History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 27

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 27

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1 The saw-mill was operated until 1859 and the grist-mill until 1860, when both were removed.

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

the present mill was built by Mr. Shaw who soon after died. On 31 May, 1881, his heirs conveyed the mill, machinery, etc., and five acres of land to Reuben Cummings of Troy, N. Y., and Edward I. Comins of Worcester, firm of E. I. Comins & Co., who have since operated it for making satinets, running two sets of machinery, and employing 35 hands ; production in 1889, 394,000 yards.

Rich's Mills. According to tradition Thomas Davis, in 1747, built a grist-mill on his farm, now Chaffee heirs, H. 15, one mile east of Main Street. In 1782 his heirs sold to Jeremiah, son of Elisha Davis, who operated it during his life. After his decease Capt. Ebenezer Rich of Sutton, in 1824, bought the property. The mill was operated for several years by Rich, but became dilapidated and after a time was removed, and for many years the water-power was unimproved.

On 11 June, 1847, Capt. Rich deeded one-half the water-privi- lege and half an acre of land to Ivers A. Davis, who in partnership with . Rich erected a saw-mill, which Davis and George L., son of Ebenezer Rich, operated together. In 1852 Davis sold back his interest to Ebenezer Rich. George L. soon after added a grist-mill. In 1857 the mills with the farm were leased, and one-half the farm sold, to George L., who died soon after. In 1858 Ebenezer D. Rich, his brother, bought his share of the property, took possession, rebuilt the mills and operated them successfully until March, 1884, when farm and mills were sold to Abel M. Chaffee, who made radical improvements, adding a cider-mill. Chaffee's heirs continue, 1890, the milling.

Gates' Mills. In 1845 Hiram Moffit, then owner of the estate, H. 79, built a dam and, about 20 rods below, a grist-mill, which he operated about two years, and sold with the farm to John Gates, who continued milling until 1858. That year he removed the mill- stones and rented the building for five years to Thomas Ashworth and partners, Day, Peal and Jones, who put in machinery and began the manufacture of shoddy, continuing to the end of their lease, when they removed. Benajah, Clovis and Dennis S. B., sons of John Gates, then occupied the building for the same purpose for six years. Later the mill stood idle, until Aug., 1870, when it was burned. A small saw-mill was built in 1871 on the site and run for several years, and was removed. Nothing has been done there since.

In 1852 Gates brothers built nearer the dam another small mill for the manufacture of wicking and batting. This was burned 24 Jan., 1854. In 1858 Luke White, son-in-law of Gates, built on the spot a grist-mill, putting in the stones Gates had taken from the lower mill. This he operated a few months and rented it to Gates brothers, who began here the making of shoddy, continuing until the expiration of Ashworth & Jones' lease, when they removed to the lower mill and continued making shoddy as noted. In April, 1872, this second mill

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WOOL CARDING.

at the upper site (which Gates brothers had continued to use with the lower one) was burned, and the power there has not since been utilized. All mill operations at this locality ceased when the saw- mill was removed.

Wallis' Mill. In 1851 Pliny M. Moffit built a dam and a shop on Mill Brook near the bridge on the Webster road, putting in machinery for making shoe boxes, and in 1852 sold to Eliphalet and Levi Eddy. They put in an upright saw-mill and a shingle-mill, but the power was inefficient, and in a year or two Levi sold to Eliphalet, who in 1865 sold to Col. Alexander DeWitt. He sold to Benjamin W. Childs, who owned for several years and later it was owned suc- cessively by John Dinsmore, Sylvanus Robinson, Mr. Buell of Worcester and Henry J. Whiting, standing unused much of the time. In 1880 it was bought by Frank G. Wallis of Sutton, who put in a cider-mill and for two seasons did a brisk business. In 1882 he enlarged the building, making it two stories, added a steam engine to the power and fitted it with machinery for wagon making. In July, 1884, it was burned. A few weeks afterward a temporary building was erected, a cider-mill put in, and the property was sold in the autumn of 1884 to Rodney M. Dadmun. In 1886 it was again sold, the buyer being the late Benjamin G. Wallis, who operated the cider-mill, and a circular saw and other machinery for wagon making and repairing.

Wool Carding. In the laborious task of preparing materials for the clothing of the large families of olden times, no mechanical appliances were employed until after 1800. About 1805 Hale of Worcester put in operation wool carding machines, and seems to have been the medium of their introduction in this vicinity, as he sold if he did not manufacture them.1

The first carding done in Oxford was by one of the Hale machines in 1806, at John and David Nichols' mill. At about the same time Simeon Waters began the business at Sutton, and David Rich at Charlton, near Oxford west line. John H. Rich, son of David, attended this machine, man and boy, for 70 years, much of the patronage coming from Oxford. The last of its operation was in 1876.

Joseph Stone, soon after his purchase of the "Sigourney Mill" privilege in 1812, began wool carding, continuing eight or ten years, and relinquished it when he rented his mill for manufacturing purposes. Rufus Robinson in 1829 attached a machine to his manufacturing establishment at the south end of the Plain,

1 Wool carding by power was perhaps the first step in the application of machinery to the mak- ing of textile fabrics in the country, and was of vast importance to the community. Arthur and John Scholfield, who came from England in 1793, succeeded after 10 or 12 years of experimenting in making carding machines, and in 1804 John

Scholfield, Jr., began the operation of one at Jewett City, Conn. Few inventions have brought more instant and general relief and emancipa- tion. Women everywhere exulted in the beauti- ful white, soft, clean, fleecy rolls which made spinning and weaving a positive enjoyment. [Miss Larned, Wind. Co. His., II., 399.]

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Millwrights. Ebenezer Phelps of Sutton was among the first millwrights of this region. He removed to New Boston, Conn., where he owned mill property. Elijah Davis, Jr., a very ingenious mechanic, went in young manhood to that place to learn the business, and from him originated what may be termed a school of artisans in Oxford, which became widely known among the manufacturers of New England. Prominent among them was Ezra Davis, brother of Elijah, who for a time was esteemed as the leading man in the line in Worcester County. Others were Francis and Israel Sibley, brothers, apprentices of Ezra Davis, Clark Putnam, Rufus, Sumner, Jeremiah and Pliny Moffit, brothers, George and James Lovett, brothers, Moses Burdon, John Rowland and others, who were for many years after the opening of the manufacturing era employed far and near in build- ing water-wheels, fulling-mills, etc., and placing shafting in new factories. On account of the substitution of metal for wood in mills the business gradually decreased and little has been done in this line in Oxford of late. 1

Brickmaking. In the first houses of the town, chimneys, ovens, etc., were built of stone laid up in clay, and for the first 50 years bricks were but little used. Of the beginnings of this industry little is known. One of the first places of operation was on the land of Micah Pratt, not far from the river west from the north cemetery. This land before the Revolutionary war seems to have been valued for its brickyard and " clay pits," but we have no detail as to the manufacture. Soon after 1800 Samuel Rider was in the business at the clay pits, west of his house, a mile north of Augutteback pond, H. 84.

The " oldest inhabitant remembereth not" the time when bricks were not made on the Ebenezer Merriam farm at North Oxford, H. 103, and it is believed that the manufacture was begun by the first Ebenezer, who died 1761. Charlton, Leicester and Oxford were all more or less supplied from this source for many years, and the busi- ness was continued up to 1854, David Merriam, the present owner, being the last operator.

Bakery. A bakery, now standing, was built on Barton Street opposite the present Methodist meeting-house, in 1829 by Justin Root and Josiah Moore in partnership. Skilled workmen from Boston were employed, a fine quality of bakers' productions made and for about five years the concern flourished. In 1831 Moore having withdrawn the firm was Root & Clemence. In 1832 Daniel

1 Tradition says the use of belts instead of gearing in mills was a cause of much discussion among the Oxford mechanics. Rumors came from the eastward that such changes had been made but the Oxford men were skeptical, and it was declared that " the idea of running a factory

by means of a strap was nonsense." To settle the matter Ezra Davis started on foot for Lowell. He went, saw and was convinced, and a few weeks later had machinery in a mill at Fitchburg successfully running by the same means.

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TANNERIES.

T. Penniman was proprietor, and after one year resold to Root, who owned until Jan., 1835, when he disposed of the estate and soon left town. Operations were discontinued thereafter.

Chaise and Harness. In the spring of 1821 Seth Daniels and John Mellish came to town from Walpole where they had been employés in a chaise factory, and in partnership began making chaises and harness at George R. Larned's, H. 218. In 1823 Mellish with- drew and Benjamin F. Town and Sylvanus Harris joined with Daniels, the firm being Daniels, Town & Co. In 1826 Town retired and Daniels & Harris continued the business. In 1828 the shop at the south end of the Plain (estate 211) was built and soon occupied. In 1830 Sanford Gilmore who had been an apprentice became a partner, and the firm was Daniels, Harris & Co. In 1832 Harris had left and Daniels & Gilmore continued until 1836, when a copartnership was formed with Elihu Harwood, Jr., for the manufacture of shoes, and carriage and harness making was relinquished.

Distilleries. About 1810 Dr. William Fisk and Amos Hudson began distilling liquors in a small building near Town's Pond, H. 144, buying grain, potatoes, cider, etc., of the farmers and pro- ducing whiskey and cider brandy principally. The business continued only a year or two and the building was fitted up and occupied as a store by the same owners.

About 1811 or 1812 John Pratt began the same business, having erected a building for the purpose on the Millbury road a short dis- tance south from his house, H. 148, now William H. Marble, and his sons Ebenezer and Abijah D. were employed. After about three years the enterprise was abandoned.

Tanneries. The tanner, with the shoemaker, the carpenter and the blacksmith was indispensable in the new settlement. As the farmers slaughtered their animals the skins were marked with their initials and taken to the tannery to be made into leather for shoes for the household. The beginnings of this industry in Oxford are lost in the obscurity of the past.

Jacob Willson of Pomfret, Conn., tanner, bought in 1730 estate No. 188, at north end of the Plain, and may have followed his trade,. the meadows on his home lot being adapted to the business. The first positive knowledge we have of a tannery is in 1754, when Jeremiah Shumway conveyed property to William Watson, a saddler from Leicester, "lying fifteen rods south of the meeting house " [at the north common] the west line running southerly on the 8-rod way "to a stake in the edge of the meadow near the Tann Fatts," conveying said "Fatts " and- house, H. 182. This was the northern extremity of the original Peter Shumway home lot. Experience, daughter of Jeremiah Shumway, married Thomas Read who lived near the tannery,

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

and was, as conjectured from his inventory, a currier. He died in 1750 and is believed to have carried on business at the old tannery. Watson owned and probably continued business here till 2 Jan., 1773, when he sold to Jonathan Gould of Woodstock, tanner, who held it for five years and sold, 3 Oct., 1778, to Samuel Hardy of Oxford, tanner, formerly of Sutton. On 15 March, 1781, Hardy sold to Andrew Duncan, merchant, of Worcester, who the next year sold to Jesse Jones, tanner, who sold, 26 June, 1783, to Daniel Goulding of Worcester, cordwainer. On 1 May, 1785, Goulding conveyed the property to William Forbes of Worcester, tanner, a man of good business capacity, who demonstrated by marked success that it was not the fault of the location or appliances for business that his prede- cessors were not successful. He enlarged the works and built up a thriving business, drawing many orders on Butler's store in payment for stock and labor, as was the custom, until his decease in 1808. From that date operations began to decline. Samuel Barstow of Killingly, Conn., who had, as is supposed, been Forbes' journeyman, in Nov., 1809, bought the estate and continued the business until about 1818, when he returned to Killingly. Alexander Campbell occupied the premises on a lease for tanning purposes from 1825 to 1829. After he left, the building, now standing, was changed to a dwelling.

The second, and only other establishment of the kind in Oxford, was at the crossing of the Sutton road and Mill Brook east of the main street. In 1810 William Sigourney, having learned the trade of a tanner at Warren's in Leicester, began business here, continuing with moderate success until 1816, when he removed to the corner, now George W. Sigourney's, into the store previously kept by his father, and began trading. He continued tanning under the care of Alexander Campbell, doing a small business only, until 1824, when he sold to Nathaniel Nolen, whose operations were quite limited. After 1829, by the raising of the dam at the Old Huguenot Mill for manufacturing purposes, the water damaged the premises and busi- ness thereafter amounted to but little, and entirely ceased six or seven years later, although the buildings stood until after 1840.

Shoe Manufacture. The shoe manufacture has for more than 50 years been the principal industry of Oxford Centre. The pioneer, Elihu Harwood, Jr., apprentice of Col. Arial Bragg of Milford, began about 1820 at his house at the south end of the Plain. The next operator was Capt. William Sigourney, who made men's boots and brogans from about 1828 until the burning of his shop, which stood near the site of the Memorial Hall, Jan., 1835. In 1836 Harwood formed a partnership with Seth Daniels and Sanford Gilmore at the chaise and harness shop at the south end, and in 1837 Samuel Dowse and Daniel T. Penniman joined the firm, adding the store next the bank to the shoe business. The reverses of 1837 terminated this

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SHOE MANUFACTURE.

scheme. In 1838 Harwood and Dowse were partners. In 1839 Harwood was alone and continued thereafter until 1858, when he retired. Sanford Gilmore was, 1839, with Loriston Shumway ; from 1840 to 1846 he was alone, and 1846 removed to Boston, entering shoe trade. Seth Daniels continued at the south end from 1839 (his sons, George F. and Albert H., being partners after 1844, under the name Seth Daniels & Co.), until 1847, then removing to the Sigourney homestead, H. 192, and enlarging operations. In 1851 Stearns DeW. Harris entered the firm, continuing until Nov., 1854, when he and Albert H. Daniels left, and Franklin G. Daniels became a partner, continuing until 1872, when the business was closed.

Andrew S. Wetherell began before May, 1840, continuing for five years. In 1844 Daniel Stevens was partner.

Lament B. Corbin was a very successful manufacturer, perhaps the most capable in the town. He began with Daniel Harwood, 1844. In 1845 William H. Shumway was with him, from 1845 to 1860 he was alone, excepting 1850-1, when Samuel C. Richards, and 1855 to 1858, Charles A. Angell were partners. From 1860 to 1870 Allen L. Joslin was of the firm. In 1870 William H. H. Thurston came in and was partner until Corbin's decease, 1872. Business was continued here by Thurston and Franklin G. Daniels until 1878 and by Thurston alone until the fall of 1885, when operations terminated.

Daniel Harwood on leaving Corbin, 1845, entered the trade in Boston, and Harwood & Mosely manufactured in the Arcade build- ing, Albert H. Daniels manager, in 1845. In 1846 Gilmore and Benjamin F. Campbell were Harwood's partners in Boston, and man- ufacture continued, 1846 to 1849, with Samuel C. Richards as agent. In 1849 the business was removed to the Andrew Sigourney building, opposite Joslin's factory, and Edward W. Bardwell took charge. In two or three years, Gilmore & Cole of Boston being owners, it was removed to the rear of the present Catholic Parsonage, continuing till 1865. In May, 1865, Bardwell bought the shop on Sutton avenue, opposite the railroad station, and as partner with Cole, Wood & Co., successors of Gilmore & Cole, manufactured until the fall of 1866, when business was closed.

Samuel C. Richards, 1849, until the burning of the "Arcade," Jan., 1850, continued in that building with A. G. Underwood and Samuel C. Paine, partners. In 1852 and part of 1853 he occupied the shop opposite the railroad station. Loriston Shumway was in the "Arcade" at the time of the fire; and later with Henry Boyden operated at Boyden's house, H. 200, during 1850-1. Soon after he built a shop in the rear of his own house and manufactured alone, 1852 to 1856. In 1857 the firm was L. Shumway & Son. In 1859 Allen L. Joslin became partner, leaving in 1860. Later, Henry L. and Issachar Shumway conducted the business several years; in 1866 Loriston was alone and before May, 1868, retired.

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Emory E. Harwood was, 1847-8, at the shop opposite the railroad station on Sutton avenue, in 1849 at Webster when Charles A. Angell joined him. They, after the fire, bought the " Arcade " lot and built the brick shop, 1850, continuing there till 1854. From 1855 to 1873 Harwood was alone and very successful. In 1873 he sold the shop to his brother Daniel and son, who also bought the adjoining property, connected and enlarged the buildings, introducing steam-power and machinery. Emory E. Harwood was manager for two years and the business was suspended. In 1876 he was tenant here, in 1877 removed to south end of the Plain, and in 1883 left town.

Craft Davis, Jr., began before May, 1847, near George W. Sigour- ney's residence. John R. and Ebenezer S. Williams began before May, 1852, on Charlton Street, and removed, 1853, to the old tavern store, and that year the firm of Davis & Williams was formed. After the burning of the tavern, 1854, they occupied the Andrew Sigourney building near railroad station, and in a few months moved to the new building next east of the brick shop, continuing until Jan., 1870, when they dissolved partnership. Davis remained till 1873 and retired. Williams brothers went into the shop opposite the railroad station, continuing till the decease of John R. Williams, 1879.

Thaddeus T. Gay began before May, 1847; in Jan., 1850, was partner with S. William Smith in the " Arcade " and burnt out. In 1850 he joined with Samuel Southwick, name Gay & Southwick, con- tinuing (James M. Sanford having been partner one or two years) until 1857. Southwick left, and Gay, with his brother Charles L. part of the time, went on until 1867 at the shop near the freight depot. Southwick later made stays and inner soles until 1873.

William H. Thurston began before May, 1853, near the Universalist meeting-house, in present bakery ; was two years on his own account, later going on for Campbell, Harwood & Co., and Benjamin F. Camp- bell until 1867, his son William H. H. being partner the last two years.

Allen L. Joslin began before May, 1858 ; in 1859 was with Loriston Shumway, and 1860 to 1870 with Lament B. Corbin. On 1 Jan., 1871, the firm of A. L. Joslin & Co. was formed, and 1871 the new shop at the Centre built. The firm, originally A. L. and O. F. Joslin, now includes Homer S. Joslin and Walter D. Tyler.

Larkin D. Newton and Eden Davis partners were, in 1845, in the " Arcade." In 1846 Newton went on alone.

David Whittemore was, 1846, partner with Elihu Harwood; in 1847 with Eden Davis ; 1848 to 1851 alone ; in 1852 removed from town.

Daniel Jennison began before May, 1850, at his house east of the railroad, on a fine leather boot for New England trade, continuing until 1854.

William Stone began before May, 1851, continuing until 1856 at his shop, Barton Street, near the Universalist meeting-house (shop later sold to Corbin and removed). In 1857 John Anderson was his partner, who continued alone 1860-1, and left town.

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SHOE MANUFACTURE.

Henry Boyden, Seth W. Field and George Miller, firm Boyden, Field & Co., began before May, 1852, at H. 200, then Boyden's. In 1853 Field left ; Boyden and Miller went on until 1856, Boyden con- tinuing in 1857.

Charles E. Daniels and Wilson Olney in 1854 were partners at a shop in the rear of Seth Daniels & Co.

Lorenzo Morgan and H. Wilbur Snow were from 1854 to 1859 at Snow's harness shop near the north common.

Adams G. Barnes began before May, 1855, near the freight depot ; in 1856 Abel F. Stow was partner ; Barnes went on until 1860 alone.

Benjamin Paine began before May, 1854, at his house; Charles Watson, his son-in-law, was with him, 1856 to 1858 ; Paine continued 1859-60.

S. William Smith and A. Waldo Lackey began, 1854, at the shop opposite the railroad station ; 1855, Albert Lackey, father of A. Waldo, came in (name Smith, Lackey & Co.), continuing to the fall of 1857. Charles C. Twichell had begun before May, 1857, in the rear of the brick store. Smith left Lackey 1857 and joined Twichell, and in a few months sold to Albert Lackey ; the firm became Lackey & Twichell. They gave up business before May, 1859. A. Waldo Lackey continued at the old place till the spring of 1859.

George Appleby was, 1857, at his father's residence, continuing one year.

William H. Harrington, 1858, manufactured in the three-story building near the freight depot.

Albert G. Underwood manufactured a few months in 1859 at his father's house.

T. Vernon Nichols, Amasa Stowe and Daniel R. Cortis (name, Nichols, Stowe & Co.) began before May, 1866, at the south end ; removed, 1867, to opposite the railroad station, Sutton Avenue, con- tinuing until 1868.

It is impossible to give statistics of the past. Good judges esti- mate the total annual production when the business was at high tide, in 1856, at about a million dollars. The. principal article produced was a woman's heavy pegged lace boot, which had a large sale, South and West, to the agricultural population. Harwood began on a cheap low cut "strap shoe" which went South. As time passed different patterns and improved qualities were made. A revolution was wrought in the business by the introduction of power and machinery, and the smaller concerns which could not advantageously adopt new methods, one after another yielded under the competition until there is now only the factory of A. L. Joslin & Co. in operation. This concern has largely extended its variety and quantity of productions. Their factory is 160 by 30 feet, four stories including basement, is fitted with the best improved steam machinery, employs 150 hands, and when in full operation turns out 1,000 pairs of shoes per day. Value of yearly production, $280,000.

CHAPTER IX.

BURYING-GROUNDS. SEXTONS. POUNDS. CATTLE, ETC. TOWN POOR.

CENTENARIANS. EXCISE BILL. EMBARGO. JUSTICES IN COURT. CASES IN COURT. CORONERS. DEPUTY SHERIFFS. WILD GAME. SMALL-POX.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. TOWN SURVEY. MILL.

HALLS. MINES.

BANK. TAVERNS. TRADERS AND STORES. POST-OFFICES. CARRIERS. STAGES. FIRE DEPARTMENT. MASONIC LODGES. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. THE GRANGE. HUGUENOT MEMORIAL SOCIETY. LEARNED RELIEF FUND. LAWYERS. PHYSICIANS. GRADUATES. DOG TAX. CATTLE DISEASE. TOWN CLOCK. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

Burying-grounds. In Nov., 1713, John Town, Samuel Hag- burn and Benjamin Chamberlain were chosen to lay out a minister's lot and a burying-ground. The latter was located west of the com- mon, and in Jan., 1750, it was voted to fence it, but lines not being settled it was not then done. In Dec., 1751, the proprietors voted "two acres . . . to be set off bounding on the east on the west line of the training field, south on . . . Manning's land and extending north and west so as to include all the graves." This the town con- firmed 1754, and in 1755 voted £13. 6s. 8d. to fence it. In March, 1756, voted that Dr. Jabez Holden may fence it " for what he owes the town for the old meeting-house." In 1788 the south line was not fenced, and it was agreed that the people should meet the first Mon- day in June to finish it. In 1796 James Gleason gave three-fourths of an acre as an addition on the west, deeded in 1803. For 135 years this was the only burying-ground of the town.

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 27

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town Number of Pages: 916

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916