USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 18
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The fourth privilege is located on the southerly side of the road which runs from Bramanville to West Millbury where the Stream crosses the road. The beginning of this privilege is indicated as follows:
"This indenture, made the Fifth day of June, 1812, by and between Jonathan Holman, Esq., and Elijah Holman, Yeoman, both of Sutton, in the county of Worcester, of the one part, and Stephen Blanchard, Carter Elliot, David Elliot and Asa Kenney, all of the same Sutton, Yeomen, of the other parts, witnesseth,- that in consideration of acts and Covenants hereafter expressed and by the said (persons named above) do hereby give and grant unto said Stephen Blanchard, Carter Elliot, David Elliot and Asa Ken- ney, their heirs and assigns, the priviledge of making and continuing a Dam across the brook, on our lot, near our saw-mill, and to cut a Canal for the purpose of conveying water for working a mill . . To have and to hold the same for the purpose aforesaid, on this condition-that is to say-they shall, in the course of the present year deliver a sufficient quantity of Black lead to paint the said Johathan Holman's house, properly ground and fitted for use, and each and every year shall pay to the said Jonathan and Elijah, seven dollars by the year, so long as they shall use the privilege aforesaid."
Stephen Blanchard and the others above named prom- ised to comply with the conditions and signed accordingly.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
In 1828, Elijah Holman (Jonathan having died in 1814) transferred and assigned the above indenture to Joseph Griggs & Co. (Joseph Griggs, Benjamin Abbot and Benjamin Whitney). In 1830, Joseph Griggs & Co. conveyed all their interest in the above premises back to Elijah Holman.
The building at this privilege was used by the Elliots for many years in grinding black lead or graphite which was brought here and ground. They were interested in what was called "Elliot's Worcester Coal Mine." Thomas Blanchard had a machine for wood-working in a portion of the building and worked here on his eccentric lathe. In this place, too, he perfected one of the early machines for shearing cloth. Later, the building was owned by Abijah Gleason who continued the grinding of black lead which was put up in packages and was used for polishing stoves and also for painting the hulls of vessels.
The Hon. Charles G. Washburn in his business history of Worcester, published in 1888, presented five different views of this historic old building, one of which appears in this work. The place next passed into the hands of Buckley W. Snow and from him to his son, Birney W., who manufactured hubs and spokes. In 1873, the place was bought by James A. Dike, who turned chisel-handles. In 1888, Mr. Dike sold the privilege to Henry W. Glover, the present owner who manufactures wooden handles for edge tools.
The old building was used until 1889 when it was torn down to make way for a larger one. In 1900, this latter structure was destroyed by fire and soon afterward the present mill, two and a half stories in height, was erected on the old site. Nearby a storehouse has also been erected.
The fifth privilege was owned in 1744 by Nathaniel Waters, the first settler on the farm now occupied by Charles F. Soule. Mr. Waters deeded as follows: "A certain brook or stream commonly called Rams Horn
THE HOYLE MILL
THE MANUFACTURERS WOOL STOCK COMPANY
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INDUSTRIES ON RAMSHORN STREAM
Brook, with yard room and all other privileges necessary for a Saw-mill or mills on the said brook or stream." This was granted to Solomon Holman "for twenty-six pounds lawful money." Previous to 1800, Jonathan Holman, a son of Solomon, in addition to a saw-mill had here a linseed oil mill.
Up to the time of the breaking away of the Ramshorn dam in 1873, below these mills extensive tanning and currying works stood. Among the earliest tanners was Joseph Waters. Soon after 1800, a stock company was formed, composed of Benjamin Abbot, Benjamin Whit- ney, Lieut. John Jacobs, Colonel Fay, and other Millbury (Sutton) people. Some of these withdrew, and a company was formed, known as Griggs, Abbot, & Whitney. Later, Capt. Joseph Griggs carried on the industry. Capt. Amasa Wood was at one time interested here and later the place came into the hands of Salem Griggs, a nephew, with whom David Marble was at one time associated in the currying part of the industry. These tanning and currying works were destroyed, in 1873, by the Ramshorn disaster.
In 1879, Warren Glover secured a lease of the place for three years. About 1880, Thomas Windle bought the privilege, including the old saw-mill and the ruins of the tannery, and, immediately after the expiration of Mr. Glover's lease, he erected a mill for wool-scouring and later built an addition for the manufacture of cloth-folding machines, but after a year or two this business, which was carried on by J. E. Windle, was removed to Wor- cester. The mill was afterward nearly destroyed by fire, but it was soon rebuilt. The wool-scouring business was continued by Thomas Windle under the name of the Mill- bury Scouring Co. In June, 1898, the mill was totally destroyed by fire, but a new one was soon built on the site.
In the same year Thomas Windle leased his mill to his sons, W. W. and A. D. Windle. After the dissolution of this partnership, William W. Windle took one part of
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
the mill and A. D. Windle the other. In 1904, W. W. Windle removed his business to Bramanville and A. D. Windle occupied the mill until it was again burnt in 1905. Soon a small mill was built on the site and he continued the industry under the name of the Millbury Scouring Co. In 1911, A. D. Windle became connected with the Manu- facturers Wool Stock Co., of Sutton, which took over his business at West Millbury. Upon the destruction of the Sutton Mill by fire the same year, the business was removed from Sutton to this location, a new office was built, and some additions were made to the mill which had been previously rebuilt. The company carried on a considerable business in wool-scouring and carbonizing and also dealt in wool and wool waste. Electric power was installed in addition to water power and improved machinery was introduced. The company scoured about three million pounds of wool a year. The officers were: Arthur D. Windle, president and general manager; Henry O. Sutcliffe, treasurer; Harry W. Thomson, clerk. In 1914, Mr. Sutcliffe withdrew from the company and the name was changed again to the "Millbury Scouring Co."
The sixth privilege on this stream was in early times used as a scythe shop by Noah Crossman. About 1873, John G. Wood bought the water rights and rebuilt the dam which had been nearly destroyed by the Ramshorn disaster. He removed hither the West Congregational Church building which he had bought and to it was added the Union Hall building of West Millbury. These were converted into a cotton factory and were so used until 1876, when the mill was burnt. Some time later, John S. Rich purchased the privilege and erected a grist and shingle mill. Afterwards, he built a shoddy mill which he still operates, doing a steady and lucrative business.
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INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
CHAPTER XVIII
INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
Millbury lies wholly within the water-shed of the Blackstone and the river has so greatly affected its indus- tries and prosperity that we quote the following brief description :
"Investigation by engineering shows that it is the busiest river in the United States, and probably the busiest in the world. The result of a recent investigation by experts, according to the "Technical World Magazine," shows that :-
"The hardest working river, the one most thoroughly har- nessed to the mill wheels of labor in the United States, probably the busiest in the world, is the Blackstone. It is not a large river either. Its drainage area is only about 458 square miles, and in its power producing section it is only forty three miles long-a very Tom Thumb of a river as rivers go in America.
"Yet the doughty little stream produces twenty-three thou- sand horse-power, fifty for every square mile of its drainage area. If you will figure out this amount of horse-power in terms of coal, you will find that the busy little stream represents a capitaliza- tion of about twenty-five million dollars. . . . Almost a hundred mills, catching with their whirling turbines its water almost from the very source line its banks and grow in size and importance till in Woonsocket and in Pawtucket, R. I., you have some of the largest mills of their kind in the country."
BURLING MILLS
The first, or upper, privilege on the Blackstone River is located a few rods below the Greenwood Street bridge and was formerly occupied by the Burling Mills (where cloth was put through the process of burling). In 1850, Michael Coogan built a small mill on this site and operated it alone at first, but later Henry H. Chamberlain & Co., of Worcester, became interested in the mill with him.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
William H. Harrington & Co. next operated the mill which had been used chiefly in the manufacture of woolen goods. When the electric railway from Worcester to Millbury (now the Bramanville line of the Worcester Consolidated Street Railway Co.) was built, this privi- lege was purchased and a power station and car barn were erected. The water, however, was only used to condense the steam. When power was taken elsewhere the station was closed.
The second privilege on the Blackstone river was de- veloped and put to use by Asa Waters, Junior. Before 1841 he had here located flannel mills which he operated until their destruction by fire. The map of 1851 shows the three buildings of the Stillwater Mill which Col. Asa H. Waters had then built on the west end of the mill lot, that is, on the east side of the present Waters street where it crosses the river. The mill was described as the finest in the town. In 1868 this, too, was burned and was not rebuilt. A canal carried water from the dam to a point near the present location of the Providence and Worcester R. R. station, following what is now River Street on which remains of the embankment can still be seen along the west side of the street. In 1834, Allen and Rice occupied a two-story building at the lower end of this canal for the manufacture of sash and blinds. Allen and Coombs succeeded them in the same business. The successors of the latter firm, J. Coombs & Co., removed about 1847 to the east or upper end of the Stillwater Mill lot. Later (1852), T. S. Fullam, C. D. Morse, E. M. Park, and E. A. Small formed a partnership, under the firm name of Fullam, Morse, & Co., to continue the business. The 1 same year Mr. Small withdrew and the next year Mr. Fullam sold his interest to Horace Armsby. The firm then became Armsby & Morse. About 1856, Mr. Park left the company. In 1871, Mr. Morse purchased the interest of Mr. Armsby and the concern took the name of C. D. Morse & Co. and so continued until the death
C. D. MORSE & CO. SHOP, 1871
THE FELTERS' COMPANY WORKS
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INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
of Mr. Morse, in 1895. For years the company did an extensive business in the manufacture of sash and blinds, the product going to all parts of the country. Just before the death of Mr. Morse, street cars were manufactured, but this venture was not of long duration. After the close of the long and useful career of Charles D. Morse, the business was conducted under the management of his son, Charles H. Morse, until February, 1898, when the plant was practically destroyed by fire. After the fire the heirs built a substantial brick mill.
In 1898, the property and rights to the water privilege were sold to H. L. Bowden, a member of the firm of H. L. Bowden & Co., and a company, known as "The Bowden Felting Mills Company," with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts. In 1904, the officers of the company were: John R. Farnum, president, and Herbert L. Bowden, treasurer. For ten years Henry O. Sutcliffe was superintendent. At first the company manufactured boot felt, but later it produced felt for hats. March 4, 1910, "The Bowden Felting Mills Co." was merged with others into "The Felters Co." having a capital of two million dollars, fully paid in. The officers were: F. H. Brown, president, F. P. Bowden, vice president, H. L. Bowden, treasurer, F. Dolge, secretary and assistant treasurer. Many improvements and additions have been made about the plant. The Felters Company also owns and operates mills at Middleville, N. Y., and at Leicestershire, N. Y. Since the formation of the Felters Company, the output of the Millbury plant has been increased thirty-three per cent. This company makes all kinds of felt, chiefly of the higher grades. The total value of the product of the three mills operated by the company for a year is from one million and a half to two million dollars. Besides water, six boilers are used to generate power and recently one of the finest chimneys in town has been erected.
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MILLBURY MACHINE COMPANY
Machine Work and General Repairing
The Millbury Machine Company was owned and oper- ated by C. D. Morse and E. J. Humphries for thirty years. In 1907, shortly before the death of E. J. Humphries, this business was purchased from him by Warren B. Harris, who is a native of Millbury and a graduate of the Worces- ter Polytechnic Institute.
The plant is situated just west of the works of the Felters Co., from which its power is obtained, in a two-story build- ing ninety feet long and forty feet wide with an ell forty feet long and thirty feet wide. The lower floor is fitted with machines for general machine work and contains a forge shop with two forges for oxy-acetylene welding, and cutting. The upper floor is used for pattern making. The company manufactures "The Enterprise Pulley Mortiser," "The Pioneer Moulding Sander" and "The Enterprise Pocket Cutter," an invention of the proprietor which has met with a good reception among sash manu- facturers.
In December, 1911, the building was partially destroyed by fire, but it was soon rebuilt and again put in operation.
In 1914, the business of Henry F. Rice of Sutton for the manufacture of dobbey chains was consolidated with the work of the Millbury Machine Company and it has since that time greatly increased.
The original industry on the Blackstone River (then called "Half-way River") was an iron refinery located just above the South Main Street bridge on the bank of the river, although there was neither bridge nor road there at the time. Dec. 3, 1740, Benjamin Gowing sold to Perez Rice, Francis Dudley, Samuel Barton, Samuel Chase, and Benjamin Morse, for one hundred pounds, five-sixths (presumably each taking a sixth) of five acres "upon the North side of Half-way River adjoining home- stead, privilege of adjoining river for building Dams and
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INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
following (flowing) as they shall see fit." That a refinery was erected we learn from deeds of transfer dated two years later. That the concern was a growing one we infer from the price of one-sixth of the refinery which Benjamin Gowing received in 1744 when he sold his interest to John Haseltine for two hundred pounds. That the refinery was an iron refinery we learn from a sale made in 1744 by John Hazeltine to Samuel Chase of two-sixths part of "iron works." That the refinery was on the tract of land later occupied by the armory is confirmed by a note made by the late Colonel Waters on the copy of a deed which was in his possession.
When one stands at the north end of the South Main Street bridge and looks westward, it is now difficult to realize that the present deserted tangle of bushes and old foundations was the scene of the most important of Millbury's early industries and for many years the busiest part of the town. Elijah Waters and his younger brother, Asa, Jr., for several years previous to the erection of the 1808 Armory, had blacksmith and scythe shops beside the river immediately west of South Main Street. Here were forges, trip hammers, rolling and slitting mills, a saw and mill iron factory and a steel furnace. They built a dam where ledges of rock on both sides of the stream offered natural abutments for the structure at the fall of water immediately below the railroad bridge. The elder brother, after a long illness, died in 1814 and the surviving brother, Asa, continued and enlarged the business.
The lines of the old Armory driveway can be seen running out at right angles from the street, the surface of the road broken at places where the covering of former raceways have dropped in. It bisected a narrow area about four hundred feet long, bounded on its south side by the river and enclosed on its north side by walls and embankments supporting a long and narrow mill pond, now empty, from which water was drawn to drive the two or more wheels which furnished power for the armory
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
and adjacent shops. At one time or another between the river and the Armory drive stood a forging shop built of stone, a foundry, a boiler house, an office and other build- ings. The buildings on the opposite side of the driveway, between it and the mill pond, made, altogether, a block about three hundred feet long and from thirty to ninety feet wide. Some of the buildings were built of stone and cement. The original armory, built of brick, formed the west end of this line of buildings. Its pit for wheel and trip hammers can still be identified. West of the armory was sufficient space where the guns and pistols were tested by firing them, before acceptance by the government officials sent at intervals to Millbury for that duty.
The increased prosperity of the Armory,and consequent- ly of Armory Village, dates from the first contract with the national government to furnish fire arms for the army, made in 1808 to cover a period of five years and renewed some six times for like periods, the last terminating in 1845. During times of financial distress which were frequent in New England during the first half of the last century, this work for the government furnished steady and lucrative employment for a little body of highly skilled gun makers, under the energetic management of the second Asa Waters and of his son, Col. Asa H. Waters, who after the former's death became senior partner of the firm of A. H. Waters & Co.
Adjacent to the armory proper, to the east, Hale and Whipple had a shop for the manufacture of scythes (1851, C. Hale & Son) and directly on the street T. H. Witherby & Co., (1851) had a manufactory of tools.
In 1862, a portion of the armory buildings was rented to Col. J. D. Greene who manufactured breech-loading rifles for the Russian government. At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, Col. A. H. Waters was asked to again manufacture guns, but since much of the machinery had been sold, Colonel Waters declined the request, al- though he took contracts for supplying the government
1
THE NATIONAL CRASH MANUFACTURING COMPANY MILL
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INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
with ram-rods and bayonets which he made in large quantities.
Various industries were later carried on in these old armory buildings. At one time cotton machinery was manufactured here. Thompson, Skinner & Co. after- ward occupied the building. Later on, Harrington & Heald here made tools and wrenches. In 1865, Colonel Waters, organized a company and operated the " Atlanta" mill at the old armory privilege. In 1871 and the follow- ing years, Wm. H. Harrington operated the mill in the manufacture of satinets.
On the eastern side of South Main Street the old grist- mill of Benjamin Gowing was located beside the river. This was also the site of the old spindle factory of Samuel Brown. On the site, shoe nails were once made.
In 1847, on this site, opposite the old armory, Colonel Waters erected a mill which was called the Millbury Cotton Mill. This was operated by the firm of Waters, Harrington, and Flagg after the close of the Civil War. In 1870, Colonel Waters retired from the firm and Flagg and Harrington continued to operate the mill. They were succeeded by J. H. Mason & Co., a Providence firm, that carried on an extensive business until 1898. Suc- ceeding this firm, the United States Linen Co. occupied the site until 1907. In 1908 the National Crash Manu- facturing Company was incorporated and manufactured linen goods here. The company perfected a process for the successful manufacture of linen cloth from flax noils. Mr. S. Edgar Benjamin was superintendent from the time of the organization of the corporation until 1914 when Mr. Anthony Dixon, Jr., succeeded him.
CORDIS MILLS. PRIVILEGE NO. 5
The following abstract is believed to include the prop- erty which is now that of the Cordis Mill privilege as well as land at the old armory privilege.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
Asa Waters to Asa Waters, Jr.,-Asa Waters, of Sutton, Gentleman, deeded to Asa Waters Jr., three parcels of land- "Situate lying in the easterly part of the second parish of Sut- ton, aforesaid-The first contains twenty-one acres one quarter and thirty-two rods, be the same more or less, bounded as followeth, viz .- beginning at the southernmost corner, it being a stake and stones at the northerly side of the road leading from said Asa
Water's to Grafton . . . . Always reserving a privilege in a lane as it is now found." The second piece, containing eight acres and sixteen rods, lay bounded,-"beginning at a northerly corner, it being a heap of stones by said road, thence extending south thirty degrees east fourteen rods by said Asa Waters, Jr., land to stones, thence south thirty-one degrees east twenty nine and a half rods to stones, thence West thirty degrees south thirty-one rods by Elijah Waters land to stones by the easterly bank of the Blackstone River, thence West fifteen degrees south, crossing said river, six and a fourth rods to a heap of stones, thence north one degree east twenty and a half rods by my own land to stones, thence north seventeen degrees west eight rods to a heap of stones by said road, thence northeasterly by said road crossing first mentioned." "The third and last is a tract or piece of wood-land five acres and twelve rods I this day bought of Stephen March, and nine acres and three- quarters I bought of Edmund Andrews the twenty-sixth day of June, A. D. 1788, bounded as follows: beginning at the easterly corner of the five acre and twelve rod lot I bought of Stephen March. This piece partially bounded by land of John Waters." (See Wor. Co. Deeds, Bk. 186, pp. 43-45.)
The Cordis property embraces land on which there was once a nail factory, a rolling and a slitting mill for iron work.
This privilege is the site of the Goodell broadcloth manufactory. On the land of the company near the old county bridge and the old burial-place on Providence Street, still stands one of the first school-houses used in Armory Village. Also, on the company's land, in the rear of the office there is still to be seen an old store-house of the once important Blackstone canal, although the building is probably not on its original location. The Cordis Mills began the manufacture of cotton goods here April 1, 1844, when the present company was incor- porated. In 1863, J. S. Wright operated the mill, although the place was still commonly known as the
THE CORDIS MILLS .
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INDUSTRIES ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
Cordis Mills. The company was composed of John S., Eben, and John H. Wright. July 1, 1875, the company was again changed to the Cordis Mills, having been chartered June 25 of that year. The company manu- factured ticking and operated seven thousand, four hun- dred eighty-eight spindles. In 1902, this company intro- duced the first automatic loom ever operated in town and since then it has replaced the ordinary looms with these. Steam and water power were used until 1915 when elec- tricity was introduced. All the dyeing and finishing is done in the mill. The main mill is one hundred eighty- five feet long, thirty-eight feet wide, and four stories in height. Mill No. 2 is one hundred twenty-five feet long, forty-two feet wide, and two stories high. The picking house is sixty-eight feet long, forty-eight feet wide and two stories high. The dye-house is seventy-two feet long and fifty-eight feet wide. All goods produced by this company are sold by Briggs, Fabyan & Co., Boston, New York, and Chicago.
The officers of the company are: President, Charles H. Fiske, Boston; treasurer, F. W. Fabyan, Boston; resident agent, Frederick W. Moore, Millbury. Since the Cordis mills have been established in town, the following agents have been in charge: John E. Bacon, B. B. Howard, William H. Whiting, B. B. Howard (a second time), John Gegenheimer, and Frederick W. Moore.
A part of the land owned by this company was secured from the late Clough R. Miles and a portion of the land thus acquired was deeded to the Boston & Albany Rail- road on condition that the railroad maintain a station on the property, but upon its failure to do this the land shall revert to the Cordis Company. In 1846, when a new schoolhouse in district No. 6 was built in Armory Village, the old one (mentioned in a deed dated Sept. 21, 1813), was sold to the Cordis Company two years after the company settled here and moved to the company's land.
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