New Industries and Trades

As the town grew, manufacturing, trades, and retail businesses began to spring up. Soon there were merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen. At first, cobblers were itinerant tradesman who went from farm to farm and fashioned shoes for all members of the family from the cowhides provided by the farmer. But by 1700 many farmers had become adept at making their own boots, and they began to create small shops on their farms called "ten footers" for boot making.

Source: http://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/weymouthma/files/file/file/shoe_industry.pdf

Initially, boot making was simply a way to "do it yourself" to save money, but it became an additional source of income. As demand for boots and shoes increased the shoemakers began to specialize and collaborate, passing a pair of boots or shoes shoes from one craftsman to the next until it was finished.

The town continued to thrive and expand supported by an array of manufacturing and businesses. The population grew and more homes were constructed. By 1720 there were about 100 families living in small neighborhoods in what is now South Weymouth.

The Warren Thayer house built in 1728 on Pond Street

Source: http://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/weymouthma/files/file/file/homes.pdf

Weymouth also hosted a number of taverns such as the Arnold Tavern (below) which was built in 1740

Arnold's Tavern in Weymouth Landing was built in 1740

Source: http://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/weymouthma/files/file/file/toll_houses.pdf

 

The first shoemaking factory in Weymouth was founded by James Tirrell in 1808. The factory was located on Front St. near Reed's Cemetery. More factories opened. Initially, they were small to medium-sized factories, but over time they became larger and larger.

Tirrell Shoe Factory

Sources: http://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/weymouthma/files/file/file/shoe_industry.pdf

A deposit of bog iron had been found in Great Pond in 1770, and began to be used to manufacture nails. Bog iron was also discovered in Whitman's Pond, and in 1837 the Weymouth Iron Works was founded there.

Weymouth Iron Works

Source: http://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/weymouthma/files/file/file/iron_industry.pdf