Manufacturer Notes: Annapolis Glass Company

A meeting of citizens was held at Annapolis last night to take preliminary steps for establishing a glass factory.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) April 22, 1885
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The glass factory project for Annapolis is meeting with a good deal of encouragement, and stock to the amount of $1,050 has already been subscribed.  The shares are prices at $5 each, 210 of which have been taken.  Horn Point, opposite Annapolis, is one of the locations under consideration.  It is stated that several parties from Philadelphia are anxious to co-operate with Annapolitans in the new enterprise.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) April 23, 1885
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More than half the stock in the proposed Annapolis glass factory has been taken at $5 a share.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) May 2, 1885
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The committee appointed by the stockholders of the proposed Annapolis glass factory have purchased from Mr. J. Wirt Randall several lots opposite Annapolis, on which it is proposed to locate the works, which will be commenced shortly.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) June 12, 1885
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Affairs at Annapolis.
   [Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.]
  ANNAPOLIS, July 8.-Mr. Edward M. Parrott, a mechanical engineer, of New York, and a graduate of Columbia College School of Mines, recently visited glass works in various parts of the country and especially in the West, on behalf of the Annapolis glass works, recently organized, with a view of ascertaining the simplest and most economical mode of constructing the works, and recommends what is known as a tank furnace, which it is stated can be operated at a small expense.  Engineer Parrott has been engaged to prepare drawings and specifications for the necessary buildings and to superintend their erection.  It is believed the works will be completed before September.  They are to be located at Horn Point, opposite Annapolis.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) July 9, 1885
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Ground was broken today for the proposed glass factory on Horn Point.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) July 21, 1885
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Work is progressing on the Annapolis glass factory, which is being built on Horn Point, opposite Annapolis.  It is stated that negotiations are pending for establishment of another glass factory in the same locality by outside capitalists.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) August 29, 1885
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At a meeting of the stockholders of the Annapolis Glass Co. progress was reported in the construction of the works, which are located at Horn Point, opposite Annapolis, Md.  Great difficulty is experienced in procuring sufficient labor to push the brick work forward as rapidly as desired.  It is expected that the works will be in active operation before winter opens.  The Annapolis glass factory will have a capacity for melting eight tons of glass at one time.  Only common glass products, such as demijohns, flasks, bottles, etc., will be manufactured at the beginning.  The works will be constructed like those in operation at Cadiz, Ohio.

Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia) September 27, 1885
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The green bottle works at Annapolis, Md., have started up.

Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia) October 10, 1886
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The glassblowers employed at the Annapolis glass factory have quit work in consequence of the directors of the company having refused the Knights of Labor requiring the employment of apprentices.  It is said nonunion men will be arranged with to carry on the works in the future if the union employes hold out against the employment of apprentices.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) January 17, 1887
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Starts Up To-day

We are informed that the Annapolis Glass Works will start its furnaces to-day and resume the manufacture of glass-ware for which it has several large orders on hand. The factory we learned will be run on the co-operative plan--the glass-blowers sharing in the profits and expenses of the labor. During the temporary suspension, the furnace and other apparatus have been put in perfect order for operation. The company have a large order for amber ware with which to begin.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) March 24, 1887
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A glass factory, on the co-operative plan has recently been put into operation, which gives every promise of providing a paying investment on the capital employed.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) April 1, 1887
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Our Glass Works

The glass works will stop off on amber ware this week and on next Monday begin the manufacture of green ware. The company has received within the past few days a number of cash orders at excellent figures for various kinds of ware, sufficient to keep them profitably employed until the end of the season, July 1st.-They have twelve blowers at work now and the works present a very busy, energetic scene of action.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) April 16, 1887
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In Full Blast

The Horn Point Glass Works are in full blast and are running a force of twelve blowers. They are now running on green ware and have several large orders on hand. It is the most business like place in and about Annapolis and gives employment to a large force of hands.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) May 19, 1887
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The glass factory is in full blast, pushing ahead their order, preparatory to closing up for the months of July and August. We learned that they have already orders to start out on the new year, which will keep them busy the whole of next season.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) June 4, 1887
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The glass factory is still in full blast, but the past few days of hot weather has very much interfered with operations. The factory has been making full time except when interfered with by stoppage for repairs to the tank and fire box.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) June 20, 1887
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Affairs at Annapolis.
   [Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.]
  ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 6.--The Annapolis glass works have resumed operations.  About 40 workmen are employed.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) February 7, 1888
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It is stated that the Annapolis glass factory will resume work shortly.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) March 19, 1890
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Mr. Charles J. Murphy, of Eastport, has received a patent for glass fruit jars, one-half interest in which has been assigned to Chandlee, Quaries & Co. of Baltimore.  This firm is considering the purchase or lease of the Annapolis Glass Factory, which has been idle for some time.  Parties in Pennsylvania also have the glass works in view (?).

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) June 23, 1890
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OUT-OF-TOWN SALES
   --------------------------
TRUSTEES' SALE OF GLASS FACTORY
              -------------
  The undersigned, under a deed of trust, will sell at public auction, at the COURT-HOUSE IN ANNAPOLIS, Maryland. on TUESDAY, 28th of July instant at 12 o'clock M.  ALL THE PROPERTY OF THE ANNAPOLIS GLASS FACTORY. including a LOT OF GROUND in fee, extending to salt water. with a landing wharf, a large brick, metal-roof GLASS FACTORY, with tank 9 feet long by 9 wide, 16 inches deep, and gas producers at each end, four sets of annealing ovens, steam engines, etc. large packaging and store rooms, tramway, blowing machine, lime kiln, etc.  Unlimited convenience for shipment by rail or water; ten daily trains.  Best glass sand and oyster shells for lime in easy reach abundantly.
  Terms: One-third cash. balance in one and two years.
  Full particulars address
                                               JAMES REVELL,
                                               JOHN IRELAND
                                                                    Trustees,
                                                Annapolis, Maryland

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) July 14, 1891
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--The Annapolis Glass Factory at Eastport was offered for sale yesterday and withdrawn on a bid of $4,000.

The News (Frederick, Maryland) July 29, 1891
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The proposition to lease the Annapolis glass works to a syndicate has fallen thru.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) August 5, 1891
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OUT-OF-TOWN SALES
   --------------------------
GLASS FACTORY FOR SALE
AT EASTPORT
  On SATURDAY, 9th September, 1893, at 11 o'clock M., situated on two lots, No. 124, fronting on harbor of Annapolis 87 feet by 309 deep, and lot 125 fronting 82 feet 5 inches.  The factory is very large, built of brick, with metal roof, contains a Tank for melting glass 9 feet by 9 wide, and 16 inches deep. Gas producers at each end, six Ring Holes, four sets of Annealing Ovens, Steam Engines, &c.  Packaging-House and Storerooms large and commodious, also a  Blowing Machine for glory hole and Lime Kiln for burning oyster-shell lime.  The situation is unsurpassed, is connected to Annapolis by a free bridge,  has a fine wharf, best glass sand and oyster shells for lime in unlimited quantities.  
  Terms: One-third cash. balance in two equal installments with interest, at 1 and 2 years. send for handbill.
  Full particulars address
                                               JAS. REVELL, Trustee
                                                           Annapolis, Maryland
                                                J. ROLAND BRADY,
                                                                    Auctioneer.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) September 8, 1893
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There is talk of reviving the glass factory at Eastport.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) September 26, 1893
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Washington capitalists are said to be negotiating the purchase of the glass factory at Eastport.

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) March 16, 1894
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PEREMPTORY SALE
            of
GLASS FACTORY
  The undersigned, under a deed of trust and order of Court, will sell at public auction, at the Courthouse in Annapolis, Md. on SATURDAY, the 15th day of September, 1894 at 12 o'clock M.  ALL THE PROPERTY OF THE ANNAPOLIS GLASS FACTORY at Eastport, opposite Annapolis, with a front of 87 feet six inches by 473 feet, including a Lot of Ground, in fee, extending to salt water. with a landing wharf, a large Brick, Metal-Roof Glass Factory, with tank 9 feet long by 9 wide, 16 inches deep, and gas producers at each end, four sets of Annealing Ovens, Steam Engines, &c. large Packing and storerooms, Tramway, Blowing Machine, Lime Kiln, &c.  Unlimited convenience for shipment by rail or water; ten daily trains.  Best glass sand and oyster shells for lime in easy reach abundant.
  Terms of Sale: One-third cash. balance in one and two years.
                                               JAMES REVELL,
                      Surviving Trustee, Annapolis, Md
                                              J. ROLAND BRADY, Auct.                                              

The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) August 22, 1894
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At the head of the Severn River, in Anne Arundel county, extensive diggings have been opened in the Lower Cretaceous, and a very pure grade of glass sand taken out. It is transported on small schooners, which are able at high tide to reach the head of the river.
In 1880 the tenth census report gives the output at 17,126 tons, valued at $34,250.

Members of John Hopkins University, Maryland Its Resources, Industries And Institutions (Baltimore, The Sun Job Printing Office, 1893)
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...1885... In, July the Annapolis glass works got underway.

Jackson, Elmer Martin, Jr.; Annapolis (Annapolis, The Capital-Gazette Press, 1936)
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In, 1885, the Annapolis Glass Works, situated at Horn Point, were finished, and are, at present, in successful operation.

Riley, Elihu S.; The Ancient City A History of Annapolis Maryland 1649-1887 (Annapolis, Record Printing Office, 1887)
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The leading industry is oyster shipping. There is also a glass factory and a marine railway in the suburbs.

Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1892 (New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1893)
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Title                                             Location       Date of Incorporation      Capital Stock
Annapolis Glass Co..................Annapolis      May 12, 1885                        3,000

Severn Glass Works Co...........Eastport        July 23, 1897                        10,000

Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau Of Industrial Statistics for 1898 (Baltimore, The Sun Book And Job Printing Office, 1899)
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The private home at the corner of Severn Avenue and Second Street was once the head office for one of Eastport's largest businesses. The Annapolis Glass Works later the Severn Glass Company produced china, glass and pottery from 1885 to 1902.

Eastport had access to three things a glass company needed: sand, water, and skilled workers. Sand arrived on barges floated down the Severn River. Workers melted the sand in large, brick furnaces to form molten glass. Glass blowers blew the molten glass into molds and then cooled the bottles in ovens. The finished products were then delivered to market by horse-drawn carts.

Historic Marker Annapolis
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