“In 1646 the shoemakers of Boston, provoked by ‘much bad work produced by their craft,’ petitioned ‘Ye Governor of Ye Bay Colonie’ that ‘all boots might be alike made well.’ So began America’s pride in Craftsmanship. Pride in the production of the finest Quality still lives. It is in the spirit upon which in 1874 at Manchester, New Hampshire, Roger G. Sullivan founded 7-20-4–now the largest strictly hand-made cigar industry in the world….”
On July 9, 1930, page six of the Portsmouth (NH) Herald newspaper touted the above advertisement. At this time the company founder, Roger G. Sullivan had been dead for 12 years, but his legacy continues today.
Roger G. Sullivan was born in 1851 in Bradford NH of Irish parents. He lived most of his life in Manchester New Hampshire. His early education was in the public schools of Bradford and Manchester NH. At a young age began working at the Manchester Print Works. At the age of 14 he was indentured to learn the carriage-painting trade at South Amesbury MA for 3 years. At 19 he went into business as a cigar manufacturer, with two employees. In 1883 he started a cigar company that became famed in northern New Hampshire for selling a “ten cent cigar,” and eventually employing 200 people. His goods were sold throughout the United states. Continue reading
