The Wiggins Plow

From Josiah B. Smith's Historical Notes Book 1, written in 1873.

Benjamin Wiggins, of Upper Makefield, made a new pattern for a plow some twenty-six years ago (1847) and George Buckman made the plows at his shop in Buckmanville. This plow has been very popular among farmers, runs easy, in fact the draught is less than that of any plow in use, and none other quite so effectually covers up the grass and weeds. It was not patented.

Wiggins made the pattern for the mould board on strictly scientific principles. Every curve was determined by mathematical calculation. The first principle to determine was a curve that would turn a smooth furrow and at the same time would offer the least resistance to the plow. After making a trial of the plow in competition with a number of other pows at Pineville, the Wiggins was found to require less force than any other plow on the ground. The amount of force or draught was tested with instruments. 

George Buckman was the founder of Buckmanville in 1843. He first built a blacksmith shop and then a house. Two years after he erected the wheelwright shop for John B. DuBree. After DuBree became pretty well established in business, Buckman sold the shop and lot to him. DuBree did a good business for several years and then removed to Ohio. 

Buckman's Plough Manufactory 1859

Buckman's Plough Factory

The Wiggins Plow was well known enough to get mention in the 1880 Report to the State Board of Agriculture.

In the 1880s we see various advertisements hawking Wiggins Plows, which were then being made by George Buckman.

Newtown Enterprise

George Buckman's Wiggins Plows

Benjamin Wiggins died in September, 1881. His obituary makes mention of his famous plows.

Benjamin Wiggins' Obituary

His improvement in plows is well known in this county, and the "Wiggins" plow is still manufactured at the Agricultural Works in this place. It is of light draught, turns the furrow nicely, and was very popular at plowing matches, before such things were supplanted at agricultural exhibitions by horse races. He made the pattern for the mould board with his own hands after he had made a calculation of the best curve to turn a furrow with the least power.

Benjamin Wiggins' Home