Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 12: Pcblic-Hodses and Traders, 1884

Fublic-Houses. - The city of Brockton is situated on the direct route from New Bedford to Boston, and previous to the building of the railroads that connect the two cities it was a stopping-place for travelers needing refreshment. At one time there were three public-houses in the village, beside one on the turnpike south of " Tilden's Corner."

One of the most prominent public-houses in early days was one kept by Maj. Daniel Cary, on the site where Rufus P. Kingman, Esq., now resides, formerly owned and occupied by the late John Wales. Next in order was a house kept by Barnabas Howard, at the north end of the town, where entertainment was provided for man and beast. Silas Packard kept public-hou.se ou the corner of Main and Court iSireets, formerly occupied by the late Capt. Benjamin Clark. Col. Edward Southworth also kept public-house at his residence, on the site now occupied by the City Block," and later Maj. Nathan Hay ward kept near the corner of Main aud Ea^it Elm Streets, the site now occupied by "Mercantile Building." Nathan Hayward, Newton Shaw, Nathaniel H. Cross, Capt. John Packard, and Edward J. Snow have each kept public-house near the corner of Main and Crescent Streets, aud opposite the residence of Rufus P. Kingman, Esq.

In the early part of 1833 preparations were made for the erection of a new and more commodious house than was then in the town. July 4th of that year a house waa raised by Messrs. Bela Keith, Esq., aud Benjamin Kingman, who were the owners till 1856, when it passed into the hands of Tyler Cobb, who was

A few years since Aaron B. Drake opened a publichouse at Campellu, by the uauie of -'Salisbury House," which was kept for a few years only. Tliere are fourteen public-houses in the city at the present time, - eleven at the Centre and three at Campello.

A short time siuce Sauford Winter, Esq., erected an elej;aut brick block at the corner of Belmont and Main Streets, formerly known as the " Old Corner Store" lot, at an expense of nearly seventy-five thousand dollars, which is now u,sed as a public-house. It was first named " Hotel Palmer," now " Hotel Belliiont," and is the leadini: hotel of the city. F. B. Smith is the proprietor.

Traders. - It is very difiBcult to give the dates when the ditferent traders in the city began bu.siness, although we find the names of all. We liere give the names of those who have been in the trade, keeping variety store, as follows: Deacon Ichabod Howard kept store at the north part of tlie town, on the road to Boston, in the house recently occupied b}' the late Deacon Ozeu Gurney. Silas Packard and Col. Edward Soutliworth had a store on the corner of Main and Court Streets, where the late David Cobb's store now stands, now occupied by his son, David 11. Cobb. Col. Edward Southwortli kept store in 181G nearly opposite the First Congregational Church, now known as the " Gazette Building." Maj. Daniel Cary kept in the north part of the old building that was .several years ago removed from the corner of Main and Belmont Streets, and on the lot now occupied by the elegant residence of Rufas P. Kingman, ]<>q. Mr. Cary wa.1 succeeded by John Wales. Jonathan Keith kept a grocery store where the South Congregational Church now stands, at the corner of South and Main Streets, Campello. Isaac Keith kept groceries in the south part of his house, at the north corner of Main and South Streets, a short distance uorth of the church. Benjamin Kingman succeeded him in trade a year or two, wlien he removed to the Centre. Silas Packard ifc Co. were succeeded in trade by David Cobb, who came from Mansfield, Mass., in 1823, and learned the trade of Mr. Packard. A few years since Mr. Cobb erected a new and commodious building in place of the old store, where he continued a successful business as a variety store, till he was succeeded by his --on, David H. Cobb. Capt. John Packard erected the store, corner of Main and Belmont Streets, oppo^ite Rufu.'? P. Kingman's house, several years since, and was associated with Joseph Packard in trade. At a little later period Matthew Kingman and Nathaniel Snow purchased the stock and goodwill of the store and traded for a short time. The store was afterwards purchased by David Cobb about 1836, and was kept by Tyler Cobb for several years. About 18-10, William P. Howard, of Easton, purchased the stock, and conducted a successful business for several years, and then removed to Messrs. Howard, Clark A: Co.'s building, where stands the "Clark Block." In 1S36, Frederick Parker came from Barnstable, and entered into partnership with Ambrose Hayward, under the firm-name of Hayward & Parker, in the dry -goods trade, in William Ryder's building on Main Street, and continued but a short time. John Ritchie opened a store at the Factory Village, near " Sprague's," which has since been occupied by Daniel Eames, Ephraim Noyes, Ira Copeland, William H. Brett, Chandler Sprague, and others. Ira Copeland erected a grocery store a short distance east from " Sprague's," on the road leading to Abington.

Lemuel B. Hatch opened the first store in Campello about forty years since, which he kept but a fi'.vi years. The business has been conducted in the same building by Messrs. Tyler Cobb, Samuel Carter. John \\ . Sncll. Varanes Wales, and Sidney Packard. A few years since Josiah W. Kingman, IC^q., erected a large and commodious building for a store at the corner of Main and Market Streets, which lias been in u.->e by Sidney Packard, Messrs. llnwaid & Kiilli, and Mrs. William H. Williams, the prc.ienl occn[iant, who keep a variety store. A lew years since W. U. Alger, of West Bridgewater, erected a building corner of Montello and Depot Streets, at Campello, near the railroad station, and kept a grocery store a short time. This building was afterwards purclia>ed by Mr. Nels(jn J. Foss, who occupied it as a flour and grain store and post-otEce. Henry Dyer had a small store on Montello Street, near the depot, and Benjamin Swain on Main Street, Campello. Several years since Aaron B. Drake & Brother were in trade wlurc the " Salisbury House" now stands. Newton Shaw kept a store in the easterly part of the town, at " Shaw's Corner," a few years since. Perez Marshall kept a grocery store near " Tilden's Corner ;" Lorenzo Wade and George A. Packard in the West Shares (now " Brockton Heights"). George Clark kept a store a short time near the same place. Isaac Packard kept store in the West Shares (now " Brockton Heights"), in the build- injr occupied by Williiiui Packard. Beojuniiu KelloLiii kc])t .store io town in 1835. Cyrus Porter, Jr., had a store near Zopliar Field's Corner, on Nortli Main Street, in 1835. A few years since J. F. Hale opened a 'Jirocery store in Central Block, on Main Street. L. C. Bliss became his succe.ssor in that business. Newton Siiaw had a grocery store near the railroad, on Centre Street, some years since. Mr. William H. Pierce succeeded him in business. Lyman E. Cobb erected a new store near the same locality, and continues to do a successful business in that line. Daniel Lovell purchased the store recently occupied by the " Union Store No. Gil), " on School Street. Henry W. Robinson commenced trade in 1844 Id the store now occupied by him at the Centre. He was the successor of William White. In 1850, William B. Barry became associated witli him in the business, under the tirm-uame of Robinson & Barry, which copartnership existed five years, Mr. Barry then removing to Boston. This wa.s u variety store till 185D, when it was changed to dry goods exclusively.

In 1834, Charles Alhertou and Albert Smith became associated in business in the hotel building, under the fiim-uame of Smith &, Atherton. This firm continued for about two years, when they dissolved partnership, and William F. Brett became a partner with Mr. Smith, under the firm-name of Smith & Brett, in 1836. This firm continued till 1839, when Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm, leaving Mr. Brett alone in business till 184G, at which time Rufas P. Kingman, Esq., became a partner, under the firm of Brett & Kingm;m, which copartnership continued till 1854, they doing a dry-goods, grocery, hardware, and merchant-tailoring business. A new firm was then formed, consi.'-tiiig of William F. Brett, J. Freeman Ellis, SB. Ripley, and Edward O'Neil, who continued in the same business. In ISGO, Henry A. Brett came from Warehani and purchased the stock and business, and conducted the same one year, when he sold to William H. Brett and Rufus E. Brett, who continued in business under the style of William F. Brett's Sons. This firm was dissolved in 1865, Rufus E. Brett and Frederick L. Brett continuing the business under the firmname of Brett Brothers.

In 1SG2, Mr. B. C. Benner & Co. opened a drygoods store opposite Kingman's block. Charles Curtis, Jr., succeeded William P. Howard in the dry-goods trade in Howard & Clark's building, on Main Street, for several years. He afterwards removed to Taunton. B. P. Davis had a shoe store in 1850, opposite Kingman's brick block, on Main Street. Charles D. Brigliam had a shoe store at 423 Main Street (Tyler Cobb's building). Ambrose Hayward opened a grocery store in Howard, Clark & Co.'s building, July 4, 1864. A. N. Farrar had a grocery store in John Tilden's building a few years since. He was succeeded by Simeon Mitchell in 1861, and the store was afterwards occupied by John Tildon.

James Hall and William H. H. Hebard have since occupied that store for a short time each. The building is now used as a residence. Henry Howard kept a store in his building, formerly occupied as a shoe manufactory, now occupied by William F. Field. E. Capen French had a grocery store near Stoddard's brush-factory, in the north part of the village ; store afterwards occupied for the same purpose by Joel T. Packard. B. R. Clapp has a variety store in the building, near the new post-office, on Main Street. Southworth & Noyes had a grocery and hardware store nearly opposite Kingman's brick block, now Edward 0. Noyes; Daniel Hayward one on School Street, near the railroad. John W. Snell kept a small grocery store opposite the residence of Freeman Holmes several years since. S. Francis Dearborue had a grocery store in Drayton's building, now occupied by Col. John J. Whipple as a grocery and drug store, opposite the First Congregational Church, formerly occupied by N. C. & G. W. Fisher as a grocery store. Nathan Jones kept a grocery store in Col. Southworth's building many years. E. H. Woodbridge kept paints, oils, etc., on School near JIain Street. William Field also kept a grocery store in Capt. John Battles' house. Lot Packard kept a store in the house afterwards occupied by Capt. Robert Packard. F. & H. Baylies kept a dry-goods store in " Wheeler's Block," corner of Main and School Streets, a few years since. The building was afterwards owned and known as "Bixby's Building." Francis 0. Hall kept a grocery store on Turnpike Street, in the West Shares, for a short time, several years since. Johu W. Snell kept a grocery store at Campello for a short time, in a building owned by Bela Keith, Esq. Rufus L. Thacher kept a flour and grain store in Central Block, on Centre Street, a few years since. C. C. Bixby & Co. kept a large assortment of drugs, medicines, fancy goods, books, stationery, etc., in Bixby's block, where the present brick block knowu as " Bixby's" now is, adjoining the " Home Bank Building." Isaac Washburn came from Kingston, and kept store in the old tavern building, opposite Rufas P. Kingman's residence, for a short time only.