Local History: Thomas Best

Thomas Best, Jr. was a silversmith, jeweler and clock works maker. He and his wife, Margaret Manley Best migrated to Lebanon from Cincinnati sometime before 1808. Thomas was the son of Thomas Best, Sr. a noted early Cincinnati silversmith. Advertisements in the Western Star newspaper for June 9, 1808 announce Thomas Best, Jr.  has set up in business as a jeweler and silversmith in Lebanon. The ad further announces that “all kinds of swords and dirks made and cutlery ground and the highest price will be given for old gold, silver and brass.” Then in August 4 of that same year in the same newspaper is an announcement that Thomas Best has opened a shop for clock and watch making. His wife, Margaret Mannly Best opened a millinery shop near the Golden Lamb Inn which she called the Golden Bonnet. Their son Henry became a silversmith in Dayton and his descendants continued the silversmith business until 1924.

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