Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 10: The Town of Salisbury, 1922

Among the earliest settlements in New England, Salisbury ranks among the first. Eighteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, in 1638, and ten years after the settlement at Salem, what was styled a "plantation" was established on the north side of the Merrimac. A strip of territory extended from the Merrimac river north a distance of almost ten miles, including also within its scope what is now the town of Seabrook, a portion of Hampton and Kingston, all three in New Hampshire, the Haverhill line on its western border and its eastern boundai-y the Atlantic Ocean. The first settlement was very near the ocean, where the original land grants were made, and later become known as the East

Parish. At first this collection of settlers named their community Colchester, but the General CJourt in 1640 changed the name to Seabury, by which name it was first incorporated as a town. A goodly number of the immigrants in this town came from Seabury, England, among this number Rev. William Worcester. Historian Coffin says "The early settlers of this town were men fitted by education to adorn any civil station."

Early in its history Salisbury was made a shire-town, and continued from 1643 to 1649. But it was also the court-town of another county than Essex - that of Norfolk, comprising the New Hampshire plantations of Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth and Dover, then (1643) united to Massachusetts, and the town lost its court. A court house was erected in East Parish. In the jail at this point many a culprit was fastened in the stocks as a punishment. Much difficulty was experienced in fixing the State line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and the legislatures of the two states, as well as the courts, had much to do to bring about the present boundary lines. South Hampton and Seabrook were finally given to New Hampshire, after which peace was declared.

The original grantees of Merrimac plantation were Simeon Bradstreet, Daniel Dennison, Christopher Batt, Samuel Windley, Samuel Dudley and John Sanders. In the spring of 1639, the records show that the grantors agreed that each settler should have two pieces of meadow land and a certain amount of planting land, according to wealth of the grantees - four acres to every one hundred pounds. This was evidently a movement to get wealthy men to occupy the lands, more than from any benevolent spirit. The grant to the Rev. William Worcester shows that he possessed no small amount of wealth, and he was given a large number of acres of meadow and upland in different localities. Some of these "great planting plots" were west of the Powow river.

Without entering into details of dates and localities, the names of some of the early comers to this place here follow : Thomas Macy, Thomas Bradbury, John Hodges, Willis Barnes, William Hook, George Carr.

At a meeting held February 5, 1640, by the freemen, a large number of grants were made and the price of labor during the summer months was fixed at twenty pence per day, while carpenters were to have two pence per day more than common laborers. (Note the change in sentiment in the year of Our Lord, 1921, on the labor question). The price of lumber was also fixed by the town, as was the price for milk at three and a half pence per quart for new milk, and one pence for skimmed milk, ale measure, while gilt-edged butter brought six pence a pound.

Among the most active and valuable settlers of the town was Major Robert Pike, who not many years since was immortalized by the "Quaker Poet" Whittier; he was bom in Longford, in 1616, and came to Newbury with his father, John Pike, who died in 1654. He was admitted as a freeman in 1637, was representative in 1648, and for six years more; he was a heutenant and finally a major; in 1689 he became a member of the committee of safety, and one of the first council under William and Mary in 1692. He died in 1796, aged ninety-two years. To him was attributed the action of defending the "Quakers" who were sentenced to be whipped by a justice in Dover on the way to Salisbury, and declared that no such act would be inflicted on them in the town, hence the poem by J. G. Whittier just mentioned.

In 1655 the first bridge was thrown across the Merrimac river - a floating bridge, or pontoon, between Carr's Island and Newbury, at the old ferry. It was only five feet wide, rails on either side, was two hundred and seventy feet long, and was built by George Carr, who then owned the island. For his services he was liberally rewarded with land grants within the town, mostly for footmen and small stock.

Passing over many scores of years, let the reader now think of being in this part of New England one, two or three generations ago. It is found that the ancestor of the great Daniel Webster came from here. His mother was bom in Salisbury, her maiden name being Abigail Eastman, who married Colonel Ebenezer Webster, father of Daniel Webster, noted among the statesmen of America. The famous Gushing family descended from Rev. Caleb Gushing, so well known to readers of history. He was bom in Salisbury. Nathaniel Currier held a commission under King George III; but when the Revolutionary struggle commenced, he threw up his commission and joined the patriots; elected to "Congress at Watertown" in 1773, he died in 1775.

Salisbury is another one of the towns of Essex county that has been content to remain a quiet, home-like place, where order and good manners have ever marked its history, but where no gi*eat commercial enterprises have ever been fostrd and developed. In 1900 the United States census returns gave the population as 1,558; in 1910 the same authority placed it at 1,658, and in 1920 at 1,701.

Structures something after the manner of block-houses were erected at three points in this township - in Congress street, another near Rabbit Farm, and the third in Seabrook road. This was in 1675, and they were built, for a protection against the Indians, who had shown signs of an uprising.

In 1773 Salisbury was visited by an exceptional wind storm, equal in many ways to modem tornadoes or cyclones. A minister at the time made this entry in his journal: "This tempest was preceded by heavy rain and great darkness. It first appeared on the Merrimac river and rolled up the water on the banks, and threatened to swallow up the aifraighted inhabitants. From the river, inland, it covered three quarters of a mile, and extended to the sea. The tempest continued for three minutes, and wrecked and destroyed one hundred buildings in the town. Yet through the great and marvelous mercy of God, who ruleth in the

March 13, 1774, the town voted that "Thanks be given to the respectable body of merchants in Boston and other towns for their truly generous non-importation agreement, and for their prudent and vigorous endeavors in this critical time to save their country. That we will not ourselves drink any foreign teas and endeavor (sickness excepted), that none shall be drinked in our houses, till the duty is taken off, and the Revinu acts are repealed." In 1772 the freeholders and other inhabitants voted and unanimously resolved :

Third - That gross invasions have been made upon these our rights, by the British administration, till our grievances and oppressions are become intolerable.

Fourth - That our representative be instructed to use all his influence in the House, that all proper measures may be taken to obtain a redress of these grievances.

r'ifth - That if this fails of effect, this town is ready to unite with the other towns in this government, and with all the other British government in this Continent, in all lawful measures which, on joint consultation, shall be judged necessary to save our sinking State and to obtain redress of our grievances.

Sixth - That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by the town clerk to the gentlemen of the Committee of Communication and Correspondence in Boston, thanking them for their prudent and timely care of the public good."

No accurate account of the postoffice at Salisbury is now obtainable. The following have served as postmasters since about 1885 : P. H. Moulton, eleven years in office; D. W. Bennett, three months; F. A. Chapin, A. B. Coffin, about ten years in office ; P. H. Moulton, three years. The present postmaster at Newburyport is postmaster over the Salisbury station, as the postoffice in Salisbury is now known. This has existed twelve years. D. H. Moulton is now clerk in the Salisbury station. There is one rural delivery out from Salisbury, the same being about twenty-five miles long.

The safe of this office has been blown up three times in the last thirty years, but no large loss was ever sustained. In 1914 the office was entered at night time by unknown parties, who when observed by the chief of police attempted to escape, and in order to do so shot and killed the police officer, a Mr. Heath, who left a family.

But little business is transacted in Salisbury, as it is too near the larger place of Newburyport across the river. However, there are a few stores, the postoffice sub-station, and a few shops, one shoe factory employing about thirty-five workmen, and another like factory being constructed. Dr. J. S. Spaulding is the practicing physician.

to a huge boulder, on the town common, bearing the names of the seventy-eight soldiers who went from Salisbury and vicinity to serve in the late World War-

The present (1921) town officers (elective) are as follows: Town Clerk, William H. Greenleaf (has served twenty-seven years already) ; Selectmen: George E. Dow (chairman), Everett R. George, Harold F. Congdon ; Assessors : John A. Stevens, William H. Evans, Robert B. Currier; Park Commissioners: Arlington H. Chapin, Edmund M. Bartlett, Edward W. Pike. The Constable, Treasurer and Tax Collector is Samuel W. Weare ; Chief of Police, Fred H. Tapin ; Highway Surveyor, E. Earle Sawyer; School Physician, Dr. Jacob F. Spaulding; Forest Warden, Charles J. Penniman; Trustees (Hilton Fund) : John F. Smith and Frank A. Sanborn.

The Public Library is in a flourishing condition. Last year almost twelve thousand books were given out to readers. The dog tax of $400 is used in part for library support.

The Salisbury Parish Church was in advance of the town's incorporation by a year or two, and was founded in 1639. It now has a membership of two hundred, and a Sunday school of two hundred and thirtytwo pupils. Mrs. F. L. Pettengill is present superintendent.

This was the eighteenth church organized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its first pastor was Rev. William Worcester, who settled at the date of organization as pastor and remained till death in 1662. The second pastor was John Wheelwright, who died in 1679. The third minister was Rev. James Ailing, a native of Boston settled in 1687, died in 1696. The fourth pastor was Rev. Caleb Gushing, who died in 1752, aged eighty years. The fifth pastor was Rev. Edmund Noyes, settled in 1751, died 1809, aged eighty-one years. More recent pastors have been as follows: J. F. Spalding, 1885-86; L. P. Cansey, 1887-89; J. D. Folsom, 1890-93; William R. Webster, 1894-96; C. W. Taylor, 1897-1900; George A. Mcl^ucas, 1901-04 ; Irving C. Brown, 1905-07 ; W. J. Atkinson, 1908-09 ; Roscoe Sanderson, 1910-14; H. F. Quimby, 1915-16; Wm. O. W.Reynolds, commissioned Chaplain First Lieut. U. S. A. October, 1917; O. S. Steele from December 1917 to April, 1918; Roger Albright came next

A wooden chapel was erected in 1885, costing about $1,600. John T. Brown of Newburyport gave the town a fine church clock in 1887. There is a neat chapel at Salisbury Beach, with Dr. J. F. Spalding as its pastor. The subjoined account of this old church has been furnished for this history by a resident of Salisbury, and it contains many interesting facts concerning the old organization, hence is here inserted:

The old Parish Church was organized about 1639, and about 1796 Jesse Lee and others so appealed to the people they desired Methodist Episcopal pastors, but opposition came to the new faith as it was called. From 1798 to 1833 the Methodists had a church here as part of a Circuit. Then there were many Baptists and it was thought in 1833 best to unite into one Parish, and a new church was erected in 1834, the same building still in use is a good model of the old time New England church edifice.

As long as the Methodists outnumber and outvote at the yearly meetings, which has been and is still the case, the ministers of course will be of the Methodist faith. Hence it is found that since 1833, all ministers have been sent here by the Methodist Conferences. They have suited the general community and hence are still retained. It is said to be the only Parish in the world the pastor of which is a Methodist minister.

In 1833 a great revival was had in this church under Dr. Roscoe Sanderson and Rev. John Beradhead. The present pastor. Rev. Newell, with others, has organized a local Y. M. C. A., and has about a hundred men and boys enrolled. Physical instruction, education, social and religious activities are being greatly appreciated in the community. With the exception of Hope Chapel at the beach, this is the only church in Salisbury of the Protestant faith; two hundred and fifty-seven families are in one way or another connected with this church."

What was known as West Parish of Salisbury, or Rocky Hill church, was built in 1716. Rev. Joseph Parsons was the first settled minister; he was installed in 1718. At the age of sixty-nine years, Rev. Parsons died in 1739, after having served as minister in Salisbury for twentyone years. Almost three hundred members were added to his church in his time.

Following the last-named pastor, came Rev. Samuel Webster, who was ordained 1741 ; he served almost fifty-five years, and died at Salisbury, in 1796, aged seventy-eight years. The third pastor was Rev. Andrew Beattie, ordained 1797, died 1801. His remains are resting alongside his fellow minister, Joseph Parsons, in Rocky Hill church-yard. The fourth pastor was Rev. William Balch, who had been a chaplain in the United States army. He was ordained in 1802 and dismissed in 1816. Politics then were running at fever heat, and he took sides with one faction in his congregation. As a result, he was finally allowed to "step down and out." The council that tried him preserved the following memento, the contents of which might have had somewhat to do with his dismissal :

The Wesr Parish in Salisbury, to David M. Leavitt, Dr.: To brandy and rum as per bill, $9.20; four turkeys, $4.60; eight chickens, $2.00; five pounds loaf sugar 37c per pound, $1-85; sixteen pounds bacon, $2.00; thirty-eight pounds beef, $2.82; three pounds currants, 40c; six pounds brown sugar and half pound tea, $2.00; butter, cheese, horse-keeping, potatoes, lodgings, etc., $10.00; time attending on Council, $10.00; journey to Exeter and Hampton Falls, $1.50; total, $46.37.

Various ministers supplied this pulpit between 1816 and 1835 for a longer or shorter period. During that time many "signed off," as it was termed under the Religious Freedom Act, and worshiped with other churches. Among others of note who filled the pulpit in Salisbury in those times may be recalled Rev. Thomas C. Upham, later a professor in Bowdoin College. Revs. Turner, Bowles, Harris and Thomas Rich came next in line. Rev. Benjamin Sawyer of the old Sandy Hill Amesbury Church then came, serving in 1835-36 and 1837. After 1841 he gave his entire time to this church until his death in 1871, when he had reached the age of eighty-eight years. All the churches found in the town in the late eighties, as well perhaps at this date, consisting of five denominations, may be classed as having their origin in the old Rocky Hill Parish.

The Christian Baptist Society was the first to separate from the old original church in Salisbury. This commenced about 1827, when a few members withdrew and held services in the loft over Oliver Osgood's warehouse, on the wharf, at the Point. Very soon a meeting-house had to be erected, as the membership increased very rapidly. Another society was formed in 1835, composed of people from Rocky Hill and others from Sandy Hill churches of Amesbury. They also built a church on the western e::trernity of the Point, and there formed a Congi'egational church Society, with the name of the Union Evangelical Society of Amesbury and Salisbury. This grew to become a strong church and society, whose influence was sent forth far and near.

The First Baptist Church was formed as a branch of the Brentwood Baptist Church, in September, 1821. Ministers came now and then (no regular pastors) for a number of years, but they were depised by some and treated even with less tolerance than were the Quakers. The first recognized preacher was Rev. Samuel Shepard, born in East Parish. The first to move in the matter of organizing this church were Moses Chase, BaiTiard Currier and David Currier. Some of these Baptist ministers, as well as the laymen, were fearless in their conduct and actions toward other denominations. Sometimes they M^ere arrested, but they simply opened the Bible in the face of the constables, and that usually settled it.