History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 99

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 99

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John W. Low, Esq., I think, was the first mail- carrier. I remember taking passage with him at least once in the one-horse chaise; then Marshall Shepherd a short time; next was Cyrus Fellows, who served long enough in that capacity to secure one of our fuir ladies for a wife; Edward II. Shaw, Addison I'ructor, Levi Shaw served in that capacity until the railroad superseded the stage-coach.

At n Inter day a post-office with a daily mail was es- tablished at Pigeon Cove,-Austin W. Story, post- master.

However true it may be that the business was not suor ful, it is a fact that Major Bates abandoned it in about two years and went to Boston. Here he met Colonel Thayer, United States engineer, who, no-

ticing Major Bates' natural bent for working on stone, engaged him as an assistant in the construction of Fort Warren and other government works then be- ing constructed in Boston Harbor.

Colonel Thayer being in want of stone for the gov- ernment works, and seeing the pluck and energy of Torrey, induced him to engage in business on his own account. He accordingly commenced operations on part of the property now owned by the Rockport Granite Company ; it became known as the Torrey Pit.

The next year he went to Folly Cove, as that was the most favorable place to get cap and flag-stones, of which Colonel Thayer was then in need. That same year he moved his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Solomon F. and William J., to Sandy Bay.

The next year he abandoned Folly Cove and re- turned to Sandy Bay, and opened a quarry to the westward of the present stone bridge. This quarry yielded a large amount of valuable stone. Up to the year 1842 he furnished nearly all the granite for the government work on the islands in Boston Harbor and for the Charlestown and Portsmouth navy-yards. After this time a portion of the stone of which these important works were constructed was furnished by Messrs, Colburn & Eames, Benjamin Hale and others.

About the year 1841 he started the largest stone that had been quarried on the Cape up to that time. Two of his foremen, Joseph Stanley and Joshua San- born, were for many years identified with the quar- rying interests of the Cape. When in the zenith of his business, Mr. Torrey owned an interest in six sloops, keeping them constantly employed, and also furnished freight for many other vessels from Quincy and the State of Maine. He was a good citizen and an energetic and successful business man.

Of his two sons, Solomon F. died some years since ; William J., who was formerly engaged in the stone business to a considerable extent, is still with us; he owns and occupies the mansion built and occupied by his father several years.

Beniah Colburn came two years after Mr. Torrey and worked for him. He became one of the foremost quarrymen of his time. Soon after Colburn came Ezra Eames and Amos C. Sanborn. The last named, I think, tarried here but about one year, then re- turned to Boston, and engaged in the business of many thousand tons of Rockport granite have been shipped to him. Eames made Rockport his home.

STONL-QCARRYING. During the year 1823 Nehe- miah Knowlton out about five hundred tons of stone from cobl les on or near the site now occupied by buying aud selling stone, and was quite successful ; Ballon & Mason. lle advertised his stone for sale in a Boston newspaper. Major Bates, of Quiney, Mass, saw the advertisement and came to Sandy Bay, and the next year he engaged in the business of quarrying. William Torrey, also of Quincy, came with him, and was in his employ about one year.

About this time, or a year or two later, came Zach- ariah Green and Jeremiah Wetherbee. They formed a corporation known as the Boston and Gloucester Granite Company. John Stimson, a son-in-law of Green, came also, and held stock in the company. They opened a quarry on what is now the property of the Rockport Granite Company, and commenced the wharf and breakwater, which has assumed such

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large proportions, and is also now owned by that company. This company continued in business a number of years, and were quite successful. They built the stone house and barn, and did much towards opening up the resources of the town.

Colburn & Eames formed a partnership in 1827. They opened a quarry near where is now the resi- dence of Thomas Full, at Pigeon Cove. At this place there was a 'hill of stone, rising some twenty feet above the level of the road. The stone was of good quality, and soon found a ready market at Bos- ton, Portsmouth, Salem and other places, where much of it was dressed for building and cemetery purposes.

The stone for the chain bridge over the Merrimack just above Newburyport was sent from their quarry in 1828; they also furnished some stone to the govern- ment for fortifications, navy-yards, etc. It is said that after taking account of stock and settling up at the end of the first year they were fifteen dollars in debt. In subsequent years they were more success- ful. They worked the quarry down to the tide-water level and then abandoned it, as they could no longer draw off the water, which filled in from springs and rains, with a syphon. Steam-engines for pumping were not then thought of.

John Stimson, after a few years, left the Boston and Gloucester Granite Company and set up for himself and quarried at the Flat Ledge, afterward owned by William H. Knowlton. The first paving-blocks cut on Cape Ann were by John Stimson and from the Flat Ledge they were cut square and flat, and were used at Fort Warren, shipped there in the sloop " Fox."

The next move a new company was organized, viz., Ezra Eames, John Stimson and Beniah Colburn, under the firm-name of Eames, Stimson & Co., and commenced operations near where Stimson was already located. Mr. Colburn continued in the company but a short time, and then engaged in the business at other places. He at one time operated the quarry at Hodgkin's Cove (now known as Bay View). This quarry was originally opened by Rich- ard W. Ricker and Kilby P. Sargent, and is now the quarry of the Cape Ann Granite Company. Mr. Colburn made the first blocks now known as New York blocks, and sent them to Boston, where they were laid in Exchange Street, near the Merchants' Bank building. These blocks were the first to be laid on the edge instead of on the flat.

In 1852-53 he sent underpinning to San Francisco; they were used in government buildings there. In 1857 he sent paving-blocks to New Orleans. He was a man of strict integrity and was quite success- ful in business.

Eames, Stimson & Co. operated on a part of the territory that is now owned by the Rockport Granite Company. Those more or less interested in this company at different times were Anson and Aaron Stimson, George R. Bradford, Joshua San-

born, J. Henry Stimson, Abraham Day and Jotham Taylor. This company did a large business and were quite successful, and continued in successful operation until 1864, when they sold all their com- pany property to J. Henry Stimson and others, which resulted in the organization of the Rockport Granite Company. Stimson at one time owned nearly one- half of the capital stock. This company also pur- chased at different times the properties of William Hale Knowlton, William Torrey, and Preston and Fernald. They are still occupying this valuable property and are working it successfully. They are now laying rails for a track from their quarries to their wharves, which will make a great saving of expense in transporting the products of their quar- ries to the place of shipment. The cut leading out from their quarries to their wharves was commenced in 1868. The stone bridge was completed in 1872.

John Stimson was for many years the able and successful agent and manager of this company. Upon his resignation, a few years since, Charles S. Rogers was appointed, and still holds that responsible posi- tion.

Thomas Peach quarried stone at Halibut Point and shipped it from Hooppole Cove, where he built a wharf. Benjamin Hale and Joseph Babson opened a quarry on the Babson farm and shipped their stone from a cove near by, where they also built a wharf.

The breakwater at Pigeon Cove was first built in 1832, and was rebuilt in 1842 by Elijah Edmunds and John W. Wheeler. The stone of which the pier is built was furnished by Colburn & Eames.

Benjamin IIale once quarried at Pigeon Cove, near where Canney now operates. Among the ear- lier quarrymen were Samuel Parker and his brother William, Alpheus C. Pierce and George W. Johnson, all of whom worked quarries at the Cove.

Levi Sewall opened a quarry upon his land. A short time after it was opened a partnership was formed by John Preston, James Fernald and Levi Sewall, by the firm-name of Preston, Fernald & Co. This quarry produced an excellent quality of stone. They shipped their stone from Knowlton's wharf. They continued iu business several years and were quite successful.

William Hale Knowlton opened up Flat Ledge and quarried there several years. He shipped his stone from Knowlton's wharf, which he now owns.

The Pigeon Hill Granite Company was formed in 1870 by George R. Bradford, Anson Stimson, Amos Rowe and Levi Sewall, and is next in size to its neighbor, the "Rockport." This company was the first in Rockport to build a railroad to carry stone from quarry to wharf. Some of the croakers prophe- sied that the cars would gain such headway in run- ning down the steep incline, as to carry them out to salvages before they could be stopped. If this proph- ecy were true, the advantage gained in taking stone to the new breakwater can easily be imagined.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

To Amo- Rowe belongs the credit of cutting up the largest boulder on the Cape. It was situated near the top of Pigeon Ilill, and weighed over two thou- sand tons. Ont of it Mr. Rowe cut thousands of feet uf edge-stones and a great amount of other market- able stock. It was of good quality and split as readily as any of the granite lying in the quarries.

In the beginning of the stone business nearly all the workmen on the quarries came from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont,-young men, generally full of fun. The most of them at the first boarded at the Rowe farm-house, Pigeon Hill, and Captain Wheeler's tavern, at Pigeon Cove. They usually commenced coming the Ist of March, and by the Ist of April the gangs were full. No ten-hour system. An early breakfast, then commence work ; an hour for dinner, then work until a late supper. Nearly all worked by the month, receiving their pay at the end of the sea- son, excepting as they might call for a small amount of spending change.

In later years, when the employment of Irishmen was attempted, it met with vigorous opposition. The house which was being prepared for them to live in was twice blown up with powder; and many other efforts were made to keep out the unwelcome immi- grants.

This prejudice has long since died out and all miionalities are allowed to work unmolested.

The first stone known to have been shipped from L'ape Anu was quarried about the year 1800, near what is known as Lobster Cove. It was moved on skids to the shore, where it was loaded on a small fishing-boat and taken to Newburyport to be used as a mill-stone.

The first derrick in Sandy Bay was erected for Wil- liam Torrey in 1836, and was placed near the break in the mountains a short distance to the westward of the late James Fernald's residence. It was first used for the loading of stone for the breakwater then being constructed by the United States goverment at the entrance of Long Cove, Rockport.

The first pair of shears were built for John Stim- son, and were considered at the time a marvel of strength and convenience.

The first California pump used for pumping water out of the quarries was made by Lewis Lane on his return from California about 1854.

The first steam-engine used in the quarries for hoisting and pumping was in 1853-51 by Wetherbee & Page_ Before this, the hoisting was by hand-power

Howard H. Paul succeeded Mr. Gott, and served a or cattle, and the water was pumped by hand or re- , few years, then resigned, and Eli Gott was elected to moved by syphon.

Granite was first split by means of flat wedges be- tween shims placed in flat holes made by a flat chisel. The steel now used is made into plug wedges and driven between half rounds into round holes made by rou 1 drills sharpened into a V-shaped point.

Deep holes for blasting were made entirely with long drills struck by sledge hammers, and not until

1883 was a steam-drill used on the Rockport quarries. This was introduced by the Rockport Granite Com- pany.

The first stone used in the streets of Boston was for crosswalks and gutters; next came the large Belgian blocks, which were used for pavements. Then came the New York blocks already mentioned, and later the smaller Boston blocks were introduced.

Nearly every city in the United States has bought more or less granite from this section, and the variety of blocks made has been almost as great as the number of places buying them.

A block for New Orleans would make fifteen for New York, twenty for Philadelphia, thirty for Boston. Blocks have also been sent to Cuba and, Valparaiso. In 1868, Mr. Charles Guidot made the first contract for paving New York streets with granite blocks, and paved the lower part of Broadway with what has since been known as the New York block. The granite of Cape Ann is comparatively inexhaustible, and has always been prized for its firm texture, high crushing test and freedom from pyrites and other im- purities, making it most desirable for paving-blocks, building and monumental purposes.

The parties now engaged in quarrying are the Rockport Granite Co., Pigeon Hill Granite Co., Charles Guidot, Edwin Canney, Ballou & Mason, Herbert A. Story, E. L. Waite, Charles Dormon & Son and Bryant, Lurvey & Co.

Between four and five hundred men find employ- ment in the business in this town ; twelve to fifteen vessels are constantly employed in carrying the pro- duction to home ports, while hundreds of large vessels bringing freight to Eastern ports take return cargoes of blocks to New York, Philadelphia, Albany and other seaboard cities, either for use at places of dis- charge or for rail transportation inland.

ROCKPORT BANK .- The Rockport Bank was in- corporated in 1851; capital stock, $100,000. At its organization Ezra Eames was chosen president, and he occupied that position until his death, August 18, 1874, aged seventy-two years.

Deacon Jabez R. Gott was elected cashier and served in that capacity until failing health compelled him to resign. He died March 15, 1876, aged eighty- two years. These two men were among our most prominent and respected citizens.

Captain Charles Tarr succeeded Mr. Eames and he still occupies that position.

that position ; after a few years' service he resigned, and George W. Tufts was chosen and is the preseut incumbent.

When the other State banks adopted the National system, the Rockport fell into line and became known as the Rockport National Bank. Its capital stock was at one time increased to $150,000, but after a few years it was reduced to its first figure, $100,000.

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ROCKPORT.

There was quite an opposition before the Legislature to the chartering of this bank. It was claimed by the friends of the old Gloucester Bank that it could fur- nish all the bank accommodation that was needed for the entire Cape.

After the charter was granted it was with some difficulty that the stock was taken, but by great effort of the directors, of which I think there were as many as nine or ten, they succeeded, the full amount of stock was taken, and the bank went into operation. The stock soon went above par, and has ever since commanded a premium. This institution has been conducive to the business of the town.

ROCKPORT SAVINGS BANK .- The Rockport Sav- ings Bank was incorporated June 23, 1853. Cor- porators named in the act were Ezra Eames, Jabez R. Gott, James Haskell and their associates. At its organization James Haskell was chosen president, and Newell Giles treasurer. The bank soon com- menced receiving deposits and proved to be a success- ful institution until, in 1875, its deposits amounted to $414,460.71. About this time a cloud came over the town in the shape of financial troubles and failures in business. Confidence became impaired, deposits were withdrawn, so that in 1876 they were reduced to $376,780.51. This year Dr. Jas. Manning was chosen treasurer, Newell Giles having resigned. A change was also made in the board of trustees, and Joshua Tarr was elected president, succeeding Henry Dennis. He had succeeded James Haskell who resigned some years before on account of his leaving town ; he went to Saccarappa, Maine, where he now is (1887).

Notwithstanding the change of officers, confidence was not restored, deposits continued to be withdrawn until, February 25, 1878, they were reduced to $182,- 352. Atthis time Hon. Charles P. Thompson and Dr. Joseph Manning were appointed receivers. Within a few years the whole business of the bank was closed- The depositors received eighty-five and a fraction per cent. on their deposits. A short time, say about twenty days, after the receivers were appointed the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Stay Law, so called, which undoubtedly saved other saving in- stitutions from sharing the fate of the Rockport.

Had this been passed before the receivers were appointed, withont doubt the Rockport Savings Bank would now be in successful operation, and the deposit- ors would receive one hundred cents on every dollar of their deposits as called for, and also interest.

For when we take into account the $8000 the re- ceivers had for their services, and the shrinkage in a few of the largest mortgages, saying nothing of the loss on the smaller ones, and the los-es in other ways incidental to closing out of the business, we have an amount more than equal to the fifteen per cent. of the loss to the depositors.

The closing out of this savings bank was one of, if not the greatest of all the financial disasters that ever befell the town.

GRANITE SAVINGS BANK .- After the closing out of the Rockport Savings Bank, some of the citizens felt that an institution for savings was needed in town.

Accordingly, a petition to that effect was forwarded to the Legislature, and in the year 1884 the Granite Savings Bank was incorporated. William Winsor, J. Loring Woodfall, John W. Marshall, George Elwell, George M. McClain, Nathaniel Richardson, Jr., Francis Tarr, Frank Scripture, Wm. H. Colbey and George A. Lowe were named in the act of incor- poration. The first meeting for the choice of officers was held December 16, 1884, at which meeting John G. Dennis, Esq., was elected president; J. Loring Woodfall was chosen secretary ; two vice-presidents were chosen and eleven trustees.

There was some ill-feeling engendered about town by the closing up of the Rockport Savings Bank, which on the start operated to some extent against the new bank, but this feeling is being vercome. The new institution has a good board of officers, in whom the public cannot but have confidence; the insti- tution is gradually growing in favor; as business shall revive, deposits will increase more rapidly. Without doubt it will prove a useful institution. Its first divi- dend, two per cent., was payable on the 1st day of April, 1887.

The president, John G. Dennis, Esq., died in June of the year succeeding his election. The vacancy was not filled until the next annual meeting, when Wm. Winsor was elected president, and Nathan- iel Richardson, Jr., was re-elected treasurer. Mr. Dennis at the time of his decease was also a member of the State Legislature. The first deposit made in this bank was April 11, 1885.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. - At the annual March meeting, in 1853, a committee was chosen to make suitable arrangements to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Sandy Bay as the Fifth Parish of Gloucester. The commit- tee met and organized, and then, by a unanimous vote, invited Lemuel Gott, M.D., to prepare and deliver an address on that important occasion. After due consideration he cordially accepted the invita- tion of the committee.

The date of the act of incorporation of the parish of Sandy Bay was January 1, 1754.

The 1st day of January, 1854, fell on Sunday ; therefore, Monday, the 2d day of January, was de- voted to exercises of the centennial.

On account of a heavy snow-storm, travel was im- peded, which prevented our friends from abroad from being present, except in limited numbers. Neverthe- less, the Congregationalist Church, where the services were held, was filled with an earnest and attentive andience.

The exercises were as follows: Voluntary on the organ, by Samuel J. Giles ; reading of Scripture and prayer, by Rev. Thomas Driver, Baptist ; hymn was

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

readl by Rev. A. C. L. Arnold, Universalist, as fol- that its publication has been provided for and will be effected within a few weeks, which event is anx- iously looked for.

lows : 1

Address by Lemuel Gott, M.D., which occupied more than an hour. Closed by benediction by Rev. Thos. Driver ; voluntary by Samuel J. Giles.

At 7.30 p.M. the church was again filled. Services were : Voluntary by Samuel J. Giles ; prayer by Rev. J. A. Gibson, Methodist ; anthem by choir, organ accompaniment. Dr. Gott resumed his address which was listened to with marked attention to its close.

Benediction by Rev. A. C. L. Arnold; volun- tary by Samuel J. Giles. These very interesting services were brought to a close. We regret to say that this very interesting and valuable address has not yet been published. We are pleased to say

1 A part of the hymu was selected and a part composed by Ebenezer Pool, our antiquarian.

" God of the circling shores ! To whom n thousand years Are as a day : Led by thy guiding hand Our fathers found this land- They firmly took their stand Thy laws to obey.

" Over the rocky road, They bravely walked or rude In prayer to join ; 'Twas through n torest din Some nilles they went to hymn God's praises there to rhyme, Read line by line.

" Many a year hud passed, The time it came ut last, God's word brought near ;

A century has gone, Sinro a house hear their home, Was built for ull, not ono, God's word to hear.

" Our fathers, sons and all, Heeded their country's call For Hitwerty ; By land and son they went, Regardless of event, To meet the tyrants sont ; They would be free.

" Thou, as a shield of power In battle's awful hour,

Didst round them stand ; Their hopes were In thy power Strong in this trying hour ; By thee their bannery towered, tion of our land.

' Some score of years have tled- Our fathers with the deud- Man's certain lot ; But we, their offspring, meet This day with joy to greet,

I aten tiên herie, too sweet To too long t.

" Lind. let thy minile of love

uur grateful & Bg to fi ---

God of the bon I nud freu O al of ul praise "

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION .- In the year 1854 the citizens proposed to have a general celebration of the 4th of July. The town had never done this be- fore. Early in the season a meeting was called and a general committee of arrangements was chosen. They appointed the sub-committee, and assigned to each their part of the work. They soon made their plans and put forth efforts to carry them into execu- tion. As one of the results, about eight hundred dol- lars was collected to pay for musie, hire of tents, fireworks, etc. The ladies readily entered into the plans, and signified their readiness to provide food for the occasion. Thus on the start there was assur- ance that the celebration would be a success. When Mr. Norwood was asked for the use of his pasture on which to pitch our tents, he replied "Yes, you can have the free use of the pasture for your 4th of July celebration, but your independence you have got to fight for." Which saying was verified seven years later. (He was a pronounced anti-slavery man.) Early on the morning of the 4th the town was awake visitors came pouring in in great numbers, the town appeared at its best. Arches were erected over several of the streets and were finely decorated. Flags were strung across others. Bunting was displayed from some houses, mottoes were displayed from others, etc.

On the morning of the 4th every arrangement had been made. The two large tents had been pitched on Allen's Head Pasture. At 9 o'clock A.M. a procession was formed on Broadway in the following order :

Aids.

Aids. Chief Marshal. Chelsea Brass Band. Gloucester Artillery. Committee of Arrangements. Bay Tent of Rechabites. Carriage containing elderly gentlemen. I. O. O. F., in regalia, with their.banner. Goddessof Liberty, in a carriage, appropriately arrayed. Justice and Pence appropriately dressed, in a well-trimmed carriage. Engine Company No. 3, in nuiform. School No. 1, Grammar Department, iu Bloomer costume. Sensous appropriately represented. Carriage beautifully dressed. School No. 4, in appropriate costume. Stars- Nine young ladies dressed in white ; team driven by a colored boy . School No. 3, in uniform. Morning, Noon und Night, in a curringe, appropriately represented. Faith, Hope and Charity, well represented by three young ladies in a carriage appropriately trimmed. School No. 2, in uniform. School No. 5, in uniform. The States represented by thirty-two ladies appropriately costumed, in a carringe tustily decorated. School No. 1, in uniform. Representation of Indian and Turk on horseback. Old Folks at Home T'en young ladies dressed in old style, in carriage with spinning-wheels, carding, etc. Carriage, Floral Bower, six young ladies dressed in white, decorated with flowers. Modesty, In a carriage, well represented.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 99

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672