1917 Clinedinst. Know of any?

[West Peterson]

From one of our AACA members:

"Recently an article appeared in our local paper taken from an article written in 1917 stating:

'The Clinedinst is a new automobile, the first manufactured in the state (Virginia), made by J. W. Clinedinst of New Market, Va., the veteran carriage maker, whose carriages were second to none manufactured in the United States. One of these automobiles was in Woodstock, Va. last week. It was a five passenger car, handsome, well made and well upholstered.'

Are you knowledgeable of this vehicle and if so, do you have any pictures?

Many thanks for your help.

Kyle L. Miller"

[Guest Gary Hearn]

West,

I have been a resident of Virginia for over half a century and have not heard of this automobile. However, I have sent a message to a fellow member of the Studebaker Drivers Club who lives in the area to see if he knows anything.

The July-August 1964 edition of Antique Automobile covered various Virginia manufacturers, but I do not see a mention of them.

Gary

[Guest Gary Hearn]

West,

Some new information I found on the Internet is below. It is lifted from a book description on Amazon for a work titled "Around New Market" published in 2007.

"Authors James R. Graves of Luray, Virginia, and John D. Crim, a native of New Market, share common bonds involving transportation and a deep interest in local history. Graves manages the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum at Luray Caverns. Several items in the collection were produced by Crim's direct ancestors at the J. W. Clinedinst Company, which manufactured fine carriages, wagons, and buggies in New Market since 1855. Crim's great-grandmother Eliza Crim was a famous Civil War heroine involved in the Battle of New Market, which changed the town forever. Images of America: Around New Market spans one century and provides intimate glimpses of the town's strong character.

As a side note, my father had a classmate at Lawrenceville School named Jim Graves whose family owned Luray Caverns in Luray, VA. He (or a descendant) may be the author of this book. The caverns used to have a car museum, but I was told last month that it was closed.

If Clinedinst made horse drawn vehicles, it would make sense they tried automobiles.

Gary

Edited January 13, 2010 by Gary Hearn (see edit history)

[Guest Gary Hearn]

West,

My friend in the area responded to my request this morning. Like me, he had not heard of this vehicle either. However, he did send me the following from Coachbuilt.com:

J.W. Clinedinst Co. - Clinedinst Carriage & Motor Co. - 1855-1920s - New Market, Virginia

At one time Clinedinst was a very large concern employing 19 blacksmiths with over 50 carriages under construction at a time.

CLINEDINST CARRIAGE & AUTO SHOP

FORMERLY JOHN W. CLINEDINST, Manufacturer of Buggies, Phaetons, Surreys, Spring Wagons, &c.

Located on Route 211, New Market, Virginia

Built in 1855

Clinedinst Carriages were known over a wide territory and had the reputation of being the best that could be bought anywhere. His carriages were used by the most prominent families of the country, and the quality of the workmanship justified the familiar saying, "If its made by Clinedinst, its alright."

John W. Clinedinst was one of the soldiers detailed to go to Charles Town under orders from Governor Henry A. Wise to do guard duty in connection with the trial of John Brown. He serverd in the Tenth Legion Artillery, Capt. M.M. Sibert commanding. According to an article in the 9 Dec 1859 edition of the Spirit of Democracy, a newspaper published in New Market before the Civil War.

John W. Clinedinst (1837 - 1923) is buried at St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery in New Market.

Ownership history

Deed Book 2, page 426

15 Jun 1854:

Between William Wickes and Wilmouth Ann his wife, and Jacob Clinedinst, for $750 to be paid as follows: $150 down, $150 the 15th day of Dec. 1854, $200 the 15th day of June 1855, and $50 on the 15th day of Dec. 1855, $150 Jun 15th 1856, and the remaining $50 Dec. 15th, 1856 for lot #47 in New Market.

Deed Book 8, page 122

16 Apr 1867:

Between Jacob Clinedinst and John W. Clinedinst for the sum of $900 in U.S. Currency by its law paid and to be paid as follows: $400 paid in hand, $100 to be paid on or before May 1st, 1868, $300 on or before May 1st, 1869, $100 the remainder thereof on or before may 1st, 1870, for which deferred payments the said John W. Clinedinst is to execute his own personal bonds, bearing no interest until due, payable in U.S. Treasury or National Bank Notes at his election, Sell unto the said John W. Clinedinst, the following real estate and personal property to wit - lot in New market known in plat of the town as lot Number, ....., being same lot purchased by Jacob Clinedinst of William Wickes and wife, in or about, 1855. With all buildings, rights, privileges, etc. and also all personal property household and kitchen furniture and all tools used or which may be used about the business of carriage making.

Deed Book 84, page 150

18 Jun 1917:

Jacob C. Crim and Hethie his wife, John D. Crim, Robert O'Roark and Nannie his wife, and J.W. Clinedinst and J.W. Clinedinst Carriage and Motor Co. Inc. for the sum of $1.00 cash and 1500 shares of its Capital Stock of par value of $10.00 each to be issued to parties of the first part as per deed. The 1/2 acre of land and Clinedinst Carriage Mfg. shops are located. The said lands hereby conveyed being purchased by J.W. Clinedinst from his father, Jacob Clinedinst and Dr. Rufus Bowman.

xxxxxx

John William Clinedinst, my great-great uncle, started the J. W. Clinedinst Co. on old Sperryville Turnpike in New Market, Va. He was born in Brownsburg, Va. in Rockbridge County. The carriage co. began in 1855 by his father, and was enhanced by John William's purchase of a carriage(?) co. from the Windles here in 1868(?). The original building included 2 houses with the space in between roofed over and windows in each end. We grew up playing around the 'old shop' and it was sold in 1978 to settle an uncle's estate. I have some old pictures and copies of a catalog. I have always been sortof looking for a Clinedinst buggy or carriage ( there will be a rectangular nameplate saying "J.W. Clinedinst & Co. New Market, Va" nailed to the back of the rear axle) and there are a couple at the Luray Caverns Car & Carriage Caravan in Luray, Va.

For more information please read:

Virginia Conservation Commission and Virginia Works Progress Administration Historical Inventory Project of 1936-37

I also saw in my search that the Luray Caverns museum had several Clinedinst artifacts, but I do not know if any were motorized vehicles. As I mentioned yesterday, I was told last month that the museum had closed.

[West Peterson]

Thanks Gary

[Guest DClinedinst]

I am a direct decendant of John W Clinedinst. Yes the car was made but in very small numbers. Unfortunately none have survived not even at the museam in Luray. My family have searched for an example for 3 generations.