C. G. Sargent's Sons collection

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

The C.G. Sargent's Sons Corporation was founded in Graniteville, Massachusetts- a neighborhood of Westford, about 10 miles west of Lowell- in 1854 by Charles Grandison Sargent, and his business partner, Francis Calvert, both formerly of Lowell. Calvert and Sargent converted a former saw and grist mill into shops used to manufacture machinery for processing and producing textiles, specifically wool and cotton. A great majority of the machinery that was manufactured by the company was created and patented by Charles Sargent himself or, later on, by his sons

The original C.G. Sargent's Sons mill burned down in 1859, and was rebuilt to almost twice its original size by Calvert and Sargent. A partnership with the Abbot Worsted Company at the same time also helped to fuel the company's success. C.G. Sargent's' Sons presence in Graniteville transformed the neighborhood into a culturally diverse and economically stable area, with residents hailing from Ireland, Sweden and Russia, among others. More than half of Graniteville's residents worked for the company or the surrounding mills and quarries. In addition to expanding the mill, Sargent built housing for his employees, supervised the building of a dam to harness water power, and financed the construction of the town's Methodist church and recreation area.

Originally known as "Calvert and Sargent", the company's name was changed to "C.G. Sargent & Sons" when Francis Calvert allowed his shares to be purchased by Sargent in 1862. After Sargent's death in 1878, the company was taken over by his sons, Charles Jr and Francis. Charles and Francis incorporated the company in 1904, formerly changing its name to C.G. Sargent's Sons. After its incorporation, the company grew to serve clients throughout the United States and Canada until its bankruptcy in 1990.