History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 90

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 90

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As early as 1800 the manufacture of salt by solar evaporation was commenced around Duck creek and the bay shore of the village. East, in the cove, was the plant of Samuel Smith, and near Mr. Kemp's was that of Isaac Baker, afterward sold to David Atwood, who also owned others. Benjamin Witherell had works on the shore southwest, and Amaziah Atwood's were where Timothy Daniels now resides. Deacon Whitman ran a plant in the neighborhood of Wells E. Kemp's, and Moses Dill's was opposite where Jeremiah Hawes re- sides. East of the last, where Warren Pierce resides, were the works of Freeman Bacon, which, after falling into the hands of Wells E. Kemp, were discontinued, and destroyed soon after. On the island south of Dill's plant was that of Stephen Bailey, and on the point ad- joining the residence of E. I. Nye was Joseph Holbrook's. The long row of vats east of Jeremiah Hawes' residence once belonged to Henry Baker. On the bay Cornelius Hamblen also built and operated works.

Of the extinct wharves in Duck creek the spiles of one erected about 1830, by John Harding, are still visible; and of the one built by

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Samuel Higgins near the railroad crossing of the creek, time has left no evidence. On these the business of fishing and repairing small craft was successfully carried on for years. Passing westward to the bay the busy wharf of Theodore Brown attracts attention, and here since 1864 he annually repaired over one hundred vessels; but the de- cline in fishing has lessened this branch, and latterly he has built large scows and small craft for weir fishing. In 1865 he built at this wharf the Clara D. Swett, a schooner of thirty-three tons-the largest built by him since he completed his trade with Giles Hopkins.

The next west is Commercial Wharf, the oldest of the village, built in 1835 by Paine G. Atwood and Elisha G. Perry, who did business there until 1853, when the Commercial Wharf Company, composed of twenty men, purchased it. R. R. Freeman was the first president of the company, John Swett the second, and from 1880 Michael C. Bur- rows has presided. Noah Swett was agent under the company until 1880, when Isaiah C. Young was appointed, who was succeeded by Freeman A. Snow in 1889. The present directors are Charles A. Gorham, Parker E. Hickman and Jesse F. Snow.

The Central Wharf was built and incorporated in 1863 by a stock company of sixty shares, which have changed hands, leaving only about one half of the shares in original hands. Stephen Young was the agent prior to Robert B. Jenkins, who assumed the duties of the office in 1883. The first president, Parker Wiley, was succeeded in 1868 by Warren Newcomb, who still fills the office. Three directors are elected annually, the last being Charles A. Gorham, George Baker and Samuel W. Kemp, with James Mott clerk. This wharf is three hundred feet long, is kept in good order and has been a very successful enterprise.

On the opposite side of Duck creek Enterprise Wharf, the first one at Wellfleet, was erected prior to 1837, where a successful fishing trade was conducted by Benjamin Rich and Stephen Young. This wharf was abandoned about 1862.

The Mercantile Wharf, erected in 1870, is the last along the north shore of the bay. Sixty shares comprised the stock for its erection. The store is controlled by the company. The first president was Richard R. Freeman, succeeded in 1886 by J. H. Freeman, who in turn was succeeded in 1887 by R. R. Freeman, jr., the present incum- bent. J. H. Freeman acted as agent and clerk until 1885, when Samuel W. Kemp was appointed to succeed him. The acting presi- dent is a director, and with him R. R. Higgins, David Y. Pierce and Charles W. Swett were last elected. The mackerel trade has been very successfully and largely carried on at this wharf, which was en- larged in 1883 to accommodate its large business. The business of these wharves is greatly affected by the dullness of the trade occas- ioned by the decline in fishing.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Next to the lighthouse are the oil works of E. P. Cook, Newel Rich, S. B. Rich and William Newcomb, which were established in 1873. The blubber of the blackfish and other species of whale was tried out by the old process the first year, and steam works were then added, by which better results were obtained. Among other import- ant processes, they have smaller machinery for manufacturing watch oil from certain parts of blackfish, combined with parts of other fish. A small wharf is connected with the works.

Another industry in connection with the wharves has been im- portant; but like them, is having a season of depression. In 1875 Nehemiah H. Paine engaged in seine-making near Central wharf, with James A. Young as a partner during the first six years. More repairing than manufacturing has been done for the past few years.

Of the stores pertaining to the territory of the present village, those of the present century are the most important. Those prior to 1800 were principally on the King's highway or in the western part of the town. As early as 1832 the late Simeon Atwood built the corner building below the bank, on Commercial street. Here. with Mr. Dyer, under the firm name of Knowles Dyer & Co., a prosper- ous grocery trade was carried on. In 1850 the present Simeon At- wood, his son, built the hardware store adjoining, and in 1851 the in- terests of these three men in both stores were united, the film name remaining the same. These three gentlemen also carried on a branch store at what is now Commercial wharf.

The present store at the Commercial wharf is carried on by the Central Trading Company, with Charles Young, agent. Samuel Hig- gins kept a store early in the century near the present depot, subse- quently adding a lumber yard. From the depot along Commercial street we find Charles A. Gorham in a grocery trade. The building was erected in 1863 for John R. Higgins, who continued trade until 1865. In 1869 James H. Gorham, father of the present merchant. filled the store with goods, and continued in business until his death in 1SSS. Northerly, on the east side of the same street, F. A. Wiley, after a business of four years in Truro, established, in 1852, the pres- ent store and painting business, continued by Daniel F. Wiley, his son. In 1857 Nathaniel, a brother, became partner with F. A. Wiley, and the business was increased by the addition of other branches. This partner sold to Daniel F. Wiley in 1885, who, at the death of his father in 18SS, succeeded to the entire business. On the same side of the street is the old store of Nehemiah M. Baker, a building moved from Eastham about 1865, now occupied by Oliver H. Linnell as a fac- tory and salesroom for marble work. He started this industry in 1873, in the shop on the Joshua Atwood place, and in 1879 moved to Reuben C. Sparrow's place of business, combining undertaking .

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with the marble trade. In 1885 he purchased his present place, where he continues. The undertaking portion of Mr. Linnell's business was early started by John Harding, who sold to Reuben C. Sparrow in 1858. On the same side of Commercial street is the wholesale plant of George Baker, who started in the coal trade in 1873 near by, and in 1875 purchased the present place of business, which was formerly the office of the stage line to Provincetown, and which had been moved from Yarmouth to Orleans, thence to this village by Samuel Knowles, the last mail contractor. On this site in 1875 Mr. Baker added nails, lime, cement, plaster and other articles to his trade, which he contin- ues. Everett I. Nye has a large factory for iron work on this side of the street, which, with the carriage manufactory of A. H. Rogers op- posite, adds variety to the importance of this street. On the west side H. P. Higgins has a boot and shoe store, and Allen Higgins a cloth- ing store that he moved a few years ago from near the residence of Timothy Daniels. On the same side Simeon Atwood built and opened in 1850 a hardware store, in which in 1864 he took his brother, A. T. Atwood, as a partner, under the firm name of S. Atwood & Co.

On Main street the principal place of business is that of P. W. Hig- gins, whose store is west of the churches, adjoining the residence formerly occupied by Rev. Timothy Davis. Mr. Higgins commenced in 1854, remodeled the old office of Doctor Mitchel into more store room and continues in the dry and fancy goods line. Between the churches, south side, Giles Holbrook began trade in 1847, which he continued until his death in 1850. The estate continued until 1868, when G. W. Holbrook purchased, built on, and added other lines of goods. Oppo- site this store Reuben Higgins commenced trade before the civil war and discontinued after a few years. In 1881, after the building had been used for other purposes, the firm of Newcomb & Gordon opened a grocery store, which is continued. On the opposite corner, in Octo- ber, 1884, D. A. Matheson of Provincetown, opened a branch clothing store, with P. D. Chisholm, manager. On the corner of Main street and Holbrook avenue a store building was erected about 1866 for Al- bert W. Holbrook, who established a store which was subsequently changed in 1883 to a grocery by George C. Williams & Co., as now. Henry S. Cook succeeded Holbrook in the store business and removed it to Main street, as now. John Swett started, in 1876, a custom cloth- ing store, where he not only manufactured but kept clothing and fur- nishing goods until 1885, since which date he continues the custom department. The Doctor Stone drug store and jewelry store of Al- bert Rice, and the confectionery store and news stand of A. C. Mott- both near the post office-complete the principal places of business of Main street.

The post office is the most frequented place. The office has been

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

moved about from the King's highway, from dwelling to store, but has been for years kept in a central place by itself. The office was established January 1, 1798, and the first postmaster was Lewis Hamblen. Reuben Arey was appointed October 1, 1810; Josiah Whit- man, December 28, 1815; Jesse Holbrook, March 22, 1839; Richard Libby, April 22, 1840; Giles Holbrook, August 2, 1841; Enoch Hig- gins, August 16, 1845; John W. Davis, September 4, 1850. Allen Higgins succeeded Davis and was in charge in 1854; and prior to 1860 A. B. Fish and Dr. H. J. Huff had been appointed. In 1861 George T. Wyer was appointed, who held until 1876, when George F. Manter succeeded. In 1886 James Chandler was appointed.

This village has a very pretty depot, the business of which has been in charge of James A. Swett since 1872. He was preceded by Richard N. Atwood for nearly two years.

The Masonic fraternity established Adams Lodge here 1796, which surrendered its charter, and after an interim of half a century was revived into the present flourishing Lodge of the same name. After the institution of the first, in 1798, the Masonic brotherhood opened a stock company of forty shares for the erection of a hall. Those who took the stock were: Thomas Holbrook, Lewis Hamblen, Solo- mon Harding, Lemuel Newcomb, Warren A. Kenrick, Hezekiah Doane, James Bickford, Joseph Pierce, jr., Thomas Gross, Philip Hig- gins, Richard Higgins, Stephen Atwood, Jeremiah Newcomb, Samuel Waterman, Matthias Ryder, jr., Thomas Higgins, 3d, Matthias Ryder, Barnabas Young, jr., Samuel Ryder, Eleazer Higgins, John Young and Beriah Higgins. The hall stood on the site of the high school building, near the present Union Hall, and was the Masonic Hall be- fore referred to.

The names of the first two masters of the old lodge are not known. The succeeding presiding officers were: Samuel Waterman, 1798; Lewis Hamblen, 1799-1800; Lemuel Newcomb, 1801-2; Joseph Pierce, 1803-4; Thomas Higgins, 1805-1807; Lemuel Newcomb, 180S, then 1811-12; Lewis Hamblen, 1809; Samuel Waterman, 1810; and in 1813 the charter was surrendered. In 1823, January 28th, nine surviving members divided the proceeds of the treasury. The hall was subse- quently sold to the Universalist society and long ago razed to the ground.

In January, 1866, another Lodge of the same name was instituted, which received a charter in 1867. The fraternity assembled in the school house on the corner of the Truro road, adopted their by-laws, and hired Union Hall, which they occupied until the present fine Masonic Hall was erected in 1877, except during the last year, when they occupied Bank Hall. The Masonic Hall was built by a stock company of three hundred small shares, which were taken mostly by the fra-

TOWN OF WELLFLEET. 809

ternity, and it cost about three thousand dollars. It containsa beauti- ful room above for the sessions, with refreshment and necessary rooms below. The masters have been: Napthali Rich, 1866-67; George T. Wyer, 1868-69; Warren Newcomb, 1870-1872; Eben T. At- wood, 1873-1874; John M. Crillis, 1875-1877; Daniel Williamson, 1878- 1879; William N. Stone, 1880-1881; N. Franklin Lane, 1882-1SS3; Theodore Brown, 1884-1885; John M. Freeman, 1886; O. H. Linnell, 1887-18SS; H. H. Newton, 1889. The officers elected for 1890 are: Everett I. Nye, M .; Charles A. Clark, S. W .; Isaiah C. Doane, J. W .; William H. Tubman, S. D .; Stephen King, J. D .; Theodore Brown, treasurer; Warren Newcomb, secretary; Robert B. Jenkins, chaplain; and Melville W. Grant, tyler.

Wellfleet Council, No. 946, Royal Arcanum, was instituted January 28, 1886, with twenty-four members. A. H. Rogers was the first past- regent, succeeded by the following regents: H. P. Harriman in 1886, H. H. Newton in 1887, O. H. Linnell in 18SS. and C. L. Rodman in 1889. The officers elected for 1890 were: W. H. Tubman, R .; W. J. Powers, V. R .; D. F. Wiley, O .: C. L. Rodman, sec .; A. H. Rogers, col .; M. D. Holbrook. treas .: F. W. Snow, chap .; Jesse S. Snow, G .; Nelson E. Dyer, W .; and George H. Young. S. The present member- ship is thirty-two. The Council meets in Odd Fellows' Hall.

The Wellfleet Marine Benevolent Society was instituted January 28, 1836, by banding together and paying dues yearly, for the relief of distressed inariners, their widows and orphans, and any others who may join. At the time of its organization many shipwrecked sailors needed temporary assistance and the benefits now extend not only to that class, but to others whether belonging to the society or not. Between 1840 and 1890 the society had disbursed $10,190 to those in need, and this does not include the proceeds of annual entertainments given to the outside needy. The members each pay one dollar a year for sixteen years. for a life-membership. or twelve dollars at the time of joining. The amount held by the society in its treasury is $1,872. The first officers were: Richard Arey, pres .: Collins S. Cole, sec., and Nathan Paine, treas. It has a committee, elected annu- ally, to manage its affairs. The first who served will show some of the original members-Levi Young, John Newcomb, Isaac Paine, Giles Holbrook, William Stone, Bethuel Wiley, Hezekiah Doane and Samuel Smith.

The Odd Fellows Lodge is the continuation of an old one of Truro, where it was instituted in 1849 as Fraternal Lodge, No. 132. In 1872 the following persons petitioned the Grand Lodge for one at this place: Elijah W. Atwood, George Baker, Newell B. Rich, John M. Freeman, John M. Crillis, N. Frank Lane, Nathaniel Snow, jr., Joseph Rodolph, John G. Higgins, Mulford Rich, jr .; and these were the

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

charter members of the re-instituted lodge of Wellfleet on the 14th of October. Its presiding officers have successively been: Mulford Rich, jr., George Baker. Nathaniel Snow, jr., John M. Freeman, Samuel R. Higgins, Philip Higgins, jr .. Robert H. Libby, James M. Mott, Heze- kiah D. Baker, Harlem P. Higgins, Arthur H. Rogers, Newell B. Rich, A. H. Rogers, Zenas H. Jones, jr., Everett I. Nye, Charles S. Young, J. W. Freeman, George F. Manter, George Baker, and for 1889, Everett I. Nye. The elective officers for 1890 are: Harlem P. Higgins, N. G .; John W. Freeman. V. G .: B. S. Young, sec .; and Charles S. Young, treasurer. The Lodge numbers seventy-five.

The village is not without substantial financial institutions, the most important being the Wellfleet Savings Bank, instituted March 3. 1863, and which accommodates the business of the town. Richard R. Freeman was the first president and continued until his death in 1886. when he was succeeded by Simeon Atwood, the present presi- dent. who was its treasurer until 1871, when Thomas Kemp, the present incumbent, was appointed. Its board of twelve trustees has remained nearly the same, the only change having been caused by death or disability. They are: Simeon Atwood, Isaiah C. Young, James Swett, John Swett, H. P. Harriman, Jesse H. Freeman, Robert H. Libby, Alvin F. Paine, Warren Newcomb, Samuel W. Kemp, Giles W. Hol- brook, and W. H. Tubman.

Another important corporation is the Wellfleet Marine Insurance Company, which was established in 1864 under the existing laws of the state. The first officers were: James Swett, president (who was really the prime mover in its organization): Noah Swett, secretary; and directors-R. R. Freeman, Knowles Dyer, George B. Saunders, N. Rich, jr., Jesse Y. Baker and John R. Higgins. It was organized with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, and conducted a successful business. In 1885, by the laws then enacted, the company, in order to do business, was compelled to incorporate, which was done under the same name, and by a special act placing the capital at one hun- dred thousand dollars. James Swett continued the president until 1886, and was succeeded by Thomas Kemp. Noah Swett filled the office of secretary until 1872, from which period until 1886 Thomas Kemp was secretary. After Mr. Kemp was elected president, Charles. WV. Swett was the secretary until 1888, when the present incumbent, Charles A. Collins, was elected. Ten directors, who meet quarterly, have the direction of the business, which, during a quarter of a cen- tury, has been very successful and satisfactory. Their office is in the rear of the bank.

The early importance of the shipping interests induced the ap- pointment of deputy collectors for this point, who successively have been: Reuben Arey, Josiah Whitman, Collins S. Cole, Richard Libby,

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TOWN OF WELLFLEET.

Thomas Newcomb, T. L. Hickman, Simeon Atwood for twenty-seven years until 1887; Solomon R. Higgins until 1889, and again Simeon Atwood.

The old taverns have been given as scattered in the town, and not until the present village was marked as the center did a tavern assist in the growth. Over sixty years ago Colonel Joseph Holbrook erected a house where the present Holbrook Hotel stands, which, about 1830, was purchased by Martin Dill. He opened it as a house of entertain- ment, adding to it at times until it was enlarged to its present form. Mr. Dill continued until his death about forty years ago, when Henry A. Holbrook became owner and proprietor. After his death in 1874 his widow and son, Martin D., continued until 1885, when Lorenzo N. Godfrey purchased it, and in 1889 he resold it to Martin D. Holbrook. It is the only hotel ever kept in the village, except one which was kept at an early day for a short period just beyond the school house by Thomas Holbrook. Thomas Holbrook. 2d, some fifty years ago, after doing an oyster business under the Franklin House in Boston, re- turned to his native place here and for a short time his sign, " Frank- lin House," swung from the building now the residence of Mrs. Charles F. Higgins.

South Wellfleet, a post hamlet and railroad station of the south part of the town, adjoins the south bank of Blackfish creek, and has within its limits a landscape of gentle undulations and fertile soil. It is distant three miles from the main village, with which it is con- nected by a good carriage road. The territory was early but sparsely settled, and through it the King's highway made, in early times, an important rural settlement, with its old-fashioned houses of re- freshment for the weary fisherman and long absent whaler. Tra- ditions of the finding of the ill-gotten gains of pirates in the sands at the mouth of Fresh brook still linger in the minds of the resi- dents, giving a silvery sheen to the prosperity of the village. Aunt Lydia Taylor's store or tavern, or both, is remembered by the elder people, although the house long ago succumbed to the march of improvement. Then the weekly horseback mail carrier plodded along the sandy road, and the people must gather as often at Aunt Lydia's to enquire the news; and in early stage time the dusty traveler found an unstinted measure of relief under her roof. Reu- ben Arey had still another of these stores about 1820 at his house, where he kept the post office. Daniel Higgins, not wishing Aunt Lydia to do all the mercantile business, started another just after the war of 1812; and about 1815 Hezekiah Rich engaged in the same line of tea and cracker business just north of the others, at what was called Dogtown by the old residents. His store was necessary, for here the town used to do military duty, with an oc-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

casional adjournment to Aunt Lydia's, near where the church now stands. The last to be mentioned was that of Deacon Newcomb, in his house over by the brook, where the weary fisherman sought ·comfort.

The residents mingle with the other villages in their secret orders, and none are established here. The ladies have a Social Union, owning the hall which was built for a school house and bought in 188S. The society was organized in 1881 and is a flour- ishing social and benevolent institution. For 1889 the president was Mrs. W. L. Paine; vice-president, Mrs. H. H. Paine; the secre- tary and treasurer, Miss Nettie S. Paine.

The only store in the hamlet now is that recently owned by Alvin F. Paine, deceased, where his son Isaac keeps a general stock of goods. The building was erected about 1844 by Collins S. Cole, who carried on a mercantile business until his death in 1870, and it was continued two years longer by his family. In 1872 the South Wharf Company rented it in connection with their store at the wharf, and purchased it in 1876. In 1SSO the plant was purchased by Alvin F. Paine.

Battelle & Little (Boston men) built a wharf on the south side of Blackfish creek, for which, with the fitting-out store connected with it, Richard Arey was agent several years. About 1845 Collins S. Cole took the store and Nathan Paine the wharf, both of which, after a few years, were taken by Smith, Newcomb & Saunders. Smith sold to Isaac Paine and the firm was Paine, Newcomb & Saunders. Still later, Newcomb sold to Alvin F. Paine, and the firm of Saunders & Paine continued until 1866. That year the Southern Wharf Company, of forty shares, was formed, and the stock was taken up to the amount of $5,000. They continued in the fishing and mercantile business until 1880, when A. F. Paine became owner. This wharf extended about one hundred feet along the creek. A few piles mark the spot of this once important place of traffic.

A post office was established here early in the present century, with Reuben Arey, jr., postmaster, appointed January 29, 1829. He was succeeded by Alexander T. Cross, appointed June 1, 1836; Daniel W. Davis, January 14, 1837; Isaiah G. Ward, May 14, 1840; Reuben Arey, November 11, 1841. Stephen A. Hatch, appointed October 14, 1846, kept the office at his house until Jonathan Doane was appointed, June 1, 1857. In 1861, after the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presi- dency, Stephen A. Hatch was re-appointed and was succeeded by William Ward in 1873, who kept the office at the depot. In 1SS7 the present incumbent, Arthur G. Newcomb, was appointed. Mr. New- comb is also the station agent and performs all the duties, as did Mr. Ward, his predecessor.

The village and surroundings have attracted the notice of pleasure .seekers, and it is fast becoming a favorite spot for summer resorts.

Simeon atwood

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SIMEON ATWOOD .-- The Atwood family has been a prominent one in the concerns of Wellfleet from the earliest period of its history. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch-Ephraim Atwood -was here in the early part of the eighteenth century; and hisgrand- father, Simeon, born in 1756, was a citizen of the precinct before Wellfleet became a town. His father, also named Simeon, was born in 1792, married Ruth Newcomb, also of Wellfleet, and nine children were born to them, viz .: Maria Gould, born 1818; Richard Newcomb, 1820; Ruth Newcomb, 1822; Simeon, 1825; William Kemp, 1827; Timothy Davis, 1830; Ruth Newcomb. 1833; Ebenezer Tilton, 1835; and Mary Ann, born 1837.

Simeon Atwood, born July 27, 1825, was educated in the common schools, took the inevitable training of Cape boys at that time on board a fishing craft, until 1850, when he entered into the stove and hard- ware business in his native town. A year later he associated himself with Knowles Dyer & Co., who had been in the grocery trade here since 1832. The firm consisted of Knowles Dyer, Simeon Atwood, and Simeon Atwood, jr. In 1864 the firm dissolved, and the business was conducted at the old stand under the firm name of Newcomb & Kemp -Newcomb being a son-in-law of Dyer, and Kemp a son-in-law of the senior Atwood. During the same year, Ebenezer T. Atwood, his brother, was admitted to the business with (the present) Simeon Atwood, and it was continued under the firm name of Simeon Atwood & Co. until 1877, when Ebenezer alone assumed and carried it on until 1882. That year the old firm bought the business; the firm now being composed of Simeon Atwood and William H. Tubman.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 90

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