The Legend of Webson Gill
in 1848, the California Gold rush was one of the most significant events to shape American history in the 19th Century. Because of the Gold Rush, many Americans went west to find gold but Peter Webson and Henry Gill had different intentions that led to what became the Webson-Gill Fine writing company.
Our Story
Peter Webson and Henry Gill were born in the late 1820’s in Buffalo, NY. Although many stories about young Pete and “Gilly”, most people knew the young lads as good intentioned “trouble finders”. Always finding a way to get out of going to school and hanging out in the back room at “Gilly’s” Uncle Joeys bar, they learned at an early age how to make a quick buck playing cards and shooting dice. From a very young age the boys were hustling making nickels out of pennies and although their tactics were sometimes questioned as ethical, they always looked out for those in need and never took advantage of a person that was down and out.
When the boys grew into men in the late 1940’s, they saw an opportunity in the gold rush and moved to California to strike it rich… well at least that was the plan… As they started their journey by train, they easily became confused and ended up in what was then the 6th largest city in the country, Cincinnati, Ohio. After arriving and not realizing how little they liked to travel, the men decided that they would give a shot at selling soap and candles. Something that Cincinnati eventually became world known for.
Soon thereafter they found the need to sign more and more sales slips for their soap and candle company called simply, The Webson Gill Company. This is when the men met a man Named Azel Storrs Lyman who changed their life. Azel created a device that was later to be patented that made improvements on the fountain pen holder and nibs and reduced the need for an ink well. Peter and Gilly knew that this was the device that could change everything and decided to move all their hard earned capital away from the soap and candles business into building the worlds best Fountain Pens focusing on their signature, Captain's Pen and the Presidential Pen, something that apparently was used by the President of the United States.
Upon early success with the Webson Gill Company, both men mysteriously disappeared in 1859 in what some say was a dispute with a major former competitor of theirs that believed that they swindled them years earlier. The brand disappears with them until it was rediscovered by their family and has now been reimagined by a group of investor named Dr. Jeffrey Shepard in Cincinnati, Ohio. A lot of questions remain, a lot of facts are unverified, but the legend of Webson Gill lives on.
Dr. Jeffrey Shepard
CEO / Owner
Once you try a webson it is difficult to go back, it's the pen that will ruin other pens for you. We aim to make our forefathers proud with the ongoing design that was inspired through their roots.
Our Approach
Our approach is different than traditional retailers. Webson Gill was built to deliver exceptional fountain pens at a fair price. By cutting out the middleman, we bypass costs like wholesaling, storefronts and designer licensing fees that have no bearing on quality. And we pass the savings and quality on to you.
A writing device is the link from epiphany to conception.
- Webson
Company
Webson Gill is a growing direct to consumer brand that makes high quality writing instruments that are built to last. With an ongoing customer relationship and direct distribution Webson is creating pens that you will never want to put down. The craftsmanship that goes into creating each fountain pen is second to none.