Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015

https://archive.org/details/historicalcollec30unse

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW

THE

HISTORICAL

COLLECTIONS

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

VOLUME XXX— 1933

TOPSFIELD, MASS.

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY 1937

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW Editor

THE PERKINS PRESS TOPSFIELD, MASS.

CONTENTS

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW Frontispiece

A MEMORIAL OF GEORGE FRANCIS DOW - - - - iv

REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER FOR THE

YEARS 1929-1933 V

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD (1878-1879)

COPIED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW - - - _ 1

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR, BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW - 65

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHOIR BY CHARLES H. LEACH 113 BRIGHAM YOUNG DESCENDED FROM FRANCIS PEABODY - 120

WINTER TRAVEL ON THE NEWBURYPORT TURNPIKE IN 1811 121

PETITION OF STEPHEN PERKINS AND SOLOMON DODGE, 1778 123

ASAEL SMITH TO JACOB TOWNE : A LETTER WRITTEN IN 1796 126

TOPSFIELD VITAL STATISTICS, 1928-1933 - - - 130

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW

A Memorial

George Francis Dow, son of George Prince and Ada B. (Tappan) Dow, was born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, on January 7, 1868. On June 1, 1920 he married Alice G. Waters of Salem. He died in Topsfield June 5, 1936.

When he was a child his parents moved to Ipswich, Mass- achusetts and later to Topsfield. He was educated in Topsfield schools, supplemented by a course at Bryant and Stratton Commercial School in Boston. In 1885 he entered the whole- sale metal business with Farrar, Simpson & Co., where he rose steadily in the esteem of the firm. In 1898 he was elected Sec- retary of the Essex Institute at Salem, and for twenty years as Director of its Museum and editor of its publications, which included the Vital Records of many Essex County towns, he did much to increase the value of the Society. In 1919 he be- gan his long term of service with the Society for the Preserva- tion of New England Antiquities, serving at various times as curator, editor of “Old Time New England”, and director of the museum.

He early became interested in historical affairs and for many years collected material relating to the history of Topsfield. As a result of this interest in local history he organized the Topsfield Historical Society in 1894, and was always its sec- retary and treasurer. He edited and published the Historical Collections of the Society, having completed the text of the present volume, with the index, before his death. He was active in securing speakers for the meetings of the Society, nearly all of which were held in his home.

When the Parson Capen house came into the possession of the Historical Society in 1913 he was in charge of its restora- tion. He later had charge of the restoration of a number of seventeenth century houses for individuals and historical soci- eties throughout New England. He also planned the Pioneers’ Village at Salem.

(iv)

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW — A MEMORIAL

V

As an author he contributed over a hundred articles to vari- ous historical magazines, besides editing and publishing a large number of books. As a lecturer on historical subjects he was in constant demand. He encouraged others in historical re- search and was always ready to advise and help them.

He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the American Antiquarian Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the American Historical Association and many other historical and literary societies.

The Topsfield Historical Society owes much to Mr. Dow. From the time of its organization until his death he gave to the Society constant and devoted service, and its successful work through many years has been due largely to him.

KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE YEARS 1929-1933

For various reasons, principally lack of printing facilities, no volume of Historical Collections has been published since 1928 (volume XXIX). The reports in the present volume cover a period of the last five years (1929-1933) and bring records of the activities of the Society up to date.

The membership of the Society on December 31, 1928 was 185 ; on December 31, 1933 it was 157. During the interval of five years 13 members have died, 5 have resigned and 15 have been dropped for non-payment of dues, while 5 new members have been added. Those who have died were: — Mrs. Emily H. L. Bliss, Newton ; Mrs. AYilliam 0. Chapman, Salem; Miss S. Nella Downing, West Peabody; Mrs. Emma J. Fields, Lynn; Osborne Leach, Danvers; John Wright Per- kins, Oeorgetown; Mrs. Sarah J. Phillips, Lynn; Albert A. Conant, Mrs. Metta Gould, Miss Mary E. Gould, Andrew L. Peirce, Charles J. Peabody, and Miss Annie F. Towne, all of Topsfield.

The Capen House has been occupied continuously and the living quarters on the second floor are now equipped with steam heat, hot and cold water, electric lights and telephone. The front of the roof has been reshingled and the property is in good condition. A well-sweep has been placed beside the old well. The Society is in excellent financial condition.

Respectfully submitted,

George Francis Dow,

Secretary,

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY JAN. 1, 1929— DEC. 31, 1933 RECEIPTS

Jan. Ij 1929 Balance cash on hand $5 39

Annual dues 99 00

Historical Collections sold 29 00

’’ ” bindings 62 75

$196 14

PAYMENTS

Historical Collections, engraving 25 38

Dec. 31, 1933 Balance cash on hand $170 76

REPORT ON ENDOWMENT FUND JAN. 1, 1929— DEC. 31, 1933 RECEIPTS

Jan. 1, 1929 Balance cash on hand $615 02

Income from investments 597 57

Rent 380 00

Admission fees 148 89

$1,741 48

PAYMENTS

Hanging sign Brass plate Fire insurance Well curb and sweep Rug for table Priscilla Capen chair Shingling roof and repairs Plumbing Electrical work Paint and paper Chimney and cement work Heater, radiators, etc.

Motor pump, etc.

Excavating cellar, cement, etc.

Printing Hist. Coll., Vol. 29 Binding Miscellaneous

$200 90

$54	00
25	00
75	21
60	95
52	00
98	85
79	86
125	00
74	67
156	77
73	50
218	00
52	50
73	82
183	04
94	49
42	92

Dec. 31, 1933 Balance cash on hand

REPORT ON GEORGE L. GOULD CAPEN HOUSE MAINTENANCE JAN. 1, 1929— DEC. 31, 1933 RECEIPTS

Jan. 1, 1929 Balance cash on hand $42 53

Income from investments 219 58

PAYMENTS

Miscellaneous repairs Dec. 31, 1933 Balance cash on hand

$262 11

261 11 $1 00

REPORT ON MUSEUM BUILDING FUND JAN. 1, 1929— DEC. 31, 1933

Jan. 1, 1929 Balance cash on hand $7 00

Income from investments 31 00

Dec. 31, 1933 Balance cash on hand $38 00

STATEMENT

Parson Capen House and 1 1/5 acre land, cost $2,100 00

Restoration and furnishings 3,715 29

Endowment Fund: 39 shares U. Shoe Mach. Co. (2) 61 2,379 00

Gould Maintenance Fund: 14 shares do @ 61 854 00

Museum Building Fund: 2 shares do @ 61 122 00

Cash on hand 410 00

$9,580 29

Respectfully submitted, George Francis Dow,

Treasurer

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

COPIED FROM SALEM NEWSPAPERS BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW

Continued from Volume XXIX ^ page I

This town narrowly escaped a great conflagra- tion last Tuesday evening, March 26, and but for the prompt adtion and brave work of our townsmen, the fine residence of Mr. J. E. Stanwood would have been wholly destroyed. The fire was dis- covered about 7.30 o’clock, by two young men who happened to be passing, in the stable which is closely joined to the house. An alarm was immediately given and the people responded generally with buckets and whatever things, that would be of use, they could lay their hands to. It was found in a room occupied as a woodshed, where it probably originated, the inside of which was all ablaze when discovered. Above the room, and separated by a single board floor, was a large quantity of hay, into which the fire was making rapid headway. At times the men were driven back by the heat and the smoke, which completely enveloped them, and were almost compelled to give up the fight, and but for the large quantity of water which was thrown into

2 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

the building it would have been impossible to have saved it. Great credit is due the citizens but for whose efforts the loss would have been greater by a large amount.

The cabinet organ, for the use of the Sabbath School connedted with the Congregationalist church, has been purchased at last and was used in their session on last Sunday. It was formally presented to the church, last Friday evening, at which time its good qualities were fairly tested.

A Grand Ball in the Town Hall under the aus- pices of the Roger Sherman Lodge, No. 224, R. O. S. C. is announced for Fast evening, April i ith.

By the annual report of the School Committee, it appears that the cost of the schools, last year, was as follows: Centre, $662.74; South, $306; East, $288.50; North, $289.50. The Committee think there are several instances in which parents or guar- dians have failed in their duty of keeping children at school.

The North School was kept by Miss Fannie A. Johnson, of Wenham, during the summer and fall terms, and by Miss Nellie A. Knowlton, of Hamil- ton, during the winter term. The East School was taught by Miss Mary E. Wilkins, of Middleton ; and the South by Miss Sarah D. Rogers, of Wen- ham. The primary department of the Centre School was taught by Miss Mary E. Gould, and the gram- mar by Miss Carrie E. Batchelder. The success of these teachers is generally well spoken of.

The Library Committee report that i 54 volumes

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 3

have been added, making 1475 besides 160

octavo volumes of reports. They have tried to com- bine, in the books, real worth with readable qual- ities. The receipts have been $206.11, including $56.63 on hand at the beginning ot the year. There has been paid out $163.97, leaving $42.14 in the treasury.

Salem Gazette ^ March 2Q, l8j8.

The most important case of crime that has come before the First Distridt Court, of late, was that ot Kate Judd or Judge, alias Bishop, alias Flynn, she having, apparently, assumed a new name for every place where she lived. On March 26, an attempt was made to burn the house of Mr. Jos. E. Stanwood of Topsfield, the particulars oi which we have al- ready published. It appears that previous to this, the girl Kate, who lived there, was caught in the adt of putting out a fire which she said had accidentally caught in the clothes basket, the smoke having at- tradted attention. After the fire of the 26th, during which the girl got her own trunk on the doorstep, the matter was put into the hands of State Detedf- ives Cronin and Hill, who rather suspedfed this girl, though the Stanwoods did not believe her guilty ; and the girl herself succeeded in diverting suspicions towards a man who lived there. On Thursday, the 28th, the attention of the Stanwoods was diredfed to stains upon the wall. Tracing them, it was found that kerosene had been poured upon the attic floor where rags similarly saturated had also been placed. Detedtives Cronin and Hill went to the place and

4 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

made a careful examination of the house, and finally decided that the incendiary attempt had been made by some of the inmates of the house, and these sus- picions were communicated to Mr. Stanwood, who still did not believe this girl guilty. On the Tues- day afternoon following, this girl Kate, said she had received a despatch saying that her mother was dy- ing. On being told that she could receive no des- patch in Topsfield, she said it had been brought to her from Danvers. By half past six she was started off with sympathetic help from the family, who aid- ed in strapping down her over-full trunk. The sub- ject was again brought to the attention of the officers and it was found that the girl had probably received no despatch. The officers traced the trunk to East Boston, and, on Monday afternoon, officer Cronin came across and arrested the girl at the corner of Milk and Washington streets, Boston. What she then told led to the discovery by the officers of sev- eral trunks of clothing at a small one story house in East Boston. In her valuable colledlion of stolen goods, was a considerable amount of Mrs. Stanwood’s property, including a new silk dress, crape shawl, some silver, etc. The girl finally acknowledged that she set the fires at Mr. Stanwood’s and that she did it in order to cover up her thefts. It also now ap- pears that the girl lived with a Mr. Aiken, Franklin Falls, N. H., and that, while there, his house w^as burned to the ground one night. At the Distridl Court, she pleaded guilty to setting fire three times, and to the larcenies. She was put under $3000 bonds

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 5

on each complaint of setting fire, and $500 on each larceny, making, in all, $10,500, for appearance at the Superior Court.

Salem Gazette^ April //, l8p8.

The following is the substance of Deacon A. S. Peabody's address given on Fast Day. It gives a sketch of the Congregational Sunday School : —

Mr. Peabody in opening said : We meet, friends, on the present occasion, to celebrate the 60th an- niversary of our Sunday School. This school came into existence on the morning of the 31st of May, 1818, in that venerable building, familiar to but a very small number now present, the old one storied red school house, duplicates of which still linger in some of the more sparsely settled distridfs of our rural communities.

According to the testimony of one who has long since passed away, our school came into being with four teachers and forty-five scholars. Your Super- intendent and a few others of that number yet re- main, while the greater part have gone to that bourne from whence no traveller returns. But we trust that, during the 60 years, salutary impressions have been produced upon some minds by the study of God's word, which the records of eternity will unfold ; and we trust also that this school will live in the fu- ture as it has in the past, and that when the present adfors have gone from the stage others ^hall arise to bless and be blessed by the Congregational Sab- bath School of Topsfield. . . .

During several of the earlier years of the school

6 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

its superintendency was in charge of Dea. Samuel Todd, of sainted memory, and then from 1828 and onward, for quite a period, Mr. Francis Vose had charge of the school. Mr. Vose was at the time the precepter of the Academy, then in successful opera- tion, and he was untiring in his efforts in behalf of the Sunday School. The successor to Mr. Vose was Deacon Joel R. Peabody, who faithfully served in the capacity of Superintendent for quite a length of time, being occasionally relieved by those who from time to time taught the Academy, especially by Mr. Asa Farwell. In March, 1843, your humble servant was appointed to the charge of the school, and with the exception of one or two brief intervals he has sustained that charge to the present time, a period of 35 years. At some former periods our school has been considerably larger than it is at the present time, enjoying as high, at one time, as two hundred and sixty. Our number is now but one hundred and seventy-six, with an average attendance of not far from a hundred during the past year. . . .

Salem Gazette^ April ig, 18 p8.

Mr. Thomas P. Emerson, who died at the resi- dence of his son-in-law, Mr. Benj. Jacobs, March 30th, aged seventy-four years, was the only son of Billy Emerson, a man of equestrian notoriety, and grandson of Thomas Emerson, who served as Lieu- tenant under Sir William Pepperell, at the seige of Louisburg, C. B. Rev. S. L. Rodgers, pastor of the M. E. Church, delivered the funeral discourse, por- traying the power exerted by a quiet man as charac-

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 7

terized by Mr. Emerson. Mr. Emerson was em- phatically a peaceable man and truly a gentleman of the old school, commending himself to all classes of the community by his courtesy or polite kindness, geniality, chaste language, and all the kindly influ- ences, and will long be held in remembrance by his friends and townsmen.

The new and well stocked millinery store of Miss Granton of Groveland, in Bailey’s building. Main Street, is a convenience to our village, and the well selected stock of goods there is worthy of an exam- ination.

Mr. Benj. Kimball, of Topsfield, has shown to us a local relic in the form of a letter from Rev. Asahel Huntington, father of the late Hon. Asahel Hunt- ington, of Salem, dated Rehoboth, Dec. 8, 1788. This was at the time when Mr. Huntington was about to be settled as minister in Topsfield, and the letter, which was sent to Mr. David Kimball, re- presenting the church in that town, had reference to a temporary supply by Rev. Jonathan Ellis, whom he speaks of as ‘‘a gentlemen of good charadter, and a preacher of the gospel” ‘‘bound to the eastward,” but “who is not under any special engagements at present.” Mr. Kimball also shows us a receipt which indicates that an engagement was made with Mr. Ellis at rates which differ somewhat from those which prevail at the present time. The receipt reads, — “The Town of Topsfield to Jonathan Ellis, Dr., to preaching two Sabbaths, the 2 ist and 28th of Dec- ember, 1 788, at four dollars per Sabbath, ^2-8s-od.

8 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

Received of Mr. Jacob Kimball in full of the above, this thirty-first day of December, 1788. Jonathan Ellis.”

Mr. Jacob Kimball, Jr., of Topsfield, son of Jacob and Priscilla Kimball, long since deceased, composed a good deal of music, including one or two compilations and at least one bound book of unpublished music all of which have been shown to us, and which will probably be deposited, event- ually in the Essex Institute. “Mr. Jacob Kimball was a graduate of Harvard College in 1780, was in practice at the Court of Common Pleas at Rindge as early as 1797, and was there in 1800. He studied law with the late Judge Wetmore, of Salem, and was admitted to the bar in Strafford County in 1795. He was for many years a celebrated teacher and composer of music. He was endowed with a fine genius, and had some talent in writing poetry, as appears by his version of the 65 th psalm, inserted in Dr. Belknap’s colledtion. He did not remain long in New Hampshire. He died in Topsfield, Mass., July 24, 1826, in the 66th year of his age.” This little obituary of Mr. Kimball is written in the bound volume of his unpublished music, copied from a New Hampshire law publication.

Salem Gazette^ May j>, 18 j8,

Capt. Issachar A. Morgan was thrown from his carriage and instantly killed in Topsfield on the 14th inst. The somewhat romantic life of the deceased, and the marked features of his character, make a more than passing notice appropriate. Capt. Morgan

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 9

was born in Manchester, in 1808. He was the son of a poor man, and was wont to speak with pleasure of his early hardships and struggles. He had few advantages for education w^hen a boy, his school days being confined to a few weeks’ study of navigation. He went to sea with his father when but ten years of age. When twenty years old he became mate of a vessel, and at twenty-two took charge of a schoon- er. In 1849 formed a partnership with Capt. Carter, of Manchester, — a life-long friend, — and went to California. While there he lost all his property, which was invested in shipping. Three vessels went down in Beleanus Bay. Still he did not lose heart. Taking a large ranche on the left bank of the Golden Horn, he went to work in middle life to retrieve his broken fortune. His ranche con- tained several thousand acres, upon which were kept one hundred and fifty cows. His butter ranked sec- ond in the California market. Previous to going to California, Capt. Morgan was married to Miss Lydia Girdler, by whom he had several children. In 1869 he returned to New England and bought the ‘‘Donation Farm,” in Topsfield. In 1871 he mar- ried Miss Ellen F., the youngest daughter of Wm. Kimball, Esq., of Topsfield, and took possession of the farm, which he named “River Dale Ranche.” Here he lived with his young and devoted wife in delightful retirement, improving his farm and entertaining his friends, until he was so suddenly snatched away by death. He used to say that “when he lay down to sleep at night he wanted to know.

lO NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

if he had a dollar, that no man ate the less bread for it.” While in California he projected and caused to be built several roads which were pronounced at first impradficable and impossible, but which proved to be of immense value. He possessed marked pub- lic spirit. Though he retired from the sea in mid- dle life, he kept up an intimacy with his sailor friends and retained his love for “Old Ocean.” When con- fined to his house two years ago by sickness, he sent his carriage a dozen miles for an old sea captain, that he “might see a man who could talk about a rope.”

He leaves a wife and two children, a son and daughter, both residing in California.

Salem Gazette^ May 24.^ l8j8.

A Strange Story. — George Wilkins Lake, formerly of Topsfield, but lately an importer of Japanese goods in New York city, is under arrest in the latter place charged with incest. It is charged that the woman who lives with him as his wife is really his daughter. Lake’s story is that he was brought up on a farm in Topsfield, and after re- turning from some whaling voyages, was married to Lucy Jane Wilkins, in 1870, by whom he had two children. He got a divorce from his wife in Utah, and she now lives with her father in Middle- ton. After his divorce he fell in with the daughter of Moses Towne of Topsfield, educated her and adopted her as his daughter. This adopted daughter has two children, one of whom Lake acknowledges, but knows nothing of the younger, now two or

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIEJ.D I 1

three days old. His explanation for his divorce was at one time that he did not get on well with the Wilkins woman, and at another time that her chil- dren were not his.

Salem Gazette^ June l8 j8.

Our town Band gave its first performance this season on the common Friday evening. The turn out was small, as the air was too chilly in doors to admit of much enjoyment of ‘‘airs’' out of doors, moreover, both churches had choir rehearsals and there was not perfect harmony between the music without and that within ; but we are glad they have made a beginning and hope they will be well sup- ported.

The Library question in respedl to changing books on Saturday evening, started by Rev. Mr. Rodgers in his Sabbath school sermon the other Sunday, is provoking some comment. The young people of course consider any change unnecessary but very many of the heads of families think it a matter which should have prompt attention. The charac- ter of the works of fiction constituting the larger part of the reading matter circulated, also should be closely looked into. A considerable “weeding” of the books w'ould be of great advantage to the moral atmosphere surrounding the young readers. Too much novel is a very bad thing.

Salem Gazette^ June 21, l8j8.

Topsfield, June 27. — Messj^s, Editors: — In a late number of your paper, I noticed some state-

12 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

ments concerning the Topsfield Town Library, which, if true, brand the Committee as dissemina- tors of immoral literature. The Committee consists of the Rev. Mr. Fitts, the Congregational minister, who has filled his position for eight years ; the Rev. Mr. McLoud his predecessor, who held the same position for twenty-eight years ; Dr. Allen, who has been our family physician for twenty years, and Mr. Humphrey Balch who has been a successful farmer and school teacher in the place for forty years. The character of these men is too well known in Topsfield, to need a word of defence there, but as your paper is read not only in Topsfield, but all through Essex County and by Essex men abroad, it is but fair that the fads of the matter should be known ; and perhaps a word of praise for the able, gentlemanly and Christian manner, in which the committee have fulfilled their trust may not be amiss.

To fully understand the nature of their work, it will be necessary to give a short sketch of the Library.

It was started in 1875 by the four gentlemen, whom I have named, and their former associate in the work, the generous and public spirited Sidney A. Merriam, since dead.

They gave their hearts and time to the work of forming a library, which should be both an honor to the town, and a blessing to the people, and nobly have they succeeded.

They gathered together the books of five differ- ent associations; viz: the Old Topsfield Library,

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD I 3

which contained works mostly of an historical or theological nature ; the Ladies’ Library, a collec- tion of books bought by the ladies of the Congre- gational Society ; the Agricultural Library, contain- ing works on agricultural subjects; the Athenaeum Library, which comprised the books of a literary society, which existed here some twenty-five years since; and the Topsfield Literary Club, which in- cluded such standard works as were published dur- ing the existence of the club.

They were then appointed by the town as Li- brary Committee, and have held that position since, with the exception of Mr. Merriam, who was taken from them by the hand of death ; but who in sick- ness as in health, remembered the library and gen- erously left $1000, in the hands of the others, to continue the work which he was called to leave.

After colledling the works of these different as- sociations, the committee solicited funds for the purchase of new books, and have also been frequent- ly helped by concerts, dramas, &c., gotten up for the benefit of the library. They have also received three valuable donations of books, one from Mrs. Blake formerly of Salem, one from Mr. Arthur Merriam a brother of Sidney, and one from N. Cleveland, L.L.D., a native of Topsfield. They have also received some smaller gifts of books from other friends.

The whole labor of arranging and classifying the books received, of selecting and carefully examin- ing the books bought, of caring for the funds of the

14 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

library, of distributing and receiving the books, of re-covering and seeing to re-binding, &c., in short every labor connected with and incident to a library of over 1600 volumes, has been performed by the committee personally in a gentlemanly and efficient manner, and what is still rarer in this selfish age, without money and without price.

Not one cent has the committee been paid for their services, either collectively or individually, by any human being. . . .

Of course novels should not be read alone ; nor need they be in Topsfield, as an examination of our catalogue will show.

Of the more than 1600 volumes in the library, only 400 are novels, and I assert and challenge dis- proval, that that is a smaller per cent, than will be found in the average of public libraries in the country or State, or in the average of college libraries. . . .

Salem Gazette, June 28, l8j8.

Another great sorrow has been inflicted upon a portion of this community in the sudden death, last Thursday, from sun stroke, of Mr. Charles D. Per- kins, eldest son of Mr. Dudley Q. Perkins, — a young man not quite 25 years of age, whose affable manners, kindly nature, and obliging disposition, had greatly endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was formerly clerk in the store of Mr. Kimball, and in that capacity was high- ly popular. On Jan. ist, this year, he was married, and his young widow is so postrated by her sudden

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD I 5

loss as to occasion great anxiety to the family, in reference to her own health. The funeral service on Friday was largely attended, and remarks eulog- istic of the deceased and consolatory to the bereaved, were made by Revs. Messrs. Fitts and Rodgers. This is the fourth painfully sudden death in this village this year, — the others being those of Mr, Emerson, Mr. Welsh, and Capt. Morgan.

Salem Gazette^ July l8j8.

A PLEASANT ANNIVERSARY

[To the Editors of the Salem Gazette]

On July Fourth, year ’78,

Our anniversary day and date,

A band from church of Doctor Bolles, Numbering some two and twenty souls.

And all of them to me well known As hailing from old Salem town.

Called on me, wishing me to lead To some cool grove; and we agreed That we would go to “Lake Lomond.'’

By common parlance styled “Hood’s Pond;” And there we spent the July day.

In a right festive social way.

With viands rare, and kickshaw, cake.

We walked, and talked, and laughed, and ate ; The ladies with their simple grace Doing the honors of the place;

And should I a diversion make I’d style them “Ladies of the Lake.”

I 6 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

And though the day of knighthood ’s past,

The same weird spells on us were cast ;

And there we staid till Sol’s dim light Warned us of the approaching night.

So freighted well, within, without.

We turned our horses’ heads about.

And I was left at my own door,

With prolonged cheers of loud encore.

Now it was in the bill of fare That I a poem should prepare.

And I should publish too, the same.

Which you’ll please do, and in my name.

Yours, C. H. H OLMES.

Ladies and gentlemen, — I’d say,

This is our country’s natal day ;

The day that gave our country birth Among the nations of the earth,

When we declared ourselves as free.

In civil, Christian liberty.

On this glad day we celebrate The great epochal of our fate.

Which all our clust’ring memories fix As July Fourth, year Seventy-Six.

And in this shady cool retreat,

Where we with gratulations meet,

How better can we spend the day Than by discoursing of the way To keep this Union unimpaired For which our fathers’ arms were bared;

A scheme for which their souls were tried,

For which they fought, and bled, and died?

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD IJ

So saying I will now commence My theme on homemade influence,

And how the fireside can exert A great politic good, or hurt.

In Washington’s well known advice These words occur, (above all price). Which have become a sort of law :

‘Tn times of peace prepare for war.” Then how in peace for war prepare Should be our chief concern and care — Not merely in the warlike host And mighty armament we boast ;

These answer for our foreign foes.

But heal not our domestic woes.

From whence do wars and tumults rise, That threaten oft our civil skies ?

And wherefore, and from whence began “Man’s inhumanity to man?”

To trace the cause remote, abstruse,

For present purpose were no use.

Since Biblic truth treats in one sum These from our warring members come; “The eyes’ lust, and the pride of life,” These are the elements of strife, —

The ways and means of that same power “Who seeks all whom he may devour.” Then all our wars and tumults rise From him “the father of all lies”

And each contentious evil fix Is a contrivance of old Nick’s;

I 8 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

Which proves, and it is obvious,

Old Nick has ‘‘raised the Devil” with us.

The fact is we have lived too fast.

We’ve thought too much of rank and caste; We’ve spoiled the child and spared the rod.

And worshipped Mammon more than God ; And God has sent upon us woes —

And worst of all, domestic foes; —

Then panics, burnings, tramps, the strike, Nature’s convulsions, and the like.

If we God’s favor would regain.

We from these evils must abstain.

We must retrace our steps, go back And gain the puritanic track.

And emulate in nobler strife Their simple habits, modes of life.

To keep these blessings unimpaired For which our father’s arms were bared.

For which they fought at Bunker Hill,

We must promulgate “peace, good will,”

And to secure them oft should go

Back to the source from whence they flow, —

E’en to the farthest social source.

Which is our chiefest, best recourse.

Aye to the simple fireside home.

From whence our civil blessings come, —

And there investigate the way We bring up “Young America.”

To carry out this great design.

Which all our blessings vast combine.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 1 9

To well maintain our country’s cause, Its institutions and its laws,

’Tis proper that we cultivate The social gathering, simple fete And all the little rollick mirths That cluster round domestic hearths, — Keeping these sources clear, and pure. Free from corruption and all lure;

For our true strength and union lies In our domestic social ties.

These socials are the little rills That trickle from the far-up hills —

The streamlets there that percolate. Uniting in one stream more great. Which give back in a mystic sense An interchanging influence;

Or like the veins remote that start Their currents to the vital heart.

And then return them to the source With a reacting living force.

First then, our civil blessings come From the instruBedy moral home;

And then this home with that allied. Extending wider and more wide.

Till each concentric social wave Its farthest outer one will lave ;

Parent and child ’twill first embrace. Our country next, and next our race ; And forming in a certain sense An interchanging influence,

A reactionary life-force

An ebb and flow throughout the course.

20 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

Thus all of us, yes, all, exert An influence for good or hurt.

Extending e’en to our pastimes.

As well as to our virtues, crimes ;

‘‘For no man liveth to himself;”

Whate’er his poverty or pelf,

Whate’er his station, mode of life,

The civil or the warlike strife.

Or bond or free, or peer, or boor.

Or honest man or man of lure.

He cannot, would he, keep aloof.

But forms a part of warp and woof In the great textured web mundane.

Which now and ever must remain.

His every adl to bless or curse Is written on the universe ;

And there the feeblest thought, some say.

Is inwrought for the final day ;

Then let none say they’re powerless.

Since e’en unconscious they impress.

And thus a penalty incur For tendency of charadler.

, Salem Gazette, August 2, l8j8.

A TOPSFIELD LAWN PARTY.

Correspondence of the Salem Gazette.

Topsfield, Aug. 15, 1878. Messrs. Editors : — On Monday evening last, the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs of Topsfield, were invited to meet at their beautiful residence, for the

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 2 1

purpose of holding a lawn party. About eight o’clock the guests began to arrive, and in half an hour later about sixty fortunate ones had gathered in response to their invitation. The evening was beautiful, the sky was cloudless, and the moon being full, al- though partially obscured by the eclipse in the early evening, shone out in all its brightness. While those assembled were enjoying the occasion by social chatting, the Topsfield Brass Band, followed by hundreds of the village people, appeared upon the scene to increase the happiness of those assembled. They were assisted on this occasion by Mr. John M. Flockton, Jr., the popular leader of your cele- brated Salem Band. They rendered a fine program, which was highly pleasing and liberally applauded. Mr. Flockton performed a drum solo upon the snare drum, which brought forth the applause of the entire company, together with those colledfed outside the grounds. It was a surprise as well as a great treat to the people of Topsfield, many express- ing the opinion that no such drumming was ever before heard in Topsfield. After an hour or more spent at the beautiful summer house, recently eredf- ed by Mr. Jacobs, and promenading around the grounds, the company were invited to a splendid supper, prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, which was partaken of and praised by all. After supper the guests were invited into the spacious parlors, and the hours, far in night, were passed in a most social and pleasant manner. Miss Peabody, of Topsfield, recited several humerous readings, which brought

22 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

forth the hearty applause of all. The company then joined in singing many beautiful songs and hymns. About midnight, as many were beginning to think of home, the Rev. Mr. Rodgers, of Topsfield, was invited to lead the company in a family worship. Prayer was oifered to Almighty God to shed his blessings upon all assembled, especially upon those who had done so much for the enjoyment of those present. “Nearer, my God, to Thee,'' was sung with a will. After a general handshaking and an earnest good night, the company separated, and de- parted for their several homes, with their hearts full of joy and thanks for the privilege that had been afforded them of mingling together on an occasion so enjoyable to all ; and all felt that they could not express their gratitude for the perfed: and successful manner in which all the arrangements had been carried out to make it the most enjoyable occasion within their recolledion. One of the Guests.

Salem Gazette^ August i6, l8y8.

A CARD FROM THE TOPSFIELD LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Certain persons who from the first have been members of the Library Committee in Topsfield, and who have taken an adive part in organizing the library, and as they had supposed with a fair degree of success and acceptance, beg leave to state that the library is managed on the same principles that it has been managed hitherto. They are quite at a loss to know what is intended by the declarations of

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 23

a certain critic that he has carried the popular sen- timent with him, and that the leaven is working very much to his satisfaction. As heretofore the com- mittee will continue to furnish the library, as they have the means at command, with the best litera- ture in the language, and any denunciation of their selections, as “weak and sentimental trash and love- sick stories” unsustained by faCts and specifications, will probably have very little effeCt upon the com- mittee or the patrons of the library. Against all lit- erature not only pernicious but worthless, have they endeavored to guard, and as far as they know, with entire success, except in a single instance. A book, “Col. Jack,” written by De Foe, author of Rob- inson Crusoe, was, with others, presented to the li- brary, and, in consideration of both author and don- or without examination or thought, put into circu- lation. A member of the committee accidently dis- covered the objectionable character of the book, and laid it aside where it remained something more than a year. It was restored to the shelves again by a casual oversight, where it had been two or three months when it was again observed, and removed, before the recent assault upon the library. The committee are not aware of anything like party feeling in town in respeCt to the library, or any complaint in regard to the management of it ; and perhaps had been made a little vain by the compli- ments they had received on account of their selec- tion of books. Whatsoever of intelligence and judg- ment they are capable of exercising, they will gladly

24 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

use for the furtherance of those ends which a town library is designed to secure. The members of the committee take this opportunity to attest the cor- rectness of the statements in the articles published in the Mercury in defence of the library, against the attacks made upon it.

Salem Gazette, August l8j8.

Rev. Mr. Rodgers, of Topsfield, wishes us to state that the objectionable book which the com- mittee removed from the Topsfield library is the one that suggested his criticisms ; that it was in the li- brary just before those criticisms were made ; and that the book is still named in the catalogue. To this we suppose the committee would say that they do not propose to print a new catalogue merely be- cause a book had been withdrawn. Mr. Rodgers also observes that the committee endorse “the state- ments made in their defence, and say nothing about “the style and objectionable mode’’ of that de- fence. He also says “the library, outside of its fic- tion, is irreproachable,” and wishes the committee to read some of the other books and see if they do not find others to remove. — Eds.

On Thursday last, the beach party of the Con- gregational Sunday School, a hundred and fifty in number, was favored by a splendid day, a large com- pany, plenty of enjoyment, and immunity from ac- cident or any disturbing element. They went forth singing and did not return weeping.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 25

Deborah Kimball of this town celebrates her 99th birthday October 2, and is still smart and adtive, and able to be about.

Died in Wasco county, Oregon, on the i6th of May, George H. Deland in the 36th year of his age. Born in Topsfield, Massachusetts, “the cradle of liberty,’’ he was among the first to rally in de- fence of the Union, and served faithfully through the war. He came to this coast soon thereafter, and marrying, settled in this city, where his generosity and integrity of charadfer won for him a host of friends. Though capable of making his mark any- where, it was at the family fireside and in the so- cial circle that his warm and ardent nature was dis- played most brilliantly. In the various relations of husband, parent, philanthropist, and friend, his life shone brightest. His amiable companion and a daughter of five years survive him. — Oregon paper.

Salem Gazette^ August jo, l8j8.

The Harvest Concert of the Methodist Sabbath School came off on Sunday evening last. Great prep- aration had been made for it in the way of elabor- ate decorations, and the effect was very brilliant. The church was well lighted, and the flowers, fruits, plants, shrubs, evergreens, autumn leaves, and mot- toes, arranged and displayed in great taste, were brought into pleasant prominence. The singing presented a leading feature- of the concert. It was condudfed by Mr. George Whittemore with his ac- customed vigor and skill. Prof. Wildes of George-

26 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

town, and Miss Carrie Glazier, the church organ- ist, presided at the organ, a new one placed in the chancel for the Sabbath School and used in public for the first time on this occasion. The cornet ac- companiments of Eddie Balch were greatly admired and contributed not a little to the melody of the hour. The recitations were well and carefully ren- dered, and it was obvious that from the smallest child to the oldest person, <^//had thrown their hearts into the work, and that the undertaking had been a labor of love. The beauty of simple worship was infused into the whole service, and the idea of dis- play was altogether kept in the back ground. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Pastor, and closed with timely remarks from Revds. J. H. Fitts, of the Congregational church and S. L. Rod- gers. Mr. C. J. Trowbridge of Boston and other friends lent efficient aid in singing, and the coopera- tive spirit of a great number was very cheeringly manifested. The church was thoroughly packed, many being unable to obtain admittance. Mr. D. E. Davis, superintendent, presided.

Mr. Elisha P. Andrews narrowly escaped one day last week from what came near being a serious ac- cident, the accident happening in precisely the same manner as the one that proved fatal to the late Capt. I. A. Morgan.

“Uncle Tom's Cabin" was rendered in such good style and excellent taste, last Friday night in the Town Hall, by Anthony & Parsons's troupe as to leave little room for criticism ; and as a testimony

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 27

of the popularity of the drama and the manner of its rendition, the number of the audience and the frequent applause during its performance abundant- ly show.

Salem Gazette^ Sept, d, l8j8.

The Seventh day Advents have been holding a series of special services in the small room of the Town Hall, but their audiences were not large enough to warrant their continuance through the week as advertised. Those who sympathize with them in the neighboring towns have rallied round them and their meetings have been quite orderly and devotional and it is worthy of comment that their distinctive views and theories have been en- forced with unusual moderation and respeCt for the opinion of others.

About one hundred and fifty people from Box- ford and Topsfield passed through here on barges last Tuesday morning, en route for Plum Island, ac- companied by the Boxford Brass Band. — Advocate.

Salem Gazette^ Sept. 20, l8p8.

The Salem Light Infantry, Captain Jonathan Osborne, held their annual target shoot and fall par- ade at Topsfield on Tuesday. The company, mus- tering some thirty-five men, with ten or twelve in- vited guests, accompanied by the Salem Band, left its armory at about half past eight, and marched to North Salem, from whence they were conveyed to Topsfield by barges. Upon arriving, the company was received by the Selectmen and citizens, who tend-

28 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

ered them the hospitalities of the town. The morn- ing was spent in target pradlice. The medal for the best shot was awarded to private William F. Parshley, who scored i8. The second best score was made by Captain Osborne, who scored 17. The best score of the day, 20 points, was made by Mr. Albert D. Sanborn, a past member of the company. The corps were handsomely entertained by Mr. B. F. Jacobs, and dined by the citizens. In the afternoon, there was speaking at the band stand by prominent citi- zens, including Rev. Mr. Rodgers, Lieut. Holmes, Captain Osborne, Dr. Chase, Mr. Peabody, and others ; a promenade concert by the Salem Band ; and an exhibition drill by the Light Infantry. The day’s pleasures closed with a hop in the Town Hall in the evening, and a banquet at ten o’clock. The command returned to Salem just after midnight.

A TOPSFIELD DITTY,

Correspondence of the Salem Gazette.

Topsfield, Oct. I, 1878.

The advent of Capt. Osborne with the Salem Light Infantry, Oct. ist, was quite an event in our town. The weather was serene and delightful and everything well conducted. The company after de- bouching at the outskirts of the village marched to “the Common” to the stirring music of fife and drum, and in the spacious field of Mr. Holmes practised target shooting till two o’clock, and then escorting the town authorities and their guests

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 29

through the beautiful grounds of Mr. Jacobs, and being all button-hole-bouquetted by the fair ladies of the mansion, proceeded to the Town Hall where a plentiful collation was prepared through the assiduities of the Topsfield ladies and committee of preparation. As I viewed the delicate promptness with which the ladies executed their duties I could well say with Walter Scott, by the aid of a parody, “Oh woman in our hours of ease.

Uncertain, coy, and hard to please.”

But when we wish to give a treat ’Tis then that woman can’t be beat.

Adopting the lines of our Topsfield bard, —

“With viands rare, and kickshaw cate.

We laughed and talked and much we ate.

Till freighted well within, without,

As we went in, so we went out,” and proceeded to the band stand on the Common, where speakers were introduced by the President of the day, who well supported the character of the town, and were happily responded to by Major Chase and Capt. Osborne, the band at intervals discours- ing soul stirring music, and the last that we saw of the phalanx was in the mazy evolutions of the dance. The whole affair was a decided success and the strid: decorum of the soldiers especially noticeable. Never have I seen in any like event so much polite kind- ness displayed. At the request of Capt. Osborne, Mr. Holmes chairman of the occasion, has fur- nished a part of his introdudory speech, which is subjoined : —

30 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

As the President of the day I have a word or two to say :

Pm here to do the town’s behests In welcoming our martial guests.

We’re glad to see you, meet you here,

Glad to extend to you our cheer.

And in a word, with one acclaim I welcome you in Topsfield’s name !

Further I’d say a word or two.

And will essay to bring to view Some things our Topsfield fathers done When this town’s settlement begun.

The Topsfield fathers early laid The common out for a parade.

And staked it out by mete and bound To be for e’er “a training ground.”

A training ground it e’er has been —

A nursery for warlike men.

Early as seventeen forty-five.

When British did with Frenchmen strive, (To make it plain, go back as far As what we style ‘‘the old French war,”)

A Topsfield Emerson, folks tell.

Served with Sir William Pepperell ;

And with his full six thousand men Many a Topsfield citizen.

In later times which we will fix At ’bout the time of “seventy-six,”

A Topsfield man, brave Capt. Gould,

Who would by Britain not be ruled.

Stood forth a champion in the cause

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 3 I

Of equal rights and equal laws.

And with him many patriots more Who in this strife their country bore.

And in our late Rebellion’s wars,

We have a galaxy of stars, —

The men that fought, the men that bled.

And the revered and sacred dead —

Whose sacrifices e’er will be Engraven on our memory.

And should our country on us call.

We’re ready, aye we’re ready all.

Ready, all ready to be found

On the old Common training ground.

Salem Gazette^ Oct, i8j8.

Our Topsfield correspondent sent us a very ex- cellent report of the visit of the Salem Light In- fantry to Topsfield, (together with other items), which, by an accidental circumstance, did not come to our notice till after the issue of last week’s paper, which we very much regret. Having already pub- lished an account of this event, it is now too late to print another ; but our correspondent says, ‘fit is now forty years since any military display took place in the village, and there was a great deal of interest manifested, so that the scene was rendered quite lively in the afternoon, by the gathering together of everybody and his neighbor. The company de- serve to be congratulated upon their appearance, condud: and skill, and we shall all be glad to see them again.”

32 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

The Shaffer Bell-ringers gave a good entertain- ment in the Town Hall on Monday, last week, to a small house.

Salem Gazette^ Oct. //, l8j8,

Wednesday evening the Topsfield Greenback par- ty had a rally at the Town Hall. Speeches were made by Messrs. M. Hull of Boston, E. S. Metcalf of Salem and E. L. Hill of Danvers, who were es- corted to and from the hall by a torchlight pro- cession and a band of music.

The Town Hall was nearly filled last Wednesday evening by an audience composed of men, women, and children, who had been convened by the com- bined influences of a torchlight procession, a band of music, and the sounding “brass'’ of Moses Hull, who spoke in a seduBive manner for a considerable time, endeavoring to explain the inexplicable, in an at- tempt to illuminate the mystic theories of the But- ler platform. Some persons probably thought he succeeded; he himself undoubtedly being of the number ; but there were others (and not a few) who laughed at the fallacies and saw through the flimsy cobwebs by which it was sought to delude the pub- lic. His effort was worthy of a better cause; but it was powerless in convincing men's minds and lead- ing them into light. One statement will serve as a sample of the whole in its extravagance. He said that if Butler had been allowed his own way at the commencement of the war the Rebellion would have been put down in three months. He did not re-

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 33

mind his hearer though that his chief was super- seded in his command because he would not obey orders and because he refused to fight, before the war closed.

Travelling companies are getting as numerous as tramps and are becoming just about as welcome. “The entertainment” element this season would not suggest starvation and want. The echoes of Shaff- er’s Bells had hardly died away ere the “Two Orphans” made two abortive and one unsuccessful attempt to take our money away ; but “Politics” and home efforts claim nearly all the attention our people are able to give just now, and they have no cause to complain of indifference or negledl. Every evening last and nearly every evening this week either has claimed, or will claim the patronage and attention of the public, and yet they show no signs of being tired.

The Village Ledture Course increases in interest and in attendance. Quite a good audience assembled on Tuesday evening last week to listen to a very fine discussion of the Labor problem by Rev. Mr. Maguire of Fitchburg who did justice to his theme and succeeded in pleasantly and profitably holding the attention of his hearers for about an hour, a per- iod by the way long enough for any ledture to last and too long for a great many. Rev. Mr. Thorn- dike delivers the next ledture, on “You and I,” on Thursday evening of this week. He is one of the rising ministers of the M. E. Church, and is an elo- quent speaker who does not use manuscript.

34 newspaper items relating to topsfield

The opening of the fiftieth annual course of led;- ures of the Salem Lyceum, which is soon to take place, marks an epoch so notable as to attrad: an un- usual degree of interest to that venerable institution, which is probably the only Lyceum that has main- tained its operations successfully, in unbroken series, for the whole half century. . . .

The first attempt was to establish a formidable or- ganization of State, County, and Town organiza- tions. The latter to be the primary bodies, with rep- resentatives to constitute the higher bodies. This work was begun in February, 1829, when a pub- lic meeting was held at the State House, in Boston, at which Governor Lincoln presided. In the latter part of the same year, a meeting was held in Tops- field, for the purpose of forming an Essex County Lyceum ; but the subjed was postponed till March, 1830, when delegates from seventeen Town Lyce- ums assembled at Ipswich, and were organized as a County Lyceum. . . .

Salem Gazette^ Oct, 18, l8j8.

There were two great political meetings last week in the village, which created more excitement than is at all common here.

The first was the Republican Rally on Monday evening. The audience filled the hall and was re- markable for its large proportion of men, although it did not lack the presence of many ladies. The speakers Messrs. Squire and Noyes, (who were es- corted by several members of the Committee and the Band,) were equal to the occasion and acquitted

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 35

themselves with credit. Their arguments were clear and logical, and all led to the conclusion that for the Government as well as the citizen “Honesty is the best policy.”

In a quiet and gentlemanly manner they cor- rected the errors and exposed the fallacies of the Butler theories, and with great perspicuity unfolded the mischief with which society was threatened by the incendiary policy of the irrepressible General. The speeches were both well received, with the ex- ception, that a few enthusiastic greenbackers dis- played “their true inwardness” by unseemly inter- ruptions which formed a marked contrast to the civility and courtesy extended by the Republicans and others to the Butierites at all their meetings. Their misconduCl will probably cost their party several votes.

The second gathering was on Tuesday evening, when the hall was again well filled, and this time there was a great preponderance of ladies and young people who seemed to manifest a weakness in favor of soft money, though if truth may be told, they paid pretty dearly in yawns and weariness for their fancy. The orator on this occasion was Leo Miller, of New York, the silver tongued champion of Ben- jamin F. Butler. He is a highly nervous gentleman who manifested a great deal of impatience with the juvenile whisperers in the house, and the audacious smokers in the vestibule. His manner was excited and irritable and did not create a pleasant impress- ion ; but for upwards of two hours he poured forth

36 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

a continuous stream of eloquent words, attempting to show that the Republicans had betrayed the coun- try, that usury was the boss demon going about, seeking whom he might devour, and that the in- stantaneous liquidation of bonds by greenbacks, would bring about the halcyon days forthwith. He is an accomplished speaker, but a visionary, who deals in sophistries rather than in sound arguments.

THE NATIONAL BANKS,

The present national banking system is the best that has ever been devised. . . .

We will explain, concisely, and familiarly, the process of forming a national bank, under the law. The town of Topsfield, if you please, wants a bank. John Bailey, the shoe-manufacturer, Adams and Kimball, the grocers, Edwards the apothecary, Mer- riam, the depotmaster, and other good folks, put in their money and organize a bank with a capital of $100,000. They wish to put out a bank note cir- culation of $90,000. In order to secure those notes, and render the common people who take them per- fedtly safe, whatever may happen to the stock- holders, the law requires that this particular bank shall invest its entire capital in United States bonds, and that these bonds shall be forwarded to the Unit- ed States treasury, where the government may keep an eye upon them and be sure that the bank does not sell them again. These bonds are the property

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 37

of the bank, which has paid for them ; and the gov- ernment simply holds them in trust, so that, if the banks owners do a losing business and come to grief, the common people, who hold the bank note cur- rency of this smashed up bank, shall get their money out of the proceeds of these bonds. Bailey, Adams, Kimball, and Merriam, may sink every dollar of the capital they put into the bank, but every shoe- maker and day laborer in Topsfield who holds one of that bank's notes, is perfedUy secure, so long as the government is secure. . . .

To go back once more to this Topsfield bank, by way of proving what we say about this matter of responsibility, let us see where it bought its $100, 000 of U. S. bonds. If it bought them of the gov- ernment it must have bought such as the govern- ment has for sale, or bonds bearing 4 per cent, in- terest. In that case, the bank, by loaning the gov- ernment money at 4 per cent., enabled that govern- ment to pay off so much of its 6 per cent, debt, thus actually enabling it to save 2 per cent, interest, an- nually, without adding a dollar to its pecuniary re- ponsibility. But suppose the bank went into the mar- ket and bought $100,000 of outstanding bonds, and obtained them in that way. Mr. Charles Herrick, for instance, when the government was in need, loaned his last dollar of$ 100,000, in order to help save the country. The government pays him inter- est regularly, and everybody says that is all right. But today he sells all his bonds to this new bank. The government’s responsibility has not changed.

38 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

nor increased. Where it was before under obligation to Charles Herrick, it is now under obligation to the bank. Where it before paid interest to Charles Herrick, it now pays it to the Topsfield bank. There is this advantage to the people in the new owner- ship, however. When Mr. Herrick invested all his capital in those bonds, he was made free of taxes. When the Topsfield bank invests $100,000 in those same bonds, it at once begins to pay State, county, and town taxes on the cash value of the capital thus invested. So the community gets a benefit out of the changed ownership of the bonds. We may say, right here, that the banks of Salem pay a tax of $35,895 on their stock, exclusive of what they pay on real estate. . . .

Salem Gazette^ Oct, ^5, i8j8.

B. P. Adams, of Topsfield, was nominated as can- didate for representative by “the workingmen and greenbackers’’ at a caucus held in Topsfield on Wed- nesday night. The vote “was made unanimous by acclamation.’" J. Balch was President of the caucus, and Charles Carmody, Secretary. The i 3 th distrid: is composed of Middleton, Lynnfield, Saugus and Topsfield, and this is the Topsfield year. This nom- ination is expeded to unite both the Butler Green- backers and other Democrats to a certain extent.

Salem Gazette,, Nov. /, i8j8.

The following fads may not be uninteresting or uninstrudive.

It became our turn this year, as one of the four towns comprising the 13 th distrid, to send a rep-

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 39

resentative to the General Court, and a caucus was held Nov. 30th for the purpose of nominating one in the interest of the Republican party, when the final ballot presented the following result : John H. Potter 34, John H. Towne 14, Irving Phillips 6, and Dudley Bradstreet 3. Delegates were then elect- ed to represent the caucus at the Convention to be holden at Lynnfield, and the choice fell on Messrs. Samuel Todd, Augustine Peabody, Edward Towne, George Averill, Webster Galloup, Eugene Wildes, Pro6tor Perkins, and Wm. Kimball. It seems, how- ever, that some objedtion was made at said conven- tion, by the Saugus delegates, to the name of Mr. Potter, whereupon the first named half of our del- egates betrayed strong “Bradstreet proclivities’" and notwithstanding the sturdy resistance of the other half, the result was, that the 7mnority of the caucus became the majority of the convention. As soon as this strange state of things became known another caucus was called, which assumed the charadler of an “indignation meeting,” and the result of the bal- lot then cast was as follows : whole number of votes 40, for Potter 39, for Bradstreet i. The delegates were on motion dispatched to Saugus next day, to see what could be done ; but the anti-Potter ele- ment again prevailed, and the result so far as Tops- field is concerned, was a plurality of 1 1 in favor of the Greenback candidate.

Moral, Let the relations between a caucus and its delegates be better defined in future, and let men be elected who will not go back upon those who sent them. Republican.

40 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

[It is our impression that the above account makes one important omission. If we were corre<5Uy in- formed, the original caucus, after expressing its de- cided preference, as above stated, for Mr. Potter, passed a vote which practically authorized the del- egates to support some other candidate in case they saw good reason, in Republican interest, so to do, and refused to instruct them to vote for Mr. Potter absolutely. We presume the delegates who voted against Mr. Potter did so upon the representation of the Saugus Republicans that Mr. Potter could not command the Republican vote of that town, some saying that Mr. Hood was eleCIed over him once before, and others finding fault that, pending Mr. Hood’s contest of the seat, Mr. Potter voted for Mr. Dawes for senator instead of for Gen. Banks, whom Saugus wanted, — a very judicious aCt, on Mr. Pot- ter’s part, we would take occasion to say. We do not profess to know anything personally of this squabble, but if we have been correCUy informed about the instructions, it seems to us to alter the case. — Eds. Mercury.^

The political events of last week have left tran- quility and peace behind them notwithstanding that the hopes and expectations of many have been sore- ly disappointed. The town meeting was largely at- tended, and the hall was well filled during most of the time the polls were open. The general opinion seemed to be that “the General” would not be Governor of Massachusetts, and that Benjamin P. Adams the Greenback nominee would be the rep-

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 4 1

resentative to the General Court, of the united towns, owing to the “split in the camp” in regard to the Republican nomination, in this town, of Mr. John H. Potter, which was overruled by the other three towns, and the name of Mr. Dudley Brad- street, Chairman of the Seledfmen, substituted. Nevertheless, the matter went straight, and the lat- ter was eledled. The vote stood, Bradstreet 102, Adams 113. Mr. Adams’s vote was quite compli- mentary, all things considered. Mr. Bradstreet, who suffered by the bolt, is a lineal descendant of old Governor Bradstreet, and occupies the old family farm in this town.

Salem Gazette^ Nov. 8, l8y8.

[We were no doubt in error, instating, last week that a vote was passed at the Republican caucus in this town to the general effedl: that the delegates were not, of necessity ^ to be bound by the vote ex- pressing a preference as to a candidate. It was no doubt a misunderstanding of our own, arising from the simple fadl that no special vote of instrudtion to delegates was actually passed beyond the vote for a candidate, which seems to be regarded, according to the practice in the country towns, as equivalent to instruction. — Eds. Mercury l\

Salem Gazette., Nov. 75, 18 j8.

The grand concert and dance to be given in the Town Hall on Thanksgiving evening, by the Ger- mania Band of Boston, commends itself to the pat- ronage of every lover of music in the community. The celebrated performer, Mr. E. M. Bagley, who

42 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

has made the tour of Europe as the first cornet solo- ist of Gilmore’s band, has recently returned, and will make his first appearance on this occasion. The distinguished sopranoist. Miss Florence Carlisle, of Boston, will also appear as vocalist. The program is in all respects equal to the best performances of this most celebrated band. The supper, including ices, salads, &c., will be furnished by a Boston ca- terer. The very limited terms of admission to the concert, 35 cents, is within the means of every one, for a musical entertainment, far superior to anything ever before brought out in this vicinity. To accom- adate those who wish to attend the concert from adjoining towns, a special train of cars will be wait- ing at the depot at the close of the concert, to con- vey passengers to Danvers, Boxford and George- town.

Salem Gazette^ Nov. 22, l8j8.

Quite a week of excitement has the last been, and if the money spent in pleasure is any criterion, it is quite clear that the cry of ‘^hard times” is more visionary than true.

On Monday the Jubilee Singers of Harper’s Fer- ry, Virginia, gave an exquisite entertainment at the Methodist church, which was lent for the purpose. They were certainly equal to, if not in some re- peats superior to, the famous Fiske Troupe. The contralto, alto and bass voices, are not to be sur- passed. A more enjoyable evening can scarcely be experienced, than that which their concert affords.

On Wednesday the Spaulding Bell Ringers made

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 43

another of their annual appearances ; but from a variety of causes were not so well supported as in previous years ; still a seledt audience greeted them in the Town Hall, and in return were well satisfied.

On the evening of Thanksgiving Day, quite an elaborate provision was made here for the pleasure loving people of this and the neighboring towns by a committee who adled under the auspices of the Library Committee, and notwithstanding the unfav- orable weather, the undertaking was quite a suc- cess. A very large attendance, a concert, a dance, and a supper, formed a combination which yielded both pleasure and money, though the expenses were too large to admit of much profit. A good time was experienced, and thanks are due to the energy of the chairman, Mr. Green Merriam, who was the moving spirit of the affair.

Thieves are abroad and at home also, it would seem, by the fadi that Mr. Thomas Pierce, Jr., drove into one of B. P. Adams’ sheds the other evening, with a valuable robe in his buggy ; but on starting for home he found said robe missing, and although the constabulary have been in motion, no tidings have yet been heard of the stolen article.

Other depredations are said to have taken place, which are not made public, for the sake of facili- tating detection, but caution and care will have to be the order of the day and night too, if folks de- sire to keep their own.

Mr. G. F. Whittemore has started a singing school, which is to be held on Monday evenings.

44 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

at Wesley Hall. Persons should enter at once, in order to get the benefit of the early lessons. Quite a large number have given in their names already, and it is expedled the class will be well filled.

Cider at 5c per gallon at the Topsfield Cider Mill. We are selling good Cider fresh from the press for 5 cts. per gallon at the mill. Cider deliv- ered at reasonable rates. Casks and Kegs of all sizes furnished if desired, at the lowest market prices.

J. A. Peterson. P. O. Box 69.

Salem Gazette ^ Nov. 28, l8j8.

It is pleasant to notice that T. W. Pearce, Esq. a citizen of this town, is betraying interest in the intelledlual welfare of the people, and that one way in which he is seeking to promote it, is by inaugur- ating a course of free ledtures on interesting and in- structive themes, to be delivered during the first three months of the new year.

A committee has been nominated by Mr. Pearce to aid him in carrying out this arrangement. They met for the first time on Friday evening and organ- ized, Rev. Mr. Fitts being appointed chairman. Rev. Mr. Rodgers, secretary, and Benjamin Poole, Jr., Esq., treasurer. It is expedted that an attradlive pro- gram will be completed very shortly, of which due announcement will be given in our columns. Mean- while we commend the liberality of Mr. Pearce as an example worthy of being followed by influential inhabitants of our smaller villages. He proposes to bear the entire expense himself.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 45

The committee selected represent both the churches and the town equally, and they doubtless will execute their trust to the best of their ability. They are already in correspondence with several eminent lecturers, and will lose no time in discharg- ing the duties entrusted to them.

The ledlure course given in the Methodist church just completed, may be regarded, all things consid- ered, as a success, and as an evidence that there is a growing interest in the minds of the people in favor of intelledlual recreation. The average atten- dance was about a hundred, and a lee was charged for admission. It is right that this town should awak- en to the importance of this method of self improve- ment and culture, inasmuch as it has a rightful claim to be regarded as pioneer in the ledfcure field. In the old coaching days, when Topsfield was a central spot and its hotel a place of renown, some of the foremost lecturers on anti-slavery and other topics used to convene large andiences from all parts of the county. Interesting reminiscences therefore, as well as present advantage, should combine to lend em- phases to every new movement in this direction.

There were two funerals last week in the town, a most unusual occurrence. The infant child of Mr. Quint, of chronic heart disease, and Mr. Chamber- lain, the victim of the sad and mysterious railway accident at Haverhill, he having been run over by an' engine while on the track. His death was al- most instantanteous.

Salem Gazette ^ Dec, IJ, l8j8.

46 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

An excellent miscellaneous concert was given in the Town Hall, Tuesday of last week, by Prof. Metcalf and his singing school, to a very small aud- ience, which is more to be regretted, as the enter- tainment was an exceptionally good one. The chorus of about fifty voices exhibited fine qualities and bore testimony to a rigorous drill ; vigor, precision and ease were pleasantly manifested. Miss Maud Tuck- er, of Boston, was the only stranger soloist present and she was a host in herself. A rich melodious voice which falls upon the ear with such sweetness, and a charming simplicity of manner, are combin- ations which never fail to fascinate, and these this lady possesses in a high degree. She appeared three times, and each time was enthusiatically encored. Should she come here again, she will certainly prove a great attradlion. Insufficient advertising was pro- bably one cause of the scant attendance. The season of the year and the hard times another. The Pro- fessor conducted with his customary skill, and did not lack aid of the right kind in the material he had before him.

Great preparations are being made for Christmas. Amusement appears to be the order of the day this week. The Sabbath Schools of both societies take the lead, and have prepared elaborately for the en- tertainment of their friends on Christmas eve. The Congregationalists have secured both the large and small rooms of the Town Hall, and the Methodists will use their church and vestry. It is to be hoped that the Christmas trees will be very fruitful, and

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 47

that there will be no disappointments, that the oys- ters and confections will not atone tor.

The Odd Fellows on the evening of Christmas day will follow with many combined attractions. The Eureka Club have promised to do their best and require no puffing. Everybody knows that ev- erybody will be satisfied, and therefore of course no- body will stay away. The neighboring lodges are expected in large numbers, and if the weather is propitious there is no doubt of a great success. The eating, drinking, music and dancing will commend themselves to their respective votaries.

On New Year’s night, Mr. Green Merriam pro- poses taking the place by storm once more. Gil- more’s Band, Levy, the Temple Quartet, Smith, the Boston caterer, with a staff of waiters, — a new light to rival the sun for brightness, — &c., are talked of as a small part of the program, while special trains are to run from almost everywhere ; so at least it is said, for the facts we shall have to wait till next year.

On the 2nd or 3rd of January the Free LeCture Course, is expeCted to commence. ^‘Russia and Tur- key” will be the interesting theme of the first lec- ture, but the arrangements are not quite completed.

The Centennial Jubilee Singers whose perform- ance gave so much satisfaction to a small audience, a little while ago, and whose second coming has been so clamorously demanded, are expeCted to come again on Monday, January 6, when they are to give an entirely new entertainment in the Methodist Church.

Salem Gazette^ Dec, 20, l8j8.

48 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

The amusement season has been inaugurated gal- lantly this year ; the two Sunday Schools having had excellent entertainments which were well pat- ronized.

At the Methodist Festival, every seat was occu- pied before the time of commencment, and during the evening a large number had to be content with standing room. The program was very attractive, and all present speak loudly in praise of the way in which it was carried out. The Topsfield band ac- quited themselves in their usual efficient manner. Santa Claus was liberal, and the Christmas tree was certainly more prolific than the best laden apple tree this fall. The singing, the declaration, the drama and the supper, all far exceeded satisfaction point, and the company dispersed just in time to wish each other a Merry Christmas before the good old day dawned upon them.

The Odd Fellows on Christmas night fully real- ized the large expectations they had raised. The Eurekas did themselves justice and proved that they can hold their own with any amateur dramatic club in this county at least. The attendance if not quite up to last year was very large, especially when the festivities of the previous evening were considered.

Report was not so far ahead of truth as it often is, in the grand concert arrangements for new year's night. Brown's brigade band and the Temple Quar- tette of Boston, together with the world renowned cornet soloist Levy of New York are aClually en- gaged, and will surely be on hand. Smith, the cel-

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 49

ebrated “Hub” caterer, with a staff of assistants, will provide the best supper of the season, and Prof. McFadden of the Boylston Museum will illuminate the common from 7 o’clock during the whole eve- ning, with the beautiful calcium light which he will also introduce into the hall in many varieties of colors during the dances. Arrangements have been made for free hacking between the depot and the hall for those who have purchased concert tick- ets, and also for barges and coaches at low charges, from Danvers, Wenham, Ipswich, Middleton, Row- ley and the other towns in the vicinity. The mid- night freight will have a passenger car attached, and every facility will be afforded to enable all who will to attend the greatest entertainment of the kind this region has ever had. Mr. Green Merriam is the manager.

Salem Gazette^ Dec. 2y, iSjS.

New Year’s night will long be remembered in this village for the most splendid entertainment ever held in it. Our beautiful Town Hall was well filled with an audience, which for charadler and appear- ance would do credit to a much more pretentious place. Brown’s band may safely be pronounced the best of its kind, its style and execution is as near perfedt as possible, every member of it is an artist of good caliber, while in W. H. C. Brown it has a most efficient leader. Levy, the world famed cor- netist, requires no comment, his command of his instrument and the tones he brings from it are sim- ply wonderful, and he probably did himself full

5© NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

justice on this occasion. The Temple Quartette too for their class of vocalizing cannot be excelled. The program was well selected, but altogether too short ; it contained only ten numbers ; of so good a thing there did not seem to be nearly enough. Nothing promised was lacking save the calcium light. Prof. McFadden did not put in an appear- ance ; but the moon did good service and rendered any artificial illumination out of doors unnecessary. All other parts of the entertainment are well spoken of, but we fear, notwithstanding the large audience, that it could not have paid expenses, seeing that the fee of Mr. Levy alone was $ioo, and the other de- mands were of course proportionately high ; but then it is clear that profit was not the object for which it was gotten up.

The Free Ledture Course: The first ledture was delivered on Friday evening by Col. J. W. Preston of Boston, to an audience which considering the inclemency of the weather, was a very good one, though of course but few ladies were able to be present. The ledl:ure was a thoughtful discussion of the present aspedts and future prospedls of Russia. The presentation of the theme was a very happy one and was listened to with marked attention. The ledturer was introduced by Rev. J. H. Fitts, who took occasion to allude briefly to the obligation the town was under to T. W. Peirce, Esq., for his liber- ality in providing this course of ledtures for its benefit. The next will be delivered by J. A. Cass, A. M. of Somerville, on Tuesday the 14th instant. Subject,

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 5 I

'‘‘A ramble among the mountains.’’ The press speak very highly of this led;ure, which is said to abound in humerous anecdotes, witty illustrations, and elo- quent descriptions, and to be delivered in very force- ible and attractive style. Mr. Cass is a young man and a gifted speaker.

Mr. Green Merriam, the manager of the New Year’s concert, had a narrow escape on Wednesday afternoon. He was on board the cars, and on at- tempting to go from one part of the train to anoth- er his foot slipped and he fell. It was supposed he was run over, but he managed in some way to sup- port himself by clinging to the end of the car, un- til assistance came and rescued him from his peril- ous position.

The week of prayer is being observed this week at the Congregational vestry and in Wesley Hall.

Col. Levi Pearson, formerly a popular landlord of the Pentucket house in Georgetown, recently fell down a flight of stairs in his barn in Topsfield, and injured himself considerably but not danger- ously.

Salem Gazette, Jan. j, l8jg.

A Novel Suit Against the SeleBmen. — Lewis S. Higgins has entered a suit against the selectmen of Topsfield in the first district court, claiming that, being a resident of Topsfield, having paid all taxes, and being otherwise duly qualified, he was refused registration previous to the last State election. The plaintiff says that he was working in Danvers, just previous to the election, and that he did not apply

52 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

for registration until the day of election. He was then told that registration had ceased at 9 P. M. on the Saturday previous, by order of the seledtmen. The adlion will excite some interest from its novel- ty, and also as it involves the right of selectmen to limit the hours of registration.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 10, l8jg.

The Peirce Free Ledture Course is a great boon to the town. The second ledture, delivered Tues- day of last week by Rev. Jno. Cass of Somerville, deserves all the favorable opinions that have been passed upon it. It is elegant in style, affluent in de- scription, and forceful in delivery, with “hits” and humor enough to please any reasonable audience. It leaves an impression upon you that mountains are more important than you previously thought them, particularly the White mountains. The Town Hall was filled with a good representation of our most influential and intellegent citizens, whose satisfadtion was shown by frequent applause. Dr. Nahum Capen comes next, on the 31st inst., to tell us about Spurzheim and his Philosophy. Then follows Prof. Levi Stockbridge, to talk a little of what he knows about farming, which is some- thing more, we take it, than the lamented Tribune theorist ever attained to ; and they do say the Pro- fessor is always interesting to his hearers be his theme what it may. Prof. Moses T. Brown is said to be unequalled as a reader and delineator of Charles Dickens and other humorists, and Prof. Bolles of the Essex Institute is sure both to please

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 53

and profit. These will bring us to the end of Feb- ruary and then there are two others to follow, on dates not yet fixed, — Dr. Perkins of New York and Mr. SpofFord of Newburyport. This is an excep- tionally good course and will doubtless be duly appreciated.

THE MORAL OF A KISS.

FROM THE PEN OF C. H. HOLMES

Among the blisses here below.

The gods above on men bestow,

Fve fancied oft there’s not a bliss Whose rapture can surpass the kiss. Where’er we go, to ardtic dire.

E’en to antardlic “land of fire,”

The untaught native of the isle.

Or he who’s reared in lordly style. The universal whole express One language in the love caress.

In fact, so common ’tis with us It may be called an omni-buss.

In the expression and the name. Though oft the spirit’s not the same, Another thing I’ve fancied strange. That in our love expression’s range There seems to be but just one way We ever our endearments pay: — Two joined lips parting so and so, And these lips meeting other two

54 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

With inhaled and susceptive noise,

Causing in us transporting joys —

Sealing in fad: our very fate And by a single ad check-mate !

But then it is the simplest things From which our chiefest pleasure springs; And more, the spirit we enad That always sandifies the ad ;

So when we form love’s sentiment There is a holy feeling lent.

An inspiration from above.

Vouchsafed to us, where all is love; —

And when the inspiration’s high ’Tis then we draw the loved one nigh. Encircling in a fond embrace.

The blushing, half averted face.

While on the lips, the cheek, the brow.

In every way and manner how.

The gushing kisses there we pour In oft-repeated freshness o’er.

And if we meet a kind return ’Tis then the tidings glad we learn :

And the expression of the kiss Indeed love’s sweetest language is;

While every kiss, and every sigh Breathes forth a raptured ecstacy.

Speaking of love Lord Byron says.

In one of his sublimest lays —

“Yes, Love indeed is light from Heaven, With angels shared, by Allah given, —

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 55

A ray from him, who formed the whole,

A glory circling round the soul !”

Then if this ray divinely darts From Heaven to all susceptive hearts.

Refining into chaste desire

Each sordid thought by its tense fire,

’Tis just as true it does refledt The love express, the way diredl ;

And on this point the Bible says :

Kissing the son his ire allays.

The ray inspires the holy kiss —

And when the ray refledled is On any two adapted hearts.

Where both reciprocate their parts It bears the impress to the son And thus refledtive hissing’s done.

’Tis thus in all things with our race.

The moral’s wrought by reflex grace,

Which does the image first impart To each disposed, susceptive heart.

And then refledlive bears above,

The impress to the realms above.

Since kissing is the moral way,

JV ho' d not the iJioral law obey ?

Salem Gazette, Jan.iy, i8jg.

“Nothing moving” will best summarize all the items of last week, with the single exception of the sleighs, sleigh bells and trotters, and these have at- tained something like perpetual motion. Flood’s pond has been a scene of great excitement these sev- eral afternoons and if the equipages were not quite

56 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

Up to those of Central Park the riders seemed as exhilerated, contented and happy, to say the least.

Saturday evening, Jan. 25, a house in Topsfield, owned by David Pingree of Salem, had a part of the roof blown off during the gale. The occupants were badly frightened but escaped without injury.

Salem Gazette, Jan. ji, l8jg,

Mrs. Hattie Ray, wife of Mr. John Ray of North Reading, who but recently removed from this, their native town, died suddenly at their new home, at about midnight on the second instant. Her fun- eral took place on Wednesday, at the Methodist church here, of which she was a member. She was very much respedted, and a large number of mourners and friends attended the service. Rev. J. F. Mears of Reading, and Rev. S. L. Rodgers conducted the exercises, and a great deal of sympathy was mani- fested with the bereaved. In consequence of the above funeral, the entertainment announced for the same evening, did not take place.

The Right of Registration : The case of Lewis Stillman Higgins, who sued for damages from Dud- ley Bradstreet and others, members of the board of Selectmen of Topsfield, for denying him the right of registration on the day of the State election, in November last, was tried before Judge Osgood, in the first distridl court of Essex county, on Saturday. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants held no session for purposes of registration on the day of election as required by law, and upon his applica- tion he was refused and denied his right to vote.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 57

The court rendered judgment ior the plaintiff in the sum of §5 and costs (taxed at g 16.01), making the total of $21.01, which amount was paid by the defendants. Wm. H. Gove appeared as counsel for the plaintiff, and Solomon D. Hood for the defend- ants.

Salem Gazette, Feb. 7, iSjg.

By the annual report of the Seledtmen, it appears that the gross indebtedness of the town is now $22,750. This is reduced by certain available cash as- sets, including $2,925.22 in treasury, to $20,278.78.

The town expenditures, last year amounted to $13,968.76, as follows: Schools, $1,305.67; re- pairs on highways $1,432.39; repairs on bridges, guards, $242.93; burial grounds, $63.51 ; pathing snow, $285.49; overseer’s department, $1,765.30; interest, $1,242.04; state aid, $512.00; printing, $48.22; abatement of taxes, $ 146.67 ; repairs on hall, schoolhouses, almshouse, $523.49; state tax, $420.00; county tax, $776.60; discount on taxes, $238.95 ; town officers, $535.65 ; loan paid, $2000 ; notes paid, $2,000.00; Morgan road, $343.37; miscellaneous expenses, $86.48.

Salem Gazette, Feb. 21, l8jg

A Tribute of Respect. — It is seldom that such a tribute of respedt is paid to the memory of a cit- izen of any town as was paid to the remains of the late Ariel H. Gould, of Topsheld, yesterday. Mr. Gould died on Sunday last, after a brief illness of three days, and the Congregational Church was filled yesterday by his townsmen and friends to at-

58 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

tend his funeral. He was a member of Mosaic Lodge of Masons, of Danvers, which with Amity Lodge, were represented by some 30 members. He was also a member of the Essex Agricultural Soci- ety, also represented. The casket was brought up the aisle by his brothers of the mystic tie, while the organist of the lodge, Mr. Barnard, officiated at that instrument. The casket was an elegant one of rose- wood, and was wreathed about with smilax in bloom. Around the plate, which bore the name and age of the deceased, was an elaborate floral wreath, composed of choice exotics skillfully arranged. At the head of the casket on a table lay a pillow com- posed of white carnations, fringed with bouvardia and rosebuds, bearing the word ‘‘Father,” in pur- ple immortelles. This came from his daughter.

On the foot of the casket was a large and elegant floral lyre, with three of its five strings broken, composed of Marshal Niel, niphatas, jacquiminot and other choice rosebuds, heath, deutzia, violets, pansies, lily of the valley, carnations, azaleas, cam- ellias, forget-me-not, rare ferns, mignonette, and many other gems from Flora’s kingdom. This was sent by Josiah B. Thomas of Peabody, and was, with the wreath, the work of Benj. D. Hill of Pea- body. The church was filled with the rich perfume of the flowers. The services commenced by Rev. Mr. Rogers of the Methodist Church offering prayer, followed by Scriptural selections. Rev. J. Fitz, the pastor of the Congregational Church, then delivered a glowing eulogy upon the deceased. He said that it was very rare that a citizen of any town

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 59

died leaving such a vacancy in a community as did the death of Mr. Gould, and spoke of the extent of his business acquaintance, not alone in Topsfield, but throughout the adjoining States, where his ex- cellent qualities and moral integrity reflected credit not alone on him but the town where he resided. He alluded to incidents of his own knowledge, which proved his moral quality and integrity, and of the great help he had been to the town, church and neighborhood, and of his Christianity, which made a better Christian of him than of many church members and professors.

He alluded to the expedfations of the deceased that he should not live to reach three score years, and when he had passed that, the i8th of March last, that he did not expedf to live until his 6ist, and how those thoughts became a reality. He closed his remarks with an earnest appeal for the Divine protedlion and care of the bereaved family and town. At the close of his remarks the Masonic breth- ern advanced to the casket and performed the usual funeral ceremonies of their order, closing with the Lord’s prayer, in unison. After all in the church had passed around by the casket, and taken a last look at one who had so endeared himself to them, the lid was closed and the pallbearers removed the casket to the hearse, and the long concourse of sincere mourners followed the remains to the vill- age cemetery, where the Mlasonic fraternity, with the usual impressive services of the order, laid the remains to rest beside the two children who had preceded him to the spirit land. His faithful dog.

6o NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

which had been his companion for many years, misses his master sadly and refuses to eat, watching from the windows ior the arrival of the master who has gone to that bourne from whence no traveller returns. — Boston Het'ald.

In Friday’s Gazette we gave an account of the obsequies of the late A. FI. Gould, a respedted cit- izen. The following has since been received : At the close of Mr. Fitt’s address, the beautiful ritual service of the Freemasons was very impressively ren- dered by Rev. Mr. Sanger and others, instead of at the grave, as is usual v/hen the temperature is suit- able. The floral tributes were very flne, among them an elegant wreath, a cushion on which the word “Father” was very tastefully displayed, and a Harp of five strings of which three were represented as broken. This was an insignia of the domestic circle of the deceased. Three taken and two left, viz. his widow and daughter.

On Friday evening the Eureka Club gave an en- tertainment with their usual success. The drama was brief but good and was succeeded by a species of amusement which greatly pleased those who en- gaged in it. The Flaverhill quadrille band which is very popular here furnished music. The Eurekas do not wear out, seldom failing to command a crowd, and always giving satisfadfion.

The examinations at the several schools in the town took place last week and the vacations have commenced.

Salem Gazette^ Feb. 28, l8jg.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 6 I

Our town meeting caused a little more excite- ment than in some previous years. It was preceded by two caucuses, and the attendance was very large, most of our citizens were present. Several changes in the different offices and committees were for a wonder made this year, and the anticipation of them did not fail to impart some interest to the occasion. The utmost good humor, however, prevailed, and there was not a single breeze to give zest to the meeting.

A curious circumstance has evolved out of the count for Town Hall Committee, through a mis- take in summing up, and Mr. Daniel Fuller was declared by the moderator to be elected, whereas it turns out that Mr. JB. A. Orne received ten more votes than he, and as he, Mr. Orne, has been jani- tor for some time, he is naturally desirous of retain- ing his position ; but how he is to do so, unless his rival should voluntarily retire, which he is likely to do, is a problem there might be some difficulty in solving. There is no doubt whatever that the error was a simple accident, but still it is clear there was an error.

Rev. J. H. Fitts and Rev. S. L. Rogers were nominated by the moderator as a committee to draft a resolution thanking T. W. Peirce, Esq., for the course of free ledlures he so liberally provided for the town, and the same was adopted by a unani- mous and hearty vote.

The above two ministers and the retiring Select- men were eleCled a committee to prepare resolu- tions on the death of the late colleague of the latter

62 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

(Mr. Ariel Gould) and the Town Clerk was in- structed to engross the same on the records and al- so to send it to the ^^lem Mercury, for publication, when ready. The following is a list of the appoint- ments.

On Tuesday, March 4, the town meeting was called to order by the town clerk, and Sam’l Todd was chosen moderator. E. S. Towne, clerk. Con- stables, H. W. Lake and James Wilson. Selectmen, S. D. Hood, B. P. Pike and J. H. Potter. Assess- ors, S. D. Hood, Jeremiah Balch, and M. B. Per- kins. Overseers of the Poor, I. M. Woodbury, J. H. Potter and B. B. Towne. School Committee, D. Perkins and B. P. Pike. Hall Commiittee, A. B. Richardson, H. H. Potter, Daniel Fuller. Fish Committee, S. D. Hood, Wm. H. Kneeland,

D. A. Perkins, E. Otis Gould, and Richard Ward. Library Committee, Dr. Justin Allen. Burial Ground Committee, John B. Lake, Geo. A. Towne, and Sam’l Todd. Fence Viewers, Wellington Donaldson, G. A. Frame and D. J. Carlton. Pound Keeper, John Janes. Surveyors of Flighway, Jere- miah Balch, Wm. P. Gallup, Geo. F. Averill, Baxter P. Pike, Andrew Gould, ProCtor Perkins,

E. T. Phillips, Wm. Graves, E. L. Wildes, Jos. E. Andrews, Josiah P. Perkins, Jacob A. Towne, Chas. J. Peabody. Common Committee, Samuel Todd, A. W. Potter, and C. H. Flolmes. Survey- ors of Lumber, J. H. Potter, Dan’l Willey and H. H. Potter. Field Drivers, W. P. Gould, A. W. Potter, H. E. Lake, B. P. Pike, Wm. Herrick, Frank Welch, D. S. Clarke, D. A. Conant, Sam’l

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD 63

Bickford, Dudley P. Towne ; lYeasurer and Col- ledlor, J. Porter Gould.

Voted, to raise same amount of money as last year §9000 ; $1200 for schools and $750 for highways.

Voted that the compensation for highway work be I 5 cents per hour.

The following was voted amid much enthusiasm : ‘‘Whereas, the town has been pleased and prof- ited by the liberality of T. W. Peirce, Esq., in pro- viding a course of free ledlures during the past year. Voted, that the thanks of this town meeting be cor- dially extended to him for the same.'’

RICHARD DEXTER

FIRST REGULAR PHYSICIAN OF TOPSFIELD

Prichard Dexter was the first pradtitioner of the medicamental art, who devoted his time exclusive- ly to it, in Topslield. His predecessors had been Michael Dwinnel and Joseph Bradstreet, but they were little entitled, Cleaveland thinks, to the title of Dodlor. Dr. Dexter began his practice here in 1 740 and continued till his death, which occurred November 25, 1783, at the age of seventy years.

In speaking of Dr. Dexter, Cleaveland says: “He had, I believe, the confidence of the people here, not only as a physician but as a citizen. In regard to his professional skill, I can only say, that whatever it might be, it was not justly subjedl to the reproach of being merely ‘book-learned,’ for his medical li- brary contained just two volumes.”

64 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD

Dr. D. married Mehitable, sister of Gen. Israel Putnam, May 24, 1741. She was then living in Boxford, probably, with her sisters, Mrs. Francis and Thomas Perley. She was born in 1722, and died September 2, 1801, and, it is said, possessed many conspicuous traits of character similar to those of her brother.

Cleaveland says that he can state nothing regard- ing Dr. D.’s origin; to supply this deficiency these notes have been made. — Dr. Dexter — one of eight children — was born in Malden, Mass., June 15, 1713, and was a brother of Rev. Samuel Dexter, of Dedham. His father was John Dexter, who died in 1722, and who was for many years a deacon of the church, and selectman of that town, and com- manded a Company of Foot, under George the First, receiving his commission from Governor Samuel Shute in 1717. Flis mother was Winneford Sprague of Malden, born 1673, and died in 1752, who, says her reverend son, ‘‘was a very pious woman, stri(5Uy religious, lived in the fear of God, and died strong in faith, and full of comfort and joy.”

Dr. D.’s grandfather was also named John, and

lived in Malden, married Sarah , and died in

1677, aged 38 years. The last named was a son of Richard Dexter, likewise of Malden, and who ap- pears to have been the earliest of the name in the same ancestral line who came to New England.

Sidney Perley.

Salem Gazette, Mar. 7, l8jg.

(To he continued^

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

By George Francis Dow

The following records of service of Topsfield men in the Civil War are based upon the of- ficial records in the office ol the Adjutant Gen- eral at the State House in Boston. Various bio- graphical details have been added but no attempt has been made to list the adlions in which each man took part, — these may be found in the regi- mental histories published from time to time and to be found in every public library in the State. There is a lamentable lack of correspondence be- tween soldiers in the service and their families and friends at home. During a period of many years we have learned of the present-day existence of only a few letters. The contemporaneous newspaper items relating to Topsfield in the war, will be found print- ed in these Historical Colledtions, Volume XX (1915) and Volume XXII (1917), and the summary of adtivities of the town in connedtion with the war is reprinted from Schouler’s ‘‘History of Massachu- setts in the Civil War,” Boston, 1871.

Topsfield. — Population in i860, 1,292; in 1865, 1,212. Valuation in i860, $624,769 ; in 1865, $687,610.

The seledfmen in 1861 were John Wright, A. S. Peabody, Dudley Bradstreet; in 1862, 1863, and

[65]

66

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL W^AR

1864, A. S. Peabody, Samuel Todd, Dudley Brad- street; in 1865, Jacob Foster, J. W. Batchelder, David Clark.

The town-clerk during all these years Vv^as J. P. Towne. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Benja- min Kimball; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Nehe-

miah Balch ; in 1865, Jeremiah Balch.

1861. A legal town-meeting was held May 17th, at which the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted : —

Considering the present position of our country, not as waging war against the South, nor a party device, but an essay of the people to sustain their own rights, preserve their own institutions, give efficiency to their own laws, invigorate their execu- tion, and perpetuate the inheritance of our fathers unimpaired, —

Resolved, That we, the loyal people of Topsfield, in town-meeting assembled, constitute ourselves a National Guard for the preservation of our nation- al integrity.

Resolved, That we appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars to meet the exigency of a nation- al requisition on any detachment of our National Guard, giving a bounty of ten dollars to each one who may conform to this requisition.

Resolved, That there be a discretionary committee of five, chosen by ballot, to furnish good and sufficient support from such appropriation to the families of those who may be detailed by our Government in- to its service, giving said committee power to draw on our treasury for the same.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL VV^AR

67

Voted, to appropriate a sufficient sum to pay each soldier twenty dollars a month while in the mili- tary service.

1862. July 22nd, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town for three years' military service; and the treasurer was authorized to borrow nineteen hundred dollars to pay the same, and to pay State aid to the families. The Selectmen were requested to use their utmost endeavors to pro- cure enlistments. August i 2th, The bounty to vol- unteers was raised to two hundred dollars for each inhabitant enlisting to the credit of the town. A committee of seven was chosen by ballot to help the selectmen in recruiting men in the town; and if a sufficient number of the inhabitants could not be enlisted within two days to fill the quota, ‘‘then to secure them wherever they may be obtained.” The treasurer w^as authorized to borrow money. It was also voted that “any person who may be draft- ed from this town during the war shall be liberally provided for during his term of service.” August 20th, The seledlmen were directed to take legal advice in regard to raising money and paying mon- thly pay to volunteers, and to be governed thereby. August 29th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hun- dred and fifty dollars to each volunteer enlisting for nine months' military service, to the credit of the town ; and the treasurer was authorized to borrow money.

1863. No vote appears to have been taken dur- ing this year in regard to military matters.

68

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

1864. February 9th, A committee of five was chosen by ballot to aid the selectmen in recruiting men to fill the quota of the town. April 1 2th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twen- ty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town ; and the treasurer was author- ized to pay three hundred and seventy-five dollars to certain citizens who had advanced this amount for recruiting purposes. June 29th, The same amount of bounty was voted to be paid to any one enlisting to the credit of the town in the army or navy. July 28th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow twenty-seven hundred and fifty dollars to pay bounties, and the selectmen were directed to continue recruiting. Nothing furthur of importance appears to have been done during the year, and re- cruiting continued.

1865. May 19th, The town voted to raise thir- ty-four hundred and sixty dollars to repay money advanced by individual citizens for the encourage- ment of recruiting.

Topsfield furnished one hundred and thirteen men for the war, which was a surplus of six over and above all demands. Five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclu- sive of State aid, was fourteen thousand seven hun- dred and forty-six dollars and thirty-five cents ($14,746.35).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town in the payment of State aid to the famil- ies of volunteers during the four years of the war.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

69

and which was afterwards reimbursed by the Com- monwealth, was as follows : In 1861, $307.46; in I 862, $1,628.58 ; in I 863, $2,259.00 ; in 1864, $2,020.00; in 1865, $1,419.06. Total amount $7,634.10.

The ladies of Topsfield worked heartily in the cause of the soldiers during the war, and forwarded to the army, money, clothing, and hospital stores to the value of five hundred dollars.

The news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached town about five o’clock in the afternoon, a milita officer bringing it over the road from Salem, and three men, James Wilson, David Casey and Edward Otis Gould, dropped their tools and started at once for the rendezvous at Salem. James Wilson was the only one of the three who had a uniform and proper equipment and was accepted on the first call.

List of Topsfield men who served in the Army and Navy, in the Civil War, includ- ing ALSO THOSE FROM OTHER TOWNS WHO SERVED ON THE QUOTA OF TOPSFIELD OR WHOSE NAMES ARE CREDITED TO TOPSFIELD IN THE AdJUTANT GeN- eral’s records, and men living in Topsfield

AT THE TIME OF ENLISTMENT ON THE QUOTA OF OTHER TOWNS.

Aaron A, Andrews^ married, butcher, son of Moody and Mercy (Perkins) Andrews, born Feb. i, 1823 (Topsfield), died May 9, 1877 (Topsfield), enlisted 1861 ; sworn into a company but not mus- tered into U. S. service, — 23rd Mass. Infantry, Co. H.

70

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL W^AR

'Daniel H. Andrews, private, single, shoemaker, age 29 yrs., born in 1832 ; enlisted Nov. 27, 1861, for three years; mustered in Nov. 27, 1861,

24th Mass. Vols. Co. H, mustered out Apr. 20, 1863, cause, disability, discharged Apr. 20, 1863, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Rphrahn Perkins ^verell, private, single, shoe- maker, age 28 yrs. son of Ephraim and Lydia (Pot- ter) Averell, born in Ipswich, March 10, 1836, died in Topsfield, Nov. 29, 1909, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered into service June 26, 1861, 1 2th Mass. Infantry, Co. D, mustered out July 8, 1864, corporal, served in quota of Tops- field.

George F. Averell, private, single, age 18, farmer, son of Thomas and Sophronia (Moore) Averell, born Jan. 6, 1844, died July 26, 1926; enlisted July I, 1862, for six months, mustered into service, July ist, 1862, 7th Mass. Infantry, Co. B. muster- ed out Dec. 31, 1862, served in the quota of Tops- field.

Enlisted a second time July 9, 1 864, for 1 00 dys., mustered in July 15, 1864, 6th Mass. Vols. Co. I, mustered out Oct. 27, 1864, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Pickard Baker, age 23, shoemaker, Boston, rank, ordinary seaman, enlisted June 14, 1861, Boston, I year, credited to Gloucester, vessel North Carolina, discharged June 26, 1862, from vessel Connediicut.

Richard Baker, private, age 25, seaman, born in England in 1837, enlisted Dec. 3, 1862 for 9 mos..

TOPSP'IELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

71

mustered in Dec. 3, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out Sept. 3, 1863, served in quota of Topsfield. Resided in Ipswich at time of enlistment. An alien not enrolled anywhere. He deserted im- mediately on receiving his bounty and has not been heard of since. — Topsjleld Town Records,

Jeremiah Balch, private, age 39, married, shoe- maker, son of Perley and Sarah (Perkins) Balch, born May 17, 1823, died July 27, 1904, in Wal- tham, enlisted Oct. ii, 1862, for nine mos., mus- tered in Oct. II, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. K. mustered out Aug. 24, 1863, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Felix Barker, age 16 yrs. born in Manilla, P. I. enlisted June 29, 1861 for two years, rank, lands- man, vessel Vincennes, discharged Aug. i, 1862, from R. S. Ohio, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Geof^ge E. Batchelder, age 27, married, farmer, son of Joseph W. and Nancy (Fuller) Batchelder, born in Middleton, Aug. 14, 1836, died in Wor- cester, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, for three yrs., mus- tered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F. (corporal), mustered out June 28 (?), 1865, served in the quota of Topsfield. Transferred to Veteran Re- serve Corps, Aug. I, 1863, M. O. from Co. B. 13 V. R. C. June 28, 1865, while at convalescent camp at Alexandria, Va. Aug. 9, 1863.

Benjamin Benson, age 39 yrs. seaman, born in Sweden, enlisted July 21, 1861, in Boston. Vessel, North Carolina and ‘‘Supply.’’ Discharged July i.

72

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

1863, Vessel, Minnesota. Served in the quota of Topsfield.

Albert W. Bixby, private, married, shoemaker, age 29 yrs. son of Asa and Lucy Ann (Shepard) Bixby, born May 28, 1840, died Sept. 24, 1899, in Rowley; enlisted Aug. 23, 1864 for one year, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, 28th unattached Co. Hy. Art’y, afterwards 4th Mass. Hy Art’y Co. M, mustered out June 17, 1865. Served in the quota of Topsfield.

Charles W. Bixby, private, single, age 18 yrs, shoemaker, son of Haskett G. and Harriet (Blod- gett) Bixby, born in Boxford, 061. ii, 1844; en- listed Aug. 14, 1862 for three years, mustered in Sept. 3rd. 1862, for 3 years, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F ; mustered out June 16, 1865, served in quota of Topsfield.

Joseph Addison Bixby, private, age 19 yrs., shoe- maker, son of Asa B. and Lucy A. (Shepard) Bix- by born Dec. 26, 1842, died in Salem. Enlisted Sept. I, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D. mustered out Sept. 3rd, 1863, served in quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted a second time Sept. 5th, 1864, Veteran Reserve Corp. Co. K. i 3 Regt. mustered in Sept. 5th, 1864, mustered out Nov. 30, 1865, served in the quota of Salem.

John Blaisdell, private, age 33, married, shoe- maker, son of Samuel and Annis (Averill) Blaisdell born Jan. 22, 1832, died Dec. ii, 1889 ; enlisted

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL W^AR

73

Aug. 1 8, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. D. ; mustered out June 16, 1865, cause — order War Dept., served in

quota of Topsfield. Discharged at Richmond, Va., May 28, 1865 at Camp Lee.

Thomas G. Boardman, private, age 23, single, car- penter, son of John and Louisa (MacKenzie) Board- man, born Feb. 12, 1839, enlisted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 mo. mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D. mustered out Sept. 3, 1 863, served in quota of Topsfield.

Francis Bohen, private, laborer, age 22 yrs., single, enlisted July 12, 1864 for 3 years, mustered in July 12, 1864, 35th Mass. Vols. Co. D. mustered out by being transferred June 9, 1865, to 29th

Mass. Vols. Co. D., served in quota of Topsfield, credited to Boston when in the 29th Infantry, mus- tered out July 29, 1865 as absent, sick.

Thomas S. Booths age 32 yrs., born in New Bed- ford, enlisted July 3, 1861, at Boston, in the Navy for 2 years, rank boatswain’s mate, vessel North Carolina^ deserted Nov. 30, 1863, from Poto?nac, served in quota of Topsfield.

John H. Bradstreet^ single, age 27 years, farmer, shoemaker, son of Josiah and Sally Bradstreet, born in 1834, died Dec. 10, 1863 at New Orleans, La. of dysentery at St. Louis Hospital. Enlisted Sept. 21, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 21, 1861, 4th Light Battery M. V., Capt. Manning, served in quota of Topsfield.

74

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL W^AR

George W . B?'ou'n^ private, ordinary seaman, age 30 yrs., single, born in Ipswich, enlisted in Navy May II, 1861 for 3 years, served in Ohio, No7^th Carolina, and Ohio, mustered in July 21, 1861, wounded December, 1862, discharged May 3, 1863 at Boston, served in quota of Topsfield, was of Newburyport at time ol enlistment. At time of discharge gave name as George N. Brown.

Janies Brown, single, age 22 yrs., shoemaker, born in Ireland ( ?) died Dec. i 3, i 862, at Fredricksburg, Va., enlisted June 26, 1861, for 3 yrs. mustered in June 26, 1861, I2th Mass. Infantry Co. D, as ist Sergt., served in the quota of Topsfield.

He had lived in Topsfield for about five years pre- vious to his enlistment. Had an uncle living in Pea- body, a currier, named Mahoney. The records state that he was killed by a fragment of a shell, but Abijah B. Richardson informed me that it w^as re- ported at the time that he w^as shot in the back by men of his own company.

Timothy (E.J Bryant, age 26 yrs. born in Nova Scotia; enlisted July 2, 1861 at Boston, in the

Navy for 3 years; rank, ordinary seaman; vessels North Cai^olina, Vincennes, and Tennessee. Discharged Oct. 5, 1864 from ship Ohio, served in quota of Topsfield.

Michael Buckley, private, age 26 yrs. married, blacksmith, son of John and Mary Buckley, born Apr. 2, 1836 at North Andover; enlisted Sept. 1 1, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept. 24, 1862,

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR 75

48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., mustered out Sept. 3, i 863, served in the quota ofTopsfield.

Enlisted a second time in 4th Hy. Arty. Co. M. private, blacksmith, age 28 yrs. married, residence Boxford, enlisted Aug. 23, 1864 for i year, mus- tered in Aug. 23, I 864, mustered out June 1 7, i 865, served in quota of Boxford.

Cyrus H. Burke, private, married, music-teacher, age 31 yrs., enlisted Feb. 4, 1864 for 3 years, mus- tered in Apr. 21, 1864, 59th Mass. Vols. Co. K. transferred June i, 1865 to 57th Mass. Vols. Co. G. rank, sergeant; mustered out July 30, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota ofTopsfield.

Peter Burns, private, laborer, residence, Boston, age 24 yrs. single, enlisted Oct. 6, 1861 for 3 yrs. 28th Regt. Mass. Vols. Co. A., mustered in Dec. i 3, 1861, wounded Dec. 13, 1862, deserted Aug. 21, 1863, served in quota ofTopsfield.

Charles Carmody, private, age 20 yrs. single, but- cher and shoemaker, born in 1840 in Salem, died Dec. I, 1913 ; enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in June 26, 1861 in 12th Mass. Infantry Co. D. deserted May 9, 1864, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Taken prisoner by the rebels at the first battle of “The Wilderness,” May 8, 1864. Imprisoned at Andersonville, Ga., 5 months and afterwards at Flor- ence, S. C., 3 months. Was paroled after the eight months imprisonment and reached home about the ist of June, 1865. During the last 7 months his food was with a few exceptions, i pint of coarse

?6

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

corn meal each day, and during the whole time of his imprisonment the food supply was wholly insuf- ficient in quantity. — Stateinent to Town Clerk, Sept. 28 and Oct. p, l86j.

David Casey, age 23 yrs., butcher, son of Daniel Casey, born Sept. 19, 1835; enlisted May 25, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Vols. Co. C., mustered out Dec. 3, 1863. Mustered in Dec. 31, 1863, 2nd Mass. Vols. Co. C. Promoted July ist, 1864, to commissary sergeant. Commissioned 2nd Lieut. July 3, 1865, mustered out July 14, 1865, served in quota of Topsfield.

Leonard Channell, private, age i 8 yrs., single, far- mer, died Oct. 14, 1862 at New Orleans, La. En- listed Sept. 18, 1861, 26th Mass. Vols. Co. D. for 3 years, served in quota of Topsfield.

Lewis A. Chapman, private, single, age 16 yrs., farmer, son of Amos S. and Eliza A. (Perkins) Chapman, born July 23, 1848, died Jan. 8, 1917, enlisted Sept, i, 1864, for i year, mustered in Sept. I, 1864, 4th Mass. Light Arty. Transferred to 13th Mass. Light Arty., Jan. 17, 1865, mustered out June 16, 1865, served in quota of Salem, saw ser- vice in Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Charles H. Clarke, age 19 yrs., private, single, shoemaker, son of Samuel and Anna P. (Gould) Clarke, born Sept. 12, 1841 in Lynn, died June 28, 1886 in Danvers; enlisted May 25, 1861, for 3 years, mustered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Vols. Co. F., mustered out May 25, 1864.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

77

Enlisted (2nd time) Aug. 23, 1864 for i year, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, 28th Unattached Co. Ely. Arty., afterwards 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M. rank, corporal, mustered out June 17, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Charles P. Clarke^ private, age 45 yrs., married, farmer and shoemaker, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861, for 3 years, mustered into U. S. service Oct. 12, 1861, 23rd. Mass. Vols. Co. F., discharged Dec. 28, 1861, disability ; cause, injury resulting from a fall, served in quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) July i, 1862, for 6 months, mustered in July i, 1862, 7th Mass. Vols. Co. B., mustered out Dec. 31, 1862, rank, private, shoe- maker, served in a fort in Boston harbor for about six months.

Enlisted (3rd time) Apr. 20, 1863, for 3 years, mustered in Apr. 22, 1863, ist Battalion Hy. Arty. Co. C., deserted Aug. 17, 1863, private, shoema- ker, age 45 yrs. residence Salem ( ?), served in quota of .

George G. Clarke^ private, age 28 yrs., married, residence Danvers, son of Samuel and Anna P. (Gould) Clarke, born in Ipswich, Apr. 19, 1833, enlisted July 5, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Ju- ly 5, 1861, ist Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. I., mustered out Dec. 14, 1863, to re-enlist, served in the quota of Danvers.

Enlisted (2nd time) Dec. 15, 1863, mustered in Dec. 15, 1863, ist. Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. 1., rank.

78 TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

sergeant, deserted Aug. 5, 1865, served in quota of Danvers.

In the Battle of the Wilderness, North Annah River, Gaines Mills, Petersburg, Turkey Bend, Popular Grove Church, Hatch’s River, etc.

Joseph H, Clarke^ private, residence Pawtucket, R. I., credited to Topsfield, fisherman, age 21 yrs., enlisted Apr. 28, 1864 for 3 yrs., mustered in Apr. 28, 1864, 29th Mass. Vols. never assigned to a Co., served in the quota of Topsfield, unassigned 3rd. Rhode Island Cavalry, no Co., deserted Apr. 29, and enlisted in 29th Mass. Vols., Sept. 29, 1864, arrested and tried by General Court Martial, found guilty and sentenced to be dishonorably discharged and confined to hard labor for three years.

William W, Clarke^ private, age 23 yrs., shoema- ker, son of Samuel and Anna P. (Gould) Clarke, born in Topsfield, June 3, 1838, enlisted in Navy, Aug. 2, 1861, at Boston for 2 yrs., gunboat Louis- ville ^ Benj. A. Dove, commander, assigned to a ves- sel at the naval station D. C., Aug. 24, 1861, dis- charged Dec. 20, 1862, from vessel Clara Dolsen, cause, physical disibility, served on quota of Boston, credited to Boston, sick on Louisville and sent to a hospital at Cairo, 111., Sept. 30, 1862, (see also Co. A. 23rd. Mass. Infantry.)

Enlisted (2nd time) Oct. 18, 1864, private, shoe- maker, age 26 yrs., married, Lynn, mustered in Oct. 18, 1864, 23rd Mass. Infy. Co. A., mustered out June 25, 1865, credited to Ward II, Salem.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

79

George W. Chee/iey, private, age 1 9 yrs., single, far- mer, enlisted Dec. 21, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Jan. 14, 1864, 59th Mass. Vols. Co. C., trans- ferred June I, 1865 to 57th Mass. Vols. Co. E. mustered out Aug. 8, 1865 by order of War Dept, absent, wounded, since June 17, 1864.

Enlisted (2nd time) Jan. 20, 1864, age 22 yrs., bootmaker, Northbridge, mustered in Jan. 25, i 864 for 3 years 57th Mass. Vols. Co. E., discharged May 25, 1865, wounded, June 17, 1864.

William P. Conant, private, age 33 yrs., single, farmer, Topsfield, son of John and Ann Maria Con- ant, born July 22, 1828 in Topsfield, enlisted Sept. 3, 1861, for 3 yrs. mustered in Sept. 28, 1861,

23rd Mass. Vols. Co. A., served in quota of Tops- field, mustered out Dec. 2, 1863 to re-enlist.

Enlisted (2nd time) Dec. 2, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Dec. 3, 1863, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. A., mustered out June 25, 1865, at expiration of ser- vice, served in quota of Topsfield.

Edward Cummings^ private, age 18 yrs., farmer, single, Topsfield, born out of town, died Dec. 21, 1894, at Soldiers' Home, Chelsea, enlisted Oct. 16, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Oct. 16, 1861, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. F., discharged Oct. 4, 1862, cause, physical disability, served in quota of Topsfield.

Reenlisted July 17, 1863, in 19th U. S. Infy. Co. A., discharged July 17, 1868. Essex Institute, Salem, has a photograph.

Charles H. Curtis^ age 18 yrs., landsman, born

8o

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL Vv^AR

in Burroughsville, R. I., enlisted Feb. 3, 1863 at New Bedford, for 2 years, credited to Topsfield, assigned to East Gulf Squadron, deserted July 4, 1863, from the Ohio.

Francis Curtis, Jr. private, age 26 yrs, married, far- mer, Topsfield, son of Francis and Lorinthia (Davis) Curtis, born in Boxford, July 29, 1836, died in Tops- field, May 29, 1900, enlisted Aug. 16, 1862, for 3 yrs., mustered in Sept. 3, i 862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., mustered out June 1 6, i 865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Calvin Day, private, age 22 yrs., single, farmer, Topsfield, born in Shapleigh, Maine, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862 for 3 yrs., mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., mustered out June 16, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Boijamin F. Dealand, private, age 25 yrs., single, shoemaker, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ross) Dealand, born in Danvers, Oct. — , 1835, died in Rowley, Jan. 3, 1907, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 28, 1861, 23rd Mass.

Inf. Co. A., mustered out Dec. 2, 1863 to re-enlist, served in quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) Dec. 2, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Dec. 3, 1863, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. A. mustered out June 25, 1865, at expiration of ser- vice, served in quota of Topsfield.

Moses Dealand, private, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ross) Dealand,

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

8l

born in Ipswich, Nov. 8, 1838, killed in battle, May 30, 1864, near Pamunky River, Va., enlisted 1861, mustered in Aug. 22, 1861 for 3 yrs., in 23rd Mass. Vols., served in quota of Danvers.

Royal Dealand^ private, single, age i 8 yrs., laborer, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ross) Dealand, born in Boxford Dec. 7, 1843, Washington, D. C. June 20, 1864,

enlisted Sept, i, 1862 for 9 mo., mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., mustered out Sept. 3, 1863, served in quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) Dec. 21, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, 59th Mass. Vols. Co. B., served in quota of Topsfield, wounded in right leg, June 3, 1864, at Bethesda Church, Va., and died at Emergency Hospital, Washington, D. C., June 20, 1864.

Albert Dickinson^ private, single, age 19 yrs., shoemaker, Lynn, son of Horace and Eunice Dick- inson, born July 13, 1842 in Topsfield, died Aug. 27, 1866 in Topsfield, enlisted Oct. 26, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in Oct. 26, 1861, 4th Light Bat- tery, Capt. Manning, discharged Feb. 22, 1863, cause, physical disability, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Benjamin C. Dodd, Jr., private, age 18 yrs., sin- gle, shoemaker, mechanic, Topsfield, son of Benj. C. and Elizabeth T. (Goodale) Dodd, born May 22, 1844 Danvers, died Nov. 16, 1905 in Tops- field, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 yrs., mustered

82

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., (corpo- ral) mustered out June 16, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in the quota of Topsfield, saw ser- vice in Virginia, South Carolina, Florida and Mary- land.

Ignatious S. Dodge, private, single, age 26 yrs., shoemaker, Topsfield, enlisted Oct. 18, 1862 for 9 mo., mustered in Oct. 18, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. E., mustered out Aug. 24, 1863, served in the quota of Topsfield, afterwards lived in Georgetown.

Otis F. Dodge, private, age 20 yrs., single, Tops- field, clerk, son of William P. and Rebecca (Per- kins) Dodge, born July 15, 1841 in Topsfield, died Mar. 7, 1865 in New Boston, N. H. buried in Boston St. cemetery, Topsfield, enlisted May 25, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Inf. Co. F., discharged at Fairfax Court- house, Va., June 16, 1863, on account of physical disability, served in quota of Topsfield.

Moses H. Downes, private, age 20 yrs., Topsfield, son of Moses and Anstiss P. (Balch) Downes, born Sept. 3, 1846 in Topsfield, enlisted Apr. 13, 1864 at Boston, mustered in Apr. 13, 1864, signal corps, served until July 25, 1865. By reason of disability was discharged Sept, i, 1864 at Petersburg, Va., served in quota of Boston.

John S. Dudley, private, age 24 yrs., married, far- mer, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Cyrus and Al- mira Dudley, born in 1837 in Gloucester, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in Oct. 12,

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR 83

1861, 23rd Mass. Inf. Co. F., mustered out Oct. 13, 1864 at expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield, was at the taking of Newburn, N. C.

William Duffle^ private, age 28 yrs., single, far- mer, born out of town, enlisted July 26, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in July 26, 1861, 20th Mass. Inf. Co. H. wounded Dec. ii, 1863, transferred Sept. 18, 1863 to V. R. C., served in quota of Topsfield.

James Dunlop, private, age 19 yrs., single, farmer, shoemaker, Topsfield, born out of town, died July 30, 1864, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 yrs., mas- tered in June 26, 1861, 12th Mass. Infy. Co. D., mustered out Dec. 9, 1863, lor promotion, served in quota of Topsfield. Received 2nd. Lieutenant’s Commission Dec. 9, 1863 in 59th Mass. Vols. Co. K., re-enlisted Oct. 16, 1863, mustered in Mar. 7, 1864. Received ist Lieut. Commission June 21, 1864, mustered in to the credit of Newbury, June 21, 1864, killed July 30, 1864. John Smith says (1893) that he died of sunstroke. Other accounts state that he was shot by his own men.

Charles Edwards, private, married. New York City, blacksmith, age 23 yrs., enlisted Apr. 25, 1864 for 3 yrs., mustered in Apr. 25, 1864, 28th Mass. Vols. never assigned to a company, served in quota of Topsfield.

Loring B. Edgerly, private, single, seaman, Bath, Maine, age 37 yrs., enlisted Dec. 29, 1864 for i yr., mustered in June 2, 1865, ist Batt. Frontier Cav. Co. E., mustered out June 30, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

84

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

Albro Fletcher, private, farmer, age 29 yrs., sin- gle, Topsfield, enlisted Aug. 22, 1864 for I yr., 28th Unattached Co. Hy. Arty, afterwards 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M., mustered out June 17, 1865.

Charles J. Floyd, private, age 3 2 yrs., married, shoe- maker, born in Newburyport, Mar. 16, 1829, died in Topsfield, June i, 1890, enlisted Oct. 23, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in Oct. 23, 1861, 23rd Mass. Inf. Co. F. discharged Aug. i, 1863, cause, dis- ability, served in quota of Topsfield.

Jacob Foster, private, age 21 yrs., enlisted Aug. 8, 1862 for 3 yrs., deserted August 1862.

William H, Foster, landsman, age 22 yrs., shoe- maker, son of Stephen B. and Lucy (Peabody) Foster, born in Topsfield, Feb. ii, 1839, died on board U. S. S. Wyandank, in Potomac River, Nov. 15, 1862, enlisted July 30, 1861 at Portsmouth, rank, landsman, for 3 yrs., credited to Topsfield, assigned to a vessel at the Naval Station at Wash- ington, D. C., Aug. 24, 1861.

Francis /. Frame, (enlisted as F. J., should have been F. C.) private, shoemaker, age 20 yrs., Tops- field, born July 30, 1845, Truro, Nova Scotia, enlisted by C. H. Holmes, May 21, 1864, for 3 years, mustered in May 30, 1864, 15th Unattached Co., afterwards Co. L. 3rd Regiment Mass. Hy. Arty, and stationed at Fort Scott, near Washing- ton, D. C. Reported absent sick when regiment mustered out. Mustered out Dec. 17, 1884 to date

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

85

from July 15, 1865, ‘‘to complete his military rec- ord under the provision of the act of Congress, ap- proved July 5, 1884.” His own statement — served in quota of Tewksbury, Mass., but Topsfield rec- ords and Adjutant’s records at State House credit him to Topsfield.

He made the following statement in Dec. 1896, “Enlisted with A. J. Phillips, as above, going first to Galloupe’s Island, Boston Harbor, from there to Washington, D. C., then to Fort Scott. In August, 1864, was taken sick and sent North to various hospitals, reached home Dec. 1684, and stayed there.”

Murdock Frames, private, single, age 1 9 yrs., paint- er, Topsfield, died at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862, enlisted May 25, 1861 for 3 years, mus- tered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Vols. Co. C., killed at battle of Cedar Mountain, Va. Aug. 9, 1862, served in quota of Topsfield.

John Galbraith, private, single, age i 8 yrs., farm- er, Ipswich, enlisted Dec. i, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Dec. i, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D. mustered out Sept. 3, 1863, served in quota of Topsfield.

Michael R. Glispin, private, age 18 years, single, carder, Groveland, died at Washington, D. C., July 22, 1865, enlisted Feb. 13, 1865 for one year, mustered in Feb. 13, 1865, 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. K., served in quota of Topsfield.

Cleaveland Gould, private, age 29 years, married.

86

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Allen and Mary Ann (Brown) Gould, born in Danvers, May 12, 1833, enlisted Oct. 6, 1862 for 9 mo., mustered in Oct. 16, 1862, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. K., discharged from hospital in New Orleans, Apr. 23, 1863, cause, dis- ability at Newburn, N. C., served in quota of Topsfield.

Edwa?'d Otis Gould, private, single, age 20 yrs., shoemaker, son of Andrew and Mary T. (Lake) Gould, born in Boxford, Feb. ii, 1841, enlisted May 25, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in May 25,

1861, 2nd Mass. Infy. Co. F., discharged July 25,

1862, cause, disability. Wounded in the leg above the knee and taken prisoner at Winchester, Va. May 25, 1862; soon after, was recaptured by Un- ion forces and discharged in consequence of his wound.

Emerson P. Gould, private, single, age 44 years, butcher, Topsfield, son of Joseph and Ruth (Par- ker) Gould, born in Topsfield, Mar. 9, 1812, died at Baton Rouge, La., June 5, 1863, of erysipelas, enlisted Dec. 3, 1862 for 9 mo., mustered in Dec. 3, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., served in quota of Topsfield. Died from the effects of a wound and bruises received from an animal in the slaughter- house yard.

John Alanson H. Gould, private, single, age 22 years, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Allen and Ma- ry Ann (Potter) Gould, born in Danvers, Oct. 3, 1838, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

B?

in June 26, 1861, 12th Mass. Inf. Co. D., dis- charged April I, 1863, cause, disability, (dropsy) served in quota of Topsfield.

Nathaniel Gould, private, age 33 years, married, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Allen and Mary Ann (Potter) Gould, born in Danvers, Apr. 22, 1831, died in Boston, Jan. 10, 1898, enlisted Aug. 23, 1864 for I year, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, 28th Unattached Co. Hy. Arty., afterwards 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M., mustered out June 17, 1865 at expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

William H, Green, private, single, age 20 years, waiter, Middleton, enlisted June 8, 1863 for 3 yrs., mustered in June 20, 1863, 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. H., mustered out July 14, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield (Middle- ton?), absent, sick, prisoner from Aug, 10, 1864 to Feb. 16, 1865. Furnished by A. A. Lawrence for $200.

John H. Gunnison, private, farmer, age 40 years, married, Topsfield, son of William and Hannah (Smith) Gunnison, born Dec. 16, 1821 in Tops- field, died Mar. 28, 1897 in Topsfield, enlisted Sept. 22, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in Sept. 22,

1861, 23rd Mass. Inf. Co. G., discharged Sept. 5,

1862, cause, physical disability, served in quota of Topsfield.

Francis E, Hadley, private, married, age 32 yrs., mechanic, painter, Topsfield, born out of town, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 yrs., mustered in

88

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., with the rank of sergeant, mustered out June 16, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Tops- field.

William H. Hadley, private, age i 8 years, clerk, Topsfield, born out of town, died at New Balti- more, Va., July 25, 1863, enlisted Aug. 19, 1862 for 3 yrs., mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., drummer. Killed by accidental dis- charge of a gun in the hands of another person, at New Baltimore, Va.

John Haley, age 23 yrs., married, butcher, Tops- field, son of James and Euphemia Haley, born in Newbury, Vt. in 1839, died in Chicago, 1897-8 ( ? ), enlisted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., cor- poral, mustered out Sept. 3, 1863. Was in engage- ments at Port Hudson and Danielsonville.

Enlisted (2nd time) Aug. 23, 1864, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, corporal, 4th Hy. Arty. Mass. Co. M., mustered out July 17, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Bernard Harkins, private, painter, age 34 years, Topsfield, enlisted June 6, 1863 for 3 yrs., mus- tered in June 20, 1863, 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. H., deserted July 10, 1863. Furnished by A. A. Law- rence for $200.

Ja?nes Hennessey, private, age i 8 years, laborer, Reading, enlisted Dec. 29, 1864 for i year, mus- tered in Jan. 2, 1865, ist Battalion Frontier Cav.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR 89

Co. E., mustered out June 30, 1865, cause, expir- ation of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Benjcunin Herrick, age 37 years, married, shoecutter, Topsfield, son of Benjamin and Nancy (Endicott) Herrick, born in Topsfield, Jan. 8, 1824, enlisted Dec. 3, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Dec. 3, 1861, Mounted Rifle Rangers, Eastern Bay State Reg. afterwards called 3rd Unattached Mass. Cav., Read’s Co., discharged June 15, 1862 at New Or- leans, La., cause, physical disability, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) July 31, 1862, mustered in July 31. 1862 for 3 years, ist Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. C., mustered out Jan. 4, 1864 to re-enlist, served in quota of Salem.

Enlisted (3rd time) Jan. 5, 1864, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864 ist Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. C., corporal, mustered out Aug. 16, 1865, served in quota of Topsfield.

Benjamin F, Higgins, of Boston, age 29 yrs., sin- gle, cabinet maker, Topsfield, son of Major and Caroline (Stackpole) Higgins, born in Salem, en- listed Oct. 22, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Oct. 22, 1862, 13th Bat. Light Art. Mass. Vols., rank, Q. M. Sergeant, transferred to V. R. Corp, Apr. 21, 1864, discharged Dec. 21, 1865, served in quota of Topsfield.

Melvin Arvet Hill, private, age 35 years, shoe- cutter, Topsfield, born out of town, enlisted Oct. 16, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Oct. 16, 1861, 23rd Mass. Inf. Co. F., discharged July 8, 1862,

90

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

cause, defect in eyesight, served in quota of Tops- field.

George F. Hobson^ private, mechanic, age 24 yrs. married, Topsfield, son of Prescott and Dorothy Hobson, born in Rowley, died at Georgetown, D. C., Oct. 25 [29], 1862, cause, erysipelas, enlist- ed Aug. 15, 1862, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., served in quota of Topsfield. He was the first man on Topsfield’s quota to die in the war.

Charles H. Hoi fries ^ lawyer, Topsfield, son of John and Sarah Ann (Brooks) Holmes, born at Alfred, Maine, Oct. 30, 1810, died in Topsfield, July 14, 1886, enlisted May 12, 1864 for 3 years, mustered in May 12, 1864, i6th Unattached Co. Mass. Hy. Arty, afterwards 3rd Mass. Hy. Arty., rank 2nd Lieut., resigned Sept. 22, 1864, commissioned ist Lieut., May 10, 1864, revoked, served in quota of Topsfield.

Francis A. Hood^ private, age 37 years, married, mechanic, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Francis and Hannah Hood, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., died June 27, 1864 m Patterson Park Hospital, Baltimore, Md., of effects of wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor, served in quota of Topsfield.

Daniel Hoyt, private, farmer, age 34 years, Tops- field, born in Boston, died in Andersonville prison, Ga., Sept. 19, 1864, enlisted (drafted) May 13,

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

91

1684, mustered in May 13, 1864, 19th Adass. Vol. Co. E., served in quota of Topsfield. Left home May 10, 1864, and was taken prisoner near Peters- burgh, Va. on June 22, 1864, and died in Ander- sonville prison three months later.

Charles F. Huntress^ private, seaman, age 2 1 yrs. Topsfield, enlisted June 9, 1863 for 3 years, mus- tered in 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. H., deserted July 10, 1863. Furnished by A. A. Lawrence for $200.

Henry Jackson, age 23 yrs., born in Pawtucket, R. I. enlisted Dec. 25, 1862 at New Bedford, for I year, rank, landsman, vessel Sacrameiito. Dis- charged Dec. 25, 1863 at expiration of service, served in the quota of Topsfield.

Jafnes Jackson, age 21 yrs., waiter, born in Syra- cuse, N. Y. enlisted Dec. 17, 1862 at Boston for i year, vessel Mmnesota, rank, landsman, discharged Dec. 21, 1863 at expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Joseph P. Janes, corporal, age 30 yrs., shoemaker, mechanic, Topsfield, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Boardman) Janes, born Mar. 6, 1832 in Topsfield, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F. (corporal) discharged Mar. i, i 863, cause, dysentery, served in quota of Topsfield.

William H. Janes, age 22 yrs. single, farmer, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Boardman) Janes, born in Topsfield, Nov. i 8, 1839, died in Topsfield, June 14, 1866, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861 for 3 years, mustered

92

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

in Oct. 12, 1 86 1, 23rd Mass. Inf. Co. F., dis- charged Nov. 12, 1863, cause, disability, served in quota of Topsfield. Was in battles of Roanoke Island, N. C., Newbern, N. C., South Westbrook, N. C., Kingstown, N. C., White Flail, N. C., Goldsboro, N. C.

Enlisted (2nd time) Oct. 19, 1864, in Vol. Re- lief Corp. mustered in Oct. 19, 1864, discharged July 31, 1865, cause, disability, served on quota of Salem. At second enlistment he received city and state bounty $460. Was living in Lynn at timie of second enlistment.

Henry Johnston, private, musician, age 33 years, married, Topsfield, born in England, enlisted Oct. II, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Oct. ii, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. K., musician, appointed prin- cipal musician May 9, 1863, mustered out Aug. 24, 1863, served in quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) Jan. i, 1864 for 3 years, mustered in Feb. 4, 1864, 59th Mass. Vols. Co. E. transferred to 57th Mass. Vols. Co. E., mustered out July 30, 1865. Born in England and never had a residence in this country and never was taxed.

John Johnson, age 27 years, carpenter, born in Dracut, Mass., died July 31, 1863, enlisted Dec. 16, 1862 at Boston for i year, rank landsman, vessels Nahant and Vermont, discharged on Vermont, served on quota of Topsfield.

John Jones, age 22 years, born in Petersburg, Va. enlisted Dec. 30, 1862, at Boston for i year, rank.

TOPSFIEJ.D IN THE CIVIL WAR 93

landsman, vessels, Minnesota and Brandywine^ served in the quota of Topsfield.

Henry Kerwin, private, machinist, age 19 years, single, enlisted Feb. 10, i 865, mustered in Feb. 10, 1865, 56th Mass. Vols. Co. K., mustered out July 12, 1865, cause expiration of service, served in quota of Topsfield.

Aaron Porter Kneeland, private, age 44 yrs., shoe- maker, Topsfield, son of Aaron and Lucy Knee- land, born Nov. 21, 1815 in Topsfield, died Sept. 29, 1897 in Topsfield, enlisted Aug. 26, 1861 for 3 yrs., mustered in Sept. 28, 1861, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. A., deserted Nov. 1 1, 1861 at Lynnfield, Mass, mustered out Oct. 23, 1862, cause, discharged lor disability, Oct. 28, 1862 at Boston, served in quota of Topsfield. Arrested by order of Provost Mar- shall C. F. Blake, in August, i 862, as a deserter and sent to Fort Independence and afterwards discharged.

Alfi'ed A. Kneeland, private, married, age 33 yrs. shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Humphrey and Mary (Chapman) Kneeland, born in Topsfield, Feb. 19, 1829, died in Topsfield, Aug. 29, 1863, enlisted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., served in quota of Topsfield. Was in the assault on Port Hudson, at the retaking of Donaldsonville when he received a gunshot wound in the right side. Was sent home with a portion of the sick and wounded of his reg- iment where he arrived Aug. 19, 1863, and died on the 29th of the same month at Topsfield. He came

94

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

home sick and exhausted and sank rapidly after his arrival but said he had never regretted and did not then regret having become a soldier.

Henry Porter Kneeland, private, age 27 yrs., sin- gle, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Aaron Porter and Elizabeth D. (Phillips) Kneeland, born in Tops- field, Nov. 20, 1836, died at Andersonville, Ga., in Oct. 1864, drafted May 13, 1864, mustered in May 13, 1864 for 3 years, 19th Mass. Vols. Co. E. served in quota of Topsfield. Taken prisoner near Petersburg, Va., on June 22, 1864, and died about the middle of Oct. in Andersonville prison.

William H. K?ieeland, private, shoemaker, Tops- field, age 29 years, son of Humphrey and Mary (Chapman) Kneeland, born in Topsfield, Dec. 15, 1834, died May 5, 1909 in Topsfield, enlisted

Aug. 23, 1864, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, 28th Unattached Co. Hy. Arty., afterwards 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M., mustered out June 17, 1865, cause, expiration of service.

George H. Knowlton, private, married, cooper, Boston, age 23 years, enlisted June 9, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in June 20, 1863, 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. H., deserted May 24, i 865, served in quota of Boston. Furnished by A. A. Lawrence for $200.

Charles H. Lake, private, age 22 years, farm.er, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Eleazer and Hannah (Gould) Lake, born Jan. 21, 1839 in Topsfield, enlisted May 25, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Vol. Co. F., mustered

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR 95

out Nov. 15, 1863 to re-enlist, served in quota of Topsfield, wounded at Winchester, Va. May i8, 1863 by ball in right leg, was in battles at Ball’s Bluff, Va., Edenburg, Va., Mt. Jackson, Va. Straus- burg, Va., and Winchester, Va.

Enlisted (and time) Nov. ii, 1863 in Regular Army of U. S., discharged to receive appointment of Hospital Steward, Nov. 15, 1863, discharged as Hospital Steward Aug. 29, 1865, cause, physical disability.

David Gould hake, sergeant, single, age 29 yrs., machinist, Topsfield, son of David Jr. and Lucy P. Lake, born in Topsfield, Aug. 20, 1831, died in Peabody, Nov. 20, 1900, enlisted Apr. 15, 1861, mustered in Apr. 20, 1861, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. F. known as ^‘Salem Zouaves,” mustered out Aug. i, 1861.

Enlisted (2nd time) Sept. 22, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 22, 1861, 24th Mass. Vols. Co. B. rank, sergeant, discharged Dec. 20, 1862 for pro- motion, served in quota of Topsfield.

Also served in ist North Carolina Vols. Co. A. promoted to ist Lieut. Jan. i, 1863, promoted to Captain of Co. F. Feb. 26, 1864, mustered out Mar. 5, 1864, discharged June 27, 1865 at New- berne, N. C.

David G. Lake, who attempted suicide by shoot- ing himself in the breast, Sunday morning, died from the secondary effect of his wounds a little af ter 2 o’clock this morning. The funeral services will take place Thursday afternoon and will be at-

96 TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

tended by Jordan lodge of Masons. The interment will be at Topsfield.

The deceased was born in* Topsfield, Aug. 20, 1831, and had lived in Peabody the greater part of his life. He was married in 1865 and his widow and two daughters survive him. Mr. Lake had a very brilliant war record and served his country faithfully and well through the civil w^ar. At one time, in North Carolina, a bounty of $1000 was offered for his head. He left Salem, April 18, 1861, in the Salem Zouaves, Capt. Devereaux ; was dis- charged August I, 1861, and re-enlisted Sept. 29, of the same year, in Co. B. 24th regiment, M. V.

M. , as sergeant.

He was discharged December 20, 1862; pro- moted to first lieutenant, Jan. i, 1863, of Co. A. First Regiment of North Carolina V. M., (white), by Edward Stanley, military governor of North Carolina; promoted to captain of Co F., February 26, 1864, by Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, subject to the approval of the president of the United States; discharged as such, June 27, 1865, at Newbern,

N. C.

He was in the battles of Roanoke Island, New- bern, and at the seige of Little Washington. Brig. Gen. Foster highly commended him for his bril- liant record. Mr. Lake was for a long time with the engineer corps of the army and assisted in the construction of all fortifications in North Carolina. Until a few years ago he a member of the Grand Army. He was a man of modest and retiring na- ture and never boasted of his service in the army.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

97

It was only a few years ago that he received from the government his travelling fees from Newbernc, where he was mustered out, to his home in this town. Mr. Lake for many years was an adlive Mason and an officer in Jordan lodge.

Ills death was caused by a malarial chill, to which he had been subjedt every other day for some time, coupled with the effedls of his wounds, which brought on fever, which his system was not able to combat. — Salem News, Nov. 20, igoo.

John Brown Lake, private, age 44 years, farmer, Topsfield, son of Enos and Ann (Gould) Lake, died in Boxford, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Oct. 12, 1861, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. F., w'ounded Feb. 8, 1862, discharged June i, 1862, cause, disability, served on quota of Topsfield.

John Warren Lake, private, age i 8 years, farmer, Topsfield, son of John Brown and Ann (Gould) Lake, born in Topsfield May 20, 1846, died at

Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 5, 1863, diphtheria, en- listed Sept. 24, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., served on quota of Topsfield.

Benjamin Lane, private, age 24 years, shoemaker, Topsfield, married, son of David S. and Lydia Ann Lane, born in Gloucester, Aug. 6, 1839, died June 18, 1915, Topsfield, enlisted Aug. 23, 1864 for 10 months, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, 28th Mass, unattached Co. Hy. Arty, afterwards 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M. mustered out June 17, 1865, cause, expiration of service.

98

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

Joh?i Lavin, age 20 years, corporal, tin worker, and shoemaker, Roxbury, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in June 26, 1861, as corpor- al, in I 2th Mass. Vols. Co. D., deserted Aug. 24, 1862 at Rappahannock Station, Va.

Joseph H. Lovetty age 19 years, single, clerk, Topsfield, son of Joseph and Sarah A. Lovett, born in Topsfield, Aug. 29, 1843, ^iihsted Aug. 15,

1862 lor 3 years, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., corporal, mustered out June 16, 1865, cause, disability, served on quota of Tops- field. Taken prisoner at Drury’s Bluff, May 16, 1864, exchanged in July, 1864, was absent in Gen- eral Hospital at Readville, Mass.

He, with a soldier from Ipswich and another from Methuen was among the exchanged soldiers who arrived at the Naval School Hospital, Annapo- lis, Md., from the Richmond prison.

Salem Gazette y Sept. i6y 1864.

Wounded May 16, 1864 at Drury’s Bluff, Va. by rifle ball resulting in amputation of left leg just below the knee. Taken prisoner and carried to Richmond Prison, an old Tobacco warehouse at Cor. Main and Cary Sts., a short distance from Libby Prison. Also sec Tops. His. Coil’s. Vol. XV

Henry Marks y private, age 1 8 years, farmer, Low^ell, enlisted June 18, 1863 for 3 years, mus- tered in June 20, 1863, 2nd Mass. Cav. Co. H. mustered out July 20, 1865, cause, expiration of service, deserted June 21, 1865. Furnished to the town ol Topsfield by A. A. Lawrence for $200.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

99

Lewis W. Mather, private, brakeman, Holliston, credited to Topsfield, age 26 years, enlisted Dec. 29, 1864 for I year, mustered in Jan. 2, 1865, I St Battalion Frontier Cavalry, Co. E., rank, ser- geant, mustered out June 30, 1865, cause, expira- tion of service, served on quota of Topsfield.

Sidney A. Merriarn, private, age 2 1 years, single, medical student, Topsfield, son of Dr. Royal A. and Adeline (Marsh) Merriam, born in Topsfield, Mar. II, 1841, died in Topsfield, Aug. 14, 1876, en- listed Aug. 6, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Aug. 22, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. B., promoted to hospital steward. Sept. 4, 1862, com. ist Lieut. Feb. 18, 1865, mustered out June 16, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served on quota of Topsfield.

William H. Munday, private, age 32 years, mar- ried, butcher, Topsfield, son of William and Mary (Moore) Munday, born June 9, 1830, died in Tops- field, Oct. 10, 1901, enlisted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., discharged Dec. 12, 1 862 (disability) on petition of his father, he having furnished a sub- stitute who deserted before he had taken his place in the company and was not seen afterwards.

Charles O' Neil, private, Worcester, age 27 years, farmer, Topsfield, enlisted Apr. 25, 1 864 for 3 years, mustered in Apr. 25, 1864, 28th Mass. Vols., never assigned to a company, served on quota of Topsfield.

Chandler L, Parker, rank, musician, age 25 years, mechanic and cordwainer, Georgetown, enlisted

I oo

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

Oct. I I, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Oct. i i, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. K., mustered out Aug. 24, 1863.

George JV. Parker^ private, shoecutter, age 2 1 years, single, residence Georgetown, enlisted Aug. 18, 1862, mustered in Sept. 19, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. K. mustered out Aug. 24, 1863.

Chester Porter Peabody, private, turner, Topsfield, age 22 years, son of Moses and Lydia Peabody, born in Topsfield, Oct. 30, 1839, enlisted Feb. 17, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Feb. 17, 1862, ist Mass. Heavy Arty. Co. D., mustered out Feb. 21, 1864, to re-enlist, served on quota of Topsfield.

Re-enlisted Feb. 22, 1864 and credited to Rox- bury, died of disease at 2nd Corps, June 4, 1864.

Thomas Peabody, private, age 36 years, married, carpenter, shoemaker, Ipswich, son of Thomas and Lydia Peabody, born Sept. 3, 1825, in Topsfield, died Dec. 18, 1872, at Georgetown, aged 47 years, enlisted Oct. 9, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Oct. 9, 1861, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. L, discharged Aug. 16, 1863, cause, disability.

Edward G. Perkins, age 18 years, Topsfield, son of Elbridge F. and Rebecca P. (Dodge) Perkins, born in Topsfield, Aug. 8, 1847, enlisted in Navy, June 3, 1863 at Boston for i year, discharged

July 7, 1864.

Re-enlisted (2nd time) July 9, i 864 for 100 days, mustered in July 18, 1864, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. D, served on quota of Topsfield.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

lOI

Re-enlisted (3rd time) Sept. 7, 1864 for i year, mustered in Sept. 8, 1864, 30th Mass. Vols. Co. C., discharged May 31, 1 865, private, shoemaker in Topsfield, credited to Westfield.

Was at Philadelphia, on board his vessel, June 20, 1863, served on the Saratoga^ Powhatan^ and Neptune, and was discharged from the latter on July 7, 1864.

Elbridge W. Perkins, private, single, farmer, Topsfield, age 18 years, son of Elbridge F. and Rebecca P. (Dodge) Perkins, born in Topsfield, Dec. 8, 1845, etihsted July 20, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 16, 1863, rank, corporal, loth Co. Unattached Mass. Hy. Arty, afterwards 3rd Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. F., deserted July i, 1865, served on quota of Topsfield.

Lewis K, Perkins, private, age 19 years, farmer, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Thomas and Elizabeth W. Perkins, born Sept. 5, 1843 Topsfield, died at Folly Island, Charleston Harbor, Oct. 12, 1863, of dysentery, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F., served on quota of Topsfield.

Andrew Jackson Phillips, private, age 39 years, sea- man, Topsfield, son of Samuel Phillips, died in Ips- wich, enlisted May 20, 1864 for 3 years, mustered in May 30, 1864, 3rd Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. L., mus- tered out Sept. 1 8, I 865, cause, expiration of service.

Erwin Timothy Phillips, private, age 22 years, single, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of Timothy M. and Adeline (Gould) Phillips, born in Boxford,

102

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

July 12, 1838, died Jan. 31, 1906, at Hamilton, enlisted May 25, 1861 for three years, mustered in May 25, 1861, 2nd Mass. Vols. Co. F., mustered out May 28, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted 2nd time, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864, for I year, rank, corporal, 4th Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. M., mustered out June 17, 1865, cause, ex- piration of service.

Henry W. Phillips, private, age 21 years, shoe- maker, Topsfield, son of John and Elizabeth B. (Lake) Phillips, born in Topsfield, Jan. 3, 1841, died in Lynn, May 8, 1897, ^i^hsted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., corporal, mustered out Sept. 3, I 863, served on quota of Topsfield, wound- ed severely in lower jaw, (another account says in thigh), at Fort Hudson, La., May 27, 1863.

John M. Phillips, sergeant, age 24 years, shoema- ker, single, son of John and Elizabeth B. (Lake) Phillips, born Aug. 27, 1838 in Topsfield, died Nov. II, 1897 in Haverhill, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in June 26, i 86 1 , sergeant, 12th Mass. Vols. Co. D., mustered out June 25, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield, slightly wounded in second battle of Bull Run, and severely wounded in hip and breast at Antietam. Was in battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock, Sulphur Springs, Thor- oughfare Gap, second Battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. Was transferred Dec. II, 1863, to 6th Regt. Co. B., Veteran Re- serve Corps, discharged June 25, 1864.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR IO3

John Phillips^ private, chemist, age 43 years, mar- ried, residence Salem, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Aug. 6, 1862, ist. Hy. Arty. Co. A.

Re-enlisted Dec. 31, 1863, bounty paid $4 1 4.66, discharged by order July 6, 1865, at expiration of service, credited to Topsfield.

He?iry H. Potter^ private, age i 8 years, carpenter, son of John H. and Hannah W. (Whitaker) Pot- ter, born in Topsfield, Oct. 27, 1847, died Jan. 3, 1927 at Chelsea, Mass., enlisted July 9, 1864 for 100 days, mustered in July 18, 1864, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. D., served on quota of Topsfield.

Re-enlisted Sept. 17, 1864 at Baltimore, Md., mustered in Sept. 17, 1864 for i year, 2nd. Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. G., discharged June 26, 1865, cred- ited to Springfield, Maryland.

George Provence, seaman, Topsfield, age 22 years, single, enlisted Apr. 26, 1864 for three years, mus- tered in April 26, 1864, 13th. Battery Light Arty. Mass. Vols. transferred to Navy May 17, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield.

John JVehster Ray, private, single, age 1 9 years, farmer and shoemaker, son of William and Louisa (Coburn) Ray, born in Topsfield, July i, 1843, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Aug. 14, 1862, 32nd Mass. Vols. Co. H., mustered out Jan. 4, 1864, to re-enlist Jan. 5, 1865, served on quota of Topsfield.

Re-enlisted (2nd time) Jan. 5, 1864, mustered

104 TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

in Jan. 5, 1864, 32nd Mass. Vols. Co. H., mus- tered out June 29, 1865, cause, expiration of ser- vice.

William W. Ray, private, married, age 23 years, shoemaker, son of William and Louisa (Coburn) Ray, born in Topsfield Mar. 24, 1839, enlisted

Aug. 8, 1862 for 3 years, mustered in Aug. ii, 1862, 32nd Mass. Vols. Co. H., discharged May 30, 1865, cause, order of War Department, served on quota of Topsfield.

John William Rea, private, age i 8 years, single, shoemaker, born in Marblehead, died Jan. 30, 1920 at Hamilton, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Nov. 15, 1861, Mounted Rifie Ran- gers, Eastern Bay State Regt., afterwards called 3rd (unattached) Co. Mass. Cav’ly, H. A. Durivage, Capt., Co. M. rank, corporal, served on quota of Topsfield, mustered out Feb. i, 1864 to re-enlist Feb. 19, 1864, mustered in Feb. 19, 1864, 3rd Mass. Cav., Co. M. rank, sergeant (May 20, 1865), mustered out Sept. 28, 1865, cause, expiration of

service, served on quota of Georgetown.

John S. Roberts, private, single, age 19 years, shoemaker, son of George and Sally Roberts, born July 12, 1843 Topsfield, enlisted July 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in July 26, 1861, 19th Mass. Vols. Co. C., discharged Oct. 13, 1862, at Fortress Munroe, cause, chronic diarrhoea, served in quota of Topsfield.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR I05

Enlisted (2nd time) May 4, 1863, mustered in May 4, 1863 for 3 years, 3rd Mass. Hy. Arty., Co. D, mustered out Sept. 18, 1865, cause, expiration of service, served on quota of Topsfield.

Joseph E. Roberts, private, shoemaker, single, age 24 years, Topsfield, son of George and Sally Rob- erts, born in Topsfield, March 20, 1837, enlisted Oct. I, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Oct 5, 1861, I St Mass. Cav’y, Co. H, deserted Dec. 9, 1861 at Readville, Mass.

Nathan Hanson Roberts, private, shoemaker, age 33 years, married, Topsfield, son of Paul and Annie Roberts, born in Alfred, Me., Aug. 12, 1830, died in Andersonville (Ga.) prison, July 25, 1864,

drafted May 2nd, 1864, mustered in May 13, 1864 for 3 years, 19th Mass. Vols., Co. E, served on quota of Topsfield, taken prisoner June 22, 1864 and died July 25, 1864 at Andersonville, Ga., only two months and twelve days between life at his home in Topsfield to death in the United States Service.

Edwin F. Rust, was living in Topsfield when he enlisted Sept. 7, 1864, on the quota of Salem.

John Ryan, aged 3 i years, enlisted at Boston for 3 years as seaman on U. S. S. “Ohio,'' substitute for Albert A. Conant. Mr. Conant showed me certi- ficate to that effedt in December, 1 9 1 6. — G. F, Dow

John Seymour, private, seaman, Topsfield, aged 34 years, enlisted Apr. 26, 1864 for three years, mus-

io6

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

tered in April 26, 1864, 13th Battery Light Arty. Mass. Vols. Transferred to Navy, May 17, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield.

Charles H. Shu??iwayy aged 47 years, Topsfield, born in Boston, rank, gunner, enlisted Nov. 26,

1861, as seaman, at Boston, for 3 years, credited to Boston, vessel U. S. S. Philadelphia, discharged. Sept. 30, 1864.

Daniel H. Smith, private, aged 26 years, Danvers, shoemaker, son of Daniel and Patience (Bennett) Smith, born in Alfred, Maine, died in Anderson- ville prison, Aug. 7, 1864, enlisted June 24, 1861, for 3 years, mustered in July 5, 1861, 14th Mass. Vol. Co. I. (afterward known as ist Regt. Hy. Arty.), served on quota of Danvers, taken prisoner near Petersburg, Va. June 22, 1864, and died at Andersonville prison, Ga., Aug. 7, 1864.

James Smith, private, aged 28 years, Topsfield, born in Ipswich, enlisted Dec. i, 1862 for 9 months, mustered in Dec. i, 1 862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D., served on quota of Topsfield, deserted Dec. 12,

1862, at Readville, Mass.

Jolm Smith, private, aged 43 years, cordwainer, shoemaker, Topsfield, son of John and Barbara (Fellows) Smith, born in Portsmouth, Eng., May 7, 1818, died Oct. 15, 1 897, in Topsfield, enlisted Sept. 8, 1861, for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 28, 1861, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. B., mustered out Oct. 13, 1864, cause, expiration of service, served on quota of Topsfield.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR I07

John P. Smithy private, aged i 8 years, single, la- borer and shoemaker, son of John and Sarah (Phil- lips) Smith, born in Topsfield, April 28, 1843, died at Andersonville, Ga. Sept. 2, 1864, enlisted July 5, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in July 5, 1861, 14th Mass. Vols. Co. A., afterwards, called ist Regt. Hy. Arty, mustered out Nov. 4, 1863 to re-enlist, served on quota of Topsfield.

Enlisted (2nd time) Nov. 5, 1863, mustered in Nov. 5, 1863, 1st Mass. Hy. Arty., died in Ander- sonville prison. Sept. 2, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield.

John Stevens^ musician, aged 18 years, Topsfield, single, shoemaker, born in Boston, enlisted Aug. 23, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Aug. 23, 1861, 20th Mass. Vol. Co. H., drummer, mustered out Dec. 20, 1863, served on quota of Topsfield.

Re-enlisted Dec. 20, 1863, and credited to Bos- ton. Was captured at Gaines Mills, Va., June2, 1 864, and confined at Richmond, Va., June 3, 1 864, then sent to Andersonville, Ga., June 8, 1864. He died while a prisoner of war at Florence, S. C. Date or cause of death not known. Another ac- count states that he was supposed to have been killed in the last battle of the “Wilderness” as he was missing from his regiment thereafter. He swam the river at Ball's Bluff unharmed. He lived with Wil- iam Garrett at Topsfield and is said to have come from New York city to Topsfield. — A, T. Merrill

Alfred Strangman, age 1 8 years, shoemaker, Topsfield, enlisted July 9, 1864 for 100 days, mus-

io8

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

tered in July i8, 1864, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out Nov. 10, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield.

Jacob T. Strangmariy private, age 40 years, mar- ried, carpenter, Topsfield, born in Prince Edward Island, enlisted Sept. 18, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Sept. 24, I 862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out Sept. 3, 1863, served on quota of Topsfield.

George Enos Sweeney, born in Halifax, N. S., died Sept. 4, 1921 in Topsfield, enrolled Mar. 15, 1865, private in Co. K, 15th Maine Infy., discharged Mar. 15, 1866. — From his discharge paper,

Joel Lake Sweeney, private, age 21 years, shoe- maker, son of Charles and Anna H. (Lake) Sweeney, born in Topsfield, Nov. 29, 1839, died in Lynn, May I, 1901, enlisted June 26, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in June 26, 1861, 12th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out July 8, 1864 at expiration of ser- vice on account of wound received in the “Battle of the Wilderness,’' rank, ist sergeant, June 25, 1864, wounded May 5, 1864, was absent sick, served on quota of Topsfield.

Trowbridge Curtis Taylor, age 45 years, married, shoemaker, Topsfield, died in Ipswich, enlisted Sept. 10, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 28, 1861, musician, 23rd Mass. Vols. Co. A, mustered out April 16, 1862, cause, disability, served on quota of Topsfield.

Eugene H, Todd, private, age 1 9 years, shoemaker, son of Samuel and Harriet L. (Chase) Todd, born

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR IO9

in Topsfield, June 3, 1842, died at Port Hudson, La., Sept. 30, 1863 of chronic diarrhoea, enlisted in December, 1861 for 3 years. Eastern Bay State Reg. Cavalry afterwards 3rd Mass. Cav. Co. M, mustered in Jan. 9, 1862.

Jacob Albert Towne^ age 19 years, single, farmer, son of Jacob Waldo and Lydia (Perkins) Towne, born in Topsfield, July 26, 1844, died in Topsfield, Aug. 26, 1883, enlisted May 25, 1863 for 3 years, mustered in Sept. 16, 1863, 3rd Mass. Hy. Arty. Co. F, mustered out Sept. 18, 1865.

John Henry Towne ^ private, student, age 23 years, son of Benjamin B. and Esther (Peabody) Towne, born in Topsfield, Feb. 2, 1841, died July 15, 1913, in Topsfield, enlisted Aug. 2, 1864 for 100 days, mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, i6th unattached Co. Mass. Vols., mustered out Nov. 14, 1864 at expiration of service, served on quota of Topsfield.

Henry Wallis^ age 3 1 years, private, married, stocking knitter, Ipswich, enlisted Dec. 3, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Dec 3, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D, deserted Dec. 12, 1862 at Readville, Mass., served on the quota of Topsfield. Also carried on rolls as ‘‘Richard Henry Wallace.” Resided in Ipswich at the time of his enlistment, but was never enrolled. Deserted from Ipswich, where he left a wife, as soon as he received his bounty, never saw his company.

William P. Walsh, served in the Navy as a sub- stitute for John A. Ordway, enlisted June 29, 1864.

I lO

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

Jacob F. Welch^ son of Samuel and Mary A. Welch, born in Hamilton, enlisted April 8, 1865 for I year, mustered in April 8, 1865, 7th New Jersey Vols. Co. E, transferred from Co. D, 5th Regiment, deserted June 9, 1865 at a Camp near Washington.

William P, Welch, age 25 years, married, shoe- maker, born out of town, died at Folly Island, Charleston, S. C. of dysentery, Nov. 7, 1863, en- listed Aug. 14, 1862, mustered in Sept. 3, 1862, 40th Mass. Vols. Co. F, served on the quota of Topsfield.

Jeremiah Y. Wells, private, teamster, age 34 years, married, Topsfield, died at Gettysburg, Pa., July 21, 1863, enlisted Dec. 2, 1861 for 3 years, mustered in Dec. 10, 1861, 19th Mass. Vols. Co. K, served on quota of Topsfield, died of wounds July 21, 1863 at Gettysburg, Pa.

Francis A, Wildes, civil engineer, age 28 years, Topsfield, son of Asa W. Wildes, enlisted Jan. 28, 1864 for 3 years, mustered in Mar. 5, 1864, 59th Mass. Vols. Co. G, rank, captain, mustered out Sept. 9, 1864, cause, disability, served on quota of Topsfield. Removed to Maine.

Haywood L. Wildes, private, age 1 8 years, Salem, son of Moses and Sarah Ann (Adams) Wildes, born in Topsfield, Oct. 24, 1845, Topsfield,

Sept. I, 1865 of disease contracted in the service, enlisted Sept. 6, 1864 for i year, mustered in Sept.

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

I I I

6, 1864, 13th Mass. Vols. Battery, discharged May 24, 1865 on account of disability.

Janies B. Wildes, private, single, age 22 years, clerk, Georgetown, enlisted Oct. ii, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Oct. ii, 1862, 50th Mass. Vols. Co. K, mustered out Aug. 24, 1863, cause, expira- tion of service, served on quota of Georgetown ( ? ).

Lewis H. Wildes, private, age 21 years, single, shoemaker, son of Humphrey and Olive (Perkins) Wildes, born in Topsfield, July 10, 1841, died Dec. 28, 1907, enlisted Sept. 10, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out Sept. 3, 1863, served on quota of Topsfield.

William H. Wildes, age 20 years, shoemaker, son of Humphrey and Olive (Perkins) Wildes, born in Topsfield, Oct. 13, 1843, ^93^

in Topsfield, enlisted July 9, 1864 for 100 days, mustered in July 18, 1864, 8th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mustered out Nov. 10, 1864, served on quota of Topsfield. He was the last veteran in Topsfield to die.

George Wilson, private, painter, age 28 years, en- listed Feb. 9, 1865 for one year, mustered in Feb. 9, 1865, 6ist Mass. Vols. Co. K, mustered out July 16, 1863, cause, expiration of service, served on quota of Topsfield, absent sick in August, 1865 since June 22, 1865.

James Wilson, private, age 31 years, single, car- riage builder, son of Lawrence and Mary (Erase-

I I 2

TOPSFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR

lane) Wilson, born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Feb. 28, 1830, died in Topsfield, Nov. 18, 1902, en- listed April 16, 1861 for 3 months, mustered in May 10, 1861, 5th Mass. Vols. Co. A, mustered out July 31, 1861, served on quota of Topsfield.

Re-enlisted Sept, i, 1862 for 9 mos., mustered in Sept. 24, 1862, 48th Mass. Vols. Co. D, mus- tered out Sept. 3, 1863, served on quota of Tops- field, 2nd Lieutenant, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862. Taken prisoner at the Battle of Donaldsonville, La., July 13, 1863, absent, a prisoner of war, when his regiment was mustered out.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHOIR

BY CHARLES H. LEACH

An Address Delivered on Old Home Sunday, August 15, 1909.

. . . Fifty years and more ago the choir assem- bled in the front gallery, the sopranos occupying the front settees, while back of them sat the altos on one side, with the basses and tenors similarly seated on the other, and in the rear was placed the orchestra.

Mr. Elumphrey Balch was the choir leader when Susan Adams, Elizabeth Gould, Ann Kimball and Mrs. McLeod were the sopranos; Mrs. Thomas P. Munday, Mrs. Charlotte Perkins, Mrs. Mary Per- kins, and a few others, the altos; Mr. Humphrey Balch, Benjamin Kimball, Jeremiah Balch, Wil- liam Bradstreet, Dennis Perkins and James Gilford, the basses ; and Thomas K. Leach, Isaiah M. Small, and Benjamin Johnson Balch, the tenors.

Of the stringed instruments, Charles Winslow played the violin; Jeremiah Balch, the clarinet; Frederick Stiles, the single bass — now known as the cello ; Amos Perkins, the double bass ; and now and then, Albert Austin Conant, the flute.

This arrangement continued for some time, save for a few changes in the personnel of the choir and orchestra, some going and others coming. But after

1 14 the congregational church choir

a period of time a change of leaders occurred and the church eledled Mr. Ephraim Averill to have charge of its choir singing. This change of leader- ship was not pleasing to the former leader, and a great dislike sprang up between them that lasted un- til “Death parted them asunder.’' Some of the members of the choir stood by their former leader and departed when his services terminated, but still there were enough valiant members left who would not forsake the service of God for such a little mat- ter as this and, with additions that came soon after the new leader took command, made a choir that was powerful both numerically and otherwise.

Mr. Ephraim Averill was possessed of one of the sweetest and deepest bass voices it was ever my good fortune to hear. No music was too difficult for him to handle, — in fadt, he loved to delve in the great oratorios and I have heard him sing many a bass solo from the “Creation,” time and again. With tuning fork in hand, he would start any part, — so- prano, alto, tenor and bass on the corred: key, in anthem, hymn or solo work. No discord, however slight, escaped his attention, and I have heard him require singers to repeat their work that they should be corred. In a word, he was a perfed wonder. But still, with all of these excellent qualifications, he was unable to cope with the jealous dispositions of singers of his day, — dispositions that resorted to all kinds of vituperation to injure or malign each other, — in fad, as one man expressed it, “they had relig- ion enough to fight.”

BY CHARLES H. LEACH

The liornites, — the regular choir, — or followers of Moses Horn, found one Sunday morning that their seats were occupied by the members of Mr. Willey’s singing-school and they proceeded to make things distasteful for the latter. One bass singer sat down in the lap of an alto, and the avoirdupois that he possessed compelled the alto to vacate. Another was approached at the close of the service and sneer- ingly asked how he enjoyed the singing. He replied, should have liked it better if you had sandpa- pered your throat before the service.”

The Rev. Anson McLeod showed his craftiness in the Hornites and Willeyites episode, by announc- ing after the reading of the hymn, that singing would be omitted and then began his sermon, and his adlion was approved by a large majority of the con- gregation. This decidedly unpleasant affair showed to what extent singers in those days would go to satisfy their jealous dispositions.

But how could singers exist that sang :

Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults,

And justice grows severe.

Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thought. And burns beyond our fear.

Thine anger turns our frame to dust By one offense to thee,

Adam and all his sons have lost Their immortality.

And:

Il6 THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHOIR

Hark! From the tomb a doleful sound, Mine ears attend thy cry.

Ye living men come view the ground Where you must shortly lie.

and hundreds of other similar verses, without leaving a sour, disgruntled and hateful disposition. Always the hard-hearted God who delighted in the death of his saints was drilled into the church-going peo- ple, Sunday after Sunday, instead of a kind, gracious, loving and forgiving Saviour.

From this church choir have gone forth such eminent musicians as Jacob Kimball, who was born in the Kimball-Hutching’s house close by, and was a composer of rare merit. His compositions of “Ru- ral” and “Essex Harmonies” were greatly prized. “Essex Harmony” contains hymns and anthems dedicated to almost every town and city in Essex County, — hence its name.

I would also mention Mr. Norman McLeod, son of our former minister, Rev. Anson and Jane Mc- Leod. H e was both a singer and an organist and played for many leading churches in Boston. He was finally stricken with heart-failure just as he was preparing to resume his evening service upon which he had made great preparation, in Berkeley Temple. His death was a great shock to us all and was keenly felt by his musical associates. He was chosen by our Ladies Society the first Chairman of a Committee to procure the funds that enable us to hear the beau- tiful, sweet-toned instrument that confronts us today.

The Ladies Society, in 1857, under the leadership

BY CHARLES H, LEACH

II7

of Mrs. Thomas P. Monday, placed a Stevens organ in the gallery of the church. It was the first pipe organ to be placed in any church in the surround- ing towns and provoked much praise, both for its power and its beauty. The organ at its installation was played by Thomas Ryder, the famous organist of Boston, Mass., and the singing, under the diredtion of Mr. Averill, was grand. Mrs. Low and Mrs. Warren, sisters, of Boxford, were the soloists.

My father, Thomas K. Leach, who came into the choir in 1839, was still a member and he had brought with him his nine year old daughter, whose singing (standing on a cricket), won for her a place next to the leading soprano, causing those over whom she had been advanced to leave the choir, but they soon saw the error of their ways and returned in a few Sundays.

I well remember hearing Mrs. Susan Perkins ren- der “Mighty Jehovah’’ in her clear, beautiful so- prano voice, as well as listening to my father’s voice in “Scotland,” and “The Voice of Free Grace Cries Escape to the Mountains.”

I will now begin to tell what I know from my own connedHon with our church choir. In 1868 I first entered the choir by delivering a message to Mr. W. Webster Galloup for a member of the congre- gation. He grasped my hand and drew me into the seat beside him. I could sit in the congregation without embarrasment, but sitting in the face and eyes of the people was a different proposition, and I was so afraid that I stood behind him to attradl

Il8 THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHOIR

as little attention as possible, merely holding my “Watts and Seledl Hymns’’ and looking over his shoulder into the “Dulciana” for the music. I will mention a few of the names of the choir of those days which will no doubt bring back pleasant mem- ories to, — well, the older portion of my hearers : Mrs. Joseph Towne, Caddie Higgins, Mrs. Wins- low, sopranos; Hattie Kimball and Sarah K. Leach upheld the alto, with Ephraim Averill and E. K. Foster, the basses.

In the year 1878 Mr. McLeod gave a most ex- cellent concert. Great preparations were made for the many singers and the gallery was extended out over the pulpit. The increased choir was assisted by Boston singers, among whom was that sweet, gifted singer, Mrs. Eleanor Fuller of Middleton. The program, which was bountiful, included “Inflam- matus,” “Hallelujah Chorus,” and seledtions from “II Trovatore.” At this concert I heard for the first time “The Lost Chord” sung by Mr. McCallar, whose singing was heavenly and made a great im- pression upon the audience.

As the years rolled on the choir was led by many excellent masters. Mr. Daniel Emerson Hurd was the leader for a long period of years. Mr. Edwin K. Foster, a prominent singer of his day, could not understand, as Rev. Mr. Harrington had selected music set to “Hamburg,” five times, why we should not sing it.

Miss Hattie Kimball will be remembered by many present today as the sweet alto, and Mrs.

BY CHARLES H. LEACH

II9

Sarah K. (Leach) Woodbury (my sister), who was the organist for nine years, and a singer for over thirty years, manifested great interest in the welfare of the choir.

Miss Lizzie Porter Lake, who was the organist from 1879 to 1905 also diredled the choir for many years with excellent results. Under Miss Lake I have sung all parts, even leading the congregation. Today, up to the close of our service, our choir has been under the leadership of the brightest and best musician of them all, — Mr. Lyman Almy Perkins, — a son of Mrs. Susan Perkins, referred to in the early part of this paper. You all know what Mr. Perkins has accomplished, and to him, princi- pally, are we indebted for the beautiful pipe organ here installed — which will forever stand as a mon- ument of his interest in this church and its music. He has always required a proper rendition of hymns and anthems “to the Glory of God’’ and the work of the choir for the last five or six years has been a genuine surprise to all its members, performing as we have the works of the great mas- ters in such a manner as to provoke the praise of eminent singers.

BRIGHAM YOUNG DESCENDED FROM FRANCIS PEABODY

COMMUNICATED BY CHARLES S. TAPLEY

It is well known that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, descended from a Topsfield ances- try, his father having been born here on July 12, 1771. Brigham Young, the second President of the Mormon church, could also claim a Topsfield an- cestry, through his mother, Abigail Howe, a great- great-great granddaughter of Francis Peabody, whose house was located about a quarter of a mile distant from the Smith house, so that the ancestors of these two leaders of the Mormon church were near neighbors.

The line of descent of Brigham Young from Francis Peabody is as follows, viz:

Lieut. Francis Peabody, the settler, had Mary Peabody, who married John Death. They had

Hepzibah Death, who married David Howe. They had

Thankful H owe, who married Peter Howe. They had

Phineas Howe, who married Susannah Goddard. They had

Abigail Howe, who married John Young. They had Brigham Young.

WINTER TRAVEL ON THE NEWBURYPORT TURNPIKE IN i8ii

Judge Daniel Appleton White in a letter to his wife written from Boston and dated Feb. 5, 1811, describes his experiences in traveling from New- buryport to Boston over the turnpike. He was State Senator at the time and as the Federalists and Dem- ocrats were about evenly divided in the Senate, he made every effort to be present at each session. In fadl in this letter he mentions that his absence gave the Democrats a majority of one and “had I not come in before tomorrow, they would have had an opportunity to choose their Senator for Congress, and oust Mr. Pickering.’' Mr. White’s letter is printed in “Memorials of Mary Wilder White,” Boston, 1903, and is, in part, as follows: —

“I reached Topsfield very well, and in good sea- son on Sunday evening, and had a good night’s sleep. There I found a man with a sleigh, bound to Bos- ton. On Monday morning, the inn-keeper,* with four or five stout men and horses turned out to help us on our way, but, after proceeding about two miles, they gave it up as impracticable, and we returned to the Hotel and dined, — when two other men with sleighs arrived, bound to Boston : so after dinner, we all set out again, with shovels as well as horses and men, and made out to proceed about seven miles, when we were compelled to take shelter for the

*The Turnpike hotel was kept at that time by Ephraim Wildes, Jr.

122

WINTER TRAVEL ON TURNPIKE

night in a not very comfortable habitation. This morning we set out again, and succeeded in reach- ing Boston this afternoon. You told me not to ven- ture on horseback, but I had no other way, but to come on foot ; and, as the other men were good enough to precede me with their sleighs, I was en- abled to ride almost the whole of the way, where- as they walked behind their sleighs a great part of it. The snow was, in some places, drifted extreme- ly, some banks from twelve to twenty feet deep. But I am safe at my lodgings, and feel very well.'’ Mrs. White, writing to her husband from New- buryport on the same day, assumed that he had stopped at the Byfield Hotel, and mentions that the Boston mail had not reached Newburyport between Saturday and Tuesday and then it was brought on horseback.

PETITION OF STEPHEN PERKINS AND SOLOMON DODGE

To the Honourable Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay and House of Representatives in General Court assembled March the 3^ 1778 The Petition of Stephen Perkins and Solomon Dodge Elumbly Sheweth-That they was appointed to the Command as Captain and first Lieutenant of the 4^^ Company in the third Regiment of Militia in the County of Essex in the year 1776 Sence which we have Endeavored to obey to the uttmost of our power Every resolution of the General Court for raising men for the defence of this and the united States of America. But so it was, that when the re- solve passed for raiseing one seventh part of the men in each town to compleat an army for three years or dureing the war we was not able to Inlist our Cota of men in our Company for that Service. We then made Sundry Drafts of men, but they all paid their fines, which amounted to such a sum, that your Petitioners apprehended they had money enough to hire the men they then wanted, of their number, we procured all but three as we suppose. But your Petitioners being advanced in years and in a poor State of health, and being after Called upon to March with part of our Company to places of greate dis- tance which we ware not able to preforme we thought it our duty to ask the Hon^^^ Council to grant us a dismission from that Service, which we

124 PETITION OF STEPHEN PERKINS

did, which the Hon^^^ Council granted in the month of January Last, Sence which a Resolve passed the general Court that all officiers that had not Corn- pleated their Cota of the Continantal army by the first day of March Instant Should be presented for their fines agreeable to a Resolution of the general Court in the month of August last. But by reason of the Inhanced prize that men now ask, their is not money enough raised in the Company to pro- cure the men that are wanted for our Cota, and as your Petitioners have now no authority to make any more Drafts in said Company either for men or money, and as we apprehend their is no other per- son or set of men that can be subjedied to pay a fine on that account, or that have power to make any further drafts for them men in said Company, The Second Lieutenant being in the Service from home. Your Petitioners Therefore Humbly prays that your Honors will take their Circumstances into your wise consideration and point out Som way Either by im- powering the Seledlmen and Com^^^ of Safty &c to procure said men that are now wanted in s^ Com- pany or otherwise as in your wisdom shall judge proper to diredl, so that your Petitioners may not be subjected to pay a fine when it is not in their power to prevent it And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray

Dated Topsfield Stephen Perkins

March 2^ 1778 Solomon Dodge

AND SOLOMON DODGE

125

State of Massachusetts Bay In Council March 5th, 1778

In the Petition of Capt. Stephen Perkins and Lieut. Solomon Dodge

Resolved that the Prayer of said Petition be Granted, and that the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence &c of the Town of Topsfield for the time being, be and they hereby are impowered and directed to proceed immediately to the corn- pleating the number of men yet wanted for the Con- tinental Army in the fourth Company of Militia in the third regiment in the County of Essex, by draft- ing or otherwise as the resolutions of the General Court dire6t : and the said Capt. Perkins and Lieut. Dodge be and they hereby are directed immediately to pay into the hands of the said Selectmen & Com- mittee all such sums of money as they may have re- ceived of said Company, or any individual of said Company & yet remaining in their hands for the purposses above mentioned, while, they had the Command of said Company.

Sent down for Concurrence

Jno Avery Dy Secy

Mass, Archives^ Vol 184, p. 15-16

ASAEL SMITH TO JACOB TOWNE.

A LETTER WRITTEN IN I 796

The following letter was written by Asael Smith, grandfather of Joseph Smith, first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :

“Tunbridge, Jan. 14th, 1796.

^^RespeBed Sir. — Having a favorable opportunity, altho’ on very short notice, I with joy and gratitude embrace it, returning herewith my most hearty thanks for your respedl shown in your favor of the 30th of November, by Mr. Willes, which I view as a singular specimen of friendship, which has very little been pradHsed by any of my friends in Tops- field, altho' often requested.

“My family are all, through the goodness of the Divine Benedidtion, in a tolerable good state of health, and desire to be remembered to you and to all inquiring friends.

“I have set me up a new house since Mr. Willes was here, and expedl: to remove into it next spring, and to begin again on an entire new farm, and my son Joseph will live on the old farm, (if this that has been but four years occupied can be called old), and carry it on at the halves, which half I hope will nearly furnish my family with food, whilst I with my four youngest sons shall endeavor to bring to another farm, etc.

ASAEL SMITH TO JACOB TOWNE I 27

“As to news, I have nothing, as I know of, worth noticing, except that grain has taken a sudden rise amongst us, about one-third.

“As to the Jacobin party, they are not very nu- merous here, or if they are, they are pretty still ; there are some in this State, viz, in Bennington, who, like other children crying for a rattle, have blared out against their rulers, in hopes to wrest from them, if possible, what they esteem, the plaything of power and trust. But they have been pretty well whipt and have become tolerably quiet again, and I am in hopes, if they live to arrive to the years of discretion, when the empire of reason shall take place, that they will then become good members of soci- ety, notwithstanding their noisy, nucious behavior in their childhood, for which they were neither capable of hearing or giving any reason.

“For my part, I am so willing to trust the gov- ernment of the world in the hands of the Supreme Ruler of universal nature, that I do not at present wish to try to wrest it out of his hands, and I have so much confidence in his abilities to teach our Sen- ators wisdom, that I do not think it worth while for me to interpose, from the little stock of knowledge that he has favored me with, in the affair, either one way or the other. He has condudled us through a glorious revolution and has brought us into the prom- ised land of peace and liberty, and I believe that he is about to bring all the world into the same beati- tude in his own time and way ; which, altho’ his ways may appear never so inconsistent to our blind

128 ASAEL SMITH TO JACOB TOWNE

reason, yet may be perfectly consistent with his de- signs. And I believe that the stone is now cut out of the mountain without hands, spoken of by Dan- iel, and has smitten the image upon his feet, by which the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold, (viz.) all the monarchial and ecclesiastical tyranny will be broken to pieces and become as the chaff of the summer thrashing floor, the wind shall carry them all away, that there shall be no place found for them.

“Give my best regards to your parents and tell them that I have taken up with the Eleventh com- mandment, that the negro taught to the minister, which was thus —

“The minister asked the negro how many com- mandments there were, his answer was, ‘Eleben, sir.' ‘Aye,' replied the other, ‘what is the Eleveth ? that is one I never heard of.' ‘The Elebenth com- mandment, sir, is mind your own business.'

“So I choose to do, and give myself but little con- cern about what passes in the political world.

“Give my best regards to Dr. Meriam, Mr. Willes, Joseph Dorman, and Mr. Cree, and tell Mr. Cree I thank him for his respedls and hope he will accept of mine. Write to me as often and as large as you can and oblige your sincere friend and well wisher,

Asael Smith.

“Mr. Jacob Town, Jun."

ASAEL SMITH TO JACOB TOWNE

129

The following appears on the back of the first page of the letter, being evidently of the nature of a postscript —

‘‘Give my hearty thanks to Mr. Charles Rogers for his respedl shown in writing me a few lines, and tell him that I should a wrote to him now had I had time, but now waive it for the present, as I have considerable part of what I intended to a writ to you.

“If I should live and do well, I expedt to come to Topsfield myself next winter, which, if I do, I shall come and pay you a visit. Farewell.

“Tell Mr. Joseph Cree that if he will come here and set up his trade, I will warrant him as much work as he can do, and good pay.”

On the margin of the second page of the letter appears the following —

I expedt my son Joseph will be married in a few days.”

On the outside of the letter, besides the super- scription, “Mr. Jacob Town, Topsfield, Common- wealth of Massachusetts,” is this, “Rec’d. Feb. 14, 1796, from Asael Smith.” From which it appears that the letter was one month on the journey from Tunbridge, Vt., to Topsfield, a distance of 150 miles, and was probably carried by private convey- ance.

VITAL STATISTICS OF TOPSFIELD, MASS. FOR THE YEAR 1929.

1929
Jan.	28
Feb.	10
Mar.	4
Apr.	1
Apr.	8
Apr.	14
Apr.	-16
May	15
May	18
May	21
June	4
June	9
June	13
July	11
July	18
Aug.	7
Aug.	12
Aug.	16
Aug.	17
Aug.	23
Nov.	19
Dec.	29
Dec.	29

BIRTHS

Donald Philip Johnson, son of Hallet P. and Mabel V. (Rollins) Johnson. Born in Beverly Hospital.

Laura Elizabeth Jackson, dau. of Joseph Morrison and Stella Marie (Hull) Jackson.

Donald Cole Andrews, son of Alfred Nelson and Gladys (Cole) Andrews. Born in Salem Hospital.

Gordon Bernard Dynient, son of Clifford Alexander and Henrietta I. (Warren) Dyment. Born in Salem Hospital.

Hilda Louise Ford, dau. of Roy Ferguson and Edna Jackson (Peabody) Ford.

Oliver Silva, son of Alexander and Jennie C. (Espin- dula) Silva.

Nathalie Warren, dau. of Albert Lysander and Alice (Burnham) Warren. Born in Salem Hospital.

Joan Frances Nangle, dau. of Harry and Nellie (King) Nangle.

Leslie Sewall Ray, Jr., son of Leslie Sewall and Hope Frances (Towne) Ray. Born in Salem Hospital.

Norman Henry Smith, son of Percy Elliott and Nellie ,B. (Swindell) Smith. Born in Salem Hospital.

Gardner Francis MacGregor, son of Frank and Annie (McGoff) MacGregor. Born in Salem Hospital.

George Alfred Stanwood, Jr., son of George Alfred and Bertha Elizabeth (Titus) Stanwood. Born in Salem Hospital.

Angelo Modisterio Coppola, son of Pietro and Maria (Del Vecchio) Coppola.

Costanzo Bianco, son of Carmen and Maria Guiseppe (Cotoia) Bianco.

Phyllis Gardner, dau. of Harrison and Eloise (Law- rence) Gardner. Born in Phillips House, Boston.

Marcia Ella Blodgett, dau. of Francis and Marcia ( Springer ) Blodgett.

Anne Derby Saltonstall, dau. of John Lee and Mar- garet (Tucker) Saltonstall. Born in Beverly Hospital.

Mabel Evelyn Hardy, dau. of John Molton and Bertha Alice (Kneeland) Hardy.

Russell Harry Mayo, son of Harry A. and Evelyn E. (Wills) Mayo. Born in Beverly Hospital.

Winifred Rose Carter, dau. of A. Belman and Norma (Nutter) Carter. Born in Beverly Hospital.

[ 130]

1929 Jan. 19

Feb. 1

Mar. 2

Mar. 9

Apr. 23

Apr. 27

June 18

June 29

Aug. 15

Aug. 24

VITAL STATISTICS FOR I 929 I3I

MARRIAGES

Carl Alton Weaver (Topsfield) , son of Warren A. and Minnie (Morse) Weaver.

Ruth Margaret Taylor (Marblehead), dau. of Frank H. and Annie M. (Trasher) Taylor. (Married in Mar- blehead) .

Howard W. Brown (Brookline), son of Howard N. and Inez A. (Wicks) Brown.

Gabrielle M. (Dexter) Peirce (Topsfield), dau. of Stan- ley W. and Gabriella (McAllister) Dexter. (Married in Boston).

Carl Synder Bergmann (Georgetown), son of Charles F. and Abbie (Synder) Bergmann.

Doris Alva Smith (Topsfield), dau. of Charles Herbert and Emma Jane (Lendall) Smith. (Married in Tops- field).

Richard Loring Rust (Topsfield), son of Forrest W. and Alice (Perkins) Rust.

Florence Wells Canning (Melrose), dau. of John W. and Emma J. (.Scott) Canning. (Married in Danvers).

Archie Johnson (Topsfield), son of John R. and Martha (Hamilton) Johnson.

Mary B. (Mead) Newry (Manchester, N. H.), dau. of Samuel H. and Sarah J. (Batchelder) Mead. (Mar- ried in Danvers).

Earl Woodbury Sawyer (Concord, N. H.), son of Willis J. and Genevieve (Woodbury) Sawyer.

Edna Mae Dunn (Concord, N. H.), dau. of Orlando R. and Mary ( ) Dunn. (Married in Rowley).

Thaddeus Zuchowski (Topsfield), son of Frank and Catherine ( ) Zuchowski.

Helen Irene Stevens (Topsfield), dau. of David and Effie (Cutter) Stevens. (Married in Topsfield).

Henry Giovannacci (Topsfield), son of Pietro and Clo- tilda (Russi) Giovannacci.

Mary Blanche Couillard (Newburyport) , dau. of John and Victoria (La Belle) Couillard. (Married in New- buryport) .

Robert Isaac Woodbury (Topsfield), son of Edward B. and Bessie C. (Clerk) Woodbury.

Marjorie Odell Dana (Topsfield), dau. of John L. and Maria L. (Odell) Harrigan. (Married in Hampton, N. H.)

Herbert L. Crutchfield (Wollaston), son of Herbert S. and Daisy (Beresford) Crutchfield.

Doris Porter Gould (Topsfield), dau. of Allen P. and E. Blanche (Chaff) Gould. (Married in Topsfield).

VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1 929

132

Aug. 31 William Truesdale Andrews (Topsfield), son of William S. and Edith (MacCormack) Andrews.

Dorothy Elwell (Topsfield), dau. of William P. and Ada (Weich) Elwell. (Married in Topsfield).

Aug. 31 Robert Holt Stetson (Danvers), son of Almon B. and Nellie M. (Holt) Stetson.

Evelyn Althea Potter (Topsfield), dau. of Charles H. and Florence A. (Bryant) Potter. (Married in Ipswich).

Sept. 4 Ronan J. Laskey (Topsfield), son of Frank J. and Ellen (Caffrey) Laskey.

Alice L. Roberts (Topsfield), dau. of Elwood D. and Mary L. (Chamberlain) Roberts. (Married in Tops- field).

Sept 7 Edwin Saxon Weaver (Topsfield), son of William E. and Alice E. (Query) Weaver.

Sarah M. Guild (Hamilton), dau. of Rueben E. and Mary M. (Cushman) Guild. (Married in Sterling).

Sept. 25 Warren D. Rust (Topsfield), son of Forrest W. and Alice L. (Perkins) Rust.

Sarah Virginia Burpee (Topsfield), dau. of William H. and Kezia Ann (Smith) Burpee. (Married in Danvers) .

Oct. 9 Luigi Di Francesco (Topsfield), son of Vincenzo and Annie Dell (Castell) Di Francesco.

Eunice E. Dodge (Hamilton), dau. of Wendall W. and