Betts, Pusey & Co., Factory

      Pusey, Jones & Betts was founded in 1857 by Joshua L. Pusey, John Jones & Alfred Betts. The name was changed in 1860 to Pusey, Jones & Co. when Betts left and incorporated in 1879 as the Pusey & Jones Co.

      In Wilmington, Del., Messrs. Betts, Pusey & Co., proprietors of the Wilmington Iron-Works, are a very extensive and respectable firm, provided with all the facilities for conducting the business of general machinists. The present firm, consisting of Edward Betts, Joshua E. Pusey, John Jones, and Joshua Seal, all practical men in their respective parts, was established in 1851. Their foundry, however, was erected in its present location in 1829 by Mr. Mahlon Betts, who relinquished the business some ten years ago to Mr. Edward Betts and his former partners. The establishment now comprises an extensive foundry, machine shop, blacksmith shop, and boiler shop, together with a yard and its necessary tools and appendages, for building iron steamboats, barges, and sailing vessels.

      Messrs. Betts, Pusey & Co. have one of the most extensive—if not the most extensive—stock of gearing and pulley patterns in the United States. Their printed list, which they forward gratuitously on application to any part of the country, contains over a thousand spur bevel and mitre wheel patterns, and also a most complete set of iron pulley patterns (made in the most modern style) of all sizes, from 6 feet to 6 inches in diameter, and a great many widths of faces. In their machine shops they devote themselves principally to building stationary and steamboat engines of all kinds and sizes, heavy machinists' tools, mill work, and shafting. Their engines, both stationary and for boats, have proved very satisfactory, and have established for them a considerable reputation. The past year they erected a Cornish pumping engine for the Wilmington City Water-Works, with steam cylinder 32 inches in diameter, and 8 feet stroke, which is very economical in its working, and very satisfactory to the city authorities.

      This firm have been very successful also in the building of Iron Steamers, and are well fitted up for such work. They are prepared to take orders for the largest class of vessels and finish them throughout. The first iron sailing vessel built in this country was finished here the past year, and has proved to be a very staunch and most excellent vessel.

      Passing from general to special machinists, or those who, while prepared to make, and actually do make, other machines and machinery, still devote their chief attention to the manufacture of a particular class, we naturally come first to those who make the building of that most important of all machines for developing power—the steam engine—their leading pursuit.

Information Sources

• Leading Pursuits and Leading Men Edward Young 1856 pg. 288
• American Steam Engine Builders: 1800-1900 by Kenneth L. Cope, 2006 page 198