Forgotten Authors: Chauncey Thomas
Chauncey Thomas was born in Maxfield, Maine to Prince and Mary (Née Webb) Thomas on May 1, 1822. Both of his parents claimed descent from the early Plymouth Colony settlers. Spending his early life helping out on his father’s farm, he only attended school intermittently and, when he was 15 years old was apprenticed to Whiton & Badger, a chaise carriage maker in Bangor, Maine. The terms of his apprenticeship meant he had to work 12 hours a day, in return for board and clothing and the occasional payment of a dollar. He also received one term at the Apprentices’ School in Bangor.
In 1844, Whiton and Badger procured a position for Thomas at the Boston firm of Slade & Whiton, a firm which dated back to 1813. Thomas was given the task of working on drawings for woodwork and blacksmithing departments, as well as creating renderings of finished products for clients.
Eventually, he was placed in charge of the construction of carriage bodies, but around that time he suffered a knee injury that required him to recuperate at home for nearly two years, during which time he studied astronomy, various types of mathematics, and surveying. When he was able to return to work in 1851, he moved to West Newbury, Massachusetts and entered a partnership with Daniel P. Nichols to form Nichols & Thomas. He stayed with the Nichols family and fell in love with Nichols’ younger sister, Mary Jane.