Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 58, 1888

The Manufacturing Industries

The colonists, at their first settlement in New England, were alive to the importance of encouraging home industries. Burr-stones, for milling use, were shipped here as early as 1628, and the emigration of coopers, millers and all artisans, was especially urged. In 1639, millers, ship-carpenters and others, were exempted from the burden of training-day. As soon as Thomas Nelson had taken a survey of the out-lands around the village of Rowley, he found a good location for a mill ; and but a year or tw^o elapsed before a grist-mill was in operation. A fulling-mill and clothiers' works soon followed. Many of the early settlers of Rowley were skilful cloth-makers, having a celebrity throughout the colony for skill in this particular industry.

One of the first mills built to accommodate what was afterwards the west parish, was bj^ Sergt. Jeremiah Pearson. The town granted him authority in 1697, to build a mill, provided a convenient place could be found. In January, 1699-1700, a lot of land, which had been granted to Samuel Platts, Jr., was returned to the town, Platts receiving other land in exchange ; and on this convenient site Pearson erected a grist-mill, which was in use about one hundred years. This was situated near the afterwards somewhat famous Stickney mills. How long a time the Harriman mill on Rock Brook was run is not known, but, whatever the length of time, it was unquestionably the first to be built within the limits of Georgetown.

Some, if not all, the earlier-built Houses in this west parish, were of logs. Pine trees were scarce down to a late day in this locality. A severe penalty was imposed by special statute, in Massachusetts, for unnecessary injury to pine trees, as late as 1790 ; and this species were so rare where now they are almost the exclusive growth, that Capt. Solomon Dodge has been known to say that, when a boy, a pine tree was something of which but few could be seen for a long distance around his home in Dodgeville. The boarding of the houses was of oak, as well as the frames, until past the middle of the last century ; and whether originally the boards were sawed or split, with a shaved surface afterward, is uncertain. There was a class of mechanics known as sawyers at a very early day, and perhaps the boards may have been worked out by hand with pit-saws. The shingles were split, and the durable ones are said to have been from trees killed by burning, while in a growing, vigorous condition.

The Harriman mill was doubtless a saw as well as grist-mill, for, at the time it was first projected, there were several houses in contemplation, and evidently much enterprise in the eighteen mill-owners. Deacon

Abner Spofford had a saw-mill in operation, in 1734, on the stream which finds its outlet at Parker River, above Scrag Pond. Forty years afterward, his halfbrother, Col. Daniel Spofford and his sons, run a grist-mill at the same site, and three thousand bushels of grain, grown in the neighborhood, have been ground there in a single year. The same millstones, no doubt, had been previously used in another grist-mill, a sort of an improvised affair, on a dry spot originally, the only power being what water was conveyed by several uncertain streams. This mill was in the rear of William B. Howe's house, and was run by John Spofford, another of this Spofford family.

About 1740 Daniel Pierce, perhaps the grandfather of the late Major Daniel Pierce, commenced digging a canal below Pentucket Pond, preparatory to the erection, or possible enlargement, of a mill already in operation, and at the site now occupied by the Parker Woolen Mills. The interest that Pierce had was soon sold by him, the purchaser running a gristmill, which, for a century, was in use from the middle of October to the middle of April of each year.

In 1807 John Wood, who lived near by, was the owner, and added a saw-mill. Paul Stickney was at one time the proprietor, and also Major Paul Dole, for more than twenty years. About 1851 or '52, money was raised by subscription, land damage paid ; the meadow around Pentucket Pond flowed through the year, and the mill was run constantly during the summer months. This made a precedent ; the result of which has been the permanent flowage of these lands, or sufficiently so, as to make them valueless.

About 1863 Hon. Moses Tenney bought and enlarged the mills, adding improved machinery at a large expense. Many were hoping when the purchase was made, that the intentions were to remove the entire structure, and thus give unobstructed passage to the vast body of water which flowed, or would flow, if unchecked, through the central and southern part of the town ; but their hopes were doomed to disappointment. About five years ago, the property changed owners, and the manufacture of blankets was begun, with an enlargement of the buildings. Under the present competent management, the production is largely cassimeres. There are about fifty employees, with Edward C. Aldrich as superintendent, and the corporation name is the "Parker River Mills." Returning to the last century, we find other industries. The iron works have been referred to, and the Hazen Saw-mill at J. S. Kimball's place. All the little streams, only available for one-half of the year, were utilized.

Eleazar Spofford, the son of Deacon Abner, began about 1775 the work of wire-drawing near his father's saw-mill. Jonathan Chaplin, the father of Captain Eliphalet, built a rope- walk where the road now is, just north of Wilfred S. Chaplin's house. Deacon Stephen Mighill, like his predecessors, manufactured malt. The Burpy family dammed a swift-running little brook that coursed through their land, and made a rude mill for breaking flax. Jeremiah, the father of Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, had a mill for the making of snuff in operation during the Revolution. Molasses was made from Indian corn-stalks and watermelons during this war. Saltpetre was made from the dried earth found under old buildings. A part of the house of the late Deacon Moses Merrill was the workshop of Deacon Thomas Merrill, in which his eldest sons were employed during the Revolutionary War in making nails with forge and hammer.

Benjamin Wallingford, Sr., and son of the same name, manufactured, in a humble way, articles from leather, as saddle-bags, harness and horse-collars in their house on Andover Street. Mr. Burbank, who lived at the "Corner," was a chaise-maker before 1800. One of the chaises of that period - perhaps of his make - was called the " Ark ; " doubtless the name was appropriate.

The old gambrel-roofed shop of Burbank, which stood in front of where Mr. Pettengill's brick blacksmith shop now stands, was on the same site at the " Corner " some years after his death. There were several cooper-shops in the parish. One was where L. G. Wilson's house now is.

Charcoal-burning was common as late as seventyfive years ago. The farmers often find the remains of the charcoal pits turned up by the plough. Philip Nelson had a blacksmith shop near the " Pound '' in '1760. He afterwards removed to Haverhill. Several fishing-vessels of eighteen or twenty tons burden were built near the meeting-house by Solomon Nelson and his sons, nearly one hundred years ago. These were for Chebaco (now Essex) parties, and were hauled to the water, either at Rowley or Byfield, to be floated around. Up to about 1860 there have been those at ditterent periods who did considerable business in cutting and roughing shiptimber and plank for the Essex and Newburyport builders.

At one time, when repairs were being made on the frigate " Constitution," some valuable timber cut on Baldpate Hill was used. Captain Eliphalet Chaplin, who kept several pairs of oxen, and employed a number of men, was, in the first quarter of this century, largely engaged in this ship-stock industry, also Mr. William and Ensign Daniel Spofford, and, in after years, Mighill Nelson, father of the writei'. The clipper-ship building of forty years ago, drew heavily on the primitive timber-growth, which had been spared up to that time.

Captain Benjamin Adams began the tanning and currying of leather at his home on the Salem road, now Central Street, about 1780. The next to begin this important industry was Captain William Parley, at the Hazen, now Kimball place, where he for some time ground bark by water-power. Deacon Solomon Nelson, on Nelson Street, and perhaps Daniel Clark, on North Street, where Henry Milliard afterwards carried on the business, continued by a son and a grandson, both of the same name, which at present is the only manufacture of the kind in town. Some domestic or slaughter hides (the skins of cattle killed in the vicinity) with the dressing of skins of some unusual kind, is now the only work performed, and the business is more from pleasure, as one of the past customs of the fiimily, than from necessity or special profit. Another yard opened was that of Noyes Pearson, on a little romantic streaiu which crosses North Street, near the Newbury line, having its outlet eastwardly, at Wheeler's brook. Others, established at an early day were the Westen and Phineas Hardy yards, on '' Rock Brook," or Parker River, very near the site of the Harrimau mill of nearly a century before. At about the same period Nathaniel Nelson began the same industry near the meeting-house.

In 1815, or near that date, Deacon Asa Nelson, who had served his three years' apprenticeship with his relative, Deacon Solomon Nelson, and had worked at the business for two or three years at the Pearson tannery, on North Street, began operations at his home on Elm St., now owned by his son, Sherman Nelson. He conducted a large business. About 1824 or '25 Major Jeremiah Nelson, a son of Stephen M., who had also learned the trade of Deacon Nelson, began the same business near the meetinghouse, and about 1835 was the first to introduce steajn as a motive power into town. This engine, with the buildings, was the property of a corporation. Nathaniel Morse had also a yard near by. Most of the young men who learned this trade in New Rowley from 1810 to 1830 served their apprenticeship to Deacon Solomon Nelson. The privileges of the apprentice were to dress for himself two dozen calf-skins, one-half dozen sides of leather, and as many sheepskins as the apprentice pleased. These were not statutes from the law-books, but were recognized as having equal authority. Colonel John Kimball, about 1825, began an extensive manufacture of leather at the Captain Adams tannery, then owned by him. One year he tanned and curried four thousand South American horse-hides. Manj' of the imported skins of those days were of Russian red cattle. Besides those in town who had yards and were employers of labor, there were those who, like Amos Nelson, had the use of pits and carried on an independent business of their own, and Benjamin Low, who was a currier, and worked in his own shop for many years. Patented leather splitting-machines, worked by hand, were an awkward thing, but only one could be used in a town. New Rowley manufacturers, to evade the law, had one in Gideon Baker's barn, just beyond the Boxford line. An extensive business in the slaughtering of cattle was carried on in town early in the present century and during the war with England. This was conducted principally by Deacon Solomon Nelson and his cousin, Nathaniel Nelson. Droves of fiftv or more head were often purchased at one time. Cattle were frequently bought of Governor Colby, of New Hampshire. The deacon was also State insjjector of beef. The cellarfloor under his house has at times been completely covered with barrels of beef awaiting shipment. The hides were converted into leather, and both industries carried on simultaneously. The shoe business, in its manufacture outside of family use, is thought to have been begun by Deacon Thomas Merrill, father of I. Newton Merrill, at his home in Marlboro'. He used to carry in his horse-cart the shoes which he had made, to Gloucester, Marblehead and Salem, for sale, as four-wheeled vehicles had not then become common.

There were cordwainers from an early day who had their patrons, and going from house to house would, in the corner of the farmer's kitchen, make the shoes needed for the family. John Bridges, in 1775, worked in this way through the west parish. After the shoe industry was started, there were many who had much of the cutting, making, dressing and other parts of the work done in their dwelling-house. It was with most a mixed industry, combined with farming or some other employment. The Brothers Little were at Solomon Nelson's, near the meeting-house, manufacturing in 1810, and were afterwards at the " Corner," but in both places combined the business with trade in general merchandise. Richard Tenney and his son, Amos J. Tenney, began early at their home on Tenney Street. Deacon Nelson on Nelson Street, and Nathaniel Nelson at his home, were both engaged in shoemanufacturing before 1812. To have, as it were, "many irons in the lire" was the rule with these business men of that day. Benjamin Winter followed a few years later, and is said to have made the first boys' brogans ever made in town. Stephen Little claimed to have made the first pegged shoes ; Paul Pillsbury, as has been said, the first shoe pegs, Paul Spofford was the consignee or purchaser of many goods shipped at that early period. A bill of lading before the writer while penning this, is for shoes shipped to Spoftbrd, Tileston & Co., New York City_ Deacon Asa Nelson soon added the shoe manufacture to his tanning business. D. M. Winter began a limited business about 1830. Amos J. Tennev and his son George J., built at the Corner the dwelling-house and factory in 1829, which were burned in the first extensive fire in 1874. The boots made by the Tenneys soon became generally known in the boot and shoe towns of the State as a standard make both in style and quality, and the firm became known as a leading firm in the business centres of the country. Samuel Little began the same business in 1831, establishing a trade with Pittsburgh, and, as the population spread westward, with points beyond Western Pennsylvania, and finally, under the firm name of Little & Noyes (Hiram N.), afterwards Little & Moulton, became the leading business house of the town.

Boxford, who worked for Deacon Solomon Nelson as early as 1813, carrying home his stock and returning with his saddle-bag of shoes on horseback, as Mr. Amos Nelson, now an octogenarian, well remembers seeing him, is at ninety-five years of age, still at work on his shoemaker's bench. The business was managed loosely, as it would be thought to-day, the shoemaker sometimes taking the uncut leather, and cut, as well as made, the shoes. About every farm-house by 1830 had its shop near by. The trade was largely with Baltimore, Norfolk and Charleston, as well as with New York City. At first goods were carried over the road to Boston in medium-sized wagons, but as the business became extensive, large baggage-wagons, drawn by six horses, were in use for carrying shoes, with a return load of West India goods for the several stores. After the opening of the Eastern Railroad boots and shoes were sometimes carted to Rowley, and shipped by rail from there. By 1840 thirty or more persons in the south part of the town had been, or were to some extent, engaged in the shoe industry. Besides those already named, there were the brothers C. G. & John Baker, Benjamin Adams, John A. Lovei'ing (continued recently by his son, John H. Lovering), George W. Chaplin, Mighill, Asa and Harrison Nelson, Ignatius Sargent (a partner of the last-named) and many others. There were several in Byfield, as James Peabody, near the Newbury line, the Jackmans and perhaps others. Nathaniel and Major Jeremiah Nelson did an extensive business, and something was done in Marlboro'. Somewhat later there were M. A. Tidd (who removed to Iowa), in what is now C. G. Baker's shop ; Henry P. Chaplin, in what is now Mrs. Allen G. Hood's home ; G. M. Nelson and Coleman Platts, where A. B. Noyes now is, and where David Holmes, G. H. Carleton and others have carried on business in the past; W. B. Harriman, on Elm Street, continued by his son, Horace E. Harriman, John P. Coker and others. Moses Spofford did a small business in a building where G. S. Harnden's house now stands. Perhaps the first light work made in town was by Alfred Hale, in the building, on Main Street, formerly the residence and private school of the Misses Cross. Besides these there have been Charles M. Stocker, George B. Miller, one or two Haverhill firms, who have had for a time the third floor of Odd Fellows' Block in recent years, and, in a limited way, one or two others. In addition to those named, there are at present using steam-power W. M. Brewster, on Park Street, who makes a specialty of boots, many of high grade, and has had from seventy-five to ninety employed ; A. B. Noyes & Co., on Main Street, largely engaged in miners' wear, and George W. Chaplin & Co., on Central Street, who make a varied stock, some miners' goods, and of late are manufacturing new styles. Those not using power are the Boot and Shoe Corporation, with E. S. Daniels, superintendent, in the Samuel Little factory, and took at their organization, 1881, the trade Mr, Little had when business was suspended by him, H. P. Chaplin, on Central Street ; J. B. Giles, who occupies the D. M. Winter factory on Elm Street; H. E. Harriman, also on Elm Street, makes boots for Essex County and hoine trade generally, and C. G. Baker with a similar product. Mr. George W. Chaplin, now the veteran of this industry, can recall more than fifty persons in this town, mostly in South Georgetown, who have at one time or another manufactured boots and shoes. From 1830 to 1850, there were two harness-shops in town, with several journeymen and apprentices ; Robert Savory had one of the establishments. Later this work was limited to one or two persons. At present T. F. Hill conducts a successful business of this kind.

Perhaps about 1843 or 1844, Moses Atwood began the manufacture of " Atwood's Bitters." This has become one of the standard patent medicines of the country. Moses Carter and Lewis H. Bateman afterwards individually continued this same manufacture. These three persons became to some extent manufacing druggists, of which the business of Mr. Carter is continued in that of Luther F. Carter, his son. Mr. Atwood removed West, and the widely known " Bitters," are now it is believed, the product of a New York city firm. A deposit of ochreous earth was discovered by Mr. Atwood at the base of the hill known by his name about 1846 or 1847, and from it many buildings in town were painted. The newspaper printing business and job work were begun in June, 1846, in Little's shoe factory, or the " Phenix Building," as the advertisement reads, and the Watchtower, a semi-religious weekly, issued. This paper was also published and mailed from Newburyport ; Rev. Allen Garnett was editor, and William Cogswell, proprietor. Volume ten began March, 1848 ; this was sustained for about three years, when after a brief interim the Georgetown Reporter, another weekly or semi-monthly published by a Mr. Green, became the village paper, but of a lower standard than the Watchtoiver. This paper was continued until about 1853 or 1854. In 1867 the town had occasional newspaper ventures in the Evangelist, published by Major Moses Tenney & Son, partially for trade purposes, and in 1871 the Star, which was issued monthly throughout the year by Calvin E. Howe, and another trade sheet, the Granger, in 1874.

September 23, 1874, W. B. Hammond, of Peabody, who had been running a job printing office in Odd Fellows Block for about two years, issued the first number of the Georgefotvn Advocate. The following year he entered into partnership with the present town clerk, H. N. Harriman, who for some time previously had been amember of the State Constabulary, and located at Salem, the firm greatly enlarging the size of the paper. They print » weekly edition of about twelve hundred copies, have a well-appointed office, issue a sheet deservedly popular, from its typography and general make-up, the files of which will, to the future local historian, be invaluable. A steam-power press is used. The making of men's clothing was anciently done by itinerating tailors going from family to family, as women tailors did half a century ago. "Tailor Tliurlow"was perhaps the most noted in this town.

Samuel Plumer, of Rowley, who had been living in Haverhill for a year or two, began the manufacture of clothing in town in 1838. Was in partnership with Stephen Osgood for some years, but later with H. L. Perkins. He is still in business, and after some removals, again occupies his old stand of nearly fifty years ago. Mr. Blodgett was in the same industry, from about 1842, for some years. Had some twenty or more employees. Was of an inventive turn and devised the first sewing-machines, but it was only by the aid of a Boston machinist that it was made practical. Afterwards took out patents in England ; located in Philadelphia and became wealthy. David Haskell, an ingenious carpenter of this town, invented an attachment to the sewing machine, now in universal use, but others secured the money-value. Stephen Osgood began the clothing business in 1848 ; afterwards a "Forty-niner'' in the early California furore, and for many years has been extensively engaged as a merchant-tailor, having for style and finish of garments a very wide celebrity. He was a member of the Massachusetts Senate. H. L. Perkins, for some years in partnership with Mr. Plumer, but of late in business in Odd Fellows' Building, recently removed to Haverhill. He makes a specialty of particular lines of gentlemen's wear. L. H. Bateman twenty years ago manufactured cigars in the second story of the store which formerly was near Dr. Huse's residence. Shoe-pegs were made by Charles Coburn forty years ago, in a building on Chestnut Street. The tannery of Deacon Solomon Nelson was improved by the father of the writer about 1843, a bark mill, circular saws and lathe added. Shuttle stock for the Lowell mills, carriage, laths and fencing stuff manufactured, grinding bark for the tanneries, then doing business and threshing grain, nearly every farmer growing the small grains at that time.

The first use of steam for manufacturing purposes, was on Chestnut Street, about 1836, as has been stated. Since that time, an engine was run for about two years, near the Pingree farm-house, to saw the timber into lumber, at the time of the extensive clearing of the forest; another, about twenty years ago, on West Street, by Patrick Grimes, in a wool-cleaning business, in a building just in the rear of the James Grimes (formerly the Esquire Spofford place), also one in the building on Main Street, near Pen Brook Avenue, where, a few years ago, parties from Haverhill extracted oil from leather waste and still another in an apple-evaporating business, about five years ago, in the building on Main Street, formerly the residence of the Misses Cross, upon the site of which the Bailey block of stores and tenements now stands. The carriage manufacture was introduced some years ago, by a brother of Stephen Osgood, iu the large and convenient building erected for the purpose, at the head of School Street, but unfortunately did not prove remunerative. Here steam power was also used. George S. Weston has steam power in a cider factory, erected some ten or twelve years ago, near his residence on Main Street. Mr. Weston and his cousin Charles, run in the winter season, the old Spofford saw-mill on Andover Street. Henry Pettengill, has in his old blacksmith shop, the engine formerly used in the Batchelder peg-mill, in Boxford, which was burned about 1848. In 1866 a company of capitalists in Newburyport, began the manufacture of peat at the Raynor meadows, on the west side of Central Street, not far from the Boxford boundary. A building of three stories was erected, machinery and steam power put in, upland graded for drying ground and much expense incurred. The result was not satisfactory, and after a few months, work was suspended. This locality, now owned by Boston parties, is locally known as " Peatville."

During the silver mining excitement, in 1875 and '76, a shaft was sunk by a Dr. Taylor, on Hilliard Idnd, near the Parker River Mills, and much experimenting and land-bonding iu that locality, and along Red Shanks and on Nelson Street, was the result. Some galena and silver was found. Recently, further mining operations have been made near C. E. Chaplin's, on Nelson Street, on land then owned by parties in Providence, R. I.

The business of a machinist was carried on for several years by Manly Morse, son of Nathaniel Morse, and by George Hasting, the Universalist minister.

The first wind-mill erected was that of Robert Boyes, about thirty-five years ago, for wheelwright purposes, on the building iu the rear of Liitle's shoe factory, now occupied by J. E. Messenger. Lately modern wind-mills have been in use for stabling purposes by Jophanas Adams and G. H. Carlton.

Soap manufacture has been carried on for some years by Charles Smith, on North Street, and John T. Hilliard, on Thurlow Street. Elisha Hood, of South Georgetown, was at one time in this business.

The shoe-box industry, at present carried on by M. F. Carter at the steam factory near the railroad station, was begun twenty or more years ago on Pond Street, by J. P. Folsom, and continued by William Sawyer, who removed here from Boxford.

The cutting of ice from Lake Pentucket was begun as early as 1853 or 1854, by Messrs. Little and Tenney, and soon after the buildings were erected. This Pentucket ice industry was afterwards the property of Sherman Nelson, but at present, and for some years past, is controlled by John A. Hoyt & Sons.

A few years ago two brothers by the name of Abbott, who are in the business elsewhere, began cutting ice from Rock Pond. They cut and store wholly for shipment, while much of the Pentucket product is for local consumption. Besides the blacksmith shops named there was, as early as 1740, that of Amos Pillsbury, on Pillsbury Plain, near Humphrey Nelson's, later, another Dresser shop near Library Street, afterwards occupied by Captain Asa Bradstreet and D W. Perkins. Fifty years ago South Georgetown had Goodrich and Richards in this industry, and during work on the road-bed of the Danvers Railroad, a shop was built at the corner of Chaplin Court, afterwards burned. Byfield had one or two on Warren Street, and has at present, on North Street, a very enterprising establ ish m en t, i n the carriage and smith shop of Morse & Poor. At the village there have been the shopsof J. A. lUsley, James Cogswell, now Charles Holmes, also that of McKenney, Morrill and the veteran Henry Pettengill, now of nearly sixty years labor in this town. One curious feature of the early times was, that before the use of "slings" when oxen were to be shod they were turned upon their backs, a custom still in use in Syria.

Many of the earlier house-builders have been already named, as several of the SpofFords, eminent in this especially honorable avocation, also two or three of the Hazens, and others. Captain John Kilham was, for about half a century, a skillful artisan, and many of the dwellings in town are the results of his steady and ))ainstaking industry. Isaac Wilson, residing on Spofford hill, William George, who died recently at the age of ninety-six, Sylvanus Nelson, S. Eustace Clark and others, now gone to join the silent majority, were always busy in the duties of their calling.

The Kimball brothers, of which John, survives, were active for many years in their chosen work, and is now repeated in their sons also; also John W. Pingree in South Georgetown, Chauncey O. Noyes, Caleb S. Chaplin, in Byfield, George B. Poor and James E. Messenger, of whom the last-named has a business varied with carriage repair (assuming the work laid aside by Joseph Currier and Robert Boyce) are, with perhaps others not named, the active members of the fraternity in the town to-day. A few contractors have, at times, resided here, but in most cases their labor was not as productive of good to the community, as was anticipated.

One industry to be added to the foregoing is that of heel-making, which is connected naturally with the shoe and leather interests. This business is of considerable importance in towns near by, but from some cause has not been successful in this town. Recently an attempt was made to conduct this industry on a large scale, but all work, after several months of trial, has been suspended. Previously the Cokers, father and son, for a time did a moderate business. Another quite important industry to be added is the manufacture of lasts by Cyrus Dorman, who conducted this business at the head of Mechanics' Court for several years.

ten years or more ago. The public demand hardly warranted the outlay, and the business was not a success. Later J. S. Hilliard carried on the same business in Little's Block, selling out some three years ago to S. D. Bean. Nearly, or quite, forty-five years ago William Boynton, now of Melrose, conducted quite a trade in, and some manufacture of, furniture on Central Street. He was also undertaker for the town. The Farmers' Mutual Company, of Georgetown, organized about forty years ago, had its office under his roof, an institution of which he was treasurer. This company has been extinct for about twenty years.