NAMS House Names
Symmes Wing - Grade 6
William Symmes
William Symmes was the son of a minister of the North Parish church and lived in the Parson Barnard House on Osgood Street. He grew up to be the first lawyer of the Parish of Andover.
In 1789, Symmes, along with two other men, Kittredge and Osgood, went to the State House in Boston as representatives of Andover. They were instructed to vote against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Since Massachusetts was the first state to consider ratifying the Constitution, other states would likely follow its lead. Most people in Massachusetts wanted to vote against ratification because Massachusetts was an important and rich state that did not want to lose its power. Massachusetts was against Federalism. Also, there was no Bill of Rights in the Constitution yet.
On the last day of the debate, William Symmes announced that he was changing his mind and would vote what his conscience told him which was to favor ratification. A vote was taken and the Federalists won by one vote, that being the one cast by William Symmes.
Many people in Andover were angry with him so upon his return, they hounded him out of town. He moved to Portland, Maine where he became a very successful lawyer. Later he became a U.S. Congressman. It is because of William Symmes that we have a U.S. Constitution today.
Freeman Wing - Grade 7
Cato Freeman
Cato Freeman was a black slave who was a member of the North Parish Church, where he played the violin the church orchestra. His master was Samuel Phillips, who was the lieutenant of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and who later founded Phillips Academy in Andover.
In 1780, Massachusetts outlawed slavery but, Cato chose to remain in service. He taught himself to read and write. There is an original letter written by him in 1783 in the collection of the North Andover Historical Society.
Neither he nor his children were allowed to attend school at the North Parish Church. He went on to develop a farm near Lake Cochichewick where the Lawrence Municipal Airport is located. He is buried near the common in downtown Andover.
Carrier Wing - Grade 8
Martha Carrier
Martha Carrier was the daughter of Andrew Allen, one of the original settlers of the Parish of Andover. She was married to Thomas Carrier who was a farmer.
She was one of the eight residents of the North Parish who was accused of witchcraft, tried, and then condemned. Of these, she was the only one who never confessed. Sadly, in 1693 she was one of the three that were hanged.
Martha Carrier was accused as a witch because she was outspoken and had a strong sense of justice. This often angered her neighbor farmers.
