The Howland Brothers: Coopers

[House at 2043 Main Road] The Howland brothers owned three cooper shops where they made oil casks. One resident recalls how they performed an exceptional feat by replacing one stave in a barrel that remained filled with oil. “They’d roll it so the rotted stave was on top and somehow hold the barrel together with […]

Continue Reading

The Dead Letters

[Letter to Mr. Henry Gifford on board the Bark Theophilus Chase, courtesy NBWM] In addition to being a prominent ship owner and whaling merchant, Alexander H. Cory also served as postmaster for Westport Point 1840 – 1897. Among the Cory Family Papers at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is a fascinating collection of letters sent […]

Continue Reading

Cory Store

[Photo courtesy of the NBWM ] Isaac Cory built this store in the late 1820’s in order to move the expanding business from his home at 2039 Main Road. It was central to the commercial life of Westport Point. The store was on the first floor, a milliner’s and tailor shop were on the second, […]

Continue Reading

Shipbuilders, Allen and Sisson and the Kate Cory

In the shipyard behind the Cory store, Frank Sisson and Eli Allen built the Kate Cory in 1856. The specifications have been transcribed from the original document in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Carpenter’s certificate for the Mermaid built for Andrew Hicks in 1855. [Courtesy New Bedford Whaling Museum] Kate Cory Specifications […]

Continue Reading

The Cory Dynasty

[Cory House – Photo by Jon Alden.] Three generations of the leading Westport Point merchant family, the Corys, made this house their home. Isaac Cory, Isaac Cory, Jr. and Alexander Hamilton Cory built ships, managed whaling and fishing voyages and served as general merchandisers of the area. They are best remembered for their ship, the […]

Continue Reading