Historical Materials: Gloucester Buildings & Businesses

The Dry Goods and Carpeting store of John C. Calef & Co. at 83–85 Main Street, Gloucester, (listed as 88 & 90 Front Street in 1860 city directory) was first established in Sandy Bay (now Rockport) in 1827 before moving to Gloucester in 1832. The store carried:

“elegant dress goods and trimmings, rich silks, shawls, cloaks, and wraps, laces and embroideries, notions, hosiery, and gloves in great variety, window shades, domestics, cottons, calicoes and linens, sheetings and towellings, ribbons, buttons, fancy goods, and small wares of every description.” (1)

Mr. Calef (1806–97), who was born in New Hampshire, married Eliza B. Haskell (1817–93) of Gloucester in 1835 and the couple reside on the corner of Pleasant and Warren Streets (now the Cape Ann Museum’s Sculpture Garden) in a house inherited by Mrs. Calef from her mother. They had nine children, three of whom died young.

– Stephanie Buck

Reference:

1. The Industries and Wealth of Essex and Middlesex Counties, c.1889.