Fiddlebase
NEW HOME
SEWING MACHINE COMPANY
1882-1930
Orange, Massachusetts
1930-1953 The Free Sewing Machine Company
Rockford, Illinois
1953-1960 National
from 1960 JANOME
In 1881 Horace Webster Hadley became assistant superintendent of the New Home Sewing Machine Co. at Orange, Massachusetts and ten years later (1891) he went to the National Sewing Machine 'Co., Belvidere, 111.,in a similar capacity.
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (1931/vol.19)
*********************************************************
It was in January 25, 1882 that the old Gold Medal Sewing Machine Company was re-organised and succeeded by the New Home Sewing Machine Company and the first election of officers found J. J. Schencker as President, Andrew J. Clark as Vice-President and William L. Grout as Secretary-Treasurer.
*********************************************************
In 1882, the company reformed under the name New Home (a combination of the labels New England and Home Shuttle).
The company ran into financial difficulties in the 1920s and was taken over by The Free Sewing Machine Company in 1927 or 1930, after they temporarily ran the business for two years. It continued to use the New Home brand name but Free itself was taken over by National in 1953.
In 1960, New Home and the "New Home" brand were purchased by the Janome company.
It is as late as May 1, 1999, the name New Home was changed to Janome in the United States. Yet, New Home remains in all the memories.
********************************************************
HISTORY
by
********************************************************
In 1860, William Barker and Andrew J. Clark began producing the "New England Single Thread Hand Sewing Machine" in Orange, Massachusetts. Over the next 20 years, the New England machine and the "Home Shuttle" were their two most significant products.
In 1882, the company reformed under the name New Home (a combination of the labels New England and Home Shuttle) and it continued to operate under that name for the better part of a century.
********************************************************
Around 1862, William Barker and Andrew J. Clark began producing the "Pride of the West" machine, later calling it the "New England Single Thread Hand Sewing Machine". after moving the plant to Orange, Massachusetts, in 1867. Over the next few years, the New England machine and the "Home Shuttle" were their two most significant products.
In 1865 Mr. Clark bought out his partner.
In 1867 a new firm was organized with the name of A. F. Johnson & Co., the works were enlarged and the manufacture of the well-known “Gold Medal” machine was begun.
notes:
Albert F. Johnson & Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1860.
A. F. Johnson advertised that its sewing machine was a simple and durable double thread machine with no springs, cut-offs, clamps, friction wheels, or useless device of any kind.
In 1869 the firm was reorganized as a corporation, taking the name of the machine, with Mr. Clark as president and John W. Wheeler as secretary and treasurer.
The sewing-machine combination was at this time at the height of its power and it was under a license that the “Gold Medal” was made and the “Home” first introduced in 1870.
Andrew J. Clark and Wm. P. Barker
In 1865 Mr. Clark bought out his partner and in 1867 a new firm was organized with the name of A. F. Johnson & Co., the works were enlarged and the manufacture of the well-known “Gold Medal” machine was begun. In 1869 the firm was reorganized as a corporation, taking the name of the machine, with Mr. Clark as president and John W. Wheeler as secretary and treasurer.
US 20.686 Albert F. JOHNSON June 22 1858
1877
The " Standard," known in America as the " New Home".
The " Standard " is represented by Messrs. Kennick, Kemsley & Co..
The "New Home " machine was successful in carrying off the first premiums at the St. Catherine's Fair, in Canada. It was equally fortunate at the Simcoe County Fair, held at Barrie, Ontario, on October 7th to 9th (1883).
The Sewing Machine Gazette 1884