Charles S. Parsons Smithy | East Hampton Town, NY

Charles Silas Parsons was born in 1858 on the Parsons farm at Fire Place, the large house at the bend in the road just before it goes to the beach. The 1865 New York State Agricultural Census describes the farm as 480 acres, i.e. 130 “improved” acres. 

He had 12 cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, as well as four oxen and seven horses. He harvested 70 cords of wood, and grew winter wheat, winter rye, oats, barley, Indian corn, potatoes, and turnips. With this large working farm, Charlie became well-acquainted with all facets of fixing things. Talented genes also gave Charlie Parsons his expert blacksmith creativity and ability. 

Charles Parsons’ Blacksmith Shop played an important part in repairing and building for the people of Springs. He made anchors and horseshoes and other iron implements. He had a buggy and carriage shop and made wagons and sleighs. He had a large turning lathe in the shop and a fine saw table for cutting lumber. When he died in 1926 his shop was the last working blacksmith shop in East Hampton. 

(Source: The Wizard of The Springs, Independent article on Charles Parsons) 
(Source: Charles S. Parsons Blacksmith Shop, East Hampton, N.Y.)