Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: WK-14
Corporate Name: Birdwell Perry & Co.
Local Name:
Owner Name: William Birdwell and Turner Perry
Location: Western District, 1860 U.S. Census
County: Walker
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1859
End Year: 1860
Decades: 1850-1859,1860-1869
Period of Operation: 1859 to 1860
Town: Unknown
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: 12-horsepower steam engine
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 
Capacity Comments: 800,000 feet during the reporting period of the Census
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: None
Historicial Development: William Birdwell, born 1808, and Turner Perry, born 1828, both of Tennessee, were enumerated in Population Census as living in the same household in Precinct 1 in 1860. Their sawmill operation, according to the 1860 Census Products of Industry Schedule was d to be a capital investment of $10,000, with $2,500 invested in 4,000 sawlogs. Six men were employed in the sawmill at a total monthly wage of $192. The sawmill manufactured 800,000 feet of lumber valued at $10,000.
Research Date: MCJ 03-30-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson