Company_established_.281897.29 Coleman_Manufacturing_Company

a coleman manufacturing company stock certificate 1899

the mill have between 7,000 , 10,000 spindles, , 100 250 looms. according charter, allowed spin, weave, manufacture, finish, , sell warps, yarns, cloth, prints, or other fabrics made of cotton, wool, or other material .

the mill had 270 horse power corliss engine there , machinery compare favorable in or around boston . coleman said purchase used equipment, described 1 source inefficient second-hand english works. caused production problems.

on february 8, 1898, cornerstone of 80×120 feet, three-story brick building laid masonic honors. several four-room mill houses built april 1900, , rented out @ $3 per month workers of mill.

local black laborers , artisans accepted stock payment work in construction of mill, decided accept cash instead of more stock. many workers quit due inability of coleman raise necessary amount of cash @ time.

the coleman manufacturing company board of directors, circa 1900.


building finished (1901)

the mill building completed in 1901. in july of year, coleman informed investor washington duke mill operating successfully. however, mill began have financial problems, due high price of cotton, creating difficulties manufacturers. in 1902 operations temporarily shut down.

mill closure (1904)

in 1904, company unable remain afloat financially, , affected loss of leadership when coleman died. due these problems, company officers advertised mill sale in july 1904. purchased washington duke of durham $10,000 @ sheriff s sale. duke sold property in 1906 $13,000.