Ashton Valve Company

Still a few more

I recently picked up an alarm gauge. A great idea if the mechanic happened to fall asleep and the pressures went to high.

If you wanted to make multiple gauges look nicer on an engine room wall, the company would offer marble or slate tablets.

A few safety valves that the company was famous for.

Ashton Valve sanitary bubblers

It's hard to believe that a little over 100 years ago people drank water out of public fountains from what was referred as the COMMON CUP. Sickness and death were not far behind. Well Ashton Valve and other companies were quick to develop a safer way for people to refresh themselves.


https://safedrinkingwaterdotcom.wordpre ... ommon-cup/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/history- ... _n_6357064

A few more.

In the early days of refrigeration, ammonia gas was used and had the dangerous side effect of being hazardous to peoples health. The Ashton Valve company developed ammonia gauges, relief valves and a diffuser that would render the exhaust gas safe for people to breathe.



https://books.google.com/books?id=JeoEA ... on&f=false

Is breathing ammonia harmful?
Ammonia is corrosive. ... Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.

A brochure about the Ashton Wheel press recording gauge.

http://www.wheelshopautomation.com/pdfs ... ochure.pdf

An Ashton safety valve patent from 1884

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis ... 306208.pdf

A little information about Henry Ashton, the founder of Ashton Valve.



Henry G. Ashton[2] - HENRY G. ASHTON was born in England in 1846. He became a mechanical engineer, and was a first class practical machinist. He came to this country In 1869, and was for a time in the employ of the Hinckley Locomotive Works. We quote from an article published after his death:- "He was afterward" engaged in important mechanical work in and around Boston, and among other big pieces of work, the superintendency of which was entrusted to him, was the refitting with machinery of the Eagle Sugar Refinery at East Cambridge In 1872; That year he Invented the safety valve for steam engines, which has come into use the world over. He established a shop in Boston, and was burned out in the great fire of 1872. He immediately fitted up another shop, and further developed the manufacture of his valve. In 1877 the Ashton Valve Co was organised.

The next year the factory, then on Federal street, was again burned in what was known as the Cathedral fire. He next established works on Franklin street, where the factory is to-day located. The company controls a number of patents and many Inventions, which are nearly all the result of his Ingenuity. Their goods are sold all over this country and in foreign countries. They have received seven highest premium medals, besides being awarded the first prize at the World's Fair at Chicago, where the firm bad a large exhibit.

"He was a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of St. John's Lodge of Boston, Somervllle R. A. Chapter, and Boston Commandery K. T. He was connected with many of the leading trade associations that brought him in contact with prominent men In his line of business. "Mr. Ashton owned considerable real estate, and had a summer home at Camp Houghton, Rangeley Lakes, where his family have spent their summers for several years, and where many of their friends have been entertained as guests." He joined our Association In 1881. He resided In Somervllle many years, where he was universally respected, and where be died on the 12th of November, aged nearly 60 years, leaving a widow, five sons and one daughter.

at a steam show last year someone gave me an original stock certificate from 1877.

https://us.v-cdn.net/5021738/uploads/ed ... 20tkk7.jpg

Ashton Valve made gauges for a number of steam automobiles including Stanley Steamers.

http://www.stanleymotorcarriage.com/Par ... Gauges.htm

https://images.prewarcar.com/pics/r2w-1 ... 1571423662

The company's first "home" was at 138 Pearls Street, Boston. In less than a year they were burned out by the Great Boston fire of 1872. The next few years they were at various locations in Boston. After another fire in 1879 they settled in at 271 Franklin Street, Boston where they remained for 27 years. 1907 saw the company outgrowing Franklin Street and building a much larger facility at 161 First Street, East Cambridge, where they were until 1948 when they moves to Wrentham ,Ma with the Crosby Valve Company. That was the final home of Ashton Valve.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/attachme ... 1571532981

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/attachme ... 1571532981

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/attachme ... 1571532966

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/attachme ... 1571532966

More adverts for steam car gauges and valves.

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