Braintree's History of Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Business.

Within the confines of Old Braintree there were several brooks and ponds, a sizable river, the Monatiquot, and miles of shore front with an abundance of salt and fresh water meadows. It was a most desirable area for the farmer, the fishermen, the shipbuilder and the manufacturer.

By 1837, Braintree produced 130,000 pairs of boots and shoes; 2 paper mills manufactured 182 tons of paper; 1 manufacturing plant made 215 tons of nails; 1 machinery plant turned out $150,000 worth of cotton and woolen goods and an extraordinary variety of useful articles from ticket punches to fans.

1643 - The first attempt at manufacturing began with an iron ore factory built by John Winthrop.

1696 – The first ship “Utility”, a fishing “smack” was built.

1749 – General Joseph Palmer established the glass works with German workmen and refinanced by means of a lottery.

1789 – Eli Hayden built the “Massachusetts” for the China trade.  At 116 feet overall, it was the largest ship in the country.

1800 – Samuel Hayden began the boot and shoe industry.

1823 – Oliver Ames et al, reestablished the iron works as the Braintree Manufactory.

1825 – The Boston and Braintree Copper and Brass Manufactory was formed.

1854 – George Thomas established a shipyard and built clipper ships.