The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis
du Pont
5105 Kennett
Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF THE
COLLECTION
Creator: Ashhurst family
Title: Papers
Dates: 1806-1862
Call
No.:
Acc.
No.: various – see detailed description
Quantity: about 150 items
Location: 34 K 5
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
The Ashhursts were merchants in
John Wheeler Ashhurst married Harriet Kingston Eyre (1816-1890), a
daughter of Manuel Eyre, Jr. They had
two sons: Richard Lewis (1838-1911) and John (1839-1900). (The Downs Collection has a small collection
of papers of Manuel Eyre, Jr.)
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
The
collection includes bills, receipts, and letters relating to personal and
business purchases made by members of the Ashhurst family and by representatives
of the firm Richard Ashhurst & Sons.
Among items purchased were carpets bought from William Lapsley; a
diamond chain and silver pin from Anthony Rasch; printed muslins, cambric, and
handkerchiefs from John Hewson, silver from Fletcher & Gardiner, a lamp
from Thomas Fletcher, and hanging lamps from John Leadbeater & Sons. In addition, such items as corsets, painted
fans, shoes, boots, hats, tea trays, and candles are mentioned. Accounts with dressmakers and tailors are
also included. The letters addressed to
Richard Ashurst & Sons mostly concern the market for textile fabrics. Some of the receipts are written on paper
with printed billheads.
ORGANIZATION
The
papers are divided into two series: Receipts and Bills, and Letters. Within each series, the papers are arranged
chronologically, at least by year, if not strictly chronologically.
LANGUAGE
OF MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchases
and gifts from various sources.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Ashhurst, Richard Lewis,
1784-1861.
Ashhurst,
John Wheeler, 1809-1892.
Ashhurst,
William Henry, 1814-1885.
Hewson,
John, d. 1821.
Rasch,
Anthony, ca.1778-ca.1859.
Fletcher,
Thomas.
Stevens,
Henry.
Dun,
George W.
Topics:
Richard Ashhurst & Sons.
Fletcher
& Gardiner.
John
Leadbeater & Sons.
Tailoring.
Clothing
and dress.
Textile
fabrics.
Textile
fabrics – Specimens.
Dry-goods.
Dyes
and dyeing.
Shoes.
Silverwork.
Household
supplies.
Carpets.
Silver
flatware.
Kitchen
utensils.
Billheads.
Lamps.
Home
economics - Accounting.
Receipts.
Bills
of sale.
Merchants.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 34 K 5
Series I: Receipts and bills
Folder 1:
70x91.2 Bill
directed to Richard Ashhurst from Charles C. & J. Watson, tailor. Bill is for cloth coat and breeches.
70x91.1 Receipt
from Caleb Wilkins, tailor, for long list of clothing made for Richard
Ashhurst. August, 1806.
70x91.3 Bill
for Richard Ashhurst from Caspar Guyger for his services as tailor. October, 1806.
71x240.11 Receipt
from William Blair for shoes and repair work for Richard Ashhurst. January, 1807.
Folder 2:
70x91.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Samuel Reynolds, tailor, for coat, velvet and
buttons. January, 1807. Money received for Reynolds by Charles Cramer.
70x91.5 Receipt
from George Ginever for clothes made for Mr. Ashhurst. June, 1807.
70x92.1 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from William M. Lapsley, for English ingrain carpet, hearth
rug, and Venetian carpets.
70x91.6 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Joseph Merrefield for Irish sheeting. October, 1807. Payment received by Henry Camer, Jr.
68x23.1 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from J. B. Dumoutet for caster and candlesticks,
68x23.2 Receipt
for 24 lbs. of candles bought by Mr. Ashhurst from G. Bastian in
70x91.7 Receipt
from Lawrence Brown for white jockeys, feathers, and one silk hat, purchased by
Mr. Ashhurst. Dated July, 1808. Money received by Jno. B. Pans.
68x23.3 Receipt
from George Bastian for candles, purchased November 1808.
68x22.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for 2 gold watches purchased from Philip Garrett in
December, 1808.
71x240.12 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for shoes purchased from Benjamin Chamberlain during the
year of 1808. Bill was paid in 1809.
68x22.4 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for tea trays, waiter, and snuffers with tray, purchased from
Charles Bird. Dated January, 1809.
68x22.3 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for silver tea spoons purchased from James Howell in February,
1809.
71x240.9 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for boot repair done by George Moutea. April, 1809.
71x241.1 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for personal items (razors, hair brushes) purchased from
Robert Douglas. Bill was paid in 1809.
Folder 3:
70x91.40 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for shoess purchased from Mary Chamberlain in 1810.
[no acc. no.] Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for clothing tailored by Joel Atkinson in 1810.
70x91.41 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for bonnet purchased from Mary Giberson in January, 1812.
68x23.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for candles purchased from George Bastian in May, 1812.
70x92.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for carpets purchased from Josian Lusby in August, 1812.
68x22.6 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for 2 gold watches purchased from Philip Garrett in
November, 1812.
71x241.7 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from Robert Douglas for hair cutting. Dated January 1813.
68x23.6 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for candles purchased from James Wills and Son, November,
1813.
68x22.5 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for a diamond pin and a watch chain purchased from Anthony
Rasch, silversmith. Nov. 1813.
70x91.8 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for hats purchased from Laurence and Stephen Brown. Paid in December, 1813.
Folder 4:
71x241.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Robert Douglas, hair dresser. Bill is for cuttings, blacking, and
brushes. January-August 1813.
71x242.9 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for umbrella purchased from Joseph Gilbert, February, 1814.
68x23.5 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for candles purchased from James Wills and Son, June,
1814.
68x28.2 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for silver items purchased from Anthony Rasch in September,
1814.
68x22.7 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for jewelry purchased from or repaired by Anthony Rasch in
October, 1814.
70x91.42 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from Anthony Baugier for altering a black bonnet, November,
1814.
71x240.10 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from William Montgomery for boots, shoes, and repair
work. Paid January, 1815.
68x27.1 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from John Hewson, Jr., for printing muslins, fancy
hankerchiefs. July, 1815.
68x27.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from John Hewson for printing cambric muslins. July, 1815.
68x27.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from John Hewson for printing cambric, making them into
fancy handkerchiefs, August, 1815.
68x27.3 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from John Hewson for printing cambric, August, 1815.
70x91.37 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for shoes purchased from Penot and Desplat, November, 1816.
Folder 5:
68x22.8 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for silver items purchased from Fletcher and Gardiner. January, 1820.
70x94 Receipt for Richard Ashhurst for
table purchased from Samuel Carter,
70x91.10 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Robb and Winebrener, tailors. Long list of mens' clothing. January, 1821.
70x91.12 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for Brussells carpeting purchased from Joseph B. Lapsley,
May, 1821.
70x91.13 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for cloth, robes, and shawls purchased from J. Boston,
silk and woollen dyer. Date May, 1821.
71x240.8 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for shoes purchased form William Montgomery over several
months. Paid in August, 1821.
71x242.5 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for parasols, umbrellas and repair work purchased from
William Richardson. September, 1821.
71x242.6 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for fans purchased from M. Tucker. October, 1821.
70x91.15 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for two parasols purchased from William Richardson. August, 1821.
70x91.16 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for fans purchased from M. Tucker. December, 1821.
70x91.17 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for long list of clothing made by Robb &
Winebrener. December, 1821.
Folder 6:
70x91.9 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from John Reas for decorating work, making curtains,
draperies, matting, buying a hearth rug, etc.
Covers work done in 1819 and 1820.
70x91.14 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from J. Kay for hats.
June, 1821.
71x240.15 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for shoes and shoe repair from Frederick Erringer. Covers each month of 1821.
70x91.11 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Joel Atkinson for making men’s clothing. January, 1822.
71x241.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Robert Douglas for combs, brushes, etc. February, 1822.
70x91.43 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for dressmaking services from L. S. Douglass. September, 1822.
70x91.18 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from David Freeland for hats.
Sept. 1822.
70x91.19 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from James Burk for 10 plaid cloaks. November, 1822.
Folder 7:
68x26.3 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Crowley & Farr, watchmakers. Bill is for repair and cleaning. January, 1825.
88x70 Receipt to
Richard Ashhurst from Edwd. Shelmerdine, for hats, January 1825.
70x91.45 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for painted fans purchased from John Lorrain. April, 1825.
70x242.8 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for painted fans purchased from Mrs. Lorrain. April, 1825.
70x91.46 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets and corset repair purchased from Ann
Jeffrey. June, 1825.
70x91.20 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for hats purchased from John Wood. December, 1825.
70x91.70 Receipt
for John Ashhurst from Robb & Winebrener, tailors. List if for clothing made during 1826.
70x91.48 Receipt
for Mrs. Richard Ashhurst for 1 hearth rug purchased from Joseph B.
Lapsley. January, 1826.
70x91.44 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from Ann Jeffery for making and altering corsets. Paid in February 1826 (although marked on
back “paid 1827).
70x91.49 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from Ann Jeffery for altering and making corsets. June, 1826.
70x91.47 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. January, 1826.
70x91.38 Receipt
for Mr. [blank] for making a coat from J. S. Brinsley, August, 1826.
70x91.22 Receipt
for L. R. Ashhurst for one beaver hat purchased from Thomas Lindsay. April, 1826.
71x240.16 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for boots and repair from William Montgomery. Bill covers four years, paid in January,
1826.
71x241.3 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Robert Douglas, hair dresser. March, 1826.
71x241.6 Receipt
for Mr. [blank] from Mr. Mounier for hair curls. May, 1826.
Folder 8:
70x91.23 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Edward Shelmerdine for two hats. Paid in January, 1827.
70x91.21 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Robb & Winebrener for several items of clothing
made or altered. January, 1827.
70x91.71 Receipt
for John Ashhurst for one beaver hat purchased from Thomas Lindsay. January, 1827.
70x91.74 Receipt
for Lewis Ashhurst from Robb & Winebrener for clothing made or
altered. January, 1827.
70x91.50 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. May, 1827.
75x171 Receipt
to Mr. Ashhurst from Curry & Preston, for silver forks, spoons, and fish
knives, September 1827.
70x91.25 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for several hats purchased from Lawrence Browne & Co.,
68x22.10 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst from Edw. Lownes for a silver item. February, 1828.
68x22.9 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from Thomas Parker & Co. for clock and watch. January, 1828.
71x242.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for 2 parasols, etc. purchased from M. Richardson. July, 1828.
70x91.53 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for millinery items purchased from Caroline Pintard. July, 1828.
70x91.51 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. July, 1828.
Folder 9:
70x91.26 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for a beaver hat purchased from Edward Shelmerdine, hat
manufacturer. January, 1829.
71x240.6 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for shoes purchased from Mr. Gilroy. Paid in January, 1829.
71x240.7 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for shoes purchased from H. Gilroy. Paid in January, 1829.
70x91.24 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for hat purchased from Thomas Lindsay. January, 1829.
70x91.54 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. Paid July, 1829.
68x23.7 Recepit
for Mr. Ashhurst for a lamp, dessert knives, etc. purchased from Lewis Veron
& Co. September, 1829.
68x25.3 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst from F. Durand for wallpapering work. October, 1829.
70x91.52 Receipt
for Mr. Thompson,
70x91.27 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for a beaver hat purchased from Edward Shelmerdine. December, 1829.
Folder 10:
70x91.28 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for hat for son purchased from T. Lindsay. Paid January, 1830.
70x91.65 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for two corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. March, 1830.
70x91.55 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from E. and A. Cole, dressmakers. Long list and description of dresses. May, 1830.
68x23.8 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for a mantel lamp purchased from Thomas Fletcher. April, 1830.
71x240.13 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for boots and boot repair from John Thomas. July, 1830.
68x23.10 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for a microscope, lens, and a prism purchased from John
McAllister,
71x240.14 Receipt
for William Ashhurst for boots purchased from John Thomas. August, 1830.
70x91.56 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. September, 1830.
68x24.2 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for lamp purchased from Thomas Fletcher. October, 1830. (written on back of part of a trade card)
68x23.9 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for candle ornaments, bracket lights, and pair of candelabras
purchased from Vito Viti. November,
1830.
70x91.29 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for a beaver hat for son purchased from H. H. Lindsay,
hatter. January, 1831.
68x25.4 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for wallpaper purchased from W. F. Slaughter,
70x91.57 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from E. Cole for dressmaking.
Jyly, 1831.
Folder 11:
70x91.60 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for hats purchased from R. Yardley. April, 1832.
70x91.30 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for hats purchased from H. H. Lindsay. December, 1832.
70x91.59 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from Caroline Pintard for hats and trim. January, 1833.
68x24.3 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for a silver cup made by Thomas Fletcher,
Silversmith. January, 1833.
70x91.58 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. January, 1833.
68x23.12 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for hanging lamps purchased from John Leadbeater
& Sons. March, 1833.
70x91.67 Receipt
for Miss Ashhurst for gloves, spencer, and 15 yards of silk purchased from
Louis Prasb(?) March, 1833.
71x242.3 Receipt
for Mrs. Richard Ashhurst for bonnet cane purchased from Erasmus J. Pierce,
70x91.31 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for baskets purchased from Isaac R. Jones. May, 1833.
70x91.66 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from Louise(?) Prat & Co. for clothing. In French.
April, 1833.
70x91.106 Receipt
sent to Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased by Miss Hughes from Ann Jeffery,
June 1833.
70x91.61 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for clothing from E. Cole.
July, 1833.
71x242.7 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for baskets purchased from John S. Jones. October 1833.
70x91.34 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for an English hat purchased from William Page. November, 1833.
70x91.32 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for hats purchased from H. H. Lindsay. December, 1833.
70x91.73 Receipt
for William Ashhurst for hats purchased from H. H. Lindsay. December, 1833.
Folder 12:
68x22.12 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for one dozen silver dessert spoons purchased from Fletcher
& Burnett. March, 1834.
68x29.1 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Sons for baskets purchased from John S. Jones. March, 1834.
Printed
billhead
70x91.35 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for corsets purchased from M. Snyder &
Son. April, 1834.
74x16.23 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for tobacco bought from John Moses, April 1834.
74x16.22 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Son for tobacco bought from John Moses, May 1834.
68x29.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashurst & Sons for baskets purchased from John S. Jones. Nov, 1834.
Printed
billhead.
71x242.2 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Sons for umbrellas purchased from Wright and
Brother,
68x29.3 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for diaper cloth and a bucket, purchased from Gideon Cox,
proprietor of a cedarware, hardware, and variety store. May, 1835.
Printed
billhead depicting barrels, tubs, etc.
71.242.1 Receipt
for H. Erskine for umbrella purchased from Baker & Mackey. July, 1835.
70x91.33 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst & Sons for shirts purchased from Female Hospital
Society. November, 1835.
70x91.68 Receipt
for Miss Ashhurst for shoes and soles purchased from Joseph Chew. 1836
70x91.62 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from E. Cole, dressmaker.
Long itemized list of dresses, cloaks, etc. made for Mrs. Ashhurst and
daughters. Paid February, 1836.
68x22.11 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for items purchased from Fletcher & Bennett. Items included silver spoons, knives, serving
pieces, and a tea and coffee set in the “new fluted pattern.” Paid in March, 1836.
68x23.11 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for mantle lamps and one pair of stand lamps purchased from
C. Cornelius & Son. August, 1836.
68x29.4 Receipt
for Ms. Ashhurst for an ironing table, kitchen table, clothes horse, wash
bench, tubs, Shaker basket, bowls,
clothes line, buckets, and a variety of other kitchen and laundry room
goods, purchased from Gideon Cox. Nov.
1836.
Printed
billhead.
70x91.69 Receipt
for Miss Ashhurst from E. Cole for dressmaking work. December, 1836.
70x91.64 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst from E. Cole for dressmaking work. December, 1836.
70x91.63 Receipt
for Mrs. Ashhurst for corsets purchased from Ann Jeffery. December, 1836.
Folder 13:
71x189 An order for good directed to
Richard Ashhurst & Sons from Rawlings & Wren of
71x241.5 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for a wig purchased from C. Fouladoux, Wig Maker in
70x91.72 Receipt
for John Ashhurst for work by C. Rubincam, tailor. July, 1843.
68x23.17 Receipt
for John Ashhurst from the Philadelphia Gas Works for gas consumed from July 2
to
70x88.11 Receipt
for L. R. Ashhurst for 24 pairs of something bought from Jacob Reese &
Sons, September 1844.
70x88.12 Receipt
to Mr. Ashhurst for smoked salmon bought of C. H. Mattson, Tea & Family
Grocer, October 1853.
68x22.13 Receipt
for W. H. Ashhurst for a gold watch purchased from French & Co. Watch and
Clock Maker,
70x88.13 Receipt
to John Ashhurst for flour bought of Caleb Clothier, February 1856.
70x91.36 Receipt
for Richard Ashhurst for a hat purchased from Leary & Co. Hatters in
68x23.13 Receipt
for Mr. Richard Ashhurst for repairing pipe.
Work done by Leinau & Ogelsby, Plumbers, Gas Fitters. December, 1859.
68x22.14 Receipt
for Mr. Ashhurst for a silver tea pot purchased from William Wilson & Son,
Manufacturers of Silverware,
Series II: Letters
Folder 14:
70x90.1 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.2 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Stone Swan & Co.,
70x90.3 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Stone Swan & Co.,
70x90.4 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.5 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.6 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.7 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens for Jno.
70x90.8 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.9 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.10 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.11 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.12 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
70x90.14 Letter
to R. Ashhurst & Son from Henry Stevens,
71x187 Letter to R. Ashhurst & Son from
George W. Dun,