In that column, I called potash "America's first industrial chemical," because it was used in making so many products, including soap, glass, dyes and gunpowder. I admit that I did not coin that phrase. I borrowed that phrase from an online article by Dr. Henry M. Paynter titled "The First Patent."
Dr. Paynter was an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering at MIT who retired to Pittsford, Vermont, in 1985 and died at his home there in 2002. (obituary)
In his retirement, Dr. Paynter became interested in the history of the first patent issued by the U.S. Patent Office in 1790 to Samuel Hopkins for an improved process for making potash. For many years it was thought that the Samuel Hopkins who received the first patent was a farmer by that name who lived in Pittsford, Vermont. Indeed, I think there is still a historical marker in Pittsford to that effect. (Photo here; scroll down.) Alas, it was recently discovered that the real Samuel Hopkins of Patent No. 1 fame lived in Philadelphia, not Pittsford, Vermont.
In any event, the potash industry had a significant influence on the economy of the American colonies and the young United States until around the time of the Civil War. It is a chapter of our history now largely forgotten. Dr. Paynter's article "The First Patent" is an excellent account of the major influence that potash once had, and I highly recommend reading it.
One can still see cast iron potash kettles around the countryside. Below are two that are still in my family. They were used for watering livestock when I was growing up on the farm.
The agricultural economy in Yankee's territory has had three major eras: the potash era, the sheep era, and the present dairy era. Other agricultural products have also been important, more or less so at various times, including: wheat, beef, potatoes, apples, timber, maple syrup and the Morgan horse. What does the future hold? Will the agricultural economy of the future include carbon credits? Nanotechnology? No one knows. Hang on for the ride, it is certain to be an exciting adventure!
