I've been trading messages recently about Shaw & Tenney and thought that the information might interest some people here.
The early history of Shaw & Tenney seems to revolve around four people, Thomas Jefferson Shaw (1822-1887), his son Charles J. Shaw (1855-1910), William C. Taylor (1828-1903), and Frank W. Tenney (1874-1944). The available documentation is a bit thin. A set of T. J. Shaw's oars were displayed at Faneuil Hall in Boston by the Charitable Mechanic Association in September, 1850 and he listed his occupation as an oar maker in the 1850 census. The Maine Register listed Taylor in Orono, Maine as an oar manufacturer and Tenney as a millwright starting from the early 1860s. These businesses all grew steadily and Charles listed his occupation as a book keeper in the 1880 census. He was living at home and probably working for his father. The local Maine paper reported in March, 1889 that Mr. Shaw of Boston had ordered $1,000 worth of oars from Mr. Taylor in Orono.
Taylor's Orono business burned in June, 1892 with no insurance. It appears to have been rebuilt by Dexter Andrews & Co. from Bangor in the following year.
This became W. C. Taylor & Company by 1894. The Shaw company of Boston purchased the Taylor Company in 1900 but continued under the old name until 1906.
Both Shaw and Tenney were listed on the top of their bill head in 1905.
The Shaw company in Boston continued until at least 1908. The Old Town Canoe company was buying products from both organizations.
The Taylor company was renamed Shaw & Tenney by 1908. Frank "purchased the interest of the Shaw estate" in November, 1911. They have advertised 1858 as their founding date and being the "Successor to T. J. Shaw & Co." of Boston since at least 1919.
An old sign shown on their website lists an 1856 founding date.
I've not found anything to document either of these founding dates. Historical research often produces as many questions as answers.
Benson
The early history of Shaw & Tenney seems to revolve around four people, Thomas Jefferson Shaw (1822-1887), his son Charles J. Shaw (1855-1910), William C. Taylor (1828-1903), and Frank W. Tenney (1874-1944). The available documentation is a bit thin. A set of T. J. Shaw's oars were displayed at Faneuil Hall in Boston by the Charitable Mechanic Association in September, 1850 and he listed his occupation as an oar maker in the 1850 census. The Maine Register listed Taylor in Orono, Maine as an oar manufacturer and Tenney as a millwright starting from the early 1860s. These businesses all grew steadily and Charles listed his occupation as a book keeper in the 1880 census. He was living at home and probably working for his father. The local Maine paper reported in March, 1889 that Mr. Shaw of Boston had ordered $1,000 worth of oars from Mr. Taylor in Orono.
Taylor's Orono business burned in June, 1892 with no insurance. It appears to have been rebuilt by Dexter Andrews & Co. from Bangor in the following year.
This became W. C. Taylor & Company by 1894. The Shaw company of Boston purchased the Taylor Company in 1900 but continued under the old name until 1906.
Both Shaw and Tenney were listed on the top of their bill head in 1905.
The Shaw company in Boston continued until at least 1908. The Old Town Canoe company was buying products from both organizations.
The Taylor company was renamed Shaw & Tenney by 1908. Frank "purchased the interest of the Shaw estate" in November, 1911. They have advertised 1858 as their founding date and being the "Successor to T. J. Shaw & Co." of Boston since at least 1919.
An old sign shown on their website lists an 1856 founding date.
I've not found anything to document either of these founding dates. Historical research often produces as many questions as answers.
Benson
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