The Holland "Silk Spinner" Panel

This panel shows the model he submitted with his patent application. The patent was awarded for two innovations: the machine stopped automatically when a thread broke, and it was easy to reverse the direction of the twist. Holland was living in Northampton at the time, and his machine was used by in the silk industry here.

Holland grew up near Mansfield, Connecticut, where he ran a wool-carding business, but fewer and fewer women spun their own wool.

After several moves, the family made Northampton their permanent home. Holland, his wife, and three daughters are buried in the Bridge Street Cemetery.

One of Holland's sons, Josiah Gilbert Holland, became a noted teacher, essayist, and poet.