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44-PL-SC-004Darwintern Home
The Kings Mountain Iron Company
For background, see The Iron District.
From 1837, we are able to document with what success John B. Darwin 3.33 and William McGill were running their iron furnace on Kings Creek, for at the beginning of the year they brought their operation into the fold of the re-chartered Kings Mountain Iron Company, and took places as directors of the expanded enterprise.
The original of the Minute Book of the Kings Mountain Iron Works: 1837-1867 can be consulted at the Historical Center of York County (South Carolina), and is also available on microfilm. It contains 233 numbered pages, of which the first 30 are missing (apparently removed in 1837 when the company was reconstituted). We have not yet had opportunity to examine it in depth: John B. Darwin's name figures prominently in its pages, although his stock holding is relatively small (initially, 10 shares from 1837; a little later 11, the extra apparently one his father, John Darwin 2.8, bought before his death).
The first extant entry, dated 5 January 1837, authorises James A. Black to "receive subscription to the stock of this company until the same amounts to $100,000." The bottom line of the Company Balance sheet reads:
DR: 76,541.03 CR: 79,507,90 ----2,966.87 ----1,666.00 Dividened declared 8% on 20.750 ----1,306.87 Surplus
The accounts are signed "James A. Black, acting secretary. William H. Gist, President." (p.33).
The second entry helps explain John B. Darwin and William McGill's new role:
We as a committee appointed 22nd February last by the board of directors to take titles to the Company from the Kings Creek Company have this day taken titles. James A. Black as Agent of this Company will settle with J.B.Darwin & Wm. McGill for the same either in money or by note, in all three thousand and eighteen dollars. (Signed) John Carruth, John White / Committee. (p.33) Bobby Gilmer Moss gives a description of the operation: At a site near Doolittle Creek, Stroup built a third furnace which he sold in 1826 to a partnership known as Emor Graham and Company. The other men involved in the purchase were James A.Black, Governor David Johnson, Jacob Deal, and P.R.Brice. Two years later the property was sold to the South Carolina Iron Manufacturing Company (not to be confused with the South Carolina Manufacturing Company).
The South Carolina Iron Manufacturing Company had been incorporated by Governor George McDuffie and other prominent men. Their major enterprise was the casting of both six and nine pounder cannons and the production of round shot, grape, an canister for the state militia. To end confusion over its name, and the name of the company operating near Cowpens battleground, the owners of the company rechartered in 1836 as the Kings Mountain Iron Company.
The main operating site, which included one refining and heating furnace and four pairs of rollers, was located on the west bank of the Broad River and the south bank of London Bridge Creek about two-and-a-half miles below Cooperville.
In 1837 expanded its operations by rebuilding an old iron industry at the present site of Cherokee Falls. These works included three bloomaries, two refining furnaces, and two hammers. In the same year, the company also built a charcoal furnace on King's Creek, about four miles above the furnace of Stroup and seven miles east of their rolling mill on London Bridge Creek. The company continued to operate successfully until the War Between the States.
Shareholders
Further entries from the Minute Book of the Kings Mountain Iron Works: 1837-1867:
The Kings Mountain Iron Company met pursuant to the adjornment of the last regular meeting. John Bryce Esq. was called to the chair and Jas. A. Black Esq. appointed Secretary. The following members appeared:
The company then proceeded to appoint
Wm H.Gist F.B.Higgins A.J.Hutchinson J.B.Darwin John White J.R.Gibson
Directors for the ensuing year or until the company appointed or elected others.
1837 Balance Sheet
1837 Balance Sheet:
1850 Industrial and Agricultural Census Returns
The 1850 Industrial Census for the Kings Mountain Iron Company:
The 1850 Agricultural Census for the Kings Mountain Iron Company:
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