The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Graff family.                                      

Title:               Papers,

Dates:             1760-1840

Call No.:         Col. 388

Acc. No.:        [see detailed description]

Quantity:        39 items

Location:        34 J 2

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Jacob Graff I, his wife Maria Philippina Stormer (sometimes called Phebe), and several of their children, including son Jacob II, emigrated from Germany to America in 1741, eventually settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Jacob I (ca.1691-ca.1772) was a tailor, but his son Jacob II (1727-1780) became a bricklayer and builder.  Jacob II married Anna Catherine Abel in 1750.  Their eldest son Jacob III (but usually referred to as Jacob Graff, Jr.) was born in 1751.  Jacob II’s other children included Maria, Anna Catherina, John, Conrad, Salome, Sarah, and Henry.

 

Jacob III (1751-1793; he died of yellow fever) also became a bricklayer and builder.  He married Maria Shinkle (1758-1806), the daughter of Frederick Shinkle who was in partnership with Jacob II for awhile.  Their children included Frederick (1774 or 1775-1847), Charles (b.1779), and Maria (d.1839).  Shortly after their marriage, Jacob III built a house on the corner of High [later Market] and Seventh Streets; in 1776 he rented two rooms to Thomas Jefferson, and it was in the Graff house that Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.  (The house was later torn down.)  Evidence in some of his papers indicate that Jacob III may have been in business with Christian Groves.  Jacob’s son Frederick became an engineer; he worked with Benjamin Latrobe.  His best known work was the Philadelphia Waterworks at Fairmount Park.  Son Charles was probably the Charles Graff who was a merchant in Philadelphia.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This collection contains papers belonging to Jacob Graff (1727-1780), his son, Jacob (1751-1793), and a Charles Graff who may have been the son of Jacob Jr.  Items include a bill for hardware; several receipts for cloth, food, clothing, and liquor; a bill for replacing windows; articles of agreement which transfer ownership of the elder Jacob's house from his heirs to his widow; family genealogical records, written by a grandchild of Jacob, Jr.; and an unbound account book owned by Jacob, Jr.  The account book, dated 1786-1788, records the sale of stone to various customers, as well as other masonry supplies and labor.  Also included is an "outlay for Minicks building" and a signed contract for the building with a list of such materials to be supplied as stone, bricks, sand, lime, and clay, and the specifications for digging of a cellar hole.  The list of material for the construction of a building for St. Michael and Zions Corporation includes bricks, tile, and windows.  As well, there is a bill for repairing a musket.

 

The collection also contains a number of bills and receipts of Charles Graff.  (It is not entirely certain that this Charles was the son of Jacob III.)  The bills are for textile fabrics, food items, wrapping paper, hats, men's clothing, piano lessons, wall paper, and candles.

 

Also included with the collection are photocopies and transcripts of bills from George Forepaugh for construction of a house for Jacob Graff (1727-1780) on the corner of 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia.  The bills are dated 1776, but were not settled until after Graff’s death.  In 1776, Thomas Jefferson rented two rooms in Jacob Graff’s new home, and there he drafted the Declaration of Independence.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The papers are in 3 folders: Jacobs I and II in folder 1, Charles in folder 2, and information about the Graff house and genealogy in folder 3.  Within each folder, the items are arranged chronologically.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

           

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from various sources.  See case file for details.

 

 

RELATED MATERIALS

 

See also the Charles Graff receipt book, Doc. 65, at this repository.

 

See also the Frederick Graff papers, Col. 358, at this repository.

 

Additional documents relating to the Graffs are located in Col. 68 (Pennebaker watermark collection) in this repository.  A finding aid to that collection is available.

 

Additional documents relating to the Graffs are located in Col. 69 (Unger watermark collection) in this repository.  A finding aid to that collection is available.

 

Charles Graff’s name appears in Doc. 1058 in this repository.  He was chairman of the finance committee of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1831.

 

Additional materials related to Charles Graff may be found in the Aubrey C. Land Papers at the University of Maryland.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Graff, Jacob, 1727-1780.

                        Graff, Jacob, 1751-1793.

                        Groves, Christian.

                        Graff family.

 

Topics:

            Business records - Pennsylvania - 18th century.

Decedents' estates - Pennsylvania.

Firearms - Maintenance and repair.

Food prices - 18th century.

Food prices - 19th century.

Genealogy - Pennsylvania - 18th century.

Hardware - Prices.

House construction - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia.

Liquor - Prices.

Masonry - Pennsylvania - 18th century.

            Men's clothing.

            Stone - Prices.

            Stone industry and trade - Pennsylvania - 18th century.

Textile fabrics - Prices - 18th century.

            Textile fabrics - Prices - 19th century.

           

            Account books.

            Agreements.

Invoices.

Receipts (Acknowledgments).

Masons.

Stonemasons.

           

           

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 J 2

 

 

 

Folder 1: Jacob Graff I and Jacob Graff II

 

            74x16.14         receipted bill, Jacob Graff paid Taylor & Cox, Philadelphia, Sept. 1, 1760, for men’s hose; signed by N. Yearwood for Taylor & Cox; on printed billhead

 

            73x56              receipted bill, Jacob Grave [sic, i.e. Graff], bought at vendue and paid Magee & Sanderson for Turkey cotton and tapes, July 1, 1761

 

            76x98.14         receipt, Jacob Graff paid George Kahmle[?], Dec. 7, 1768, for one year’s shaving [hole in document]

 

            70x88.1           receipted bill [photocopy], Jacob Graff paid David Dominick, Sept. 1770, for painting and sash lights

[original bill in Col. 71, Miscellaneous, under Rand]

 

            73x55              receipted bill, Jacob Greaff [sic, i.e. Graff] paid Sheaff & Seckel for butter and rice, Philadelphia, May 29, 1773

 

            73x87              articles of agreement between widow Catherine Graff and the other heirs of Jacob Graff, regarding her portion of the house on Market Street, Jan. 26, 1782

 

            73x57              receipted bill, Jacob Graff [II], administrator of the estate of Jacob Graff, deceased, paid John Clawges for replacing the panes of glass which had been broken by hail, Dec. 2, 1783

 

71x183            account of estate of Jacob Graff with Benezet & Bachman;  the bill was submitted by Anthony Benezet, Jr. for the late partnership of Benezet & Bachman.  It was accepted as correct by William Adcock, Jan. 15, 1784.  The bill includes charges for cupboard locks, bridled gun lock, hinges, screws, nails, latches, glue, sash cords, etc.

 

            73x54              receipted bill, Jacob Graff paid John Phile, signed by Jacob Chrystler, Feb. 16, 1784, for textiles, liquors, vinegar, lace, pen knife, 1 piece of paper hanging, cheese, molasses, with credit for an empty hogshead

 

            70x91.100       receipted bill, Jacob Graff bought of Adam Zantzinger, Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1786, for olive corduroy, mixed forest cloth, osnaburg, and a sweeping brush, paid Jan. 19, 1787, signed by Fredk. Wolbert for Zantzinger 

 

            95x79              account book (not bound) of Jacob Graff, 1786-1788, which reads from front towards back and back towards front;

 

Records the sale of stone to various customers, as well as other masonry supplies and labor, including widening windows into doors and closing up openings in walls.  The names of a few workmen are listed, but not always those of journeymen and mere laborers.  The accounts list tools supplied by Alexander Miller in 1787 (larger bar, damping iron, augers, wedges, giving their weight). 

 

Also included is an "outlay for Minicks building" and a signed contract for the building with a list of such materials to be supplied as stone, bricks, sand, lime, and clay, and the specifications for digging of a cellar hole. 

 

The list of material for the construction of a building for St. Michael and Zions Corporation includes bricks, tile, and bars on windows. 

 

As well, there are a few accounts for Graff’s guardianship of the children of Frederick Walter (or Walters), 1787-1788.  These detail the clothing and textiles purchased for Peggy Walter. 

 

            81x178            receipted bill, Jacob Graff paid Thomas Elton for repairing and cleaning a musket, no date, signed by William Moore for Elton

 

 

 

Folder 2: Charles Graff

 

            71x195            receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Samuel Reynolds, for making and repairing clothes, including pantaloons and vests, Philadelphia, Jan. 4, 1800

 

            74x16.20         receipted bill, Messrs Casper Foulk and Charles Graff paid John Hopkins, of Hopkins’s New Invented Elastic Razor-Strop and Composition Manufactory, Philadelphia, June 17, 1800, for a dozen portable cases

                                                on pictorial billhead, showing 2 men, one shaving himself and the other stroking his chin

 

68x31.6           bill, Charles Graff bought of Willis & Yardley, Philadelphia, April 14, 1803, for candles

 

68x31.7           receipt, Charles Graff paid Willis & Yardley, April 18, 1803, for candles

 

            70x88.2           receipted bill, Mrs. Graaf [sic] paid Joseph Merrefield (late Merrefield & Guest), Philadelphia, Nov. 9, 1808, for furniture chintz

                                    On printed billhead

 

            70x91.101       bill, Mr. Charles Graff bought of Joseph Merrefield (late Merrefield & Guest), Philadelphia, Jan. 28, 1809, for various kinds of textiles

                                    On printed billhead

 

70x88.4           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Joseph Merrefield (late Merrefield & Guest), Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1810, for furniture chintz; signed by Henry Carmer, Jr.

                                    On printed billhead

 

            75x238.2         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Charles C. & J. [or I.] Watson, Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1813, for coat, pantaloons, coatee, and for altering a coat; signed by William Hamilton

 

            12x32.2           receipted bill, Charles Graft paid Henry Connelly, bill dated, Feb. 4, 1814, for altering a secretary, adding new ink, sand, and wafer box.  With added note: Connelly apologizes for taking so long to send this bill.

 

            70x91.102       receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Isaac Roset for textiles, June-July 1815

 

            63x31.8           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Alexander Cook for candles, Philadelphia, May 16, 1816.  Receipt signed by Duncan McFadyen.

 

            77x516            receipted bill, Mr. Graff paid B. Laforgue for hanging wallpaper, Philadelphia, April 5, 1817

 

            70x88.5           receipted bill, Mr. Graff paid C.L.[?] Bazeley, for tuition of daughter in English, pens, paper, use of library, ciphering book, and blank books, Philadelphia, July 7, 1823; signed C. W. Bazeley

                                    On printed pictorial billhead, with picture of globe, music book, trumpets, etc.

 

            70x88.6           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid S. Henrion, Confectioner, Distiller, Fruiterer, Philadelphia, April 23, 1824, for raisins, almonds, oranges, cordials, lemons, etc.

                                    On printed pictorial  billhead, with picture of flying angel

 

            71x243.1         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Edwd. Shelmerdine, Philadelphia, Dec. 1826, for repairing hats

                                    On printed billhead of Edwd. Shelmerdine, Military, Fashionable & Elastic Water Proof Hat Manufactory, 159 Chesnut [sic]

 

            82x32              bill, Pleasant & Graff bought of Thomas M. Longstreth, Philadelphia, April 7, 1827, for ream of wrapping paper

                                    On printed billhead, advertising Longstreth as hanging paper manufacturer, bookseller, and stationer

 

            71x243.2         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Edwd. Shelmerdine, Philadelphia, May 12, 1827, for beaver hat and trimming a boy’s hat

                                    On printed billhead of Edwd. Shelmerdine, Military, Fashionable & Elastic Water Proof Hat Manufactory, 159 Chesnut [sic]

 

            70x88.7           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid S. Henrion, Confectioner, Distiller, Fruiterer, Philadelphia, June 23, 1826, for raisins, almonds, oranges, cordials, sweet oil, lemons, bath oil, etc.

                                    On printed pictorial  billhead, with picture of flying angel

 

            68x31.10         receipted bill, Mr. C. Graff paid E. & T.[?] Dallett, Jan. 1828, for candles

 

            74x16.15         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid S. Henrion, Confectioner, Distiller, Fruiterer, Philadelphia, March 22, 1828, for raisins, almonds, oranges, sweet oils, figs, etc.

                                    On printed pictorial  billhead, with picture of flying angel

 

            68x31.9           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid C. Cornelius, for repairing lamps, and for a glass shade and chimney, 1827-1829, signed by Geo. C. Fleming

 

            74x16.16         receipted bill, Mr. Graff paid Mrs. Parkinson, Philadelphia, Feb. 7, 1829, for ice, jelly, almond cake, mint.  Payment received by G. Parkinson.

                                    On printed billhead: advertising wedding entertainments, and other parties supplied with ornamental confectionary, ices, jellies, blanc mange, cakes, pastry, fruits, &c, the house elegantly furnished, visitors served with ice creams & other refreshments.

           

            70x88.8           receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Edwd. Shelmerdine, Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1830, for beaver hats for self and sons

                                    On printed billhead of Edwd. Shelmerdine, Military, Fashionable & Elastic Water Proof Hat Manufactory, 159 Chesnut [sic]

 

            08x157.6         receipt, Charles Graff paid Boaz B. Draper, Herkimer, July 7, 1832, for Draper’s wife work at weaving carpet

 

            70x88.9           receipted bill, Mr. Graff paid Mrs. Parkinson, Philadelphia, April 11, 1833, for ice, jelly, jumbles, and various kinds of cake: mint, vanilla, plum, pound, queen.  Payment received by G. Parkinson.

                                    On printed billhead: advertising wedding entertainments, and other parties supplied with ornamental confectionary, ices, jellies, blanc mange, cakes, pastry, fruits, &c, the house elegantly furnished, visitors served with ice creams & other refreshments.

 

            70x91.103       receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Seeley & Baggs, merchant tailors, Philadelphia, July 1, 1834, for coat, pants, vest; signed by Jas. Waters

                                    On printed billhead

 

            68x31.11         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid C. Cornelius & Son, for repairing lamps, and for wicks, 1837, signed by W. Buck

 

            77x582.2         receipted bill, Charles Graff paid Adolph Schmitz, June 20, 1840, for piano lessons and music (names pieces of music)

 

 

 

Folder 3: Jacob Graff house and genealogy

 

                                    04x140            photocopy and transcription of documents documenting the building of the Graff house at the corner of 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, 1776,  in which house Thomas Jefferson was boarding at the time he wrote the Declaration of Independence

 

            Ph 937.1-.3      genealogy notes about Graff family