Hopedale History February 1, 2005 No. 31 April 1842 Why did Rockwell acquire Drapers? There’s a story that I’ve heard a good many times that says that they never intended to do anything with it except shut it down, for a tax write-off. It seems likely that there was a lot more to it than that and a few days ago I ran across an article on the subject. If this is a topic of interest to you, it would be worth your while to take a look at a paper written in 1990 by William Mass at UMass Lowell titled The Decline of a Technological Leader: Capability, Strategy and Shuttleless Weaving, 1945 – 1974. The paper includes the following footnote: Research related to this paper included 35 interviews with managers and technologists, many with lengthy tenure, at the Draper Corporation and Rockwell International. Research for this paper was supported in part by a grant from the University of Connecticut Research Foundation. You can read it at https://thebhc.org/sites/default/files/beh/BEHprint/v019/p0234-p0244. Another paper of interest by Mass is titled Developing and Utilizing Technological Leadership: Industrial Research, Vertical Integration, and Business Strategy at the Draper Company. It’s at https://thebhc.org/sites/default/files/beh/BEHprint/v018/p0129- p0139.pdf <><><><><><><><><><> In Ballou’s History of the Hopedale Community, he goes back to his notes at the time and devotes a couple of pages to giving the reader an idea of the variety of things that were going on in the early months of the Community. Here is some of that, including a visit by Frederick Douglass, having their heads examined, animal magnetism, preaching, buying a new wooden leg, and caring for the cranberries. Next time I’ll send a real story: The Second Annual Hopedale History Valentine Story. “Friday, April 1st, was spent by the President in paying out money on contracts falling due: to Cyrus Ballou, $854.00 -- $300.00 complete payment on farm, which had been bought through him, and $554 for hay, cattle, etc.; to Hiram Hunt and Co. for goods from store, to Millens Taft for yoke and oxen, etc.; in all over $1000.00. We have some confusion and many inconveniences, all of which we endure like good soldiers for the sake of the great good we propose and hope to accomplish. God blesses and sustains us, for which all praise and thanksgiving be rendered to his holy name. “Sunday, April 3rd. Our first public meeting in the old house. Wednesday, 6th. A.B. married Amasa Parkhurst and Hannah P. Brown of Milford in the common parlor. Thursday, 7th. Annual Fast; Frederick Douglass, the fugitive slave with us. O, what a fast! A Fast indeed! Such a one as we never observed before. All hearts were moved and melted. P.M. A.B. went to Mendon and married Micajah C. Gaskill and Hannah Taft at the residence of her father, Leonard Taft. Sunday 10th. A. Ballou preached at Bellingham to a large audience, and lectured at 5 P.M. in E. Mendon school-house. Meeting at home, small but good. Several brethren spoke to edification. “From 10th to 17th much business done and good progress made towards order and settlement of affairs. Preparations were completed for erecting a building for school- room, printing office, etc., at the south-west extremity of Water St. [Water Street, along the east bank of the Mill River, eventually disappeared as more and more shops were built in that area.] The frame is that of an old wood-shed to be vamped up. E.C. Perham and Samuel Taft helped our workmen: Perham as carpenter for several days, Taft as stonelayer for one day. Wednesday the 13th. A.B. married a couple at H. Nelson’s, Milford, viz.: Daniel S. Chapin and Angeline P. Nelson. Sunday, 17th. Clother Gifford, a phrenologist, visits us. Good meeting, A.M. Ballou and D.S. Whitney principal speakers. P.M. A. Ballou went to Mendon to attend funeral of widow Nabby Aldrich. Brief sermon in meeting-house. Br. D.R. Lamson preached at Mendon A.M., and was at Hopedale P.M. John Hawkins, the celebrated Washingtonian chief, lectured at 4 P.M. in Mendon, most of our Hopedalians being there. He came fully up to the highest expectations; had a great audience and carried his hearers away like a flood, speaking two hours. Br. Whitney went to Millville in the evening, partly to attend a meeting with the friends there but more especially to marry a couple on the morrow. “Monday, April 18th. A severe northeast storm. Not much outside business done today. Bro. Gifford still here, and Phrenology and Animal Magnetism occupied most of our time and attention. He examined nearly all our heads and tried to put Barbara Colburn into a magnetic sleep but failed. 19th. Still stormy. C. Gifford goes to Milford town to prosecute the phrenological business. Our good friend, David Stearns Godfrey, called and informed us of the triumphant success of Frederick Douglass last evening at his lecture in Milford Academy Hall. Great excitement; the ‘baser sort’ active; people turned out numerously; but they were wonderfully overcome by his ingenuity and eloquence. The tide (which was turbulent against him at first) turned strongly in his favor. He lectured again this evening at Milford town-hall. Eleven from Hopedale to hear him. A glorious lecture to a full house. 20th. Discussed division of labor. Colburn takes care of the cattle, Cook of the garden, Draper of the farming proper, Whitney of the orcharding, while the carpenters confine themselves to their distinctive calling. A.B. lectured in the evening at the Orthodox Meetinghouse, Milford, on Temperance, several of our people being present. “Thursday, April 21. Bright and lovely. Business brisk. P.M., raised the frame of the first new building at Hopedale. Dr. Wm. P. Metcalf, who had dined with us, and friend Hiram A. Morse of Holliston were present. A.B. subsequently went into town with the farm wagon and after doing business at Hunt & Co.’s store bought a logging axle and pole at Perley Hunt, Esq., at a cost of three dollars, to be hereafter paid. All hands busy at their proper work except the little time spent in the aforesaid raising. Lamson has gone to Providence, R.I., to procure for himself a new wooden leg (he having lost one of his lower limbs). “Friday, 22nd. Br. Draper was obliged to go to Blacksone on business in the morning. In the afternoon he and A.B. perambulated the farm, inspected the fences and pastures, and let off the cranberry swamp pond. Saturday, 23rd. Got home six bushels of potatoes from Eli Chapin’s; paid $2.00. Br. Whitney off to Mendon in quest of materials for grafting purposes. Henry Chapin called to show us where we may cut birches on his land for pea-brush. President out with him noting the clumps and agreeing upon an estimated cord, for which we are to pay $2.00.” Adin Ballou, The History of the Hopedale Community, pp. 77 – 79. Hopedale Community Menu Hopedale History Ezine Menu HOME . |