"We left Newbury, and went into Byfield parish to see the Manufactory. We were introduced by Mr. Perkins to the Apartments. We first reached the house in which this ingenious Mechanic lives, on our left. We then came to the new building intended for the grist and bolting mill, and passing the house for the workmen we reached the large manufactory, which stands on a stream emptying into Parker's river, which is above a mile from the Academy. Below we saw the house for dying their woolens on the left, and on the right we saw the house for sheering, and beyond the Great Manufactory was a blacksmith's Shop. The Manufactory is large, of three upright stories, besides a loft. On the lower floor there is a partition. The bands pass over a Cylinder moved by the water works, and communicate with the Nail machines, and pass also through the floor and move the Carding Machines above. In the nail manufactory we first came to the machine for cutting the plates, which did the work very expeditiously. There were four machines for the brads, and then a hammer for heading of the nails . The whole was done in a masterly manner. The second loft was occupied by the Carding Machines and Jennies, and the Third by the Weavers on one side and the spinners on the other. On the upper loft and on the side of the partition below, were deposits for their wool, and yarn. In the Shearing House we saw many specimens of their Woolen Cloths, which appeared to be good. They weave 7 1/4 wide and they use altogether the Spring shuttles. In shearing they prefer the shears moved by the right hand onward, and commanded by a spring moved by the left, the one blade rests, and the other cuts at a considerable angle."

Adapted from: Dow, George Francis (1921). Two Centuries of Travel in Essex County Massachusetts: A Collection of Narratives and Observations Made by Travelers 1605- 1799. The Perkins Press, Topsfield.