The French River Textile Company was incorporated first in Rhode Island in 1897 by Frank A. Sayles, Alfred M. Coats, John Simson, and James B. Kirkaldy. Although the mill itself was located in Mechanicville, the business seat was in the Slater Trust Company in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. A charter of incorporation was granted in September, 1916, by the State of Connecticut to Charles O. Read, Andrew E. Jencks, and Edward E. Dodge, all officers of the company in Rhode Island. Frank A. Sayles was the principal shareholder and was president of the company until his death in 1920.
Like most large textile companies, French River maintained a sales office in New York City. The company also owned and operated the French River Inn and the Sayles Farm, both of which were also located in Mechanicsville and were run as adjuncts of the mill. The mill was sold in 1920, with other properties, to meet state and federal tax liabilities arising on the death of F.A. Sayles. The inn and the farm were sold, along with some inventory goods, in April 1923, to the Beachmont Worsted Company of Guerin Mills, Inc., of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Remaining assets after the sales were assigned to the TARSCO Corporation of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
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Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Rhode Island Historical Society.
French River Textile Company records, MSS 6 SG 12, Rhode Island Historical Society.
The records in this sub-group reflect manufacturing costs, sales, and finances of a Rhode Island and Connecticut firm manufacturing worsted cloth, silk cloth, cotton cloth, remnants and waste. The mill also sold water-generated electric power to the Putnam Light & Power Company, serving communities in northeast Connecticut.
The records are arranged in one series.
This collection was a gift from the Sayles Finishing Plants on 25 December 1971.