Times And Trials Of Anne Hutchinson




Witches, Rakes and Rogues




Women and Reform in a New England Community

History of North Adams.



a few moments before. He replied that they might find her if they could. They searched the house from collar to attic, then the woodshed, and lastly the mill very thoroughly. Though they looked at the water wheel, they were in such a hurry or in so tipsy a condition that they did not discover the woman. They departed, blustering and blaspheming furiously, to imbibe at the Black tavern something that would give them “Dutch courage.” Still entertaining suspicions of Captain Colgrove, this ungodly squad again visited his house and attempted to bully him into a confession, threatening to search his house a second time. They were boldly met and refused, the Captain telling them that one search was sufficient, and if they entered his premises again it would be across his dead body. They looked at his stalwart form, quailed at his flashing eye and ingloriously backed out. In the meantime the hunted fugitive had been taken from the water wheel and secreted in the tool room up stairs. Another search being expected, Captain Ray, in order to ward off the suspicion which might arise by the mill being stopped so long, removed the hopper and busied himself sharpening up the millstones. The miserable slave hunting scamps were scared out of a second search, and after dark the poor fugitive was conveyed to the house of John Waterman (also a warm friend of the unfortunate), a short distance South of the village where she lived about three years. The savage wounds on her lip never completely healed, but were speaking testimonials against the heathenish system from which she fled.

Captain Colgrove died in this village August 26th, 1837, aged 79 years. His estimable wife survived him about fourteen years. Her maiden name was Waterman, and she was an aunt of William Waterman of Williamstown. Her marriage took place in 1782, and for the last few years of her life she enjoyed a pension from the Federal government for the Revolutionary services of her husband.


GILES TINKER.

It is not too much to claim that our village and its present interests are heavily indebted to the energy, skill, industry and indomitable perseverence of such men as Giles Tinker, Artemas Crittenden, Rufus Wells, Thomas Higgenbottom, Caleb B. Turner, Stephen B. Brown and Duty S. Tyler, as well as others previously mentioned.

Giles Tinker was a mechanic, and one of uncommon ingenuity and power of mind considering the times in which he lived and the circumstances under which he commenced and carried on business.

He was born in Lyme, Conn., and in 1802, at the age of 21, he came, to reside in this small village of twenty-five houses.

Mr. Tinker commenced the manufacture of wool carding machines with no previous experience. The first one he constructed in some portion of the premises of David Estes, on Riverstreet. That indispensable mechanic, Joseph Darby, performed, the iron work. All portions of the machine which could be so constructed were made of wood.

Mr. Tinker and Captain E. Richmond formed a copartnership in 1804 for the manufacture of carding machines occupying a building on the west side of Bank street, near the corner of Main. Afterwards each worked on his own account In the same shop.

In 1805 Mr. Tinker married the daughter of Richard Knight, a wealthy farmer, who owned and occupied the Daniel Wells place in Braytonville.

In 1809 he purchased the house and lot, embracing some two acres or more fronting on Alain street from Bank to J. H. Adams’ block. The price paid was $2000.

In 1811, when the spirit of enterprise in the cotton manufacture had begun to spread from Rhode Island, its first seat in this country, a company was formed by the citizens of this and adjoining towns for the erection of the “old brick factory.” Mr. Tinker and Captain E. Richmond were shareholders, and a contract was made with them to construct the necessary machinery. The contract embraced all the improvements extant for cotton machinery — the spinning frames and mules, but not the picker or power loom, which were then unknown. The usual terms were to build at so much per spindle, including preparation. The job was taken by Tinker & Richmond at $16 per spindle, amounting to about $7000, and affording a net profit to the contractors of about $2000.

In 1822 Estes & Crittenden, who were engaged in manufacturing satinets in the old mill on River street, paid 10 cents per yard for the hand weaving of satinets. About this time Mr. Tinker, being desirous of testing the power loom, made arrangements to try the operation of one in this mill. He went to North Providence, R. I., and procured a power loom all fitted up. This was the first, satinet power loom ever brought into Western Massachusetts.

Soon afterwards he introduced the first cotton power loom for the Eagle factory, which factory in 1813 he, with four other gentlemen, had erected and put in operation.

In 1815 he sold his interest in this mill and engaged in the mercantile business, as silent partner, with W. E. Brayton. This continued till 1822, Mr. Tinker still carrying on his machine shop





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