In the 1820s and into the '30s, John Douglas ran a machine shop in New Haven. In 1830, while his brother William was his apprentice, John designed and built a hand pump. Shortly afterward, William moved to Middletown to work as a mould maker in a pewter shop. There he met another ambitious young machinist, William H. Guild, and in 1832 the two men established Guild & Douglas, a general machine shop business. They also built small steam engines. In 1836 William's younger brother, Benjamin Douglas, began working for them. In 1838 Benjamin married Mary Parker, and the following year William married Mary's sister, Grace. That same year, William and Benjamin bought out Guild—who went on to establish steam-pump manufacturer Guild & Garrison of Brooklyn, NY—and the Douglas & Guild firm became W. & B. Douglas. In 1842 the brothers developed and began manufacture of the "revolving stand pump", a hand-powered kitchen water pump that was probably not unlike the original "Douglas hand pump" made by eldest brother John, but the two younger brothers can lay claim to creating the first mass-produced water pump. Their pump business grew from 300 in their first year to 300 pumps per week just a couple of years later, and the business continued to grow from there. At the same time they were manufacturing other products, including rather primitive metal lathes with wooden ways and chain feed. As their pump business continued to expand, other lines of business were dropped until the company was exclusively making pumps by the beginning of the Civil War.

William Douglas died unexpectedly in April 1858, and in the aftermath the firm was formally incorporated as W. & B. Douglas, also known as the W. & B. Douglas Manufacturing Co., for the manufacture of pumps, hydraulic and other machinery, and hardware. The company expanded its sales to international markets that by the 1870s spanned the globe. By that time the next generation of the Douglas family had joined the business, including Benjamin's sons John and Edward, and William's eldest son, Joseph. Benjamin Douglas died in 1894.

Beginning in 1897 we sometimes see the name W. & B. Douglas Pump Co. but we have not found any official record or announcement of a name change, and the "W. & B. Douglas" name continued to be used. By this time the company was large but was keeping a low profile, with few ads or articles about the company in evidence. During World War I the company introduced a line of heavy lathes, which were in tremendous demand for the war effort, especially for producing shells; the lathe line was discontinued shortly after the end of the war as the machine-tool industry entered a prolonged sales slowdown.

Detail from advertisement in 1916-12-28 Canadian Machinery

In 1919 we see another sign of trouble: D. C. Douglas, president of the W. & B. Douglas Pump Co., resigned to accept the position of superintendent of the foundry at the Chalmers Motor Co. This change of employment appears, on the surface, to be a large backward step in his career and it suggests that there was trouble at W. & B. Douglas.

In 1922, W. & B. Douglas merged with two other Connecticut businesses: the Premier Manufacturing Co. of Sandy Hook, and the Standard Metalwork Corp. of Thompsonville. The W. & B. Douglas company kept its name and gained working capital to fund factory improvements and to expand its sales force. The senior management was completely replaced with men from the two other businesses. These drastic changes did not help: the company went into receivership in 1924 and was sold off in 1925. The company's large factory complex was abandoned, fell into disrepair, and in 1940 was torn down.

Information Sources

• 1859 Resolutions and Private Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut: "Incorporating the W. & B. Douglas Manufacturing Company." "Sec. 1. That said Benjamin Douglas, Catharine Douglas, Joseph W. Douglas, George T. Douglas, Grace C. Douglas, Mary A. Douglas, Ellen Douglas, and Sarah K. Douglas, are herreby associated as a corporation, under the name of 'W. & B. Douglas,' with power, as such corporation, to carry on the manufacture of pumps, and all kinds of hydraulic and other machinery, and of hardware, and for the purpose of trade in connection therewith... Sec. 2. The whole real and personal estate of the said late firm of W. & B. Douglas, is hereby transferred to and vested in said corporation of 'W. & B. Douglas,'... the whole value of the same being estimated at one hundred and eighty thousand dollars..." The new corporation's share would be owned Benjamin (50%), Catharine (12.7%), and the others holding 6.2% each. "Approved, May 27th, 1859."
• Ca. 1878 book, A Collection of Family Records...of Various Families and Individuals Bearing the Name Douglas, ed. C. H. J. Douglas.

  WILLIAM DOUGLAS born in Northford, Conn., Jan. 19, 1812, having received a plain English education, he devoted himself to acquiring the business of a machinist, with his brother John, residing in New Haven. For this pursuit he was admirably qualified by a decided mechanical talent, which he early developed. He re¬moved to Middletown in 1832, and started business in a very small way, with W. H. Guild, as a job machinist and manufacturer of small engines.

  In 1839, in company with his younger brother, Benjamin, he bought out Mr. Guild, and established the firm of W. & B. Douglas, now the oldest and most extensive manufacturers of pumps in the world. At first the two brothers labored with their own hands most diligently, doing all the critical portions of the work themselves, and performing the duties, not merely of mechanics, but also of packer, clerk and salesman. The first year of their enterprise the number of pumps sold was about 300; within two years they produced and sold as many in a week; and now they find a market for a number which seems almost incredible.

  William Douglas died April 21, 1858, at the age of 46 years; and the management of the business devolved upon his brother Benjamin. He [William] was a man of good sense, thoughtful, reflective and intelligent, delighting in scientific investigations, and devoted to mechanical pursuits.

  HON. BENJAMIN DOUGLAS born in Northford, Conn., April 3, 1816. At the age of 16 he applied himself to the trade of a machinist; and, in 1836, began working with the firm of Guild & Douglas, at Middle¬town. In 1839 he and his brother William, who had established the business in 1832, purchased the whole interest, and continued it under the now well-known name of W. & B. Douglas. For three years their business was that of an ordinary foundry and machine shop, supplying steam engines and other work of such description to the surrounding factories. But, in 1842, they invented the celebrated revolving stand pump, and first conceived the idea of introducing pumps as a regular article of manufacture and commerce. The idea was entirely novel, and their beginning was very small. Their first orders were not large, but their expectations were more than realized. They produced an article the convenience and advantage of which were at once appreciated by the public, and their trade rapidly increased.

  In the spring of 1858 William, the senior partner, died, and the entire control of the business devolved upon Benjamin. By a special act of the Legislature of Connecticut the firm was formed into a stock company, of which Benjamin is the president ; and thus the business was enabled to be carried on without obstruction or embarrassment. By adopting the principle of making their articles invariably good, they have earned the confidence of their customers, and established faith in their own integrity. A vast trade is the natural and necessary consequence, not merely in the United States, but in the Canadas, South America, the Sandwich Islands, the West Indies, Australia, Europe, Asia;—in a word, in almost the entire civilized world, do they find a market for their manufactures, and a steadily and rapidly increasing demand for their wares. The popular estimation of their productions is evident from the fact that wherever hydraulic machines have been exhibited, they have invariably been awarded the first honors, including the highest medals at Paris in 1867, at Vienna in 1873, at Philadelphia in 1876, and at Paris again in 1878.

  Mr. Douglas has several times represented his town in the General Assembly of the state. He was mayor of the city of Middletown from 1849 to 1855. He was lieutenant-governor of Connecticut in 1861 and 1862, and presidential elector, casting for Abraham Lincoln one of the six electoral votes of the state, in 1860. By intelligence and strict attention to business, Mr. Douglas has been mainly instrumental in building up, from a very small beginning, a new industry, until it has expanded into its present immense proportions. The author does not feel at liberty to say all he could wish, but cannot deny himself the gratification stating that Mr. Douglas possesses in an eminent degree the properties which qualify him for his present responsible position. Gentle and unassuming, but yet experienced, sagacious and determined, he appears admirably adapted to administer the affairs of this large business, and to govern the army of employees who are placed under his control. From the start he has manifested an unusual interest in the progress of the present work, and it is owing in no small degree to his efforts that so full an account of his immediate ancestors and relatives has been obtained.

• 1897-05-25 Hardware. "Middletown, Conn—The W. & B. Douglas Pump Co., which has been running eight hours aday and four days a week, are now running full time."
• 1903 Public Documents of the State of Connecticut contains histories of some notable manufacturers in the state, including W. & B. Douglas.

  John Douglas, of New Haven, was an all-around mechanic. He made clocks, fire engines, surgical instruments; in fact, anything requiring skill was brought to his workshop on State street. In 1830 he made the first "Douglas Pump" for hand use.

  His younger brother, William, was serving an apprenticeship with him at this time, and soon went to Middletown to work as a brass mouldmaker in the old pewterer's shop next to the South Main street schoolhouse. Here William Douglas met Wm. H. Guild, and in 1832 they formed a copartnership called Guild & Douglas.

  They opened a small foundry and machine shop in the old Lancasterian schoolhouse, corner of William and Broad streets, noted as a meeting place for Abolitionists.

  In 1839 Mr. Guild went to Brooklyn and later became famous in the manufacture of steam pumps. Mr. Guild's place was taken by William's younger brother, Benjamin, who had left the old family home at Northford a few years before. Benjamin Douglas had prepared himself for a business career by an apprenticeship at the old Sanseer factory, and a short experience in the drug business at Norwich, besides working for three years with Guild & Douglas. He devoted himself mainly to the buying and selling, while William with his inventive genius, grappled with the mechanical end of the business. The Company was now called W. & B. Douglas.

  From the start until the middle forties, the products were varied, and the means of payment equally so. Garden truck and cord wood played an important part in settling the six and nine-months notes customary at the time. Sometimes the firm made lathes with wooden ways, chain feed and wood hangers for the countershaft. Again, they made small steam engines, also hand fire engines. Cornshellcrs. Closson's plows and parts for a Ketcham mowing machine were among the articles made for outside parties. For about ten years, beginning with 1850, they made quite a line of butts and hinges, under the Horton & Armstrong patents. The Portland quarries had most of their foundry work done here for many years. Their extensive patronage was much appreciated for the young and struggling concern was often in hard straits, and once was obliged to compromise with its creditors, but afterwards paid all claims in full with interest.

  The first patent for a hand pump was taken out in 1842, and the document is signed by Daniel Webster, then secretary of state. This pump was the invention of William Douglas, and with some slight modifications is still a standard article.

  John Douglas had never attempted to supply more than a local market but William and Benjamin were the first to conceive the idea of selling pumps as a regular article of commerce.

  The pump business absorbed more and more of their attention until at the outbreak of the civil war, it was practically the only line of work. This specialty has been pursued ever since, and for many years W. & B. Douglas were the only manufacturers of "pumps exclusively'' in the world....

• 1907-02-21 The Iron Age. "W. & B. Douglas, Middletown, Conn., manufacturers of pumps, have made preliminary plans for an addition to their power pump department, to be about 30 x 90 ft. and two stories. The building will be equipped with new and modern machinery, which has been ordered. The output of power pumps will be largely increased. At the annual meeting of the company, February 11, Edward C. Douglas was elected president; Fred E. Gibbons, secretary; Frank W. Bliss, treasurer; George E. Martin, superintendent, and Frank A. Coles, Edward C. Douglas, James K. Guy and Joseph Merriam, directors."
• 1907-06-06 The Iron Age. "W. & B. Douglas, Middletown, Conn., manufacturers of pumps and pumping machinery, are erecting an addition to their works, which will be used as a cupola house for the foundry. In it will be installed the old cupola and also a new 76-in. Paxson-Colliau. The change will double the present capacity, which is necessary because of the increase in business. The business is in its seventy-fifth year, and strong prosperity serves to fitly celebrate the anniversary."
• 1911 Iron Age Directory lists "W. & B. Douglas, Middletown, Ct." as suppliers of chain pump fixtures; electric pumping sets, air pumps; Artesian well pump cylinders; automatic pumps; bicyle and automobile pumps; boat and cellar pumps; boiler feed pumps; boiler test umps; booster pumps, brass pumps; centrifugal pumps; chain pumps; circulating pumps; cistern pumps; contractors' pumps; copper pumps; deep-well pumps; diaphragm pumps; electric pumps; elevator pumps; fire pumps; force pumps; house force pumps; irrigation pumps; jacket pumps; lift pumps; marine pumps; mine pumps; bilge pumps; oil machine pumps; plumbers' and gas fitters' pumps; pneumatic water-supply pumps; power pumps; pressure pumps; pressure floor pumps; private water works pumps; rotary pumps; ship and deck pumps; spraying pumps; tank pumps; trench pumps; triplex pumps; vacuum pumps; and windmill pumps.
• 1915-11-04 The Iron Trade Review" The W. & B. Douglas Co., Middletown, Ct., machine and pump builder, has been awarded a contract for lathes and has plans for a considerable extension of its plant. The 5-ton traveling cranes will be installed."
• 1915-11-11 American Machinist. "The W. & B. Douglas Pump Co., manufacturer of pumps and machines, Middleton, Conn., plans to enlarge its plant and install new machinery."
• 1919-07-15 The Foundry. "D. C. Douglas, president of the W. & B. Douglas Pump Co., Middletown. Conn., resigned recently to accept the superintendency of the foundry department of the Chalmers Motor Co.. Detroit. Mr. Douglas has been with the Middletown company since 1897 and during this time has worked in all departments, becoming successively superintendent, director, vice president and president. He has been active in machine and foundry circles of New England and has been responsible for many improvements and developments in the company. He assumed his new duties on July 7."
• 1922-12-15 The Plumbers' Trade Journal.

  AN IMPORTANT development in the affairs of the old-established firm of W. & B. Douglas, known for nearly a century as the manufacturers of hand and power pumps, and located at Middletown, Conn., has been recently effected. The Douglas Co. through merger with two other large manufacturing interests in the State of Connecticut, has now become closely affiliated with the Premier Mfg. Co. of Sandy Hook, Conn., manufacturers of recording instruments, and the Standard Metalwork Corp., of Thompsonville, Conn., whose line consists of bent pipe work and automobile manifolds.

  Under the new reorganization, which is now completed, W. & B. Douglas, without loss of identity, will be greatly expanded and developed. The new merger provides greatly increased working capital, which with renewed facilities, aggressive sales force, and important new additions to the already established Douglas lines, will prove of great benefit to the trade in general.

  The new organization will be under the able management of Chas. S. Cole, of Sandy Hook, Conn., who fills the office of president and general manager. Geo. D. Hastings, for several years New York sales manager for the Douglas Co., and who of late has been filling the office of treasurer and manager, has been appointed sales manager of W. & B. Douglas. His thorough knowledge of the pumps business and the requirements of the trade will be devoted wholly to the sales of Douglas products, and his personal service given to the company's many customers. A birdseye view of the Douglas plane is shown in this connection.

• More historical information on this firm may be found here