History of Matthew John Whittall

Matthew J. Whittall was a British immigrant who made his fortune in the carpet making business.

He was born in Kidderminster, England, on March 10, 1843. After his education, he relocated to a town called Stourport. There, at the age of 21, Matthew took charge of a carpet works company owned by Thomas B. Worth. Mr. Worth was a well known manufacturer of carpets. In this position, Matthew learned about the business and he remained with the company for about six years.

In October of 1868, Matthew married Ellen, youngest daughter of the late Henry Paget, in Stourport, England.

Mr. Whittall and his family came to the United States in 1871 and he took a position as a superintendent at the Compton Carpet Company, in Worcester. In 1879, the Compton Company was dissolved. Mr. Whittall was then determined to try his hand at manufacturing. He leased a building in South Worcester (then known as the Wicks Mill) and began to manufacture on his own. He visited is native home in England to purchase the necessary machinery for his plant. Matthew purchased machinery that would enable him to manufacture Wilton and Brussels carpets. In England, he purchased twelve looms. About three years later, with business booming, Mr. Whittall bought land and erected his first carpet mill. For about ten years after his first building, Matthew continued to expand adding new buildings on a periodic basis until his company covered nearly 200,000 square feet of land. He eventually, Edgeworth mill for the manufacturer of worsted yarns in 1885 and also purchased the Palmer Carpet Company in 1892. The mills in 1910 employed about 1500 skilled laborers and the mills were running about 350 carpet and rug looms. He was a caring employer and also held events such as minstrel shows and field days for employees. The Whittall Mills was one of the largest employers in South Worcester and remained in business until the late 1950's. It also became one of the largest individual carpet manufacturers in the world.

With his experience, practicality and knowledge in carpet making he took advantage of every new idea which could be utilized in the production of new and desirable goods. The quality of his carpets were in demand all over the country. He even received an inclusive order to supply the government buildings with carpets. President and Mrs. McKinley personally complimented Matthew for his choice in carpets for some of their rooms within the White House. The Whittall mills became one of the largest individual carpet manufacturers in the world.

His South Worcester mill buildings now house the business of Rotman's Furniture.

Mr. Whittall was a liberal-minded and community-oriented individual. He took a serious interest in his community. He was associated with many organizations: Board of Trade, Worcester Club, Tatassit Canoe Club, Blackstone Valley Street Railway Co., Manufactures' Mutual Insurance Company, People's Savings Bank, trustee of the Public Library and of City Hospital just to name a few. Even though he never held public office, he was also a member of the Governor's Council serving under Governor McCall in 1917/1918 and Governor Coolidge in 1919/1920.

At this time, Worcester was a growing city with 25 % of its population in 1855 foreign born. With many English immigrants, many from Mr. Whittall's home town of Kidderminster, working at the Whittall mills, their religion and traditions from the homeland were an important part of their lives. These English immigrants organized their own cricket and soccer teams and an English Social Club.

Their parish was called St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and here these people worshipped and socialized. In the spring of 1871, Mr. O. W. Norcross, of Norcross Brothers Construction Company, of Worcester, was contracted to build the chapel. This chapel was open for services on St. Matthew's Day, September 21, 1871. The parish was organized in 1874 with Matthew J. Whittall being a charter member. With the financial generosity and commitment of Matthew J. Whittall and his family, the church could rise from its humble beginnings. Construction of a new St. Matthew's began with the placing of the cornerstone on May 26, 1894. Norcross Brothers worked with architect, Stephen Earle, in the construction of this new building under the watchful eyes of the Building Committee - one member being Mr. Matthew J. Whittall. The church had a debt of almost $30,000.00 owed to Norcross Brothers which the Whittall family generously assumed. Mr. Whittall was elected as a Warden of the Church. He was also appointed to set up an endowment committee for the church. The members of St. Matthew's Parish continued to hold strong ties to their church back in Kidderminster, England, St. Mary's Church. This was the boyhood parish of Matthew Whittall's family and the parish of many of the others who followed their employer and friend to Worcester.

On the opposite corner from St. Matthew's Church (at the corner of Southbridge and Cambridge Streets), Matthew Whittall placed his Worcester home, Hillside. " The home has extensive grounds, laid out in excellent taste and forms one of the pleasantest and most attractive residences in the city." (The Worcester of 1898). It has been said that Mr. Whittall built his stately Worcester residence across from the church to keep a watchful eye on who turned up and who did not for Sunday service.

Mr. Whittall's first wife, Ellen, died in November of 1895 leaving a son and daughter. In 1906, Matthew married Gertrude Clarke, of Omaha, Nebraska. Following his second marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whittall chose to build their home in Shrewsbury.

In 1912, Norcross Brothers Construction, was engaged by Mr. Whittall and Gertrude to build the grand white Georgian estate on the high hill, in the town of Shrewsbury. Several parcels of land were purchased to make up the approximate 100 acres for the estate.

The property was named Juniper Hall. The Whittall's loved to share the beautiful estate and gardens. They welcomed the public to come and visit to see the hundreds of flowers bloom. There were fields of wild irises, wisteria,

and gardens to pick flowers. They hosted events such as "Lilac Weekend" which was one of the season's major events. Whittall's Juniper Hall was known as one of Worcester County's show places with its reflecting pool and garden layouts.

Matthew Whittall was a 33rd degree Mason. When Matthew died in 1922, Gertrude Whittall dedicated the pergola in the gardens to him renaming it "The Garden of Sweet Remembrance." She continued to live on the property until, in 1927, she generously deeded Juniper Hall and all the real estate to the Grand Lodge of the Masons of Massachusetts for a retirement and convalescence home in memory of her husband.

Matthew J. Whittall died on October 31, 1922. The congregation of St. Matthew's Church was deeply grieved at the death of Mr. Whittall. He had served the church and contributed generously for almost fifty years.

Mr. Whittall, although dignified, was a approachable. He was a kind, generous and intelligent man who was known for his integrity, honesty and keen sense of humor. He was admired by friends, associates, employees and acquaintances.

Next time you drive west of Rt. 290 towards Auburn, look up just past the first Rotman's Furniture building and see his name engraved in stone on the next building and be reminded of one of Worcester's most prominent and successful individuals.

Thank you to:

Paula Rowse Buonomo

Whittall Masonic Lodge website

Worcester Historical Museum for contributing information

Link to the Friends of Prospect Park, the former property of the Whittall estate