Watson Company

Watson Company was one of the many metalworking factories that clustered in central Massachusetts, eastern Connecticut and northern Rhode Island from the mid-nineteenth century. Founded as Cobb, Gould & Company in 1874, the partnership included Clarence L. Watson and Fred A. Newell, who were in control by 1894. Their first product was jewelry, but they added souvenir spoons soon after. Silver-plated flatware, holloware and novelties followed. The business was later confined to sterling flatware and holloware. In 1955, this latter portion of the business was purchased by R. Wallace & Sons, which continues today as Wallace Silversmiths, a part of Lifetime Brands. The souvenir spoon dies had been sold previously.