Established in a converted grist mill on the south side of Alamance Creek in south central Alamance County, North Carolina, Connor Montgomery’s enterprise was begun in the last good years before the Civil War. After just managing to survive with the property in tact during the war, it flourished during Reconstruction due in large part becaise of Connor’s father’s New England roots.
Connor was a first generation citizen, having been born to English emigrants who first settled in Massachusetts and then migrated to central North Carolina near the town of Saxapahaw. He was the only one of three sons who did not farm having more skills in selling things than growing things. That skill got him a job in a general store in Alamance which got him the business training that led him to borrow money to purchase the closed grist mill where Maple Road crosses Alamance Creek.
In addition to the grist mill, the large piece of property that spanned both sides of the creek, there was a small cracker cabin which Connor made his home, dubbing it Bellemont. He purchased four looms, set them up in the largest room in the mill, and starting operating them. He kept the job at the store and worked the looms in the evenings. His plan was to make a limited line of quality, versatile household fabrics that would be sold through local stores, like the one where he worked.
Connor continually, albeit slowly, working on Bellemont, enlarging, adding porches, constructing a barn and a stable. By the time he married Louise Cobb in 1859, Bellemont was starting to have a presence. A year after the wedding, Connor left the store, on good terms, and devoted full time to Sagefield Cotton and his growing family.
(The grist mill pictured is similar to Sagefield Cotton's first operation.)