Description:
William C. Hunneman (1769-1856) was a Boston coppersmith, brass founder, and entrepreneur working from c. 1793 to 1846. His products played an important role in the households, businesses, and manufactories of America, as well as being vital to the operation of the new United States Navy. There are two extant day books, one brief ledger, and a large number of surviving Hunneman products. It also recorded all other information including weights, method of payment, and Hunneman’s miscellaneous notes. William Hunneman was a skilled craftsman and a successful businessman. He produced and sold large numbers of household items such as andirons, wholesale items such as sleigh bells, industrial kettles, ship fittings and supplies, fire engines, and unfinished goods such as clock parts. In addition, Hunneman served as a wholesale supplier of raw materials for other metal workers. Hunneman’s ability to expand his market from traditional manufactures to serve this wide range of public and private customers illustrates the business acumen and artisanal versatility necessary for success during this period of early industrial expansion in America. American copper and brass tea or hot water kettle stamped "HUNNEMAN/ BOSTON" on top of the handle. A large part of Hunneman's production was the manufacture of copper tea kettles, designed to heat, boil, and dispense water from kitchen hearths. Hunneman's teakettles were sold in various sizes: 1 gallon, 6 quart, 5 quart, and 4 quart. Since kettles were constantly and heavily used, Hunneman also had an active repair business. American coppersmiths traditionally depended on England for their raw materials, which was sent as rolled sheet copper. In 1800, Paul Revere established a copper rolling mill in Canton, Mass from which Hunneman also ordered.
Subjects:
Copper; Brass Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+97.13 |
