Paper Maker

The 18th-century papermaker in America practiced a meticulous and labor-intensive craft, essential for the burgeoning intellectual and administrative life of the colonies. Their process began with collecting and sorting discarded linen and cotton rags, which were then cleaned, cut, and beaten into a fibrous pulp, often in water-powered mills. This pulp was then skillfully scooped onto a fine wire mesh mold, allowing water to drain and leaving behind a thin, uniform sheet of paper. These wet sheets were pressed to remove excess water, then carefully dried and often "sized" with animal glue to prevent ink from bleeding. The importance of papermakers was profound: they provided the fundamental medium for all written communication, from newspapers and pamphlets that fueled political discourse, to legal documents, government records, and personal letters. Their work was critical for education, commerce, and the very functioning of civil society, enabling the spread of information and ideas that were vital to the development and eventual independence of the American nation.