Moses Taft
Encyclopedia
Moses Taft 2nd was born at Uxbridge, Massachusetts
. He was significant as an early American Industrialist and financier in the historic Blackstone Valley, and a member of the famous Taft family
.
and Nancy Wood Taft. Here is a segment from rootsweb and the Taft family that details his family of birth. Moses married Sylvia Ann Wheelock daughter of Jerry Wheelock and Sukey Day, on the 27 of April, 1834 at Uxbridge. He latter married Emeline Newell Taft (Wing) who was the daughter of Timothy Taft and Polly Marsh, on the 12th of January in 1858 at Uxbridge.
. Moses Taft's father, Luke Taft
, was an early woolen
mill pioneer
in Uxbridge, Massachusetts
. The Blackstone River Valley is the earliest industrialized region in the United States. Moses Taft was born in Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts
, January 16, 1812. He attended local district schools, the Uxbridge Academy
, and the Friends school in Bolton
, taught by Thomas Fry. His training path prepared him for the manufacture of “satinets”. He consistently pursued manufacturing, both independently, and with Samuel W. Scott, in Burrillville, Rhode Island
. Next he worked with James W. Day, as Taft, Day & Company, and later after Mr. Day left, the firm became known as Taft & Capron. His other manufacturing interests were in Caryville, Northborough, and Southborough, Massachusetts
and at Proctor, Vermont
. Mr. Taft was president of the Blackstone bank, and the Uxbridge Savings Bank. Taft represented Uxbridge in the Massachusetts state legislature in 1847, and was frequently called to serve on the Board of Selectmen
. He was a member and officer of the First Congregational Society of Uxbridge, and of the Uxbridge Lodge of International Order of Odd-fellows. He was widely known as a successful manufacturer and financier, and was closely allied to the prosperity of this town."
, America's first industrialized region. Moses Taft built a woolen mill on the Blackstone River
at Uxbridge, circa 1852. The mill ran 24/7 during the American Civil War
. Union Blue Uniforms were made at Moses Taft's Mill in historic Uxbridge. Moses Taft was a descendent of the famous Taft family
in America
which had its roots in Uxbridge. By the mid 1850's the mills of Uxbridge were producing 2.5 million yards (2 million square meters) of cloth yearly. Some of the earliest improvements of textiles, and their industrial processes occurred in the Uxbridge Mills including the Moses Taft mill, also known as the Calumet Mill. In later years after 1910, this historic mill became known as Wheelock Mill or Stanley Woolen, and then became part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
, and was also used in the production of several movies including Oliver's Story
, and The Great Gatsby
.
, Worcester County, Massachusetts
at the age of 82. The Moses Taft Mill is now also known as the "Central Woolen Mills District
" and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
. He was significant as an early American Industrialist and financier in the historic Blackstone Valley, and a member of the famous Taft family
Taft family
The Taft family of the United States hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, with historic origins in Massachusetts; its members have served Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Utah, and the United States in various positions, such as Governor of Ohio, Governor of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator , U.S...
.
Birth parents and family
Moses Taft was the second child to Luke TaftLuke Taft
Luke Taft was an industrial pioneer in the manufacture of woolens in 19th century New England.-Family:...
and Nancy Wood Taft. Here is a segment from rootsweb and the Taft family that details his family of birth. Moses married Sylvia Ann Wheelock daughter of Jerry Wheelock and Sukey Day, on the 27 of April, 1834 at Uxbridge. He latter married Emeline Newell Taft (Wing) who was the daughter of Timothy Taft and Polly Marsh, on the 12th of January in 1858 at Uxbridge.
Early life and career
Moses Taft, 2nd, was a 19th century figure from Uxbridge, MassachusettsUxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
. Moses Taft's father, Luke Taft
Luke Taft
Luke Taft was an industrial pioneer in the manufacture of woolens in 19th century New England.-Family:...
, was an early woolen
Woolen
Woolen or woollen is a type of yarn made from carded wool. Woolen yarn is soft, light, stretchy, and full of air. It is thus a good insulator, and makes a good knitting yarn...
mill pioneer
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
in Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
. The Blackstone River Valley is the earliest industrialized region in the United States. Moses Taft was born in Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
, January 16, 1812. He attended local district schools, the Uxbridge Academy
Uxbridge Academy
The Uxbridge Academy was part of what now is known as the "Uxbridge Common District" in downtown Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic buildings including some on the national historic register in this district include the Uxbridge Free...
, and the Friends school in Bolton
Bolton, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,148 people, 1,424 households, and 1,201 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,476 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.76% White, 0.19% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.30%...
, taught by Thomas Fry. His training path prepared him for the manufacture of “satinets”. He consistently pursued manufacturing, both independently, and with Samuel W. Scott, in Burrillville, Rhode Island
Burrillville, Rhode Island
Burrillville is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. It was incorporated as an independent municipality on November 17, 1806 when the Rhode Island General Assembly authorized the residents of then North Glocester to elect its own officers. The population was 15,955 at the 2010...
. Next he worked with James W. Day, as Taft, Day & Company, and later after Mr. Day left, the firm became known as Taft & Capron. His other manufacturing interests were in Caryville, Northborough, and Southborough, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and at Proctor, Vermont
Proctor, Vermont
-Notable people:* Bernard Joseph Flanagan, bishop* F. Ray Keyser, governor of Vermont* Frank Charles Partridge, senator* Fletcher Dutton Proctor, governor of Vermont* Mortimer Robinson Proctor, governor of Vermont...
. Mr. Taft was president of the Blackstone bank, and the Uxbridge Savings Bank. Taft represented Uxbridge in the Massachusetts state legislature in 1847, and was frequently called to serve on the Board of Selectmen
Board of selectmen
The board of selectmen is commonly the executive arm of the government of New England towns in the United States. The board typically consists of three or five members, with or without staggered terms.-History:...
. He was a member and officer of the First Congregational Society of Uxbridge, and of the Uxbridge Lodge of International Order of Odd-fellows. He was widely known as a successful manufacturer and financier, and was closely allied to the prosperity of this town."
Significance of his local industries
He was an important industrialist in the Blackstone ValleyBlackstone Valley
The Blackstone Valley or Blackstone River Valley is a region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was a major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution...
, America's first industrialized region. Moses Taft built a woolen mill on the Blackstone River
Blackstone River
The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi...
at Uxbridge, circa 1852. The mill ran 24/7 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Union Blue Uniforms were made at Moses Taft's Mill in historic Uxbridge. Moses Taft was a descendent of the famous Taft family
Taft family
The Taft family of the United States hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, with historic origins in Massachusetts; its members have served Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Utah, and the United States in various positions, such as Governor of Ohio, Governor of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator , U.S...
in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which had its roots in Uxbridge. By the mid 1850's the mills of Uxbridge were producing 2.5 million yards (2 million square meters) of cloth yearly. Some of the earliest improvements of textiles, and their industrial processes occurred in the Uxbridge Mills including the Moses Taft mill, also known as the Calumet Mill. In later years after 1910, this historic mill became known as Wheelock Mill or Stanley Woolen, and then became part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Corridor dedicated to the history of the early American Industrial Revolution, including mill towns stretching across 24 cities and towns near the river's course in Worcester County, Massachusetts and...
, and was also used in the production of several movies including Oliver's Story
Oliver's Story
Oliver's Story is the sequel to the novel Love Story by Erich Segal, turned into a movie of the same name in 1978. It was directed by John Korty and starred Ryan O'Neal and Candice Bergen. The original music score was composed by Lee Holdridge and Francis Lai. Unlike the original film, Oliver's...
, and The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a novel by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. First published in1925, it is set on Long Island's North Shore and in New York City from spring to autumn of 1922....
.
Citations from the Blackstone Daily
Uxbridge Walking Tour 146 Mendon is the site of the Stanley Woolen Mill, originally known as the Central Woolen Mill in Calumet Village. It is mostly vacant, yet a portion of the huge wooden buildings house a spacious antique store and is the subject of future visioning sessions by State, federal and local partnerships. In 1852, Moses Taft built the mill and leased it to Israel Southwick and Richard Sayles. During the Civil Way, 24 hour production of indigo blue uniform cloth was ongoing before the mill was sold to Robert and Jacob Taft in 1865. Soon after, they built a dam at Rice City Pond which considerably increased the water power. In 1866, an 80 hp steam engine was installed and production continued to rise dramatically as the mill started producing fancy cassimeres as the name changed to the Calumet Woolen Company. Arthur and Stanley Wheelock bought the mill after 1905 and during WWI, a half million yards of khaki for the US government was produced as well as cloth for the French and Italian governments. This was the longest running family-owned woolen mill in the US until it closed in 1988. See also the link for Wheelocksville.Death and afterwards
Moses Taft 2nd died April 2, 1893 at UxbridgeUxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
, Worcester County, Massachusetts
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
at the age of 82. The Moses Taft Mill is now also known as the "Central Woolen Mills District
Central Woolen Mills District
The Central Woolen Mills District is a historic district in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. On October 7, 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The centerpiece of this historic district is the Stanley Woolen Mill, aka Central Woolen Mill, built by Moses Taft in 1852, and earlier...
" and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.