History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 126

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 126

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During the latter part of the century the troop of horse was revived, and in 1798 the Weymouth Light- Horse Troop was regularly organized, with John White as its first captain, whose commission dates August 13th of that year. This company held its existence about a dozen years, and included on its rolls a large portion of the active, prominent citizens.

The next organization was the Weymouth Artillery Company, formed in 1801, with Nathaniel Shaw as its first captain, his commission dating October 5th of the same year. This company enjoyed an active life of more than forty years, and was composed of the "first young men" of the town. It disbanded | ent time. Its meetings were held first at Weymouth about 1843.

The Weymouth Light Infantry was a local organ- ization, formed at Weymouth Landing in 1818, Levi Bates being its first captain, the date of whose com- mission is recorded as Feb. 9, 1818. It was com- posed of the active men of the village, and continued its existence for about fifteen years.

The Franklin Guards, of South Weymouth, was a - local organization, as indicated by its name. Its first captain was Samuel P. Bayley, commissioned Feb. 26, 1822. The company was continued for ten or fifteen years.

Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Massachusetts .- Lincoln Post, No. 40, named for our lamented President, was organized Jan. 2, 1868, at North Weymouth, having for its first Commander, Gen. B. F. Pratt, who had previously been a comrade of Post 15, in Boston. In August, 1873, it surren- dered its charter and united with Post 58.

Reynolds Post, No. 58, was formed July 14, 1868, and numbered, Dec. 1, 1883, three hundred and nine- teen members. It was named in honor of Gen. John F. Reynolds, of the First Army Corps, under whom many of its comrades served. Its first commander was Gen. James L. Bates, and its present, Col. B. S. Lovell. Its charity fund amounts to $13,000; and up to the beginning of 1883, the post had expended, in relief and benefits to sick comrades and to widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, the sum of $6768.83. During its later years the disbursements for these pur- poses have been about $1000 annually. The funeral expenses of a comrade, to the amount of $50, are borne by the post, in cases where the family or con- nections of the deceased would find it a burden to provide them. All of the members are uniformed. | lodges in the town.

The post is a most useful organization, and was never !

more prosperous than at present. Its regular meet- ings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

Societies and Associations .- Masonic .- Among the most important associations in the town are the Masonic organizations, of which there are three.

The Orphans' Hope Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons was instituted June 8, 1825; the charter was granted to John Edson and others. In 1830, during the Anti-Masonic excitement, the char- ter was returned to the Grand Lodge, and Sept. 10, 1856, was reissued on petition of Lovell Bicknell and others. John Edson was the first Master and Timothy Gorden the first Secretary. From the return of the charter the lodge has always been in a prosperous condition and never more successful than at the pres-

Landing, then at North Weymouth, and since at East Weymouth, always in hired apartments ; but a new hall is now in process of erection by the lodge in the latter village, and will probably be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1884. The lodge numbers one hundred and sixty-six members.

The Delta Lodge, at Weymouth Landing, was chartered July 2, 1869, by the Grand Lodge; the first meeting having been held on May 12th of the previous year. Edward Avery was the first Wor- shipful Master ; N. F. T. Hunt, Senior Warden ; A. S. White, Treasurer ; C. G. Thompson, Secretary. The present officers are Alden Bowditch, Worshipful Master ; E. E. Richards, Senior Warden ; John M. Walsh, Treasurer ; Wm. S. Wallace, Secretary.

The South Shore Commandery of Knights Tem- plar was duly constituted by charter Oct. 13, 1871, Z. L. Bicknell, Commander ; George Wyman Fay, Generalissimo, and E. Waters Burr, Captain-General. Its place of meeting is at East Weymouth, and its present membership (September, 1883) is one hun- dred and fifty-three. Its present officers are E. W. H. Bass, Commander; William Fearing, Second Generalissimo ; Charles N. Marsh, Recorder ; and Andrew J. Garey, Captain-General.

Pentalpa Royal Arch Chapter held its first meet- ing June 14, 1870, Stephen S. Bradford, High Prest ; William Humphrey, King; A. A. Holbrook, Scribe ; Samuel A. Bates, Secretary. Its present officers are Francis K. Slack, High Priest; Joel F. Sheppard, King ; John M. Walsh, Scribe; William Cushing, Secretary ; and its membership is one hundred and twenty-four.

The Independent Order of Odd- Fellows has two

The Crescent Lodge, No. 32, at East Weymouth,

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was instituted Aug. 22, 1845. It has received into its membership three hundred and forty-six, of whom forty-five have died.

The Wildey Lodge, of South Weymouth, was instituted March 9, 1875, with eighteen charter mem- bers, and has now a membership of one hundred and eighteen. Its growth has been steady and permanent, and it stands second to none in sustaining the objects of its organization. It has a fine building erected by its members, which, with its furnishing, has cost fifteen thousand dollars. In this building are a hall for the use of the lodge, a public hall, and two stores.

The Wompatuck Encampment, No. 18, was origi- nally organized in Hingham, but surrendered its charter Feb. 2, 1851. It was reinstated at East Wey- mouth Oct. 27, 1875, at the petition of Stephen Cain and thirteen others, with George W. Pratt, C. P .; A. H. Leonard, Scribe; and K. Chamberlain, Treasurer.

Knights of Pythias .- The Delphi Lodge, No. 15, was organized Dec. 17, 1869, with thirteen char- ter members, at Weymouth Landing ; was burned out Sept. 15, 1870, sustaining a loss of six hundred dol- lars. The lodge now occupies a fine, new hall, well furnished, and is growing rapidly, with a present membership of one hundred and twelve.

Knights of Honor .- The Pilgrim Lodge, No. 485, at East Weymouth, was organized Feb. 27, 1877, with thirteen charter members ; first named " Cooper," in compliment to its first Dictator, but two years after this, for obvious reasons, the name was changed to " Pilgrim." Its growth has been slow but steady, and now numbers sixty members. This is a benevolent association, and pays two thousand dollars to the heirs of each member upon his death. Frank W. Lewis is the present Dictator.

The Weymouth Agricultural and Industrial So- ciety was formed Oct. 31, 1864, for purposes indi- cated by its name, to promote the interests of agricul- ture and industry. Its first president was James L. Bates, and its present, Alvah Raymond. It owns about thirty-three acres of land in the southeasterly part of the town, upon which there is a half-mile track, with horse-stables, etc. Its stock is held at ten dollars per share, of which there are about nine hun- dred, held by four hundred and seventy members. The society holds an annual fair upon its grounds, and is in a prosperous condition.

There are also several other organizations of similar character, among them the Hibernians of East Wey- mouth, a Council of the Royal Arcanum, at Wey- mouth Landing, and many temperance associations, Temple of Honor, Reform Club, Good Templars,

Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and others, of which fuller mention cannot be made for want of space.

CHAPTER LIII.

WEYMOUTH-( Continued).

Business Enterprises1-Mills : The Waltham- Richards- Bates' Mill, Tide Mill, Tirrell's Mill, Reed's Mill, Loud's Mill, Vin- son's Mill, Dyer's Mill-Turnpikes : Weymouth and Brain- tree, New Bedford, Hingham and Quincy Bridge-Rail- roads : Old Colony, South Shore-Expresses-Telegraph-Tel- ephone-Financial Corporations-Banks : Weymouth Na- tional, National of South Weymouth-Savings Banks : Wey- mouth, South Weymouth, East Weymouth-Weymouth and Braintree Fire Insurance Company-Manufactures : Boots and Shoes-Weymouth Iron Company-Fish Company- Weymouth Commercial Company-Ice Companies-Bradley Fertilizer Company-Ship Building-Bay State Hammock Company-Howe & French-Fire-Works-Mitten-Factory -Miscellaneous.

Mills .- Weymouth has always, from its settlement by the English, been noted for its excellent mill priv- ileges. Mill River, from its departure from Great Pond to its mouth at tide-water, abounds with valu- able sites which have been improved during al- most if not quite its entire history. The mill of William Waltham is mentioned in his will in 1640. In the following January, 1641, a difficulty arose between Henry Waltham, to whom the property had passed, and Wealthean Richards, wife of Thomas Richards, whose husband was absent from the coun- try and had left her in charge of his interest. This was submitted to a reference consisting of Rev. Mr. Newman, James Parker, Esq., and Edward Bates. In 1642, Henry Waltham sold one-half of his grist- mill (the same property) to Joseph Arthur, of Wey- mouth, England, for one hundred and forty pounds, with other property. In 1651, after the death of Mr. Richards, who seems to have obtained posses- sion of the whole property, the mill was set off to his widow. The town records of that date say it " was on the road to Hingham Plain." This locates it at Back River, below Whitman's Pond. The mill (or mills) seems to have passed into the hands of Elder

1 The portion of this sketch devoted to business matters is necessarily very brief, the space allowing only a bare outline of important interests. Many are omitted entirely, among which are all of that class engaged in supplying the material wants of the inhabitants, very large in the aggregate, employ- ing much capital and many individuals. Several of the smaller manufacturers are also unmentioned for want of room. The compiler believes, however, that he has treated the business in- terests of the town as fully and fairly as can be reasonably de- manded in a work of this magnitude.

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Bates, and was used as a grist-, saw-, and fulling-mill, probably in two different buildings and a short dis- tance apart. After several changes the privileges passed into the possession of the Weymouth Iron Company in 1837, which has since improved them.

The Tide-Mill .- As early as 1669 the "tyde-mill" is mentioned. In 1682 it is called "Nash's grist- mill." In 1696, James Nash, the second of the name, left it to his grandson, James Drake, from whom it passed into possession of the Burrells, and soon after, the Webbs, with whom it remained for a hundred or more years. It was used for mill pur- poses until the present generation. It is now dis- mantled, and the privilege is not used. Its location was on Mill Cove, on the easterly side of Fore River, and not far from the original Weston settlement.

Tirrell's Mill .- This mill is situated very near the centre of the town, and dates from 1693, when the town granted a permit to Gideon Tirrell to set up a fulling-mill at " blade mill." Whether the latter name refers to the name of the owner or of the kind of a mill previously there is not known. It remained in the family of its original builder until quite re- cently, when it was bought by J. Loud & Co., and by them sold to Howe & French, the present owners.

Reed's Mill .- Following the course of the stream for about two miles towards its source, where it crosses the old Plymouth road, Reed's mill is found, built probably near the close of the last century by Jere- miah Shaw. It came into the hands of Ezra Reed about 1811, and was used as a grist-mill until 1855, when the present building was erected, which was occupied by E. & C. Sherman as a box-factory for a dozen years. The upper mill was built in 1866, and was used as a saw-mill until 1877, when it was leased to Cyrus Sherman and used for the manufacture of boot- and shoe-lasts, at which business he employs about twelve hands.

Loud's Mill .- This was probably the oldest mill above Tirrell's. It was built near the beginning of the last century, and was known as Sayle's mill. That family is now extinct in the town. At that period quite a village clustered about this mill, of which only the ruined cellars remain. The present mill was erected in 1836 as a grist-mill'by Mr. Loud, where, in 1850, he commenced making boxes. He still carries on the business there, employing about ten persons. This mill is a short distance above the Reed Mill.

Vinson's Mill .- This mill, formerly known as Col- son's, is located not far from Great Pond, and was erected about 1765. It passed into the hands of Mr. Vinson, and was used as a grist-mill until about

1837, and afterwards for a time as a bucket- and shingle-mill. The property is now owned by Mr. Elon Sherman, and used as a box-factory, with about fifteen workmen. A few years since the old mill was burned and a new one erected. Mr. Sher- man has also, within a year or two, commenced the manufacture of paper cartons for shoes.

Dyer's Mill .- This mill is located on Marsh River, on Pleasant Street, and was probably built by William Reed before 1700. In 1716 it is named in the will of John Porter as the " saw-mill." It subsequently passed into the hands of the Dyers, and was used by them as a grist-mill. It has not been used for mill purposes for about fifty or sixty years.

Turnpikes, Railroads, etc .- The primitive means of communication with Boston and other towns was by private conveyance,-horses, ox-wagons, and after- wards carriages,-with the sailing packets, the latter being the main dependence for this purpose. From the earliest times the packet was the favorite, being quicker, cheaper, and more convenient, and was in constant use for more than two hundred years, one or two of them always finding ready employment in passengers and freight. As the roads improved, and the needs of the people became greater, the stage- coach made its appearance and ran regularly between this town and Boston, until the necessity of still better roads for the accommodation of the increasing travel became apparent. Turnpikes were projected in various places, and several were proposed that should pass through Weymouth. The conservative element prevailed so strongly that the town strenu- ously opposed every attempt to locate one through it, especially those crossing the rivers. Notwithstanding all the endeavors of the town, charters were granted for three.

The Weymouth and Braintree Turnpike, crossing from Weymouth Landing southeasterly to Hingham on the line from Boston to Plymouth, was chartered March 4, 1803, and opened for travel in 1805. This was continued for nearly fifty years, when, owing to the changed condition of things with new modes of conveyance, it was thrown upon the town, July 15, 1852, and became a public road, now known as Washington Street.

A second, the New Bedford Turnpike, obtained a charter 29th February, 1804, and was laid out from the Weymouth and Braintree turnpike, beginning about a mile from the landing, running nearly south to the Abington line, on the route from Boston to New Bedford. The northerly part of the road was never a paying concern, and before many years it lapsed into private hands and is now Main Street.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The Hingham and Quincy Bridge and Turnpike were proposed and established, and Weymouth did Corporation was chartered 5th March, 1808, and not refuse to encourage such enterprises. Conse- quently opened for travel, with its two bridges over Fore and Back Rivers connecting Quincy and Hingham, in 1812. These bridges, with their tolls from travelers and tolls to vessels passing through the draws, were a continual source of vexation and contention, which did not cease until the whole property was thrown upon the towns as a public highway, 25th September, 1862.

Railroads .- Succeeding these, and the main cause of their failure, came the railroads; and the same spirit that had opposed the turnpike came forward in great strength against the railroad, and the town op- posed every attempt to locate one across its territory, but the genius of progress prevailed, and in March, 1844,

The Old Colony Railroad received its charter, and located its track across the southwest corner of the town from Braintree to Abington, passing a little south of the village of South Weymouth. The road was speedily built, and was opened for travel 10th November, 1845.

The South Shore Railroad soon followed the Old Colony, its charter dating 26th March, 1846, and was opened to the public 1st January, 1849. This road crosses the town near the villages of Weymouth Landing, North Weymouth, and East Weymouth, the principal centres of population and business. It was run at first connecting with the Old Colony at Braintree, and was afterwards hired by the latter. In May, 1877, it was bought by that corporation, and is now one of its branches.

The Express Business has grown in a half-cen- tury-at the beginning of which private teams were the only means of transportation aside from the sailing packets-until it numbers a dozen companies, employing scores of men and twice as many horses, requiring not far from sixty thousand dollars of capital.

The Telegraph and the Telephone have also become indispensable to the wants of the inhabitants, several the latter being freely used by many business houses. It also is found very convenient for families.

Financial Corporations .- The increase of mer- cantile business and the springing up of manufactures consequent upon revival of trade at the beginning of the nineteenth century demanded greater financial facil- ities than were previously enjoyed. In the circles immediately concerned there was not capital enough to do the necessary business, and exchanges were dif- ficult. As the grand panacea for all these evils banks

The Union Bank of Weymouth and Braintree was proposed, one hundred thousand dollars capital con- tributed, an act of incorporation obtained, dated March 17, 1832, and the company organized on the 11th of April, with choice of Josiah Vinton, Jr., as president, and commenced business as soon as the necessary details could be arranged. In 1853 an in- crease of $50,000 was made to its capital. On Sept. 6, 1864, the bank reorganized under the United States National Banking Act as the Union National Bank of Weymouth, and Jan. 12, 1865, the capital was increased to $300,000; and again, April 12, 1869, another $100,000 was added, making its pres- ent capital $400,000. It has a building of its own, and has always been located at Weymouth Landing.

The First National Bank of South Weymouth was organized Oct. 31, 1864, in consequence of the in- crease of business in that part of the town, and to employ a part of the capital rapidly accumulating there. Hon. B. F. White was its first president, and its capital was $150,000. In 1866 it purchased the building it now occupies.

The Weymouth and Braintree Institution for Sav- ings was incorporated Feb. 16, 1833. The original in- corporators named were Asa Webb, Whitcomb Porter, and Warren Weston. It began business the follow- ing February, 1834, Dr. Noah Fifield being the first president. By act of Legislature March 19, 1872, its name was changed to Weymouth Savings-Bank. Its assets, Jan. 1, 1883, were $565,432.06.

The South Weymouth Savings- Bank was incorpo- rated March 6, 1868, in the name of Benjamin F. White and others, and commenced business the fol- lowing month. Its assets amounted to $395,176.20 at the last report.

The East Weymouth Savings-Bank was incor- porated in 1872, and began business. On Jan. 1, 1883, its assets were reported at $247,357.56.

The Weymouth and Braintree Mutual Fire Insur-

lines of the former running through the town, and | ance Company was incorporated in 1833. Asa Webb was chosen president; F. A. Kingsbury, sec- retary ; and Ezra Leach, treasurer. After fifty years of active business, it is now closing its affairs.

Manufactures .- For nearly two hundred years Weymouth was eminently an agricultural community. It had fine, large farms, well cultivated and produc- tive. A hundred years ago a much larger proportion of its area was under cultivation than at present, and many of the best farms of that date or earlier are now grown up to wood or bushes. Its dairies were cele-

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brated throughout the State. With the introduction of manufactures a new condition of things was called into existence, and the young men instead of follow- ing the occupation of their fathers began to learn trades, and the farms being neglected, the town grad- ually changed from agriculture to manufactures, and is now almost wholly given up to the latter.

quantities to pay well for gathering, began to be found in the ponds of the town, and a contract was made with Thomas Hobart, of Abington, by a public sale, for the ore found in Great Pond at forty shillings per ton, with an agreement to defend him against any claims for damages that might be advanced by other parties who might contest the town's right to the ore ; a committee was also chosen by the town to prosecute any others who should be found taking ore from this pond.

Boots and Shoes .- This interest largely predomi- nates, and employs more men and capital than any other branch of industry. As late as the beginning of the present century there were probably not more This contract remained in force until the 20th of May, 1773, when a lease was given to Mr. Hobart for thirty years, at sixty pounds per year, for the privilege of taking ore from Great, Whitman's, and Whortlebury Ponds. Ore has been found at various times and places besides, and attempts made to utilize it, but the quantities were so small and the expense of getting it so great that competition with more favored deposits could not be maintained, and the enterprises were abandoned. After the expira- tion of Mr. Hobart's lease the town appears to have made no other. than three or four persons who manufactured this class of goods for other than the home market, and those only gave employment to a few apprentices, be- sides what they could do themselves. These goods were carried to Boston market either upon the backs of the manufacturers, who made the journey on foot, or else in saddle-bags upon horses. The business gradually increased until it became necessary to use wagons to carry in the goods and bring out mate- rials. The beginnings of this trade were at Wey- mouth Landing, spreading thence to the north and south villages, reaching latest of all the east, which The East Weymouth Iron Company is one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the town. It was incorporated 4th March, 1837, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which has lars. It owns the splendid water privilege at Bank River, at the foot of Whitman's Pond. For many years it was exceedingly prosperous, making enormous dividends. From various causes its business gradu- ally declined, and it ceased for a time to pay a profit, but quite recently its trade has begun to revive and its prospects are again more encouraging. At present it manufactures only nails, and these have a very wide reputation. It employs two hundred and seventy-five men when running full. now surpasses all of the others in the magnitude of its business in this line. It was a whole generation before it became necessary to employ a " baggage wagon," the clumsy pioneer of the present express, and the | since been increased to three hundred thousand dol- buildings used in carrying on the manufacture would hardly suffice for offices at the present day, the goods being made wholly at the homes of the workmen, nearly all of whom had little shops in or near their dwellings, the work being prepared and packed only, at the factory. As late as 1840, it was a large factory that produced five hundred dollars' worth of goods in the week. About that period South Weymouth re- ceived an impetus from its Southern trade (some of its manufacturers having gone to New Orleans and established sales-rooms in that city), which placed it Fish Company .- In the early part of the seven- teenth century a company was formed by a number of the prominent men of the town for the purpose of carrying on "a fishing trade to Cape Sables," and the town granted to it the use of " so much of Hunt's Hill, with the lowland and beach adjoining, at the mouth of Fore River, as may be necessary for the purpose." As far as the record shows, this was the first joint-stock company formed in the town. Of its history but little is known. far ahead of its rivals at the Landing and North Weymouth. The increase in the volume of the busi- ness was, however, very large in all parts of the town, especially after the opening of California, in 1849; and the large demand from that State for this class of manufactures the town was forward to meet. From these small beginnings the trade has increased until there are now forty establishments, employing up- wards of two thousand five hundred persons, and using more than a million dollars of capital. The annual After this, by nearly a century, came the " Wey- mouth Commercial Company," in 1805, formed for the purpose of carrying on a foreign and domestic trade. This company employed a capital of not far from twenty thousand dollars, the shares of the several production of the various classes of goods is about four millions of dollars in value. Six or eight of these factories furnish work for one hundred to five hundred people each.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 126

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534