I picked up a nice Elgin grade 478 (will post pictures) that belonged to Thomas Hewlett -born Jan 24 1908 passed on March 14 1997. No one really bid on it so I picked it up at a very good price for a watch that is in very good/exc condtion. The family had it engraved on the back with his name birth and death date and had it serviced when it was engraved and about 14 years later sells it off.

Tom can you find any background on this person, no clue to where he lived but the seller said he worked for a railroad.

It was probably;
Thomas B. Hewlett
born Jan 24, 1908 in Texas
died March 14, 1997 in Corpus Christi Tx.

I will see what I can find, since only census data from 1930 back is on line & he didn't turn 20 until 1928 I will see what I can find.

He was living in Corpus Christi in 1947 when a son of his was born.

Tom

In 1930 he was living with his father & uncle in Bonham County Texas where he was born. At that time he father was a cotton buyer & he was listed as what appears to be a cotton typest & his uncle was a cotton classer. I am not familiar with the cotton industry so I am not sure what those jobs are.

In the 1955 city directory for Corpus Christi he is listed as a salesman for Southwestern Specialty Company.

In 1940 he was a clerk for the Aransas Compressor Co.

Tom

Thanks Tom the watch came from Corpus Christi, TX so I would say that is the guy since the chances of someone with the same general name having the same dates would be slim to nil.

Yeah, with the dates you had & this guy that I found being exactly the same I would think it was him. His middle name was Barton.

Tom

Seems as if Mr.Hewellet was tied to the cotton trade for some time as all of these were related to the cotton industry[and still are]not in the production of cotton but in the different end products of cotton.I was never in this end of the industry,as I was involved in the growing of this crop for some years. Roger

I cleaned the case up and the watch looks great, I guess it turned people off to have both dates on the case. Still a good buy for 150+shipping.

When you get time post your photos, it would be nice to see.

Thanks

Tom

Here is a shot of the Front

Case back in nice condition absolutely no brass with one slight depression around the 4 postion

Picture of movement with just a bit of spotting on the small wind wheel and yes I got lucky and the chain came with it.

Nice, I like things with a little history. I know we have discussed this many times but to sell that only 14 years after you had it done is beyond me.

Tom

Tom I agree, go figure, worse yet I think I paid about $160 with shipping. I did not hesitate since the watch is in great condtion and was serviced in 97. You can see that the guy did not wear it much, other than the small depression the case is bump free.

Tom I will also write down what you found and include it with the watch.