Notes
This thimble belonged to Margaret Henry Gammon (1898–1985), a descendant of Patrick Henry through Henry’s son, John Henry (1796–1868).
Inside the thimble is the maker’s mark of the manufacturing company Ketcham & McDougall, Inc. The mark includes “MKD” with a lowercase “c” beneath the “K.” According to “The Story of Ketcham & McDougall - America’s Premier Thimble Manufacture” (1987) by John J. von Hoelle, the maker’s marks started to be used around 1892. The maker’s mark stamp on this thimble was explicitly used on gold, while a more ornate mark was used to indicate silver. Also stamped inside is “10K,” indicating that the thimble is made of 10-karat gold. The thimble also has a side seam, indicating that it was likely manufactured after Hugh McDougall’s 1881 patent on a new method of thimble fabrication. Ketcham & McDougall continued manufacturing thimbles until 1932.
Edward Ketcham (1820–1894) apprenticed as a gold and silversmith under Roshore & Prime, and later with Roshore & Ketcham (established in 1853). According to New York City directories, the firm was listed as a goldsmith and silversmith before 1835 and was described as “Thimble Makers” until 1843. The Industrial Revolution transformed the trade, which became known as “thimble manufacturing” after 1843. By 1854, Edward Ketcham had established the firm Ketcham & Brother, Manufacturer of Thimbles. Hugh McDougall joined the business by 1858, and by 1875, the company was officially named Ketcham & McDougall.
The company focused on manufacturing thimbles, with the 1920s marking its most productive era. However, thimble production ceased in 1932 due to declining sales. The firm has evolved into a modern American manufacturing corporation with global sales. It is now a leading producer of marine speedometers and guidance systems.
The gold thimble was given to the donor Jane Gammon Shore (1942–living), along with a handwritten note from Margaret Henry Gammon stating that she was gifting her a sewing kit with a golden thimble. Margaret Gammon writes that the thimble belonged to Margaret Anne Henry Miller (1827–1881).
Although the oral history indicates that this thimble belonged to her, the maker’s mark and side seam date it between 1892 and 1932, suggesting that it was manufactured after she died in 1881. Due to this discrepancy, this thimble is likely to have belonged to Rose Cabell Miller (1868–1954), her daughter.
This thimble was gifted to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation on October 23, 2024, by Jane Gammon Shore, a descendant of Patrick Henry, through his youngest son, John Henry (1796–1868). She descends through John’s daughter, Margaret Ann Henry Miller (1827–1881), through Margaret’s daughter, Rose Cabell Miller Gammon (1868–1954), and finally to Rose’s son, Dr. William Miller Gammon (1900–1970). Jane Gammon Shore is the daughter of Dr. William Miller Gammon.