| Notes |
The original location of the Register office was in
the lower room of a house on Essex Street, next below the Franklin
building, now the side hotel Hawthorne, which was also next door to Dr.
Bentley's residence. On Jan. 3, 1803, it was moved to a room over the
post office on the site of the present Bowker block, and later that year
was treated to a new dress of type, Carlton advertising for sale in the
autumn "a font of English, one of Pica, one of small Pica, one of
Burgeois and one of Brevier." At the same time a new heading, with a
figure Liberty was adapted, bearing the motto, "were Liberty is, there is
my country."
The Gazette cannot lose an opportunity to ridicule the new
heading. "In the first place," wrote a correspondent, "the Salem
Register is made as black as possible. In the center is
seen a female figure (Jacobinian, without doubt) in the act of throwing
away the cap of Liberty, and trampling under foot the motto, "were
Liberty dwells, there is my country." She holds in her left-hand the
CON-stitution, three-quarters of which are lopped off; and leans on an
altar, from which "law, justice and religion, are almost obliterated.
The American Eagle appears to be taking its flight from the scene of
anarchy and desolation."
William Carlton died July 24, 1805, at the age of 34 years. To quote
from Mr. Streeter: "He had suffered from fever during his imprisonment,
as stated by Dr. Bentley, he continued feeble until a day before his
decease, when he was suddenly seized by a violent fever and derangement,
which terminated his life in 24 hours. His constant friends said of him:
"He always possessed great cheerfulness of temper and great benevolence
of mind. He was distinguished by his perseverance, integrity and
uprightness. To his generous zeal upon the public were indebted for the
early information, which the Register gave of the most
interesting occurrences. To a tender mother he was faithful, and to his
family affectionate. The friends of his youth enjoyed the warmth of his
gratitude. His professions and friendships were sincere. He was able
editor and an honest man."
Of his funeral Dr. Bentley wrote: "This day was interred our printer, Mr.
W. Carlton. The procession was long and the recollection that he never
had enjoyed his health since his imprisonment occasioned to various
sensations on the melancholy occasion. Thus departed the youthful victim
of political party."
The question whether or not Carlton contracted the disease, which caused
his death, while imprisoned in Salem jail was a disputed one for years
caused no end of hard feeling. As late as 1806, the Boston
Chronicle was giving credence to the story, which called
forth the following comment from the Gazette: "The Parsons
story that Carlton lost his life by his imprisonment is certainly going
the circuits, and comes back to us about once a quarter; and it has been
told so often that we verily believe the Parson almost begins to believe
it himself. We doubt not the editor the Chronicle really
thinks that Carlton found his death in the damps of a dungeon, but they
are imposed upon; everybody here knows the humanity of Mr. Hutson, the
prison keeper, and that he was permitted to place Carlton in a convenient
chamber where he was as comfortably lodged as Mr. Hutsons family
themselves. But Mr. Carlton is since dead, and it has been convenient to
represent him as a martyr to federal persecution."
William Carlton was a s/o William M. and Mary (Farmer) Carlton of
Salem. His father had been commander during the Revolution of a private
armed sloop, the "Black Snake", of 12 guns and 60 men, and died in June,
1791, and Barbados. His grandfather, Col. Samuel Carlton, had been an
officer in the Revolution also, residing in Andover, where he married
Deborah Stevens of that town. Young Carlton was but 20 years of age when
his father died, and considerable responsibility was thus thrust upon
him. He married, May 22, 1796, Elizabeth Cooke of Salem, by whom he had
three daughters, only one of whom, Elizabeth, survived him, and she
passed away in 1818 at the age of 19 years. Mr. Benjamin F. Browne,
writing for the Historical Collections of the Essex
Institute[:ITAL], Volume IV, said: "Mr. Carlton was a man a very genial
character, and exuberant wit, and was much respected even by his
political opponents at a time when political differences seriously
interrupted social amenities. He was imprisoned in Salem jail for a libel
on Col. Pickering of which he was not the author, but whose identity he
refused to disclose."
During the five years of Mr. Carltons proprietorship of the Register he
printed 14 pamphlets, mostly religious and only one or two of more than
50 pages. "Letter to the People, by a Farmer," was probably
his most pretentious work, a pamphlet of 102 pages, brought out 1802.
Carlton published a sermon preached at Lynn by Reverend Thomas Cushing
Thatcher upon the death by lightning of Miles Shorey and wife, in 1803,
donating half the profits to the orphans left. Carlton, too, was
probably the printer of the first edition of Timothy Dexters "A
Pickle for the Knowing Ones[:ITAL]", although his name does not appear.
In 1805, Dexter proposed a second edition and asked Carlton figure on 500
copies. In a letter written in June, 1805 Carlton agreed to print the
book, which was a small pamphlet of 32 pages, for $50, but he died in the
month following, which no doubt was the reason for the second edition
being printed in Newburyport. This letter which was a fine example of
Carltons wit, succeeded so well in flattering this eccentric character
that Dexter printed it in his second edition, as follows:
Salem, June 14, 1805.
My Lord Dexter,
By the politeness of Mr. Emerson I received the very valuable contents of
your package. A new edition of that unprecedented performance entitled,
"A Pickle for the Knowing Ones," is very urgently called
for by the friends of literature in this country and in England -- and I
presume with the additions and improvements intended to accompany the
second edition, provided it should be well printed, would entitle the
author to a seat in Bonapartes Legion of Honor, --for my Lord Dexter is
an honorable man. But, sir the work cannot be executed for the sum
named, --nor in the time specified, --I will printed an edition of 500
copies with the additions for $50 a content cannot possibly due them for
less.
Wishing your Lordship health in perpetuity -- a continuance of your
admirable reasoning the faculties, good spirits, and an abundance of
wealth, --and finally a safe passage over any river, not with sticks but
a pleasure boot, I remain yours with the utmost profundity.
W. Carlton.
The right honorable Lord Dexter, KT., Newburyport.
The death of Mr. Carlton threw consternation into the ranks of the
Democrats, who were determined that a newspaper should be maintained
Salem for the support of their cause. They were in a predicament. The
paper had been in existence only five years. Dr. Bentley could well
continue the editorial supervision, and the mechanical part of the
business was in the hands of Warwick Palfray, Jr., then only 18 years of
age, who had been an apprentice of Carlton, and whom Bentley
characterized as a "discrete a capable youth." They day following the
funeral a "select meeting" was called to consider what could be done.
Hon. Jacob Crowninshield, Capt. Joshua Ward, Representatives, and John
Hathorne, Jr. were a committee to choose a successor. Bentley says
several men were suggested: "Mr. Caleb Cross, the editor of the Merrimac
Gazette in Newburyport, which has not succeeded. Antony Pasquin, the
celebrated Williams, who is an outcast from the Democrat & Chronicle
office in Boston, is supposed to be the stranger who has applied."
Rather a discouraging outlook. Capt. Joseph White, agent for Carlton,
consented to the use of the type and press until some arrangements could
be made. It was later contemplated making G. Richards, from Portsmouth,
editor, but the "the letter," says Bentley, "in the Repertory, disowning
the Democrats, has checked these proposals. Salem Register is important
enough to have powerful enemies and bold efforts to suppress it. Its
friends speak of its support but do little with true courage."
Meanwhile, Macanulty, the bookseller, was assisting in some capacity in
its publication.
The Register was published for the benefit of the widow until August 26,
1805, when her death occurred. Concerning Mrs. Carlton, Dr. Bentley has
written: "On Sunday night at midnight died Elizabeth, wife of William
Carlton, lately deceased. She was a Cooke. Her father Charles Cooke, a
foreigner and Mariner, died at sea. Her mother was a Stone and sister of
Elizabeth, wife and Joseph White. Mrs. Carlton, when young, discovered
great activity of mind and body, was beautiful, was indulged, was
caressed. I had the charge of her education. Addressed by many a youth,
she refused all the deceived all. In these matters she lost her fair
charms. Capt. Orne, who had her promises, died abroad and lost her an
acknowledgment. Mr. Carlton married her. Her condition did not suit her
ambition, but she gave herself to gay scenes of life. Her health refused
the charge and for a long time she was in decay. Upon the death of her
husband, she was removed to her Uncle Whites and at his house had the
fondest attentions. But she is now no more. Age 34. She had an active
mind, and opened countenance, great address, and might have been one of
the happiest as the best of women."
The Register office, which was appraised at this time at
about $1100, continued to be carried on for the estate, Dr. Bentley and
Warwick Palfray, Jr., assuming proprietorship and editorial management.
By the next summer, the clergyman editor was becoming weary of urnishing
gratuitously the product of his pen twice each week. On August 20, 1806,
he writes, "It is time I should have some assistance as I have all the
labor and none of the profit." So constant was Dr. Bentley and his
contributions to the paper that he comments and in 1812 upon the fact
that he allowed four issues of the Register to pass without
his notes, "an interruption not before known since 1800." Reflecting
this thought comes an advertisement in the Register in
August 1806, stating "The Salem Register having been
supported in its editorial department by the voluntary assistance ofits
friends since the decease of the late editor, Mr. Carlton the proprietors
are desirous of obtaining an editor to conduct the same future."
|
Old Dead Relatives
1771 - 1805 (34 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
