Name James Caldwell | ||
James Emott Caldwell (1813-81) was an American jeweler who founded J.E. Caldwell & Co in 1839. While best known as a major fine jewelry institution of Philadelphia, over the years since its inception, the firm has also been known for its silver, china, crystal, and even stationery.
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Early life
Born August 15, 1813 in Poughkeepsie, NY, James Emott Caldwell was raised in "The Queen City of the Hudson". In his school days he was a classmate of Theodore Cuyler, Benson J. Lossing, Jackson S. Schultz, the Vassar brothers, who afterwards won distinction, and who remained his personal friends through life. At the age of 14 in 1827, he started to learn the art of silver making under the supervision of his Master Peter Perret Hayes. Mr. Caldwell was the youngest apprentice in the establishment at that time, while the oldest was Joseph T. Bailey of Bailey Banks & Biddle, between whom there sprang up an intimacy that ripened into warm friendship. In 1835 after becoming a master silversmith, he moved to New York City as an apprentice in watch-making with Samuel Ward Benedict in his downtown Wall Street shop.
Personal life
Caldwell married Sarah Caroline Butler on 1 September 1842 in Philadelphia PA. They had six children: three sons, James Albert Caldwell born on 9 November 1844, Richard Nelson Caldwell born on 24 February 1854, Clarence Edmund Caldwell born on 18 October 1857 and three daughters: Laura Emott Caldwell(Bulkley), Caroline Elizabeth Caldwell(Brewster), and Bellinda Caldwell(Claxton). James Emott Caldwell died on Saturday 24 September 1881, at his residence in Germantown.
Career
In 1836 he moved to Philadelphia and landed his first job, to work with Samuel Hildeburn a wholesale jewelry house of Market Street. A short time after he was hired by John Farr to work as a watch maker for the watch importer and jewelry manufacturer John C. Farr & Co at No. 112 Chestnut Street. He opened his first retail store in 1839 at No. 136 Chestnut Street. During that time in 1841, Caldwell partnered with James M. Bennett and founded "Bennett & Caldwell" at No. 140 Chestnut Street across the street from his store where he remained until 1858. Upon Bennett's death, John C. Farr, one of his first employers, became associated with Caldwell, and the firm became J. E. Caldwell & Co.
The firm experienced rapid growth from the start, and repeated enlargements and removals were made necessary from time to time to gain the greater facilities demanded. The Marble Building located at No. 822 Chestnut Street was inaugurated in December 1858 and was the accomplishment of Caldwell's desire of growth. Before the ten-year lease of "The Marble Building" expired, the firm removed in 1867 to its main location, No. 902 Chestnut street. That location was destroyed during a fire in 1869 where two clerks employed by the company died in the flame. Caldwell went to work, and, before the smoke lifted from the ruins of the destroyed building, he had the present palatial structure contracted for. J.E. Caldwell & Co was exhibiting at The Centennial Exposition in 1876 and was representing the American Jewelry Maker. In 1881, he left his son James Albert Caldwell at the head of the company.
By the late 19th century richly decorated table china by Spode and Mintons was being produced bearing underglaze backstamps indicating that they were made expressly for J.E. Caldwell & Co., Philadelphia.