History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 137

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 137

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INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The occupation of early times was chiefly agriculture. The extensive and valuable forests gave rise to a large amount of wood and lumber business. Charcoal was burned to some ex- tent for market. All the crops usual to these hill towns were raised. The soil was productive, and yielded fair returns for the labor of the pioneers. The mountain slopes afforded ex- cellent pasturage for the fattening of beef and the success of the dairy. In later times, of course, the mills and factories absorbed general attention. When the business of manufac- turing prospered, the farmers prospered ; mechanies had abun- dant employment, and merchants made quick and profitable sales. When manufactures diminished, all other departments of business were embarrassed. Hence the disaster of 1874 was a blow to all. In the place of wealth there came to many poverty. In the place of business activity came stagnation, paralysis. In the place of abundant facilities, demolished factories, ruined machinery, and crippled resources. The danger of living near the banks of the streams, together with the hard times, reduced the value of homesteads. There were many to sell and few to buy. With a third of the business

and wealth of the town swept away, and much of it irrecover- ably lost, merchants could no longer make extensive sales. Men of abundant means who seemed to stand the first shock of the disaster proved to be more embarrassed than was ex- peeted, and some went down in the storm of commercial dis- tress that followed the flood.

For five weary years Williamsburg has not only mourned over the dead, over pleasant homes desolated and destroyed, but over the ruins of business life. Yet heart and hope re- main. The courage of brave men to face business disaster has been sorely tested. There is a native strength of character, a heroie firmness, that comes out clearly in this time of trouble. A portion of the factories were rebuilt soon after the flood. With the revival of business throughout the country there will no doubt come to Williamsburg a reasonable share; and though many years must elapse before the wealth of former times will again exist in this valley, yet a fair degree of suc- cess will no doubt reward the patience and perseverance of those who abide by the old homesteads, walk in the old ways, and practice the old virtues of the fathers,-honesty, industry, economy.

Among other varied productions of agriculture, it ought to be noted that this town produces large quantities of apples now, as it did in former years. One of the finest orchards in Massachusetts is that of Prescott Williams. He has 20 acres of young, thrifty trees, constituting an orchard that resembles those of the best fruit-growing districts in Western New York.

MILLS, FACTORIES, ETC.

Haydenville .- The earliest improvement of the water-privi- lege at the present site of Haydenville was the erection of a saw-mill in 1785, by Samuel Fairfield and John Miller, upon the place where the pen-factory afterward stood. The old saw-mill was still standing there in 1824, but was soon after removed.

A grist-mill, the first and only one ever operated in Hayden- ville, was erected about 1800, by Lieut. Joshua Thayer, and stood near the old Cornelius Tileston place. Soon after this mill was built, a freshet swept away the dam and turned the mill partly over.

The current of the river was turned into the highway, and completely took possession of it as far down as the dugway hill. A large hole was made in the road, in front of the mill, and the publie travel was compelled to pass around it for several years. The hole was finally filled, but it was distinguishable for many years. The dam was never rebuilt ; all traces of the mill were swept away, and thus ended the brief history of the grist-mill of Haydenville.

In 1837, Esdras F. Fairfield and Cyrus Miller built a saw- mill nearly opposite the thread-factory of later years. Its water-power was lost by the construction of the dam for the cotton-factory, and the mill itself was burned in 1847.

The foundry was probably established as early as 1824. David Hyde, George W. Holmes, Wm. Lewis, Lyman Litchi- field, Josiah Hayden, and John A. Root were proprietors at various times. The latter commeneed about 1839, in the building used by his predecessors, where the pen-factory of later years stood. In 1844 he erceted the large buildings east of the hotel, and the business afterward passed to Boland & Graves, who continued it for many years.

The business was not resumed after the flood. The brass business was carried on there for a time. The business was run by the Hayden Foundry Company for several years.

The erection of the first mill for manufacturing purposes in Ilaydenville was commenced in 1809, by Daniel and David Hayden (uneles of Joel and Josiah), Seth Thompson, and Melitier Everett, of Foxboro'. This mill was of wood, two stories high and 31 feet square. The building stood on the site of the present brass-works. The proprietors put in 128 spindles, and commeneed manufacturing cotton yarn. The mill was

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

run from 1812 to 1818. At the time the mill was opened cotton yarn was selling at one dollar a pound for No. 16. During the war with Great Britain the business was very flourishing, but on the conclusion of peace it gradually failed, and was closed. From 1818 to 1822 the building stood unused. At the latter date Joel Hayden and James Congdon purchased the property, rebuilt the dam, made a new canal, repaired the building, and commenced the manufacture of power-looms for weaving broadeloth. They continued that business until 1828. The firm-name was Congdon & Hayden.

In 1825, Guy Trumbull was admitted, and the style of the firm became Congdon, Hayden & Co. Mr. Congdon with- drew in 1827. Josiah Hayden, Jr., came into the partnership, and the name was changed to Hayden, Trumbull & Co. The mill was enlarged in 1825 to twice its original size, and various kinds of machinery were manufactured. Mr. Trumbull died in 1828. In 1831, Joel and Josiah Hayden, who now consti- tuted the firm, commenced the manufacture of japanned but- tons, tin buttons, button-molds, and metal-shanked lasting buttons, having previously manufactured door-locks and har- ness-trimmings. Early on Sunday morning, Nov. 4, 1832, the mill was entirely destroyed by fire. It was insured for $2500. In the spring of 1833 the work of rebuilding was commenced, and the building then erected was the main portion of the one that was destroyed in the disaster of 1874. It was 64 by 32 feet, and three stories in height. Two wings, two stories high, were afterward added, making the length 104 feet in all. On opening the new factory the Messrs. Hayden separated their business, both continuing. The making of machinery was given up, and the button business continued.

Joel Hayden commenced experimenting with prunel or lasting buttons by machinery, the same buttons that were afterward described as " flexible-shanked lasting buttons." The first of these buttons made in this country were made at this factory. The flexible buttons took the place of the sewed buttons then made by Mr. Williston, of Easthampton, and Messrs. Hayden and Williston entered into a joint arrange- ment for the manufacture of these buttons. They employed about 200 hands, mostly females. In 1848, Mr. Williston bought out Mr. Hayden's interest and removed the business to Easthampton.

In August, 1846, Joel Hayden and A. D. Sanders com- menced erecting a stone dam near the old saw-mill dam, about a third of a mile below the one at the button-factory, and in 1847 erected the cotton-factory. This mill was fitted up with 4000 spindles,-the building being 132 feet long, 46 wide, and 4 stories in height. Its capacity was equal to 18,000 to 20,000 yards of sheeting per week. Seventy or eighty hands were employed. A. D. Sanders was the first general manager, and Inter Stephen M. Crosby became superintendent. In 1857 the partnership of Hayden & Sanders was superseded by an incorporated association, known as the Hayden Manufactur- ing Company. The entire stock was, however, held by the Haydens and by Sanders. The goods of this mill immedi- ately attained a high rank in the market. The same mill is still in operation. The dam was destroyed and the buildings somewhat damaged, but not destroyed, in 1874. In 1858 the saw-mill erected by Messrs. Hayden & Sanders was con- verted into a factory for the manufacture of glazed thread. This business passed to the Hayden Manufacturing Company, and Britton Richardson was the superintendent of that de- partment. This was discontinued after a few years ; build- ing afterward used for the manufacture of tobacco.

After the button business was removed, in 1848, locks and other varieties of hardware goods were made by Hayden & Sanders, and in January, 1851, Hayden & Sanders com- meneed the manufacture of plumbers' goods on a small scale, occupying the button-factory, which had stood unused after the removal of the button business. One hundred hands were soon employed. Besides Hayden & Sanders, Sereno Kings-

ley and Edward W. Gere were members of the firm, under the name of Hayden, Sanders & Co. Mr. Gere was at the head of the New York house that was established in connec- tion with the business. The men engaged in it were all practically fitted by their previous training and experience to successfully carry on the business. This afterward was better known as Hayden, Gere & Co.'s Brass-Works. After the food the buildings were replaced, and the business is still car- ried on, about 200 hands being employed.

In 1833, on the erection of the brick building, Josiah Hay- den, as already stated, commenced business alone, manufac- turing japanned buttons and button-molds, using a part of this factory, and employing 8 to 12 hands. He continued this branch of business for sixteen years, or until 1849. Ten years before, he began to make steel pens with Andrew Ad- ams, of Middletown, Conn., as foreman. He returned to Connecticut after three years' service, and Mr. Burke became foreman. In 1845, Mr. Hayden sold out his interest in this business to Williston and William E. Thayer, who removed the manufacture to Williamsburg village.

In the autumn of 1845, Josiah Hayden associated with him- self Rollin Dawson, of Syracuse, N. Y., and commenced the manufacture of gold pens, and continued the business until March, 1848. Dawson, Warren & Hyde succeeded to the business, to which they afterward added the manufacture of fine jewelry. Mr. Warren conducted the business in New York.

In 1844, Josiah Hayden began to manufacture horn buttons, erecting for that purpose the building afterward known as the pen-factory. Mr. Hayden visited Europe to acquire in- formation on this business, and brought back with him a number of skilled operatives,-among them A. P. Critchlow, John Tonnicliff, and Joseph B. Whitehouse (afterward well known in these manufacturing villages). The business was not, however, very remunerative. Mr. Hayden removed to South Boston, and his business operations were not resumed in Haydenville.

In April, 1846, William I. Johnson commenced manufac- turing machinery in the old foundry building, and in No- vember of that year formed a copartnership with Charles B. Johnson, under the firm-name W. I. Johnson & Co. In January, 1848, Mr. C. B. Johnson retired on account of fail- ing health. W. I. JJohnson conducted the business alone for a few months, and then relinquished it to John A. Root, the proprietor of the foundry. This passed into the hands of Boland & Graves.

Skinnercille .- The foundation of that village, of which scarcely anything now remains except the site,-and that torn to pieces by the great flood,-was begun in 1832, by Joseph 1. Lewis and J. J. Goodell. They built a small factory and commenced the manufacture of bits and stocks. Mr. Goodell remained about two years, and after his removal Mr. Lewis made britannia spoons, harness-trimmings, and faucets. In 1842 he moved to Sing Sing, N. Y. He was succeeded by the partnership of Simeon P. Graves and Charles Hayden. In 1845 the business passed to Col. Reed, who proceeded to man- ufacture tacks ; Mr. Josiah Hayden was also interested in the enterprise. Samuel S. Wells was the next proprietor, taking possession in 1851. In 1853 he sold out the property to Mr. Wm. Skinner, of Northampton, and removed to South Bos- ton. Mr. Skinner, taking possession in March, 1854, entered with great energy upon the manufacture of sewing-silks and twists. llis success soon required increased facilities. In 1857 he erected a factory 80 feet long and 30 wide and three stories high. His business steadily increased. His silks were noted for their excellence, and found a quick demand in mar- ket. The thrift and energy displayed by Mr. Skinner soon created a neat village, which clustered around the factory where the numerous operatives lived. The business was con- tinued, greater facilities were secured, more hands employed,

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

and the place appropriately became known as Skinnerrille. Ilis works were called the Unquomonk Mills. This business continued in active operation down to May 16, 1874. The great flood of that morning destroyed the mills and the village. Mr. Skinner, after some hesitation, decided not to rebuild either upon that site or anywhere upon Mill River. This was a matter of serious regret to the citizens of Williams- burg, and Mr. Skinner was probably loath to leave the place associated with nearly eighteen years of his active life. But business considerations prevailed. le located at Holyoke, and Skinnerville exists only upon the maps published before 1874.

Water-Power improved in the Town generally .- On Beaver Brook, in the southeast part of the town, was the earliest saw- mill erected in Williamsburg, and probably the first improve- ment of a water-privilege for any purpose. It stood a short distance above the Mather Warren saw-mill of later years, and was erected, it is supposed, in 1770. It is further stated of it that it was once burnt by the Indians, and also that lumber for the meeting-house in Hatfield was sawed there. The date given does not accord with either of these incidents. Indians are not generally understood to have done any work of destruction here as late as 1770, and there was no meeting- house built in Hatfield between 1750 and 1849. The state- ment might, however, apply to lumber for repairs that were made at various times. On the whole, the date of the erection of the mill is very " clearly" in doubt. The Mather Warren mill below was built in 1822. This was abandoned some years since.

On Beaver Brook also was a wood-turning establishment, sometimes locally called the " fiddle-shop." It was near the present place of Francis Loomis. -

On Joe Wright's Brook was an early saw-mill, owned by the Warrens (Seth and Aaron). This dated back probably to the first settlement of the town. On the same site was afterward a saw-mill, and also a "gimlet-mill," so called. The buildings are still standing, but no business is carried on there.

In the south part of the town, on Unquomonk Brook, was a saw-mill in early times. It was built near the present house of Almon Warner, and was established by his father.

Farther north, on Meekins' Brook, was an early grist-mill, near the present place of Christopher Meekins and M. Guil- ford. The dam was some distance above, and the water was brought to the mill in a ditch. It is the opinion of Dr. Meekins that this was built as early as 1770, which is the same date mentioned above for the saw-mill on Beaver Brook. This grist-mill was tended by Amasa Graves.

On the main stream of Mill River, above Williamsburg village, was a saw-mill in early times, a half-mile or more below the reservoir. This was so old an affair as to be nearly forgotten by many citizens. Some of the foundation timbers were uncovered by the great flood of 1874.

On the northwestern branch, uniting somewhat south of the reservoir, was another saw-mill, known as Merritt's; this was abandoned twenty years ago or more. On the main stream, above Williamsburg village a mile or so, was a saw- mill, built by Leonard Dwight. It was at the place where Robert Dorsey now has a quarry. At the west side of the town, on Mill Brook, flowing down from Goshen, were the mills of Asa White,-wood-turning shops. These were very near the town line. At the place now called Searsville was a saw-mill as early as 1810, run by Eleazer Hyde for several years.

The pioneer at this point was Rufus Hyde, who was a black- smith, and eame to Williamsburg in 1774. He worked at his trade in an ordinary shop for several years. In 1795 he built a larger shop, with a trip-hammer. This was continued for nearly or quite forty years by Mr. Hyde, and by his sons suc- ceeding him. The Ifydes were " skilled in all manner" of

iron-work ; axes, scythes, and other tools were made here, and went far and wide through the country. The axe-making works of the lannums were on the hill back from the stream.

Abell's clothing-works were established quite early at this place, followed by a woolen-mill on a large scale.

Stark's cotton-mill was also located at Searsville. There were also wood-turning works.

When the earlier woolen-mill went down it was rebuilt by Nathaniel Sears. Between Searsville and Williamsburg was a grist-mill of later date.

The old tannery at Williamsburg was established by Deacon Joseph Bodman, probably about 1820. He carried it on dur- ing his life, and his son, Erastus Bodman, succeeded him for a time. After him there was a firm, Graves & Lamb, who ran it for a time. The buildings had been appropriated to manufacturing purposes before the flood of 1874. Since that event the buildings have stood unused.

At Williamsburg, Hill's grist-mill was erected pretty early, near the bridge at Hiram Hill's present place. The mill was built by his grandfather. It stood on the west side of the stream. There was a saw-mill upon the east side, opposite.

Edmund Taylor had a grist-mill, probably from 1820 to 1830, on Mill Brook, at or near the site of II. G. Ilill's wood- turning works.

William Wing had a fulling-mill at Searsville in the early part of this century.

There was also a clothier-shop at Williamsburg village, at the same water-power that is now employed by Woodward & Lyman for making buttons. The cloth-dressing was by Abisha Stearns.

Nearly opposite Carter's store, south side of the bridge, was Alfred Bodman's clothier establishment.

Ambrose Stone, from Goshen, came to Williamsburg and established a woolen-factory, on a small scale at first, on the site of the present James Factory. After a few years the property passed to Lewis Bodman and W. S. Pierce. At the death of Mr. Pierce it was sold to E. L. James, and has been known as the "James Factory" ever since. It is still in operation.

Gross Williams had a noted cider-mill, at the site of Wood- ward & Lyman's works. A distillery was connected with it. Williams also had potash-works near where Royal Rice now lives.

Henry James, with the same power, ran plane-making ma- chinery until he was burned out.

Lewis Bodman had a woolen-yarn factory at Searsville for many years.

At the present time (1879) there is in operation at Williams- burg a grist-mill with a single run of stones, operated by H. G. llill, and doing a good business. There is a saw-mill above toward Searsville, operated by the Bradford Brothers.

The ten leading articles of farm production for the year ending May 1, 1875, were as follows, with their several values as stated :

Butter, $13,320; beef, $17,832; hay, $29,127; manure, $7775; potatoes, $5063; tobacco, $5540; milk, $4784; pork, $3860; firewood, $8379; apples, $2350.

THE MILL RIVER DISASTER OF 1874.

A notice of this fearful event must necessarily have a place in these sketches, difficult as it is to secure accuracy of state- ment in a case where the ruin was so quickly wrought and estimates of time by eye-witnesses differ so much.

THE RESERVOIR.

This was situated on the east branch of Mill River, about three miles from the village of Williamsburg, and in the north- eastern part of the town. The stream which supplied it has its rise only a short distance above. At the village of Wil- liamsburg this east branch unites with the west branch, and

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

forms Mill River proper, which flows through Haydenville and Florence, and empties into the Connecticut at Northampton.

The reservoir was constructed in 1865, and finished the middle of December, though it was not filled until the following spring.

The contractors were Emory B. Wells, of Northampton, and Joel Bassett, of Easthampton. The price paid them was $35,000. The stipulations in substance required the dam to be a stone wall resting on solid rock or hard pan 8 feet wide at the bottom, and sloping so as to be 2 feet in width at the top. It was to be 12 feet in height above the bed of the stream. This wall was to be laid in the best known cement, so that, as the projectors claimed, it would be like a single shaft of granite. This wall was to be enveloped by a mass of earth rising 2 feet higher than the wall and covering it, as a protection from frost. This mass of earth was to be 16 feet or more in width on the top. From the top the earth was to slope downward on the upper side at an angle of 30 degrees ; on the lower side at an angle of 45 degrees. This was to give an entire thickness at the bottom of 120 feet ; the greater mass of which was to be on the upper side of the stone wall. For regulating the flow of water there was to be an iron tube 2 feet in diameter, in- closed in masonry, extending through the dam, nearly in the centre and projecting a few feet beyond the earthen wall above and below ; the tube to be opened and closed by gates. The dam was completed. The public generally gave little atten- tion to the work while it was in progress. No suspicion of any real danger seems to have arisen, or, if there did, no public expression was given to the fear.

It was supposed that the clear-headed capitalists who had made this valley to resound with the busy hum of industry, who had built such a magnificent chain of mills and factories, thoroughly understood their own business. The people saw only a gigantic enterprise of capital, which would make the power that gave life to their villages only more permanent, and their own means of prosperity only more certain.

The dam was high enough to raise a pond covering 111 acres, and averaging 24 feet in depth. The water never rose quite to the crest of the dam, being kept about two feet below by a waste-weir.

Thus was this vast volume of water gathered as a magazine of power above the villages of the valley; containing, when full, the enormous amount of 116,043,840 cubic feet.

The reservoir was placed in charge of a watchman, who was paid $200 a year to open and shut the gates and keep an over- sight of the works. No system of signaling down the valley was provided. The watchman was George Cheney, who lived in a small house near by. Mr. O. G. Spellman was Mr. Cheney's superior officer, having the general oversight of the reservoir, and resided at Williamsburg village. The reser- voir was built and owned by the associated mill proprietors, under the name of " The Mill River and Williamsburg Reser- voir Company."

THE SITUATION.

The reservoir had been in use eight years. Holding ready such a volume of water, the mills had been enabled to run steadily through the dry season without interruption or any great diminution of power. Along the river below were the villages of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville, Leeds, Florence, and Northampton. At all these there were many dwelling-houses standing near the river. In a mountainous region freshets were of course expected, but previous to the reservoir system the danger had never been sufficient to deter the people from building convenient to the mills or upon the pleasant meadows that lay along the stream. To seek the high ground for their homes had never scemed necessary. Little loss of life had ever occurred in New England by freshets ; damage to property was to be endured as one of the incidental expenses in carrying on business along these rapid streams.

Besides the dwellings, there were the factories that had created as it were three of these villages and enriched them all.

At Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville, were the busi- ness enterprises mentioned elsewhere. For the mills at Leeds and Florence reference is made to the history of Northamp- ton.

Thus in the month of May, 1874, there was standing all along this valley a costly array of mills, factories, shops, of- fices, and banks. Nearly all were in operation. The finan- cial crash of the previous year, while it had diminished the amount of business, had not wrought the ruin it afterward caused in closed mills, silent factories, and paralyzed trade. Especially had its iron pressure not been severe in this valley, full of wealth, energy, and activity. This was the situation May 15, 1874. The stream was low ; families retired to rest with no thought of impending danger ; mill-owners, bankers, capitalists were engrossed in their schemes for the future; all was peace, prosperity, comfort, and domestic happiness. The morning of the loth dawned,-the fatal day had come.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 137

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700