Thomas Edes, Sr. settled in Otisfield, Me., after service in the Revolutionary War. His sons, Thomas Edes, Jr. Emery Edes, and Wilkinson Edes, along with Emery's son, Robert Edes, engaged in a series of commercial activities along the Crooked River in the towns of Edes Falls, Naples, and Otisfield, Me. Most of the material relates to a general store operated by Emery Edes with Edwin O. Lovering of Salem, N.H. The remainder of these records relate to gristmills, sawmills, clothing manufacturing, lumbering, and other enterprises, some undertaken alone and others in partnership with other family members.
Thomas Edes, Jr., often referred to as Col. Edes, purchased the mill privilege of Oliver Pierce on 14 Dec. 1827. He built mills on the east side of the Crooked River and operated an extensive lumbering business. His youngest brother, Wilkinson Edes, later owned these mills and built additional mills on the west bank of the river. Wilkinson and Emery Edes jointly conducted lumbering operations and purchased the gristmill and half the sawmill of the Pugleyville Mills. Robert Edes, Emery's son, later repurchased and consolidated the family's mill holdings in 1874, operating them until his death. In 1862, he began to manufacture men's clothing, eventualy employing up to 150 persons, mostly women, from the surrounding area. This operation became known as the Edes Falls Pant Shop. Robert Edes also built a general store and a dance hall. He served as Postmaster, Selectman, and Town Clerk.
From the description of Accounts and daybooks, 1833-1888. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 725437275
