Wauregan-Quinebaug Company.

The history of the Wauregan Mills, the Quinebaug Company and other related mills is very much tied to the history of the Atwood [see Appendix for genealogical chart; due to software incompatibilities the genealogical information cannot be displayed electronically, please contact the collection curator for a copy of this information] family. In each generation, son followed father in the management of the mills with which the family became connected. In each case, their education included working from the bottom up. Each Atwood worked his way, albeit rapidly, from bobbin boy to management. Their knowledge of the textile industry enabled their mill enterprises to achieve great success marked by an expanding work force and new mill construction.

The family's connection with the Wauregan Mills began with the effort of John Atwood, son of Kimball and Salinda (Colgrove) Atwood. He was born on 16 February 1805 and died 31 July 1865 . He married Julia A. Battey on 9 September 1830, and they had two children. John entered the employ of the Williamsville Mill owned by Caleb Williams, who had constructed the mill in 1827. Samuel and William Foster subsequently purchased this mill. In 1849, John Atwood became a partner. During this time, Atwood was able to produce a better grade of cotton sheeting than other mills. His product was finished by the W.F. & F.C. Sayles Company bleachery in Saylesville, Rhode Island . This exceptional sheeting captured the trade for years.

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