Aaron Peasley
Encyclopedia
Aaron Merrill Peasley was one of early America's foremost button
makers.
Peasley was born one of four sons born to William Peasley and Hanna Merrill. His father died in 1794 and young Aaron went to Boston to learn the tool and die
trade.
By the War of 1812
he was one of America's most well-known button makers, notably for his military uniform buttons. He lived and worked on Middle Street in Boston. His peak production years were in the early 1820s. In 1809, he married Lois Woodward in Charlestown, Massachusetts
. In 1818 he was awarded a patent for a reed attachment to organs
. He also invented some valuable improvements in calico
printing.
About 1826 or 1827 he and his family resettled in Dayton, Ohio
, where he was known as a skillful engraver and die-sinker. He was the owner of Peasley & Mead, noted for their skill in working with metal and wood.
In his later years he owned the first "Pleasure Gardens" in Dayton, on the west side of Warren street, at the south side of Seely's Basin, near the present location of the University of Dayton
. He envisioned parties to be taken to the garden by boat down the canal to the basin. After a trial of two or three years, it was closed as it was an idea before its time.http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Montgomery/MontgomeryDaytonChapIV.htm
He died in Dayton on April 6, 1837, aged 61. His buttons for military uniforms are still sought after by collectors today.
Button
In modern clothing and fashion design, a button is a small fastener, most commonly made of plastic, but also frequently of seashell, which secures two pieces of fabric together. In archaeology, a button can be a significant artifact. In the applied arts and in craft, a button can be an example of...
makers.
Peasley was born one of four sons born to William Peasley and Hanna Merrill. His father died in 1794 and young Aaron went to Boston to learn the tool and die
Die (manufacturing)
A die is a specialized tool used in manufacturing industries to cut or shape material using a press. Like molds, dies are generally customized to the item they are used to create...
trade.
By the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
he was one of America's most well-known button makers, notably for his military uniform buttons. He lived and worked on Middle Street in Boston. His peak production years were in the early 1820s. In 1809, he married Lois Woodward in Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located on a peninsula north of downtown Boston. Charlestown was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it became a city in 1847 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874...
. In 1818 he was awarded a patent for a reed attachment to organs
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
. He also invented some valuable improvements in calico
Calico (fabric)
Calico is a plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton. It may contain unseparated husk parts, for example. The fabric is less coarse and thick than canvas or denim, but owing to its unfinished and undyed appearance, it is still very cheap. Originally from the...
printing.
About 1826 or 1827 he and his family resettled in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, where he was known as a skillful engraver and die-sinker. He was the owner of Peasley & Mead, noted for their skill in working with metal and wood.
In his later years he owned the first "Pleasure Gardens" in Dayton, on the west side of Warren street, at the south side of Seely's Basin, near the present location of the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
. He envisioned parties to be taken to the garden by boat down the canal to the basin. After a trial of two or three years, it was closed as it was an idea before its time.http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Montgomery/MontgomeryDaytonChapIV.htm
He died in Dayton on April 6, 1837, aged 61. His buttons for military uniforms are still sought after by collectors today.
External links
- Example of an Aaron Peasley button
- Vermont Peasley button
- Will of Aaron M. Peasley Montgomery County, Ohio (PDF)