USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanover > Historical sketch of the town of Hanover, Mass., with family genealogies, 1853 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
144
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
Mr. Reed is a man of indefatigable industry, and of indomitable perseverance. He has made and lost several fortunes in his day. Free and generous in his manners, he is not one who hoards all his gains, to increase his own stores ; but considers himself as a pub- lic servant, and expends, on new inventions, the fruits of his pre- vious toils. Thus, in his old age, not a millionaire, resting from his labors, he is still at work, with a mind as active and vigorous as ever.
On King-street, the " Drinkwater Iron Works," or "Mighill's Works," were erected, about the year 1710. The early histo- ry of these works is involved in some obscurity. Tradition says, that during the Revolution, cannon were cast here, and carried down by the old fulling mill, near where Barker's foundry now stands, for trial ; and Tilson Gould was killed by the bursting of one of the guns, the pieces of which are said to be yet lying on the bottom of the old furnace pond.
About the year 1816, Charles Josselynn, Oren Josselynn, Timothy Rose, Calvin Bates, and others, erected a forge on the dam, and the works are now owned and improved by Messrs. Bates and Holmes,-the latter gentleman being the agent. Be- sides the forge, there are on the dam a saw mill, a grist mill, a box board mill, and a shingle mill, owned by the same company.
We learn from Mr. Bates, that five hands are usually employed in the forge, and from fifty to sixty tons of anchors, with wrought iron bars, &c., are made at the works.
The three forges above-named,-viz : those of George Curtis, John Silvester, and Messrs. Bates and Holmes, are old establish- ments,-among the oldest in Plymouth County ;- and, by a glance at the dates given, it will be seen that the town of Hanover may justly claim to have borne its part in this highly useful branch of industry ; and these works have not only added to the wealth, but to the prosperity of the town, and the promotion of its out- ward interests.
To the eastward of the works of Messrs. Bates and Holmes stands the foundry of Mr. Joshua Barker, erected about the year 1830, at which stoves, hollow-ware, and machinery of different kinds are cast.
145
SAW AND GRIST MILLS.
An old fulling mill formerly stood near this spot, improved, many years ago, by Messrs. Bailey, Hatch, and others.
The tack works of Mr. Samuel Salmond, are on the Third Her- ring Brook, and at the spot where the " Stockbridge mill " for- merly stood. This mill was erected as early as 1677, by Charles Stockbridge ; it descended to his sons; and, in 1692, Thomas Stockbridge sold one-half of the mill to John Bryant, and Samuel Stetson. In 1729, Thomas Stockbridge, son of the first Thomas, sold " one-fourth of the saw-mill" to Jonah Stetson, whence the name of Jonah's Mill ; Samuel Stetson having sold his fourth of the " corn mill," to the said Jonah Stetson, in 1726.
The mill was afterwards the property of Recompense Tiffany, and was called the Tiffany mill.
Tack works were erected on the premises about 1830, and were conducted, for some years, by Capt. Zephaniah Talbot, and by John, and William, brothers of Mr. Samuel Salmond. The latter gentleman has conducted the works since 1838, uses about sixty tons of tack plates per year, employs fifteen male hands, and five females, and runs from twenty to twenty-five machines.
Tolman's mills are near Winslow's bridge, on the Third Her- ring Brook, but the proprietor is a resident of Scituate.
The tack business was commenced in Hanover at an early date, and tack machines were invented here by Col. Reed; so that we feel as if our town could claim some credit on the score of useful inventions, and the successful prosecution of the branch of indus- try opened by these inventions.
SAW AND GRIST MILLS.
We cannot devote much space to the history of the saw and grist mills in the town.
Eliab's mill, so called, or the Studley mill, stood on Pleasant street, and the site is now occupied by the shingle mill of Mr. Nahum Stetson. The privilege has been improved since the middle of the last century.
Tradition says, that an old saw mill formerly stood near Ellis' bridge, which was burnt by the Indians in 1676, and the erec- tion of a new mill on the spot, at whose raising cold water, instead of spirituous liquors, was furnished as a beverage, gave rise to
146
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
to the term " Drinkwater," so frequently occurring on the Town records.
As early as 1723, a saw mill was erected on Curtis street, where the mill of Deacon John Brooks now stands. The latter mill was erected in 1851, and is the third which has stood on the dam. Mr. Brooks has been connected with this mill for seventeen years, and saws, on an average, from eighty to one hundred thousand feet of inch and half-inch pine boards, annually, be- sides pine and oak plank, joist, and timber.
In the woods, west of the mill of Mr. John Brooks, stands the shingle and box board mill, built by Joseph Brooks, about 1820, and which was occupied as a grist mill until 1833. Here, the iron work of Mr. Prouty's ploughs was polished. Cedar and pine shingles are now sawed,-the material being obtained from the forests of Hanover, and the adjoining towns.
An old grist mill formerly stood on North street, where the brook crosses the street, at the bridge, and was owned, many years ago, by Caleb Mann. It was built by his father, Benjamin Mann, and was an old-fashioned mill, with a large wheel, requiring a great quantity of water to turn it.
The mill of the Messrs. Jacobs, stands on the Third Herring Brook, and is on the bounds of Hanover and South Scituate,- the saw mill being in South Scituate. This was erected, proba- bly, about the year 1700.
The old Curtis mill, also on the Third Herring Brook, is now in the possession of T. J. Gardner, Esq., and was erected about the year 1692.
The Clapp mills, are also on the Third Herring Brook, not far from Mr. Gardner's, but belong to South Scituate, as does the mill of Mr. Gardner. Large quantities of lumber are sawed at all these mills, annually, for the trunk and box factories in South Scituate and Hanover, and for building purposes.
A small grist mill was early erected by the Curtis family, on Hugh's Cross, now Silver Brook, and is yet standing, though but little used.
The late saw mill of Messrs. Cobb & Cushing, burnt in 1852, stood near Teague's Bridge, in Hanson, and was formerly known as Hatch's mill.
147
MANUFACTURE OF PLOUGHS.
PLOUGH BUSINESS.
About the year 1811, Mr. David Prouty, a native of Scituate, came to Hanover, settled on the place which had been owned by Mr. Thomas Hatch, and lived in the house built by Mr. H. Here he found a farm, rough, and hard to cultivate, especially to one in his feeble health. In connexion with his farm, he opened a store, and, with his trading, joined the business of weaving cotton cloth. This cloth was made from yarn obtained at the factories in Dedham, Dorchester, and Marshfield, and was put out by Mr. Prouty to females in his neighborhood ; furnishing, to a large number, a source of steady, and, for a season, profitable income. This business was continued, until the system of weaving by power-looms was introduced, which caused hand-weaving to be soon abandoned.
Mr. P. was then, for about two years, engaged in manufacturing black morocco shoes, with Major Wm. Morse; which he pursued with his usual zeal and earnestness. The business, however, was not conducted by him very extensively,-but six hands being em- ployed in the shop ;- and, on its relinquishment, we find him contemplating a visit to New York State, with a view to a perma- nent settlement. Whilst in that State, his attention was called to the ploughs used by agriculturists at that date ; and though we cannot confidently say, that he was the first inventor of the cast iron ploughs, which have since given to his name a world-wide ce- lebrity, yet patents were early obtained by him for their manufac- ture, on principles whose discovery must be attributed to him ;- he was a pioneer in the business ;- and, to the close of his useful life, he gave all his energies to its prosecution, and his efforts were crowned with a success, not only gratifying to him personally, but eminently beneficial to the community, reflecting honor upon his genius, and attesting the fertility of his resources.
At the time Mr. Prouty commenced the manufacture of the ploughs which still bear his name, the implements then in use by farmers, were of a far different stamp from those seen at the present day, as may be seen from the annexed cuts. That part of the instrument which performs the labor, was of wood, strapped with iron bars ; and the form and durability were far below the
148
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
THE ANCIENT PLOUGH.
149
MANUFACTURE OF PLOUGHS.
PROUTY & MEARS CENTRE DRAUGHTY
ON
CELIC
BRARY
$ 100 PM
THE MODERN PLOUGH.
150
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
ploughs of Mr. Prouty's construction. But it was no easy matter for him, at the outset, to convince the public of the superior value of his invention. He had not only hereditary prejudices to encounter ;- that spirit of conservatism, too much of which still exists among the yeomanry of New England,-but also the idea which prevailed, that pot metal, as it was termed, was too brittle a substance to stand the rough use to which the plough is sub- jected. But, by practical demonstrations of the strength of his implements, he silenced this objection, and vanquished those pre- judices.
Deacon John Brooks, of Hanover, well recollects when the first plough made by Mr. P. was put in operation. It was taken to a gravel knoll, on the highway, near the present residence of Mr. Samuel Brooks, Main Street, and many were the prophecies, that as soon as the oxen were attached, and an attempt was made to break up the almost impenetrable surface, it would at once be shattered, and found worthless. But Mr. P., who had all confi- dence in his success, held the plough himself, guided its operations , and, as the team moved on, and the furrows were turned, the pro- phecies of failure, vanished as the dew before the morning sun.
Not long after, as a farther test of their strength, Mr. P. caused one of his ploughs to be taken to a piece of land on Wal- nut street, almost covered with rocks; and here, it was freely prophesied, that his instrument would be broken ;- but here, as before, it worked admirably, and the triumph of Mr. P. was final and complete.
The establishment of Mr. Prouty, in Hanover, was not on so extensive a scale, as was that conducted by him subsequent to his removal from the town. About one thousand ploughs, per year, were made, and from three to four hands employed in the shop. There was a blacksmith's shop attached to his premises, also a building in which was machinery for sawing plough beams, &c., by horse-power.
Mr. Prouty left Hanover about the year 1833, and established himself in Boston, where, in company, with Mr. John Mears, and Mr. Lorenzo Prouty, and under the firm of Prouty and Mears, the business of manufacturing ploughs, and other agricultural im-
151
MANUFACTURE OF PLOUGHS.
plements, was carried on until the decease of Mr. Prouty, and is now conducted by Mr. Lorenzo Prouty, and Mr. John Mears, jr., at their extensive warehouses, on North Market, and Clinton streets.
It would be agreeable to us, did our limits permit, to quote a few of the many testimonials which have been published, in favor of the value and excellence of Mr. Prouty's ploughs, and the import- ance of his invention to the agricultural community. Not only at most of the Fairs in the different Counties of Massachusetts, have premiums been awarded, but similiar premiums have been bestowed at the Fairs of other States, and even at the World's Fair. Indeed, the fame of the inventor has spread farther than that of many a warrior, and many a statesman ; and it will endure so long as the community can appreciate the worth of those who have been the benefactors of the laboring classes.
The light in which his invention has been viewed by practical farmers, may be seen from the following note, from the pen of the lamented Elias Phinney.
LEXINGTON, Mass., February 25th, 1846. To Mr. James Pedder,
Dear Sir :- You ask my opinion of the' "CENTRE DRAUGHT PLOUGH." I give it freely, and in few words. If my opinion of its merits, will, in any measure induce my bro- ther Farmers to adopt this, in preference to any other plough now in use, I shall feel that I have rendered an important ser- vice to the public, and, at the same time, contributed my share toward the discharge of the debt of gratitude due to the Inven tor of this invaluable improvement, in an implement of so great importance to Agriculture.
I have, for twenty-five years past, personally superintended my own estate, part of which I have annually had under the plough. I have tried English, Scotch, and every variety of American ploughs, and presume I shall be excused for saying, that I con- sider myself a competent judge of their relative value in the hands of farmers. The application of the " Centre-Draught" principle to the plough, by Messrs. Prouty & Mears, is, unquestionably, the greatest improvement that has been made in the Implement since its first invention. The remedy for the long existing evil of having the whole resistance on one side of the line of draught, and the necessity of placing the centre of resistance exactly on the line of draught, first suggested itself to the philosophical mind of DAVID PROUTY.
152
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
Mr. Prouty was a practical farmer. He saw the objections to the old-fashioned plough-his ingenious mind set about devising means, whereby the power of draught might be greatly lessened, the liability to wear, in certain parts more than others obviated, the labor of managing greatly diminished, and, at the same time, doing the work infinitely better ; and well has he done it. And when his improvement shall be generally adopted by farmers, and its merits justly appreciated, Mr. Prouty will be ranked among the greatest benefactors of his age. And although some of his con- temporaries may injure him by unjustly interfering with his rights, and appropriating to themselves some of the fruits of his ingenuity- they can never rob him of his well-earned fame-Posterity will do justice to his memory. And the approbation and magnificent testimonial of one of the most powerful and enlightened Monarchs of Europe, is but a foretaste of what he may expect from his own countrymen, when the merits of his invention shall be rightly appreciated.
I am aware that my strong convictions of the vast utility to farm- ers of this improvement in the Plough, may lead me-in the minds of some-to speak in extravagant terms of the merits of the In- ventor. But you have known Mr. Prouty ; you have been familiar with the operations, and can fully appreciate the benefits of his invention ; and by you, I presume, I shall not be charged with bestowing unmerited praise, in saying, that if the farmers of his own state should appropriate to that object, but a single tithe of what this improvement in the Plough has saved them, in the cul- tivation and better condition of their farms, it would raise a monu- ment to his memory, which would not be transcended in beauty, in grandeur and durability, by any that have been erected to the memory of the greatest benefactors of mankind.
With great respect, I am, my dear sir, Very truly and sincerly yours, E. PHINNEY.
Mr. Prouty is remembered, in Hanover, with much respect, by those best acquainted with him ; and probably few have done more for the prosperity of the town, and the advancement of its interest, than did that gentleman, whilst he resided here.
153
OTHER BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY.
OTHER BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY.
Of the other branches of industry in the town, we shall be obliged to speak briefly.
The carriage manufactory of Mr. Thomas Turner, is on Broad- way, who conducts this business in all its branches; the wood work, iron work, painting, trimming, and even harness- making, being all done on his premises. His buildings were erected in 1850, at which date Mr. Turner came to Hanover from South Boston, where he had been previously engaged in the same calling. He employs ten hands, and builds about forty carriages per year.
On Washington street, stands the wheelwright shop of Mr. Robert Eells, and near it, the blacksmith shop of Mr. Warren Wright.
On the easterly side of the street, is the shop of Mr, John P. Eells, who is a painter by trade.
At the corner of Broadway and Washington streets, is the car- riage trimming shop of Mr. Henry Chandler.
In this vicinity, there were formerly several blacksmiths shops, when ship building was in its prime, conducted by Robert L., Robert, and Joseph Eells, and by the Dillinghams, and others.
Mr. Haynes, a few years since, had a harness manufactory, in Wood & Torrey's store.
In the days when there were no carriages owned here, the saddle business was a prominent branch of enterprise, and was conducted by Benjamin Stockbridge, at the Four Corners, and by the family of Estes, on what is now Plain street, and perhaps by others.
There have been many blacksmiths shops scattered around in the town, at different periods, on Washington street, Centre street, Broadway, Main street, &c. The only ones now in operation, besides Mr. Wright's, are Mr. McFarland's, at Snappet, and Mr. Judson Bates', on Centre street.
We have heard John Jacobs, Walter Rogers, Lemuel Curtis, Joshua and Elisha Simmons, Benjamin Stetson, Bela Mann, Charles Mann, Ezekiel Hatch, and Richard Estes, named as black-
10
154
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
smiths in years past ; and there were probably many others, whose names we have not learned.
Of traders, we have had many ; and we dare not attempt to give the names of all who have engaged in trade. The principal establishments, at present in the town, are the Messrs. Blanchards, at Snappet ; and John B. Bates, Isaac M. Wilder, and Stephen Josselynn, at the Four Corners. Messrs. Wood & Torrey, have just relinquished the business conducted by them for many years.
Mr. Josselynn, and the Messrs. Blanchards, are extensively engaged in the manufacture of shoes, and this is one of the promi- nent branches of industry in the town ; a large number of males being engaged in making boots and shoes.
Mr. Edward Y. Perry recently had a store on Broadway, near Silvester's Forge, which is now occupied by Mr. Howland.
Formerly, the clock and watch making business was conducted by John Bailey, and Calvin Bailey, on Curtis, now Main street, and at the Four Corners ;- also by David Studley, and by Benjamin D. Torrey. There is now nothing done here at this business. The Messrs. Bailey, as well as the others, were ingenious work- men ; and there are still to be found, in several houses, the large, old-fashioned, eight-day clocks, with a " full moon " on the face, made by "John Bailey."
The town has had the usual complement of carpenters, masons, &c., and there are several yet engaged in these branches.
The tannery of Messrs. Seth and Edwin Rose, is on Hanover street ; and that of Mr. William Church is on the same street ;- the former at the westerly, and the latter at the easterly part of the street. Mr. Simeon Curtis had tan-works some years ago, on Silver street, the old pits being yet visible.
Messrs. Daly & Co. have a tailor's shop at the Four Corners ; and there is a stove shop on Broadway, in the old Academy building.
The only tavern now in operation, is that that of Mr. Joseph Pocorny, at the Four Corners.
In former years, when spirituous liquors were freely used and sold, taverns were common ; so much so, that as early as 1747, the town "voted not to set up any more taverns "; and also " voted that there is too many taverns in town already "; and
155
OTHER BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY.
" voted that one tavern is sufficient for this town." We have never heard of breweries or distilleries in the town.
Bricks were made sixty years ago, at Walnut Hill. Mr. Joseph Sylvester is engaged in the manufacture of soap, on Broadway.
We dare not affirm that the foregoing sketch- is complete. On the contrary, we doubt not some omissions will be discovered ; but these, we trust, will be attributed, not to intentional neglect on the author's part, but to his limited knowledge, and the difficulty of obtaining information concerning the past.
OSTON FUBLIC 1
a
CHAPTER XI.
SHIP BUILDING.
" To mark the ship in floating balance held, By earth attracted and by seas repelled ; Or point her devious track thro' climes unknown, That leads to every shore and every zone." FALCONER.
Former and present state of the art of Ship-building in America - Materials for the construction of vessels - Massachusetts Enterprise - Ship-building on the North River - Yards in Pembroke - Yards in Hanover - The Barstows, Sylvesters, Sampsons, Clarks, Perrys, Eells, Paiges, Baileys, Smiths, Kingmans, Wings, Stockbridges, &c. - Obstructions in the River - Petitions to Congress for their removal - Decline of the business - Present condition of the village.
The history of ship-building in New England, could it be faith- fully written, would present to us memorable instances of the tri- umphs of genius over contending obstacles, and striking proofs of the degree of perfection to which this art, which, two centuries ago, was but in its infancy, has been carried by the persevering skill, and industrious application, of the Anglo-Saxon race.
157
SHIP-BUILDING.
Compare the pictures of the small, ill-shaped, and clumsily- rigged vessels, which bore the Pilgrim Fathers to this land in 1620,1 with those sumptuously furnished, and palace-like " ocean monarchs,"-faultless models of beauty and elegance,-of from sixteen hundred to two thousand tons burthen, which may be seen in all the great harbors of our country, spreading their sails to every breeze, and conveying our hardy sailors to the Polar Circle, in pursuit of the whale, or to the East Indies, and the ports of Europe, swelling our commerce, increasing our comforts, and augmenting our wealth.
If OLD ENGLAND is " mistress of the seas," in the weight of her armament, and the amount of her shipping, she must yield the palm to NEW ENGLAND, in excellence of structure, beauty of finish, exquisiteness of proportion, and those fast sailing properties which have already borne off the prize for NEW YORK on the theatre of the WORLD'S FAIR, held in her own metropolis, and on the waters of the seas washing her own shores !
The facilities for procuring materials for the construction of vessels of the largest class, from the forests of this State, are not so great as formerly. The giant oaks, which once spread their shadows over the land, have almost entirely disappeared. In the western counties they are most abundant.
Yet, for centuries to come, so extended is our republic, and so expansive are its resources, American skill will continue to com- pete with the most enterprising of the Old World, and the superi- ority of our naval architecture, already acknowledged and felt, will not soon be cast into the shade, or suffered to diminish.
The oaks and pines in the forests of Michigan, and all over the Western States, and even upon the Pacific Coast, will furnish a supply for generations to come ; and when our iron-arms, Briareus-like, shall be spread out to embrace the whole of those now distant regions, the rich harvest, which has been accumulating for ages, will pour in its treasures upon us, to stimulate to higher attainments and prouder triumphs.
Massachusetts, one of the earliest settled of the New England States, has ever borne her part in the promotion of our country's prosperity. Her citizens, some of whom are in the ship yards of
1. See the Wood-cut annexed.
K
A
D
I
T
₪
S
C
V
A. North River.
B. Barstow's Bridge, 1656.
C. New Bridge, 1829.
D. Third Herring Brook.
E, Rainbow Bridge.
F. Hanover.
G. Pembroke.
HI. Scituate.
I and J. Turner's Yards.
K. Turner's Wharf.
L. James Barstow's Yard, about 1790
M. Barstow's Yard, 1660-afterwards Sylvester's and Sampson's.
N. Clark's Yard.
O. Perry's Yard. P. Smith's Yard.
Q and R. Yard of Thomas Barstow and Robert L. Eels, afterwards occupied by J. B. and Elijah Barstow.
S. Isaac Perry's Yard.
T. Col. Jno. Bailey's Yard-afterwards Smith's.
U. Kingman's Yard. V. Wing's Yard. W. White Oaks at Barstow's Yard.
X. Rocky Reach.
158
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
G
X
0
B
M
11
Q
R
N
P
O
F
159
SHIP-BUILDING
Maine, and New Hampshire, and others peopling the prairies of the Mississippi Valley, and the shores of the Pacific, carry with them those habits of industry and thrift, for which she has ever been famed, and maintain her ancient power, and present dignity, unstained, wherever they are found.
Here has been educated an army of shipwrights ; and, when bu- siness has been wanting at home, they have scattered abroad, and are the principal mechanics at many of the yards where ship- building is largely conducted, along the Atlantic sea-board.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.