Before the termination of his apprenticeship, his brother John David,
was removed by death and an opportunity was presented of taking the
stock and tools and carrying on the business. He was ambitious and his
early experiences had made him self-reliant and courageous. The opening
was promising, but he had neither money nor credit. In this exigency a
partnership was formed with Mr. Samuel B. Melendy, who had some
knowledge of the craft. With the beginning of the year 1821, the firm of
Melendy and David raised a sign in Dock Square. The young men were
willing to labor and they determined by industry and economy to win
success. For a time the room, which they hired, served a two-fold use as
they worked and slept in the same apartment. They lived cheaply and the
work benches were cleared at night to furnish a place whereon to rest.
Having no one to endorse a note for the firm in Boston, they had
recourse to Mr. William Melendy, who had recently retired from business
in the city and returned to Amherst, New Hampshire. By the most direct
route, the distance from Boston must have been over forty-five miles,
but Mr. Melendy, starting in the early morning on foot, reached his
destination at night, and securing the signature of his brother returned
the next day.

Such pluck insured success. The business became profitable, the firm had
a reputation for promptitude, and were soon able to command capital.
Retaining the store in Dock Square as a salesroom, the young men adopted
a more comfortable style of living. They were unlike in their tastes and
temperaments, the staid, cautious and steadfast conservatism of the
older partner, making an admirable combination with the enterprising and
hopeful spirit of the younger. Mr. David was sagacious and ready to
employ every advantage that would enlarge the manufacture, or perfect
the workmanship, or promote the sale of whips; while his associate had a
practical oversight of the shop and materials which prevented any waste.