THE GLASS-MAKERS

      The science of making Crown Glass was brought here by English and Scotch glass-makers, and those coming to Redford were either directly from the British shores or their descendents from New England. The number employed by the Glass Works increased from 175 to over 300, and likewise the population of the Town of Saranac increased from 315 in 1830 to 1,462 ten years later.

Some of the Original Glass Blowers:

John and William Rowland - died in Redford
James Darby, James Travis and John Bird (all Englishmen)
John Richmond and John Richmond, Jr. (from New England Glass Works)
Luke Rupert
John Kline

Some Who Worked at Various Times,

John Darby
John and Charles Tates
William & Robt. Travis
Peter Strack
Messrs. Grant and Collins
Edward and James, Kirkland Brothers
Some of these worked for the company for only a short time,
their places were filled by others from England.

In 1836;

James and William Raybold
Franklin, William and Andrew Davidson
James H. and Thomas Grieves
Thomas Hopkins
John Davidson, Sr. and John Davidson, Jr.
John Pappa
Joseph Hooey

For the Entire Life of the Glass Works,

Martin Tankard - Meltmaster
Daniel Smith and Lewis Cannon - Glass cutters
Patrick Moore - Potmaker
Christian Myers - Pipe and punty maker
John Davanoe - Assistant to Myers
John Hooey - Metal mixer
John Quigly - Worked in the kiln

     The Company Store was the supply depot for the people of Redford and its vicinity; it sold all the basic necessities, had no competition, and prices were maintained at a fixed level under all circumstances. Because of the scarcity of money in the area, the company issued script in demoninations of 3,4,6,10,12,15, 50 cents and 75 cents, redeemable at the store in bank bills. On the .50 and .75 pieces is the only known picture of the Redford Glass Works, The store was managed by Lewis Corning in 1833, and Mr. J. W. Havens worked there from August l, 1836 to May, 1843.

     Redford glass was manufactured in two colors, a brilliant aqua­marine, more blue than green, and a beautiful sea green. It was considered equal in color and brilliance to the old "Boston Crown," but was thicker and consequently stronger. A price list dated October, 1850, set forth 382 different pieces of various sizes and grades of window glass sold. A single piece of glass 11 x 8, grade A sold for .10, grade B for .07 and Grade C for .05, and prices increased with the size. The cheaper grade of glass was known as Saranac Glass.

     In 1832, the company was making $78,000 worth of glass a year, in 1833, '34 and '35, an annual production of 10,000 boxes of window glass and in 1836, '37 and '40, the value of the glass manufactured was estimated at $70,000 annually. Three times a week loads of glass were hauled from Redford to Plattsburgh where it was shipped south by boat. During the years 1831 to 1851 the product was used through out the United States and endorsed by the architect of the United States Capitol. A silver medal was awarded to them in 1836, a gold medal in 1838 and diplomas in '39,'43, and '46 for the best crown glass of very superior quality.
     Those interesting and sought after pieces that excite the collector were called "off-hand" pieces, and were made by the workers at the end of the day from the left over melt in the pots. Every type of table and decorative ware was made from rolling pins, paper­weights, bowls, pitchers, vases, compotes, tumblers, candlesticks, sugar bowls, creamers and lamps, to canes, hats and witch balls. All glass blowers were migratory craftsmen whose style and skill traveled with them, which accounts for the desirable pieces of threading and crimping, or superimposed lilypad decorations so like those produced in South Jersey. Two glass-blowers, in particular are named as makers of many small objects. They were William and Andrew Davidson, who were said to understand flint glass blowing with the use of a much smaller pipe than is used for window glass.
     The factory operated for a period of about twenty years fror 1831 to 1851, and during that time a few changes in management occurred. After the aforementioned dismissal of John S. Foster in 1833, Noah H. Lund was made superintendent; later in 1836, a new partner, Matthew Lane was added, changing the firm name to Cook, Lane and Corning. Then, again the following year on the death of Mr. Cook, Mr. Ferdinand J. Suydam became a member of the firm which was then called Lane, Corning and Suydam,

     The company was shut down from early 1843 until the spring of 1846, and during this time Peter Strack, a glassmaker, put out some products on his own. He advertised in the Plattsburgh Republican as follows:

"GLASS! GLASS! -- P. Strack would respectfully inform the public that he has commenced the manufacture of glass hollow ware in every variety, from a vial to a gallon jar -- sauce dishes, bowls, pitchers, etc., and is now ready to supply orders, wholesale and retail on lowest terms, for cash, at the factory.
Redford May 11"

     The company resumed work in the spring of 1846, under the name of M. Lane and Co., with Mr. Lund as superintendent, and operated until 1851 when the fires were drawn and the works abandoned. About this time the death of Mr. Lund occurred, and Mr. Lane sought other means of making a livelihood. He engaged in the mercantile business together with lumbering and farming until his death, Sept. 6, 1871, at the age of 78. During the years of his association with the company, he traveled extensively throughout the eastern United States as agent for Redford Glass Works.

     This once booming industry is said to have been discontinued because of the severe competition in Pennsylvania, where the coal mines furnished a cheaper fuel than could be found in the woodlots. The only remaining vestige, besides the old foundation ruins, are a few collections of this rare and beautiful glass.

     The Warner-McLaughlin Collection in Ticonderoga with 28 pieces.
      Eva Boire Collection in Moores, containing 23 pieces.
     Miner Museum in Chazy which has 20 pieces.

     Also a Mrs. Dr. Bently of Plattsburgh is said to have a collection of this Redford Glass.

     For about a hundred years, a bulls-eye of Redford Glass was set in an octagon frame in the gable window of Albert Banker's home in West Plattsburgh. It was later sold for $500.00, and is reportedly either in the Delaware museum or owned by the Dupont family.

     Mr. Alfred Terry, Town Clerk of Saranac, has a very valuable collection of window glass, and these, with a few other pieces privately owned, are the remains of the very unique Redford Glass Works.

     Jonathan Roberts has been listed by historians as one of the original workers at the Redford Glams Works. His referencE to thIs plant in his ledger are as follows:

Observations of the Recommenoement of the Redford Glass Works

1843 - April 7,     Put fire in new furnace - cut beehive
                  15,     Arched pot
                  25,     Set pots, made first blowing, Thursday, 28th
 
 

1848 -     Six pot furnaces done in glass works at the ovens
                Blowing two pots ,.., $2.00
 

1848 - October    Commenced work on the ovens at $6.00 per week and worked through November 25th on ovens,
  mixing room and melt. Paid by orders on the store of M. Lane, The Company Store.
 

1849 -- May       Labor commenced on flashing ovenss 21 days on furnace .... $26.25
                           11 days on furnace .... $9.25; paid by order on Company Store.
 

A pink slip of paper is tucked between the pages of this ledger with a note saying this is probably the only existing receipt from the Glass Factory. It is addressed to Thomes Green, Esq., Plattsburgh, and reads;

"Mr. Green ; Wm, McIntyre will advise you 37 boxes glass - the number three boxes 14 & l0 Saranac marked T. C. you will please ship by Gen. Green for Burlington - remainder by first boat south.
(Signed) J. S. Foster
Redford
June 7, 1832"

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