New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana: Coggeshall Street

Descendants of John Coggeshall
Thus we have the first Coggeshall to come to the New World. Here is the kind of guy that certainly garners memorials and tributes. Of course, “our” Coggeshall Street isn’t called “John Coggeshall Street” as there were descendants of his that did some pretty darn big things as well. His son Joshua was responsible for developing Quakerism in Rhode Island. Another John was under the command of Captain Thomas Kempton in August 1775.

A George Coggeshall wrote “Voyages to Various Parts of the World Made Between the Years 1799 and 1844” and served during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. This particular George also married Sarah Breck Pierpont, who was an antecedent of oil tycoon John Pierpont Morgan. Yes, that J.P. Morgan. Another descendant were superintendents of the New Bedford Board of Trade, remodeling and enlarging the pumping facility built in 1864 near the street that would take their name. Another John Coggeshall was on the board of directors for the Merchants National Bank from 1825-1844. A Haydon Coggeshall was one of many who helped incorporate the NBIS/Vistor’s Center.

The Coggeshalls had a farm “…beginning at Clark’s Point and following the County road to the head of the river.” Specifically on a strip of land “from the south side of Linden Street northwardly to the Russel Farm.” To try to list all of the Coggeshalls, their accomplishments, achievements, and contributions to the region in general and New Bedford specifically would take volumes. Suffice it to say, their surname was at a minimum worth having a street named after them!

In essence, the street is a tribute to a family that not only helped the New World get its legs, but helped it grow and prosper. However, it started right there with John of Coggeshall, Essex, England. The street was named in tribute of an important family that began with John Coggeshall, who in turn took his surname in tribute of his beloved hometown back in Essex, England.

The Street Itself
Howland Street in Fairhaven becomes Coggeshall Street once it hits the Coggeshall Street Bridge. In spite of this people in Fairhaven still call this lower section of Howland, Coggeshall Street. The Fairhaven Mills hosted the Bennett Manufacturing Company built in 1891, the Colombia Spinning Co. built in 1892, and the New England Cotton Yarn Co. established in 1899. These all came under the umbrella of “The Fairhaven Mills” in 1917. Alas, these mills were torn down in 2009. Many consider Coggeshall street to be a modern strip where McDonald’s, Subway, Petro Mart, and other modern establishments have replaced all the historical ones, however believe it or not there’s still plenty of history!

Also historical is the Fournier Building and Antonio’s both built in 1910, the Clifford School Building built in 1900, the End Zone building in 1895, and many of the residential homes were built in the 1890s and earlier, with a residential home at 443 Coggeshall built in 1854 that is the oldest building on the street.

Finally, a disclaimer. I don’t pretend to be an historical scholar that is particularly knowledgeable of the local history. Especially in comparison with some of the people I rub shoulders with on a day to day basis that continually wow me with their walking encyclopedic knowledge of the region. My objective with this series (and the coming series) is to stimulate some enough interest that people dig a bit deeper, ask more questions, and hopefully return to these articles and make corrections and additions. 😉

Coggeshall Street Timeline
1670s: A garrison was built just north of the Coggeshall Bridge that is mentioned being used during the King Philip’s War.
1854: Oldest building on Coggeshall Street that stills stands is built at 443 Coggeshall.
1869: Pump Station at Purchase and Coggeshall is built.
1884: Pump Station is remodeled and enlarged.
1891: Bennett Manufacturing opens at what is to become the Fairhaven Mills.
1892: The Coggeshall Street bridge is built. Colombia Spinning Company opens at what is to become the Fairhaven Mills.
1899: New England Cotton Yarn Co. at what is to become the Fairhaven Mills.
1900: Clifford School Built.
1917: Mills that house many companies are dubbed The Fairhaven Mills.
1974: Route 195 is built. E.C. Sherman Electric (old pump station) is demolished.
1992: People on the Coggeshall Bridge protest plan to incinerate waste generated by the harbor clean up.
Marchers are whipped by wind yesterday on the Coggeshall Street Bridge, as they protest plans to incinerate toxic waste generated by the cleanup of New Bedford Harbor.
1993: Police strip search controversy on Route 18 near Coggeshall.
2009: Fairhaven Mills torn down.

Special thanks to Spinner Publications and the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the images.

[Show as slideshow]

1. Coggeshall Street 1927 by Spinner Publications.
2. Fishing on the Coggeshall Bridghe in 1938 by Spinner Publications.
3. Coggeshall Bridge in 1945 by Spinner Publications.
4. Cawley Stadium 1952 by Spinner Publications.
5. Protesting plans to incinerate toxic waste from cleanup of New Bedford Harbor by Spinner Publications.
6. Aerial shot of Coggeshall Bridge and bay by Spinner Publications.
7. Boniface Church on Coggeshall and Purchase by Spinner Publications.
8. Coggeshall Bridge by Spinner Publications.
9. Fairhaven Mills by Spinner Publications.
10. Protection Society testing the pumpr by Spinner Publications.
11. Coggeshall Bridge by Spinner Publications.
12. Coggeshall Street northwest corner of Grandfield by the N.B. Whaling Museum
13. Coggeshall House, original house of Methodistsby the N.B. Whaling Museum
14. Wooded area once upon a time near Coggeshall Street by the N.B. Whaling Museum
15. Bradford Coggeshall house in Westport by the N.B. Whaling Museum
16. Caroline Spooner Coggeshall by the N.B. Whaling Museum
17. Coggeshall Street looking eastward by the N.B. Whaling Museum
18. Family Liquor Store on Coggeshall by the N.B. Whaling Museum
19. Thomas Coggeshall by the N.B. Whaling Museum
20. Waterfront shot south of the Coggeshall Bridge by the N.B. Whaling Museum

If more information is desired on the Coggeshall family, here is a genealogical list that is pretty exhaustive.