The history of the Hayward jewelry brand began in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 1851. Its founder was Attleboro-born Charles Edward Hayward (1824 – 1886). Charles Hayward began his apprenticeship as a silversmith at the age of 17 at the local silver manufacturing firm Tifft & Whiting.

After nearly ten years with Tifft & Whiting, Charles Hayward started his own business. Founded in 1851, Hayward’s firm was one of the first jewelry factories in America. Charles E Hayward partnered with Archibald Thompson to form a small business called Thompson, Hayward & Co.

Over the course of thirty-six years, the company grew and prospered, with new faces joining and its name changing three times. A partnership with Jonathan A. Briggs resulted in the firm of Hayward & Briggs in 1855.

Charles Hayward married Charlotte Wheelwright in 1854, and on December 20, 1858, they had a son, Walter E Hayward. After graduating from high school, Walter spent a year at Exeter Academy, then at Harvard University, graduating in 1883. After graduating, he went into the jewelry business with his father, Hayward & Briggs.

Charles E Hayward & Co

The firm soon became known as Charles E Hayward & Co. Walter Hayward traveled for the company and managed its New York office. After Charles E Hayward’s death in 1886, Walter E. Hayward (1858-1909) and George L. Sweet formed a partnership. Their firm, Hayward & Sweet, lasted for 12 years until the Great Fire of 1898.

W E Hayward & Co

Walter E Hayward began constructing a new factory that same year, continuing to manufacture waistcoat chains, key rings, buttons, tie clips, cufflinks, etc. From that time on, Walter ran the firm single-handedly, changing the name to W E Hayward & Co.

CH Wilmarth

Charles Capron Wilmarth (1850 – 1925), foreman of the Hayward & Sweet Co for 10 years, became partner of Walter E Hayward in 1908. Although he retired in 1918, he, along with Walter’s son, Frank Jennings Ryder, ran the corporation they created in 1921. Frank Jennings Ryder was the sole owner of the corporation which he ran until his death in 1943.

Frank J Ryder, Jr

Son of Frank Jennings Ryder, Frank J Ryder, Jr., joined the company in 1938 and, except for a five-year stint as an officer in the U.S. Army, has always worked for the company. In 1946 Walter G. Moon, William P. Lincoln and Frank J. Ryder, Jr. acquired the company. Frank J. Ryder, Jr became president, Moon – treasurer and Lincoln – vice president.

In 1949 Frank J. Ryder, Jr., assumed ownership Of Walter E Hayward Co., as a result of the retirement of Walter G. Moon and William P. Lincoln, his partners. Ryder continued as president of the firm and as treasurer. Charles E. Bristow became the new vice president.

The Merger

Walter E Hayward Co. ceased to exist when it merged with A&Z Chain Co. in 1970. The merger resulted in the A&Z Hayward Co. The Hayward company trained generations in the jewelry art and its name was synonymous with quality, fairness and honesty in the jewelry industry.

Hayward Jewelry and ads