USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts > Part 23
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1854]
the citizens of Middle- boro, and at this time the company visited the site of the old fort, where appropriate ex- ercises were observed.
In Judge Wood's house lived his son, JOSEPH T. WOOD, who died February 6, 1890, at the age of seventy- one. In later years but few men have been more respected than Deacon Wood. He was educated in the public schools of the town, and worked upon JOSEPH T. WOOD his father's farm during his early manhood. In 1854 he was first elected representative to the General Court, and the same
Sylvanus. Next after passing the bridge on the S. of road, on the hill out of the road by widow Sarah Elmes.
"Next a two story house in front and one back near the brook, now owned by Jacob Barrows, by Ichabod Churchill, N. W. of road. Next Ebenezer Wood's house same side of the road, opposite Thomas Pratt's house. Mr. Pratt's house was built by Nehemiah Allen, and the first I recollect was after the frame was raised and before it was boarded when a mason was underpinning it. Next on the E. a house near the brook owned by N. Allen. Next N. W. upon the hill by widow Purrington and James Little - John her tenant.
"Next N. W. a house long since gone down by Doct. Thomas Sturtevant. Next same side, where John Morey's house now is, a house by Lemuel Bryant, a tenant of John Morey. Next same side Capt. Thacher's house where Mr. Pool now lives. All the other dwelling houses between the Town house and the Easterly P. Meeting House have been built since my memory.
" On the New Bedford road from Town house -
"The great Morton house on the S. E. by Thomas & John Morton and widow Oliver. Next N. W. the old part of the house now occupied by Doct. Joseph Clarke family by Seth Morton. Next where Alpha Crossman lives. Next N. W. Dea. Ichabod Morton lately owned by Nathaniel Thompson. Next Thomas Doggett his Grandfather Simeon Doggett then N. Macumber then the Job Peirce house, then Seth Thacher, next N. Smith widow Howe by Job Peirce."
280
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1855
year was chosen selectman, to which office he was elected again in 1855 and 1863, and afterwards each successive year up to the time of his death, excepting the year 1876, when he failed of an election, but was reelected at the April meeting following. He was one of the first water commissioners of the town, and held the office of a county commissioner for about ten years. He was one of the trustees of Peirce Academy, and at an . early age was elected deacon of the Central Baptist Church.
On Oak Avenue leading from Grove Street, a little dis- tance from the home of his father and brother, REV. CHARLES W. WOOD resided during the latter part of his life. He was born June 20, 1814, and after studying at Peirce Academy entered Brown University, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty, in the class distinguished in later years for the num- ber of able men in busi- ness and professional life. After graduating, he spent four years in teaching at Rochester, Wareham, and Peirce Academy. He was first installed as pastor of the Congregational Church in Ashby, Mass., but on account of poor health he resigned, and was for some years an agent of the American Sunday REV. CHARLES W. WOOD School Union. Later, he accepted a call to the Congregational Church in Campello. For two years after that he occupied the position of superintendent of the schools in Brockton, and preached in Lakeville, and in Scotland, Bridge- water. He was a clergyman of ability, universally respected for his genial nature and his kind, sympathetic manner, and
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FOUR CORNERS
1850]
had a wide influence for good as a friend of all with whom he came in contact. He was much interested in the early his- tory of the town and of Plymouth Colony, and did much to perpetuate events of interest within his knowledge. He died March 3, 1895.
Rev. Henry C. Coombs was born in Beech Woods, September 3, 1810, and at the time of his death, April 5, 1904, he was the. oldest ordained Baptist clergyman in the state. He was educated at Peirce Academy, and ordained by the Rev. Hervey Fitz, in De- cember, 1834. In his active life he was set- tled as a pastor in many places in this and other states, but for the last twenty years he made Middle- boro his home. He continued his minis- terial services when past the age of ninety years, and was always REV. HENRY C. COOMBS a strong advocate of temperance and an active worker in that cause. He was known as the "grand old man," and in his ninety-fourth year was often seen sturdily walking the streets, vigorous mentally and bodily, and was frequently called to supply neighboring pulpits.
One of the well-known men who lived at the Four Corners was EBENEZER PICKENS, son of Samuel and Matilda Briggs Pickens. He was born in that part of Middleboro now Lake- ville, not far from the Bell schoolhouse, October 6, 1787, and was the youngest of three brothers. He married, October 5, 1813, Mary Bourne Thompson, a descendant of Francis Cooke. They had three children, Caroline Matilda, and Andrew Jack-
282
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1850
son and James Madison, twins. They lived near his birth- place until the year 1832, when he removed his house to its present site near the corner of Main and Courtland streets. He resided therefor twenty years, and in 1852 pur- chased land on the southerly side of Main Street and erected a large house with a room on the east side for an office and court-room for his use as trial jus- tice. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1822, and trial jus- tice June 18, 1850, which office he held until his death. He EBENEZER PICKENS was elected a county commissioner in 1847, and served nine years. When he lived in Lakeville, and later, he attended church at the Green with his family, and, though it was eight miles distant, they were seldom absent from the services through the summer's heat or the winter's cold.
On the formation of the Central Congregational Church, he was one of the deacons, an office he held until his death at the age of eighty years, May 8, 1868.
Perhaps the selection of a proper place for the future busi- ness and development of the town was due more to MAJOR LEVI PEIRCE than to any other person. He was the son of Cap- tain Job Peirce, and was born in that part of Middleboro now Lakeville, October 1, 1773. His sister Elizabeth had married General Abiel Washburn, with whom he remained, serving as a clerk, until he attained his majority. He opened a store on the lower floor of the first addition to the old Morton house,
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1800]
while his family occupied a tenement on the floor above. After remaining here for a few years, he moved his place of busi- ness to a house which he had purchased near the town house. He became a partner of General Washburn and Major Wil- liam Bourne, and carried on business for a number of years in what was known as the "old store," which was burned about forty years ago, and on its site the present bank building was erected. Upon the dis- solution of this firm he commenced business with his brother, Peter H. Peirce. He was promi- nent in all the affairs of the town, was a delegate to the Constitutional Con- vention in 1820, and post- master for thirty - two years. He served upon the staff of his brother- in-law, General Wash- MAJOR LEVI PEIRCE burn, and was afterwards promoted to the office of major in June, 1809, which office he held for many years. He was largely instrumental in the formation of the Baptist Church in Middleboro, and in the foundation of Peirce Academy, which was named for him, as it was largely through his benefaction that the academy and the Central Baptist church were built.
About the same time his younger brother, PETER H. PEIRCE, who was born March 25, 1788, commenced his business ca- reer at this place. After the death of his parents, he was brought up in the family of Peter Hoar, a prominent citizen of Lakeville, for whom he was named. He had few advantages, but early developed unusual business ability, and by his en- ergy and persistent endeavor he became the leading business
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[1812
PEIRCE ACADEMY
man of the town. He began as a storekeeper in the two-story house now standing at the Upper Four Corners, but moved into the Four Corners, realizing that that would in future be the business centre, and that there he could enlarge his busi- ness and use the water power on the Nemasket River for manufacturing, which was then coming into prominence in the business interests of New England. He early formed a co- partnership with Horatio G. Wood, under the firm name of Peirce & Wood, and erected the factory at the Lower Works. When there came a decline in the cotton industry of New Eng- land near the middle of the last century, he erected a large shovel manufactory, and in connection with this, carried on a general retail store, which has stood in its present position for nearly one hundred years. Aside from his connection with the various manufacturing interests in the Upper Works, he became a large owner of real estate, and at the time of his death, was by far the wealthiest man in town. In addition to his ability as a business man, no one in southeastern Massa- chusetts had more political influence than he ; at great sacri- fice, he served several terms in the state senate. At the breaking out of the War of 1812, he was in command of a
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1812]
company which did coast - guard duty at Plymouth and else- where. He was after- wards promoted to the office of lieutenant- colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Infan- try of the Plymouth County Brigade, from which he received the title of Colonel Peirce. It was due to his in- fluence that the rail- road was laid near the Four Corners rather than in Titicut. He COLONEL PETER H. PEIRCE left a large family of children, his sons Job, Thomas, and James succeeding him in business. At one time his son Charles was in business in the West. William superintended the large farm and real estate interest, and gave his attention largely to literary pursuits. Thomas, who survived his brothers and inherited much of their wealth, gave at his death over half a mil- lion dollars to the town of Middleboro and a hun- dred thousand to the public library, after lib- erally providing for more than twenty-five of his relatives.
Colonel Peirce's part- ner, HORATIO G. WOOD, HOME OF COLONEL PETER H. PEIRCE was a descendant in the fourth generation from Henry, one of the first settlers. He was in the store of Hon. Thomas Weston as a clerk until the
286
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1861
COLONEL PETER H. PEIRCE'S STORE
age of twenty-one, when he moved to Titicut to do business for two years. Later he became interested in the "Lower Factory" as one of the incorporators of the Middleboro Manufacturing Company, and was associated with Colonel Peirce until his death, September 9, 1861, at the age of seventy-two years and eight months. He originally built and lived in the house on the corner of Main and North streets, now occupied by George Brayton. He married Mary, a daughter of Abner Weston of Vermont, for his first wife, and for his second wife Abigail, a daughter of Thomas Weston. He was deacon of the First Congregational Church, and a leader of the large choir for many years.
BRANCH HARLOW
Major Branch Harlow was born in Halifax, Sep- tember 18, 1792, and died in Middleboro in 1861. In the early part of his life he was a successful teacher in the public schools in Middleboro, and afterwards was en- gaged in the iron busi-
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1815]
ness at Fall Brook, Pocasset, and Sandwich. During the latter part of his life he lived in the " old Briggs house."
He held various offices in the militia of the county up to that of major, and served as high sheriff from 1845 to 1854, an office he filled with satisfaction to the court and the county.
Joseph Jackson, Milton Alden, and James Cole were ap- pointed successively as deputy sheriffs. They were favorably known as faithful and efficient officers of the law.
STAR MILLS
One of the manufacturing sections of the town has been known at different periods as the Bennett Mills, the Lower Dam, the Lower Factory, and more recently as the Star Mills. Upon a dam about three hundred feet above the pre- sent one was the first grist-mill, which, after the resettlement of the town in 1679, was rebuilt, probably by Mr. Barrows. It passed into the hands of Francis Coombs, as has been mentioned, and upon his death was owned and carried on by his daughter. This dam was capable of holding only water enough to run a grist-mill of that time, and at low water some rocks can still be seen which were used in its construction. It was abandoned probably in the early part of the last century, and the present dam built as more convenient and nearer the principal road from the Indian path, at the wading-place, to Plymouth. In the latter part of the eighteenth century Jacob Bennett became the owner of this privilege and erected, or carried on, a grist-mill.
When the cotton industry was started in New England in the form of small, three-story factories, a corporation was formed, known as the Middleboro Manufacturing Company, in 1815, for the purpose of making cotton yarn and cloth. The incorporators were Benjamin Shepard, Jr., Thomas Weston, Horatio G. Wood, Nancy Nelson, Sarah W. Shepard, and Alanson Witherbee. They were empowered to hold real estate not exceeding $50,000, and personal property not exceeding $100,000. About the time of their incorporation, a small fac-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1813
tory was built, which afterwards passed into the hands of Peirce & Wood, on the site of the old fulling-mill, so essential in finishing the woollen cloth woven by the hand-looms. The grist-mill, however, continued here in operation. The shovel manufactory, before mentioned, of Peirce & Wood, furnished employment to a large number of operatives.
These industries were succeeded by the Star Mills, incor- porated August 5, 1863. The mill was built that year on the old dam for the manufacture of fancy cassimeres, with eight sets of machinery. Its capital of $100,000 was furnished prin- cipally by New Bedford parties. President, Loum Snow ; Trea- surer, George Brayton ; Superintendent, Timothy L. Dunlap.
In 1887 its name was changed to Star Mills Corporation, and new machinery was introduced for the manufacture of ladies' dress goods. President, Loum Snow, Jr .; Treasurer, George Brayton ; Superintendent, Charles H. Tobey.
On November 15, 1899, Frank S. Farwell of Valley Falls, R. I., became its manager, and it is now known as Farwell Worsted Mill No. 2.
THE UPPER FACTORY
A dam was built across the Nemasket River about the year 1762, and soon after a forge, which was owned by Silas Wood, Elias Miller, and others until the year 1785, when the forge was partially destroyed by fire but was rebuilt. This " New Forge " changed hands in 1796, when Benjamin Leon- ard, Abiel Washburn, George Leonard, and Abner Bourne be- came the owners. After other changes in 1801, we find that in 1809 it was owned by George Leonard and Levi Peirce. The forge continued in operation for about seventy years.
By an act of the legislature of Massachusetts in 1813, Abiel Washburn, George Leonard, Levi Peirce, Peter H. Peirce, William Bourne, Joseph Brown, John Barden, Jr., John Tinkham, Ephraim Leonard, Edward Sparrow, Jr., Wilkes Wood, James Sproat, Abraham Wilson, and their successors were incorporated under the name of the "New Market"
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1830]
Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of manufacturing iron, cotton and woollen cloth, and yarn, with power to hold real estate not exceeding $50,000, and personal estate not exceeding $ 150,000. This corporation erected a cotton factory at the upper dam, and for a while manufactured cotton cloth, until the depression of that industry throughout New Eng- land obliged them to abandon it. Afterward the corporation passed into a copartnership, which, in 1864, was known as the Nemasket Manufacturing Company.
Here were a store and a grist-mill for many years. Among the leading business men connected with this company were Major Levi Peirce, Colonel Peter H. Peirce, Elisha Tucker, Allen C. Thatcher, and Major William Bourne.
The HON. WILLIAM BOURNE, a tall, portly man, was a son of Captain Abner Bourne. He once met some natives from the South Sea Islands, one of whom on observing his command- ing figure said, " You in our country, you be king." He was active in the militia, and was major of the Plymouth County Brigade from September 12, 1803, to 1807. He held many offices of trust in the county, and was a member of a court- martial which tried Captain Albert Smith of the Hanover Artillery. Major Bourne was a man of wealth, a prominent federalist, and a member of the state senate in 1820. He married a sister of General Abiel Washburn, and entered into partnership with him and Peter H. Peirce. Afterward, General Washburn moved his business to Muttock, and the firm was conducted under the name of Bourne & Peirce. During the later years of his life he lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Charles F. Peirce, where he died December 10, 1845.
ALLEN C. THATCHER was a quarter owner in the Nemasket Manufacturing Company, and at one time interested in what was known as the corner store with Major Tucker and Major Levi Peirce. He was born in Rochester, June 17, 1793, and as a young man left his native town and entered upon a clerk- ship in a wholesale house in Boston, where he resided until his removal to Middleboro in 1831. He retired from business in 1860, and died May 13, 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1867
one years and eleven months. He lived in the house on Main Street adjoining the block recently erected by the Middleboro National Bank, and was a prominent member of the Baptist Church.
MAJOR ELISHA TUCKER, who died June 22, 1878, at the age of eighty-one years, became by his faithful industry and economy another of the prominent merchants and manufactur- ers of Middleboro. He lived in the house now occupied by Elisha T. Jenks. In addition to his business interests, he was active in the militia of the county, and for many years served as major in one of the regiments. He was for more than forty years treasurer of Peirce Academy, and in con- nection with his son- in-law, Professor J. W. P. Jenks, did as much as any of the trustees ELISHA TUCKER toward securing the erection of the new academy and its subsequent enlargement. He was always in- terested, from the time he first came to town, in the Central Baptist Church, and was its clerk and treasurer for many years, a regular contributor in making up the expenses of the church, and also gave largely to the various organizations connected with the denomination.
In 1867 the company sold out to William L. Brown, Nathaniel B. Sherman, and Peter Washburn. Later the factory was burned, but, a sawmill and grist-mill continued in operation for a few years. Quite recently an electric plant has been established upon this dam, which furnishes power for lighting the streets.
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FOUR CORNERS
1828]
Prior to the building of the Fall River Railroad through the town in 1842, the manufacturing interests of the Four Corners had been confined exclusively to the Upper and Lower Works, as they were called. There were then at the Corners a general retail store belonging to Peter H. Peirce & Co., and a confec- tionery store adjoining the site of the present Jones Brothers' block, carried on by Amos Thomas, always known as "Uncle Amos," and later by his son, Deacon Ira Thomas, as a general grocery store; he was succeeded by his son, Ira M. Thomas. At the corner of Main and Center streets was what was known as the old store for dry goods and groceries, owned at first by Major Levi Peirce and afterwards by Allen C. Thatcher, by George Vaughan, and by George Waterman. Enoch Tinkham had a store on Center Street, which is still standing. There was also an apothecary shop and post-office kept by Levi Peirce on the site of the Peirce building. Allen Shaw kept an apothecary shop, and was succeeded by his nephews, Jacob B. and John Shaw.
About the time that manufacturing commenced at the Upper Factory, the HON. PHILANDER WASHBURN opened his store, in connection with his father's business. Upon the death of his father he sold his interest in this store, which was pur- chased by Sampson & King, and in 1854 it was doubled in width and a story added above, called American Hall. Mr. Washburn was state senator in 1848; he died September 6, 1882, at the age of eighty-four. His son, the Rev. George Washburn, D. D., has been for many years the successful president of Robert College, Constantinople.
The manufacture of straw hats and bonnets was begun at the village about the year 1828, by Ebenezer Briggs, who had been in this business in Lakeville before he moved to the Four Corners. At this time hats were made from prepared straw, braided by women at home and taken to the factory. The braid was sent out and sewed by women in the neighbor- hood into hats and bonnets, which were returned to the fac- tory, properly sized, pressed, and finished ready for the market. At first only native straw was used, but this gave place to
,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1858
BANK BLOCK
imported straw, which took away the occupation of many wo- men, who had braided it by hand. About the year 1844 Mr. Briggs sold out to Andrew J. Pickens, James M. Pickens, and William A. King, who formed a copartnership under the firm name of Pickens, King & Co. At the end of two years Mr. King retired, and the factory was conducted by the firm of Pickens Brothers. Andrew J. and James M. Pickens were men of great industry and enterprise, influential in church affairs and successful in their business, which, in a few years, had so increased that the few rooms occupied at first were insufficient, and in 1855 they erected the main building of the straw factory on Courtland Street. In 1858 Andrew J.
SITE OF BANK BLOCK IN 1875
1865]
FOUR CORNERS
293
PEIRCE BLOCK
Pickens sold the factory and business to Albert Alden. Be- tween 1858 and 1861 William A. King was associated with Mr. Alden under the firm name of Alden, King & Co. They were succeeded by Plummer, King & Co. In 1862 Mr. Alden purchased the property, and for several years carried on the business under the names of A. Alden and A. Alden & Co., and the general name of Bay State Straw Works. He was succeeded by his son, Arthur B. Alden, who died in 1895. From that time the business was not reestablished, and the buildings have since been taken down or removed and made into dwelling-houses, and a street has been cut through where the main building stood. When Mr. Alden took the business,
SITE OF PEIRCE BLOCK IN 1875
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1840
it did not amount to more than $10,000 a year, but under his management it was increased to one quarter of a million in- vested capital, and gave employment to about four hundred operatives during the busy season. When much of the sewing on braid was done by hand outside the factory, as many as fifteen hundred in the families within a radius of twenty miles found work.
MR. ALBERT ALDEN, of the seventh generation from his ancestor, John Alden, was born in 1817. He was a man of great energy and sagacity, and engaged in different enterprises in this and adjoining towns.
ALBERT ALDEN
Soon after the estab- lishment of the straw factory, the manufac- turing of boots and shoes was commenced in town. This was at first carried on in shops, where the upper and sole leather were cut by the manufacturers. The upper leather was sent out, and the neces- sary sewing and stitch- ing done in families in
town ; then these " uppers " were taken to the manufacturer, who cut the soles into proper shapes, prepared the heels and other leather for the filling, and in turn handed them over to the different shoemakers, who completed the work in small shops, some of which may still be seen standing in different parts of the town. The shoemakers would take stock enough to make from one to ten dozen pairs of shoes at a time, return- ing them when finished. The manufacturer then packed these shoes and sent them to the different customers. About the
295
FOUR CORNERS
1860]
year 1855 this method of making boots and shoes by hand gave place to machinery, which has since been improved, until now substantially the whole work is done in that way.
The first shoe manufacturer was Stephen B. Pickens, whose business was very small, as compared with the large amount of capital and number of hands employed to-day. He was suc- ceeded by Eaton & Leonard, who occupied a small wooden building on the site of Wells Block on Main Street. Later, B. Sumner Washburn joined the firm.
The firm of Ward & Doggett in Wells Block consisted of George Ward, who then lived in Lakeville, and William E. Doggett. In a few years they sold out to Bassett & Dunbar, who soon after sold their interest in Middleboro to Major Joseph Sampson, Jr., and Colonel Nathan King, and moved to Chicago, where they became large and successful shoe manu- facturers. Sampson & King's place of business was in the American Building.
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