James Tatterson and the Birth of Bridgehampton’s Cotton and Wool Industry (1805)

 James Tatterson and the Birth of Bridgehampton’s Cotton and Wool Industry (1805)

In 1805, James Tatterson helped usher in a new era of industry in Bridgehampton, Long Island, when he established a cotton and wool manufacturing operation. This early American factory represented a significant technological and economic milestone, especially for a largely agrarian East End community.

An Innovative Industry for Its Time

During the early 1800s, textile manufacturing was still in its infancy in the United States. Tatterson’s work came just a few years after Samuel Slater (pictured) introduced the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in Rhode Island in 1790. Tatterson’s operation, though smaller in scale, followed the same revolutionary path: harnessing water power to spin, card, and process raw fibers into finished materials.

Tatterson secured a U.S. patent on December 7, 1805 for a "Machine for Preparing and Hackling Tow", indicating a mechanical advancement in refining flax or hemp fibers for textile use. This kind of machinery played a crucial role in replacing tedious hand labor with faster, standardized mechanical processing.

Business Partners: John White and Jesse Hedges

Tatterson wasn’t alone in this endeavor. He worked alongside John White and Jesse Hedges, who were also involved in paper manufacturing. While details about White remain scarce, Jesse Hedges appears to have operated a store in Bridgehampton, likely located near or adjacent to the industrial activity around Mill Creek. This creek was not only the site of their manufacturing but also the site of one of Long Island’s earliest water-powered mills.

The Water Mill: From Howell to Industrial Hub

The mill that powered Tatterson’s factory had a long history. It originated with Edward Howell, one of the founding settlers of Southampton in the 1640s. The Town of Southampton granted Howell 40 acres along Mill Creek, and by 1644, a gristmill was likely in full operation. In 1726, permission was granted to move the mill further south along the pond to its current location. A dam and roadway were constructed, laying the groundwork for later industrial use.

By the early 1800s, this historic mill had transitioned from a purely agricultural function to a more industrial role. The consistent water power made it an ideal site for running Tatterson’s hackling machinery and likely supported the paper manufacturing activities of Hedges and White as well.

The Legacy

Though small in size by modern standards, Tatterson’s cotton and wool factory marked an important moment in Long Island’s transition from subsistence agriculture to mechanized industry. It also foreshadowed the larger industrial expansion that would soon sweep across the United States.

Very little remains today of the original buildings, but the legacy of innovation endures through local history and the enduring landmarks of Bridgehampton and Water Mill.