USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 7
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60
TANNERIES AND SHOE-SHOPS.
of those established in this town only approximate dates are given. In the aggregate it seems like an unusual amount of business for the size of the place, but it must be borne in mind that one fol- lowed the other in the majority of cases, and in this way the seem- ing paradox is explainable.
Tanneries and Shoe-shops .- Some of the first of these to be estab- lished were the tanneries and shoe-shops. The present Cushman Hall is on the site of probably the largest of these old tanneries. It was owned by Izatus Sheldon and Elizur Chamberlain, about 1830 to 1840. In connection with this, they owned and carried on shoe-shops. Chamberlain's shoe-shop was on the corner opposite where the library now stands, owned at present by Mrs. Harriet Brown. Tanning their own leather, employing oftentimes a dozen men in working it up, they found a market for their productions in the distant South. Although in company, they each had a separate shoe-shop. They also employed Mr. Amos Carrier, who had a shop just south of the present residence of Mr. Frank Burrows on South street. After the dissolution of their partnership, Mr. Carrier car- ried on the same business for himself at his old stand. Sheldon's shop was in the back part of his house, on the site of the one now occupied by Mr. Sumner Stratton. The tannery was sold out to one Joel Fay, who came from the vicinity of New Salem. He ran it for three or four years, when it was given up, and a part torn down, probably not far from 1850. A second part was moved to the present library location and converted into a blacksmith shop, which was occupied by the Fox brothers, Selah Wright, and Eli C. This was later owned by Mr. J. N. Dewey, and moved to its pres- ent position back of the Universalist church building. Mr. Dewey sold about 1880 to Wells Bardwell, and he, May, 1880, to A. Kenney. It is now occupied by Mr. Cairns.
A third portion of the old tannery was moved to a position on South street, standing where Dr. Bowker's barn is now located and was occupied by Col. Ferry as a scythe-snath shop. This was finally burned.
A second tannery was situated at North Bernardston, east of Charles Bagg's place and upon the river, owned by Lewis Prouty. About 1860, James Linton owned and ran a shoe-shop, which was
HODAJ JOHS 3.4008
- -
61
SCYTHE-SNATHS.
afterward bought and run by Lucius and Marcus Cook in the old Goodale Academy,later transformed into a dwelling by J. N. Dewey. These shops all did a fair amount of business according to the old- time method. In 1829 there was advertised as being for sale a house, wood house, tanner's shop, shoemaker's shop and bark mill on a fine stream. Quartus Sheldon was then living on the prem- ises. About 1845 John Allen made and repaired shoes, his place of business being at North Bernardston. In 1872 the largest in- dustry probably in this line the town has ever had was started by N. S. Cutler, in the manufacturing of women's, misses' and chil- dren's shoes. A shop was built upon the old Dr. Brooks place on South street and a force of fifteen hands employed. This enter- prise steadily grew until some fifty hands were busy, and with the increasing cares and needs, partnerships were formed with Capt. George Warner, à native of Bernardston, now resident in Lynn, and with George T. Cutler, a brother of the senior member. In 1880 the business had assumed such proportions as to render the distance from a more desirable shipping point and banking facilities a most serious drawback; consequently after much delib- eration and careful consideration, the business was transferred to Greenfield, Mass., July Ist, 1880.
Scythe-snaths .- About 1840, Col. Ferry owned a scythe-snath shop located where Dr. Bowker's barn now stands. This was burned and he rebuilt on the river south of where is now the Barber mill. Here, until 1867, a prosperous business was carried on. Col. Ferry retiring, sold the property to James Haynes, who in turn disposed of it to Alburtus Weatherhead. The latter converted it into a wheelwright shop, carrying on that business until his death. In the settlement of his estate, E. S. Hurlbert became possessed of the property, leasing the same to J. Henry Nichols for the manu- facture of cutlery.
Blacksmiths .- In a shop situated between the present iron bridge and the old sawmill site, Selah W. and Eli C. Fox, brothers, car- ried on blacksmithing. Here they made the snath trimmings used by Col. Ferry, and the business careers of these two firms were nearly or quite contemporaneous.
Near by the shop of Messrs. Fox was located another, owned by
62
BLACKSMITHS.
Medad Squires, just west of the present residence of Mr. O. W. Gray. Upon the site of the present brick store building there was, at an early date, one owned by Horace Atherton. This one was burned in 1821, but was soon after rebuilt, used for a time, then removed to the lot upon which now stands the house recently owned by the late H. N. Porter, upon the river bank. April 2, 1828, Jared Fox and Jedediah S. Woodard, blacksmiths, dissolved partnership and the business was continued by Fox, who in October, 1829, sold the same to Pliney Merrill, whose apprentices, - Stratton and Frank Snow, carried on the business. Subsequently Enoch Moore bought this and during his ownership it was again devastated by fire. In rebuilding, Mr. Moore chose a site about a quarter of a mile to the south. This shop he sold to Josiah P. Day, who owned and oper- ated it many years, finally selling the same. Mr. Moore soon after built another forge on the next lot south of Mr. Day's. The build- ing is still standing, but has long since fallen into disuse. One of the last occupants was William Chase, who in 1879 removed thence to the stand owned by Mr. Dewey. Where now Mr. Sanderson's ice-house stands, Joel Doty at one time plied his trade. In the north part of the town, near the location of the recent store, Dea- con Gore's forge and bellows were to be seen. This subsequently passed to the ownership of Benjamin Arnold Streeter, while upon the opposite side of the street was one owned by a Mr. Lee. The first blacksmith in town was a Mr. Bailey, who had a shop in the old Burk Fort. Mr. Bailey was the second man to be buried in the old burying ground in or about 1757, a soldier's interment there being the first.
With the exception of Messrs. Day and Dewey's shops, the exist- ence of most of these antedate the war or the year 1865 at the lat- est. The precise dates relative to many it has been well nigh im- possible to obtain, and the same applies to other industries. Close inquiry from the older inhabitants elicits the information that "such a one had its beginning when I was a boy, and might have been , run until I was about so old." No doubt there were others in the early settlement of the place not here mentioned.
Gravestones .- It may be a fact not generally known that very many of the black slate slabs in the old cemetery, as well as some
63
QUARRIES AND MINERALS.
in the new, were produced from native soil, and were quarried and sawed by Samuel and Caleb Chapin. Their quarry was situated on the top of West Mountain, very nearly opposite the hotel. About 1830 they conducted quite a business in this line, their shop being located upon the banks of the Blake pond, so called, a little above the late Mr. P. L. Cushman's. Here they did their sawing by water power, using a smooth edged piece of steel for a saw,and making sand and water, slowly sprinkled and poured on in the track of the steel, do the work of sawing. The lettering on these stones was done in a building which has stood until within the last twelve to twenty years, just north of Mrs. Janette Chapin's place, at the corner of Depot and South streets. Mr. Nelson Blake purchased their shop, thereby securing the water power, and here he established a wheel- wright shop, which he conducted until his death. The next own- ers of the place were, successively, George Green, Mr. Merrifield, and, lastly, C. C. Cook, formerly of Turners Falls.
- Minerals .- Among the minerals here found are lime and iron, and with varying degrees of success have the ores been mined. Lt. Gov. Cushman is authority for the statement that in the year 1769, Major Burk dug about 20 tons of limestone at the Chapin quarry which he sent away. Where, was not recorded, if known. About 1830, the Chapin brothers-Samuel, Caleb, Dana and Justin, , built a lime kiln about three-quarters of a mile north of the village, on the east side of the Brattleboro road, between that and the bridge crossing the river to the old cemetery. Quite a mound is discernible there to-day and, should an excavation be made, the remains of this old kiln would be revealed. The stone was obtained from the mountain just west, on the farm recently owned by Harris Williams. This industry was carried on for some 15 to 18 years, but as the lime produced was of an exceedingly strong and inferior quality, as well as of a very dark color, it was not especially success- ful. About 1780 the iron works were in operation on the present site of E. S. Hurlbert's factory, and here the ore obtained on West Mountain was smelted. Ore has in recent years been dug on Mr. Harris Williams' farm, the right being sold by him to New York parties. This, however, had no marketable value, the ore being so strongly impregnated with sulphur. There is also a slate quarry at the north end of the Fairweather farm, so called.
64
CARDING MACHINES. ROPE-MAKING.
Carding Machines .- Up to 1825 a wool carding machine was run on Fall River, east of Blake's pond, by Simeon Cushman. From his estate it was purchased, in May of that year, by P. C. Alexan- der and Jason Brown. They advertised to manufacture wool on shares. Up to 1828 John Wait and Jason Brown were in company, then the business was advertised as being for sale, also a sawmill on the premises. This was later owned by Richard Montague, being purchased by him of Truman Shattuck, and this was the one owned by Col. Ferry and A. Weatherhead. About 1810 Oliver and Ruggles Bagg began to run a carding machine and fulling mill on the west branch of Fall River, west of the old Chase tavern. This was an enterprising firm, they conducting, in addition to this busi- ness, a saw and grist mill, and adding the branch of cloth dressing in 1829. In 1818 George Alexander advertised " a good stand for clothier, also a carding machine in good repair." August, 1801, Ebenezer Hills assumed control-by purchase or rental-of cloth- ing shop lately owned by George Mowry. September 4, 1807, John Purple purchased the clothier's works formerly owned by Ebene- zer Hills.
Rope-making .- About 1800, Israel Slate engaged in an industry, which, in this town, has never had a rival, that of rope making. Formerly large quantities of flax were here raised annually. Of this Mr. Slate (aided by his sons) took his share, returning the best of flaxen rope in the shape of bed-cords, clothes-lines, halters, or in heavier piece rope as desired. His place of business was his home- stead, the present residence of his grandson, Mr. L. A. Slate. Orig- inally the house was in the shape of a letter L, and in the long part running at right angles to the street, he used to stretch and twist his rope, or failing in finding the requisite length there, he often- times used to stretch it across the road, leaving just space so that a team might pass upon the further side. His grandsons, Deacon Henry and Mr. Francis L. Slate, have both, in their boyhood, worked at this trade.
Tailors .- 1830 or there abouts, marked the advent of two tailor shops in town. One was kept by Lorenzo Parmenter, at the pres- ent home of L. F. Whithed. The second by Charles Slate, at a house which stood between the Ferry and Fontaine places, just
65
HARNESS AND SADDLE-MAKING.
north of and opposite the hotel. Both of these gentlemen were Bernardston boys who learned their trade at Northfield. Mr. Par- . menter is at present a resident of Edgartown, Ill. Mr. Slate died some years since at his home, the old Baptist meeting house across the iron bridge. Another tailor, Mr. L. Pierce, was in business about 1860 at the present home of John Chapin.
Harness and Saddle-Making .- The harness and saddling indus- tries have been represented by two firms. The first of these was in 1815, in which year Theodore B. Hoyt came here from the older parent town of Deerfield. He settled in North Bernardston and had a saddler's shop in the back part of the house recently occu- pied as a dwelling by Charles Bagg. After remaining here three or four years he moved to the place since owned by Samuel Conna- ble, farther south. Thence he moved to the village, occupying the Dr. Carpenter place, and having a room for his business over Horace Atherton's blacksmith shop. Here he remained until that building was burned, when he was again forced to change his loca- tion, this time choosing a place over the Zebina Newcomb store, then situated on the lot owned now by Mr. J. P. Day, just east of the Unitarian church. In the spring of 1821 he purchased the property where now stands the Institute, and there built a house, at the south-west corner of which was the well, still to be seen upon the Institute grounds. Here the business remained until 1832, when another change was made to the place now owned by Moses Aldrich. After a twelve years' residence here, he re- moved to the present Clogston place upon Burk Flat. In the mean- time, harness making had been added to the original trade of sad- dle-making. and Mr. Hoyt's son, Richard H., had been admitted to a partnership. From 1842 on, the latter successfully assumed charge of the business, and in 1850, the father's health being im- paired, he retired. A shop was built opposite the residence, and here the business was carried on until 1873, when Mr. Hoyt, changing his residence to the Dr. Brooks place on South street, transferred it thither. So long as he lived in town, until 1881, he continued to work for a greater part of the time at the harness- maker's trade. The second representative in this business was Anson Flint, who, about 1850, had a shop in the ell of the house now owned by the late Mr. Albert Hare, on South street.
66
DISTILLERIES.
Distilleries .- Formerly the distilleries were common throughout the country. Going through the town with an older inhabitant, these old land-marks are frequently pointed out and spoken of, or perhaps more properly, the sites they used to occupy. Of the cider mills it is not my purpose to speak at length, but of these cider and gin distilleries there were four or five, and they being in New England, comparatively an institution of the past, they seem to deserve, at least, a passing notice.
Probably the earliest one to be erected was the one still standing, built by Joseph (?) Connable not far from 1780. This was later owned by Samuel Connable, always by some member of the family, and remained in use until about 1865 to 1870. Fifteen years ago this distillery formed one of the many picturesque scenes with which the North Bernardston road abounds. The old building at the north end, painted red, with " skim milk and redding," the long trough running high overhead, to the large, wooden, unpainted tank, the long roof erected over it, the immense wheel near at hand, the whole overgrown with a tangled mass of vines, while a profu- sion of wild flowers relieved the more dense green of both back and foreground of overarching trees and shrubs, all these combined to produce as quaint and charming a picture as could be imagined. Now behold the change! The tank, trough, wheel and shed, gone : the tangled wildwood and flowers cleared away, and the old red building, surrounded by a smooth, grassy plot, was all that was left to attract the eye of those passing to what was once the scene of so much activity-and now that is gone.
About 1800 a gin distillery was built on the Newcomb brook, just to the west of the present bridge. The timbers of the dam across the head of the ravine have stood until within a very few years. This distillery was run by Major Samuel Root. This was the place where one of the Deerfield captives met death at the hands of the Indians, as already referred to in this chapter. Cruel as the fate seems, may not the little one, too young, probably, to realize danger or recognize fear, have thus been spared a more terrible torture.
About this same time there was a cider distillery built on Huckle Hill. It was owned by a kind of corporation of the resident farm-
67
CIGAR MAKING. CUTLERY. WHEELWRIGHTS.
ers, and was located in the hollow back of the present school house, . and between Elias Parmenter's and Simon Edwards' houses. This had an existence of about 35 years. There was also one at the east part of the town operated by Squire Hamilton, and another on Mill brook, owned by Lieut. Hale.
Cigars .- At different times within the past 15 years there have firms engaged in the manufacture of cigars. The first was George Lane in the old Goodale Academy. The second, Sanderson and Hale, who occupied a part of the Cutler shoe-shop, which was moved in 1880 by John Baker to a position opposite the cemetery at the village, and by him fitted up as a wheelwright shop. They were succeeded by a firm from Westfield. The latter remained but a short time and the shop itself was finally burned.
Cutlery .- The only manufactury now located in town is that of E. S. Hurlbert & Co., upon the site of the old foundry. In 1853 Mr. Hurlbert began to make here steel hoes, corn knives and rakes, in the production of which he employed 15 hands. This business he increased greatly, adding thereto the making of brick and plastering trowels and corn-cutters, also a fine line of cutlery. During this time he formed partnerships with John Cushman and S. N. Brooks. About 1880 he associated with him Walter E. and Henry Nichols, who later succeeded to the management of the business, Mr. Hurl- bert being in poor health. In 1892 the Nichols Brothers bought a factory in Greenfield, moving their share of the works there, and Mr. Hurlbert again assumed the entire charge of the industry he has so successfully nurtured. The present firm is comprised of E. S. Hurl- bert, Henry Crowell and Alonzo Alford.
Wheelwrights .- At different times there have been a number of wheelwright shops here. In addition to the ones already mentioned, George T. Cutler had one a little south of the Cutler house, at the north part of the town. On and near South street there were three, one in the present garden of Henry Keet, owned by.Chester Wright, one at the Ziba Newell place, which was later moved out onto the west road, and to-day stands on the place lately owned by Hiram Norton. At the old stand of Nelson Blake is now Mr. C. C. Cook's shop.
Stores .- For many years this place has supported three general
68
STORES.
stores, sometimes four, each doing a fair amount of business. Prob- ably the one which brought to its owners the greatest wealth was the old "Zebina Newcomb " store years ago. This, in its first loca- tion, stood on Mr. J. P. Day's lot, just east of the Unitarian church. About 1835 he built and moved into the brick store, and later the old building was moved back on the original lot and converted into a barn. Succeeding Mr. Newcomb in the management of the busi- ness, came his two sons, John C., now of Chicago, and Richard F., now of Quincy, Ill. Upon the death of the elder Newcomb, the property was sold to Lorenzo Park, who, in two or three years, rented the same to Messrs. Allen and Lyman, the latter a son-in-law. Mr. Allen finally bought out his partner's interest, and conducted the business alone, until failing health obliged him to retire, when Mr. Park sold the property to O. W. Gray, then of Philadelphia, Pa. The latter gentleman leased the place to E. K. Burgess of Broad- brook, Ct., whose stay in town proved to be of short duration. From the time of his departure until 1894, the business at the vil- lage was divided between the other two stores, Mr. Gray convert- ing his building into an office for personal use. In the fall of 1894 it was refitted, a new stock of goods opened up, and again the " Brick store " took its place beside the others. Under Mr. Gray's efficient management its success is assured.
From 1815 or 1820 to 1830, Samuel Wells Willard kept a store in one room of his dwelling, the house owned by the late Hartley Hale on the "Green." At about the same time, Capt. John Hunt suc- ceeded to a store which stood opposite the hotel. Who the first owner of this was, is not known. About 1835, Col. Aretas Ferry came to town and soon bought out Mr. Hunt. In 1858 the project of forming a " Union Protective Store" was carried out. The or- ganization of this association was perfected on the fifth of Septem- ber of that year, and Col. Ferry's store was henceforth known as the "Bernardston Union Store of Division No. 50, of the New Eng- land Protective Union." The object of this association as stated in their constitution was to "Provide to the members groceries and provisions at the lowest possible price, by means of an agency established in Bernardston and conducted on a Cash basis exclu- sively." Business was begun on the 24th of October following or-
69
" UNION PROTECTIVE STORE."
ganization, with a capital stock of $860.00, there being 86 shares at $10 each. The amount of goods sold during the first eleven months was $6643.32, a net profit of $187.00, being shown. The salesman employed to conduct the store was Gilbert S. Mattoon of North- field. At the annual report it was given out that the amount of capital was insufficient to successfully carry on a business of that character. The second annual report showed but little improve- ment, the capital stock having been increased only by the sale of three shares, while about $50.00 worth of molasses had been lost by the carelessness of a teamster. The whole affair seemed to be devoid of success, and at a special meeting called for December 17, 1855, it was voted to accept the proposition of Mr. A. J. Aldrich to assume the debts of the corporation and pay each shareholder eleven dollars in goods, or ten dollars in cash or flour, at the option of the shareholder. Thus the end came for the Union store, and Mr. Aldrich was the next owner. Succeeding him was L. B. Wright, who conducted the business successfully until his death. Upon the disposal of the real estate by the administratrix the stores and fixtures were bought by Mr. O. C. Allen, who carried on the busi- ness for a time, selling to Ransom L. Crowell. Under the admin- istration of the latter a most successful business has been built up. At the present time his son Henry is in partnership-R. L. Crow- ell & Son-and by close attention to business and the wants of their patrons they have won their way into the fullest confidence and esteem. And that the public appreciate their efforts is shown by their prosperous and steadily increasing trade.
A younger claimant to patronage appeared in the store erected across the street from the post office by A. M. Stratton, between 1850 and 1860. This store has also steadily won its way by the careful management and consideration of the proprietors. Messrs. Park and Gould bought out Mr. Stratton and eventually Mr. Gould purchased the interest of his partner. He most successfully con- ducted the business until his death. George R. Paige of New Salem bought the property at the settlement of Mr. Gould's estate, and by his gentlemanly bearing and careful attention to all the details of its management, sustained the excellent reputation which this store has always borne. The store is now owned and successfully
70
NORTH BERNARDSTON STORE.
managed by Sumner S. Stratton, successor to W. A. Stratton & Son.
For a few years Lucius and Marcus Cook owned and carried on a store in the old Goodale Academy building. At the north part of the town there was for many years a store which drew its pat- ronage not only from its own territory, but much from the neigh- boring towns of Guilford and Leyden. The first store here kept was in the room of the old hotel, which has since been utilized as a dining room. George Bugbee of Brattleboro was the proprietor. The Hinsdale house, so called, was built by Luke Gore, who had a store in the south end of his residence. Further to the south, Mr. Alvin Howe built a store opposite his dwelling. He sold it to Timothy K. Horton, who, as did his predecessor, had there a good business. The third owner was George Temple; he, in turn, sold to- Green. This building was finally burnt. The store occu- pied for some time by J. O. Bliss, was bought by him from Messrs. Smith and Jaquith, who secured it in 1879 from A. M. Stratton, acting for the creditors of G. Plaisted. Mr. Bliss closed his store at North Bernardston in 1894, having taken a position with Mr. Gray at the brick store at the village.
Among the earlier stores was one standing by itself, or kept in a house which did stand near the meeting house in 1795, owned by John Harte. In May, 1804, Oliver Cooley removed his stock of goods from the store, which he occupied at as early a date as 1801, to the store near Medad Squires' blacksmith shop. This was prob- ably the store kept on the "Green" in a log house. In June, 1804, Mr. Clement Smith came to town, opening a general store in the building vacated by Cooley. From about 1812 to about 1818, Elijah A. Gould was a merchant in town. July 22, 1818, the firm of Har- ris and Maxwell was dissolved by mutual consent, the latter con- tinuing in trade in town. According to all accounts Henry R. Sheldon and Samuel Willard also "kept store " in the log house on the "Green," but there seems to be a confliction in the few dates obtainable concerning them and their business transactions.
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