DUPRS_0001 Armour & Co. Packing Jar (Large)
Armour & Co. Packing Jar (Large)
Basal fragment of a milk glass jar. Maker's mark on base reads ARMOUR & CO PACKERS CHICAGO. Dimensions of fragment - 6 cm x 5 cm (broken) Color and Form: White milk glass with a slight lip at the top
These jars are Armour & Co Packing jars from Chicago. Most likely manufactured between late 1800s (after 1867) and early 1900s (most likely before 1920), based on the dates it was manufactured at its peak popularity (Collectors Weekly).
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology
late 19th- early 20th Century
Amy Zavecz
Glass
Cultural and Historical Significance: It has not been determined what this particular jar contained, but they may have contained meats or any of the many other products that Armour & Co produced.
These jars were produced by the meat packing company Armour & Co which was founded in 1867 by Phillip Armour (Wilson 2005). The company was one of the biggest in Chicago for decades, even after the death of Phillip Armour in 1901. Armour & Co slaughtered animals in Chicago, packing not only meats, but a variety of other animal byproducts such as glue, soaps, gelatin, and others (Wilson 2005). They aimed to waste none of the animal, having the catchphrase “everything but the squeal” (Wilson 2005).
In its history of more than a century, Armour & Co was one of Chicago’s largest employers and one of the biggest businesses in the United States (Wilson 2005). When the Great Depression came to America, Armour & Co continued to employ thousands of workers in Chicago and the surrounding areas (Wilson 2005). In 1948, the company had been making soaps for many years, and they developed Dial brand soap (armour-star.com). Armour & Co lives on today, although it was bought by the Greyhound Company in 1970 (Wilson 2005), as Armour Star. Today, they mostly sell canned meats and “easy-to-make solutions for all of your meal and snacking occasions” (armour-star.com).
According to an October 20, 1901 story in the Buffalo (N.Y.) Times:
It is a saying in Chicago that the house of Armour & Co., in the slaughter of hogs, “loses nothing but the squeal of the hogs” when they are led to the slaughter. Employing many thousands of men in the varied industries growing out of their vast slaughtering business, the firm has found it immensely profitable to utilize all portions of the raw material by the firm.
https://baybottles.com/2020/11/07/armour-and-company-chicago-armour-laboratories/
The jars are made out of a material called milk glass. Milk glass has been in use since the 16th century, but was only given its name in the 20th century (Collectors Weekly). It originated in France and became popular in the United States in the late 1880s, becoming a symbol for American domestic life (Collectors Weekly). Beginning in the Great Depression, though, it began to fall out of style (Collectors Weekly). It doesn’t seem that milk glass was a common packing material during its long history. Rather, it was often used for vases and dinnerware. Because of the time period when milk glass was being manufactured, the jars could have been made anywhere between 1867 and the 1960s. It seems more likely, though, that they were produced somewhere between the 1880s and the 1920s, as these were the years of its peak popularity.
These jars are representative of a company with a long and distinguished history. It has lasted for well over a hundred years in one form or another, which is impressive. The jars come from a time when having plates and containers made of milk glass meant that you were somehow living the domestic dream. Jars like these hold a lot of meaning, not only for Chicago, where they were made, but for the entire country. Because this milk glass was used to contain meat or some other animal byproduct, it is difficult to ascertain the socioeconomic class that would have been in possession of these jars. Milk glass as a material would have been found in many houses in the late 19th to early 20th century, ranging from upper to middle-class. It is possible that even lower class households would have had at least one milk glass product during the height of its popularity.
DUPRS_0002 Armour & Co. Packing Jar (Small)
Armour & Co. Packing Jar (Small)
- 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm (chipped)
- Fragmentary, only the base (including maker’s mark) remains. Maker's mark on base reads ARMOUR & CO PACKERS CHICAGO.
Also see DUPRS_0001
These jars are Armour & Co Packing jars from Chicago. Most likely manufactured between late 1800s (after 1867) and early 1900s (most likely before 1920), based on the dates it was manufactured at its peak popularity (Collectors Weekly).
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey
19th-20th Century
Amy Zavecz
The materials in this collection are made available for use for educational purposes only for research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Department of Anthropology, Drew University.
Glass
Also see DUPRS_0001
Fragments of Armour & Co. jars were common at the Stanley Park site.
These jars were produced by the meat packing company Armour & Co which was founded in 1867 by Phillip Armour (Wilson 2005). The company was one of the biggest in Chicago for decades, even after the death of Phillip Armour in 1901. Armour & Co slaughtered animals in Chicago, packing not only meats, but a variety of other animal byproducts such as glue, soaps, gelatin, and others (Wilson 2005). They aimed to waste none of the animal, having the catchphrase “everything but the squeal” (Wilson 2005).
The company quickly became the leading distributor of meatpacking in the nation, eventually even exporting to Europe. Ceramic containers were commonly used to pack meat in the late 1800s. Potted foods were used to thicken soups and useful for travellers. The potted meats became very popular and widely distributed particularly in the days before food preservatives.
The jars may have contained meats or any of the many other products that Armour & Co produced. In its history of more than a century, Armour & Co was one of Chicago’s largest employers and one of the biggest businesses in the United States (Wilson 2005). When the Great Depression came to America, Armour & Co continued to employ thousands of workers in Chicago and the surrounding areas (Wilson 2005). In 1948, the company had been making soaps for many years, and they developed Dial brand soap (armour-star.com). Armour & Co lives on today, although it was bought by the Greyhound Company in 1970 (Wilson 2005), as Armour Star. Today, they mostly sell canned meats and “easy-to-make solutions for all of your meal and snacking occasions” (armour-star.com).
The jars are made out of a material called milk glass. Milk glass has been in use since the 16th century, but was only given its name in the 20th (Collectors Weekly). It originated in France and became popular in the United States in the late 1880s, becoming a symbol for American domestic life (Collectors Weekly). Beginning in the Great Depression, though, it began to fall out of style (Collectors Weekly). From what information I could find, it doesn’t seem that milk glass was a common packing material during its long history. Rather, it was often used for vases and dinnerware. Because of the time period when milk glass was being manufactured, the jars could have been made anywhere between 1867 and the 1960s. It seems more likely, though, that they were produced somewhere between the 1880s and the 1920s, as these were the years of its peak popularity.
These jars are representative of a company with a long and distinguished history. It has lasted for well over a hundred years in one form or another, which is impressive. The jars come from a time when having plates and containers made of milk glass meant that you were somehow living the domestic dream. Jars like these hold a lot of meaning, not only for Chicago, where they were made, but for the entire country. Because this milk glass was used to contain meat or some other animal byproduct, it is difficult to ascertain the socioeconomic class that would have been in possession of these jars. Milk glass as a material would have been found in many houses in the late 19th to early 20th century, ranging from upper to middle-class. It is possible that even lower class households would have had at least one milk glass product during the height of its popularity.
The company was, however, part of the changes in the early 20th century due to the exposure of working and sanitary conditions at stock yards and packing plants. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle was published in 1906, exposing the poor working conditions at Armour’s stock yards and packing plant in Chicago, along with the unsanitary things that went into meat products, including rat dropping and waste materials. In order to combat the horrific image of not caring about their products or workers, Armour’s ad campaign for its meat extracts declared that they “had the flavor of fresh meat” to try and convince their customers that their products were safe and clean and only contained “the best beef.”
A French advertisement and cookbooks indicating how the product can be used to produce different dishes for the family indicate both the broad distribution of the products as well as their strategies for increasing their use.
Work Cited
Star, Armour
About Us. armour-star.com.
Weekly, Collectors
Antique Milk Glass. collectorsweekly.com.
Wilson, Mark
2005 Armour & Co. Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago.
DUPRS_0003 Floral Maddock Plate
Fragments of dishware by John Maddock & Sons England
Fragments of white porcelain dishware. The fragments seem to be from different forms but all bear remnants of the same rose and green ivy leaf pattern. None of the fragments recovered fit together so they appear to represent individual forms and objects which may have been part of a set. The fragments varied in size from 7 ½ inches long by 11inches wide, 3 inches long by 3 inches wide; 2 ½ inches long by 2 ½ inches wide; 1 ½ inches long by 1 inch wide. A maker’s mark was visible on the exterior base of some of the fragments and bore an image of a lion in green lettering along with the words "vitrified" and John Maddock & Sons England all in green.
John Maddock & Sons England
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey
Late 19th century to early 20th century for manufacture dates. But use date could have extended later. The fragments from the site include examples of the different versions of the maker’s mark which changed slightly over time from the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Amy Zavecz
The materials in this collection are made available for use for educational purposes only for research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Department of Anthropology, Drew University.
Ceramic
Makers marks for John Maddock and Sons were located through online sources. It is difficult to determine the manufacture date of these fragments since an exact match for the seal was not shown in the online figures showing the changes over time in the style of the mark. The one most similar had "Ltd" on it which would date to 1896.
The company John Maddock and Sons was started in Burslem, England by John Maddock. The fragments found at the Stanley Park site include those from a large platter. Although there was a John Maddock factory in Trenton, NJ in 1894, the platter was made in England as is evident from the maker’s mark without an “s” after Maddock - the American version had “Maddocks” instead of “Maddock.”
The china type seemed most popular in the 1800s and was made in England. It was very popular in America and was reasonably priced. This company is still in operation today.
The analysis of ceramic from the archaeological record can reveal much about the socioeconomic status and consumption practices of the people who used and discarded them. The presence of fine ceramics, like porcelain, is one indication that people were potentially demonstrating household status.
https://freedmanstownarchaeology.rice.edu/Sisk%20exhibit/consumption-and-class.html
DUPRS_0009 White and Blue Porcelain Vase (Fragments)
White and Blue Porcelain Vase (Fragments)
Fragments of a white and blue porcelain vase ranging in size from 5cm-9cm. All of the individual fragments are in good condition (minimal chips and cracks)
The exact creator is unknown. White and blue porcelain ceramic was prominent in Jingdezhen, China.
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology
Unknown
Amy Zavecz
http://arts.cultural-china.com/en/31Arts240.html
Ceramic
Cultural and Historical Significance: Among all porcelain produced in Jingdezhen, the most representative is blue-white porcelain 青花瓷 . Baking blue-white porcelain originated in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). During the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1271-1644), blue-white porcelain became increasingly popular, and since the 14th century, manufacturers have shipped blue-white porcelain to world markets. The porcelain reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Its thin, translucent quality and exotic motifs made it very valuable throughout Europe and the colonies, ranking first among blue-white porcelain nationwide.
Drawing the design with a cobalt pigment onto the stoneware body and painting over it with a transparent glaze creates the blue-white style, also known as "underglaze blue". The piece is then fired at a high temperature. Blue-white porcelain was introduced during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and has been in production ever since thanks to its bright colors, simple yet elegant patterns, and smooth glaze that never fades.
The Yuan Dynasty is a key period for the development of the firing techniques for blue-white porcelain in China. Its unique characteristics were based on the techniques of former dynasties. Blue-white porcelain had become a major porcelain product in China by the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911).
The blue-white porcelain of the Yuan Dynasty is large, with thick roughcast. Generally, the works include big bottles, pots, bowls, and plates, with the traditional flavor of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. Due to the underdeveloped techniques, there are two interfaces on the body and several veins inside the body. The roughcast is not as smooth as that of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the glaze is thicker due to more iron in the raw glaze materials.
There are bamboo-like lines at the foot of the porcelain. The body is connected to the foot before the glaze is coated. The body is decorated with lotuses, clouds, and flowers. Dense decorations were not only applied to blue-white porcelain but also to picture weaving and stone carving, reflecting the unique characteristics of the time.
The major producer of blue-white porcelain in the Yuan Dynasty was Jingdezhen. In addition, there were kilns for blue-white porcelain production in East China's Zhejiang Province and Southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Blue-white porcelain actually belongs to color-glazed porcelain and the coloring agent used is called cobalt oxide. First, using cobalt oxide, paint the unbaked mold, then apply a layer of translucent glaze over it and bake it at 1,300 degrees Celsius. The cobalt oxide will be reduced under the high temperature into a blue hue, which will be very bright and durable without poisonous lead. Each piece of monochrome-glazed porcelain has a single bright color with an exquisite design. A very good mastery of controlling temperature changes and content composition is required. Blue-white porcelain is most famous among the four traditional types of porcelain produced in Jingdezhen, and is renowned as the "ever-lasting blue flower."
In 1979 Jingdezhen blue-white porcelain won a national golden prize and in 1985 it was honored with three gold medals at international fairs held in Leipzig, Brno, etc. Since then, the name "Jingdezhen Blue-white Porcelain" has spread far and wide. By far, it is a top product in the porcelain business, boasting the most prizes and highest standards.
DUPRS_0008 Frozen Charlotte Doll
Frozen Charlotte Doll
The artifact is approximately 1 ½” tall. The artifact is composed of glazed, white porcelain in what appears to be the shape of a human. The glaze is cracked and the artifact is missing both arms, a leg, and the head. The color of the material in areas has been discolored and is similar to the hue of the soil in which the artifact was found.
Unknown
Selective Surface collection, west Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology
Late 19th century-early 20th century
Juliet LaVigne
The materials in this collection are made available for use in research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from Drew University.
Fernandez, Elizabeth. "Stll She Never Stirred": Frozen Charlotte Dolls of the Victorian Era. N.p., 30 Apr. 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.
Ceramics
The color and shape of the artifact indicate that it could be identified as a Victorian doll known as a “Frozen Charlotte”. The small size of 1 ½” was typical for the stature of a Frozen Charlotte and was often characterized by its’ pure white color of porcelain. Also, the indentation between the legs of the artifact matches that of a Frozen Charlotte doll. The indentation is created in order to create a likeness to a small child or cherub. What is present of the broken arm on the artifact is close to the body and protruding outwards, common characteristics found in Frozen Charlotte dolls. The doll was not meant to have mobile limbs in order to create a “frozen” effect. The dolls were originally manufactured in Germany in 1850 up until the 1920s.
Frozen Charlotte was a very popular doll made in the Victorian era that acted as a symbol of obedience. It was manufactured primarily in Germany and quickly spread to France and America where other companies began manufacturing this unique doll. The doll was used initially as a “badekinder”, German for bathing kids, or a bath toy. Some suggest that the doll was put in cakes and desserts much like the custom during Mardi Gras. Others claim that the doll was created in order to remind Victorian women to “hide their vainness”. This comes from the poem that supposedly tells the story behind Frozen Charlotte. A young girl, Charlotte, refused to put on her cloak on a winter’s sleigh ride despite her mother’s insistence, and that night she died due to vainness and the cold (Fernandez).
DUPRS_0004 Star Bottle
Small Glass Star Bottle
Clear, glass bottle with a rounded body and straight “throat” part which may have been hand blown. Embossed star letters “MO” printed in the center space of the star
It is complete and in good condition with some color fading/weathering near the lower part of the throat and sides of the body.
Unknown
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey
Unknown
Ava Valentino
The materials in this collection are made available for use for educational purposes only for research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Department of Anthropology, Drew University.
https://www.antique-bottles.net/threads/mo-in-star.154908/ https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/small-antique-star-david-jewish-1-131441051 https://www.reddit.com/r/BottleDigging/comments/7y7net/identification_small_bottle_with_star_of_david/
Glass
From various related sources, this bottle could have been used to store oil/perfume/medicine, with the letters indicating the initials of the owner of the bottle.
Further research is needed to find the provenience and origin of creation for the bottle.
Although the embossed star could relate to the “Star of David”, various websites state that these bottles held oil/perfume/medicine, and the initials were of the owner (1,6,7,8,9,10). The embossed star could potentially be a symbol of the six point Brewer’s Star (2,11). This could have been from a women’s and girl’s apparel department store in Reading, PA called C.K. Whitner Co.(3,4,5). The maker’s mark of company Hutch F. W. Muller Arlington Heights, ILL includes a similar star (12).
References
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/7yefwd/small_bottle_with_star_or_david_and_the_initials/
http://www.brewingmuseum.org/articles/six-point-brewers-star
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/medicine-doll-handblown-glass-bottle-489888872
http://digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/prepl-brcpc/id/29
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-C-K-Whitner-Co-Reading-Pa-438-444-Penn-Square-Metal-Tray-/274013544996
https://www.antique-bottles.net/threads/mo-in-star.154908/
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/small-antique-star-david-jewish-1-131441051
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jewish-star-david-hand-blown-1923124565
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/small-flask-shape-embossed-star-david-1802354549
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-bottle-embossed-star-david-1788627968
http://www.beeretseq.com/is-the-brewing-star-of-jewish-origin/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Hutch-F-W-Muller-Arlington-Heights-ILL-Bottle-Star-of-David-6-fl-oz/224048712746?hash=item342a580c2a:g:a4cAAOSwu51e6kSC
DUPRS_0006 B.M. Dickinson Bottle
B.M. Dickinson, Chatham N.J.
Glass bottle with “B.M. Dickinson Chatham, N.J.” embossed in a circle on the front. Dimensions: 7 inches high, 3 inches base width, 1 3/4 inch across bore.
Thatcher Manufacturing Company (projected) for the bottle
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey
1902-1912
Ava Valentino
The materials in this collection are made available for use for educational purposes only for research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Department of Anthropology, Drew University.
Glass
Glass bottles such as this one were commonly used for the distribution of milk starting around the turn of the last century. The way the system worked was that the customer paid for the milk itself, while the container was purchased by and belonged to the local dairy, and was meant to be reused several times. The wood or cardboard bottle caps used in bottles such as this one were meant to be disposable, so a new one could be used every time.
B.M. Dickinson was probably the name of the individual dairy which owned the bottle, but there is no record of a Dickinson dairy in Chatham, New Jersey. Labeling laws required the dairy name be put on the bottles at around the turn of the last century. A similar bottle was found at the site of the Fairview House Hotel in Chatham but was from the Baldwin Brothers Farm. https://www.nj.com/independentpress/2020/07/in-chatham-a-buried-treasure-turns-into-a-bottle-project.html
The light amethyst color of the glass is one of the most significant aspects of this artifact. This tint indicates that manganese was mixed into green glass to give it a clearer effect, but ultimately turning purple over time due to sun exposure. Manganese glass was used only between 1880-1925 with the majority of glass dating between 1890-1917.
Based on observation of where the side seams of the bottle fade, the circular markings on the neck, the uneven nature of the finish and the way the glass becomes thicker as the neck meets the shoulder, this bottle displays all the qualities of a mouth-blown bottle with a tooled finish. This means that the finish and body were blown together in the mold with the finish then begin hand-tooled to a more precise shape. Most bottles with tooled finishes were produced after 1890 but hand-tooled finishes disappeared between 1910-1920 as fully automatic bottle-making machines took over.
Harvey Thatcher Company in Potsdam, NY manufactured “Common Sense Milk Bottles” which were patented in 1889 and became the industry standard by 1900. The ledge inside the finish is one of the main features of the “Common Sense” bottle, as it serves to hold a cap in place - the ledge is called the cap seat. The cap size for this bottle would have been 1 ¾” and if this is a Thatcher bottle, that could be indicative of a date earlier than 1912 when most cap sizes were standardized at 1 ⅝”.
DUPRS_0007 Silverware
Silverware (Spoon and fork)
Heavily rusted bent spoon and fork with 2 missing tines and 1 tine bent upward
Uknown
Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey
Not determined - other artifacts from the site including dishware and domestic items date to the late 19th and early 20th century
Ava Valentino
The materials in this collection are made available for use for educational purposes only for research, teaching and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Department of Anthropology, Drew University.
Metal
DUPRS_0010 Hoyt's German Cologne bottle
Hoyt's German Cologne Bottle
The bottle is complete and well preserved. It is 9.2 cm. long from lip to base. The bore is 1 cm., the finish 0.9 cm., the neck 2.9 cm. in diameter, the shoulder 0.9 cm., the body 2.67 cm. and the base 3.1 cm. On the body of the bottle there is an indented panel with the words “Hoyt’s German Cologne E.W. Hoyt & Co. Lowell Mass”. On the bottom of the bottle is the number 3. An outside seam runs along both of the sides of the bottle all the way from the base to the finish. The color of the glass appears opaque but when illuminated by the light a purplish hue is evident. The purple (amethyst) could mean that the compound of the bottle is either nickel or manganese.
E.W. Hoyt and Co. Lowell Massachusetts
Selective Surface Collection, east Stanely Park, Historic Chatham Township(modern Summit, New Jersey)
Drew University, Department of Anthropology
The 1880s
Juliet LaVigne
Glass
Cultural and Historical Significance: Originally called Hoyt’s German Cologne, the cologne was developed in 1868 by apothecary Eli Waite Hoyt. The name "German" was originally applied to the cologne in 1870. This name was chosen just to give a definite title to the cologne; it was not actually from Germany. The cologne initially was only sold in $1.00 bottles, with sample vials filled with cologne freely distributed to create an increased demand. By 1877, the production of the German Cologne became so great that Hoyt sold the apothecary shop to two then employees, Crowell and Harrison.
The original $1.00 bottle limited distribution since it was more cologne than most people needed (or wanted). Shedd designed a distinctive round bottle with the indented panel for use with the cologne and provided both the $1.00 and a new 25¢ trial-size bottle. This trial-sized bottle proved to be a huge success and business expanded quickly. The date when the trial-sized bottle was introduced is estimated to be in the early 1870's, since a medium-sized (50¢) bottle was introduced in 1876.
The bottle could have been purchased and used from the 1880’s until around 1918 when the company’s name changed to “Eau de Cologne” because of World War I. It could have been shipped to New Jersey and used around the area of its discovery.
DUPRS_0011 CH. Guyot Suspender Adjustors, Clasps and Catches
Metal suspender adjusters, clasps and catches
Metal suspender adjusters, clasps and catches. "CH. Guyot" was stamped on the reverse side of some of the metal adjusters.
The adjusters, clasps and catches form the metal parts of men's suspender straps manufactured between 1907 and 1925 based on advertisements in the New York Times.
Selective Surface Collection, West Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township, New Jersey
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey (DUPRS)
Estimated Manufacture early 20th century based on advertisements in the New York Times
Maria Masucci
Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey (DUPRS)
CH. Guyot had factories in Germany, France and possibly Philadelphia. A 1907 advertisement from Ostheimer Bros. 1001 Chestnut St. Philadelphia pictures "Genuine Guyot Suspenders" which suggests these were being sold in Philadelphia but may not have been manufactured there.
Metal
C.H. Guyot suspender clasps
Selling at 60 cents a pair in 1907 (New York Times advertisement) the suspenders with these clasps were advertised as a European style for gentlemen and were priced quite high for the era as a luxury product. The brand had many French and German advertisements and only a few advertisements had photos in the records of the New York Public Library. The advertisements appear to be targeted to upperclass men shown fencing and in pursuits associated with the wealthier class.
Ostheimer Bros in Philadelphia and New York figure in advertisements as distributors of the suspenders and an emphasis is on "Genuine Guyot Suspenders". There were issues about imitations and therefore one had to look for the CH Guyot and stars stamped on the metal pieces.
Suspenders with CH Guyot adjuster clasps like those found in Chatham are in the Webb Cook Hayes Collection at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums Catalog #1934.236.12. They are listed as associated with WWI.
https://rbhayes.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/0D5368BA-68FE-4238-A6F8-476103406830
The significance of these data and objects for the Chatham Township site is that it provides additional chronological placement as well as provides information on what was being produced and manufactured at the Stanley Mill which was located in the area of the site where these artifacts are found. Similar artifacts are visible across the surface of the western mill area and in the same area where remnants of felt are found along with buttons, bricks and metal machine pieces.
The question is why are there such a large number of these suspender adjusters and associated suspender pieces found at the site. Was there men's clothing being manufactured at the mill? Since these are associated with upper class men it is unlikely they are the result of workmen's clothing. This also would not explain the high number of examples present at the site.