History of Asbury Grove All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing, from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages, in a review. Although the author has exhaustively researched all sources, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this book, he assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or any other inconsistency herein. Jack E. Hauck ___________________________________________________________________________ Treasures of Hamilton History: Asbury Grove Page 1 Entrance on Highland St., at intersection with Asbury St. Photo, J. Hauck, 2015 Asbury Grove Everybody seems to know where Asbury Grove is located. It is that place at the intersection of Asbury and Highland streets, in Hamilton. “You know, that place across from the low–price gasoline station.” But, not many people really know what is inside the Grove. Some have vague ideas about its history. Isn’t it private land owned by a church? Isn’t there a large swimming pool there? Doesn’t it only have summer cottages? Wasn’t most of it once destroyed by a fire? Can you drive around or are there only footpaths? Let’s take a walk around the Grove and learn what is there today, and what has been there in the past. ___________________________________________________________________________ Treasures of Hamilton History: Asbury Grove Page 2 Asbury Grove campground established in 1859 on western side of Ham- ilton, just off what was then called Topsfield Road. Map, D. G. Beers, 1872 How It Started In the mid 1800s, during the Great That our frail hands have raised? Revival Period, many people belong- Let me, at least, ing to the Methodist Church spent Here, in the shadow of this aged wood, their summers at a church camp– Offer one hymn, thrice happy if it find ground, where they would attend re- acceptance in His ear. 12 vival meetings. (The Second Great In 1858, a group of influential Awakening expressed Arminian the- ministers and lay members from ology, by which people could be Lynn (one of the first towns in New saved through revivals.) England to embrace the Methodist Many campgrounds were in New theology 51) and Boston formed a England. People in the greater Bos- committee to establish a new camp– ton area and northern New England ground. There were about 40 Meth– often attended camp meetings in 5 odist churches in Boston and Lynn Eastham. districts. 60 The emphasis at these meetings The committee, which had 10–lay clearly was on “revival.” These were and 5–ministerial members, 27 was to not vacation trips. Surrounded by find a new campground site "be– trees rather than buildings, campers cause of a widespread dissatis– could focus on the Lord. Perhaps, faction with the expense, peril and they heeded to William Cullen inconvenience of reaching the Bryant, ground at Eastham (Cape Cod).” 27, Ah why should we in the world's riper years 51 The time and cost needed to get to neglect the Cape was far more than what God's ancient sanctuaries, and adore many working–class parishioners Only among the crowd under roofs could afford. ___________________________________________________________________________ Treasures of Hamilton History: Asbury Grove Page 3 Committee members were in– name Asbury Grove Camp Meeting structed to select and secure "by Association was adopted. 27 Rev. lease or otherwise, a suitable grove Erastus O. Haven, the editor of in the eastern part of the Lynn Zion’s Herald a Methodist News– District, preparing such grounds, so paper in Boston, suggested the site far as they may be able for the be named Asbury Grove, in honor of purposes of a camp meeting and Bishop Francis Asbury, a 19th cen– with the consent of the presiding tury Methodist Circuit Rider. 9, 10 elders of Boston and Lynn Districts, The ministers and lay leaders cause a camp meeting to be held 27 formed an Association to govern the there the next summer or autumn." camp meetings. The Association Further, the committee was to find elected officers, and chose Edward a site that could "accommodate the F. Porter of Boston as its first pres– laboring and poorer classes in our ident. 27 The Association also formed communities, who cannot afford to standing committees to develop pay high prices for conveyances, or plans for the various camp–ground may not be able to attend but part of requirements: Grounds, Transpor– the time of the meeting.” 27 tation, Victualing, Straw, Police and 104 The committee met, in late March Tents. 1859, at the Joseph F. Dodge house On the anniversary of the Battle of in Hamilton. After walking the nearby Bunker Hill, Jun. 17, 1859, the Asso– grove, the committee adjourned for a ciation decided to hold the camp week. At its next meeting at the meeting from Monday, the 22nd of Common Street church in Lynn, the August, to Saturday, Aug. 27. 27 At committee voted only to hold the the planning meeting, having the camp meeting in Hamilton “for the meeting last through Sunday was not present." 27 discussed. At a meeting held Apr. 27, 1859, Items discussed included whether again at the Dodge farmhouse, the ice cream, confectionary or clam chowder should be sold on the grounds, at any time, during the meeting, and whether barbers should shave, and how cheap rent could be made “in order to get the poor within the reach of the preacher’s voice." 27 The Dodge farm was off of High– land Street, at the intersection of what was then called Topsfield Road (now Asbury Street). The property abutted the Great Wenham Swamp. At the front on Highland Street there was a farmhouse and a large barn. Most of the property was a thick forest of pine and deciduous trees. th Some of the land alongside Highland Bishop Francis Asbury, a 19 cen- Street had been cleared for farming. tury Methodist Circuit Rider. Photo, Unknown ___________________________________________________________________________ Treasures of Hamilton History: Asbury Grove Page 4 For guidance in planning the ü Will the owner of the ground, or camp meeting, the Association relied of contiguous woodlands, allow the upon Rev. Barlow W. Gorham’s cutting of poles for tents, and the use “Camp Meeting Manual,” published of wood for fuel? Dodge allowed in 1854. 11 The manual provided campers to use downed trees for some basic matters to consider in firewood and small trees to be cut for selecting a campsite. poles. Other landowners did not al- ü Is there a bountiful supply of low this, for they needed the wood. good water at hand? There was only ü Is the surface a dead level, or one well. Two small brooks were very little inclined? The farm was not close by, but not suitable for drinking. "dead level," it had several flat areas. ü Is it in a neighborhood of Meth- ü Is the land free from cradle odists, or among people who will be knolls? This referred to large mounds likely to sympathize with, and sustain at the foot of trees that storms order in a meeting? Two large knocked down. churches in the area were Congrega- ü Is there considerable extent of tional. Meth- When you enter a grove peopled with ancient forestland, or odist churches trees, higher than the ordinary, and shutting any other fact were in the out the sky with their thickly intertwined bran- by which the surrounding ches, do not the stately shadows of the wood, ground will be towns: Bever- screened the stillness of the place, and the awful gloom ly, Ipswich, from the of this doomed cavern then strike you with the Topsfield, Es- wind? It was a sex, and Man- presence of a deity?" Seneca dense pine chester. forest. ü Are there adequate pasture ü Not listed as a concern by Rev. grounds near by? Many local farmers Gorham was if the area was totally allowed wagons and horses to be dry. Dodge's farm, being next to a kept on their property. swamp, meant that there would be ü Is the canopy of shade nearly many insects, mosquitoes in particu- complete? The tall pine trees pro- lar. There also was the concern vided very good shade. about dampness. ü Is the ground easy of access ü Rev. Gorham strongly held to from principal thoroughfares? The the precept that camp meetings were only access to the farm, from the rail- to bring people away from worldly at- road station, was a narrow, dirt road. tractions and cares. There, for sev- For those campers coming from the eral days, the mind could disentangle west there was a narrow, not well– itself of worldly care, and "rise to an maintained dirt road. It was more undistracted contemplation of spir- than a mile from the station to the itual realities." 11 campgrounds. Hamilton was a very small town ü Is it central in the district? As- and had few places to buy supplies. bury Grove was much closer than Campers had to bring everything the campground on Cape Cod. they needed with them, which in- ü Can lumber for stand and cluded tents, lanterns, extra clothing, seats be easily procured? There food, bedding, blankets and various were several wood mills in the area. other items. One other important ___________________________________________________________________________ Treasures of Hamilton History: Asbury Grove Page 5 Many going to Asbury Grove arrived by train at the railroad station at Hamilton Wenham town line, where horse-drawn wagons, called barges, brought them and their gear to the campground.