USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Acton in history > Part 8
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In 1807 the town built the second meeting-house at an expense of nearly or quite $10,000, paid for by the sale of pews and a town tax of $1151, all of which was accomplished without apparent difficulty.
The manufacture of bellows was carried on extell- sively by Ebenezer Davis, senior and junior, for many years in the east part of the town.
A large and well-appointed flour and grain mill was erected on an ancient mill site by Daniel Weth- erbee, in 1840, which, under the management of him- self and son, has continued to the present time.
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ACTON.
The pencil manufactory of Henry M. Smith, East Acton, was built in 1848, by Ebenezer Davis, Esq., and has been occupied successively since that time by Benjamin Davis, sash and blind manufactory; by William Schouler, print works; by A. G. Fay as pencil manufactory, and by its present occupant also in the manufacture of lead-pencils.
Among the various industries pursued for many years in the early part of the century, was the coop- ering business, from fifteen to twenty thousand bar- rels annually having been manufactured. The little cooper-shops, so numerous in all parts of the town, in which many of the inhabitants found employment in the winter season, is conclusive proof that the busi- ness was a source of very considerable income.
The indenture of Gill Piper March 25, 1790, copied from the town papers is here inserted as a specimen of the times and the business then popular.
THE INDENTURE OF GILL PIPER.
March 25, 1790.
This indenture witnesseth, That Francis Faulkner, Aaron Jones and Jonas Heald, Selectmen of the town of Acton, Mass , Middlesex Co., put and bind Gill Piper, a minor, now under the care of the Selectmen aforesaid, unto Paul Hunt, and Betsey, his wife, to Larne the Cooper's trade; after the manner of an apprentice to dwell and serve from the date hereof until he, the said Gill Piper, shall arrive to the age of 21 years ; during all which term the said Gill, his said Master and Mistress worthily and faithfully shall serve, their secrets keep close, their Lawful and reasonable commands Readily obey and perform; damage to his said Master and Mistress he shall not do, or suffer to be done by others withont informing his said Master or Mistress of the same ; tavern he shall not frequent ; at cards, dice, or any other unlawful game he shall not play ; matrimony he shall not contract, or fornication commit with any person ; bnt in all things hehave himself as a good and faithful ap- prentice until his fulfilment of his years or term above mentioned ; and the said Panl IInnt, for himself and his heirs, do covenant, promise and agree with the said Francis Faulkner, Aaron Jones, and Jonas Ileald, selectmen of the said town of Acton, and their successors in said trust, in this manner following, that is to say, that said Paul Hunt will teach or canse to be taught the said Gill Piper to read and write and cipher (if capable to learn) by giving him one month's schooling in each of the first two years of his service and one month in the last two years of his service, and will find and provide for the same Gill Piper good and suffi- cient meat, drink, washing and lodging, and also sufficient apparel snit- able for one of lus degree and calling, during the said term, and at the end of said term to dismiss the said Gill Piper with two good suits of Apparel, one suitable for Sabbath days, the other for working days. In witness whereof, the parties set their hands and seals to this indent- ure, the 22d day of March, 1790.
(Signed) PAUL IIUNT. FRANCIS FAULKNER. AARON JONES. JONAS HEALD
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
JOSEPH BAKER, JR., JOB F. BROOKS.
Middlesex, ss :
March ye 25th, 1790.
The above indenture considered and approved of by
SILAS TAYLOR, FRANCIS FAULKNER, two Justices of Peace.
Gill Piper has not been heard from since so far as the town records go. We may infer with this start in life, that he became a worthy citizen. Nothing to the contrary has come to eye or ear.
Many hop kilns were erected, but in a few years the prices received were so fluctuating and unsatisfactory as to deter many from embarking in it and the busi-
ness at lengthi became so unremunerative that their culture was abandoned altogether.
CENTRE VILLAGE .- Previous to the time of the building of the second meeting-house there was no considerable village in the town. There were at that time a very few dwelling houses in the Centre, proba- bly not more than a scant half-dozen in all. At this time there was, beside the first meeting-house, the old tavern, kept by Daniel Brooks, his widow Caroline and his son Paul, and afterwards occupied by Nathan- iel Stearns ; the well-known parsonage built by Moses Adams, sometimes called the Bullard place; tlie house of Benjamin Brabrook, situated a little easterly from the residence of Edward Tuttle; the house of John White, blacksmith, a little westerly of the pres- ent town-house; a cottage-housc, where Francis Hos- mer now lives, and one where Eddie F. Conant resides.
The building of the second meeting-house gave an impetus to building operations in this village; and about this time, 1807, the tavern first occupied by Henry Durant, afterward by Silas Jones, for many years and others later, was built, as also the house now occupied by T. F. Noyes ; L. B. Jones' house now occupied by Rev. F. P. Wood ; one on the site of that occupied by William D. Tuttle; one by John and James Fletcher, lately removed to make room for the Memorial Library. The house so long occupied by Stephen Weston, now occupied by John F. Davis, and the Cyrus Dole house now occupied by J. E. Cutter and the Edward Tuttle house.
The large mansion west of the town-house, long the residence of Hon. Stevens Hayward, was built about this time by Doctor Peter Goodknow. A .store was kept on the site of the library building by James and John Fletcher, which was burnt. At a later date the store now occupied by M. E. Taylor, was built and kept by Joseph W. Tuttle, Francis Tuttle, James Tuttle, Rufus Holden, Daniel Jones, J. E. Cutter and many others, almost continuously to the present time. Samuel Jones, Esq., had a law-office for a short time where the house of A. L. Noyes stands. Samuel Jones, Sr., married the widow of Captain Isaac Davis, and resided on the place now occupied by Rev. F. P. Wood. To his public spirit we are largely indebted for Acton's beautiful Common.
In 1806 the town bought of Captain Paul Brooks 107 square rods of land at the east end of the Com- mon, and in 1807, of John White 154 rods, northerly and westerly of the second meeting-house.
In 1806 Samuel Jones, Esq., in consideration of the good-will and respect be had for the inhabitants of Acton, deeded to the town about one and a quarter acres of land extending along the south side of the present Common, from near the house of A. L. Noyes to the house of Luke Smith, to be used as a town- common. The town also purchased of Joseph Bra- brook thirty-one rods of land in 1808, on the north- erly side of the Common, extending from the Robert Chaffin place to the town-house.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
At this time there were not so many houses where the thriving villages of West and South Acton now stand. The latter was universally called Mill Corner, and had three dwelling-houses within a radius of a quarter of a mile, the Ammiruhamah Faulkner House, the tavern and store owned and occupied by Samuel Jones and his son Captain Aaron, the cot- tage· house, nestled under the hill owned by Captain Abel Jones, a son of Aaron ; and the mills consisting of a saw and grist-mill and a fulling-mill, where cloth was dressed and fulled. Many now living can re- member the time when these, with a few out-buildings, were all that made up the village of Mill Corner.
Where the enterprising village of West Acton now stands there was less in the way of building and busi- ness. Bradley Stone built the brick house on the corner i the centre of the village. He estab- lished a blacksmith and wheelwright-shop, near where the house of Varnum B. Mead now stands, and carried on the business for some years. He also built the first store in West Acton, which was first opened by Sidney and Henry Bull, and afterwards kept by Burbeck & Tenney.
The building of the Fitchburg Railroad, in 1844, marks an important era in the history of the town. Entering the limits of the town at the southeast corner and passing westerly and northerly through the south and west parts of the town, a sudden impetus was given to the growth of these villages, which has continued ever since.
Before this time a communication with our com- mercial metropolis, Boston, was slow and difficult. The country trader's merchandise had to be hauled by means of ox or horse-teams from the city. Lines of stage-coaches indeed radiated in all directions from the city for the conveyanceof passengers, but so much time was consumed in going and returning by this conveyance that a stop over night was absolutely necessary if any business was to be done.
Instead of being whirled rapidly in an hour's time or less into Boston, and having ample time for the transaction of business and returning at night with equal ease and rapidity to our homes, a visit to Boston before the era of the railroad was something to be planned as a matter of serious concern. All the internal commerce between city and country necessi- tated stage-coaches and teams of every description, and on all the main lines of road might be seen long lines of four and eight-horse teams conveying mer- chandise to and from the city.
As a matter of necessity, taverns and hostelries were numerous and generally well patronized. Thus in the east part of Acton, on the road leading from Boston to Kcene, there were no less than four or five houses of public entertainment. With the advent of railroads all this changed. The Fitchburg Railroad was completed to West Acton in the autumn of 1844, and that village became a distributing point for the deliv- ery of goods destined for more remote points above.
Two names may be mentioned in connection with the location of this road through the limits of this town,-Colonel Winthrop E. Faulkner, of South Acton, and Bradley Stone, of West Acton.
Public-spirited and powerfully impressed with the importance of securing the location of the road through their respective villages, they labored untir- ingly until this was secured, positively and beyond a doubt. No personal effort was spared and no obstacle was suffered to stand in the way, until the coveted end was gained. Who will. say that their ambition was not a worthy one, and has not been amptly justi- fied ?
The April meeting warrant for 1840 contained this article : "To see if the town will take measures to have trees set out on the Common." On this article the town granted leave to set trees on the Common, and chose a committee of seven to say where they shall be placed. Francis Tuttle, John Fletcher, Winthrop E. Faulkner, John White, Nathan Brooks, . Simon Tuttle and Rufus Holden were appointed as this committee.
The said trees were to consist of rock maple, button- wood, elm and white ash. As the result of this ac- tion of the town, the committee extended a general invitation to all the inhabitants to bring in suitable trees for transplanting, of the kinds mentioned, on the 19th of April. As the 19th came on Sunday that year, the trees were set on the following day under the direction of the committee. The people responded nobly, and from all parts of the town the citizens came into the village on the morning of the 20th loaded with trees ; nearly all lived and grew well. Most of the rock maples were set out at a later date, 1859.
Our notice of the village of the Centre would be incomplete without the mention of the name of one prominent in the business history of the town for years. John Fletcher, at first a country trader in a small way, began the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1815. Finding a ready sale for his goods, he con- tinued to enlarge his manufacturing facilities until his boots and shoes were well and creditably known far and wide. He associated his two sons, John and Ed- win, with him under the firm-name of John Fletcher & Sons. The firm did a successful business for many years.
THE GREAT FIRE .- In the evening of Oct. 24, 1862, occurred the greatest fire Acton has ever known. Beginning at the stable near the hotel, the shoe man- ufactory of John Fletcher & Sons, the hotel, and store occupied by Daniel Jones, and finally the town liall, formerly the meeting-house, built in 1807, all were in a short time consumed.
The incendiary had done his work but too well, and had left, as he had threatened, a black mark in the Centre Village. Looking over the scene of desolation, it seemed as though the place was doomed to extinc- tion. Good friends, however, came to the rescue. In
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the November warrant for town-meeting an article was inserted to sce what action the town will take in regard to building a new town-house. At this meet- ing it was voted to choose a committee of six persons, one from each school district, to obtain plans, specifi- cations and estimates to report at a future meeting.
On Tuesday, the 2d day of December, another meet- ing was called to hear the report of the committee. At this meeting it was voted not to build a town-house. Another meeting was called on the 15th of the same month. In the warrant was inserted the following : " To see if the town will build a house suitable for a town hall and armory for the Davis Guards."
At this meeting it was voted that when the town build a town-house it be built on the spot where the old one stood. Also voted to choose a committee of seven, by ballot, with full powers to build a town-house with an armory in it suitable for the town within the next twelve months. This committee consisted of Daniel Wetherbee, Samuel Hosmer, James Tuttle, Cyrus Fletcher, David M. Handley, Artemas M. Rowell and Luther Conant.
This was erected the next year, as also the large shoe manufactory of John Fletcher and a new hotel by John E. Cutter. Thus, in a measure, was replaced Acton's great loss by fire.
Among other noted residents of the village for many years was Jonas Blodgett, blacksmith and auc- tioneer. He came to Acton about the year 1830, and carried on his trade until failing health and eyesight obliged him to retire.
WEST ACTON.1-The brick house on the corner was built by Bradley Stone. He also built the first store at the corner in 1837, where Mead Brothers are now, occupied formerly by Burbeck & Tenney, then Sidney and Henry Bull.
In 1858 Charles Robinson moved that building to where it now stands, occupied by George Conant, bluine manufactory, and built the present store. The hall now used by Isaac Davis' Grand Army Post was built by Mr. Robinson for the use of the Universalist Society, and was used by it for ten years.
The first meat market was opened by John R. Houghton under the tin-shop of L. M. Holt, and was occupied by him until he built his present market. A blacksmith-shop was built by Bradley Stone where the house of V. B. Mead now stands. When this was burned he built a new shop near the site of the old one, and where it now stands, occupied by Samuel A. Guilford. The shop was run for awhile by Enoch Hall, who in 1865 transformed a barn standing near it into the present wheelwright-shop of Herbert F. Clark.
The New England Vise Company in 1868 erected a building for its business which proved unsuccessful. The Butter and Cheese Factory Company was incor- porated about 1873, and ran three or four years.
This venture proved unprofitable, and the building erected for the company is now occupied by William H. Lawrence, blacksmith, and Waldo Littlefield, car- riage manufacturer.
A part of the ground now occupied by the refriger- ator and apple-house of A. & O. Mead & Co. was a building put up by the West Acton Steam Mill Com- pany in 1848, which was burned in 1852, and, as the business had not been satisfactory, was not rebuilt. The building for the manufacture of overalls and clothing was put up by Charles H. Taylor in 1886.
Soon after the railroad was built through West Acton a tin-shop was built by Henderson Rowell, who occupied it until his death, in 1860. Since then it has been carried on by various persons in the same place, and is now run by Lorenzo M. Holt, who does a large and increasing business.
About 1858 a shoemaker's-shop was built, and was occupied by Oliver C. Wyman until his death, in 1885. The business since then has been carried on by William Mott.
In 1845 Shepley & Davis built a house, which was occupied by a Mr. Page and called Page's Tavern. After a few years it was purchased by Adelbert and Oliver Mead, and reoccupied by them for a dwelling- house a number of years. Since then it has been oc- cupied by various tenants.
In 1848 Dr. Reuben Green opened an office. In 1852 he was bought out by Dr. Isaiah Hutchins, who still occupies the building erected by Dr. Green. In 1848 a post-office was opened in Dr. Green's office, in which building it remained until Dr. Hutchins, in 1854, resigned, whereupon it was transferred to the store, where it remained until the Cleveland adminis- tration, when Hanson Littlefield became postmaster, and the office was removed to his store. In 1889 Charles B. Stone, the present incumbent, was reap- pointed, and removed the office to the room specially built for it.
The grain and grist-mill and cider-mill of E. C. Parker & Co. was built in 1868, burned in 1869 and rebuilt in 1870. The cigar-factory of Frank R. Knowlton was over the store of Hanson Littlefield until the new factory was built in 1889.
Tubs and Pails .- B. F. Taft began the manufacture in the building and was succeeded by Samuel Sargent. Sargent was succeeded by Enoch Hall, who, with his sons, now carry on the business. The business has become an important source of thrift. It was started seventeen years ago and has been steadily increasing.
The lumbering business has been introduced and enlarged ; wood lots and farms have been bought in the neighboring towns with reference to the lumber supply. Tubs, churns and pails are manufactured in large quantities and sent for market in all directions, as far as Australia, South America, California and Europe. Twenty-five men are employed through the year, with extra help in the winter. Estimated aver- age sales per year, $50,000.
1 Items furnished by A. A. Wyman, Esq.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Mrs. John Hapgood, the mother of Mrs. Nash, a few weeks before her death, when enjoying nnusual clearness of mind, though over eighty years old, wrote ont carefully these items from her own personal recol- lections, and the original copy in her handwriting is now with the town clerk. The statements have since been corroborated by Deacon Samnel Hosmer, over eighty-six years old, whose memory is quite clear and retentive.
H. A. Gould's Place .- Deacon Jonathan Hosmer was the first settler on the place that is now owned by Mr. Gould ; he had four sons-Jonathan, Stephen, Abner and Jonas. Abner was the one that fell, April 19, 1775, at Concord Bridge, with Captain Davis. I remember of hearing my annt Sarah Hosmer, sister of N. D. Hosmer and wife of Samuel Hosmer, when she was very young, say that her grandfather went ont to see if he could hear any news on that day, and when he returned he groaned when he passed their window to go into the front door. What sorrow was then experienced !
Stephen Hosmer, one of the sons of Deacon Jona- than Hosmer, settled on the homestead with his father (at Gould's place). His sons were three- Stephen, Nathan Davis and Jonathan. Nathan Davis Hosmer, son of Stephen Hosmer, bought the place, the homestead, and built the new house which is now occupied by Mr. Gould.
The old house was pretty large for those days, two front rooms with entry between, upright back part with two rooms below. The back chanbers were low and unfinished.
Aaron Hosmer, son of Nathan D. Hosmer, had made arrangements to keep the place, the homestead, as his own; but he died a few months before his father died. If Aaron Hosmer had lived, the place would probably have been in the Hosmer name now, which would have been the fourth generation.
Jonathan Hosmer, son of Deacon Jonathan Hos- mer, bonght and settled on the place now occupied by Mr. Neil, the Simon Hosmer place. It is the first house beyond the Kelley place toward Acton Centre. He had but one son, Simon Hosmer, Esq. He bought the place and lived there most of his lifetime. Afterwards it went into other hands. Francis Tut- tle owned it at one time.
Voyes &. Barker Place .- Ephraim Hosmer owned the farm that is now occupied by Noyes & Barker. He was a nephew of Deacon Jonathan Hosmer ; he had a number of children, but buried two or three by the dreadful disease of malignant sore throat. My grandmother, Sarah Davis, wife of Stephen Hosmer, said that one of the girls told her she was hungry but she could not swallow-a terrible disease to get into a family. He had two sons that lived, Joel and Samuel, father of Deacon Silas Hosmer.
Joel kept the home place, but when the turnpike was being made, he thought it would be important to have a hotel or tavern, as it used to be called, and he
built the large house for that purpose now owned by Joseph Noyes and Joseph Barker ; but custom failed, it did not meet his expectation, and after a few years the farm had to be sold, a very great disappointment to him and all of his family.
Frank Knowlton's Place .- Samnel Hosmer, brother to Joel Hosmer and son of Ephraim Hosmer, bought the place that Frank Knowlton now owns. He lived in a small honse, but had quite a large barn. He was the father of Deacon Silas Hosmer, who succeeded his father on the home farm and built the large two-story house since remodeled by F. R. Knowlton, who is the husband of Emma, daughter of Deacon Silas Hosmer.
Handley Place .- Mr. John Tuttle owned that place in 1800 and was called a very wealthy man. It has been owned by many different persons since-Jacob Priest, Reuben Handley.
Isaac Reed's Place .- William Reed was the first owner of the farm, living there during his lifetime. Then his son William bought and lived there during his life. The present owner is his son, Isaac Reed.
Andrew Hapgood's Place .- It was owned by a widow Brooks. Ephraim Hapgood and Nathaniel Hapgood, two brothers, bought it of her, Ephraim keeping the old house and Nathaniel building a new one just. above it. Ephraim Hapgood and Nathaniel Hapgood were sons of Ephraim Hapgood.
Ebenezer Smith's Place .- Mr. Smith bought the farm when he was quite a young man (do not remember the person); the house was an old one, but they lived in it a number of years, then built a new one; it was. called nice in those days. After his death Edwin Parker owned it, living there several years, then sold it to the present owner, Amnasa Knowlton.
Ephraim Hapgood's Farm .- Ephraim Hapgood thought it would be a good plan to go to Maine and take up a large tract of land and settle there, as he had several boys. Accordingly, one summer, he went to. see about it. The next summer he took two of his sons and went to Maine, to a place called now Nor- ridgewock, and worked all summer, intending to take his family the next year.
When the time came for them to start for home Ephraim, grandfather of Mrs. Nash, one of the sons, said he would walk home instead of going by water, and by that means saved his life, for the vessel was shipwrecked and the father and son were both drowned.
Ephraim Hapgood gave up all idea of going to Maine after the death of his father and brother, bought the home-place, took care of his mother, living there his lifetime. After his decease his two youngest sons, John and Benjamin Franklin, bonght the farm, keeping it together several years. Then Benjamin F. bought ont his brother John and lived there until his death. He was killed at the crossing of the Fitch- burg Railroad, near Andrew Hapgood. Nathaniel Hapgood was also killed at the same time. The farm was afterwards bought by Cyrns Hapgood. He kept.
DEACON SAMUEL HOSMER.
THE ONLY SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZATION IN ACTON.
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it a few years then sold it to a Mr. Prescott. Tlie house was burned not a great while afterwards. The land is now owned by individuals-only a small house upon it, owned by Mr. Blanchard, for the accommo- dation of hired help.
Simon Blanchard's Place. - Abraham Hapgood, brother of Ephraim Hapgood, and son of the one that was drowned, bought the place and lived there during his life.
James Hapgood, his only son, bought the place, keeping it several years, afterwards sold it to Alvin Raymond. He kept it a few years, then sold it to Mr. Jonathan Fletcher. After his death Simon Blanchard, the present owner, bought the place; married for his first wife Elizabeth Fletcher, daughter of Mr. Jona- than Fletcher.
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