Dublin Core
Title
Description
In 1793, the Old Slater Mill was constructed. The site of the mill and the water power rights had been purchased in 1791 by Moses Brown and Oziel Wilkinson for "350 Spanish milled dollars". It was bought from Cynthia Jenks as executrix of the will of Jonathan Jenks.
The Old Mill had two and half stories. It was a 44 x 30 foot building with walls, floors, and roof constructed wholly of wood. There were vast forests to clear, which made timber plentiful, so wood became the common material despite the great danger of fire. In response to the fire hazard, Slater, Almy and Brown built a fire trap. Rigid rules to prevent fires were one of Slaters more important operating procedures. Despite these precautions the Old Slater Mill did experience one fire on October 9, 1811. It caused severe damage to the roof and the mill was later rebuilt. The Old Slater Mill has been often enlarged and rebuilt during the one and a half centuries that have ensued since it was first constructed.