USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 19
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the State Lunatic Hospital, and treasurer of that institution for many years from 1833. In 1831 he delivered the annual address before the scholars. teachers and friends of the Center School District. He was secretary of the Worcester Lyceum in 1832, and its president in 1836. He was the first president of the Quinsigamond Bank, in 1833, and one of the original trustees of the Worcester County Horticultural Society to which office he was chosen Sept 19. 1840. He died in August. 1852. aged 52. All the duties of the many offices of trust which he held were dis- charged with ability and fidelity, and he was one of our most re- spected citizens.
After the retirement of Mr. Foster from the firm of Benjamin Butman & Co., the business was continued by Mr. Butman, and on the 30th day of Sept., 1835, he offered for sale two cargos of Bangor lumber which he was then receiving by Railroad and Canal. He sold out to Mr. E. F. Dixie, April 6th. 1836, which was perhaps the end of his trade in lumber, although some years later he was again engaged in the grocery business.
Benjamin Butman was son of Benjamin Butman, senior. the Tailor, whose shop was on the east side of Main street, at Lin- coln Square, it being the second building south of the corner ; and his residence was at one time on the westerly side of Salis- bury street near the Jo Bill road, where Benjamin Jr. was born, March 8th, 1787. Mr. Butman Sr. afterward kept the Hancock Arms Tavern, which stood on the west side of Lincoln street a short distance above the Square. About 1805, he removed to Dixmont, Maine, where he died June 8th, 1843.
Benjamin Butman Jr. when a young man, was clerk in the drug store of Messrs Dix and Brinley, at Boston, afterwards es- tablishing himself in business at Portland, Maine, and while a merchant there, married Sally Robinson, Feb. 22, 1813, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Stevens) Robinson, of Worcester.
After some years of close application, his health failing. he went to New Orleans where he remained a few years and then returned to Worcester and formed the copartnership with Mr. Stiles as before mentioned. His wife died Sept. 9th, 1828, and he married for his second wife Mrs Maria Cooley of Longmeadow Mass., daughter of Col. Burt, Oct. 1829.
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Mr. Butman was an energetic, honest business man, and did much for the growth and improvement of Worcester. In 1818 he purchased the Ward estate, consisting of about 30 acres of land. located on the west side of Main street, nearly opposite the Common. In 1825 he soll one acre of the land on which stood the Ward or Sheriff Chandler mansion, to Calvin Willard, who in 1834 conveyed it to to the late JJudge Barton. Mr. But- man, about 1827, built the house now owned and occupied by Dr. Joseph Sargent, where he lived for several years.
Mr. Butman was Deacon of the second parish church for 13 years, was one of the original stock holders of the Central Bank, and president of that corporation from 1828 till 1836. In Octo- of that year he was chosen the first president of the Citizens' Bank, and was treasurer of the Worcester Lyceum in 1830. Ile built Brinley block and Butman block on Main street, besides adding many other improvements to town and city. He died at his residence on May street. May 12th, 1872, and his wife died March 19th 1876.
Previous to 1828 Worcester had been a farming village with less than 4000 inhabitants, but the sudden increase of trade and the general activity of busines, caused by the opening of the Blackstone Canal in October of that year, induced new hands to embark in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Hammond Howe, Nov. 26, 1828. advertised lumber, including Carolina Hard Pine Flooring, for sale at his yard on Central street, at the head of the Canal. On the 24th of Dec. of the same year, he formed a connection with Nathan Perkins and David Scribner. of Brunswick, Maine, and Sammel R. Jackson also of Maine, for the purpose of carry- ing on the lumber business in Worcester, under the style of Howe. Jackson & Co., at the Blackstone Canal Lumber Yard. They then had two cargos of lumber at Providence awaiting transportation by Canal to Worcester. For four years this firm flourished, but was dissolved Jan. 23, 1832.
On the 8th of Feb. 1832. Mr. Howe formed a new copartn- ership with a Mr. Thaxter, under the firm name of Howe & Thax- ter. continuing the sale of lumber in connection with East India goods, flour. Grain &c., but they were not very successful, enjoy- ing a short life of about one year.
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Mr. Howe was from Shrewsbury, born Sept. 14. 1804. a son of Lyman and Sylvia (Slocomb) Howe. grandson of Gideon, and great grandson of Capt. Daniel Howe.
Samuel R. Jackson. after making his residence in Worcester for several years, went to Providence, R. I., and from there to California. On returning home the vessel in which he sailed was wrecked on the Pacific coast, but he was resened and finally reached his family in safety at Providence. When the sad news announcing the above named disaster reached his home, prayers were offered in church. but the voice of the venerable pastor had hardly ceased to echo before Mr. Jackson appeared among his friends, having reached Providence almost as soon as the news of his probable death.
As early as Dec., 1828, Mr. Daniel Heywood kept Eastern Pine and Cedar Shingles for sale, and on the 21st of April, 1830. advertised .Messrs. Patch and Moore's No. 1 & 2 Bundle Laths constantly on hand, superior to all, and sold lower than any other make." Mr. Heywood sold Inmber for several years, from his store on the sonth corner of Main and Elm streets, but his trade was confined principally to short lumber. He was son of Capt. Daniel, and grandson of Deacon Daniel Heywood.
About 1829, Dea. Alpheus Merrifield opened a yard for the sale of lumber on the north side of Central street, near Summer street. He was a carpenter and builder, carrying on that busi- ness in connection with the lumber trade.
Mr. Merrifield was born Nov. 12, 1779, son of Timothy who came to Worcester from Sherborn about 1780, and settled in the north part of the town, on the old turnpike, between Holden and Shrewsbury. Alpheus married Mary Trowbridge, daughter of Dea. William Trowbridge who lived in the south part of the town. Dea. Merrifield was one of the staunch men of the town. often occupying places of responsibility and trust. He was Deacon of the second parish church for 20 years from 1827, was Chairman of the Overseers of the Poor for several years, and for four years one of the selectmen of the town. He was one of the Directors of the Worcester Association for the mutual detecting of thieves. Surveyor of Highways for the first district in 1845, and one of the Assessors in 1850.
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Mr. Merrifield resided on Summer street, near Central, and for nearly a quarter of a century was a limber dealer in Worees- ter. continuing the business until his death in 1853.
Mr. William T. Merrifield, son of Dea. Alpheus, began the sale of lumber in 1831, opening a yard near his residence on Summer street, near Bridge street, at first confining his trade mainly to shingles and clapboards. In 1835, he removed his business to Exchange street, where he associated with the sale of lumber the manufacture of sash. blinds, and general house finish ; also the taking of houses to build by contract.
Previous to 1830 nearly all the lumber consumed here had been obtained within the limits of the town. but in 1835 the de- mand had so far increased that it became necessary to draw the supply from neighboring places. Holden, Princeton, Hub- bardston. Templeton, Gardner, Winchendon. New Salem, Or- ange and Irving, all, each in its turn, were robbed of their choi- cest and best timber, that Worcester might be developed into a prosperous city. The price for common lumber, in 1833, was about $8 per thousand feet. and the best qualities could be pur- chased at $15 per thousand.
For many years Mr. William T. Merrifield in company with his father often made tours through the towns above mentioned, visiting the various saw-mills, for the purpose of making con- tracts for lumber during the season, or to purchase special lots that might come to their notice, all of which had to be conveyed to Worcester by teams ; and after all this labor and expense, notwithstanding the fact that very little labor saving machinery was then in use. by which the contractor or builder could gain any advantage. vet at this time, a house of good size and style could be constructed for from 8850 to $1100.
In 1837 or 1838 Mr. Merrifield put in operation some machi- nery for working lumber, such as circular saws and a Daniels planer, (a Worcester invention) driven by horse power. In 1840 he established the first steam planing mill in the town.
In 1842 he creeted a steam mill in the town of Princeton for the manufacture of lumber, clearing off 600 acres of timber land around this first mill of the kind in Worcester County. Mr. Merrifield continued the manufacture and sale of lumber until
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the building of his extensive machine shops on Exchange street.
The first circular saw used in Worcester was set in operation at the Old Red Mills on Green street. by Mr. Lewis Brown who also had in use the first steam engine in the town, and though it was an object of great curiosity, its motive power was of little value for practical use.
In June 1834, Messrs. D. & J. Bennett of Hubbardston, John F. Clark and Nathan Heard of Worcester, a lvertised for sale at their yard on Summer street, corner of Central street. a general assortment of lumber, but confined themselves principally to Nor- thern or country stock, but they continued the business only a short time.
On the 18th day of Feb., 1845, Mr. Elbridge Hewett, father of the present Mr. George F. Hewett, offered for sale Northern round edge lumber on the stand formerly occupied by Messrs Howe & Thaxter, on Central street. Mr. Hewett was also en- gaged in the grocery business, and the running of teams carrying supplies to towns in the northern portion of the county returning with lumber to replenish his stock in trade ; but he discontinued the sale of lumber in 1850.
Mr. Hewitt was a native of Uxbridge, and after the opening of the canal run the boat "John Tyler" and later was engaged in the grocery trade on Central street, near the canal.
On Friday the 3d day of JJuly, 1835, the people of Worcester were delighted by the arrival of the long expected passenger train from Boston, laden with the Directors and a number of their friends, to witness the completion of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, which, after a short stop at the Foster street station, returned to Boston the same night. The next day, according to previous arrangement, two trains, each composed of eleven ears drawn by two engines, started simultaneously from Boston and Worcester, passing over the road twice each way during the day, carrying over 1500 passengers. This was but preliminary to the grand opening celebration, which occurred on Monday July 6th.
A committee of arrangements composed of 30 persons, with Charles Allen Esq. as chairman, had made ample preparation for entertaining all persons sufficiently interested in the prosperity of the town and the success of the railroad enterprise, to be
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present and participate in the festivities of this grand occasion.
Early in the day the people from the surrounding towns began to flock in, giving the streets a lively appearance, while from the window and house-top fluttered the time honored Stars and Stripes. About 1 o'clock P. M. the train arrived from Boston, bringing some 300 invited guests, including directors, stock- holders and their friends. They came in twelve cars propelled by two engines. A vast concourse of citizens had congregated at the depot to meet them, and the arrival of the train was an- nounced by the ringing of bells and the discharge of cannon.
A procession was formed under the direction of Gen. Nathan Ileard as chief Marshal, and moved under the escort of the Wor- cester Light Infantry, under command of Capt. Chas. H. Geer, to the Town Hall, where in the lower part of the building col- lation had been prepared for the invited guests. The throng was so great as to make it necessary to issue tickets of admisson to the tables, in order to prevent confusion, and award proper treatment to those who were to be entertained.
HIon. Levi Lincoln presided. and among the guests were Ilon. Edward Everett, the venerable Chief Justice Artemas Ward, Hon. Francis Baylies, Hon. George Bliss, Hon. Alexander II. Everett, Hon. Josiah Quincy. Hon. Nathan Hale, Julius Rockwell, Esq. and many other prominent citizens of our own State, and some from neighboring States.
On the 23d of Sept., 1835, the Boston and Worcester Railroad was formally opened to freight traffic by advertising that Freight and merchandize generally would be transported from Boston to Worcester at $3.50 per 2000 pounds. and that wool, feathers and other light and bulky articles would be charged higher.
At the time of the opening of the Blackstone Canal, the pop- ulation of Worcester was about 4000, and for the ten years pre- ceding that event the increase was very slow, the rate being about 121 per year. Following that occurrence, and up to the com- pletion of the Boston and Albany Railroad, the increase was 2611 souls, or 373 per anmut, showing that water communication with Providence R. I. had been a great advantage, and had stim- ulated the growth of Worcester in a marked degree. and now the railroad was to give it a new impetus, for during the next
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fifteen years the population increased at the rate of about 425 each year, with a corresponding advancement in business affairs.
There were, in 1835, four lumber dealers in the town, Deacon Benjamin Butman, Deacon Alpheus Merrifield, his son William T. Merrifield and Mr. Elbridge Hewett, who did almost the en- tire business. Others may have done something, but in a small or secondary way.
The competition of the railroad presented disadvantages as well as advantages. The lumber dealers in Boston advertised their stock in the Worcester papers, creating something of a competition, which continued to some extent until lumber was placed by rail in Worcester as cheaply as in Boston, an accom- plishment attained only within the past ten or twelve years.
On the 18th of May, 1836, Alvin Waite & Co. offered for sale a general assortment of eastern and northern lumber. at their yard on Summer street, opposite the Hospital. Mr. Waite was a carpenter and builder by trade, a native of Hubbardston, from whence he came to Worcester. He owned quite an estate, in- cluding his residence on Summer street, near Howard, which street he built up, as well as the greater part of Blackstone street.
Hle afterwards built a fine residence on the corner of Main and Chandler streets where he died. This place was afterwards owned by Thomas H. Dodge Esq. who sold it to the Park street Methodist Society, and it is now used by them as a parsonage having been moved to the rear of the lot to make room for the Trinity Church edifice. Mr. Waite was at one time engaged with William J. Baker in the iron business on Manchester street in an old building now used by Mr. Baker for storing lumber.
On the 4th day of July, 1838, Joseph Pratt and Mr. Edward Earle advertised to sell Eastern boards, plank, joist, clapboards and shingles, at Washington Square, under the style of Joseph Pratt & Co. This firm was dissolved Feb. 27th, 1839, and a new copartnership was formed by the same men for the sale of iron and steel, using the firm name of Edward Earle & Co .. do- ing business at Washington Square as before. Mr. Pratt is still engaged in the same business on the same spot, with Mr Francis H. Inman. Mr. Earle was the late Mayor Earle whose goodness and ability were so well known to Worcester people.
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On the 10th of April. 1839. Ayres, Woodworth & Co. offered boards, shingles and laths for sale, on the west side of Washing- ton Square, adding brick to their stock in trade. In the month of Oct. following. Geo. M. Rice & Co. advertised to sell Eastern clapboards in connection with lime and cement, having a store at Washington Square : also one on Central street. near the canal.
Mr. Rice is at present treasurer of the Rice. Barton and Fales Manufacturing Co .. and president of the Safe Deposit and Trust Company. The amount of lumber business transacted by the firms just mentioned was not large, evidently of a secondary na- ture, and not requiring much of their time.
On the 28th of August, 1839, Henry Goulding & Co., man- ufacturers of woolen machinery, with shops on School street. ad- ded the sale of lumber to their business. They advertised all kinds of Eastern Bangor stock, and to do repairing. jobbing &c.
For four or five years this firm conducted quite an extensive trade, receiving large quantities of lumber from the east.
Gradually they began to relinquish this department of their business. finally giving their whole attention to machinery.
Heury Goulding was brother of Eli and Peter, now residents of this city, and father of the present William H. Goulding who resides at No. 26 Harvard street. where his father died. Jan. 30. 1866. aged 63 years.
On the 15th of June. 1811. a yard was opened on Park street, near the Norwich and Worcester Railroad track. by Mr. James (. Morse, where for about two years he carried on the lumber business. advertising pine and cedar shingles to be sold at less than Boston prices with the addition of freight. He kept Geor- gia yellow pine strips for flooring. and received Eastern lumber in considerable quantities from Bangor. that place then being the great huber fountain. In the course of a year or two. Mr. Morse became financially embarrassed, and from July 26, 1843. Mr. A. P. Barnes condneted the business as agent until Dee. 20. when Mr. Benjamin Buffinn took the yard and introduced the sale of coal. lime and wood. in connection with himber.
Mr. Morse came to Worcester from Canterbury Ct., where he had been living on his father's farm. His residence while here was at the corner of Park and the westerly side of Portland street.
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and his office stood near the centre of the location now occupied by the Norwich and Worcester freight house, with yard extend- ing back on line with the railroad tracks nearly to Myrtie street. embracing the land now used by the corporation for their engine honse and repair shops. At this time freight for this road was received at their passenger station on Mechanic and Norwich streets. Mr. Morse continued at his old stand in the employ of Mr. Buffum a short time, and then became a partner with hint for a year or two, perhaps till 1848. when the lumber business was discontinued on Park street. He was afterwards employed as salesman in the yard at Washington Square. and later by Mr. Daniels at the Grove street yard. also by Mr. Chamberlin at the same place. He finally went to Chicago to reside with a daugh- ter, where he now lives.
Mr. Benjamin Buffiun continued the sale of lumber and coal on Park street about four years when, in 1848. he opened an- other yard at Washington Square, on the spot now known as the City Lumber Yard, at the same time continuing the coal trade at Park street. About 1849 he sold out the coal, lime and wood business to Mr. Thomas Earle, who conducted it but a short time, when, about 1850, Mr. Buffum disposed of his lumber yard at Washington Square to Thomas and Oliver K. Earle, brothers, and resumed the coal trade on Park street, which he, in 1851, probably bargained to .I. M. Huntington & Co., as they appear to have succeeded to that business. Mr. Buffum returned to Providence from whence he came. While in Worcester his resi- dence was at No. 2, Pleasant street.
Messrs. T. & O. K. Earle appeared in 1851 with a flaming ad- vertisement and drew a fine picture of the advantages to be off- ered at the City Lumber Yard. where they did a large and prosper- ons business until Feb. 1857, when Mr. Oliver K. Earle left the firm to engage with Mr. Dana H. Fitch in the foundry business. afterwards carried on by Earle & Jones on Southbridge street.
Thomas continued alone until 1861, when Mr. Charles A. Ten- ney, who had been in his employ as clerk and book-keeper. be- came associated with him under the style of Earle & Tenney.
In 1862 another change was made in the firin name by adding "Co." in the person of Jonathan L. Slocum, the object of which
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seemed to be to allow Mr. Earle to try the chances of war, for that year he enlisted for three years, was made a Lieutenant, and served in the 25th Reg. Mass. Volunteers. In 1864 the sale of lime and cement was added to their already large busi- hess, with black walnut, whitewood, ash and cherry, the follow- ing year. I think it can safely be said that the partnership to which Mr. Earle belonged conducted as large and successful a business according to the time they were engaged as any other firm thus far in the history of the lumber trade of this city.
About 1865 Mr. Tenney retired from the concern, and in 1867 Mr. Peter .I. Turner became associated with Mr. Earle, and for some years the business was carried on in the name of Earle & Turner. After a time Mr. Earle's health became impaired and he made a European tour with the hope of regaining it, but on his return much trouble, aside from his business, wasted his strength, and with the breaking up of his family, his reason left him and he was taken to the Lunatic Asylum where he died, deeply lamented by relatives. and receiving unbounded sympathy from many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Thomas Earle was a twin brother of the present Timothy K. Earle of this city, born at Leicester Jan. 11. 1823. son of Henry, and grandson of Rob- ert Jr. Robert Sr. was son of Ralph Earle. the ancestor of all the families of that name in Leicester. to which place he removed from Rhode Island in 1717. Mr. Thomas Earle first began business in Providence R. I., in the boot and shoe trade, where he remained but a short time, coming to Worcester and taking up the same trade, having a store on Main street until about 1849, when he engaged in the coal trade on Park street.
In 1844 Mr. Eli Goulding, a carpenter by trade. advertised to sell lumber, and continued so doing for several years, having a vard in various places at various times, at least on Orchard, U'nion and Grove streets. He, in company with Mr. Joseph E. Gregory, started what is now known as the Grove street yard in 1856; but in 1858, 1859 and 1860, Mr. William O. Thompson conducted the business at this yard.
In 1851. Leonard R. and Ozias Hudson, carpenters and bnil- ders, makers of doors and blinds, kept an assortment of lumber for sale, on the corner of I'nion and Central streets. The short
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experience of one year was considered to be quite enough for them. In the year 1844 there were in Worcester six sash and blind manufacturers and over one hundred carpenters and buil- ders, being about one carpenter to each 100 inhabitants. In 1876 there were about 500 carpenters. leaving just about the same proportion as before. showing that the same general law of supply and demand is in operation now that existed then.
In the year 1841, Mr. John Gates and Mr. William G. May- nard. both of whom had been in the employ of Henry Goulding & Co., formed a copartnership under the style of Gates and Maynard, as sextons and undertakers, at No. 30 School street. They also advertised to sell pine plank, boards, clapboards, and rived cedar shingles, very low for cash. This business was con- tinued until the spring of 1846, when they divided up, Mr. May- nard retaining the business as sexton, and Mr. Gates the lum- ber business, opening a new yard, April 1st. 1846, on Union street, where for nearly thirty-two years he lent his presence to the development of that trade, begining in a small way and grad- ually working up to a large and prosperous business ; but the financial disaster of 1857 compelled him to ask his creditors for a compromise, which was adjusted at about 50 cents on the dollar. Mr. Gates then applied himself to business with renewed energy. and the fortunes of trade again turned in his favor, so that with- in a few years he had so far regained his financial strength as to be able to pay up the balance due to many of his old creditors. much to their satisfaction and his credit. During war time Mr. Gates did a very large business, necessarily carrying a large stock of various kinds of lumber, and the swift advancing prices from 1862 to 1866 added very largely to his profits each year.
In 1866 his son, George A. Gates, was made a partner under the style of John Gates & Co., which was continued about 11 years. In 1870 this firm purchased of Mr. Thomas Earle, his interest in the City Lumber Yard at Washington Square, form- ing a copartnership with Mr. Turner under the style of P. J. Turner & Co., carrying on this yard in addition to the one on Union street. Mr. Peter J. Turner retired from this firm in 1873, although his name was used by Messrs. Gates, who grad- nally changed their business from Union street to the yard at
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