The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Hitchcock, Lambert
1795–1852, American chairmaker, b. Cheshire, Conn. In 1818 in Barkhamsted, Conn., Hitchcock established a factory whose employees came to number about 100. The village that the factory created was named Hitchcockville (changed in 1866 to Riverton). Hitchcock at first made parts of chairs and sold the parts to chairmakers. Later, he discontinued this business and manufactured complete chairs that were sold throughout the United States. The Hitchcock chair is characteristic of its time and has come to be sought by collectors. It is a factory product, typically not carved or upholstered, and is painted black over red, often with designs stenciled in colors or bronze. It is of good wood and is sturdily built. The legs and rungs are simple and well turned. The seat is of wood, cane, or rush. The name of L. Hitchcock or of a firm that he formed (Hitchcock, Alford & Company) is stenciled on the back edge of the seat.
