Reviewing A Colonial Highway Macy Street Amesbury Massachusetts

From Amesbury Advocate, Wednesday, December 1, 1926

AD in this newspaper: 

Acres of Ashes Carriage Hill Story of the Fire at Amesbury Massachusetts 1888

I added the PDF to my docs click link to open and view. If you have difficulty just send me your email.
Read Article Part 1 Article Fire Amesbury 1888
Part 2 Article Fire Amesbury 1888 
 Reports from the Automobile Trade Directory:
IN SPITE of FIRE, Amesbury shipped 1,122 carriages during the first half of the month of April. This does not look much like decrease of business.
THE HUME CARRIAGE Co., Amesbury, Mass., are preparing to erect a new building of brick, 117 ft. long and 60 ft. wide, with an L too ft. long and 45 ft. wide, four stories high.
PLENTY LEFT TO FILL ORDERS—F. D. Parry, of Amesbury, Mass., writes (April 17th): “It is not generally known that I lost 60 carriages in the great fire, worth about $10,000; but I wish it understood that l have plenty left to fill all orders, as my factory was not burned. I was fairly insured.”
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.—On Saturday evening. April 14th, Messrs. Drummond, Taylor & Co., of Amesbury, gave a complimentary dinner to their employés, in token of appreciation of the effective services of the latter in saving their great carriage works from destruction during the late fire. The speaking which followed the dinner is reported as having been particularly appropriate and stirring.
ONLY SCORCHED.–Messrs. Drummond, Taylor & Co., carriagebuilders, of Amesbury, Mass., write us (April 9th) that, although they were pretty well scorched during the late fire, they had not a building injured internally, and are in as good a position as ever to fill orders. We sincerely trust that they and our other Amesbury friends will receive their full share of spring orders, and promptly too.
JOHN H. CLARK & Co., Amesbury, Mass., have bought the lot formerly occupied by N. H. Folger and a part of that occupied by A. N. Parry Co., and will erect at once a building 120 ft. long by Go ft. wide three stories high, making it as nearly fire-proof as possible. They will restore the building, the walls of which are standing. They propose having one of the best equipped carriage factories in the country.
REAL-ESTATE TRANSFERS have been numerous in Amesbury since the fire. F. A. Babcock & Co. have purchased the disputed territory near their old shop, of James Hume. John H. Clark & Co. have purchased of James Hume the land upon which N. H. Folger's factory stood, and will build thereon. A. N. Parry & Co. have disposed of their lot to Lambert Hollander, who gives notice that he will rebuild at once.
AFTER THE FIRE.—The work of reconstruction at Amesbury was begun at once. The Hume Carriage Co. erected a temporary office, and had it completed and occupied on Monday morning. F. A. Babcock & Co. moved the office of Locke & Jewell on their ground, and occupied it Monday morning. Early on Monday George F. Pike began to rebuild the partiallyburned storehouse of the Hume Carriage Co., and the firm continued work during the following week. The first building on the hill was erected by Mr. Hume, and, after twenty years, the first to go up after the fire, was built by the same man. Emmons Babb also commenced the erection of a temporary blacksmithshop, 140 feet long, for F. A. Babcock & Co.
NOT BURNED.—Three carriage factories, those of Drummond, Taylor & Co., Osgood Morrill and Walton & Colquhoun, are all that are left of the once flourishing colony on Carriage Hill in Amesbury. But in the town are the following firms: Biddle, Smart & Co., Folger & Drummond, C. W. Long & Co., S. Rowell & Son, G. W. Marden, W. G. Ellis & Sons, Charles Rowell & Son, Geo. W. Osgood, Briggs Carriage Co., E. S. Feltch & Co., B. F. Lewis, Chesley, Shiels & Co., Rowell & Neal, A. P. Boardman, F. D. Parry, Locke & Jewell, J. F. Esten & Son, Seth Clark, T. W. Lane, M. T. Bird, John Carr. S. R. Bailey & Co. make sleighs: and, in carriage-parts, the following firms do business: Currier, Cameron & Co., carriages in the wood and iron; Francis & Smith, bodies; D J. Marston, wheels; Wells & Spofford, bodies; and Biddle, Smart & Co., bodies and gears.
New York Extends Sympathy to Amesbury: The following communication speaks for itself: “Syracuse, N.Y., April 9th, 1888. At a meeting of the Carriage Builders' Association of the State of New-York, held this day, at Syracuse, N. Y., the undersigned were named as a committee to draft resolutions extending the sympathy of this Association o the carriagebuilders of Amesbury, Mass., who recently suffered so severely by fire. ... We therefore submit the following, a copy of which has been mailed to each of the houses burned out. Whereas: A number of our fellow carriage-builders in Amesbury have severely suffered from fire, and, appreciating the magnitude of the loss to them, and the difficulties, delays, expense and labor to which they will be subjected before their losses can be repaired, be it Resolved: That the sympathy of the Carriage Builders' Association of the State of New-York is due and hereby tendered to the firms suffering from the effects of the Amesbury fire; and that each member pledges himself as an individual, and as a member of this Association, to do everything in his power to assist the sufferers in every possible manner to overcome the difficulties so suddenly thrust upon them. (Signed): W. C. Bradley and K. A. Hughson, Committee.”

Carriage Industry Remembered
Coach Built 

Toy Rocking horses made by Carriage Maker Ernst Kirsch in Amesbury Massachusetts

According to the article posted on Dr. Edmund Weinberg, a collector of rocking horses below: "Some of Dr. Weinberg's horses are rare survivors, while others are more plentiful. For example, he knows of two other horses resembling his abstract, contemporary-looking bentwood model, but his is the only one with the seat intact. One version is at the Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y., and the other is from the legendary toy collection of the late Bernard M. "Barney" Barenholtz, was sold at Sotheby's in January 1990 for $10,450.
Dr. Weinberg had bought his bentwood horse for about $3,000 several years ago on Long Island, N.Y., at an auction of the estate of Joan Whitney Payson, who owned the New York Mets. Like the one at the Strong Museum, it has a cloth cape at the neck hiding a clumsy joint. When Dr. Weinberg got the horse home, he discovered that it was stamped faintly on its neck with the name of Amesbury, Mass., carriage maker Ernst Kirsch and the date 1871.

Claim. — The hommer herein described, made from a single piece of metal, shaped and folded as set forth.121,945.—Rocking-Horse.—Ernst Kirsch, South Amesbury, Mass. A rocking-horse made of the bent stock, constructed, connected, and relatively arranged, substantially as described. Patent Issued 1872 Commissioner of Patents Annual Report By United States. Patent Office

I found Ernst Kirsch listed as a carriage maker in 1871 city directory Cambridge, MA  a death of 1901 in Massachusetts birth 1820. "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHLN-K28 : 10 December 2014), Ernst Kirsch, 10 Jun 1901; citing , reference 293; FHL microfilm 2,109,176.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHX9-XSP : 11 August 2016), Ernst Kirsch, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district ED 433, sheet 351B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0543; FHL microfilm 1,254,543. 

Name:    Ernst Kirsch
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Event Type:    Marriage
Event Date:    07 Jul 1883
Event Place:    , Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
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Gender:    Male
Age:    63
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Birth Year (Estimated):    1820
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Father's Name:    Frederick
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Mother's Name:    Johanna
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Spouse's Name:    Barbara Haus
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Spouse's Gender:    Female
Spouse's Age:    49
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Spouse's Birth Date:   
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated):    1834
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Spouse's Father's Name:    Adam
Spouse's Mother's Name:    Theresa
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Reference ID:    74
GS Film Number:    001432996
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Digital Folder Number:    004279767
Image Number:    00970
Number of Images:    Citing this Record:
"Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWY6-NSK : 17 February 2016), Ernst Kirsch and Barbara Haus, 07 Jul 1883; citing  , Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,432,996.Looking for more information on Ernst Kirsch please post or email me. Thanks!

see Realism And Meticulous Details Make Rocking And Riding Horses Exciting Collectibles

Veterinarian races rocking horses into winner's circle

Amesbury Artist Ralph Elmer Clarkson son of a Carriage Maker Inspired by John Greenleaf Whittier

Ralph Elmer Clarkson born in Amesbury, Massachusetts on August 3 1861. He was the son of carriage maker Joseph True Clarkson and Susan Melinda Watson. Ralph Clarkson made the first perspective drawings of carriages in Amesbury in 1878. When Ralph ventured to Illinois and "once transplanted to Chicago’s art scene, his background of culture, refinement, and talent lent themselves to the promotion of a cultural life in Chicago, which has rarely been equaled."  

J. T. Clarkson & Co. commenced the manufacture of novelties in carriages in 1888. They were among the first to bring out the interchangeable seat traps which were so popular in the 90's. They have taken out many patents for improvements in carriages, and are still making specialties in pony work and carts." Amesbury Carriage Makers Amesbury City Site and Ad 1896 Ad Antique Franconia Trap Buggy Carriage J. T. Clarkson Amesbury MA YAHB1

Joseph True Clarkson was born to Jacob Clarkson and Polly Hodgkins on June 14, 1837 in Amesbury, Massachusetts (at the time called Salisbury) and died November 9, 1907. The family roots were firmly established in New England soil. His paternal grandparents were Scotch and came to Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1718. Two brothers Andrew Clarkson and James Clarkson, both "described as men of distinction in the two-volume history of their town." James Clarkson boarded with the Cottons when they first arrived from Scotland. He was a teacher in the public schools and town representative.  He married 1st Elizabeth Clark Cotton, daughter of George Clark and widow of William Cotton. He married 2nd Mrs Sarah Holland.
In Brewster’s Rambles about Portsmouth New Hampshire Volume 1, the two brothers occupied a spacious old framed house noted to be haunted. It was demolished in 1835.

In the State Historical Society of Wisconsin is a portion of a silk flag brought by the Clarkson  forebears upon their migration from Scotland to New England. It bears the Latin motto, “Nem-Me-Impune-Lacesse 1719” (No One Provokes Me with Impunity) It was used in the memorable Scottish rebellion of 1745, and was in the fatal defeat of Brince Charlie at Culloden. It was given by Captain Clarkson, of Ceresco, Wisconsin, a lineal descendant. Wisconsin Historical Collections Volume 4

Joseph Clarkson was a man of "culture and versatile gifts." He was an inventor, manufacturer, and editor on several occasions for the Amesbury Daily News. Joseph also published articles on special subjects, as he was "an intimate in the political councils of the district." In his later years he served as postmaster of Amesbury. His wife, Susan Melinda Watson. Check back for more genealogy

Death Certificate Joseph True Clarkson 

William True Clarkson son of Joseph Clarkson and Susan Watson, Brother of Ralph Elmer Clarkson 

Birth of Joseph True Clarkson in 1837 and Francis Kimball Clarkson 1833 who married Mary Kane Jewett

According to a biography published by the Illinois Art Institute, Whittier encouraged Ralph to pursue his art talent and inspired him to create "nature" themes in his work. According to C J Bulliet, when Ralph came back from three years’ study in Paris, Whittier, then venerable, insisted on his bringing to him his sketches and spreading them out before him. Mr. Clarkson remembers with pleasure the intelligent criticisms the poet offered of his various paintings. Whittier, he relates, was color-blind, but that didn’t destroy his power of linking pictures with appearances of nature. 
Before his career in painting Ralph Clarkson worked for James R Osgood Publishing Company in Boston, Massachusetts. Even as a young man attending Amesbury Public Schools Ralph was "called upon to decorate the blackboards when any special celebration" in town. 

From Illinois Art Project 
Clarkson studied at the Boston Museum School under Frederick Crowninshield (1845-1918) and later at the Academie Julian in Paris, under noted artists Jules-Joseph Lefebvre and Gustave Boulanger. When working with Emil Otto Grundmann he was introduced to the works of the Spanish court painter, Diego Velázquez, who strongly influenced many of Clarkson’s contemporaries, and who Clarkson, would idolize throughout his career. 
In 1884, Clarkson left for Paris with fellow Boston artist Edmund C. Tarbell (1862-1938). Their ship landed at Liverpool in October and by mid-month they were staying together at Madame Gogly’s boardinghouse, 83 Avenue a familiar spot for Victor Hugo. 
They began studies at the Académie Julian with William-Adolphe Bouguerea. The two also studied with American expatriate William Turner Dannat (1853-1929). Clarkson dutifully followed their academic teachings, but was likely aware of the attention accorded the French Impressionists.
After fleeing cholera in Paris and heading to London, Clarkson eventually found his way back to Paris while Tarbell left for Munich. In pursuit of study of the Impressionists’ plein air methods, Clarkson left Paris for Switzerland. There, he succeeded in capturing Impressionist procedures, painting a seven by eleven foot picture of two old men in a sunlit square titled The Arrival of News in the Village. His pigments were keyed so high that when the canvas was hung in the Salon Société des Artistes Français of 1887, it was as bright as the works of the Impressionists, and earned a place in a center panel.

Ralph married on January 15 1890 Fanny Rose Calhoun born May 24 1862 in Manchester Connecticut daughter of Judge David Samuel Calhoun and Harriet A Gilbert. Her mother died when she was 5 years old and her father married 2nd Eliza Scott in 1870. Harriet Gilbert (1830-1868) was the daughter of Jasper Gilbert and Elizabeth Hale Rose who was the daughter of Captain Joseph Rose and Millie Sweatland. Captain John Rose was son of Samuel Rose and Elizabeth Hale, daughter of Richard Hale (Son of Samuel Hale and Apphia Moody) and Elizabeth Strong.  Elizabeth Strong daughter of Captain Joseph Strong (Son of Joseph Justice Strong and Sarah Allen) and Elizabeth Strong daughter of Preserved Strong and Tabitha Lee.
Samuel Rose turned out from Coventry at the Lexington Alarm. He served as surgeon in the army until 1780, when he returned home ill and died in a few days. Lineage Book Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 6.
David Calhoun was son of Rev George Albion Calhoun and Betsey Scoville, daughter of Jonathan Scoville and Sarah "Sally" Church. 

First Photo--Full-length group portrait of artist Ralph Elmer Clarkson, president of the Municipal Art Commission and governing member of the Art Institute of Chicago, sitting in his studio in the Fine Arts Building located at 410 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Clarkson is holding a print and photographer Paul Weirum and Jens Eriksen of the Chicago Daily News are standing, looking at the print that Clarkson is holding.Second Photo: Ralph Elmer Clarkson, Jens Eriksen, and Paul Weirum sitting and standing at a table covered with papers. Both taken by Chicago Daily News, Inc., photographer from Chicago History Museum Digital Collection 

Ralph served as president of the Art Commission of Chicago and State Art Commission of Illinois. He was an acting member of the jury for the art section at the Paris Exposition of 1900 and at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of St. Louis in 1904. He was also a member of the International Jury of Awards at St. Louis in the same year and has recently been made a member of the painting jury of the American Federation of Arts at Washington, D. C.

Ralph Elmer Clarkson Art

Nouvart Dzeron, a Daughter of Armenia 1912 considered Clarkson's most popular work hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago The model was Miss Nouvart Dzeron, who was a student at the time (1912) in the school at the Art Institute, still vividly remembered by artists who were her fellow students. She posed in the costume her grandfather sent over from Armenia. She was a singer and actress as well as a painter, very active and emotionally high strung. Wedding a wealthy Armenian in the cast, after leaving school, she has continued her art career, going not so long ago to China to study the designing of rugs. Nouvart Dzeron was the daughter of the freedom fighter Manoog B. Dzeron, who authored the book - Village of Parachanj, General History, 1600-1937. Nevart, the daughter of Yeghsa and Manoog, graduated with honors from the Chicago Art Institute. She did her post-graduate studies in France and Italy. During the Near East Relief drive, Nevart travelled throughout the U.S. giving lectures on Armenian folk music and singing traditional Armenian songs. She was the first to organize a touring Armenian chorus, which sang in traditional Armenian costumes, and acquainted the American public with Armenian music. The chorus included, West Point Military Academy graduate, Haig Shekerjian, who played the violin and would later become a decorated army general.

Café au lait au frais, circa 1892-94 Oil on canvas last known locale was M. Christine Schwartz Collection

''Venice, Italy'', framed watercolor last known locale was Bunte Auction Services

Portrait of Woman last known locale was Leslie Hindman Auctioneers 

Signed top right to my friend T.E. Balding last known locale was California Auctioneers

Al fondo el retrato del pintor Ralph Elmer Clarkson, 1911. The Oregon Public Library, Oregon, Illinois. Collection Eagle´s Nest Art Colony. 

From Oxford Register Kansas September 6 1923

From The Inter Ocean Chicago January 24 1897 

From Interview "Why I Prefer to Live in Chicago" by Mary Isabel Brush published May 8 1910 please contact me for full PDF 

From Chicago Daily Tribune Illinois January 10 1906

From Article "Among the Art Galleries" published in the Inter Ocean Chicago December 8 1912 by George B Zug please contact me if you would like PDF copy

From The Newburyport News Newburyport, MA February 8 1897

From Newburyport News Newburyport, MA March 29 1887  

 Passport Application for Ralph E Clark 1892 and signature of father J T Clarkson

Sources

• History of Amesbury, Massachusetts: Beginning with the Arrival of the Winthrop Fleet 1630 at Salem and Boston Through 1967 Sara Locke Redford Whittier Press 1968
• Patent filed by Joseph Clarkson January 14 1891 Carriage Improvements Amesbury, MA
• Paintings and Sculpture in the Collection of the National Academy of Design: 1826-1925 David Bernard Dearinger Hudson Hills 200
• Ralph E. Clarkson Papers, c.1900-1941 Correspondence, photographs, and printed matter documenting the career of artist, Ralph E. Clarkson.
• Chicago: Its History and Its Builders Josiah Seymour Currey S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1918
• IllinoisArt.ORG
• "Booming carriage industry brought Amesbury prominence" Newburyport Daily News Melissa D Berry Forgotten History May 25, 2018 
• "Artist of Chicago Past and Present: Ralph Elmer Clarkson" C J Bulliet  
• Circulation, Exchange, and Race in Ralph Elmer Clarkson's Nouvart Dzeron, a Daughter of Armenia Amy Lynn Weber 2011 University of Illinois  
• CELEBRATING MIR APPRAISAL’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY: VIEW FROM THE EAGLE’S NEST MIR Appraisal
• Historical Burial Grounds of the New Hampshire Seacoast Glenn A. Knoblock
• “Ralph Clarkson 1861-1942,” Tri-Color Magazine (May 1942) Richard Teutsch
• Cotton Family of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Frank Ethridge Cotton 1905 
• Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut 
• "Mr Clark Opens His Studio" The Inter Ocean Chicago, Illinois March 5 1896
• The history of the descendants of Elder John Strong, of Northampton, Mass
  B.W. Dwight