American Silversmiths

Nathaniel Ayers
(1787-1853)
Lucretia Beckwith
(1792-1853)
picture
Socrates Ayers
(1814-1897)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:

1. Susan Harris

Socrates Ayers
  • Born: 14 Oct 1814, Ulysses Tompkins NY
  • Marriage (1): Susan Harris
  • Died: 25 Sep 1897, Elmira NY

  General notes:

Silversmith, jeweler, and watchmaker

  Events in his life were:


picture
  • He worked in 1836-1870 as a silversmith, watchmaker, and jeweler in Elmira NY having purchased the business of Francis Collingwood. Listed in the 1860 city directory at 99 Water Street. 4

picture
  • Watch paper, c 1840
    Private Collection
  • He appeared on the 1850 census taken at Elmira NY, listed as a jeweler.
  • He appeared on the 1860 census taken at Elmira NY, listed as a jeweler.
  • He was a partner circa 1865 with Stephen Beckwith Ayers in Elmira NY as S. & S. B. AYERS, with a shop at 99 Water.
  • Obituary printed in the New York Tribune (New York City NY) on 28 Sep 1897
    Socrates Ayres, one of the oldest jewellers in New-York State, died last Saturday at his home in Elmira. Mr. Ayres was born in 1814, and spent the last seventy years of his life in Elmira, where he was widely known. When he first settled in Elmira and entered business he used to make trips to New York twice a year by stage and canal boat to make his purchases.
  • Obituary printed in the Daily Journal (Ithaca NY) on 29 Sep 1897
    Socrates Ayers, one of the oldest jewelers in New York State, died last Saturday at his home in Elmira. Mr. Ayres was born in 1814, and spent the last seventy years of his life in Elmira, where he was widely known.
    When he first settled in Elmira and entered business he used to make trips to New York twice a year by stage and canal boat to make his purchases. Like Mr. Comfort, of Owego, and most of the elder jewelers and silversmiths of this section of the state, Mr. Ayers is said to have learned his trade of the late Joseph Burritt (1795-1889), who established a trade here in 1816, which yet survives.

Socrates married Susan Harris. (Susan Harris was born on 19 Oct 1815 in Ulysses Tompkins NY and died on 31 Mar 1893 in Elmira NY.)




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