Part 5

“N.B. Your goods I have just sent by water to be landed at the Ferry”.

Bowers’ letter to Brayton, finally arrived.

“Savannah, Feb. 24, 1821 Mr Israel Brayton Dear Sir

I received the case of bonnets shipt by Capt. Hezekiah Anthony some time since, and since I have received them I have sold 10--of the High Crowns. The low crowned ones will not suit this market. But I think it more than probable I shall be able to get rid of what you have sent. Therefore if you will send me 2 cases more, immediately, I think I can sell them to a pretty good advantage. The ten I have sold will average about $2.75 and if you conclude to send anymore you must have them very nice. Different patterns and some to turn up behind.

Perhaps you will be able to get the proceeds in about three months, as if nothing happens I think you will see a person that way about my size. But if you think you can do any better with the bonnets than to entrust them to my care, it stands you in hand to do it.

If you have any cotton goods on hand that you wish to send on commission, I shall be happy to receive them and do the best I can for you. But if the shirtings will bring 14 cents in Boston, you had better send them there. As Mr. Anthony wrote me sometime since, you observed that your shirting would bring 14 cents in Boston and if so it is more than you will realize if you send them here after deducting the expenses. But I have my doubts whether they are worth 14 cents in Boston, and did at the time I received the letter.

Old Friend, Mr. Brayton, if you will allow me the expression, what shall I say to you about the City of Savannah and the Trade. In the first place, the City is a low sunken Hole and all the cookery is carried on by Black People and they are a dirty and nasty sett to speak plain upon the subject. The victuals very often go against my stomach as I am pretty particular about my victuals you know. I shall come home “thin as a hatchet” as the old saying is. In the next place, Trade is pretty good, if you can get hold of the right end of it, and have a good stand.

In the next place, the expenses--shop rent is $140.00 per year. Taxes is enourmous and to meet the expenses you must do pretty good business or you had better go to David Jones’ Locker. As to Trade, week days and Sundays is all alike. We sell and keep open Sundays as well as week days. Business was never known so dull in this City before. I suppose it is owing to the fire last season and, what was worse than that, the sickness thinned off a great many, but there is a grate deal of building going on at the present and I presume business will be better another season. Mr. Brayton, many has been the tears I have shed since I have been in this city, on acct. of sickness. My nearest neighbor was taken away but a few days since and I assure you it is very sickley and who knows but it will be my turn next. But I hope to see my dear family once more before that solemn day appears. I have got to be quite contented and when I shall return it will be very uncertain. I conduce that I shall save myself this season.

Yours with the utmost esteem. William Bowers.

Please to send word to my wife that I am well and I have wrote to her this day and have sent it to Mr. Anthony and she will receive it soon after you receive this, and send word to my mother and family that I am well and all my friends and likewise I wish to see them soon.”

On the outside of this letter these words appear:

“John Cotton arrived with a load of cows here after I sealed this letter.”

Another letter found in the barrel might be inserted here. It is rather more businesslike.

“Darien (Georgia) March 19th, 1821. Mr Israel Brayton

Sir, I must confess I have been negligent in not writing you but for the most part have been very much confined in business. Your notes were due before this. I have sent word to William Bowers in Savannah to make arrangements with you for me to pay him in Savannah what I am owing you.--

We have made a small shipment of rice and sundries, and expect to ship a lot of cotton in a few weeks. No doubt but you have heard of my entering business with my brother since I arrived here, which I did not expect when I left home.

You will be so good as to write me an answer by return mail. You will direct your letter to Allen Smith, Postmaster, Darien, Georgia. As he has been appointed postmaster of this city.

Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Your factory goods sold well--but bonnets.--In haste I remain your friend etc.

Daniel Smith”

Captain Pierce, whose letter to Israel has just been quoted, wrote to Wheaton Luther from Charleston on April 18, 1821.

“It is with pleasure that this day I have an opportunity of reading a letter from your honour.--it is very healthy here but times is bad--and dull--I am now aloading with cotton and a little rice and shall have a deck load of yankeys and if nothing happens I shall sail for New York the 25th of this month and then I will come on and see what you are about--our lumber is all sold, all our yankey friends are well; give my respects to my parents and all my girls and tell them I am coming.

David Pierce”

David was apparently not interested in straw bonnets. But his sister made them for Israel.

In 1828, Israel received a letter written in Troy, (Fall River), by John S. Cotton. He is the man who took a deck load of cows to Savannah from Somerset in 1821. He writes:

“I have received some money for a judgment against the man who sold your bonnets--viz--from N. Carolina. N.B. This is all the money I have yet received from N. Carolina.”

The bonnet story, complicated and peculiar, goes on and on.

How long Nehemiah Jones traded in Straw Braid, how long the farm women made bonnets, I do not know. The Bonnet trade continued to be a minor but specific part of Israel’s trading, as long as he did any trading at all.

When a child, back in the nineteenth century, I remember there was a milliner in Somerset who sold bonnets made of braided straw of a natural straw color. I went with my mother when she bought one--trimmed with the most lovely deep brown velvet ribbon--spotted with white.

I have it still. It ties under the chin.

TRADING WITH THE ORIENT

One day William Bowers decided to take the goods of Brayton and Bowers still farther afield. He did not enjoy travelling. He did not like strange countries. But trade was a little dull at home. He and Israel decided to take the risk and get together a cargo which would neither make nor break them, and might build up their regular business considerably.

The Columbian Sentinel of Jan. 2, 1819, which Israel carried in his store, had printed the following advertisement:

“The subscriber, being about to embark for Canton, China, via Gibralter, where he will reside for a considerable time, offers his services to the public for the transaction of the usual business of the place.”

References were given. But Brayton and Bowers did not need references. They knew all about Philip Ammidon, the subscriber. He was a village boy. And when William Bowers decided to go to Canton, the fact that Ammidon had been living in Canton for some time, may have been of some influence.

I do not know just when Bowers left Somerset for Canton. It was perhaps in 1825; it took a long time to sail from Somerset to Canton. The following letter from Bowers arrived in Scrabbletown:

“Canton. March 25, 1826 Mr I. Brayton My dear Sir.

From the many good wishes which have been manifested toward me as well as my family from you, I feel myself under many obligations to you and can, while in my hours of meditation, think of you and your respectful family, and do feel myself well assured that this short epistle will be cordially received from your well-wisher and fellow-traveller in life; although I have nothing very interesting to communicate at the present moment but presume it will serve to pass a dull moment to peruse it.

I left Lima, Nov. 11, and bent my course to the West and on the 19th of December arrived at the Sandwich Islands where I disposed of some merchandise and, after repacking, set sail on the 25th following, and bent my course towards Manilla, the Capital of all the Spanish Settlements in the East.

When I arrived on the 16th of February was somewhat disappointed in my expectations in getting a cargo. However, loaded my ship, and set sail on the 1st day of March and arrived at this place on the 12th inst. and have been much diverted on looking at the multitude of people and the manner of living, such as if I should undertake to give you description would require a small volume; therefore we will let it suffice in saying they are so thick they are obliged to live upon the water in floating boats or houses ... the most of wearing apparel is cheap, such as crape, silk, satin, nankin, etc. Teas are rather high. Such as suit the American market. But very large quantities will be in the U. States soon after this comes to hand.... When I shall be with you the Lord only knows for I am certain I do not--you may show this to my wife if she behaves pretty well, and be cautious how you trust her with good account at your store, for unless I have better luck than what I have had, I am shure you will get disappointed in having a settlement on my return, or rather, get your money.

Remember me to her, however bad she may appear to be, as well as to your wife and honoured parents, and hope the Good Lord will permit us all to meet again. Tell her to be cautious of those Brawling Characters (he must mean the Gypsies of Hot and Cold Lane) that get adrift in that neighborhood about this time of year or a little before, for I wish I could have them on my passage down the Pacific when the wind blows from the North ... nothing more at present

So I bid you adieu and to bed go and remain Your well wisher and friend W. Bowers.”

In September, 1828, Bowers and Brayton were selling Canton Crape over the counter in Somerset. And China Tea.

TRADING WITH THE BRISTOL COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND THE MOUNT HOPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Brayton and Bowers had branched out still farther in that busy year of 1819. They started to trade with the Bristol Cotton Manufacturing Company. This Company had a small yarn mill in Wellington--the village is now called North Dighton. Most of the stock belonged to James deWolf of Bristol.

In December, 1820, Israel returned a consignment of yarn to the Factory, which had been woven into “stripes” and “plaids”. His weavers were given more of this Bristol yarn in January and this they also wove. And more. But the factory was not doing well. The following letter seems to me interesting.

“Wellington. 12 of 11th month. 1821 Friend Israel Brayton

I was so much ingaged that I could not wright by Stephen that I wish thee to come up here next second day which is the 15th instant, as that is our co-meeting and I want to see thee about the weaving. We are now collecting over 100 lbs a day and if we can dry the yarn we can make out over 30 webs per week and I want them wove as fast as we make them, and I wish thou would not fail to come here next Second Day as early as possible and take a load and have some talk on our factory business as I never nowe what plans Williams and some others have afoot.

Please to attend and oblige thy friend

Nathaniel Wheeler.”

Shortly afterwards: “Please to come up and take a load of pieces the day after tomorrow. Come thyself and I will be at home. I have some important business with Thee. Fail not to attend and oblige

Thy Friend Nathaniel Wheeler.”

The important business about which they were so annoyingly secret was the merger of the Bristol Cotton Manufacturing Company and the newly formed and struggling Mount Hope Manufacturing Company.

The barrel has several weave books of these companies and Israel did a big business with them. Although the following letter would not lead you to think so.

“Wellington. 9 of the 2 Mo. 1821

Friend Israel Brayton

I have this day sent back 2 pieces and have kept several that I ought to of sent back; but I am willing to due all that can be thought is in Reason. I cannot take any more so bad as I have received. In overhauling all the cloth we have received from thee, I find it to come far short for goodness to what we git wove at the Dighton Manufact. Co., and I must now be plain, and shall put some to another and see if we cannot git some better cloth. (The Dighton Manufacturing Company must have started weaving in 1821) I shall be still willing to continue our contract but must have good cloth. I have sent an order on James deWolf for one hundred dollars and I have not much on hand.

In haste thy friend Nath. Wheeler For the Mount Hope Manufacturing Company.”

In the next letter received by Israel, C. R. Vickery turns up as clerk.

“Respected Friend

Israel Brayton. We are very much in want of plaids and we wish thee to get all thou canst and fetch it up to us tomorrow. So we can send it to Boston the day after. Call at E. A. Hathaway’s and get what he has on hand. By doing as above requested thou wilt confer an additional favor on the Mount Hope Manufacturing Company.”

You see, although the weavers wove badly at times, it was as I said earlier, impossible to be too strict. This is one of the few proofs that any factory sent back any. (Though they all complained.) For they all needed all they could get--at once.

The Mount Hope Management did as the other yarn factories did, it wrote little notes to Israel, authorizing credit.

“Mr. Israel Brayton. Sir. Please to let Misses Kingsley have what cloth she wants and send a bill of it and send back the other order and we’ll give you one for the full amount.

B. Anthony” “For the Mount Hope Company.”

Still--this letter came--

“We have not any yarn for webbs now and dont think it is probable that we shall have any very soon.

Yours for Mount Hope Manufacturing Co. per Perry Anthony.”

That did look bad. But hear this one.

“Respected friend, Israel Brayton

We have not any webs for thee today, we shall have some by Fifth Day but not so many as we shall have by Seventh Day, when I think thou canst have a tolerable load.

For Mount Hope Comp. William Marvel 2nd”

There are 264 papers in the barrel showing the costs of this yarn, etc. and there are several weave books. The weavers are the same weavers who wove the yarn for the other yarn mills.

TRADING WITH THE WARWICK COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY

In 1820, the partners added another venture. They made connections with the Warwick Cotton Manufacturing Company. This was a yarn mill, situated of course in Warwick, and equally of course managed by a man named Greene.

The Warwick yarn was handled as the other yarn had been handled. There was a written contract. And lucky for Brayton and Bowers that there was. For in 1821, the partners cut their losses and stopped trading with the Warwick Cotton Mill. They received a letter from the Manager.

“I am somewhat disappointed in your discontinuing the bargain so soon” wrote Mr. Greene to Mr. Brayton. “However, you had the priveledge of quitting when you thought proper.”

An unusually large part of the Warwick yarn went into the homes of the weavers of Troy. This can be seen in the Warwick Yarn Book.

From Pawtucket, in October, 1821, Brayton and Bowers received a letter offering more yarn to weave. The letter was signed by J. H. Gridley. I do not know what Corporation Mr. Gridley represented.

----“Wish you to write by the first mail, as we have written to others who no doubt will do it for us----but we should prefer your having it. We shall have a great deal of yarn to put out for a year--”

I insert this bit of apparent futility that you may see that Israel was “approached” by even more business concerns than he could trade with. He certainly branched out. But not, I think, into Pawtucket. There is nothing more about Mr. Gridley in the barrel.

TRADING WITH THE DIGHTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY

In 1822 the Dighton Manufacturing Company got its first charter. Israel Brayton was one of the stockholders; though it was a long time before he paid for his shares and I am not sure that he ever did. Perhaps the shares were tangled up with his agreement to serve as an outlet for the yarn.

James deWolf was a director, owning 36 shares. Frequently he went up to Wellington from Bristol to attend the directors’ meetings. Twice at least he called on Israel in Scrabbletown, on the way up. He never found Israel at home; at least, he couldn’t find him, and left notes, which got into the barrel. He was not pleased with Israel.

The stockholders’ meetings were at first held in the new home of Nathaniel Wheeler; Kezia’s uncle, you remember. He had sold out his blacksmith’s business and built a fine brick house in Wellington. It is still standing in the village, I am told. In 1827, he wrote as follows to Israel:

“Respected friend “Dighton 5 mo. 21st, 1827” Israel Brayton

I have for a long time calculated to call and make thee a visit, both on friendship and business, but things have turned out such that I have not been to call. I am now finding myself in want of 600 to 1000 barrels of menhaden fish for manure, and I want the principal part of them after haying. Should there be some time dull weather, I can take them any time after the middle of next month.

Now if thou can agree with one or two or more of the fishermen to deliver me the above quantity of good menhayden fish at the Landing where Peleg Gardner has formerly landed for me, and make me fair measure, I will take them, after the middle of next month at any time, and the above quantity, and pay thee cash when all are delivered; and the reason of my taking this course is that I have here-to-some made a bargain for 500 bbls. and perhaps got 150, or in that proportion, and I have thought that you will be more likely to obtain the quantity. I shall expect to pay twenty five cents per bbl., if you cannot git them for less; and I will pay any bill thou may present for thy trouble. Please write me by return of male the prospect. As I shall leave home the day after tomorrow for the State of Main to be absent 2 weeks. If thou cannot inform so soon as a week or ten days, do so that I may know on my return home, and oblige

Nath. Wheeler.”

We do not know too much about this Wellington-Dighton Factory. There are 70 notes in the barrel showing phases of the industry. But I could use more concrete information.

For one thing, the company sold stoves. Could they have been running a Company Store? Mr. Allerton, who bought one, was a clerk in the factory office and he took it to Newport and gave it to his mother-in-law who found it satisfactory. But stoves?

Also, how soon did they start weaving, in this Dighton Manufacturing Company’s Mill? The following letter seems significant.

“Dighton, July 25, 1828. Mr Israel Brayton

Sir. As you offered, when last here, to endeavor to procure us three good weavers by the name of Lewin, and as we are now and probably shall continue to be plagued for help of that description, you will benefit the company very much by engaging them on the best of terms you can--please let me know if you are likely to succeed or not in getting those above mentioned--should you not with them, perhaps you may with others.

very respectfully Your obt. Ser. Wm. M. Allerton”

And that is positively all I am going to tell you about the factories that traded with Israel Brayton and his partners.

THE TRADER GOES BACK TO THE FARM

When Israel Brayton’s father, John the farmer, died in 1829, the life of Israel, the Trader, went on as before. Captain Stephen Brayton, Israel’s brother, returned to the farm and took over. He had been engaged in a few ventures of his own, as we know from letters found in the barrel.

The widow, Israel’s mother, petitioned the court to appoint Israel administrator. In June, 1829, he made an account of his administration. And that was all.

Stephen found in the house of his inheritance his mother; an aunt; a sister, Content, the old maid of the family; (all households had them). These women were absolutely dependent upon him as they had been upon his father, and he thought it right that this should be so.

To him had descended not only the use of the house but the use of all its furnishings. And these furnishings were astonishingly good. It was the age of mahogany and fine cabinet makers. John Brayton, according to the inventory found in the barrel, had owned a mahogany desk, a mahogany card table, a mahogany round table, a pair of mahogany dining tables, 8 mahogany arm chairs, a mahogany light stand, and a chest.

From an earlier age of even better cabinet makers, there was a cherry Pembroke table, a maple table, a high chest of drawers, 8 dining chairs, a tall clock, 7 bedsteads, 8 leatherbottomed chairs, 12 flag bottomed chairs, a pair of ordinary looking glasses, a gilt framed looking glass, a floor carpet--who has better? There was a brass fireset, 8 feather beds and 24 pillows, coffee and tea sets, 12 tablecloths--and of course a “weaver loom” and “2 spinning wheeles”.

On the farm were 2 yoke of oxen, 13 steers, 2 horses, 31 sheep, 21 lambs, 4 swine, and 14 pigs--2 ox carts, 1 horse sleigh and bells, 1 horse wagon and harness, 1 cider mill and press. Under Stephen all remained on the farm, and life went on as before. That some of these articles were bought through Israel’s Scrabbletown Store, we know.

Stephen died suddenly in 1832. According to the custom of the country, Israel, the trader of Scrabbletown, closed down his trading posts, and went back to the Farm of his fathers as his brother Stephen had done. He took over the responsibility of running the farm and the family.

He was still a young man, just turned 40. His eldest child, Mary, was 18. There was Elizabeth and Nancy and John Summerfield, and David, and Israel Perry and William Bowers--all born in Scrabbletown--now moving down to the Homestead Farm by the Taunton River. And there were more children coming--Hezekiah, Sarah, Submit.

It was a young household, ambitious, with a fine house and money to spend. Israel’s mother was an old lady, of course, well content to sit in the chimney corner. But there was Aunt Content, Israel’s sister, Stephen’s widow and his children, and probably some others needing shelter at the moment; Mary Morrison, for instance.

The house was perhaps a little crowded--it must have been. Mary, the oldest of the children, seems to have thought so. She left. We hear of her teaching school in the village of Troy, now called Fall River, as I noted earlier.

Kezia, Israel’s wife, was mistress of the house and of all that was therein. Which included all that she and her husband had brought from Scrabbletown. There was indeed plenty.

Kezia was not, however, a good housekeeper. No, she was not. For in all her housecleaning she never cleaned out the barrel that Israel had brought over from his Scrabbletown store and put up in the attic.

To her negligence, we owe our chance to see at first hand how the traders of Scrabbletown lived in those days now all forgotten.

_Weavers who lived on the East Bank of the Taunton River_ (_on territory now called Fall River_)