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Overview of Manufacturing on Bean Hill in 1833
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By the 1790s there was grist mill, sawmill, fulling mill and linseed oil mills near the bend in the Yantic River on Bean Hill. There were also small machine shops to support the carders and looms.
The map on the left shows the exact locations of a pottery, a grist mill, a woolen factory and a tannery that were in business in 1833. The remnants of the woolen factory still remain at the site today.
NOTE : The Norwich & Hartford Turnpike shown on the map is today’s West Town Street.
It is interesting to note that the 1833 map identifies the present-day Bean Hill section of Norwich as “Westville”.
Acknowledgements
“A Sketch of Norwich from Actual Survey“, 1833, by William Lester
1748-1798? Linseed Oil Mill
The first production of linseed oil in Norwich commenced on Bean Hill in 1748 by Hezekiah Huntington (1710-1773). He was the son Christopher Huntington Jr., who was the first male child born in Norwich.
The mill was likely sold to Isaac Tracy (1706-1779). After Isaac Tracy died in 1779, his son Andrew Tracy (1742-1801) inherited property on Bean Hill in 1781. According to Info Source 3,“a saw-mill, grist-mill and oil-mill were grouped together and known as Tracy’s mills” on Bean Hill was sold in 1798 by Andrew Tracy. It is believed that the oil mill sold by Andrew Tracy in 1798 was Hezekiah’s former linseed oil mill, first opened in 1748.
Linseed Oil
Seeds of the flax plant have been used for a variety of purpose for thousands of years. The seeds contain both an oil that can be used to produce light and fiber that can be used to make paper or cloth. In the late 1700s the seeds were pressed and ground to extract the oil at Yantic Falls in Norwich.
The oil was likely used in oil burning lamps, as in important ingredient in wood-finishing products (i.e. stain and paint), and as a dietary supplement. The remaining linseed meal could be used for protein-rich feed for animals to make paper and cloth.
Today flaxseeds are highly regarded as a dietary supplement. Some call flaxseeds the most powerful plant food on the planet. They have been touted as reducing one’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes. The oil also promotes healthy hair by nourishing hair follicle and encouraging growth.
It takes a great deal of pressure to extract linseed oil. Huntington’s mill was probably a press rather than a mill. It might have been powered by a horse or other livestock. The oil was pressed out of the flax seed like olive oil is pressed from olives. As the industry grew and the process was taken up on a larger scale, water powered mills developed at Yantic Falls. Details about linseed oil mills located at the lower Yantic Falls may be found by clicking HERE.
Acknowledgements
“Exploring the Last Green Valley: Flaxseed Oil Was Once Produced in Norwich”, 2013, by Charlene Perkins Cutler
“A Modern History of New London County Connecticut, Vol. 1”, (1922), page 148, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, 1866, page 510, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then entering “linseed oil” in the SEARCH box.
1781-1798 Tracy's Mills on Bean Hill
Isaac Tracy (1706-1779) bequeathed land on Bean Hill to his son Andrew Tracy in his will. Upon this land Andrew Tracy and his older brother, Isaac Tracy Jr., operated a grist mill, a saw mill, a linseed oil mill, a forge, a blacksmith shop and a pottery. The site was known as Tracy’s Mills.
According to Info Source 1, in 1791 Isaac sold the grist mill, his Bean Hill home and land. Thus, it is believed that Isaac Tracy Jr. operated the grist mill during the period of 1781-1791.
According to Info Source 2, in 1798 Andrew sold the mill lot, mill house, the blacksmith shop, the forge, the trip hammer and tools, and the “potters works”. Thus, it is believed that Andrew Tracy operated these enterprises during the period of 1781-1798.
Trip Hammer
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What is a Trip Hammer?
A trip hammer, also known as a tilt hammer or helve hammer, is a massive powered hammer. In finery forges they were used for drawing out blooms made from wrought iron into more workable bar iron. They were also used for fabricating various articles of wrought iron, steel and other metals. One or more trip hammers were set up in a forge, also known variously as a hammer mill. The hammers were usually raised by a cam and then released to fall under the force of gravity Historically, trip hammers were often powered hydraulically by a water wheel.
The water power for Tracy’s Mills, trip hammer was supplied by the Yantic River.
FUN FACTS : The Tracy brothers, Andrew and Isaac Jr., were great-grandsons of John Tracy Sr., one of Norwich’s founding fathers. Before establishing Tracy’s Mills, Andrew Tracy served as an officer of Norwich’s militia before and during the Revolutionary War. He was an Ensign in the 3rd Company of the 20th Continental Regiment. This military unit was also known as “Durkee’s Regiment”, commanded by Colonel John Durkee, also a Bean Hill resident.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, 1866, page 510, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“A Modern History of New London County Connecticut, Vol. 2”, (1922), pp 548-549, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
Trip Hammer, by Wikipedia
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then entering “Andrew Tracy” in the SEARCH box.
1786-1834 Pottery on Bean Hill
One of the first potteries in this country was on Bean Hill in 1680. Many years later Christopher Leffingwell
owned a pottery from 1762-1774 near present-day 32 Town Street. The first large pottery on Bean Hill was built in 1786 by Andrew Tracy and his partner.
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Pottery was produced on Bean Hill continuously between the years of 1786 and 1834. The primary type of stoneware produced in Norwich during this time period was salt-glazed wares such as jugs, pots, jars and mugs.
The drawing, shown on the left, was created by a student artist in Norwich in the 1820s. It portrays an active kiln, a workshop, a store room and a wood-framed house. The drawing portrays one of the two active potteries located along the Yantic River in Norwich at the time. One was located on Bean Hill and the other was near present-day 32 Town Street. It is unknown which of the two sites is portrayed in the sketch.
In the spring of 1786 Andrew Tracy and his partner Huntington (which specific Huntington is unknown) erected a pottery on Bean Hill near present-day Clinton Avenue. They ran a successful business until 1798 when they sold their business to Captain Joseph Hosmer. He operated the pottery for four years.
William Cleveland bought the pottery from Hosmer’s widow in June 3, 1805 and ran the business for 9 years. In May 1814, Cleveland sold the pottery to Peleg Armstrong and Erastus Wentworth. They produced a large variety of fine stoneware at the Bean Hill site for 20 years. Examples of their stoneware jugs and pots can be found in museum collections.
The salt-glazed stoneware jar, shown on the left, was made by Armstrong & Wentworth. It is a typical example of the utilitarian pieces produced by this firm
After 1834 the business was carried on by Joseph Winship, who was one of Armstrong & Wentworth’s employees. He later went to work at the newly opened pottery owned by Sidney Risley at the Landing.
Erastus Wentworth sold the land and his Bean Hill pottery shop in October1835.
Acknowledgements
“Ongoing Research: New London County Potteries and States Family Stoneware Tradition“, (2016), by Russell G. Handsman
“A Modern History of New London County Connecticut, Vol. 2”, (1922), pp 548-549, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“From Kiln to Collection : Norwich Pottery and Its Makers“, by Sierra Dixon, published by the Connecticut Historical Society
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then entering “Pottery on Bean Hill” or “Loomis” in the SEARCH box.
1814-1864 Uncas Woolen Mill
Timeline for Uncas Mill Owners
1814-1828 Ebenezer Huntington Jr., Erastus Huntington, and Eber Backus
1828-1854 Norwich Manufacturing Co.
1854-1860 F. B. Loomis Company
1860-1864 Elting & Company
1864-1910 Clinton Mills Company
1910-1943 Saxton Woolen Corporation
1945-1950? Hitchon Brothers
1950?-1960 Glen Woolen Mills
1963-Late 1990s Turner & Stanton Company
The woolen mill, commonly called Uncas Mill, operated under the supervision of various owners from the early 1814 to 1864. Ebenezer Huntington Jr., Erastus Huntington and Eber Backus began the process of creating woolen cloth when they bought land on Bean Hill from Deacon William Cleveland in April 1814. They improved one of Cleveland’s old pottery buildings by converting it to a spinning and weaving of wool facility. During the same period James Burnham constructed carding machines and other machinery at the site. In May 1828 the Huntingtons and Backus incorporated their establishment as the “Norwich Manufacturing Company” for the purpose of manufacturing cotton or wool.
This company operated the Uncas Woolen Mill, until 1854, when they sold it to Colonel Frances B. Loomis.
The engraving on the left, shows how the mill appeared in 1854.
The building had a beautiful Italianate style open belfry, but no bell. Generations of mill workers listened to the sound of the bell to signal the beginning of work, lunch, and the end of the day.
By 1859 the mill produced 150,000 yards of doeskin, valued at $175,000 ($5.1 million in today’s dollars).
Loomis sold the mill to William Elting & Company in 1860.
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1812-1892 Francis B. Loomis
F. B. Loomis was a prominent and influential citizen of New London. He was a manufacturer, banker, military leader, and Lt. Governor of Connecticut. He attained the rank of Colonel in Third Regiment of the Connecticut Militia at the young age of 21. In 1854 he established the Uncas Woolen Factory in Norwich on Bean Hill.
In 1839, at the age of 27, he was engaged in the manufacturing of woolen goods in Lyme. This was the first of many woolen mills that he worked at, owned, or operated. In 1849 he erected a woolen mill in Montville. Subsequently he became the owner of the Rockwell Mills in Norwich. He later operated a steam woolen mill in New London, Tolland. He also built a steam driven cotton mill in Sag Harbor.
In 1861, when the Civil War began, F.B. Loomis promptly and patriotically devoted himself to the upholding of the Union cause, and lost neither heart nor hope in the darkest days of struggle that ensued. He was president of the first war-meeting, held in the old court house at New London, on the evening of that ever-memorable 12th of April, 1861, when the lightning flashed the intelligence to the expectant North that Confederate shot had been fired at the national colors at Sumter.
He served as Connecticut’s Lt. Governor from 1877 to 1879.
Francis Loomis sold the mill in 1860 and in 1864 the mill was purchased by the Clinton Mills Company. See placemark below for details.
Acknowledgements
“Resolves and Special Acts of the State of Connecticut from the Year 1789 to the Year 1836, Vol. 2”, (1837), pp 857-859
“A Modern History of New London County Connecticut, Vol. 2”, (1922), pp 548-549, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“Clinton Mill”, by ConnecticutMills.org
Map of New London County, by Henry Francis Walling, 1854
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then entering “Uncas Mill” or “Loomis” in the SEARCH box.
1864-1910 Clinton Mill
The Clinton Mills Company was organized for the production of ladies cloth, dress goods, and cloaks in 1864. The firm was led by J.D. Sturtevant, president; Francis Cabot, secretary and treasurer; and A.P. Sturtevant, agent. The company operated a sizable mill along the Yantic River in the Bean Hill section of Norwich and by the late 1880s employed 130 hands. By the early 1890s, the firm maintained 10 sets of carding machines and 56 broad looms and turned out 165,200 pounds of woolen dress goods per year.
The Clinton Mills Company continued to operate until 1910, whereupon the firm was purchased by its agent, Lewis J. Saxton, who reorganized it as the Saxton Woolen Corporation.
After changing ownership several times, the building is known today as the Turner and Stanton Mill.
Acknowledgements
“Clinton Mill”, by ConnecticutMills.org
Bob Dees
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then entering “Clinton Mill” in the SEARCH box.