Milford Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company - Milford, NH
Posted by: silverquill
N 42° 50.191 W 071° 38.907
19T E 283551 N 4746063
Built in 1813, during the War of 1812, along the banks of the Souhegan River, this mill began as a small spinning mill owned by Milford Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company. Since 1983 it has served as the "Milford Mill Senior Living Apartments."
Waymark Code: WM1Q48
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 06/21/2007
Views: 64
MILFORD COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This was the corporate name of the cotton factory which was established in the early part of this century upon the south side of the Souhegan river opposite Shepard’s mills and a few rods below the stone bridge. The company was incorporated June 10, 1810. The grantees were James Wallace, Jotham Shepard, William Lovejoy, Robert Means, and Thomas Means.
A substantial building was erected in 1813. The manufacture of cotton yarn commenced in 1814. The manufacture of cloth by power looms commenced in l824. In l833, in consequence of the pressure of the times, the proprietors suspended operations.
In 1837, Humphrey Moore, George Daniels, Ezra Gay and James Searles purchased the corporate property and made thorough repairs of the machinery. They manufactured in 1839, tickings and shirtings, 176,146 yards. Number of hands employed in all departments of business on the first day of January, 1840, about 40. Number of spindles in operation at the time, 1,024, -- 30 looms for shirtings, and 16 for tickings. The property afterwards passed into the hands of George Daniels and Ezra Gay who continued the manufacture of cotton goods for some years, after which the property passed into the hands of the Souhegan Manufacturing Company.
In 1860, the property was leased by Morse, Kaley & Co., for ten years; this firm at once commenced the manufacture of knitting and tidy cottons. At the end of the lease, the property was purchased, and a large addition made to the main mill. A brick picker house, a store house, and office were also built.
In 1882, upon the death of the Hon. Timothy Kaley, who had had the active management of the firm since 1860, the business of Morse & Kaley was incorporated under the laws of New Hampshire as the Morse & Kaley Manufacturing Co., with E. J. W. Morse as president, Col. F. E. Kaley as treasurer, and L. C. Billings as superintendent. In 1883, an engine and boiler house, a machine shop and a steam plant, capable of furnishing sufficient power to run the entire mill, were provided.
It was one of many small factories of the time that survived amongst the larger urban industrial centers by its focus on attention to quality. At the turn of the century, the American Thread Company took over ownership and the mill was sold several times over the next few decades.
Throughout the life of the Mill, business flourished and various products were produced and sold throughout the country. Material woven at the mill was used in the production of army uniforms for both world wars.
Street address: 20 Bridge St. Milford, NH United States 03055
County / Borough / Parish: Hillsborough County
Year listed: 1982
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924
Historic function: Industry/Processing/Extraction
Current function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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