[2][3] Its importance lies in the fact that it was the first iron blast furnace established in what would become the United States.

During the 17th century, iron was an used to manufacture a number of indispensable goods, including nails, horseshoes, cookware, tools, and weapons.

The production of iron required a complex manufacturing process, which was not available during the early years of the North American colonization.

[5] John Winthrop the Younger wanted to establish an iron works in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

[7] On October 15, 1645, Winthrop secured the Undertakers an exemption from taxes and a 21-year monopoly on iron production from the Massachusetts General Court.