Thomas B. Bewley Obituary
Engineer at Columbian Mills
May 9, 1929
New Ipswich
Thomas B. Bewley.
NEW IPSWICH, May 9. The funeral of Thomas B. Bewley, who died Sunday evening, was held in the Congregational church here yesterday afternoon. Rev. John Elliott Bowman, a former pastor, officiated. Floral tributes were profuse and the service was attended by a large number of friends.
Thomas Braithwaite Bewley was born in England on Dec. 30, 1867 and came to this country when 18 years of age. He worked in Waltham, and Fitchburg, Mass., for a number of years and then moved to Mason, where he engaged in farming until 1909, when he moved to the High Bridge section of this town and accepted a position as engineer at the Columbian mills.
On Sept. 21, 1897 he was married in Waltham, Mass., to Miss Laura Creighton of New Brunswick. Besides the widow, he is survived by five children, William, Laura, Alice, Jean, all of this town, and Mrs. Eleanor Arnold of Greenville. Three brothers and three sisters, all living in England, also survive. A cousin, Arthur Bewley of New York City, the only relative in this country outside of the immediate family, was present at the service.
Mr. Bewley was a member of Bethel lodge, A. F. and A. M. and John Everett chapter, O. E. S. of this town and Fruitdale grange of Mason. The Masonic committal service was conducted at the grave by Bethel lodge, of which Mr. Bewley was senior warden. Burial was in the Centre cemetery. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Henry Farrar of Greenville.
Photo Archives
High Bridge mill
James Roger diary entry
27th April 1913
Fine morning but wind easterly. Mother had a good comfortable night and went out about 6 a.m. to enjoy fresh air, which made her feel sleepy. Doctor came about 10 and found her condition better than yesterday. Got telegram from Alice. Mr. Cochrane better, condition more hopeful. Jim met her in N.Y. I did not go to Church nor Evening service. Finns had afternoon service in the Chapel.
Today
4/27/24 – Old Homestead Farm: Our Story Past, Present, & Future
Presented by Ben and Chelsea Hatcher, Owners
April 27, 2024
1:30 PM
New Ipswich Library
Both of the Hatchers were raised on New England farms: Ben on a dairy farm in Central Massachusetts and Chelsea in New Ipswich on Old Tavern Farm.
Though small-scale farming in our region has declined in recent decades, Ben and Chelsea decided that farm life is exactly what they wanted for themselves and their young daughters. In 2019, after they purchased the three parcels that would become Old Homestead Farm, Ben began constructing the farm from the ground up.
Through hard work, ingenuity, faith, and the help of family and friends, Old Homestead Farm has thrived, and Chelsea and Ben are transforming their dream into reality. During their 60-minute presentation, they will describe their journey—from the decision to buy the land in New Ipswich, the challenges they faced, the successes they achieved, and their vision of the future as a small family farm.
A short Q & A will follow. Light refreshments will be served.
Great photo of the mill. What was in the tower attached to the main building? Elevator shafts?
That's the mill as I remember it. I only entered it once and never went beyond the ground floor. The tower had a stairwell and freight elevator. The machine noise was deafening, and conversation was difficult. Everyone (including my father) who worked there lost some of their hearing. My father retained most of his hearing and did not need a hearing aid. However, he worked there for only 2 years and was 40 yrs old. He then went to work for Simonds in Fitchburg.