Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 14: Town of Topsfield, 1922

The town of Topsfield, originally a part of Ipswich and Salem, was called by the Indians Shenewemedy, and here lived one of the Agawam tribes. The first English-speaking people called it at first New Meadows, probably from its beautiful virgin tract of meadow lands.

The first notice of Topsfield is contained in an order of the General Court, dated in 1639. By this order certain lands lying near the Ipswich river were granted for a village to the inhabitants of Salem; and the Ipswich people maintained preaching there for two years before they had liberty to take up grants of land in the settlement. Most of the early settlers lived on the north side of the river. At the south the meadows stretched far away; some of the land was soon under cultivation, but the greater part was covered by the famous "Salem Woods," when Topsfield had been settled only a few years. It was on October 18, 1648, that the court declared that "the village of the newe meadows at Ipswich is named Toppsfield." It doubtless took its name from a small parish in Essexshire, England. The population increased, more houses were built until the settlement became a good sized community, in consequence of which the General Court granted it a town charter, as shown by the following: "At the third session of the general court, held in Boston, October 18, 1650. In answer to a request of Zacheus Gould and William Howard, in behalf e of Topsfield, the Court doth grant that Topsfield shall from hence forth be a towne & have power within themselves to order all civil affayres, as other townes have."

The early records of this town were unfortunately lost, but later records show that in 1681 "Ensigne Howlett, Francis Paybodye and John Redington" were chosen selectmen. Lieutenant Francis Peabody was town clerk until 1682, and was followed by John Gould.

on which the town stands, the date of such purchase being 1701. Although the town v/as incorporated in 1650, its true boundaries, as now understood, were not fixed satisfactorily until about 1726.

As early as 1635 the English residents commenced to come into this part of Essex county. The very first settlers were Allan Perley, an emigrant from England, and the ancestor of the long line of Perleys, so well known here since; William Towne, an emigrant from Bristol, England ; Alexander Knight ; Zaccheus Gould, ancestor of all the American Goulds; John Wildes, John Readington, George Bunker; Lieutenant Francis Peabody, an emigrant from England, and ancestor of the American family of Peabody; Daniel Clark, William Howard, and others, whose names have been lost with the flight of almost three hundred years.

In 1683 came a demand to surrender the charter of Topsfield, from the edict of Charles II. Christmas Day of that year, however, the town voted: "We do hereby declare that we utterly decline to yield, either to the resignation of the charter, or to anything that shall be equivalent thereunto, whereby the foundation thereof shall be weakened. " King James sent to this country Sir Edmund Andros to act as a governor, but his reign was "short and sweet" ; for the colonists soon ordered him to go back to Europe, and forever remain there. This was in 1689.

In 1692 appeared in Topsfield the delusion of witchcraft. In fact, it originated not over five miles from this town. Mrs. Nourse, who was executed at"Salem Village, and Mrs. Howe of Ipswich, were sisters, and natives of Topsfield; another sister, who married Isaac Estey, lived in Topsfield, and another woman, Sarah Wildes, were executed by hanging for the crime which they never committed. Mrs. Wildes was hanged July 19, and Mrs. Estey on September 22, 1692. Abigail Hobbs was sentenced to die, but was finally pardoned, when the court "had its eyes opened" to its gross injustice and folly.

faint idea of how its topography and its roads appeared in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Road making was the principal business of the town. People slowly progressed from the foot-path to the bridle-path, then to the cart-ways and the carriage roads of today. The twentieth century finds the highways suitable for the finest automobile and ponderous freight truck.

The oldest cemetery in Topsfield is that near the old residence of Samuel Todd. The church once stood in the east corner, and the burying ground originated from the introduction of an ancient English custom of burying the dead around or beneath the churches. The oldest gravestone standing in 1895 was that of Captain Thomas Baker, who died in 1718, aged eighty-one years. The first gravedigger was John Hobson, chosen by the town March, 1676, to "dig graves for such as shall require him." The fee allowed him for such services was "three shilins sixten for ol graves abov for foot long and thre for ol under." About 1838 what was then styled the new part of the cemetery was first improved and used. This is situated in the southern part of the town.

As a means of punishment in Topsfield, even as late as 1757, stocks were used. The record shows that in December, 1720, the town "allowed to John Wilds for making the Town's Stock and for finding ye Irons and Lock and bringing them to the meeting house and for setting up sd stocks one pound, four shillings."

Until 1822, paupers were "boarded out," as was the old custom of caring for the unfortunate poor of a community. During that year the old Dodge farm was purchased by the town for $3,500 and an almshouse was $6.00 per thousand dollars.

The population of the town has naturally changed with the passing years. In January, 1777, there were seven negro males in Topsfield above the age of seven years. In 1885 the town contained a population of 1,041 ; in 1900 there were 1,030 ; in 1910 it was 1,174 ; and the present United States census bureau gives the population at only 900. The Danvers and Newburyport branch of the Boston & Maine railroad runs through this town, the same having been completed in 1853. The taxable property in the town in 1887 was $1,380,000. The rate of taxation was $6.00 per the thousand dollars worth.

A Town Hall was built in 1873 at an expense of $13,000. The public library is maintained within this structure. It was looked upon at date of construction as among the finest buildings of its kind in all this region.

The medical profession - one we most appreciate when we are ill - has been well represented in Topsfield as the decades have come and gone. Without much doubt, the earliest doctor here was Michael Dwinnell, whose grandfather was a French Huguenot. He settled here in 1668; Dr. Dwinnell was born in Topsfield, and practiced till his death in the middle of the eighteenth century. Richard Dexter of Maiden practiced here from 1740 on till his death in 1783. Other physicians of the town were Drs. Joseph Bradstreet, bom in 1727 ; Nehemiah Cleaveland; John Merriam; Jeremiah Stone, Joseph Cummings, Royal Augustus Merriam, bora in 1786, died in 1864 of heart trouble; Charles P. French; David Choate, a native of Essex, came in 1854; Justin Allen began his practice here in the autumn of 1857. The physicians who are now practicing medicine in Topsfield are Dr. John L. Jenkins and Dr. Byron Sanborn.

Topsfield has always taken an interest in local libraries. In 1794, a proprietors' library was established here by several of the leading men of the town. It had two hundred volumes. It existed until 1875, when the Public Library was thrown open to the general public, the old one being merged with the new. The present library is of marked importance to those residing in and near the town. The Educational chapter will dwell upon what was known as the Topsfield Academy, established in 1828.

Primarily, the wealth of this town has ever consisted of its excellent agricultural features, but in addition to these it has accumulated much wealth by its factories, mills, etc. In 1648 iron and copper mining was carried on to some extent, though never very profitably. Governor Endicott owned a large tract of land, on v/hich he discovered copper. Three attempts at making this mine a paying proposition have all failed. Bog iron was found by the first settlers, in the low and swampy portions of the town, and for a time it was successfully mined and used. In June, 1681, the town took over the right to dig this iron, and thus controlled the output. When better and richer iron deposits were discovered in the country, this product was not utilized further.

The first (at least very early) hotel in Topsfield was erected on a lot which later became the site of the shoe factory of John Bailey. Prior to 1780 the Clark family carried on the hotel for many years. The Topsfield House was built in 1807, for a store and tavern. The earliest village blacksmith was Samuel Howlett, who set up his forge in 1658 and continued for many years. Lieutenant Francis Peabody built the first mill in 1672. In 1835 Topsfield supported three good country groceries.

Among the merchants once doing a thriving business for so small a town may be recalled Messrs. J. Bailey Poor, Samuel Adams, Frederick and Nathaniel Perley, William B. Kimball, Andrew Gould, Benjamin P. Edwards, A. B. Richardson, Thomas Leach. Today the business interests are all that could naturally be looked for in a town of its size and character.

The postal business is carried on by Postmaster B. F. Edwards, who also conducts the drug store of the town. He has been postmaster since 1885, a very long period. This is a third-class postoffice, with one rural free delivery extending out into the surrounding country.

The town is noted, especially of later years, for its beautiful "Commons,'' with its well-kept lawn, its well preserved town building-, and its unique soldiers' monument and bronze figure surmounting the sohd granite base. This memorial was presented to the town by the late Dr. Allen, who practiced medicine in Topsfield for more than forty years. The churches are of the Congregational and Methodist denominations, both of which are treated in the Church chapter. The lodges of Topsfield include the Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grange, (See Lodge chapter).

Topsfield was incorporated as a town two hundred and seventy-one years ago. Had all the record books been preserved, what a story it would make in this, the twentieth century. Suffice it to say that the town has been cared for up to the standard of other communities within the "Kingdom of Essex."

On the 16th and 17th of August, 1900, the citizens of Topsfield celebrated the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of their town. Despite the torrents of rain that fell throughout the previous night and a part of the most interesting hours of the daytime, the program was carried out, and the thousand or more guests from abroad enjoyed the occasion immensely. The committee organized with the choice of George Francis Dow as chairman, with Alphonso T. Merrill as secretary, at the town meeting of March 5, 1900 (note the early date of commencing plans) and reported the following program as one suitable to be carried out on the dates above given :

7 - That dinner be served in a tent located on the Common, and short speeches be delivered, interspersed with music. Dinner tickets to be provided for invited guests, and sold to others at one dollar each.

10 - That a reception or ball be given in the Town Hall in the evening. 11 - That the town appropriate the sum of $500, and that an additional amount be raised by subscription.

The report was accepted and adopted by the town, the committee being instructed to increase its membership to twenty-five, by nominating fifteen others, and to report its doings at an adjourned town meeting. The sum of $600 was also appropriated to meet the expenses.

The hard rain of that period greatly "dampened" the interest, but before the two days' celebration had ended, as many as five thousand people enjoyed the anniversary exercises. The parades and beautiful "floats", as well as the display of fireworks the last evening, were scenes long to be recalled by those present. The "Salem News", August 18, 1900, gave a graphic account of this anniversary, the last paragraphs containing the following:

The fireworks given on the Common in the evening were witnessed by nearly three thousand persons. They were beautiful in effect, one of the set-pieces being "Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Topsfield." This was in diiferent colors made by the chemicals in the fireworks. There were a number of set-pieces, but the last one, which said "Good Night," was perhaps the finest of all. The display lasted over an hour, and closed the day's celebration. Taken as a whole, the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration of New Meadows, or Topsfield, will go down into history as a splendid success and a great credit to all who had anything to do with it.

Among those who made set addresses on this occasion were: Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Hon. John J. Bates, Hon. David M. Little, Charles J. Peabody, George A. Schofield, Hon. Robert S. Rantoul, Rev. Francis A. Poole, Captain John G. B. Adams, Albert A. Conant, John W. Perkins, Hon. Augustus P. Gardner, Hon. WilHam H. Moody, Hon. George Von L. Meyer, General Francis H. Appleton and Edwin 0. Foster. The historic sermon preached in the Congregational church the Sabbath before the anniversary was delivered by Rev. A. W. Moore, of Lynn.

Within the last few years, numerous summer residents have come to Topsfield, to pass the heated term, in one of the most health-giving, quiet villages within the Commonwealth. In 1920 the old Meredith place, southwest of the village, a tract containing two hundred acres, was purchased by a wealthy family, who spend their summer and early autumn on the charming hillside overlooking the valley in which Topsfield is situated. The owner of this place has made excellent improvements, including a model cow bam. He is interested in fancy blooded cattle, and is preparing for a more extensive business in this line. He has running water and electric lights throughout house and bams.

T. Emerson Proctor, in the eastern part of the town, has for twenty odd years owned a large tract of land, and at one time made many valuable improvements. There are seventeen houses on this piece of land,

At the comer of High street and the Boston-Newburyport turnpike, to the southeast of the village proper and half way up the hill, is an old and well-preserved house. It stands on part of the ground formerly occupied by the old stage station and hotel, where thousands of pioneers hereabouts used to stop. Here the stage-coaches, with four and six horses, used to roll along, and made known their coming by sounding a large tin horn. This property is now owned by the Rev. Gleason family, Mrs. Gleason's parents having conducted and owned the hotel. Rev. George L. Gleason, now eighty-six years of age, has been a Congregational minister in Topsfield and Haverhill for many years. He may be termed "a model of contentment," as will be observed by reading one of his recent poems, written April 6, 1921. This poem has been extensively copied in church and secular newspapers:

No sooner had the first settlement been effected than preaching began. Certainly as early as 1641 the Rev. William Knight commenced to preach the Gospel to the little handful of pioneers. He was a resident of Ipswich, but preached in Topsfield until his death, in 1655. Following him came Rev. William Perkins, who in 1633 was associated with John Winthrop, Jr., in the settlement of Ipswich; he was among the most accomplished persons within the town. In 1663 the parish church was f oi-med and Rev. Thomas Gilbert chosen as its settled minister. He was a Scotchman ; his course here was not very tranquil, for in 1666 he was charged with sedition, and in 1670 with intemperance; he was finally ejected from the church, and died in Charlestown in 1673. Re^. Jeremiah Hobert was the next minister ; he came from Hingham, Massachusetts, and was ordained in 1672; he graduated at Harvard in 1650; he, too, was "human", and was dismissed for unbecoming conduct.

In 1682 a pulpit was erected in the church edifice, and Rev. Joseph Capen began his ministry in Topsfield. His salary was fixed at £65 - twenty in silver and forty-five in pounds of pork and beef - per year, with parsonage free. What was styled a "Minister's Farm" was also in use by this young parish. Rev. Capen preached here forty-three years, and was followed by Rev. John Emerson, of Charleston, who was pastor until 1774. Next came Rev. Daniel Beck for four years, and he was succeeded by Rev. Asahel Huntington, followed by Revs. James Frisby McEwen, Anson McCloud, Edward P. Tenney, James Hill Fitts, and Charles Washington Luck, of Marion, Massachusetts, who was ordained here m June, 1887. Since then the pastors have been: Revs. Lundon S. Crawford, 1883-86; Charles W. Luck, 1887-90; Albert E. Bradstreet, 1891-94 ; Francis A. Poole, 1895-99 ; Herbert J. Wyckoff , 1900-03; William G. Poore, 1903-08; Benjamin A. Dumm, 1908-13; Arthur H. Gilmore, 1914-1919 ; Charles E. Reeves, 1919, and at present pastor.

The total membership is now one hundred and thirty-five; Sunday school has a membership of fifty. The present church was erected in 1842 at a cost of $12,000. This church is legally styled The Congregational Parish. It is thoroughly Congregational in its church policy.

Early in the summer of 1830, Charles Dodge and Ezra Glazier held Methodist meetings in Ipswich, where they resided, also in Topsfield, in the bam of Captain John Adams. The first regular minister sent here for the Methodist church was Rev. William Nanseman, who came in September, 1830. During all these intervening years Methodism has flourished in a more or less degree. At first there were fifteen charter members ; a house in which to worship was built in the autumn of 1831 ; it was forty feet square and cost $600. It was removed in 1840 by means of fifty yoke of oxen and suitable wheels, to a lot donated by Mr. Phillips. A parsonage was erected in 1850, costing $700. This church was incorporated into a society under the laws of the State, approved by the Governor, in April, 1847. The church is still doing its own special denominational work, and is in a prosperous condition.