THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
A company was formed in the year 1863 with a capital of forty thousand dollars, which was subsequently increased to eighty thousand, for the manufacture of horse shoe nails by a machine invented and patented by Mr. Daniel Dodge of Keeseville.
The success of the experiment has been ample, and not more in a financial aspect, than by establishing the superior character of an engine, which exhibits a remarkable triumph of mechanical ingenuity and science.
It transcends, it is asserted, any agency of the kind for the execution of its peculiar process, by the magnitude and uniformity of its work, and the perfect quality of the article it produces.
The immense and complicated power, combined with extreme simplicity; the beauty and precision of the principle, and the exactness and rapidity of its execution, impart to this machine its marked superiority.
Nails formed by other mechanism often present equal external beauty of appearance, but it is assumed, that the force which produces the compression of iron by the Dodge machine communicates to the nail it forms, solidity, a tenacity and toughness that characterizes no other article of the kind.
The pressure to which these nails are subject in their fabrication, so consolidates and amalgamates the metallic fibres, that splitting or roughness in the article is deemed almost impossible, while the extreme care and caution exercised in preparing the nails for market are calculated to prevent any poor or defective fabrics reaching the consumer.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
A walk through the workshops, and an examination of the various processes connected with the manufacture, sorting and preparing these nails, affords a highly interesting study.
Fifty of the machines are in operation at Keeseville, and are increased as rapidly as the demands of the business require.
They are all constructed at that place under the immediate supervision of the inventor, and at an expense of $500 for each machine.
One person, usually a boy, attends and feeds every machine.
At its side is placed a small furnace, supplied by mineral coal, in which eight or ten thin iron rods or strips are heating.
A large conductor, through which the air is forced from a reservoir by mechanism, conveys it to each furnace by a small tube, which the workman controls by a valve.
These rods, heated to the proper degree, are successively applied to the machine, and when they become too cool, are returned to the furnace and another taken from it, with a celerity that scarcely interrupts the revolutions of the machine.
The nails are discharged almost uniformly perfect on an average of forty-five per minute.
The article falls from the machine, impressed with the precise form and appearance of the blacksmith's nail formed by the most expert hand.
The nails collected from the machine are carried to another room, where they are singly inspected and pass through a process that determines their perfect finish.
This duty employs a large number of hands, chiefly boys.
When this operation is completed, the nails descend by a funnel into a lower apartment, where they are carefully inspected and assorted, and every nail in the slightest degree imperfect is rejected.
Thus, each fabric is handled twice separately, to secure and ascertain its exact perfection.
The assorted nails are then placed in small square boxes, holding each twenty-five pounds.
The contents of each box is accurately weighed and the top placed upon it, to avoid mistakes or depredations,
A very small fraction of the nails is discharged by the machine in an imperfect form, either from a deficient pointing or other cause.
When a point requires adjusting, the nail is transferred to another shop, where it is perfected by hand.
Such nails are never sent into market, but are sold at the works for home consumption.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
A walk through the workshops, and an examination of the various processes connected with the manufacture, sorting and preparing these nails, affords a highly interesting study.
Fifty of the machines are in operation at Keeseville, and are increased as rapidly as the demands of the business require.
They are all constructed at that place under the immediate supervision of the inventor, and at an expense of $500 for each machine.
One person, usually a boy, attends and feeds every machine.
At its side is placed a small furnace, supplied by mineral coal, in which eight or ten thin iron rods or strips are heating.
A large conductor, through which the air is forced from a reservoir by mechanism, conveys it to each furnace by a small tube, which the workman controls by a valve.
These rods, heated to the proper degree, are successively applied to the machine, and when they become too cool, are returned to the furnace and another taken from it, with a celerity that scarcely interrupts the revolutions of the machine.
The nails are discharged almost uniformly perfect on an average of forty-five per minute.
The article falls from the machine, impressed with the precise form and appearance of the blacksmith's nail formed by the most expert hand.
The nails collected from the machine are carried to another room, where they are singly inspected and pass through a process that determines their perfect finish.
This duty employs a large number of hands, chiefly boys.
When this operation is completed, the nails descend by a funnel into a lower apartment, where they are carefully inspected and assorted, and every nail in the slightest degree imperfect is rejected.
Thus, each fabric is handled twice separately, to secure and ascertain its exact perfection.
The assorted nails are then placed in small square boxes, holding each twenty-five pounds.
The contents of each box is accurately weighed and the top placed upon it, to avoid mistakes or depredations,
A very small fraction of the nails is discharged by the machine in an imperfect form, either from a deficient pointing or other cause.
When a point requires adjusting, the nail is transferred to another shop, where it is perfected by hand.
Such nails are never sent into market, but are sold at the works for home consumption.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
A blacksmith's shop is connected with the establishment, in which the fragments of the rods are welded together and again used in the machine.
All the varied refuse is carefully gathered up, cleansed by a separator, and, until the introduction of a new process, returned to market.
Another and adjacent room is appropriated to the sharpening of tools and repairing and adjusting the machines.
The company own a saw-mill near the works, at which, besides custom and other work, the lumber for constructing the nail boxes is cut.
From the mill the boards are conveyed to a planing and cutting machine, where the materials for the boxes are prepared.
These materials are conveyed to another apartment, in which the boxes are put together and arranged for use.
The conveyance of the iron and nails, and the transportation of all the materials used in the works are performed by the teams and employees of the company.
Thus by a wise and efficient arrangement, every department of labor in the concern is executed by the company itself.
An extensive coal house is connected with the works.
The fuel annually consumed amounts to about five hundred tons.
Each machine produces an average of one hundred and fifty pounds of nails per diem, and runs only during daylight.
A boy examines and kegs from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds daily.
The works yield about five hundred tons of nails per annum, worth not less than $250,000.
The best brands of Norway iron are exclusively used in the manufacture of these nails.
No American iron has yet been produced adapted to the purpose.
Intelligent iron manufacturers do not accept the theory, that this impediment is produced by the quality of our ores, but ascribe it rather to the peculiar processes observed in the production of the iron.
The iron is imported from Norway in bars, rolled into rods or slits in New England, and in that shape is conveyed to the works.
The company has recently reorganized a rolling mill, situated between Keeseville and Birmingham, and propose soon to prepare their own rods from the imported Norway bars.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
A blacksmith's shop is connected with the establishment, in which the fragments of the rods are welded together and again used in the machine.
All the varied refuse is carefully gathered up, cleansed by a separator, and, until the introduction of a new process, returned to market.
Another and adjacent room is appropriated to the sharpening of tools and repairing and adjusting the machines.
The company own a saw-mill near the works, at which, besides custom and other work, the lumber for constructing the nail boxes is cut.
From the mill the boards are conveyed to a planing and cutting machine, where the materials for the boxes are prepared.
These materials are conveyed to another apartment, in which the boxes are put together and arranged for use.
The conveyance of the iron and nails, and the transportation of all the materials used in the works are performed by the teams and employees of the company.
Thus by a wise and efficient arrangement, every department of labor in the concern is executed by the company itself.
An extensive coal house is connected with the works.
The fuel annually consumed amounts to about five hundred tons.
Each machine produces an average of one hundred and fifty pounds of nails per diem, and runs only during daylight.
A boy examines and kegs from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds daily.
The works yield about five hundred tons of nails per annum, worth not less than $250,000.
The best brands of Norway iron are exclusively used in the manufacture of these nails.
No American iron has yet been produced adapted to the purpose.
Intelligent iron manufacturers do not accept the theory, that this impediment is produced by the quality of our ores, but ascribe it rather to the peculiar processes observed in the production of the iron.
The iron is imported from Norway in bars, rolled into rods or slits in New England, and in that shape is conveyed to the works.
The company has recently reorganized a rolling mill, situated between Keeseville and Birmingham, and propose soon to prepare their own rods from the imported Norway bars.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
The boys employed in these works earn from fifty cents to a dollar and a half per diem, and receive with all the workmen of the company payment in money on every Saturday afternoon.
It is pleasant on this occasion to observe their cheerful and contented countenances, when they approach the table of the agent, and as their names are called from the pay roll receive the reward of their industry and steadiness.
This scene is an infinite improvement upon the system, which formerly existed in many of the manufacturing institutions of the country, by which the laborers were paid in orders upon a store; or when the merchant's clerk stood ledger in hand at the pay desk to claim and receive his account from the wages of labor.
Here the workman is independent and uncontrolled in using the fruits of his toil.
This company is incorporated under the style of the Au Sable Horse Nail Company, of which Silas Arnold, Esquire, is the president, and Edmund Kingsland, Esquire, is the active agent and manager.
Mr. Dodge, the ingenious inventor of this valuable machine, has favored me with the following account of the labors and trials incurred in the progress of the invention, which resulted in his signal triumph.
It will be read, I think, with great interest.
"My first experiments with the view of producing a machine for making horse shoe nails were made in 1848, with a model or miniature machine, on a very small scale."
"In 1849 I built a complete machine of working proportions."
"It proved but a partial success, producing nails with great rapidity, but not of sufficient uniformity to satisfy consumers."
"A series of machines were built on the principle of the first, and each was an improvement on its predecessor."
"Several of them were so far successful as to produce nails of uniform and satisfactory quality and with great rapidity; but they were found unprofitable for use, as the expense of the repairs consumed the profits."
"At length in 1854, I abandoned the leading principle on which they had been constructed and adopted a new one, admitting greater simplicity of construction and greater ease in the movement of the parts."
"On this principle I also built a series of machines, with successive improvements, resulting about the close of 1862, in the perfected machine now used by the Au Sable Horse Nail Company."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, continued ...
Keeseville, continued ...
The boys employed in these works earn from fifty cents to a dollar and a half per diem, and receive with all the workmen of the company payment in money on every Saturday afternoon.
It is pleasant on this occasion to observe their cheerful and contented countenances, when they approach the table of the agent, and as their names are called from the pay roll receive the reward of their industry and steadiness.
This scene is an infinite improvement upon the system, which formerly existed in many of the manufacturing institutions of the country, by which the laborers were paid in orders upon a store; or when the merchant's clerk stood ledger in hand at the pay desk to claim and receive his account from the wages of labor.
Here the workman is independent and uncontrolled in using the fruits of his toil.
This company is incorporated under the style of the Au Sable Horse Nail Company, of which Silas Arnold, Esquire, is the president, and Edmund Kingsland, Esquire, is the active agent and manager.
Mr. Dodge, the ingenious inventor of this valuable machine, has favored me with the following account of the labors and trials incurred in the progress of the invention, which resulted in his signal triumph.
It will be read, I think, with great interest.
"My first experiments with the view of producing a machine for making horse shoe nails were made in 1848, with a model or miniature machine, on a very small scale."
"In 1849 I built a complete machine of working proportions."
"It proved but a partial success, producing nails with great rapidity, but not of sufficient uniformity to satisfy consumers."
"A series of machines were built on the principle of the first, and each was an improvement on its predecessor."
"Several of them were so far successful as to produce nails of uniform and satisfactory quality and with great rapidity; but they were found unprofitable for use, as the expense of the repairs consumed the profits."
"At length in 1854, I abandoned the leading principle on which they had been constructed and adopted a new one, admitting greater simplicity of construction and greater ease in the movement of the parts."
"On this principle I also built a series of machines, with successive improvements, resulting about the close of 1862, in the perfected machine now used by the Au Sable Horse Nail Company."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, concluded ...
Keeseville, concluded ...
A large economy has been attained in the preparation of the refuse crops referred to for their reproduction into bars by the introduction early in 1869 into the works of a powerful hydraulic press.
The foundery at Keeseville formerly transacted a heavy business.
It frequently executed orders from California, New Orleans, and various sections of the west.
This extended demand for its fabrics was created by the superior quality of the iron used in their manufacture, but especially the unusual excellence of the work.
The foundery for a period, in common with the other iron establishments of the place, experienced a great depression; but at present under the energetic management of Nelson Kingland, Esquire, is again in a prosperous condition.
Its production the last year amounted to about two hundred and fifty tons of castings.
The foundery and machine shop connected with it in the same period did a business of about thirty-five thousand dollars, and possess a capacity for performing work to the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars per annum.
A company has been organized at Keeseville, and recently commenced business for the manufacture from cotton of twine, carpet warp and wicking, and has already in operation a number of machines competent to consume twelve thousand pounds monthly of the raw material.
It is starting with the designation of Kingsland, Houghton & Co., under the most favorable auspices, with means and facilities, and the purpose of largely extending its operations if the measure is warranted by adequate success.
The Messrs. Boynton have also just erected several machines for the fabrication of cotton hosiery.
The movement is experimental, but if attended with success, the business will become an important feature in the industrial pursuits of the place.
Two flouring mills are located on separated sites at Keeseville, a plaster mill, planing mill, furniture and tin factories, and various other subordinate manufacturing establishments are also in prosperous operation.
At the village of Birmingham a small part of its vast water power is occupied by a paper mill, two starch factories, and a grist mill.
Works are in progress of construction by Messrs. Pollard & Pease in the vicinity of Keeseville, and near the vast kaolin deposits noticed in a former page for the separating and preparing that article for market.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Au Sable Valley, concluded ...
Keeseville, concluded ...
A large economy has been attained in the preparation of the refuse crops referred to for their reproduction into bars by the introduction early in 1869 into the works of a powerful hydraulic press.
The foundery at Keeseville formerly transacted a heavy business.
It frequently executed orders from California, New Orleans, and various sections of the west.
This extended demand for its fabrics was created by the superior quality of the iron used in their manufacture, but especially the unusual excellence of the work.
The foundery for a period, in common with the other iron establishments of the place, experienced a great depression; but at present under the energetic management of Nelson Kingland, Esquire, is again in a prosperous condition.
Its production the last year amounted to about two hundred and fifty tons of castings.
The foundery and machine shop connected with it in the same period did a business of about thirty-five thousand dollars, and possess a capacity for performing work to the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars per annum.
A company has been organized at Keeseville, and recently commenced business for the manufacture from cotton of twine, carpet warp and wicking, and has already in operation a number of machines competent to consume twelve thousand pounds monthly of the raw material.
It is starting with the designation of Kingsland, Houghton & Co., under the most favorable auspices, with means and facilities, and the purpose of largely extending its operations if the measure is warranted by adequate success.
The Messrs. Boynton have also just erected several machines for the fabrication of cotton hosiery.
The movement is experimental, but if attended with success, the business will become an important feature in the industrial pursuits of the place.
Two flouring mills are located on separated sites at Keeseville, a plaster mill, planing mill, furniture and tin factories, and various other subordinate manufacturing establishments are also in prosperous operation.
At the village of Birmingham a small part of its vast water power is occupied by a paper mill, two starch factories, and a grist mill.
Works are in progress of construction by Messrs. Pollard & Pease in the vicinity of Keeseville, and near the vast kaolin deposits noticed in a former page for the separating and preparing that article for market.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY.
New Russia Forge. In the southern extremity of Elizabethtown, and upon one of the highest branches of the Boquet, where it almost mingles with the head waters of the Hudson, stands the New Russia Forge.
This is one of the oldest iron works of the county, it having been erected about the year 1802.
It has been repeatedly rebuilt and in 1860 received a thorough reconstruction.
The existing forge, owned by Messrs. E. H. & H. A. Putnam contains four fires, and a wooden hammer of about one thousand eight hundred pounds weight.
It possesses both steam and water power.
The ore used, is principally taken from the New Russia mine, owned by the company and situated half a mile from the works.
The forge is about six miles from the Fisher hill ore bed, from which it has obtained a part of the ore worked.
Charcoal, chiefly made in closed kilns, is exclusively consumed in the works.
The company own in the vicinity about ten thousand acres of woodland.
The products of the forge are slabs for boiler plates, and blooms adapted to the fabrication of wire and steel.
These are transported by land carriage to Westport, a distance of twelve miles for shipping.
A grist and saw-mill are also in operation on the same site.
In 1866, the forge consumed 300,000 bushels of charcoal and 2,400 tons of ore, producing six hundred and seventy-five tons of iron. 1
1 For these returns I am indebted to the valuable work of Mr. Wm. G. Neilson, to which I shall frequently refer, when I am unable to procure statistics of a later date.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY.
New Russia Forge. In the southern extremity of Elizabethtown, and upon one of the highest branches of the Boquet, where it almost mingles with the head waters of the Hudson, stands the New Russia Forge.
This is one of the oldest iron works of the county, it having been erected about the year 1802.
It has been repeatedly rebuilt and in 1860 received a thorough reconstruction.
The existing forge, owned by Messrs. E. H. & H. A. Putnam contains four fires, and a wooden hammer of about one thousand eight hundred pounds weight.
It possesses both steam and water power.
The ore used, is principally taken from the New Russia mine, owned by the company and situated half a mile from the works.
The forge is about six miles from the Fisher hill ore bed, from which it has obtained a part of the ore worked.
Charcoal, chiefly made in closed kilns, is exclusively consumed in the works.
The company own in the vicinity about ten thousand acres of woodland.
The products of the forge are slabs for boiler plates, and blooms adapted to the fabrication of wire and steel.
These are transported by land carriage to Westport, a distance of twelve miles for shipping.
A grist and saw-mill are also in operation on the same site.
In 1866, the forge consumed 300,000 bushels of charcoal and 2,400 tons of ore, producing six hundred and seventy-five tons of iron. 1
1 For these returns I am indebted to the valuable work of Mr. Wm. G. Neilson, to which I shall frequently refer, when I am unable to procure statistics of a later date.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Kingdom Forge is situated about six miles south-east from the Court House, upon Black creek, a branch of the Boquet.
It was erected in 1825, and was formerly owned by Mr. Henry R. Noble.
It has been enlarged within a few years by the present proprietors, the Essex and Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company, from two fires, its original capacity, to six fires.
Its supply of ore is chiefly derived from the Burt mine, a distance of five miles.
It consumes charcoal.
This property was owned by the same interest as the Valley Forge.
The company are proprietors of about eleven thousand acres of woodland.
Two closed kilns are appropriated toward the supply of the Kingdom forge.
These works consume 30,000 bushels of coal and produced seven hundred and fifty tons of iron in 1866.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Kingdom Forge is situated about six miles south-east from the Court House, upon Black creek, a branch of the Boquet.
It was erected in 1825, and was formerly owned by Mr. Henry R. Noble.
It has been enlarged within a few years by the present proprietors, the Essex and Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company, from two fires, its original capacity, to six fires.
Its supply of ore is chiefly derived from the Burt mine, a distance of five miles.
It consumes charcoal.
This property was owned by the same interest as the Valley Forge.
The company are proprietors of about eleven thousand acres of woodland.
Two closed kilns are appropriated toward the supply of the Kingdom forge.
These works consume 30,000 bushels of coal and produced seven hundred and fifty tons of iron in 1866.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Valley Forge was erected in 1846, and was several years conducted by Messrs. Whallon & Judd.
It stands upon the Boquet, a half mile from the village of Elizabethtown, and has a land carriage eight miles and a half to Westport.
The premises have passed through various transitions of proprietorship, and for the term the business has been suspended, but has been recently resumed.
It came into the possession of the Essex and Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company in the year 1864.
The forge contains six fires and one hammer, weighing about eleven thousand pounds.
The blast is driven by a horizontal engine, with a cylinder of about ten inches diameter and thirty inch thick.
There are two blowing cylinders.
Steam is supplied by two boilers, heated by escape heat from a part of the forges.
Its ore is obtained chiefly from the Burt mine, a distance of about ten miles.
This company are the proprietors of numerous ore beds in the district.
The forge consumes charcoal burnt in six kilns and the remainder in pits, principally belonging to the company and from its own woodlands.
The works annually consume one hundred and twenty thousand bushels of coal and yielded in 1866, ten hundred and fifty tons of iron.
They produce bloom iron, which is shipped at Westport to various points south and west.
William G. Neilson, Esq., is the resident agent and manager of this company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Valley Forge was erected in 1846, and was several years conducted by Messrs. Whallon & Judd.
It stands upon the Boquet, a half mile from the village of Elizabethtown, and has a land carriage eight miles and a half to Westport.
The premises have passed through various transitions of proprietorship, and for the term the business has been suspended, but has been recently resumed.
It came into the possession of the Essex and Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company in the year 1864.
The forge contains six fires and one hammer, weighing about eleven thousand pounds.
The blast is driven by a horizontal engine, with a cylinder of about ten inches diameter and thirty inch thick.
There are two blowing cylinders.
Steam is supplied by two boilers, heated by escape heat from a part of the forges.
Its ore is obtained chiefly from the Burt mine, a distance of about ten miles.
This company are the proprietors of numerous ore beds in the district.
The forge consumes charcoal burnt in six kilns and the remainder in pits, principally belonging to the company and from its own woodlands.
The works annually consume one hundred and twenty thousand bushels of coal and yielded in 1866, ten hundred and fifty tons of iron.
They produce bloom iron, which is shipped at Westport to various points south and west.
William G. Neilson, Esq., is the resident agent and manager of this company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Westport Forge stands upon the Boquet, four miles from Westport, was built about 1845.
It has been for many years in the occupation of Messrs. W. P. & P. D. Merriam.
It contains three fires, one hammer and two wheels.
It formerly worked Moriah ore transported by land, from Westport.
A mine has been opened on the premises of the company from which the forge is largely supplied.
Charcoal is consumed, and is principally burnt in the kilns of the company.
In 1866 this forge used eighty thousand bushels of charcoal, and six hundred and thirty tons of ore, producing four hundred and fifty tons of iron.
Its products are carried to Westport for shipping.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Westport Forge stands upon the Boquet, four miles from Westport, was built about 1845.
It has been for many years in the occupation of Messrs. W. P. & P. D. Merriam.
It contains three fires, one hammer and two wheels.
It formerly worked Moriah ore transported by land, from Westport.
A mine has been opened on the premises of the company from which the forge is largely supplied.
Charcoal is consumed, and is principally burnt in the kilns of the company.
In 1866 this forge used eighty thousand bushels of charcoal, and six hundred and thirty tons of ore, producing four hundred and fifty tons of iron.
Its products are carried to Westport for shipping.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
The Stower Forge is situated in Lewis, upon a small branch of the Boquet, and was erected about 1837.
It was owned and worked several years by General William E. Merriam, and subsequently by his son, John L. Merriam, and still later by W. H. Roberts.
Mr. W. H. Stower purchased the property in the year 1864.
The forge stands upon an excellent water power, and contains three fires, three water wheels and a wooden helve hammer, weighing about eighteen hundred pounds.
The ore used is chiefly procured from Moriah, which in summer is shipped to Essex or Westport, and thence carried by teams a distance of about eight miles.
In winter it is transported directly from the mines, a distance of about twenty miles.
Ore beds have been discovered in the town of Lewis, from which a supply to a greater or less extent will be derived.
The forge consumes charcoal burnt both in kilns, and several of which are open pits, and uses about eighty thousand bushels with about eight hundred tons of ore.
It fabricates blooms and slabs, which are transported to Essex for shipping.
Its estimated production annually is seven hundred tons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
The Stower Forge is situated in Lewis, upon a small branch of the Boquet, and was erected about 1837.
It was owned and worked several years by General William E. Merriam, and subsequently by his son, John L. Merriam, and still later by W. H. Roberts.
Mr. W. H. Stower purchased the property in the year 1864.
The forge stands upon an excellent water power, and contains three fires, three water wheels and a wooden helve hammer, weighing about eighteen hundred pounds.
The ore used is chiefly procured from Moriah, which in summer is shipped to Essex or Westport, and thence carried by teams a distance of about eight miles.
In winter it is transported directly from the mines, a distance of about twenty miles.
Ore beds have been discovered in the town of Lewis, from which a supply to a greater or less extent will be derived.
The forge consumes charcoal burnt both in kilns, and several of which are open pits, and uses about eighty thousand bushels with about eight hundred tons of ore.
It fabricates blooms and slabs, which are transported to Essex for shipping.
Its estimated production annually is seven hundred tons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...