• Born: 18 Sep 1812, Plainfield CT
• Marriage (1): Mary Ritter on 29 Aug 1837 in Hartford CT
• Died: 24 Nov 1875, Hartford CT

  General notes:

Silversmith, jeweler, and watchmaker

  Events in his life were:

• He worked in 1836 as a silversmith in Boston MA ⁴

• Partnership: Horace B. Crocker, in 1841-1843, in Hartford CT. As STEELE & CROCKER (not to be confused with STEELE & CROCKER of Syracuse NY). The firm ended with the death of Crocker on 29 Nov 1843. ⁴

• Example: Watchpaper, circa 1842, in American Antiquarian Society.

• He worked in 1844-1866 as a silversmith, watchmaker, and jeweler in Hartford CT as THOMAS STEELE & Co, with a shop at 195 Main Street. He took Dwight H. Buell as a partner 1858 to 1866. ⁴

• Example: Watchpaper, circa 1845, in American Antiquarian Society.

• Advertised: Geer's City Directory, in 1845, in Hartford CT.
  Thomas Steele, (late Steele & Crocker,) Dealer in Watches, Jewelry, Gold and Silver Spectacles, Silver Spoons, Plated and Britannia Ware. Exchange Buildings, 195 Main St. Watches of all kinds carefully repaired by experienced workmen, and warranted.

• Example: Receipt, in 1846, in Historic New England.

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Hartford CT. Listed as a jeweler.

• Advertised: Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, on 18 May 1861, in Bangor ME. As part of a group endorsement of the Waltham Watch Company.

• Partnership: Thomas Sedgwick Steele, in 1866-1875, in Hartford CT. As THOMAS STEELE & SON, listed in the 1875 city directory at 340 Main Street. The firm also had an outlet at 50 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris. ⁴

• He appeared on the census in 1870 in Hartford CT. Listed as a jeweler.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1870, in Private Collection.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1870, in Private Collection.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1870, in Private Collection.

Thomas married Mary Ritter on 29 Aug 1837 in Hartford CT. (Mary Ritter was born in 1814 in Hartford CT and died on 10 Apr 1902 in Hartford CT.)