Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 2008
Candlestick on tray made by Roswell Gleason pewter manufacturing company on Washington Street about 1840.
The following is from American Series of Popular Biographies.MassachusettsEdition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of theCommonwealthofMassachusetts. Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891.
ROSWELL GLEASON, who introduced the art of silver-plating inAmerica, was born inPutney,Vt.,April 6, 1799, son of Reuben and Sally (Fuller) Gleason. Settling inDorchester,Mass., in 1818, he associated himself with a Mr. Wilcox in the tinware trade; and on the death of his partner in 1830 he became sole proprietor of the business. His attention was subsequently diverted to the manufacture of Britannia ware and brass lamp fixtures, which soon became one of the chief industries of Dorchester; and at one time he employed a force of one hundred and twenty-five men. In 1849 he still further increased his business by introducing to the American people the art of silver-plating, thereby placing upon the market a new article of commerce known as plated ware, which immediately sprang into favor among those of moderate means; and he was therefore the pioneer in a business that now constitutes an important branch of the silverware trade. His two sons, on attaining their majority, were each admitted to partnership; and the business was continued until 1871, when, both sons having died, he closed up his affairs and retired. For many years he was one of the most prominent as well as popular residents of Dorchester, serving as Captain of the Dorchester Rifle Company. Politically, he was a Democrat. His death occurred, January 27, 1887.
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