Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-12-06
THE WILMINGTON CARRIAGE TRADE.
Its Rise and Early History-Looations Of the First
shOps-The Introduction of steam-The
Present Extent of the Business

la Hardness Magazine, for December con-
siderable space is devoted to the carriage trade
Of wilmington-its introduction here, its rise
and progress, biographical sketches of the man
ufacturers, &c. We appropriate to our own use
some OF the more notable events in the history
Of the business;
The manufacture of carriages was carried on
in Wilmington in the 18th cenGury, and, no
doubt, considerably prior to 1850. 1t is certain
that there were standing far back into the 18th
century, in this city, two very old frame or
wooden buildings used for the manufacture Of
carriages One was located on the site of the
Delaware Bank, North East corner of Sixth and
Market streets. The other on the West side of
Market street between Sixth and Seventh
Among Wilmingtons Carriage Manufacturers
OF the 18th century, were John Martin, John
Reynolds, Joseph Hoopes, j ohm Dixon, and John
Way. Two OF these men were thus engaged at
the beginning of the 18th century and for a few
years thereafter. or these, Martin and Way
we're successfully in the shop on the site Of the
Bank, while Reynolds, Hopes and Dixon, each
respectively In partnership with one of the other
two, were in the shop above, on the opposite
side. IS
Tradition has it that Jehu Webb made carriages
in one of these shops in the 18th century earlier
than either of the above.
The dawn of the 10Th century found making car
rages John Way, at Sixth and Market, and for
few years later. and John Dixon on the West
side of Market street until about 1910, Mr.. Dix
on was born January 49, 1777, and deceased
September 3D. 1922 His lineal descendant
dant and grandson, John Dixon, OF Thomson,
Paschal & 90, is engaged in the business to-day.
William Brown succeeded John Dixon.
Peter Bauduy, (BOdwe) Of French origin. sue
ceeded John Way early in the 18th century
He painted remarkable sign for the Market
street front of his building, the Aamingchariot
of Aurora -Four fiery steeds were running
away-as seen in the coach makers coat of
arms-through raging flames and vapor almost
enveloping the carriage and driver.
He was succeeded by Moore q Robinson who,
| few years later, removed this building to the
Southwest corner of Sixth and Shipley Streets
year later about 1918, because they could
not obtain good title to the spot, they re-
moved it again with the sign thereon, to the
Southeast corner of Sixth and King streets, on
| the site OF the Custom House.
One of our oldest journeymen carriage makers
now living John b, Lewis, who was born near
Dover in 1893, worked for Moore Il Robinson, an
| apprentice in 1851, prior to, during and subse-
quent to these removals.
1t is related that the head of one of our most
/ illustrious families, who was patron Of Moore,
/ purchased from him fine carriage. After get
| ting it home he discovered putty, and taking out
his knife, cut out the putty in many places, and
then took the carriage back to Moore forthwith
| alleging this new improvement to be a fraud suf-
| hcent to warrant its n turn. Mr. Moore remark
ed that ,,.pntty made it stronger" "Then," re-
/
| Lethum Weldin in 1850, then Jones Guthrie
Il Baggs occupied it, Sapp, Mungar a John
/ Graham had an old frame shop Just below it.
| These firms were for short time. 5I ra =
In 1849 or 1850, this property next passed into
| the possession of Wellington Grubb Gather of
Ignatius O, Grubb, Attorney at law who used
the rear part Of the shop as livery stable.
Then, leasing it for less time to Lewis O.
Springer, in the same business, he sold it to the
| United States about 1853, Judge Gilpin, Col,
Jesse Sharpe and another, acting as Commission
ers ON the part Of tho Government. The build
ing was torn down and the Custom House was
erected on the lot.
About 1878 Richard and Israel Humphreys,
and for years from 1873, Peter A. Humphreys,
owned and run shop on the site of Hanover
Street Church. leasing it, after that period to
Frazer Il Burkalow, then to Burkalow d Crock
ct, firms of short duration, until in 1928, he
sold the estate, when the bailding was removed,
and the largest Church edifce at that time in
Wilmington erected thereon. .ls..
Edward KeDnard was the successor of William
Brown, on the site Of Mrs Hunters estate, oc
cupied as hat store by the late Senator Good
ing. In 1923. Edward Kennard bought out VIM
Brown, and made carriages until 1884 when he
sold his estate to Joseph n Hunter, who carried
on the same business for "A years, whom, in 1s4s