American Wrought Anvil Co.

 

Summary

American Wrought Anvil Co., also called T. Williams & Co, and Dunn & Murcott has a confusing and somewhat ephemeral history in the records which makes it tough to piece together a really clear understanding of the history of the company.  This is compounded by the use of multiple names, never being incorporated, it’s close physical location to Hay-Budden, possibly shared employees, some common misinformation, and the fact that American Wrought was also used as a more generic term by a number of manufactures.  

It is a shame that more information and clarity on this manufacturer isn’t to be found as they are one of the first American manufacturers of Wrought Anvils. John Murcott emigrated to the US from England in 1870 and quickly setup a File Manufactory in Brooklyn NY on the corner of Union & Richardson.  After the passage of the McKinley Tarrif act in 1890 John Murcott also established the American Wrought Anvil Co. 

While the two companies were legally distinct they were both owned by the same family and operated out of adjacent buildings. 

Murcott & Campbell – File Manufactory

• 1871-1872 – John Mucrott first shows up as a file maker living at 167 North 2nd Street.
• 1874 – 1875 – John Murcott joins up with Patrick G. Campbell now running the file making business out of 302 Union Avenue where he also lives.
• 1876 – 1882 – Business continues to run at the 302 Union Avenue location.
•  1883-1884 – Thomas Murcott joins as a book keeper.  Also living at 302 Union Avenue.
• 1902 – Herbert P., John Jr., John Murcott, Thomas, and William Murcott all listed in the file trade.
• 1910 – Herbert P., John Jr., and Thomas continue to run operations at 296 Union Ave.
• 1913-1914 – Partners in Murcott & Campbell now include Thomas Murcott, John H. Murcott, Herbert P. Murcott, and Patrick G. Campbell.  No directory listings after this.

American Wrought Anvil Co. / Dunn & Murcott / T. Williams & Co.

• 1890-1892 – John Murcott founds the American Wrought Anvil Company – At 12 & 14 Richardson Street though some office work seems to have taken place at 300 Union ave. 
  • Several anvils stamped with both American and T. Williams (almost certainly Thomas Williams) were produced at the 12 Richardson Street address, also stamped into the anvil. John Murcott hired a number of anvil makers who had worked for Peter Wright in England, likely, including Thomas Williams to start his anvil business. T. Williams also worked at Hay Budden and eventually Columbus Forge and Ironworks. 
• 1890 – In October the McKinley Tariff act passes including tariffs on anvils. 
• 1892 – A Brooklyn newspaper praises the company’s rapid growth:
  • 2/3s of the men are Englishmen direct from the Peter Wright anvil shops at Dudley, England.
  • Domestic anvil production begins and sells for ~12¢/lb.
  • Workers earn between $2.75 and $6/day.
  • Major importers like Dodge, Haley & Co. start to resell American Wrought Anvils.
• 1899 – An inspectors report lists Dunn & Murcott showing 11 adult male workers, with no minors or females, working a 59 hour schedule.
• 1912 – Final date of anvil manufactory still being listed in Brooklyn directories. 

The American Wrought Anvil Co. used several identification marks through it’s history. 

What are likely the earliest anvils don’t mention American at all but are stamped with the 12 Richardson St. address.

We also see examples of T. Williams & Co. Anvil & Vise + American logos which probably come slightly later.  All of these anvils are extremely rare (a handful are known) compared to the much more common later anvils.

Finally we see the American logo first with Dunn & Murcott following.  

By at least 1894 a Mr. Dunn was probably operating as the foreman, or some other lead, for the anvil shop, in a similar manner that Campbell ran the file shop, as it’s noted in a paper that students vised the factories of Murcott & Campbell and Dunn & Murcott.  

Following the death of Joseph Murcott, October 17th 1896, the Anvil shop was taken over by two of his sons Joseph & William Murcott while other children took ownership of the file works.

It seems likely that they continued to produce anvils until the 1910s (possibly 1911) however the interests of the company continued until at least 1915 while there was an ongoing lawsuit trying to recover damage from flooding.  A final mention of the company exists in a directory of anvil manufactures in 1926 however I suspect this 

American Wrought Anvil Co. was located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, on the edge of Greenpoint, at 12th & 14th Richardson Street near Union St taking up .  At the time this area was on the outskirts of the city, not paved, prone to flooding, and mud.

Zoomed In

1905 Detailed look at the buildings between Richardson & Frost Streets.  Union ave. runs along the left side.

A detailed look at the facilities & properties owned by the Murcott family.

1904 – Index to Volume Three. Atlas of the Borough of Brooklyn. –  Specific section

12 & 14 Richardson Street – The American Wrought Anvil Co. is highlighted in Red and was positioned at the front of the lots at 12 & 14 Richardson Street.  – The size of the plot of land 12 and 14 Richardson street is 50 by 100 feet. The buildings on that plot of land are commencing at Richardson street, and going south 35 feet to the lot is a blacksmith’s shop where they manufacture anvils; then there’s a gangway for 15 feet; then commencing about the center of the lot on Richardson street, the anvil shop is on the front of it, and part of the file shop of Murcott & Campbell is on the rear of the lots…. The anvil shop was in the same place that it is today from 1898 down to 1905. The anvil shop and gangway took up the whole 50 feet on Richardson street.

292-300 Union Ave. – is 125 feet on Union avenue by 100 feet deep There are three dwelling houses on that plat of ground on Union avenue, and there’s Murcott & Campbell’s office and a carriage house. In the rear there’s the buildings occupied by Murcott & Campbell as file works. The stable is in the rear of 286 & 290 Union avenue; that is where it is now (1905). Between 1898 & 1905 it was in the center of the lot No 14 Richardson street, or 12 I don’t know which; it was adjoining the anvil shop.

Source – New York Court of Appeals – Thomas Murcott, Hervert Murcott, John H. Murcott and Patrick Campbell composing the firm of Murcott & Campbell., against The City of New York.

Detailed Timeline for

American Wrought Anvil Co.

&

Campbell & Murcott Files 

• 1830 – John Murcott is born in Birmingham England.
• <1851 – John Murcott marries Caroline Padmore and the have a number of children
  • Born in England
    • Mary Jane Murcott – 1851-1929
    • Emma M. Murcott 1856-1934
    • Thomas Murcott 1862
    • Mary Ann Murcott 1862
    • Joseph Murcott 1864 – Aug 22nd 1928 – Eventually runs American Wrought Anvil after John dies.
    • William J Murcott  1866 – Aug 29th 1938 – Eventually runs American Wrought Anvil after John dies.
    • John Murcott 1868
  • Born in US
    • Arthur Murcott 1872
    • Herbert Patrick Murcott 1873
• 1870 – John Murcott (Sr.) moves to the US from England on the ship Columbia in 1869 via Ellis Island (Passenger ID 9012270333567, Frame 175, Line 28)
  • 
• 1871-1872 – The first record of John living in the United States and working as a file maker This is before he buys the properties on and around Union & Richardson streets.  Brooklyn City Directory 1871-1872 Lain
  • Murcott, John – File maker – Home address: 167 North 2nd Street
• 1874- 1875 – John Murcott & Patrick Campbell are now running their business together. This friendship seems to last the rest of their lives.  Two of their children Emma M. Murcott & Patrick George Campbell marry.  Brooklyn City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1875  
  • Murcott & Campbell – File makers (file manufacturers) –  Registered address: 302 Union Avenue
• 1875 – May 10th – John Murcott is naturalized with Patrick Campbell serving as witness.
  • 
• 1876-1877 –Lain’s Brooklyn City Directory 1876-1877
  • Mureott & Campbell (John Murcott, Patrick Campbell), filemanfs. 302 Union av
• 1879 – Brooklyn City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1879
  • Murcott John, filemanf. 302 Union av Murcott & Campbell (John Murcott & Patrick Campbell) fileworks, 302 Union av
• 1880 – October 1st – A property transfer of 100ft of Union av to John Murcott and his wife Caroline for $600. This property will become the home of the American Wrought Anvil Co. and host a number of buildings for the Campbell & Murcott file works. – Brooklyn Eagle 
  • 
• 1880 – Brooklyn City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1880
  • Murcott, John – File maker Home and residence (h r): 302 Union Avenue
  • Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers Partners: John Murcott & Patrick G. Campbell Registered address: 302 Union Avenue
• 1881 – November 12th – Under New Buildings – One 2 story frame stable 16×13 304 Union Avenue. – Owner John Murcott. Carpenter N. Craban. The Brooklyn Union.
  • 
• 1883 – February 6th – The Brooklyn Daily Times reports a meeting of property owners about the condition of Union Avenue at the residence of John Murcott. 
  • 
• 1883 – April 9th – The Brooklyn Union reports William McFerran transferred property to John Murcott on Union Av. 
  • 
• 1883-1884 – John Murcott resides & has business  at 302 Union Avenue – Lain’s Brooklyn Directory for the year ending May 1, 1884 
  • Murcott, John – File maker Lives at 302 Union Avenue, Works at 302 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Thomas – Bookkeeper, Lives at 302 Union Avenue Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers

  • Partners: John Murcott & Patrick G. Campbell Business location: 302 Union Avenue

• 1883 – The Brooklyn Daily Times 
• 
• 1886 – August 30th – The Brooklyn Eagle reports on the ongoing complaints about the condition of Union Ave.
• 
• 1889 – February 2nd – Brooklyn Eagle
• 
• 1890 – October 1st – McKinley Tarrif bill passes 
• 1890 – 1892 – At some point between October 1890 and 1892 John Campbell founds the American Wrought Iron Anvil Co.
• 1892 – November 3rd –  The Brooklyn Daily Times Archive   
• 
• 1895 – September 19th – The Iron Age has an advertisement for American Wrought Anvil Co. listing Dodge, Haley & Co. as sole new England agents for the company.   This same ad appeared a number of times in the publication that year.
• 
• 1896 – October 19th – Death of John Murcott, Sr. reported in The Brooklyn Daily Times 
• 
• 1897 – American Wrought Iron M Lain & Healy’s Brooklyn Directory for the year ending May 1, 1897
  • 
• 1898 – The anvil shop for American Wrought Anvil Co. is in place. “The anvil shop was in the same place that it is to day from 1898 down to 1905.” – New York Court
• 1899 – January 23rd – The first reference to Dunn & Murcott –Thirteenth Annual Report of the Factory Inspector of the State of New York reports that Dunn & Murcott, anvil manufacturers, employed 11 males, 0 under 18, 0 under 16, 0 females, and 59 hours of labor.
• 1902 – Upington’s General Directory of Brooklyn, New York City, for the year 1902
  • Murcott, Herbert – File manufacturer, lives at 65 Devoe Street
  • Murcott, John – File maker, works at 296 Union Avenue, lives at 293 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, John Jr. – File maker, works at 296 Union Avenue, lives at 293 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Joseph – File maker, lives at 300 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Thomas – File maker, works at 206 Union Avenue, lives at 300 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, William – File maker, lives at 300 Union Avenue
  • Campbell – File maker, works at 206 Union Avenue
• 1904 – August 4th – The City Record records a filing by American Wrought Anvil Company for $3000 due to a sewer overflow.
  • 
• 1905 – Brooklyn, New York, city directory

• • Murcott, Herbert P. – File maker, works at 296 Union Avenue, lives at 65 Devoe Street
  • Murcott, John Jr. – File maker, works at 296 Union Avenue, lives at 293 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Joseph – Anvil maker, works at 296 Union Avenue, lives at 300 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Thomas – File maker, works at 290 Union Avenue, lives at 214 Ross Street
  • Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers, located at 296 Union Avenue
    (This is the partnership between John Murcott and Patrick G. Campbell)
  • Murcott & Dunn – Blacksmiths, located at 12 Richardson Street

• 1910 – 
  • Murcott, Herbert P. – File maker, Works at: 296 Union Avenue, Lives at: 65 Devoe Street
  • Murcott, John Jr. – File maker, Works at: 296 Union Avenue, Lives at: 293 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Joseph – Anvil maker, Works at: 12 Richardson Street, Lives at: 300 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, Thomas – File maker, Works at: 296 Union Avenue, Lives at: 214 Ross Street
  • Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers, Business location: 296 Union Avenue, Partners: John Murcott & Patrick G. Campbell (from earlier entries)
  • Murcott & Dunn – Anvil makers, Business location: 12 Richardson Street
• 1912 – Brooklyn, New York, city directory
  • Murcott, Herbert P. – File maker, Works at: 290 Union Avenue, Lives at: 65 Devoe Street
  • Murcott, John – Machinist,  Lives at: 550 Van Buren Street
  • Murcott, John Jr. – File maker, Works at: 290 Union Avenue, Lives at: 293 Union Avenue
  • Murcott, John H. – Clerk, Lives at: 150 Kent Avenue
  • Murcott, Joseph – Anvil maker, Works at: 12 Richardson Street, Likely lives at: 300 Union Avenue 
  • Murcott, Thomas – File maker, Works at: 290 Union Avenue, Lives at: 211 Ross Street
  • Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers, Works at: 290 Union Avenue
  • Murcott & Dunn – Anvil makers, Works at: 12 Richardson Street
• 1912 – Possibly stops making anvils at this point.
• 1913 July 25th  – Brooklyn Eagle notes a court case between American Wrought Anvil Co vs. City of New York.
  • 
• 1913 – July 28th – This is likely related to this case reported by The New York Times related to sewer damage suits brought against the city by a variety of companies. It’s possible this is related to the suit filed in 1904 or a new instance.
  • 
• 1913-1914 – Brooklyn and Queens, New York, business directory 
  • Murcott & Campbell – File manufacturers
    • Business address: 296 Union Avenue
    • Partners: Thomas Murcott, John H. Murcott, Herbert P. Murcott, Patrick G. Campbell
• 1914 – Nov 1st  William Murcott an owner of American Wrought Iron Co. moves away from Brooklyn. – The Brooklyn Citizen Joseph Murcott, the other owner, still lives close enough to attend the going away party.
  • 
• 1915 – May 10th – Brooklyn Eagle – Under Judgements for May 8th – J & W, doing bus American Wrought Anvil Co – City NY… $85
  • 
• 1926 – Under Forging, Heat Treating and Allied Trades the American Wrought Anvil Co is listed in a directory published by Andersen Company. 
  • 
  • 

 

There seem to be three different sets of markings that might appear on American Wrought Anvil Co. anvils.

I suspect that in order of age they are:

Earliest American Wrought Anvil Co. anvils are identified by the following stamping which may be on both sides of the anvil:

• T. WILLIAMS & CO.
• ANVIL & VISE
• MAKERS
• 12 RICHARDSON ST.
• BROOKLYN, N.Y.

Then the stamp for American in an oval is developed and the stamping changes to:

• T. Wiliiams & Co
• Anvil & Vise
• American enclosed in an oval
• Weight

Later American Wrought Anvil Co. anvils can be identified by

• The word American enclosed in an oval.
• Dunn & Murcott stamped below American
• Brooklyn stamped below Dunn & Murcott

Note that Hay-Budden manufactured the American Wrought, Horse Shoe Brand for Montgomery Ward.  These can be identified by the inclusion of a horse shoe logo on the anvil. 

 

ID	Date	Notes	Images
		From Facebook Likely a very early anvil.  156# T. WILLIAMS & CO. stamp 24 1/2″L x 10 3/4″H x 4″W, 1″ Hardie, 1/2″ Pritchel, stamped both sides: T. WILLIAMS & CO. ANVIL & VISE MAKERS 12 RICHARDSON ST. BROOKLYN, N.Y.
		From Facebook An early anvil from 1890-1899.
NA	NA	From WorthPoint	NA
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