The Hanson Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2014

Editor: Melinda Barclay

HANSON HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

-Early settlers were known to address every married man and woman as “Goodman” and “Goodwife.” Only

high society was given the title of Mr. and Mrs.

-There was an unwritten law amongst the early settlers that required every resident to attend church. Some folks

would walk ten or more miles for the Sunday service.

-Approximately 4,300 years ago, Hanson’s first early Archaic inhabitants would cremate their deceased and

then bury the remains.

-County Road in Hanson was named because the county paid for the majority of the expenses used to build the

road.

-In 1903, a room and boarding house known as “Central House” was built across from the South Hanson train

station on Main Street. The hotel had steam heat and people could pay by the night or week.

-In 1876, drawing was added as a regular lesson taught in all schools.

-Rainbow Camp on Indian Head Street was founded in 1948 by Lulu H. Gobrecht and continues to operate

today.

-Wells Elliot, a famous photographer from Hanson, built and owned a few portable photographic wagons

around the turn of the century. These wagons acted as traveling photography studios.

-Part of Burrage Industries burned down during a fire at the Atlantic Dye Company on March 6th

, 1919.

-In 1941, Hanson Public Market would deliver fresh fish to residents on Thursdays and Fridays.

-On December 1st, 1905, Thomas Hall in Hanson held a Thanksgiving Musical. Admission to this event cost

residents 15 cents. The event began at 8 o’clock sharp!

-The trolley tracks in front of the First Congregational Church on High Street were built in 1900. This provided

residents with a more convenient and less time consuming mode of transportation to church than they had

previously experienced.

THE HANSON TUNK Page 2

Biography of Corp. Franklin Nelson Massey (1916-1944): Former Hanson Resident

Killed In Action

By: Mary Blauss Edwards

Franklin Nelson Massey was born 28 July 1916 at Brockton Hospital to Guy Ernest Massey, a foreman at the

National Fireworks Company, and Marta “Martha” Nanny Fredrika Nelson. At the age of two, his father died

during the Spanish influenza epidemic and he moved with his widowed mother and two siblings Martha Irene

(b. 1915) and Vernon Edwin (b. 1918) to the home of his grandparents, Swedish immigrants John and Cecelia

(Johannesdotter) Nelson on King Street in Hanover. In 1920, his mother remarried Hjalmar Fritz Nicholas

Werme, and they had children Alice (b. 1921), Frederick (b. 1923) and Ruth (1927). Hjalmar Werme worked

for the National Fireworks Company, and the family moved to a house on State Street in Hanson where they

lived during the 1920s and 1930s where Franklin attended Hanson schools. In 1940, Franklin was employed as

a pressman for the West Hanover Rubber Company lived with his parents and siblings on School Street in

Hanover.

As his family employers Rubber Company and National Fireworks began to develop war munitions, Franklin

enlisted for World War II at Boston on 20 March 1941 at the age of 24. His enlistment records describe him as a

high school graduate, with a semi-skilled occupation in the “production of industrial chemicals” (a reference to

his job at the West Hanover Rubber Company), 71 inches tall (5’9”) and weighing 166 pounds.

Franklin was assigned to the 26th Division, nicknamed the “Yankee Division” due to its New England

servicemen. He trained and participated in maneuvers for three years in the United States and was assigned to

the 104th Infantry Regiment within the 26th

Infantry Division. The 26th

Division was stationed at eight different

camps during that time: Camp Edwards, Mass; Fort Dupont, Delaware; Camp AP Hill, Virginia; Fort George

Meade, Maryland; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Camp Gordon, Georgia and Camp Campbell, Kentucky. Then

in the late summer of 1944, the division was called to active duty overseas. The 26th

Division landed on the

beaches of Normandy on 7 September 1944 and began an intensive training regime for their first month.

According to a history of the 26th

Division, “during these first weeks in France the troops maintained their hard

fighting edge with daily hikes and bayonet practice and further perfected their combat skills. Classes in mine

removal, first aid and radio were conducted.” Combat began in earnest on 7 October 1944, when the 26th

“relieved the 4th Armored Division in the Salonnes-Moncourt-Canal du Rhine au Marne sector” and launched

an attack on 22 October 1944 in the Moncourt woods. On 8 November 1944 the Division “went on the

offensive, took Dieuze, 20 November, [and] advanced across the Saar River to Saar Union”. The French town

of Sarre-Union was held by the Germans at this time, and the 26th

Division participated in fighting to capture

the town. A company of the 104th

Infantry 26th

Division was sent during the night of December 2nd

to strengthen

the town’s defense internally and from December 3-4 dodged German shells on the town and participated in

hand-to-hand combat, rooting out German soldiers hiding in cellars and buildings.

(continued on page 3)

THE HANSON TUNK Page 3

(continued from page 2)

The remainder of the 104th

Infantry 26th

Division attacked German troops just outside of Sarre-Union. Although

the Allies successfully captured the town of Sarre-Union, Franklin Massey did not survive the fighting. He was

killed in action during the capture of Sarre-Union on 4 December 1944.

At the time of his death, Franklin held the rank of Technician Grade Five, an army rank which was addressed as

“Corporal”. Franklin Massey would have been taken to a field hospital behind the front line. He was buried at

the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in

Section B, Row 26, Grave 11. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal posthumously.

Franklin Massey served with the Anti-Tank Company, 104th Infantry of the 26

th Division, shown at the center of this map

on the front line of 30 November 1944, and pushed back the line to the town of Sarre-Union (shown on the lower right

side of this map) by 4 December 1944, when he was killed in action. Map courtesy of

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-E-Lorraine/maps/USA-E-Lorraine-XXXIX.jpg

The Massey-Werme family had a memorial placed in Franklin’s honor in their family plot at Hanover Center

Cemetery (which lists his place of death as the nearest city to the front, Nancy, France). In 1962, the General

Court of Massachusetts approved a request for the bridge which crosses over Route 3 in Hanover at exit 13 to

be named in honor of Franklin. It is marked and known to this day as the Corporal Franklin N. Massey Bridge.

(continued on page 4)

THE HANSON TUNK Page 4

(continued from page 3)

Memorial of Franklin Nelson Massey (1916-1944), Hanover Center Cemetery, Hanover, Mass. Photograph Courtesy of

Mary Blauss Edwards.

Citations

http://www.yankee-division.com/history.html; http://www.26yd.com/p3; http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-E-

Lorraine/USA-E-Lorraine-12.html#fn9 ; U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Register, World War

II Dead Interred in American Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil and World War II and Korea Missing or Lost or Buried

at Sea; U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945.

THE HANSON TUNK Page 5

HANSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY CALENDAR

Meetings held at Schoolhouse #4 unless otherwise stated

June 5th

Meeting 7:00pm

Speaker: Allan Clemmons on “Hanson History”

June 8th

Hanson Day 1:00pm-4:00pm

Camp Kiwanee

*See President’s Letter for further information

June 12th

Strawberry Prep. Night 5:00pm

June 13th

Strawberry Festival 5:00 – 8:00pm

August 7th

Meeting 7:00pm

Speaker: TBD

Sept. 4th

Meeting 7:00pm

Sept. 20th

Annual Harvest Fair 9:00pm-3:00pm

Rain date: Sunday, September 21st

October 2nd

Meeting 7:00pm

Speaker: TBD

November 6th

Meeting 6:00pm

Annual Potluck Supper at Thomas Mill

Hanson Residents Owen David, DJ David

and Ryan Firth standing in front of the old

South Hanson Railroad Station.

THE HANSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2014

John & Patty Norton - Co-Presidents tel # 781 294-8645

e-mail: pnorton31@comcast.net

Allan Clemons Vice-President

Kathy Bergeron Secretary

Richard & Betsy Blake Treasurers

Mary Blauss Edwards Webmaster /Curator

Melinda Barclay Director at Large

THE HANSON TUNK Page 5

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Our May annual turkey dinner was a success. It was well attended and everyone seems to have enjoyed the

entertainment. Our thanks to all the members who helped make it so successful.

Allan Clemons has graciously agreed to speak at our June 5th

meeting. His subject will be “The History

of Hanson”. Obviously, those who know Allan and his depth of knowledge of Hanson history will realize this is

a “do-not-miss” event.

Also in June, will be a new event. Hanson has decided to have a “Hanson Day”at Camp Kiwanee in

hopes that all of the non-profit organizations and clubs in town will participate; providing a chance for all of

Hanson's citizens to become acquainted with the diverse cultural opportunities of our community. We hope to

display some artifacts, run a continuous slide show of photos from our web site and of course, take the

opportunity to sell books, postcards and find new members. In addition, Helen Vess has kindly offered to

donate some ceramic pieces for us to use in a fund raising raffle. It is our hope that the booth can be worked by

multiple members so that we all are able to enjoy the other exhibits.

In addition, June brings our Strawberry Festival on Friday, June 13th

with all of the necessary

preparations that go into that event. At the June meeting, we will be looking for volunteers and reminding

members of the need to bake biscuits.

HANSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

It shall be the purpose of this Society to stimulate interest in the history of the town of Hanson, Mass. by

collection, preservation, and study of manuscripts, books, pictures, furniture and all other objects of historic

value which shall be acquired by gift or purchase; to provide a suitable repository for such objects and records;

to mark historic sites; to cooperate with other neighboring groups and perform such acts as may from time to

time see advisable to promote the aims of this society; to institute a definite program to acquaint younger

members of the community with our local history and to encourage them to take an active part in the Society.

Organized in March of 1961

Curator’s Corner

By Mary Blauss Edwards

The Hanson Historical Society website has received a major overhaul with updated content, hosted at a new

address: http://hansonhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/. Particular highlights include digital exhibits including

“From the Archives: The Teachers of Primary School #4/#7 (1845-1960)”; “From the Assessor’s Office: 1929-

1935 Hanson Assessor’s Maps”; “From the Assessor’s Office: Hanson Civil War Service Records”; and “From

the Assessor’s Office: Records of the Hanson Overseers of the Poor”. There is also a new monthly feature

called “Object of the Month” which will highlight a photograph, artifact, or manuscript from the collections of

the Hanson Historical Society. Be sure to update your bookmarks!

THE HANSON TUNK Page 6

Hanson’s “Christopher Columbus of Air” (Throwback to the first edition of the Tunk)

By: Melinda Barclay

Albert Cushing Read was born in Lyme New

Hampshire on March 29, 1887. A few years later,

Albert’s family moved to house on the corner of

Main St. and High St. in Hanson, Massachusetts

where Albert would remain throughout his

childhood. Albert’s father, Reverend Joseph B.

Read, was the pastor of the Hanson Baptist Church

from 1872-1883 and again from 1898 to 1900. Up

until 1913, his mother was the Baptist Sunday

School Superintendent. As a young boy, Albert had

quite bit of ambition. Albert’s made extra money

during school vacation by collecting the fares for

the merry-go-round at Mayflower Grove in

Bryantville. Albert attended the Hanson public

school system and went on to graduate from

Whitman High School.

In 1903, Albert Read was the third alternate

nominated to the U.S Naval Academy. The

principal alternate failed his Physical Examination

while the first and second failed the mental

evaluation. He was then accepted into the U.S.

Naval Academy at Annapolis. He graduated with

high honors in the class of 1907. While serving with

the fleet, Albert studied flying extensively. When

the Navy opened its first training school in

Pensacola, 1912, he was among the first to be

selected for training. After finishing training in

1915, Albert was appointed Naval Aviator No. 24.

When he served aboard the first Naval ship

provided with aircraft, the USS Carolina, Albert

would make numerous Catapult-takeoffs

When America entered the war in 1917, the navy

ordered a series of large Navy-Curtiss flying boats

with the intension of delivering them to Europe by

flying them across the Atlantic. Their wings

spanned a length greater than Wright’s first flight.

Their hulls resembled large covered lifeboats. They

were the first four engine planes built in America.

Before they were finished, the war ended abruptly.

Albert went on to marry Bess Anderson Burdine on

January 30, 1918.

The Navy decided to use the fleet of planes made of

wire, canvas and wood to attempt the world’s first

transatlantic flight. The route began in Long Island,

went up to Nova Scotia, proceeded to New

Foundland, then southeastward across the Atlantic

via the Azores to Portugal, where they would finish

in England. Destroyers were to be positioned along

the route and produce black smoke to mark the

route in the daytime. At night the destroyers were to

point their searchlights windward and fire star shells

every now and then to identify themselves. He was

placed in command of NC-4 and its crew of five.

Before the mission began, trouble followed the

team. A mechanic lost a hand spinning a propeller.

Fire broke out, threatening the destruction of the

flying boats.

By May 8th, the crew was ready for departure. Four

leaf clovers were given to the men as the flying

boats were pulled down the track. The engine

thundered loudly as the planes glided and taxied

into the bay. Cheers arose from the crowd as they

sped down the long stretch of water.

(continued on page 7)

THE HANSON TUNK Page 7

(continued from page 6)

They were out over the ocean when Albert realized there was an oil leak and he had to cut off the engine. A few

minutes later, another engine threw a connecting rod and he had

to make a forced landing on the open sea, some 80 miles East of Cape Cod. Unable to secure help, he taxied

through the waves for hours, and reached Chatham Naval Air Station on Cape Cod safely. The crew fixed the

oil leak and headed for Tresspassey on 3 engines.

On May 16th, 1919, around 6:00 p.m. the 3 flying boats were prepared at Trespasseys Harbor, Newfoundland.

The runway was aligned with townspeople and ship decks were crowded as each of the flying boats took off

down the narrow harbor. After dawn, they encountered a large fog bank and visibility dropped. The fog was so

thick, the plane dripped water continuously. The NC-1 and the NC-3 became lost and landed on the open ocean.

The NC-1 taxied for 5 hrs and was then rescued by a steamer. The NC-3, commanded by John S. Rowers, was

forced to drift-sail in their flying boat over 200 miles of ocean trying to reach the Azores. Albert’s crew

completed the flight safely. When he was sure the other crews had reached safety, the NC-4 took off for Lisbon.

Fog was an issue again but he landed safely, being the first to ever cross the Atlantic by air.

The guns of the fort sent echoing booms across the harbor. His crew was taken aboard the USS Rochester where

they were greeted by Navy and Portuguese officials. Albert was presented the Portuguese Award of the

Commander of Military Order of the Tower and Sword. They then took off for Pymouth, England, arriving on

May, 31. They were received with a royal welcome by the Mayor of Plymouth and were honored during a two

week tour of England and France. The British presented him the Royal Air Force Cross for his major historic

flight. When the crew returned home to America, they were greeted in Washington by Navy officials. Albert

was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal as well as a special medal to commemorate the NC-4 flight.

Hanson’s Albert Read had linked the continents by air in 26 hours and 51 minutes of flying time. He was called

the “Christopher Columbus of the air.” Albert and his crew then made a tour of the country in the NC-4.

Returning to regular Navy Aviation duty, he successfully served in numerous important commands until WWII

when he became chief of the Air Technical Training in Chicago and then commanded the Navy air activities in

Norfolk until the end of the war. For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. He retired a Rear

Admiral. Albert passed away on Oct. 10, 1967. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Information Source for story: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/acread.htm; Calder, E. Looking Back. Hanson:

The Hanson Arts Lottery Council. Massachusetts :The Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council.

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Hanson, MA 02341.

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