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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Textile manufacturer, of Cumberland, R.I. Records, 1889-1926 Size: 1 linear foot Catalog number: MSS 1057 Processed by: Rick Stattler, August 2000 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
Frank Wood (1865-1934) was the son of Manning Wood of Burrillville, R.I. He worked in the carding room at the A.L. Sayles mill as a young man, attended the Philadelphia Textile School, and then worked in several Rhode Island textile mills. In 1898, he founded the Frank Wood Manufacturing Company in the village of Valley Falls, Cumberland, R.I. The company was founded in partnership with Wood's father Manning Wood (1834-1919), with William Hinchliffe (husband of Manning's daughter Grace) joining the firm in 1900. After the death of Manning Wood, he was replaced by his daughter Phebe M. (Wood) Sayles as president. The company produced narrow woven fabrics, and in particular "fancy tapes for trimming children's clothing, night robes, wrappers, etc., all colors in cotton and silk." It remained active on Haven Street in Valley Falls until its failure in 1923.
The Wood Fabric Company was founded by Frank Wood in 1924. The company was also based in Valley Falls, and did commission weaving. It was not a financial success, and closed in 1926.
Frank Wood married Massachusetts native Alice Bullard. They had four children between 1903 and 1911: Wendell, Gertrude, Charles and Alice. Frank and Alice (Bullard) Wood are buried in Barrington, R.I.
Bibliography:
1920 U.S. Census, Rhode Island district 102, page 13.
Cumberland directories
Hall, Joseph D. Jr. Biographical History of the Manufacturers and Business Men of Rhode Island, 175-16. Providence, R.I.: J.D. Hall, 1901.
Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island, III:1431-1432. Chicago: J.H. Beers, 1908.
Rhode Island Cemetery Database
Scope and content:
This collection consists of the complete correspondence file and other records of the Wood Fabric Company, 1924-1926; scattered records including payroll of Frank Wood Manufacturing Company, 1898-1924; and a few personal papers of Frank Wood, 1888-1920. among the most interesting folders is the patent suit regarding collar-making that the Frank Wood Manufacturing Company filed against the much larger Van Heusen Company in 1924. In general, the Wood Fabric Company correspondence files are of most interest in documenting the financial difficulties suffered by a short-lived company during an economic downturn.
Provenance:
These records were donated in 2000 by Charles Wood, son of Frank Wood.
Processing note:
Inventory:
Frank Wood Manufacturing Company
Box 1, folder 1. Correspondence, 1921
Box 1, folder 2. Inventory, 1915
Box 1, folder 3. Pattern cards, undated
Box 1, folder 4. Time books, 1898-1903 and 1903-1904 (lists names of workers)
Box 1, folder 5. Time books, 1904 and 1905 (lists names of workers)
Box 1, folder 6. Trial balance sheet, 1923
Box 1, folder 7. Van Heusen patent case, 1922-1924
Box 1, folder 8. Miscellaneous:
Paid bill, 1914
Accounts receivable summary, 1921-1922
Bills re final auction and dissolution, 1924-1926
Wood Fabric Company
Box 1, folder 9. Correspondence, 1924-1926, A-B
Box 1, folder 10. Correspondence, 1924-1926, C-D
Box 1, folder 11. Correspondence, 1924-1926, Decorative Fabric Co.
Box 2, folder 1. Correspondence, 1924-1926, E-F-G
Box 2, folder 2. Correspondence, 1924-1926, H-I-J-K-L
Box 2, folder 3. Correspondence, 1924-1926, M
Box 2, folder 4. Correspondence, 1924-1926, N-O-P
Box 2, folder 5. Correspondence, 1924-1926, R
Box 2, folder 6. Correspondence, 1924-1926, S-T-U
Box 2, folder 7. Correspondence, 1924-1926, W
Box 2, folder 8. Ledger cards, 1924-1926
Box 2, folder 9. Weave room book, 1925 (lists names of workers)
Frank Wood, personal
Box 2, folder 10. Account and memorandum book, 1888-1892
Box 2, folder 11. Miscellaneous:
Bills paid, 1889-1892 (tuition, taxes, medical)
Pay envelopes from F.L. Sayles & Co., April and May, 1890
Genealogical letter from T. Wood of New Orleans, 1915
Account with estate of Manning Wood, 1919-1920
Purchase contract for piano from M. Steinert & Sons, 1920
Subjects:
Business failures - Rhode Island - Cumberland
Frank Wood Manufacturing Company
Patent suits - Rhode Island - Cumberland
Textile industry - Rhode Island - Cumberland
Van Heusen Company
Weaving - Rhode Island - Cumberland
Wood Fabric Company
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RIHS1822