USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Professional and industrial history of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 51
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When the Middlesex Company started, in 1836, most of the woolen goods consumed here were from England, imported by men from Yorkshire, who for many years evaded paying the full amount of duties by undervaluation One of the difficulties in the early production of woolens here was a defect in dyeing. This com- pany was most fortunate in early discovering that this evil arose from the simplest cause-the imperfect cleansing of the wool. Mr. Compton, of Taunton, Mass., be- came employed by the Middlesex Company to adopt his principle to their looms to produce a fabric like the Sedan, and was entirely successful. Thus commenced in this country the manufacture of fancy cassimeres. The shawl manufacture by the Middlesex Company was commenced in 1847. Up to that time the fringes were twisted by hand, and the success depended upon its being done by machinery. At that time Mr. Milton D. Whipple was in the employment of the company perfecting a felting machine, and he was empoyed to produce a twisting machine for fringes, in which he succeeded perfectly, and thus gave this branch of industry to this country.
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BOSTON AND THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.
During recent years this company has enjoyed a high degree of pros- perity. G. Z. Silsbee is president, and O. H. Perry, agent.
The city of Lawrence, which belongs to a much later period than Lowell, but, like the latter city, its establishment was almost wholly due to Boston men and capital. It owes its rise to the organization of the Essex Manufacturing Company and its name to Abbott and Samuel Lawrence.
In his valuable Memoir of Abbott Lawrence, published a few years ago, Hamilton A. Hill gives the following interesting account of the rise of Lawrence and the founding of the Pacific Mills:
The rapid waters of the Merrimack, Whittier's "mountain-born" river, al- ready made to serve the purposes of human industry at many a point in their course towards the ocean, were to be arrested yet once again for further service before they should reach the sea. The precise spot had been determined on, and a large pur- chase of land had been made provisionally by the Merrimack Water Power Associa- tion, of which a younger brother of the Lawrence family, Mr. Samuel Lawrence, afterwards the first president of the Boston Board of Trade, was president and treas- ttrer. In the winter of 1844-45, an act was asked for, and obtained, from the Massa- chusetts Legislature, incorporating the Essex Company. On the morning after the final passage of the bill, the gentlemen named in it as corporators and their associates assembled at the State House in Boston, and were present when Governor Briggs attached his signature to it and made it a law. The same hour they started on an excursion to the site of the future city, proceeding by rail to North Andover, and thence by carriages to the Falls. This company of business men, upon whose de- cision and action such vast interests depended, consisted of Messrs. Abbott Law- rence, William Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, Francis C. Lowell, John A. Lowell, George W. Lyman, Theodore Lyman, Nathan Appleton, Patrick T. Jackson, William Sturgis, John Nesmith, Jonathan Tyler, James B. Francis, and Charles S, Storrow. An account of the day's proceedings is given in the History of Essex County, re- cently published, which says:
" After a careful examination of the neighborhood, and the discussion of various plans upon the spot, the party drove to Lowell, and sat down to a late dinner at the Merrimack House. Lord Stowell used to say: 'A dinner lubricates business;' and in the instance before us we have a memorable illustration of the fact." We quote again from the History of Essex County:
" In that after-dinner hour was taken the first decisive step leading to permanent or- ganization and effective work. Mr. Abbott Lawrence and Mr. John A. Lowell re- tired for a few minutes for consultation, and, returning, offered the Water Power Association, as a fair equivalent for all its acquired rights and interests, the sum of $30,000, in addition to the reimbursements of all expenses previously incurred; as- suming also to carry out all agreements made by the associates for the purchase of lands and flowage rights already secured by bond, and to lead off in the organization of the Essex Company by large subscription to its stock. * *
* A proposition so definite, promising immediate organization of a powerful company, and commence-
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SUFFOLK COUNTY.
ment of active operations with efficient leaders, was promptly accepted. Thus on the day the act was signed, before set of sun, steps had been taken by parties who har- bored no fear of failure and took no backward course, which resulted in immediate operation, as vigorous and unremitting as the inception was energetic and novel. The excursionists returned home, hardly realizing that a city had been born which would force products upon the world's markets, call laborers from all civilized northern races, and work materials supplied from every quarter of the globe."
All this happened on the 20th of March, 1845. Two years later the subscription paper of the Essex Company was drawn up. Mr. Lawrence was the first and largest subscriber, taking one thousand shares at one hundred dollars each. This invest- ment of one hundred thousand dollars he never disturbed, and the shares, we be- lieve, are still held in the family. He took the presidency of the company, and un- der hi's direction contracts were at once made, and in the month of June following, work was commenced. The new town of Lawrence-there could be no question as to what its name should be-was incorporated April 17, 1847; the dam was completed September 19, 1848; and the first cotton arrived January 12, 1849, consigned to the Atlantic Cotton Milis, of which Mr. Lawrence was also president and one of the large stockholders. The town became a city, by charter granted March 21, 1853. It now has a population of about forty thousand, and a taxable valuation of twenty-five mil- lion dollars. Most justly has it been said: "The broad, comprehensive, unwavering faith, and large capacity of Abbott Lawrence, should never be forgotton by dwellers in the city that bears his name." In 1853 the Pacific Mills were incorporated with a capital of two million dollars, and with Mr. Lawrence for president.
Amos and Abbott Lawrence, who figure so prominently in the found- ing and subsequent history of Lawrence, were Boston men of especial prominence. A lengthy biography of Abbott Lawrence appears in the preceding volume of this work. Amos Lawrence was born in Groton, Mass., April 22, 1786. He began his business career as a clerk in Dunstable, Mass. In 1807 he came to Boston and began business on his own account as a dry goods merchant. In 1814 he en- tered into partnership with his brother, Abbott Lawrence, under the firm name of A. & A. Lawrence, which continued until his death. They were highly successful in business, and both had accumulated large fortunes, when, in 1830, they became identified with cotton manufact- uring at Lowell. After a serious illness in 1831, Amos retired from active business and devoted the remainder of his life to acts of benevo- lence. He expended over $600,000 for charitable purposes. Among the institutions he generously assisted were Williams College, the acad- emy at Groton, the title of which in recognition of his beneficence being changed in 1843 to Lawrence Academy; Wabash College; Kenyon Col- lege; the Theological Seminary at Bangor, Me., and several others. The Childs Infirmary at Boston, and Bunker Hill monument were also
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BOSTON AND THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.
objects of his beneficence, while his private benefactions were innumer- able. He died at Boston, December 31, 1852.
John Amory Lowell, another Boston man who figured prominently in the founding of Lawrence, was a son of John Lowell, and grandson of Judge Lowell, of the United States Circuit Court. He graduated from Harvard College in 1815, at the age of sixteen, and commenced his business career with the house of Kirk Boott & Sons, to whose busi- ness he subsequently succeeded. In 1822 he was treasurer of the Bos- ton Manufacturing Company at Waltham, succeeding Patrick T. Jack- son, and held that position until 1844. In 1835 he built the Boott Mill at Lowell, and was treasurer of that company for thirteen years, and afterwards president and director until his death. In 1839 he built the Massachusetts Mills, of which he was also treasurer till 1848, and a di- rector through life. He was also director in the Lake Company and the Lowell Machine shop. With Abbott Lawrence and others he was associated in the creation of the Essex Company at Lawrence, and a di- rector of the Pacific Mills until age compelled him to relinquish some of his cares. For fifty-nine years he was a director of the Suffolk Bank of Boston, and one of the originators of the system of redemption of country bank notes, serving on the committee of foreign money for many years. He was also one of the fellows of Harvard College for forty years, and for a longer period a trustee of the Lowell Institute. He was an accomplished classical scholar, an eminent mathematican, an able botanist and a rare linguist. Generous in his impulses, he delighted in giving aid to younger men, and was always ready to contribute to any cause which appealed to his generosity. Such a union of business capacity, literary and scientific attainments, unsullied integrity and un- ostentatious generosity, formed a rare combination, and enabled him in a long life of untiring industry to do much for the advancement of his generation, and to add a lustre to the honored name he bore. Born November 11, 1788, he died October 31, 1881 .- From "Records of Old Residents' Association," Lowell.
The Pacific Mills are the largest in Lawrence. They commenced operation in 1852. They contain 180,000 spindles and 4,078 looms. The productions consist of prints and fancy cotton. The capital is $2,500,000. The Atlantic Mills, started at an earlier date, 1846, are next in importance with a capital of $1,000,000. Sheetings and shirt- ings are their specialty. The Everett and the Pemberton are the other large corporations. The latter has a capital of $450,000. The fall of
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SUFFOLK COUNTY
the Pemberton Mills in January, 1860, was the saddest calamity in the factory life of Lawrence. One hundred and fourteen persons were killed and more than 400 injured. The Arlington Mills and the Wash- ington Mills are woolen mills. The former was established in 1865, and the latter in 1886. The capital of each is $2,000,000.
The textile industries of Lowell and Lawrence by no means include all the localities in which Boston capital is largely interested. They are merely the two centers where Boston men have been conspicuous fac- tors in the development of the textile industry. In many other locali- ties in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other New England States, Boston men and capital are largely interested. There are in Boston to- day no less than 145 offices of textile manufacturers, 100 of which repre- sent firms in this State. The remainder are proportioned among New England and other States.
Boston is the distributing center of the raw material as well as the manufactured product of the textile mills of New England. The wool and cotton trade of Boston during late years has grown to immense pro- portions, in the former of which it is the first in the United States. Probably in no branch of commercial activity has Boston assumed a higher place than in that connected with the handling of foreign and domestic wool. It is not alone in New England that Boston wool is shipped, but also south to many of the large textile manufacturing dis- tricts of Pennsylvania. So great is the volume of the wool business in Boston that the sales in this market are excelled only by those of the English market in London. The chief markets of this country rank as follows in respect to sales :
Boston
Domestic. $115,827,159
Foreign. $42,328,300
Total. $158,155,459
New York
20,770,300
27,760,000
47,081,200
Philadelphia
35,962,326
19,343,300
55,305,626
St. Louis
J
18,000,000
Chicago
19,000,000
18,000,000 19,000,000
It will be seen that Boston sells three times as much domestic wool as her nearest competitor, and more than the four other markets of prominence combined. The supremacy as a foreign wool market was wrested from New York in 1890.
MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
THE Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association has had a most wholesome effect in stimulating and advancing the industrial arts, not only in this State, but throughout New England. It has had a contin- uous existence since the year 1295. It is composed of master mechan- ics, manufacturers, and persons practiced in the arts, who, at the time of their admission, were residents of this State, and engaged in business on their own account. But few existing organizations have so remote an origin. The first meeting of the tradesmen, mechanics and manu- facturers, which resulted in the formation of the association, was held at the Green Dragon Tavern (on southerly side of Union, west of and near Hanover street), in Boston, the first Tuesday in January, 1795. The notice of this meeting was prepared for publication, without sig- nature, by Henry Plunkett, a cooper by trade, and one of the most respectable of the citizens of the town. Col. Paul Revere was elected to preside on this occasion, and acted as chairman at all subsequent preliminary meetings. He was chosen president of the association at the first election of officers, April 16, 1795. The object of the meeting was stated to be to consult on measures for petitioning the General Court to revise and amend the law respecting apprentices; but before the full organization of the association, some nobler purposes were considered, viz. : " To create and sustain a friendly feeling among its associates; to extend the circle of individual usefulness; to encourage industry, and promote inventions and improvements in the mechanic arts; to provide for the instruction of apprentices, and assist young mechanics with loans of money; to help the aged and unfortunate of the associates, and the widows of deceased members in poverty and suffering; and to provide for the burial of its deceased members by gifts deemed sufficient to defray the expenses of an unostentatious
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SUFFOLK COUNTY.
ceremony." These were among the considerations which led to the formation of the association, and have tended to its long continued ex- istence. It will be found by those who may study the full history of the society that the promises of its early day of usefulness, benevolence and influence in our community have been sensibly realized, and that the views of its founders were not altogether visionary. The associa- tion began its career during the infancy of our republic, in the "day of small things," when extensive manufacturing establishments did not exist, and the use of machinery to lighten labor and increase produc- tion was little known; when industry, prudence, and the kindred homely virtues, were requisite and the only reliable means to win suc- cess in life. The influence of mechanics has often been relied on to assist in moulding public sentiment and forwarding enterprises deemed essential to the general welfare, and no portion of our people have more often been selected to fill places of responsibility and trust, to enact laws and grant privileges than they.
The first constitution, adopted in March, 1795, gives the title of the society as the Associated Mechanics and Manufacturers of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, The first engraved certificate of mem- bership, and also the first certificate prepared to be presented to apprentices who had fulfilled their engagements to the satisfaction of their employers, give the title Massachusetts Mechanics Association. At the first annual meeting, held December 10, 1795, it was voted to alter the appellation of the society, and instead of its former name that it be styled the Association of Mechanics of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The earliest written record is headed with the words: Boston Mechanic Association. But this name did not appear to have ever been formally adopted; probably the recording officer did not deem it requisite that the whole intent of the organization need be stated while the constitution and by-laws supplied the information. When the act of incorporation was granted by the General Court, in 1806, the word "Charitable " was added to the title, and from that time the association has been known by its corporate name-Massa- chusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.
Formerly the association on all public occasions wore a badge of green ribbon, and carried a banner made of green silk. There is no record when or why this particular color was adopted as the badge of the society. At one of the triennial festivals, held some years ago, a guest, and an honorary member, who had worn the emblematic ribbon
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MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
for the day, and seemed honored by being permitted to do so, explained that it was the middle ray of the prismatic colors, and typified the social position of the mechanic-neither the highest or lowest. Of late years, however, the association has not appeared as much in public procession as fomerly, and the green badge has been but little worn.
It was for many years the custom of the Board of Government to hold monthly meetings, and after the transaction of business a supper usually succeeded, and many gentlemen, prominent at the time, and friends of the association were often present as guests. It is interest- ing to recall the various places at which the association met till it established a home of its own in 1860. These are some of them: Con- cert Hall, Latin School-house, Green Dragon Tavern, Mareau's Hall, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Court House, Association Hall, Cen- tral School-house, Exchange Coffee House, Forsters's Hotel, Marlboro's Hotel, Library Room, Julian Hall, Athenaeum Hall, Tremont House, Supreme Court Room, Masonic Temple, Swedenborgian Chapel, Tre- mont Temple, Quincy Hall, Boott Mansion, Hall of the Provident In- stitution for Savings, and the hall in Ballard's Building in Bromfield street.
Beneficence was one of the objects in view in the formation of the association, and though it was never expected a full support would be furnished to any family or member in need, yet aid in sickness and a timely relief when calamity or old age overtook a brother, or those dependent upon him, has always been as liberally bestowed as the re- sources of the society would permit. From the year 1813 there has annually been chosen a Committee of Relief, whose duty it is to seek out and relieve such indigent members, or their families, as may be objects of charity, and to receive and act on all petitions for relief. This committee reports quarterly to the Board of Government and annually to the association. Before the organization of the Committee of Relief, occasional donations were made from the funds, and from voluntary collections, in aid of unfortunate members. The books of the Committee of Relief show a total of nearly two hundred thousand dollars distributed up to the present time. For several years the an- nual appropriation has been five thousand dollars, which has been expended upon about fifty recipients, principally the widows of deceased members. In the course of a series of years a number of these recipients have been paid sums varying from one to two thousand dollars. The long continued and systematic work of charity carried on
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SUFFOLK COUNTY.
by the association has given it an excellent reputation in the commu- nity and has contributed materially to its influence and success.
The social element seems to have been a prominent feature in the early days of the association, and the good fellowship, which the organ- ization was intended to promote, was often encouraged by festive gatherings. The first constitution required a public festival at the time of the annual meeting in December, and for seven consecutive years these celebrations were held-generally in Faneuil Hall. The first, in 1798, was at the Green Dragon Tavern. "At two o'clock P.M., with twenty-nine members present, the society sat down to a well provided table, and fared sumptuously, the toasts which were read being so completely adapted to the occasion, they were received with éclat and interspersed with songs." These festivals were important occasions in the infancy of the society, and large committees were ap- pointed to make full arrangements for the regular anniversary feasts, at which were entertained many eminent men of the time. They had their value, also, in bringing the association before the public, in en- abling the body to extend courtesies to the prominent men of the day, and in uniting the members in a feeling of brotherhood. Since the year 1809 the festivals have been held once in three years; the later constitution made it imperative to hold triennial festivals, on which occasions an address must be delivered by a member. It was the usual custom for the members of the association and invited guests to meet at some convenient place in the morning of the day selected, form a procession, and move to some church or hall, where an address, with other exercises, would occupy about two hours; from thence proceed to Faneuil Hall to partake of a dinner, followed by sentiment, ad- dresses, and music. The addresses delivered at these festivals were mostly of a high order of merit. They were published in pamphlet form, and now form a feature of the association library well worth the careful attention and perusal of its members. At the celebrations for some years wines and liquors were served, but in time a change in the sentiment of members resulted in excluding all intoxicating beverages from the table. In 1848 the ladies were invited for the first time to participate, and thereafter added essentially to the pleasures of the occasion.
The interest felt in scientific subjects by the members induced the in- quiry as early as 1819, whether it was not possible for the association to inaugurate courses of lecture for the benefit of the members and the
.
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MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
good of the community. The subject was discussed, but no appropria- tion seems to have been made until 1828, when the sum of $200 was appropriated, and a course of twelve lectures was given. They proved to be very interesting and popular, and the practice was continued in succeeding years, the number of lectures and the expense varying ac- cording to circumstances. Men especially qualified for the task were engaged for this service; the courses consisted generally of twelve lect- ures, and were frequently illustrated. In 1829, long before railroads were understood and hardly adopted in either hemisphere, William Jackson delivered a lecture powerfully advocating the railway system as it is known to-day. Such was its effect that he was invited to repeat it to the Legislature and other influential persons. This he did, and it had much to do with the formation of the course of proceedings in re- gard to these great works of inter-state communication in our country. In 1855, under the auspices of the association, Mr. Latta, of Cincinnati, was invited to deliver a lecture on the application of steam to machin- ery, which he accepted, illustrating his theme by the steam fire engine, which led to the introduction of the Miles Greenwood engine of that year, soon to be superseded by the more efficient engines from the Hunneman and Amoskeag shops, and which have revolutionized our whole system of fire suppression. As the practice grew of having lect- ures delivered elsewhere under the auspices of other societies and asso- ciations, the interest in these lectures decreased, and they were not con- tinued after 1856.
The association is in possession of a library of miscellaneous books, probably numbering about three thousand, many of which were pre- sented by members, the largest donor being C. C. Nichols, who gave a valuable collection of books, which formed the nucleus of the library. The Public Library of the city, however, with its wealth of literature and daily attention to the wants of readers, has, however, made the maintenance of an association library comparatively unnecessary, and for many years it has been little used and no attempt to add to it. In 1820 a communication was received from William Wood, a retired mer- chant of Boston, in which he expressed a wish to give five hundred books as a nucleus of a library for the use of the apprentices who were members of the association, and asking the association to accept them for that purpose. To these were added contributions from other citi- zens, and a library was started containing fifteen hundred volumes, the custody of which was intrusted to a committee of the society. The
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