Middlebury Manufacturing Company

The Middlebury Manufacturing Company was chartered by the Vermont Legislature in 1835 "for manufacturing cotton and woolen goods". The company purchased a building on the west side of Otter Creek and operated until 1837, when unfavorable market conditions idled it. In 1840 Jason Davenport and Oliver P. Turner leased the building and equipment and resumed manufacturing woolen goods. Turner died in 1847 and the business continued as J. Davenport & Co. until Charles D. Nash become Davenport's partner. Davenport appears to have left the business in 1852, and it continued as Nash & Wheeler until 1854. In that year, Davenport returned in partnership with Valentine V. Clay, continuing until around 1870. Throughout all those years, the Middlebury Manufacturing Company owned the building. After Davenport & Clay left the business, the building was bought by Oliver Serverance, who demolished it. The men who leased and operated the woolen mill owned by the Middlebury Manufacturing Company were all local businessmen involved in a variety of mercantile and manufacturing operations.

From the description of Records of the Middlebury Manufacturing Company, 1837-1862 (bulk 1846-1853). (Sheldon Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 733294584