USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > North Bridgewater > History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to the present time, with family registers > Part 30
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
Thus we see our ancestors were independent of foreign looms and spindles for their ordinary dress ; and for mere decorations, such as are common at the present day, they had but little regard; and, indeed, a showy costume would have excited contempt rather than emulation. Their attire on the Sabbath, as well as on working-days, was plain. The father's common dress consisted of a woollen coat, a striped woollen frock, tow frock, and woollen, velvet, tow, or leather breeches. These, with long stockings, were fastened at the knee by a buckle ; in winter they wore woollen or leather buskins, and thick cowhide shoes, fastened with buckles on the instep. Their best hats were what are now called " cocked-up hats," turned up with three corners; and the more noted men wore wigs.
The ordinary outer dress of the women, in summer, was tow and linen gowns, checked "tyers," or "aprons," and in winter, woollen gowns and aprons, thick woollen stockings, and cowhide shoes. The clothing was all of their own man- ufacture, and every house might properly be called a " home factory." They not only spun their own flax and wool, but wove their cloth in a hand-loom. They also made garments for fathers, sons, and brothers with their own hands. They disdained no kind of domestic labor; they needed no help. Contentment and happiness reigned in their abodes, and amid all their laborious toil, personal wants were few ; and, even with their limited means of supply, few remained unsatisfied. Boys and girls (for such they were till married) were early taught to work, and as soon as they acquired muscular power, were taught to make the most of life, and apply it to some useful purpose ; and none were allowed to waste it in idleness and dissipation. There was no distinction between the la- borer and employer, no difference between the kitchen and the parlor ; for that was almost unknown, and generally shut up, except on public days, as Thanksgiving-days, fasts, and
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EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.
the like, most of the year. Balls, concerts, and places of amusement, scenic exhibitions, and the long list of modern devices for killing time were unknown. A sing, a bee, a raising, a husking party, or a domestic circle, a sleigh-ride in the winter, or a cherry ride in the summer, were sufficient for all the purposes of recreation and social intercourse ; and for those that wished for enjoyment of a more questionable character, the means and associates were to be found in other localities. The amusements and recreation of young men were mostly of the athletic kind, as "playing ball," which was always practised, and is now kept up in spring and fall. Wrestling was very common, especially at raisings and social and public gatherings. When at the raising of buildings the labor was over, and the men stimulated by the treat all had received, they usually commenced raising or lowering one another. This sport commenced by two young persons getting inside of a ring formed by spectators, then older persons joined in the same exercise. Wagers would be laid, and a little more stimulant taken to give elasticity and strength to the parties. In course of time parties would get in earnest ; angry words and defiant gestures would be made, and it generally ended in a fight. These wrestling- matches, we are happy to say, are nearly gone by. It may be said here that, at the raising of buildings, it was custom- ary to call the men of the town together, and the owner was expected to furnish the drinks and lunch, and, as soon as the ridgepole was fairly in place, for the master workman to dedi- cate the whole by dashing a bottle of rum upon the frame, followed by three hearty cheers from the company present.
We will now give the reader some idea of the early cus- toms in regard to living, the dwellings, and other ancient matters. First in order are the
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
DWELLING HOUSES.
The first was built of logs, and called log-cabins, erected on land which was usually laid out in lots and ranges. Next, after the introduction of saw-mills, came the frame house, of one story in height, and about sixteen by twenty-four or five feet on the ground, and containing from one to three rooms. The next in order of architecture was a two-story house, with gambrel roof; and some were two story in front, with a roof slanting back to one story at the back part. The third order of houses was the "hip-roof," and was introduced soon after the Revolutionary War, and consisted of a two-story house, with two front-rooms, a door in the middle, with a hall running through the centre, and generally a one-story L, on the back side, for a kitchen, such as the house of Benjamin Kingman, the late Eliab Whitman, David Cobb, in the village, and Josiah W. Kingman at Campello, that was burned in 1853. The windows in the earliest dwellings were either of mica or diamond-shaped glass, set in tin or lead. The chim- neys were first built of stone, with mammoth fireplaces, and an oven on one side running back, which, with the chim- ney, occupied nearly as much room as a modern bedroom. In the chimney, running from end to end, was a lug-pole, usually made of oak, from two to four inches in diameter, on which were hung hooks and trammels of wrought iron, so constructed as to be raised and lowered at pleasure to suit the various sized kettles, which were hung over the fire for culinary uses. In the course of time these lug-poles gave way to the old iron crane, on account of their liability to burn, which was made to swing into the room, or to hang over the fire. Cranes were first used in this town about 1750. The fire was made of large logs, one large one, called a back-log, being placed on the back side of the fire- place, usually from two to four feet in length; two stones were used for andirons, and a large fore-stick resting on the
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EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.
stones to keep up the fire, beside a back-stick or the back-log ; then a sufficiency of smaller fire-wood was piled up ; a pitch-pine knot being placed under the fore-stick, and lighted, made a rousing fire. At cach end of the fireplaces were small benches or stools, on which the children usually sat, warming one side and then the other till they were thor- oughly warmed through, while the old folks were seated in front upon a "settle," enjoying the full blaze. With this they needed no modern gas-light, no oil, nor candles ; for in the evening, pitch-pine knots were used, which gave a strong and brilliant light. Splinters were used to carry about house, or into the cellar for cider and apples, instead of lamps and candles. Previous to the introduction of friction matches, which are of a recent date, every family was supposed to have a "tinder-box," which consisted of a round tin box, about six inches in diameter, two inches deep, with a flat cover of tin, on the outside of which could be inserted a candle. The box contained tinder, made of burnt linen cloth, or pieces of punk. By the use of a piece of flint upon the corners of a file or steel, a spark would catch in the punk ; and then a stick, with brimstone on the end, coming in con- tact with the spark, set the stick on fire, from whence the kindling in the fireplace was lighted. Another method in general practice was, to cover live coals in the fireplace with ashes, so as to keep the fire alive on the hearth till morning. When this failed, the tinder-box was resorted to.
FOOD.
The morning and evening meal usually consisted of bean or pea porridge, dipped out with a wooden spoon into a wooden bowl, with bread and butter. Coffee and chocolate were added upon extra occasions. Tea was seldom used, especially by the children. The bread consisted of rye and Indian meal; occasionally wheat bread. The dinner con-
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
sisted of salt beef or pork, with vegetables boiled. Fresh meat was a rarity. Potatoes are an article of comparatively recent culture .* For pudding, they had baked or boiled In- dian meal. The dishes used in early days were mostly of wood. The plates were called trenchers. These wooden utensils were the first used ; they gradually gave way to pewter, and still later to crockery and earthen ware.
DRINKS.
Malt beer was a very common drink in the early settlement of the country, which was made from barley, and was raised by nearly every farmer. Next came cider, which soon sup- planted beer. This was a universal drink, morning, noon, and night, each family laying in from ten to thirty barrels for a year's stock. So common was the use of cider, that it was considered a mark of disrespect not to pass it round when a neighbor or traveller called. Another very common drink was flip, which was made of beer sweetened with sugar, with a " loggerhead," or red-hot iron, thrust into it; a little new rum was then poured in, and nutmeg sprinkled into it. Toddy was another favorite beverage, made of rum and water, well sweetened. A stick, flattened on the end, for crushing the sugar and stirring it up, was called the " toddy- stick." The ring of the tumblers, as it hit the sides in mix- ing, had its peculiar music, with which nearly every one was familiar.
Skilful men made graceful flourishes in making another excellent drink, called " egg-nog," otherwise known as " Tom and Jerry," which was composed of sugar, milk, and spirits, mixed with a beaten egg, stirred in rapidly till the whole was made into froth, and drank hot. There are many now who have not forgotten how it tastes, and relish it quite well.
* Introduced into this country in 1732.
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EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.
Having mentioned many of the drinks that were stimulat- ing, we will now describe another kind, - cold water. This is obtained from the earth, and is a natural production. Va- rious means have been in use for obtaining this liquid. The most ancient is the " well-sweep." A well was usually dug at a distance of from ten to fifty or more feet from the house ; and but a few feet from the same a post was erected, having a crotch on the top end, in which a long pole was so nearly balanced and swung upon an iron or wooden pin, that when a bucket suspended upon the end of another smaller pole that descended into the water was filled, it could be easily drawn out. There are but few of this kind of apparatus for drawing water now to be found, only here and there a soli- tary one. Another means of obtaining water is by a windlass erected directly over a well, turned by a crank, the bucket being fastened to the end of a rope that passes over the windlass, and even this has given place to the pump and pipe. Here and there is a natural spring, from which water is con- ducted by pipes to houses, supplying pure, unadulterated liquid.
The custom of retiring and rising early was universal. The time of retiring was eight to nine o'clock ; that of rising, at dawn of day.
The attendance on church worship was also a custom which nearly all practised. Elderly people that owned horses rode double. The wife was seated behind her husband upon the pillion, with her arm around him. In summer the young men went barefoot, or with shoes in hand ; the young women wore coarse shoes, carrying a better pair in hand, with stock- ings, to change before entering the meeting-house. Going to meeting on foot was not confined to young people ; many women walked three to five miles to attend church. In win- ter it was customary for the women to carry small foot-stoves, which were usually made of perforated tin, fastened in a
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
wooden frame, about eight or nine inches square, in which were placed hot coals. These stoves were all the warm. ing allowed in church. The usual time for church service was one and a half hours, - from half-past ten to twelve o'clock, or one glass and a half long, as hour-glasses were their time-pieces in the absence of clocks. The intermissions were short, being one hour in winter and one hour and a half in summer. The interval was generally spent in the nearest neighbors' houses, who always had a good blazing fire in winter, and plenty of coals with which to replenish their foot-stoves. This intermission was a grand opportunity for the people of the remote portions of the parish to meet every week and become acquainted, as it promoted social union and good feeling throughout the society. Every new and inter- esting event was discussed ; and while partaking of their lunch they had brought with them, the father would request the boys to bring in and pass round the cider. The afternoon services being over, people might have been seen gathering around the horse-block that stood a short distance south of the church, on the green, which was a large flat-topped stone for the use of women in mounting and alighting from their horses. The means of locomotion in the days of our fathers consisted of an ox-cart, or the back of a horse. A chaise or wagon was a curiosity. A journey of forty or fifty miles was a great undertaking, requiring much preparation ; while now, many travel by steam hundreds of miles in a day, and think it nothing compared to that in early days.
A journey from the North Parish to Boston was the labor of two days with oxen and cart. The same journey is now performed in one day, and nothing thought of its being hard. . It is one hour's ride in a steam train, and the trains run in such a manner that a person can leave home after dinner, go to the city, and return in the evening train, and have several hours for business.
CHAPTER XX.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
Mills. - Manufactures. - Bridgewater Manufacturing Company. - Tanners. - Blacksmiths. - Shoe Tool Manufacturers. - Public-Houses. - Traders. - Tail- ors. - Hatters. - Bakers. - Saddlers. - Wheelwrights. - Coopers. - Clocks. - Watchmakers. - Jewellers. - Drugs and Medicines. - Furniture Manufacturers. - Carpenters. - Painters. - Masons. - Tin-Plate and Sheet-Iron Workers. - Dentists. - Blacking Manufacturing. - Boot and Shoe Manufacturing. - List of Inventions.
MILLS.
D
URING the first settlement of the North Parish the at- tention of the settlers was first directed to clearing the lands and preparing the same for agricultural purposes. They very soon, however, erected saw and grist mills, many of which are numbered among the things that were.
One of the first mills erected in the North Parish was a saw-mill on the dam south of the residence of the late Azor Packard, said to have been built by Abijah Thayer and others, and was near the main street leading from Campello to West Bridgewater. The remains of the dam are to be seen at the present time. We should judge this mill was of small power, as it is related of a man that was passing the works while on his way from Bridgewater to Boston (a journey of two or three days), as he passed, the saw was going up, and when he returned, it was just coming down.
Previous to 1800, there was a saw-mill a short distance north of Cole's Fulling-mill, now Wheeler's Tack Works, which was owned by Zebedee Snell, Parmenas Packard, and others. There was another saw-mill, a short distance north of the late John Tilden's residence, in the west part of the town, and east of Hayward Marshall's residence. The mill was owned by John Tilden, Nathaniel Manly, and others, in shares.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
About the same time, Matthew Kingman and others erected a mill where Chandler Sprague's saw-mill now stands in the Factory Village, or " Spragueville," and was known by the name of "Kingman's Mill," and has been owned by Luke Perkins, Abel and Eliphalet Kingman, Parmenas Brett, John Ritchie, and others.
Colonel Caleb Howard built a mill near his furnace on Pond Street, which has been owned by his heirs ever since, and is now used for sawing box-boards, shingles, etc.
The first grist-mill in the town was erected on the spot now occupied by Ellis Packard & Co. It was built by John Pack- ard, and owned by him for many years, and afterward changed hands as follows : Bridgewater Manufacturing Company, Tyler Cobb, Joslyn & Keith, Bela Keith, A. B. Wheeler, Lewis Keith, and Ellis Packard & Co. Deacon Zenas Packard was miller for a long time at this mill, and was well known as the " honest miller." The present steam works were erected by Bela and Lewis Keith a few years since, and are used for planing, box-making, grist-mill, and the manufacture of shoe tools. It is situated quite near the village, on the road lead- ing from thence to Abington, and is a valuable property, being near the railroad. There was another grist-mill, erected by John Tilden, and afterward rebuilt by John Brett, in the west part of the town, near the turnpike; the mill stood for many years, and is now occupied by Lewis A. Kingman as a wheelwright shop.
The Bridgewater Manufacturing Company owned a grist- mill situated on the south side of Crescent Street, and near Mr. Sprague's office, which they purchased of Messrs. Abel Kingman, Nehemiah Lincoln, and others. There is another grist-mill near where Colonel Caleb Howard's furnace stood, on Belmont Street, a short distance from the Centro Village, now owned by Thomas J. & Welcome Howard.
In the carly settlement of the parish it is said there was a
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
windmill, the only one in town, situated on the hill north of the late Eliphalet Kingman's residence, on the locality known as " Windmill Hill," probably owned by Matthew Kingman & Co., and used as a grist-mill.
MANUFACTURES.
One of the first manufacturing establishments in the North Parish was the forge erected and carried on by Ensign Con- stant Southworth, which stood on or near where Sprague's Mill now stands. Mr. Southworth was a practical workman, having served a faithful apprenticeship at the business, and did a large business at smelting iron ore for the people in that vicinity. There was a large amount of ore dug in the westerly part of the town in the early settlement of the parish, and he had as much as his power could do. A short time ago, in removing the old road-bed across Sprague's Pond, quantities of cinder and iron scraps were found that came from these works. These works changed hands several times, among whom we find Alpheus and Parmenas Brett conveyed all right, title, and interest in and to the trip-ham- mer or water-shop to the Bridgewater Manufacturing Com- pany July 26, 1813.
At one time Messrs. James and Luke Perkins manufactured muskets, small anchors, scythes, shovels, plough-points, etc., at this place. During the year 1813, the above-named manu- facturing company purchased all the shops and mills contigu- ous to the forge, for the purpose of erecting a large cotton and woollen factory. The following is a copy of the original subscription paper, showing the names of stockholders : -
" BRIDGEWATER, May 13, 1813.
" We, the subscribers, proposing to engage in the manufacture of wool and cotton, do agree to form ourselves into a company, by the name of the Bridgewater Wool and Cotton Manufacturing Company ; and for carrying into effect said object, we propose as a capital Eight Thousand Dollars, to be divided into forty shares ; and we severally pledge ourselves to defray 48
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
the expense arising on the number of shares annexed to our individual names.
No. of Shares.
No. of Shares.
No. of Shares.
Eliphalet Leach,
1 Ichabod Howard,
1 Tiley Carey,
1
Martin Kingman,
1 Thomas Thompson,
1 Hosea Alden,
1
Thomas Wales,
2 Isaiah Packard,
2 Micah Shaw,
2
Alvan Perry,
1 Packard & Ames,
1 Howard Packard,
1
Bela Hayward,
1 Benjamin Keith,
1 Samuel Battles, 2
Ellis Holmes,
Perez Crocker,
2 Packard & South-
Joseph Silvester, Jr., 1
Seth Snow,
1 worth, 1
Daniel Ames,
1 Alpheus Brett,
1 Jeremiah Beals, Jr. 1
Charles Snell,
1 Parmenas Brett,
1 Jolın Ritchie,
1
Nathaniel Snell,
1 Micah Faxon,
1 Daniel Ford, 1
Jonathan Reynolds, 1 Joel Ames,
1 Joel Briggs,
1
David Reynolds,
1 Daniel Alden,
1 Richard Thayer, 2
Abel Kingman,
3 Packard & Perkins, Jr. 1
John Ritehie, 2
Perez Southworth,
1 Davis Paekard,
1 Andrew Ritchic,
2
The following is the Act of Incorporation as granted by the Legislature of Massachusetts : -
" BRIDGEWATER MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
" June 14, 1813. Abel Kingman, Thomas Thompson, Isaiah Packard, Perez Crocker, Micah Shaw, Ichabod Howard, and Samuel Battles, together with such as may associate with them, were incorporated into a manufac- turing company, for the purpose of making cotton and woollen cloth and yarn, in the town of Bridgewater, with power to hold Real Estate to amount of Fifty Thousand, and Personal Estate not exceeding One Hundred Thou- sand, as may be necessary and convenient for the purposes as above named."
This company continued to manufacture until March 10, 1837, when the corporation name was changed to Ritchie Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Ritchie continued to manufacture for several years, and sold the factory, with all their power and privileges, to Chandler Sprague, Esq., who, soon after, converted the build- ing into a manufactory of shoe lasts and wood-turning establishment.
At the time the forge of Mr. Southworth's was in success- ful operation, there was a furnace erected by a few individ- uals of the town, which stood on or near the works of the late Colonel Caleb Howard, more recently known as IIow-
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
ard's Mill, where large quantities of hollow waro were manufactured. The works were afterward given up on account of the scarcity of wood. Mr. Bowdoin, of Boston, bought the furnace, which was afterwards successively owned by Colonel Hobart, of Abington, Mr. Perry, of Easton, George Howard, of Bridgewater, and later by Colonel Caleb Howard and Thomas J. & Welcome Howard. The building has since been used by various parties for manufacturing pur- poses, mostly shoe tools, and sawing of box-boards.
About the year 1790, Benjamin Silvester built a mill on Salisbury River, near the residence of Galen Packard, for a fulling-mill. He sold his interest to his brother, Seth Silves- ter, who was succeeded by John Wales, who established a carding-mill. Mr. Ephraim Cole bought the privilege of Mr. Wales, and continued till 1825, when he sold out to Galen Packard, who soon commenced manufacturing ship-spikes, nails, and all kinds of ship work, using a trip-hammer. Mr. Packard sold out to Jefferson Bisbee, who came from Can- ton, and began to manufacture hay and manure forks. B. F. Wheeler has recently purchased the works, and manufactures small nails, tacks, shoe nails, and carpet tacks.
About the year 1814 James Easton & Sons built a dam, erected a building, and commenced manufacturing spikes, axes, adzes, plane irons, chisels, bar iron, axles, etc., a short distance north on the same stream. They continued business for about six years, and failed. Caleb and Sylvanus Easton continued the business for ten years longer, under the name of C. & S. Easton, when they retired.
Lower on the stream, and just south of Pleasant Street, Sidney Perkins manufactured hay and manure forks. He was in that business but a few years, and sold out to Hezekiah Simmons, and he was succeeded by Nathaniel B. Harlow in the same business. Several years since there was a mill situated on Trout Brook, a short distance south of Howard
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
Street, that leads to East Randolph. The remains of the dam are in existence at the present day. The flowage of this meadow was for a long time a source of litigation in the county courts.
About the year 1836 William Perry was engaged in the manufacture of brass ware and castings; his foundry was situated near where Faxon's awl manufactory is now located Several years since Mr. Chandler R. Humphrey commenced making gravestones at the shop of John Wales, corner of Main and Belmont Streets, now owned by Rufus P. King- man. Since that time Sidney S. Green came to town, and was engaged for a time in that business on Centre Street. Soon after, George W. Bryant, Esq., became associated with him in business, under the firm of Bryant & Green, in Cen- tral Block. Mr. Bryant continues alone in the business, on the corner of Main and Crescent Streets, where he manufac- tures all kind of marble and stone work for cemeteries, etc.
In the spring of 1845, Messrs. George B. Dunbar and Oakes S. Soule became associated in business, under the firm of Dunbar & Soule, for the sale of all kinds of lumber, on the corner of Montello and Court Streets, near the railroad. In 1862 the firm was dissolved, Mr. Dunbar retiring. Since that time, Mr. Soule has continued in the business as before.
Barnabas Edson manufactured the best quality of log pumps at his residence, in the east part of the town, on Pine Street. He afterward moved to the Centre Village.
TANNERS.
Probably the first tanner in the North Parish was William Shaw, who had a tannery south-west of the house now occu- pied by Lawrence Copeland, in the casterly part of the town. His son Micah succeeded him in business, which was given up many years ago. He manufactured upper and sole leather. Levi Keith carried on the tanning business; also his son
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