Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA (Valley Falls) (Ashton) (Cumberland Hill)
1878 - Valley Falls

Valley Falls. In 1870, Messrs. Grey & Fish leased rooms from the Valley Falls Company, and commenced the manufacture of weaver's reeds and harness. From Jan. 1, 1873, to Jan. 1, 1877, Mr. Myron Fish conducted the business alone, after which he admitted Mr. John A. Carter as partner. In December, 1875, Mr. Fish erected a building for his business, a two-story wooden structure, 40 x 80 feet, into which he removed his machinery, and where the firm still remain. They employ about twenty hands. The building is situated close to the new iron bridge on Broad Street. The machinery is operated by steam power. The business is now quite flourishing, despite the times.

In 1854, Mr. William J. Hood commenced the manufacture of jewelry, at Pawtucket, Mass. He soon removed to Central Falls, and in 1858 to his present location in this village, at 280 Broad Street. Since he has been here, he has greatly extended his business, not only manufacturing jewelry, but in separate buildings he carries on the manufacturing and enameling of toys, making a specialty of croquet sets, and parlor, field, and table games. In his enameling department, he turns out 15,000 buttons daily. In his toy department he is doing a fine business, employing from six to ten hands, while in the jewelry department he has 26 hands employed upon various lines of cheap jewelry. All these buildings are in close proximity to each other, and could, if fully employed, find work for more than 125 hands. Joseph and Sarah Jenckes, who owned all the land on this side of the river, sold sixteen acres, by deed, dated April 7, 1812, to Abraham, Isaac, and David Wilkinson, for the consideration of $2,500. These gentlemen, soon after purchasing, erected a stone mill close to the new iron bridge, and fronting on Broad Street, which was torn down only a few years ago. They spun cotton until 1829, when they became embarrassed. The property was sold by an attorney, June 1, 1831, to Henry Marchant, who built the present wooden mill soon afterwards. He wove cotton goods. In 1847 he built the present brick mill. Mr. Marchant became embarrassed in 1852, and on Aug. 5, 1852, the property was sold by the United States Marshal to James H. Chace, who, on the 9th of July, 1853, transferred it to the Valley Falls Company, the present owners, who have greatly improved the property. The two mills we now speak of, run together 19,000 spindles, and, together with the one across the river, employ 400 hands, and produce 206,000 yards of print-goods weekly. The mill is operated wholly by water-power.


History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations Albert J. Wright, Printer No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston. Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia 1878.
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