Our History

A Tradition Of Fine Baking, Since 1801

In 1801, Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. The crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. This is where the American term "cracker" originated. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War.

In 1891, George H. Bent, the grandson of Josiah Bent, built the current building of Bent's cookie factory at 7 Pleasant Street. The top two levels of the factory are where the cookies and other baked goods are made while the storefront is located on the street level.

This information above was provided by the previous owners of G. H. Bent Co. Currently, we are unsure of its original source and do not claim to know the whereabouts of the original source.  More information can be found on Wikipedia.

The photos below represent different times from our past.

June 1892	Ladies Packing Water Crackers - 1944
Peeling Crackers Into Dutch Ovens - 1944