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GENERAL MATTERS Excerpts from “History of Amesbury” by Joseph Merrill
pub. 1880. Amesbury
and Salisbury Newspaper The first paper was the “Amesbury Chronicle,” published every Thursday morning by Nayson and Caldwell. The first number was printed January 28th, 1832, at $2.00 per year. It was a six-column page paper and advocated the election of Gayton P. Osgood to represent District No. 3 in Congress. June 6th, 1833, Mr. Nayson dissolved his connection with the paper and Mr. John Caldwell continued its publication under the title of the “Evening Chronicle,” and was neutral in politics. In 1834 the paper changed again to the “Morning Courier,” J. Caldwell, editor and proprietor, and was cut down to a five-column page paper. November 23d, 1837, the name was changed to “News and Courier,” C. E. Patten, editor, and John Caldwell and T. J. Whittem, publishers, being published simultaneously at Portsmouth, N. H., and Amesbury, so continuing until January 4th, 1838. In 1839 Mr. Caldwell again resumed full control of the paper and changed its name to the “Evening Transcript,” continuing its publication up to near 1840, when he sold out to Robert Rich. Mr. Rich published a few numbers and sold his interest to Mr. Joseph M. Pettingill, who took control in February, 1840. September, 25th, 1840, the paper changed to “Village Transcript.” Mr. Pettingill retained the management of the paper up to 1845, when he formed a partnership with J. E. Hood and the paper was changed to the “Essex Transcript” and made the organ of the old Liberty party in Essex county. Mr. Hood withdrew from the editorial chair after a few months and G. J. L. Colby was announced as the editor, but after a few months he left. In 1848 Mr. Pettengill sold the paper to Daniel F. Morrill, now of Vineland, N. J., who continued the Transcript for one year and changed its name to “Villager.” He published six numbers and, failing to secure due support, stopped its publication. The present publisher (1880), then a printer in the office, was urged by the citizens to continue its publication, but declined at first, then finally consented to try the experiment. Commencing May 24th, 1849, he has continued as editor and publisher up to the present time, a period of thirty-two years. The paper, it may be said, has had a continuous existence, under its various titles, of forty-nine years. In the intervening years several attempts to start competing journals have been made, but all have failed. The first of these was the “Essex Mirror,” by Page and Gilman in 1839. It had a brief existence of four weeks. About this time the same parties started a little daily sheet, which found a competitor in “The Sheep’s Foot,” and “Reservoir of Science.” Mr. Currier, of The Villager, also published a daily paper for four weeks, which failed of support. About 1820 an office was established at the Mills and Capt. Jonathan Morrill was appointed postmaster. A writer in the Villager some years ago said: “We remember well the advent of the first mail into our village. The mail-carrier, a mere youth, mounted on horseback, with saddle bags stuffed full of letters and papers, drove up the yard of Capt. Morrill’s, (now enclosed in the grounds of Mr. Steere’s residence,) dismounted and poured the same on the floor of the old-fashioned kitchen. They were sorted and then displayed in the window, the superscriptions facing the yard, into which people stepped to see if they had letters or papers. The only furniture of the office was an old, pine desk, unpainted and without partitions, in which the entire contents of the establishment were safely kept.” Capt. Morrill’s son, Nathaniel, succeeded him and established a more respectable office in the basement of the next building; and he, also, farther improved the service by causing the mail to be brought from the Point in a two-wheel chaise, which he kept for that purpose. The salary of the office at this time, including bringing the mail from the Point, was about $50 per annum. About the year 1836 Jacob Carter was appointed postmaster, and he removed the office to the northerly end of Wadleigh’s block, where it remained during the last of Jackson’s administration. President Van Buren appointed Philip Osgood as Mr. Carter’s successor, and he removed the office to a small building on the corner of Main and Friend streets, which had formerly been used as a counting room by the Rolling Mill and Nail Factory Company. Near the close of Van Buren’s administration, Mr. Osgood resigned and Jonathan Nayson was appointed postmaster, he removing the office to a room built on to the factory at the bridge, opposite its present location. When Harrison was president, John Walsh was appointed postmaster and the office was removed to a building standing where No. 7 mill now stands. After the succession of John Tyler to the presidency, Daniel Blaisdell was appointed postmaster, and he removed the office to the small building on the corner of Friend street again. David Bagley was appointed postmaster by President Pierce in 1853 and retained the office until Lincoln’s election, when David Batchelder was appointed and held the office through Johnson’s administration. He removed the office to the store of David French, opposite the hotel. In 1869 W. H. B. Currier was appointed postmaster and the office was soon after removed to its present location. On the 15th day of March, 1870, the mails were brought to town by the cars for the first time. J. T. Clarkson was appointed postmaster in 1873 and re-appointed in 1877 by President Hayes.
AMESBURY AND SALISBURY EXPRESS. POWOW RIVER NATIONAL BANK. AMESBURY AND SALISBURY MILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY. It now numbers four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one volumes, embracing a wide range of subjects. The officers for 1880 are J. W. Briggs, president; John Hume, vice president; F. W. Merrill, secretary; William Allen, treasurer: C. M. Brown, Aaron Sawyer, J. H. Swett, G. W. Cate, J. A. Perkins, H. L. Kingsbury, executive committee; Miss Fannie M. Binney, librarian. The rooms are on Friend street. In connection with the library is the collection of the Natural History Society. AMESBURY AND SALISBURY ACADEMY.
SALISBURY AND AMESBURY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. The total amount of risks reaches $365,648. The amount of premium notes outstanding is $22,838. Officers: Joseph N. Clark, president; C. L. Allen, secretary and treasurer.
E. P. WALLACE POST, NO. 122, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. This post was established in 1869 and now numbers about fifty members. Officers: L. Frank Currier, commander; Albert Morrill, senior commander; Moses M. Dennett, junior commander; John O. Currier, officer of the day; Michael Monihan, officer of the guard; Henry P. Wells, quarter-master; Charles Cook, adjutant; R. W. Wells, quarter-master-sergeant; Enoch Merrill, sergeant-major; John A. Douglas, surgeon; J. W. Goodrich and E. Gowen, chaplains; George Thurston, sentinel. Its funds amount to $259. The Post was named for Edward P. Wallace, a resident of Amesbury, who, although not physically able to endure the hardships of a soldier's life, devoted his whole influence to the cause. When the war broke out he immediately collected his money, which he had earned by hard labor, and freely gave it to the Government to help sustain the Union. His small gift of $100 was accepted by the treasurer at Washington, and, very unexpectedly, the first bond issued by the Government was forwarded to him. Mr. Wallace had the honor of holding bond No. 1. Through the war he was aiding and assisting by his whole influence the cause which was dear to him.
REFORM CLUB. Officers for 1880: Jason E. Cowden, president; Daniel Worthen and Charles Cook, vice-presidents; Mrs. George Collins, secretary; John O. Currier, auditor; Stephen Woodman, treasurer. The membership numbers one hundred, and Veteran hall is their place of meeting.
OLD LADIES' HOME. This Home was organized December 31st, 1874. In 1878 the Pickering estate at the Ferry was purchased for the purpose of erecting suitable building for a home. In 1878 a fair was held in the new Merrimac Hat Factory for the benefit of the Home, from which $1011.28 were realized. In 1879 a second fair was held for the benefit of the Home, in Mr. Biddle's new block, from which $1206.32 were realized. It may be proper to state that of the latter sum, five hundred dollars were donated by the following person, viz.: Messrs. Seth Clark, Nathaniel Currier, J. G. Whittier, Stephen Woodman and Mrs. George R. Morrill, $100 each. Its present funds amount to $2159, and its officers are Stephen Woodman, president; George F. Bagley, treasurer; O. S. Baley, clerk.
WARREN LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. This Lodge was chartered December 11th, 1822, and now has a membership of one hundred and twenty-five. Henry F. Carey is the W. M., and their meetings are held in Union block.
TRINITY CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS. This chapter was organized in September 1870, and now has a membership of fifty-five. Their place of meeting is in Union block, and Morton B. Merrill is High Priest.
POWOW RIVER LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS. This Lodge was organized August 23d, 1845. It has one hundred and ninety-two members, and Odd Fellows hall, Friend street, is their place of meeting. George W. Currier is N. G., and their funds amount to $9000.
HARMONY ENCAMPMENT OF ODD FELLOWS, NO. 51 The Encampment was organized January 24th, 1877. There are forty-two members.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR. This Lodge was organized June 28th, 1877. There is a membership of sixty-four and the meetings are held in Turner's hall. Joseph O. George is Dictator.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. This Lodge was organized October 23d, 1874, and has a membership of fifty-nine. Masonic hall is their place of meeting. Their funds amount to $393.28. Thomas M. Bush is C. C.
ENDOWMENT RANK, SEC. 273. This Section was organized in April, 1879, and has a membership of twenty-one, with a fund of $30. M. W. Philbrook is president.
McHALE LITERARY ASSOCIATION. This Association has a membership of eighty and its funds amount to $200.
WHITTIER TEMPLE OF HONOR. This Lodge was organized April 13th, 1866, and there is a membership of forty-six, with funds amounting to $250. G. W. Titus is W. C. T., and the meetings are held at Turner's hall.
FIRE DISTRICT. This was organized April 21st, 1868. W. E. Biddle is chief engineer, Otis C. Hardy and George J. Hunt, assistants. The amount of assessments for 1880 was $1500.
ATLANTIC HOSE COMPANY. E. P. Osgood, captain, with twenty members. Amount of hose, eleven hundred feet. Meetings are held at the engine house on Friend street.
M. D. F. STEERE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY. Andrew T. Crowther, captain, with twenty-five members. Meetings are held at the engine house on Friend street.
MERRIMAC ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1. This company was organized in May, 1851. George F. Huntington is captain, and there are twenty-nine members. The meetings are held in the engine house at the Ferry.
AMESBURY AND SALISBURY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY This Society was organized in 1856 and is now in a flourishing condition, having a fund of more than one thousand dollars and a valuable library. A petition has been presented to the legislature for an act of incorporation. President, J. Henry Hill; treasurer, Aaron Sawyer.
VETERAN ARTILLERY. A few years ago a company was organized, including several who had been members of the old artillery company, but the uniform adopted did not correspond with that of the latter company. The company usually holds an annual parade. The Amesbury and Salisbury Artillery Company was formed in 1794 and William Lurvey was the first captain. In 1821 John Colby, jr., was captain, serving till 1825, when the company was under the command of Isaac Whittier, first lieutenant. In 1826, Zebedee Morrill was chosen captain and, probably, served till 1831, when James C. Currier was chosen, and held command till 1834, when Hiram Collins was chosen and was the last captain in command.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. There are five religious societies in town, viz.: Congregational, Catholic, Free Baptist, Episcopal and Friends. There are, also, many Methodists in town, who attend the Methodist church on Pond street, Salisbury. At the Ferry, many attend the Union Evangelical church at Salisbury Point. Many Universalists, also, attend the Salisbury church. Present pastors: Congregational, Rev. P. S. Boyd; Catholic, Rev. John Brady; Free Baptist, Rev. J. D. Waldron; Episcopal, Rev. Dr. Emery.
Other positions: Physians in town: Drs. John A. Douglas, H. G. Leslie and Eli Jones. Dentists: Drs. Jared A. Perkins, Arthur T. Brown and J. E. Blake Counsellor and attorney at law: Hon. George W. Cate. Trial justices: Orlando S. Baley and George W. Cate. Town clerk: N. E. Collins. Selectmen: Charles Rowell, John Gould and Hiram Foot. Treasurer and collector: James H. Davis. School committee: Joseph Merrill, H. G. Leslie and George W. Cate. High School teacher: William D. Mackintosh.
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