The Carter Farm was started in the early 1800's by David Carter and was an active dairy, vegetable and later, a cut flower and succulent plant business.  The farm had 88 acres +/- in 1819.  The farmhouse was bulldozed over in 1980 but the barn is still standing.  Opposite from the old farmhouse location is an active wholesale / retail nursery continuing the business of Fred Carter.
 

Through the generosity of Debbie Carter Bernard, the Tewksbury Historical Society has the old journal of the farm from May 1893 to October 1898.   Several other artifacts and valuable paper documents were donated that give the reader a glimpse of farm life in the 1800's.

The Journal gives us an idea of the farm business on march 1896.  John Carter delivered and sold 185 "cans" of milk to the Tewksbury State Almshouse for $51.80.  This equals 28 cents a "can".  We suspect this can was a gallon unit.   Mr. Carter would also go to Boston on overnight trips to sell vegetables.  One trip on September 20, 1893 lists the following sales:

2 boxes of Turnips   -   $1.10
1 box Peppers   -   $.80
5 boxes Carrots  -  $1.85
3 boxes Cauliflower  -  $1.50
6 boxes Red Cabbage  -  $2.20

Mr. Carter bought the following items on the trip:

1 Pair Pruning Shears  -  $1.35
1 Pair Pliers  -  $1.50
100 Lbs Wheat  -  $2.25

Breakfast and food for the trip  -  $.50

His cash in pocket plus commodities bought on this trip to Boston was $1.85

The farm of course had other sources of income.  On one day he sold 237' (board feet) of wood.  He sold eggs, roosters and chickens, pigs, calves, cows and horses.   he may have rented the animals out to other farmers for use during harvest season or as a stud animal.  He sold corn, beans and potatoes.  On the farm was a bog where he harvested cranberries.  The journal noted a 1/2 box of cranberries sold for 87 cents.  The Carter's bought supplies in April 1911 from Fairgrieve & Co. store, located in Tewksbury Center.   The various grains and yeast were bought on account in April, billed on May 1st, and paid on June 15, 1911 when the farm was back in business with spring farm income from vegetables, etc.  

The farm was converted to a carnation and cut flower business in the 1930's.   Many thanks are owed to Debbie Carter Bernard for this wonderful information.



Selection from the Carter Farm Archives:

1865 - Town of Tewksbury Tax Bill 

1911 Invoice from Fairgrieve's Store, Tewksbury Center 

Carter Farm Business Card - Circa 1950s 

1899 Invoice from Seed Store 

1936 $100 Note for Boston Regional Produce Market membership 

1935 One Share of Boston Regional Produce Market 

Image of prize squash circa 1910 

1910 Middlesex North Agricultural Society - Third Place Award for Beans 

Bill of Sale for 1914 REO Speedwagon