Information Regarding Bigelow, Kennard & Co.

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Theft of Three Rings From Boston Jewelers Subject of Sensational Newspaper Accounts

Boston, May 2.—Sensational stories appeared during the past week in some of the Boston daily papers regarding the disappearance of Bertram R. Brown, an employe of Jordan, Marsh & Co.’s department store in this city, with $3,000 worth of diamonds belonging to Bigelow, Kennard & Co. A romantic yarn was spun of a broken hearted fiance and other incidentals of a more or less yellow tinge embellished the tale. The facts in the case are more prosaic and the amount stolen is about $300, not $3,000.

It appears that Brown represented himself as about to be married, and visited the store of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., where he inspected engagement rings, set with diamonds. He asked that three of these rings be sent over to the store, in which he had been a regular employe for about six months, and where the young woman to whom he was engaged was also employed, in order that she might designate her choice. The request was not one to excite suspicion, under such circumstances, but the messenger was given instructions, nevertheless, not to allow the rings to be taken out of his sight, according to custom, unless he received payment therefor.

A clerk selling goods behind a counter, without an outer coat or a hat on, especially if it is known that the position has been his customary one for half a year, is hardly the man who would be expected to run away with rings sent over to him from a neighboring store for inspection, yet that is
what Brown did. He made his way toward another part of the store, disappeared from the messenger’s sight and has not been in evidence since.

It has since been learned that Brown had been inspecting rings at the store of Foster & Co., 32 West St., during the past week, and had tendered a check there in payment, but it was not certified and was declined. He had also opened negotiations for a watch at the Shreve, Crump & Low Co.’s store, it is stated, but they had not reached culmination. It is supposed that he calculated to have the scheme on these different plans for swindling the big concerns come to a climax all on a given day and then decamp. The woman in the case appears to have been his dupe and not his accomplice. She is only 17 years old.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th May 1904

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William Keenan, formerly in the employ of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., is now with Stanton & Glover, of Tremont St.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th September 1911

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Death of Charles W. Kennard

Boston, Mass., June 22.—Charles W. Kennard, a retired Boston jeweler, died early Monday morning at his home on Chestnut St.

Mr. Kennard was of the same family as the late W. H. Kennard, of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., and sub-treasurer M. P. Kennard, of this city. He was born in Portsmouth, N. H., in 1835 and came to Boston when a young man, to enter the employ of Bigelow Bros. & Kennard, predecessors of the well known firm of Bigelow, Kennard & Co. About 20 years ago he entered into business on his own account at the corner of Tremont St. and Hamilton place, and later founded the Alexander Company, located on West St. He retired from active business eight years ago, and during the past three years he has been an invalid.

The funeral services Wednesday were attended by a number of intimate friends of the family, among them being prominent business men by whom Mr. Kennard was held in the highest esteem. He leaves a wife and three daughters.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 26th June 1895

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Bigelow Brothers & Kennard (Alanson and A. O. Bigelow, and M. P. and W. H. Kennard), jewellers, 219 Washington

Listing in The Boston Directory of 1862.

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The old and well-known firm of Bigelow, Kennard & Co. were dissolved by limitation the first of last April, and Wm. S. Foster retired from the business. Mr. Foster has been connected with Bigelow, Kennard & Co. for 26 years, and for the last six years has been a partner in the house. He was always to be found at his place of business, and will be greatly missed by those who were in the habit of meeting him there.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 20th May 1896

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Maria Adams, who was convicted of stealing a valuable diamond ring during the holiday season from Bigelow, Kennard & Co., and appealed on exceptions from the verdict of the Superior Court, has been adjudged guilty also by the Supreme Court, her exceptions being overruled. She was
sentenced to the woman’s prison at Sherborn.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th May 1904

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. - Boston, Mass. - 1883

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When Edgar W. Hodgson, formerly head watchmaker for Bigelow, Kennard & Co., engaged in business for himself on Tremont St., a few weeks ago, he started a chain of changes affecting several establishments in the city.

In the first place Allen T. Williams, with A. Stowell & Co., succeeded Mr. Hodgson at Bigelow, Kennard & Co.'s; then John A. Jury, for 14 years with George H. Richards, Jr., & Co., took the vacant position at Stowell's; Fred. H. Harlow steps into the position of head watchmaker at Richards' establishment, and Frank H. Bowers, formerly with Morrill Bros. Co., fills in as assistant on account of Mr. Harlow’s promotion. Further links are awaited.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 21st October 1896

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The disappearance of three traveling clocks from the counters of the firm of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., 511, Washington St., has been reported to the police, who are now working hard to apprehend the thieves.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th April 1903

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As a result of the numerous suits filed in the Supreme Court by merchants who were swindled by "Christmas Keough," to collect their losses from the property found in the safe deposit box here under the name of Thomas H. Newman, the claimants are now disputing among themselves, because there isn't enough to go around. The sheriff collected a total of $2,741, and the first claim of Lebolt & Co., for $1,400, was paid out of it, leaving only $1,340. The next attachment suit- filed by Marshall Field & Co. for $850, and if allowed there would be only a small sum left. Attachments were filed later by the Hennegan Bates Co. of Baltimore for $325, and by Bigelow, Kennard & Co., of Boston, for $950. The attorney for these claimants has filed an application to vacate the Marshall Field attachment on the ground that the papers on which it was granted are insufficient, and if the plea is upheld the other two claimants will collect and there will be nothing left for Marshall, Field & Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th November 1919

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. - Boston, Mass. - 1920

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. - Boston, Mass. - 1920

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The death is announced of William Swindells, for many years employed in the clock repairing department of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., Inc. He was 76 years of age and lived in Lawrence. He is survived by a widow, two sons and three daughters. He had been with the company for 23 years and was greatly respected by his fellow employes and many friends elsewhere in the trade.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th August 1922

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. have an exhibit this week in their Boyleston Street branch store windows appropriate for the Patriots’ Day holiday, which celebrates the anniversary to-day of the ride of Paul Revere. The concern is displaying some choice modern reproductions of work done in the old-time colonial shop in Boston of Paul Revere, including tea services, bowls, porringers, etc., of graceful and dignified designs.

Source: The Pottery, Glass & Brass Salesman - 20th April 1911

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. has secured the sole Boston agency for the Tiffany Studios and the L. C. Tiffany Furnaces.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th October 1922

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Albert Stetson of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., Inc., has been ill for several weeks. He was obliged to extend his vacation in order to receive further medical attention.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th September 1922

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Taking advantage of the "coolness" of greens, several Greater Boston jewelry stores used this color extensively in window decorating during the Dog Days of August—and very effectively. This was particularly noticeable in the show windows of Thomas Long & Co. and at the Bigelow-Kennard store — giving window shoppers a brief sense of coolness as they stood on hot sidewalks.

Source: Jewelers' Circular Keystone - September 1950

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Complete success attended the presentation at the Boston Opera House of the Animated Advertising Adventure, a distinctly novel type of entertainment in which some 60 firms took part. The jewelry trade was represented by Shreve, Crump & Low, Inc., and Bigelow-Kennard & Co., Inc. The former's advertisement was a beautifully equipped dining table with shaded lights. From this beautiful setting emerged Miss Edith Bremer in an effective gown of black velvet, who walked the length of the runway to the applause of a capacity audience. Miss Helen Clark, representing Bigelow-Kennard Co., Inc., wore a magnificent display of diamonds.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th January 1923

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Death of William H. Kennard

Boston, Mass., July 7.—William H. Kennard, of the well-known firm of Bigelow, Kennard & Co., died yesterday. Mr. Kennard was a brother of M. P. Kennard, Assistant United States Treasurer at Boston. Their father, the late O. P. Kennard, of Plattsmouth, N. H., was a merchant of that city. Their great grandfather, was a seafaring captain under the famous Sir William Pepperell. Mr. Kennard was 66 years old. His wife died a year ago last September. Four children survive their parents.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 8th July 1891

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Bigelow, Kennard & Co. - Boston, Mass. - 1920

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