In 1863, Esrey entered into business partnership with Hugh Shaw for the manufacturing of cotton goods. The firm purchased an interest in the Pennelton Mills in Aston, Pennsylvania and began making Powhattan Jeans.
In 1866, Esrey and Shaw built a mill just outside the city limits of Chester, Pennsylvania and named the area Powhattan.[2]
Esrey and Shaw built a second mill in 1871 and third mill in 1877. The property containing the three mills was approximately 20 acres.[3] The goods manufactured in these mills were known as Powhattans, Covingtons, Provident and all wool jeans.[2]