American Thread Co. - Specimen Stock Certificate

Specimen Stock printed by Franklin Lee Division-American Bank Note Company.

The American Thread Company, a prominent player in the American textile industry, emerged in the late 19th century. In 1898, the British-owned English Sewing Company merged with thirteen independent American thread and yarn companies, forming the largest thread company globally at the time. The company operated numerous mills, primarily in New England, employing a diverse workforce of immigrants from various European countries and Puerto Rico, as noted by the Windham Textile and History Museum.

However, the company faced challenges, including labor disputes such as the 1925 strike in Willimantic, Connecticut, over wage cuts. Additionally, in the early 20th century, a federal antitrust suit challenged the company’s dominance, leading to changes in its ownership structure. Despite these obstacles, the American Thread Company continued to thrive throughout the 20th century. In 1985, the company relocated its operations to North Carolina. The closure of its mills in Willimantic, Connecticut, in 1985 marked the end of an era for the region, as the company had been a significant contributor to the community’s economy for decades. Today, the company’s legacy remains evident, with some of its former mill buildings repurposed for new uses.