University of Virginia Library

Paper Mills.

My endeavors to obtain an accurate account of the
paper mills in the United States, have not succeeded
agreeably to my wishes, as I am not enabled to procure a
complete list of the mills, and the quantity of paper
manufactured in all the states. I have not received any
particulars that can be relied on from some of the states;
but I believe the following statement will come near the
truth. From the information I have collected it appears
that the mills for manufacturing paper, are in number
about one hundred and eighty-five, viz: in New Hampshire,
7; Massachusetts, 40; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut,
17; Vermont, 9; New York, 12; Delaware, 10;
Maryland, 3; Virginia, 4; South Carolina, 1; Kentucky,
6; Tennessee, 4; Pennsylvania, about 60; in all the
other states and territories, say 18. Total 195, in the year
1810.

At these mills it may be estimated that there are manufactured
annually 50,000 reams of paper which is consumed
in the publication of 22,500,000 newspapers. This kind
of paper is at various prices according to the quality and
size, and will average three dollars per ream; at which,
this quantity will amount to 150,000 dollars. The weight
of the paper will be about 500 tons.

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The paper manufactured, and used, for book printing,
may he calculated at about 70,000 reams per annum, a
considerable part of which is used for spelling, and other
small school books. This paper is also of various qualities
and prices, of which the average may be three dollars and
a half per ream, and at that price it will amount to 245,000
dollars, and may weigh about 630 tons.

Of writing paper, supposing each mill should make 600
reams per annum, it will amount to 111,000 reams; which
at the average price of three dollars per ream, will be
equal, in value to 333,000 dollars, and the weight of it
will be about 650 tons.[23]

Of wrapping paper the quantity made may be computed
at least at 100,000 reams, which will amount to about
83,000 dollars.

Beside the preceding articles, of paper for hangings,
for clothiers, for cards, bonnets, cartridge paper, pasteboards,
&c., a sufficient quantity is made for home consumption.

Most of the mills in Now England have two vats each.
Some in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland,
have three or more—those with two vats can make,
of various descriptions of paper, from 2,000 to 3,000 reams
per annum. A mill with two vats requires a capital of
about 10,000 dollars, and employs twelve or more persons,
consisting of men, boys and girls. Collecting rags, making
paper, &c., may be said to give employment to not less
than 2,500 persons in the United States.