Saunders, Daniel, 1796-1872

Daniel Saunders came to Andover, Mass., in 1817, and worked in the mill of Abiel and Pascal Abbott, ultimately leasing it from them. He returned to Salem, N.H., to start a woolen mill but was again in Andover by 1825. He became interested in the water power potential of the Merrimack River between Lowell and Haverhill and by 1840 had begun to acquire land. Realizing the need for greater financial resources, he approached Samuel Lawrence and other Lowell capitalists, and in 1843 formed the Merrimack Water Power Association to purchase land in the area. This association was the forerunner of the Essex Company. Saunders was one of the original incorporators of that company and acted as land agent for it. He also served as treasurer of the city of Lawrence, Mass. Saunders's son, Daniel Saunders, Jr., is also represented in this collection.

From the description of [Business records]. 1817-1869. (American Textile History Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 49302238