From 1870 Vermont State Business Directory

Beginning around 1833, Charles Cleaves began operating a machine-shop business in Boston—at first he was likely operating from his home at 44 Essex, by 1848 he was at the corner of Friend and Causeway, by 1852 he was at 21 Haverhill, and by 1858 he was at 55 Haverhill.

We cannot find mention of Cleaves' machine shop from 1860 until 1867 when we find our first mention of Bray, Newell & Co. of 53-55 Haverhill, a partnership of Mellen Bray and James S. Newell; an 1883 biography of Newell mentions that the business was "originally founded by Charles Cleaves". Bray left the partnership in 1870, and the name became James S. Newell & Co.

Under the various business names were made presses, last lathes, and "baluster machines", among other products.

Information Sources

• 1836 Stimpson's Boston Directory lists "Cleaves Charles, machinist, h, rear 44 Essex".
• 1848-9 George Adams' City Directory of Boston lists "Cleaves Charles, machinist, house 47 Cambridge". Under Machinsts is listed "Cleaves, Charles, Friend, c. Causeway".
• 1850 George Adams' Directory of the City of Boston lists "Cleaves Charles, machinist, Causeway, c. Friend".
• 1852 George Adams' The Boston Directory lists "Cleaves Charles, machinist, 21 Haverhill, house 113 Leverett".
• 1856 George Adams' Massachusetts Business Directory lists Charles Cleaves at 55 Haverhill. Also listed at that address were Gove & Howard (machinists), Moulton & Sibley (machinists), and T. Holmes (leather).
• 1858 The Boston Almanac lists "Cleaves Charles, 55 Haverhill" under Machinists.
• 1859 The Boston Almanac lists, under Machinists, "Cleaves Charles, 55 Haverhill".
• The 1867-11-26 Boston Post mentions Bray, Newell & Co.
• 1868 Roth and Hess' Boston City Directory lists "Bray, Newell & Co., 53 and 55 Haverhill".
• 1868 The Boston Almanac lists "Bray, Newell & Co, 53 Haverhill", under Machinists.
• 1869 The Boston Directory lists "Bray, Newell, & Co. M. Bray and J. S. Newell), machinists, 53 and 55 Haverhill". They are listed in the business directory section under Fishing Tackle ("for fishing-boats"), Hose, Machinists, Riggers ("patent sail rings"), Ship Fixtures ("ship spring travellers"), and Ship Spring Travellers. A text ad reads, "Bray, Newell & Co., / Sole U.S. Agents for / Buckingham's rot proof hemp hose, / and manufacturers of/ Last Lathes, Screw Lever, / also of / and Cam Presses. / Seamless tin / BOXES / For Watches, Blacking, Ointment, &c. / Sheet Metal Stamping, / Done to order. / Special attention given to DIE WORK, and general Jobbing. / Woodbury's Patent Self-Adjusting PULLEY for Fishing Vessels; Woodbury's Patent RINGS, for Bending Fore-and-Aft Sails, and Smith's Countersunk Rivets, / 53 & 55 Haverhill Street / Boston, / Mellen Bray. / James S. Newell."
• 1869 The Massachusetts Register lists Bray, Newell & Co., 53 & 55 Haverhill, under Fishing Tackle ("fishing boats"), Hose, Machinists, Machinery and Tools, Presses ("screw, lever, and cam"), and Ship Spring Travellers.
• 1869 Wentworth's Boston Commercial Directory lists "Bray, Newell & Co. 53 Haverhill" under Fishing Tackle, Machinists and Machinery, and Printing Presses.
• 1870 Greenough's Descriptive Gazetteer and Commercial Directory of the Cities and Towns on the Line of the Eastern, and Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroads lists "Bray, Newell & Co. 53 Haverhill" under Engine Hose.
• 1870 Illuminated and Illustrated Business Directory of Boston for 1870 lists "Bray, Newell & Co., 53 and 55 Haverhill" under Hose, Machinists, Machinery and Tools, Press Manufacturers ("Screw, Lever and cam"), Riggers ("patent sail rings"), and Ship Fixtures.
• 1883 Commerce, Manufactures & Resources of Boston, Mass .

  JAMES S. NEWELL & CO.,
  Mechanical Engineers And Machinists, 71 Lincoln Street.

  For fifty years closely identified with the manufacturing interests and commercial development of this community, the house of James S. Newell & Co. and their predecessors may not be ignored in any publication proposing to reflect the trade advantages and resources of this city.

  Originally founded by Charles Cleaves, the business of this house was commenced, not only with a limited capital, but, in comparison with the present, a very circumscribed field for operations.

  Among the products which are manufactured here are Hand, Screw, Power, Foot, Lever, and Soap Presses, and Dies for all kinds of presses, Tinmen's Dies, Lathes, Can Openers, Models, and Machinery of all kinds to order; besides which, a general jobbing business is done, and attention is also given to the repairing of steam-engines, gear-cutting, and pattern-making.

  The plant of the firm, located as above indicated, consists of the second floor of the building, having an area of 200 x 50 feet. The machinery with which the works are supplied is operated by an engine of 20-horse power; while a force of about forty skilled mechanics is employed in prosecuting the work.

  The individual members of the firm are Messrs. James S. and J. Warren Newell, who are active participants in the business, and thoroughly allied in promoting, through their house, the industrial thrift of the community.

  As a firm with which to transact business, that of Messrs. James S. Newell & Co. occupies a position to which we can add nothing; and our readers abroad who may be concerned will find their interests greatly enhanced by a correspondence with this house, before finally placing their contracts.

• Text ad in 1886 The Boston Directory>: "Jas. S. Newell & Co., / Mechanical Engineers & Machinists, / Manufacturers of / Presses and Dies, / New Machinery Designed and Built, / Mechanical drawings, pattern making, gear cuttings and models to order. / 300 to 304 Federal St., / Foot of Beach Street, / Boston. / James S. Newell. J. Warren Newell."
• 1889 Massachusetts Annual Report on the Statistics of Labor lists machinery manufacturers. Perversely, they do not provide the name of each company listed, but one of the entries is for a firm established by Charles Cleaves, date of establishment 1850, year in which the present firm or name was adopted 1860, and manufacturing punch presses.