of Byfield, the father of the chief justice, and gradu-
ated at Harvard in 1748. He was a merchant at
Gloucester, represented that town in the House of
Representatives fram 17(51 to 1770 inclusive, and was
then a member of the Council till he resigned, in June,
1773. His sou, Thomas, born in 1759, settled in Salem,
and died a wealthy citizen of that place, June 5,
1844. He married Elizabeth Elkins, a lineal descen-
1 By John B. D. Cogawell.
J Yl'fT^l^UUy^ J /^t-U^^rU^U^
HAVERHILL.
2077
dent of Peregrine White, the first born of New Eng-
land. Leverett Saltonstall and Nathaniel Salton-
stall, born in Haverhill, and sons of Dr. Nathaniel
Saltonstall, married two of his daughters. His oldest
son, Charles, who graduated at Harvard in 1802, has
ills name preserved in Sanders' Theatre at the Uni-
versity. George Thomas, the youngest son, born Oc-
tober 30, 1804, graduated at Harvard in 1824, lived
at -Salem, and died May 1, 1856. He married Mary
A. Brown, of Salem, and had two sons — Thomas, the
subject of this sketch, and Charles Sanders, who is
engaged in business in Boston.
Thomas Sanders, of Haverhill, is, therefore, the
fifth in descent from the original Thomas, of Glouces-
ter, who has borne his name. He was born at
Salem, August 18, 1839, and married, June 6, 1866,
Susie Bradley Howe, daughter of the late Hon. Na-
thaniel S. Howe, of Haverhill. Their children are
George Thomas, born March 5, 1867 ; Mary Williams,
born February 6, 1869; Nathaniel S. Howe, born
February 13, 1871 ; Charles Bradley, September 24,
1878; Anne Ehzabeth, April 23, 1880 ; Janet Rand,
January 26, 1884 ; and Muriel Gurdon, born Novem-
ber 13, 1886.
Thomas Sanders has always been exceedingly fond
of agricultural pursuits, and from extreme youth spent
much time upon a farm which his father had owned
in East Brookfield, Vermont. From 1856 to 1870,—
that is from about the age of sixteen or seventeen years
till he was thirty — he carried on this farm, which
contained about five hundred acres. He used it for
stock-raising, and is in the habit of saying that he
was successful in that pursuit. No one can doubt his
keen relish in the employment, who sees with what
eagerness he always escapes from later occupations to
turn again to his early Green Mountain home for a
brief visit.
The growth of children needing education brought
him to Haverhill, where, in 1870, he entered into the
business of sole-cutting. He is now (1888) president
of the Sanders Leather Company.
It is not extravagant, probably, to say that his es-
tablishment leads in the business of furnishing cut
soles at wholesale. It is not intended to claim that
he first furnished cut soles. But previous to 1870
every manufacturer cut soles for his own uses ; now,
no manufacturer does. Mr. Sanders' friends think
that he had at least an important share in forwarding
what is admitted to have been a great step in the pro-
gressive history of shoe manufacturing. He has
erected large buildings on Washington Street, in the
shoe district of Haverhill, near Railroad Square, and
lets steam-power to a considerable extent. Though
not carefully educated with a view to a business life,
he has many excellent business qualities. He is
prompt, punctual, reliable and has large executive
ability. Circumstances made him acquainted, as early
as 1873, with Professor Alexander Graham Bell, who
has since become famous as the inventor of the tele-
phone, and this acquaintance ripened into intimacy
and friendship. Professor Bell, a Scotchman and not
long in this country, had become favorably known as
an instructor of deaf mutes, but was much absorbed
in his system of visible speech. An earnest and
eager student, he was projecting his keen intellect
upon collateral lines, and Mr. Sanders, almost by
accident, learned that he was speculating upon the
possibility of transmitting articulate speech by elec-
tricity. Mr. Sanders, on his part, quickly appreciated
the immense practical value of such an attainment,
if it were possible. Much consultation and mutual
confidence drew them together till they united their
energies to work for an important end. The imme-
diate result was that Mr. Bell relinquished his pro-
fessional pursuits, and gave up his time to self-educa-
tion in the required direction, and to experiments,
which he prosecuted with a relentless energy and a
triumphant success which scientists have admired,
and the public and the law courts have heard a great
deal about. For several years these experiments were
carried on in BIr. Sanders' immediate neighborhood,
and, indeed, in his own home. He found means to
carry them on, even to the neglect and injury of his
business and his private affairs. At one time Profes-
sor Bell and Mr. Sanders were equal partners in
reference to all results to be obtained through the
former's skill and researches. Subsequently, Gard-
ner Green Hubbard, who became Professor Bell's
father-in-law, was admitted as a third and an equal
partner. The patent was obtained in 1876, and the
world knows the ultimate triumph of the telephone.
But these three owned jointly the patent and all of
Professor Bell's rights and interests, in law and equity,
till they were merged in the various corporations with
whose history the world is so familiar. This is not
the place, nor is it desired, to argue the merits of
the Bell Telephone litigation ; but it is intended ex-
plicitly to say that Thomas Sanders rendered firm
and valuable support to Professor Bell [in his years
of experiment and straitened circumstances, as Pro-
fessor Bell would probably be only too willing to ad-
mit. And it is proper to add that Mr. Sanders is a
stanch believer in Professor Bell's absolute truth and
integrity, under any and all circumstances.
In 1880-81, Mr. Sanders built on the High-
lands a beautiful house, which he calls " Birchbrow,"
overlooking Lake Saltonstall. Here he has built up
a fine farm embracing a considerable portion of the
old "Great Ox-Common " of Haverhill. His avenues,
barns and other buildings, with his well-cultivated
fields, exhibit that thoroughness which is charcter-
istic of all that Mr. Sanders does. It would be difii-
cult to find an estate where so much has been accom-
plished in the same time with no greater outlay. In
this charming home, a generous and refined hospi-
tality is dispensed, which is at least appreciated by
such as have had the good fortune to enjoy it.
On this property Mr. Sanders still enjoys his old
207
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
pursuit of stock-raisiug. He has a fine herd of high-
bred Jerseys, and has raised some good colts. Mr.
Sanders has had much to do with the management of
the New England Agricultural Society, and in 1885
delivered the annual address before the Essex Agri-
cultural Society, of which he is an active member.
Mr. Sanders is connected with many corporations and
societies. He is, and has been from the beginning, a
director in the American Bell Telephone Company ; he
is a director, also, in the Brunswick Antimony Com-
pany, and in the Haverhill Bank ; he is a director and
treasurer in the Haverhill Iron Works, the business
of which has much increased, so that the company is
now prosperous.
He is a member of the Merrimack Lodge of Free
Masons, and the Haverhill Commandery of Knights
Templar ; he is a director of the Haverhill Young
Men's Christian Association, in the work of which he
feels a deep interest, and devotes to it his time and
energies ; he is a member of the Haverhill Fort-
nightly and other clubs. But it is hardly worth
while to extend this list, save to add that he is a
warden and much interested in the temporal and spir-
itual prosperiry of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Socially Mr. Sanders, or " Tom Sanders," as hosts
of people persist in calling him, is one of the most
genial of men. Nobody is more popular in the town,
and perhaps nobody ought to be more so, for he is
very much in earnest about everything which can
promote its prosperity or enhance its reputation^
Political and municipal offices have been often ten-
dered to him, but so far he has put the temptation
easily by. He has hosts of friends who would be glad
to demonstrate their regard for him. It is generally
believed of him, that he is ready and anxious to do
what good he can in the world.
DR. KENDALL FLINT.'
Thomas Flint, the emigrant ancestor, according to
tradition, came to America from Wales. The first
mention of him in Salem town records, is in 1G50 ; but
there is an opinion among the genealogists that he
arrived earlier. He was among the first settlers of
Salem village, afterwards South Danvers and now
Peabody. He bought two hundred acres about six
miles from Salem Court House, near Phelps' mill and
brook, where the subject of this sketch spent his
childhood and youth. The title deed to a part of this
land was witnessed in 1662 by Giles Corey, who in
1692, when eighty-one years old, during the witchcraft
madness, was pressed to death at Salem because he
would not pleiid to the charge. His house stood upon
land that after his death, became a part of the Flint
homestead. This estate remains in the possession of
heirs of Elijah Flint.
Thomas Flint, son of Thomas, lived upon this
. Cogawell.
homestead. He was in King Philip's war, and was
wounded in the swamp fight. He became a large
land-holder, having purchased, between 1664 and
1702, more than nine hundred acres of land. He was
a man in whom his neighbors had confidence and was
employed to build the first meeting house in Salem
village.
Captain Samuel Flint, sixth son of the last Thomas,
received in the division of the estate, the house in
which his father had lived. He was chairman of the
committeechosen to promote the setting off from Salem
of Salem village, as a separate town. When it was
incorporated as Danvers, he was one of the first Board
of Selectmen and through life was much in public
business. There is a family tradition that he was out
in the old French war, and, on his way home, in com-
mand of his company, encountered his son Samuel,
who had taken advantage of his father's absence, to
enlist in another company. " Y''ou rogue, where are
you going? Come home with me," cried the father.
Whether the story anticipates events or not, this son
Samuel, who inherited his father's farm by will, was
out as a minute man on the day of the Lexington
battle. He seems to have entered the service almost
immediately, having been eight months at the siege
of Boston. He was killed at the head of his company,
at Stillwater, October 7, 1777, and was the only ofiicer
from Danvers killed in the Revolution. He was only
forty-four. The anecdote came down in the family
that Captain Samuel 2d had a negro boy, named
Primus, to whom he said, "Primus, if you will go
to fight for the country, I will give you your freedom."
And Primus accepted the challenge and went.
Major Elijah Flint, second son of the last named
Samuel, received the homestead. He was a Whig in
politics, a Puritan in religion and in private life a
model farmer. The old house, having been enlarged
and altered by various generations, was much modern-
ized, and improved according to later ideas, by
Thomas Flint, son of Elijah, a hardware merchant of
Boston ; but it was consumed by fire, June, 1874,
much venerated for its antiquity and associations.
Dr. Kendall Flint, the youngest son of Major
Elijah, was born February 4, 1807. In 1824 he began
to fit for college at Hampton Academy, entering
Amherst College in 1827 and graduating there in
1831. He entered Andover Theological Seminary
the same year and remained in that institution till
1833, when declining health compelled him to return
to his father's house, where a protracted illness of
two years awaited him. His pliysician at last de-
cidedly advised him to exchange the clerical for the
medical profession, upon the ground that exercise in
the open air might gradually restore his shattered
health. The prescription was hard to take, but
seemed inevitable. It was a great trial to this young
man to leave the study of the immaterial and pass to
the material side — to abandon theology and philoso-
phy and the spiritual, and cross to the other side of
-^'-f-bfAH nucfc^
T^^^^Z/ay^iC^^ ^- .-^^
HAVERHILL.
2079
the gulf, to study experience, sensation and science.
But once convinced that the step was necessary, he
entered his name as a student with his attending
physician, Dr. Osgood, of Danvers. Completing his
medical studies, he received his degree in 1839, at the
Harvard School in Boston. Early in 1840 he came to
Haverhill and purchased the situation previously oc-
cupied by Dr. Augustus Whiting. Haverhill was
then a comparatively small place, having, by the cen-
sus of that year, a population of four thousand three
hundred and thirty-six. June 28, 1842, he married
Mary F., daughter of Mr. Phineas Carleton. They
had two children— George Carleton, born November
2G, 1848; died October 6, 1849, and Mary Howe,
born April 23, 1S53 ; died in 18r)6.
Dr. Flint entered upou the practice of medicine
with a high sense of responsibility. He believed that
the physician could do much to assist nature in saving
life, to shorten the duration of disease, to relieve pain
and suffering, and to help friends bear up under the
responsibility which often seems like to crush them.
He adopted the allopathic practice, then generally
ruling in the medical world. He was seldom disap-
pointed in its results when it was properly adminis-
tered. But after he became master of the treatment
and able to vary it, he avoided the harsher remedies,
as blistering and bleeding, with such drugs as anti-
mony and calomel, commonly employed at that time,
and finally modified the treatment to a more specific
form. When the great allopathic practice, that had
come down from Hippocrates, Galen, Vesalius, Har-
vey, Hunter and Good, had swallowed up Thomson-
ianism, Hydropathy and all similar systems, which
were merely one particular remedy used for all com-
plaints, the question was asked, " What will it do
with Homoeopathy ? Will it absorb that also ? "
The answer was, " No ! for Homoeopathy is founded on
a principle which could be absorbed only by adopting
the principle, and though that would enrich Allo-
pathy by having two principles instead of one — to
adopt it would compromise its dignity ! "
In the American Encyclopoedia, in the article
Homoeopathy, we read that " Hippocrates, the father
of medicine, asserted that medicine sometimes acted
according to the rule of similia and at others accord-
ing to that of contraria, thus intimating the truth of
both the allopathic law of contraria and the homoeo-
pathic law of similia." Although Dr. Flint mainly
adhered to allopathy, he believed that there are cases
best treated by the homoeopathic rule, and these he
sought out. Anol when the cholera visited this coun-
try, he used this treatment with perfect success in
many cases. Many homoeopaths use both systems on
the principle that two legs are better than one.
When all physicians do the same, the science of med-
icine will be more complete.
As Dr. Flint looks back over the fifty years of his
practice, he sees some new views advanced with re-
gard to the healing power. It is said that the efficacy
of drugs, whether in large or small doses, depends,
not upon their own peculiar healing nature, but upon
the faith with which they have been freighted and
weighted by those who have used them, and by the
physician and patient now using them. And, more-
over, it is said that no medicine or drugs are needed,
and, in fact, no faith is needed by the patient — that
the doctor or healer can cure, by his own faith, if
supported by certain spiritual views and feelings,
with their conscious union with the Infinite Spirit.
These views have been put forth with great confi-
dence and appear to be supported by abundant evi-
dence from remarkable cases of cure.
Now these views of treatment are outside of medi-
cal science. They do not require either a knowledge
of the human system, of the materia medica, or any-
thing that is requisite in medical treatment. The
cure is of a spiritual nature, not faith in medicine,
but faith in a Divine union, with which, physicians
as such, have nothing to do.
At the beginning of the civil war, Dr. Flint re-
ceived an appointment as United State.s examining
surgeon, whose duties were to examine volunteers,
drafted men, and men claiming pensions. This very
responsible position he held fifteen years.
At the commencement of the war, it was not real-
ized that it cost the Government as much to fit out a
man liable to break down at once as an able-bodied
soldier. An army of duly examined soldiers are
picked men. and in this respect the very flower of the
country.
Many volunteers were deeply chagrined, because
not being physically perfect, they could not pass ex-
amination. But when drafting was necessary, the
same severe system of inspection prevailing, censor-
ious persons often insinuated that the examining sur-
geon must be bribed to allow certain persons to es-
cape whom he had refused to pass, because physically
disabled. Examination for pensions is a very respon-
sible duty, calling for an honest and capable class of
men, who are well qualified as physicians and sur-
geons, can weigh well the evidence, and decide ac-
cordingly.
Dr. Flint, who suffered so much from ill-health
as a young mari, and has yet been able to do so much,
has now been an invalid again for many years, and
latterly compelled to abstain from active practice.
Rigid diet and scrupulous care alone, have preserved
his valuable life. Yet whoever sees him upon the
streets of Haverhill, erect and even youthful in bear-
ing, might well suppose him to be a man in the very
prime of life. Yet his father was a boy of fourteen
when Americans declared their independence, and a
man of twenty-one when Great Britain acknowledged
it. And the venerable doctor himself antedates
Waterloo and the downfall of Napoleon. Placid and
serene, he reads Bain and ponders the tendency of
modern philosophy.
L'OSO
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
WILLIAM E. BLUNT/
Among the citizens of Haverhill who have won
distinction and honor in public life, and enjoyed to
a large degree the long and uninterrupted confidence
of the public, none have more merited it than William
E. Blunt, a son of Joshua Blunt, who moved to
Haverhill from Andover.
Mr. Blunt was born August 21, 1840, on Merrimack
Street, near where the post office now stands. He
received his early education in the public schools of
the city, and by close and successful application,
aided by private instruction, was fitted for college.
His life at this time was not unmarked by a hard
struggle. He worked during vacations and evenings
at whatever was offered, to obtain the means for the
prosecution of his studies. He began the study of
law, and in due time was admitted to practice in the
State Courts, and later, in the United States Court.
He was appointed United States Assistant Assessor
in 1866. Governor Bullock made him special justice
of the Haverhill Police Court, which position he
retained for many years. His own townsmen also
elected him to the school board, and to the office of
city solicitor. He declined the position of trial jus-
tice for juvenile oftenders, tendered him by Governor
Talbot, and in 1870 he was elected to the legislature.
In this capacity he represented Haverhill continu-
ously until 1876, when he declined further re-
election. His services in the house were marked by
signal ability, efficiency and faithfulness, and he
soon became favorably known in other parts of the
State. A modest young man, not seeking notoriety,
he was only conspicuous at first by constant atten-
dence, punctuality and diligence — the prime qualities
of usefulness in legislation. — He rarely allowed per-
sonal considerations of any kind to interfere with his
public duties, and for six consecutive sessions was
never absent for a single day. Amiable and of
pleasing address, he soon established valuable social
relations with his associates, and when it was found
that he was quick to discern the merits, bearings
and relations of public matters, that he was honor-
able and straightforward, he was recognized as a
valuable ally to any cause in which he took an
interest. He was a firm friend and a dangerous
opponent. Above all things he was trustworthy.
As his valuable services became thus recognized, peo-
ple applauded thegoodsenseof the voters of Haverhill
in keeping him in his seat year after year. He serv-
ed upon the standing Committees on Probate and
Chancery, the Judiciary, Claims, and was three years
on the committee on Railroads, and that for re-
districting the State as well as other important
.special committees. On the occasion of the memor-
able visit of President Grant and his Cabinet, he
was a member of the reception committee. During
this time he had won the esteem and friendship of
' Juhu B. D. Cugswell.
some of the best men in the State, irrespective of
party, who considered him an honest, sagacious and 1
growing man. His good sense and tact in politics I
have made him invaluable as a counsellor. j
In 1872, Mr. Blunt was delegate to the Republican 1
National Convention at Philadelphia which renominat- j
ed President Grant, with Henry Wilson for Vice-Presi-
dent. He served as secretary of the Massachusetts |
delegation. In 187-5 the friends of Mr. Blunt pre-
sented his name to the Republican State Convention '
for nomination as secretary of State, when he re- •
ceived strong support. President (xranl nominated
him as postmaster of Haverhill, May 30, 1876, and
he was promptly confirmed by the Senate. He was
reappointed by President Hayes and by President
Arthur without opposition, his present commission ex-
piring May 17, 1888. Formerly very earnest in
local politics and ever a warm Republican, since his I
appointment as postmaster he has felt himself con- i
strained to refrain from active participation in politi- I
cal movements. He has been seen no more in cau-
cuses or conventions. This course has been main- |
tained by him with admirable consistency, even when |
there were great personal temptations to depart from
it, and when apparently he might have done so with
impunity. The very general acquiescence to his serv-
ing as a Republican under a Democratic administra-
tion is not alone due to his personal popularity, for '
he has rendered in that capacity very important ser- ;
vice to the business men of the city and to the com-
munity at large. He has anticipated rather than re-
sponded to the wants of the people, and his eiforts in |
behalf of better and increased mail facilities are '
justly appreciated. When he saw that the govern- ^
ment was erecting public buildings, especially in the
West and South, he at once set himself to work to
procure an appropriation for one in Haverhill. It is j
due to his efforts alone that the Senate has twice
passed a bill with an appropriation for this object, |
thus accomplishing what will be of value when cir- I
cumstances are finally favorable. Noticing his effi- 1
ciency, which indeed could not be well hidden, the |
Republicans of Haverhill made a spirited effort to se- '
cure Mr. Blunt's nomination to Congress in 1884. In
it they were much aided by his personal popularity |
with all classes and in all parties. He received the '
hearty and united support of the northern section of |
the district, but was defeated. Colonel Stone, of New- ]
buryport, who had held the position for two terms,
securing the nomination by two majority. In 1886 a
more determined effort was made, and his own city I
and the adjoining and outlying towns sent an un.
divided and earnest delegation in his behalf to the
convention. General William Cogswell, of Salem, was i
the principal opposing candidate, and after a contest
lasting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., without intermission ^
obtained the nomination on the twenty-seventh ballot
by one majority. A gallant and satisfactory struggle
had been made by Mr. Blunt's friends, and had it not i
/ V\M.\,cwvv O. -^OWv/vNAi.
^/^d.^^^
HAVERHILL.
2081
been for the ftict that he refrained from taking
a personal part in the contest, owing to official duties,
the result would have doubtless been different. It is
due to Mr. Blunt to also add that on both these occa-
sions he acquiesced in the result with admirable good