History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 45

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 45

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Of the stores between Scudder's lane and the present ones, one was kept by Frederick Lewis prior to 1858, near where Gustavus A. Hinckley resides; and in 1858 R. M. Waitt opened one near the Meth- odist Episcopal church, which in 1861 he discontinued, and removed the building to his present residence for a carriage house.

Eben Smith, sr., and E. T. Cobb had a wharf and a general trade in merchandise, near the bridge leading to the Common fields. Their business was important to the village, and prior to 1850 was one of those that so largely built up the commercial standing of Barnstable in those days. This firm in 1850 added coal to their list of merchan- dise, being the first dealers. After the death of Mr. Cobb, Mr. Smith carried it on until his death, leaving the business to his son, Eben, who removed the yard to the depot. M. N. Harris, for a few years a partner with Eben Smith in the coal trade, has a coal yard in the village.

Another industry carried on prior to the coming of the railroad, was running packets from this place to Boston. There were three then, and a lucrative business was carried on. Goods were received here for the south side, and the village presented a much more lively appearance than at present. The wharves and store-houses of fifty years ago are marked by mounds and decayed timbers, and the one fish-house is the only sign of life where once was a busy market.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

The societies, political, religious and social, usual to villages like this, have been instituted and have served their purposes. A peace society of sixty members, organized in 1827, was continued for years. In 1828 the first regular temperance organization was effected, and much good resulted. The Masonic fraternity flourished here the first half of this century and its meetings in 1854 were changed to Hyan- nis. A lodge of Odd Fellows was organized in 1849, which was sus- tained for twenty-five years. They leased Masonic Hall until 1855, when it was purchased of Fraternal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which had built a hall at Hyannis. On the sixth of October, 1865, another Ma- sonic Lodge held its first meeting here under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the state. They leased the hall of the Odd Fellows until its purchase March 3, 1871. This second lodge assumed the name of James Otis Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and after one year's work under dispensation, held its first meeting under a charter, October 21, 1866. Its first elective officers were: George Marston, M .; Elijah Lewis, S. W .; Elisha Jenkins, J. W .; Oliver M. Hinckley, sec .; and Thomas Harris, treas. Its masters have been: George Marston, 1866- 69; Elijah Lewis, 1870; Ansel D. Lothrop, 1871; Russell Matthews, 1872-5; Freeman H. Lothrop, 1876-9; Charles Thacher, 2d, 1880-1; Elijah L. Loring, 1882; James B. Cook, 1883-6; Frank H. Hinckley, 1887; Thomas C. Day, 1888-9, with Frederick C. Swift, S. W .; James D. Baxter, J. W .; Freeman H. Lothrop, treas .; and Russell Matthews, sec., for 1889. This society now numbers fifty-three members.

The Sturgis library of Barnstable was instituted by the liberality and philanthrophy of William Sturgis, a former resident, who be- queathed funds prior to his death in 1863. By his will Samuel Hooper, Lemuel Shaw and Edward W. Hooper were constituted trustees, who informed the selectmen of the town by letter dated July 1, 1868, that Mr. Sturgis had conveyed to the town the estate in Barnstable formerly belonging to his father, also $15,000 for the establishment and main- tenance of a free library for the use of the inhabitants of Barnstable; that they as trustees had made extensive alterations in the house thus conveyed and had placed in the building thirteen hundred volumes, and adopted such rules for the government of the library as they deemed proper; that they had chosen Rev. Thomas Weston, librarian; and that the collection of books was now ready for use. The trustees also announced to the selectmen that the income of the trust fund, then invested in U. S. bonds of 1881, would be devoted to the neces- sary annual expense of the library.

Samuel Hooper died and was succeeded by his daughter, Mrs. T. R. Lothrop; and Lemuel Shaw was succeeded by J. O. Shaw, his nephew. The second librarian was Mrs. Henry Freeman, assisted by Miss L. S. Loring, who is the present librarian. In 1871 the sum of

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TOWN OF BARNSTABLE.

$883 was given in aid of the enterprise by several gentlemen who had prior to 1863 planned a public library. Gustavus A. Hinckley pre- pared. January 1, 1877, the first and only catalogue of its books. then 6,161 volumes; in 1889 there were 11.083. The interest on the fund is sufficient for its current expenses, and the purchase of new books annually.

In the latter part of last century a social library was kept here for a time by Dr. Richard Bourne, at his house where the post office was, and his daughter, Abigail, waited on the villagers to books.

Dr. Richard Bourne, the first postmaster, was appointed March 20, 1793. The mail at first was received weekly, then semi-weekly, but its transportation was paid by private subscription. and not until it was tri weekly did the government assume to assist in supplying the Barnstable office, which was near Jail street. Dr. Bourne was suc- ceeded in the office by Matthew Cobb, December 17. 1817. It is a mat- ter of history that great injustice was heaped upon the worthy Doctor · Bourne by the government. He was called a defaulter, and his last days were clouded by the imputation. Much distress was occasioned by the collection of the alleged debt from his estate. The error was discovered and full amends were received by his only child after his death, which occurred in 1826. Matthew Cobb had the office near where Mr. Sturgis lives, opposite Phinney & Edson's store, for several years, and was succeeded May 1, 1837, by William H. Brown, who moved it to a building on the corner just west of Alfred Crocker's. He in turn was followed in February, 1842, by Richard Ainsworth, who moved the office to a building on the vacant lot opposite Miss Hinckley's millinery store. The office at the expiration of Mr. Ains- worth's term was variously filled by David Bursley, appointed Janu- ary 22, 1851, then by Calvin Stetson, Elijah Lewis, and Elisha Jenkins up to 1866. James Clagg was appointed in 1866 and served for four- teen years, being succeeded by Alfred Crocker in 1880. He was suc- ceeded in 1885 by O. W. Hinckley.

The Old Colony Railroad company has had but two agents at its station here, the present one, John A. Lewis, having grown gray in the position. After the establishment of a station in 1854, Joseph Bursley acted as agent a few years. The depot building, with its contents, was burned during a thunder storm in June, 1889, and at once rebuilt.

Among the institutions well remembered was the savings bank established in 1831, of which Henry Crocker was the first president, succeeded by Eben Bacon, and he by Josiah Hinckley. John Munroe . was the treasurer for forty years, investing over three million dollars in the time. Daniel Scudder was the treasurer for two years, when the affairs of the bank were closed. The business was done for many

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

years in a building just west of Mr. Munroe's, until the company took possession, in 1860, of its new office, the building next west of the Globe Hotel.

The public buildings of the county, including the Agricultural Hall, have been mentioned in the county chapters. The harbor to this. pleasant village enjoys the benefit of a light house that was erected in 1826 by the United States government. It is on the point of Sandy neck, at the entrance of the harbor. The importance of Barnstable early gave reason for a custom collector here, and for a century last past Barnstable has been the port of entry for the county. The custom house for the Barnstable district is here.

COURT HOUSE, BARNSTABLE VILLAGE.

There are no mills or other manufacturing interests in this village at present. The old Lewis mill on the creek down "Poverty lane" has been still for many years. Elijah Lewis moved the building there: and set up the mill soon after 1850. The wind salt mill just beyond was once used by the Crockers to grind corn; but long ago, with the salt works, the mill fell into disuse.

WEST BARNSTABLE is a business center in the west part of the town,. known many years ago as Great Marshes and as West Parish. It is now a pretty and a busy village, the meeting place of the selectmen and the terminus of several mail lines connecting with villages on the south shore. The old West Parish church, a beautiful school house, · and the abodes of thrifty inhabitants unite in forming a village of no. mean proportions. Here, besides others, settled the ancient families of Otis, Hinckley, Annable, Crocker, Jenkins, Howland, Fuller, Par- ker, Bursley, Blossom and Shaw, many of whose descendants are the.

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TOWN OF BARNSTABLE.

prominent heads of families to-day. Their old stone houses, erected as dwellings and forts, have succumbed to the march of improvement. Yet many historic places can still be pointed out to the antiquarian. On the site of the residence of Daniel P. Bursley formerly stocd the residence of the patriot, James Otis, and to the east of it, on what is now a portion of the Colonel Proctor stock farm, stood the house of Brigadier Otis. The residence of a third brother, John, was west of the patriot's.

Among other important landmarks is Hinckley lane, now called by some Nye's lane. It connects the present county road with that around by the church, and which was in use before the former was laid out. On this lane was the tannery of the father of Governor Hinckley. The name Nye's lane alludes to Lemuel Nye, of sixty years ago, who had a hat manufactory near a pond, which also bears his name. The south end of the lane passes through the land of Braley Jenkins and terminates at his residence. Shaw's lane is an- other interesting by-way, as near it was the residence of the reverend father of Chief Justice Shaw.

The historical details of this village are inseparable from those of Barnstable village, for the "house lot, the salt marsh, and the upland " of the proprietors were laid off in the same manner and at the same time. The division of the town into two parishes, as detailed in the church chapter, naturally gave the name of West parish to West Barn- stable, and it has swelled its environs along the county road, forming a proverbial New England village-rural, rambling and beautiful.

With the notable personages and the historical interest clustered here, no doubt very early stores were started, but tradition only fur- nishes facts for the century last past. Seth Parker, now an aged resi- ·dent of West Barnstable, was in business in Boston with David Snow prior to 1833. For thirty years prior to 1863 he kept a store near his old house, on the county road west of the West Barnstable cemetery. In 1863 his son, J. W. B. Parker, then twenty-one years of age, began business near West Barnstable depot. Until 1870 Seth and David Parker were interested in the business, but for the last nineteen years J. W. B. Parker has been the sole proprietor. The venerable Seth Parker is the son of Seth and grandson of Dr. Daniel Parker.

Among other stores was one kept prior to 1830 by Shadrach N. Howland, in the old house just east of his present residence. He moved to the square adjoining the cemetery about 1854, where, Novem- ber 29, 1872, the building and contents were burned and with them his son George H. He soon prepared another building on the east side of the street, to which he removed and continued business until 1880.

In 1855 Frederick Parker opened a store one-half mile west of West Barnstable depot on the county road, in a building now owned by his

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

son, Howard N. The center of business was there until the railroad was opened. Another son, Melvin Parker, in 1881 built a general store, where he still continues the business. The father died in Feb- ruary, 1882, and the business at the old place was discontinued.

George B. Howland and his brother, Nathaniel P., in 1859, began a store in what had been the barroom of the Old Meadow House, and carried on the business until the death of Nathaniel P., in 1883.

James T. Jones, who had been in business at East Sandwich, came here in 1873, locating on the street west of the depot, where he re- mained until 1876, when he erected and removed to his present com- modious store.

The travel along the Cape on the county road made an early tavern at West Barnstable necessary. On the north side of the road near the cemetery are the remains of the old Howland stand. In 1802 Ansel Howland passed this property to his son Jabez, who had managed the tavern and kept a store in part of it, before the beginning of this cen- tury. His son Albert opened, in 1848, another tavern west of this. where George B. Howland now resides. This was known for years as the Meadow House, and before the death of Jabez in the old tavern, the Meadow house became the principal tavern on this part of the line, and the favorite stopping place for the stages until the railroad super- seded them. Albert's son, George B. Howland, preserves the old sign which bears the legend, " Meadow House, 1848."

The early mails were brought here on horseback by John Thacher. The postmaster, who filed his first report with the government July 1, 1816, was one Samuel Bassett, who was followed by his son Charles, each keeping the office in the house then standing southwest of the present residence of William C. Howland. The old well and a few moss-grown apple trees mark the spot. The next postmaster was Albert Howland, commissioned January 29, 1824. Jabez Howland, as his deputy, kept the office in the old tavern and store mentioned, and in August, 1841, Jabez Howland, jr., was appointed, and after a time removed the post office to a building where Josiah Jones now lives. Shadrach N. Howland says that he was postmaster in 1840, but the government records have the first mention of him dated April 8, 1847. He kept the office near where he lives. Part of the old building, with the letter hole through it, is now a wood house for the recently built residence; and part was moved in 1854 to the square adjoining the cemetery, where the office was kept until the burning of the store. Mr. Howland kept the office a few months in the depot until he pre- pared a building, now the residence of Fred. Childs. His term was interrupted by the appointment of David Parker, 3d, November 18, 1864, when it was kept in the store of J. W. B. Parker. In 1880 Mr. Howland's second term was closed by the appointment of Melvin

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TOWN OF BARNSTABLE.

Parker, who removed the office to his store. He was succeeded from 1887 to 1890 by J. W. B. Parker, and was reappointed February 12, 1890.

One of the important industries is the manufacture of brick. In 187S Benjamin F. Crocker, Levi L. Goodspeed, Noah Bradford and Charles C. Crocker purchased the Fish property here, and with James F. Eldridge as superintendent, commenced the manufacture of brick, as The West Barnstable Brick Company. In 1887 a new company was formed, adding steam power and other facilities, and its capacity is now the manufacture of two million bricks annually. In 1889 the kiln sheds in the yard were extended, twenty men were given employment, and the business was extended to the full capacity of the works. The officers since 1887 have been: B. F. Crocker, president; A. D. Make- peace, treasurer; and William F. Makepeace, secretary.

Since the advent of the railroad West Barnstable has been the point for leaving mail and passengers for offices and resorts on the south shore. Washburn Bursley had run a stage from the time the cars came until his death, and since then Daniel P., his son, has been the proprietor, conveying mail, passengers and express matter. The mails for Osterville, Centreville and Wianno are placed in pouches on the trains and left at West Barnstable to be conveyed to their des- tination. These mails are received twice a day and delivered by Mr. Bursley, who also delivers express matter and passengers at other localities. He uses eighteen horses for his business, and has well- equipped barges, coaches and express wagons. Another line of stages from West Barnstable was opened at the same time to supply Cotuit and Marston's Mills with mail, and to carry passengers. William F. Jones was proprietor of this until April, 1887, when he was succeeded by William H. Irwin, who properly continues it.

The depot building was moved from the north side of the track a few years ago and placed on its present site. The buildings and con- veniences are creditable to the company and village. The land on which the buildings stand is the poor house or town property, and is leased. Shadrach N. Howland was agent for the company at their depot until 1881, and his son, Andrew J., has since filled the position.

The only mill to be seen in this vicinity is the Jones mill at the pond just west. It is a study for an antiquarian, and has fallen into disuse; it was run by the water from the large pond.

OLD COTUIT, as it is called, to designate it more distinctively from Cotuit Port, is on the road from Sandwich to Centreville and Hyannis, along which a stage line was early run, to connect with the Plymouth stage. A post office was established here as Cotuit Village, December 24, 1821. Roland Thacher Crocker was the first postmaster until his death in 1846, when he was succeeded, November 17th, by Rev. Phin- eas Fish. On the fifth of June, 1848, the name and location of the

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

office was changed to Cotuit Port, and for a time the government maintained no office at Old Cotuit, but Zenas Crocker, sr., received and distributed mail for the locality. In January, 1850, an office was established here as Cotuit, with Phineas Fish, postmaster. It was dis- continued May 29, 1854.

To have a tavern upon so important a stage line would not seem strange, and it is said that Ezra Crocker opened one in the present resi- dence of Mrs. Elizabeth Crocker, which he ran many years, until his death in 1842. This, which was a favorite resort of Daniel Webster during his fishing tours in the vicinity, was the only tavern ever in inis community.

R. Thacher Crocker had a store, which at his death he was con- ducting in the Joseph Folger house, with the post office. This accom- modated the inhabitants of Mashpee and Cotuit for many years. On the inside of the board shutter to the store window, readable from without when it was open, were these cabalistic letters, still legible through many coats of paint:

W I N E

M ,

RANDY,

GIN, &c.

This sign seemed to promise wine to the passer-by, but on closer inspection it assured him of a good supply of West India and New England rum.

Charles F. Crocker had a store on the corner opposite Mrs. Elizabeth Crocker's, which he discontinued in 1861. Zenas Crocker also had a store where Elmer Lapham lives.

COTUIT PORT .- The inhabitants here were compelled to go to the office a mile above-at Cotuit-while the stage and mail lines ema- nated from Sandwich as the terminus of the Plymouth line. After the railroad was built many changes in the mail routes were made. The first postmaster here was Alexander Scudder, commissioned June 5, 1848. He was succeeded by Randall Kelley, September 23, 1850, and he by Charles C. Bearse in 1870 for twelve years, after which An- drew Lovell filled the position until 1885, when Adaline F. Bearse was appointed. She was succeeded by Mr. Lovell's reappointment in 1889. Very early the shipping and fishing business was the occupation here, which led to stores of various kinds.

Braddock Crocker built in 1794 the wharf, the remnants of which are still known as the old Crocker wharf, and had a store prior to 1820

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TOWN OF BARNSTABLE.

on what is now the property on the bank belonging to the estate of Samuel Hooper, deceased. Hezekiah Coleman built the wharf close by, known as " Uncle 'Kiah's wharf," where he also had a store soon after Mr. Crocker's. These were prominent stores and business places for many years; Mr. Crocker's was continued till his death in 1841. The Coleman store is now a part of Sylvester R. Crocker's house. Daniel Childs, about 1840, started a store on the site of An- drew Lovell's present office, and a portion of the building he occupied then is now doing service as Esquire Lovell's laundry room.

Samuel Nickerson carried on a shoe store and clothing store here fourteen years prior to his death in 1884. Leander W. Nickerson there carried on a mercantile business for several years, when in May, 1869, Asa F. Bearse opened his present store. John M. Handy was engaged in the mercantile business here from 1884 until his death in 1880. Others also in business are Julius Nickerson and Henry Hodges. On the Heights, as it is termed, although in the same village, Aaron Nickerson started a store nearly twenty years ago under the firm name of A. Nickerson & Son, the son, Alexander E., buying the business and stock in 1887. Daniel Nickerson was a merchant at this part of the village until his death a few years ago.

About 1875 the late Ensign Nickerson began a grocery business at Highground. Cotuit. His son, George W., succeeded him, and in 1877 Aaron Nickerson & Son took the business, which, in January, 1889, the son. A. E. Nickerson, moved to his present store building. En- sign Nickerson had a small store here, which was burned about 1858.

Since the opening of the Santuit House in June, 1860, this village has been growing in favor as a summer resort.

An old landmark here is the residence of General John H. Reed. It was built in 1793 by Ebenezer Crocker, father of Braddock Crocker. Alexander Scudder, who married Braddock's daughter, next owned it and in 1849 he sold it to Hon. Samuel Hooper, whose granddaughter, Mrs. Balfour of Scotland, now owns it.

Mariners Lodge, A. F. & A. M., was instituted in 1870. Prelimi- nary meetings were held in the chambers of John M. Handy, Cotuit Port, early in the year 1870, and March 10th a dispensation was granted to George J. Miller, W. M .; John B. Baxter, S. W .; John B. Lovell, J. W .; Thomas Chatfield, T .; John M. Handy, S .; Asa F. Bearse, S. D .; Simeon L. Ames, J. D .; Alonzo L. Phinney, C .; Sylvanus Porter, M .; Bennett W. Dottridge, S. S .; Frank Cammett, J. S .; and Stephen B. Tallman, T. A charter was granted to the lodge December 13, 1871, and in August following the number of members was thirty-seven. The installation of the first officers was held in Freedom Hall, and by arrangement with the proprietors of the hall, a suitable lodge room was, in 1872, prepared over the hall, which is still in use by the order.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

The masters have been: George J. Miller in 1871, 1872; John B. Bax- ter, 1873; Thomas Chatfield, 1874; William Childs, 1875, 1878, 1879 and 1884; John M. Handy, 1876, 1877 and 1886; Joseph B. Folger, 1880, 1881, 1885 and 1889; Alexander E. Nickerson, 1882, 1883, 1887 and 1888.

OSTERVILLE .-- This thriving post-village in the southern part of the town is beautifully situated on Vineyard sound and enclosed by East and West bays. The name is a contraction of Oysterville, from Oyster island, names properly given from the early business here carried on. Ship building was also one of the early industries by Andrew Crosby and Daniel Crosby, and as early as 1830 Oliver Hinckley, an appren- tice of Jesse Crosby, whom he succeeded in the business, built thirty- five or forty vessels of seventy-five to one hundred tons in West bay. This business of the Crosby's has been carried on by various branches of the family since 1835, when they launched the first sailboat built on this part of the coast. Two brothers, C. Worthington and Horace S. Crosby, early started a boat-building business, which has been since subdivided and their sons are carrying on three separate yards, and building at West bay the finest boats ever built on the south shore. Horace S. retired about 1880 and his son, Herbert F., continues the business, in which also three younger sons-Wilton, Joseph and Horace M .- are engaged. Herbert F. started a separate place in 1882. C. W. Crosby, who had been in the business since 1835, took his sons, Charles H. and Daniel, into partnership for a while, and now the sons have a business of their own. Isaac Hodges, sr., also built vessels in that bay. Many also have been built at East bay, and foremost in this, about 1830, was Seth Goodspeed, who built a number. One sloop was built by him at his place, now Alexander Till's, and carted to the beach, which is related at the present time as a marvelous feat. It is said that nearly two-score vessels of various kinds were built at Oster- ville prior to 1850. At East bay Nelson H. Bearse and Jehiel P. Hodges built boats a few years prior to 1885, and Mr. Hodges still continues the business. Both bays are now more or less used for the construction of small craft.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 45

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York : Blake Number of Pages: 1292

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292