Middlesex County CT Archives History - Books .....Industries 1887

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Book Title: The Old Chimney Stacks Of East Haddam

CHAPTER XXV.
INDUSTRIES.

  Though the plough, the axe and the ox-wagon may be regarded as the leading
emblems of East Haddam industry—the two latter being an adjunct of the
ship-building trade—the spindle, the loom and the crucible have borne an
important part. The former implements, many years ago, began to rust, by reason
of the exodus of so many young men from the rugged hill sides to the busy
centres of civilization. The population however has been kept about evenly
balanced by the immigration of skilled artisans to fill the busy mills, which
fine water privileges made possible and profitable.

  The cotton manufacturing interests have centered about Moodus, which, with
Leesville, has maintained twelve cotton factories for several years. The metal
industry has been located at Goodspeed's Landing. The various enterprises will
only be briefly summarized.

  The oldest cotton mill in Moodus was the "Granite Twine Mill," erected in 1815.

  The mill now owned by Harper Boies, and known as the Yankee Twine Mill, was
established by Capt. Asa Smith, in 1819. He was succeeded by Watrous B. Smith.
After many vicissitudes, caused by reverses of fortune, and destruction by fire,
the property passed into the possession of Harper Boies, the present owner, who,
by good management, has made it a valuable plant.

  BROWNELL'S MILL was started by Brownell & Co., in 1825, when they erected a
wool carding and cloth dressing building on the site of the present mill. Edward
P. Brownell died in 1875, and the business has since been conducted by Charles
E., his son.

  Stanton S. Card was one of the pioneers in the manufacturing interests of
Moodus. He built the mill just south of the "Yankee Twine," and the Southern
Mill towards the Cove.

  In 1840, Jonathan O. Cone, and Emory Johnson, sons-in-law of Mr. Card,
organized as Card & Co. Mr. Card died in 1867. Mr. Cone sold the upper mill to
Albert E. Purple, who has ably managed it ever since. Mr. Johnson took the lower
mill. He also, about 1860, built the "Neptune Twine Mill," a large structure
between the two former, and has since run them both quite successfully. The
Neptune Mills employ some thirty hands, with a monthly pay roll of about $1,000.
A shop for the manufacture of coffin trimmings, also several dwellings, have
been erected by Mr. Johnson. The place has been localized by having a post
office and a name—Johnsonville.

  The Union Manufacturing Co. was organized in 1829. The New York Net and Twine
Co. is an outgrowth of the Smith Manufacturing Co. In 1869 it was reorganized as
the "Nichols Co." Ebenezer Nichols, born 1770, was one of the founders of seine
twine manufacturing. His son, William E., was born in 1806. He studied medicine,
but abandoned the profession for manufacturing. He invented and obtained a
patent for "Patent or hand-laid Twine," out of which he got rich. In 1869, he
associated with him Demorest and Joralmon, of New York City, and Z. E. Chaffee,
of Moodus, and the "Nichols Co." became the "New York Net and Twine Co." Dr.
Nichols built a fine residence just south of the Center Congregational Church.
He was for many years one of the largest tax-payers in town. Deacon William E.
Cone was for many years his efficient business manager.

  THE MOODUS MANUFACTURING Co. was organized in 1848 by Harvey & S. B. Chace, of
Valley Falls, Mass. They manufactured print cloths, and their works, which are
probably the most extensive in the town, stand at the junction of Moodus River
and Wigwam Brook. The business was, for many years, superintended by Wm. H.
Crowningshield.

  The Atlantic Duck Mill was incorporated in 1851, with a capital stock of
$10,000, which was afterwards increased to $50,000. It stands near the Falls,
and is the second mill on the stream.

  THE WILLIAMS DUCK Co. was organized in 1855, with a capital stock of $30,000,
w.hich was afterwards increased to $38,000, all paid in. It is a fine property,
nominally managed by Jehial Williams, but practically by Mr. John Barber, under
whose able supervision, it is "run for all it is worth."

  THE EAST HADDAM DUCK Co. is fully described in Chapter XI.

  The works have been for many years superintended by Mr. Nelson Bowers, a
gentleman of good business ability, and prominent in town affairs.

  THE PINE BROOK DUCK Co., across the Haddam line, was organized by Daniel
Wetherell, in 1861. It was destroyed by fire in 1871.

  BOARDMAN & SON, Spoons, Plated Ware, etc. Luther Boardman, born in Rocky Hill,
commenced manufacturing britannia spoons in a small building in Chester; moved
to East Haddam in 1842. Their extensive works are located at Goodspeed's
Landing. When in full operation they employ fifty operatives, with a monthly pay
roll of $3,000. Mr. Boardman has been prominent in town and State affairs. His
son, Norman L., was admitted to the firm soon after he became of age, and has
always been active in the management of the business. He married the oldest
daughter of Daniel B. Warner and built a fine residence near his father. Both
father and son and their wives are always liberal in works of practical
benevolence, and are widely known throughout the State.

  JAMES S. RAY, a native of Haddam, worked at Boardman's for a number of years,
and about 1852 started for himself in a small shop at Goodspeed's Landing. Being
shrewd, and having an inventive genius, he prospered and "builded greater" until
he established a fine business in spoons, forks, coffin trimmings, etc. Some
years ago he bought a farm on the hill overlooking the village, put up a fine
residence and devoted himself to farming. He also built a yacht, and spends
considerable time in summer on the water. Boardman and Ray are neighbors and
good friends. The former always has a good team and enjoys riding. He seldom or
never steps in a boat. He had rather swim. Ray will have nothing to do with a
horse. When he cannot go in his boats he will walk.

  " Many men of many minds," says the old copybook.

  WILBUR J. SQUIRE, after many years labor, invented and perfected a machine for
knitting gill-nets. He commenced manufacturing in a small shop at Goodspeed's
about 1872. He afterwards erected a nice building, and, having a monopoly, did a
fine business. He sold out, in 1885, to a Boston company.

  CHARLES A. CHESTER, after running a shingle mill for many years, at Hadlyme,
put up a mill for turning all kinds of handles, about 1870.

LODGES, ETC.

  COLUMBIA LODGE, No. 26 F. & A. M., was established in 1794, and is one of the
oldest in the State. The first communication was held at Oliver Attwood's Hall,
where Martin Watrous's store now stands. Meetings were also held in the dwelling
now occupied by Dr. Harris. The present membership is about sixty-five. Its
lodge room is over Pratt's store at East Haddam Landing.

  MIDDLESEX LODGE OF I. O. O. F. was instituted April 22d, 1840, in Moodus, at
the house now oocupied by William Gates. For many years it has been in a
flourishing condition, arid has done a great deal of charitable work. None of
its sick members ever want for nursing or money. It maintains a good library
which is well patronized. Its rooms are over Seward's (formerly Smith's) store,
at Goodspeed's.

   THE BANK OF NEW ENGLAND was organized in 1854. Changed to National Bank of
New England, in 1865. Its capital is $130,000—surplus, $40,000. Julius Attwood,
Pres., Thomas Gross, Jr., Cashier.

  THE MOODUS SAVINGS BANK was incorporated in 1867.—It has prospered from the
start.

   THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY ADVERTISER was founded in 1869 by E. Emory Johnson. It
was first published at the residence of the owner and afterwards moved to the
basement of the Machimoodus House, where these chapters were published in their
original form. About 1873, it was purchased by Joseph E. Selden, who has since
managed it very successfully. It is one of the most popular country papers in
the state. The editorial sanctum is in a new building on the Plain, opposite the
Baptist church.

  MAPLEWOOD MUSIC SEMINARY was established at East Haddam Landing by Prof.
Dwight S. Babcock, about 1865. For twelve years it was conducted with marked
success, and filled with ladies from all parts of the country. The site and
buildings occupied are referred to in Chapter III. Between the two dwellings, a
large Opera House was built with all the modern appointments. The course was a
full and thorough one, and the operas give by the school at the close of each
term attracted friends of the school and pupils from all directions. The severe
attack of malaria, which visited the river towns a few years ago and entered
nearly every household, was fatal to the school. With a loss of patronage,
financial difficulties followed, and the property passed into other hands, much
to the regret of every citizen. The malarial troubles have now (1887) to a
great-extent abated, and certain business interests which have long been quiet
are also looking more healthy. The various "shops" at Goodspeeds are feeling the
effects of better times, and the hum of the cotton factories in Moodus is more
pronounced. When ship-building revives as a nationl industry, there is reason to
believe the two Landings will feel its influence.

  The peculiar soil necessary to the raising of the finer qualities of seed-leaf
tobacco was discovered a few years ago in many East Haddam farms, and materially
adds to the income of the owners.

  May prosperity and happiness still attend the good old town! So say we all.
THE END.


Additional Comments:
Transcribed from:

THE OLD CHIMNEY STACKS OF EAST HADDAM, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, CONNECTICUT,
BY
HOSFORD B. NILES,
Author of Genealogy of THE NILES FAMILY.
NEW YORK: LOWE & CO., Book and Job Printers No. 210 Fulton Street.
1887


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