Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-01
From The Proridenee Journal Of June 23, 1e47
Industrial Pursuits in Providence.
To the Editor Of The Journal .

Industrial Pursuits in Providence.
To the Editor Of the Journal;
Few Of our citizens even are informed of the
extent TO which the various mechanic and
manufacturing arts are prosecuted among our
selves. They are aware that our population
is RAPIDLY uugmenting; that the value of real
property is constantly increasing; that build
ings for the accommodation Of the merchant
and the trader, elegant mansions for the aiiu-
ent, and comfortable residences for the indus
trious classes, are every where seen in the
progress of erection but the well-spring of
all this prosperity is hidden from them il is
comparatively so recent that steam power has
been applied to almost every branch of indus
try, Notwithstanding so much is said and writ
ten about the influence of this tremendous
agent, Joined to n watchful saghcity and a new
.r-tiring effort, that Providence is indebted for
her prosperity. The great changes wrought
have been effected within the last twenty
years. About that time past, our population
was II, 900 now il is not far from 10000
then, about S20,0O0 was raised by taxes this
year the sum will amount to Sl23,000-our
bank capital was then about one million and n
half; now It is nearly eight mllions-then,
$1,000 were expended for the public instruc-
ton Of 500 children; during the last year, ac
cording TO the Mayors address, the average
number taught in our public schools was 5227,
at expense to the city Of $23,2SS; land
which was then seldom bought in less guam
tity than acres, now brings handsome prices
when divided into small house lots And il
the same pregress in population, business, and
wealth shall be made for the coming twenty
years, those who are now purchasing, at even
ing auctions, building lots in "Potter's Woods, "
instead of being laughed at for their folly, will
l.. A.. 10 .,,,ta antg 1nS
Iremunerative than those of the sagacious gen.
tleman who were interested in the celebrated
" Field Purchase"
A gentleman Of this city, who is passionate
ly devoted to statistics as a science, and who
has himself long been at the head Of one of the
most succe .sfully managed manufacturing es-
tablshments in the State, has collected, for
his own qualification, the following details,
which he has obligingly permitted me to copy,
the publication Of which, | doubt not, will
crafty very many Of your readers
There are in the city four bleaching and cal
enderng establishments, bleaching - tons Of
cotton cloth per day, including printing cloths,
employing nearly 500 hands.
There are printed every week $4,000 pieces
of cloth, or 300, 900 yards, employing 500 hands
81, 900 yards Of cloth per week, employing 73O
hands.
Two wooden mills manufacture 375, 900 yards
satnets and jeans, consuming 126,000 pounds
of wool annually-employ $50 hands
Two screw factories for cutting wood screws,
so called, from one-eighth to four inches long,
one.eighth to three-eights of an inch in dame
ter manufacture annually 700 tons Of iron
employ 475 hands.
Fourteen furnaces, consuming 5000 tons pig
iron for machinery, &c, and turn out 1000
parlor, cooking, and counting-room stoves, and
$50 ploughs-employ from $50 to 275 hands.
Three steam engine establishments, for
building steam engines-employ 2fO hands
One rolling mill employs 274 hands, makes
30 tons railroad iron and three tons Of wire
per day from pigs and blooms.
One edge tool, nut, and washer factory,
manufactures annually 81, 200 dozen plane
irons, 100 tons hinges, 300 tons bolts, 200 tons
nuts, 100 tons pickaxes and other forges-em-
play % hands,
Three India rubber shoe factories make an
nualy from 100000 to 100000 pair of shoes
employ 900 hands.
One factory for manufacturing shoe-ties,
corset -Iacngs, and braid-employs 81 hands,
and consumes 1900 pounds Of cotton per week
| Four planing machines plane 10000, 900 feet
of lumber annually; make $4,000 boxes for
goods; candles, and soap, and 100000 sash
lights-employ 400 hands.
Eight engraving shops for engraving copper
rolls for printing cloths-employ 80 hands.
! Three butt hinge factories employ 80 hands,
and manufacture 100000 dozen hinges annu-
| ally.
| There are in the city brass foundries and
IL tin and sheet iron shops
From $4,000 to 10000 we AYERS reeds are
manufactured from steel wire.
1900 men are employed in making cotton
and wooden machinery.
500 house carpenters and $50 stone and brick
masons here find employment
There are in operation 65 steam engines.
There is paid annually for labor alone in the
manufacture of jewelry, rising 100000
There were erected during the year 1916,
SIS buildings, 333 of which were dwelling
houses.
Among the importations into this city dur
ing the year 1916, were
-, 800, ,6j0 feet lumber.
725,7S bushels Of corn.
SLIGO bales cotton.
70,354 tons anthracite q btuminous coal
700 tons bar IRON
$4,000 tons pig iron and blooms.
l30 tons east and German steel.
95,G67 bushels oats.
D-O buchale rve