History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

Until some years after Sliirley became a munici-
pality, there was but one corn-mill within the limits
of the original territory of Groton, aud tliat was
situated on the extreme southern section, and is
now within the bounds of Harvard, in a place
known as the Old Mill District. This mill was
built in 1673. A short period subsequently to its
erection tlie town of Harvard was made the scene
of Indian depredations, but this edifice, so usefid
to the towns in its vicinity, was passed over unmo-
lested, and has been left for after generations during
all the years that liave followed, aud may render a
service for years to come.
During several years after its erection, so great
was the press of business that tlie town was com-
pelled to enact a law binding the proprietor of tlie
mill to set apart the second aud sixth days of each
week, on which he could grind only for the Grotou
people.
If the settlements in Shirley were commenced
about the year 1720, it must have been over thirty
years, while its farms were slowly being established
and receiving their proprietors, before the first
corn-mill was erected. It stood upon the north
bank of Cantacoouamaug, was built soon after the
incorporation of the town, aud owned by William
Longley aud Samuel Hazeu, two enterprising
farmers, whose descendants have continued, for
more than a century, to be among the most active
and enterprising citizens of the town. They may
well regard with pride their energetic ancestors as
public benefactors.
This mill was an humble structure, had but one
run of stones, and was without apparatus for
bolting. But humble as was the undertaking, it
was then a great event for the town, and was hailed
as the harbinger of better times.
To the settlers in Shirley the distance to the Old
Mill was from three to seven miles. A large ma-
jority were forced in winter to convey their grain
to mill upon hand-sleds, and in summer upon
"wheelbarrows. Many a weary load was thus conveyed
in those days, while many another, still more
wearisome, was borne on their stalwart shoulders.
And such was the amount of service required of
one small mill, that two journeys instead of one
were frequently demanded.
As the town advanced in population other corn-
mills, with their almost necessary adjunct, the saw-
mill, were liberally supplied, answering the wants
of the general public.
The manufacture of cotton goods was com-
SHIRLEY. 299
menced in Shirley as early as 181-2, and has been
contiiuied, through all the succeeding years, as the
most extensive and profitable enterprise of which
the town can boast. It has availed itself of all the
improved facilities that genius has invented for
expediting the work, and with a favorable issue.
True, it has had its periods of loss, yet, on the
whole, it must be regarded as a remarkable suc-
cess.
Until the year 1832 the cotton-mills of Shirley
were of an inferior grade, both in dimensions and
capacity, but at the above date a new structure
was completed, which, including an addition since
made, is in length 150 aud in breadth 36 feet, and
three stories in height. Its fabrics are light brown
sheetings, and when all the machinery is in use it
produces 22,500 yards per week. It is known as
the Frcdoniau Mill, and is owned and operated by
S. W. and J. E. Smith.
Another large edifice for the manufacture of
cotton goods was completed in 1850. The struc-
ture is of brick, three stories in height, exclusive
of the attic, wliich is filled with machinery, and its
dimensions are 1-10 x 50 feet. It was erected by
the Shaker community, but soon passed- into the
possession of its present owners, — a company from
New Bedford, — and bears the name of the Phoenix
Mill. Its fabrics are brown and bleached sheet-
ings, and, under favorable circumstances, the mill
will turn out 30,000 yards per week.
The other cotton manufactory now in being
(1879) was erected by N. C. Munson in 1865.
Its length is 114 and its breadth 45 feet, and it
is three stories high. Its fabrics are brown sheet-
ings, of which 7,500,000 yards annually are made.
These mills — with their predecessors of hum-
bler dimensions, most of which have been destroyed
by fire — were, aud are, all pi'opelled by the waters
of the Cantacoouamaug, a small stream that passes
through the southern valley of the town aud emp-
ties into the Nashua. They have created a village
on the banks of this stream, the largest, most pop-
ulous, and most enterprising within the town. It
is situated two miles south of the Centre, and on
the road leading to Lancaster and Worcester.
The manufacture of paper stands next, in time
and importance, to that of cottons. In the latter
years of the last century .louas and Thomas Parker,
brothers, and natives of Shirley, left home and
resided one year in Waltham, Massachusetts, where
they acquired the art of paper-making. Tliey re-
turned to Shirley, and, in connection with Joseph