Georgetown Town (part 2 of 3)

The deed to Plumer from Prime, in 1707, has no reference to the Bradford road, now Main Street, but this to Adams, in 1714, has and it is so-called. Another of the name of Adams, who bought thirty- five acres of land of Plumer in 171G, was Isaac, who as well as John, was previously of Rowley. This was situated at the southerly end of Pentucket Pond, on both sides of what is now Main Street, and was just one mile in length, on Harriman's line. The deed concludes, that " Whereas there is a road or way laid out over Sd. land, and whereas no Satisfaction has been made for it, Sd. Plumer doth by these Presents, Consign over to Sd. Adams, all that ye towne Shall Allow for it."

This road was Main Street, and the Clark house, now owned by Mrs. Laura Ham, was probably built by him, or William Adams, who was doubtless a son, not many years afterwards. This William was living in the parish in 1730. There was an Isaac Adams, who, in 1729, bought the homestead of Jonathan Look, in Byfield parish, of forty-five acres, with dwellinghouse and barn. This was on the borders of Newbury, and near the brook, called Andover Spring Brook (Parker River), and was in the vicinity of the old Pearson house if not that house itself. The last of the name to live in the Clark house was Capt. Benjamin Adams, known as " Lawyer Ben." He won the title from his pugnacitj' and fondness for litigation. Capt. "Mirabeau" was another familiar name. He obtained this from a fancied resemblance to the famous French advocate. A family likeness to Isaac, who was probably his grandfather, is seen in the complaint of neglect, and the demand for settlement, of land damages, in the original deed from Plumer. He was captain of infantry in several campaigns during the Revolutionary War, was on duty in Rhode Island, and in New York in 1777. Repi-esentative to General Court in 1778 and 1780. He removed to Ohio about 1812, and aged citizens can recall the appearance of the wagons loaded with his household goods as they left the town for the long journey westward. Some yeai's afterwards, a son, who was a physician, returned on a visit, driving a superb pair of horses which created quite a sensation in the town.

In 1721, and later, he purchased twenty-eight lots, mostly on Range G, in the " Three thousand acres." He had not less than two hundred acres of land, but whether he ever settled here or not is uncertain. He doubtless had that intention, but, as a mariner, may have been lost at sea. From the name, it is probable that he was the father of Abraham Adams, whose name first appears on the parish records in 1755, and who bought the original Chaplin house, which was built about 1723, just front of the present residence of Mrs. W. M. Shute, on the early-named Fairface Plain (now South Georgetown) and Nelson Street. This house was bought of Jeremiah Chaplin or his heirs not far from 1750, and was occupied during the building of the present house, which was erected about 3812. The original building was removed to King Street near Groveland Village and is still occupied. This was a building of two stories, having but one room in width, without a kitchen in the rear.

Rev. Phineas Adams, pastor of Third Church (West Haverhill), was from this house. He had the title of A.M. in 1766, was probably a collegiate graduate, and ordained in 1771. During the investment of Boston by General Washington, after the battle of Bunker Hill, the patriotism of this colonial pastor was shown by a contribution of his entire herd of cattle, numbering twenty or more head, which were driven to Cambridge to be slaughtered for the army. Previous to 1720 there were several other families, settling or buying land preparatory to settlement.

Jonathan Wheeler, a son of Jonathan, then styled merchant, bought in 1715 the balance of the Payson land. This tract was on the southeast of the Shepard farm, and probably included what is now known as the Searl farm, so that Wheeler, as well as Bradstreet, lived near, or on Searl Street. This Captain Jonathan W^heeler and family removed to West Haverhill in 1738, and were dismissed to the Third Church; selling their farm to Samuel Harriman, who was the direct ancestor of Governor Walter Harriman, of Warner, N. H., for Samuel, it has been said, for a time lived in that neighborhood. This Samuel was one of the sons of Jonathan Harriman.

John Hazen, carpenter, son of Edward, of Boxford, built in 1717 a house in South Georgetown on East Street. He was the first to build in that afterwards (for the time) populous locality. He married, in 1715, Sarah, the twin sister of the third Philip Nelson. His house is supposed to have stood on the south side of the street, not far from the Dry Bridge road, and on the road known as the Red Shanks highsvay. This highway began at what is now Elm Street, near the Deacon Haskell Perley house, and extended along the height of the land, over the farm now owned by John S. Kimball, past the ancient Merrill house at the corner,. and southerly to this Hazen house. From this point it crossed the upland to the present Salem road, near Mr. Buckminister's, and then westerly, until it made a junction with the early- opened Salem road, on the plain near Timothy Perkins' in Boxford, not far from the house of Francis Marden. The Salem road, past Edward Hazen's (now T. B. Masury), was not opened, and some one living there had often said that he hoped not to live long enough to see a highway past this house. His wish was realized, for at about the time this road was opened, tradition tells us, his death occurred. There was also a road over the hills to the westward, leading to the Spottbrds', probably the path now tised by Sherman Nelson, to the hill known as the Vineyard lands. Where the bridge over Pen Brook, on East Street, now is, was then the fording-place. Edward Hazen having used this path in going to Deacon Brocklebank's and beyond, it became the road. John Hazen's land was south of the fording-place or bridge. On meadow bought of Jacob Perley at this time a dam is mentioned in the deed. Samuel Hazen had land in 1725 below Pen Brook, and in 1729 had settled, or was about to settle, in this locality. He was, it is thought, the first owner of the farm now owned by John S. Kimball. Until 1717, any land sold in this part of Beverly was somewhat indefinitely located. From the date of the third division of common land, which was made at about 1700, any lots disposed of were in the form of freeholds, but in 1717 the " Three Thousand Acres " was laid out in ranges, not, however, beginning at one boundary line of the town and continuing in regular alph.abetical order, but on a method understood at the time. It seems to have been attempted to make a highway, or at least a proprietors' way ; a boundary on one or both of the sides of these ranges. A and B were located in the Red Shanks Hill district. L was south of Nelson Street. C and D south of and along Baldpate Street. Around Rock Pond the land was laid out as H. South of Andover Street over the Thurston land (now a part of the Samuel Little farm) was range R, with S and T opposite, on the present Samuel Noyes' place, and beyond westwardly. Land grants were often made before this careful mapping of the territory, and afterwards it would be found that the lot was already included in a previous grant or purchase, as, for instance, eleven years after Isaac Adams bought his farm near Pentucket Pond of Phimer, he found that the town had given John Hazen two acres within the same farm. This was made satisfactory by a deed from Hazen. After John Hazen had built his house on East Street, his father was obliged to get his title to the farm, which he had given John, confirmed by the town. Something of the irritation which resulted can be conceived, and yet one can imagine that at an early period a little of the squatter-sovereignty feeling prevailed, and that possession and improvement were at least considered as nine points in the law. After 1717, the disposal by the town of both the upper and the middle commons was by a methodical system of ranges and lots. It will be remembered that the Brocklebank farms, all the Elder Reyner lands, which had come to the Hobsons, and by them sold to other parties, and the Lambert farm, at this time owned by the Plumers, Harrimans, Holmes and Adams, were by special grants, and already, in some cases, private deeds had been given, not once but twice, at different dates for the same land. This disposal in 1717 was the balance of the common land above and below Pen Brook, and was by lots, and each lot recorded when drawn. The record of the names, as drawn, is missing from the collection of books at the Clerk's office in Rowley. In the deeds of these lots, given by individuals at a later day, this record was called the Book of Commoners. The diagrams of these ranges, of different lengths, with the lots, from two to forty in number, are on record, carefully executed by some draughtsman before the lots were drawn.

The original titles to all the lands in the " Three Thousand Acres" not previously granted, and much of the intervening middle commons, bear date at this important point, 1717. The community, the corporate body, the town, had the power thus delegated to it by the Colonial Government to grant personal titles to all land included within its domains, and the same power that granted, it would seem, could compel a surrender if needful for the public good.

The lots on these ranges were generally of aboul five acres in extent, long and quite narrow, a minute subdivision which is seen in the numerous divisionfences, the stone foundations of which are still visible all over this tract. This division into such small lots led to many jiurchases by those intending to settle, so as to have acreage equal to the needs of a farm.

Perhaps the first of the early settlers to buy freeholds extensively in the three thousand acre tract was Richard Dole, cordwainer, of Rowley. He secured several, and after the division into lots, obtained from one and another by purchase or exchange, lots to the number of twenty-one. His first intentions were perhaps to locate on Red Shanks highway, buying land there in 1722. In 1726, however, he purchased largely south of Baldpate Street, and doubtless built a house there soon after. This house was probably built on land now owned by G. S. Weston, and which had for its last occupant the widow of Captain Moses Dole. Cufiee Dole, an African of ebon blackness, was the servant of this family until the death of the aged widow. It is said, that when but an infant, he was bought by CajJtain Dole, in Danvers, for about ten pounds. A death-bed confession of the woman who sold him, was, that he was free-born and had been placed in her care by his mother living in Boston. Cuffee, by diligent search, after years of servitude, found the story was true. Still he clung to his old home, until at the demolition of the old mansion, early in the present century, he became a member of the family of Rev. Mr. Braman, where he died. For many years, any invasion of his prerogatives, as caretaker at funerals and other public occasions, met with his wrath and scorn. His grave in Union Cemetery is marked with this, " A respectable man of color." His estate, of one thousand dollars, was left to Mr. Braman.

There was another house, which was probably built on the Dole lands, not far from Baldpate Street, on land now owned by Henry Kennett. It has been thought that this was an early Spofford house, but possibly it was the original house of Richard Dole. It had the reputation for many years of being "a haunted house." Mr. Nathan Perley, John Bettis and others, watching with sick people, told strange stories of what they heard and saw. It was removed before this century and re-built in Sherman Nelson's house on Elm Street. No person now living can give any definite clue as to who, at any time, lived in it when on its former site.

Richard Boynton, perhaps the same, whose land adjoined the farm of John Brocklebank, near Pen Brook, bought thirteen lots on ranges S and T in 1724-25, on the north side of Andover Street, and built there. The house on the summit of SpofTord's Hill, now owned by Samuel Noyes, is in part at least quite ancient, and doubtless is the original house. Moses Boynton, carpenter and bridge-builder, was living there less than three-fourths of a century ago.

Another family of some prominence who settled about a mile to the south, was that of Burpee. From the fact that Thomas Burpee, the west parish settler, sold his dwelling-house at the east end of the Oxpasture in Rowley, in the winter of 1724, it is probable that he came here soon afterwards. He built on the southerly slope, of what was soon known as Vineyard Hill, on land now owned by Chas. E. Chaplin, and just about midway of Baldpate and Nelson Streets. From its sunny location, and the abundance of choice fruit grown on this sixty acre farm, it obtained the name of the Vineyard. On the height of the hill, just in the rear of the site of the house, on land that is now owned by Sherman Nelson (then Dole lands), stands the walnut tree, which has been a conspicuous mark for sailors, on our eastern coast, perhaps from the time that Thomas Burpee first came here, and it is still fresh and vigorous. There was a cross-way from the parish farm, occupied by the Spoffords, past this house, reaching Nelson Street, near the ancient Elm, at the foot of the hill, by Mrs. W. M. Shute's. From thence it connected with the Salem road past Oak Dell and over Pen Brook. Although this path has not been travelled for nearly a century, it shows in places the marks of the travel of former times. About 1787, this farm was sold, and a part of the house re-built, in the house of L. L. Dole on Elm Street. Amos Nelson who built about 1767, the house of C. E. Chaplin, on Nelson Street, bought the land surrounding this Burpee house, and used a part as a kitchen for his own dwelling. Ebenezer Burpee, who lived here, a carpenter, was probably a son of Thomas, and was parish clerk for twenty-five years.

Nathaniel Perkins, a son-in-law of Edward Hazen, about 1722, began to buy lots on range L, extending from Nelson Street (Fairface highway, then called) to Boxford Line, north of Lake Raynor. Afterwards buying the Cooper land, south of the town boundary, it carried his land to the shore of the lake. He also owned the Raynor meadow, just below and adjoining the lake. His house was about midway between Nelson Street and the lake, and was erected about 1725. This farm was owned by himself and heirs until 1788, when it was sold to Major Asa Nelson, who lived on Nelson Street. Mr. Perkins was not connected with the west parish, and in no wise identified with its interests. In 1766, he aided in the enlargement of the cemetery, near B. 8. Barnes' house, in Boxford. In the winter of 1778, there were several sick with the small-pox in the Perkins house and vicinity, the sickness finally became epidemic, and this hotise being isolated from other habitations was used as the hospital or pest house. Several victims were buried near the foot-path leading to the lake, about forty rods from the house. It was claimed that the smoke, from the chimneys of houses where the sick were, carried the disease from one house to another in this locality. The families of Amos and Asa Nelson, Mr. Perkins' neighbors on Nelson Street, removed, the one to the Burpee, the other to the Brocklebank house, the men only daily returning to care for the barns and farm-stock. This Perkins family, like many others at that time, are said to have removed to New Hampshire. On a little knoll just southeast from Edward U. Nelson's house, who with his sister are owners of this farm, is a hollow, said to have been dug by a member of the Perkins family, as the cellar for an intended house. It is said the death of this young man, during the war of the Revolution, whether abroad or at home, is not known, left this hollow as the only memorial of the house that was to be. This Perkins house had a chequered history, much more than the average New England farmhouse. It was taken down in 1856, the material being used in building the house of W. M. Dorgan, on Pond Street.

William Fiske was settled in this town as early as 1727. His father, Samuel Fiske, of Wenham, bought property in Boxford late in the seventeenth century. In 1716 he deeded to his son William the dwelling-house he was then in possession of In the spring of 1727 William bought of Abraham How, of Ipswich, a lot on range H below Pen Brook. In October of that year, he was in Rowley. It is said that his house was built east of the house of Mrs. Sylvanus Merrill, near the lower end of the garden. He was a constituent member of the First Congregational Church in Georgetown, being one of the eighteen males dismissed from Byfield, and was at once elected deacon. The family seems to have become extinct at his death.

Plain (Marlborough). His father, William, came to Rowley perhaps from Ipswich between 1680 and '90, and doubtless died as a member of Captain Philip Nelson's company, in Governor Phips' expedition against Quebec. William Searle, of the west parish, married Jane, a granddaughter of Captain Philip Nelson, about 1722, and settled here soon afterward. The ancient house, supposed to be built by him, was demolished by Deacon John Platts more than a halfcentury ago. The house now owned by Mrs. Sylvanus Merrill was built on the same site. Mr. Searle was, like his neighbor Deacon Fiske, a constituent member of the First Church, and was also made a deacon at the organization.

1730, and still standing, is on Chaplin's Court, and the property of Miss Jane Edmonds. This was perhaps built by Jonathan, a brother or son of Jeremiah Chaplin. Here lived Elder Asa, and here was born, in 1776, or early resided, his son Jeremiah Chaplin, D.D., the first president of Colby University, Waterville. Me., and who continued in ottice fifteen years. It is said that Gen. B. F. Butler was under his instruction for several years. Descendants noted as educators and in the world of letters are his son Jeremiah, a Baptist clergyman and writer, the husband of Jane Dunbar, and the father of Heman L., a bnvyer in Boston ; Mrs. Hannah, wife of Prof. George Conant, of Hamilton, N. Y., in whose family his last years were spent, and other daughters, who married Baptist ministers. Dr. Chaplin united with the Baptist Church in Georgetown before his eleventh year. He was a graduate of Brown University, 1799. An item in the account book of Benjamin Adams, of South Georgetown, is, "Dr., June, 1799, Elder Asa Chaplin for use of chaise to go to Providence to see Jeremiah graduate."

A name of distinction for about three-fourths of a century was that of Thurston. Sergt. Daniel Thurston, of Newbury, bought freeholds west of Pen Brook as early as 1714.

After the division into ranges and lots, he acquired several lots by purchase or exchange on Range R, south of Andover Street, upon which a house was built. It is not known vvhether he setttled here, but Jonathan Thurston, probably a son, was living here doubtle-s in

1731. He and wife Lydia were original members of the First Church, and may have been settled here a year or two 2>rior to 1730. Mr. Thurston was the first parish clerk, holding the office eight years. The house, a spacious mansion with eight square rooms, was sold in 1800, with the farm of forty or more acres to Rev. Isaac Braman. Much of the material of this venerated mansion when demolished was used by George J. Tenney in the erection of Tenney's Hall, now the residence of Mr. H. N. Harriman. Three generations of the Thurston family had dwelt under its roof, Daniel and Stephen finally removing, the one to Ipswich the other to Andover. The descendants who visit with

The southerly slope of Baldpate Hill was partially cleared by Nathaniel Mighill, of Rowley, who was a grandson of Deacon Thomas Mighill (the first who cleared land in Georgetown), at an early date. In 1716 Nathaniel began his extensive purchase of land. Later, perhaps in 1724 or '25, having bought lots on ranges D and E, he built the easterly front of the present Mighill house, on Baldpate Street. It is a family tradition that it was not permanently occupied for some years. Some of the family, it is said, spent the summer months here, returning to Rowley in the autumn, and that one son and then another would attempt to settle, only to go back to the old homestead. Finally, Stephen Mighill, the eldest, about 1733 or '34 removed here, was elected deacon in 1747, and was quite active in parish affairs. In all deeds he was styled "maltster." This was the partial occupation of the family in Rowley; the malt-house of Deacon Thomas of date 1650, was located just east of the barn of his descendants, the present ownei's of the estate. The malt-house at their Georgetown estate was standing and continued to bear this name until within the past twenty years. The family of Deacon Stephen Mighill were quite aristocratic, and had negro servants. One by the name of Sabina was afterwards in Rev. Mr. Chandler's family, and was remembered by him in his will. Chloe was another, and is said to have been purchased by Mr. Amos Nelson. He gave her the freedom she coveted. Another of Mr. Nelson's colored friends lived for many years in Boxford, and annually presented her benefactor with stockings and mittens of her own knitting.

David Mighill, a grandson of the Deacon, graduated at Dartmouth in 1809, and was a town physician for about forty years. He had conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. as well as that of M.D. He first practiced in Dunbarton, N. H., where he married Betsy Mills and where his eldest son John (Mills) was born, who now resides on the old farm. He had quite an inventive gift, and one of his devices, a pump, proved very valuable to the party who obtained the patent. Stephen, a son of the above, Avas in medical practice for several years in Roxbury and Boston. His sister Irene married Dr. Moses Spofford, who for many years divided the practice of the town and parish with Dr. Mighill, his brother-in-law.

Solomon Nelson was another early settler. Soon after his marriage to Mercy, the daughter of Jeremiah Chaplin in 1725, he and his cousins followed their uncle Gershom to what was then the town of Mendon, now Hopedale, where he bought land in the wilderness, and remained there until 1729. Returning to Rowley in April, he bought a lot of five acres on range M, and probably built that year on the spot upon which the house of the writer stands, now occupied by Leon S. Gifford. The original house, with its additions, became quite extensive, and was taken down in 1838. 51 i

His descendants of special prominence are Hon. Jeremiah Nelson, late of Newburyport, who was a member of Congress from the Essex North district for several terms ; Rev. William B. Dodge, who for years was noted as an educator and philanthropist, the "Master Dodge," of Salem, Mass., and General G. M. Dodge, chief engineer of the Central Pacific Railroad, who was urged by President Grant, it has been said, to take the position of Secretary of War in his first cabinet, but declined the honor. A daughter, Huldah, who married Elder Samuel Harriman, died in March, 1848, aged one hundred years and nearly six months. In native vigor of mind and mental acumen, and although comparatively uneducated, having much of the masculine force of the historian Hannah Adams, she pei'haps exceeded any other person of her sex ever born in the town.

Chapter Liii And Byfield

At the beginning of the year 1700 there were about twenty families settled within the limits of the territory now known as Georgetown. Of this number four-fifths at least were in the easterly or Byfield section of the town. With two possible exceptions, that of John and Samuel Spoflford, Avho went to Bradford meeting, all attended religious services at Rowley. Not less than one hundred and twenty families, with a population of over six hundred, were residents of Rowley at that time. They were liberal toward their ministers. The estate of Mr. Rogers was appraised at fifteen hundred pounds, perhaps equal to twentyfive thousand dollars in our day, while Mr. Shepard, after a pastorate of only about three years died, leaving an estate equal by our standard to nearly ten thousand dollars.

The Rowley farmers were prosperous, and in view of their prosperity there should have been a readiness to aid the weak parishes in the interior. Instead, the people of Rowley village (afterwards Boxford), were to pay one-AaZ/" of their minister-rates to Topsfield. The Topsfield meeting was the one they attended, and why not have granted them authority to pay all their rates to Topsfield and aid that slow-growing settlement. Communities were isolated, wrapped up in their own local interests, and there was very often manifest, a marked want of breadth and generous feeling. One peculiar feature, shown in documents of the time, bearing on the alliance between church and State, was that the church preceded the State, the organization of the State being apparently to maintain and perpetuate the church, and therefore we find it made the basis of appeals from communities for incorporation as towns. Under that system the civil law was the source of the strength of the church, and the Boxford petitioners then said to the General Court, when asking for town rights, " now we have no way to compel any person to do his duty, if he will not doe it of himself" and to have the power to compel a person, they asked for separate sovereignty, and it was granted. When town incorporation was not thought advisable parishes were established. This word happily becoming obsolete in the New England signification, and probably in its primal meaning (that of the source of a benefice or supply), was first considered as feasible in what is now Georgetown in 1701.

December 16th, of that year, a religious service having been established, perha^ss for a year or more westerly of Rye Plain Bridge, the families located there asked Rowley to have their rates abated. This was partially granted, the vote being to abate onehalf of the minister-rates of Jonathan Wheeler, Benjamin Plumer, Samuel Brocklebauk, John Browne, Nathaniel Browne, Jonathan Look, James Chute, Andrew Stickney, Henry Poor, Duncan Stewart, Ebenezer Browne, Ebenezer Stewart, John Lull, James Tenney, John Plumer, Richard Boynton and Josiah Wood.

This petition and the partial response implies some action already taken, perhaps a meeting-house raised and covered, in which services were held, and on the completion of it the vote of the town, March 16, 1702-3, was passed, which verbatim is this : " The Inhabitants of ye Rowley living on the Northwest side of the bridge called Rye plain bridg, and on the North west side of the hill called Long hill, and Joyned with the farmers of Newbury that doth border on us, in building a new meeting house for the worship of God, Shall be Abatted their Rattes in the ministry Rate in the Towne of Rowley, if they do maintain with the help of our neighbors of Newbury, an Otthoxdoxs ministry to belong and teach, in that meeting-house that they have built, until Such time as it is judged that their is asufishant Number, to maintain a minister in the North west part of our Towne, without the help of our neighbors of Newbury, that doth border upon us, whose names are as followeth : " (The seventeen as above, with Lionel Chute added.) When the population would warrant, another parish was to be formed, exclusively of Rowley families. The first meeting-house in this parish was near where the present house stands. This part of Newbury was the " Falls," and this part of Rowley was " Rowlbery."

In the records of the Rowley church the parish was called Byfield in 1706, and yet that year it was incorporated as " The Falls." Hon. Nathaniel Byfield, of

Boston, perhaps connected with some of the families in the parish, may have aided in building the meeting-house, and some proposed giving it his name. After his gift of a bell, it was decided to call it Byfield in his honor. An endeared name to multitudes living and dead.

Rev. Moses Hale, of Newbury, was ordained November 17, 1706, as the first minister. A graduate of Harvard in 1699. Died January 16, 1744-45.

The records of the Church, to the death of Mr. Hale, are lost. Perhaps a search might be successful. In 1707 the parish lines were established. This included from Rye Plain bridge, up an ancient way near Francis Nelson's house, over Long Hill, across Elder's Plain, by Deacon Brocklebank's (now M. G. Spoffbrd's), and to the Bradford line, including within its limits all of the Lambert farm, near Pentucket Pond, being in all one-half of the area now Georgetown. It probably being "judged that there is asufishent Number to maintaine a minister in the Northwest part of our Town," in the language of the Rowley records, steps were taken, perhaps as early as 1727, preparatory to petitioning for incorporation as a separate parish. Since 1700, and especially since 1725, as is seen in Chapter LI, a rapid settlement had gone for- Avard. We can imagine John Spofford and the Plumers, in earnest conversation with their near neighbors on the question, and some strong assertions that the time had come to build a meeting-house here.

There is no doubt such important action was discussed for at least one or two winters around the broad hearth and in the light of their hickory fires, some confident, others doubting, until at a meeting in some one of the old-time kitchens, it was decided that in the coming winter of 1728-29, they would sled to the Harriman & Plumer mill on Rock Pond Brook, logs for the lumber needed for the house. The Brocklebanks were interested, suggested the lot below Pen Brook on Main Street, at the corner of the early opened road, near where David Brocklebanks' hou«e stands, and the heavy oak frame was jsrovided, squared, and in June 1729 was raised, soon boarded in, and the first rude meeting-house completed. This was a proprietors' building; some in the vicinity were not then interested, and the erection of this first meeting-house was not a general affair. There were no dedication ceremonies, that is an innovation of much later times. The name was properly meeting-house, and at that day it meant nothing more. There was no sacredness in the building itself, for that savored of the Episcopacy they abhorred. In most cases there was no burial of their departed friends in the shadow of these New England houses for meetings.

October 1, 1731, it was ordered " That Mr. Benjamin Plummer, a Principal Inhabitant of the precinct Lately set off from the town of Rowley, and parish of Byfield, is Authorized to Notifie the Inhabitants to convene in some publick Place, to Choose precinct officers, to stand until the Anniversary meeting in March next." J. Quincy was speaker and Jonathan Belcher, governor (later a friend of Whitefield), who approved. The names of Captain John Spofford, Benjamin Plummer and Jonathan Thurston do not appear on the petition. They were, doubtless, originally not favorable to the movement.

Lieutenant John Spaflfurd was elected moderatorand Jonathan Boynton clerk, to serve until the meeting in March. Lieutenant John Spaflbrd, Elder Jeremiah Chaplin, Ensign Benjamin Plummer, Mr. William Searl and Mr. Aaron Pengiy were elected assessors, and Jonathan Thurston and Samuel Johnson, collectors. These were the first legal officers of most of the territory now known as Georgetown.

Nearly a year before the church was organized, on October 25, 1731, the parish voted "to call Mr. Daniel Rogers, that hath preached with us, to be our minyster." " Nov. 9, 1731, voated that Lieut. John Spafford Should build the Galery Stairs, and Joyce for the Galery flore, and Lay the said flore with Yalow pine boards, and to make three Seats in the frunt Galery, and two Seats on each Side Galierys."

" Jan. 4, 1731-32, It was a Greed & Voated to call Mr. Chandler of Andover, the Gentleman that hath preached with us of Late, to be our Minister, and it was Voated by every man then Assembled." Salary to be " one hundred and ten pounds pr. year, to be Stated by the Standard, acording as mony Should Grow better or worse," and " three hundred pounds for Settlement." Five parish meetings had been held.

March 27, 1731-32, First annual meeting " voated Mr. Chandler twenty cords of wood a year." August 8, 1732, voted " By the major part of the Builders of the Meeting-House, that the Rest of the people in said parish should have an Equal prevelige with us, in s**. meeting-house, so Long as it stands in the place where it now is." John Harriman dissented. Some were not satisfied with the location, and the same dissatisfaction continued for several generations.

Mr. Chandler accepted this purely parish call, and it was voted by the parish, September 20, 1732, for the ordination, October 18, 1732. The minister was in this particular instance selected by the parish, which virtually represented the town of to-day.

Three-fourths of a century of independent churches makes it somewhat difficult to have a clear comprehension of the conditions of Church and State, as then existed. The law of the colony recognized but one religious organization, and that equally with all other public interests, was sustained and perpetuated by the "law's strong arm." The church was organized just two weeks before the ordination, for which preparations were going on among the thirty or more families with harmony and enthusiasm.

Perfectly united as the parish was in Mr. Chandler, as Jonathan Boynton informs us in his careful record, we can believe that every housewife did her best to make the important affair something to recall with pride, long afterward. Ten pounds was voted to Jeremiah Harriman to make provision for ministers and messengers and "some other Gentlemen that wateson the ministers," colored servants, probably.

The lofty airs common to their class at this period, on occasions of the importance of an ordination, have often been described. The ministers and their attendants, doubtless assembled at the Deacon Brocklebank house, where his son P^rancis then lived. It was voted that " William Fiske have ten pounds, to provide for Scholars and other Gentlemen." The churches of Byfield, Bradford, Boxford, Andover, Rowley, and the Second of Newbury were represented. The sermon was by Mr. Rogers of Boxford, from John 21 : 15, 16, 17; and the services were concluded by singing part of the 132d Psalm.

At the church organization, two weeks previously, Mr. Hale of Byfield constituted and Mr. Balch of second Bradford (now Groveland), preached a sermon, afterwards printed.

The records of the church from this date are in the minute and delicate penmanship of Mr. Chandler. "Nov., 1732, a Desent Seat for Deacons and a Communion table ordered to be built." " Mar., 1732-33, Ebenezer Burpee instructed to put up two rails, bools and banisters at the end of the pulpit stairs." "July 17, 1733, voted to Joseph Nelson, twelve pounds, to provide for the raising of Mr. Chandler's house and barn." The house was built just west of the church, on the site of which the house of Humphrey Nelson now stands. This house, built in 1733, was burned on Town Meeting day, April 4, 1825. The cause was a defective chimney. Most of the adulfmales of the parish were in Rowley at the time.

At this date, 1733, the line between Byfield and this parish was settled "with Leonard Harriman 's widow and David pearsons to belong to the west parish of Rowley, and so Jedediah pearsons' Land to belong to Byfield." " Dea. Searl was chosen to go down to the Generall Court, to see what may be gotten of the town rents." December, 1735, the same was chosen to receive the money that the parish is to have of the town, and also the rent of the thatch-bank. This land in Rowley, marsh and upland, was often ditched, leased by the pai'ish every three years, and finally, in 1856, was leased for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. The railroad near the Rowley station was laid

Pews in the raeeting-liouse were not made as yet, but in December, 1736, Mr. Chandler had the " Liberty of a pew at the west end of the pulpit." It was also voted " to lease that p'art of Spofford's farm that has been set off to the west parish." This division of the parish land had been made in July, 1735.

The northerly side of the farm, then occupied by Samuel Spofford, had come to the west parish, onehalf of Half-moon meadow, four lots of land in the upper commons, or two freeholds, and the thatchbank at Oyster Point. John and Jonathan Spofford, nephews of Samuel, occupied the southerly half March, 1737, the parish voted to lease the wood lots, and voted again to lease their Spofford farm. The Parish farm at that time had been improved by the Spoiford family for nearly seventy years. Samuel was nearly ninety years of age and an extensive landholder, especially in Boxford. He had seen this farm reclaimed from the wilderness by his father, himself and brothers, and now it was, like the parish, to be divided in twain. He had lived to see a meetinghouse, with the houses of energetic farmers, scattered all along the easterly slope below him, and forming in themselves and families the west parish of Rowley. At their first coming this family expected others would soon follow, and no doubt, as the years moved wearily on, with a monotonous tread, and they were still nearly alone, it seemed as if Elders and Fairface plains, the Lambert farm. Red Shanks, the Rocky hills and Baldpate would never have the clearings they so longed to see. He had heard from many a lip the thrilling story of Mrs. Dustin and her Indian captors ; saw, perhaps, the murdered Goodrich family buried near where they were slain ; the smoke from the burning homes of his Haverhill neighbors had spoken a tale of horror on that fateful October morning, 1706 - and still he and his kindred had been nearly alone, doubtless only the Brocklebanks to relieve the solitude. Father and brothers, the only companions of his youth and earlier manhood, had long before passed from this wilderness into the "pleasant land," and still he had lived on, and when an aged patriarch, as the last decade in his life draws near, all at once, as it were, there is the stir of human life on every hand. The sound of the axe and the crash of the giants of the forest is heard, and land grants, transfers and allotments is the animated debate that makes it seem like a new world upon which he has entered. This venerable pioneer, soon after the organization of the West Parish Church, was received into membership, being dismissed from the Rowley Church. He died January 1, 1743, aged ninetyone years.

early called pens, and in the year 1741 the parish voted "to sell the penes in the gallery to David Nelson, also to lay out the Rome for the penes, and sell the Rome for the penes at the liiest bider." In 1742 an addition to the house of thirteen feet four inches was voted, and Richard Thurston was engaged to build this extension.

In 1744 it was voted that the builders of the house should have the two hind seats of the men and the women's below, they giving a bill of sale of the meeting-house. Until then, the proprietors had the house under their control. The pulpit was to be painted, and Samu:l Harriman had twenty pounds for " Reding the meeting-house." A few buildings painted that peculiar shade of red, were to be seen thirty years ago. About that date, the Ipswich farmers (afterwards known as Linebrook), petitioned for some families to be set off to them. The Linebrook parish probably asked for a part of what is now Dodgeville, as the west parish ran easterly of what at present is known as the Phillips' place. To illustrate the spirit of the New England minister at this period, while an improvement was shown in the outward work of the parish, Mr. Chandler suggested, in May, 1747, to prevent profanation of the Lord's Day, and as many live at considerable distance, to have a sermon read between public service, through the summer season. This custom was continued for half a century.

A severe drought in 1749, was a cause for alarm, and a church fast was voted June 4th. The hay crop is said to have been so short, that weeds and almost every imaginable green thing was cured for substitutes. The meeting-house needed repairs, and a vote so passed in 1758. The question of removal to the " senter of the parish," was agitated. " Mr. John Brocklebank's corner, near his house," was suggested, the expense to be raised by subscription. In 1759 a motion was made " to get an artice to mesure and draw a plan, to know where the senter of sd parish is." The above motion was promptly negatived. In 1760 the controversy was such, that as some were for repairs and others for removal, or a new house, that ai'bitration was voted. The committee were Caleb Cushing, Samuel Phillips and Captain Thomas Dennis. Their decision was to continue the house where it then stood. Dudley Tyler, who then owned the Brocklebank house near the meeting-house, was Innkeeper, and provided for the committee. Only some limited repairs voted, while a jaediment over the front door and other attractive improvements had been suggested.

In 1762 it was voted that " those that have taken pains to Learn the art of Singing," may set in the front gallery. The first reference to singing, is in the church records for 1736, viz.: "Mr. Burpee continued to tune the Psalm in Publick Worship."

In 1763 an innovation was made, which was " to admit Dr. Watts' Imitation of David Psalms, but not wholly to exclude ye old Version." In 1765 Mr.

John Cleveland (then of Ipswich, Chaplain at Fort AVilliam Henry, in 1757), " and other gospel ministers, not intending on Mr. Chandler's ministry," are invited to "Preeh Lectors." About twenty years before, Whitefield had crossed parish lines, and itinerated in the open air if the meeting-houses were denied him. but before this, whatever the opposition to the multitude of others, that were busy in religious service in an irregular way, Whitefield's abilities were recognized, and his special work seemingly approved. Still, at this late date, there were many ministers and churches, so trammelled by the fetters of the period, that their recognition of Whitefield was but half-hearted.

Tradition says that Mr. Chandler was earnest in persuading Elder Asa Chaplin to attend a service in Georgetown where Whitefield was to preach, and that the elder objected, saying that he had no fault to find with his own minister. " But," said Mr. Chandler, with an emphatic gesture, " Mr. Whitefield does not preach as I do ; he preaches with power."

As early as 1754 Mr. Timothy Symmes began to preach in private houses, and his perhaps intemperate remarks, had produced a feeling, which at about that time, in this church, was something more than an annoyance. In 1768 again the old debate came up on repairing the old house, or building a new house, with a more satisfactory location.

April 8, 1768, another meeting, to see whether they would build on the southeasterly end of Mr. SolomOn Nelson Juna house, as near as may be, with conveniency." Voted in the afiirmative. Later in April, met again, to see if the parish would build at Brocklebank's or Burbank's corner, but the former site had the preference. Meetings were frequently called during the haying season that summer, but the party in favor of building, and of building on Mr. Nelson's land, were always successful. In 1769 the parish ordered to be purchased and a deed taken. At this date, with a new meeting-house assui-ed, we close the chapter.

Chapter Liv

The establishing of schools was of colonial action at an early date. In 1637 the college was located ; in 1642 legislation for local schools, and in 1647 it was ordered that every township of fifty families should have a school to teach children to write and read, because, says the act, " It being one chiefe prect of ye ould deluder Satan, to keepe men from the knowledge of ye Scriptures," and "y' learning may not be buried in y® grave of o"^ fath", in ye church & commonwealth."

With few evasions, this law was obeyed. One hundred householders required a Grammar-school, and churches were also urged, to aid any " pore scholler " to get a collegiate education. Under this system, the schools were essentially parochial, the teachers serving in that office and as ministers' assistants. When Mr. Rogers, of Rowley, added as one of the conditions in his will, that the church should always have two ruling elders, or pastor and teacher, his intention may have been to bring the secular instruction of the young, within church limits. The residents of the West Parish, or Georgetown, March 20, 1737, voted to " Bould a Schoal House, & to set it between the Brook by Capt. Bradstreets, and M'' ffrancis Brocklebank's Brook."

The dimensions of this first building erected for schools, was twenty feet long, sixteen wide, with a height of eight feet. The proportions were similar, in all buildings for the same purpose, for a century afterwards. This school-house was on the hill near the Searl place, and was placed there to accommodate Byfield, as well as the West Parish. Later, a vote was passed, " to allow seven shillings and a piney for Rhum, at the Raising of the School House." Instruction on the injurious effects of alcohol on the human constitution would seem rather inconsistent in that school-room.

November 6th Samuel Payson was invited to serve as teacher. Mr. Payson, our first " master," was a son of the Rowley minister, a graduate of Harvard in 1716, and taught in the various sections of the town from 1722 to 1756. Ebenezer Burpee, the carpenter, made the furniture at his house in the Chaplin field, under Vineyard hill, for this primitive school-room, where the sires of our grandparents had their first insight into the mysteries of the three " R's." The vote on the bill to pay Burpee, is novel, and was for "meching forms and tables, for said school-house."

The above vote was passed November 3, 1740, and the house was doubtless ready for the boys that month. In November or December was the time for this school to begin, and eight weeks' schooling in winter was the rule for more than a century. Doubtless the methods of Pedagogue Payson were strict discipline as the summum bonum, and his Bible as a leading text-book. This was a boys' school ; the daughters in those days did not learn the art of writing, and to learn how to read the Bible and catechism merely, could be taught as well at home. One can imagine the Spoffbrd boys coming down from the hill, David Nelson and the Chaplins from Nelson Street, the Harrimans, Stickneys and others, with a few from Byfield, all perhaps eager to get the benefit, of this first school.

December 30, 1745, the parish voted another schoolhouse, and to set it at the south end of Francis Brocklebank's Hill, between Mr. Chandler's house and the brook. This was where Edward E. Sherburne's house now stands, and may partly have been known to the present generation, in the "Poole house," burned many years ago, on the site of which,

Mr. Sherburn built his house. This school-house was to cost forty pounds, and to be completed by May Ist. A relative of the writer, Aunt Huldah Harriman, taught the girls and children of the parish, in this building, the useful lessons of knitting and plain sewing, with the equally useful reading and spelling, in their rudiments. After her hundredth year, she would tell the story of the gigantic black snake, suddenly uncoiling itself from the rafters of that same school-house, and dropping into her little company of pupils below. This was known as the "Parish," and the first one built, as the " Upper School-House'' for years afterwards.

For several years there was an attempt made to have a school kept in this Parish-House, and in November, 1750, it was voted " that the winter, or writing and Reading School, Should be kept only onethird part of the time at the uper School-House," or the first house. After the parish had employed Mr. Payson as teacher, for some years the town took action, and Mr. Benjamin Adams taught in 1742 and again in 1746, four months the first year, and six the second, half of the time in Byfield and half in the West Parish.

This is the first mention of a school in the Byfield part of Georgetown, and as a geographical centre, was the first point to be considered, it might be possible to locate it. Perhaps it was near the present location of what might properly be called Cleaveland School or No. 7, possibly, however, in a private house. At a later date, early in the century, this school-house was located not far from Stickney's Corner, opposite the Pike House. The peculiar site of the first house on Searl Street, Avas, as a probable centre, of the west part of Rowley. This teacher was doubtless from one of the Adams families, of Rowley or Newbury. He was evidently not a professional instructor. March, 1753, the parish again took up the question of schools, and voted that the school be kept one-third of the time each, at the Parish, at the Upper House and at the house at the easterly end and northerly jiart of the parish. The last named house was built about this time, at some point near the Parker River Woolen Mills.

In 1749 the town voted that each parish have a sum granted for the support of schools, in accordance with the county taxes paid by each, and this apportionment continued down to modern times, only with the difference of a division among the school districts, instead of parishes.

October 30, 1770, a committee was chosen to find suitable persons to keep school, and as was done seventeen years before, the parish voted that the time for the school be equally divided between the parish, upper and easterly end. Mr. Moses Johnson, of Rowley, was offered the school at the easterly end for three months, at seven dollars per month. William Chandler was engaged to keep the parish school.

Chandler, somewhat bookish, and may have kept a fairly good school. Not long after this he removed to Salem, Mass., where he died. At that time the selectmen were requested to set up this Second, or Parish School, "ye Monday after Thanksgiving." In the calendar of the New England farm-house, what possibilities have hung on the issues of that day ? the beginning of the winter term of the district school. A few weeks of study under the guidance of a skilful teacher has changed the after-life of many a country boy, and made him a man, valuable to himself and the world around him.

November 9, 1773, Mr. Greenleaf Dole was employed as master, for two pounds thirteen shillings per month. Graduated at Harvard 1771, and Georgetown born. Master Dole achieved such greatness as an instructor that his fame has come down to us. His discipline was severe, and it has been said that one swing of his muscular arm, has sent a whole class ignominiously to the floor. We imagine from all accounts that his severity was sometimes scarcely tempered with mercy. He has, however, left behind him a record in the memories of his pupils, such as no other teacher of that age did, and a picture, that needs no fancy to make complete.

March 26, 1776, an attempt was made, to allow the Grammar School to be kept at the South School- House, their proportion of time. This, the first school-building in South Georgetown, was on the corner of Brook and Central Streets, where the brick house of Lowell G. Wilson now stands. The request does not seem to have been acted upon, the war then bursting upon the country with all its uncertainty, drove all other thoughts from their minds. In 1777 the teacher divided his services for the year, with the school at the North, that on Searl Street, the South School and the ea-^terly end of the parish, but not further down than Mr. Phinehas Dodge's house, and that each family signify, what school-house they choose.

The Parish School-House needed repairs, and a year later it was attempted to repair, or sell. Also voted that the school at the easterly part of the parish be kept at Mr. Sanders, or at Mr. Jeremiah Searl's. Three days afterward, agreed to build a school-house on Spoffbrd's Hill, near Benj. Thurston's house. If we are not mistaken, this stood at the right of the road, not far from Nathaniel Marble's. The southeasterly part of the parish seems to have been complaining at this time, of unfair treatment in the school ajapropriation, and December 17, 1778, it was voted that all below Muddy Brook (now Dodgeville), and also Abraham Foster, Samuel Kezer, Jedediah Ivilborn, Nathaniel Kezer and Samuel Johnson, draw their part of the town's money for schools, and for no other use.

In November, 1779, "Master Dole" was engaged, and all below Muddy Brook were, probably by the vote allowed to hire whom they pleased. February

3, 1785, the important vote was passed, to build a school-house "Somewhere near the Centure," but February 8th, the vote was re-considered, and that is the last reference to the noted Centre School-House, in the records of the parish. The last record relating to schools was December 4, 1792, when John Brocklebank had twelve shillings allowed, for the use of his house for a school in 1791. This school-room was at the east end of the house, and until the building of the red " centre school-house, served a good purpose." This same old house opened its doors for a popular singing school, and was a sort of a parish centre. On that December day, the record says, " from nine of the clock in the morning, to nine in the evening, under the direction of the school committee, the assessors are directed to order the several districts or part districts in the parish, their jiroportion in money or wood."

Before 1795 this red school -house was, by order of the town, built on what was then Andover Street, where the soldiers' monument now stands. It soon became the educational centre of the parish, and teachers like Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, of Groveland, Colonel Edward Todd, of Rowley (a good mathematician) and otliers, for many years afterwards, would talk with animation about their pupils in this famous old house. In later days, neglected and dilapidated, strolling Indians made it their abode, and with unlatched door it was the temporary home of any passerby. Finally, becoming an eyesore to some enterprising unknowns of the town, on the night of April 20, 1840, it was mysteriously demolished.

Text-books for schools were almost unknown prior to 1800. Bailey's and Johnson's dictionaries, one or two geographies, an arithmetic or two, with an accidence, Covered about the list of popular aids to knowledge, at least in the country towns, and these books were of English make. Lindley Murray's grammar, and Walsh's arithmetic did a good work, and the models of eloquence in the English Reader were as a new inspiration to the young, early in the present century.

In 1789 towns were authorized by law to locate school districts. In 1840, by subdivisions of the original districts, Georgetown had seven, and the same number, when by the law district lines were abolished. Could a truthful history of the action of some of tliese school-district meetings, from 1830 to 1850, be made a part of the annals of the town, it would give a better picture of the times than could be drawn from any other source. The prudential committee-man during his term of office, was the most important man in the district. He employed the teachers, cared for the house and the property of the district. Without compensation he served wholly with an eye to the public good.

For some years the town of Rowley appointed a committee to secure teachers, as under the parish law, but from 1830, or earlier, this was left to the district.

The supervisors, in the person of Father Braman and perhaps Dr. David Mighill, served without pay, because of their interest in the future of the town. Rev. Mr. Pond was paid a small amount in 1843 for school-committee service, and since with but one or two exceptions, the general supervision of the schools has been apart of the expense of the town. The building of school-houses, under the old law, giving districts control, sometimes rent local communities, as with an earthquake. This was the effect in South Georgetown in 1843 or 1844. Frequent meetings were called, and sharp personalities were used. One prominent citizen denounced all who favored the new house as " tbreigners," because it happened that those who had just moved into the district were especially prominent in advocating a new house. The present house in District 2 (which it would be well to call the Chaplin District), was built, however, in the summer of 1844, and modelled after the school-house on Tojisfield common. Mr. Montgomery, of Londonderry, N. H., was the first teacher. The house in District 5 (which should be called Plumer), was built in 1851, and, if we are correct, was not until after considerable of a contest. The school-house in the central district was situated nearly opposite the Clark house, on Main Street, and began to be inconvenient and at a distance from the centre of population. After much delay and many district meetings, some declared illegal, a vote was secured in 1854 for a brick building. Tristram Brown was a committee. When half built the contractor failed, and the work placed in new hands for completion. The present house, in District 6, (which might properly be called Tenney) was enlarged and improved in 1861, making it almost a new building, and the same work was done, to some extent, in District 1 in 1865. The old house in this district was near the house of Moses Merrill. For this district the name of Chandler is aj^propriate.

The town High-school, after much opposition and persis^tent obstruction, was established at the close of the year 1856, in the Town-house (then recently erected), with Wra. Reed as teacher. He is still living, and if we mistake not is the father of Senator Reed, of Taunton, who was a lad at the time, and attended this first term. One or more of the scholars were twenty-two years of age. Dr. D. M. Crafts succeeded Mr. Reed the following year. In 1858 Edwin Parker, of Charlestown, a graduate of Bowdoin, was engaged, and held the position until 1860, when A. J. Dutton was employed, who taught the school until 1862, when the services of S. C. Cotton, of Sandown, N. H., were secured as a teacher. Mr. Cotton taught until 1866, when Edward S. Fickett was engaged, and, as principal, still holds the position. In the year 1868, assistants were employed, Mrs. M. R. Holmes, M. E. Choate and Sarah R. Barnes, serving in that position and the last named part of the following year. Miss Choate was also assistant for 1870 and 1871.

1873 Miss Lizzie N. Bateman, of this town, was engaged and continued as assistant until 1886, when ill health compelled her retirement, and Miss Alfreda Noyes was appointed.

Some years ago an association of graduates and past and present pupils of the High-school was organized, the annual reunion occurring on the evening of graduation day.

Perhaps the teaching of Miss Sarah E. Horner, in her long term of service, has been more productive of good than that of any other teacher in town. Her influence has been felt in every district and about every school-room has been witness to her industry and tact.

One of the teachers of the private schools, J. C. Phillips, of Lawrence, who about 1847 kept a good school in Tenney's Hall, a room on the second floor of what is now the residence of H. N. Harriman, Central Street, was very successful in impressing some love for study on the dullest of his pupils. The hall on the third floor was for years the exhibition room for panoramas and the like. Mr. Thompson, afterwards a physician, also taught a school of a high grade about 1850. Besides, there were two teachers of select schools in the vestry, on the second floor of what is now W. B. Hammond's house, on Elm Street. Miss M. A. Nelson, of Worcester, a direct descendant from the Rowley family of this name, taught there several years, perhaps from 1840 to 1846.

The advantages of a town Library were advocated by Dr. Jeremiah Spoffbrd, then a teacher in the town, in 1806, and a small collection of theological and other books was made, known as the New Rowley Social Library. There were thirty or more shareholders. In 1860 an Agricultural Library was purchased by seventy-five of the citizens of the town, and including with it what remained of the former collection, there had accumulated volumes to the number of about eleven hundred, owned by one hundred and seventeen shareholders, at the time George Peabody, of Loudon, in 1868, made his gift of the Library and building, now known by his name, to the town of Georgetown. The former Library was then by vote given to the town, to be added to the Peabody gift, and the two combined at the opening of the Peabody Library, were about three thousand five hundred volumes. At present there are about sixty-four hundred volumes, excluding duplicates.

The Trustees, by condition of the gift, are the pastors of the churches ex-officio, and six others, elected at the annual town meeting in March. This Town or Peabody Library was first opened July 3. "1869, and fifty-five books delivered, with O. B. Tenney, Librarian, who was in office until his resignation, in December of that year. Richard Tenney was Librarian until 1880, when the writer was elected, holding the position until the spring of 1887, when Mrs. S. A. Holt assumed the duties. During the incumbency of the writer, J. Henry Scates was assistant. For the eighteen years since the opening, the combined delivery aggregates two hundred and fifty thousand volumes. The corner-stone of the Library building was laid September 9, 1866, by Chas. Northend, of Connecticut. The hall was added in 1872, and an extension to the hall some years afterward.

The First Congregational Church have a small Library, which was a bequest from Rev. Mr. Chandler. Some of the ancient works are in Latin, and the collection is unquestionably of great value.

About 1830 there was awakened an ardent longing for knowledge and solid reading in many country villages in New England, and to meet this demand in part the Lyceum was founded. Lecture courses were frequent and well patronized. A periodical, called The Lyceum, was published in Boston or Salem, illustrative of the Natural Sciences, as shown in practical every-day life, and many of the lectures given were in that field of thought. A familiar talk on the Electric Telegraph, by Professor Morse (then but comparatively little known), in 1843 or 1844, given in Savory's (of late known as Grand Army Hall), was well attended. This oral instruction, so popular at that day, in the elements of Astronomy and Geology (by Dr. Boynton), Chemistry and the like by others, was supplemented by the School District Libraries, which were edited by Alexander Everett, a cousin of Edward Everett. The State of Massachusetts, because of its importance, as urged by Horace Mann, aided in the work by bringing the cost of these standard volumes, which made the bulk of the Libraries, to an extremely low figure. One of the school district officers, annually elected, was the Librarian, and the library was often changed from one house to another.

Most of the districts in Georgetown had these libraries. It was "knowledge under difiiculties," but knowledge highly prized. The school district at that time was a little democracy in itself. It was a period of intellectual awakening, and the mental faculties were aroused to grasp at every new feature in mental or physical phenomena. Mesmerism excited more than a nine days' wonder, and Phrenology, as presented by Prof. Fowler, was an accepted truth to many, and his charts Gospel verities.

In 1841, O. S. Fowler was at the hou.se of Benjamin Adams, in South Georgetown, receiving the curious . and believers. A general examination of heads, by those who were his disciples and who studied his numerous works, was made, and character and the true path of life mapped out.

These are some of the mental features of the period. They seem contracted to us, who, with the daily paper, have the world at our doors. Mr. John Knapp, now almost a uonogenarian, began the delivery of Boston daily papers in this town about thirty years ago. In his rounds from house to house, the sales from his basket at first were perhaps hardly a score of copies. To-day the sales must average four hundred copies daily.

Before 1850, a Boston daily paper was a rare sight to many. A copy of the Boston Atlas or Times was occasionally seen. After the erection of Library Hall, the town was annually favored for several years with a course of lectures and concerts of a high standard of merit. Among the lecturers were Chapin and Phillips, whose "Lost Arts" was delivered in the afternoon, also Charles Kingsley, whose only public appearance, with one exception, while in this country, was in this hall. In a letter, included in the volume containing his " Life and Works," is a reference to Georgetown, its inn (Pentucket house), and a pleasant anecdote of George E. Poor, the son of the landlord. Chas. Bradlaugh, Wm. Parsons and others of note, also lectured in this hall, and concerts by the leading musical talent of Boston were frequently enjoyed.

These varied courses were at an annual cost of five hundred dollars. While the town has no gifts as formerly for entertainments of this class, there is included in the gift of Mr. Peabody and his sister, Mrs. Daniels, a fund for the purchase of books, another for expenses of library, and a building fund of about ten thousand dollars, which by the provisions of the gift, can be used at the discretion of the town, in the erection of a new library building, in any location and at any time, after 1889. Georgetown also has in the interest of education, a prospective free school, of a standard above the average high school in country towns, the funds for which, from about thirty-one thousand dollars, at the first report of the trustees in 1865, has now reached nearly ninety thousand dollars. The original sum was the bequest of John Perley and the school when established will be known as the "Perley Free School. Of the original trustees, but one, Geo. W. Chaplin, is now living. The location of this school is not as yet decided upon. To conclude this chapter we record one thing that is noticeable, in the history of the schools of thirty years ago, and that was the frequent change of teachers. Formerly, many were young men from New Hampshire, seeking the means to get a collegiate course. Now permanency in the position, is the rule in this town, rather than the exception. Then the amount of schooling varied, ranging from twenty to thirty weeks in the different districts, now a gradation of classes, and a school year, gives a beautiful system, but whether all the mechanism of to-day, is of especial advantage to the young, is to some minds questionable.

To About 1830

road, and on Mr. Nelson's land ; that the front should be to the south, leaving sufficient room on the north for a roadway ; a porch eleven feet square was voted for the east end, with one door and window; and this, says the record, ''to be all finished in good workmanship, with good stairs up the Galliery, and well painted, all to be Done in workmanship, answering with the new house." This and more is recorded by Jeremiah Searl, with some pride in his new office, and enthusiam over the prospects of a new meetinghouse.

In June, at a meeting of the parish, a committee was chosen to make ready for the raising and provide for the workmen. The stores were to be kept in the school-house, and John Tenney, William Chandler and Jeremiah Hazen were to look after them. A committee was necessary to watch some of the stores and see that they were handled properly. The wise fathers of the parish knew from experience, the danger of careless handling, of that part of the stores which doubtless flowed freely. To conclude the meeting with a climax, all votes for repairing the old house were reconsidered. There was some positive opposition, and ten names were recorded, principally from members living at the north part of the parish as dissenting.

Rev. Mr. Braman in his " Centennial Discourse," December 6, 1832, refers to three of those who are named on the record, as declaring that they would never cross the threshold of the new house. Tradition says that they never did, and that before the house was finished, the following year, death had come to each of them. Whether an "ower true tale" we know not; such tales of divine judgment seem frequent at that period. This prospective change from the red barn-like building was so exhilarating that we find the record of the raising given in this precise manner : " Upon the fifth day of July, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven-hundred Sixty & nine, the Parish Raised their New Meeting- House Fraime & Compleatly raised it in one Day." The expense for refreshment was upwards of twenty pounds, but what the families provided was only told around many a fireside afterwards. The rigging for raising the building was brought from Newburyport by Abraham Foster, and spars were provided by Capt. Moses Dole. Eightpence was allowed John Tenney for two lost mugs.

In October the room was divided, and a committee appointed to "Dignify it, and to sell not below the Dignity, which dignity shall amount to twenty-five pounds old tenor." Family pride and distinction had its votaries here at that time, but better than a flaunting vulgar pride in dollars merely, it had, at least, a certain foundation. Square pews in the gallery and on the floor, twenty-five pews at the right, and twenty-three at the left of the pulpit. On the east end six, and on the west end seven pews. In the old house there were but two or three pews, and these few, besides plain seats on the men's side and the women's side of the house. The pews in the new house were to be family, and were sold January, 1770, from a plan shown at Mr. Solomon Nelson's house. Two diagrams of these family pews, neatly drawn, are in the ancient book of parish records. They are valuable, as giving us an accurate knowledge of the residents of the parish, in 1770. An eight-square tower and spire was voted, and later a " Wether Cock on ye tops of ye Spindle of ye Spire."

This, the crowning glory, was at one hundred and two feet from the ground, and had an attraction all its own, to successive generations. As it became tarnished, battling with the warring elements, twice, at least, it was regilded. This emblem of courage cost Deacon Thurston four pounds sixteen shillings. Mr. Whitefiekl made a final visit to this parish, but a short time before his death, and while here preached what the people were pleased to call the dedication sermon. Had it been considered such at the time, with the fame of the speaker, some record, either by the church or parish, would have been made of it, but as there is none, it api>ears as if it was a little questionable, even then, to recognize Whitefield as exactly regular. The text selected was 1 Kings 8 : 11. " The glory of the Lord hath filled the house of the Lord." The meeting-house was unfinished, with unplastered walls, unbuilt galleries and without pews or pulpit. The hearers, however, were many, seated on tlie timbers, blocks and rough boards scattered through the edifice. It is said the service was in the morning, and probably, either on September 12th or 13th, as he was in Kowley both of those days. A journey of miles seems to have been at any time, but a holiday jaunt for him.

During one of Whitefield's visits to Newburyport, he attended a meeting in west parish, accompanied by a daughter of Deacon Noyes, and dined with "Aunt Jenny Hazen,'' who lived on East Street, nearly opposite John Hazen's. The cellar of her house is still visible. Her fame as a theologian was widespread. Mr. Whitefield had heard of her, and at this time he came to hear from her. After a pleasant interview with her and the neighbors, he departed, leaving in the memories of those who were present this incident of dining with Whitefield as the most noted event of their lives. During the fatal epidemic among children in 173G, Aunt Jenny lost by death thirteen nephews and nieces in the Hazen neighborhood. About 1770 she removed to New Hampshire, where she died.

Returning to parish action in 1770, a right to erect horse-stables was granted. None were built at that time, and when built were for those coming to meeting on horse-back, but not large enough for vehicles. There were no pleasure-carriages in town in 1771, or even ten years later. Originally, there were two stone horse-blocks, one near the wall on the north of the meeting-house, which was removed at the widening of the road; the other, similar to it, near the east door, for lady riders coming on side-saddles or pillions.

In 1780 the singing question came up, and Jonathan Chaplin was chosen to assist Colonel Daniel Spaffbrd in "Raising the Tune," and, in addition. Lieutenant Moody Spaftbrd, Phinehas Dodge, John Tenney and John Palmer were appointed to invite persons to fill up the singer's seats whom they think best qualified.

The wise system of payment in goods as legal tender not having become obsolete, Mr. Chandler at that time was to have three bushels of Indian corn for taking care of the meeting-house that year. Although the minister was highly respected, a young man as assistant for Mr. Chandler, who was now quite infirm, began to be suggested. Mr. William Bradford was offered as salary ninety pounds yearly, the money to be as good as any year I'rom 1770 to 1775. Continental currency was circulating ; it had been issued for a noble purpose, but the government not being strong enough to compel obedience to its fiat, distrust was engendered, and depreciation followed. Mr. Bradford was called elsewhere. The next year the parish agreed to carry on Mr. Chandler's "Husbandry in good Husbandry manner." During the increasing infirmity of the pastor there was some dissatisfaction, and frequent attemjjts made to have an assistant, but nothing was done. The singing became more popular, and in 1785 women singers were invited to sit in the gallery, and the singing to be performed once on the Lord's day, without the deacons reading the line for one year. It seemed to the deacons as if the world was out of joint. Could they have seen, as was seen about sixty years later, the pupils of Allison Palmer, under the grand leadershij) of Lowell Mason, in those same galleries, they would have said that the invitation to the women singers had been permanently accepted. A history of the musical conventions which have been held in this grand old house, and the musical talent, both vocal and instrumental, that seems to be a special gift to the citizens of this town, and never more so than at present, or more carefully cultivated, would, if written in detail, make material for a volume.

Sunday morning, April 19, 1789, Rev. James Chandler died in his eighty-third year. He was a native of Andover and a graduate of Harvard, 1728. His wife was Mary, daughter of Rev. Mr. Hale, of Byfield, who survived him. The parish was at the expense of his funeral. The memorial over his grave in Union Cemetery was erected in 1791. The parish ordered a "Decent Monument." Mr. Chandler left his estate to the parish, on condition that his widow and colored servant, Sabina, should be the wards of the parish until the decease of each. Perhaps there were other conditions, but these were the most important. John Tenney, who lived opposite Union Cemetery, was executor of the will. Some difficulty arose between him and the parish, and the conditions not being satisfactory, a vote was passed to relinquish the gift. Mr. Solomon Nelson accepted the conditions, and the Chandler farm, now in part owned by his grandson, Humphrey Nelson, came into his possession. While "Madam Chandler" lived the parish abated all taxes.

Mr. Tenney had oversight of the property, and was frequently brought in conflict with the parish. At a later date he removed to Northwood, N. H. From Mr. Chandler's death until 1797, when Mr. Isaac Braman, of Norton, Mass., was called as pastor, sixty-four candidates and pulpit supplies made their gifts known to the parish. Samuel Tomb, afterwards of West Newbury, was one of them and popular. Mr. Braman was " voted eighty pounds and ten cords of good merchantable wood, to be delivered at his door, as his yearly salary, and added ten pounds yeai-ly ; when corn shall be more than four shillings per Bushel, with two hundred pounds; one-half to be paid in one year; the other half to be paid within two years. Provided he should not remain twenty years, then a part to be refunded ; or, if he prefers, one hundred and fifty pounds without conditions ; then one-half in one year ; the other in two years." Mr. Braman accepted the last amount. Committees were appointed to provide for the council, to shore the meeting-house, to see good order kept, and to keep the parsonage and elders' pews, deacons' and other seats clear for the council and singers. The ordination took place June 7, 1797. It is said to have been a great event; the parish kept open house, and many booths and rei'reshment wagons supplied the multitude with food. Mr. Palmer, of Needham, preached from Luke xiv. 23. Dr. Dana, of Ipswich, gave the charge; other parts wereby Messrs. Cleveland, of Chebaco (now Essex) ; Clark, of Boston ; Bradford, ot Rowley ; and Phineas Adams, of West Haverhill. The parish were not perfectly united in Mr. Braman. Eighteen members signed a remonstrance on the ground of suspected Arminianism as understood in the theological terms of that day. One would have seemed wild to have suspected it at a later period. Rev. Mr. Braman's first service in this town was November 13, 1796 ; the text at the morning service was from 2 Cor. xiii. 5, and in the afternoon from Lam. iii. 27. Soon after his settlement, the question was agitated, whether the parish had a title to the lot on which the meeting-house stood, which led to something of a controversy and litigation at much expense. No deed could be found, and what the result was is not known. There were extensive made repairs on the house in 1816. There is an itemized statement of the cost in the hand-writing of Samuel Adams, in the second book of parish records. There was a bell purchased at that time which was hung in the tower. It was cast at Paul Revere's foundry. Its weight was eight hundred pounds, and its cost about four hundred and fifty dollars. The names of the donors of the bell are on record in the second book of the parish and were seventy-five in number. Capt. Benjamin Adams, father of the parish clerk, headed the list, and CufFee Dole, with his single dollar, ended it. It is remembered as worthy of note that two men lifted the bell ; not a remarkable feat. This same bell now swings in the tower of the new church on Clark Street.

In 1817 there was an attempt to introduce instrumental music into the choir. A bass-viol, bassoon and clarionet were suggested. That year it was negatived ; the next year, however, the parish voted that either of the Crombie brothers - Aaron, Benjamin or Nathaniel - were to have five dollars for one year's performance on either of the above-named instruments. In 1819 the parish bought a bass-viol.

At about this time some method of warming the meeting-house was debated, and in 1822 a stove, then just coming into use, was set up, and in 1828 another, on an improved pattern (a gift from Paul SpofTord, of New York), was placed in its stead. In 1832 a complete change of the interior was made. The square pews, so familiar for more than sixty years, were all removed, and narrow slips of the modern style built in their room. The pulpit was also removed from the side to the easterly end of the building, and the door where formerly the ladies of the parish had been assisted to dismount from their pillions was boarded up.

Leaving at this point the (Congregational Parish in what was then generally called New Rowley in their remodeled house for worship, to commemorate which and the first century of their existence Rev. Mr. Braman, on December 6, 1832, delivered his historical discourse, we return to Byfield, and briefly trace the leading events in the history of that parish, which was apparently of Newbury origin, and yet around which the dearest interests of very many Rowley families have always centred. The pastorate of Mr. Hale was doubtless successful. Rev. Moses Parsons, of Gloucester, the second minister was a graduate of Harvard in 1736, and was ordained in Byfield June 20, 1744. His eminent sons - Eben, the merchant, and Theophilus, chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State - have made Byfield widely known.

In 1746 the second meeting-house, fifty-six by fortyfive feet, with steeple and spire, was built. The bell was the gift of Ebenezer Parsons. Its weight was eight hundred and eighty-five pounds. This church and parish were much agitated by the religious excitement that resulted from Whitefield's preaching. A complaint of Benjamin Plumer against Mr. Parsons was that he had never given " Thanks for such an unspeakable favor to the World as Mr. Whitefield."

In October, 1768, "the difficult, perplexed State of our public affairs" called for a church fast. Another fast day was called for in Nov., 1773, "on account of the severe sickness." This sickness was said to have been a malignant fever, perhaps of a typhoid type. Throat distemper was very fatal here in 1735 and '36. From October of one year to the same month in the following year one hundred and four died - said to have been one-seventh of the population. Nearly one-half of the number are thought to have been from the Rowley families in the parish. Again there was a day of fasting in June, 1774, " That God would interpose for our help, and save this Province and land in this day of perplexity and distress."

Late in Mr. Parsons' life charges were made against him by Deacon Coleman, with Garrisonian vehemence, that he had attempted to sell his colored servant Violet. Coffin, in his " History of Newbury," gives a minute account of this controversy. The third pastor was Rev. Elijah Parish, of Lebanon, Conn., a graduate of Dartmouth in 1785 (Hanover, N. H., then was but little changed from a wilderness) and ordained December 20, 1787. He was remarkable for untiring industry and mental endowments of no ordinary kind. Jointly with Dr. Morse, he published "The Gazetteer of the Eastern Continent" and the " History of New England." " Modern Geography " and the " Bible Gazetteer" are his own works. They were all useful books, and were highly appreciated. At many an American fireside these books were read with deep interest, conveying that information about their own country and the great world without which was never forgotten. After the death of Dr. Parish, which occurred Oct. 25, 1825, a volume of his sermons was published, - a remarkable collection, to have been delivered to a small country congregation. His people strongly objected to his being absent from his own pulpit, and he but rarely exchanged with other ministers. It has been intimated that, to some extent, he was thought to have sympathized with the Unitarian wing of the Congregational body, but his published discourses show that any such ideas were purely imaginary, and born of the agitation of the times.

During the early part of the century, when political spirit ran high, Dr. Parish took an uncompromising stand for the Federalist doctrine, and, in consequence had some bitter enemies, especially in the Rowley part of the parish. These feuds all died out, however, and this truly noble man left the world lamented by all who knew him. In the religious history of the town we have now to consider the entering wedge of separation from the only legally-recognized, ecclesiastical body of the eighteenth century in New England, viz., the Congregational Church. The thought of any divergence was probably never conceived among the illiterate members of Mr. Chandler's congregation until the awakening caused by the preaching of Mr. Whitefield. Many impulsive men were soon stirred to enthusiasm by his work, and the Middle and Eastern States were alive with itinerants.

The first record of any such irregular work in what is now Georgetown, was, as has been previously stated, early in 1754, when Timothy Symmes was accused of sharp and (as some of the brethren called it) impious criticisms on the preaching of Mr. Chandler at an evening meeting conducted by Mr. Symmes at

Ensign John Plumer's on February 10th. These meetings, held perhaps on Sunday evenings, had evidently been going on for some time, and had been opposed by Mr. Chandler, who in his sermon, February 10th, becoming alarmed at the strength or spirit of the movement, openly condemned it. In 1755 so many had withdrawn that the absentees are referred to as in a way of separation (or in a partial state of organization). The families of Brocklebank, Pluraeri A-dams and Boynton seem to have been the most prominent.

Their meetings were held in the school-house, which stood near the house of Mr. Wood, now James Gordon's. This movement, originally, perhaps, only the result of a dislike to Mr. Chandler for lack of zeal, finally became so positive that those interested declared themselves Separatists, and in 1757 were so named by the parent Church, and the result was they then withdrew from the Church and congregation permanently. After the new meeting-house was built, the old house was sold to the Separatists, taken down and rebuilt at Hale's Corner, in what is now Groveland. At this time, however, probably through the influence of Rev. Mr. Smith and the Baptist Church in Haverhill, organized in 1765, they began to be called Anabaptists.

January 13, 1769, the parish voted, "to abate the People called Annabaptists their Parish rates the year past, those of them that had tendered their Sertificats To the Assessors of said Parish, thereby signifying the Baptist method to be their Purswaision." In the meeting-house thus rebuilt they held meetings for several years, Mr. Eliphaz Chapman, afterwards of Maine, preaching for them more than any other minister, Rowley, Bradford and Newbury were represented in the congregation. The critics of Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Byfield, were perhaps among them. Mr. Smith, of Haverhill, doubtless had preached here before 1769, and in so satisfactory a manner that even at that early day the Separatists began popularly to be known as Anabaptists. Samuel Harriman, afterwards elder in New Rowley, is thought to have been the first Separatist to unite with the Baptists, he being a constituent member of the Haverhill Church. On May 4, 1781, eight males, three of whom were residents of Boxford, who had been baptized, but were not as yet members of any church, petitioned the Baptist Church in Haverhill to become a branch of that church. Some Baptist churches like Newton, N. H., and this of Haverhill, had several branch churches socn after this time. The old meeting-house having come into their possession, was again taken down, and this time was rebuilt within the old parish limits, to the chagrin, it has been said, of some who twelve years before had been highly gratified to see it removed, and those who worshipped in it, across the parish borders. It was set directly in front of the saw-mill then or soon after owned by John Wood. On August 19, 1785, this branch was established as a distinct church, with twenty-eight members. Rev. Mr. Smith, of Haverhill, preached on the occasion In May of that year Elder William Ewing, of Shutesbnry, became the first minister of this church, and was dismissed to Medfield in March, 1789. Dr. Jeremiah Chaplin became a member at the age of ten years, during Mr. Ewing's ministry. Rev. Charles Wheeler, a few years later, when a mere boy, also became a member. He was afterwards President of Washington College in Virginia. Both of these were from what is now South Georgetown. In July, 1789, Abishai Grossman, of Chelmsford, was called to the pastorate, and was dismissed in 1793. The membership of the church at this time included Salem, Beverly, Wenham and Danvers. In 1793 forty living in these four towns were dismissed to form the church in Danversport. In June, 1797, Shubael Lovell, of Barnstable, was settled as the minister. At this time the Congregational Treasurer required to be shown a receipt from the Baptists that their parish tax had been paid to their own minister, and that all who had signed the Baptist books, so doing, should then have their tax abated. For several years after Mr. Lovell came, rather inharmonious relations between the old parish and the Baptists existed, finally followed by a civil suit entered against the Congregational parish by Mr- Lovell. The law in 1798 required that any public teachers of piety, religion and morality should be entitled to legal support, and the Baptists, under this law, claimed what was due them. In 1802 the difficulties seem to have come to a settlement. Mr. Lovell's pastorate continued until 1810. He was a man highly esteemed. Josiah Converse, of Portland, came in 1810 and remained until 1818. Mr. Converse was deeply interested in improved agriculture, and is said to have introduced the fii'st merino or finewooled sheep into town. June 21, 1811, the First Baptist Society in Rowley (now Georgetown) was incorporated, with forty-eight members. Among them were the Pearsons, Larkins, Dummers and Floyds, of Newbury ; Harrimans, Hales and Hardys, of Bradford (now Groveland) ; Perley and Emerson, of Boxford ; Smiths, of West Newbury ; and Poors, Thurlows, Tenneys, Chaplins, Nelsons, Jacobs and Morse, of Rowley. The amended law gave any propertyholders the right of choice as to the religious organization they would support. Some, perhaps partly from a mercenary motive, chose the Baptist Society at that time, because the expense or tax would be less ; others because they were believers in the doctrines of Thomas Jefferson, as the friend of religious liberty ; and all, because more or less opposed to the spirit which had wholly in theory, if not in practice, ruled in Massachusetts from the first settlement, of compulsion in matters of conscience. First meeting of the society held on February 13, 181 2. Solomon Nelson, afterwards deacon, joined the society in 1812, the church in 1816, and soon after was conceded by all to be the chief adviser and wise counselor of the Baptists. His house on Nelson Street was the journeying ministers' home. One of the last nights that George Dana Boardman, the Kar6n apostle, spent in this country was under his roof. First annual meeting was held April 7, 1812, with Captain Moses Tenney moderator and Timothy Morse, Jr., clerk. From this date to 1823 committees were appointed annually to fill out certificates of membership, signed by the minister and clerk, as the legal method of exemption from paying parish tax to the Congregational collector. After 1823 the law was changed or became obsolete.