Beginning in 1822, James Stewart worked as a machinist in New York City. In his early years he made machinery for manufacturing hooks and eyes. By 1849 he was manufacturing small lathes, including dentist's lathes, brass lathes and wood lathes. The brass and wood lathes, which were intended for amateurs, were highly finished treadle lathes which could be fitted with a cycloidal chuck for decorative turning. Stewart died in 1859 and the business name changed to James Stewart's Son, and, by about 1866 to Adam Stewart. who continued to make lathes until at least 1870.

Information Sources

• James Stewart testified in the large and complex patent infringement case of Horace Day v. Charles Goodyear, which involved Goodyear's lucrative patents on making rubber. Stewart's testimony related to one Elisha Pratt, an early rubber vulcanizer.

  James Stewart. [Defendant's printing.] This witness let the building to Pratt's firm in New-York, in which he vulcanized his rubber articles in 1835, and saw some part of Pratt's operations.
  1. Do you know Elisha Pratt, formerly of New-York? Ans. Yes, sir.
  2. When did you first become acquainted with said Pratt? Ans. In the winter of 1835 or 1836—1 think 1835, the fall previous to 1836.
  3. What was your business at that time, and where was your place of business? Ans. My business was machinist, making machinery for hooks and eyes, in Centre street, at the head of Canal, in New-York.
  4. What was Mr. Pratt's business at that time? He was making hat bodies.
  5. Where did Mr. Pratt make his hat bodies? Ans. In part of a room that I hired.
  6. Who hired the room of you, and for what purpose was it hired? Ans. Thomas Symmes and William Miller; they were in company, hatters, for the purpose of making India rubber bodies for hats.
  7. In what story of the building was Mr. Pratt's shop? Ans. It was the fourth story arid the third.
  8. What use was made of the floor beneath Mr. Pratt's shop? Ans. Calico printing.
  9. What use was made of the attic of the building? Ans. That was the 4th story; part of it belonged to me and part to Mr. Pratt.
  10. In what position as to Canal street were Pratt's rooms? Ans. Pratt's rooms looked directly down Canal street.
  11. On which side of Broadway were Pratt's rooms? Ans. On the right hand side going from the Battery.
  12. Did Mr. Pratt have any other rooms connected with his business in any other place or building, if so, where were they? Ans. He had some kind of machinery, but I never saw it, at Mr. Barnes's marble factory.
  12. What has become of the building in Centre street where your shop and Pratt's was? Ans. It is all taken down; a new building is there now...

• The following ad appeared Scientific American between 1849-02-03 to 1850-01-05 inclusive:

  SUPERIOR TURNING LATHES - James Stewart, 15 Canal St., and 106 Elm St. is constantly manufacturing and has now on hand between 50 and 60 superior Lathes of the following descriptions and at reasonable prices, namely:
     Dentist’s Lathes, very highly finished.
     Dentist's Lathes, common
     Brass and Wood Turner’s Lathes.
     Jeweller’s and pencil-case maker’s, very superior.
  J. STEWART has also authorized to act as agent for the sale of the celebrated Lathes manufactured by James T. Perkins of Hudson, of large size and at prices from $250 to 800. A specimen of this description may be seen at his factory as above.

• The 1851-04-03 issue of Scientific American mentions, "James Stewart, of this city, makes good turning lathes at prices varying from $25 to $100."
• The 1856-04-26 issue of Scientific American had a passing mention that James Stewart of New York made wood-turning lathes.
• 1859-11-05 Scientific American.

  DEATH OF AN INVENTOR—On the 5th of last month a remarkable mechanic and inventor died in this city, and since that period we have learned some details of his unobtrusive but interesting life. James Stewart, well known in this city for the beautiful and neat small lathes which he manufactured for jewellers and others, in his shop on the corner of Elm and Canal streets, was a native of Scotland, and came to Boston in 1828, when 23 years of age. He was a thorough-bred machinist and soon became known for his skill and ingenuity. He was the inventor of the machine for making hooks and eyes, which had previously been made by hand. It was pirated from him by an unscrupulous manufacturer and lawyer, and while it has enriched others, he never obtained the least benefit from it. He removed from Boston in 1835, and lived in this city till the day of his death. He was the inventor of the seraphine which is now in common use, and was an adept in music and musical instruments.

• The 1865 Tenth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, in "Reports of the Judges".

  James Stewart's Son, New York. Foot Lathe, Head Stock, and Rest. Made of bronze, proportions good, and very prettily finished. Some of the fittings not the best. A very showy article. Silver Medal.

• In the 1865-09-23 issue of Scientific American the following paragraph appeared in a story about that year's Fair of the American Institute:

  JAMES STEWART & SON'S LATHES. These tools have won a great reputation for the makers by reason of the excellency of the workmanship on them. They are intended to be run by the foot, but are adapted to power as well. They are made of the best materials, well finished, with or without back gears and slide rest, and set on a neat work-bench with a chest-of-drawers for tools, etc. They are superior lathes in all respects, and will last forever with care.

• The 1865-66 Annual Report of the American Institute of the City of New York, in a report on the Fair of the American Institute.

  Adam Stewart, No. 252 Canal street, for the best foot lathe. Silver medal.

• Classified ad in 1865-11-08 to 1866-07-11 American Artisan.

  James Stewart's Son (Adam Stewart), Machinist, Turning-lathe and Tool Maker, 252 Canal street (entrance 107 Elm street), New York. Established 1826. World's Fair and American Institute Prize Medal. Amateurs' Turning lathes made to order.

• Classified ad in 1866-08-29 to 1866-10-24 American Artisan.

  Turning lathes for foot or steam power. Manufactured at Stewart's, 252 Canal street (Entrance 107 Elm street), New York. ADAM STEWART (James Stewart's Son).

• 1867-10-23 American Artisan, in a report on the Fair of the American Institute.

  Adam Stewart, of New York City, exhibits a fine foot-lathe, designed for amateurs and fitted with a cycloidal chuck for ornamenting finished surfaces.

• The 1867-68 Annual Report of the American Institute of the City of New York, in a report on the Fair of the American Institute.

  Adam Stewart, 211 Centre street, for a foot lathe (slide rest and eccentric chuck). Third medal and a certificate.

  The Reports of Judges said the following.

  Foot Lathe. (Adam Stewart.) Its merits are, excellent material, good design and accurate, first class workmanship and high finish. It is, therefore, respectfully recommended to first class honors.

• Classified ad in the February, March and April 1870 The Technologist.

  James Stewart's Son, Lathe and Tool Maker. Amateur's turning-lathes, made to order. Adam Stewart, 211 Centre Street, N. Y. World's Fair and American Institute Prize Medals.

• The Henry Ford Museum has a James Stewart treadle lathe in its collection.
• A Dr. James Stewart lived in New York at the same time as our James Stewart. The two men should not be confused or conflated.