Beverly was first settled by five men known as the "old planters" and was incorporated as a town in 1668. its first minister, rev. john hale, was the author of an important work on the salem witch hysteria. in 1775, the schooner hannah, the first commissioned military vessel, sailed from beverly harbor. privateers also sailed from here for their raids on enemy ships. in the 19th century, beverly's lucy larcom wrote about life working in the cotton mills. the early 20th century attracted a wave of immigrants for the construction of the united shoe machinery corporation and the development of the estates, beaches, and gardens of beverly's gold coast. president taft vacationed at present-day lynch park, and many visitors have come to beverly for the north shore music theatre and le grand david.