History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 85

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 85

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The offices of town clerk and treasurer have been filled by the same person. The year of the first election of the successive incum- bents stands recorded thus: 1797, Benjamin Taylor; 1800, Timothy Bascom; 1814, Gideon Snow; 1834, Barnabas Snow; 1840, William P. Myrick; 1850, Jonathan Higgins; 1855, Thomas A. Hopkins; 1861, Thomas Higgins; 1865, Freeman Mayo; and since March, 1889, David L. Young.

VILLAGES .- The village of Orleans, called by its people the Centre, occupies the first settled territory of the town. It embraces Skaket and Rock harbor-parts of the town settled in 1643 by one of the original purchasers. The village has grown westerly around the railroad station in later years; but the principal street winds south- easterly and then easterly, with its beautiful residences and extensive business places on either side, until the post office at East Orleans is reached. There are three villages in the town, with no definite bounds except the natural division of post office conveniences. The churches, town house and cemetery are as convenient for one com- munity as another, and are near the geographical center of the town. In 1797 no village existed here. The establishment of a post office on

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

the county road for the sparsely settled community soon formed the nuclues of the present principal village.

The manufacture of salt was commenced about 1800, and was car- ried on many years by several enterprising citizens. At the head of the Town cove Seth Smith had works, which were subsequently sold to Gideon S. Snow. On the northerly side between them and the Eastham line, were the works of Nathaniel Nickerson and of Jonathan Young, grandfather of D. L. Young. On the southerly side, in 180S, were in full blast the plants of Asa, Elisha and Josiah Hopkins, John Doane, Joseph and Isaac Seabury, and Daniel Higgins. Along the bay between Namskaket and Rock harbor were the works of Edward Jarvis, Blossom Rogers, Joseph Hurd, James Engles, Major Henry Knowles, Joseph G. Sloane, Captain Nathaniel Knowles, Jesse Snow, Captain William Smith, Sparrow Horton, Isaac Knowles, Sears Rogers, Josiah Freeman, Isaac Hopkins, Joseph Atwood. Seth Knowles, Edward, Edmund and Abiel Crosby, and William Myrick. In 1837, fifty plants made 21,780 bushels of salt. These, after furnishing employment for a large number of men, gradually declined and but little salt was made after the middle of the century. Every inducement was given for the encouragement of the enterprise, and we find by the records that not until 1823 was a committee appointed to confer with the owners of these plants in relation to taxing them.

. The older taverns of the village usually had a small store con- nected with them. In 1800 and many years after Major Henry Knowles kept an inn near the present hotels on the county road; and near him in 1829 was the inn, store and stage office kept by Simeon Higgins, who brought the mail by stage from Yarmouth. Near these is the present hotel of W. N. Steele, established in 1882. Abel Shattuck bought of Simeon Higgins about 1852 and opened a tavern, in the house now owned by James Boland. He remained there until the erection of the Shattuck House in 1874, to which he removed. That house was kept by him until his death in 1SS6, and his wife and son, C. H. Shattuck, ran it until she died in 1887, when it was leased, June 23d of that year, to the present proprietor, George S. Nickerson. The livery business in connection with the house, and adjoining, was commenced by C. H. Shattuck in 1871, near his residence, where he was burned out in 1873. He then purchased a building, moved it to the present site, and refitted it for his extensive business. Another old tavern, mentioned in the town records, was that of Kezia Harding, where the officers went in 1802 to swear in and finish the town meeting.

As early as 180S Gideon S. Snow had a store on the county road nearly opposite the inn of Major Knowles, and later Barnabas Knowles had another near by. About 1828 Richard Sparrow opened a store in

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TOWN OF ORLEANS.

a dwelling house near Cedar pond, and after a term of years sold to his nephew, Nathaniel Atwood, who continued in the same place. In 1861, J. H. Cummings bought the goods, and in 1863 bought a store that he moved to a suitable site near by, where he continued trade until 1878. That year he removed his stock to his present commodious building opposite the Shattuck House.

On the county road near the Town cove, Jonathan Young opened in 1829 a boot and shoe store and manufactory, which he continued on the same corner until 1849, when he enlarged the building and began trade in general merchandise. In 1869 he sold to David L. Young, his son, who continues on the same site in a large store, which he has transformed from the former.

Timothy Bascom had an old store just after the town was estab- lished, and Jonathan Bascom had another near where was the office of Esquire Doane. Widow Lucia Snow kept one of those old-fashioned stores on the site of C. H. Shattuck's new residence. These old stores of a hundred years ago, kept usually in dwellings, were very primi- tive, and their principal groceries were molasses and tobacco, and the current dry goods was mostly rum.

A hardware and tinware store was opened in 1836 on the east side of Main street by Calvin Snow, who continued until 1855, when he sold to Jesse Snow, jr., who discontinued after a few years. In 1867 Aaron Snow built and opened on the depot lot a grain store, which he continued about ten years. It was burned, and J. F. Eldridge erected and continues in the present building on the site. In 1884 W. H. Snow, son of Aaron Snow, opened a store for the sale of grain, coal, flour and hardware on the east side of the street, opposite his father's old grain store, where he continues, and is running a vessel to New York in connection with the business. Thomas S. Newcomb, in 1860, left the sea and opened with his son a hardware and tinware store opposite the present store, near the northern bank of Town cove. In 1883, A. T. Newcomb, the son and present proprietor, pur- chased the store, and in 1884 moved it across the street, remodeled it to its present proportions, continuing the trade in hardware, paints, oils, agricultural tools, and the general merchandise of his line.

Captain Sparrow Horton opened a general store on the west side of Main street, which he subsequently sold to Captain Jesse Snow; about 1843 Davis Hurd purchased the business, removing it to the opposite diagonal corner, where he continued until his death.

A drug store was opened in 1880 by Dr. S. T. Davis, near the de- pot, where he continued until 1883, when he sold to A. N. Chase, who, in the fall of 1889, removed to his fine new building, east side of Main street. Another drug store was opened in the Snow block, near the depot, in 1889, by Dr. Ellis P. Jones. Other places of business are a

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

variety store by Elijah E. Knowles; a confectionery store by Abner Hig- gins; a shoe store by S. L. Smith; the fancy store by Fannie M. Smith; a produce business by Joshua Hurd, and the store of Joel H. Spar- row's estate, near Cedar pond.

In 1885 John M. Smith was employed in a bakery near the Metho- dist church, and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness, he, in 1887, built the present building near J. H. Cummings' store, where he at once opened on a more extensive scale. In 1889 he pulled down his ovens and built better and larger ones. His two wagons supply Brewster, Orleans, Eastliam and Wellfleet.

Josiah Sparrow started a marble factory many years ago, which, after his death, was continued by Thomas A. Hopkins, near the present factory of W. M. Crosby, to whom he sold in 1862. Mr. Crosby carried on the business in the shop in the orchard until after he had purchased his present residence, and in 1886 remodeled the old store into a suitable shop and salesroom, where he continues.

Warren H. Hopkins started a carriage manufactory, in 1867, on the county road west of the Shattuck House, where he continues in all branches of the business.

In 1873 Joseph H. Cummings and William H. Howes, under the firm name of Cummings & Howes, engaged in the manufacture of shirts, overalls and pants, in the store building near Cedar pond. Their increasing business led to the erection of the present store building, occupied by Mr. Cummings, to which the manufactory was removed in 1878. A wing was subsequently built on the west to ac- commodate the business, then an addition in the rear, and then the east wing was built. The skating rink near by was next purchased, and in October, 1888, their manufactory was removed to that more suitable structure. They discontinued the making of shirts and over. alls, as their other work for jobbers increased. From fifty to seventy- five sewing machines have been kept running, and during December, 1889, fifty more were added. The establishment is now run by steam power, and furnishes employment for 125 to 200 people. For two and a half years prior to September, 18SS, all the pants of the Plymouth Rock Pants Company were made at this factory. Since that time Cum- mings & Howes have made here all the goods put on the market by the Bunker Hill Pants Company, and have built up a large trade with the clothing jobbers in nearly every state in the Union.

In 1885 Aaron Snow built the block north of the railroad track for a wholesale pants factory for John Wilson, who was succeeded in the business in 1888 by George F. Snow, son of Aaron, who continues. From twenty-five to thirty-five hands are employed, according to sea- son, and over one hundred families of this and adjoining towns are supplied with work outside of the factory.

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TOWN OF ORLEANS.

The only wharf along Town cove is one erected in 1879 by Aaron Snow, in the rear of his residence. About forty years ago he started in the fishing business-one of the first to build or purchase a five- ton, schooner-rigged vessel-and within a few years a fleet of twenty- two similar vessels went from the cove. The decrease of the profits of the business led to its discontinuance.

The old academy had a hall that accommodated the town until the erection of the town house. The present house has a large and pleas- ant hall on the second floor. In 1882 Aaron Snow erected the block near the depot, in which is a large hall. Higgins' Hall is in the block opposite the depot, and Mechanics' Hall is next west of the Shattuck House. These furnish suitable meeting places for the societies, and the town hall for all public, religious and social occasions.

A post office was established here soon after the town was incor- porated. The first postmaster, Simeon Kingman, was appointed July 1, 1800. He was followed by Jonathan Bascom, July 1, 1807. The next incumbent, appointed October 18, 1819, was Daniel Johnson, with David Taylor as assistant, who kept the office at his dwelling. Taylor was appointed postmaster October 14, 1828, and was succeeded May 8, 1834, by Elijah Knowles, who was followed by Rufus L. Thatcher April 22, 1837. Simeon Higgins was appointed September 1, 1837, and held the position until June 11, 1841, when Sparrow Horton was appointed. May 4, 1847, Matthew Kingman was appointed, and was followed by Betsey D. Knowles November 10, 1848. Leander Crosby, appointed January 7, 1851, was the next postmaster, and he was fol- lowed by Edward Barber in 1858. Azariah Snow was appointed post- master in 1861, and kept the office near the Library building. At his death his daughter, Eliza A. W. Snow, received a commission, serv- ing until 1866, when her sister, Amelia Snow, was appointed. She held the office until January, 1885, when Amos O. Hurd was ap- pointed. It is now kept by Heman F. Atwood in a building on the east side of the street, near the railroad station. From this office a daily mail is conveyed to the offices at East and South Orleans.

In this village is one of the best libraries of the county, established in 1877, through the munificence of David Snow. of Boston, a native of this town. The deceased gave five thousand dollars to the town to establish a library if a suitable building should be secured for its use. The present fine edifice was erected in 1877, and across its front may be seen in modest characters-The Snow Library Building. The school committee formerly were the trustees of the fund, of which four thousand dollars remains; but by a law of 18SS trustees are now elected. From the interest of this fund an average of one hundred volumes are annually added to the shelves. The number of volumes in 1890 was 2,110, from which the reading public aggregate four

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

thousand selections annually. The trustees for 1890 were: Joseph W. Rogers, David L. Young and Hiram Myers, with Addie B. Smith librarian.

We find here an unusual interest manifested in social and benefit societies. One is Friendship Council, No. 19, O. U. A. M., instituted July 2, 1881, with fifty-five members. None but American born citizens are eligible, and to its social interest can be added a sick benefit and insurance. The society meets in Mechanics' Hall.

The Order of the Iron Hall was established February 15, 1887, with twenty-six members. It is a benefit and social organization of grow- ing strength, numbering forty-six members in 1889. Prior to Decem- ber last the society had paid $750 in benefits. In 1887 Simeon L. Smith was chief justice and James Smith, vice. In 1888 James Smith was elected chief, which office he held in 1889, with Alvin Smith, vice.

The Sisterhood Branch of Iron Hall is a ladies' organization of the same society, established January 15, 1889, with thirty-eight charter members.

A side degree of the Order of United American Mechanics, for American-born ladies and gentlemen, was instituted April 14, 1881, as United Council, No. 6, Daughters of Liberty. Its workings are similar to the parent society. Elections are held semi-annually. The place of meeting is Mechanics' Hall.

Morning Star Lodge, No. 415, K. and L. of H., was instituted March 18, 1881. The officers are elected semi-annually. The first presiding officer was Joseph H. Cummings, for three terms.

The eldest society is the Knights of Honor, instituted April 21, 1879, as No. 1,556. The officers were at first elected semi-annually, and since 1882, annually. The first dictator was Joseph H. Cum- mings. Thomas Smith served in 1880 and the first half of 1881, the year being completed by David L. Young. The years 1882-83 by Eldridge F. Small; 1884, by W. H. Howes; 1885, John Kenrick, jr .; 1886, Simeon L. Smith; 1887-88, Joseph Mayo; 1889, Sparrow Higgins. Doctor Davis is the medical examiner of this as well as four other societies. Place of meeting, Higgins' Hall.

Another society of local, mutual insurance, called the Nauset Council, 939, Royal Arcanum, was instituted December 14, 1885. It has twenty-seven members. The officers when instituted were: Samuel E. Mayo, R .; Amos Sherman, V. R .; Sylvanus L. Eldridge, O .; Dr. S. T. Davis, P. R .; Daniel M. Smith, S .; James F. Eldridge, C .; Francis M. Smith, T .; John W. Howes, chap .; Wallace A. Smith, G., and Charles A. Jones, S.

Each of the three churches has a benevolent society composed of ladies. These are productive of much good in the support and aid of worthy objects. Articles of incorporation have been issued to the

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TOWN OF ORLEANS.

Progressive Lyceum Association, of which Celia M. Nickerson is president and Eliza L. Rogers treasurer. The object of the associa- tion is to establish and maintain places for libraries, reading rooms and social meetings. This village, with its manufactories and other industries, is not so seriously affected by the decline of the fisheries as some others, and continues its solid prosperity.

East Orleans is in the eastern part of the town, with a division line from the main village, just east of the Congregational church. It in- cludes the several communities of Tonset, Weesit-the extreme north- ern part of the neck, -- Pochet and Barley neck. . Its territory embracs a large portion of the most fertile land of the town, sloping northerly toward Nauset harbor and southerly toward Pleasant bay. Reference to the settlers here in 1797, as described in the commencement of this chapter, will show that this territory was quite early settled.

The salt manufacturers here at an early day were: Lewis Doane, Joseph Crosby, Josiah Sparrow, Zoeth Taylor, Elkanah Linnell, who were located on Nauset harbor and Barley neck; and William Myrick, who had a plant at the head of tide water near Lot Higgins' store. The wind mill near there was originally used for grinding salt.

Old stores were opened here as early as in any part of the town by Josiah Foster, Elisha Hopkins and others. Isaac Sparrow had a store before 1825, which he conducted several years. Before Sparrow discontinued William Myrick opened another east of the church, which he sold to Freeman H. Myrick, who after a score of years sold out to Lewis Doane. It was then kept on the north side of the street opposite the present post office. Leander Crosby became a partner and the business was conducted under the firm name of Doane & Crosby. A few years subsequently Doane sold to Crosby, and he in 1858 to Lot Higgins, who moved the store to its present site and there continues in trade. The store was enlarged by adding to its front before it was removed.

Elisha Hopkins started a store here prior to 1855, which after few years he sold to Samuel Hopkins. In 1854 Aaron Snow started a small store near the Hopkins store and in a few years purchased the goods and building of his neighbor, Samuel Hopkins. He consoli- dated the two stores and continued in the business until 1875, when he sold the goods to his brother, Elkanah L. Snow, who continued the business in the same building until in 1884, when he purchased a millinery store near the head of the cove, on the Knowles place, which he moved to East Orleans. This he remodeled into his present place of business. In 1889, Lot Higgins and Elkanah L. Snow were the only tradesmen in East Orleans.

The post office is kept in the store of Lot Higgins, who is post- master. He was appointed in 1859, soon after he purchased the store.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

His predecessors in the office were: Seth Sparrow, 3d, appointed January 19, 1835; Lewis Doane, jr., May 9, 1843; Leander Crosby, March 8, 1847; Freeman Doane, November 30, 1848, and Leander Crosby, appointed July 11, 1859.

We find here the oldest library in the town. It was kept in the central village prior to the organization of the Snow library, when it was removed here. It contains sixteen hundred volumes, and has a small, suitable building. It was organized December 10, 1854, as the Orleans Library Association. Isaac Doane was for years its first president, succeeded by Joseph Taylor for many years. Calvin Snow is now the president, with Emma J. Linnell secretary and treasurer. The executive committee in 1889 consisted of Joseph Taylor and Dr. B. F. Seabury. Six young ladies act as librarians-each in succession: Winnie Hopkins, Julia Cummings, Mary Mayo, Susie Knowles, Emma J. Linnell and Lettie Cole.

There are no lodges or societies here, but the residents are more or less connected with those of the main village. East Orleans is in fact only a continuation of the same village with the meeting houses quite as near, and the town house contiguous. Joseph Mayo, the undertaker of the town, has his rooms east of the Congregational church in the west bounds of East Orleans.

In this vicinity is the office of Benjamin C. Sparrow, superintendent of the Second division of the U.S. life saving stations, one of which is on the beach east of the post office.

This village, scattered over Tonset and Pochet, has attractions for the lover of rural beauty, and the summer visitor here finds the ocean and its grandeur in the midst of a most hospitable people.

South Orleans embraces the territory formerly a portion of the Indian community Potanumaquut. The purchasers' lands formerly included the territory, and it was part of the old town of Harwich. The east bounds of the Indian territory mentioned extended from Namskaket southeasterly to Kesscayogansett pond-since known as Sparrow's pond. That part of the town south of this line has been designated as South Orleans, but the division line between this and the main village is a little north of the pond. There are yet extant in the soil the mementoes of this unfortunate race, and the residents often find them. John Kenrick and Freeman Sparrow each has a fine collection of arrows, hatchets, pestles and other stone implements found here.

The surface is quite uneven, with banks sloping toward Pleasant bay and its numerous inlets. The territory was settled as early as 1693 by Edward Kendrick, ancestor of the Kenricks. At that date he bought one hundred acres of John Sipson, sachem, with the priv-

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TOWN OF ORLEANS.

ilege of cutting wood on any lands owned by said sachem. In 1713 Samuel Mayo and Joshua Hopkins took a deed of a large tract north of the former, and of these tracts the descendants, not only hold the original deeds, but some branches of the respective families reside on parts of the same land. Its settlement was subsequent to other por- tions of the old towns of Harwich and Eastham, for the Indians reserved it till the last sold.

Salt was manufactured by the evaporation of sea water scon after the business had been commenced elsewhere. Thomas and Joseph Arey, Nathaniel and Thomas Gould, Asa and Adna Rogers, Thomas Mayo, John Kenrick, Henry Kendrick, Thomas Eldridge, Eliakim and Thomas Higgins were among the several who had plants around the ponds and coves of that territory. The oldest tavern here was opened about 1800, and was continued many years by Thomas Linnell, who catered to the taste of the public. There are none now.

The village needed a post office, and in 1829 the inhabitants asked the assistance of the selectmen in establishing one, which was opened in 1835, with Seth Sparrow, 3d, as postmaster. After his death his son, Seth Everett Sparrow, was appointed, July 17, 1862, and held the office a few years; and September 9, 1865, John Kenrick, the present incumbent, was appointed, who, like the former officials, has the office in a store.

There were early stores here, one of which was owned by Dea. Judah Rogers, south of where John Kenrick resides. Asa Higgins had one in 1820 and prior near the pond, north of the present post office, where Fred Percival resides. Elisha Hopkins started a store soon after 1800, and prior to 1830 he sold to Seth Sparrow, 3d -- where the first post office was kept. He was succeeded by Seth E. Sparrow, who sold to John Kenrick in 1865. Mr. Kenrick erected a store in 1840 across the road, and after about ten years sold to Seth Sparrow, 3d, who combined the business, moving the building to the site now occupied by Warren Sparrow as a residence. When Mr. Kenrick pur- chased, he removed the building to its present site, and, adding to it, has made his present commodious place of business. Mr. Ryder had an old store here early in this century; and, later, about 1830, Israel Linnell had one south of the present post office. These were discon- tinued prior to 1840.

Agricultural pursuits are mostly followed by its inhabitants. It is a chosen spot for summer resorts, and is destined to become import- ant. The sloping banks of Pleasant bay, in which, and in its tribu- taries and coves, the best of fishing abounds, the wooded knolls and healthful breezes render the territory a conspicuous site for pleasure .seekers. The land about Weesquamscutt and Namequoit points to

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

the extent of three hundred acres has already been purchased for cot- tages by Boston gentlemen, and on Namequoit point John Kenrick and his son have a large tract upon which cottage building has com- menced. The high lands of South Orleans have been planted with growing trees of different varieties, but mostly pine and larch, which add to its beauty. Hundreds of acres have been thus utilized by the residents, John Kenrick having planted over one hundred acres for his portion of the task. This hamlet is on the direct road to Chatham and Harwich, and has many attractions for the tourist.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

James H. Arey, son of Joseph and Dorathea (Eldridge) Arey, and grandson of Thomas Arey, was born in 1815. He was for twenty-five years master of a vessel in the fruit trade. He retired from the sea some years ago, and for the last seventeen years he has owned and run a grist mill at Orleans. He was three years selectman, has been a member of the school committee since 1880, and has held other town offices. He married Tempy, daughter of Joseph Atkins. She died, leaving six children: Benjamin L., Rebecca, James O. (deceased), Jane, Austin and Sarah E. His second wife was Mrs. Susan Wade, daughter of Lewis Phillips.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 85

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