Manufactures and Commerce. 161 



Weir Street. Connected with it was a cooper's-shop, a smith's- 

 shop and other buildings. Upon the removal of Theodore Lin- 

 coln to the State of Maine, Martin Lincoln, another son of the 

 general, accepted the vacant position, and the firm name of Ben- 

 jamin Lincoln & Son was continued. The head miller employed 

 by the firm for a number of years was Isaac Smith. Some idea 

 of the nature of the business carried on at this establishment 

 may be gained by an entry copied from the day book of Messrs. 

 Leavitt & Rice, merchants of Hingham, as follows: "1785. Benj. 

 Lincoln & Son Cr. by 128 bbls. Flour, and 4 bbls. Naval Stores." ' 

 After the death of General Lincoln in 1810, the main building 

 was converted into a woollen factory, and in 1812 a company was 

 formed, with David Andrews, Jr., as agent. James Hall was em- 

 ployed to superintend the manufacture. At the annual meeting 

 of the proprietors, held April 20, 1813, Ebenezer Gay, Martin Lin- 

 coln, Thomas Thaxter, 3d, Henry Sigourney, and John Souther 

 were chosen directors. The business was continued under the 

 same management until April, 1816, after which Henry Hapgood 

 became the proprietor and manager. Improved machinery was 

 introduced for tbe manfacture of cassimeres and satinets ; a dye- 

 house was established, and there was a ready sale for the goods 

 in Boston and New York. Mr. Hall remained as superintendent 

 of the mill, and the business was said to be prosperous. On Satur- 

 day night, May 16, 1829, the woollen factory, dwelling-house, and 

 outbuildings of Henry Hapgood at Weir River were destroyed by 

 fire. It was the most destructive tire in Hina;ham for manv vears. 



The manufacture of upholstery trimmings, cords, tassels, etc., 

 was begun in Hingham in 1836 at the corner of North and Main 

 streets (now Thayer's Building) by John Baker and Barnabas 

 Lincoln. Nov. 13, 1841, Abner L. Baker was admitted a member of 

 the firm, which continued under the name of Baker, Lincoln. & Co. 

 until 1846, when Captain Lincoln withdrew. Other changes of 

 membersbip in the firm and location of the business took place 

 prior to or soon after the date last mentioned. Willard Hall, 

 which was owned by J. Baker & Son and Capt. Barnabas Lincoln, 

 was destroyed by fire Jan. 17, 1847, as also was the long building 

 in the rear, which was used for making cord. The second story of 

 Willard Hall was occupied by the Bakers for their weaving rooms. 

 These buildings were soon replaced by two others, one being 

 erected in the same lot, and the other on the opposite side of the 

 street. E. Waters Burr of Hingham and Benj. F. Brown of Bos- 

 ton became partners in the firm, January 1, 1853. 



On Oct. 1, 1855, the firm of J. Baker & Son, consisting of John 

 Baker, James L. Baker, John 0. Baker, E. Waters Burr, and 

 Benj. F. Brown, was dissolved by mutual consent. A copartner- 

 ship was then formed by James L. Baker, E. Waters Burr, Benj. 

 F. Brown, and Edwin Fearing, " under the style of Burr, Brown, 

 & Co., for the purpose of manufacturing upholstery, carriage and 



VOL. I. — 11* 



