After working for woodworking machinery and sewing machine builder Nehemiah Hunt in Boston for a few years, Christopher Hodgkins opened a machine shop in Marlboro, N. H., in 1854. He briefly moved to Keene but then returned to Marlboro in 1857. After several years spent making patented sewing machines, he switched his focus to woodworking machinery. Hodgkins' son Arthur C. joined the firm, and, later, so did son-in-law Henry Metcalf.

Hodgkins purchased the Marlboro premises of Buss Machine Works after Buss relocated to Michigan in 1878. At this point the business was known as C. Hodgkins & Son. By 1885 it was C. Hodgkins & Sons. Shortly after that it became C. & A. Hodgkins Co.

This company survived into the 20th century but we have not found any mentions of them beyond 1908.

Ad from January 1901 "The Wood Worker"

Information Sources

• From The town register: Marlboro, Troy, Jaffrey, Swanzey, 1908, published 1908 by the Mitchell-Cony Co., Inc.:

  Christopher Hodgkins commenced the machinist business in 1854. He invented or improved the circular vent water-wheel, sewing machines, wood-working machinery and water-rams. In 1876, he purchased the shops formerly occupied by Charles Buss, where the business is now conducted by C. Hodgkins & Sons. Wood-working machinery and water-rams are now manufactured.

• Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America, 1633-1897, by Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, lists Harriet Fairbank, "born Apr. 21, 1863; married Arthur C. Hodgkins, Oct 20, 1881, now of the form of C. & A. Hodgkins, manufacturers of wood-working machinery, etc., in Marlboro."
• History of the Town of Marlborough: Cheshire County, New Hampshire by Charles Austin Bemis, gives this version of events:

  Christopher Hodgkins commenced the machinist-business in this town in 1854 in the second story of Franklin R. Thurston's blacksmith shop. After continuing here a short time, he removed to Keene, where, in company with John Knowlton, he manufactured the circular vent water-wheel, which was one of his own invention. In 1857, he returned to Marlborough, and soon commenced the manufacture of sewing machines. Mr. Hodgkins is a man of more than ordinary mechanical ingenuity, and was soon able to make many improvements in sewing machines, taking out no less than five different patents. After a few years, he gave up that business and turned his attention to manufacturing various kinds of wood-working machinery, some of which he has greatly improved. Several years since, he obtained patent on water-rams; he has built a large number of these which are now in successful operation. In the fall of 1878, he purchased the shops formerly owned by Charles Buss, where he is now doing a good business.

• Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, compiled by Hamilton Child and published 1885: "HODGKINS C. & Sons, (C. Hodgkins, Arthur Hodgkins and Henry Metcalf) founders and machinists and manufacturers of wood-working machinery and water-rams, Main." Elsewhere it says, "C. Hodgkins & Son, located at the village, are engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of wood-working machinery. The business was established by Charles Buss, and was purchased by Mr. Hodgkins in 1880. They employ twelve men."