Starch Mill
New Ipswich Historical Society
Potato starch was used in several processes of cotton textile production. This photo from the New Ipswich Historical Society only had the caption
“Starch Mill”. There was no indication where it was located or who owned it. Starch mills required water so we can assume it was located near the river. The town history makes mention of Starch Factory Brook which might offer some clue to the location.
Treating the warp threads of cotton with starch made them smooth and strong. The process is called sizing. These are the static threads in the loom. The loom weaves the weft threads between them and the starch facilitates the process.
On this day - March 11, 1908
James Roger diary entry
11th March 1908 (Wednesday)
Went per afternoon train to Ayer, left there per 8 o’clock train for Chapinville via Worcester, Springfield and Hartford Junction reaching there at 4:50 pm. Went to Lakeville and Salisbury on Friday and to Millerton on Monday. Left there for Chapinville for Canaan on Thursday. Left Canaan on Friday morning for home via Hartford. Willimantic, Putnam – Worcester and Ayer reaching home at 9:30 pm
Comment posted on Facebook: "The Starch Mill was on Thayer Road near the Furnace Brook Bridge. It was on the upstream side of the road, and on the downstream side there was the cigar box factory. I've never seen a picture of the cigar box factory."