Michael,

I consulted my photocopy of _Cements, Limes, and Plaster: Their Materials,
Manufacture and Properties_ by Edwin C. Eckel, C.E. published by John Wiley
& Sons in 1907.  He has the following to say on the subject of Rosendale and
Laurencevill cement:

"In following out the history of the western New York cement industry from
1824 to the present, we have necessarily passed by the inauguration of
maufacture in the greatest of all the natural-cement districts -- the
Rosendale region of Eastern New York.  Third among the districts in point of
age, it soon became first as a producer, and has ever since maintained a
high standard in both the quality and quantity of its output.

The discovery of cement rock and the commencement of manufacturing of
natural cement in the Rosendale district took place apparently about 1825,
although there is considerable uncertainty as to the exact date to be
assigned.  The industry, however, had not secured so firm a foothold in the
district by 1837 as might be expected, for in 1843 Mather of the First
Geological Survey of New York State, referred to the immediate past as
follows: 'When making the reconnaissance, soon after the commencement of the
geological survey, the business had but commenced, and there was no cement
manufactured on the Rondout except at Lawrenceville, and there but few kilns
in operation.  It was not then known to the inhabitants that the cement rock
was abundant except at and near these quarries until some of them were
informed of its inexhaustible quantities.  Even now there are few aware of
the great extent of the rock and still fewer understand how to trace out the
situation of favorably located new quarries.'

During the six years that had elapsed since 1837, however the industry seems
to have grown rapidly, for in his final report (1843) Mather states that
sixteen firms, working sixty kilns, were then operating in the Rosendale
district.  He estimated the product at 500,000 to 600,000 barrels per year,
and notes that about 700 men were employed in the quarries, in the mills,
and in handling the cement."

No mention of Largerdofer Portland Cement in Eckel's book, but the Rosendale
and Laurenceville are definitely natural cements, from about the same area.
Hope this helps . . .  It sounds like a way cool project!

Lisa


----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: mortar mystery


> After caving in ancient underground  fort casements and massive magazines
of
> turn of the century coastal defenses I stumbled across some old ledgers in
> the dust of what used to be the fort engineers office..
> The old faded yellow paper half eaten by moth and mice reads
>
> . Dated "June 30 1898"  We are using Beach Brand Rosendale cement an(d?)
> ,Largerdofer Portland cement for the forts construction.........Ah ha!
...but
> .Later on in 1903 there is an invoice for Laurenceville cement ......and
they
> documented using  beach sand in the mix  ( a no no)
> .......any takers or libraries  on what  Rosendale and Laurenceville are
???
> Hydraulic Lime mortars (yes?) perhaps Roman(natural) cements.?... pulling
my
> hair after Hogmonay   Michael...