History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 59

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 59

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

started grinding in 1870. After five years he took the mill down, and all that is tangible at this date are the mill stones, which are doing ser- vice at either door of Mr. Matthews' residence, near the post office. The south mill stood just west of the burying ground, and was taken down in 1874 by Rufus and Edmund Howes-the last owners. Aaron Crowell, a gentleman of four-score years, and an old resident here, remembers that in his boyhood these old mills looked as weather- beaten as when taken down.

This part of the town also was engaged in ship-building. The Sally and Betsey was built at Corporation wharf, in 1811, by Aaron Crowell, sr., who also built the Fire Sisters. The sloop Sally was built near Bass hole by the Brays in 1817. Jeremiah and Aaron Crowell built the Star in 1839, and the Bridge, built by the Shivericks at East Dennis, was owned and manned by the people of the north village.

In the terrible gale of 1841 four Dennis vessels were lost, and of their crews, including twenty-one Dennis men, not one was saved. Of this number, eight out of a crew of nine of the schooner Bride, whose bodies were recovered, found Christian burial upon land, the coffins of six of them being placed side by side in the village church at one time, and the members of seven families gathered in one common service of mourning for the loss each of one from the house- hold. The wreck of the Bride was brought from Provincetown back to Shiverick's shipyard and again made ready for the sea by the same firm which built her. The Hopewell, a fishing vessel of thirty tons, was built about the middle of the present century, near where Rev. Dennis once lived, in the road that leads to Nobscusset harbor. It was built by Joshua Baker, and after much trouble was moved to the water.

The present county road forms the principal street of this village, and along it the early ordinaries were found. Where Mrs. Moses Howes now lives was an old-fashioned two story tavern, kept by Joseph Hall before 1784. About the same time there was a tavern kept by Obed Howes, where Harvey Howes now lives. Obed Howes' father, called "Great Sam," had kept it prior to Obed. Henry Hall's tavern, with its sign of a black horse, was opened just prior to 1800, and stood where Howes Chapman now lives. In 1871 James Hum- phrey built up the Cape Cod Bay House, which was the Minot House removed to Nobscusset. It was used as a hotel for several years in that condition ; the present Nobscusset House here is noticed fully at page 155.

"The observatory built by subscription a few years ago on the sum- mit of Scargo hill, is one of the places of interest. It stands where a former observatory was prostrated by a tempest.

The mail for this part of Dennis was delivered from the Yarmouth

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TOWN OF DENNIS.

post office until 1797. Nathaniel Stone, jr., who kept the office at his house for many years, was the first postmaster, being appointed May 4, 1798. Helwas succeeded, September 1, 1836, by Nehemiah Y. Hall, at his house, who in turn was succeeded. July 16, 1853. by Howes Chapman, who built and opened a store on his premises, where he also placed the office. In 1857 Obed Howes was appointed and moved the office to the store of Prince Howes. Howes Chapman was reap- pointed in 1861, and again kept the office at his store. Luther Hall was appointed in 1873, keeping the office at the store of his father-in- law, Howes Chapman, until August, 1886, when E. C. Matthews was appointed, who removed the Chapman store and the post office to its present site.

Places of business that could be called stores were carried on here a century ago; but of the first little is known. Oliver Crowell and more than one of the Howes family had very early stores. That kept by Samuel Howes was within the recollection of old residents. Isaac Hall and later Frederick Hall had an early store on the shore. Prince Howes, Freeman Hall. Zebina Howes and Oren Howes were mer- chants here. Howes Chapman erected a store on his premises in 1845, and here he and Joshua C. Howes then commenced business as Chapman & Howes. In 1847 this firm, with William Crowell and Jeremiah Hall, opened a fishing business at Corporation wharf, as Howes & Crowell.

Ten years prior to this, James Howes, an enterprising citizen, had established the first fishing business at this point, and remained in active management of a business there for twenty years or more. In 1852 the firm of Chapman & Howes dissolved, Mr. Chapman remain- ing at the old place and Mr. Howes removing to the wharf. In 1856 the firm of Howes & Crowell dissolved, and Joshua C. Howes pur- chased the entire fishing and store business at the wharf. Six years later he removed the store to his residence, continuing at the wharf, until 1864, the sale of coal and lumber. In 1886 E. C. Matthews pur- chased the business of Luther Hall, who had succeeded Howes Chap- man, and removed the building across the street to the present post office site. In 1887 James H. Davidson also started a store and tin shop west of the burying ground.

The public hall here, now known as Carlton Hall, was originally . built in 1820 by the Methodist Society, and was occupied by them as a place of worship until 1847, when the Methodists and Trinitarian North church united in the purchase and use of the present Union church building. At that time the Methodist building was converted into a hall and used in part for school purposes. The private school which was kept in it led to the use of the name Academy Hall, which it bore until 1865, when a company of citizens purchased and trans-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

formed it into its present proportions. Since that time it has been known as Carlton Hall. The committee in control for 1890 consisted of Luther Hall, Edmund C. Matthews and Howes Chapman, with Luther Hall secretary and treasurer.

In 1873 the Dennis Library Association, now having 735 volumes, was organized, electing the officers in March, annually. Moses Howes was president of the association until 1886, when Laban Howes was chosen. The trustees are: Thomas P. Howes, Howes Chapman and Joshua C. Howes. Miss Flora Howes has acted as librarian and sec- retary for the last fourteen years.

This is the oldest and most historic village of the town, but is less important in its business relations than younger villages on the south side of the town. The remains of the old Corporation wharf, east of the Nobscusset House, the old burying ground, and the historical fact of its being set off into the East parish in 1721, are the reminders of former importance. It is the type of a beautiful, rural village nestled between the high ridge of land and the bay.

East Dennis embraces the continuous settlements grouped on Sesuet and Quivet necks, and extends east of Scargo hill. The vil- lage is beautifully scattered along the main road leading to Satucket in Brewster, and includes some more sparsely settled neighborhoods. Both necks of land are pleasantly situated, and they excel in fer- tility. It was here that John Sears, in 1799, after many improve- ments, obtained a patent, and rendered much assistance to persons en- gaged in solar evaporation. The manufacture commenced here as early as 1776. The entire surface of Quivet neck adjoining the bay, and the greater part of Sesuet, were covered with vats. Of the Sears and Crowell families, the first on the neck, nearly all the heads en- gaged in this work. Edmund Sears started his works in 1795 and his son, Edmund, in 1818. In 1803 John Sears, William Crowell, John Crowell and the elder Edmund Sears started an improved set of evaporators and covers on the eastern part of Quivet neck; and one day when they were discussing a proper name for the works, William Crowell suggested the name "John Sears' Folly," which was adopted. In 1804 Jacob Sears built works. Daniel Sears in 1821, and Nathan F. Sears in 1823. Others who were interested were Joshua, Ezra, Thomas and Elkanah Sears, sr. and jr .; also Joseph, Edward and Major John Sears. Of the Crowells we find David, Daniel and Isaac were early manufacturers. Later, others of the Sears family-Elisha and Constant, and Joseph Sears of Brewster, had works on Quivet neck. Ten thousand feet in East Dennis were owned by Kenelm, Isaac, Abraham and Nathaniel Winslow, and Isaac, Abraham and John Chapman owned and run other works here. Still later and further west we find Lothrop Howes, Judah Paddock and his son,

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TOWN OF DENNIS.

and Enoch and Daniel Hall engaged in the manufacture of salt. On Sesuet neck David, William and Eli Howes, Nathan Crowell, and later Asa Shiverick, had works.

It is easy to conjecture the dotted appearance of three miles of shore when the reader has read the list of enterprising men who successfully operated these plants, which, with their owners, have passed away. One, built by John Sears in 1821, and purchased of B. H. Sears in 1857, is yet to be seen, just east of Quivet harbor. William Sears, an intelligent old gentleman of eighty years, pur- chased them and during the summer of 1889 made salt. Barnabas H. Sears also has another works on the extreme east end of the neck. Formerly this industry was a profitable one, for the salt was easily transported by vessels to Boston markets.

Ship-building was also a prominent industry. The pioneer in this was Asa Shiverick, who early learned the art from Jeremiah Crow- ell in the west part of the town. In 1815 Mr. Shiverick built a schooner, and in 1816 he built the Polly for David and Isaiah Crowell and Joseph and Ezra Sears. In 1820 he built his first residence on Sesuet neck and engaged in ship-building near by on his own land. The next vessel of importance was the top-sail schooner Atlas. in 1829. This was in part built from the vessel Atlantic that, loaded with flour, had been cast ashore on Sesuet neck and abandoned. In 1835 and 1838 he launched five vessels. One was the schooner Hope Howes, and another the brig Giraffe. In 1821 he assisted in building a packet for Edmund, Jacob and Judah Sears, which they used between East Dennis and Boston, and which was sold in 1832. His sons, David, Asa and Paul Shiverick, were with him in the business, building the schooners Bride, Grafton, Watchman, John B., West Wind, Walter C. Hall, Joseph K. Baker, Watson Baker, Scarsville and others.

They afterward, between 1850 and 1862, built eight ships, which were successively named Revenue, Hippogriffe, Belle of the West, Kit Carson, Wild Hunter, Webfoot, Christopher Hall and Ellen Sears. The first of these was sailed to Boston to be rigged, using only a tem- porary square sail to give the ship headway; and the others were towed there by steamers for the same purpose. These vessels were built on the meadow just east of the present residence of David Shiv- erick. They were commanded and manned by men from Dennis.

The old windmill, dismantled and without wings, standing on the hill south of the village, is a monument of the past. It was built in Yarmouth by Gideon Gray and Thomas Sears in 1766. In 1775 it was brought to its present site by John Chapman, William Crowell, Peter Sears and Edmund Sears, who had purchased it. Afterward John Chapinan and Isaac Crowell owned it. Abraham Chapman then bought a controlling interest and it was run by him and his children

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

till 1869, when lightning injured the machinery and it-the last grist mill here-was abandoned.

The places of trade that naturally were open here soon after 1800 could be called stores, for they supplied the wants of the people. Thacher Clark had one during the war of 1812 and many years after- ward. James S. Howes followed him in 1842 by a store in that part of the village, commencing in a building on the southwest corner of the premises owned by Mrs. Lydia H. Hall, and in 1854 built his pres- ent store, which has since been the post office. The lean-to of the house now occupied by Henry Dillingham was built for a store in 1820 and was kept by Zachary Sears, and later by his wife, Olive, for many years. In 1849 Stillman Kelley came from Harwich and start- ed here in a store and in the fishing trade. In 1850 Seth Sears went into partnership with him, enlarging the business by the purchase of six new vessels for fishing and coast trade. A general store was opened at the wharf by this firm, and about the same time Eben Howes built and opened a store, which H. H. Sears & Co. now occupy. In 1852 Nathan Sears became a partner with Kelley & Sears. and the business was further increased, they having at one time thirteen ves- sels in mackerel and cod fishing and the coasting trade. Seth Sears died in 1857, and the remaining partners soon after purchased the store of Eben Howes and transferred their stock to it from the store at the wharf. In 1875 they sold to H. H. and Paul F. Sears, who con- tinue to deal in coal, lumber, grain, flour and general merchandise, as long ago established, the heavy articles being kept at the wharf and the lighter at the store. Mr. Kelley brought the first coal by ves- sel in 1851, and the coal yard of the present firm is an important factor of their trade. The same may be consistently said of the lumber yard established in 1852. The present firm of H. H. Sears & Co. run a fine vessel in their own coasting trade. In 1849 Barnabas Sears kept store for Paul Sears for a short time. Three stores were supplying the peo- ple in 1889, kept by H. H. Sears & Co., James S. Howes, and David H. Sears, jr.

This scattered village received its mail from Dennis prior to 1800, and still earlier from Yarmouth, but on January 2, 1828, Thạcher Clark was appointed postmaster and for many years kept the office in a store at his house. He resigned, and Judah Paddock was appointed March 6, 1838. After a little, Mr. Paddock built an office on the corner of the street just west of the present office, where he kept it until June 19, 1849, when Lothrop Howes, jr., was appointed, moving it to the store of his brother, James S. Howes. He died in 1SSS, and was suc- ceeded September fifth, by James F. Howes.

Worden Hall, so named from the original owner of the site, was erected in 1866, by stockholders, and in 1867 the association was per --

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TOWN OF DENNIS.

fected. F. D. Homer was clerk and treasurer until 1884, and C. Wal- ter Hall, since. About the time this hall was built William F. Howes originated and perfected the plan of a library association, which met at private houses for a short time; but in 1870 Nathaniel Myrick do- nated to the association the sum of five hundred dollars, which fur- nished a broader basis of operation. The association was re-formed that year and the library moved to the new hall. Captain Prince S. Crowell by will left five hundred dollars more to the association. The library now numbers twelve hundred volumes and suitable ad- ditions are annually made. The name given is the East Dennis As- sociation Library. Officers for 1889: Joshua Crowell, president; David Shiverick, secretary; Nellie L. Crowell, librarian and treasurer; Mrs. M. J. Howes, Samuel Chapman, and George P. Howes, trustees.

East Dennis has many places of interest, sought by the summer visitors. One old house built in 1711, by one of the ancestors of the Sears family, is a memento of the past. Abraham Chapman lives in another house, built in 1740.

Those olden days were days of labor and cheerfulness. With the decline of maritime enterprises came the cultivation of cranberries, in which Dennis as a town has become prominent, as more fully appears at page 147. How changed the habits of latter generations from those of the fathers, who, not content with chasing the monsters of the deep in Arctic seas, had a whale house erected just west of Sesuet harbor, and there watched for the whales in the bay; and when one was espied, how the boats swarmed out to capture him !

South Dennis is the middle village of the three south of the rail- road. and extends from the road along Bass river to West Dennis. It was the term formerly applied to the entire south part of the town. but two other brisk villages have usurped the greater portion of the territory. South Dennis is the railway village of the town, and con- sequently will occupy an enviable position, although of less import- ance in business. It is a model of rural loveliness, and its long, crooked street is a charming drive. The settlement of the present village very soon succeeded that of the north villages, and the consequent rivalry in church was manifested. The town clerk's office is here, and near by is the town house and the poor house. The pleasant resi- dences give ample evidence of thrift and enjoyment. Bass river upper bridge here gives traveling facilities to the westward.

The building of vessels of small tonnage and the manufacture of salt were quite extensively engaged in early in the present century, but the evidences were long ago extinct. The Baker family were prominent, and fifty years ago were doing so much of the business that the settlement was called "Bakertown." Joshua Baker had a store; Peter and John Baker also kept stores, and Peter kept a tavern.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

The old wind mill, the three stores, the tavern, and the fishing vessels of the Bakers made it a lively center. The wind mill near Grand cove was the scene of many important telegraphic communications. It stood on the knoll northwest of L. M. Gage's present residence, and its upper port holes, or windows, commanded a view of the high land in the north part of the town, on which a flag was hoisted when a Boston packet was entering Nobscusset harbor. As soon as the look- out in the wind mill saw the flag, he went to a pole erected on the tri- angular piece of land between the highways, near Mr. Gage's, and hoisted a flag, whichi communicated the news to West Harwich, South Yarmouth and the remaining portion of Dennis, that the " packet was in." They told of the departure of the packet by hoisting the day before it sailed a ball or barrel. These messages, delivered many miles so rapidly and effectively, are yet remembered by the more aged, who, in those days of no railroads, went to North Dennis for their goods at the first mentioned signal, and at the second carried to the packet produce and articles of exchange for the Boston market.

Peter Baker had a tavern here early in the history at the village, and Elkanah S. Baker started another in 1868 in the premises opposite L. M. Gage's. This was discontinued at his death in 1884. Mrs. L. B. Nickerson still keeps the Nickerson House-a tavern started in 1875 by her husband, who died in 1883.

The later stores have been generally kept by the Bakers. In 1862 Reuben and Jethro Baker opened a store, which was sold to Watson F. Baker, in October, 1874, and it is yet a principal store of South Dennis. Marshall S. Underwood kept a store where the post office is until his death, in 1873, and Charles M., his son, continues it. Charles G. Baker has a general store by the depot.

The mail was delivered to the citizens of the south part at North Dennis until January 9. 1822, when Miller Whelden was made the first postmaster at South Dennis. Eleazer Nickerson was appointed De- cember 15, 1828, postmaster for South Dennis, and received the mail at Miller Whelden's house, where Charles Baker now resides. Whel- den was his assistant in carrying the mail and waiting upon the people. Watson Baker was postmaster from January 21, 1847, and had the office a short time in the present Liberty Hall, and May 29, 1869, Marshall S. Underwood was appointed, moved it to the present site, and in 1873 was succeeded by Charles M. Underwood.

Liberty Hall was once a store occupied by Baker & Downs. In 1844 it was moved to its present site by Watson Baker and Isaac Downs; then it was sold to Collins C. Baker, for Joseph C. Baker, who sold it twenty years ago to a stock company, which transformed the upper floor into a convenient hall. The Good Templars meet in the hall, and although only organized February 7, 1889, with twenty-two mem- bers, they had increased to sixty-six in the third quarter.

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TOWN OF DENNIS.

West Dennis is a thriving village in the extreme southwestern part of the town, and is separated from and connected with South Yar- mouth village by the lower Bass River bridge. Much of the business is done, and many of the business men of West Dennis are interested, at South Yarmouth. In fact the villages of South Yarmouth, West Dennis, South Dennis, Dennis Port and West Harwich together form a continuous, beautiful New England village. The oldest settlers well remember the first ferry across the river just below, and which was superseded by the present bridge. The bridge was first the property of certain stockholders in West Dennis and South Yar- mouth, and toll was taken for crossing; but about 1870 it was made free to the public, Dennis purchasing four-elevenths, Yarmouth four, Harwich one, and the county two-elevenths. The Bass river at this point is wide, and the bridge is a long and important structure, having a drawbridge for the passage of vessels. On the Dennis side of Bass river, salt works were once numerous, and John and Barney Baker were the principal owners. Small vessels were built in the vicinity, and this village has for many years sustained a large share in the business of coasting and fishing. About 1854 Elisha Crowell and Luther Studley built here the schooner West Dennis, the brig John Free- man, and another schooner, probably the Sylvanus Allen.

From the conflicting statements of those who can date from mem- ory only, it is impossible to chronologically arrange the names of merchants of the past century. This part of Dennis was first served by stores at what is now South Dennis. In 1871 Hiram D. Loring opened a dry goods and grocery store in West Dennis, and in 1885 added boots and shoes to his stock. In 1889 he purchased the dry goods and clothing stock formerly belonging to John L. Crowell, 2nd, and now is proprietor of both stores. The store now occupied by T. T. Baxter was formerly owned by Uriah H. Crowell and occupied by him as a general store. February 10, 1872. the business and build- ing were purchased by Baker & Baxter, who added furniture, carpets and harness making to the other business. After two years Thacher T. Baxter became sole proprietor. The store building was enlarged by Baker & Baxter, and since T. T. Baxter owned it an important addition has been made almost every year, until it now is a large block with many departments and classes of goods. George L. Davis opened a hardware store here, which he continued until his death in 1876. The same year S. A. Chase opened another hardware store just east of Baxter's Block, and in 1883 he purchased Thacher's Hall and moved it to the site he now occupies. In 1SES he added to the building, making it a commodious and central place for his business. The first regular jewelry store in the town was opened in 1879 by John Baxter, on the corner where Thomas Baxter formerly sold boots

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

and shoes. Fancy goods have been added to the stock of watches and jewelry. In 1864 Luther Fisk and Andrew Baker built the pres- ent grocery store of Calvin F. Baker, where the business began. Fisk sold to Joseph Eldridge and the business was conducted by El- dridge & Baker, then by Z. T. Gage. William Kelley succeeced him, and he in turn was succeeded by Mary E. Gage, who in 1883 sold to Calvin F. Baker. Joseph F. Thacher in 1864 built and opened a shop for the wheelwright trade, and in 1870 added, with a stock of paint- ers' supplies, the business of undertaking. After his death, in 1880, C. N. Thacher, his son, continued the business.

On the knoll adjoining Grand cove Judah Baker built a wind grist mill in 1803. This was of great importance at that day, and it served the public many years under the control of the builder, who was suc- ceeded by his son, Peter, until just before the civil war, when it was removed to South Yarmouth by its purchaser, Freeman Crowell. In 1SS4 Thacher T. Baxter built the steam grist mill now doing efficient service in West Dennis. The power being sufficient, in 1886 Sears Crowell placed in the second story of the mill, six tack machines, and in 1887 four more. He and Mr. Baxter did business as the West Dennis Tack Company, until the fall of 1889, when the machines were sold and removed.

The Casey Brothers' shoe factory was incorporated in 1887 as a stock company. A building, forty by one hundred feet, and three stories high, was erected. The stock is in 240 shares held by forty- eight persons. The building and machinery are complete for its business, and one hundred hands find employment, manufacturing ten thousand cases of foot wear annually for the western trade. Edwin Baxter is president of the company and William B. Bowne treasurer. John A. and James E. Casey are the efficient managers. The machinery is operated, the building heated, and ample fire pumps run by steam power.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 59

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