Robert B Campfield Biography

ROBERT B. CAMPFIELD, ESQ. (B. 1770)
[summarized with excerpts from The New York Coach-Maker’s Magazine 1860]

BORN: February 15th, 1770 – Newark, New Jersey
DIED: ????

“Descended from one of the founders of Newark, he has always preserved that stern integrity and well-directed energy which characterized the early settlers of this city, and his sympathies have ever been enlisted in any scheme which had for its object the welfare of his State and city, or improvement in his own department of industry.”

“As he showed a taste for mechanical pursuits, he was apprenticed to David Grummon, with whom he remained until his majority. After leaving his employer he walked to New York city, purchased the tools requisite in his trade, returned to Newark on the same day, and thus entered upon his career as an independent manufacturer. During his apprenticeship an incident occurred which is characteristic of the man. A gentleman passing through Newark in a carriage imported from England, remained a few days at the village tavern. This carriage attracted the attention of Mr. Campfield, who was captivated by its symmetry and perfection of workmanship, and such was his interest, that all his leisure moments were occupied in examining its construction.”

“His first business engagement was with Gen’l Cummings. Mr. Campfield very recently speaking of this, says, — ‘My first job was making 100 wheelbarrows for Gen’l Cummings, at twenty-seven shillings and six-pence each. Although he was very much opposed to me in politics, he was still one of my best friends. I never had a better job, for the payment was prompt and ample, and the work was perfectly satisfactory to both parties.'”

“At this period our entire country was dependent upon Europe and European workmen for almost all pleasure carriages, from the full paneled coach down to the phaeton. Mr. C., however, obtained permission to make a sample carriage-part, which, when completed, he took to the city. Such was the excellence of the work that the manufacturer not only paid him a sum beyond his price, but also gave him unlimited orders for the same kind of work, thus securing Mr. C.’s services, and bestowing upon him a substantial proof of the appreciation of his merit.”

“The business of that day was conducted by mechanics who divided their time between the shop and farm. The various branches were conducted in different and remote localities. A goodly citizen of Newark wishing to purchase a wagon for the use of his family, would call upon the wood-workman, and, perhaps, find him on his farm with his apprentices, engaged in plowing, mowing, or harvesting. The object of the call being made known, the customer and manufacturer returned to the shop, and after much calculation, the expense and style are ascertained. With this information, our worthy citizen having mounted his horse, takes with him a rough charcoal sketch on a board, and intended to represent his family carriage. His old horse pacing along brings him at the end of a mile or more to the blacksmith’s shop, and here he continues his negotiations for another indispensable part of his plan. Having ascertained the expenses of ironing, after another circuit he arrives at the village painter’s; and learning the qualities and quantities of English white lead, the different colors, length and breadth of the stripes, obtains another item of necessary expense. In short, the wheel-wright and trimmer are visited in the same manner; this occupying the greater part of the entire day. The wagon having been completed, under the cushion of the seat is plainly written in old-fashioned letters, in black paint, the name of each mechanic, thereby circulating their cards, and indorsing their responsibility for their portions of the work. Our good friend having taken possession, and highly pleased (as who would not be?), returns home and having drawn out an old stocking, well lined with Spanish dollars, pays each his full amount.”

“Mr. Campfield believing in the truth of the maxim that “time is money,” saw the inconvenience of such a method of carrying on business, and endeavored to devise some plan, by which all these different and distinct branches might be consolidated. One obstacle arose from the changes of residence of the mechanics, and their adaptation to new kinds of work; and another source of anxiety was the necessity of a large capital required in an extensive manufactory. Although thus surrounded by such obstacles, he nevertheless persevered until he accomplished his design. With a master mechanic at each of the branches, bodies, carriages, wheels, blacksmithing, painting and trimming, he entered upon more extensive business operations, and turned his attention to the manufacture of coaches.”

“Convinced that the business of carriage-making could be more advantageously carried on both to the public and
himself, were all branches directed by one mind, Mr. Campfield located himself on the premises now known as 359 Broad street, Newark, New Jersey, about the year 1800, some sixty years ago. About the same time, Daniel Ross also went from New York, and commenced carriage-making in the same city. It is stated that at this period there were but five carriage shops in the city of New York, and these but poor affairs, their highest ambition extending only to the manufacture of chaises with wooden springs, mounted on two wheels. Every carriage of much pretention in this country, had, up to this time, been imported from Europe.”

“Mr. Campfield, with true American ambition, aimed to have his work well made, and how far he succeeded is
well known to the older carriage-makers, for his reputation for good work ever stood high. In fact, he was so
tenacious of his reputation that he would not let a bad job go out of his shop, even at the loss of the entire outlay
in building. Such was his vigilance in maintaining his character for good work, that the expression ” it won’t do
at all,” was often followed by a sledge through the panel of a job. This, although it heightened his reputation,
lowered his receipts, and it is stated that his profits from coach-making were never very great.”

“Mr. Campfleld is now an old man — over ninety years — and is the oldest practical coach-maker living. He has
been many years retired from the business, the rise of property in Newark having placed him in comfortable
circumstances, where, surrounded by family and friends, he awaits the hour when the Master shall call him to the
reward of a well-spent life.”