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In 1871 my ancestor Henry Ashton started the Ashton Valve Company after inventing the POP SAFETY VALVE. It was an immediate success and saved many lives due to the boiler explosion problems of the mid 1800's. Railroads were the main focus of the company although they also supplied all types of steam related parts for Locomotives, marine ships, and stationary boilers. Here's a simple history of the company.
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In 1892 the company purchased the Boston Steam Gauge company and entered the gauge business. Soon their gauges became as well know for their quality as the safety valves were. Today, the old gauges go for decent money on ebay and have been adopted by the Steampunk movement to make lamps and other industrial items.
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The company's first "home" was at 138 Pearls Street, Boston. In less than a year they were burned out by the Great Boston fire of 1872. The next few years they were at various locations in Boston. After another fire in 1879 they settled in at 271 Franklin Street, Boston where they remained for 27 years. 1907 saw the company outgrowing Franklin Street and building a much larger facility at 161 First Street, East Cambridge, where they were until 1948 when they moves to Wrentham ,Ma with the Crosby Valve Company. That was the final home of Ashton Valve.
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Many factories were purchased by the War Department during WWII and used to manufactures materials for the war effort. The Ashton Valve company was one of those. The continued to make gauges and safety valves, but now exclusively for Naval ships.
The Defense Plant Corporation was the branch of the government assigned to this task. Here's a link to more information about them and a couple of letters that show the Ashton Valve's involvement.
1) Corporations with their product in their names.
2) The railroad tradition of two initials and surname to identify someone.
3) Not a gal in sight.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Rick A
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How true! Not a woman in sight. Yet, their conventions had some of the wives organizing women's events and occasional day trips for couples. My great grandfather actually brought his mother to a convention and Henry Ashton,(the founder), brought his wife to one convention for years. When he passed away at 49 years old she attended the convention anyway.
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They also had Engine room and marine clocks. They produced the body and the works were supplied by companies like Chelsea, Seth Thomas, and Howard.
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In the 1896 catalog there are a few items that were not produced by Ashton Valve but are related to the industry. Here are pages of a few of them.
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Interesting to learn, Mr. Ashton, that the Company marketed clocks, and possibly other instruments such as barometers, under their own name.
Chelsea of course marketed marine instruments under own name as well.
Of interest, my Father first acquired a Chelsea Clock and Barometer during '53. He used them on three different boats through '91. Today those pieces are in my Sister's house in Greenwich - and are still chiming "Eight Bells".
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Rick A
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That's great. The Chelsea clock company is still going strong in Chelsea Mass. They recently downsized a bit and moved to a smaller facility nearby. My clock is in perfect working order although my family has told me it's way too loud. The ticking drives them crazy! To be honest, it is very loud.
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I must wonder how many of our "landlubbers" around here know the significance of "eight bells"? I doubt if I would, had I not grown up in a nautical family.
GBN; Cadet; Fairfield Navy (Ret.)
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Rick A
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I know it has something to do with the end of a watch, but I'm not sure of any details. Can you explain how it started?
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In the past when steam trains let off excess steam at a station the noise could be extremely loud. The city of Boston looked into this problem as the complaints mounted up. Ashton Valve came up with a solution that proved very popular with the Train companies. A muffler! Same idea as on automobiles. And the blow back valves actually saved steam that used to be wasted.
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The Ashton catalogs not only had new products and the regular offerings but always a firm statement of the company's purpose and intent. They make for interesting reading. Here's the 1896 catalog.
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Ashton patent steam gage. Ashton Valve bought out the Boston Steam Gauge company in 1892 and entered the gauge market. They immediately offered their own Ashton patent steam gage. The 1896 catalog page says the item was patented in 1891, a year before they even purchased the Boston Steam Gauge company, who they purchased for a particular patent BSG owned. I wonder if it's the same patent?
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Mullens Paper Tester Ever wonder how the strength of paper or textile material is figured? In 1877 B.F. Perkins invented the Mullens Paper Tester. The gauge,(many of which were produced by Ashton Valve) would read the pressure at which the paper burst. These machines are still produced today.
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The ideal alarm gauge was another practical item that could come in handy if the boiler room mechanic happened to fall asleep! When the pressure went too high, a loud alarm would go off.
At the beginning of the 20th century people refreshed themselves at public fountains and all drank from the same COMMON CUP, as it was called. Well, sickness and death soon followed and Ashton Valve soon had their line of bubblers on the market.
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Trade shows have been around for a long long time. They are still the best way to show new product, connect with ones customers, and check out your competition. Almost everyone has been to a flower show, travel show, steam shows, etc. The Ashton Valve company participated in many shows each year. And a few World Fairs too. Here is an overview of some of the shows the Ashton Valve company were part of.
Most shows were held yearly at different cities. Below is a small list of some of the trade shows Ashton Valve attended. Mass charitable mechanic association, Boston 1874 cincinnati Industrial expo 1881 national expo of railway appliances , chicago 1883 International maritime expo ,Boston 1889 Columbian Expo (world's fair) Chicago 1893 Paris expo, France 1900 Supply mens association convention, Boston 1902 Universal Expo (worlds fair) St. Louis 1904 National association of stationary engineers, Richmond 1904 International railway congress 1905 National engineer convention, Niagra Falls 1907 Air brake association convention 1917 International Textile expo Boston 1921 National exhibition of power and mechanical engineering, NYC 1922
The list goes on and on.... Next I'll highlight some of the shows that I was able to get pictures of Ashton Valve display booths or awards they received.
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