Registry of Maine Toolmaker Listings

Key to the Registry Listings


Name               Town     Work Dates     Birth/Death Dates

Abbott, E.G.*   Kingfield, Knox     -1874-1891
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: He worked in Kingfield from 1874-1882 and Knox from 1882-1891.  (Yeaton, Axe Makers of Maine.)

Abbott, Ebenezer G.** Montville     -1850-1860-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1850 and 1860 census.  He was born in Northport, Maine.

Abbott, Joel**  Montville     -1860-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1860 census.  He was born in Vermont.

Abbott, Sewall L.  Deering     -1871-
     Tools Made: Bits
     Remarks: Abbott had a patent marked: PAT' D. JULY 25. 71 for a countersink, but he may not have actually made the tool himself.

Ackerman & Johns*     Bangor
     Tools Made: Axes

Adams, Dummer J.**  Kittery     -1877-
     Tools Made: Countersinks
     Remarks: The Davistown Museum has in its collection a countersink marked PATENDED | JAN 23, 1877. | D.J. ADAMS | KITTERY, ME. with the word patented upsided down.  The Directory of American Machinery and Tool Patents lists this as patent number 186,513 for an improvement for countersinks and also shows the patent diagram at: http://www.datamp.org/displayPatent.php?number=186513&type=UT.  It is unknown who manufactured the countersink.  This one is also marked R.L. MARKS, who might have been the owner.

Adams, J.C.*     Waterboro
     Tools Made: Axes

Adams, J.G.   Waterford     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories.

Adams, R.F.   Lincoln     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories.

Albee, Robert**     Bucksport   -1855-
     Tools Made: Wheelwright
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Alden & Co., H.**     Camden   -1855-
     Tools Made: Pump and Block Makers
     Remarks: Listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Alden, John**     Augusta     1830-
     Tools Made: Coopers tools
     Remarks: John Alden, one of the original Plimouth Pilgrims, was a cooper and in the 1830's he and John Howland were sent up to Kennebec to set up and manage a trading post there.  Information courtesy of Ruth DeWilde Major.

Aldrich & Waterhouse     Gardiner     -1867-1871-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     See: Waterhouse, W.H.
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Aldrich, Ezra   Calais     -1865-1866-
     Tools Made:Adzes, Axes, Chisels and Edge Tools

Aldrich, Ezra**     Bath     -1879-1882-
     Tools Made: Axes, Adzes, etc.
     Remarks: He is listed on Commercial St. in the 1879 and Water St. in the 1881-2 Maine Business Directory.  Is it possible this is the same Ezra Aldrich as the one in Calais earlier?

Allard, Isaac     Belfast     -1868-1884    (b.1819; d.1884)
     Tools Made: Screwdrivers
     Remarks: A watchmaker, machinist, and jewelry dealer, Allard was also the inventor of several spiral screwdrivers for which he received patents (4 Aug. 1868 and 24 Nov. 1874).  These tools were known to be made by F.A. Howard (& Son) after the 1880's, however their name does not appear on all such tools.  Allard or someone else may have made them as well.  Screwdrivers bearing Allard's patent were still being sold in 1898. Patents 80583 on 10/4/1868; 157087 on 11/24/1874, information courtesy of C.D. Fales.  The Davistown Museum has one screwdriver with an Allard patent in the IR: Other Factory Made Tools collection listed under Maine Made Tools.  Also see Franklin Augustus Howard and Clifford Fales' Gristmill article on Issac Allard spiral screwdrivers.

Allen, A.**     East Livermore     -1882-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: Listed in the 1882 Maine Business Directory.

Allen, Cyrus K.   Windham     -1871-1879-
    Tools Made: Farm tools and Plows

Allen, I.F.**  Liberty     -1870-
     Tools Made: Machinist
     Remarks: Listed in the 1870 census as living at the home of blacksmith Richard Gilman.

American Axe & Tool Co.     Oakland     -1889-1921
     Tools Made: Axes, Edge Tools, Farm Tools and Scythes
     Remarks: This was the huge congolomerate of American Ax companies that  bought up many of Maine's ax makers including Hubbard & Blake of Oakland, which became American Axe & Tool Co. plant number 16.  The company probably moved to Pennsylvania in 1912.  DATM (1999) indicates they were originally a consortium of fifteen or more companies forming an axe making trust.  In 1921, Kelley Axe & Tool Co. of West Virginia bought their assets.

Ames, Epthah J.*     Waterboro
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Could this be the same man as Ames, Jepthah and/or Ames, J.?

Ames, J.F.*     Richmond     -1855-1902
     Tools Made: Axes, Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory as an edge toolmaker.  Yeates reports him as an ax maker from 1874 to 1902.  Perhaps this is the same J. F. in the partnership of J.F. & D.C. Ames? The Davistown Museum has an Ames peen adz marked J. F. AMES in the Maritime IV: The Early Industrial Revolution collection listed under Maine made tools. This tool will be part of the 2007 Art of the Edge Tool Show.

Ames, J.F. & D.C.  Richmond     -1867-1881-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools, Axes, Ice tools, Shipsmith
     Remarks: They are listed in the 1867, 1869, 1879 and 1881 Maine Business Directories.

Ames, J.*     Waterville     1826-
     Tools Made: Axes

Ames, Jepthah     Waterville
     Tools Made: Axes

Andrews & Co., W.  Buckfield Village     -1849-
     Tools Made: Hoes

Andrews, Edgar D.  Stow     -1855-1882-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates Andrews was also working in North Chatham, NH at the same time.  He is listed in the 1881 and 1882 Maine Business Directory in both places.

Archer, Joel W.   Lincoln     -1855-1874-
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories.

Atkins & Simmons**     Rockland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Atkins, J.W.*     Rockland     1883-1892
     Tools Made: Axes

Atkins, W.J.**     Rockland     -1881-1882-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the Maine Business Directory in 1881 on Ocean St. and in 1882 at 16 North Main St.

Atkinson, Joseph*     Buxton     1829-1832
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: This maker is listed as Alkinson in DATM, probably a misspelling.

Augusta Foundry**
     Remarks: No further information or working dates are available yet about this listing.

Auster & Davis  Addison     -1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: This company is listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory.

Austin, Moses**     Addison     -1855-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory.

Austin, R.J.   Dixfield
     Tools Made: Lumber Measuring Tools, Log Calipers

Avery & McLaurin**     Portland     -1882-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1882 Maine Business Directory at 17 Union St.

Avery, George**     Portland     -1881-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1881 Maine Business Directory at 4 Union St.

Avery, George**   Prospect     -1872-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: Avery, with George Wescott owned and ran Bowdoin Point Blacksmith.  The hill upon which the blacksmith shop sat is still referred to as Blacksmith Shop Hill.  They were connected with the quarries. (Alice Ellis, History of Prospect 1759-1979, 1980, pg. 251-252.)

Avery, Samuel**     Portland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Avery, Samuel**     Charlemont
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Avery is listed in Appendix 2 (page 98) of Klenman's Axe Makers of North America with a notation that Avery was a working blacksmith. Klenman does not give any further description of Avery in his text.

Avery, Stephen   Amherst, North Anson, Anson     -1849-1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: Avery later moved to North Anson, ME .  He is listed in North Anson in the 1855 Maine Business Directory.  The 1856 Maine Business Directory lists Stephen Avey of Anson, probably a misprint of his name.

Ayer, William**     Liberty     -1879-
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1879 Maine Business Directory.

Ayers*    Dresden     1869-
     Tools Made: Axes

Ayman, William**     Calais   -1855-
     Tools Made: Pump and Block Makers
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Babcock, M.**     ?
     Tools Made: Drawshaves
     Remarks: A mast shave (?) 19" long with a 12 3/8" long cutting blade was found in a coastal Maine workshop and the maker is not listed in DATM (1999).  This shave is in the Davistown Museum collection and is characterized by a heavy cutting blade, 2" in depth; welded steel construction with evidence of heavy filing, appearance 1840 - 1860.  It is uncertain if this is a heavy duty cooper's shave, or as is more likely, a mast shave.  If not of Maine origin, it is most certainly a New England-made edge tool.

Bachelder, E.S.**     Montville     -1869-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Bacheldor, L.**  Sebago
     Tools Made: Planes
     Remarks: In the Bob Jones collection is an 8 1/2" smooth plane with marks J. BRADFORD. PORTLAND and L. Bacheldor. Sebago.  Pollak lists this plane on pg. 29.  Also see Joseph Bradford of Portland and I. Batchelder who made planes in Sebago.  Could these be the same person with the name misspelled?

Bailey, G.E.   Cambridge     -1879-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows

Bailey, Jesse   Dresden     -1879-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools including Hay Presses

Bailey, R.G.   North Bridgewater     -1849-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools

Bailey,Richard Bridgton     1816-1856
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories as an edge toolmaker.

Bailey, S. Everitt  Cambridge     -1879-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows
     Remarks: What was Everitt's relationship to G.E. Bailey (above)?

Baker & Kincaid**     Skowhegan     -1867-
     Tools Made: Butcher Knives
     Remarks: This company is listed in the 1867 Maine Business Directory.

Baker, D.I.**     South Weston, Weston     -1879-1882-
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1879, 1881, and 1882 Maine Business Directory.

Baker, Daniel** Liberty     -1880-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1880 census.

Baker, C.M. & A.*     Bingham     -1874-1890
     Tools Made: Axes, Shaves, etc.
     Remarks: This company is listed in the 1879 Maine Business Directory.

Baker, H.    Portland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Saw Filing Machines, Saw Tools

Baker, R.**     York     1997-
     Tools Made: Planes (and reproductions)
     Remarks: Bob Baker worked in Michigan from 1979 - 1997 and now has moved to Maine.  He makes planes for violin makers in New York City and San Francisco.  He has also done reproductions of planes including a Sandusky center-wheeled plow owned by Lee Valley Tools and illustrated in their 2002 calendar (photo) and an Israel White of Philadelphia plow plane illustrated in a Don Rosebrook publication on plow planes.

Bangor Edge Tool Co.*     Bangor     -1874-1910
     Tools Made: Axes, Knives
     Remarks: This company is listed at 57 or 59 Exchange St. in the 1879, 1881, and 1882 Maine Business Directory. An envelope with the postmark of 1887 and bearing the letterhead of the Bangor Edge Tool Co. has been recently discovered by Bar Harbor collector Michael Strout and is reproduced here. This envelope clearly denotes this company as a vendor of the Peavey cant hook and assumedly other tools. The letterhead also has in the name C. A. Peavey in the upper left hand corner above the cant hook illustration, linking the Bangor Edge Tool Co. to the labyrinth of the Peavey clan of toolmakers. A later (1941) catalog issued by the Peavey Mfg. Co. is reproduced in the Davistown Museum Maine toolmakers information files.

Bangor Foundry & Machine Co.  Bangor     -1880-1885-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows
     Remarks: They also manufactured cultivator teeth.

Banks, Edward Prince  Portland     -1834-1870
     Tools Made: Scientific Instruments including watches and mathematical and nautical instruments
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates that Banks was a partner with William H.H. Hatch in the jewelry business from 1837 to 1857 during which time he may have made instruments, the maker's sign for which is unknown.

Barker & Stinchfield**    Brunswick     -1825-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith

Barker, Abijah**     Canaan     -1867-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1867 Maine Business Directory.

Barker, Daniel J.  Weston     -1867-1879-
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1867 and 1869 Maine Business Directory.  Could he have later partnered in Kierstead & Barker of nearby Danforth?

Barclay, David**     Calais   -1855-
     Tools Made: Wheelwright
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.  It also has the word "milltown" in parenthesis next to his name.

Barclay, Samuel**     Calais   -1855-
     Tools Made: Wheelwright
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Barnes & Smith**     Brewer     -1869-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Barrett, G.   Buckfield     -1879-1885-
     Tools Made:  Farm Tools and Rakes including drag rakes

Barrows & Son, C.  Canton     -1871-
     Tools Made: Horse Rakes

Barrows, A.   Canton     -1879-1885-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools
     Remarks: Relationship to Barrows & Son is unknown.

Barrows, L.M.** Vassalborough
     Tools Made: Planes
     Remarks: He made a 9" long compassed smoother, marked with his name and VASS.ME.  The town of Vassalborough, Maine, located on the east bank of the Kennebec River, 14 miles northeast of Augusta, had a population of 3,000 in 1850.  (Pollak, pg. 36).  The Bob Jones collection has a 9" iron coffin plane with this mark.

Bartlett, J.W.   Elliot
     Tools Made: Branding Irons
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates, "It is not clear if Bartlett was it's maker or the name it branded."

Barstow, Calvin**  Brunswick     -1790-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith

Barton, Flint**     Oakland     1773-1833
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Barton was one of the first ax makers working on the Emerson Stream in Oakland, Maine.  (see Klenman's Axe Makers of North America.)  Klenman indicates he had 13 sons, many of whom became blacksmiths as well as ax makers in the Oakland area.  No specific names or manufacturing company records have survived about the activities of these offspring.

Bassell, T.H.   Wellington     -1870-1871-
     Tools Made:  Axes

Batchelder, Edward S.  Montville     -1869-1871-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith, Edge Tools
     Remarks: This name is also recorded as Bachelder.  He is listed in the 1850 - 1870 census and was born in Liberty.

Batchelder, I.  Sebago     ca. 1790
     Tools Made: Wood Planes
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates that the maker's signature was I. BATCHELDER | SEBAGO.  Pollak states in his fourth edition that I. Batchelder was listed in Sebago ca. 1800 (pg 40).  Also see L.Bacheldor.

Batchelder, Joseph C.    Lisbon     circa 1819-1828
     Tools Made:  Edge Tools and Scythes
     Remarks:  It is unclear (DATM 1999) if a hay knife with the reported marking BATCHELDER may have also been from this maker.

Bates, Erastus W.**     Waterville     -1863-
     Tools Made: Hand Saws
     Remarks: He had patent 37999 on 3/24/1863 for a hand saw.  It was assigned to John Ellis of N. Bridgewater, MA.  The patent claims an improvement to the method of stretching the blade in a buck saw.  See Ellis Saw Co.  Source: Graham Stubbs.

Bath Iron Foundry  Bath     -1869-1871-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows including cultivators and harrows.

Bead & Morrill** Bangor
     Tools Made: Planes
     Remarks: Morrill was a prominent Bangor planemaker, who was Bead?  See Pollak, 4th edition.

Beam, Eli B.   Brownfield     -1885-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools

Bean, B.B.*     Rockland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Bean, Jonathan   Montville     -1855-1860-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory and in the 1860 census as a Machinist.  He was born in New Hampshire.

Beath, W.H.**     Kenduskeag     -1879-
     Tools Made: Axes, Cooper's Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1879 Maine Business Directory.

Becker, C. B.**   Cherryfield
     Tools Made: Gouges
    Remarks: The Museum now has two chisels marked G.B. Ricker; it appears there was no Becker, this listing was created by our misreading of an obscured mark.

Beek & Sons*     Orono     -1874-1877
     Tools Made: Axes

Belfast Foundry**     Belfast     -1880-1900-
     Tools Made: Tools and Machinery
     Remarks: The Belfast Foundry originally did custom foundry work, including ship's fittings. They also made quarry tools, and were known to have sold stone dressing tools to Halls Quarry in Mount Desert. Information provided by Doug Brown of Belfast, who also  has a house jack made by the Belfast Foundry. His grandfather worked there. The foundry made a proof press for a local printer.

Benjamin & Co.  Winthrop     -1855-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools

Benjamin, James   Newport     -1862-
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Benjamin was also listed as a horse shoer.

Benjamin, Samuel**     Winthrop    -1790-
     Tools Made: Planes
     Remarks: Pollak states that he was apprenticed to Joseph Metcalf, a Winthrop, ME, planemaker (pg. 45).

Bennett's Mills   Norway     -1864-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows
     Remarks: The company was bought by George Evans in 1864 where he made the circular plane he patented on 28 Jan. 1862.  DATM (1999) indicates this company may have made planes for Evans before he bought the company, and it is not known whether or not Evans continued to make farm tools and plows once he bought the company.  For more information on G.F. Evans see the entry under that name.  The Davistown Museum has one specimen of the Evans circular plane on exhibit in the main museum hall.

Bennett, F. P. & Co.**     Montville
     Tools Made: Blacksmith, Machinist
     Remarks: "Frank [Bennett] was an inventor who developed an improved model of the Cram Wheel that had a more efficient turbine action, and was designed to allow for quicker repairs when the iron fins broke off.  ...Several of his patents were offered for general sale, such as the Liberty Tongue and Groove Stave Machine and Bennett's Improved Stave Chamfer and Crozing Machine, and a hand water pump."  (Tom Donahue, 1996, The Kingdom in Montville, Maine).  Illustrations of these machines from his brochures have been reproduced on the back cover of the Registry.  Also see the Liberty Machine Co.

Berry & Waterhouse*     Gardiner
     Tools Made: Axes

Berry, Eldbridge**     Gardiner     -1867-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1867 Maine Business Directory.

Best, Henry**     Robbinston   -1855-
     Tools Made: Pump and Block Makers
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Bicknell Manufacturing Company**     Rockland
     Tools Made: Quarrying
     Remarks: Mr. Putnam Bicknell, the firm's second manager, purchased control of the Livingston Manufacturing Company and opened a branch office and plant in Elberton, Georgia. He also changed the name to Bicknell Manufacturing. (Shore Village Story).  The company now goes by the name Bicknell Supply Co. and has closed the Rockland branch.  For more information see the Museum's information file.  The Davistown Museum has a Bicknell stone chisel in the IR: Other factory made tools collection listed under Maine made tools.

Billings** Augusta
     Tools Made: Draw Knives, Cleavers, Slicks
     Remarks: The Davistown Museum has a clapboard slick (photograph) marked BILLINGS | AUGUSTA in the Maritime IV collection listed under edge tools and a cleaver in the Maritime III collection listed under knives.

Billings**  China
     Tools Made: Chisels
     Remarks: The Davistown Museum has a chisel (photo) marked BILLINGS. | CAST STEEL | CHINA and CAST STEEL | WARRANTED in the Maritime III collection listed under edge tools.

Billings Axe Co.**     Clinton
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: This company was founded by J.P. Billings of Clinton.  George P. Billings was born in 1865 and eventually took over his father's business.

Billings & Fogg  North Monmouth     -1859-
     Tools Made: Hoes and Shovels

Billings & Spear  North Monmouth     -1849-1856-
     Tools Made: Hoes and Shovels
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates that they were succeeded by Billings & Fogg sometime before 1859, and were also listed as Spear & Billings.

Billings, George H.  North Monmouth     -1869-1871-
     Tools Made: Hoes and Shovels

Billings, G.P.*     Clinton     -1874-1909
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: **Connor Noel has informed us that John P. Billings of Clinton had a son named George P. Billings, born in 1865.  Possibly this is the G.P. Billings listed by Donald Yeaton?

Billings, J.*     Saco     -1874-
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Could this be a relative of John P. Billings of Clinton?

Billings, John P.**    Clinton     -1825-1881-     b. 1837
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks: DATM (1999) notes his maker's mark as J.P. BILLINGS | CLINTON. ME with both lines of text curved to form an oval.   DATM also notes a John Billings worked in Saco, Maine circa 1825, as well as in Hallowell in 1841.  **Connor Noel (a sixth generation descendent of John P. Billings) has informed us that John P. was born in 1837 and he opened the ax factory in Clinton (dates unknown).  This means the date of 1825 given in DATM is not correct or that it refers to yet another of the Billings clan.  He is listed as a Clinton ax maker in the 1867, 1879 and 1881 Maine Business Directory. The broad ax shown (with an enlargement of the mark) belongs to Connor Noel.  The Museum has a Billing's ax listed in the IR: Other Factory Made Tools collection listed under axes and a Billings socket chisel in the Maritime III collection listed under Edge Tools - American made.  On 10/28/05 the Hulls Cove Tool Barn discovered in a Falmouth foreside barn a J.P. BILLINGS | CLINTON MAINE lipped adze, the first one noted in the 36 years of tool picking by the Jonesport Wood Co. It will be included in the 2007 Art of the EdgeTools show.

Blake, Wm. P.**     Waterville     1862-1889
     Tools Made: Axes, Scythes and Hooks
     Remarks: Also see the Hubbard & Blake Mfg. Co.

Bliss, T. Buckston, Bucksport     -1807-1820-
     Tools Made: Wood Planes
     Remarks: The definite listing of Bliss as a toolmaker in the first edition of the DATM (1990) has been changed to a tentative listing in the 1999 edition.  The 1999 edition also notes that Bliss may be one of two cabinet makers in Newport, RI.  Planes were simply marked T. BLISS.  Pollak (pg. 52) notes the mark T. BLISS. / BUCKSTON (in 1807 Buckston's name was changed to Bucksport.)  The Bob Jones collection has a 9 1/4" round plane with the Buckston mark.

Blodett, S. A.**     Belfast     -1881-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1881 Maine Business Directory on Main St.

Bodwell, Joseph**     Wayne, Oakland     1879
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: See the North Wayne Tool Co.

Bolton & Son  Portland
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Any relationship to Libby & Bolton, Portland's prolific maker of edge tools?

Bolton, Elbridge G.    Portland     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Adzes, Draw Knives and Edge Tools
     Remarks: DATM (1999) indicates maker's marks as E.G. BOLTON PORTLAND, and E.G. BOLTON | FLOYD | PORTLAND. ME with a notation that Floyd was otherwise reported as a Portland ax maker.  He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories.  Also see Libby & Bolton.  NOTE: Clarence Blanchard sold both a signed Bolton hewing ax and a Bolton gutter adz at his auction on March 10, 2002.

Bolton, Thomas   Portland     -1849-
     Tools Made: Draw Knives and Edge Tools
     Remarks: Maker's mark noted as T. BOLTON.

Boothby, D.S.**     Livermore     -1882-
     Tools Made: Knives
     Remarks: Listed in the 1882 Maine Business Directory.


Boothby, Noah   Waterville     -1881-1882-
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks:  He is listed in the 1881 and 1882 Maine Business Directory with a location of Main St.  He used the mark N. BOOTHBY | WATERVILLE.  The 2" socket chisel in the photograph is owned by Rick Floyd.

Boothy, Brice   Limington     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory with a first name of Price and in the 1856 Maine Business Directory as Brice.

Bore, R & H Co.**     Waterville
     Tools Made: Axes

Boulet**     Sebago Lakes     -1900-1904-
     Tools Made: Gauges
     Remarks: The Davistown Museum has a measuring gauge (photo) marked BOULET'S FINE TOOL WORKS SEBAGO LAKES MAINE | PAT OCT 2 1900 SEPT 10 1910 FEB 25 04 in the IR: Classic Period of American Machinist's Tools collection.

Boulton, N.L.V.   Waterville     -1849-
     Tools Made: Hammers

Bowker, James Sr.**  Paris     1796-1820-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: He purchased land in Paris, ME, in 1796 from Isaac Jackson.  He was a descendant of James Bowker, a Swede in early Massachusetts and was also a Revolutionary Soldier.

Boynton, D.P.   Monmouth     circa 1878-
     Tools Made: Wood Bench Vises
     Remarks: According to DATM (1999) it is unclear if Boynton patented a wood bench vise in 1878, made it, or perhaps both.

Bradford, Jesse   Turner     -1869-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Plows

Bradford, Joseph       Portland     circa 1837-1884     (b. June 1806, d. May 21, 1884)
     Tools Made: Carpenter Tools, Cooper Tools, Edge Tools, Shipsmith Tools and Wood Planes
     Remarks: He had two marks: J.BRADFORD | PORTLAND and J.BRADFORD | PORTLAND | ME.  According to Pollak, pg. 58, "The 1860 census reported he had one employee and produced $1000 worth of coopers' tools, $200 worth of joiners' tools and $100 in repairs."  The Bob Jones collection has four examples of his planes including a 11 1/2" beech handled match grooving plane. Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory at 200 Fore St.

Bradley, Peter H.**  Portland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Adzes
     Remarks: Bradley designed and made an improved adz with a two piece blade, which could be pressed over the handle and held in place by a wood or metal plug.  No known examples survive of this adz.


Bragg, H.**     Cornville
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: The Davistown Museum has a broad ax (photograph) marked H.BRAGG | CORNVILLE in the Maritime IV collection.  Is there a relationship between this Bragg and the other Braggs listed below?

Bragg, H.A.   Katahdin     -1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory as an edge toolmaker.

N. H. Bragg billBragg, N.H. & Sons**   Bangor     -1889-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith Tools
     Remarks: Copy of bill courtesy of Raymond Strout.

Bragg, William B.  Skowhegan     -1871-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools and Shovels

Bragg, Z.O.**     Rockland     -1869-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1869 Maine Business Directory.

Breck & Weymouth  Clinton     -1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: This company is listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory as an edge toolmaker.

Breck, William D.*     Clinton     1855-1866
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: Could this be the son of William D. Breck of Waterville?  Was this William D. Breck associated with Breck & Weymouth?

Breck, William D.     Waterville     -1800-
     Tools Made: Axes

Brett, Rufus*   Phillips     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories.  Don Yeaton has recently (2003) found an ax signed Rufus Brett Phillips.

Brewer
     Tools Made: Axes

Bridges, J.**     Ellsworth     -1856-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory.

Brigdon*     Bridgdon     1816-1832
     Tools Made: Axes

Briggs, S.E.   Caribou     -1899-1900-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools

Broad, E.**Bangor     -1855-
     Tools Made: Slicks
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory as an edge toolmaker. A 16" long slick has been found (photograph) marked E. BROAD | BANGOR | WARRANTED.  The closeup of the mark is from a drawshave.  DATM (1999) lists several Broads working from 1857 to 1901 in New Brunswick, Canada who made edge tools.  E.&J.W. Broad were in St. John in 1857.  The E. is for Elisha Broad.  They were succeeded by E & H BROAD | CAST STEEL | ST. JOHN, N.B. from 1862 - 1866.  This was a partnership of Elisha and Hewlett Broad, who were brothers.  It is unknown what Hewlett did immediately after 1866, but from 1881 - 1901, Hewlett used the mark: H.BROAD | ST. JOHN.  Elisha was not known to work alone, and in 1871 - 1883 he used the mark E. BROAD | MILLTOWN.  In 1883 the company name was changed to E. Broad & Son.  In 1885 he added a second son and changed the name to Elisha Broad & Sons.  One of the sons was named Harry W.  In 1885 this company also moved from Milltown to nearby St. Stephen and used the old Douglas Axe Mfg. Co. factory located there.  After Elisha died in 1895, they became the St. Stephen Edge Tool Co.  It is unknown if there is any relationship between the earlier E. Broad working in Bangor in mid-century and this Broad clan.

Broad, Hollis   China    -1856-
     Tools Made: Axes

Brock, William D.**  Clinton     -1855-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
    Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory as an edge toolmaker.  Is this a different person from the William D. Breck of Clinton, who made axes?

Brodigan, L.   Biddeford     -1869-1871-
     Tools Made: Files

Brooks Hdw.   Augusta     -1899-1900-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools

Brown, A.D.   Augusta     circa 1855
     Tools Made: Shovels

Brown, Cyrus   Fayette     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories as an edge toolmaker.

Brown, James W.   Woodstock     -1862-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools

Brown, John**     Pemaquid, Woolwich, Bristol      1622-1659     (b. 1604, d. 1659)
     Tools Made: Blacksmith, Mason
     Remarks: Probably Maine's earliest toolmaker.  See the Davistown Museum information file on John Brown for more information.

Brown, John   St. Albans     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Axes and Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Business Directory.

Brown, N.A.*     Richmond     1886-1889
     Tools Made: Axes

Brownson, Herbert S.**     Portland
     Tools Made: Screwdrivers
     Remarks: Brownson obtained patent 344160, 6/22/1886, information courtesy of C.D. Fales.

Bryant, Alonzo   Montville     -1879-1880
     Tools Made: Farm Tools including winnowing mills

Bryant, E.A.**     Bath     -1882-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: Listed in the 1882 Maine Business Directory on Water St.

Bryant, Samuel**     Portland   -1855-
     Tools Made: Pump and Block Makers
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Buck, Amos**     Eastport     -1856-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory.

Budge, James Thomas*     Lee     -1840-1890-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: "He spent his early days on the farm, and in early manhood learned the blacksmith's trade.  After becoming of age he worked at that business about sixteen years in this town.  In 1863 he engaged in trade and continued at that business for fifteen years, when he sold out and again went into blacksmithing with his son, which business he is now following." (Godfrey, 1882, History of Penobscot County, Maine pg. 893).

Burbank & Allamby**     Bangor   -1855-
     Tools Made: Brass Founders and Finishers
     Remarks: Listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Burgin, Lewis**     Eastport     -1856-
     Tools Made: Shipsmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1856 Maine Business Directory.

Burkett, N.H.   Union     -1879-
     Tools Made: Farm Tools including mowing machines and horse products

Burnham, J.B.**     Calais     -1882-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: Listed in the 1882 Maine Business Directory.

Burnham, J.H.**     Blue Hill   -1855-
     Tools Made: Wheelwright
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Burns & Buxton**     Portland   -1855-
     Tools Made: Pump and Block Makers
     Remarks: Listed in the 1855 Maine Registry and Business Directory.

Burrowes Co., Edward T.     Portland     1878-1928
     Tools Made: Levels, Rules and Wooden Planes
     Remarks: DATM notes Burrowes, "was primarily a maker of a sliding wire screen patented in 1878; the tools he marked were special types used to install that screen"  including a sliding and folding rule patented 24 Mar. 1891.  Burrowes made one plane in particular in large quantities, as it has frequently appeared in tool chests and collections purchased by the Liberty Tool Co. over the past thirty years, and that is the screen making plane.  Burrowes' mark is printed on the side of this screen making plane in large block letters (E.T. BURROWES CO., MANUFACTURERS, PORTLAND MAINE, and other variations).  According to Pollak, pg. 69-70, the plane bearing the firm name was part of the installation package for the screen.  The Davistown Museum has a 12" level (photo) marked E. T. BURROWES CO. | PORTLAND, ME. in the IR: Classic machinist's tools collection.  Twenty four examples of a brass tag stating MADE BY / E.T.BURROWES & CO / PULL / WIRE SCREENS / PORTLAND,ME. are in the Bob Jones collection.  This company also made furniture items such as pool tables and cedar chests.  We have received a report of an old crank phonograph in a cabinet marked Burrowes of Portland, Maine.

Bussel, Ethan*     Wellington     1885-1895
     Tools Made: Axes
     Remarks: There was also a T.H. Bussell that worked in Wellington starting around 1885; perhaps this was a brother or another relative, and the name has been misspelled.

Bussell, T.H.   Wellington     -1869-1925
     Tools Made: Axes, Chisels, Drawshaves, etc.
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1869, 1879, 1881, and 1882 Maine Business Directory.

Buswell, Turner H.**  Brighton     -1855-1856-
     Tools Made: Edge Tools
     Remarks: He is listed in the 1855 and 1856 Maine Business Directories as an edge toolmaker.  In 1856 his name was spelled Bussell.  Could this be the T.H. Bussell reported later in Wellington or a relative?

Butler & Haines  Bangor
     Tools Made: Saws
     Remarks: Reported also as Butler and Haynes, the maker signature was BUTLER & HAINES | BANGOR, ME | WARRANTED CAST STEEL with the name line curved.

Butler, Daniel W.** Liberty     -1860-
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: Listed in the 1860 census.

Butterfield,  Andrew**     East Wilton     1836-      (d.1866)
     Tools Made: Blacksmith
     Remarks: He bought his father, Issac's shop from Samuel Pease in 1836 and partnered with Calvin Keyes in 1839.  This information is from the notes of W. A. "Chet" Sweat of Farmington, ME.

Butterfield, Issac, Jr.**    East Wilton     1803-1817     (b.1750 d. 1817)
     Tools Made: Blacksmith, Quarrying Tools