History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

32 ANNALS OF LYNN 1 869.
sale of tickets to the various concerts, amounted to ^300.000.
Lynn furnished her quota of performers in the association known
as the Chorus Class, which, under the name of Choral Union,
was continued, much to the benefit of musical education among
us. And the whole affair gave a sensible impetus to musical
interests in all parts of the country.
Benjamin H. Jacobs, for more than thirty years undertaker
for the Old Burying Ground, near the western end of the Common,
died June 16, aged y6. He was a native of Littleton, Mass.,
was faithful in his office, and took great pains to keep the venerable
resting place in order and give it a pleasant aspect. And
there his own remains were deposited. His son Edwin S., who
long acted as his assistant, died on the 27th of the same month,
aged 45.
_
The picturesque cruciform Episcopal church at Nahant, built
in 1868, was consecrated June 27.
The public drain through Shepard street was constructed this
year, in compliance with the strongly expressed desire of many
residents of the vicinity. But it dried up so many wells in the
neighborhood that some began to question its utility. The little
pond on the Common, likewise, met the fate of the wells. But
notwithstanding the temporary inconvenience, there is no doubt
of the value of such works. Lynn had for many years felt the
necessity of a system of drainage, which was at about this time
energetically commenced. Other localities soon went through
experience similar to that of Shepard street.
A caricature celebration of independence took place this year
under the auspices of the " Antiques and Horribles," with discordant
music by the " Old Canaan Band." Some parts of the
procession were rather picturesque and some of the hits good.
Jeremiah C. Stickney died, August 3, aged 64. He was a
native of Rowley, Mass., graduated at Harvard, with the 1824
class, immediately applied himself to the study of law, with Judge
Cummins, of Salem, and in 1827 was admitted to the bar. He
soon settled in Lynn, and was presently in active and successful
practice, in which he continued for forty years. He was postmaster
from 1829 to 1839, ^^^^ again from 1853 to 1858; but
having little ambition for office he was less in public life than
was desirable for one of his ability. He declined the office
of United States District Attorney for Massachusetts, when
offered him, during the administration of Gen. Jackson. He
however served in the lower house of the Massachusetts Legislature
in 1839 and '40. When the city form of government was
adopted, in 1850, his legal advice and assistance proved of great
value ; and when in 1853 the office of City Solicitor was established,
he was promptly elected to fill the position. It was the