155 Main - Brown Jug
TOUR #1 BEGINS HERE:Once a tinware and stove shop that burned to the ground in 1908. It was rebuilt using the same plan and has housed many businesses over the last 100 years.
153 Main - c.1830
Spotted Cod. This was once a 19th century apothecary shop.
151 Main Street 1826 Nancy Fessenden home
Built as a wedding gift from her father who owned the tavern next door.In 1826, Nancy Freeman Fessenden married Captain Ezra Nye and moved into this new house after the wedding. Nye was a prominent sea captain who sailed his clipper ship Amethyst from Liverpool to Boston in a record 20 days in 1829. His finest hour was in 1852 when his ship the Pacific came upon a sinking packet ship in a gale in the mid-Atlantic and he was able to take off all passengers and crew safely. For this Queen Victoria gave him a medal and a gold chronometer.In 1982 the Nancy Fessenden House was restored by the Dan'l Webster Inn to accommodate 4 luxury suites.
149 Main - Dan'l Webster Inn
Nancy’s grandfather, Rev. Benjamin Fessenden, served as the Sandwich town minister from 1725 to 1746. In 1729 his supporters built him a home here at 149 Main Street. After he died, his son William (Nancy's father) converted the home into the Fessenden Tavern. Ironically, William was himself a teetotaler. During the Revolution the tavern was known as headquarters for the Patriots.The property remained an inn over the years, changing its name to Smith’s Tavern, Mansion House, Central House and (in 1915) the Daniel Webster Inn. Webster was a US Senate orator who frequented the area to hunt and fish. He was such a prominent and regular visitor that he had a room reserved for him from 1815 to 1851. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1971 and today's Dan'l Webster Inn was built on the site. You have been able to buy a pint at this spot for over 225 years!
145 Main - Town Hall Annex (Boyden Block)
The town purchased the former Cooperative Bank building in 1977 relieving pressure at the time to rebuild the interior of the old Town Hall.The building is on the site of what was known as the "Boyden Block" owned by William Ellis Boyden. It consisted of a long building of several shops and a large meeting hall upstairs. There was also a large livery stable where Boyden kept his horses and stage coaches. He ran a stage coach operation between Plymouth and Sandwich starting in 1822. The Boyden Block was built in 1857 by Gustavus Howland who also built the Boardwalk. He was the son of Ellis Howland who built Sandwich Town Hall in 1834.In December of 1913 the Boyden Block was destroyed by fire. According to an article in the Barnstable Patriot, at the time of the fire, the Block was home to a paint shop, fruit store, furniture upholsterer, a hat store, a variety store and electrical contractors. All eighteen horses from the livery stable were rescued but most of the beautiful Plymouth stages were lost.
143 Main - 1833 First Parish Church
In 1639 this spot was set aside for public use and a thatched-roof Meetinghouse was built. In 1704 it was replaced by a larger, 2-story Meetinghouse. Town meetings were held here and it was also home to a Calvinist/Congregational parish.But when the clergyman, Jonathan Burr, began to preach hard Calvinistic doctrines contrary to his wide liberal background, the people rebelled. One parishioner nailed his pew shut and boarded over the top. In 1811 Burr was prevented from occupying his pulpit and could not make himself heard due to outsiders chanting in the gallery. He marched out with his followers and held service elsewhere.The liberals stayed at the Meetinghouse and aligned themselves with the Unitarians. In 1833, prompted by the formal separation of church and state, the Meetinghouse was replaced with the present First Parish (Unitarian) Church building. Town meetings moved to the then new Town Hall on Shawme Lake. This First Parish Church building is now a private home.The “Old Titus” Clock:In 1748, pastor Abraham Williams brought with him a 19-year old black slave named Titus Winchester. Williams offered his slave freedom but Titus preferred to wait until his master’s death in 1784 before becoming free. Titus then went to sea as a steward and, when he died in 1808, left his entire estate (approximately $1,100) for the purpose of purchasing a two-faced clock for the Meetinghouse “so that it would ring for many years to come in memory of his former master.” The clock faces were south (toward Main Street) and west (toward River Street). The clock came to be known as “Old Titus."But the clock you see today is not the original. One Sunday night in 1873 some control snapped and the clock struck off 406 bongs of the big bell before running down. A new four-faced clock and a larger spire were installed in 1880.--Take the pedestrian sidewalk to cross River Street.
141 Main - c. 1850 home of Rev. Asahel Cobb
Rev. Asahel Cobb who was a minister in the Calvinist Church until he resigned in 1842. In the early 20th century it included the first small shop in town to sell antique Sandwich glass. The re-appreciation of Sandwich glass began here.
139 Main - 1868 Capt. Nichols home
Capt. Nichols was a whaling captain out of New Bedford who retired to Sandwich. During the Civil War many young men learned to play the new game of base ball. When some returned to Sandwich, they played the first game on Cape Cod in November 1865 on Nichols' property on nearby School Street. Grateful, they called themselves The Nichols Base Ball Club of Sandwich, the first 9-man team on Cape Cod.
Mill Creek park
Mill Creek Park offers a comfortable resting stop for visitors providing welcome shade and convenient benches. There are bronze plaques explaining the neighboring historic structures. It was redesigned by the Sandwich 375 Anniversary Committee and presented to the town as a legacy gift. --Take the second pedestrian crosswalk over to Grove Street.
Eaton Memorial Park
Eaton Memorial Park. It was created in 1911 by William Eaton to remember the soldiers and sailors from Sandwich who served in the Civil War. Sandwich was the first Cape Cod town to field a military unit. From a town of approximately 3,500, 293 men served and 54 died. Recently, a Vietnam Memorial was added to this park.
Seth Nye Law Office, 2 Grove St.
Seth Nye was a very successful lawyer and later judge in the town of Sandwich. When he went to his law office he did not have to go very far. He owned the magnificent Federal style house next door to the right. Note that the roof line is identical to that of the home. He had 3 unmarried sisters and they ran a millinery shop, or ladies hat shop, and it was located behind the left door. Mr. Nye's office was on the right. As a judge he heard scores of cases here. They were minor cases that did not warrant going to the Court House, for example malicious destruction of property and public drunkenness. The trial consisted of only 3 people, the judge, the constable bringing the charge and the defendant. Mr. Nye made it into Ripley's Believe It or Not for having written, "No lawyer could ever justify a fee of $10."In 1891 this building became the town's first Public Library. It is now a single family private residence.
6 Grove Street "Bendora"
#6 Grove street was built in 1888 by Benjamin Gibbs Bartley (born June, 1857) and presented as a gift to his new wife, Theodora Newcomb. They named it “Bendora,” derived from their names: BENjamin and TheoDORA. They were married on October 3, 1888.The family has original documents including a deed recorded on 14 June 1888 and receipts for framing, nails and brick purchased from local lumber suppliers on 16 June, 1888. Around this time, Bartley owned a dry goods store on Jarves Street in the Town Center. In 1907 Benjamin G. Bartley was a Trustee and one of 16 founders of the Sandwich Historical Society. Benjamin died on January 24, 1930. His wife died in the same year on April 1st. Both are buried at Bay View Cemetery in Sandwich.
8 Grove - Newcomb Tavern 1703
Peter Newcomb, of Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, had the first tavern in town and was noted far and wide for hospitality. The house stands much as it was originally built, except the north side, which has had improvements. In the time of the Revolution it was known to be headquarters for the Tories and it was in front of this Tavern on the evening of Sept. 24, 1774 that patriot Dr. Nathaniel Freeman was set upon by Tories and all but murdered. The culprits were easily identified and arrested and made to sign a confession at Sandwich's Liberty Pole.Before the Mill Pond (Shawme Lake) was made by damming the waters in 1812, the highway crossed the stream in front of the Newcomb Tavern. Across the highway was the "bog land" donated in 1834 by the Newcomb family for a new Town Hall.
10 Grove - John Dexter/Seth Pope 1699
The #10 Grove Street story starts with Seth Pope. Known as “Seth the Trader” he is part of Sandwich legend. Seth came to town in 1670 reportedly with a backpack containing needles, thread and other portable peddling items. Through some conflict with the selectmen, he was ordered out of town. He left with an irritated promise to come back and buy up the town.True to his promise, Seth Pope came back in 1699 and bought the town grist mill from John Dexter. Seth also bought up lands along Grove Street beyond Academy Road and a house at #10 Grove from Dexter referred to as “my now house.” In 1709, his younger son, Seth Jr. came to Sandwich and in 1710 married Hannah Bourne, the sister of his brother's wife. They started what became the big colonial house at 10 Grove Street.Seth's father placed Seth Jr. in charge of the family-owned grist mill as well as a fulling mill and weave shop. Seth, Jr. died in 1744. The house stayed in the Pope family and in 1762 was divided into a 2-family home. In 1841, half of the house was sold to William H. Russell. He bought the other half in 1845. Upon William's death in 1848 the house went to his sister Lydia (married to Captain Nelson Crocker) and to his brother Dr. Henry Russell (married to Mary Mitchell of Nantucket). In 1880 Dr. Russell was the sole owner but Captain Laban Crocker, the last miller, also lived there. #10 Grove St. came to be known in town as the “Russell House.“
Old Town Burial Ground
The first town burying ground, this cemetery was constructed in 1663 and last used in 1939. Most of Sandwich's earliest families are buried here. The oldest known grave is of 7-week old Thomas Clark who died in 1683. The second oldest is Thomas Burgess who died in 1685 at the age of 82.The 1937 book Cape Cod Pilot by Joseph Berger indicates that in 1937 the oldest gravestone (unidentified) was dated 1680 and Sandwich had buried its dead in this location since 1663.--Proceed back down Grove St. to the Town Hall
130 Main - Town Hall 1834
The First Parish Meetinghouse (at today's 143 Main Street) had served as the religious and political center of the village of Sandwich into the early 19th century. However, the need for a new civic building was prompted by the formal separation of church and state. At its 1834 Town Meeting, the town voted to erect a new Town Hall at the intersection of Main and Grove Streets on bog land donated by the Newcomb family at 8 Grove Street.Construction was preceded by extensive filling of the marshy land with gravel. The large building included an upper hall capable of seating 500 people. Town meetings were held here. Originally the upper level was reached by stairways in the front corners of the building accessed from the front porch outside.In 1912 the word SANDWICH was added above the words TOWN HALL on the front of the building (see old postcard of Town Hall with bunting). In 1914, a fourteen-foot addition was made at the south end, to contain, among other things, a stage and dressing rooms, indicating the upper hall’s use for theatrical productions and, later, movies.Over the years, there were various occupants in portions of the ground floor such as stores, carpenter shops, a newspaper printing office, the library and early Historical Society offices. Eventually, as fortunes changed in the town, the first floor was taken over by town administrative offices and the second floor ball room was relegated to use as attic storage.In 2009 the entire building was restored to its former glory. The second floor ballroom is particularly beautiful with its historically accurate stenciling of tan and brown paint and gold leaf, theatrical stage, balcony seating and fully restored historic shuttered windows. In 2011 the Sandwich Town Hall was granted a Preservation Award for Rehabilitation & Restoration by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.--After returning from Grove Street, pass by the Dexter Grist Mill and take the pedestrian walk way to the Dunbar House and Tea Room and go left down Main Street and return to the starting point opposite the Brown Jug.
Dexter Grist Mill
The original grist mill was built in 1637 by Thomas Dexter and replaced in 1654. It had the vital purpose of grinding corn into flour for essential baking needs. The Shawme pond was dammed up to create the power source for the grinding wheel. The water is fed by an underground stream that forms a creek which leads into the ocean. This creek provides for the return of the herring each spring. The mill was restored in 1961.
First Church of Christ, 136 Main St.
Built in 1847, this beautiful church is sometimes called the Elvis church because it was used as a backdrop on Elvis Presley's first gospel album "How Great Thou Art” recorded in 1967. A copy of the album is located in the vestibule of the church.This church also contains the oldest church bell in Massachusetts and one of the oldest in America. Its origins involve a Captain Adolph de Groot who was shipwrecked and drowned off the coast of Sandwich in 1703. Rev. Cotton found papers on his body and wrote to his wife in NY informing her that her husband had died and was given a Christian burial in town. She was so grateful that she had a bell sent to the parish in thanks and so that her husband could hear the sweet sound from his grave. The bell was cast in Holland in 1675 and is also in the vestibule.The tall steeple is a design characteristic of Christopher Wren who was the 17th century designer of St. Paul's in London.
Melitiah Bourne House, 138 Main St.
This home was built circa 1699-1710 for Melitiah Bourne, the wealthiest man in town at the time. He was a lawyer, judge and member of the Massachusetts General Court. This was the childhood home of Bathsheba Newcomb/Ruggles. Documents show that Mr. Bourne was the owner of 2 domestic slaves, an unusual but not rare situation for the wealthiest people in New England in the 18th century. This was the home of 4 generations of Bournes and the last died here in 1862. It was also the site for the Liberty Tree in town during the Revolutionary War period. It was torn down by local Tories who were subsequently found and forced to restore it and sign a document pledging their loyalty to the cause for independence. The neighboring town of Bourne and the Bourne Bridge are named for this family.
Captain Ezra Nye House, 152 Main St.
Built in 1828, this is the home of the most famous sea captain in Sandwich. Ezra Nye was a distant cousin of lawyer Seth Nye. Ezra went to sea at age 11 and became a captain at age 21. He sailed packet ships from Boston to Liverpool and set the record doing a round trip in 34 days. He transitioned to steam and set the record to Liverpool arriving in slightly less than 10 days. He also rescued a British passenger ship at sea and received a medal from Queen Victoria.He married innkeeper Fessenden's daughter and presented her with a wedding home which is across the street and now part of the Dan'l Webster Inn. They did not live there very long and he built this larger home directly across the street.Later, this became the home of Theodore Kerns who was the head of the glass cutting operations at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory.
H.G.O Ellis House, 154 Main St.
This is a beautiful house with the front door on the side and great front porch and bay window. It is a good example of the wealth that the glass operation was bringing to town. It became the home of Hazel Blake French, a jewelry designer in the early 20th century who used Boston & Sandwich glass fragments in her work. This area was now becoming the center of town in the 19th century as the B&S began building homes for its workers.
Jonathan Leonard House, 156 Main St.
Circa 1740, This house has been in the same family for 5 generations. And, it has been owned and occupied by somebody named Jonathan Leonard since 1798! Moreover, all 5 generations of Jonathan Leonard's are Harvard graduates. Jonathan Leonard II graduated Harvard as a doctor a served as the town doctor for many, many years. Jonathan Leonard III also became a doctor and had a practice here through the Civil War. Jonathan Leonard IV was also a doctor. Jonathan Leonard V was the Science Editor for Time Magazine. Jonathan Leonard VI summered here as a boy and moved in permanently after he retired. He tells us that his grandfather built a wall in front for privacy when it became the busy part of town, but did not want to be rude so he built a low wall in front of the house. However, to make sure people did not sit on it he slanted it to make it uncomfortable for the loiterers. And yes, there is a Jonathan the VII.
Quince Tree House, 164 Main St.
Built 1842. Owned by a glass cutter at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory and later by Dr. Samuel Beale (1914-1965) for whom Beale St. was named.
Charles C. P. Waterman House
Charles C.P. Waterman House, Built1836. Mr. Waterman was an executive with the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory and had the title "Paymaster". But, he was more than that. In addition to paying 500 workers, he collected rents on behalf of Jarves; and was the financial officer for the brick factory and the iron works that were now part of the glass factory operations. He was a friend of Jarves and arrived here in 1825 and ultimately worked for Mr. Jarves for 44 years. Incidentally, he was the last guest to register at the Newcomb Tavern.A Love Story - Mr. Waterman raised 7 children in this house and his favorite was Mary. At age 16 she fell in love with John Jarves, the son of the owner. Her father thought she might be too young to be in love and sent her to a boarding school in New York. While she was away at school, John took the train to visit her and gave her a glass chalice made at the factory which on one side had a knight in shining armor atop a steed holding a shield with his initials on it and; on the other side was the name, "Mary Waterman". She called this their "secret engagement". This chalice is on display at the Glass Museum. A year later she returned home and told her father she was still in love with John and she was married at age 17 to John, age 20 in 1855. John stopped keeping a diary after he was married - there was no need to write down his personal thoughts now that he could share them with "his Mary". We will see how this love story turned out a little later in our walk.
Methodist Church, now Masonic Hall, 175 Main St.
Built in 1847, this building was originally the Methodist Church. Reverend Joseph Marsh was a factory worker and an ordained minister and often preached here on Sundays. It would be impossible to understate the importance that religion played in the everyday lives of the folks who lived here during the Victorian Age. For a town of 3,000 people, it had a Congregational, Unitarian, Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic churches not to mention the Quaker Meeting House. In 1922 it was sold to the Masons and is now a Masonic Hall.
Isaiah Jones House, 165 Main St.
Built 1840. This home was built by Dr. Jonathan Leonard II in 1840. Note the entry way on the side for patients as well as the front and rear entrances for guests and family. He sold this house in 1861 to Isaiah Jones who owned a tack factory on Shawme Pond. In the late 1880's he became active in cranberry growing and was an officer with the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. It is now a wonderful Victorian B&B with luxury suite accommodations in what used to be the barn on the rear of the property.
George Drew House, 8 Jarves St.
This beautiful Victorian was built in 1882 for George Drew, a wealthy clothing merchant, who had stores in Hyannis and here on Jarves St. It became the rectory for the Catholic Church next door. Now it is a restaurant and inn owned by Chris Wilson.
Corpus Christi Church, 8 Jarves St.
Corpus Christi Church, now the Belfry Inn, was built in 1901. The Church was built in 1901 to replace the St. Peter's Church that was destroyed in a storm in 1898. To begin glass operations, Deming Jarves relocated about 60 skilled workers and their families from Cambridge, MA. They were all Irish and Catholics, a group never seen before in Sandwich. This was a major social change brought about by the B&S operations. By 1830, the Catholics built their own chapel which sat very near the factory. Many of the items in the church are from the original St Peter's including some of the stained glass windows. It is now a fine restaurant and inn owned by Chris Wilson.
Puritan Church, 16 Jarves St.
Puritan Chapel, now Beth's Bakery and Cafe, was built in 1850. This building was originally a chapel for those who dissented with the Congregational Church. John Jarves was one of its founders and it transitioned to an Episcopal church. It has been many things including the USO building in WW II and a Catholic Youth Organization building called Father Clinton Hall when it was owned by the Catholic parish. Note the cross under the awning that denotes its religious background.
Captain William Stutson House
The Captain William Stutson House was built in 1825. This home was owned by Deming Jarves's sister, Sally and her husband. He was the General Manager of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory during the early years and Deming often stayed here on his visits to the factory. It is now in private hands.
John Jarves House, 3 Jarves St.
John Jarves House was built in 1857. This beautiful home was a wedding present from Deming to his son John and his new wife, Mary. At the time it was the most expensive and modern house in town. It cost $7,000 to build and boasted 4 fireplaces, indoor plumbing, hot water and gas lighting! In fact the gas came from the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company and there was also gas lighting here on Jarves St. though there is no lighting on either street today!Mary's world seemed perfect. She was married to a wealthy, handsome man and had two children living in the best home in town. But that rapidly changed. In 1863, John died of TB at age 28. The next year her daughter Bertha died and the following year her son Arthur died. At age 26, Mary was a widow and childless.However, there is a happy ending to this story. Five years later Mary marries the most respected man in town, none other than Dr. Jonathan Leonard III who was a widower. Mary was 31 and he was 63. At age 70, Dr. Leonard fathered a child and Mary's new son became Jonathan Leonard IV.The gentleman who now lives in the house is the great grandson of Mary Waterman/Jarves/Leonard.
