Manufacturing History of Thompson, Connecticut
Thompson's manufacturing interests are of much value and importance,
having been the main factor in its continued prosperity and good standing.
The opening of Mr. Smith Wilkinson's cotton spinning factory in 1807, near
the southwest corner of Thompson, excited much interest, giving employment
to many women and children, and furnishing a nearer market for farm
produce. Mr. John Mason, at the extreme south of the town (oldest son of
the former merchant, who had then removed to Providence), was the first to
propose a similar enterprise in Thompson, and selected the site of the
present Grosvenor Dale as the scene "of experiment. Persuading Nathaniel,
son of Elder Crosby, to associate with him, they attempted to negotiate
for the upper privilege with Deacon Stephen Crosby, who had at that time a
saw mill, grist mill and fulling mill in successful operation. Failing in
this attempt, they invited Messrs. John Nichols, James B. Mason, Theodore
Dwight and Rufus Coburn to unite with them as the Thompson Manufacturing
Company in 1811, and succeeded in purchasing a suitable tract of land "
near the old bridge place, below Stephen Crosby's mills." Here were
erected, in 1812, Thompson's first manufactory or factory building, a
wooden house 60 by 36 feet, three stories high, designed to run sixteen
hundred spindles. Early in the following year it went into operation,
drawing in the class of operators usual at that date, mostly embarassed
men with small means and large families. Society in early mill villages
was very chaotic, and according to Elder Crosby, " Satan " gained the
mastery in this case, "reigning with almost sovereign and despotic sway."
An unfortunate rivalry between the Thompson Company and the " Connecticut
Company " at the Brick Factory below helped to give a bad name to this
Satanic stronghold. Occupying one of the "miry hollows " so vividly
depicted by Samuel Morris a century before, it was considered a very
unwholesome and undesirable location, and was derisively nicknamed " The
Swamp " or " Swamp Factory " by mocking rivals-a name that clung to it for
many years. The future Judge Nichols was the first agent of the company;
Rufus Coburn sub-agent. Lacking in experience, and probably in the rare
executive ability which had given such success to Mr. Wilkinson's
experiment, the first aspect was not favorable, but ere many months had
passed a complete change of base was effected. -Land, water privilege,
buildings, machinery, stock of yarn and cloth," in short, the whole
establishment, was bought out by General James B. Mason, for $12,500.
August 11th, 1813, his brothers, Amasa and William H. Mason were admitted
into the company, General Mason retaining sixteen-thirty-seconds for
himself. Colonel William Foster, of Smithfield, R. I., was made the
resident agent, a man of experience and resolute energy. Under his
efficient agency order took the place of chaos, and when under the great
religious interest of 1814 unruly spirits were farther quelled, the
character of the place was almost wholly transformed. Many good and
substantial families removed to Swamp Factory, thrifty women welcomed the
privilege of weaving the spun cotton into cloth, struggling farmers paid
off mortgages by working for the factory, and the usual good results of
such pecuniary aid were experienced in many directions. The little school
house was soon crowded with native children and many religious services
were held there by the different ministers of the town. Through the
skillful management of Colonel Foster, the depression in manufactured
goods, following the return of peace and the introduction of power looms
and new methods of working, was tided over without loss to the company.
After the death of General James B. Mason in 1820, his widow, Mrs. Alice
Mason, and Mr. William H. Mason, leased their respective shares in the
Swamp Factory to Mr. Amasa Mason. Colonel Foster was succeeded, as
manager, by Mr. Thomas Thatcher, a man of much weight of character and
sterling integrity, who continued to administer its affairs with much
wisdom and efficiency. In 1826 Messrs. Amasa and William H. Mason
purchased of Deacon Stephen Crosby the long courted upper mill privilege,
together with dwelling house, numerous mills and eighty acres of land for
$5,800. March 13th, 1826, Mr. William H. Mason sold Mr. Thatcher
one-eighth of his interest, the three proprietors now taking the name of
the Masonville Company, and giving the name to the village. The square
house built by Deacon Crosby became the residence of Mr. Thatcher. A
substantial stone factory building was erected as soon as possible 80 by
40 feet, four stories high, fitted for twenty-five hundred
spindles-forming the northern portion of the present western group of
mills. A handsome row of stone houses was also built for the operatives,
and the population of the village very largely increased.
It was the policy of the Masonville Company to manufacture cloth of the
highest grade and best quality. With Sea Island cotton, new machinery and
skilled workmen they soon attained their object, and the Masonville
sheeting stood at the head of the market:. With the tariff of 1828
protecting their interests, the Masonville Company prospered greatly,
their profits in five years reaching one hundred thousand dollars. In 1831
a brick building was added, four stories high, running twenty-five hundred
spindles. The ensuing ten years were mainly prosperous, though the first
wooden factory leased to different parties, met some reverses. Mr.
Thatcher remained in charge, and was honored as the patriarch and autocrat
of the village. "Who is governor of Connecticut?" queried a passing
traveler of the gaping children. " Mr. Fracher," lisped a little maid,
unable to conceive of higher dignitary. The residents of the village were
as yet almost wholly of New England stock. Many good Yankees found
employment in the various offices.
Some idea of the society of Masonville at that date may be gathered from
the fact that, on the day of the inauguration of General Harrison to the
presidency, March 4th, 1841, the ladies of the Congregational Sewing
Society were invited to meet with their Masonville sisters, and that nine
heads of families furnished the turkey dinner with which they celebrated
the event. Other families attended the Baptist and Methodist churches.
Farmers' and mechanics' daughters gladly improved the privilege of earning
abundant wages, and were among the best customers of the stores at
Thompson hill-the usual " factory store " not satisfying their ambitions.
In 1840 Mr. William H. Mason became the sole proprietor of the old
Thompson factory, which he proceeded to enlarge and refit with new
machinery, making it run twenty-seven hundred spindles. Changes were made
in the company proprietorship by which seven shares accrued to Mr. Amasa
Mason, the same to Mr. INT. H. Mason, one share to Mr. Thatcher, one to
Captain William S. Arnold, who, after serving in various departments, now
had charge of the store. Mr. Amasa Mason, residing in Providence, served
as mercantile agent and general manager of the company from the date of
organization in 1813 till failing health compelled its relinquishment. Mr.
William H. Mason, the last survivor of the Mason brothers, assumed the
charge for a few years, till his increasing infirmities induced him to
resign the office to his nephew by marriage, Doctor William Grosvenor of
North Providence. His wife, Rosa A. Grosvenor, daughter of General James
B. Mason, had inherited part of her father's interest, and also one-fourth
part of Mr. Amasa Mason's interest. Doctor Grosvenor was descended from
one of the first settlers of Windham county, the John Grosvenor who
negotiated for the Mashamoquet purchase, now the central part of Pomfret,
and whose descendants were ranked among the leading citizens of successive
generations. His father, Doctor Robert Grosvenor, entered upon medical
practice in Killingly, and was known far and wide as a skillful
practitioner and keen business man, a partner in the Killingly
Manufacturing Company of 1814, whose ivy-covered "Stone Factory " is now
the most picturesque ruin in Windham county.
His son, William, born April 30th, 1810, inherited his father's
professional and business aptitude, and after completing medical studies
engaged for a time in practice, but finding business more congenial, in
1848 he accepted the position of mercantile agent and general manager of
the Masonville Manufacturing Company. June 30th, 1854, Doctor Grosvenor
purchased of Mr. William H. Mason eleven and one-half shares, representing
his share of the interest, and soon after purchased the remaining rights
held by heirs of General Mason, and still later the share held by Captain
William Arnold. One share was sold to Mr. Lucius Briggs, an experienced
machinist and manufacturer, who, a few years after the death of Mr.
Thatcher, had been appointed superintendent of both upper and lower
factories, and proved a most efficient and valuable manager. Under his
administration many improvements were effected, especially in regard to
the sanitary condition of the village. In early years its unhealthiness
was proverbial, and no autumn passed without the prevalence of fever. DIr.
Briggs introduced a thorough system of drainage and compelled strict
obedience to sanitary laws, so that in a few years the health report of
the malarious " Swamp " compared favorably with that of other
manufacturing establishments. The change in the character of the residents
made this strictness more imperative. The New England born operatives had
been almost wholly replaced by foreigners, mostly Canadian French, who
usually returned home after making a little -money, had no personal
interest in the place, and required a strong hand to keep them in order.
With great executive ability and mechanic ingenuity, Mr. Briggs shared in
Mr. Grosvenor's advanced ideas in relation to the capabilities of
manufacturing enterprise, believing in the policy of large expenditures to
ensure commensurate ultimate returns. Their motto from the beginning was
progress and continual improvements. In 1859 they erected a stone factory,
connecting the Mason factories of 1826 and 1831, and more than doubling
their capacity, increasing it to eleven thousand spindles. At the same
time a Jeuvel turbine wheel of one hundred and eighty horse power was
substituted for the two breast wheels formerly in use. In 1861 the old
original wooden mill at the lower privilege was moved across the road and
a very beautiful and-complete brick factory building erected at great
cost, 160 by 66 feet, with an ell of 80 by 40 feet, five stories high. It
was very thoroughly built, fitted up with improved machinery and the best
modern arrangements, one of the best mills in the country at the time of
its erection, running twenty thousand spindles. Its power was furnished by
Jeuvel and Leffel turbine wheels. The former factory was moved across the
street and fitted up for tenements. A capacious and tasteful boarding
house was also added. After completing these improvements they made
provision for further expansion and achievement by buying out Captain
Arnold's share in the Masonville Company, and also by the purchase of the
whole Fisherville interest.
Back to: Thompson, Windham
County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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