Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 12: Town of Manchester, 1922

Chapter 12: Town of Manchester

It is known that the territory now called Essex county, when the white race first set foot on these shores, was occupied by the Agawams, a tribe of the Algonquins. These people were described by Gosnold, who it is believed touched Cape Ann in 1602, as ''a people tall of stature, broad and grym visaged; their eye brows painted white."

There is evidence that the Aborigines of this part of New England had been greatly diminished in numbers just before the date of the landing of the Europeans. It seems from the records there had been a three year plague which swept over this part of the East and took away a greater part of the Indian people. Just what the nature of this disease was is not known, but certain it is that tens of thousands were swept from the section now known as New England. Men, also women and children, were taken, so it has been said by Hutchinson, in such vast numbers that from a fighting force of thirty thousand red men warriors there were only three hundred men left. The proud spirit of the red man was also broken by this fearful calamity. The Sagamore or chief here was named Masconnomet, who had for his chief camping grounds lands where Ipswich stands today. This Indian chief was not unfriendly to th6 whites, and as a result there were no bloody battles between the two races in this locality as thei'e were in other parts of New England, As has been well said by one writer in recent years: "No colonists were waylaid and shot in ambush; no glare of burning dwellings, no savage war-whoop, terrified the infant settlement. The new comers planted and builded, went to church in safety, as well as to mill."

These lands were possessed peaceably or by the payment of a small sum of money given the Indians. Final payment for the lands was not made however until 1700, when the town paid the grandsons of old Masconnomet three pounds nineteen shillings for their right and title to the entire township. The "Memorial History of Boston" states that it was not until a half century after the occupation of Boston peninsula that the citizens troubled themselves to obtain a deed from the grandson of Chickataubut. This was in 1708.

Manchester is one of the lesser towns of Essex county; its length on the coast is about four and one-half miles, and its width about two and three-quarters miles, containing about five thousand acres of land. Its soil is rocky and its surface very uneven, especially so at the coast. Without any high hills, its appearance is indeed picturesque, much of the domain being well wooded, with fertile fields here and there interspersed. In many places the green fields and heavily wooded districts approach almost if not quite down to the ocean's edge. The shore lineis composed of rugged cliffs and boulders, Eagle Head being one of beauty and prominence. Several small islands such as Kettle, Crow, Graves, Great and Little Ram, and House, lie but a short distance from the shore. Among the natural curiosities may be mentioned "Singing Beach," and "Agassiz Rock," the latter a boulder on the east side of the Essex road, of gi*eat dimensions. There is also a much greater boulder in the valley to the north. The "Agassiz Rock" is indeed quite celebrated.

The climate here is quite changeable, but the summer and autumn weather is delightful. Not much farming is carried on, on account of the small tracts of suitable land. The people live largely on such pursuits as cabinet-making and fishing, while the summer population brings in money and spends it freely. There are some small manufacturing plants in this place, but generally speaking the people depend largely on the summer tourists and the industries already named.

In 1836 it was written in the "Essex Memorial," page 162: "Manchester woods are celebrated for producing the magnolia ; it is a low tree, with deep green leaves, and is seldom found at any other place in this region ; the flowers are white, and possess a delicious fragrance ; the scent is so powerful that a small grove of them will perfume the air for miles."

Conant's colony was established at Cape Anne in 1624, but for various reasons was not highly successful and was finally abandoned, save by a few of the more stable and resolute people of the company. This movement resulted in the settlement at Manchester.

In the month of March, 1629, Charles I, "By the grace of God, Kinge of England, Scotland, Fraunce, and Ireland, Defender of the Fayth, etc.," granted a charter to the "Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in Newe-England." This charter granted:

To the Councell established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of Newe England in America, and to their successors and Assignes forever, all that parte of America, lyeing and being in Bredth from forty degrees of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctiall Lyne, to Fortyeight Degrees of the saide Northerly Latitude inclusively, and in Length, of and within all the Breadth of aforesaid, throughout the Main lands from Sea to Sea, together also with all Firme lands, Soyles, Grounds, Havens, Portes, Rivers, Waters, Fishing, Mynes, and Mynerals, as well Royall Mynes of Gould and Silver, as other Mynes and Mynerals, Precious Stones, Quarries, and all and singular other Commodities, Juris diccons, Royalties, Privileges, Franchesies, and Prehemynences, both

In April three ships sailed for Massachusetts Bay with supplies and a number of "Planters." The "Talbott," one of the sh^s was^^baWy June 27 1629 "7 ^°*«'-^'' Massachusetts harbor, dropping anchor he^ June 27, 1629 Rev. Francis Higginson, one of the ministers sent out by the company to supermtend the spiritual affairs of the settlement wrote in his journal: "June 27, 1629_Saturday evening we had a wester^ wmd^ which brought us, between five and six o'clock! to a f yne and swet h^bor, seven miles from the head of Cape Ann (in this harto twentL ships may he and easily ride therein), where there was Ji tland m*: ""!.'"'" ^"°' ^''^ " ^^'' ^"l "ro-^ht back str^berries toNa^mK^ir .'''''* '"?'* ''"^''- "^"^^^^ 29th as we passed atog withXk vlV ^.^.ri-^^rf"' t° behold so many islands replenished with thick wood and high trees, and many fayere green pastures " tierf fSr""^ 'T' ""* ^'" "^^^ ^"'P^' -'«> three bundled ettlers, for Salem. On June 11, 1630, the "Arbella" seems to have come to anchor nearly opposite Gales Point.

Governor Dudley, writing about a year later than Winthrop's rete tilHe^el to r""" "'}''' '='"°"'^*^ " ^l^-^ wordsr-mlriS to build, fewell to burn, ground to plant, sees and rivers to ffish in a pure ayer to breathe in, good water to drinke tiU wine or teare can be »ade, which together with the cowes, hogges, and goats, brought hitter allready may suffice for food, for a« for foule aid ventonf they are dmities here as well as in England." Nearly all the settlers were^ree!

on me estate of T. Jefferson Coohdge, Esq., by John Kettle. The earliest frame house was built by William Allen, no doubt. The early records show land descriptions as foUows-homely but plain. '^ S buXh piteh-pine, grate hemlock, white oke, Litle black oke trte a stuZtf t^' T'' r"^'" ''"^'^' ^"°* of »^<'««' ^ white pritty bHinl tree, and standing upon a grate high Rock which is almost to the Ad miration of them that doe behold it."

As early as 1640, when there were but sixty-three people in all residing at "Jeffrys Creeke" the people "jointly and humbly" petitioned the court to grant them power to erect a village." This was granted, and in 1645 the name of the place was changed to Manchester, the exact date being June 18.

The following list of names of places within the borders of the town was compiled in 1836 by Dr. Leach. Most of them date back to the earliest times:

The records of the town show no formal Act of Incorporation. This, however, was not an uncommon thing in the early history of the commonwealth. Before 1655 "the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay" made gi'ants to land companies and individuals for towns and plantations, usually annexing certain conditions to their grants; such as "that certain number of settlers or families should within a stated time build and settle upon the same; or that the gospel should be regularly preached, or a church gathered upon the granted premises". (See "History of Groton, Mass.")

The first book of Town Records, from 1645 to 1658, is unfortunately lost ; this gap cannot be supplied in any manner by writers of today. The town meeting of February 25, 1657, is the first of which we have any record. The town meeting has usually been looked upon as a unit of the democratic form of govemmnet. Away back in the fifth century, in the tiny district of Sleswick, appears to have originated this custom. Here in New England the town meeting has been of much value as an educational force. The annual meeting was always opened by prayer; in later decades this custom was not in use, but in 1895, by a vote of the annual meeting at the suggestion of Moderator Henry T. Bingham, the practice was again taken up in Manchester. These town meetings were the town itself acting in both legislative and executive capacity. The "select men" were simply the town's agents. The town meeting shares with the church and the common school the honor of shaping the affairs in civic and social life in New England. Of all the town meetings, perhaps the "March Meeting" has long been known as the most important in shaping the destinies of the town and county government. So far, no form of government has shown itself superior to the town government system now known in New England.

We whose names are subscribed belonging to the church and the towne of Salem (being straitened in our accommodations, soe we are not ably comfortably to subsist, having advised and taken counsell about our present state and condition, it being Judged full and free liberty being granted us to remove, and noe place being soe convenient, for our easye remove all as Jefferyes Creeke lying soe neare us and most of us having some small quantity of ground allotted to us there already) doe therefore Jointly and Humbly request the Honbl Court to give us power to erect a village there, and to allow us Such Inlargement thereabouts as it is not granted to anyother plantation thus leaving our request to your wisdomes Consideration, With our Prayers for a blessing from heaven on your psons and proceedings we rest.

The place was duly incorporated, and has run well its course until the present date. The elective officers of Manchester town in 1921 were : Selectmen and overseers of the poor: Samuel L. Wheaton, George R. Dean, William W. Hoare; moderator: Rajnnond C. Allen; town clerk: Lyinan W. Floyd ; treasurer and collector : Edwin P. Stanley ; assessors : Edward S. Knight, Leonard W. Carter, Frank G. Cheever; school committee: Raymond C. Allen, Percy A. Wheaton, Robert T. Glendenning; tree warden, Everett O. Smithers: constables: Louis 0. Lations, Leonard Andrews and Joseph P. Leary ; pound keeper, Alfred Whalen ; chairman cemetery trustees, Duncan T. Beaton; chairman of library committee, Robert T. Glendenning; park commissioner, Jeffrey S. Reed, chairman.

The Manchester Library sprang from the old Manchester Lyceum Association, established in 1830. It became a library of the public in 1871, since which time it has grown rapidly and is duly appreciated by all good, intelligent citizens. The present beautiful Library and Grand Army of the Republic Post Hall was donated largely by Hon. Thomas J.

From all that can be learned, Manchester was settled largely by people from the eastern shires of England, from which locality came so many stalwart, noble pioneers to the New World. These were largely from the middle walks of life - such as the Winslows, Carvers, the Brewsters, the Winthrops and Endicotts, and came mostly from the liberty-loving weavers of Flanders who had fled to England a century before on account of persecutions. They were of the best stock of English Puritanism. It may be added in passing, that they were not like Governor Berkley of Virginia, who thanked God "that there are no free schools, nor printing." They were men who prized and were willing to pay well for all educational institutions.

"The Third Parliament of Charles, King of England, hardly dissolved itself when 'conclusions' for the establishment of a great colony on the other side of the Atlantic were circulating among gentry and traders, and descriptions of the new country of Massachusetts were talked over in every Puritan home," says Historian Green. In 1637 King Charles sought by royal proclamation to prevent men of wealth from emigrating to New England, but if this had any effect at all, it was in fact to send or allow to come to Massachusetts a more common and far more desirable class of Englishmen. Naturally, at first the development was quite slow, but in time the heavy forests began to disappear and farming and shipbuilding commenced to take high rank in the New World, by reason of those who invaded this part of New England. Churches and schools kept pace with all else in this colony, hence the great educational and religious schools of today.

Public morals were from the first of a high standard here. The slave trade was prohibited; even cruelty to animals was considered a civil offense. No person could be sent to prison for debt, save in cases of fraud. One writer who was far from being a friend of this form of government, declared "profane swearing, drunkenness, and beggars are but rare in the compass of this patent." There were rigid laws against lying, as well as against stealing; meeting with corinapt company; tippling in ordinaries; and against disobedience to parents, and the court even tried to regulate courtship. The law was felt and usually obeyed to almost the letter. These people who first settled on the "wild New England shores" cared little for patents of nobility or ecclesiastical preferment. They were simply nobles by the right of an earlier creation and priests by the imposition of a mightier hand. They looked with contempt upon the claims of long descent. Perhaps there is no finer eulogy on the Pilgrim Fathers than was given by the Boston "Daily Advertiser" in its issue of December 22, 1894, which reads thus :

They believed that the invisible things of this world are greater than the things that are seen. They believed that Eternity is of more consequence than Time. They believed that he who should lose his own soul to gain the whole world would make a bad bargain. They believed that plain living is none too dear a price to pay for the privilege of high thinking. They believed that he to whom any precious and pregnant truth has been revealed must utter it, or else stand condemned of high treason at the judgment bar of the King of Heaven. They believed that a true church may be instituted by the voluntary act of a body of Christian disciples organizing themselves into a communion, and a lawful state by the consent and cooperation of self-governing citizens. They believed these things practically as well as theoretically. They had the courage of their convictions. They dared to do. They feared nothing else as much as sin, and they counted no other shame so great as recreancy to their loftiest ideals. They said what they meant and meant what they said. For truth, as they saw it, for duty as it was revealed to them, they braved the stormy, lonely ocean, and endured poverty and exile, hunger, cold and death, a savage wilderness peopled by savage men. In thus believing, they set an unsurpassed example of faith. In thus choosing the better part, as between flesh and spirit, they made a like choice easier for all coming generations of the children of men in all the earth.

Here as well as in the settlement of any new country, it is next to impossible to describe what the pioneer had to endure in order to get his start in a wild wilderness and forest land hard by the great Atlantic. The winters were severe, the soil was rock-bound, and all means of communication with the outside world were hedged up as yet by forest and bridgeless streams. True, the needs of the people were quite simple, and at times readily supplied. The woods furnished ample game. The sea gave forth of its stock of fine fishes, and wild fruits and berries were plentiful in season, as was the fine growth of vegetables produced. All household and farm implements were necessarily of the most crude design. Settles stood in the fireplace, box-beds occupied one end of the kitchen, great logs blazed on the irons, a huge crane hung in the spacious chimney; a noon-mark served the purpose of a time piece. Books were not common then; the Bible, the angel of the home, came with every immigrant to these shores and was studied. Learning, however, was little prized, many of the chief men of the town being unable to write their own names, yet no worse than it was in Rhode Island, where five out of the thirteen original settlers had to make their cross or mark in making the contract under which Providence was to be governed.

One of the evidences of civilized life has always been the trail, and later the wagon road. Here the first road is said to have wended its way along the sea-beach as a sort of natural highway. Later on, cart roads were made by removing the stones where not too large, and going around them when of too great proportions. The people usually thought it wise to travel over a high hill rather than go around it, though the distance was usually about the same between given points. Toil did not weary these people, for they had read Bunyan, who pictured the way to the City Celestial as very rough and dangerous, and these people believed what had been written by that noted Christian philosopher ; as Whittier said

Not until about 1690 is there any mention of a "slay"; carriages appeared a little earlier. "Chairs," two wheeled vehicles without a top, and chaises, were among the first type of carriages next to the cart and farm wagon. Nearly ail general travel was on horseback, by use of a pillion and saddle, until near the close of the seventeenth century ; in fact the roads would not permit of any other rig, save in the limits of Boston.

John Knight erected a house about 1690 at the "Cove," and it stood until September, 1890, two hundred years, when it was taken down. This residence was eighteen by twenty-seven feet in size, and was of a solid frame hewed from the native oak so plentiful here then. The first century of settlement but little attention was paid to the heating of houses. The huge fireplaces consumed their forty to seventy cords of excellent wood annually, but for all that, ink and all liquids were hard to keep from freezing. It was no uncommon thing for a minister to have donated to him by his parish as much as "sixty cords of good wood" for the season round. In 1675 the number of population and size and number of residences were in no sense in proportion, for records show that the average family had a membership of nine and two-tenths to the household. In view of the present day theories concerning gemis and the hundred and one diseases in which they are supposed to daily be engaged in fierce battle array, it seems hardly possible that such small houses could successfully rear to manhood and womanhood such large families, but such seems to have been the case. Game and salted meats, with rye and Indian bread, with drinks of cider and milk, made up the early diet of these people, who attained a great age as a rule. From them came real empire builders, as history will confirm. The taxes imposed or voted upon themselves were frequently high. These were largely for land that had a certain "rate" assessed against it annually, then came the "support of the Gospill menestery," which was ever present and must be met. Fines were rigidly enforced for "Swyne found without the yoke"; provisions were made for the schoolmaster, for "seaviers of high wayes" and "fence vewers," as well as for seating the "meeting-house."

While no records are extant concerning the loss of men and wealth in the Indian wars in which this county and town took part, yet it is well known that blood left its stain, and that among the "flower of Essex" in Captain Lothrop's company the following Manchester men were slain: Samuel Pickworth, John Allen, Joshua Carter, John Bennett. In the French and Indian war the Essex regiment consisted of thirteen companies of footmen and one of cavalry. Soldiers then received six shillings per week, and were allowed five shillings for "dyet."

to govern both New England and New York, but he proved too arbitrary to suit the people and they rose in revolution in 1689 and deposed and sent to prison Andros, and reestablished the coloniel form of government. In this, Manchester took her ever loyal part and aided Boston in its uprising. After these changes and after the settlement of Indian affairs, this part of New England began to again grow and prosper.

The first store was opened in the town in the house of John Proctor, of recent years on Sea street. The first tavern was built "for the entertainment of man and beast," on North street. A new church was built iQ 1691 and the second school house was constructed about that time. A tide-mill was erected as early as 1644, "upon the river near the meeting-house." This was a rough log structure. In 1705 a small mill was built upon the site of the old "Baker Mill", on Brushie plain. About 1700 the "Cove" had come to be the largest precinct in the town.

List Of Early Settlers Showing Date Of Settlement

It has been remarked that "to worship God and catch fish" was what brought many of the first settlers to these immediate shores. The catching and curing fish such as were found plentiful in the great Atlantic at this point, furnished the country with its greatest industry for many years. An excellent market was found for this product in both the West Indies and in the countries of Europe. The fisheries are still a wonderful source of wealth in Massachusetts even down to the present time. For a few decades this industry was not so great, but of recent times it has come to be very large and profitable. In the Fish Commissioner's report of twenty-five years ago for the United States, the following was found, and a similar source would today add much to the magnitude of this industry: "There are nearly 200,000 directly engaged in the United States Fisheries, with a total tonnage of 176,783 tons and an investment of $58,000,000. The United States' annual harvest of the seas amounts to $45,000,000. We have 38,000 deep-sea fishermen, 17,000 of whom hail from Massachusetts. Gloucester alone has a fishing fleet of more than 400 vessels, of 30,000 tons burden, manned by in excess of 6,000 men."

Again, this industry of the seas was always encouraged by the General Court. In 1639 it was ordered that all vessels engaged in such business should not be taxed, and their men should be exempt from military duty. John Adams said: "Cod-fish are to us what wool was to England and tobacco to Virginia, the great staple with which the power of our wealth was based."

As early as 1670, England became quite jealous over our New England fisheries, as will be seen by this: "New England is the most prejudicial plantation to this Kingdom of all American plantations. His Majesty has none so apt for the building of shipping as New England, nor any so qualified for the breeding of seamen, not only by reason of the natural industry of that people, but principally by reason of their cod and mackerel fisheries, and in my poor opinion there is nothing more prejudicial and in prospect more dangerous, than the increase of shipping in colonies and plantations."

England's restrictive policy in the Act of Parliament in 1775, forbidding Americans from taking fish in Canadian waters, along with a few others, hastened on the Revolutionary struggle. A high authority on the War of 1812-14 with England says : "I regard it as strictly true that without fisheraien we could hardly have managed a frigate or captured one. From the beginning of that war to its end, the fishermen were in almost every national or private araied ship that earned our flag. It is believed today by those best posted in early-day struggles with the Mother country that it is doubtful whether we would now be a nation had not Colonel Glover with his Essex county fishermen twice saved Washington's army."

teenth century. In fact, let it be said that it never fully recovered from the effects of the War of 1812, which drove our shipping from the ocean and left it to decay and rot in creeks and coves. The assessors' books for 1808 show that Captain Ezekiel Leach owned the "Jane", fifty-four tons, and the "Active", ninety-nine tons ; Tyler Parsons owned one-third of the "Enterprise", ninety-nine tons; Benjamin and Samuel Foster owned a schooner of sixty tons; Major Henry Story owned the "Three Brothers", seventy-four tons. Ebenezer Tappan owned the sloop "Primrose," twenty -nine tons, and the schooner "Nancy", sixty-eight tons; the last named was the ship run ashore at Mingos Beach and fired by the British in 1813. Captain Abiel Burgess owned and commanded the "Alonzo," of one hundred and thirty tons ; he also owned a half-interest in the ship "Hannibal."

From 1825-30 the fishing business greatly declined, and few vessels were built for the trade. In 1835 the fishing and coasting business of the town of Manchester employed about 1,200 tons. In 1836 there were one hundred and fifty men employed in the fisheries, with seven fish yards, and ten houses for storage. In 1845 there were thirteen vessels in the cod and mackerel fisheries, and the value of the catch was placed at $21,000.

The next great industry in which the people of this town engaged was that of cabinet-making. Shipbuilding ceased, shipping rotted down, while the buzz of saws and whirl of rapidly turning wood lathes frightened the sea-gulls from the shore line. The industry of more than two centuries has given way, and now but little of actual importance in the line of fisheries can be found on the shores of this part of Massachusetts.

Among the interesting log books used in those days by fishermen may still be seen that of Captain Benjamin Hilton, with passages as here follows: The names of the vessels mentioned are "Breattany", "Lucy", "Salley", "Louisay", "Patty' "Corr" and "Darbey." The voyages seem to have been in general, remarkably uneventful, "smoothe winds" and "Smal brezes" predominating. The log is methodically kept, noting each hour the knots run, the course, the wind, laititude and longitude, the departure and meridian, with remarks, etc. The pages usually have a running head-line, as "A Log of our intended Passage, by God's assistance on the good schooner "Patty", or "A Journell of vige Continnered att sea." One of the books contains on the fly-leaf the inscriptions: "Benjamin Hilton His Book Bought in Salam In the Year of our Lord 1762, the Price 13 shillens old tenner." "Benjamin Hilton His Book the Lord gave him grace therein to Look and wen the bells Do for him towl the Lord have marcey one his soul. Benjamin Hilton his hand and pean and if the Peen had been better I Wood mended everey Latter."

The following will give an idea of the daily "remarks": "Sunday the 2d of June 1765 this twenty-four hours we have hed fresh brese of wind to the westward and southward att 3 p. m. Hour main touping lift gav way and att 6 a. m. Saw 3 toupsail vessels bound for the eastward and att 10 a. m. Saw 2 more Bound to the Eastword and we have Cloudey weather and Rain."

Following the fishery industry, which held sway here for almost two centuries, came the cabinet-making business. During the period long after the settlement, the household furniture was largely brought from the Old World and little attempt was made to produce the needful articles of furniture needed in the homes of New England. It was about the year of our National Independence when furniture began to be made in this part of the country. It is believed that the first manufacturer was Moses Dodge, in 1775. This business was handed down from father to son, and at present is still in the family name. In 1895 the business was being carried on by his great-grandsons, John M. and Charles C. Dodge. While most of the early cabinet-makers have long since been forgotten, they made an interesting record while they existed. Among the very first to engage in the business was Ebenezer Tappan, in 1761, son of Rev. Benjamin Tappan, a soldier of the Revolution, who had learned his trade in Portland, then known as Falmouth.

The production of veneers for furniture and musical instruments later became a large industry at Manchester. Much mahogany was worked up for expensive furniture facings. John Perry Allen was foremost in this line for many decades. He had the first veneering saw-mill, in 1825, and he managed to cut from a four-inch mahogany plank sixty fine strips of veneers. This mill produced the larger part of all veneering used in the piano factories of the country. As the United States settled up more generally, factories were established for the manufacture of furniture, and the larger centers began to monopolize the trade. However, as late as 1870 a copy of the Boston "Cabinet Maker" contained the following item concerning the Manchester factories:

The class of work that is made in Manchester today, is without doubt as fine as any work turned out in the United States, and it is retailed in the warehouses of the most fashionable dealers in the country. The styles are good and the work thoroug'li and reliable. Were it the custom to put the maker's name on furniture, as it is on watches, fire arms, silver-ware, and most other goods, these modest manufacturers doing business in the same small routine way for the past forty or fifty years, would have an enviable reputation, wherever, in this country, handsome and serviceable furniture is appreciated.

From statistics found among the records of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in 1838 it is found that articles were manufactured in Manchester as follows : codfish caught, 5,400 quintals; value, $11,200; mackerel caught, 200 barrels; value, $1,600; salt used in the cod and mackerel fishery, 4,000 bushels; hands employed, 65; capital invested, $12,300.

In 1865 the cabinet business gave employment to 160 men, and the working capital was in excess of $60,000. The amount of manufactured goods was $92,625. There were also four sawing mills and planing mills, turning out $13,000 worth of work. The number of barrels and casks made was 32,600, valued at $10,600. The number of hides tanned was 5,000, of the value of $20,000. Boots and shoes were made to the value of $12,000. Strawberries were raised to the value of $3,300. There were forty horses in town, and thirty-four oxen.

It may be said that today the cabinet-making industry is but a faint memory to any present resident. It has long since gone to larger and western city centers. A list of the chief cabinet-makers of Manchester includes the following persons and firms, some of whom also operated and owned mills as well as furniture factories: Moses Dodge, Ebenezer Tappan, Larkin Woodberry, Eben Tappan, Long & Danforth, Kelham & Fitz, Henry F. Lee, Isaac Allen, Jerry Danforth, S. 0. Boardman, John Perry Allen, Smith & Low, Cyrus Dodge, Luther and Henry Bingham, John C. Long & Co. (H. P. & S. P. Allen), Samuel Parsons, Allen & Ames, Albert E. Low, Isaac S. Day, William Hoyt, John C. Webb, Severance & Jewett, William Johnson, C. B. Hoyt, Warren C. Vane, Felker & Cheever, Hanson, Morgan and Co., E. S. Vennard, William E. Wheaton, Charles Lee, John C. Peabody, Isaac Ayers, Crombie & Morgan, Rufus Stanley, William Decker, Watson & Co., Taylor & Co., Rust & Marshall, John M. and Charles C. Dodge, Samuel L. Wheaton.

After first making a suitable shelter in which to live, to plan and execute for the immediate living of the family, then the duty of the pioneer here was to see that in case of death a suitable burying place was provided in the neighborhood, or at times on the land of the settler. Traditions locates the first graveyard in Manchester near the present library building; this was possibly a private cemetery. The next Silent City was located on the road from the Cove to the Magnolia railway station. So aged is this burying place that no record book refers to it. Yet it is certain that many of the first settlers here fell into that dreamless sleep that we call death, and that there their mortal remains have long years ago mingled with the earth. The first recorded cemetery was that of 1668 (some authorities say 1653) and refers to the present cemetery at the corner of Washington and Summer streets; it was fenced in 1701.

Another cemetery, a small plot of ground, is the Union Cemetery at the esLsi side of School street, established in 1845 as a stock association. In 1888 it was taken over by the town, and a monument is now to be seen there erected to the honor of Rev. Oliver A. Taylor, an early minister.

was originally owned by a private corporation, dated 1854, but in 1888 was wisely transferred to the town and accepted with Union Cemetery as a sacred trust. In 1888-90 further extension had to be made in order to provide ample room for the departed dead. Here one finds Memorial Lot - a square plot set apart for the use of Grand Army of the Republic Post. The present generation is taking much better care of their burying places than did their forefathers, but there may be a good reason for it - today we have more time and means with which to decorate the graves and otherwise show respect for our departed friends.

From the best obtainable evidence the first store of Manchester was kept in the house of Joseph Proctor, on Sea street. A woman of great energy and business ability seems to have been proprietor of this pioneer store. This person was later known as the wife of Colonel Eleazar Crafts, who was a Revolutionary soldier.

Ebenezer Tappan embarked in merchandising soon after the Revolutionary War, in the building now owTied by the heirs of the Andrew Brown family. Mr. Tappan continued forty years, and was doubtless the first merchant to refuse to handle ardent spirits in his store as a beverage. Other early merchants were: Captain John Knight, on the north of Saw Mill brook ; Mrs. Abby H. Trask, who dealt in her residence many years and finally died with her merchandise about her; a large number of young women were employed by her. About 1835, Captain John Hooper kept a store at the Cove, and this was a famous resort of the militia on their training days. Other merchants of the long-ago included Mrs. Hooper Allen in Summer street; Deacon D. L. Bingham, at his house; Israel F. Tappan, who also made clocks and "fixed" watches; Captain Tyler Parsons, Isaac S. West, F. B. Rust, John Little, G. W. Marble, S. S. Colby, Larkin W. Story, John Prince, A. W. Smith, John Evans and Henry Knight, Miss Mary A. Baker; these were all in business at Manchester previous to 1880.

Today the retail business is carried on by people possessing modem ideas and who keep fully abreast with the times in the selection and handling of first class merchandise. It is not the aim of this work to go into details or give a directory of present-day business factors.

A postoffice was established in Manchester in 1803, under Deacon Delucena L. Bingham, who served as postmaster until his death in 1837. Mail then came from Boston three times each week, by stage coach. Before then, mail came up occasionally by a sloop. The office receipts in 1803 were $7.00. In 1820 there were but two newspapers taken at Manchester. William Dodge was appointed postmaster in 1837, and served until 1845 ; he owned a tavern, and between the two occupations made a fair living, his wife assisting him in both. The next postmaster was Colonel Jefferd M. Decker, a military man, who in the early days of the Civil War took an active part in that struggle. The next in line to hold the postmastership was George F. Allen, 1849, under whose ad- ministration the postage rates on first class matter was forty cents on letters to the Pacific coast ; five cents under one hundred miles, ten cents over. Postage to European countries, twenty-four cents. The next postmaster at Manchester was John Prince, from 1853 to 1865, when Julius R. Rabardy, a native of France and an old Civil War veteran, was appointed and kept the oflSce until 1885, and was succeeded by William J. Johnson, who in 1890 was followed by Jeflfrey T. Stanley. Charles H. Danforth succeeded Stanley in 1895, served until relieved by Samuel L. Wheaton, and he by the present postmaster, Frank A. Foster, commissioned by President Woodrow Wilson, March 2, 1915. A fire in 1906 destroyed the postoflnce building and a small amount of government supplies.

For almost two hundred and fifty years Manchester was without any adequate system of water works or fire protection. Not until 1892 di4 this place do away with the street and private cistern and well system, depended upon so long. That year the water works were' completed, and since then the almost if not quite inexhaustible supply of excellent water has made life worth the living in Manchester. The original cost of this water-work system was about $160,000. In passing it is well to state that recent reports from the United States Census Bureau sent out especially for this work, show the population in the town of Manchester to be 2,466.

About the only manufacturing industry of Manchester today is the old and well known furniture factory of the Dodge family, who have been in such industry a century or more. There is a limited amount of yacht-building here also, but nothing of great note.

It should be remembered that in Massachusetts for a long period of time the parish and town were practically one. The church was the institution around which all else centered, and was supposed to develop through. Maintenance of the gospel was uppermost in the minds of those who first came to these shores, because of the right to worship God as directed by their own conscience. While it is not the province of this work to give a complete history of any certain church, much less all of those organized from time to time within Manchester, brief accounts will be given of the first organizations, the buildings and pastors at various times, to the present period.

According to tradition, the first public meeting for religious purposes was held under a tree on "Gale's Point," but as to whom the preacher was there now appears to be no record. Dr. E. W. Leach many years ago had a scrap of yellow paper giving in the handwriting of Rev. Ames Cheever the names of the early ministers of Manchester; this record is dated November 20, 1726. The list is as follows: Messrs. Ginners, Smith, Stow, Dunnum, Millett, Hathome, Jones, Winbom, Hubbard, Emerson, Goodhue, Eveleth and Webster. But little is known of these ministers - some it is certain served as supplies only for a short time. In those times, even as at the present, men and ministers included, were not all perfect, for it has been written of Ralph Smith, an early minister in the Manchester parish, *'the colonists were warned against him, and were told to not suffer him to remain 'unless he be comfortable to the government.' "

Another minister who did not find life here a continual round of pleasure was Rev. John Winbom, who arrived in 1667 and in 1686 the town voted "that he forthwith provide himself and family with some other place." In 1689 Rev. John Everleth was invited to preach as a candidate, and was soon called to preach at a salary of £23 per year.

Perhaps the earliest place in which the now almost universal custom of raising funds by envelope collection, was in Manchester, where in 1690 it was voted that a contribution be taken up each Sabbath for the minister, in addition to his salary; the gifts to be wrapped in a paper, with the name of the contributor upon it. Rev. Everleth continued until 1695 and was succeeded by Rev. John Emerson, whose pastorate was quite short. From 1698 to 1715 the minister at Manchester was Rev. Nicholas Webster.

The Manchester church was not regularly organized until November 7, 1716. Rev. Ames Cheever, a grandson of the well-known Ezekiel Cheever, was ordained minister here October 4, 1716. Up to 1^77 the members of this church had belonged at Salem, then gathered at Beverly, where they remained until they were dismissed to form a church of their own. The members thus withdrawing to form a new society were inclusive of these: John Sibley and wife, John Lee, Robert Leach, Samuel Stone, Samuel Lee, John Knowlton and children (John, Joseph and Abigail), Benjamin Allen, Joseph Allen and wife, Jabez Baker and wife, Josiah Littlefield, Jonathan Allen. In fact, with the coming of Rev. Cheever began the real history of this church. He served faithfully and well until Januaiy, 1743, a period of twenty-seven years. Not many years since, his supposed grave was marked by a proper tombstone by his descendants.

Rev. Benjamin Tappan became pastor in 1744, receiving the sum of one hundred and forty-eight ounces of silver or its equivalent per year. This also included his fuel delivered, though not so fully stated in the contract. Following Rev. Tappan came (for a brief season) Rev. Blake of Worcester, until September, 1791, when Rev. Ariel Parish was made pastor and served until his death, at an early age, in 1794. It is said of him: "He was cut off in the morning of life, and the tears of many watered his grave."

Other ministers here were: Revs. Abraham Randall, James Thurston, Samuel M. Emerson, of Williams College, at $450 a year and fourteen cords of wood "at the house"; he was installed in 1821 and served till his health failed and he resigned, being succeeded by Rev. Oliver A. Taylor, installed in 1839. After his death came his brother, Rev. Rufus

Taylor, who was installed in 1852. A split occurred in the church which was not fully united until 1869. After Rev. Taylor, came Rev. George E. Freeman in 1858 and was dismissed in 1862. Next came Rev. Edward P. Tenney, continuing until 1867 ; he left the ministry and entered literary work. In 1869 came as minister Rev. George L. Gleason, who served until 1881. In more recent years the ministers have been more frequent in their coming and going from Manchester. In 1882 came Rev. D. 0. Clark; in 1886, Rev. Daniel Marvin, down to 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Ashley for about six months, then came Rev. Samuel Reid, and next was Rev. Francis A. Fate, installed in November, 1894. From this date on down to the present the ministers have been: Revs. Walter Ashley, 1898-1904; Rev. C. Arthur Lincoln, 1905-07; Rev. Louis H. Ruge, 1907-12; Rev. Charles A. Hatch, 1913-16; Rev. Frederic W. Manning, 1917 and still pastor in 1921.

At the present (1921) the records of this church show there is a total membership of 171 ; and an average of 135 in the Sunday school, of which the present superintendent is Pastor Frederic W. Manning. The frame edifice built in 1809 still serves the congregation well.

As to the church above treated upon, and now known as the Orthodox Congregational Church of Manchester, Massachusetts, a booklet put out a few years since gives the subjoined historic church facts: Manchester settled as Jeffrey's Creek, 1636; incorporated as Manchester, 1645; church organized with twenty members, 1716; Sunday school organized, 1810; meeting-houses built in 1656, 1695, 1719, 1809; parsonages built in 1685, 1699, 1745, 1803, 1811, 1853; chapel built in 1858 ; weekly offering system started in 1690 ; pews for negroes, 1737 ; Methodists forbidden to worship in church, 1795 ; total abstinence enjoined on members, 1833; individual ownership of pews relinquished in 1846; separation of parish from town, 1847; parish incorporated, 1847 ; division of church and new one formed, 1857 ; churches reunited, 1869 ; individual communion cups first used, 1901 ; new covenant and bylaws adopted, 1902 ; bells provided for church, in 1695,1755, 1843 ; clocks installed, 1792, 1846 ; organs installed, 1847, 1889 ; first stoves used, 1821 ; furnace heat, 1867 ; revivals of note in this church, 1727, 1737, 1757, 1763, 1797, 1809, 1827, 1839, 1888, 1897.

The names of those who for many years served this church as its deacons should not be overlooked by the reader. They included such men as Benjamin Allen, Samuel Lee, Benjamin Lee, Jonathan Herrick, John Tewksbury, John Allen, Albert E. Low, Henry Knight, D. L. Bingham, Nathan Allen, Andrew Brown, Enoch Allen, John Price, John Fowler, Oliver Roberts, Daniel Leach, and F. A. P. Killam.

Without going into detail concerning the church edifices occupied by this Manchester church, it may be said that they have had good average houses of worship, beginning with the meeting-house erected in 1656, enlarged in 1691, though not paid for until 1695 ; another house was provided in 1720, being used until 1809. This church was followed by the one built in 1809 at a cost of $8,500. With numerous improvements and modern-idea changes, this edifice, so well constructed, has withstood the storms of all the years to the present (1921) and bids fair to be in use another half century.

It was not until 1821, that the above church was possessed of any artificial means of warming it. Then came the "foot-stove," says one writer. This proved unsatisfactory, and it was decided to try a cast-iron box-stove, even against great and stubborn opposition on the part of many churchgoers, who questioned the religious propriety of having a comfortable and well warmed church building. Minister Tappan has left on record an amusing incident connected with the use of the above named box-stove: "The first cold Sunday after it had been placed in position, the people all went to meeting fully prepared to watch the result of the experiment. Many felt it uncomfortably warm; and two young women were so overcome by the 'baked air' they fainted, and were taken to the vestibule where the atmosphere was of a better quality. But the next day it was learned, the wood for the stove had not been received, and no fire had been made; this proved a fatal blow to the opposition, and but little was said upon the subject afterwards."

Various publications and church records afford the writer the data necessary for this history of the Baptist church. Between 1631 and 1635 Roger Williams, "teacher,"* later "minister" of the First Baptist Church in Salem, en route to pi'each to the few fishermen living along the shores and back in the woods, arrived as the first to sow the seed of the Baptist doctrine in this part of the county. This reads like an accurate historical statement, but as a matter of fact it is simply conjecture, for there is no real record to show that these statements are any more than tradition, yet seem quite plausable.

While from time to time, it is likely that there were those of the Baptist faith residing in Manchester, yet it was not until 1842 that Elder Elam Bumham, of Essex, began to hold meetings in the old Public Library building on School street. Great stress was laid on the theory of the Second Advent of Christ. A number were baptized by this man Bumham, and on April 10, 1843, thirteen men and women were baptized by him and by them a church organization was effected. Fifty-seven others soon united, and the organization was styled the Christian Church instead^ of Baptist. A building was provided in 1844 by this church. Following the founder, Rev. Burnham, came Rev. 0. J. Waite, from 1844 to 1848. Then came Rev. P. R. Russell, under whose pastorate the church became a regular Baptist church, the date being February, 1850, when it was recognized by the council called for that puipose. He wrote against materialism and universalism, and was counted a strong man in debate, though not especially gifted as a scholar or fine orator. In 1851 he was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Davis, who gave way to Rev. G.

Town Of Andover 147

F. Danforth, who labored from 1853 to 1856. Indeed, this good man was one of the beatitudes of the community. The next pastor was Rev. C. W. Reading, who was followed by Revs. Hatch, Miller, Swett and Holt,* the last named serving until the coming of that talented man, Rev. D. F. Lamson, whose pastorate commenced in 1884 and continued until he was succeeded by Rev. Briggs, and he in a short time by Rev. George W. Schurman in 1903 ; next came Rev. Edward H. Brewster, 1903-08 ; Rev. T. L. Frost, 1911-18; Rev. H. E. Levoy, 1918, and still serving acceptably and well. The present membership of this church is 190, and of the Sunday school 181. The superintendent is Abbott Foster. The church building was remodeled in 1910, and today the entire church property is valued at $29,000.

The brief account of the Episcopal church is found in the language of Dr. Lamson in his "History of Manchester" in 1895, in words as follows: A little west of the Masconomo House, on the road to Lobster Cove, stands Emanuel Church. It is on land owned by Russell Sturgis, who was largely responsible for its being built. It is especially designed for the use of summer residents, and is therefore only open during the "season," when it receives within its walls more wealth and fashion and culture^ than are found often in churches of much larger size. It is viewed, however, rather as an exotic by some of the permanent residents. About the same condition exists today.

The Roman Catholics built their church here in 1873. It was a small, though very neat structure, sufficient for the needs of so floating a congregation. It was formed as a part of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Beverly.

The Town Hall has been the meeting place for the few meetings held by the Universalist denomination at this point. The society has not been perfected at this writing, nor made very strong in church activities.

The Unitarians in the summer of 1895, erected a building used for their services on Masconomo street. This was largely provided by some of the summer residents. The present finds about the same condition. Services are held in the summer season when members are present on account of the summer vacation periods and at summer resorts near by.