- Introduction
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- Europe & Britain
- French Origins
- Stylus-Quill-Penner
- Early Fountain Pens
- Hawkins-Mordan Patent
- Virginia Roots
- Jefferson Pen Analysis
- American Pencil Makers
- American Gold Pen Makers
- Gold Pen Advertising
- Philip Poole ‘HIS NIBS’
- Inkwells
- Inkwells & Writing Sets
- Writing Sets
- Cyphers
- French Inkwell Makers
Virginia Roots
The Minor Family of Virginia
My ancestors from Virginia emigrated from The Hague, Netherlands, and settled in Virginia in the mid-seventeenth century.
The Hague’s naming evolution reflects its unique status—historically royal, administratively central, but municipally exceptional. From its 15th-century designation as Gravenhage, later Den Haag, and internationally recognized as The Hague, the city has retained its hybrid identity: part royal hunting seat, part administrative seat, and part global legal capital.
Its nomenclature remains one of the clearest linguistic signals of its historical duality between state function and municipal non-sovereignty, a paradox preserved and respected to this day.
Shown here is the title page of The Minor Family of Virginia, compiled by John B. Minor, the renowned law professor who taught at the University of Virginia for over fifty years.
This image is taken from my personal copy of the genealogy, a significant historical document tracing the lineage of the Minor family. Included with the volume are several original letters, personally signed by John B. Minor, along with numerous annotations, additions, and correspondence that reflect the evolving understanding of our family history across generations.
Shown here is a page of a 1940s analysis of John Minors in the early family tree, superimposed over the cover of The Minor Family of Virginia, compiled by John B. Minor, the renowned law professor who taught at the University of Virginia for over fifty years.
John Albert Minor
Minor Family Entrepreneurial Traditions
My grandfrather, John A. Minor, was an entrepreneur who established and developed business opportunities in West Texas.
In the early1930s, he established the John A. Minor Purina Feed & Coal Store as an agriculture supply operation. His business developed services for area farms and ranches, such as operating an electric brooder for 1,000’s of baby chicks, providing a service to assist breeders through the early period of a chick’s life.
While starting a business was a challenge, beginning the effort in the midst of the Great Depression was remarkable.
His business won the pictured Eversharp Doric desk pen in a region-wide sales challenge by Purina for sales of Omolene Horse Feed.
Purina was established in 1894, enduring for more than 130 years. Note the checkerboard borders in the depicted advertising.
Minor’s Eversharp Doric Desk Pen
His business won the pictured Eversharp Doric desk pen in a region-wide sales challenge by Purina for sales of Omolene Horse Feed.
Purina was established in 1894, enduring for more than 130 years today.
John A. Minor’s Eversharp Doric Desk Pen
The desk pen base is classic deco styling, the pen is a scarce solid black model with solid silver Doric rings on both pen and pen holder. This model is equipped with the desirable adjustable Gold Pen nib.
The engraved pen holder plate is silver on copper and has not been cleaned more than a quick polish with silver cloth. This item has not been restored.
John A. Minor
The portrait above, superimposed over a newspaper clipping reflecting John A. Minor Feed & Cole advertising next to the announcement of the termination of “Pretty Boy” Floyd, is a family photo from the Depression era period.
John A. Minor’s Eversharp Doric Desk Pen
The desk pen base is classic deco styling, the pen is a scarce solid black model with solid silver Doric rings on both pen and pen holder. This model is equipped with the desirable adjustable Gold Pen nib.
The engraved pen holder plate is silver on copper and has not been cleaned more than a quick polish with silver cloth. This item has not been restored.
Thomas Jefferson & John Minor
The Minors & The National Archives
My grand-uncle, John B. Minor, served as the esteemed Professor of Law at the University of Virginia for more than fifty years, shaping generations of legal minds. My great-grandfather was a close friend and political ally of Thomas Jefferson, with whom he exchanged personal correspondence. Throughout our history, members of the Minor Family of Virginia maintained enduring relationships with many of the founding figures of our nation—including Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, and other leading revolutionaries of the era.
Examples may be accessed below:
“Thomas Jefferson to John Minor, 10 July 1809,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series, vol. 1, 4 March 1809 to 15 November 1809, ed. J. Jefferson Looney. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2004, pp. 338–339.]
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-01-02-0276
“John Minor to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September [1814],” Founders Online, National Archives,[Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series, vol. 7, 28 November 1813 to 30 September 1814, ed. J. Jefferson Looney. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010, pp. 643–644.]
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-07-02-0465
“To Thomas Jefferson from John Minor, 15 July 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 41, 11 July–15 November 1803, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2014, pp. 58–59.]
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-41-02-0032
Members of the Minor family are found within the Jefferson family tree. See https://tjrs.monticello.org/letter/44 .
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Thomas Jefferson’s Silver Fountain Pen
Thomas Jefferson’s Silver Fountain Pen
Thomas Jefferson purchased a silver fountain pen with a gold nib from his agent in Richmond, Virginia. This is the pen described as made by William Cowan, a watchmaker from Richmond.
The pen has an engraved "TJ" on the elliptical cap, which screws into the end of the cylinder and covers the ink reservoir.
The depicted images are of the actual Thomas Jefferson silver pen which utilized the fountain pen functionality described by Nicolas Bion in his Traite on the Construction and Principle Uses of Mathematical Instruments or “Traité de la Construction et des Principaux Usages des Instrumens de Mathématique” (Paris, 1709).
The United States Library of Congress was loaned the original Jefferson Pen, however Monticello maintains the original Cowan silver fountain pen. The only publicly available photos may be seen here: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/images/vc31.jpg
Mr. Cowan trained with John Scott in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania between 1795 and 1801. He served as journeyman for William McCay in Richmond, Virgina from 1801-1803, then partnered with him as McCay & Cowan from 1805 to 1807. He then became an independent silversmith and watchmaker, eventually commissioned to craft a silver fountain pen for Thomas Jefferson.
More about President Jefferson’s pens and inks here:
Writing Instruments and Ink | Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Thomas Jefferson’s Silver Fountain Pen
Thomas Jefferson purchased a silver fountain pen with a gold nib from his agent in Richmond, Virginia. Jefferson requested the pen be crafted and acquired by William Cowan, a watchmaker from Richmond.
Mr. Cowan was also an accomplished silversmith, producing spoons and other silver items always hallmarked “COWAN”.
William Cowan also imported and sold a variety of goods, advertising gold and silver pens, pencils, etc. among the assortment.
A collaboration and technical analysis with Paris based writing instrument society (Le Club des Collectionneurs d’Objets d’Écriture (CCOE)) colleagues was undertaken to determine if the Jefferson silver pen was produced in France and imported by Mr. Cowan or he produced his own pen products.
Thomas Jefferson & Maiden Lane
Maiden Lane holds special significance to many early New York businesses. To the Gold Pen nib business history, a presence on this street was an indication of success.
Serving as Secretary of State for President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson rented a temporary residence at 57 Maiden Lane in New York for a few months in 1790.
Mr. Jefferson was host to guests at this residence in June, among whom were Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to discuss the Federal assumption of state debts in return for a permanent Capital on the Potomac River.
Jefferson also organized the first Patent Office and coordinated diplomatic affairs with Europe during his residency at 57 Maiden Lane.
More about President Jefferson’s stay at 57 Maiden Lane here:
Writing Instruments and Ink | Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Maiden Lane, already a business focus, would become significant in the American Writing Revolution beginning in the early 1840's.
Monticello Museum
The museum sold a replica of the Jefferson pen crafted by Mr. Cowan. The replica is a fully functioning Bion principle pen.
Historic Overview
Accompanying the replica Jefferson pen is a historic overview of Monsieur Bion’s Traite and Thomas Jefferson’s acquisition
Cowan Pen & Porfolio
The depicted stylus, porte crayon, and Bion principle pen, carried within a portefeuille or portfolio composed of silk, sharkskin, and silver is part of the collection.
William Cowan produced other pens during the same period that he created the Jefferson pen and this instrument has indications that it may be a creation of Mr. Cowan’s bench.
Comparable Pen Caps
This writing instrument is not hallmarked by a maker.
The Thomas Jefferson pen is not hallmarked.
The elliptical pen caps are near identical shape and dimensions.
Further research is underway to confirm that item was also crafted by Wm. Cowan.
Jefferson Pen Top Comparison
The dimensions of the Jefferson pen top as well as the replica Jefferson pen top are quite near the pen top in this collection.
Convertible Design
The five piece design is convertible from silver stylus to porte crayon (original crayon is present) or to pen, all in a writing instrument that varies from 6.75 to 7.75 inches in length according to writing tip deployed. The writing instrument is approximately 7.75 inches in length with nib deployed.
Writing Instrument Stowed
The portfolio has the original green silk lining and is fitted with an elaborate hand engraved silver latch.
The portfolio has the original green silk lining with partitioned storage to carry documents.
The lock mechanism is intact and functional. The mechanism is consistent with late 18th to early 19th century clasp lock mechanisms.
The Silver Latch
The original silver latch is elegantly engraved and the lock is working.
The lock mechanism and outer cover are durable and exquisite, bespoke craftsmanship.
Virginia Silversmith William Cowan
AutoBiography in Cowan’s Own Words
William, my father, married my mother, Isabella Henderson in Lancaster in Chester County, the 9th of April 1771. Sometime after my father's first marriage he moved to the town of Shippensburg in Cumberland County. Hee resided there during the Revolutionary War in which he received a Captain's Commission and commanded a company of militia. He performed a six monthís tour of duty in the cause of his county in 1776, and a second tour of duty for six months at a subsequent period of the War. From Shippensburg, my father moved to Franklin County in the neighborhood of Chambersburg where my Mother died. He moved to Chambersburg in 1785 and was married in the same year. He resided in Chambersburg till the autumn of 1788 at which time he returned to Shippensburg living there until the autumn of 1801, when he removed to the County of Westmoreland Pennsylvania. He, and most of his children continue to reside in Westmoreland.
My father had seven children by my mother:
a boy and girl twins who lived but a few days,
Hugh born 21st. December 1772,
Daniel born 15th. April 1775,
Mary born 21st July 1777,
William (myself) born 10th November 1779 in Shippensburg, PA.
One other child born, stillborn, 1782.
My mother died January 1785 - age 44 years. My father remarried on the 17th November [1786?], in Chambersburg where he was then living. His second wife was Mary Wilson, a widow with one child by a previous marriage. By this marriage they had eight children:
Rachel, born 19th Sept 1785 married John W. Clain [Note by MB, I can't read this name very well, but think this is correct.]
Susan, born 13th April 1791 married Abraham Lewis.
Thomas born 10th. August 1792 married Margaret Young 1820.
John born the 13th. March 1796 married ______ in 1817.
Isabella, born 18th. December 1798 married John Campbell 1818.
Maria, born 15 April 1805 [also says Wilson born 9 June 1801] [here a note has been added in another handwriting saying to see note] married David Markle 1821.
All of my father's children, except Mary Morrison, myself, and Wilson (who lived with me from August 1814 to June 1822 at which time he went to GA and SC thence to Island of Cuba) are living in PA.
About my brothers and sisters
My brother Hugh learned the saddlers trade with a Mr. Regan of Haggerstown. He never married, dying of consumption at age 24 in April 1794.
My brother Daniel was first apprentice to a John Scott, a Watchmaker and Clockmaker of Chambersburg.I n May 1796 Danielís time having expired he went to Philadelphia and New York where he remained until Spring 1798 when he returned to Chambersburg about six months before his death. Daniel died of consumption on the Island of Cuba, the 15 of December 1799, also at age 24.
My sister, Mary, married Samuel Morrison of Lycoming, PA afterwards they moved to the state of Ohio where they still reside and have four children.
As respects myself, I lived at home with my father until Oct 1795 when I was put apprentice with John Scott of Chambersburg, Watch and Clockmaker with whom my brother Daniel had been put apprentice. I continued with John Scott and his nephew Alexander Scott who succeeded his Uncle in the business until Nov 1800 when I was 21 years of age. Afterwards continued in his employ until Nov of that year.
Having previously made an engagement with William McCay to come to Virginia, I left Haggerstown about the middle of November and traveled to Baltimore partly on foot availing myself occasionally of wagons on the road. On board one of which I arrived in Baltimore after three days journey. After remaining in Baltimore two or three days, I embarked on of a packet to where I arrived after passage of two days. At Norfolk,
I remained two or three days and took passage aboard a Schooner to Richmond. When I arrived on the 29 or 30 of November 1801.
Cowan the Lawyer
Upon arriving in Richmond, Virginia, Mr. Cowan stated:
”I continued in the employ of William McCay till the latter part of April 1803 at which time I removed to Fredricksburg, Virginia where I commenced business on my own account. I continued in Fredricksburg until November following. When not finding business to answer my expectations I returned to Richmond on the 30th and recommenced business with William McCay. On the 8th Dec 1803 I married Sarah Banister Henderson.
On the 1st of March 1804, I commenced business on my own account in a house one door below the Eagle Tavern where I continued to do business till the 25th. November 1805, at which time I entered into partnership with William McCay and removed to the house he occupied. This partnership continued until 15th. September 1807 when it was dissolved by mutual consent.“
Cowan made no mention of practicing law, however; he placed an advert in the Richmond Enquirer on 18 December 1806. Lunenburg is southwest of Richmond a short distance.
Cowan Partners with McCay
Mr. Cowan‘s name appeared in an ad for McCay & Cowan on 6 January 1807,
“On the 1st day of January 1808 I removed to the house owned and occupied by Captain William Richardson a Silversmith and jeweler where I have continued to reside until this present time.”
Cowan Partners with Richardson
Mr. Cowan‘s name appeared in an ad for himself on 12 January 1808 as Watch & Clock-Maker.
Cowan stated:
“On the 1st day of January 1808 I removed to the house owned and occupied by Captain William Richardson a Silversmith and jeweler where I have continued to reside until this present time.”
Cowan Made Silver to Order
Mr. Cowan‘s name appeared in an ad for himself as a Watch Maker on 13 December 1813 offering a variety of goods including “Jewelery and Silver Ware made to order”.
Thomas Jefferson mentioned a fountain pen made by Mr. Cowan in 1824 correspondence to Bernard Peyton:
1824 May 13. (Jefferson to Bernard Peyton). "I saw yesterday in the hands of mr Dyer a fountain pen, one of the best I ever saw. he said it was made for him by mr Cowan, a watchmaker of Richmond. and cost him 5. D. the outer tube was of silver, but the two leaves of the pen were gold, and no other metal will resist the corrosion of the ink. pray get the favor of mr Cowan to make such an one for me and add this to the many kind offices you render me, and which ever entitle you to my affectionate attachment."
1824 May 17. (Bernard Peyton to Jefferson). "I will have the [pen] made for you, by [Cowan], as requested, immediately, & forwarded by some safe private hand.”
Cowan Ad for Silver Pens in 1828
Mr. Cowan‘s name appeared in an ad for himself on 29 December 1828 offering a variety of goods including “fountain, silver and steel Pens”.
This would be the first time he mentioned pens for sale in a public advertisement.
Cowan Continued to Offer Pens in 1830
William Cowan appeared in an ad for himself on 20 December 1830 in the Richmond Times-Dispatch offering a variety of goods and continuing to offer “fountain, silver and steel Pens”.
Cowan also published the following in the advertisement :
“Any article in the above line furnished to order, at short notice.”
Cowan Continued to Offer Pens in 1830
William Cowan maker hallmark on a spoon handle. Mr. Cowan established workshops in Fredericksburg and Richmond, and was active circa 1803 - 1831.
Although Mr. Cowan advertised “made to order” early in his career, his hallmark is not found on many of the items produced in his workshop, possibly due to the small size of items such as pens.