USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norfolk > History and directory of Wrentham and Norfolk, Mass. for 1890 : containing a complete resident, street and business directory, town officers, schools, societies, churches, post offices, etc., etc. > Part 9
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Wrentham > History and directory of Wrentham and Norfolk, Mass. for 1890 : containing a complete resident, street and business directory, town officers, schools, societies, churches, post offices, etc., etc. > Part 9
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
states of Italy. Bonnets and hats of this material were imported ready made into England. Subsequently they were made an article of export to the American Colonies, and were kept for sale in Providence. In the latter part of the last century Mrs. Naomi Whipple, wife of Col. John Whipple, who kept a store at the foot of Constitution Hill, North Main street, was celebrated for the taste she displayed in trimming hats and bonnets. The braiding of straw in this country was begun in 1798 by Mrs. Betsey Baker, daughter of Joel Metcalf, then with Mrs. Whipple (now, at the date of the paper, of Dedham, Mass). From her several acquired a knowledge of the process of braiding. Another account informs us that Mrs. Whipple kept a small millinery shop in her husband's store, and that her bonnets came through New York from Europe. She and Hannah (probably Betsy) Metcalf unbraided a piece of the braid and thus learned how it was constructed. Procuring some straw they success- fully imitated the braid, and soon after made and sent a box of her own bonnets to her New York importer. In the summer of 1799 several Providence girls came to a boarding school in Massachusetts wearing their
home-made bonnets, which created no little excitement. One of these, Sally Richmond, came to Wrentham Academy (if this means Days' Academy it is a mistake as to time, that institution not having beeen com- menced until some years afterwards; it may be that Mr. Williams' Academy at West Wrentham was the one intentended). She taught the ladies where she boarded. And in this way straw braiding was introduced into this State through Wrentham.
The first bonnets were made of oat straw flattened, and contained from sixteen to eighteen yards. So popular were these bonnets that no lady was thought to be in style without one, and the demand for them gave a vigorous impulse to the trade, and the sale extended throughout the coun- try. This demand added much to the business of small trading stores, by exchange of their goods for straw braid. The braid thus collected was converted into bonnets, and this led to special manufactories of straw goods.
Messrs. Fisher, Day & Co. entered into this business about the year 1804, and continued until 1816. In the neighboring town of Franklin the Messrs. Thayer carried on the business from about 1810 to 1816, and sub- sequently Major Davis Thayer continued in the business many years, and it is still carried on in the factory of Davis Thayer, Jr., on or near the old site, and by Mr. Snow at his factory, with greatly enlarged facilities and success. This latter account of the rise and progress of the straw braid industry may be found in substance in Dr. Blake's history.
The principal manufacturer of straw bonnets in Wrentham was Amariah Hall, familiarly known as "bonnett Hall." He began the business about 1802, at the house known as the White house, that being the name of its former occupant. This house stood on the site now occupied by our almshouse. One room in this house was appropriated to this pur- pose-so small was the business then. There were braiders in almost every family. Mr. Hall continued in the business for some years at this place.
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
Afterwards, about 1812, or a little later, Mr. Hall built the house now owned by Daniel Brown and used as a boarding-house for the employees of Mr. Brown. This was built for a hotel by Mr. Hall, and occupied by him as such. An addition to the main building was used by him for the man- ufacture of straw goods, which he continued to carry on. A few years after this Mr. Hall failed in business, and returned to Raynham, which was his native place. Mr. James Ware took this building and kept a store therein, dealing also in straw goods. He had also in company with Asa Day dealt in straw goods at their store, afterwards known as the " Green store," on the Norfolk and Bristol turnpike in Wrentham.
Others engaged at later dates in this business, notably Robert Blake, Esq., who acquired a handsome competency for those days and retired. He was one of the unfortunate passengers of the ill-fated steamer " Lex- ington," which was destroyed by fire on Long Island Sound in 1840, and was among the lost. Howard Mann, Esq., also made straw goods in Wrentham, occupying after his business became large the same buildings that Mr. Hall, his predecessor, had done. The business done by Mr. Mann and by the co-partners, Mann, Swift & Co., was probably larger than had been done by any one individual or firm before in this place in the same line of business. It is not recollected that any of the manu- facurers of straw goods had previously organized factories or shops with machinery used and shop hands regularly employed. The old custom of trading straw braid at the stores in exchange for goods was abandoned. People who worked in it in a moderate way either sold their braid to the manufacturers or made it up into hats or bonnets, and then sold to them in its new shape. We have now no means of knowing the number or value of the goods made at the time when Fisher, Day & Co. and Amariah Hall were in the business. They probably made a few thousand hats and bonnets annually.
After Mann, Swift & Co. left the business there was a manufactory of straw goods in the westerly part of the town at Sheldonville, of which Alonzo Follett was the proprietor and manager. This was actively con- tinued until the building was destroyed by fire.
Mr. B. H. Guild also and F. N. Sheldon & Co. subsequently at differ- ent times engaged in the manufacture of straw goods at Sheldonville. After a long interval the business was again revived in the Central village
NOTE .- The facts stated in this note are furnished by J. W. D. Hall, of Taunton, Mass. "Amariah Hall was 6th in descent from George Hall, one of the first setllers in Taunton. He was born in Raynham, and after giving up business in Wrentham, returned thither." He was exceedingly fond of music, and composed several of the old tunes which are remembered and sung to this day. This was 70 or 80 years ago; they were as follows : "Morning Glory," " Summer," "Canaan," " Falmouth," "Massachusetts," "Raynham," "Restoration," " All Saints New," "Cruci- fixion," " Solitude," " Contemplation," " China, " " Civil Amusement," " Harmony," "Devo- tion," " Hosanna," "Lion," and others. When he visited Raynham, during his residence at Wrentham, " the choir would get together and sing his tunes in honor of the composer, and old vocalists say that many of his old-fashioned tunes of real harmony were much appreciated."
Another composer and teacher also lived in Wrentham, Samuel Billings. He resided in the house formerly occupied by Dea. Elijah and Dea. Smith Pond in Pondville, where, as my in- formant, Mrs. J. M. Pond, says, "he wrote his beautiful music." He would compose a tune, perhaps an anthem, and perhaps finish it late at night; and then awaken his wife, get her to dress at midnight and sing it over and over with him. He taught singing schools five evenings in a week for three months at a time. The late General Preston Pond, a well-known teacher and singer, said he found no music so sweet as Billings'. His musical talents were highly appreci- ated, and for a long time he was a very popular teacher. Dea. Handel Pond, also a native of Wrentham, where he spent most of his years, was an eminent teacher and composer.
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
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by Messrs. John C. and Lyman A. George, and afterwards was carried on for some years by William E. George, under whose energetic administra- tion, supplemented by the increased use of machinery and other facilities, a much greater amount was done than ever before.
Mr. George was succeeded by Messrs. Brown & Cowell, who began their work in the factory buildings which had been erected by Mr. George. They had hardly commenced when the buildings were destroyed by fire. Mr. Brown erected another building near the site of the former one a few years since, and by the introduction of the sewing machine large quanti- ties of goods are manufactured in the shop, which before its use in making this kind of goods were made by people at their own firesides in this town and vicinity. It should have been stated that the Messrs. Ide succeeded Messrs. Mann, Swift & Company, continuing the business for a few years. A straw manufactory was for a short time in operation in that part of Wrentham which is now Norfolk, under the management of Mr. Allen and afterwards of Mr. Perry.
The market value of the goods denominated straw goods now made in this town is estimated at $250,000 for the year.
From the census report of 1880 we learn that the number of establish- ments in the straw business in Massachusetts was 33, having a capital of two millions, three hundred and sixty-one thousand, nine hundred and sixty dollars (2,361,960). The average number of hands employed was, of males above 16 years, 2,531 ; of females above 15 years, 5, 185 ; children and youth, 93. The total amount paid in wages in the year was $1,968,- 232 ; value of materials, $4, 117, 162 ; value of products, $6,898,628.
JEWELRY.
Another industry having small beginnings in this town has grown to be the controlling business. This is the manufacture of those kinds of goods which come under the general name of jewelry. Beginning early in the century in the neighboring town of Attleborough it was certainly to be expected that it would spread into adjoining territory. In that part of Wrentham now known as Plainville, but at the early date above men- tioned called Slackville, in honor of people named Slack who lived there, an old stone mill is remembered, which was sometimes called Slack's mill. It was a small mill, but to the passer on the highway it was a con- spicuous object, because it was almost the only object, save here and there a dwelling-house, to be seen between the wharf, so-called, in Wrentham and the old Hatch tavern in Attleborough. This mill it was said had a chequered history and its owners a fluctuating if not a money-making business. It seems that whatever in its earlier days may have been the business to which it was devoted, it was used for a grain mill by the Slacks prior to its being occupied by Geo. W. Shepardson, who seems to have been the first to introduce the manufacture of jewelry into Wrentham. He was at work there prior to the year 1843. His line of goods was chiefly buttons for vests and pantaloons, although we have placed him for convenience in the list of jewelers. He is said to have employed some fifteen to twenty hands making some eight or ten thousand dollars worth
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
of goods per annum. He was there about two years. He was succeeded by H. M. Richards, Esq., of Attleborough, in March, 1843, who engaged in the business of making fine gilt jewelry amounting to about $20,000 per year, as nearly as can now be ascertained. He employed from twen- ty-five to thirty hands. Mr. Richards occupied the mill for about a year, when Mr. Shepardson again resumed it. But he did not occupy it long, and eventually removed to Providence, R. I.
It is not known that any other person engaged in the business at Plainville either while Messrs. Shepardson and Richards were there or subsequently, until Joseph T. Bacon, Esq., purchased the property and demolished the old mill and built the large shop now (with important addi- tions) occupied by Lincoln, Bacon & Company.
The firm of Bacon, Hodges & Mason followed next after Messrs. Shep- ardson and Richards in 1844. They continued together in the business for three or four years, when Mason retired. Then Messrs. Bacon and Hodges were the partners until 1850. At that date Mr. Hodges left and Josiah Draper and John Tifft united with Joseph T. Bacon in the firm name of Draper, Tifft & Bacon and conducted the business under this style until Mr. Tifft died in 1851, when another change took place, and Frank S. Draper, son of Josiah, and Frank L. Tifft, son of John, and Joseph T. Bacon and James D. Lincoln formed a copartnership under the style of Draper Tifft & Company, which continued until July, 1860, when Frank S. Draper retired and the firm took the name of Lincoln, Tifft & Bacon. In 1863 or 1864 the manufacturing business at Plainville was carried on in the name of J. T. Bacon & Co., and the wholesale business in New York in the name of Lincoln, Tifft & Co., the same gentlemen constituting both firms. In July, 1882, Messrs. Harland G. Bacon, son of the senior member, and Daniel O. Schofield, of New York City, became copartners, the style of the firm being Lincoln, Bacon & Company both in New York and in Wrentham.
Another large factory building was erected some years since by Mr. J. T. Bacon and his partners, which is occupied by the Plainville Stock Co. and by Messrs. Wade, Davis & Co. and others. A large number of hands are employed by the companies engaged in the manufacture of jewelry and goods in that line, the ten or fifteen hands of Mr. Shepardson in 1843 having increased to hundreds. And in place of his eight thou- sand or ten thousand dollars worth of products the amount now manu- factured in that village alone, by the opinion of a competent judge, cannot be less than five hundred thousand dollars' worth annually.
In 1880 the number of establishments in this line in Massachuseets was 105 ; the amount of capital, $1,936,800 ; number of males employed above 16 years, 2,485 ; number of females above 15 years, 743; children and youth, 37 ; total amount paid in wages during the year, $1,464,993 ; ma- terials, $1,681,034 ; products, $4,265,525.
Instead of a few scattering buildings that might have been seen some years ago at Plainville there are now more than two hundred. A fine, large school-house has recently been built and finished, so as to serve not only for the schools in that village, but with a hall convenient
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
for public meetings and other purposes. The G. A. R. have also a com- modious building for the purposes of their organization.
The spacious workshops can employ five hundred hands. The number actually employed varies as the business varies, " ranging probably from three hundred and seventy-five (375) in dull times to five hundred when business is good." Very marked progress has been made in this village in recent years, and the indications point to future prosperity.
It may be remarked here that before 1860 the manufacture of jewelry was commenced by Messrs. J. H. Sturdy & Co. at Sheldonville, and after- wards by the same firm at Wrentham village, where it was continued some few years, employing a large number of hands and doing a large business. Quite recently the firm of Cowell & Hall have established the business again in this village.
BOAT BUILDING.
About sixty years ago Col. Rhodes Sheldon came from Cumberland, R. I., to the westerly part of Wrentham and commenced the business of building boats and transporting them to Boston for sale. This business he carried on for many years, and was succeeded in it by his sons George and Orrin, the last named of whom still carries it on at the old place. In Col. Sheldon's time the usual amount done may have been about four thousand or five thousand dollars worth per year. In the year 1845, or about that time, it went up to ten thousand dollars, and in the year 1883 it was about seven thousand dollars, and probably has not much exceeded or fallen short of that amount since. This industry has been steadily con- tinued until the present time. Under the administration of the elder Sheldon quite an impulse was given to that part of the town, manifested in an increased number of dwellings, in the erection of one church edifice and in various other ways.
Other parties have at different times engaged to some extent in boat building, but they have long since abandoned it.
BOOT-MAKING.
The business of manufacturing boots was carried on here at various times, a considerable amount being done in that line, giving employment to a good number of men. The firms of Pond, Cook & Co., and Aldrich, Cook & Proctor were conspicuous in this line of business. It has now ceased altogether for some years, not being able to make headway against the sharp competition which other towns put forth.
OTHER MANUFACTURES.
While the jewelry business and the straw business are larger than all others here, yet we must not forget the manufacturers of fine wool shod- dies, extracts and yarns and other manufacturers who are doing something, each in his own line, to employ himself and give employment to others. In the first-named business it being estimated by one conversant with the subject that the amount of its annual products is about sixty thousand dollars, it would not be perhaps unsafe to say that the others make the amount up to one hundred thousand dollars.
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
The manufacture of cotton and woolen fabrics, of straw goods, of jewelry and of other things, by water power or by steam power, began long after the occurrence of the facts narrated in the early portion of this compilation. The usual mechanic arts have of course been prosecuted always ; and in former days a considerable amount of business was done in the line of carriage building.
PRINTING.
In an old house not now inhabited, but yet standing near the station of the N. Y. & N. E. Rail-Road Company at West Wrentham known for- merly as the Heaton place, Nathaniel Heaton many years ago set up a printing press. Occasionally an old book had been seen purporting to have been printed there by him. His brother, Benjamin, who graduated at Brown University in 1790 published a spelling book and a preceptor which are supposed to have been printed by Nathaniel. Silas Metcalf Esq., one of our oldest citizens, and who has always lived in the westerly part of the town, well remembers the fact that printing was done in the Heaton house, and that he used to go there, when a boy, for books. Nathaniel removed (at what date is not now known) to Smithfield, R. I., and thus terminated the printing business in Wrentham.
POST OFFICES.
Prior to 1815 all mail matter from Wrentham Centre and also for Franklin was brought from the Druce tavern, so called, upon the Turnpike, Norfolk and Bristol. About that year a post office was established in the village of Wrentham and David Fisher, Esq., the landlord of the " Roe Buck " tavern appointed postmaster. It has not been ascertained that there was any mail carrier employed by the government to supply Wren- tham and Franklin from this solitary office at the turnpike. People went to that distant tavern for their mail matter. Capt. Chas. W. Farrington, now one of our oldest citizens, was often sent there when a boy for letters and newspapers as he informed the writer. And he further says that the good people who came this way from the neighborhood of the office would bring along such letters and newspapers as belonged here ; and on Sundays Major Druce, the postmaster, would do likewise when he came over to attend meeting.
WAR OF 1812.
The part which Wrentham took in the so-called French and Indian War has been related, and also more at length the patriotism the people dis- played and the hardships they bore, during the long conflict of the colonies with the mother country. In the later war of 1812 we fail, to find that many of the inhabitants engaged. It is known that some went to the forts in the harbor and to other places perhaps considered most exposed. These were probably drafted or ordered out for short terms of service. As all the muster rolls of the officers and men who served in the second war with Great Britain are retained at Washington, it cannot be shown that service was performed unless with great labor and expense.
But one eminent man we know went from this town as a surgeon and
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
served as such throughout the war,-Doctor James Mann .* He was born in Wrentham and was a son of the David Mann, who was a son of Pelatiah, who was a son of the Rev. Samuel Mann. He was born in 1758, graduated at Harvard University in 1776 and received the degree of M. D. at his Alma Mater and also at Brown University and at Yale College. He was a practising physician in his native town at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted as a surgeon in the Army of the United States, and it is understood was on the Niagara frontier in 1814 and in the performance of his duty as a surgeon at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Lane, and continued in the service until the end of the war and for many years after- wards. He died in 1832.
THE CIVIL WAR.
In regard to this conflict we are not left so much in the dark. Evidence of its having existed and traces of its effects encounter us on every side. Moreover no contest on this side of the Atlantic ever was honored with so many histories, or ever had such full and careful records. Indeed it is a matter of some difficulty to know what to select out of the great mass for a history like this. It would be impossible for the writer to describe the spirit which was aroused by the first attack of the seceders upon a national fort. The story has often been told. What was true of other towns in Massachusetts was undoubtedly true of Wrentham. It is not the place here to give a history of the several regiments and companies in which our townsmen served-that has been done elsewhere. But it falls within the plan of this sketch to relate the action of the town, regarding the war of 1861.
Sumpter was fired upon on the 13th of April, 1861. Soon afterwards viz. on May 6th 1861 a town meeting was held at the old vestry of the centre-meeting house, so called, which was very fully attended. At this meeting after warm and patriotic utterances, a preamble and resolutions were passed. The first resolution was as follows, viz : Resolved, By the legal voters of the town of Wrentham, in town meeting assembled, that the sum of ten thousand dollars be and the same is hereby granted for the support, encouragement and relief of those of our fellow townsmen who have gone, and of those who may hereafter go, into the service of the United States as soldiers and of their families.
Second. That the money thus appropriated be expended by the Select- men to be assisted by a Committee of three, if necessary, of whom the Treasurer shall be one. .
Third. That each volunteer shall receive from the town while in active service an amount sufficient, with the government pay, to make his monthly pay twenty-five dollars ; and the further sum of one dollar a week be paid to the wife and for each child under fifteen years of age, and one dollar a
- *In Drakes Dictionary of American Biography it is stated that Dr. Mann was three years a Surgeon in the Revolutionary Army. In 1812 he was Hospital Surgeon of the United States Army, and head of the Medical Staff on the Northern frontier. In 1818 he was post surgeon; in 1821 Asst. Surgeon. He obtained the Boylston prize medal for the year 1806 for a dissertation on dysentery and subsequently another prize for a medical dissertation. He also published in 1816, Medical Sketches of the Campaigns of 1812, 1813, 1814, with observations on Military Hospitals ; and Flying Hospitals attached to a moving Army.
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HISTORY OF WRENTHAM.
day for each day spent in drilling previous to being mustered into the United States Service.
Fourth. To provide suitable uniforms and all necessary equipments and clothing not furnished by the government to each citizen of Wrentham who shall enlist in the Military Service.
Fifth. That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town such sums of money as shall be ordered by the Selectmen, not ex- ceeding ten thousand dollars.
After this meeting the citizens held a number of impromptu meetings in different parts of the town, which were enlivened by music and patriotic songs and by occasional speeches, volunteers began to come forward and soon a Company was under drill upon the Common. This Company was joined with others and organized as the 18th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, and soon were away in the vicinity of Washington. Some Wrentham men had previously enlisted in the three months' regiments. '
In March, 1862, the military committee made a report, and in July, 1862, the town voted that " the selectmen be authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town; also that the treasurer be authorized to borrow money to pay said bounties, and the clergymen, selectmen and all other good citizens are earnestly solicited to encourage and stimulate by public meetings and otherwise the prompt enlistment of the requisite number of volunteers from the town, that our fellow citizens already in the service may be cheered and sustained by accession of numbers and strength, the rebellion crushed and peace and prosperity soon smile upon our common country."
August 28, 1862, the selectmen having paid the sum of one hundred dollars to each volunteer in addition to the bounty voted by the town in July, the town at this meeting ratified that proceeding, and voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months, and be credited to the quota of the town on or before the second day of September next. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money.
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