The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Yates family

Title: Papers

Dates: ca. 1686-1865, bulk 1760-1780

Call No.: Col. 678

Acc. No.: 71x27

Quantity: 62 items

Location: 3 H 1

SCOPE AND CONTENT

A miscellaneous collection of papers dealing with a variety of people and families, almost entirely in New York, a good many from Schenectady. There is no obvious connection between all the different families mentioned in the papers; most do not concern the Yates family. The collection includes bills, account books, deeds, apprenticeship papers, inventories, letters, and two printed items. Highlights are accounts of a hat seller (probably Peter van Benthuysen) working in New York City and Schenectady; an account book kept by Philip Schuyler and Thomas Butler while trading with the Indians around Oswego; records about a sawmill on the Ale Kill; and Robert Gardiner’s expense record from his college days at Yale. Also in the collection are a hand-drawn certificate from the St. George’s Master Mark Lodge of Schenectady; accounts of the Butler family (perhaps from Albany); apprenticeship papers for a weaver and perhaps for a blacksmith; a deed from the Reformed Dutch Protestant Church of Schenectady, selling a woodlot to two men; and a list of items received by Esther Denniss Chesebrough from her father’s estate. Many of the bills are for shoes, clothes, and leather goods. A few mention that items were purchased for someone’s slaves (referred to as Negroes). Printed items in the collection are from the 1860s: a copy of the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” and sheet music from a minstrel show entitled “Why Don’t They Do So Now?”

ORGANIZATION

The papers are arranged in accession number order. For the most part, they are arranged by the family with which they are concerned.

PROVENANCE

Some Yates family furniture was acquired by Winterthur Museum in 1968, and these papers may have come as part of that acquisition.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Gardiner, Robert.

Schuyler, Philip, 1717-1739.

Butler, Thomas, fl. 1738.

Dixey, E. F.

Van Benthuysen, Peter.

Butler family.

Dennis family.

Wemple family.

Yates family.

Topics:

Fur trade – New York (State).

Slaves – New York (State).

Hats – Prices.

Textile fabrics – Prices – 19^th century.

Sawmills.

Apprentices.

Freemasonry – New York.

Leather goods.

Hides and skins.

Indians of North America – New York (State).

Yale University – Students.

St. George’s Master Mark Lodge (Schenectady, N.Y.)

Schenectady (N.Y.)

Indentures.

Account books.

Inventories.

Receipts (Acknowledgments).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 3 H 1

Note: all accession numbers begin with 71x27

.1 list of goods belonging to the N. Jordan(?) household, 1728, 1737; include bed and bedstead, chairs, andirons, pots, warming pan, iron candlestick, small cabinet, silver spoon, gives total value of goods; name May Dennis also appears

.2 “Eliza Choosbrook’s [i.e. Elihu Chesebrough] rcp. for his wife’s portion, left her by Ebenz. Denniss, 1753,” a list of items (dated 1728) including textile fabrics, a girdle, money for a Bible, a earthenware plate, a rug, a petticoat, silver cup and spoon, and other items, the values are listed; the list is headed: “Paid Ester Denness”;

on back: a note dated New London, March 21, 1753, signed by Elihu Chesebrough, about receiving money from Walter and Deborah Butler, through the hands of Thomas Butler, the money was part of a legacy to Elihu’s wife Esther from her father Ebenz. Denniss

.3 a list of items received by Ester [Esther] Denniss, including a looking glass, bed, bedstead, curtain, chairs, andirons, earthenware jars, a box, a cabinet, petticoat, a new rug, and other items, values are given, not dated

.4 “Memorandum Book begun November the 1^st, 1738, for company between Philip Schyler [sic] and Thomas Butler, at Oswego,” in English and Dutch, a record of a store run by Schuyler and Butler, trading European goods to Indians in exchange for animal skins, the names and tribes of various Indians are listed

[This Philip Schuyler was the son of Nicholas and Elsie Wendel Schuyler and the grandson of Philaip and Elizabeth De Meyer Schuyler. He was born in 1717 and died in Oswego on April 29, 1739.]

.5 accounts dated 1777, kept by an unknown person; the name Thomas Butler occurs twice

.6 account of Walter Butler with Peter Williams, Albany, 1747-1752; Williams made men’s clothing, including coats, breeches, and waistcoats

.7 account of Walter Butler with Luykas Johs. Wyngaard, 1751-1752; Wyngaard sold textile fabrics and sewing thread; money paid to Wyngaard by Butler’s son John

.8 receipted account of Walter Butler with Hendrikus Feader(?), Schenectady, 1760, in Dutch and English, money paid by John Butler

.9 account of Captain John Butler with James Shuler, 1759-1760; Butler bought a variety of goods including sugar, rum, chocolate, textiles, writing paper, tea, tea canister, and tea pot, buttons, ink powder, ink pot, butter, sealing wax, etc.

.10 receipt, Captain John Butler paid Levy(?) Daves(?) (who signed with his mark), Butlers Ferry, July 7, 1762

.11 account of John Butler with Jno. Van Sice(?), 1767, in Dutch

.12 account of Colonel John Butler with unknown person, Schenectady, 1762-1771, for a wide variety of goods including textiles, household goods, dress accessories, food items, and tools

.13 bill to Col. John Butler from unknown person, 1772(?), for coat, breeches(?), and regimentals

.14 account of John Butler with George Phile, for leather goods (scabbard, cartridge box, etc.), with request that Butler pay the amount owed to George Crawford

.15 account of John Butler with Nath. Hillyer, 1772-1773; Hillyer sold potatoes, corn, and rum, and made and mended men’s clothing

.16 receipted account of Col. John Butler with Daniel Smith, 1773-1774, for making and mending shoes for Butler, members of his family, and for Negroes (names given), signed with Smith’s mark

.17 account of Col. John Butler with John Picken and Patrick McDonnel, for making clothes for Butler, his sons, and his male Negroes

.18 note from Ro. Picken(?), Johnstown, December 9, 1773, to Col. John Butler informing him that he must supply the fabric needed to make a pair of breeches, also requesting Butler to send some wheat

.19a account of Colonel John Butler with Thomas Crothers, Tripes(?) Mill, 1774-1775; Butler purchased a large variety of goods, including gin, rum, tea, chocolate, sugar, thread, textiles, buttons, tobacco, cups and saucers, buckles, bonnets for Miss Molly, a gold watch, gloves, etc.

.19b account of Colonel John Butler with Thomas Crothers, 1774-1775; Butler purchased a large variety of goods, including wine, rum, thread, textiles, buttons, beads, combs, stockings, shoes, etc.

.20 account of Jacobus van Slyck with an unknown person, 1725-1729, for stockings, a cap, fabrics, blankets, rum, and “cash paid Peter Winne for a Negro Boy”

.21 “Invoice of sundry goods belonging to Anth. Van Slyck,” Schenectady, June 1720, listing various textile fabrics

.22 letter to Anth. Van Slyck, merchant, Albany, from Sam. Storke, London, August 13 and September 21, 1730, about shipment of goods, including a flute to be delivered to Robert Livingston

.23 receipt, Adrian Phost(?), Gotham, April 13, 1756, received payment from Peter van Banthousen for a bowl made of a knot

.24 receipted bill to Mr. Bentheuyse from Ennis(?) Graham, August 1, 1764, for purchase of silver lace, buttons, and a chain; receipt signed by Isaac Byckman

.25 receipted bill to Mr. Benthousen from George Senneff, New York, June 15-July 31, 1765, for making pair of breeches and purchase of lining material, etc.

.26 bill to Peter Barthusen from John Elliot, 1768, for making men’s clothing, and for the materials needed

.27 receipted bill to Peter Bentheusen from Elias Desbrosses [or Desbrosser], 1769, for buttons, looping, and strings; receipt signed by William Laight

.28 receipted bill to Peter Belthusen from Elias Desbrosses, 1769, for buttons, looping, and lining; receipt signed by F[torn]ing Colgan

.29 bill to Peter van Benthuisen from Peter van Geyseling, Schenectady, March 30, 1775, for stockings, fabric, buttons, thread, binding, shoe buckles, etc.

.30 bill to Mr. Benthouse from Abrm. Willson, June 13, 1775, for buttons, looping, lining, etc.

.31 receipted bill to Peter van Benthuysen from John van Antwerp, Schenectady, September 4, 1778, for raccoons and muskrats

.32 bill to Peter van Benthuysen from Jacobus van Antwerp, no date, for making vest and breeches, and for materials

.33 account book of an unknown hat seller and cleaner [perhaps Peter van Benthuysen? see . 47, with similar handwriting], New York and Schenectady, ca.1763-1783 [pages are not in chronological order], mostly selling caster and beaver hats, many of the customers have Dutch names

.34 letter to Christopher Yates, Schenectady, from T. Harris, London, February 16, 1762, about shipping goods, poor sales of furs, and war against Spain; on envelope is a request to forward the letter to John Beekman in Albany

.35 letter to Christopher Yates, Schenectady, from Thos. Harris, London, February 17, 1762, containing invoice of goods being shipped, and note that not everything could be included in the current shipment and the rest is to be shipped later

.36 letter to Christopher Yates, Schenectady, sent to the care of Jno. Livingston, New York, from Thomas Harris, London, April 9, 1762, am sending an additional shipment, beaver furs not yet sold, in the shipment has included a shaving case which is to be presented to John Beekman

.37 account of Christopher Yates with Daniel Campbell, Schenectady, March 17, 1776, for parchment, textiles, stockings, buttons, tea, etc., purchases made 1773-1775, and with a note dated 1785 that payment had been received

.38 account of Christopher Yates with Peter Remsen, for paper, boxes, combs, thread, textiles, razors, rum, and spotted ermine

.39 record of purchases made by Myndert and Andrew Wemple with various merchants, 1766, for textiles, jewelry (arm bands, wrist bands, earrings, brooches), household goods, etc., some accounts written in Dutch; found inside the notebook was a note addressed to Margaret van Slyck [see also .56]

.40 account book, probably of John Thompson, Schenectady, 1794-1796, selling mostly textiles and thread

.41 bill to Francis Kowenover from the estate of Jane Tothill(?), December 16, 1713, for druggett, buttons, a bunch of mohair

.42 bill to Francis Cowenhoven from James Alexander, New York, 1725-1726, for textiles, necklace, gloves, ribbon, etc.

.43 receipted bill to Isaac Vanarnam from Elias Desbrosses, November 12, 1766, for linings, looping, lace, etc.; receipt signed by John Bleecher

.44 account of William Powell with Thomas Willes, 1744, for labor, making a table, bedstead, box, etc., also charges for coffins, planks, chairs, casement, mending a sleigh, etc.

.45 account of Jurry Cock with Jellis Fonda, 1771-1772, for tea, textiles, powder and shot, shoes (including Indian shoes), stockings, tobacco box, etc.

.46 an agreement among various men that they are to supply a certain number of logs to a new south mill being erected on the south side of Sil(?) Creek, no place, September 18, 1772 [see also .48]

.47 a bill to Reyer Schermerhorn from Peter van Benthuy[worn away] for hats, Schenectady, December 14, 1774 [see note at .33]

.48 “An Accurate account of Expenses done toward Building a sawmill standing on the Ale Kill called and known by name of Berrets Mill…” and also an account of the number of logs each owner has supplied, the amount disbursed by each owner, the amount each owner is indebted to the mill for, etc., no place, no date [see also .46]

.49 a list of merchandise bought in New York by an unknown person, no date but prices are in pounds; among the items purchased were a variety of textiles, chocolate, handkerchiefs, knives and forks, buttons, paper, black lace, rum, a watch, a gold brooch, hats, an ink stand, a blank ledger book, combs, a china bowl; expenses to Albany are listed; the names of Jno. and Joseph Yates appear, as does Jellis Fonda and Jacobus Wemple, but none of these seem to have kept the list

.50 a list of merchandise, kept by an unknown person, no date but prices are in pounds; among the items listed are various textiles, needles, sugar, thread, knob locks, rugs, brass kettles, combs, paper boxes, sheet iron, tea, blankets, etc.; the names of Ann Herlbert(?) and Jacobus Peech(?) appear as purchasers of goods

.51 a bill from an unknown person to Sylvester Dering, H. P. Dering, and Henry Rutgers for the education and other expenses of Robert S. Gardiner, son of Nathl. Gardiner, 1805-1807, includes charges for college tuition, books, clothes, etc.; Robert went to college in New Haven, Connecticut [Yale University]

.52 “College Expenditures, 1805-1807,” a detailed account of Robert S. Gardiner, who attended college in New Haven, with an added note by Sylvester Dering about other expenditures; Gardiner seemed to have lived on Shelter Island, New York; among the expenses listed were hair cuts, travel expenses, wine, clothes, books (lists titles) and paper, candles, clothes, a tooth brush, “carmanage,” pencils and quills, wallpaper, board, tuition, postage, firewood, theater tickets, class tax, washing, parchment for his diploma, etc.

.53 deed from the minister, elders, and deacons of the Reformed Dutch Protestant Church of Schenectady to John van Vorst, mason, and James Lighthall, joiner, March 31, 1758, selling a piece of woodland; signed by Peter van Dressen(?), Gerrett [illegible], and Barent Vrooman

.54 articles of agreement between John (Johannis) Veder, Sr., farmer, and Stepehn Devalts, tanner and currier, that Devalts would work for Veder for two years for a certain sum of money, Tryon County, New York, June 30, 1774

.55 indenture dated May 20, 1772, apprenticing Christian Phillips to Cobus Crowell (or Cromell), a weaver, signed by Johannis Veder, Donald McGrigor, Nath. Hillyer, G. Bernarrd, Guy Johnson, Taroon(?) Bradt, and John Butler, Tyron County, New York

.56 indenture of apprenticeship, Myndert Hedrick Wemple, son of Hendrick Wemple, apprenticed to Andrew Wemple and his wife Helenah(?); the indenture did not specified what trade Andrew was to teach Myndert, but it may have been blacksmithing; Tryon County, New York, November 19, 1774 [see also .39]

.57 account book of Fredrick [illegible] van [illegible], 1686-1696, 1724, in Dutch

.58 account of Arent van Lette, 1727-1744, Schenectady, in Dutch; endorsed on back: account paid and money received by Peter Groenendyck

.59 account book of unknown person, 1731-1732, in Dutch

.60 hand-drawn certificate issued to Jonathan Walton by St. George’s Master Mark Lodge, testifying that Walton has advanced to the degree of master mark mason, Schenectady, January 23, 1799, signed by Peter Veeder, Isaac Nuttman, Wm. Feller, and John V. van Ingen

.61 a printed copy of the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” illustrated with drawing by F.O.C. Darly, printed by James G. Gregory, New York, 1862; inscribed “Walton Duane, Christmas 1862, from M. W. M.”

.62 sheet music for “Why Don’t They Do So Now?” composed by E. F. Dixey (of Carncrosee & Dixey’s Minstrels) and arranged by J. H. Ross, published by W.R. Smith, Philadelphia, 1865