Nelson W. Twiss Steam Engine

In 1866 Nelson W. Twiss was working as a machinist for New Haven Mfg. Co.. By 1868 he was a partner with Leonard Pratt and Samuel J. Hayes in Twiss, Pratt & Hayes, makers of steam engines and metal-working machinery. That business survived for a couple of years but by 1871 it had disappeared. By 1874 Nelson W. Twiss was building steam engines under his own name, making both horizontal and vertical stationary engines. He remained in this business until at least the late 1890s.

Information Sources

• 1866 Benham's New Haven Directory, page 376: "Twiss, Nelson W., machinist, New Haven Mfg. Co., bds 82 High".
• 1868 Benham's New Haven Directory, page 368: "Twiss, Nelson W., (T, Pratt & Hayes,) bds 250 Crown", and "Twiss, Pratt & Hayes, engineers and machinists, 24 and 26 Artisan (see Adv. next page.)" The next page is a text ad: "Twiss, Pratt & Hayes, Engineers and Machinists / Manufacturers of / IRON PLANERS, Shapers of Improved Patterns, Koch's Patent Nut Forging Machines, Evans' Patent Improved Hammers, SLOTTING MACHINES, Davis' Patent Bolt Header, Reynolds' Patent Cast Boiler. / SPECIAL MACHINERY. / Light and Heavy Forging of every description. Building and Overhauling of Steam Engines. Jobbing in all its branches. Shafting, Pulleys, Mill-Gearing, &c., promptly made to order. / 24 & 26 Artisan St. / New Haven, Conn." Also listed in this volume are "Hayes, Samuel J. (Twiss, Pratt & H.,) bds 142 York", and "Pratt, Leonard (Twiss, P., & Hayes,) bds 109 Orange".
• 1869 Benham's New Haven Directory, page 410: "Twiss, Nelson W., (T., Pratt & Hayes,) bds 250 Crown", and "TWISS, PRATT & HAYES, engineers and machinists, 24 and 26 Artisan. (See adv. next page.)" Next page: "Twiss, Pratt & Hayes, / Manufactures of / Iron Planers, Shapers, Engine Lathes, Screw Machines, Combined Punching and Slotting Machine / Davis' Patent Bolt Header. / Builders of Steam Engines seven to fifteen Horse Power. / Shafting, Pulleys, Mill Gearing, &c. / Contractors for all kinds of Machinery. / 24 and 26 Artisan St."
• 1869-01-09 Scientific American page 32, in the Classified Ads section: "First-Class Machinists' Tools, Steam Engines, Heavy Machinery, Shafting, Pulleys, etc., manuf'd by TWISS, PRATT & Hayes, New Haven, Ct."
• A search for patents granted to Samuel J. Hayes reveals that by 1871 he had moved to Chicago and was designing steam locomotives. As for the other partner, Leonard Pratt, he was not an patentee, assignee or witness on any patents that we can find.
• 1871 Benham's New Haven Directory, page 356: "Twiss, Nelson W., machinist, bds 250 Crown".
• 1874-5 Benham's New Haven Directory page 264: "Twiss Nelson W., engine manufacturer, 236 Crown, bds 25 Beers. (See adv. p. 412.)" On page 412 is a 1/4 page display ad with a drawing of a horizontal steam engine. "Nelson W. Twiss, Engine Builder, Corner Crown and Park Streets, New Haven, Conn. Horizontal and Vertical Engines, Adapted for Stationary and Marine purposes, from two to eight horse power. Price Low."
• 1875-6 Benham's New Haven City Directory and Advertiser page 294: "Twiss Nelson W., engine manufacturer, 236 Crown, bds 25 Beers. (See adv. p. 429.)" On page 429 is a 1/4 page display ad with a drawing of a horizontal steam engine. "Nelson W. Twiss, Engine Builder, Corner Crown and Park Streets, New Haven, Conn. Horizontal and Vertical Engines, Adapted for Stationary and Marine purposes, from two to eight horse power. Price Low."
• 1876 Official Catalogue of the International Exhibition of 1876 of Philadelphia, page 37 in the category of Boilers, lists "612 Twiss, Nelson W., New Haven, Conn.—Vertical engine, yacht engine."
• Power Magazine Mar 1899 pg 66
• American Steam Engine Builders: 1800-1900 by Kenneth L. Cope, 2006 page 244
• Genealogy records show several people with the name Nelson W. Twiss. Only one was in Connecticut during the relevant era: Nelson W. Tiss (1839-1921). For example, the Findagrave.com page on Nelson W. Twiss (1839-1921) reveals that he was born in Canada, died 1921-02-24 in New Haven, CT, and was buried in New Haven's Evergreen Cemetery. The listing shows parents and siblings but no spouse or children. A photograph of the rear of the Twiss gravestone shows "Nelson W. Twiss / Born Mar. 29, 1830 / Died Feb. 24, 1921". Genealogical information on Nelson is surprisingly sparse. A brother, Julius Twiss, was born 1838-04-18 in Quebec and died 1921-03-03 in New Haven. Searching for genealogical information on him reveals that he was born in Joliette, Quebec; he would work as a lawyer and judge. He was secretary-treasurer of the National Savings Bank. He is described as descended from a colonial family that originated in England. He grew up in Joliette and moved with his mother to Meriden, Ct., after his father's death in 1851. He obtained a BA and an LL. B. at Yale. The 1918 book Modern History of New Haven Volume II has a biography of Julius that gives us more information. His father was a clockmaker. In 1918 three of the six siblings were still alive, Julius, Nelson and Gustave (Gustavus D. Twiss 1847-1926).