Blaisdell & Wood was founded in 1865 as a partnership between Parritt Blaisdell and Charles Wood. Wood left in 1867 and the firm was reorganized as P. Blaisdell & Co. with John P. Jones as a new partner and in 1873, Samuel E. Hildreth as a third partner. Blaisdell died the following year, and his widow sold his interest to Enoch Earle, with Blaisdell's son William becoming a partner in 1875.

From 1875 to 1905 the company remained successful and stable. In 1905, with some of the partners having reached retirement age, P. Blaisdell & Co. merged with Whitcomb Mfg. Co. and the Whitcomb Foundry Co. to form the Whitcomb-Blaisdell Machine Tool Co. See that entry for the subsequent history.

Ad from "1871 Worcester Directory"

Information Sources

• American Planer, Shaper and Slotter Builders: 1830-1910 by Kenneth L. Cope, 2002 page 31
• Ad in the June 1872 issue of Manufacturer & Builder:

  P. Blaisdell & Co.,
  Manufacturers of
  Machinists' Tools,
  Engine-Lathes, Planers, Boring-Mills, Gear-Cutters, HAND-LATHES, and the best DRILL-PRESSES in the market.
  62 Jackson St., Worcester, Mass.

• The October 1872 issue of Manufacturer & Builder has an illustrated article on this firm's drill presses. The article concludes,

  The firm of P. Blaisdell & Co., of Worcester, Mass., making this drill, manufactures also engine-lathes, crank-planers, boring-mills, traverse drills, gear-cutters and hand-lathes. They are all made after new patterns with the modern improvements, and confidently guarantee all the work which is produced in their establishment.

  The February 1874 issue carried a somewhat similar illustrated article.
• Listed in the 1874 book, Wiley's American iron trade manual of the leading iron industries of the United States, as a maker of machine tools with 45 employees.
• Ad in an 1876 issue of Manufacturer & Builder.
• The information here came from the Worcester Museum, and was forwarded to us by Don Rogers.
• The 1871 Worcester directory carries an ad for this firm on page 54, near the back:

  P. BLAISDELL,
  Works near the Junction Depot
  Worcester, Mass.
  Manufacturer of
  Machinists' Tools.
  With an experience of nearly a quarter of a century in this branch of manufacturing, I hope to give my customers a class of work that will give them entire satisfaction, and ensure to me their entire patronage.
  I have Five Sizes
  Upright Drills,
  Just patented. These who have them in use give their decided preference for this drill above all others. It is very convenient, and liable to get order, and a very fine machine. All infringement on this patent will be scrupulously attended to.
  Engine Lathes, crank Planers, Boring Mills, Gear Cutters, Hand Lathes, &c. &c.

  A drawing of his drill is labeled, "PATENTED July 16, 1867."
• Drew, Allis & Co.'s The Worcester Almanac, Directory and Business Advertiser, 1883. has an ad for P. Blaisdell & Co. on page 627.
• Worcester County Directory for 1878-79, published by Briggs & Co., lists P. Blaisdell & Co. under "lathe manufacturers" and "machinists' tool manufacturers".