Why Beverly Was Called Beantown

1895

The town of Beverly was set off from the town of Salem more than 200 years ago. About that time, it is said, a schooner with a full cargo of beans entered that port. This supplied the whole town with beans; hence the name given to the inhabitants, "Beverly Beaners." In 1687 the town of Beverly voted to impose a tax of 10 shillings on all future absentees from town meetings. In 1754 28 slaves were owned in the town. The first Sunday school in America was established in Beverly in 1810, and the fiftieth anniversary was celebrated in that place in 1860. In 1824 General Lafayette visited Beverly, and the writer of this saw him as he rode through on horseback. We are told that up to this day those in the vicinity of Beverly call it "the bean town." — Boston Transcript.