Is this a Norwich, CT-made item?

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Dmitry
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Is this a Norwich, CT-made item?

Post by Dmitry »

This is a silver sword hilt dating to the early 19th c.. I'm thinking it's American-made. Thanks for your help!
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dognose
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Re: Is this a Norwich, CT-made item?

Post by dognose »

Hi Dmitry,

Yes, American. That's the mark of Judah Hart.

Trev.
dognose
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Re: Is this a Norwich, CT-made item?

Post by dognose »

Judah Hart was born in New Britain, in 1777; began business in Middletown in 1800, and was in partnership with Charles Brewer, and in 1803 with Jonathan Bliss. In March or April, 1805, with Alvan Wilcox, he purchased the business of Abel Brewster, in Norwich, Connecticut; and on April 30, 1805, they advertise for sale a number of second-hand clocks, watches, jeweler's and silversmith's tools. Many spoons bearing the mark of "H & W," with an index hand, are in use in Norwich. In 1809 Wilcox sold his share to Hart, who then used the index hand, and the letters "J. Hart." "Hart & Wilcox" had also been used as the firm's trade-mark. In 1815, Judah Hart bought some land in Norwich, on Franklin Square, which in 1816 he sold to Thomas C. Coit and Elisha H. Mansfield. He then seems to have been for a time in Griswold, Connecticut, and later removed to Brownsville, Ohio.

The Alvan Wilcox who was associated for a few years with Judah Hart in Norwich, was born in Berlin, Connecticut, in 1783. In 1824 he was living in New Haven, Connecticut, and his shop was on the southwest corner of Church and Chapel streets, where a number of early silversmiths were located before his day. The evolution of the business is shown by the fact that in 1841 he is called a silver worker; in 1850 a gold and silver thimble and spectacle maker, and in 1857 a silver-plater. He died in 1865.

Eliphaz Hart, a younger brother of Judah Hart, born in 1789, in New Britain, Connecticut, learned the trade of his brother, Judah; spoons having the mark of E. Hart are in existence, but he probably did not continue in the business for long. He died in Norwich, in the suburb known as Greeneville, in 1866.

The firm of Coit & Mansfield, which in 1816 bought out the business of Judah Hart, carried a much different stock of goods from the previous owner; in April of that year they advertise that they have just received and offer for sale, "a good assortment of Military Goods viz Elegant silver and gilt epauletts; silver Lace; gold and silver cord; tinsel do; elegant gold and gilt Hat Loops; Sword Knots; do Hangers; horseman's brass mounted Swords; artillery do; Pistols; Plumes; Feathers; Stocks; Cockades; Red Cord for trimming pantaloons etc. They expect in a few days an assortment of very nice military Guns Likewise for sale English and French watches (which will come low & warranted) ; elegant gilt Watch Chains; Seals & Keys; Silk Chains; Knives; Beads; Spoons; and Jewellry as usual." This stock was laid in evidently in response to the demand for such articles following the War of 1812. If one doubted as to whom or where such goods could be sold, the following might be the answer. At a town meeting held in Norwich September 15, 1814, "Whereas from the great number of Merchant ships which are laid up in this Harbour, the Contiguity of three Publick Vessels of War, (one of which is peculiarly an Object of the enemy's wishes) the great number of Cotton, Woolen, Flour and other valuable Manufactories; a public arsenal, and divers ship yards, Together with the peculiar local situation of this City, and its Adjacent Villages and districts at the head of Navigation on the River, the same are eminently in danger, assailable by the Enemy and Subject (unless personally defended) to his threatened waste and Destruction, And Whereas if an invasion were renewed at the Eastern end of the Sound, it would be doubtless so conducted as to leave no hope that a military force could be spared from the New London station for our defence And from the suden manner in which a descent of the Enemy may be made, the work of Outrage & Destruction may be completed before the militia of the Adjacent territory can be brought to the defence of the State, while the encreasing strength of New York (by rendering hopeless an attack there) and the advanced season of the year, renders our situation daily more critical & alarming disquieted as we are with general terror & anxiety," the petitioners requested His Excellency the commander-in-chief and the officers of this military district to send two thousand of the military forces of the State to be stationed in or near this city. Some spoons owned in Norwich have the mark "C. M." with the index hand used by Hart & Wilcox.


Source: A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut - Benjamin Tinkham Marshall - 1922

Trev.
Dmitry
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:13 am
Location: New England, USA

Re: Is this a Norwich, CT-made item?

Post by Dmitry »

Trev,
Many thanks!!!
This forum proves it's worth in silver every time I have a question!
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