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Rowley in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
 

First Fulling Mill

1630 - 1930

 
 
First Fulling Mill Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
1. First Fulling Mill Marker
Inscription. Ten rods west is the site of the first fulling mill in the English colonies, built about the year 1643 by John Pearson.
 
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial EraIndustry & CommerceSettlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1643.
 
Location. 42° 44.386′ N, 70° 53.926′ W. Marker is in Rowley, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker is at the intersection of Newbury Turnpike (Massachusetts Route 1) and Mill Street, on the right when traveling south on Newbury Turnpike. The marker is lower than most and off the side of the road behind a guard rail. The actual approach to the sign and the mill is from Mill Street just beyond it. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rowley MA 01969, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rowley Massachusetts World War I Honor Roll (approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Massachusetts World War II Honor Roll (approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Massachusetts Korean War Honor Roll Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Massachusetts Viet Nam Honor Roll Memorial
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(approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Massachusetts Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Burial Ground (approx. 2 miles away); Rowley Massachusetts Civil War Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Maximilian and Joseph Jewett (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rowley.
 
Regarding First Fulling Mill. For those not carrying their handy-dandy unit conversion slide rule, the distance "Ten rods" is approximately 165.0 feet (50meters)

A quick check of Wikipedia tells us that "Fulling" is:
Fulling or tucking or walking ("waulking" in Scotland) is a step in woolen clothmaking which involves the cleansing of cloth (particularly wool) to eliminate oils, dirt, and other impurities, and making it thicker.
 
Also see . . .
1. Definition of "Fulling" at Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 6, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts.)
2. Historical Markers Erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission (1930). Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating
Approaching the First Fulling Mill Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
2. Approaching the First Fulling Mill Marker
Here the marker can be seen on the side of the road. For those not familiar with the area, this is a highway speed road that is two lanes wide. Stopping on the side of the road is highly dangerous and discouraged. Beyond this guardrail, approximatly 120 feet (~40meters) is Glen Street.
the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on October 14, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.) 
 
Additional keywords. Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission
 
Approaching the Rowley Historical Mill from Glen Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
3. Approaching the Rowley Historical Mill from Glen Street
Rowley maintains this mill located slightly west of the marker itself. I do not have any information verifying that this mill is the one that is the subject of the marker itself or a more recent construction. (Noting that a more recent construction can still be 300+ years old.)
Rowley Historical Mill image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
4. Rowley Historical Mill
Rowley Historical Mill image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
5. Rowley Historical Mill
Side view of the mill.
Area viewed from behind the marker. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
6. Area viewed from behind the marker.
This lovely little vista is viewed from the right behind the marker. All indications are that this area, the small bridge and the house it connects is private property so be aware.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,804 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on October 7, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 6, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024