Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 25 of those read), 1884

Military Organizations: Early Companies, Company for the Castle, Weymouth Light-Horse, Weymouth Artillery, Weymouth Light Infantry, Franklin Guards - Grand Army of the Republic: Lincoln Post, No. 40, Reynolds Post, No. 58 - Societies and Associations: Masonic Orphans' Hope Lodge, Delta Lodge, South Shore Commandery, Pentalpa Royal Arch Chapter - Odd-Fellows: Crescent Lodge, Wildey Lodge, Wompatuck Encampment - Knights of Pythias: Delphi Lodge - Knights of Honor: Pilgrim Lodge - Weymouth Agricultural and Industrial Society - Other Organizations.

Military Organizations - Very early, in fact from the beginning of the settlement, the necessities of the times called the attention of the people to military matters. themselves with arms, and to have some kind of organized associations to resist their savage enemies, who were ever on the alert to surprise them. Consequently, among the earliest movements recorded of inhabitants of sufficient age; and the call has been so large from the other villages of the town that the trustees have made arrangements by which these can be supplied with the books without expense to the

As the various wars began and ended this feeling became active or dormant, and new movements were made from time to time, as fresh occasions called for them. Of the earlier organizations nothing very In the first century of the colony,

This system, if the rude organizations can be dignified by such a term, continued for two hundred years. Near the close of the first half of the eighteenth century an independent company was formed in Weymouth for service at Castle William, in Boston Harbor, under command of Maj. Adam Cushing. Its horse was revived, and in 1798 the Weymouth Light- Horse Troop was regularly organized, with John White as its first captain, whose commission dates August 13th of that year. This company held its

Societies and Associations. - Masonic. - Among the most important associations in the town are the Masonic organizations, of which there are three.

The Orphans' Hope Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons was instituted June 8, 1825; the charter was granted to John Edson and others. In 1830, during the Anti-Masonic excitement, the charter was returned to the Grand Lodge, and Sept. 10, 1856, was reissued on petition of Lovell Bicknell and

Bates being its first captain, the date of whose commission is recorded as Feb. 9, 1818. It was composed of the active men of the village, and continued its existence for about fifteen years.

-local organization, as indicated by its name. captain was Samuel P. Bayley, commissioned Feb. 26, 1822. The company was continued for ten or fifteen years.

Gorden the first Secretary. From the return of the charter the lodge has always been in a prosperous condition and never more successful than at the present time. Landing, then at North Weymouth, and since at East

Weymouth, always in hired apartments; but a new hall is now in process of erection by the lodge in the latter village, and will probably be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1884. The lodge numbers one hundred and sixty-six members.

Massachusetts. - Lincoln Post, No. 40, named for our lamented President, was organized Jan. 2, 1868, at North Weymouth, having for its first Commander, Gen. B. F. Pratt, who had previously been a comrade of Post 15, in Boston. In August, 1873, it surrendered its charter and united with Post 58.

Reynolds Post, No. 58, was formed July 14, 1868, and numbered, Dec. 1, 1883, three hundred and nineteen members. It was named in honor of Gen. John F. Reynolds, of the First Army Corps, under whom many of its comrades served. Its first commander was Gen. James L. Bates, and its present, Col. B. S. Lovell. Its charity fund amounts to $13,000; and up to the beginning of 1883, the post had expended, in relief and benefits to sick comrades and to widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, the sum of $6768.83.

poses have been about $1000 annually. The funeral expenses of a comrade, to the amount of $50, are borne by the post, in cases where the family or connections of the deceased would find it a burden to provide them.

The South Shore Commandery of Knights Templar was duly constituted by charter Oct. 13, 1871, Z. L. Bicknell, Commander; George Wyman Fay, Generalissimo, and E. Waters Burr, Captain-General. Its place of meeting is at East Weymouth, and its present membership (September, 1883) is one hundred and fifty-three. Its present officers are E,W. H. Bass, Commander; William Fearing, Second Generalissimo; Charles N. Marsh, Recorder; and Andrew J. Garey, Captain-General.

Pentalpa Royal Arch Chapter held its first meeting June 14, 1870,Stephen S. Bradford, High Prest ; William Humphrey, King; A. A. Holbrook, Scribe; Samuel A. Bates, Secretary. Its present officers are Francis K. Slack, High Priest; Joel F. Sheppard, King; John M. Walsh, Scribe; William Cushing, Secretary ; and its membership is one hundred and twenty-four.

The Wildey Lodge, of South Weymouth, was instituted March 9, 1875, with eighteen charter members, and has now a membership of one hundred and eighteen. Its growth has been steady and permanent, and it stands second to none in sustaining the objects of its organization. It has a fine building erected by its members, which, with its furnishing, has cost fifteen thousand dollars. In this building are a hall ter members, at Weymouth Landing ; was burned out Sept. 15, 1870, sustaining a loss of six hundred dollars. The lodge now occupies a fine, new hall, well furnished, and is growing rapidly, with a present membership of one hundred and twelve.

Knights of Honor. - The Pilgrim Lodge, No. 485, at Hast Weymouth, was organized Feb. 27, 1877, with thirteen charter members ; first named " Cooper," in compliment to its first Dictator, but two years after this, for obvious reasons, the name was changed to "Pilgrim." Its growth has been slow but steady, and now numbers sixty members. This is a benevolent association, and pays two thousand dollars to the heirs of each member upon his death. is the present Dictator.

The Weymouth Agricultural and Industrial Society was formed Oct. 31, 1864, for purposes indicated by its name, to promote the interests of agriculture and industry. Its first president was James L. Bates, and its present, Alvah Raymond. about thirty-three acres of land in the southeasterly part of the town, upon which there is a_ half-mile

There are also several other organizations of similar character, among them the Hibernians of East Weymouth, a Council of the Royal Arcanum, at Weymouth Landing

Mills. - Weymouth has always, from its settlement by the English, been noted for its excellent mill privileges. Mill River, from its departure from Great Pond to its mouth at tide-water, abounds with valuable sites which have been improved during almost if not quite its entire history. The mill of William Waltham is mentioned in his will in 1640. In the following January, 1641, a difficulty arose between Henry Waltham, to whom the property had passed, and Wealthean Richards, wife of Thomas Richards, whose husband was absent from the country and had left her in charge of his interest. This was submitted to a reference consisting of Rev. Mr. Newman, James Parker, Esq., and Edward Bates. In 1642, Henry Waltham sold one-half of his gristmill (the same property) to Joseph Arthur, of Weymouth, England, for one hundred and forty pounds, In 1651, after the death of Mr. Richards, who seems to have obtained possession of the whole property, the mill was set off to his widow. 'The town records of that date say it " was on the road to Hingham Plain." This locates it at Back River, below Whitman's Pond. The mill (or mills) seems to have passed into the hands of Elder

- s ° | CeSSé j yery ief, spac a i li The society holds an annual fair upon its erounds, | necessarily very brief, the space allowing only a bare outline of important interests. Many are omitted entirely, among which are all of that class engaged in supplying the material wants of the inhabitants, very large' in the aggregate, employ- Several of the smaller compiler believes, however, that he has treated the business interests of the town as fully and fairly as can be reasonably demanded in a work of this magnitude.

Bates, and was used as a grist-, saw-, and fulling-mill, probably in two different buildings and a short distance apart. After several changes the privileges passed into the possession of the Weymouth fron Company in 1837, which has since improved them.

is mentioned. In 1682 it is called ' Nash's gristmill." In 1696, James Nash, the second of the name, left it to his grandson, James Drake, from whom it passed into possession of the Burrells, and soon after, the Webbs, with whom it remained for a hundred or more years. It was used for mill purposes until the present generation. mantled, and the privilege is not used. Its location was on Mill Cove, on the easterly side of Fore River, and not far from the original Weston settlement. Tirrell's Mill. - This mill is situated very near the centre of the town, 'and dates from 1693, when the town granted a permit to Gideon Tirrell to set up a fulling-mill at 'blade mill." Whether the latter name refers to the name of the owner or of the kind It remained in the family of its original builder until quite recently, when it was bought by J. Loud & Co., and by them sold to Howe & French, the present owners.

1837, and afterwards for a time as a bucket- and shingle-mill. The property is now owned by Mr. Elon Sherman, and used as a box-factory, with about fifteen workmen. A few years since the old mill was burned and a new one erected. Mr. Sherman has also, within a year or two, commenced the manufacture of paper cartons for shoes.

Dyer's Mili. - This mill is located on Marsh River, on Pleasant Street, and was probably built by William Reed before 1700. In 1716 it is named in the will of John Porter as the "saw-mill." It subsequently passed into the hands of the Dyers, and was used by them as a grist-mill. Jt has not been used for mill purposes for about fifty or sixty years.

Loud's Mill - - This was probably the oldest mill above Tirrell's. It was built near the beginning of the last century, and was known as Sayle's mill.

by private conveyance, - horses, ox-wagons, and afterwards carriages, - with the sailing packets, the latter From the earliest times the packet was the favorite, being quicker, cheaper, and more convenient, and was in constant use for more than two hundred years, one or two of them always finding ready employment in As the roads improved, and the needs of the people became greater, the stagepassengers and freight.

coach made its appearance and ran regularly between this town and Boston, until the necessity of still better roads for the accommodation of the increasing Turnpikes were projected in various places, and several were proposed that The conservative should pass through Weymouth. element prevailed so strongly that the town strenuously opposed every attempt to locate one through it, Notwithstanding all the endeavors of the town, charters were granted

Vinson's Mill. - This mill, formerly known as Colson's, is located not far from Great Pond, and was erected about 1765. It passed into the hands of Mr. Vinson, and was used as a grist-mill until about

March 4, 1803, and opened for travel in 1805. This was continued for nearly fifty years, when, owing to the changed condition of things with new modes of conveyance, it was thrown upon the town, July 15, 1852, and became a public road, now known as Washington Street.

A second, the New Bedford Turnpike, obtained a charter 29th February, 1804, and was laid out from the Weymouth and Braintree turnpike, beginning about a mile from the landing, running nearly south to the Abington line, on the route from Boston to New Bedford. The northerly part of the road was never a paying concern, and before many years it lapsed into private hands and is now Main Street.

The Hingham and Quincy Bridge and Turnpike Corporation was chartered 5th March, 1808, and opened for travel, with its two bridges over Fore and Back Rivers connecting Quincy and Hingham, in 1812. and tolls to vessels passing through the draws, were a continual source of vexation and contention, which

The Union Bank of Weymouth and Braintree was proposed, one hundred thousand dollars capital contributed, an act of incorporation obtained, dated spirit that had opposed the turnpike came forward in great strength against the railroad, and the town opposed every attempt to locate one across its territory, but the genius of progress prevailed, and in March, 1844, .

town from Braintree to Abington, passing a little south of the village of South Weymouth. The road was speedily built, and was opened for travel 10th November, 1845.

crease of $50,000 was made to its capital. On Sept. 6, 1864, the bank reorganized under the United States National Banking Act as the Union National Bank of Weymouth, and Jan. 12, 1865, the capital was increased to $300,000; and again, April 12, 1869, another $100,000 was added, making its present capital $400,000. It has a building of its own, and has always been located at Weymouth Landing. The First National Bank of South Weymouth was organized Oct. 31, 1864, in consequence of the increase of business in that part of the town, and to

Colony, its charter dating 26th March, 1846, and was opened to the public 1st January, 1849. This road crosses the town near the villages of Weymouth Landing, North Weymouth, and Hast Weymouth, the principal centres of population and business. It was run at first connecting with the Old Colony at Braintree, and was afterwards hired by the latter. In

The Express Business has grown in a half-century - at the beginning of which private teams were the only means of transportation aside from the sailing packets - until it numbers a dozen companies, employing scores of men and twice as many horses, requiring not far from sixty thousand dollars of capital.

the latter being freely used by many business houses. It also is found very convenient for families. Financial Corporations. - The increase of mercantile business and the springing up of manufactures consequent upon revival of trade at the beginning of the nineteenth century demanded greater financial facilities than were previously enjoyed. In the circles immediately concerned there was not capital enough to do the necessary business, and exchanges were difficult. As the grand panacea for all these evils banks

The Weymouth and Braintree Institution for Savings Was incorporated Feb. 16,1833. The original incorporators named were Asa Webb, Whitcomb Porter, and Warren Weston. It began business the following February, 1834, Dr. Noah Fifield being the first president. By act of Legislature March 19, 1872, its name was changed to Weymouth Savings-Bank. Its assets, Jan. 1, 1883, were $565,432.06.

The South Weymouth Savings- Bank was incorporated March 6, 1868, in the name of Benjamin F. White and others, and commenced business the fol- Its assets amounted to $395,176.20

The Weymouth and Braintree Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in 1833. Asa Webb was chosen president; F. A. Kingsbury, seeretary ; and Ezra Leach, treasurer. After fifty years of active business, it is now closing its affairs.

Manufactures. - For nearly two hundred years Weymouth was eminently an agricultural community. It had fine, large farms, well cultivated and productive. A hundred years ago a much larger proportion of its area was under cultivation than at present, and many of the best farms of that date or earlier are now brated throughout the State. of manufactures a new condition of things was called into existence, and the young men instead of following the occupation of their fathers began to learn trades, and the farms being neglected, the town gradually changed from agriculture to manufactures, and is now almost wholly given up to the latter.

Boots and Shoes. - This interest largely predominates, and employs more men and capital than any other branch of industry. of the present century there were probably not more than three or four persons who manufactured this class of goods for other than the home market, and with Thomas Hobart, of Abington, by a public sale, for the ore found in Great Pond at forty shillings per ton, with an agreement to defend him against any claims for damages that might be advanced by other parties who might contest the town's right to the ore ; a committee was also chosen by the town to prosecute or else in saddle-bags upon horses. The business gradually increased until it became necessary to use wagons to carry in the goods and bring out mate- The beginnings of this trade were at Weymouth Landing, spreading thence to the north and privilege of taking ore from Great, Whitman's, and Ore has been found at various times and places besides, and attempts made to utilize it, but the quantities were so small and the expense of getting it so great that competition with more favored deposits could not be maintained, and the enterprises were abandoned. After the expiration of Mr. Hobart's lease the town appears to have made no other.

The East Weymouth Iron Company is one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the town. It was incorporated 4th March, 1837, with a capital of buildings used in carrying on the manufacture would hardly suffice for offices at the present day, the goods being made wholly at the homes of the workmen, nearly all of whom had little shops in or near their dwellings, the work being prepared and packed only, As late as 1840, it was a large factory that produced five hundred dollars' worth of goods in the week. About that period South Weymouth received an impetus from its Southern trade (some of

Weymouth. 'The increase in the volume of the business was, however, very large in all parts of the town, especially after the opening of California, in 1849; and the large demand from that State for this class of manufactures the town was forward to meet. From these small beginnings the trade has increased until there are now forty establishments, employing upwards of two thousand five hundred persons, and using more than a million dollars of capital. production of the various classes of goods is about four millions of dollars in value. these factories furnish work for one hundred to five since been increased to three hundred thousand dollars. It owns the splendid water privilege at Bank River, at the foot of Whitman's Pond. years it was exceedingly prosperous, making enormous dividends. ally declined, and it ceased for a time to pay a profit, but quite recently its trade has begun to revive and At present

From various causes its business graduits prospects are again more encouraging. it manufactures only nails, and these have a very wide reputation. It employs two hundred and seventy-five men when running full.

Fish Company. - In the early part of the seventeenth century a company was formed by a number of the prominent men of the town for the purpose of carrying on "a fishing trade to Cape Sables," and the town granted to it the use of ''so much of Hunt's Hill, with the lowland and beach adjoining, at the mouth of Fore River, as may be necessary for the As far as the record shows, this was the Of its

After this, by nearly a century, came the '" Weymouth Commercial Company," in 1805, formed for the purpose of carrying on a foreign and domestic trade. This company employed a capital of not far from twenty thousand dollars, the shares of the several stockholders varying from three hundred to three local demand, while the "South Boston Ice Company" cuts large quantities for export. The ice-houses of the latter are located at Great Pond, and have a holding capacity of forty thousand tons, from which they ship to Boston about twenty-five thousand tons annually. The season for cutting lasts from four to six weeks, during which the company employs from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty men, and from twenty to thirty horses, the quality of the ice being the finest in the market. business here in 1874. Lumber, Grain, and Coal. - The navigable waters in 1872, for the purpose of manufacturing various kinds of fertilizers, successors of William L. Bradley, who had previously been engaged in the same _ business for eleven years. The company owns a large tract of land upon Hastern Neck, the northernmost point on the mainland of Weymouth, upon which they have erected about thirty buildings, with wharves and landings, where they employ about one hundred and seventy-five men, and are manufacturing about sixty thousand tons of their productions in the year. They also own and use the tow-boat " Peter B. Bradley," the largest and strongest in Boston Harbor, with five " lighters," two of three hundred tons each, one of two hundred tons, and two of one hundred tons each; also a brig of three hundred and fifty tons.

Ship Building. - Although Weymouth has been during most of its history largely interested in mercantile marine affairs, owning vessels and furnishing venience and profit in the transportation of passengers and freight. From the early settlement sailing vessels ran with more or less regularity between this ture. (Quite early in the nineteenth century the lumber trade was opened with the Maine ports, and several After 1826 the trade increased rapidly, and Weymouth Landing became the market for the lumber traffic of the towns cuted largely and successfully by several concerns, who employ large numbers of men and many vessels, and it is no uncommon sight to witness lying at the wharves half a dozen vessels ladened with coal and lumber, some of them carrying a freight of four or five hundred tons each.

About half a century ago a ship-yard was established at Weymouth Landing by Atherton W. Tilden, which he carried on for a few years, and built a number of vessels of various sizes, some of several hundred tons burden. From that time until 1876 but little if anything was done at the business. In the latter year N. Porter Keen commenced the in Old Spain, near Hunt's Hill, and since that time he has built eleven vessels, sail and steam, averaging a cost

The Bay State Hammock Company, Augustus Beals, proprietor, has a factory in " Old Spain." Commenced in 1876, making about two hundred per year, and now produces twenty-five thousand annually, employing about fifty workmen.

Howe and French purchased, about ten years since, the old Tirrell Mill, where they manufacture fish glue, working about five months in the year, and employing about seventy individuals.

Fire- Works. - About the year 1850, Edmund 8. Hunt, of this town, began his first experiments in the manufacture of fire-works, but it was not until 1856 that the business was fairly established. Since that time it has been carried on with success, and has a well-earned reputation for the quality and variety of its The factory is at, Weymouth Landing, and in the busy season employs about thirty operaproductions.

establishments scattered in various parts of the town, but these have nearly all disappeared, and are represented by three concerns, who employ in all from - twenty to thirty men. One of these factories, that of W. Humphrey & Co., has been in existence, under various owners, for considerably more than a hundred years.

A great many of the men here enumerated served in other organizations during the war than that to which they are credited; to name them all would extend the work too much for the general purpose ; that here given is usually one in which the first enlistment was made. The rank named is the highest held during the term of service, without regard to the organization in which it was held. When no State is named Massachusetts is understood, and the alphabetical arrangement has been used to facilitate reference. The necessary abbreviations will be readily understood. The name being first given, then the rank, afterwards the branch of service, and last, casualties where any occurred.

There are are also many small manufacturers of different kinds of which space will permit only the mention, among them a furniture factory at North ning of fruits, vegetables, and meats, several stamping and gilding establishments; also others for making heels and counters for boots and shoes.