History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 151

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

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Oct. 14, 1882, Deacon Rhodes and wife gave the land for the church. It was erected by Frank Smith, of Franklin, and dedicated May 18, 1883, with the following service: Valedictory by F. O. | Boyden and Rev. Willard Smith. This revival was

Winslow ; invocation by Rev. F. J. Marsh ; reading Scripture by George Hill; singing by congregation ; history of church by Rev. C. B. Smith ; music ; sermon by Rev. A. II. Plumb, D.D., of Boston ; prayer of dedication by Rev. J. Coit; benediction by pastor.

The cost of the church was a trifle over two thou- sand dollars, the sum being all paid at the dedication. Their present membership is nineteen, and the usual congregation about fifty.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Walpole Centre was formed in 1874, with a membership of twelve. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Noon, fol- 1 lowed by Rev. J. H. Vincent, one year ; Rev. H. V. Webster, one year; Rev. E. Comstock, one year ; Rev. E. C. Farwell, one year ; Rev. F. O. Holman, two years; Rev. M. D. Hornbeck, one year ; Rev. A. A. Kidder, one year. Rev. M. D. Sill is the present pastor. The present membership is about fifty. The society purchased an eligible lot adjoin- ing the town house one year ago, and propose to erect a chapel thereon the present year if sufficient funds .

can be secured. The sum paid for the lot was one thou- sand dollars. N. W. Fisher is secretary and treasurer.

Methodist Episcopal Church, South Walpole.1 -Methodism was introduced into South Walpole by Rev. Benjamin Haines in 1818. The meetings were held in a private dwelling, the residence of Mr. Eliph- alet Smith. The next year a Methodist class was formed by Rev. Isaac Jennison, who then resided in Mansfield. In 1822 a church was organized with its officers, among whom was Josiah Hall, who served in that capacity faithfully and with great honor thirty- five years. In 1830 the first church edifice was erected under the pastoral charge of Rev. Francis Dane. It was built on the site of the present par- sonage, donated to the society by Silas Smith. The house, when completed, was dedicated that year to the worship of God by Rev. Lewis Bates. The sec- ond church edifice was erected in 1846, under the pastorate of Rev. D. L. Winslow, and was dedicated to the worship of God by Rev. Charles Adams, D.D., at the cost of three thousand seven hundred dollars. The following board of trustees were then appointed : Josiah Hall, Silas Smith, Caleb S. Ellis, R. Clapp, J. Boyden, A. Ellis, and M. Smith.

In 1834 the church was favored with a very exten- sive revival, and many were added to the church, the fruit of which still remains. Among the converts were two young men of great promise, who afterwards en- tered the ministry and became members of the New England Conference. Their names are Rev. Luman

under the labors of Rev. William R. Stone. More than forty pastors have served the church during its history of sixty years. The present pastor is Rev. O. W. Adams. The membership is about seventy. The trustees are H. L. Boyden, E. P. Boyden, J. D. Hunt, C. S. Ellis, George Scott, E. C. Boyden, W. Shephard.

CHAPTER LXI.

WALPOLE-(Continued).

The Press-The Walpole Standard-The Walpole Enterprise- The Norfolk County Tribune-The Walpole Star-Manufac- turing Interests-Civil History-The Town Hall-Military History-Number of Men Furnished-Amount of Money Expended-Roll of Honor-Memorial Tablets.

THE first paper bearing a Walpole head was the Walpole Standard, which was printed in Franklin and was started early in October, 1870, by James M.

1 By Rev. O. W. Adams.

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Stewart, of the Franklin Register. This paper ap- peared every Friday and lived to see the eighth volume. The Walpole Enterprise was started Saturday, March 1, 1878, by E. H. Hosmer, of Walpole, who, after about six months, sold the paper to T. S. Pratt, of Mansfield. Charles M. Thompson, of Walpole, was its next editor, and he remained until June, 1881, when Charles J. McPherson succeeded him, and after three months bought the paper out, and the Norfolk County Tribune was started in its place. The Tribune lived about a year. On June 17, 1882, The Walpole Star appeared, being published by Charles J. Mc- Pherson, and met with a greater success than any of its predecessors. It is still flourishing, and gives promise of long life. Its size, as also the Standard and Enterprise, is an eight-column folio, while the Tribune was a nine-column folio.

Town Hall .- The present town hall was dedicated Sept. 28, 1881, an historical adddress being delivered on the occasion by Henry E. Fales, Esq. It is a substantial and commodious brick structure, with a town clock in the tower. It is beautifully located, and reflects much credit upon the building committee and the citizens of the town of Walpole.

Military History .- The first vote in reference to the Rebellion is under date of April 30th, when it was voted that the treasurer borrow not exceeding $5000 to pay soldiers belonging to Walpole and to aid their families.

The town furnished about one hundred and twenty- six men for the war, one of whom was a commissioned officer. The whole amount of money expended for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was $14,564.47. The whole amount paid for aiding soldiers' families and expended by the State was $10,203.54.

The selectmen during the Rebellion were as follows : | burned while they were in business. It was rebuilt In 1861-63, Nathaniel Bird, Calvin Hartshorn, M. B. Boyden ; in 1864, James G. Scott, J. H. Leland, Horace Draper ; in 1865, J. G. Scott, J. H. Leland, and J. P. Tisdale.

The town clerk in 1861-64 was Palmer Morey (Mr. Morey died in August, 1864, and Samuel Allen was appointed for the balance of the year) ; in 1865, George P. Morey. The treasurer in 1861-63 was Samuel Gilbert; in 1864-65, Samuel Allen.

Manufacturing Interests.1-Neponset River rises in Foxborough and enters Walpole at the extreme south corner, takes a northerly course to. the centre, then changes to an easterly course, and enters Nor- wood just below Holingsworth & Vose's paper-mill, formerly known as Hon. F. W. Bird's lower mill.

On this stream are ten separate and distinct water privileges, with a combined fall of one hundred and fifty-one feet. A description of each privilege sepa- rately will be given as correctly as records and personal information will permit, beginning at the south and following the river to the last one in town.

The first fourteen-feet fall is known as Elbridge Smith privilege. In 1814 it was the property of Timothy Gay, of Dedham, with a grist-mill located there, it being near the Boston and Providence turn- pike, where a toll-gate was; the miller, besides grind- ing grain, also tended toll-gate. A few years after it became the property of Daniel & Elbridge Smith, who built a factory for manufacturing cotton goods. Several gentlemen occupied it only each for a short time. Sumner, of Canton, made rubber lining ; Brad- ford Lewis made cotton from clippings. There is no record to be found of any other transaction. The property is now owned by George Fisher, of West Dedham.

The second privilege, twenty-one feet fall, is known as the Henry S. Clark privilege. A deed dated Suf- folk County, 1720, signed by Theodore Mann Clothier to his son, Timothy Mann, later called colonel, who at a still later date deeded to his son, Timothy Mann, shows clearly the business there for many years. In 1812 there were two privileges, one five hundred or six hundred feet below the other. Col. Timothy Mann Clothier occupied the lower. James Richardson & Co. manufactured nails, etc., at the upper mill. About that date Col. Timothy Mann manufactured cas- simeres, satinets, etc., in his two mills. When he retired the Boston and Walpole Manufacturing Com- pany carried on the same business, of which the Hon. Truman Clarke was agent. The upper mill was

by Eli Bonney, Leavitt Kingsbury, and David Rug- gles, who never used it. In 1820, Hall J. Howe and James Richardson formed a copartnership, and com- menced manufacturing broadcloths and cassimeres. About 1825 the Hon. Truman Clarke and wife, daugh- ter of Timothy Mann, came in possession of the prop- erty, and commenced a successful career in the manu- facturing of woolen goods, broadcloths, and cassimeres. The lower mill was burned about this time and never rebuilt. The high reputation of his goods and his char- acter as an honest business man secured for him a wide- spread acquaintance, and soon placed him in affluent circumstances. He was honored by an election to a seat in the Massachusetts Senate, and filled offices of responsibility in town. He retired from business, | leased his factory to Mr. Whitehouse & Co., who con- tinued but a short time the same business.

1 By Beeri Clark.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In 1836, John Mann began the manufacturing of boots and shoes. 1837, April 1, he formed a co- partnership with Hon. Truman Clarke, known as the firm of Clarke & Mann, South Walpole. They bought of the Boston and Providence Coach Company their stable, converted a part of it into a boot- and shoe- shop, and the remainder to a dwelling. The connec- tion continued twelve years with success, at which time Mr. Mann bought the interest in the business of

The fourth water-power privilege, a seven-feet fall, is called the Blackburn privilege. Previous to 1806, Aaron Blake obtained a right to flow the meadows about one mile above the centre of Walpole ; built a Mr. Clarke, and continued the same until the exten- | dam and saw-mill there. In 1806, Samuel Nason sive fire of Boston curtailed his means. He affirmed that the business had increased from fifty thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. His reputation for making a first-class calf boot was not excelled. In 1851, Henry S. Clarke, son of Truman Clarke, formed a copartnership with Naaman Welmarth, styled Clarke & Welmarth, who leased Truman Clarke's factory, and made stocking yarn. In 1862, N. B. Welmarth retired. Henry S. Clarke continued until his death, in 1881. His widow and three children remain. The eldest, W. H. Clarke, nearly twenty-one years of age, now runs the mill.

Boot and shoe business was not connected with the Clarke privilege.

The third water privilege, twelve-feet fall, is called the Old Rucaduc. Previous to 1812 it formed a part of the farm belonging to William Bacon, who, with Horace Smith and Eliphalet Smith, were the first owners. In 1812 an old resident reports that Wil- liam Bacon, Eliphalet Smith, Maj. Smith, and Horace Clap, in company, owned and ran a saw-mill, shingle- mill, and carding-machine. Mr. Bacon wanted an aqueduct to irrigate his land. Mr. Smith called it a rucaduc, which gave the privilege that name. At a still later date, which we cannot name, no record can be found, Daniel Smith and Elbridge Smith bought the privilege, and erected a cotton-factory (the old one having decayed and fallen down), and manufac- tured cotton-thread several years. D. & E. Smith conveyed this property to Jenks, who manufactured cotton-thread and silk-covered bonnet-wire. Jenks conveyed it to William HI. Cary, who used it for the manufacturing of cotton-thread. W. II. Cary con- veyed it to James Ogden, who used it for a shoddy- mill. In 1876 we find it in his possession. In 1877, James Ogden conveyed this privilege to the Alden Emery Company, who came from Ashland. Feb. 23, 1881, by an act of Legislature, the name was changed to Walpole Emery-Mill. Extensive additions have been made to the mill. A railroad track connects it with the Old Colony Railroad, adding convenience, etc. Mr. John Way is the present superintendent.

manufacturing ladies' boots, and also in making shirt-bosoms.

Mason Pierce, engaged in his early years in manu- facturing shoes, South Walpole, for over thirty years past has been a Boston expressman.

and Jason Boyden ran the saw-mill, and also had a grist-mill on another dam a short distance below, with a fall of twelve feet. June 11, 1811, John Black- burn, a manufacturer from Medway, purchased the two privileges, and soon after erected a building for the manufacturing machinery. In the upper part of that machine-shop the renowned George Blackburn, in company with his father, John Blackburn, com- menced his career in manufacturing cotton yarn. They continued until the building was burned down. George Blackburn afterwards became the owner of several factories,-one in Mansfield, one in Ashland, and another in Fitchburg, where the noted cotton sail duck ten and seven-twelfths feet wide was made. His father for several years after was engaged in the business of farming. 1846, John Henry Blackburn, son of John Blackburn, in company with Ollis Clap, bought the foundry of Deacon Everett Stetson, situ- ated on the bank of Stetson mill-pond, and removed the personal property to its present situation on the Blackburn privilege, and there engaged in casting all kinds of light work,-stoves, machinery, fire-frames, etc. The copartnership continued one year. Mr. Blackburn carried on the same business seven years, at which time (about 1840) Lewis and Erastus Rob- bins took the business and carried it on one year and a half. J. H. Blackburn gave up manufacturing and commenced farming. He had previously introduced a grist-mill and a shingle-mill, which are now in run- ning order and in his possession. In a part of this building William Hart and Stephen Sanford engaged for two or three years in the manufacture of cotton warps for satinets. Five hundred feet below this dam is an old building which goes by the name of the Old Mill, built by John Blackburn, which at one time was used by Hart & Sanford in manufacturing bat- ting. Asa Whitman manufactured lamp-wicks there. Ephraim Shepard occupied it, sawing wood-work for carriages.

The fifth water- power privilege, eighteen and a half feet fall, is known as Union Factory. Here, in 1812, according to the memory of our oldest residents now

Warren Boyden at one time was engaged in the : living, who inform us that Samuel Fales, a manufac-

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turer of snuff, was located. Thaddeus Clap and Samuel Fuller had a tan-yard. Eliphalet Clap owned a forge, and manufactured wrought iron and nails. Daniel Ellis was a clothier. In 1813, Oliver Clap, Warren Clap, Daniel Ellis, Daniel Payson, and Ed- ward G. Cundal, styled Oliver Clap & Co., bought the land (on which the factory was built) of Eben- ezer Clap, also the right to convey the water through his land, giving to said E. Clap an obligation, binding each jointly and severally forever to build the fence around the land and protect against injury by washing, or gullying, or injuring the land in any way. The Walpole Union Manufactory (cotton and woolen), Oliver Clap, president ; Warren Clap, treasurer ; Oliver Eldridge, proprietors' clerk. It was a fine edifice, sixty by forty feet, four stories and a half, besides the basement, with a bell-tower on the south- erly end surmounted with a musical bell, which pealed forth its daily notes for over sixty-seven years, except during periodical depressions, which all factory inter- ests have at times been obliged to pass through. Not one in Walpole but what have been obliged to stand idle at some time.

It was a stock company and superintended by agents. David Fairbank is reported as the first, Maj. Alfred Allen is reported as the second, and Asa Whit- man as the third. After a series of years, his con- nection having been severed with Union Factory, Asa Whitman became the owner of the twenty-four shares in Diamond Factory, and April 11, 1842, deeded that property to his son. (See history of Diamond Fac- tory.) In September, 1844, Warren Clap, Benjamin Banks, E. W. Clap, and the Manufacturers' Insurance Company deeded each one-eighth part of Union Fac- tory to Amory Warren, who deeded to W. R. But- terworth, who manufactured cotton cloth for a con- siderable length of time. In 1847, Mr. Cook, from Providence, after putting the factory in complete order, manufactured cashmirettes, using a part of Hon. Truman Clark's factory in finishing them. Dec. 15, 1848, Charles F. Tilinghist deeded the property to Smith Gray, James S. Shepard, and William H. Cary. May, 1852, Messrs. Gray, Shepard, and Cary conveyed by deed the Union Factory and privilege to Charles Manning, Henry R. Glover, and Jerome B. Cram, styled Manning, Glover & Co., who continued the manufacturing of curled hair mattresses, cotton batting and wicking until July, 1872. The copartner- ship was then dissolved, and the property came into the possession of Jerome B. Cram.

Messrs. Gerish & Glover have leased this property to Stephen Pember, since which time (September, 1881) it was burned down, and a flat-roof, one-story build- ing erected thereon. Mr. Pemberton hired a small factory on the banks of Union Dam, owned by Mr. J. B. Cram, in 1881, and in a few days that was burned to the ground, since which Mr. Cram has rebuilt, and is now manufacturing ticking.

The sixth water-power privilege, Walpole Centre, Willard Lewis, nine feet waterfall.

In 1812, Daniel Clap, clothier, was located here (how long he had been there the historian is unable to say), and continued several years afterwards. In 1821, Harlow Lawrence, who had been an employé in the Union Factory, purchased this privilege, and built a fine building two and a half stories, sixty by forty feet, with a bell-tower surmounted with a bell, and fitted it with machinery for the manufacturing of cotton thread, and continued successfully until he died. After his death it stood idle for a while.

George Guiler continued the manufacturing of thread about ten years in the interest of the heirs.

A Mr. Blackington leased and continued the same business for a term of years.

Previous to 1863, William Lewis had been manu- facturing list carpets quite extensively.

Feb. 21, 1863, Deacon Willard Lewis purchased of the heirs of Harlow Lawrence this factory, water- power, and privilege, and commenced to manufacture government lint for the army, and also list carpeting, carpet lining, cotton batting, cotton calking, and cotton percolator, used for straining rosin at the South.

Mr. William Hart built a machine-shop near the old Lawrence Factory. He was an accomplished mechanic, employed at one time quite a large number of hands, and continued his business until quite an aged man. His machine-shop was after a while con- nected with the Lawrence Factory, previous to-the purchase of Willard Lewis. That factory has been burned down since his purchase, and a two and a half story brick building stands on the old site. Messrs. Willard Lewis & Son now continue manufacturing.

The Stetson water-power, twelve feet fall, is owned by Edward P. Stetson. In 1795, Ebenezer Harts- horn was the owner, and had a grist-mill, acting in the capacity of a miller and a farmer. In 1796, Joshua Stetson bought the privilege, and commenced the manufacturing of farming tools. His mechanical

He owned two- 1 skill and upright manner of doing business soon thirds, Henry R. Glover one-third. Mr. Cram con- | brought him to the notice of the trading commu- tinued manufacturing curled hair and mattresses until nity, who soon gave him the credit of manufacturing the best hoe in the country. The fame of the Stet- 1880, when he sold his interest to Smith Gerish. |

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

son Hoe spread far and wide. He continued the | business until 1827, at which time he retired with a competence. His son, Everett Stetson, continued the business his father left to him until 1830.

Capt. Joshua Stetson died Feb. 14, 1863. Joshua Stetson, Jr., was proprietor of a cotton-factory on this privilege from 1830 to 1867. He had the reputa- tion of making the best ticking in the market. A copartnership, Stetson & Bullard, 1844 (see Diamond Factory report). Deacon Everett Stetson, in 1846, sold to J. H. Blackburn and Ollis Clap a foundry of which he had previously been the proprietor. They removed the personal property to the Black- burn privilege. He had also been the owner of a card-clothing factory, situated near his dwelling-house, at which time (1855) he bought the entire Stetson privilege, and removed his factory to its present po- sition near the dam, and continued the same until 1867, when he was succeeded by his son, Edward P. Stetson, who still continues the business. Here are running machines the inventor of which, Elea- zer Smith, who lived and died here, and was buried within sight of this factory, the world ought to honor,-Eleazer Smith, who invented a machine for pricking the leather, cutting, crooking, and setting card-teeth, all in one operation, also a machine for cutting and heading nails, etc. The present proprie- tor of this card-clothing factory has made extensive additions and improvements, which in appearance and convenience does him credit. His business is exten- sive.

Mr. Ira Gill, the oldest living manufacturer in town, began the manufacturing of fur-napped hats in 1823, changed later to fur-felts. He has occupied buildings on this privilege since 1855. He was the successor of Rand & Hooper, hatters. They were the successors of a Mr. Roberts, a hatter.

The eighth water-power privilege, with two dams . coarse paper for hardware, sugar, and other various combined, formerly known as Daniel Ellis and Deacon Henry Plimpton, power eighteen and a half feet, is now known as Linden Spring and Axle-Works. In 1810, John Stanley, Thomas Stanley, and William Appleton carried on the manufacturing of tacks and Tenth privilege, Bird's lower mill, twelve feet water-fall, paper-mill, was built by George Bird, belonging to Roland Willett, and deeded to them Jan. , father of F. W. Bird, in 1817-18. Run by Bird & snuff. Previous to that time it was a part of the farm 25, 1810 (the lower privilege). 1816, Deacon | Son, George and Josiah N. Bird, afterwards by Josiah N. Bird, who sold it to F. W. Bird, April 1, 1833. They made the same kinds of paper as the upper mill. Hon. F. W. Bird, a part of the time with partners, owned it until March, 1882, when he sold it to Hol- lingsworth & Vose. Of late years the mill has been confined to first-class manilla paper.

Henry Plimpton came into possession of the upper privilege, and manufactured hoes. 1818, Daniel Ellis became the owner of the lower privilege, and Daniel Ellis & Son continued the business of a clothier and manufacturing satinet. Daniel Ellis died in 1835 ; his son continued the business till 1837, when George Blackburn took possession and continued three or four

years. A Mr. Freeman then took the factory and manufactured negro cloth one year. Calvin Turner manufactured satinet there one year. Park Sterns and Blackburn deeded, Aug. 29, 1844, the lower privilege to Deacon Henry Plimpton, who manufac- tured satinets and hosiery yarn a short time, then, in connection with his upper privilege, continued the manufactory of hoes, steel springs, etc. 1835, O. W. Allen & Co., Henry Plimpton, O. W. Allen, and Jere- miah Allen manufactured twine on the lower privilege. Everett Stetson manufactured wadding there. In 1848, C. G. & H. M. Plimpton (Calvin G. Plimpton), sons of Deacon Henry Plimpton, formed a copartner- ship, and continued the forge, steel spring, axle, and numerous other kinds of tools and implements used in farming and machinery, filling quite extensive orders from California until 1865, at which time they sold the property to the Linden Spring and Axle Company, of which Hubbard W. Tilton was a large owner and agent.

Stephen Pember hired a part of this privilege a few years since, and used it for a shoddy-mill until it burned down.

The ninth water-power privilege is a fifteen-feet fall, of which Hon. F. W. Bird is proprietor. In the year 1817 or 1818, Eliphalet Rhoads carried on a grist- mill here. Dean Sales & Co. manufactured cotton cloth, known as Neponset Manufacturing Company. They, in 1835, sold to Silas Smith and others, who formed a copartnership known as the Neponset Paper- Mill Company, and manufactured printing paper. Dec. 20, 1836, the Neponset Paper-Mill Company sold the property to Jabez Coney, Jr., of Dedham. He continued the business until Nov. 8, 1838, at which time the Hon. Francis W. Bird purchased the entire property of him. For a few months Mr. Bird ran the mill on news-printing paper, after which he made uses, and has continued increasing the variety of paper of that class until the business has increased five or sixfold. F. W. Bird & Son are now owners of the mill.

Hon. F. W. Bird. & Son now occupy a new

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brick mill, erected on the site of the old one, a few years ago burned down, equipped with the most im- proved machinery, and running night and day in order to fill orders. Mr. Bird's business career has been long and noted, meriting the respect of the community at large, public-spirited in the full sense of the word, a free giver to many charitable pur- poses, often filling offices of responsibility in his own town, Massachusetts Legislature, and Senate.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 151

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