a^%^^ F 74 .H5 C9 Copy 2 '^ j^^^-^^/i CENTElSTNIilLL, ORATION, HAVERHILL, JULY \, 1876. THE COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF HAVERHILL. ORATION, DELIVERED BEFOKE THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE CITIZENS OF HAVERHILL, JULY 4, 1876. BY JOHN CROWELL, M. D. HAVERHILL : GAZETTE PRINT, EXCHANGE BUILDING, WATER ST. 1877. Birte uxkBowu OHi^TIO^. X ^ Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens: Two hundred and thirty-six years ago a little band of men came from the neighboring towns of Ipswich and Newbury and settled in this pleasant valley of Pentucket. From the banks of the Merrimack to the Canada line stretched the prim- eval forest, unbroken, save where the frail villa- ges of the red man dotted the intervales or nestled along the shores of the lakes. Under the sanction of Governor Winthrop, and having received a deed of the vast tract of land from the Indians, these intrepid men began their work of clearing the forest, erecting their rude dwellings, and preparing the land for cultivation. The limits of the township originallj' included most of the territory now forming the townships of Salem, Atkinson, Hampstead and Plaistow, N. H., and Methuen, Mass. In 1642 the deed of the town was given to John Ward, Robert Clements, Tristram Coffin, Hugh Sheratt and William White, by the chiefs Passa- quo and Saggahew in consideration of the sum of three pounds and ten shillings. The plantation received the act of incorporation in 1645. With these small but honorable beginnings our fathers commenced the foundation work upon which the children have so nobly built. The casual student of history may ask — "What im- pelled the early settlers of New England to come to this uninviting region and engage in the rough work before them? No genial climate allured them hither, nor did the hope of gain tempt them with its glittering prize as in the case of the Spanish adventurers." But a more careful study of history will show us, that the\' were impelled by the same spirit, modified by Christianity, that sent the Angles and Saxons from their Jutland home to infuse their bold freedom into the faltering souls of the timid Britons. It i)artook of the elements that sent Norman William over from Fran(;e to implant a new civilization among the Anglo-Saxon race. It was the aggressive spirit that scorns the narrow limits of traditionary systems, and bounds into a freer atmosphere, developing new sources of strength and enterprise. It was the spirit of liberty, that rises above the limitations of thought or action prescribed by tyrant rule or priestly sway. It was the simplicity of truth asserting itself amid the dogmas of bigots, and the tradi- tions of an aristocratic power. THE MEKTIN6-HOUSE. Men actuated by this spirit do not look back ; they push on, and, with increasing strength the}' overcome the most formidable obstacles. And so these few men did not fail, and with a sublime faith they built by the side of their log cabins a rude structure for the worship of God, and they recog- nized the Divine Presence in every stage of their enterpi'ise. This fii'st meeting-house was erected in 1(>-18 upon the site now occupied by the Pen- tucket cemetery. It was twenty-six feet in length liy twenty in widtli, witli neither porch, cupola or 3 gallery. In the absence of a bell, Richard Lit- tlehale was ordered to beat the drum on the Lord's day morning, and on lecture days, for which he was to have annually the sum of thirty shillings. Littlehale's drum was afterwards substituted by Abraham Tyler's horn, which was ordered "to be blown in the most convenient place every Lord's da}' about half an hour before meeting be- gins, and also on lecture days, for which he is to have one peck of corn of every family for the year ensuing." The blowing of the horn was of short duration and our fathers soon returned to the more dignified call of the drum. The pews of this little meeting-house were rude benches, and for the protection of the women from the savage attacks, the men occupied seats nearest the door, ready to resist the barbarous foe ; and this custom of placing the women in the further end of the pew has been handed down to us, al- though a rigid adherence to the order is fast be- coming ol^solete. Rev. John Ward was the godly man who took charge of this little flock, and for tifty years he was their faithful leader, teacher, counsellor, and spiritual guide. His colleague and successor. Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, says of him in his oi'dination sermon : " These four years past have been the happiest and most profitable of my whole life. I have had the counsel of wisdom and experience, the admonitions of a father and friend, and an example constantly before me of undissembled virtue, ardent piety and burning zeal." Mr. Ward came from the town of Haverhill. 6 Essex County, England, and the name of Haver- hill was given to this town in honor of the first minister, who did so much for its grcnvth and l^rosperity. He died in 1698 at the ripe old age of «ighty- eight years, having preached his last sermon only a few weeks ^jrevious. His remains were interred in the old cemetery, and a handsome marble shaft has been recently erected to his memorj' by his descendants in the Saltonstall family. His will opens with tliese characteristic words : " O Lord, into Thy hand I commit my spirit." " (Jredo lan- guierformed, for the deliberations com- menced at seven o'clock in the morning, and the sturdy voice of John Johnson, tlie Moderator, did not falter until the adjournment at sunset. The meetings often lasted through several days be- fore the business was all completed. For our ancestors lielieved in the right of speech, and each man enjoj'ed his prerogative to his heart's content. Especially did those who paid a great tax claim the right to speak on every question involving the grave matter of raising money. And it was this tenacious defence of individual rights, and the consciousness of personal I'csponsibilit}' that gave our ancestors such lioldness of utterance, antl prepared them to effectually resist oppression when the crisis came. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. As early as the year 1647, it was (inhsn-d by General Court, " that every townshij) in tlie jur- isdiction numbering fifty families should establish and maintain a free school ; and every town con- taining one hundred families should sot up a graunuar schoid." Tiiis was tlic foufitlatidii of (hat systcin of free 11 schools which is the boast of our Commonwealth to-day. As Haverhill did not contain the requisite number of families, a public school was not estab- lished until several years after the i^assage of the order, and it was not until 1G60 that Thomas Wasse was appointed master, with a salary of ten pounds a year. He was to teach the young people to read, write, and cipher. We next find Mr. James Chadwick engaged in the service, for which he was to have " three pounds in corn, besides what he shall have from scholars, parents, or masters, provided his demands should not exceed what is paid in other places for schooling, viz : to have by the week, for a reader, four pence ; and for a writer, six pence." "Let us hope that this genei*- ous salary was faithfully paid to Master Chad- wick, and that he did not have to gather the coi*n with his own hands. In 1791 the town was " presented " for not having a school according to law, and a Mr. Tufts was accordingly chosen master at a salai'y of thirty pounds a year ; but the town was so impoverished by the war with the Indians that the court exempted the peojile from supporting a grammar school for three years, and so Master Tufts was dismissed from his charge. In 1711, a grammar school was established, and the selectmen were ordered to hire a master who was to " move quarterly to such places as the selectmen agree to, as shall be most convenient for the inhabitants of the town." But thanks to the spirit of the pedagogue, no one could be found willing to submit to such a migratory life. 12 So the disagreeable condition was annulled, and Obadiah Ayer was empbned to teach for half a j'ear, for which he was to receive fifteen pounds, a genei'ous advance on the salary of poor Chad- wick. In after years, at the close of the Indian dilH- culties, the town began to prosper ; and a comely schoolhouse was erected at the head of Main street, and boys were taught, not only the com- mon rudiments of learning, but were also in- structed in Latin ; and some of the rules and regulations adopted for the government of the school give evidence of the wisdoni df (Hir fathers in the work of education. Among tiiesc regulations, we find the recognition of the Divine gt)vernment, the inculcation of reverence for parents and guardians, and the practice of virtue and ijatriotism on the part of the children ; the exercise of a parental government by the teach- ers, and the impoitance of self-control in tlic infliction of discipline, and the guarded and judi- cious use of corjjoreal punishment, in extreme cases only, — a regulation, whicli many can testify, was too often forgotten by tiie imperious dominil^ \\\\\\ these three mighty forces, the meeting house, the town meeting and the public school, our ancestors began the foundation woik of our ancient town. Crude and humble indeed were these ai)i)liances, and the work moved slowly. and oftentimes wearily and sadly, tlirough the first century- of our existence. But amid all the mistakes of judgment wiiich we find recorded, the foundations were well laid, and tht-v will re- ^3 main unshaken and undisturbed as long as there is virtue, and integrity, and a love for the largest and purest liberty remaining among the children. Grand old Fathers ! inspire us with devout thank- fulness for the recognition of the Divine Presence in all human affairs ; for the inculcation of the 2)rinciple that men have an inherent right and capacity to manage their own local concerns, and that the dilt'usion of intelligence is essential for the safety and the greatness of a people ! As long as we cherish those fundamental prin- ciples and hold on to them with a pious tenacity, so long will our safety be secure. But woe be- tide us when we let go of the Bible, the suffrage, and the common school. God grant that we may inherit enough of the stern old Puritan spirit to retain these safeguards forever ! INDIAN HOSTILITIES. During the first century of our histoiy the growth and prosperity of the town were greatly embarrassed by the depredations of. the savage tribes scattered through the vast tract of country lying between our frontier and the Canada line. These barbarous hordes, Jealous of the aggres- sions of the white men, and emboldened by the butcheries of the Deerfield massacre, and the temporary successes of the King Philip's war, swept down uj^on the defenceless inhabitants with ruthless treachery, making indiscriminate slaugh- ter among the men, women and children of the village. Many are the tales of woe told by those who suffered long captivity in the wilds of Can- ada, and the deeds of heroism are scattered all ^4 tjver the pages of our early history. The people were oljllged to place the village in a state of defence ; fortifications were thrown up arountl the meeting-house, and garrisons were erected in different sections of the town, and supplied with soldiers to be ready for any emergency. Every man was armed. The laborer in the tield had his gun near at hand, anil the Sunday worshipper carried his loaded weapon to the house of God, and grasped it while engaged in prayer. The women and children were (illed with consterna- tion and constant alarm, for the recital of inhu- man butcheries was always l;efore them. Not only Haverhill, but the neighboring towns of Bradford and Andover, (and in fact nearly every township in the colony,) were made the scene of bloovly warfare, and all the energies of the people were taxed to suppress and destroy the enemy. The story of the captivity and subsequent es- cape of two bo3'^s, Isaac Bradley aged ii teen years , and Joseph Whittaker aged eleven years, in the fall of WM), is full of wild romance, stranger than any of the stories of modern liction. The boys were seized while working in the Held, by a party of Indians, and carried to the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, with the expectation of being taken to Canada and sold in the spring. With surprising strategy these brave lads manageil to escape while their savage captors were sleeping, and with a jxjwer of endurance remarkable and persistent they succeeded in reaching home in nine days, through a trackless forest, marking ihi'ir way by the river courses, and subsisting on ^3 the scanty fai'e of the roots and barks of the wil- derness. Quite as worthy, these brave boys, of a niche in our history, as was that more dramatic and tragic heroine, Hannah Duston, whose story you all know by heart. Jonathan Haynes and his four children were also taken captive two days afterward, and carried to Pennacook, (Concord, N". H.) After great suffering, the father and two of the children succeeded in regaining their lib- erty'. The two boys never returned. Although discovered in Canada in after years by an explor- ing party they preferred to remain in their wild home. Inexorable history must record the fact that the soldiers of these garrisons sometimes showed a cowardice unworthy their high calling. At one time the garrison of Joseph Bradley was attacked, and the sentries proved unequal to the defence. The savages pressed into the oi^en door and wounded the first sentry, when the goodwife who was making soap seized a brimming ladle of the boiling liquid and threw it full into ihe face of the foremost savage, which caused a hasty retreat and a cessation of hostilities, for a time at least. At another time the house of Mr. Swan was at- tacked, and, as the enemy pressed against the door, Mr. Swan's courage failed, and, as the sav- age face showed itself, he gave up in despair. Not so his intrepid wife, who, equal to the emer- gency, grasjjed a long spit and tlirust it ^into the tawny bodj' of the foremost savage, who, not lik- ing this kind of i-eception, and uncei'tain of what i6 might follow fuvther adventure, fled witli his yelping crew into the wood. Bnt the most fearful and fatal attack was made during the French and Indian war, in 1708, by a large party, who iuvadfd the town on the morn- ing of the 2'Jth of August. The village was wholly unguarded at the time, and the savages scjittered in ever}' direction, killing and l:)urning. Tin; llrst house attacked was that of the minister, Rev. Benjamin Rolfe. This house stood on the site of the residence of Moses Nichols, Es(i. Mr. Rolfe gallantly defended his home, calling in vain upon the cowardly soldiers in tlie chambers to C(ime to his assistance. ^Vhih; defending his door from the tremendous force pressing against it, he received a shot tired through the oaken panels, and was instantly killed.* The savages made short work of the rest of the family, not sjiaring the timid soldiers. But two little children of Mr. Rolfe were saved b}' the strat(!gy of Hagar, a negro servant, who hid them under a tub in the cellar, then conceal- ing herself. The enemy entered the cellar, and ilrank milk from the pans, but the children were not discovered and they escaped with the faithful Hagar unharmed. In this dreadful attack about forty persons were killed and taken prisoners. Mr. Rolfe was Iniried in the oUl cemetery, and a handsome monument of granite has been erected to his niciMory. The rude in.scriptions on the •Anoilicr :ii'ci)uiit says tliat Mr. Itolfc was killeil while re- treating IVinn the liai'k (hxir ol' liis lionse. Miit jiuipins: rrniii wliat we know of Mr. KolTe's ennrage. he was not tlie man to retreat and leave liis family to the mercy of the .savages. ^7 stones of the otliei" victims are nearly illegible, waiting for the hand of some pitying "Old Mor- tality" to decipher the characters hid beneath the gathering lichens. The door of Mr. Rolfe''s house was for many years preserved in the porch of the first ijarish meeting-house, where the marks of savage vio- lence could be seen in the deep gaps made by the hatchets, and in the fatal bullet-holes. AVhen the old church was demolished this door was careful- ly removed to the upper porch of the new edifice, but it was destroyed by fire when that handsome structure was consumed in 1847. After the close of the Indian hostilities the town began to recover from the depression and poverty caused by the constant draft upon the re- sources of the people. The demoralizing efi^ects of the war soon disappeared and a better era dawned ujjon the town. Business revived, meet- ing-houses "were erected in the several parishes, and new enteri^rises were developed. Agi'icul- ture flourished, the water courses were utilized by the erection of mills, a trade with the Indies was established, ship-building was encouraged, and wealth and jilenty smiled upon the people. Comely and imposing dwellings were erected, and the two principal streets were active with traffic from the neighboring towns. The Bart- letts and Bricketts, the Duncans and Saltonstalls, the Emersons, Marshes, Wliites, Ayers and Brad- leys ; the Appletons and Atwoods and Wain- wrights, the Cogswells, the Johnsons and the Corlisses, and many other honored names ap- 3 iS pear in the history of this period. Men who vied with each other in their eftbrts to advance the in- terests of the town. THE FRENCH AVAR. But hardh" had the town recovered from the disasters of the contest, when in 1756 another war between England and France involved New Eng-hmd in the strug-^le, and Haverhill was called upon to funiish her quota of men to assist the mother country. For seven years the town held itself in I'eadiness to furnish men. and many are the stories of Tieonderoga and Crown Point that have come down to us fi'om the traditions of the heroes of those famous expeditions. From the imperfect records of that period we find the familiar names of our ancestry, and it is a fact worthy of our record that Haverhill was true to her allegiance to the nnther country, and her wealth and strength were freely given to sus- tain the prerogative of the Crown. The successes and defeats, the glory and the shame of the several campaigns of this war, from Fort DuQuesne toLouisburg, form an event- ful page in our early history, but the unwritten story is fast fading into oblivion. THE "DISSENTERS." In 1764 occurred one of those anomalies which sometimes confront the historian, provoking crit- icism and censure because of the strange incon- sistency of the develeo- ple in the fonii of a protest against the excise laws, and to strive by all lawful means for the repeal of the same. But all remonstrance proved unavailing, and when Sanniel Adams pronounced his lanious protest against the revenue act wliich resulted in the dissolution of the Legislature in 1708, the town voted to sustain and commend the action.* But our fathers did not act with hot haste in this grave matter of resistance. In the con- vention held in Faneuil Ilall the same j'ear for d('lil)eration, our Haverhill delegate, Samuel *Tliis (locnment wns drawn up witli the pie.itost care, and alter several davs' debate: " Seven times revised, every word wei.irlied, every sentence considered." it was adojited and pnblisliod to the world as expressing the sentiments of MassachuBetts. — Chase, p 365. 21 Bacheller, was instructed " In every constitution- al way and manner consistent with our loyalty to our sovereign, to oppose and prevent the levying or collecting money from us not granted by our- selves or our legal Repi-esentatives." But the calm deliberations of this convention wei'e una- vailing. The stamped paper must be used, the tax on tea shall be paid, and the port of Boston shall remain closed. You are all familiar with the sublime history of this period. True to her pledges, the town Resolved, July 28, 1774, " That we will not import, j^urchase, vend or consume any East India tea until the dutj' im- jjosed upon importation into the colonies be taken otf and the port of Boston open." These are the words of men who are in earnest, willing to do as well as to resolve. And when on the afternoon of the 19th of April of the fol- lowing year, the news of the battle of Lexington reached Haverhill, the little village was all astir with excitement. That intrepid son of liberty. Dr. James Brickett, commenced the work of rais- ing minute men, to march at once to the scene of action, and before night one hundred and five Havei-hill men (almost one-half of the entire military force of the town) under the command of Capt. Jas. Sawyer were on the march to Cam- bridge. Thus promptly did our patriot fathers respond, not\vitlistanding that three days previous the business portion of Main street had been de- stroyed by fire in which seventeen buildings were 22 consumed, including some of the largest stores in town. Not only did Haverhill bring honor to our his- tory by this I'eady response, but she also shared in that romantic adventure which Longfellow hits immortalized in heroic verse — " The ride of Paul Revere." It was William Baker, a Haverhill man, twenty years of age, who first carried the news' of the intention of the lii'itish to march on Concord, to our forces in Charlestown. Baker was at work in a distillery in Boston, situated on what is now Portland street. The British sol- diers were in the habit of visiting this distiller}', and by accident the intention to march on Con- cord was disclosed in some convivial conversation of the soldiers on one of these visits, on the eve- ning of the 18th of April, and Baker was dele- gated to carry the news to Warren, by passing the British lines. This he accomplished lj\" con- summate strategy, and as Warren was absent from home, he carried the news to Adjutant Devens, who \\aA Dea. Larkin's fast horse ready for Paul Revere when he " Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore." The signal lights were shown from the old North steei)le — "One, if by land, and two, if by sea." The watchful hero " springs to his saddle," and the ride of Paul Revere passes into history. The battle of Bunker Hill soon followed, and of the thousand men sent to throw up the re- dtnibt, Haverliill had lifty-two. And in the gen- '23 of our patriot sons was seventy-foui-. Dr. lirick- ett, (also Col.), was very active during the en- gagement, and while standing near Gen. Putnam, a shot from one of the ships struck the plank upon which they were standing, wounding Brick- ett in the foot, and so disabling him that he was taken to the other side ot the hill. But nothing daunted, he at once used his skill as surgeon in attending to the wounded as they were brought in from the scene of action. Noble patriot that he was ! sei'ving throughout the war, and amid many personal sacrifices rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He lived to close an honora- ble career in his native town in the practice of his profess ion which he so much adorned. Among those who responded to the call for men was Capt. Nehemiah Emerson. When the news from Lexington reached Haverhill he was assisting in extinguishing a fire upon the roof of a house then standing opposite this City Hall. He at once determined to march to the scene of action. He joined the minute-men, and through- out the whole Revolutionar}^ struggle he returned home only once. He was comi^limented by Washington as "a brave officer, a good disciplin- arian, and one who never lost his temper." And now came the grave question of the Dec- laration of Independence. It was a bold step to take, and it was not taken hastily. In town meeting, June 25, 1776, the town voted "That if the honorable Congress, for the safety of the United Colonies, should declare themselves inde- pendent of the kingdom of Great Britain, this I 24 town do engage with their lives and fortunes to support them in the measure." One hundred years ago this sacred, solemn hour, the Conti- nental Congress was considering the momentous question, freighted with the destiny of a nation. We can imagine that assembly of grave, earnest men, as they gi'oup around the table in Independ- ence Hall, to sign the Magna Charta, for which they stood ready to endure any sjicrifice. There sits Hancock in stately dignity, presiding over the great transaction ; there the youtliful Jeffer- son, presenting the immortal Instrument which he had framed ; near him stand the great advo- cates and defenders, John and Samuel Adams ; there, too, serene in his old age, wc Ijchold the l^atriot philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, and there, "wearing his weight of learning like a crown," the scholar and scientist, Benjamin Rush, and the other worthies whose names have passed into history. O, that with jjroiihetic vision they could have looked down through the century to see the miglity generations that stand up to-day to bless them, and to behold the greatness of the people to wlioni they gave a country ! And as to-day, in tlie fair city of Brotherly Love, the na- tions of the earth asseml)le to witness the results of this deed, may the spirit of devout tliankful- ness mingle witli our rejoicing. It is only needful to say that during that long and painful struggle Haverhill did not falter, but, amid poverty and embarrassment, she fui'nished her full (juota of men, and bore her full share of the cost. The pledges sf)leinnly made in town ^5 meeting were sacredly kept, and "lives and for- tunes ■" were freely offered in the long and bloody strife. In the darkest days there were hopeful hearts, and many a noble lesson was taught by the self-sacrificing devotion of woman. When the troops were suffering during that dreadful winter at Valley Forge, the women of Haverhill were busy in making garments and bedding, and hundreds of article? were forwarded to the camps of our soldiers during the war. We have the record of five hundred and twenty-four garments and a hundred pairs of shoes furnished by our people, besides large stores of provisions and contributions of money. The taxes of the town bore heavily upon the people, but individuals were found willing to loan money. The town's proportion of the tax laid by Congress, March 8, 1779, was thirty-eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-six pounds ; and in ten days after,Congress laid another tax, of which the town's proportion was thirty-nine thousand two hundred pounds. Of course these sums were in the depreciated continental currency, but lai-ge sums nevertheless for the people to furnish In September the town was called upon to furnish sixteen thousand eight hundred pounds of beef, and they pi'omptly chose a committee to purchase it. And the next year, 1780, the call was made for thirty-two thou- sand two hundred and fifty-six pounds, and hardly had this been collected when they were called upon for thirteen thousand three hundred and fourteen pounds more. These were all raised and forwarded ])efore the cominsf on of winter. 26 With such zeal and such sacrifice did our fathers fulfill their recorded pledges. And was not this spirit transmitted to the children, when in our later and terrible struggle to maintain the unity of our government, their noble, patriot sons an- swered to the roll-call, and marched to the music of Union and Liberty ! AFTER THE REVOLUTION. But the long, dark days of the war were fading away, and the successes of our arms, under the inspiring aid of our French allies, gave new life to the colonists, and, at the final sui'render of Cornwallis, a thrill of joy pervaded the whole people. Crippled in their energies, and embar- rassed with debt and poverty, our fathers at once commenced the work of restoring their broken fortunes. The business that had gone to ruin began to revive under the j^ersistent energ}' of the Anglo-Saxon spirit, and trade was invited to Haverhill fx'om the distant towns of New Hamp- shire. That indomitable merchant, John White, soon ojiened a trade with the Indies, while Benja- min Willis, James Duncan, and Isaac Osgood pushed their business far into the country, send- ing their goods in heavily laden ox teams. Agriculture began to flourish, and many fine orchards were planted in various parts of the tf)wn. The new State Constitution had been I'at- ified by the people, after much deliberation and many amendments. Our delegate to the conven- tion that framed this important document was Gen. James Brickett, whose wisdom and prudence 27 gave character to the town he represented. Oar first representative to the General Court umler the new Constitution was Hon. Baile}' Bartlett, who did honor to every high trust committed to him. He was also the first State Senator sent from Haverhill, and he afterwards (1797,) repi-e- sented this district in Congres.s — the first citizen of Haverhill who had received that high distinc- tion. This noble son of Haverhill was subse- quently appointed High Sheriff of Essex county, receiving his commission trom the hands of Gov. Hancock in person, who stated that this was the only nomination made during his administration that had met with the unanimous approval of the Council. This commission he held forty years, when he was gathered to his fathers, full of 5''ears and the honors of a noble life. Soon after the close of the war, a young man, fresh with the laurels of the Revolutionary strug- gle, came to Haverhill and commenced business in a humble way in a small shop in the basement of a wooden building on Water street. By pru- dence, economy, and an intuitive capacity for trade, he gradually increased his stock of goods, and after a few years of continued success he built a block of stores — still standing — on Main street, and filled the same with goods of every description, and the name of David How became known throug-hout New England, and his charac- ter as a first-class country merchant was firmly established. Not only did Mr. How give great impetus to ti'ade, but in later years he turned his attention to agriculture, and through his extend- 28 ed operations large tracts of waste land were brought uiuler a high state of cultivation. Many of the fine old orchards that cover our graceful hill-slopes were planted under his direction. Mr. How was truly a rej^resentative man — a noble example of Xew England character of the best type. He took part in the engagement at Bunker Hill, and was always enthusiastic when questioned as to the relative positions of Putnam and Prescott in that famous action. " If it had not been for Prescott," said he, "there would have been no light. He was all night and all the morning inspiring the soltliers with his encourag- ing words in such a way that they felt like tight. To him belongs the honor of connuaiid in that engagement." But time would fail us in enumerating all the names that gave character to this period of our history. We might speak of Israel Bartlett, a son of the Revolution, who filled many high offices of trust ; of Xathaniel Marsh, who was a delegate to the convention called to ratify the federal Constitution ; of Leonard White, who represented us in Congress, and who was after- wards — 1814 — cashier of the first bank ; of that ingenious mechanic. Col. Blodgett, who contrived an apparatus for raising the British ship-of-the- line, the " Ito^-al George," but who was looked upon by our English cousins as a Yankee enthu- siast. By every possible means the strong ele- ments of character inheriti'd from their ancestry were developed, and the blessings of a free Con- stitution began to be felt and enjoyed. 2g The little village, stretched along the river bank and nestled under the sunny slope, gradu- ally gave evidence of comfort, peace, and plenty. The comely spires of the two churches added to the picturesque scene ; the little schoolhouse showed its frail turret at the head of the common ; the ship-yards bristled with oaken skeletons upon the stocks ; the parishes increased in population, and small villages were gathered in the extreme limits of the town. The village fostered its harm- less aristocracy, and the gentleman, the magis- trate, and the minister, in the conventional small clothes and cocked hat, received the salutations of the humbler citizens with lofty urbanity. The school children grouj^ed themselves by the wayside, and respectfully greeted the dignitaries as they passed bj' ; and when the minister entered the school to catechize the children, they all stood in respectful silence until the honored visitor was seated. The goodwife and her daughter spun the flax and the wool, and wove them into fabrics, or, with cunning fingers, wrought the sampler and the fanciful screen. The comely maiden dressed in scanty brocade, with dainty, high-heeled, satin slippers, walked through the intricacies of the stately minuet, with her prim partner arrayed in silk coat and waistcoat and well-fitting stockings. Now and then a primitive chaise would rumble by with a wealthy occupant, but oftener the good dame would ride on horseback to church, seated on a pillion behind her lord and master. A be- coming dignity, and not a little formal ceremony, marked the social relations of the people, and 3^ deference to authority anil position was the rule of action among all classes. Sometimes the order of precedence was carried to a ludicrous exces.^, and much deferential bow- ing and obsequious compliment were bestowed upon trivial matters which would seem childish in our time, when republican principles are so thoroughly diffused among the people. At this period the houses of the wealthier classes begin to make considerable pretensions to ele- gance. Long flights of steps lead to the Greek portico. The massive door, adorned with huge brass knocker, opens into the stately hall, with its handsome staircase mounting with low steps to the chambers. The oaken tlooi-s show a highl}' polished surface, and oftentimes fanciful decora- tions in paint. The heavy furniture stands in stiff array against the wainscoted wall, and mas- sive mirrors reflect the glories of the best room. The hospitable sideboard glitters with glass and silver, and the cold joint is ready for the casual visitor. The more humljle liwcllings present an air of comfort and thriltand healthful plenty, refreshing U) l^ehold. The great kitchen with " nicely sand- ed floor " is ample for every welcome guest. Tewter platters glitter in comely array upon the dressers; the family china is daintily preserved in the bullet in the corner; the huge flreplace sends out a ruddy glow, while plenty of good cheer awaits the hungry and tiiirsty neighbor and wayfarer. If we enter tiic little sclnxilhouse at the head of J the common, we find the boys primly seated upon rude forms arranged against the wall, while the older pupils sit behind primitive desks, upon which are scattered Webster's Third Part, the Columbian Orator, and Pike's Arithmetic. The master, perched in stately dignity upon his leather-seated throne, is writing copies, stopping now and then to put a finer nib on the point of his goose-quill, and giving occasionally an offi- cial rap with his oaken ruler, as some delinquent wight, forgetful of his task, falls into day-dream- ing, or tries the edge of his new jacknife upon the pine bench before him. Simjilicity, frugality, contentment, were the elements that made up the sum of daily life. "O luxury ! thou curst by Heaven's decree. How ill exchanged are thing.s like these for thee ! '' THE VISIT OF WASHINGTON. The visit of Washington, the first President of the United States, to Haverliill, in November, 1780, was the occasion of universal welcome and rejoicing. Washington was making a brief tour through New England, and Haverhill coveted the honor of a visit ; and great were the preparations made by the people for his reception. The pres- idential party entered the village from the north, on Wednesday, Nov. 4th, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and a large cavalcade gave escort to the august visitor, marching down Main street, and halting at the "Mason's Arms," Harrod's 3^ tavern, a brown old building' standing un the site of this City Hall. In this tavern, Washington passed the night. — "When the Father of his Country Through this northland I'iding came. And the roofs were starred with banners. And the steeples rang acclaim, Wlien each war-scaiTed Continental, Leaving smithy, mill, and farm. Waved his rusty sword in welcome. And shot off" his old king's-arni. Slowly ]):issed that august Presence, Down the thronged and shouting street; Village girls, as white as angels, Scattering flowers around his feet." During his lu'ief stay in Haverhill, Washington made a tour of inspection through the village, visiting the duck factory of Colonel Hlodgett, which was at that time a great curiosit3\ He also called upon John White and Bailej* Bartlett, both of whom were personal friends. It is said that he was greatly charnu'il with the scenery of the Merrimack valley, and that he specially praised the lovely situation of our vil- lage. Our own poet, Whittier, whose words we have Just quoted, has charmingly described this scene in his matchless verse : — "Mid-way, where the plane-tree's siiadow Deepest fell, his rein he drew ; ( )n his stately head, uncovered. Cool and snt'l tlic west wind blew; 33 "And he stood up in his stirrups, Looking up and looking down On the hills of Gold and Silver, Rimming round the little town, — "On the river, full of sunshine, To the laj) of greenest vales, Winding down from wooded headlands, Willow-skirted, white with sails, — "And he said, the landscape sweeping Slowly with his ungloved hand, 'I have seen no prospect faii-er In this goodly Eastern land/ "Then the bugles of his escort Stirred to life the cavalcade ; And that head, so bare and stately. Vanished down the dej^ths of shade." On the following morning, Washington was to ci'oss the river at the old ferry way. Crowds had gathered on the grassy slope to witness his de- parture ; the river was filled with small boats, and the fishing-smacks dipped their scanty flags as the chief approached the river shore. Now came the sublime moment, as Washington stood in the slowly receding boat, waving his chapeau to the assembled people on the amphitheatre be- fore him. Enthusiasm could be suppressed no longer, and a spontaneous shout arose upon the morning air. This noisy demonsti'ation did not meet the ap- proval of that grand old soldier, Gen. Brickett, 34 who conducted the ceremonies ; and, waving his battle-sword before the pcoijle, he bade them cease their clamor, "Look at him, but insult him not with vulgar noise," he said ; and so in silence, grand and complete, the stately form receded from view.* THE EAULY OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY "WE CELE- BRATE. The glowing words of John Adams in the Continental Congress in regard to the observance of the "day we celebrate" did not seem to in- spire our fathers with special enthusiasm, for we find no record of an}'^ jjublic observance of the day, until 1802, when a company of gentlemen celebrated the anniversaiy by a dinner at Brad- le3''s tavern, followed by jiatriotic toasts. This was before the day of reporters, and so those el- oquent words are lost forever. But in 1821, the town joined in a more imposing display ; consist- ing of music, a procession, an oration, a dinner, with a grand display of fireworks in the evening. We read in the Haverhill Gazette of that date, that "the procession formed at Mason's Hall, on Water street, and marched to Rev. !Mr. Dodge's meeting-house, where the Declaration of Inde- pendence was read by James Duncan, Esq., and an oration delivered by James H. Duncan, Esq., after wliich the procession re-formed and marched to KendalTs Hotel, where a bountiful dinner was disposed of, followed by patriotic toasts. In the evening there was a brilliant disjjlay of ♦Related to the writer, many years since, by an eyo-wit- ness of the scene. 35 fireworks in front of the meeting-house, in the following order : — PART 1st. Rockets, A wheel. A shower of rockets. Cupid's escape from the hornet's nest. PART 2nd. A wheel. Rockets. A wheel. Shower of I'ockets. Cupid's escape from a hornet's, nest." OUR LATE • HISTORY. During the first half of the present century the growth of this town in wealth and population was very slow. The country trade, the river navigation, and the establishment of the Eastern Stage Company furnished sources of industry which were developed by the frugal inhabitants. Graduall}^ the manufacture of shoes, commenced about fift}' years ago, increased in importance, and tliousands of cases were carried yearly to Boston on "baggage wagons" by Rufus Slocomb, before the opening of the Boston & Maine rail- road. The last quarter of a century has seen this great industry assume a magnitude that has added wealth and prosperity and greatness to our city, placing us third in rank in the country in the amount of goods manufactured. Our church- es, our schools, our charities,* have kept pace *The Children's Aid Society, for homeless children, was established in 1872. The Old Ladies Home Association, for indigent old ladies, was opened in l!<76. The Benevolent Society, for the relief of the worthy poor , was established in 1817. 36 with our material prosjjerity, and we point with just and honest pride to-day to these results of a slow, i^atient, healthy growth. Many of the sons of Haverhill have not for- gotten the place of their birth, nor their indebt- ednessforthe opportunities furnished themin their l^rogress to success. And we rejoice to-day in the beneficence of one of her sons that has opened to us the sources of intelligence that shall be per- petuated through the generations to come.f Sons of Haverhill, wherever you are at this hour — scattered up and down the earth, engaged in the great enterprises that open before us — in the halls of legislation, in the world of letters, in the puljiit, at the bar, in the school or the workshop, — rejoice with us in the goodly record si)read out before us, of the deeds of the fathers who laid these foundations upon which we so fearlessly build ! And our fellow-citizens, sons of Maine, New Hampshire, and the neighboi'ing towns of our own Commonwealth, attracted hither by our pros- perity, adding to our wealth and inlluence, and receiving in return the benefits of our free insti- tutions, we welcome you to this heritage so richly transmitted to us by our fathers. And we welcome all, of whatever name and na- tion, who come among us to share in our indus- tries, anil to assist in the maintenance of law and order and i)ul)lic integrity. tTlie Haverhill Public. Library, tbinnled by the munifl- ceni'e of Hon. K. J.M. Hale, with the co-oiieiation of the citizens, was opened to the public Ib 1B70. 37 And permit me to congratulate you, Mr. Mayor, that it has fallen to your lot to fill the highest place in the gift of your native city, in this cen- tennial year. May the era of reform, as seen in the great temj^erance movement, and so emphat- ically endosred by your administration, continue as long as there remains a love for virtue, and hon- or, and righteousness, among the inhabitants of our ancient and beloved Haverhill. OUR FUTURE. The monai-chies of the Old World condemn Republics because of their lack of reverence, and their ingratitude to those who have shaped their history ; and to this defect in character they pre- dict our ultimate disintegration. There may be much of truth in this charge. We have no dim past, winding down through the centuries to in- sjiire the imaginati on with tradition and romantic story. We cannot show the ruins of feudal cas- tles, nor can we boast of the sublime results of meditBval architecture. We have no thrones to revere, nor any noble lines of royalty to inspire us with awe. But in lack of these proud themes of the histo- rian, have we not a noble ancestry of sturdy men and true ? Have we not the record of firm loyal- ty to j^rinciple, and the establishment of a gov- ernment upon the basis of virtue, intelligence and a recognition of individual right, and individual responsibility ? These we receive from the foun- ders of the nation, and is not the gift of suflicient ex- cellence to inspire our devout reverence and grat- J 8 itude ? But with the tremendous responsibility of "universal suffrage"' comes the corresponding obli- gation of extending universal intelligence. It is our province to take up this burden, and to give no quarter until, throughout the length and the breadth of the land, the blessings of common school instruction shall be enjoyed by all. God gi-ant, that, when the next centennial shall usher in its great anniversary, the mighty generations may rise up, and with united and devout hearts be able to exclaim, "See this goodly land that is given to us by the noble saeritice of the Fathers ! " LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 078 573 8 %