USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 70
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Previous to 1790 but little is known of the progress or products of this industry here. No systematic effort had been made to procure statistics of its variety and value. At a meeting of the Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers August 3d, 1790, a committee was appointed to collect statistics concerning it, and to the results of their labors we are indebted for most of the information that we now have on the subject relating to that time. The committee reported January 10th, 1791. After detailing the quantity of articles manu- factured, "according to the best information which they have been able to obtain," they add, " the manufacture of cordage, copper and brass, brass-foundry work, mathematical instruments, cabinet work and chairs, tin, stone and earthen wares, and bellows, we have not been able to ascertain to any exactness, but suppose most of them to be very considerable, and might all of them be extended largely were there proper encouragement given."
In preparing to report to the house of representatives in the con- gress of the United States a plan for the promotion of manufactures in the country, Alexander Hamilton, then secretary of the treasury, in 1791, called upon the Association of Mechanics and Manufactur- ers in Providence for information concerning the status of manufac-
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turing, both in mills and in private families, in and about this town. From their report we learn that there were manufactured in the year 1790: 121 beaver hats, worth $8 each; 1,327 castor hats, worth $18 to $48 a dozen; 4,564 felt hats, worth from $5 to $12 a dozen. This busi- ness was established here in 1730, and in the year 1790-1 was largely on the increase. In the business of block making materials were plenty, and more workmen were obtainable than the work would employ; 3,496 feet had been made up in 1790. The tanning and cur- rying business had suffered some embarrassment, on account of the large quantities of leather which was being imported from the West Indies. The number of hides tanned during the year was 3,010; calf skins, 3,226; goat skins, 1,710. In saddle and harness making there had been made 999 saddles, worth $6 to $14 apiece; 164 sets carriage harness. Fringe and web weaving had turned out 1,100 yards of girth. 1,350 yards of fringe and 360 yards of lace. This business was carried on by Jonathan Hill, who declared his ability to manufacture at a lower rate than could be imported for. Of woolen cloths there were manufactured in 1790, in factories and private fam- ilies, 30,000 yards, and the manufacture was being well sustained. Boot and shoe making was suffering from cheap importations from Europe. There were, however, made during the year, 15,356 pair shoes, worth 66 cents to $1.50 a pair, and 215 pair boots, worth from $3g to $8 a pair. Nails were manufactured to the number of 3,000,- 000. Nails at that time were sold by count, not by weight. The price of ten-penny nails per thousand was $1; eight-penny nails, 88 cents; six-penny, 75 cents; four-penny, 33 cents; three-penny, 25 cents; two- penny, 21 cents. Those below four-penny, and including that size. were cut; the larger sizes were wrought. Boys, as well as men. worked at this business during the winter. Slitting mills were in operation which it was declared were sufficient " to supply the whole country with rods." The manufacturers of edge tools produced dur- ing the year 4,500 seythes, axes and drawing-knives. From January to August, 1791, six eight-day clocks had been made, valued from $33 to $40 apiece. Importations from Europe interfered here again. The manufacture of chocolate was carried on, reaching 60,000 pounds during 1790, valued at 9 pence a pound. Candles, to the quantity of 40,000 pounds, at 6 pence a pound, had been made. Hard soap, 10,000 pounds, at 5 pence. During the year 56 carriages had been made. In silver plated work there had been turned out 100 pair silver buekles, 1,400 pair plated buckles and 80 dozen silver spoons. Card making in six months had reached 100 dozen pair cotton and 120 dozen pair wool cards, valued, respectively, at $8 and $5 a dozen. The wire then had to be imported, as it was not drawn in this coun- try. Children were employed at making cards, and thus they were kept out of mischief, as well as taught a useful trade. Brass found. ers' work was produced in great variety, " as cheap, if not cheaper.
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and as good, if not better, than any imported from Europe." Daniel Jackson had already begun the manufacture of engines for extin- guishing fires. Joiners' bench and moulding tools were manufac- tured to the value of $1,000 annually. Paper manufactures were car- ried on to considerable extent. From January Ist to October Ist, 1791, there were made 1,584 reams writing paper, averaging $2.121 a ream; 340 reams printing paper, at $1.66; 824 reams wrapping paper, at 5s. 6d .; 153 gross fine pasteboards, at $12 a gross; 3,000 pounds sugar loaf paper, at $8.33 per hundred: 2,000 pounds candle paper, at same price; 7,300 pounds sheathing paper, at $3.25 per hundred; 4.800 pounds pasteboards for bookbinders, at $4 per hundred. Leather dressing and glove making were carried on, the quantity produced being 125 dozen skins wash leather dressed, 125 dozen skins tanned for card leather, valued each at $3 to $3} a dozen; 200 dozen women's long gloves, at $3} a dozen; 583 dozen women's habit gloves, at $3 a dozen. A slitting mill turned out annually 50 tons of nail rods, 50 dozen iron shovels and some iron hoops. The cotton goods factories, from January Ist to October Ist, 1791, reported as follows: Almy & Brown, no returns; William Potter. 2,164 yards; Lewis Peck, 2,500; Andrew Dexter, 466; James M'Kenis, 700. Prices then ran as fol- lows: Double twilled cord, two-thirds of a dollar a yard: double fancy cord, same price; Jeans, half as much; fustians. If3 cents. In 1790 11,191 yards of cotton goods were manufactured in factories and 2.( CO yards in private families. In the same year 210 pairs "leather breeches" and 500 pairs of gloves were made, 560 pairs stockings woven and 3,500 books bound. There were also manufactures of cabinet work, chair work, cordage, coppersmiths', brazieis' and pew- terers' work, of which no statistics were obtained. During the year 1791 some of the principal manufactures were: 25,265 yards linen cloth, 5,858 yards cotton cloth, 3,165 yards woolen cloth, 512} yards carpeting, 4,093 pairs stockings. 859 pairs gloves, 158 handkerchiefs and 260 yards fringe.
Of the beginnings of the great industry of jewelry manufacture we may notice the following persons and their work. Seril Dodge, in 1788, carried on the manufacture of shoe buckles " two doors north of the Baptist meeting house." He was successful in accumulating property, and built the so-called "Doctor Wheaton house," and the "Obadiah Brown house." It was jocularly said that he "paid for them in silver buckles." Mr. Dodge served his apprenticeship with a Scotchman named Harland, of Norwich, Conn. Mr. Dodge re- moved to Pomfret, Conn., where he died, April 22d, 1802. Saunders Pitman, a manufacturer in this line, had his place of business in the three story house on the west side of North Main street, near Jail lane. He was highly esteemed by his cotemporaries, died August 15th, 1804, in the 71st year of his age, and was succeeded in the lusi- ness by his son, John K. Pitman. John Cairns, a man of much in-
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ventive genius, was the only watchmaker of his time who manufac- tured watches entire. He advertised that he made watches, " of any fashion required, for $25; horizontal. $28. warranted for two years without expense. except in case of accident." His shop was near St. John's church, " next door to Mr. Saunders Pitman's." He was acci- dentally drowned. falling into the Moshassuck, between Mill and Shingle bridges.
Ezekiel and William Burr carried on the business of gold and sil- ver smithing, in 1792, " a few doors south of the Baptist meeting house and directly opposite Capt. Richard Jackson's." Calvin Wheaton carried on the business in 1790, " opposite Governor Fen- ner's." In 1791, he removed "to the shop in the house of Ambrose Page. Esq., at the sign of the Clock, directly opposite the Friends' meeting house." Caleb Wheaton carried on the business at what was later numbered as 83 North Main street. He manufactured clocks, and was scrupulously correct in his business transactions. He was a worthy member of the society of Friends. He died Octo- ber 31st, 1827, at the age of 70 years. Edward Spalding manufac- tured clocks in a shop on North Main street, on the spot afterward covered by Waterman's Block. John Gibbs carried on the same business on the corner of Westminster and Exchange streets. He died October 6th, 1797. David Vinton came hither from Boston, and established the business of a goldsmith and jeweler. In 1792 his shop was on the northeast corner of the Market parade, nearly oppo- site Governor Fenner's residence. William Hamlin, having learned the trade at Middletown, Conn., set up the business of gold and silver smithing on North Main street, in a shop which stood next north of St. John's church. He afterward turned his attention to engraving, and to the manufacture of nautical instruments. Payton Dana and Nathaniel Dana, Jr., were clock and watch makers, and in 1800 occu- pied " the shop at the sign of the Turk's Head," on the corner of Westminster and Weybosset streets.
Nehemiah Dodge established himself in the business of a gold- smith, jeweler, clock and watch maker, a few years before the close of the last century. His shop was on the Roger Williams estate, near the celebrated spring. In 1798 he moved to a shop " a few doors north of the Baptist meeting house, directly opposite Mr. Barker's Inn." Mr. Dodge manufactured gold necklaces, knobs and twists, gold rings, miniature cases, fancy jewelry and various descriptions of silver ware. He occupied different shops and at different times was associated with Stephen Williams and General Josiah Whitaker, and was succeeded by George Dana and Thomas Whitaker. Among workers in pewter, copper and brass, William Billings occupied a shop on North Main street, " directly opposite Colonel Knight Dex- ter's" house in 1791. In 1799 he formed a partnership with Job Danforth, Jr., in the same business. In 1784 Gershom Jones carried
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
on the coppersmith business " on the west side of the bridge, at the sign of the Pewter Platter, near Mr. Jacob Whitman's Hay Scales." Samuel Hamlin manufactured pewter and copper work at his shop which stood at the head of Long wharf, near the present custom house. He was a native of Middletown, Conn., and served his ap- prenticeship at Newport. Among other products of his ingenuity, he manufactured several fire engines. He died in April, 1801, in the 55th year of his age, and was followed in the same business by his son, Samuel E. Hamlin. In 1790. Johnson & Frost manufactured all kinds of tin ware at their shop on the north corner of Steeple street.
Hat manufacturing was a business of considerable importance in those days. Peter Taylor wasengaged in it "at the sign of the Hat, on the west side of the river." An anecdote is related by John How- land, a prominent man of that day, which not only refers to Mr. Tay- lor and the hat manufacture, but illustrates the depreciation of the paper currency in the revolutionary period. Mr. Howland says: "I recollect that I called in at Peter Taylor's hatter's shop, as I was on my way home to dinner, and asked him the price of a castor hat. He said it was four hundred dollars. I selected one which fitted me, and told hini, on my return I would call and pay for it, and take it. On my return, perhaps an hour afterward, I stopped with my bun- dle of money, to pay for and take the hat. He then told me he had been calculating what he could buy the stock for, to make up another batch of hats, and found that, at four hundred dollars, he could only replace the stock, without allowing anything for his work; but as he had agreed with me for the price, he should charge me no more. I told him I did not wish to have the hat less than its present value, and asked him what it now ought to be. He said about four hundred and fifty dollars; which I readily paid him, and told him I was glad I had called to-day, for if I had waited until to-morrow, it might have been five hundred dollars." Mr. Taylor died October 29th, 1823, at the age of 72 years. Barzillai Richmond manufactured hats near the Beneficent Congregational meeting house.
Card making was carried on, in its various branches, in 1789, by George Bradford and Jesse Whitmore, "at their shop near the jail." Cotton weaving was carried on in 1791 by John Maguire at his weaving house on Lewis Peck's wharf. He was weaving cordu- roys, velveteens, velverets, thicksets, honeycomb, jeans, fustians and cottonades. He also had dyeing and finishing done for patrons at his shop, employing, as he claimed, an artisan from Manchester, England, to superintend that work. Captain William Potter carried on the manufacture of jeans at the same time. In 1789 Amos Turner manufactured sleys for weavers, "at his shop a little westward of Amos Atwell's, west side of the river." In 1789 stockings were woven by machines owned by William Almy and Smith Brown. In 1793 or 1794 a stocking loom was in operation in the house on North
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Main street afterward numbered 510. The owner, after operating it a few months without receiving sufficient encouragement, removed from town. George Gordon carried on the manufacture of various kinds of hosiery. In 1789 the clothiers' business was carried on by John Olney Waterman and also by Robert Newell. Samuel Clarke, in 1789. carried on the manufacture of soap and candles. James Waterman pursued the same business, his shop being on the later site of Howard's Block. In 1790 Oziel Wilkinson erected a manufac- tory of steel at Pawtucket Falls. In 1788 a slitting mill was erected in the vicinity of Providence. Bar iron sent there was returned in good nail rods.
Two chocolate mills were in operation at the north end. One of these was owned by Robert Newell, and stood on the site later occu- pied by the Franklin Foundry Machine Company. The other was operated by Obadiah Sprague, and stood on Charles street, near Mill. Mr. Sprague died in June, 1800, in the 83d year of his age, leaving behind him the reputation of " an honest man and a respected citi- zen." Bleaching and calendering were introduced into Providence by Doctor Bowen, at great expense, but at just what time we are not definitely informed.
The saddlery business was a branch of manufacturing industry of considerable importance in the years immediately succeeding the revolution. John Sebring, in 1784, carried on this business in all its branches, including chaise trimming. "in the shop of Mr. James Sabin, at the sign of General Washington, on the west side of the great bridge." Ward Cowing also carried on an extensive business in this line, giving employment to 40 hands. In 1789 his shop was " next door but one to Jacob Whitman's." He manufactured saddles of the newest and most approved styles for exportation. The business was later carried on under the firm name of Cowing & Hurlburt. Mr. Cowing died April 13th, 1832, in the 77th year of his age. Jabez Gor- ham and James Burr pursued the same business on North Main street, nearly opposite the court house. The business was probably started in 1775 by some one else, whose name we do not know. They manufactured ladies' side-saddles and men's saddles, both of various styles; holsters, half covers, pillions, portmanteaus, saddle bags, swcid belts and other goods in the line: also chaises, sulkies, saddles and bridles for exportation. Mr. Gorham was a native of Providence, born July 15th, 1760, and in his public and private relations was highly es- teemed for his integrity, usefulness and kindness of heart. He died May 27th, 1802, in the 42d year of his age. Mr. Burr, who had acquired the title of colonel. died February 19th, 1826. " His whole life was made up of active enterprise and useful labors, from the eventful period of the revolution to within a few days of his death, and he left behind him a memory delightful to his friends, and an example worthy of all imitation."
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The business of manufacturing chaises was carried on by Reuben Thorp, Noah Smith and Edward Taylor. Benjamin Taylor carried on harness making. In 1794 Lemuel Brown, Jr., was established as saddle and chaise,trimmer on South Main street. Pitcher & Daggett were coach and chaise makers. In 1799 they moved their shop to a few rods south of Transit lane. The manufacture of edge tools was carried on in 1791 by John Lindenberger. Charles Keene manufac- tured scythes and axes on Bark street. Samuel Gorham manufac- tured shovels and spades on a wharf somewhere " between the Church and Mill Bridge." Messrs. Helme & Boorom manufactured snuff " at the corner of the Packet wharf, two doors south of Mr. Thomas Sabin's Inn." William and John Eveleth manufactured and sold snuff and tobacco. In 1782 Daniel Box manufactured and sold snuff and tobacco " on Col. William Wall's wharf." Scotch snuff was sold at 3s., 6d., a pound. at retail. and Rappee snuff at 2s. Colonel Wall's house stood on the site of the Providence Institution for Sav- ings, and his wharf was in that vicinity.
At what time the trade of bookbinding was begun here is not known. As early as 1785 it was carried on, and probably the work was done at or in connection with the shop of Caleb Greene. " OFFo- site the house of Darius Sessions, Esq." James Gardner carried on the business in a shop nearly opposite from the state house previous to 1793. In that year he moved to a place " a few doors north of General Thayer's." In 1791 Robert Adam carried on this business " at the sign of the Bible, west side of the river." In 1799 Rufus Greene carried on bookbinding at the " second shop west of the Great Bridge, south side of the street."
In 1792 Oliver and Nathan Pearce manufactured stone ware. In their announcement to the public they said, "They sincerely hope, that all well wishers to this infant country, will encourage this so useful a branch of American manufacture; and that Patriotism and Stone Ware may be spread throughout the United States." John Lee carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes, a few doors north of the custom house, in 1792, and in the following year moved his shop to a site nearly opposite the court house. Josiah Gifford carried on the same business at the south end of the town. In 1798 the same business was carried on by Abraham Hayden.
The manufacture of cedar tubs, pails, churns and the like was car- ried on at an early date by Deacon Ephraim Wheaton in the base- ment of his dwelling, later numbered 414 North Main street. He died November 3d. 1802, at the age of 78. The manufacture of chairs was carried on by Samuel Proud, near the old Pine Street Baptist meeting house; by Benjamin Marshall, on Constitution hill, and by Benjamin Veazie and John S. Bruce in other places in the city.
About 1790 Levi Burr carried on the tailoring business, Nehemiah Sweet the blacksmith, Joshua and David Burr the wheelwright, and
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George Weeden the baking business, all on "the hill," as it was called, north of the junction of North Main and Benefit streets. In 1798 Benjamin Howland carried on the business of a "tailor and ladies' habit maker " at the corner shop next south of the market. He was prepared to make "fancy breeches, without leg, side, seat, waistband or kneeband seams, which, for ease and elegant set, are far superior to any former plan." Israel Amsbury carried on tailoring a little north of the court house. The millinery business was carried on in 1786 by Elizabeth Rice, from Boston, on the west side of the bridge, in a house which stood on the site later occupied by the east end of the " Union Building." Among the list of articles which she offered for sale were " balloon hats, ladies' hoops, and best scented hair powder." In 1799 James Anderson, from Hartford, carried on baking, and offered, among the products of his oven, "short cake, Queen cake, diet bread, muffins, rusk, whigs and cookies."
The manufacture of fifes was carried on here as early as 1776. In 1791, Wallen & Rawson manufactured fifes on Westminster street. They supplied several brigades in the continental army, and war- ranted their instruments equal to any imported from Holland. In 1789. John Niccols carried on the manufacture of all kinds of brushes at the south end of Waterman's block. In 1794, Messrs. Schaub, D11- bosque & Tissot were associated in calico printing, at the Robert Newell works, on Charles street. They used cotton cloth imported from the East Indies, and wooden blocks to impart the desired figures and colors. The enterprise seems to have been unsuccessful. The following year Mr. Tissot set up the dyeing of European blue linen and cotton yarn. In 1800, Mr. Schaub was engaged with Robert Newell and Samuel Thurber, Jr., in the manufacture of paper hang- ings. Sail making was carried on in 1791, by John Davis, in the sail loft of Edward Thurber, at the south end of the town.
The distillery business was caried on in 1791, by Brown & Fran- cis, and Daniel Tillinghast. Their distillery was devoted to the man- ufacture of gin, from rye, barley, buckwheat, and juniper berries.
The tanning and currying business was carried on in the north part of the town, probably as early as the middle of the last century. In 1779, this tannery was purchased by Amasa Gray, and subsequently enlarged. A large business was done here for those days. Mr. Gray died August 27th, 1798, aged 47 years. The tanning business was continued here by Colonel Stephen Abbott and Mr. Thomas Abbott, for a number of years after the death of Mr. Gray. At some time previous to the revolution, probably as early as 1750 or 1760, Aaron Mason commenced the tanning and currying business in the north part of the city, near Moshassuck river, directly in the rear of what is now 467 North Main street. Mr. Mason died November 22d, 1812, aged 84 years. Captain John Demount carried on the tanning busi- ness on the west side of what is now Charles street. He died March
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
22d, 1787, aged 46 years. After his decease the business was contin- ued for a short time by his widow, Mary. She died in 1790, and then the business was continued by Oliver Bowen. The large braid fac- tory of the Fletcher Manufacturing Company stands where this tan- nery was located. In 1789, Michael and Joel Metcalf carried on tan- ning near Mill Bridge, and sold " good hemlock and oak tanned sole leather at fourteen pence halfpenny per pound." James Hammond carried on tanning in a yard opposite Dean street. Deacon Hammond held the office of town sergeant for 21 consecutive years, discharg- ing its duties with a dignity that commanded deserved respect. With his resignation, in 1830, terminated the ancient custom of warning town meetings by beat of drum and proclamation. He died Febru- ary 18th, 1831, in the 81st year of his age. Calvin Dean carried on tanning and currying for many years, on what is now Dean street: Joseph Healy did some business in this line in the valley nearly ad- joining Angell street. The Moshassuck Leather Manufacturing Company commenced the tanning business in the north part of the city, in 1810, and this business was subsequently continued by the United Manufacturing Company. They at one time had the largest and most convenient tannery in the state. Tanners' bark becoming scarce and expensive in this vicinity, most of the business was aban- doned, it being found more profitable to send the hides away to other localities to be tanned, rather than to bring the bark here for the operation.
The manufacture of paper was one of the early industries here. In the year 1780, Samuel Thurber and his sons, Martin. Samuel and Edward, erected a paper mill at the south end of a dam across Mos- hassuck river, at the north end of the town as it was then defined. The dam had been erected by Colonel William Brown and others, .for a grist and saw mill, more than 30 years before, and was soon sold to Mr. Thurber. The grist mill was continued for more than 60 years. Paper of various kinds was manufactured here until the year 1812. The first bank paper issued by the Exchange and Roger Williams Banks was made at this mill. There were two other paper mills in Olneyville, one of which was known as the " Brown George," and the other as the " Rising Sun." Both were owned by Christo- pher Olney, who in 1801 had a paper warehouse a few doors north of Market Square, where he sold the products of his mills. After his decease the " Rising Sun " mill became the property of Wheaton & Eddy, from whom it passed into the hands of Philadelphia parties. of whose agents it was purchased by Richard Waterman, who was a lineal descendant of the original Richard Waterman among the early settlers of Providence, and this mill property was on land which had been taken up by that Richard Waterman as an original pro- prietor.
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