Information Regarding the Middletown Plate Co./Silver Co.

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Another one of the early silverware concerns that was included in the International Silver Co. was the Middletown Plate Co., of Middletown, Conn. This business was first started in 1864 by Edward Payne and Henry Bullard, formerly in the employ of I. C. Lewis, of Meriden, Conn., one of the founders of the Meriden Brittannia Co. Payne and Bullard formed a partnership, doing business in the name of the former, in the manufacture of Britannia and plated wares, on Hubbard St., Middletown.

In 1866 Edward Payne, Elmore Penfield, Embree Bullard (Henry Bullard, attorney) began doing business as the Middletown Plate Co., a joint stock corporation with a capital of $20,000, which in 1884 was increased to $250,000. Messrs. Payne, Penfield and Embree Bullard were chosen directors. Penfield was elected president, Payne treasurer, and Henry Bullard secretary. Penfield severed his connections with the company in 1875, selling his interest to Edward Payne, trustee for the company. George H. Hulbert, who became associated with the company in 1866, represented the concern in the market, as did also Edward Payne. Bullard devoted his time to the manufacturing end.

In 1867 the company opened a showroom at 13 John St., New York, with J. Wesley Johnson as representative. In 1871 James H. Kelsey, who had been an employe of the company since 1869, was elected secretary. In this same year John G. Rich, of Hartford, was employed as the company's representative, continuing in that capacity until the end of the company's corporate existence, when he went to the Derby Silver Co. branch (Factory "B") of the International Silver Co., remaining there until 1918, and now resides at Auburn, N. Y.

In 1874 Henry Bullard was elected superintendent, which position he most capably filled until he severed his connection with the company in 1886. George H. Hulbert was elected president in 1874, and in 1875 Thomas H. B. Davis, who had represented Rogers, Smith & Co. in the market, became associated with the Middletown Plate Co. and was elected vice-president. In 1891 Joel R. Boice, who had been employed by Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., of Wallingford, became superintendent. Later he was employed by the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. (Factory "N") and by the Meriden Brittannia Co. (Factory "E"), plants of the International Silver Co.

Among the traveling men employed by the Middletown Silver Plate Co.. who were well known in the silver trade some years ago, were: Edward A. Phelps, San Francisco; Fred Livermore, Chicago; Chester Shepard, Jr., James F. Barclay, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.; Charles Klett, Samuel Clapp and J. F. Teichner, Detroit; Fisk Brainerd and C. S. Griswold.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th February 1919

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Plans are under way for the reorganization of the Middletown Silver Co., of Middletown, Conn., manufacturers of silver plated hollowware. This plant has been idle for some time.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - January 1910

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CHICAGO

G. H. Hurlbert, president of the Middletown Plate Company, who came to the city recently to attend the funeral of C. F. Livermore and to look into the matter of a successor for him in the management of the company's Western office here, left town early last week. He was not able to say then as to who had been appointed Mr. Livermore's successor.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 26th April 1899

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A Canadian advertisement from the Middletown Silver Co. showing that their sales agent in Montreal was John Round & Son, Limited:


Middletown Silver Co. - Middletown, Conn. - 1920

MID-SIL-CRAFT

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CHICAGO

Some of the friends of Manager Harmount, of the Middletown Plate Company, feared they were making a miss of it by taking an advanced position on the corner of Wabash avenue and Congress street. The wise men were wrong, for none of the silverware house present a busier record than the handsome establishment fronting the new Auditorium.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - September 1888

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The Middletown Silver Co., of Middletown, Conn., is building a new soft metal casting room.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - April 1907

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Wallace K. Bacon, who has been acting as temporary receiver for the Middletown Silver Co. for several years, was discharged from his trust. Jan. 25, in the Superior Court, by Judge Case, affairs in the case having been brought to a satisfactory close. The Merriam interests have purchased the so-called Sage interests. The appraisal showed assets of $125,374. The capital stock amounts to $30,000.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd February 1910

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The factory of the Middletown Silver Co., Middletown, has been closed for several weeks. A recent dispatch from Middletown announces that negotiations are in progress for a reorganization of the plant. The concern was founded about 12 years ago by some of the former employes of the old Middletown Silver Plate Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th August 1909

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Middletown Silver Company - Middletown, Conn. - 1920

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Fredrick Sage, president of the Middletown Silver Co., Middletown, left, June 21, on a business trip to New York.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th June 1909

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The Middletown Plate Co. - Middletown, Conn. - 1899

No. 4000 Ware

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Papers have been filed with the Secretary of State, Hartford, Conn., indicating that the Middletown Silver Co., Middletown, Conn., has increased its capital stock from $30,000 to $90,000.

Source: The Metal Record and Electroplater - October 1917

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TO WED MIDDLETOWN BELLE

Middletown, Conn., June 16 - The leading social event of the month in this city will be the marriage of Miss Helen Merriam, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Merriam, of Washington street, to Minna S. Cornell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Minna S. Cornell, of 437 Hancock street, Brooklyn, which will occur at the home of Miss Merriam's parents, on Tuesday afternoon, June 19, at 8 o'clock.

Miss Merriam is a charming girl, just out of her teens, tall, athletic and popular in society. She is a lover of automobiling and yachting and other sports.

Her father is secretary of the Rockfall Woolen Company and the heaviest stockholder in the Kirby Manufacturing Company, two of the largest manufacturing interests of this city.

Mr. Cornell is a graduate of Wesleyan University, class of '05 and it was during his college course that he became acquainted with Miss Merriam. He is secretary of the Middletown Silver Company of this city.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 17th June 1906

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The Middletown Silver Co. - Middletown, Conn. - 1911

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The Middletown Plate Co. - Middletown, Conn. - 1886

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Middletown Silver Company - Middletown, Conn. - 1919

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Chester Shepard, who has traveled for the Middletown Plate Co., Middletown, for the past 16 years, has resigned, his resignation to take effect Jan. 1, 1893. Mr. Shepard goes to Boston, where with his son, C. B. Shepard, he has started in business under the name of the Sterling Souvenir Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 30th November 1892

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Death of G. H. Hulbert

Middletown, Conn., Nov. 2.—G. H. Hulbert, who for many years was president of the old Middletown Silver Plate Co., and one of the leading citizens of this city, died about midnight yesterday, of internal hemorrhages, at his boarding place on College St. Mr. Hulbert suffered financial losses about 15 years ago, and since that time his mind has been affected.

The deceased had resided here for a number of years past, being provided for by a small annual income. About a year ago he suffered a shock, from which he recovered, and for several months he was about as usual. His wife died about six months ago. He leaves two sons, George and Russell, both residents of this State.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th November 1906

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Frank Young, with the Middletown Silver Co., Middletown, is in Boston on business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd August 1905

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Death of Charles H. Savage

Middletown, Conn., July 27.—Chas. H. Savage, who was formerly President of the Middletown Silver Co., committed suicide last night at his home at South Farms by shooting himself in the head. The deed was committed in the presence of his wife and children, and the cause of it has not been disclosed. He was well known, and his friends and acquaintances were shocked when they heard of his lamentable end.

Mr. Savage was instrumental in forming the Middletown Silver Co., which was organized here soon after the old Middletown Plate Co. was absorbed. He was thoroughly familiar with the silverware business and was especially successful as a salesman. Since he relinquished the position of president of his company he had traveled for it.

In a number of social organizations Mr. Savage was quite prominent, among them the local lodge of Elks of which he was a charter member. He is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd August 1905

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