FALL RIVER INDUSTRY ARCHIVE

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

A fascinating archive comprised of over (300) letters, 1843-1862, from a dozen plus companies in Fall River, Massachusetts. Nearly half the companies are affiliated with Col. Richard Borden (1795-1874), an 1821 founder of Fall River Iron Works . Col. Borden also served as an owner and/or director of Troy Cotton & Wool Mf’g; Metacomet Mill; American Linen Co.; Fall River Manufactory; and Union Mill Co. The letters represent incoming correspondence to P. Whitin & Sons, a cotton machinery manufacturer in Whitinsville, MA, and contain commentary on mill plans, innovations, transportation issues and more. While a majority of the correspondents were involved in textile manufacturer, others were connected with machinery manufacture and sold goods to Whitin. The (38) letters and receipts from Hawes, Marvel & Davol, 1843-1860, pertain to their sale of mules, castings and “Two Twist Wheels”. A 2pp., folio manuscript lists 1850 sales . An 1847 letter from this firm contains a pricing list for their speeders. Fall River Iron Works sold casks of nails and spikes to Whitin and in turn purchased a picker. The companies with approximate number of letters include: Fall River Print Works (80); Watuppa Mf’g Co. (22); Pocassett Mf’g Co. (30); American Linen Co. (27); Hawes Marvel & Davol (28); Fall River Iron Works (9); Metacomet Mill (15); Massasoit Steam Mill (12); Troy Cotton & Wool Mf’g (14); Chace & Trafford (13); Union Mill Co. (8); Fall River Manufactory (5). Among the correspondents: Andrew Robeson; Linden Cook; Stephen Davol; M. H. Ruggles; Oliver Chace (and Jr.).; Walter Paine 3rd; Richard Borden [possibly Col. Borden]; R. B. Borden [Col. Borden’s son] Augustus Chace; Thomas J. Borden [Col. Borden’s son]; Charles Durfee; and Lazarus Borden. In addition to the letters, there are two dozen receipts and billheads. Eight of the letters (three by Stephen Davol) contain small hand drawn sketches. A small portion of the material reads: A. Robeson Jr., Fall River Print Works, May 24, 1859 - “The writer would like to meet your senior…to arrange with him for all the machinery for a mill of 6300 spindles…”; “The machinery is to be operated in the building upon our premises which has been several years unoccupied. We propose to make printing cloths & to use looms similar to those in the Watuppa. In that mill are also two ring frames which are running well & which attract our attention in consequence of the necessity of economizing power as much as possible.” Oliver Chace Jr., Fall River, 11 mo. 16th 1847 - “I write to inform you that we found sundry things about the lapper you built me in an unfinished state. So much that we had to spend about two days time one machinist in filling the cases for the rods. The large weight under the end would not fit the place for which it was made - neither of the holes through the same was finished…the machine was not delivered in a suitable shape for running...Perhaps you have a new way of finishing such machines.”; M. H. Ruggles, Agent, Pocassett Mf’g Co., Fall River, Jan 24, 1849 - “We have concluded to fill our new mill with machinery not withstanding the dark looking times if we can do so at prices corresponding. At what price & how soon can you supply us with two lappers…We should also like an alteration in the painting to correspond with our machinery which is much lighter than you usually put on. [Note: Bottom of letter has price notations in John Whitin’s hand.]; Hawes, Marvel & Davol, Fall River, July 8, 1844 - “We are this day boxing your speeders & will send them to Providence by boat any day that you may set to meet them there with your teams. The boxes 4 of them are 20 feet long, the weight of both speeders is about 4 ½ tons. There was something said about putting the long boxes on our carriage & put[ting] it on board the Boat. But we cannot do that now as the Boat that is running now cannot take our carriage and the King Phillip will not be on the line under two weeks.” Small scattered flaws. Postal covers not present. Overall clean and VG+ condition.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).