The Arad Welton House, at 238 West Main Street in Cheshire, is a Greek Revival house with large wings extending on each side. The front porch was added around 1900. Arad W. Welton was a manufacturer and first president of the Cheshire Manufacturing Company, established in 1850, which produced combs, brass buttons and other stamped goods. In 1901, the company combined with the Ball and Socket Fastener Co. of Portsmouth N.H. and became the Ball and Socket Manufacturing Co., which focused on buttons.
Arad Welton House (1850)
Please calrify for me when 278 West Main Street became 328 West Main St. At some point the house was purchased by George E. Morse. Father of Amma Jane Morse, Guilford who was
my paternal great- great- grandmother. I was interseted to find that her husband RVING (not Irwin) Tolles Guilford built the house at 278 W. Main Street. I believe that land was a wedding gift to my g-g-grandmother on her marraige to him. At his his untimely death in 1881 my grandmother must have moved back to her parent’s home down the street. (The Morses owned the land as far as Wavely St for certain.The the corner was sold to Wesley Moody for the first Florits Shop) to reside there. where she raised my grandfather – Irving Morse Guilford(who was an Officier at the Ball and Socket)and who then married and had 5 children (1 of whom, Burton, was my father.) I always knew the address as 328. Thank you
When the Ball and Socket Manufacturing Company occupied the Welton house, it produced the Abboloc Snug Plug, a flat lamp-cord plug that allowed a lamp table to be pushed flat against the wall. Snug Plugs sold for 15 cents then. I would like to buy a half dozen. Does anyone know where some might be stashed today? Perhaps in some Cheshire basement? If so, please E-mail me.
Meredith, it is 328 W Main St. The article transposed it from 238, not 278. I was the mailman for many years on W Main. There is a 276, but no 278.
Looking for information on a 1st Sgt Alexander Welton from Cheshire. He served in the 1st CT Light Battery from Oct 1, 1861 – June 1, 1865 and after the Civil War lived on West Main. He was also a foreman at the “Button Shop”. On July 9th there will be a commemoration event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Cheshire’s Civil War Monument. Welton is listed on the newly restored plaques and will be one of those honored. Also looking for any Welton descendants …?
There is a Welton family on willow in Cheshire
I remember the flat plugs. My father,Donald Davis, brought them home from the B&S when he was working there. I expect they are still attached to lamps at our home on S Main.
In ‘re-reading my comment on the picture of the “Arad Welton House”,
328 West Main St.,I noticed a lot of typos but,(sorry) more importantly, that I did not mention another fact. The home was not originally Greek Revival.
I have a picture found in the attic of this house which shows its appearance earlier. I was told, growing up, that it was my grandfather, Irving Morse Guilford, who renovated the structure to look as it does now at about the time he married 1911) Again, the home was purchased by George E. Morse who’s daughter, Emma Jane, married Irving
Tolles Guilford. Due to his untimely death, my Great grandmother remained in the family home where she raised my grandfather.
When my Grandfather married, he brought my Grandmother to that home where they had 5 children. All but the youngest born at home.
I live here now this is my home 330 & 328 🙂