The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Davis, Alexander Jackson, 1803-1892

Title:               Papers

Dates:             1826-1965, bulk 1826-1854

Call No.:         Col. 114

Acc. No.:        [various – see numbers on detailed description]

Quantity:        13 boxes, 4 reels of microfilm

Location:        18 L 1-4, map case 2, drawer 8

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892) was born in New York City to Cornelius Davis and Julia Jackson.  Early in his life, Davis showed a remarkable talent for drawing, his sketches always having a meticulous, romantic look to them.  When Davis was sixteen he dropped out of school and one year later he became a compositor in a printer's shop.  During the 1820s, Davis took up lithography, becoming a respected worker in that field.  Davis later met painter John Trumbull, an amateur architect and cartographer, who convinced him to become an architect.

 

In 1823, Davis was a member of the “Antique School," meeting in the rooms of the Philosophical Society in New York City.  Later in the decade, he executed a series of architectural drawings of famous buildings in New York City and New England.  As a result, Davis enjoyed a reputation as a well-known and masterful lithographer.

 

Even as he followed a career in lithography, Davis became an apprentice for J. C. Brady, a New York architect.  Subsequently, Davis met Ithiel Town, who was so impressed with his work that he asked Davis to be his associate in February 1829.  After 1843, Davis embarked upon a solo career, continuing in practice alone for more than thirty years. 

 

Davis--on his own and with Town--designed a remarkable number of buildings.  As partners, Davis and Town primarily planned commercial buildings, including four State capitols (Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio) as well as New York’s Custom House and numerous museums, hospitals, and college buildings.  Davis designed many churches, banks, and private homes as well.  In addition, his studies inspired other individuals as they created their own designs.  At one point in his life, Davis claimed to have designed the most buildings of any living American architect.

 

As one who appreciated all of the arts, Davis was involved with many societies during his life.  Most important perhaps, Davis was one of three architects who established the American Institute of Architects in May of 1837.  He resigned in later years because he believed the A.I.A. had strayed from its original purposes.

 

Davis' drawings and designs echo the trends of his time.  Early in his career, Davis was a strong revivalist.  He also became an advocate of the eclectic.  And, throughout his work, reflections of the romantic movement are evident, especially in his drawings and lithographs.  Davis always referred to himself as an "Architectural Composer," an excellent descriptor considering that his designs and drawings exhibit the delicate, planned, romantic ideas that he creatively brought together.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This collection consists of material in a variety of formats that documents the architectural training and career of A. J. Davis.  Included are floor plans, lithographs, manuscript and printed volumes, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles, and correspondence.  Notes taken by Davis on Greek architecture and Gothic architecture are in pamphlet form.  Three books (one title has two volumes) about European architecture which were owned by Davis are in the collection.  The two volume set includes notes by Davis.  The scrapbooks include prints of buildings, people, landscapes, and story illustrations.  The largest single group of papers relate to the Rotch House in Massachusetts.  Included in this group is a set of watercolors of the interior of the house, done around 1880, as well as photos of the exterior and interior of the house taken in late 19th and 20th centuries.  The collection includes lithographs from drawings by Davis, floor plans and elevation drawings of several buildings designed by Davis, mostly in the Greek revival or Gothic revival styles.

 

Papers consist of a number of formats--artistic and architectural drawings, lithographs, watercolors, photographs, scrapbooks, notebooks, letters, etc.--that document the architectural training and career of A.J. Davis.  A significant part of these papers relates to the house Davis designed for William J. Rotch in New Bedford, Massachusetts, including letters, watercolors, drawings, blueprints, and exterior and interior photographs of the place.  There are also letters to Davis from David L. Swain, a former North Carolina governor, that reveal friendship between the writer and the recipient and that discuss plans for the University of North Carolina (of which Swain was president).  In addition, there are three floor plans drawn by or for Bela Hubbard, a Michigan real estate operator, geologist, and lumberman.

 

Identifiable public buildings represented by material in this collection are chiefly in New York City and include the Branch Bank of the United States, Merchant's Exchange, Phenix Bank, Masonic Hall, Washington Institute, Bowery Theater, Second Congressional Church, Trinity Church, St. Paul's Church, St. Thomas Church, and St. John's Chapel.  There is one depiction of the Indiana state capitol building.  Finally, Davis kept a slim printed volume on Fonthill Abbey, located in Wiltshire, England, to which he added a floor plan.

 

Miscellaneous items include scrapbooks, presumably kept for sources of design, unidentified elevations and floor plans of a variety of dwellings and public buildings, three drawings of furniture, the Davis family crest, and a copy of Metropolitan Improvements : Or London in the Nineteenth Century, by James Elmes (London: Jones and Co., 1829).

 

A diary kept by Davis from 1827 to 1853 is also available on microfilm at this repository, Mic. 90.  A microfilm copy of Davis' catalog of his library is on Mic. 717.  (The originals of these two items are held by the New York Public Library.)  Davis' scrapbooks (acc. 66x148.1-.5) are also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891.

           

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Boxes 1-6 contain scrapbooks and other volumes that were created or used by A.J. Davis.  Boxes 9 and 10 contain information about the house Davis built for William Rotch in Massachusetts.  Boxes 7, 8, 11, and 12 contain information about other of Davis’ projects. 

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English, with some Latin.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

 

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from various sources.        

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Hubbard, Bela, 1814-1896.

                        Rotch, William James, 1819-1893.

                        Swain, David L. (David Lowry), 1801-1868.

                        Town, Ithiel, 1784-1844.

                        Campbell, A., fl. 1878

 

Topics:

            Bowery Theater (New York, N.Y.)

            Branch Bank of the United States (New York, N.Y.)

            Fonthill Abbey.

            Indiana State Capitol (Indianapolis, Ind.)

            Masonic Hall (New York, N.Y.)

            Merchant's Exchange (New York, N.Y.)

            Phoenix Bank (New York, N.Y.)

            Rotch House (New Bedford, Mass.)

            Second Congregational Church (New York, N.Y.)

            St. Thomas' Church (New York, N.Y.)

            St. John's Chapel (New York, N.Y.)

            St. Paul's Church (New York, N.Y.)

            Trinity Church (New York, N.Y.)

            Washington Institute (New York, N.Y.)

            University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

            Chapel of the Cross (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

            Architects - United States.

            Architecture, Domestic - United States.

            Architecture - Designs and plans.

            Architecture - United States.

            Church architecture - New York (State) - New York.

            Gothic revival (Architecture) - United States.

            Greek revival (Architecture) – United States.

            Historic buildings - United States.

            Interior architecture.

            Public buildings - United States.

            Watercolor painting.

            Heraldry.

            Men – Diaries.

            Private libraries.

            London (England) - Pictorial works.

            Architectural drawings.

            Blueprints.

            Drawings.

            Letters.

            Lithographs

            Notebooks.

            Photoprints.

            Scrapbooks.

            Watercolors.

            Photographs.

            Diaries.

            Architects.

            Artists.

            Lithographers.

 

Additional author:

Elmes, James, 1782-1862. Metropolitan improvements : or London in the nineteenth century.

 

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 18 L 1-4 and map case 2, drawer 8

 

[note: scrapbooks and volumes in boxes 1-5 are also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891]

 

 

Box 1: Scrapbook

                       

66x148.1         1st page: "Memory, Nouology, Imagination, Reason, Reflection, Singing. A.J. Davis," decorated with trumpet-blowing cherubs, above a print of tools of the builder’s trade.

Lithographs and engravings including famous people (Samuel Morse, James Fenimore Cooper, Wordsworth, Rembrandt, Diderot, Raphael, Michelangelo), classical urns, pedestals, and vases; landscapes (Pevensey Castle, Sussex, Eton College Chapel, Egypt), dogs; title page for Polygraphia Curiosa: The Bok of Initial Letters and Ancient Alphabets for Ornament Purposes (1843).

Some prints with French or Italian captions; one page with a quote from Diderot, with the English translation. 

At end: a copy of an engraving of Davis' own sketch of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.

                        Front cover detached; bookseller’s label: J.B. Jansen, Nassau St.

                        [also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891] [trex 2572]

 

 

Box 2: Scrapbook

 

66x148.2         written on fly leaf: "Curious and may be taken out to illustrate books" [written in pencil]

                        Title page” “Various, that the mind of desultory man, studious of change, and pleased with novelty may be indulged.” – Cowper’s Ink(?), title page decorated with winged figures (prints?) and columns with ears of corn.

                        Engravings: many putti; antique and baroque drawings of Biblical and mythological stories; interior of Zwinger Palace (Dresden), Fonthill, small landscapes.

                        Front cover is missing; many blank pages

                        [also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891]  [trex 2573]

 

 

Box 3: Scrapbook

 

66x148.3         "Joseph's First Album, by John Allan and A.J. Davis, 1863-1865"

                        Half-title page: "Boy’s Own Book" [printed label glued to page]; title page: "Joseph's First Album, by John Allan and A.J. Davis, 1863-1865" [all this handwritten,] with print from Robinson Crusoe.  Stamped in gilt on cover: Scrap Book.

                        Pictures of peasant and exotic costumes, European military figures; birds, animals, and shells; Benjamin Franklin; scenes from stories, myths, and history; items of architectural interest, including engraving of design by Davis, title page from Monkeyana, or Men in Miniature by Thomas Landseer.  Includes a birthday card.  Some engravings have been colored or were printed in color; cover detached and most pages are still sewn together 

                        [also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891] [trex 2574]  

 

 

Box 4: Scrapbook

 

66x148.4         Lacks title page; “blanks” written on fly leaf; has table of contents.

            Newspaper articles announcing meetings, gallery openings, speeches, art conventions, obituaries of and articles about clients and friends; anything cultural; early article from the "Evening Star" is about a meeting with Davis at his studio; some pages of quotes.  Includes: list of lectures projected by Davis in 1838; circular letter from American Academy of Fine Arts, after 1831, signed by Davis; song “The Starry Banner” (1868); ad for A. J. Davis (1876, on p. 170); article from Brother Jonathan illustrated by a cottage designed by Davis.  Titles of newspapers and dates sometimes noted, dates range from ca.1830-ca.1890.

                        Front cover missing.

                        [also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891] [trex 2575]

 

 

Box 5: Printed volumes

 

66x148.5         Letters of an Architect from France, Italy, and Greece, by Joseph Woods. London: Printed for John and Arthur Arch, 61 Cornhill, 1828. 2 vols.  

                        Davis wrote a few notes in the margins

                        [also available on microfilm, Mic. 890-891] [trex 2576]  

 

 

Box 6: Printed volume

 

67x101            Metropolitan Improvements: or, London in the Nineteenth Century;             Displayed in a Series of Engravings of the New Buildings, Improvements, etc…., by James Elmes. London: Published by Jones & Co., 1829. 

                        Copy owned by Davis; inscribed "Cost me $13.00, Davis, Proof copy on india paper."

                        [trex 2733]

 

 

Box 7

 

68x198.19-25              Floor plans in color:

                       

                        .19       Folded paper, with two plans (one on top, when opened a second appears):

                                    First plan (at top in pencil "122," in ink "5") is plan of a house, probably the first floor; no bedrooms; central hall leads to octagon shaped drawing room; library, cabinet, office on left side; dining room, stairs, breakfast room on right side; 2 wings, conservatory on left and kitchen on right; also a piazza; balanced and symmetrical; names of rooms written in English;.

 

2nd plan: first floor of a different house; central vestibule and atrium; on the left a library and another room (“zotheca”); on the right 2 rooms; 2 wings featuring a gallery and arboretum on the left and a kitchen on the right; symmetrical; at top in pencil "123, See Elevation in Cosmorama"; in ink "no"; room names and scale recorded in Latin.

 

                        .20a     floor plan with central hall leading to octagon shaped drawing room; on left, a boudoir, library, cabinet, office; on right, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen; conservatory wraps around left end of house; numbered 124; not symmetrical

 

                        .20b     first floor plan; central hall leading to domed drawing room; library, stairs, and office on left; dining and breakfast rooms on right; 2 wings: conservatory on left and kitchen on right; veranda or Oriental portico on back of house; includes entrance piazza; rough pencil sketch of front elevation; domed Federal style house; symmetrical; scale for house which is 170 feet long; at top in pencil "125 Wm. P. Van Rensaler"; in ink "3"

 

                        .21       Floor plan; central hall with a drawing room on left and a dining room and library on right; in back, family parlor, chamber, and kitchen; a portico and a conservatory wrap around the building; at top in pencil "Wadsworth, 133"; in ink "Designed for Mr. Wadsworth, Geneseo NY by A.J. Davis 1833"

                                    [on board with .19]

 

                        .22       Folded paper with 2 floor plans for “113; Gothic Villa of W.P. Chap[missing, i.e. Chapman] near Rye, Westchest. N [missing, i.e. Westchester County, New York]”

                                    Left-hand plan: "Second Story, W.P. Chapman Esq"; details of walls and slopes of roof; central dome; circular staircase; rectangular with wing on right where servants' quarters are located. 

                                    Right-hand plan: first floor plan of same house; central, octagon shaped hall leading to library; parlor and another room on left; stairs, dining and other room on right; in wing: pantry, storage, kitchen; terrace on back corners.  Total length including terrace is 113 feet; on upper right prices per room are listed; right edge is cut off affecting text, but plan is intact.

 

                        .23       Floor plan, numbered 111, labeled: "Plan, H. Sheldon, Millbrook. 1838"; building includes central hall and salon; library and another room on left; dining room, stairway, and pantry (with bath above) on right; building surrounded by a terrace or porch;

                                    on the back is a plan similar to the one on the front, though it is unfinished and not labeled; in pencil: "Study for S.M. Fox Esq"

 

                        .24       Floor plan labeled "for G. Howland" and "Study for Gardener Howland '30"; central hall leads to a semi-circular salon; two sets of stairs, one circular; rooms on left: dining room, pantry, butler’s pantry, gentlemen’s room; on right: parlor, library, ladies’ room, boudoir, dressing room; with colonnaded front, side, and back porches; on back: part of a drawing (rest cut off) and pencil study of a pulpitum

 

                        .25       Plan similar to .24, labeled "Study for Gardener Howland, Flushing, see the several Albums"; rooms labeled in pencil: on left, ladies’ parlor, housekeeper’s room, dining(?) room; on right: gentlemen’s parlor, library, , 2 other rooms, small conservatory; porticos with columns

 

 

68x198.26-31              Different elevations of a building designed for Philip and Archibald Kearney called "Central House".  [note: .31 is in box 12]

 

                        .26       Front elevation of building, labeled  "Study for Old Phil Kearney" and "no 4, See Kearney book full"; with 3 vertical rows of windows, separated by pilasters; central door; rusticated surfaces; heavy cornice; flat roof with 3 skylights; balcony on right side; covered entry with balcony above on left side

 

                        .27       Cross section of building in .26, labeled "Section East and West thro center" and "VIII, Kearney"; 4 stories high with a basement; symmetrical; 2 chimneys and 3 skylights

 

                        .28       Cross section of building in .26, labeled "Section thro the center of Central House" and "Kearney"; shows 4 stories and basement; 3 skylights

 

                        .29       Plan labeled “Basement,” for the house in .26; "for P.K."; several rooms are numbered, but none are labeled. 

 

                        .30       Floor plan, labeled "Principal Floor," "for P.K."; square, in 3 sections; to the left and right: 3 rooms, stairs in middle room, and plant cabinet off one room; central area section: dining room, stairs, drawing room

 

                        .31       Bound pamphlet in brown paper; on front in pencil "Old Phil Kearney"; first page: "Specification ... for building a dwelling house on 22nd St. between 4th Ave. and Bloomingdale Road for Philip and Archibald Kearney, Trustees ... Alex. J. Davis, Architect"; explains all materials and building specifications for excavator, mason, brick layer, plasterer, carpenter, plumber, glazier, painter, and bell hanger

                                    [note: this item is in Box 12]

 

 

68x198.32-34              Floor plans drawn for house for Bela Hubbard, client and possibly friend of A.J. Davis  [see also copies of photos filed with finding aid]

 

                        .32       Plan on graph paper, labeled “Study by Bela Hubbard for 2d Story, house at Detroit"; plan similar to .32; dimensions given for each room; plan includes 2 balconies and a skylight over the central hall

 

                        .33       Floor plan, labeled "Study for and by Bela Hubbard at Detroit"; entrance portico opens onto central hall, which leads to stairs; on left, parlor and library; on right, bedroom with adjoining bath, dining room, and drawing room; wing with kitchen and storage; overall dimensions: length 100 feet and depth 44 feet

 

                        .34       Floor plan on tracing paper, labeled "Bela Hubbard, Detroit, Feb. 1854"; not symmetrical; octagon shaped hall with stairs; on the left: library, and a bedroom with dressing room and bath; on the right: dining room, drawing room, and “plant cabinet” (i.e. conservatory); wing in back with kitchen and pantry; total length of 75 feet; total depth including wing 83 feet

 

 

68x198.35-39              Elevations of different buildings

 

                        .35       Ink drawings of tracery for Gothic style windows or decorations for porch railings; at bottom in pencil "Details porch[?] W.F. Worthington Esq."

 

                        .36       Front elevation of building; 3 stories; 6 windows across on second and third floors; 4 windows and 2 doors on first floor; windows in basement; no real decoration

 

                        .37       Front elevation of a Greek Revival church or public building, with carved inscription on entablature: "Pietas Ludovigi Regis XV Christianissimi";; 4 fluted columns frame a porch; central pediment and door; 2 wings with flat roofs and smaller doors; large dentil molding and triglyphs; no other ornamentation; building raised on platform with 8 steps

                                   

                        .38       Elevation labeled "Front"; symmetrical townhouse; 2 central doors next to each other; bay window next to each door; second floor: 4 windows across (2 on each house); hip roof with 2 chimneys; bay window on each side; left house also has a porch on its side; at top in pencil "to keep, B, 5".

 

                        .39       Front elevation of a symmetrical town house; captioned: "Front elevation avowing [sic] an attic, or inferior story, making carved arched heads in 2d story windows necessary as they rise above the beams of the attic floor. Plain Tuscan portico"; building has two central arched doors separated by a Doric column; bay window on each side of doors; 5 steps to doors and a small balcony over doors; 4 arched windows on 2d floor; 4 small attic windows; hip roof with two chimneys; top right corner: “single(?) drawing”

 

 

69x20              Davis family crest

Watercolor drawing of crest, glued to brown paper, showing shield with a yellow horizontal band; 2 light blue and purple cinquefoils above band and one below band; above the shield is a pouncing lion, wearing a blue and orange crown with jewels and other decorations.

                        At bottom center in ink: Davis; on left: "Crest.  A lion's head            erased OR. Ducaly crowned GU"; on right, "A fess. OR. between three cinquefoils AR. upon a field SA."

                        At bottom right of brown paper in pencil "drawn by A.J. Davis American Architect"  [trex 3204]

 

 

Box 8:

 

68x198.40-43              Elevations of different buildings

 

                        .40       Top drawing: front elevation in a classical style, possibly of a public building rather than a house; central recessed portico two stories high; 11 steps to portico; 3 pilasters; 4 windows above 4 windows; simple decoration; on roof 2 urns with a statue in between;

                                    Bottom drawing: floor plan of the building; no rooms shown or dimensions

           

                        .41       Top drawing: front elevation of a Greek style structure; bottom part has 2 short Doric columns and the top 2 tall Corinthian columns; building named N.Y. Geog.; a small dome (a skylight?) has been added in pencil

                                    bottom drawing: 3 floor plans for the building above, without description or dimensions, probably basement, 1st and 2d floors

 

                        .42       A cut-out front elevation of a large Gothic Revival building; 3 central doors with 4 groups of additional doors (2 groups to each side of central doors); windows across top 3 floors; pilasters separate each window and door; fairly flat roof; 3 triangular decorations added in pencil

 

                        .43       Fifth Avenue elevation of a building, 3 stories high; decoration around windows increases from left to right (variations in windows);

                                    bottom 1/5 of paper folds up, beneath fold is a variant of how the building would appear with an extra floor, and showing doors and more windows on bottom floor (possibly this is the elevation of this building on another street); scale is also beneath the fold

 

 

68x198.44-.47             Elevations and floor plans

 

                        .44a-f   Six separate colored drawings; long, narrow plans for each floor of a  townhouse, featuring an oval staircase; dimensions given; f-"Attic;" e-"Third Story;" d-"Second Story;" c-"First Story;" b-"Basement;" a-"Cellar"

 

                        .45       Floor plan in pencil for a circular auditorium with a gallery, possibly a church or theatre; lower right: "1570 spaces ... 755 seats ... 2 galleries"

 

                        .46       Floor plan, half in pencil, half in ink, for a semicircular auditorium, perhaps a church or theater; at top 2 small drawings of semicircular auditoriums set into squares

 

                        .47       Cross section showing 1/2 dome on right, flat ceiling on left, small portico on right, larger portico on left with Doric fluted columns

 

68x198.48 (in map case 2, drawer 8) plans for “A Villa,” dated December 1878, “Arch. A. Campbell,” scale 1/8 inch = 1 foot, in color, two plans on one sheet of paper,

 

                        on left: plans for the lower level, with kitchen, servant’s hall, laundry, furnace room, and storage (vegetables, wood, coal, etc.);

                        on right: floor plan for main floor, with vestibule, stair tower, dining and breakfast rooms, parlor, conservatory, butler’s pantry, piazza; this plan also shows placement of driveway and garden walks

 

68x198.49       Line drawing of an Italianate house, with one story and two story sections and a square tower, initialed J.S. in lower right corner; 1835 or later; identified elsewhere as a tracing of Bishop Doane’s villa by John Notman

                        Paper watermarked “J Whatman, Turkey Mill, 1835”

                        [trex 3175]

 

68x198.50-.52             Drawings of furniture

 

                        .50       Watercolor drawing of 3 furniture pieces: a desk, a writing desk, and a Gothic Revival chair.

Stamped on back: Mathesius and Frey, Cabinet Furniture and Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY

 

                        .51       Watercolor drawing for bench, front and side views

                                    in pencil: "Scale 1 in. = 1 ft."

                                    Stamped on back: Mathesius & Frey, Cabinet Furniture & Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY

 

                        .52       Watercolor drawing of a cabinet; design on cabinet panel similar to panels on bench (68x198.51) and writing desk (68x198.50);            

                                    In pencil at bottom: "Scale 1 inch = 1 foot"

Stamped on back: Mathesius & Frey, Cabinet Furniture & Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY

 

 

69x197                        Two drawings: elevation and floor plan for Astor’s Hotel, by I. Town & A. J. Davis, 1832

At top: elevation of left side and front, of large domed building with towers on each corner; front entrance has a portico with Ionic columns.  Labeled: "Design made for Astor's Hotel, NY, by I. Town and A.J.Davis, Arc'ts, 1832, Stodart & Currier's Lith., 137 Broadway NY 1832"

                        Bottom: first floor plan, in color; shows rotunda, Gothic Hall, two open courts, a dining room, separate parlours for ladies and gentlemen, an office, ladies’ dining room, and private chambers.  Labeled: “Plan by Ithiel Town, Arc’t….”

                        [trex 3321]

 

 

Box 9: Watercolors of Rotch House (accession number 69x220.2-.14)

 

.2         Watercolor of exterior of Rotch house

front of house; large front yard; on back "Wm W Crapo New Bedford 275 25629"

            In white mat

 

.3         Watercolor of interior of Rotch house

upstairs landing; painted walls; carpeted floor; stairs to right with statue and tall case clock on half landing; large chest to left with sconce and pictures above it on wall; 3 doors to rooms; pictures on walls and windows above landing

            In white mat

 

.4         Watercolor of interior

            Vertical; large window with window seat; rocking chair and table in front of window

            In white mat

 

.5         Watercolor of interior

            Room with sloping walls on either side; window at center; on right: sofa, chest with a mirror next to window; on left: bookshelves; slant-top desk next to window with pictures and diploma from Friends Academy above; round table in center with a chair and a rocking chair with rush seats; wall paper and area rug

            In white mat

 

.6         Watercolor of interior

            Vertical; same room as photograph with Stanford Crapo (69x220.40); portrait on wall, lowboy under portrait, various chairs and tables placed around room, area rug

            In white mat

 

.7         Watercolor of interior

Dining room, with an alcove; door on left; drop-leaf table; screen blocking part of alcove; window in alcove; on right, a chair and sideboard; in center, a pedestal table with 4 unmatched chairs; large chandelier over table; pictures, portrait, and clock on walls; area rug

            In white mat

 

.8         Watercolor of interior; same room as 69x220.18

Window on each wall; bookcase and daybed in corner; on right, a writing desk and a stool under window; rug and brightly patterned valences on windows; pictures on walls

            In white mat

 

.9         Watercolor of part of garden

Garden gate and fence with X design; open and low; bright flowers and large sun flowers on inside of fence; path leads to gate

            In white mat

 

.10       Watercolor of exterior

2 large trees in foreground; 1 small building; clapboard with 3 windows in back; a picket fence on left; on right, a small wood shed by fence; can see other buildings in background, mostly screened by trees;

            In white mat

 

.11       Watercolor of interior

Vertical; shows doorway on right, through which is a view of staircase; on left, a fireplace with mirror, candelabra, and objects on mantle; area rugs and brass (?) fender in front of fireplace

            In white mat

 

.12       Watercolor of interior

Vertical; at center, 3 wood stairs up to doorway; through door see bookcase with sets of books; at bottom of steps, corner of table to right and end of chest to left; carpeted floor; wallpaper in room with bookcase

            In white mat

 

.13       Watercolor of interior

Vertical; stables; on right, 2 stalls for horses (1 horse); wood floor and walls; on left, door to outside; various equipment hanging on walls

            In white mat

 

.14       Newspaper: Boston Cultivator, vol. 12 no. 2, Boston, MA, Saturday morning, January 12, 1850

Article on front page about Rotch house; front elevation, floor plan, and critique taken from the Horticulturalist.  Critique says that a full second story would be better than the existing 1 1/2 because of the warm climate;

At top to right "Esther R[torn]" in ink; underneath "Presumably Peirce or later member [illegible]" in pencil; to left "Given to John M. Bullard by Sarah Scudder Ashley, great- granddaughter of W.J.R. about 1950" in pencil.

            Outside corners are torn off, but mended

 

 

Box 10: Materials about Rotch House (acc. 69x220.15-.55; note: .43-.44 are in map case 2, drawer 8)  (see also acc. 68x198.1-.3)

 

            .15       Brown covered pamphlet entitled "Specifications of house at            New Bedford for Wm. J. Rotch Mason" (in ink), work for the mason "to be included in the carpenter's bid" (in pencil). 

 

            .16       Brown covered bound pamphlet entitled "Specifications of House at New Bedford for Wm. J. Rotch Carpenter" (in ink), work for the carpenter.

 First page: "Dwelling house for Wm. J. Rotch ... according to plans by Wm. R. Emerson, Architect."  Describes materials and procedures for a timber house.  (Same Wm. Rotch that commissioned A.J. Davis or his grandfather?)

 

            .17       Copy of typed text.  First page is extract from "The Architecture of Country Houses ..., by A.J. Downing" and his ideas about the Rotch house designed by Davis. 

                        Page 2-32: text written by an unnamed descendant of Wm. Rotch.  It describes the house, its structural changes, the families who lived in it, and the furniture in the house.  The writer lived in it with his wife (a Crapo) beginning in the Fall of 1946.

 

            .18       Sepia photo; interior; cut on right side (1/2 of a stereoscope card ?)

Painted ceiling; walls have coverings; fireplace on right wall; large dresser with mirror; 3 chairs; 1 round table; desk at window with woman writing;

                        On back: "Smith 04" in ink.  "Mrs. W.W. Crapo upstairs in Rotch House" in pencil

 

            .19       Sepia photo; interior; cut (1/2 of stereoscope card?)

Painted and designed walls; chandelier; pictures; 1 table with books; 2 chairs; 1 door to left open to a staircase on right; a portal to entrance hall and another room.  On back "Grinnell"

 

            .20       Black and white photo of Rotch house in snow

                        Angled front and right side view;

                        Mounted on silver and white paper; Christmas card?

 

            .21       Black and white photo postcard of Roach house; frontal view

Large lawn in front with circular drive in between;5 people on grass (4 women and 1 man) playing croquet; 3 people in drive (1 man and 2 girls); 2 women on steps of house; original photo taken ca.1865

[see also .42 – framed photo]

 

            .22        Black and white photo; exterior

                        Angled front and left side view; same photo as 69x227;

On back "George M. Cushing. Photography 306 Newbury Street, Boston 536-4750" "B7450-H 2826 B22-45"

 

            .23       Black and white photo of drawing

Frontal view of Gothic Revival Rotch house; very precise like an architectural drawing; pen and watercolor; on back; small "1 1/2 +3"

 

            .24       Black and white photo; interior

Front doors and entrance hall; 1 door on each side and 1 closet between each door and front door; painted walls; Identical chairs and columns each with a statue geometrically arranged. On back, Cushing  "B7450-K  2826 B2-45"

 

            .25       Black and white photo; interior

Painted walls and ceiling; parquet floors with area rugs.  Sofa and oval coffee table; fireplace on right.  Desk and chair on left; portraits above desk and mantle; tapestries frame desk; 2 doors, 1 leads to room with table and clock.  On back, Cushing seal "B7450-N 2826 B2-45"

 

            .26       Black and white photo; exterior; on heavy paper

                        Same photo as 69x220.22, though not as sharp

 

            .27       Black and white photo on heavy paper

                        Same photo as 69x220.25, though not as clear

 

            .28       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

                        Similar to 69x220.24; Entrance hall with front doors; identical chairs and columns with 2 statues;           Design in floor (geometric); round design in ceiling (for chandelier?); room appears octagonal

 

            .29       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Frontal view of fireplace featured in 69x220.25; marble(?) with metal fender and kindling bucket;  Mantel flanked with identical cut-glass pedestal jars;  portrait of a man above mantel; Fireplace flanked by doors

 

            .30       Black and white photo on heavy paper: interior

                        Design on floor; painted walls;

Center doors flanked by narrow closet doors; appears to be the other 1/2 of octagonal entrance hallway; on back "Please credit Grinnell Birchfield Farm South Dartmouth, Mass."  "Geo C & Su 4150 B2-45"

 

            .31       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

                        Same photo as 69x220.24, but not as clear

 

            .32       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Formal dining room; in center a round pedestal table with 4 chairs (2 armchairs and 2 side chairs); behind table a window with shutters; identical display on either side of the window: a wall-hanging, a lowboy, 2 crystal carafes, a plant in a metal pot, and a marble (?) column; floor design is like that of the entrance hall

 

            .33       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Similar to 69x220.32 but includes left wall; window with table and chairs, lowboys and columns; on left wall: a fireplace identical to the one in 69x220.29 with an ornate (baroque?) mirror, candelabra, a mantel clock; there is a closed door to the right of the fireplace

 

            .34       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Sideboard with chair in corner of dining room; on top of sideboard are 2 candelabra and an urn on a tray; Portrait of a man above sideboard; a sconce above chair.  There is a door that leads to other rooms. Design in the floor is identical to the entrance way

 

            .35       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Another view of dining room, with sideboard and portrait to the left.  In the middle there is a door to the other rooms; on the right 2 chairs with a portrait of a woman above.  In the center of the room is a table with 3 chairs and fruit resting on top of table.

 

            .36       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Room with a fireplace on the right wall.  In front are 2 settees with nesting end tables.  On back wall is an entrance to a small room with a bow window and a fountain.   Design in floor like the entrance way.   Above fireplace is a mirror identical to one in 69x220.29.   To the left is a tea table.

 

            .37       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

In foreground is a tea table (like in 69x220.36) in front of sofa.  Behind the sofa is a window; to the left of the sofa is a highboy and a chair, 2 wall hangings; floor like that of entranceway.

 

            .38       Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Fireplace (marble?) flanked by 2 doors.  In front of fireplace are identical chairs facing each other with identical end tables; decorated footrest in between; round convex mirror over mantle.

 

            .39a     Black and white photo; exterior of Rotch house

Angled front and right side view. Brick chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; Gothic Revival.  On back "Rotch House New Bedford 1977"

 

            .39b     Black and white photo; exterior of Rotch house

Angled left side and front.  Brick chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; large bow window on left side; Gothic Revival; name on back: Wayne Andrews

 

            .40       Four sepia  photos glued to black paper. On back of paper "2nd Batch"

 

                        1. Photo identical to 69x220.18 with caption "Mrs. Wm W. Crapo"

            2. Photo of interior large window in alcove; in center a round table with a man writing; at the back a desk with papers; captioned "Stanford T. Crapo"

            3. Photo of interior; 3 women and 1 man at a round table, probably dining or breakfast table, in center of room; a fireplace with an oval mirror on back wall; faded caption on side: "Mrs. William Crapo, Mrs. (?) Trappezo, Mrs. Thomas Coland (?) and Stanford T. Crapo"

                        4. Photo of interior identical to 69x220.19

 

            .41       Sepia photo; exterior of Rotch house, with some snow

                        Angled front and right side; large lot in front

On back in ink: "From JGR Built by Mr. J Rotch about 1840 . 1954 now 19 Irving Street, lived in by John M.T.C.C. Bullard"; in pencil there is a rough floor plan of rooms and bedrooms with names.

                        On brown board; broken and ripped

 

            .42       Sepia photo of a exterior of Rotch house; matted in beige and in a wood frame; photo similar to 69x220.21

Family members are playing or watching a croquet game.  Full front elevation of the Rotch house; large front yard.

Written on back: "Left to right in Front: Clara M. Rotch, wife W.J.R.; Morgan Rotch, son of W.J.R. and Emily Morgan Rotch; Nannie Rotch, sister of Thos. M. Rotch; Helen Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR, later wife of Thos. M.R.; William Rotch, who built the house at 7 Orchard St. about 1845, moved back about 1908 to 19 Irving St. (Its own grounds shown in picture); Sarah ("Zaidle") Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR.  In drive: Emily M. Rotch, daughter of WJR and EM.  Above: Anna S. Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR; Aunt Helen, mother of  Thos. M. Rotch, widow of Rodman Rotch, she was Helen Morgan; Susan Rodman, 1st cousin of WJR, CMR, and EMR, later caccia of Italy.  Taken in 1867 or 1868  (EMR and ASR may be reversed)."

 

            .43       Blueprint of Rotch house with changes in pencil – in map case 2, drawer 8

                        "First Floor Plan scale 1/4" = 1'0; Alterations for Mr.           Henry Crapo; corner Irving and Maple Sts. New Bedford,  Mass. Jan. 23, 1928  Feb. 17, 1928.  Measured Drawing of Existing Building; Wm Tallman Architect, 202 Union St. New Bedford, Mass.  Drwg. No.1."

 

            .44       Blueprint of Rotch House with changes in pencil – in map case 2, drawer 8

                        Same writing as 69x220.43, except "Second Floor Plan Drwg No. 2"

 

            .45       3 typed pages on onion paper

Entitled "A. J. Davis and his Critics, letter from Davis in 'Horticulturalist' Feb. 1850, pp. 389-90;" pages are numbered xvi, xvii, xviii.

Letter is a rebuttal to an article in Jan. issue of Horticulturalist critiquing and disapproving of the Rotch House.

                        No evidence of who typed the pages.

 

            .46       3 typed pages

Entitled "Extracts from 'Romanticism in America.' Published by Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore May 1940"

On the last page Henry T. Crapo describes gothic urban architecture mentioning A.J. Davis, A.J. Downing, and the Rotch House in New Bedford

 

            .47       2 typed pages on onion paper

Entitled "From 'The Architecture of Country House; Including Designs for Cottages, Farm Houses, and Villas' by A.J. Downing; D. Appleton and Co.; 1850, page 295"

                        Same excerpt about Rotch House as the 1st page of 69x220.17

 

            .47a     Black and white photo

                        Angled left side and front

                        Gothic revival; Rotch House; identical picture (but smaller) as 69x220.39

 

            .47f      Typed letter on onion paper to Mr. Crapo from Wayne Andrews who asks for permission to photograph Rotch House.

                        Dated September 16, 1945

 

            .47h     Letter on ruled paper to Wayne Andrews from Mrs. Bullard's uncle, Mr. Crapo, answering Andrews' request, offers photographs and information about house.

                        Dated September 21

 

            .47g     Typed letter on onion paper to Mr. Crapo from Wayne Andrews thanking him for permission to photograph house; photo only to be used in libraries and museums

                        Dated September 23, 1945

 

            .47d     Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews thanking her for permission to photograph the house

                        Dated October 5, 1945

 

            .47e     Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews thanking her for the opportunity to photograph            and for having a tour of the house

                        Dated November 2, 1945

 

            .47b     Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews; he enclosed it with a copy of Davis' letter to the Horticulturalist magazine

                        Dated November 29, 1945

 

            .48       Typed on onion paper; "Emily Knowles Interviews 9/12/64";

Brief description of who slept where on an undated night.  Mention of chimneys of house: "Were they ever built?"; ("Yes, see croquet picture" in pencil);  Copy is found an last page of 69x220.17

 

            .49       Handwritten letter to Mrs. John Morgan Bullard from Jane B. Davies [Mrs. Tyn Davies] thanking her for a tour of the house and pictures of it

                        Dated July 31, 1967

 

            .50       Black and white print, from photo

Angled left side and front view; large front yard; taken before move; Entitled "residence of Morgan Rotch."  "Photo Eng. Co. NY" in lower right corner

                        Ripped, taped on back, wrinkled

 

            .51b     Typed letter on blue stationary; to Helen from Aunt Elizabeth

A sympathy note for Helen's mother, telling stories about family gatherings at Rotch House;

                        Dated April 4, 1949

 

            .51a     Handwritten white card, talking about Aunt Elizabeth Kidder

                        Is she a du Pont or a Huidekofer?; no other names or  signatures.

 

            .52b     Envelope with typed address: Mrs. Francis Gray, 349 Marlboro St., Boston, MA

Written in upper left-hand corner: "letter from Mrs. Henry P. Kidder who was 96 on May 30th"

                        Postmarked Meadville, PA, May 30, 1947

                        Accompanied by letter described below

 

            .52a     Typed letter to Helen from Aunt Elizabeth; answering a letter

Writer talks about family and other little things, mentioning the Rotch House (referred to as Old Gable House)

                        Dated May 29, 1947

                        Accompanied by envelope, described above

 

            .53       Article from House & Garden,  dated Oct. 1927, page 122, entitled "An Architect of the Romantic Era: the Career of A.J. Davis, a Favorite in the Fifties who has Lately Been Honored by the Metropolitan Museum," by Richard H. Pratt;

Describes Davis' style and popularity; shows drawing of Rotch house; written in ink at top "This man, Davis, must have built the Rotch house on Orchard Street"

                        Badly folded and ripped, old tape holding it together

 

            .54       Magazine article from Town and Country, November 1947, pages 114-117, 130, 132, 134-135: "America's Gothic Hour--How Alexander Jackson Davis guided our Romantic Movement Backward to 'Modern' Architecture," by Wayne Andrews;

Describes Davis' career, the many houses he designed, and how he developed the Gothic Style

 

            .55       Entire issue of House Beautiful, February 1965

Title of article (p. 90) "The Impatient Evolution of the American House," by Wayne Andrews;

                        Article follows architecture of America from its beginnings;

                        Page 98: photograph of the Rotch House designed by A.J. Davis

 

69x227                        Color photo of Rotch house, Gothic Revival; shingled roof; clapboard siding; gingerbread. On back "George M. Cushing Photography, Boston.  B7450-H.  Wm. J. Rotch House taken Spring 1967 just before           Mrs. John M. Bullard moved out."   Glued to white mat

                        [trex 3352]

 

 

Box 11: prints, drawings

 

70x24              Lithograph of Greek revival building labeled "Branch Bank of U.S., Erected 1825, Front 75 feet, on stone by A.J. Davis, E.M. Thompson, Architect, New York, Imbert's Lithography"

                        On back: "Artist--Davis, Subject--Branch Bank of US, 1830.             Lithograph, Gordon Dunthorne, Etchings and Engravings, 1726 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC;" in pencil: "Keech 1830" [print is matted]

 

70x25              Lithograph of Greek revival building labeled "Merchant's Exchange, New York, Imbert's Lithography, E.M. Thompson, Architect, on stone by A.J. Davis"

On back: "Artist--Davis, Subject--Merchant's Exchange 1830." Lithograph Gordon Dunthorne, Etchings and Engravings, 1726 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC" [this is now covered up]

 

70x31              Colored lithograph of Greek revival temple labeled "Phenix Bank, Imbert's Lithography, M.E. Thompson, Architect, N.Y., Davis."  [Davis was the artist.]

                        [trex 3395]

 

71x8                Ink and watercolor drawing of a gazebo; titled "Temple of Confederation, Erected on Newark Common, July 4, 1826;" signed "Drawn by A.J. Davis;" on back, in pencil "Whithead"

Gazebo has 13 columns with Ionic capitals, small Roman arches between each; small cornice; roof is open, a bar from each column curving up to center to             form a dome; at the top of the dome is a fancy finial reading: "Independence July 4th 1776 Liberty and Equality;" Under cornice and above arches, names of men involved in the Revolutionary War (Rochambeau, Lafayette, Washington, Green, de Grass); around arches, names of the 13 states; on columns, winding around, names of Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

                        Vines and flowers grow all around the columns, cornice, and dome

 

71x24              Colored lithograph of Gothic revival building labeled “Masonic Hall, Front on Broadway, 50 Feet. On stone by A.J. Davis, H. Reinagle, Architect, Imbert's Lithography."

                        [trex 3529]

           

71x164                        Cross section of a Greek revival building; on left, a portico with 3 fluted Doric columns leading to a small dome with Ionic columns, leads to large cylindrical room with a dome, leads to a  small 1/2 dome with Doric columns, leads to rear entrance with fluted Doric columns; central room creates a tower at center of building; other 2 domes have small cap (a skylight) on roof; a lower level is underneath main level, with doors and a spiral staircase to central room; lower left: "Town and Davis Arch'ts"; lower right: "Stirewalt Delineator;" torn at upper right; lower left corner broken off but present

                        [trex 3654]

 

72x59              Pencil drawing of "Chapone Seminary, New Rochelle 1830, A.J. Davis del."

                        Pencil drawing; exterior of house; front and left side elevation;

 

72x302                        Lithograph of Greek revival building labeled "Second Congregational Church N.Y., Erected 1826 corner of Prince and Mercer Streets, front sixty three feet,. A.J. Davis, del. J.R. Brady, Architect. Imbert's Lithography."

 

73x23              Lithograph labeled "Design for a Village Church.  A.J. Davis, Architect. Bufford's

                        Lithog. 114 Nassau St., N.Y. On stone by J.H. Bufford."

                        Gothic revival style church; includes elevation, plan of nave, and 2 additional plans added in ink.

                        [on board with 72x59]

 

75x14              Watercolor drawing of the exterior of a Greek revival building, front and side elevations:

On left: front elevation, labeled  “Front on Jones Street," symmetrical, center door with 12 step staircase, fluted Ionic columns supporting small roof for portico, large sash windows on either side of front door with small windows under them for basement; 2d floor has 3 sash windows, each with panel with Greek key design under it; large pilasters frame windows and door;, 3 small windows on 3d floor; roof is basically flat; large bay window on right side of building on first floor;

On right: side elevation, labeled "Front on Broadway”; almost identical to front but no door, 1st floor windows are equal in size to those of 2nd floor but lack the decorative panel underneath them; on right side of building, a profile of portico with a staircase;

underneath drawings is scale, “1/8 of an inch to the foot";

drawings on thick board with crusted glue around edges as if in a frame; badly cracked horizontally;

on back in pencil are different numbers with neither order nor logic

[trex 6561]

 

78x287                        Pictures of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island, New York

 

                        .1         lithograph, in color: "Bird's Eye View of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Blackwell's Island, New York." A.J. Davis, architect, Currier's Lithographer.

                       

                        .2         4 small pen and ink sketches of the Blackwell Island asylum

                                    Drawing on top: "Elevation of the North End";

                        Three drawings on bottom: “Section East to West of Chapel,” “Elevation Center Building,” “Section North to South of Chapel.”

 

                        .3         drawings labeled “Elevation of the Eastern Front and Plan of the Principal Floor, Lunatic Asylum, Blackwell Isl."

            Top: Elevation of the rear of the building. Central building has Doric columns and portico; each of the 2 arms has a recessed Doric portico; 2 octagonal buildings are shown; a row of windows runs straight across the building.               

                                    Bottom: U-shaped floor plan with notes written in pencil.

 

78x288                        Lithograph labeled "Merchant's Exchange New York" Thompson, Architect; Imbert's Lithography; on stone by A.J. Davis.  In pencil, "Peters, p. 232, ca. 1826-1829"

 

 

 

Box 12:

 

Folder 1:         61x19.105-.106           Receipts for three months room rent in the Merchant's Exchange Building, on printed forms, with picture of the building

                        .105     Dated May 2, 1853 (form printed by George Scott Roe)

                        .106     Dated February 1, 1861 (form printed by Wm. D. Roe & Co.)

 

Folder 2:         67x102                        Description of Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire, with Views. London: William Clarke, New Bond Street, MDCCCXVII [1817].

                        In ink on front: "Fonthill Abbey." 

                        Includes hand drawn floor plan signed by Davis.

Book has four illustrations, "drawn and engraved by J. Storer."  On last page of book, the words splendor and Finis are written in pencil to look like typeprint.

 

Folder 3:         68x96              Scrapbook, labeled on front in pencil: "Emblems[,] Symbols[,] Sir Joshua Reynolds[,] Bank Notes;"

                        Contains loose papers with cut banknotes and images taken from newspapers or magazines, usually with a mythological or classical image.

                        Collection attributed to A.J. Davis.

 

Folder 4:         68x181                        “Artistical Notebook. Index,” a manuscript volume (unbound).

                        Written on cover: "’Moral Emblems,’ a small quarto, coloured plates gilt."

Contains drawings and watercolors of what are termed “heroic devices & emblems,” taken from a work entitled Heroic Devices, dated 1557, in the possession of John Allan.  Also includes Latin mottoes, and English translations.

The devices are drawn in ink; some are colored.  Designs include keys, clouds, portcullis, flowers, a frog, a labyrinth, wreath, etc.

                        Attributed to A.J. Davis

 

Folder 5:         68x198.1-3      Three letters in ink to A.J. Davis from Wm. J. Rotch, discussing Davis' plans for a house for Rotch

                        .1         Rotch asks Davis to draw plans for his house in New Bedford;                                                         Davis had been recommended by John Angier; letter dated April 14, 1845.

                        .2         Rotch tells Davis that he prefers a "Gothic Cottage" and wants a wood house; he will pay up to $5000; refers to Downing's new book; letter dated April 26th 1845

                        .3         Rotch asks Davis about ideas and the costs of carving and materials in New York; he says the house will cost about $6000; in pencil "Broadway near Maiden Lane. locks, mortice $3.00, butts $4.00 per doz. 7/ per door;" in ink "Answered July 10 '45 ... best mortice locks $3.00, butts, per doz., 4.00, knobs of porcelain .87 1/2 each"; pencil and ink in Davis' handwriting; letter dated July 7, 1865

 

Folder 6:         68x198.4-11    Eight letters in brown paper folder labeled in pencil "D.S. Swain, Gov., N.C.”  At the time of these letters, Swain was president of the University of North Carolina  

                        .4         To A.J. Davis from D.S. Swain; discusses the additions to Old East and Old West buildings at UNC; invites Davis to attend upcoming commencement exercises; mentions “societies” - these are the Dialectic and Philanthropic literary societies which were to have “odeons” (debating halls) and libraries in the additions; letter dated April 18, 1845 from Chapel Hill..

                        .5         To Davis from Swain; additional projects for UNC – landscaping, a bell tower [not built], a cemetery; dated June 13, 1845 from Chapel Hill.

                        .6         To Davis from Swain; please forward enclosed to Mr. Donaldson; reports crack in a wall; dated Aug. 8, 1845 from Chapel Hill.

                        .7         To Davis from Swain; would like to see the plan which was referred to in a letter Davis wrote Dec. 28, 1844; wants to hire a campus gardener for $400 a year; letter dated Oct. 3, 1846 from Chapel Hill.

                        .8         To Davis from Swain; comments on Davis’ engagement of P. McLoughlin as a landscape gardener [probably for work at UNC]; letter dated Feb. 26, 1847 from Chapel Hill.

                        .9         To Davis from Swain; mentions a professorship of agriculture; dated Oct 10, 1847 from Raleigh.

                        .10       To Davis from Swain; discusses the number of people who attend balls and the number of volumes in the library [Davis is working on plans for Smith Hall, which was used as ballroom and library; this building is now called Playmakers Theater]; dated Nov. 16, 1849 from Chapel Hill.

                        .11       To Davis from Bishop W.W. Green; requests help in finishing a church [the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill]; told to do so by Swain; inquires when Ruffin’s drawings of campus will be published; still looking for a campus gardener; letter dated Feb. 3, 1846 from Chapel Hill, NC; at end in Davis' handwriting: "Answered Feb. 23 '46 with acknowledgement of drawings by J.H. Ruffin of Campus."

 

Folder 7:         68x198.12       Letter to Davis from C. W. T. Cromwell, discussing shape and size of siding for his house; dated Aug. 23, 1851 from Rye, N.Y.

 

Folder 8:         68x198.13-15              Drawings of a man with a beard.

                        .13       Small pencil drawing; rear view of a man with a hat sitting in a chair and reading a newspaper; paper appears to be cut to crop picture.

                        .14       Pencil drawing of a man cutting his beard holding a mirror;

                                                written on back of mirror "Reynlds [sic] 78, N.Y."; signed "A.J. Davis, Architect, NY"

                        .15       Pen and ink drawing; side view of a man sitting and reading a floor plan; chair appears to be a Greek Klismos chair; lower right corner, a cross with a corkscrew bottom; upper right corner, "Reynolds N.Y. 1878"; on back a crossed out watercolor, then cut to crop picture.

 

Folder 9:         68x198.16-18              Drawings or watercolors signed by Davis;

                        .16       Tiny drawing mounted on blue paper; a Federal style house on a hill, 3 stories high with an arcade on side and a balustrade; labeled "New London Homestead" and "Lewis House" at bottom of drawing; "Drawn by A.J. Davis"

                                   

                        .17       Watercolor in brown; on left a man with a top hat sits next to a tree on a hill that overlooks a harbor; 6 sailboats and a dinghy in harbor; buildings and land in background; "A.J. Davis 1828" in lower left corner; "New York from Weehawk" in lower right corner

                                   

                        .18       Watercolor in brown; 12 men in top hats and tailcoats milling around on deck of a boat; wood planks with a fence; 1 sailboat in water; skyline in background; along bottom sketches of tops (mostly church steeples) of different buildings with names-"St. Peter, Murray, St. P., West, Wall, Trinity, Liberty, Dutch, Wm., Exchange, St. George"; signed "A.J. Davis 1828;" lower right corner: "N.Y. from Steamboat"

 

Folder 10:       68x198            .31       Bound pamphlet in brown paper; on front in pencil "Old Phil Kearney";

            first page: "Specification ... for building a dwelling house on 22nd St. between 4th Ave. and Bloomingdale Road for Philip and Archibald Kearney, Trustees ... Alex. J. Davis, Architect"; explains all materials and building specifications for excavator, mason, brick layer, plasterer, carpenter, plumber, etc. 

 

Folder 11:       71x252                        Lithograph labeled "Washington Institute, New York, Lithog’y of Pendleton, 137 Broadway, NY  A.J. Davis del."; in pencil "1829"

           

Folder 12:       72x250                        Print of a Greek revival building labeled "Bowery Theatre, New-York. Drawn and Engraved expressly for the New-York Mirror, and Ladies' Literary Gazette. 1828.  A.J. Davis del., W. Hooker, Printer. Rawdon, Wright, & Co. Sc. N. York, Sera Archt."

                        [Another copy is in the museum collection, acc. 1975.0249.]

 

 Folder 13:      76x323.1-4      Four pamphlets (handwritten)

 

                        .1         "Erec. No. 1. Ionic: From the Flowered Ornament on the Necking, termed by Grecian Architects Anoemion."  Describes the temples of Athens and in particular those of the Ionic order, especially the Erechtheion. Written on front cover in pencil : "the four A.J. Davis."

 

                        .2         "Erec. No. 2."  Continues from no.1, describing in detail the dimensions and decoration of the Erechtheion; last page in pencil: "In going to Astor Library, consult Inwood's Erectheion where he speaks of Besalibos."

 

                        .3         "Architectural Criticism."  Criticizes several different buildings, usually Gothic, and how their additions have not been in keeping with their architectural style; quotes heavily from "Tappan's Professional Observations on the Architecture of France and Italy."

 

                        .4         “Character--causes of failure, etc."  Continues from .3; praises the lines, beauty, and appropriate character of Greek architecture; pages in brown and blue ink and pencil; cover detached

 

Folder 14:       78x272                        Print of Greek revival building labeled "Residence of Ithiel Town, Esq., New Haven, Ct. A.J. Davis del."

 

Folder 15:       05x5.1-.2         Two prints of “Public Buildings in the City of New-York,” drawn by A.J. Davis, for the New-York Mirror, one engraved by Wm. D. Smith in 1830, and the other engraved by J. [or I.] Eddy.  Both depict churches, both not ones designed by Davis.

                        .1 depicts Brick Meeting, Beekman St.; Firs Presbyterian, Wall St., Reformed Presbyterian, Murray St.; South Dutch, Exchange St., North Church, William St., and Middle Dutch, Nassau St.;

                        .2 depicts Christ Church, Anthony St.; St. Mark’s, Stuyvesant St.; St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Mott St.; Grace Church, Broadway, St. George’s, Beekman St., and Presbyterian Church, Cedar St.

 

Folder 16;       Printout from Mic. 717            catalog of library of A. J. Davis, printed out from Mic. 717.   (Original catalog is held by the New York Public Library.)

 

 

 

OVERSIZED MATERIALS:

 

Map case 2, drawer 8           

 

68x198.48       plans for “A Villa,” dated December 1878, “Arch. A. Campbell”

 

                        two plans on one sheet of paper:

                        on left: plans for the lower level, with kitchen, servant’s hall, laundry, furnace room, and storage;

                        on right: floor plan for main floor, with vestibule, stair tower, dining and breakfast rooms, parlor, conservatory, butler’s pantry, piazza; this plan also shows placement of driveway and garden walks

 

 

Mic. 90            Diary of A. J. Davis, 1827-1853. 

                        (Original is held by the New York Public Library.)

 

Mic. 717          catalog of library of A. J. Davis (print-out of this item is in Box 12)

                        (Original is held by the New York Public Library.)

 

Mic. 890-891  Scrapbooks kept by A.J. Davis, accession numbers 66x148.1-.5 (see above for descriptions)

 

The following materials about A.J. Davis are found in the Maps and Prints Study Collection.

 

73.545   69x198 

"Capitol of the State of Indiana, I. Town and A.J. Davis, Architects, 1834"

Drawing of elevation and floor plan of a building; top half is            elevation showing front and right side views; basic Doric temple plan: front, 8 columns across, portico, 2 columns             deep; Doric pilasters run down side; rear portico matches     front portico; small pediment; in middle, tall dome with Doric pilasters and around cupola Corinthian columns;

Bottom half is floor plan; shows porticos and central dome with a double circular staircase; on each side of dome a semi-circular floor plan is mapped out with columns; left side is the Senate and the right side is the House of Representatives

 

73.563   71x99

"St. Thomas Church, Broadway, Imbert's Lithography, J.R. Brady, Architect, A.J. Davis, del."

Colored lithograph showing the exterior of the building; left side and front view; Gothic Revival front; large Gothic window with diamond tracery over front door; Gothic door flanked by niches; front flanked by 2 towers with Gothic       windows, niches, and 8 main spires; roof is A-shaped, the edge carved like the top of a Medieval castle; row of 6 Gothic windows; wrought iron fence around building

 

75.249

"Bowery Theatre, New York"

Black and white lithograph in matted folder; exterior; front elevation; Greek revival; rear of building fades into clouds.  Identical to 72x250

 

75.250

"St. Thomas' Church, Broadway. Drawn and Engraved for the New York Mirror 1829, Drawn by A.J. Davis, Rawdon Wright & Co., Printed by G. & J. Neale"

Black and white lithograph in white matted folder

Identical to 71x99 and 73.563

 

75.251

"View of St. John's Chapel, From the Park, Drawn and Engraved for            The New York Mirror, 1829, Davis, del. and W.D. Smith, Sc." Lithograph in mat; front elevation of a building in a park;         bench-lined walk leads to building that features large pediment with a rose window supported by 4 Corinthian columns; central door with fan window and pediment; door flanked by 2 doors with transept windows; on 2nd floor 3 arched windows; tower extremely tall, as much as two times the height of the building; rose window, clock, Ionic and Corinthian columns, topped with a cross

 

75.252

"St. Paul's, Broadway, NY, Drawn and Engraved for the New York Mirror and Ladies' Literary Gazette"

Lithograph in mat

Front and side elevation; exterior; Front has large pediment with 2 rose windows flanking a niche; held by 4 Ionic columns; central, large Roman arch for door, with 4 Ionic pilasters; center flanked by a window with a pediment on 1st floor and window with Roman arch on 2nd floor;

Side: 2 rows of Roman arched windows; roof edged with a balustrade at back; tall tower; spire with pediments, Ionic pilasters, and arches

 

75.253

"Trinity Church, NY, Drawn and Engraved for the New York Mirror, Davis, del."

Lithograph in mat

Front and side elevation; Gothic Revival; front: central Gothic door with circular portico; held by 8 "turned" columns; balcony has a rail with 8 long spires; balcony flanked by 2 Gothic windows; pediment at top is broken by a tower and spire;

Side: 6 Gothic windows run across; balustrade with 7 spires

 

75.258

"Public Buildings in the City of New York, Drawn by A.J. Davis, Engraved by Wm D. Smith for the New York Mirror, 1829"

Lithograph showing 6 front elevations of buildings, each of a different style: Rotunda- Chambers Street, Merchant's Exchange- Wall Street, 2nd Unitarian Church- Mercer C. Prince, Jews Synagogue- Elm Street, U.S. Branch Bank- Wall Street, Masonic Hall- Broadway

 

75.259  VI.169

"Public Buildings in the City of NY, Drawn by A.J. Davis, Engraved by I. Eddy for the New York Mirror"

Lithograph of front and side elevations of 6 buildings: Christ Church- Anthony Street, St. Mark's Church- Stuyvesant St.,  St. Patrick's Cathedral- Mott St., Grace Church- Broadway, St. George's Church- Beekman St., Presbyterian Church- Cedar St.