Time After Time

Larry Chelmow in his shop on Chapman Street.

This story was written nine years ago. And, as time passed, my dear friend embraced aging with an ever burgeoning family. Grandchildren and great grandchildren blossomed and this kind man smiled. There is a poignancy in growing old and wise. A day before I learned of Larry’s passing last week, I dreamed of the two of us on a ladder in the local library as we changed out the movement of a clock. The next day, news of Larry’s death reached my email in-box. I was struck by this spiritual moment and our intersection in life.  

Larry had a stroke and he was hanging a clock in his living room when he was stricken. The beauty of the passing is that he was doing what he loved most and following his passion until the end of his life. Betty and Larry had been married sixty years. It was a full and vivid life and one that was very connected to Canton.

The Congregational Church

The Congregational Church 

When you look at this picture, it will be almost impossible to place this location today. Both the building in the foreground and the church in the background are long gone. The snapshot was taken in April, 1969 and the photographer is standing on Washington Street. The corner is at the intersection of Neponset Street where the small convenience store is now. 

The church is the Congregational Church and the classic structure was dedicated in 1860. The total cost was $6895.00 and in a large part the families of the community donated generously. Built by John Ellis Seavey whose family has a long and illustrious connection with Canton. 

Of interest is the fact that the interiors, pews and pulpit along with the top of the steeple  were all constructed by one man; Hugh MacPherson. According to the stories, MacPherson was simply visiting the town of Canton when the first loads of lumber arrived to build the church. A devout Baptist, MacPherson nevertheless assisted and soon became a deacon of the very church he helped to build. Thus is the power of transformation. 

As for our friend Hugh MacPherson, I have seen a series of photographs taken at Revere & Sons Copper Yard after they moved from Canton and the watchman was named McPherson - which is spelled a bit differently but it is believed to be the same person.  The photo to the left shows McPherson with his dog. A query to Jim Roache yields great additional information. Roache found the death record for Hugh MacPherson indicating that he died on January 22, 1924 and was born in Glascow, Scotland in 1836. In fact, in 1868 there are only two MacPhersons living in Canton; Hugh and David. Hugh lived on Church Street - around the corner from the new Congregational Church. David MacPherson seems very well off being taxed for 8 horses and nine carriages, but living at home. My sense is that it is likely that David was John's brother and lived here in Canton when John came to visit in 1860. David enlisted in the 24th Mass at age 21 (1861) as a Drummer, Appointed Pricipal Musician May 1863, re-enlisted Jan. 1864 and was discharged Jan. 1866. David was also born in Glasgow, Scotland (1844) but gave his place of residence when he enlisted as South Reading. 

But I digress, and now back to our church. There are a few vestiges of the original church as reminders to Canton. The organ was donated in 1958 by Mildred Morse Allen and is still in use today at the new church on Washington Street. Also, the four sides of the clock are still in town - and the clock itself and one face is proudly keeping time atop Memorial Hall. As you walk in the Canton Historical Society, immediately on your right is another clock face from the steeple.

In 1961 the church was renamed the United Church of Christ. After 103 years the church needed to be replaced. Largely the congregation had outgrown the church and families needed more space for programs and fellowship. By 1963 a new church was opened near St. Mary's Cemetery on Washington Street and the congregation moved to their new home. The church property was sold to the Mobil Oil Corporation in 1969 for $50,000 and was soon demolished. The parking lot on Neponset behind the convenience store is all that is left of the property. As is often the case, these are ghost images from another time, but in our place that still have bits and pieces connected to our town today.  (photo credit: Kelleher Collection, Canton Public Library)

Hawes' Clock

William K. Hawes and his Clock

Sometimes you come across a photograph and ask yourself the question "I wonder where that thing is now?" Here is an example from Canton's History that begs the question.

The photograph shows William K. Hawes standing outside his watchmaker and jewelry shop which was located on Washington Street. The Historical Society has documentation that suggests this shop was located between Neponset and Church Streets in the Wentworth Block. The Wentworth Block was originally three separate buildings that were combined in 1819 by Friend Crane. The block was destroyed by fire around 1900. 

To his left is his Grand Strasburg - an enormous clock that is twice as tall as him. And the details in this machine are amazing. It appears to show celestial and planetary movements. At the top is a host of moving animatronic people and fanciful angels or cherubs. The detail must have been amazing to behold. Hawes was apparently quite successful as a local businessman and he sold photographs and stereographic images along with clocks and jewelry. This image is dated to approximately 1885.

There are probably not many clocks still around that can be attributed to Hawes, I do know of one of Hawes' clocks and it is in the Canton Historical Society hanging to the left of the vault door. The clock is quite tall in a black wooden case and beautiful dial. I can still recall Ed Bolster the President of the "Histy" climbing the rickety ladder to wind the elegant clock with the banjo-style pendulum. I recently saw the clock just last week and noticed that it is in need of some minor repair and probably a cleaning, but it is a fine specimen of the maker.

Many times I wonder what became of this enormous piece. The carvings and the mechanisms appear to be highly detailed and there are few places that could have houses such a huge timepiece. Perhaps it was made for an exhibition or a World's Fair. Whatever the case, this is an amazing glimpse at life along Washington Street at the turn of the last Century.

This photo is a wonderful connection to our past and a reminder of the William K. Hawes, Watchmaker and Jeweler of Canton, Mass. Thanks to Patricia Johnson for deducing the location at the Wentworth Block.