John Slater (industrialist)
John Slater (December 25, 1776 – May 27, 1843) was an early American industrialist who founded Slatersville, Rhode Island. He was the younger brother of Samuel Slater and a key figure in the Slater family, which helped drive the American Industrial Revolution.
He was born in England and trained as a millwright after studying with his brother’s teacher, Thomas Jackson. He learned mill techniques in Manchester and Oldham, England, and carried that knowledge to America.
Slater moved to the United States in 1803 to work for Almy, Brown and Slater in Pawtucket. He later partnered with the Providence firm Almy and Brown, bought land in what is now Slatersville (then part of Smithfield), Rhode Island, and started a textile mill.
By 1807, Slatersville had the Slatersville Mill—the largest and most modern factory of its day—along with two houses for workers, the owner’s house, and a company store. The Slaters also donated a meeting house for the Slatersville Congregational Church, which they attended.
John Slater died on May 27, 1843, and was buried in Slatersville. His son, John Fox Slater, later became a prominent philanthropist.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 04:55 (CET).