Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Manufactories in Calais
By Allen Mouse
The proprietors of Calais, June, 1792, to "encourage the building of a corn-mill and saw-mill" offered 200 acres of land to any person who would build the same within a specified time, and in "October, 1793, met and accepted" both mills which had been been built by Col. Jacob Davis, and Samuel Twiss, near the center of the town, the saw-mill on the same spot where the one owned by S. O. Robinson now stands, and the grist-mill just below it.
These first mills in town, were bought about 1800, by Jason Marsh, and run by him, and his son, Jason, more than 68 years. They passed into the hands of William White, who owned them a brief time; sold to E. N. Morse, who .sold to S. O. Robinson, in 1872, present owner.
The situation of these mills is good, and had the water-power been as good, no mills in town would have done as much business; but in dry times they are without sufficient water, still they have always done a remunerative business, and are in repair.
The demand for lumber, soon caused other saw-mills to be built; one about 1800, by Col. Jacob Davis at the outlet of what is now known as the Wheelock pond, where an excellent water-power was easily obtained. Jason Marsh, who seemed to have a penchant for mill-property, which he transmitted to his descendants, bought this mill about 1820, and put a run of stone in a part of the saw-mill; running it a few years, he sold to Gideon Wheelock, who owned it some years, since which it has passed through several hands; owned since 1874, by H. O. Marsh, who has added a shop for the manufacture of coffins and caskets, in which he does a small business. The saw-mill is one of the best in town. Soon after the 2nd mill the 3rd, by Peter Wheelock, on the present C. Bliss farm, poor water-power, soon abandoned. 1803, Joel Robinson built a saw-mill at Kent's Corner, which did fair business for a time; now in good repair; does a small business. 1811, Joseph Brown built a saw-mill in the Brown district; owned and run by the Browns about 30 years; abandoned. 1828, Isaac Davis built the saw-mill, Pekin; run about 25 years; 1834, Charles Slayton built one not a success. 1824, Dea. Joshua Bliss built the one, Jesse White rebuilt, about 1840 at the outlet of Martin pond, now owned by William Dailey. 1856, John Robinson built one at Maple Corner. It tapered to nothing in about 15 years.
Grist Mills
About 1820, Jason Marsh built one at No. 10, that he run several years; sold to Gideon Wheelock, who run it 10 or 12 years and sold to John Rich, who run it about as long, when it changed owners often till 1874, when E. D. Haskell bought, enlarged, and added machinery for manufacturing woolen goods, and carding wool; employed about 6 hands; run about 3 years; failed; since it has done but little.
1817, Col. Curtis built a small grist-mill on Curtis Pond; abandoned as a mill in about 10 years. 1847, John Robinson built the red shop, machine shop, etc., grist-mill; the grist-mill part was of small account; the machine-shop part was run by Nathan Bancroft until 1852; since used as a general repair shop, etc., for the manufacture of horse-rakes, etc., owned by L. A. Kent.
Wool-carding: Holbrook & Waters began here first on A. Haskell's present farm, about 1802 or '3; and continued the business for a few years. 1820, Jason Marsh put a carding-machine into his gristmill that was in operation 8 or 10 years. 1827, E. C. and Ira McLoud commenced here and carried on cloth-dressing at No. ID till 1844. They charged from $1,000 to $1,100 a year; that shows the looms of our mothers were not idle; they sold to G. J. Slayton and Joseph Andrews, who continued the business some 10 or 12 years, adding in time the carding of wool; the building has since been used for making and repairing carriages; is now occupied by Peter St. Rock. Holbrook & Waters also manufactured wooden clocks, and cast bells up to 200 pound's weight at the same time they carded wool, but their business was small.
Distilleries appeared in 1812, and in a short time increased to seven, and did an active business for several years, but as the temperance element developed they gradually went out of existence, and for the last half century there has not been any liquor distilled in town, and there is probably less liquor drank in this town at present, than in any other town in the county.
Lemuel Perry manufactured potash, opposite the Christian church, as early it is believed as 1800, for some 10 years, and then moved just below the Marsh mills, where he continued the business about 15 years.
Jonas Hall made axes and scythes in a small way for a number of years, and built a two-story brick house for which he made the brick; the house is well preserved; owned now by J. P. Laird. Mr. Hall owned and improved the saw-mill near his place; his manufactures commenced about 1812.
Boot and shoe business, 1829, 1. & A. Kent commenced this manufacture here, which continues to the present. In the early years of this business they employed a dozen workmen, and run a two-horse team from here to Canada disposing of their goods. Of late years the business has declined, probably owing very much to the pressure of other business, but it has been of material benefit to this town, especially in its earlier days.
Starch-making, 1844. The Kent firm above, in Company with L. Bancroft, built a starch factory, which they run till 1860, making some years 80 tons. Soon after Moses Sheldon began to make starch about 2 miles below the first company, but soon gave up the business.
Carriage-making was begun here in 1840, at No. 10 by Rial Ainsworth, who made carriages of 40 different kinds in a year. His business is much smaller now. Silk culture excited some attention here, and several parties about 1830, engaged in it. It soon died out. This vicinity, or those engaged in the business, were not adapted to that industry; but some silk cloth has been manufactured in Calais, handkerchiefs, etc.
There is one literary society in the town, called the Calais Circulating Library formed in 1832, with 33 members; additions have been made nearly every year; the library numbers now nearly 800 vols. There was also another library, started at East Calais, 10 or 15 years ago. It is much smaller, but the books are excellent.
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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