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 31
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
Benjamin, succeeded by Captain Ziba Keith, east of the main street in Campello, near where Montello Street now is. Major Daniel Cary had a tannery south of Belmont Street, next to River. Israel Packard was his successor. Nathaniel W. Stoddard is a manufacturer of patent enamelled leather, in the north part of the village, on Montello Street.
BLACKSMITHS.
One of the first things done after the making of iron from the ore in this town, was the making of nails by hand. This branch of manufacture was one of the most prominent of any in the town. It furnished employment for a large number of boys and men. At first, they were forged singly ; and as the machines for cutting and heading were introduced, hammered nails went out of use. Nearly every farmer had a nail-shop for his boys to occupy their leisure time, when not engaged upon the farm. Indeed, nail-shops were as common as shoe- shops are at the present day. Upon the introduction of ma- chines for cutting and heading nails, - which were invented by Colonel Jesse Reed, a native of the town, - the business of making nails was confined to different manufacturing com- panies, and were made in large quantities at a much lower price. We now find in the town, only here and there, a blacksmith-shop, for shoeing cattle and horses, and other job- work. Among the blacksmiths in the parish were Captain Jesse Perkins, who had a shop near where Colonel E. South- worth's store now stands. Asa Howard had a shop nearly opposite Centre Street. Captain Anthony Dike had a shop near the Alva Noyes place, on the road to Abington. He made the first shovels made in the vicinity, at about the time the " Ames " commenced in Easton. Josiah Perkins had a shop on Summer Street, opposite the residence of Na- hum Perkins, who became his successor in that business. Alpheus Brett had a shop in Factory Village (now Sprague's).
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
He manufactured bar iron, plough-points, hames, hoes, etc. Nehemiah Lincoln was also in the same business in that vil- lage, manufactured cart and harness trimmings, hames, hoes, scrapers, plough-points, etc. Besides these, the traders of the town bought iron rods, and let them out to be made, by the pound, in the same manner as leather is let out to be made into shoes. Messrs. Ide & Trow commenced business on the spot where Waldo Bradford is at the present time, and who succeeded that firm and carried on that business till 1845, when he sold out to Tyler Cobb, who conducted the business ten years. In 1855 he sold out to Mr. Bradford, who has continued to the present time, and has lately associ- ated with him Mr. Allen Crocker, of East Stoughton. Sumner A. Hayward, of Kingston, commenced on Main Street several years since. His shop was nearly opposite the schoolhouse, south of his dwelling, and on the present road-bed leading to Campello, and in the south part of the village. He sold out to Charles W. Strout, of Brookline, who was succeeded by Hiram F. Peck.
There was a blacksmith shop erected on Montello Street, east of the residence of the late Captain Ziba Keith, con- ducted by P. Donnovan, which has since been given up.
Lorenzo Wade had a blacksmith shop in the " West Shares," or North-west Bridgewater, opposite the residence of the late Isaac Packard, which was afterwards removed to its present location, occupied by Orren Wade on the turn- pike leading to Stoughton.
B. C. Snell erected a shop near Sprague's Factory about 1853, and was succeeded by A. D. Tyler, and later by S. W. Haley.
SHOE TOOL MANUFACTURERS.
For a long time North Bridgewater has been celebrated for the excellence of her shoe tools and awls, lasts, and boot-
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
trees, shoe-knives, spoke-shaves, rolling machines, hammers, etc.
Among the first to introduce this kind of goods in the town were Ephraim Howard & Co., who made it a special branch of business ; they occupied the building now used by Messrs. Howard, Clark, & Co., as a furniture warcroom, using steam power .* They manufactured hammers, presses, wheels, spoke-shaves, knives, punches, awl-handles, etc.
Charles Howard and Lewis Fisher have since manufac- tured the same kind of goods under the firm of Howard & Fisher. J. B. Mann conducted that kind of business for sev- eral years, - since removed to Stoughton. Sidney Perkins has also made shoe-knives, hammers, and patent grindstones, etc. Tyler Cobb commenced manufacturing shoe tools in 1845, such as hammers, awls, spoke-shaves, steel compasses, brad-awls, and chopping-knives. George Willis manufactured this kind of goods for a time, until he removed to Worcester,
Since the introduction of American awls in this country. there has been a large amount manufactured in this town, by Mr. William Faxon, Charles Lincoln, Josiah S. Lincoln, and Charles B. Lincoln, who is now engaged in that business. Millions of sewing and pegging awls are sent to various parts of the country from this town every year.
David Peeler manufactured shoe tools in Howard's Mill in 1836, - when removed to Boston. J. Wallace Packard com- menced manufacturing stitching and machine needles for all kinds of sewing-machines, in March, 1858. Snell & Atherton manufacture a variety of shoe tools, spoke-shaves, etc., in Ellis Packard & Co.'s mill.
William Hall manufactured shoe-pegs at the mill on How- ard Street several years since. John W. Kingman has fur- nished the shoemakers with machines for rolling leather, and shoe benches, as well as coal-sifters, washing-machines,
* Probably this was the first steam-engine used in the town.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
and patent roofing. William S. Gay and Jabez Gay manu- factured bedsteads, chopping-knives, and awl-handles, at the old mill known as Packard's Grist Mill, or Keith's Mill.
In 1836 Chandler Sprague, Esq., commenced making lasts and boot-trees in the mill owned by T. J. & W. Howard, well known as Howard's Mill. In 1837, he purchased the right of using Thomas Blanchard's machine for turning irregular forms. He continued in that mill until 1842, doing a small business, which has increased to a large and profit- able branch of manufacturing. He purchased the building and power known as the " Old Cotton Factory," owned by Mr. Ritchie, and converted it into a manufactory. And, although he has been highly prospered in his business pur- suits, yet he continues to give his personal attention to the detail of his business, and has added several branches to his original calling. E. Sumner Snell manufactured shoe tools in his factory, also manufactured machinery, under the firm of E. S. Snell & Co., Mr. Sprague being the special partner.
Wilbor Webster commenced manufacturing shoe knives near Sprague's in 1863. Mr. S. V. Tuck also manufactures shoe-knives, carving-knives, etc., of a superior quality.
Harrison Smith manufactured bedsteads in the old mill known as Keitli's Mill. Archibald Thompson made the first spinning-wheel in the country ; lived near where John Thompson now resides. His posterity have continued to make wheels since that time. Jonas Reynolds also made spinning-wheels in the "West Shares." Moses Cary made hay-rakes in the north-east part of the town.
Before the invention of Blanchard's machine for turning irregular forms, lasts and boot-trees were made by hand. Nathaniel Wales was probably the first person in the town engaged in that business. Robert A. Stoddard, Marcus Shaw, and Chandler Sprague have since been engaged in that line of manufacture. When Chandler Sprague began to manu-
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facture by machinery, there was no use for lasts made by hand. Those made by machinery have become one of the great improvements of the age, and so far surpass those made by hand as to quality, that there are no others in the market.
PUBLIC-HOUSES.
The town of North Bridgewater is situated on the direct route from New Bedford to Boston; and previous to the building of the railroads that connect the two cities, it was a stopping-place for travellers needing public-houses. At one time, there were three public-houses in the village, be- side one on the turnpike south of " Tilden's Corner."
One of the most prominent houses in early days was one kept by Major Daniel Cary, on the spot where Rufus P. Kingman now resides, and formerly occupied by the late John Wales. Next in order, we find a house kept by Barnabas Howard, at the north end of the town, where entertainment was provided for man and beast. Silas Packard kept public- house on the corner of Main and Court Streets, now occu- pied by Captain Clark. Colonel Edward Southworth also kept house at his residence, and later Major Nathan Hayward kept near the corner of Main and Elm Streets. Nathan Hayward, Newton Shaw, Nathaniel H. Cross, Captain John Packard, and Edward J. Snow have kept public-house on the corner of Main and Crescent Streets, and opposite the residence of the late John Wales.
In the carly part of 1833, preparations were made for the erection of a new and more commodious house than was then in the town. July 4, of that year, a house was raised by Messrs. Bela Keith, Esq., and Benjamin Kingman, who were the owners till 1856, when it passed into the hands of Tyler Cobb, who keeps the house at the present time. Mr. B. Kingman kept the house three years. Edward E. Bennett
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
occupied it from that time about ten years, and the house has since changed hands as follows: O. G. Tinkham, Joslyn & Keith, Ellridge Cobb, Harrison Rogers, Mr. Alstrom, Cap- tain Swasey, and Tyler Cobb, and is known as the Satucket House.
A few years since Aaron B. Drake opened a public-house at Campello, by the name of Salisbury House, which was kept for a few years only. There is, therefore, only one public-house in the town at the present time, and that is in the Centre Village.
TRADERS.
It is very difficult to give the dates when the different traders in town began business, although we find the names of all. We here give the names of those who have been in the trade, keeping country variety stores, as follows: Deacon Ichabod Howard kept store at the north part of the town, on the road to Boston, in the house recently occupied by the late Deacon Ozen Gurney. Silas Packard and Colonel Edward Southworth had a store on the corner of Main and Court Streets, where David Cobb's store now stands. Colonel Ed- ward Southworth has kept store in his present location since 1816, nearly opposite the First Congregational Church. Major Daniel Cary kept in the north part of the old building that was recently removed from the corner of Main and Belmont Streets, and on the lot now occupied as a residence by Rufus P. Kingman. He was succeeded by John Wales. Jonathan Keith kept a grocery store where the church now stands, on the corner of South and Main Streets, Campello. Isaac Keith kept groceries in the south part of his house, a short distance north of the church. Benjamin Kingman succeeded him in trade a year or two, when he removed to the Centre Village. Silas Packard & Co. were succeeded in trade by David Cobb, who came from Mansfield, Mass., in 1823, and learned trade
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
of Mr. Packard. Mr. Cobb has, within a few years, erect- ed a new and commodious building in place of the old store, where he now continues to do a successful business, as a variety store. Captain Jolin Packard erected the store corner of Main and Belmont Streets, opposite Rufus P. King- man's house, several years since, and was associated with Joseph Packard in trade. At a little later period, Matthew Kingman and Nathaniel Snow purchased the stock and good- will of the store, and traded for a short time. The store was afterward purchased by David Cobb, about 1836, and was kept by Tyler Cobb for several years. . About 1840 William P. Howard, of Easton, purchased the stock, and conducted a successful business for several years, and then removed to Messrs. Howard, Clark, & Co.'s building. In 1836 Frederick Parker came from Barnstable, and entered into partnership with Ambrose Hayward, under the firm of Hayward & Parker, in the dry-goods trade, in William Ryder's building on Main Street, and continued but a short time. John Ritchie opened a store at the Factory Village, near " Sprague's," which has since been occupied by Daniel Eames, Ephraim Noyes, Ira Copeland, William H. Brett, and Chandler Sprague. Ira Copeland has recently erected a new grocery store a short distance east from "Sprague's," on the road to Abington.
Lemuel B. Hatch opened the first store in Campello about twenty years since, and kept but a few years. The business has been conducted in the same building by Messrs. Tyler Cobb, Samuel Carter, Varanes Wales, and Sidney Packard. A few years since Josiah W. Kingman erected a large and commodious building for a store, which has been in use by Sidney Packard and Messrs. Howard & Keith, the present occupants, who keep a variety store. A few years since W. O. Alger, of West Bridgewater, erected a building corner of Montello and Depot Streets, at Campello, near the railroad
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
depot, and kept a grocery store a short time. This building has since been purchased by Mr. Nelson J. Foss, who occu- pies it as a flour and grain store, and post-office. Henry Dyer has a small store on Montello Street, near the depot, and Benjamin Swain on Main Street, Campello. Several years since Aaron B. Drake and brother were in trade where the Salisbury House now stands. Newton Shaw kept a store in the easterly part of the town, at "Shaw's Corner," a few years since. Perez Marshall kept a grocery store near " Til- den's Corner." Lorenzo Wade and George A. Packard in the West Shares. George Clark kept store a short time near the same place. Isaac Packard kept store in the West Shares, in the building occupied by William Packard. Benjamin Kel- logg kept store in town in 1835. Cyrus Porter, Jr., kept store near Zophar Field's Corner in 1835. A few years since J. F. Hale opened a grocery store in Central Block, on Main Street. L. C. Bliss became his successor in that business. Newton Shaw had a grocery store near the railroad on Cen- tre Street, some years since. Mr. William H. Pierce succeed- ed him in business. Lyman E. Cobb has recently erected a new store near the same locality and continues to do a suc- cessful business in that line. Daniel Lovell has taken the store recently occupied by the " Union Store No. 619." Hen- ry W. Robinson commenced trade in 1844, in the store now occupied by him in the Centre Village. He was the suc- cessor of William White. In 1850 William B. Barry became associated with him in the business, under the firm of Rob- inson & Barry; which copartnership existed five years, Mr. Barry then removing to Boston. This was a variety store till 1859, when it was changed to dry goods exclusively.
In 1834 Charles Atherton and Albert Smith became asso- ciated in business in the hotel building, under the firm of Smith & Atherton. This firm continued for about two years, when they dissolved partnership, and William F. Brett became
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
a partner with Mr. Smith, under the firm of Smith & Brett, in 1836. This firm continued till 1839, and Mr. Smith with- drew from the firm, leaving Mr. Brett alone in business till 1846, at which time Rufus P. Kingman became a partner, under the firm of Brett & Kingman, which copartnership continued till 1854, doing a dry-goods, grocery, hardware, and merchant tailoring business. A new firm. was then formed, consisting of William F. Brett, J. Freeman Ellis, S. B. Ripley, and Edward O'Neil, who continued in the same business. In 1860 Henry A. Brett came from Wareliam, and purchased the stock and business, and conducted the same till 1861, when he sold to William H. Brett and Rufus E. Brett, who continued in business under the style of William F. Brett's Sons. This firm was dissolved in 1865, Rufus E. Brett and Frederick L. Brett continuing the business under the firm of Brett Brothers.
In 1862 Mr. B. C. Benner & Co. opened a dry-goods store opposite Kingman's Block. Charles Curtis, Jr., was in the dry-goods trade in Howard & Clark's building, on Main Street, till within a short time. He became the successor of William P. Howard in that business. B. P. Davis has had a shoe store since 1850 opposite the bank. Charles D. Brig- ham has a shoe store at 423 Main Street (Tyler Cobb's build- ing). Ambrose Hayward opened a grocery store in Howard, Clark, & Co.'s building July 4, 1864. A. N. Farrar had a grocery store in John Tilden's building, a few years since ; he was succeeded by Simeon Mitchell in 1861, and the store is now occupied by John Tilden.
James Hall and William H. H. Hebard have since occu- pied that store for a short time each. The building is now used as a residence. Henry Howard formerly kept a store in his building now occupied as a shoe manufactory. E. Ca- pen French kept a grocery store, near Stoddard's Brush Fac- tory, in the north part of the village ; store now occupied for
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
the same purpose by Joel T. Packard. B. R. Clapp has a variety store in the building near Bliss's store, on Main Street. Southworth & Noyes have a grocery store nearly opposite Kingman's Brick Block ; Daniel Hayward one on School Street, near the railroad. John W. Snell kept a small grocery store opposite the residence of Freeman Holmes several years since. S. Francis Dearborne has a grocery store in Drayton's building, opposite the First Congrega- tional Church, formerly occupied by N. C. & G. W. Fisher as a grocery store. Nathan Jones keeps a grocery store in Colonel Southworth's building. E. H. Woodbridge keeps paints, oils, etc., on School, near Main Street. William Field also kept a grocery store in Captain John Battles's house. Lot Packard kept a store in the house afterward oc- cupied by Captain Robert Packard. F. & H. Baylies kept a dry-goods store in " Wheeler's Block," corner of Main and School Streets, a few years since. Francis O. Hall kept a grocery store on Turnpike Street, in the West Shares, for a short time, several years since. John W. Snell kept a gro- cery store at Campello for a short time in a building owned by Bela Keith, Esq. Rufus L. Thacher kept a flour and grain store in Central Block on Centre Street a few years since. C. C. Bixby & Co. keep a large assortment of drugs, medicines, fancy goods, books, stationery, etc., in Bixby's Block, corner of Main and School Streets.
Isaac Washburn came from Kingston, and kept store in the old tavern-building, opposite John Wales's Corner, for a short time only.
TAILORS.
It was the custom in the early settlement of the town for ladies to cut and make gentlemen's garments. At length men cutters went from house to house, making clothes enough for the year at ono time. The first tailor in the
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North Parish was Nathaniel Snell, who went out to work for twenty-five cents per day and board. John Shankland was the next tailor; then came Michael O'Neil, who opened a tailoring shop in the "West Shares," and afterward in the Centre, occupying the store now used by Colonel Nathan Jones, in Southworth's building. Elisha B. Bumpas came from Wareham in September, 1838, and opened a clothing shop in the building then owned by Arza Leonard, opposite Henry Cross's shoe manufactory, on Main Street; he after- wards removed to a room over Robinson's dry-goods store ; from this place he removed to Howard, Clark, & Co.'s build- ing, where he is at the present time. Luther W. Durant was a tailor in 1836, two doors south of " Patriot " office. William Ryder came from West Bridgewater, and carried on the merchant tailoring business for several years in his building on Main Street. Edward O'Neil was employed as a foreman in Messrs. Brett & Kingman's tailoring department in 1849. In 1850 he became associated with Mr. James B. Sampson, for the purpose of conducting the merchant tailoring busi- ness, in Tyler Cobb's building on Main Street, under the firm of O'Neil & Sampson. Mr. Sampson retired from the firm in 1861, and went into the army. Mr. O'Neil continued in busi- ness alone till 1864, when he removed to Alexandria, Va. Walter Scott came to town, from Boston, in 1860, was em- ployed by Mr. O'Neil for four years, and is now conducting the merchant tailoring business on his own account. George E. Wilbour came from Wareham in 1859, and is now con- nected with Henry A. Brett in the clothing business. L. W. Wade and Daniel F. Leonard were in town several years since, and made garments. Most of the larger dry-goods stores have had a journeyman tailor connected with their establishments, and manufactured custom goods ; therefore, it would be impossible to note all the changes that have occur- red. Peter F. Hollywood came from Wareham, and was
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
employed in Brett & Kingman's store for several years, and afterward opened a tailoring establishment on his own ac- count in Ellis J. Morton's building, on Main Street, and is now doing business opposite Colonel E. Southworth's store. Daniel Logue had a tailor shop opposite Southworth & Noyes's grocery store, on Main Street, for a short time. In January, 1854, George E. Bryant opened a clothing store in D. F. Studley's building; and in 1855 Henry L. Bryant was asso- ciated with him in the business, under the firm of G. E. & H. L. Bryant. This firm has continued in trade since that time, doing a very successful and profitable business. Since that time Henry A. Brett has opened another clothing store, in Bixby's Block, where he is doing a large and highly lucrative business.
Messrs. Brett & Kingman, David Cobb, H. W. Robinson, W. P. Howard, and other traders, have usually kept ready- made clothing ; thus the public have always had unsurpassed facilities for obtaining the best custom garments and the cheapest.
HATTERS.
The first hatter in the town was Perez Crocker, who con- ducted business near where David Howard's boot manufac- tory recently stood, in the north part of the village. He was succeeded by Captain John Battles, and he by Ellis J. Mor- ton. There is no hat manufactory in the town at the present time; customers are supplied at the various stores in the town, of which there are many, as before seen.
BAKERS.
B. C. Hatch and Cyrus Packard, 2d, commenced the baking business about 1830, and continued about three years, in the building that had formerly been used as a schoolhouse, on the lot now occupied by the bank building, south of the hotel.
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MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
In 1833 Mr. Packard sold his interest to Mr. Hatch. In 1834 David Wilder and Mr. Hatch were associated together in the business, under the firm of Hatch & Wilder. Shortly after that time, Mr. J. C. Wilder purchased Mr. Hatch's interest in the business, and the firm was changed to J. C. & D. Wilder. Afterward, J. C. Wilder sold to John W. Hunt, who has con- tinued with Mr. Wilder, under the firm of Hunt & Wilder. Their business was very successful, and in 1856 they erected a new and more commodious building, using horse-power for mixing, stamping, and cutting crackers, bread, and small cakes. This firm bakes, on an average, about five barrels of flour daily.
A Mr. Buckley conducted the baking business at the old stand afterward used by Hunt & Wilder, on Crescent Street. Several years since, also, Parmenas and Simeon Brett, in the Factory Village, did a small business for a short time. F. B. Washburn makes nice cake and fancy pastry at his refectory on Main Street; also, confectionery of all kinds and fancy baking.
SADDLERS.
In the days when every one travelled on horseback, the saddler's business was a prominent trade. After the intro- duction of wheel carriages, harness-making was added to their trade, also trunk-making. Among those who have con- ducted this trade, are Seth Snow, a short distance below the bridge on the road to Campello, in the Isaac Keith house ; Elbridge H. Packard, in the north part of the village; also, Nathaniel H. Cross, in 1836, in the Centre Village. A few years since A. M. Leavitt came from East Bridgewater, and located where George W. Bryant's marblo works are now, corner of Main and Crescent Streets. Lemuel T. Bird is now doing business on High Street. Recently Mr. Bartlett has opened a harness shop on School Street, near the hotel.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Abel Kingman, Esq., was one of the oldest wheelwrights in the parish. He made ox-wagons, carts, wooden ploughs, rakes, etc. Zachariah and Zebedee Snell made wooden ploughs, rakes, and grain cradles, etc., in the north-west part of the town. Jabez Kingman had a wheelwright shop on Centre Street, near Shaw's Corner. Ruel Richmond had a large and commodious shop on the corner of Main and School Streets, and was the principal shop in town for several years. John C. H. Eaton has a wheelwright shop on Prospect Hill. Mason & Fletcher manufacture carriages, and do job work, on High Street. From 1852 to 1855, Tyler Cobb manufactured car- riages, etc., on High Street. Waldo Bradford & Co. also manufacture carriages on High Street. Lyman E. Tribou has a wheelwright shop in the Factory Village, opposite A. D. Tyler's blacksmith shop; and Lewis A. Kingman has a shop near Tilden's Corner, in the west part of the town.
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