Posted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[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 ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[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 ReadingPosted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone
Andrew Hicks became one of Westport’s most prominent and enduring entrepreneurs in the whaling industry, owning 9 vessels registered at Westport. He was born in Westport in 1799, the eldest son of Barney and Sarah Cook Hicks. In 1836 he fitted out his first vessel, the President and his success continued for the next 50 […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone
Thomas Mayhew was the principal owner of the Catherwood and Thomas Winslow in the 1840’s. Undoubtedly, the profits from these voyages funded the construction of this distinctive federal style house at 2018 Main Road, Westport Point, circa 1848. [Photograph courtesy Jon Alden]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Please note: Clicking on an image will result in a larger image in a separate window.] Account books kept by Henry Wilcox reveal the business side of the whaling industry. These pages show accounting for the Bark Theophilus Chase on her first voyage in 1842. Note the diversified ownership of this vessel, Henry Wilcox owning […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Newspaper article on Andrew Hicks from WHS] Every whaling voyage was a financial gamble. For the owner of a whaling vessel it could lead to financial ruin or fabulous riches. A select group of Westporters possessed the business acumen and good judgment to weather the fluctuations of the whale oil market over a long period […]
Continue Reading