great as to require polling the house, till Mr. Gray declared himself & then it totally ceased. In consequence of this vote of yesterday, the Work house fence is taken in towards the House. 22. Subscription for elegant gates to the Washington Square, alias Common. 23. Sunday. Attended funeral of a child of one Nutting, High Street. Adoniram Jutson was installed 12 May, in 3*^ Parish in Plymouth, old Colony. This man came first into our neighborhood & was ordained at Maiden. The opposition was so powerful as to oblige him soon to remove, & he afterwards settled at Wenham. In that place there was not great opposition, but soon prejudices arose against his manner as too severe in his family, & finally he obtained a dismission. He has now formed a new Society in Ply- mouth from a part of Dr. Robins's parish, who, engaged by his en- thusiara, have not a preference for Mr. Kendall, his successor, a more catholic man. Capt. Gibaut talks of introducing a Minister into Old Town Parish, Gloucester. I proposed to him to have one person for the three societies of Old Town, of Squam & Sandy Bay. The Universalists have not had stated preaching in the harbour so-called for sometime, & no preaching for many months. Mr. Forbes, the incumbent, by a decided part in the Ham- •George Ropes, 1788-IS19. 432 DIARY OF [May ilton interest, will unite to the Universalists all the re- publicans. The first difficulty with Mr, Murray, now of Boston, is not at an end. These were all regularly settled parishes formerly. The removal of Trade into the harbour impoverished Old Town, so that no minister has succeded Mr. Rogers. The indiscretions of Mr. Wyeth & Mr. Parsons divided them at Squam. Mr. Cleveland in the time of the war left Sandy Bay, & many of them are not will- ing to receive him upon his return. 24. My old Schoolmaster who taught me writing, Mr. John Tileston, was with me. He has been in that character in Boston about 40 years. In 1766 I was put under his care, & when Mr. Hunt entered the North Grammar School upon the resignation of Mr. Wiswall, I was put under him, continuing to learn writing & arithmetic from Mr, Tileston. In Salem, Mr. Fiske, tho* he left the School & died in the Ministry, he was 75. Mr. Norris died at 70, Mr. Epes at 73, but not in the School. Mr. Nutting at 96, but not in the school. Mr. E. Chever of Boston died in 1708, aged 94, & spent 70 years in a School. Master Williams who succeeded him was in years, & so was Master John Lovell who died in Nova Sco- tia, retiring from the country at the revolution. Master Swetzer of Charleston was above 80 years when he died. I have elsewhere noticed his age exactly as I was personally acquainted with him. Mr. Flint continued a Tutor of College for many years & died aged above 80. 25. Capt. Folger was with me, who has been a voyage on the Great Ocean, & the first from this port. He is from Nantucket, & of the Society of Friends. He assures me that they stopped on the American coast about a degree south of Chiloe, & then sailed for Massasuero, where he took his seals. He wintered south of Lima. On his way to Canton he stopped at the Marquesas & at the Island of Christina, & so pursued his course onward. His sealing voyage was supposed to be very productive. Attended the funeral of a Mrs. Pratt, High street, set. 28. She was an Easties. 26. Went in the Stage to Boston. Attended & heard the ser- mon of Rev*^ Mr, Baldwin & dined with Mr. Isaac White who in- vited my Father, &c. Went through the Common at 4 o'clock & found the Mall crowded, but no disorder or intemperance at so early an hour. Visited West Boston. Was kindly received at Mr, Eaton's. Saw his beautiful garden & grass plot & arrangements. Then walked to his nursery of Lombardy Poplars, The ground he has raised three feet by the dirt carried by the Town upon the spot he bas redeemed from the sea. 27. Instead of attending to Convention I attended at the Ven- due in Kilby street, held by Col. Bradford, INIarshal of the District, at which was to begin the sale of a valuable Library of nearly 4000 volumes, purchased by John Pickering in Europe. As several gen- tlemen of Boston had appropriated one thousand dollars to be laid 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 433 out in Books purchased from this Library to be a donation to Princeton College, New Jersey, the price of the rare & curious books was well kept up, so that I made no purchases of any conse- quence. I spent the day in this service. 28. I visited Mr. "White's Bookstore & made such purchases as I thought best. Then visited Mr. Turell's Museum. This ingenious man is by his business, a watchmaker, & has a strong attachment to natural history which has prevented all success in his business by detaching his mind from it. The upper room in which Mr. Nichols formerly kept his Bookstore, Mr. Freeman generously en- gaged to be appropriated for the purpose of a Cabinet of natural history. Many articles have been indulged Mr. Turell from the Collections of the Historical Society. He has some minerals, in- sects, & medals, many Indian Curiosities, & has many wishes for his success. He is a descendant from Dr. Coleman, by Revd. Turell of Medford, & is a g. grandchild. The room in which the Museum is kept is over the old School, called Holbrooke's Writing School, & kept by Mr. Carter till the new School was built in School street, where the old Manse for Schoolmasters once stood. It is at the meeting of Tremont & Court street, east of Femberton's hill. 29. Capt. Sage lost one child last night, & another this evening, with what is called the throat distemper. Both were highly con- vulsed. 30. Sunday. Note. Robert Bedne & wife, his return, pr. on d. of her Brother. Three funerals this evening,* Mrs. Ward & Sage's two children. On Tuesday last, James Bowers was ordained in Trinity Church, Boston, by Bishop Bass. He is the incumbent at Marblehead. The novelty of a Bishop's ordination does not col- lect, tho' notice is given in the gazettes, even the small number to be found at a common lecture. Upon attending the sale of Mr. Pickering's classical collection of Books, I found very few minis- ters & fewer still who made any purchases. I am at present of opinion, that the declamations of the Pulpit against Philosophy, by so many who are strangers to it, will eventually prevent classical studies. The church tried the experiment & took the alarm & the awful consequences to literature are well known from the early ages of its history. Mr. Motteyt of Lynnfield feels distressed by the desertions of some of his former friends to the Baptists from his want of zeal for uncandid opinions. The boundless & ill di- rected zeal of Mr. Sanborne of Reading has been no service to this amiable & true Christian. His parish is very small at best & they had been long under the ministry of Mr. Adams, who was vibrating between the fool & the mad man all his days, as I was assured by the worthy but whimsical Dr. John Perkins, who lived several •i. e. afternoon. tBom in Salem May 14, 1756. His father was a native of Jersey and spelled bis name LaMottais. 434 DIARY OP [June years in the Parish. This Dr. John Perkins was a sincere Chris- tian. He has no public education but a very philosophic turn of mind, as his publications on comets & will, may discover. But he could not distinguish the bounds of credulity, & died at last in a great age a victim to it. A neighbour declaring that he had seen the Dr. that day in a place in which he had not actually been, the Dr. considered it as a notice of death, announced it as such to his friends & soon died. I was intimately acquainted with him. He possessed a very handsome library out of which he made me several donations. He had the least credulity in common philosophic opin- ions of any man of his times, was eminent in his profession, & wanted only a regular education to have given him celebrity. June 5 [1802]. The reply of the House to the Governour mod- erate. We do not expect the same from the Senate as the debates have been long & warm upon their reply. Mr. P. of the Senate from this Town has just sense enough & zeal enough to be tool for some hotheads, who undertake to direct him. Several arrivals among whom S. Derby from the East Indies & Japan. Yoimg S. Rantoul who took a voyage for his health to the Mediterranean died on his outward passage. He was a dutiful son & deserving of love. He had kept an Apothecary's Shop in Beverly with his Brother & then in Salem on the corner of Market street in Essex S. But his health had wasted beyond recovery. Silent, diligent, honest, sober, discreet. 6. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Hannah Mascoll & Children, d. of her Daughter Sinclair & of her g. children, pr. for Son in Law at Sea. Deborah Sage, d. of two children, pr. for Husband & son at Sea. Samuel Silsbee, & wife, d. of children of D, Sage, pr. for Son & g. Son at Sea. John Emmerton & wife, d. of his Mother "Ward. Luke Heard & wife & son, d. of her mother Ward & for his wife sick. 10. I took a walk to Lynn farms & took tea with some Friends at Northey's. He is of the Society of Friends, but of good natural understanding. Allen has begun the long proposed plan of empty- ing the pond formed within the bank thrown up by the sea, by a a covered duct, by which he may possess between twenty & thirty acres of valuable land. Philip's, near the head of Bartlet's beach, have painted their house, which adds much to its appearance in this elevated situation. The estate of Col. Fowle is altogether changed for the better. Indeed the agricultural interest is much better un- derstood than formerly, & principally from the reduced size of farms. 11. In company of Mrs. Apthorp of N. S., a daughter of Dr. Prince formerly of Salem, who has lately returned from St. John's to Medford & whose Son has married a daughter of the late E. H. Derby, Esqr. & has removed from Salem to Boston. There were many things to praise. She spake highly of the wooden Church 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 436 which has been erected at St. John's, as in a style of elegance, not common in America. An organ is expected for this Church. Dr. Mather Byles, formerly of Christ Church in Boston, is the present Incumbent. His Son in Jamaica is said to be in affluent circum- stances. Timothy Dexter of Newbury Port was with me this day. This singular man has presented his " Pickle to the knowing ones " to the Governour & made a distribution of this farago farraginum among the first Characters. It is impossible not to call him a lun- atic sui quo ad hoc. His intemperance does not appear to have been the original cause of his follies, as they appear in his whole char- acter, & in his whole life. 13. Sunday. Notes. Mary Rantoul & children, d. of her son Samuel abroad, pr. for ab. sons & friends. Mary Preston, d. of her g. son S. Eantoul & for g. sons at Sea, Mary Berry, delivery, hus- band at Sea. The father of S. Rantoul sustained an excellent character & died just before I came to Salem. His widow lived in the same house in which I first dwelt. The Father left a good in- terest & to his heirs belongs the western corner of Market street in Essex street, at which Samuel kept an apothecary's shop. Robert keeps an Apothecary's Shop in Beverly. My friend, John Phil- lips, Brother of Wm. at the Lynn or Squamscut Beach, set. 86, was with me last week. He complains of being shut out of the Friends meetings in Boston, which he says was to secure part of Gould's legacy in Lynn, as half was given to Lynn & the other half divided between Boston & Salem. As the meeting ceases the money returns. The friends this week had their quarterly meeting in this Town. The name " Tugmutton," as this meeting at Salem is called, I suppose came from the private meeting of the Friends in times of persecution at Throgmorton, which name was sq vulgarly called. What is now called Beal's & Ward's cove is called Throgmorton by the aged people on the Marblehead side. 17. This day was taken down one of the oldest houses in Salem, which stood in Union street on the western side, one third of the distance from Essex to Derby S. It faced southerly, & projected far into the street on its eastern end. The door was on the western side of the front, the window central under a very high pitch of the roof. In the second story was a larger window than below fil- ling the front pitch of the roof, as in Shakespeare's house. The roof was high & sharp. At the eastern end was a small part added with a window only on the south side for bed rooms, & then a kitchen at the western end. Each part had chimnies. The old house at the western end, & the eastern part on the western side, but the kitchen was built with a chimney near the middle chimney but detached from it. The history of this house is, that it belonged formerly to Robert Glanfield, as say his heirs when it was sold to Capt. Samuel Carlton. Upon Robert Glanfield's de- cease William Carkeet his Son in Law possessed it till death, & his 436 DiAEY OF [June sons Benjamin & Eobert disposed of it in 1732 to Capt. Samuel Carlton for 160 pounds Province bills. Carkeet's son Benj. lived in Edenton, N. C., in the county of Tyrell. Capt. Carlton built the kitchen or western end, when he bought it. In the Sale the Com- monages are reserved, so that it was built before the settlement of these by Law, & probably as early as 1680. It was bounded in 1732, Southerly on Land of Samuel Whitefoot, westerly on land of Eliza Gerrish, Paul Kimball, Jona. Archer & John Browne, easter- ly on Union street, & northerly on Pickering's land. Chimnies laid with clay, & frame of the house filled with clay & bricks. 18. The railing of the Common fence is painted, the plat sowed with grass & oats, the ditches* are finished & the trees which have been planted have been very successful. 20. Sunday. Note. Isaac Perkins & Sister, d. of his Wife. In old Town Gloucester they have employed Eevd. Joel Foster of New Salem to preach & to keep the School. He has been lately dismissed from the increase of Baptists and Sectaries. 21. Went to see the work begun on the intended new road or Turnpike. Not much is now done, but the country appears more rough the more it is examined. I went as far as Pickering's Tree in the bend of the wall & to Lord's Hill & Great Monument. 24. The proposals for Ty tier's Geography have been given to the public. I wish an acquaintance gave me an increasing sense of the value of the talents which Mr. Tytler possesses. 27. Sunday. Mr. Abbot of Haverhill is young, as his Artillery E. Sermon will discover. He published several years ago a vehe- ment declamation against the illuminati which brought him the visit of Dr. D wight. President of Yale College, Conn. He is now as zealous, as he is taught to be, against Jefferson's administration. 28. Mrs. Prince, d. of the late K. Derby & Sister of Elias H. Derby, has lately returned from Nova Scotia & the British provinces to which she went as a Eefugee in the revolution with her hus- band.f Their affairs have been unfavourable, & their son has late- ly married a D. of E. H. Derby by which he has risen to affluence & invited his parents to return. A house was provided for them in Medford, & at that place she expired on Saturday last. The funeral solemnities are to be at Medford this day, & the body is to be brought to Salem & lodged in the Derby family tomb. She married in 1762, & was born in 1744, & baptised 29 April, died aet. 58. She has left several children. One daughter has married an Apthorpe, an Officer in the British Service. 29. Having long proposed to visit Cape Ann, I went down in the Stage driven by Mr. Low. In passing Mingo's beach we observed the spot where two negroes passed their Chaise backwards over a bank 15 feet, without loss of their lives. They were in the •Gatters? tJoha Prince. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. AZl act of opening a new road round the great hill in Manchester, which is so steep, & rough, as to be almost impassable. We observed a great plenty of the Kalmia, both Latifolia & augusti- folia, or the American laurel. The Pond lilies were also in bloom & afforded a most pleasing sight in the ponds. I reached the har- bour & ]\rr. Low kindly conveyed me to the mills in Uppertown, Roger's Parish, where I found my friend Capt. John Gibaut, & his Father & Mother, to whom my visit was directed. We found men blowing rocks in this rough road, which continually is becoming better from the great labour bestowed upon it. After Tea we vis- ited the Mill, & saw the new stones drawn from 13anvers, which of a less diameter moved with a much greater velocity than the other stones, the upper stone being above two tons weight. We visited the new road cut through the farm which communicates with the road to Gee's point at which the branches of Squam & Mill rivers seperate & form, & we returned by saw mill lane. On this road Capt. Gibaut has bought a small lot of land with a farm house. This was once a flourishing part of the Town & has a great depth of water. A Mr. Wheeler lives on the point. 30. This day we gave to amusement. Below Gee's point & be- tween the marsh & rocky point we anchored our Boat & there we took above 100 perch, plaice, & other fish in a short time. We were very successful with the net stretched on an iron hoop, & might have taken, had we continued, fish in great abundance. Pleased with our ready success, when the tide ceased to run with violence, we left our sport in the midst to beat our boat homewards. After dinner we went into Squam river just within its mouth & below Gee's wharf & there we took with our baited nets sixteen fine lob- sters. With this fare we returned & gave an hour to a Mr. Joel Fisher, formerly minister of New Salem, but dismissed by consent from the number of sectaries with which that town abounds. He is now preaching in the Upper Town & keeps a School, of which that Parish have long been destitute. He has 60 Scholars, besides above 20 which are in the care of a woman in a room adjoining. The neglect of former times is felt in the little acquaintance the children have with the arts of reading & writing & with the useful manners of society. July 1 [1802]. [This day] we gave to the Harbour properly the Town. At the entrance of the Town we saw the Pastor, Mr. Forbes, preparing to go into his garden. We first went to Beckey, who still holds her barber's shop, & all its decorations, & then walked down Seargeant's new wharf, which is now the best in the Town. Near it, eastward, is a bathing house for salt water, lately erected for females, but little used. Upon our return we visited Capt. David Pearce who had great success in the war with England, by privateers. An early friend, in whose family spent many pleasant hours. He is a primitive man. We visited also his 43 S DIARY OF [July Brother, the Colonel, whose last successes have been greater than of the Captain. At Capt. Beach's, his son in law, we received our friend Jacob Crowniushield, lately of the Senate, & Captain Silsbee, who had come down from Salem to join us. Beach is giving to his house uncommon elegance. He has added a third story in an oc- tagon, which is surrounded by a dome which has an elegant effect. This excentric man has great ambition & good taste. We found the little children, but not the worthy mother who had so often welcomed & delighted us. 2. Fearful whether we should rise early enough for the stage, we were up at early dawn, & reached the town & breakfasted with Low in the public house. The stage was full, & the company vari- ous, but the conversation was free, innocent, chearful, & indeed often useful. We enquired of all the surrounding objects, & a worthy shipwrecked mariner told all the tales of his dangers & his late escape. He dealt his blows freely on the french, from whom he had suffered, but violated no decorum. The sweet little girls gave us entertainment & we reached Salem not without many stops for our amusement. At home I found a Mr. Davis from Harvard who dined with me & to my tales my Landlady could tell the ad- ventures of my absence, which had rendered happy her visit to the fruit house in Cambridge. 3. Last night the man on the neck, Wilson, began to burn his kiln of bricks. The spot had been occupied antiently & in the last war for a short time. It is now held by permission from the Select- men of the Town. There is another brick kiln within the great pasture gates & lately there was one in Southfields in the hollow near the road beyond Castle hill gate. 4. Sunday. Notes. George Crowniushield & wife, d. of her sister Martha Prince. She was a Derby. Barnabas Herrick & wife, d. of their G. Child Stocker, an adopted child. Mehitable Valpy, delivery, pr. for Husband & Brethren at Sea. Mr. Mackeen of Beverly has obtained his dismission, but without a Council. It was judged by the Church that the consent of parties made the measure unneccessary. A division will probably ensue as every provision is making for the purpose of a new meeting house. It was judged by his friends that if the addition to his salary had quietly obtained, he might have been induced to tarry, but the burst of opposition from so many decided him at once that his tarry could not have any quiet with it. This is a full example that prudence may be carried so far as that a man may not safely take any precautions. He may be a slave, tho' he feel not his chains till he move himself. 5. At three in the morning we were awakened by the discharge of one of the field pieces in Salem, & by the firing of guns in Bos- ton, Marblehead, &c. The bells rang in Marblehead till after sun- rise. As there was to be nothing general in Salem, I directed my 1802] WILLIAM BBNTLEY, D. D. 439 course to Marblehead, where all partook iu the joy. After public prayers, an oration & church music, we went in joyful procession to the Town House in which the Town Hall was provided for the reception of the numerous guests & 176 persons there feasted on the luxiu-y of the table, & the joys of the day. Col. Lee presided with great success. His figure, his general character, his glee, his repartees, his attention, & the interest he took in everything, gave the best effect. Everything was in order. The dinner anywhere would have been pronounced elegant, & the tables were served in the best manner. The Toasts were given & huzzaed with a full- ness of soul, which distinguished a sincere joy. The songs were in great variety, but they arrested attention. The Company retired at their pleasure, & but few sons of the bottle were left at five o'clock. The public buildings were to be illuminated. At Dr. Story's we were received in the fullness of hospitality & by a large & polite family. My companion was a young female, g. d. of my Landlady, & we reached Salem before Sundown. 7. Capt G. Ropes, lately returned from Gambia & Senegal gives a very unpleasing account of the situation. The Towns or settle- ments have a small proportion of whites & the negroes up the river remain savage. It was impossible to be very minute in the subject. He represents the slave trade to be the most profitable part of their trade, but in that he would not engage. He refers to Park* whom he found correct so far as his own knowledge went. He imputes many evils to Strangers from the small flies which infest the country, against which the remedy of the natives is smoak. 8. Mr. Barker has run out a wharf below Turner street, between Collins & Dodge, that was formerly Nurse's. Collins' was part of Turner's wharf & possessions. This new wharf has a tendency to draw the business into the Eastern part of the Town, the popula- tion increases continually. A number of young persons have taken the Women's gallery in the East Meeting House, & are making great repairs and alterations, in order to try whether so useful a part of the house could not be rendered useful. This day departed this life Capt. Thomas Dean, aet. 79, the oldest man, then living in our society, who remained in Town. He was bred to the seas, and ■was repeatedly married. He removed to Barbadoes, for several years during the revolution, & has left two daughters, who have survived him, one by the first & another by the second wife. The first has married Capt. John Becket as his third wife, & the other Mr. John Ward. Sarah & Christiana. Capt. Dean was rather short, of full habit, a good countenance, easy manners, informed above men of the same condition in life, conversant with people of every rank, ready of address, communicative & discreet. His chearfulness never forsook him. He had been in prosperous cir- cumstances but his retreat to Barbadoes did not advance his inter- •Mango Park, the African explorer. 440 DIARY OF [July est. Few men more respected or more deserving. Capt. Dean married Sarah Phippen in 1751 & she soon died. He then married Mary Cash in 1753, & she died in 1794 having lived with him 41 years. By his last wife part of the estate of Clifford Crownin- shield came into his hands, as Clifford C's second wife was the mother of Mary, wife of Thomas Dean. 11. Sunday. Notes. John Becket & wife with her Sisters, d. of her father, Capt. T. Dean, pr. for friends at Sea. Joseph Waters & Children, d. of his F. in law Dean. Wid. Mary Waters, d. of her Brother Dean, pr. for son at sea. Wid. Hannah Mascoll, d. of her Brother Dean. B. Dean & wife, d. of his Brother Dean. Susanna Pres- ton, d. of her daughter. Wid. Mary Preston, d. of her g. d. Susanna Preston alias. The pews in our gallery have undergone another revolution. They are now furnished with curtains, & there is a great desire to hold them. This is the fourth revolution. They were at first held by proprietors, then given up to the Singers in part, then let to particular men & now sold together. They were at first banistered, then cut down, now built up again with closed work. 15. One of our Lobstermen tells me that he has never caught any lobster above 19 pound weight, near the rocks & shores of Salem. 17. A ship launched at Brigg's in South fields opposite to Long wharf. Pour building yards in town. One at Frie's Mills, North river, one at North Bridge, one at Becket's below English street, & at Brigg's. Mr. Barker is putting a Cobb wharf near to Dodge's, between the remains of Nurse's wharf & Collin's tan yard & wharf, & has proceeded far in it. Another man is filling in that part of English's lot to the eastward that was bought by R. Derby & by his heirs sold to Capt, E. Allen, & by him to R. Becket, & which is below Becket's building yard. This will give another landing be- low English's former wharf, & higher to the Neck than any wharf has yet been. 18. Sunday. Note. Elizabeth Fairfield with her Children, d. of d. Cole,* pr. friends at Sea. 20. This day a vessel of 170 Tons launched at Becket's. An- other is building of about 300 Tons. 22. James Grey, our Lobster man, has had a severe stroke of the palsy. He is about 50 years old. Since I have known him, he has been the most intemperate man I can conceive. He blushes not to confess it, & that he loves to get drunk, but he has often said he would die before he would commit any fault to injure any man. He was honest, diligent, quiet, ignorant, but drunk he would be at every opportunity. He could bear heat & cold & fatigue beyond any man. I suspect that his palsy was occasioned by a violent fit of passion. A man had threatened him while in liquor & he lay *Mr8. Lois, wife of Andrew Cole. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 441 almost naked a whole day in the sun to embitter his resentment of the insult. A Savage. 25. Sunday. Note. Andrew English & wife, for her sick. It is at length agreed to take down the New North Meeting House, Boston, & to rebuild in Brick. Mr. Buliinch has given a plan which will be followed. This is a wooden building enlarged, & very rotten, especially in the roof. The principal person concerned in its erection was Caleb Lyman, who was an elder in the Church. His wife was a Barber by family, & survived him, being at her death above 90 years old. She has often told me in the manner of the day that Dr. Increase Mather of the old North was much offended at first at the attempt to build another Meeting house at the North end, but being assured that no disrespect influenced them, he was at length satisfied & said to the Elder, well the Duck pond is not large enough & you must find another. They did not live long together before the introduction of Mr. Peter Thacher from Weymouth made a seism & the Revenge or New Brick was built in 1721. Mr. Thacher removed from Weymouth & it gave great uneasiness. This was the first time perhaps in which the pastoral relation of a neighbouring church had been dissolved, to translate a minister. It has been since followed by the removal of another Peter Thacher from Maiden to the Brattle Street Church & of Mr. West from the Church in Needham to the Hollis Street Meeting House. Mr. Thacher was translated in 1785, & Mr. West in 1789. Mr. Emerson from Harvard in 1799 to the first Church. We are repairing our Women's Gallery. Mr. Honeycombe an Englishman is our carpen- ter. A number of young families have agreed to take the gallery. The Committee repair the Proprietor's pews & a subscription fin- ishes the Porch. 26. Capt. Gibaut dined with me & assured me that a Mrs. Saunders keeps a school in Gloucester for young ladies, where needle work will bear comparison with any of the work of our Schools not excepting Mrs. Rogers of Salem. When any person is made a standard, it may be admitted as a proof of excellence. Mr. Corn^ of Naples, an Italian Painter in the Town, introduced by Mr. Derby, rode with me to the estate of Gov. Endicott, to see whether he could preserve a likeness from the family picture of that venerable Puritan. We found the heir poor, the estate mort- gaged, & little left in the name. Several young men who are mar- ried give us hopes of raising the family again. The old pear tree of 1630 hung still full of pears. The old Cellar is filled up & the stones sold. The dial lays in the Closet as the boys threw stones & broke off the gnomon. Poverty armed with intemp. We passed a few minutes with Major Sprague who has gotten some of the best land of the farm, & whose ancestor came with Gov. Endicott. Mr. Read, of Congress, has another part, & Judge Collins another part. We rode to Judge Collins' to the house built by Esq. Hooper of 442 DIARY OF [Aug. Marblehead, & there we were kindly received at tea & spent the evening & upon our return remarked the changes which take place in families & which were before our eyes. We have the promise of the loan of the Picture. 28. This afternoon I went for W. Philip's at the Beach. I found the old man, aged 87, as calm as ever. Since my last visit he has lost his only daughter, a maiden who lived with him to attend upon him. She died suddenly, set. 63. Had been long par- alytic but had returned from a visit, had an apoplectic stroke which finished her life in less than two hours. He now lives with his Son. His Brother John still lives at Boston, aet. 86. 30. The company of Prince, G. Ropes, & Philips of this Town have been questioned by the government upon complaint of the Slave Trade. G. Ropes was the Master & had long been on the A. Coast. Ropes was imprisoned but has returned home. Of the facts there is no question but in what degree, & upon what evidence we do not know. We know men will do anything for money. Aug. 1 [1802] . Sunday. Notes. Debora Sage, d. of only d., pr. for Husband & son at sea. Samuel Silsbee, d. of g. d. Sage, pr. for Son & g. Son at Sea. Elizabeth Gray, d. of her husband Gray abroad. Hannah Brown, d. of her Son in Law Gray, pr. for g. son sick. 5. The Chronicle brought us the news that the Collector of the Customs in Salem was displaced, & that Col. W. R. Lee succeeded Major Hiller. It has long been a prevalent opinion that the Pres- ident would not touch this County, but as Mr. Tyng has been dis- placed at the same time & Mr. Gerry of Marblehead, there are few doubts respecting the president's courage in the matter. Gerry is own brother to the late Minister & Rep. Candidate for Gov. of Mass. Tyng is Son in law to S. Higginson, a known Hamiltonian in poli- tics. I am not in a situation to know all the conversations but ev- ery artifice is used to make the republicans discontented with the choice. 8. Sunday. Notes. William Boyd & wife, d. of their Child, fr. at Sea. Joseph Franks & wife, d. of g. child Boyd, pr. for son at Sea. 11. I went up to Endicott's farm to borrow the portrait of the Governour from his descendant. The favour was granted. I walked round the part of the farm purchased by Major Sprague, with a grandson under my care. He directed me to the Endicott burying ground. I had always supposed that the burying ground on Por- ter's plain was of the family of Endicott, but I found it, not far from the western bank of Crane's river, imder some stately oaks which are spared to honour this spot. The Gov. lays in Boston. The few gravestones have been erected within thirty years. There is the appearance of a considerable number of graves. The family have reserved the right of burial here. But as the property ia 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 443 chiefly gone & the greater part of the family has removed, there will be left few to claim it. A Spring under the north side of the hill near the river is very convenient in the great pasture of which the burying ground is a part. This part of the farm is wretchedly destitute of wood. 12. Mrs. Margaret Derby died, wife of Samuel Derby. She was a Barton. She had early been subject to derangement, & upon ac- count of it was under Kitteridge of Andover, but after marriage discovered nothing of the kind. Her manners were amiable, her conversation innocent & free, her character domestic, her health pre- carious, her attachment to her kindred distinguishing, her patience inexhaustible. Confined above twelve months, & an invalid for sev- eral years. She had children first. In ten years they had nine children, eight of which survive her. She was a serious woman, but never spake of death as applied to her own hopes or fears dur- ing her illness. Had nothing licentious in her opinions, but a seri- ous hope of eternal friendship, yet the thought of dying never es- caped from her lips. She was 34 years of age in the month of her death. Capt. Allen is enlarging his farm house upon the neck. A new story has been put upon the farmer's end. And another is pre- paring for the Hall & a kitchen is to be added. Many ornaments are talked of. 14. Had the pleasure of an interview with our newly appointed Collector, Col. Lee, who is received with great civility in Salem. 15. Sunday. Notes. Luke Heard & wife, for her dangerously sick. There are several vacant churches in our neighbourhood. The second in Marblehead, the first in Beverly, the church in Wen- ham, besides the Churches of Oldtown, Squam & Sandy bay in Gloucester. Mr. Coffin at Marblehead insisted upon the Baptism of Children of Communicants only, to which the Church would not consent, he therefore ceases to be a Candidate with them. 19. Capt. H. Clarke, of whose death we hear at Amboyna, is a •descendant of a Capt. Clarke, who had charge of the Fort at Salem before the Revolution. He was quite a genteel & agreable man. There has been for some time a Danish ship in our harbour, & it is the first time that ever the King of Denmark's flag was displayed in the view of Salem. 20. Mr. Walsh* gave me an account of the unreasonable pro- ceedings of Mr. Spring against him as a School Master, from some prejudices respecting his children. This same Spring was active in removing Spaulding from Salem. Mr. Carey was a good & season- able friend to Walsh. Walsh was chosen Town Clerk to shew the sense of the town of N ewburyport, but declined the service after hav- ing this testimony of the good wishes of the Town. A Committee of the Schools was chosen from his friends. 21. At Nahant. Friend Breed, above 60 years of age, informed •Michael WaUb, aatbor ot a Mercantile Arithmetic, Newburyport, 1801. 444 DIAKY OF [Aug. me that Nahant, including the great & little Nahant & Western head,^s supposed to contain 600 acres. That it was long neglected. That parts of it were parcelled out to the inhabitants of Lynn & they were obliged by a vote of the town to clear it. The first divi- sions were small. That a person having a small house on the great Nahant near the outer cove considered the obligation to clear one & half acre a grievance. That Dr. Birksted,* whose posterity are called Bum stead, first obtained a grant of a part of the great Nahant 40 rods wide & extending across. That he was a Physician of rep- utation from Germany. That for the sake of his practice he re- moved. The eastern room of Breed's house is the house of said Birksted. That Mr. Breed, the Father, born in 1692, with his Brother, purchased in 1720 of said Physician. That after three years the Brother sold to the ancestor of the present Mr. Wood, now opposite to him, his house & lands. That some of the antient claims are still held. The other house by Johnson has been since built on one of the antient rights. The new house of entertainment on the western head, has been built by another Johnson within a few years. On the second year he was involved & the house shut. In the present, the third year, it is again opened, but without great success. The design of the first clearing of Nahant, was to provide a sheep pasture. It is to be remembered that two German Doctors settled about the same time in Lynn, one at Nahant, & Cronen- schelt at Spring or Lynn pond. Crononschelt removed to Salem, & Birksted to Lynn Town. The posterity of B. are at Boston & Lynn, & of C. at Salem & Marblehead. C. was much more advanced in years. In some part of their lives they were contemporary, but for how long a time I cannot pretend to say. 22. Sunday. Notes. John Perkins & wife & children, d. of only D., Son at Sea. Hannah Hodges & Children, d. of youngest child, Husband & Brs. at Sea. Nathaniel Shed & wife, d. of their child. William Smith & wife, only child sick. 24. Died, Mrs. Edwards, Sister of the late Gen. Piske. A strange excentricity without any want of natural acumen, distin- guished this woman. Her infirmities led her to seek confinement at home. She was facetious, agreable, & intelligent at times. But alas, a malady, which the art of distilling has rendered well known, was no secret to her. There is only one left, a Sister Stivers, of the family of Revd. S. Piske, & no male descendant to hold up this branch of the primitive John Piske. The Belesarius, a ship owned by Capt. G. Crowninshield & Sons, which sailed from this Port 11 Aug. for India, & on board of which Ropest was killed, carried away some of her spars & returned. Then sail'd again on Aug. 14, & four days afterwards was struck with lightning in the night of Aug. 18, at midnight. The men were *Dr. Henry Burchstead? tBenjamin Ropes, iet. 18, son of Samuel. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 445 handling sails. One of the hands, Shehane of this Town, was killed instantly. The mate and two hands were senseless for some time, & have not yet recovered. The compasses lost their magnetic power & they were obliged to return. The lightning struck the main top mast head, & passed over the cap, then shivered the top mast, & passed down by the main rigging to the men, who were handling it. Then shivered a beam, & passed out of the side of the Ship. She reached this port this afternoon. 25. The first Commencement day on the new appointment of the last Wednesday in August. I did not go to Cambridge. We hear that an unbounded licenciousness was employed in regard to the general government, in the public performances, without the dawn of genius on the day. In directing the studies of the students, Hebrew was recommended as leading to all divine knowledge, but french to every evil. No French Instructor is now encouraged at Cambridge. 28. Died, last evening, Susanna Harthorne, Widow of John Har- thorne. She was a Tousel, & descended from the family of English & Hollingsworth. Philip English who suffered so much in 1692 was her G. Grandfather by her mother's side. She retained all the antient traditions & preserved the antiquities of that family, & the linens taken from Sherif Curwin by Mr. English. She was by mar- riage introduced into the antient family of Harthorne, & retained in her possession the Mansion House of Philip English till her death. She has left two children. Her son is the present Col. Harthorne, & her Daughter the wife of Capt. Samuel Ingersoll. 29. Sunday. Notes. John Edwards, son & daughter, d. of his wife. Sarah Stivers, d. of her sister Edwards. Mary Hutchinson & children, d. of her Eldest son, pr. for friends at Sea. Luke Heard & Son, d. of his wife. John Emmerton & wife & children, d. of his Sister Heard. Wid. Sarah Underwood, for her sick. John Pierce & wife, for her delivery. In this County, the vacant Churches are supplied by the following. Mr. Joel Foster at Oldtown, Gloucester, Mr. Noyes at Squam, Mr. Brown now living in Salem, formerly of Exeter, supplies Boxford in Mr. Holyoke's parish. A Mr. Noyes is at Second Cong. S. in Marblehead. A Mr. Ripley preaches at Wenham. ]Mr. Mackean of Beverly preached his farewell sermon last Sunday. He is gone to take possession of his College at Brunswick, Maine, as President. At Amesbury, as the Council would not ordain Mr. Hull, the people took him. He had been or- dained at large by the Methodists. The Son of Mrs. Hutchinson lately was drowned from a Southern vessel now at Portsmouth, N.H. Soon after the death of his father he left Salem & has been absent 15 years. His being found a Sailor & never having written to his friends is no evidence of his good prospects. He was in his 36th year. Thomas Hutchinson. Septemper 1, 1802. My Mother with me & my aunt Wheat from 446 DIARY OF [Sept. Providence. They returned the same day to Boston. A Singular drunken Surgeon has been about town for sometime who has high reputation for setting bones & making cures. His name is Peabody & was instructed by Dr. Kitteridge of Andover. Capt. Allen has raised another story to his house at the Neck farm & is preparing to fix a piazza on the eastern side of it. 4. Mr. Christian Logan, youngest son of the late Dr. Logan of Charleston, S. C, who died in our arms, is with iis. He reached town last night, but appeared with us this morning. His Brother George came as far as Boston & returned. This evening Mrs. Mal- ay was married. She was a d. of Capt. Mason. She was addressed by Capt. E. Allen, junr, but his parents prevented the marriage. She then married a Maley of Newburyport, who was killed at sea by accident. She is now married to a Scotchman, John Scobie, a dry goods merchant in this Town. 5. Sunday. Notes. Susannah Ingersoll & Daughter, d. of her Mother Susannah Harthorne, set. 80, pr. for husband & only son at Sea. Hannah Becket, d. of her husband William B. at Sea, for her- self & two children. Widow Mary Waters, d. of her son in Law, W. Becket. Widow Hannah Malcolm, d. of her Son W. Becket, pr. for absent children. Widow Sarah Shehane, d. of her Son killed by Lightning at Sea. Daniel Shehane & wife, d. of his Brother Shehane, pr. for friends absent. Benjamin Shehane & wife, d. of his Brother Stephen by Lightning. Josiah R. Atwell & wife, d. of her father in Eoxbury, pr. for her only Br. at Sea. Nathaniel Trow & wife, d. of his mother in Beverly, pr. for absent friends. Samu- el Archer & wife, her delivery, pr. for absent friends. 7. Died, Mr. J. Twisse. Por the first part of life he was tern- perate & had the character of a very honest man. He left the neck farm 16 years ago having lived upon it 28 years, under Ives, Derby & Son. John Derby senr. dismissed him & he moved near Neck gate. John Perkins succeeded him on the farm & lived there sev- eral years & then Twisse's Son in Law succeeded him, after Capt. Allen purchased it. 8. This day was buried with Masonic honours Capt. Justin Macarthy, aet. 37, who had been long complaining but died suddenly having been abroad all day. 9. This day I was present at the English Mansion house at the appraisal of the effects belonging to the Widow Sxisanna Harthorne, his great grand child. In this house I saw the things which re- main of this antient family & its connections, & supposed that I was then actually on the spot, when for the last time the remains of the first generation were to be seen together in any town of Massachusetts. The singular pride of this family has rendered them tenacious of the lands & of the moveables of their ancestors, & a more curious sight was not to be seen in America. The branch of English is now entirely lost. Such as bear the name at present were 1802] WILLIAM BKNTLET, D. D. 447 distant relatives, of past generations. The Tousel name has con- tinued in two generations, the last a worthy man, & who lived in the English Mansion house, died a Batchelor soon after my coming to Salem. The Harthornes are not numerous in the present, but probably will be in the rising generation. There are two remain- ing but Col. John, the heir of this estate, is the only one of the name living that has children. A deceased brother has left chil- dren to bear up the name. Among the Books I found some works of Owen, the works of the author of the whole duty of man, & some occasional sermons that appeared to belong to the first generation. Other books were intermixed. I took a fac simile of the name in the hand writing of Philip English. The next thing which attract- ed my notice was the number of papers, of which I could only take a cursory notice at the time, as I wished to know their general con- tents, so that after distribution I might know for what papers to apply. There was a great variety. In French, belonging to the Senior John Tousel, was in MSS. a complete method of teaching nav- igation at that time. There was also a method in English. Both in use about the commencement of the last century. The spelling was more correct in the French than English, but the diagrams of both were often correct & beautiful. A great variety of bonds & deeds discover the mode of doing this kind of business, but as this is presented in the Laws, the pleasure from reviewing these must arise from the discovery of old Landmarks, antient possessors, & the handwritings of the times. One curious paper I saw which contained a list of the articles taken from the house of Philip Eng- lish by Sheriff Curwin when English & his wife were taken for witchcraft. There is a deed of Eleanor, Wid. of W. HoUingsworth, to Philip Cromwell of her husband's Estate, signed in 1672. There is also a deposition of Margaret Becket, aged 60, in 1677, in which she attests to a promise made by W. HoUingsworth respecting hia estate in 1665. This shews the early controversies of the families. There is also a deposition. There is also a writ of execution served upon the estate of W. HoUingsworth for 16£, in 1674. A Mr. Buf- fington, aet. 82, in 1722 deposed that on the place which Mr. Eng- lish then held, & which was called the Framing place, easterly & southerly of the Common, & bounding upon a road, had been occu- pied by two Houses belonging to Pudeater which appeared to him must have been built before 1661. Pudeater, the Blacksmith, died in 1681, & English purchased his estate as appears by the papers. There is also a paper in french in which John Tousel confesses himself indebted to Philip English for money received in Jersey, or Jersie, which was the place of nativity to both of them. English seems to have been known to his Country as one in Boston appoints him his Attorney in 1698. It was Philip Poingdexter. There is mention made also of Mary, Wid. of Thomas Downing. I saw on- ly one paper of business upon parchment. Among the papers of a 448 » DIARY OF [Sept. later date my attention was drawn to a certificate from the Naval officer dated 1728. It was signed Samuel Gatman, Naval officer. It was respecting property & ought to be preserved. From these papers information might be obtained of the price of all articles & indeed the demands for them as well as the names of the principal persons in business & the mechanics employed by them & masters of Vessels, &c. By one record I find fish for Cargo, 1695, reckoned at 14* pr. Quintal. In 1666 there is an engagement to supply W. Hollingsworth with a quantity of Tobacco which was to be shipped on his account. These are the articles which attracted particular notice & convinced me how much information I might derive from the careful examination of these papers, which are promised to me. The furniture was so various that it was very much disposed of in Lots for appraisement, so that little can be learnt from the In- ventory & the Articles of cloathing were not at the Mansion house but at the daughter's in whose house the Mother died. The silver & Cloathes I had seen before & so did not examine them again. The trophies from Curwin were the only resentment of the kind I could ever justify, & I have noticed elsewhere. In Iron there was hardly a thing to be imagined that could not be found. Tools, uten- sils, & every article of domestic use. I saw nothing of superiour workmanship, or of very curious form. The pictures which were antient, were dutch & french. Of a curious case of bottles, the top was lined with a dutch picture of Death & Hell, with labels & french verses below. The Tables were numerous & of all sizes. The more antient chairs had been given to me, such as remained after plundering the house in 1692. This event convinces me that the articles in general must have been posteriour to that event, tho' the papers were not. Few things appeared of older date. Many chests were to be seen & a trunk, the largest I ever beheld, but into which I could get, & in high preservation, considering its known antiquity. By comparing this furniture with the list of articles taken by Curwin, I may nearly determine what remains from the description & value, tho' I think few things then in the house, but many things belonging to the Holinsworth family. The Looking glasses were distinguished by their forms & broad frames. Some of the tables were beyond any round tables I had seen, but not of the richest materials , nor so heavy as the antient tables. The beds & bedding were evidently modern, not above one hundred years old. The Glassware was smaller than we use but more globular. The plates were chiefly of the delft ware. The bottles in the cases which were small had pewter heads in which screwed pewter stop- ples. 10. Died this morning the wife* of my friend Patterson. Quite an honest woman but in great danger of being be guiled by the fa- natics who visit her from Beverly, & who with zeal enough, & igno- •Mra. Mehitable, wife of Capt. William Patterson. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 449 ranee in extreme, had neither virtue nor charity. In the afternoon, with Mr. Logan, I went on board the Danish ship which is at an- chor in our harbour. She is in the King^s service. I was pleased with the attentions of the Captain, & not a little surprised to find the Contents of his library. With his Bible & Books of devotion to which he seemed attentive, I found Mirabeau's System of Na- ture, & publications of Bahrt & Knigge. He disapproved the spec- ulations of the first, but he professed to be fond of the moral thought of the latter writers. He had part of a periodical german publication respecting the American War. We were offered a glass of wine, & the parts of the Ship were shown to us. I gave him an invitation to visit me & left my name. The visit was accidental altogether, not being able to land the Ladies on Marblehead side as we expected, the tide being low. 11. In the evening I left Salem & went for Roxbury, to preach in Mr. Porter's pulpit. I reached Cambridge & lodged at the An- chor, Porter's. Next morning I went on to Roxbury. 12. Sunday. The house, which is oblong & the pulpit on the largest side, has by this circumstance been difficult to fill, it being much farther from the speaker to the sides than to the front. I dined with the Widow Ruggles & took Tea with the widow of the last Governour Sumner. I feel a higher respect every time I see this amiable woman, & recollect with pleasure that I sat with her at Brooklyn on the first Sunday after marriage, an expression on my part of fond affection to the parties. I christened & attended a funeral & then went into Boston & spent the evening with Dr. Eliot. The house in Eoxbury is to be taken down & a new one built a little 3outh of it. The new house is to be in wood. Dr. Eliot's in Boston is taken down, & they are prepared to lay the foundation of a Brick Church. The first Church in Roxbury had for its first Pastor the Apostle Eliot who made such bold attempts to gospelise the Indians, & who translated the Bible, &c. into their Tongue. Mr. Nehemiah Walter succeeded him & the son of N. W., Nathaniel, was at the other parish. Having been with the army at Louisburg, he had acquainted himself with the French language & made a free use of the French preachers, particularly Bourdeau & Claude. He had in his Collection above 50 volumes of French ser- mons, when french was hardly known in the Country. He had a fine imagination, was not a general scholar, & finally was openly intemperate & died as did his Successor Abbot, with open shame. Mr. Nathaniel Walter printed an Artillery Election sermon & a Ser- mon at the Thursday Lecture. I have heard of no other. Dr. Ers- kine of Scotland who had seen these has enquired whether any other have been printed. Dr. Eliot upon his tour eastward has observed the most finished Houses of worship, but he rather inclines to fav- our a square than an oblong house, as he could be scarcely heard at Newbury Port & yet has always filled the largest house with the 450 DIARY OP [Sept, largest Congregation in Boston, This is a serious matter to our public speakers & we hope will have deserved attention. 13. Visited White & took several things at his Store & exam- ined his Bookstore. Visited at West Boston, Peirce who has a great taste for Curiosities, & found several curious things added to his collection, especially from England & from the North West Coast of America. Attended the funeral of Data, the wife of W. Silsbee & daughter of my friend John Philips. This good old man above 80 years of age, is now deprived of his wife & all his children & without one descendant. No man has walked more uprightly through life than this good old man. I saw his mother just before she died who was in her 100th year. His brother is 88. The dif- ferent attempts to sell the burying ground & house of worship be- longing to the Friends have been constantly resisted by the Friends, Philips & Pope, who are the only two old men who remain in Boston. 14, We are told a barn was burnt at Salisbury, & a man killed at Amesbury, with his four oxen, that he was driving in a team loaded with Hay. A Barn was also burnt at Burlington. A Fish House was also damaged by lightning in Marblehead. A Friend at Newbury Port thinks the storm was more severe north of the Merrimac. 16. We attended the funeral of Eunice Richardson,* an only daughter. The father had amassed a great interest, & the mother possessed a soul filled with piety & charity. She spared no expences of education, but the accomplishments of the mind were not happily blended with experience in life. The addresses of a stranger were admitted, tho' a foreigner, & at length refused from compli- ance with the wishes of friends. The pretentions of one who might have better claims were admitted & several indiscretions ensued. Innocence was exposed to censure, & friends to distress. Indispo- sition followed. Incidents which ought to be lost, marked the sit- uation, & at length the good girl after all her indiscretions, died. Many virtues were strangely blended with caprice, much sincerity with affectation, the love of a few friends was opposed to prevalent opinion. Alas, that education should not have more of the best knowledge, & that she who in her last moments gave so much con- solation to her friends, should have so many fears in the world. A long procession honoured the dead, & all the various emotions ac- companied the train of mourners, &c. No open sin & yet innocence had not all her joy. 17. A pious mother so indiscrete as to wish that a minister should pronounce upon an eqiiivocal courtship in an encomium upon the dead. What will not fond affections require ? My Choirister has lost his wife, lost his friends, lost his reputation, & lost his property & now it is given out that he has failed & is worse than nothing. •Daughter of Nathaniel and Eanice (Putnam) Richardson, 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 461 18. Attended the funeral of a child of G. Southward, as his minister is absent. 19. Sunday. Notes. Widow Eunice Richardson & children, d. of her only D. Eunice, pr. for children absent, two at Portland. William Patterson & wife, d. of his mother, pr. for a Child & her Brother sick, & for brethren absent, two B. at sea. Mehitable Byrne, d. of her Mother Paterson, p. for Husband & Br. at Sea. George Underwood & wife, d. of his Mother. Widow Mary Pres- ton, d. of her Sister Underwood, pr. for g. son at sea. Widow Mar- garet White, d. of her Sister Underwood. Widow Mary Eoot, d. of her grand child Southward. Notes delivered last Sunday were of Widow Patterson for prayers upon d. of her d. in Law Paterson. Widow Twisse on death of her husband. Of Mr. Browne & wife, d. of her father Twisse. 21. A Military Day. The Militia Companies under arms. As the Grand Royal Arch Chapter were at Boston, I attended. 22. A Rainy day but the Cadets iiuder arms & under the com- mand of Capt. Israel Williams & the Artillery under Capt. Brooks. Mr. Pickering is proposed as member of Congress. He has been disgraced in the Army by Washington & in the Civil list by Adams. We know not what new honours are in store for him. 23. Yesterday was a terrible tornado at Newbury. It passed the river to Salisbury & was about 30 rods wide in its course. It destroyed Houses, Barns, Orchards, Trees, fences, & every obstacle in its way. It is affirmed to have been the most violent ever known in this part of the Country, & never was such experienced at New- bury within the memory of the present generation. The preceding night at Salem was boisterous & the wind squally from the S. W., the same point as at Newbury, but the rain was in showers through the day without any unusual convulsions in the atmosphere. 25. In the afternoon I went to Endicott's to borrow the dial of the Governour as it is a great curiosity. I was very desirous to ob- tain it, as it was made & sent over to the Governour in 1630, & cal- culated for Salem, Lat. 42, as it is marked. It was made by William Bowyer of London, clock maker & is marked with the initials of Gov. Endicott's name I. E.* Preparations are making to repair the road to Danvers through Northfields. The straight road is given up & the old road is to be widened. Mr. Gardner, at the cross roads, had begun to build his new wall on the new line. Col. Derby has done much upon his new wall on the other road in front of his farm, & it is expected that others will follow his example. 26. Sunday. Notes. Nathaniel Stone & wife, child sick. This is the minister of Windham, Maine, upon the visit to her friends. She an Andrew, & their only child lays very sick in Winter street. Lydia Townsend & Children, d. of her only Son, Husband & friends at Sea. William Patterson & wife, d. of a child, two Brothers at •Now preserved in the museum of tbe Essex Institute. 452 DIABY OP [Oct. Sea. Joseph Walden for his wife dangerously sick. Samuel Worcester lately dismissed from Fitchburg is preaching in the Tab- ernacle Church in this Town. The Kevd. Thomas Lyoll, calling himself a Chaplain of Congress, who advertised to preach in the Court House last Sunday at one & five o'clock, actually preached at the first hour in the Court house & in the evening at Mr. Hopkins. We are told that the advertisement in his name was properly from his friends. We are not accustomed to these advertisements which are common in the Southern States. Mr. Boddily the imported min- ister of Newbury Port, who has been so active in the religious stirs, is now so entirely deranged that a Brother in Law Giles officiates for him. His countenance has long led to such expectations. 28. Mr. Palfrey from Marblehead proposed the printing of some music which is his own composition. Mr. Corn^ the Italian Painter with me. I subscribed for one dozen of Palfrey's music. October 1 [1802]. It is now determined that Timothy Picker- ing, the Ex-Secretary, shall be candidate for the next Congress, & his rival is Hon. Jacob Crowninshield. Mannassah Cutler is for the other district opposed to Dr. Kitteridge. Electioneering is be- gun of course. 2. Our numerous Southern visitors begin to return southward. The Town are adding to the number of their wells. The well in North field, on the Common near Winter street, & at the opening of Gerrish Street in Essex Street, as you pass into East Street, are now nearly completed. Beverly Bank notes are in circulation. The Proprietors of Essex Bridge have employed the Thistles to collect the toll of their Bridge at a premium said of 700 dollars. 3. Sunday. Notes. Andrew English & wife, d. of a Child & for her & 2 children sick. Joseph Walden & wife, for her & 3 children sick. Hannah Webb, d. of child, pr. for husband & breth- ren at Sea. Mr. Stone, minister of Windham, lost his child this day, upon whose account he has been detained in this town. 7. We dined & had a friendly interview at Mr. B. Ward's, a happy day. The contrast of his situation in his new connections is great & we are all convinced that no evils of past life were from the man. We had several portraits before us & several interesting anecdotes. Mr. Hazlett's executions in miniature were excellent. Mr. Corn6 as a painter of ships has great excellence. Some of his paintings of portraits are good. A Mr. Verstille has at present great fame & it is believed great success. Our good Schoolmaster Lang & family were with us. 8. As a Carver we place Mr. Macintire with Skillings of Boston. In some works he has succeeded well. He cuts smoother than Skillings but he has not his genius. In architecture he excells any person in our country, & in his executions as a Carpenter, or Cabinet maker. His Brother executes the work at Allen's farm. 9. Arrived, Jeremiah Briggs from Sumatra. This very young CAPT GEORGE CURWEN. I 61 0- I 685. From the painting in possession of the Essex Institute. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 453 man is very promising. His Brother Johnson lately arrived at Bos- ton. His ship was sold in London. Capt. G. C[rowninshield] junr. in directing his ship America, grounded on the shoals north w. of the Haste, & lay half an hour. It was an uncommon ebb & at dead low water, no damage. As I am charged as Editor of the Register, I promised Mr. Carlton it should not be without some attention to him. 10. Sunday. Notes. Wid. Eliz. Andrew & child, d. of her grand child, child of Revd. Nathaniel Stone of Windham & for absent friends. Mr. Stone's only child died & was buried on Mon- day last, set. 7 months. Susanna Saunders & Sisters, d. of their Sister, pr. for absent friends & relations. Priscilla went on with W. Mason to Charleston, S. C, & died there. The Father absconded & the Mother was a Mason & is dead. Zechariah Marston for his wife sick, she died the same day. There has been a fast at the Taber- nacle upon the subject of inviting a minister to that charge. 11. News came that Tracey Collins had died at Havana. This young man had adventured largely in the Slave Trade, & has been charged with great cruelties. He was wounded & much cut, &c. &c. He belonged to a most worthy family. 12. Delivered to Mr. Corn^, the original painting* in oil of Mr. George Curwin, who came to Salem in 1633 & died in 1685, aged 75 years. As the original was much injuried, the extreme parts were seperated & only a half length preserved, but the face left untouched. In its present form it will be of the size of Gov. En- dicott. My engagement with the family is half a guinea for the portrait. Mr. Thacher was delivered to Dr Thacher of Boston for a guinea. Mr. Thacher was already in possession of the original much defaced. There was a relationship between the Thachers & Curwins. Mr. Corn^ is endeavouring to introduce the Tomatos, love apples, pomme d'amour, or his favorite Italian pomo d'oro. He finds it difficult to persuade us even to taste of it, after all his praise of it. 17. Sunday. Notes. Andrew English & children, d. of his wife, pr. for a child sick, youngest. Andrew English & children^ d. of his d. in Law English. John Babbidge & wife, d. of youngest child, pr. for Brethren at Sea. John Becket & wife, d. of g. son Babbidge, pr. for his eldest son at Sea. John Emerton & wife, d. of their child. John Williams & children, d. of his wife, pr. for a friend at sea. James Archer & wife, d. of their child, pr. for breth- ren at sea. Josiah Gatchel & wife, her delivery. Thomas Groves & wife, her delivery, pr. for a father & Brother at Sea. 18. This day was our preparatory military day. The Militia turned out in companies. On Thursday they are to form a line in North field. The first words ever said to me of Salem were. Be- ware of G. C[rowninshield]. We called upon him & it was the *Now preserved in the museum of the Essex Institute. 454 DIARY OF [Oct. first & only refusal we had.* His son afterwards subscribed in behalf of the firm. After telling us that he instructed Count R[umford] in making chimnies, that he had on foot a charity for the poor of the Town of 2000 D. & several other rousers, he declined tho' he had before given every encouragement upon a private appli- cation. It was only because he saw more worthy men before him on the List. 22. The four buried from the family of Perkins near the neck. The wife of Isaac & daughter of John. The Mother of Robert's wife, aged 96, & the fatherf of them all this day aged 88. The sons not worthy of the parents. 23. The weather has obliged the putting off the Military Pa- rade from Thursday last to this day. As the Common was not fit to be trampled the Regiment paraded in North fields, just beyond the new Road which passes from Horse pasture point road to the water, laid out by the heirs of Dr. Walter of Boston. 24. Sunday. Notes. Mary Perkins, d. of her husband, pr. for Children in distant land. John Perkins & wife & Children, d. of his Father, p. son at sea. Isaac Perkins, d. of his Father. Wid. Phoebe AVood and Children, d. of her Father Perkins, pr. for a son weak & low. Joseph Walden & wife, thanks for recovery of wife & 3 children, d. of their youngest child. Wid. Eliz. Andrew, pr. for son Nath. dangerously sick, pr. for absent children. Thomas Magown & wife, her delivery. At Lynn, Oct. 20, died John Carnes, Esqr., set. 79. He was educated at Cambridge & graduated in 1742. He was settled in the ministry at Stoneham & afterwards dismissed. He then settled at Rehoboth & was dismissed. He then continued to preach in vacant parishes & at the time of the revolution preached in a part of Concord, called Carlisle, since its incorporation. His talents were small & his manners displeasing but his simplicity had no vice in it. He afterwards retui-ned to Ljoin where he , married into a good family & by the prosperity of his children rose to competence, was in the General Court & became justice of the peace. His poverty returned again towards the close of life tho' not in extreme. We used often to laugh at Carnes, but there was many a worse man in our wicked world. 25. Mr. Isaac Perkins, who died last week, was born in Tops- field & lived in Boxford, upon the line towards Topsfield, His first wife was a Perkins & by her he had 9 children of whom four sur- vive him. After her death he married a second wife, Mary Curtis of Marblehead, & soon after marriage moved to Salem, IG years ago. His son Isaac was then in flourishing circumstances, & his son John on the Neck farm. He gave up his land to receive a main- tenance from Isaac & had cause to repent it. His widow married first a Gardner, then a Kennedy, & this was her third husband. *In relation to a subscription. tisaac Perkins, formerly of Topsfield. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 456 She has a Son who lost his arm in the war, at Moultonborough, N. H. & a daughter married at Cheshire, N. H. 26. ^Ir. Palfrey called upon me about singing. He promised to open a school «& I promised to send three scholars at two dollars. He is about to published his music to which I wrote a short pref- ace. The attack upon me i)ersonally is founded upon the use of the word convenient in my INIasonic address. The same objection that was made & answered some time ago. Upon me the vengeance is to be poured. 27. Electioneering high, & I am brought by name into public view. The conduct of the Crowninshield family is justified & op- posed. The offering of the Ship America is imputed to sinister views. But that she was too old, is disproved by the continued service she has done ever since. The payment of 40,000 dollars is challenged. It is said it was paid to Consul Obrian at Algiers for interest & was a profitable adventure. To this it is replied that no interest was paid & that the money was of high service. The truth is, the sons of G. C. are good merchants & in preference far, his son Jacob. His education is not finished. The greatest ob- stacle to his promotion is the public opinion of his Father's loqua- city & at least habitual indiscretion, by which his usefulness is lost, 28. An alarm of fire at Barker's Blacksmith's Shop below Derby S. & opposite to Carlton's street. Not much damage, at noon. The Servant had not left it five minutes, & he who came last had been lately threatened for intempere&ce. Mr. B. is not without great suspicions, as three shirts were found near the fire, which he pre- tended he laid for washing. A new place & perhaps a pretence. 29. Last evening a Caucus was held in a lai-ge Hall belonging to Khust near the center of the Town. It is the first that has ever been held upon general principles since I have been in Town & prob- ably ever held by a popular party in it. Chosen & select men have met, but not so large a body. Above an hundred, allowed by all, assembled in the evening. Esqr. Ward was moderator & Jo. Story the speaker. Their union & good order were distinguishing. The Gazette affected to ridicule them, but their strength was beyond ex- pectation. 30. The Centinel announced the death of my Brother in Law Charles Wooley. He was from England, married my youngest sister, & has two children. He was very industrious, active, enterprising, & prosperous, open in his temper, kind in his family & beloved by his acquaintance. In business he was at- tentive, invective, & much approved. He died at Havana in the 31 year of his age with the prospect of a good voyage before him & under good & rich owners of the Ship which he commanded. In the midst of the best prospects he has disappeared. 21. Sunday. Notes. Mercy Welman-, d. of her Br. Thomas 456 DIARY OP [Nov» Mascoll, pr. for son at sea. Mary Foot, d. of her Br. Th. Mascoll^ pr. for herself sick. Samuel Webb & wife, d. of their son, d. of her Brother Palfrey, pr. for Brethren at Sea. Ord. at Newbury Port, 17 Oct., by Bp. Bass, Nathaniel Bowen, son of the Revd. Penuel Bowen, first settled at the New South Church, Boston, in 1766 & dis- missed in 1772, then a Merchant, and afterwards in the Episcopal Church in S. C. N. Bowen, the son, is assistant Minister of St. Michael, in Charleston, S. C. We hear that there are new difficul- ties in lower Dan vers with Revd. Mr. Mead which will probably is- sue in a seperation. November 1 [1802]. All Saints day was given to our election of Member in Congress. The Republicans having assembled on. Thursday, met also on Sunday night. The day was rainy & much business was not to be done abroad. The Selectmen were firm. The seats were kept entirely clear in which they were placed. The votes were given in without crowding near the boxes, & any impo- sitions, tho' contended for in some regulations which might cover them were prevented. At five the votes were counted, & from the largest number of votes ever produced in the Town, a majority of 77 was found for Crowninshield. We learn this evening that a clear majority was found for him in the votes of the District so that he is certainly elected. 2. Went to Boston & the disappointment of parties was great. The Republicans had gained more than they expected & the Feder- alists had lost more than they ever expected or even imagined. The two Candidates, John Quincy Ada,ms, son of the late President, & late minister at Berlin & the Ex-Secretary Pickering were both re- jected by the people & Eustis & Crowninshield elected. The result of these Elections will have a powerful influence upon public opin- ion, & must form an important event in our history connected with the fate of Bayard in Delaware. 5. Not all the moderation of the Register could save the repub- licans from insult in* "the Gazette. A poor drunken fellow, John Pyn^jheon, son of a worthy man deceased, & lately a Captain in the peace esj;ablishment, but now a worthless man, lately from jail, pub- lished a severe invective. The children cannot entirely forget pope day. Tho' there was no exhibition, the rudeness of the Streets discovered in the evening that the old practices were not entirely forgotten. 7. Died, 4 Nov., Revd. John Boddily, Newbury Port, aet. 47. A few years since this stranger came to America, having been a Dis- senting minister in England. According to his own account, he had experienced great domestic troubles, & had been divorced, & then had married his housekeeper. He was so popular at Newbury Port, that part of the deceased Mr. Murray's congregation, with a Mr. Titcombe at their head, built him a handsome meeting house. His temperance was rather suspected, but he was busy in the new 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 467 light times there, & finally became distracted & is now dead. A man of slender powers, & little information, much zeal & addicted much to travelling stories. Nov. 2, Revd. Stephen Hull was or- dained at Amesbury. He has long preached & had been in Metho- dist orders. They first took & then prevailed on a particular coun- cil to ordain him. 9. Mary Lambert who died last week, set. 68, at Wenham, had been there through the season. She was of the family of Whites, first married a Scollay & then Capt. Joseph Lambert. The family have all had rich natural endowments, but some excentricities of manners, & condition have attended them all. Two sisters are left. Mrs. Greenwood & the widow of Dr. William Fairfield. 10. The public attention has been engaged by the indiscretion of Capt. G. G.* in cutting down the fence below Hardy street. He had to pay damages & the grand jury have the complaint. The warm politicians have this affair to assist in persecuting the family, which has been lately favoured by the public votes in the competi- tion with the Pickering interest. Much noise. 13. A road is proposed from Chelmsford to Salem through Tops- field. It is mentioned to continue it to Amherst. At Newbury Port they talk of a Turnpike to Boston, leaving Salem. The road to Cape Ann round Manchester great hill, finished. Widening the road through Northfields. The Middlesex canal has been passed from Merrimac to Boston. Such are the improvements proposed & accomplished in our part of the Country. 16. There is nothing which angry passions can express, which is not said & done from the disappointment to the friends of the Ex-Secretary. The pleasure of unexpected success has been as great in the friends of Mr. Jefferson's administration. It is a real tri- umph. Nothing is neglected which can inflame the people, or aid the report that all was unfair, false & facetious. We learn that the Vessels on shore at Plum Island last Saturday week did not suffer so much from distress of weather as neglect. One Crew was lost, probably in their boats. Several Bodies have been taken up & in- terred at Ipswich. The other in which the people tarried & were saved, is gotten off without great loss. The pretended new Gazette of Newbury Port was an artifice of party. 17. The printer of the Register in this town was obliged to ap- pear in the Supreme Court to answer to a bill found against him by the Grand Jury for uttering & publishing falsehoods respecting that pest of Society, the Ex- Secretary, the enemy of Washington, the enemy of Adams, & the enemy of talents, & of all men, who would not submit to the tyranny of his own false ambition. The business has progressed no further than the answering to the charge. Bail will be admitted. Such is the villainy of that man who has pretended contempt of public criminations to which he could not re- •George Crowninstiield. 458 DIARY OF [Nov. ply, & who has returned to curse the neighbourhood, which has al- ready been abused by his controversies, & contraventions. Attended the funeral of Blackburn's wife from the Charity House. He was executed for murder in Salem vseveral yeaas ago. She belonged to the Ep. Communion but the minister could not attend. 21. Sunday. Notes. James Archer & wife, d. of her Br. James Archer, pr. Brs. at Sea. Benj. Archer & wife, d. of his Brother, pr. for Brs. at Sea. Wm. Patterson & wife, d. of her Brother, pr. Brethren at Sea. Benj a. Hawkes & wife, d. of his Brother. 22. It is now said as the politics of the day, that the Derby heirs have dismissed their Wharfinger, S. Ward, because of his votes for the Crowninshield family & that a deliberate plan is adopted to expell from the service of the Feds all who have voted against them. All such we are assured have been neglected at the Assembly, for this winter. So warm are partizans. 24. The Markets higher this day than yesterday. Turkies at 9/^, or 12 1/2 cents, ducks at 4/6, 75 cents a pair. The rise has happened several years. My friend Breed brought some of his wild Turkies from Nahant which are of prime quality. Articles in our Market stand highest at this time. Pork was 4 1/2*^, 6 cents, which is moderate compared with other seasons. Fowls 8*^, 11 cents, never below 6^ or 8 cents. Lamb was at 4 1/2*^, about 6 cents. Eggs 1/6 or 25 cents, but often sold before at 14 & 16 cents. Milk round the year 4 1/2*^ or 6 cents, now 8 cents. Butter 9*^ which is not much higher than common price. Beef 6*^ or about 8 cents, the usual price for the past year. Cranberries Tuesday 4^ or 66 cents, Wednesday 8s or 1.33. Apples good at 6* or a dollar. 25. Thanksgiving. The Contribution exceeded 118 Dollars. In the afternoon it was said that 1100 persons passed upon the new Turnpike which is now opening between Salem & Boston. 27. At Marblehead has died the noted Capt. Thomas Peach, be lieved to be 101 years of age. He pretended that he was baptised at ten years of age, which must render him much older. But he probably has lived a full hundred years. Year before last I saw him going on foot to Boston on Election day & saw him soon after actually in Boston. At 90 he could mount a horse easily. He was an uncommon pedestrian. He never was sick, & he was always chearful. It is said his widow is above 90 years of age, & one sis- ter 92 & another 84. His name is very familar to people of every age as he was noted for his familiarity. He & Mr. Beals of Dor- chester were the most active after 90 years of any men I have ever known. December 4 [1802]. Master Watson's School is again open. After he left it, a Mr. Cary took it & kept it but a short time. A young man from Reading succeeded him and as soon left it. His name was Pratt. This month a Mr. Pennel has opened it, we hope with better success. Mr. W. Kenney is to open a Singing School in this part of the Town. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 459 5. Sunday. Notes. Hannah Malcom, d. of one of her grands. Henderson, Georges, INIaine, vet. 9, Boy, pr. for children absent. Benja. ^Millet & wife, for her dang, sick of a fever, pr. for friends at Sea. The affairs in Lower Danvers with Revd. Mr. ;Mead Avill issne in a seperation. This is their third minister, & the tirst, Mr. Frescott, resigned. A Mv. Hovey from Connecti- cut preaching at Haverhill in a parish there. I took the liberty of preaching upon Singing, to recommend attention to this art, as in our Congregation it begins to fail. At the Communion, for the first time, we introduced other music than with the usual hymn after the service, between the Blessing & distribution, & the Thanksgiving & the delivery of the Cup. It was not without good effect, & deserves encouragement. 9. Dined this day with our fire Club. Nothing has been lost by fire belonging to any member of this Club, since I belonged to it, for sixteen years. Our number is 30. Tho' the present year has been remarkable for fires we have suffered nothing. Attended the funeral of one Lillie, from the Charity House. He came to town with a box to exhibit pictures by a magnifying glass. He was drowned by accident, manner unknown, probably by intemperance. He was supposed to be a German. 10. We are exerting ourselves to get Singers. Our number of Visitors large this evening. The difficulty is great in supplying a School in the Town. Tho' the instruction be gratis, few are pre- vailed upon to attend. From the proposal of a New School for 25 selected youth the School of Mr. Bigelow will be lessened. He has dismissed his assistants. Mr. Town has opened a writing school in the west end & Mr. Fennel in the east. This proposed school is called by some the Nobility School, from the party which proposes it. Schools multiply in Salem. 11. The association not to employ the friends of Crowninshield we are told has failed by the manly opposition of Mr. Gray. Farty noc absolutely mad yet. 12. Sunday. Notes. Samuel Silsbee, junr. & wife, her delivery, pr. for brethren at Sea. The new house in Beverly was opened for the first time this day. The Service was to be from Mr. Farish of Byfield, the Colleague geographer of Dr. Morse of Charlestown. We are told that a preacher at Beverly on the late Thanksgiving told his congregation we had been under a war like David in AV[ash- ington], a Solomon in A[dams] & now were under a Jereboam. Is this Gospel ? 14. Hon. Joseph Lee, who died this month at Cambridge, was a descendant from the family of Lee in Boston who were founders of the New Brick Meeting House in 1721, when they seperated from the New North in consequence of introducing Peter Thacher from Weymouth. His father lived in North School Street, & his uncle Elder Lee lived nearly oppposite to the new Brick Meeting 460 DIARY OP [Dec. House & died at the same age with Judge Lee, set. 93. Judge Lee always had a good reputation. He was attached to the English In- terest during the revolution, but never left the country. 16. Our Singing School last evening furnished only children of early age not ripe enough for our purpose. Everything has been done to secure success, but the public prejudice rests against the art of Music, as having too great a tendency to prevent the improve- ment of time. And in no place could amusement have less plea^ than in Salem. Industry says little in favour of Music as the way to riches. 17. Mr. Goss* died of apoplexy after a fit of 24 hours from which he never had any relief. He had not long been settled in Salem. The cold weather which came on yesterday has continued for 48 hours with unusual severity. The glass in the house ranged from 9 to 11 & the whole harbour was covered with a sheet of ice, which we had not long before seen. 18. The business of lighting lamps in our streets has great suc- cess. The whole town will probably be soon illuminated at private expence. It is then expected that the Lamps will be supported at the Town's charge. It is singular that never before such a thing should have been used. 19. Sunday. Notes. John Fairfield & wife, d. of their young- son, & th. for recovery of eldest child. Mehitable Rhue, d. of eldest Child, pr. for husband & friends at Sea, her youngest child remaining sick. Hannah Rice, d. of her youngest child, pr. for son & friends absent, Thomas Rhue & wife, d. of their g. son, Pr. for friend at Sea. Mr. Stephens continues Schoolmaster, Min- ister, & Justice of Peace in Isle of Shoals. Mr. Bodily 's funeral sermon by Mr. Dana has been printed at Newburyport. It is ac- companied with some account of that weak man. It will be hardly decent to tell the truth about him. 24. The district of Maine are in earnest upon the subject of a seperation. It has been often talked of, & great objections have been made to the additional expences of government. But their local situation evidently calls for this event, and the example of so many western States which have been happily formed upon a less population have contributed to urge the public wishes. 25. On Christmas Day the President's message in Town. It gives a most favourable account of these states in their foreign re- lations & in their domestic affairs. The state of finances is very favourable to the reputation of that Economy by which the present administration is characterised. But it does not escape. It is in- stantly seized by the harpies & Virgil could not describe the hor- ours of the banquet. 26. Sunday. Notes, Mary Goss, d. of her Husband, pr. for children absent. Mary Smith, for her dang. sick. Martha Bab- *Ricbard Goss, formerly of Bradford. 1802] WILLIAM BENTLET, D. D. 461 bidge, delivery, pr. for husband at Sea. Last week died Oliver Everett, Esqr. He was ordained at the New South Church in Bos- ton, 2 Jan. 1782 & continued till May 26, 1792. He had not pulpit talents tho' his powers of mind were strong. His learning was not extensive or professional. He remained unmarried till nearly the time of his dismission, & then severing connections he married himself before he was married by the Law. As this was the first instance among the ministers of Boston it gave great offence. His free admission into the pulpits of the tovra was prevented, & his own congregation, always small, evidently decreased. He resigned & removed to Dorchester, where his Brother had been minister, who had also resigned. Mr. Everett held the office of a Judge in the Superiour Court. He graduated at Cambridge in 1779 & died aged 51. 28. Last evening was the first in which the Lamps furnished by subscription for Essex Street were lighted, with good effect. 30. A committee is appointed in Portsmouth to receive the do- nation for the sufferers in that distressed Town. So common is it in America to attribute every thing unusual to design that a shop or the meanest building is not destroyed without a cry assisted by the Gazettes, it is design. Such was the report respecting Ports- mouth. But upon calm enquiry respecting the time, place, & first appearance of the fire, it has, by persons appointed to examine, been declared that no grounds of just suspicion do exist. We trust alarms do not always prove guilt, if they often do the precipitate judgment, and rash folly of those who spread them. 31. This last day of the year, passes out in the usual employ- ment of life. No man pauses from business, or leaves the walks & rounds of his usual employments. Christmas holy days are not known to the public. It is easy to have an habitual retrospect. I cannot inform myself of all the business of the Town, but of the past year the following is my history of it. 76 Vessels have made entries & clearances at the Custom House in Salem which have had some connection with our Society. It was not easy for me to get at the exact tonnage or the different vessels. By entries & clear- ances I could most easily & as conveniently judge of the activity of the past year. For a complete calculation must be made upon the goods imported & exported, & the number of men & the pre- cise expence of providing for Sea. Of the 76 entries & clearances 45 were of vessels owned & nav- igated by members of the Society in whole or in part, for only this could be known even to the merchants themselves. 7 were owned & not navigated by members of the society, & 24 were navigated but now owned in the Society. Of the amount of the duties some account may be gotten from the Custom House, but not of the value to the ]^[erchant, or his profits, which are to be regarded in the first place in this calculation. The nature of the voyages may 462 DIARY OF [1792 be learnt when it is considered 16 of the entries & clearances were to & from beyond the Cape of Good Hope. That 27 were to & from Europe & in the Atlantic & Med. seas. That 27 were to and from the West Indies or some European settlements in America, & only 6 of them in the Coastery trade or within the ports of the United States. The number includes 23 ships at entry & clearance only. 26 Brigs, Ketchs, Barks, & Snows, 26 Schooners, with one Sloop. We have not lost so many at Sea as in the past year, 9 were lost abroad then, & only 5 in the present year. Only one person is missing,* supposed to have foundered at Sea. 1792. Buildings, &c. in Salem below Andrew's Corner, &c. June 9. S. Chever, at the Corner of the Common, raised his Tan & Bark House, having finished a. Water Hole, Two Lime Holes, & six Vats. June 18. Forrester's Cellar for Naval Stores at the head of his New Wharf. June 21» Forrester raised his Store of Three Stories on the Wharf, good frame. Aug. 24. B. Crowninshield's Store raised on the Common. Aug. 31. Joshua Dodge shingling his house in Derby Street. Sept. 3. A small House removed from Daniel's Lane, on the Corner in Derby Street. Sept. 6. Brown, W., has bought & is repairing Young's House, opp. Hodges, Main S. Brown, repairing Shop for Block Maker at the head of Forrester's Wharf. Sept. 24. S. Chever, on the Common, increasing his Tan Vats. Sept. 26. John Collins preparing to Build a Tan House & Vats before his House. Young has raised a house in Daniel's Lane. Fiske has painted his, & M"^ Watson, the front of his School House. Oct. 10. Lane raised a story upon his whole House, & enlarged it in Derby street, towards Becket's. March 15, 1793. Capt. Collins enlarging his Tan yards & Build- ings. April 3. The old Mansion house of Ward, near the pump & Distill Houses, taken down to prepare place for a new building. B. Chever removing his Tan House to enlarge his Yard, & putting a cellar under the building. May. The part of the Building fronting Turner's Laoe & for- merly contiguous to a House belonging to Barker, seperated, en- larged & repaired. June 21. Richardson has moved a Store upon the land in Daniel's lane. •Capt. Hardy Millet. 1794] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 463 July. English's House, occupied by M. Hartlionie, Shingled. Harthorne's, Union street, shingled & Clapboarded. Aug. Mason's, on the Common, shingled, & walk upon it. Prat's House sold to Wright, & Store formed into a Bakehouse, & front. Lane's House repaired & Porch, Derby Street, Brown, on the Common sold to Briggs. Sept. White's Stores & Wharf Sold to White, & Derby. Pal- frey's, near Becket's enlarged, & Porches added. Small House moved on to Flint's land, bounding on the Common. Mar. 17, 1794. Gam, Hodges, new Barn, back of his house in the Street. Mar. 20. B. Crowninshield, new back part of his House in the Street, &c. June. Gam. Hodges, new end to his House & repairs in the Street. B. Crowninshield, entire repairs in the Street. Manning, entire finishing of House of Archer in Derby Lane. Burne's, re- pairs, pediments &c. upon house in Derby lane. Ashby, repairs & new fences & painting on White's House in Street. Ring, re- pairs & enlargement & cellars on House in White's Lane. Wright's, repairs on Bake House formed into a Dwelling on Com- mon. Chever's, Building raised near said Dwelling on Common. Briggs', entire repairs of Browne's House on the Common. Rich- ardson's, new Windmill for Bark on the Common. All the Lots enlarged & fenced from Ives' lane downwards & fenced. Ober's Land converted into a Ship yard, near Becket's. Common railed on the Great Road & several hundred Willows planted. Large Cistern finished at the head of the Common. Richardson putting up a new fence before his buildings, 14 feet outwards, upon the Grant of the Town. July. M"" Derby has raised his new store on the eastern side of his Wharf on a cobb wharf, about the middle of the wharf. The old house of Becket on the south of the pass from the Common in- to the Street leading to Keck Gate, rebuilt at southern end by one of the Daughters, Widow Cloutmau. Aug. Capt. White carrying out, widening & repairing White's western Wharf between Derby & Forrester. Bridge widened & finished, passing from Ives' Lane to Common. Bridge raised, pass- ing from the Common below Becket Street. Sept. 2. A Frame of a Store raised in the Great Street just be- low Andrew's corner. Sept. 4. The Old House of Col. Turner, back part taken away, & the House repaired by Capt. S. Ingersoll, near the water. Dun- lap preparing the old out house which he has purchased in Derby Street for a Malt House. Oct. LeFavre has moved a small barn upon Palfrey's Land in Daniel's Street. Lufkin has raised a small barn near his House in Turner's Street. M"" C. Crowninshield has purchased the old Man- 464 DIARY OF [1795 sion of Clif. Crowninshield in Essex St. near English St. & is re- pairing it. M"" H. Webb, sen. is repairing his House in English Street. M' Hitchins is adding & repairing Renew's eastern end of a House in Derby Street, bet. Turner & Cromwell Sts., South Side of Street. M'' Vincent is lengthening his Walk & building a Tan House below Pleasant Street. Capt. Lambert, corner of Cromwell Street in Essex Street, is shingling his House. M"^ Derby has raised another Store on his Wharf. Capt. Joseph White, repairing Store on White's Western Wharf. Dec. Hooper's Angle of Land cut off, & Buildings removed from Bridge Street, so that the projecting angle is taken away & the direct line on the east side of the Street is continued. January, 1795. Lemon's House in Bridge Street taken down by Gen. Eiske. They are removing the last remains of Hooper's House in the same place. May 2. Hosmer's House raised on the Common, bet. Webb's & Boardman's. A Small Store finishing on the Corner, E, of Long Wharf. Ward has purchased the old Mansion House of Derby & has sold & opened a road to the Small House back of Forrester's. Is building a Chaise's House, & making alterations. Palfrey's Land again inclosed, laying on Daniel's Street S. of Derby Street. Eepairs made on East Street by a Bridge & Drain. Knights repair- ing the family house at the Corner of the Common, Pleasant street. May 8. Hovey's Buildings, so called, in Derby Street next to Forrester's, between Curtis & Herbert's Street, so long a nuisance & in dispute, taken away. They were a row of Shops added to each other, fronting eastward. Ward repairing his building in Her- bert Street. June. Ward drawing in his fence to widen Derby Street. Allen laying out his Land in continuation of Derby Street. Sept. Capt. Ropes repairing Whittemore's House. Meeting House repaired. Derby Street continued onw rd towards the Neck. Oct. 5. Vincent's 20 piers at the end of his rope walk, 360 feet, continued. Oct. 15. Derby sinking a new Wharf upon his purchase from White's Estate & making angular births upon the upper western side of his String to get vessels out more easily. 16. Widening English Street. Removing Welman's Store from Derby Street to Cromwell Street. Nov. 6. Remodeling Lambert's Store from Cromwell Street, be- hind the House. Since, part of Derby Store on White's Wharf, down to James Becket. A Shop built in Union Street for Hatters upon Watson's Land. A Shop removed into Winter Street for Shoemakers. Another Shop for Shoemakers moved upon Gardner's, Newbury Street. Another Shop for Shoemakers opened in Daniel's Street. A Small Building erected for S. Beadle in Turner's Street. Part of the Blacksmith's Shop, corner of Union Street taken off. 1796] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 466 M"" Derby filling up & altering White's Wharf adjoining to his own. January, 1796. Perkins moving two [nanny?] Houses upon Derby's Lot near the Neck. At the second removal, Richardson was killed. M"^ Vincent has rebuilt the part of his Ropewalk, blown down. Capt Moses Townsend in Derby Street, bet. Turner & Cromwell Street, raised a story on the back of his House. March. Shop taken down adjoining to Andrews house, corner of Newbury Street, so far as it projected from the Building. The old House of Beadle's taken down in Turner's Street. Both these first injured by the wind. April. Three story house building on north side of Winter Street. A Shop on the corner of Winter Street, joining on Bridge Street. An Outhouse enlarged & repaired by Capt. Mosely, Essex S., & painted, between Herbert & Curtis Street. Capt. Moses Town- send painting his House in Derby Street. May. Meeting House repaired inside & painted. May 17. Southwick raising a School House on Symonds' Land near Common. June. Shoemaker's Shop upon Dodge's Land, Derby Street below Turner's Street. Mosely repairing his House in Essex Street below Herbert Street. Silsbee has bought Stone's Lot west of the Meeting House & raised a barn upon it, 22 June. July. A Blacksmith's Shop between Dodge's & Collins', on the Harbour, below Turner's Street. Another Building upon Hooper's Lot upon Bridge Street. Perkins has removed one of the Butcher's Shops from Front Street, upon Derby's Lot in Derby Street. Per- kins raising a Barn upon Derby's Lot in Derby Street & the road inflected from a right line through the lot so as to run parallel to the Shore. S. Derby has opened before his House in Derby Street, near Union Street, a Cooper's Shop, on the Shore bet. Hardy's & Daniel's Street. The old end of Dean's House near the M. House, Hardy street, taken down. A new part to Millet's, the next House in Hardy street. The Barn moved back of Millet's House lately. Aug. Derby has fenced his Land nearly [to] the wharf & Leased a part of it for a Boatbuilder's yard. First time. Lambert's Land in Cromwell's Street, has been fenced in Lots by the Heirs. Pal- frey Building upon his Store westward on Long Wharf. Stone finishing a Brewery on the corner of his Land in Neptime Street. Archer has raised a Barn in Walnut Street. Crowninshield fencing his Land in Cromwell Street. Chever straitening the Road on the left entering Winter Street, by removing the bank wall. Oct. Another House raised in Winter Street on the right hand bet. Gard. & King's. Williams has open a new Street from the Tommon thi'ough his lot to the River. Adams has carried Wil- liams' Store down said street. Barnes is building in Elm street upon Lot through Archer's. Crowninshield building on his Wharf 466 DIARY OP [1797 & attempted a Well. Archer building a Currier's Shop in Turner's Street below Derby Street. Williams, an outhouse back of her House bet. Union & Herbert Street. Richardson building a single House at the end of Hills' old House, Curtis Street. Nov. Archer's Barn moved upon the Lot east of Locust Street. Derby Street widened opposite to Nutting's, below Cromwell Street. 1797. Derby Street opened below Whitford's crossing to the op- posite Cove. Cellar digging in Turner's Street, below Derby Street, & House raised. Foundation in Derby street for a Bake H. on Palfrey's L. bet. Hardy & Daniels S. Frame raised for Store on Derby's part of Long Wharf. April. Palfrey adding a building to his Hatter's Shop in Derby St. bet. Daniels & Hardy S. on Palfrey's Lot. House & Cellar eastward of said Building on same Lot. Turner's Street widening bet. Essex & Derby Street. Pleasant Street fenced on W. side from Common to Bridge Street. Dodge has repaired his Bark house be- low Derby Street & Turner S. A shop moved into Winter street on the east side. Pleasent street opened. May. A building carried by Gardner down Williams' new Street. A building opened in Cromwell street, on the west side. A new small house in Winter Street. Mason enlarging his Shop into a Dwelling House on the Common. Briggs' new building on the Common. Silsbee has repaired the front of Welcome's House, Dan- iel's Street. Hill's old house taken down & a new end put by Rich- ardson in Curtis Street. White's old store & Barn removed from Curtis Street into Williams S. Moriarty's addition in Union Street, of two Stories. Southwick's new Building & Cellar on Es- sex Street, near his School House. June. Palfrey's New Barn on Blaney's Street. July. Gibaut repairing his House, &c. & painting in Essex S. corner of Walnut S. A building. Dwelling House, raised in Walnut Street. A Bath House erected near the Common on Crowninshield's Lot. Nov. The Street opened leading below English Street from Derby to Essex Street. Masury digging a Cellar & making a pan- try to House in English Street. Murphy digging a Cellar on Lam- bert's Lot, Essex S. opp. English Street, & has carried his posts for fence down to the run of water. Brown digging cellar, &c. in the new part of Pleasent Street. Pleasent Street laid out & repaired as far as Bridge Street. New House built on N. E. side of Winter Street. New Houses in Williams' new Street from Brown S. to the Shore N. W. New Public Well in Derby St., bottom of Orange Street. New Engine House in Derby St., N. E. corner of Union Wharf. Jan. 1798. Murphy raised his House in Essex S. opp. English Street. Palfrey repairing out House front of Mansion H., Derby Street. Building from Derby's Lot, East street, carried to Williams 1798] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 467 Street, Building raised upon Browne's land, in Pickman's Street. Feb. Building raised upon the west side of Cromwell Street, Becket's S. Mar. A. Shop carried upon the East Side of Cromwell Street. Forrester enlarging Barn on Derby S. bet. Orange and Curtis Street. Building on East Side of Williams Street. Shop by Very, front of Lambert's House, Brown S. on the Common. April. New Engine House on Gardner's Land. Old Store on English's Lane, N. side, near the water, taken down. A Shop into Cromwell, altered to Becket Street this month. A New Shop of two Stories on Derby Street, W. side of Orange Street. *;J^A Building re- moved from Palfrey's Lot, Derby Street, near Daniels^S. A New Shop & Store, E. side of Union Wharf, on Derby's Lot. May. Widening English Street on E. side upon Harthorne's Lot. The Tavern House, Young's, now W. of Ropes, Essex S. front of Orange S., W. part taken away, rest repaired. A Building moved upon Pickman's Lot, E. Side of Bridge Street. May 17. Brown's House raised in Pickman Street. Dunnel's house raised in Bridge Street, upon Pickman's Lot, Webb's House in English Street, covered anew. Gile's House in Daniels Street, covered for first time. June. La Fevre. Cellar in Hardy S. below Derby S. July. Collins' old House in Hardy S. taken down & Frame of New House raised. Chever's new end & Barn in Bridge street. LeFerre's House raised in Hardy Street. Aug. Another story to House opp. Hovey, Winter S. Masury's old House, East St., taken down. Sept. Carlton building upon Peele's Shop, Essex S,, Common Lot. Gardner enlarging House in Winter Street. Richardson re- moving Currier's Shop, East S, Posts & Plank walk in Elm Street. Cistern, Turner & Derby's Street. Cistern, Daniels & Essex Street. Cistern, Neptune & Walnut Street. (Derby & Curtis S. in the Spring.) (On the Common, Newbury S., last year.) Oct. A rope walk, small, in Williams Street, Gun House on the Common. New House in Williams Street, Carlton's New House & store in Essex Street, near Common, 2d lot from Newbury street. Crowninshield, G., another roof to his House & Cupola, &c., in Derby street. Palfrey enlarging his house on the Back, Derby S. bet, Daniels & Orange S. Nov. BroAvn's Shop, head of Forrester's Wharf, removed. New road & repairs on Fort at Winter Island. Silsbee's House, Essex Street, near Pleasant St., repaired by S. Townsend. Silver's House repaired on Archer's land, by Wid, Norman. Silver's new small House on Palfrey's land, Derby street. Dec, New Small House on Dodge's Lot, Derby S., below Turner St. 1799. Jan. New Sm. House on Becket's, Palfrey's Land, Der- by S. bet. Hardy & Dan. S. 468 DIARY OP [1799 Feb. R. Becket purchased English's Lot for Ship Yard. New Sm. House on BurrilPs Lot bet. Essex & Common. Mar. Small Head House for spinning, Dodge's L., Derby street. Small House rem. from Essex, near East S. to IngersoU's L, Small House off Lynde's Lot facing Common, Browne. Small Hoase ou Hitchin's Lot in Becket Street. Small House joined to Silver's late House in Essex Street. A Shop built on Manning's Lot bet. Essex S. & the Common. May. House, E. side of Becket street, by Ward & Babbidge. June. Work Shop, Becket's on English's Lot, new Ship Yard. House in Bridge street, by Barras. Small House built by Becket, Palfrey's lot, Derby street. Small building, s. of Derby street, E. of Daniels Street. In the Fall. Several new Houses in Williams Street, & owners unknown, in Bridge street. New House in Becket street, Ward & Babbidge. New Store in Derby street, bet. Becket & Turner's S. New Store in Derby street on Palfrey's Lot, bet. Hardy & Daniels street. New Buildings on Palfrey's Lot, Derby street. New Store on Crowninshield's Wharf, Union Wharf. New Shops in Union Street. Building on Burrill's Lot, s. side of the Common. New Store on Ives's Lane, by C. Crowninshield. The mansion house taken down Nov. 7. New Store on Chever's Lot, Essex street, bet. Hardy S. & Turner's Street. Shop on Lynde's Lot, N. of Common. Shop on Cheever's Lot, N. of Common. Street paved from Elm street through Neptune Street, to Union Wharf. 1800. Lane's House raised. Turner & Derby St. Crowninshield's H. repaired, Essex St. House raised in Curtis St. Buildings on Palfrey's Land, Derby St. Three houses in Williams Street. Oliver has opened a Street from the Common to Needham's Lane & to North River. Wright has finished a house in this street. Two houses finished in Winter Street. Two small buildings moved into the new part of Pleasant street. Richardson & Osgood have finished Barns on Bridge Street. Chever's New House has been finished in Bridge Street. Noyes has placed a House in Bridge Street, & a Hemp House working abroad toward North River, on Pickman's Lot. J. Gardner has removed part of a Barn belonging formerly to D. Woodbridge, on the lot he purchased from the heirs, towards Horton's Point. Oliver has fitted a house & out buildings upon Ingersoll Street. Two houses by Perkins & Son in Law have been erected on Lot in Derby Street between English & Ingersoll Street. A new House by Gatchel on E. Corner of English Street, facing Derby Street. Crowninshield has sunk 3 piers for a wharf, from the old rope walk into South river, opp. English Street, & has removed some of the old Buildings. A new House in Turner St. below Derby St. A new House in Hardy S. below Derby St. A new Store on Welman's Land in Daniel's St. below Derby Street. A new Store near Fogg's 1800] WILLIAM BENTLEY, D. D. 469 Wharf iu Daniel's St. below Derby Street. Several new Buildings on Palfrey's Land below Derby street & on the opposite side of the Street. Moveable. A new small building in Daniels Street. Der- by's Wharf repaired, faced with stone on western side, & two new Stores & old Store repaired. Great improvement upon Union Wharf & a large new store finished by Hodges & Nichols. Houses removed into Becket street. New House of Bullock in Hardy Street bet. Essex & Derby Street. Two elegant houses in Orange Street. A House in Espex Street opposite English Street. Proposed three new streets. One running from Becket street along Shore, crossing Blaney, Turner, & Daniel's street, below Der- by street. Another from Derby S. to Essex, bet. Becket St. & Turner St. Another from Fogg's Wharf, between Hardy St. & Daniels Street, into Derby Street, between Welman & Palfrey. Property disposed of in the Eastern part of the Town. 'The Es- tate of Richard Derby, Esqr., Mansion House, wharf, & Lots, to family of Crowninshield. Part of the Estate of E. H. Derby, con- sisting of an unfinished House, & Lots, to Crowninshield & others. Estate of Dudley Woodbridge, deceased. Mansion House, wharf. Buildings, & several lots of Land in Bridge street. Estate of J. Orne, ropewalk & privileges, to Crowninshield. Estate of Jon* Mason, House & Lots on the Common, to Fairfield. A number of House Lots sold in the Town at this part of the Town. Phelp's Lot for Blacksmith Shop on corner of Union Street, for Store. Cellars preparing to continue the building of Houses, &c. INDEX Abbot. Abbott, . 297, 391. 449. Brig. Qen., 65, 66. Gen., 34, 78, 88, 97, 117, 161, 182, 210, 217, 358, 359, 394. Maj. Gen., 239, 286, 332, 333. Rev.. 373, 436. Jeremiah, 394. Samuel, 16. Aborn, , 182. Academies, 231. Academy at Charlestown. N. H.. 53. Accidental death, 419. Accidents, 9, 59, 82, 101, 103, 111, 161, 171, 174, 175, 234, 257, 269, 273, 278, 310. 324, 333, 349, 358, 373, 381, 428. Acton (Mass.), 148. Adams, , 86, 88. 148. 176, 200, 263. 283, 319, 323, 324, 343, 344, 421, 433, 451, 457, 459, 465. Gov., 224. Pres., 233, 286, 287, 301, 337, 355. Hannah. 154, 324. Capt. John, 122. John Quincy, 456. Mary, 122. Nath.. 231. 232. Rev. Phineas, 404. Samuel, 101. Thomas, 120. Adet, , 205, 207. Advertisements, 269. Africa, 439. Aged persons, 169, 172, 204, 221, 302, 360, 458. Aiken, . 372. Albree, John, 400. Alden, , 301, 390. Timothy, 269, 319. Alexander. Caleb, 318. Lydia, 81. Algerian slaverj', 84, 126. Algerians, 105. Algerine prisoners, 79. Algiers, 262. Ali, Ibrahim Adam Ben, 269. Alister, , 129, 133. Allen, . 23, 36. 71. 174, 190, 225, 279, 291, 310, 318, 333, 434, 452, 464. Captain. 59, 141, 159, 164, 173, 182, 239, 257, 296, 316, 443, 446. Capt. E., 323, 440. Capt. E., jr., 279, 446. Edvs^ard, 14, 257, 265, 355, 364. Capt. Edward, 35, 36, 274. Capt. Edward, jr., 170. John, 270. Jordan Lockhart, 257. Margaret, 63. 274. Nancy, 141. Sarah, 274. Allen W., 388. Allen, see also Allyne. Allister, 200. Allyne, Elizabeth, 287. Allyne, see also Allen. Almanacs, 333. Abstracts from, 412. Alvord, , 55, 56. America (ship), 453, 455. Ames, , 348. Fisher, 49, 256, 330. Amesbury (Mass.), 337, 407. Amherst, N. H., 232. Amusements, 92, 317, 344, 397, 405, 409. Anabaptists, 419. Andover (Mass.), 16, 17, 19, 137, 177, 336, 414, 422. Andrew, Andrews, , 90, 165. 195, 281, 364, 365, 395, 451, 465. Capt., 91, 93. Rev., 113. Asa. 354. 355. Wid. Eliz., 453, 454. (471) 472 INDEX Andrew, John, 386. Mary, 163, 250, 382. Nath., 454. Angier, , 242. Ann, Cape, 7, 8, 305-309. Annisquam, 303. Appleton, , 95, 249, 395. Rev., 240. Anna, 141. John, 240, 412. William, 141. Apprentices, 34. Apthorp, Apthorpe, , 417, 434, 436. Aqueduct, 47, 57, 206, 212, 218, 222, 236, 280, 349. Archer, , 21, 183, 229, 235, 264, 293, 339, 355, 372, 463, 465-467. Capt., 86. Abagail, 128, 185, 277. Benja., 20, 190, 316, 343, 396, 458. Bethia, 264. Betty, 290. Edw., 193. Edward, 356. Elizabeth, 229, 235, 250, 263, 264, 302, 398. Capt. G., 297, 370. George, 14. Hannah, 136, 275. James, 80, 101, 185, 219, 235, 236, 250, 264, 283, 335, 376, 453, 458. John, 185. Capt. Jno., 203. Jonathan, 23, 185, 223, 235, 263, 264, 277, 292-294, 339, 343, 363, 436. Jonathan, 2d, 266. Jonathan, 3d, 191. Judith, 13, 103, 346, 366. Mary, 293. Mehitable (Kimball), 293. Nathaniel, 264, 407. S., 161, 246. Samuel, 29, 168, 239, 300, 358, 446. William, 116. Architecture, Meeting-house, 17, 46, 147, 150, 231, 254, 387, 388, 390, 391, 395. Arlingfton (Mass.), 147. Armes, , 56. Armstrong, , 371. Arnold, , 23. John, 23, Artillery, 309. Ashby, Ashbey, , 29, 43, 85, 405, 407, 463. Capt., 78, 79. Thomas, 407. Ashby (Mass.), 42. Aspinwall, Dr., 241. Atheism, 145. Atherton, , 233. Atwell, , 20. Josiah R., 420, 446. Josiah Rhodes, 365. Atwood, , 195. Aubree, John, 81. Augustus, Isaac (negro), 96. Titus (negro), 31. Austin, , 13, 71, 372. Ruth, 284. Averill, Isaac, 350. Avery, , 71. Ayres, , 419. Babbidge, , 159, 453, 468. Christopher, 182. James, 182. John, 453. Lydia, 182, 339, 343. Martha, 16, 164, 323, 339, 343, 461. Ruth, 184, 364. Susannah, 203, 240, 323, 339, 343. Bache, , 283. Backus, , 144, 251. Bacon, , 33. Baker, , 38, 303. Baker's Island, 180, 185, 230, 252, 271, 282, 347. Balch, Father, 338, Baldwin, , 42, 50, 260, 270, 273, 315, 379, 427. Rev., 425, 432. Loammi, 429. Thomas, 415. Ball, , 277. Ballard, , 375. 425. Balloon, 168. Bamfield, , 320. Bancroft, , 12, 30, 59, 222, 259, 374. Rev., 272. Rev., Aaron, 70, 71. Elizabeth, 362. George, 70. Thomas, 362. Bangs, , 59, 71, 225, 272. E., 225. Banks, , 119, INDEX 473 Banks. 4. Baptism, 260. Baptists. 9, 267, 356, 409. 426. Barasse. Peter, 95. Barasse, sec also Barras. Barbers. 304, 380, 381. Bark mill, 236. Barker, , 60, 79, 327, 376, 439, 440, 455. John. 285, 288, 309, 310, 314. Barnard. . 266. 382. Dr., 176, 219, 269, 312, 333, • 353, 371, 397. John, 341. Barnard, see also Bernard. Barnes, , 133, 231, 465. Capt., 170. John, 154. Barr, , 108, 109. James, 108. Priscilla (Symonds), 108, Barras, , 468, Barras, see also Barasse. Barren, , 28. Joseph. 264. Barrett, . 208. Barter. James, 352. Bartlett. Bartlet, , 113, 135. Cornelius, 146. Elizabeth, 202, 213, 275, 288, 315, 362. Robert, 212, 213, 275, 396. Walter, 412. Barton. , 19, 207, 443. Sarah, 253. Bass. Bp., 318, 334, 336, 337, 364, 365, 373, 388, 896, 400, 433, 456. Dr.. 10, 12, 27, 156, 186. Edward, 224. Bass, 211. Basset, , 33. Bateman, , 376. Mary, 203. Michael, 376. Bates, , 64. Benjamin, 101. Capt. Benjamin, 187. Mary, 136. Wid. Mary, 101, 172. Mary (Dolbeare), 187. Bath house, 228. Batten, Baton, 406. Abagail. 406. Elizabeth, 406. Hannah, 406. John, 405, 406. Batton, Capt., Batten, Capt. John, 405, 406. Margaret, 406. Mary, 278, 376, 406. Wid. Mary, 407. Susanna, 406. William, 406. Batter, , 334. Bayard, , 456. Beach, Capt., 8. Clementina, 308. Beadle, , 79, 206, 414, 465, Jonathan, 206. S., 464. Beals, , 458. Beans, 222. Beattie, Andrew, 367. Beauford, , 28. Beaver, 262. Becket, , 34, 85, 89, 109, 135, 146, 156, 175, 187, 204, 289, 291, 315, 324, 348, 350, 370, 402, 408, 411, 414, 440, 463, 467, 468. Capt., 124, 328, Betsey, 328. Hannah, 114, 446. James. 408, 464. Capt. James, 182. John, 285, 377, 440, 453. Capt. John, 20, 114, 146, 249, 439. John, sen.. 114. Margaret, 114, 447. Mary, 101, 136, 163, 187, 290, 408. R., 352, 440, 468. Retire, 296, 297, 302, 345, 408. Susannah, 136, 155, 261. William. 114, 166, 446. Beckey, Becky, , 304, 437. Beckford, . 137, 249. Ebenezer, 247. Jonathan, 355. Sarah, 172, Bedne, Robert, 433. Beer, 45. Belknap, Belnap, , 51, 407. Dr., 22, 176, 185, 209, 211, 255, 264. 391. Rev. Jeremy, 22. Bell, , 49. Bell at North church, 183. Bellegarde, Gen., 86. Bellisarious (ship), 277, 444. Bells, 16, 363, 369, 374, 876, 377, 388, 426. Belstead, William, 362. Bentley, , 219, 246, 296, 427. 474 INDEX Bentley, Alice, 119. Benjamin, 119. Caleb, 119, 120. Dorothy, 119. Elizabeth, 120, 121. Elizabeth Paine, 122. Harriet, 121. James, 118. Jasper, 203, 204, 205, 219, 220, 316, 325, 327, 404, 405. John, 119-122, 204. Joshua, 118, 120, 121. Mary, 119-121. Mary Ann, 122. Mary Paine, 120, 121. Nathaniel, 119. Rebecca, 122. Eichard, 120. Samuel, 120, 122, 282. Susanna, 119, 120, 122. T. Jefferson, 121. Thomas, 118-121. Tobias, 121. W. Madison, 121. William, 120, 121. Rev. William, 169, 413, 416, 424. Ancestry of, 118. Book purchaser, 258, 272. Delivers Masonic address, 209, 210, 212. Elected member of Mass. Historical Society, 176. Encounter w^ith militia offi- cers, 182. Eulogy on Washington, 325. Interpreter, 257. Journey to Amherst, N. H., 230. Journey to Dartmouth Com- mencement, 39-61. Journey to Greenland, N. H., 387. Journey to Harvard, Mass., 146. Masonic writings, 262. Newspaper writings, 112, 123, 126, 290, 421. Oration on Washington, 4,5. Pays brother's debts, 271. Poems, 216. Preaches artillery sermon, 187. Study of French, 22. Supper at Webb's, 207. Surveys Salem bounds, 102. Unpleasant call, 125. Bentley family genealogy. 118. Bernard, , 27, 75, 100, 105, 338. Dr., 129, 130, 175, 183, 193, 220, 326, 331, 358, 362, 363, 384. Gov., 425. Rev., 104, 230, 416, 424. John, 340, 341. Thomas, 30, 126, 332. Bernardston (Mass.), 55. Bernard, see also Barnard. Berry, Capt., 160. John, 205, 396. Abigail, 14, 225. Mary, 201, 250, 343, 435. Bervidck, , 38. Bethune, , 243. Beverly (Mass.), 2, 6, 113, 141, 157, 158, 174, 198, 199, 201, 213, 218, 230, 237, 267, 269, 279, 321, 346, 353, 367, 422, 429, 430, 436, 438. Beverly manufactory, 159, 236. Bibles," 276. Bickford, John, 14, Bigelow, Biglow, , 46, 249. 251, 293, 294, 299, 459. W., 264. William, 237. Billerica (Mass.), 39, 40, 139, 230, 231, 243. Billiards, 21, 78. Billings, , 246, 371, 378. William, 350. Birksted, Dr., 444. Birksted, see also Burchstead. Bishop, Joseph, 154. Bison, 156, 247. Black, , 308, 309. William, 357. Blackburn, Blackburne, , 157, 458. Henry, 165, 166, 170, 183. Blair, , 418. Blake, , 372. Blanchard, , 168, 355. Col., 143. Blaney, , 69, 73, 100, 225, 381, 428, 466, 469. Joseph, 333, 414. Blasting, 245. Blind persons, 290. Bliss, , 147. Blodget, , 215. Blowers, Rev., 431. Blue Anchor (tavern), 23, 296. Blunt, Blount, , 320, 370. INDEX 475 Blythe, Elizabeth, 121. Bosrdman, , 16, 19, 139, 203, 464. Capt., 378. Madam, 19. Wid., 14. B., 12. F., 14. Capt. F., 286. Wid. Mary, 287. Bockman, , 336. Boden, , 91. Bodily, Boddily, , 163, 214, 334, 335, 337, 396, 460. Kev., 363, 365, 452. Rev. John, 456. Bodwell, , 179. Boise, , 103. Bollan, , 41. Bomare, , 130. Bond, , 292. Bonne-Maison, , 4, 22. Book auction, 432. Boot, , 226. Boreman, T. W., 279. Borland, , 138. Boston (Mass.), 3, 27, 99, 126, 127, 224, 237, 238, 242, 243, 256, 261, 270, 278, 329, 374, 403, 404, 417, 418, 425, 426, 432, 441. Bott, , 157. Bourdeau, Rev., 449. Bours, Rev. Peter, 340. Bovt^ditch, , 79, 103, 114, 194, 234, 240, 249, 250, 286, 287, 299, 385. Wid., 116. Elizabeth, 286. Habaccuc, 94, 170, 277, 278. 326. J., 245. Joseph, 335, 380. Mary, 20, 116. N., 370, 408. Nathaniel, 277, 286, 326. T., 313. William, 224, 326. Bowdoin, , 4. Gov., 334, 343. Bowen, 185, 251. Nathaniel, 456. Rev. Penuel, 456. Bowen's museum, 261, 330. BovFers, James, 420, 433. Bowling, Tom., 265. Bovrnd, Rev., 425. Bowyer, William, 198, 451. Boxford (Mass.), 87, 183, 229, 343, 394. Boyce, see Boise. Boyd, , 389, 390, 442. William, 294, 346, 442. Boylston, Benjamin, 217. Bradbury, Judge, 354. Bradford, , 129, 156, 372, 386. Col., 131, 432. Rev., 18, 242. Ebenezer, 360. Col. S., 299. Bradford (Mass.), 19. Bradish, , 197, 399. Bradstreet, , 223. Rev. S., 341. Simon, 341. Brady, , 371. Brattle, William, 340. Brattleborough (Vt.), 54. Braxton, George, 373. Bray, , 295, 348, 362, 377. B., 273. Benjamin, 295, 377, 400. Breck, , 363. Breed, , 73, 187, 225, 292, 443, 444, 458. Breton, , 140. Brewery, 280. Brewster, , 389. Gen.. 50. Brick kilns, 438. Bricket, Brig., 286. Bridge, Gen., 40, 41, 231. Bridges, 11, 113. Briggs, , 23, 29, 62, 75, 80, 83, 86, 101, 109, 115, 134, 163, 183, 187, 201, 227, 230, 282, 285, 288, 291, 298, 318, 350, 370, 398, 406, 407, 415, 440, 463, 466. Edward, 274. Enos, 31, 265. Capt. J., 407. Jeremiah, 452. John, 359. Johnson, 14, 274. Capt. Johnson, 82. Ruth, 83, 99. 274, 359. Bright, , 184, 384. Brinton, Dr., 427. Briscoe, Jenny, 200. Britton, Briton, , 135, 412. Capt. Diivid, 414. Brockwell, , 385. Bromfield, , 149. Col., 155. 476 INDEX Brookfield (Mass.), 58. Brookhouse, , 141. Brooks, , 148, 158, 159, 302. Capt., 451. John, 181. Luke, 182, 211, 396. Samuel, 14, 182, 211. Brown, , 32, 37, 62, 79, 97, 132, 138, 160, 182, 237, 298, 301, 315, 371, 384, 386, 398, 431, 445, 463, 466, 467. Capt., 417, 418, 419. Col., 141. Abram, 96. Ann, 32. B., 315. Benjamin, 34, 146, 233, 422. Clark, 234. Hannah, 339, 442. James, 6, 182, 192, 274. Jonathan, 431. Joseph, 176, 320. Mary, 301, 332, 352. Nancy, 203, 369. Phoebe, 315. Sarah, 274. W., 462. William, 14. Browne, , 82, 137, 138, 260, 282, 302, 327, 365, 451, 463, 467, 468. Capt., 419, 420. Col., 300. Benjamin, 282. James, 209, 279, 282, 288, 400. John, 436. Joseph, 358, 399. Sarah, 274, 279. W., 38. William, 87, 114, 168, 171, 187, 209, 274, 282, 288, 399, 425. Bruce, George, 163, 164. Brutus (ship), 417. Bryant, Capt., 58. Buckminster, , 344, 390. Eev., 392. Buffington, , 78, 358, 447. Maj. Zadock, 312. Debby, 312. BufEon, , 156. Bulfinch, , 441. Dr., 418. Charles, 417. Thomas, 417. Bullard, , 43. Bullock, , 289, 469. Capt., 376. Abigail, 289, 296, 302. Bullock, Mary, 346. Brunstead, , 444. Bunting, , 124. Burbeck, Col., 403. Burchstead, Dr. Henry, 444. Burchstead, see also Birksted. Burditt, Capt., 80. Burford, , 172. Burgoyne, , 259. Gen., 213. Burleigh, , 346, 429. Burley, , 203. Burnham, , 113. Maj., 12. Biirr, , 388. Burrill, Burril, , 74, 266, 270, 381, 468. Ezra, 188. Mansfield, 16, 78, 125, 188, 190, 359. William, 165. Burroughs, , 83. Mary, 83. Sarah, 81. Butler, Edmund, 384. Sarah, 384. Butman, Buteman, , 127. Capt., 293. Butt, , 139. Buxton, Phebe, 187. Byfield (Mass.), 113, 196, 396. Byles, Mather, 371, 435. Byrne, Burne, , 136, 463. C, 185. Clifford, 14, 173, 316. Mehitable, 199, 451. C, Capt., 294. Cabann, Susannah, 399. Cabbage, 123. Cabot, Francis, 414. George, 343. Joseph, 323. W., 332. Caesar (negro), 290, 312. Caldwell, , 272. Daniel, 349. Calef, , 128, 213. Caley, Judith, 386. Calvin, , 229. Canada, 234. Canals, 138. Candlesticks, 151. Caner, Dr., 427. Carder, , 91. Carkeet, Benjamin, 436. Robert, 436. William, 435, 436. INDEX 477 Carleton, Carlton, , 102, 112, 123, 184, 213, 245, 328, 332. 335, 363. 393, 453, 467. Samuel, 241, 405, 435, 436. Games, , 80, 187, 322, 334. 335, 351. Capt., 124, 162, 321. Charles, 162. Wid. Elizabeth, 334, 335. John, 111, 218, 454. Lydia, 218. Carpenter, Captain, 158. Capt. B., 208. Carr, Mary, 377. Carroll, Caroll, , 237, 272. James, 246, 360. Carter, , 195, 433. John, 114. Cary, Carey, 195, 320, 334, 337, 345, 364, 365, 395, 443, 458. Rev., 113, 320, 387, 395. John F., 368. Cash, Mary, 440. Castle Hill (Salem), 290. Cat and Wheel (tavern), 24. Cat Island (West Indies), 1. Catamount, 34. Catholic priest, 182. Celebrations, July 4th, 97, 274, 276, 377, 438. Washington's birthday, 5, 82, 173, 214, 296. Cemeteries, 366, 371. Centenarians, 273. Chadwick, , 98, 260. Chandler, , 55, 71. Chapman, , 203. Capt., 271. Rev. B., 367. Chard, Martha, 98, 115, 239, 256. Charitable Associations, 408. Charity, 73, 81. Charles I. (Eng.), 82. Charlestown, N. H., 48, 53. Charter St. Burying Ground, 142. Chase, , 53. Chastity, 2. Chauncy, , 426. Chebacco, 124, 323. Checkeley, John, 340. Cheever, , 468. Benjamin, 310. Samuel, 160. Chelmsford (Mass.). 40. Chevalier, Abagail, 339. Ed., 339. Chever, , 21, 320, 351, 362, 463, 465, 467, 468. Capt., 417. Rev., 29. B., 462. D., 412. E., 432. Ezekiel, 340. James, 14, 21, 167, 185, 186, 206, 228, 381. Mary, 206, 209, 295. Peter, 137. S., 340, 462. Capt. Samuel, 137. Child, David, 122. Mary Paine, 122. Chipman, , 96, 158, 159, 363, 367, 378. Elizabeth, 96, 274. Henry, 377. Mary, 376, 377. Mary (Carr Nowell), 377. Thomas, 274. Ward, 274. Choate, Rev., 230. Chubb, , 261, 315. Mary, 273. Christmas anticks, 78. Cisterns, 283. Claghorn, Col., 224, 243. Clams, 312, 328, 353. Clamshells, 51. Claremont, N. H., 48. Clark, , 79, 149, 223, 260, 388. Isaac, 289. Priscilla, 423. Clarke, , 2, 22, 95, 112, 201, 251, 273, 296, 426. Capt., 275, 443. Dr., 193, 222, 255, 259. Deborah, 385. Elizabeth, 270, 296. Francis, 345. Capt. H., 443. Rev. J.. 64. Capt. John, 361, 385. Rev. John, 263, 264, 361. Margaret, 291. Claude, Rev., 449. Clayton, Col., 118. Clearage, , 401. James, 93, 401. Cleaveland. Dr., 228. 394. G., 96. J. J., 96. Capt. W., 181. 478 INDEX Clemens, Capt., 421. Clergy, 407. Cleveland, , 271, 306, 309, 323, 386, 432. Dr., 205. Rev., 91, 92, 166. George, 31, 32. Rev. John, 301. Clocks, 17, 20, 162, 208, 291. Cloth, 151. Clough, Gibson, 181, 182, 314. Rev., 98. Cloutman, Wid., 463. Benjamin, 227. D., 2. Elizabeth, 227, 310. Wid.. Hannah, 285, 369, 377. Stephen, 80, 162, 217, 324, Coach. 384. Coates, , 384. Cobvpin, , 264. Cockade, 276. Codman, , 194. Cody, , 411. Coffin, , 308, 443. Dr., 364, 382. Coins, 163. Cole, Andrew, 440. Lois, 440. Coleman, Dr., 433. Collins, , 13, 89, 94, 161, 212, 237, 267, 292, 300, 346, 400, 439, 440, 465, 467. Capt., 10, 133, 134, 202, 212, 239, 275, 462. Judge, 441. Benajah, 204, 222, 244. Caroline, 275. Charles, 275, 358. Deborah, 244. Hannah, 94, 159. Mrs. Hannah (Porter), 395. Henry, 275. Hepsibah, 244. Capt. J., 346. James, 89, 92, 93, 100, 161, 237, 326. John, 14, 15, 94, 107, 117, 124, 205, 227, 237, 245, 248, 252, 275, 300, 310. 322, 326. 331, 346, 394, 396, 462. John, sr., 3, 134. Mary, 275, 277, 362, 399. R., 293. Richard, 399. Robert, 275. Ruth, 158, 244. Collins, Sarah, 299, 326. Tracey, 453. Triphenia, 244. Colman, Dr., 340, 371. Columbus, , 1, 2. Commerce (ship), 20, 21. Conant, , 49. Concord (Mass), 147. Condy, , 356. Rev., 425. Conley, John, 406. Connecticut river, 47, 57. Constitution (frigate), 224, 237. Consumption, 108. Conway (Mass), 56. Cooke, , 147, 202, 313. Betsey, 14. Sarah, 407. William, 14. Cooper, , 405. Dr., 12, 15, 379, 418. Rev., 417. Eunice, 99. William, 320. Copper, Tinned, 3. Copper works, 426. Cordis, Esq., 326. Corn6, , 431, 441, 462, 463. Cornish (N. H.), 49. Cory, , 23. Costume, 257, 260, 265, 267, 268, 360, 424. Cotton, wid. Alice, 409. Cotton factory, Beverly, 2. Couley, John, 406. Coverly, A., 298. Cox, , 282, 410, 411. Wid., 386. Elizabeth, 204. Mary, 206, 282. Coxe, Tench, 185, 186. Coy pond, 145. Cradle, Ancient, 183. Craft, Maj., 7. Crafts, , 87. Rev., 294. Crandall, , 275. Mary, 369. Nancy, 125, 314. Crane, , 140. Creely, James, 241. Sarah, 276, 376. Crime, 15, 36, 59, 110, 112, 157, 165. Crispin, , 217. Cromwell, John, 79. Oliver, 344. Philip, 79, 447. INDEX 479 Crononschelt, , 444. Crookshanks, Joseph, 101. Mary, 102, 157, 169. Crosby, , 47. 395. Crouch. , 396. Crow, , 134. Crowell, , 134. Crowninshield, , 62, 74, 92. 93, 205, 277, 298, 300, 301. 320, 332, 346, 347, 352, 361, 408, 420, 421, 455, 456, 458, 459, 465-469. Capt., 32, 298, 322, 350, 382. Anstiss (Williams), 65. B., 381, 462, 463. Benjamin. 14, 274. C, 463, 468. Clifford, 200, 430, 440, 464. Edward, 4. Elizabeth, 274. G., 109. Capt. G., 297, 316, 444. G., jr., 279. Capt. G., jr., 376, 453. George, 14, 356. 438, 453, 455, 457. Capt. George, 4, 6, 417. George, jr., 358. Hannah, 164, 274, 318. Jacob, 112, 321, 375, 376, 438. 452 455. John,' 65, 92, 200, 417, 429. Maria, 274. Mary, 86, 274. Eichard, 200. Sarah, 88, 429. Crowninshield, see also Cronon- schelt, Kronenscheldt. Culbertson, John, 266. Cummings, , 144. Curtis, , 128, 130, 153, 338, 354. Abigail, 354. Margaret, 89, 94. 168. Curtis' folly, 130. Gurwen, Curwin. . 159, 163, 197, 259, 265, 300, 382, 424, 445, 447, 448, 453. Sheriff, 26. George, 95, 259, 260, 340, 453. Jonathan, 260. Samuel. 95, 159, 260, 360, 367, 423, 424. Cushing, , 86, 332, 358. Col,, 190. Rev., 44, 281. Cutler, , 22, 91. Dr., 116, 130, 131, 132, 134, Cutler, Dr., 209, 286, 339, 354, 355, 362, 427. Rev., 230. Mannassah, 452. Cutter, Dr., 385. Col. Enos, 273. Cutting, , 148. Dabney, , 235, 272, 328. Daland, , 204. Daland, sec also Deland. Dale, , 76, 161, 222. John, 160. Susannah, 115, 161. Dalling, , 388. Dana, , 312, 323, 370, 372, 374, 378, 397. Dr., 386, 397. Judge, 165, 166, 204, 232, 241, 248, 255, 258, 289, 330, 402. Rev., 113, 194, 209, 230. 242. 363, 365, 369, 387, 460. D., 376. S., 232, 384, 412. Sylvester, 375. Dancing, 8, 17, 268, 296, 322. 357, 363, 373, 401. Dandelion, 423. Dane, , 112, 165, 224, 226. 252, 267, 298, 301. Nathan, 240. Daniels. , 86, 310. Elizabeth, 279, 297. Danvers (Mass.), 6, 9, 16, 66, 160, 161, 197, 206, 208, 215, 219, 221, 238, 244, 399, 441, 442. Danvers river, 193. Dark day, 413. Dark night, 312. Darling, ■ , 103. Dartmouth, Lord, 50. Dartmouth College. 50, 52. Davenport, , 195. David, 4. Davie, George. 284. Davis, . 243, 256, 322, 348, 399, 403, 438. Rev., 425. Capt. Amasa, 177, 187. Mary, 283. Sylvanus, 284. Davison, , 124. Dawes, , 146, 149, 153. Eliza, 121. Emily, 121. Harriet, 121. Maria, 121. Mary, 121. Robert, 121. 480 INDEX Dawes, Sophia, 121. William Bentley, 121. Day, , 372. Dean, , 79, 167, 381, 465. Capt., 262. Dr., 386. B., 440. Capt. B., 213, 266. Benjamin, 94. Christiana, 439. Lydia, 236, 241. Mary, 82, 83, 440. Sarah, 376, 439. Thomas, 83, 125, 288, 381, 440. Capt. Thomas, 82, 439, 440. Death, 333. Decatur, Capt., 299. Deerfield (Mass.), 55, 56. Deise, , 23. Deland, Eunice, 377. Thorndike, 377. Deland, see also Daland. Delano, Sarah, 380. Deleway, , 171. Dennie, , 235. Derby, , 33, 36, 62, 73, 79, 80, 86, 102, 111, 112, 114, 117, 132, 134, 141. 145, 157, 158, 160, 162, 163, 177, 183, 205, 210, 219, 222, 225, 233, 244, 248, 250, 265, 273, 275, 282, 295, 298, 301, 302, 333, 341, 353, 378, 385, 402, 414, 429, 438, 441, 446, 458, 463-467. Capt., 74, 105, 271, 319. Col., 398, 399, 401, 416, 431, 451. Anne, 92. E. H., 110, 130, 132, 191, 209, 265, 289, 300, 310, 350, 353, 382, 400, 434, 436, 469. Capt. K H., 353. Col. E. H., 376. E. H., jr., 78, 89, 109, 125, 262. Elias H., 343, 436. Elias Hasket, 203, 317, 318. Elizabeth, 14, 188, 300. H., 106, 376. Haskef, 262. Hersey, 348. J., 186, John, 93, 103, 116, 135, 159, 221, 253, 350. John, sr., 446. Jonathan, 300, 301. Lydia, 218. Margaret, 84, 443. R., 436, 440. Derby, Capt. R., 95, 296. Richard, 110, 203, 253, 295, 300. 332, 334, 335, 336, 413, 469. S., 88, 214, 221, 318, 434, 465. Samuel, 6, 101, 220, 296, 301, 335, 443. Derby fort, 199. Derby St. (Salem), 135, 140, 156. Devereux, , 279. Capt., 342. Dexter, , 255. Timothy, 346, 349, 387, 395, 435. Dicey, , 23. Dickenson, , 55. Dickerson, , 54, 55. Dictionary, 340. Diman, , 79, 131, 168, 368. Rev. James, 205, 413, 414. John, 200. Thomas, 8, 16, 168. Dinsmore, Silas, 245. Diving bell, 313, 315. Dix, , 201. Dodd, , 134. Mary, 135. Samuel, 81, 116, 123, 126, 128. Sarah, 124, 135. Dodge, , 251, 261, 292, 439, 440, 465-468. Capt., 12, 81, Abagail, 31, 173. Asa, 261, 262. Caleb, 252. Joshua, 251, 276, 462. Pickering, 427. Dolbeare, Mary, 187. Dole, Peabody, 313. Donaldson, Elizabeth, 394. Dorchester (Mass.), 243. Dorr, , 407. Dorrell, , 406. Benjamin, 328. Douse, Jo., 413. Dow, , 328, 346, 363, 366, 367, 376. Rev., 387. Moses, 367. Downing, Emanuel, 373. Mary, 447. Thomas, 384, 447. Dracut (Mass.), 139. Drought, 60. 62. Drownings, 36, 77, 101, 170, 180, 207, 221, 248, 249, 252, 261, 265, 275, 371, 384, 430, 445. Drunkenness, 58. Duckingfield, Thomas, 356. INDEX 481 Dudleian lecture, 61. Duel. 83. Duff, , 172, 182. Du Filhol, , 98. Dunimer Academy, 12, 391. Duncan, , 257. Dunham, Joseph, 200. Dunlap, , 133, 144, 157, 159, 160, 162, 204, 209, 213, 215, 237, 255, 277, 289, 334, 369, 426, 463. James, 334. William, 160. Dunn, , 336, 337. Dunnel, , 467. Dutch, , 51. Rev., 19. Dwight. Col., 57. Dr., 164, 398, 436. Dwire, , 86. Anna, 86, 155. Dyman, , 169. Eagle island, 93. East church, 367, 369. Meetinghouse, 439, 440. Ministers, 206. Repairs, 157, 177, 183, 184. Sextons, 181. Silver, 210. 213, 299, 327, 331, 364, 375. Statistics, 78. East India Marine Society, 321, 322, 361, 362, 382, 408. Easties, Eastie, , 171, 290, 414. Eaton, , 327, 432. Ebeling, Ebling, , 283, 838, 371. Prof., 194. Eborn, , 68. Eckley, Dr., 255. Edes, , 3, 343. Edward, 122. Marr Elizabeth, 122. Edey, ^ , 273. Margaret, 273, 296, 423. Wid. Mary, 352. Edwards, , 444, 445. Captain, 140. John, 239, 295, 445. Margaret. 206. Peter, 419. Egout, , 2, 4. Electioneering, 2, 299, 346, 420, 421, 423, 429, 455, 458. Elections, 13, 86. 92, 176, 456. Electricity, 107. Elephant, 235. Eliot, , 2, 15, 70, 126, 140, 251, 255, 276, 310, 332. Dr., 269, 273, 312, 334, 339, 362, 382, 392, 427, 449. Rev., 127, 185, 206, 242, 281. John, 449. Elison, , 273, 377. Elkins, Capt., 84, 223. Elizabeth, 29. H., 344. Harriet, 273, 313, 399. Henry, 339, 410. Mary, 66, 301, 318, 410. Sarah, 82. Elm trees, 57. Elvins, Dea., 368, Richard, 316. Embargo, 85, 87, 92, 93. Emerson, , 43, 56, 146, 155, 304, 318, 324, 351, 367, 375, 441. Rev., 334, 382. Jacob, 315. W., 320. Emery. , 121. Emmerton, Emerton, John, 434, 445, 453. Emmons, , 165, 270. Dr., 317. Rev., 209, 230, 423. Endicott, , 221, 222, 292, 351, 352, 442, 451. Gov., 197, 198, 223, 346, 351, 352, 400, 441, 451, 453. John, 351, 352. Samuel, 351. (Gov.) portrait, 198. English, , 23, 131, 182, 296, 298, 385, 440, 445, 453, 463, 468. Andrew, 325, 441, 452, 453. Mary, 23, 25, 28. Philip. 22-26, 29, 236, 445 447. Susannah, 25, 29. Epes, , 223, 432. Major, 264. Episcopal church, 48, 117, 164, 224, 373, 380, 385, 418. Erskine, Dr., 449. Essex (Mass.), 124, 323. Essex (frigate), 282, 286, 298. 299, 315, 318, 319, 322. Essex bridge, 286. Essex county (Mass.), 65, 66. Essex Junto, 343. Estes, see Easties. Euler's Island (Me.), 125. 482 INDEX Eulin, Eulen, , 91, 406. Eustis, , 456. Euwer, , 10. Eveleth, William, 211. Evei'ett, Everet, , 363. Oliver, 461. Evoy, Eobert, 325. Sarah, 165, 168. Executions, 99, 156, 170. Exeter (N. H.), 390. Fage, , 160. Jean Baptiste Marie, 157. Failure in business, 173. Fairfax, Lord, 385. George, 385. Thomas, 385. William, 385. Fairfield, , 469. Captain, 157. Elizabeth, 314, 403, 440. John, 169, 314, 348, 460. Martha, 377. Rebecca, 2, 285, 377. Dr. William, 457. Fairlee (Vt.), 51. Farmer, P., 119. Farrington, , 10, 15. Fasts, 63, 268, 284. Faulkner, , 281. Col., 148. Fay, Faye, , 263, 327. Federalists, 236. Fellows, , 372. Felt, , 79, 285. Capt., 257. Fenelon, A. B., 363. Fenno, , 283. Fernald, , 388. Samuel, 389. Fessenden, , 47. Fettyplace, , 226. Fever, Yellov^r, 194, 278, 281, 283, 285, 314. Field, Samuel, 412. Fire buckets, 2. Fire club supper, 207. Fire clubs, 76, 260, 282, 300, 324, 358, 459. Fire engines, 211, 227, 230, 237, 258, Firearms, 323. Fires, 1, 72, 80, 99, 114, 133, 158, 159, 215, 250, 256, 257. 258, 263, 268, 273, 319, 322, 339, 350, 363, 422, 424, 455. First meeting house (Salem), 252, 259. Fish and fishing, 234, 249, 283, 302, 304, 314, 315, 328, 335, 373, 431, 437, 440. Fish market, 203. Fisher, , 122, 253, 331, 373, 380. Eev., 183, 226, 301, 416, 418, 424. Elias, 368. Joel, 437. N., 96. Rev. Nathaniel, 117. Fisk, , 311. Gen., 239. Maj. Gen., 66. John, 311, 363. Rev. Samuel, 363. Sarah, 239. William, 311. Fiske, , 37, 51, 142, 147, 171, 223, 252, 266, 294, 370, 373, 432, 462. Dr., 350, 368. Gen., 5, 35, 39, 74, 94, 95, 99, 101, 104, 106, 110, 112, 123, 134, 142, 144, 146, 155, 161, 167, 168, 171, 175, 177, 211, 240, 284, 294, 372, 378, 409, 415, 444, 464. Madame, 291. Rev., 46. John, 14, 20, 124, 191, 238, 279, 364, 444. John, jr., 192. Lydia, 142. Margaret, 142. Nancy, 272. Rev. S., 142, 294, 444. Samuel, 294, 295. Sarah, 259. Fitch, , 140, 346. Flagg, Flag, , 60, 70, 272. Josiah, 349. Fletcher, Gov., 25. Flinn, , 173. Flint, , 39, 128, 220, 432, 463. Capt., 115. Eunice, 215, 219. Flour, 111. Fogerty, , 31, 245. William, 96. Fogg, , 310, 345, 468, 469. Folger, Capt., 430, 432. Folsom, , 205. Forbes, , 91, 262, 315, 379, 382, 386, 397. Rev., 8, 197, 222, 325, 353, 362, 431, 437. INDEX 483 Forbes, Rev. E. W., 306. Rev. Eli, 341. Ford, , 16, 39, 230. Captain, 139, 143. Foot, , 287. Anna, 14, 93. 346. Deborah, 159. Jonathan, 159, 160. Mary, 401, 451. 456. Forrester, Forester, , 13, 90, 132, 353, 462-464, 467. Capt., 163, 215. Capt. S., 371. Forsyth, , 327. Fort at Marblehead, 91. Fort at Salem, 86, 94, 95, 105, 284. Fort Dummer ( Bra ttlebo rough), 55. Foster, , 102, 103, 126, 212, 344, 358, 363, 370. Col., 67, 305. Dr., 356. David, 274. Capt. Gideon, 136. James, 356. Joel, 436, 445. Mary, 269, 274. Molly, 172. Moody, 184. William, 322, 362, 363. Foiisset, , 95. Fowle, , 69, 73, 74, 103, 156, 281, 287, 403. Col., 434. Ann, 121. Augusta, 121, 122. Betsey, 121. Betsey, 2d, 121. Caroline, 121. Elizabeth, 121. George, 121. Henry, 121, 122. Henry, 2d. 121. John Skillin, 121. Joshua Bentley, 121. Rebecca, 122. Ruth, 122, 287. Sarah, 287. Thomas Patten,121. William Bently, 121. Fowler, , 261, 310. Fowling, 234. Fox, Col., 187. Foxes, 263. Foy, Foye, William, 95-98, 314. Francis, Col., 87. Franklin, , 99. Franks, Hanna, 408. Joseph, 31, 442. Freeman, , 52, 64, 127, 140, 238, 296, 310, 334, 338, 339, 359, 379, 433. Rev. James, 70, 71, 187, 201, 202, 242, 243, 255, 407, 408, 418. Freemasonry, 3, 6-8, 11. 12, 76, 106, 117, 123, 201, 226, 232, 246, 251, 262, 279, 281, 289, 320, 325, 329, 337, 357, 396, 403, 411. French, , 144, 185, 405, 415. Rev., 209, 230, 353. Jonathan, 403. Jonathan, jr., 403. Joshua, 66, 176, 201, 398, 399, 407. French politics, 266. Refugees, 95, 128, 263, 271. Revolution. 13, 162. Friend. Tatty, 314. Friends, Society of, 101, 111, 318, 435. Frisbie, Frisbee, Frisby, , 323, 386, 397. Frogs, 95. Fruit, 401. Frye, , 67, 69, 74, 109, 130, 135, 177, 258, 282. 298, 299, 301, 321, 349. Capt., 86, 123, 124, 180. Col., 412. Frye's mills, 236. Fulger, , 308, 309. Fuller, , 382, 386. Rev., 197, 353. Abraham, 280. Funeral ring, 253. Funerals, 10, 35, 36, 62, 66, 70, 75, 91, 122, 123. 162. 205, 225, 226, 235, 238. 248, 258, 2G2, 264, 273, 277, 281, 294, 301, 302, 324, 351, 362, 372, 381, 396. Furlong, Philip, 279. Furniture, 172, 400, 448. Gaffeney, Sarah, 22. Gage, , 106, 337. Gov., 292. Gaines, , 117. Elizabeth. 184. Josiah, 184, 225. Gale, , 23. Gales, Anna, 89. Benjamin, 191. 484 INDEX Gales, Edmund, 220. M., 11. Gallatine, Albert, 12. Gallop, , 304. Gambling, 218, 222. Gardens, 154, 219, 341, 400. Gardiner, Gardener, , 157, 161, 197, 225, 231, 424. Benjamin, 169, 225. John, 71. Gardner, , 21, 33, 37, 4^, 45, 72, 73, 102, 122, 163, 168, 169, 236, 249, 281, 373, 401, 451, 454, 464, 467. Capt., 299. Wid., 114. George, 401. J., 468. John, 28, 263, 270, 324, 399. Jonathan, 168, 206, 289. Mary, 13, 239, 399. Mary (Pickering), 206. S., 268. Samuel, 401. Weld, 401, 402. Gatehel, , 468, Josiah, 358, 453. Gatman, Samuel, 448. Gavot, John, 182. Geddes, , 126. Gedney, , 310. Gee, , 303. Genet, , 36, 38, 74, 77. Gerald, Wid., 363. Gerrish. Eliza, 436. Rev. Joseph, 311. Gerry, , 86, 155, 171, 282, 442, Hon., 361. Elbridge, 136. Lydia, 10. Geyer, Rev., 425. Gibaut, , 14, 16, 66, 94, 103, 234, 284, 303, 357, 370, 382, 466. Capt,, 29, 93, 99, 100, 102, 103, 114, 191, 192, 209, 213, 215, 216, 237, 245, 304, 308, 310, 312, 313, 315, 316, 321, 364, 387, 390, 431, 441. Edw., 64, 66. Capt. Edward, 88, 238, 289, 301, 318, 428. Fontaine, 200, John, 88, 125, 174, 204, 302, 437. Sarah, 65. Sarah (Crowninshield), 88. Gibbes, , 265. Gibson, Dr., 340. James, 385. Giddins, , 234. Giggles, , 79. Ebenezer, 79. Giles, , 318, 350, 365, 452, 467. Capt., 203. Gill, Lt. Gov., 273. Nathaniel, 259. Prisilla, 259. Gillet, , 382. Eliphhalet, 364. Gillis, , 334. Gilman, Maj., 269. Glanfield, Robert, 435. Glanville, , 79. Glassware, 448. Gloucester (Mass.), 3, 6, 173, 186, 302, 307, 431, 438. 302, 307, 431, 438. Glover, , 2, 33, 69, 107. Col., 353, 354. Gen., 68, 69, 103, 104, 145, 213. Ichabod, 428. Jonathan, 217. Goddard, , 218. Godshall, Capt., 125. Goes, Peter, 361. Gofee, , 300. Goldsmith, Nathaniel, 352. Thomas, 352. Goodale, , 80, 131, 190, 269, 383. Goodhue, , 83, 341, 356, 408. Capt., 103. lion. B., 362. Goodwin, , 54. Gore, , 60, 131, 272. Goss, , 406. Mary, 460. Richard, 460. Gott, , 307. Gould, , 51, 111, 435. Deacon, 402. Grafton, , 311. Joseph, 116, 122. Grampus, 115. Grand Turk (ship), 28, 86, 132, 250, 252, 265. Grant, , 184, 279, 297, 365. Francis, 86, 278. Mary, 279. Grasse, Count de, 128, 130, 160, 263. Amelia Maxima Rosalia, 128. Justina Adelais Maxima, 128. Melania Veronica Maxima, 128. INDEX 485 Grasse, Sylvia Alexandrina Max- ima, 128. Graves, Catharine, 362. Gravestones, 101, 393. Gray, Grey. , 29, 31, 90, 96, 146, 282. 335, 343, 344, 381, 414, 431, 442, 459. Elizabeth. 442. James, 440. John. 406. S., 335. Samuel, 225. W., 114, 145, 186, 205, 257. 260. 282. 335, 345, 394. William, 35, 109, 258. William, jr., 247. Winthrop, 349. Great Pastures (Salem), 128, 132, 200. Greave, , 58. Green, Greene, — , 39, 100, 147, 260, 320, 367, 382. Col., 200. Gen., 215. Rev., 312, 317, 362. B., 226. Thomas, 348. Greene (Me.), 62. Greenfield (Mass.), 55. Greenland (N, H.), 388. Greenleaf, , 106, 283. James, 240. Greenwood, — , 457. Andrew, 253. Miles, 29. Groce, , 168. Groton (Mass.), 42. Grovenor, , 149, 153. Groves, Grooves, Tabitha, 247, 279. Thomas, 453. Guildford, , 126. Guildford (Vt.), 55. Gunnison, John, 358. Guns, 58. Gunter, , 287. Gwin, , 240. Hacker, , 32, 96, 188. Isaac, 96. Hadley (Mass.), 202. Haegen, P. A. von, 269. Hagen, , 330. Haggett, , 137, 314, 322. Hail storm, 228. Hale, , 46, 141. Col., 431. Hall, , 80, 330. Hall, Prince, 379. Capt. Spence. 77. Capt. Stephen. 101. Hamilton. Maj. Gen.. 342. Prince (negro), 206. Hampson, William, 398. Hampton (N. H.), 388. Hancock, , 101, 327, 392. Gov., 126. John, 65, 70. Hannon, Wid. Hannah, 222. Hanover (N. H.), 50. Hansgrara, — — , 184. Haraden, Harraden, , 205, 298. Capt., 239, 303. Eunice, 205. Hardy, . 79. Dr.. 357. Hareny, , 271. Harlow, Calvin, 154. Harrington, Rev., 155, 169. Elisha, 288. Capt. Elisha, 359. Martha, 201, 328, 359. Harris, , 13, 117, 190, 201, 242, 243, 251, 262, 281. Capt., 203. Rev., 169, 232, 242, 337, 373. Harrod, , 393. Harrod, see also Harwood. Hart, . 126. Hartland (Vt.), 49. Hartwell, Jonas, 262. Harvard (Mass.), 149, 153-155. Harvard catalog, 204. Harvard College, 61, 98, 192, 248, 344, 445. Harwood, , 385. Harwood, see also Harrod. Haskell, , 21, 278, 374. E., 155. Haslett, Martha, 217. Hastings, Hastins, , 371. William, 327. Hatch, , 283. Hathorne, Harthorne, Haw- thorne, , 23, 34, 86, 89, 135, 173, 174, 424, 447, 463, 467. Col., 135, 174, 181, 191, 199, 445. Madam, 22. Col. J., 220. John, 161, 385, 445, 447. M., 463. Mary, 421. N., 396. 486 INDEX Hathorne, Capt. Nathaniel, 323. Susannah (Tousel), 385. Susannah, 23, 86, 111, 199, 220, 228, 277, 385, 445, 446. William, 421. Haven, Dr., 10, 242. Haverhill (Mass.), 113, 393. Hawkes, , 73, 159. Wid., 225. Benjamin, 458. Mary, 77, 266. Hawkins, Anna, 295. Hay, Dr., 325. Hayley, , 324. Hazlett, , 452. Healey, Nathaniel, 218. Heard, , 175, 445. Luke, 434, 443, 445. Heard, sec also Hurd. Hearsey, , 123. Heat, 278. Heath, Gen., 203. Health regulations, 430. Hedge, , 53. Heinbach, Heinback, , 263, 268. Henchman, , 351. Henderson, , 459. Henfield, , 263. Jonathan, 334, 346. Joseph, 333. Henley, , 220. Herengl, , 160. Herod, , 113. Herrick, , 64, 75, 322, 339, 348. Barnabas, 34, 322, 324, 378, 438. Jonathan, 378. Lydia, 324. Hersey, see Hearsey. Hervey, , 246. Heusler, , 244, 341, 400, 401. Heyden, Jonathan, 119. Heyward, , 272. Hibbert, , 214. Higginson, , 223, 266, 352. Col., 134. Rev. John, 383, 384. S., 442. Stephen, 343. Hildrich, , 179. Hill, , 187 242, 249, 256, 301. John, 99, 218, 301, 386. Robert, 94, 259, 269, 271. Sarah, 300, 326. Stephen, 111. William, 98. Hiller, , 293, 300. Major, 337, 442. Henry, 225. Joseph, 117. Robert, 213. Hilliard, Hillard, 6, 344. D., 229. Hills, , 466. Hispaniola Massacre, 34. Hitchborn, Hitchborne, -, 121, 289. Hitchcock, , 58. Dr. Enos, 367. Hitchins, Hitchens, Hitchin, , 203, 265, 464, 468. Abijah, 225, 265. Hobart, , 297. Noah, 3, 84, 103, 296. Hobbes, Wid., 349. Hobby, , 351. Hodges, Hodge, , 14, 16, 81, 92, 115, 169, 210, 281, 282, 298, 315, 345, 346, 382, 411, 414, 462, 469. Capt., 163, 183, 227, 268, 292, 294. B., 314, 316. Capt. B., 39, 75, 174, 239, 248, 278, 294, 321, 343, 416. Benjamin, 14. Gamaliel, 14, 217, 314, 394, 463. George, 14, 83, 112, 191, 237, 286, 314. Hannah, 314, 414. Capt. J., 314. Capt. Jo., 67. John, 191, 205, 248. Jona., 279. Joseph, 281, 282. Lydia, 66, 191, 192. Mary, 281. Richard, 286. Sarah, 100, 162. Hodgkin, -, 304. Hoit, , 55, 56. Holbrooke, , 433. Holden, , 357, 371. Oliver, 20, 184. Holidays, 92. Holland, , 45, 94. Hollingsvs-orth, Holingsworth, Holing%vorth, Hollingworth, , 82, 296, 352, 445. Madam, 23. Eleanor, 447. Richard, 83. Susannah, 82. William, 23, 82, 447, 448. INDEX 487 Holman, Holeman, , 385, 414. Capt., 2. Holmes, . 129. 132, 241. 277. Holt. , 13. 269. Holten, , 13. Judge, 387. Rev., 230. Holvitt, Mrs., 25. Holvoke. . 222, 246, 337, 340, '357, 371. 372, 445. Dr., 35, 79, 80, 107, 123, 215, 252, 268, 293, 300, 345, 355, 401. Rev., 87, 183. 222, 229. Edward, 107. Samuel, 183. Homan. Homans, — , 226. Maj., 321. Hannah, 81. Homer, , 370. Rev., 280. Honeycombe, , 441. Hooper, , 68, 103, 115, 125, 160, 161, 221, 222, 239, 244, 292, 381, 384, 400, 441, 464, 465. Capt., 348. Abiel, 384. Benjamin, 384. Joseph, 428. Capt. N., 286. Robert, 97, 414. Hopkins, , 23, 91, 234, 276, 317, 322, 331, 346, 371. Rev., 181, 209, 230, 369, 402, 416, 424, 429, 452. Rev. D., 156. Rev. Daniel, 288. Home, , 263. Horton, , 328. Hosmer, , 332, 464. Capt., 291. Hannah, 4, 99, 316, 317. Joseph, 14, 135, 167, 168, 181, 240. Houses and buildings, 14, 23, 25, 34, 114, 115, 141, 172, 175, 260, 268, 290, 298, 310, 332, 350, 365, 366, 369, 385, 414, 415, 435, 462-469. House Island, 347. House raising, 46. Houston, , 233. Hovey, , 313, 333, 459, 464, 467. Capt., 112. Major, 276, 277, 399. Amos, 14, 227, 274, 277. Ilovev D., 274. DeixM-ah. 274. Rebecca. 274. 313. Sarah. 274, 313. Howard. . 57. 58. Dr., 255. 2f)4, 276, 362, 371. Hoyt, sec Hoit. Hubbard, , 90. 147. 296. 299, 331, 335, 340, 352, 397. Rev., 104, 169, 197, 201, 323, 327. Rev. E., 353. Rev. Ebenezer, 223, 354. W.. 255. Huguenots. 406. Hull, , 405, 445. Gen., 280, 281. Rev. Stephen. 457. Humphreys, , 390. Humphrey's pond, 160. Himt, , 138, 241, 394, 432. Lewis, 240. Samuel, 244. Sarah, 162. Thomas, 163. Timothy, 429, 431. W., 281. William, 96. Huntington, , 228, 327. Rev., 316, 405. Rev. Asahel, 228, 325. Hurd, , 372. Hurd, see also Heard. Hurdle, Widow, 278. Hurst, , 260. Huse, , 389, 390. Hussey, , 141. Hutcheson, , 379. CoL, 221. Hutchins, , 390, 393. Hutchinson, , 203, 242, 245, 407, 445. Rev. Aaron, 352. Benjamin, 83, 203, 350. James, 350, Mary, 327, 350, 445. Thomas, 445. Illigitimacy, 294, 328. Immigration, 157. Immorality, 261, 284, 294, 328, 371. Imposter. 214. Incendiarism, 422. India, 88. Indians. 50. 51, 56, 203, 245, 260, 265, 370. 383. Indian remains, 10. 488 INDEX 91, 82, 89, 162, 298. Infanticide, 328. Influenza, 64. Ingalls, Ingall, Ingoll, 180. 265. Ingersoll, — 361, 468. Capt., 202. David, 124. John, 124. Jonathan, 21, 35, 328, 341, 342. Mary, 328. S., 29. Capt. S., 228, 272, 463. Samuel, 14, 228, 445. Susannah, 446. Insanity, 127, 443. Installations, 320. Insurance, 333. Intemperance, 363, 410, 440, 444. Ipswich (Mass.), 113, 173. Ireland, — , 153. Shadrack, 153, Iron castings, 151. Ironworks, 180. Ironworks, Danvers, 208, 215, 217, 218, 236, 238, 239. Irving, , 185. Isaac (negro), 146. Isaac Augustus (negro), 96. Isles of Shoals, 324. Ives, , 13, 92, 446. Anne, 92. Capt. Benjamin, 92. Hale, 362. Mary. 92. Capt. K., 141. Jackson, , 11, 12, 113, 241, 254. Gen., 287. Rev., 92. Jonathan, 343. Jails, 59, 333. James, , 154. Mary, 417. Japan, 342. Jaquith, , 143. Jarvis, , 104, 372. Jay, , 146. Gov., 166. Jeans, , 411. Mary, 410. Jefferson, , 207, 226, 409, 412, 423. Pres., 436, 457. Jeffords, , 283, 319. Jeffrey, Jeffry, Wid. Eliz., 240. Susannah, 101, 140, 163, 176. Jeffrey, Walter, 177, 346. Jeffrey (N. H.), 45. Jenkins, Wid., 294. Abigail, 354, 421. John, 217. Jenks, , 242. W., 255. Jennison, , 367, 368. Abigail, 219. W., 316. Rev. William, 219. Jewett, , 153. Jews, 59. Johnson, , 246, 403, 444, 453. Capt., 204. Charles, 403. George, 405. Lucy, 286. Johnston, — — , 336. Jones, , 39, 80, 139, 147, 375. Wid., 273. Ichabod, 412. Mary, 288. Jordy, Jordie, , 65, 95, 102. Jov, , 194. Joseph, 29, 111, 197. Jude (negro), 302. Judson, Jutson, , 91, 323, 328, Adoniram, 431. Kane, Henry, 372. Keen, Wid. Hanna, 424. Hannah, 167, 282. Thomas, 89. Keene (N. H.), 46. Kehew, Keheue, Kehoe, Kehou, Kehoue, Aaron, 361. Sarah, 170, 191, 267, 332, 361, 377. Kelley, , 323. Judith, 317. Kendall, Kendal, , 215, 219. 320, 431. Master, 299. Rev., 141. Kennedy, , 454. Kenney, W., 458. Kenny, Jesse, 373. Ketch, 163. Kettle Cove, 347. Kidder, Rev., 233. Kilham, Killum, , 116, 161, 170, 218. David, 180. Kimball, , 246, 371. Major, 155. B., 153. INDEX 489 Kimball, Jacob, 167. Paul, 436. King, , 78. 252, 381, 465. Daniel, 414. Elizabeth, 167, 252. Sarah, 252, 284. W., 28. William, 191. Kingot, Kinggot, , 406. Peter, 406. King's Chapel (Boston), 418. Kingstown (N. H.), 393. Kinsman, Kindsman, Capt., 423. Nathaniel, 394. Kippis, , 250. Kirkland, , 259, 296, 339, 363, 375. Rev. J. T., 312. Kitchen, , 268. Kitfield, Capt., 269. Kittredge, Kitteredge, Kitte- ridge, , 376, 443. Dr., 20, 167, 177, 294, 446, 452. Dr. B., 138. Thomas, 355. Kittery (Me.), 262. Knapp, Knap, , 313. Capt. 316, 320. Abigail, 358. Mary, 322, 363. Wid. Mary, 327, 405. Sarah, 302, 394, 405. Knight, Knights, , 29, 464. B., 264, 276. Benjamin, 235. Sarah, 115, 276. Knocker's hole, 266. Knox, Gen., 287. Kollock, , 379. Kosciusco, , 214. Kronenscheldt, Johannes Casper von Eichter von, 200. Kuhn, , 64. Lacquer, 163. LaFaj-ette, Marquis de, 3, 4. La Fevre, , 467. Lamb, , 330. Simon, 329. Lambert, , 9, 402, 464-467. Capt., 464. Eev., 51. Abigail, 206. Jonathan, 130, 380. Joseph, 14, 66, 71, 145, 169, 213, 414, 457. Mary, 71, 85, 169, 457. Priscilla, 29, 173, 279. Laml)ert, Richard, 259. Samuel, 259, 382, Lander, lianders, , 22, 66, 114, 260, 294. Capt., 114. A.. 2. Elizabeth (Slade), 406. ■> Jonathan, 406. Lane, , 191, 199, 247, 304, 462. 463, 468. Anna, 330. Nicholas, 2, 158, 330, 331. William, 239, 316. Lang, , 31, 66, 96, 102, 168, 210, 219, 228, 452. Edward, 37. Langdon, , 389. Dr., 10. Larue, , 263. Lassell, Lazell, George, 111, 176, 217. Margaret, 237. S., 237. Lathe, Esther, 163, 164. Lathrop, Dr., 27, 126, 187, 255, 264, 296, 310, 339, 425, 426. Launchings, 86, 89, 100, 109, 115, 134, 146, 163, 192, 204, 237, 291, 302, 310, 319, 335, 350, 370, 402, 440. Laurie, Robert, 193. Lavater, , 98, 242. Law, , 155, 169, 175, 176, 184, 190, 192, 246. Lawrence, Capt., 239. Col., 293, 399. Major, 278. Leach, , 198, 229, 244, 384, 398. Wid. S., 156. Samuel, 14, 210, 408. Leavitt, , 266, 412. Lechmore, Thomas, Esq., 349. Ledbetter, Ledbeter, Mary, 89, 94, 237, 274. Lee, , 103, 167, 223, 259, 268, 459. Capt., 135, 314, 380. Col., 68, 227, 280, 439, 443. Judge, 460. Major, 345, 387. George G., 259. Joseph, 459. Lydia, 258. Thomas, 190, 402. Col. W. R„ 442. Le Favre, Lefevre, , 140, 357, 463. 490 INDEX LeFavre, A., 205, 370. Amos, 71, 85. Legg's hill, 107. Leicester, 59. Lemon, , 464. John, 214. Sarah, 214. Lemons, 26. Lendall, , 260. Lendrum, J., 328. Leslie, , 91. Eev. George, 356. James, 194. Leverett, Leaverett, Lt. Gov., 266. John, 340. Lewis, — , 278, 311, 420. John, 396, 398. Mary, 278. Lexington (Mass.), 147. Libel, 457. Libraries, 49, 125, 127, 186, 398. Lightning, 273, 379. Lillie, , 459. Lincoln, Gen., 230, 287, 345. Lindall, Timothy, 114. Lindsay, Major, 224. Litchfield, , 429. Lithgow, Gen., 124. Little, , 222, 312, 355. Dr., 124, 172, 194, 195, 197, 253, 274, 356, 382, 398. Lockart, Jesse, 355. Lockjaw, 107. Logan, , 236, 239, 240, 241, 449. Dr., 63, 446. Christian, 446. George, 446. Dr. George, 29, 34, 35, 230. Lomellini, Augustine, 74. Long, John, 409. Lopus, , 59. Lord, , 128, 133. Dr., 89. William, 38. Lotteries, 83, 97, 173. Lovejoy, Col., 17, 19, 66, 167, 171, 177, 180. Lovell, Lovel, , 267, 286. John, 432. Lovett, Capt., 411. Dr., 113. Low, , 184, 260, 436-438. Col., 222, 303. Daniel, 323. Col. John, 206. Lowell, Judge, 131, 132, 348. John, 343, 430. Loyalists, 423, 425, 434, 436. Lufkin, , 411, 463. Solomon, 159, 160. Luscomb, , 414. Luxuries, 191. Lyman, , 56, 57. Eev., 415. Caleb, 441. Theodore, 226, 272. Lynde, , 468. Judge, 290. Lynn (Mass.), 13, 28, 104, 238, 297, 434, 444. Lynnfield (Mass.), 160, 433. Lyoll, Rev. Thomas, 452. Lyon, , 51, 272. Macarthy, Capt. Justin, 446. Macclanochen, Rev., 351. McClintock, Macclintock, Maclin- tock, , 10. Dr., 387, 388, 389, 394, 422, 423. Macdonald, Mary, 410. MacEwen, John, 386. Macgilchrist, , 385. McGregor, Capt. John, 29. McGregory, Macgregory, Mac- Gregory, 35, 112. Hannah, 29. John, 92, 112. McGrew, , 2. John, 2. Machias (Me.), 412. Mclntire, Macintire, , 175, 221, 274, 372, 427, 452. Samuel, 268, 269. Mack, Mac, , 293, 328. Hannah, 168, 293, 330. Mackay, , 170. McKeen, Mackean, MacKean, Mackeen, MacKeen,McKeene, , 27, 39, 66, 91, 253, 255, 316, 382, 386, 394, 445. Rev., 27, 141, 169, 197, 209, 226, 301, 353, 362, 397, 438. Rev. J., 422. Rev. James, 136, Macmillon, Macmellon, , 159, 414. Macnulty. Macanulty, , 293, 365, 410. Magnolia (Mass.), 347. Magown, Thomas, 454. Maine, 460. Major, , 91. Majory, Majore, ■ , 91. Susannah, 106. Malborough, Duke of, 118. INDEX 491 Malcolm, Malooin, Hannah, 62, 101, 134, 162, 214, 291 297 459. Wid. Hannah. 289, 446. Maiden (Mass.), 367. Maley, , 446. Lydia, 286. Manchester (Mass.), 87, 91, 17.'?. 386, 437. Mangoustan, 199. Manley, Capt., 5. Mann, , 301, 319, 370. Capt., 50, 51. Manning", , 9, 71, 193 298 323, 345, 373, 384, 385*, 414! 463, 468. Elizabeth, 15, 365. John, 358. E., jr., 234. 384. Richard, 358, 365. Richard, jr., 15. William, 234. Mansfield, , 20, 39. Marat, , 63. Marblehead (Mass.), 3, 90, 91, 97, 103, 117, 187, 220, 223, 226, 280, 284, 286, 323, 340, 341. 354, 357, 361, 377, 378, 397, 409, 412, 428, 438, 439, 458. Market House, Salem, 37, 101, 175, 265. Market prices, 458. Marlborough (Mass.), 60, 272. Marlboroug-h (N. H.), 45. Marquand, , 195. Marsh, Ezekiel, 264. Marshall, , 348. Marston, , 170, 180, 197, 221, 268, 279, 429. Capt., 174. Dorcas, 279. Zechariah, 453. Martin, , 8, 116, 170. Capt. D., 167. Capt. David, 168. Elizabeth, 275, 294, 415. Martha, 184. Mary. 94, 166, 287, 326. Nicholas, 275. Sarah, 97, 109, 115. ^fartinico, 86. Mascoll. . 29. 229. 373. Wid. Hannah, 83, 434, 440. Thomas, 456. Mason, , 339, 424, 453, 463, 466. Capt., 250, 446. Mason. Abigail, 401, 402. D., 323. Jonathan, 100. 114, 240. 289, 322, 323, 328, 339, 402, 469.' Capt. Jona., jr., 294. Jonathan, .sr., 284. Susanna, 323. Thomas, 323, 378, 401, 402. W., 417, 453. Massachusetts Historit-ai Soci- ety, 127, 243. Massey, Massy, , 183, 221, 351. Jeffrey, 199. John, ^220, 311, 365. Masury, , 91, 256, 278, 352, 466. 467. Wid.. 237. Abigail. 86, 87. Anna, 399. Wid. B., 275. Benjamin, 277. Deliverance, 277, 278. Elizabeth, 239, 422. Lydia, 64, 163, 166, 405. Wid. Mary, 98. Wid. Mercy, 251. Nancy, 28, 130, 354. Samuel, 111, 218, 239. Sarah, 279. Thomas, 100, 177. Capt. William, 406. • Mather, , 340. Dr., 425. Rev., 119. Dr. Cotton, 374. Increa.se, 340, 371, 441. Matignon, Dr., 332, 406. Mattoon, Hubartus, 358. Maurice, , 357. Maxey, Levi, 79. Meachum, Joseph, 154. Mead, , 213, 270. Rev., 108, 456, 459. Rev. Samuel, 211. Means, Mean, Col., 232, 233. Betsey, 233. Polly, 233. Meckin, Rachel, 396. Medals. 329. Medcalf, , 128, 129, 132, 200. Meek, Capt., 310. Meeting-house architecture, 17, 46, 147, 150, 231, 254, 387, 388, 390, 391, 395. Melece, , 160. Melee, , 170. Melons, 152. 492 INDEX Melzar, Nancy, 313. Menadnock,Mt., 45. Menotomy, 147. Menzie, , 23. Merchant, , 37. Merrill, , 51. Daniel, 333. Giles, 393. Merrimack river, 17, 178. Merrimack (frigate), 285. Meservey, Maservey, , 202, 203. Elizabeth, 203. Methodists, 13, 101. Methuen (Mass.), 19, 178, 179. Mice, 251. Middlesex canal, 457. Middleton (Mass.), 206. Mile stones, 60. Miles, , 203. Military reviews. 63, 65, 87, 88, 109, 161, 240, 286, 302, 321, 353, 371, 399, 454. Militia, 65, 76, 130, 162, 182, 244, 267, 280, 285, 309, 331, 372, 376, 424. Mill on Salem Neck, 37. Miller, Joseph, 396. Millett, Millet, , 234, 278, 288, 465. Capt., 111. Benjamin, 459. Elizabeth, 71, 87, 96, 156, 227, 278, 341. Hardy, 274, 462. John, 278, 288. Jonathan, 22, 140, 141, 216, 274. Mary, 213, 274, 297, 368. Nathan, 299. E., 288. Rebecca, 141, 203, 255, 286. Sarah, 71, 141, 177, 234, 236, 264, 274, 288, 362. W., 273. William, 318, 343. Miltimore, Rev., 407. Milton, , 113, 396. Rev., 224, 363, 365, 387, 407, Milton (Mass.), 241, 253, 254. Minerva (ship), 430. Minot, Judge, 140, 327. G. R., 407, 408. Minzie, , 23. Missionary society, 317. Mob law, 318. Montague, , 373. Moody, , 168. Rev., 23, 24, 25. M., 12. Samuel, 20. Moore, Rev., 289. Rev. Abraham, 377. Mary, 297, 412. Morals, 116, 212, 397. More, , 272. Dr., 195. Morey, , 50. Gen., 51. Moriarty, , 466. John, 234. Morrill, Morril, , 139. Rev., 20. Rev, Isaac, 39. Morrison, , 10. Morse, , 32, 64, 70, 71, 236, 274, 278, 282, 291, 310, 328, 377, 405, 410. Dr., 255, 278, 296, 302, 320, 329, 334, 384, 386, 391, 459. Rev., 230. Morton, , 201, 246. Mosely, Moseley, , 64, 279, 465. Capt., 315, 465. Capt. J., 314. Joseph, 64. Moses, , 31. Mottey, La Mottais, , 433. Rev., 279. Moultrie, Gov., 75. Mound builders, 286. Mugford, Capt., 372. Mulberry, Capt., 196. Muley, 290. Mulliken, , 20. Munn, , 47. Munroe, Munro, , 70. Rev., 371. Murder, 59, 157. 165, 328. Murphy, , 354, 466. Capt. J., 353. Murray, , 14, 81, 155, 156, 200, 205, 273, 279, 306, 374, 390, 424, 426, 427, 456. Rev., 402, 407, 432. Elizabeth, 248, 408, 420, 424. Wid. H., 155. Hannah, 214, 282, 323, 406, 408, 420. J., 359. Rev. John, 9, 10, 11, 12. Wid. Mary, 352. Peter, 155, 156, 210. INDEX 493 Museum, Bowen's, 261. Museums, 321, 322, 330, 344, 382, 433. Music, 20, 163. 175, 183, 184, 190, 246, 255, 259, 268, 290, 292, 362, 365, 371, 452, 455. Mycall, , 195. Nahant (Mass.), 141, 156, 167, 273, 312, 444. Nail factory, 196, 338. Nail making, 394. Nancrede, , 185, 235, 410. Naturalization, 255. Navigation, 361, 370, 447. Navigation, Instruction in, 423. Neal, , 132, 414. Needham, , 100, 468. Capt., 217. Negroes, 31, 34, 38, 96, 235, 252, 302, 312, 314, 345, 379. Nerith, , 214. New Hampshire in 1793, 43-55. New Ipswich (N. H.), 43. "New Lights," 244. Newbury (Mass.), 64, 95, 124, 451. Newburyport (Mass.), 9, 10, 11, 12, 113, 194, 196, 291, 334, 337, 364, 369, 387, 395, 443, 456. Newburyport turnpike, 457. Newell, , 386. Alice, 118. D„ 413. Newhall, , 68, 168, 171, 237, 239, 278, 281, 375. Ezra, 264. John, 345. Lydia, 128, 169. Nevmiarket (N. H.), 390. Newspapers, 183, 245, 319, 332, 335. Newton, , 261. Ruth, 109, 111, 194, 200, 202. Newton, Mass., 280. Nichols, , 236, 296, 315, 338, 344, 411, 433, 469. Capt., 295, 358. Jonathan, 287. Lydia, 287. Patience, 314, 402, 403. Richard, 404. Night cap, 267. Niles, . 17, 165, 374. Rev., 410. Norman, , 250, 352. Wid., 467. Norman, Jacob, 235, 249. Mary, 250, 264. Norris, , 31, 67, 68, 103, 142, 194, 217, 266, 380, 432. Rev., 31. Edward, 253. Jo., 239. John, 31, 87. North bridge, Salem, 111, 197, 202. North Fields, 197. North meeting-house, Salem, 193. Northampton, 56. Northey, , 26, 412, 434. Norton, , 252, 370. Nourse, , 161, 343. Margaret, 141. Nowell, Nowall, — — , 377. Mary (Carr), 377. Noyes, , 25, 30, 31, 139, 268, 445, 468. Capt., 11, 195, 320. Capt. Joseph, 195. Nicholas, 260, 266. Nurse, , 439, 440. Nutting, , 162, 223, 431, 432, 466. John, 414. Nyles, , 339. Obed (negro), 261. Ober, , 419, 463. Obrian, , 455. Occum, , (Indian), 136. Odell, , 354, 386. Eleanor, 239. Lois, 76, 352. Lydia, 168. Samuel, 354. Ogden, , 48, 51, 53, 81. Ohio, 116. Oliver, , 73, 103, 209, 219, 314, 363, 468. Dr., 285, 427. Rev., 201, 419. Judge Andrew, 324. Daniel, 213, 270, 367. William, 114, 381. Ordination at Wilmington, 142, 165. Ordinations, 241, 323, 386, 397, 433. Orford, N. H., 50-53, 293. Organs, 2, 259, 292, 346, 349, 357, 427. Orne, , 95, 102, 160, 223, 263, 268, 298, 316, 429. 494 INDEX Orne, Capt., 93. Wid., 329. Col,, 29, 97, 227, 280, 354, Col. Azor, 187, 188, 301. Capt, Benjamin, 123. J., 469. Capt. J., 192, 194, 314. Dr. Joseph, 413. Capt. Josiah, 406. W., 366. Orr, , 251. Osborne, , 106. Maj., 339. Osgood, , 74, 82, 99, 129, 135, 140, 178, 202, 310, 376, 379, 468. Capt., 208, 366, 383, Deacon, 26. Dr., 270, 320, 362. Capt. J., 366. Peter, 294. Outein, , 268. Packard, , 41, 60, 273, A., 272. Page, , 345. Col., 66, 271. Betsey, 293. S., 293. Capt. S„ 220. Paine, , 35, 102, 107, 157, 192, 246, 254, 365. Dr., 145, 272, 273. Diana, 120. Elizabeth, 120. George, 120. John, 120. Mary, 119, 120. Sarah, 120. T., 107, 287, 325. Thomas, 120, 190, 283, William, 119, 120, Painting, 431, 452. Palfrey, Palfray, , 77, 158, 175, 225, 240, 290, 452, 455, 456, 463-469. Elizabeth, 264. Hunlock, 424. Lydia, 72. Martha, 424. Thomas, 15, 76, 77, 93, 135, 233, 240, 315, 354, 420, Walter, 67. Palmer, , 124, Panorama, 126. Paper mills, 18, Paradise, 236. Parish, , 90, 386, 459. Parish, Rev,, 209. Rev. Ariel, 91. Park, Mungo, 439. Parker, , 20, 137, 149, 165, 268, 281, 312, 316, 336, 380, 382. Dr., 27, 35, 153, 224, 334, 373, 374. Rev., 311, 427. B., 281, Bradstreet, 100, 279. Hannah, 279, Isaac, 16, 167, 171, William B„ 282, Parmele, Elisha, 251. Parnell, Joseph, 430. Parsons, , 9, 10, 57, 58, 113, 302, 306, 367, 406, 432, Eben, 386. Theophilus, 343. Patch, , 70. Patterson, Paterson, , 9, 62, 134, 451. Capt,, 15, 61, 62, 82, 84, Wid,, 295, 451. Hannah, 279. Mehitable, 62, 297, 448. Wid. Rebecca, 380. Sarah, 124, 297. Capt. W., 209. William, 15, 206, 356, 424, 448, 451, 458. Paul, Silas, 225. Paved streets, 317. Payson, , 44, 49, 310. Dr., 363. Rev., 351. Betsey, 351. Philips, 351, Rev, Philips, 301, 362, Peabody, , 115, 286, 323, 446. Mary, 184. Peach, Capt. Thomas, 458. Peak, , 100. Peale, , 343. George, 366. Hannah, 313. Mary, 299. Peale, see also Peele. Pearce, , 8. Col,, 292, 438. Capt. David, 437, 438. Pearce, see also Pierce, Pears, 401, Pearson, Prof,, 296, Pease, Peese, Peat, 343. 137, 391. — , 70, 273. INDEX 495 Peddler, 210. Peddlini,', 246. 421. Peele. , 72, 142, 402, 4G7. Hannah. 76, 368. Lydia, 74, 96, 97, 99, 100. Mary, 345, 399. Robert, 74, 220, 377. William, 74, 96, 97, 100, 159, 166. 220, 285, 287. Peele, sec aho Peale. Pegu, 81, 88. Peirce, , 385, 450. Jerathmiel, 194. Sarah (Kopes), 194. Peirce, sec also Pearce. Pemberton, ,139, 224, 230, 391. Dr., 398. Rev., 120, 230, 425. Penhallow, , 218. Pennel, , 458, 459. Penniman, , 153. Perkins, , 35. 92, 115, 160. 207, 239, 290, 301, 317, 327, 329, 382, 386, 465, 468. Capt., 177. Dr., 213. Dr. Elisha, 205. Elizabeth, 168. Isaac, 436, 454. Jacob, 196. James. 382. John. 373. 433, 434, 444, 446. 454. Martha. 324. Mary, 454. Peggy, 329. Robert, 454, Tarrant, 135, 160. Perley, , 229, 350. Rev., 179. Perram, , 150. Perry, , 97. Peters, , 101. John, 352, 396. Phelps, , 51, 304, 307, 308, 319, 469. Jonathan. 360. Philadelphia (Pa.), 64. Phillips. Philips, , 38, 42, 97. 100, 103, 135, 144, 156, 176. 270. 278, 298, 311, 427, 434, 442. Capt.. 117, 297, 349. 369. Gov., 415, 427. Elizabeth, 136, 169. John, 435, 442, 450. Molly, 381. Phillips, Samuel, 414. VV., 442. Walter, 3d., 73. William. 435. IMiillip's Academy, 391. I'liilosophical Library, 186. I'hipp, , 138. I'hippen, , 72, 79, 187, 290, 349, 418, 419. Abigail, 188, 384. Elizabeth, 229, 428. Eunice, 325. Joshua, 76. 123. 314, 323, 325, 362, 368, 369, 381, 412, 421, 424. Lydia, 72, 251. Nathaniel, 15, 171, 205, 313. S., 259. Samuel. 259. Sarah, 440. Pickering, , 70, 79. 82. 128, 130. 133, 146, 205, 226, 310, 361, 398, 408, 421, 433, 436, 451. Col., 252. Judge, 389. J., 192. John, 432. Mary. 206. T., 64, 337, 338. Timothy, 226, 343, 361, 452, 456, 457. Pickman, , 107, 129, 239, 412, 420, 421, 467, 468. Col., 34, 35, 104, 114, 117, 128, 186, 198, 221, 223, 230, 239, 249. Dr., 274. Major, 376, 399, 416. B., 260, 342. Benjamin, jr., 214. Caleb, 273, 379. W., 212. William, 297. Pickncy, , 235. Picnic parties, 313. Pierce, , 2, 8, 21. 35, 194, 195, 247, 265, 283, 303, 344, 354, 371, 373, 389. Col., 307, 357. David, 334. John, 370, 394, 445. Joseph, 31, 32. Joshua, 270. Pierce, see also Pearce. Pieromet, , 110. Pierpont, Joseph, 108. Pierson, Hannah, 328. 496 INDEX Pig, Learned, 261. Pigeon Cove, 306. Pigot, , 340. PUie, , 106. Pilgrim, , 260. Major, 114. Pillsbury, , 117. Pipes, 152, 155. Pipon, , 139. Pirates, 125. Pitman, Capt., 250. Hannah, 239. Joshua, 239. Pitts, Betty, 233. Plaisted, , 260. Plicide, , 54. Plummer, , 156, 205, 289, 307. D., 8. Jonathan, 14. Dr. Joshua, 415. Olive, 415. Poetry, 246. Poingdexter, Philip, 447. Point of Rocks, 87. Police, 217, 220, 269. Politics, 458, 459. Pollard, — — -, 40, 139, 155, 230, 233. Poole, , 303. Poor, , 20, 81, 178. John, 293. Pope, , 61, 141, 370, 424, 450. Popes' Day, 164, 402, 456. Population, 370. Porter, , 218, 221, 222, 228, 258, 394, 421, 449. Rev., 201, 202, 449. Abigail, 382. Hannah, 395. Mary, 275. Ruth, 275, 350. Thomas, 275. Portraits, 223, 260, 264, 452, 453. Portsmouth (N. H.), 389, 461. Poterie, , 332. Potter, , 147. Pratard, , 262. Pratt, Prat, , 81, 226, 293, 327, 432, 458, 463. Capt,, 5, 327, 364. Capt. J., 375. Capt. Joseph, 50, 51. Simeon, 201. Prayer, 209. Prebble, Preble, , 84, 188, 237. Capt., 323. Prebble, E., 225, 295. Ebenezer, 188, 194, 334. Capt. Edward, 322. Elizabeth, 188, 295, 296. Elizabeth (Derby), 188. Prentiss, Prentice, , 100, 279. Rev., 326. Prescott, Prescot, , 76, 102, 231, 286, 351. Gen., 42, 232. Maj., 399. Rev., 234, 459. "Dr. Oliver, 232. Preston, , 85, 331. Capt., 218, 296, 297. Andrew, 85, 140, 169, 204, 278, 296. Diman, 283. John Diamond, 166, 271. Joseph, 333. Mary, 331, 435, 440, 451. Sarah, 275, 298. Susanna, 440. William, 31. Price, , 66, 250, 340. Priestley, Priestly, , 110, 207, 335. Dr., 97, 126, 316, 330. Dr. Joseph, 112. William, 112, 113, 124. Primus (negro), 345. Prince, — , 10, 22, 26, 107, 124, 372, 382, 436, 442. Capt., 176, 225, 271, 350. Dea., 29. Dr., 298, 310, 331, 434. Rev., 104, 169, 197, 206, 222, 230, 353. 371, 416, 424. George, 275. Henry, 15, 274, 275. John, 436. Capt. John, 273. Joseph, 169. Martha, 438. Sarah, 274, 275. Pringle, Dr. J., 196. Printing, 209, 235, 329, 332. Printing press, 49, 59, 175. Privateering, 65, 114, 144, 213, 235, 271, 316. Privateers, 36, 38, 89. Processions, 5. Proctor, , 185, Daniel, 408, 410, Thorndike, 185, Provincetown, 420. Provisions, 132. INDEX 497 Pudeater, , 447. Pulling, , 76, 106, 132, 206, 210, 301, 324. Pump, 194. Punchard, , 381. John, 205, 427. Purcell, Dr. Henry, 428. Purrington, , 275. Putnam, , 28, 112, 124, 137, 161, 171, 191, 221, 400. Capt., 340. Dr., 383, 384. Amos, 221, 222. Dr. Archelaus, 183, 333. Dr. Ebenezer, 414. Eunice, 450. Sarah, 123, 142. Pynchon, Pyncheon, , 57, 223. John, 131, 456. Quakers, see Friends, Society of. Quarles, , 39. Quarrels, 89. Quincy, — — , 272. Radix, Capt., 109. Ram Islands, 37. Ramsdall, , 376. Rand, Eleazer, 154. Randall, , 190, 387, 412. Abraham, 386. Randolph, Rantolph, Wid., 15, 63. Robert, 15. Ranlet, , 393. Rantoul, , 63. Mary, 435. Robert. 435. S., 434, 435. Samuel, 435. Rattlesnake, 314. Ray, , 327. Raymond, , 174. Raynier, , 409. Rea, , 379. Dr. Caleb, 211. Read, Reed, Reid, , 58, 107, 161, 193, 208, 219, 286, 301, 346, 347, 355, 383, 441. Dr., 107, 239. Daniel, 317. Jacob, 294. Nathan. 197, 198, 240. Capt. Paul, 294. Reading, , 140. Reading (Mass.), 39, 278, 326, 379, 433. Reath, , 405. Wid. Elizabeth, 405. Relly, , 371. Renew, , 134, 464. Renough, , 249, Mirah, 249. Revere, , 374, 388, 426. Col., 190, 363. Paul, 329. Revolutionary events, 412. Reynier, Joseph, 210. Reynolds, , 140, 165, 329. Free Grace, 143. Rhea, Samuel, 31. Rhoades, , 351. Rhust, , 13, 303. John, 402. Rich, , 214. Richards, George, 348, 390. Richardson, , 13, 14, 42, 46, 67, 97, 137, 139, 158, 178, 394, 462, 463, 465-468. Addison, 161, 174. David, 407. Esther, 163. Eunice, 171, 450, 451. Eunice (Putnam), 450, 451. John, 125. Capt. Joshua, 225. Mary, 273. Mary Ann, 407, 408. N., 28, 171, 172. Nathaniel, 15, 72, 450. Robert, 168, 300, 324, 325. Sarah, 125, 162. Ridgway, Ridgeway, , 126, 255, 310. Mary, 119. Samuel, 119. Rice, Hannah, 460. Wid. Martha, 408. Riker, , 283. Rindge (N. H.), 44. Ring, -, 124, 463. Riot on shipboard, 352. Ripley, , 148, 445. Rev., 279. Roache, Capt. Francis, 288. Roads, 14, 43, 360, 451, 457. Robbins, Robins, Dr., 431. Rev., 254. E. C, 242, William, 204, Robertson. , 128. Robinson. .240, 242, 254, 312, 338, 351. Robison, , 291, 296. 498 INDEX Eoby, , 300, 351. Eochefontaine, , 284. Gen., 94, 95, 103. Rochestein, Mary, 345. Rockport (Mass.), 305. Rodrique, Rodrigue, , 160, 268. Philip, 263. Roger (negro), 36. Rogers, , 8, 12, 31, 51, 96, 104, 184, 186, 215, 233, 291, 298, 306, 309, 358, 359, 364, 405, 432, 437, 441. Abigail, 315, 324, 360. Abigail (Dodge), 173, 174. D., 308, 309, 327. Daniel, 392. J., 309. John, 30, 210. John Gorham, 308. ]Sr., 30, 31, 309, 315. Nathaniel, 130, 173, 210. Rohpnehhonwoh, John, 370, Rolfe, , 37, 39, 77. Rollins, , 305. Eomiere, Mary, 262. Rope walk, 161, 298, 394. Ropes, , 168, 301, 412, 467. Capt., 92, 293, 464. Maj. Gen., 399. Alice, 271. Benjamin, 194, 381, 382, 444. Daniel, 271, 320. David, 77. G., 293, 431, 439, 442. George, 15, 188, 275, 431. Henry, 275. John, 366. John Tit:, 275. Mary, 132, 168, 170, 171, 275, 301, 309, 423. Capt. Nathaniel, 248. S., 382. Samuel, 15, 133, 168, 194, 275, 331, 381, 444. Sarah, 275. Seeth, 81, 133, 168, 194, 275. William, 223, 275, 282. Rosier, , 269. Rousselet, , 332. Rowe, John, 308. Rowell, S., 28. Thomas, 176, 420. W., 419. William, 418, 419, 420. Rowland, , 391. Rowley (Mass.), 360, Roxbury (Mass.), 201, 449. Royalists, 412. Rue, Rhue, , 417, 418. Mehitable, 460. Philip, 332. Susannah, 191, Thomas, 155, 332, 399, 460. Thomas, jr., 339. Ruggles, , 119, 148. Wid,, 449. John, 254. Rumford, Count, 240, 454. Rush, , 64, 70, 108. Dr., 285. Russell, Russel, , 21, 211. Rev., 203. B., 346, Thomas, 126, 177, 423. Rust, see Rhust. Rutland, , 385. Ryan, , 412. Sabin, , 269. Safford, , 416, Sage, , 160, 442, Capt., 258, 382, 433, Daniel, 162. Deborah, 35, 83, 213, 291, 358, 434, 442. Susanna, 422. William, 116, 417. Sailors, 265. St. Catherine's Day, 75. St. John (N. B.), 435. St. Peter's Church (Salem), 26, 117, St. Pol, , 54. Salem Almshouse, 346, 422. Common, 21, 62, 378, 386, 398, 403, 428, 429, 431, 436. Marine Society, 33, 133, 212. Market House, 37, 101. Meeting-houses, 252. Neck, 245, 301, 316, 376. Perambulation, 67-69, 73, 320. Register, 335. Streets, 130, 131, 135, 140, 164, 188, 221, 226. Streets named, 107, 108. Survey of, 103, 128. Salisbury, , 329, 407. Sallows, , 114. Salt works, 285, 353. Sampler, 24, 25, Sanborne, Sandburn, , 433, Rev,, 209. Sandeman, , 280. Sandstone, 56. Sandy bay, 306. INDEX 499 Sans, , 111. Sara, Aunt, 392. Sargcant, Seargeant, Sergeant, , 8. 100, 307, 437. Judge, 179. Eev., 179. Saunders, , 20, 95, 100, 441. Major, 50, 312. J.. 89. John, 123, 302. Priscilla, 453. Susanna, 453. Saunderson, — — . 96, 103, 174. Capt., 67, 68, 73. Savage, , 77, 331. Saville, , 308. Sawyer, , 50, 51, 185, 393. Dr., 195. Rev,, 52. John, 375. Sayward, Susannah, 76. SchaefPer, John Arnold, 214. Schmidt, , 126. Schools, 12, 29-32, 96 146, 155, 173, 174, 190, 200, 210, 231, 257, 264, 270, 275, 291, 292, 299, 308, 344, 368, 372, 398, 405, 437, 441, 458, 459. Schoolmasters, 432. Schweizer, , 242. Scobie, John, 446. Scollay, , 457. Scotchman, 164. Scott, , 58. Capt., 88. Scythe, 226. Seal, 373. Searle, , 261, 288. John, 288. Joseph, 287. Ruth, 287. Seccombe, , 149. Sedgewick (Me.), 333. Sennert, Patrick, 293. Sever, , 71. Sewall, , 103, 112. Judge, 223, 340, 402. Major, 26. S., 222. Judge Stephen, 26. Seward, Susannah, 161. Sexton, , 56. Shad, Catharine, 214, 223, 428. Shaddock, , 260. Shakers, 149-155. Shakespeare, , 435. Shapely, , 192. Shattuck, , 322, 323. Shattuck, W., 323. William, 316. Shaw, J{ev., 109. W.. 254. Shay. Shays, , 4, 58. Shay's rebellion, 58. Shoafe, — , 260, 389. Shed, Nathaniel, 444. Reuben, 134. Shehano, Wid., 278. Henjaniin, 446. Bethiah, 95. Daniel, 85, 226, 290, 398, 446. Wid. Mary, 398. Sarah, 237. 290, 326, 446. Stephen, 445, 446. Wid., 278. Sheldon, , 221. Russel, 287, Sheppard, Col., 58. Jeremiah, 96. Shlllaber, , 160, 313. Ship-building, 265, 297, 307. Shipping, 94, 114, 117. Ships and shipping, 135, 192, 220, 225, 227, 246, 257, 265, 266, 271, 273, 282, 286, 294, 310, 318, 335, 352, 415, 430, 432, 443, 444, 461. Ships confiscated, 83, 85, 102. Ship-wrecks, 20, 38, 72, 80, 131, 167, 169, 170, 191, 217, 250, 283, 286, 289, 291, 405, 417, 419, 4S1, 457. Shirlej% 149, 150, 151, 152. Shoemaking. 238. Shuttlesworth. , 49. Silsbee, , 16, 21, 38, 227, 290, 349, 465-467. Capt., 99, 421, 438. Data, 450. Joanna, 13. N., 22, 79, 228. Nathaniel, 275. S., 35, 210. S., jr., 35. Sally, 225, Samuel, 78, 112, 162, 270, 344, 434, 442. Samuel, jr., 95, 184, 215, 219, 459. Sarah, 16, 275, 285, 287, 377. W., 450. Zech., 275. Silver, , 467, 468. Sarah, 166, 170. Silver service, 188. Simcoe, , 92. 500 INDEX Simonet, Laurance, 299. Simons, , 19. Simons, see also Symonds. Simpson, Col., 51. Sinclair, , 434. Capt., 1. Sarah, 424. Singing, 155, 175, 183, 184, 192, 199, 246, 350, 357, 359, 378, 379, 459, 460. Singing Schools, 15, 250. Skelton, , 266. Skerry, , 366, 415. Skidmore, , 383, 385. Skillings, , 152, 224. John, 328. Mary, 120. Skillman, Rev., 425. Skimmer, Capt. John, 122. Euth, 122. Skinner, , 91, 283. Slade, Elizabeth, 406. Slate, 149. Slave trade, 77, 80. Slavery, 126, 439, 442, 453. Sleuman, Andrew, 15, 78, 193, 410. Mary, 410. Sloacum, Ebenezer, 348. Sally, 408. Sarah, 140. Small-pox, 21, 76, 273, 274, 277, 355, 356. Small-pox inoculations, 2, 22. Smith, , 3i), 51, 56, 79, 82, 90, 97, 113, 140, 173, 192, 221, 223, 251, 308, 315, 344, 383, 429. Capt., 303, 304. Dr., 270, 379, 398. Prof., 50. Eev., 173. Amos, 169. Charlotte, 209. Emmons, 183, 352, 363, 365, 368, 398. Capt. G., 171. Capt. G. G., 102. Capt. G. Gurley, 262. Isaac, 391. John, 124. Lydia, 62, 172. Mary, 398, 460. Mercy, 172. Eobert, 62, 297, 362, 365. Samuel, 423. Stephen, 183. William, 444. -, 31, 96, 190, 466. Smothers, Capt. Michael, 430. Snelling, , 31. Snow-storms, 219. Soapstone, 51, 94. Soldiers, 132. Soloman, , 80, 269. Southward, , 451. G., 451. Southwick, Sowers, Susannah, 293. Spain, 299. Sparhawk, , 47. Spaulding, , 183, 331, 361, 367, 381, 416, 443. Eev,, 369, 402, 408, 409, 424, 427-430. Eev. Joshua, 13, 216, 266, 415, 416. Spicket river, 178. Spooner, , 54. Sprague, , 45, 221. Col., 197. Maj., 208, 441, 442. Barnabas, 117. E., 348. Spring, , 151, 165, 364, 443. Eev., 184, 230, 363, 365, 396. Spring pond, 74, 105. Springfield (Mass.), 57. Springfield arsenal, 58. Squam river, 303. Squire, Squires, , 109. Thomas, 109, 312, 313. Stagecoach, 58, 60, 70, 438. Stage driver, 188. State House, 145. Stanton, Eobert, 206. Staunton, Eev., 222. Stealy, , 239. Stearns, Sternes, , 5, 246, 263. Dr., 5, 280. Isaac, 114. Stebbins, , 55. Col., 56. Steele, Charles, 422. Joseph, 422. Stephens, Stephen, , 64, 166, 177, 460. Eev., 179. Wid. Mary, 241. Thomas, 401. Stephens, sec also Stevens. Sternhold, , 371. Stevens, Steven, , 171, 262, 327. John, 203. Wid. Mary, 369. INDEX 501 Stevens, sec also Stephens. Steward, , 30, 237, 252. Anna, 279, 297. James, 255. Stewart, Steuart, Ann Elizabeth, 336. James, 256. Stickney. , 272, 313, 315. Benjamin, 373. Kev. Jonathan, 356. Moses, 371, 373. Stiles, Styles, , 277. Dr.. 241. Stillman, Stilman, Dr., 27, 224, 427. Rev., 201. Stimson, , 6. Stivers, , 444. Sarah, 295, 445. Wid. Sarah, 239. Stocker, , 322, 438. Stoddard, Stoddart, Capt., 424. Ebed, 403. Stone, , 39, 144, 155, 225, 267, 298, 328, 329, 336, 348, 351, 465. Anstis, 431. Benjamin, 277. Eliza, 141. Rev. M., 368. Micah, 320, 368. Rev. Nathaniel, 451, 452, 453. R., 218. Capt. R., 141, 142, 181, 416. Robert, 277, 431. Storer, Eleanor, 82. Storms, 26. 33, 131, 171, 200, 219, 228, 265, 345, 357, 416, 417, 451. Story, , 301, 327, 339, 354, 358, 362, 384, 398. Capt., 293. Dr., 439. Rev., 29, 90, 104, 169 176, 197, 223, 278, 312, 324, 411. D., 286. Daniel, 278. Dr. E., 226. Eleanor, 23. Isaac, 140, 409, 412. Jo., 455. Joseph, 377. William, 324. Stoughton, , 296. Stover, Major, 387. Stratham (N. H.), 407. Street crier, 212. Street lighting, 460, 461. Streets, 469. Streets in Salem, 130. 131, 135, 140, 164, 188, 221, 226. Streets in Salem named, 107, 108. Strong. Gov., 339, 341, 344. Sirout. — , 328, 406. l.t., 349. Margaret, 328, 363. Sturgeon, 35. Stiirgis. , 372. Sudbury (Mass.), 60. Suden death, 234. Suicide, 89, 116, 123, 185, 240. Sullivan, , 112, 165, 190, 224, 258. Judge, 344. Wid., 208. Elizabeth, 405. Sumner, , 71, 327. Gov., 225, 253. Judge, 173, 176, 202. Wid., 449. Increase, 311, 312. Sim dial, 198, 441, 451. Sun Tavern, 365. Sunday law, 380. Swain, Rev., 311. Swampscott (Mass.), 311. Swan, , 179, 180, 238, 255. Swasey, Swazey, , 12, 215. Maj., 12. Joseph, 114. Wid. Margaret, 174. Mary, 32. Rachel, 102. Sally, 174. Samuel, 32, 101, 174. Sweden, King of, 22. Swedenborg, , 98. Sweetser, Sweetzer, Swetzer, , 45, 432. Sarah, 408. Swett, , 106, 220. Capt., 325. Dr., 11, 12, 37, 105, 113. Enoch. 332, 408. Dr. John B., 194, 195. Joseph, 341. Swift, , 148, 242, 254. Sword (Bowditch), 224. Sylvester, Elisha, 62. Symmes, , 144. 'Rev., 336. Daniel, 336. George, 174. Symonds. Sjmimonds, , 187, 190, 221, 465. 502 INDEX Symonds, Catherine, 349, Elizabeth, 172. John, 109, 172, 328, 365. Priscilla, 108. S., 349. Symonds, see also Simonds. Tabernacle church, Salem, 265, 266, 331, 367. 369, 381, 402, 415, 416, 427, 428. Tallerand, , 289. Tan yards, 462. Tannery, 159, 174. Tanning, 236. Tansur, , 371. Tapley, , 134. Tappan, , 310, 386. Dr., 224, 338, 397, 415. Prof., 92, 333. Kev., 323. Tate, , 371. Taverns, 140, 296, 312, 365. Taylor, , 56, 344, 386. Capt., 313. Wid., 400. Chase, 82. George, 294. Hannah, 100, 226. Teague, , 103, 122, 373. Templeman, , 33. Terry, Capt., 201. Tewkesbury (Mass), 16, 39, 138. Thatcher, Thacher, , 269, 299, 300, 310, 351, 367, 382, 453. Dr., 193, 242, 259, 264, 300, 362, 415, 453. Judge, 402, Rev., 104, 185, 228, 312. Mary, 351. Peter, 260, 441, 459. Eev. T. C, 362. Thanksgiving Day, 128, 290. Thanksgiving Day service, 208, 247. Thanksgiving market, 458. Thayer, , 28, 71, 332, 356. Abigail, 290. Elizabeth, 290. Theatrical entertainments, 20, 77, 80, 81, 116, 127, 132, 227, 258, 386, 401, 409. Theft, 21, 33, 95, 112, 174, 184, 217, 302, 365, 421. Thistle, , 452. Capt., 417. Thomas, , 49, 59, 71, 276. Eev., 232. Thomas, Elizabeth, 83, 88, 164, 169, 407. Isaiah, 209, 272, 329. Thompson, Tompson, , 124. Benjamin, 240. William, 297. Thorndike, , 224, 291, 301. Dr., 339. Isaac, 313. Israel, 313. Nancy, 313. Thurston, , 388. Eev., 407. Tide guage, 429. Tide mill, 307. Tides, 354, 357. Tilden, , 372. Tileston, Tiliston, , 2, 255, 432. John, 432. Tinker's Island, 93. Titcombe, , 456. Titles, Omission of, 2, 3. Titus Augustus (negro), 31. Tobacco raising, 41. Tomatoes, 240, 453. Tombe, , 10. Rev., 407. Tombs in cemeteries, 142. Tomlinson, , 268. Tontine Building, Boston, 127, 243. Toothache, 278. Toppan, Dr., 220. Toppan, see also Tappan, Topsfield (Mass.), 18, 87, 167, 350, 394. Tousel, , 385, 445, 447. John, sr., 447. Susanna, 385. Tovi^n, , 357, 372, 459. Tovi^n meeting, 8, 83, 130, 174. Tovimsend, , 155, 170. Capt., 401. Alice (Newell), 118. Anna, 108. James, 118, 119. Lydia, 15, 275, 451. Martha, 119, 203, 249, 297. Mary, 174, 257, 275, 400. Mercy, 275, 430. Moses, 15, 71, 275, 369, 400, 465. Capt. P., 114. Penn, 107-109. Capt. Penn, 203. Priscilla, 275. S., 140, 467. Samuel, 275, 350, 430. Shippie, 280. Index 603 Townsend, Susannah, 118, 119. TovNTisend (Mass.), 42. Tozzer, Ebenezer, 185. Margaret, 261. Mary, 362. Tracey, J., 11, 12. John, 244, 337. Traders, Country, 45. Trades, 414, Trask, Traske, , 265, 370. Joseph, 394. Treadwell, , 39, 181, 258, 266, 276, 299, 385, 386, 420. Trial for murder, 165, 166. Trials, 112, 205, 356. Trow, Nathaniel, 336, 350, 382, 446. Trowbridge, Judge, 300. Trumball, , 344. Truro (Mass.), 429. Tuck, , 324, 387. Tucker, , 106, 254. Dr., 338, 352. Rev., 377. William, 254. Tuckerman, , 329. TufErey, Madam, 25. Tugmutton, 435. Turell, , 124, 344, 433. Eev., 433. Turkies, 292, 408. Turner, , 34, 79, 215, 268, 322, 392, 401, 469. Col., 370, 375, 463. Col, John, 414. Turnpike, 457. Turnpike to Boston, 425, 436. Turnpikes, 375. Turtles, 33, 379. Twine factory, 27. Twisse, Twiss, , 190, 203, 302, 451. Wid., 451. J., 446. John, 203. Jonathan, 203, 431. Peter, 203. Tyler, oCl., 127. Tyng, , 41, 337, 338, 442. Col., 233. Tytler, Titler, , 157, 190, 192. 282, 285, 291, 319, 365, 405, 410, 436. James, 157, 158, 204, 212. Jimmy, 330. Ulysses (ship), 417. Underwood, , 451. Ceorge, 451. Sarah, 169, 278, 445. Unitarian publications, 202. Universalists, 36. Upton, , 137, 140, 144, 230, 421. Wid., 16, 160. Usher, , 110. John, 85. Valpy, Valpey, , 241, 287. Elizabeth, 251, 379. George, 320. Joseph, 99, 190, 217, 313, 320. Lydia, 251, 314, 320, 371. Margaret, 241, 320. Mehitable, 81, 190, 255, 278, 438. Richard, 253, 339. Susannah, 320. Vans, William, 223. Varney, , 139. Varnum, , 139. Vaudrin, Drouin, 110. Vendue of books, 300. Vermont, 331. Verstille, , 452. Very, , 205, 467. Capt. J., 191. James, 135, 240. Jones, 135. Mary, 77. S., 63. Village, , 411. Vincent, , 160, 161, 167, 168, 170, 190, 298, 348, 464, 465. Joseph, 15, 160, 182, 199, 378. Mathew, 15, 128. Samuel, 297. Vinning, Venning, , 68, 69. Volusia (ship), 417. Von Hagen, , 395. Voorhees, Voorhoes, Eleanor, 354. Robert, 62, 386. Vose, Col. Joseph, 241. Wade, Col., 12. Wadsworth, , 254, 382. Rev., 104, 209, 226, 230, 312, 353, 387. B., 404. Rev. Benjamin, 254, 262, 288. Mary, 262, 288. Wait, , 78, 226, 283. Walden, Joseph, 398, 452, 454. 504 INDEX Waldo, , 5, 103, 263, 269. Dr., 146. Major, 67, 68, 313. Louisa, 155. Wales, , 149. Walker, , 173, 389. Walpole (N. H.), 47. Walsh, , 338, 343, 345, 443. Capt. Keyron, 210. Michael, 338, 370, 443. Walter, Dr., 27, 224, 427, 454. Nathaniel, 449. Nehemiah, 449. Waltham (Mass.), 60. Walton, , 251, 390. Ward, , 13, 67, 68, 73, 79, 103, 134, 240, 249, 301, 407, 424, 433, 434, 455, 462, 464, 468. Capt., 103, 328, 343. Gen., 60. Rev., 311. Andrew, 126, 164, 169, 194, 252, 328, 405. B., 128, 240, 312, 313, 333, 452. B. sr., 220. Benjamin, 203. Capt. Butles, 170. Capt. Buttolph, 301. Capt. Ebenezer Buttolph, 170. Hannah, 169. J. C, 261. John, 439. Joshua, 5, 21, 208. Miles, 203, 220. Richard, 424. S., 458. S. C, 289, 415. S. Curwin, 424. Samuel, 247. Samuel Curwin, 247. Capt. William, 358. Wardelow, Mary, 81, 89. Wardilloe, , 168. Warren, Dr., 103, 104, 185. Rev., 311. Washington, , 348, 459. Gen., 3, 4, 5, 28, 29, 60, 74, 82, 173, 214, 215, 258, 261, 280, 296, 325-327, 329, 330, 331, 335, 337, 356, 379, 389, 451. George, 457. Washington's Birthday, 5. Watch, Town, 217, 220, 222, 250. Waters, , 125, 156, 241, 288, 297, 365. Capt., 170, 328. B., 237, 240. Barbary, 134. Waters, Benjamin, 241, 431. Christiana, 241. Esther, 379. John, 236, 379. Joseph, 236, 241, 288, 322, 440. Judge Joseph G., 135. Lucia, 310. Wid. M., 156. Wid. Mary, 83, 440, 446. Sally, 82. Sarah, 130, 156. Water's river, 161. Watertown (Mass.), 281. Watkins, , 161. Watson, , 31, 80, 96, 103, 239, 251, 262, 368, 458, 462, 464. Abraham, 414. Elizabeth, 13, 135. John, 15, 239, 368, 385, 407. Marston, 265, 344, 345. Watts, , 11. Wayt, , 265. Weare, Russel, 424. Weather, 210, 218. Weaving, 151. Webb, , 78, 175, 192, 214, 229, 278, 361, 464, 467. Capt., 146, 208. B., 275. Capt. B., 199. Benjamin, 15, 64, 275. Eliza, 275. H., sr., 464. Hannah, 32, 134, 167, 168, 176, 181, 192, 226, 228, 262, 275, 289, 376, 385, 452. Henry, 238. Joanna, 328. John, 176, 197, 275. Joseph, 239, 315, 398, 424. Joshua, 278, 296, 319, 320, 363. Micah, 207. Oliver, 160, 283, 288. Priscilla, 418. Capt. T., 181. Samuel, 94, 271, 350, 456. Sarah, 288. Stephen, 155, 172, 176, 197, 352. Capt. J., 181. Capt. Thomas, 191. William, 318. Webster, , 166, 340. Dr., 338, 367. Josiah, 323. Noah, 330. Weddings, 18, 271, 364, 382. Weights and measures, 6. Weishaupt, Adam, 316. INDEX 605 Wcleome, , 71, 172, 411, 466. Wells, , 388. Wells. 243, 285. Welman, Wellman, , 162 202, 208, 315, 464, 468, 469. Capt., 1, 83, 85, 124, 159, 283, 295. Adam, 369. Margaret, 332, 333. Mary, 369. Mercy, 86, 202, 332, 333, 430, 455', Sally, 370. Sarah, 116, 209. T., 246, 272, 343. Timothy, 15, 159, 206, 285, 295. Welsh, Capt., 210. Wendell, , 20, Wenham (Mass.), 311. Wenh-a-pot, John Rohpnehhon- woh, 370. Wesley, John, 409. West, , 27, 36, 255, 317, 353, 385, 395, 400, 416, 441. Capt., 86. Dr., 264, 295, 427. Capt. B., 97, 100. Capt. Benjamin, 289. Capt., G., 423. N., 319, 430. Nath., 373. Capt. Nathaniel, 353. Westford (Mass.), 41, 42, 231. Westminster (N. H. or Vt.), 54. Weston, Nathaniel, 430. Whaling, 8. Wharton, Eliza, 371. Wharves, 408, 439, 440, 468. Wheat, , 445. Dr., 119. W., 119. Wheaton, , 47. Wheeler, , 148, 373, 437. Wheelock, , 136. President, 368. Wheelwright, Wheelright, , 38, 392, Whetmore, , 160. Whidden, Widden, , 215. George, 217. Martha, 216. Whipping criminals, 75. Whipple, Eev., 201. Whips, 152. Whitaker, , 266, 358. Dr., 136, 298, 412. Jona., 298, 111. 160, 466. -, 43, 201, 371. 21, 59, 154, 155. Whit«, , 91, 147, 178, 180, 185, 244, 272, 338, 385, 393, 433, 450, 457, 463-466. Capt., 181, 185, 463. Capt. H., 410. Henry, 326. Isaac, 4, 15, 77, 168, 169, 255, 338, 432. James, 319. Capt. Jo., 62, 343, 369. John, 62, 159. 211, 350, 412. Joseph, 15, 114, 133, 186, 318, 464. Margaret, 278, 331. Wid. Mary, 169. Whitefield, , 9, 10, 75, 147. AVhitefoot, , 315, 324. Elizabeth, 116. Hannah, 403. Samuel, 436. Whitehead, - Whitford, — Wid., 145. Mary, 114. Whiting, Capt., 232. Betty, 290. Whitman, — Whitney, Dr., 355. Eev., 301. Whittemore, Whittimore, , 10, 14, 299, 464. Eunice, 206. James, 109, 228, 405. Mary, 135, 363. Whitwell, W., 341. Wife desertion, 91. Wigglesworth, , 367. Col., 11. Prof., 367. Wild, Wilds, , 119, 151. Elijah, 150. Wilkins, Anna, 295. Wilkinson, Wilkingson, George, 157, 165, 170. Willard, Williard, , 30, 48, 153, 155, 314, 317, 368, 390, 408. Dr., 264. Rev., 23. Williams, , 32, 56, 57. 60, 75, 134, 183, 200, 203, 205, 222, 266, 272, 356, 371, 377, 411, 429, 432, 465, 466. Capt., 21. Consul, 346. Dr., 245. 506 INDEX Williams, Eev., 19, 179, Wid., 365. Anstiss, 65. Catharine, 254. Elizabeth, 29. G., 134, 366. Capt. George, 225, 226. Capt. Israel, 451. John, 411, 453. Leonard, 241. Mary, 169. Eebeccah, 140. Thomas, 74, 201. William, 95. Williams College, 56. Willis, , 367. Eev. Eliakim, 366. Wilmington (Mass.), 139, 143, 165. Wilson, , 50, 438. Winchester, , 153. Windham (N. H.). 75. Windmill, 97, 158. Windows, 115. Windsor (Vt.), 49. Wine, 399. Wingate, Capt. Edmund, 105. Winter Island, 288, 373. Winthrop, , 28, 45, 98, 163, 201, 249, 268, 269, 276. Gov., 223, 269, 353. Judge, 35, 61, 146, 241, 255, 281, 314, 344, 384. John, 384. W., 204, 358, William, 241. Wiswall, , 432. Witchcraft, 23-25, 261, 284, 415. Witteridge, E., 118. Wolcot, Wolcut, , 334, 359. Thomas, 339. Wood, , 156, 231, 408, 444. Captain, 128, 229. Wood, Wid. Phoebe, 454. Wood-carving, 452. Woodberry, Woodberey, , 66, 425. Susannah, 82. Woodbridge, , 366, 373. D., 468. Dudley, 322, 469. W., 391. Woodkins, Woodkind, , 197. Samuel, 288. Woodman, Benjamin, 343. Wid. Lydia (Phillips), 343. Woods, , 141, 187, 308. Woodvt^ard, , 138. Woolen manufactory, 95, 196. Wooley, Woolley, , 312. Capt., 122. Charles, 122, 455. Susanna Ann, 122. Worcester, Noah, 318. Samuel, 452. Worcester (Mass.), 59, 71, 273. Workhouse, 422. Wright, , 463, 468. Wyatt, , 116, 209. Anna, 294, 295. C, 3. Hannah, 295. Jane, 116, 125, 126, 194, 306. Nancy, 294. Sarah, 116, 125, 194, 205, 206. Capt. W., 208. William, 116, 206. Wyeth, , 432. 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