Information Regarding the Derby Silver Co.

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President W. J. Miller, of the Derby Silver Co., presided as Grand Marshal of the 4th of July parade in Shelton. It was an imposing demonstration, the finest ever seen in that busy manufacturing town. The second division display was headed by the float of the Derby Silver Co. This was by far the handsomest in line, and was very ornate. It bore on top of the canopy specimens of the various articles manufactured at the mills, while the base of the platform was composed of silver panels bearing the inscription on side 1873—Derby Silver Co.—1893, and on the back, 1776. On the platform rode six young ladies dressed in white. The employes of the company to the number of seventy-five followed, each carrying a flag.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 12th July 1893

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The Derby Silver Co. have filed a judgment against Lichtenstein Bros, for $1,776.47.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 23rd January 1895

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Large orders have just been received by the Derby Silver Co., Birmingham, and the force of men has been greatly increased. The outlook at this manufactory is much better than for some time past.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th Match 1897

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William Fuller, a metal turner, employed by the Derby Silver Co., Birmingham, met with a very painful accident last Thursday afternoon. A metal shaving ran up his turning tool, and into the fleshy part of the palm of the left hand. It coiled up under the flesh, and made a big lump. Dr. LaBonte drew the silver out, it uncoiling in the process. The metal thread measured 6¾ inches.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular- 30th June 1897

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The Derby Silver Company of Shelton, is pushing the work of putting in powerful steam engines and boilers, and expect to be running again shortly with the new equipment. It will be independent of the waterpower, which was cut off by the bursting of the big dam of Housatonic river, which entails a loss of $150,000 to the Housatonic Dam Company and over $300,000 total loss to that company and the factories and employes in Shelton from loss of time, loss of, or inability to fill orders.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th February 1891

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Derby Silver Co. - Birmingham, Conn. - 1883

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The Derby Silver Co. (Factory B) was organized in 1873 for the making of Flatware, being to a large extent the successor of the firm of Redfield & Rice of New York, buying the latter's tools and material. In addition to the manufacture of Flatware, they purchased hollowware from the Wilcox Silver Plate Company, of Meriden, plating it themselves.

In 1878 Henry B. Beach, whose name has appeared in the account of the Wilcox Silver Plate Co., came to the Derby Silver Company and through his efforts the production of hollowware was established and became very successful. When Mr. Beach returned to the Wilcox Silver Plate Co., the Derby people felt his loss very keenly. They cast about for someone who could maintain the high standards Mr. Beach had set and finally selected Col. Watson J. Miller, of New York. Col. Miller was elected secretary and treasurer of the company and in 1890 succeeded the President, E. DeF. Shelton, W. L. Clark being elected secretary and treasurer. Colonel Miller's efforts in behalf of the company were most ably seconded by those of his wife, who showed a remarkable aptitude and taste in the production of new goods. Upon the death of Colonel Miller in 1911, he was succeeded as manager of factory B by Mr. Clark, who in turn was succeeded by I. W. Cokefair, the present manager, who has been identified with the affairs of the Derby Silver Co. since boyhood, starting with the company in 1873.

Among the early salesmen connected with this company were "Ed" Brittin, George Seal, Harry Osborne, Joseph Beach and Mr. Daggett. Henry B. Beach during his connection with the company also sold goods while Mr. Brittin acted, before Mr. Beach's arrival, in a measure as general manager in the manufacturing end of the business. After Mr. Beach's withdrawal, this work fell upon Barnard Culver and he in turn was followed by Colonel Miller about 1879.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th February 1919

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Col. Watson J. Miller, president of the Derby Silver Co., who is on the staff of Gov. Cooke, of Connecticut, was on duty for three days at the recent State encampment of the National Guard at Niantic.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st September 1897

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E. T. Baker, formerly with the Derby Silver Company, has been engaged by the New York Silver Plate Company, and will travel in their interest hereafter.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - August 1885

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J. H. Woodward, traveling salesman for the Derby Silver Co. for the last four years, has resigned, and is assisting at Geo. H. Ford Co.’s store, New Haven, for a few weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 19th December 1894

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Derby Silver Co. - Birmingham, Conn. - 1884

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A 1877 advertisement from O. Jones of New York proclaiming their display of the products of the Derby Silver Co.:


O. Jones - New York - 1877

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SILVER WORKERS STRIKE

Waterbury, Conn., November 14.

Three hundred of the employes of the Derby Silver Company, at Birmingham, went out this morning on account of reduction of 20 per cent. in wages, due to hard times.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 15th November 1885


FILLING THE PLACES OF STRIKERS

Birmingham, Conn., December 19.

The eight o'clock train this morning from New Haven brought about twenty-five men from towns In Massachusetts for the Derby Silver Company. They were escorted from the depot to the mill by Chief of Police Bradley, of Shelton, and one of his officers. Many of the strikers looked on and made considerable noise, but offered no violence, although they followed the men to the factory shouting and uttering many uncomplimentary allusions.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 20th December 1885


Merrill White, a workman who had entered the works of the Derby Silver Company, in New Haven, to take tho place of a striker, visited a barber shop in that city yesterday to get shaved. After his face had been covered in lather, fourteen or fifteen Knights of Labor, who were in the place, warned the barber not to shave him. The barber submitted to the demand, washed the soap from the face of White and compelled him to leave the shop unshaved.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 28th December 1885

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The Derby Silver Co., Shelton, have just filled an order for 14 silver cups for the Western Connecticut Poultry Association.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd November 1898

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President Watson J. Miller, of the Derby Silver Co., has just arrived home from an extended business tour in the west. He reports a most satisfactory outlook for the holiday season’s trade. On his return he was waited upon by a deputation from Kellogg Post, G. A. R., and presented with a handsomely engrossed letter of thanks for the silver-mounted canes which he presented to the Post’s members recently in behalf of the company.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th November 1892

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Within the past few days the Derby Silver Co., Birmingham, have purchased the tract of land between their factory premises and the Housatonic River, on a line with the bridge abutment, from the Ousatonic Water Co. They will reserve the land for building purposes, intending at some future date to greatly enlarge their manufactory.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 18th January 1893

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Wm. Hadden, an esteemed employe of the Derby Silver Co., died and was buried last week. The deceased came directly to the Derby Silver Co.’s shop from Toronto, and with but a very short interval worked there constantly until just before his death.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th July 1894

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Derby Silver Co. - Birmingham, Conn. - 1884

'HARVARD'

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NEW YORK

I. W. Cokefare, of the Derby Silver Co., was at the factory of that company last Thursday.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th January 1918

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Wesley L. Clark has been promoted to the office of general manager of the Derby Silver Co. of Shelton, Conn. This position was left vacant by the death of Watson J. Miller and Mr. Clark has acted in the capacity of assistant manager for some time. This company is known as Factory B. of the International Silver Co. of Meriden, Conn.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - February 1912

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