The Powhatan Woolen Manufacturing Company manufactured jeans, tweeds, cassimeres, flannels, blankets and shawls in Powhatan in the late 1800s. Goods were shipped by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway or by steamer Milt Harry.
In 1876, the mill was endorsed by local Methodist-Episcopal minister Z.T. Bennett. 1 In 1876, the mill was also operating a grist, saw and planing mill.1aa
In 1877, William F. Cozort was the agent for the mill in Batesville.1a
In 1878 and 1877, the mill's proprietor was reported as Mr. A.W. Williams.2, 2a
In 1878, George Dickman is listed as the mill's agent in Little Rock. This ad also makes it appear that the Powhatan Manufacturing Company and the Powhatan Woolen Manufacturing Company are the same entity. 2b
In 1881, Mark A.R. Wycough was operating as the mill's agent in Batesville.3
In 1883, the company was operated by S.W. Redding, who succeeded Williams in 1880. It is a one-set mill with a picker which cleans from 1500-2000 pounds of wool per day. It produced 150-200 pounds of yarn per day. They sold jeans at 55-75 cents per yard, flannels 35-55 cents per yard, lindsay 35, cassimere 75 cents to 1.50. In connection to the woolen mill is a cotton gin and a flouring mill. Mr. C.C. Elder is the bookkeeper and Charles Andrews is superintendent. 4
Sources:
Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Mon, Dec 16, 1878 · Page 3
1. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas) · 18 Apr 1876, Tue · Page 2 Bennett endorses Powhatan Mill.pdf
1aa. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas) · 3 May 1876, Wed Powhatan agricultural and manufacturing interests.pdf
1a. Batesville Guard (Batesville, Arkansas, United States of America) · 12 Jul 1877, Thu · Page 3 Cozort traveling for mill.pdf
2. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas) · 23 Aug 1878, Fri · Page 4 a review of Lawrence County.pdf
2a. Batesville Guard (Batesville, Arkansas) · Thu, Oct 11, 1877 · Page 3 trip to Powhatan.pdf
2b. Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Tue, Dec 3, 1878 · Page 1 Powhatan Woolen Manufacturing Company 3.pdf
3. Batesville Guard (Batesville, Arkansas, United States of America) · 21 Dec 1881, Powhatan Mills agent.pdf
4. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Wed, Oct 3, 1883 · Page 2 powhatan features.pdf
