In 1851 Nathaniel got to work by purchasing a tract of land just East of the Village center along the banks of the Mill Creek. It was at this site that he established his hardwood sawmill and furniture factory, which were powered by Mill Creek. The production of the newly constructed plant was 200 chairs per week. These chairs were transported by horse and buckboard to the loading docks along the Black River canal where they were loaded onto the canal boats for transport to their final destinations. Nathaniel M. Sargent died in 1884 which passed the business on to his sons August, Frank and Nathaniel.

The business continued to grow and the plant was expanded in the early 1900's so that the demands of increased business could be met. At this time Sargent's also purchased a large tract of forestland land in the Brandy Lake area of the Adirondacks and a farm on the Western edge of the Village of Boonville. The timberland provided a continual supply of logs for chairmaking and the primary purpose of the farm was the production of hay for the teams of Sargent's Horses.

By the late teens the business had grown considerably and new equipment was purchased so that increased demand could once again be met. An excerpt from a newspaper article written in 1916 entitled "Sargent's Factory Rushed with Orders" reads " several buildings have been added and new machinery installed and today they can turn out wood seated chairs in three styles for the general trade almost as fast as a butcher does links of sausage. Their output is from 75,000 to 90,000 chairs a year."

The success continued through the roaring twenties but was slowed down by the economic depression of the thirties. Although business had receded during the depression it continued to run smoothly until a devastating fire destroyed the Sargent's factory leaving only the office building and sawmill standing. Shortly after this calamity the community of Boonville stood behind N.M. Sargent's and within the year new buildings rose from the ashes, equipment was installed and woodworkers were once again producing quality furniture.

Like many industries in America N.M. Sargent's Sons was part of the industrial war effort during the World War II era. Chairs were produced and sold to the government. During this time production continued to increase to the levels achieved prior to the recession.

In the early 1950's Sargent's added benches, stools and Childrens furniture to its group of products. These new products, which included youth tables, chairs and rockers, stools, and our trademark Deacon's benches, diversified the Sargent's line and promoted increased sales and stability.

Growth and stability continue at Sargent's to this day. The current owner of N.M. Sargent's Sons is a fourth generation Sargent's family member who assumed control of the day-to-day operations of the company in 1976.

During the mid 1980's the decision was made to construct a new manufacturing facility. In 1986 three acres of land were purchased in the new Industrial park just south of the Village. A new modern facility was constructed during the following spring and summer. By the time the leaves were beginning to change in the fall the craftsmen at Sargent's were once again creating quality maple furniture.

Sargent's has experienced steady growth and stability since it's inception in 1851. This fine tradition has it's basis in the generations of skilled woodworker's that have been crafting quality unfinished furniture from choice Adirondack Maple hardwoods for 151 years. Our current generation of craftsmen continues the tradition to this day and stand by our pledge of quality and craftsmanship.

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