From the Distaff Side: Some Female Entrepreneurs

Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Inc., The, Sep 2004 by Bopp, Carl

The advertisement that I have seen states in part, "T. Duke Manufacturer and Importer of all Kinds of Tools and Cabinet Makers' Trimmings."27 T. Duke is listed for the last time in a directory with the dual date, 1835-36.28

In 1837 the directory lists "Duke Mary widow, 138 S 2nd," the same address as her husband's in the earlier directories.29 In that same directory, there is a listing for "Glenn William B., tools and hardware 188 S 2nd," the same address as Mary Duke.

There was no regular Philadelphia city directory published in 1838. But in that year a little known book of advertisements titled (in part), "The Philadelphia Circulating Business Directory for 1838 Containing the cards of the Principal Merchants, Manufacturers and Other Business Men of Philadelphia...," was published. In it is an advertisement for Glenn and Duke, described below.

GLENN & DUKE'S TOOL STORE, 138 SOUTH SECOND STREET PHILADELPHIA

Where they now offer for sale, at reduced prices, wholesale and retail, TOOLS of all kinds, for Carpenters, Cabinet makers, Coach makers, Wheelwrights, Millwrights, Coopers, Carvers, Watchmakers and Jewellers, &c. &c.

Edged Tools of all kinds made to order and warranted; also SCREW DRIVERS made to any pattern, in a superior style.

TO COUNTRY MERCHANTS. The subscribers being connected with one of the best Edged Tool Makers, can furnish Edged Tools of all kinds at more reasonable rates than any house in the city, at short notice.30

In the 1839 city directory is a listing for "Glenn & Duke, tools & hardware, 138 S 2nd," a listing for "Glenn William B., tools & hardware, 138 S 2nd," and also one for "Duke Mary, 138 S 2nd."31 The last listing I found for "Glenn & Duke" was 1840.32 William B. Glenn continues on in the directories but now as a cabinet maker, at various addresses.33 Mary Duke continues on in the listings, but with no occupation and shown as residing in various boarding houses.34

It's clear from the above that the stamp "GLENN & DUKE PHILAD." (Figure 7), represents William B. Glenn and Mary Duke. Previously, in both The Directory of American Toolmakers and A Guide To The Makers of American Wooden Planes, the "Duke" in "Glenn and Duke" was thought to have been T. Duke. The "GLENN & DUKE" stamp is seldom found and tools with it, as far as I know, have all been wooden planes. I hope some day a "Glenn & Duke" screwdriver will be reported.

Charlotte White

Charlotte was the wife of Israel White. Israel was from a family of planemakers. His older brother, George, and his father, Jacob, were well-known Philadelphia toolmakers. Israel had a January 9, 1834, patent for his famous three-arm plow plane.35 He is also well known by collectors because the name stamp lie used on some planes is so elaborate.

Israel died in 1839, and Charlotte took over the shop. The 1842 directory has her listed as, "White Charlotte (late Israel) plane maker, 139 Callowhill."36 This same directory also has a half-page advertisement for the shop. In the advertisement, the shop is referred to as, "Plane Manufactory and General Tool Store." An engraving of the patent plow and "I. White" on the side of a plane along with the address lets the reader know whose plane manufactory it was.