Preface

The History of Essex County is herewith presented to the public, with the confidence that it will make a valuable and important addition to the local histories of the State. The County History has been prepared with care; and the different city and town histories, to which much could have been added had space allowed, are as full and complete as it is possible to make them in the limits of a single volume. The reader will notice different methods of treatment, and a different style, in the various histories,—due to the fact that they are the work of different hands. This variation is not without its advantages; although a greater symmetry might have been given to the work, and a more accurate apportionment of the space given to the historical importance of each town, had it been possible to have secured a single person under whose supervision the whole history could have been written.

The histories are believed to be accurate presentations of the facts connected with the settlement and development of each of the towns and cities; and have in all cases, where the writer was not of the town, been carefully read by some local antiquarian or historian, and received his indorsement.

The Publishers are under great obligation to Dr. Henry Wheatland, of Salem, the President of the Essex Institute, for his general supervision of the chapters of the County History; and the authors of the sketch of Salem desire to express their indebtedness to him for his invaluable assistance in the preparation of their work.

Among those to whom the Publishers and the Authors (whose names appear in the table of contents) are indebted for their kind advice adn assistance, in the preparation of the hisstories of their respective towns and cities, acknowledgement is especially due to Joseph Merrill, Esq., of Amesbury; the Rev. John L. Taylor, of Andover; Hon. John I. Baker, of Beverly; the Rev. Charles B. Rice, of Danvers; Hon. George L. Davis, of North Andover; Mr. John D. Parsons, Jr., of Newburyport; Mr. C. F. W. Archer, of Salem; and wellington Pool, Esq., of Wenham; and, in the preparation of the County History, to William P. Upham, Esq., and Prof. John Robinson, of Salem.

The Publishers offer the History to their patrons, assured that it cannot fail to meet their expectations as a work of historical accuracy and merit.

Boston, December, 1878.