USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 56
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 56
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 56
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Francis Card had a bakery in 1819, and carried on the business until 1827, when he sold out to William Harmon, who continued the business until about 1845.
BARBERS. - " Billy " Morrison was, according to tradition, the first barber and hair-cutter in Brunswick. He carried on the business early in this century, but precisely when is not known. Nicholas Juitt was in the business as early as 1827. Among his successors were J. H. Rogers in 1836 ; John Hill, 1836 ; Farrow & Chavrous, 1845 ; Henry Robinson, 1848 ; and J. H. Tebbetts, 1849, and to the present time.
BLACKSMITHS. - Mr. Andrew Dunning, who settled at Maquoit in 1717, was a blacksmith by trade, and undoubtedly pursued that avoca- tion for many years.
The next person engaged in this business of whom we have any account was Colonel William Stanwood, whose shop stood on what is now the northwesterly corner of Centre Street, about on the site of the building now (1877) occupied by Larkin Snow, grocer, and J. H. Brackett, tailor. Colonel Stanwood carried on the business for some years previous to 1790. James McFarland, who learned his trade of Colonel Stanwood, took the shop about 1790 and continued the busi- ness until 1797, when he moved away and the shop was torn down. About the same time that MeFarland carried on the business Calvin Barstow had a shop, and in 1795 Theodore Stone worked at this trade. Since then the business has been carried on by a large number of persons, among whom may be mentioned Nathan Woodard, about 1809 ; James Jones, about 1810; Jones & Hunt, in 1825; Daniel Coombs, on Mason Street, for many years previous to 1825 ; Joseph Dustin, about 1820; Barker & Stinchfield on Maine Street, about 1825, said to have been superior workmen ; John Noble, Mill Street, 1825 to 1838 ; Benjamin French, 1838 and subsequently ; Knowlton
579
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
& Merryman, 1845 ; Gross & Owen, 1845 ; William Gross, for many years previous to 1872.
In addition to the above, there was, early in the present century, though the exact date is not known, a blacksmith shop on the corner of Federal and Water Streets, where the Nehemiah Larrabee house now stands. Trueworthy Murray occupied it at one time, and before him was William Hunt.
BOAT-BUILDERS. - The only person in Brunswick who is known to have made the building of boats a regular occupation was Wyman Bradbury. He was engaged in this business about the year 1740.
BOOKBINDERS. - The earliest bookbinder in Brunswick of whom there is any record was Benjamin B. Hazeltine, who carried on the business in 1820. He was also a manufacturer of pocket-books, mili- tary belts, and blank books. He was succeeded by Henry K. Adams, who carried on the business until 1828, when he was followed by Edward Town, who worked at the trade for about one year. Ben- jamin G. Dennison had a bookbindery from about 1833 until 1855, when he sold out to HI. J. L. Stanwood.
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS. - Anthony 1 and William 2 Vincent, one or both, are said to have been engaged in this business prior to 1760. The former is said to have been engaged in it about 1735. No date is given in regard to the business of the latter, but he is said to have pursned it at the fort. Tobias Ham, according to a family tradition, was a shoemaker, as well as tanner, and carried on the business, with his farming and tanning, about the middle of the last century. Joseph Jack worked at the trade about 1802, and Jesse P. Mitchell some years later than that. Ebenezer Nichols had a shop about the year 1800. The number of shoemakers since that time is too great to admit of enumeration.
BUTCHERS. - There were, probably, persons engaged in this occupa- tion very early in the settlement of the place, but the first person known to have made it an exclusive business was Samuel Beal, who carried on quite an extensive business a few years subsequent to 1802. Somewhere about 1820, Jonathan Pollard carried on the business. Ebenezer Swett, who in his advertisements styled himself " Knight of the Cleaver and Professor of Grease," was engaged in the business in 1840. and for many years subsequently.
CABINET-MAKERS. - The only persons known to have been engaged in this business were Shimnel and William Owen, in 1802 ; John Owen,
1 McKeen, MS. Lecture.
2 Pejepscot Papers.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
1804 ; Henry G. H. Swanton, 1828; J. Nelson, 1830; and Philip Owen, J. F. Titcomb, and J. F. Tappan.
CHAIR-MAKERS. - In 1825, Andrew Dewey carried on the manufac- ture of chairs in a building a few rods south of Elm Street, about where the Brunswick House now stands. In 1845 the same busi- ness was carried on by Samuel Owen and son, on Maine Street, a few rods north of Elm Street.
CARRIAGE-MAKERS AND WHEELWRIGHTS. - In 1802 and for a num- ber of years previously and subsequently, Timothy Weymouth carried on the business of making cart-wheels in a building which stood on the site of the present meeting-house of the First Parish. He is believed to have been the first in the business here.
Spollett & Johnson were the first in Brunswick to make wagons and carriages, commencing the business about 1820 and continuing for some years together. In 1830, James Spollett had a shop alone, and was engaged in the business for some years, and was succeeded by his son, Augustus F. Spollett. Others have worked at this trade at different times, but none so continuously as the Spolletts.
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. - There must have been those among the very early settlers who understood this trade and worked at it as oc- casion required. The earliest reference which has been found to any one who worked exclusively at the trade is to Robert Pearse, who worked on the first meeting-house in 1735. Thomas Neal worked at his trade about the same time, and Robert Smart in 1752. It would be impossible to enumerate all who have worked at this trade since then, but there are two persons, who were particularly prominent in the business in the early part of this century, to whom allusion should be made. Samuel Melcher, 3d, was a superior workman, and built many of the better class of buildings during that period, among which may be mentioned the second meeting-house of the First Parish, which was erected in 1806 on the site of the present edifice ; Massa- chusetts Hall, the old college chapel, Winthrop Hall and Appleton HIall, the houses of Professor Cleaveland, Professor Upham, Professor Newman, and that now occupied by Professor Packard. His last work was the present college chapel, which he superintended in the eightieth year of his age, doing the nicer work himself. He also built, in Topsham, the Baptist and Congregationalist meeting-houses, the Doctor Porter house, now Mrs. Susan T. Purinton's, and the Veazie house, now the residence of Mr. Woodbury B. Purinton.
Mr. Anthony C. Raymond was engaged in this business between the years 1816 and 1839, during which time he built a large number
581
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
of public and private buildings, among which were the Tontine Hotel, the Town House, the main building of the Cotton Factory, Maine . Hall, of Bowdoin College, and four churches, namely, the old Univer- salist Meeting-House on Federal Street, the meeting-house on Federal Street now occupied by the Catholics. the Union Meeting-House at Growstown, and the Free-Will Baptist Church in Topsham.
CORDWAINERS. - The only person engaged in this business whose name has been met with was Joseph Morse. He carried on his busi- ness either just before or during the Revolution.
DAGUERREAN ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS. - The first daguerrean artist is believed to have been Charles E. Blake, in 1845. He was succeeded by a Mr. Upton, who carried on the business for several years about 1852. Others in the daguerreotype or photographic busi- ness were H. S. Cook, about 1854 ; J. O. Durgin, 1854 ; G. S. Smiley, 1854 : Mansfield & Hall, 1856 ; and William Pierce, from 1853 to 1875.
DENTISTS. - The first professional dentist to make his appearance in town is thought to have been D. S. Grandin, in 1844. Of course the mere extracting of teeth had been done before that time by individuals who, from sufficient experience, had acquired knowledge and skill enough to warrant them in making it somewhat a specialty. Since then there have been, J. Matthews, about 1845, J. W. Cook, about 1854, and others since.
GUNSMITHS. - James Cary, Senior, was the first to work at this trade, which he did for some years previous to 1800, and for a short time subsequently. His shop was on the site of Day's Block, about where E. F. Brown's jewelry store is now. P. Powers, about the year 1828, worked at this business.
HAT AND CAP MAKERS. - This business was first established here in 1791, by Lemuel Swift. His shop was in a small building, just north of the Rodney Forsaith house, on Maine Street. Major Swift continned the business until about 1820, when he died, and Joshna Lufkin, who had learned the trade of him, returned from Bath, and carried on the business for his widow for a time. He afterwards carried it on for himself in the same building. He next occupied the wooden building which stood on the site of the brick store now occu- pied by Barton Jordan. Here he manufactured and sold hats, caps, furs for ladies. sleigh-robes, and skins of various animals. Many of the older inhabitants can remember the stand of hats, wrapped in tissue paper of different colors, which stood at the side of the door to attract the notice of passers-by. Mr. Lufkin made several different
582
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND IIARPSWELL.
styles of hats for men and boys, and sometimes for ladies' wear, military hats for trainers, fancy caps for students, and tarpaulins for sailors. William P. Fowler was in partnership with Mr. Lufkin, about 1844, for a short time ; and with David Dexter and Richard Holland at other times. Mr. Lufkin continued in the business until about 1848. Mr. Richard Holland also carried on the hat-making business from about 1833 to about 1840.
MASONS. - The first mason to have a permanent residence in Bruns- wick is said to have been Thomas Pool, who came here from Portland in 1802 to build the first college building (Massachusetts Hall). He remained in town and worked at his trade for many years thereafter. A short time after Pool came here another mason, named Chase Wig- gin. established himself in the business. The number of those who have worked at the trade since then is quite large.
MARBLE WORKERS. - In 1844, Richard Adams carried on the busi- ness of making gravestones and doing other work in marble. He was succeeded by his son Francis, now a well-known lawyer in Bath. Edward Melcher, now of Bath, and others have worked at this trade since then.
NAIL-MAKER. - About the year 1795 a man named Richardson had a shop on the site of the store now occupied by Barton Jordan, a few doors south of Centre Street, where he made shingle and clapboard nails from iron hoops taken from rum-barrels ; and as rum-barrels were then very plenty, he had no difficulty in obtaining hoops sufficient for his purpose. He continued the business for about a year, when he was obliged to abandon it in consequence of the bursting of a cannon, which he fired at a muster in 1796, by which he lost an arm. It is worthy of note that the gun which exploded was one which had for- merly been used in Fort George.1
PAINTERS. - Until after the Revolution there were no painted houses in Brunswick, and consequently there were none who made painting an occupation until after that time. Jack Robertson, an Englishman, established himself here about the year 1800. and is said to have been the first painter in town. The number of those in the business since then is quite large.
Mr. Dean Swift was undoubtedly in the business for a longer period than any one else, having begun in 1818. Sign-painting was his specialty, and in that branch of the business he excelled. He painted for Jackson & May, in 1818, the first gilt sign ever painted in Bruns-
1 Reminiscences of Dean Swift.
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COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
wick ; the lettering was done in German text. Mr. Swift did his last job of sign-painting in 1872.1
POTTERS .- J. Barker, 2d, is the only person known to have had a pottery in Brunswick. He was in the business about 1823 and sub- sequently.
SADDLERS AND HARNESS-MAKERS. - The first person known to have carried on this business in Brunswick was a Mr. Brooks, who came here from Vermont, and who was engaged in it in 1802. and probably for some years previous and subsequent to that time. After him were Stephen Lee, about 1808, and John Lee, his son, who succeeded his father; Edward Ryonson, 1827 to 1858; Prince Dinsmore, in 1829 ; and others.
STABLE-KEEPERS. - From a very early date innkeepers were accus- tomed to putting up the horses of their guests, but no one is known to have made it a business to keep horses to let until about the year 1808, when a man, whose name is forgotten by our informant, opened a livery stable on Maine Street, a few rods south of Mill Street. After a few years Stephen Lee bought the stable and continued the business for some time. In 1820, John Beals opened a livery stable on the hill opposite the tavern. After him were Nathaniel Springer in 1824, and subsequently ; Wyatt & Mitchell in 1836 ; Robert Bowker and others at a later date.
TAILORS. - The only tailors living here in the last century, whose names have come down to us, were Mr. John Miller, who worked at the houses of his customers about 1765, a Mr. Robinson, and a Mr. Hammond. Where the shops of the latter were and when they were in business has not been ascertained. From about 1792 to about 1800 a man named Manning worked at this trade in a building on Mason Street. Mr. Caleb Cushing was engaged in this business froin about 1796 to 1830. at which time he sold out his tailoring business to his son, Louis T. Cushing, who had for five years previous been in partnership with his father, and who continned it until his death in 1838. In 1825, and for some years after, Lawrence Joyce carried on the business. Benjamin Mason had a tailoring establishment here from before 1820 to 1830 or later. Jolin L. Swift, John W Perry, Joseph Hinkley, J. H. Nichols, and others were in the business at a later period.
TANNERS. - The earliest tanner of whom we have any account was Tobias Ham, who had a tan-yard at New Meadows, near " Ham's Hill," in 1747 and subsequently. His tan-pits were in the low lands
1 Ilis death occurred while this chapter was passing through the press.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
of the field east of the present residence of Mr. Cyrus Peterson. Jeremiah Moulton had a tannery in 1802, and at the same time a Mr. Heath had one in what is now the garden of Mr. Robert Bowker. About 1810 the late Adam Lemont carried on the tannery at the latter place. IIe was succeeded by James Green, who was in turn succeeded by Samuel Moulton. In 1820. Charles Pollard bought Moulton out, and continued the business for some years.
TOBACCO MANUFACTORY. - About the year 1800, Doctor Charles Coffin carried on the business of making tobacco into " figs " and " pigtails," in a building which stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. Benjamin Greene, on the corner of O'Brien Street. He carried on the business for about three years. He did not him- self work at the business, but employed men to work for him.1
WEIGHERS OF HAY, ETC. - Previous to the year 1816, hay had not been weighed in Brunswick. It was the custom to guess at the weight by the size of the load, and when the seller and the buyer could not agree upon the quantity, they called upon their neighbors to act as referees.
In 1816, Russell Stoddard erected the first scales in Brunswick at a point about opposite Green Street, in what is now the Mall. These scales were similar in construction and appearance to those described further on as in use at Topsham. Of late years there have been quite a number of scales in different parts of the village.
STORE-KEEPERS. - In the following account of the traders of Bruns- wick, mention is made of those only who were in business at an early period, or who were particularly prominent as traders at a later date.
All of the early stores were what were termed variety stores, con- taining a general assortment of dry and fancy goods, boots and shoes. groceries, liquors, china, glass, earthen, and hard ware, stationery, etc.
In 1715 there was a storehouse connected with Fort George, for depositing goods, and it is probable that the settlers were supplied from it with such articles as their immediate necessities required.
Mr. Woodside likewise had a building, a few years later, at Maquoit in which he traded.2
Samuel Standwood and Samuel Moody were licensed retailers prior to 1758. Those early stores were not kept open constantly, but were only opened when customers came to purchase anything.
As early as 1780 old Esquire John Dunlap sold West India goods
1 Reminiscences of Dean Swift.
2 McKeen, MS. Lecture.
585
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
in a building which stood in what is now the yard in front of the office of the late Dr. Lincoln. It is related that there was an unfinished attic over the store, into which a small scuttle-hole opened from the store below. Esquire Dunlap had no money-drawer, and was accus- tomed to throw pieces of coin received from customers up through the hole into the attic. That was all the safe the times demanded.
Previous to 1800. Benjamin Stone kept store in a building near the northerly corner of Maine and Mill Streets.
In 1798. Veazie & Stone kept store on what is now the northerly corner of Maine and Dunlap Streets, in a building which was owned by Captain John Dunlap. The building was burned that year, but was soon rebuilt and is now standing. The chimney is the original chimney. In 1802. Robert D. Dunning and Josiah Noyes traded in the same store after it was rebuilt.
John Schwartkins, a native of Holland. kept a store in an old building which stood on the site of the present Mclellan Block. between the years 1796 and 1822. John Peterson kept a store at New Meadows previous to the year 1800. The building is still standing. but in a dilapitated condition. Doctor Charles Coffin had a store on Maine Street in 1800, and for some seven or eight years later. It was on the corner of O'Brien Street, on the site of the resi- dence of Benjamin Greene. He was a physician, but did not practise. but kept a small stock of medicines.
In 1802, Colonel William Stanwood, Richard Tappan, John Perry, Charles Ryan, and a few others had stores. Mr. Perry continued in trade until about 1830. Daniel and Jotham Stone each had a store as early as 1802. Daniel's first store was in a building which stood about where the foot of the Mall is now. Subsequently he erected the building still standing on Maine Street, on the edge of the cove, about opposite the factory store, and which is now painted green. There he traded for many years. Jotham Stone's store was on Maine Street. on the southerly corner of Mill Street. Here he kept until 1820, or later, doing a large amount of business. His store was considered the best in town.
In 1803. Henry and Frederick Quimby erected a large building where the Tontine now stands, and they kept a store there until about the year 1818.
Nathaniel Poor began trading here about 1808, and continued for many years, a part of the time being in partnership with John Coburn. David Dunlap, on the corner of Maine and Dunlap Streets, and his brother, Richard F. Dunlap. on the corner of Bank Street, where
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Smith's billiard-room now is, were prominent traders for many years subsequent to 1812.
Joseph and John McKeen began about the same time, and were in trade for a long series of years. Joseph was on the corner of Maine and Cleaveland Streets, where is now the store of Charles Townsend ; and John was on the corner of Maine and Noble Streets, where is now the residence of Doctor Asher Ellis.
Nathaniel Badger was in trade in 1813, and for many years subse- quently. At first his store was in a building which stood on the site of the present store of Mr. Barton Jordan ; later he occupied a build- ing on the southern corner of Centre Street, where the store of Mr. A. G. Poland now is, and at one time in a building on Pleasant Street. about where the Methodist Church is. He had a good trade.
From 1816 to 1820, and perhaps a little later, L. T. Jackson and Charles May, under the style of Jackson & May, kept a store in the building on Maine Street which is now the residence of Mr. B. G. Dennison. About 1818, Ezra Drew kept a store on Maine Street, in a building on the side of the cove, a few rods south of the Daniel Stone store. He remained in trade only a few years. In 1818, Eph- raim Brown and J. C. Humphreys formed a copartnership, and kept a store for a number of years on the southern corner of Mill and Maine Streets.
In 1820 there were at least thirteen stores. Among those in trade that year, who have not already been named, were Waterhouse & West, who were in trade together and singly until about 1828. Jere O'Brien kept store in 1820, and for a few years subsequently. Stone & Morse did a good business between 1820 and 1836. James H. Mills had a store in the old Stanwood Building on the north corner of Maine and Centre Streets, from 1820 to 1830. Roger Merrill was in trnde in 1820 and for a few years subsequently on the corner of Maine and Mill Streets. Abner Bourne, in 1820 and subsequently, kept where is now the store of Barton Jordan. A. B. Thompson and A. B. Thompson & Co. in 1820, and for six or eight years, was on the east side of Maine Street on the side of the cove. Joseph Demeritt in 1820, and subsequently Demeritt & Stone, until about 1830. Ethan Earle, on the north cor- ner of Mill Street, in 1820 to 1836, did a large business. Noah Hinkley from 1820 to 1829, on the northern corner of Maine and Mason Streets, where Day's Block now stands, had a large stock and did a good business. Jacob Johnson, from 1820 to 1836, or a few years later, was on the northern corner of Centre Street.
In 1824, John Coburn kept store in Hinkley's Block. In 1825, Jesse
587
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
Pierce, and Dunning & Parshley (Nathaniel Dunning and Ebenezer Parshley) were in trade. At a later date these two last-named traders were alone or with other partners. They both traded for some years.
In 1828, Caleb Cushing and his son, Francis D. Cushing, opened a variety store in a building on the corner of Maine and Pleasant Streets. where Lemont Block now stands. The building had been erected by Mr. Caleb Cushing about four years previously. The firm of Cushing & Co. continued the business until 1835, when Francis died, and Mr. Caleb Cushing thereafter conducted the business alone until his death in 1838, when the store passed into the hands of his youngest son, John S. Cushing, who occupied it until it was destroyed by fire in 1849. For nine years previous to taking his father's store, the latter had been in trade at the lower part of the town. For many years previous to the establishment of this store, Mr. Caleb Cushing had carried on the tailoring business in a building a few doors north of Pleasant Street, about where is now the store of G. B. Tenney. Thus for more than fifty years did he or his sons do business at or near the corner, and, until within a few years, the locality was known as Cushing's Corner.
Among those in trade subsequent to 1830 should be mentioned George Earle, 1830 to about 1844 ; William S. Murray, 1836 and sub- sequently ; Isaac Center, 1845 to 1859 ; Samuel Webb, 1840 to 1870.
The foregoing list embraces only a small portion of those who were in general trade during the first half of this century. In addition to the foregoing, mention should be made of those who have been engaged in special branches of trade.
The first APOTHECARY in Brunswick was George W. Holden, 1820 to 1832. After him was Henry M. Prescott, 1832 to 1840 ; and others. Of all who have been in this business in Brunswick, Doctor William Baker was engaged in it the longest, from 1836 to his death in 1867, a period of thirty-one years.
The first BOOKSTORE in Brunswick was established by the late Joseph Griffin in 1822, and he continued in the business until his death in 1874 Among others in the business were Nathaniel Davis, from 1825 to 1866, and William Johnson, from 1845 to about 1860.
The first person to deal exclusively in BOOTS AND SHOES in Bruns- wick was a Mr. Nichols, who kept a shoe store on Mill Street in 1823, and for a few years later. Of his successors Mr. Lorenzo Day was doubtless engaged in the business longer than any other.
The first person to deal exclusively in DRY Goons was Mr. Daniel Elliot, who has been in the business from 1838 to the present time.
588
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
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