HD 9537 Connecticut State Library .U54 158 1934
WILLIAM ROGERS AND HIS BROTHERS IN THE SILVERWARE INDUSTRY
The interesting story of the Brothers William, Asa and Simeon Rogers and the part they played in the early development of the Silverware Industry in this country
REPRINTED FROM THE AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1934, KEYSTONE
Over 100 years of spoon-making experience is back of the Original Rogers Silverware brands. 1847 ROGERS BROS. WM. ROGERS & SON $ ROGERS $ * ROGERS & BRO. WM. ROGERS MFG. CO. 1865 WM. ROGERS MFG. CO.
INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO., MERIDEN, CONN.
The mark of International Silver Co. |jj|||| — an absolute guarantee of quality
REG. U.S. PAT. OFF
CONN, STATE LIBRARY SEP 2(j 1834 William Rogers and his Brothers in the Silverware Industry
The interesting story of the Brothers William, Asa and Simeon Rogers and the part they played in the early development of the Silverware Industry in this country
(Editor's Note: From time to time THE Church, a jeweler and gold and In the archives of this same news- KEYSTONE has published historical silversmith on Ferry Street, Hart- paper which, by the way, is the oldest sketches both of individuals and of con- cerns. Many of these men, many of these ford." Four years later, in 1825 the newspaper still in existence, in the concerns, have played a most significant announcement, reproduced below, United States, being first published part in the development of the Jewelry- was inserted in the Hartford Courant in 1764, is another advertisement Industry as ive know it today. I'll is story stating that William had served his under date of December 6, 1825 of the Rogers brothers is likewise pre- sented not only as a matter of historical apprenticeship and had been ad- which shows that the firm of Church interest but as a tribute to the accom- mitted to the firm. & Rogers had moved to the "East plishments of these three men.) side of Main Street, at the sign of the Two hundred and ninety-nine years watch, a few rods north of Court ago—in 1635—a James Rogers came House Square." to this country from England and UKMOFjUL. In 1828, in Ensign's Directory of settled in what is now New London, JOSEPH CHURCH, Hartford, Church and Rogers were Rt tptelfuUy infurmt hit friends, ruMomm. arid listed as running a goldsmith's shop Connecticut. Connecticut was then a the puhhc in grntra/, that he haj remurtd hu titaUlithment from the head of Ferry-itrct, to a and William Rogers personally is wilderness. Only two years before itort on JWam-slrt'l, lately occupied by Main listed as a goldsmith at the same ad- had the first settlement been made on JAKRS & BOM.ES, a few rodi north of Court- House iquarty and nearly -jppttiUe the Courant dress. During this time it is known the site of the present Hartford and Ofjtie, and hat jutl rescired a fashioriablt at- that Church & Rogers were producing it was not until four years later that turtmtnt of GOODS in hu line. ATCHES of the different kind?, mch a» coin silver spoons for retail and trade "The Colony of Connecticut" was W Patent Lever*, Horizontal, Lapine and purposes. There are authentic ex- founded. The great, Great GREAT the common Vertical Scape roe at, 0I a good qual- ity, which will be warranted to keep correct time. amples of these spoons stamped with grandson of this James Rogers was Fine Gold Filagree Ear Ritws, Pin*, and Fincer the name of Church & Rogers. Wil- Asa Rogers. He, in turn, had three Rings of almost every description ; fine gold Chains, Seals and Keys with ali other kitxls of liam Rogers was also stamping sons: William, Asa and Simeon. All WATCH TRIMMINGS. spoons individually (Eagle) Wm. three were born on their father's farm A g
ReprintedJrom the August 1934, KEYSTONE years ago, George White stated that with Asa's brother William Rogers While this was going on, William he learned the silverware business as his partner. This fact is substanti- Rogers continued his partnership under William Rogers, "and at this with Joseph Church even though for a IS'OTIC'E. same time, Asa and Simeon were also f H> 11 E Copartnership lieretolore existing between time during 1832-4 he was associated learning the business from their A ilia suHi-cribcrs, under the firm of A. ROGEHS, Jr. ii Co . is by mutual consent this day on-solved. with his brother Asa in New Britain. brother." ASA ROGERS. Jr. WILLIAM ROGERS. This Church & Rogers partnership As early as 1830, however, Asa New-Britain, March 8, 1034. which had been in effect since 1825 Rogers had evidently perfected him- The business in future will be conducted by ASA ROGERS. Jr. 7 continued until August 2, 1836 when self in spoon-making for in August Hartford Courant, Mar. 24, 1834 of that year it was publicly an- DISSOLUTION. nounced in the Hartford Times and ated by an advertisement inserted in HE Co-partnership heretofore exist- T ing under the firm of CHURCH & ROG- NOTICE. the Hartford Courant under date of ERS, was dissolved Dy mutual consent on I he 2d Co-Purlncrship lias been formed between March 24, 1834 stating that the part- inst. A'lie subscriber;, under lli« firm of JOSEPH CHURCH. ROGERS & COLE, nership then existing in New Britain, WILLIAM ROGERS. For i I in Manuhirliire of August 11, 1836. SILVER SPOONS. to manufacture spoons under the Tliey respectfully uifi.ru) llio public Iliat (liny have lo- name of Asa Rogers, Jr., & Co. was WILLIAM ROGERS, cated iliomielvet III Keir-Brili -i, where Northern and has opened n store in Ex- Southern Merchouts and IVddl<-rs ivlio 'Jeal in the ar- being dissolved and that Asa would change Buildings,(south front) ticle can lie supplied on as favorable terms us can be foui'd in the statu or elsewhere. — hnsjust received from New- continue in business alone. York, and is now opening a Tlie work will bo warranted in quality in- great variety of Watches, ferior to none All orders \\ n) he thankfully received After the partnership was dis- and promptly executed. Jewelry, Pilver Plated, Britia- ASA ROGERS, Jr. solved, it is apparent that Asa re- na, Fancy Goods &e. JOHN A COLE. A share of the public patronage is respectfully Berlin, New Britain Society, > turned to Hartford for on June 9, •olicitcd. Aug. Ill, 1830 ( •3wenivl3 1834 he inserted an advertisement in August 13 8w4l Hartford Times, Aug. 23, 1830 the Hartford Times stating that he Hartford Times, Aug. 13, 1836 was opening a spoon manufactory in other Hartford papers that a part- nership had been formed by Asa SILVER SPOONS. it was dissolved, Church continuing HL subscriber would re^pCLltully inform Rogers, Jr., and John A. Cole in his customers and dealers in Silver-w are general- at the location at 206 Main Street lyT, thai he h<>s established Ins Silver Spoon Manufacto- Berlin, Conn. Shortly after this, there ry in Harlfurd, and is now prepared to execute orders and William Rogers moving to num- in Ins line, at shorl nonce—Dealers in Silver ware, who is a record of Rogers & Cole purchas- will favor him with their patronage, may depend an hav- ber 4 State Street but a stone's throw ing land in New Britain together with ing their orders executed, in the most modern, and fash- ionable SLIIC, of the best quality and on as favorable, across Court Square from his brother buildings, presumably for manufac- terms as can be obtained in the United States. A. ROGERS, Jr. Asa's shop. The building as it then turing purposes. There is still another N. B. The shop in the rear of the Post Office. appeared and the store of William source indicating that Asa was in the May 24. 17w9 Rogers is reproduced here. The por- spoon business at this time. It is in Hartford Times, June 9, 1834 tion which he occupied is still stand- the testimony of A. A. Sperry in a trademark suit in 1883: Sperry testi- the rear of the Post Office which was ing and is now occupied by a United fied that he learned the trade of then on Central Row opposite the Cigar Store. This interesting building spoon-maker beginning in 1832 when then State House on Court Square. is readily recognizable even today. he was 13 years old of Asa Rogers, Jr., who was manufacturing spoons in New Britain at that time. There are examples of these spoons available— coin silver flatware stamped Rogers & Cole. It appears that Cole and Asa Rogers were together for about two
DISSOLUTION. HE Co-ParWicrship heretofore existing under thr firm of T This illustration shows ROGERS <$• COLE. is tliis day dusolicd by mutual consul the building on State *iSA ROGERS. Jr. Street, Hartford, into JOHN A. COLE. which William Rogers New-Britain. May A, 16:!2. The manufacture ofSlLVER SPOOLS will be CO;.- moved in August, 1836. tinued at the old aland r.y .1. Rogers, Jim. S/- Co. Note the Rogers store Orders executed at bhoil notice. sign three doors in ASA RGOERS, Juli. WILLIAM ROGEKB. from the corner. Jon', i. 4wfi Hartford Times, June 4, 1832 years, or until Cole retired on June 4, 1832, when he went to New York where he continued in the coin silver spoon business on Little Green Street or Liberty Place near Maiden Lane for nearly twenty years. When Cole retired, the name was changed to Asa Rogers, Jr., & Co., William Rogers' first and opening tisement, reproduced here, which ran showing that William Rogers con- advertisement was on August 13, in the Hartford Courant on Sept. 9, tinued to make coin or sterling silver 1836. Although the advertisement re- 1837 bears this out. It is interesting spoons long after silverplate was per- produced here appeared in the Hart- to note that this advertisement speaks fected. ford Times, all three Hartford news- of spoons and forks, "made of the On July 28th, 1838 William pub- papers carried it. By this and other pure sterling silver." It seems likely licly advertised that he had bought that he thought that the alloy used in coin might not be the best mixture SILVER SPOONS. SILVER SPOONS, fEPIIE subscriber having recently purchased tlio AT WHOLESALE AMD RETAIL. for practical table use and, therefore, ft SILVER SHOO^ MANUFACTORY, former, ly ownod by A. ROGERS, Jr., lias tho plnasuro to an. HE subscriber has constantly on hand a early experimented with the sterling imuiico to his former patrons, and all others who dual Tlargo assortment of silver alloy. In all likelihood he was in Silver Ware, that ho is now situated to furnish Silver Spoons, Sugar Tongs, Cream and Salt Silver Spoons, at wholoaala, at the lowest pricos, and Spoons, Forks, and Soup Ladles, one of, if not the first, to advertise its according to the litest and most approved style. All orders oxeculed with fidolity and dispaloh. made in the most modern style and of superior manufacture and sale in this country. Also, Silver Butter Knivos, a superior articic, war. finish, warranted as pure a.s coin. Thoso who During these early years, as some ranted not lo break ; doublu and single threaded Din. wish Silver ware will do well to call and oxaut- ing and bosert Forks and Spjuna, in no roapoct infe- ino before they purchase elsewhere. of the advertisements indicate, it was rior to tho boat New York work. WILLIAM ROGERS. WILLIAM ROGERS. the general practice to use coin, No. 4 StaW sitael, July 24. Gd 12w36 Aug-20 3m7'7 American, Spanish, Mexican or Eng- Hartford Times, Aug. 22, 1836 Hartford Courant, July 28, 1838 lish Crowns, generally securing them from those in circulation or from the advertisements the fact is established the spoon manufactory of Asa Rogers, banks, melt them into bars and roll that he was evidently making not Jr., his brother, then located in Hart- and hammer them into spoons. That only spoons but other articles in gold ford in the rear of the Post Office, a very large amount of currency was and silver as well as selling a wide then on Central Row. Three years absorbed by this practice, is proved later, however, Asa again comes into variety of watches, jewelry and so by an article in the Hartford Courant forth. the picture and announced in the some ninety years ago which says, Hartford Times on March 27, 1841 Even at this early period, William "It is stated that 10,000 American or that he was "again making silver Mexican half-dollars are melted in spoons and was located at 12 Trum- SILVER SPOONS. Boston every week (about $250,000 HE subscriber keeps constantly on hand, SILVE* bull Street in the 'Old Jail' Building, T SrooNs of the best quality, mado of the pure per year). New York and Philadel- corner of Pearl." sterling silver, and finished in the most approved stylo. phia must use still more." There are Ho lias now on hnnd several patterns not before offered Meanwhile William's business had for sale in this city. Also, Silver Forki, dining and also numerous records of complaints desert size, with double.threaded and plain lianillos. continued to grow and expand. WILLIAM ROGERS. lodged in New York regarding the Simeon, whom the records indicate Exchange Buildings, South side, ) scarcity of silver change and it was 5 doors wost U. S. Hotel. ( 26w67 was working and learning the trade recommended that banks issue bills Hartford Courant, Sept. 9, 1837 under his brother William, was ad- for the fraction of a dollar. mitted as a partner in the jewelry was evidently far-seeing and looking While William and Asa Rogers for anything that would improve his were using silver for this purpose one NOTICE. product in spoon-making. The adver- hundred years ago, there are records ILLIAM and S. S ROGERS have asso- W ciated themselves in business, under ihe same and firm of WILLIAM ROOERS & CO , ana will roniinue husiness ai ihe old Mand of W R. No. 4 Staie sireet. WILLIAM ROGERS & CO Hartford, April 12, 11*41 6w70 Hartford Times, Apr. 24, 1841
and silverware store on State Street. And the firm name changed to Wm. Rogers & Co. Heretofore the business had been run under the name of Wm. Rogers. With this change to the name This original building occupied by William of Wm. Rogers & Co., the coin silver Rogers in 1836 is still spoons they produced showed the new standing and the orig- firm mark and were stamped (Eagle) inal Rogers store at "Number 4" is occu- Wm. Rogers & Co. (Star). Specimens pied today by a United of these spoons so marked are avail- Cigar store. able. Simeon appears to have been most active in the retail or store busi- ness and not until some time later are there evidences of his being engaged directly in manufacturing. Six years later, in 1847, with the advent of Rogers Brothers Silverplate, he came much more into the limelight.
(Editor's note: The second installment of the history of the three Rogers Broth- ers will be published in September. WILLIAM ROGERS, Silversmith, of Hartford, Connecticut. From a miniature painted on ivory about 1831 noiv in the possession of his grandson, Harold W. Rogers.
William Rogers began learning the trade of Silversmith in 1820 with Joseph Church, on Ferry Street in Hartford. In 1825 he ivas a partner in Church & Rogers on Main Street. In 1836 he was in business for himself at 4 State Street and ivas located there for nearly twenty years. This same William Rogers of Hartford was senior partner of Rogers Brothers who, in 1847, ivere the first in this country to successfully apply the process of electroplating to the manufacture of silver-plated flatware on a commercial basis. William Rogers and his Brothers in the Silver Industry
Completing the story of these three enterprising brothers and their contributions to the Industry
(Editor's Note: The first part of the was there in 1843 or 1844. Wm. B. Isaacson and John D. Johnson. Asa interesting story of the three Rogers Cowles & Co., however, had been Rogers was secretary. brothers was presented in the August It is interesting to note that KEYSTONE and traced the history of the making German silver spoons for Rogers brothers up to the year 1847 some time prior to this date. It is William Rogers also had a part in when William and Simeon were then also known that plating was being this enterprise—at least he was operating together under the name of done, at least in a small way, as financially interested and gave to the Wm. Rogers & Co. in the manufacture Cowles concern the benefit of his and sale of Rogers Brothers Silverplate.) early as 1844 at the Cowles manu- factory. The evidence of this is ac- credit. This is evidenced by two available deeds, showing that early In 1841, we know that Asa Rogers tual records of the Cowles concern in 1846 all the land, water rights, was making silver spoons in the showing sales of plated spoons. buildings and equipment used by the "Old Jail" building on Trumbull That Asa had begun to think of Cowles Mfg. Co. on the Farmington St., Hartford, and in the directory of the future possibilities of the new River, Granby (often referred to as that day is referred to as a silver- process, is in a record of an agree- "Spoonville"), was deeded to Wil- smith. ment dated Nov. 13, 1845, filed in liam Rogers by Wm. B. Cowles. A The fact that Elkington & Co., of the Town Clerk's office in Granby. year later, the other deed shows that Birmingham, secured a patent in This agreement formed the Cowles William conveyed the property back England in 1840 for "Improvements Mfg. Co. to manufacture "German to Wm. B. Cowles. in Coating, Covering or Plating Cer- and silver plated spoons, forks," In August, 1846, Wm. Rogers & tain Metals," was evidently known in etc. The stockholders were Wm. B. Co. advertised in the Hartford Hartford for there is evidence that Cowles, A^sa Rogers, Jr., Jas. H. Courant that they were prepared to several individuals there were working furnish to wholesale dealers "silver on the new idea two or three years plated forks, spoons, etc., made by SILVFR AND NOT SII.VKU.—We have seen, this morn- later. In fact, in a series of articles ing some specimens of labia and desert knives and forks, the Cowles concern. On October 9th, which appeared in the Franklin In- spoons, .fee , will) which we should liko to tryun experi- ment. Willi profound respect for the tact ati^l experi- in this same newspaper, there ap- stitute (Philadelphia), "Bulletin" in ence of our lady renders, we have no doubt that wo could deceive liiem with the articles referred to, only peared an article entitled, "Silver 1841, 2 and 3, reference is made to that conscience is a "respected friund" with us—ouo whom wo care not to offend. and Not Silver," which set forth the Elkington invention and at least The specimens of art shown to us are manufactured by what was thought of Cowles prod- one Hartford "experimenter" was a ihe Ccnvles Manufacturing Company, at Tnriflville, Ctniii The body of them is of fine German silver, ol almost ucts. This article, shown at left, subscriber to the "Bulletin." atcel-like hardness, and over this, by a peculiar process, is deposited a plating of pure silver. This deposition of also points out that Wm. Rogers & To Asa and William Rogers, how- silver can bo made of any thickness, according to the price which the purchaser may be witling to pay. Willi Co. were selling Cowles goods in ever, it was left to perfect and com- the ordinary thickness, which, we nre assured will out- Hartford. There is plenty of evi- wear common usage fur a number of years, the price is mercialize the product after years only about one fourth that of solid silver. dence that the success of the new of careful study. Even as early as And yet it would take a practiced eye to discover that they are not solid silver, for the plating is of considera- process was assured in spite of the 1844, though, Asa had evidently ble thickness, the German silver bonealh is of equal fact that Asa, William and Isaac- whiteness with the pure metnl, tho patterns, style, finish, reached the conclusion that work &c. &c.. nre fac-similos of lha most highly wrought sil- son disassociated themselves from ver, and the body of the articles is indeed harder. For along this line should be done in steamboats, hotels, boarding houses, and indeed for pri- the Cowles Mfg. Co. late in 1846 and conjunction with the production of vate families also, they appear to be elegant and eco- nomical. even though the Cowles concern went German silver (nickel silver) spoons We learn that the company have established an agent out of business a few years later. here. Mr. F. R. Anderson, 31 Liberty street, who will —the base metal used today as well doubtless be glad to show these beautilul articles to any Asa returned to Hartford and who may call upon him.—Neto York Commercial. as 90 years ago. S^Wc fully endorse Ihe above from the Commer- early in 1847, in cooperation with There is ample evidence that Asa cial Ad/erliser. The articles manufactured by the his brothers, spoons carrying the Cowles Manufacturing Co. are equal in appearance to carried on his work at Granby, those of pure silver, and are becoming celebrated Rogers Bros, trade mark in electro- Conn., in association with Wm. B. throughout the country. Their agents in this cily, are silver-plate began to be produced Cowles of that village and Jas. H. Messrs. Wm. Rogers Reprinted from the September, 1934, Issue of THE KEYSTONE Street. While William had evidently sugar spoons should be weighed in handling of the Rogers products. been in close touch with the early the blank before plating. After care- Asa, from his previous experience, electro-plated articles, there is no ful calculation he decided how much was doing the plating. evidence that the Rogers name was silver the dozens should have de- The high regard of the public for put on such merchandise until 1847. posited on each piece. He estab- their merchandise is indicated by the All these years, the Rogers reputa- lished a standard in pennyweights or medals, diplomas and prizes they re- tion had been built on their care and ounces which these pieces should skill as silversmiths. First it was in carry. They were weighed before LlttT OF l'KEMICMS. coin or solid silver with each piece plating and again after plating to Awarded by the Hartford County Agricultural Socie- of the right weight and proportion make sure the proper amount of sil- ty, Oct- 15 th. 1847. to insure the utmost in value and in ver had really been deposited. Even HARDWARE, JEWELRY. &C. actual use. Every operation up to today, what was then called the DI PL"MAS were aica; dca to Ike following : the final finish was watched with "Rogers Standard" is often referred Brewster & ingrain, best gc tllic clocks. Thomns Mosscrop, Hartford, best j>r wood aol'd boots. great care. to as a basis on other grades of plate. Humphrey & Co. Uuiotjvi!!-». beat iroii spoons. Isaac L Oakley, Hartford, best .idwel post. This same care and skill was be- William's eagle eye was on every Wells & Davenport, IS'ewmgtou, chisels and hammers. Georgo S Lincoln, Hartford, best irou spoous. hind the first production of Rogers operation. The burnishing and fin- Ttioruas Mosscrop do best shoe laa:». Brothers silverplate in 1847. Ger- ishing were considered equally im- E E. Malthewson, do weather strip for door*. Rogers Brothers, do be9t silver plated ware. man silver, the base metal used, was portant. In the boxing he was also Gilbert & Cowle* do luet cooking stove Wood bridge Pushee & Co do best door latches. a mixture which only years of ex- greatly interested. H'm J P1"' Martin- -iohi — perimentation had convinced the Even with what seemed to be a Hartford Courant, Oct. 15, 1847 brothers was best adapted for their perfect product which these three new product. William was a stickler Rogers brothers turned out early in for the little things: Not only must 1847, it was slow work to get the ceived for their exhibits at the Hart- the mixture be right but the dies had public to appreciate the value and ford Agricultural Society (an im- to be perfect and the metal of a adaptability of spoons plated with portant organization at that time) as shape and thickness to make a dur- pure silver. Plating seemed myste- well as later at the larger exhibitions able and practical article. rious and the public questioned such as that at the Crystal Palace It is quite obvious that William whether the articles .would actually in 1853 in New York—the first Rogers insisted upon the importance wear. Considering all the handicaps, national exposition to be held in this of having merchandise, which went all the difficulties of getting distri- country. to market as a Rogers Brothers bution very far from the manufac- As far back as 1847, Wm. Rogers product, right in every detail. Not turing base, these three enterprising & Co. were aggressive advertisers in alone did he have fixed ideas as to brothers made rapid progress toward the local papers and the advertise- the shape and form of the spoon success. blanks but after they were perfected, William was what might be called NII.VKK Pl.ATRD CAliE 1IAMKKTM, he began to work out a plan which General Manager, being not only pASTORS. Tea Sets, Candle Slicks, Snullen aud would insure a sufficient amount of V Traya, Urilannla Coffee and Tea Poi» and Urin Ten head of the Wm. Rogers & Co. store Travs, Ivory Handle Knives and Forks Also, Knlrea with silver on each piece to make the where the sales were made (Simeon oui^orVa, Forks, Knives, Spoon*, Ladles, <$-c plated on the finest >iua!iiy of German Silver, in the most thorough manner article entirely serviceable. S. Rogers was his partner), but he and warranted to eive satisfaction These we plate ourselves and know whereof wc affirm The ibove with many other It was his rule that all pieces, was equally concerned with over- goods, which evety fuindy want, we ore now prepared to furnish at pricca which we think cannot fail to please either spoons, forks, butter knives or seeing the proper making and WM ROGERS A CO., No 4 State at march 30 d fl!> Hartford Courant, April 3, 1847 ments shown are but one of many similar announcements carried in the Hartford papers. During this period the advertise- ments read as if Wm. Rogers & Co. (composed of William and Simeon), were the producers. This will be un- derstood if it is remembered that the goods were being produced in the basement of the Rogers store at 4 State Street and that the partners in Wm. Rogers & Co. were the most important from a selling angle—even though the goods were actually pro- duced by Rogers Brothers in which Asa was the partner in charge of manufacturing details. The first price list which the brothers used, as far as is known, is "Old Jail" building as it looked in 1860—seven years after Rogers Bros, had removed to their own building. that reproduced here which was, un- K W. ROGERS &-CO. Rogers' workmen as indicated by Brothers were unable to handle the the article which ran in the Hartford increasing volume of business that SPOONS, FORKS, BUTTER KNIVES &C., Times on January 3, 1852. came to them from their aggressive No. 4, State Street, methods of selling their new product. H©SIS, (BO530. Hence, in 1853, a new company was PLATED ON FIRST QUALITY GERMAN SILVER. A Beautiful Present. Forks. i .u» The Burnishers ofRocEns BROTHERS Silver Ware organized—Rogers Brothers Mfg. Co. Np-lllira.l DOZ. | L)oZ. establishment, made Gov. SEYMOUR a beautiful pres- —in which William and Asa were •1 -2 25 2 50 T7,<>Too ent to-day (Jan. 1.) It is a large splendid silver 8 2 75 8 00,...... „ , 5ol 9 00 large stockholders and William was 4 3 S.I 3 50 II !.-< l.'M.'i 50 |j 8 7 HO>7 50 8 II 50,10 Oil ooffeeurn, beautifully chased and engraved with 0 II 25 4 50 I 1) (I Csi »l 7 00 I 12 In 00 "J 5(1l| 12 111 50 12 ,00 vines, grapes, etc. It was presented by a deputa- President. At the start, Simeon did V !!t IS IS A ID ai HX tion from the workmen, wbomado a brief and ap- not participate but was on record as SOIIII tullfs. Spends. Fork).. I'tuih. IIH.M | Ti,l.l, limn . T,. propriate addreaa to iho Governor, nod listened to a stockholder a few months later. No. I Ea lUn. iNo.Doz. iDoz il)oz. No Doz. I Doz liia reply Tho urn evinces a high degreoo of art •I 4 00 5 50 'I II 40; 11 0H| 0 (III 11 0010 Oil C L'J OO'O 50 0 112 50 12 OOI 7 0(1 12 0011 00 and skill in tho manufacture and ornamenting of sil- For this new company, a four- H (i 00 7 50 8 13 50 13 0O 8 00 13 0012 00 12 iH OOIO flo'lJ 115 50,15 OOflO 00 1 15 OO'll 00 ver ware by tho Messrs Rogers, and shows that story brick building was erected to Duller Knives 80 00 per doz. our own State and City cannot be surpassed in this suit their own particular needs. It Other articles of Plated Work manufactured to order. kind of work Tho inscription on the tu n is as fol lows was located at the corner of Hicks doubtedly, distributed as early as HON THOS. H SEYMOUR, and Trumbull Streets and was suffi- Gov, of Conn ciently large to provide for the pro- 1847. A little later a price list was Presented by the duction of their own blanks as well used headed, "Superior plated goods Burnishers in tho Manufactory of ROGERS BROTHERS as all processes of complete manu- manufactured by Rogers Brothers." Hartford, Conn facture. Here they not only made It seems likely that this was used in Jan 1st 1852 flatware but, very shortly, silver- 1848 or early in 1849 when they had Over this inscription IB A beautifully engraved American Eagle Tho present was evidently grati- plated hollowware in German silver moved into the "Old Jail" building. fying to fhe Governor, on account of the industrial as well as white metal. With enthusiasm, hard work, and source from whenoo it oamo, as woll as from tho About this time (1855) William a product which had merit, the Rog- ovidence that it furnishes of tho perfection to wliioh this class of business is carriod by our oitl7.on» Rogers is reported to have first used ers Brothers' business grew rapidly the sectional process of plating but and by early Fall, in 1848, the busi- Hartford Times, Jan. 3, 1852 it is not altogether certain whether ness of making silverplated spoons it was his own invention or some- carrying the Rogers Brothers' trade Even with the increased facilities thing he secured outside. mark, was moved to an upper floor in the "Old Jail" building, Rogers In 1856, for some reason not en- at 36 Pearl Street, corner of Trum- bull Street, Hartford. This was known as the "Old Jail" and the illustration on page opposite shows how it looked a few years later. While the business of making and broadening a market for the new EI.ECTRO-FJLATING, ItOOERa BktOlHhRS would reipecltutly cell the at- icution ol tho public to thvir tupi-rior SILv fc.lt I'LATED OOOU9 confuting of I ntoii. lea Hsu, Soup Lodlas. threaded and plain Korki, and Spoom ; Plated oo ttef l Itnivcs and KorKw, &C All goods stamped with our name nre WAiianUd hvavy plate, uud w111 give entire .utlsfac- lion By our exteniivo orrnngemenU. and lonff experlenoe la this mode ol plating, we are pii-| ar«u to «*.oute ord»r» cn plrtting, ill oil lis variom branch**,al ihort uollo»,»ud m ihti best manner All goods lor plating left it No. 4 State nt , or at oar factory, No. SO Pearl si , will rec«.lvB prompt attention, dine be finished In a lalthlul n tnnrr, and warranted. Wo iilaie on every kind o metal with penect ea<» Articles ot all kinds which have bet-n plotert, and buoa*.® impaired by use, re-platad iu a uu.sble Factory of Meriden Britannia Company in 1863, Home of 1847 Rogers Bros.—71 years ago. All the original Rogers—William, Asa and Simeon—were here at this time.