In 1838, Marshall and Lee Johnson of Augusta and Waterville, ME, were manufacturing clapboard, shingle and lath machines. In 1844 Israel G. Johnson of Augusta was granted a patent for a shingle machine. In 1847 and 1848, J. G. Johnson of Augusta advertised shingle machines. In the 1850s, a large New York machinery dealer advertised that they carried Johnson's shingle machine.
Prior to about 1850, "J" and "I" initials were used somewhat interchangeably and we believe that J. G. Johnson was Israel G. Johnson.
Information Sources
- From ads in 1847 and 1848 issued of Scientific American: one of the earliest ads in that journal for woodworking machinery.
- In the mid-1850s, S. C. Hills (a big New York woodworking machinery dealer) carried Johnson's shingle machine. S. C. Hills ads were seen in virtually every issue of Scientific American during this era.
- According to a research paper from Old Sturbridge Village, in 1838 Marshall and Lee Johnson were making "Clapboard, shingle & lath (carding & napping)" machines. Their source was The Age, January 25, 1838, Augusta.