Abstracts of advertisements and business, citizen, and other entries from Milford and Hopedale town directories pertaining to ancestors and relatives, or of potential general interest.
BROWN, CARPENTER, NELSON
Editorial comments are in square brackets.
Names of ancestors are in bold red type; relatives in bold green type.
I've abstracted every CARPENTER and NELSON entry, but only Charles D. & Mary E. BROWN and their family. Therefore, when CARPENTER and BROWN do not appear (as in the Hopedale entries) it's because there were none at all (CARPENTERs) or none of the family (BROWNs), or perhaps none that I yet recognize as family. Very likely there are relatives who are not marked as such.
I've tried to include (in square brackets) a business name for relatives and ancestors when the directory provides only an occupation and the employer's address. The directory year is noted; some references aren't strictly contemporary.
Hopedale was a section of Milford (as well as the name of its main street); it split off and became a town in 1887.
The 1869, 1874-5, and 1877-78 directories are from the FHL microfilm 1930452, as are the indications of which years weren't published. The rest are from the collection of the Milford Public Library.
This is the Family History Library catalog entry for film #1930452:
Title: Milford (Massachusetts) city directories Notes: Microfilm of originals published by various publishers. Subjects: Massachusetts, Worcester, Milford - Directories Massachusetts, Worcester, Hopedale - Directories Format: Serial Language: English Publication: Woodridge, Conn.: Research Publications, c1980-1984 Physical: 3 microfiches, 10 microfilm reels; 35 mm. FHL US/CAN Film 1930452: (1869) The Milford directory, (1869) ... by C.C. Drew Publishers (1870 Not published) (1871 Not published) 1872/73 Greenough, Jones & Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1872/73... by Greenough, Jones & Co. 1874/75 Greenough, Jones & Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1874/75... by Greenough, Jones & Co. (1876 Not published) 1877/78 Greenough &Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1877/78... by Greenough & Co. (1879 Not published) 1880 Greenough's directory... of Milford, 1880... by W.A. Greenough & Co. (1881 Not published)
This map is from the (now) USGS 7.5 minute series of topographical maps; the Milford quadrangle of 1946 (from University of New Hampshire's "Historic USGS Maps of New England" collection). The neighborhood that it shows behind Milford Town Hall -- North Bow, Court, Spring, and Jefferson -- is pretty much identical to the 1898 map displayed in the Town Hall, and also matches what's there now (2000). There have been changes over the years: Court St. didn't exist until sometime after 1869, Spring St. crossed N. Bow and ended at Front St. until sometime after 1880, and the railroad has waxed and waned. The contour intervals of 10 feet show a pretty good slope; because I've cropped out the contour labels it's not clear that it descends from Main Street to the tracks. Most of all, this map certainly demonstrates the proximity of the families to each other and their jobs.
From The Milford directory, (1869) ... by C.C. Drew Publishers
Pruning shears? I've wondered about Seth P. Carpenter's specialization in, and apparent cornering of, this somewhat bizarre little segment of the "Agricultural Implements" market since seeing his entry in the 1872/73 directory. Then I found this in the 1869 directory, and actually saw the ad...
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Agricultural Implements [complete list]
Bartlett & Heywood, 142 Main (See adv., p. 254.) Clothing Dealers [partial list]
Brown C. D., 147 Main Pruning Shears [complete list] CARPENTER SETH P., 82 1/2 Main (See adv., p. 240.) |
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | clothing, 147 Main | house 54 Congress |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Augusta C. | widow | h. 249 Main |
| Byron | bootmaker, 71 Central [A. C. Mayhew & Co., boots and leather (1869; see also 1874-5 ad transcription)] |
house 32 Spring |
| Charles | house 16 Congress | |
| Rufus S. | bootpacker, 50 Central | b. 38 Jefferson |
| Seth P. | 82-1/2 Main | h. 41 N. Bow, c. Spring |
| Wm. H. | boot tree maker, at J. Howe & Co.'s | house 38 Jefferson |
| NELSON | ||
| Charles | bootmaker | boards at E. Taylor's |
| Charles P. | bootmaker | house Fruit, near Main |
| David | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Henry | house 12 Court square | |
| John | bootmaker | boards 74 Main |
| Newell | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Newell N. | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Otis T. | farmer | house Main, near Elm |
| Roxanna | widow | house Fruit, near Main |
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PINE GROVE CEMETERY CORPORATION. (Incorporated 1841.) Location Cedar Street. Annual meetings held in March.
Directors, A. C. Mayhew, Seth P. Carpenter, Aaron Claflin, |
This is an excerpt from the directory's "History of Milford" piece by Adin Ballou.
| Roads, Stage-Coaches, Mails. -- The oldest road was called "the Medfield Road," which ran from Mendon, over Neck Hill, by the first grist mill, and out to the Penniman Factory place, etc. This, as a path, must date back to 1665. Next, the "Sherborn road," rude at first, was opened from Mendon, across Neck Hill, through our centre, to Holliston, (then Sherborn,) before 1700. It was a continuation of "Post lane," so called. That lane, between the Doggett and Dudley farms, was first laid out to Muddy Brook, for the convenience of a Mr. Post, who had settled there. The story comes down, that the old settler could stand on his head long enough to pare and eat an apple. So says Newell Nelson, Esq. "The Sherborn road" came down by Seth Chapin's, now Samuel Walker's, over the river, and so on. Gen. Washington passed up this Post lane road, 1789, in a covered carriage, with a negro driver, and two negro outriders just in advance. Newell Nelson, Esq., then only 5 years old, remembers the spectacle well. All wanted to see Washington, but he was close within his carriage, and not to be seen. He says his father, Col. Samuel Nelson, was warmly indignant at being unable to see the President. About the year 1800 this road was altered as it now runs, after a sturdy resistance from Col. Nelson and his friends. "Post lane," now so called, was then discontinued as a public highway, from just west of the Amos Cook house, Hopedale, to Mendon; but its track still remains plainly traceable. The Boston and Hartford Turnpike was built about the same time. Most of our Milford roads were poor things before that time, and, indeed, much later. |
From Greenough, Jones & Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1872/73... by Greenough, Jones & Co.
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Agricultural Implements [partial list]
Carpenter Seth P. (pruning shears), 82 1/2 Main Clothing Dealers [partial list]
Brown C. D., 147 Main Pruning Shears [complete list] Carpenter Seth P., 82 1/2 Main |
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | clothing, 147 Main | h. 4 Church place |
| Mary E. | [no entry] | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Augusta C. | widow | house 249 Main |
| Byron | bootclick | house 32 Spring |
| Charles | house 16 Congress | |
| Edgar | gasfitter | boards 25 South Bow |
| Edward | boards Quinshepang House | |
| Ella F. Miss | teacher Claflin primary school | boards 249 Main |
| Harris I. | student | boards Dwight Russell's, Congress |
| Seth P. | 82-1/2 Main | h. 41 No. Bow, c. Spring |
| William | machinist | boards I. Davis's |
| William H. | foreman J. Howe & Co. | house 38 Jefferson |
| NELSON | ||
| Charles N. | bootmaker | boards E. Taylor's |
| Charles P. | bootmaker | house 7 Hollis |
| David | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Henry | house 12 Court square | |
| James C. | bootfinisher | boards J. Haynes's, Fruit |
| John C. | bootmaker | boards Mary J. Smith's |
| Louisa K. Miss | teacher | boards Main, near Elm |
| Newell N. | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Otis T. | farmer | house Main, near Elm |
| Roxanna | widow of Horatio M. | boarding-house, 3 Fruit |
From Greenough, Jones & Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1874-5 by Greenough, Jones & Co.
As of this directory, there are no entries in the business directory for Seth P. Carpenter or C. D. Brown.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. | [no entry] | |
| William L. | clerk, 147 Main [Brown C. D., "Clothing" (1872-3)] |
boards 4 Church pl. |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Augusta C. | widow | house 249 Main |
| Charles | house 18 Congress | |
| Ella F. Miss | school teacher (Glendale) | boards 249 Main |
| Jane | widow of Byron | house 32 Spring |
| Rufus | boottree maker | house Spring, near B. & A. depot |
| Seth P. | 82-1/2 Main | h. 41 North Bow, c. Spring |
| Seth P. 2nd | boards Mrs. Jane Carpenter's | |
| William H. | foreman J. Howe & Co. | house 38 Jefferson |
| NELSON | ||
| Betsey | widow of John | house So. Main, n. Fruit |
| Charles N. | bootmaker | boards E. Taylor's |
| Charles P. | bootmaker | house 7 Hollis |
| David | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| James C. | bootfinisher | boards 48 So. Main |
| John C. | bootmaker | boards Mary J. Smith's |
| Miriam | widow of Isaac | house Spring, n. Main |
| Newell N. | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Otis T. | farmer | house Main, near Elm |
| Roxanna | widow of Horatio M. | boarding-house, 3 Fruit |
| William W. | farmer | h. So. Main, near Fruit |
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A. C. MAYHEW & CO. |
From Greenough & Co.'s directory... of Milford, 1877/78... by Greenough & Co.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. | [no entry] | |
| William L. | clerk, 147 Main [Brown C. D., "Clothing" (1872-3)] |
boards 4 Church pl. |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Augusta C. | widow | house 249 Main |
| Harris | bds. Dwight Russell's, Congress | |
| Jane | widow of Byron | house 32 Spring |
| John | clerk 164 Main [Harris B. E., 164 Main, opposite Mansion House, "Clothing Dealers" (1877-78)] |
house 32 Spring |
| Minnie B. Miss | bds. 17 Summer | |
| Reuben | boxmaker [T. C. Eastman and E. N. Force are nearby likely employers; see below.] |
bds. 32 Spring |
| Rufus | boot tree maker | house Grove |
| Seth P. | 82-1/2 Main | h. 41 No. Bow, c. Spring |
| William H. | foreman Estabrook & Wires | house 17 Summer |
| NELSON | ||
| Betsey | widow of John | h. So. Main, n. Fruit |
| Charles N. | bootmaker | h. Spring, n. No. Bow |
| Charles P. | bootmaker | house 7 Hollis |
| David | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| James C. | bootfinisher | bds. 48 South Main |
| Newell N. | farmer | h. Greene, n. Hopedale [St.] |
| Otis T. | farmer | house Main, near Elm |
| Roxanna | widow of Horatio M. | boarding-house, 3 Fruit |
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MILFORD Agricultural Implements. [complete list, no CARPENTER]
BARTLETT & ELLIS, 174 Main (see adv. dept., p. 10) Box Makers. [complete list]
Eastman T. C., Depot, corner Central Clothing Dealers. [partial list, no BROWN]
Harris B. E., 164 Main, opposite Mansion House |
From Greenough's directory... of Milford, 1880... by W.A. Greenough & Co.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. | [no entry] | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Cyrus A. | at 108 Main [Hale William B., "Cigars" (1880)] | bds. 30 Jefferson |
| Harris I. | student | boards Dwight Russell's, Congress |
| Jane | widow of Byron | house 32 Spring |
| Mattie W. Miss | operator Wheeler & Wilson office | boards 32 Spring |
| Polly | widow of Charles | h. 16 Congress |
| Reuben E. | clerk Heath Brothers, 118 Main [Heath Bros., "Clothing" (1880)] |
boards 32 Spring |
| Seth P. | 82-1/2 Main | h. 41 No. Bow, c. Spring |
| Walter B. | clerk G. B. Knight, Main ["G. B. Knight, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Meats and Provisions, 138 Main Street, Milford, Mass." (ad, 1872-3); Knight G. B., "Provisions" (1880)] |
boards 32 Spring |
| William H. | at Estabrook, Wires & Co. | house Mechanic |
| NELSON | ||
| Carrie L. Miss | teacher (Medway) | boards David Nelson's, Greene |
| Charles N. | bootmaker | h. Spring, cor. Court |
| Charles P. | boot finisher | house 7 Hollis |
| David | farmer | house Greene, near Hopedale [St.] |
| Henry E. | bottomer | house 224 Main |
| John | bootmaker | boards 29 Exchange |
| Marion E. | widow of Isaac | h. 39 So. Main |
| Newell N. | farmer | h. Greene, n. Hopedale [St.] |
| Otis T. | farmer | house Main, near Elm |
| Samuel | student | bds. Newell N. Nelson's, Greene |
From W. A. Greenough & Co.'s Milford Directory, 1886 (in "1886 The Milford, Hopedale, Natick, Framingham and Holliston Directory...").
Under "Boot and Shoe Mnfrs." is listed "Colburn, Fuller & Co., North Bow, cor. Spring, and (124 Summer, B.) (see p. 658)." Page 658 has their advertisement; 124 Summer St., Boston is their main office. Spring crossed N. Bow until sometime after 1880, so this appears to be very close to Seth P. and Diana Carpenter's house.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. Mrs. | house 38 Jefferson | |
| William Henry | lining cutter | bds. 38 Jefferson |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Cosie M. Miss | clerk | bds. 32 Spring |
| Cyrus A. | cigar maker, 108 Main [William B. Hale, "Cigar Manufacturers," "Cigars and Tobacco" (1886)] |
boards 31 Jefferson |
| Diana | widow of Seth P. | h. 41 North Bow, c. Spring |
| Grace G. Miss | clerk 106 Main [W. H. Bourne & Co., "Dry Goods" (1886)] |
b. 32 Spring |
| Harris I. | clerk, 108 Main [William B. Hale, "Cigar Manufacturers," "Cigars and Tobacco" (1886)] |
boards Dwight Russell's, Congress |
| Jane A. | widow of Byron | h. 32 Spring |
| Reuben E. | cutter, 118 Main [Heath Bros., "Clothing," "Gents' Furnishing Goods," "Tailors" (1886)] |
bds. 32 Spring |
| Seth P. | died Dec. 11, 1884 | |
| Walter B. | clerk | moved to Franklin |
| William H. | at J. M. Estabrook & Co. | house Mechanic |
| NELSON | ||
| Charles N. | bootmaker | h. Spring, c. Court |
| Henry E. | bottomer | house 224 Main |
| Marion E. | widow | h. 39 South Main |
| Otis T. | farmer | h. Main, near Elm |
| Thomas O. | machinist | b. 38 Jefferson |
| Will H. | clerk, Norcross Bros., Main (east) | bds. S. Holdsworth's, Birch |
From W. A. Greenough & Co.'s Hopedale Directory, 1886 (in "1886 The Milford, Hopedale, Natick, Framingham and Holliston Directory...").
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. | [no entry] | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| [no entries] | ||
| NELSON | ||
| David | farmer | h. Greene, n. Hopedale [St.] |
| Henry D. | student | bds. David Nelson's, Greene |
| Newell N. | farmer | h. Greene, n. Hopedale [St.] |
From Rochefort's Milford & Hopedale Directory for the year 1900.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. Mrs. | nurse | house 29 Jefferson |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Cyrus A. | 142 Congress | |
| Harris I. | student | boards 129 Congress |
| Jane A. | widow of Byron | house 28 Spring |
| William | motorman | house 192 Main |
| William H. | house 12 Mechanic | |
| NELSON | ||
| Arthur E. | carpenter | house 38 Pleasant |
| Charles N. | house 30 Spring | |
| Effie A. | bookkeeper 205 Main | bds. 30 Spring |
| George H. | boards 88 Congress | |
| George W. | carpenter | house 40 Purcahse |
| Grace L. | bookkeeper | boards 30 Spring |
| John T. | iron moulder | boards 88 Central |
| Marion E. | widow | house 53 South Main |
| Otis T. | house 366 Main | |
| Thomas O. | letter carrier | house 356 main |
From Bass & Company's Milford Mass. Directory for the year 1907-8.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. Mrs. | house 108 Congress | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Cyrus A. | cigar maker | house 142 Congress |
| Edward A. | clerk (Boston) | house 142 Congress |
| Jane A. | widow of Byron | house 28 Spring |
| NELSON | ||
| Arthur E. | carpenter | house 336 South Main, S. M. |
| Carson | screwmaker D. Co. | house 40 Vine |
| Charles R. | plumber | boards 39 North Bow |
| Effie A. | bookkeeper 205 Main | boards 30 Spring |
| George W. | carpenter | house 185 Purcahse |
| Grace L. | bookkeeper L. Hayden 204 Main | boards 30 Spring |
| Hilda | boards 39 North Bow | |
| John | machinist D. Co. | house 6 Prospect Hights [sic] |
| John | emp. D. Co. | house 20 Cherry |
| John | laborer | house 185 Purcahse |
| John W. | stone cutter | house 36 Spring |
| Mary E. | widow of Charles N. | house 30 Spring |
| Milford | screwmaker D. Co. | house 6 Hollis |
| Peter M. | emp W. P. G. Co. | house 39 North Bow |
| Thomas O. | letter carrier P. O. | house 356 main |
Abstract of Bass & Company's Hopedale Mass. Directory for the year 1907-8.
| NELSON | ||
| Arthur E. | carpenter | house 336 South Main, So. Milford |
| David | retired farmer | house Greene near G. & U. R. R. |
| Frances M. | 35, died October 3, 1904 | |
| Milford | screwmaker D. Co. | house 6 Hollis, Milford |
| Newell N. | farmer | 81, died October 4, 1906 |
| William H. | plumber D. Co. | house 43 Bancroft Park |
From Bass & Company, Milford Mass. Directory for the years 1915-1916.
| BROWN | ||
| Bertha H. | home 348 Main | |
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Core [sic] N. | compositor M. Gazette 21 Exchange | boards 348 Main |
| Mary E. Mrs. | house 348 Main | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| Cyrus A. | cigar maker | house 142 Congress |
| Mildred W. | stenographer | home 142 Congress |
| NELSON | ||
| Arthur E. | carpenter | house 336 South Main, S. M. |
| Carson L. | screwmaker D. Co. | house 67 Prospect |
| Effie A. | bookkeeper C. A. Cook 211 Main | boards 30 Spring |
| Frances H. | widow of John | house 19 Grove |
| George W. | carpenter | house 9 Daniels |
| Harry R. | plumber | house 43 North Bow |
| Ina T. | maid | home 44 South Bow |
| John A. | carpenter | house 222 Central |
| John | machinist D. Co. | house 6 Prospect Heights |
| J. William | foreman Norcross Bros. Iberville, P. O. [sic - P.Q.?] Canada |
house 25 Grant |
| Mary E. | widow of Charles N. | house 30 Spring |
| Millis C. | student | boards G. W. N., 9 Daniels |
| Neils | stone cutter | house 237 Congress |
| Norman | emp. D. Co. | boards 6 Prospect Heights |
| Peter J. | engineer S. A. Eastman Co. | house 184 Congress |
| Peter M. | emp. W. P. G. Co. | house 43 North Bow |
| Thomas O. | letter carrier P. O. | house 356 Main |
| Milford's Heavy Taxpayers List of Persons who will Pay more than $100 in Taxes in this Town the Current Year on a Rate of $20.70 a Thousand |
|
| Carpenter, Byron, hrs. | 137.66 |
| Nelson, T. O. | 111.71 |
From Bass & Company, Milford Mass. Directory for the years 1915-1916.
| BROWN | ||
| Charles D. | [no entry] | |
| Mary E. Mrs. | [no entry] | |
| CARPENTER | ||
| [no entries] | ||
| NELSON | ||
| Arthur E. | carpenter | house 336 South Main, So. Milford |
| David | retired | 92, died Nov. 30, 1911 |
| George | oiler | rooms 53 Bancroft Park |
| George W. | carpenter | house 9 Daniels |
| Millie C. | student | home G. W. N., 9 Daniels |
| Rachel B. | nurse M. Hosp. | home 336 South Main, So. M. |
| William H. | plumber | house 22 Adin |
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