USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > The history of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York: from the first settlement in 1712, by Capt. Wm. Bond, to 1887 > Part 6
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This agreement was not of long duration, however, for the following year Plattekill was set off as a town by itself, and held its town meetings independently.
On May 1, 1800, an election for Senator was held in town. Eighty-four votes were cast for fifteen candidates. There do not appear to have been any party nominations for most of the names voted belonged to residents of Marlborough.
MANUFACTURING.
MARLBOROUGH FACTORIES.
Grist mills and saw mills were the first manufacturing industries carried on in Marlborough village. Major Lewis DuBois ran two grist mills, one where the large manufac- turing building of Theodore Kniffin now stands, corner of Main and Landing streets, and the other the mill now occu- pied by Woolsey Wright.
There was also a grist mill on Buckley's creek, built by Charles Millard, afterwards run by a man named Angell. It subsequently became the property of John Buckley, and Gabriel Merritt used to run it fifty or sixty years ago.
A saw mill was located on this creek, back of the cemc- tcry, and logs were floated up there. Gabriel Merritt also attended to this saw mill.
JOHN BUCKLEY AND HIS MANUFACTORIES.
From Sylvester's " History of Ulster County " we take the following account of John Buckley's manufacturing enter- prises, which was obtained directly from his descendants, and is authentic :
John Buckley, of Marlborough, was among the carly manufacturers of this state. He was born in Jaffray, N. H., May 3, 1786, and educated at the public school in his native town. Having a decided liking for mechanical operations, he learned the trade of a wheel-wright and machinist. In 1805 he was employed by Almy & Brown, of Providence,
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where he became acquainted with Samuel Slater, the father of American manufacturers, who was then engaged in manu facturing and building cotton machinery in Pawtucket. is said that most of the manufacturing establishments erected in different parts of the country from 1791 to 1808 were built by men who had directly or indirectly drawn their knowl- edge of the business from Providence or Pawtucket. Mr. Buckley was employed over three years in the extensive machine shops of Almy & Brown, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of his business. In 1809 the Pleasant Valley (Cotton) Manufacturing Company, in Dutchess County, was incorporated, when he was engaged to super- intend the construction of their water-wheel and running gear, and the greater part of their machinery. After this was completed, and the mill in successful operation, he was invited to join the "Cornwall Cotton Manufactory," re- cently chartered (1811), in which he was a stockholder, where he superintended the building of their wheel and machinery. At this time there was an increasing demand for all kinds of domestic goods, and a large amount of capital was invested in cotton and woolen manufactories. During war of IS12 this capital was very productive, but at its close the British manufacturers, having large quantities of goods on hand, adapted and originally intended for the American markets, poured them into this country to an amount lar beyond the wants of the people or their ability to pay, with a double view of vending their goods and ruining the rival establishments of this country. These goods were forced on the market and sold at auction at such ruinous prices that most of the manufacturers were obliged to stop their works, and many of them failed. Mr. Buckley was not discouraged ; feeling confident that manufacturers would soon be pro- tected by a judicious tariff, he purchased in the spring ot 1815 the carding and spinning-mill which had been esia's- lished in Marlborough about 1810-11. He also purchased a farm. Here he commenced carding and spinning woo! for the farmers in Orange and Ulster Counties. Soon after he added several looms and began making cloth. This enter-
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prise was so successful that he enlarged his mill. In 1822 he entered into partnership with his brother-in-laws, James and John Thorne, under the firm of Thornes & Buckley. The mill was again enlarged, and known as the " Marlborough Woolen Factory." At this time they commenced making broadcloth and satinets. Most of the operatives engaged in woolen factories were Englishmen; the foremen in the dif- ferent departments commanded high wages, and sometimes it was difficult to get good and experienced men, especially dyers. Mr. Buckley was obliged to take this department under his especial charge. He soon established a reputation for durable and brilliant colors, which the mill enjoyed as long as the firm continued business. Their cloths were regularly exhibited at the fairs in New York, where in 1823 they received a premium of a silver pitcher for the best piece of blue broadcloth manufactured from American wool. After the " American Institute" was organized there were frequent exhibitions of these cloths, and the firm always re- ceived the diplomas of the institution. For many years their cloths were sold by Thomas Dixon & Co., an English commission house on Pine street.
Mr. Thorne used to relate with particular satisfaction a little incident that showed how prejudiced the leading lash- ionable tailors were in favor of English cloths. He had tried several times to sell an invoice of his goods to a Broad- way tailoring establishment. The senior partner spurned at the idea of their making up American cloths. Happening to meet the.same man at Mr. Dixon's store, he called to Mr. Thorne, and said, " Mr. Thorne, here is the kind of cloths we want. Your American manufacturers can't give your cloths such a finish as these have." Mr. Thorne observing that they were his own goods, made no reply, and turned quietly away.
The firm was dissolved in 1830. Mr. Buckley continued the business until 1855, when he converted his factory into a cotton mill, making twine and cotton warps. This he con- tinued until the commencement of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he ceased manufacturing. . A few years afterward he
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sold all the machinery in the mill and retired from business. He died in Marlboro, June 1, 1870, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. For more than fifty years he had been actively en- gaged in manufacturing, giving employment to a large num- ber of operatives, never having any difficulty with any of them, and always retained their confidence and esteem.
OTHER OLD FACTORIES.
The first carding machine in the town was erected on Old Man's Creek, as early as 1810-11. It stood near Woolsey's ice house. Another was soon after establised by a man named Longbotham.
The first fulling mill was owned by Lewis DuBois, and built about 1806.
In the year of 1826 a fulling mill, on Old Man's Creek, was operated by David Waters. He was followed by a man named Stratton, who commenced the manufacture of broad- cloths. Joseph Hepworth and James Longbotham followed in turn. In 1830 Hepworth moved up to the Greaves' mill, where he and Cornelius DuBois operated a woolen mill for a great many years. The mill was subsequently leased to Joshua Bailey, who ran it as a shoddy mill until the dam was carried away in the freshet of 1855 or 1856.
Curtis Wright, father of Woolsey Wright, had a cooper shop in Marlborough for a number of years.
On the site of the Stratton mill Kirk & Bower carried on business for a time. It is now a grist mill, operated by Woolsey Wright.
In 1862 a paper mill was built by Nathaniel Adams, on the present site of the Whitney Basket Co.'s works. To this day old buttons can be picked up in the ravine below, where they were thrown by rag sorters in the mill. Miles J. Fletcher had an interest in the mill, and it was operated by Robert Beebe & Co., until Fletcher made an assignment. Later the property was owned by Augustus Clark, and H.
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HI. Holden. The manufacture of hymn-book paper was the principal work of the mill. Subsequently Hensebeck, Slee & Collingwood, of Poughkeepsie, bought it, and made a failure. Then the Rahway Glue Co. ran it as a glue factory, which was not successful, and the property was taken by the mortgagee, Isaac Staples. June 1, 1876, Nathaniel DuBois bought it, and established the Whitney Basket Co.
The lower grist mill, operated now by B. B. Apgar, was built by Robt. B. Minturn about the same time as the paper mill. The old DuBois mill, now torn down, was operated in 1826 by William Seabring and Jeremiah Clark.
The shoddy mill above the old property site, operated by Sheard & Gibson, was erected as a grist mill by Matthew T. Berrian. Joshua Bailey subsequently engaged there in the manufacture of blankets and carpets. A paper mill just below was owned by David Munn, and run by Patten & Beebe.
George Archer had a machine shop at Marlborough village at quite an early day, where De Witt Kniffin's cup factory is now located.
William S. Clark & Son have in, successful operation a large flouring mill on Old Man's Creek, above Marlboro vil- lage. It formerly belonged to John Kniffin, and was run by him for many years. It was at one time operated by Cor- nelius W. Wygant.
On Jews Creek Andrew Oddy operated a rag machine at an early day, and continued in the business for a great many years.
THE WIUTNEY BASKET FACTORY.
This large and prosperous concern had its beginning at Milton in 1853, when John F. Whitney started to manu- facture fruit baskets. In 1862 he took his son, Mr. Oliver B. Whitney, into partnership, under the name of John F. Whitney & Son. In June, 1876, the present factory was
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built on the site of the old paper mill, the property of Mr. Nathaniel H. DuBois, who united with Mr. Whitney under the style of The Whitney Basket Co.
The main portion of the new factory is 160 feet long, and there is a wing 42 feet in width, all three stories high, with basement. Back of the factory is a large building used as a storehouse, dwelling and wagon house. This is 30x60 feet, and has four floors, including the attic and basement. An additional drying house, 30x55 feet, was built in 1885.
There are also two steam drying chest on the first floor, capable of containing 150,000 baskets each.
At the east end of the factory is the blacksmith shop.
In the basement of the main factory is placed the shafting which transmits power to the machines above, consisting of planing and slitting machines, gang saws, cutters and two rotary veneer machines. These are remarkable pieces of mechanism. They receive a big log, somewhat after the manner of a lathe. The log revolves against a stationary knife, which peels off sheets a twentieth of an inch (or more) in thickness, During each revolution the log is gradually raised one-twentieth of an inch, by which means is preserved a uniform thickness of the sheet. Other knives divide the wood into proper widths, while some merely cut one-half through, for convenience in bending the corners of the baskets.
This industry is the largest and most valuable one estab- lished in Marlboro, and is kept running the year round, al- though the season for selling is of course confined to the summer months. Thirty men and sixty women and girls are employed at the factory, the pay roll amounting to $500 per week. They use very good wood in their baskets-beech, birch and basswood none of which affect the flavor of the fruit, as is the case with pine and some other woods. The logs are cut in lengths of four and a half to five feet, (used green and soft) and placed in a steam vat 28 feet long, and capable of containing 25 logs at a time. There they soak .18 hours or more, and are then turned over to the veneer machine.
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The baskets are made up on the second floor, a former being used, over which the wood is bent, and held in place by an iron band while the rim is tacked on.
The Company manufacture more of the square quart baskets than any other kind ; also a great many "Jumbo" gift baskets, they being especially in demand because they do not have to be returned to the shippers. More than a million square quarts are made annually, and nearly as many of the gift crates. Next come peach baskets, strawberry, American quart, Centennial, round quart, Paragon, Beecher, verbena, snides, etc. The total output is nearly 5,000,000 a year.
An idea of the immensity of the business may be gathered from the fact that forty kegs of one kind of tacks constitute an ordinary purchase. They are made of Swede's iron and barbed to prevent their pulling out of the wood.
The manufacture of crates is a large part of the firms' business. The gift crate, gotten up by Mr. N. H. DuBois some half dozen years ago, has a very large sale, being used in connection with the gift baskets, which were designed by Mr. O. B. Whitney. The gift crates hold 50 pounds of grapes, and are very neat and simple in construction.
The rapidity with which baskets and crates are made up is astonishing. Often a log is taken from the dock in the morning and goes down the river in the evening in the shape of crates and baskets filled with fruit. When there is a rush for a particular kind of crate or basket, frequently a long string of wagons may be seen at the factory waiting until more are made, and they do not have to wait long either.
A thirty-horse turbine wheel and forty-horse engine sup- ply the power at the factory, the engine being used more or less as the water is scarce or plenty to supply the turbine. The Company avails itself of every modern contrivance for assisting the manufacture of its goods, in fact most of its machinery was designed here, as this is the leading basket factory in the country.
The Western Union Telegraph Co. has an office in the building so that the Company can receive orders from New York as quickly as from Marlborough.
68.)
WHITNEY BASKET CO.
-
OFFICE
CRANE=CO. N.Y.
.....
WHITNEY BASKET FACTORY-ERECTED 1876. (PAGE 68.)
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SHEARD & GIBSON'S WOOLEN MILL.
Thomas Sheard and John H. Gibson established their mill in Marlboro in April, 1875, in a very modest way, in a 24x34 building. Their special business is the manufacture of bed and horse blankets. Their trade has grown materially, and they now occupy the commodious factory building north of the village, close to Western avenue. Their main structure is 105x34 feet. Five smaller buildings in the vicinity are used for picking, dyeing and drying, and one is the engine and boiler house. The firm also operate the old Bailey mill half a mile up the stream.
On the first floor of the main factory are two large rooms, styled the fuller and finishing rooms. Above is the spin- ning and carding department, and on the third floor the weaving is done.
The full capacity of the factory is forty hands, of both sexes, and 800 to 1000 blankets a day. The machinery used is expensive, and there is a great deal of it. The power is furnished by a thirty-six horse water wheel, and with the aid of the steam engine the force can be increased to one hundred horse power. In 1883 some $17,000 worth of new machinery was added, and the total value of the plant is now over $30,000.
The present year (1887) arrangements are being made to enlarge their facilities, land being acquired for new buildings and for the enlargement of the dam.
A brief description of the methods of manufacture may be of interest. The material is first brought in from the pick- er's department, where it has been prepared for the cards. Next it goes to a spinning machine, where it is made ready for the loom; then to the weaving room, the fuller, and to the masher to be cleaned. A hydraulic extractor is used to drive out the water. This machine is a very interesting study. The soft, mashy compound is whirled around at a tremendous speed, driving out the water by centrifugal force. The coloring and finishing processes follow, and the blankets are ready for the cutter. The spinning mule is self-adjust-
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ing, and extends the entire length of the second floor. Here the yarn runs in and out in a manner very complex to the uninitiated observer, finally winding on to bobbins for the loom. On the third floor the looms are used to make up the blankets, and here they are stored until sold.
GREAVES' DYE AND CARPET WORKS.
Joseph Greaves' dye manufactory was started in May, 1860, in a two-story frame building, near the present factory at the lower end of Greaves' pond. The firm was originally composed of Joseph Greaves and William Reed, but after a time Reed withdrew. Their factory was destroyed by fire about four years ago, when brick buildings were substituted. These have been constantly increased in size and number until now there are five substantial buildings in the factory proper, and two tenant houses and Joseph Greaves' hand- some residence on the premises. The factory is largely devoted to the manufacture of aniline dyes, many of which have no counterpart in the country, and no visitors are allowed in portions of the factory in order that the secret may be preserved. The business is large and permanent.
Joseph Greaves, jr., carries on the manufacture of ingrain carpets, which forms a considerable portion of the business. Only the very best grades of goods are manufactured. The capacity of this branch of the business has been increased recently, and business booms. The establishment of the Messrs. Greaves has been and is a material advantage to Marlborough.
Greaves' pond is a sheet of water, nearly half a mile long, formed by the damming of the Old Man's creek. It fur- nishes power for the dye and carpet factory, and some day in all probability will furnish the water supply for Marl- borough,
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De Witt Kniffin started a berry cup and fruit crate factory about 1867, adjoining the Methodist church. About ten years later he removed to his present location on Western avenue. He employs about a dozen hands, and manufac- tures all varieties of cups and crates, his trade being mostly local.
MILTON FACTORIES.
Just a statute mile above the Milton R. R. station on the West Shore, juts out into the river a small square dock, in a dilapidated condition, at present, that has been for a long time a landmark. Its history dates back to 1770 or previous, when it was built by Capt. Anning Smith, who had a woolen mill there. The old road leading to it was known as the King's highway, and there can be but little doubt but that it was among the first roads opened up for the convenience of settlers at a distance from the great water-way. At pres- cnt the structure is known as the pin factory dock. About forty-two years ago a company from Poughkeepsie, whose projectors were Messrs. Jewett, Howard, Moseley and Van Vliet, leased the water-power formed by a small stream which comes foaming to the river over a very steep ledge of rocks, descending almost one hundred and thirty feet, while making an advance of less than three hundred toward the Hudson. Upon the land leased in connection with the power a brick structure was erected, and the manu- facture of solid-headed pins was commenced and continued for a few years, when the company sold its machinery and the rights in such improvements as it had made upon them in the mean time to a company in Waterbury, Conn., whose patents they had infringed. Previous to the erection of the pin factory it was known as the " old dock." A store house used to stand near it, and some portions of the old founda- tions were upturned when the railroad cutting was made. Sloops were built and launched near it. Just upon the edge of the bank, at the top of the fall, the Indians buried their
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dead. Tradition has it that the places of sepulture were plainly seen when the land was first occupied by the whites. It would also seem that for a long time the red men's bones were allowed to rest in peace. Not only so, but the place was honored, for just at the west, and almost side by side with the remains of the forest children, the earliest settlers laid their loved ones to sleep. Here nameless graves are seen in abundance, indicated by common, flat, mossy stones at the head and foot. Nearly an acre of land is thus com- pletely covered. East of this plot and about half way down the river bank by the brook's side is the old mill seat. The foundations have been removed recently, and the presence of two worn mill stones alone indicates the fact that Anning Smith's flour mill once stood there. At an early day this mill-seat was deemed too valuable to be disposed of, as was much of the land about here, and rights in it were reserved for the purpose of sawing the plentiful supply of timber growing near. Forty acres of land were duly surveyed and described and held in common with the mill privilege.
In 1844 Sumner Colman started a wheelbarrow factory at the pin factory dock, which was burned out in 1852. New buildings were then constructed near the dock and the manufacture was carried on in a much larger scale, John Newman coming from Newburyport, Mass., in 1854, to take charge of it. In 1861 he bought the factory, and in 1864 he took John H. and S. O. F. Colman into partnership under the style of John Newman & Co.
In 1870 the factory was again burned, but rebuilt much larger in dimensions. In 1875 Mr. Colman withdrew, and the business was carried on under the name of John New- man & Son. John Newman was paralyzed in 1881 and gave up active business, dying March 23, 1884. John H. New- man continued the business until his death Sept. 30, 1885. when the business was closed up by his son, Frank New- man, and the property disposed of to H. H. Bell & Sons and converted into a plush factory.
The power at Smith's pond was used before the war for the making of corn mills for the Southern trade. A pros-
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perous business was carried on for several years, but the breaking ont of the war destroyed the market, and caused the closing of the factory.
James Hall and Jacob Rowley ran auger factories in Mil- ton at an early date.
In 1822 Moses Birdsall ran a hat factory, which closed up in 1830. William A. Field conducted a hat factory after that date.
THE BELL MANUFACTORY OF KNIT GOODS, ETC.
In 1880 Henry H. Bell, and his two sons, Winslow M. and Arthur E., moved from Long Island and started a plush and glove-lining factory at the old pin building, below Smith's pond. Their business grew steadily, and in 1886 they bought the wheelbarrow factory near Milton depot and landing, altering it to suit their increasing trade.
Henry H. Bell has practically retired from the manage- ment of the business, and his sons have run it since 1884. They have spent several thousand dollars in improving their new factory, which now contains about 17,000 sq. feet of Hooring. It is four stories high and built in fire-proof com- partments that can be closed up in case of fire.
The process of manufacture is full of interest. They pur- chase their wool and cotton in large quantities, already wound on paper bobbins, called caps or tubes. These are taken by girls and wound by winding machines on to large wooden spools, each containing two pounds of yarn. These spools are then taken to the knitting machines, which are automatic wonders. Imagine a great cylinder of cloth a yard in diameter rising from a machine, with hundreds of little wheels and threads, each performing its important work. If a thread breaks, or a hole is made in the cloth, the machine stops automatically for the operator to adjust the difficulty. Over a million stitches are made per minute on these machines.
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The cloth is then taken to the menders, who mend all holes and crochet the drop stitches; thence to the wash house where the oil and dirt is taken out. After cleansing, the goods are dyed in different tubs, according to the color desired, and afterwards wrung out in a machine called the "Hydraulic Extractor." This is a large cylinder into which the wet goods are packed. It revolves at the rate of three miles per minute and the centrifugal force drives out the water leaving the cloth almost dry. The remaining moisture is taken out by hot-air drying machines.
The cloth is then cut longitudinally and wrapped on rol- lers for the brushing machines. "These raise the nap and finish the goods. Afterwards they are measured and ex- amined in the finishing room.
This factory gives employment to a number of men and girls, and is one of the permanent institutions of Milton.
WALTER MILLARD'S SONS' LUMBER TRADE.
The history of the rise and growth of the great lumber and coal firm of Walter Millard's Sons' properly belongs to Marlborough, although the main offices are now in Dutchess county.
In 1802 Charles Millard, grandfather of the present mem- bers of the firm, was living on what is now the Buckley property, and established and ran two saw mills on Jews creek.
From an advertisement in the " Political Index" published in Newburgh in 1809, is obtained the following description of the mill seat: It was located "within half a mile of the Meeting-House, containing about twenty-three acres of good land, with a handsome grove of timber, and a young orchard of the best ingratted fruit, and a variety of other fruit trees. The situation is very pleasant. There is on the premises a good dwelling house, a barn with other outhouses, also a never-failing run or rill of water within a few feet of the
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