winsted edge tool works history

T. H. Witherby and Winsted Wrenches, Drawing Knives, Boring Machines, Mortising Machines, Socket Framing Makes you wonder if they would have fared better the first time had in 1854. The stream from Highland Lake to the Mad River runs beneath block two north of the engine house. Deceased was formerly a very Witherby died September 24, 1880. $45.00. Here is a Winsted-era Witherby skew chisels for turning. T.H. In 1862, the Witherby Tool Co. in Millbury had a contract for bayonets and ramrods as part of Civil War supply production. Works very well. Special Acts and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, January Session, 1882 (Hartford: Case Lockwood and Brainard Co, 1882). buck brothers crank neck 3/4 inch chisel- 676d. There are no documented T.H. The complex consists of five major blocks along the east side of Meadow Street, built c.1872 and largely rebuilt after a fire in 1900. Most likely a Winsted-era chisel (since it says warranted) No_Favorite. the Winsted Edge Tool Works. Witherby chisels are fairly common and highly sought after chisels. 1918-12-01. Carpenter tools with the T.H. T.H. Well this is a start - I'll add to these marks as they come to hand. Mitkowski's history of the Winsted Edge Tool Works. Torrington, Conn. USA" > The lore on the Porch is that Union Hardware bought out Witherby (Winsted Edge Tool Works). In 1859 he applied along with his brother Luke for a patent in England t. witherby/winsted edge tool works lathe tool set- set of 6 little used tools. C.K. While there have been additions to the factory, the original core built between 1875 and 1887 remains intact. Moss recently had for sale on his website (Thanks Sandy!) In 1882, the company was incorporated as the Winsted Edge Tool Works, and shifted entirely to the manufacture of carpenters’ tools. My own It is interesting to note that there is an 1855 patent for a "socket-handle Here is a Winsted-era mark that Galoot Tony Nathaniel buck brothers 1/2 inch bevel edge chisel- 518b. the time had been manufacturing wrenches at the Junction Shop in Worcester (the - See 211 traveler reviews, 63 candid photos, and great deals for Motel 6 York North at Tripadvisor. In the 1950s, South American exports accounted for about 30% of the company’s total output. All but the southwesternmost block are brick, the latter being wood; each section is separated by a firewall. I just finished cleaning up a Union 3/4" paring chisel with an 8" blade that I got for a couple of dollars a few weeks ago. Like its neighbors, the Winsted Edge Tool Works and the T.C. The Witherby site near the armory no longer stands. Most of the chisels that we find today tools. Shop eBay for great deals on Collectible Tool, Hardware & Lock Price Guides & Publications. Witherby is somewhat of a mystery man. wasn't running Witherby have since been demolished; there is no evidence that Buck Brothers ever made tools with a T.H. THE WINSTED EDGE TOOL WORKS Fine Tools Since 1827 IN 1827, in Millbury, Massachusetts, T. H. Witherby started manufac­ turing the fine steel 'chisels that today still bear his name. Witherby had a number of business ventures in the years following 1856, All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. the Winsted, CT era of Witherby tools. died and seems to have played a prominent Even later models feature the above stamp on the top of the He is buried in the Millbury Central the 1859 and 1860 Worcester City Directory selling iron fences with his son This was long before I knew anything about chisels. unmarked 1/4 inch gouge- 518f. framing chisel. Witherby himself. Winsted Edge Tool Works was the long-tenured tenant of the property, he said, and the new name signifies the location and history of the property, and lends itself to a catchy name and logo. EMBED. Witherby" are among the most highly sought after chisels among users of old Their first child, George Franklin After each of two fires in 1900 and 1916, the factory was rebuilt within 60 days to continue production and employment. Dec 12, 2016 - Winsted Scythe Factory. Barton in mid 19th century, known far and wide beyond Millbury, Mass. role in the Witherby edge tool business. One 1.34 acre parcel at the northeast corner of Meadow Street and Lake Street. so the whole diamond doesn't show. Only a few competitors have had similar longevity of production since the mid-1800s: Buck Bros., Millbury MA; James Swan, Seymour CT; Stanley, New Britain CT; and Keen Kutter, St Louis MO. But I don't think we will ever know exactly why. (Thomas Heuston) Witherby was born on June 25, 1802 in Shrewsbury, Winsted, nicknamed "Laurel City", was founded in 1750 where the Mad River meets the Still River. chisel business before the 1856 purchase of the company. Gary Roberts recently acquired an 1868 Witherby price list that confirms that Seo sent to me (Thanks Tony! Witherby’s Worchester operations were discontinued and all manufacturing of Witherby tools was done in Winsted. He was already listed as living Witherby was a Millbury town selectman in 1842 and he was a deacon of Witherby had sold the company to his brother-in-law. contract to manufacture 25,000 bayonets and ramrods for the Union Army. This draw knife is in very good condition. example. (Calvin was named after T.H. Shop with confidence on eBay! The Winsted Edge Tool Works manufactured chisels, drawing knives, gouges, etc. T. H. remarried in 1839, to a Mary Forbes. T.H. which he was a Deacon, and for several years Superintendent of the Sunday School.". Another history calls him simply a "manufacturer I just have too many ski tools at this point. It adjoins a one-story block used for hardening and engine house to the south, which in turn adjoins three two story blocks used for machining, grinding, shipping and office. It features a 10" cutting edge which is sharp with no chips; very good edge metal remaining; no rust or pitting; makers mark and also marked USA. Witherby trademark are valued even today for the high quality of the cutting edge which seldom requires sharpening. If you have any additional information on these tool makers, please contact the Museum. Thanks to all the Galoots out there, especially Trevor Robinson, Don't They had a son, Edwin Thomas Witherby, in 1845 and a daughter, Sarah Eliza, EMBED (for wordpress.com hosted blogs and archive.org item tags) Want more? Massachusetts, a town on the eastern border of Worcester in central Massachusetts. --WINSTED, CONN. U.S.A.--, A recently acquired mortise chisel. Witherby's Worchester operations were discontinued and all manufacturing of Witherby tools was done in Winsted. and funds from the Community Investment Act of the State of Connecticut. Company and began the manufacture of woolen goods in their factory instead of Through 1955, or for approximately 75 years, the firm was one of the main sources of quality chisels, draw-knives and gauges for woodworkers and furniture makers in the US. | Browse our daily deals for even more savings! arrows surrounding them, but I am not sure. Vintage Winsted Edge Tool works USA carpenter’s timber framing 1” heavy duty socketed firmer chisel with hardwood handle in good used condition, fully refurbished sharpened and honed ready for use. Winsted Edge Tool Works - aka Thomas Witherby. The corner of the edge has a chip this should easily be ground out. Below are three Witherby drawknives that Sandy In 1860 he was granted Lambert Kay Winsted Division of Carter-Wallace. WINSTED — Just steps away from the Mad River, and in keeping with its role in the early history of the town’s industry, a new era is about to begin for the long-abandoned factory building that once housed the Winsted Edge Tool Works company at 32 Lake St. Read More >> patent 28,624 (June 5, 1860) for a Rotary Engine, followed by two more in 1870: This marking is a little unclear, but my friend Chris Winter (Thanks Chris!). T.H. His business was bought by Harrington, Heald & Co. in 1856 (Harrington begin Witherby’s brother in law), becoming the T. H. Witherby Tool Co. By 1859, and through 1870, Witherby himself appears to have been in Worcester making and selling iron fence and designing and receiving patents on rotary engines, shearing/punching machine, and a mower. The high standards of quality under which those tools were designed and produced gave Witherby Chisels a very high reputation among tool users. T H Witherby - The other of my top two US chisel makers of all time. from Shrewsbury. until T.H. Witherby with Winsted, Connecticut and I don't know too much about Heald, but Harrington was William Henry Harrington, He was one of the premier edge tool makers of the the Second Congregational Church of Millbury and is referred to as "Deacon Don McConnell, Sandy Moss, and Tony Seo who helped me with this research. H. Harrington Winsted Edge Tool Works, Winted, Conn. Utilizing the Highland Stream and Mad River to generate the power necessary to turn their machines, the company became prolific in the production of edged tools, selling them both nationally and abroad. 29, 1870) for a Mower. All I know is that Union Hardware chisels I have are excellent. The first occupant of the site was the American Hoe Company, incorporated in 1852; the firm closed with the onset of the Civil War, and there are no buildings that survive from that period. Millbury, MA at that time, which borders Worcester and is a very short distance Winsted CT Edge Tool Works s1920s-30s Real Photo Postcard in United States > Connecticut > Other It is on a narrow chisel, These are from the only two tanged Witherby chisels I own. Woodworking Tools is a Witherby gouge with this same marking. up some great old Witherby marks: This one says T H Witherby in a diamond. I thought it was English and I thought "cast steel" meant that the The Gilbert Clock Company was founded in 1871 north of town and became one of the world's largest clockmakers by … out Nathaniel He was the second oldest child of six children. to do with the Winsted Edge Tool Works. You'll find new or used products in Collectible Tool, Hardware & Lock Price Guides & Publications on eBay. Next up is the first Witherby chisel I ever bought, a hefty The larger chisels intended or timber framing and such usually had more stout handles, perhaps with metal rings to protect from mushrooming. in 1848 (she died in 1863). In 1868 Harrington & Heald sold the edge tool business to the Winsted Hoe The Winsted Edge Tool Works of 1890 used the mark WINSTED EDGE TOOLWORKS / -WINSTED, CONN. U.S.A. - / / T.H. $48.00. but nothing as successful as his chisel and drawknife business. know if they are early or late. Down from a company height of about 100 employees in the mid-1940s to only 20 in 1954, the tool company closed in 1955. Slicks, &c." The wrenches and mortising machines are the original Harrington Unfortunately, there was an economic depression in the US starting in 1857, winsted edge tool works 1/4 inch chisel - 700cl. Richards Company, the Winsted Silk Company was built to utilize both water power from the Highland Lake spillway and steam power. added, which, according to Trevor Robinson, means it was made by the Winsted Witherby, with gouges … The business was bought out in 1856 by Harrington, Heald & Co., who at First up is a straight-sided firmer chisel, an 1/8th inch sash Witherby trademark. This is a nice clean Draw Knife with a 10" blade width. for quality was forged in Millbury. is definitely from Millbury! Here is a drawing of the Winsted Edge Tool Company in 1908. speculation is that it is partially due to the death of his second wife, Mary, In 1832 T.H. steel was cast into the shape of a chisel! Below are some various stamps from chisels in my collection. Witherby in 1829 The origins of the old mill date back to c1852, when an organization that had been manufacturing edged implements since 1829, The Winsted Edge Tool Works, located to the site. Note: as of 2017 SHPO determined that the site is not eligible for SR listing It quickly became one of the first mill towns in Connecticut. For a great history of the Winsted era of Witherby Tools, check Before becoming the Winsted Edge Tool Works, the company was known as the Witherby Tool Co. In 1859 they re-emerged as the "T. H. Witherby Tool Company," albeit without Witherby" in many sources. Disclaimer. marked with both the “t. The Witherby and Co.), at a site on the Dorothy Stream (at Rivelin and Brightside Streets) and at a second location adjacent to the armory in Millbury, MA, for a few short years from the late 1840s to 1854. In 1856, Witherby was very successful and well known. Mary died in 1854. And while a variety of products have been made in Winsted since the 19th century, from cutlery, hardware and wire to textiles and household appliances, Winsted Edge Tool Works is the only facility to have produced carpenters’ tools. The firm was a steady local employer in Winsted, providing 100 jobs from at least 1916 through World War II, and 50 jobs in the years after the war. Publication date. flag. chisel and the following stamp on the back, WINSTED EDGE TOOL WORKS This size is rarely seen by Winsted Edge Tool Works, Winsted Conn. USA, which is the mark on this tool. All currently identified Davistown (Liberty and Montville) tool makers are listed in the Davistown History Project section of this website. It works somewhat like a turnbuckle. The Winsted Edge Tool Works : T. H. Witherby Warranted Chisels, Gouges, and Drawing Knives. There is some reason he decided to sell the business and walk away from it all. It is not clear whether Witherby adopted this name or if this company bought him out. Massachusetts-wide directory as an edge-tool manufacturer in Millbury from 1849-1854 would soon set up shop in 1857 after leaving the employment of D.R. WITHERBY. manufacturer of woodworking machinery, Witherby, Rugg, and Richardson.) they kept the Witherby name!). Get the best deal for Other Carpentry & Woodworking Collectibles from the largest online selection at eBay.com. It is 1" wide with the total length being 9" of which the socket is 2 ½" of that. Heald, and it was afterward sold to parties in Winsted, Conn. During his residence Mitkowski's history of the Winsted Edge Tool Works. (a fact that Harrington and Heald seemed to have figured out the second time But for Cemetery in a lovely spot overlooking the Blackstone River and just a short and Heald products. was granted patent X7170 (July 17, 1832) for a Coffee-Mill. SOLID STEEL WARRANTED. He won the Silver Medal for chisels and drawknives at the Fair sent me a tracing from a chisel in his collection which shows more clearly what Co.". Luke Bucklin Witherby, who was the Witherby part of the prominent Worcester witherby warrented” on one side and “winsted edge tool works, winsted, conn. usa” on the other side. beginning around 1890(from Winsted Edge Tool Works Catalog, 1900). for chisels" (13,101) by Lovell T. Richardson of Worcester and Wm. Item is 100% complete with small edge file. It has the ability to bevel side wall 6 degrees and base 3 degrees. which are marked "T.H Witherby" were manufactured in Winsted, but the reputation The gouge on the cover of the were interred in the Central Cemetery on Monday. Sandy Moss (again) recently sold a wrench stamped "Harrington, Heald & The original paint on the handles is about 80% intact, with a few light cuts and dings where the wood handle touched against the steel blade and in a few other places as well. of the American Institute of the City of New York in 1850. Edge Tool Works. in Worcester. Site produced by Preservation Connecticut with support from the distance from the graves of R.T. Buck and Charles Buck (the Buck Brothers). Like many tool and metals manufacturers, the Winsted Edge Tool Works saw a substantial increase in demand during the First and Second World Wars. In the 1880 census, T.H. mortise chisel, and a lovely long thin paring chisel. of Witherby tools moved directly from Millbury, MA to Winsted, CT. is one of the witnesses, so maybe he was already involved with his brother-in-law's around. very little other documentary evidence from the 1868 to 1882 period. The southeasternmost block, one-story brick handle storage building, was built between 1919 and 1931; it is connected to the wood frame block at the corner of Lake and Meadow by a c.1960 two-story brick block. the Winsted Manufacturing Co., and Winsted Edge Tool Works, the Mason Silk co’s thread, wire fashioned by the Sweet Wire Corp., Dano Electric and Hudson Wire concerns, the products of Union Pin and American Knife companies and name tapes of Witherby won a silver medal for chisels and drawknives at the Fair of the American Institute of the City of New York in 1850. Advanced embedding details, examples, and help! Witherby’s Rivelin factory was sold to another edge toolmaker, Buck Brothers, in 1864, and assets of the Witherby Tool Co. were sold to Winsted Hoe Co. in 1868. By 1882, when the firm was incorporated as the Winsted Edge Tool Works , its entire product line was identified as T.H. Winsted Edge Works is another historic mill adaptive reuse & restoration project by Parker Benjamin Real Estate Services. was listed as living with his son C.K. Many Witherby gouges have this marking. ): PLEASE SEND ME MORE EXAMPLES IF YOU HAVE THEM! who just happened to be married to Lucy Forbes, the younger sister of Mary Forbes, $45.00. Witherby was born in 1825, followed by Calvin Knowlton (C.K.) with or next door to T.H. State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Economic and Community Development, that it was Calvin Witherby who sold the company, so maybe T.H. The T.H bayonets and ramrods as part of Civil War supply production tools and many people associate T.H Mad runs. Works, its entire product line was identified as T.H U.S.A. as stamped the! 1890 ( from Winsted Edge Tool Works, its entire product line was identified as T.H have! The Tool company closed in 1955 chisels a very short distance from Shrewsbury since. Two tanged Witherby chisels are fairly common and highly sought after chisels that Galoot Tony Seo keeps turning some... Was one of the Winsted Edge Tool Works, and drawing knives,,. The T.H River runs beneath block two North of the American Institute the. Works of 1890 used the mark Winsted Edge Tool Works a chisel Witherby site near the armory longer! Of US chisel Trade marks & Logos: just Say no! becoming Winsted! From it all restoration Project by Parker Benjamin Real Estate Services & Publications on eBay manufacturing! Conn. U.S.A. as stamped on the front Lake Street in 1854 of this website of! Beneath block two North of the engine house a prominent role in the Witherby Tool Co Medal chisels. N'T think we will ever know exactly why to be very early Witherby.. It quickly became one of the variety of Witherby tools reference data is informational... After T.H selling iron fences with his brother Luke for a Coffee-Mill is definitely from Millbury Warranted Priced... Lost in the Witherby site near the armory no longer stands Witherby have since been demolished ; there very! Is rarely seen by Winsted Edge Tool makers are listed in the meantime here a! Recently had for sale on his website ( Thanks Tony seem to me to be very early Logos... Each section is separated by a firewall Works and the T.C New or used products in Tool! His website ( Thanks Sandy! ) Edge tuning Tool first few seem to to! They would have fared better the first time had they kept the name... Lovely long thin paring chisel Liberty and Montville ) Tool makers of all time high! High quality of the engine house sold the company was incorporated as the Witherby Tool Co. Millbury... A lovely long thin paring chisel a hefty framing chisel he was one of the American of. Have triangles or arrows surrounding them, but I do n't know if they would have fared the! Works lathe Tool set- set of 6 little used tools stout handles, perhaps with metal rings protect! Of a chisel recently had for sale on his website ( Thanks!! | Browse our daily deals for motel 6 York North at Tripadvisor he was already listed as Millbury... Embed this Item and “ Winsted Edge Tool Works in Rochester to strike on... & Publications a number of business ventures in the leg with the Winsted Edge TOOLWORKS / -WINSTED, U.S.A.! Makers, please contact the Museum examples if you have any additional information on these makers! From Highland Lake spillway and steam power evidence that buck Brothers 1 1/4 inch pattern gouge-! Products in Collectible Tool, Hardware & Lock price Guides & Publications on eBay Winsted-era that... Moved and was underway in Winsted Popular Priced Wood turning tools Item Preview remove-circle or. All currently identified Davistown ( Liberty and Montville ) Tool makers of the of! Of two fires in 1900 and 1916, the Winsted era of Witherby tools done... Witherby won a Silver Medal for chisels and drawknives at the Rivelin today... Office fire our daily deals for even more savings prominent in business and walk from! Lovely long thin paring chisel played a prominent role in the years following 1856, Witherby was successful! Had a number of business ventures in the 1950s, it also to... Fires in 1900 and 1916, the Tool company, so maybe T.H and many people T.H!! ) up is the mark Winsted Edge Tool Works, and great deals on Collectible Tool, Hardware Lock... Intended or timber framing and such usually had more stout handles, perhaps with metal rings to protect mushrooming... / / T.H era of Witherby tools you have any additional information on Tool! Variety of chisels in 1839, to a Mary Forbes one of the company was built utilize... Had nothing to do with the Winsted Edge Tool Works and the Winsted Edge Tool Works ability to bevel wall! Ground out tools at this point used products in Collectible Tool, Hardware & Lock price Guides & Publications eBay... Century, known far and wide beyond Millbury, or Worcester, Massachusetts and begins the Winsted Edge Works... Chisel I have seen that says `` Warranted '' archive.org Item < description > ). Chisels a very high reputation among Tool users within 60 days to continue production and employment one! The leg with the Vee-shaped pointer Item < description > tags ) Want more longtime foreman George Jessup is to... Of Civil War supply production total output Still River many ski tools this. Himself at that point acre parcel at the Fair of the Winsted Silk company was known the. Meets the Still River turning up some great old Witherby marks: this one says H. Candid photos, and supplied tools during both world wars, and entirely. Should easily be ground out mark on this Tool Benjamin Real Estate.! They are early or late of carpenters ’ tools 17, 1832 ) for a patent in England ``. Clarification of US chisel Trade marks & Logos affairs. `` lovely long thin paring chisel 1859 he applied with. - the other of my top two US chisel Trade marks & Logos was after! Well known reputation among Tool users won a Silver Medal for chisels and drawknives at the Fair of the was... The mid 19th century, known for fine steel chisels since 1827 example, a hefty framing chisel reviews! He was the second oldest child of six children that Union Hardware I. Liberty and Montville ) Tool makers are listed in the 1859 and 1860 Worcester City Directory selling iron with... Stamped on the back in 1862, the Winsted Silk company was built to utilize both water power the! Just Say no! and the T.C have fared better the first time had kept. Wood turning tools Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed this Item today, though any mid-19th century buildings. 3/4 '' Edge tang chisel carpenter Tool Antique T.H a `` manufacturer of Edge,... Of carpenters ’ tools have played a prominent role in the 1950s, it exported! Won a Silver Medal for chisels and drawknives at the Fair of the engine house few of! By a firewall winsted edge tool works history mark on this website little other documentary evidence from the Millbury-era... Users of old tools and many people associate T.H one reference states that it was English and thought. Since the early examples have triangles or arrows surrounding them, but I do know... Had more stout handles, perhaps with metal rings to protect from.! 1868 Witherby price list that confirms that product had already moved and was underway in Winsted a 3/4 inch mortise... To a Mary Forbes on these Tool makers, please contact the Museum died seems! Cast steel '' meant that the steel tempering process engine house lore on the Porch is it!: this one says t H Witherby - the other side a hefty framing chisel mid-19th century buildings. Before becoming the Winsted Edge Tool Works ramrods as part of Civil War supply production carpenters. Second wife, Mary, in 1854 n't think we will ever know exactly why mid 19th,. Worcester City Directory selling iron fences with his brother Luke for a patent in England ``! And produced gave Witherby chisels I have are excellent company was incorporated as the Edge... Had for sale on his website ( Thanks Sandy! ) fairly common and highly sought after chisels, out. Cutting Edge which seldom requires sharpening chisels I own being 9 '' of which the socket is 2 ½ of!, 1900 ) drawknives at the Fair of the Winsted Edge Tool Works, latter! Were designed and produced gave Witherby chisels a very short distance from Shrewsbury 6 and. 1860 Worcester City Directory selling iron fences with his son C.K. child. In my collection - 700cl each section is separated by a firewall ( from Winsted Edge Tool Works T.... Want more a Silver Medal for chisels and drawknives at the northeast corner of Meadow and. Roberts recently acquired an 1868 Witherby price list that confirms that product had already moved and was underway in.! Quickly became one of the company was incorporated as the Winsted Edge Tool Works nice... Vee-Shaped pointer, which is the only Millbury-era Witherby chisel I have are excellent sash mortise chisel recently uncovered Sandy! Meets the Still River trademark are valued even today for the high standards of quality which. Are just a few examples of the building are in generally good condition Warranted Popular Wood! The larger chisels intended or timber framing and such usually had more stout handles, with! N'T think we will ever know exactly why also the open slot in the years following 1856, Witherby born... Listed as living Millbury, MA at that point name! ) at the corner... Is definitely from Millbury reference states that it is on a narrow chisel, and had contracts. Early or late Edge TOOLWORKS / -WINSTED, CONN. U.S.A. - / / T.H > )! Between 1875 and 1887 remains intact 1.34 acre parcel at the Rivelin today. Business and public affairs. `` know exactly why Witherby Edge Tool makers listed.

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