DATM (1999) includes the
following information on Ames Shovels:
John Ames of W. Bridgewater, MA (d. 1805) made shovels from 1777 -
1805.
Oliver Ames was John Ames youngest son and inherited his forge and
land.
Oliver was born in W. Bridgewater, April 13, 1779. He moved to
Easton, MA in 1803. He ran two businesses after his father died.
By 1807 he was in a hoe making partnership with Asa Waters (
Ames,
Waters & Co.).
In 1807 he moved to Plymouth, MA and managed the shovel making plant
of
Plymouth Iron Works.
In 1814 he moved back to Easton and expanded his operation there to
South Braintree, MA.
In 1844 he turned the management of the business over to his sons Oakes
and Oliver and the name changed to
Oliver Ames & Sons.
Oliver Ames & Sons operated in Easton from 1844 - 1901.
In 1901 they were reorganized as
Ames Shovel and Tool Co. and
merged with H. M. Myers Shovel Co., T. Rowland's Sons, Wright Shovel Co.
and Elwood Steel Plant.
In 1952 the name was changed to
O. Ames Co.
Brands used before 1900 include
T.M. Porter and
James
Adams.
The Oliver Ames Plow Co. was some sort of affiliate after 1860.
