The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735

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

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Barrows, David, circa 1807-1863

Title: Correspondence

Dates: 1844-1851.

Call No.: Col. 191

Acc. No.: 83x218

Quantity: 15 items

Location: 34 K 5

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

David Barrows (circa 1807-1863), son of David Barrows (circa 1776-1853), was a framesmith, knitter, and manufacturer of hosiery in Germantown and Nicetown, both in the area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Ann Goodman (1808-1903) in 1825, and they had several children before the family emigrated to Philadelphia in 1842, along with his sister Susannah Smith. (More children were born in Pennsylvania.) The Barrows and Goodman families were in the framing and hosiery business, both in England and in America. Several other family members, including Susannah Barrows and her husband Joseph Smith and someone’s sister Martha (unclear whether David’s or Ann’s sister) also emigrated to Philadelphia area.

Letters in this collection from the senior David Barrows are also from his wife Sarah. However, his son’s baptismal record lists the mother’s name as Jane. It is possible that Sarah Barrows was a second wife. Barrows' son David (1830-1912) entered the family business. In census records, the younger David was listed as a textile manufacturer.

Two workers, Caleb Beale and Abraham Sutton, are mentioned in some letters. In the 1850 census, Caleb Beale (age 30, born England) and Abraham Sutton (age 21, born England) are listed as weavers, living next door to the David Barrows family. In the 1860 census, Caleb Beal is listed as a weaver, living with weaver Samuel Gilbert. However, in the 1863 Philadelphia census, Caleb Beale was listed as a laborer. Nothing else was learned about Abraham Sutton.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Consists of 15 letters to and from David Barrows (circa 1807-1863), regarding business, personal, and family matters. Four of the letters were written by David and Sarah Barrows in England to their family in the Philadelphia area. In addition to health matters, the letters all mention buying and selling frames, and some include specifications for ordering frames. One contains a detailed description of the collapse of the frame making industry in Sapcote. Another letter from William Goodman to David addresses the legality of frame rents as they were being determined in court. Throughout these letters, the eldest David Barrows wrote of his financial problems and thanked his children for their generous assistance in his time of need. Six of the letters were written by the youngest David Barrows (1830-1912) to his father, while his father was on a trip to Sapcote, England. (Two of these letters are copies, so there are only four letters with original content.) He kept his father up to date on business matters, including the activities of their two employees, Caleb [Beale] and Abraham Sutton. He noted the quantity of mitts and hose knitted, buying and dying yarn, selling the goods, fluctuations in prices, etc. He also mentioned that mother Ann Barrows directed some of the work.

ORGANIZATION

In the folder, the letters are in accession number order. However, the finding aid describes them in chronological order.

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

The materials are in English.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

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

PROVENANCE

Purchased from aGatherin.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Barrow family.

Barrows, David, circa 1776-1853.

Barrows, David, 1830-1912.

Barrows, Sarah.

Biddle, Catherine.

Biddle, William.

Goodman, John.

Goodman, William.

Smith, Joseph.

Topics:

Debt - History - 19th century.

Food prices - England.

Hosiery industry - History - 19th century.

Knitting – England – Sapcote.

Knitting - Pennsylvania - Germantown.

Knitting machines.

Knit goods industry - History - 19th century.

Mittens.

Correspondence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 34 K 4

.2 from brother William Goodman, Barcliff’s Yard, Alexander Street, Friars, Leicester, July 26, 1844, to David Barrows, framework-knitter, Germantown, Philadelphia, USA.

Glad to get his letter of April 20 and hear that things are going well for him [David]. Recently buried his daughter Mary, who had suffered after swallowing a farthing. Gives prices for frames. He [William] has moved from Barker’s to Cummin’s and is working on a finer gauge machine. Would consider moving to America if trade were good, but would want to talk to David in person first. Tom Smith, who was transported, has returned and is living with his parents. Mentions trial to determine legality of frame rents. Would like a copy of the paper People’s Rights; sends a pair of gloves he made and copies of the Northern Star Hymn Book and a Chartist Pilot.

[William Goodman (1806-1885) married Anne Elliott (1808-1887) in Sapcote. Their daughter Mary was born in 1839 and was buried on July 14, 1844.]

.1 from brother and sister William and Catherine Biddle, Sapcote, July 30, 1844, to brother David Barrows and his wife and children, Jarmantown, North America.

William is feeling better; on July 21 was able to get out of bed for first time in 16 weeks; doctor says in 3 more months, he might be able to walk with crutches. Now rejoices in God as his savior. Father Goodman sends love and hopes he [David] will not forget his God. News of family and friends.

[It is unclear who the Biddles are; Catherine may have been Catherine Goodman, and a sister of Ann Goodman Barrows, but that has not been confirmed.]

.4 from father and mother David and Sarah Barrows, July 28, 1845, to Susannah, addressed to Joseph Smith, Germantown, near Philadelphia. [several postmarks, not legible]

Received her letter; his complaint was Saint Antines Fire [St. Anthony’s fire]; am not receiving pay from the club because not ill enough; does have debts but Susannah’s brother David has promised to help; asks for more information about the size of her frame; is now rather deaf and too weary to do much work.

Then addresses his son and daughter David and Ann and their 7 children: father Goodman doing well. Doesn’t know anything about James’ wife. [Long passage about spiritual matters.] News about neighbors.

[Susannah Smith was married to Joseph Smith, and was evidently a sister to David Barrows. She accompanied her brother and his family to America in 1842. Nothing else has been learned about her, and nothing is known about Joseph Smith, except that the next letter seems to indicate he was in the same business as his brother-in-law.]

.7 from David Barrows and J. Smith, no place [but Philadelphia], no date, [but prior to Nov. 27, 1845], to father and mother. [This is perhaps a draft, or the copy the younger Barrows made for his own records.]

Encloses money and wishes them to buy two frames for him (gives specifications as to size). Ask brother William Goodman to help with the purchasing. In a hurry for the frames. Gives shipping instructions.

.5 from David and Sarah Barrows, Sapcote, Nov. 27, 1845, to David Barrows, Germantown near Philadelphia.

Has been able to purchase the frames; brother Jaques has sent needles; have sent box of goods to Liverpool to be shipped on to him; had the box clearly labeled by a proper printer; mentions the other goods and parts also sent in the boxes (needles, molds, wrench, pliers, etc.). Brother William Goodman helped him because he [father Barrows] is hard of hearing and couldn’t carry on the business well enough. Cost more than David sent, so had to borrow some money; please send reimbursement (and more) soon as he needs the money. Mentions bad potato crop.

.6 from David Barrows, Sapcote, June 16, 1846, to David Barrows, Nicetown near Philadelphia, manufacturer. The names of Ann, Sarah, and Jane Barrows are also written on the address leaf, but on the folded part.

Thanks so very much for the money. Have been quite ill. Father Goodman will be 79 in September. Mentions other Goodmans. No mohair stockings being made there.

Also addresses part of letter to Joseph and Susannah (Smith), John and Jane: thanks for money; your sister Harriet and her family are well; George is wild; tell Ann Smith her parents and brother Thomas are infirm.

.3 from father and mother, Sapcote, Nov. 18, 1847[?], to dear son and daughter, David Barrows, manufacturer of hosiery, Nicetown, near Philadelphia. Postmarked Liverpool, Nov. 21, 1847.

Both he and father Goodman received their letters and presents. Little work to be had since Mr. Knight of Thorp is dead. There are 400 is the bastille [slang term for workhouse], and repairs are being made to our industry [i.e. factory?] to hold some of them. Many in great need because of lack of work; he had to sell some furniture to satisfy butcher bill. The sick club [evidentially a benevolent association] has ceased because the members cannot afford to pay their dues. Jaques would like to make needles but does not know how to send them safely. Mentions some food prices. Mr. Turner is building 5 halms [sic, i.e. alms] houses.

[part of letter is missing, part is torn and sewn together, making those passages difficult to read]

.8 from brother John Goodman, Sapcote, April 23, no year but 1848 or 1847 [if 1847 is the correct year for .3], to David Barrows and his wife.

Trade very bad this year – very little work. The senior Mr. Knight died and his son went bankrupt; he is now living in Sapcote at Mrs. Beal’s house. Your old master Mr. Smith is dead. If America not so far away, he would join them there. The sick club is broke up and they distributed the frames among the members. Cannot send the kind of hose he requested because no longer made in Sapcote. Father Goodman is better and winds for John, but his eyes are middling. Mentions other members of the family and their work (or lack thereof). Sister Martha and family were in the Bastile for a month but are out now. Gives prices of some food items. Unrest in England. Larger frames can make 8-10 hose at once and so narrow frames will soon not be used.

.9a-b from David Barrows [III], Nicetown, Jan. 20, 1851, to father [David Barrows II], with envelope addressed to Sapcote, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, Old England. Postmarked Liverpool Feb. 3, 1851, and Hinckley Feb. 4, 1851.

Encloses bill of exchange for father’s trip to England. Stayed at the wharf until his ship was almost out of sight. All cried because father had gone. Have been making tops for mitts, mitts, and hose (mentions quantities made, for whom, and what charged). Mentions workers Caleb and Abraham Sutton; mother gave them some directions about their work and gave them two weeks holiday. Writes about buying yarn. Am not working by candlelight.

With added note to grandfather David Barrows: father sailed on Dec. 26, 1850, on board packet Wyoming for Liverpool. If he has not arrived, please tell us.

.10a-b from David Barrows [III], Nicetown, Jan. 20, 1851, to father [David Barrows II], with envelope on which is written “A copy of the first letter witch we sent to father on the 20^th of January 1851.”

[note: the contents of this letter are not quite the same as .9]

.12 from loving wife and children, signed David Barrows [III], Nicetown, Feb. 24, 1851, to father [David Barrows II], [in Sapcote.]

Father’s first and second letters received; sorry to hear he has been ill. Young John goes to gate to see if father is coming home. Sisey is pleased to hear you plan to bring her a music box and a work box. Visits from various people. Took yarn to be dyed; am making little dark hose and little light hose. Brother William is helping to wind and goes to school.

.11a-b from David Barrows [III], Nicetown, Feb. 24, 1851, to father [David Barrows II], with envelope on which is written “A copy of the third letter which we sent to father on the 24^th of February 1851.”

.13 from loving wife and children, signed David Barrows [III], Nicetown, March 6, 1851, to father [David Barrows II, in Sapcote.]

Received his third letter and are glad he is better. Helped Uncle Swain move to his new house on Feb. 26. Sends news about visits. Bought white yarn and took it to the dyer. Not selling mitts and only a few stockings.

.14 from wife and children, signed David Barrows [III], Nicetown, March 17, 1851, to father [David Barrows II, in Sapcote.]

Mostly just recording the little doings of the family, but also mentions that “Fisher’s men turned out today because three of the men were working under price.” Dyer returned scarlet and blue yarns. Believes the family will run out of money in July.

.15 from William Biddle, Sapcote, June 19, 1851, to dear brother and sisters and children, [but evidently directed to David Barrows II, Nicetown]. With note added at top: “This letter come back for overweight – it started with the newspaper.”

Wife has been ill, father Barrows has had bad legs, and father Goodman has been ill; glad to hear that David arrived home safely. Mentions some people who have left for America. There was a rumor that David and Biddle’s wife had left together; William quashed that. Addresses a long note to Martha [in America] about getting her husband Richard [in England] out of jail and what he did on the Sunday after he got out. Richard wants to join her in America, where he says he will be a different man. In the meantime, Richard has been arrested again. Jonathan Wood received his [David’s] letter. List of people who have died since he left Sapcote.