Born in the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, Daniel F. Briggs (1842 – 1925) came to Attleboro as a young man. He learned the trade of toolmaker in the local jewelry factories acquiring and refining his jewelry-making skills. Over time, he became one of the foremost jewelry experts in New England.

In 1867 he started his own business, which became quite successful. He manufactured swivels, spring rings, bars and other articles of supply for the manufacturers of jewelry. Three years later he launched into the manufacture of watch chains, at which business he attained such a signal success that 10 years later he retired.

So, in 1890 Daniel Briggs sold his jewelry business to brothers Charles H. Tappan (1859 – 1919) and William C. Tappan (1863 – 1907), who owned Tappan, Berry & Co., located at Attleboro. Although they first worked under the name of Tappan, Berry & Co, soon they changed it to the D. F. Briggs Co. And this is not surprising, because the company bore the name of a well-known and respected Massachusetts jeweler.

Charles H. Tappan, president of The D F Briggs Co

The D F Briggs Co, with Charles H. Tappan at the head, increased its trade beyond the best hopes of its founder. They sold their products not only in the US, but also in Canada, Mexico, South and Central America, the Far East, and Europe. Without a doubt, the most popular were Carmen stretch-type bracelets and Briggs Chains bearing the Briggs stamp.

In 1910 the business was incorporated with Charles H. Tappan as president. The firm became famous by the manufacture of the famous Carmen bracelet known around the world. Charles Tappan had one son, Frank E. Tappan, who joined the D F Briggs Co, and subsequently held the position of treasurer.

Frank E. Tappan

After his father’s death in 1913, Frank E. Tappan took over the D F Briggs Co Inc. In December 1945 the D F Briggs Co merged with the Bates & Bacon forming a new corporation Briggs, Bates & Bacon Co Inc, 61 Union St., Attleboro.

Frank E. Tappan, connected with the jewelry industry for nearly 50 years, retired in 1954. The same year Fred M. Birch and Samuel J. McCormick purchased control of Briggs, Bates & Bacon jewelry manufacturing company.

Briggs Antique Jewelry