William S. tompkins
Three Ply Shells
William Shute Tompkins was born August 22, 1812 and died November 28, 1882. Tompkins is listed in the 1850 New York census as a cabinet maker. This would obviously play an important role is his manufacturing of drums. By 1860, Tompkins had changed his occupation to "Drum Maker" as listed in the New York census. Tompkins drums have three unique characteristics that set them apart from many other makers of the time period. First, it seems that Tompkins exclusively utilized plied shells. This may have been due to his familiarity using veneers in his work as a cabinet maker. Second, many of his drums are ornately decorated with inlays of various shapes and sizes. Finally, as opposed to other makers who placed paper labels inside their shells, Tompkins opted to hand-write and sign each shell. On occasion, even using a metal engraved badge on the outside with his name.
Part of the New York Historical Society, their website states the following dimensions: 18 7/8" by 15 1/4". New rope and leather braces have been added.
A hallmark of Tompkins labeled drums are the beautiful inlay patterns. All I have seen are centered around the vent. The shell looks to have been stripped at some point of it's original varnish.
Tompkins signed this drum on the inside and outside with his initials and address of "69 Watts St." Tompkins began working out of that address in 1851
17” diameter by 15” tall.
The leather braces have been put on upside down, so when tensioning the drum, the player is pulling them towards the batter head, instead of pushing them down.
"Hand painted depiction of troops at West Point standing for inspection in front of their tents, surrounded by American flags, liberty caps and cannons with stacked cannon balls."
Label reads, "W.S. Tompkins, Maker, 69 Watts St, New York, April 26th 1853."
Interior shot of the drum shell allows us to see the vertical grain pattern of the wood, as opposed to the outer ply.
17” diameter by 15 ¾” tall.
Handwritten inside shell: “Wm S. Tompkins / Maker / Yonkers NY / July 31 1860 / No 2190.”
Ornately inlaid mahogany shell featuring a field of stars in concentric circles around a large central star. Ten leather tugs cut in the shape of shields, each with the initials “T. J. H.” engraved on a small silver-plated shield on the tug.
Engraved on a silver-plated shield: “Presented to / Tm. J. Hellrigle / by S. Cieighead D. Iddings / And others of the City of / Dayton Ohio / August 20. 1860.”
William F. Ludwig II Collection, 2002.
Drum used by the1st Minnesota Infantry.
Featured on the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections Up Close blog.
The maker's name, city, and state is printed on the artwork toward the bottom of the drum. "W.S. TOMPKINS/ MAKER/ NY."
Part of the Missouri Historical Society's collection, is this beautiful presentation drum. From their website: "Rope-tension snare drum used by William C. Streetor of Co. F., 7th Infantry E.M.M. [Enrolled Missouri Militia] during the Civil War. Streetor was a drum major with the 3rd Infantry U.S. Reserve Corps in 1861. Prior to the Civil War, he was a drummer with the militia company, the Missouri
A close look at the inlays show the detail and precise manner at which they were arranged. Also, the bone vent insert can be seen in the center.
Tompkins signed the shell, per usual, and dated it 1863.
Applied to the outside of the shell, an engraved silver badge reads, "W.S. TOMPKINS/ Maker/ Yonkers NY."
17.5" diameter by 15" tall.
This drum belongs to the Minnesota Historical Society. Their website states the following: "United States Army, 8th Minnesota Regiment, Company B Civil War drum. A photograph of the drummer, Herman Shank, taken by Hoerger of Faribault, Minnesota is affixed to the drum's shell with metal tacks. Made by W. S. Tompkins of Yonkers, New York, the drum is composed of a walnut
A commonly seen inlay pattern consisting of star, diamond, and leaf shapes arranged in circular patterns. Rope seems to be a modern replacement, however the leather braces appear very old.
This note accompanies the drum stating the owner, as well as the fact that it was a gift from the Non-commissioned officers of Co. B of the 8th Minnesota.
17” diameter by 15” tall.
Wonderful presentation drum to J.W. Kemp, Principal musician of the 14th Indiana Volunteers. Multi-colored hoops, iron rope hooks, ornate inlay, and bone vent insert add to the attractiveness of this drum.
Engraved badge reads, "J.W. KEMP/ Principal Musician/ by the/ Staff & Commissioned Officers/ of the 14th Regiment/ Indiana Volunteers/ As a mark of their Respect & Esteem/ February 1862."
Inside the drum's shell is pasted a label indicating "WILLIARD & STOWELL" as the store where this drum was purchased. Most likely made by William Tompkins, given all of the unique features and characteristics, and sold retail by the store.
17 1/2" diameter by 14 1/2" tall.
Displaying all common characteristics of a Tompkins made drum such as multi-color counter hoops, iron rope hooks, inlay design, bone vent insert, and ply shell construction.
Visible through the air hole is the following in period ink script, "Wm. S. Tompkins & Sons / Makers / Yonkers, N. Y. / Drums of all Sizes Made to Order / July 4th / 1865."
Accompanying the drum is a 4 7/8" X 6 3/4" period ink script note bearing the following information, headed "Green (Unable to decipher) Island / May 30, 1870, This drum was used by me (Wm Denice) in the first Memorial Day observation May 30th 1869, by order of J. A .Logan Commander G. A. R. I was Drummer boy in State of New York 1st Vol, in the Army of the Potomac '61 - '63. Wm Denice".