Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-12-01
THE ENDICOTT PEAR TREE.

The venerable Endicott tree still fourished upon
the old Governor Endicott farm" which is situa-
ted in that part Of Danvers known as Danvers
Port. For q period Of two hundred and twenty
years it has watched over that spot-Generations
of men have come and passed away since it was
planted, towns and cities have sprung IN around
it, and tt feeble colony of Massachusetts, Bay has
become an opulent and powerful people. Two
hundred and twenty years a brief period to look
back upon-but an eternity in the future! Yet
the old tree has survived the storms and rigours
Of so many winters, and is now cherished by an
other race of people as a memorial Of days long
gone. H0vey's Magazine of Horticulture for
June contains an article by G. NJ. Endicott, of Sa.
lem, relating to the history Of this pear tree. The
subject is one of interest to many of our readers.
and some of the details may not be unwelcome.
The ttee whose fruit resembles q variety of the
Bon Chretien, stands upon the farm which was
granted Gov. Endicott in 1862, and is said to be a
Seeding tree of the original orchard which he
planted there. This orchard was situated on the
southern side of a gentle slope of land, and shell
tered by it somewhat from the piercing northcrly
and norwesterly winds. For six consecutive gen
%erations, extending over n space Of 1856 years the
governor and his descendants occupied this farm,
which they held solely by the original grant until
1928, a period Of 1876 years, during which time
the tree was never lest sight of by qhem-tbus
leaving no OPPORTUNITY for the usual mists of an
tiquity to settle dawn upon its origin and history.
The family state that the trees CONSTITUTING the
original orchard were imported from England in
June, 1880, and came over in one of the ships
which accompanied Governor Winthrop. They
were packed in boxes, with earth about them. and
being quite small were perhaps considered too
young to be grated before leaving England. AE
ter their arrival in America they were probably
first planted at the Governors town residence,
where, Rev. Mr.. Higginson, in 1929, informs us
there were green peas, plums, mulberrIes, rasp-
bprripE curraDfs HlbprtS cbasOutO n r;zo.a.l
&c. after the grant of his farm" says Mr., En-
dicott, "these trees were probably removed to it.
though the family have no tradition to that effect:
but it is a fact which goes to corroborate this sun,
position, that plums, raspberries, black currants.
gooseberries' hlberts and grape yihes, were plant
ed on the grounds Immediately surrounding this
orchard, and the fruit Of their descendants grow
ing wild and uncultivated, within sight of this
venerable tree, often filled our boyish stomach to-
wards the beginning Of this century"
The Rev. DR.. Bently Of Salem, who took a deem
interest IN this venerable tree and was accustom-
ed to pay titan nnnual visit for many years of his
life, says, October 10th, 1909: "The tree is near
the site of the first mansion of the Governor. and
the land and tree always have been, ana now are
the property of his direct heirs, being now in The
possession of Mr.. John Endicott, nearly rourscore
years Of age, and of the sixth generation. To as
certain its age, near it stood a dial, which was fix
ed upon n pedestal which, the Governor said bore
the age of the tree. The dial has been for wears
in my possession. 1t is copper square, horizontal
three inches, a very fair impression, and in the
highest order. 1t is marked William Boyce. clock
maker a,iet. 1880 En- the initials of the Cover
nor's name"
Notwithstanding the great age to which it has
attained, the tree has had much to contend with
during a large portion Of its life. For upward of
n century it has stood in an open field, without
any protection, until within the last thirty-fve
years, during which time it has hecn surrounded
by a fence. 1t has consequently been browsed by
cattle and injured 5y storms; and twice in the gales
OF 1904 and 1915, it has been nearly destroved.-
After the latter gale it bore no fruit for four or
five years. The tornado which swept over Dan
yers some ten years since did it irreparable injury,
twisting off several vigorous limbs, and iniuri6g
others. The following description of the tree,
which bears the date Of 1886, will answer, saws
Mr. Endieott, pretty nearly for the present time:
by actual admeasurament it was then found to
be is feet high (2land IS feet in the circumference
OF its branches. The trunk exhibited all the marks
of extreme old age, being entirely hollow and
mostly open on the south side, with just sufficient