Stephen Vail

Stephen Vail was born in 1780 in Morristown. He was a blacksmith who married Bethiah Youngs of Morristown i n1801. They had four children who survived into adulthood: Harriet, Alfred, George (who built and owned Willow Hall), and Sarah.

Stephen was an entrepreneur, inventor and a manufacturer. Although not educated himself, he provided his with the best education. Alfred and George were educated at the Morristown Academy while Sarah attended the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem.

In 1807, Stephen and three other men began operating Speedwell Iron Works. It failed after two years. But Stephen continued and became the sole proprietor in 1815. From then on, it was a success and numerous iron products were produced there: small machine parts, pumps and presses for large mills, papermaking machinery, train parts, among other necessary and profitable items.