Mr. Noble:
Interesting and fine article indeed. Interesting in the fact that it yields insight into just how may of the US arms makers were connected. I was reading "The Collecting of Guns" by James E. Serven and and he mentions Forehand & Wadsworth and Forehand Arms Co. as a direct desendent, for want of a better term, of Ethan Allen & Associates:
"E. Allen Grafton, Mass. 1832-1837
Allen & Thurber Grafton, Mass. 1837-1842
Allen & Thurber Norwich, Conn. 1842-1847
Allen & Thurber Worcester, Mass. 1847-1854
Allen & Thurber & Co. Worcester, Mass. 1854-1856
Allen & Wheelock Worcester, Mass. 1856-1865
E. Allen & Co. Worcester, Mass. 1865-1871
Forehand & Wadsworth Worcester, Mass. 1871-1890
Forehand Arms Co. Worcester, Mass. 1890-1902
These several firms constitute a family dynasty founded by Ethan Allen. A second brother-in-law("Charles Thurber was Ethan's sister's husband"), Thomas P. Wheelock, long an employee of the Allen & Thurber firm, was to become a slient partner as the "& Co." added to the firm name in 1854. Wheelock became a full partner upon the retirement of Mr. Thurber in early 1856. Byt the time of Thomas Wheelock's death in May of 1864 Allen's two sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand & Henry C. Wadsworth, became the "& Co." of the new E. Allen & Co., thus perpetuating the family interest beyond the death of the founder himself."
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
