John Capron

John Willard Capron (February 14, 1797, at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts – December 25, 1878, at Uxbridge) was an American military officer in the infantry, state legislator, and textile manufacturer.

John Willard Capron was the son of a Revolutionary War soldier, John Capron, Sr. John Capron, Sr. was born on July 3, 1756 at Cumberland, Rhode Island and died in 1836 at Uxbridge. John Capron, Sr. had at least two sons. They were, John Willard Capron, of this article, and his sibling, Effingham Capron. Effingham developed fame in the mills and later became a prominent abolitionist. Effingham was the eldest son. John Willard Capron grew up in Uxbridge and graduated from Uxbridge Academy. Uxbridge Academy graduated a number of prominent men in the early 19th century. John Capron, Sr. their father started a very historic textile mill in 1820. John's father was a "clothier" who had migrated here from Grovsvenordale, CT, circa 1790.

It is certainly possible that the Capron name had some Italian heritage as well, from the family name of Caproni, though this is not really known. The family in New England descended from Banfield Capron who immigrated from England to Attleboro, MA in the 17th century. Another branch of the Banfield Capron family, Erastus Capron, participated in the Mexican War. He was a hero of that war, settled in FL and participated in the Seminole Indian wars, and Fort Capron at Indian River county, was named for him. There is also a town of Capron, Illinois, named for General Horace Capron who led the Illinois Regiment in the Civil War. The descendants of Banfield Capron through the 1800s is published in a book on the Capron family. There are end footnotes to this paragraph in the Banfield Capron reference noting John C Capron, Effingham Capron and John Willard Capron as descendents of Banfield Capron, the first American Capron immigrant.

John Willard Capron helped his father John, Sr. and his brother Effingham, to establish one of the earliest textile mills in the historic mill town of Uxbridge. The Carpon Mill was started by John, John W. and Effingham's father, circa 1820. The three Capron men later entered into a partnership for the business. The mill became known as the Capron Mill. John Capron, Sr., John W. Capron's father, sited the mill on the Mumford River, in the town center, also known as Uxbridge center. The mill used water power from the river, a renewable source of power. John Capron had purchased the Colonel Seth Read estate, and water mill on the Mumford River when he first came to Uxbridge around 1790. Colonel John Capron, John Sr.'s son, was a prominent citizen in this community. The community is known for some of the earliest beginnings of America's Industrial Revolution. It is part of the historic Blackstone River Valley and National Heritage Corridor of the National Park Service. The mill was the first mill to use power looms for the woolen industry. The first power looms for woolens were introduced at the Capron Mills. These were made in a machine shop at Cumberland, Rhode Island. These were reportedly the first power looms ever made for woolens. The first manufacture of "satinet" was at this mill. Uxbridge became famous for its Cashmere wool. The town of Uxbridge was a business incubator for the cashmere wool industry, satinets, and power looms in the textile industry of America. Effingham Capron, John Capron Sr. and Colonel John W. Capron were pioneers in textile manufacturing in America. John Willard Capron also served multiple roles in the community. He was Postmaster, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Notary, and served in the state legislature.Effingham Capron also became a noted anti-slavery champion, and rose to national prominence in the anti-slavery movement.

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