| Introduction | Historical Background | Chronology | Geography | Biography | Technology | Ownership and Financing | General Bibliography |
| South
Central States |
Mississippi | Natchez |
Natchez was founded in 1716.
The first waterworks were built in 1819 by the Natchez Water Company, which was incorporated by Nathaniel Morrison, Samuel Postlethwaite, Lewis Evans, Edward Turner, Micajah Terrell, Charles B. Green, Walter Irvine, William Rutherford, and William Brooks to introduce "water into the city of Natchez, by means of leaden or wooden pipes."
Captain Nathaniel Morrison [or Morison] was a merchant from Peterborough, New Hampshire. While in Natchez in late 1817 he entered into an oral contract with local businessmen to construct a water system, and returned to New Hampshire to engage several men from that state to install the system, which probably included Cyrus Eastman of Amherst who had recently patented an improved method of making lead aqueduct pipes. Morrison and his group arrived in Natchez in 1818 to find that the local businessmen had repudiated the contract, leaving the group without resources as they had mortgaged their property to raise funds for the system construction. Morrison, Jesse Dunklee, and Jonathan D. Cochran died of yellow fever in September 1819.
The water works ended up being built and owned by Horace Gridley and used a steam engine that also operated a clothing factory. It was sold at a Marshall's Sale in 1823. The water was tapped from artesian wells sunk at Natchez-under-the-Hill. It is not known how long this system remained in service, but it is mentioned in a 1828 Gazetter.
The city granted a water works franchise to Samuel R. Bullock & Co. on March 23, 1887, and they incorporated the Natchez Water Company on June 6, 1887.
The City of Natchez advertised for water works bids in January, 1889, and J. A. Jones of St. Louis was the successful bidder. He incorporated the Natchez Water and Sewer Company in Kansas and built a new systems, The owners of the company were J. A. Jones and John Fremont Thompson, who were both involved in water works companies in Kansas along with the Pine Bluff Water and Light Company in Arkansas, which was formed in 1888 and went into receivership in 1892. The Natchez company went into receivership in 1891 and was sold to James S. Richardson, who was a large cotton planter from New Orleans. At least two court cases resulted from the company's financial troubles.
The Natchez Water Supply and Sewer Company was incorporated in West Virginia in 1893 by James S Richardson, New Orleans, Louisiana; Edward H. Coffin, Brooklyn, New York: Henry S. Woodruff, Mont Clair, New Jersey ; Charles J. French, New York, New York; and George K. Greely, Brooklyn, New York.
The City of Natchez purchased the Natchez Water Supply and Sewer Company in 1903 for $150,000.
The waterworks are currently owned by the City of Natchez Water Works.
References
1819 "Resolution on
the Petition of Nathaniel Morrison," Natchez Gazette,
February 6, 1819, Page 2.
Resolved, That the project of Nathaniel Morrison, for the introduction of
Water into the city, is deemed worthy of public patronage.
Resolved, That is is deemed inexpedient to give the said Nathaniel
Morrison the exclusive privilege of vending water in the city; but in case
he thinks proper to engage therein, the Selectmen promise the patronage
due to so useful and important an undertaking.
1819 An Act to incorporate the Natchez Water Company, February 18, 1819
1819 Mississippi
State Gazette (Natchez, Mississippi), March 6, 1819, Page 3
[Text of charter] The gentlemen named in the above law, are requested to
meet at Walter Irvine's on Saturday Next, the 13th inst. at 3 o'clock.
P.M.
1819 Farmer's
Cabinet (Amherst, New Hampshire), October 9, 1819, page 3
Died- In Natchez, Sept 5. of the yellow fever, Mr. Jesse Dunklee, Age 24,
son of Mr. Jacob Dunklee, of this town.
1819 Concord
Observer (Concord, New Hampshire), October 18, 1819, page 3
Deaths - In Natchez, Mississippi, mr. Jonathan D. Cochran, or Pembroke;
mr. Jesse Dunckley, of Amherst; and Capt. Nathaniel Morrison, of
Peterborough, all of the yellow fever.
1819 Farmers
Cabinet, October 23, 1819, Page 5
Died - In Natchez, Jonathan D. Cochran of Pembroke; Capt. Nathaniel
Morrison of Peterborough, and Jesse Duncklee of Amherst; all of the yellow
fever. These persons belonged to the company which went to Natchez
last fall from this vicinity for the purpose of laying a leaden aqueduct
for the corporation of that city.
1820 "Water,"
Natchez Gazette, August 12, 1820, Page 3.
At the request of Mr. Gridley, we have analyzed the water of Major Minor's
spring, opposite the theatre. The water is hard, but as it has been
used by many persons, and for a long time without injury, we do not
hesitate to way, that its introduction into our city is an event greatly
to be desired.
1820 "Natchez
Water Company," Natchez Gazette, August 12, 1820, Page 3.
Annual meeting is requested on Monday the 28th instant. E. Turner,
Secretary.
1821 "Pump
& Block Making," Natchez Gazette, August 18, 1821, Page
4.
The Undersigned is now carrying on the above business at his shop near the
Theatre, where he will make the Double Forcing Pumps, that will
raise water from fifty to one hundred fifty feet with ease. Horace
Gridley, Natchez, July 28, 1821.
1822 "An
Ordinance to open a street or highway at the Landing," Natchez
Gazette, April 20, 1822, Page 2.
The street...shall be extended up the river to the water works, recently
erected by Horace Gridley. Ordained the seventeenth day of February,
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.
1822 "Manufactory at Waltham," Natchez Mississippi Free Trader, November 14, 1822, Page 3. | rest of article | Steam engine to manufacture clothes for Negroes and operate the water works, in conjunction with Mr. Gridley.
1823 "Marshall's
Sale," Natchez Gazette, March 8, 1823, Page 4.
Jarvis & Wyeth vs. Horace Gridley. All the right, title, interest and
claim of Horace Gridley, in and to the Houses and Water Works which he has
erected at the Bluff, within the limits of the City of Natchez.
1823
Farmers Cabinet, October 4, 1823, Page 3
Died - At Claiborne, (Alabama), Aug. 25, William B. King, aged 43,
formerly of Milford. He was buried with the honors of Masonry.
1828 Darby's edition of Brooke's Universal
gazetteer, or, A new geographical dictionary: containing a description
of the empires, kingdoms, states, provinces, cities, towns, forts,
seas, harbours, rivers, lakes, mountains, capes, &c. in the known
world ... to which are added, the Constitution of the United States,
and the constitutions of the respective states : illustrated by a neat
coloured map of the United States, by Richard Brookes and
William Darby
Page 682: Natchez, principal town in the state of Mississippi and the seat
of justice for Adams county. ... It contains 280 dwelling houses, four
places of public worship, ... an elegant court house and jail, 25 dry good
stores, two steam saw mills, and a steam aqueduct.
1876 "Nathaniel Morison," from History of the Town of Peterborough, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: With the Report of the Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration in 1839, by Albert Smith and John Hopkins Morison
1882 An act to incorporate the Natchez Water Works Company. March 6, 1882.
1883 History
of the Town of Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: (first Known
as Narragansett Township Number Three, and Subsequently as Southegan
West) by David Franklin Secomb
Page 881-882: Dea. Cyrus Eastman Having an inventive genius he
was constantly making experiments, and in 1815, or thereabout, devised a
plan for making lead pipe, for which he obtained a patent, and engaged in
its manufacture. In 1819 he went to New Orleans in the employ of a company
who had a contract to furnish the city with water. But the
undertaking proved an unfortunate one, as most of the company sickened,
and some died there. The survivors returned home poorer but,
perhaps, wiser men. When Manchester began to be built up Mr. Eastman
was one of a company to furnish the inhabitants with water by means of
aqueducts. He also furnished the pumps and pipes for the use of the
railroad companies between Lowell and Franklin. [Eastman probably went to
Natchez rather than New Orleans, as the latter city used wooden logs to
distribute water which were installed after Eastman had returned in New
Hampshire.]
1887 "An
Ordinance," The Weekly Democrat (Natchez, Mississippi),
March 30, 1887, Page 6.
To provide a supply of water, granted to Samuel R. Bullock and Company,
March 23, 1887.
1887 "S. R. Bullock & Co.," The Weekly Democrat (Natchez, Mississippi), September 7, 1887, Page 2.
1888 "The
Water Works Contract," The Weekly Democrat (Natchez,
Mississippi), April 11, 1888, Page 3.
Contract to be annulled if water works on completed on May 23, 1888.
1888 "The
Water Works Question," The Weekly Democrat (Natchez,
Mississippi), June 6, 1888, Page 3.
Communications between water works company and city.
1888 "The
Water Works Contract," The Weekly Democrat (Natchez,
Mississippi), June 13, 1888, Page 5.
Samuel R. Bullock & Co. to allow city to cancel and annul their
contract.
1888 "Natchez," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1889 Engineering News 21:202 (March
2, 1889)
Natchez, Miss.-The following proposals for the construction of a complete
system of water-works were opened Feb. 21 by A. L. Howe, Chairman of the
Committee on Gas and Water: Moffett, Hodgkins & Clarke, Watertown,
N.Y.; rental plan, $5,400 for 90 hydrants or $5,700 for 110 hydrants;
additional hydrants, $45 each, not less than 11 to the mile; to construct
works for the city, $120,000.-R. E. H. Smith, Helena, Mont.; to construct
works for the city, $120,000.- Ira C. Terry & Co., St. Louis Mo.;
rental plan, 90 hydrants, 11 to the mile, $60 each; additional hydrants,
$50 each; to construct works for the city, $138,000.- J. A. Jones, St.
Louis, Mo.; rental plan, $5,500 for 90 hydrants or $5,000 for 100
hydrants. The contract was awarded to J. A. Jones for 100 hydrants at
$5,000 per year. He has the right to buy the works at the end of every
term of ten years. The contractor to furnish water free to all public
buildings and four fountains, and also put an ornamental fountain in
Memorial Park not to cost less than $1,500. Work will be commenced shortly
and completed in 6 months, although the contract gives him 12 months. The
city will put in a complete System of sewerage in connection with the
water-works at no cost to the city, depending upon the citizens to take
water.
Page 322: (April 6, 1889) Natchez, J. A. Jones, the contractor is at work
on the pipe laying, and will have this done by June.
Page 466: (May 18, 1889) Natchez. The Natchez Water & Sewer Co.
will build water-works. Bonds for $200,000 have been issued. Mr. J. A.
Jones is at the head of the company.
Page 538: (June 8, 1889) Natchez, Miss.—The following was given by
J. F. Thompson, Elmira, N. Y., President of the Natchez Water & Sewer
Co.: Works will be completed in August, construction having been begun in
April. with J. Jones as Designing, and P. K. Yates,. Natchez, Constructing
Engineer. In addition to the water-works the company is building 7 1/2
miles of sewers. The contractors are: For masonry, - Culberston,
Pine Bluff. Ark.: sewers, Irwin & Maher, Greenville. O.; N. O. Nelson
Mfg. Co.. St. Louis, Mo.; boilers, Mid Continental Boiler Works. Kansas
City, Mo.; pipe and specials. South St. Louis Foundry: trenching and
pipe-laying, Henry Diedrich, Natchez: standpipe, Frank E. Palmer, Kansas
City, Mo. White hydrants and Eddy valves will be used. Water will he
pumped from the Mississippi river to a stand-pipe 12 ft. in diameter by
150 ft. high. There will be a 1,500,000-gall. compound and a
1,000,000-gall. high-pressure pump; also 8 miles of 14 to 6-in. cast-iron
mains, and 115 hydrants. The cost of water-works and sewerage combined
will be $160,000. The franchise is for 30 years, and the annual hydrant
rental is $50 each. Population, 12,000.
1889 The
Times-Democrat (New Orleans, November 22, 1889, Page 8
Natchez, Nov. 21.-- At the residence of Mr. J. T. Chamberlain, brother of
the bride, this evening at 6 o'clock, the Rev. F. J. Stratten united in
wedlock Mr. J. A. Jones and Miss Laura Chamberlain. The groom is the
manager and builder of the waterworks here, and the bride one of the most
prominent of the society belles. The couple leave on to-night's
train for a bridal tour of two weeks.
1890 Engineering News 23:142
(February 8, 1890)
Natchez, Miss.-- Notwithstanding experts have reported in favor of
artesian well water, the Board of Aldermen demand that the supply be
furnished from the Mississippi River. If their plan it carried out
filters and settling basins will be necessary. The Natchez Water
& Sewer Co. has the contract.
1890 J. Thompson, Trustee, et al., v. Natchez Water & Sewer Co. et al. (68 Miss 423) Mississippi Supreme Court, Decided March 2, 1891
1890 "Natchez," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 Engineering News 26:552
(December 5, 1891)
Natchez, Miss: The works of the Natchez Water & Sewer Co. have
been bought at a foreclosure sale by James S. Richardson, New Orleans, for
liabilities and $19,l00. The full amount of claims if said to be
$154,000. A new company will probably be organized.
1891 "Natchez," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1891 The Age of Steel 70(24):13
(December 12, 1891)
James S. Richardson, of New Orleans, recently purchased the plant and all
the property of the Natchez Water and Sewer Company. The plant was
sold at a commissioners' sale for $19,000, the purchaser assuming a bonded
indebtedness of $154,000 with accrued interest for two years.
1892 Times-Picayune
(New Orleans), October 4, 1892, Page 9
Natchez. Sale of the Water works Plant Confirmed. Natchez, Miss.,
Oct 3.- The chancery court convened to-day and confirmed the sale of the
plant of the Natchez Water and Sewer Company made to James S. Richardson
of New Orleans, by the trustee, George W.Koontz, some weeks ago. The
citizens of Natchez are very anxious to know what Mr. Richardson's future
plans are in reference to this valuable property.
1893 Natchez Water Supply and Sewer Company, July 15, 1892 (West Virginia) 50-year term, $300,000 capital stock.
1896 New York Security & Trust Co. v. Equitable Mortgage. Co., (77 F1d 64) Circuit Court, S. D. New York, October 15, 1896.
1897 "Nathaniel
Morrison," from John Hopkins Morison: A Memoir
by George Shattuck Morison, Robert Swain Morison, Mary Morison.
Page 12: "In justice to the people of Natchez, it should be said
that the contract was not put in writing."
1897 "Natchez," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1901 The History of Milford, Volume
1 by George Allen Ramsdell
Page 811: William B. King came to Milford in 1812 from
Washington. Was a clock and organ manufacturer. He went south
in 1818 with Nathaniel Morrison, who had a contract for water-works to
supply the city of Natchez, and died at Mobile that year.
1908 A Sketch of the Duncklee Family: And a
History of the Descendants of David Duncklee of Amherst, N.H. : and of
His Sister Hannah Duncklee Howe of Milford, N.H. by Ada
Melinda Lakin Duncklee
Page 62: Jesse Dunklee b. 8 Nov. 1794 in Milford and d. 5 Sep 1819,
in Natchez, Miss. of yellow fever. Employed on water works (with his
Uncle Wm. B. King) by Morrison, of Peterboro',
1993 Antebellum Natchez by D.
Clayton James
Page 84: Water carriers were forbidden in 1819 to sell water taken
from the river's edge where boats were liable to dock and make the stream
"filthy." That same year the Natchez Water Company was incorporated
"for the purpose of introducing water into the city of Natchez, by means
of leaden or wooden pipes." The company was capitalized at $200,000
and could sell stock at $100 per share. It was one of the few public
services which the city did not monopolize. The company's charter
officials, including Edward Turner, president; Samual Postlethwaite, II, a
future president; Lewis Evans, assessor and former sheriff; and Charles B.
Green, later a city counselor, however, were closely linked with the
municipal administration. The water was tapped from artesian wells
sunk at Natchez-under-the-Hill.
2007 Natchez, Mississippi, Model City of the Old South, by Philip Paul Scott. Essays in Public Works History, Number 26.
2015 "History of Natchez Water Works," from City of Natchez Water Meter Replacement Program for Successful Leak Control, March 2015
© 2015 Morris A. Pierce