Ropewalks of Essex

The Essex Historical Society presented a program on the making of rope and where this process was carried on in Essex, on May 15th of 2003. This presentation was very favorably received and this author thought the story of the Essex Ropewalks was worthy of an article.
      Webster's College Dictionary describes a ropewalk as being "a long, narrow building where ropes are made." Essex has had two of these places, in different locations, at different times. A ropewalk was essential where there was a large production of sailing vessels, as was the case in Essex in the late 18th and into the 19th centuries.
      The first ropewalk in what is now Middlesex County (Middlesex did not become a county until 1789) was built in Middletown prior to1750 by Philip Mortimer. This was located on the west side of Main Street in the north end of town. Later, another ropewalk was constructed in the Upper Houses (now Cromwell). The existence of these rope making places testified to the great significance of the ship building industry in the greater Middletown area, especially prior to the Revolution.
      After the Revolutionary War, Potapoug Point (Essex Village), became another focal point in the construction of wooden sailing ships. Consequently, a ropewalk was required here, and in 1797, Grover L'Hommideau set one up on land leased from Samuel Lay. The deed agreement (SLR 12/222 - 10/19/1797) between these two gentlemen is very revealing. It states that L'Hommideau had "lately erected" a frame that was 15' wide by 60 rods (1000') long that ran on the north side of Main Street. Converting this description into the locations of 2003, this meant it ran from the west side of the current "Glass Basket" building to where Essex Square is today. There was a 20' wide "store" at the west end of this ropewalk, and the land rent was 4 pounds per year. It must be understood that Main Street followed a different path at that time, being located roughly halfway between current Main and Pratt Streets, and there was no Essex Square or North Main Street then. Grover was allowed to have a "copper"(large tar kettle) and a capstan for winding rope on the north side of this structure, although these were on Lay property. This "frame" was said to be "open," indicating it probably had a roof, but no sidewalls. Consequently, it was probably operated on a seasonal basis.
      In 1802, Grover L'Hommideau sold his ropewalk company to Jared Hayden, for $1,800.00. Jared was the eldest son of Ebenezer Hayden, the lower valley's leading entrepreneur and financier (SLR 13/211). This move gave the Hayden family a unique control over local ship building. The Hayden "yard" was by far the largest south of Middletown, the Hayden family (most notably Ebenezer) was the leading financier of ships, and now they controlled rope making. Within a few years, Jared sold 3/4 of this business to Gurdon Smith, George Harrington, and Levi, Sala, and Reuben Post. Documents (SLR 14/342) indicate that this "old" ropewalk was still in operation in March, 1813. By May of 1816, however, a new and larger ropewalk had been constructed about 250' north of the old one. The Post brothers and Gurdon Smith were the original proprietors of this new concern. A question can be raised as to the demise of the original ropewalk: could it have been destroyed (or damaged) by the British during the April 8, 1814 attack? There is no direct evidence to support this idea, yet it remains an interesting possibility.
      The new structure was 22' wide and almost 1,200' long (SLR 16/308) and it ran from North Main Street almost to the west shore of North Cove, just south of current Bushnell Street. It was entirely enclosed and considerably larger than its predecessor. The Ropewalk Company passed through many owners over the subsequent years, including David Andrews, William Robbins and Alvin Whittemore, the latter perhaps better known as a druggist and one of the initial witch hazel entrepreneurs. This ropewalk ultimately failed, as did the ship building industry that supported it, and by the end of the 19th century it was a relic that had to be demolished. The New Era Press reported on March 25, 1898 that the ropewalk was to be torn down. This article noted that some of the lumber from the original ropewalk had been used in the construction of this building, and that in the last half of the century fishline and nets had been made there.
      There are a few extant photographs of the second ropewalk as well as an 1880s painting of its interior, that hangs in the Essex Library. Interestingly, Cross Street was laid out as the way to the new ropewalk from Main Street, as there was no Pratt Street at the time. Also, the lots that were soon laid out on the north side of Pratt Street were all 9 rods north/south from the line of the ropewalk, indicating that highway was built in accordance with the ropewalk building. Some of these properties have the same configuration today. Included is a picture depicting Essex Borough of Saybrook in 1836, by John Warner Barber. The ropewalk is the most prominent feature in this etching, clearly implying how important a commercial center Essex Borough had become. The buildings on "Church Hill," seen in the background are from left to right: the Episcopal Church (on the corner opposite the current Congregational Church), the Methodist Church (due south of the former firehouse), the brick Baptist Church (which stood on the parking lot of the former firehouse) and Hills Academy.
      The construction of the second ropewalk resulted in many cultural changes in Essex Borough. Main Street was moved to the south and straightened. Within 2 years New Street (later Pratt Street) was laid out and North Main Street was put in its present position. All this reconfiguration resulted in the formation of Essex Square. Shortly, the business center, which was Champlin Square, relocated to the new square. Essentially, these geographics have been unchanged since that time, which sort of fits into the motto of Connecticut, "the land of steady habits."

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