Dominy Family Papers

The Dominy family first settled in East Hampton, Long Island, New York about 1669, with three generations involved in woodworking, metalworking, and clock and watch repairing. Nathaniel IV (1737-1812) was the first family member to become engaged in woodworking and clockmaking. His son Nathaniel V (1770-1852) continued his father’s business and also built Hook Mill, a grain windmill, in 1806. He owned a sawmill with two partners. Grandson Felix (1800-1868), who also began work in the family business, gave up his craft activities by 1834 and shortly after moved to Fire Island, where he was appointed keeper of the lighthouse. By 1847, he was running a hotel on Fire Island during the summer and living in Bay Shore, NY, during the winter. Felix’s son Nathaniel VII (1827-1910) operated a jewelry store, repaired clocks and watches, took daguerreotypes, and acted as a general handyman.

Material in the Winterthur Library’s manuscript collection documents the craft activities of three generations of Dominys. The collection consists of account books, letters, weather diaries, bills, receipts, notes, exercise books, and watchpapers relating to four generations of the Dominy family. Of particular note are the account books which document the versatility and variety of craft activities performed by the Dominys, as well as the tools used in the shops. Watch registers record original makers and numbers, owners, and types of repair. Most of the letters are from customers about fixing watches. Bills are for watch parts and other supplies purchased by Felix Dominy, with a few pertaining to household items. There are several receipts for the purchase of uniforms and other military items used by Felix who was a major in the New York State Militia and seems to have been very devoted to the military and politics. Material relating to Nathaniel VII is more social in nature and includes a number of bills from Albert Berger & Co. for eyeglasses. Also included are an invitation to a Washington Ball and ads for taking daguerreotypes.

Some of the miscellaneous items include documents that refer to the poor of East Hampton, directions for country dances, books containing math and surveying exercises, a ship’s log (very brief), poetry, a letter of recommendation from Abel Brewster for James Young, a list of students (school unknown), a copy of the book Mariner’s New Calendar, published 1761 and an early 19th century tax assessment lists for Easthampton (Dominys are listed). An interesting letter from the artist Calvin Rae Smith refers to an old chair which was repaired for him so he can use it in a painting.

More manuscript material is housed in the East Hampton Historical Society and the East Hampton Free Library.

The manuscript collection and the Dominys’ furnishings, tools, and equipment informed the research of Charles Hummel. His book “With Hammer in Hand: The Dominy Craftsmen of East Hampton, New York” was first published in 1968; a revised and enlarged 2017 electronic version is available in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Digital Collections. The site also has the Dominy Craftsmen Collection.

Search the Winterthur Museum’s online database for items made by and tools owned by the Dominys.

Learn more about the Dominy family and take a virtual tour of the woodworking and clockmaking shops at Winterthur.