The History of Dowlin Forge by Susannah Wilson Brody (Limited Edition 581/1000)

The History of Dowlin Forge by Susannah Wilson Brody is a scarce and highly specialised work of Pennsylvania local and industrial history, published in 1995 by the Uwchlan Township Historical Commission of Chester County, Pennsylvania. This copy is particularly collectible as it comes from a limited edition of only 1,000 copies and is individually numbered 581/1000.

The History of Dowlin Forge presents a detailed history of Dowlin Forge and the surrounding community, placing the historic ironworks within the broader development of Pennsylvania’s important early iron industry. Brody explores both the industrial operations of the forge and the families, workers and community whose lives were connected to it, making this a useful reference for historians, genealogists and collectors of American regional history.

Its contents include chapters on the iron industry, the iron forge and forge lands, the Hibberd family, the Dowlin family and Mary Ann Forge. Further sections examine the workers, charcoal production, the grist mill, sawmill, education, farming, boarding house and company store. The later chapters of The History of Dowlin Forge discuss the forge lands as they survived into the modern period and include material relating to the Mary Ann Forge ledgers, followed by extensive footnotes, references and an index.

Local historical publications of this nature were often produced in relatively small quantities, and the explicitly numbered limitation of just 1,000 copies adds considerably to the book’s collectability and research interest.

Condition – Near Fine

A very well-preserved copy with some light scuff marks to the cover. The interior appears clean and well maintained. Small pencilled price notation on the title page. Limited Edition No. 581 of 1,000 copies.