History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 54

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 54

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The first privilege on the Blackstone in this town is what was known as the Burling mills. When the old canal closed, Asa Waters hought what then existed. This he created into a valuable water-power. Michael Coogan built a small mill in 1850, and operated it awhile. Later H. H. Chamberlain & Co., of Worcester, became interested with him, and they occupied the privilege for some time. Wm. H. Harrington & Co. were the next owners, and operated the mill nntil it was burnt down, December 8, 1883. The mill has been run mostly on woolen goods.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The next privilege on the Blackstone was also first put to a practical use by Asa Waters. Near this place, in 1841, was the flannel-mill owned by him. In 1834 we find that Allen & Rice were located in an old, two-story building, not far from where the Providence & Worcester Depot now is. They were succeeded by Allen & Coombs-both of the above firms being en- gaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds. We find that in 1851, J. Coombs & Co., their successors, were established where the sash and blind shop of C. D. Morse & Co. now is. The latter company was formed in 1852, under the firm-name of Fullam, Morse & Co. The firm consisted of T. S. Fullam, C. D. Morse, E. M. Park, A. P. Small. The same year Mr. Small ceased to be a partner. In 1853 Mr. Fullam retired, selling to Horace Armsby. The firm then became Armsby & Morse. About 1856 Mr. Park retired. In 1871, Mr. Morse purchased Mr. Armsby's interest, and the firm became C. D. Morse & Co., which still continues. .

This concern in 1852 employed twenty-five men, and now have on an average sixty. Their products go to all parts of the country They were burned out July 24, 1872, and in sixty days were again running. They again suffered by fire in 1881, when their works were partially burnt, but were soon rebuilt. They use annually about one million five hundred thousand feet of pine and hard-wood lumber. Mr. Morse is a native of Woodstock, Ct., having been born there November 1, 1827. One of the finest mills ever built in this town was the Stillwater mill, erected by Col. A. H. Waters on this privilege ; it was burnt in 1868.

Elijah and Asa Waters (1st) had for several years prior to the building of the armory, in 1808, extensive blacksmith and scythe works in town. On the 25th of March, 1808, Mr. Isaac Stiles was killed at these works by the bursting of a grind-stone. Dea- con Elijah and Asa Waters (2d), sons of Asa, were the ones who built what is known as the Second Ar- mory. Asa (Ist) died in 1813. The following is found :

Elijah Waters & Co. dissolve.

Surron, August 24, 1801. ELIJANI WATERS, JOSEPH FARNSWORTH, SALMON WATERS.

Elijah Waters and J. Farnsworth continue.

Mr. Farnsworth seems to have left Elijah not many years after, for he was a manufacturer of scythes alone in 1806.

Again we find, October 11, 1809, that Elijah and Asa Waters (Ist) dissolve.

October 11, 1809, we find a company formed as follows : Elijah Waters & Company, to manufacture muskets, mill-saws and scythes. The company were Elijah Waters, Asa Waters, Jr., Nathaniel Whitmore, Joseph Farnsworth, Luther Whitmore.

We now come to the old armory of Asa (2d) and Elijalı Waters, built in 1808. The dam at this place was also erected by them. At this time they had

made a contract with the United States Government to manufacture guns. At this time an old grist-mill stood near where the Millbury Cotton-Mills are. This business at the armory was, in fact, the real pushing forward of manufacturing at Armory Vil- lage. From that beginning sprung what of manu- facturing has since been carried on. Here were erected by the Waters' extensive works in iron, forge-shops, scythe-shops, trip-hammers. They also had a saw and mill-iron factory, a steel furnace and everything necessary for their work. They also had a rolling and slitting-mill in connection with their other business. Upon the death of Elijah, in 1814, Asa Waters took the business, and carried it on until his death, in 1841, having previously taken in com- pany his son, Asa H. After the death of Asa the elder the business was continued by his son until 1845, when the armory business closed. After the close of the armory business, previous to 1850, A. H. Waters & Company built the Millbury Cotton-Mills (now so-called), which was the site of the early grist- mill, and business was carried on under that and other firm-names for several years.

At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, in 1861, Col. Waters was requested to again manu- facture guns, which he did not do, but took contracts for supplying the government with rods and bayonets, doing a large business. The old armory was at one time rented, or a part of it, to Col. J. D. Green, who made patent rifles for the Russian Government. At the close of the War of the Rebellion Col. Waters, under the firm-name of A. H. Waters & Company,1 continued to run the extensive cotton-mill opposite the old armory, and later the Atlanta Mill, in the old armory buildings, which was run on woolen goods. Of the latter company he was president. Col. Waters retired from business about 1870. The cotton-mill was continued by Benj. Flagg and Thomas J. Harrington. Cotton machinery was at one time made in the old armory buildings. Here also was at one time in operation the Witherby Tool Company, Thompson, Skinner & Co., Harrington & Heald, who made wrenches and tools. The old grist-mill that stood near where are the Millbury.Cotton-Mills, opposite the old armory, was an old landmark of this region. At this place, near by, was the old spindle factory of Brown. Shoe nails were also made here. Luke Harrington also stocked guns here for the ar- mory. The Atlanta Mills, that are in the old ar- mory buildings, are run at the present time by Wn. H. Harrington, on satinets. He took the mill about 1871, and turns out about two hundred thousand yards per year. Mr. Harrington has been for a long time a business man in town.

.The Millbury Cotton-Mills are now run by J. H. Mason & Company, who do an extensive business.

Cordis Mills .- We now come to what at present is

1 At one time the concern was Flagg & Waters.

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known as the above mills. Through the courtesy of John Gegenheimer, the agent of these mills, we are permitted to give copies of old records as follows :

Sept. 21, 1813, one-third of water privilege, Elijah Waters, Asa Wa- ters, Jr., and Joseph Farnsworth, to Aaron Trask, Asa Goodell, Jr., John Goodell and Orra Goodell.

At this time there was a saw-mill at the dam and a rolling-mill at the place where the dye-house now is. The Goodells must have raised the dam, and also built the dam back of the present mill. So Mr. Gegenheimer says :

Feb. 23, 1814, Elijah Waters, Asa Waters, Jr., and Joseph Farns- worth deed one-third of the saw-mill property to the Goodells.

Nov. 26, 1821, Asa Waters to Asa Goodell & Co. (land where present mill stands), and one-third of Dams, canals, ponds, etc., and one-third of the water that runs in aforesaid river-subject to the restriction that a Grist-mill should be built.

Dec. 25, 1822, Asa Waters to Goodell Manufacturing Co. seventy-six hundred and two-thirds of a hundredth part of a Rolling. mill privi- lege.

Dec. 1, 1835, John B. Blanchard to Goodell M'f'g Co. one-tenth of Rolling-mill property.

Goodell M'f'g Co. to Brown Woolen Mill, Aug. 30, 1836.

Brown Woolen Mills to Cordis Co. April 1, 1844.

Cordis Co. to J. S. Wright & Co. Dec. 28, 1863.

John S. Wright & Co. to Cordis Mills July 1, 1875.

This company has done much for the prosperity of the town. The amount of their business in 1888 was two hundred thousand dollars. They used 1800 bales of cottou and manufactured 1,999,180 yards of bed-ticking, employing 145 hands. The old mill is 185x37; new mill is 167x42; boiler-house is 64x36; picker-house is 68x48. This is the site of the old broadcloth manufactory of the Goodells. In the early days of the town their goods had a reputation that was a national one. This company, under the management of the present agent, John Gegenheimer, Esq., is in a prosperous condition, with improved machinery and tenements for their large number of employés.

The last privilege on the Blackstone was begun about 1828 and finished in 1830 by Shepard & Ridge- way. Next came Edward W. Ridgeway, who ran the mill under his and other names until 1837. Trowbridge & Co. were there at one time. The later ones have been Park & Wright, Bellows, Baker & Co. William Crompton, the inventor of the fancy loom, run the mill for some time on broadcloth. While engaged in running this mill he was still at work perfecting his loom. He was at this place as late as 1847 and 1848. His foundry and loom estab- lishment, at this time, was situated near the Cordis Mills on that privilege. In 1847 Mr. Crompton ad- vertised as follows :

Being about to make woolen and cotton goods entirely, will sell out tools used in the manufacture of machinery at Millbury, the 22d of April, 1848.

He had eight large engines. The machine-shop, foundry and blacksmith-shop was to let, hy applying to the agent of the Cordis Company. After Mr. Cromp- ton came David F. Wood, then Merriam, Simpson & Rays. Merriam and Rays finally withdrew, and

since that time the factory has been run by Captain Peter Simpson. At the time Crompton was here the power was said to have been about sixty horse. The Hathaway saw-mill privilege has lately been added, so that now it is about one hundred horse-power.

On Dorothy Pond Brook is the tool-works of R. T. Buck, formerly Buck Brothers. The business was established at the junction shop in Worcester, in 1853. It was removed to this place in 1864. They purchased of Andrus March the privilege where is now the Riverlin Chisel.Works. At this place Deacon Witherby once made chisels, and later skates were made there. Then followed Wil- liams, who also made tools. Later Dennis Fisher

manufactured cut nippers. Then came Charles Hale, who pursued the same business as Fisher, to some extent. It was then occupied by Harrington & Heald on tool-work. After this came A. H. Waters, who occupied it awhile. Buck Bros. re- mained together some time, then Charles withdrew. This privilege has three ponds connected with it, -Dorothy, which was the old canal feeder, another pond built in 1868, and one other.

In 1878 a new factory was built of fine pressed brick, and a tasteful little village has grown up. Mr. R. T. Buck is a native of England, and his chisels have a reputation the world over.

The next privilege on this brook was originally occupied by Chester Hastings, in wood-work. After him it was used by H. H. Ward as a grist-mill. It then passed to G. C. Molt, the patentee of the celebrated indigo blue dye. Later Mr. Molt took in as a partner Jerome Marble, of Worcester. After Mr. Marble retired L. L. Whitney became a partner. Since the death of Mr. G. C. Molt, the business has been continued as Whitney & Molt, Mr. Whitney and the sons of Mr. Molt constituting the firm. An extensive business is here done in this line of manufacture.

The last privilege on this stream is the flock-mill of Peter Simpson. Here was originally a saw-mill. The next occupants were Wilcox & Tuft, who made excelsior for mattresses. It was again used as a grist-mill by Goodell, and later by Marsh for the same purpose. Then came Jabez Ellis, who used it for a carpenter-shop. After that it was occupied by the Ohio Mowing-Machine Company, of which James E. Taylor was at one time agent. This company dissolved in 1867.

Nathaniel Goddard came to this town from Royal- ston March 19, 1819, six years after the incorporation of Millbury. He immediately began the mannfac- ture of boots and shoes for the local trade. In 1826 his brother, Danforth, became a partner with him, under the style of N. & D. Goddard. This partner- ship continued until 1834, when Danforth retired from the firm. Deacon Goddard's next partner was Abner Rice, the firm being Goddard & Rice. Their business constantly increased, so they were soon hav-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ing, for those times, quite a large Southern and West- ern trade. In 1841 George H. Rice became a member of the firm, which then became Goddard, Rice & Co. They next turned their attention to the currying of leather in connection with their boot and shoe busi- ness. In 1844 Abner Rice retired. This left the firm as Goddard & Rice, which so continued until 1851. At that time the firm was dissolved. Ira N. Goddard then became a partner with his father, the firm being N. Goddard & Son, which continues to this day. Of late years their business has been con- fined mostly to the retailing of boots and shoes. Deacon Goddard, the senior member of the firm, con- tinned daily at his place in the store until a short time previons to his death, in 1887, at nearly ninety- one years of age. Deacon Goddard, throughout his long business career in this community, maintained the character of an honest, upright man. His word was as good as his bond at any and all times. His veracity was never questioned. He was ever found on the side of truth, justice and equal rights. A friend of the slave, he ever looked forward to the time when his shackles should fall. Temperate in all things, he labored that the curse of strong drink might beremoved from the community. A faithful Christian, he worked in his Master's vineyard until the last. The world is better that he lived, and his memory is blessed. The surviving partner, Mr. I. N. Goddard, is the clerk of the town. He was chosen to that position in 1853. and for over thirty-five years has faithfully performed its duties. Courteous and obliging, he is recognized by all parties as the right man in the right place. He is a notary public, and has connected with his other business an insurance office.

Near where stands the Providence and Worcester Depot, in 1830 stood a two-story wooden shop. In 1834 it was occupied by Allen & Coombs for the man- ufacture of sash and blinds. About that time Moses L. Morse used some part of the upper story for the manufacture of cutlery. Deacon Morse at one time took the premium at the Worcester cattle show for the best penknives. He later removed to Worcester, where he died. Henry Tower about this time occu- pied some part of this building for making hoes, tri- squares, etc. The old building was afterwards con- verted into a dwelling-house.

Extensive scythe-works were formerly carried on at Millbury by Hale, Whipple & Waters and by the Hale's at different times and under different firm- names.

Allen & Harrington have also been engaged in blacksmithing and in carriage-making ; also Stoyle & Harrington at blacksmithing.

H. M. Goddard began the ice business in this town in 1880. In 1879 he had erected a building sixty by forty feet, near what was then known as Chamberlin Pond, for the storage of ice. In 1882 he built another at Singletary Pond, which has since been enlarged so that now it is one hundred and twenty by forty feet.

In 1883 he bought the coal business formerly carried on by Eddy & Co., which was begun by Justus Eddy in 1860. In 1884 Mr. Goddard added to his other business a lumber yard. This business, with his other, is constantly increasing, requiring many horses and men. The past year he has built for his use one of the finest and most commodious barns in town, with sleeping-rooms connected with it for his help. He is one of the rising business men of the town. His coal and lumber sheds and office are near the Boston and Albany Railroad Station on Canal Street.

S. R. Parker & Co., carriage manufacturers, came to this town many years ago. In 1858 was erected their present block for their business. Connected with it is also a blacksmith shop. They manufacture all kinds of wagons and carriages. In 1888 was manufactured eighty-eight top-carriages and twenty- five open wagons and buggies. Parker's carriages have a good reputation at home and abroad.

Charles Buck, chisel manufacturer, came to Mill- bury in 1864, and was a member of the firm of Buck Brothers. Later the partnership was dissolved, and in 1873 Charles built his present mill. It was ocen- pied in 1875. Mr. Buck employs thirteen hands, and makes goods of a superior quality.

Samuel E. Hull is a dealer in cotton, cotton-waste, paper and paper stock. This business was established by J. H. Merry. It next passed into the hands of Briggs & Co., and from them, June 20, 1883, to Mr. Hull, who does quite an extensive business.

Millbury Machine Co .- At the close of the iron and gun business of A. H. Waters & Co., they were suc- ceeded by the Millbury Machine Company. In 1866 this company occupied some of the armory buildings until 1872. At that time C. D. Morse erected for them the shop they now use, near the sash and blind shop of Mr. Morse. The members of the company are Charles D. Morse and E. J. Humphreys. Their business is general machine jobbing, and the manu- facture of special machinery, used for sash and blind work, flock cutting machines for woolen-mills, shaft- ing, pulleys and the like.

H. W. Hakes manufactures heddle-frames for looms. Started in Morse's sash and blind shop in 1879. The present shop was built in 1881.

A. M. Stone, Armsby's building, began in 1883 to manufacture ticking Ing-straps for looms, and also roll-covering. He also has a laundry.

T. A. M. Bennett, merchant tailor, began business in Randall's Block in 1868. Removed to the rooms of the old Millbury Bank in 1884, where he now is.

Millbury Foundry .- This foundry was begun by Bradway, Felton & Lathrop. It next passed to John Martin. Then to Martin & Sweetser. Next in pos- session was Felton again. Then the firm became Felton & Cunningham. Later, Cunningham ran it alone awhile. Then he sold one-half interest to John Martin. Soon Mr. Cunningham retired, leaving Mar- tin in full possession. Then Martin sold to Colvin,

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MILLBURY.

but later it came back into the hands of Martin again, who sold to H. T. Merriam in 1886. This company manufactures wrought-iron bridges, iron fronts and all kinds of constructional iron work.

Moses D. Garfield began the shuttle business here in 1863. The partnership was W. Wilder, F. Searles, M. D. Garfield. In 1865 Wilder bought out the busi- ness of the company. Mr. Garfield then began alone the manufacture of porcelain shuttle-eyes and other goods of the same material.

Present Armory Village .- Dunton & Winter, dry goods and groceries, began business in Randall's Block in 1871 ; moved from there in 1875 to the block of Silas Dunton. This is a first-class country store, and a large business is done.

Sweetser & Co. also do a good business in the same line. Their stand is an old one and commands a good trade.

Among the meat and provision dealers are Lyman S. Waters, Joseph Simpson, Desmariez Bros., D. Du- charme. Milliner, Madam E. D. York. A jewelry store is kept by J. F. Dodge. D. Shurn, cigars. Drug stores, N. H. Sears, E. Thompson & Son, E. E. Wood, P. Bellville, B. F. Aiken.

J. J. Power, coal dealer, began business here in 1874, and in 1876 sold to F. E. Powers, who is now engaged in the coal and lumber trade.

The Millbury Grain Company's store was built in 1880 by H. H. Ward, who carried it on two years. It is now known as the above company, with H. Hough- ton as manager.

Jolin S. Rich also keeps a grain store, at which quite an extensive business is carried on.

In the rear of the Baptist Church D. A. Powers keeps a first-class livery stable, and has many fine turnouts.

John Odlum is also engaged in the stable business.

The dentists at present are Dr. C. H. Hakes and Dr. Bristol, who are prepared at all times to do good work.

Herbert A. Ryan also keeps a paper-hanging and fancy goods store in connection with his other busi- ness.

Silas Undergraves, boots and shoes. N. A. Feehan is also in same business. W. E. Gale, hats and men's furnishing goods. Cronin Bros. are also dealers in groceries, teas and coffees.

J. D. Fairchild and H. E. Newell are here engaged iu the furniture business.

Among the livery stables is also that of MI. H. Murphy.

Present Bramanville .- William ,E. Horne, dry-goods and groceries, does quite a large business in this line. He also has a meat and provision market. A. S. manufacturers could do. The mansion was com- Winter also keeps a general country store. He has had a long business experience in town and has his share of patronage.

A. B. Lovell has for years kept boots and shoes and a general notion store. Thomas Dolan, at this place, has a provision and meat market.

At West Millbury no store is now kept. Formerly trade was carried on here by Stephen Blanchard, Ephraim Goulding, Henry P. Howe, A. Wood & Sons, D. G. Prentice and Ira D. Bates. The last store was kept by Ira Glazier.

STOREKEEPERS .- In town in old times were John Morse, Sterry S. Kegwin, Dr. William M. Benedict, Dr. Braman, Stephen Blanchard, Elias Lovell, Jabez Hull, E. W. Goffe, Abraham G. Randall, Ephraim Goulding, Henry P. Howe, Goddard Rice & Co., Thaniel Cutting, Dana A. Braman, Simon Farnsworth, Wiswall & Co., Daggett, Wright & Co., Lucian S. Larned, Otis Packard & Co. and many others that might be mentioned.

HOTELS .- Among the old hotel-keepers of the town may be mentioned Dr. Amasa Braman, Dr. William M. Benedict, Landlord Longley, Elijah A. Johnson, Elias Lovell and Simon Farnsworth. Charles A. Tonrtellotte, John M. White, Charles T. Pratt and E. A. Bartlett are among the modern ones. Mr. White at the present time is landlord at the Tour- tellottte House and Mr. Bartlett at the St. Charles.

LANDMARK,-One of the old landmarks of Mill- bury is the old homestead built by Asa Waters (2d), and now occupied by the family of the late Colonel A. H. Waters. The house is of the Corinthian order in architecture, which was a novelty in this region, and afforded builders many new designs in house- building, mouldings, stucco, winding-stairs and other work. The architect was Bryant, of Boston. Every part of the work was done by hand in most thorough manner and from best materials. Its broad entry- ways, arched halls and winding stairways remind the visitor of some old castle of ancient times. This magnificent old structure is not withont its historical associations, its lofty halls having echoed to the voices of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Levi Lincoln and other distinguished men. On the occasion of a visit of Henry Clay to Massachusetts, the citizens of Millbury formed a cavalcade and received him at the Worcester line, whence lie was escorted to the resi- dence of Mr. Waters, who gave a reception to the citizens for an interview with the distinguished visi- tor. He was given a ride about town to visit its vari- ous manufactories, in which, as the champion de- fender of protective duties, he manifested deep in- terest. Returning to the house of Mr. Waters, Colo- nel Shepard, superintendent of the woolen-mills now known as the Cordis Mills, in a graceful speech pre- sented to Mr. Clay an elegant roll of blue broadcloth, to which the orator replied in a happy manner, say- ing his next suit would show Congress what American menced in 1826 and completed in the fall of 1829, being some over three years in building, with an average of ten men employed. On Christmas the completion was celebrated by a thorough house- warming-a general invitation was given, great nnm- bers collected, many being present from neighboring

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

towns, the house was illuminated throughout, prayers were offered, hallelujah anthems sung by a large choir, with instruments, and also an original ode composed by the host himself. The house sets back from the street, grand and stately, its broad lawns shaded by noble trees, an ornament to the town. The trees were set by the hand of the late Colonel Waters, after his return from college. In 1854 President Sears. then secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Educa- tion, came to town with the whole corps of professors, then employed by the State ; among the number was Agassiz, Guyot, Colburn, Lowell Mason and others. A week was given to lectures on literary and scien- tific subjects. During their stay in town they were the guests of Colonel Waters.

FAMILIES-Singletary .- Of this family Amos was the first white male child born in what is now Mill- bury. He was a member of the Provincial Congress.

Goffe .- Rev. Joseph Goffe was the third minister of the town, born at Bedford, N. H., 1776. He preached here thirty-six years -- three hundred and thirty-six joined the church during his ministry.

Pierce .- This family has ever been prominent in religions and town affairs, several filling the office of deacon-Ebenezer chosen in 1768, John in 1795, Aaron in 1810 and Hervey in 1828.

Burbank .- Of this family was Abijah, the paper manufacturer, and General Caleb his son and suc- cessor to the business, the latter once the richest man in town, but who died poor.

Braman .- Dr. Amasa and Dana A. were once prom- inent in business circles. None of the name are now living in town.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 54

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464