Object Number 1964.1152.002

Object Name

Candlestick

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company (Maker)
1830-1835
Isaac Babbitt was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on July 26, 1799 and was trained as a watchmaker. In 1823 he entered a partnership with William W. Crossman, a mechanic, to manufacture britannia. By 1827, the name of the company was changed to Babbitt, Crossman & Company. This was succeeded by the company Crossman, West & Leonard in 1829 when Zephaniah Leonard joined Crossman and William A. West, who had been with the firm since 1824. Isaac Babbitt stayed on as a metallurgist. In 1830, the company was reorganized again into the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company, which lasted until 1834. See records for Crossman, West & Leonard and Babbitt, Crossman & Company. For more on Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company's marks, see Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.114; Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.227; and C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.280. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America, vol.3, p.191; George S. Gibb, The Whitesmiths of Taunton: a History of Reed and Barton (1943); and Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.166.

William W. Crossman (Maker)
Isaac Babbitt was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on July 26, 1799 and was trained as a watchmaker. In 1823 he entered a partnership with William W. Crossman, a mechanic, to manufacture britannia. By 1827, the name of the company was changed to Babbitt, Crossman & Company. This was succeeded by the company Crossman, West & Leonard in 1829 when Zephaniah Leonard joined Crossman and William A. West, who had been with the firm since 1824. Isaac Babbitt stayed on as a metallurgist. In 1830, the company was reorganized again into the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company, which lasted until 1834. See records for Crossman, West & Leonard and Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company. For more on Babbitt, Crossman & Company's marks, see Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.96; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.238; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.122; and Montgomery, History of American Painting (1973), p.215. See also George S. Gibb, The Whitesmiths of Taunton: a History of Reed and Barton (1943); Laughlin, vol.3, p.174-175; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.26.

William A. West (Maker)
Isaac Babbitt was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on July 26, 1799 and was trained as a watchmaker. In 1823 he entered a partnership with William W. Crossman, a mechanic, to manufacture britannia. By 1827, the name of the company was changed to Babbitt, Crossman & Company. This was succeeded by the company Crossman, West & Leonard in 1829 when Zephaniah Leonard joined Crossman and William A. West, who had been with the firm since 1824. Isaac Babbitt stayed on as a metallurgist. In 1830, the company was reorganized again into the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company, which lasted until 1834. See records for Crossman, West & Leonard and Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company. For more on Babbitt, Crossman & Company's marks, see Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.96; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.238; and Montgomery, History of American Painting (1973), p.215. See also George S. Gibb, The Whitesmiths of Taunton: a History of Reed and Barton (1943); Laughlin, vol.3, p.174-175; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.26.

Zephaniah Leonard (Maker)
Isaac Babbitt was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on July 26, 1799 and was trained as a watchmaker. In 1823 he entered a partnership with William W. Crossman, a mechanic, to manufacture britannia. By 1827, the name of the company was changed to Babbitt, Crossman & Company. This was succeeded by the company Crossman, West & Leonard in 1829 when Zephaniah Leonard joined Crossman and William A. West, who had been with the firm since 1824. Isaac Babbitt stayed on as a metallurgist. In 1830, the company was reorganized again into the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company, which lasted until 1834. See records for Crossman, West & Leonard and Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company. For more on Babbitt, Crossman & Company's marks, see Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.96; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.238; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.122 and 136; and Montgomery, History of American Painting (1973), p.215. See also George S. Gibb, The Whitesmiths of Taunton: a History of Reed and Barton (1943); Laughlin, vol.3, p.174-175; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.26.

Place of Origin

Taunton, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Date

1830-1837

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Underside foot, center; "T.B.M.CO", stamped
2. Mark; Underside foot, center; "1", stamped
3. Inscription; Underside foot; "JN", incised

Materials

Britannia metal

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

12.25 (H) , 5.375 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

31.115 (H) , 13.652 (Diam)

Measurement Notes

Diameter is of the foot.

Object Description

Text available soon.