As Shown by the Diary of Joseph Lye, Shoemaker By FRED A. GANNON SALEM, MASS. Printed by Newcomb & Gauss SALEM, MASS. Copyrighted 1918 Fred A. Gannon Salem, Mass. For all the facts in this little book the writer is indebted to Henry F. Tapley, who gave the Lye, or Tapley, shoe shop to the Essex Institute, and who related the record of it, as well as extracts from the diary of Joseph Lye, to the Lynn Historical Society, October 14, 1915. Mr. Tapley’s story is published in the Register of

Joseph Lye was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1792, being one of the nine sons of Joseph Lye, a shoemaker and soldier of the Revolution, and Ann Hart. He kept a diary which shows that he “was first clerk of the Second Congregational church (Unitarian), clerk of the Fire club, served as juryman, trained in the militia, watched with sick friends and neighbors. He was something of a traveler in his modest way, worked as a shoemaker, painter, fisherman and skipper, and sailed small boats. He cleaned the ch

Soon after his return from the war of the Revolution, Joseph Lye bought a parcel of land and buildings thereon near the Common in Lynn, paying 123 pounds, 6 shillings for the entire property. Among the buildings was a small, sturdy structure, scarcely as large as a kitchen. In it were four “berths,” or seats, on which shoemakers sat, their tools by their side and their stock on the floor, making shoes by hand. It was heated by a wood stove and lighted by candles, but aside from these it was as p

Lye began his diary by writing: “A Diary of my Daily occupations and a few remarks that do not relate to them, and a record of what deaths and marriages come to my knowledge.” Lye thought much upon spiritual matters. He wrote in his diary frequently of his attendance at church and of his views of religious subjects. He worked leisurely and had time to reflect upon the meaning of life and its highest ideals. It may be his view of life has been lost among men of today, intent upon their affairs of

For his useful toil Joseph Lye was content with a modest wage. He was willing to turn his hand to most anything. He worked “as a shoemaker, painter, fisherman and skipper of small boats. He cleaned the chimney, set out posts, built fences, fixed the pump, caulked boats and helped kill the neighbor’s pig.” He also was a farmer. Evidently he had a good all around training which enabled him to adjust himself to the circumstances of each day. He did not become a specialist in shoemaking and limit hi

The spring of the year 1819 was a very busy time with Lye, and a few entries in his diary reveal the versatility of his career. May 5, “helped set fence in front of our premises in the forenoon. Performed military duty in the afternoon.” May 9, “helped move Mudge’s new shop. Went to Chelsea to purchase pigs, but found none to be bought.” Saturday, May 23, he “trained again.” June 30, “sailed from this town for North Yarmouth in the sloop Jane, Capt. Ross, for the purpose of recovering the boat H

Joseph Lye lived a well rounded life. Besides shoemaking, fishing and farming, and other occupations that came to his hand, he trained with the militia, ran with the firemen, took part in politics, and sat up with sick friends, and lent a hand when help was needed. He took life seriously, not as sternly as did his Puritan forefathers, but nevertheless, with a deep and earnest purpose. For example, in his diary he records: “Monday, Mar. 20. This day I am 27 years old. I have, through God’s goodne

In a neighborly way Lye did many things, helping to fix fences, to mend boats, to kill pigs, to repair pumps, and to do any of the kind deeds that help a neighbor along the path of life. Two records from his diary show what a kindly neighbor he was: “May 4, 1820. Watched this night with our neighbor, David Farrington, who, it is feared, is approaching the last end.” “Mar. 30, 1823. Watched last night with Thomas Cheever, who is bereft of his senses.” A good and kindly neighbor was Lye, to watch

The sum of Lye’s view of life is found in this entry in his diary: “Friday, Sept. 2. Carried out a fishing party. Capt. Z. Atwell, S. Smith and six others. On our return off Bass Neck, Capt. Atwell at the helm, going before the wind, the boom jibed over and knocked Matthew Breed Jr. overboard. I jumped into the small boat and picked him up. He was considerable distance astern and quite exhausted, just ready to sink. Thus was I a feeble instrument in God’s hands.” That was his view of life. “A fe

After the death of Joseph Lye, his family placed a stone on his grave, bearing this inscription: In Memory of MR. JOSEPH LYE, who died April 10, 1834, Aged 42 Years. So that stone tells of the faith Lye had in eternal life, a faith which was his guide in each act of the days of his life....

Amos Tapley, who purchased the Lye shop after the death of Joseph Lye, was of the Danvers family of Tapleys. He married a daughter of Joseph Lye, the shoemaker and soldier of the Revolution. His son, Amos Preston Tapley, engaged in the shoe trade and became the owner of the shop upon the death of his father. His son, Henry Fuller Tapley, became owner of the shop, and gave it to the Essex Institute. Henry F. Fuller is surviving partner of the house of Amos P. Tapley & Co., whose record is

Lye didn’t live long, didn’t make money, didn’t make a reputation, didn’t build up a big business, didn’t go into politics, didn’t follow any sports as a fad, and didn’t break into society. But it looks as if he enjoyed life while he lived. Lye was contented to work for a living, to live in simple fashion, and to enjoy humble pleasures. He had a knack of getting along. When the shoe trade was dull he turned his hand to something else. He kept down his cost of living, for he farmed, fished and ra