Lowell City (part 1 of 11)

Lowell City

until he had arrived at the age of thirty-six that we know about him. John A. Lowell speaks of him as " a young man at that time (1810), thirty-five years of age, whose business had been that of a merchant, but who had been driven from his business, at first by the Embargo, afterwards by the ^fon-intercourse Act, and finally by war." Hon. Nathan Appleton met him in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1811; and it was then that ilr. Lowell communicated his determination to obtain all possible information on the subject of the manufacture of cotton, with the purpose of introducing it into the United States. Mr. Appleton says, " I urged him to do so, and promised him my co-operation." In the fulfilment of his purpose we can imagine how persistently he investigated the whole process of manufacturing cotton as known in England and Scotland. William Horrocks of Stockport had patented a powerloom in 1803, another in 1805, and another, witli improvements, in 1813. These so alarmed tiie hand-loom weavers in England and Scotland, that they destroyed many of them. Mr. Lowell undoubtedly improved his opportunities; and, although the construction of these looms was kept secret, he obtained sufficient information to enable him to construct one. He returned home in 181 :J. It was to Patrick Tracy Jackson he first imparted iiis designs, and offered a share in the enterprise. Mr. Appleton says of Lowell : " He and Patrick T. Jackson came to me one day on the Boston Exchange, and stated that they had determined to establish a cotton factory ; that they had purchased a water-power in Waltham (Bemis's paper-mill), and that they had obtained an act of incorporation, and Mr. Jackson had agreed to give up all other business and take the management of the concern." Associating themselves with some of the most intelligent merchants of Boston, they procured in February, 1813, a charter under the name of The Boston Manufacturing Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars.

It appears that immediately after ilr. Lowell's return he had at once gone to work to construct a loom ; but he found its construction no easy task. Without patterns, or even drawings, so far as we know, each part had to be planned and tried, altered and rearranged, until tlie whole assumed the shape of a machine. We are told that " many little matters were to be overcome or adjusted before it would work perfectly." Mr. Appleton says : " Mr. Lowell said to me that he did not wish me to see it until it was complete, of whicli he would give me notice. At length the time arrived. He invited me to go out with him and see the loom operate. I well recollect the state of admiration and satisfaction with which we sat by the hour watching the beautiful movement of this new and wonderful machine, destined, as it evidently was, to change the character of all textile industry. This was in the autumn of 1814."

The great obstacle to tlie use of the power-loom, at that time, proved to be dressing the yarn ; it required a man at each loom to dress the warp as it unrolled from the beam. This rendered it necessary to stop the loom while the man was doing it. This difficulty was removed by the invention of an ingenious mode of dressing the warp before it was placed in the loom. Mr. Lowell procured from England a drawing of Horrocks' dressing-frame, and Mr. Moody, whose services he had secured, made an improvement which more than doubled its efficiency, - a very ingenious machine called a warper, that wound the threads from the bobbins on the beam. After this there was no farther difficulty in running a power-loom.

" The greatest improvement was in the doublespeeder. The original fly-frame introduced in England was without any fixed principle for regulating the changing movements necessary in the process of filling a spool. Mr. Lowell undertook to make the numerous mathematical calculations necessary to give accuracy to these complicated movements, which occupied him constantly for more than a week. Mr. Moody carried them into effect by constructing the machinery in conformity The last great improvement consisted in

Samuel Batchelder, in his work on cotton manufacture, relates the following anecdote: "ilr. Moody also stated to me another incident respecting the construction and completion of the dressingframe. At first they had used wooden rollers where the threads of the warp were submitted to the action of the size ; but being constantly wet, the wood swelled and warj^ed, so that the rolls would not fit accurately. They then tried covering the rollers -nith metal, by casting a coat of pewter on the outside ; but after various methods of casting, sometimes in sand, and sometimes in a mould made of iron, they were still found to be imperfect. He at length thought of making a mould of soapstone in which to cast them. Meeting his brother

David in Boston, who had known the trouble he had experienced, he said to him, ' I think I shall get over tlie difficult3' about the rollers ; I intend to try soapstoue,' - meaning for a mould to cast them in. His brother replied, 'Well, I should think soapstone would made a very good roller.' Mr. Moody made no reply, but took the hint, and made his rollers of soapstone, and they are in general use."

They had one loom in operation, and it threw off the cotton cloth so fast, that they were fearful the production would exceed the demand. Mr. Lowell thought the goods would not sell ; they called on Mrs. Bowers, who kept the only shop in Boston where domestic goods were sold, and she said everybody praised the goods, and no objection was made to the price ; but still she made no sale. Mr. Appleton had previously formed a copartnership with Benjamin C. Ward, for the purpose of importing British goods. He told Mr. Lowell to send the next parcel to the store of B. C. Ward & Co. Although Mr. Lowell was willing to take twenty-five cents per yard for the goods, they were put into an auction-room, and brought "something over thirty cents." This was the commencement of the practice of consigning goods to a house to sell on commission.

The whole economy of a cotton-mill was regulated by Mr. Lowell; the different processes followed each other with the regularity of a clock. His studies led him to a systematic division of labor, and the difficulties he had to encounter taught him that, if he would succeed in his undertaking, he must adopt the strictest economy. He had seen manufacturing establishments in the Old World, and the glitter of wealth growing out of their operations ; but this did not hide from his view the miserable condition of tlie operatives. Believing that such a state of things did not legitimately belong to manufacturing establishments, he conceived of a community where neatness and comfort, pleasant residences and happy homes, churches and seliiHjl-li(iiises, good, wholesome food and decent clothing, were all to be found. In the establisliment at Waltham he endeavored to give " a local habitation and a name " to his conception.

Stimulated by the success of the business at Waltliam, and sanguine that the time would come when the United States could comjjele wi(li Great

Britain in the manufacture of cotton goods, Patrick T. Jackson, who succeeded ilr. Lowell in the management at Waltham in 1820, began to look round for a locality where the business might be extended as soon as the capabilities of Charles River should be exhausted.

Li 1820-21, as has been stated, Patrick T. Jack-, son and his associate, Hon. Nathan Appleton, were looking for a water-power in order to extend the manufacturing business. They had been enabled, by the association of capital and their improved machinery, to withstand the financial pressure that crushed so many cotton and woollen manufacturers in New England after the war, and looked forward to an improved state of things. Mr. Lowell, as early as 1816, had not favored a very higli rate of duty on foreign goods ; he believed that the improvements in machinery and economy in management operated as a protection. In 1819 the price of domestic cottons had fallen almost one third from 1816; yet the Boston Manufacturing Company were enabled to make a dividend of five per cent in 1820, a time of unusual depression.

Mr. Appleton says : " At the suggestion of !Mr. Charles H. Atherton of Amherst, N. H., we met him at a fall of the Souhegan River, a few miles from its entrance into the Merrimack ; but the fall was insufficient for our purpose. This was in September, 1821. In returning, we passed the Na.shua River without being aware of the existence of the fall, which has since been made the source of so much power by the Nashua Company. We only saw a small grist-mill standing near the road, in the meadow, with a dam of some six or seven feet. Soon after our return I was at Waltham one day, when I was informed that Mr. Moody had lately been at Salisbury, when Mr. Ezra Worthen, his former partner, said to him, ' I hear Messrs. Jackson and Appleton are looking out for a waterpower; why don't they buy up the Pawtucket Canal? That would give them the whole power of the Merrimack, with a fall of over tliirty feet.' On tlie strength of this, Mr. Moody had returned to Waltham by that route, and was .satisfied of tlie extent of the power which might be thus obtained." We have a record of the first visit of Paul Moody to the Pawtucket Falls, written in 1843, by the venerable rector of St. Anne's Church, Rev. Theodore Edson, related to him by one of tlie party, Mrs. Susan (Moody) Dana. " An arrangement was made for Mr. and Mrs. Worthen to take a chaise and accompany Mr. and Mrs. Jloody to

Lowell

Pawtucket Falls ; but John Worthen being taken ill Mrs. Worthen could not go, wherefore Mr. Worthen went in one chaise, and Mr. and Mrs. Moody and Susan in the other. When they came to the foot of Hunt's Falls, the gentlemen got out to look round, wiiile Mrs. Moody and Susan sat in the chaise. They then came up to Mr. Jonathan Tyler's to dine. He kept the public-house at that time. After dinner they rode out again, went up the river and reconnoitred the Pawtucket Falls and neighborhood to their satisfaction. The two friends parted, and ilr. Worthen went home to Amesbury."

Returning to Mr. Appleton's narrative : " Our first visit to the spot was in the month of November, 1821, and a slight snow covered the ground. The party consisted of Patrick T. Jackson, Kirk Boott, Warren Button, Paul Moody, John W. Boott, and myself. We perambulated the grounds and scanned the capabiHties of the place, and the remark was made that some of us might live to see the place contain twenty thousand inhabitants.''

In KirMand's Anecdotes ^vill be found the following amusing notice of Kirk Boott : " When the prospect of founding a large manufacturing town on the Merrimack Eiver was in contemplation, some of the persons interested in that great gentleman skilled as an engineer, and who was also fond of sporting, to view the water-privilege carefully, and to make inquiry as to the prices of land in the vicinity. He went with his dog, gun, and fishing-tackle, and obtained board in a farmer^s house, a Mr. F . He spent his time in viewing the falls, the canal, the river, and the grounds, with occasional fowling and fishing. After spending some time there, in talking with the farmer one evening he told him that he liked the place very well, and thought he should be pleased to come and live there. The man said 'he should mind that I should like to live here very well; and though you ask so much, I will take up with your offer, and give you three thousand dollars.' ' Why,

" Some time afterward Mr. B asked the farmer what reason he had in the course of a few days to double the price of his farm, and to insist upon two after I offered you the farm for three thousand dollars I saw two men on the opposite side of Merrimack River, sitting on a rock, and talking for some time ; then they got up and one went up the river and the other down, and after some time they returned, seemed in earnest conversation half an hour or more, when they arose and went away. I did not know what it meant, but I thought something was iu the wind, and I determined if you asked me again to sell my farm, I would demand double the price.' Thus began the purchase, by Boston merchants, of the land upon wliich the city of Lowell has been erected."

General Butler, in his address at the semi-centennial celebration, says: "First and foremost of the remarkable men who were its [Lowell's] founders that the early engineers reported no water-power here, and it remained for an English half-pay cavalry officer, wandering along the side of our fall, rod in hand, casting the fly for the salmon, to discover and appreciate the mechanical force of a river which now does the work of ten thousand

John A. Lowell, in his address on the same occasion, says : " I should be the last person to say one word in depreciation of Kirk Boott. He was my bosom-friend, and I was his trustee. I would not say anything to detract from his credit ; but it is no more true as a matter of fact, tliat he made the first experimeut in joint-stock companies in carrying on the cotton manufacture, than it is true that lie went out with a fishing-line and found that there was a water-power at Chelmsford. I pretend to know all about that thing. The first person who suggested this place was Ezra Worthen. Paul Moody knew nothing about it. Mr. Moody and Mr. Jackson came up afterwards, and saw the place. It is not true that Mr. Boott was the first to suggest it. So far from it, the whole purchase was made of the Pawtucket Canal, and of most of the farms here, before Mr. Kirk Boott had set foot on the spot."

February 6, 182E, the legislature granted "an act to incorporate the Merrimack Manufacturuig Company." Kirk Boott, William Appleton, John W. Boott, and Ebenezer Appleton were the persons named in the act. The capital was $600,000. A personal-liability clause was inserted in the cliarter, "that every person who shall become a member of said corporation shall be liable in his private capacity, after his membership may have ceased, for all debts contracted during the time he was a member of said corporation."

Up to this time they had purchased six hundred and thirty-nine shares in the Pawtucket Canal or Locks and Canals Company, for which they 2»id $30,607.6^ ; the Tyler farm' for $8,000, the Josiah Fletcher farm for §6,860, the Joseph Fletcher farm or land for $1,'2;30.6^, and eight tenths of Clieever's land for $1,60.5. Tiiese sums, with 12,700 paid to N. Wright, $647.80 paid to T. M. Clark, and other incidental cx])enses, amounted to $69,815.62.1

1 There has been a story curi-ont for a long time that Thomas Hurd, reputed to he a shrewd operator, beiiis in Boston about the time these lands were hoiii;ht, overheard a conversation tliat led him to hasten back to Chclmsl'ord, seeui'c the refusal of the Bowers saw-raill near Pawtueket Bridge, and of land in that vicinity. The story is corroborated by tiic record of the doinps of the directors of the Merrimack Manufactnrinp Company ; for July 2'J, 1822, the directors received a proposal from Mr." Ilurd of Chelmsford relative to his purchases at Pawtnr'kct Brid^'c, which was referred to a committee. August 17, 1 822, Mr. llurd's mill at Pawtucket Bridge and sundry parcels of land adjoining were purchased. Ilurd at that time bought Artemas Holdcn's place, but he failed without paving for it, - a serious loss to Mr. lluideu. Wc sliall hear from llurJ ai:ain.

to a width of sixty-five feet and a depth of eight feet. The locks were renewed, and the Merrimack and Hamilton canals were commenced. Five hundred men were employed. These improvements cost $120,000.

The Lotvell Journal , March 10, 1826, in an account of these operations, says : " In digging this canal ledges were found considerably below the old canal, which bore evident traces of its having once been the bed of the river. Many places were found worn in the ledge, as there usually are in falls, by stones kept constantly in motion by the water ; some of these cavities were a foot or more ill diameter, and two feet deep."

September 1, 1823, the first mill on the ilerrimack was completed, water let into the canal, and the wheel started. The first cloth was turned out in November of this year. October 9 started the first cards on the Merrimack.

There was no suitable public-house in the place at this time. The Stone House, where company was received and entertained, was erected soon after this.

June 18, 1824, Ezra Worthen, while giving directions to his workmen, dropped dead. Warren Colburn was appointed to the place made vacant by his death. The company gave Mr. Worthen's widow $750, the amount of his salary for six months.

At this time the establishment of another company, to be called the Hamilton Manufacturing Company, was proposed. The Merrimack Company voted to charge the new company thirty dollars per spindle, including machinery and land, or four dollars per spindle for land without machinery.

October 25, 1824, J. B. Varnum erected a wing dam near the foot of Pawtucket Falls, on the Dracut side of the river, and the Merrimack Manufacturing Company remonstrated, asserting its right to the whole falls; but remonstrance being of no avail. May 3, 1825, the agent was authorized to ])urchase the land in Dracut of J. B. Varnum. This was another of Mr. Hurd's plans, and Mr. Varnum was selected to assist him in carrying it out. Relying upon the current created by the dam, lie ;i(tcMni)ted to drive a water-vvhcel by that current, and in 182.") and 1826 built a mill on the siiol, I lie fdunilation of which still remains. June 1, 1S;2.-), Ill,' Warren estate was sold to Ilurd by the Merrimack Company, a quit-claim given, and also water from the Hamilton Canal, at the rate of four dollars per spindle. After Kurd's mill, on the Concord Eiver, was burned, the mill at the foot of Pawtucket Falls was taken down and rebuilt on the site of the one burned. The canal, tiirough which Mr. Hurd's mill drew its supply of water from the Hamilton Canal, crossed Central Street at the foot of Jackson Street, to the rear and south of Hard Street into the Warren Street Canal. The recent building improvements on Central Street unearthed the remains of this conduit. 'iVo persons, Callender and Whipple, committed suicide by drowning in this conduit.

From 1821 to 1826 the records of the Merrimack Company constitute the history of the period, and the writer is under obligation to the treasurer, C. H. Dalton, Esq., of Boston, for permission to consult them. As early as November 22, 1824, the subject of a new township occupied the minds of the directoi-s, and a committee was appointed to consider the expediency of petitioning the legislature to have a certain part of Chelmsford set ofl' as a separate township.

The Merrimack Print-Works were started in the autumn of 1824, under the charge of Mr. Allan Pollock. He resigned in 1826, and Mr. Boott went to England to secure engravers. Mr. True Wiggin had secured the services of J. D. Prmce, who continued in the position of superintendent until 1855, and then retired on an annuity of $2,000. He died suddenly January 5, 1860. Mr. Prince enjoyed the reputation of a generoushearted English gentleman, and a faithful servant to the company. The second mill on the Merrimack was started in 1824. The machinery for it was built at Waltham.

February 28, 1825, the Proprietors of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company voted to transfer the water-power, lands, etc., to a new company, to be called The Locks and Canals Company. " In 1826, finding it inconvenient to carry on under one management a large manufacturing establishment and a land and water ])ower enterprise, the property was divided. The Proprietors of Locks and Canals, under the authority of an act of the legislature, taking tlie land, water-power, and machine-shop, and the Merrimack Company retaining their mills and print-works, with land and waterpower sufficient for their purposes.

and Canals sold mill sites and water-power to the manufacturing companies, as they were chartered, from time to time ; also, in most cases, building the mills and machinery for thein ; they also sold building-lots as the growth of the place demanded. Kirk Boott died in 1837 ; he was succeeded, as treasurer, for a short time, by Joseph Tihlen. From 1838 to 1845 Patrick T. Jackson (son of the Hon. Jonathan Jackson of Newburyport, the first president of the original Locks and Canals Company) held the office of treasurer. In 1845 the Proprietors of Locks and Canals, having disposed of all the permanent water-power, nearly all the available building-lots, and the machine-shop, their only remaining property of much importance was their interest in the water-power. To control this, the manufacturing companies bought up all the shares of their stock."

January 26, 1S25, the Hamilton Manufacturing Company was incorporated with a capital of §600,000. The associates named in the act were Samuel Batchelder, Benjamin Gorham, William Appleton, William Sturgis, and John Lowell, Jr. From time to time the capital luis been increased to §1,250,000.

Under Mr. Batchelder^ the power-loom was applied to weaving cotton drilling and other twilled goods. " It was an entirely new article upon the market ; nothing of the kind had previously been sold readily at nineteen and one quarter cents per yard, and the treasurer of the company made a contract for all that could be made for six months at sixteen cents." This business was so profitable that the directors were considering the practicability of changing the machinery of the Appleton Mills, but concluded, on account of the expense, to build new mills. The result was the Sutl'olk Company in 1S31.

In 1804 a man by the name of Robbins, one of Mr. Slater's workmen, built a mill on the Souhegan River, in New Ipswich. In 1807 another mill was built on the same stream by Seth Nason, Jesse Holton, and Samuel Batchelder; it went into operation in 1808. These were the first cotton-mills built in the state of New Hampshire. From what was known of Ezra Worthen's constitution and health, it was thought that his death would be sudden. Mr. Batchelder had been spoken to by Nathan Appletou, iu case of Mr. Worthen's decease, to take his place. Mr. Batchelder came to Chelmsford as soon as it was proposed to form the Hamilton Company, and superintended the erection of all the buildings for that company.

The memorable events of 18^5 were the organization of an independent military company, called the Mechanic Plialanx, the incorporation of the Central Bridge Company and of the Middlesex Mechanic Association. The third mill on the Merrimack Corporation was started with a complete set of machinery made in the machine-shop under the superintendence of Mr. Moody. May 18, the first dividend of profits of ten per cent, or one hundred dollars per share, was declared by the Merrimack Company; and December 1, another dividend of seventy-five dollars on each share was made. December 30, the terms of separation were agreed upon by the townsmen of Chelmsford. The name of " Merrimack " was to be given to the new town. The editor of the Journal suggested that of La Grange. Mr. Appleton states when, where, and how the name originated: "In 1826 I met Mr. Boott [in Lowell] one (Liy, when he said to me that the committee of the h-i-laimv were ready to report the bill. It only nuiiiiiicd to fill the blank with the name. He said he considered the question narrowed down to two, Lowell or Derby. I said to him, ' then Lowell by all means ' ; and Lowell it was."

The directors of the Merrimack Company appropriated the sum of §500 to purchase books toward the formation of a library ; and Kirk Boott, Warren Colburn, and Rev. Theodore Edson were appointed a committee to lay out that sum for the purpose.

Municipal History

We have already described the boundaries of the new town ; now we turn to the terms of separation said to have been agreed upon by tlie townsmen of Chelmsford. We can very readily imagine tiie anxious participation of such men as Kirk Boott and Nathan Appleton in the deliberation of tiiese important questions.

The Merrimack Company liad nearly completed five factories, three of which were filled with macliinery in full operation, and two large buildings for print-works. They were using 450,000 pounds of cotton, and making 2,000,000 yards of cotton cloth per animm. The cloth was bleached, and three fourth- of it dyed and printed. The Hamilton Company had erected one factory and laid the foundations for the second. They had erected two blocks of houses, with eight tenements in each; and were preparing to erect two more, one hundred and ninety-three feet in length and thirty-six feet in width. They had built a counting-house, storehouse, and a dwelling for the agent. These were all of brick roofed with slate. By a regulation of the proprietors, all buildings more than ten feet iiigh, hereafter to be erected upon any of the lands then belonging to them, must be of stone or brick, with a slated roof.

Five families moved ott' the ground occupied by the Merrimack Company ; 1,500 persons were now accommodated on the same ground. There were now, in all, one hundred tenements erected for those employed in the factories, print-works, and machine-shop. In the tenements of the Merrimack Company there were 967 persons ; 299 males and 668 females : in those of the machine-sho.p were 263; 162 males and 101 females. It was estimated that the population at that time was 2,500. In addition to this, Belvidere, separated from Lowell by the Concord River, contained a population of 300 or 400. There were already a dozen stores in the place, a church, a stone house almost ready for the rector, a school-house, and two hotels, - the Stone House and Frye's Tavern.

March 2, 1826, Joseph Locke, justice of the peace, issued a warrant directed to Kirk Boott, authorizing him to call a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants, to choose town officers, to vote for register of deeds, and agree upon the manner of calling future town-meetings. Mr. Boott's return is dated March 6, the day of the meeting, which was held at Balch and Coburn's tavern, the " Stone House." Kirk Boott was chosen moderator, Samuel A. Coburn town-clerk, and Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Batchelder, and Oliver M. Whipple selectmen. Artemas Holden was chosen treasurer, and Luther Marshall constable.

Up to this time (1826) the art'airs of this community liad been managed by the resident agents of the companies. No doubt, ui their view, it was their prescriptive right. The companies had done much for the welfare of the people gathered here : building and maintainmg a church and schoolhouses, purchasing books for a library, and doing everytiiing necessary for the religious, moral, and physical well-being of the people. Incorporation as a township brought anotlier clement to tlie surface ; tiie people fuuiid that llu'i/ ircrc, titei/iselres, called upon to participate in the management of affairs. It is not strange, therefore, that there should be occasionally a wide divergence of opinion, resulting, not in a feeling of hostility to tlie pecuniary interests of the companies, but in a desire to carry out and perfect what the companies had so generously begun. On the part of the agents, the desire of directing and controlling all matters involving the expenditure of money may have been prompted by prudential motives, as the companies were the heaviest and almost the only possessors of taxable property. By them, therefore, all public burdens would have to be borne. It is necessary to keep this fact in view.

At the first town-meeting, March 6, 1S26, Oliver M. Whipple, Warren Colburn, Henry Coburn, Jr., Nathaniel Wright, and John Fisher were appointed a committee to divide the town into school and highway districts. The committee reported at the next meeting, April 3, proposing its division into five school districts. The school-houses were located as follows : District No. 1, wliere the new Green School-house now stands ; No. 2, at the Falls, near the hospital ; No. -3, near the pound ; No. 4, near Hale's mills, called the Red Schoolhouse; and No. 5, on Central Street, south of Kurd Street. At this meeting (April 3) Theodore Edson, Warren Colburn, Samuel Batchelder, Jolm 0. Green, and Elisha Huntington were elected school committee ; and the town appropriated $1,000 for the support of the schools. Dr. Edson says : " One of the districts, No. 3, was very small, not comprising more than about sixteen pupils. In 1823, the year previous to the incorporation of Lowell, the town of Chelmsford appropriated for schools in this whole region, which was reckoned one district, the sum of $113. 50." At the town-meeting. May 8, a proposition was made and carried, that the school-money be distributed in proportion to the taxes paid from each district, provided that where the sum for any district amounted to less than $112, it be made up to that sum.

The establishment of schools on a more liberal foundation, and their regulation, became a matter of heated controversy between the new town authorities and the representatives of the mill corporations, who opposed large expenditures for new school-houses and for their maintenance, the burden of which would fall chiefly upon their corporations, and from wliich they would derive little direct benefit. A long struggle terminated in a vote of

Early in 182G a stage line was established between Middlesex Village and Boston, to ruu three times a week. April 10, a stage ran from Lowell to Boston daily. June 30, Kurd's mill (woollen factory) and machine-shop were destroyed by fire. December 15, Central Bridge, across the Merrimack River, was finished so as to be passable. Its length, 500 feet; span of centre arch, 180 feet; two outer arches, 160 feet each. Luke S. Rand was architect and builder.

February 9, 1827, the postmaster-general established a daily mail between Lowell and Boston, and one every other day from Salem, Newburyport, Worcester, and Concord, N. H.

March 1, the first savings-bank originated with the Merrimack Company. All persons in the employment of the company could, if they chose, allow their wages to remain ; and on the amount so remaining they were allowed interest at six per cent per annum, payable semi-annually. The company's pay-day was the Saturday before the 16th of each month; all sums left were to go on interest the 16th. Books received at the counting-room were vouchers. The deposits were not to exceed SlOO at any one time, and the whole received on any one name not over $1,000. Payments were made at all times. The interest on money deposited ceased wlien the depositor left the employment of the com - pany, and did not draw the principal. The rules allowed tlie company to demand one week's notice. This plan was suspended July 7, 1829. According to Samuel Batchelder, the Hamilton Company tried this experiment : " After one of the Hamilton Mills was in operation, I found that those in our employ suffered such frequent loss of their money by having in their boardiug-houses no safe place to keep it, that I allowed them to deposit it with the company on interest, and opened books for the purpose, on the plan of a sa\-ings-bank. After a time, Mr. Nathan Appleton suggested that it might be doubtful whether our charter would authorize this ; I accordingly prepared a petition to the legislature for the incorporation of a savings-bank. On receiving the charter, I notified a meeting, at my office, of the petitioners and any others that felt an interest in the subject, to take measures for the acceptance of the act of incorporation. According to my recollection, there were only five persons present : Mr. Colburn, Mr. Carney, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Beard, and mvscLf. It was suggested that if so little interest was felt in the matter, it was hardly worth while to organize ; but Mr. Carney was willing to act as treasurer, and we concluded to apjioint ourselves trustees, and make the experiment. A few months after this the town of Lowell decided to build a town-house, and wanted to borrow the money for tlie purpose, wliich we decided to lend them. The sum, I think, was $ 1 7,000."

This was the origin of tlie Lowell Institution for Savings, which was incorporated in October, 1829. James G. Carney was treasurer until his death in ] 869. Dr. Green, president of the Old Residents' Historical Association, in alluding to this event, says : " The record of forty years at the liead of our oldest savings institution will not show a single dollar lost of the millions which have passed through Mr. Carney's hands, and not a figure requiring to be changed in nineteen ledgers of nearly one thousand pages each ! "

July 23, the first Universalist society was formed. A committee was chosen to manage the concerns of the society, consisting of Captain John Bassett, Benjamin Melvin, James Derby, David Cook, and Winthrop Howe. Thomas J. Greenwood was secretary. The second meeting was held in the Merrimack Company's school-house.

February 4, 1828, the Appleton Company was incorporated, with a capital of $600,000. Thomas H. Perkins, Ebenezer Francis, and Samuel Appleton were named in the act.

February 8, the Lowell Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with a capital of $300,000, since increased to $2,000,000. Frederick Cabot, William Whitney, and Richard C. Ciljot wciv named in the act. The history of the car|)rt iiiiiiiul'ictiire is of great interest, but our space iIkcs not permit an extended review of its progress in this country.

Messrs. Henry Burdett and Alexander Wright establislied a small carpet manufactory at Medway. ^Ir. Wriglit afterwards sold his interest to Mr. Burdett, who in turn sold the whole property to Frederick Cabot and Patrick T. Jackson. Messrs. Cabot and Jackson, after tiie organization of the Lowell Manufacturing Company, sold tlie mil! niul macliincry at Medway to tlie new cDinpiiiiy. While the buildings wore being erected in iidwell, the works in Medway were kept in operation, under the superintendence of Mr. Wright. Our townsman, Peter Lawson, had charge of the designing department at Medway, and continued that relation to the company for many years after he came to Lowell. The company have looms, invented by E.

B. Bigelow, for weaving Brussels carpeting. They manufacture also heavy shoe-lastings and worsted goods, a new branch of industry in Lowell. The original capital of $300,000 has been increased to $2,000,000.

January 7, 1829, the Merrimack Company's mill was destroyed by fire. At this time the machineshop was busy on the Hamilton Company's machinery ; but the agent of the Merrimack Company was authorized to make an agreement with the Hamilton to give way to the necessity of the Merrimack.

At the town-meeting, March 2, $1,000 was appropriated to purchase a fire-engine and hose. April 6, the town voted to build a town-house, and May 4, Messrs. Boott, Moody, Jonathan Tyler, Elisha Glidden, and Elisha Ford were appointed a building committee. May 21, the town voted to borrow $18,000 for this purpose, and to petition for the incorporation of a tire department.

May 4, the town acted on the petition of John Jjowell, Jr., and others to be annexed to Lowell. John Lowell, Jr., a son of Francis C. Lowell, came here with the intention of making Lowell his home. He had planned a magnificent structure to be located in Belvidere, just below the residence built by Samuel Lawrence, now owned by General B. F. Butler, where he no doubt intended to spend the remainder of his days. The keep, or house, at the entrance of his grounds is still standing, and was once owned or occupied by the late A. L. Brooks. It was thus early that he petitioned for the annexation of Belvidere. The vote stood ninety in favor of and fifty against the petition.

February 25, Mr. Lowell of Boston introduced an order in the legislature to consider the expediency of constructing a railroad from Boston to Lowell. In consequence of this order, Mr. Ileyward was appointed, under a resolution of the Massachusetts Legislature, to survey a railroad route to Lowell. He made the eastern route iweiity-three miles, twenty-two chains, and the western route twenty-two miles, seventy-eight chains in length. The distance by stage-road was twenty-four miles, nineteen chains, and in a straight line twenty-two miles, five chains.

Odd Fellowship commenced its beneficent work in Lowell this year. Merrimack Lodge was the first instituted. Its charter is dated November 19, 1829. This was surrendered in 1836, but in 184.2 the lodge was reinstated, and at present has a membership of over three hundred. Mechanic's Lodge was instituted October 24, 1842, and now has four hundred and fifty members. Oberlin Lodge was instituted November 2, 1843, and now has about five hundred members. Veritas Lodge was chartered October 21, 1844, and coutinued until April 9, 1851, when its charter was surrendered. It was re-instituted August 18, 1871, and now has two hundred and fifty members. Lowell Lodge was chartered September 30, 1845, and was prosperous for a time, but, like the others, had its dark day and surrendered its charter. It was reinstated February 20, 1874, and now has one hundred and fifty members. Evening Star Lodge (Rebekah) was chartered November 25, 1876. It consists of the wives of the members of the other lodges. There are three Encampments : Monomake was chartered June 1, 1843; Wannalancet, August 4, 1869; Lowell, August 5, 1846, after a time surrendered its charter, but was re-instated November 17, 1873.

In 1871 Merrimack, Mechanic's, and Oberliii Lodges, with Monomake and AVannalancet Encampments, united in the purchase of the building on Merrimack Street, known as the Carleton Block, and rearranged the upper portion into suitable halls and anterooms for their own use.

The vote passed. May 4, 1829, to annex a portion of Tewksbury to Lowell, evidently took the companies by surprise. The legislature appointed a committee on the petition, backed by the vote of Lowell; and early in May, 1830, the town appointed a committee to meet the legislative committee and oppose the annexation. At the townmeeting. May 24, 1830, one article in the warrant was, "to see if the town would rescind the vote passed in 1829." The argument in favor of rescindmg was thus stated : " It was believed that the annexation of Belvidere would lower the value of real estate generally ; but particularly that the privileges on the new canal would be less salable. This, it was thought, would affect the prosperity of the Corporations ; it being well understood that whatever affects their prosperity affects also the prosperity of the whole town." The voters, therefore, consulting what they considered their own private interests, voted to rescind, yeas 240, nays 64 ; and instructed their representatives to " do all they could " to oppose the annexation.

June 5, the Middlesex Company was incorporated, with a capital of §500,000, which was increased §250,000 February 19, 1839; and again S450,000, February 17, 1848. Samuel Lawrence and W. W. Stone were named in the act. This company was for the manufacture of woollens, broadclotlis, cassimeres, etc. During the agency of James Cook, from 1830 to 1845, the profits were large, reaching seventeen per cent. Whether it was owing to the disastrous operations of the tarifi', or to mismanagement on the part of the treasurer and selling agents, in 1857 and 1858 the stock went down to forty per cent of its par value. It was found in 1858 that the capital was sunk. A new company was formed, with a capital of only §50,000 (500 shares at $100 each), increased to S 750,000. The selling agents were formerly compensated by a percentage on the whole amount of sales; now the percentage is based on profits. The new arrangement works well.

The Boston and Lowell Railroad was incorporated June 5, 1830, and the persons named in the act were John F. Loring, Lemuel Pope, Isaac P. Davis, Kirk Boott, Patrick T. Jackson, George W. Lyman, and Daniel P. Parker. The stock was divided into one thousand shares, of S600 each. The act provided that no other railroad should, within thirty years, be authorized leading to any place within five miles of the northern termination of the road. The track was laid so as to strike the most formidable obstacle on the whole route, a ledge some four or five hundred feet long, which would require an excavation of forty feet in depth. .\fter operations had commenced, and the rock had been excavated twenty or thirty feet in depth, two persons (James Currier and Mary Smith), while on their way to Chelmsford, drove their horse and chaise into this ugly hole. The chaise was completely shattered, and the occupants were found, Mr. Currier on South Street, nearly a quarter of a mile away, and Miss Smith in the woods, but a short distance from the scene of the accident, apparently unhurt. Mr. Currier received injuries which caused his death. This occurred December 11, 1832.

In building this road stone sleepers were used, probably to insure durability. It was found to be poor economy, as the unyielduig nature of the material caused great wear and tear to the rolling- stock of tlie road, and the frost in winter broke the sleepers into fragments. The stones have all been replaced with wood. "A bonus of $100,000 was voted by the Locks and Canals Company, payable on its completion." The cost of the completed road was $1,834,893, or $70,573 per mile.

November 15, one of the walls of a brick building being built by the Hnmiltou Company for their print-works, fell, and William W. George was killed.

January 17, 1831, Joseph Tiklen, Samuel Appleton, William Appleton, George W. Lyman, and Henry Cabot were incorporated as the Suffolk Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $600,000. Robert Means was the agent until 1842, and was succeeded by John Wright, who died in 1869. Mr. Wright was succeeded by Thomas F. Shaw, June 1, 1868.

March 19, Amos Lawrence, Abbott Lawrence, William Pratt, Thomas B. Wales, George Hallett, David Sears, William Appleton, and Benjamin R. Nichols were incorporated as the proprietors of the Tremont Mills, with a capital of $600,000. Israel Whitney was agent from 1831 to 1834, John Aiken from 1834 to 1837, Charles L. Tilden from 1837 to 1859 ; Charles F. Battles from 1859 to 1870. Thomas F. Shaw succeeded Mr. Battles when the Tremont and Suffolk were consolidated.

At the town-meeting of May 11 it was voted " to hire a room for tlie iiigh school " ; and on Alpheus Smith's petition for the annexation of Belvidere, the vote stood, yeas 52, nays 224.

June 7, William Ap])leton, Benjamin R. Nichols, and Natlian Appleton were incorporated as the Lawrence Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $1,500,000. William Austin was agent until 1837, John Aiken from 1837 to 1849, William S. Southworth from 18 1.9 to 1865, William F. Salmon from 1865 to 1869, Daniel Hussey from 1869 to 1878; John Kilburn is the present incumbent.

John P. Robinson was the orator for the 4th of July. The Railroad Bank was incorporated, with a capital of $600,000. Luther Lawrence was chosen president, and Pelham W. Warren cashier.

Paul Moody died July 6, 1831. He was born in Byfield, a parish of Newbury, May 23, 1779, and was fifty-two years old at his death. He was descended from William Moody, who emigrated from England and settled in Newbury in 1634.

Jacob Perkins, having invented a machine for cutting nails, put up a small nail factory in Byfield, in which young ]\'Ioody found employment. He continued with Mr. Perkins several years, and was intrusted by liim with the charge of his machinesliop. Having learned to construct a carding-machiue, the greatest improvement in woollen manufacture, he spent some months in Boscawen, N. H., and in Maine, making and putting these machines in operation. In September, 1798, he married Susan Morrill, daughter of Jonathan Morrill of Amesbury, to which place he had removed. Soon after, he entered into copartnership with Ezra Worthen and others, and erected and run a cotton mill in Amesbury. In this business he was successfully engaged until the War of 1812, about fourteen years. During this time he had become a -thorough practical machinist, fully understanding what was then known of cotton spimiing and weaving.

In 1814 the Waltham Company was incorporated, and Francis C. Lowell was in search of a competent mechanic to take charge of their machine-shop. The situation was offered to Mr. Jacob Perkins, but, being on the point of starting for England, he declined, and recommended Paul Moody as the best man for the place. Mr. Moody was engaged, and, with his family, removed to Waltham. His success, during the ten years of his engagement at Waltham, fully sustained the expectations of his friends and employers. It was a posirion in which his genius could have full scope, and the improvements made by him have successfully stood the test of time and experience.

December 20, 1820, lie took out a patent for a double-speeder for roping cotton ; and January 1 7, 1821, another for frames for spinning cotton ; and January 19, the same year, two patents for roping or spinning cotton, one being tiie double-speeder. Ho is credited with the introduction of tlic " dead spindle," and the use of leather belts to drive machinerv instead of iron gearing. Tiiese were con- sidered a great improvement. These, and other improvements introduced by him into the new factories at Waltham and Lowell aided in establishing the cotton manufacture in the United States upon an improved and permanent basis.

Paul Moody came to Lowell in 18:i3, and superintended the building of the Merrimack Company's machine-shop, which was completed in 1825, at an expense of $150,000. He held the position of superintendent under the Merrimack Company, and, when the property was transferred to the Locks and Canals Company, also under that company until his death.

Li 183;i the Lowell Bleachery was incorporated, with a capital of $50,000, since increased to $300,000. Jonathan Derby was agent for one year. He was succeeded by Joseph Hoyt from 1833 to 1835, Charles T. Appleton from 1835 to 1846, Charles A. Babcock from 1846 to 1853, Frank P. Appleton from 1853 to the present time.

In 1821 Mr. Hurd sold the land and water privilege on the east side of Concord Eiver, comprising what was then the " island " in Belvidere, to Winthrop Howe, who built a mill, and disposed of the surplus power to other parties. This mill was sold to John Nesmith, who in turn sold to W. B. Park of Boston, in 1832. Mr. Park, having obtained a charter, sold his privilege in 1834 to Eliphalet Barber, Walter Farnsworth, and George Hill of Boston, the Belvidere Manufacturing Company. Having purchased the stone mill, they continued the business untd 1851, when Charles Stott and Walter Farnsworth bought out the company's interest. The stone mill was destroyed by fire in 1851, and the old flannel-mill in 1852. The company was reorganized in 1853 ; Messrs. Stott and Farnsworth conveyed one third of their interest to the new company. The brick mill on Lawrence Street, on the Wamesit Power Company's canal, was built in 1862. The capital stock is now $200,000. Charles Stott has been agent since 1835.

At the town-meeting, January 21, 1833, it was voted to petition for the establishment of a police court in Lowell. This petition was granted, and the police court, with Joseph Locke as justice, became one of the institutions of Lowell. April 1, measures were taken to commence a system of sewerage. May 6, Chelmsford Street was laid out.

July 2, the subject of a market-house was referred to a committee ; and a petition to license theatrical exhibitions or entertainments was negatived ; yeas 356, nays 473. November 11, Tyler Street was laid out, and the question of licensing a theatre came up again, with the same result; yeas 392, nays 529. A building for a theatre had been erected on Lowell Street, in which a number of performances were held under the management of Mr. Barrett, of the Tremont Theatre, Boston. The building was eventually turned into a tenementhouse, called the Theatre Building for a long time. At the adjourned meeting, November 25, the Belvidere people were for distribution. At the meeting, Februan- 27, the proposed charter was read and accepted. Only one amendment was suggested, but not carried, that " no person holding an office under the United States or state governments should be eligible to the office of mayor."

The charter was promptly granted by the legislature, and the governor, Edward Everett, signed the act April 1. Its acceptance must be by a majority of the voters in town-meeting assembled, and it suspended the election of town officers for the year 1836, allowing the old board to hold over until their successors were chosen. It gave the seleetmen authority to call the first meeting under the charter, by issuing their warrant before the first Monday in May for the citizens to give in their votes for a mayor, six aldermen, twenty-four councilmen, and six members of the school committee, who were to hold their offices until the first Monday in April, 1837.

This charter was accepted by the voters at a meeting held April 11 ; yeas 961, nays 328. The selectmen issued their warrant April 14, for a meeting to be held April 31, at which time the following persons were chosen : Elisha Bartlett,^ mayor ; William Austin, Benjamin Walker, Oliver M. Whipple, Aaron Mansur, Seth Ames, Alexander Wright, aldermen ; Thomas Nesmith, Thomas Ordway, Samuel Garland, George Brownell, Cyril French, Horace Howard, William Wyman, Erastus Douglas, Henry J. Baxter, Weld Spalding, Jonathan Bowers, Sidney Spalding, John C'lark, .James Eussell, H. W. Hastings, David Nourse, Stephen Mansur, John Mixer, John A. Savels, James Cook, Josiah B. French, Jonathan Tyler, David Dana, Tappan Wentworth, councilmen ; Lemuel Porter, Amos Blanchard, Jacob Puobbins, John 0. Green, John A. Knowles, Thomas Hopkinson, school committee.

The Merrimack Company, with a capital of $1,500,000; running 25,704spindles, 1,253 looms; employing 1,321 females, 437 males ; making 184,000 yards of cloth weekly, of which 163,000 yards were dyed and printed ; consuming 44,000 pounds of cotton weekly, and 5,200 tons of coal, 1,500 cords of wood, and 8,700 gallons of oil per annum.

The Hamilton Company, with a capital of S 900,000; running 19,4-56 spindles, 560 looms; employing 780 females, 200 males ; making 85,000 yards of cloth per week, of which 70,000 yards were dyed and printed ; consuming 28,000 pounds of cotton per week, and 2,000 tons of coal, 1,500 cords of wood, and 6,(J(.)0 gallons of oil per annum.

The Appleton Company, with a capital of $500,000; running 11,776 spindles, 380 looms; employing 470 females, 65 males; making 100,000 yards of cloth per week ; consuming 33,000 pounds of cotton per week, and 300 tons of coal and 3,375 gallons of oil per annum.

The Lowell Company, with a capital of §500,000; one mill running 5,000 spindles for cotton, besides woollen ; 142 looms for cotton, 70 for carpets ; employing 325 females, 150 males ; making 55,000 yards of cotton cloth, 2,500 yards of carpeting, and 150 rugs per week ; consuming 30,000 pounds of cotton'per week, and 180 tons of coal, 500 cords of wood, 3,000 gallons of olive and 4,500 gallons of sperm oil per annum.

The Suff'olk Company, with a capital of §450,000; running 10,752 spindles, 460 looms ; employing 460 females, 70 males; making 90,000 yards per week ; consuming 30,000 pounds of cotton per week, and 294 tons of coal, 70 cords of wood, and 3,840 gallons of oil per annum.

The Tremont Company, with a capital of §500,000; running 11,520 spindles, 416 looms; employing 460 females, 70 males ; making 125,800 yards per week ; consuming 34,000 pounds of cotton per week, and 329 tons of coal, 60 cords of wood, and 3,692 gallons of oil per annum.

The Lawrence Company, with a capital of §1,200,000 ; running 31,000 spindles, 910 looms; employing 1,250 females, 200 males; making 200,000 yards of cloth per week; consuming 64,000 pounds of cotton per week, and 650 tons of coal, 60 cords of wood, and 8,217 gallons of oil per annum.

The Middlesex Company, -ndth a capital of $500,000; running 4,620 "spindles, 38 looms for broadcloths, 92 looms for cassimeres; employing 350 females, 185 males; making 6,300 yards of cassimere, and 1,500 yards of broadcloth per week ; consuming 600,000 pounds of wool, 3,000,000 teasels, 500 tons of coal, 1,000 cords of wood, 11,000' gallons of olive and 2,500 gallons of sperm oil per annum.

The Proprietors of Locks and Canals, with a capital of $600,000. Their machine-shop employs 290 males, where the complete machinery for a mill of 5,000 spindles can be turned out in four months ; and locomotives built that will run sixty miles in an hour.

In addition to what is stated above, the consumption of starch in the mills was 510,000 pounds per annum, flour 3,800 barrels,and charcoal 500,000 bushels. The average wages of females, exclusive of board, two dollars per week, males, eighty cents per day.

Besides these companies, there were the powdermills of 0. M. Whipple, the Lowell Bleachery, the flannel-mills, the card and whip factory, planingmachine, reed-machine, grist and saw mills, altogether employing 300 liands and a capital of $300,000. Also a worsted mill, formerly the Hurd Woollen Mill, running l,iOO spindles, employing 125 persons, and consuming 200,000 ])onnds of wool and 5,250 gallons of oil per annum.

There were twenty schools : one high, four grammar, and fifteen primary ; employing thirty-three teachers, and having an average daily attendance as follows : high, 75 ; grammar, 550 ; primary, 745, - total, 1,370 scholars.

The whole number of churches was thirteen : four Congregational, two Baptist, two Methodist, one Episcopal, oneUniversalist, one Christian Union, one Free-will Baptist, one Roman Catholic.

The Lowell Bank, with a capital of -5250,000, and the Railroad Bank, with a capital of $ 500,000, were botli well established, and also the Lowell Institution for Savings.

May 2, the new government was cn-ganized. Tlic oath of office was administered to the mayor by Judge Locke. In the common council, John Clark was chosen president and (ieort^'c Woodward clerk. In convention, Samuel A. Cobiini was chosen cily clerk.

The mayor, in his address, said : " Looking back to the ])eriod when I came among you, a penniless strani^er, alike unknowing and unknown, I find the interval of more than eight years filled up with manifestations of kindness and good-will. One of the most striking points of the entire history of our town and city consists in the unparalleled rapidity of its growth. The graves of our fathers are not here. The haunts of our childhood are not here. The old trees and the old men, which rendered venerable and sacred the quiet towns of our nativity, are not here. The large and gradually accumulated fortunes of nearly all our older towns are not to be found here. The great mass of wealth which is centred here, and which has made our city what it is, is owned abroad. Its proprietors do not reside amongst us. Its profits are not expended amongst us."

April 16, the legislature passed an act removing a term of the Supreme Judicial Court and one of the court of Common Pleas from Concord to Lowell. For the accommodation of these courts, rooms were fitted up in the market-house.

John Clark, James Cook, and James G. Carney, incorporated as the Lowell Dispensary, were organized June 10. Its object was to provide medical advice and medicine for the poor. A division of the city into six wards was made November 28.

An event of importance to Lowell was the death, of apoplexy, April 11, 1837, of Kirk Boott. At the moment of his decease Mr. Boott was sitting in his chaise near the Merrimack House. Kirk Boott was born in Boston, October 20, 1790. At an early age he was sent to England, and was for some time a member of the Rugby School. On his return he entered Harvard. His name appears among the juniors in 18(17, and the seniors in 18(18; but he did not graduate. Choosing the military profession, his father obtained for him a commission in the English army, with which he was connected for about five years. He served in the Peninsular War, under the Duke of Wellington, and commanded a detachment at the siege of San Sebastian in July, 1813. After this his regiment was ordered to New Orleans to serve against the United States. Mr. Boott obtained leave to withdraw, and entered a military academy, where lie acquired a thorough knowledge of engineering and surveying, arts which were afterwards of such eminent service to him.^ During (he summer of 1821 Kirk Boott was "pass-

1 His father, Kirk Boott, who died .Innunry, 1817. cnmc to Boston in the latter port of the Last century and e.stablishcd nn imporlinp house. In 1810, February 1. .Tohn Wriptht Boott was ndmitlcd a partner, and the firm l)ecame Kirli Boott and Son.

ing a day at Nahant, in company with Mr. Patrick T. Jackson; the latter gentleman expressed great delight in having even that brief respite from his numerous and pressing cares. Mr. Boott expressed a wish tiiat he had cares too, and offered to accept of any post of service which ilr. Jackson might assign him." Thus, accidentally, he found the place for which he was so admirably fitted. We find a communication from him to the owners of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack Eiver, dated November 14-, 1821, offering to hire the water-power at §1,800 per annum. The offer was refused, and the Boston Company proceeded to buy up a sufficient amount of the stock to control it ; when Thomas M. Clark, clerk of tiie old Locks and Canal Company, was employed to purchase the lands in the vicinity. Tiie property in the liands of J. Wrigiit Boott was in tlie market seeking a profitable investment. The Boston Maiuifacturing Company at Waltham had solved the problem in regard to the ability of manufactures to sustain tiiemselves in the business. It was here, then, tliat the trust funds held by J, W. Boott under iiis father's will were to find a profitable investment, and I find among the articles subscribed to by the founders of Lowell the following : -

" Article 6th. Wliereas we have been informed that the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack River are possessed of valuable mill-seats and water-privileges, and whereas Kirk Boot lias witb our consent advanced money for Ike purchase of shares in the stock of that corporation, and of lands thereunto adjoining, we hereby confirm all he has done in the premises, and further authorize him to buy the remainder of the shares in said stock, and auy lands adjoining the Locks and Canals he may judge it for our interest to own ; and also to bargain with the above-named corporation for all the mill-seats and waterprivileges they may own."

Kirk Boott we find now thorouglily and systematically engaged in this new enterprise. He gave himself up heartily to its prosecution, and in the discharge of every duty devolving upon him he amply fulfilled the expectations of his most sanguine friends. But we have become aware of one fact, that he was not a rich man. The interest from his portion of his father's estate did not go a great way toward the support of liimself and family, while tlie pittance allowed him by the company ($3,000

At a subsequent period Francis, another son, was admitted as a partner. The father built the mansion-house where the Revere House now is, in Boston. This was the family mansion until 1845, when it was sold to William Lawrence.

per annum ^) in the hght of salaries of the present day looks meagre. There was no public-house at that time suitable for the entertainment of his friends or the directors, when they came to Lowell. It fell upon him to make his house their resort, I whether they were attracted here by curiosity or business. The Merrimack Company built a house for him which formerly stood on the ground now occupied by the Boott Mills. Besides his cares and duties as resident manager of the Merrimack Company, and afterwards of the Locks and Canals Company, he was the foremost man in every public I enterprise. He was chosen moderator of the first I town-meeting, and repeatedly represented the town's ' interests in the state legislature. He married Anne Haden in 1818, and had six children.

March 6, 1838, Luther Lawrence was elected mayor. He was born in Groton, September 28, 1778, and was a son of Samuel Lawrence, a soldier of the Revolution. He graduated at Harvard in 1801, and read law with the Hon. Timothy Bigelow of Boston, whose sister he afterward married. He j was several times a member of the Massacluisetts ! Legislature, and in 1822 was Speaker of the House. He came to Lowell in 1831, and built the mansion on Lawrence Street now occupied and owned by the widow of Tappan Wentworth. He served the city with ability, and was re-elected in 1839 by an increased majority. He entered upon his second term April 1, 1839. On tiie 16th of the same month, " while walking through one of the buildings forming a part of the Middlesex Mills, he suddenly fell into the wheel-pit, a distance of seventeen feet. His head struck a cast-iron wheel, his skull was fractured, and death ensued almost immediately."

October S, steam-cars commenced making regular trips between Lowell and Nashua. A new jail was built on the land since occupied by the Boiler Works, near the Wamesit Mills ; it was taken down after the completion of the County Jail in 1858.

In 1839, as has been stated, Luther Lawrence was re-elected mayor. After the unfortunate accident which terminated his life, the city council declared the office vacant, and April 24 proceeded to fill it. Elisha Huntington had twenty-four of thirty votes, and was declared elected. He was born in Topsfield, April 9, 1796, the son of Eev. Asahel Huntington. He graduated at Dartmouth, at the age of nineteen. In 1823 he received the degree of M. D. at the Medical School at Yale, and in 1824 came to Lowell or East Chelmsford. May 31, 1825, he married Hannah Hinckley, daughter of Joseph and Deborah Hinckley of Marblehead. He was re-elected mayor in 1840, 1841, 1844, 1845, 1852, 1856, and 1858, making eight years in all. He served in the board of aldermen in 1847, 1853, and 1854. In 1852 he was elected lieutenant-governor with Governor Clifl'ord, but declined the nomination for the next year. He was on the board of overseers of Harvard College ; and served one term as an inspector of the State Almshouse at Tewksbury. His wife died September 19, 1859. He was for many years a vestryman of St. Anne's (Episcopal) Church, and, with others from St. Aime's, in 1860, united to form St. John's Church, of which, during the remainder of his life, he was senior warden. He died December 13, 1865, of apoplexy.

When the new city hall was built, it was named in honor of him. His portrait graces the readingroom of the Middlesex Mechanic Association, and a beautiful memorial window was placed in the west end of St. John's Church, in the centre of which is a life-size figure of St. Luke, the " beloved physician."

January 28, the Massachusetts Cotton Mills were incorporated, with a capital of §1,500,000, which was increased in 1846 to $2,000,000. The persons named in the act were Abbott Lawrence, Ozias Goodwin, and John A. Lowell. Homer Bartlett was the agent from 1839 to 1849 ; he was succeeded by Joseph White from 1849 to 1856; and by Frank F. Battles from 1856 to the present time.

April 26, a proposal was made for the creation of the office of city solicitor. It originated in the board of aldermen, but was rejected in the common council.

John Nesmith and others were incorporated as the Whitney Mills for the manufacture of blankets, and occupied the Stone Mill in Belvidere. The enterprise proved a failure, and they sold the machinery to Joseph W. Mansur and John D. Sturtevant.

C. P. Talbot & Co. commenced the business of cutting dyewoods and manufacturing and selling chemicals in a small way. The firm is now a leading house in the busiiiess.

November 1, 1839, the several incorporated companies united for the purpose of establishing the Lowell Hospital Association. The purpose of this association is "the convenience and comfort of the persons employed by them respectively when sick, or needing medical or surgical treatment." They purchased the house formerly occupied by Kirk Boott, which had been sold August 1, 1838, to Luther Lawrence, and moved it to the spot where it now stands, near Pawtucket Falls. This house, and the land on which it stands, were deeded in trust to the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack River ; the trustees were not to be held liable for insurance, repairs, and taxes. The treasurers of the several companies have the control of the property, and power to elect twelve trustees and a treasurer, to hold office during their pleasure. This board of trustees, made up from the resident agents of the companies, is empowered to hold meetings once a month, to have a chairman and clerk, to appoint one or more surgeons or physicians, and a superintendent for the hospital, and to establish the rate of board to be paid by the patient. In case a patient fails to pay, the company in whose service he or she may be at the time of admission pays it.

The location of the hospital is retired, and yet easy of access ; commanding a view of Pawtucket Falls and the adjacent country, north and west. Dr. Gilman Kimball had charge of it until 1865 ; he was succeeded by Dr. George H. Whitmore, Dr. John W. Graves, and Dr. Hermon J. Smith, the present physician.

In 1840 Dr. Elisha Huntington was re-elected mayor. April 7, Thomas Hopkinson was elected as city solicitor, the first person who occupied the office.

July 29, a call \\ais issued for a meeting of all desirous of establishing a cemetery. The meeting was held at the office of the Lowell Mutual Insurance Company, and Elisha Bartlett was chosen chairman and Thomas Hopkinson secretary. A committee of thirty was chosen to take the matter into consideration. This committee reported, at a meeting held Aug. 22, in favor of obtaining a suitable lot of land for the purpose. At this meeting a new committee of five were chosen tn make estimates and suggest jJans. This committee reported in favor of the Fort-Hill Lot, owned bv Oliver

M. Whiijple, which could be had for $5,000. Subscriptions were opened for lots containing ;iOO j square feet, at $10 each. October 19, five hundred lots having been subscribed for, a committee was chosen to procure a charter. February 22, the act of incorporation granted January 23, ISil, was accepted, and at the meeting of March 8 a code of by-laws was adopted, together with a seal bearing the words, "Lowell Cemetery, IS^l. The dead shall be raised." Oliver M. Whipple was chosen president, James G. Carney treasurer, and Charles Hovey clerk. The grounds were consecrated Sunday, June 18, 1841, at -1^ o'clock, p. M. The address was delivered by the Rev. Amos Blanchard. ' In 18-i7 the chapel was built.

T!\\e.^Kt\mmher of The Lowell O/fe tin// appeared in October of this year. It was really what it pretended to be, a magazine containing original compositions by girls working in the mills. My experience in the publication of T/ie Album, or Ladies' Common-Place Book, as early as 1833, convinced me that there was " mind among the spindles." Quite a number of my correspondents were factory-girls, and it was evident that all that was wanted to show their ability was a medium of communication with the public. This was obtained in 1S4-0 in the publication of The Offer'uif/. The circumstances attending its origin have been faithfully detailed by the Eev. A. C. Thomas and Miss Harriet Farley. An improvement circle was formed in 1839-40, where written communications were received and read by the pastor of the Second Universalist Church, Mr. Thomas. Their authorship being unknown, they were subject to criticism and amendment. The reading of these articles was the sole entertainment of the circle. This led to the practice of reading, at social meetmgs of the churchmembers or the society, those articles which were of a serious and religious character. The talent thus brought out led to the pubKcation of The Offeriuy, a production that caused quite a commotion in the literary world.

The two most enterprising and leading members of the circle were Harriet Farley and Harriet F. Curtis. Miss Farley, the daughter of the Rev. Stephen Farley of Amesbury, left home, and worked in the mills to obtain funds for the purpose of helping a brother secure a collegiate education. In 1842, while in sole charge of the editorial department of The Offering, she writes of its first appearance :

" We shall never forget our throb of pleasure when we first saw The Lowell Offering in a tangible form, with its bright yellow cover; nor our flutterings of delight as we perused its pages. True, we had seen or heard the articles before, but they seemed so much better in print ! They appeared to be as good as anybody's writings. They sounded as if written by people who never worked at all."

The success of The Off'ering was such that a rival sprung up, called IVie Operatires'' Magazine. It may have grown out of the jealousy of the other denominations, as Mr. Thomas suggests, he being a Universalist. Miss Farley says : " It difl'ered from The Offering by receiving communications from both sexes and from those females who had left the mill .... After a time, however, the gentlemen's articles were discarded, and the magazine passed entirely into the hands of the young ladies ; they owned, edited, and published it." Previous to this, the male editor, A. C. Thomas, sold The Off'ering to the printer of The Magazine, William Schouler ; and after a while both works were united in one by the proprietor, and edited by Harriet Farley. After this, all denominations contributed to and sustained it.

Harriet F. Curtis, " who held a dashing pen," as Mr. Thomas says, was a pretty good specimen of the Yankee girls, wide awake, keen, and sharp. Women, in her opinion, were just as fit for business as men, in whose vocations she was very much interested. She wrote a novelette entitled Kate in Search of a Husband, and an essay, S. S. S. Philosophy/. All her articles were signed " Kate."

Harriet Lees united with Farley and Curtis in presenting Harriet Martineau with an elegantly bound copy of The Off'ering. This was in response to the publication in England, by Miss Martineau, of selections from The Offering, entitled Mind among the Spindles.

The Rev. William Scoresby, D. D., Vicar of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, visited this country in the summer of 1844. During the month of Februarv, 1845, he delivered two lectures in Brad- ford on American factories and their female operatives, in which he quotes very largely from The Offering. Here is his description of the girls as they came from the mills at noon : " They were neatly dressed, and clean in their persons ; many with their hair nicely arranged, and not a few with it flowing in nicely curled ringlets. All wore (being the height of summer) a light calico covered bonnet, or sort of cali'che, large enough to screen the face, and with a dependent curtain shielding the neck and shoulders. Many wore veils, and some carried silk parasols. By no means a few were exceeding well-looking, more pallid than the factory-girls with us, and generally slight in their figure. There was not the slightest appearatice of boldness or vulgarity ; on the contrary, a very becoming propriety and respectability of manner, approaching with some to genteel."

In regard to the elementary education of the girls, he was assured by the manager of one of the corporations that "an examination that had recently taken place in respect to eight hundred girls belonging to the four mills of his corporation, showed that there were only forty-three out of that number who did not write their names legibly and tolerably well ; of these, forty were Irish, and two not natives."

January 11, 1841, Benjamin P. Varnum died at his liome in Centralville. Although Mr. Varnum belonged to Dracut, he was identified with the interests of Lowell. He was born in Dracut in 1795, tile son of General Joseph B. Varnum. He represented Dracut in the state legislature from 18i4 to 1827, and as senator from 1827 to 1831. | In 1828 he was appointed one of the board of county commissioners, which office he retained until 1831, when he was appointed sheriff for Middlesex County. He was succeeded in this office by General Samuel Chandler of Lexington, who retained the office until 1851, and was succeeded by Fisher A. Hildreth. In 1853 John S. Keyes of Concord was appointed sheriff, and in 1860 Charles Kimball succeeded him. Mr. Kimball died in 1878. Elisha Huntington was re-elected mayor.

The City Guards, an independent military company, was organized this year. This company, the Phalanx, and the National Higlilandcrs wcu-e allowed the use of the city hall for drill. The grannnar-school house, afterward called (lie Green .School, in honor of Dr. John (). Green, was enrled .,n Middle Sircrt. 'Hiis buihliii- uxs sold ni 1^7U U. J. V. Aver \: Co., and the scliool ivmoved to the new Green School-house on Merrimack Street, built on the spot where the old Merrimack Company's school-house stood.

"Until 1841 there had been no substantial bridge over Concord Eiver, connecting Church and Andover Streets. The first structure was a floating bridge for foot-passengers. The next was a bridge set upon piles. This year a double-arch stone bridge was constructed, which was replaced in 1858 by the present structure."

In 1842 Nathaniel Wright was elected mayor. He was born in Sterling, Worcester County, February 13, 1785. He graduated at Harvard in the class of 1808. Shortly afterwards he came to East Chelmsford, and entered the office of Asaliel Stearns. He died November 5, 1858, of heart disease.

Among the most extensive and successful private enterprises in the city, is the establishment of the "J. C. Ayer Company," which was founded by Dr. James C. Ayer in 1842.

Dr. Ayer passed his early life as a clerk in an apothecary store in this city ; ample scope to gratify his predilections for the study of chemistry and medicine was afforded, and he acquired a skill in compounding preparations which enabled him to build up a business that is almost unparalleled in its extent and success.

In 1855 his brother, Frederick Ayer, became his partner in the concern. His business tact, energy, and executive ability, coupled with the doctor's professional talent, gave a new impetus to the business.

This establishment, attractive to travellers because of its world-wide reputation, has been visited by many foreign potentates, who have admired the magnitude of its proportions and the extent of its facilities.

June 19, 1842, John Tyler, President of the United States, visited Lowell. He was accompanied by Abbott Lawrence, Isaac Hill, John Tyler, Jr., and others. There was a procession, in which appeared the teachers and scholars of the high school, a citizen's cavalcade, and a military escort. The President visited the works of the Middlesex, Lowell, Boott, and Merrimack couipaiues, and ex|)ressed himself highly gratilieil with all of them.

February 20, the city council instructed the representatives to the General Court to oppose the annexation to Lowell of that part of Dracut called Centralville. The Central Bridge Company obtained an act authorizing it to rebuild tiie bridge across Merrimack River, and it was accepted, April 5, by the city council. Foot-tolls were abolished on tliis bridge, - an inducement for people employed in Lowell to reside in Dracut.

February 5, 184'4, the Prescott Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with a capital of $800,000. The persons named in the Act were Nathan Appleton, William Sturgis, and Patrick T. Jackson. Homer Bartlett, the agent until LS49, was succeeded by Frank F.- Battles from IS 1-9 to 1856, and in LS56 by William Brown. Mr. Brown died October 18, 1875, and was succeeded by Erastus Boyden, who is the present superintendent. The Prescott was united to the Massachusetts Company, in December, 18-t6, and they are now one company.

The city council, February 19, appointed a joint special committee to take into consideration the subject of establishing a city school-library. May 20, an ordinance was passed establishing the City School-Library in Lowell, and the sum of S2,0U0 was appropriated, to be added to §1,215 received from the state for that purpose. During the thirtyfive years since the establishment of the library, ending January 1, 1879, there has been appro])riated, including § 1,215 from the state, by the city council the sum of $51,150.95, which, with the receipts from various sources (S21,470.94), makes an aggregate of §72,621.89. It is estimated that the number of volumes in the library, including all works of reference, is about twenty-four thousand.

The Lowell Machine-Shop was organized as a corporation, at a meeting held in Boston March 12, 18-15, by the ciioice of Kirk Boott clerk, seven directors, John A. Lowell president, and J. Thomas Stevenson treasurer. S3()0,000 was fixed for the capital stock, and had been previously .subscribed for by fifty-five subscribers. The par value of the shares was fixed at § 500. The office of the treasurer has always been in Boston. At a meeting of the directors on the same day, William A. Burke was appointed superintendent at Lowell.

The Lowell Machine-Shop having bought of the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack Eiver their macliine-shops and foundry, with all the tools and machinery in them, also the tenement houses and land belonging to them, on the first day of April, 1845, conunenced making cotton machinery, mill-gearing, and castings. At the present time (1879) the authorized capital is §1,000,000, and the capital stock, as voted by the stockholders and paid in, is §600,000.

The Proprietors of the Locks and Canals, previous to 1845, built and equipped with machinery all the cotton-mills, with the exception of two, then in operation in Lowell ; but since then nearly all the- machinery, turbine water-wheels, and millgearing have been furnished by the Lowell Machine-Shop. The Locks and Canals Company were among the first in this country to build locomotives, and the Lowell Machine-Shop continued the ! manufacture to some extent ; they also made steamengines, boilers, and machinists' tools. This class of machinery was discontiimed a few years since. Li 1858 the shop began building paper machinery of the difl"erent kinds in use, and it is now one of the departments of its manufacture. Besides the machinery made for the cotton-mills in Lowell, very large quantities liave been and are furnished to other mills in the New England States, and to quite a number of the smaller mills in the Southern States.

J. Huntington Wolcott, Esq., is president of tlie corporation ; J. Thomas Stevenson, Esq., was the treasurer from the first, till his death in August, 1876. To the strictest integrity in all his dealings lie joined a rare ability as a business man.

May 5, the city council authorized the purchase of land for two commons. TJie South Common contains about twenty acres, and cost §17,954.98. The North Common contains about ten acres, and cost §12,857.59.

Pentucket Lodge of Masons, organized in 1807, after a checkered experience, in j\Iarch, 1834, held the last " recorded" meeting. " The charter, jewels, and property of tiie lodge were surrendered to the Grand Lodge, the furniture divided among the brethren, or sold at auction, and a long, dark night settled down upon masonry in Lowell." Li 1845 this was succeeded by brighter promises. A meeting was held July 14, at which measures were taken to resuscitate the lodge, and " September 10, Jesse Phelps, Daniel Balch, Joshua Swan, Colburn Blood, Jr., Eansom Keed, Jeff'erson Bancroft, and Joel Adams petitioned the Grand Lodge for a restoration of the charter of Pentucket Lodge, its jewels and its property." This jietition was granted, and it was reopened September 16, at the dwellinghouse of Jesse Phelps, on the Merrnnack Corporation. October I, the meeting was held for the first time in Wentworth's Hall.

March 10, 18i6, the former members of Mount Horeb Eoyal Arch Chapter petitioned for a restoration of their charter, which had been revoked in 1840. This petition was granted, and the first meeting was held April 6, 1846.

Jane 19, 1852, a dispensation was granted for a new lodge, called the Ancient York, and Jefferson Bancroft was appointed Master. The charter bears date June 9, 1853.

December 9, 1856, a charter was granted for the resuscitation of the Ahasuerus Council. This, originally a "self-constituted" body, was established July 6, 1826.

In addition to the above there were the Lowell Lodge of Perfection, the Lowell Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and the Mount Calvary Chapter of Rose Croix, and Massachusetts Consistory thirtytwo degrees. The consistory was removed to Boston in 1871. Charters were obtained for these between 1857 and 1862.

The last meeting held in Masonic Hall on John Street was January 31, 1872. The number of members of the different lodges at that time was: Pentucket 265, Ancient York 196, Kilwinning 43, William North HI, - total 615.

February 13, 1872, the lodges dedicated the new Masonic Temple, erected by liocum Hosford, Esc[., on Merrimack Street ; on which occasion R. W. William Sewall Gardner delivered an address, from which (lie above facts in regard to Masonry in Lowell have been gleaned.

This year the Rev. H. A. Miles ])ublislied a little handbook, entitled Lowell us II Wan and an Tl h. It was very much needed at that time, giving information Ihat had been can-fidl\ gnlhcriMl from the best aiilliorilifs, and is <-(iiisiilcivi] >iririlv reliable.

February 2, 1846, the city council passed an order remonstrating against a petition to the legislature asking for the annexation of that part of Dracut called Centralville.

Jefferson Bancroft was mayor this year. He was born in Warwick, Mass., April 30, 1803. The Exchange Coffee House on Lowell Street, the store now occupied by Cook and Taylor on Central Street, and the first dwelling-house built on Tyler Street were erected by him. He purchased of the Locks and Canals Company the Stone House, and leased it to Major Samuel A. Coburn. When that gentleman relinquished it, he changed it from a hotel to a private dwelling-house. Eventually it went into the possession of Dr. J. C. Ayer.

When President Polk visited Lowell, June 30, 1847, Mayor Bancroft said, among other things, " Although I have the honor, as mayor of the city, to welcome you among us to-day, some twenty years ago I commenced my career here, and was a long time employed as an operative in yonder mills."

Nathan Crosby received the appointment of judge of the police court in May, and has continued, from that time to the present, to discharge the arduous duties of the position acceptably.

The Hamilton Manufacturing Company, finding that their purchases of cloths for printing were inferior in quality, erected a new mill on the bank of the canal in which to manufacture their own printing cloths. A.\m\ 17, the wall of the newmill towards the canal fell with a crash, filling the canal with the debris.

A new carpet-mill, built for the power-looms, covering over three quarters of an acre of ground, being two hundred and seventy-two feet long, one hundred and thirty-eight feet wide, one story above the basement, was commenced this year.

The New or Northern Canal was commenced in June of this year. The necessity of this canal was felt, from the fact that so many mills were drawing on the old canal. The loss of head, after running a few hours in the morning, was about five feet, compelling the mills to run at a low speed the remainder of the day. The length of this canal is five thousand feet. The water-way is one hundred feet witle and fifteen feet dee]). Water was let into it Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1847.

The subterranean canal under Worthen Street unites the waters of the New Canal with the old Merrimack Canal, thus giving all the mills located on the latter a more reliable supply. Its length is about one quarter of a mile, width thirty feet, and depth ten feet. It cost about §100,000.

The people of Ireland this year (1847) were threatened with starvation, and our country, with a generous liberality, contributed for their relief. Meetings were held in this city, committees organized, and $1,990 contributed for the relief of the sufferers.

May 11, the county commissioners purchased a lot of land on Gorham Street, Chapel Hill, for the new court-house, at ten cents per foot, and also five acres of land of Ransom Eeed at S800 per acre, on which to locate the jail, or house of correction.

September 12, Patrick Tracy Jackson died at his seaside residence in Beverly. He was born at Newburyport, August 14, 1780, the youngest son of the Hon. Jonathan Jackson. From 1812 to 1817 the life of Mr. Jackson is so interwoven with that of Francis C. Lowell, that to know one is to know both. They were engaged in the same pursuits, and labored for the same end. Being deprived of the co-operation of Mr. Lowell, who died in 1817, there was no hesitation, no drawing back on his part. The experience he had acquired, united with his sagacity, eminently fitted him for the position of manager iu carrying forward to completion the plans he had the genius to form. From 1831 to the time of his death the history of Lowell is his history.

The slow process of teaming and boating merchandise from Boston to Lowell and back, tlie inconvenience of being blockaded with snow in winter or delayed by heavy rain-storms in summer, must give way to a more expeditious method, and the Boston and Lowell Railroad was planned and built. To do this, surveying had to be done, estimates to be made, eminent engineers consulted, the objections of opponents answered, friends assured, grumblers pacified, delays explained, and money subscribed. All this Mr. .Jackson accomplished.

had depreciated, Jlr. Jackson was placed at the head of tliat company, and succeeded in bringing back its palmiest days. This enhanced his previous reputation, and no great public enterprise was undertaken without consulting him. During the last few years of his life he was treasurer and agent of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company at Somersworth, New Hampshire. Bad judgment and injudicious management had made it an unprofitable concern. The changes lie made and the capabilities he developed soon brought about a different result. The strain, however, was great; tlie care and responsibility proved too much for his physical strength. After a year or two the effects were exhibited in a gradual prostration. When attacked by dysentery in the summer of 1847, he sunk under it. His biography, written by his friend, John A. Lowell, enters more fully into the beauty and consistency of his character. He possessed a nice sense of honor, was governed by an enliglitened conscience, and distinguished by a cheerfulness and benevolence that attracted and won all with whom he came in contact.

October 30, the City Institution for Savings was organized. The Appleton Bank was incorporated this year, with a capital of §100,000, since increased to §300,000.

Ayer's New City is the name given to one of the suburbs of Lowell. Daniel Ayer was its founder. He purchased the land, a sandy plain near Hale's Brook, laid out streets and lots, obtained a plan, and had a monster auction sale, enticing attendance by the promise of a barbecue, that is, an ox roasted whole. The occasion drew a crowd of people, but the unsavory smell spoiled their appetites. Ayer went into chancery in 1844, owing money to a number of persons ; but he eventually paid them.

Tlie reservoir on Lynde's Hill, in Tewksbury, was built by the companies tiiis year under the superintendence of J. B. Francis. It is about one and one half miles from the city hall. The top of the embankment is 190 feet above the water-level in the upper canals. The depth of the reservoir is 18 feet, with 12 feet of water, giving the water in the reservoir a height of 184 feet. The reservoir is 174 feet square at the top and 102 feet at the bottom. When full it contains 1,201,641 imperial gallons.

shop by a pump driven by a breast-wlieel. The object of the reservoir is to supply water in case of fire, when tlic canals are drawn off, to feed steam-boilers, and for the use of boarding-houses.

September 11, tlie prevalence of the cholera created much alarm. The number that had died in Lowell, previous to date, was seventy-one, of wliich fifty-two were buried in the Catholic burying-ground.

September 12, Father Matthew visited Lowell, lectured in the city hall and in some of the Catholic churches. Over four thousand of his countrymen signed the pledge during his stay.

Captain William Wyman proposed to erect an observatory on Lynde's Hill in Belvidere. This hill is over two hundred feet higher than the waterlevel in the canals. He obtained a lithographic plate of the observatory, commenced soliciting subscriptions, and put in the foundation, wiiich remains the only evidence of his patriotic intentions.

The ])rocess of kyanizing timber was commenced by J. B. Francis, the agent of the Locks and Canals Company. It is a preservative of wood against wet and dry rot, attacks from insects, and the adherence of animal and vegetable matter. The material is chloride of zinc in solution, containing fifty-five per cent of dry chlorine.

December 9, the question, " Is it expedient that the part of Dracut called Centralville be annexed to the city of Lowell, according to the petition of L. G. Howe and others ? " was voted upon ; yeas H.51, nays 1153. Notwithstanding this vnte, the bill before the legislature was passed, to be engrossed February 27, 1851, and approved by tiie governor the next day. The addition to Lowell was about three fourths of a square mile.

January 21, 1851, the governor and rouncil a])- pointed Fisher A. ilildrcth slieriiV for the county of iVIiddlesex. General William llildreth of Dracut, his ancestor, was sheriff in IS 13; he was succeeded by General N. Austin of Charlestown, B. F. Varnum of Dracut, and General Chandler of I>exington. Fisher A. Hildrcth was succeeded by John S. Kcycs of Concord, Charles Kimball of Littleton, and Ebcn Fiske the present incumbent.

This year the manufacturing companies found it necessary to economize in the use of water. The old breast-wheels, having a diameter of from thirteen to thirty feet, and a length of twelve feet, that had been in use from 1823 to 1845, were being replaced by turbine-wheels. The breastwheels were held in high estimation, but required an extravagant use of water. The water used did not give more than sixty per cent of the power. The first turbine-wheel was put in at the Appletou Company's Works in 1839.

May 22, 1852, the proposition to build a hall in connection with the Boston and Lowell Railroad Company's depot on Merrimack Street was adopted by the city council, and a committee chosen with full power to make the contract and carry out the plan. The result was Huntington Hall and Jackson Hall.

April 22, the great freshet occurred. The Merrimack rose thirteen and one half feet on the dam at Pawtucket Falls. Stones were placed on Pawtucket Bridge to prevent its demolition. Concord River Bridge was barricaded. In Belvidere, on Davidson, Wall, and Howe streets, nearly all the houses were surrounded by water ; some of them to the depth of four or five feet. Stott's mills, the surrounding workshops, and the Prescott Company's block were deep in the water. Tiie bar-room of the City Hotel had three feet of water in it.

All the houses on the low lands in Centralville were flooded, and the families in them were obliged to move out. The yards of the Middlesex, Prescott, Massachusetts, Boott, and Lawrence companies were overflowed, also the lower rooms in their mills.

The premises of Coburn Blood, in Dracut, were flooded ; he saved his cattle by swimming them to dry land. He was ninety-three years old, and never knew the Avater so high before. The trains on the Stony Brook and Northern Railroads were stop])ed. The foresight of J. B. Francis in rebuilding the grand locks became evident when the water reached its highest point. The large gate was lowered for the first time.

June 1, 1853, the Wamesit l?ank was organized, with a capital that lias since been increased to $250,000. It went into operation November 1.

November 1, George Wellman invented one of the simplest and yet most important improvements to the carding-machine, called the " self top-stripper."