Luke Taft facts for kids

Luke Taft (born June 3, 1783 – died April 7, 1863) was a very important person in the history of making wool clothes in the 1800s. He helped start the textile industry in New England. He built some of the first water-powered mills in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.

Luke Taft's Family Life

Luke Taft was part of the well-known Taft family in America. His family had lived in the area since the late 1600s. Luke was one of nine children born to Esther and James Taft in Uxbridge.

He married Mercy Day, who was the daughter of another important mill owner, Daniel Day. Later, he also married Nancy Wood. Luke had five children. His son, Moses Taft, was born in 1812 and later followed in his father's footsteps. His other children were James, Joseph, Robert, and Irene.

Wakentuck Mill Storage Building, next to where Luke Taft built his first water-powered mill in 1825 in Uxbridge.

Building Textile Mills

Luke Taft became a pioneer in American industry. He built two early textile mills that used water power.

First Mill on the West River

In 1824, Luke Taft built a dam and his first textile mill on the West River (Massachusetts). This was the third woolen mill in Uxbridge. At that time, Uxbridge was becoming a very important industrial center in the United States.

Luke Taft's father-in-law, Daniel Day, had built the very first woolen mill in the Blackstone Valley around 1810. Luke's first mill was located near where the historic Waucantuck Mill Complex stands today.

Second Mill on the Blackstone River

Luke Taft built a second textile mill in 1833. This mill was located on the Blackstone River, where the Stanley Woolen Mill is now. This mill was also known as the "Luke Taft Mill."

Years later, in 1852, Luke's son, Moses Taft, built an even bigger mill at this same location.

A Long Family Business

The mills started by Luke Taft and Daniel Day became part of the longest-running family-owned textile businesses in the Northeastern US. Daniel Day was also connected to the Taft family because his mother was a Taft.

This family business continued for many years. Today, the Wheelock family, who are related to the Tafts and Days, still own a company called Berroco Inc. It is a yarn distribution company. Until 2010, it was located at the site of Daniel Day's original mill.

Uxbridge's Industrial History

Uxbridge is in the heart of the Blackstone Valley. This area played a huge role in the earliest industrial growth of the United States. Luke Taft was a key part of this history.

The Waucantuck mill, which was near Luke's first mill, later became famous for making the first "wash and wear" fabric in the U.S. The historic mill town of Uxbridge was known for many new ideas in the textile industry in America. These included new power looms for wool, making clothes from start to finish in one place, and creating new types of fabrics like "satinet".

See also

• The Tafts of Mendon and Uxbridge
• List of Registered Historic Places in Uxbridge, Massachusetts