History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 123

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Hampshire Manufacturing Company .- In 1829 the Hamp- shire Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with a capi- tal of $400,000, and purchased all of the property of the Ware Company. In 1836 they enlarged the woolen-mill and fur- nished it with 7 sets of new machinery. In the great financial crash of 1837 the Hampshire Company failed, a dividend never having been declared from either the earnings or the capital.

Otis Company .- In 1839 the Otis Company was organized, with a capital of $350,000. They purchased all the property of the Hampshire Manufacturing Company on the north side of the river, and increased their capital to $500,000. In June, 1845, the mill built by the Ware Company in 1824 was de- stroyed by fire. The company immediately began the erection of a new brick mill on the same site, 200 feet long by 50 feet wide, and five stories high. They also built one the same year, of stone, of the same size, on the fall below. In 1856 and 1857 the old mills on the middle falls were taken down, and a new mill was erected, 200 feet long by 53 feet wide, and six stories high. In 1869 an addition of 50 feet in length was made to this mill, making it 250 feet long by 53 feet wide. The mill is built of brick, and is to-day as handsome a factory as can be found in Western Massachusetts. In 1861 the Otis Com- pany, in connection with Mr. Stevens, built a new dam of granite, quarried in the western part of this town, at the middle falls. In 1864 they removed the looms from the new mill, and, replacing them with knitting-machines, began the manufacture of hosiery. This branch of their business pro- ving successful, they have constantly added new machines, not only for the manufacture of hosiery, but also for making gentlemen's underwear. The knitting-machines are all of the best English workmanship, and were imported by the com- pany direct from England.

The company are now running in their three mills 26,568 spindles, 76 looms, and about 75 knitting-machines, which produce annually 214,000 dozen of hose and gentlemen's un- derwear, and 6,000,000 yards of denims, stripes, tickings, and fancy duckings. The value of these goods is upward of $1,200,000, and 2,500,000 pounds of raw cotton are consumed in their manufacture. The monthly pay-roll amounts to over $25,000, and the company employs 1100 persons. The eom- pany also have a large mill at Palmer, Mass., which is treated of in the history of that town. The agents of the company, since its organization, have been : from 1839 to 1852, Henry Lyon ; from 1852 to 1859, Arthur L. Devens; from 1859 to 1866, S. J. Wetbrell; from 1866 to 1867, J. H. Sawyer; from 1867 to 1870, S. J. Wethrell; from 1870 to 1871, S. B. Bond ; from 1877 to date, E. H. Baker.

Gilbert & Sterens .- In 1841, Messrs. George II. Gilbert and Charles A. Stevens came from North Andover, in the eastern part of the State, and purchased of the assignees of the Hamp- shire Company all the property belonging to them on the south side of the river, including the water-power, land, woolen-mill, and machinery. These gentlemen formed a co- partnership under the name of Gilbert & Stevens, and began the manufacture of broadeloth. In 1846 they built a new mill on the fall below the one they then occupied, and put in four sets of woolen machinery. The mill was five stories high, and 80 feet long by 50 feet wide, and was built of granite taken from a quarry on the road to Warren. In 1844 this firm turned their attention to the manufacture of fine flannels, and so great was their success that their goods not only took the front rank in this country, but at the " World's Fair" held in London, in 1851, they were awarded the highest prize (a gold medal) over all the competitors of the Old World. In

1851 the firm of Gilbert & Stevens was dissolved, and a divis- ion of the property was made, Mr. Gilbert taking the new mill, or, as it was called, the " Granite Mill," and Mr. Stevens re- ceiving the old, or " Ware Woolen-Mill."

George H. Gilbert Manufacturing Company .- Mr. Gilbert continued the manufacture of white flannels, and in 1857 be- gan the production of opera flannels. In 1860 he purchased the property in Hardwick known as the " Old Paper-Mill." Removing the old mill, he erected a large brick factory 130 feet long by 55 feet wide, and four stories high. He also built many other buiklings and laid the foundation of a village, which has since received the name of Gilbertville, in honor of its founder. About this time the firm of George II. Gilbert & Co. was formed, Mr. Lewis N. Gilbert being admitted as the junior partner. In 1862 this company added to their other business the manufacture of balmoral skirts. So popular did these goods prove that for several years the company was unable to supply the demand, though they kept a large part of their works running by night as well as by day. In 1867 they built another large mill at Gilbertville, 230 feet long, 68 feet wide, and five stories high. In 1869 the firm of George H. Gilbert & Co. was dissolved, and the George H. Gilbert Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with a capital of $350,000. Mr. George H. Gilbert was the president and Mr. Lewis N. Gilbert the treasurer of the corporation. Mr. George II. Gilbert died May 6, 1869, at the age of sixty-three years. At his death, Mr. Lewis N. Gilbert was chosen president and Mr. Charles D. Gilbert treasurer of the corporation. J. H. G. Gilbert is secretary. They are now running in their mills at Gilbertville 28 set of cards and 271 looms. In their mill in Ware they have 7 set of cards and 80 looms, besides the machinery necessary for finishing all the goods manufactured by them at Gilbertville. They employ upward of 700 hands in all their mills. This company produces annually over 3,500,000 yards of various grades and styles of fine flan- nels, consuming about 2,000,000 pounds of wool per year. Their monthly pay-roll for all of their mills is about $14,000.

Ware Woolen-Mills, Charles A. Stevens & Co .- Mr. Stevens, since the dissolution of the firm of Gilbert & Stevens, in 1851, has continued the manufacture of fine white flannels, and within the last few years has been extensively engaged in the production of opera flannels. He has enlarged the old mill built by the Ware Company in 1825, by the addition of another story, and about 60 feet to its length. In 1870 he built a new building just east of the old mill, which is known as the " Ware Opera-House," not on account of its musical ca- pacities, but because it is used almost entirely for the produc- tion and finishing of opera flannels. Mr. Stevens has admitted his son, Mr. Charles E. Stevens, into partnership, and the firm is known as Charles A. Stevens & Co. When running full the firm produces about 600,000 yards of fine opera flannels annually, using about 325,000 pounds of wool, and employing about 175 persons.

Other industries have existed at various times. The princi- pal of these has been the manufacture of straw goods, which was commeneed in Ware in 1832 by John B. Fairbank, and afterward pursued by Avery Clark, Lorenzo Demond, C. E. & II. S. Blood, and others. The manufacture of wagons, boots and shoes, and other small industries is still carried on to some extent in the town.

THE OTIS COMPANY'S GAS-WORKS

are located on Monroe Street, in the south end of the village. They were first owned by the Ware Gas-Light Company, or- ganized in 1854, and consisting of the Otis Company and Charles A. Stevens. The company dissolved in 1862, when the Otis Company became sole proprietors. The works supply gas through the village, and manufacture about 2,000,000 feet annually. William Metcalf has been the superintendent of the works for the past twenty-two years.

1. 1. . Herens.

375

IIISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

MILITARY.

The military record of Ware is highly creditable. To the earlier wars the town sent a number of her citizens whose names it is impossible now to give. During the war of the Revolution, when money was scarce, the inhabitants, being poor, suffered great hardships. They do not seem to have been destitute of patriotism, for the records show that they made great efforts to comply with the requisitions for men aud supplies. On Aug. 29, 1774, fifty pounds of powder and two hundred pounds of lead were provided by the town, and a committee of correspondence, consisting of John Downing, Wm. Brakenridge, Joseph Foster, Maverick Smith, Benj. Cummings, Samuel Dinsmore, Lemuel Blackemer, Abraham Cummings, and Thomas Jenkins, was chosen. On December 26th, of the same year, James Lemmon, Jonathan Rogers, Daniel Gould, and Joseph Patterson were added to the com- mittee.

In 1777 the town " voted to raise eight men for the Conti- mental army, and to give each man £20 as a bounty from the town." In 1778, " voted to raise the clothing for the soldiers, to allow $6 a pair for shoes, $4 a pair for stockings, 10 shillings a yard for cloth a yard wide. Edward Demond, Jr., to provide 21 yards." These prices were in consequence of the deprecia- tion of the Continental money.

" In August, 1786, the rebellion began to make trouble in Western Massachu- betts, and a town-meeting was calkul on the Isth to 'see if the town will choose a delegate or delegates to attend at a county convention that is appointed to he holden at Hatfield, on Tuesday, the 221 of August inst., at 10 A.M., at the lionse of Col. Seth Murray, to see if a constitutional way of relief or some legal method cannot be proposed for the security and safety of the good people of this com- monwealth, against the burdens and distresses that prevail at the present day.' Capt. Bullen was chosen to go to the convention. David Brown, Isaac Pepper, and Daniel Gould were chosen a committee to givo directions to Capt. Bullen. In November, Isaac Pepper was chosen delegate to a convention at Iladivy, and in Jan., 1787, to another at Hatfield.

" Voted to send a petition to the General Court for a Redress of Grievances, chose a committee of five men to make a draft of a Petition, chose Isaac Pepper, Lieut. Cummings, Mr. Samnel Dinsmore, Capt. Brakeuridgo, and Mr. William Paige."

" Feb, I, 1787, voted to send three men as a committee to General Lincoln and Capt. Shays to consult on some measures for peace ; chose Capt. Brakenridge, Mr. Parker, and Moses Brown.

" Voted that this town Do not allow of any property being brought and kept in this town as prizes, except the person bring a receipt, that possesses said prop- erty, from the commander of the department from whence such property is brought, that they have a wright to the same."

" Voted that this Town, as a town, Do not allow of any sleighs, horses, or per- Bons being stopt on the Public Roads by any Persons."

"After the disturbances growing out of the Shays war were passed, the oath of allegiance to the government was required to be taken by town officers, and for several years it was copied into the records and signed by those of whom it was required."

Jan. 15, 1787, " voted to read a copy of a l'ertition Drawn up by the Convention. Voted that the people are Dissatisfied with Grievances under the Present mode of Government. Voted the 12 articles of Grievances adopted by the Conven- tions."

The feelings of the town with reference to the rebellion of Shays were in sympathy with the movement, though the names of the soldiers who served in the insurrection, if any, are not known.

With the war of 1812 the town did not sympathize, although a number of citizens were drafted and marched to Boston. Among these were Capt. Scott and Allender Brakenridge. The story is told of the latter, that upon being asked the date of Capt. Scott's commission (with a view of fixing his seni- ority), he replied " that he was unable to say, but had heard that Capt. Scott was Orderly Sergeant under Pontius Pilate."

WAR OF THE REBELLION.

The record of few towns was more patriotic in the late Re- bellion than that of Ware. As early as May, 1861, mertings began to be held in the town, and were continued during the war. The resolutions adopted evince the most patriotie spirit and the most self-sacrificing devotion to the Union cause, and the quota of volunteers for the suppression of the Rebellion was promptly furnished.

MILITARY RECORD.

The following is the list of soldiers who served in the army during the Rebellion, as compiled from the town records :

Isaac Alexander, Julius G. Barnes, William 11. Bacon, John Buckley, Luko HI. Blackmer, Marble F. Bucon, Porez Blackmer, Almus Bliss, Thomas Brash- nuhan, Nelson F. Bond, Wyatt M. Bassett, Matthew Bannister, George F. Barr, Albert Bennett, Henry I'. Brainard, Sylvester B. Bond, Martin L. Barnes, Newell A. Bacon, Frank Baker, Charles H. R. Ball, Daniel Buck- ley, William A. Barton, E. A. Bassett, William Bartlett, Joseph Baliste, Daniel W. Barton, Henry S. Blood, Lucius HI Chilson, Edwin II. Coney, Charles Converse, Julius A. Cushman, Thos, Cavonnngh, Daniel Coombs, Ilugh Costello, George S. Canterbury, Henry O. Caryl, George Cashell, Hubert M. Coney, Frederick Corbit, Marcus W. Cowles, James Craven, James Connell, Otis Cummings, Charles Crocker, James Dempsey, Thos. Donnovan, Edward Dowd, Alexander Dick, George II. Demond, James Davis, Jr., John W. Dunbar, Lawrence Dunbar, Francis Denney, Alphens Demond, Frank H. Eastwood, Luther Fairbank, Alfred Fisherdick, Jas. S. Fisherdick, Eugene Fletcher, Ehner H. French, George E. Fairbank, Joseph Foster, Charles Fletcher, Sebastian Grundell, J. Duff Green, J. Graham, Walter F. Gardner, John M. Gibbs, Julin Glinn, Michael Good- win, II. V. B. Grout, John W. Gage, Joseph D. Green, Thomas H. Gaynor Luther Gilbert, Orran H. Howard, Warren V. Howard, William F. Hat- statt, Daniel Hampton, Edward A. HowInnd, Henry C. Hastings, Harri- son Hill, Patrick Hayes, W. S. B. Hopkins, Newton F. Hitchcock, Wm. A. Howard, Otis Holden, Daniel Holden, Charles Hannum, John C. Johnston, J. Edward Jennings, Emery W. Johnson, Charles A. Johnston, James Kenney, Jobn S. Kilmer, Ransom Kendall, David Kennedy, Jos. W. Lawton, Charles T. Lamberton, John Lashun, David P. Lumb, Wm. E. Lewis, Henry C. Lamberton, E. F. Mudgett, Wm. McMahan, Alexan- der Murdock, Richard Me Naney, Patrick McMahan, Robert L. Mahon, George L. Marsh, John F. Mott, John McKellup, Michael Mckinney, Patrick Maloney, Michael O'Brien, James W. Olney, Thomas O'Sullivan, Clark J. Osborn, Lewis C. Olds, Daniel L. Osborne, Henry S. Osborne, Charles Parmenter, Emerson O. Puffer, John F. Phelps, Joseph Quirillian, Thomas Ronan, Thomas K. Raymond, Henry M. Robbins, Jos. D. Rogers, Joseph Stone, Charles Snow, Samuel 11. Sawin, Royal A. Smith, James O. Seamiens, Charles Seamens, Milton Sagendorph, Edward Sugendorph, Silas A. Spooner, Charles F. Stearns, Frank D. Stearns, Robert C. Sally, Francis N. Simonds, George W. Snow, George W. Stevens, William D. Snell, Theodore D. Shaw, Michael Thornton, Dennis Towne, Hollis Tur- ner, Dwight A. Taylor, Daniel Tierney, Frank E. Tisdale, James W. Tik- dale, Charles E. Tisdale, Alonzo White, Henry Walker, Ezra P. Warbur- ton, Hiram A. Wilcox, Jr., J. 11. Wilcox, Chauncey Wilcox, William Witherow, Charles E. Woodward, John Woodis, Hiram Warburton, Wales J. Wilder, William H. Washburn, Asa Breckenridge, Chauncey Converse, Hiram Cowles, George I'. Davis, Alpheus Demond, William B. Gould, John R. Greenleaf, Sumuel A. Hall, - Haskell, William F. Howard, John W. Howe, J. Gilbert Hill, Charles $. Knight, Stillnun C. Land, John W. Robinson, W. E. Wright, J. W. Hastings, Patrick Boyle, Julin Boyle, Henry Burton, Silas A. Barton, Horuce Cowley, James L. Dunbar, George .F. Dunbar, Edward L. Foster, William HI. Gibbs, Sidney Hewitt, William Hasting, Alva A. Knights, Timothy Lont, George S. Marsh, David Rogers, Willisin Towne.

On March 4, 1867, the town, in recognition of the patriotie services of her soldiers who fell in the war, appropriated the sum of $1200 to the ercetion of a monument to their memory. It stands in Aspen Grove Cemetery, near the principal en- trance, and presents a beautiful and imposing appearance. The inscription on the face is :

"OUR PATRIOT SOLDIERS, 1865.

"N. C. Andrews, G. F. Barr, J. Buckley, O. Cummings, J. M. Dunbar, A. Fisherdick, J. M. Gage, J. Glynn, W. Hastings, J. C. Johnston, R. Me Nancy, A. B. Murdork, J. J. Rogers, F. II. Saunders, G. W. Snow, J. W. Tisdale, J. Woodis, C. H. R. Ball, F. A. Barr, HI. A. Crocker, G. F. Dunbar, F. H. Eastwood, J. S. Fisherdick, W. F. Gardner, H. V. B. Grout, W. F. Howard, J. W. Lawton, M. MeNancy, L. C. Olds, T. Ronan, W. D. Snell, J. Stone, W. Witherow, W. E. Wright.

" 1867."

On the right side are the names of P. Malony, P. Denny, T. Stafford, W. F. llastat, 11. A. Wilcox, G. Gashell, D. Combs, N. A. Graw.

For assistance rendered in the compilation of this history, the writer is chiefly indebted to the llon. William llyde, whose excellent address, delivered at the opening of the new town-hall, March 31, 1847, supplemented by his personal co- operation, has been of great value. Thanks are also due to Otis Lane, Esq., Hon. Chas. A. Stevens, Benj. Bond, the town clerk, pastors, merchants, manufacturers, and other citi- zens, who have cordially assisted in the work.

376

IHISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

HON. CHARLES A. STEVENS

was born at North Andover, Essex Co., Mass., Ang. 9, 1816. His father, Nathaniel Stevens, was one of the carliest woolen manufacturers in this country, and was an officer in the war of 1812. llis grandfather served in the Revolutionary army, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. His great-grandfather was killed at Lake George during the French-and-Indian war. Their record was one of brave and faithful service.

Mr. Stevens received his education in the common schools, and at the Franklin Academy, in Andover, Mass. He then spent a year in travel and study abroad, returning to this country in August, 1841, when he commenced business as a manufacturer of woolen goods, at Ware, Mass., in company with the late 1Ion. George II. Gilbert, under the firm-name of Gilbert & Stevens. The firm was dissolved in 1851, Mr. Ste- vens taking the old mill, where he continued in the same bnsi- ness. In 1872 he formed a copartnership with his eldest son, Charles E. Stevens, under the firm-name of Charles A. Ste- vens & Co. ; which business relations still exist.

Mr. Stevens commenced his political life as a Democrat, but he would not follow his party when to follow it was to sustain slavery, and he was one of the first to enter the anti-slavery ranks. It meant something and cost something in those days to take this position. He remained a leader and earnest worker in the Free-Soil party, and has ever been on the side of freedom and equal rights for all.

He has held many offices in the town, and trusts of a public nature. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1853, and was on the committee on banks and banking, and he took an active part in shaping the legislation on this subject. He was a delegate to the Republican Convention which nominated Lincoln in 1860, and also to the convention which nominated Grant in 1868. He was a member of the Governor's Council in 1866 and 1867. He was a member of the 43d Congress from the 10th Massa- chusetts District, filling the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Alvah Crocker.

Mr. Stevens married, in 1842, Maria Tyler, daughter of the late Jonathan Tyler, of Lowell, Mass. He has two sons and one daughter.

ENFIELD.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

THE town of Enfield is situated in the eastern part of the county of Hampshire, and is bounded on the north by Pres- cott and Pelham, on the south by Ware, on the east by Green- wich and llardwick, and on the west by Belchertown, in the same county. It ocenpies a territory about five and a quarter miles long and three and a half wide, comprising about twelve thousand acres of land. The eastern and western lines of the town are quite irregular ; the northern and southern are nearly cast-and-west lines.

NATURAL FEATURES.

The town is neither mountainous nor very level ; the surface is interspersed with hills of respectable proportions. Great Quabbin Mount lies south of the village, and attains an eleva- tion of about 500 feet above Swift River. Mount Ram, north and west of the main village, rises to an altitude of 300 feet, while Little Quabbin, which lies north and east of the village, is somewhat smaller. The view from the summits of these mountains is truly picturesque, overlooking a wide range of country. Smaller hills exist in different parts of the town.

The town is well watered by the east and west branches of Swift River, the latter partly separating Enfield from Belcher- town. The east branch furnishes several fine water-privileges, which have been utilized by the manufacturing enterprises of the town from an carly day. Cadwell Creek, an affluent of the west branch, waters the western section, while several small brooks exist in other parts of the town.

Trane and Morton ponds are small bodies of water in the southeastern part of the town.

The soil of Enfield is productive, though not of the richest character, producing the cereals, with the exception of wheat, in fair abundance. The best land lies in the valley, through which flows the east branch of the river.

Indian arrow-brads, and other Indian relies, that are occa- sionally found in the neighborhood of Little Quabbin, evince the former occupation of the soil by the red man.

RAILROADS.

The Springfiell, Athol, and Northwestern Railroad tra- verses the town north and south. It was first located in the

fall of 1872, and has two stations in the town,-one at the lower village and another at the upper village, which latter is designated as " Smith's Station." Another railroad, known as the Massachusetts Central, has been located and partly finished, but has not yet been put in working order.

SETTLEMENT.

Of the condition and character of the territory of Enfield prior to its first settlement by the whites but little information can be given. The Indians left the neighborhood some time before the settlement, and lying, as it did, between the two routes of travel from Boston westward, its location was mostly unknown. Tradition says that the soil was considered very good, and that it was covered with a forest of very heavy timber. The land on the hills is said to have been very fer- tile, not only producing large trees, but grass in abundance. Great Quabbin was thought by the early inhabitants to con- tain valuable ores ; noises and explosions were frequently heard in the hill by people living on the east side, and the qnaking is said to have been so heavy at times as to rattle the dishes on the shelves in the houses.

The territory of Enfield was originally included within the limits of the town of Greenwich, being known before the in- corporation of the latter town by the general name of Quabbin. Part of the town was also comprised in the " Equivalent lands" referred to in the history of Ware.

The exact date of the first settlement of the town cannot be given. The first grant of the land was made by the General Court on Jan. 14, 1736, to whom and under what conditions a reference to the history of the town of Greenwich will fully dis- close. It is probable that the first settlement of the town com- menced about that date. David Patterson, the " first native of the town," was born in the year 1735, and was a son of John Patterson, whose name is mentioned in the original grant, and who may be said to have been the first white settler of Enfield. Ile located about a mile south of the village, and built his first rude dwelling near a high rock, that stood on the Josiah W. Flint farm. He brought with him two sons, William and James. They settled on the present MeMillin farm, in the north part of the town, soon after their father located.

RES. OF HENRY FOBES, ENFIELD, MASS.

INGER

RES OF J. J. HOWE, ENFIELD, MASS.

RES.OF L.F. SHEARER, ENFIELD, MASS.

RES. OF DAVID BLODGETT, ENFIELD. MASS.

377

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

John Patterson, with the Stevensons (of whom David was one) and Me Millins, who settled in the town soon after Patter- son, about the year 1742, were Presbyterians, from the North of Ireland. The young Pattersons were "mighty hunters" and expert wrestlers. David Patterson had three sons,- Robert, Oliver, and John. Ile was a superior wrestler, and it is said that on one occasion a messenger came down from New Salem for him at midnight to visit the latter place to wrestle with a man who had overthrown all competitors. He responded to the call, laid the champion on his back, and re- turned the same day. Of the Stevensons there were four brothers. Edwardand Isaac were batters, and lived and worked in the Hooker house; their shop for felting and dyeing hats was on the bank of the river below the house. John lived on the farm situated on the hill north of the Lamson place.

Another early settler of the town was John Rea, who re- sided, in 1764, south of the village, near the Bondsville road. Several brothers lived in town about the same time. They were large land-owners, and built several houses. Some of them subsequently removed to Pittsford, N. Y.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700