Woolen Mill

Owned by E. R. Gordon

The Woolen Mill was located on the site of the present day (2008) Auburn Hosiery Mill plant. It was owned by E. R. Gordon. The Mill manufactured and marketed woolen blankets. These were reported to be of high quality. During the Civil War the Union Soldiers took many items from the Mill including a large stock of its blankets. Consequently the Mill struggled over the following years and eventually became bankrupt. It was still operating by 1870 as confirmed by the 1870 Census of Auburn Corporation. The following is a list of those who were working in the Mill at the time and who were living within the Corporation.

Name Age Date of Birth Occupation Place of Birth

124 Pontefrost, James 30 1840 Woolen Mill Carder England

125 Smith, William 42 1828 Woolen Mill Manager England

126 Gorman, Peter 16 1854 Woolen Mil Operative Ireland

127 McCracken, Robert 14 1856 Woolen Mill Operative Tennessee

128 Smith, Benjamin 23 1847 Woolen Mill Operative Ky

129 Wood, George 50 1820 Woolen Mill Operative England

130 England, Mary 26 1844 Woolen Mill Weaver Ireland

Thirty seven years after the Civil War had ended a Bill (# S. 3938) was passed in the 1st Session of the 57th Congress. Mr. Blackburn introduced the Bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Claims. On February 17, 1902 the Bill was before the Senate of the United States, referred to as follows:

A BILL

For the relief of the estate of E. R. Gordon, deceased.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby,
authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the
Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated,
to the legal representatives of E. R. Gordon, deceased, late
of Logan County, Kentucky, the sum of eighteen thousand
five hundred dollars, in full compensation for stores and
supplies taken for the use of and used by the Federal forces
during the late civil war.

E. R. Gordon died in November 18, 1873 leaving his wife Mary Ann who died on August 15, 1911. She received the above correspondence through Cyrus Snyder, Attorney-At-Law, 720 17th Street N. W., Washington, D. C.

1870 Census:

William Smith       42    England    Manager in Woolen Mill
Mary                        36    Ohio
Albert                        5     Ind
Marie                        2      Ind

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Eli McFarland    57    Ky    Engineer at Mill (Question is to which mill?)
Louise                   38    Ky
George Ann        18    Ky             m. William Welch Nov 24, 1874
Sarah E.                17    Ky
William                14    Ky
Thomas J.             12    Ky             m. B. A. Pearson Jan 8, 1880
Parnecia                10    Ky
Louise                      5    Ky             m. Lennell B. McMillen Jun 22, 1882
Mollie                       3    Ky
John H.                    1    Ky

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