History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 123

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 123

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Of the early shoe manufacturers Mr. Hitchings was by far the largest, often employing from forty to fifty hands.

David Newhall and W. W. Boardman manufactured from 1830 to 1850.

Otis M. Hitchings manufactured from 1846 to 1872, employing some years one hundred hands.

In 1852 Walton & Wilson commenced the shoe business, and continued until 1879, when they sold ont to Charles S. Hitchings, who removed his business, commenced in 1867, into the three-story factory on Central Street, corner of Pearson, said factory having been built by Walton & Wilson in 1872, and occupied

415

SAUGUS.

by them up to 1879. Messrs. Walton & Wilson did a large business, often employing as many as a hundred hands, and manufacturing shoes to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars yearly.

William T. Ash commenced in 1877. His business increasing, he soon removed to O. M. Hitchings' fac- tory, near the depot, where he continued until 1883, when he removed his whole business to Lynn. Mr. Ash at this time was doing a good business, employ- ing some eighty hands.

Charles S. Hitchings, William F. Hitchings and Otis M. Burrill are now the only shoe manufacturers remaining in the Centre. Mr. Charles S. Hitchings, the largest of the three, employs from forty to fifty hands.

GRAIN-MILL .- In 1850 Benjamin F. Newhall pur- chased the lands on both sides of Fox Hill Creek, so- called, extending to the Salem turnpike, for the pur- pose of constructiug a graiu-mill, and wharf adjoining it on the northerly side. The wharf was built in 1851, and the earth for filling was taken from the southwest side of Ballard Street, making now a part of the mill-pond. Ballard Street was built from the old Boston road in East Saugus to the Salem turn- pike in 1850. The grain-mill was built in 1852. From the time of its erection to the present a very large grain business has been done here. And until very recently the grain has been landed in vessels directly to the mill, being raised from the vessel by a large elevator. From fifty to one hundred thousand bushels of corn have been ground annually. Since 1864 Herbert B. Newhall, son of Benjamin F. New- hall, has owned and run this mill. During a few years last past Mr. Newhall has landed his grain by railroad at Lynn Common Depot and carted it to the mill, for the reason that it could be done more cheaply than by vessel.

BRICK-MAKING .- It is now forty-six years since Mr. Frederick Stocker began brick-making in East Saugus, with his yard between Winter Street and the river. Mr. Stocker usually manufactured from one- half million to a million bricks annually. About nineteen years ago he gave up the business to his son Frederick, who continues up to the present time. He makes about one million bricks annually, and con- sumes thereby about four hundred cords of wood, and gives employment to a dozen men.

As long ago as 1812 Mr. Thomas Raddin made bricks in a yard on the northerly side of the river, where Mr. T. H. Rhodes' house now stands.

Mr. Hatch also made bricks in the same place in 1859 for about two years.

From 1850 to 1860 William M. Newhall also car- ried on the brick business on the northerly side of the river, not far above the bridge. He manufactured about a million bricks annually, until the clay was practically exhausted. From 1858 to 1860 Mr. H. Hurd had a yard adjoining Mr. Newhall's.

CURLED HAIR .- In 1848 Enoch T. Kent commenced the business of preparing hair for plastering. He then lived on the place now occupied by William A. Trefethen, in East Saugus.

In 1853 he removed to Cliftondale, and took as a business partner S. R. Marvin, when they enlarged their business, amounting to fifty thousand dollars yearly. They dissolved partnership in 1866, and in 1873 Mr. Kent built a large factory in the Centre, on what is known as Shute's Brook near the railroad depot. This factory was three stories, with basement, and was furnished with steam-power, the brook af- fording water for washing and scouring purposes. Here he has continued the business up to the present time, not only furnishing hair for plastering, but for spinning and saddlers' and upholsterers' use. . He employs abont twenty men, and does about fifty thousand dollars business annually. He ships his hair to all parts of the country.

CHAPTER XXIX.

SAUGUS-(Continued).

Anchor Tavern-Roads and Bridges-Boston Road-Greut Bridge-Salem Turnpike-Newburyport Turnpike-Railroads-Horse Railroads.

ANCHOR TAVERN .- Very early in the settlement of the town, probably as early as 1643, a tavern was established in that part of the town now called East Saugus, on the road from Boston to Salem, and about half-way between these two places. It was built on the Ballard farm, under the brow of the hill, just where the highway turned sharply to the south.

For about one hundred and seventy years it afforded shelter for man and beast, and became, during its his- tory, a famous hostelry, known far and wide.

Joseph Armitage was its first landlord, and from him it received the name of " The Anchor Tavern."

Governors Endicott and Bradstreet early found en- tertainment here, as the court records, in 1669, show Mr. Armitage's petitions for payment of their ex- penses for " bear and cacks." (beer and cakes), " vit- alls, bear and logen, beare and wyne att sevrall times."

Mr. Armitage died in 1680. But probably many years before this he was succeeded by Captain Thomas Marshall, who was the second landlord and continued to keep the tavern until December 23, 1689, the time of his death. Captain Marshall was a soldier under Cromwell.

We are not informed of the landlords succeeding Captain Marshall until we come to Zaccheus Nor- wood, who bought the taveru-stand with the Ballard farm in 1760. The house now was very famous and its patronage very large.

Mr. Norwood died in 1768, leaving a widow, who continued to keep the public-house. She afterwards

416

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

married an eccentric Englishman, named Josiah Martin, who, by his hypocrisy, gained her affections and afterwards led her a terrible life as landlord.

On May 3d, 1773, Landlord Jacob Newhall became landlord at this tavern. The time of the Revolution was now approaching, and it was not long before Landlord Newhall took down the Anchor Tavern sign, with the lion and unicorn, and substituted in its place the " Rising Sun Tavern," with a painted rep- resentation of the morning sun just appearing above the horizon. Landlord Newhall was an ardent pa- triot, and his means were freely spent for the coun- try. No one was allowed to go hungry past his house. He continued its landlord until about 1800, and when he left it. carried away scarcely anything but a good name to show for his many years' labor.

It was in 1800 that the tavern and the entire farm came back into the possession of the Ballard family, and in 1802 Mr. John Ballard built a new public- house, about nine rods south of the old tavern. This was the time that the Salem turnpike was building. Mr. Ballard had prevented the turnpike from being built over his farm.

Disappointment was in store for him in regard to his new public-house, for as soon as the turnpike was opened the travel was diverted and the stand wasruined.

Joseph Palmer was the landlord of the new hotel ; but he continued only until the opening of the turn- pike, when he went to Lynn to take charge of the Lynn Hotel.

From 1815 to 1822 Mr. Ballard made the hotel building his own homestead.

After this it continued a checkered career as a pub- lic-house until 1871, when it was purchased by Wilbur F. Newhall, and removed a few hundred feet east, so as to make room for a new dwelling.

The old Anchor Tavern building continued to stand during these years of the new hotel, serving as a farm-house, until 1836, when it was torn down to make room for a new street-now Lincoln Avenue- leading down to the bridge.

ROADS AND BRIDGES,-The old Boston road, for- merly so called, running through East Saugus and Cliftondale, was one of our earliest roads. It crossed the river at East Saugus, where the upland on either bank approached so near to the river's edge as to leave but little salt marsh. Here was a natural ford- ing-place at low tide ; and it was here that the Gen- eral Court, June 6, 1639, ordered, " That those of Lynn shall have £50 from the country towards the building of a cart-bridge over the river there ; when the bridge is finished, to be allowed them."

On petition of the town, October 27, 1648, the court further ordered, "That there shall from henceforth be allowed thirty shillings per aunum out of the treasury of the county towards the mainten- ance of the said bridge, for which the inhabitants of Lynn are forever to repair it."

This action was probably caused by a sad accident which occurred at the bridge, March, 1648, to Ed- mund Ingalls, one of the first settlers, then an old man.

It would seem that the bridge must have been de- cayed and out of rep vir, for Mr. Ingalls, while cross- ing on horseback, fell through and was drowned. His heirs recovered from the State one hundred pounds. The court appropriated at once twenty pounds more for immediate repairs.

May 23, 1655, the court again ordered that a com- mittee should rebuild the bridge, and the County Court should apportion the expense among the towns of the county. It so remained a county charge until a joint committee of Lynn and Saugus, in 1815, agreed that the two towns "shall support said bridge equally, in conjunction with the county."

This bridge, sometimes called the " Great Bridge," with Boston Strect, was an important avenue of com- munication for the whole county, and indeed we might say the only one until the building of the Salem turnpike, in 1803. Before the bridge was built it was necessary to make a long circuit to the Centre, where was found the only safe fording- place at the head of tide water. This circuit made at least two and one-half miles extra travel up one side of the river and down the other.

There has been some difference of opinion in re- gard to the location of an ancient ferry. In 1639 the General Court granted to Garrett Spencer " the ferry at Linn for 2 years." The law also regulated the tolls. It is generally thought that this ferry was from Needham's Landing in Lynn, to what is now called the Lower Lauding, on Ballard Street, in East Saugus. In those days it undoubtedly was a great accommodation to travelers on foot or horseback, and especially before the building of the bridge at E. Saugus.

Another very early road was from Boston Street, leaving the same near where the Methodist Church now stauds in East Saugus, and going up on the southerly side of the river, substantially where Win- ter Street is now located; but when reaching where now is the New Cemetery it bore to the lett, where the old traek is now scen and can be traveled, going on westerly near where Denver Street now is to Vine and Main Streets, and then on to the west part of the town and to Reading.

Another road branched off this, going northerly, near where Central Street now is, to the iron works, and to the fording-place across the river.

The road from Lynn, now called Walnut Street, passing Birch Brook, and on to North Saugus and Lynnfield, is also a very old road.

It was near this road, on Choose Hill, so-called, that it was proposed to build the Old Tunnel parish church, so as to accommodate the parishioners from

417

SAUGUS.

Lynn. Saugus and Lynnfield, this being near the geo- graphical centre. But this project was soon aban- doned, and three parishes was the result.

The road from Lincoln Avenue, in Cliftondale, to Saugus Centre, now called Central Street, was built by the town in 1837.

The road running from Lincoln Avenue, in East Saugus, to the Salem turnpike, now called Ballard St., was built in 1850. The expense of its construction was borne by the town of Saugus, Essex County, the turnpike corporation and the owners of the land. A bridge was built across Fox Hill Creek. It gave a very convenient and easy access to the public town landing.

SALEM AND BOSTON TURNPIKE .- The charter for the construction of the Salem turnpike was obtained iu 1801. Very great opposition was made to this road by the towns of Danvers and Malden, and by the Malden Bridge corporation, who had, only nine years before, built their bridge over the Mystic River, a mile to the west of the proposed Chelsea Bridge.

This turnpike was doomed to divert the great cur- rent of travel from the old Boston road, in Sangus, to a passage over its lonely salt marshes.

But public utility triumphed over local interests, and the turnpike was built and opened for travel from Salem to Lynn, July 5, 1803, and on September 22, 1803, over the entire length to Chelsea.

On September 22, 1807, the turnpike and bridges were declared to be fully finished.

The traffic over the turnpike constantly increased up to 1838, when, in consequence of the opening of the Eastern Railroad, the stage travel ceased, other travel decreased, the tolls were reduced and the stock of the corporation fell to almost or quite forty dollars a share. This turnpike was made a public highway in 1868.

THE NEWBURYPORT TURNPIKE .- The charter for the construction of this turnpike was obtained in 1802. It was finished about 1805, and the cost was nearly $480,000.

About four miles of this turnpike is in Saugus, passing through the town from north to sonth. At the time this road was built Salem and Newburyport were rival commercial towns. Salem was about build- ing an air-line turnpike to Boston, and so Newbury- port could do nothing less.

It was made straight, regardless alike of settlements on either side, or of hills and swamps on the direct line. And although the shrewdest men of Newbury- port were its projectors, yet it proved from its comple- tion not only to be a rninous investment, but a stu- pendous folly. Grass soon overgrew its road-bed.

From 1840 to 1846 the tolls were discontinued, and the turnpike became a public highway in the several 27

towns through which it passed, making a heavy bur- den to many towns, especially Saugus.

RAILROADS,-The Eastern Railroad was chartered in 1836 and was opened to travel in 1838. Although its route passed through a portion of Saugus terri- tory, over the salt marshes between Saugus and Chel- sea Rivers, in the very southern extremity of the township, yet the town was not recognized in its loca- tion and charter.

But this railroad as located afforded small accom- modations to our citizens, who were still obliged for many years to travel a distance of two and three miles to Breed's Wharf Depot, in West Lynn. A very small westerly portion of the town found the Boston and Maine Railroad at Melrose nearer.

Our present railroad accommodations with Boston and Lynn, in all thirty-one daily trains both ways, have not been obtained without long struggles and many changes extending through years.

The earliest efforts for a railroad through Saugus were made just previous to 1844.

Benjamin Goodrich and others petitioned for a charter from Salem to Boston, passing through South Danvers (now Peabody), West Lynn, East Saugus, East Malden (now Linden and Maplewood), Malden Centre and thence into Boston. This route was sur- veyed over the Ballard farm and south of Baker's hill.

After two or three years' fruitless trial for a char- ter before the Legislature this project was abandoned. The Eastern Railroad was the main opponent.

We wish to mention here the name of Joshua Webster, Esq., as the man, among many others, to whose untiring energy and zeal we finally obtained railroad accommodations. Formerly of Lynn, he at this early time bought a large farm in Maplewood, known as the "Wait Farm," and removed thither. He was determined to have a railroad through his farm. In 1846 he projected a railroad from East Saugus to Malden, connecting with the Boston and Maine Railroad. The route was through the centre of Saugus, thence down the valley of the Newhury- port turnpike through Maplewood to Malden, a dis- tance of over five miles. In 1847 a petition was presented to the Legislature for a charter. To oppose this project, the Eastern Railroad brought forward a scheme to build a branch railroad from Breed's Wharf Depot in Lynn through East Saugus to Saugus Centre. A survey was at once made and petitions presented to the General Court.

The war for these rival routes first began in Saugus, and then in all its warmth was carried to the Legis- lature. The Legislature gave a charter to the Malden route. Among the leading men who favored this route were Joshua Webster, Daniel P. Wise, G. G. Hubbard, G. W. Raddin, George Pearson and Ed- ward Pranker. The company was soon organized, and Joshua Webster chosen president. This was in the spring of 1848. In 1849 the charter was amended,

418

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

so as to change the location from the turnpike valley and run through Cliftondale and Linden to Maken. Still another step remained. In 1850 a further amendment to the charter was obtained to extend the branch from East Saugus to Lynn Common ; thus, by yearly advances, the Malden branch party obtained all they wished ; Lynn could be reached in the in- terest of the Boston and Maine Railroad. This amendment was obtained in spite of the greatest opposition of the Eastern Railroad.

The difficult problem now was to get the stock taken and to build the road.

It was publicly stated that if the residents along the route would take half the stock, some one stood ready to take the remainder. Who could this be ? Perhaps the Boston and Maine Railroad. It was now July, 1851. Something must be done at once or the charter would be forfeited. A meeting of the share- holders was called at the Saugus Town Hall. Mr. Edward Crane rose and said he would take the re- mainder of the stock. But another month brought new fears and complications. In August it became known that Mr. Crane had sold all his stock to the Eastern Railroad. Was this to be a defeat to the whole project? Not so ; thanks to a few energetic men, led by Mr. Joshua Webster of Maplewood. Contracts for its construction were given out in No- vember, 1851, and the ground was broken on Pearson's Neck, so-called, in Saugus, February 1852.

In October 1852, the following directors were chosen : G. G. Hubbard, Joshua Webster, Benjamin F. Newhall, Albert Thorndike, Isaiah Breed, B. T. Reed and Samuel Hooper. G. G. Hubbard was chosen president, and George Hood treasurer.

In February 1854, the branch was so far completed that an engine and two cars were provided for it, and by the latter part of the month four trains each way were run from Lynn Common Depot to Edge- worth, in Malden, there connecting with the Boston and Maine Railroad.

Then one small car more than accommodated all its patrons. The experiment of combining car and locomotive was tried. It caused a great deal of mer- riment and was nick-named the "tea-kettle;" this was soon set aside.

The railroad barely paid its running expenses. The Eastern Railroad now became its sole owner, and they at once built the two connecting links neces- sary to make the Branch a part of their railroad sys- tem, viz., a link from Lynn Common Depot to Breed's Wharf Depot, and the other link from Malden Centre to South Malden (now Everett). Thus was estab- lished, in 1854, our railroad facilities substantially as they exist to-day, only instead of four trains we now have sixteen trains each way daily.

Since the building of our railroad Malden has be- come a city ; its territory is rapidly filling up with residences, so that the overflow is now reaching our town and everything bids fair for a rapid growth of Saugus.

Horse Railroads .- Our horse railroads began by the granting of two charters to two rival companies in the spring of 1859, requiring cars to be run on each by November 20, 1860, on penalty of loss of charter.

One was the Lynn and Boston Railroad, which built its track over the Salem turnpike, thus running across the extreme southerly part of the town over the salt marshes. So far as the accommodation to the people of Saugus, this road was of very little moment ; still, after great difficulty, it was built so that regular trips were commenced over the turnpike June 1, 1861, and have continued up to the present time.

The other was the Cliftondale Horse Railroad. James S. Stone, Esq., of Charlestown, was the princi- pal manager. Ground was broken in October, 1860, and the work was put forward with great rapidity, so that by November 20th the cars commenced running.

It was the intention to have this horse railroad run through to Lynn, but Lynn refused the location, 60 that its starting-point was at the bridge in East Saugus, and running to the Cliftondale Depot, theuce through the woods to the Newburyport turnpike, and so on to Boston via Malden Bridge and Charlestown. Had this road been permitted to extend its track down to the city of Lynn, it might have had a longer life.

The principal motive for its construction was the development and sale of house-lots in Cliftondale, called the " Homes."

This land speculation not proving a success, and the passenger traffic being very light, it was only a question of time when it would be obliged to stop its running.

As it proved, it was only about three years when it was abandoned and the rails taken up. It is now very difficult to find any trace of its location.

But the time finally came when our town obtained excellent horse railroad accommodations, which it now enjoys, very much to its benefit as well as to the ad- vantage of the road.

The Lynn and Boston Railroad extended its tracks from Lynn to East Saugus, Cliftondale and Saugus Centre, and are now running half-hourly trips through- out the day and evening.

The cars from Lynn to East Saugus commenced running June 24, 1882; they then stopped at Ballard Street, but the road was soon extended to Cliftondale, and the cars commenced running June 17, 1885.

The next year a branch was built up Chestnut Street and Winter Street to Saugus Centre, and the cars commenced running July 31, 1886.

We are thus provided with a horse railroad system which will without doubt long continue.

Such is the union of the industrial pursuits and business of Lynn and Saugus, that it is a necessity, and will add greatly to the development of the town.

The Lynn and Boston Railroad is now building an- other link from Cliftondale via Lincoln Avenue to Linden to connect with the horse railroad from Malden to Revere Beach. This will give us another

419

SAUGUS.

connection with Boston, and also with Malden, Med- ford, Melrose, Stoneham and Woburn.

This route is now, September 15, 1887, just opened for travel.

CHAPTER XXX.

SAUGUS-(Continued).

Schools-West Parish School-Ladies' Seminary-Public Schools -- High School-Principuls-Cliftondale Library-Free Public Library-William Sutton Lodge-Abousett Division, S. of T .- Sunshine Lodge of Good Tem- plars - Saugus Mutual Insurance Co .- Farms and Farmers.

SCHOOLS .- West Parish School .- The West Parish very early felt their need of school privileges for their children, and the people were not slow in providing them.

At first a school was opened in some private dwell- ing, as accommodations could he obtained, but not always in the same dwelling, and it was frequently changed to different parts of the parish. This ar- rangement obtained until 1775, when a small one- story hnilding was built in the Centre, on the south- east end of the burying-ground. This building served for school uses until July 29, 1801, when it was sold for sixty-three dollars to Richard Shute, who removed it and added it to his house for a gro- cery-store, till its destruction by fire, in 1820.

In the year 1800 a great school-house fever pre- vailed in the West Parish. No less than five school- houses were petitioned for in 1801,-two of these to be at the "Centre," one at the "North End," one at " Boardman's End" and the other in the "South part," now East Saugus.

The parish voted but one, and that to be in the "Centre," southwest of the meeting-house.

It was soon built, and stood near to William W. Boardman's house, on what is now Main Street.

This school-honse was standing until very recently, in the yard of William W. Boardman, and was used by him for many years as a shoe manufactory. Within a few years it has been torn down.

In 1787 the parish voted that thirteen families at the " North End" might withdraw and make a new school district.

This was the first separation in school matters.

In 1806 a school-house (old Rock School-house) was built in the "South part," now called East San- gus.

It may be of interest to speak of a private acade- my which was started in our town.

Ladies' Seminary .- In January, 1821, the Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Beverly, projected the establish- ment of a Female Seminary in Saugus.

The parish encouraged the project, and voted the use of the parsonage, with land near by, for a school building, which was built in the spring of 1822.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 123

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