Henry M. Brooks - The Olden Time Series, Vol. 1: Curiosities of the Old Lottery

H >> Henry M. Brooks >> The Olden Time Series, Vol. 1: Curiosities of the Old Lottery

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_THE OLDEN-TIME SERIES._

16mo. Per vol., 50 cents.

There appears to be, from year to year, a growing popular taste for
quaint and curious reminiscences of "Ye Olden Time," and to meet this,
Mr. Henry M. Brooks has prepared a series of interesting handbooks. The
materials have been gleaned chiefly from old newspapers of Boston and
Salem, sources not easily accessible, and while not professing to be
history, the volumes contain much material for history, so combined and
presented as to be both amusing and instructive. The titles of some of
the volumes indicate their scope and their promise of entertainment:--

CURIOSITIES OF THE OLD LOTTERY.
DAYS OF THE SPINNING-WHEEL.
SOME STRANGE AND CURIOUS PUNISHMENTS.
QUAINT AND CURIOUS ADVERTISEMENTS.
LITERARY CURIOSITIES.
NEW-ENGLAND SUNDAY, ETC.

"It has been the good fortune of the writer to be allowed a peep at the
manuscript for this series and he can assure the lovers of the
historical and the quaint in literature that something both valuable and
pleasant is in store for them. In the specialties treated of in these
books Mr. Brooks has been for many years a careful collector and
student, and it is gratifying to learn that the material is to be
committed to book form."--_Salem Gazette._

_For sale by all Booksellers. Sent, post-paid, upon receipt of price.
Catalogues of our books mailed free._

TICKNOR & CO., BOSTON.

THE OLDEN TIME SERIES

CURIOSITIES OF THE OLD LOTTERY

_"There is some soul of goodness in things evil,
Would men observingly distil it out."_
SHAKSPEARE, _King Henry V._

_"The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,
And these are of them."_
SHAKSPEARE, _Macbeth._

_"How widely its agencies vary,--
To save, to ruin, to curse, to bless."_
THOMAS HOOD.

THE OLDEN TIME SERIES

GLEANINGS CHIEFLY FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS OF BOSTON

AND SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS

SELECTED AND ARRANGED, WITH BRIEF COMMENTS

BY

HENRY M. BROOKS

* * * * *

Curiosities of the Old Lottery

"Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread
that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity,
and by delight, we all quote."--EMERSON

[Illustration: Crest]

BOSTON

TICKNOR AND COMPANY

1886

_Copyright, 1885,_

BY TICKNOR AND COMPANY.

_All rights reserved._

University Press:

JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.

INDEX OF NAMES.

PAGE

ARNOLD, WELCOME 50
Atkins, William 10
Austin, Benjamin 14
Austin, Benjamin, Jr. 53

BARLOW, JOEL 56, 57
Barton, William 35
Beeman, D. 47
Beers, Elias 33
Beers, Nathan 33
Bemis, Mr. 25
Blake, William P. 22
Blodgett, Benjamin 42
Bonaparte 62, 63
Bridge & Renouf 39, 54
Bridge, Mr. 36
Brooks, Peter C. 70
Brown, John 50
Bryant, William 61
Burr, Aaron 62, 63

CABOT, ANDREW 59
Cabot, George 59
Carlton, W. 53
Carter, Ephraim 16
Clark, Mary Ann 62, 63
Colman, George 44
Connor, Benjamin 38
Cooper, Samuel 53
Cushing & Appleton 17, 42, 44, 46, 61, 63
Cushing & Carlton 38
Cushing, Caleb 10
Cushing, Thomas 14
Cushing, Thomas C. 8

DABNEY, JOHN 8, 53
Daggett, Henry 33
Dana & Fenno 65
Dutch, John 51

EDES & GILL 15
Ellsler, Fanny 8
Esty, Edward 35
Everett, Edward 70

FARNHAM, DANIEL 10
Fisk, General 19
Franklin, Benjamin 43
Freeman, Jonathan 38

GERRISH, JOSEPH 10
Gilbert & Dean 30, 48
Giles, William B. 62, 63
Gould & Company 12
Green & Russell 12, 15

HAMILTON, ALEXANDER 62, 63
Hancock, John 70
Hardcastle, Samuel 61
Hathorne, John 8, 53
Heard, Edmund 16
Hewes, Samuel 14
Higginson, Henry 59
Hilldrup, Thomas 33, 65
Hillhouse, James 62, 63
Huntington, Ralph 28

IVES, JOHN P. 50

JACKSON, WILLIAM AND JAMES 12
Jefferson, Thomas 62, 63
Jenks, Daniel 8, 53
Jenks, John 8, 38, 53
Johnson, Oliver 35
Jones, Timothy 33

KELLEY, DANIEL 35
Kent, William A. 41
Kent, William J. 38
Kidder & Co. 28
Kidder, W. & T. 30
King George III. 62, 63
King James I. 72
Kneeland, John 36, 53

LARKIN, E. & S. 47
Larkin, Ebenezer 22
Leach & Fosdick 25
Lewis, Ezekiel 14
Luther, Martin 35
Lyon, William 33

MACOMBER, EBENEZER 22
Madison, James 62, 63
Martin, Luther 42
Mason, John 50
McIntosh, William 33
Minot, George R. 53

NAPOLEON 63
Nauche, Dr. 43
Newell, Timothy 12

PAYSON, E.H. 8, 65
Pickering, Timothy 62, 63
Phillips, Margaret 25

RANDAL, STEPHEN 22
Russell, Benjamin 53
Russell, John 8, 16, 17, 22, 23
Russell, William 50

SAMPSON, EZRA 59
Savage, Samuel Phillips 14
Scollay, John 14
Sewall, Samuel 14
Sharplys, Thomas 72
Sheldon, Pardon 64
Sigourney, Andrew 41
Simpson & Caldwell 39
Smith, Robert 63
Sprague, Joseph 19
Stone, E.M. 59
Storer & Son, Ebenezer 12

THORNDIKE, ISRAEL 59
Thurber, Samuel, Jr. 22, 51
Tracy, Patrick 10
Turpin, Benjamin 22

WARREN, HENRY 53
Washington, George 31, 59, 62, 63
Weld, Benjamin 41
Whipple, Henry 8, 39, 45
Whipple, John 51
Williams, George 19

LOTTERIES MENTIONED.

PAGE

AMOSKEAG 16, 17
Amoskeag Canal 68

BALTIMORE HOSPITAL 42
Bible Supply 61, 62
Bunker Hill Monument 7

CHARLESTOWN 68
Cologne Cathedral 72
Congregational Churches 7
Connecticut Manufactory 32, 33
Continental Congress 18

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE 36, 37, 68

EASTERN STAGE ROAD 65
English Colonies in Virginia 72
Episcopal Churches 7

FANEUIL HALL 7, 13, 14, 15

GLOUCESTER ROAD 68

HARVARD COLLEGE 7, 23, 38, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 52,
53, 57, 64, 70
Hatfield Bridge 17, 23, 68

KENNEBEC 68
Kennebec Bridge 28

LAND BANK 15, 68
Leicester Academy, Lancaster 16

MARBLEHEAD 42
Massachusetts State 7, 20, 25, 29, 36, 41, 42, 58, 59, 64
Matrimonial 66, 67, 68
Milton Paper Mill 15

NEWPORT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 19
New York 41
New York Literature 65
North and South Rivers, Salem 19
North Carolina 64

PAVEMENT ON BOSTON NECK 68
Philanthropic 68
Plymouth Beach 44, 54, 55, 61, 68
Providence Episcopal Church 47
Providence Street 20, 21, 22

RHODE ISLAND 64
Rhode Island College 7, 49, 50, 51
Rhode Island Lottery for Advancement of Religion 34
River Parker Bridge 7, 9, 10, 11

SOUTH HADLEY CANAL 48, 68
Stonington Point Meeting-House 65, 66
Sudbury 61, 68

TAUNTON GREAT RIVER 12

UNION CANAL 31, 40, 41

WASHINGTON MONUMENT 39
Williamstown Free School 7, 20, 25, 42, 43

[Illustration]

INTRODUCTION.

WHILE this work does not pretend to be a history, it will yet present
many historical facts. Its object is to show from old newspapers, which
are not accessible to all, such items and comments upon a variety of
subjects as might be supposed to amuse or instruct both old and young.

It is not the easy thing that many imagine to examine, read, and select
from a vast number of newspapers such matter as is believed to be worth
reproducing. Possibly to some it would seem to be a stupid and an
uninteresting work. The Compiler, however, has found it a source of
pleasure to make and arrange these selections; and the value of his work
will be greatly enhanced if these volumes should prove of interest to
any considerable number of persons.

There appears to be from year to year a growing taste among the most
cultivated people for quaint and curious reminiscences of the Olden
Time; and as these volumes will be of a handy size for the pocket or
carpetbag, it is hoped that they will be welcomed by many who would not
undertake to read a more pretentious or cumbersome work on similar
topics.

SALEM, MASS.,
_April, 1885._

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CURIOSITIES OF THE OLD LOTTERY.

PEOPLE of the present generation who look over files of old newspapers
are filled with astonishment to see the great number of lotteries which
are advertised, for many years, down to as late a period as the year
1826. The Faneuil Hall Lottery, the Harvard College Lottery, the Rhode
Island College Lottery, the Massachusetts State Lottery, and lotteries
for a bridge over the River Parker, for Marblehead, for the Williamstown
Free-school, for Episcopal and Congregational Churches, were all
advertised, with numerous other projects. A lottery was proposed for the
purpose of finishing Bunker Hill Monument, although the scheme was not
carried out. It is perhaps not generally remembered that this monument
was at length completed by means furnished by a Ladies' Fair, in 1840,
and handsome contributions by several individuals. Among other
contributors was the celebrated _danseuse_ Fanny Ellsler, who was at
that time giving performances in Boston. Some of the best men in the
community were interested in recommending the various schemes, and
members of churches, men in high repute, bought and sold the tickets. In
Salem, Mass., such well-known and esteemed citizens as John Jenks,
Daniel Jenks, Thomas C. Cushing, of the "Gazette," John Dabney, the
postmaster, Colonel John Russell, and the now venerable and respected
Edward H. Payson--who, at the age of eighty, is still cashier of the
First National (formerly the Commercial) Bank, to which office he was
elected in 1826--sold tickets; so did Colonel John Hathorne. Colonel
Henry Whipple, who is remembered as one of our best citizens, kept, in
connection with his bookstore, a "Fortunate Lottery Office." Other names
might be mentioned, but we think we have given enough to show the
respectability of the calling. The better the man, the better the agent.
Indeed, it was generally thought to be just as respectable to sell
lottery-tickets as to sell Bibles; and we have seen them classed
together in the same advertisement. Our observations have been confined
chiefly to Boston and Salem prints, but we have no doubt that similar
matter could be found in other papers. We propose now to give liberal
extracts from some of the old advertisements of the different schemes,
which will, we think, confirm what we have already said on the subject.
Let us take first from the "Boston Gazette" of May 19, 1760, the lottery
to raise $1,000 towards building a bridge over the River Parker, in
Newbury. The managers were the first men in the place, and the tickets
were sold by men of excellent standing in Boston.

[Illustration]

NEWBURY, _May 17, 1760._

SCHEME of a LOTTERY,

FOR raising a Sum of Money for the building and maintaining a
Bridge over the River _Parker,_ in the Town of _Newbury,_ at
the Place called Old Town Ferry (in pursuance of an Act of
the General Court, passed in _April_ 1760) Wherein _Daniel
Farnham, Caleb Cushing, Joseph Gerrish, William Atkins,_ Esq.,
and Mr. _Patrick Tracy,_ Merchant, (or any Three of them) are
appointed Managers. The acting Managers are sworn to the
faithful Performance of their Trust.

_Newbury_-Lottery Number Four, consists of

5000 Tickets, at Two Dollars each; 1655 of which are Benefit
Tickets of the following Value.

1 of 500 Dollars, is 500 Dollars.
4 of 100 are 400
5 of 50 are 250
6 of 40 are 240
10 of 30 are 300
14 of 20 are 280
45 of 10 are 450
75 of 8 are 600
1495 of 4 are 5980
---- ----
1655 Prizes, amounting to 9000 Dollars.
3345 Blanks.
----
5000 Tickets, at Two Dollars each 10000
To be paid in Prizes, 9000
----
1000 Dollars.

Remains to be applied for the Purpose aforesaid.

Two Blanks only to one PRIZE.

_THE Bridge aforesaid is already built, and upon a Settlement
of the Accounts, and Demands relative thereto, the Managers
of the former Lottery for that Purpose, were found to be
greatly in Debt: The Charges of building the Bridge, and
prosecuting the Lottery, amounting to much more than what was
allowed to be raised by the former Act of the General
Court--therefore the present Lottery is allowed._

_AND since the said Bridge so well answers the Expectation of
the Public, and the Travelling that Way thereby is rendered
much more easy and pleasant; the Managers doubt not there
will be a great Demand of the Tickets, from a Principle of
encouraging and promoting a Work of such general Utility, if
there were no other Inducement. But when they consider how
much this Scheme is calculated in Favour of the Adventurers,
there being many Prizes of great Value, and but two Blanks to
a Prize; they doubt not of a very speedy Sale of the
Tickets._

_Tickets purchas'd at_ Boston, _if fortunate, will be paid
off there. Public Notice will be given of the Time and Place
of Drawing; and as soon as finished, the Prizes will be
published in the_ Boston Gazette and Country Journal. _Gold
as well as Silver will be received for Tickets; and the
Prizes paid off accordingly. Prizes not demanded in Twelve
Months after Drawing, will be considered as given to the
common Stock for building and maintaining the said Bridge,
and will be so applied._

_Tickets are to be Sold by the Managers in_ Newbury, _by_
Ebenezer Storer, _Esq., and Son; Mr._ Timothy Newell; William
& James Jackson, _and the Printers hereof in_ Boston.

* * * * *

The town of Taunton, Mass., was favored by a lottery grant in 1761 to
aid in clearing the Great River.

_Taunton, March 16. 1761._

PUBLICK NOTICE is hereby given to all Persons who are so
disposed to encourage the Clearing of _Taunton_ Great-River,
(so beneficial to the Trade of this Province) by adventuring
in the LOTTERY granted for that Purpose, That the Managers of
said Lottery have determined to begin to draw the First Class
on Tuesday the 27th Day of _April_ next; the Town of
_Taunton_ having voted to take off all the Tickets that shall
remain unsold at that Day;--And all Persons who have taken
Tickets to dispose of, are desired to return them, or the
Money for them, by the First Day of said _April._

--> Tickets are yet to be had of Messir's _Gould_ and
Company, and of _Green & Russell,_ Printers in Queen Street,
_Boston._--As also of the Managers at their respective
Dwellings in _Taunton._

Next we will take from the "Boston Post Boy" of November, 1762, the
scheme to raise money to rebuild Faneuil Hall, after the fire of 1761.
It will be noticed how small an amount was reserved for the purpose for
which the Lottery was granted,--only $1,200. It seems as if a very small
sum subscribed by every freeholder would have produced more money. If
the population of Boston at that time was, say, twenty thousand, or
three thousand families, fifty cents for every head of a family would
have raised a larger sum than could possibly have been raised by the
expensive and questionable process resorted to. At first sight it may
seem strange to us that this was not thought of at the time; but when we
reflect that even in our enlightened times people are quite as
thoughtless about the processes of raising money for charitable or
public purposes,--witness the numerous fairs and raffles which are
constantly taking place,--we are not so much amazed at these old
financial operations, nor do we think we can boast much of our superior
morality when we look around and see how some things are managed
nowadays.

_BOSTON, November 1, 1762._

SCHEME

OF A LOTTERY,

FOR Raising a Sum of Money for Re-building FANEUIL _Hall_;
agreeable to an Act of the General Court, wherein Messieurs
_Thomas Cushing, Samuel Hewes, John Scollay, Benjamin Austin,
Samuel Sewall, Samuel Phillips Savage,_ and _Ezekiel Lewis,_
or any Three of them, are appointed Managers, who are Sworn to
the faithful Discharge of their Trust.

FANEUIL-HALL Lottery, No. One, Consists of 6000 Tickets, at
Two Dollars each, 1486 of which are Benefit Tickets of the
following Value, _viz._

Dollars.
1 Prize of 1000 Dollars, is 1000
1 of 500 is 500
2 of 200 are 400
12 of 100 are 1200
20 of 50 are 1000
20 of 20 are 400
30 of 10 are 300
200 of 6 are 1200
1200 of 4 are 4800
---- ----
1486 Prizes, 10800 Dollars.
4514 Blanks.
----
6000 Tickets at 2 Dollars each, is 12,000 Dollars.
To be paid in Prizes, 10,800
------
Remains 1200 Dollars,

to be applied to the Purpose aforesaid.

The Necessity of a large and convenient Hall in such a Town
as this, upon all Public Occasions, can't be disputed. The
Rebuilding _Faneuil-Hall_ has therefore been generally
approved of; and the Encouragement it will meet with from the
Public, will, we doubt not, be in some Measure proportionable
to its Importance: We promise ourselves therefore a speedy
Sale of the Tickets; and hope we shall soon be able to draw.

Public Notice will be given of the Time and Place of Drawing;
and as soon as the Drawing is finished, a List of the Prizes
will be published in _Edes_ and _Gill's Boston Gazette,_ &c.
and the Money paid to the Possessors of the Benefit Tickets,
in Twenty Days. Gold as well as Silver will be received for
the Tickets, and the Prizes paid off in like Manner.

Prizes not demanded within Twelve Months after Drawing, will
be deem'd as generously given for the Purpose aforesaid, and
will be applied accordingly.

--> Tickets may be had of the Managers, or of _Green &
Russell,_ in Queen-street, who will receive Prize Tickets in
LAND-BANK LOTTERY.

* * * * *

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