Election Day

by Terri McFadden

In the already very long runup to the 2020 elections, much has been written about the importance of casting a vote, making it easier to vote, early voting and much more. One idea floating around the internet is actually a throw-back in our history – that is making election day a holiday.

Two hundred years ago election day in Massachusetts was part of a week-long celebration held at the end of May. Long before Memorial Day, which was established after the Civil War, many events were held to celebrate the gift of the vote. Although women were not given this right until 1920, they too enjoyed the holiday, attending dances and cooking and baking special food, including the election day cake. Politicians made speeches and some hoped to swing the vote their way by providing plenty of rum – a long-time tradition, dating back to England long before Massachusetts was established.

What is today Beverly City Hall was, at the time, the home of millionaire Israel Thorndike. He had a famous garden, surrounded by a poled fence. Like most gardens of the time it was practical, with many fruit trees, but he also had his garden planted with flowers, a new trend. Children took delight in peering through the fence to gaze at the tulips and other flowers, during this springtime holiday.

Both children and adults enjoyed riding the “flying horses”, what we call a merry-go-round. Several of these were set up each year on Spring Street in the Montserrat section of Beverly. In addition, the owner, Mr. Gardner, had other amusements to please the crowd and did a brisk business selling “molasses gingerbread”, rolls and beans. The food was washed down with mineral water, found on the property, and believed to have strong medicinal properties. 

Both foot races and horse races were common entertainments for the men, with wagers and heavy drinking enhancing the experience. This was much to the displeasure of many of the townspeople who were members of local temperance societies.

In 1825 it was decided by the leaders of the three militia groups that they needed to improve the performance of their units. During election week they staged a battle between one group, dressed as Indians and the rest of the men. The Indians “raided” houses in town, “stealing” jonny cakes baking on hearths and “attacking” locals when they could. With his wagon full of gingerbread and beans Mr. Gardner was riding along Colon Street when the Indians pounced. Although he laid about him with his whip, eventually their numbers prevailed and Mr. Gardner told them that “he agreed to be taken prisoner, but he didn’t agree to be killed.” Although the combatants didn’t use lead shot, they did charge their muskets with black powder. The noise was deafening and the haze made it difficult for the townspeople who followed the soldiers to see the action. When the mock battle concluded a parade through town was enjoyed by all. It was led by a band consisting of bugles, French horn, clarinets, flutes, and snare drums with the “portly” bass drummer leading the way. Local historian Warren Prince reported it was “soul stirring music” which took the people “right off their feet.”

Gradually over the years the celebrations of the week of election day diminished. By mid-century Robert Rantoul noted that although the young people still enjoyed a dance and most families ate an election day cake, all the other traditions had slipped away.  When the Federal government made the first Tuesday in November the official day to go to the polls, the states followed suit, signaling the end of a holiday which had long celebrated the right to vote.