Among the earlier “institutions” of Sheldon, was a blast-furnace. This was built in 1798, by the brothers, Israel and Alfred KEITH, who came here for that purpose from Pittsford, Vt. It was located on the east side of Black Creek, just north of where HUNTER & Co.’s woolen factory now stands. The iron was made from the ore; and, as this was one of the first furnaces built in the State, the demand for the ware was quite active, and especially for the so-called “potash kettles.” At that time one chief business, all through the country, was the manufacture of potash, and men came to Sheldon, sometimes, for a distance of 200 hundred miles for their kettles.

In the above map the Furnace and the Woolen Mill were on the right side of the creek

The kettles were taken as fast as they could be produced — parties often waiting for their “turn,” and loading them while hot from the mold. They were very heavy, and of different sizes, holding, 45, 60 and 90 gallons each. Stoves and hollow ware were also made, for which there was great demand.

Initially the iron was mined on Crowe Hill but when that mine stop producing a new mine was found in nearby Fairfield.  Iron ore from there could not reach the furnace due to the lack of a bridge that was not built until 1835-1836.  In 1822 the Keith Brothers built a new furnace on the west side of the creek.