Rowley in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
First Fulling Mill
1630 - 1930
Photographed by Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
1. First Fulling Mill Marker
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
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);
this page online
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
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.
Additional keywords. Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission
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.)
Photographed by Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
4. Rowley Historical Mill
Photographed by Michael Tiernan, October 6, 2011
5. Rowley Historical Mill
Side view of the mill.
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 2,735 times since then and 67 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.
