Number 40 Winter 2012

The Trustees of the Whittier Birthplace, the Haverhill Whittier Club, and the Amesbury Whittier Home Association annually publish The Whittier Newsletter, jointly edited by Elinor Curtin Cam-eron, Tim Coco, Dianne Cole, Cynthia Costello and Arthur H. Veasey III. Items concerning Whittier and Whittier manuscripts, news of Whittier collections and organizations, and queries about future material inclusions in the Newsletter should be addressed to Arthur H. Veasey III at svz@comcast.net.

Whittier Focuses on History to Write Powerful PoemBy Cynthia C. Costello, President Whittier Home Museum, Amesbury, MA

Always strongly interested in local stories, folklore and history, John Green-leaf Whittier seized upon local history of Dover on December 1662, “when Constable, Major Richard Waldron issued a warrant which required the con-stables of Dover, Hampton, Salisbury, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Wenham, Lynn, Boston, Roxbury and Dedham, to whip three Quaker women (Anne Colman, Mary Tompkins and Alice Ambrose). ‘You and every one of you, are required, in the King Majesties’ name to make them fast to the cart’s tail, and driving the cart through your several towns, to whip them upon their naked backs not exceeding ten stripes apiece on each of them, and so to con-vey them from constable to constable ‘till they are out of this jurisdiction, as you will answer it at your peril, and this shall be your warrant.’” This historical injustice inspires Whittier to write his famous narrative more than 200 years later, How the Women Went from Dover:

The tale is one of an evil time, When souls were fettered and thought was crime. And heresy’s whisper above its breath Meant shameful scourging and bonds and death.

Whittier, in his characteristically optimistic and compassionate way, refuses to vilify those who persecuted his spiritual forbears and rather focuses on the heroism of a few people, especially Justice Robert Pike of Salisbury. Pike stands out immediately as a heroic advocate of religious freedom and an op-ponent of ecclesiastical authority.

The women begin their ordeal being first whipped at Dover. As they arrive in Salisbury Whittier describes the heroic deed of Constable Pike:

‘Show me the order, and meanwhile strike A blow at your peril!’ said Justice Pike. Of all the rulers the land possessed, Wisest and boldest was he and best.

He read the warrant (and proclaimed) ‘god judge the brute!

I tread his order under my foot! Cut loose these poor ones and let them go; Come what will of it, all men shall know No Warrant is good, though backed by the Crown For whipping women in Salisbury town.’

This evocative piece spurred more research on my part. I referred to records from the Salem Witch Trials and also the genealogy chart of Patty Rose on Ancestry.com.

Pike was born in England in 1615, and chosen a member of the General Court of Massachusetts and Justice of the Peace from Salisbury. Pike was engaged in three major controversies during his lifetime. The first was his arraignment by the General Court in 1653 for his vociferous hostility to the persecution of Quakers especially by clergy, declaring they had “exceed-ed their ecclesiastical rights and broken their oaths as freemen when they passed their notorious laws against Quakers.” For this offense Pike was tried, convicted, fined and disenfranchised from the General Court.

In the second instance, in 1675, he called out the dogmatic authority of the clergy in the person of his pastor, the well-known Rev. John Wheelright, and was promptly excommunicated from the church.

Third was his bitter opposition to the Salem witchcraft prosecutions in 1692, and his triumphant arguments against them. His (Pikes’) strong leadership in support of women was evident in pleading the cases of several accused witches, including Mary Bradbury, Susanna Martin buried here in Ames-bury, and many other accused. It is said of the Salem witchcraft delusion that, “not a voice comes down to us of deliberate and effective hostility to the movement except Pike confronting the judges, an old man of 76 winters in his powerful argumentative appeals. He stands out as a pillar of light upon a starless midnight sky, especially risking that he might be the next witch named.”

In 1690 at Wells, ME, Gov. Simon Bradstreet reinstated Pike to the legis-lature, and commissioned him Major Robert Pike, “Commander-in-Chief of all forces detached or to be detached out of the militia belonging to the colony of Massachusetts, posted in the provinces of New Hampshire, Maine and such others to be put under your command.”

In all of these controversies Pike stood virtually alone and suffered many re-percussions because of his activism…similar to those suffered by early anti-slavers like Whittier, Garrison, Thompson and others. Whittier perpetuates the memory of Major Pike and named witches like Goody Cole and our own Susanna Martin of Amesbury in many of his poems.

In Whittier’s autobiography he honors Pike with these lines: “From all that I have read, and from the traditions of the valley of the Merrimac, I have been accustomed to regard Robert Pike as one of the wisest and worthiest of the early settlers of that region. He was by all odds the most remarkable person-age of the place and time.”

The Poet’s BridgeBy Arthur Hale Veasey III

Spring flooding frequently causes problems around local rivers and streams, but 2010 was a particularly challenging time for several small bridges that span our normally quiet creeks and brooks. One result was the closing of the bridge on Whittier Road that leads to the birthplace of Haverhill’s re-nowned poet and native son, John Greenleaf Whittier. Damage, caused by the relentless onslaught of waters from the usually timid Fernside Brook, required skilled stoneworkers to restore the foundation of the aged bridge to its historic design and make it safe for passage. Raymond Comeau, a retired Harvard dean and president of the Whittier Trustees, commented: “All of us who admire John Greenleaf Whittier are grateful for the efforts of Harverhill and state officials to preserve this bridge in a manner that respects its agrar-ian beginnings.”

Three centuries earlier, when Whittier’s great-great-grandfather built a farmhouse and cleared the rocky New England soil for planting; Thomas Whittier constructed a dam on the stream that cut through his property to generate enough power for a grist mill. About that time he must have en-gineered the first overpass where the bridge stands today to allow for the passage of carts and livestock as well as the occasional traveler making the trek from Haverhill to Rocks Village. Over the years the bridge has taken on many incarnations including the scenic wood rail bridge portrayed in illus-trations and postcards that depict Whittier’s barefoot boy character from the poem of the same name. With the advent of the automobile an arched bridge made of fieldstones was erected around 1930 to accommodate modern day travelers. Since then, many a Whittier admirer has traversed this span visit-ing the Quaker Poet’s childhood home, the jewel in the crown of Haverhill’s numerous historic treasures.

On the first day of October, 2011 a rainy forecast did nothing to dampen the spirits of friends, neighbors and elected officials who turned out for a Saturday morning dedication ceremony for the restored and renamed bridge on Whittier Road. To avoid confusion with the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge that spans the Merrimack River on US Route 95, the Trustees had decided to give the small bridge that serves the homestead and local residents, a new name. It would henceforth be known as The Poet’s Bridge. The Reverend Dr. Gregory Thomas of the Calvary Baptist Church opened the program with a moving invocation that recalled Whittier’s stand against slavery in the mid nineteenth century. Greetings from Haverhill’s Mayor James Fiorentini as well as Dr. Lane Glenn, President of Northern Essex Community College added luster to the event.

Memorable moments included museum curator Gus Reusch’s recitation of “The Barefoot Boy,” and recognition of Trustee Barney Gallagher’s service to the Whittier Homestead. Jay Cleary, President of the Haverhill Historical Society and a Birthplace Trustee highlighted the event with keynote remarks touching upon Whittier’s place in history and his relevance to modern day America, evoking his call for fairness and equality. Adding to the celebratory tone of the occasion, talented vocalist and choir director Shaunielle McDonald sang a traditional Welsh hymn “Sound Over All Waters”- the words penned by Whittier more than a century ago. The dedication was pleasantly brought to a close with the unveiling of a commemorative granite marker at the side of the road between the homestead and the bridge.

Whittier Gets Around...By James P. Cleary III

The words of John Greenleaf Whittier can be found in some of the most surprising locations. One quotation is engraved in stone on the side of the Joseph Story Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge: “With warning hand I mark time’s rapid flight from life’s glad morning to its sol-emn night, yet through the dear God’s love I also show, there’s light above me by the shadow below” This inspiring quotation is alongside a sundial made of copper which is affixed to the building. Another Whittier quotation can be found on the sidewalks of New York on East 41st Street as part of the New York Public Library’s Li-brary Way Program. Bronze plaques are embedded in the sidewalk with quotes of famous authors and po-ets. Whittier’s is the first line of his poem “Proem” “I love the old melodi-ous lays which softly melt the ages through, the songs of Spencer’s golden days, Arcadian Sidney’s silver phrase sprinkling on our noon of time with freshest morning dew.” So, wherever your travels might take you, check the sidewalks beneath your feet and the buildings along side you, for you never know where you might find a quotation of John Greenleaf Whittier. If any of our readers have spied Whittier quotes in interesting places, please consider sharing them with us in future newsletters by contacting the editor.

The Whittier Building, circa 1865

The Haverhill Academy was established in 1827 by several prominent resi-dents including Warner Whittier, James H. Duncan, and Captain William Caldwell. When the co-educational school opened, the tuition for one semes-ter was $4 with an additional charge of $2 for those female students wishing

to take French. Board charges were $1.50 to $1.75 per week. In an adver-tisement for students that ran in the Boston Recorder-Telegraph, the school purported the following: “This Academy offers equal advantages with other similar institutions, and particular attention is paid to the manners and morals of the Pupils.” The Honorable Leverett Saltonstall delivered the

address at the open-ing of the Haverhill Academy on April 30, 1827. John Greenleaf Whittier and Dr. John Crowell were mem-bers of the first class. The building of brick is 62 feet long and 33 feet wide, two stories high with a pediment and cupola. Housed inside the cupola is a 179 pound bell, which was cast in 1827 at the

Revere Foundry, headed by Paul Revere’s son Joseph. The building which for many years housed the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce has, once again, reopened as a school. The Children’s Learning Center, operated by the YMCA, provides day care and learning activities for approximately 40 preschoolers age two to six.

Courtesy of the Friends of the Haverhill Public Library

In School Days

Still sits the school-house by the road, A ragged beggar sleeping; Around it still the sumachs grow, And blackberry-vines are creeping.

Within, the master’s desk is seen, Deep-scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife’s carved initial;

The charcoal frescoes on its wall; Its door’s worn sill, betraying The feet that, creeping slow to school, Went storming out to playing!

Long years ago a winter sun Shone over it at setting; Lit up its western window-panes, And low eaves’ icy fretting.

It touched the tangled golden curls, And brown eyes full of grieving, Of one who still her steps delayed When all the school were leaving.

For near it stood the little boy Her childish favor singled; His cap pulled low upon a face Where pride and shame were mingled.

Pushing with restless feet the snow To right and left, he lingered;-- As restlessly her tiny hands The blue-checked apron fingered.

He saw her lift her eyes; he felt The soft hand’s light caressing, And heard the tremble of her voice, As if a fault confessing.

“I’m sorry that I spelt the word: I hate to go above you, Because,”--the brown eyes lower fell,-- “Because, you see, I love you!”

Still memory to a gray-haired man That sweet child-face is showing. Dear girl! the grasses on her grave Have forty years been growing!

He lives to learn, in life’s hard school, How few who pass above him Lament their triumph and his loss, Like her, because they love him.

2012 Events and Announcements

The Whittier Home Association is hosting Celebrating Whittier III on the picturesque grounds of Maudslay Arts Center, 95 Curzon Mills Road. in the Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, where Whittier and his friends often gathered for their annual “Laurels” party. The celebration of flowers will feature a summer buffet, an auction of fine items, special music and programming on Sunday, June 24, 2012, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Please refer to our website for upcoming programs and details including our always popular Teas in the Garden.

The Haverhill Whittier Club is hosting Snowbound Weekend on Satur-day, February 11 and Sunday, February 12th at The Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Road, Haverhill- parking and transportation provided at Biggart’s Ice Cream stand on Route 110.

Guests are invited to visit with the Whittier family as they gather ‘round the hearth featured in Whittier’s most famous poem, “Snowbound.” You will be introduced to the family as well as the wayfarers who spent time with the Whittier’s during that eventful blizzard nearly two hundred years ago. A horse drawn wagon, or sleigh if the snow abounds, will carry passengers merrily along Whittier Road and back to the parking area in the manner best known to the poet and his contemporaries.

Whittier Home Museum (Amesbury) hours of operation:

Our regular season and hours are listed below. If you are interested in con-ducting research, an interview, or any other activity that is time sensitive, please contact us and someone from the Home will make every effort to accommodate you.

Hours: Open June 2 through October 27. Guided tours Saturdays, noon to 4:00 p.m. – otherwise by appointment by calling 978-388-1337 or 978-465-5964.

Admission: Adults $6.00 Students (age 7-17) and Seniors $5.00 Children (un-der 7) free. Group rates on request.

Although the Whittier Home closes its museum doors to the public during the winter, our amply stocked gift shop on-line is now “open” year round. www.whittierhome.org Please feel free to browse our selections and use us as a resource for your cultural and historic research. The items for sale include books of Whittier verse, biographical works, pictorials, unique publishings and illustrated note cards. The shipping cost is inclusive in the price. Massachusetts tax calculates for residents separately.

John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace (Haverhill)hours of operation:

Hours: Open April 7 through November 30Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: Closed

Additional tours may be scheduled by prior arrangement; please provide two weeks notice. Groups larger than five are asked to make a reservation. The museum is closed on all major holidays and during the winter months, with the exception of special events.

Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors (62 and over): $3.00, Students (18 and over): $3.00, Students (under 18): $2.00, Youth Groups: $1.00 per person, Whittier Club members: Free

To learn more about the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace go to: www.johngreenleafwhittier.com for news and events and click on Gift Shop to select from our collection of authentic Staffordshire China, as well as books, artwork and postcards commemorating the Quaker Poet.

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