Figure 99. — Patent model of Christopher Hodckins, November 2, 1852, 

 assigned to Nehemiah Hunt. (Smithsonian photo 34551.) 



Figures 99, 100, and 101.— The N. Hunt (later, in 1856, 

 Hunt & Webster and finally in 1858 Ladd and Webster) 

 sewing machine was based on the patents of Christopher 

 Hodgkins, November 2, 1852, and May 9, 1854, both of 

 which were assigned to Nehemiah Hunt. First manufac- 

 tured in 1853, the machine, which closely resembled the 

 Hodgkins' patent, won a silver medal at the exhibition of 

 the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association that 

 same year. 



In 1856 Hunt took a partner, and the company became 

 Hunt & Webster. An interesting account of this company 

 appeared as a feature article in Bullous Pictorial, July 5, 

 1856, where it was reported that "the North American 

 Shoe Company have over fifty of the latest improved 

 machines, represented in these drawings [fig. 31], now- 

 running . . . ." The article also estimated that a 55-miIlion 

 dollar increase in shoe manufacturing in Massachusetts in 



1855 was due to the sewing machine. In 1856 the Hunt & 

 Webster machine again won a silver medal at the exhibi- 

 tion. Very late in 1858 the company became Ladd, Webster, 

 & Co. and continued to manufacture both family and 

 manufacturing sewing machines until the mid- 1860s. 



The approximate date of manufacture can be determined 

 by serial number: 



No figures are available for the 1860s. 



94 



