USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol II > Part 30
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Captain Gershom Plimpton succeeded to part of the real estate of his father, located on the west side of the river; his brother, Oliver, owning the land on the east side; all those mills being on the west side. The dwelling-house of both Gershom, Senior, and Gershom, Junior, before referred to, stood near the north side of the road leading to Sturbridge, a few rods west of the bridge, but has since been much en- larged, and the place greatly changed from the former resi- dence of this family.
Before any cotton or wool mannfacture began here this place bore quite a picturesque look. In front of the old mau- sion house were the Lombardy poplars and a large elm-tree, with a garden formed in terraces, extending easterly to the margin of the river ; this view is preserved in part by a land- scape painting by Alexander, procured by the late James Wolcott, Esq., now in possession of Edwin D. Plimpton, Esq., Brooklyn, New York. son of this Mr. Plimpton.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
Such was the state of affairs when the excitement began to have its effeet here for engaging in the cotton and wool manu- facture in the year 1812.
The origin of the Globe Manufacturing Company appears to have been as follows : In the year 1812 James Wolcott, Junior, and his brother, Perez B. Wolcott, bought a quantity of machinery for the manufacture of cotton-yarn, which was placed in the oil-mill before referred to, then owned by Cap- tain Gershom Plimpton. It was put in running order and operated here by these Messrs. Wolcott about two years, un- der the superintendence of Mr. Moses Plimpton, subsequently known as one of the Columbian Manufacturing Company. This business resulted profitably during this period, and by this success these gentlemen were induced to enlarge the same, and for that purpose invited others to join them, with the view of increasing their means to effect the object desired. The result was the forming of the Globe Manufacturing Company.
They erected in 1814 the large mill on the north side of the road, below the bridge, known many years as the Globe mill, which, as before stated, gave its name to this village. The old machinery which had till now been operated in the linseed-oil-mill, with some new, was placed in this mill, filling only about half of its capacity. This company opened a store for the sale of merchandise on the first floor at the south end. This business was organized with an agent, store-keeper, and directors. The agent, in payment for the operatives' labor and supplies, drew his orders on the store-keeper to be paid in merchandise, as was the custom with most of the manufacturing companies of that period, and for many years subsequently, designed to add the advantages to be gained by trade to that of making goods.
This mode of barter payment was a source of general dis- satisfaction, with both operatives and farmers who traded with
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them. The effect was to increase the price of labor and pro- duce, which they required, equal to the profits on their mer- chandise, introducing a circuitous mode of business without beneficial results, and was remedied only by separating the sale of merchandise from that of manufacturing, and by sub- stituting periodical payments in cash ..
This company began its business at a time unfortunate for its snecess, like that of many others similarly induced into this business.
It is well known by persons conversant with the history of that period, that all classes of merchandise, which the coun- try was dependent upon by importation from Europe, were greatly advanced in value by their almost exclusion from the American market, consequent upon the war between the Uni- ted States and Great Britain, declared by the act of Congress, June 18, 1812, and which was closed by the Treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814.
On the opening of the American market by this treaty, for the free importation of foreign goods, the reduction of values was fully equal to the former advance, producing disastrous consequences to the parties who had been influenced by the former inflated values to organize this business, then in its infancy in the United States.
Much capital had been drawn from agricultural and com- mercial pursuits, and invested in this new business, a large por- tion of which had now been lost by the disastrous effects of the returning peace ; which, however, was not without a com- pensating result to the country, in the end it accomplished.
The necessities of the war had abundantly proved the im- portance to the country of having the ability to supply her wants in such emergencies, within her own limits. There is, probably, no better illustration of this principle than the mas- terly and exhaustive speech upon this question by the Hon. John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, in the House of Repre-
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sentatives in Congress, April 6, 1816, which resulted in the adoption, by the house, of the first tariff bill, with the prin- ciple of protection to American industry, on the 8th of April following, by a vote of 84 to 54. This was the first step in the inanguration of what has since been styled the American protective system.
It is believed that the Globe company did not continue its business operations, as at first organized, beyond two or three years. Its joint property was continued about five years. In 1816 a part of the corporators, Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, and Perez B. Walcott, with Samuel A. Groves, formed a new com- pany for the manufacture of wool. This business, like the cotton, was first commenced by introducing machinery into the old linseed-oil-mill. This was the origin of the wool manufacture in the Globe village.
The picking, carding, and dyeing was done here; the weaving was done in the old store of Oliver Plimpton, op- posite his late residence; the finishing in another building, erected the same year, adjoining the oil-mill on the south. The lower story of this building was occupied by Ephraim Angell, partly for a machine-shop, and partly for making cut iron nails, while the company's cloths were finished in the room above. The operatives, at this time, were chiefly foreigners.
In 1819 this company bought of the old company the Globe mill, machinery and fixtures; their business was now concentrated in this building, with a variety store for the sale of merchandise on the south end of first floor, as had been occupied by the old company.
They were incorporated as "The Wolcott Woolen Mannfac- turing Company," February 24, 1820, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars each, real and personal estate. A fire- engine was now introduced (the first in town). Also, a large horse-team was organized under the management of John Upham, making weekly journeys to Boston.
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SOUTIIBRIDGE.
An act to increase their capital was obtained, February 11, 1822, but only to double its former capital in both real and per- sonal estate-total, $400,000. In 1823 the product of the company was 16,043 yards of broad-cloths ; Lewis Tappan and Company, of Boston, were the principal selling agents.
At the close of the year 1823 and the following winter the briek mill above the bridge, south of the other works, known as the Wolcott brick mill, was erected.
In the year 1824 the power broad-loom, for weaving broad- cloths, was first introduced here, with great opposition from the foreign male hand-loom weavers.
Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, was now at the height of his reputation as a manufacturer of wool.
Hle wielded a very important influence in the affairs of the town. His business had the appearance of success and prosperity.
To enlarge their water-power, this company erected what is known as the " Big Dam," in the year 1827, running across the Quinebaug river, a short distance above the " Wolcott Brick Mill." The work for this dam was executed with great haste, without sufficient care to insure permanency, and, as anticipated by some who were aware of the rapid rise and power of the spring freshets in the Quinebaug, it broke down ; this occurred during March, 1828, greatly to the destruction of bridges and mill property below. The Wolcott Woolen Manufacturing Company were much the largest losers. One two-story machine-shop, about forty feet in length, floated off' entire, passing over the dam of the Dresser mill, and also the dam of Marey's mill, now known as the Central mills ; but in passing over this latter dam, it was too high to pass through the arch of the new stone bridge below (then recently erected above the present bridge near the dam), the building having plunged deep into the water in passing over this dam, then in rising, the gable-end being under the upper part of the
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arch, lifted out about one third of the key-stones, throwing down that part of the bridge ; but not having room to pass through, was crushed and broken in pieces by the great power of the flood, and floated in fragments down the river. Not long after, through the effect of this first disaster, the remainder of this bridge fell into the river, which was the last of what was called the Washington bridge, that cost the town, at that day of low prices, about $4,000.
This loss, by the damage to the dam and the mill property of this company, added to their depressed affairs before this disaster, proved too great for them to overcome; the force and energy heretofore displayed by Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, the acknowledged pioneer and chief sustainer of the Wolcott Woolen Company, gradually broke down from this time.
Mr. Wolcott made a great effort to resuscitate his depressed affairs during the same year, by engaging to a moderate ex- tent the aid of Tiffany, Sayles, and Hitchcock, of Boston ; this enabled him to rebuild the dam, and to operate again his works, but only under a strict supervision of these parties.
It was at this time that the Quinebaug Reservoir Company was formed by the united aid of the different mill-owners in this town.
Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, struggled here under his in- surmountable difficulties until the year 1831, when the estate passed into other hands. He now retired from the place and business he had organized, and continued through a period of nearly twenty years; having expended the vigor of his man- hood, and leaving with an expensive family, and but little to show for these years of anxiety and severe toil. It was a severe trial ; he had labored to prepare a business for others to reap the reward. He left in Southbridge many sympathiz- ing friends ; and those who knew him, and his efforts for suc- cess, and the result of his labors, will always regard him as
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having done much for the prosperity of the town, although unsuccessful for his individual interest.
The father of Mr. Wolcott was a native of Rhode Island, and removed from there to the town of Dudley, Massachu- setts, about the close of the Revolutionary War. He was known as Dr. James Wolcott; born, November 4, 1754, and died at Queechy, Vermont, September 14, 1830, aged seventy- six; to which place he removed from Southbridge, in the year 1826. He resided in this town about fifteen years, at the place on the Westville road now Mr. Litchfield's, but recently the residence of Samuel H. Judson, who erected the brick house, as it now is, about 1835.
James Wolcott, Junior (as formerly known), it is believed, was a native of Dudley, born on April 29, 1787 ; he removed from Southbridge to Wolcottville, Connecticut, and from thence to the city of New York, and soon after to Brimfield, in the State of Illinois, and died there, February 18, 1853, aged sixty-six. He married for his first wife, Lucretia, daugh- ter of Oliver Plimpton, Esq. ;- she had been previously mar- ried to a Mr. Bostwick, who had deceased; for his second wife, Betsey Thompson, of Brimfield, Massachusetts; both of whom he married while he resided and conducted the manu- facturing business at the Globe village. His brother, Perez B., who for a time was engaged with him here, was born, April 18, 1789, and died on February 17, 1851, aged sixty-two years. He married Isabella E. Foster, of Monson, Massa- chusetts.
Connected in this business at the Globe village with the two Mr. Wolcotts was a person well known to many of the aged people here now living-Samuel Austin Groves, who, it is believed, followed Mr. James Wolcott to Wolcottville, and was engaged there with him for a time in the wool manufac- ture ; but their connection ceased when Mr. Wolcott removed to New York.
25A
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
This property passed from the Wolcott Woolen Company into the hands of Messrs. Sayles and Hitchcock, of Boston, who obtained an act of incorporation, approved, Jannary 17, 1831, styled "The Hamilton Woolen Company," with a corpo- rate capital of $200,000. This company organized, June 29, 1831, as follows: Samnel A. Hitchcock, president ; Willard Sayles, clerk ; Samuel A. Hitchcock, Willard Sayles, and Lorin Norcross, directors.
Samnel A. Hitchcock now came from Boston, and took upon himself the general management of this company, as the resident agent. The productive power at this time was five sets of machinery, with the dyeing and finishing ap- paratus suitable for the manufacture of broad-cloth. There were twenty-eight broad-looms ; and there were manufactured in the first year of their operations 40,7782 yards of broad- cloths, of the value of $2.50 to $5.00 per yard ; probably averaging $3.25.
Mr. Hitchcock continued this agency until 1836, when he sold a large amount of his stock in this company to Mr. Charles Merriam, and retired from further active business pursuits, and also from the firm of Sayles & Hitchcock, at Boston, where also he was succeeded by Mr. Merriam. Sam- nel L. Fiske, who had been engaged in the counting-room of this company, by Mr. Hitchcock, the year he commenced the agency here, and had continued five years under his able man- agement, now became the resident agent.
The wool mannfacture, during the five years' administration of Mr. Hitchcock, had been changed from one of loss to that of great success, which induced a great enlargement of these works.
The foundation of the great six-story brick mill was laid in 1836, and the " Big Dam " was raised in height about three feet above its former condition, and greatly strengthened. This large brick mill was finished during the year 1837, and
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filled with machinery the following year ; which, with the old machinery, the company had now in operation ten sets, with all the necessary preparation for making broad-cloths, with sixty broad looms.
In 1844 this company introduced here, for the first time, the manufacture of delaines, and built the small woolen-mill near the big dam, for making cotton warps for this article. The system of monthly cash payments to employees was now inaugurated.
By an application to the Legislature the capital stock of the company was increased to $500,000, by an act approved on May 23, 1845.
The act for the increase of capital was accepted, and a new company organized, June 4, 1845, by the choice of the follow- ing officers : Charles Merriam, clerk ; Addison Gilmore, trea- surer ; Oliver Dean, Josiah Stickney, William J. Walker, Willard Sayles, and Gardner Brewer, directors. The stock- holders at the time of this new organization were as follows :
Adams, Abel
Emmons, Nathan H.
Amory, William and G. M. Dexter, Fiske, Samuel L. treasurers.
Foss, Jacob.
Bowman, Abner II.
Fuller, Nathaniel.
Brewer, Gardner.
Gilmore, Addison.
Brooks, Peter C., Junior.
Hall, Dudley.
Brown, Charles H.
Hathaway, John.
Brown, William.
Hayes, F. B.
Carney & Sleeper.
'Hitchcock, Samuel A.
Carruth, F. S.
Humphrey, Benjamin.
Carruth, Nathan.
Hutchins, H. G.
Carter, Luke.
Jackson, Ann.
Crocker & Brewster.
Jewett, Nathaniel.
Dean, Oliver.
Kendall, Hugh R.
Dean, Oliver, Trustee for F. W. Lamson, John. Sayles.
Lane, Josiah.
Dean, Oliver, Trustee for C. F. Brewer.
Leeds, Timothy C.
Loring, Benjamin.
Doane, A. Sidney.
Loring, Elijah.
Dupee, J. H.
Lovell, George.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
Mason, William P.
Peters, Edward D.
Merriam, Charles
Quincy, Samuel
Morse, Samuel F.
Sayles, Francis W.
Morse, Sidney B.
Sayles, Willard
Nichols, Thaddeus.
Shaw, Charles B.
Pierce, Henry, A.
Smith, Mary P.
Stearns, John.
An act for the further increase of the capital of this com- pany to $1,000,000 was granted by the Legislature, and approved, February 14, 1846. Mr. Addison Gilmore having resigned as treasurer, Mr. John Gardner was chosen to fill this office, April 14, 1846.
Mr. Samuel L. Fiske, who had been connected with the management of the business of this company for a period of sixteen years, and for ten years as resident agent (during this period), now resigned his trust ; believing that the impaired condition of his health required rest and relaxation from active labor of so ardnous a character. Joshua Ballard, Junior, succeeded him. In the year 1847 the old brick and wood mill erected by the Wolcott Woolen Company was repaired, and the printing business was now commenced here upon delaines.
Mr. Willard Sayles, the most influential and largest stock- holder in the Hamilton Woolen Company, and the head of the firm of Sayles, Merriam & Brewer, of Boston, died at his residence there, July 7, this year.
September 27, 1849, the company voted to issue new stock to the amount of $100,000, which increased the paid-in capital to $600,000, the present capital. This year the company built the brick mill near the big dam, to increase the cotton- warps for their delaines, when the product was largely advanced.
On Sunday morning, December 9, 1850, the large six-story brick mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the year
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
1851, with the addition of the two-story wing, which now con- tains 432 delaine looms.
Fancy cassimere looms now took the place of the broad- loom, formerly used for the manufacture of broad-cloth but discontinued. Gas was now, for the first time, introduced here for lighting these mills. Mr. John Gardner resigned the office of treasurer, and Mr. John R. Brewer was elected to fill this office, January 1, 1851.
In 1858 the company built their model barn, and intro- duced Ayrshire and Alderney stock, and, with Mr. George A. Dresser as farm manager, commenced experimental business in that line, on the rough lands in this vicinity.
In 1860 the new briek mill was erected on the south side of the river, in the vicinity of the railroad depot, the lower side of Hamilton street, and filled with cotton machinery for the manufacture of print cloths ; but, in consequence of the war of Rebellion commencing, the business was deferred for the present.
In 1861 the big dam was greatly strengthened and made a substantial and durable structure ; also, this year, the print works were greatly enlarged and improved.
In 1864 the new brick mill near the railroad depot was filled with delaine machinery, as a substitute for print cloth business. It had 2SS looms for weaving that article.
Mr. John R. Brewer having failed in his health, retired from the treasurership of this company in 1865, and Joshua Ballard, Junior, who succeeded Mr. Fiske as agent in 1846, was now elected treasurer.
Mr. Gayton Ballard succeeded to the agency which had been filled by his brother Joshua.
This year the company made a large addition to their reservoir supply of water, by the erection of extensive works of this kind in the town of Holland, near the head source of Quinebaug river, which insures a constant supply.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
In the year 1860 this company, at their own expense, estab- lished a free library for the benefit of persons in their employ, which, in the year 1866, numbered 1,500 volumes.
The transportation of the company in 1866 amounted to 6,348 tons, or a little over 20 tons each working day through the year.
It now gives employment to 1,137 persons, to whom they paid for labor during this year $305,902.33.
The product of manufactured goods for the year 1866 was 7,107,603 yards of delaines, 328,700 yards of cassimere, and 6,307 double shawls.
They paid internal revenue tax on the sales of their goods sold this year, $105,677.89, and their town and county tax in Southbridge, $9,049.17.
In the years 1867 and 1868 the company erected a com- modious brick meeting-house, for the accommodation of the religious society in their village, at a cost of over $20,000.
Their library has been increased by a donation from Gard- ner Brewer, Esq., in 1872, of 1,000 volumes; and large addi- tions are being made this year to their print works.
This manufacturing company has, from the time Samuel A. Hitchcock, Esq., took the agency of its affairs in 1831, to the present time, been one of the most ably managed and success- ful corporations among the many well-conducted manufactories of New England.
It is yearly making extensive improvements and enlarging its productive power, and at no former period has its prod- nets been equal to the present time. The great dam is now being raised four feet above its former height, and the print- ing department has been greatly improved and enlarged.
It has recently purchased the real estate, buildings, and water-power heretofore known as the Westville Mills, where extensive works, it is understood, are soon to be constructed.
It is interesting to pass through the various departments of
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
the extensive works of this company, and for those who appre- ciate skill and the display of new inventions in the various apparatus here used for rapidly producing the best results, a few hours spent in examining this branch of wisely-conducted industry will be well and pleasantly appropriated.
And it may very properly be added that, in passing through these works recently, in company with several gentlemen from distant parts of the country, who were both surprised and de- lighted with the curious and ingenious machines and admir- able results produced, we saw nowhere posted "No Admit- tance," but witnessed a gentlemanly and courteous desire to show all their operations to the fullest extent required.
COLUMBIAN COTTON-MILL.
This mill was erected in the year 1821, and burned in December, 1844. It was located upon a part of a tract of land known at the time the town of Southbridge was incorpo- rated in 1816, as the "Morris Farm," then in the possession of Edward and Lyman Morris.
About the year 1815 they made a partial excavation for a canal, a part of which is now used by the new mill on that location. This was the first movement for occupying the water-power connected with that privilege. This Morris estate, containing 159 acres and 70 rods of land (including the blacksmith's shop, which has recently been used as a place for making spectacles by the Southbridge Optical Company, and the dwelling-house opposite, then used by the Morrises as a shop for making barrels), became about this time the property of Hon. James B. Mason, of Provi. dence, and by his deed of December 7, 1817, he conveyed the whole estate to Colonel William Foster, who sold the same entire to Major Calvin Ammidown, April 14, 1818 ; consider- ation, $4,600 .*
* See Worcester Records of Deeds, book 212, pp. 191-92.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
On the 19th of April, 1819, Calvin Ammidown sold to Lement Bacon and Ebenezer D. Ammidown the mill-site, canal, and water-right on the south side of the river for $400; and on the 2d of October, 1821, sold other contigu- ous lands for a small addition to the mill-site, to Ebenezer D. Ammidown and Samuel Hartwell, for $200 .*
Subsequently, the right of water-flowage, and location for part of dam, on the north side of the river, was, after some litigation, obtained of Jedediah Marcy.
Moses Plimpton bought one fifth part of this water privi- lege and mill site, October 22, 1821, for the sum of $635; and about this time Samuel Lewis Newell became part owner in the same company.
The business was conducted under a general partnership up to the year 1825.
During this period Mr. Newell lost his life by being canght up by a belt, and carried rapidly round a shaft while engaged as superintendent here. The difficulty in adjusting his interest in the copartnership property induced the surviving partners to apply for an act of incorporation, which was granted by the General Court, in June, 1825. The capital was established at $36,000, divided into thirty-six shares of $1,000 each, and subscribed for as follows, in the years 1826 and 1827.
Ebenezer D. Ammidown, 15 shares.
Moses Plimpton,
Samuel Hartwell, 6
Stillman Plimpton, 3
.. William Healey, 3
66 Joseph Congdon, 2
.. = 36 shares.
The manufacture of cotton was continued at this mill up to the time of the destruction of the same by fire in December, 1844, when it was voted by the company that its affairs should go into liquidation for a final adjustment. In this settlement
* See Book of Records, 224, pp. 540-541; also pp. 542-543.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
the entire real estate of the company became the property of Mr. Ammidown.
This mill site and water-power now remained unoccupied until 1856, when Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, through the aid of his son-in-law, Mr. Barker, of Cincinnati, erected a brick mill on the premises ; and by the assistance of Holmes Ammi- down, Esq., of Boston, filled this mill with machinery in the year 1858, and commenced the manufacture of cotton jeans and flannels. This business was conducted by Malcolm and Henry C., sons of Mr. Ammidown, to whom the property had been conveyed by deed.
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