History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 121

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

66; Frank G. Morris, 1866-68; J. F. Bassett, 1868- 69; George E. Reed, 1869-70; J. E. Richards, 1870- 71; Joshua Gill, 1871-72; Ralph W. Allen, 1872-75; C. W. Wilder, 1875-77; A. O. Hamilton, 1877-78 ; C. M. Melden, 1878-80; W. P. Odell, 1880-83 ; George A. Phinney, 1883-86, the latter being suc- ceeded by Charles A. Littlefield, the present pastor of the church.

This church is the danghter of the East Saugus Methodist Episcopal Church, granddaughter of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn, and mother of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sangus Centre, which latter church, in 1877, formed a society of their own, and a year later built and dedicated their present place of worship.

The Sunday-school connected with the society was formed in 1852 and organized in 1858. The superin- tendents of the school have been S. S. Dunn, Hon. George H. Swretser, Horatio G. Herrick, Matthew Rawson and Albert H. Sweetser, who holds the posi- tion at the present time. The school is in a prosper- ons condition, its present membership. being one hun- dred and eighty-six.

About the beginning of the year 1881 the pastor, Rev. W. P. Odell, conceived the idea of building a new church, in which plan he readily interested the members of the society, displaying commendable zeal and enterprise in the matter. The plan of build- ing a new church was finally given np, and it was decided to remodel the chapel. The effort to solicit subscriptions met with such success that the building committee, consisting of A. H. Sweetser, J. A. Rod- din, C. H. Bond, S. P. Coates and E. S. Kent, feeling assured of success, placed the matter in the hands of Henry W. Rogers, of Lynn, who submitted to the committee the plan of the present edifice, which was accepted, and work was commenced on remodeling the chapel in July, and was finished the day before its dedication.

The church is a very handsome one, giving entire satisfaction to the people and being an ornament to the community. Its seating capacity is about two hundred and twenty-five. There are two entrances in front by large double doors, surmounted with neat pitched roof hoods. The front gable is ornamented with tracery of a pretty pattern. The exterior is painted in shades of olive green, the spire, roofs and belts of cut shingles around the tower are painted red. The vestibule, audience-room and tower-room are lighted by beautiful stained-glass windows of a new and attractive design. The audience-room on the main floor is entered by two large doors, opening into aisles three and a half feet wide, with rows of ash pews, richly upholstered, on either side. The walls and ceilings are tastily decorated with rich frescoings of the Pompeiian style. Below the audi- ence-room is a vestry, with a seating capacity of one hundred and twenty-five, also store-rooms, library and class-room.

The church is in a very prosperous condition. Both church and Sunday-school are growing rapidly. The present church membership (August, 1887) is one hundred and thirty-eight.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SAUGUS CENTRE .- In 1875 a few Christian men invited Rev. O. J. Pettegrew to assist in starting a Methodist mission in the Centre. A Sunday-school was formed ; also a Ladies' Sewing Circle, and preaching Sunday afternoons.

The services were held in Flye's Hall at first, bnt this proving too small to accommodate the people, a removal was made in September to "Hitchings' Hall," near the depot. Mr. Pettegrew continued his labors with them until April, 1876, when Rev. J. Thompson came for a short time.

In November, 1876, the society united themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Clifton- dale, and in May, 1877, Rev. E. H. McKenney be- gan his services with them, which continued three years.

July 23, 1877, Rev. Daniel Dorchester, presiding elder of the New England Conference, met with thirty-eight members of the society and organized them into a church. Rev. E. H. McKenney was made pastor and all the usnal church officers elected, including a board of trustees. Steps were at once taken towards the building of a chapel.

A lot of land on Main Street, nearly opposite Vine Street, was given by William H. Penny, and during the winter a church, thirty-two by fifty feet, was erec- ted, so that April 24, 1878, it was dedicated by ap- propriate services, Rev. V. A. Cooper, of Lynn, preaching the sermon.

The church was placed in the westerly portion of the village, so as better to accommodate the people living in the neighborhood, including Oaklandvale. The following are the Conference ministers who have had charge : April, 1880, Rev. Charles M. Mel- den ; April, 1882, Rev. Samnel Plantz ; April, 1883, Rev. Arthur W. Tirrill; April, 1884, Rev. Webster Miller; April, 1886, Rev. Daniel Richards ; April, 1887, Rev. C. J. Mills.

ST. JOHN'S MISSION (Saugus Centre) .- In the spring of 1883 the diocesan Episcopal missionary, Rev. John S. Beers, held a service in a private honse in Saugus Centre. A goodly number of churchmen were present. Soon after this a modest beginning was made by the establishment of a Sunday-school, which, in a few months, numbered forty scholars, and later on increased to seventy. Mr. Thomas Ashworth was the first superintendent-an earnest Christian man -but in less than two years he died, after a short and painful illness. He was succeeded by Lyman F. Merrill, a member of St. Paul's Church, Malden, who continued to hold this office until a short time previ- ous to his ordination as deacon in the Episcopal

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Church. At present Mr. Frank Knight, of St. Ste- phen's Church of Lynn, is acting as superintendent.

During the first year occasional services were held in a hired hall, Rev. Mr. Beers and others officiating.

In the summer of 1884 Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, minister at St. Luke's Church, Liuden, added to his heavy labor in his own parish a regular Sunday after- noon service for this mission, together with such pas- toral care as his time would allow.

The hall on Central Street, near Mr. Flye's, was tastefully fitted up under his direction ; several gifts of church furniture, books and other necessary things were made, and the work continued to prosper under the name of St. John's Mission.

Money is now being raised for the erection of a church edifice, assistance having been received from St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, so that the society hope, in less than a year's time, to have a place of worship of their own.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF CLIFTON- DALE .- This religious society was organized Novem- ber, 1886. About a year previous to its formation services were held in Clifton Hall, preachers being ob- tained as they could be from different denominations.

A Sunday-school was gathered in connection with the society in April, 1886.

About the time of the organization of the society Rev. Theodore Haven was called as pastor, but he re- mained only about two months.

Very soon after Rev. Henry B. Miter was engaged as pastor, and has remained with the society up to the present time, September 1887.

The society continues to hold its services in Clifton Hall, owned by Mr. Charles H. Bond, who has been much interested in the formation of this society.

CHAPTER XXVIII. SAUGUS-(Continued).

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS, PAST AND PRESENT.

Iron Works-Mill Site at East Saugus-Pranker's Mills-Scott's Mills- North Saugus-Tobacco Business at Cliftondale-Crockery-Shoe Business -- Grain Mill on Ballard Street-Brick Making-Hair Business.

IRON WORKS .- Although iron ore was first discov- ered in other sections of the country, the first succes- ful irou works were established in New England and in that portion of Massachusetts now embraced in the township of Saugus. In 1632 mention is made by Morton of the existence of " iron stone " in New England, and in November, 1637, the General Court of Massachusetts granted to Abraham Shaw one-half of the benefit of any "coles or yron stone wch shal be found in any comon ground wch is in the countryes disposeing."

Iron ore had been found in small ponds on the western bank of the Saugus River soon after its set- tlement in 1629, and in 1642 specimens of it were taken to London hy Robert Bridges, in the hope that a company might be formed for the manufacture of iron.

This hope was realized in the formation of "The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works," con- sisting of eleven English gentlemen, who advanced £1000 to establish the works. John Winthrop, Jr., had previously gone to England, and he appears to have assisted Mr. Bridges to secure the organization of the company. He became a member of the com- pany, as did others among the colonists. Thomas Dexter and Robert Bridges, both of Lynn, were among the original promoters of the enterprise.

Workmen were brought from England in 1643, and the foundry was erected on the western bank of Saugus River, just at the head of tide water, in what is now called the Centre of Saugus, and still marked hy the old banks of scoria, which have bravely with- stood all changes. The village at the foundry was called "Hammersmith," from a place of that name in England, whence came many of the workmen.

In 1644 and subsequently the General Court granted many special privileges to the company. On March 7, 1644, it was granted three miles square of land in each of six places it might occupy in the prosecution of its business.

On November 13, 1644, it was allowed three years " for ye perfecting of their worke and furnishing of ye country with all sorts of barr iron." The citizens were granted liberty to take stock in the enterprise, "if they would complete the finery and forge, as well as the furnace, which is already set up."

On the 14th of May, 1645, the general court passed an order declaring that "ye iron works is very suc- cessful (both in ye richness of ye ore and ye goodness of ye iron)," and that between £1200 and £1500 had already been disbursed, "with which ye furnace is built, with that which belongeth to it; and some tuns of sowe iron cast in readiness for ye forge. There will be neede of some £1500 to finish ye forge."

On the 14th of October, of the same year, the com- pany was granted still further privileges by the Gener- al Court, on the condition "that the inhabitants of this jurisdiction be furnished with barr iron of all sorts for their use, not exceeding twentye pounds per tunn," and that the grants of land already made should be used " for the building and seting up of six forges or furnaces, and not bloomaries onely." The grant was confirmed to the company of the free use of all materials "for making or moulding any man- ner of gunnes, potts and other cast-iron ware."

On the 6th of May, 1646, Mr. Richard Leader, the general agent of the company, who is described as a man of superior ability, purchased "some of the country's gunnes to melt over at the foundery." On August 4, 1648, Governor Winthrop wrote from Bos-

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ton to his son, who had removed to Pequod, Conn., that "the iron work goeth on with more hope. It yields now about seven tons per week." On Septem- ber 30th he writes again : "The furnace runs eight tons per week, and their bar iron is as good as Span- islı."

Among the many workmen who came over from England were Richard Leader, already mentioned, Henry and James Leonard, Henry Styche, Archibald Anderson and Joseph Jenks, who had come from Hammersmith in England. He was a machinist and a man of much skill and inventive genius. He pre- pared the moulds for the first castings. A small iron pot, holding about one quart, was the first article cast, according to Lewis' History, and is still in the possession of a lineal descendant of Thomas Hudson, who was the original owner of the lands on which the iron works were built, and who obtained possession of the pot immediately after it was cast.

Joseph Jenks, who became the founder of an emi- nent New England family, purchased from Richard Leader on the 20th of January, 1647, the privilege of building a forge at the iron works for the mann- facture of scythes and other edge tools.

This enterprise was successful.

In 1652 he made at the iron works, for the mint which was that year established at Boston, the dies for the first silver pieces coined in New England. On one side of these coins was the impression of a pine tree. In 1654 he made for the city of Boston the first fire engine made in America. In 1655 the Gen- eral Court granted him a patent for an improved scythe. This scythe we understand to be substan- tially the one in present use, a great improvement over the short wide-bladed scythe of English make. He died in 1683.

Henry and James Leonard were also skilled work- men at the iron works. They and their descendants were afterwards connected with other colonial iron enterprises.

They had a brother Philip, who does not appear to have lived at Sangus.

Rev. Dr. Fobes, in referring to the Leonard family in his book written in 1703, says that, " the circum- stance of a family attachment to the iron manufacture is so well known as to render it a common observa- tion in this part of the country (town of Raynham), " where you can find iron works there you will find a Leonard !"

Henry and James Leonard are said to have learned their trade at Pontypool, in Monmouthshire. One or both of them superintended the erection of iron- works at Braintree, in 1648, and also at Taunton, in 1652, and at Rowley, in 1668.

Indeed, we read of many other iron enterprises by these Leonards in many parts of our State. For a hundred years after its settlement Massachusetts was the chief seat of the iron manufacture on this conti- nent. Most of its iron enterprises, during this hun-

dred years, were bloomeries ; but there were blast-fur- naces also, although the latter, as a rule, produced only hollow ware and other castings, and not pig- iron. During the period mentioned the iron indus- try of Massachusetts was confined to the eastern counties of the colony, where bog or pond ores formed almost the only kinds of ores obtainable.

But let us return to our own iron-works in Saugus. The General Court granted many privileges to this iron enterprise.

In 1644 all engaged therein were exempted from taxes for ten years. The workmen also were not liable to military service. They gave any of the in- habitants liberty to share in the work, by "bringing in within one year no less than £100 a person, with allowance to the adventurers, &c., for £1000 already disbursed," if they would complete the finery and forge, as well as the furnace, which " is already set up." Liberty was given "to make use of all yron ston, or yron ore," to cut wood and to make ponds and highways.

In 1646 arrangements were made with Thomas Dexter for opening a new water-course and enlarging the pond. Land was purchased of Dexter and a new dam was erected higher np the river, and prob- ably very near the present dam. The old canal, which conveyed the water to the mills, can be dis- tinctly seen in places, even at the present time.

This new dam raised the flowings of the water and caused damage to land of Adam Hawkes, in the northerly part of the town.

In 1652 John Gifford was the new agent at the iron-works. He seems to have increased the height of the dam again, and also to have flowed more of Mr. Hawkes' land.

In 1653 Thomas Savage and Henry Webb, of Bos- ton, obtained judgment against the Iron Company for £2245.

In 1660 Oliver Purchis succeeded Gifford as agent of Iron-Works.

From this time onward an increased amount of trouble and annoyance attended the Iron Company. They had made great inroads into the forests in con- sequence of the large quantities of charcoal needed, -so much so, that fears were everywhere prevalent that the wood would be exhausted and the country impoverished.

Debts and law-suits increased.

In 1671, during the night the dam was cut away and the great pond emptied of its water. This caused much damage.

In 1678 Samnel Appleton, Jr., took possession of the Iron Works, by a grant in the will of William Payne, of Boston. It was estimated there were three thousand acres of iron mill land. Mr. Appleton then owned three-fourths of the Iron Works, valued at £1500, but, in 1683, the heirs of Major Thomas Sav- age sold the remaining fourth to Mr. Appleton, who thus owned the whole property.

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In 1688 Mr. Appleton sold the entire works to James Taylor, of Boston, and it was about this time that they probably ceased operations entirely. Vex- atious law-suits had much to do with hastening its cessation, but it would rather seem probable that the supply of iron-ore had nearly become exhausted.

From the foregoing details it is plainly established that the enterprise at. Saugus embraced a blast-fur- nace or " foundery," and a refining forge. The term "foundery " was long a synonyme for "furnace," castings being made directly from the furnace.

This practice continued in this country down to almost the middle of the present century, and is still followed in many European countries. That the fur- nace was in operation in May, 1645, is certain, and that the forge was in operation in September, 1648, is equally certain.

These dates may be accepted as definitely deter- mining the first successful attempts in this country to make " sowe iron " and other castings in a blast-for- nace, and to make "barr irou" in a refining forge from "sowe iron."

MILL-SITE IN EAST SAUGUS .- In October, 1721, certain citizens of Lynu, viz., Benjamin Potter, Ja- cob Newhall and William Curtis, were granted a right to build a tide-mill at East Saugus Bridge, but these men failing to build, the right was given, in 1722, to Thomas Cheever and Ebenezer Merriam, and they at once built a mill with two run of stones for grinding corn. This mill was a small one-story building built upon the west side of the river, and likely upon the very spot now occupied by the south end of the present mill.

Merriam sold to Cheever in 1729, and August 10, 1738 Cheever sold the property to Joseph Gould for six hundred and twenty pounds.

Gould was a Quaker, but not a native of Lynn. He was a prudent, energetic business man. Within a few years after the purchase he built for himself, adjoining the mill, a two-story dwelling-house, one room of which he occupied for a small grocery-store. This dwelling-house was taken down in 1844. Joseph Gould owned and occupied the mill till his death, in 1774. His widow continued in possession up to about 1785, when, through neglect to make necessary repairs, it became unserviceable. The flood-gates no longer kept the water in the mill-pond, but it was allowed to ebb and flow with the tide.

This state of things continued for seven years, un- til 1792, when the Widow Gould died.

It was then, in 1792, that George Makepeace, Esq., of Boston, bought the mill of the heirs for nine hun- dred dollars. This was an important time for this mill privilege. Mr. Makepeace had been a leading importing merchant at Boston. He at once tore down the old one-story mill, and in its place built a good two-story building. This was built in 1794, and comprises about two-thirds of the present building,

being the central part. In this mill he put two runs of stones for grinding corn and in the northerly end two mortars for grinding snuff. These snuff-mortars were rimmed out of large buttonwood-logs in their rude state with the bark on.

This was the beginning of the snuff business which has made Saugus renowned.

It was through the advice of Samuel Fales that Mr. Makepeace undertook the snuff business, which, in 1798, he transferred to his nephew, Jonathan Makepeace, who continued it for about fifty years, up to 1844, making his snuff, known as "Makepeace's snuff," which obtained a reputation in all parts of the country. He gave his constant personal attention to the making of this snuff from the very best of leaf- tobacco, cured in the most careful way; it was then ground and scented and put up in small wooden kegs, with his own autograph on each. He was a very methodical man, upright in all his dealings, and gen- erous to all worthy objects, for many years a consist- ent member of the Methodist Church, and respected by the entire community. He was more familiarly known as Major Makepeace.

CHOCOLATE BUSINESS .-- About 1796 the chocolate business had its beginning in this mill. Mr. Make- peace at this time put on an addition to the northerly end of the mill for a chocolate-factory. Another water-wheel was also put in.

The machinery for roasting, cracking and fanning the cocoa was run by chains from horizontal shafts. The noise and din of such machinery was indescriba- ble. Benjamin Sweetser, Amos Rhodes and Deacon John Wait were the first chocolate manufacturers, and the business was continued for many years by Mr. Amariah Childs.

The following extract is from the pen of my father, Benjamin F. Newhall, Esq., as priuted in the Lynn Reporter in his sketches of Saugus :

He says in regard to the chocolate business here, --

"In 1812 the last war with England commenced, which gave a new impetus to the chocolate business.

" The mill was overwhelmed with work, so that it was carried on in summer, and the cooling was done in cellars. Mr. Cbilds, with others, entered quite largely into the manufacture, which yielded, in the be- ginning of the war, a large profit.

"Very soon, with the large demand, cocoa began to advance in price, and continued to do so till it rose from eight cents per pound to thirty- three cents, a rise of over three hundred per cent.

"After this extreme, it soon receded, and finally settled into a healthy trade.

"One of the most amusing things connected with this old chocolate manufacture was the pretended art and skill indispensable to a success- ful issue. This art and skill was believed to be a secret possessed by only here and there an individual.

" Even the persons who carried on the manufacture did not pretend to any knowledge of the art.

"It seemed to be a general concession by the public that the science of the manufacture was unknown, except to a very few, who bad obtained it, by great lahor and expense, from Spain or South America.

" This acknowledgement gave the pretenders a superiority, and placed them in a position not only to be honored, hut to be well paid.

"The man who had brass enough to carry the pretence through snc- cessfully, managed everything about to his own mind.

" In my early boyhood I used to work in this chocolate-mill, as consid-

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erablo of the work could be done by boys better than by men. The grand magician of that early day was Josiah Rhodes, nicknamed ' Slim Слухаг.'

"lle exercised the most unlimited control over the whole establish- ment. So arbitrary was he in the exoreise of his pretended skill that senrcely nnyone dared to look at the chocolate in process of manufacture. Tho roaster and stirring-kettle were objects forbidden by him to be exnni- ined by the ignorant world. I well remember with what veneration I used to look upon this nged, cadaverony veteran. The smoke of the roaster could be seen curling up over the fire, but none had the courage, iu his presence, to smell of the forbidden odor.

" Occasionally n small, mysterious white powder, from a piece of clean white paper, would he cast into the roaster, or the kettle, in a myster- ions and magical manner, completely blinding the eyes of the unini- tiated. Such was the dignity and haughtiness attendant upon the exer- eise of his skill that he rarely ever smiled or spoko when engaged.

" Even his employers hardly ever dared to ask a question. Men who Inbored years under him never dared to raise a pretence of knowing anything. Such were the pretended mysteries of the trade in olden times."

About 1800 George Makepeace built himself a dwelling-house on the north side of the river, near the mill. He also built a small building for a nail factory, with machinery to cut nails by hand. This business was carried on for five or six years very vigorously.

A machine was also put in for picking oakum, but this proved a failure.

Another unprofitable expenditure of Mr. Make- peace was the erection of a saw-mill on the north side of the river. To do this he had to dig a channel across the highway. Long after the saw-mill had ceased to be used this channel was filled up by the town of Lynn in 1820.

About 1806 Mr. Makepeace leased the mill premises to Amariah Childs, and in 1812 he sold the mill prop- erty to said Childs.

In 1813 Mr. Makepeace removed to Charlestown, where he died in 1820, about eighty years of age.

Mr. Childs continued the business at the mill from 1806 to 1840, and very early in this period he added the business of grinding spices.

This spicc-grinding was done for Boston merchants, the spice being teamed out from Boston, and after being ground and put into barrels, was teamed back again.

It was not then put into small packages with showy labels as we now see it on the grocers' shelves.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538