In the early 19th century, Mr. Joseph Makens Merrow became interested in the manufacture of gunpowder and purchased a powder mill 24 miles from Hartford, Connecticut.

After the Mill was destroyed by explosion, in 1837, it was decided to build a knitting factory on the same site using water power from an adjacent river.

The products were sold through commission merchants in New York and delivered to retail stores throughout New England by two-horse wagons.

In conjunction with the knitting business, the first crochet machines were constructed for finishing around the tops of men's socks in place of handwork.

In 1887 the knitting mill was destroyed by fire and the company moved to Hartford and reorganized concentrating on the manufacture of overlock sewing machines.

Sales for overlock sewing machines were strong and Merrow grew to employ more than 500 people in Hartford, Connecticut.

In addition to being one of the most recognized brands of textile equipment in the world, it remains the oldest manufacturer of sewing machines still made in the United States.

According to the company "for the first time in apparel, ActiveSeam creates a protected and marketable space around the seam of a garment or accessory with both aesthetic and technical advantages."