USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 43
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57
450
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
bone, value $136,023.19. 1853, ship Sheffield, voyage four years, 7,000 barrels whale oil, 115,000 pounds bone, value $124,000. Bark Minerva, Captain Penniman, arrived in 1864 with cargo of 2,000 barrels sperm oil, value $120,000. Bark Mary and Susan, Captain Howland arrived with cargo of 2,000 barrels sperm oil, value $120,000. Ship Corinthian, Captain Lewis, arrived April 20, 1866, with 570 barrels sperm oil and 4,000 barrels whale oil. Ship George Howland, Captain Jones, arrived April 16, 1866, with 360 barrels sperm oil and 4,100 barrels whale oil. The gross value of each of these two voyages was $250,000, and it is said that $125,000 profit was made on each, on a capital of $25,000. The ships were owned by George jr., and Matthew Howland, and sailed in 1862. 1866, ship Onward, Capt. W. H. Allen, 180 barrels sperm oil, and 62,100 pounds bone. 1867, ship Commodore Morris, Capt. Jacob A. Howland, North Atlantic Ocean, voyage thirty months, 2,700 bar- rels sperm oil, value $192,000. Average price of sperm oil $2.50 per gallon. Bark Reindeer, Captain Baker, 2,900 barrels sperm oil, voyage forty months, average price 97 cents per gallon. Value about $100,000. 1886, bark Europa, Capt. George Baker, voyage in Japan aud Ochotsk Seas, 6,300 barrels whale oil, 900 barrels sperm oil, and 63,000 pounds bone. Value $248,000.
451
STATISTICAL.
SYNOPSIS OF IMPORTS INTO NEW BEDFORD FROM 1804 TO 1877.1
YEAR.
NO. VESSELS
IMPORT, SPERM OIL,
BARRELS.
PRICE.
IMPORT, WHALE OIL.
BARRELS.
PRICE.
IMPORT, BONE,
POUNDS.
PRICE.
1804 .. 23* 2,035 $1.40
14,600 $ .50
$ .08
530,126.70
1805. . 16
3,100
.96
11,300
.50
.10
703,752.92
1806
1
1,200
.80
6,700
.50
.07
828,771 88
1808 .. 8
3,800
.80
3,800
.50
.07
543,016,50
1809. . 1 7
4,750
.60
2,000
44
.08
525,164.92
1810 .. 13
10,920
.75
4,500
.44
.08
666,865.81
1811. .
4
4,700
1,25
1,500
.40
.09
1,180,494.96
1812 ..
6
6,000
1.00
1,000
.40
.10
529.120.00
1813. .
2
2,400
1.25
.50
.10
180,167.85
1814. .
1
1,800
1.25
1,40
140,167 80
1815. .
2
620
1.00
.83
71.522.01
1816. .
7
1,350
1.12}
1,500
.65
.12
458,700.08
1817 .. 13
7,490
.72
7,800
.60
.12
1,091,576.88
1818. .
3
2,250
.90
1,000
.50
.10
838,570.30
1819. . 13
.83
17,880
.35
.10
987,381.52
1820. 28
8,680
.93+
21,580
.35
17,045
.10
1,523,571.37
1821 .. 29
12,680
.674
15,070
.33
.12
1,324.396 29
1822
. 25
12,305
.65
20,705
.32
13,174
.12
1,402,857.70
1823 .. 39
29,843
.43
23,736
.32
14,068
.13
1,820,114.25
1824 . 38
29,100
.45}
32.969
.30
9,314
.13
1,973,756.58
1825. . 23
13,659
.703
23,178
.32
38,365
.15
1,912,765.87
1826. . 16
5,723
.75
18,220
.30
11,389
.16
1,035,018.78
1827 .36
47,127
22,208
.62}
26,438
.26
32,191
.25
1,495,181.15
1829. . 35
30,277
.61}
26,130
.26
211,631
.25
2.172,947.50
1830
46
40,513
45,833
.85
72,735
.234
24,000
.13
3,352,618.17
1833 .. 56
43,775
.85
62,750
.26
.13
4,170,754.89
1834 .. 56
57,688
.724
41,419
.27}
16,000
.21
4.033,317.55
1835 .. 53
66,792
.84
30.488
.39
90,000
.21
6,095,787.35
1836 .. 53
39,654
.89
38,243
.44
32,000
.25
5,888,044.42
1837 .. 53
56.831
.821
63,683
.35
242,316|
.20
6,483,651.90
1838
|92* 77,000
86
84,100
.32
.20
6.250,842.89
1839 .. 75 61,695
1.08
72,890
.36
.18
7.524,060.30 56,118-1839
1840 .. 82* 63,465
1.00
75,411
.30
.19
7,230,534.30
.71
49,186
.30
21,200
.17
4,139,790.61
1832., 50
23,705
.723
18 186
.30
47,785
.18
2,499,735.00
1828. . 38
.65g
35,271
.39
280,438
.20
3.487.949.56
1831
. 47
NOTE .- Up to 1815, and in years marked " Fairhaven is included.
1 From Starbuck's History of American Whale Fishery.
RETURNING.
TOTAL VALUATION, U. S. IMPORTS.
NEW BEDFORD TONNAGE.
1807 ..
1
1,00
.07
680,103.48
452
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
SYNOPSIS CONTINUED.
RETURNING.
IMPORT, SPERM OIL,
PRICE.
IMPORT, WHALE OIL,
PRICE.
IMPORT, BONE,
POUNDS.
PRICE.
1841.
57
54,860 $ .94
49,555 $ .32
$ .20
$ 7,125,970.88
1842.
63
70,909
.73
51.112
.34
.23
4,379,812.03
1843
56 61,066
.63
40,922
.34
409,220
.36
6,293,680.2]
69,708-1843
1844.
76
54,509
.90$ 102,992
.361
978,592
.40
7,875,970.38
76,784
1845.
68
152,022
.88
83,724
.33
1.006,007
.34
9,283,611.75
82,633
1846.
62
38,380
.874
80,812
.334
456,900
.34
6,203,115.43
82,701
1847.
79
56,437
1.00₺
98,735
.36
1,568,200
.31
8,419,288.49
80,947
1848.
75
48,827
1.00
115,436
.33
621,900
.25
6,819,442.78
81,075
1849.
64
46,338
1.08%
72,961
.40
797,300
.214
7,069,953.74
77,138
1850.
64
39,298
1.204
91.627
.494 1,081,500
.32
7,564,124.72
81,442
1851
94
45,150
1.27}'155,711
.45} 2,349,900
.34}
10,031,744.05
94,642
1852. 59
40,313
1.234
42,352
.68]
925,600
.50%
5,565,409.89 104,006
1853.
91
44,923
1.21# 118.673
.584 2,835.800
.34}
10,766,521.20 107,512
1854. 113
42,924
1.484 175,336
.59+ 1,669,200
.39}
10,802,594.20 105,459
1855. 78
42,987
1 771 102,968
.71}|1,460,500
.454
9,413,148.93 107,702
1856. 79 52,885
1.02
81,783
.79} 1,087,600
.58
9,589,846.36 114,364
1857. 105 48,108
1.28} 127,362
.73} 1,350,850
.963
10,491,548.90 110,267
1859.
89
64.327
1.36} 121,522
.48+ 1,608,250
.88
8,525,108.91 103,564
1860.
88
43,716
1 41} 90,450
.444
724,434
.66
5,415,090.59
86,971
1862.
68 36,529
1.423
61.056
.50}
297,600
.88
5,051,781.64
73,061
1863
66
42,458
1.61
4.3,191
.95}
307,950
1.53
5,936,507.17
64,815
1864.
77
48,172
1.891
35,883
1.28
224,250
1.804
8,113,922.07
58,041
1865.
57 |21.292
24 552
2.27
72,108
.731
731,146
1.17%
6,356,772.51
52,652
1868
69 31.841
32,673
1.813
54.566
1.014
471,495
1.23
6,205,244.32
50,775
1870
59
42.880
1.361
49,563
.673
569,861
.85
4,529,126.02
50,213
1871.
56 30,654
1 31
55,710
.64
560,993
.77
3,691,469.18
40,045
1872
33 33,021
30,229
1.471
25,757
.62}
150,598
1.08}
2,962,106.96. 32,556
1874.
32
25,480
1.59
26,349
.60}
321,637
1.10
2,713,034.51
29,541
1875
53
34.430
1.60}
25,067
.65ł
359,973
1.20₴
3.314,800.24 31,691
1876
55
30,233
1 40}
20,535
.56
93.484
1.96
2,639,163.31
30,464
1.21
103,105
.54 1,184,900
.49} 1,112,000
.80}
6,520,135.12
98,760
1861.
85
47,404
1.31} 72,134
51,693
1.45
376,450
1.714
6,906,650.51
50,403
1866.
40 21,345
2.55
44 513
1.21
392,100
1.37
7,037,891.23
53,798
1867.
62
1.92
49.939
.82
667,507
1.02₫
5,470,157.43
50 628
1869
59
2,954,783.00 36,686
1873.
39
1.454
15,573
.654
177,868
1.28}
TOTAL VALUATION, U. S. IMPORTS.
NEW BEDFORD TONNAGE.
YEAR.
No. VESSELS
BARRELS.
BARRELS.
.92}
7,672,227.31 107,931
1858. 80
46 218
2.25
453
BIRTH AND GROWTH OF MANUFACTURES.
CHAPTER XXIII.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
Character of Early Mechanics -- John Loudon's Ship Yard, 1760 - First Mechanics -- New Bedford as a Cotton Manufacturing City - Population - Capital Invested -- Number of Establishments and Employees - Value of Manufactured Product -- Brief Sketches of Various Industries .- The Wamsutta Mills -Their Growth and Develop- ment-The Potomska Mills - The Acushnet Mills -- The Hathaway Manufacturing Company - The City Manufacturing Company -- The New Bedford Manufacturing Company - The Howland Mill Corporation -- The Bennett Manufacturing Company -- The Grinnell Manufacturing Corporation -- The Oneko Woolen Mills - Early Cord- age Factory - The New Bedford Cordage Company -- The Manufacture of Oil - First Try Houses - Early Oil and Candle Factories - Advent of Petroleum -- Modern Meth- ods -- Present Oil Works - Manufacture of Glass -- Silverware -- Toys and Novelties -- Art Manufactures - Early Shoe Factories -- Present Boot and Shoe Factories, etc.
A N important feature in the history of New Bedford is the birth and growth of its industries, the development and magnitude of its manufactures. Prior to the introduction of cotton factories in 1846-47 the thousands of busy workers had been employed for nearly a century in trades and professions particularly identified with marine navigation and the whaling industry. The vicinity of New Bedford, Fairhaven, Russell's Mills and other places in Dartmouth, has, however, for many generations been the scene of active pursuits, employing the skill and genius of almost every class of mechanics and artisans, and inculcating in their posterity an aptitude for trade, and a clear and far-seeing busi- ness sagacity.
To-day New Bedford stands third in number of spindles in operation in cotton manufacturing cities of the country, being exceeded only by Fall River and Lowell. In the number of looms she is fourth, Man- chester, N. H., in addition to the cities just named, outranking her. The cotton-mills here are among the best examples of their class. It is safe to say that in point of architecture, construction and equipment, as well as in the quality of their products, these mills have no superior in this or any other country.
454
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
The estimated total capital invested in home corporations carrying on various kinds of manufactures, and bank stocks, including premiums on shares, is over $27,000,000. In the 650 establishments there are employed more than 12,500 people, to whom are paid in salaries $4,- 600,000 annually. The stock and material used in these establishments is valued at $8,750,000, and the manufactured product at $16,000,000. The following brief sketches of the manufacturing and industrial inter- ests are inserted to show how New Bedford capital is, and has been, invested :
The Wamsutta Mills .- The location of the mills at New Bedford to which was given the name of " Wamsutta," was the result of a com- bination of circumstances. During the months of September and Oc- tober, 1846, several gentlemen in New York and the Hon. Joseph Grinnell, of this city, had under consideration a proposition from Thomas Bennett, jr., for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of cotton in the State of Georgia, the business being extremely profitable there at that time, and Mr. Bennett having previously had experience in it in that State. This enterprise was looked upon with so much favor by those parties that Mr. Bennett, in company with the late William T. Russell, of this city, proceeded to that State on the Ist of November following, and examined several water-powers and mill locations, and made the requisite estimates and reports for adopting either one of them which might be considered the most desirable. On their return North late in December, 1846, they stopped in Washington, D. C., to confer with the Hon. Joseph Grinnell, then the representative to Congress from this district, and to make known to him Mr. Bennett's reports of the examinations made of the localities in the State of Georgia, This was in the first week of January, 1847.
Mr. Grinnell gave the reports, estimates, and the prospective profits of the Georgia enterprise a thorough examination, and in conclusion in- quired why the mill could not be located in New Bedford, and on be- ing informed that it could, but that it would be doubtful about the profits of the business if located there, he replied that the profits of the busi- ness were of not so much consequence as the safety of the capital in- vested, which he considered would be much more reliable in New Bed- ford than if the business was established anywhere in the Southern
455
WAMSUTTA MILLS.
States. The Mexican War was then in progress, which so far alarmed Mr. Grinnell that he thought the plan of locating the mill in the South should be given up. It was then arranged that Mr. Bennett should pro- ceed at once to New Bedford and prepare his plans and estimates for locating the mill there, and have them ready to meet Mr. Grinnell on his return home after the adjournment of Congress on the 4th of March, 1847, when the whole matter would be carefully considered and an early decision reached. On the return of Mr. Grinnell, and after mak- ing an examination of the plans and estimates of Mr. Bennett, he decided that the mill must be located at New Bedford, but before coming to a conclusion as to the advisability of the project, he sought the advice of a practical cotton manufacturer, David Whitman, of Warwick, R. I. Mr. Whitman approved and encouraged the enterprise, and with this recommendation Mr. Grinnell gave it his hearty support, and headed the subscription list with $10,000, and made every effort to bring it to a successful result. This was the starting point of the Wamsutta Mills. Fortunately, in the year 1846, the Hon. Abraham H. Howland ob- tained from the Legislature of Massachusetts, by a special act, a charter for a manufacturing company to be located in New Bedford, under the name of the Wamsutta Mills, for the manufacture of cotton, wool, or iron, in the names of Jireh Perry, Matthew Luce, Thomas S. Hathaway and their associates. This charter was given to the proposed com- pany, which enabled it to organize and proceed to business as soon as sufficient capital was subscribed. It was proposed to obtain a capital of $300,000, to build and put in operation a cotton mill of 15,000 spindles and 300 looms. After great efforts had been made by Mr. Grinnell and other friends of the enterprise, $157,900 was subscribed, and here it stopped and could not be advanced beyond that point. After several weeks of persistent labor to increase the amount of the subscription with- out avail, Mr. Grinnell added $2,100 more to his amount, making the whole $160,000, and it was then decided that the enterprise must be started on the $160,000, or be abandoned. The chief obstacles which were encountered in the establishment of the first mill, were the follow- ing : At that time the whale fishery was at the height of its prosperity. Every one who had money to invest sought for opportunities to join with some favorite agent in the numerous vessels that were being added
45€
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
to the fleet. The profits were large and very certain, and the entire prosperity of the place had grown out of it. This was the one great obstacle in the way of getting sufficient capital for the first mill. The general sentiments of the citizens were in opposition to the introduction of manufactures by incorporated companies, and preferred those con- ducted by individual capital and enterprise, and such as were in connec- tion with the whaling and shipping interests. Particularly so were the mechanics, who regarded the organized and disciplined labor and the longer hours of mill work as inimical to the labor interests. The en- terprise was looked upon by the great majority of the people as an un- suitable one for the locality and doomed to failure from the start. Everything except the building stone had to be brought here, and all of the stone used for the engine foundations, shafting supports and some other uses was brought from Fall River. After the buildings were com- pleted, all the overseers, machinists, carpenters and operatives were brought here from the manufacturing localities in Rhode Island, Con- necticut, and central parts of this State. To provide homes for these people the company was obliged to build and maintain boarding- houses and tenements, and this feature of the enterprise has been con- tinued ever since. There were but two outward and inward trains a day on the railroad. All water transportation was by sailing vessels. The telegraph had not been introduced here. The facilities in the place for doing any machine work were so limited that a machine shop be- came one of the first necessities of the mill, and one was established in the basement of the main building. The first stockholders' meeting was held June 9, 1847, and was called by a notice signed by Joseph Grinnell, Jireh Perry, Matthew Luce and Thomas S. Hathaway. At this meeting Mr. Grinnell presided, and Thomas Bennett, jr., was the secretary. The company organized and the charter was accepted, the following officers being chosen : President, Joseph Grinnell; treasurer and clerk, Edward L. Baker; directors, Joseph Grinnell, David R. Greene, Thomas Mandell, Pardon Tillinghast and Joseph C. Delano. It was voted to build a mill of 10,000 spindles, and Mr. Bennett was ap- pointed agent, who, with David Whitman as consulting engineer, pro- ceeded at once with the plans for the buildings and the contracts for the machinery. The selection of the location was a matter of careful con-
457
WAMSUTTA MILLS.
sideration, and as the tract of land to the south of Benjamin Rodman's mill-pond afforded such a valuable combination of advantages in its proximity to an ample supply of pure fresh water from the pond, the easy extension of the tracts of the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad into the mill yards, and the use of the railroad company's wharf, that it was fixed upon as the one site of all others to be secured. Negotiations were opened with Mr. Rodman for its purchase. To the great surprise of the directors, Mr. Rodman would not make a price for it, but re- quested them to make an offer for the land and the use of the water from the pond not to exceed four feet below the level of the waste way. The offer made was $7,500, which was at once accepted by Mr. Rod- man, and work was commenced as soon as the title to the property passed to the company. It may here be remarked that all transactions with Mr. Rodman were conducted with the utmost liberality on his part.
The buildings of the No. 1 Mill were designed and erected for the capacity of 15,000 spindles and 300 looms, but on account of the in - sufficiency of the capital obtained, 10,000 spindles and 200 looms were all that were put in. The buildings were completed in the summer of 1848, and the starting of the machinery for the manufacture of goods was begun January 1, 1849. Near the end of the month of March fol- lowing the 10,000 spindles and 200 looms were all in operation. Mr. Bennett recommended the style of goods that should be made in this mill, which in that day was considered impracticable by some manufac- turers, for the reason that all previous attempts in the New England mills to produce that style and quality of goods had been failures. It was known as the Wamsutta shirting, and subsequently gained a world- wide reputation. At the close of the month of April, 1849, an account of stock was taken to ascertain the cost of the goods, the result of which proved much below the original estimate, and from this showing the success of the enterprise was assured On the 9th of May, 1849, a meeting of the stockholders was held to consider the subject of increas- ing the capital of the company, and the report of the directors relating to the operation of the mill. It was voted to increase the capital stock to $300,000, and put in the additional 5,000 spindles and 100 looms This additional capital was subscribed and paid in so slowly, that only $225,-
58
458
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
500 participated in the first dividend which was declared of five per cent. payable February 1, 1850. Before the second dividend was pay - able, August 1, 1850, the full $300,000 had been paid in. In January, 1853, the profits derived from running Mill No. I had been so satisfac- tory, the stockholders decided to build a second mill, which was fin- ished and in full operation in the fall of 1854. The capital had been increased to $600,000 and the company had 30,000 spindles and 600 looms in operation.
At the closing of the accounts on the Ist of August, 1860, the suc- cess of the business had been so marked, and the company being unable to supply the demand for its productions, the stockholders decided to build a third mill, to contain 15,000 spindles and 300 looms. The cap - ital was increased to $1,000,000. Building operations were com- menced in September, and the mill completed late in the following sum- mer. On account of the War of the Rebellion then prevailing, the building of the machinery was delayed as much as possible, but the company had to receive it in the summer of 1862. It remained unused however, until the fall of 1865. At this time a great demand came for the goods, and by January 1, 1866, the machinery was all running, and at that time the company was marketing the production of 45,000 spindles and 1, 100 looms. The increased demand for the goods con- tinued, the profits were in the ascension, and the stockholders decided to build still another mill, making four in all. This mill was to have a capacity of 45,000 spindles and 1, 100 looms, and the capital was in- creased to $2,000,000. Work was begun as soon as possible, and in the summer of 1870 the new machinery was all in operation. At this time the company was operating 89,236 spindles and 2,173 looms, of which 2,071 looms were on the Wamsutta shirtings, and the remaining 102 looms on wider goods. Thomas Bennett, jr., terminated his con- nection with the company April 1, 1874, after having been in its em - ploy as resident agent for twenty-seven years. He was succeeded by Edward Kilburn, who filled the position until 1888, when he was suc- ceeded by Wm. J. Kent, the present agent. From the Ist of Febru- ary, 1850, when the first dividend was paid, to April 1, 1874, the com- pany paid fifty dividends amounting in the aggregate to three hundred and one per cent., and had an undivided surplus of about nine per cent.
459
WAMSUTTA MILLS.
The following is an extract from a memoir of Joseph Grinnell, printed for private distribution, March 7, 1863 : "In 1847 a reaction in manufacturing occurred. Then Mr. Grinnell urged his friends to unite in the erection of a cotton-mill. After great effort a capital of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars was subscribed, and a company under the title of ' Wamsutta Mills' was organized. Here again, after the act of incorporation was obtained, the presidency was thrust upon him ; for whatever distrust he might feel in regard to taking the respon- sibility, his co-partners were determined to take no refusal.
" A lot of land was purchased, with a supply of water, of Benjamin Rodman, with whom, and the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad Cor- poration, many liberal and advantageous arrangements were made, so that the mill was connected with the railroad and tide water, to its great convenience and profit. The stock of the corporation has been increased from time to time, until it now amounts to one million of dollars. It has made liberal dividends after paying all taxes and retaining sufficient means to meet all depreciation in the value of buildings and machinery. In passing it may be remarked that the dividends of this company have amounted to one hundred and forty-eight and a half per cent. up to this time. But Mr. Grinnell does not claim for himself the merit of this success. To Thomas Bennett, jr., the agent and engineer of the estab- lishment, he attributes the high reputation of the goods manufactured, and considers that the stockholders are largely indebted for their profits. to his constant attention and skill."
As soon as the goods produced at the Wamsutta Mills in the spring of 1849 were put on the market, they were received with so much favor by the trade and consumers that the demand for them and the prices which they sold at once proved the mills to be a success, and a contin- uous one, demonstrating that New Bedford as a location for the manu- facture of cotton goods was unequaled in its natural advantages, and possessed some which were peculiar and unattainable in other localities. There is a certain dampness and softness in the atmosphere, prevail- ing almost the entire year, which is exceedingly favorable to the pro- duction of cotton yarns of all numbers, and particularly so of those of the finest quality, and of an immense advantage in all weaving opera- tions. The winters are mild and with but little snow and the summers
460
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
are cool with the exception of a few hot days, and it is never necessary for any of the operatives to loose time in the extreme heat of summer on account of its debilitating effects. From observations made from 1849 to 1874 the operatives in New Bedford enjoyed better health than those employed in interior towns, and consequently the amount of earn- ings was correspondingly increased.
But notwithstanding all the advantages to be obtained here, together with the success of the cotton manufacture, as demonstrated by the Wamsutta Mills, for some unexplained reason, although large sums of capital were often seeking investment, a further extension of the cotton manufacture did not attract it. Twenty-one years went by with those mills constantly turning out their profitable productions, before any attempts were made to establish the second manufacturing company, which was finally done in 1871, in the Potomska Mills and later by the Acushnet and others. In the years 1863-65 the shortage of help was so great that resort was made to Canada to supply the deficiency, and the Canadian French were obtained as the substitutes. Large numbers were brought to this city, as well as to all parts of New England, and since that time a constant supply has continued from that source.
Number 5 Wamsutta Mill was built in 1875 It is four hundred and thirty-three feet in length and ninety-three feet in width. Number 6 Mill was built in 1881-82, is of brick, three stories high, five hundred sixty-nine and one half feet long, and ninety-five feet wide. There are now in operation in all the mills of this corporation more than 220,000 spindles, and nearly 4,500 looms. The average number of hands em- ployed is 2,200 and and the weekly pay roll $15,000. The magnitude of the motive power required to move the many thousands of spindles and looms is almost beyond comprehension, reaching nearly 6,500 horse power. The products of the Wamsutta Mills comprise some two hundred varieties in all grades and widths, of fine shirtings, cam- brics, muslins, lawns, momie cloth, fancy weaves, sateens and cretonnes, and bleached and brown sheetings, plain, twilled, and double warp, in all widths up to one hundred twenty-four inches. There is also a yearly production of two million five hundred thousand pounds of cotton yarn Nos. 18 to 100, which meets with a ready sale. The quality of the Wamsutta shirtings and sheetings is well known, and the products of
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