Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA: Spring street to Centre street
Site 23: J. H. Lambert's - E. T. Walker's - Issokson's - Amelia Bloomers

Stan Lair said: "On the corner of Main and Spring was John Lambert Grocery Store, later a harness store run by my father, Leroy Lair, and later it was E. T. Walker's Paint and Hardware, and is now Issokson's Cleaners. This building is the site of the old Baptist Church. It was on this spot before it was destroyed by fire in 1883. The fire wiped out all of our Main Street."

 

 J. H. Lambert's Boston Branch Grocery, c. 1894, looking north. The intersection of Main and Spring streets is in the foreground. Dr. Butler's office is visible on the right.

The Baptist Churches (c. 1790 - 1883) and R. W. Coffin's Grocery Store

Before the 1883 fire, the Baptist Church stood at this site. It was actually the second Baptist church at this site the first was built here during 1788-91 and eventually fell into decay, and the second built on the same spot in 1837 at a cost of $4500. (Was this the "first church at Martha's Vineyard" mentioned in a 1914 Gazette article (when they found the key to it), built in 1704 in Holmes Hole and which burned about 1835, evidently adjacent to the Branscomb family's home?) In February 1882, the Gazette reported the publishing of the pamphlet "History of the Baptist Church, Vineyard Haven, Mass." by Rev. J. Coker, pastor. It was printed on the press of E. H. Manter (See Site #___.) J. P. Farrar was pastor from 1883-1887.

Rev. Warren Luce, in his 1923 boyhood memories of the 1860s and 1870s, recalled that underneath the church was a grocery and dry goods store kept by Richard and Mary Coffin this was undoubtedly Richard W. Coffin (1821-1901), once called a "principal merchant" in Vineyard Haven and was a deacon of this Baptist Church, who was living in Holliston by 1882. Coffin was the father-in-law of Capt. Barnard Luce (See Site #___.)

The 1883 fire completely destroyed the church, and the Gazette reported that "The bell in the Baptist church rang out its own requiem. Twice the bell struck as it fell through the air." Two weeks later, the Gazette reported that grocer John F. Robinson was selling pieces of the bell recovered from the ruins. In September 1883 the Gazette reported that bricks from the old church were to be reused in the new church. By May 1885 the new Baptist Church foundations were in place at its new location on William Street. (By 1887 James E. Hamilton Ph.D. was the pastor and Capt. Lorenzo Smith and Holmes M. Athearn were deacons.)

 

 The Second Baptist Church, as seen from the Great House. Cromwell Lane is the alley in the foreground, and the steeple of the Association Hall (now the Town Hall) is visible in the distance. (Today, the Bowl & Board building stands on the empty lot seen on the right.) Photo courtesy Debbie Conroy



J. H. Lambert's Dry Goods Store (1883 - 1889?)

John H. Lambert (1842-1916) was the son of mariner William M. Lambert and Betsy W. Hancock of Chilmark. In October 1883, he bought the burned lot where Baptist Church stood for $670 at public auction, and later the same month began work building a new store on the site of the old church. The Gazette reported that Lambert's new building was "a handsome one" and that the upper part was to become eight or ten "lodging rooms to let." On October 18th, Lambert sold the north end of the lot to Dr. Winthrop Butler (see Site #24.) Lambert's new northern boundary was only four feet north of the underpinning of his new store.

By November 1883 the new building was taking shape. According to Gazette reports, John H. Lambert's new corner store was "very pretty" with "two immense plate glass windows in front" and "stained glass lights at side and bottom of sashes." He built one entrance on Main street and another on Spring street. The same month Lambert bought the lot on Spring Street adjacent to the rear of his property from Benjamin and Rebecca Merry for $200.

By early 1884, J. H. Lambert's new dry goods store was open, and in May 1884 he opened a millinery department with Mae M. Robinson in charge. By July 1886, Aurie C. Hursell was employed as the clerk at Lambert's dry goods store.

In August 1887, the Gazette made reference to "the new concrete on Main St. near J. H. Lambert's store." and in November 1887 they reported that part of Spring Street was being concreted. In August 1887 the Village Improvement Society put up six street lights and helped fund the concreting of Spring St. from Main to William.


"The Boston Store": The Eagleston Brothers' Dry Goods Store (1889 - 1891)

In May 1889 the Gazette reported that the Eagleston Brothers were renovating the store of J. H. Lambert, and later the same month A. P. and Edward L. Eagleston announced the "grand opening" of The Boston Store at Lambert's Block. They advertised dry and fancy goods, dress goods; silks hosiery and underwear, carpets and window shades. In December 1889 a storm blew down the railing on Lambert's Block which damaged a window in Dr. Butler's store next door (See Site #24.)

In July 1890, E. L. Eagleston withdrew from the Boston Store business to open the New York Store in Hyannis, but his brother A. P. retained management of their dry goods store. In January 1891, The Boston Store advertised "Ladies' and Misses' garments."

In August 1891 workmen broke ground for the foundation of the new Boston Store elsewhere on Main Street, into which A. P. Eagleston moved his business about the end of November 1891. In August 1891, Louis Rosskoff was hired to work at the Boston Store.

 

 Lambert's grocery store. In the reflection in the window on the left the word "Eagleston" is just visible on the building directly across the street, where Mosher Photo is today.


J. H. Lambert's Boston Branch Grocery (c.1892 - 1895)

In May 1892, the WCTU, leading a cause to light the streets, voted to remove a lantern from Mr. J. Lambert's yard to the corner of Main and Spring Streets.

In May 1892, the Gazette reported that an Edison phonograph at John Lambert's store was "giving lots of entertainment."

In March 1893 the Gazette reported that John Lambert's store room was painted.

In December 1893, the Gazette reported that John Lambert was preparing to open a grocery store at the corner of Main and Spring Streets.

 

  John Lambert is on the left.



Timothy Shugrue's Clothing Store (1896 - 1897? )

In April 1896 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Timothy Shugrue will open the store on the corner of Main and Spring streets, some time this month, with a full line of gent's furnishing goods." Timothy Shugrue (1862-1907) came to Vineyard Haven during the 1870s, and was working as a 17-year-old harness maker for Rodolphus Crocker in 1880 as well as living in Crocker's home. He married Mary E. Bandoin in Tisbury in 1886.

This store evidently lasted only one season, as in September 1896 the Gazette reported that Shugrue was to "have charge of" the branch store of Sanders & Barrows (of New Bedford) in Lane's Block. By 1900 he was employed in Vineyard Haven as an "oil peddler," and by 1903 he was occupying Ben Dexter's store (Site #26.)

The 1897 Vineyard Haven directory lists both a millinery shop of Mrs. Catherine W. Tilton (wife of Ernest L. Tilton -See Site #___) as well as the undertaking parlor of Moses C. Vincent on the corner of Main and Spring Streets, although it is unclear which corner(s) these were on.

 

  Bradley Harness Shop, c. 1899

Sylvester Bradley's Harness Shop (c. 1897 - 1900)

Sylvester Bradley (1853-1900) was the son of Tisbury dry goods merchant Henry Bradley and his wife Caroline W. ____ (See Site #22.) Sylvester Bradley married Catherine M. "Kate" Cleveland of Edgartown in 1876, and they were the parents of two children, Nellie Bradley and Herbert Lee Bradley (1877 1946; partner in the firm of Norton & Bradley - See Site #10.)

According to his obituary, Sylvester Bradley worked in Crocker's harness factory for many years before going into the harness business for himself. He was listed as a "harness maker" in the 1880 Tisbury census.

S. G. Bradley had a house and store which survived the 1883 fire. The only store in Vineyard Haven to survive, it was evidently on Water Street.

The 1897 Vineyard Haven directory lists S. P. G. Bradley on the corner of Main and Spring streets as a harness maker and dealer.

On Feb. 4, 1899 the store of John H. Lambert on the corner of Main and Spring streets was sold to Miss Florence A. Smith of Tisbury. Three weeks later, on Feb. 28, 1899, Florence Smith sold the same "valuable estate" to Sylvester P. G. Bradley of Tisbury, and the Gazette reported that the "tenants" were "expected to change."

In June 1899 the Gazette reported that Ralph Evans was employed at the shop of Sylvester Bradley. (This may have been the same person as "Ralph J. Evan" who appears in the 1900 census as a 12-year-old schoolboy living with his mother(?) Hattie H. Evan, divorced housekeeper of James Smith.)

Sylvester Bradley carried on the harness business at the "Lambert Block" until his death in May 1900, having lived his entire life in Vineyard Haven.


Eunice R. Beetle and Dr. Edward Roth, owners, 1900 - 1920

On May 31, 1900 Sylvester Bradley's widow Catherine and their two children Herbert and Nellie sold this property to Mrs. Eunice R. Beetle.

Mrs. Eunice R. (Lambert) Beetle (1824 - 1914) was born in Strong or Norridgewock, Maine, the daughter of Levi and Eliza Lambert. She came to Martha's Vineyard at age fifteen and taught school in Edgartown. She married ship chandler Richard Beetle (c.1802-10 - 1886), originally of Edgartown, who later became a Tisbury farmer.

Mrs. Beetle had a life-long interest in business and real estate. In May 1882 she opened a millinery line in "the store owned by J. M. Taber and lately occupied as an express office." She moved her millinery establishment to Falmouth later the same month. In April 1887 she opened a millinery store on Main street at the store of E. H. Manter in Lane's Block, and moved her business to Falmouth the following month. In October 1887, she was in the millinery business in Falmouth. By 1897 her millinery business was listed on the corner of Main and Centre streets.

In June, 1900 Mrs. Eunice Beetle sold this property to her son-in-law Dr. Edward Roth (1859 - 1919). Dr. Roth was the assistant of Dr. Stewart at the Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven sometime before 1883, and by 1883 was practicing in San Francisco, where he married Eunice's daughter Eliza L. Beetle (1854-____). They were the parents of Major Edward Roth Jr. (1883 - ). The Roth family was living in Holliston by July 1888. Dr. Edward Roth died March 1919 in Miami, Florida.

In Feb. 1920, widow Eliza L. Roth sold this lot and building to Mrs. Arabella M. Walker.

 

 Capt. Leroy C. Lair's Harness Bench.
(Collection of Jackie Baer)

Capt. Leroy C. Lair's store and club (c. 1900 - 1902)

Capt. Leroy Lair evidently took over the harness shop at this site following Sylvester Bradley's death in May 1900.

Capt. Leroy Crosby Lair (1869 - 1955) was born in Mattapoisett, MA, the son of French seaman Peter J. Lair and his wife Fannie Bradford Fish. His father abandoned the family and moved to the west coast when Leroy was a toddler. He came to the Vineyard as a boy with his mother, stepfather, and brother Carlton. He was called a Vineyard Haven "harness maker" in 1889 and 1891 town records. He and his brother opened a fish market in 1894, probably on Water or Union Street, but it is unclear how long it lasted. He was again listed as a Vineyard Haven "harness maker" in November 1894 and in the 1897 Vineyard Haven directory. In December 1898 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Leroy Lair is putting up a new place of business on Main Street, next to the Eagleston Bros.' store." and in January 1899 that Lair was "finishing his new store on Main Street and is already occupying it." It's unclear where this was. The April 1900 census lists Capt. Lair as a "harness merchant."

It is likely that Capt. Lair took over Bradley's harness shop in June 1900, when the Gazette reported that Frank Golart had moved his "bicycle hospital" to the "shop recently vacated by Leroy C. Lair." The same month it was reported that George Walker was working as a clerk for Lair. On June 28, 1900 the Gazette reported that the rear room in Bradley's Block had been converted into a boy's clubroom with billiard and pool tables.

In September 1901, Dr. J. S. Lawton, an eye doctor, advertised his business at L. C. Lair's.

In December 1901 it was reported that Capt. Lair gave a supper in the billiard room to his club, and in February 1902 that Lair gave a supper in his billiard room "at which a number of tug captains attended."


In November 1902, Capt. Lair sold his business to Charles Benson, and was reported to be "running a harbor boat, the little steamer Marion H., for the sale of goods down the harbor. This sort of barter has not been as common as it was years ago when many were engaged in the bumboat business."

Dr. Lawton advertised eyeglasses at L. C. Lair's in 1905 and 1907, although it's unclear where this was. 1907 and 1910 records call Lair a "teamster" and in 1915 as a "fisherman." He later opened another fish market on Union Street, behind Israel Issokson's store (See Site #6.)

Capt. Lair was married to Marion Hodge West (1869-1943; the daughter of Abner West and Sarah Hodge.) Their children were Fanny Smith (Lair) Downs, Carlton Purrington Lair 2nd, and Harold Stanton "Stan" Lair. Marion Hodge West also had one illegitimate son, reportedly by "Barber" Hammond (See Site #20): Ralph Crosby Lair (1900-1965).

 

 Charles Benson's store is just visible on the left in this ©1905 postcard


Charles Benson's Store (1902 - before 1907)

In November 1902 it was reported that Charles E. F. Benson had "leased the large store corner of Main and Spring streets, having bought out the stock of Mr. Leroy Lair."

Charles E. F. Benson (1859 - 1930), came to Martha's Vineyard as a boy just before 1870, when he was boarding with Vineyard Haven ship carpenter Charles Gifford. Benson married Sophronia B. Luce (1858 - 1957) in 1879. He appears in the 1880 census as a "laborer", in the 1897 directory as a "gardener," and in the 1900 census as a "house carpenter."

According to Benson's obituary, he twice opened "combination poolrooms and confectionery stores" on Main Street. Could this store have been one of them?


Legrand L. Aldrich's Store (c. 1907 - c. 1914)

By 1907, Legrand Lockwood Aldrich (c.1887-8 - ?) was advertising phonographs (and "graphophones"), billiards, post cards, fountain drinks, cigars, and a telephone pay station at the corner of Main and Spring streets.

Lavinia F. Brush (1886-1958) was his clerk in 1907. She was the daughter of Vineyard Haven painter Samuel N. Brush and his wife Melvina Luce. She married West Tisbury painter Charles Hardenburg West in 1910.

 

  1907 ad


In May 1907 Aldrich sold his cash register, safe, 1200 Edison records, and a collection of phonographs for $815.50 to Sadie L. Aldrich (his wife?)

In December 1907, Miss Ethelinda Lewis rented rooms over Mr. Aldrich's store, having moved there from Lane's Block.

In March 1908 the Gazette reported that Mr. George S. Chapman had "left town permanently and the telegraph business entirely. Mr. Aldrich, corner Main and Spring streets, being the operator, and the place of business the present telegraph office."

  The corner store, c. 1905-1910


In June 1910 the Tisbury selectmen granted a one-year license to Aldrich to keep one billiard table and several pool tables at his corner store for the purposes of "amusement" only no gambling. The selectmen also required that the pool room must be closed from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. each night.

In the 1910 Vineyard Haven directory, Aldrich advertised auto supplies, phonographs, billiards, postcards, fruit, cigars and tobacco, as well as Indian Motorcycles, bicycles, and supplies and repair. They also advertised the office of the Martha's Vineyard Telegraph Company. Town records also note that Aldrich worked for the Telegraph company during 1911-12.

In June 1913, the selectmen renewed Aldrich's license to keep one billiard table and three pool tables in his corner store for another year.

In 1913 Aldrich established his "20th Century Garage" at Five Corners. In February 1914 the Gazette announced that he was giving up the telegraph (or telephone?) office "in view of his other interests." (The new telegraph and telephone office was set up at old Swift Bros store see Site #17.) In April 1914 the paper noted that Aldrich and family were moving to Beach St. Ext. where he was preparing to have a house built. In April 1915 Legrand Aldrich renewed his billiard license, but this time at his new location on Beach Street

Aldrich's garage at Five Corners later became the Dukes County Garage under William G. Manter.


E. T. Walker Paint Store (c. 1914 - c. 1960)

  1907 ad


Eugene Tenny Walker (1852-1938) was born in New Hampshire. His family moved to a Kansas homestead when he was a boy, but Walker later returned east and worked for a paint manufacturer in East Boston, and traveled for the National Lead Company. In 1872 he was working as a "shoecutter" in Milford. In 1876 he married Arabella Maria "Belle" Carpenter (c1851-2 - 1940), the daughter of Byron and Jane Mason Carpenter of Milford. In 1880 Walker was working as a salesman in Milford and living in nearby Hopedale, and by about 1886 they were living in Franklin, MA. They settled in Vineyard Haven about 1890, where his brother lived. He worked for a time in Oak Bluffs as a painter and fisherman before returning to the paint business. The 1897 directory lists Walker as a "salesman" living on Grove Ave., and the 1900 census describes him as a Vineyard Haven house painter.

The 1907 Vineyard Haven directory lists the E. T. Walker & Co. business at Lane's Block, dealing paints, oils, varnishes, and wall paper. By 1910, E. T. Walker & Co. was advertising as "Successors to F. H. Jenkins," and the location was listed in the 1910 directory as both "Lane's Block" and as "South Main, near Beach rd." Walker evidently bought out Foster Jenkins' painting business about 1907-10, and was located for a period in Jenkins' old shop (See Site #16.) In January 1910 Foster Jenkins leased the lower part of his building to Walker for three years for $25 per month with the option to buy it for $5000. By the 1910 census, Eugene's sons George W. Walker and Henry E. Walker were also working as painters.

It's unclear when Walker moved his business to this site, but it was undoubtedly between 1910 and 1914, when the Sanborn map marks Jenkins' former shop as "vacant" and this site as "Paints."

By about 1920 Walker was advertising doors, sashes, blinds, mouldings, paints, oils, varnishes, wall papers, chemicals, builders' hardware and glass, as well as offering painting, decorating, hardwood finishing services. The Gazette noted that "During the busy season twelve men are employed." Walker's son Henry was also in the painting business at this time. In February 1920 the owner, widow Eliza L. Roth, sold this lot and building to Eugene's wife Arabella M. Walker.

By March 1926 E. T. Walker & Co. was advertising wallpaper, paint, and hardware. In February 1928, the Gazette reported that E. T. Walker had enlarged the shop and the apartments above and around the corner.

(During 1920-1, Mrs. L. E. Dame Norton advertised a millinery store at the corner of Main and Spring streets, although it's unclear which corner. Mary E. Norton managed the business.)

(During 1924-1927, James W. Lee, a gas range agent, advertised his "exhibition" of bottled gas cooking systems and water heaters on the corner of Spring and Main streets, although it's unclear which corner. Lee was known for owning the second car on the island, and for bringing the first motorcycle to the island. In March 1928 Lee moved his business to Ellis Manter's shop.)

By 1934, E. T. Walker turned the business over to his son George Woodbury Walker, who continued the paint and hardware store and painting and decorating business, and the following year his mother Arabella deeded this property to George. (By July 1926, E. T.'s other son Harry Walker, a former Tisbury selectman, was selling real estate in Florida.) E. T. Walker died Sep 7, 1938 in Vineyard Haven. His obituary called him a "master painter."


A relative of the E. T. Walker's wife writes of Walker: "Gene was considered a skeleton in the closet of the Carpenter family (even though he was only just related by marriage). Uncle Gene had been known as a member of the Socialist Party a crime to a family of staunch Republicans."

  Looking north on Main Street - late 1930s.


By the late 1930's George's nephew Walter H. Renear was working in the hardware and paint store.

Walter Renear writes: "George Woodbury Walker was my uncle by marriage, he married my aunt Frances Rockwell Renear. Harry was George's brother and I suppose that his real name was Henry. His was very thin and wife was very fat, a real Jack Sprat couple. He lived in the first house on the left as you go down Grove Avenue."

In 1940, Eugene's widow Arabella Walker died. In her later years she wintered in Florida, where she died at Coconut Grove in 1940 at the age of 88.

In January 1953, George Walker sold the painting and decorating part of the business to Ernest L. Campos and Thomas DeMont, who continued under the name E. T. Walker Contracting Co. This firm was operating as late as 1959. George Walker and his wife retired to Florida, where they ultimately died.

In May 1956, James R. and Katherine F. Gaffey bought and took over the management of Walker's hardware and paint store, although George W. Walker retained ownership of the building. Mr. Gaffey announced his intention to retain the "E. T. Walker" name and staff. Gaffey was at the time associated with the Martha's Vineyard Travel Bureau, which was then located in Cronig's Block (see Site #___.)

It is unclear exactly how long the business continued under Gaffey's management, but the business evidently folded at this site between 1959 and about 1962.

In August 1960 George Walker deeded this property to Renear Ford Sales Inc.


Issokson's Cleaners (c. 1961 - 198_)

In February 1962 Renear Ford Sales Inc. sold the property to Samuel B. and Yale Issokson, sons of the late tailor Israel Issokson (see Site #6.) Since 1946 their cleaning business had been across Main street, in the renovated Mansion House barn (see Site #14.)

(By 1954, Dr. S. Bernard Issokson, optometrist, had his office on Spring Street, to the rear of this property.)

In November 1977, Samuel B and Yale Issokson sold the property for to Bruce L. Levett and Barsha L. Tolin.


Amelia Bloomers (before 1985 - present)

By 1985, the store was occupied by Amelia Bloomers, under the management of Diane Hartmann.
Later, management was taken over by Linda Carroll.


Amelia Bloomers, 2000


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Corrections? Additions? Suggestions? Comments? Contact Chris Baer <cbaer@vineyard.net>