Cocheco Manufacturing Company

Cotton manufacturer, Dover, N.H. Established as Dover Cotton Factory, name changed to Dover Manufacturing Company in 1823. Reorganized in 1827 as Cocheco Manufacturing Company. Purchased by Pacific Mills in 1909.

From the description of Records, 1821-1879 (inclusive). (Harvard Business School). WorldCat record id: 229894515

The Cocheco Manufacturing Company produced printed textiles in Dover, N.H. The company evolved from the Dover Cotton Factory, which was started in 1812. During the 1820s, the company became one of the first to mass produce printed cottons. Throughout the century Cocheco continued expanding its printing operation. In 1909, Cocheco became part of the Pacific Mills of Lawrence, Ma. Printing operations moved to Lawrence, but cotton fabrics were manufactured at the Dover plant until the mill was closed in the 1940s. Cocheco produced both dress and furnishing prints as well as novelty items. Beginning in the 1840s, Lawrence & Co. acted as the selling agent for Cocheco. In 1843, Lawrence assumed agency for Cocheco, including its print works. The firm helped Cocheco overcome financial losses, exerted influence over the mill's product line, and served as quality control inspector. Lawrence provided Cocheco with paper sheets and cardboard folders to which the mill attached fabric samples. These were used by salesmen of Lawrence. Lawrence served in the aforementioned capacity until 1929, when it was liquidated.

From the description of Fabric samples, [ca. 1880-ca. 1890]. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 122598925

Cocheco, a cotton manufacturer in Dover, N.H., was established in 1827 as a successor to the Dover Manufacturing Co.; it was incorporated in 1836. By the 1870's, its print works produced 25,000,000 yards of printed cloth yearly. In 1909 it was acquired by the Pacific Mills and became the Cocheco Division of that company.

These records are mostly related to the tenure of Washington Anderton at the Print Works. He was born in Lancashire, England, in 1854, and had been employed by the Radcliffe Printing Co., Manchester, England, before coming to N.H. He was employed at Cocheco Print Works as expert colorist and superintendent from about 1879 to 1895.

From the description of [Business records]. 1855-1917. (American Textile History Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 48954079