Image from 1886 ad for the Allen patent anvil-vise

Joseph Allen (1808-1888), proprietor of the Palmyra Scale & Machine Works, made a combination anvil-vise patented April 19, 1881. After Allen's death in 188 his firm remained in business for at least another twenty years. Allen and his firm made other products as well, including wagon jacks, scales, cultivators, and possibly anvils. Over the years Allen obtained several patents.

Information Sources

• 1861 Central New York Business Directory, page 70 in the advertising section near the end of the volume, ad: "Joseph Allen, Jr., Manufacturer of Improvement Platform, Counter and Hay Scales, of all sizes, with Steel Bearings and Knife Edges, at wholesale and retail. William Street, Palmyra, N. Y."
• 1886-07-01 The Iron Age, Vol. 38, No. 1, Pg. 31.
• 1888 West Shore Railroad Business Directory, page 152: "Allen Joseph, manuf scales, trucks and agricultural implements. See adv".
• 1890 Seeger and Guernsey's Cyclopaedia of the Manufactures and Products of the United States: New York lists Joseph Allen of Palmyra, N. Y., as making "Combined Anvil and Vise" and "Wagon Jacks".
• 1891 Farm Implement News Buyer's Guide lists "Joseph Allen, Palmyra, N. Y." as providers of Cultivators; Anvil and Vise ("Allen's Combined"); Wagon Jacks; and Scales ("Allen's").
• 1897-10-28 The Iron Age. "Joseph Allen, Palmyra, N. Y., manufacturer of combined anvil and vise, is at work on a line of anvils which he expects to put on the market next year."
• 1899 Seeger and Guernsey's Cyclopaedia of the Manufactures and Products of the United States: New York lists Joseph Allen of Palmyra, N. Y., as making "Combined Anvil and Vise" and "Wagon Jacks".
• 1905 genealogy book, The Allen Memorial. First Series. Descendants of Edward Allen of Nuntucket, 1690-1905, page 54 (some details elided).

  49. Joseph Allen, b. July 30,1808, at Buckland, Mass.; m. Oct 21, 1832, Sophie K. White of Heath, b. May 2, 1814. He died at Parma, N. Y., Sept 9, 1888; she d. there July 2, 1865. Joseph Allen was for some time a student at Yale College, but on account of failing health did not graduate. He was a man of quite, unassuming manner, yet possessed a well-trained mind... Children: Jame Frances 1835-1837; David White 1837-1863; Jane Frances 1839-; Helen Sophie, 1842-; Mary August, 1844-; Alice Isabelle 1849-; Flora Louise 1848-; Joseph Henry 1850-1853; Alice Isabelle 1852-; Susan Lucretia 1854-; Ida Blanche 1859-.

• 1911 Engineering Directory Part I, page 1094, under "Scales": "Palmyra Scale & Mach. Works, Palmyra, N. Y."