Howard Hat Factory

William Howard was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1775. Having served as a hat maker's apprentice since the age of 14, it is not surprising that when William Howard came to Orford in 1799 he opened up his own business. The Howard Hat factory was a well-known manufacturer of beaver hats. Beavers had been hunted to near extinction in western Europe, and the American colonies became the new source for this popular product. Over 80,000 beaver pelts were exported annually making s the colonies' first significant export. Local extinction occurred in North America and might have reached total extinction if silk had not become the new material of choice for hats. Manufacturing beaver hats was a difficult and somewhat dangerous process. Mercury nitrate was applied to matt and roughen the fiber. The beaver pelt was then shaved down and heated in order to dry, releasing mercury vapors. Mercury poisoning damages the central nervous system, causing loss of control of the muscular system and the ability to think and speak. This deterioration in mental state gave way to the expression, ‘mad as a hatter'. Hatters would often die relatively young.

Howard Tax Records

William Howard seems to have survived the dangers of his business having married twice, fathering twelve children, and living until he was 74. Howard served many years as a selectman and postmaster. 1829 tax records show that William Howard had $1000 dollars worth of buildings and $1200 in money with interest. Later the value of his buildings grew to $5000 in value and he had $10,000 in additional capital.