Middleton Town (part 1 of 2)

Middleton Town

Lawrence National Bank, upon its organization in 1872, and in 1878 he was elected its president, and still holds the position. He is also one of the trustees and first vice-president of the Broadway Savings Bank.

He is one of the original stockholders of the Merrimack Valley Horse Railroad, and has been one of its directors since its organization, and is at present the largest stockholder.

Aaron Ordway

Among men who, during a long residence in Lawrence, have exhibited strongly marked individuality and intense activity in business and in general affairs. Dr. Aaron Ordway is a prominent veteran. A powerful ally in any cause he espoused, he has been, also, a wily and determined enemy to schemes and plans that he found well-grounded reason to oppose.

He came to the city in 1847, having previously been a trader in general merchandise at Springfield, Mass., and a practicing physician in Rumney, N. H. For twenty years, after coming, he was one of the busiest physicians of the city, and, for a long time, added to professional duties a thriving retail drug business. Faithful care of these interests called for uninterrupted action, and the doctor's temperament and physique fitted him to throw a vast amount of energy into the conduct of his private business, and yet continue active in matters of public concern, as a private citizen and as an alderman during two terms of service. So active was his life that his fellow-citizens wondered when he slept and rested, for he was the last man seen on the street or at business at night and the first abroad in the morning. Later in life he became financially interested in timber-lands and in the manufacture of lumber, and was at one time president of Brown's Lumber Company, of Whitefield, in Northern New Hampshire, and also of the Whitefield and Jefferson Railroad, in the same locality.

In religious matters Dr. Ordway has never been committed to any form of doctrine or wording of creeds, because of others' declaration, having well-grounded faith and opinion of his own, but he has liberally assisted many a struggling church and society in time of financial strait. He has also been a persistent and unswerving friend of the City Hospital.

In politics Dr. Ordway has been a party man of the intensest kind when he believed his party right, holding that right cannot be too boldly asserted or vigorously advocated; nevertheless, he could see a party desert its principles without joining in the stampede. He was a pioneer among early Abolitionists and an active sympathizer with the boldest reformers, whether in the anti-slavery or woman's suffrage cause. Long-continued intensity of action has undermined and broken a strong constitution and hardy physique, and, at the the age of seventy-four, he is an invalid, yet his courage is unabated and his mind unclouded.

In his active days his favor was much courted and his opposition feared by aspirants for political honors. Never on the fence or slow to declare himself, he was, in politic.^, as in all else, a determined opponent and a fast friend. It was said by some, that, when he appeared in a political contest as a cavalryman with a sorrel charger there was terror in the host he opposed.

He was born in Hebron, N. H., May 4, 1814. His father, Stephen Ordway, went from Amesbury, Mass., in childhood, to Dunbarton, N. H. From thence, at nineteen years, he removed to the northern plantation of " Cockamouth " (afterwards called Hebron), there founding a home, where he lived to the age of ninety-three years. John Ordway, brother of Stephen and uncle of the subject of this sketch, was the clerk and historian of the Lewis and Clark Exploring Expedition, an enterprise that opened up hitherto unknown regions of the West in the early years of the century and made the participants therein famous in American History.

Dr. Ordway married, for his first wife, Mary M. Kelley, of New Hampton, N. H., and four children survive her; for his second wife, he married Mary Ann Kelley, of Franklin, N. H., and with her he is enjoying as much of rest and quiet as broken health allows.

November, 1639 To 1887

In compiling tliis work (for I do not claim to he author), I have selected material according to my best judgment. If no Aiult is found I shall accomplish that which no other one to my knowledge hag ever done before in a town history. Nearly every town in the county has a published history by some qualified author, but nothing worthy of such a title has ever been produced of this town, therefore I am left without any help, and your charitable judgment I implore.

In making up chapters some repetitions occur of persons and places, which are unavoidable ; some mistakes in dates no doubt have been madei though not very far away from the truth. In many cases it has been almost impossible to find the exact times and places of even some of the most important events. - . - .

This town is about five miles long from north to south, and about three miles wide, bounded north by Andover and North Andover, west by North Reading, south by Danvers and east by Topsfield and Boxford. The larger part of the town is on the left bank of Ipswich River, which runs from southwest to northeast. Another principal stream is Beech Brook, named from the original beech trees along its bank. Its rise is in Andover, and its mouth is near the boxmill of J. B. Thomas, into Ipswich River. Pout

Pond Brook is an outlet of Swan Pond, in North Reading ; its mouth is near the knife-factory buildings, into Ipswich River ; and there are other small streams of less note.

The largest body of water has always been called Middleton Pond, which now supplies Danvers as well as our village, with the best of water. Pout Pond is on Pout Pond Brook, a sunken hole said to be the centre of the town. There are also other small bodies of water.

The most elevated land, Will's Hill, named from the last Indian inhabitant, who lived and died upon its summit, and whose squaw survived till after the town was incorporated, - and Bear Hill, near Topsfield line.

In population the village has largely increased within the last fifty years, while other portions have remained nearly the same, and in some parts gone back.

This town was settled sixty-eight years before the act of incorporation. After passing those years, both the civil and ecclesiastical history commence. We then take up the latter and pursue it up to the present time, and then resume the civil history, after which, items of interest.

1639. This town was an unbroken wilderness, save an Indian plantation near the great pond. Richard Bellingham's grant, dated November 5, 1639, says : "in it is a pond ^ and an Indian plantation." This grant contained seven hundred acres. Some years previous to this time it is supposed that there were two other large Indian plantations, one at the east side on the plains, and one east of the house of H. A. Stiles ; at these locations many Indian implements from time to time have been found.

Other grants followed that of Bellingham's ; of Major General Daniel Dennison, of Ipswich, east of Bellingham's, running north, followed by Henry Bartholomew, near New Meadows, now Topsfield. These grants from General Court covered the larger portion of the present town.

The very first settler within the present limits of the town was William Nichols, in 1651, near William Peabody's, then New Meadows, from whom came two of our church ofiicers; and. all, so far as we know, by that name, many of whom have blessed the world and bear an honor to the name.

This William Nichols bought two hundred acres of Henry Bartholomew, mostly beyond the " six-mile extent " (meaning the circuit or swing-round bounds of Salem, which reached a half-mile south of our present village). William Nichols lived to the age

Bray Wilkins came from Wales and was among the first to land in this State. He was a very enterprising man, and of great vigor of constitution, and for many years was licensed as boatman on Naponset River, and to charge a penny a person. He subsequently moved to Lynn, Mass., and was engaged in some way in the iron business. Then, in 1659, he entered upon the bold operation (with his brother-in-law, John Gingle), of buying out the claim of Bellingham, amounting to seven hundred acres, paying therefore tAvo hundred and fifty pounds and a ton of bar-iron. But with a strong constitution and six stout sons, with the help of Gingle, a tailor by trade, and two trusty kinsmen, Aaron Way and William Ireland, conveyed to them good farms. Aaron Way's houses were on the site of the old Estys tavern, now standing; subsequently Mr. Wilkins purchased more than he had sold, and yet, in 1676, the mortgage given to Bellingham was discharged, and his sons had bought out Gingle, and the work was done, says Upham.

It is curious to note that Bellingham inserted in Wilkins' deed that if minerals were found on this claim he was to pay him, or his heirs, ten pounds per year more.

Bray Wilkins' father was Lord John Wilkins, of Wales, and the family had borne many honorable titles and is traced back to 1090, or nearly eight centuries. Wilkins died 1702, aged ninety-seven.

On Dennison's claim was found iron-ore, and a mill was erected on the site of the knife-factory ; and Thomas Fuller, an Englishman, who came over about 1638, and had resided in Cambridge, was engaged by Dennison to run the mill, and subsequently became owner in 1663, and erected his dwelling on the site of the house now owned by Charles O. Frost ; and his little blacksmith-shop stood across the brook, called Piercies Brook, near the present tomb - the foundation can be now seen.

This iron-puddling mill remained in the Fuller family, in company with the Cave family, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr. 0. L. Carltton for many years, and was subsequently set on fire, as is supposed, and destroyed by one of the parties to the ownership, then in a quarrel.

The wealth of this Thomas Fuller and his enterprising spirit and sound judgment gave to his posterity good positions in society, which have been sustained wherever they have been scattered over the world.

He had three wives. He died June 3, 1698. He came to this country on a tour of observation, intending to return in one year, but was converted under the preaching of Rev. Thomas Shepard, of Cambridge, Mass., on account of which he wrote some verses, the last of which is as follows :

The farms of the earlier settlers for some years were but imperfectly fenced and their cattle and flocks were watched by herdsmen, assisted by boys and girls. The court decreed that in every town the chosen men are to take care of such " as are sett to keep cattle that they sett some other employment withall, as spinning upon the rock, knitting & weaving tape, &c., that boyes and girls be not suffered to convers together."

Before the incorporation of this town, which was sixty-eight years after Wilkins bought Bellingham's claim, several occurrences took place which we shall mention. Wilkins, and those owning under him, were, in 1661, annexed to Salem Village, which gives the long and peculiar shape to the village boundaries, and there, where the witchcraft delusion began, they attended church and were identified with that people.

The families of Wilkins and Fuller increased rapidly, and with others who had moved in, it is supposed that in 1692 the population had increased to nearly three hundred. At the above date Francis Elliott lived a little west of the red house near the cemetery, and William Way who, with his wife Percy, united with the church at Salem "Village May 12, 1680, lived in H house, the remnant of the cellar of which is seen just opposite the house of the late Addison Tylor. These houses, however, came within the bounds of Rowley Village, now Boxford, but nearly all the settlers as far away as William Nichols' farm came under the name of Will's Hill men. The line of Rowley crossed the river forty rods above Indian Bridge on a northwest course, passed in front of William Way's house, thence by Pout Pond to Beech Brook, where two brooks meet below the house of Mr. Ogden.

This little settlement became greatly disturbed by the witchcraft delusion, and one man of no little note was selected as a victim and hung on Gallows Hill, Salem, and here we insert the proceedings from Upham's work as a part of our own history : -

Trial Of John Willard

"May 10, 1692, a warrant was issued against John Willard, ' husbandman ' to be brought to Thomas Beadle's house in Salem. On the 12th John Putnam, Jr., constable, made return that he had been 'to the house of the usual abode of John Willard and made search for him, and in several other places and houses, but could not find him,' and that his relations and friends said ' that to their best knowledge he was fled.' On the 15th a warrant was issued to the marshal of Essex, and the constable or constables within this their majesty's colony or territory of Massachusetts, iu New England, requiring them to apprehend said Willard ' if he may be found in your precincts, who stands charged with sundry acts of wichcraft, by him done or committed on the bodies of Bray Wilkins and Samuel Wilkins, the sou of Henry Wilkins, and others, upon complaint made by Thomas Fuller, Jr., and Benjamin Wilkins, Sr., yeoman, who, being found, you are to convey from town to town, from constable to constable, . . . to be prosecuted according to the direction of Constable John Putnam, of Salem Village, who goes with the same.' On the ISth of May Constable Putnam brought in WillarJ, and delivered him to the nugistrates. He was seized in Grotou. There is no record of his examination, but we gather from the papers on file the following facts relating to this interesting case : It is said that Willard had been called upon to aid in the arrest, custody and bringing in of persons accused, in acting as deputy-constable; and from his observation of the deportment of tlie prisoners, and from all he heard and saw, his sympathies became excited in tlieir behalf, and he expressed in more or less terms his disapprobation of the proceedings. He seems to have considered all hands concerned in the business - accusers, accused, magistrates and people - as alike bewitched. One of the witnesses against him deposed that he said in a ' discourse ' at the house of a relati\e, - ' Hang them ; they are all witches.' In consequence of this kind of talk, in which he indulged as early as April, he incurred the ill-will of the parties engaged in the prosecutions, and it was whispered about that he was himself in the diabolical confederacy. He was a grandson of Bray Wilkins, and the mind of the old man became prejudiced against him, and most of his family connections and neighbors partook of the feeling. When Willard discovered that such rumors were in circulation against him, he went to his grandfather for counsel and the aid of his prayers. He met with a cold reception, as appeared by the deposition of the old man, as follows : ' When John Willard was first complained of by the afflicted persons for afflicting of them, he came to my house, greatly troubled, desired me, with some other neighbors, to pray for him. I told him I was then going from home and could not stay, but if I could come home before night, I should not be willing. But it was near night before I came home and so I did not answer his desire, but I heard no more of him upon that account. Whether my not answering his desire did not ofTduJ him, I cannot tell, but I was jealous afterwards that it did.' 'Willard soon after made an engagement to go to Boston on election week with Henry Wilkins, Jr. A son of said Henry Wilkins, named Daniel, a youth of seventeen years of age, who had heard the stories against Willard, and believed them all, remonstrated with his father against going to Boston with Willai'd, and seemed much distressed at the thought, saying, among other things, - 'It were well if the said Willard were hanged.' Old Bray Wilkins must go to election, too, and so started off on horseback - the only mode of travel then practicable, from Will's Hill to Winnesimit Ferry - with his wife on a pillion behind him. He was eighty-two yeareof age, and she probably not much less ; for she had been the wife of his youth. The old couple undoubtedly had an active time that week in Boston. It was a great ovation, and the whole country flocked iu to partake in the ceremonies and services of the anniversary. On Election day, with his wife, he rode out to Dorchester to dine at the house of his brother. Lieutenant Richard W^ay. Deodat Lawson and his new wife, and several more, join them at the table. Before sitting down Henry Wilkins and John Willard also came In. Willard, perhap.?, did not feel very agreeably towards bis grandfather at the time for having shown an nnwillingness to pray with him. The old man saw, or imagined he saw, a very unpleasant expression in Willard's countenance. To my, apprehension, he looked after such a sort upon me as I never before discerned iu any. The long and hard travel, the fatigues and excitements of election week, were too much for the old man, tough and rugged as he w;is; and a severe attack of a complaint, to which persons of his age are often subject, came on. He experienced great sufferings, and, as he expressed it, ' was like a man on a rack.'

"I told my wife immediately that I was afraid that Willard had done wrong; my pain continuing, and finding no relief, my jealousy continued. Mr. Lawson and others there were all amazed, and knew not what to do for me. There was a woman accounted skilful came, hoping to help me, and after she had used means, she asked me whether none of those evil persons had done me damage. I said I could not say they had, but I was sore afraid they had. She answered she did fear so, too. As near as I can remember, ' I lay in this case three or four days at Boston, and afterward, with the jeopardy of my life (as I thought), I came home.' On his return he found his grandson, the same Daniel who had warned Henry Wilkins against going to Boston with John Willard, on his death-bed, in great suffering. Another attack of his own malady came on. There was gruat consternation in the neighborhood, and throughout the village. The devil and his confederates, it was thought, were making an awful onslaught upon the people at Will's Hill. Parris and others rushed to the scene. Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcot were carried up to tell who it was that was bewitching old Bray, and young Daniel, and others of the Wilkinses who had caught the contagion and were experiencing or imagining all sorts of bodily ails. Tliey were taken to the room where Daniel was approaching his death agonies ; and they botli affirmed that they saw the spectres of old Mrs. BiK-kley and Jolin Willard upon liis throat and upon his breast, and pressed him and choked him ; and the cruel operation, they insisted upon it, continued until the hoy died. The girls were carried to the bedroom of the old man, who was in great suffering; and, when they entered, the quettion was put by the anxious and excited friends in the chamber to Mercy Lewis, whether she saw anything. She said, yes ; ' they are looking for John Willard.' Presently she pretended to have caught sight of his apparition, and exclaimed, ' there he is upon his grandfather's belley.' This was thought wonderful, indeed, for, as the old man says in a deposition he drew uj) afterwards, ' At that time I was in grevious pain in the small of my belly.' Mrs. Ann Putnam had her story to tell about John Willard. Its substance is seen in a deposition drawn up about the same time, and is in the same vein as her testimony in other cases, presenting a problem to be solved by those who can draw the line between semi-insane hallucination and downright fabrication.

" ' The sliape of Samuel Fuller and Lydia Wilkins tliis day told me at my own house by the bedside who appeared in a winding-sheet, that if I did not go and tell Mr. Hathorne that John Willard had murdered them, they would tear' me to pieces. I knew them when they were living, and it was exactly thnir resemblance and shape. And, at the same time, the apparition of John Willard told me that he had killed Samue' Fuller, Lydia Wilkins, Goody Shaw and Fuller's second wife, and Aaron Way's child, and Ben Fuller's child, and this deponant's child Sarah, six weeks old, and Philip Kniglit's child, with tlie help of William Hobbs, and Jonathan Knight's child and two of Ezekiel Cheevers children with the hel]> of William Hobbs ; Anne Eliot and Isaac Nichols with the help of William Hobbs ; and if Blr. Hathorne would not believe them, - tha* is, Samuel Fuller and Lydia Wilkins, perhaps they would appear to the magistrates. Joseph Fuller's apparition the same day also came to me, and told me that Goody Covey had killed him. The spectre aforesaid told me that vengeance, vengeance, was cried by said Fuller. This relation is true, Ann Putnam.'

"It appears by such pajiers as aro to be found relating to Willard's case, that a coroner's .jury was held over the body of Daniel Wilkins, o' which Nathaniel Putnam was foreman.

" It is much to be regretted that the linding of that jury is lost. It wo\ild be a real curiosity. That it was very decisive to the point, af. firmed by Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcot. That Daniel was choaked and strangled by the spectres of John Willard and Goody Buckley is ap parent from the manner in which Bray Wilkins speaks of it. In an ar" gument Iietween him and some persons who were expressing their con_ fidence in tliat John Willard was an innocent man he sought to relieve himself from responsibility for Willard's conviction by saying, 'It wag not I, nor my son Benjamin Wilkins, but the the testimony of the af_ flicted persons, and the jury concerning the mui-der of my grandson. Danitl Wilkins, that would fake away his life, if anything did.'

"Mr. Parris, of course, was in the midst of these proceedings at Will's Hill ; attended the visits of the afflicted girles when they went to ascertain who were the witches murdering youn^ Daniel Wilkins and torturing the old man ; was present, no doubt, at the solemn examination and investigations of the sages who sat as a jury of inquest over the former, and, in all likelihood, made, as usual, a written report of the same. As soon as he got hack to his house he discharged his mind and indorsed the verdict of the coroner's jury by this characteristic insertion in his church records : ' Dan Wilkins, bewitched to death.' The very next entry relates to a case of which this obituaiy line in Mr. Parris' church book is the only intimation that has come down to us. 'Daughter to Anne Douglas by witchraft I doubt not.' Willard's examination was at Beadle's, on the 18th. With this deluge of accusations and tempest of indignation beating upon bim, he had but little chance, and was committed. While the marshals and constables were in pursuit of Willard, the time was well improved by the prosecutors." - Upham.

This is a part of our town history, and gives a very good idea of the prevailing sentiment on the public mind in regard to withcraft at that time.

John Willard appears to have been an honest and amiable person, an industrious farmer, having a comfortable estate, with a wife and three young children. He was called grandson of Bray Wilkins, but whether by marriage or blood relation we know not. He came from Groton ; and whether he was a brother or relative of Eev. Samuel Willard, of Boston, it is lor the local antiquaries to discover. If so it would add still greater interest to this narrative. Margaret, the widow of John Willard, married William Towne.

1700. - Ebenezer Stiles (son of Robert, who married Elizabeth Fry October 4, 1660, came from Yorkshire, England, with Rev, Ezekiel Rogers), came from Boxford (born on the site of Deacon Covvles' house), and bought a tract of land of "Lawrence Lacy, of Andover, and in the township of Andover, four-score rods long and three-score rods wide." Lacy, in deeding it to Stiles, says it is the same that I had of the town of Andover for "quality." Duality, a state of being two, most of the laud is still owned by his dscendants. He was the first of the name settled here (his house stood oa the left bank of Beech Brook, cellar now seen), and with his son Ebenezer, Jr., helped form the church here in the new town in 1729, his house just coming within its bounds. This son Ebenezer married Sarah Howe April 23, 1733, and built the house now standing, owned by H. A. Stiles, brother of the writer.

In this same neighborhood, soon after, was Timothy Perkins, now G. H. Tufts' place (this house perhaps the oldest in town), and further down that of Joseph Fuller, grandson of Thomas - house now standing called the old Fuller farm-house, and quite ancient.

As this town belonged in four parts to other towns before incorporated, it is only by great labor that these far away days' doings can be brought to light, mixed as they are, with the records of other places and people. The house of Bray Wilkins stood near the end of the walk, as it comes down the hill near the Emerson house, on Pond Road. An old house was taken down by Maj. Solomon Wilkins (near the Weston place), supposed to have been very old, and for many generations the home of Bray Wilkins' descendants, also the Thomas house, near by, belonged to this Wilkins family, and is very ancient.

The house in which Mr. George A. Currier now lives was built about 1710, by a son or grandson of the first Thomas Fuller ; also the gambrel-roof house near by was the home of Timothy Fuller's son, and is older than the town. There was an old. house a little south of the Esq. Daniel Fuller house, occupied by the Fuller's descendants of the first Robert.

The Peabodies and Symonds families resided in the east part of the town. Three brothers (Peabody's), as follows: Samuel M. Peabody place, Augu-stus Curtis place and John Averill place. Samuel Symonds was on the box-factory place many years before the town was incorporated, and remained in the family till within forty years. Samuel H. Wilkins' house belonged to the Elliot family, and east of this was John Willard's, the victim of witchcraft.

father of Esquire Asa Howe, who was the grandfather of said Asa, now upon the place. Just beyond this place (the cellar is now seen) was the residence of Isaac Berry, brother of Nathaniel Berry, grandfather of the late Deacon Allen Berry.

On the cross-road, a little east of the farm of David Richardson, (whose house and building were recently burned), was a farm owned by a Berry famih', all of whom died of small-pox; the buildings tumbled down; no one cared to go near the place. Their remains were buried in the corner of the field on the other side of the road. The disease was conveyed to them by their dog from Andover, at the house of Peter Towne, (the house is now standing); whose wife died with the small-pox, which is supposed to have been given her in a pinch of snuff by a rejected lover. The Berrys owned a wood-lot a little beyond this house and the dog, in company with the team, rolled as is supposed, on some of the waste thrown out at the back-door. This occurred more than a century ago.

The town records of Topsfield, July 2d, 1728. To see what the town will do concerning the families that have petitioned not to be set off to Will's Hill, (their names), Thomas Robinson, Job Averill, John Cummings and Daniel Towne (the latter probably was the one chosen for schoolraa^ter), which might have a good influence at that time, to bring them into the town limits, though for some yeai'S Topsfield pretended to claim to the foot of the hill, by the road below the house of Mr, George P. Wilkins. All these families resided in the ne'ghborhood of Nichols' Brook. There are quite a number of cellar holes now seen in this portion of the town.

North and west of this Nichols Brook settlement, was Boxford, which lost by the setting off of Middleton, six hundred acres of land, and one hundred of their population. Incorporation of Middleton, June 20th, 1728.

The original charter has recently been found, though in three pieces, can yet be read ; it is written in a bold and elegant hand. After briefly stating the boundary lines, two years are allowed " to procure a suitable place for the worship of God, and likewise to settle a learned orthodox minister, and hire a scho )l-master to instruct their young."

The town met (as they then had a suitable place), at the house of Dr. Daniel Felch, (cellar now seen opposite house of the late Addison Tyler). (Formerly this place was owned by William Way).

This charter was presented to the people by Jonathan Fuller (a grandson of Thomas). Two years previous to this time the bounds of the town had been contemplated, and probably made for the action of the court to grant their prayer for to be organized into a town, and had mutually engaged in putting up an oak frame building for a place of worship forty feet square and about twenty-two feet post ; the frame stood several years before being covered, as the location did not give entire satisfaction, but subsequently " voted to finish our meeting-house where it now stands," yet it was in bad condition till 1731, and even up to 1802, the house was in the form of a barn with only a few windows, with no inner doors, or porche-i, or plasterinsr, save the walls, which were plastered to the gable-ends, with no plastering over-head, till the latter date. During this time the great braces of oak timber remained, which went from the floor to the posts about midway up, then another long brace from the same mortice in the post up to the great beam overhead, and these beams or plates were only eight feet distance apart, which with all thc'^e braces must have caused the interior of the house to biok like a dense wood lot. Doubtless a j-mall boy could lay close upon one of these braces undiscovered by the tithing man through the service. The wall pews were sold when the house was first occupied, and the seats in the body of the house gave w^ay to pews in 1802, when there were added, the porches, new windows and a sounding-board or canopy, and all was newly painted, even the roof, after which it went to decay, and was bought by the writer forty years ago, and taken down.

The First Minister. - A meeting was called Tuesday, the 16th day of November, 1729. Lieutenant Thomas Fuller was chosen moderator, and the answer of Rev. Andrew Peters to the town accepted, and the second Wednesday in November appointed for ordination. A committee was chosen to join wiih Mr. Peters in the choice of some neighboring elders to assist in the ordination.

" Voted, to support the charges of ordination by a free contribution. Voted, to raise seven shillinfjs upon single votes to a hundred-pound vote. Mr. Peters' salary was a hundred pounds per year in province bills or passable money so long as he should continue his work among us, and that his salary shall rise or fall as money shall."

The town met again the 23d of October (1729), and chose David Kenney moderator ; Francis Eliott, Sargeant Jonathan Fuller, Isaac Wilkins and Daniel Kenney to receive both money and provisions for the ordination ; the house of Jonathan Fuller appointed for entertainment of ministers and messengers, and the house of Francis Eliott for the scholars.

The next thing in order was to form a church. This took place October 22, 1729, with fifty-two members; eleven more were added the following year. From this we judge the population to have been about four hundred or four hundred and fifty. The November 26th following, Rev. Andrew Peters, a graduate of Harvard College, and son of Samuel Peters, of Andover, was settled as minister, and Daniel Towne as schoolmaster.

The ordination of a minister, which was for life, was a great event in those day?. From all the towns around they flocked to Middleton for a feast ; all doors were opened, and tables loaded with the best of good things, and it was not an uncommon thing for individuals to boast that they had called at every hou>e on the way home, and took something to eat or drink at each, and in some cases they rested on the way till their stomachs were relieved of its unwonted burden.

As near as can be ascertained, the ordination took place on the 26th day of November, 1729. Mr. Peters was then twenty-nine years of age. He remained twenty-seven years. He was a devoted minister, and the church prospered under his ministry. He died October 6, 1756, aged fifty-five years. His remains were interred in the Fuller burying-ground, and a stone marks his last resting-place- For nearly five years before his death he was unable to supply the pulpit from sickness. What his complaints were we have not learned. Very little is recorded of his wife Hannah; her name is not found on the church records. Mr. Peters w'as of a very social nature, and perhaps a little eccentric.

It is said that Mr. Peters had a negro servant that drove his muster's cows to pasture up by the pond, and at that time the road went round by the old Timothy Fuller house (now standing by the graveyard). Fuller was rather a lawless man, and often loved to bother people, especially thise whom he could intimidate. The negro complained to his master of these insults, and forthwith Mr. Peters undertook to drive the cows, and he found the hectorer of his negro and expostulated with him, but without satisfaction. Then Mr. Peters took off his coat and laid it upon a stump, saying, " Lay there divinity, while I whip a rascal," and gave him a sound thrashing. At another time, Avhen looking after his cattle near Will's Hill, he entered the hut of old Willis, the Indian (the last of his race in town), and his squaw asked him to take dinner with her. He first asked what she had ; she answered, " Skunk." Well, he thought he would not stop then, but perhaps some other time would. Not long after he again found himself under the cover of her tent or shanty, and, knowing that he loved eels, she had prepared a most tempting dish, which he did not decline, and ate heartily ; after which the old, cunning squaw came to his side and said, - " You say you no eat skunk, but you eat rattlesnake," and so he had, but without any harm, as all Indians know they are good eating.

Mr. Peters was born near the old North meetinghouse, and the cellar of his old home is now visible, and still in the Peters possession up to a late death. Mr. Peters bought the Dr. Daniel Felch place, took down the house, and built a new one back of the

After the death of Mr. Peters, for nearly three years several votes were passed by the town to supply the pulpit with some young gentleman from month to month (Dana, Brown and others preached in turns); and finally gave a call to Rev. Elias Smith (I think he was from Baintree; not sure). Mr. Smith was then thirty years of age, and was a graduate of Harvard College and a successful pastor. He was settled January 10, 1759.

We notice a vote passed to give Mr. Smith one hundred and sixty pounds lawful money for his settlement (a sort of bonus in those days), and then voted sixty-five pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence for his salary ; and at a subsequent meeting the town voted thirteen shillings, and another meeting soon after thirteen shillings more; and, to add more attractiveness to the old meeting-house, voted two pounds for repairs, and this clinched the bargain, and the ordination went on, and money was voted to be taken out of the town treasury to pay its expenses.

Mr. Smith once had a call from Marblehead, which he refused, saying, - " I would not leave my little flock in Middleton for all Marblehead." He was one of the trustees of Philips Academy, and so remained till his death, which took place October 17, 1791, aged sixty-one years. His was a ministry of nearly thirty-three years. His remains were placed in the tomb near his house. ^ Two of his daughters were school-teachers, and one of them taught in the old Fuller house, which stood a little south of the house now occupied by Jeremiah Fuller, referred to before.

Rev. Elias Smith owned the farm which belonged to the late Abijah Fuller, but his house was moved about sixty years ago to the turnpike road, and now owned by George A. Currier. This, however, is but half of the house; the other half was the same size, and stood at right angles with the othei', one facing south, the other west. Timothy Fuller owned a mill just below Smith's farm (the old dam is yet visible), which flowed the meadow in front of his house. Few men dared to tackle Fuller in the law, as he was almost always successful, and he was very often in the law, in which he had plenty of money to spend to gratify his overbearing spirit. But Mr. Smith beat him this time, to the great satisfaction of the people. Smith employed as counsel John Adams. Probably this trial took place before Adams was President of the United States.

Perhaps it would be well here to state that it was the practice in those early times in New England to seat the meeting-house (so-called) once in a year ; or

1 This tomb was built about a century ago by Captain Joseiili Peabody, of Salem (tlie millionaire), and Mr. Smith in company. Peabody married two of Smith's daughters, whose remains rest in the tomb with their father.

twice, at most. While the wall pews extended all around the house, and were sold to some of the first families in town (and occupied by their descendants till since the remembrance of the writer), the body of the house contained seats, and a committee was chosen to seat the meeting-house. First, regard was had for old age, and they were probably seated up towards the pulpit. Next in order were those who paid the highest rates. The question as to who was the richest, and, by good rights, deserved the higher seat, when so little care was taken in assessing taxes, for which no compensation was made (till within sixty years), was a most difficult question, and many were dissatisfied ; and on some dark and stormy night the seats were all torn down, and so found on the following Sabbath morning. Says an old lady (who first entered the church on Sunday morning and the first to discover the wanton act), " If judgment begin at the house of God what will the end be ? " The town met and voted to build them up ; again they came down ; now they voted to build them up, and if they come down again, each man should build up his own seat. After this they stood till 1802.

After the death of Mr. Smith, the town hired, from month to month, preachers till October 23, 1793, when they settled Rev. Solomon Adams, a graduate of Harvard College, who remained twenty years. He died September 4, 1813, aged fifty-two years. His remains rest in the tomb with his predecessor, and the last of our ministers, whose remains are found among the people of their charge.

The health of Mr. Adams failed some few years before he gave up preaching, and with great difficulty be ascended the high pulpit, by reason of a palsy shock, and an extra rail was spiked on to the great protruding timbers near the pulpit to raise himself up step by step. He would often forget the order of exercises, and put the singing in where it did not belong. During this time Deacon Benjamin Peabody (brother of old Captain Joseph, the millionaire of Salem) would read a sermon while Mr. Adams would offer the prayers and, with the help of Peabody, would conduct the other exercises.

" There is an intention of marriage, entered with me, between the Eev. Solomon Adams, of Middleton, and Miss Abigail Fiske, of Waltham, July 14th, 1794:.

Mrs. Adams and her young family the writer well remembers ; their pew in the church was the first at the foot of the pulpit stairs, which was at its righthand side. Some ten years after Mr. Adams' death the widow sold the farm to Mr. Abijah Fuller (a descendant of the first Thomas who had located on this very site one hundred and sixty-one years before), who took down half of the old house and sold the other half to be moved to the turnpike, as before mentioned, and built the house now standing, owned by Charles O. Frost. Mrs. Adams, in conveying the house and farm to Fuller, sold also the old eight-day clock, supposed to have been bought by Adams soon after his marriage. This clock remained in the family till after Mr. Fuller's death, when Mr. Edward Page, of Boston (who married a daughter of Rev. Solomon Adams, of Boston, and granddaughter of the old minister), and moved the clock to Boston, where it now gives the correct time, as it did nearly a a century ago.

Then again the town was without a minister about three years, when Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard was settled November 27, 1816, and dismissed April 30, 1828, - he remained twelve years. His salary was five hundred dollars. He owned a farm near the church, now the Richardson place. Mr. Hubbard was a very pleasant speaker, and gave great satisfaction, especially to those who liked liberal views of Christian doctrines. Long sermons were listened to by a full house, discontented ones who had signed to other places of worship out of town (for, by the law then, all all must pay a minister tax somewhere), came back, and there was a great show of prosperity outwardly, but soon the storm came, by the unwise speeches and words dropped by Mr. Hubbard, a meeting was called, and, as Mr. Hubbard was settled for life (and the last of our ministers so settled), they voted him five hundred dollars to relinquish the bargain between them.

We well remember his farewell discourse, in which he said " you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me, but now you are offended because I have told you the truth."

Mr. Hubbard was born in Marblehead, and a graduate of Harvard College of the class of 1805. He resided for some time in Ipswich, had a call from Boxford in 1808, which he refused on account of insufficient salary being offered, and subsequently settled in West Newbury in 1811. After leaving Middleton he was settled in Lunenburgh, Mass., and remained but a few years. He made the last call on us in Middleton in the spring of 1835. He had an interesting wife and family. While here he lost a son about fourteen years of age, whose remains were laid in the old tomb, with the consent of old Captain Peabody ; and when the latter's widow died, a few years ago, at an advanced age, and. by her son George, her remains were brought to this tomb as the last to be laid therein (before the last great slab was to cover it forever), the body of Mr. Hubbard's child was discovered, and great inquiry was made as to who it was, this inquiry was soon settled by the writer, as this young man was an intimate friend of his.

Then for the fourth time the three years again elapsed before the call was given to Rev. Forrest Jefferds, in 1831. Meanwhile, students from Andover, and a Rev. Mr. Farley and others, had sup- plied the pulpit, and but little interest was taken iu religious matters, except by a few who had, with the Andover students, re-established the Sabbath-school, we say re-established, because Solomon Adams, son of the old minister, had started the school as early as 1819, but it was soon run down when he and David Eussell, its main supports, left town.

This call, however, was subsequently voted down by one majority (after one or two meetings of tie votes) of those who desired unevangelical preaching. When the last vote was made known, Deacon Joseph Peabody said, "Those of you who approve of such preaching as we have had for the last four Sabbaths, please to withdraw to the southeast corner of the house," and leading the way, they then and there resolved to leave the house of worship occupied by them and their fathers a hundred years. Till within a few years the house had no warming apparatus ; now the stove. Sabbath-school library, church furniture and the old tankards and cups, together with the church funds and even the church records must be given up. The records were subsequently returned, though not for twenty years, and after the death of one of the two male members who did not go with the church. There were only four of the church members left behind. Such fidelity in bearing testimony to the truth, as shown by these now outcasts, was a wonder after such unevangelical doctrines had been preached by the two last settled pastors. Such occurrences, however, took place in a large number of towns in New England about the same time.

Those few left behind soon died ; none were even added to their number ; the parisli held now and then a meeting on the Sabbath ; never organized a Sabbath-school, or held a meeting, and subsequently passed a vote calling themselves the First Universalist Society, by which name they now are known. The old house stood some fifteen years longer and became very dilapidated, and was sold to the writer for sixty dollars and taken down and sold for fire-wood. A few of its boards and timbers are still preserved as relics.

This was the saddest day the Church had ever seen. They hired the Centre school-house for a place of worship. Mr. JefFerds cast in his lot with them, and was settled May 2d, 1832. The same year the new meeting-house was built ; the builder was Jacob Dodge Wenham, (which is now occupied as a dwelling-house by Mr. Samuel Peabody, son of Joseph, before mentioned), costing two thousand dollars, of which only about seven hundred dollars could be raised on account of the poverty of the people. The balance was given by outside parties, through the intercession of Mr. Washington Berry, (God bless their memories), whose sympathies were enlisted in our behalf, and for many years the Home Missionary Society aided us in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars per year. In twenty-eight years the society had not only become self-supporting, but had out-grown their house of worship, purchased the land on which the ancient church had stood, and erected the present beautiful place of worship, and thus, after an exile of twenty-eight years returned to the spot once dedicated by their ancestors to the worship of God.

Mr. Jefferds was dismissed May 15th, 1844, and died a few years since, in South Boston, about 75 years of age. Mr. Jefferds was a most faithful pastor, proclaiming the doctrine of evangelical truth without fear of man and church discipline was kept up by him, without which, little good can be expected of its influence. Mr. Jefferds spent the best of his days here and laid well the foundations under which we have prospered. His memory should ever be held by this people in grateful remembrance.

Mr. Jefferds was settled in Epping, N. H., before coming to Middleton. He married President William Stearns' sister, by whom he had a very large family of children.

Rev. Thurston Searle settled May 8, 1845; dismissed December 23, 1846. Mr. Searle married a daughter of Colonel Jesse Putnam, of Danvers, Mass., and died in that town a few years since.

Rev. J. Augustin Hood, ordained January 2, 1850 ; dismissed May 17, 1854. Mr. Hood was son of Rev. Jacob Hood, Avho died a few weeks since in Lynnfield, Mass., aged ninety-four years.

Rev^ James M. Hubbard, installed April 8, 18G5 ; resigned December 28, 1868. The same council that dismissed Mr. Johnson settled Mr. Hubbard.

Rev. Lucien H. Frary, ordained October 7, 1869; dismissed March 16, 1875. Mr. Frary went from here to Weymouth, and is now settled over a large and flourishing society. Mr. Frary is a very interesting preacher, and commanded a larger salary than this people could pay. The church and society prospered under his ministry.

A sad event took place just before Mr. Frary left, which was the partial burning of the church by an incendiary. A fire was kindled, as is supposed, in a cabinet organ standing at the right of the jjulpit, which spread to the adjoining pews, twelve of which were consumed ; and if it had not been for the woolen carpet, the fire would have spread all over the house. When discovered the blaze reached the plastering overhead, and so great was the heat that all the paint, even to the entry, was blistered, and the desk, table, chairs and the organ in the gallery, that cost some five hundred dollars, was destroyed. The damage was about two thousand dollars.

This fire was discovered Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, 1873, about half-past six o'clock, by Benjamin Parker, who was at that time on his way to work at J. B. Thomas' box-mill. It is thought that in less than ten minutes more the heat was so great that the flames would have flashed all over the

After Mr. Frary left several candidates preached, among them Kingsly F. Norris, of New York, who received a call which he declined, it being his intention to go West.

For the last three years the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. S. K. B. Perkins, who is a scholarly preacher and faithful, devoted pastor. Mr. Perkins ' was born in Braintree, Mass., where his father, Rev. Jonas Perkins, was pastor for more than forty-five years over the same church where Mr. Frary is now settled.

The present house of worship was erected in 1859 by Abel Preston, of Peabody, Mass. ; cost about five thousand dollars. Building committee, Wm. A. Phelps, David Stiles and Francis P. Merriam.

List Of

About eight years since a Methodist Society started here, built a neat chapel, and are now in a flourishing condition. A new house of worship has also been erected by the Universalist Society.

We will now resume the civil history. The first town clerk was Mr. Edward Putnam, son of first deacon of Salem village, and lived near the Crawford house, the site of which was his father's house. This son Edward's house came within the new town, which stood just a little down the hill, south of Mr. J. J. H. Gregory's present farm-house.

The second pew from the front door on the west side, was sold to Joseph Fuller, for ten pounds more than what he hath recently done, (this Joseph was the grandson of Thomas), and his descendants occupied this pew, so long as it was used as a place of worship.

"Mr. Robert Bradford (Bradford lived on the Maj. Elias Wilkins place, east side), Sir, pies to pay unto .Joseph Symonds two pounds eight shillings, it being for Miss Betsey Bixby, keeping School thx'ee weeks, and charge tlie same to tlie town.

" .\ndrew Fuller, Joseph Symonds, Archlaus Fuller, Selectmen. An. drew Fuller was called Capt., and built the house near the church in 1775, and also the same ye^r built the Porter Gould house, for his soni

1732, - There was a long and bitter contest in regard to the common lands with Salem village people, and General Court was appealed to. These lands lay along Nichols Brook, called Stickey meadows, (a proper name certainly). Afterwards this territory was called the disputed lands between Topsfield and Middleton, and so laid down in maps. Notwithstanding our charter laid the bounds by the northerly branch of said brook, yet as it could not be found, and that the other branches had been cut out as a nearer course to the river, to drain the meidows, many years before, had caused the northerly branch to grow over in bushes and nearly obliterated ; but finally traced out, and the heap of stones found on the meadow completely covered with soil, that was placed there by those who run the line probably two years before the act of incorporation was passed.

In the early settlement of this place, the highways were not fenced, and gates or bars to be opened or taken away and again replaced on going through every man's farm. They however were to be in good condition. The roads were not only crooked, but in many places dangerous to travel, and so narrow in raised places that it was often with great difficulty that teams passed each other.

Soon after incorporation, alewives were taken from Cochitwick Brook, Andover, and placed in Middleton pond ; then again in 1764, and at several times subsequently till within a few years, all to little purpose ; and black-bass at last, of which few of the people who paid for the operation have ever seen one.

A clerk of market for many years was annually chosen, and a vote passed each year, whether the hogs should go at large, if well yoked and ringed ; this vote came up at March meeting till 1814.

Also " the chooseing of a man to take care of ye Deer, and see that they were not killed in an improper time." Mark Howe filled this office several years. He was the father of Esquire Asa, who was grandfather of Mr. Asa Howe, now living on the same farm, and in the same house.

"To seee if the town will grant ye petition of Hannah Nichols, wife of Joseph Nichols, and Abigail Burton, wife of John Burton, Jr., to build a back pew over the womans stairs from ye womans back seet in the front gallery to ye east corner of ye meeting-house and from thence to ye womans sets in the east gallery" (same meeting), "3d to see if ye town will grant tlie petition of Joseph Wilkins and Ebenezer Nichols for their two daughters, viz.: Mary Wilkins, and Keziah Nichols, and others with them to build a back seat in ye east gallery of our meetinghouse."

1739. - Two men were sent to Boston to present a petition to General Court, to get a grant passed to abate a fine imposed for not sending a representative.

Till within almost eighty years the expense of a representative to General Court wa-t borne by the towns, and for eleveji years after incorporation voted not to send every year, and only five times in the first sixty years. Timothy Fuller three times, and Archalaus Fuller twice. Subsequently Dr. David Fuller offered his services gratuitous at an informal town meeting, the Court refused him a seat, and afterwards the town called a meeting and disowned him as its representative. Dr. Fuller lived on the B. P. Richardson farm.

1740. - "To see if ye town will vote Land-Bank money, to pay town rates," and was unanimously passed, " that Land-Bank money or manufactory bills should pay the town rates for time to come," was also passed.

In the scarcity of money in those days, this scheme to make paper money was devised by leading wealthy men in nearly all parts of the State, one of whom lived in Worcester. Cornet Francis Peabody of this town, a wealthy man, and of much influence in the county, entered deeply into it, and pledged his property to defend it, and the scheme went so far that Parliament had to take notice of it and pronounced the scheme unlawful, and in the name of the Crown they were all prosecuted, were heavily fined, and made to redeem every particle of it.

" Cornet " stood for " Captain of the troop of Horse;" for the county, and the original commission issued by the ofiicers of the Crowe of England are still in existence.

1750. - " Voted to pay Asa Foster, of Andover, twenty pounds lawful money if he would keep the long cassway in good repair, that it may be good passing at all times in the year for twenty years to come." This was Foster's ofler, because, in his route to Salem, he had either to turn ofi' and go by Emersen's Mill, or turn to the left and pass over at the outlet of Pout Pond, and go out by the Eoger Eliott's place, thence over to John King's place and thence to Indian Bridge. Four years before the town had voted to discontinue this crossing, and an appeal had been made to the county for help, and even a lottery scheme was asked for from the State, to raise funds to fill up this sunken vale, and not till 1808 was it safe at " all times of the year " for public travel. In building the railroad across these meadows one morning it was found that during the night the road, which was ^early fitted for the rails, had gone down out of sight. As early as 1688 the people of Andover had petitioned court to fill up this swamp as the diverging roads, before named, were hilly and rocky at that time, and for many years subsequently the crossway hill was avoided by a road east of it now seen.

1752. - "Isaac Kenney and Andrew Fuller were chosen to go to ye General Court held at Concord with a petition to get ye town in a regular way or method by reason of the warrants granted by the selectmen have been deficient in time past."

1758. - December 7th " Voted to pay charges of ordination, also charges for ministers, messengers and gentlemen to dine " (Mr. Smith's ordination).

1759. - " To see if the town will vote to have Mr. Nathaniel Peabody's rates abated, that is to say, what he was rated for his negro servant,"

" Brethren - By your committee I am informed of your desire that I might begin my salary the first of January, which I now tell you is very agreeable to me, and then there can be no difficulty in after time relating thereunto, and if you comply I expect you to give me an order upon the treasurer for eighty two pounds, old tenoi', which is what will be due to that time. So, brethren, 1 wish you peace and happiness and that you will not forget to pray for your unworthy pastor,

1762. - " Voted to repair the school-house that stands by the meeting-house, provided proper papers be given of the house to the town." Said house was moved to Danvers in 1819 by John Fuller.

The schools were often kept in private houses or buildings erected by individuals, for which they received a small income besides accommodating their own children near home, and do some work while being instructed, as at an early age they were required to be almost self-supporting.

1764. - " At a vendue at John Estys' tavern the town sold vacant places for pews in the west end of the meeting-house to Captain Andrew Fuller for ten pounds and ten shillings."

1769. - Jonathan Knight, Benjamin Peabody, Joseph Symonds, Eunice Hobbs, Elizabeth Hobbs, Sarah Fuller, Phebe Peabody, Margaret Peabody, Sarah Russell, Elizabeth Peabody, Mercy Knight, Susannah Wilkins, Mary Wilkins, Rebecca Holt and Lucy Kenney were appointed to say how the seats should be moved to build the pew as mentioned in the petition of Jonathan Knight and others, and met March 13, 1770, and agreed that the seats should be moved to the pew built in the same manner as they are done in the men's gallery.

1775. - " Captain Archealus Fuller was chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Congress to be liolden at Cambridge Feb. ye first day, 1775."

Same year, on account of the oppressive Post Bill to the people of Boston, the people met at Estys' Tavern and subscribed for their relief. Then follows the names of one hundred and four who contributed from four pounds ten shillings to three shillings nine I)ence. The sum total exceeded five hundred and sixty pounds. This was headed by Rev. Elias Smith, and among them were the names of several prominent ladies.

The killing of those volunteer farmers, the 19th of April, by the order of the British commander, produced a thrilling effect all over the United States. The blood of the patriots was stirred as never before ; all rushed to the rescue with guns or no guns, and with whatever weapon or by whatever means they were intent upon driving the invaders from the soil. As the news reached this town, old Tim Fuller with his characteristic energy and bold spirit started on his old white horse for the scene of action ; he overtook the army on the retreat, and with his gun blazed away at their rear; returning a short distance was furnished with a fresh loaded gun, then, again, putting spurs to his horse would overtake the fast retreating army, and at each shot would produce a startling effect in their ranks. They called him death upon the white horse. But the long ride and the chafing he received in such active exhibitions, when cooled off caused such a soreness that he walked home, and a boy from Danvers, who was there by the name of Daniel Brown, was induced to take the horse home.

Again, at the battle of Bunker Hill, the old man's blood was stirred up, and mounting his old mare rode to the scene of action, pushed his way in among his countrymen to aid them in the fight. How many " red-coats " he killed or wounded will never be known. One creature, however, bit the dust, and this time it was his old mare.

Mr. Fuller's widow died in 1824 ; she was many years younger than her husband. As the story goes Mr. Fuller when at work on his land, near where the old road crosses the turnpike at Danvers Centre, went into an ordinary (Tavern) and called for a drink of cider. Mrs. Smith said " you rock the cradle while I draw the cider." "When she returned Fuller asked for the gift of the child ; this request was granted, provided he would wait till she was eighteen years old. True to his promise he appeared at the expiration of the time, and took her to Middleton and exhibited her before his forty negroes which he then owned, little and great, and in all conditions, and said " you are mistress of them all." " What can I do with such a black, dirty-looking company ? " The answer came quick as lightning, " get one nigger to lick another." These slaves were domiciled in the house now owned by Mr. George A. Currier, and was built in 1710. Fuller lived in the gambrel-roof house, now standing near the burying-ground. We have no reason to doubt the above statement. The dates upon their grave stones show the disparity of their ages.

1776. - -A company of Minute-Men were immediately formed, and the town voted unanimously " if the Continental Congress declares Independence upon the Kingdom of Great Britain, that we the inhabitants of Middleton solemnly engage with our lives and fortunes to support the measure so far as we are able."

Colonel Benjamin Peabody was in command of his company at West Point, and assisted in laying the second cable, the first having been broken. This second cable was made in the form of a clevis instead of welded links as before.

Col. Peabody was a leading man in the county, and caused the widening and straightening of the road between the present village and Danvers Plains, in 1811. He was a brother of Joseph, the merchant of Salem and the older of a large family ; he was the son of Francis, and born August 9, 1741.

Captain Andrew Fuller was an officer, and his son, John Fuller, also served in the war of the Revolution. We can give only a few names of those patriots, in the absence of the muster rolls which cannot be found, and these mostly come from those, now living, who have heard of their serving from their own lips. Samuel Gould, Robert Picket, Abner Wilkins, Jonathan Lemons, David Fuller (sons of Andrew) were taken prisoners, carried to England, and remained some time in prison ; Capt. Andrew died in the year 1802.

One man when he heard of the battle of Lexington, was on his way to Salem with a load of wood ; he immediately threw off his wood and, with his team started for home in great haste, stopj^ed on his way at Joshua Wright's blacksmith shop, (in our present village, which stood just north of Grothe's blacksmith shop), and ordered a spear and hook combined, made to use against the invaders. This circumstance indicated the scarcity of fire-arms. This man lived on a farm now owned by H. A. Stiles. When he arrived home his wife told him that he had more courage than conduct, and bid him M'ait till he was called for. What became of the savage weapon he had ordered we never knew. Certainly if it had ever been seen in his home, tradition would have made it known to us, as it was, the fact that two of his family went to the war and had died, and when the procession with his remains were near the burying-ground just below the captain Ephraim Fuller house they met the other soldier on his way home upon a litter borne on the should- ers of men. He lived for some years, but had so long slept on the ground and floors, that for a long time he would not sleep on a feather-bed.' This story was related to the writer more than sixtyfive years since by an aged aunt. An old French gun of the best make was a few years since in the family, and had been for many years, the history of which if known, we think would be very interesting.

" The town made prices for grain of all kinds, pi'oduce and merchandise of every kind, for days' work, prices for shoeing horses, tapping boots and shoes, for dinners, supper and breakfast. For liquor not over one-fourth part water.

In war time, Washington took a large number of prisoners, and eight of them were boarded in this town as their portion. By some reason or other one of them by the name of Joshua Daniels, a Frenchman, was never exchanged, became a resident, lived in a hut a little east of the house of John Smith ; in the pasture the cellar hole is now seen. Daniels was a weaver, and wove twilled cloth. The art was then unknown by the girls here, and as a good recommendation for house-keepers they must be good weavers, and young girls eagerly sought to acquire all they could in this line of business.

1780. - Now they vote " to see if the town will procure the Beef called for by the great and General Court, or pay the money in Lieu of said Beef. Fourth to see if the town will make good to tlie committee that was chosen to procure the Beef that was called for by the Court, the money that was condemned to be counterfit."

Among the state papers of New Hampshire on the muster rolls of those who served, in 1776, are found thirty-eight pages of highly interesting diaries and memoranda of Lieutenant Jonathan Burton, of Wilton.

Lewis Burton was born in Middleton, September 18th, 1741, a third of a mile south of William Peabody's, near Topsfield line. He married Hulda Nichols, (a near neighbor as is supposed), February 29th, 1764, by whom he had nine children. He was appointed Captain in 1786, by president John Sullivan, and Brigade-Major August 5th, 1798. Mr. Burton filled all the important offices in Wilton, and often represented the town in General Court. He died April 30th, 1811.

New Hampshire, (under the ministry of Mr. Smith). The late Rev. Warren Burton, once chaplain of the Senate in Massachusetts, and a grandson of this Jonathan Burton, informed us of this fact himself, more than forty years since. The father of Jonathan Burton was the adopted son of William Nichols, and the land on which this Jonathan was born, was given by said Nicholas to his father, which was a part of the large claim from Henry Bartholomew.

1779. - The town voted to choose a committee to take under consideration the frame of government agreed upon by the delegates of the people of the State of Massachusetts Bay, in convention began and held at Cambridge the first day of September, 1779, and continued by adjournment lo the second of March, 1780. This committee were Rev. Elias Smith, Lieut. Isaac Kinney, Lieut. Amos Curtis, Mr. Israel Kinney, and Lieut. Jonathan Lemon.

The above committee subsequently laid before the town the doings of this convention or in other words our State Constitution, and each article voted on with the following results : First article, 35 for, 12 against ; second article, 42 for, 5 against; third article, 36 for, 9 against ; fourth article, 32 for, 6 against ; fiith article, 85 for, 5 against. Then all the articles from the fifth to the thirtieth stood 31 for, 7 against. Then all the articles together 33 for, 7 against.

1781. " Voted to raise nineteen thousand pounds in old Continental currency to procure beef now called for by the Great and General Court." We find that Stephen Richardson paid a marriage fee of one hundred and seventy-five dollars in this currency about this time.

A week's board then cost $105, but in gold $2- People were greatly in debt ; there was but little coin in circulation ; those taking this emission money in payment for sales were ruined. Asa Stiles sold his farm (the Upton place) and took his pay in this money, and lost it all. Said Stiles was the father of the late David Stiles, Esq., of New Hampshire.

At the close of the Revolutionary War, the muskets that were brought home, that were furnished by the town, were sold at auction to the towns people.

1783. Whoever took in people without knowing their financial standing were required to have their names recorded on the town-books, that the town officers might, at their discretion, warn them out, so as to prevent their gaining a residence.

" Mr. Benjamin Berry and his wife, Sarah, with the following children, came from Andover to live in the house of the Rev Andrew Peters, late of Middle-

" Nov. 13. 1787. " To the selectmen, Gentlemen this is to inform you that on the second day of November, Instant, I hired Frank Francis into my house as a labor, and he came last from Danvers, his circumstances I am unacquainted with. " Rebecca Hobbs. " Benjamin Peabody.

1787. The town '^ voted to joiue in a petition with George Cabot and others that a Bridge be Bult over the River near Beverly Ferry, if done without cost to this town." This, we think, must be beween Salem and Beverly, near railroad bridge.

1791. " Voted to allow on the highways a team of three good creatures, Four Shillings per day, and a greater or le!?s team in proportion, and a man two shillings per day." Same meeting, " Voted to keep the school at the schoolhouse by the meetinghouse this season, and voted to repair said house."

This school-house stood a little east of the church, on the site of Mrs. Gillingham's house, and from the first had been the principal school in town. Schools had been kept in other parts of the town in private houses.

1792. Not till this year was the town divided into districts. Even after that date private individuals for some time furnished places for the schools. At the Dean Fuller place, on the North Road, was A. schoolhouse afterwards used by said Fuller for a carriagehouse, and now said building is used for a dwellinghouse by Mr. Coleman, near the depot.

The few opportunities aftbrded the children of a century ago to obtain an education, were well improved by some of them. Self-education was more practiced then by those who really desired, an education than now.

1793. " Voted to supply the pulpit, Mr. Smith being unable by sickness. Subsequently " voted to be at the cost of burying Mr. Smith and find mourning for Mrs. Smith."

1798. " Voted to sell the common lands. A great part of these lands was in the southwest corner of the town, near the old Hutchinson house, and part on Nichols Brook (Stickey Meadows).

1786. Up to this date the red deer were still in our forests, and were protected by law so as not to be killed in an improper time, a deer rief being chosen annually with all other town officers.

The method of crying was to pass round the meeting-house, outside on Sun'day, three times, stop and ring the hand-bell and declare the intention of marriage, and make a record of that fact.

1796. The town voted unanimously that it is the opinion of the inhabitants of this town that the treaty negotiated between Great Britain and the United States is for the honor and interest of our country.

1802. - About thirty persons petitioned for a townmeeting to choose an agent or agents to confer with the petitioners for the turnpike road leading from Newburyport to Boston, and use their endeavors to have said road lead through this town by or near the meeting-house. Same meeting voted to paint the pulpit and canopy or sounding-board. Voted that the negroes shall have the north end of the second seat in each end gallery. (These seats were occupied by colored people till since the writer's remembrance).

The long crossway was made safe at all times of the year 1808, when about seventy men from Andover and Middleton gave from one to three days' work each to build it up. Those who did not choose to work themselves were to give seventy-five cents, which would then secure a good day's work,^

1800. - Theodore Ingalls moderator. "2d, Voted to take notice of the 22d of February agreeable to the recommendation of Congress and our General Court which was the birthday of General George Washington.'' " 3d, Voted that it be the desire of the towne that our reverend pasture, Solomon Adams, deliver an oration on the 22d Feb. Instant, Beginning the exercises at eleven o'clock on said day," " 4th, Voted that it be the desire of the town that the melitia of said town meet at half past ten o'clock at the ' pasture's house with their badges of mourning & escort him to the meeting-house & back a gain after the so- Imnity of the day.' " " 5th, Voted that the melitia take the body seats in the said meeting-house." "6th, Voted that the solemnity of the day should be opened by prayer & musick, then an oration and close with prayer and musick suitable for the oration." " 7th, Voted to choose a committee to require the Rev. Solomon Adams to deliver an oration and also desire the melitia to attend a greable to the vote of the town." " Voted Samuel Small, Lieu. John Flint and Chaplain Joseph Symonds a committee to arange musick on said day."

porches added, new windows, pews took the place of seats in the body of the house and hewed stones for underpinning instead of rough stone, which were removed and the ground lowered about the sides of the house, leaving the floor upon the timbers that laj^ upon the ground. Stumps of a heavy forest were cut away to lay down these timbers, and still sound above ground when the house was taken down more than a century afterward.

A committee was chosen to repair the house, and tradition says that John Fuller undertook the job without specifications, and before he was able to satisfy the committee had expended more than the appropriation, and lost money. Subsequently his farm was sold to Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard.

1806. - The Essex Turnpike was built through town ; toll-gates were placed, according to law, at each end of the town - one stood near the house of Daniel G. Berry, Andover, the other below Ipswich River, on the hill. This road, we think, never paid a dividend. After trying to keep it in good repair for a little over twenty years, the stockholders asked the town through which it passed to take it off their hands. This town voted to take the gift of it, but some voted against it. Daniel Fuller, Esq., was a director and had the management of the section in this vicinity. It was intended to take the principal part of the travel from Canada, and along its route to the great markets of Salem and Boston. At the former town were the heavy merchants and a large foreign trade, and this market had a wide reputation. The small crafts of that day could land their cargoes at their wharves with ease ; subsequently larger vessels were employed, and they were obliged to seek ports with deeper water,

" Sold the right to take Alewives for the season to Samuel Wilkins for one dollar and seventy-five cents," also "the right ta take shad in Ipswich River for three dollars and fifty cents."

1811. - " Voted that the commanding oflicer shall provide for the company when called out of town on muster days at the expense of the town, not to exceed two shillings each." At this date there were a few over one hundred voters.

1812. - " Voted to give soldiers 35 cts. a piece on muster days when called out of town to ' git ' dinner, and one dollar and a half to drafted men if they train more than the other part of the company, and when in actual service fifteen dollars per month more than the continental pay."

War of 1812-14. - In 1814 some British men-ofwar lay off Salem harbor and old Parson Stone, of North Reading, preached one Sabbath. He drawled out his words (a habit of many preachers in the early days, and talked a little through his nose) and is said to have used in his prayer these words, " We pray, Lord, that there may come a storm and sink them all in the deep." It is said that soon a storm did come, and they moved off, and many thought Stone's prayer was answered. This old divine was the father of Deacon Giles, of Deacon Giles' distillery of Salem.

The presence of these men-of-war was the cause of an alarm (the firing of three cannon in succession at Montserrat), which thrilled this whole community. The alai'm came about by a little misunderstanding and bickerings between Colonel Jesse Putnam of Danvers, and Captain Jedediah Farnham of Andover. When the news reached this town the minute-men rushed to arms. Captain Samuel Wilkins (father of S. H. Wilkins) was in command, but was a long time, it is said, in putting his company in marching order; it was at last accomplished, and the command given " forward march." Just at that moment had come " fals alarm."

At this time politics ran very high, and the town was about equally divided between Republicans and Federals ; the latter, in a close vote, secured an old Republican, a negro by the name of Charles Snow, and kept him secreted till election, in the cellar at the house of John Fuller, near the meeting-house. The Federal party was what is now called the Democrat party, and were opposed to the war. When the alarm took place before-mentioned, many of the enrolled militia did not appear, and when the word came that it was a false alarm the soldiers were jublant, and felt like accomplishing something, and it being then in the evening, but probably moonlight, as Ezra Bradstreet, a soldier that did not respond, though living close by, and in the house now standing, occupied by Mr. Benjamin McGlaughlin, was seen to run into the swamp in his night dress as a soldier came into his yard, which very much frightened him, not knowing but that he was about to be dragged before the British muskets and cannon. However, his mother, an old woman, came to the door and asked what the matter was, when a rather excited soldier, by name of James Wilkins, said : " I will let you know," and then fired off his gun near her feet, at which she screamed and ran into the house ; how long her son (whom we well remember) remained in a nearly nude state in the swamp was not told.

Others of these soldiers started for some who did not respond that lived in the east part of the town ; but George Drakes (a colored man), had been sent by John Fuller (before named), to warn them of the proposed raid by the soldiers ; they, however, caught Drakes, and while some held him, others went on and gave them an awful fright, broke in some windows by firing off guns close to the houses and so spent nearly the whole night in this kind of sport.

expenses of Rev. Solomon Adams." " Voled to continue the salary of Rev. Solomon Adams untill the lirst of January, admitting Mrs. Adams will supply the Desk."

About this time an intention of marriage was posted on the meeting-house, and if one of the parties lived in another town, a duplicate had to be pa-ted in that town. These notices had to be pasted a specified number of days before the marriage was to take place.

In the early history of New England it was the duty of the sexton to ring the bell at noon and at nine o'clock in the evening, and keep and "turn the glass," meaning the hour glass, that stood on or near the pulpit, and it was understood that the sermon was to be one hour long. Whether the glass was used or not in this town we are not informed, but certainly there were but few clocks and watches among the first settlers, and the glass and sun dials were their dependence, the former in stormy weather, the latter as a regulator when the sun shone. This town was without a bell till 1835, when the writer drew up a subscription paper and obtained about two hundred dollars, with which a bell was purchased, of the Hollbrook make, weighing five hundred and twenty-seven pounds. After the present church was erected the present bell was purchased (and the former broken up and sold for old metal). Present bell was bought in Westboro, Mass., where it had done service on a Unitarian Church, which had become weak, and to strengthen themselves, offered their house of worship to the orthodox society (then without a place of worship), i^rovided they would repair the house. This offer was accejited, and the bell was taken down and put upon the cars, to be transj^orted to Boston, to have the wooden yokes removed and replaced with one of cast-iron. The former society being in debt, a few of its leading men depended on the sale of the bell to discharge the same, but the orthodox claimed the bell with the church, and a dispute arose, which threatened a suit and disruption, whereupon a delegation of the Unitarians, with a good team, boarded the cars, and by force, removed the bell and secreted it in an old shoemaker's shop ; then, after the other society had purchased a new bell, and peace preserved, the old bell was advertised for sale in the Plowman, and the writer being employed to go and see the bell, found it, as before-mentioned ; it was raised up a few inches, and sounded, and found to be perfect ; the price paid was the same as for old metal. The bell is one of Henry N. Hooper's, of Boston, best make, and they claim that it would injure the tone of the bell to have a cast-iron yoke placed upon it, and the old yoke of wood still remains upon it.

The bell weighs about twelve hundred and fifty pounds, and the people of Westboro claimed that the bell was the best of the six bells that had been hung in that town. Its present location is unfavorable on account of the falling away of the ground near the

1814. - "Let out the care of the meeting-house; to be swept twelve times a year ; to be unlocked and locked on all occasions, both public and private; shovel snow from the doors when necessary. Set up and struck off to John Fuller, Jr., for seventy-five cents." The usual price paid was about $2.50. Probably there was a little steam on at this time.

Trouble began about religious matters, and large numbers flowed into a new society, called the Christian Society. Others joined themselves to neighboring societies in Danvers and other places, as the law at that time compelled all to pay minister rates somewhere. Asa Howe, Esq., signed to Danvers under the ministry of Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin (Baptist) ; Dr. David Fuller to St. Peter's Church, Salem. But in 1816, when Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard commenced preaching here, he was liked, and they all came back, and things went on very smoothly till near the close of his ministry.

1817. - All the poor were puL up at auction at the annual meeting in March, and struck off at the lowest bidder, none of which received over $1.50 per week. Some of the most feeble, who were nearly helpless, were bid in by their relatives for seventyfive cents per week, rather than have them go into the hands of unfeeling strangers. However, this was the custom in all towns where there was no poorfarm. A century ago there were a smalller number of poor people here than before or since; also more independent farmers according to the population. The lands had not begun to be exhausted, and they had large flocks and herds, and everywhere these families were distinguished, not only by their social acquirements, but by their dress and daily deportment, from the poor and unfortunate.

1832. - The first manufactory started here (except the little grist and saw-mills, of which there were a number) was the paper-mill on Ipswich River by Colonel Francis Peabody, of Salem, Mass. (and son of Captain Joseph Peabody, a man who was born here, and married first and second daughters of Rev. Elias Smith), and has continued in operation since by other proprietors. A few years later the shoe business was started by Elias T. Ingalls (father of Senator John James Ingalls, of Kansas), who soon after removed to Haverhill, the home of his wife, and continued in the business with success.

About 1835 Francis P. Merriam began the shoe business here, and has continued the same. At the present time, under the firm of Merriam & Tyler, employing at times more than a hundred hands. Other smaller manufacturers have done business here, and are now employed in other business. A knife-factory was started here a few years ago by S. A. Cummings on the site of the old iron-works, which was started by Major-General Daniel Dennison, of Ipswich, about 1665, who employed Thomas

Fuller as foreman, who afterward bought Dennison's claim, which was bounded south by Pierce's Brook, and near this brook, on the site of the house of Charles O. Frost, was his dwelling, and just over the stream is seen the foundation of his blacksmith-shop.

With the business of the firm of Merriam & Tyler, which gives employment to a large number of hands, the village has grown up and many tasteful dwellings erected, and bears favorable comparison with many other places. Churches and schools are well maintained, and prosperity seems to pervade the whole community ; and peace follows the wars, privations and contentions that have troubled past generations.

If those who complain of low wages would look over the pages of history written by past generations, they would not only feel contented, but thank God that their lines had fallen to them in so pleasant places. As I cast my eyes upon the portraits of those long since passed away, who sacrificed so much to lay the foundations of religious and civil society, I cannot but feel to maintain and perpetuate these blessings.

Graduates or Colleges. - This town compared with others about the same size in the county, has produced as many distinguished men as any. Little or no labor has been employed to bring their names and deeds to notice, and we feel that we shall fail to do them justice.

Rev. Daniel Wilkins, the first minister of Amherst, New Hanipshire, was born here, (and the house is now standing in which he wa^i born). His labors in that then frontier town are beyond calculation. Once or twice the peoi^le were about to abandon the settlement on account of the depredations of the Indians, but Wilkins with true courage, again and again rallied the people in calling on the government to sustain them, and finally lived to see the town in a flourishing condition, (grandson of Henry Wilkins).

Rev. Daniel Fuller born here was settled over the second church in Gloucester, Massachusetts, more than a century ago. His wife was a member of the church here in 1770.

When Phillips' academy was established a century ago, fourteen young men from this place entered^ and their names stand upon this catalogue. All but one left town in early life to bless other places. Among this number was Andrew Peabody, born here, father of Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, LL. D., graduate of Harvard College, class of 1826, editor of the North American Review from 1853, to 1863 ; Plummer, professor of Christian morals. Also sons of Benjamin P. Richardson, - Hazen K. and Benjamin Richardson.

The father of Dr. Andrew Peabody was born here, and many of this distinguished family of Peabody's are still among us. "Cornet" Francis Peabody and Col. Benjamin Peabody, afterwards chosen deacon, (and died since my remembrance), a leading man in the county who took an active part in the Revolutionary War. Other names deserve honorable mention, for which space cannot be had. But I would not forget the matrons and maidens of that early day, who spun and wove to clothe the family, but the skilled weavers went further, and made cloth for the market. These were the pioneers in manufacturing industries of the country And the beautiful maidens wlio were not afraid of work. Hear what the poet says.

' ' Then as he opened the door, he beheld the form of the maiden Seated beside her wheel, and the carded wool like snow-drift Piled at her knee, her white hands feeding the ravenous spindle, While with her foot on the treadle she guided the wheel in its motion. She rose as he entered, and gave him her hand in a signal of welcome. Saying, I knew it was you, when I heard your foot-step in the passage. For I was thinking of you as I sat here singing and spinning."

Honorable John Haskell Butler of Somerville, was in the state legislature, is a lawyer, and was born in Middleton, August 31st, 1841; a graduate at Yale College in 1863 ; in 1880 and 1881 was a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1884, was elected by the Legislature to fill a vacancy in the Council, caused by the death of Honorable Charles R. McLean of Boston. He was elected in the district at the ensuing election.

Rev. Henry J. Richardson, graduate of Amherst College, now in his twenty-fifth year of pastorate at Lincoln, Massachusetts. Rev. Daniel W. Richardson, brother of the above graduate at Union College, New York, late pastor of the Congregational Church in Derry, New Hampshire.

Dr. Archelaus Fuller, a college graduate, son of Daniel Fuller, Esquire, died a ie,w years since in the State of Maine, aged about eighty years.

Sumner B. Stiles, born January 13th, 1851, graduated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, in 1872, at Harvard University in 1876, and at the Harvard Law school in 1881 ; admitted to the New York Bar, in May, 1883 ; married September 10th, 1884.

James H. Flint born 1852, graduated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, 1871, at Harvard University in 1876, at Boston University Law School in 1881, admitted to Suffolk Bar, Boston in 1882.