Manufacturers History- Brainard & Wilson Corporation ELLERSON L BRAINARD, ASSIGNOR TO THE ROGERS SILVER PLATE COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT Ellerson Leroy Brainard: His early years were spent in farming, filling in his spare time doing carpenter s work. From his mother he inherited an artistic taste and from his father, who could do all kinds of mechanical work needed on the farm, as making ox-carts, sleds and wagons and setting tires on the wheels or blacksmithing, as required, he inherited a mechanical tact, which with perseverance has enabled him to push forward in life, to the accomplishment of much original work, and to adapt himself to conditions and circumstances. In July, 1886, he went to Danbury, Conn., in the employ of the Rogers Silver Plate Co., as superintendent of designers and pattern makers, etc. After being with them nearly fifteen years, he established himself in business. He fitted up a room in his barn and designed patterns, which were called fine and when
placed on the market proved superior to any found there. In May, 1902, a Stock Company was organized, of which E.L. Brainard was President, F.L.Wilson, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mrs. E.L. Brainard, Vice-President, for the manufacturing of white metal goods and novelties, etc. E.L. Brainard was chief manager, F.L. Wilson being engaged in the jewelry business in that city. The business from the first was promising and thus far has been very successful, employing the last part of the first year about sixty hands, and now (1904) needing additional room and an increase of workmen. He has received many patents for his inventions. His son (Harold Frank, b. March 8, 1885 in East Hampton Conn.) is working at the business, endeavoring to master it in all its details, with great promise of being of substantial aid and developing good business ability with a high sense of honor. The Genealogy of the Brainerd-Brainard Family in America, 1649-1908: pt. 4-7 1904 1902 CORPORATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL LAW Brainard & Wilson Corporation, Danbury May 19, 1902 Special acts and resolutions of the State of Connecticut, Volume 14, Part 1 Notions and fancy goods 1905 1905 Brainard L Danbury Conn Jewel casket or similar article Brainard Ellerson L assignor to Brainard & Wilson Company Danbury Conn Jewel casket or similar article Brainard & Wilson Company See Brainard Ellerson L assignor 37,238 Nov 22 United States. Government Printing Office 1906 Danbury A new manufacturing plant for the production of plated goods was put up by the Brainard & Wilson Company The buildings are of frame construction the principal structure being two stories high 32 144 feet plating room one story high 32 56 feet casting room one
story 26 40 feet and the cost of the whole $15,000. Report By Connecticut. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1907 the weekly payroll of one of the leading manufacturing establishments: Brainard & Wilson Co., silverware manufacturer $1,000 The American hatter, Volume 36 1907 Fabrics, Fancy Good and Notions 1908 Fancy Goods Ad 1908 Brainard & Wilson Co, Danbury, Conn. opened New York offices 621 Broadway. THE JEWELERS CIRCULAR WEEKLY It is reported that the Brainard & Wilson Company manufacturers of novelties at Danbury, Conn. are planning to add a plating department for silver deposit work. Metal industry, Volume 6 1908 Brainard & Wilson c.1908
The Swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word Svasti, meaning well-being. The sign dates from pre-historic times, and for thousands of years it has been used as a symbol of the sun/solar energy (Aryan), infinity (China), and continuing re-creation (Buddhism), as well as a decorative motif in the Americans, China, Europe, Greece and Scandinavia. It has been found in the catacombs of Rome, on textiles of the Inca period, and on relics unearthed at Troy. In the early 1900 s in the United States, the Swastika motif was quite popular, and primarily associated with Native Americans. From a 1907 sales catalog: Very popular at the present time, the Swastika is an old Indian symbol for good luck, long life, happiness and prosperity, brought to the wearer by the four winds of Heaven represented by the four arms of the cross. Most jewelers and art metal manufacturers offered Swastika lines. For example, the Weidlich Jewelry Company advertised souvenir spoons and jewelry in 1907. The Brainard & Wilson Company manufactured and sold a desk set (see Manufacturer section Brainard & Wilson). And some catalogs devoted entire pages to this motif.
1909 Henry Paulson & Co, Art Nouveau issue of Jewelry Boxes & Display Goods
1907 Warren Mansfield CO. catalog 1908 NOVELTIES IN FANCY GOODS The New York show rooms of Brainard & Wilson Corp. of Danbury, Conn. have recently been rearranged and handsomely equipped for business. The line of samples displayed therein comprises many new designs in art and metal wares including clocks, jewelry boxes, candelabra, stationery goods, smoker s articles, etc. These handsome show rooms are in the Cable Building 621 Broadway New York and are in charge of Mr. Fred J Foster who was for about twenty years with Unger Brothers of Newark is now in charge of the New York salesroom of The Brainard & Wilson Co of Danbury. The line itself is remarkable for beauty and fine finish while the salesroom is fitted up and arranged so as to give the best possible for the examination of goods. 1908 Notions and Fancy Goods, Volume 42
Brainard & Wilson Ad; Jewelers' Circular Weekly 1909 1915 Sale of Brainard & Wilson property. On the 22nd of October, 1915, a manufacturing joint stock corporation, Brainard & Wilson of Danbury, Conn. property was sold for $1,277.10 to the Rogers Plate Company of Danbury. Jacob Q. Irving and Thomas C. Millard, president and treasurer, respectively, were directors of the Brainard & Wilson Company, and at the time of the
sale, were acting as trustees. The purchaser at once took possession of the premises. Irving, with the consent of the trustees acted as general manager in winding up the affairs of the corporation and obtained permission to store material still on the premises (brass copper wire tubing materials and 11,610 pounds of metal molds and designs) in one of the buildings. Later, this materiel was sold for a fair and reasonable consideration. The party who bought the property then sued to recover damages for the alleged conversion, claiming it was equipment as specified in the deed. The Court concluded it was apparent that the B&W corporation never intended to sell or this equipment to the plaintiff. VREELAND v. IRVING et al. (Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut. Jan 5, 1917.) Atlantic reporter, Volume 99