Ames, Nathan P
manufacturer, was born in 1803. He commenced the cutlery business in 1829. In 1834 the Ames manufacturing company was incorporated, with N. P. Ames as agent. This company has supplied the United States government with swords since 1831. In 1840 he visited Europe to inspect foreign armories, and acquire information in regard to tools, cutlery, and improvements in arms. In 1836 the bronze foundry was erected, which has become the most famous in the United States. Since its erection nearly all the brass guns made for the American army have been cast at this establishment.
Here the celebrated statues of De Witt Clinton, in Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn; Washington, in Union square, N. Y., and that of Franklin, in School street, Boston, were cast. In 1854 the British government ordered of this company a complete set of the machines for perfecting the stock of the musket. They are now in use at the government armory near Woolwich, England. He died April 23, 1847, in Cabotville, Mass.