Letters

Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Inc., The, Jun 2003

Replacing Blades in Jewelers' Saws

In the December 2002 issue of The Chronicle (55, no. 4 ), Dr. Theodore Crom's article, "One Collector's Small Frame Saws," was of particular interest to me, having used what he terms "piercing saws," as a silversmith for twenty-five years. Saws of this type are still used today and available through jeweler's supply houses.

Dr. Crom writes, 'At the far end from the ivory handle extending beyond the saw clamp is a small wing shaped bit of metal...I and others have wondered what purpose this piece served." Putting a blade into one of these saws is a little more of a job than one would expect at first glance. The blades are delicate, especially the finer ones, and are quite easily broken. One hand must hold and position the blade while the other hand tightens the clamp screw. So far, so good, as regards the clamp next to the handle. However, when tightening the outboard clamp, it is also necessary to spring the frame so that tension is applied to the blade when released. This is easiest done by placing the handle of the saw at about the center of the chest and pushing the out end of frame against the work bench leaving both hands free for the above mentioned duties. All of this is accomplished seated. The {bit of metal" rests atop the bench and acts as a fulcrum so that the bow of the frame hangs down of its own accord. In addition, the saw is restrained from slopping downward and off the bench by this same "bit of metal." I never found the shape to be of any consequence and expect this was left to the artistic license of the maker. Modern saws have a rather bulbous silhouette as opposed to the pointed one in Dr. Crom's article. This has been a rather lengthy explanation of a fairly simple process. Anyone will quickly see the advantage of this appendage once he attempts to replace a blade.

D. C. Thompson

W. Avon, Connecticut

Small World: The Chronicle Connects Wilbur Planes and Pulaski Axes

I wrote an article for the last issue of The Chronicle (vol. 56, no. 1) about Pulaski Carter, axe and edge tool manufacture of Pennsylvania. On page 28 of the same issue is an article about Joshua Wilbur (Wilbour) of Newport, Rhode Island. He built the house pictured at 51 Touro Street. On 25 June 1902 the granddaughter of Pulaski Carter, Kathrine May Kennedy, married Dr. William Anthony Sherman of Newport and moved into 51 Touro Street.

Kathrine Kennedy's mother, Amelia Carter Kennedy, and Mary Barker Sherman, the mother of William Sherman, became friends in school and continued to correspond and visit after they each married. Kathrine and William were married after William graduated from Harvard Medical School.

This 1914 picture was taken in the parlor, the front room on the west side, and shows some of the woodwork which still remains, along with an earlier fireplace than exists today. William Sherman is on the left, standing behind his wife Kathrine and second child Charlotte. The boy in back is their son William Albert Sherman. Standing to the right is Edward Albert Sherman. In front of Edward is his wife Hazel Poole Sherman. Seated in the middle are Mary Barker Sherman and Albert Keene Sherman, the parents of William and Edward.

I don't know when 51 Touro Street was purchased by the Shermans, but an 1893 map shows the property as being in the names of the two brothers. In 1920 the family moved to a house on Broadway, but Dr. Sherman continued to see patients in his Touro Street office. The house stayed in the family for many years after Dr. Sherman died in 1927.

For information on Albert Keene Sherman, and the business he and his ancestors owned in Newport, see .

Susan Carter White Pieroth