From the New England city of Newport, Rhode Island
Steeped in history, the seaside New England city of Newport, Rhode Island was founded in 1639 and is well-known for its vast array of Colonial and Gilded Age architecture. The White Horse Tavern, built in 1652, is one of the oldest taverns in the United States. The Redwood Library and Athenaeum, founded in 1747 and completed in 1750, is the first purposely built library in the United States and the oldest neo-Classical building in the nation.
By the 19th century, Newport had become a summer resort for Astors and Vanderbilts in their opulent summer cottages along Bellevue Avenue. Newport is truly a treasure trove for architectural historians. As a Ph.D. student at Salve Regina University writing a dissertation on a topic drawing from architectural and social history, I can’t imagine a more inspiring learning environment than Newport.
Perhaps lesser known than Newport’s architectural legacy is its equally important role in early American trade and commerce. Four American businesses have been around for three centuries. Of these, two were founded in Newport, Rhode Island – The John Stevens Shop established in 1705, and Caswell-Massey established in 1752.
In an article for Entrepreneur titled 25 of the Oldest Active Companies in the United States, Matthew McCreary describes these historic companies.
The Johns Stevens Shop, a stone carving business, has “worked on some pretty significant works of stone art like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Pacific Arch of the National World War II Memorial.”
“Best known for its fragrances, Caswell-Massey was founded in 1752 by Dr. William Hunter in Newport, R.I. The same year, Benjamin Franklin made his famous lightning conductor, kite-flying experiment and the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia.”
McCreary adds, “If you were in Newport, R.I., and needed to visit Caswell-Massey or The John Stevens Shop, you could also stop by The White Horse Tavern, which was built in 1652 to be a two-story residence before being converted into a tavern…popular with Colonists, Hessian mercenaries and pirates.”
Image of Newport, Rhode Island
America’s Fourth-Oldest Operating Company and Oldest Consumer Brand
Caswell-Massey, established in 1752, holds the distinction of being America’s fourth-oldest continuously operating company and its oldest consumer brand. Guided by the motto “America’s Original Soap and Fragrance Company” the company boasts a rich history rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Below is a brief journey through the brand’s origins in Newport, Rhode Island, and the creation of its most iconic fragrance, Number Six Eau de Parfum.
Founding in Newport
Apothecary Roots and Early Innovation
Dr. William Hunter founded Caswell-Massey as “Dr. Hunter’s Apothecary” in Newport in 1752. Alongside selling medicines, he became a pioneer in health and science, delivering the first lectures on anatomy and surgery in the American Colonies. Known for his ingenuity, Dr. Hunter even invented orange soda to help patients consume their prescriptions.
Dr. Hunter & Caswell-Massey
Newport’s status as a hub for European luxuries inspired Dr. Hunter to expand his offerings beyond medicinal products. He began developing and selling personal care items, cosmetics, and locally sourced essential oils like lavender and verbena, while importing exotic oils such as sandalwood. This focus on fragrance was deeply tied to his advocacy for clean air and health during a time when body odor was believed to signal disease. His passion for perfumery led him to craft his own blends, which quickly gained prominence among Newport’s elite.
Image of Caswell-Massey employees outside Newport apothecary.
A Scent for America
The Birth of Number Six
In the 1760s and 1770s, Dr. Hunter created a uniquely American fragrance: Number Six Eau de Parfum. Combining the citrus freshness of Farina’s Eau de Cologne with the rugged, animalic warmth of musk, civet, and ambergris, Number Six debuted in 1772. The scent embodied a bold, masculine identity that resonated with the emerging American spirit.
After Dr. Hunter’s passing in 1777, Number Six gained legendary status when George Washington purchased it during a visit to Newport in 1781. Washington famously gifted the fragrance to the Marquis de Lafayette and wore it himself throughout his presidency. This association elevated Number Six as a symbol of refinement and marked America’s transition from a frontier to a global presence. Around the same time, White Rose perfume became a favorite among women, particularly First Lady Dolley Madison.
Growth, Partnerships, and Legacy
After Dr. Hunter’s death, the business passed through several hands, including Charles Feke and later Rowland R. Hazzard, who renamed it R.R. Hazzard’s Apothecary. The company thrived under the Hazzard and Caswell families, expanding its reach to New York City with its first store at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in 1859. Known as Caswell & Hazzard, the brand solidified its reputation among high society in Newport and New York.
In 1876, John Rose Caswell partnered with William Massey, officially establishing the name Caswell-Massey. A brief legal dispute with the Hazzard family resulted in detailed documentation of the brand’s fragrance formulations, many of which are preserved in the Caswell-Massey Archives, including the original recipes for Number Six and Jockey Club.
Iconic Creations and Timeless Appeal
Caswell-Massey continued to innovate, introducing Newport Cologne in 1890 as a tribute to its founding city. The brand expanded into household luxuries, including potpourri, grooming products, and bespoke fragrances. Marem perfume, one of its most celebrated creations, was designed exclusively for Broadway star Alla Nazimova, further cementing its status as a purveyor of luxury. President John F. Kennedy wore Jockey Club by Caswell-Massey. The fragrance has been sold at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Store. Today, Caswell-Massey remains a testament to American craftsmanship and innovation, carrying forward its legacy of timeless fragrances and luxurious personal care.
America's First Fragrance
Indulge in the timeless luxury of Number Six, a magnificent Eau de Parfum from Caswell-Massey. It seamlessly blends classic American roots with a modern twist that will invigorate you. Number Six opens with a bright blend of sparkling bergamot, rosemary, and neroli. These aromatic notes pay homage to classic roots before evolving into a warm, enveloping heart of rose, clove, and golden amber.
Bringing the scent exuberantly into the present, the fragrance concludes with a complex mix of white musk and premium-harvest lavender, providing the perfect finish. The first bottle may have been sprayed hundreds of years ago, but the blends of oils are a compliment to the modern wearer. From the citrus top notes to the woodsy end, find out for yourself why this particular essence has been around for a long time.
Base: White Musk, Lavender
Matthew Longcore
is the editor and publisher of Ivy Style, the leading authority on the Ivy League look.
He is also the creator of the Preppy Handbook Fan Club, a group celebrating the preppy lifestyle.
Matthew has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The J. Press Icons Campaign, and The Yale Daily
News.
Explore the World of Caswell-Massey
Editor and publisher Matthew Longcore wrote this article for Caswell-Massey. Matthew is an Ivy League graduate who works at Yale University and is the founder of the Preppy Handbook Fan Club. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, theJ. Press Icons Campaign, and The Yale Daily News. For nearly two decades, Ivy Style (ivy-style.com) has been the leading authority on the Ivy lifestyle. It features traditional, classic, timeless style.
