Looking Back: The silversmith of Washington, Pa.
Courtesy of Washington County Historical Society
Silver spoons and a set of tongs made by Jacob Schaffer
Courtesy of Washington County Historical Society
Scallop tongs made by silversmith Jacob Schaffer
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Historical Society
Spoons made by Jacob Schaffer
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Historical Society
Receipt for Jacob Schaffer to Capt. Daniel Wilson of Erie
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Historical Society
Receipt for Jacob Schaffer to J.K. Wilson
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Historical Society
A silver spoon bears the mark of silversmith J. Schaffer.
“A frontier town in the backcountry where the residents were in constant fear of Shawnee raids, disease and starvation.” This is how Earle Forrest described Washington in the 1780s.
It was to this “frontier town” that Jacob Schaffer, of Lancaster, moved in 1789. Schaffer had previously served in the York County Militia during the War for Independence, and following his service, he settled in Lancaster County, where he apprenticed under silversmith Charles Hall. Following Hall’s passing, Schaffer opened his own silversmith shop in Lancaster. In 1787, he decided to move west where there would be less competition from other established silversmiths.
When he arrived in Washington, Schaffer rented a small log house on the north side of town, but a deed dated Jan. 25, 1793 shows him purchasing a half lot on the east side of South Main Street. In 1795 he purchased the other half of the lot and built a two-story house and a shop for his silversmith business. The lot containing his home and business is the current location of the Buy and Sell Outlet across from the David Bradford House.
In 1793, Schaffer was listed as a member of the Washington Mechanical Society. This was a group of craftsmen who believed it was their duty to assist “young and poor mechanics and for promoting improvement and skill herein.” In the 18th century, the term, “mechanic,” was used to describe a tradesman or craftsman. Mechanics’ societies or institutes were educational establishments that provided training and apprenticeships to young men with the goal of passing trades on to the next generation. This was beneficial to the tradesmen as well, as it provided free labor at their shops. In one instance, it appears that Schaffer had a dispute with one of his apprentices, as an advertisement in the March 28, 1797, edition of the Washington Reporter asks for “the return of a runaway apprentice, John Patterson.” A document in the collection at the Washington County Historical Society shows that Schaffer would file charges against Patterson for not fulfilling his “indenture under the stipulations of his apprenticeship.” Schaffer’s action was successful, as Patterson would return to the shop for another year.
During the War of 1812, Schaffer was contracted to provide goods and services for the U.S. Navy on Lake Erie. He primarily provided buttons for uniforms, with several orders of “engraved buttons” for officers. Several receipts in the collection at the historical society are from Capt. Daniel Dobbins. Dobbins captained a merchant ship on Lake Erie, but after being taken prisoner and then paroled by the British, he would go on to convince the U.S. Navy of the need to establish an armed naval presence on the lake. Given the rank of sailing master, Dobbins was then tasked with building the fleet. Schaffer was contracted to provide “fittings for uniforms and adornments for officers swords.” Schaffer would have local blacksmiths make the swords and he would then customize the pommels, guards and scabbards.
Jacob Schaffer Silversmith appeared on Washington tax lists up to 1850. It was at this point that he retired from the silversmith business. It is believed that he was at least 90 years old at the time of his retirement. He died two years later in 1852 and was laid to rest in Washington Cemetery. During his years here in this “frontier town,” Schaffer would see the construction of the National Road and, eventually, the coming of the railroads. He would see his adopted hometown grow into a bustling city, and he would pass his trade on to no fewer than 20 apprentices who would keep the trade of silversmith alive long after his death.
Clay Kilgore is executive director of the Washington County Historical Society.