John Danforth

John Danforth was born 12 March 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. He was the youngest child of Thomas Danforth I (1703-1786) and his first wife, Sarah Leonard Danforth. He married Elizabeth Hartshorn on 10 September 1767. John Danforth may have been taught by his father, or his brother Thomas II in Middletown. John worked in a brief partnership with his brother Thomas II, between about 1762 and 1765. He returned to Norwich and combined his business with his father's. Business at the Norwich shop was never very large or successful, with only a few molds; no hollowware was made there. A portion of the goods sold probably came from the Danforth family members working in Middletown. John and his father dissolved their partnership in 1773, when John set up shop on his own, continuing until 1793, when his son Samuel (1772-1827) took over the business. John Danforth's death is reported as 31 January 1799.

Working Dates: 1762-1793

Partnership with brother Thomas II: 1762-1765, Middletown

Partnership with father, Thomas Danforth I: 1765-1773, Norwich

Working alone: 1773-1793