USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 60
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In 1839, a new Company was incorporated by the name of the "Manchester Mills," with a capital of $1,000,000. This ' name has since been changed to the "Merrimack Mills," and subsequently to the "Manchester Print Works," and the capi-
562
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
tal increased to $1,800,000. Their object is the manufacture and printing of Mousli: de Laines. To carry out the object, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company built for them in 1845 a mill of the largest class ; in 1846, a large Printery facing up- on Granite street, and near to the Granite Bridge ; and in 1850, another large mill. These mills are upon the lower can- al, just north of Granite street, and connected with them are 94 boarding houses.
In 1847, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company built anoth- er large mill on their own account, known as "No. 4, Amoskeag New Mills," and of capacity for 24,576 spindles, and 630 looms, being 6 stories in height, and 260 feet in length, by 60 in width. In 1848 and 9, they built a new Machine Shop, and com- menced the manufacture of Locomotives which is being pros- ecuted with energy and abundant success.
In 1955 and 6, they built on their own account another mill, known as "No. 5, Amoskeag New Mills," 6 stories in height, 220 feet in length, by 60 feet in width, and containing 20,000 spindles, and 460 looms.
This company has still hydraulic power for many more mills, and will build as occasion requires, there being many more eli- gible mill sites both above and below the present mills. When completed according to the original plan, the mills, warehous- es, and boarding houses, extending on either side of the canals and railroad for a distance of a mile and a half, flanked on each side with a dense mass of public houses, stores, shops, and dwelling houses, and containing a population of fifty thousand inhabitants, Manchester must be the handsomest Manufacturing city in the world.
The works of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company may be divided into five departments.
1. The Real Estate and Building department. Of this department Robert Read, Esq, was Agent until January 1852, when E. A. Straw, Esq., the present efficient Engineer of the Company, succeeded him. This department has the general superintendence of surveys, sales of land, building factories, boarding houses, &c. The Clerk is Joseph Knowlton, Esq.
2. The Amoskeag New Mills, consisting of five mills, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. David Gillis, Esq., is Agent of this department, and Charles Richardson. Esq., was Clerk, un- til 1854, when he was succeeded by Charles L. Richardson, who continues as clerk at the present time.
3. The Machine Shop. This department includes the old and new Foundries, Boiler Shop, Forge Shop, Tank Shop,
-
1
r
MACHINE SHOP.
563
MACHINE SHOP.
Paint Shop, Pattern house, and Storehouse. Cyrus W. Bald- win Esq., is the Agent, and Justus D. Watson, is Clerk.
4. This department includes the Hooksett Factory, eight miles up the river, at Hooksett, engaged in the Manufacture of Mouslin de Laines ; runs 8000 spindles, and is under the su- perintendence of Stephen Ballard.
5. This department includes the mills and real estate at Amoskeag Village, in Goffstown; since the burning of the Bell mill in 1847, but little business has been done at this place. A mill for the manufacture of Batting is kept in operation, but the buildings, including counting room, and most of the board- ing houses, have been rented to Boyd, & Corey, who are ex- tensively engaged in the manufacture of shoes.
And now, a more particular discription of the various manu- facturing departments, connected with what is known as the Corporations, will be given. And first of the
MACHINE SHOP.
The machine shop of the Amoskeag company, unpretend- ing in appearance, and entirely out of sight of all passers by, and others even, unless led to enter its yard upon business, or from curiosity, formerly attracted little attention, it being mere- ly an appendage to the company's factory operations. Yet it ever has been an establishment of importance, using immense quantities of raw material, turning off a great amount of ma- chinery, and giving employment to a large number of work- men ; and now has not only become a most important part of the Amoskeag company's establishment, but has gained a world wide reputation for the excellency of its machinery.
The first machine shop, known as the "old Machine Shop," was built in 1840 upon the lower canal, as before suggested. This shop is 260 feet in length, 36 in width, and three stories high. In 1842, the Company erected an extensive Foundry, before this having obtained their castings at Chelmsford. This shop answered all the purposes of the company, until 1848, when they built another machine shop and foundry, now known as the "new Machine Shop" and "new Foundry." This ma. chine shop is 260 feet in length, 40 feet in width and three stories high, and the foundry is 120 in length, 80 in width, and one story in height. At thistime, the company commenced the manufacture of locomotives-and the experiment succeed-
564
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
ing beyond expectation, they have from time to time, extended their works ; adding a "Boiler Shop," in 1852, 200 feet in length, 40 feet in width, a "Tank Shop," 200 feet in length, 25 in width ; a "Forge Shop," 200 feet in length and 36 feet in width ; a "Paint Shop," 84 feet in length, 40 feet in width, and all one story in height ; a fire proof "Pattern House," 100 feet in length, 30 feet in width and three stories in height ;- and a "Store House" and "Setting up Shop," 250 feet in length and 40 feet in width, a part 2 stories in height, and a part one story in height.
The first locomotive, the Etna, was built in 1849 for the Northern Railroad, since which time the business has so increas- ed, that they now build 60 a year, turning out more than one a week. The last six built were for the Michigan Central Railroad and were numbered 212 to 218 inclusive, and they have orders on hand for twelve or fourteen more.
Here some 60 locomotives are manufactured every year, averaging a price of $8,750 each, or $525,000 in the gross. The locomotives weigh from 20 to 30 tons each and are for home use, the Western Railroads and the Canadas. Besides, the com- pany annually manufactures cotton machinery sufficient for a mill of 20,000 spindles. Turbine wheels are also a prominent feature, of which they produce a large number and variety each year, ranging in power from that of 20, to that of 300 horse power. Several other branches of manufacture are car- ried on, but these are subsidiary to those already enumerated, There are 68 tenements belonging to the company, which are occupied as boarding houses, for the men'in their employ. These latter number some five hundred and includes some of the most respectable citizens of Manchester.
There are consumed at these works, every year, 2000 tons of pig iron, 1000 tons of bar iron and steel, 150 tons of cop- per, 75 tons of brass and malleable castings, 300 tons of boiler iron, 600 tons of Lehigh coal, 600 tons of Cumberland, (En- glish ) coal, 500 bushels of charcoal, 4000 gallons of oil, and 1200 cords of wood.
The average sum paid as wages, per month, is $12,000, which, among the workmen, is distributed at the rate of from $40 to 75 per month. Some men average more than the lat- ter sum.
The principal articles manufactured are locomotive and sta- tionary steam engines, boilers, cotton and woolen carding, spin- ning and weaving machinery, heavy tools, turbine wheels, and
-
NO. 3, STARK MILLS.
565
STARK MILLS.
mill work generally ; and heavy castings are furnished by the company to order.
The first Agent of the Machine Shop, was William Burke, Esq. He continued in office until 1847, when he resigned, to take charge of the Machine shop in Lowell, Mass., and was succeeded bv O. W. Bailey, Esq. Mr. Bailey resigned in Jan. 1S55, to take charge of the Manchester Locomotive Works, and was succeeded by Cyrus W. Baldwin, Esq., the present Agent.
THE STARK MILLS.
The corporation known as "The Stark Mills," was incorpo- rated in 1838, with a capital of $1,000,000, and was organized by the choice of
NATHAN APPLETON, President, WM. AMORY, Treasurer, GEO. W. KIMBALL, Clerk.
NATHAN APPLETON, GEO. W. LYMAN, WILLARD SAYLES, FRANCIS C. LOWELL, WM. APPLETON,
Directors.
WM. AMORY, SAMUEL HENSHAW,
This company put the first Cotton Mill in operation on the east side of the Merrimack in this city. This Mill was built for them by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, in the Summer and Fall of 1838, the machinery for the same having been built in Lowell. It went into operation the first of 1839, John A. Burnham, Esq., taking the charge of the same as Agent in January 1839. This mill was 4 stories high, 48 ft. wide, by 157 long. was situated upon the upper canal, and con- tained 8000 spindles, and constitutes the south wing of what is now known as "Stark Mills No. 1."
In the summer of 1839, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Com- pany built for the Stark Mills another mill of 8000 spindles, 4 stories high, 48 feet wide, by 157 feet long, and located a few rods north of their first mill, and which is now the north wing of "Stark Mills No. 1." The machinery for this mill was built at Springfield, Mass.
In 1843, this company enlarged their operations, by having
566
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
put in for them, a centre piece, connecting their two former mills, consisting of a front of 100 feet, of 4 stories, and a ped- iment end surmounted with a cupola; forming with the two former mills one entire building in the form of a cross, 48 feet wide, by 414 in length, and adding 5400 spindles to their for- mer number.
In November, 1847, J. A Burnham, Esq., resigned the Agen- cy of the Stark Mills, and was succeeded in the office by Phin- ehas Adams, Esq., the present Agent. Mr. Adams had been Agent of the old "Amoskeag Mills," upon the west side of the river.
In 1848, this company erected another first class mill, five stories high, 220 feet in length, and fifty feet in width, and containing 19564 spindles. This mill is located a few rods north of their former mill, and is known as "Stark Mills, No. 2." Upon the completion of this mill, this company operated ma- chinery as follows ;
In No. 1 Mill, 21400 spindles, and
662 looms upon sheetings, and drillings.
In No. 2 Mill, 19564 spindles, and
560 looms upon sheetings and drillings,
Manufacturing 17,000,000 yards of sheetings and drillings per annum.
On the 16th day of March, 1850, a destructive fire broke out in No. 1 Mill of this corporation, which destroyed the up- per story of the north wing, (the second mill built,) and did more or less injury to the machinery in that wing, and the rest of the building.
Upon fitting this mill in running order again, this company commenced the manufacture of bags, on looms invented and patented by Cyrus W. Baldwin, Esq. These bags are manu- ufactured whole, and without seams, and are known as "Seam- less bags," and are the best article of the kind in the market.
Under this new arrangement, their operations are as follows. In No. 1 Mill, 51420 spindles, and
300 looms for sheetings drillings and ducks. 260 looms for bags.
In No. 2 Mill, 19564 spindles, and
550 looms upon sheetings and drillings. They manufacture Sheetings, Drillings, Ducks and Bags They employ 200 males, and 950 females. Number of Tenements. 66.
STARK MILLS.
AMOSKEAG NEW MILLS.
567
STARK MILLS.
Pay at the mills, $30,000 per month. Consume annually 1,000,000 cubic feet of Gas. 5,880 gallons of Oil. 75 tons of Starch. 1000 tons of Coal. 6,000,000 lbs of Cotton.
Manufacture annually 2,080.000 (2 bush.) bags. 66 8,000,000 yds sheeting. and drillings.
On the 1st day of July, 1853, Geo. W. Tilden, Esq., resign- ed the office of Pay Master, to this corporation, having held the office since June 1839, fourteen years and one month. Mr. Tilden was succeeded in his office by William B. Webster Esq.
The officers for 1856, are
NATHAN APPLETON, President. WM. AMORY, Treasurer. PHINEHAS ADAMS, Clerk.
NATHAN APPLETON,
SAMUEL FROTHINGHAM,
DAVID SEARS,
WM. APPLETON,
Directors.
WM. AMORY,
GEO, W. LYMAN,
FRANKLIN H. STORY.
The Stark Mills are under most excellent management. their affairs are conducted in a quiet manner, and in spite of disas- ter, they are doing a lucrative business, their goods command- ing ready sales, and their stock standing well on 'change.
AMOSKEAG NEW MILLS.
The department of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, devoted exclusively to the manufacture of cotton goods, has become one of great importance, although in the incipient stages of the company, their operations in real estate, in the manu- facture of machinery, and in preparations for other companies seem to have overshadowed this department. Still, how- ever, this, the primary object of the company, has been all the while making steady, and permanent progress. And it is un-
-
568
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
derstood, that this department, now including five large mills, has been built entirely from the earnings of the company, be- sides occasional handsome dividends.
Their mills are designated by their numbers, applied accord- ing to their precedence in construction, as thus ; No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Amoskeag New Mills. Nos. 1, and 2, were built in 1840 and 1841. They were built after the Lowell plan, and calcu- lated for 8000 spindles each. They are each five stories in height, and 166 feet in length, by 50 feet in width. They . were set in operation in 1841. It was thought that there were superior advantages in a large class of mills, and accordingly in 1843 and 1844, they built one of the largest class, being three stories in height, 444 feet in length, by 65 feet in width, and calculated for 20,000 spindles, and 500 looms. No. 3, mill was put in operation in 1844. In 1847, and 1848, they built No. 4, a first class mill, being six stories in height, 260 feet in length, by 60 feet in width, and calculated for 25000 spindles, and 600 looms. This was put in operation in 1848. In 1855 and 1856 No. 5 was built, being also a first class mill, six sto- ries in height, 222 feet in length, by 60 feet in width, and calculated for 20,000 spindles, and 500 looms. This mill went into operation in 1856.
The capacity of the mills is thus ;
No. 1 contains 8960 spindles, and 234 looms.
2
S832
250
3
20478
545
4
24576
66 636
5
20000
480
Total,
82846
2345
The annual consumption of cotton is 9,600,000 lbs. The amount of cloth made 22,500,000 yds., annually, or 67,000 daily, equal to 38 miles per day, consisting of
Tickings, various qualities.
Denims.
Mariner's Stripe.
Drillings, various qualities.
Sheetings.
Flannels.
No. of Females employed, 2500
No. of Males, 700
Amount paid out at Mills, $40,000 per month.
NO. 4, AMOSKEAG NEW MILLS.
مے
1樓
A MOCKVAN NIMU MITT No
569
AMOSKEAG NEW MILLS.
There are 109 Tenements used for boarding houses, and overseers, tenements.
A Savings Bank is connected with these mills for the benefit of those employed by the Company ; amount on deposit, 164, 000,00 interest at the rate of 5 per ct.
Among the articles extensively used at the mills, are
9000 galls. of oil. Gas is introduced throughout the mills. 350,000 lbs of Starch.
150,000 lbs, of Drugs.
5000 Cords of Wood.
1000 tons of Coal,
3000 bush. Charcoal.
At the World's Fair, of 1851, holden in London, the Amos- keag Manufacturing Company, placed on exhibition samples of the goods manufactured by them, consisting of Sheetings, Drillings, Cotton Flannels and Tickings. This was literally, "carrying coals to New Castle." Thus exposing their fabricks in the great commercial mart of manufacturing England, and asking comparison of material and manufacture, savored some- what of presumption ; but going upon the principle so briefly set forth by Patch, the Yankee diver, "that some things can be done as well as others," this Yankee company did it, and chal- lenged comparison of their fabrics, with those of Europe. The Jurors who were to make the comparison were one half Englishmen, and the other half from different nations in Eu- rope, except one alone from the United States. The Jury thus constituted, awarded the Prize medal of the Exhibition to the "Amoskeag Manufacturing Company," for the best articles in class 11, at the World's Fair, and they awarded no other med- al to Exhibitors in that class. This is a high but well merited honor.
The medal is of bronze, about 2 1-2 inches in diameter, and 1-4 of an inch thick. Its execution is n ost exquisite. On one side are busts in alto of Victoria and Prince Albert. Sup- porting the busts and as if a part of their drapery, are two dol- phins, emblematic of the mutual love of the royal pair ; while in the rear is the trident of Neptune, shadowing forth that England claims to be mistress of the seas, but evidently with its handle broken, doubtless prophetic of the about to be estab- lished fact, that if "Brittannia rules the waves ;" "America" would
" _- walk the waters like a thing of life,"
570
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
and come out winner as against the world !
On the reverse are six figures and various other curious de- signs. In the centre is Industry, upon "bended knee," receiv- ing the crown from the hands of Brittannia. seated upon a throne supported by a trident and various mechanical imple- ments. The standing figures are representatives of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America! Europa, at the left of the group. has a sceptre in her left hand resting upon her arm ; Asia stands next to her, with her right hand upon the shoulder of Indus- try ; Africa is next, an Elephant's head projecting from above her ebon curls; while at the right stands America, with plume and bów, her Indian reserve completely overcome by the in- terest of the ceremony. The drapery and ornaments of all the figures are appropriate in device and excellent in execution. The figures upon the dress of Industry, are so many bees, char- acteristic emblems, and of such exquisite workmanship, as when seen through a glass, found to be exact counterparts of the in- sects they are intended to represent ! In the rear of the group is a bust of Flarman, the sculptor ; at its right an urn; be- neath is a bale of goods, a cog-wheel, and other implements, emblems of the mechanic arts, commerce and the like.
In a word every thing about this superb medal is most per- fect in design and execution. The company may well feel justly proud of their works, the products of which, have re- ceived from European Judges, the award of the Prize Medal of the Industrial Exhibition of all Nations !
In addition to the Sheetings, Flannels, Tickings, Denims, &c., for which the Prize Medal was awarded, and for which they have become noted throughout the country, they manu- facture every conceivable variety of cottons, that can answer the wants, or meet the tastes of a varying community, for dress or covering ; many of them of the most exquisite imitation of the finest linens, both in pattern and finish.
This is a most desirable result to all classes of the communi- ty, and it is gratifying that the enterprise of this establishment so perseveringly and skillfully directed towards the accomplish- ment of such a result, has been completely crowned with suc- cess, and that this success has not only been acknowledged by the best judges in the old world ; but that in the new, it com- mands not only admiration, but what is still better, ready sales.
MANCHESTER PRINT WORKS.
This establishment includes mills for the manufacture of
MANUFACTURING
COMPANY. - CLASS
AMOSKEAG
BRIT. REG. F.D. . ALBERTUS XI.
VICTORIA
PRINCEPS CONJUX
MDCCCLI.
MEDAL OF THE
EXHIBITION. - LONDON,
PRIZE
LOCIS
CONCORDI
1851.
DISSOCIATA
LIAVOIT HOVd
.
OLD PRINT WORKS.
571
PRINT WORKS.
Mouslin de Laines, and Print Cloths, and Print Works for printing these manufactures.
'The Act of Incorporation was originally granted in 1839 under the name of "Manchester Mills," with a capital stock of $1,000,000. In 1847, this corporation became merged in one under the name of "Merrimack Mills," with a capital stock of $1,500,000. This change took place under the impression that the charter of the "Merrimack Mills," was more liberal in its provisions. But in 1851, the name was altered by an act of Legislature to "Manchester Print Works," and again in 1852, its capital was increased to $1,800,000.
The first mill was built in 1845. It was 440 feet in length, 60 feet in width and 4 stories in height, besides the basement and attic. It contained thirty thousand spindles and seven hun- dred and seventy-eight looms. The second mill was built in 1850, was 324 feet in length, 60 feet in width, and five stories in height, besides basement and attic. It contained 20,000 spindles and 600 looms.
They employed,
Males,
300
Females,
800
Number of Tenements,
62
Pay annually for labor,
$220,000
Consume annually lbs. of Cotton,
1,144,000
Wool,
1,300,000
66
lbs. of Starch,
1,000,000
" Oil Soap,
72,000
66
tons of Coal,
400
66
galls. of Olive Oil,
11,000
66
66
.' Sperm Oil,
6,000
66
66
cubic feet of Gas,
1,192,200
Manufacture “ 66
yd's of Cloth, 66
14,000,000
daily
45,000
66
cords of Wood,
2,700
Hon. George B. Upton, was the first Agent of these Mills, left Nov., 1845, and was succeeded by Wm. P. Newell, Esq., who left March 1., 1853, and was succeeded by Waterman Smith, Esq., the present Agent.
Upon the same canal, below these mills, and upon Granite street, was the old printing establishment of this company. The main building was built in 1845, was 300 feet in length, 60 feet in width, and 6 stories in height.
572
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
In 1850 an addittion or L, was added, extending south from the main building, 225 feet in length, 60 feet in width, and six stories in height. The building for engraving, and containing dye stuffs and chemicals, and the Counting rooms of the print- ing establishment were east of the main building, while the Mad- der Dye House was north of the main building.
HANDS EMPLOYED.
Males,
400
Females,
30
Paid out annually for Drugs,
$375,000
Pay Roll,
180,000
Fuel,
30,000
10 Printing Machines.
Printed Annually De Laines,
13,000,000 yd's
Daily
37,500
Annually Cottons,
3,462,678 66
Daily,
12,000 66
No. of Tenements, 36.
The first Superintendent was James Peacock an English- man, who left in 1848. The establishment then passed under the management of Wm. P. Newell Esq. the Agent of the De Laine Mills.
In Dec. 1852, John P. Lord, Esq .- the former clerk of the establishment, was appointed Superintendent of the Printing Department and continued as such to 1853. Under his man- agement, the establishment was enjoying unwonted prosperity. But on the 22d of September , about 5 o'clock in the morning, the main building was discovered to be on fire and in less than an hour was in ruins. The fire took in the Dry Roon, near the centre of the building, and having been subject to a high tempera- ture for years, walls, ceiling and timbers had become of the most combustible nature.
By the greatest exertions, the counting, engraving and store rooms were saved, and the Madder Dye House and Boiler House. The loss by the company was estimated at $125,000 and was fully insured.
July 15, 1855, one half of the largest mill was destroyed by fire. The loss was estimated at $271,353,00. Both of these
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1315
THE MANCHESTER PRINT WORKS. MANCHESTER . N . H. )
MOUSLIN DE LAINE MILLS.
573
PRINT WORKS.
buildings were re-built forthwith in the newest and most im- proved manner, and are now in perfection of arrangement, ma- chinery, and appointments generally, equal to any in the world.
The view given herewith, is the South front, as seen from the railroad, while approaching Manchester from Boston, or from the bridge of the N. H. Central railroad, which crosses the Merrimack river a quarter of a mile below the Print Works. The graceful proportions of the buildings rendered prominent by being painted a light color, attracts the notice of the travel- er as the train "breaks up," preparatory to stopping at Man- chester.
The ground plan of the Printery is in the form of a capital H, the two wings being severally two hundred, and three hun- dred feet long, three and four stories high, and built of brick. The main body connecting the wings, and containing the print- ing machines, is a fire proof structure, of three stories, one hundred and sixty, by one hundred and sixty-five feet, the floors resting upon arches of masonry, supported by iron beams and columns.
In the back ground are seen the mills belonging to the Com- pany, which supply the Print Works with their various fabrics for printing and dyeing, consisting of Mouslin de Laines, bar- ages, cashmeres, Persian cloth, calicoes, &c. The ordinary pro- duction of the works is,
Mouslin de Laines, Daily, 35,000 yds. 20,000
Calicoes,
Print Annually, Value
14,000,000 " $2,000,000
They are able to increase the amount readily, to 80,000 yards per day, during seasons of the year when the demand for the fabrics is greatest.
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