Early American woodenware was made by tradesmen, specifically coopers and turners. Articles produced were turned bowls, plates, platters, trenchers, salt containers, and mugs. As the American population grew, so did its need for woodenware. Woodenware soon was produced on a larger scale through manufacturers. Woodenware is classified according to its use: kitchenware, storage receptacles, moulds, etc.
Kitchenwares include forks, cooking utensils, rolling pins, egg cups, napkin rings, bowls, dry measures etc.
Storage receptacles include wooden band boxes = hats, round or oval covered boxes – Shaker examples 1850-1920, tiny boxes for medicine or herbs, wall boxes for salt.
Moulds include butter, chocolate and other candy type moulds.
Example billheads:
Daniel Cragin was born in Merrimac in 1836. He worked on the family farm until age 17 when he worked with John Newell of Lyndeborough to learn cabinet work. After 3 years with Newell, he moved to Wilton where for one year he worked in a furniture shop. He then returned to Lyndeborough with a partner and purchased Newell’s shop. He would dispose of his interest in this business and move back to Wilton in the employ of what was the Putnam Corporation. In 1858, he began business in Wilton manufacturing knife trays and wooden toys. He rented a room in the Putnam Bobbin Factory to carry on his manufacturing. After two successful years, he was able to purchase a small building on the factory site. He soon after built an addition onto his shop and eventually added steam power. In the fall of 1876, he began to manufacture dry measures. His initial product had to be bent up hand owing to the lack of machinery available. He would go on to invent machinery to make the dry measures. In 1909, Cragin sold the mill to Morse Fry.
Charles Perry was born in Perryville in 1840. At 19 years old he entered the wood turning factory of James Henry Perry & Co. learning the business and thus joining the firm in 1865. In 1871, he became the sole owner of the business and the same year took on Edwin Perry as a partner. The business thrived until Charles Perry retired in 1890.
Crocker Wilder owned C. Crocker & Son woodenware manufacturer. His brother-in-law, Elijah Whiton, a clockmaker, watchmaker, silversmith and mathematical instrument maker came to work in Hingham making buckets in 1839. Crocker Wilder was born in 1802 in Hingham besides manufacturing pails he was also president of the Hingham National Bank. His son William Crocker Wilder took over the business. William was born in 1829. There is a note that Crocker Wilder also made wooden toys. Hingham buckets were in demand throughout New England and used in the China trade.
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