Manchester, Massachusetts
Essex county. This is a flourishing fishing town on Massachusetts bay, 26 miles N.E. from Boston and 5 S.W. from Gloucester. It was taken from Salem in 1645. Population, 1837, 1,346. There are a number of vessels belonging to the town employed in the fishing and coasting business. The value of the fishery, the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $12,800. The value of the articles manufactured was $96,473. Those articles consisted of vessels, boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats, and ships' wheels. The village is very pleasant, and commands fine prospects. Although Manchester is a rocky, rough township, it can boast a rare native production in this climate,—the magnolia, a beautiful flowering tree.
