Sutton's Mills Photographs

Sutton's Mills described itself as the oldest continuously running woolen mill in the country until it closed in 1962. The original mill was established in 1802 by James Scholfield. In 1826, the mill was purchased by William Sutton, a wool dealer from Danvers. On his death in 1832 his son Eben Sutton (1803-1864) ran the mill. A second son, William Sutton, (1800-1882) sold his interest in the mill to his brother Eben in 1836 and devoted himself to the family wool business until his death in 1882. In 1864 Eben Sutton died and the mill went to his nephew, William's sons, Eben (1835-1890). This Eben Sutton was at the time a commission agent in New York with the firm Sutton, Smith & Company. Known by his militia rank as General Eben Sutton, he returned to North Andover to run the mill. In 1889 William Sutton, the General's nephew, became a partner in the mill. After General Sutton's death in 1890 the company was incorporated. It was re-incorporated in 1905. William Sutton served as both Treasurer and President of the corporation until his death in 1923. In 1957 the company became a division of Ames Textile Corporation.