41 



The thriving and prosperous town of Haverhill has changed much with- 

 in the last twenty years. . The old ship-yards that were once located above 

 the bridge, whither several of the time honored merchants of Salem were 

 wont to repair to have their vessels built, have now disappeared, and in their 

 stead are erected large blocks of brick buildings, from which, for the most 

 part, issued the busy hum of shoe manufacturing and other trades, carried 

 on in this hive of industry. Under the guidance of Hon. Alfred Kittredge, 

 some of the party were favored with an opportunity of visiting two or three 

 of the principal of these manufactories. 



Haverhill, like all our old settlements, abounds in interesting historic 

 lore. For about seventy years it was one of the most exposed of the fron- 

 tier towns, and many a harrowing tale of Indian barbarity is among its well 

 authenticated legends. We need only mention the names of Rolfe and Dus- 

 ton to suggest scenes of martyrdom and heroism not surpassed in any annals. 

 And yet, for a place so rich in precious memories, the relics of the past have 

 not been cherished with the care that they deserved, and the visible and tan- 

 gible memorials are fewer than they should be, too many of them having 

 been suffered to perish. George W. Chase, Esq., however, in his valuable 

 history of Haverhill, has done much to perpetuate the remembrance of them, 

 and has added to our literature one of the most interesting of town histo- 

 ries. 



From the top of the Town Hall and the residence of Dr. Nichols, very 

 commanding views of Haverhill and vicinity are enjoyed, including the val- 

 ley of the Merrimac in one of its loveliest sweeps, the surrounding territory, 

 and old Wachusett looming up in the dim distance. 



After a short tarry at the Hall and flying visits to places in its immedi- 

 ate vicinity, vehicles were ready to convey the company to the beautiful grove 

 on the estate of Dr. Nichols, bordering on the shores of Kenoza Lake, about 

 a mile and a quarter from the main settlement. This lovely sheet of water, 

 embosomed among the hills, covers an area of about three hundred acres. 

 It was formerly known by the prosaic yet significant epithet of " Great Pond," 

 and was always celebrated for the beauty of the surrounding scenery and the 

 fine fish from its waters. The point of land on the northeastern extremity 

 has for many years been a favorite place of resort for summer parties, and 

 the citizens have a perpetual right to use it for this purpose. In 1859 the 

 spot was improved and beautified, and the Lake formally renamed with ap- 

 propriate dedicatory services. To the poet Whittier, a native of Haverhill, 

 was entrusted the honor of selecting a name, and he christened the Pond 

 " Kenoza Lake," " Kenoza " being the Indian designation of " pickerel," the 

 species of fish most abounding in its waters. Whittier wrote a beautiful 

 poem for the occasion, in which he charmingly sings the praises of the Lake. 



During the forenoon the company improved the opportunity for ram- 

 bling as their several tastes dictated, and at one o'clock reassembled on the 



PROCEEDINGS ESSEX INST. VOL. V. 6 AUGUST 25, 1866. 



