INDUSTRIES OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY. 11 



small-arms and cannon were manufactured for the defence of 

 our country and the security of our liberties. 



Here was also built the greater part of the iron-work for 

 those " Yankee cheese-boxes " the monitors, which did so 

 much during the Rebellion to keep our harbors free from 

 rebel pirates. 



The manufacture of cotton-gins was commenced many 

 years ago, and is still continued. 



The first trip-hammer in New England, if not in America, 

 was constructed and set in motion in East Bridge water, 

 where was also the first manufactory of edge-tools, includ- 

 ing sc3'thes. 



History informs us that Archibald Thomson of North 

 Bridgewater (now Brockton) made the first spinning-wheel 

 in this country. 



The first machine for making nails and tacks was invented 

 and first used in this county. 



The first successful cast-iron plough was invented and 

 made within sight of this hall. 



The Dearborn Patent Balance Scale has been manufac- 

 tured in this town for more than three-fourths of a century. 



The manufacture of buckets was commenced here but a 

 few 3'ears after the landing of the Pilgrims. The quantity 

 manufactured in this town at one time was so great, that the 

 town was known by the name of " Bucket Town." 



Boxes were at one time very extensively manufactured 

 here : undoubtedly the first small wafer-boxes were made 

 by the grandfather of the speaker. 



A few years after the Revolutionary War buckets and 

 boxes were exchanged for corn, the price of a bucket or box 

 beinff its measure in corn : the corn thus received was ajfain 

 exchanged for such articles as were needed for domestic con- 

 sumption. 



In portions of the county the manufacture of boots and 

 shoes has grown to a magnitude sufficient to furnish employ- 

 ment to a very large proportion of the population. 



Two of the principal cordage manufactories of New Eng- 

 land are located here. 



Scattered over the county, and in almost every little vil- 

 lage, may be found manufactories of various descriptions. 



By the State statistics I find that the value of manufac- 



