SAMUEL SLATER & SONS ARCHIVE

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

Manuscript archive comprised of approximately (150) letters and (50) accounts and receipts 1844-1862, all sent by Samuel Slater & Sons to P. Whitin and Sons, a Massachusetts textile machinery manufacturer. When American textile giant Samuel Slater (1768-1835) died his company passed to his sons, and within a few years came under the sole control of son Horatio Nelson Slater who ran the company until his death in 1888. The firm, comprised of a number of mill complexes, including Webster, MA, and produced a variety of textile goods. The archive correspondents include: E. W. Fletcher [most likely the uncle of John C. Whitin]; R. O. Storrs; George W. Holt; J. J. Robinson; J. Frank Slater [Two ALSs. This is appears to be a grandson of Samuel Slater]; and one or more possibly in the hand of Horatio Nelson Slater. The letters pertain to machinery purchases, including large loom orders. The accounts and receipts (avg. size 8” x 5”) show the sale of Slater manufactured goods to Whitin. Noted were sales for roller cloth, doe skins, sheetings and sewing cotton. A portion reads: E. W. Fletcher, Providence, May 3, 1847 - “The ‘first of May’ having past we would remind you that we are much in want of the remaining 28 looms as the season is now favorable for weaving - Weavers engaged & some waiting - & also a very large quantity of yarn on hand much of it on beams. We would earnestly request you to finish them as soon as practicable.”; Oct. 16, 1847 - “Our Mr. H. N. Slater has returned & would be much obliged if you could attend to appraising the land at Slatersville next week. If convenient please consult with J. Thayer Esq…P.S. The bale of sheetings is here & will go by Ross Express as requested.”; R. O. Storrs, Webster, Feb. 26, 1846 - “There is wanted for a part of the looms rec’d springs, picker sticks, belt guides & levers & weights which please send by the bearer & as there is considerable to do to the looms in putting them together we want you to send up a competent machinist for that purpose.”; “If you can spare your weaver two or three days to assist in starting the looms it will be an accommodation to us at this time & shall be willing to pay liberally…”; E. W. Fletcher, Webster, Jan. 31, 1855 - “We find on examination that we can place only thirty looms (to advantage) in what spare room we have. You will therefore please make that number. We trust you will use all possible dispatch as this being a slack time for the sale of yarn it is very important to have looms at once to prevent too much accumulation.”; H[oration] N[elson] Slater, 1p, quarto, secretarially signed by J. Frank Slater, Providence, Oct. 11, 1858 - “On my return from New York yesterday I found your favor of 6th inst awaiting me - In relation to the looms you speak of I should not think of buying except ‘at a very low price’.” S. Slater & Sons [possibly by Horatio Nelson Slater as a P. S. is signed “H.N. Slater”], Prov., 1p., quarto, Oct. 21, 1858. “The 12 looms are wanted for Webster and we will send a team for them in a few days. The 40 looms proposed to be built we prefer to have like the original one hundred & four you made for us in 1844. We think no better loom for weaving light cloth can be made. They are probably as you suggested some 200 lbs. less weight than those you now build…These have proved by 14 years trial to be as good as if heavier; & we presume they will last as much longer tho’ now turning 140 turns pr min. We want you to make these looms in 4 weeks and make the price $40.” In addition, two letters written in pencil and signed “S. Slater & Sons”, 1858-59, while the writer was on the Prov. & Worcester RR cars. These two letters are possibly by Horatio Nelson Slater. In part, “We want the 80 Looms done at the time you propose as our weaving is behind hand…Can’t the harness roll be put over the top of the arch in a fork or bearing cast for the purpose like the old Monkey Tail pattern of D. Wilkinson & Co.” [Note: Contains rough sketch of the proposed design.] Ca. (200) pieces total. An interesting archive from an historical company. General wear, but overall VG+.

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