History of the Town of Smithfield [R.I.]; From Its Organization, in 1730-1, to Its Division, in 1871 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ...sold in the place, and neatness and good order prevail. "If," said Tristam Burges, in Congress, "if manufacturing establishments are a benefit and a blessing to the Union, the name of Slater must ever be held in grateful remembrance by the American people." FORESTDALE. This thriving village is situated on the Branch river, about one mile below Slatersville. The first business engaged in here, of any importance, was that of the manufacture of scythes, by Newton Darling, about the year 1824. Mr. Darling had learned his trade of Col. Comstock Passmore, at Branch village. The water power cost Mr. Darling only one hundred dollars and the cost of sluice way, to be opened only when water ran over the dam. H. S. Mansfield afterwards joined Mr. Darling in the business. In 1839, Ansel Holman joined the firm. In 1841, Mr. Darling sold out his interest and the firm became Mansfield & Holman. It was afterwards Mansfield & Lamb, Estus Lamb having become a partner, and the firm owning the entire village. Prior to 1860 the annual product was 10,000 dozen of scythes; since, it has been about 8,000 dozen. During the war of the rebellion this firm furnished the government with thirty thousand sabres, officially declared to be equal to any manufactured in the country. In 1860, the firm erected a stone cotton mill, which is operated by the Forestdale Manufacturing Company. The mill is 166x68 feet, three stories high; with an ell 65x45 feet, of the same height. The fall is 14 feet. Horse power--water, 250; steam, 80. In the scythe works 150 tons of iron are annually used; 3 tons of steel, and 100 grindstones are employed. The Forestdale Company use annually 1,400 bales of cotton, run 15,000 spindles, and 300 looms, employing 250 hands. The gross produ...