American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Facsimile of the "Articles of agreement between William Procter of the City of Cincinnati, and James Gamble of the same place...to become co-partnerd [sic] together in the art & trade of manufacturing Soap and Candles..." With facsimile signatures of William Procter, James Gamble, and witnesses Alexander Norris (the father-in-law of both men) and Hamilton Haycock.

William Procter and James Gamble were born in England and Ireland respectively. When they immigrated to America, both were headed farther west than Cincinnati, but they ended up in what was at the time known as the "Queen City of the West," and a sort of gateway to the West before St. Louis took over that role. Both ended up pausing in the city for medical reasons, William for his wife, who was ill and soon died, and James for himself. The two became involved in businesses in the thriving city, William as a candlemaker, James apprenticed himself to a soapmaker. Both met their future wives and married here, coincidentally, to sisters, Olivia and Elizabeth Norris. The womens' father began to notice that the two had some raw materials in common, and were in effect competing for those resources. He proposed joining forces and going into business together. The partnership agreement was signed on Oct. 31, 1837.

These facsimile copies of the partnership agreement were produced in 1962 for the company's 125th anniversary and sent to all stockholders.