In the mid-1860s this partnership made a circular sawmill and drag saw, i.e., reciprocating crosscut saw, with integrated horse-power. The machinery was designed by Edsell Totman of Columbus, PA. The identity of Reynolds is unknown.
Information Sources
- The front page of the 1865-05-27 issue of Scientific American had an article on this machine, including a large engraved illustration. The article notes that the machine was patented by Edsell Totman of Columbus, Pa., on 1864-08-02. The article refers inquiries to Totman in Columbus, and there is no mention of Reynolds & Totman.
- The 1866-12-06 issue of Scientific American carries an ad from Reynolds & Totman of Fredonia.
THE Cheapest and Best Wood Mill in the world.
Warranted to saw a cord of hard wood in seven minutes, with one horse. Send for circular. Address REYNOLDS & TOTMAN, Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
The same ad was in the 1866-12-25 issue.
- Edsell Totman received patents related to horse-powers, circular sawmills, and drag saws. 1864 and 1865 patents put him in Columbus, PA. An 1886 patent for a sanding machine puts Totman in Hinsdale, IL. He received 1886 and 1889 patents that gave his location as La Grange, IL; these patents were for a dovetail machine and a double-end tenoning machine, respectively.
- A "Making of America" search revealed only the Scientific American references already mentioned. We could find no information related to a Reynolds from Fredonia or Chautauqua County. A web search was similarly unproductive, as was a patent search.