The Winterthur Library

The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE 19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Bradford, Rufus B.

Title: Bills

Dates: 1827-1844

Call No.: Col. 519

Acc. No.: 78x248.6-.99

Quantity: around 90 items

Location: 34 J 3

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Rufus B. Bradford was probably a merchant from Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, during the second quarter of the 19th century.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection contains bills accumulated by Rufus B. Bradford between 1827-1844. Most bills are for such items as fabrics, pots and pans, hat boxes, parasols, earthenware, china tea sets, nappies, bowls, saucers, twifflers, tumblers, silk gloves, a gold watch, rocking chairs, plaster shingles, lightning rods for a house, trunks and trunk locks, ribbons, and tuition for Bradford's daughter. Most notable, however, are the numerous dry goods mentioned. They include gingham, silk velvet, "Linsey Woolsey," cambric, shirting, fancy prints, Merrimac, flannel, wadding, linen, satin, bombazine, damask, muslin, merino, Circassian, and camblet.

ORGANIZATION

For the most part, the items 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 N. D. Scotti.

ACCESS POINTS

Topics:

Dry-goods - Prices.

Clothing and dress - Prices - 19th century.

Porcelain - Prices.

Ceramic tableware.

Pottery - Prices.

Glassware - Prices - 19th century.

Notions (Merchandise) - Prices.

Chairs - Prices.

Clocks and watches - Prices.

Lightning-conductors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 34 J 3

Note: all accession numbers begin with 78x248

Folder 1:

.6 Bill, S. Bradford to R. B. Bradford for milch pans, jugs, pudding pans, etc., Kingston, [Massachusetts], July 6, 1827.

.7 Receipted bill, Charles Ricketson to Rufus B. Bradford, for making coat jacket and pants for Barker, trimmings, etc., n.p., June 6, 1828.

.8 Receipted bill, Benj. Hathaway to Rufus Bradford, for trunks and trunk lock, Plymouth, [Massachusetts], November 9, 1828.

.9 Receipted bill, E. B. Pain to R. B. Bradford, for umbrellas and shoes, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 24, 1828.

.10 Receipted bill, Jno. Perkins to R. B. Bradford for hat boxes, n.p., Oct. 1, 1828.

.11 Receipted bill, Josiah Wood to Rufus B. Bradford for silk handkerchief bought at auction, New Bedford, [Massachusetts], October 11, 1828.

.12 Bill, A. & J. Bunn to R. B. Bradford, for caps and cloth, New Bedford, [Massachusetts], December 6, 1828.

.13 Receipted bill, L. Burnham to R. B. Bradford, for parasols, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 29, 1829.

.14 Receipted bill, J. & H. J. How & Co. to Mess. R. B. Bradford & Co., for 8 parasols, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 29, 1829.

.15 Bill, Robert Briggs to R. B. Bradford, for pieces of earthenware, tea set, bowls, lamp, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], August 6, 1829.

.16 Bill, W. G. Eaton to R. B. Bradford, for fabric, n.p., August 6,1829.

.17 Receipted bill, J. C. Hicks to R. B. Bradford, for cotton balls, buttons, pomatum, breast pins, safety chains, and hats, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 6, 1829.

.18 Bill, Samuel Parsons to Mr. Bradford for 35 pairs of shoes, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 6, 1829.

[Note: on printed bill head, very plain]

.19 Receipted bill, Warren Barry & Park to R. B. Bradford, for hat cases, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 6, 1829.

[note: on printed billhead, plain]

.20 Receipted bill, C. Drew to Rufus Bradford, for a shawl, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7, 1829.

.21 Bill, Elijah Josselyn to Rufus B. Bradford, for a china tea set, lamps, and salts, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7, 1829.

.22 Receipted bill, Michael Mellen & Co., importers of earthen and glass ware, to Rufus Bradford, for lamps, "French Basket," etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7,1829.

Note: on printed billhead

.23 Receipted bill, E. B. Pain to R. B. Bradford, for gingham, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7, 1829.

.24 Bill, Johnson & Courtis to Mr. Bradford, for fabric, vesting, flag handkerchiefs, scissors, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7, 1829.

.25 Bill, Southworth Shaw to Wm. M. Jackson, Delivered R. B. Bradford, for fabric (muslin, shirting), cotton balls, suspenders, patches, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 7, 1829.

.26 Receipted bill, Thatcher & Fearing to R. B. Bradford, for fabric and gloves, Boston, [Mass.], September 23, 1829.

.27 Bill, Daniel Denny & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for fabric (cloth, linen damask, silk, etc.), vesting, buttons, Boston, [Massachusetts,] October 24, 1829.

.28 Bill, Johnson & Courtis to Messrs. Rufus G. Bradford & Co., for silk velvet, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 27, 1829.

.29 Bill, Wm. D. Winsor to Rufus B. Bradford, for rum, molasses, coffee, brooms, hats and caps, sugar, brandy, tobacco, rakes and shovels, bellows, cigars, furniture (chairs, work stand, bedstead, looking glass, bureau), cheese, butter, carpeting, gun powder and shot, rubber shoes, dry goods, etc., Kingston, [Massachusetts], February 26, 1830.

.30 Receipted bill, J. M. Peck to R. B. Bradford, for hats and caps, n.p., September-October 1830.

.31 Receipted bill, Jeremiah Fitch & Co., importers & wholesale dealers in English, India, French & American Dry Goods, for fabric (kersey, camblet, tartan plaid, etc.) and rug, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 8, 1830.

Note: Printed billhead

.32 Bill, E. Patterson to Rufus B. Bradford, for cloth and tartan plaid, n.p., October 8, 1830.

.33 Bill, Danl. Denny & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for cloth and velvet, flag handkerchiefs, and pocket books, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 8, 1830.

.34 Bill, Benjamin Freeman to Rufus B. Bradford, for fabric (camblet, cambric, muslin, etc.), gloves, shawls, letter paper, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], October 8, 1830.

Note: on printed billhead

.35 Bill, Johnson & Courtis to R. B. Bradford, for "Lion Skin" and dry goods, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 8, 1830.

.36 Receipted bill, J. Bartlett to R. B. Bradford, for curtain trimming, Plymouth, [Massachusetts], December 8, 1830.

.37 Bill, Johnson & Courtis to R. B. Bradford for fabric (duck and silk velvet), Boston, [Massachusetts], October 28, 1830.

.38 Receipted bill, Jeremiah Fitch & Co., importers & wholesale dealers in

English, India, French & American Dry Goods, to Rufus B. Bradford, for braids, rivvon, threa, cassimere, cambric, gingham, linen, drilling, duck, velvet, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], March 2, 1831.

Note: on printed billhead

.39 Receipted bill, J. C. Hicks, Wholesale Dry Goods Cash Store, to R. B. Bradford, for printed fabrics and handkerchiefs, Boston, [Massachusetts], March 2, 1831.

Note: on printed billhead

.40 Bill Samuel Parsons & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (padding, buttons, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], March 2, 1831.

.41 Receipted bill, Isaac H. Cary & Co., Comb, Jewelry, & Fancy Goods Store, to Mr. Bradford, for various kinds of combs, Boston, [Massachusetts], April 14, 1831.

Note: on printed billhead

.42 Receipted bill, Benj. Freeman to Rufus B. Bradford, for fabric, edging, footing lace, and "metal Handle Umbrellas," Boston, [Massachusetts], April 15, 1831.

.43 Bill, Jas. T. Hobart to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (handkerchiefs, prints, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], August(?) 2,1831.

.44 Bill, Danl. Denny & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (thread, buttons, gloves, braid, calico, ticking, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], August 31, 1831

.45 Receipted bill, Saml. Parsons & Co. to Rufus B. Bradford, for dry goods (shawls, belt ribbons, buttons, braid, vesting, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts] August 31, 1831.

.46 Bill, Isaac Thayer to Rufus B. Bradford for French kid slippers and lasting, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 31, 1831.

.47 Bill, E. [Enoch] Patterson, Jr., to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (Circassian, vesting), Boston, [Massachusetts], September 1, 1831, with a note from Patterson

Folder 2:

.48 Bill, Wm. S. Russell & Co., Dealers in American, European and India Goods, to R. B. Bradford, for padding and silk, Boston, [Massachusetts], Jan. 16, 1832.

Note: on printed billhead

.49 Bill, Johnson & Courtis to Mr. Bradford, for fabric, floor cloth, hose, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], May 10, 1832.

.50 Bill, Johnson, Courtis & Co. to Mr. Bradford, for dry goods (fabric, vesting, shawls, frogs, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], October 17, 1832.

.51 Bill, E. Patterson, Jr. to Rufus B. Bradford, for gloves, vesting, and other fabrics, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 17, 1832.

.52 Receipted bill, Jeremiah Fitch & Co., Importers & Wholesale Dealers in English, India, French & American Dry Goods, to Rufus B. Bradford, for dry goods, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 1, 1832.

Note: on printed billhead

.53 Bill, John B. Glover to R. B. Bradford, for fabric (merino, flannel, etc.), and socks, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 1, 1832.

.54 Bill, Johnson, Courtis & Co. to R. B. Bradford for fabric, braid, and buttons, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 1, 1832.

.55 Bill, Sam. Parsons & Co. to Rufus B. Bradford, for "Linsey Woolsey," cambric and umbrellas, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 1, 1832.

.56 Bill, E. Patterson, Jr. to Rufus B. Bradford, for fabric, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 1, 1832.

.57 Bill, J.(?) R. Peck & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for hats and caps, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 1, 1832.

.58 Bill, E. Patterson, Jr. to Rufus B. Bradford, for fabric, handkerchiefs, hose, and feather fans, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 25, 1833.

.59 Bill, Robert Briggs to Rufus Bradford, for nappies, fancy bowls and purple saucers, Boston, [Massachusetts], July 10, 1833.

.60 Bill, S. Parsons to R. B. Bradford, for fabric, hats, table cloths, buttons, thread, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], June 4, 1834.

.61 Receipted bill, J. C. & W. H. Hicks to Mr. Bradford, for gingham and buttons, Boston, [Massachusetts], June 25, 1835.

Note: on printed billhead

.62 Bill, Samuel Parsons to R. B. Bradford, for fabric, gloves, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], June 25, 1835.

Note: on printed billhead

.63 Bill, Jeremiah Fitch & Co., Importers & Wholesale Dealers in English, India, French & American Dry Goods, to Rufus B. Bradford, for cords, ribbon, gingham, drilling, copperplate prints, handkerchiefs, silk gloves, Boston, [Massachusetts], June 26, 1835.

Note: on printed billhead

.64 Bill, Hiram Tribble to R. B. Bradford, for "jappan," painting a sink, tombstone for his child, and engraving, etc., Kingston, [Massachusetts], April 23, 1836.

.65 Bill, Bowker & Wheeler (successors to William S. Russell & Co.) to Rufus B. Bradford, for silk fabric, Boston, [Massachusetts], June 4, 1836.

Note: on printed billhead

.66 Bill, D. O. Dickinson to Rufus B. Bradford, for crepe fabric, Boston [Massachusetts], June 6, 1836

.67 Bill, Sloop Algeime to R. B. Bradford, for freight of sofa, rocking chair, boxes and bundles, Kingston, [Massachusetts], August 1836.

.68 Bill, R. & E. Briggs to R. B. Bradford, for "Printed pt. bowls," ship tumblers, lip bowls, dishes, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], August 23, 1836.

.69 Bill, Samuel Parsons & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Dry Goods, to R. B. Bradford, for bombazine and velvet, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 24, 1836.

Note: on printed billhead

.70 Receipted bill, Samuel Parsons & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for cotton napkins, Boston, [Massachusetts], April 27, 1837.

.71 Bill, Samuel Parsons & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Foreign and American Dry Goods, to R. B. Bradford, for satin, Boston, [Massachusetts], August 30, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.72 Bill, Thomas R. Peck & Co., Wholesale & Retail Dealers in Hats, Caps, Furs &c., to R. B. Bradford, for hats and case, Boston, [Massachusetts], September 6, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.73 Bill, Sam. F. Morse & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for thread, silk, twist, buttons, vest, coat, padding, linen, printed fabric, drill, flannel, duck, and other fabrics, Boston, [Massachusetts], September 10, 1838.

.74 Bill, Bowker, Towne & Co. to Rufus B. Bradford, for dry goods (fabrics, buttons, wadding), Boston, [Massachusetts], September 11, 1838.

.75 Receipted bill, Holden & Adams (formerly Hancock, Holden & Adams), Upholsterers and Furniture Dealers, to R. B. Bradford, for fringe, tassel and cord, Boston, [Massachusetts], September 11, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.76 Bill, Samuel Parsons, & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Foreign and American Dry Goods, to R. B. Bradford, for fabrics (cassimere, satin, velvet, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], September 11, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.77 Bill, Thomas R. Peck & Co., Wholesale & Retail Dealers in Hats, Caps, Furs, &c., to R. B. Bradford, for cloth caps, Boston, [Massachusetts], September 20, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.78 Receipted bill, Nathan Carruth, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Paints, Drugs, Dye Stuffs, Window Glass, &c., to R. B. Bradford, for sundries, Boston, [Massachusetts], October 22, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.79 Receipted bill, Jeremiah Fitch & Co., Importers & Wholesale Dealers in English, India, French & American Dry Goods, to Rufus B. Bradford, for galloons, ribbons, merino, gloves, handkerchiefs, and "30 Inch Bone Stick Umbrellas," Boston, [Massachusetts], October 23, 1838

Note: on printed billhead

..80 Bill, Samuel Parsons & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Foreign and American Dry Goods, to R. B. Bradford, for fabrics, handkerchiefs, mittens, socks, etc., Boston, [Massachusetts], October 23, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.81 Receipted bill, Kittredge & Blakes, [dealers in] Furniture, Feathers, Mahogany, Etc., to R. B. Bradford, for chairs and child's rocking chair, Boston, [Massachusetts], November 21, 1838.

Note: on printed billhead

.82 Bill, D. F. Dwight & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for fabric and thread, Boston, [Massachusetts], April 8, 1840.

.83 Promissory note, to Samuel Parsons & Co. from R. B. Bradford, Boston, [Massachusetts], June 24, 1840. [printed form]

.84 Receipted bill, Isaac P. Clapp, London Clothes Warehouse, to R. B. Bradford, for pants and surtout, Boston [Massachusetts], November 24, 1840.

Note: on printed billhead

.85 Receipted bill, J. Bowker, Jr., & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for shirts, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 5, 1841.

.86 Account, "Sales [of] Neck Stocks by J. Bowker, Jr., & Co. for account of Mr. R. B. Bradford of Kingston; Boston, [Massachusetts], May 5, 1841.

.87 Receipted bill, Winthrop Richardson to R. B. Bradford, for making and trimming frock [coat] with velvet collar, n.p., May 6, 1841.

.88 Receipted bill, E. Skinner, Jr. to Mr. Bradford, for pants, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 6, 1841.

.89 Receipted bill, Edmund Wright, Jr., Dealer in Rock, Ground and Calcined Plaster, Laths, Shingles, Clapboards, to R. B. Bradford, for plaster, Boston, [Massachusetts], May 7, 1841.

Note: on printed billhead

.90 Receipted bill, Jeffrey R. Brackett, importer of Watches, Watchmakers' and Dentists' Tools and Materials, Watch Trimmings, etc. to R. B. Bradford, for Miss Frances Maynard., for "Gold Lepine Watch," Boston, [Massachusetts], October 26, 1841.

Note: on printed billhead

.91 Promissory note, to C. Stetson & Co. from R. B. Bradford, Boston, [Massachusetts], March 1, 1842. [printed form]

.92 Receipted bill, Robt. McConnel (formerly McConnel & Avery), Dealers in Hemlock and Oak Sole Leather, etc., to R. B. Bradford, for roundings, Boston [Massachusetts], March 4, 1842

Note: on printed billhead

.93 Bill, Robert Briggs to R. B. Bradford, for earthenware (twifflers, muggings, bowls, tea sets, jugs, chambers, nappies, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], July 25, 1843

.94 Receipted bill, Joseph L. Bates, Importer & Manufacturer of Musical Instruments, Umbrellas, Parasols, Walking Canes, &c., to R. B. Bradford, for "18 In. Blue Blk Parasols," Boston, [Massachusetts], July 25, 1843.

Note: on printed billhead

.95 Bill, Parsons, Denison & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (various kinds of fabrics, bobbin lace, handkerchiefs, hose, gloves, fans, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], July 25, 1843.

.96 Receipt, R. B. Bradford from Thomas H. Rice in payment for “Lightning Rods

put on his house and store” (with warranty), Kingston, [Massachusetts], July 29, 1843.

.97 Receipted bill, Elizabeth H. Fish to Rufus B. Bradford, for instruction of his daughter, n.p.,

September 29, 1843.

.98 Bill, Parsons, Denison & Co. to R. B. Bradford, for dry goods (various kinds of fabrics, socks, braces, scarves, buttons, thread, etc.), Boston, [Massachusetts], October 5, 1843.

.99 Bill, Houghton & Tucker to Mr. Bradford, for blacking and 1 trunk, Boston, [Massachusetts], January(?) 18, 1844.