PROCEEDINGS IN Lynn, Massachusetts, JUNK 17, 1879, BEING THE Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement. EMBRACING THE ORATION, BY G¥RUS M, TRACY, AND THE ADDRESSES, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC, WITH AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER AND A SECOND PA^T, 'BY 7 AMES >::. .NEWHJLL.' LYNN : ITl'.LISHKI) BY OKDEK OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 1880. L 30981 PRINTED AT THE LYNN RECORD OFFICE, 77 MuNROE Street. :s^' PREFATORY NOTE. d»ic The undersigned, was requested by a Committee of the City Council, to prepare an account of the Celebra- tion of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Lynn, which took place on the .eventeenth of Jime, 1870. In the absence of any special instruction or suggestion, it occurred to him, that the expectation could not be that a mere report of the proceedings should be furnished, as that could be found in the newspapers ; and hence he has attempted to supply what seemed necessary to give a fair, though exceedingly brief glimpse at our history, and to fitly introduce a few of the faithful spirits who have, from time to time, done so much to promote the prosperity, maintain the honor, and extend the fame of our cherished home. He has endeavored to furnish what may prove of permanent value, and possibly of some interest to those who may occupy our places when another similar round of years is completed Though the pages are few in number, it will readily be perceived that a good deal of labor and care was recjuired in their preparation. Descriptive and narra- tive passages may be written with rapidity ; but when dates and facts are in ([uestion, the greatest vigilance iv. PREFATORY NOTE. is required to make them exact, comprehensive and trustworthy ; without which qualities, they are almost worthless. We have, however, no fear that the little book, as a whole, will prove valueless or uninteresting ; for the Oration, the Addresses, and other performances it commemorates, are more than enough to save it from such a fate. CONTENTS, [The Index beginning on page 219 gives all the surnames in the book, arranged alphabetically, with the subjects.] Prefatory Note iii Introduction. — Occasion of the Celebration — coming of the Set- tlers — the Indians — Lynn Regis; glimpse at its history and condition, its antiquities and characteristics — the common law — eifect of climate onjcharacter — our Saxon blood, whence inherited — hopes and designs of the settlers — Town Meetings, — "Ye Great and Generall Courte" — adoption of City form of Government 7 The Celebration. — Full account of the procession — the various out-door sports and exercises — the Oration and other services at Music Hall — the Banquet at Odd Fellows' Hall, with the bill of fare, the toasts, addresses, remarks, correspondence, etc. . 25 Part Second. — Ideal march along Boston street — old landmarks, old residents, and interesting historical events — business centres and changes — architectural improvements — Tqwn Meetings — Mayors, and other city and town officers, and prominent indi- viduals, with numerous biographical sketches and personal notices — the industry and thrift of the people — the poor — tramps — Public Library — Schools — Newspapers — Lynn in times of war — Soldiers' Monument — population — Religious Societies — Territorial situation, descriptions of scenery, etc. . 83 Chronological Table, of the most prominent events in the whole history of Lynn 209 Index 219 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. City Hall 12(i Lyceum Hall 221 Odd Fellows' Halt 122 Old Tunnel Meeting-house 117 Soldiers' Monument 191 Town House 119 AUTOGRAPHS. AUTOGRAPHS, Baker, Daniel C 1'25 Bassett, William 149 Batchekler, .loliu 149 Breed, Allen 173 Breed, Andrews 127 Breed, Hiram N 130 Bubicr, Samuel M 136 Buftum James X 133 Burrill, (Jeor^i-e 168 Burrill, John 146 Davis, Edward S 129 Dexter, Thomas 162 Hood, George 123 Humfrey, John 158 Ingalls, E. A 150 Johnson. Wm. F 128 Jones. Benj. 11 150 I^aui-liton, Thomas 143 (Fac-Similes.) Lewis, Alonzo 151 Lewis, Jacob JNI 135 Lummus, Clias F 184 Mansfield. Andrew 141 Merritt, Charles 140 Mudge, Benj. F 124 Mudge, Ezra Warren .... 127 Neal, Teter M 131 Newhall, James K iv Tarsons, Chas. E 150 rurchis, Oliver 144 Richardson. Thos. 1' 120 Sanderson, (ieo. 1' 137 Slickney. J. (' 1.54 Lsher, Roland G. . . . . . . 132 Walden, Edwin 134 Wliiting. I.'ev. Samuel .... 107 INTRODUCTION: The most interesting celebration, perhaps, in more than one respect, that ever took place in Lynn, occurred on Tuesday, June 17, 1879. It was the celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the commencement of the settlement, and an occasion well calculated to inspire a lively interest in the story of the past, and a grateful appreciation of the blessings that have attended almost every step of our municipal progress — an occasion on which it was natural for the mind to revert to the shadowy days when the red man roamed as lord of the soil ; to the days when the first glimmerings of civilization began to warm and vivify, and so on, to this our day of wonderful attainment in all that marks the upward progress of our race. It was in 1629 — somewhere in June, as near as can be ascertained — when the advance party of indomitable settlers, appeared over the rocky hills upon the north- east, and without any " dedicatory ceremony," such as would at this day be deemed necessary to such an undertaking, commenced, with strong arms and hopeful hearts, to level the ancient forest. The ring of the ax was a new sound in these solitudes, and, to the dusky rover, fell like the tocsin note announcing the decline of his dominion over the land ; for the ancient seers of 8 INTRODUCTION. his race had foretold of a people to come from the land of the rising sun and possess his heritage. In the absence of any certain knowledge, as to the precise day of the month on which the settlement com- menced, it was well to have the commemorative services on the seventeenth, the historic day so prominent in our annals. From the primeval day of the settlement, how, na- turally, does the mind follow the fathers and mothers of the plantation, in their heroic struggles — often de- pressed by dangers without and anxieties within, some- times well nigh unnerved by prolonged privation, and enfeebled by toil — till in victory their prayers were answered, their efforts crowned. And if, from the sphere in which they now live and move, they have power to look abroad over this, the stage on which was enacted so much of their earthly parts, how great occasion will they have to rejoice over the blessings which have followed their earnest and regenerating endeavors. It would be interesting, and by no means irrelevant, to occupy some space with inquiries into the history and condition of the race who preceded us in-the occupation of this territory ; a race, which, by steady and unin- terrupted decline, has now almost ceased to be known upon earth. It is sad to contemplate the utter destruc- tion of a people, however small in number, and however signally they may have failed in their approach towards the higher standards of the great family of man ; and the mind is naturally led to inquire if there is not some lesson of value to be learned from their history and fate. But the history of the red men remains in impenetrable obscurity. They had no books INTRODUCTION. 9 to contain their laws, exhibit their polity, or record their achievements ; no written language. And, pos- sibly, the rigid moralist may say, it would have been as well for the world, had some of the merely warlike nations of antiquity been in like condition. The territory of the Third Plantation — Third of Massachusetts, as distinguished from Plymouth — seems to have been the home of some prominent chiefs ; that is, so far as semi-nomads can be said to have homes. They were " sometimes here and sometimes there," to use a phrase in the Indian deed of Lynn, as applied to the chief under whom the grantees claimed. And hence, while it cannot exactly be assumed that Lynn was the Washington of an Indian Confederacy, it was yet the residence, at times, of renowned tribal heads. Sagamore Hill, the beautiful elevation lying between Nahant and Beach streets, which quite within the memory of the writer, was an open area of pasture land, much visited in the warm season for its refresh- ing airs and lovely views, but whose airy salutings and resplendent prospects are now so obstructed by the architectural encroachments which have appeared dur- ing the 'last forty years, was, perhaps, for many centuries, the oft-chosen seat of the dusky rulers. Indeed the name signifies Hill of Kings. Various reasons for the selection of this spot, by the chiefs, as a place of residence, can readily be imagined — such as its commanding position, by which approaching danger might be discovered ; its proximity to the sea, from which supplies of food might be obtained ; its accessibility by water, whicli an Indian could well 10 INTRODUCTION. appreciate. And may we not presume that the " poor Indian " had some perception of the grand and beauti- ful, or even a touch of the sentimental — that he might have loved to scan the waving woods, the battlemented shores, the moon-lit sea and starry sky? Can it even be doing violence to probability, to imagine him, in sombre mood, sitting at his cabin door in the evening twilight, with his solacing pipe, gazing out over the purple waste, and pondering upon the old prophesies, handed down by his fathers, that from beyond, there would come a people to destroy his race and possess the land? — while his dusky squaw was busy about her rustic wigwam duties, and his frolicsome daughters were romping upon the glittering beaches or sporting in the waves ? It is impossible to arrive at any satisfactory conclu- sion as to the number of subjects claimed by the Sagamore of Lynn, at the time the settlers arrived, though it is evident that not more than three arithme- tical figures would be required to enumerate the whole. They appear to have been loyal, and not by any means under severe restraint. Their pursuits were rather peaceful than warlike, though individual instances of savage cruelty too often occurred. They loved games and sports, and sometimes assembled on the beach, in view of the habitation of the Sagamore, and pursued their athletic exercises, as well as games, that not unfrequently degenerated into downright gambling ; occasionally becoming so infatuated as to divest them- selves of everything they possessed, even to their wives. The acceptance of the latter, however, was, sometimes, to the chagrin of the loser, refused by the winner — perhaps from a suspicion that a losing game had purposely been played. INTRODUCTION. U Much has been written concerning the mental characteristics of the red men ; especially of their high poetic conceptions, and their beautifully figurative and expressive language. As to their poetic conceptions, such as comparing numbers to the sands on the shore, the leaves on the trees and the stars in the sky, it may be remarked that such comparisons, rather than being the out-spring of poetic feeling, arose from sheer inability to count. They had no knowledge of hundreds and thousands, or any arithmetical principle, and so, when attempting to give numbers, did it figuratively, or by comparison with something visible. And it should be remembered that the Indian languages were unwrit- ten. Those really unpronounceable strings of letters supposed to be Indian words, were often phrases or whole sentences. They did not write or spell ; and when an Englishman asked one by what word he would name a certain thing, he might receive such a reply as would involve the use and purpose of the thing. Sup- posing, for instance, he asked what was the Indian name for a mill, the reply might be, in Indian, water turn- wheelgrindcorn, or windblowroundgreatarmsgrindcorn. The Indians possessed every quality, mental and physical, that goes to make up the man, and so, were not monsters. Education in the schools of civilization, would, no doubt, have shown that they possessed capabilities of advancement equal to any other people ; indeed examples illustrative of this were not wanting ; though to most of the pious settlers they appeared like an unredeemed race, with minds unsanctified, habits debased, and no aspiration for better things. But we must bid adieu to these, our red brethren, only remarking, that hereabout they do not appear to have 12 INTRODUCTION. been, as a body, inclined to assume a hostile attitude, and the ravages committed by them, were of compari- tively small account. What they would have attempted, had they been numerous and powerful, can only be conjectured. The settlers were a sober, industrious, religious people, and do not appear to have entertained any bitter feeling toward the people of the land they had left, nor to have considered themselves refugees from perse- cution. They came rather as voluntary exiles, seeking new homes, far removed from the pressure of ancient immobile and cramping institutions and economies such as rendered life in the old world a continuous and unsatisfying struggle — new homes, free from the deadening influences that so mingled with the old world civilizations, homes where might be established institu- tions more in accordance with the upward aspirations of the care-worn race. As regards the particular individuals who first pitched their tents here — many descendants from whom, re- taining the robust qualities of their fathers, and aiding efficiently in the prosperity and fame of our beloved city, are yet numbered among us — little need be said in this place, as in the following pages, all that can be required, will appear. It is well known to those who are at all familiar with our local history, that the ancient name, Saugus, desig- nated the territory constituting the Third Plantation, and that it was in 1637, that the curt order of the General Court — Saugust is called Lin — was recorded. The reason for the adoption of the new name, it may INTRODUCTION. 13 be remarked, in passing, was that Mr. Whiting, the miicli beloved minister, came from Lynn Regis, in England. And as one of the most interesting features of the intellectual entertainment that followed the gas- tronomic, on the day of the Celebration, was the introduction of a correspondence, embodying most friendly greetings from our municipal ancestor — from Mayor Seppings and other prominent individuals — it seems eminently proper to say a few words touching the history of that ancient borough. Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn, or simply Lynn, as it seems to be indiscriminately called, is in Norfolk, on the river Ouse, which falls into the German ocean, at the Wash. It is a very old place, and is mentioned in Doomsday Book, A. D. 1086. Centuries ago it had an embattled wall and fosse, of which, but little now remains. The East Gate, a ponderous specimen of masonry, as appears by an old engraving, kindly seat to the writer by an esteemed practitioner there, was taken down, in 1800, for the reason, as has been facetiously asserted, that the arch was too low for a load of hay. But of course it had ceased to be useful, and grown to be an encumbrance. Till the time of Henry VIII. (1509-1547) it was in possession of the Bishop of Norwich, and called Lynn Episcopi — Bishop's Lynn. An exchange of certain possessions took place between the King and the Bishop, by which, the jurisdiction was transferred to the sovereign, and then it began to be called Lynn Regis — King's Lynn. Three or four streams or small rivers, crossed by bridges, perhaps a dozen in number, traverse it. Its exports of corn and wool are large, and it has iron 14 INTRODUCTION. foundries, breweries and shipyards. The business parts of the town are compact, with fine stores and several stately public buildings. The provisions for education, for the poor, and for all the advanced demands of civil- ization, seem to be ample. The place, of course, must have what an American would call an old look, yet having a substantial and prosperous air. The streets are well lighted, the public walks picturesque, and some portions present quite a rural aspect, with fine mansions. It is about ninety miles from London, has convenient railroad communication with the rest of England, and packets and steamers run to various ports. The population of Lynn Regis is at present between 16,000 and 17,000 but it has fluctuated much at different periods, though the variations for the last fifty years have not been very great, as will appear by the following concise statement : Years: 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 Population: 12,253 13,370 16,039 : 9,148 15,981 16,363 In the stormy days of King John, (1199-1216) the people of Lynn seem to have espoused the cause of the Sovereign, rather than that of the Barons ; a fact not calculated to elevate them in the eyes of the free spirits of our own Lynn, whose sympathies are all with " the people." But they received important favors from the King, and his successor, Henry III., in return for their allegiance. Would any one, however, at this day, claim that the memorable achievement at Runny mode, could be outweighed by any royal gift or favor ? The people of Lynn likewise espoused the cause of Charles I., for whose fate the settlers here do not seem to have deeply mourned ; the previous radical denunciations of INTRODUCTION. 15 Hugh Peters having, perhaps, had something to do with moulding public opinion. Compared with her ancient archetype, our own Lynn has little to boast of in the way of architectural anti- quity. There is the ancient Town House, Our Lady's Chapel of the Red Mount, Grey Friar's Tower, and the grand old church of St. Nicholas. There, too, is the stately church of St. Margaret, which was founded more than .three centuries before the discovery of America, by Columbus. And in alluding to St. Mar- garet's, one of the oldest in England, it is pleasant to acknowledge the courtesy of the authorities, in sending a stone, taken from its ancient wall — a stone, which, without doubt, was quarried before the close of the eleventh century — with its friendly inscription, to be incorporated in St. Stephen's Memorial church, now in process of erection, on South Common street. Attention being thus directed to Lynn Regis, we are reminded, that among the estimable correspondents, the reading of whose communications, formed so interesting a part of the exercises at Odd Fellows' Hall, was Mayor Seppings. And while our little W9rk has been passing through the press, the painful intelligence has been received of the death of that worthy magistrate. He died very suddenly, while presiding at a committee meeting, on the 10th of April, 1880. Would it not be wonderful if the liberty-loving Englishmen of the present day, should fail to have a devotional respect for the old churches that still rear their time-stained walls in many a rural and even obscure quarter? They are historic memorials, often of the deepest interest, for they have been mute witnesses of heroic struggles for liberty and right. Can he forget 16 INTRODUCTION. the patriotic stand taken by some of the undaunted prelates in the critical times immediately preceding the establishment of the Great Charter, and the alacrity with which they came so resolutely to the support of the endangered liberties of the common people ? But our purpose was to allude to the old erections as mere antiquities, by centuries ante-dating anything of the kind in our land, and then, perhaps, with a little of that Yankee pride which aspires to universal superi- ority, to add, that we have all about us, grander and more ancient things to gaze upon ; for has not that great expounder of nature's mysteries, Agassiz, assured us that the rocky battlements that rise along our shores, on which he so loved to gaze, and against which, the ever-dashing Atlantic billows murmured a stern lullaby -for his nightly repose, stood in solemn grandeur, ages before Europe emerged from the chaotic mass ? But we must return from the visit to our ancient prototype, however interesting or profitable a longer stay might prove, remarking that the few settlers who came from that vicinity, seem to have been thoroughly imbued with the sentiments and theories that went to form, what ultimately came to be known, as New Eng- land character. It has been said that one of the richest possessions the settlers brought, was the Com- mon Law of England. They indeed brought with them, the principles of the Great Charter ; principles imbibed with theirv ery infantile nourishment. But what is or was the common law ? " The perfection of human reasons ; " "the embodiment of common sense ; " we are told. But is it not true that what may be called, the perfection of reasoning and common sense, at one INTRODUCTION. 17 time and under one set of circumstances, may at anoth- er time and under another set, assume a very different appearance? The eminent Blackstone, says: "the common law does never inflict any punishment extending to life or limb, unless upon the highest necessity," But Christian, his annotator, remarks, " This is a compli- ment, which, I fear, the common law does not deserve ; for although it did not punish with death, any person who could read, even for any number of murders or other felonies, yet it inflicted death upon any felon who could not read, though his crime was the stealing of only twelve pence farthing." It is not to be supposed that the purpose in this was to indirectly advance the cause of education, by hanging unlettered culprits ; but it distinguishes between offenders in a way that at this time, and in this land, would pass for very uncom- mon law. And it is hardly probable that our good fathers intended to import just that. It may, however, be said, that the value of the common law consists in its flexibility and readiness to take color from the spirit of the passing time. But that, it is at once seen, reduces it to an uncertainty. But, as just remarked, our strong-minded and strong-purposed ancestors did bring with them the principles recorded amid the terrors of Runnymede, and, once here, and to a degree unhampered, heroically set about the work of exemplifying their exalted con- ceptions of human rights, proceeding industriously and in an intelligent and humane way, to found institutions in which those principles would have a fair field of action, — institutions most surely calculated to secure to all, the godly boon of equal rights and privileges, and promote the expansion of the nobler qualities of our 18 INTRODUCTION. race. But they were not perfect beings, and glaring inconsistencies, between profession and conduct, too soon and too often appeared. Tiiat climate has a marked influence in forming the character of a people, physically, is a truth too obvious to need stating. And as the development of the in- tellectual depends so much on the physical, it can well be admitted that the climate of New England had an . energizing effect on the settlers, and Avas so far effec- tual in preventing any decline in the robust English character. But the extent to which some philosophers would lead us, in the matter of the supposed relation between climate and the moral and even religious qualities, seems bordering on the romantic, if not, indeed, a step or two within the territory lying next to the sublime. And though the learned and somewhat famous French physician, Dr. Bodichon, who spent some time in Algiers, in speaking of the terrible sirocco that occasionally sweeps up from the desert of Sahara, assures us, as if the connection were easily traceable, that " Calvinists and Puritans will be found to resist the baleful effects of tbis wind, better than persons of other persuasions," we confess to being puzzled in the effort to satisfactorily trace the connections. . Nor shall we venture to even suggest how the Calvinism and Puritanism of New England may have been affected by atmospheric eccentricities ; or to what atmospheric condition can be referred the exceptional conduct towards the Quakers and Baptists ; more especially shall we not attempt to divine what elemental con- spiracy induced the weird episode of 1692. Never- theless, it is a subject worthy of thought, and the reflective mind might dally with speculations far less INTRODUCTION. 19 profitable. One certainly can conceive of some indirect connections between climatic conditions and mental or moral tendencies ; but in the attempt to trace those connections, the involutions of materialism may fatally entangle, hereditary tendencies necessarily entering largely into the account. We boast of our " Saxon blood;" but what is it, •and how came it in our veins? or has it been changed or diluted? Here in New England, reasoning only from a climatic stand-point, one might conclude that it is retained in a rather improA^ed condition. Upon the frigid shores of the Baltic, in far-off centuries, in times indeed before the period known as the Middle Ages, the Saxon race existed and their sturdy character was formed. They were a rude people ; barbarous, indeed, but strong in body and mind, and possessed of an unconquerable love for a sort of wild freedom and manly aspiration, with ambition running, perhaps, into tribal insolence. Nearly fifteen centuries ago, by the inhabitants of the British Isles, they were invited over in the expectation that their fierce bravery would be sufficient protection against the inroads of still more barbarous invaders, the Roman guardianship having been withdrawn, as Rome herself needed all her cohorts to guard against hostile invasions at home. The Saxons came, fraternized with the Britons, and essentially, by mere force of character, soon gained the ascendancy, and became masters of the realm. The blood of the two races intermingled, and the controlling power of the Saxon was presently manifest, the benign influences of Christianity intervening to temper and elevate. Then down through generations, not essentially changed by the Norman intermingling, rectifying and warming, 80 INTRODUCTION. flowed this heroic northern blood to the New England settlers ; and from them, have we ourselves received what is perhaps our richest possession — a possession which has done so much to make England and America what they are. The settlers went to their work in an earnest and manly way. The principles that crowned the triumph at Runnymede, were the principles that governed in all their efforts, permeating and imparting life and health to every detail, even as the sturdy oak is by the health- ful sap permeated, nourished and invigorated in every limb and twig. But some caviler may say, Think you that those delving old settlers, worthy indeed, in their way, com- ing as they chiefly did from the middle and lower ranks ; those farmers, fishermen, mechanics, and com- mon toilers, uneducated to a degree, and unaccustomed to comprehensive reflection, or even cursory meditation on the great principles of political economy or abstract human right — think you that they deliberately pro- posed perspicuous theories, solved occult mental prob- lems, or suggested new and elevated plans for human action? Unquestionably, the prime necessities of existence, required much thought, as well as physical exertion ; but the spirit that animated them in all their hours of toil, of privation and of success, was the spirit of the free man. And their hopes and endeavors were stimulated by regard for the well-being of the generations that were to come after them. They were of sturdy English stock, and had sufficient native sagacity to perceive the right road, and suflicient strength of purpose to pursue it. The many examples the world has to exhibit, of true greatness, shining INTRODUCTION. 81 forth from the humbler ranks, of godlike men toiling on in the most lowly positions, cannot fail to teach the least observent, that to the so-called higher classes, we are by no means specially called to look for the wise and good. And we also learn the other lesson, that wisdom and greatness do not always spring from fine- drawn theory or long-established doctrine. That our forefathers did not always appear to act in conformity with their high principles and professions, is most true. But what individual ever did act undeviat- ingly up to his sense of right ? Human nature is im- perfect, and customs of a given age are often the occasion of glaring inconsistency between conduct and principle. It is not difficult to take any individual, and by exhibiting only his evil side, make him appear an object worthy of detestation ; or by taking into view only his virtuous side, make him an object worthy of veneration, when, indeed, his is simply an average character. And so of communities. We seem hardly to consider that right and justice are exterior to our- selves, and often far enough away, and that it is for us to strive to reach them, as they neither advance nor retreat. The good old settlers aimed high, and on the whole, came wonderfully near the mark ; realizing, no doubt, that if aiming low, they would be sure to hit low. Governed by the sentiments and convictions indicated, the settlers, for the regulation of their internal affairs, established the Town Meeting, in which every one could be heard, and all public affairs be freely discussed. And then, as the broader interests required attention, " Y*" Great and Gen'all Courte," was established, the 22 INTRODUCTION. same principles of free representation and free discus- sion being there maintained. While the population remained sufficiently small, every freeman was con- sidered a member, and liable to be fined if he did not attend, for the judgment and wisdom of all were rightfully claimed, it being fully realized that mental vigor, high-minded conception and heroic devotion, are not the outo;rowth alone of cultivation or scholastic discipline ; that sometimes in the mind of the humblest hewer of wood or drawer of water, may arise an idea or suggestion of unspeakable value to the community. Where all have an opportunity to express their views and convictions, if much that is crude appears, much also that is of the highest value may be elicited. But the time soon arrived when it was impracticable for the whole body of freemen to attend the legislative sessions ; and then the end had to be sought through Deputies or Representatives. It was not till 1850, that Lynn found it expedient to dispense with the venerated Town Meeting, and adopt the City form of government This she did by an undisputed majority of legal votes, though not without lingering regrets and many dissenting voices. The Town Meetings were becoming more and more unwieldy, as every one perceived, but yet there was a fear in the minds of many, that the abridgement of individual freedom would be a greater evil. Many of us well remember the stirring scenes of that period, and how strenuously the change was opposed by some of our most worthy townsmen — notably the Hon. George Hood, who, nothwithstanding his sledge-hammer ap- peals and almost tearful entreaties for the continuance INTRODUCTION. 23 of the old Town form, had such a firm hold upon the confidence of the people, and was deemed so trust- worthy, that he was chosen to the new and onerous office of Mayor, for the first and second terms. On accepting the office, like a good citizen, h© allowed no prejudice or predilection to interfere with a fair and honest administration. Section nineteen of the Charter, however, was calculated to have a reconciling effect, and doubtless had due influence on many minds. It provides, in brief, that on the requisition of fifty qualified voters, the Mayor and Aldermen shall call a general meeting of qualified voters, to consult upon the public good. The first, and as far as is now recollected, the only meeting ever held under this provision, con- vened on the afternoon of Thursday, September 1, 1870, in the vestibule of the City Hall, and had special reference to the laying out of Central Avenue, which some parties deemed uncalled for by any public exigency or interest. The City Council had already ordered the laying out, and this meeting was called in the hope of obtaining such an expression of public opinion, as would induce a revocation of the order. The meeting was large, and several prominent men took part in a warm discussion, which diverged to other questions of public interest. A decided majority appeared against the measure, and strong resolutions were passed accordingly. But the government having thoroughly examined the matter, were not induced to recind their order, and the work went on. How this meeting, in the light of a precedent, may, at a future time be regarded, remains to be seen. But we must come to the events of the day in question. THE CELEBRATION, The question of the celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Lynn had been for some time agitated ; indeed, for many months, the desirableness of such an observance had been conceded. The Mayor, in his inaugural address at the beginning of the year, drew attention to the sub- ject, and in the Board of Aldermen, January 16, 1879, the following order was passed : " Ordered, That so much of the Tnaiigura] Address of His Honor, the Mayor, as relates to the celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Lynn, be referred to a Joint Special Committee, to consist of His Honor the Mayor and two Aldermen, together with tlie President and three other members of the Common Council.'" This order was adopted by the Common Council on the same day, and the Joint Special Committee ap- pointed. That Committee soon after submitted a report which elicited a rather protracted discussion. But finally, on the first day of April, the following orders were passed by the Board of Aldermen : " Ordered, ITiat for the i^roper observance of tlie Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Lynn, the sum of Two Tliousand Dollars be, and hereby is, appropriated from the account of contingencies; said sum to be expended midi'r tlu' direction of the Committee on said celebration.'" ""Ordered, Also, that the seventccntlj of .huic in'xt. be tlic Boston, June 10, 1879. ) To His Honor Oeorye P. Sanderson, Mayor of Lynn : Dear Sir, — 1 am in receipt of your invitation to participate in the celebration, on the 17th inst., of the 250th anniversary of the settle- ment of Lynn. Were it possible, I should take great pleasure in joining the descendants of Ingalls, the Breeds, the Newhalls, the Bakers, tlie Dexters, and all other lionored and ancient families of Lynn, and especially the great company of the successoi's of Thomas Beard, the first Massachusetts shoemaker, in paying grateful tribute to the virtues and good works of their ancestors. The Commonwealth will be worthily represented among you in the person of His Honor Lieutenant Governor Long. For my part, I am called from the State by legal business, and can only assure you of my regret that I cannot participate in so notable a celebration, and personally congratulate you on the success with which it is sure to be ci-owned. Very truly yours, Thomas Talbot. Mr. Hawkes then introduced Lieut. Governor Long, remarking — Now, gentlemen, I suppose I should say I regret the absence of His Excellency, the Governor. So I do. But in his absence it will be my pleasure to inti'oduce a gentleman wliom I know you will all be de- lighted to liear. You will remember that in the early days of Lynn there was a gentleman who represented Lynn in the Genei'al Court for twenty-two years. He was Speaker of the House of Representa- tives for ten years, and was compared with Mr. Speaker Onslow of THE BANQUET. 53 the British House of Commons, — the most distinguished parliament- arian that England has ever known. He was known as the "Beloved Speaker," John Burrill, of Lynn. Now, in later days since that time, I know of no man in Massachusetts who has better deserved the appellation of the "Beloved Speaker," who has endeared himself more to the people of Massachusetts, than the gentleman I shall pre- sent, who first achieved distinction in the House of Representatives. It is now my privilege to introduce to you His Honor, Lieutenant Governor John D. Long. Thus introduced, the Lieutenant Governor spoke as follows : Address of Lieutenant Governor Long. I am very much gratified indeed, Mr. Mayor and Mr. Toast-Master, ladies and gentlemen, for this very kind reception, although I know you have extended it to me officially and not to me in my private personal character. I am very sure of that, for I read in the admir- able Centennial Memorial which Mr. Newhall prepared, and which was given me a year or two ago by my friend Mr. Walden, that in 1808, when your first lawyer set foot in Lynn, a very respectable dele- gation of your citizens waited upon him and said tliat while they had great respect for him personally, they had lived in peace in Lynn for nearly two hundred years, and they did not think that a Lawyer would add anything to the quiet of the neighborhood; and therefore they very kindly but firmly insisted upon his moving on. And he, being like all other good lawyers, a man of rare good sense, took the hint and followed the suggestion. I trust that Lynn pre- serves and always will preserve the reputation and character of a community so intent upon its business, so considerate of the equal rights of all its citizens, so abundantly ready and able to take care of itself and preserve its own law and order within its own limits, that it will never require the sei-vices of an attorney', or even of a political magistrate, unless it be upon some such delightful, pleasant, social festivity of a common citizenship as this. It looks very well indeed that your clergymen in this city still outnumber the lawyers two to one ; which may argue either that you have twice as much Christianity as you have litigation — which is very good — or else that one lawyer is as good as two parsons, which I am perfectly willing to admit, altliough I do not know whetJier my clerical friends will agree to it or not. It is said, also, as I find — familiar too as I have always been with the fact, — that tliis is tlie most industrious and tlirifty community in the world ; and that this is due to two circumstances in your early 54 LYNN: 1629—1879. history. One, that in 1644 — you see, Mr. Newliall, I have been fol- lowing you pretty carefully — in 1644 two of your citizens were pre- sented to tlie Grand Jury for being common sleepers wlien everybody else was busy; and the otlier, that in 1750 I think, as your Honor in- formed us to-day — and seriously it sliows wliat great events result from the vei-y slightest accidents of location — there came into tliis locality a Welsli shoemaker, and a very successful one, too, by the name of John Adam Dagyr, who settled here and who began that busi- ness wliich, since then, has become your prosperity, your pride and your pleasure, and which in 1875, as I understand, produced more than ten millions pairs of slioes, — an item whicli cannot be calculated or con- ceived of unless you reflect upon the fact that it is more than one" fourth of the population, men, women and children, of the United States, and worth, as we are informed, more than $12,500,000, which is a great deal more, certainly, than I and my fellow members of tlie Council represent at this Board. Responding, Mr. Mayor, for the old Commonwealth on this glorious day in your history — and I love to think that your history is only a fair representation of Massachusetts history itself — on this two liun- dred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of 1-iynn, the thought that presses upon me is that it is just here in just such a city as this, in just sucli a busy centre of active enterprise, such a centre of activity and population, it is in just such a place as this that the institutions of Massachusetts, our republican idea, our fundamental principle of local self-government is going to be fairly tried and put to the test. In our sparse towns, in our rural and agricultural districts, the experiment means nothing, for tliese run themselves. But in a great metropolitan city, where power is concentrated, where executive force is organized and systematized to the very utmost, the experiment can be tried indeed. Nowhere probably so well can it be tried as in this and similar cities in tlieir transition state from great towns to large cities, where the population is dense; where tlie people arc devoted to some single special branch of industry with its divisions and sub-divisions of labor; where there is practically a pure and free democracy; where your police department, efficient as it is, is not specially emphasized; where your treasury is at the risk of a simple, unbiased and uncontrolled public vote, tvhere government itself, life, property, peace and order, rest simply ujjou the average sense and the average honesty of the community. For uiyself, I am glad to believe that the result is one in every case which should give us confidence in our system, confidence in tlie policy here in America of enfranchisement, generosity and emancipa- tion ; conlidcnce that in the long run the popular heart, though with a lluttei- now and then, will at last, and always, i-cach the truth. No man has more faith in higher education than I have. But friends, T do sometimes lose heart when T see how little the mere education of THE BANQUET.' 55 the schools and tlie books brings to its possessor or enables him to bring to the world, even if indeed it does not often happen that he simjily contentedly stands aside because he does not succeed at once, and thinks that the world should open a way for him ratlier than that he should open a way for himself by his own exertion. And in this respect I honor — for that is what I was coming to, suggested by this gathering on this day — I honor that education which is the education of an industry that in the very act of opening up its own way and its (jwn path, teaches as nothing else can teach how to feel the value of a hel])iug hand, the encouragement of a kind word, the necessity of all working together for the public good and the mutual dependence of men upon one another. I find as I read the history of your city that there is indeed no lack of learned men trained in the schools, educated to the very highest degree like so many other noble men in Maassa- chusetts, who have lived honorable, useful and noble lives. I have too much respect for the highest, purest and loftiest education ever to forget those noble men in Massachusetts who have been scholars in literature, in politics, in peace and war, and who as physicians, as clergymen, as lawyers, as scientific men, as applying science to the ordinary affairs of daily life, have been great benefactors. But know- ing that this is a government of the people, the masses, the working- masses, of the great body of the people, it is comforting when you do lind — if I may be allowed to say it — that so many of your leaders, so many of your past mayors, so many of your men who have brought honor and usefulness to this community, have been men whose noble education Inis been obtained through devoted, straightforward indus- try, and the success of whose lives has been the best proof of the mutual, common, equal advantage of the privileges of the American citizen, and is tlie best answer to that false outcry which would create jealousy and arraign men against one another, as though there were any distinction among us except that of patient, honest, sober, straightforward industry. Mr. President, I hope that this education may go on in behalf of the old Commonwealth whic-h is so dear to us, a Commonwealth more than half of whose population — startling as tliat fact is — more than half of whose population is in her nineteen cities, one of the oldest and largest of whic-h you are. I pray in belialf of the Com- nronwealth that slie may look to these cities, that she may look to you, tliat slie may appeal to the great masses of your population surrounded as you are witli these evidences of culture, of opportunity, of school and church and home, tliat she may look to those of you who guide public opinion and direct public aftairs, that she may look to your men of wealth, to your employers of labor, to your skillful artisans and mechanics, to all men and all women — all eciual, remember-, in tlieir opportunities and their rights, and also all equal in their duties and their obligations— that she may look to them and find them never failing in standing for the right, in standing with sober, honest 56 LYNN: 1629—1879. purpose for high and honorable conduct, for the respect of life and liberty, for the united harmony and sympathy of a common christian brotherhood. I could utter one word for the Commonwealth that you pi-ofess to love, so much ; this is the word I would say to you : that her honor and her destiny rest down simply upon you here in this city. If she is to be a failure in the future it is your failure. If it is a dream it is your dream. In the language of your toast we ought to lift ourselves above the material region, valuable and important as that is, and sometimes rise to that finer, ideal thing whicli you have denominated the Commonwealth, and which we may also denominate modern civilization, which after all is individual, personal duty to our conscience, — individual personal duty to God. Mr. President, I am very much obliged, for myself and for my associates, for the very pleasant day you have furnislied us and for your kindness in this invitation. We have enjoyed it all from first to :ast; the beautiful day, the fine procession, your streets all alive with happy fiices, the delightful ride about your city where we liave seen everywhere tliose evidences of thrift and happy home. I will only say : may two hundred and fifty years more of honor and prosperity crown your good old city; may your people still remain noble, pros- perous, generous ; and at the close of that long period I trust that still another anniversary will be celebrated, and that we shall all be there to engage in it. The next sentiment was : The Day we Celebrate — After the march of two hundred and fifty years we rest to-day to rear the stone that marks the first quarter of a thousand years' journey. To this, Charles E. Kimball, President of the Com- mon Council, responded in these words : Address of President Kimball. Mr. President and Toast-Masler : I could wish the duty of respond- ing to the sentiment you oft'er liad fallen to more eloquent lips than mine. In the few moments allotted me, I sliall not be expected to enter into the historic detail of our city's life ior the past two hun- dred and fifty years. To other liands that duty was assigned, and most admirably has it been performed. On this day it is appropriate that the sons of Lynn should gather to exchange congratulations, and rejoice together around this festive board : that the government they ordained should voice their will by orticial recognition of tliis anniversary. We commemorate epodis. THE BANQUET. 57 and thus it is amoii^i? every people. We commemorate tlie day that gave to our nation and tlie world, one of the wisest, purest and most patriotic of men. We make tliat a gala' day, a day of days in the political calendar, which saw us spring from a few weak scattered colonies into the arena of nations. Appropriate that the morning be ushered in with the ringing of ])ells; that ensign and banner float from dome and flag staft"; that music and song fill tlie air, and the day expire amid bonfires and illuminations. Fitting that the people in representative form move in the line of that long procession, giving thereby recognition and prominence to a government of their own founding, whose principles have guided our municipality so long and well ; that the industries of Lynn, which Jiave enlarged and developed, growing with tlie years until, in our special line, we stand in the foremost rank of tlie world, peerles.s among cities, writing across our banner "Dirigo," that our phi lan- tropliic and social organizations whose hands of charity and kindly greetings are more numerous than our years; tliat tliose in whose liands we liave placed so large a measure of oui- material interest to guard while we sleep, fitting all these should be found in the proces- sion to day; that on this, Lynn's festal day, we sliould bring out to the gaze of kindred and stranger, lier most beautiful and valued jewels, -her children, who are soon to stand where we now stand, and as our hands grow weary and the burden falls from them, they shall take up that burden, carrying it on, and on, generation after genera- tion, througli the centuries to come, until the far oft" generation shall celebrate another anniversary, when the second quarter of a thousand years shall have been reached. Fitting that tlie citizen soldiery, who, by their sacrifice and devo- tion, patriotism and valor, maintained and perpetuated our civic institutions, under whose sheltering care sucli bountiful prosperity has been realized, that they not only have a place liere, but be awarded the post of honor. It was on the plains of Egypt, the morning of the battle of the Pyramids, as Napoleon rode down his lines, he exclaimed, "Forty centuries look down upon you to-day." If two and one half centuries look down upon us. we can also look back upon them, and par- tially measure what those centuries have wrought. Out of tlie womb of the t-enturies conies forth civilization, out of civilization, power. Wc stnnd to-day mid-way the third century; two hundred and fifty years lie behind us, before, illimitMblc possibilities. From behind these centuries crowd us with all the force of that con.scious, yet un- definable power we call civilization. It was the power that nerved the arm of the pioneers of Lynn, liefore whose blows the forests that skirted our buy disappeared like straws in the candle's flame It drove the ahoriuine from his liome. and exiled liim 8 58 LYNN: 1629 — 1879. from liis hunting ground to make room for a loftier type of man, and a better condition of things, rearing the palatial residence of civilized man where the Indian wigwam stood. It has overturned the little school house by the roadside, and raised the beautiful and capacious structures that adorn our city for educational purposes, both the joy and pride of Lynn. It has buried amid the rubbish of the past, the stage-coach that in the olden time rolled along the turnpike, convey- ing messages of business and love, and now forces the battle between lightning and steam. It has pressed into the service of man the forces of nature to economize his nerve power. Down in the basement of the manufactories that lie along our streets, above the glow of the coals, "sleeps a pent up Utica." The hissing of the steam is a proclamation. Every stroke of the piston, every revolution of the wheel chants for humanity a higher exalta- tion. It is the achievement of the centuries, the triumph of the ages, the ennobling of man and the bettering of his condition. Each annual cycle has swung more widely open the door of oppor- tunity. It made it possible for one hundred thousand volumes to go out from our library annually, circulating among the people. Borne on the tide of these centuries, the few have become many, and those clearings in the forests, a' broad city, filled with laborious activity and enterprise, while the imperial crown, which to-day the two and one- half centuries places upon the brow of that enterprise and labor, is the Lynn of 1879, whose two hundred and fiftieth anniversary we now celebrate. Then followed the toast : The Third Plantation — Founded by an earnest, intelligent, devout people, who souglit in the new world independence. In spite of rough surroundings the early settlers led happy, wise, atfiuent lives,- and, dying, left behind fragrant memories, whicli have incited their success- ors to wortiiy deeds. And this was responded to in the following address by James R. Newhall : When it was intimated to me, :\[r. Mayor, that 1 might be called on to make a few remarks on this interesting occasion. I felt that if I were, it would be hardly courteous to remain entirely silent, and en- deavored to fix upon some circumstance in our perhaps not particu- larly eventful history, that might indicate to whom and to what we are justified in looking, in an especial manner, for the attainment of the satisfactory position, which, after two hundred and fifty years, we find ourselves occupying. And the result will appear in what I now proceed briefly to otter. THE BANQUET. 59 June, tlie loveliest month of the now England yeav, is marked as that in wliifh the settlement began. How different from the surly Decem- ber tliat howled over the sea-worn pilgrims who first landed on the Plymouth shore. Here, the face of nature was beautiful in its very wildness, and tlie balmy air lent elasticity to tlie spirits of tlie settlers and energy to tlieir strong arms. Three years after the first tents were pitched, that is, in June, 1632, the little church Avas formed, an event in those days of the first im- portance. And in the very brief time it would be proper for me to occupy, I propose to speak cliiefiy of the reverend New England fether. who was the second minister, and lie through whom the Plantation received its pi-esent name. I shall at once be understood as alluding to the Rev. Samuel Whiting, who for more than forty years was identified with the best interests of the settlement. May we not, then^ call him the father of Lynn, as Mather, in view of his exalted piety, was wont to call him the angel of Lynn.^ It was just two hundred years ago, that is, in 1679, that the remains of that good old man were laid away to everlasting repose in the then quiet village burial place, oversliadowed by ancient forest trees, but now looked down upon by stately edifices, and surrounded by a busy multitude. Tlie spot where he rests is marked by a simple granite shaft, reared a few years since by tlie Hon. William Whiting, of Boston, a direct descendant, who himself rendered such eminent service to our government during the most perilous period of the late war of the Rebellion, and who has himself been since called to join liis honqred ancestor in the land whence there is no return. Who can be deemed more worthy of remembrance on an occasion like this? — not only because of his profound learning, serene temper and well-rounded christian character, but likewise for his liberal principles, political sagacity, and untiring efibrts to advance tlie public l)rosperity and elevate the public name; characteristics which gave him prominence among the leading public men, and large influence in the colonial councils. Who can estimate the result of his Avell- directcd eftbrts for that long series of years, in shaping public polity and private enterprise? Or who indeed can estimate the eft'ect of his labors even on the institutions of our own day? It is not to be forgotten that many of the clergy of that day had very great influence in the direction of public afiairs. Indeed it Avas common for the executive, legislative and even the judicial authorities to apply to them for the solution of intricate questions and the determining of »principles. Many, if not most of them, had been ministers in tlie Church of England, and were men of learning and deep thought. The very experiences that induced tlieir emigration, arose generally from their advanced views of human rights and j)oliti- cal liberty. It is to be remembered, too, that at that period, the settlement of a minister was, under ordinai-y circumstances, expected 60 LYNN: 1629—1879. to be for life; not a mere temporary sojourn as is so frequently the case in our day. And it will readily be perceived how mucli greater the opportunity of the faithful pastor then was to inaugurate and sustain pursuits calculated to be permanently beneficial. Then, the clergyman had the same inducement to be diligent and trusting that the husbandman has in his vocation — deliglit in watching the upspringing from the good seeds he scatters and repose in the well- founded expecttition of receiving in harvest time the reward for his toil and faith. No sooner had Mr. Whiting commenced his ministrations to the church here, than the discordant elements which had disturbed it, and the whole little community as well, were harmonized, and old and young gathered around him in delightful sympathy and trust — exem- plifying the truth that mental strength coupled with genial mannei's, is potent to secure confidence and love. A few words on the personal history of Mr. Whiting: Pie descended from a long line of honorable ancestors, and was a son of Sir John Whiting, Mayor of old Boston in 1600 and 1608. His brother John was also Mayor of Boston in 1626, 1633, 1644 and 1645, and his brother James was Mayor in 1640. The subject of these remarks was born in 1597, and at the age of sixteen was entered at Emanuel College. He was an apt scholar; received the degree of A. B. in 1616, and that of A. M. in 1620. After- wards he received the degree of D. 1). His father died while he was in college, leaving a very 'considerable estate. Emanuel College, as is well known to readers of Puritan history, was called " the hot-bed of Puritanism," and it was while there, no doubt, that he imbibed thosi- principles which grew with his growth and strengthened with his strength — those principles which so strongly marked his whole after life. It is well to observe that what were known as the Puritan prin- ciples of that day, had reference not only to church but also to state. It was not only the purpose to purify the church of obnoxious rites and ceremonies, but also to free the people from governmental oppression and wrong — to circumscribe the royal prerogatives, defend against th«- encroachments and reduce the privileges of the aristocracy ; in short, to break down every barrier to the reasonable exercise of individual right, freedom and responsibility. Mr. Whiting took oi'ders in the Church of England soon after graduating, and became chaplain in a relined and wealthy family in Norfolk. After remaining there about three years, apparently in great prosperity and ha])piness, he accepted a rectorship iu Lynn Regis, as colleague of Rev. Dr. Price. In that situation he remained three years, administering his oflice acceptably, excepting his refusal to con- form to certain reeiuired usages in the established church service ; in brief, he Avas a Nonconformist, subjected himself to the censure of the liishop of Norwich, and was induced to resign and remove to the THE BANQUET. 61 parish of Shirbec, near Boston, where 1 e again filled the office ot rectoi", and again came under censure for nonconforming practices. In 1G36 his situation became so uncomfortable that he resigned and prepared to emigrate to America. The parish church in which he ofliciated, at Shirbec, is still standing, surrounded by the graves ot those to whom he so many years ago ministered. It is described as " a simple and unpretending structure, planted on the left bank of the river Witham, whose sluggish waters have sadly endangered its foimdations." The same year, 1636, in which he resigned his charge at Shirbec, he emigrated to America, arriving in May. He does not a])pear to have greatly enjoyed the voyage hither, as he remarks that he would " much rather have undergone six weeks' imprisonment, for a good cause, than six weeks of such terrible seasickness." A few months after his arrival, November 8, 1636, at the age of thirty-nine, he was installed minister of the little church gathered here. Mr. Whiting was twice man-ied. His second partner, she who ac- companied him hither, could claim a family descent more illustrious thali his, for she could trace her lineage, without a break, to William the Conqueror. She was a sister of Oliver St. John, the Chief Justice of England during the Commonwealth, and own cousin to Oliver Cromwell. But all the incidents of birth and family on his and her part, incidents which to so many, even here and among us, possess a peculiar charm, seem to have weighed nothing in competition with their strong sense of duty. The young couple, as they then were, apparently without one longing look liehind, left the bright scenes, the comforts and luxuries of their «'arly homes, crossed the stormy ocean, and bravely entered this west- ern wilderness, with stout hearts and strong arms, to fight the battle of civilization against a savage dispensation — to subdue a wild and ungracious soil, to establish the arts of civilized life where only th<' rudest devices to supply the most common wants of man had been known. Nobly did they address themselves to their chosen work, and great was their success. The beneficial results of their settling here did not by any means end with their lives. Children were born to them, and children's children have appeared in almost every path of usefulness, and adorned our whole history. The entire nation ha^ received benefits hardly capable of being, over-estimated. Some of their descendants have l)een consijicuous in theological, scientific an(t ■literary calliugs; others have filled useful and honorable positions in the national civil service; others again have risen to eminence in the military profession. One needs only to glance over a dictionary of American biography to learn how meritorious the family lias proved. How few of us realize what lasting, what cumulative blessings may si)ring from such parentage? And the remembrance of such benefac- tions is useful as an incentive to like good works in others, as well as G2 LYNN: 1629—1879. a tribute of gratitude, which, thougli it cannot affect one whose earthly labors have closed, must yet have a favoral>le influence on the living. And what topic can be more proper for a day like this, than that which illustrates the lives of such benefactors? Who among us of this gen- eration, will prove as worthy of remembrance, when another couple of centuries have rolled away ? It is said that he who has no respect for the memory of his ancestors, deserves not the respect of posterity. And most assuredly, a community that has no grateful remembrance of its benefactors is undeserving of continued prosperity. Mr. Whiting, as might readily be supposed, took great interest in the education of the youth of the town, and, together with his accomplished wife, did everything possible to refine the manners and elevate the condition of every class. He took unwearied pains to advance every material interest — to improve the husbandry, the fisheries, the me- chanic arts — indeed all branches required for the supply of current and prospective wants. And all the time he never lost sight of oppor- tunities to promote the broader interests of the little community, \'igilantly guarding against the imposition of wrongful bui'dens by the General Court, through misinformation or selfish appliances, jmd laboring in every honest way to elevate and dignify her liame. The toAvn grew rapidly during the forty years he so devoted to her concerns. And it was a healthy growth. I have selected Mr. Whiting from among the other meritorious indi- viduals who lal3ored so zealously and so well in laying the foundations of our social fabric, for the reasons already indi(;ated. But I would not deti-act from the praise due those other pioneers who made so many sacrifices and achieved such enduring conquests. Many were worthy of the highest commendation ; but time will not allow of a step beyond the proposed limit; no, not even to pay a passing tribute to my own ancestors, who were among the earliest here — for I have the proud claim of dii-ect descent from the first white child l>orn within the terri- tory of the famous old Third Plantation. Most certainly merited praise bestowed on one individual, cannot, f xcepting possibly in a mean and jealous mind, be viewed as silent censure on another but unnam'ed worthy. And now, in. closing, allow me to repeat that it was in 1679, two centuries ago, the present year, that that venerable New England father who indeed may, with unquestionable propriety, be reckoned among the foremost of the early benefiictors and true citizens of oiu- beloved home, was called away from his earthly laliors. And I again ask, is it not highly becoming that he should l)e gratefully remembered on this special occasion? And is not this a fitting sentiment to l)e ex- pressed as such memories' are summoned up? Tlie liev. Samuel Whiting: May the memory of liis virtues and his labors for^ the good of our beloA'ed home, in her infant days, never cease to inspire every son and daughter to do their utmost for the con- tinuance of her pros})erity and good name. THE BANQUET. 63 The fourth sentiment announced was : Lynn Recris and America's Lynn — Our name commemorates the never-tobe-forgotten fact that our fatliers were a God-fearing, reverent ])eople, for they not only brouglit their spiritual teachers with them, but they called the infant settlement "Lynn" in honor of Rev. Samuel Whiting, who had lieen a clergyman in old Lynn. And this sentiment called forth the reading of a very interesting correspondence with prominent individuals in Old England, by George H. Chase ; an episode which was received with most emphatic expressions of gratification. The correspondence, which we give in full, very well explains itself. Letter of Mayor Sanderson to the Mayor of ■ . Lynn. Regis, Mayor's Office, City Hall, ) Lynn, Massachusetts, U. S. A., > May 1th, 1879. ^ To His Worship the Mayor of Lynn Regis, Norfolk Co., England: This city will celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversarj- of its settlement, on Tuesday, the Seventeenth day of June. Tlie interest of Americans in the honored old mother land does not lessen with the lapse of time, and on such an epoch as Ave are about to notice, histori- cal associations will become especially dear. Tlie first settlers here, in 1629, came from your neighboring county of Lincolnshire, and eight years later, this territoiy was named Lynn, in honor of a beloved clergyman who claimed your city as his home. On behalf of our government and people, I cordially invite you to participate in the festivities. lionorable as stands the name of your ancient city in history, we trust that with allowance for our youth, you would find much to gratify you in the growth, prosperity and general condition of your namesake. We earnestly hope to be fiivored with your presence, or of some accredited representative. Failing these, we hope at least to be able to receive, in time, some words of greeting from I>ynn in Old England to Lynn in the New. Accept for yourself and the government and people of j'our city assurances of the regard and interest of the people and government I have the honor to represent. With great resjjcct, I remain, Geo. p. Saxdehson, Mayor. 64 LYNN: 1029 — 1879. Reply of Mayor Seppings to Mayor Sanderson. Town Hai.l, King's Lynn, ^ NOKKOLK, EnOI^AND, > May 26, 1879. > To (he Worshipful the Mayo?- of Lynn, Massachusetts, U. S, A.: Deak Sik: — It is with much regret that I am obliged to decline your most kind invitation tojoinyouin the celebration of the 250th anni- versary of the foundation of your city. Your warm expressions of attachment to the " Old Country " are very pleasant to receive, and ai'e very heartily reciprocated. On behalf of the Aldermen and Burgesses of our ancient Borough, I desire to offer to you and to the government and people of Lynn, our .sincere congratulations on your present prosperity, and hearty good wishes for the future. Accept for yourself and the government and people of your city, the assurances of the continued interest and regard of the Mayor, Alder- men and Burgesses of Lynn Regis. I have the lionor to remain, dear sir, Faithfully yours, Tiio. J. Seppings, Mayor. The reading of these official letters was followed by a few remarks from Toast-Master Hawkes, in which he stated that our former Mayor, Col. Roland G. Usher, was the first to open communications and exchange courtesies with the authorities of Lynn Regis, which he did at the time of the dedication of our new City Hall, in 1867; he therefore called on the* Colonel for some response, and elicited the following : Remarks of Col. R. G. Usher. Mr. Mayor: I am glad of the occasion that calls us as citizens of Lynn together to-day. Glad that you, Mr. Mayor have continued the courtesies that on former public occasions have passed between our goodly city and namesake on the other side of the Atlantic, that in official form an invitation to participate in the ceremonies, and share hi the hosi)italities, of this day, was tendered to His Worship the Mayor of King's Lynn, England, and am ])leased with the fraternal and i)leasant ri'Si)f)ns(' thereto, coming from tlic Mayor of that ])or()Ugh THE BANQUET. 65 For tlie Lynn of Norfolk, unlike the Lynn of Essex, is not a city, but as we read, was made a borough by King John, in the year 1215, which in English law was a town, entitled to send " burgesses " to Parliament, and for its loyalty was endowed with the privilege of having a Mayor; "and he gave them his own sword to be carried before him, and a silver gilt cup." The history of Lynn Regis goes back many centuries. We celebrate to-day our two hundred and fiftieth anniversary; a long time, considering our national history. Yet King's Lynn can trace a direct line of Mayors for six hundred years. Before the first white man had trod our shores, it was a place of great commercial importance, and the centre of a large trade two hundred years before the discovery of this continent. Before the time of Henry the Eighth, it had entertained in royal style no less than five Kings in the line of regular succession. When the first gold was coined, and at the time of the first meeting of a regular English Par- liament, when the first ships were built for England's Navy, it was many years older than is our city to-day. We may well feel proud of our namesake, for it has a history both ancient and honorable. I trust these courtesies so happily commenced may continue as occasions offer: and, Mr. Mayor, permit me to give " TAe Lynn of England,'' our municipal God-father, whom though having not seen, we yet love. May the Lynn of America ever be worthy of such a venerable and renowned sponsor. Mr. Chase then proceeded to read the remainder of the correspondence. LETTER OF ROBERT BROOKS ESQ, OF LYNN REGIS, Lynn, REfus Nokfolk England. ) May 31 1879. 5 'Dear Sir.— At the request of some of the Burgesses of this town I address you, the Chief of the people of Lynn, Massachusetts, U. S. A. We have learnt witli much pleasure that a kindly greeting and invi- tation has been sent to our worthy Chief Magistrate (Mr. T. J. Seppings) tlie Mayor ot Lynn Regis, to attend tlie celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the settlement of your City. We know that in England oflicial language admits of but little sentiment. And fearing lest°your people should think that with age our hearts at home grow cold, I venture to write you. Many of us when youths at school, scanning the map of the " Young Giant " your country, have had our eyes drawn to " Norfolk "• and to " Lynn '' in a far distant land,— the names of our county and loved old town— we have wondered how it was, and at times with anxiety have wished to learn something of your history. At last kindlj- words "have come across the sea." You tella taleofaftectionfor on(^ YOU were pleased to lionor, — " A beloved clergyman " who once 9 66 LYNN: 1629 — 1879. claimed our home as his; in honoring him you honored us. We now, ill no formal words, thank you. Our brothers and sisters, we rejoice with you in your manhood, in your womanhood and though I fear dis- tance and circumstances will prevent any one from this town repre- senting us at your Anniversary, we hope that " Long, long be our hearts with such memories fill'd! Like the vrtse in which roses have once been distill'd, You may bi-eak. you may ruin the vase, if you will. But the scent of the I'oses will hang, round it still," We will tell the tale of love you breathe for the " Mother Country " to our children- it shall be cherished with our " folk lore." And Dear Sir, tell your people this : — Our grand old churches remain, our grave- yards are near in which our Fathers sleep, tell them if at a future time a native or natives of Lynn, Massachusetts, (accredited) through business or pleasure come this way, he or they shall have a hearty welcome. We promise, on our part, no official greeting, but this we do say, we will receive them as friends and bi'others, and point out that which we hope will interest them. In conclusion we hope that come what may in the future, we may ever feel the ties of kindred and alt'ection which should bind us — " the Old and the New," and that our countrymen may ever be found shoulder to shoulder in the van of civilization and liberty. I have tlie honor ( at the request of many friends ) to subscribe myself. Yours Faithfully, Ror.T. Brooks. To the Mayor of Lynn, Massadmsctts, U. S. A. The next letter read by Mr. Chase was from the vicar of East Winch, which is a vilhige a few miles from the Town Hall of King's Lynn and is reached by the Great Eastern Railroad. LETTER OF Edward John Alvis, Vicar of East Winch. East Winch Yicakage. j) Kino's Lynn, Norfolk, England, > June 3, 1879. 5 Sir. — I fear my communication will not reach you before the anni- versary of the foundation of your city of New Lynn. I am a native of Old Lynn, though not now a, resident there, but clergyman of the above village, about live miles distant, and this accounts for ray not seeing the correspondence which has taken place between yourself and the Mayor of King's Lynn, until the publication, last week, of our local newspai)er. Though this may be late for your Festival, as one who takes great interest in Lynn in th Washington, June 13, 1879. J Hon. Oeortje P. Sanderson, Mayor &c., Lynn Mass: My Dear Sir— I sincerely regret that the public affairs prevent my participation in the exercises attending the celebration of the 250tli anniversary of tlie settlement of the city of Lynn. That occasion would be specially interesting to me because my ancestor, Edmund Ingalls, and his brother, Francis, where the earliest settlers and may therefore be regarded as the founders of your venerable and beautiful city. They migrated from England in 1628 to seek civil liberty and freedom of conscience in the wilds of the New World. The family is of Danish origin, and the naiue, which was originally spelled "Ingald," is a personal appellation and signifies "Mighty by the God of War." Edmund Ingalls died in August, 1648, from injuries sustained by falling, with his horse, through a defective bridge over Saugus river. His last will and testament, together with the inventory of his personal property, are still to be seen at Salem in the public archives of Essex County. Although born in the town of Middleton, within a few miles of their homestead, I never had the pleasure of visiting the exact locality till March of the present year, when in company with another descendant of Edmund, I saw the precise spot where he and his brother Francis lived and died two centuries and a half ago. Around and above were the same shore, the same sea, the same sky, but Avhat vast social and political changes had been wrought by the motives and purposes of these emigrants and their associates in t e long interval covering eight generations of .their family! They trod the barren mai-gin of an empty continent which has become the abode of forty-five million freemen, and a civilization rich in every element of present prospei-ity. but tar richer in every prophecy of future grandeur. Anniversaries like that which you celebrate are of great value to man- kind. We cannot too often contemplate the courage, the faith, the de- 78 LYNN: 1629 — 1879. votion of the colonies of New England. Into heroic exile they bore the most potential ideas in history, and established a system of govern- ment with the Golden Rule as the highest maxim and the Bible as its chief corner-st«ne. The sons of Massacliusetts, wherever they may be will never forget the allegiance to tliose great principles of which they are inheritors ; nor will they omit any effort to preserve the sacred covenants of freedom and transmit them without detriment to the gene- rations that are to come. Accept my sincere thanks, Mr. Mayor, for the courtesy of your invitation, and believe me. Very truly yours, (Signed) John J. Tngalls. Letter of Rufus Ingalls, of the United States Army. Headquarter Mil. Div. of the Missouri, ^ office chief quartermaster. > Chicago, 111., June 14tli 1879. ^ IIo7i. Oeorye P. Sanderson, Mayor of Lgnn, Mass., Dear Sir, — Accept my thanks for your invitation to be present on the 250th anniversary of your ancient and beautiful' city — I should attend with pride and joy did not my official duties require my constant presence here, particularly as Lieut-Gen. Sheridan is absent from his Headquarters. My ancestors for these 250 years were Massa- clmsetts men, and one of them, first from old England, bore prominent part in the founding and settlement of Lynn, a city that has steadily advanced in population, wealth and arts. I hope her renown will be immortal. Very Respectfully your most obedient servant, Rufus Ingalls, U. S. A. Letter of Mayor Currier, of Newburyfort. City of Newburyport, Mayor's Office, > Juuf 11, 1879. 5 Dear Sir, — I regret that business engagements will call me to the city of New York to-morrow, and that I shall be unable to return in season to participate in the exercises, to which you have so cordially invited me, on tlie occasion of the 250th anniversary of the settle- ment of Lynn. It would afford me great pleasure to unite with you in the celebration of so important an event in your municipal history, and to personally congratulate you and your fellow townsmen on the many evidences of yout^iful vigor and activity that still continue to exert their influence in your community even after an existence of two centuries and a half. THE BANQUET. 79 I am compelled, however, to forego that pleasure and must beg you to accept, instead, this expression of regret at my inability to be present. Trusting that tlie day will be auspicious and the occasion a me- morable one in the histoi-y of your city. I have the honor to be be, Yours very respectfully, John J. Cukkiek. Hon. George P. Sanderson, Lynn, Mass. Letter of Hon. John B, Alley of Lynn, Lynn, June 12th 1879. Hon. Gcorcjc P. Sanderson, Mayor, Lynn, Mass. My Bear Sir, — I deeply regret my inability to accept your kind invitation to be present upon the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Lynn. Unavoidable absence in a distant state on the 17th, will preclude the possibility of my being present in person. But I shall be with you in spirit. A native, and life-long resident, with an unbroken line of paternal ancestors, all of them natives, extending back to within five years of the first settlement of the town — and having been, myself, honored by the suffrages of its citizens, for places of trust, in city, state and nation, I should be ungrateful indeed, not to feel a deep interest, in everything that concerns its prosperity or fame. Lynn has never been fully appreciated. For beauty of location, and attractiveness of scenery, it is unsurpassed by any place upon this con- tinent: in progressive thought, and reformatory movements, it has taken tRe lead for nearly a century ; in religion and morals, it stands high among the towns of the commonwealth. If it has raised but few, in intel- lectual force and attainments, much above their fellows — it may with truth be said, that for general intelligence in the past, of its citizens it stands equalled by few communities. Indeed, this was universally ciniceded thirty years ago by all who were acquainted with our people, and was thought to be due, in great degree, to the peculiar occupation of most of its citizens, that of shoemaking. For more than a century, and until within a few years, the shoemakers of Lynn generally, worked in shops containing each six or eight workmen, where reading aloud, and discussion, was the rule and not the exception — conse- sequently all those, who Jiad any desire to be well informed, were very familiar with the affairs of the outside world. And while shoemakers in other places, in those days, hardly ranked as the peers of other mechanics — in our own town, nobody felt above making shoemakers of their boys, and the sons of the wealthy and cultivated, learned to make shoes. Nearly all our Mayors, and leading citizens, were, or had been, shoemakers, and worked upon the bench. Such a record. 80 LYNN: 1629—1879. is without a parallel in the history of any other municipality, and as creditable, as it is unique. Please to accept, Mr. Mayor, for yourself, and those with whom you are associated, the respect and the thanks of your friend and fellow- citizen. John B. Alley. As the evening shades were beginning to gather, Mayor Sanderson, as a fitting close to the exercises, invited the company to join in singing the Doxology, in Old Hundred, with an accompaniment by the Lynn Brass Band. In the evening there was a very brilliant and succes- ful display of Fireworks on the Common, to witness which, a 'large concourse assembled. As before remarked, the various performances of the day gave great satisfaction to the multitudes who thronged the streets, and to those who assembled in the halls. Strangers came from all directions and were re- ceived and entertained in the most hospitable manner. Natives who had long been absent, returned once more to enjoy the scenes of their early days, and many long severed families had happy reunions. The Police were on the alert, and remarkably good order prevailed ; and there was a wonderful freedom from serious accidents. At the Banquet, it may be repeated, the old fashion — and indeed the fashion still prevalent in many places — of providing wines and stronger drinks was dispenseONG BOSTON STREET. 93 founders of the venerable Old South Church, in Boston, and father of president Holyoke of Harvard College. The towering porphyry cliff, there, a little to the northeast, is Sadler's Rock, granted, in 1638, to Richard Sadler, whose house was near it, in addition to his two hundred acres. He was the first Clerk of the Writs, an office somewhat analagous to that of Town Clerk, though partaking of the judicial character. He was one of the commissioners appointed in 1639, to run the bounds between Lynn and Boston, Robert Keayne, the eminent Boston merchant and first Captain of the An- cient and Honorable Artillery, being an associate com- missioner. He was also a member of the Salem Court, and a man of education, as appears from the fact that on his return to England, in 1647, he became a minister of the established church. Passing on to Cottage street, we see upon the left, a house which has for many years remained a sort of neighborhood landmark — the thunder and lightning- house — in which Miles Shorey and his wife were both instantly killed by an electric discharge, on Sunday the tenth of July, 1803. An infant daughter, in the arms of Mrs. Shorey, escaped almost untouched, grew to womanhood, and is noW' a widow, residing in the eastern part of the city. Onward we proceed, and when a little way east of Cottage street, look over the brook upon the right, and upon the pleasant upland, where, till within a few years, stood the old Fuller mansion. John Fuller came from 94 PART SECOND. England in 163(3 to Boston, when yet " only seven hutts were erected" there. In 1644 he came to Lynn aiid settled on the spot (o which attention is now called. He was a Representative, and Clerk of the Writs. There stood the old house, with its great orchard, its cultivated fields, and its gigantic willow tree, a very attractive point in the landscape, for generations. There was born, in 1772, the Hon. Joseph Fuller, the first Senator from Lynn, elected in 1812, after having served for six terras as a Representative. He was also the first president of Lynn Mechanics Bank, now the First National, which went into operation in 1814. Maria Fuller, the promising young poetess, who died in 1831, at the age of twenty-four, and of whom Mr. Lewis says, " she was, perhaps, the most talented and imaginative ■ female Lynn has produced," was a daughter of his. A short distance east of the Fuller place, along on the same pleasant upland, was the little farm of John Tarbox, one of the first farmers here. But his once happy home, in common with all earthly homes, however high or however humble, seems not to have escaped intrusion and disturbance. It was his daughter, whose affections the ardent Matthew Stanley, in 1649, won, without first obtaining the permission of her parents ; for which offence he was tried, convicted, and fined five pounds, with two shillings and- six-pence costs. The aggrieved parents attended court three days, and were allowed six shillinst-office matter Iiegins. 1864. (Jreat drought and extensive fires in the Avoods during tlu- summer. 1804. First steam fire engine owned by the city, arrived, Aug. 11. 1864. The old Town House, (built in 1814), burned Oct. 6, and Josei)li Bond, confined in the lockup, burned to death. 1801. The schooner Lion, from Hockland, Me., was wrecked on r.ong Beach. Dec. 10, and all on board, six in numlx-r. perished. Their cries were heard above the storm, but (hey could not be reached. 1865. News of the fall of Richmond received, \\n-'i\ 3. Great rejoic- ing — bells i-uiig. buildings illuminated, bonfires kindled. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 216 1865, Xews of the assassination of President Lincoln, received, April 15. Mourning insignia displayed in public buildings and churches^ 1865. Corner stone of City Hall laid, Nov. 28. 1866. Gen. Sliernian passed through Lynn, July 16, and was cordially greeted. 1866. A meteoric stone fell in Ocean street, in September. 1867. Terrific snow storm, Jan. 17. 1867. Balloon ascension from Lynn Common, July 4. 1867. City Hall dedicated, Nov. 30. 1868. Decoration Day observed. May 30. Soldiers' graves strewed with fiowers. [Subsequently repeated as an annual ob- servance.] 1868. Hiram Marble, excavator of Dungeon Rock, died Nov. 10, aged 65, having pursued his arduous and fruitless labors about 17 years. 1868. Very destructive fire on Market street, Dec. 25. Lyceum build- ing, Frazier's and Bubier's brick blocks destroyed. Whole. loss about $300,000. 1869. Mary J. Hood, a colored woman, died Jan. 8, aged 104 years and 7 months. 1869. Another destructive fire occurred on the night of Jan. 25. It commenced in the brick shoe manufactory of Edwin H. Johnson, on Munroe street, and consumed property to the amount of some $170,000. 1869. On the evening of April 15, there was a magnificent display of beautifully tinted aurora borealis, during. which a meteor of gi'eat brilliancy shot across the eastern sky. 1869. Severe gale on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 8; next in violence to that of Sept. 23, 1815. Several small buildings destroyed, and a multitude of trees uprooted. More tlian four hundn^d shade trees prostrated in Lynn. 1869. The Turnpike through Lynn, from Salem to Chelsea Bridge, be- came a public highway this year. 1869. Sidney B. Pratt died, Jan. 29, aged 54. He was long in a suc- cessful express business, and left by will, foi the benefit of the Free Public Library, $10,000. 1870. Young Men's Christian Association incorporated, March 31. 1870. The first regatta of the Lynn Yacht Club took place, June 17. 1870. Land near Central railroad depot sold at $5 per s-quare foot; the highest rate up to this time. 1870. The new brick market house on Central avenue opened for trade. Nov. 19. 1871. Rev. Joseph Cook, at the time minister of the First Church, of Lynn, gave a series of Sunday evening lectures, in Music Hall, early this year, creating considerable excitement by his rather sensational denunciations. He afterward became famous, in this country and Europe, by his ethical lectures. 216 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 1871. Eleven Lynn persons killed by the disaster on the Eastern Rail- road, at Revere, Aug. 26. The whole number killed was 33, and about 60 wounded. 1871. Electric fire alarm established. 1871. President Grant passed through Lynn, Oct. 16. 1871. William Vennai-, alias Brown, murders Mrs. Jones, is pursued. and in his further desperate attempts, is shot, Dec. 16. 1872. City Hall bell raised to its position in the tower, March 2. 1872. Meeting of City Council commemorative of the recent death of Prof. Morse, inventor of the electric telegraph, April 16. 1872. S. O. Breed's box factory, foot of Commercial street, struck by lightning, and totally consumed, Aug. 13. The summer of this year was remarkable for the frequency and severity of its thunder storms. 1872. Brick house of worship of First Churcli, South Common street, corner of Vine, dedicated, Aug. 29. 1872. Tngalls and Cobbet school houses dedicated. 1872. Odd Fellows' Hall, Market street, corner of Summer, dedicated Oct. 7. 1872. Brick and ii"on depot of Eastern Railroad, Central Square, built. 1872. Singular disease, called epizootic, prievailed ainong horses during the latter part of autumn. Wheel i-arriages almost entirely ceased to run, excepting as drawn by oxen, and sometimes by men. All sorts of odd turnouts appeared in the streets. The disease, though not in many cases fatal, was disabling and evidiently painful, being a kind of catarrhal fever 1872. Much speculation in real estate; prices high, and Inisiness active. 1872 Pine Hill Reservoir built. 1873. Pumping engine at Puljlic Water Works, Walnut street, first put in operation Jan. 14, sending water from Breed's Pond into the Pine Hill Reservoir. 1873. English sparrows make their appearance in Lynn — prol^ably the progeny of those imported into Boston. 1873. Soldiers' Monument, Park square, dedicated Sept. 17. 1873. ('oncrete street crossings began to be laid this year, 1873. Grand Masonic parade, Oct. 22. .1873. Friends' Biennial Conference held in Lynn, Nov. 19. 1873. Birch Pond formed, by running a dam across Birch Brook valley, on the east of Walnut street, near Saugus line. 1874. '*Lynn Home for Aged Women" incorporated, Feb. 6. 1874. Grand Celebration of St. Patrick's Day in Lynn, March 17. by the Irish organizations of Essex county. 1875. Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad opened ibr travel. July 22. 1875. Sea S('r])ent alleged to have been seen off Egg Rock, in August. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 217 1875. The General Convention of Universalists in the United States commenced a session here Oct. 20; weather good and at- tendance large; Christian courtesy extended by people of all denominations, in the entertainment of delegates. 1875. Great depression in business affairs; many tradesmen and merchants fail, and real estate almost insalable even at greatly reduced prices. 1875. Unusual number of "tramps," that is, homeless wanderers from place to place, appear in Lynn, and receive temporary relief. 1876. The great World's Exposition, at Philadelphia, opens May 10. A number of our business men placed articles of their man- ufacture on exhibition, and on the whole the city makes a good show. A large number of men, women and children from Lynn, attend the exhibition during the six months it remains open. 1876. A fire occurred in Market street, July 26, in the wooden build- ing occupied by R. A. Simulding, W. T. Bowers and Mrs. Laney. Loss about $17,000. 1876. The desti'uctive Colorado beetle, or potato bug, first made its appearance in Lynn in the summer of this year. 1876. Centennial year of the Republic. Appropriate observances, July 4. "Centennial Memorial" published by order of the City Council, containing an Historical Sketch, by James R. Xevvhall, and Notices of the Mayors, with portraits. 1876. Brick fire-engine house, Federal street, built. 1876. Benjamin F. Doak died, Nov. 8, aged 50 years; bequeathed $10,000 — since known as the "Doak Fund" — for the benefit of the deserving poor of the city. 1876. A splendid meteor passed over the city on the evening of Dec. 20. 1877. Sweetser's four-story brick building, at junction of Central avenue and Washington and Oxford streets, burned April 7, with adjacent building'. Whole loss, about $115,000. 1877. The last building o)i Market street exclusively occupied as a dwelling — the Dr. Coffin house — removed. 1877. Extraordinary phosphorescent glow in the waters, as they dashed upon the shores, in September. 1878. Successful balloon ascension from Park Square, July 4. City Mars'nd Fry, Alderman Aza A. Breed, and Mr. F. Smith, newspaper i-eporter, accompanied the aeronaut. 1878. Dennis Kearney, radical agitator and "sand-lot orator," from California, addressed a large crowd on the Common, on the evening ot Aug. 12. 1878. Brick tire-engine house, on Broad street, built. 28 218 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 1878. At midnight, Dec. 2, the thei'inometer stood higher in Lynn :iud vicinity, than in any other section of the country — six degrees higher than in New Orleans, La., seven higher than in Sa- vannah, Ga., nine higlier than in Charleston, S. C, and ten higher than in Jacksonville, Florida. 1878. On the 17th of Dec, for the first time in sixteen years, gold stood at par; that is, $100 in gold were worth just $100 in greenback government notes. The extreme of variation was in July, 1864, when $100 in gold were worth $285 in notes. 1879. The brick house of worship of the First Methodist Society, Park Square, dedicated, Feb. 27. 1879. The newly-invented telephone, came into use, in Lynn, this year, especially for business purposes. 1879. Two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Lynn. celebrated, June 17. A full account of the proceedings ap- pears in this volume. 1879. Business begins to become decidedly active after some seven years of depression. 1879. John A. Jackson, designer of the Soldiers' Monument, Park Square, died in Florence, Italy, in Aug., aged 54. 1879. St. Joseph's Cemetery (Catholic) consecrated, Oct. 16. 1879, Extraordinary occurrence ot a perfectly clear sky, all over the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Nov. 24, as reported by the U. S. Signal Corps. INDEX. [Surnames are arranged alphabetically with the subjects.] Aborn, 31. Addresses at Banquet, by Buttiuii, James N. 76. Hall, Harmon 68. Kimball, Chas. E. 56. Long, Lieut. Gov. 53. MacLean, Chas. 72. Newliall, James R. 58. Richardson, T. P. 69. Sanderson, Mayor 50. Usher, R. G. 64. Alden, 30. Aldermen, lists of 177 Alley, 79, 80. Along Boston street, 86 to 111. Alvis, 66, 67. Anchor Tavern, 86. Andrew, 129. Andros, 43, 44, 87, 145, 166, 210. Animals, 197, 209, 210, 211. I Antiques and Horribles, parade i of 26. ! Architecture, 114, 200. i Armitage, 41. 87. [ Artillery, An. and Hon, 171, 190. | Atmospheric anomaly, 218. i Attvvill, 140. ' I Aurora borealis. 210. 212, 214, 215. 1 Autographs, vi. I Ayers, 30. | B ! Pjachelor & Batehelder, 130, 140, ! 141, 149. See Biog. Sketches. j [^alley's hill, 194. Baird, 31. ' Baker. 125. 110, 177. See Biog. Sketi'hes. Ballard. 171. Bancroft, 104. Bands of ]\Iusic, 27. Bank, first 211. Banquet, the 48 to 81. Barlow, 107. Barnes, 67. , Barton, 31. Bassett, 43, 140, 141, 149. See Biog. Sketches. Bates, 177. Beard 52 Beckford,' 177. See Bickford. Belcher, 87. Bells, 104, 106. Bennet, 41. Berkeley, 47. Bickford, 125. See Beckford. Bicycle race, 27. Biddle, 50. Bilbows, punishment of 163. Billings, 177. Bill of Fare at Banquet, 49. Biographical Sketches and Persona l Notices : Baker, Daniel C, Mayor, 125. Bassett, William 149. Batehelder, John 149. Blanchard, Amos 105. Breed, Allen 173. Breed, Andrews, Mayor, 127. Breed. Hiram N., Mayor, 130. Bubier, Samuel M., Mayor, 136. Buffum. James N., Mayor, 133. Burrill, Ebenezer 91. Burrill, George 108. Burrill, John 90, 146. Carnes. 'Squire, 99. Davis, Edward S., Mayor, 129. Dexter, Thomas 162. Flasg, Dr. 102. Fuller, John 93. Gray, (ien., Lvnn hermit, 108. Gray. William 102. Hannibal, (slave) 100. Holyoke, Edward 92. Hood, George, Mayor. 123. Humfrey, John 158. Ingalls, E. A. 150. Johnson, William F., IMavoi-. 128. Jones. Benj. H. 150. Laughton, Thomas 143. Lewis, Alonzo 151. Lewis. Jacob M.. Mayor, 135. 220 INDEX. Lummus, Chas. F. 184. Mansfield, Andrew 141. Manstield, Daniel 107. Mansfield, John, Col. 106. Mansfield, Joseph 103. Merritt, Charles 140. Moulton, Joseph 103. Mndi;e, Benj. F., Mayor, 124. Mudge, Ezra W., Mayor, 127. Neal, Peter M., Mayor, 131. Newhall, Horatio, Dr. 104. Newhall, Isaac 104. Parsons, Chas. E. 150. Pompey, King, (slave) 107. Purchis, Oliver 144. Richardson, Thos. P., Mayor, 126. Sanderson. Geo. P., Mayor, 137. Stickney, J. C. 154. Turn(!r, Nathaniel 169. Usher, Roland G., Mayor, 132. Walden, Edwin, Mayor, 134. Whiting, Rev. Samuel 59 to 62, 167. Birds, 197. Birtliplace of Alonzo Lewis, 95. Black Will, 164, 165. Blakely, 177. Blanchard, 105. Bligh, 145. Boardman, 30. Bohannan, 177. Bond, 214. Bonfire, 96. Boston street, old landmarks in and about 86 to 111. Bowers, 31, 217. Bowler, 44, 102, 141. Bradstreet, 87, 163. Bray, 128. Breed. 26, 45, 52, 124, 127, 130, 140, 141, 149, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 212, 214, 216, 217. See Biog. Sketches Bridge over Saugus river, 85, 209. Bridges, (sui'name,) 45. Brimblecom, 177. Brooks, (surname,) 65, 66. Brown, 87, 216. Bubier, 106, 121, 136, 215. See Biog. Sketches. Buchanan, 213. Buckingham, 185. BuffumT 76, 133, 134. See Biog. Sketches. Buildings. See Architecture. Bunker'^Hill, battle. 106. Bunyan, 47. Burcham, 141. Burke, 75. Burrill, 14, 53, 90, 91, 98, 99, 141, 146, 147, 168. See Biog. Sketches. Burton, 210. Business Centres, 111. Callahan, 30. (Barnes, 99. Carr, 177. Carswell, 177. Casey, 30. Cemeteries, 108, 212, 213, 218. Census items, 191. Cervantes, 47. Ciiadwell, 44, 177. Chapman, 177. Charles, King 47, 74. Chase, 30, 63, 65, 66, 67, 126, 140. Cheever, 43. Children in the procession, 35. Children's banquet, 35. Childs, 89. Chocolate manufticture, 89. Christian Association, Young Men's 215. Chronological Table, 209, Churches, 15, 192. City and town ofiicers, 123, 140 141, 149, 177. City Hall, 119. 215. Clark, 45, 140. Clay, 213. Climate, eftect of 18. C;loth, manufacture of 113, 210. CobO, 132. Cobbet, 165. Colorado beetle, 217. Coldam, 41. Collins, 87, 141. Comets, 210, 212, 213, 214. Commencement of Settlement, 7. Common (Council, list of members of 177. Common Council, Presidents of, 140. Common law, 17. Constitution, frigate, 96. Cook, 215. Coulton, 67. Court, the General 21. Courting, unlawful 94. Crandal. 45. Cromwell, 47, 61, 74. Cummins, 155. Currency. U. S., comparati\e val- ue of, 218. Curi-ier, 78, 79. Curry, 30. Gushing, 105. Cushman, 30. INDEX. 221 r> Dagyr, 41, 54, 101, 210. Damon, 183. Dani'e house, 108. Dark Davs, '210, 211. Davis, 127, 129, 130, 140. See Biog. Sketches. Decoration Day, 215. Descartes, 47. Dexter, 40, 52, 129, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167. See Biog. Sketches Directory, tirst Lynn 188. Diseases and vital statistics, 181. Dixey, 38, 42. Dixwell, 74. Doak fund, 217. Dodge, 30. Drury, 30. Dryden, 47. Duchesney, 30. Duke William 164, 165. Duncan, 41. Dungeon hills, and Rock, 194, 210, 213. Eastern railroad, 112. Eaton, 165. Egg Rock, 194, 213. Election day, 109. Emerson. 30. Endicott, 38, 87, 163 Engravings. See Illustrations, v. Epizootic, 216. Exercises at Music Hall, 36 to 48. F Farmer, 135. Fawkes, 37. Ferry, ancient, 88, 209. Fire Alarm, telegraphic, 203, 216. Fire Department, 32, 35, 202. Fires, 171, 212, 214, 215, 216, 217. Fireworks, 80. Fishes, variety of found here, 197. Fitzgerald, 177. Flag^g, 102. Flax, cultivation of 97, 113. Flax pond, sports at 27. Flint, 26. 44, 177. Flockton. 31. Fogg, 177. Forman, 183. Franklin, 47. Frazier, 121, 157. 215. Fry, 30, 217. Fuller, 45, 93, 94, 141. See Biog. Sketches. a Gage, 44. Gales, 212, 215. Game, found hereabout, 199. Gas, 213. Gates, 188. Geddes, 74. General Court, 21. Giftbrd, 210. Gilmore, 177. Glidden, 150. Goldfish pond, sports at, 27. Gold, value of 218. Gough, 74. Graham, 200. Grant, 31, 216. Gray, 102, 108, 212. Green, 30. Grotius, 47. H Iladley, 44. Hall, first public, 95. Hall, (surname,) 68. Hallowell, 46, 141. Hancock, 90. Hannibal, sexton of old tunnel, 100. Hanson, 154. Hart, 95, 96, 97. Harwood, 26, 177. Hastings, 183. Hathorne, 142. Haven, 97. Hawkes, 51, 52, 64, 72, 100, 140. Ilealey, 177. Henchman, 141. Hermit, Geo. Gray, the 108. Hewes, 171. Hickford, 177. High Rock, 194. HilN of Lynn, 194. Ilitchings, 98. Hobby, 75. Hoi t, 31. Holden, 177. Holder, 140, 177. Holmes, 45. Holyoke, 92, 207. Homan, 177. Hood, 123, 131, 215. See Biog. Sketches. Horse race, 212. Hotel neighborhood, HI. Howe, 45, 171, 190. Hume. 47. Humfrev, 41, 158, 159, 160, 161, 1G2, 170, 171, 173, 207, 209. See Biog. Sketches. 322 INDEX. Hunter, 73. Hussey, 177. Hutchings, 30. Hutchinson, 90. Hymn, by 1). N. Johnson, 36. Illustrations, list of, v. Indian Deed of Lynn, 145, 210. Indians, brief account of the ^ 199. Ingalls, 30, 38, 39, 41, 52, 77, 7f 150, 209. See Biog. Sketches. Introduction, 7. Ireson, 165. Iron works, 89, 209. Jackson, 155, 191, 218. James, (King), 40, 47. Jefferson, 73. Jenks, 69, 89, 202. Jerrold, 73. John, (King), 14,65. Johnson, 31, 36, 42, 47, 128. See Biog. Sketches. Jones, 150. Junius, NewhalTs letters on 104. Kearney, 217. Keayne, 93. Kent. 177. Kepler. 47. Kertland, 41, 95. 209. Keyser, 41. Kimball, 26, 56, 110, 177. King's Lynn. 13. Knapp, 31. Knight, 140. Kossutli, 213. Kankshamooshaw, (Indian), 145. Lafayette, 88, 107, 211, 212. Laighton, and Laughton, 141, 143, 144. Lakes of Lynn, 195. Laniphier, 177. Lancy, 217. Landmarks, old 86 to 111. Larkin, 31. Law, common, 17. Learned, 177. Lechford, 161. Lee, 46. Legg, 104. Lemasnev. 177. Leo, 46. Leslie, 177. Letters read at Banquet, 63, 64, 65, 66, 77, 78, 79. Lewis, 43, 95, 107, 109, 135, 151, 153,154,214. See Biog. Sketches. Library, public, 181, 214. Leibnitz, 47. Lightning, deaths by 93. Lincoln, 215. Lindsay, 36. Linneus, 47. Locke, 47. Long, 52, 53, 69. Longley, 141. Lovejoy, 140. Love-making, unlawful 94. Lover's Leap, 194. Lummus, 134, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 189. See Biog. Sketches. Lyceum Hall, 121. Lynn, in times of war, 190. Lynn Mirror, first newspaper, 184. Lynn, name of, 12. Lynn reijimeut and battle of Bun- ker HfU, 106. Lynn Regis, 13. Lynntield, incorporated, 211. JVI Makepeace, 89. Mansfield, 44, 75, 99, 103, 106, 107, 108,141,143. See Biog. Sketches. Marble, 89, 213, 215. Masonic lodge, the first, 211. Mather. 59, 160, 198. Mayors of Lynn. See Biog. Sketches. Mc Arthur, 31. McClearn, 30. McCullough, 31. McDonald. 212. Mc(iuire, 213. McLean, 72. McMillen, 177. Mechanics" wages, 147. Memorial stone, St. Margaret's to St. Stephen's, 15. Merrill. 211. Merrill, 149. See Biog. Sketches. Meteors, 212. 215, 217. Military in the procession, 30, 34. Mills, (for grinding). 89, 107. Mills, (surname). 138. Milton, 47. Modern improvements, 114. Monument, soldier.s' 191. 216. Moody, 101. ]\Ioore, 177. Morse, 216. INDEX. 223 Moulton, 101, 103, 177. See Biog. Mudge, 91, 124, 127, 133, 140, 159, 187. See Biog. Sketches. Mullen, 177 MuUiken. 98. Munroe, 44, 186, 187. Murillo, 47. Murphy, 177. Music, laands of 27. Music Hall, exercises in 36 to 48. Nahant. 146, 164, 170, 195, 213. Neal, 131, 140, 177. See Biog. Sketches. Newhall, 44, 52, 53, 54, 58, 69, 90, 97, 104, 130, 140, 141, 176, 177, 209, 210, 212. Newspapers, 183, 184, 186, 212. Newton, 47. Northern Lights, 210, 212, 214, 215. O Odd Fellows' Hall, 122. Banquet in, 48 to 81. Old Landmarks, 86 to 111. Old 'lection, 109. Old school oentlenian, 99. Old Willis,l08. Oliver, 166. Onslow, 52. Oration, by C. M. Tracy, 37. Osborne, 30. Palmer, 30. Parsons, 150. See Biog. Sketches. Patch, 140. Peach, 26, 30, 34, 140. Perkins, 43. Perley, 95, 149. Personal notices. See Biograph- ical Sketches. Pevear, 119. Phantom sliip, 173. Phinney, 177. Pickering, 91, 104. Pierce, 177. Plantation bell, 104. Poem, J. J. Coulton's, 67. Polls, number of at different times, 178. Pompev^ (African King,) 107. Ponds, 159. 195. 212, 216. Poor, maintenance of, 178. Pope, 47. Population, 191. Poquanum, 164, 165. Porter, 31. Postoffice and postmasters, 98,211 Potato bug, 217. Potter, 95, 210. Pranker, 69. 107. Pratt, 215. Price, 60. Procession, ideal along Boston street, 86 to 111. Procession, the 29; route of, 34. Progress of Lynn, 113. Public Library, 181. Purchis, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 166, 207. See Bios. Sketches. Purdy, 213. R Raddin, 30. Railroads, 112, 212, 213. 214, 216. Ramsdell, 26, 31, 44, 177. Randolph. 44, 146, 166, 210. Read, 210. Rednap, 41. Reeves, 30. Regatta, 27. Religious societies, 192. Reservoir, 216. Reservoir Hill, 194. Revenue, surplus U. S. 212. Revere, railroad disaster in 216 Rhodes, 97. Rich, 30. Richards, 41. Richardson, 69, 71, 126. See Biog. Sketches. Road, first to Boston, 84. Robinson, 98, 140. Roby, 44. Sadler, 93, 141, 207. Sadler s Rock, 93, 194. Sagamore Hill, 9, 159, 169, 194. Saint Margaret's, 15. Salmon, (surname,) 174. Samson, 43. Sanderson, 26, 50, 63, 67, 77, 79, 80, 137. See Biog. Sketches. Sargent, 150. Sassacus, (Indian,) 43. Saugus incorporated, 211. Saxon blood, 19. Schools, 182. Scott, 73. Sea-serpent, 212, 216. Seppings, 15, 64. 65. 67. Settlers, the early 206, 209. / 224 INDEX. Settlement, commencement of, 7. Shaw, 30. She])ard, 44, 46, 210. Sherman, 215. Shipwrecks, 211. 212, 213, 214. Shoemaker's shops, 101, 200. Shoemakers' strike, 214. Shorey. 93, 211. Shute. 87. Slaves, 100, 107. Sleepers in meeting, 166, 175, 209. Smith, 217. Snow, 177. Soil of Lynn, 199. Soldiers' monument, 191, 216. Spaulding, 217. Spencer, 88. Sprague, 30. Springs, 95, 196. Stackpole, 212. Stamford, purchase of, 171. Stanley, 94. Stickney, 125, 154, 150. 157, 158. See Biog. Sketches. Stone, 30, 129, 131, 130. Stone walls, 200. Story, 177. Surplus U. S. revenue. 212. Swampscott, in(;orporated, 213. Swan, 154. Swett, 103. T Talbot, 52. Tapley, 126. Tarbox, 94, 175, 177. Tavern, Anchor, 86. Taxation, rates of, at different periods, 178. Tebbetts. 213. Telegraph, electric, established, 213. Telephone, introduced, 218. Temperature, uncommon, 217. Thunder and lightuiuii- house, 93. Thurlow, 177. Todd. 137. Tomlins, 41, 141, 171. Town and city officers, 123. 140, 141, 149, 177.' Town liouse, 118. Town meetings, 21, 1 15. Towns, 177. Townsend, 44. Tracy, 37. Trades in the i)rocession, 32, 35. Tram])s, 178, 179, 217. Travel, modes of. 112. Tread well, 44. Tubular wells, 95. Tuck, 30. Tumith, 31. Turner, 169, 171. 172, 173,190,209. See Biog. Sketches. Tunnel, old. meeting house, 116, 210. Turnpike opened. 111. XJ Universalist convention, 216. Unlawful love-making, 94. Usher, 64, 132. See Biog. Sketches. Valuation, city, at different times, 178. Varney, 30. Vennar, 216. Vennard, 177. . Victoria, 213. Views, landscape and marine, 194. Vincent, 177. AV Wages of mechanics and labor- ers, 147. Walden, 53, 134. See Biog. Sketches. Walker, 171. Walsh, 30. Warner, 30. War times, I>ynn's action in, 190. Washino-ton, 47, 88, 211. Water of Lynn, 196. Webster, 213. Wesley, 47. Whalley, 74. White, 30. 107, 177, 212. Whitefield, 46, 210. Whiting, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63. 165, 167, 168, 207. See Bioir. Sketches. WJiittle, 140. Williams, 46, 211. Willis, 92, 108, 109. Wilson, 71. Winthrop, 161. 209. AVitchcraft. 210. Wood, 38, 39, 40, 46, 196, 209. Yacht club, 215 Young Men's (/hi'istian Assoc-ia- tion, 215. \