17. Damon-Almy Partnership, 1876-1880

In March of 1876, a few months prior to the dissolution of the Damon-Smith partnership, spring flooding destroyed a portion of the dam, the waste gates, and a few tenements. The mill was closed for repairs, and fortunately all the goods produced prior to this natural disaster had been sold. With Henry F. Smith moving on to other business ventures, Edward Damon formed a partnership in December 1876 with Edward P. Almy, a young man who had some experience in the manufacture of woolen goods.

In March of 1876, just a few months prior to the dissolution of the Damon-Smith partnership, spring flooding destroyed part of the dam, the waste gates, and a few tenements. The mill was closed for repairs but, fortunately, sales were minimally impacted. With Henry Smith moving on to other business ventures, Edward formed a partnership with Edward P. Almy in December 1876. Almy was experienced in the manufacture of woolen goods. 

The Damon-Almy partnership lasted four years, ending in 1880. In that year, Edward Almy’s wife died and he moved to Philadelphia to join his brother in a wool manufacturing business. With Almy gone, Edward Damon and his son Ralph reincorporated as Damon Manufacturing Company, and the mill was once again a family business.