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:         Russel family                         

Title:               Papers

Dates:             1783-1823

Call No.:         Col. 219

Acc. No.:        86x53

Quantity:        60 items

Location:        34 K 4

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Russel family members represented are merchant William Russel, his wife, Sarah, and their son, William W. Russel.  William was engaged in finance, shipping, and land enterprises in the United States.  He travelled between Richmond, Virginia, and New York City.  After his death around Sept. 1798, his widow Sarah was the executrix of his estate.  Son William W. Russel also became a merchant.  The surname is also found spelled Russell, but Russel seems to have been preferred by this family.

 

It was difficult to trace this family because of the common names.  However, it is strongly believed that the son was William Washington Russel (1785-1863), who married Lucy Channing (1787-1863), the daughter of Lucy R. Ellery and William Channing (1751-1793).  (Mrs. W. W. Russel received a letter from a cousin William Ellery of Newport, so this seems to be accurate.)  William W. Russel and Lucy Channing married in Boston in May 1813.  They had two children, William Channing (born 1814) and Anna Allston Russel (1820-1904; she married Joel T. Headley prior to Sept. 1852).  A genealogy web site traced the Channing/Ellery connections, but not the Russel family.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Consists of 59 accounts, bills, receipts, and other documents pertaining to household items purchased by the Russels, shipping transactions, the settlement of William Russel's estate, and a drawing of the family home in Richmond, Virginia.  A receipt book (1785-1788, 1816-1820) records payment of accounts in New York City and Richmond, Virginia, shipping freight, and expenses for traveling from Richmond to Philadelphia for Wm. Russel & Co.  Also noted are purchases of cloth and flour made in New York between 1817 and 1820, probably by William W. Russel.  A second financial volume notes miscellaneous expenses from 1796 to 1799, including hiring a "negro man."  A third volume documents William's account with the U. S. Bank Office of Discount and Depot.  In 1798 and 1799, the balance was transferred to Sarah.  Also featured are Sarah Russel's accounts with John A. Robinson and other merchants for such items as food, fabrics, ribbons, shawls, gunpowder, coffee, and other dry-goods.  Several documents pertain to rental agreements with John Crawford (who was also a merchant).  An account book from William's estate was used later to make notes about Russel family manuscripts.  The writer recorded extracts from letters written by William and William W. in pencil and noted transactions relating to the settlement of William's estate (from documents in the collection).

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The papers are organized by type (ship records, estate records, William W. Russel papers, etc.), and then roughly chronological within each type.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Purchased from Ken Leach.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:

            Crawford, John.

Russel, Sarah.

Russel, William, d. 1798.

Russel, William W. (William Washington), 1785-1863.

 

Topics:

Decedents' estates - New York (State) - New York.

Decedents' estates - Virginia - Richmond.

Dry-goods - Prices.

Dwellings - Designs and plans.

Dwellings - Virginia - Richmond.

Finance, Personal.

Food prices.

Household supplies.

Shipping - Accounting.

Ships - Equipment and supplies.

Textile fabrics - Prices.

New York (N.Y.) - Commerce.

Richmond (Va.) - Commerce.

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location:

 

 

All accession numbers begin with 86x53.

 

 

Folder 1: receipt book; memorandum pocketbook; bank book

 

            .1         Receipt book, Richmond, 1785-1788; New York, 1816-1820

                                    Records payments made by W. Russel & Co. or by W.W. Russel, signed by those who received the payments.  In the 18th century, the payments were usually made “on account,” but sometimes details were given, such as payments made in July 1785 for building Samuel Couch’s kitchen.  The 19th century receipts are more likely to mention what was being paid for: flour, loads of wood, rent, etc.

 

                        Limp leather binding; pages interleaved with blotting paper; about one-third of pages are blank.  Written on one cover: W. Russel’s Receipt Book.

 

            .2         Memorandum pocketbook, 1797-1798          

                                    Most of the notes are too short to make much sense.  However, on May 5, 1798, Russel wrote “This day I hired a negro man by the name of Bitty[?] to George Watson, $5 a month.”

 

                        The structure of this is interesting.  Bound in red leather, with a flap to fold over and keep the pocketbook close, and with a built-in flap.  A piece of leather forming a pocket inside the front cover has been hand-stitched in place, perhaps to reinforce a pocket that was coming apart, or perhaps the leather was added to form a second pocket.  Written on this added leather is William Russel, New York, 20th May 1797.  Written on the back pocket is Williams Russels book bought Richmond, 10 May 1797, [illegible].  Cardboard in the middle of the text block adds stiffness to the book.

 

            .3         Bank book, 1796-1799

                                    List of accounts at the USB [United States Bank]

 

                                    Leather binding; pages ruled for accounts.  Written on front cover: W. Russel – United States Office of discount[?].  Just over half of pages are blank.

 

           

 

Folder 2: Book of notes, 1783-1799 (not bound)

 

            .4         endorsed on back: Notes of matters relating to W. Russel and Sarah his wife, entered in their books, a/c, &c., N.C.R.  Someone also sketched a map, showing the beginning of Broadway at Bowling Green, with a market building indicated.

                                    A variety of notes, chiefly about financial transactions.  Examples:

Aug. 9, 1783: receipt from William Russel for house rent, signed by Thomas Ripley. 

Bill: to estate from Chr. & D. Backe[?] for silk striped nankeen coatee & trousers for son.  

James Warden writes to William Russel: “If Mrs. Ruseel & William are returned, please give my respectful complements to both.”

A list of Russel’s books found among the belongings of another deceased person.

And other such odds and ends, partly written in ink, partly in pencil. 

 

Paper watermarked 1811, and with a classical male figure standing in an oval, topped with a crown.

 

 

 

Folder 3: miscellaneous papers

 

            .5         short letter, possibly a draft, not signed, Newport, July 1790, to “sir”: writer has received commission from President appointing him attorney for the United States in this district.  “Tender my grateful acknowledgments to the President & to accept my thanks….”

                                    Penciled on back: William Channing to Alexander Hamilton? Dr letter

 

            .6         printed form: General Office of Assurance, Richmond, June 13, 1805: William Russel of Richmond has paid the half quota of insurance on three buildings, insurance issued by Mutaul Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia.

                                    Partial watermark: D & C Blauw

 

            .7         bill to William Russel from Sheriff of Henrico County, [Virginia], 1798: for summoning[?] Greaves, summoning James Warden vs. Rawlings, returning Davis [?]

 

            .8         receipted bill: Messrs William Russel & Isaac Seamon paid Joshua Jones, dated New York, March 14, 1799.  For balance on molasses bought July 20, 1798.

 

            .9         receipted bill: Russel paid Stephen Van Wyck, New York, Jan. 4, 1799: for a silver watch.

 

            .10       receipted bill: Russel paid G. Waterbury, New York, April 12, no year, for a pair of shoes and for mending shoes.

 

            .11       bill to William Russel from Clerk of Richmond Hustings Court, May-July 1798: charges incurred in case against Crouch

 

            .12       sworn testimony of Moses Field, [illegible] of physic, that $50.50 is due to Samuel Watkins, signed by notary public Frank Lynch, January 2, 1799

 

            .13       sworn testimony of Samuel Drake, [illegible] of physic, that money is due to Samuel Watkins, signed by notary public Frank Lynch, January 2, 1799

 

            .14       account of sales of barrels of crop[?] middlings for William Russel, Jan. [or June] 26, no year; sold in Norwich and London; also mentions sales of pipes of Geneva in July; endorsed on back: Levi Coit & Co.

 

           

Folder 4: Supplies for and work on ships, 1796-1799

 

            .15       receipted bill: Sloop Herkimer, Capt. Seaman, paid Rich & Thomson, for sugar, brandy, sherry wine, jug, rum, hyson [tea], purchased April-July 1798, paid March 13, 1799

 

            .16       receipted bill: Sloop Herkimer, Capt. Isaac Seaman and William Russel, owners, paid Peter Schemerhorn for rope, marline, lamp black, pump leather, lamp and other oils, brooms, turpentine, tar, white lead, green and yellow paints, paint brushes, black varnish, tacks, etc.  Aug.-Sept. 1797, paid March 21, 1799

 

            .17       bill to Capt. Seaman and William Russel from John Tuckness, New York, Jan. 19, 1799: for barrels of petit beier[?] and carting.

                                    On back: payment received, May 15, 1799

 

            .18-.21             receipted bills: Sloop Herkimer, Capt. Seaman and owners [William Russel] paid Stewart & Jonesfor spikes, screws, oakum, pitch, a chest lock, nails, rope, purchased April 9, 1798 (.18); for blocks, paint oil, spikes, rope, nails, screws, tacks, wire, padlock, twine, paper for ship’s log, cabin map, purchases June-July 1798 (.19); for rope, marline, roping and sail needles, pump, twin, iron ladle, Indian brooms, iron shovel, purchased Sept. and Nov. 1798 (.20); and for rope, nails, twin, tar, leather, tacks, purchased Jan. and March 1799 (.21); all paid July 15, 1799

           

            .22       Sloop Herkimer and owners in account with George Warner & Co., Nov. 3, 1796-Jan. 1799, for repairing and making sails; payment received Nov. 1, 1799;

                                    Endorsed on back: John Warner in a/c with Seaman & Russel

 

 

 

Folder 5: estate papers: Sarah Russel, executrix, 1797-1799

 

            .23       receipted bill: estate of William Russel paid Dr. Samuel Watkins, 1797-1798: for medicine and attendance

 

            .24       bill to Sarah Russel and Samuel Couch, executors of William Russel, from Adam Craig, clerk of Henrico County, [Virginia], for proving and recording the decedent’s will, taking bond, etc., Nov. 1798

 

            .25a-b  sworn statement of John Crawford, merchant of New York, that annexed account against estate of William Russel is just and true, made before notary public Tunis Wortman, Dec. 12, 1798;

                                    Attached bill is for sugar, mustard, brandy, coffee, chocolate, Betty oil, gin, cambric, vinegar, passage to Albany, board, tea, coach hire and expenses between New York and Richmond, etc.

 

            .26       receipt, Sarah Russel paid John K. Bancker in full of all demands, Jan. 3, 1799

 

            .27       printed form: Sarah Russel to Cashier of the Bank of New York: order to pay $100 to bearer, Jan. 4, 1799

 

            .28       receipted bill: Sarah Russel, executrix of William Russel, paid Benjamin J. [or I.] Moore, 121 William St., [New York City,] Jan. 23, 1799: for cotton hose, linen, calamanco, pair of habit gloves, skein of sewing silk

 

            .29       receipt, Sarah Russel paid for advertising in Daily Advertiser in 1798, signed by Jno. S[?]. Bancker for Jno. Morton, paid March 21, 1799

 

            .30       printed form: Sarah Russel to Cashier of the Bank of New York: order to pay $4400 to bearer, April 17, 1799

 

            .31       bill to Sarah Russel and Samuel Couch, executors of William Russel, from sheriff of Henrico County, [Virginia], for summoning a jury against Ross, Aug. 1799

 

            .32       receipt: Sarah Russel paid for funeral charges, including hearse, porters, and attendance, signed William Humphreys, New York, Sept. 29, 1799

 

            .33       bill to Samuel Couch and Sarah Russel, executors of William Russel, from sheriff of Henrico County, [Virginia], for serving papers and summoning people, May-Nov. 1799

 

            .34       bill to Samuel Couch, executor of William Russel, from sheriff of Henrico County, [Virginia], for serving papers, Nov. 1799

 

 

Folder 6: Sarah Russel papers, 1798-1799

 

            .35       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Joseph Royce, Richmond, Nov. 16, 1798: for muslin, crape, handkerchief, black satin bonnet with crape, pair of pattens, bombazine, lawn, linen, velvet, making bombazine gown, caps and tucker, shawl, making great coat, pair of gloves, ribbon, pair of shoes, etc.;

                                    Endorsed with date Nov. 16, 1799

 

            .36       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid William Johnson, New York, Dec. 29, 1798, for bread, flour, vinegar, eggs, salt, brandy, pepper, etc. (receipts on back)

 

            .37       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Gilbert Brush, New York, Feb. 19, 1799: for days of work, lumber, etc.

 

            .38       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Mathew Reed, New York, March 22, 1799: for candles

 

            .39       agreement: Sarah Russel to rent a house from John Crawford, and then Crawford is to pay her for his board and lodging, New York, March 26, 1799;

                                    Mrs. Russel is to rent a two story house (reserving the store, bedroom over the kitchen, privilege of balcony door & yard) in Cherry St. ship yard, adjoining house of James Barron

 

            .40-.43             receipted bills: Sarah Russel paid William Johnson, New York: for tea, bread, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, March 30, 1799 (.40); for bread, sugar, butter, salt, April 13, 1799 (.41); for bread, sugar, butter, eggs, lard, cider, salt, April 29, 1799 (.42); for butter, bread, sugar, salt, biscuit, cider, soap, vinegar, April 29, 1799 (.43);

                                    Payments received by William Johnson or Benjamin Neitch

                                   

            .44       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Leonard Bleeker for New York Bank shares, May 3, 1799

                                    [Bleeker started to write William Russel, so this might be an estate bill]

 

            .45       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid John Crawford for New York Bank shares, May 4, 1799

 

            .46       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Leonard Bleeker for more New York Bank shares, May 7, 1799

 

            .47       Mrs. Sarah Russel in a/c with John Crawford, Dec. 3, 1798-May 10, 1799, with payment received May 15, 1799: for sundry supplies, two weeks absence at Philadelphia, house rent; credit given by cash, sundry articles purchased, and Crawford’s board

 

            .48-.50             receipted bills: Sarah Russel paid John A. Robertson, New York: for sugar, May 14, 1799 (.48); and for sugar, gunpowder, coffee, hyson tea, sweet oil, wine, cheese, etc., June 4, 1799 (.49); and for oil, ham, port, hyson tea, sugar, brooms, July 16, 1799 (.50)

 

            .51       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Mathew Reed, New York, July 19, 1799, for candles and soap

 

            .52       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Edward Wade, Jr., New York, Aug. 24, 1799, for dyeing some silk

 

            .53       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid Thomas Lawrence [although he spelled it Lawrance], New York, Dec. 31, 1799, for linen, buckram, thread, needles, skeins of silk, calico, edging; payment received by Thomas Lawrence, Jr.

 

            .54       receipted bill: Sarah Russel paid John A. Robertson, no date, for hyson tea, brandy, brown sugar, coffee, wine vinegar; receipted on back

 

 

Folder 7: William W. Russel papers, 1798-1799, 1823

 

            .55       receipted bill: William W. Russel paid Robert Cocks, bill dated Dec. 19, 1798, receipt dated Feb. 26, 1799: for making a coat of superfine mixt cloth, with steel buttons and trimmings

 

            .56       columns of figures, endorsed on back: Stephen van Wyck, Jan. 4, 1799

 

            .57       receipted bill: William W. Russel paid Henry Riker, New York, Sept. 28, 1799: for mahogany coffin

 

            .58       short letter: William Ellery, Newport, July 31, 1823, to cousin Mrs. William W. Russel, New York: encloses a nutmeg grater as a token of his gratitude for the Russels’ hospitality;

                                    Someone added in pencil: son of Wm. Ellery (signer)

 

 

Folder 8: drawing of a house

 

            .59       drawing, labeled “front view of a house in Richmond, Va., which my father inherited from his father William Russel, [signed] William C. Russel”

                                    The house has three stories and one chimney; the large front door (with many panes of glass and a fanlight above it) is flanked by two large windows; front door and downstairs windows are trimmed with columns; to the left is an opening in the façade which was the entrance to a path leading to the back of the house; the address of the house was not given; heights of floors are given (10 feet for ground floor, 11 feet for middle floor, 8 feet 6 inches for top floor, with a 3 foot parapet to disguise roof)