Goins' dates for Robeson in Elmira are wrong.
I think 1879 to 1894 is a more likely span.
Millard Filmore Robeson resided in Elmira. He was a traveling salesman.
According to a historical text re' the history of Perry, New York, printed in 1915, he began peddling imported knives, as a sideline, while traveling his sales routes. He kept his inventory at his home and when he incorporated his "cutlery" company in 1879, he was still located in Elmira.
Stationary from that time period exists, as does this knife box, graciously gifted to me by Mike Losicco.
After passage of the tariffs in 1890, he went in search of an American manufacturer and hired the Sherwood/Bingham cutlery in Camillus, New York.
According to the historical text below, from 1915, Robeson relocated to Rochester in 1894, after he had purchased an interest in The Rochester Stamping Works.
This is the home located at 606 Main Street, Elmira, New York, which is the address stated on the M.F. Robeson receipt above.
Is this the home where Robeson Cutlery began?
The home is listed as having been built in 1890. I wonder if that's accurate.
The invoices above are dated 1888 and 1889.
