The history of Lynn - Lynn Massachusetts Genealogy Project

200 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1806.1805.For one hundred and seventy-three years, frora the buildingof the ftrst parish meeting-house, the people had annuallyassembled in it, for the transaction of their municipal concerns.But this year, the members of that parish, observing the damagewhich such meetings occasioned to the house, and believingthat, since the incorporation of other parishes, the town hadno title in it, refused to have it occupied as a town house.This refusal occasioned much controversy between the townand parish, and committees were appointed by both parties toaccompUsh an adjustment. An engagement was partially madefor the occupation of the house, on the payment of twenty-eightdollars annually ; but the town refused to sanction the agreement,and the meetings were removed to the Methodist meeting-house,on the eastern part of the common.The Lynn Academy was opened on the fifth of April, underthe care of Mr. William Ballard. A bell was presented to thisinstitution by Col. James Robinson.An earthquake happened on the sixth of April, at fifteenminutes after two, in the afternoon.On the eleventh of May, Mr. John Legree Johnson's house,on the east end of the common, was struck by lightning.A society of Free Masons was constituted on the tenthof June, by the name of Mount Carmel Lodge.On the twenty-fourth of July, Mr. Charles Adams fell fromthe rocks at Nipper Stage, on Nahant, and was drowned.1806.A total eclipse of the sun happened on Monday, the sixteenthof June. It commenced a few minutes after ten in the forenoon,and continued about two hours and a half. The sunrose clear, and the morning was uncommonly pleasant. Asthe eclipse advanced, the air became damp and cool, like theapproach of evening. The birds at first flew about in astonishment,and then retired to their roosts, and the stars appeared.The shadow of the moon was seen travelling across the earthfrom west to east ; and at the moment when the last direct ray