History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 22

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 22

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Hammond's Pord, in the easterly part of Newton, is the most elevated sheet of water in the town. It has an area of about twenty acres, and is one hundred and sixty feet above tide water. Palmer Brook, some- times called Pond Brook, the principal outlet to this lakelet, flows in a southeasterly direction through a large tract of flat, swampy land localized as Trouble- some Swamp. Great Bald-pate Meadow, Little Bald- pate Meadow and Stake Meadow (which derived its name from a stake or wooden post driven there to de- fine an angle formed by boundary lines between New- ton and Brookline.) From thence the brook winds its way on to the Charles River. In the seasons of high water there is an overflow from Hammond's Pond westward to Smelt Brook, near the grist-mill of Mr. John Spring. Bald-pate and Oak Hills border the meadow on the south, and were once covered with a heavy growth of timber; in fact, the whole region thereabouts was a dense forest. The growing demand for manufactured lumber brought this wealth of tim- ber lands into the market, and in the year 1683 Mr. Erosmond Drew, an energetic young man of Irish parentage, purchased a large tract of land near the foot of Bald-pate Hill, lying partly in the town of Brookline, and partly in Newton, and built a saw- mill and water-power just about on the boundary line between the two towns. His mill pond over- flowed a considerable portion of the meadow lands in that vicinity. There are no records or traditions that impart any knowledge of the amount of business done by Mr. Drew, but he undoubtedly had a ready mar- ket for all the lumber that he could furnish.

In the year 1726 Mr. Drew conveyed his mills to Nathaniel Parker, who continued the business already so well established by his predecessor. lu addition to the timber cut upon their own lands, there can be

no doubt but that the settlers for miles around carried their logs to this mill for sawing into dimension lum- ber for various uses ; and until within the tast fifty years the old mill was in a running condition and last oper- ated by Mr. David Wardwell. There are still sufficient ruins remaining to mark the spot where the old Erosmond Drew saw-mill was built.

A little more than a mile distant, across the divide from Drew's mili in a southwesterly direction, the ruins of an old dam across South Meadow Brook still remain. The object for which it was constructed is somewhat of a mystery. There is a tradition that this dam was built for the sole purpose of flowing the Great Meadows, to kill the alders and other shrubbery in that low ground ; but it hardly seems possible that such massive retaining walls, with earth-work and flumes, would have been built, unless there was some object to be accomplished other than the extermi- nation of the undergrowth of a forest, particularly when there could be no appreciable value to the land when cleared. As early as 1724 this tract of land was owned by Mr. David Richardson, a blacksmith by trade, and having a forge upon his premises. It is possible that he built the dam to obtain water-power to drive a hammer-mill, or bloomery in connection with his forge, but history fails to impart any positive information in that direction. There is, however, traditionary evidence of there once being a saw-mill upon that spot.

A mile and a half farther on our trail brings us to the Charles River-the Quinobequin of the Indians -at the Upper Falls ; and as we stand upon the brink of the falls, and view the narrow gorge between the bluffs of rugged rocks that tower above us on either side, between which the river tumbles and rolls on its way to the ocean, and contemplate the primitive grandeur of this,-one of the most charming and picturesque spotsin Eastern Massachusetts,-we can- not wonder that the Indians selected these bluff's as a place of rendezvous. It was here they built an cel- wier of large stones across the channel to entrap the fish as they came down the stream. It was here, too they built a stone house, with thatched roof, for the double purpose of a shelter, and a place for preparing their game and fish upon the bare rocks around them. This place evidently was the ideal of the Indians, for when they sold their rights in the land to the white men, they reserved this spot for the sole use of their race, together with the rock house, and game-drying grounds, absolute and forever. The natural fall in the river at Upper Falls is about twenty-six feet, and is divided into two sections of fifteen and eleven feet respectively, by dams about a hundred rods apart.

In the year 1688, Mr. John Clark, of Watertown, purchased a large tract of land bordering upon the Charles River at the Upper Falls, in Newton. Ilis purchase included the water-power of the river, and the right to build mills there; and before the end of the year he built the upper dam across the river, and

NEWTON.

erected a saw-mill,-thus inaugurating one of the principal manufacturing industries of the town. He died in 1695, and by will gave his mill, with eight acres of land adjoining, to his two sons, John and William Clark. In May, 1708, John Clark 2d con- veyed one-quarter part of the saw-mill and water privilege, with half an acre of land to Mr. Nathaniel Parker, for twelve pounds sterling. A short time afterwards Mr. William Clark conveyed a quarter part of the mill to Nathaniel Longley. These sales made Messrs. Jolin Clark, William Clark, Nathaniel Parker and Nathaniel Longley equal owners in the mill property. The new com- pany increased their business by enlarging the mill building, and adding a grist-mill and fulling- mill. A fulling-mill is a mechanical device to thicken or shrink woolen cloths by the use of fuller's earth and water and by the same operation any oily sub- stances that may be in the wool are extracted. The goods to be fulled are laid in a trough partially filled with water, and fuller's earth, and pounded by a system of pounders or beetles arranged perpendicu- larly over the trough, which are lifted and dropped alternately by means of a series of revolving cans placed in a horizontal shaft, in a manner that will allow the beetles to drop upon the cloth as it lies sub- merged in the water. Fuller's earth is a variety of lithomarge, which is a valuable absorbent for extract- ing cils used in the manufacture of wool. It is com- posed of aluminum, silex, oxide of iron, magnesia and other chemicals, which impart to it a diversity of color; and it is rapidly dissolved in water to a very fine powder.

Between the years 1717 and 1725 the several owners of the mill property conveyed their entire in- terest to Mr. Noah Parker, son of Nathaniel Parker. And in 1725 Mr. Noah Parker sold bis fulling-mill, with one-quarter of an acre of land, for one hundred and twenty pounds in bills, to Mr. Samuel Stowell, of Watertown, upon the condition that Mr. Stowell, his heirs or assigns, were never to build any other than a fulling-mill upon this land : and that Mr. Parker or his heirs or assigns were never to build a fulling-mill on the adjoining lot, under a forfeiture of one hun- dred pounds, for violation of contract.

There is no record of any change being made, either in the mills or the ownership, until the time of the death of Mr. Noah Parker, in 1768. Of these gen- tlemen but very little is known beyond their business abilities. The Middlesex Court records inform us that Mr. Joseph Bartlett sued Mr. John Clark for pulling down a frame house, and received judgment against him in the sum of one pound and fourteen shillings sterling. Mr. Nathaniel Parker served the town as selectman in 1716. Mr. Nathaniel Longley, perhaps, was more identified with the public weal than any of the others. He was a member of the School Committee in 1721, a selectman in 1725 and also a member of a committee appointed by the town

to assign the seats and pews in the meeting-house to the parishioners, according to their rank or station in society.

In the year 1768, Mr. Thomas Parker, eldest son of Noah Parker, was appointed by the Probate Court as administrator of his father's estate. In 1771, Thomas Parker conveyed to Jonathan Bixby, a blacksmith by trade, one-quarter of an acre of land, with water privilege and right to build a scythe-mill, and operate a power trip-hammer and bellows for the same. The same year Mr. Bixby granted to Mr. Parker the free liberty of erecting fulling-mills upon his own land adjoining the mill-pond, with a free use of the stream ; also a right of way past the scythe factory to get to his mills.

Mr. Thomas Parker was a leading and honored cit- izen of the town, an influential member of the Board of Selectmen for three years, and occupied a seat as Representative in the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth for six years. He was an active mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and made himself gener- ally useful in the society in which he dwelt.

In the autumn of 1778, General Simon Elliot, a wealthy merchant and tobacconist of Boston, pur- chased a portion of the factory property belonging to Mr. Thomas Parker, for 300 pounds, lawful money, and built a snuff-mill. Four years later, in 1782, Mr. Elliot bought the balance of the Parker mills prop- erty, including water privilege and all other rights thereto belonging, for the sum of 1400 pounds, law- ful silver money, and enlarged liis facilities for man- nfactoring snuff to four mill buildings, containing twenty mortars for crushing the tobacco leaf. Mr. Elliot took up his residence in Newton, and lived in the Noah Parker house. He purchased large tracts of land upon both sides of the Charles River, and built a farm-house, barns, cider-mill and other build- ings requisite to carry on the farming business. The snuff-mills gave employment to quite a number of workmen, under the supervision of Mr. John Clough, of German nativity,-a professional snuff-maker.

Under the United States excise laws, enacted in 1798, Mr. Elliot was assessed and paid a direct tax to the government on lands and mill property valued at $8730. He also held by appointment a major-gener- al's commission in the State militia. It is said that in the year 1800 but three family carriages were owned in Newton, and one of them belonged to Gen- eral Elliot.

In January, 1809, Mr. Jonathan Bixby, for a con- sideration of ninety dollars, paid by General Simon Elliot, conveyed to him three undivided ninth parts of his privilege to turn one or more grindstones by water- power at the iron-mill, a few rods below the snuff- mill property.

The early part of the present century witnessed a marked change in the textile manufacturing interests of the country. The work, already so well commenced in previous years, was rapidly extended by building

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

larger factories, and filling them with improved ma- chinery for spinning and weaving cotton and wool fabrics. The War of 1812 created a temporary reac- tion in most mechanical pursuits, but at the close of hostilities, every branch of industry was again pros- perous.

In November, 1814, General Elliot sold his entire mill property at the Upper Falls, consisting of four snuff-mills, one-grist-mill, one wire-mill, a screw-fac- tory, blacksmith-shop, annealing-house-with all of his rights in the water-power of the Charles River, together with fifty-seven acres of land, tenement- houses and farm buildings, and all privileges thereto belonging-to Messrs. James & Thomas H. Perkins, merchants of Boston, for the round sum of twenty thousand dollars. The object of their purchase was to build immediately a first-class cotton-factory of six thousand spindle capacity, for making sheetings. But before these gentlemen had matured their plan of operations the United States Congress enacted tariff laws adverse to the interest of home manufac- turers, and by so doing opened the market to foreign competitors, and the overwhelming influx of goods from abroad brought with it, a corresponding stagna- tion of business at home; and the Messrs. Perkins postponed their factory enterprise until a better mar- ket could be secured. At the end of seven years there was a healthy improvement in the market, and work was once more resumed upon the manufactory. For the purpose of increasing their capital and busi- ness, they obtained an act of incorporation from the General Court in the spring of 1823, under the cor- porate name of the Elliot Manufacturing Company- for the purpose of manufacturing cotton-goods at Newton, in the county of Middlesex-with a capital not exceeding three hundred and thirty thousand dollars. The new company organized by electing Mr. Thomas H. Perkins, president ; George H. Kuhn, Esq., of Boston, as treasurer; and Mr. Frederick Cabot, as resident agent. The directors employed Mr. Otis Pettee to superintend the mechanical de- partment of their factory. Mr. Pettee was a native of the town of Foxboro', Massachusetts, and a son of Mr. Simon Pettee. Very early in life he exhibited a remarkable interest in mechanical works, and even in infancy this development was apparent. His father -a man of superior judgment and ability, and en- dowed with great inventive powers-was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on an extensive business in Fox- boro'. During the War of 1812 he was employed by the United States Government to manufacture imple- ments of warfare. His son Otis, then a youth of six- teen or seventeen summers, was particularly inter- ested in the various designs and mechanisms of the articles to be made, and rendered valuable assistance to his father in the work-shops. Ilis education was limited to the advantages of the ordinary district schools of his town, arithmetic being his favorite study. While he took a great interest in mechanical

works generaily, he made a special study of textile machinery and manufactures, and qualified himself for almost any position in a cotton factory. Mr. Pet- tee had served several brief engagements elsewhere, and owned a small thread-factory in his native town before he engaged with the Elliot Company, in 1823. The limited facilities for procuring machinery from shops already established caused considerable delay in the completion of their factory ; so the company decided that they would put up a large machine-shop, and build a portion of the machinery themselves ; and with the addition of a brass foundry, they were enabled to make castings for the more delicate parts. Early in the season of 1824 the hum of the spindle and the clashing of the loom testified to the outside world that they were in full operation, making thirty- six inch wide sheeting. We copy from a label placed upon the cloth as it is baled for market : "The whole process of manufacturing these goods is performed by water-power machinery, which makes them more even and uniform than can be done by hand, and every piece warranted perfect." From twenty to twenty-five yards of cloth a day per loom was a fair production, for machinery sixty years ago was not run upon the high pressure principle of the present day ; and when we compare the time required for a day's work then, with the hours of labor now, we ean truly say that the machinery of other days ran at a very moderate speed.

In order that the reader may make a comparison between old rules governing a day's work and the rules laid down at the present time, we will give a copy of an old poster that occupied a conspicuous place in each department of a well-regulated manu- factory, viz. : "Machinery will be put in motion at five o'clock in the morning, from March twentieth to September twentieth, and all workmen or operatives are required to be in their places ready to commence work at that hour. A half-hour is allowed for break- fast-from half-past six to seven. At twelve o'clock three-quarters of an hour is allowed for dinner, and at seven o'clock in the evening the day's labor will end. From September twentieth, during the winter months, to March twentieth, breakfast will be taken before commencing work, and the wheels will be started at early daylight in a clear morning ; cloudy or dark mornings artificial light will be used; the dinner hour the same as in the summer ; the afternoon run will continue until half-past seven in the even- ing, with the exception that Saturday's work will end with the daylight." These rules were not limited to any particular class of industries, but were general throughout the land.

Lighting up day in September would be ushered in with a kind of gloomy, funereal aspect by the work- men. While, on the other hand, blowing-out time in March would be greeted with much joy and a deal of good humor. Frequently the old jacket-lamps would be sent hurling through the workshops by

NEWTON.

some over-jubilant workmen, while others might be seen going out of an open window or under a bench, and the day's jubilee end with a grand "blow-out" ball in the old tavern hall or some other convenient place, and be kept up until the wee sma' hours of the morn.

After awhile the question of reduction of service was agitated, and workmen asked that twelve hours be considered as a day's work, and in process of time the request was granted, only to be followed by agi- tating the eleven-hour system. At the end of a more protracted consideration by the employers this request was granted, with the proviso that there should be no more agitation of the hours-of-labor question. It re- quired but a comparatively short time, however, to lose sight of all compromises, and the question came up anew, and more vigorous than before, demanding that ten hours must be recognized as the maximum time for a day's work. The arguments advanced were that the laboring classes needed more time for reading and study to improve their minds. At length the ten-hour rule was adopted, and all was quiet again. But now the working people are as anxious and earn- est to bring about an eight-hour system, and even more so than were the agitators of a twelve-hour sys- tem fifty years ago. This is simply a matter of his- tory, and is incorporated here without comment or criticism.

Previous to 1840 the best mechanics or skilled workmen would command a dollar and a half per day, and others a less price, according to their rank as workmen ; apprentices usually a half-dollar per day for the first year, seventy-five cents per day for the second year, and a dollar per day for the third year; and when we consider the number of hours required for a day's work then, as compared with the present time (1890), it will be looked upon as a very moderate compensation. In many ways the cost of living was less; good board and lodging at regular lodging-houses could be had at two dollars per week for men, and for boys, at a dollar and a half per week. The aim of very many of the family men was to procure a small lot of land and build them- selves a comfortable little home, and cultivate a small garden-patch for table use in its season ; and in many other ways a family could save a trifle here and there, and have a few dollars left from their yearly earnings to lay aside for support in their old age.

About the year 1824 there was a great demand for thread. The Elliot Company had completed their Mill No. 1, and were putting in foundations for Mill No. 2. The growing pressure for thread induced them to fill the new factory with thread machinery. Mr. Pettee had previously made thread in a small factory of his own at Foxboro', and was thor- oughly familiar with the details of the business. The labor of building the requisite machinery was pressed forward to the utmost to complete the mill, and the next year the thread factory was doing a thriving

business, the company finding a ready market for all the thread they could make. Other manufacturing companies started the thread business simultaneously with the Elliot Company, and in accordance with true Yankee enterprise, it took but a very few years to overstock the market and fill up the shelves and store-houses with large stacks of thread. Meantime, the market for sheetings, that had been dull for a con- siderable time past, rapidly increased and prices ad- vanced. The Elliot Company were divided as to the best course to pursue, but at length concluded there never would be any further demaud for thread, and their success in manufacturing was in the loom, rather than in the thread-twister. Mr. Pettee was disposed to look farther into the future than the stockholders of the company and advised them not to disturb their thread-mill, for there surely would be a greater call for thread in the near future than there had ever been before. The company, however, were very decided in their conclusions to discontinue the thread busi- ness, and gave orders to take out the machinery and replace it with looms. This change of machinery consumed nearly a year's time, and when it was just about half completed there was a loud call for thread again. Ware-houses were cleared and shelves made vacant, and thread-makers urged to a greater produc- tion. It was now that the Elliot Company waked up to a realization of their mistake in not listening to the advice of their mechanical men ; but it was too late, and their only alternative was to complete the alterations already so far advanced ; and by the time they were ready to weave in Mill No. 2 the market was dull for sheetings.

After the Elliot Company had completed the ma- chinery for their own use they were prepared to build for other parties; in fact, they already had filled a few small orders from neighboring factories at Dedham, Waltham and other places. About this time the Jackson Company were building a large factory in Nashua, New Hampshire, and entered into negotia- tions with the Elliot Company for machinery. On account of the magnitude of the job and the limited time allowed to complete the work, the directors hesi- tated in deciding whether to undertake to do it or not. Mr. Pettee was sanguine as to their ability to fill the contract in a satisfactory manner and within the speci- fied time; still the directors hesitated. Meantime Mr. Pettee canvassed the country for material and work- men, and found that there would be no delay in that direction, urged the company still more earnestly to undertake the work, which they at last reluctantly decided to do. Unfortunately for the company there had been a little friction in the management, which still existed to a moderate extent. There is no doubt but that this element had many times been a barrier to more prompt actions in the board; and when we consider the contingencies attending such an under- taking, at a time when the facilities for accomplish- ing it were anything but reliable, we may not be sur-

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

prised at the delay in deciding the best thing to be done. Now that the question was settled, the next step to be taken was to procure the requisite material for the job-which was no small task. Previous to this time a very large percentage of cotton and woolen manufacture had been done in the State of Rhode Is- land and in the Massachusetts towns bordering upon that State. This very naturally made the city of Providence the mercantile centre of the business, and the market to be depended upon for that line of goods, although Boston and Salem sustained a fair market for manufacturers' supplies.

The slow process of travel and transportation was another item for consideration. No railroads for rapid transit, no telegraph to transmit orders, no tele- phones to communicate with parties at a distance; mail-coaches were slow, driving one's horse was tedious, and heavy cartage by ox-teams with snail- like pace was exceedingly trying to the patience of any progressive parties. Nearly three months of the time had already elapsed, with very little apparent progress in the work, while the real advance was almost marvelous. Drawings and designs had been perfected and patterns made; and in the foundries for castings at Walpole, Foxborough and Easton, lumber, bar-iron and other commodities ordered from Providence and elsewhere. and in transitu. Such was the condition of things when the company became alarmed at the prospect before them, and called a special meeting to take council together as to the best course to pursue. The same element that retarded action at the commencement was still more decided that work could not be done, and so a vote was passed to cancel their obligations with the Jackson Company. Mr. Pettee laid the whole matter before them, insisting that the work was really progressing rapidly, and could be accomplished-but to no avail. And for the time being, he took the responsibility upon himself and carried it through to completion, satisfactorily to the Jackson Company, as the follow- ing inscription upon a silver service presented to him by them will testify : "Presented to Otis Pettee by the Jackson Company, in token of their approbation of the machinery he built for their mills in the year 1831."

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 22

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278