^ THE

HISTORICAL

COLLECriONS

' OF THE

TOP8FIELD HISTOBIC AL SOCIETY

VOL. VIII.

1902.

TQPSFIELD, MASS.: Published by the Society. 1902.

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015

https://archive.org/details/historicalcollec08unse

RESIDENCE OF BRADLEY W, PALMER,

THE

HISTORICAL COLLECTION S

OF THE

TOPSPIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOL. VIII,

1902.

TOPSFIELD, MASS. : Published by the Society. 1902.

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW, Editor.

THE MERRILL PRESS,

llU8».

CONTENTS.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS. BY JOHN H.

TOWNE, Illustrated, . _ _ . _ i

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD. COMPILED BY JOHN H. TOWNE, 70

ASAHEL SMITH OF TOPSFIELD, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SMITH FAMILY. BY JOSEPH F. SMITH,

JR., Illustrated, - - - - ~ 87

THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. BY MISS H.

ROSA TOWNE, Illustrated, - - - - 102

TOPSFIELD VITAL STATISTICS, 1902, - - - 1 29

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1902, - - - - 132

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, I902, - - - - 1 32

THE ECHODALE FARM,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

BY JOHN H. TOWNE.

The following account of the dwelling-houses, stores, shops and public buildings in Topsfield is compiled from the assessors’ records and from deeds and various records in private hands. This list gives the exact date of the con- struction of every house, and many other buildings, erected in the town since 1859, and, with but few exceptions, supplies the approximate date of erection of all houses built before that pe- riod and now standing. Reference is also given to the same property when taxed in the United States Direct Tax of 1798, as printed in the Historical Collections, Vol. VII, pages 57-89, and when a picture of the building has already appeared in the Historical Collections, reference is given to the volume and page.

I desire to make acknowledgement here for the valuable assistance given by Mrs. George Warren Towne, Miss Mari- etta Clarke, the Misses Dwinell, Miss Mehitable Todd, Mrs. Mary L. Nichols, Isaac Newton Averill, Salmon D. Hood, Jacob Foster, Benjamin J. Balch, George Francis Dow and many others who have freely given information or assisted in other ways. The following list, though prepared with much care, is probably far from being perfect or absolutely complete, and the author will be glad to obtain, for the purpose of printing in a later volume of the Historical Collections, any corrections or additional information relating to these buildings or to the location of other buildings that have now disappeared.

The houses and buildings in the following list, are ar- ranged consecutively by streets which are in alphabetical order. For convenience in searching for information the streets in the town are here listed.

(0

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Asbury Grove street, from Ipswich street to Hamilton line.

Boston street, the Boston and Newburyport Turnpike, from the Danvers line to the Ipswich line.

Boxford street, from Washington street to the Boxford line.

Central street, formerly Mutton Lane and later Mechanic’s Court, from Main street to High street and Perkins street.

Cross street, from Rowley Bridge street to Hill street.

East street, from Ipswich street to Ipswich line.

Garden street, from Hill street to Boston street.

Grove street, from Main street to Washington street.

Haverhill street, from Ipswich street to Boxford line.

High street, from Washington street to Wenham line.

Hill street, from Salem street to Rowley Bridge street.

Hewlett street, “the old road,” from the Common to Perkins street.

Ipswich street, from corner of Main and Haverhill streets to the Ipswich line.

Main street, from Boston street to Ipswich street.

Meeting House lane, from Howlett street to Perkins street.

Middleton road, from Rowley Bridge street to the Middle- ton line.

Mill street, from Washington street to the Boxford line.

North street, from Ipswich street to the Ipswich line.

Park street, formerly Railroad avenue, from Main street to Summer street.

Perkins street, from the corner of High and Central streets to Ipswich street. The part from Meeting House lane to Ipswich street for a long time has popularly been known as the “Bonney’s Featherbed road.”

Pine street, from Ipswich street to Haverhill street.

Pond street, from Haverhill street to Ipswich line.

Prospect street, from Main street to River street.

Ridge street, from Ipswich street, across the Turnpike to Perkins street.

River street, from Salem street, across Washington street to Boxford line.

Rowley street, from Haverhill street to Ipswich line.

Rowley Bridge street, from River street to the Danvers line.

HIGHLAND FARM.

Residence of Eugene L, Wildes, Asbury Street.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

3

Salem street, from Main street, across tke Turnpike to Dan- vers line.

School avenue, from Main street to the school grounds. Summer street, from Main street to High street.

Washington street, from Main street to Boxford line. Wenham street, from Salem street to High street.

Wildes street, from Boston street, across East street to Ipswich line.

Bradley W. Palmer, Asbury Grove St. This two story residence with stable, was erected in 1902. The stone work was done by Connolly Bros, of Beverly P'arms, and the wood work by Herbert W. Porter, of Wenham.

J. Arthur Lamson, Asbury Grove St. The middle part of this two story house, originally one story, is over two hundred years old. It has been remodeled several times during the past century and several additions have been built. The eastern end was built for Capt. John Lamson in 1840, by Capt. Israel D. Elliott. The new barn was built in 1893, by Albert H. Towne of Boxford. The property has remained in the possession of this family since the original purchase over two hundred and twenty years ago.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 78, line 3.

Eugene L. Wildes, Asbury Grove St. The present two story house was built for Israel Wildes in 1875, by John H. Potter. An old house that formerly stood nearly opposite to the Smith-Earle house and which had been occupied by Mr. Wildes, was taken down in 1879.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 67, line 32.

Daniel O. Earle, Asbury Grove St. This two story house was built for Capt. Joseph and Thomas Cummings in 1778-9, and formerly stood very near the road, where it was occupied of late years by Willard Smith, and later by his son Augustus W. Smith. In 1899 the property was pur- chased by its present owner and shortly after the house was moved to its present location and extensively remodeled.

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

A new barn and outbuildings were built the same year. The farm house was built in 1901. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 68, line 12. On the upland, to the southward, there stood, as early as 1780, a small one story house, where after- ward lived Jonas, the eldest son of Thomas Cummings. He died in 1804 and his widow sold the property to John and Reuben Smith in 1815.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. V, pp. 12, 22; Vol. VII, p. 67, line 27.

Robert Foss, Asbury Grove St. The present two story house was built for Capt. William Cummings in 1823-4. The old one story house which formerly stood a short dis- tance northeast from the present house, was taken down in 1883. There are supposed to have been no less than six houses built on this farm at different times. The first one was located near the river and is said to have been destroyed by Indians. On the left-hand side of the road, toward the south, stood, as late as 1830, a two story house then occu- pied by John McKenzie, who was the father of Samuel S. McKenzie.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII. p. 68, line i; Vol. VII, p. 67, line 18.

Thomas W. Peirce, off Boston St. This two story house was built before 1798, when it was owned by Israel Rea. It was remodeled in 1900, for its present owner, by Henry H. Roberts, the barn being remodeled and a stable built at the same time.

See 'Fopsfield Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 85, line i.

Site of Archelaus Towne House, off Boston St. Nearly opposite the road leading to the Peirce-Rea farm and on a private way leading to what is now the Batchelder farm on Rowley Bridge street, formerly stood a small house built about 1711 and occupied in 1800 by Archelaus Towne. The house was sold to the Emersons and removed in 1803 to a site near what is now George F. Averell’s cider mill on Hill street. In 1857 the house was taken down.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 88, line i.

Thomas W. Peirce, Boston St. A two story house was standing upon this location before 1798* Rom which, accord- ing to tradition, Mary Esty, accused of witchcraft in 1692, was taken to Salem jail and afterwards tried and executed. Her son Isaac was living here at that time, while her husband and the rest of her family were living at what is now the

RESIDENCE OF DANIEL OSBORNE EARLE, ASBURY STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

5

Agricultural Farm. Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Secre- tary of the Navy, under Presidents Madison and Monroe, purchased the property in 1821 and remodeled the house, which was again remodeled at a considerable expense, in 1872-3, for Thomas W. Peirce, sen., by Jacob Foster, and again in 1900-01, for its present owner, by Pitman & Brown of Salem. The farm-house was built in 1870, by Jacob Foster, and the porter’s lodge and other buildings were built in 1880, by Goldthwaite & Day of Salem.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 83; Vol. VII, p. 71, line 6.

South School House, Boston St. The first school house on this location was built in 1794 at a cost of ;^39.4. 10 and stood farther back from the road than the present one which was built in 1845 by Charles C. Brackett and Daniel Willey. In 1899 the latter was sold at auction to David Pingree. The first building was sold to Ebenezer Eastman for $57.00 and by him to John Jewett, who intended to re- model it into a dwelling house but changed his purpose and in 1849-50 had it removed to Peabody, then South Danvers, and located near Symond’s Hotel, north from Peabody square on what is now Central street.

David Pingree, Boston St. This two story house was originally the toll-house of the Boston and Newburyport Turn- pike Corporation and was built in 1804-5. afterward

owned and occupied by Luke Towne and then purchased by Asa Pingree.

Old Fort, off Boston St. According to tradition as re- peated by Enos Estey, aged 73, in 1845, and also as shown on a map of the Agricultural Farm drawn by Samuel S. McKenzie in 1858, a fort, built for protection against the Indians, formerly stood on the Agricultural Farm, in the field behind the pine grove, near the brook and towards the David G. Perkins place, now owned by Rev. George L. Gleason.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. V, p. 129.

Levi L. Beal, Boston St. This one story house was built for Benjamin F. Adams in 1843, by Daniel Willey.

John H. Dodge, Boston St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1872, by John H. Potter.

Mrs. Edward S. Thayer, Boston St. This two story house with stable and outbuildings was built for its present owner in 1899-1900, by Pitman & Brown of Salem.

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Arthur A. Clarke, Boston St. This two story house was built for Benjamin Glazier in 1859, by Jacob Foster. Both house and stable were remodeled for the present owner in 1892-3. A portion of the stable was originally the East school-house, which was built in 1794 (see Dr. H. F. Sears, Perkins street). In 1847 it was sold to Daniel Willey, for $22.75, who removed it to what is now High street and located it not far from what is now the entrance to the A. W. Pace house. There it was used for a carpenter’s shop, by Daniel Willey and Thomas Perkins, until about i860, when it was sold to Benjamin Glazier, who had it removed to its present location.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 89.

The Old Meeting House Barn, off Boston St. In the Smerage field, at the foot of Great hill and on the westerly side of the Turnpike, formerly stood a barn which, by tradi- tion, was originally the meeting-house, which was built in what is now Pine Grove Cemetery, in 1663. When the new meeting-house was built on the Common, in 1703, the use of the earlier building was discontinued, and March 7, 1703-4, the town voted to sell the old meeting-house to Sergt. John Gould for .^5, in money, he to have the glass.

Benjamin C. Dodd, Boston St. This one story house was built for Cyrus Peabody in 1845, by Thomas Peabody. It was remodeled for the present owner, by William Welch, in 1897.

Miss Hattie S. Porter, Boston St. This two story house was built for Col. John Wildes in 1808, by Amos Wildes. It was first occupied by John Peabody and after- wards, for several years, was used as a public house or tavern. Nehemiah Perkins also kept a grocery store for some time in the south-west room and basement. Between the years of 1830 and 1850, seven different ministers, appointed to the charge of the Methodist church, lived in this house, so that it was often called “the Parsonage.” Samuel S. McKenzie taught a singing school here in 1848 and 1849, and Dea. Augustine S. Peabody, for many years a selectman, and for over forty years superintendent of the Sunday-school at the Congregational church, was born here March 8, 1811.

THE ALFRED S. CUMMINGS HOUSE, ASBURY STREET, 1898,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

7

Estate of Elmore Johnson, Boston St. This one story house was built for Alfred P. Towne in 1849, by Con- stantine McKenzie. Before the house was quite finished, Mr. McKenzie and his brother Alfred, started for the gold-fields of upper California, sailing from Boston, Nov. 13, 1849. This house was first occupied by John S. Whipple, who car- ried on a butchering business here in 1850-1. It was after- wards occupied by Alfred P. Towne; Rev. Stephen G. Hiler, a Methodist minister; William Herrick, for many years a captain on the Boston police force ; Capt. Pinkham, who finally lost his vessel and his life on the high seas; and also by several others.

Site of the first Methodist Church, Boston St. It stood on the west side of the Newbury port Turnpike, on a knoll, near a little pond, about midway between Ipswich street and the old Ipswich road. The building was forty feet square and one story in height. For picture, see Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 26. Timothy Monroe, of Lynn, was the contractor, and the frame was raised Oct. 19, 1831, and the church ded- icated Dec. 28, 1831. In Jan., 1840, this building was moved by fifty yoke of oxen, to a new location on Main street, some fifty feet north-easterly from the John B. Lake house. When the present Methodist church was built, in 1853-4, the earlier building was sold to Isaiah M. Small, a carpenter, who had it removed to his place on Washington street (now owned by Mrs. Susan Perkins) and used it for a barn. It is still in use and the double window that overlooks the railroad track, once occupied the place of honor behind the pulpit in the first Methodist church in Topsfield.

Robert W. Halliday, Boston St. Not long after the completion of the Turnpike (1805), a building was moved from Newburyport and located here by Asa W. Wildes, who had it made into a dwelling-house. In 1845, f^e one story house now standing east of the above house, was built for Joseph W. Rust, by Samuel Clark. The house was remodeled for Mark R. Pearson about 1882, by John H. Potter.

Frank L. Gilliland, Boxford St. This one story house long known as “the Cooper Perkins place,” is probably the William lies house, built in Boxford in 1719 (see Perley’s Dwellings of Boxford, p. 145). It was moved from Boxford

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

to this site in 1820 and occupied by Henry Perkins, who was a cooper by trade. The back yard is paved with flat stones.

Fred Dodson, Boxford St. This one story house was built for George Augustus Frame in 1897, t>y Henry H. Roberts.

Mrs. William H. Butrick, Boxford St. This one story house was originally a shop on the Dea. Julius A. Palmer place in Boxford. In 1859-1860 it was bought by Tobias D. Reed, who had it moved to this location and made into a dwelling-house.

The Gould Building, Central St. This two story birilding, the first floor of which has been occupied for sev- eral years by Jacob J. Hardy, harness maker, was originally a carpenter shop and barn built by Charles C. Bracket, in 1839, for his own use. He sold the building to Andrew Gould in 1847. The lower story was used as a restaurant, or store, for some years. Some of the proprietors were a Mr. Hale from Boxford, Thomas Perley, Samuel B. Perkins, and Herbert Gould of this town. Fountain Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 170, was organized, Dec. 31, 1874, in the small hall on the second floor of this building. The lodge removed to the new hall in Bailey’s Block, Nov. ii, 1875. A few years later the Topsfield Brass Band was organized and used this hall for its headquarters. With the exception of one or two short periods it occupied this hall continuously until 1900, when the organization disbanded.

Charles H. Leach, Central St. The Leach & Wilson wheelwright shop, one story, formerly stood where the railroad track is now, and in front of the site of the old station, and was built for Thomas K. Leach in 1838. In 1853, when the railroad was built, the shop was moved and placed on Main street, in front of what is now the Leach stable, and a few years later was again moved and placed at its present location. Leach’s market, one story, the next build- ing, was originally a carriage house and workshop, remod- eled for William Porter Gould in December, 1886. It stood on Main street near the house now owned by George P. Dow, and adjoining the line between this property and the estate now owned by Justin Allen, M. D. Charles H. Leach bought the building in 1893 moved it to its present loca- tion where it has since been used for a market.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

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Job H. Frame, Central St. The one story house, now occupied by Jacob J. Hardy, was built for Benjamin Adams in 1846, by Constantine McKenzie. Mr. Adams was popu- larly known as “Little Ben” Adams, there being three Ben- jamin Adams living in the town at that time, — Benjamin P. Adams, the store-keeper and postmaster; Benjamin F. Adams, who lived in what is now the Levi L. Beal house, Boston street, and who was known as “Superintendent” Adams, he having had charge of the Topsfield almshouse for several years; and lastly, “Little Ben”, who lived in this house until his death, March 3, 1849. It was afterwards occupied by Ariel H. Gould, William H. Munday and Richard Ward, all of them butchers; George A. Towne, carpenter, and builder of several houses in town ; and Ira P. Long, blacksmith, who preceded the present occupant.

The John H. Potter House, Central St. This one story house was built in 1848, by the late John H. Potter for his own occupancy, and was the first dwelling-house erected by that veteran carpenter. The carpenter’s shop located in the corner of the front lot, was originally the William E. Kimball blacksmith shop and stood where the Kimball gro- cery store is today. When William E. Kimball gave up the blacksmithing business and opened a grocery store, he sold his shop to Henry Long. This was about 1836. The shop was removed to a point just below what is now the railroad crossing on Main street, on land now owned by William H. Herrick and used for a garden, but then owned by Capt. William Munday. The shop remained here several years and until Henry Long sold it to Constantine McKenzie, carpenter, who moved it to his lot on what is now Central street and placed it at its present location. McKenzie went to California in 1849, and about the same time he sold the lot and shop to Mr. Potter.

William S. Bell, Central St. This one story shop, since 1882 used as a paint shop by its present owner, was built for Capt. William Munday about 1850, by John H. Potter. It was first used as a carriage house, and afterwards as a carpenter shop, by George A. Towne who occupied it until his death which occurred April 10, 1882.

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Isaac M. Woodbury, Central St. The one story build- ing adjoining Bell’s paint shop, was built for Thomas K. Leach before 1870, and used by him as a storehouse for lumber. On the easterly side of this building, stood, until the fall of 1895, when it was taken down by Charles H. Leach, a small one story building which formerly was used by Leach & Wilson for a steam sawmill. The larger part of the build- ing was erected in 1861, an addition being made some years afterwards.

William H. Kneeland, Central St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1868, by John H. Potter.

Isaac M. Woodbury, Central St. This one story house was built for Elizabeth W. and Sarah J., daughters of Jesse Perley of Boxford, in 1852, by John H. Potter.

Benjamin Poole, Central St. This one story house was built for Mrs. Lavinia (Knowlton) Moore, wife of Thomas Moore, in 1847-8, by Aaron Dodge of Wenham.

Miss Dora L. Osgood, Central St. A small part of the present two story house was originally a part of Benjamin Herrick’s wheelwright shop which stood where William Long’s dwelling-house is now located on Main street. About 1850 it was moved to its present location by J. Perkins Towne who had it fitted up for a dwelling-house. For many years it was occupied by John Bowden, a house painter. In 1893, it was extensively remodeled for its present owner, the larger part of the body of the house being newly built by John H. Potter.

James Wilson, Central St. This two story house was built for R. Sumner Perkins in 1847, by Daniel Willey.

Estate of Enos Fuller, Central St. This one story house was built for Samuel B. Perkins in 1850, by John H. Potter.

Isaac M. Woodbury, Central St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1876, by William Morgan. The slaughter-house and barn were built the same year. The house narrowly escaped destruction by fire, Dec. 13, 1885. Loss about $500. The two story dwelling-house at the corner of Central and Summer streets, and now occupied by Richard Ward, was originally

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS. II

a part of the old Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland house on Main street. In 1873, Joseph E. Stanwood presented the build- ing to the Congregational parish, intending it for a parsonage. The parish afterwards sold it to Charles H. Holmes, Esq., and in 1891, when his estate was settled, it was sold at auction to I. M. Woodbury and by him removed from its location on the same lot, but near the brook, to its present site. Exten- sive alterations were made at that time.

E. Perkins Averill, Central St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1876, by John H. Potter.

The John Smith House, Central St. This one story house was built by John H. Potter in 1877 and by him exchanged with John Smith for the Foster farm on North street now owned by Franklin Magraw.

Amos L. Hodgdon, Central St. This one story house was built by its present owner in 1877.

JosiAH P. Perkins, Central St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1901, by Henry H. Roberts.

Ephraim Perkins, Central St. This two story house was taxed to Jacob Perkins as early as 1768. It was remod- eled for its present owner in 1877, by John H. Potter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 83, line 21.

Rev. George L. Gleason, Central St. This two story house, occupied by Herbert J. Lewis, was built for David Perkins in 1815. Across the road, but near the corner of Central and High streets, formerly stood a two story house in which lived David Perkins, sen. This house was taken down a few years after the new house was built.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Vll, p. 81, line 36.

J. Morris Meredith, Cross St. This property was long known as the “Donation Farm” because Dea. George Bixby, the owner, bequeathed the estate to the selectmen of Topsfield, in trust, the income to be applied to the support of the ministers of the Congregational denomination in Topsfield, and the farm to be known as “The donation farm for the support of the Gospel.” Dea. Bixby died Jan. 5, 1825. The two story house was taxed to Daniel Bixby in 1768, and was remodeled for Capt. Isaac A. Morgan, the owner, in 1872. The small house was built for Dea. Daniel Bixby, early in the 19th century, and was occupied by his

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

farm help. It was relocated and remodeled for Capt. Morgan in 1872. Benjamin Bixby was living on this farm as early as 1690. In 1899 the property was purchased of Charles V. Jackman, by J. Morris Meredith of Boston, who built his new house in 1899-1900.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 87; Vol. VII, p. 63, line i. Miss Mary T. Robinson, East St. This two story house was built for John Conant in 1835, by Capt. Israel D. Elliott, an old two story house which was located south- easterly, about one hundred feet distant, being taken down the same year. A barn standing on this place, was destroyed by fire in December, 1870.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 80, line 14 Mrs. Amanda Foster, East St. The body of this one story house was moved to this site (probably from Line- brook) for widow Sarah Averill and her sister Miss Anna Clarke, in 1826, and an addition was built shortly after.

William S. Bell, East St. Isaac Comings was living on this site, or near here, as early as the spring of 1663. A one story house, now the northern part of the present build- ing, was standing on this site as early as 1747, when it was taxed to Nathaniel Low, who sold the property to Samuel Low and John Bradstreet, June 9, 1753. They sold to Charles Davis, Feb. 26, 1787, who in turn sold to David Hobbs, blacksmith, in 1798. At that time the house con- tained four windows and twenty square feet of glass. Hobbs’ blacksmith shop was located beside the road and near the brook and is still standing. On the south side of the brook and about one hundred feet from the bridge, is an old cellar, the house having disappeared a great many years ago. It may have been the location of the old Cummings house.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. V, pp. 7, 9; Vol. VII, p. 85, line 31. David Pingree, Garden St. The old one story house long known as “the red house,” from the color that it was painted, was built before 1798. At that time it was occupied by Dominick Moore and had 15 windows and 48 square feet of glass. In it, in 1841, Rufus Choate argued the case for the petitioner, at the hearing over laying out this street as a public way. The house was taken down in the spring of 1902. A large barn standing near this house was burned in 1854. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 61, line 33. “The

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM WELCH, GROVE STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

13

white house,” on the other side of the road, so called in contradistinction to “the red house,” was built for Asa Pingree in 1838, by C. C. Brackett. This street was laid out as a town way Jan. i, 1842.

Mrs. Eveline Burnham, Grove St. In i860, George H. Waterhouse, a blacksmith, moved from Middleton, a barn that he bought of Mrs. William Munday, and relocated it on this spot, using it for a blacksmith shop. It was after- wards used by W. S. Bell, painter, and in 1882, William Gallup, the owner, had it remodeled into a dwelling-house. The large shop between the house and the street was built by John H. Potter for George H. Waterhouse, in 1863. It was used for a tool factory. He made axes and dies.

Grove street was named by Mrs. Osgood Perley about 1 860-1. She then lived in the chambers of the Elisha Hood house on Main street, now owned by Dr. Justin Allen. She had a sign painted with the name, and placed at the corner of Main and Grove streets. The name originated with Cen- tennial Grove, a fine grove of oak trees which covered the knoll that formerly was just beyond the J. B. Poor house, and on which the centennial address was delivered in 1850.

William Welch, Grove St. This two story house was built for Mrs. John G. Hood in 1859, by John H. Potter.

Mrs. Charles Winslow, Grove St. This one story house was built for Charles Winslow in 1869, by John H. Potter.

Benjamin A. Orne, Grove St. This one story house was built in 1859 for Mrs. Benjamin C. Orne, by John H. Potter.

Edward H. Ferguson, Grove St. This one story house was a dwelling-house in Middleton for about fifteen years and was taken down and placed on the present location in i860, an addition being made at the same time. Jacob Foster was the carpenter.

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Rust, Grove St. This two story house was built in 1876, for Joseph W. Rust, by John H. Potter.

The Neilson House, Grove St., two stories, formerly owned by Daniel E. Hurd, was built for him in 1875, by George A. Towne.

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

The Herrick House, Grove St., two stories, was built for William E. Kimball by Jacob Foster, in 1871.

Joseph B. Poor, Grove St. This two story house, now occupied by John W. Burton, was formerly a stitch shop, built for Robert Lake in 1858. It formerly stood near what is now the Burnham shop on this street, and was afterwards removed to where Herrick’s small shoe shop now stands on Main street, where it remained a few years when it was pur- chased by William B. Kimball and again removed to Grove street and placed at its present location. He had it remod- eled into a dwelling-house in 1866, the work being done by Jacob Foster.

Calvin W. Fuller, Grove St. This small one story building, of late years occupied by elderly men who have lived alone, was originally a shoe shop built for Josiah Gould, about 1840, by Samuel Clarke. It stood on his farm on Washington street until 1855, when it was sold to A. Porter Kneeland for $62.50. He had it removed and placed in the corner of the house-lot on Main street, now owned by Mrs. Abram Welch, where he used it as a shoe shop. In 1871, he sold it to Abram Welch, who sold it to John Janes the following year. He had it removed to its present location and there lived in it. Janes afterwards went to Utica, N. Y., and the building since that time has popularly been known as “Utica.”

Miss Florence M. Gould, Grove St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1902, by L. A. Guppy of Danvers.

J. Porter Gould, Grove St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1871, by John H. Potter. The shop, until recently used for a millinery store by its owner, was built in 1889.

John Lynch, Grove St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1869, by John H. Potter. The end next to the railroad was originally the addition which Joseph W. Reed had built on the Academy building in 1862-3, and which was sold to Ariel H. Gould and removed to this loca- tion, when the town purchased that building to be used as a school-house.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

5

The Merriam-Todd House, Haverhill St. This two story house was built for Dr. John Merriam in 1797, the ell being added in 1828. In 1856 the property was sold to Samuel Todd and it has remained in the possession of this family since that time.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII. p. 78, line i; Vol. VII, p. 127.

The Merriam Shop and Barn, Haverhill St., formerly stood beside the road in the field between the Palmer house and the cemetery. The shoe shop occupied by Henry A. Merriam was removed to his lot on Main street before July, 1841, when he sold one half of the shop and lot to Augus- tine S. Peabody. Nov. 25, 1843, he sold the remaining half to Augustine S. Peabody, who remodeled it into the dwelling-house now owned by Thomas J. Kneeland. The barn was destroyed by fire in November, 1853.

Meeting-House in the Cemetery, Haverhill St. The first meeting-house in town was located near the junction of Howlett street and Meeting-house Lane. In 1663, Rev. Thomas Gilbert was invited to settle at Topsfield, and the families who lived at Rowley Village (Boxford) agreed to pay a part of his salary if the meeting-house was placed at a location more convenient for them to attend service. Accordingly, in the fall of 1663 a new meeting-house was built in what is now the cemetery. It is said that the pulpit was located over the spot where afterwards Parson Capen was buried. His stone is some fifty feet from the main entrance and on the left hand side. In September, 1675, a stone wall or fort was built around this meeting-house, for protection against Indian attack, and March 5, 1706, when the town voted “to fence in the burying place with a stone wall” the record mentions “the west gate of y® old meeting- house fort.” The meeting-house had then been removed, for March 7, 1703-4 the town had voted to sell it to “sargt John Gould for £^. in money, he to have the glass.” Tradi- tion says that it was afterwards located in what is now the Smerage field at the foot of the hill on the westerly side of the Turnpike at Springville. In April, 1896, when the grave was dug for the interment of the body of Edward A. Hood (Elisha Hood lot), a cellar wall was uncovered, the cellar hole beside it having been filled up with rubbish, bricks.

6

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

charcoal, etc. Several old knives were found which were simply flakes of iron rust. The hearse house, which stands at the rear of the main entrance, was built in 1895, by John H. Potter.

Erwin T. Phillips, Haverhill St. This one story house was built by Timothy M. Phillips in 1855, for his own occu- pancy.

Frank E. Gould, Haverhill St. This small one story house was built by its present owner in 1901.

Site of Israel Gallup House, Haverhill St. Just beyond Gallup’s brook, at the top of the first rise and on the right hand side, is the site of the two story house occupied by the Gallup family for many years. In 1830, Samuel Phillips was living here and the last occupants were Widow Sally Kneeland and her family. The house was taken down in 1858 by Samuel Clarke.

Cellar of Stephen Perley House, off Haverhill St. On this site was an old two story house which was burned in February, 1867, and which was last occupied by Stephen Perley.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. 1 1, p. 105; Vol. VII, p. 83, line 36.

A short distance west from this house formerly stood William Money’s one story house which was destroyed by fire.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 78, line 39.

Cellar of Ivory Hovey House, off Haverhill St. The old house and barn located near Pye brook at “Hovey’s Plain,” were assessed to Ivory Hovey in 1816. He died Oct. 3, 1816. The property was bought by Billy and Joseph Emerson and rented to Timothy Emerson who was the last occupant of the house, the buildings being destroyed by fire Jan. 2, 1821. For interesting account of the fire, see Salem Gazette.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 71, line i.

Silas Deland, Haverhill St. This one story house with brick basement was originally the school-house erected for the town in 1795, on the Common near the meeting-house. In 1845 sold to William G. Lake and by him sold to

E. Sumner Bixby who had it removed to its present location and remodeled into a dwelling-house. It was successively occupied by Daniel Spiller, William Blanchard and Mrs.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS. 1 7

Elizabeth Deland. In this building, while a school-house, Jacob Kimball and William R. Hubbard conducted many oldtime singing-schools.

Charles G. Cotton, Haverhill St. This two story house was built for Elbridge Sumner Bixby, in 1837. Some three hundred feet southeasterly from the present house, on the left-hand side of the road leading to the pond, formerly stood an old two story house, which was owned by Benjamin Bixby in 1798. It was destroyed by fire in May, 1867, it then being known as the Humphrey Perley place.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 62, line 32.

The Methodist Parsonage, High St. This two story house was built by John H. Potter for the Methodist society, in 1850, largely through the endeavors of Rev. Kinsman Atkinson, at that time pastor of that society. Mr. Atkinson also taught school in the Topsfield Academy, the school at the North district and at Linebrook.

Henry W. Lake, High St. This one story house was originally a shoe shop built for Charles Herrick in 1837 and standing where the large Herrick shop is now located. In 1850, it was removed to the site of the present small shop to make room for the new shop, and remodeled by Jacob Foster, the following year, at its present location. Its present owner has also remodeled it somewhat.

Mrs. Mary R. Hodges, High St. On the rising ground in the field below the present house, formerly stood a small two story house which was taxed to Jacob Towne as early as 1774. The present house was built in the fall of 1815. The barn was built in 1810. Jacob Towne and his son Jacob Perkins Towne were town clerks of Topsfield from 1810 to 1878 and the latter was clerk of the Congregational parish for 50 years. The town records were kept in this house for 70 years.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI I, p. 87, line 19.

Mrs. J. Freemont Perkins, High St. This two story house was built in 1829 for Moses and Solomon Wildes, trustees for Mrs.. Rachel, widow of Col. Ephraim Wildes, of Boston, but she did not live to occupy it. Prof. Francis Vose, the first principal of the Topsfield Academy was its first occupant, living here, 1830-1831.

1 8 TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Greenleaf T. Metcalf, High St. This two story house was built for J. Perkins Towne in 1843-4, ^ residence for

Rev. Anson McLoud. When Mr. McLoud first came to Topsfield he lived in the house owned and occupied by J. Perkins Towne. In 1898-9 it was remodeled somewhat by its present owner.

Mrs. Isabelle MacCormack, High St. This one story house was built for Miss Eliza Bradstreet in the spring of 1844, by Calvin Putnam of Danvers. (See Topsfield Hist. Colls. Vol. I, p. 30, for account of her trial for arson.) In 1846, she married Silas Cockrane, harness-maker, and the house was long known by his name.

The Henry Herrick House, High St. This one story house was originally the Jacob Averill house and located at “The Colleges.” It was afterwards used as a carpenter’s shop, and in 1840 it was bought by J. Perkins Towne and Samuel Todd and removed to its present location, where it was remodeled into a dwelling-house by Charles C. Brackett, and first occupied by Nathaniel Perkins, jr., who bought the house in 1841.

Miss Ruth Perley, High St. This two story house, originally a small cottage, was built for Mrs. Elizabeth Waitt in 1829. It was remodeled and raised to two stories, in 1882, by William Morgan, for Mrs. Elizabeth (Waitt) Perley. The present two story building in the rear was erected in 1892, by H. H. Roberts. The small building next the Agge driveway was originally William Waitt’s shoe shop and stood on its present location. In 1872 it was remodeled and used for a dwelling by Dwight L. Boyden.

The Towne-Stiles House, High St. This two story house was built for Frederick Stiles, in 1844-5, by Charles C. Brackett. A two story shoe shop, that formerly stood a short distance easterly from the house, was built in 1869 and in 1885 removed across the street and placed in the rear of the Ruth Perley house, where it was remodeled and used as a laundry and store-house. Feb. 26, 1892 it was des- troyed by fire, the barn being destroyed at the same time.

Edward E. Ferguson, High St. This one story house was built for Isaac Newton Averill in 1861, by Jacob Foster.

JACOB A. TOWNE HOUSE, HIGH ST,

Torn down in 1857.

Redrawn from a pencil sketch made about 1835-1840 by Alonzo Lewis, of Lynn,

THE TOPSFIELD HOTEL, HIGH ST, From a pencil sketch made about i835-i840 by Alonzo Lewis, of Lynn,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

19

William Agge, off High St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1892, by Henry H. Roberts and a large addition was made in 1896, by the same carpenter.

Andrew L. Peirce, High St. This two story house was built for Rev. Anson McLoud in 1861, by Charles Treadwell of Ipswich. Mr. McLoud was settled over the Congregational Society from 1841-1869. He was living in this house at the time of his death, Feb. 21, 1883.

See Hist, Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 37

The Francis Curtis House, High St. This one story house was built by Francis Curtis in 1875, for his own occupancy.

Miss Clara Ellen Perkins, High St. This two story house was built for Daniel Perkins in 1848, by Charles C. Brackett. Jacob Foster, who built many houses in town, worked on this house as an apprentice. Nearly upon the same site formerly stood the famous Topsfield Hotel, built in 1803-4 for the Boston and Newburyport Turnpike Corpor- ation. At this hotel was held the famous Topsfield Caucus in 1808; here was organized the confederation of County Lyceums, in 1829, and the Essex County Natural History Society, from which grew the Essex Institute and the Pea- body Academy of Science, was organized here in 1834. This hotel became the stage-centre of Essex County and in its parlors were held many political and social gatherings. In August, 1844, the building was taken down and moved by Tapley, of Danvers, to the beach at Clifton where it was rebuilt substantially as before. The new owners were Joseph Bassett, shoe manufacturer and William Fabens, lawyer, both residents of Marblehead. It was rented as a summer resort, various attractions being maintained to draw the pub- lic to the spot. During the season a steamer made regular trips to and from Boston, landing passengers in boats, no wharf having been built. The venture was not a financial success and Jan. i, 1846, the building was totally destroyed by fire under somewhat suspicious circumstances. A cut- glass decanter, containing a little brandy, was the only thing saved by the man in charge.

See Hurd’.s Hist, of Essex Co., p. Ixi; also, Essex Institute Hist. Colls. Vol. 19, p. 226, and Topsfield Hist. Colls. Vol. IV, p. 148.

20

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Mrs. Caroline E. Carswell, High St. This one story house was built by Daniel Willey, carpenter, in 1845, for his own occupancy.

Albert W. Pace, High St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1885, by John H. Potter. In the rear of this house is a willow tree, planted in 1836, which marks the geographical centre of Essex County.

Stephen M. Pierce, High St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1898, by Charles A. Peter- son of Hamilton. On a part of the same site formerly stood a two story house which was taken down to make way for the present house. It was built in 1785 for Elisha Perkins and had remained in the Perkins name until very recently.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 81, line 19.

Forest W. Rust, High St. The one story house, of late years known as the J. Arthur Towne house, which was torn down in the fall of 1901, was originally a shoe shop with an addition built on which was remodeled into a dwelling- house, in 1855, by Matthew Moran who bought the farm, an old dwelling-house, the shoe shop and a barn, of Eben W. Towne, the same year. Moran occupied the old house while the shoe shop was being remodeled and then pulled it down. It had long been known as the Joshua Towne house. In it had lived three Joshua Townes. Joshua, “the soldier;” Joshua, “the tailor and Joshua, “the sailor.” Moran in- tended to erect a new house, but not liking to live in the country, after four or five years he left the town, returning to the city of Salem. At the left-hand corner of the driveway leading to this location, and very near the street, formerly stood a dwelling-house with a brick basement. It was torn down in 1854 and was then known as the Elbridge G. Towne place. He manufactured shoes for several years in this building, and lived in the Joshua Towne house, where he died May 16, 1848. The house, or shoe factory, much resembled the present Silas Deland house on Haverhill street. A short distance to the north-east of this location and near the rail- road track, may be seen the cellar of the old Henry Towne house which was taken down by Eben W. Towne in 1873. It was a one story house. The barn on this place was burned down several years before the house was taken down.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 88, line 8.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

21

The Jacob A. Towne House, High St. This two story house was built for Jacob A. Towne in 1857, by John H. Potter, the old one story house which formerly stood partly upon the same site and nearer the road, being taken down the same year.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 66, line 15.

The Caroline H. Towne House, High St. This two story house was built for Benjamin Towne in 1846, by Daniel Willey.

Miss Mary E. Towne, High St. This two story house was built in 1793 for Jacob Towne, jr. It was remodeled in 1859, for Jacob Waldo Towne, by Isaiah M. Small and in 1882 an addition was built for Dudley P. Towne.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 87, line 29.

George F. Averell, Hill St. This two story house was built for Daniel Towne, jr., in 1846, by Isaiah M. Small. The cider mill was built in 1866 for Daniel Towne. Near the cider mill and on the easterly side, formerly stood a one story building which, until 1803, was the Archelaus Towne house and located off Boston street opposite the Rea-Peirce estate. In 1803, it was purchased by the Emerson’s and re- moved to this site and used as a dwelling-house. In it was born Samuel Bickford, July 31, 1809. It was taken down in 1857 and upon the same spot the present apple house was built, for its present owner, in 1891. On the westerly side of the cider mill formerly stood the house of Stephen Towne who was living here as early as 1704. April 3, 1782, the house and barn were purchased by David Balch, jr., and were probably taken down at once as they do not appear upon the tax levy of the following year. This sixteen acre field was owned by Thomas Emerson in 1798 and in 1828 was sold by his heirs to Daniel Towne. In the broad field on top of the hill and northerly from the present house, in 1894, Mr. Averell uncovered, in the centre of the field, large stones placed in the form of a square as though used for a foundation, and a short distance away on clearing out a spring, now used to water cattle, he found that at some time beyond recollection it had been stoned up, the wall having been buried, in the process of time, some eighteen inches below the surface.

22

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Frank H. Towne, Hill St. This two story house was built for Daniel Towne, sen., in 1815. An old two story house that was built for Ephraim Towne about 1750, and which was located in the field in front of the present house, was taken down about the same time.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 87, line 9.

The Parson Capen House, Hewlett St. This two story house was built for “Parson” Joseph Capen about 1684-8. It was long in the possession of the Emerson fam- ily. It has an overhanging second story and is a very interesting type of the 17th century dwelling.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 49; Vol. VII, p. 70, line 15; Vol. VII, p.

131-

The Samuel Howlett Cellar, off Hewlett St. About an eighth of a mile from the Capen house, at the foot of the hill and in the pasture on the right, may be seen the cellar and well of the Samuel Howlett house. He came from Ips- wich in 1668, on invitation from the town “to set up his trade of smithing”. The town granted him four acres of land and here he built his house which was gone before 1800. His blacksmith’s shop was beside the same road and near the bars leading into the last pasture on the left, before the “dry bridge” is reached. Bits of charcoal have been dug up on the spot within three years time.

The French-Andrews House, Howlett St. A one story house built for John French stood upon this site about 1675. In 1718 it was sold to Joseph Andrews and some time before 1798 it was raised to two stories and the easterly end was added. In the spring of 1693, Howlett Street was laid out as a town way which passed “betwene Corpll French his house and barne.” The barn originally stood in the orchard on the westerly side of the road.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 47. Vol. VII, p. 57, line 22.

Edwin K. Foster, Ipswich St. This one story house was built for Edward Morris in 1870, by John H. Potter. The shop beside the wall, originally stood on Main street on the present site of the hay scales, where it was used as a harness shop, before 1840, by John Symonds Barr. John Parkinson afterwards moved it to a location on what is now School ave., where he used it for a tailors’ shop.

THE BAKER-BATCHELDER HOUSE, IPSWICH ST.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

23

Algernon S. Cram, off Ipswich St. Capt. Thomas Ba- ker was living in this two story house in 1715, which is said to have been built about 1710. He married Priscilla, daugh- ter of Deputy-Governor Samuel Symonds, and died in this house, March 2, 1717. It remained in the possession of the Baker family until 1795, when it was sold to John Batchelder. Thomas Baker, his son Thomas and grandson Thomas were all captains of military companies.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 62, line 25.

Heirs of Amos S. Chapman, Ipswich St. This house, originally but one story, was raised to two stories and remod- eled somewhat in 1856-7, for A. S. Chapman, by Cyrus Pea- body. The house was built in 1791 for Asa Porter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 84, line 10.

Mrs. Abbie S. Pevear, Ipswich St. This one story house was built for J. Waldo Towne in 1847, by Samuel Clarke. A short distance in the rear of this house formerly stood a two story house in which lived Francis Peabody who came to Topsfield from Hampton, N. H., in 1657. His grist mill, a few yards away, was built in 1665. The old house was taken down in 1846.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 79, line 17.

Daniel A. Conant, Ipswich St. This two story house was built by Capt. Thomas Peabody in 1815, for his own oc- cupancy. In 1871 it was turned partly round and remod- eled for David Smith, by Jacob Foster.

The Peabody Grist Mill, off Ipswich St. The first grist mill at this location, and the first mill in town, was built by Lieut. Francis Peabody in 1665. A saw mill was built by him in 1672. In the summer of 1760, the original grist mill was taken down and a new one was built on the same spot, for Jacob Peabody, David Nelson being the builder. Five years later the saw mill was also taken down and a new one was built on the spot. In the fall of 1824, the second gri mill was taken down and another erected on the site, th'„ irame being raised on Sept. 25, 1824. The work was done by Ezra Dodge and others, of Beverly. New mill stones, five feet in diameter, were put in, they having been brought from Lynn. In August, 1897, these stones were taken out, and in December were shipped to Boston where they were cut down and afterwards shipped to a firm in Birmingham,

24

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

England, to be used in a chocolate mill. In 1842, the old saw mill was taken down and never rebuilt. In 1897, ^he grist mill being greatly out of repair it was thoroughly re- modeled, the work being done by Elbridge Perley of Box- ford for Elmore Johnson who then owned the property. The mills were owned by the Peabody family for 178 years.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. I, p. 39; Vol. VII, p. 79, line 26.

John H. Towne, Ipswich St. The older part of this two story house was built for Daniel Boardman a few years before his death, which occurred in 1708. Six generations by the name of Boardman lived in this house between the years of 1697 i^35- One half of the house was sold to Benja-

min Boardman Towne, a descendant, Feb. 28, 1835, other half was sold to him Nov. i, 1843. In 1845, old chimney, 12 by 14 feet in size, was taken down, a new one built and the main part of the old house remodeled. In 1849 the old ell was taken down and timbers were found marked ••1697,” probably indicating the year that the house was built. The same year a two story ell was built by Dan- iel Willey for the owner, B. B. Towne. The carriage house was built in 1886, by John H. Potter. In the west chamber of the main part of the house, a public school was kept for several years in the latter part of the i8th century. This es- tate belonged to William Paine, merchant of Ipswich, when Topsfield was set off as a village in 1639. He sold to Dan- iel Clarke, who sold to William Bartholomew of Ipswich, who in turn sold, in 1653, to William Evans, who came from Gloucester, Mass. He sold to Daniel Boardman, in 1665. The house which was standing at that time, was located on the westerly side of the turnpike and about four hundred feet north from the Elmore Johnson house.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 65, line i. (On line ii, it should read — 134 a.)

Estate of Maria Jane Hobbs, Ipswich St. This one story house was built for Mrs. Maria J. Hobbs in 1899, by John H. Potter. It was the last house that he built.

Albert H. Davison, Ipswich St. This one story house was built for James Manning in 1886, by Albert H. Towne of Boxford. On the site of the present house formerly stood a two story house which was destroyed by a fire that began about one o’clock, on the morning of Jan. ii, 1877.

i

I

I

THE BOARDMAN-TOWNE HOUSE, IPSWICH STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

25

It was built for Joseph Boardman, about 1696, he having received the land from his father Daniel Boardman whose farm of 300 acres at that date extended from Peabody’s mill to the old Ipswich road leading from North street to “the city.”

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 86, line 21.

North School-House, Ipswich St. The first school- house in this neighborhood was built in 1794 at an expense of ;^40. It was located on what is now Ipswich street near the corner of Perkins street and in the field now owned by W. Donaldson. In 1846 it was sold to William Peabody for $33.62 and removed to what is now the W. Donaldson place, where it was used for many years as a shoe shop and is now a barn. Jacob Kimball, the celebrated teacher and composer • of vocal music, taught a singing-school in this school-house in the winter of 1804-5. Humphrey Kneeland also taught several singing-schools in this building, as did Samuel S. McKenzie who made his beginning as a singing-master in this school-house Jan. 18, 1839. He taught singing-schools here, during the winters of 1840, 1842, 1843 and 1844, — in all, 107 evenings. In 1846, a school-house was built, by Constantine McKenzie, on a new location near the junction of Ipswich and East streets. The land and building were sold to Miss Mary T. Robinson, in 1899.

Charles J. Averill, Ipswich St. This two story house was built for David Hobbs in 1782, by David Towne. The house was remodeled somewhat in 1900, for its present owner. This place was conveyed by the administrator of the estate of David Hobbs to Cyrus Averill, March 30, 1831, since which time it has remained in the Averill family.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 56, line i.

Mrs. Addie J. Perkins, Ipswich St. The eastern end of this two story house was built by Nathaniel Hood, for his own occupancy, in 1746-7 (Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 166). A large addition, probably the western end of the house, was built for Abraham Hobbs, sen., in 1768, and in 1776, another addition was made. The one story building near this house was built about 1800, by Benjamin Hobbs for his son Dan- iel, and was originally used for a store. At one time a man named Newman kept a store here, and afterwards, a man

26

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

named Butler. After a number of years it was used for a shop, and in i860 it was fitted up for a dwelling-house and has been occupied as such ever since. In the field behind this house is a heap of stones near a solitary birch tree that marks the site of the Ensigne Thomas Howlett house which was built about 1650 and which disappeared over one hundred years ago. (See Hist. Colls. Vol. II, p. 54).

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 170; Vol. VII, p. 75, line 27. The Donaldson-Hobbs Grist Mill, Ipswich St. . This grist mill was built about 1738-9, for Thomas Howlett, and probably little change has been made in the building since it was erected, save the addition on the western end. In 1 780, after the Hobbs house was burned, two rooms were fitted up in this mill for the occupancy of the family until the new house was built. About forty years ago a turbine water- wheel replaced the old-time wooden wheel. A saw mill was built about three years after the grist mill was built, and was located at the westerly end of the grist mill. The last saw mill was burned about 1815.

For extended account of this mill see Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 165; Vol. VII, p. 75, line 35.

Estate of David Clarke, Ipswich St. Near the site of the present house, stood, a hundred years ago, a house which was then known as a very old house and may have been built in the 17th century. Nearby was a tan house and yard. The house was taken down about 1809, when a new one story house, with a long slanting roof in the rear, was built for Israel Clarke. This in turn was taken down in 1871 when the present house was built for David Clarke by John H. Potter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. II, pp. 69-70; Vol. VII, p. 65, line 29.

Nathaniel Foss, Ipswich St. This small two story house was originally a grocery store located on Town Hill, Ipswich, beyond what is now the Agawam House. It was occupied by Albert P. Hill. In 1853 it was removed to its present location for Aaron Hubbard, who had just pur- chased the land. The ell, added at that time, was originally a shoe shop on Amos Gould’s farm, which is now the Rice estate at Willowdale. The old barn was a peat house brought from the “West Meadows.” It fell in pieces and was replaced about 1895, ^7 the present barn which formerly

THE HOBBS-AVERILL HOUSE, IPSWICH STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

27

was a part of J. Arthur Lamson’s old barn. In 1889 the house was raised to two stories by Daniel W. Hubbard. In 1880 his brother Elnathan Hubbard dug the cellar in the westerly end of the lot. It was partly stoned when he decided, not to build and the cellar was abandoned.

The Agricultural Farm, Main St. Dr. Richard Dex- ter, who came from Malden, married, in 1741, Mehitable, sister of Gen. Israel Putnam, and probably about that time had built the house which is now standing. The outside entrance to the cellar is through an arch beneath the great chimney. It is said that Madam Dexter, who was a fine equestrienne, while the house was in process of construction, rode her horse into the second story by way of an inclined platform that was used in carrying the building supplies. It is also said that a detachment of troops returning from I Arnold’s expedition against Quebec, camped under the

; large pine tree in front of the house. This farm was origi-

* nally owned by Isaac Esty whose wife was hung as a witch

j in 1692. In 1 809 the property again came into the possession

I of the Esty family, being owned by Enos Esty. It then

I passed to Dr. John Treadwell who bequeathed the property

j in 1857 to the Essex Agricultural Society to be used as an

: experimental farm. The large barn was built by the Society

in 1859. J. H. Potter was the carpenter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 53; Vol. VII, p. 68, line 23.

Site of William Towne House, Main St. The site of the house in which lived William Towne, whose daugh- ters, Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty, were hung as witches, is in the field now owned by William P. Walsh, bounded by Main and Salem streets, some fifty feet from Main street and near the lone apple tree below the barn now owned by Andrew L. Peirce. Jan. 7, 1652, William Paine, the Ipswich merchant and one of the large land owners in Topsfield, sold this property to William Towne and probably the house was built soon after. In this house lived Michael Dugoy with his wife Elizabeth, and five children, PTench Neutrals brought from Acadia. They arrived in town Oct. 21, 1756 and lived in this house for nearly four years. It was then owned by David Balch. The house has been gone for over one hun- dred years.

28

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

William G. Lake, Main St. This one story house, now occupied by Albert Lefavour, was originally a grocery store, built and occupied by Robert C. Hackett in 1834. It was remodeled into a dwelling house and an ell added in 1837, for William G. Lake, sen.

Mrs. Charles J. P. Floyd, Main St. This one story house was originally a shoe shop, built for Joel Lake, in 1836, which stood nearly opposite the “Joel Lake house,” now owned by Mrs. Henry Phillips. It was sold to Miles Sweeney about 1853, who had it removed to its present location and remodeled into a dwelling-house. March 21, 1857 it was purchased by Charles J. P. Floyd who had the house re- modeled and an addition built in 1870. The shop between this house and the Poole house was built by Miles Sweeney in 1857. It was used as a dwelling-house until 1872 and afterwards as a shoe shop by Henry W. Phillips and later by Frederick Stiles.

Mrs. Dora Poole, Main St. This one story house was built for Miles Sweeney in 1851, by Samuel Clarke.

Mrs. Eliza Peirce, Main St. This two story house was built by Robert C. Hackett in 1835, for his own occu- pancy. Between this house and the William G. Lake house, formerly stood the Joseph Towne shoe shop which was built for Joseph Towne, sen., in 1856. In 1873 it was sold to Benjamin Lane, agent for John Bailey, and removed to its present location adjoining the Post office building by Jacob Foster.

Benjamin Poole, Main St. This two story house was built for William G. Lake in 1834. He was married here in November, as soon as the house was completed. The front of the house was originally used for a shoe shop.

Benjamin Poole & Mrs. Henry Phillips, Main St. The middle part of this two story house of many angles, is said to be over 150 years old. Joel Lake built the easterly end in 1836-7 and he also made a considerable addition on the end toward the street, between 1857 and i860. From this house, John Phillips, who was killed on River Hill, Sept. 24, 1840, by being thrown from a horse, was buried with military honors by the “Topsfield Warren Blues.”

Dudley Bradstreet, Main St. This two story house

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

29

was built for its present owner in 1902, by Henry H. Roberts. The location has been long known as the “tomb field”, from the tomb that crowned the rising ground and which was built in 1832 and demolished in 1902 when the present house was erected upon its location. The bodies, ten in number, were removed during the winter 1901-2. In the corner of this lot nearest the Phillips house, formerly stood the house and barn where Martha, widow of John Cree, lived until her death, June ii, 1815, aged 94 years, 10 mos. and 14 days. The house was taxed for the last time in May, 1818. In a nine acre field on the rising ground in the rear and near what is now River street, stood, until 1800, a small house in which lived her son Joseph Cree. Dudley Bradstreet for many years past has been a prominent citizen in town affairs.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 66, line 33 and line 27.

The one story house on the right, nearer the street, and now occupied by John H. Bradstreet, was originally the south- ern end of a store-house erected on this spot for Ariel H. Gould, at that time owner of the adjoining estate. It was remodeled into a dwelling-house for Eugene H. Hussey in 1883, by Albert A. Batchelder.

Benjamin P. Edwards, Main St. This two story house was built for Thomas Averill in 1832 and remained in the possession of the family until Sept. i8, 1896, when it was sold to its present owner and somewhat remodeled. The small building that formerly stood beside the driveway and near the road was used as a shoe shop for a long time, and in after years was used as a paint shop by Sidney W. Averill, and was removed in 1896, by Mr. Edwards.

Calvin W. Fuller, Main St. This two story house was built for Benjamin C. Orne in 1836-7 by Charles C. Brackett. It was owned and occupied for many years by Ariel H. Gould, butcher. He died here Feb. 22, 1879, aged 60 years, 1 1 mos. and 4 days. A sheep barn in the rear was destroyed by fire on the night of Oct. 21, 1885.

Charles V. Jackman, Main St. This is the old Robin- son-Balch estate. The old two story house, which was built about 1 73 1-2, was transformed into the barn now standing on the property in 1892. The one story house was former-

30

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

ly located at “Sweeneyville”, and next to the house now owned by Mrs. Dora Poole (Main Street). It was originally a shop that belonged to Israel Rea and stood on the Dr. Treadwell farm (Agricultural Farm). In 1857-8 it was sold to Abram Balch who had it move^ to his land at “Sweeneyville”, and remodeled into a dwelling-house. In 1891, Frank A. Pemberton of Peabody, who then owned this property, had the building removed to its present loca- tion and again remodeled. The two story house was built in 1892 for Frank A. Pemberton and formerly stood near the barn where it was used for a tool house and shop. In 1900, its present owner had it moved to its present location where he remodeled it into a dwelling-house. Fifty years ago a small shop stood near the road and beside the fence adjoining the lot now owned by Mrs. Caroline Pray. Here Moses Richardson, a negro tinker, kept shop, and later, Samuel S. McKenzie opened a shop where he did watch and clock repairing and kept a small stock of jewelry. The shop was afterwards removed and used for a hen house. Seventy-five years ago, a tan yard was located just across the street at this point.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 60, line 31.

Mrs. Caroline Pray, Main St. Part of the frame of this two story house is very old and before 1800 it was probably located on the Porter-Cleaveland place, now the Church Home.

An addition was made some years ago by Israel Gallup. In 1890, another story was added by Capt. Ruel B. Pray. In a small one story shop that formerly stood near the road and beside the fence adjoining the Balch-Jackman lot, Israel Gallup and Samuel Todd made fishermen’s boots. The shop is now the ell of the present house.

W. Webster Gallup, Main St. This two story house was built for William P. Gallup in 1835, t>y Charles C. Brackett. A part of the shop in the rear of the house for- merly stood on High Street and nearly opposite the entrance to the school grounds. It was then owned and occupied by David Lake, jr., a shoe manufacturer, in 1834. The shop was afterward moved to present site when it was raised and an addition built on for William P. Gallup.

i'r

RESIDENCE OF EDWIN S. CLIFFORD, MAIN STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

31

Mrs. Ephraim P. Peabody, Main St. This two story house was built for Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, in 1835-6, by Charles C. Brackett, and was first occupied by Rev. James F. McEwen, who was pastor of the Congregational church, 1830-1840.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. I, p. 9.

The Odd Fellows Building, Main St. This two story building was built for Mrs. Mary Taylor daughter of Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland and widow of Rev. Oliver A. Taylor, author and minister at Manchester, Mass., by Daniel Willey and Isaiah M. Small, in 1855. In 1872 the house became the property of Joseph E. Stanwood who presented it to Fountain Lodge No. 170, I. O. O. ¥. in 1886, and shortly after it was extensively remodeled by John H. Potter. The Lodge room was first occupied Feb. 10, 1887. Fountain Lodge was organized Dec. 31, 1874, in the small hall on the second floor of the building on Central street, now occupied by J. J. Hardy, harness maker. Nov. ii, 1875, the organi- zation removed to the new hall in Bailey’s Block, now occupied by Topsfield Lodge, A. O. U. W. and Topsfield Grange, P. of H. The Lodge occupied that hall until its removal to this building.

George Francis Dow, Main St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1893 Mess. Foster & Duncan of Danvers. Gov. Crane, Lieut Gov. Bates, Senator Lodge, Cong. Moody, and other distinguished men, were entertained in this house Aug. 16, 1900, on the occasion of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town.

The Stanwood Church Home, Main St. This is the Robinson-Porter-Cleaveland estate. The old house was re- modeled and greatly enlarged by Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, who acquired the property about 1795. His son Nehemiah states in the Bi-centennial Address (p. xxiv.) that the southern portion of the house was one of the oldest erections in the town. In 1873, Joseph E. Stanwood moved one half of the house to the corner of Central and Summer sts., where it is now owned by I. M. Woodbury, and demolished the remain- ing portion and erected on the same spot the present two story dwelling-house which, in 1888, he gave to the Church Home for Orphan and Destitute Children, of South Boston.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 66, line 4.

Edwin S. Clifford, Main St. This two story house was built for Samuel Clifford in 1844 by Nathan Brown. He bought the land of William Munday.

32

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

The Frederick P. Merriam House, Main St., was built for him in 1859, by Jacob T. Strangman.

The Rea-Foster House, Main St. This two story house was built by Jacob Foster, in 1855, for his own occu- pancy. Prof. J. Warren Healey, principal of the Topsfield Academy, lived here in 1856, and Prof. O. D. Allis, another principal, lived here in 1857-8.

Miss Mehitable Todd, Main St. This one story house was originally the wash-house at the Turnpike Hotel. In 1842, it was bought by Dea. Samuel C. Todd and removed to its present location, being remodeled and enlarged.

Dr. Thomas L. Jenkins, Main St. This two story house was built for Nehemiah Balch and Samuel C.JPodd, by Charles C. Brackett, in 1838 and was first used as a boot shop. In 1840 it was remodeled into a dwelling-house, and occupied for many years by Nehemiah Balch, who died here Jan. 2, 1884.

William H. Herrick, Main St. This two story house was built for Charles Herrick in 1855, by Daniel Willey and I. M. Small.

The Barnard-Littlefield House, Main St. This two story house was originally a public hall standing on the southern side of the Munday Tavern, now the property of O. E. Lake. It was removed to its present location and re- modeled in 1858-9. A house was built on this lot between 1714 and 1718, by Thomas Goodale, It had disappeared, or been removed, before 1761.

George P. Dow, Main St. This two story house is the old Baker-Hood-Gould estate. A portion of the ell is very old. A two story house was standing here in 1798. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 60, line 15. Leach’s Market on Central Street, previous to 1893 stood between this house and the Dr. Allen lot, and was used as a carriage house and shop. It was remodeled for W. Porter Gould in Dec., 1886, and occupied by him as a market. The property passed out of his hands and in 1893 the building was sold to Charles H. Leach.

Dr. Justin Allen, Main St This two story house was built for Elisha A. Hood in 1854-5, by Daniel Willey and Isaiah M. Small.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

33

Otto E. Lake, Main St. This two story building, now used as a store and dwelling-house by its present owner, was built by Thomas Meady in 1809 and by him was used as a store and tavern. Meady removed to Philadelphia in 1817.

Col. Ephraim Wildes owned this place for several years and kept a hotel here. He sold to Capt. William Munday, butcher, Apr. 8, 1825. He kept a tavern here for many years, and was followed by his son, his grandson, and by Dalmer J. Carlton. In later years it was known as the “Topsfield House”. The original swinging sign nowhangs at “Fern- croft”, in Middleton. The present owner has remodeled the building somewhat, the last time in 1900. On the rear of this lot stands the old B. & M. Railroad station, now re- modeled into a dwelling-house. The small octagonal build- ing used as a barber’s shop formerly stood on the small park adjoining the John Bailey house, where it was occupied as a barber’s shop by O. E. Lake. It was removed to the lower part of the Centre School grounds near the brook and occupied by Mr. Lake for several years. In 1901 it was moved to its present location. The small building adjoining, and now occupied by Benj. C. Dodge as a clothing store, was originally the chaise-house in the rear of the Munday house.

Benjamin Lane, Main St. This two story house was^, . ,

built in 1836 for William E. Kimball, by Charles C. Brack- ^

ett, and remained in the Kimball family until recently. ^

The Kimball Grocery Store, Main St. On this spot, ^ -

in 1834, stood William E. Kimball’s blacksmith shop, which afterwards was removed and became John H. Potter’s car- penter-shop. - In 1836-7. the part of the store lately occu- pied by Mrs. Mary S. Kimball was built. The front of the grocery store lately occupied by Paul R. Kimball, was originally a covered shed to shelter teams. This store was occupied by W. E. Kimball, and Andrew Gould, then by W. E. Kimball, his son William B. Kimball, and latterly by his sons Wm. B., Fred S., and Paul R. Kimball.

Charles H. Leach, Main St. This one story house was built for Thomas K. Leach in 1838-9, by Jacob Dodge of Wenham. The carriage-house in the rear of the flower garden was formerly occupied by Silas Cochrane, harness

34

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

maker. The Leach & Wilson wheelwright shop when moved, about 1840, from its original location near the rail- road crossing, was first placed between this carriage-house and Main street.

Mrs. Mary L. Nichols, Main St. This one story house was built by Charles C. Brackett in 1839, for his own occu- pancy. He sold to Andrew Gould, Dec. 20, 1847.

William Pitman Gould and Mary E. Gould House, Main St. This two story house was built for Samuel Gould in 1819. The ell was added in 1840, by the same owner. For several years the northern front of the house was used as a store.

“Bailey’s Market,” Main Street. This one story build- ing, previous to 1855, stood near the site of the present Julia A. Cummings house. Main St., which was built by Samuel Clarke. He bought land of Humphrey Balch and moved the shop directly across the street, and then erected his new house partly upon the former site of the shop, which re- mained upon its new location until it was sold to John Bailey who had it moved to its present location during the winter of 1 880-1.

The Benjamin Lane Shoe Shop, Main St. This two story shoe shop with two stores in the first story, was orig- inally the Joseph Towne shop and stood between the houses on Main street now owned by Mrs. Eliza Peirce and William G. Lake. It was built in 1856 and sold, in 1873, to Ben- jamin Lane, acting for John Bailey, who had it removed to its present location. The lower floor was first used for a restaurant and then by Charles S. Wiggin, who opened the first drug store in Topsfield. It has since been occupied by A. B. Richardson, tinsmith and plumber, by William Perkins, shoe dealer and job printer, and others.

Post Office, Main St. This two story building used for post office, drug store, billiard hall and tenement, was built for John Bailey in 1877, by Albert Chesley, and was first occupied by Benjamin P. Edwards, druggist, who came from Salem. The hall on the second floor, until recently known as “Wesley Hall”, has been used for religous services and singing schools. M. V. B. Perley kept a private school here in 1882-3.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

35

William H. Herrick Shoe Shops, Main St. In 1837, Charles Herrick had a small shoe shop built upon the spot where the large shop now stands. In 1850 it was moved to one side to make room for the new building and the follow- ing year it was moved away to be remodeled into the Henry W. Lake house on High Street. The present three story shop was built for Mr. Herrick in 1850, by Jacob Foster. A cannon salute was fired from the foundation when the town celebrated its Bi-Centennial, Aug. 29, 1850. The small shoe shop was built for Charles Herrick in 1871, by John H. Potter.

Estate of John Bailey, Main St. The two story tenement house next the post office building was built for Samuel Gould in 1831. In the rear are two one story I houses. They were both built by Albert Chesley for John Bailey, one in 1876 and the other in 1877. The two story residence of the late John Bailey was built for Dr. Joseph E. Batchelder in 1843, by Charles C. Brackett. It was after- wards owned by Dea. John Wright, who died here July 29, 1861. The property was sold to John Bailey, May 2, 1865 and he made several additions in 1866, the carpenter work being done by Jacob Foster. The southerly half of Bailey’s Block, the first floor of which is occupied by Charles I. Trowbridge, grocer, was built for Dea. John Wright in 1839 and used as a shoe-shop. The northerly portion of the block was built for John Bailey in 1875.

In 1868, Mr. Bailey bought from the town the school house which stood on the Common near where the Town Hall was afterwards built. He had it removed to the rear of the Block and raised a story, and then occupied it as a stitch room. The three story shop in the rear was built in 1871. Joseph B. Poor carried on a grocery and dry goods business in the two stores on the first floor of Bailey’s Block for a number of years, or until 1886, when he occu- pied the old Benjamin P. Adams store across the street. The hall on the second floor was completed and occupied by Fountain Lodge of Odd Fellows, Nov. ii, 1875. Tops- field Lodge No. 65, A. O. U. W., which was instituted Aug. 1 7, 1886, leased this hall after the Odd Fellows vacated it and has occupied it ever since, of late years conjointly with

36

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Topsfield Grange, P. of H. No. 184. Where the driveway to the barn now is, formerly stood the old Clark tavern, afterwards owned by Rev. Daniel Breck, pastor of the Con- gregational Church, 1779-1788, and from 1821 to 1836, owned and occupied by John Rea 3d, who opened a tavern. The house and outbuildings were destroyed by an incendiary fire on the night of Oct. 16, 1836.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. I, pp. 7, 30; Vol. VII, p. 76, line 24, and p. 136.

Henry H. Roberts, Main St. This two story house was built for Benjamin Kimball in 1836, by Capt. Israel D. Elliott. A large addition was also built for him in 1876, by George A. Towne. In 1882-3, John H. Towne, at that time the owner, remodeled considerably, the carpenter work be- ing done by John H. Potter. Mrs. Deborah Kimball, daugh- ter of William and Phebe (Dwinell) Estey, celebrated her one hundredth birthday in this house on October 2nd, 1879, over one hundred persons being present during the day. “The Deborah Kimball Fund” had its origin on this occa- sion. She died here December 10, 1879, aged 100 yrs. 2 mos. 8 days.

The building in the rear of the house originally stood for several years on the Endicott Porter place in Putnamville. It was removed to this site shortly after the house was built and was used for many years by Mr. Kimball as a shoe and stitch shop. In the second story of this building, Alphonso T. Merrill established his printing business in September, 1888, and remained there five years, removing to the third floor of the large Herrick shoe shop.

Edward O.' Gould, Main St. This two story house, until recently known as the “Parkinson house,” was built for Frederick Perley, trader, in 1834. Prof. Alfred W. Pike, the principal of the Topsfield Academy 1834-5, was its first occupant, living here in November, 1834. John Parkinson, an Englishman and a tailor by trade, came to Topsfield in 1844 and for many years occupied this house as a boarding house. His tailor’s shop was in the northern end of the building. See also, William A. Long, Main street.

Joseph B. Poor, Main St. This two story dwelling- house and grocery store was built for Nathaniel Perley in 1830. He and his brother Frederick kept a general store

THE TOWNE-ROBERTS HOUSE, MAIN ST.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

37

and were followed by Benjamin P. Adams, who was also postmaster for many years. Its present owner has made alterations in 1888, 1895 and 1898. The grain house, near the hay scales, was built for its present owner by John H. Potter, the frame being raised May 8, 1886. On the lawn and near the corner of Main Street and School avenue, formerly stood (1861-1870) a one story building erected for Jacob W. Reed and used as a store and dwelling. Thomas W. Perley kept a variety store in this building for several years. In 1870 it was moved down School avenue and remodeled into the dwelling-house now owned by A. T. Merrill.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 93.

The Robert Lake House, Main St. This two story house was built for Samuel Adams in 1856, by Jacob Foster. The small store now occupied by Alphonso T. Merrill, printer, was originally one half of a stable which was re- modeled and an addition built on for Robert Lake in 1876, by Albert Chesley.

The Hiram Wells House, Main St. This small one story house was built for Joseph Lovett in 1845, by Charles C. Brackett.

Melvin W. Gould, Main St. This one story house was built for Jacob Foster in 1846, by Charles C. Brackett. The ell was built for its present owner in 1887. Jacob Foster, who built man\^ houses in town, learned his trade with Mr. Brackett, in 1848-9.

William A. Long, Main St. This two story house was built for Henry Long in 1851, by Jacob Foster. The Ira P. Long blacksmith shop was originally the Kimball-Wildes blacksmith shop and was located across the road from the Kimball-Wildes house now owned by Arthur U. Hutchings. Where the dwelling house now stands, before 1850, was lo- cated Benjamin Herrick’s wheelwright shop which was re- moved and is now a part of the Dora L. Osgood house on Central street. Near the site of the hay scales, before 1840, stood a small building in which John Symonds Barr, harness maker, did business. He afterwards removed to Danvers. The building was sold to John Parkinson, who had it re- moved to what is now School avenue, where he used it for

38

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

a tailor’s shop. It is now owned by E. K. Foster and stands near his Ipswich street house.

Arthur U. Hutchings, Main St. This two story house was probably built for Jacob Kimball in 1756. He was a blacksmith. Moses Wildes jr. who followed the same trade, bought one half of the house and lot in 1808 and five years later purchased the other half. The property remained in the Wildes name until the death of Moses Wildes in 1889. In this house was born, in 1761, Jacob Kimball, who gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1788, practiced law at Amherst, N. H., and was noted as a composer of vocal music. He was the author of “Rural Harmony,” 1793, and “Essex Har- mony,” 1800. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 135 ; p. 77, line 3. Directly across the street formerly stood the Moses Wildes blacksmith shop, which was sold to Henry Long and removed, and is now the Ira P. Long shop. After its re- moval, a one story building was built upon the same site, and used for a shop and carriage-house. In 1892, this building was removed to its present location, opposite the hay scales, and remodeled into a two story dwelling-house by Albert H. Towne of Boxford. The brook which flowed along here was confined in a pipe and the entire lot filled in and graded to its present level.

The Town Hall, facing the Common, was erected in 1873, at a cost of about $13,000.00, John H. Potter was the builder. At the right of the Congregational Church and near the present highway, was built in 1795, at a cost of .^30, and also $65.67, the first school house erected in the centre of the town. In it Jacob Kimball and William R. Hubbard conducted many old-time singing-schools. The building was sold to William G. Lake in 1845, $42.75« forms

the upper part of the Deland house at Hood’s Pond. A second school house was built in 1844, by Constantine Mc- Kenzie, where the Town Hall now stands. In 1868 it was sold to John Bailey and now forms the second story of the two story addition in the rear of Bailey’s Block.

The Congregational Church. On this location a meeting-house was erected in 1703, a small hill having been leveled for the purpose. In 1759-1760 a second meeting- house was built upon the same site, which was removed in

TANNERY, BOSTON ST., SALEM, rmerly the Topsfield Meeting-House, built in 1759-1760

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

39

1842, when the present edifice was built, and taken to Salem and rebuilt on Boston street, where it is still in use as a tannery. The present edifice was dedicated on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1843. The bell that hangs in the steeple is inscribed “REVERE & COMPANY, BOSTON, 1817.”

See Hist. Colls, Vol. VII, p. 90.

The Congregational Parsonage. This two story house facing the Common, was built for Joseph Emerson in 1814. The barn was built the same year. It afterwards came into the possession of his daughter, Harriet Jane Emerson, who married Charles H. Holmes, son of John Holmes, the first U. S. Senator from Maine. Mr. Holmes was a lawyer and the tallest man in Essex County, being 6 feet 8 inches in height. Mrs. Holmes embraced the Roman Catholic religion and set up an oratory in one of the rooms in this house. June i, 1886 the property was sold to the Congregational parish. See Hist. Colls. Vol. II, p. 93 ; Vol. VI, p. 85. A short distance north from this house and near the lone elm tree, formerly stood a small two story house, for many years in the posses- sion of the Averill family. It was probably built about 1738 and taken down about 1812.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 132; Vol. VII, p. 70, line 6.

The Methodist Church, was built by Jacob Foster and John H. Potter, in 1853-4. In 1888, the steeple was short- ened and extensive repairs were made. The bell has the following inscription — “CAST BY Henry N. Hooper & Company, Boston, 1853,-1015-26.” The first floor of the church is known as “Union Hall.” Town meetings and many public gatherings met here before the Town Hall was built in 1873. It is still used for public purposes.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 26; Vol. VI, p. 17.

Augustus W. Smith, Main St. This two story house, now used as a hotel, was built for Stillman Stone in 1832. The roof of the house was destroyed by fire March 23, 1895, and was soon after repaired. The ell was raised to two stories in 1897. 1827-8, Mr. Stone built a small carpen-

ter shop beyond where the stable now stands, which, in 1834 -5, became the property of Richard Philips jr. He removed it about 1841 and remodeled it into the house which is now owned by John B. Lake, where it was first occupied by Rich- ard Phillips sen. In 1838, the Congregational parish leased

40

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

to Richard Phillips jr, for 999 years, a small strip of land at the corner of Main street and bordering on Washington street. On the evening of March 17, 1884, while the prop- erty was owned by John G. Ryder and by him occupied as a hotel, a fire destroyed the barn, a two story shop, and a two story dwelling-house that stood nearly opposite the present Balch-Jordan house. The shop, the first story of which was constructed of stone that came from Crooked Pond in Box- ford, was built for Richard Phillips in 1837. The upper floor was used by him as a shoe shop, and in the lower floor William Briggs Reed kept a grocery store as early as 1838. In after years this store was occupied by Miss Caroline Pingree (now Mrs. B. J. Balch) and Miss Harriett M. Kim- ball as a milliner’s shop. The house was built for Richard Phillips jr. in 1847. Charles French lived here in 1850-1.

At the time it was burned it had long been known as the “Shepard House.”

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 91.

C. Fred Jordan, Main St. In 1733, Rev. John Emerson bought this site of the Topsfield commoners for ;^I4 and probably soon after built a house upon it. The present three story house, the end towards the street being of brick, was built for Billy Emerson in 1808. It is said that the parson’s study was retained in building the new house and is yet a part of the easterly end of the house.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 95; Vol. VII, p. 70, line i.

Mrs. Emma Todd, Main St. This two story house was built for Amos Perkins in i860, by John H. Potter.

Albert A. Conant, off Main St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1898, by E. B. Peabody of Danvers. A short distance in the rear of the stable may be seen the cellar of the old parsonage which was built in 1663 and occupied by Rev. Thomas Gilbert, the first settled minister in Topsfield; his successor. Rev. Jeremiah Hobart; Goodman Lovewell, the school-master in 1694; and later by various families dependent upon the town.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. Si.

John B. Lake, Main St. This one story house was orig- inally a carpenter shop which stood not far from the present entrance to the A. A. Conant property on Main street. It was built by Stillman Stone in 1827-8, and became the

THE PEABODY-YOUNG HOUSE, NORTH STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

41

property of Richard Phillips jr. in 1835, He had it removed to its present location about 1841 and remodeled into a dwell- ing-house for his father. Joseph W. Batchelder, a prominent man in town affairs for many years, died here May 19, 1887, aged 87 yrs. 2 mos. i day.

About fifty feet northerly from this house, stood, from 1840 to 1855, the Methodist Meeting House, which was moved here in January, 1840, from its first location on the Boston and Newbur}/port Turnpike, near Springville.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, pp. 24-36.

Henry M. Andrews, Main St. This one story'house was probably moved from across the street to its present location, by Thomas Emerson. The house was built before 1784. In 1850, the property was conveyed to Elisha P. Andrews, who had it remodeled and an addition built in the rear, in 1867. In the field beside the house and adjoining the G. B. Balch property, formerly stood a blacksmith shop which was occupied for several years by William M. Andrews.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 70, line 26.

Gilbert B. Balch, Main St. This two story house was built for Benjamin Jacobs in 1872, by John H. Potter, and by him extensively remodeled in 1874. It was again re- modeled in 1901, by its present owner, and in 1902 the sta- ble was built by Henry H. Roberts. The old barn which was moved to the rear at this time, formerly stood on Haver- hill street near the Gallup house site, and was moved to this spot and remodeled by Samuel Clarke, about 1857.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 89.

Henry B. Williams (of Lynn), Main St. This two house was built for Jonas Merriam, in 1789. The two story ell was built in 1877 and the stable was extensively remod- eled about the same time, for Mrs. Adeline Merriam, widow of Dr. Royal Augustus Merriam.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 78, line 29.

Thomas J. Kneeland, Main St. This two story house was originally the Henry A. Merriam shoe shop and stood opposite the Todd house, in the field next to the cemetery. In 1841, it was removed to its present location and in i844it was remodeled into a dwelling-house by Augustine S. Pea- body. In 1890, its present owner made extensive alterations. John H. Potter was the carpenter.

%

42

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

The Cummings-Clarke House, Main St. This small, one story house was built by Samuel Clarke in 1854-5, for his own occupancy. His barn and carpenter shop stood across the road. The shop was removed and is now Bailey’s market, so called. The barn was moved to the rear of the present G. B. Balch stable.

Mrs. Abram Welch, Main St. This one story house was built for Abram Welch in 1872, by Jacob Foster. Welch was killed, Aug. 22, 1899, by falling from a load of hay. In the corner of this lot formerly stood A. Porter Kneeland’s shoe shop, which was removed and is now on Grove street, where it is owned by Calvin W. Fuller.

Philip Palmer, Main St. This one story house was built by Daniel Hood, housewright, in 1778-9. In 1806 it became the property of Aaron Conant and until recently has been known as the Conant house. Near this site William Perkins, son of Rev. William Perkins, had his house as early as 1675.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 80, line 27; Vol. VII, p. 129.

Michael Collins, Maple St. This one story house was originally the “officers’ quarters,” built on the camp ground at Wenham in 1862, and used during the Civil War. The building was purchased by John Leary in 1866 and re- moved to Topsfield the same year. A small addition was built and the whole fitted up for a dwelling-house. The barn and shed were built from parts of the soldiers’ barracks pur- chased at the same time.

Col. John Wildes Cellar, Meeting-house Lane. On this site was a two story house which was taken down in 1863-4 by William Waitt. Aaron Andrews was the last oc- cupant. Sylvanus Wildes, who occupied this house at the beginning of the last century, graduated at Harvard College in 1777, and was a lawyer and prominent man in his day.

See Cleaveland’s Address, 1850, p. 47; Hist. Colls, Vol. VII, p. 88, line 32.

Benjamin Towne Cellar, off Middleton Road. Between Rowley Bridge street and the Middleton road and somewhat nearer the latter, is the site of this house. The cellar may yet be plainly seen. Benjamin Towne married Katharine Towne, April i, 1713, and probably came here to live about that time (Hist. Colls. Vol. II, p. 76). In 1796-7 the house was moved and attached to the house now owned by Mrs.

THE SYMONDS HOUSE, NORTH STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

43

Mary S. Batchelder. Goodman John Kenney, who lived just over the boundary line in what is now Middleton, but which was then Topsfield, lost his house and goods by fire in the summer of 1696 and the church contributed the sum of £2'. 16:0 to his assistance.

Ebenezer Brown Cellar, Middleton Road. In a pas- ture now owned by William L. Batchelder, and near the Mid- dleton road, on the east side, stood, in 1776, a two story house which in 1798 was taxed to Ebenezer Brown of Danvers, and which was occupied by Cornelius Cree at this date. This house was never occupied by Mr. Brown but was rented to different families until it was finally taken down, about 1825.

See Hist. Colls. V^ol. VII, p. 65, line 12.

Site of the “Liddy and Betty Towne House,” Mid- dleton Road. The cellar over which the house formerly stood may be seen on the western side of the road in Peter- son’s pasture. The house was inherited by the sisters from their father Joseph Towne, who was married about 1750. The house may have been built at that time. The old house was taken down by David Towne and a small building was placed on the same site by him and made into a dwelling- house for the use of the sisters in their declining years. Af- ter their death it was removed to a site near Peterson’s cider mill on Rowley Bridge street and, with the mill, was des- troyed by fire Sept. 26, 1880.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. II, p. 76-7; Vol. VII, p. 57, line 5; Vol. VII, p. 87, line 4.

Job H. Frame, Mill St. This was the place where, in early times, Zaccheus Gould and his son, Capt. John Gould, lived. The old house, said to be the third upon the same spot, was built in 1724, and destroyed by fire in 1878. It had then been used as a barn for several years. The present house was built in 1847-8 by Capt. Israel D. Elliott for his own oc- cupancy. By the Colonial Records it appears that on the 31st of May, 1660, Zaccheus Gould had his fine for entertain- ing Quakers, remitted on account of his loss by fire.

See Gould Genealogy, pp. 33-4; Hist. Colls Vol. VII, p. 72, line 16.

Job H. Frame, Mill St. The Gould-Annable site. A two story house, which was standing on this site as early as 1 772, was destroyed by fire June 21,1 894. George A. Frame was the last occupant.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 74, line i.

44

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Albert F. Tilton, Mill St. The Gould-Perkins place. There were formerly two houses on this estate. The site of the old house, which has been gone many years, is just be- yond the present Tilton house. Here lived Thomas Gould (1666-1752) son of Capt. John Gould. The son Simon, suc- ceeding him, had a new two story house built in 1788-9, about the time of the marriage of his two sons, Simon, jr., and Eli- jah. Simon, sen., and Simon, jr., occupied the old house, while Elijah began housekeeping in the new house, now owned by A. F. Tilton. In 1872, this house was thoroughly remodeled by Proctor Perkins, the owner at that time.

Isaac B. Young, off North St. This two story house was built for Lieut. Francis Peabody a few years before his death, which occurred in 1698. According to family tradi- tion the house was erected in 1692, the year of the witchcraft delusion. The huge chimney was taken down in 1886, and the large addition in the rear was built in 1891, by Orin Howard.

See Cleaveland’s Address, 1850, pp. 67-8; Hist. Colls. Vol. VTI, p. 62, line 15.

Laura A. Ellison, North St. This two story house was built about 1700. Thomas Symonds was born here in 1711 and died here Jan. 10, 1791. The house remained in the possession of the Symonds family for 175 years. In the west room is the largest fireplace remaining in any house in town. Its dimensions are : 9 feet long, 6 feet high, and 4.2 ^eet deep. It has a brick oven on either side of the fireplace be- hind the fire. It also has a ledge or shelf eight inches wide, twelve inches high and nine inches deep, and on which was kept the tinder box, etc. This was the last house in town in which the hand loom was used. Miss Betsey Symonds, who died Oct. 19, 1871, aged 88 years, was the weaver. When the house was repaired a few years ago, a brick was found in the chim- ney marked “1700.”

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 85, line 36.

Francis C. Frame, off North St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1875 by Albert Chesley. A two story house that stood partly on this site was taken down the same year. It was built for Thomas Dorman in 1690 and was occupied for many years by the Smith family. Asahel Smith, the grandfather of Joseph Smith, the founder

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THE DORMAN-SMITH HOUSE, BUILT IN 1690,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

45

of Mormonism, lived here until his removal to New Hamp- shire in 1790.

See Hist. Cols. Vol. VII, p. 60, line 4.

Dora L. Osgood, North St. This one story house was formerly William Fears’ carpenter shop that stood near what is now the Thomas J. Kneeland house on Main street. In 1847-8 it was moved to this site and remodeled into a dwell- ing-house for Augustine S. Peabody, who conveyed the same May 9, 1883, to Henry B. Osgood.

Franklin Magraw, North St. This two story house was built for Stephen Foster in 1748 and was owned by Nathaniel Foster in 1798. In 1877-8, part of the old house was taken down and the remaining part was remodeled by John H. Pot- ter, who came into possession of the property by way of ex- change with John Smith, the owner, for the house on Central street which he had just built. About five hundred feet in a northwesterly direction from the Magraw house is the cellar of the old Stephen Foster house. It is about one hundred and fifty feet over the Ipswich boundary line and is still a very deep cellar. The house was probably taken down not long after the new house was built.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Vll, p. 71, line 36.

Mrs. Mary S. Kimball, Park St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1889, by Isaac Berry of Danvers. In 1800, this and the adjoining land, extending to what is now High street, belonged to Dr. Nehemiah Cleave- land.

Boston & Maine Railroad Station, Park St. When the Danvers & Georgetown R. R. was built, in 1854, the sta- tion was located on Main street, on the northwesterly side of the crossing. On Aug. 30, 1854, a passenger train was run for the first time between Topsfield and Georgetown, on what was then the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad. The car- riage approach being insufficient and the accommodations limited, in 1896 a new station was built on Park street, about equidistant between Main and Summer streets. It was first occupied Jan. 25, 1897.

Abijah B. Richardson, Park St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1878, by Albert Chesley.

Mrs. Jotham Welch, Park St. This one story house was built for Jotham Welch in 1874, by George Cummings.

46

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Rev. George L. Gleason, Perkins St. This two story house was built in the early part of the i8th century. It was owned by Timothy Perkins in 1718, and taxed to his son Jonathan Perkins in 1738. He was a “bricklayer” by trade and was killed, June 25, 1749, by falling from a chimney. His heirs sold the property to David Perkins in 1759-60, and it remained in the Perkins name until Apr. 5, 1861, when it was sold to Rev. Francis Welch. About 1883 it was pur- chased by its present owner.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 80, line 35.

John J. Watson, Perkins St. This two story house was built by George Henry Welch in 1 878, for his own occupancy.

Rev. George L. Gleason, Perkins St. On the left-hand side of the road at the top of the little rise, a short distance easterly from the Gleason and Watson houses, formerly stood the two story house long known as the “Nathaniel Hammond house,” occupied by both father and son of that name. The elder, in his day, was a prominent man in town affairs. He died Dec. 3, 1842, aged 86 yrs. ii mos. The old house was taxed to Stephen Perkins in 1749, and his grandson, Nathan- iel Perkins Averill, sold it to Nathaniel Hammond, March 12, 1791. The house was taken down in 1887, by Josiah P. Per- kins, who then owned it.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 74, line 36.

Thomas E. Proctor, off Perkins St. The present two story house was built for Samuel Bradstreet in 1771. Before the house was quite finished, his son, John Bradstreet, was born here, Dec. 9, 1771. This house was remodeled for its present owner in 1899-1900, by John H. Potter. The pres- ent barn and stable was built in 1835, was thoroughly remodeled in 1898-9, and several outbuildings were also built in 1899-1900, by the same carpenter. The large barn, 112 feet long, which stood south of the road and nearly opposite the present barn, was taken down by Samuel Bradstreet some time after 1835, when the present barn was built.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 53; Vol. VII, p. 64, line 28.

Nearer the river, formerly stood an old two story house, the Col. Porter Bradstreet place, which was last taxed in May, 1874. Sometime after this date the old house was sold to Porter Brown of North Beverly, by Humphrey Balch, and

THE PERKINS-GLEASON HOUSE, PERKINS STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

47

was taken down and moved, the material being used in build- ing a barn in North Beverly.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 63, lines 24 and 38.

Dr. Henry F. Sears, Perkins St. This two story resi- dence, with stable, greenhouse, etc., and barn, farmhouse, and other buildings, located across the road, was built in 1901 for its present owner, by Mr. McDonald of Melrose Highlands. Nearly opposite the driveway leading to the house, formerly stood a school-house which was built in 1794, on land of Robert Perkins, at a cost of ;^37.8.6. (See A. A. Clarke, Boston street.) In 1847 the last “East School House” was built by Capt. Israel D. Elliott and Samuel Clarke. It stood near the large elm tree, a little back from the road and north- erly from the Sears’ residence. Samuel S. McKenzie taught his last singing school in this school-house in 1880. In 1902 it was moved, by Albert H. Towne of Boxford, to the “Dud- ley Quinn Perkins place,” and is now used as a poultry house.

The two story house known as the “Josiah P. Perkins place,” was built for Dudley Perkins in 1855, by Jacob Foster, an old two story house being taken down the same year.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 82, line 38.

The two story house, until recently known as the “Dudley Quinn Perkins place,” was built for him in 1872, by Jacob Foster, an old two story house that was standing on this site was taken down the same year.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 82, line 29.

The two story house long known as the “Capt. Robert Per- kins place” and afterwards as the “Dodge place,” and which stood across the road from the “Dudley Quinn Perkins farm,” was destroyed by fire, Feb. 16, 1874. Two barns on this place, one old, the other newly built, were also burned on the afternoon of March 6, 1858. (See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 82, line 17.) A few rods easterly from the site of this house and on the same side of the road, stood the Robert Perkins jr., dwelling-house. It was taken down about 1839, by William Preston Dodge who bought the adjoining property.

The farm house long known as the “poor farm,” and which was sold by the town to its present owner in 1901, was built for Deacon Solomon Dodge in 1769. It was bought of Cyrus Cummings, April 5, 1822, by the town of Topsfield, and

48

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

used as an almshouse until it passed to its present owner.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 63; Vol. VII, p. 69, line i.

In this vicinity lived John Redington, town clerk, whose house, containing the town records, was destroyed by fire in 1658.

Mrs. Ida MacCracken, (of Newburyport), Perkins St. This two story house, now occupied by Ephraim P. Fergu- son, was built for Humphrey Wildes in 1835, his heirs sold the same to Moses B. Perkins in 1865-6, who remodeled it somewhat during his ownership. For several years past it has been known as the James H. Sleeper place.

Site of Humphrey Wildes House, Perkins St. In the pear orchard at the forks of the road on coming from Mile Brook bridge, formerly stood a two story house owned and occupied by the Wildes family. From it, Sarah Wildes, ac- cused of witchcraft, was taken to Salem jail by her step-son, Ephraim Wildes, then constable of the town. The house was last occupied by Humphrey Wildes, who built the house nearby and now occupied by Ephraim P. Ferguson. The old house was taken down in the fall of 1835. The old barn stood across the road and gradually fell down. The frame was down about 1885.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 89, line 16. Site of Nehemiah Perkins House, Perkins St. A short distance easterly from the corner of Perkins street and Ridge street, may be seen the cellar and ruined chimney of this old two story house which was destroyed by an incendi- ary fire on the night of Jan. 16, 1891. The barn was also burned eight days later. This house was taxed to William Perkins as early as 1744. His heirs sold the property to Oliver Perkins, Dec. 8, 1789, and he in turn sold to Moses Bradstreet, Dec. 4, 1794. (See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 64, line 19.) He was the father of Mrs. Nehemiah Perkins. Albert Cornelius Perkins, Dartmouth College, 1859, Princi- pal of Phillips Exeter Academy, and John Wright Perkins, Harvard College, 1865, Principal of Dummer Academy, and now Superintendent of Schools at Salem, were both born in this house. Their father, Nehemiah Perkins, died here April 7, 1881, aged 87 years and 6 days.

Sites of the Averill Houses, off Perkins St. This lo- cality has for many years been known as “The Colleges,”

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THE NEHEMIAH PERKINS HOMESTEAD,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

49

from the fact, so the story goes, that the Averills were prom- inent men in town affairs, — office holders, etc., and some of the most intelligent people in the place. They were cabinet- makers and owners of a saw-mill and in the early days sub- scribed to one of the three copies of a newspaper that came into the town. The other two subscribers were Nehemiah Cleaveland, M. D., and Jacob Towne, Esq. The Averill farms, of two hundred acres in extent, were originally owned by Gov. Simon Bradstreet, who sold the land, Feb. i, 1692, to John and Nathaniel Averill. The property is now owned by Thomas Emerson Proctor, a descendant of the Governor.

According to the deed given by Gov. Bradstreet to the Averills there were buildings upon the property before 1692. Probably, not long after buying the farm, the Averill broth- ers dammed Mile brook and there built the first saw-mill. This mill remained in the Averill name until 1835, when it was sold to Porter Bradstreet. See Hist. Colls. Vol. II, p. 87. The last mill, which was owned by B. Austin Perkins, was destroyed by an incendiary fire on the night of Feb. 22, 1891. Near-by, on the higher ground, by the south bank of the brook, may be seen the cellar of the Bickford house. This house, a small one story building, was originally located near what is now the Thomas F. Cass farm on River street, and was owned by William Munday, who gave the building to Mrs. Mehitable Bickford in 1827. “Granny Bickford,” as she was popularly known, had been living in the Nathaniel Averill house on the other side of the brook, but the house becoming dilapidated. Col. Porter Bradstreet and his brother Dudley Bradstreet, who were her near neighbors, moved the building which had been given to her by William Munday, to this spot and fitted it up for her to live in. Her son Sam- uel Bickford lived here for many years after her death, which occurred Aug. 31, 1845, in Beverly, where she had gone to visit relatives. The house, much dilapidated, was taken down by Dudley Bradstreet in the spring of 1891.

About three hundred feet northeasterly from the site of the saw-mill is the cellar of the Nathaniel Averill house, which was built, it is supposed, shortly after the Averill brothers purchased the farm. It was a large two story house and ap- pears on the 1744 tax list. Capt. Moses Averill, familiarly

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

50

known as “Priest Averill,” lived here and rebuilt the saw-mill. He finally removed to Middleton. Mrs. Mehitable Bickford, who was the daughter of Daniel Averill, was the last occu- pant. The house was torn down about 1828. The first floor was left for a while, and during that time an ox belonging to Nehemiah Perkins walked on the unprotected floor, and breaking through into the cellar, was extricated by tearing down a part of the cellar wall and digging away the earth, the result of which can yet be plainly seen. The only injury the ox sustained was a broken tail. Nathaniel Averill was a car- penter by trade. A wheelwright shop stood near the house for many years. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 59, line 31.

About half a mile northwesterly from the foregoing site is a well-preserved cellar located in a beautiful grove of locust trees. Jacob Averill was living here as early as 1745, and Daniel and Solomon Averill owned the property in 1798. In 1841, Cyrus Averill bought this house and land from the ad- ministrator of the estate of Daniel Averill jr., who died April 6, 1838, and about 1843 the old house was taken down. It was the last house standing in “The Colleges,” proper. The barn was blown down shortly after. An old shoe shop was the last building to remain standing, and about 1845-6 it was sold to Cyrus Peabody, who removed it to his place on the Newburyport turnpike now owned by Benjamin C. Dodd. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 58, line 31 ; Vol. VIII, p. 52.

About four hundred feet distant, in an easterly direction from the last named house, and near the willow grove, may be seen the sites of two houses about sixty feet apart, with a roadway passing between. The house on the north side of the way was known as the Jacob Averill house, one half of it being taxed to him in 1798. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 59, line 23. He probably was the last occupant, for after his death. Sept. 14, 1807, the building was used as a carpenter and wheelwright shop for nearly thirty years, and at last, in 1840, was sold to Samuel Todd and J. Perkins Towne. They removed it to what is now High street and remodeled it into the dwelling-house now owned by the heirs of Henry Herrick. The house across the way, and just under the hill, was known as the Solomon Averill house in the early part of the 19th century, he having bought it May 25, 1791. It was taxed to

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

5

Jeremiah Averill in 1745 and it is said was originally a cab- inet-maker’s shop. In 1768, Jeremiah Averill was assessed for a house and shop. The late Cyrus Averill was born here Oct. 30, 1802, his father, Solomon Averill, being born Aug. 20, 1769, in the house that stood among the locusts. In 1838 the house became unsafe to live in and was abandoned and three years later was taken down.

About half a mile from this site, in a northerly direction, is the cellar of the house of late years known as the Blaisdell house. It was a two story house and was taxed to Luke Aver- ill in 1744. Isaac Averill owned the property in 1776 and in 1820 it was taxed to his sons, Joseph and Luke Averill. Joseph was popularly known as “Neighbor Joe.” The old barn near-by was destroyed by an incendiary fire, Oct. i , 1 890, and the house, with a partly constructed barn and other out- buildings, was also destroyed by an incendiary fire, April i, 1891. The house had been unoccupied about four weeks when burned, J. Albert Blaisdell being the last occupant. See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 59, line 12.

Wellington Donaldson, Perkins St. This one story house was built by Samuel Clarke in 1831, for his own occu- pancy. The house has been remodeled somewhat by the present owner. The barn in the rear was originally the North School House, which was built in 1794, near the corner of Ipswich and Perkins streets. In 1846 it was sold to William Peabody and removed to land then owned by William Don- aldson, on Perkins street, where it was first used as a dwell- ing, and then, for many years, as a shoemakers’ shop, and afterwards it was enlarged for a barn.

Barney Mulligan, Perkins St. A two story house stood near this site which was sold by the heirs of Thomas Howlett to Thomas Cummings, May 6, 1763, and the heirs of Thom- as Cummings sold the same to Abraham Hobbs in 1767. The Hobbs family lived in this house for several years, until one night in the fall of 1780, as shown by the town records, when the old Howlett-Cummings-Hobbs house was entirely destroyed by a fire caused by the upsetting of a light in the attic, where the owner kept a litter of puppies. The present house was probably built the following year, as it was taxed in 1782. Sometime afterwards a shop was built near the

52

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

road, in which it is said “Master” George Hobbs made wood- en plows. This building was taken down a few years ago, and some of the material was used to build a shed in the rear of the house. This place passed out of the Hobbs name May 10, 1826, when it was sold to Moses Wildes, who con- veyed the same to Joseph Adams, March 10, 1829. Mr. Adams owned it for several years and finally sold to Benjamin Robinson, April 15, 1842. It was during his ownership that the house was thoroughly remodeled. His heirs sold the property about 1874, since which time it has had several dif- ferent owners.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Ill, p. 172; Vol. VII, p. 75, line 13.

Mrs. Ellen Ellard, Pine St. This one story house was built for Jewett Pingree, about 1845, on the farm now owned by William Lavallette, in Linebrook. In 1873 it was moved to this site and raised and remodeled by Jacob Foster for Joshua Conroad, who sold the property, June 2, 1875, to Mrs. Ellen Ellard.

Henry R. White, Pine St. This one story house was built for Benjamin F. Deland, in 1873, by John H. Potter. This and adjoining land between Ipswich and Haverhill streets was sold in 1796, by Thomas Foster, to Dr. John Merriam.

Charles Carmody, Pine St. This one story house was originally about the last building that remained at “The Col- leges,” proper, off Perkins street. It was a shoe shop stand- ing in the locusts and belonged to the estate of Daniel Aver- ill jr. Nehemiah Perkins, the administrator of his estate, sold it to Cyrus Peabody, about 1845-6, who had it removed to his place, on the Newburyport turnpike, now owned by Benjamin C. Dodd. There it was used as a shop for several years and then was sold to Salmon D. Hood, Esq., who had it removed to his place at Hood’s Pond. After remaining there for several years, and being used as a shoe shop, it was bought by George Shepherd and again removed to its pres- ent site, the land before this being owned by the heirs of Amos S. Chapman. Here it has been used as a dwelling, an addition having been built on after its last removal.

Salmon D. Hood, Pond St. This one story house, which has been remodeled several times, was built about the middle of the 1 8th century. It was taxed to John Hood in 1758.

r

THE GOULD-STEVENS HOUSE, PROSPECT ST.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

53

The farm has been in the possession of the family for nearly two centuries. This has long been the home of S. D. Hood Esq., who has been a prominent citizen in town affairs for the past thirty-five years, and who has also been engaged in settling estates for upwards of forty years.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 76, line 14.

Job H. Frame, off Prospect St. This two house was formerly in the Perkins family and is without doubt two hun- dred or more years old. Of late years it has been known as The Hubbard house. The house was remodeled in 1887 by its owner, Samuel H. Dane, and when the old chimney was taken down, a brick was found dated “1686.”

See Hist. Colls. Vol. 7, p. 83, line ii.

William Ladd Dodge, Prospect St. This large one story house, long known as the Sanderson house, was built for Mrs. Sally Sanderson, in 1845, by Constantine McKenzie. It was the first house that John H. Potter helped to build, he being then an apprentice aged twenty-two years.

William G. Lake, Prospect St. This two story house was built for John G. Hood, in 1856, by Daniel Willey and I. M. Small. This property was sold by the Hood heirs to Caleb K. Perkins, March 28, 1859, and his widow sold the same to William G. Lake, March 20, 1889.

Estate of Andrew Gould, Prospect St. This two story house was built for Andrew Gould in i860, by John H. Pot- ter. Mr. Gould was a prominent man in town affairs and died here Oct. 6, 1896, aged 90 years, 9 months and 25 days.

The Lang House Cellar, Prospect St., may be seen on the right-hand side of the street, half way up the hill. The house was originally a peat-house that stood in a mead- ow on the northerly side of West street, and which was moved to this site not long before 1840. Here it was made into a dwelling-house for Moses Richardson, a negro, who came from Andover, by David Lake, who owned the land on either side of the road. Richardson, the first occupant, was a tink- er. He was followed by Charles Lang. The house was taken down about 1854-5.

Estate of Richard Price, Prospect St. This two story house was built for Charles H. Lake in t866, by John H. Potter, who had built the stable for him in 1865. Mr. Lake, at one time, had about them, extensive nurseries of fruit and

54

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

ornamental trees. He sold the property to Richard Price and Octavius B. Shreve, March 15, 1872.

Percy Chase, Prospect St. This two story summer res- idence was built in 1899 for its present owner, who resides in Brookline. The stable was built in 1901.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 87.

Albert W. Stevens, Prospect St. This two story house was taxed to Zaccheus Gould as early as 1744. The easterly end, according to the records of the late John Gould, was built about 1670. The western half of the present house was built in the early part of the i8th century. At the easterly end of the house, and where the piazza now is, there was built, before 1798, an addition that was styled in deeds “an appendage,” which was owned and occupied, in 1831, by William R. Hubbard, the singer, who had married Mary Averill two years before. After living here a few years he removed to Danvers and sold the “appendage,” in 1844, to Mrs. Anna H. Sweeney, wife of Charles Sweeney. It re- mained in her name until Jan. 5, 1880, when she sold it to Mr. Stevens, who took down the building. A barn near the house was struck by lightning July 19, 1900, and burned, the house narrowly escaping destruction.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 74, line 23.

Site of Henry Lake House, Prospect St. Across the street from the Stevens house may be seen the cellar of the house of Henry Lake, weaver. This house was probably built about 1681, at the time of his marriage with Priscilla Wildes. The house had disappeared before 1798.

Edward E. Ferguson, Ridge St. This two story house, now for several years unoccupied and in poor repair and used as a storehouse, was built by John Averill in 1730. He sold the house and farm to John Wildes, March 5, 1738. It was afterwards owned by his son Ephraim Wildes, who died March 28, 1812, and by will gave it to his wife Lydia Wildes. Her heirs sold the property to Samuel Bradstreet, Oct. 28, 1833, and he in turn sold to Elisha Perkins, July 21, 1834. His heirs sold the house and field, Oct. 24, 1870, to John F. Perley, and Dec. 29, 1896, it passed to its present owner. In this house were born Deacon John Wright and the late Samuel Todd, both of them prominent in town and church affairs.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 89, line 5,

THE BALCH-DOWNES HOUSE, RIVER STREET.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

55

The Averill Cellar, Ridge St. About five hundred feet beyond the Ferguson house and at the left-hand side of the road just as it leaves the ridge, may be seen the cellar hole of the William Averill house. The barn formerly stood just over the wall at the southeast, and there are evidences of the location of some building of considerable size just over the ridge behind the cellar hole. In Feb., 1663, William Averill, carpenter, came from Ipswich and bought of Daniel Clarke this farm of one hundred acres, with a house and out- buildings. The road from Ipswich street was laid out, in 1666. The house was gone before 1775 and probably was taken down not long after his son, John Averill, built his house in 1730.

William P. Walsh, River St. This two story house, formerly one story, was taxed to John Balch in 1769, and to his son Cornelius Balch in 1776, and so continued until his death, Aug. 21, 1795. The property then passed to his son- in-law John Bradstreet jr., and May 23, 1833, to his son Cor- nelius B. Bradstreet and wife Eunice, who had the house raised to two stories about 1851. James H. Sleeper of Dan- vers, was the carpenter. Mr. Bradstreet died July 23, 1858, and his widow sold the property Sept. 5, 1873, to William P. Walsh, who had the house remodeled somewhat in 1874. A part of this farm was owned by William Towne, “the Ances- tor”, in 1652.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 64, line 8.

The Moses Downes House, River St. This two story house, now badly in need of repairs, was first occupied by David Balch and was probably built shortly before his mar- riage, which occurred April 29, 1713. It was taxed to David Balch in 1744. This place was owned and occupied by Thomas and Joshua Balch in 1798, and afterwards, in 1840, by David B. Balch, who died June 27, i860. After this it was owned by his daughter, the late Mary E. Balch, who was for many years a teacher in Boston. Samuel Balch, the great mathematician, was born here in 1755. He graduated at Harvard in 1782 and taught a private school in this house and also fitted young men for college. Some of his scholars had formerly attended Phillips Academy at Andover, and had been expelled therefrom because their religious views con-

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flicted with those taught at the institution at that time. He was afterwards, for many years, a successful teacher in Aniesbury.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 62, line i.

Estate of Albert Webster, off River St. This one story house was taxed to Daniel Lake in 1768. He sold the property to Henry Bradstreet, March 30, 1769, who owned it until his death which occurred Sept. 2, 1818. The Bradstreet heirs sold to Erastus Clarke, April 23, 1829, and he sold the same to Charles Mansfield, Oct. i, 1852. Mr. Mansfield con- veyed the property, Nov. 20, 1855, to George W. Reid and Charles H. Tyler, trustees for Eliza Ricker. After her decease the said trustees conveyed it to Sarah J. Beal, June 2, 1863, and she sold it to Albert Webster, June 12, 1 867. During his ownership he built several new buildings. He died Nov. 8, 1902. For picture of the land and buildings see Essex County Atlas, Philadelphia, 1871.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 63, line 28.

Samuel H. Conley, River St. This one story house was built for A. Austin Lake in 1874, by Warren Prince of Beverly. About half way between the house and the street, and in a line with the Walsh house, have been found eviden- ces of a cellar, indicating the location of a house, which is said to be the site of one of the Stanley houses.

William H. Walsh, River St. This two story house was built for Eleazer Lake, jr., in 1808. About 1845, ^ large addition was built for his son Eleazer, equal in size to about one-half of the present house. This property, after it passed from the Lake name, was sold by Thomas Fuller, Nov. 17, 1890, to Albert W. Stevens. The property was taxed to John F. Miller of Boston, May i, 1892. It was finally sold by Albert W. Stevens to William P. Walsh, July 16, 1892.

Charles H. Lake and Mrs. Sarah Garrett, River St. This two story house was taxed to Eleazer Lake in 1744. The eastern end was probably built in the early part of the 1 8th century, and the western part was built some time after- wards. This property has been in the Lake family for nearly two centuries, as it was bought, Feb. 28, 1717, by Eleazer Lake, of Samuel, John and Jacob Stanley for ;^2|8o.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 77, line 21.

j

r

I

1

RESIDENCE OF BAXTER P, PIKE,

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57

Cellar of Stanley House, off River St. In

a northwesterly direction from the Charles H. Lake house, and about five hundred feet from River street, in Mr. Lake’s pasture, may be seen the site of one of the two old Stanley houses of this vicinity. It was probably built during the 1 7th century, as Matthew Stanley came to this town in 1659. The house had disappeared before 1769.

Thomas F. Cass, River St. This two story house was built for Capt. William Munday in 1836. He sold the house and farm to the late Thomas Cass, Aug. 20, 1853, since which time it has remained in the family.

Estate of Benjamin Fuller, River St. This one story house was originally a shoe shop, and was located near the George W. Twitched house in Boxford. In it, Marion Gould carried on a shoe manufacturing business. In the fall of 1865, it was sold to Benjamin Fuller, who had it removed to its present location, had an addition built, and the whole fitted up for a dwelling-house. The carpenter work was done by Capt. Israel D. Elliott.

Connolly Bros., Rowley St. This two story house was, for several generations, in the Dorman family. In 1765 it was taxed to widow Abigail Dorman and her two sons, Nathaniel and Ephraim Dorman. Of late years it has been known as the Asa Bixby house. There is a tradition that an old house formerly stood on the west side of this road in what is now a pasture and woodlot.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 69, line 13.

Mrs. Rosan Day, Rowley St. This one story house was originally a barn built for John Perley about 1835, stood near the farm of the late Nathan Dodge in Line- brook. Mr. Perley had it moved to this site and remodeled into a house for himself in 1840.

Baxter P. Pike, Rowley Bridge St. This two story house, which was remodeled and a considerable addition made in 1889 for its present owner, by John H. Potter, was built for Benjamin Pike in 1803. It stands about ten rods from the site of an older house, which was taken down sometime after the new house was finished. In the present house, now one hundred years old, a child has never been born. Near the ell of the house there once stood a barn,

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which was burned Jan. 26, 1819. The road formerly passed in the rear of the present house. This farm was originally a part of the farm of the first Zaccheus Gould, who sold it to Zaccheus Curtice in 1663 and probably he built his house soon after. In 1748, the farm passed out of the family name and was successively owned by David Balch, Thomas Mower, and Jacob Kimball, who sold it Feb, 5, 1781, to Benjamin Pike, since which time it has remained in the fam- ily. Baxter P. Pike, the present owner, has been a promi- nent citizen in town affairs for the past twenty-five years.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 84, line 5.

The John Curtice Cellar. About half way between Rowley Bridge street and Hill street and near an excellent spring of water, may be seen the cellar of the John Curtice house, which was probably built about 1714, when his father sold him twelve acres of land on which the house was after- wards located. The house was last taxed in 1767.

Mrs. George W. Towne and Walter S. Peterson, Rowley Bridge St. The present two story house was built about 1778-1780, for David Towne. It was thoroughly re- modeled for John A. Peterson in 1880, by John H. Potter. A cider mill, that was located across the road and which was built about 1812, together with the “Liddy and Betty Towne” house, which had been moved to an adjoining site, were destroyed by fire on the night of Sept. 26, 1880.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 86, line 33.

Site of Jabez Towne House, Between Rowley Bridge St. and Hill St., formerly stood the house owned and occu- pied by Jabez Towne. It was probably built in 1730, which was the year that he married, and the year after he bought the land. He sold the house and farm to Daniel Lake, April 25, 1763. The house was gone before 1798.

The Foster-Horne Cellar, off Rowley Bridge St. The two story house that formerly stood on this site was de- stroyed by a fire, which began about six o’clock on the morning of June 6, 1882. The house was built by John Cummings about 1711. It was owned by Amos and Abra- ham Foster, and taxed to them in 1798.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 71, line 29. The Gideon Towne Cellar. Off Rowley Bridge St. and near Hill St., in Wheatland’s (formerly Peterson’s)

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

59

“High'Fields” at the top of the hill, may be seen a slight depression that marks the site of the Gideon Towne house, which was probably built in the latter part of the 17th cen- tury. The house had’ disappeared before 1798, as it was not taxed at that date.

Site of the Old School-House, Rowley Bridge St. Nearly opposite the South Side cemetery and about where the bend in the wall occurs in Batchelder’s orchard, there formerly stood a school-house. In Sept., 1738, two years before he removed to Windsor, Conn., Jacob Redington, cooper, because of the “great desire I have to promote good learning among the children and youth in the neighbor- hood,” sold to Joseph Herrick, George Bixby and Aaron Esty, 13 poles of land, “to build a school house to keep school in * * *, the above said Herrick, Bixby and Esty, being a committee chosen by the proprietors and under- takers to said house, to take a deed of the land in their name.” This tract of land has been found to be situated on Hill St., near Frank H. Towne’s place. If a school-house was built at that place, it must afterwards have been moved to Rowley Bridge St., or a new one built, as a school-house was standing there in 1790, and remained in existance until within the memory of the last generation, though its use for school purposes had long since been discontinued.

See School-House, Boston St.

William L. Batchelder, Rowley Bridge St. This two story house was built for Ezra Batchelder in 1852, by James H. Sleeper. The old two story house, which stood near the site of the present house but upon higher ground, and which was known as the Nathaniel Porter place, was built in the early part of the i8th century. William and Phebe Porter sold the house to Joseph Herrick of Beverly in 1728. The old house was taken down about 1876.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. Vll,p. 86, line 7. Mrs. Mary S. Batchelder, off Rowley Bridge St. The east end of this two story house was built before 1762, when it was owned by Elijah Porter, tanner, and by him sold to Enos Knight. Porter removed to what is now the village and bought the farm now known as the “Church Home.” The west part of the house was originally the Benjamin Towne house, built about 1713, off the Middleton road, which was moved and

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attached in 1796-7. On July 31, 1896, a fire nearly de- stroyed the roof of the original part of the house. The new barn on this place was built in 1896, by John H. Potter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. V, p. 21; Vol. VII, p. 67, line 5.

Benjamin Conant, Rowley Bridge St. This two story house was taxed to Daniel Porter in 1765. It was remodeled for its present owner in 1884. The farm is a part of the original grant of land to John Porter the settler. The next house, also owned by Benjamin Conant, was built for Isaiah Peabody in 1845. was afterwards owned by Allen Porter, and later by Henry Johnson and his son George H. Johnson. The house was remodeled somewhat during the ownership of Henry Johnson.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 84, line 7.

Benjamin J. Balch, Salem St. This two story house was built for John Balch, and was taxed to him as early as 1769. By a deed dated Sept. 2, 1771, John Balch conveyed to his son John Balch, jr., the western half of his new house, and sometime afterwards the eastern half was conveyed to his son Roger Balch, who was taxed for it in 1776. In 1809 the eastern part of the house was taxed to Perley Balch, son of Roger, and so continued until his death, which occurred May 2, 1858. The property afterwards passed to the pres- ent owner. Perley Balch, jr., son of Perley, for many years a successful teacher in the city of Lowell, was born here Apr. 27, 1809.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 61, line 16.

David Pingree, Salem St. In 1798, near where the present house stands, there was a small one story house having but five windows and owned by Moses Perkins (See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 82, line 10.). Here was born, Apr. 2, 1758, Capt. Thomas Perkins, the eminent Salem merchant, who erected the present two story house in 1806. Samuel Hood was the carpenter. Capt. Perkins died Nov. 24, 1830, aged 72 yrs. 7 mos. 22 days. The property was inherited by Asa Pingree, who afterwards had built, by Charles C. Brack- ett, in 1836-7, the two story house now known as the “farm house.” Here his mother lived until her death, June 10, 1853. A chaise-house, . which stood near the mansion- house, was destroyed by fire in 1849. The present carriage- house was built, in 1850, of stone brought from Crooked

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

6

Pond in Boxford, and the two story “Stone House” was al- so built of material from the same place, in 1836. It was located on Salem Street on the easterly side, a few hundred feet beyond the Turnpike, and was taken down by David Pingree in 1885. Just beyond it stood a blacksmith’s shop, which was destroyed by fire about 1855. The small house, at the westerly corner of Hill and Salem Streets, was stand- ing Sept. 2, 1771, when it was sold to John Balch jr. by his father. It was originally a currying shop and was used as such for a long time, afterwards being changed into a dwell- ing-house, and in 1830 was occupied by George Creelman. At the end of the lane leading northerly from this point, stands the two story house which was built for Moses Brad- street in 1875, by John H. Potter. The old two story house, which formerly stood on this site, was taken down in April of the same year.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 63, line 12; Vol. VI, pp. 77, 79.

Alden S. Peabody, Salem St. This one story house was built for Ebenezer Peabody in 1852, by Jacob Foster. A barn and carriage-house, standing in the rear of the house, were struck by lightning and destroyed by fire early in the morning of August 20, 1890.

The two story house at the corner of Wenham and Salem Streets, is very old. In 1744 it was taxed to Matthew Pea- body, and in 1768, one half of it was taxed to John Peabody, who also owned it in 1798. If passed out of the family and was owned for many years by James Waters. It is probably over two hundred years old, and tradition has it that it was built while Parson Hobart lived in the town (Oct. 1672- Nov. 1682), because he was present at the raising and en- joyed the festivities of the occasion. The Rev. Josiah Peabody, who graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836, and was for several years a missionary to the Armenians at Erzroom, Turkey, was born in this house Jan. 7, 1807. The barn on this place was built for James Waters in 18715, by John H. Potter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 79, line 28.

William H. Homan, Salem St. This two story house was taxed to Daniel Esty as early as 1768. Mrs. Deborah Kimball, who lived to be 100 years and 2 months old, was born in this house in 1779 and afterwards owned it. A

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blacksmith’s shop formerly stood near the house.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 6o, line 26.

Site of Michael Dwinell House, off Salem Street. About 600 feet off Salem street, and on the eastern side, in Willard A. Dwinell’s old orchard pasture, may be seen the site of the Michael Dwinell two story house, which was built near the old Salem road that went through his land. Mr. Dwinell came from France, and is supposed to have come to this town about 1664. He was the ancestor of the Dwinell family here. Near this site, in the summer time, may be seen beautiful red roses of different shades. These bushes are supposed to have been here ever since he lived at this place. The house was not taxed after 1760.

Cellar of Thomas Dwinell House, off Salem St. In the same pasture anc^ about 150 feet in a southeasterly di- rection from the site of the Michael Dwinell house, may be plainly seen the cellar of the Thomas Dwinell house. This cellar is still quite deep. The house was taxed as late as 1 765 .

Willard A. Dwinell, Salem St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1881, by John H. Potter.

Site of Joseph Dwinell House, off Salem St. On the eastern side of Salem street, near a small grove called “Cat Island”, in the field now belonging to the Dwinell sis- ters and south of Willard A. Dwinell’s house, there formerly stood the house of Joseph Dwinell. He was drowned May 19, 1747, in attempting to swim over Ipswich river. The house was gone before 1770.

Misses Sarah and Esther Dwinell, Salem St. This two story house was built for Jacob Dwinell in 1761, by Othniel, Thomas and Archelaus Rea. The timber from which the frame was hewn grew on the hillside a short dis- tance to the westward of the house. In 1828 an addition was built and the old fashioned long sloping roof in the rear of the house, was removed. This was done by his grandson John Dwinell and the house has since remained in its present form. Mrs. Esther Dwinell, the mother of John, died here Oct. 31, 1847, aged lOi years, 8 mos., 10 days. The barn was built for John Dwinell in 1852, by Jacob Foster. This property has been in the Dwinell name ever since the origi- nal purchase over two hundred and thirty years ago.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 69, line 24.

* ;

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THE DWINELL HOUSE, SALEM STREET. BUILT IN 1761.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

63

Site of Dr. Michael Dwinell House, Salem St. On a little knoll on the western side of Salem street, and a few feet north of the driveway to the present house of the Dwinell sisters, may be seen the site of Dr. Michael Dwinell’s house. He was the first doctor on record in Topsfield, styled in old papers as “Physician”. He had the honor of having seven wives, the last one surviving him. He died here Dec. 24, 1761, aged 91 years. His house was taxed as a dwelling until 1778, and was afterwards used as a barn. The old well is still in evidence.

Norman McLeod, off Salem St. This two story house was built for John Rea in 1827, by Amos Wildes of Danvers. He married Lydia Perkins and moved into this house Nov. 15, 1827. A barn nearby was destroyed by a fire which began about eleven o’clock on the morning of Jan. 15, 1869. An old two story house that formerly stood a few feet to the eastward of the present house and which had long been in the possession of the Rea family, was taken down on the evening of Oct. 20, 1863, after a husking, at the request of friends of “Aunt Nancy” Rea. The party went home about two o’clock in the morning.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 85, line 10.

The Centre School-House, School Ave. This build- ing was originally the Topsfield Academy and was built for proprietors, in 1827-8. In i860 the title passed to Jacob W. Reed of Groveland, who built an addition on the southern end, which was used as a dwelling-house and afterwards be- came part of the John Lynch house on Grove street. In 1868 the town purchased the property and it has been used as a school-house ever since. An addition was made to it in 1889, by John H. Potter, and another in 1899, by Henry H. Roberts.

See Topsfield Hist. Colls. Vol. IV, pp. 9-72; Vol. VI, p. 55.

Hook and Ladder House, off School grounds. This long one story building was built by John H. Potter in the summer of 1886, and was first located beside Park street, not far from the present crossing-tender’s house on Main street. It was removed to its present location April 10, 1890.

Alphonso T. Merrill, School Ave. This one story house was built for Jacob W. Reed in 1861. It was origin-

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ally a store and dwelling-house and was first located at the corner of School avenue and Main street, on what is now J. B. Poor’s lawn. It was bought by Benjamin P. Adams, June lo, 1870, of the administrator of Jacob W. Reed’s estate, and removed to its present location where it was remodeled into a dwelling-house.

Daniel Fuller, Summer St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1875, by John H. Potter. It stands on land owned by David Balch in 1800.

The Jordan-Towne Blacksmith Shop, Washington St., now occupied by James A. Gould, was built for C. Fred Jordan in the fall of 1880. It was enlarged to its present size in 1882.

Mrs. Sarah P. Towne, Washington St. This house, now occupied by James Walch, was built by Capt. Israel D. Elliott in 1826. It was afterward owned and occupied by Samuel Janes. In 1882-3 it was remodeled and raised to two stories by John H. Potter for Jacob Martin Towne. The frame of this house was originally raised two stories, but was blown down by a heavy gale of wind, and the timbers were so broken up that it was finally rebuilt of one story in 1826.

Mrs. Susan Perkins, Washington St. This one story house, known as “High Rock Cottage”, was built in 1856-7 by Isaiah M. Small for his own occupancy, it being modeled after John W. Hutchinson’s house at High Rock, Lynn. Between this house and the road there formerly stood, before 1800, a two story house, which was taken down about 1825 (See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 70, line 9,), and in its place another two story house was erected, the first story being built of brick. The latter was long known as the “Hart house”. It was taken down in 1895. ^ barn that stood near where the railroad runs at the present time, was struck by lightning about eight o’clock, on the evening of Sept. 27, 1850, and destroyed by fire. The property was long known as the Cyrus Webster place.

Rev. Francis A. Poole, Washington St. This one story summer cottage was built in 1899 for its present owner, by Henry H. Roberts.

Mrs. Mary J. Roberts, Washington St. This one story house was built in 1872 for its present owner, by John H. Potter. In 1888 an addition was built on by H. H. Roberts.

I

THE JOHN GOULD HOUSE, WASHINGTON STREET,

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65

George L. Gould, Washington St. This property, named by the present owner, “Pinelands,” was long known as the John Gould place. The old house, built in 1769, was taken down Oct. 4, 1883, by John H. Potter, for the owner, John A. Gould of Boston. Some of the material was utilized in building the present house. The old barn was built about 1750 and then stood near the road and on a site about half way between the driveway and the Geyer house. In Sept. 1853, it was moved to a point about seventy feet from its present location, and in 1895 was again moved and re- built into the present stable. In 1895 present two story house was built for its owner, by Mr. Higgins of Malden.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VI, p. 85; Vol. VII, p. 59, line i.

William H. Wildes, Washington St. This one story house was built for its present owner in 1875, ^7 Jo^^^ H. Potter.

Mrs. Sarah Wildes, Washington St. This one story house was built for Moses Wildes in 1878, by Albert Chesley.

Mrs. Amanda Geyer, Washington St. This one story house was built for Andrew Geyer in 1886, by Isaac Berry of Danvers.

Miss Esther Gould, Washington St. This two story house was built for its present owner in 1898, by Henry H. Roberts.

Mrs. Adeliza Fiske, Washington St. This one story house was built for John Fiske in 1873, by John H. Potter.

Horace Ray, Washington St. This one story house was built for Joseph Cressey in 1837, t>y Orin Stone. An old fashioned shoe shop formerly stood near the road and adjoining the Ray-Geyer boundary line.

Charles Perkins, Washington St. The two story house was built in 1876, by George A. Towne. The one story house, occupied by its owner, was built for Hiram Wells in 1836, by Maj. William Low of Boxford.

James B. McIntire, Washington St. This one story house was built for James H. Conley in 1876, by George A. Towne.

George W. Burnham, Washington St. This two story house was built for Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burnham in 1881, by Albert H. Towne, of Boxford.

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TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

Job H. Frame, Washington St. This is the old John Gould place. The two story house, formerly located a short distance southwesterly from the present house, was stand- ing in 1798, and was taken down in 1869 by S. Webster Perkins, the new house being built for him the same year by John H. Potter.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 73, line 3.

Horace D. Bradstreet, Washington St. This one story house was built for Josiah L. Gould in 1850, by Isaiah M. Small. The present barn was moved here from the Josiah Gould farm in 1878.

Joachim Stark, Washington St. This two story house was built for Dea. John Gould about 1765. Capt. Benjamin Gould of Revolutionary fame lived here in 1778-9. The prop- erty was sold March 25, 1791, to Rev. Asahel Huntington, who was settled over the church in 1789. He died here April 22, 1813. His son. Dr. Elisha Huntington, Mayor of Lowell and Lieut. -Governor of Massachusetts, was born in this house April 9, 1796, as was another son, Asahel, July 23. 1798, who was Mayor of Salem and for many years District Attorney and Clerk of Courts for the County of Essex.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 76, line 34.

Miss Lucy Gould, Washington St. This is the John Gould, jr. place, a house being built by him for his own oc- cupancy immediately after he sold the house across the road to Rev. Asahel Huntington in 1791. A barn standing near the house was destroyed by fire on the afternoon of Dec. 12, 1836; cause unknown.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 73, line ii.

The Timothy Fuller House, Washington St. This two story house was taxed to Capt. Joseph Gould as early as 1745, and it remained in the Gould name until May 15, 1872, when it was conveyed to Timothy Fuller. The house was remodeled somewhat by his heirs in 1900-01.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 73, line 22-37.

Charles J. Peabody, Wenham St. The eastern end of this two story house is quite old. It was taxed to Jacob Dwinell, jr., as early as 1772, and it was sold byj. Dwinell,jr., and Cornelius Balch, April 19, 1777, to Nathaniel Richard- son of Salem. He sold the property to John Peabody,

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

67

April 3, 1782, and since that date it has remained in the Peabody name. In 1807 it was remodeled by John Pea- body, jr., who added the western end at the same time. The granite for the foundation was hauled by oxen from Quincy, thirty-five miles away.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 80, line 3.

Loring a. Rust, Wenham St. This property, in 1798, was a farm of thirty acres, and was owned by Nathaniel Fiske. The one story house was taxed to him as early as 1768. It was remodeled for George W. Dwinell, the owner, in 1882. He died Dec. 21, 1890, and the property after- wards passed to the present owner.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 71, line 14.

Gilbert S. Mason, Wenham St. This one story house was built for Alphonso Mason in 1887, by John H. Potter. An old two story house, that formerly stood some forty feet southwesterly from the present house, was taken down in 1899. This house was owned by Thomas Moore in 1798.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 79, line 6.

Arthur W. Phillips, off West St. This one story house was built for Parker Brown Perley in 1868, by Jacob Foster. In 1901 a large addition was built on to the house, for its present owner, by Porter Peabody of Boxford. But a few rods distant is the cellar of the old Solomon Perley house which is just over the Boxford boundary line.

See Perley’s Dwellings of Boxford, p, 50.

Frank Bell, off Wildes St. Off the cross road leading from Boston street to East street and sometimes called Wildes street, is a two story house, on the site of which there formerly stood a two story house that was built about 1765 for Benjamin Woodbury. In 1771 the property was con- veyed to Amos Wildes of Ipswich, and it remained in the Wildes family for nearly one hundred years. In i8ii,Amos Wildes, a grandson, built a two story addition to the old house, for his father Dudley Wildes. In 1883-4 the old part was torn down and a two story ell was built for B. Austin Per- kins by James H. Sleeper and son. Asa W. Wildes, lawyer, teacher, and for a long time County Commissioner, who was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, owned this place for nearly forty years. His heirs sold the property to B. Austin and Moses B. Perkins, May 10, 1859, since which

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time the farm has been divided up and has had several different owners.

See Hist. Colls. Vol. VII, p. 88, line 24.

Site of the Edward Neland House, Wildes St. On the old boundary line between Topsfield and Ipswich, on Wildes street, there formerly stood a house, a part of which stood in Topsfield and the other part in Ipswich. This house was in the possession of the Neland family as early as 1675-6.

It was taxed to Edward Neland in 1692. In 1697 the boun- dary line was changed somewhat so that Neland’s dwelling was thus left in Ipswich about two rods from the line. The old well, which was by the side of the road and near the wheel track, was filled up by order of the selectmen in 1890.

Site of the Philip Kneeland House. Not far from the site of the Edward Neland house and in a westerly direc- tion, may be seen the site of the Philip Kneeland house, which was probably built in 1767, as it was first taxed to him the following year. In 1798 it was owned and taxed to his son Aaron Kneeland, who sold the property, April 8, 1811, to Elisha Perkins. After his ownership of two years, it passed into the hands of John McKenzie, wheelwright, who owned it for several years. His son, the late Alfred S. McKenzie of Peabody, one of the best self-educated men in ] the county, was born here Feb. 24, 1820. On Dec. i, 1825, '

John McKenzie made the property over to John Rea, jr., to | be sold for the benefit of the McKenzie children, &c. Mr. ^ Rea sold the place Jan 17, 1826, to Nathaniel Potter, who ; owned it for several years and then conveyed it to his five children. May 19, 1851. They sold the same to Nathaniel Foster, March 9, 1852, who took the old house down about 1877.

TOPSFIELD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.

69

ADDENDA.

The Town Hall was dedicated December 16, 1874. Dr George B. Loring of Salem delivered the address on the occasion.

The Methodist Church was dedicated June 14, 1854. Rev. Lorenzo D. Barrows, D. D. of Lowell, preached the dedicatory sermon, and the presiding elder, Rev. Loranus Crowell, offered the prayer.

Frank H. Towne, Hill St. The old house that former- ly was located in what is now the front garden, was proba- bly owned and occupied by Daniel Redington in 1726. He sold to his son Jacob that year, who, in 1740, sold the prop- erty to George Bixby and removed to Windsor, Conn. In 1772, Bixby sold the farm to Samuel Cummings, who transferred the property, the same day, to Ephraim Towne.

ERRATA.

Page 8, line 31, should read — the shop had been moved.

“ 12, “ 38, “ “ — in 1853.

“ 22, “ 3, “ “ — house that was taxed to

Ephraim Towne in 1773.

Page 29, line 4, should read — tomb, built in 1837.

“ 29, “5, “ “ — house was erected near its

location.

Page 41, line 27, should read — This two story house.

“ 53, “ 6, “ “ — This two story house.

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

COMPILED BY JOHN H. TOWNE.

Deposition of Wolter Ropper aged abought 48 yeares And Willm Howard aged abought 52 yeares.

* * * moreover these deponants doth further witnes

That this sayd grant as before [torn] was in Cleere termes recorded in to towne book [torn] Topsfeild : wch now they of Topsfield saye was b[torn] when John Redingtons house was burnt: fo[torn] sayd booke was kept.

Sworne in court at Ipswich 26 March 1661.

Essex County Court Papers, Vol. VI, p. 74.

As the earliest recorded entry now to be found on the Topsfield town records is dated March 25, 1659, the destruc- tion of John Redington’s house probably occurred in the fall of 1658, or the succeeding winter.

May 31, 1660. The Court, on consideration of Zackeus Golds great losse he lately susteined by fire, judge meete to remit his fine of three pounds imposed for entertayning the Quakers.

Mass. Bay Colony Records, Vol. IV, pt. i, p. 426.

Septr. 6, 1696. There was a Contribution for goodman Kenney y‘ lost his house & goods by fire. There was gath- ered 2-16-06.

(70)

Topsfield church records.

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71

About 8 o’clock one evening in the fall of 1780, the house of Abraham Hobbs, which stood a few rods southwest from the present Barney Mulligan house, Perkins St., was totally destroyed by fire. It was caused by the upsetting of a can- dle in the attic, by a boy eight years old, who had gone there to attend to his pets.

Town records and family tradition.

During the afternoon of January 26, 1819, a barn owned and occupied by Benjamin Pike, was totally destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. The barn stood near the present Pike house on Rowley Bridge street.

Town records.

Fire ! — On Tuesday night last, a house in Topsfield, [the old Ivory Hovey house, Haverhill street,] occupied by Messrs. Timothy and Solomon Emerson, was destroyed by fire, caught from an oven which had been heated the preced- ing afternoon, and they with their families narrowly escaped perishing in the flames. More particulars of this disaster are given in a piece, signed by T. Emerson, and inserted below.

AN APPEAL TO THE BENEVOLENT.

Friends of Humanity!

On the night of the 2d inst. the house in which I lived was demolished by fire, and all the provisions which by hard labor I had laid up, and which would have comfortably sup- ported my family through the winter, were destroyed, with the principal part of the furniture and nearly all the clothing. I am now, with my wife and five children, deprived of a house and the necessaries of life. I am reluctant to ask your aid, but am compelled to it by dire necessity; and whatever your benevolent feelings may prompt you to bestow, I do assure you will be gratefully received. But to return to the distresses and cries of my family: these make me shudder while I write ; they being taken out of their beds, and hove out in the snow, and nothing on but their linen, and I nothing on but my trousers. I froze my toes and fingers, trying to keep my children from freezing. My brother, who

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FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

lived in the chamber over me, did but just escape with his life, being stifled with smoke. My brother, having an old lady blind and helpless, was obliged to carry her half a mile to the first house. The house caught fire by the oven, it being heated in the afternoon.

I was in my bed, being first accosted by the smoke in the room, sprang from my bed, opening the doors, and the fire burst immediately into the room. I was obliged to get my family out as soon as possible. This was on Tuesday night the 2d. day of January, 1821.

Timothy Emerson, Topsfield.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 9, 1821.

FIRE IN TOPSFIELD.

On Monday morning a fire broke out in the premises of Mr. John Rea, jr., in Topsfield, by which the Tavern House, together with a large barn, and a store, belonging to that gentleman were destroyed. We are informed by persons who were on the spot, that the fire originated in the barn, the contents of which, — a large quantity of hay, grain, &c. two horses, several hogs, two chaises, and two or three wagons, — were destroyed. Considerable of the house furniture was consumed, and also many other articles in the house, includ- ing a gold watch. Mr. Perley’s store, on the opposite side of the road, was preserved with great difficulty. It is sup- posed that the fire was the work of an incendiary, as it was first discovered in a part of the barn not occupied as a tavern stable, and into which no one had been known to carry a light. Mr. Rea was aroused at about one o’clock, and the alarm reached Salem a little before two. Two engines from Danvers, and one from New-Rowley, were present. Engines also started from Salem — that from Boston street had made considerable progress on the road, when it was stopped by a messenger from the Chief Engineer of our Fire Department, who was at the fire.

After the above was in type, we received from a corres- pondent an account of the fire, in which he says — “Mr. Rea saved literally nothing from the devouring element. He had barely time to save the lives of himself and family. The

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

73

whole loss is estimated at five thousand dollars. There was an insurance by the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Andover) of two thousand dollars on the buildings, which, however, was held for the benefit of an individual having a mortgage of the premises. The loss to Mr. Rea is TOTAL, and we hope a liberal public will remember him in this hour of calamity and need. His whole substance is consumed in a night, and all his prospects for the support of himself and his family blasted, as it were, in an instant. He has the sympathies of his townsmen, and we hope they, and others, of their abundance, will give him substantial proofs by their deeds, as well as by their words. This is the first consider- able fire which has ever taken place in the town, from its settlements, and we regret to add, that it was, beyond all question, the work of an incendiary.

Topsfield, Oct. 17, 1836.”

Salem Gazette, Oct. 18, 1836.

ANOTHER FIRE IN TOPSFIELD.

Last Monday at 3 P.M. a fire broke out in the barn. of Mr. Josiah Gould of Topsfield, which was consumed, with all his winter stock of hay, and grain, together with a wood shed, &c. &c. Loss estimated at about $1000. By great exer- tions the adjoining dwelling house, owned by Capt. Kilham, was saved. There is, we learn, no way of accounting for the fire. Mr. Gould is a worthy, hard laboring man, and his loss is very severe.

Salem Gazette, Dec. 16, 1836.

In the fall of 1849, a chaise- house, owned and occupied by Asa Pingree, was destroyed by fire. It stood a short distance from his dwelling-house with a drive-way between. It was only by great efforts that the dwelling-house was saved from destruction. The water in the wells giving out, barrels of cider were rolled out of the cellar and used to put out the fire. Cause of fire unknown.

Fire in Topsfield. About 8 o’clock last evening, (Fri- day), a barn [formerly owned by Cyrus Webster] belonging to Miss Mulliken, in Topsfield, near the meeting house, was

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FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

Struck by lightning, and totally destroyed, with all its con- tents, including ten tons of hay. Six persons were in the barn, when it was struck, but none of them were injured. The loss was about $500. Insured for $150 at the Holyoke Mutual Ofhce.

After the above was in type, we received from an attentive correspondent in Topsfield, the following additional particu- lars :

The barn belonged to Mrs. Mullikin, of Salem, and was entirely consumed, together with eight or ten tons of hay, and a quantity of grain and beans belonging to Mr. Allen Gould, and several cords of wood belonging to an occupant of her house. In one end of the barn was a shoemaker’s shop, having in it six or eight men at work, but no one ex- perienced any other injury than a severe shock. A consid- erable quantity of leather was in the shop, belonging to Mr. C. Herrick, which was destroyed, together with the seats and tools of the workmen. At the time of the fire the rain came down in torrents : nevertheless the inhabitants turned out, to the number of five or six hundred, but could afford but little assistance, as the barn was completely on fire in a few moments.

Salem Gazette, Sept. 28, 1850.

About noon, one day in the latter part of November, 1853, a large barn, which stood beside the road in the field be- tween the Palmer house and the cemetery [Haverhill St.], was totally destroyed by fire. The barn was owned by Dr. Royal A. Merriam. The cause of the fire was not known.

Town records.

Fire at Topsfield. On Friday afternoon, Dec. 9, 1853, at 52 o’clock, the barn [situated on Garden St.], with all its contents of hay, grain, &c., of Asa Pingree, Esq., in Topsfield, took fire and was entirely destroyed. The cause of the fire was not known.

Salem Gazette, Dec. 13, 1853.

Between May i, 1854 and May i, 1855, a barn situated in a pasture on the eastern side of High St., and south of the

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

75

river, was totally destroyed with all its contents, by a fire which was supposed to have been set by some person. The barn had long been owned and occupied by Henry Towne.

About 1855-6, a blacksmith shop, which stood near the “Stone House” on Salem St., then owned by Asa Pingree, was destroyed by a fire in the night. William M. Andrews was the last occupant of the shop.

About 2 o’clock on the afternoon of Mar. 5-6, 1858, a fire broke out which destroyed two barns, one old and the other comparatively new, on the William Preston Dodge place, Perkins St. Some of the contents, as hay, tools, &c., were also destroyed. It was only by strenuous efforts that the house was saved.

Town records and family tradition.

During the month of February, 1867, the old Stephen Perley house, off Haverhill St., was burned to the ground by an incendiary fire. Only a few days before the fire, the owner, being sick, had been taken to his brother’s house in Boxford, where he soon after died. The house was very old.

Town records and family tradition.

A One story house, which formerly stood in a southwest- erly direction from the foregoing house, was owned by, and taxed to, William Moneys in 1798. It was afterwards burned, but no date of the fire is recorded.

A few hundred feet southeasterly from the Charles G. Cotton house, on Haverhill St., and on the left hand side of the road leading to Hood’s Pond, there formerly stood a two story house long known as the Benjamin Bixby place. It was destroyed by a fire in the month of May, 1867.

Town records.

Fire. — On Friday forenoon, [Jan. 15, 1869], at about half past ten o’clock, the barn of widow William Perkins, near the Danvers line, was discovered to be on fire ; and, there being no fire department in town, before sufficient assistance

76

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

could be procured, it was destroyed with its contents, which included one horse, two heifers, one cow, and several tons of hay. No doubt exists that the fire was the work of an incendiary.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 19, 1869.

A barn belonging to Mr. Abel Jones [formerly John Conant’s] was burned on Saturday night, lOth. inst., with 1

several tons of hay, two heifers, one swine, and about eighty i

fowls. As no one had been to the barn after five of that 1

evening, and the fire occurred between nine and ten, it is ^

surmised that it was the work of an incendiary, as tracks I

and matches were found in the yard the next day. Had it ] not been for timely assistance of the neighbors his house j would have been burned. Mr. Jones had retired when the | fire was discovered, but had time to rescue a horse and i

several cows. As there was no insurance, the loss falls ^

heavily on Mr. Jones, who is a hard working man. This is 1

the only fire that has occurred for several years in this town, \

which fact may be attributed to our not having an engine. j

When there are fire engines and companies to work them |

there has to be an occasional fire for the fun of working the |

engine. It is said by those who know that engine houses in |

country towns are places of resort for persons whose morals 'j

are not made better by meeting there.

Salem Gazette, Dec. 20, 1870. 1

(

Fire. — On Tuesday [Feb. 16, 1874], the house [formerly \ Wm. Preston Dodge’s] near the poor farm, owned by Mr. 1 Dudley Perkins, and occupied by Mr. Edward Hall, was de- stroyed by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were both away, when j

the fire broke out in the L. The children were in the other || part of the house, and knew nothing about it, till the next neighbor, Mrs. Dudley Q. Perkins, seeing the flames, came | to give them the alarm. The house and furniture were \ totally destroyed, without insurance. The loss falls very | heavily on Mr. Hall, whose means are not large ; but his townsmen are doing something to repair the loss. I

Salem Gazette, Feb. 24, 1874.

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

77

At two o’clock on Thursday morning [Jan. ii, 1877], house and barn of Mr. James Manning, on the Ipswich road, were consumed by fire, the origin of which is not known. Nearly everything was consumed, including five or six cows, one hog, hay, potatoes, and other produce; and there was a loss of over $3000, partly covered by insurance. The fire originated in the barn, and the lowing of the cattle awak- ened Mrs. Manning, who aroused her husband, he going directly to the barn, but too late to prevent the spread of the fire and save the house. He immediately returned to the house and advised his wife that no time must be lost in preparing the family for removal. They were all, seven children, safely got out, and with the assistance of the neigh- bors, most of the furniture was saved. Two horses, a yoke of oxen, two or three cows, and some of the wagons, were also saved.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 16, 1877.

During the year 1878, Fred A. Elliott’s barn on Mill St. was destroyed by fire. It was formerly the old “Gould house,” but had been used for years as a barn.

See Gould’s Genealogy, pp. 33-4.

On Monday night [Sept. 26, 1880], the cider mill of John A. Peterson was destroyed by fire. It was a mill run by steam power and large quantities of apples were made into cider there. It was situated on the Middleton road in the west part of the town. A considerable quantity of vinegar, we hear, was included in the loss. This fire was at the Lo- renzo P. Towne place, for many years the most extensive cider manufactory in the town.

Salem Gazette, Oct. i, 1880.

About 6 o’clock on the morning of June 6, 1882, the old Foster-Horne house, situated on the westerly side of Rowley Bridge St., and near the old Middleton road, was entirely destroyed by an incendiary fire. It was owned at the time by John A. Peterson and family.

Town records.

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FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

The largest fire which has visited this town in six years occurred Monday evening, March 17, [1884], the property consumed being the Shepard house, so called, shop, and barn, owned by John G. Ryder. The blaze was discovered at about half past six P. M., and started in the barn. The cause is unknown and the loss variously estimated at from $2000 to $5000. The house, a barn, and shoemaker’s shop were all consumed. A horse, several tons of hay, carriages, and con- tents of the shop, were also burned. The town has no fire apparatus whatever, and its want was severely felt.

Salem Gazette, Mar. 21, 1884.

On the evening of Oct. 21, 1885, a sheep barn, owned at the time by Eugene C. Hussey, was destroyed by fire. It had been used for several years by Ariel H. Gould, butcher, and stood in the field at the rear of the slaughter-house, on Main street. Cause of fire unknown. The loss was $700. Insured for $500.

Town records.

Fire broke out in the residence of Isaac M. Woodbury in the village last Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13, [1885], probably from a defective chimney. The citizens rallied, and, form- ing a line with buckets, managed, after a hard struggle, in ] extinguishing the flames. Word was sent to Salem for aid, as a general conflagration was feared, but before help was sent, j the fire was out. It is thought Mr. Woodbury will lose about ! $1000 on his house and $500 on his furniture. His property ; is insured. ;

Salem Gazette, Dec. 16, 1885.

There was a fire at the farm-house on the T. W. Peirce farm Tuesday, March 8, 1887, soon after noon. It is under- stood to have caught from one of the stoves in some way, and burned up through the partition into the attic before it was discovered. It was extinguished by the men on the farm, with the aid of buckets. The loss is estimated at between $200 and $300.

Salem Gazette, March ii, 1887.

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

79

A severe thunder storm passed over town early Wednesday morning [Aug. 20, 1890], between 3.30 and 4. 30 o’clock. A barn belonging to Mr. Alden Peabody, situated on the top of “River Hill,” on the road to Danvers, was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground. Almost as soon as it was struck it was all ablaze, the quantity of dry hay (about twenty-five tons) taking fire immediately. William Fuller, in the em- ploy of Mr. Peabody, slept in a room of the house next to the barn and was up and in to the barn in a very few minutes, setting free seven of the cows before Mr. Peabody arrived. They together succeeded in rescuing the remainder of the cows, two horses, a load of hay, which was upon the wagon unloaded in the barn, the mowing and raking machines, but most of the smaller tools were lost. Two large hogs in the barn cellar were roasted to death, there not being time to save them. A carriage house and a corn barn were also burned. The carriages however were saved. Men from the Peirce and Pingree farms, also the neighbors, responded quickly with buckets and hand force pumps, with which they succeeded in keeping the end of the house next to the barn well wet, thus saving the entire structure. The house is situated but a short distance from the barn and other buildings burned, and had it not been for the favorable direction of the wind from the house, and the valuable aid of the men, the house undoubt- edly would have been burned also. The barn was insured for about one-half its value, but there was none on the con- tents. The loss will be severe, but his many friends are do- ing all they can to make it as light to be borne as possible.

Salem Gazette, Aug. 22, 1890.

Mr. J. Albert Blaisdell’s barn, situated in the east part of the town, was burned to the ground on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. I, the fire having been set by a tramp or a crazy man that makes his home in the woods nearby.

Mr. Blaisdell’s family were away at the time, and Mr. Blais- dell had been at home but a short time, when he saw a man approaching the house. Mr. Blaisdell went out to meet him and to inquire his errand, when he turned and ran for the woods. Scarcely had he reached the woods when it was ob- served that the barn was afire.

I

8o

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

Mr. Blaisdell rushed to it and succeeded in setting at lib- erty his oxen, which were tied up inside ; he also saved his pig. The cows, which were out at pasture, were not injured. About twenty tons of hay, a number of carriages and farm wagons, farming implements and tools were burned.

On Sunday last, Sept. 28, meadows belonging to Miss Lydia Perkins were burned over and a large number of cords of wood belonging to Mr. Mason Curtis, of Marblehead, near the Blaisdell farm, had been burned. In all, eight fires, includ- ing meadows, pastures and wood, had been set by this tramp, who makes good his escape each time.

Mr. Blaisdell thinks the tramp proposed to fire his house also at the time of burning the barn, and was on his errand when met by Mr. Blaisdell, as he came from the barn he had fired.

Mr. Blaisdeirs sympathizing friends have raised about $150. for the building of a new barn, and to recover partially his loss of carriages and other things.

It is hoped the crazy nuisance will be captured and brought to terms.

Salem Gazette, Oct. 3, 1890.

The old homestead of the late Nehemiah Perkins in the east part of the town, was burned to the ground on Friday evening, Jan. 16, 1891. The house was unoccupied, Mr. B. Austin Perkins being the last occupant. This was the early home of Mr. John W. Perkins, principal of Dummer Academy, and Mr. Albert C. Perkins, a successful teacher in Brooklyn, N. Y. The fire is supposed to have been of incendiary origin as it was first seen burning between the wall and outside boarding of the house. In a short time a large company had gathered, but no attempts were made at rescuing the house, as it was well afire, and being an old structure it was quickly consumed. Mr. B. Austin Perkins, with his sister Lydia, have been living in a house near by, since the old one has been unfit for habitation.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 20, 1891.

The barn of Mr. B. Austin Perkins, situated in the east part of the town, was burned to the ground Saturday night.

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

8l

Jan. 24. The fire is supposed to have been of incendiary ori- gin. The barn was full of hay, which was entirely consumed. The cattle and horses were set free and driven out of the barn before it burned, by the incendiaries. The barn was near the old house, which was burned only a week ago. Attempts have been made to fire the small building in the field near by, but as yet have proved unsuccessful. The barn burned was a comparatively new building, and the loss will be greatly felt. Who the incendiaries are is the question, and one not easily answered.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 30, 1891.

B. Austin Perkin’s saw mill, situated in the east part of the town, was burned on Monday evening of last week [Feb. 22, 1891]. This is the third fire of property belonging to Mr. Perkins, and the incendiary is still at large. Mr. Perkins had just got the mill in running order and expected to do some sawing soon.

Salem Gazette, Feb. 27, 1891.

The old Blaisdell house, situated in the east part of the town, was burned Wednesday night, April i, by a fire of in- cendiary origin. Mr. Blaisdell’s barn was burned last Fall, the house had just been vacated by Mr. Blaisdell and family, they having purchased and just moved into the Proctor Per- kins estate in the west part of the town. Mr. Blaisdell’s in- terest in the house was one-half, the other half being owned by Mr. Curtis of Marblehead. This is the fifth fire in that part of the town within a short time — a house, barn and saw mill belonging to Mr. B. Austin Perkins, and this house and barn of Mr. Blaisdell. The incendiary is still at large, noth- ing being obtained sufficient for conviction as yet.

Salem Gazette, April 2, 1891.

The most destructive fire that has visited town for many years, in fact the largest one since the buildings at what was formerly the Ryder place, now owned by Mr. Augustus W. Smith, on Main street, were burned, broke out at about 4.30 P. M., Friday last [Feb. 26, 1892], in the two story wooden building in the rear of Mrs. Elizabeth Perley’s residence on High street.

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FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

How the fire originated is unknown, more than that it caught from the chimney — some defect or overheating. The fire, it is claimed, was first seen in the second story, after which smoke was seen issuing from the roof. When the alarm was given, the Congregational church and the Centre Grammar school bells were rung, the people were ready to respond, and in comparatively short time a large crowd of men, women and children were at the scene of destruction. The hook and ladder company responded, and all the appa- ratus was brought into valuable service, though in many ways it proved faulty.

It was at first thought the barn, which was near the burn- ing building, might be saved, and efforts were made to save that as well as the dwelling house in front. The wells in the neighborhood were all drawn from and those who were not on the buildings turned to and pumped and carried water, all the available pails and buckets being used. As the fire increased, it was seen that the barn must surely go, and all the force was put onto the house and dwelling occupied by Mr. Dwight Boyden at the east of the barn. The roofs were covered with sail-cloth and kept thoroughly wet down, and only by the herculean efforts of the entire force were the two dwelling houses saved from the flames.

The heat was intense and the sparks were flying thick and fast. Fortunately no wind was blowing at the time of the fire. Had this been the case all efforts would have been of no avail.

At about 6, P. M. the building was all ablaze and the barn took fire. A portion of the hay and wood was saved ; the cow also was taken out, and so were other things of' small value.

Nearly all the furniture from Mrs. Perley’s house was taken out, the greater part being removed to Mr. Andrew Peirce’s, while other portions were piled up out doors or taken into neighboring houses.

Mr. I. N. Averill’s house near by was imperilled at one time. The roof was kept well wet and things were ready to move at a moment’s notice. The building burned was used for a wash house, laundry, storage and lodging, several rooms being furnished for the latter purpose. Mr. Francis

FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

83

H. Williams, who occupied a room on the top floor, lost all all his belongings; Mr. E. K. Foster occupied rooms on the second floor, and his loss is small. A lot of furniture belong- ing to Miss Rebecca Conant, stored there, was burned ; also a lot of wood the property of Mr. A. A. Conant.

This building was valued at about $1200, but was insured for only $500, the barn being insured for $200. The total loss will amount to more than $800, about eight tons of coal being in the cellar. Insurance was placed in the Merrimac Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Andover. Both the buildings were totally consumed.

After the fire was under control, the furniture and bedding which were out doors were carried back into the house, more or less scratched and muddied. The rest was brought back Saturday.

The fire burned all night, and the coal burned several days. Men were stationed as watchers at the ruins all Friday night to see that no sparks were carried to the other buildings.

Salem Gazette, March i, 1892.

At 6.20, P. M. yesterday [June 21, 1894], the citizens were aroused by the cry of fire. Mr. Job H. Frame, a brother of G. Augustus Frame, whose house was on fire, rode to the village and gave the alarm. The hook and ladder truck, which is the only fire apparatus the town owns, was at once brought out, and Mr. J. B. Poor’s horse attached, and with C. A. S. Kneeland, C. W. Floyd, Luther Peabody and Albert Lane were quickly conveyed to the scene about a mile distant.

The fire had burned through the roof, and it was found impossible to save the house and the L. About two cords of wood near the house, was quickly removed, and a sail-cloth thrown over the wood and kept wet to prevent a shed and barn from taking fire.

The men did all that was possible with the means at hand. The furniture was all saved.

Mr. Frame had three large incubators in the cellar which were damaged by removal. The house was totally destroyed. The house was insured for $600; furniture $250, and the in- cubators $75. The cause of the fire is unknown.

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FIRES IN TOPSFIELD.

As the janitor of the Centre school rang the bell to arouse the people, the tongue dropped out, and he was able to give only a few strokes.

Salem Gazette, June 27, 1894.

For the first time in many months Topsfield was visited by fire. It was discovered on the roof of Augustus W. Smith’s house, near the Methodist church, by Henry M. Andrews, who saw the smoke coming from the roof and under the eaves, at 4.10, P. M. Saturday [March 23, 1895]. The alarm was quickly given by the people in the street, and Mr. Fer- guson managed to effect an entrance to the bell rope in the church and the continuous ringing of the bell warned the citizens that all available help was wanted in behalf of some unfortunate citizen. The fire caught from light matter, such as hay and chips, being placed in an open fire place, the draft carrying back the sparks to the roof near the chimney. * * * From the time the alarm was rung in until the fire was out only 45 minutes had elapsed. A place near the chimney was burned through and much water was thrown upon the roof, that going below did much damage to the chambers beneath.

Topsfield Townsman, March 30, 1895.

A few minutes before twelve o’clock last Friday [July 31, 1896], the roof of the Frank E. Batchelder house in the south part of the town was discovered to be on fire. A spark from the chimney probably was the cause. The shingles were old and the flames spread rapidly. Fortunately John H. Potter with his crew of carpenters were less than a hundred feet away, working on the cow barn Mr. Batchelder has recently erected, and siezing their ladders they soon had water on the roof. * The pump is located in the basement of the house and the neighbors appearing in answer to the alarm, manned a line of water buckets which after a hard fight finally sub- dued the flames. The old oaken boards burned slowly and perhaps to that cause more than anything else can be attrib- uted the saving of the .house. The fire was declared out at 12.35 o’clock. One side of the roof was burned completely off. The damage is estimated to be about $250. Nearly all the furniture was removed from the house, completely filling

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the front yard and as cool heads carried out the various arti- cles but little damage resulted.

Topsfield Townsman, Aug. 8, 1896.

Last Saturday evening [Dec. 17, 1898], a little after 7 o’clock, William L. Batchelder, who lives in the south part of the town [Rowley Bridge St.], went to his barn to feed his cattle for the night, hanging his lantern on a nail in one of the beams, as he had done for years. He then went to feed the cattle, when to his surprise the lantern dropped to the floor and a sheet of flame burst from the haymow. Mr. Batchelder called for his hired man and the two tried to ex- tinguish the flames. Finding it impossible, they began to re- lease the live stock, which consisted of horned cattle and four horses. The barn filled so quickly with smoke, that only 13 cows and the horses were saved, while the other 9 cows perished in the flames. The house which is only 50 feet from the barn, was in great danger. Blankets and canvasses were placed upon it and a large amount of water poured over them, which was the means of saving the house. The large wagon house took fire; also the grain house a short distance away, making three buildings destroyed.

The barn contained 50 tons of hay and the grain house eight tons of grain. The two large henneries, about 10 feet away, were saved. Mr. Batchelder carried an insurance of $1500 on the barn, $400 on hay and grain, $400 on horses and $500 on cows. He places his loss at nearly $2000 on tools, wagons, machines, etc. He will rebuild at once. [Re- built in 1899.]

Topsfield Townsman, Dec. 24, 1898.

[July 19, 1900.] During the shower yesterday afternoon at 2.15 o’clock lightning struck the barn of A. W. Stevens, which is situated about one mile from the village. The fire was first discovered by Mr. Stevens, who was at home alone, and word was sent to the village by Samuel Conley, a neigh- bor, and the whistles on both shoe shops gave the alarm. The hook and ladder truck and fire extinguisher from all parts of the town were soon on the scene.

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The house, which was only 23 feet from the barn, took fire, and only the heroic work of the fire department and citizens of the town saved it from total destruction. All the furniture was removed from the house.

The barn contained five tons of hay, and ten cords of wood, which stood alongside the barn, was also burned. The work- shop, which contained a large collection of antique articles, was also destroyed. The damage done amounted to $2000, and the insurance $3000. Dr. Gibson was soon on the scene and attended to Mrs. Stevens, who was prostrated ; and to Charles Leach, who was overcome by work and heat. Andy Jackman and C. W. Floyd were blistered on their arms and shoulders by the fire. Great credit is due to the citizens for their prompt and active work in saving the house.

Salem Evening News, July 20, 1900.

On Sunday night, 26th [June, 1859], about 12 o’clock, an unoccupied dwelling house in Topsfield near the Boxford line, belonging to Asa Pingree, Esq. was discovered to be on fire, and an alarm was given in the neighborhood. Mr. Isaac Hale, who resides in the neighborhood, and his family, left their house for a short time to witness the conflagration, and during their absence a gold watch was stolen therefrom. The watch was soon after offered for sale in Boston and recovered, and the affair is now in the hands of the police.

Salem Gazette, June 28, 1859.

ERRATUM.

Page 17, Charles G. Cotton, Haverhill St. See also page 75. The Benjamin Bixby house, was located about sixty-five feet southeasterly from the present Cotton house. It was destroyed by an incendiary fire about midnight, on Sunday, June 26, 1859. The Humphrey Perley house, which stood some three hundred feet southeasterly from the present Cotton house, was built by Humphrey Perley, in 1844. It was destroyed by fire in May, 1867.

JOSEPH SMITH. The Mormon Prophet.

HYRUM SMITH.

ASAHEL SMITH OF TOPSFIELD, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SMITH FAMILY.

BY JOSEPH F. SMITH, JR., OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

In looking over the early history of the United States, one cannot help but see the truthfulness of the words of the Apostle Paul, that “the powers that be are ordained of God.” I firmly believe that through the inspiration of the Lord the first settlers of America were moved upon to take up their journey from the old world and make their homes in this land of freedom. Generally they were of humble birth, yet honest, industrious and brave ; men, such as the Lord would choose to cope with the many problems which are always to be met and overcome in the settlement of a new country or in the framing of a new nation.

Among these early settlers was a Robert Smith who immi- grated in the year 1638. Beginning life in the new world in a humble way he gradually won the esteem of his neighbors, and through his industry and integrity was able to gather around him some of the comforts of life. He married a Mary French and moved to that part of Rowley, in Essex County, which afterward became the township of Boxford, where he purchased two hundred eight acres of land. Robert was known among his neighbors as a quiet unassuming man, devoted to the welfare of the settlement, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. He was the father of ten children, namely : Thomas; Mary, born October 28, 1658, married John Towne ; Phebe, born August 26, 1661, married Jacob Towne; Ephraim, born October 29, 1663, married

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Mary Ramsdell ; Samuel, born January 26, 1666, married Rebecca Curtis; Amye, born August 16, 1668, married Joseph Towne; Sarah, born June 25, 1670, died August 28, 1673; Nathaniel, born January 29, 1674, married Rebecca Symonds; Mariah, born December 18, 1677, married Peter Shumway. In his will dated August 7, 1693 — twenty-three days before his death — Robert appointed his wife Mary and third son, Samuel, his executors. Later by request of his mother and the children, Samuel became the sole adminis- trator of his father’s estate. He received a letter of adminis- tration from Judge Jonathan Corwin, October 3, 1698.

After the estate was divided, Samuel moved from Boxford to Topsfield where he became an influential member of soci- ety and held several offices of trust. He married Rebecca, daughter of John Curtis, January 25, 1707. He is sometimes credited with a previous marriage, but whether this is the same Samuel has not been proved with any degree of cer- tainty. The children of Samuel and Rebecca were : Phebe, Mary, Samuel, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Hephzibah, Robert, Su- sannah and Hannah. His son Samuel was born January 3, 1714, in Topsfield. He married (first) Priscilla Gould, daughter of Zaccheus Gould of that village. Their children were: Priscilla, Samuel, Vashti, Susannah, and Asahel. After the death of his wife, Samuel married (second) Priscilla Gould, a cousin to his first wife. Samuel was a very promi- nent man in the community and served the people the greater part of his life. Among the many positions he held are the following: — He was grand juryman in 1760; in 1770, road supervisor ; in 1779, 1780, 1783, 1784, and 1785 he was on the committee of safety; from 1771 to 1777 and in 1781 and 1782 he was assessor and selectman in Topsfield, declining the honor in 1783; he was moderator in 1758, 1759, 1760, 1762, 1764, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774* I775» 1778, 1779, 1780, and 1783; recog. of debts in 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1782 and 1783; representative to the General Court (H. of R.) in 1764, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1772, 1777, 1778, and 1781; town clerk in 1774, 1776 and 1777; delegate to the Provincial Congress at Concord, October ii, 1774 and again January 19, 1775 and he was on the tea committee (chairman) in 1773. He was

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best known as “Captain” Samuel Smith, receiving his military title from service in the militia.

He died November 14, 1785, leaving an estate valued at ;^544-I2-8. The Salem Gazette of November 22, 1785, in recording the fact of his death made mention of him in the following worthy terms:

“Died. — At Topsfield, on Monday the 14th instant, Samuel Smith, Esq., aged 72. — So amiable and worthy a character as he evidently appeared, both in public and private, will render the memory of him ever precious. For a number of years he represented the town in the General Court, where he was esteemed a man of integrity and uprightness. His use- fulness among those with whom he was more immediately conversant was eminent. He was a sincere friend to the liberties of his country, and a strenuous advocate for the doctrine of Christianity.

“The memory of the Just is blessed.”

Asael, son of Samuel, was born in Topsfield, March 7, 1744. His mother died shortly after his birth and he was left in the care of his father’s second wife, Priscilla. The greater part of his early life was spent in Topsfield. February 12, 1767, he married Mary Duty, of Windham, New Hampshire, and took up his residence in that place about the year 1772. From there he moved to Dunbarton and from there he went to Derryfield, now the city of Manchester.

During the Revolution he followed the example of his wor- thy father and cast his lot on the side of the patriots, serving in the American army during the war. After the death of his father, in 1785, Asael returned to Topsfield again to make his home on the paternal estate. He lived in the old home about one mile north of the town, where a number of his children were born, notably, Joseph, father of the “Mormon” Prophet. It is doubtful if Asael would have again left the place had he not aroused the prejudices of his neighbors. He was a man of very liberal views, with thoughts in advance of his time. He was noted for having opinions of his own which he would not yield to bigotry nor opposition. Some of his children were baptized in the Congregational church at Topsfield; but in his own religious views he was somewhat of a Universalist, and held to the truths that in x^merica, all

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men should have free and equal religious liberty. It is com- monly reported in the family that he brought the ill-will of his neighbors upon his head because of his too liberal reli- gious views. It is well known that he was open and explicit and always expressed his honest opinions whether they were in accord with prevailing views or not.

It has been said of him that one of his shoulders was high- er than the other, but this is a mistake. He was not deformed in any way, but while a small child his neck was severely burned which caused the cords to contract, making his neck stiff ; and from this he received the undignified nickname of ' “Crook-neck” Smith, a term applied to him by his opposers. Nehemiah Cleaveland, in his address delivered at the two- hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Topsheld, speaking of Asael, said: “He was so free in his opinions on religious subjects that some regarded his sentiments as more distorted than his neck.” But fortunately some of his writ- ings in which he expressed his views have been handed down to us, and although his religious opinions were not always in accord with public opinion or belief, yet he was honest in his convictions and held aloof from all denominations simply because he could not reconcile their teachings with the Scrip- tures and