USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Bolton > History of Bolton, 1738-1938 > Part 15
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Haven Newton, whose house stood where the Baptist Church now stands, was a tailor. His shop was a little east of his house, about on the site of Mrs. Grace Powers's
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INDUSTRIES
cottage. He was the only tailor in town for a great many years and did a thriving business in a day when there was no such thing as "ready-made clothes." He kept a horse and wagon or "slay" which he let by the mile, usually charging nine cents a mile, six cents for the horse alone, three cents for the wagon.
Occasionally his account books show the sale of a barrel of cider, ten pounds of veal, a bushel of beets, a cord of wood, or other products of a farm. For a number of years, the town contracted with him to "take care of the meeting- house, toll the bell, dig graves, attend funerals and drive the hearse."
With all these activities, he still found time to teach an apprentice his trade. Among papers in the possession of his great-granddaughter, is a contract which illustrates the way in which apprentices were bound out to learn their trades. It reads as follows :
Memorandum of an agreement between Haven Newton of Bolton, Taylor, and Josiah Flagg of Lancaster Esq: That in consideration of Five dollars paid in hand by said Flagg to said Newton, said Newton doth covenant with said Flagg, to learn his daughter Dolly Flagg, the art and mystery of the Taylor's trade, upon these conditions, that the said Dolly live with said Newton, one year from the underwritten date, and that the said Josiah pay the said Newton at the end of said term Twenty dollars, for boarding the said Dolly and learning her the said trade, but if the said Josiah should think it best, that his said daughter should stay with said Newton eighteen months, then and in that case, said Newton shall be entitled to nothing more than the Five dollars, in consideration of his learning said Dolly the trade and boarding her as aforesaid.
May 20, 1812
(Signed) Josiah Flagg Haven Newton
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Judging by present-day standards, Haven Newton might have truthfully advertised his prices as "most reasonable." We find among the items charged in 1824, the following : "To making great coat, three capes - $3.00" "To cutting pantaloons - $.13." "To cutting spencer - $.20." "to
making pantaloons - $.83." "To making surtout - $2.50." "Altering vest -$.33." "Making coat, vest and pantaloons for Charles - $4.67." These accounts, like most bills of those days, were seldom settled by cash. On the credit side of the book we find such items as "two pairs of shoes - $2.50." "Mending harness - $.16." "twen- ty-one and one half pounds cheese - $1.15." "By shoeing horse - $.95." "By a map of Bolton - $.30." In more than one instance, at the bottom of a long account, is writ- ten, in Haven Newton's cramped hand, "Settled by death."
Jonas Bruce, a silversmith, in 1783, bought the Goding place (now owned by Mrs. Charles Burns). He paid one hundred pounds "lawful silver money" for it, but carried on his trade there for only about a year, when he sold it at a loss, for ninety pounds. Evidently there was not enough demand for silver articles in Bolton to induce a silversmith to make his permanent residence here.
Joel Sawyer learned the watchmaker's trade in Concord, returned to Bolton, and established a business here. One of his older brothers was a jeweler, and before he became a watchmaker, Joel worked with his brother, making "nubs and drops," as ladies' earrings were then called. Some of these beautifully chased "drops" made of Guinea gold are still in the possession of Joel Sawyer's relatives. It is supposed that the house now owned by Mrs. George B. Newton on the southeast corner of the Berlin Road was used as a jeweler's shop by the brothers Sawyer.
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Furniture, in olden times, was laboriously made by hand. Every piece of furniture in some of the early homes was home-made. Luke Woodbury was a cabinet maker. Be- sides the usual chairs and tables, we find yardsticks credited to his account at the Brick Store at seventeen cents each.
Amos Evans, the son-in-law of Josiah Babcock, lived on the Berlin Road in the house now occupied by Mrs. Beach. He was a cabinet maker, making a specialty of chests or bureaus. One icy day he started out with a load of chests on a horsedrawn sled, intending to deliver them in Worces- ter. On the hill leading down into Berlin, his sled skidded and the whole load went down over the bank into a deep gully. Some of the pieces of furniture made by Amos Evans are in existence today. They show the finest atten- tion to detail, with much inlaid work, and intricate turnings on legs and spindles.
A pump shop on the Great Brook in the "east part" was a busy place from Civil War times until about 1875. Pumps were made entirely of wood, the pipe being also wooden, with a hole bored through it. Philo Clapp was the pump-maker, and in his spare time he drove about the countryside with loads of pumps, selling to those who needed them. There are those living today who can remember the old horse and wagon driven by Philo Clapp, and the load of clumsy wooden pumps.
A button shop once stood in the south side of the Great Road, opposite the house now owned by W. L. Sprague. Buttons of horn and bone were manufactured there.
During the Civil War a compulsory enrollment of citizens was called for by the President. This included all between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and is particularly interesting because each man's occupation is given. We
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find that in 1862, there were in Bolton, ninety farmers, sixty-nine shoemakers, twenty-three laborers, ten carpen- ters, three machinists, three blacksmiths, three students, three merchants, three painters, two surgeons, two traders, and one of each of the following : butcher, harness maker, comb maker, hostler, shoe manufacturer, cigar maker, teacher, bricklayer, basketmaker, carriage maker, book- keeper, miller, clerk, postmaster, hoopskirt maker, and gentleman. Of these, four are listed as Quakers, three as having fingers gone, several as having "lung difficulty," two as having a "slender constitution," and one as having "bad humor."
Thus we find twenty-five distinct occupations among the citizens of Bolton seventy-five years ago, not counting laborers or gentlemen who are not supposed to have to serve any particular apprenticeship to become proficient.
XX
STORES
They were thy merchants : they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and honey, and oil, and balm.
EZEKIEL 27: 17
IN any thriving community is to be found at least one general store similar to the one in the center of Bolton today. As we look back through the years, we find that in the early 1800's, there were several stores in Bolton. Some of these, doubtless, went back to the early days of the town, although no records are in existence to show this.
One of the first stores of which we have record was built by Caleb Moore about 1795. This building is now the property of Lowell T. Clapp, and some of the old books are in his possession. Caleb Moore made a specialty of settling estates. One of those he administered was that of his uncle, James Richardson, who lived in the Wilder Mansion. In his younger days, James, with his father, John Richard- son, had been in the distilling business in Dorchester. Some of the books which the Richardsons used in their business were later used to list the property of the estate. Still later, Caleb Moore kept his store accounts in the same ledgers. Originally he appears to have sold more rum than anything else, but as time passed, he sold more and more of the general merchandise.
Although the wages received for labor were small, groceries and general merchandise were priced accordingly.
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HISTORY OF BOLTON
We find such items as the following: "8} lbs. lamb - 47 cents, to I years rent of the house and garden $6.66, I cord of Pine wood $1.00, 15 lbs. cheese $.84, to two thousand best shingles $4.46."
Still another store was to be seen in 1800, that owned by James Fry and located across the street from the present home of Jesse Wheeler. A hat shop was also doing a thriving business before 1800. It was located southeast of what is now known as Blood Hill. All kinds of men's hats and trimmings were manufactured and sold, hats peculiarly typical of Colonial days : "Knapts, Felts, and Pleated." Evidently it was the only shop for miles, for the accounts listed such places as Boxborough, Harvard, Concord, Stow, Littleton, Berlin, Sterling, Marlborough, Boylston, Westborough, and Northborough. Even the men were "hat conscious" in those days. Hats were expensive, comparatively speaking. When a man's labor was worth only six shillings a day, he must have had to "scrimp and save," in order to pay "£1-5s for a Castor hat" or "nine shillings for a felt hat."
Another general store was operated in the house now owned by Miss Ora Sawyer. Squire Joseph Sawyer "kept store" there for many years, and was well known all over this section of the county. It is said that he was a very sharp trader, seldom allowing anyone to cheat him, or even to get the better of him in a deal. Squire Joe's account books, which are in the possession of Miss Sawyer, are marvels of penmanship and system. Joseph Sawyer was in partnership with his brother Nathan at one time, and in the early days of his career with John Haskell, he was a goldsmith.
It is supposed that the Brick Store in the center of Bolton
CALEB MOORE'S STORE
The front room of the house was used as the store.
G.B.NEWTON &CO
THE BRICK STORE The old mail coach is shown at the left.
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STORES
was built about 1820, by Charles Woodbury and Abraham Holman. In those days, one could buy curtain goods, yard goods, quills, copperus, wine, rum, gun powder, silk um- brellas, flints, furniture, and many other articles not gener- ally found today. One of the blinds carried the notation, "West India Goods." In fact every store sold various kinds of liquor, the preference among the customers appar- ently being divided between "N. E. Rum" and "Jamaica Rum."
The following owners or operators of the Brick Store are given in chronological order :
Woodbury and Holman
George F. Rice
James Hurlbut (James Townsend was also in partnership)
Frank Woodbury and Robinson
Ernest Bassett
Arthur L. Fay
Perley Sawyer
Reuben Randall
Roy Williams
Reuben Randall
Whittemore and Matthews Ezra Moore and Thomas Pollard George B. Newton (H. B. New- ton was in partnership part of the time)
About 1875, William Robinson built a store just west of Smith's Garage, where a dwelling house now stands. He sold the store to H. E. Graves. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed by fire in the 1890's, and was never rebuilt. The dwelling house owned by John Smith was originally a one-story building, and was used for a short time as a general store, before it was remodeled. There have been a number of other stores in Bolton, but only one has lasted down the years, to the present day, the old Brick Store.
XXI TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time? How many things, too, are looked upon as quite impossible until they have been actually effected !
PLINY THE ELDER
IN 1905, the New England Telephone Company sent a representative to canvass the town and establish a "farmer's exchange." At the end of two weeks only three of the thirty required subscribers had been obtained.
As a private line was planned between the Unitarian parsonage and the Post Office, and another was in existence in the southern part of the town between Mr. Lewis Day and a few of his neighbors, Reverend J. N. Pardee suggested at a special town meeting that a local exchange be formed. The motion was passed and a committee appointed to look into the matter.
It was found that independent manufacturers were put- ting out instruments, assuring people that if they built and equipped their lines themselves, the cost of operation would be nominal. Many towns were taken in by this generous offer, one community having six of these independent com- panies. This was proof enough that the telephone service must be incorporated if it was to remain in existence.
Further investigation showed that if the town of Bolton leased telephones from the New England Telephone Com- pany, for $1.50 a year, they could build their own lines and
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control their own business. Out of this decision grew the Bolton Cooperative Telephone Company, a full-fledged sub-license company.
For a time everything went along smoothly, and then one part of the town protested against connecting with a "bloated monopoly " while another part was in favor of it. Complaints were numerous on either side.
When there were one hundred stations in use and half of the company's investment was borrowed money, the ques- tion was raised as to whether the company should lease or buy their telephones. Leasing meant connection with long distance; buying meant merely local service. A vote was taken which resulted in a tie, but the problem was finally solved when the president of the company purchased the remaining four shares of stock. At the next meeting of the company, a second vote was taken, the decision being to lease the telephones. Consequently there was a great deal of hard feeling between the two groups and soon it became evident that a corporation was highly impractical.
Steps were taken at once toward reorganization, on the usual stock basis, and in 1906, the Bolton Telephone Com- pany, which was connected with the Bell System, took control. The new stock was soon over-subscribed, 6 per cent dividends were paid, and the company rapidly built up a 100 per cent reserve fund. The Bolton Telephone Company of 1906 operated without difficulty for ten years, and was merged with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1916.
With the establishment of telephone service in Bolton, the townspeople became interested in having light and power. In 1913, the selectmen were instructed to see what could be done about it. They wrote to the Marl-
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boro Electric Company, who replied that they would come into Bolton if eighteen street lights and a certain number of house lights could be installed.
Interest died out with this reply, but was renewed when Rev. J. N. Pardee went to Mr. Edward Emerson, president of the Bolton Improvement Society, and asked him to call a special meeting. The meeting was held and a committee of three (Mr. Edward Emerson, Mr. Arthur Felton, and Reverend J. N. Pardee) were appointed to further the investigation. Mr. Emerson again negotiated with officials of the Marlboro Electric Company and again they made the same proposition. A last attempt was made by a house-to- house canvass and at a special town meeting, it was decided to install ten street lights, an action which later on led to home lighting.
XXII
RAILROAD
Gone, glimmering through the dream of things that were.
LORD BYRON
BOLTON, now more or less resigned to private means of transportation, at one time was actively interested in the construction and operation of two railroads.
The Central Railroad, which ran from Northampton to Sudbury, held the interest of Bolton people for only a short time, however, all concern being transferred to the Lancaster Railroad, which was to extend from South Lancaster to Hudson, passing through the center of Bolton, an entire distance of eight and one-half miles.
Work was begun in earnest during the middle of Febru- ary, 1872. Although progress appeared to be slow at times, most people were confident that the railroad would "go through." As time passed, however, conditions became serious. Workmen, already too few in number, were sus- pended due to the lack of money to pay wages and to the inability of the seven directors to agree on trivial matters. Two directors are said to have displayed "black eyes," as a result of forced agreement.
In spite of a growing unrest and rapidly increasing debt, work continued spasmodically, and hope was not yet crushed. One optimistic person assured others that "in due time you shall ride. . . So get your greatcoats and
winter flannels ready . . and you shall have that ride,
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HISTORY OF BOLTON
just so sure as your name is what it is." Little did he realize that there would never be an official run made on the railroad then causing so much controversy.
There was a difference of opinion among the directors as to whether the trains should all start from Hudson or South Lancaster. After much wrangling, a compromise was finally reached, and trains were scheduled to leave from both ends of the line, one half from Hudson, the other half from South Lancaster.
Passengers were to have "twenty minutes for refresh- ments" at Bolton Center Station, which was planned to be almost on the site of the first schoolhouse and on land then owned by General Holman, now in possession of Mr. Stevenson. During the summer and fall, conductors were to be allowed "two minutes' extra stop at Holman's orchard." No trains were scheduled to run Sunday except in case of "mercy or emergency," and in the summer one train was to carry passengers to meeting at the Hillside Church.
The directors, evidently wishing to protect their patrons, made a ruling that "the sale of peanuts, popcorn, prize packages, Sunday Heralds and all unreliable papers" would be strictly prohibited on the train, "the newsboys being required to confine their trade to the Clinton Courant and Hudson Pioneer." This arrangement undoubtedly would have been most satisfactory to the two local papers.
Although the railroad was never officially operated, it was the defendant on June 22, 1872, in a law suit brought by Shebnah Rich of Hudson. Rich maintained that the railroad cut in two a dam on the "Holmes Manufacturing Estate" which he held in fee, reducing the water power to a damaging extent.
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RAILROAD
Only one passenger car ever was run over the rails which had been laid with so much difficulty. Several railroad officials took the ride to inspect and pass final opinions, and a small number of other persons were fortunate enough to be included. Mrs. Aurilla Miner, a small child at the time, rode in her grandfather's arms.
By the summer of 1875, the debt had increased to $20,000, and the idea of ever putting the Lancaster Railroad to use was definitely abandoned. The road-bed was left to become more and more deeply buried in the rubbish of its old cut- tings and excavations.
XXIII
ORGANIZATIONS
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord.
ACTS 15:25
SONS OF LIBERTY
THE Sons of Liberty was organized about the year 1765. There were similar organizations in surrounding towns, all founded in an effort to resist the Stamp Act enacted by the British Parliament. Each one raised a liberty pole in its community, and Bolton's pole was placed on the hill, west of the First Parish Church. As there are no records, the duration of the existence of this society is not known.
FARMERS AND MECHANICS ASSOCIATION
It is unfortunate that the earliest records of the Farmers and Mechanics Association were destroyed by fire, because this is one of the few old organizations which has survived to the present day. It was in existence for 25 years or more before the first Cattle Show, which was held in 1874. In the beginning it was known as the Farmers' Club, but in 1873 it was reorganized as the Farmers and Mechanics Associa- tion. With very few exceptions, this club has held a fair every year since 1874. It was formed in the first place for the promotion of sociability and for the extension of a knowledge of agriculture, but of late its sole accomplishment has been the sponsoring of the annual fair. The officers at the time of the club's reorganization were as follows :
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THE WILDER-WORTHEN HOUSE
It was a place Chosen by the sovran Planter, when he framed All things to Man's delightful use.
JOHN MILTON
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ORGANIZATIONS
Charles H. White, President ; S. W. Houghton, Vice Presi- dent ; John S. Sawyer, Secretary ; John H. Sawyer, Treas- urer ; Thomas A. Wheeler, Frederic Schmolz, Aaron R. Powers, Executive Committee. The present officers are : Arthur Whitcomb, President; Leslie Babcock, Vice Presi- dent ; Miriam Edes, Secretary ; Florence Wheeler, Treas- urer.
BOLTON ASSOCIATION FOR THE RAISING OF FISH
The organization known as the "Bolton Association for the Raising of Fish" or, more informally, the Fish Association, was the outcome of the desire of the towns- people to have their ponds stocked with fish. At several town meetings previous to 1874, a committee had been appointed to carry out this project, but it had failed to fulfill its mission, and the ponds remained unstocked. Finally in 1874, a group of citizens, determined to remedy the town's fishless condition, formed this private association.
The following year, 1875, the club leased West Pond, a body covering twenty acres at its lowest, for a period of fifteen years, from the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries. Little Pond, covering nineteen acres, was leased from indi- viduals for five years only. Both ponds were stocked with black bass and everyone, including members of the associa- tion, was forbidden to fish in either one for five years from the month of March, 1874. The fish put in Little Pond came from Lake Champlain.
The stock held by the Fish Association was transferable only to citizens of Bolton and the minimum price per share was fixed at $5.
The life of this organization was comparatively short, for its records cease on August 3, 1880. However, it had only
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one object in life and that was accomplished. It also added to the social life of the community for it held several free fish chowder parties to which all the townspeople were invited.
The executive committee of the Fish Association was as follows : James D. Hurlbut, President; R. S. Edes, Secre- tary; S. W. Houghton, Vice President ; Reuben Newton, and E. C. Pierce.
BOLTON CENTENNIAL TEMPERANCE UNION
This club came into existence on May 25, 1876. Its first officers were : President, W. W. Robinson ; Vice Presidents, S. F. Edwards, Amos Powers, and Peter Coyne ; Secretary, L. L. Brigham ; Treasurer, Joel Proctor ; Chaplain, Rever- end B. A. Edwards.
The group held meetings once a week and their programs consisted of readings, prayers, and speeches by the members themselves or an address by an out-of-town speaker. The records show that during the two-year existence of the club, delegates were sent to the Worcester District Temperance Union in Ashburnham, the Convention of Reform Clubs in Boston, and to temperance rallies in various surrounding towns. The last records of the club are dated April 23, 1878.
BOLTON GRANGE, NO. 142
The first officers of Bolton Grange, No. 142, were installed by Elmer D. Howe on April 25, 1887. There were thirty- four charter members, and the officers were as follows : Master, Andrew L. Nourse; Overseer, S. A. Randall ; Steward, George E. Dow; Assistant Steward, James G. Dow; Chaplain, Henry Babcock ; Gate Keeper, Peter Barr ;
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ORGANIZATIONS
Treasurer, Daniel Marsh; Secretary, Flora E. Powers ; Lady Assistant Steward, Ida M. Wetherbee.
In 1897, the Grange hired Robinson's Hall and met there twice a month until 1912, when they began using the Town Hall as they do at present.
Granges from surrounding towns neighbor with Bolton from time to time and the local Grange has added much to the social activities of the town during its existence by holding public suppers, entertainments, and dancing classes. At their meetings, members have had debates and discus- sions on subjects relative to farming and husbandry. Often competitive entertainments are given and out-of-town Granges visit Bolton. The Grange is always among the first to contribute to worthy causes, either local or national.
Since its beginning, it has had twenty-five Masters and its total membership at present is about seventy. The officers for 1938 are : Master, Francis G. Mentzer; Over- seer, D. Craig Wilson; Lecturer, Phyllis Whitcomb ; Steward, Charles D. Quimby ; Assistant Steward, Marjorie Pardee; Chaplain, Bernice Marr; Treasurer, Leslie L. Babcock; Secretary, Vena A. Quimby; Gate Keeper, Annie J. Campbell ; Ceres, Elizabeth Whitcomb ; Pomona, Ruth M. Tardiff; Flora, G. Elizabeth Mentzer; Lady Assistant Steward, Dorothy A. Corliss; Pianist, Mary P. Howe; Executive Committee, Arthur J. Whitcomb, one year ; Mabel L. Pardee, two years; and Grace Hines, three years.
REFORM CLUB AND CITIZENS TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
In 1884, the Bolton Reform Club was organized by the citizens of Bolton. Its first meeting was called to select delegates to the Mass Meeting or Temperance Convention
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in Boston. After this, the townspeople voted that "an open temperance organization be formed in the town." This open organization was the Reform Club. Its officers were : President, Aaron R. Powers; Vice Presidents, Henry Haynes and S. A. Randall; Secretary and Treasurer, Wil- liam H. Dow; Chaplain, Reverend Andrew Read. The last records are dated May 24, 1885.
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