Weight, Horse

Object Name:

Weight, Horse

Object ID:

2021.034

Place of Origin:

Manchester, NH

Date:

circa 1900

Description:

Horse Weight. Cast iron. Circular body with tapered sides. "N. J. WHALEN / MANCHESTER N.H." cast in band around top. Small bar across semi-spherical depression in top. Concave bottom surface.

Material:

Metal
Iron

Dimensions:

H-3 Dia-7.6 inches

Provenance:

Produced for and sold by Nicholas J. Whalen (1856-1920), a harness maker in Manchester, NH. He was born in Suncook (Allenstown), NH, the son of Irish immigrants, George and Ellen McKenna Whalen. He first appeared as a harness maker in Manchester in 1875. In 1879 he was working in Edwin Branch's shop on Elm Street. By 1880 Whalen had opened his own shop on Merrimack Street, Manchester, eventually becoming the largest manufacturer of harnesses, saddles, trunks, and leather goods related to horses in the city. He also became active in city cultural and business affairs, serving on the Board of Trade. In 1892, he married Elizabeth F. Bohan (1864-1902) of Manchester. In 1919 Whalen took his son James B. Whalen (1894-1950) into the business, forming N. J. Whalen & Son. After the death of Nicholas J. Whalen in 1920, his son, James B. Whalen continued the business under the name N. J. Whalen through the 1940s.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James L.Garvin

People:

Whalen, Nicholas J. (1856-1920)

Subjects:

Horses