Raritan Water-Power Company. — Soon after the close of the Revolution the progressive men of the State of New Jersey turned their attention to the encouragement of manufactures, and in 1791 a company was incorporated by act of the State Legislature, under the name of "The Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures." The society was organized the next year, and employed practical engineers to make examination of the different rivers of the State for the purpose of selecting the best site for a water-power. After a thorough examination, three localities were reported, — "the Falls of the Passaic, the Raritan River near Somerville, and the Falls of the Delaware." The former was finally decided upon. But the selection of Raritan River at this place as one of the locations naturally attracted the attention of practical men from time to time, and under an act of Legislature approved Feb. 16, 1820, a dam was erected across Raritan River, just west of where the bridge now crosses the river at Raritan village. A flour-mill was built on the north side. These improvements were made by Jacob Van Doren, and afterwards owned by J. V. D. Kelly. It is the millproperty now owned and operated by Col. Read. The dam continued in use until after the canal was built, and was then demolished.

A survey was made about 1836 with a view to constructing a race-way from the Raritan River. The projectors of the enterprise were John I. Gaston, Garrett D. Wall, and James S. Nevins.

Work was commenced by them, and other capitalists became interested in the enterprise. A company was formed and incorporated, Feb. 28, 1840, under the name of "The Somerville Water-Power Company," with Garret D. Wall as president, Luther Loomis treasurer, and Isaac P. Lindsey treasurer. Besides those mentioned, the other gentlemen interested were Samuel P. Lyman, Robert Van Rensselaer, Abraham Buy dam, Rynier Veghte, Thomas A. Hartwell, and William Thompson. The company started with a capital stock of $200,000, with the right to increase to $300,000. Full power was vested in them by the charter to purchase and hold lands and water rights, to erect a dam, make a race-way, and divert the water of the Raritan River from its channel. Land was purchased and a dam constructed across the Raritan a short distance below the confluence of the North and South Branches; this raised the water of the river two and a half feet above its ordinary level, conducting it into the race-way, and thence to the contemplated sites for manufactories. A race-way was made, commencing at the dam and running nearly parallel with the river, 3 miles in length, and secured on each side by & permanent embankment. The tail-race was about a quarter of a mile in length. A reservoir was also built 2 miles below the dam, and another near the termination, covering about 5 acres. The estimated cost was $100,000, but the sum was not sufficient to complete it, and a mortgage for $50,000 was given by the company, which after several years was foreclosed. This action was followed by a lawsuit, which lasted twelve years, and the mortgage was increased to $80,000. In 1863 it was finally sold, and purchased by the stockholders.

"The Raritan Water-Power Company" was organized and incorporated March 24,1863, with the following corporators; Joshua Doughty, John M. Mann, Hezekiah B. Loomis, John M. Martin, Stephen B. Ransom, Edward F. Loomis, and Hugh M. Gaston. The capital stock was $50,000, "with power to purchase all or any part of the real estate now or formerly owned by the Somerville Water-Power Company, including canal, head-gates, water-power, water rights, franchises, and water." The property of the old company was purchased, and new head-gates and a raceway 300 yards in length were constructed. When the company commenced the rebuilding of head-gates and making other improvements an injunction was issued on petition of the landowners, who alleged the company had no right to divert the water from the river, and ignoring the written consent of the prior owners of the land permitting it. The company alleged that they had such consent. An extended litigation ensued, in which some of the ablest counsel of the State were engaged. The right of the company to use all the water of the river was fully established. The company have sold building lots to the amount of $35,000 since their organization. Water from the canal is now used to a limited extent by the different manufacturing establishments on its banks. The present officers are James S. Davenport, President; Edward F. Loomis, Secretary and Treasurer ; Joshua Doughty, James S. Davenport, Edward F. Loomis, Culver Barcalow, Thomas Davenport, and Hugh M. Gaston, Directors.

The Somerville Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1887, but nothing was done. About the time of the completion of the works of the Somerville Water-Power Company, in 1841, the James Screw Company erected a stone building on the bank of the canal for the purpose of manufacturing wooden screws. This building was erected on ground between Kinyon's mill and the New Jersey Enamel Paint-Works. It was taken down years after, and the stones were used in the construction of the present Kinyon mill. The screw company failed after a time, and the building was rented by a paper-mill company, of which Richard D. Covert was the manager and principal owner. Two flour-mills on the banks of the river and canal were also in operation about that time. The building of the canal stimulated manufacturing enterprises, and many were started, but few accomplished anything. The names, date of incorporation, and objects are given below, with such facts as can be obtained.

The Rope and Bagging Company was incorporated March 19, 1845, with a capital of $100,000, for the purpose of manufacturing rope, bagging, and duck.. The incorporators were David Heran, Luther Loomis, Samuel P. Lyman, William Thompson, Thomas A. Hartwell, David Sanderson, and Allen Clarke. A building was erected, 40 by 100 feet, on the bank of the canal, and the company manufactured their goods four or five years and then failed. The building was used in various enterprises at different times, and is now the oldest structure of the Raritan Woolen-Mill Company. April 3d of the same year the Somerset Cotton-Mill Company and the Somerville Woolen Mill Company were incorporated; neither was organized, but the latter kept its charter, and its name was changed on Feb. 25, 1856, to "The American GuttaPercha Company." It occupied the building erected by the Rope and Bagging Company, manufactured a few years, and failed.

Kinyon's Machine-Shop. — About 1842, Joseph D. Moore erected a small foundry and machine-shop, and carried on the business until 1844, when David P. Kinyon settled at Raritan and purchased it. In 1846 he bought the property and erected new buildings. The machine-shop burnt down in 1863, and he purchased the stone building formerly owned by the screw company and with the stone constructed the present edifice. Mill-machinery of all kinds is manufactured. Job C. and David R. Kinyon, eons of David P. Kinyon, assumed charge of the business in 1867.

William S. Opie & Co. — In 1850, Whitenack & Davis erected a wooden building on First Avenue, where the present brick shops now stand. It was used first as a foundry and afterwards as a machineshop, but was sold to Dunham & Staats. Upon the death of the former a company from Phillipsburg bought out his interest. Still later, a company was formed called "The Screw Mower and Reaper Company." It is now owned by six of the original hands who worked in the shop. The present brick buildings were erected about 1870.

The Woods Shingle-Machine Company was incorporated March 27, 1845, and manufactured goods in the basement of the screw company's building. They failed after a few years.

The Angular Home Company and Holgate Braid Company. — Andrew Dietz, of New York City, commenced the manufacture of a Dietz angular hame in the second story of Kenyon's machine-shop. Later, J. V. D. Kelly and N. P. Todd were associated with him. A stock company was soon formed, brick buildings were erected, and a malleable-iron foundry was started near the track of the Central Railroad. Business was conducted three or four years, and then ceased. The building was used by J. V. D. Kelly for bending-works for a time, and was afterwards occupied by the Holgate Braid Company for three or four years. It now belongs to the Central Railroad Company.

New Jersey Enamel Paint-Works. — In 1867 a patent was secured for an article called "Bradley's Enamel Paint." A stock company was organized in Plainfield in 1868 for the manufacture of the paint, and arrangements were made to that end, but in 1870 the business was removed to Raritan. The brick building now in use was purchased, and business was continued by the company until 1878, when Rynear Veghte became the proprietor, and so continues.

The Raritan Woolen-Mills Company was incorporated March 23, 1869, with Lewis, David L., and Henry L. Einstein, Robert Brown, and Adolph Mack as corporators, for the purpose of manufacturing heavy woolen goods and coatings. The ground containing the brick building erected by the Rope and Bagging Company was purchased, other buildings were erected, and business was commenced with 6 sets of cards and 25 looms. The present capacity is 32 sets, 215 looms, and 600 hands are employed. The power is furnished by a 600 horse-power engine. This mill and those of the Somerset Manufacturing Company are under nearly the same management, and together use 13,000 tons of coal annually. The buildings are all of brick.

The Somerset Manufacturing Company was incorporated in December, 1879, for the manufacture of cassimeres. The members of the company are David L. Einstein (president), Manuel Einstein (treasurer), William Einstein (secretary), Adolph Mack, J. Harper Smith, and Felix Lamson. The buildings are located near the Raritan Mills, and were erected in 1880. They consist of the main structure, 80 feet wide, 370 feet in length, and two stories in height, and numerous outbuildings. It is a 19-set mill, running 125 looms, and employs 350 hands. A 200 horsepower engine supplies the machinery.
The Raritan Flouring-Mill was originally built on the south side of the river, a short distance west of the present bridge. After the purchase of the mill property of Mr. Dawes by the Somerville WaterPower Company, this mill was given as part payment to David Stiers. The mill eventually fell into the hands of William Steele and Mr. Frelinghuysen, who were sureties for Mr. Stiers; they sold it to James Coleman, by whom it was moved across the river and enlarged. It passed, at different times, from Joshua Coleman to George Y. Ford & Co., and to Henry Westcott, and is now owned and operated by William N. Adair & Co. It has at present three run of stone, and is situated between the Raritan Woolen-Mills and the New Jersey Enamel Paint-Works.

The Star Mills are situated on the Raritan River and on the canal of the water-power company, from which power is derived. Feb. 16, 1820, Jacob Van Doren was authorized to build a dam across the Raritan River for the purpose of utilizing the water for a grist-mill. He built the mill at the north end of the dam, and put in an undershot-wheel. He afterwards sold to Janney Dawes, who also erected a small mill on the opposite side of the river. Upon the organization of the Somerville Water-Power Company, in 1840, the property was purchased by them and sold to J. V. D. Kelly. A small oil-mill on the east end of the grist-mill was in operation for a few years. The mill property passed to Randolph, Tucker & Co., and since that time has been held by numerous owners. It is now operated by Col. Hugh B. Reed, and has five run of stone.

Bound Brook Woolen-Mills. — In 1878 the present buildings were erected on the banks of the Raritan River by Henry L. Einstein. They are 380 feet in length, two stories in height, with a capacity of 6 sets of cards, 48 looms. Jan. 15, 1880, the Bound Brook Woolen-Mill Company was incorporated, with H. L. Einstein as treasurer, L. Rosenfeld secretary, and H. L. Einstein, L. Rosenfeld, and C. Einstein as directors. The present capacity is 12 sets of cards, 96 looms, with a 400 horse-power engine. Hands employed 300.

Smalley's Anti-Friction Machinery Manufactory. — This factory was erected in 1855 by J. Smalley, who manufactured mowers and reapers for ten or twelve years, when the works were discontinued and were used as a spoke-factory, and afterwards rented for seven or eight years to Williams & Co. as a reductionworks. In 1878, Mr. Smalley commenced the manufactory of anti-friction bearings for machinery. The factory is situated on Main Street, between Church and John. The firm-name is J. Smalley & Co.