The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Lodge family

Title: Papers

Dates: 1822‑1886, bulk 1844‑1845, 1852.

Call No.: Col. 169

Acc. No.: 92x118

Quantity: 1 folder

Location: 13 E 6

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

The Lodges were a prominent Boston, Massachusetts, family. Giles Lodge was a successful dry-goods merchant. He married Abigail Harris Langdon in 1799. Abigail's sister, Mary, was married to Dr. William P. Greenwood. Giles' and Abigail's son, Giles Henry, gained prominence as a translator. Born in 1805, he graduated from Harvard in 1825 and medical school in 1828. In 1845, he married Mary Williams. Professionally, Giles Henry spent time as an author, lecturer, and overseer of Harvard. He was a member of various scientific and historical societies. He was the executor of his father's estate in 1852.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The bulk of the material in this collection relates to the impending marriage of Mary Williams and Giles Henry in 1844 and 1845 and to the settlement of the estate of Giles Henry Lodge in 1852. Miscellaneous letters note the death of Mary Langdon Greenwood (with her obituary) and family activities. Receipted bills for the wedding arrangements document the types of clothing bought by a bride in advance of her marriage. One of the bills records a charge for making a wedding dress, another charges for pastries and a wedding cake. Documents for Giles' estate record interest paid, taxes, and disbursements to family members.

ORGANIZATION

The items are arranged in accession number order.

PROVENANCE

Purchased from Carmen Valentino.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Lodge, Giles, d. 1852.

Lodge, Abigail Harris Langdon.

Lodge, Giles Henry, b. 1805.

Lodge, Mary Williams.

Topics:

Decedents' estates.

Finance, Personal - Massachusetts - Boston.

Executors and administrators.

Weddings.

Wedding costume.

Food prices.

Dressmaking materials.

Textile fabrics - Prices.

Clothing and dress.

Boston (Mass.) - Social life and customs.

Bills (financial).

Receipts.

Letters.

Obituaries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 13 E 6

92x118

.1 Note: “bills in regard to mother's wedding, wedding things, and some furniture bought after her marriage”

.2 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to Harriet Appleton, 1845.

For making skirts, gowns, linens, etc.

.3 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to C. Spear, June 18, 1845.

For making a hat, ribbon, etc.

.4 Receipted bill: Miss Williams bought of Coffin & Jacobs, June 18, 1845. (Printed billhead)

Linen, scotch diaper, damask, and other fabrics.

.5 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to Chandler and Greenleaf, August 29, 1845.

For gingham, a shawl, muslin, linen, etc.

.6 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to Mary B. Kinsley, August 29, 1845.

For French cape, collar, gowns, etc.

.7 Receipted bill: Miss Williams bought of Harris, Stanwood & Co. September 4, 1845 (Printed billhead)

For lamps, etc.

.8 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to Mary B. Kinsley, September 15, 1845.

For lace, muslin cuffs, etc.

.9 Receipted bill: Miss M.E. Williams to M. Sluggett, September 19, 1844.

Making articles of clothing

.10 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to M. Sluggett, September 20, 1845.

Making articles of clothing

.11 Receipted bill: Mrs. Lodge to James Knott & Son, September 22, 1845.

For white satin, velvet slip, etc.

.12 Receipted bill: John D. Williams to Laurence Nichols, 1845.

For cakes, ice cream, and bride cake

.13 Receipted bill: John Davis Williams to H.L.W. Thacker, September 25, 1845.

For tending and services, carting and carving cake, lemons, peaches, pears, apples, plums, rolls and bread, etc.

.14 Receipted bill: Miss Williams to C. Spear, September 30, 1845.

For beaver skin, lining hat, etc.

.15 Receipted bill: Dr. Lodge bought of Mrs. Cassidy, December 5, 1845.

For embroidered cloak, collar, cuffs, etc.

.16 Receipted bill: Mr. Lodge bought of D. Dandy & Co., April 19, 1852.

For tea

.17 Receipted bill: Miss M. Lodge to Amos Cummings, 1852.

For soda, arrow root, biscuits, etc.

.18 Record of interest received, 1843.

.19 Record of interest received, 1829-1849.

.20 Certificate of five shares of stock in the Union Bank and subsequent transactions, 1842-1849.

.21 Giles Lodge: Tax, Oct. 1850.

.22 Giles Lodge: Tax, 1851.

.23 Receipt from Anne Langdon Alger, indicating receipt her share of her father's (Giles Lodge) estate. July 12, 1852.

.24 Receipt from Abigail H. Pratt indicating receipt of her share of her father's estate. July 12, 1852.

.25 Receipt from M.W. Lodge for portion of settlement of the estate. July 12, 1852.

.26 Receipt signed G. W. Smith declaring that he deposited a check in the account of Dr. Giles H. Lodge from the estate of Giles Lodge, July 24, 1852.

.27 Letter: To Giles Lodge from S.W. Cook, n.d.

Asking for $100.00 for mother

.28 Letter: To my dear brother from Mary, n.d.

Reporting on the death of Aunt Mary Greenwood, obituary is included.

.29 Letter: To Aunt Mary from Mary L. Pearse, London, Dec. 12, 1886.

Reports on family visits and plans for the holidays.

.30 Receipt for bill of exchange given to Matthew Lodge, June 18, 1822.

.31 Judge's order to Giles Lodge to sell the estate of Mary Langdon, January 1835.

.32 Cover for Deed of Pew.

.33 Cover for Deed from Thomas Walley, et al., to Mary Langdon for house in Devenshire.

.34 Note indicating a document is enclosed.

.35 Envelope addressed to Dr. G. Henry Lodge