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Index of first names

W & B Douglas 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William and Benjamin Douglas.

Tools Made: Grinding stone frames, lathes, pumps, hydraulic rams, machinery.

Working Dates: 1832-1923+.

 

W. & B. Douglass were incorporated 1839 with a capital of $250,000, being the continuation of the firm of W. & B. Douglass, who commenced there the manufacture of pumps, hydraulic rams, &c., in 1832. The works are located on Broad corner Williams, and are the largest and oldest manufactory of pumps in the country, if not in the world, covering 3 acres of ground and manufacturing 600 sizes and varieties. The motive power is furnished by two engines—-60 and 30-horse power respectively—made by this company. They consume in one year 1500 tons of iron and 50 tons of brass, which gives one an idea of the immense amount of business done by this concern, who received the highest medals at the Paris Exposition for the manufacture of pumps, &c. This business of manufacturing this useful household necessity has been developed and brought to their present state of perfection by this company, who were the first in the United States to commence their manufacture ; employ 200 persons, and their warehouse is at 85 and 87 John street, New York.

William Douglas was born in Branford, CT. on 19 April 1812. He worked in the foundry business with his brother John in New Haven, CT. In 1832 he moved to Middletown, CT. and with W.H. Guild formed the company of Guild & Douglas, making steam engines and other machinery. His first patent was issued in August 1835 for a pump.

Benjamin Douglas was born in Northford, CT. on 3 April 1816. In 1832 he was apprenticed to a machinist in Middletown. In 1839 he and his brother William formed the company of W & B Douglas. From 1839 to 1842 they were a foundry and machine shop. In 1842 they invented a revolving stand pump. Then manufactured pumps and hydraulic rams.

An ad in ref. 9 stated they made castings in iron and brass, also made machines to order. Located on the corner of Broad and William Street. [I have seen] one example of their product, a large grinding wheel frame. Ref. 10 & 14 state the company was founded in 1832.

This is from Ref. 63:

Heavy-duty Lathe: W. & B. Douglas, Middletown, Conn. A single-purpose machine designed for turning and .boring shells, and for similar classes of general manufacturing work. All parts of the machine are heavily built to stand up under severe conditions of service. Three changes of speed and four variations of feed are available.

From Ref. 55:

The works are the largest and oldest manufactory of pumps in the country, if not in the world, covering 3 acres of ground and manufacturing 600 sizes and varieties. The motive power is furnished by two engines: 60 and 30-horse power respectively made by this company. They employ 200 persons, and their warehouse is at 85 and 87 John street, New York.

From Ref. 58:

At the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia they had more 700 different articles on display.

These pumps covered many different used for both liquid and air.






Patents issued or assigned to W & B Douglas. Both William and Benjamin are patentees, also,
William, the son of William Douglas. I have not determined the relationship between W & B and
Joseph or Edward Douglas. See ref. 24 for additional Connecticut patents.

Name Pat. No Item Issue Date
Douglas, William 2895 Pump lift 12/31/1842
Douglas, Benjamin 23649 Pump 4/12/1859
Douglas, W.
Douglas B. 30603 Pump 11/6/1860
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas B. 33299 Pump stand 9/17/1861
Douglas B. 35802 Pump 7/1/1862
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
North, Henry S. 68781 Snap hook 9/10/1867
Assigned to North, W. & B. Douglas
Douglas, Edward 386115 Telescopic stop cock
7/17/1888
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas, Joseph W. 35059 Pump 4/22/1862
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 38444 Pump 5/5/1863
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 56671 Double acting pump
7/24/1866
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 64292 Hose coupling
4/30/1867
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 74321 Pump 2/11/1868
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 81611 Grindstone frame
9/1/1868
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 93974 Knapsack fire extinguisher 8/24/1869
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 97767 Pump 12/14/1869
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 97894 Chemical fire extinguisher
12/14/1869 12/14/1869
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 98674 Pump attachment
1/11/1870
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 102664 Pump valve 5/3/1870
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 144965 Pump 11/25/1873
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 151364 Pump gearing construction
5/26/1874 5/26/1874
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 158786 Lining pump cylinders
1/19/1875
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 167195 Water hydrant
8/3/1875
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 173601 Vehicle whee
l2/15/1876
Douglas J. 192979 Portable pump
7/10/1877
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 244384 Pump 7/19/1881
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 279360 Drill, tap & socket
6/12/1883
Douglas J. 280146 Lathe cutter & holder
6/26/1883
Douglas J. 280147 Lathe cutter & holder
6/26/1883
Douglas J. 280148 Lathe cutter & holder
6/26/1883
Douglas J. 294210 Pump 2/26/1884
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 306679 Pump 10/14/1884
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas J. 321804 Lever shears 7/7/1885
Douglas, William 2895 Pump lift 12/31/1842
Assigned to W. & B. Douglas
Douglas W. 19834 Portable pump 4/6/1858



 

 

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Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024