USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 12
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In 1843 the mill was leased by George L. Hodge, Sharon Y. Beach and Samuel Roselle, under the firm name of Hodge & Co., this partnership continuing two years. In 1845 the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company, by their special agent, Timothy Dwight, sold the papermill with a five years' lease of the water to Ezekiel Gilbert, Sharon Y. Beach and Samuel Roselle, who carried on the business five years under the firm name of Gilbert, Beach & Co. The water lease expired in 1850, and as the Humphreysville Manu- facturing Company declined all offers for a renewal, Mr. Beach bought out the other two partners, pulled down the mill, and put it up again on Bladens Brook, about a mile east of the old location, where the business has now been carried on for fifty-one years. The mill was burned June 14, 1885, but was immediately rebuilt with brick, and reservoirs were made on the hill near by to insure the full supply of pure water so much needed in the manufacture of paper.
Lewis Bunce had a papermill at the mouth of Little River, where the H. A. Matthews Manufacturing Co.'s works now are. This was burned Dec. 23, 1848. The Rimmon Paper Company was then organized with the following stockholders: Andrew W. De Forest, Burritt Hitchcock, Eli Hayes, Horace Riley, James H.
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Bidwell and James Wallace, and rebuilt the mill. Burritt Hitchcock was elected president and A. W. DeForest secretary. Mr. Bunce continued in charge.
The mill at Blueville was purchased by DeForest & Hodge Oct. 31, 1845, and changed to a papermill, making fine calendered book paper. They sold out to Smith & Bassett who continued the papermaking but added the grinding of rubber. In 1854 the mill was sold to A. G. Day and the papermaking was discontinued.
The first papermill at the corner of Main and Day streets was built in 1831 under the direction of John Riggs, for John S. Moshier. The machinery was designed and built by Cyrus Lee, millwright. in whose employ were Smith Botsford and Sheldon Hurd. The papermill was completed and commenced running in the spring of 1832. William Bates was employed as superintendent and Samuel Bassett run the paper machine. John Bodge was also employed in the mill, and so continued until his death is 1868, a period of thirtynine years.
In 1833 the papermill passed into the hands of John C. Wheeler and was leased to Daniel White for three years at an annual rent of $600. Mr. White was then in the paper business at the Falls and his lease there had one year longer to run. Sylvester Smith, who had been in Mr. White's employ one year in the old mill, was now transferred to the superintendency of the new mill. The most of the paper then made in the mill was of a fine quality, for books and periodicals. All paper was then sold on six and nine month's credit. For about four years this mill furnished the paper used by T. Foster of New York in reprinting Blackwood's Magazine and other foreign periodicals.
Mr. White gave up the mill in the spring of 1834 and Mr. Wheeler gave Sylvester Smith a one quarter interest in the business, Wheeler furnishing the capital. Their partnership lasted three years. In April, 1837, the dam was carried away, but was rebuilt before July, and Wheeler then rented the mill to Smith and Bas- sett for fifty dollars a month, to be paid in wrapping paper. This was the commencement of a partnership which lasted nineteen years. In 1840 Smith & Bassett bought the mill for $4,220, pay- able in wrapping paper.
Straw was first made into paper in this mill in 1837 and was the first paper made from straw in Connecticut. In January, 1856, Mr. Bassett sold his half of the mill to Mr. Smith. During the
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time of their partnership a large proportion of the paper made in the mill was straw boards and button boards. In the last twelve years of their partnership the mill was much used in grinding and cleaning rubber, which added largely to the profits of the mill, but in 1855 this branch of the business was closed. In 1866 W. W. Smith took charge of the mill and his father retired from the busi- ness, and in May, 1870, the mill was sold to W. W. Smith.
The original dam at the Falls, or so much of it as was not formed by the ledge of rocks which reach two thirds of the way across the river, was built of timber and plank, but in 1850 this was rebuilt in solid masonry by Raymond French.
RIMMON FALLS. ROCK RIMMON BEYOND.
In 1847 French & Dwight began the erection of a dam across the river a quarter of a mile north of the Falls, Mr. French being in charge of the work. After building the abutments and a wall and embankment on the west side the work was suspended, but was resumed in 1866, again under the direction of Mr. French and the work was vigorously pushed forward and the dam was com- pleted at a cost of $65,000. The gates were first closed Oct. 27. 1867. The overflow is about 300 feet long and the fall is about nineteen feet. It floods about two hundred and fifty acres and fur-
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nishes power for the works of the Fowler Nail Company, the Sey- mour Manufacturing Company and the Electric Light Company.
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Qualities of west sepp wind by Numbers
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THE MILLS AT THE FALLS IN 1808.
The above illustration is a fac-simile of the prints used ninety- three years ago upon the packages of woolen cloth woven in the Humphreys mill. The woolen industry in which water power was first made use of here in the fulling mills, and which had its greater development in the enterprise of General Humphreys in the early years of the last century, made the place widely known for the superior fabrics produced as well as for its being the headquarters for the trade in merino sheep. Gen. Humphreys gave to Charles French, the grandfather of Hon. Carlos French, a power of attor- ney to act as agent in the management and sale of the stock, a fac- simile of which (reduced in size, ) is given on another page.
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Know all Men by these Parents , That & David Humphreys of Thumbmaysville in Awe Haven County States of Connecticut, do constitute and appoint Charles French of said humphriesville, County & Hate my time & lawful Attorney for me I in my name, to manage, receive ybollat all manis due Is what has toface already disposed of belonging to me in the States of Vermont, massachusetts This Hampshire, and to, settle all mattins of dispute, when exist or may exist respecting menino that belonging to me in those States, or to sue & profit to final judgment for med in my name all mathes of disfrute which exist whiting previne that and to do all legal arts requisite If necessary to effect the promises. in factturma e Ido harley fully inpower my sand Horny to de out an hive or Shares, such number ofmy mein I mind blown merinos Rams, and in swith man= nex as he shall fridge enhideent Moving ratifiing and confirming all that any d'un finely thall to nevin for middle ig heid In Testimony. there have hercante sati my hand Goal at Humphreysville, This 15th Day Alany- 1810- D. Humphring
En Presence. Blyah Humphrey
John then thereys fund
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General Humphreys also gave to Mr. French a letter of instruc- tions of which the following is a copy, with an engraving of General Humphreys' seal, the original being in the possession of Hon. Carlos French.
INSTRUCTIONS TO MR. CHARLES FRENCH.
You will proceed immediately on your way to Vermont, en- deavoring to collect in Waterbury, Hartford, at Bellows Falls and elsewhere the money, now due, for merinos sold by yourself. You may let on shares, at the Rates which have been stated to you in a separate Note, the use of Rams for one year, always requiring, even of the most respectable & wealthy farmers, two responsible Bondsmen, for the fulfilment of each Contract. You know this precaution originates from a desire to guard against such fraudulent & illegal proceedings as have already been practiced in Vermont ; and particularly in the sale of some full-blooded merinos, now be- longing to me. This is likewise in conformity to the general System now adopted, as will appear from the third Circular letter of my agent.
You will next solicit Capt. Pettis & some other well-known & trustworthy Person, to attend with you as witnesses, in your appli- cation to Messrs. Lebbins & Jonathan Chace, of Cornish in New Hampshire, for the purpose of recovering the last mentioned inerinos from them, without the trouble & expense of a Law Suit which you are directed to commence, unless the affair can be amic- ably adjusted. To effect this, I am perfectly willing and ready to do everything which can be judged right & equitable, by any im- partial Referees-whose opinion shall be final and conclusive, and you are authorized to make any sacrifice in money, which they shall award as a fair compensation for the trouble, expense, disap- pointment or loss which the said Lebbins & Jonathan Chace may have so unmeritedly experienced or are likely to suffer, in conse- quence of the unlawful transaction of Elias Gallup in pretending to dispose of the Sheep in the way he has done, without any permis- sion, license or authority for so doing.
Thence you will go to get possession of the half blooded Ram near Hartland, which Col. Oliver Gallup engaged should be returned to me-also one mixed blooded Sheep in the possession of Walker of Hartland, which he has refused to deliver to Capt. Pettis, altho' Hotchkiss gave him an order for the delivery.
You will then proceed to learn from Elias Gallup (at Wood- stock) the name & dwelling of the person above Dartmouth Col- lege, on the New Hampshire side of the River, who has in his keeping one of the high mixed Bloods of my flock, which went from this Place, at the same time when Gregory conducted those full- bloods to Vermont, which are now in the hands of the Chaces. I was assured, when at Woodstock, by Gallup, there would be no possible difficulty, in recovering & getting back, the said Sheep be-
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fore mentioned to be above Dartmouth College ; and that it should be effected long before this time. Should any difficulty occur you will apply to Judge Niles, with my best respects and solicitations for his aid, in a particular transaction, with which he is well ac- quainted. And doubtless he will be the more disposed to render any services in his power, from his having been himself the primary cause of my sending Sheep into Vermont-and which he knows have unfortunately been so unproductive of advantage to me -- tho' it is presumed, of great benefit to the State.
After accomplishing these things you will return by the route prescribed.
Given under my hand & seal, at Humphreysville this 15th Day of Janv-1810.
(Signed )
D. HUMPHREYS.
P. S. Enquire at what price labourers, (say farmers) can be hired for next Season Also the best & cheapest mode of obtaining Boys or Women for the Factory.
HUMPHREYSVILI NOVA PROGENIE
SERLAND
SEMPER MDCCCX
GEN. HUMPHREY'S FLAG.
This flag was made by the wife of Gen. Humphreys and was used in the military drills to which he accustomed the young men employed in the factory.
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Axes were manufactured for some years in a shop on the bank of Little River, where are now the James Swan Co's middle shops, then owned by Clark Wooster. Both broad and narrow axes were made. The ac- companying cut represents an old broadaxe which was found by Wm. B. Swan some years ago near where the old shop now stands. It is supposed to have been made by Walter French and is of an excellent de- sign, far better than most of the tools were THE OLD BROADAXE. made at that day and time, proving that Mr. French was a work- man of more than ordinary skill and originality. Another axmaker who was employed there and afterward continued in the same busi- ness in Ansonia was John A. Bland. After Mr. Wooster discontin- ued the ax business the building was changed to a gristmill and turning shop.
The large brick factory at the Falls was built by the Eagle Manufacturing Company. This company also built the brick store opposite the railroad station. The company discontinued the busi- ness and leased the mill to James Leigh, who continued the manu- facture of silk goods for a time, after which the mill was closed for some years. The Zurcher brothers carried on the worsted business in this mill for several years, the works being then known as the Kalmia Mills. In the winter of 1869-70 the mill was closed and so remained until 1880.
The United States Pin Company was incorporated in 1860 and for thirtyseven years from that time the manufacture of pins was carried on in the factory southeast of the Humphreys mill. The pins were manufactured by processes and machinery invented by the late Thaddeus Fowler. For a number of years John W. Smith and Mark Lounsbury manufactured the pins on contract, and from 1887 to 1867 the latter operated the works. There were in the fac- tory fortyseven machines, each capable of making 125 pins per minute. The officers of the company are -President, Henry L. Hotchkiss; Secretary and Treasurer, Lewis H. Bristol of New Haven.
Corrugated car springs, the invention of Hon. C. French, were manufactured for a number of years in the basement of the ohl cot- ton mill and were extensively used throughout the country.
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PRESENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. W. C. S.
THE JAMES SWAN COMPANY.
The James Swan Company is the leading representative of one of the oldest manufacturing industries in the town, the manufacture of mechanics tools. The Douglas Manufacturing Co.'s auger and bit works at the mouth of the Little River were established in 1856. There were then two factories, one in Seymour for the manufacture of augers, auger bits, etc., the other at Arlington, Vt., for the man- ufacture of edge tools.
The works were purchased in 1860 by Mr. F. L. Ames, of the firm of Oliver Ames & Sons, who also purchased the exclusive right to manufacture Cook's patent boring implements. Mr. Ames found the factory in Seymour insufficient for the purpose and built a sec- ond large factory above the old one, on the same stream. The property was controlled by Mr. Ames until 1873, when it was sold to Thomas Douglass and Richard P. Bruff. Under their manage- ment still further enlargement was made, a third factory further up the stream being hired from Mr. James Swan who had been iden- tified with the business as superintendent and manager since June, 1865.
In 1874 the property passed into the hands of Mr. James Flint and the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Co. of New York, and was incorporated in that year. In 1876 the auger and bit business was concentrated in the upper shops, and the edge tool work at Arling- ton was brought to Seymour and carried on in the middle shops
The works were purchased by Mr. Swan in 1877 and he has since had the entire control. From a small beginning the business
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has grown steadily until more than a hundred different kind of tools are manufactured, including all varieties of chisels, gonges, draw- ing knives, screwdrivers, angers, bits, gimlets, hollow angers, bung borers, Cook's and Jennings' bits, boring machines, etc.
Mr. Swan has originated many improvements in mechanics' tools of various kinds and in the mode of manufacture and has probably taken out more patents for improvements in bits than any other person. His improvements include a patent expansion bit, his "No. 7 Perfect " augers and bits, patented in England and Amer- ica ; and his concave cut bits, which for certain lines of work are unequalled by any other bits made. This business has been en- larged under the management of Mr. Swan until it is one of the largest enterprises in the town. The business is now owned by The James Swan Company, incorporated in November, 1895, with a capital of $125,000, James Swan being president and treasurer, David Torrance is secretary, Wm. B. Swan is superintendent of the auger and bit works, and John Swan is superintendent of the chisel and edge tool works.
About a hundred and twentyfive skilled mechanics are em- ployed and the class of goods manufactured have no superior in their line. Many of the workmen have been in the employ of this establishment from twenty to twenty years, and in that time have built themselves nice homes.
One important feature of the establishment is a reservoir cov- ering something over seventy acres, in the town of Oxford, in a valley adjacent to Moose Hill and Five Mile Hill, which keeps np the supply of water during a good share of the dry season. Should this run low they have steam engines in each factory, furnishing ample power whenever required. There are also powerful force pumps with some two thousand feet of hose, ready for instant use. The whole constitutes one of the most complete establishments in the country for the manufacture of mechanics' tools.
A large export trade is done, the goods being favorably known in Europe, South America and Australia. They took premiums at the American Institute Fair in 1865, at the Paris Exposition in 1867, at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, and at the Paris Exposition in 1878. They took the first prize at the exposi- tion in Sydney, Australia, in 1879, and at the New Orleans Ex- position in 1885.
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THE HUMPHREYSVILLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company has had an un- broken existence since 1806. The principal line of manufacture by the company for more than half a century has been augers and bits and the business is still carried on in the buildings erected for that purpose in 1845, though other buildings have been added.
Mr. Norman Sperry is the present owner and has been the manager since 1875. The buildings are as follows: main building 60x80, two stories; office and shipping department, 20x30, two stories ; three forging rooms, 30x50, 20x35, and 20x30, respectively. The goods manufactured consist of the common auger, auger bits, car bits, boring machine augers and Jennings pattern bits, the goods being widely known for the cxcellence of their material and work- manship.
THE FOWLER NAIL COMPANY.
The Fowler Nail Company was organized and incorporated in 1866 with a capital of $60,000, for the manufacture of Vulcan horse-
THE HUMPHREYS BUILDING-OFFICE OF THE FOWLER NAIL COMPANY.
shoe nails, the machinery and process being the invention of Thad- deus Fowler, from whom the company was named. These nails,
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which were the first satisfactory machine pointed horseshoe nails, have won a reputation for reliability under the most difficult tests, which has made a demand for them throughout the United States and in foreign countries. The officers of the company are Carlos French president and treasurer, Louis H. Bristol secretary, and Raymond T. French assistant treasurer.
THE FOWLER NAIL CO'S WORKS.
The business was first begun in the Humphreys mill but soon increased to such an extent that a larger building was necessary and the property now occupied was purchased. The main build- ing had been erected for the manufacture of wire, but had not been occupied for that purpose. Additional buildings have been erected and for thirtyfive years the company has given employ- ment to a large number of people and has paid them liberally, con- tributing largely to the prosperity of the community.
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THE TINGUE MANUFACTURING CO'S WORKS.
The Tingue Manufacturing Company was organized in 1880 by John H. Tingue, who purchased the brick mill and other buildings at the Falls. The company has a capital of $200,000 and began with John H. Tingue as president and treasurer and Charles Coup- land as general manager. On the death of the former W. J. Tingue succeeded to the presidency of the corporation. The prin- cipal product of the mill for many years was mohair plush, which was manufactured by machinery and processes made possible by the ingenuity of the late Charles Coupland, who in 1880 invented a new and very speedy way of weaving mohair pile goods by a pro- cess which was a radical departure from all previous methods. Until the business was established here this line of goods was manu- factured only in Europe. The mohair consists of the fleece of the Angora goat, whose home is in Asia Minor, but has since been imported and bred in this country.
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SOUTHEASTERLY VIEW OF THE TINGUE MANUFACTURING CO'S WORKS.
The officers of the company are Wm. G. Tingue, Greenwich, President ; David Torrance, Derby, Secretary ; Howard Tingue, Greenwich, Treasurer.
GARRITT & BEACH.
This firm has been engaged in the manufacture of German pat- tern bits, electricians' and bellhangers' bits and gimlets, double cut gimlets, screwdriver bits, reamers, &c., for twentysix years, and the goods manufactured by them are admitted to be of the best made. Mr. Garritt is a native of Litchfield, a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Mechanics' Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is one of Seymour's most esteemed business men. Mr. Beach is a native of Cheshire and served in the War of the Rebellion as Ser- geant in Company B, 20th Connecticut Volunteers, and was a par- ticipant in the famous battle of Chancellorsville. In 1877 he rep- resented the town of Seymour in the General Assembly.
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THE H. A. MATTHIEWS MFG. CO'S WORKS AND CHURCH HILL.
The H. A. Matthews Manufacturing Company, capital $35, 000, was organized in 1890 for the manufacture of stove trimmings and other hardware, and in 1895 added the making of bicycle parts. Their works at the mouth of Little River have been enlarged and greatly improved, and now include the main building 36x125, an annex 24x89, an office and stock room, and a boiler house. The machinery is of the most improved patterns and includes mammoth presses the largest of which has a weight of nine tons. The works turn out numerous specialties in brass, steel and composition metal. The officers of the company are James Swan, president; Carlos French, vice-president; Geo. E. Matthies, secretary; and F. H. Beecher, treasurer and manager.
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THE NEW HAVEN COPPER CO'S WORKS.
The New Haven Copper Company, manufacturers of braziers and sheathing copper, was organized in 1848, and the large stone building now in use was then erected on land which a century be- fore was every spring planted with corn by Mauwehu, better known as Joe Chuse. For many years before the building of the mill Bennett Wooster's blacksmith shop stood where the flume now is. When the wheelpit was dug large springs were struck which so flooded the pit that it was with difficulty that the water could be lowered sufficiently to permit laying the foundations for the walls.
In 1860 this became the property of W. W. Goddard of Bos- ton, who knowing that in order to make the business a success he must have a man to direct it who was master of the work in all its branches, employed for this responsible position Mr. Thomas James, who had learned the trade in Wales, where his ancestors for several generations had been engaged in the manufacture of copper.
In 1864 Mr. Goddard, who had other large interests which re- quired his attention, sold the business here to Hendricks & Liss-
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berger, and it was conducted by them until March 13, 1872, when it was reorganized with the following stockholders : Samuel Holmes, Thomas James, Franklin Farrell and Lazarus Lissberger. Mr. Lissberger was elected President, Samuel Holmes Secretary and Treasurer, and Thomas James Superintendent and Manager. From the commencement of Mr. James' management until his death it was a grand success in every way, giving employment to a good number of men who held him in high esteem and respect.
The process adopted by the company for the finishing of their polished copper is the invention of Thomas James, patented Sept. 12, 1876. By means of it the gloss on the polished copper remains permanent, whereas, by the old method of polishing, it was liable to become tarnished in a very short time. It has proved highly satisfactory and has gained for this product of the company an enviable reputation.
The buildings of the company are extensive. The dimensions of the principal ones are as follows : main rolling mill, 100x200 feet containing ten sets of rollers. The power used in this building is supplied by a steam engine and boilers of 250 horse power and four turbine water wheels aggregating 250 horse power, making alto- gether five hundred horse power for the rolling mill. The stamp- ing shop covers an area of 50x70 feet ; the polished copper depart- ment, 50x90 feet.
This company is also largely engaged in the manufacture of augers and bits, turning out a very superior line of goods. The forging room, bit and auger shop are 60x125 feet. The latter building derives its power from a turbine waterwheel of seventy horse power. There are also two gasoline engines of twentyfive horse power each, for use in time of low water.
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