The company's origin began with Gen. Benjamin F. Butler who founded U.S. Bunting Co. in Lowell, MA in 1865. After Butler's death in 1893, C. Brooks and George Stevens managed the company. In 1921 C. Brooks bought a yarn mill in Lowell from American Woolen Co. for his son Ames, who renamed it Ames Worsted Co. In 1930, this company acquired Maine Spinning Co., Skowhegan, ME, a worsted yarn mill, and Richmond Worsted Co. in Richmond, ME. Hamilton Woolen Co. in Southbridge, MA was acquired in 1935. In 1928, John P., C. Brooks and Ames Stevens gained controlling interest in the Royal Worsted Mill in Lowell, which produced worsted serges. In 1936, U.S. Bunting became part of Ames Worsted. In 1926 the Lawrence Manufacturing Co. was acquired by C. Brooks Stevens, and in 1955 Ames Worsted and Lawrence Manufacturing merged into Ames Textile Corp. Ames Textile now produces knit fabrics, especially for athletic team uniforms (Gametime Fabrics); woolen, worsted and special fabrics; and synthetic yarns for labels and specialty products.
Additional companies owned by the Stevens family and represented here include Riggs & Lombard, Lowell, MA, manufacturers of textile and other machinery; and Walsh Combing Mill, Lowell, MA, which produced worsted cotton.
From the description of [Business records]. 1894-1964. (American Textile History Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 53145152
