Abel Buell

Abel Buell (1742–1822), born in Killingworth, Connecticut, was a goldsmith, silversmith, jewelry designer, engraver, surveyor, printer, type manufacturer, mint master, textile miller, and counterfeiter in the American colonies.

His sentence was to be branded above the forehead under the scalp, loss of a portion of his right ear, and life in prison, plus forfeiture of all his lands and estates.

Because of his youth, he served little time in prison and only the top part of his ear was cut off, but the authorities permitted it to be sewn back on.

[2] In 1789, Buell went to England on behalf of a group of investors to steal the secrets of cotton manufacturing from the British and bring that knowledge back to America.

While there, he gained both practical knowledge and a sum of money that allowed him, upon his return, to establish one of Connecticut's first cotton mills.

[1] In later life, Buell joined with David Greenleaf to fashion some of the first steel swords manufactures specifically for the U.S. government.