USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 5
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"' The improvements in machinery have been such as to reduce the cost of labor to more than one-fourth of what it was in the year 1809; the weaving, which is a very important branch, is reduced to one-half, and the picking of cotton, which it will be observed by Mr. Pitman's estimate was at that time very expensive, I may say is al- most without labor, it being picked by a machine called the picker, which is built at a trifling expense, and is in no way injurious to the staple of the cotton.'
" For the sake of brevity a part of this letter has been omitted. The writer states, however, that owing to the great depression in business after the close of the war, occasioned in part by an immense influx of British manufactures, relief was sought by legislation. A list was therefore carefully prepared of the manufacturing establish- ments and their number of spindles and forwarded to Congress. The writer subjoins a list of the cotton factories within thirty miles of Providence in 1820. The number of spindles credited to that part of North Providence now included in Pawtucket was about 2,500; to that part of Seekonk now embraced in Pawtucket was 5,400; in all, in round numbers, 7,900 spindles. The entire number of mills in the State of Rhode Island was 100; the number of spindles almost 76,000. At the present time there is a single corporation in Pawtucket which has 100,000 spindles.
" During the half century and upward since the letter just quoted from was written, the business of cotton manufacturing has been won- derfully extended by reason of the economy secured through the various inventions named; but it may well be remembered that when Lowell, Lawrence, Manchester and Lewiston, which have outstripped this town in population, had no existence, Pawtucket was conducting
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
to success the experiments by which they were to become great and rich.
" A few years rolled on unmarked by any startling occurrences in Pawtucket. In 1824 the old White mill, the second reared in Paw- tucket, was burnt down. The energy of its owners, however, speedily secured its rebuilding, and the figures chiseled in its walls tell of both the year when the old mill was consumed and the new one reared. Pawtucket continued meanwhile to show energy and thrift. A gazetteer of Rhode Island and Connecticut, published at Hartford in 1819, gives a hint as to the appearance of the place at that time:
"' The village of Pawtucket is situated in the northeast section of the town [North Providence], four miles northeast of Providence, on the border of the Seekonk river; its site being principally the declivity of a hill, and it is highly romantic and picturesque. The river here affords numerous natural sites for manufacturing establishments, mills and hydraulic works of almost every description, which are scarcely rivalled, and which are occupied to a great extent. The rapid march of manufacturing and mechanical industry which the short annals of this place disclose has few examples in our country, and has produced one of the most considerable and flourishing manufacturing villages in the United States. The river here forms the boundary line be- tween the two States, and the village is built upon both sides of it, being partly in Rhode Island and partly in Massachusetts. That part of it which is in Rhode Island is principally built on four streets, and comprises eighty-three Dwelling houses, twelve Mercantile stores, two Churches, a Post Office, an incorporated Bank, an Academy, and two or three flourishing Schools. Of the ten Cotton mills in the town [North Providence], three are at this place, and upon an extensive scale. There are six shops engaged in the manufacturing of machin- ery, having the advantage of water power, and various other mechani- cal establishments, affording extensive employment and supporting a dense population. Upon the Massachusetts side of the river there is a village of nearly equal size and consequence for its manufacturing and other interests.'
" A paragraph from a letter of Mr. David Wilkinson also tells of the activity which marked this place during the first three decades of the present century:
"' We built machinery to go to almost every part of the country- to Pomfret and Killingly, Conn .; to Hartford, Vt .; to Waltham, Rayn- ham, Plymouth, Halifax, Plympton, Middleboro' and other places in Massachusetts; for Wall and Wells, Trenton, N. J .; for Union and Gray, on the Patapsco; for the Warren factories, on the Gunpowder, near Baltimore; for Tarboro and Martinburgh, N. C .; to two factories in Georgia; to Louisiana; to Pittsburg; to Delaware; to Virginia and other places. Indeed, Pawtucket was doing something for almost every part of the country.'
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
" But a change occurred in 1829. Many of the most active manu- facturers had extended their operations beyond the limits of their capital; and, when the strain came, they were compelled to succumb. Property seemed to lose all its value, promising enterprises were abandoned, and the town was suddenly checked in its career. A saga- cious merchant of Providence predicted that this town would not re- cover from the calamity for a score of years; and, though many of the citizens cherished more sanguine hopes, his prophecy was verified. Steam engines were set up in Providence which supplied trip-hammers with power, and the manufacture of anchors and similar things was transferred from Pawtucket never to return. For years the manu- facture of cotton seemed almost the sole business, and the fluctuations to which it is incident rendered the town peculiarly sensitive to the caprices of a single branch of industry."
In 1846 James S. Brown bought the site of the present "Brown's machine shop," three and a half acres in area, and put up a furnace and foundry for making his own castings. Mr. Brown was the junior member of Pitcher & Brown previously mentioned. After Mr. Brown's connection with the firm they did a large business in the manufacture of cotton machinery. In 1842 Mr. Brown bought his partner out. The building erected in 1846 is a substantial edifice, 400 by 60 feet, with two furnaces, one for malleable iron, and an en- gine of 56 horse power. To man the works fully requires 300 men. Captain Brown made many improvements and important inventions in machinery. In 1830 he invented a machine for cutting bevel gear- ing, in 1838 a machine for boring tubes of speeder flyers of solid iron, and obtained a patent for it. He afterward devised a lathe for turning irregular forms, for which he obtained a patent in 1842. He also invented a fluting machine for fluting sixteen rolls at a time, and this machine, though not patented, is in universal use. In 1852 he invented and patented the American speeder or rolling frame. In 1874 he invented a machine for grinding spindles, and in 1875-6 he devised a new machine for drilling rollers for speeder or spinning machines. This was an improvement in spinning mules. The patent bears date March 7th, 1876. He also devised machinery now doing good service in his shop, among which are three lathes he made him- self in 1820. He died in 1879, since which time the business has been conducted by his son, James Brown. For a short time previous to his death his son, James Brown, and his son-in-law, Charles A. Warland, were associated with him under the firm style of James S. Brown & Sons.
In 1865 the machinist business of Pawtucket was greatly enlarged by the removal hither of the firm of Fales, Jenks & Sons. The firm was originally Stephen Jenks & Sons, but this firm was carried away in the financial panic of 1829. In 1830 David G. Fales and Alvin Jenks, of the original firm, formed a co-partnership in Central Falls,
James & Brown.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
and began making cotton machinery. In 1833 they commenced mak- ing Hubbard's Patent Rotary Pump, which they so perfected as to gain almost a monopoly of the manufacture of such pumps. In 1845 they began making ring spinning frames, and in 1846 manufactured ring twisters, which were among the first of such machines in the country. John R. Fales and Alvin F. and Stephen A. Jenks, sons of the partners, were afterward admitted to the firm. The elder Jenks died in 1856, and a few years later the elder Fales retired from the firm. On the removal of the business to Pawtucket in 1865 they bought several acres of land, reared extensive machine shops and a large foundry, and have since added several other edifices. The es- tablishment is situated on Dexter street, and gives employment to about 500 hands. The company has always done a large business in the manufacture of cotton machinery, and in the past has made large quantities of water wheels, combined fly frame and speeders and other machines. In 1876 they were incorporated as the Fales & Jenks Machine Company. The officers are: Alvin F. Jenks, president; John R. Fales, vice-president; Stephen A. Jenks, treasurer.
The Collyer Machine Company is located on Jenks avenue. Here the senior partner, N. S. Collyer, began business with William H. Haskell about 1846. A few years later Mr. Haskell retired, and was succeeded by Mr. Robert Alexander, and in four or five years Mr. Alexander withdrew, and Mr. S. S. Collyer entered the business with his uncle, under the present style. In the summer of 1885 Mr. N. S. Collyer died, and two years later the company was incorporated, with C. H. Bowen president and treasurer, and James H. Clark superinten- dent. Mr. Clark has been connected with the shop for 20 years. In July, 1888, Mr. S. S. Collyer was killed while on duty as chief engi- neer of the Fire Company. He was thrown from the hose cart, which ran over him, which resulted in his death some days afterward. The shop is finely equipped with good machines, and some 30 hands are employed.
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The William H. Haskell Company are manufacturers of bolts and nuts. Messrs. Jeremiah O. and Joseph Arnold, in 1834 or 1835, started the first press for making iron nuts. It was set up on the Moshas- suck river, where now stands the extensive bleachery of Messrs. Sayles. After a little time they dissolved, and a new firm was formed, consisting of Jeremiah O. Arnold and a Mr. Field, who transferred their business to Pawtucket. These gentlemen added to their busi- ness the making of bolts. Stephen Jenks soon entered the same business, and worked at the old forge shop, whose site is now covered by the mill of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company. In due time, Mr. William Field started the tool-making business, manufacturing, among other things, augurs, on a novel plan. About the year 1840 he removed to Providence, and became the founder of the well-known Tool Company in that city.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Besides these parties, Mr. Franklin Rand entered the field. He first occupied the old grist mill house, which, perched on the rocks, outrode the freshet of 1807. He set up a press there for punching iron, in 1843. The next year he took as a partner Mr. Joseph Arnold, and they remained together till 1847. From that time Mr. Rand was alone till 1863. He introduced an innovation in his business. Before his experiment it was thought that the maximum was reached, when nuts were punched from cold iron 13 inches broad by & of an inch thick; but he soon punched nuts 23 inches broad by an inch thick. Mr. Rand built the largest press for this purpose that then existed in the country. He was ridiculed in advance for his undertaking; for his wheel was deemed too small for the object. But he taxed its full power, and showed that, as the business originated in this neighbor- hood, it was capable of great perfection here.
After the death of Colonel Stephen Jenks the business he had es- tablished was carried on by his son James and by Joseph T. Sisson. About the year 1855, Pinkham, Haskell & Co. succeeded. W. H. Has- kell bought the establishment in 1857, and carried it on till 1861. Meanwhile he added to his business the manufacture of coach-screws. In 1860 he erected the large building now occupied and began work in it January 1st, 1861. At that time the new style was assumed from the admission of a partner. Since then several additions have been made to the building, and other buildings have been erected, prin- cipal among which is a blacksmith shop 135 by 80 feet. In 1882 the company was incorporated under the name of the William H. Has- kell Company. The officers are: W. H. Haskell, president; E. S. Mason, treasurer; D. H. Hunt, agent. The selling agents are H. B. Newhall & Co., 105 Chambers street, New York. The company em- ploy on an average 125 hands, and convert from twelve to fifteen hundred tons of iron annually into nuts, bolts and screws.
The Foundry Business was established in the old coal yard by Oziel Wilkinson and his son David. The father died in 1815, and the son continued the business till 1829. Zebulon White began casting iron in one of the abandoned furnaces in 1832, and for a time Mr. Brown was associated with him under the firm name of White & Brown. Subsequently Mr. White, in connection with Mr. Clark Sayles and ex-Governor Earle, carried on the business under the name of the Pawtucket Cupola Furnace Company and continued from 1835 to 1847, when Mr. White sold out to his partners and bought the lot now owned by his successors on Dexter street. After erecting a furnace Mr. White continued to carry on the business until his death in 1859, when his sons, Zebulon P. and Joshua S., succeeded to the business. This firm continued until 1881, when J. S. White succeeded. In 1885 another building was erected, 150 by 45 feet. Mr. White employs about 50 hands. The business consists largely of castings for cotton machinery.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The Pawtucket Steam and Gas Pipe Company established a brass foundry in 1887, on East avenue. The company was founded by Robert Alexander about 1862. In 1867 Mr. James H. Andrew took an interest in the concern, when it was styled Alexander & Co., for the manufacture of and trade in steam, gas and water pipes, and fittings of every description. In 1871 David L. Fales came into part- nership and the present style was adopted. Three years ago the brass founding and finishing department was added. The company employ from 35 to 60 men. William H. Rawe is overseer.
Whitaker & Smith are engaged in the building of mills, flumes, dams, water wheels, etc., and in times of business activity employ 300 hands, and do a business to the amount of $350,000 per year. This business was established about 50 years ago by Mr. Nathaniel Lewin. Partners were afterward taken into the concern and the firm became Lewin, Kenyon & Co. Mr. Lewin died in 1870, and the name of the firm was changed to Kenyon, Drowne & Co. In 1879 Kenyon, Whitaker & Smith became the successors, but in 1882 Mr. Kenyon died, since which time the style has been Whitaker & Smith, and the proprietors are Stephen Whitaker and Benjamin F. Smith.
The A. E. Tenney Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of gen- eral machinery, Broad street, give employment to 50 hands, manufac- turing cloth stretchers, thread dressers, etc. This business was es- tablished by William Jeffers & Tenney many years ago, Tenney becoming the sole proprietor on the withdrawal of Jeffers in 1881. The machine shop was in the Greene's Mill place until burned out in July, 1883, when they took up quarters in the Payne Building. In 1887 the present firm was formed. The articles manufactured by this firm are shipped throughout the Eastern and Middle states.
The Pawtucket Manufacturing Company has its plant on Pine street. The buildings here are models of convenience, having all de- partments located on one continuous floor, originally occupying 15,400 square feet of space, and at present 25,400 square feet. The buildings are arranged around a hollow square in a way to secure light and ventilation. This company was incorporated in May, 1882, for the purpose of manufacturing nuts, bolts, and machinery used in the manufacture of the same. The bolts and nuts made by this corpora- tion are of a superior quality, everything made being tested before being put upon the market. The present officers of the company are: President, Stephen A. Jenks; agent, George H. Webb; treasurer, George H. Fowler. The company employs 100 men, on an average.
The R. Bliss Manufacturing Company manufacture wooden screws, clamps, lawn tennis, architectural building blocks, and a variety of novelties. This business was established years ago by Mr. Rufus Bliss, who would manufacture a little stock of goods, mostly screws from choice pieces of hickory wood, and then set out for Boston in a wagon and sell them along the way. He worked in that way till 1845,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
when he sold half of his interest to A. N. Bullock, and the firm be- came Bliss & Co. Subsequently E. R. Clark and A. C. Bullock became associated, and Mr. Bliss withdrew. In 1853 the firm hired one story in D. D. Sweet's old building. They built their present shop in 1866, and in 1881 a building 40 by 100 feet, three stories high, was erected, and in 1888 a three-story brick building, 40 by 50 feet, with a three- story addition of wood, 40 by 60, was added to this. In June, 1874, the company was incorporated, with D. W. Bullock, president; A. N. Bullock, treasurer; C. E. Clark, secretary. E. R. Clark died October 15th, 1882, soon after the death of Rufus Bliss. The company em- ploys about 100 hands.
D. D. Sweet & Co. did a special business some years ago, making doors, sashes, blinds, etc. The business was established some 50 years ago in a small way, and at a later period, when under the man- agement of E. W. French, Harrison Howard, Daniel H. Arnold and Fred. Sherman employed about 50 workmen, and used from 300,000 to 350,000 feet of lumber annually. Harrison Howard succeeded to the business, but he left no successor. Mr. Frank E. Tingley is using the old place of business as warerooms, and is a dealer in builders' materials.
The Potter & Atherton Machine Company are manufacturers of cotton openers and lappers. The firm consists of James C. Potter and A. T. Atherton, who came here from Lowell, Mass., in 1887. The business was founded by Mr. Atherton in 1871 in Lowell. Since start- ing in Pawtucket the business has prospered beyond expectations. About 120 men are employed.
The E. Jenckes Manufacturing Company manufacture ring travel- ers, bright and mill wire goods, spinning rings, banding, twine, etc., also yarns and cotton and wool hosiery. The supply business was es- tablished in 1853 by Nathan P. Hicks. In 1871 the firm became E. Jenckes & Co., when a successful business was carried on in the man- ufacture of Hicks' Improved Ring Travelers. They occupied the upper stories of the old Slater mill until about 1883, when Mr. Hicks retired. Mr. Jenckes then occupied the old Jenks mill for a short time, until his new mill was completed. In 1883 the present company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $400,000. Edwin Jenckes is president; Stephen A. Jenks, vice-president; Joseph E. Jenckes, treas- urer; James D. Carpenter, secretary, and F. W. Gilmore, agent. The first building was erected in 1883. It is 214 by 40 feet, three stories high. Afterward a four-story building, 144 by 96 feet, with an ell 100 by 65 feet, was put up. The company employs 600 hands.
Henry T. Carpenter, manufacturer of reels, rear of 51 North Main street, is widely known as the builder of the celebrated Carpenter reel, and manufacturer of reels of every description for cotton, woolen, zephyr, silk, balling, etc., with all the latest improvements. This business was established in 1845 by R. R. Carpenter, the inventor of
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
the Carpenter reel, and has since 1881 been carried on by the present proprietor. Mr. Carpenter occupies two large floors, 28 by 40 feet each, and has the requisite capacity and facility for prosecuting the business. His reel is the first production of the kind ever invented to run by power. It is acknowledged to be the easiest to operate, and will turn off more work, with less labor, than any other known reel.
George W. Payne & Co. are engaged in the building of improved upright spoolers, to spool from cop, skein or bobbin; doubling spool- ers, for doubling two, three or more ends into one; patent cone wind- ers, for hosiery manufacturers, a device that winds from cop, skein or bobbin, and other devices of a kindred character. The firm was es- tablished originally in 1865, and soon afterward was known as Payne & Matthewson. The first business done by the originators of this well-known company was in a small building owned by the father of the senior member of the firm, which was located on Sargent's Trench, on the present site of the Littlefield Brothers' mill. As their business increased they moved to the Jenks building, rear of Main street, which they occupied about 14 years. From there they removed to the building of Payne & Taylor on East avenue, and, after a two years' sojourn there, located in their present quarters in the large three-and-a-half-story brick structure located on Broad street, formerly occupied by the Humes Brothers. Mr. Matthewson died in 1880, and George M. Fanning became associated with Mr. Payne, under the style of George W. Payne & Co. The spoolers, winders and guiders made by Payne & Co. are in use in a large majority of the best mills in the country. Special attention is also paid by the firm to the mak- ing and repairing of ring, dresser, spooler and reel spindles, cop skewers, warp spool, spoolers, guiders, bolsters and steps, and in this particular department the firm is said to lead all competitors. The firm for the past ten years has been very successful in building up a prosperous business. The building above mentioned is now owned by George W. Payne & Brothers. It is a hive of industry, and is occupied by the following firms: Lebanon Mill Company, Excelsior Reed and Loom Works, Campbell Machine Company, A. E. Tenney, machinist; Phillips & Co., electrical works; Potter & Atherton, ma- chinery builders, and Messrs. George W. Payne & Co.
. The Excelsior Loom Reed Works are one of the most enterprising firms making mill supplies. Their patent elastic reed is acknowledged to be the best weaving reed in the market. It differs from the com- mon reed, in that the wires of this reed when spread apart spring back to their proper position. This keeps the spaces of the reed uni- form and avoids streaks in the cloth. These reeds need less repairs and are more durable than the common reed. The elasticity of the wires allows the lumps and knots in the yarn to pass freely through the reed without breaking, and is a great benefit to the weaver on this account. This firm uses the bevel wire in their reeds, which re-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
duces the friction on the warp threads. The superior quality of their goods is proven by their rapidly increasing business. Starting in 1883, to-day they stand second to none in their line, and are now mak- ing preparations to double their capacity. They number among their customers our leading and most successful cotton and woolen manu- facturers, who recognize the value of their reed. Mr. Edward Adam- son, the proprietor, is well and favorably known to the trade from his long connection with the business, and also for the number of valu- able improvements brought out by him.
Cole Brothers are manufacturers of steam engines and boilers, 17 Bayley street. This business was established about 1853 by Dexter & Cole. In 1864 Edward R. and H. S. Cole succeeded to the business. In 1879 Edward R. Cole died, leaving H. S. Cole the only member of the firm, who now owns and controls the business. Mr. Cole occu- pies a large shop 40 by 75 feet, and makes a specialty of stationary engines and machinery. He gives employment to about 25 men constantly.
Fred. J. Bancroft, pattern, model and cabinet maker, 17 Bayley street, established himself in business here in 1878. Mr. Bancroft makes a specialty of patterns, and does all kinds of work in wood. He has manufactured as high as 10,000 lawn tennis racquet setts in a year, besides other business. He employs 20 hands. His shop is 40 by 80 feet in size.
Easton & Burnham are manufacturers of cotton, woolen and silk spindles, upright spoolers, etc. Nicholas R. Easton and George Hop- kins commenced the business of spindle making in Providence in 1849. Mr. Hopkins was soon succeeded by a Mr. Aldrich, who, in 1857, was followed by Charles C. Burnham, and the firm became Easton & Burnham. In 1860 they removed to Central Falls, and in 1865 came to Pawtucket, with Fales & Jenks, erecting buildings for their use on the grounds of the latter. In 1882 they erected their present factory on Weeden street. The firm now consists of Charles C. Burnham, Fred. W. Easton, George W. Burnham and N. Howard Easton. They employ about 50 hands.
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