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American Institute; " at the bottom, "New York;" while in the centre was a figure seated, surrounded by mechanical implements. On the reverse was the inscription, "Awarded to Robinson, Jones & Co. for the best military and naval, sporting, plain fiat buttons, 1833."

At different dates a number of men came to this country from England, who were skilled in jewelry manufacture or its branches, — and Mr. Jones was one of them.

In 1843 gilt buttons were less in fashion, and then came reverses. Before this a Mr. Hatch had planned a machine which should do all the work of making a suspender button complete from the tin. He and Mr. Willard Robinson perfected it, and together they began the manufacture of trouser buttons. They were very successful, and during the late civil war had numerous government contracts. After Mr. Hatch’s death Mr. Robinson bought his interest, and carried on a large business until his death in 1879. The business has changed hands. since, but is to-day a very interesting one. It has been more strictly a button business than a jewelry business; but some of its processes are similar, and the Robinson family have been agents in building up a section where the jewelry business has been carried on quite extensively.

A very early firm in the beginning was that of Draper & Sandland. A. H. Draper is now an insurance agent at Nokomis, Ill. His old partner, Thomas G. Sandland, died at North Attleboro a few years ago. They began business in 1846, at West Attleboro, near Newell’s tavern, making buttons; but later they went into the manufacture of plated goods. Mr. Draper, a few years ago,

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