Henry Wilson's Shoe shopA Famous Citizen of Natick Massachusetts - Still Remembered  

Prominently sitting on Route 135 in Natick not far from the Framingham line, is the little shoe shop that was originally owned by a distinguished citizen of Natick. 

Henry Wilson was known as the "Cobbler from Natick."  He was also the 18th Vice President of the United States. 

Born in 1812, he was originally named Jeremiah Jones Colbath, a name his father had given him after a financially successful neighbor with the hopes of getting an inheritance for his son. The child, Jeremiah, learned to hate that name and vowed to change it at his earliest opportunity. 

That time came in 1833 when he changed his name to Henry Wilson. After an unsuccessful attempt at finding work in his native New Hampshire hometown, he walked over 100 miles to relocate to Boston where he learned the skills of shoe making.  He eventually saved enough money from his labors to open his own shoe shop in Natick. 

During a trip to Washington D. C. he became appalled by the sights of slavery that he witnessed there. And, when he returned he decided that he would dedicate himself to its abolition.  

Henry Wilson ran for and was elected to the Massachusetts legislature where he served until 1852.  However, two other politicalHenry Wilson aspirations went unfulfilled with an unsuccessful attempt to run for Congress in 1852, then governor in 1853. 

He was eventually elected to the U. S. Senate in 1855 where he served until March 1873.  That year he was elected Vice President of the United States with President Ulysses Grant. While in office he suffered a stroke that caused him to be bedridden and he used much of this time to write a history of the rise and fall of Slavery in America.

Henry Wilson served in the office of the Vice Presidency until his death in 1875.  He was laid to rest in Old Dell Park Cemetery in Natick, Massachusetts.  

His little shoe shop still stands as a tribute to this prominent citizen of Natick.  

 

 

Copyright 2010 "A Famous Citizen of Natick Massachusetts - Still Remembered"

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7 Comments on A Famous Citizen of Natick Massachusetts - Still Remembered

JUL
06
2010
1,519,849 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Your historical pieces are great, especially when they have such a local tie to your towns.  I had never heard of Henry Wilson before this piece.  Now, I will never forget him.
8:25pm • #1
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Chris Ann:

I think it is interesting to have had a vice president in our local area. And the little cobbler shop is a unique tribute to him. Thanks so much.

 
10:46pm • #2
JUL
07
2010
626,443 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What an interesting story.  I can't believe he walked 100 miles.  Very good post!
7:55pm • #3
2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Great history!! So much around these parts that we can be relaying to others...Thanks for sharing Jen
9:32pm • #4
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Debra:

I think in those days, without the benefit of cars and public transportation, people walked distances that we cannot even fathom these days. It is difficult to even relate to.

Jennifer:

New England has a lot of history and I always find it fascinating. Particularly the fact the we had a former Vice President of the United States who lived right here in Natick.

 
11:14pm • #5
337,460 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Claudette ~ I've always loved this building and really enjoyed your write-up. I had no idea Natick produced a VP - cool!

Liz
11:25pm • #6
JUL
08
2010
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Hi, Liz:

Thanks so much. I was also delightfully surprised at this when I researched it. 

I did not find any Vice Presidents from Cambridge but you did have Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

 
1:48pm • #7


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