The Bradstreet Press Listings of Waterdown-East Flamborough Businesses for 1872

WEFHS February 19, 2021

Originally Published in Heritage Happenings, November 1983
These articles are reprinted as they were originally published. No attempt has been made to correct or update the content. If the topic interests you, we encourage you to do further research and/or reach out to us for any updates or corrections which may have been done since the original publication date.

During the 1860’s and 1870’s, a tremendous boom in manufacturing occurred in the area we know today as Ontario. Much of this growth was the result of the enormous influx of immigrants, the opening of the West, and the rebuilding that took place in the United States following the Civil War. An indication of the growing importance of Ontario was the publication of an annual commercial report for the province by the Bradstreet Press of New York City. This source of information about small businesses in the Flamborough area was given to the Editor by Mr. Don Warren of Dundas, a member of the Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society. Further research has located the 1872 edition in the Special Collections, Hamilton Public Library.

This Heritage Paper lists the small businesses in the Waterdown-East Flamborough area as published in the September 1st, 1872 “Commercial Report for the Province of Ontario” by the Bradstreet Press. Each individual listed was given a credit rating that reflected the standing of his business, and in certain cases further information about the company was included.

AA	Very large means, and the highest grade of credit.
A	A house fully established, with large capital; and of undoubted business character, ability and credit.
AB	A house well-established, of excellent business character and ability, prompt, careful and in superior credit.
B	Character, capacity and standing of high grade, capital and business in proportion; very good credit.
BC	Character, capacity and standing in every respect good, with means sufficient for the business, a business in proportion; good credit.
C	House of moderate capital, yet with means sufficient for the business done; prudent, careful, economical; regarded safe for business requirements.
CD	Doing a small, but deemed safe business; and good credit for moderate amounts.
D	A small house, doing business with small capital, honest and industrious; generally prompt, meeting engagements, and good for small lines.
DE	Not to be refused credit in all cases, but caution is advised in selling.
E	Not recommended for credit.

Following the explanation of credit grading, the Bradstreet Press noted that…

“Locality, as well as requisite qualification, considered in giving grades of credit; the smaller places being rated proportionally higher, according to the amount of business done and the risk sustained. Additional letters of same grade indicate increased strength.”

Waterdown:

Allan J. & G.	Tinsmiths, Stoves and Tinware	CCDD
Ashbury William		D
Attridge T.	Mill	CCDD
Bachelor J.	Toy Maker	61 – closing up
Baker Abraham	Hotel	E
Baker Henry	Butcher	E
Baker Read	Rake Mfr.	BBBCCC
Barns James	Shoemaker	DDD
Broadbent Hiram	Foundry	61 – closing up
Brown Alexander	Wharfinger	AB
Brown Edward	Blacksmith	DD
Brown William	Builder	DDD
Burns E.	Lumber & Gen’l Store	C 66 — one of the firm, (or per written order) call at office
Caunte Joseph	Tavern	E
Colyer John	Butcher	DE
Cassey	Tavern	49 – out of business
Creen John	Mill Prop’r.	BB
Crooker W.H.	Flour and Feed	D
Cummer L.A.	Miller	66 — one of the firm, (or per written order) call at office
Eager Joseph C.	Gen’l. Merch.	BB
Edwards B	Hotel	DE
Finnigan John	Tailor	D
Fraser Peter	Shingle Mill	DD
Heissie William	Hotel	D
Howland Hon. W.P.	Mill Prop’r.	AA
Hugh William	Blacksmith	46 – sold out
Jones, Burns & Co.	Gen’l. Store	58 – dissolved
Jones & McCormac	Gen’l. Store	DD
Luney Mrs.		DE
Mathers J. & S.	Woollen Factory	DD
Philp W.	Surgeon & etc.	CCDD
Sealey Charles	Miller & Farmer	CC
Shoeldice James	Baker	DD
Skinner Ormond	Surgeon	D
Slater F.	Builder	CCDD
Stewart John & Thomas		CCDD
Strike John	Shoemaker	DE
Thompson Hugh	Harness Mkr.	DDD
Thompson J.B.	Grocer & P.M.	DDD
Truesdale Heil	Wagon Mkr.	DD
Wisner W.D.	Wagon Mkr.	DD

Carlisle:

Beatty Henry	Hotel	61 – closing up
Boyer Anderson	Butcher	DE
Campbell William	Saw & Grist Mill	C
Davidson James	Hotel	64 – recently commenced, business reputation not fully established
Davis William	Wagon Mkr.	49 – out of business
Duffy Michael	Butcher & Drover	C
Daniel Eaton	Hotel	49 – out of business
Fielding William	Hotel	49 – out of business
Galloway Thos. H.	Boots & Shoes	DE
Livingstone Oliver	Dry Goods, etc.	DDD 64 – recently commenced, business reputation not fully established
Mahon William	Blacksmith	E
Millard David R.	Blacksmith & Wagon Mkr.	DD
Tansley Joseph	Farmer & Weaver	D

Bakersville, Mountsberg and Progreston also listed; anyone interested in these should contact us.