Beverly Cotton Manufactory
In 1787, Thomas Somers and James Leonard arrived in Beverly to build the first cotton mill in America. They recruited a group of investors including Capt. John Cabot, George Cabot, Andrew Cabot, Deborah Higginson Cabot, Henry Higginson, Dr. Joshua Fisher, Moses Brown, Israel Thorndike, and Isaac Chapman. This collective formed The Proprietors of the Beverly Cotton Manufactory on the 3rd of February 1789. By 1789, legislation showed that 22/40 of company ownership was shared by Cabot and Higginson incorporators. Dr. Joshua Fisher held 9/40 shares while Moses Brown and Israel Thorndike each owned 4/40. Isaac Chapman possessed just 1/40 of the total equity. Capt. Cabot and Fisher were the largest shareholders individually with 19/40 combined. These two men managed the entire operation from its inception.
The plant officially opened for business on the 1st of November 1787 after construction began in the summer of that year. Port records show shipments of cotton being imported as early as March 1785 before the building existed. On the 22nd of April 1788, the Salem Mercury newspaper reported that mill hardware had been completed including a spinning jenny and carding machine. A brick building rose in the second parish near Bakers Corner at the junction of Birch Plain and Ipswich Roads. George Washington visited the facility in the fall of 1789 during his New England tour. He noted in his diary that the whole seemed perfect and the cotton stuffs turned out were excellent of their kind. Records suggest machines may have been used before the actual building was conceived for testing purposes regarding new inventions.
On the 15th of January 1789, proprietors petitioned the Legislature stating the creation of the mill was a major financial burden for everyone involved. The total loss to the proprietors totaled £687 12s. 2d., valued at approximately $2,500. It was estimated that the entire company was worth £90,000 or $300,000. On the 17th of February 1789, the Legislature decided to repay the group for £500 of their losses and efforts. This bailout required the manufactory to create 50,000 yards of cotton aggregately while keeping records of all quantities and values produced. The record had to be verified by the testimony of at least two proprietors on oath. A copy of the document would be kept in the Commonwealth Secretary's office. The Manufactory also had to pay £500 back to the Commonwealth within eight years.
Workers and owners did not show wares to anyone who might steal ideas to run a rival mill. Moses Brown from Providence contacted the Beverly mill requesting information but was denied what he sought. Brown wrote that cutting knives were considered a great secret by Beverly Workmen. He stated they refused to let him see their knives or the operation of cutting even though it seemed simple. The competition between the Beverly Mill and the Slater Mill caused Beverly to lose workers as people moved to the other factory. Beverly responded that they would not rehire those workers if they came back. Since the mill was based on horsepower, it could not compete against future water-driven mills. Robert Lovett noted that Beverly was the earliest to manufacture cloth at private expense using power-driven machines.
On the 11th of January 1798, John Cabot and Joshua Fisher sold five and three-fourths acres of land to Samuel Blanchard for $2630.29. Blanchard operated the factory until the 21st of March 1801 when he sold one-third to George S. Johonnut for $1,011.01. On the 1st of March 1813, George Johonnot purchased another third of the land for $333.33. The deed mentioned machinery within buildings was formerly used for cotton manufacture. Business had ceased prior to this 1813 deed with part of the machinery sold. The mill may have stopped operations during the Embargo of 1807 when commerce in Salem and Beverly became paralyzed. The old brick factory burned on the 13th of October 1828 after years of decline.
Today a memorial stone marks the location at coordinates 42°34'21.52"N, 70°53'35.46"W. The factory stood at Baker's Corner which is the corner of Cabot and Dodge streets. This corner was the site of Baker's Inn where oxen and horses were watered from a nearby pond. Across the street roughly where Prinzi's Pizza stands now is where the building originally stood. The building no longer exists but local efforts aim to create an information display adjacent to the memorial stone. The stone documents that the first cotton mill in America was built there in 1787 and incorporated the 3rd of February 1789. It notes George Washington visited on the 30th of October 1789 before the structure burnt in 1828.
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Common questions
Who founded the Beverly Cotton Manufactory in 1787?
Thomas Somers and James Leonard arrived in Beverly to build the first cotton mill in America. They recruited a group of investors including Capt. John Cabot, George Cabot, Andrew Cabot, Deborah Higginson Cabot, Henry Higginson, Dr. Joshua Fisher, Moses Brown, Israel Thorndike, and Isaac Chapman.
When did the Beverly Cotton Manufactory officially open for business?
The plant officially opened for business on the 1st of November 1787 after construction began in the summer of that year. Port records show shipments of cotton being imported as early as March 1785 before the building existed.
What happened to the Beverly Cotton Manufactory during the Embargo of 1807?
The mill may have stopped operations during the Embargo of 1807 when commerce in Salem and Beverly became paralyzed. Business had ceased prior to this 1813 deed with part of the machinery sold.
Where is the memorial stone for the Beverly Cotton Manufactory located today?
Today a memorial stone marks the location at coordinates 42°34'21.52N, 70°53'35.46W. The factory stood at Baker's Corner which is the corner of Cabot and Dodge streets.
Why did the Beverly Cotton Manufactory stop operating permanently?
The old brick factory burned on the 13th of October 1828 after years of decline. Since the mill was based on horsepower it could not compete against future water-driven mills.