International Silver Company

With its organization in Meriden, Conn., in 1898, company purchased capital stock of eleven silver companies (chiefly in Connecticut); in 1903 acquired C. Rogers & Bros., also in Meriden.

The International Silver Company was organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey on 19 November 1898. Immediately upon organization, the company bought the total capital stock of the following companies: Barbour Silver Company (Hartford), * Holmes & Edwards Silver Company (Bridgeport), * Manhattan Silver Plate, ( Lyons, New York ), * Meriden Britannia Company (Meriden), * Norwich Cutlery (Norwich), * William Rogers Manufacturing Company (Hartford), Rogers Cutlery (Hartford), Rogers and Brothers (Waterbury), Rogers and Hamilton (Waterbury), Wilcox Silver Plate (Meriden), Watrous Manufacturing Company (Wallingford), Standard Silver Company, Ltd. ( Toronto, Canada ).

During the first six months of 1899, an additional four companies were purchased. Derby Silver Company (Derby), Simpson, Hall, Miller & Company (Wallingford), Simpson Nickel Company (Wallingford), Middletown Plate Company (Middletown).

In January of 1903, the stock of the United States Silver Corporation was acquired, thereby gaining indirect ownership of: * C. Rogers & Brothers (Meriden).

Thus, in the space of a few years, there came into being a large industrial corporation, worth $20,000,000 at organization, which, with its operations centered at Meriden, Connecticut, would prove to be the major producer of silver products in the United States .

(*) indicates companies represented in this collection.