The Hamilton Emery and Corrundum Co. Chester. “The discovery of emery in Chester created wonderful interest in the United States. Emery is described as the intimate mechanical admixture of corundum and either magnetite or hematite. Its value as an abrasive is dependent upon the percentage of corundum, for it is to the presence of this mineral that the emery owes its abrading qualities. Emery deposits are found to contain from 40 to 70 percent of corundum.”

In about 1901, Frank D. Hamilton, a native of Chester saw the possibilities in the emery business. He purchased the old Timothy Keefe bedstead plant on Middlefield St. with its excellent water power on the Westfield River. He took down the old buildings and erected the first new one early in 1904. During the early years the mill was run by water power but with the need for more production a steam plant was installed. A second mill was built in 1908 and a third in 1917.

During all these years the busines was carried on very successfully and in 1922, the capital was increased from $40,000 to $200,000. S.W. Tyler 1944 unpublished

This mill was destined to be a Marijuana grow facility but now interested investors are looking to create housing here.

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