The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Merriman, Charles B. (Charles Buckingham), 1809-  1889

Title:               Bills

Dates:             1850-1876

Call No.:         Col. 86

Acc. No.:        74x221; 86x54

Quantity:        65 items (1 folder)

Location:        34 K 3

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Charles B. Merriman resided in Waterbury, Connecticut.  He was secretary and treasurer of the American Suspender Company, which made suspenders.  He served that company until January 1876.  Charles Buckingham Merriman was born in 1809 in Watertown, Conn., the son of Sarah Buckingham (1790- July 1870) and William Henry Merriman (1788-Nov. 1871).  Charles worked with his father as a merchant and later opened his own dry goods store before getting involved in manufacturing suspenders.  He served as mayor of Waterbury in 1869.  He was also involved with the Waterbury Gas Light Company, the Citizens’ National Bank, and the Waterbury Savings Bank, and a member of St. John’s Church.  Charles married Mary Margaret Field (1806-1866), and they had six children.   He died in 1889.

 

Mr. Merriman was profiled in The Town and City of Waterbury, Connecticut, by Joseph Anderson, published in 1896.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This collection is made up of bills, primarily for harness, carriage, and jewelry repairs, and horse and saddle supplies. There are a few bills for table flatware, jewelry, and furniture purchases and repairs.  Most of the businesses were located in Waterbury, Connecticut.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The bills are in chronological order.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Accession 74x221 purchased from William B. Pennebaker.

Accession 86x54 purchased from Branford Rare Book and Art Gallery .

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Merryman family.

 

Topics:

Business records - Connecticut - Waterbury.

Carriage industry - Connecticut - Waterbury.

Flatware - Prices.

Furniture - Connecticut - Waterbury.

            Harness making and trade - Connecticut - Waterbury.

            Jewelry - Connecticut - Waterbury - Maintenance and repair.

            Retail trade - Connecticut - Waterbury.

Saddlery - Connecticut - Waterbury.

Bills (financial).

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location:

 

Note: Businesses are located in Waterbury, Connecticut, unless otherwise stated. 

All bills are addressed to Charles B. Merriman.

All bills are on printed billheads.  One billhead includes an illustration.

 

 

Folder 1:

 

86x54.67         bill, from Bowditch & Son, furniture, New Haven, for ottomans and castors, June 10, 1850.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturers and dealers in furniture, chairs, feathers, beds, mattresses, comfortables, spreads, curtain materials, cornices, window shades, trimmings.  Form printed by T.J. Stafford.

 

86x54.65         receipted bill, Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co., New York City, paid for table wares, Oct. 21, 1852.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturers of table cutlery; butcher, shoe, bread, and cook knives; agents for sale of domestic hardware; German silver goods; I. Washburn &Co.’s pianoforte covering, [etc.]

 

86x54.35, .13  receipted bills, B.W. Smith & Co., horseshoers, paid for shoeing horses, July 1, 1854 and Jan. 1855.

                                    The billheads are different, and the later one mentions “blacksmithing in all its branches”

 

86x54.49-.52   receipted bills, J.R. Ayres, watchmaker and jeweler, paid for repairs to watch, whip, bracelet, comb, ring, and for purchasing a silver thimble, July 1857; for repairs to more jewelry, comb, and pin, and purchase of earrings, ring, clock, rubber comb, and coral beads, Jan. 1, 1859; and repairs to clock, bracelet, pin, comb, spectacles, etc., July 1, 1859; repairs to jewelry and spectacles, cleaning of watch and clock, and purchases of scissors, parasol, silk guard, pencil, shawl pins, Jan. 2, 1860.

 

86x54.53-.56   receipted bills, Jas. R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for various repairs to jewelry, umbrella, fan, and tea pot; clock and watch cleaning; purchases of thimble, scissors, rubber comb, sleeve buttons, pocket knife, jewelry, etc., Jan. 1, 1861, Jan. 1, 1862, Jan. 1, 1864, April 1, 1864

 

86x54.66         receipted bill, Rogers & Brother, [table wares], paid for table and dessert forks, June 15, 1864.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturers and platers of spoons, forks, butter knives, tea and table knives [and various other kinds of knives], ladles,  cake cutters, &c.

 

86x54.57         receipted bill, Jas. R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for key, watch, thimble, gold locket, dog collar, gold stud, and repairs to pins, locket, parasol, etc., Jan. 2, 1865

 

86x54.33         statement on billhead of Converse & Jenks, livery stable, Hartford, about a horse, signed L. Converse and C.W. King[?], Oct. 3, 1865

 

86x54.58         receipted bill, Jas. R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for needles, needle hook, watch glass, dress comb, spoons and forks, pearl stud, and repairs to pins, watch, jewelry, etc., July 1, 1866

 

86x54.37-.38   receipted bills, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for repairs to wagon or carriage, July 2 and Oct. 1, 1866.

 

86x54.60         receipted bill, Jas. R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for watch glass, needles, and repairs to pin, ice pitcher, Jan. 1, 1867

 

86x54.68         receipted bill, Burrall & Root, furniture, paid for repairs to stand, chair, stool, Jan. 4, 1867.

                                    Billhead information: spring beds, feathers, curled hair and husk mattresses, window shades, &c.

 

86x54.59         receipted bill, Jas. R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for sleeve buttons, watch key, needles, and repairs to pin, fan, parasol, etc., July 1, 1867

 

86x54.39         receipted bill, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for repairs to carriage and painting, Sept. 1, 1867

 

86x54.32         receipted bill, Cotter & Keefe, harness dealers, paid for horse brush, new seat on buggy saddle, stuffing a lady’s riding saddle, and repairs to halters, bridle, harness, etc., Oct. 1, 1868.

                                    Billhead information: dealers in harness, saddles, brushes, curry combs, &c.

 

86x54.36         receipted bill, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for repairs to wagon and carriage, painting, parts, etc., July-Sept. 186-; revenue stamp is dated Oct. 28, 1868.

 

86x54.61         receipted bill, James R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for sleeve buttons, thread hook, watch glass, slide chain, pearl buttons, and repairs to pin, Oct. 1869.

 

86x54.31         receipted bill, Cotter & Keefe, harness dealers, paid for repairs to halter, bridle, rein, saddle, Dec. 15, 1869.

                                    Billhead information: dealers in harness, saddles, brushes, curry combs, &c.

 

86x54.40         receipted bill, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for parts, April 1, 1870.

 

86x54.23         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for repairing harness, April 1, 1870.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.29         receipted bill, P.B. Norton, livery stable, paid for use of hacks, July 1, 1870.

                                    Bill addressed to Buckingham Merriman.

 

86x54.69         bill, from Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for wash bureau, marbled enameled cloth, cane sewing rocker, July 1, 1870.

                                    Billhead information: dining room, parlor, library, bed room and chamber sets.  Bowditch and Son was located in New Haven, but Bowditch & Co. is in Waterbury.

 

86x54.62         receipted bill, James R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for pocket knife and black horn chair for son, sleeve buttons, machine needles, and repairs to watch, July 1870.

 

86x54.76         receipted bill, J.M. Burrall, furniture, paid for looking glass, cover for piano stool, etc., July 1, 1870.

                                    Billhead information: spring beds, feathers, curled hair and husk mattresses, window shades, &c.

 

86x54.41         receipted bill, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for parts, repairs to carriage and pony carriage, etc. July 1, 1870.

 

86x54.22, .24  receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for straps, whip, and repairing harness, trunk, whip, July 1 and Oct. 1, 1870.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

74x221            receipted bill, Henry F. Bunce & Co., crockery, [etc.], paid for waiter, butter dish, bowls, jellies, fruit jars, chambers, Oct. 1, 1870.

                                    Billhead information: at the “Sign of the Big Pitcher,” crockery, china, glass and plate ware, cutler, kerosene lamps, fruit jars, japanned waiters, housekeeping articles, Weed’s famous rubber band carpet sweepers, etc.  The billhead is illustrated with a picture of a water jug in a wash bowl.

 

86x54.42-.43   receipted bills, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for parts, repairs to sleigh, etc. Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 1870.

 

86x54.21         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for brush, stuffing saddle, blankets, and repairs, Jan. 1, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.63         receipted bill, James R. Ayres, dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical instruments, fancy goods, &c., paid for sleeve buttons, machine needles, and repairs to spectacles and castors, April 1871.

 

86x54.14         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for shawl strap, shaft rubbers, spread strap, and repairs, April 1, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.44-.45   receipted bills, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for parts, new cushion, painting carriage, and repairs, including repairs to boy’s sled, etc. April 1 and July 1, 1871.

 

86x54.15         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for check hook, ring piece, and repairs to harness and trunk, July 1, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.70         receipted bill, from Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for skirt board, June 3, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: the principals in the firm were E. B. Bowditch, J. Blair Bowditch, and H. J. Prudden.

 

86x54.16         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for brush, hame strap, crackers, and repairs, Oct. 1, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.71-.72   receipted bills, from Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for work stand and bracket, Oct. 1, 1871; and for glass, Nov. 18, 1871

 

86x54.17         receipted bill, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for brush, bridle front, web centers, check round, and repairs, including repairs to skates, Jan. 1, 1872.

                                    Billhead information: manufacturer of harness, truck collars, cart saddles, &c.

 

86x54.64         receipted bill, H. & D. Wells, watches, jewelry, etc., paid for repairs to jewelry (including jet jewelry), pins, clock, Jan. 1, 1875.

                                    Billhead information: watches, jewelry, gold chains, lockets, silver plated ware, agents for Jacot Watch, watch repairing

 

86x54.27         receipted bill, P.B. Norton, livery stable, paid for use of hacks, Jan. 1, 1875.

 

86x54.46         receipted bill, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for repairing and painting sleigh, March 31, 1875.

 

86x54.18-.19   receipted bills, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for silk cracker, ring pieces, round reins, and repairs to robe, harness, back strap, trunk, April 1, 1875; and for hoof cleaner, Paris composition, and repairs to harness, trunk, valise, etc., July 1, 1871.

                                    Billhead information: dealer in saddlery hardware, robes, and horse clothing

 

86x54.73         receipted bill, Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for chairs, camp chair, rocker, stool, Turkish chair, hall chairs, covering sofa arms, making over mattress, repairing ottomans, July 1, 1875

 

86x54.26         receipted bill, P.B. Norton, livery stable, paid for use of hacks, July 1, 1875.

 

86x54.47-.48   receipted bills, Charles F. Goodwin, wagon and carriage maker, paid for setting tires, parts, various repairs, new leather seat, etc., July 1 and Sept. 30, 1875.

 

86x54.74         receipted bill, Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for repairing sofa, slip covers for Turkish chair and 2 side chairs, Oct. 1, 1875

 

86x54.20, .25  receipted bills, J.G. Cutler, harness, paid for sheets, straping shafts, repairing trace, bridle, harness, trunk, Oct. 1, 1875; and for stirrup strap, and repairs to brush, Jan. 1, 1872.

                                    Billhead information: dealer in saddlery hardware, robes, and horse clothing

 

86x54.34         receipted bill, P.B. Norton, livery stable, paid for use of hacks, Jan. 1, 1876

 

86x54.75         receipted bill, Bowditch & Co., furniture, paid for bookshelf and work at house, Jan. 1, 1876

 

86x54.28, .30              receipted bills, P.B. Norton, livery stable, paid for hacks for funeral, April 21, no year; and for use of hack, Sept. 8, no year.