USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Ashburnham > History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts : from the grant of Dorchester Canada to the present time 1734-1886 with a genealogical register of Ashburnham families > Part 29
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CHAPTER XVII.
MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
. PROMINENT POSITION OF ASHBURNHAM. - THREE EARLY MILLS. -- A MULTI- TUDE OF GRAIN-MILLS AND SAW-MILLS. - THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAIRS. - THE GREAT NUMBER ENGAGED. - JOIIN EATON. - THE PIONEERS. - PHILIP R. MERRIAM. - CHARLES AND GEORGE C. WINCHESTER. - THE BOSTON CHAIR MANUFACTURING COMPANY. - W. F. WHITNEY. - THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAIRS IN SOUTH ASHBURNHAM. - BURRAGEVILLE. - TUBS AND PAILS. - THREAD SPOOLS. - FRICTION MATCHES. - BASKETS. - MISCELLANEOUS WOOD-WARE. - WOOL CARDING AND CLOTH DRESSING. - COTTON FACTORIES. - TANNING. - MOROCCO BUSINESS. - JOHN AND S. W. PUTNAM.
THE genius of Ashburnham shines forth most conspicu- ously in a variety of manufactures. In the employment of capital and in the daily toil of a large number of artisans and mechanics, the town maintains a commanding position. The frequent seats of power along the courses of the brooks and rivers have invited the people from the cultivation of a rugged soil to mechanical pursuits. The number of mills, past and present, in this town is unusually large. There are fifty mill sites in this town where at some time the water power has been utilized. These enterprises have offered employ- ment to the mechanic and have augmented the wealth of the town. If the first mills were rude affairs they were neces- sary to the progress of the settlement, and in their weakness was found a living suggestion of improvement. If brought into comparison with modern mills and modern machinery, the primitive saw-mill, with rheumatic movements laboring
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slowly through a log, grunting, meanwhile, as if in pain, presents a vivid picture of the progress and triumph of mechanical skill. No effort is made to name every mill that has been erected in this town. Many of them in the whole extent of an uneven existence have not materially increased the product of the town nor stimulated its energies. Among this class are included several saw-mills upon the smaller streams that, at best, were employed but a small portion of each year and were early suffered to present a picture of dilapidated old age.
The modern industries have been more fortunate and are the life and activity of the town. The first mill in this town was built at Lane Village in 1737. This mill, erected by Hezekiah Gates, during the municipal administration of the proprietors of Dorchester Canada, and in itself a conspicuous figure in the record of the settlement of the town, was men- tioned in a previous chapter. In the same connection was given an account of the second mill which was built in 1752 and near the site of the first mill.
The third mill, within the limits of the original township, was also built at an early date. The proprietors located the first and second mills, over which they assumed a nominal control, as near the centre of the town as the conditions would permit. The numerous settlers within and north of the Dutch Farms were far removed from the only mills in the township and caused one to be built in their vicinity previous to 1758. It was owned at that time by Moses Foster, Jr,, and Zimri Heywood, and was situated near the outlet of Watatic pond. The site of this mill is now in Ashby and was a part of the substantial contributions of Ashburnham when that town was incorporated. Previous to the Revolution, a saw and grist mill was built at the out- let of Rice pond near the site of the reservoir dam. In the
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first division of lots, the eighth lot was one of the ministerial lots and subsequently was under the control of the town. It ineluded the mill privilege and extended southerly. In 1772, for eighteen dollars, the town sold the north part of the lot to Ebenezer Conant, Jr., for a mill site, and for some reason subsequently refunded the money. Mr. Conant, however, built the mill and in 1778 a road was laid from near the village "passing over the mill-dam of Ebenezer Conant, Jr., and between said Conant's house and barn and through lots seven and eight, until it strikes the old road." At the age of forty years, Mr. Conant died August 3, 1783. The mill was afterwards owned by Jonas Randall, Jonathan Brooks and others. About seventy years ago it was removed to Water street.
Philip Oberlock, who assumed the name of Locke, owned a saw-mill at an early date in the south part of the town. It was situated near the shop of Reuben Puffer. In 1778 Mr. Locke sold the mill to Daniel Gibbs who owned it several years. The early proprietors of the mill property, now owned by Elijah Gross and Son, were Simeon Brooks, Caleb Wilder and Jason Mead. In 1816 it was purchased by Peeks Gross. The mill was burned in 1844 and rebuilt the following year. For many years there has been a saw and grain mill at this site. The present proprietors have ground and sold a large quantity of western corn. At times a portion of this mill has been occupied by tenants. Chairs have been made here by Liberty Holt, Charles But- trick, James Blodget, Ira Brooks and Irving E. Platts. Samuel J. Tenney, William Tenney and Henry Lawrence have manufactured tubs and pails, and John Davis has pre- pared excelsior at this mill.
Ezra Dana removed to this town about 1790. He did not remain here many years, but he found employment in build-
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ing the first mill on the river at Burrageville. The ancient dam and also the evidence of the sudden flood which occurred under his administration still remain. To irrigate a field of corn suffering from a drought, he cut a small channel through the banks enclosing his mill-pond. The treachery of a sandy scil suddenly drained the pond and ruined the corn. No subsequent trace of Dana is found, yet it is more probable that he removed from town than that he was washed away in the sudden current. The second mill in Lane Village, which was built by Caleb Dana and Elisha Coolidge, was removed by Colonel Francis Lane. In 1786 he built a new mill where the upper mill of Packard Brothers now stands. In 1805 he enlarged the building and continued to maintain a saw-mill and a grist-mill until 1822, when he sold the property to John Kibling, and four years later it was pur- chased by Samuel Foster, who sold it to Enos Emory in 1833. In 1846 Francis Lane, Jr., and his sons became the proprietors, and in 1854 the buildings were renewed. Mil- ton Lane, who had acquired possession, sold it to C. and G. C. Winchester about twenty years ago. Charles F. and Albert D. Packard, the present owners, bought it in 1881.
About forty rods below Packard Brothers' upper mill is an unoccupied mill site. Here Francis Kibling built a mill in 1832. Dr. Stillman Gibson of New Ipswich subsequently owned it until it was removed about thirty years ago. It was occupied as a saw-mill and shingle-mill. On the same stream near Packard Brothers' lower mill is the ancient Gates dam, and near by are found traces of the dam where Francis Lane, Jr., built a saw-mill and turning shop in 1833. In 1846 it was purchased by Enos Emory, and was burned about twenty years ago. The lower mill of Packard Brothers was built by Elias Lane for a turning shop in 1822. It was sold to Eaton and Harris in 1855, who occupied it
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about seven years. Passing through several owners it was bought by Packard Brothers in 1874.
If the power of the stream in North Ashburnham was not occupied as early as at Lane Village, forty years ago it was quite thoroughly utilized. There are four mill sites within a short distance and all of them at times have been quite fully employed. The lower one was built and occupied many years by Alvin Ward. It was burned in 1860. The second mill in order of location was owned, and is said to have been built by Moses and Ezra Lawrence. The next owner was Daniels Ellis who held it several years. It was subsequently owned by W. L. G. Ward, and later by Isaac D. Ward. The present owner is Joseph H. Small. The unoccupied mill was built by Deacon John C. and Joseph Davis in the autumn of 1826. It is owned by Isaac D. Ward. The first mill on the fourth privilege was built by Alonzo L. Willard about 1842, and has been occupied in the manufacture of a variety of wares. The successive owners were John Bald- win and Daniels Ellis, Jr. Mr. Ellis removed the original and built the present mill about 1863. He sold it when completed to LaRoy A. Butler. Isaac D. Ward now owns it.
The first mill on the stream flowing from Rindge, in the order of location, was built by Eliphalet Eddy about fifty years ago. About 1845 he was succeeded by Corey, Barrett and Kibling, and later by Jonas Corey. It is now owned and occupied by Robert W. McIntire. Daniels Ellis, Jr., built the next mill on this stream nearly forty years ago. Edwin Hayward has owned it about ten years. The next mill was built by Daniels Ellis, Jr., and was owned several years by Mr. Ellis and Horace W. Houston and later by Mr. Houston. The dam was destroyed by the freshet in the autumn of 1869. Three mills have been erected on the
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Whitmore and Jones privilege, and are mentioned in another paragraph. The first mill on the privilege of Leonard Foster was built about the commencement of the present century. It was owned many years by Nathaniel Foster who died in 1826. After a few years it came into the pos- session of Thomas Bennett, and for many years has been owned by Leonard Foster, who built the present mill about 1850. A large quantity of lumber has been sawed at this mill. Two mills have been burned on this site.
The saw-mill at Burrageville was built and owned many years by George L. Beals and later it was a part of the property of the Burrage Brothers. Later, J. H. and E. L. Hodge owned it several years, and manufactured chairs as well as coarse lumber. For seventeen years it has been owned by C. L. Beals and occupied by George L. Beals, Jr. There have been several saw-mills in the central village, but generally they have been connected with manufacturing establishments and are incidentally mentioned in such con- nection. A saw-mill was built in 1835, on the site of the chair factory of Wilbur F. Whitney, by Joshua B. Burgess. A few years later Mr. Burgess sold it to Europe H. Fair- banks and Colonel Ivers Phillips, who annually sawed a large quantity of lumber. The subsequent owners were Bailey, Spaulding and Sherwin, who sold it about 1862 to Charles and George C. Winchester. The dam was destroyed by the freshet in 1869 and was not rebuilt until 1882, when Mr. Whitney purchased the premises. On the North Turnpike there have been two saw-mills and one is still standing. They possessed all the requirements for business except water. Failing in this essential requisite they were in operation only a small portion of the time.
Samuel Dunster removed from Mason, New Hampshire, to this town, in 1801, and here found employment for many
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years in building, selling and exchanging mills. First, he built a saw-mill and grain-mill at Factory Village, which he sold to Benjamin Gibbs about 1816 and then removed to the central village, where in 1817 he built a grain-mill on the site of the mill of Colonel George H. Barrett and soon after he became interested in other manufacturing enterprises which are mentioned in another connection. Mr. Dunster removed to Factory Village in 1830 and bought the mill of Mr. Gibbs which he continued to own until his death. For many years it was under the care of Elijah and Joel Brooks and at last it was washed away by the freshet. The grain- mill on Mill street has been owned by many individuals and firins. Among them are included Josiah Lane, the Cald- wells, Piam Burr, Colonel Charles Barrett, Mirick Stimson, Charles and George C. Winchester, John Hadley, Moses P. and Theodore Greenwood. The present owner, Colonel George H. Barrett, has conducted an extensive business in grinding western corn and in the sale of grain. The present saw-mill and grain-mill at Factory Village was built by Ebenezer Frost in 1855. Mr. Frost sold it in 1866 to Cyrus A. Jefts, Theodore Greenwood and Frank W. Wal- lace, but the firm was soon succeeded by Mr. Jefts, who is in possession at the present time. The lower mill of Warren E. Marble was built by Jacob Whiteman about 1825. The saw-mill was built by his father, Luke Marble, in 1863. On this stream and at an early date there were two other mills. The first one was built by Henry Hall, a son of the emigrant, immediately after the Revolution. It stood between the two mills of Mr. Marble. After several years, Mr. Hall removed his mill to the outlet of Watatic pond and near his residence. It was not kept in repair many years and no other mill has been erected on the same site. The other mill on the stream falling into Ward pond was built by
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Nicholas Whiteman and was subsequently owned by his son Jacob Whiteman. It was burned about 1820. During the past twenty years, Luke Marble and his sons have manufact- ured a considerable quantity of lumber and chair stock.
CHAIRS. - The monkey for ages has sat upon the ground. In this way he enjoys his rest and consumes his leisure hours in the contemplation of the simplest philosophies. Assuming that the Darwinian theory is correct, there is ample evidence for the conclusion that the progressive development of man and the stages of his civilization and enlightenment have been marked by his use of seats, and by the genius displayed in their design and construction. The chairs of the present, in grace of outline, and in a practical adaptability to the use for which they are designed, are a sure exponent of the prog- ress of the times in the art of mechanism. In this manu- facture, both in the number and the value of the annual product, Ashburnham yields the pahn to Gardner and surveys the remaining field without a peer. In the early manufacture of chair stock in this town the conditions re- quired only a small room in some part of the dwelling-house, a saw, a frow and a shave, while a foot-lathe introduced the owner to the front rank among the chair makers of that period. The terms of admission to the business were so simple and the outlay of money so small that the number who supplemented their other employment with the manu- facture of chairs or chair stock, was only exceeded by the tax list. To make an entire chair was an early ambition of Ashburnham, while to turn a good chair leg was only the simplest inspiration of intuition. Ask the aged man of Ash- burnham who were Revolutionary soldiers, and beginning with his father and his uneles he slowly names a few. Ask him who were early Federalists or Orthodox or Methodists and his memory fails. But ask him who were chair makers
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when he was young and instantly his eye brightens with the light of returning memories. He becomes loquacious. He counts the names of all he knew, traversing his finger-tips over and over again, and if in the pauses of enumeration the reckless instigator of the proceedings essays to retire, he calls him back and names every son of these chair-making sires.
If not the first to engage in this business, certainly among those who early made the manufacture of chairs an occupa- tion, was John Eaton, a native of Lancaster, who removed to this town in 1805 from Ashby, where he had learned his trade. Here he remained four years when he removed to Royalston. It is said that Enos Jones persuaded Mr. Eaton to locate in Ashburnham, and that he agreed to purchase a stipulated number of chairs. Some of the daughters of Mr. Jones were recently married and others were seriously con- templating a similar event, and in order that he might add a certain number of chairs to the marriage outfit of his dangh- ters, he engaged the services of Mr. Eaton who not only answered the demands of his employer but supplied the wants of other families in the neighborhood. While thus engaged, and possibly to stimulate his business by creating a new demand for his wares, Mr. Eaton married the youngest daughter of his patron. For several years, commencing about 1820, Charles and Deacon John C. Davis, at North Ashburnham, and Charles Munroe at South Ashburnham, were actively engaged in this business. In the course of a few years water power was employed in turning stock and Joshua Burgess, Deacon John C. Glazier, Alvin Ward and, probably, others were engaged in some branches of the business. These pioneers were soon joined by John Conn, Harvey M. Bancroft, Lyman Conant, Thomas E. Glazier, Moses Ross, James Blodget, Joseph Rice, Josiah Eaton,
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Jesse Ellis, Sumner May, Hezekiah Matthews, Samuel S. Stevens, and many others. A feature of the business at this time was the sale of turned stock in the lower towns and, in fact, many persons named conducted no other business, and few of them were engaged in the manufacture of finished chairs.
In 1833 Philip R. Merriam began the manufacture of chairs where the extensive factories of the Boston Chair Manufacturing Company now stand. He was also engaged in teaming chairs to Boston and other places and hauling freight of all description. From the little mill and small beginning of Mr. Merriam has been developed an industry which has added fame and wealth to this town. To this date the development of the business had been slow and un- productive of substantial results. Even in sanguine dreams the possibilities of the future had never been suggested. Upon the clumsy methods and tedious processes of the early days the genius which has attended the later years had shed no light. Yet, if slow, the early growth was solid. The foundations were laid in patient toil and upon them the modern structure has been safely reared and supported. At this date, and in a field inviting conquest, Charles and George C. Winchester began an intelligent study of the business. Charles Winchester bought the shop of Philip R. Merriam and, subsequently, joined in the enterprise by the younger brother, an important business was soon established. In the ardor of sanguine temperaments, and the hope and courage of young men, they quickly comprehended a measure, at least, of its future possibilities. At onee, rebels against antiquated methods and patrons of every approved innova- tion, they increased the capacity of their works as rapidly as the profits of the business would permit. With unwearied application they directed their energies to the accomplish-
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ment of a defined purpose until the images of their early dreams became material forms. With them in their active days every success was an incentive to renewed conquest. They held every point for which they had contended and fought their way to the foremost rank. To these men the town of Ashburnham is indebted. If the Winchesters have retired from an active participation in the business the fact remains, that it was fostered by them and that it was the force of their genius and energy which ably assisted in assigning to Ashburnham an important position among the manufacturing towns of the Commonwealth. The facts are not at hand nor is it possible to state the details of the growth and magnitude of the business, while under the direction of the Winchesters. They were building and enlarging continually. The record of advancement enlivens the transactions of every year. A few of the dates and a summary of the results are briefly stated.
In 1842 the small shop and the business of Mr. Merriam was purchased by Charles Winchester; in 1848 George C. Winchester was admitted to an equal interest in the business. The mills, from time to time, were enlarged to nearly their present capacity and chairs of their manufacture of every style and design were found in every domestic and foreign market. They purchased and erected many tenement houses, and many mills in the surrounding towns were under their control. At the dissolution of the firm in 1870, the number of men employed in the manufacture of chairs was about two hundred and at times this number was considerably exceeded. From 1870 to 1878 the business was continued by George C. Winchester. At the first he assumed the burdens and conducted the enterprise with his aceustomed energy, and the volume of the business for several years was fully sustained, but it gradually became apparent that his
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brain was overworked and his native forces were failing him. After a few years of partial, and finally of entire, suspension of business, the property was purchased in 1880 by several individuals who organized a stock company.
The value of the plant, exclusive of stock and personal property, is $75,000. The capital stock is $150,000. In the manufacture of chairs the corporation owns and occupies thirty-four buildings, having a total flooring of 300,000 feet or about seven acres. The main factory is of wood, four stories, and ground dimensions of 160 by 48 fect ; the saw- mill is brick, two stories, 100 by 50 feet; the main paint shop of wood, four stories, is 160 by 40 feet. The works are driven by an engine of 200-horse power and the river rated at 35-horse power is fully utilized. The accompanying illustration faithfully represents the number and the relative location of the buildings. The number of men now em- ployed is 200, beside 100 inmates of the Hampden County House of Correction and as many women and children in this vicinity who are engaged in filling cane chairs. The present annual product is 360,000 chairs, which yield an income from sales of $200,000. The facilities will accommodate an annual business of $400,000 and arrangements are maturing to employ every resource at command. With one, and possibly two exceptions, this is the most extensive chair manufactory in New England. In addition to the manufaet- ure of the standard lines, and following a series of success- ful experiments, this company is now making chairs com- posed in part, and in some patterns wholly, of bent material. With ingenious appliances the wood is shaped into graceful forms and swiftly directed into circles and all manner of curves. These chairs of many patterns, presenting no right lines or angles, are graceful and attractive in outline, and are admitted to be superior in strength and general appearance
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BOSTON CHAIR MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
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39H
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MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 413
to the foreign chair from which they have been copied. The process of this manufacture originated in Austria, and skilled mechanics from that country were here employed in perfect- ing the required machinery and patterns. The present facili- ties will produce 30,000 chairs of this kind annually and in the markets there is an increasing demand. W. G. Wheil- don, whose office is in Boston, has been treasurer of the company from the date of its incorporation. Luther B. Adams was the manager until 1885 when he was succeeded by F. S. Coolidge.
Prominent among the chair manufactories of this town and in this vicinity are the extensive factories of Wilbur F. Whitney at Ashburnham Junction. Mr. Whitney has been schooled in the business from boyhood. He is in the prime and strength of life, yet within his experience all the modern machinery in general use has been tested and approved. In mechanical skill, in a prompt and clear comprehension of the growing demands of the trade and in the adoption of new methods to meet the changing requirements of the business, he has advanced to a prominent position among the manufacturers of the present time. The business was originally established by his father, John Whitney, in West- minster nearly sixty years ago. In 1865 Mr. Whitney purchased an interest in the Glazier mill in South Ashburn- ham where he was engaged in active business three years. In 1868 he sold his interest in the Glazier mill and bought a mill of Merriam and Allen, situated one-fourth mile east from the depot. Here he remained fourteen years and was suc- cessful. A part of the time he was in partnership with Irving E. Platts. Sustaining and constantly enlarging his operations with the profits of the business and with the erection of a new building, he increased the capacity of his works until he gave employment to eighty men and manu-
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factured chairs to the amount of $150,000 annually. In March, 1882, the factory was burned. The loss above in- surance was heavy. To build again was an early and for the town a fortunate resolve. Mr. Whitney purchased a site near the depot and immediately erected a factory of three and one-half stories, 136 by 40 feet, and a paint shop 100 by 30 feet. The chairs made in these works are the modern styles of cane-seat chairs. The wood material includes all varieties of native hard wood and black walnut, which is procured in the West. Having built a new mill for its accommodation, 60 by 40 feet, and three stories above the basement, he supplemented his business in 1884 with the manufacture of rattan chairs. In 1886 this factory was enlarged by the addition of fifty feet, and it is now 110 by 40 feet, with a flooring of 17,600 feet. At the present time Mr. Whitney employs 140 men. His manufacture yields an annual product of $175,000. The full capacity of his factories at prevailing prices is about $250,000. The rattan, from which the cane for chairs is taken, is a product of Sumatra and the adjacent islands. The improved machinery employed by Mr. Whitney in splitting and shaving the material was made under the patents and is operated under the immediate supervision of George W. Lombard.
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