Edward Harris
Industrial Giant & Moral Force
Edward Harris was the leading mid-18th century industrialist and philanthropist of the area. He constructed six mills in Woonsocket, which were eventually incorporated into the Harris Woolen Company. He was the first president of the Railroad Bank, and members of both branches of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
In 1831, with a capital of $3,500 saved from his earning – with the exception of $1,000 borrowed from his father – he bought a small wooden mill known as “Number 1” of the Harris Woolen Company, situated on the Blackstone River in Woonsocket. In 1836, his stone mill was built designated as mill “Number 2” in which he began manufacturing his “merino cassimere”. In 1844 and 1845 two more mills were built. These mills were run by water from the Woonsocket Falls, supplemented by steam power, and are known as the “old mills”. In 1860 Harris commenced building his mill “Number 6” called the “New Mill”, on the Mill River.
Edward Harris was sympathetic to the abolitionist cause, and is recorded as having sent John Brown, the abolitionist, a letter and check for $100.00 when he learned of Brown’s pending execution. In the 1840’s he became the first Rhode Islander to run for the office of Governor under the banner of the Liberty Party – the abolitionist party.
Edward Harris’ name still lives on today. A street is named after him as well as the Woonsocket Harris Library. Some of his mills still partially stand and Woonsocket’s City Hall is housed in the building which bears his name. His influence on the city as we know it is still felt today.
