The many falls of the Bellamy River were seen as great resources of water power to run mill machinery. As early as 1650, sawmills and gristmills existed here, and over the next 3 centuries dozens of small industries thrived in these waters. The types of factories included an iron foundry, flannel, cotton, and woolen mills, cloth dressing and carding mills, yarn manufacturing, nail and knife factories, a machinery shop, a brewery, a hosiery factory and a sewing machine manufacturer, a bone grinding mill, a shuttle and axe handle factory, color shops and bleacheries, a railroad box car factory, sash, blind, and door manufacturers, clapboard mills, a shingle, cob, and lathe maker, and a cider mill. During their heyday in the 1840’s, the yarn and cloth manufacturers would pay women workers 50 cents a week plus board for producing 40-60 skeins, or $1.00 for weaving 30-50 yards of fabric at home in a hand loom.
From the 1988 Heritage Walking Tour Booklet
