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:         Roe, Jason H. 

Title:               Letters to William Young

Dates:             1828

Call No.:         Col. 488

Acc. No.:        75x306

Quantity:        13 items

Location:        34 J 3

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Jason H. Roe was a cloth manufacturer in Trenton, New Jersey, during the 1820s.  He is listed in the 1830 census as a resident of Trenton, and was between 40 and 49 years old.  That much is certain.  Other information was found for a man of the same name, but there is nothing defintite to connect all the information.   In 1813, a 24 year old teacher named Jason H. Roe, a native of Ireland, was registered as an enemy alien residing in Sullivan County, New York.  In 1844, Mary Ann Roe, daughter of Jason H. Roe of Rahway, N.J., was married to James Miller of New York City.  In the 1850 census, Jason H. Roe was listed as a farmer in Rahway, Essex County, N. J.  This man was born in Ireland around 1785 (which matches the age of the Jason H. Roe in Trenton in 1830), and his wife was named Sarah, born around 1795.  In the 1855 New York state census, Jason H. Roe was listed as having no occupation, and living with his daughter Mary Ann and son-in-law James Miller, in New York City.  In September 1864, Jason H. Roe was buried in Green-wood Cemetery, Brooklyn. 

 

According to the 1828 Philadelphia city directory, William Young & Son were manufacturers of superfine cloth cassimeres, &c., and were Delaware woolen manufacturers.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This collection contains twelve letters from 1828 written by Jason H. Roe to William Young concerning orders, payment, and shipment of yarn.  Roe apparently made ticking and other items from yarn supplied by Young.  Many orders note quantity and size of twists, including throstle and mule.  Roe also makes mention of the dullness of business, the difficulties of shipping in cold weather, the scarcity of workers, and the imminent loss of one of his dyers.  The collection also includes one letter from Robb & Jackson of New York City, also to William Young, also about ordering yarn.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The letters are 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 E. E. Moore.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

            Business records - New Jersey - Trenton.

Business records - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia - 19th century.

Commercial correspondence.

Spinning

            Textile fabrics.

            Textile industry.

            Yarn.

            Letters.

 

Additional author:

            Young, William.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 J 3

 

 

All accession numbers begin with 75x306.

 

 

.1         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Jan. 16, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: needs some fine yarn in order to fill an order for fine check; inquires if Young has twist or reeled filling available for immediate shipment; quality of the last sent was pleasing

 

.2         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Feb. 4, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: returning baskets and boxes; please send basket of no. 25 @ 27 cops and as much twist as he can spare; if can’t ship by river, let Roe know as he is bringing his wagon to Frankford; sales have been dull and the roads are almost impassable;

 

.3         Jason H. Roe, Feb. 15, 1828, postmarked Trenton, to William Young, Philadelphia: encloses his note for amount owed to Young; thanks him for giving him time to pay; the roads have been too bad for Roe to ship goods to customers; hopes to be in Philadelphia next week (“if mother’s health will bear it”) and will bring baskets;

                        With added endorsement dated 22d: about filling and fine yarns

 

.4         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Feb. 22, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: talks about “back waters” delaying things; plans to go to Easton tomorrow; please send baskets cops no. 20@21 and 200 pounds of twist; one of his dyers can work the next two weeks but not after that for some time so needs the yarn while the dyer can work; inquires how much it costs to dye olive color; plans to visit Philadelphia;

 

.5         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, March 7, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: in great want of his last order of twist, cops, and finest spin; please send by next boat; would like to make arrangements for a regular supply;

 

.6         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, April 29, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: quality of twist and filling needed; orders 300 pounds every two weeks; making an article [coarse goods] for the northern part of Pennsylvania of no. 7 to 9; am commencing a fine ticking and needs 17.18 twist; has been away for two weeks;

 

.7         J. H. Roe, endorsed July 1, 1828,postmarked Trenton, to William Young, Philadelphia: mentions want of money among country merchants; Roes has sent his note to Young but may have to renew it; has a scarcity of hands to work so only needs 200 pounds of twist and filling every two weeks;

                        Inside letter: just received 300 pounds of yarn so next time just needs 100 pounds; needs tom first rate ticks as has “two excellent workmen for that particular kind of goods” but will have to lay one off because of lack of market for their work;

 

.8         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, July 15, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia:  ordering 100 pounds no. 19 cops and 200 pounds no. 17 throstle twist; finds that the throstle and mule twists are “put up promiscuously together” but wants them to be separated; also needs some ticking;

 

.9         Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Aug. 17, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: needs some twist and filling; am making some superior ticking if Young needs any;

 

.10       Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Aug. 11, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: am getting ready to leave town for a week; orders more yarn; thanks for the superior quality of the last goods you sent;

 

.11       Jason H. Roe, Aug. 22, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: just returned from trip; had great difficulty in collecting money; not sure will be able to pay the note but will know more when hears from Mauck Chunk; [note in margin difficult to read:} packets have brought no yarn[?] filling and is in need of that

 

.12       Jason H. Roe, Trenton, Oct.. 21, 1828, to William Young, Philadelphia: bill for four pieces of super [something]; with note: “hope they will please”

 

.13       part of a letter from Robb & Jackson, New York, Dec. 10, no year, to William Young, Philadelphia: send 5 or 6 bales of warp; mentions a throstle and a one half mule; have purchased a large lot of British filling