There was exciting news out of Marblehead this summer in the discovery of a Sept. 19, 1775, letter to selectmen from Elbridge Gerry, signer of the Declaration of Independence, former governor of the commonwealth, and former vice president of the United States.
The Marblehead native lived from 1744 to 1813 and is probably best known for being the namesake of the method of manipulating legislative districts for maximum political advantage known as "gerrymandering." The very first gerrymandered district was right here in Essex County and included the communities of Andover, Methuen and Haverhill.
One has to wonder how many more historically significant documents might be hidden away in the bowels or our city and town halls.
The discovery of Gerry's letter accepting appointment to the Continental Congress, along with another bearing the signature of John Hancock, was made purely by accident. Some work being done in the basement of Abbot Hall drew members of the Marblehead Historical Commission who were looking through the contents of some dusty and long-forgotten file cabinets when they found the ancient documents.
While cities and towns may not see their way clear in difficult fiscal times to undertake a major effort, they might think about enlisting the aid of local historical societies and civic groups to organize and itemize their archives.
Who knows what other significant finds might be lurking in those old cabinets and desk drawers? They are, like Gerry's 1775 letter, fascinating and important components of our history.
