Isaac Jennings (b.1823)

He began a life on the seas at the age of fifteen, and ten years later he had command of his own vessel. "Captain Jennings followed the sea until 1863, meeting with many notable adventures, and on several occasions rescued shipwrecked crews from certain death". On retiring from the sea, he went into business with his brother, Augustus, establishing Jennings Brothers. "The company was originally founded in order to manufacture paper, but in 1867 they began to produce Japanese Paper Ware. These specialty patented products were "molded out of one piece of hemp fiber under heavy hydraulic pressure." Afterwards, they were painted and and varnished to resemble Japanese lacquer. These products were also waterproof and came with a warranty. At one point, Jennings Brothers' Japanese products were all the rage among Victorian society. Products such as bowls, wash basins, tubs, pitchers and water pails were sold from their store at 436 Pearl Street. in New York City. They were also sold through the Montgomery Ward catalogue. The two brothers received several awards for the superiority of their products".