January 7, 2022
Explore our "Newest" Addition!
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Welcome to the New Year, Friends! So far 2022 is shaping up to be a year of collaborations for us, and this Musings From Main is a collaboration also, with the majority of the research being done by archivist, Leith Johnson. We thought it appropriate that we start off the new year's Musings with the "newest" addition to our collections, an A. H. Shipman Companion Scroll Saw!
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A. H. Shipman Companion Scroll Saw |
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Where did it come from?
This interesting object was donated by Elizabeth Risley Addington. She found it in an old barn at 1689 Main Street, South Windsor. It was thought to be a jig saw that was "original" to the building.
It is a wood framed, treadle style saw, ca.1876-1878. The wooden box attached to the side is a crayon box from the Parmenter & Walker Crayon Company ca.1863 -1882. The crayon box appears to have been added onto the body of the saw by one of the users of the machine, perhaps to hold extra saw blades or some type of writing devise to mark the wood being cut.
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| Image of the A. H. Shipman Companion Scroll Saw.
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But Where Did It "Originally" Come From... |
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According to the Industrial Advance of Rochester (NY), A. H. Shipman was known as a manufacturer of scroll saws and lathes, as well as steam engines. The business was founded in 1876 with A.H. Shipman as the sole proprietor, and was described as "One of the most unique and useful branches of industry in Rochester". "The introduction of mechanical art into households as a vehicle of amusement and recreation is a step in the right direction, and the avidity with which appliances of this nature are seized by youths and boys, as well as adults, clearly demonstrates that a long-felt popular want has been filled."
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...And Who was A. H. Shipman? |
According to his obituary, Albert H. Shipman (1850-1888) "was (born) poor in this world's goods, but rich in inventive genius and soon gave evidence of great mechanical skill." It mentions his early years of manufacturing "...an improved kind of jig saw which was sold largely in this county and in Europe." The obituary goes on to mention his most notable invention, the Shipman Engine, and the hardship that followed.
"After Mr. Shipman announced his invention several years of weary litigation followed, but he had the proud satisfaction of seeing his right to the patent vindicated before his death." |
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A. H. Shipman passed away at the age of 37 or 38. He was president of the Shipman Engine Company of Boston which had several subsidiaries across the country.
"The success which Mr. Shipman achieved in his short life was remarkable. His mechanical abilities were great and would have yielded still more valuable fruits had not the skillful hand been stricken while its possessor was yet in the prime of life."
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Thank You, Elizabeth Risley Addington
for your donation of the A. H. Shipman Companion Scroll Saw, and for the opportunity to explore its history and origins. It is a wonderful artifact and will help us to fulfill our mission of bringing history alive!
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Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested. |
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