An evaluation of production and labor was undertaken by New York State in 1850.

The old document is handwritten and is a little difficult to read. See the article on "Reading Old Handwritting" on the Historian's page.

This 1840 survey of Hermon's businesses indicates that there were:

• 5 sawmills - operating with water power
• 2 blacksmiths
• 1 tinsmith
• 1 gristmill - operating with water power
• 2 potash factories
• 1 shoe maker and leather processer
• 1 carding and dying factory - operating with water power

27 men were employed and 1 woman. The average male wage was $22.00 weekly.

Water power was critical to many industries in 1850. When compared to the carding factory, the saw and the grist mills, the potash manufacturing was the most profitable and required a low initial investment. One potash producer had an annual product worth over $9000.