Luke Taft

Luke Taft (3 June 1783 – 7 April 1863[1]) was an industrial pioneer in the manufacture of woolens[2] in 19th century New England.

Luke was the son of Esther and James Taft of Uxbridge, and born into a family of eight other siblings.

[3] Luke Taft was the son-in-law of Daniel Day, who had earlier established the first woolen mill in the Blackstone Valley, at Uxbridge, circa 1810.

The Wheelock family ownership of this local family-owned textile dynasty continues today under the name of Berroco Inc., a yarn distribution company, headquartered at the site of Daniel's original carding mill until 2010.

The Waucantuck mill, in later years, became the first manufacturer of "wash and wear" fabric in the U.S.[3] The historic mill town of Uxbridge was noted for leading with many advancements in the textile industry in America including power looms for woolens, complete vertical integration of textiles to clothing lines, blended fabrics and "satinet".