A Christmas Night Murder in 1857
It was Christmas night 1857 and “peace on earth, good will toward men” was not in the air in the glass workers village of Sandwich’s Jarvesville. A 15-year-old lad named Daniel Fogarty Jr. would be murdered that night. . . more
Old Town Burying Ground Gets Restoration Work
Thirty-nine damaged and fallen gravestones in Sandwich’s oldest burying ground are getting professional restoration this fall. Work was begun in late September and is likely to continue into November, 2012 in a contract initiated by Jennifer Madden of the Historical Commission, with assistance from former commission member Kaethe Maguire and the cooperation of the Cemetery Commission. Funding for the project is split between the Cemetery Commission and Community Preservation Committee.
Historic Markers For Sandwich Homes
Program coordinator, Bill Daley and marker painter, Nell Gould with a recent addition to the program
May 22, 2012 – The town of Sandwich is very fortunate to have hundreds of homes and buildings that date back to the 17th, 18th and 19thcenturies. They have been preserved by different owners over the centuries and they reflect the many building styles, including the Salt Boxes of the 1600’s; the Capes, Georgian Colonials, and Federal architecture of the 1700’s; and the Greek Revivals and Victorians of the 1800’s. To recognize and promote the unique character of the town, the Sandwich Historical Commission created the Historical Marker Program a few years ago.
It has been a great success as evidenced by the 116 signs that have been purchased by the owners of these antique structures. Moreover, the program continues to grow as more and more people complete marker applications. The plaques show the name of the original owner as well as the year of construction. If owners need help in researching their homes, assistance can be provided by the SHC. Learn more.
If you have any questions about the program, eligibility, or application please contact the program coordinator, William F. Daley: wfdaley[at]comcast.net
Historic Preservation in Sandwich MA
March 1, 2012 – The question of Historic Preservation Restrictions has become a story in Sandwich. Selectmen, regulators and residents have been asking what that means, how it happens and who makes it happen. There are two pdf documents that will answer many of your questions. Please read them and either download them or link to this page.
What is a Preservation Restriction? Easements to Protect Historic Properties
Sand Hill School: The Clark-Haddad Memorial Building
In 1851 a new 2 bay by 3 bay, 2-story, wood-frame building with a gable roof was erected at the corner of Factory Street and George’s Rock Road (16 Dewey Avenue). Known as the Jarvesville School, and later, the Sand Hill School, the building was replaced in 1885 with the current structure. It was built with a dividing wall down the middle and two entrance doors (gender-separated entrances were the custom at the time). After the school was closed, the b
uilding served as an American Legion Hall (starting in 1931) and as a gathering place for children and seniors. In 1950 the structure was re-named the Clark-Haddad Memorial Building for the first two Sandwich residents to die in military service during World War I: Alden
Clark and Michael Haddad. The American Legion Post 188 moved to new quarters in 1972. Later, 16 Dewey Avenue was used as office space by the Sandwich Public Schools until 2007.
The building stands empty today and the Historical Commission wants to see this wonderful landmark returned to use while preserving its historic character. Come view the interior, attend the Forum and share your thoughts.
Click HERE for access to documents for the Forum.
From the Sandwich Broadsider, March 09, 2012:
Sandwich panel approves historical marker for Charles Burgess House
The Sandwich Historical Commission has approved an historical marker application for the Charles S. Burgess House at 166 Main Street, constructed in 1877.
Commission members said the house was built in “the General Grant style.” The only other similar structure, they said, is the old reconstructed parsonage at 14 School St..
Historical Commission Recommends Restoration of Historic Artesian Well
January 16, 2012 – Jonathan Shaw, the SHC’s representative to the Sandwich Community Preservation Committee, spearheaded the effort to proceed with funding for Phase II of the Town Hall Restoration Project. Guided by his experienced hand, the Commission sent a formal request to the Community Preservation Committee to secure $350,000.00 from special local funding set aside for historic preservation. The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 to jointly request funding for the project. The issue will be on the May, 2012 Town Warrant for voter approval. Once approved, the project should go up for bid in August with construction beginning in the fall of 2012.
I want to purchase the Town map that was created and for sale at the Glass Museum. They are sold out and could not tell me where to purchase one. Please where they are available. Thank you
The historic map reproductions were the product of the Friends of Sandwich Town Archives (FOSTA), a volunteer group at the Sandwich Public Library. We are all grateful for their diligent work. Please contact Joanne Lamothe via email: jlamothe@ocln.org
I’m impressed and gladdened to find this site.
My interest in the historic preservation of the Town of Sandwich has been, since my childhood, intensely important to me. All my boyhood summers were spent in East Sandwich.
This site can only serve to enlighten people in the “less is more” philosophy of historic conservation. Congratulations on this website which I only happened on by chance! After all, we are only stewards for the time we own any old house. And it’s up to us to preserve as much original fabric as possible when approaching the preservation of and conservation of a period house.
Thank you.
Thank you for the kind remarks.
T. Blake
I have digital pix of building on Tupper Road that was destroyed by fire last week end.
They were take +/- three weeks ago. If they are of any interest to you let me know.
Larry Marsell
We are very interested in your photographs. Please forward them to tblake@sandwichhistory.org. We will print copies for the Town Archives as well.
My wife and I are the sixth family to have owned the Tobey House located at 44 Water Street. I went to the web page of street addresses to see who was listed at 44 Water Street. There is no mention of the first owner and builder of this home. His name was Nathan Tobey (Tobie) the son of Thomas Tobey.
According to Thomas’ will, he gave Nathan the land in 1681. In 1685 Nathan married and lived in this house and they had two children. His first wife died in 1690 and he remarried that same year. A book written by a local historian stated that the house must have been built in 1690 as a result of Nathan’s second marriage.
In doing my research of our residence and Nathan’s home it must be assumed that since it took two to three years to build a home due to the daily responsibilities to provide food and other necessities of life that Nathan would not have built a second home at the time of his second marriage in 1690. People didn’t move out of their home because a spouse or offspring passed away. The actual date of finished construction is someplace between 1681/83 and 1685.
The house was first built as a hall and parlor design. It maintains much of its original interior features including five working fireplaces, gunstock and summer beams and low ceilings in the original first period part of the house. It appears the home was last added on to around 1820. I should also mention this house was never torned down and moved to another location within the town.
The last male owner of the home was Ansel Tobey. He died in 1895; his daughter Vesta Tobey Brown sold the house that same year to a Miss Julia Yard and her brother Robert Yard of New York City. The Yard’s maintained the home for a number of years as a summer residence. Later, Julia moved into the house full-time and passed away in it in 1935.
Thank you for this remarkable biography. I have posted this story on the page for 44 Water St. We will also include the information on a new MACRIS form.
I, too, am impressed with this web site, adding onto the comment by Kaethe:
As I recall in recent readings about King Philip’s War, there was an instance after one of the battles with native Americans, when one of the colonist leaders retreated to Sandwich, after a battle. The constant friction/war/ murder and mayhem which was, unfortunatly part of everyday life in 17th and early 18th century Massachusetts and New England deserves greater attention. It is akin to the generalized fear about nuclear war from the 1950′s, but it was probably more strongly felt than that (as the ‘enemy’ was in everyone’s backyard) and for a much longer time. Understanding the very complex relationships between the colonists and native Americans puts into sharp focus one of the major themes of everyday colonial life and deserves more attention for those wishing to understand the everyday experiences of early settlers and their native American neighbors.
We visited Sandwich in September 2009. A wonderful nice place!
We also visited the Hoxie House and this is my point of approach. Inside the Hoxie House there is an exponat, a metal box with a complicate closing mechanism. The nice lady leading the visit, said that there are no informations about this box (age, function, owner etc.).
During a recent vacation near Passau, Germany we visited a castle with a mediveal exposition. And we saw a similar box.
Now I try to get in touch with responsibles of the Hoxie House to send them informations and pictures about this box.
However I cannot find any mail adress. Can somebody help and provide me a mail adress of a responsible person of the Hoxie House?
Thanks in advance!
Martin from Wiesbaden, Germany
*Site Admin Note: Response sent with the email address of the SHC.*
Wow! This is a wonderful website. Looks great and a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the history of the town. Thanks!
I thank Bill Daley for acquainting me with the website. What a terrific historical introduction to Sandwich. Though I have been living in Sandwich for 12 years I know little if its history. Thank you to the publishers from a” WashaShore.”
Jack Hackett
51 Holly Ridge Drive
This is a wonderful site for the town. People will learn so much and I’m sure it will be helpful to our visitors. Thank you!! I’m sure there is a link from our great town web-site. Way to go!!
Terrific web site. The historical record has never been more important to the Town of Sandwich, and it’s residents. This web site will be a valuable tool, for getting the message out.
Thanks to all involved.
What a wonderful website. Kudos to those responsible…it will be a great resource to link. Thank You.
I know the word Fort for the Wing House above has been debated. John Cullity told me once that it was never a ‘fort’; however, considering the King Philip’s war I can see that the ‘fear’ would have been there and the possibility of building a fortification ‘just incase’ seems credible. However, my question is…Was there ever an attack on the immigrants English in Sandwich by the Native Population? To my knowledge, there was not, but I am not the last word on this!
Thanks. Kaethe O. Maguire