Miscellany Mondays: How did Andover celebrate Hallowe'en?
An Andover Story
How did Andover celebrate Hallowe'en in the 19th century? And what's with the spelling?
ACHC #1987.598.2048
Early local newspaper references to Hallowe’en come from North Andover.
A Hallowe’en party at the Unitarian Church is announced in the North Andover section of the October 22, 1886 Lawrence American/Andover Advertiser newspaper. Tricks, fortunes, a baked bean supper, and a good time was assured for all. The next month, the paper reported out that even though the weather was bad, the party was a success.
The next year, on October 28, 1887, on page 6, the Andover Townsman published a long article on the history of All Hallow’s Eve, relying heavily on the Robert Burns poem. That article proved to be popular, so the next week, the newspaper published a long Hallowe’en story.
The next mention of Hallowe’en came the following year on November 2, 1888. The North Andover section of the Andover Townsman reported on the party. And the following year, November 1, 1889, Hallowe’en at least in North Andover was “celebrated in due form in various parts of town last evening.”
Finally on November 11, 1889 Ballardvale was mentioned,
“Hallowe’en was observed with more than the usual amount of mischief on the part of the boys. Bells were rung, gates un hung, and similar idiotic attempts to be funny perpetuated about town.”
Robert Burns and Scottish traditions
Andover’s Scottish population grew considerably as Scottish mill owners recruited residents of their hometowns to come work in their Andover and North Andover mills. The Smiths, Doves, and Donalds all hailed from the area around Brechin, Scotland, from where many of Andover’s Scottish residents emigrated.
It’s no surprise that they brought their traditions with them: Robert Burns societies, clan societies, Hallowe’en, and cricket. A lot of Hallowe’en stories can be traced back to Robert Burns’ poem, “Halloween.” You can read Burns’ poem in its original form here. Or, if you're like me, you might find a translation easier to read.
One Scottish Hallowe'en game was the "burning of the nuts," which according to Robert Burns:
The old guidwife’s well-hoarded nuts,
Are round and round divided,
And many lads’ and lasses’ fates
Are there that night decided:
Some kindle cosily, side by side,
And burn together trimly;
Some start away, with saucy pride,
And jumpout over the chimney
Full high that night.
Starting in 1893, the Andover Townsman kicked-off a long tradition of reporting on Hallowe’en parties in Andover that continued well into the 20th century. Reports often included descriptions of the decorations, games, food served, and a list of everyone in attendance.
From 1893 on, the early November issues of the Andover Townsman include reports of Hallowe’en parties of all kinds, starting with,
“Miss Kate Fuller entertained a party of friends at her parents’ residence in the Kimball District, Tuesday evening, with games and pleasures incident to the proper observance of Hallowe’en.”
So what were “proper” Hallowe’en games? A far cry from Robert Burns’ description of couples slipping off to the haystacks for...well, you know.
Instead, at Andover’s proper Hallowe’en parties, young people enjoyed “a dainty lunch,” cake, donuts, popcorn, pickles, and fruit (1906).
They listened to piano solos, recitations, and readings, and played games including bobbing for apples, biting suspended donuts, apples, or marshmallows, and played “Donkey games,” peanut races, and hot potatoes or “tatties.”
In 1900, "They played the usual pranks, doubtless, ringing inoffensive folks' door bells, playing tick-tack and hurling the rutabaga, at least the more mischievous did.
(Hurling the rutabaga?)
There were masquerades in “ancient or grotesque” costumes with grand marches, and younger children going door-to-door to “sing ditties” (1910). Decorations were seasonal and included pumpkins, jack o'lanterns, crepe paper streamers, lanterns, witches, and more.
And the spelling? According to Merriam Webster Dictionary:
The spelling of Halloween derives from its earlier name All Hallows Even (or eve) which took place the night before All Hallows Day, now known as All Saints Day. All Hallows Even was shortened to Hallowe'en, and later to Halloween.
There's a lot more Andover Hallowe'en history and fun waiting for you on our website! Click here to read more...