Just acquired this superb 18K Waltham Model 1870 a few days ago. The only full plate 18 size KW/KS from the back ever made by Waltham, it was made for Railroad use and was advertised as such by Waltham. It is unusual as this model was made and finished seperately in the "Nashua" department and does not have the conventional "right angle" escapement.
We have all wondered if only watches could talk and tell us their history, well the inscription on this one led me to a Google search. It turns out that the inscription "Thomas N. Bailey US Army 1873" refers to his graduation year from the Army Academy of West Point in 1873. It must have been a graduation gift. West Point records also show he was admitted to West Point July 1,1869 at the age of 19 years and 5 months, putting his birth date at around Feb. 1,1850.
Then I found an obituary from the April 22,1886 New York Times stating Captain Thomas N. Baily from Tennessee (which again matched the watch inscription) had passed away April 20, 1886, when he was only 36 years old.
The obit mentioned he had made the "list of distinguished cadets" while at West Point and excelled at mathmatics, had a career with the Corps of Engineers and as a professor of mathematics back at West point.
I wish I could find out if he ever married, had children or who his parents were..... Tom, could you dig a bit and see what you can come up with?

Harold

Harold

I will see what I can find.

This is from Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military 1891

Tom

Harold

I am wondering if he ever married, this article does not mention any family.

I am still looking for his parents or any other family.

Page 1

Page 2

This is his obituary from the NY Times April 22, 1886.

Still no mention of family. Also he was buried at West Point.

Tom

Perhaps this was his parents, in the 1860 Federal Census living in Nashville Tn.
Bailey, Thomas born about 1816 in England occupation listed as Sewing Machine (last word I can't make out perhaps Agt for Agent?)
Bailey, Mary born about 1816 England
Bailey, Mary A. born about 1839 England
Bailey, Harriet born about 1841 England
Bailey, Thomas N. born about 1850 Tennessee
Bailey, Laura born about 1853 Tennessee

Tom

If that was his parents, they continued to live in Nashville, Thomas (the father) was also listed as selling musical instruments & a piano tuner. He is in the Nashville City Directories up to about 1887, then in the 1890's Mary is listed as the widow of Thomas. The daughter Mary A. continued to live at home & is listed as a dressmaker in the directories.

Tom

Wow,
Thanks a bunch Tom, it really makes one think as I'm holding the watch in my hand, how unfortunate the early death of this remarkable young man was.
I'm proud to be a caretaker of what was undoubtedly his prized possesion, a neat piece of history for sure.
Harold

Yes Harold, a nice looking watch but most of all just think how he carried that at all of his assignments in the Army from New York to the Southwest & the South & the time that was in history.

Tom

Harold,
A very exciting find, a keeper for sure.

Tom, great work as usual!