John Simmons
Papers, 1826-1882

SC23041

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Biographical Note:

John Simmons was manager of the Ulster Iron Works, situated in Saugerties (formerly Ulster), New York, from 1828 to 1863. Simmons was born May 22, 1799, in Deepfield, Staffordshire, England. He was the son of John and Phoebe Edwards (Cosely) Simmons, and used the name John Simmons, Jr., in his earlier years. John's father was the manager of High Field Iron Works in Staffordshire. John Jr. learned about puddling furnaces and the production of rolled iron in England. He spent seven years in France constructing and managing iron works. Simmons immigrated to the United States in 1828 and was soon hired to manage the Ulster Iron Works started by Henry Barclay. While at the Ulster Iron Works, John Simmons introduced the puddling process for producing iron, and manufactured fine hoops. The Ulster Iron Works recruited Welsh iron workers skilled in the new iron-working technologies. John Simmons encouraged his father and siblings to immigrate to the United States, and they did so in 1830-1831. John's brother, Edward, who had expertise in rolling iron, was particularly active in the Ulster Iron Works. John Simmons left the Ulster Iron Works in the spring of 1842 but returned in the winter of 1844 as a contractor with his brother, Edward. John retired in favor of his son, Ovid T. Simmons, in 1860. Ovid and Edward Simmons operated manufacturing at the iron works as contractors from 1860 to 1863, and John acted as representative for Josh and Lucius Tuckerman, who eventually became owners of the works. Simmons was married twice, first in 1831 to Mrs. Nancy Minor Dewey, who died within months of their marriage, and then in 1834 to Caroline Campbell. He died on March 31, 1878.

Scope and Content Note:

These papers consist chiefly of correspondence and financial records related primarily to the personal business affairs of John Simmons. Correspondence includes letters from William Young (president of Ulster Iron Works), Henry Carey, and his brother, Edward Simmons, all of whom were also involved in the operations of the Ulster Iron Works. Financial records consist mostly of account books that document investments in real estate, banks, manufacturing, etc., some of which may have been related to the iron works. The records also include numerous accounts that appear to be more personal in nature, such as church pew rents, livery services, medical care and medicine, and maintenance of dwelling houses and grounds.

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