J. H. Rowe & Co. Anyone know?

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
My friend Gail McDonald would like to know more about this wooden box she acquired. It's a beautiful box. This is what I know: Joseph H. Rowe founded his oiled clothing company in 1884 in Gloucester. He improved apparel technology to be waterproof, especially useful for fishermen. His "Mother Ann" brand manufactured coats, pants, Sou'westers (hats), boots, horse covers, and wagon covers. We have a Rowe's Wharf, where Cruiseport is now. Any additional information will be appreciated.
My friend Gail McDonald would like to know more about this wooden box she acquired. It’s a beautiful box. This is what I know: Joseph H. Rowe founded his oiled clothing company in 1884 in Gloucester. He improved apparel technology to be waterproof, especially useful for fishermen. His “Mother Ann” brand manufactured coats, pants, Sou’westers (hats), boots, horse covers, and wagon covers. We have a Rowe’s Wharf, where Cruiseport is now. Any additional information will be appreciated.

Published by Fredrik Bodin

Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.

5 thoughts on “J. H. Rowe & Co. Anyone know?”

  1. Pal Frank Rowe says there were many Rowe families on the North Shore. He ancestor John Rowe from Revolutionary times was the merchant of Boston’s Rowe’s Wharf. And then there is Rowes Point in Rockport (formerly Gloucester) where Rowe’s Gloucester Bed Hammock Co. resided. It would make sense that they made oilskins which are also made from canvas.

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  2. From Harriet Harding on my FB Page: “Hi Fred, I was just looking at some old Gloucester Business Directories on Ancestry.com and I found Joseph H. Rowe!. It says that his business was on the corner of Duncan and Rogers at 115 Rogers Street. It states that his home was 15 Chestnut. He also had another store at 41 Commercial Street.” Thank you Harriet!

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  4. There’s a picture of the 115 Rogers St. J.H. Rowe Oilskin Store in one of the 4 old Gloucester photo books by Gap Lafata. The original site is now under Rogers St. in front of the TD Bank. During the 1970’s Urban Renewal, Rogers Street was widened quite a bit taking over the the site which at that time was a gas station.

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  5. I might be able to help & I’m in New Jersey! I’m researching a nautical compass I have that was made by J.H. Rowe & Co, Gloucester. It’s mounted in a beautiful wooden box with a lid that slides onto it. The makers mark is on the compass. There aren’t any markings at all on the box, but that might be what it is. If there are two small holes across from each other about 3/4 of the way up, then it once held a nautical compass.

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