The rope walk or cordage manufactory of Newton Adams, located in the northeastern part of the Village of Lansingburgh called Adamsville. There are several videos on YouTube explaining rope works and showing them in action, e.g. a 1990 video about Lancashire’s Britannia Rope and Twine Works.

Adams Rope and Twine walk.—A large establishment for the manufacture of rope and twine has just been erected in the north part of the town. That’s the talk. Give Lansingburgh the reputation of being an extensive manufacturing place, and it can bid defiance to all the deleterious effects of railroads, and rivalry of every sort.
Lansingburgh Democrat. April 25, 1850: 2 col 2.

☞ The following gentlemen, on Monday were elected Directors of the Rope Works in this place: Wm. Briggs, Galen Richmond, Joseph Briggs, Harvey Mosher, Wm. Sergeant, Harvey Church, Newton Adams, Giles B. Kellogg, David Dater.
Lansingburgh Democrat. January 17, 1856: 2 col 6.

The Adams rope walk has been purchased by Mr. Wm. Bradshaw; the transfer was made on Saturday last. We understand that the manufacture of rope will be resumed there in a few weeks. It was purchased at a great bargain.
Lansingburgh Democrat. May 21, 1857: 2 col 4.

DIED. […]
In Troy, on Sunday morning, May 17th, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, father of Nelson Adams of this place, aged about 60 years.
Lansingburgh Democrat. May 21, 1857: 2 col 7.

—Adam’s rope walk is a fixed fact;—orders are coming in from all sections faster than he can fill them.
Lansingburgh Democrat. August 6, 1857: 2 col 5.

Adams & Arnott, Rope & Cordage Manufacturers, And Builders of all kinds of Cordage and Twine Machinery, Lansingburgh, N. Y. Pickers, carding engines, Drawing and Spinning Frames; also, Formers and Layers of unequalled excellence, furnished at short notice. Messrs. Adams & Arnott are also prepared to execute general work in the mechanical department, with promptitude and dispatch, and at prices to suit the times. Address Newton Adams, Hamilton Arnott. } Adams & Arnott, Lansingburgh, N. Y.

“Adams & Arnott, Rope & Cordage Manufacturers.” Lansingburgh Democrat. February 25, 1858: 3 col 4.

N. Adams Rope Machine patent diagram.


Adams, Nelson. Improvement in machinery for making rope. US 21238A August 24, 1858.

☞ ROPE MACHINE.—The rope machine of Newton Adams is on exhibition at L. L. Southwick’s, two doors north of the WHIG office. The machine does its work, as far as our unscientific eye can detect, with wonderful facility, and it is claimed that the machine is far superior to any other kind in use. It will run off from forty to fifty feet of rope per minute. We advise all interested in the subject to witness its operations.
Troy Daily Whig. November 18, 1858: 3 col 4.

“Adams’ Rope-Making Machine.” Scientific American 14(26). March 5, 1859. 209.

TO LET
The first story of the Cordage works building, with Steam Power. Suitable for a Machine shop. Apply
NEWTON ADAMS,
Lansingburgh, March 25, 1858.
Lansingburgh Democrat. April 14, 1859: 1 col 2.

DISSOLUTION.
THE Co-partnership heretofore existing and carried on between the Subscribers under the firm of Adams & Arnot is this day dissolved by Mutual Consent.
All the accounts and Claims against and due the late firm will be settled by Newton Adams who alone is authorized to settle the same.
NEWTON ADAMS,
HAMILTON ARNOT.
Lansingburgh, Jan 17th 1859.
The manufacture of Rope and Cordage will be carried on by the subscriber as heretofore.
NEWTON ADAMS.
Lansingburgh Democrat. April 14, 1859: 1 col 5.

MACHINERY.
FOR SALE.—A steam Engine of sixty horse power with Boiler of 100 horse power, nearly new, were made to order and cost $5000. Also 2 Turning Lathes, Machine shop tools, Portable Forge, Vices, &c Ic — Any or all of these will be sold cheap.
Apply to
NEWTON ADAMS
Lansingburgh N. Y.
Lansingburgh Democrat. April 14, 1859: 1 col 5.

9 ACRES
Of choice farm land for sale, located directly north of and adjoining the Troy Cemetery. It will be sold at a bargain. Apply to
NEWTON ADAMS,
November 11, 1858.
Lansingburgh Democrat. July 14, 1859: 3 col 1.

FACTORY PROPERTY FOR SALE.—The premises known as the Newton Adams Rope Manufacturing Establishment, situated in the village of Lansingburgh. The buildings are brick and nearly new. The engine is sixty horse power, and in excellent order, only having been in use about two years. The boilers are 100 horse power, and in good order. The above will be sold with or without the dwelling house, barn and eleven acres of land adjoining, at a very low price, or will be exchanged for a farm having upon it a good water power. For further particulars, apply on the premises or of
PECK & HILLMAN.
Troy Daily Times. November 25, 1859: 1 col 3.

Detail of northern part of Village of Lansingburgh showing Newton Adams rope walk from Map of Rensselaer Co. New York by D. J. Lake & S. N. Beers 1861.

Cotton No Longer King.

A SUBSTITUTE FOUND.—Who would have thought, two years ago, of ever using anything but Cotton Twine for wrapping up goods? How true it is, that necessity is the mother of invention. I am now making Wrapping Twine from a mixture of Jute and American Hemp, which answers all the purposes of Cotton Twine, at less than half its present prices. Buy it, and try it;—and let the Rebels and their Cotton Lord go to grass.
For sale only in large lots, for CASH.
I also manufacture, and keep constantly for sale, assorted sizes of Merchant Cordage, Clothes Lines, Sash Cord and Bell Cord, for railroad cars—2000 feet in a piece—&c., &c.—Lansingburgh, Dec., 1862
NEWTON ADAMS.
Troy Daily Times. March 27, 1863: 4 col 7.

Hang all the Traitors.
NEWTON ADAMS IS MY NAME,
For making Rope I’ve gained a fame.
And I have just been thinking
What I’ll do for Abram Lincoln.

I will furnish him with halters,
If President he be.
To hang copperhead defaulters
To a sour apple tree.

And when they catch Jeff. Davis,
Who of our country would bereave us,
I will go with Abe to Richmond.
With my rope I’ll do the hitching.

Manufacturer of all kinds of Merchant Cordage, American Hemp, Flax and Flax Tow Rope, from 1/4 inch to 1 inch diameter. Bed-cords, clothes-lines, sash-cord and car-bell cord, 2600 feet without a splice. Seaming twine, spring twine, paper-makers’ twine and wool twine.
All goods warranted as represented. Terms Cash. Address, NEWTON ADAMS
Lansingburgh, N. Y.
Lansingburgh Gazette. March 17, 1864: 3 col 3.

Newton Adams is making arrangements for a trip to Canada, where he intends to spend about six months.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Weekly Times. June 3, 1865: 3 col 2.

ROPE, TWINES, &C.
—
Rope, Cordage and Twine.

THE SUBSCRIBER having purchased of Newton Adams, his machinery and good will in his factory at Schaghticoke Point, is now prepared to make and furnish all kinds of rope, cordage, twins, bale rope, &c., at as reasonable rates as can be bought of any other manufactory in the country. All orders addressed to me at Troy will be promptly attended to.
S. A. SPICER.
—
Rensselaer Steam Cordage Works,

ESTABLISHED 1837—NEWTON ADAMS, Proprietor and manufacturer of flax, hemp, jute and flax low Cordage, at wholesale; Coil Rope, 1 inch, 1/8, 3/4, 5/8, 1/2 and 3/8 diameter; Bed Cord 72 feet; Clothes Lines any length desired; Halters ready-made; Sash Cord from fine dressed flax or hemp; Bell Cord for rail road cars, 2500 ft in one piece; pure flax or hemp twin, for paper makers; Spring Twin, &c. Terms cash.
NEWTON ADAMS, Lansingburgh.
Troy Daily Times. June 19, 1867: 4 col 4.

As the firemen were returning from Baxter’s they discovered flames issuing from the rear of Newton Adams’ rope-walk. It came from a quantity of rope, which was getting nicely in flames, but the timely arrival of the firemen soon stopped its progress.
“Incendiary Fires in Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Press. May 24, 1869: 3 col 5.

The storm was severe at Lansingburgh, the heaviest loser being Newton Adams, whose rope walk two stories high and six hundred feet long, was totally destroyed. Loss $2,000.
In the country round about there was great destruction of fences, barns and outbuildings.
“The Gale at Troy and Vicinity. Albany Morning Express. December 22, 1869: 2 col 5.

FOR SALE—Two rotary drawing frames used but six months, suitable for jute or flax tow; built at Patterson, N. J.; cost $1,000; price $500. One sweep horse power; price $30. Also a quantity of rope-making tools which will be sold cheap.
NEWTON ADAMS, Lansingburgh, N. Y.
Troy Daily Times. July 28, 1870: 1 col 2.

VICINITY ITEMS.
—
Lansingburgh.

The barn of Newton Adams, with its contents, consisting of a quantity of cordage and several wagons, was destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning. Loss, $1,400; covered by insurance.
Albany Evening Times. March 11, 1876: 3 col 3.
Albany Morning Express. March 13, 1876: 1 col 4.

—Sneak thieves entered the rope walk of Newton Adams Monday night, and stole $10 worth of rope and a clock.
“Local Topics.” Lansingburgh Gazette. July 21, 1877: 3 col 1.

—James H. Adams has engaged in the manufacture of rope at the old Newton Adams rope walk, having purchased the latter’s interest in the rope manufacturing business.
“Village Notes.” Lansingburgh Courier. February 16, 1884: 3 col 2.

—In Surrogate Lansing’s court last week the will of Newton Adams was admitted to probate. He left an estate estimated to be worth about $13,000 to relatives.
“Local News and Seasonable Jottings.” Lansingburgh Courier. July 13, 1893: 3 col 1.