Seal of the City of Newburyport, Massachusetts

1851

The cornerstone of the current City Hall was laid on July 4, 1850 and was completed in February 1851. A meeting was held in the New City Hall on March 18th. Shortly after, offices were set up in this building to house City Government, Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, Overseer's of the poor and other officials. On June 16th, 1851 under Mayor Caleb Cushing, people were elected as members of the City Council and authorized to make by-laws and choose city officers. By June 24, 1851 City Government was organized. From here, ordinances were passed.

Ordinance No. 14 "To Establish the City Arms and Seal"

1. This seal depicts Two lighthouses in the upper left hand corner with a ship under full sail visible between them. Lighthouses have been erected along the Merrimack river and on plum Island at the mouth of the River.

2. A Steam Mill appears opposite the light house indicates the industry of the era. Some Steam Mill's were Bartlet Steam, Samuel Huse& Co and Russell & Walker. Bartlet was a manufacture of Wollen Yarn, Cotton batting and Huse, Russell and Walker were in Iron Foundries making castings for ships works, stoves and other copper and Brass castings.

3. A ship on stocks below lighthouses indicates the great ship building this city is known for. With river access to the Ocean, Newburyport made a fine place to produce and launch ships.

4. Opposite the Ship on stocks is Three Domed Towers that formed the Seal of Newbury, England in Berkshire. 

5. Coronet above shield and two arms extended, joined at the hand and supporters represent the city's relationship between federal (Female on left) holding a shield bearing the Stars and Stripes of the United States and (female on right) holding a shield representing local Massachusetts government with the " Ma. state shield".

6.The Motto" Terra Marique" on a banner extending between two females feet denotes Newburyport being important to both land and Sea

7. Legend: Top and Bottom of seal "City of Newburyport" and A.D. MDCCCLI (1851 -Roman Numeral to Arabic conversion)

Source of information:

I would like to thank the City of Newburyport, Clerks office for providing a copy of Ordinance No. 14. "Seal of City of Newburyport"

History of Newburyport, Ma. 1764 - 1905 by John J. Currier Newburyport, Ma. Published by the author 1906

History of Newburyport  (From the earliest settlement of the country to the present time.) By  Mrs. E. Vale Smith, Newburyport 1854 Published by The Anundsen Publishing Co. 108 Washington St. Decorah, Iowa 52101