Jacob Sawyer Kimball of Montpelier, Vermont.

Jacob Sawyer Kimball was born on April 21, 1779, in Sutton, New Hampshire, and died on June 23, 1827, in Montpelier, Vermont. He was the son of Caleb and Sarah (Sawyer) Kimball and the brother of Mary Eaton. Jacob is thought to have apprenticed to Levi and Able Hutchins in Concord in 1793. Jacob is listed as working in Montpelier in 1800 through 1827. He advertised in the Weekly Wanderer in Randolf, Vermont on July 27, 1807, that he "Informs the public that he has commenced the Watch Repairing Business, in Mr Cheney's Clock Factory in Royalton, where he will clean and repair Watches, and warrant them to perform well. He has Watch furniture of the newest fashion, and most kinds of Gold and Silver work, and any kind made on short notice, cheap and as well executed as can be had elsewhere. N. B. Cash paid for old Silver and Brass." On March 19, 1812, he married Eliza Purkitt of Boston. They had four children. Together, they built up a large estate. Jacob trained at least one apprentice, his nephew Hiram Eaton. Hiram was born on January 14, 1802, and died in Warner, Vermont, on August 8, 1876. His apprenticeship most likely started around 1815. Hiram then moved to St. Albans, Vermont, and then to Warner and later Concord, New Hampshire. on October 2, 1827, Jacob advertised in Montpelier's Vermont Watchman & State Gazette that he "...has removed his shop about ten rods south from his former stand, near his dwelling house at the sign of the GOLD WATCH,.." There, he continued to sell items that included silver spoons, gold necklaces, gold neck chains, gold finger rings, and earnobs; a few good watches, watch chains, seals, and keys, etc.

On October 14, 1828, Hiram Prescott advertised in the Vermont Watchman & State Gazette, a Montpelier paper, that he purchased the stock of the late Mr. Kimball and essentially hoped to continue the business in the shop formerly operated by Jacob.

A tall case clock signed by Jacob Kimball is known. The American Antiquarian Society currently owns a watch paper that he signs. It is dated 1825.