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It is operated by steam-power, and is extensively patronized by house-carpenters for planing boards.
The mechanics and artisans of
Medford, in their various departments, have excellent reputation, and much property.
Brick-making.
The large deposits of valuable clay within the town of
Medford early directed the attention of the enterprising inhabitants to the manufacture of bricks; and those made in 1630 for
Mr. Cradock's house were the first.
Bricks were made on
Colonel Royal's estate.
Clay deposits were found between his mansion-house and the river.
A most extensive and profitable business was carried on in these yards for many years.
At a later date, say 1750, bricks were made on land directly north of
Dr. Tufts's house.
The steep bank now in front of
Mr. George W. Porter's house marks the place.
This land, called
Brick-yard Pasture, was owned by
Rev. Matthew Byles, of
Boston, and sold by him to
Dr. Simon Tufts, March 26, 1761.
Nov. 14, 1774, the town passed the following vote: “That this town does disapprove of any bricks being carried to
Boston till the committees of the neighboring towns shall consent to it.”
In 1785, Stephen Hall willed “the brick-yards now in the occupation of
Thomas Bradshaw, and
Samuel Tufts, jun.”
About this time,
Captain Caleb Blanchard and his brother Simon made bricks in a yard near
Mr. Cradock's house, in the eastern part of the town; and afterwards in a yard on land opposite the
Malden Alms-house, just on the borders of East Medford.
The bricks used for the construction of the six tombs first built in the old burying-ground were made in a yard owned by Thomas Brooks,
Esq. That yard was near
Mystic River, about half-way between
Rock Hill and the Lowell Railroad Bridge.
In that yard,
Samuel Francis made bricks as early as 1750, and sold them at ten shillings per thousand (lawful money).
Mr. Brooks carried on the manufacture in 1760, and sold them at fifteen shillings.
Mr. Stephen Hall was the next occupant of that yard, which has been discontinued since 1800.
In 1795, the price was four dollars.
Captain Caleb Brooks made bricks on the land occupied
