Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-05-27
FIRST EDITION..
WILMINGTON INDUSTRIES.

UHAWHhts@HG eN9G@tHHES
RoCKFoRD"- q soN's COTTON MANU-
FAcrORT-THE PEooEas OF WEAVING AND FINISH
ING WINDOW sHADEs-A LARGE AND EXPANDING
BUSINESS
Rockford Is village romanticalIy situated on
the West bank Of the Brandywine, a mile above
the present city limit. There was a ford here.
long before the Revolution, and this, with the
rocky banks on either side of the beautiful
stream, gives the place It's name. In the days Of
the old ford, however, there were but few i'm
provements here-a little woollen mill. the house
of the proprietor, and one or two tenant houses
occupied the site, where now stands the exten-
sive cotton goods manufactory Of Joseph Ban
croft q Sons, surrounded by village Of hand-
some cottages, containing population OF three
hundred persons. sHv
THE BANCROFT MILLS.
Joseph Bancroft, the head of the firm, and
now well advanced toward three score and ten,
is the nephew of Jacob Bright, the father of John
Bright, the great English reformer and states
man, and consequently cousin to the latter.
Jacob Bright being manufacturer, Joseph Ban
croft was apprenticed to him, and after gaining
thorough knowledge OF the business, emigrat-
cd to this country, in 1924 Upon arriving here,
then having reached bis majority. he Joined bis
father and brother, who had preceded him the
wear before. and established themselves in man.
ufacturing flannel at the Northwest corner OF
the Market street Bfandywne bridge, in mill
afterwards used by Jessy Urmy, as g machine
shop. and which has since fallen q victim to fire.
Joseph. previous to purchasing Rockford, In
1881, had been for some time Superintendent OF
the large cotton mandatory OF William Young.
where Jessup Il Moore's Rockland paper mills
now stand. Rockford, previous to it's purchase
by Mr.. Banoroft,was owned by tirm called the
'Rockford Manufacturing Company" the same
company at that time owning large area of land
along the west bank of the Brsndywine, includ-
.nl. aAaw taWn
die, Son u Oo.'s large cotton manufactures,
This company dssolving by mutual consent,
division of property took place, and Rockford
fell into the hands of Joseph Bancroft.
The purchase of Rockford by Mr.. d. was
large undertaking for man of limited means,
and probably woHld never have been effeeted,
had he not been pecuniarily assisted by warm
and intimate friend in New CASTLE Hundred, by
the name Of Janvier.
The purchase included In addition to the little
mill, two houses and stable already mentioned,
about rs acres of wild rocky land, which at that
time was considered mere of an incumlsrance
than of any advantage, but which gives to Rock
ford romantic beauty seldom surpassed.
We're Rip Van Minkle of 1881 to suddenly
awake from his 40 odd years of slumber, his
confused dream of Rockford, with its little, clat-
tering mill the ford across the stream, the then
unpretentious mansion house, the little tene-
ment house, and stable, would be entirely lost
in the beautiful panorama Of cluster OF large
manufacturing establishments, the populous
village along the declivties of the hills, and the
two large and beautiful mansions, built of blue
Brandywine granite, which crown the brow of
the hill.
The woodman's axe, which had depleted the
rough and and rocky hills of their native trees,
has been suspended, and again the hill ie COW
cred with growth of oak, chestnut and hicko-
ry, through which q solid carriage way has been
constructed leading to the mansions already
mantioned. The rough rocky clusters which
crop out above the surface are row rather ad-
nred and really add to the numerous attrac-
tions which surround the place. and will before
another half century rolls around, be used for
the erection Of granite mansions as Wilmington
extends its ambitious growth.
THE MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW SHADE oAMBRIos.
Joseph Bancroft still remains at the head of
the firm with his sons Samuel and William in
partnership. With the spirit and energy of
young men, added to their fathers experience,
they are pushing their goods into every section
of the country until far and near the manufac-
turing firm of Joseph Bancroft d Sons is well
and favorably known. The Particular kind of
goods manufactured here though called c0tton
gooda, ia more generally known by the name Of
''windoW shade cambria. 1t is lighter in Its
texture than muslin and undergoes peculiar
finish beforsi it is ready for manufacturing into
window curtains. Although these goods are
manufactured here from the raw material, a
greater part of the works are set apart for I'm
ishinR them ready for market. This finishing
tANNoHo
as they come from the looms, and putting them
through systematic course of frilling, dyeing
aud glazing. Goods are sent here from several
manufacturing firms in the North, East, and
South to receive this finishing process, and in
many instances the firm is compelled to pur-
chase material already woven, to supply the de-
mAnd, which they cannot fill from their own
looms.
To show the extent of the manufacturing ca
paeity OF the Rockford Mills, it may be stated
that tho Bancroft's are now furnishing 1900
Yards of gum cloth month to window shade
manufacturing firm in Pittsburg, and to simi-
lar firm in Philadelphia 5000 yards weekly.
They have also contracted with firm in Orange
county, New York, for the delivery of 25O01O
yards OF the same kind OF goods, of which about
one third has already been shipped. These of
course are only the larger contracts, to say
nothing of the many smaller orders from all
parts OF the country. In the manufacture of
these goods about las to 1S0 hands are en-
ployed, to whom good wages are paid, and adue
regard is exercised for their education and COM
fort.
THE LIBRARY AND READING ROOM.
The Rockford Library and Reading Room afford
facilities for the employees to keep themselves
posted in regard 10 what is transpiring in the
world, and unlike tile operatives OF some manu-
featuring establishments, those of Rockford are
: nlFadu ~ uRt N