Information Regarding Whiting & Davis

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A topic for recording information regarding the Whiting & Davis Company of Plainville, Massachusetts.


Whiting & Davis Co. - Plainville, Mass. - 1911

If you have any details of the above company, advertisements, examples of their work, etc., anything that you are willing to share, then here's the place to post it.

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EDWARD PAYSON DAVIS





Edward Payson Davis was born in 1838, in South Attleboro, in the section known as the Reed-Ide neighborhood. When Mr. Davis was only a few months old, his parents moved to West Attleboro on a farm, the house of which is only one hundred yards of the Rhode Island line, in the section
now known as Abbott 's Run, where he resided until about fifteen or sixteen years of age. From that time he worked in jewelry factories in Pawtucket, and he enlisted in the Civil War in a Pawtucket company. After his discharge from the service he worked in North Attleboro for a number of years, and finally came to Plainville to work for the firm of Jos. T. Bacon Co. where he was working in 1876, when Mr. Bacon induced him to engage in business for himself. Mr. Davis was one of the founders of the firm of Wade, Davis & Co., which was organized in August, 1876, and continued under this name until 1896, when the firm became Whiting & Davis. Mr. Davis retired from the firm in July, 1907, and died the following January, 1908.

Many of the older employees remember Mr. Davis for many years past. He was one of the old school of jewelers who could make a piece of jewelry from start to finish. When he learned his trade he learned to melt his metal, plate it, do his own stamping and press work, bench work, polishing, and finishing, and turned the finished piece of work in to the office from the raw material, consequently when he was manufacturing for himself, he was capable of showing and teaching men in every department, as he was thoroughly familiar with the work. He was a man who was highly respected both in and out of business, and one of the best friends the writer has ever had.
(Signed)
C. A. Whiting.

Source: Wadco News - 24th December 1920

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Whiting & Davis Company Inc. - Plainville, Mass. - 1961

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With deep regret, 'The News" announces the death on August 13 of Kenneth L. Hewes, son of Mr. and Mrs. William K. Hewes of Plainville. The funeral was held Sunday, August 15 under the auspices of the American Legion, John Edward McNeil Post, No. 217.

"'Ken," as he was known to everyone in the shop, came to work with Whiting & Davis in May, 1919. He was in the Shipping Department until September when he was transferred to the Bench Department, where he worked until he was taken fatally sick. Before coming here, he was in the service, being stationed at Camp Devens.

Ken Hewes was one of the best liked men in the shop and highly esteemed by the community. He took an active interest in shop affairs and was historian and war risk officer of the Plainville Post of the American Legion. In him. Whiting & Davis has lost an employee of whom they were justly proud.

Source: The Wadco News - 27th August 1920

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Whiting & Davis Co. Inc. - Plainville, Mass. - 1950

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The largest German silver plated mesh bag in existence arrived at the Chicago office of Whiting & Davis, last week. It measures 24 inches square and was woven in one piece by the machine controlled exclusively by this concern.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular- 15th December 1909

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Fred Martin, who has been with Whiting and Davis Co. for several years has gone to Sherbrooke, Canada. to take a responsible position in the Canadian factory.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th November 1916

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Whiting & Davis - Plainville, Mass. - 1908

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Jeweler Misusing the Whiting & Davis Name on Mesh Bags Legally Enjoined

One of the most flagrant examples of preying upon the good name of a manufacturer was brought to light in Boston shortly before Christmas, in an attempt to pass as Whiting & Davis Mesh Bags those of foreign manufacture.

A friend of Mr. Whiting remarked that a jewelry store on Tremont Street was prominently featuring Whiting & Davis Mesh Bags in its window. Mr.
Whiting went to see the window and was amazed to see that a foreign-made bag bore the sign, "Whiting & Davis Mesh Bags." Hardly a minute was lost in securing the evidence against the jeweler. A photographer was secured who photographed the window display and the bag and sign.

Two men, selected from our advertising agency, went to the store and asked to see Whiting & Davis Mesh Bags. They insisted upon having the one displayed in the window. The men immediately made affidavits of the transaction and conversation and the case was given without delay to a well known Boston law firm.

A large advertisement, reading "Warning to the Public, to Retailers and Wholesalers, and to Importers," was prepared, setting forth the facts of the case and warning against imitations. This was inserted in the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Boston Herald and Boston Traveler. A letter has been prepared to go to all wholesalers and retailers enclosing a copy of the newspaper "Warning" advertisement.

Legal action was also immediately started. On December 18th Whiting & Davis Company brought a bill in equity in the Superior Court, Suffolk County, Mass., against Harry Rosenfeld and Edward N. Levine, both of Boston, co-partners doing business under the firm names of Hall & Edwards, Rosenfeld & Levine, Harry Edwards Jewelry Company, R. & L. Jewelry Company and R. & L. Merchandise Company, at 118 Tremont Street and 159 Washington Street, Boston.

The bill alleged that the defendants fraudulently used the trade-marks and trade-names of "Whiting & Davis," "Whiting & Davis Co." and "Princess
Mary" in connection with mesh bags of inferior quality and represented that the German-made and other bags were made by Whiting & Davis. The bill asked for a preliminary injunction, for an accounting and for a permanent injunction against using the name of Whiting & Davis in connection with any goods other than when made by this company. The question of the temporary injunction was heard on December 21st in the Superior Court in Boston, which resulted in its being issued. The hearing for assessing damages will be heard January 2nd.

We intend to use this case as an example and warning to all dealers who may be tempted to prey upon the name for quality which "Whiting & Davis" now stands for in the mesh bag industry.

The imitation bags in question are one of the boldest steals ever attempted in competition. Apparently, genuine Whiting & Davis Mesh lings were used as models and copied as they closely resemble the genuine bag. Even the construction is copied. The bags however, are poorly made and are bound to create dissatisfaction among buyers, as even what is claimed to be "soldered " mesh cannot stand any strain without lipping. The foreign manufacturer who did this, however, must have had no conception whatever of the patent and copyright laws of this country, as the imitation mesh bags infringe upon the designs and methods of construction for which copyrights and patents have either been issued or applied for. it is therefore evident that, we have an excellent case against those who sell these imitations. We intend to spare no time nor expense to secure every legal remedy to prohibit this brazen and most unfair competition.

Source: Wadco News - 5th January 1923

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Whiting & Davis Co. Inc. - Plainville, Mass. - 1920

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The Whiting & Davis Relief Association voted a contribution of $200 for the Sturdy Memorial Hospital building fund last week.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th February 1925

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Fred Cook, New York representative of the Whiting & Davis Co., has been confined to his home the past week by influenza.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th October 1925

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The Whiting & Davis Co. employes will conduct a field day next Saturday afternoon in aid of the Red Cross Fund.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd May 1918

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The Whiting Chain Co. and the Whiting & Davis Co., 15 Maiden Lane, will move about May 1 to more spacious quarters on the eighth floor of the Acker-Merrall-Condit building, 366 Fifth Ave. S. C. Rice, of the factory, is making the New York office his headquarters for about a month and expects during this time to call on the trade in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany with the new Spring line.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th April 1918

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William Landry, Franklin, had part of two fingers taken off under a press at the factory of the Whiting & Davis Co. on Saturday.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th October 1910

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Ground for the new club house to be used by the employees of the Whiting & Davis Co. will be broken in a few weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1920

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Whiting & Davis Co. - Plainville, Mass. - 1915

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Whiting & Davis Co. - Plainville, Mass. - 1915

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Whiting & Davis Company - Plainville, Mass. - 1925

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Whiting & Davis Co. - Plainville, Mass. - 1913

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