History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

sidered a great improvement. These, and other
improvements introduced by him into the new fac-
tories at Waltham and Lowell aided in establish-
ing the cotton manufacture in the United States
upon an improved and permanent basis.
Paul Moody came to Lowell in 18:i3, and superintended
the building of the Merrimack Com-
pany's machine-shop, which was completed in 1825,
at an expense of $150,000. He held the position
of superintendent under the Merrimack Company,
and, when the property was transferred to the Locks
and Canals Company, also under that company
until his death.
Li 183;i the Lowell Bleachery was incorporated,
with a capital of $50,000, since increased to
$300,000. Jonathan Derby was agent for one
year. He was succeeded by Joseph Hoyt from
1833 to 1835, Charles T. Appleton from 1835 to
1846, Charles A. Babcock from 1846 to 1853,
Frank P. Appleton from 1853 to the present time.
In 1821 Mr. Hurd sold the land and water
privilege on the east side of Concord Eiver, com-
prising what was then the " island " in Belvidere,
to Winthrop Howe, who built a mill, and disposed
of the surplus power to other parties. This mill
was sold to John Nesmith, who in turn sold to
W. B. Park of Boston, in 1832. Mr. Park, having
obtained a charter, sold his privilege in 1834
to Eliphalet Barber, Walter Farnsworth, and George
Hill of Boston, the Belvidere Manufacturing Com-
pany. Having purchased the stone mill, they con-
tinued the business untd 1851, when Charles Stott
and Walter Farnsworth bought out the company's
interest. The stone mill was destroyed by fire in
1851, and the old flannel-mill in 1852. The
company was reorganized in 1853 ; Messrs. Stott
and Farnsworth conveyed one third of their interest
to the new company. The brick mill on Lawrence
Street, on the Wamesit Power Company's canal,
was built in 1862. The capital stock is now
was laid out.
At the town-meeting, January 21, 1833, it was
voted to petition for the establishment of a police
court in Lowell. This petition was granted, and
the police court, with Joseph Locke as justice,
became one of the institutions of Lowell. April 1,
measures were taken to commence a system of sew-
erage. May 6, Chelmsford Street was laid out.
LOWELL. 69
July 2, the subject of a market-house was referred
to a committee ; and a petition to license theatrical
exhibitions or entertainments was negatived ; yeas
356, nays 473. November 11, Tyler Street was
laid out, and the question of licensing a theatre
came up again, with the same result; yeas 392,
nays 529. A building for a theatre had been
erected on Lowell Street, in which a number of
performances were held under the management of
Mr. Barrett, of the Tremont Theatre, Boston. The
building was eventually turned into a tenement-
house, called the Theatre Building for a long time.
At the adjourned meeting, November 25, the Belvi-
dere people were highly gratified, for a short time,
by the apparent success of a measure that they had
so persistently advocated. The town voted on the
question of annexation, yeas 597, nays 445 ; and
instructed its representatives to vote for the annex-
ation of Belvidere.
The Irish Benevolent Society was organized this
year. It was incorporated in 1843.
In anticipation of the visit of the President of
the United States, General Andrew Jackson, to
Lowell, a meeting of the citizens, without distinc-
tion of party, was held. May 20, to concert measure*
for receiving him with proper demonstrations of
respect. This visit occurred on Thursday, June 27.
The committee of arrangements, accompanied by
a cavalcade, met the President near the Andover
hne in Tewksbury, and escorted him to Nesmith
Street, where he was welcomed in a brief address
by Joshua Swan, Esq., chairman of the board of
selectmen. In the mean time the mill-girls, to
the number of 2,500, " all dressed in a style of ele-
gance and neatness," were formed on Jackson Street;
thence they were escorted by the military to their
position on Church Street. This street was the
place assigned for the school-children also. The
citizens on foot were formed on High Street ; the
military and the cavalcade on Nesmith and Andover
$200,000. Charles Stott has been agent since streets. The artillery was stationed on Chapel
1835.
Hill, east of Central Street, near to and overlooking
At the town-meeting. May 5, a committee was Concord River.
appointed to buy a poor-farm ; and Gorham Street The President, who was accompanied by Messrs.
Van Bureu, Cass, Woodbury, and Donelson, his
private secretary, was too ill to attend the banquet
prepared for him. He, however, visited the Mer-
rimack Corporation, and went through mill No. 2,
where all the machinery had been put in operation.
The girls belonging there, in their holiday attire,
took charge of the work and exhibited the process
of cotton manufacturing. The President was greatly