Part 5

Inform Mrs. Bowers of my wrighting and tell her I long to get home for I never was so homesick before. But I presume it is all oweing to having such a likely woman for a wife, but at least it would give me grate satisfaction to set in the corner and chat a while with her. I have not enjoyed one single moment since I left home. How is the little boy? I presume he is well and if so, take good care to keep him so.

The manner of living aboard of a vessell is so different from what I have been used to living, it takes my appetite all away. I long to get home to fill up with something that I can relish. Give my respects to all enquiring friends and tell them I am well but want to get home. Hoping that these lines will find Mrs. Bowers well and all enquiring friends; as to the straw business, I think we had better curtail in a small manner and dont take any braid only that which is very nice. I have lost the sale of a grate many on account of poor braid and badly put together. The business must be carried on with care and attention. I shall be home about the first of May if nothing happens. It is very late in the evening therefore I must quit writing.

Yours respectfully William Bowers”

“I have almost forgot about your shad. I found them in New York at a place where they would never be sold and I concluded you would be glad to sell them and have taken them with me but have not sold them yet. Shad is worth almost $2.00. Be so good as to let Mrs. Bowers have this letter. Take good care of the Pig.

W. Bowers”

“What bonnets you have made, must be made to turn up behind, all of them, for the others will not sell. The fashion is now for bonnets to have their turn up behind and round corners in place of square corners where the ribbon comes down to tie under the chin.”

_William Bowers in Savannah_

In the Fall of 1820, when the bonnets had rather piled up on Israel, and there was a good deal of cloth on hand, the partners decided to make another venture. William Bowers took passage on the same sloop “Henry” of Somerset, and sailed down to Savannah, Georgia, where he opened a “stand” or small store and spent the winter trying to sell the bonnets and the shad and the cotton cloth he had brought South. The sloop “Henry” did not intend to return to Somerset before Spring. You could not sail small sloops through the icy waters of the North Atlantic and up the ice bound channel of the Taunton River in mid-winter, not safely. The newspapers of the period are full of accounts of shipwrecks--especially off Block Island. And some of the too adventurous little ships just disappeared. Bowers expected to find other winter bound ships and ship captains from Somerset in harbours along the southern coast. And he did.

Captain David Pierce was in Charleston. He had written to Israel as follows:

“Sir,

I take this opportunity to inform you that I am enjoying good health at present and all the rest of our Yankey friends, and am in hopes that you and your friends are enjoying the same blessing.

Captain Gibbs is here, well and hearty. Give my compliments to my parents and to the proprietors of the Stone Cutters’ Bank and likewise the new bank set up since I left there, by the females. I expect it will go by the name of the Weavers’ Bank. I am in hopes they will be able to hire me seven cents when I return.

Give my compliments to all that take the trouble to enquire after me. Tell Ruth Wilcox that I am afraid her old beau, Anthony Marion, is lost, for he took charge of the schooner “Jane” and came out over Georgetown Bar the first of January, to come out and come in here, the same day; and that night we had a heavy gale of wind and he has not been heard of since.--The weather is very cool and windy. Rains two days out of three. Times is very dull here. Produce very low. I wish you would answer this letter the first opportunity. You must excuse me for writing in this manner for sailors cant write like Merchants.

Yours David Pierce.”

In Fayetteville, Captain Benjamin Gibbs was resting after an illness. His health had nearly returned and he expected to go back to Somerset in the Spring. Captain Joseph Gibbs had died down there. It was thought, however, safe for the rest of the northerners to remain through the winter as no return of the sickness was expected until August or September. Capt. McDonald was intending to stick it out.

Of course Bowers must have written to Brayton as soon as he arrived, but the first the barrel knows of his arrival is through a letter he sent to Hezekiah Anthony. Hezekiah wrote to Israel:

“I have received a letter from William Bowers (in Savannah) who requested me to say to you that if you was going to send him any more brown shirtings he wished you to send them immediately. If they were of good quality and full 3/4 wide he would give you 12 cents a yard or he would sell them on commission for you together with the bonnets if you send some that was new and of good pattern and good quality, he had no doubt but what they will do well.

As there is a vessel to sail in a few days, what you conclude to send, you had better have them here in the course of a week from this time. The shirtings, if you send any, he says you must see that they hold out in length.

Your friend H. Anthony”

“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