In 1772, at about age 10, orphan Henry White was apprenticed to artisan James Brown of Fredericksburg to "learn the art, trade, and mystery of silversmith." He practiced his trade in Fredericksburg for fifty years, first in partnership with Brown (1788-1791) and then on his own. In 1818, his son William White joined him in business to form the firm of "H. White and Son." When Henry White died in 1827, his son continued in the trade off and on until his death.