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.