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 American Silver before sterling
 grave digging
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 06-25-2017 10:32 PM
  
My wife has lately taken to describing me as (among other things) a Resurrectionist. While I don't actually go digging in graveyards like the original gentlemen of that title, I do enjoy rescuing forgotten folks from the sands of time. Today I spent an enjoyable afternoon doing just that. Some time ago I picked up a copy of Von Krum's Silversmiths of New York (inscribed by the author to "my blooming Rose", but that is a mystery for another day). I have been going through it in an entirely random manner, as is my want, making a lot of pencil notations and seeing who I could discover and add to my project, which has proved fruitful. While thus engaged, I ran across a curious name today, Osdin Ashcraft, watchmaker and merchant of fine imported jewelery and silver wares. He was first listed in directories at 66 Fulton and, by 1838, at 53 Nassua. In 1845, he became the partner of Samuel Hammond as S. HAMMOND & Co at 44 Merchant's Exchange. Hammond had been the junior partner of Samuel Ward Benedict of BENEDICT & HAMMOND. Hammond's company lasted until at least 1850, but Mr. Ashcraft had, by then, disappeared from the records. I decided to look into this fellow and discovered he died in NYC on 10 December 1862. He was unmarried and intestate, as the public administrator of probate ran an ad in the Evening Express of 13 December seeking any relatives or next of kin of '. . .the late Osdin Ashcraft, native of Vermont, late of the City of New York, Importer, deceased. . ." to come forward with claims to his estate. I poked and prodded all the Vermont records I could find for a few hours, generally cursing the people that transcribe and publish 19th century documents without any talent to read 19th century script. I eventually pieced together quite a few threads, but primarily that he was born on 05 August 1811 to Uriah and Lucinda (Nichols) Ashcraft. He is buried in Guildford, but not amongst his kin, which raises questions for another day. I had no luck tracing back his line to my tree, but drew lucky when I looked at his brother, Thaddeus Stevens Ashcraft, who married Flora Celinda Slate in 1854 (he was 48, she was 17). Through her line I was able to attach the Ashcrafts and give Osdin a page of his own, which brings the count up to 8,175. It's the small things and I felt good enough to pour myself a pint of Telegraph Reserve Wheat Ale.
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 06-26-2017 03:12 AM
7 January 1863 Thaddeus S Ashcraft of Guilford, Vermont the brother of Osdin Ashcraft and Pierpont Isham of New York City (an attorney) were jointly appointed administrators of the goods, chattels and credits of Osdin Ashcraft. Osdin Ashcraft's personal estate consisted primarily of his one undivided half interest in the stock and fixtures of the store at no 41 William Street, New York City when the business was carried on under the name and style of Samuel Hammond & Co which amounted to $19,728. Osdin Ashcraft was buried at the Baker Cemetery in Guilford, Vermont where his father Uriah, brother Thaddeus and no doubt other family members were buried. "He lives in memory." IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 06-26-2017 10:50 AM
Thanks for that, bascall. Hammond's lasted longer than previously supposed. I finally found Osdin in the 1860 census, a merchant boarder living at Mr. Bartlett's hotel. He is also there, as a jeweler, in the 1855 state census, but as 'Oliver Iscroft.' I haven't found him in the 1850. IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 06-26-2017 11:47 AM
You're welcome. I think he is listed as Mr Craft Jeweller birth year 1815 birthplace Vermont in the 1850 census for New York City Ward 3. The enumerator appears to be prone to taking unwarranted shortcuts. [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 06-26-2017).] IP: Logged |
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