- 1793 - A wealthy and powerful group of men with vision became investors in and proprietors of a water transportation system between Chelmsford's Middlesex Village and Boston. Governor John Hancock signed the legislative act of incorporation for the Middlesex Canal Company on June 22.
- The thirteen men named as Proprietors petitioned the Massachusetts General Court and received a charter to start construction of the 27.25-mile long canal with the right to take land by eminent domain and to collect tolls. Many of the 30 other canal companies chartered in the United States around this time failed or were abandoned before completion.
- An initial offering of 800 shares at $2.00 each was sold, and the survey process began. Vice President John Adams was an investor.
- A ground breaking ceremony was held at the canal's high point, the Concord River in Billerica, on September 10.
- The proprietors elected their first Board of Directors with Massachusetts Attorney General and canal advocate James Sullivan as President on October 7.
- Governor John Hancock died in office on October 8.
- 1794 - Due to problems encountered with the early surveys, the Directors hired English canal engineer William Weston during July, borrowing him from work on canals in Pennsylvania. One of two possible routes was selectd and lock plans created. Ironically, the route not selected for the canal was useful for a future railroad.
- The Directors appointed Middlesex County Sheriff Loammi Baldwin, Sr, as Superintendent on October 1st.
- 1803 - The canal was completed on December 31 with 8 aqueducts, 48 bridges, 18 lift locks, 2 guard locks, and 2 tidal locks.
- The sketch below by artist John C Payro (1862-1953) depicts the upper lock at Middlesex Village, nicely conveying the essence of the setting, but not necessarily the reality. For instance, the toll house depicted here shows two windows on the near side rather than one, the door and window reversed on the front, and the chimney on the far end rather than in the center.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association (colorized)
- 1804 - The first boats travelled the canal from Chelmsford to Charlestown.
- John L Sullivan, son of James Sullivan, joined the company this year and played a significant role in the Middlesex Canal project, serving as an agent and engineer for the canal starting this year. His responsibilities were overseeing the construction and maintenance of the canal, implementing engineering solutions for any challenges that arose, and ensuring its efficient operation including collection of tolls.
- A tidal lock was constructed allowing boats to exit the Charlestown mill pond and cross the Charles River to Boston. Power was provided by boatmen pulling on a submerged rope as there was no towpath.
- Artist Louis Linscott (1897-1971) was known for his detailed sketches and prints of the Middlesex Canal. His notable piece below depicts the “Express Packet Boat General Sullivan” approaching Abbott’s Landing in Woburn, MA.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
- 1805 - A branch canal, incorporating one lift and one tidal lock, was constructed in Medford to access the Mystic River. This enabled the canal to serve the many shipbuilding firms situated along that river.
- 1807 - Loammi Baldwin, Sr, passed away on October 20. His son Cyrus, one of five sons who worked with their father on the canal project, moved to Middlesex Village to act as agent for the Middlesex Canal. Another son, Loammi Jr, went on to work on many high profile civil engeneering projects and was later considered to be the “Father of American Civil Engineering.”
- 1808 - In his survey of internal improvements, Albert Gallatin called the Middlesex Canal "the greatest work of its kind to date in the United States." Another assessment claimed that it increased the value of New Hampshire timber, alone, by five million dollars.
- 1809 - The two guard locks at the Concord River were modified to become extendable-lenth locks to allow a 'train' of up to 10 log rafts to pass the Concord River without requireing disassembly and reassembly.
- 1810 - An independent firm, the Boston Mill Pond Company, constructed a canal into Haymarket Square along the route of Boston’s present day Canal Street.
- 1811 - John Sullivan became owner and head of the Merrimack Boating Company on January 12. The Boating Company began construction of eleven short bypass canals on the Merrimack River to avoid falls or rapids and extend canal service to Concord, NH.
- The photos below show the abandoned Merrimack River bypass canal located north of Merrimack, NH.
July 9, 2004 photos (FM)
- 1812 - The War of 1812 was accompanied by a depression as a result of the British shipping blockade, but the canal continued to move cargo and grow.
- 1815 - Regular boat service began along the 79 mile waterway in June, 52 miles on the Merrimack River by push-pole or steam powered boat, and 27 miles on the Middlesex Canal by horse or ox towed vessel.
- 1816 - John Sullivan, received a patent for improvements in steam engines and boilers. His contributions were significant, but Robert Fulton’s success with his vessel Clermont in 1807 and extensive patent portfolio often overshadowed them. Sullivan's first steam powered boat was a rear paddle wheeler, but could not be used on the Middlesex Canal because the back wash was too destructive to the embankments. The boat was successfully used by his Merrimack Boating Company for service north into New Hampshire.
- 1817 - the Canal Commissioners of New York State came to New England to study the Middlesex Canal's location, construction, and profitability. The State of New York was preparing to build the Erie Canal.
- 1819 - The canal paid its first dividend this year.
- 1826 - The rapidly growing industrial Town of Lowell was incorporated as the City of Lowell, with the nearby Middlesex Canal providing transportation for its goods and materials.
- 1830 - The state of Massachusetts chartered the Boston and Lowell Railroad. The canal was used during the next few years to transport rail line construction materials and its first locomotive. This set the stage for the canal's eventual demise as canals froze during the winter and railroads could operate year-round, were faster, and more flexible.
- 1832 - The Middlesex Canal Toll House was constructed and installed on the west bank of the upper lock at Middlesex Village. Before 1832, the Collector of Tolls office was located in a room in a company operated warehouse. Samuel P Hadley Sr proudly served as the Collector of Tolls until the canal ceased operation 19 years later.
- In this circa 1890 image, The toll house is on its original site next to the dry canal bed. One of the men is likely Samuel P Hadley Jr, born in 1831, and Lowell Police Court Judge for many years.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
- The sketch below shows the location of the canal office (toll house) relative to the buildings and homes in Middlesex village.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
- 1833 - The years between 1819 and 1833 were the golden years for the canal, with receipts peaking this year.
- 1835 - The Boston and Lowell Railroad went into service, generally following the route of the Canal.
Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society
- 1838 - The railroad was extended to Nashua, competing directly with the Merrimack Boating Company.
- The Toll House is seen here circa 1900 facing the dry canal bed with shutters and chimney gone. The young man is unidentified.
- The canal bed is cut off by the Nashua and Lowell railroad embankment which is built on solid material here. Initially there had to be a bridge as there was a 13-year overlap between rail and canal operations.
- 1842 - The railroad was extended to Concord, NH.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
- 1851 - The canal proprietors, trying to protect their investment, proposed the canal be used to transport water to Boston. The offer was not accepted.
- The Proprietors sold six acres of canal land including the locks, toll house, storehouse, and cottage house and barn to lock-keeper Samuel P Hadley, Sr, on September 5.
- Commercial traffic on the Middlesex Canal ended on November 23.
- 1853 - Between 1793 and 1817, shareholders were called on for some 100 assessments totaling $740 per share.
- No dividends were paid until 1819. and dividends paid between 1819 and 1853 equaled a total repayment of only $559.50 per share.
- 1860 - The Middlesex Canal Company was dissolved.
- 1871 - The southern portion of the canal in Chelmsford was accepted as a town road on March 21.
- Circa 1890 - The Middlesex Tavern was built around 1728 by Jonas Clark, who operated a ferry across the Merrimack River before the first Pawtucket Falls bridge was built in 1792. Clark was the son of Chelmsford's second minister, Rev Thomas Clark.
- In the Arthur Emerson glass negative below, the abandoned Middlesex Canal bed is beyond a grocery store and fence at the left end of the Tavern. A sign in the near corner window reads "CARS Stop Here" refering to the street cars running on Middlesex Street. There is a man standing by the near corner with two small dogs, and the rectangular blue sign above him says "Beethoven." This was an advertisement for the Beethoven Piano Company operating in New Jersey from 1869 to 1892 and specializing in mail order sales to rural areas.
Historical Society glass negative 2009.9.27203 (colorized)
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
Unknown Internet Source
- 1939 - Mr Ryan contacted Norman Mason, president of the William P Proctor Company at 106-Middlesex Street. Mason became interested, and after purchasing the 102-Middlesex Street property next door to his company on September 9, agreed to have the Toll House moved there.
- This new location had high visibility as it was directly across the street from the old St John's Church. Ironically, this wooden church building was originally located next door to the Middlesex Tavern, saved from demolition in 1859, and moved 1.3 miles to Church Street in North Chelmsford with an armed guard due to religious controversy at the time.
- circa 1943 - Proctor employee Carrol Craft was given the task of supervising restoration of the Toll House inside and out. The result is seen here with the Proctor Company girls posing out front. Many of the company's men were away on military service.
Historical Society photo print 2015.4.1 (colorized)
- 1954 - The restored Toll House is sitting on cement blocks at an unidentified temporary location prior to the move to Town Hall. T Richard Davis is standing by the front door.
Historical Society 35mm film slide
Newsweekly
June 9, 1955
June 9, 1955
"MIDDLESEX CANAL TOLL HOUSE"
"In keeping with the Tercentenary celebration the toll house used during the time of the Middlesex Canal will be in use during the celebration and will be located on the lawn of the town hall in the Center. The toll house was restored by William P Proctor Company and was presented to the town by that company at the last special town meeting."
- 1955 - The Town of Chelmsford 300th Anniversary Celebration events took place in June and July, and were captured on film. The movie was later digitized by Chelmsford Telemedia, and this screen shot shows the Toll House in use during the events.
Courtesy of Chelmsford Telemedia
- 1959 - The toll house was moved to this location between the barn at 2-Bridge Street and the 1802 Schoolhouse in Forefathers Burying Ground as seen here.
- 1962 - The Middlesex Canal Association was formed.
- 1971 - The American Society of Engineers designatied the Middlesex Canal as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark on May 18.
Historical Commission photo print, February 1973
Newsweekly
June 26, 1975
June 26, 1975
"Middlesex Canal Tollhouse Moved"
"The Middlesex Canal Tollhouse, said to be the oldest tollhouse in America, has been moved to the lawn at the Town Hall to serve as an information booth during the Bicentennial celebration. The Tollhouse originally stood at Landing 08 at the head of the Middlesex Canal in Middlesex village which was, at that time, part of Chelmsford.
"MIDDLESEX CANAL TOLLHOUSE - Pictured from left to right — Richard Lahue holding grandson Michael Caffelle, Fred Parlee, Charles Parlee, Victor Weaver, Henry Parlee Jr on fork lift, and Henry Parlee inside the fork lift."
Newsweekly
July 24, 1975
July 24, 1975
"Lazy Daisy Gardeners Help Beautify Town Hall"
"The Lazy Daisy Gardeners project ... included the flower bed of marigolds planted during the summer of 1974, an array of tulips in the spring of 1975, and the numerous beds including the bi-centennial red, white, and blue petunias for this summer ... A decision to put window boxes and a flower bed in front of the Toll House was made by the selectman’s office and the garden club board. The Toll House will remain at the Town Hall for the next eighteen months.
"Helping with the cleanup are Carol Merriam and son David, Estelle Abely, and Robbie Zylich."Newsweekly
December 2, 1976
December 2, 1976
"Toll House Stays In Town, Say Selectmen"
"The Old Middlesex Canal Toll House will not be moved out of Chelmsford by unanimous vote of the Selectmen taken on November 29. The action was in reply to an inquiry from the trustees of the OMC Association as to whether the Board would consider loaning the historic structure to be displayed at the canal restoration in Woburn which is staffed by the City of Woburn and includes the restored Baldwin Mansion, a segment of restored canal, and a reproduction of one of the passenger boats on which rides will be offered next Spring ..."
Lowell Sun
January 19, 1977
January 19, 1977
"Beleaguered Chelmsford toll house to be evicted from town hall yard, By CAROL KOPP, Sun Staff"
"CHELMSFORD - The beleaguered Chelmsford Toll House, center of endless negotiations between town officials and historic enthusiasts, will stay right in front of town hall - but only for the moment. The selectmen have vowed to get the building out of the town hall's front yard by April ...
"In April, the toll house is likely to be moved for the last time, across the street to the Chelmsford Common."
Lowell Sun
June 16, 1977
June 16, 1977
"Up in the air"
"...as it was for many months before a new location was decided on, the Middlesex Canal Tollhouse was guided onto a new foundation this week. The 19th century structure was picked up from its temporary viewing place in front of town hall, moved across the street and permanently settled on the common."
"Sun Staff photo by Hunt."
- 1989 - The Community Preservation Fund Committee sponsored a family walk on the towpath on Canal Street on October 14. At the following Town Meeting, the Committee requested money for a survey of the portion of the Canal located in Chelmsford as part of the Middlesex Canal Association's project to place the Canal on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2008 - In July, the total length of the Canal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
April 22, 2009 photos (FM)
- 2011 - The town's Public Facilities department requested quotes for Toll House repairs including rotted wood trim and roof shingle replacement, a new door threshold, and painting.
- 2012 - Historic Preservationist Dana Gray won the contract, and the results are seen here.
Novembr 26, 2012 photos (FM)
- 2022 - Judge Hadley probably held onto the canal relics seen in this very old photo. The lock gate contol wheel was recently rediscovered during a cleanout under the stairs in the garage at the Barrett-Byam Homestead barn, and was mounted for display as seen here.
Courtesy of the Middlesex Canal Association
February 2, 2022 photo (FM)
REFERENCES:
- Book, Courier Printing, 2011, "History of Chelmsford 1910-1970" by Eleanor Parkhurst and Fred Merriam
- Book, Courier-Citizen Printing, "History of Chelmsford Massachusetts"by Rev Wilson Waters
- Deeds, Middlesex North Registry
- Images labeled "(colorized)" were scanned, edited, and colorized by Fred Merriam
- Images labeled "(FM)" were photographed by Fred Merriam
- Newspaper, "Chelmsford Newsweekly," as credited
- Newspaper, "The Lowell Sun," as credited
- Photo collection, Chelmsford Historical Commission
- Photo and negative collections, Chelmsford Historical Society
- Photo collection, Middlesex Canal Association
- Watercolor print, Medford Historical Society
- Website, Historical Commission, Middlesex Canal, Chelmsford Section
- Website, Historical Commission, Canal Tollhouse
- Website, Middlesex Canal Association
- Website, St John the Evangelist, Church History