The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892)

Title: Papers

Dates: 1826-1965, bulk 1826-1854

Call No.: Col. 114

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

Quantity: 12 boxes

Location: 18 L 1-3, map case 3, drawer 1

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 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 blueprints, floor plans, photographs, lithographs, manuscript and printed volumes, newspaper and magazine articles, and correspondence. The largest single group of papers relate to the Rotch House in Massachusetts.

ORGANIZATION

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

PROVENANCE

Purchased from various sources.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Hubbard, Bela, 1814-1896.

Rotch, William James, 1819-1893.

Swain, D. S.

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.

Historic buildings - United States.

Interior architecture.

Public buildings - United States.

Watercolor painting.

Heraldry.

London (England) - Pictorial works.

Architectural drawings.

Blueprints.

Drawings.

Letters.

Lithographs

Notebooks.

Photoprints.

Scrapbooks.

Watercolors.

Photographs.

Architects.

Artists.

Lithographers.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 18 L 1-3 and map case 3, drawer 1

Boxes 1-5: Scrapbooks kept by A.J. Davis, accession numbers 66x148.1-.5

.1 1st page "Memory- Noology, imagination, reason, reflection, singing. A.J. Davis"

Filled with lithographs and engravings including famous people (Samuel Morse, Rembrandt, Diderot, Rafael, Michelangelo), Greek urns, pedestals, vases, landscapes (Prevensey Castle, Sussex, Egypt);

Most lithographs appear to be from the same source, though it is not identified; many pages feature writing in French or Italian; one page with a quote of Diderot's with the English translation; at end, a copy of an engraving of Davis' own sketch of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.;

No binding, though pages still sewn together

.2 1st page: "Various;" full of engravings, mostly putti; antique and baroque scenes from Biblical and mythological stories; small landscapes; front cover is missing; many blank pages

.3 Title page "Monkeyana: or Men in Miniature;" 1st page, "Joseph's First Album, by John Allan and A.J. Davis, 1863-1865;" filled with pictures, mostly of military figures and dress, many of which were published by T. Goddard, 1 Pall Mall & 1 Booth, Duke St., Portland Place; birds and animals; some engravings have been colored; cover detached and most pages are still sewn together

.4 Lacks title page; filled with newspaper articles announcing meetings, gallery openings, speeches, art conventions, anything cultural; opening article from the "Evening Star" is about a meeting with Davis at his studio; some pages of quotes; many pages are loose

.5 "Letters of an Architect from France, Italy, and Greece, by Joseph Woods and corresponding members of the Society of Georgofili at Florence. London: Printed for John and Arthur Arch, 61 Cornhill, 1828." 2 vols. Davis wrote notes in the margins

Box 6: Printed volume, accession number 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 endpapers."

Box 7: Four pamphlets, accession numbers 76x323.1-4

.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 .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

Box 8

61x19.105-.106 Receipts for three months room rent in the Merchant's Exchange Building

.105 Dated May 2, 1853

.106 Dated February 1, 1861

67x102 Description of Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire, with Views. London: William Clarke, New Bond Street, MDCCCXVII

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.

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.

Attributed to A.J. Davis.

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.

Attributed to A.J. Davis

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

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."

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.

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 "Reynolds 78 NY"; 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 winding bottom; upper right corner, "Reynolds NY 1878"; on back a crossed out watercolor, then cut to crop picture.

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 tails milling around on deck of a boat; wood planks with a fence; 1 sailboat in water; skyline in background; along bottom sketches of tops 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: "NY from Steamboat"

68x198.19-25 Floor plans in color;

.19 Folded paper; on top 1 plan, 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 back 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, 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; 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 1st plan; floor plan with central hall to octagon shaped drawing room; on left, a boudoir, library, cabinet, office; on right, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen; not symmetrical

.20b 2nd plan; first floor plan; central hall leading to domed drawing room; library on left and dining room on right; 2 wings: conservatory on left and kitchen on right; sketched 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; same layout as a classic Greek Temple; central hall with a drawing room on left and a dining room and library on right; in back, chambers and kitchen; an arcade surrounds the building; at top in pencil "Wadsworth"; in ink "Designed for Mr. Wadsworth, Geneseo NY by A.J. Davis 1833"

.22 Folded paper with 2 floor plans; on left of plan: details of walls and slopes of roof; central dome; circular staircase; "Second Story, W.P. Chapman Esq"; rectangular with wing on right where servants' quarters are located. On right of plan: first floor plan of same house; central, octagon shaped hall leading to library; parlor and another room on left; dining and other room on right; circular staircase; in wing: pantry, storage, kitchen; terrace on back corners. Total length including terrace is 113 feet; on upper right in ink "113"; "Gothic Villa of W.P. Chap. near Rye, Westchest. NY"; prices per room listed; right edge is cut off affecting text, but plan is intact.

.23 Floor plan of a small, almost square, building; central hall and salon; library and another room on left; dining and pantry on right; building surrounded by a terrace or porch; on bottom, in ink "Plan H. Sheldon, Millbrook. 1838"; on the back is a plan similar to the one on the front, though it is unfinished and not labeled; in pencil: "Study S.M. Fox Esq"

.24 Floor plan similar to that of a basilica; central hall leads to a salon; circular stairs and rooms; colonnaded front porch and on sides and back; "Study for Gardener Howland '30" on bottom in ink; on top in pencil "for G. Howland"; on back cut drawings and pencil study of a staircase.

.25 Plan similar to .24; labeled illegibly in pencil; on side in ink: "Study for Gardener Howland, Flushing, see the several Albums".

69x20 Davis family crest

Watercolor drawing of crest, glued to brown paper, showing 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"

69x197 Two drawings: elevation and floor plan for Astor’s Hotel, in matted folder

At top: elevation of left side and front, of large domed building with towers on each corner; front entrance has a portico. 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 half, first floor plan; shows rotunda, Gothic Hall, two open courts, a dining room, separate parlours for ladies and gentlemen, and private chambers. Labeled: “Plan by Ithiel Town, Arc’t….”

69x227 Color photo of a private home, 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

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.

Box 9:

68x198.26-31 Different elevations of a building designed for Philip and Archibald Kearney called "Central House".

.26 Front elevations of blocklike building with 3 vertical rows of windows, separated by pilasters; central door; rusticated surfaces; heavy cornice; flat roof with 3 atriums; "Study for Old Phil Kearney" on bottom; upper right corner, in pencil "no 4 See Kearney book full"

.27 Cross section of building in .26; 4 stories high with a basement; symmetrical; in ink "Section East- West thro center"; "VIII Kearney" in pencil

.28 Cross section of building .26; shows 4 stories and basement; "Section thro the center of Central House" in ink; in pencil "Kearney"

.29 Plan of the basement for the house in .26; "Basement" top right; in ink "for P.K."

.30 Floor plan; square; 3 vertical sections; to the left, 3 rooms with stairs in middle; central area: dining room, stairs, drawing room; to the right, 3 rooms with stairs in middle; "Principal Floor"; upper right in ink "for P.K.".

.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.

68x198.32-34 Floor plans drawn by Bela Hubbard, client and possibly friend of A.J. Davis

.32 Floor plan on tracing paper; not symmetrical; octagon shaped hall with stairs; on the left, a dressing room, bedroom, library; on the right, dining room, drawing room, and plant cabinet; wing on back with kitchen and pantry; total length of 75 feet; total depth including wing 83 feet; at top left in ink "Bela Hubbard, Detroit, Feb. 1854"

.33 Plan on graph paper; plan similar to .32; dimensions given for each room; at bottom, in pencil "Study by Bela Hubbard for 2' Story House at Detroit"

.34 Floor plan; central hall leads to stairs; on left, parlor and library; on right, bedroom, dining room, and drawing room; wing with kitchen and storage; overall dimensions: length 100 feet and depth 44 feet; at top in ink "Study for and by Bela Hubbard at Detroit".

68x198.35-43 Various 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 door on first floor; windows in basement; no real decoration

.37 Front elevation; 2 point perspective; Greek Revival; 4 fluted columns forming an arcaded porch; central pediment and door; 2 wings with flat roofs and smaller doors; large dental molding and triglyphs; no other ornamentation; 8 steps to columns; written under pediment "Pietas Ludovigi Regis XV Christianissimi"

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

.39 Front elevation of a symmetrical town house; central arched doors separated by a Doric column; bay window on each side of door; 5 steps to doors and a small balcony over doors; pyramid roof with two chimneys; at bottom in pencil: "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"

.40 Top shows a front elevation; 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 shows a floor plan of the building; no rooms shown or dimensions

.41 Top is a 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.; bottom drawing shows 3 floor plans without description or dimensions

.42 A cut-out front elevation of a Gothic Revival building; 3 central doors; windows across top 3 floors; pattern of first story: 2 windows, 2 doors across building; pilasters separate each window and door; fairly flat roof

.43 Front elevation; bottom 1/5 of paper folds up, beneath fold is a variant of how the building might appear with a door and more windows; 3 sets of windows, 3 stories high; decoration around windows increases from left ones to right ones; 5th Avenue address

68x198.44-.47 Elevations and floor plans

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

.45 Floor plan in pencil for a theatre; circular central section with side seats forming two aisles; lower right: "1570 spaces ... 755 seats ... 2 galleries"

.46 Floor plan--half in pencil, half in ink--for a theater in a semicircular shape; at top 2 small drawings of theaters in 2 squares

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

68x198.48 (in map case 3, drawer 1) 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

68x198.49 Line drawing of a Gothic Revival house

68x198.50-.52 Drawings of furniture and panel

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

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."

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"

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

Box 10: Watercolors of Rotch House (accession number 69x220.2-.14)

.2 Watercolor of exterior of Rotch house

Angled front and right side; 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 floors; stairs to right with statue and clock on half landing; large chest to left with sconce and picture above 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

Rooms with eaves on either side; window at center; on right, couch under eave and chest next to window with a mirror; on left, bookshelves under eave; secretary next to window with pictures 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)

In white mat

.7 Watercolor of interior

Room with an alcove; door on left; table; screen to alcove; window in alcove; on right, a chair and sideboard; in center, a pedestal table with 4 unmatched chairs; large chandelier over table; pictures and clock on walls; area rug

In white mat

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

Window on each wall; bookcase and bed 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; faint buildings in background;

In white mat

.11 Watercolor of interior

Vertical; shows doorway on right and staircase through doors; on left, a fireplace with mirror candelabra and objects on mantle; area rugs and brass (?) guard around firebox

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, table to right and 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[illegible]" in ink; underneath "Presumably Peirce or later member ? G ?" in pencil; to left "Given to John M. Bullard by Sarah Scudder Ashley, great- granddaughter of WJR @1950" in pencil.

Outside corners are ripped and repaired

Box 11: Materials about Rotch House (accession number 69x220.15-.55)

.15 Brown covered pamphlet entitled "Specifications of house at New Bedford for Wm. J. Rotch Mason" (in ink) "to be included in the carpenter's bid" (in pencil). At upper right a description of materials and procedures for building

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

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 and 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. He 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 "Prinnell"

.20 Black and white photo of a private house

Angled front and right side view; house in snow

Mounted on silver and white paper; Christmas card?

.21 Black and white photo of a private 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; On back "postcard"

.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 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 (marble?); fireplace on right. Secretary and chair on left; portraits above secretary and mantle wall hangings frame secretary; 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 guardrail and wood rack; 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 and 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 chest, 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, chests 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 swinging door to the right of the fireplace

.34 Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Chest (desk?) with chair in corner; on top are 2 candelabra and a tureen on tray; Portrait of a man above chair on other wall; a sconce to the right. 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

Like 69x220.34, a chest 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.

.36 Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

Room with a fireplace on the right wall. In front are 2 settees with stackable 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 coffee table.

.37 Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

In foreground is a coffee table (like in 69x220.36) with a couch. Behind the couch is a window; to the left of the couch in the corner is a highboy and a chair 2 wall hangings and design in floor like 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.

.39 Black and white photo; exterior

Angled left side and front. Brick chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; large bow window on left side; Gothic Revival

.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 playing cards at a round 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

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 map of rooms and bedrooms with names.

On brown board; broken and ripped

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

Family members are playing and 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;

"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

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 critiqueing 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 John Morgan Bullard from Jane B. Davies [Mrs. Tyn Davies] thanking him for a tour of the house and pictures of it

Dated July 31, 1967

.50 Black and white 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 unnamed magazine 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"

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

Box 12:

70x24 Lithograph labeled "Branch Bank of US 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"

70x25 Lithograph 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 labeled "Phenix Bank, Imbert's Lithography, M.E. Thompson, Architect, N.Y., Davis."

71x8 Ink and watercolor drawing of a gazebo; titled "Temple of Confederation, Erected on Newark Common July 4th 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; around arches, names of the 13 states or colonies; 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 labeled “Masonic Hall, Front on Broadway, 50 Feet. "On stone by A.J. Davis, H. Reinagle, Architect, Imbert's Lithography."

71x164 Cross section of a 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 on roof; a 2nd level is underneath 1st 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

71x252 Lithograph labeled "Washington Institute, New York, Lithogy of Pendleton, 137 Broadway, NY A.J. Davis del."; in pencil "1829"

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

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

72x250 Picture labled "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."

72x302 Lithograph labled "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

[not in box, 12-12-2000]

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

On left, front elevation, symmetrical, center doors with 12 step staircase, fluted Ionic columns supporting small roof for porch, small sash window above door with panel with Greek key under it, large pilasters with no column on either side of door, 1 window on either side of top window; on 1st floor, large sash windows on either side of front door with small windows under them for basement; geometric, abstracted designs on roof which is basically flat; underneath: "Front on Jones Street"

On right, side elevation: almost identical to front but no doors, 1st floor windows are equal in size to those of 2nd floor; on right side of building, a profile of porch with a staircase; underneath "Front on Broadway, Scale 1/8 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

78x272 Picture labeled "Residence of Ithiel Town, Esq., New Haven, Ct. A.J. Davis del."

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

.1 "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 Elevation of the Eastern Front and Plan of the Principal Floor Lunatic Asylum, Blackwell Island"

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"

Unnumbered

Black and white photo of a private home. Angled front and right side view; Gothic Revival; 2 chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; On back "Rotch House New Bedford 1977"

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 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.