The
growing 1830s economy of York cultivated an environment of industrial
expansion, particularly along the southern end of Yonge Street. The
Ketchum Tannery [site 7]; Peter Freeland’s Soap and Candle Factory [site 1],
and York’s two manufacturers of Steam Engines were all
contemporary to this period. Together they served as supporting
evidence to the town’s increasing population, the strength of
their market economy and technological maturity.
Frederick
R. Dutcher, an early commercial investor, had moved his foundry from
Dundas Street to York, near the northeast corner of Newgate (now
Adelaide) and Yonge, in February 1828(1).
He partnered himself with a variety of local businessmen at different
times including William B. Sheldon, Samuel Andress and J. and V. Norman(2).
The firm
went out of business sometime between 1836 and 1843. Prior to its
closure the Sheldon, Dutcher and Company Foundry was regarded, as
stated in the local newspaper, The Colonial Advocate, as the most
extensive iron manufacturer in all of York(3).
There were five forges used by blacksmiths, a forge for the manufacture
of cooking utensils and a Cupola Furnace (or Iron Foundry) for casting.
At its height the foundry employed approximately 80 people(4).
Their products included plows, cast iron axes and heavy steam engines,
such as the one used to power the Gooderham and Worts’ Mill after
1834 [site 44]. The Sheldon, Dutcher and Company Foundry employed the most advanced technology of the day. |
