Seth J. North
Seth North
S N or N S maker's mark on petal bells.
Seth North, born 1779, died 1851, was the younger brother of James North. Seth originally worked with his father as a blacksmith, but about 1801 he started to cast sleigh bells with his brother James after James and Joseph Shipman (below) ended their brief partnership. Seth took over full operation of the North foundry in 1803 after James moved to New York state. (18) Seth's early bells have a U-shaped cast shank. His later bells have the drilled shank that characterizes most New Britain sleigh bells.
Seth was active in a variety of business pursuits in New Britain throughout his lifetime. His bell foundry closed in 1840. (6)
"...For many years these shops of North and Shipman were the principal manufactories of brass goods in their line in the country, and their products were sent to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other cities...." (18)
