Gray's Patapsco Cotton Factory 1815 in operation, 1820 fire

Gray had improved the old paper factory for cotton in 1815, but in five years there was a terrible fire.  200 workers - mostly women and children - were left without a job, so money was raised for their relief.  Previous posts HERE

PATAPSCO COTTON.

FACTORY.

Near Ellicott's Mills,

Is now in complete operation. The excellence of the machinery and improved plan of the works, will enable the proprietors to furnish.

COTTON  YARN,

Of the best quality on as cheap terms as any in

the U. States,

The Warehouse for the sale of Yarn is at

NO 140, M A R K E T ST.

The store formerly occupied by the Union Manufacturing Company.)

Country Merchants, Weavers, and others, dealing in this article, will find it to their interest to avail themselves of the present extensive assortment, to whom the most liberal terms will be given.

E. GRAY & CO.

From the Baltimore Federal Gazette,   4 May, 1815.  in Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register   London: August 26, 1815



Fire, raise money for 200 workers in 1820

The mayor might have added that, at the time of raising the money for Savannah [1820 fire destroyed 463 buildings in that city], we were called upon to relieve about 200 persons, chiefly women and children, thrown destitute upon us by the conflagration of the Patapsco cotton factory, at which they had been employed; and that a handsome sum was raised for their relief.

Niles’ Register  April 1, 1820

©2020 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD