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:         Taylor, Benjamin, 1799-1890

Title:               Receipts

Dates:             1847-1856, bulk dates: 1849, 1852, 1855

Call No.:         Col. 713

Acc. No.:        03x147

Quantity:        60 items (1 folder)

Location:        34 J 4

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Benjamin Taylor and his son Charles Taylor were store keepers in Glastonbury, Hartford County, Connecticut. 

 

Benjamin was born in 1799, the son of Sarah Pemberton and Samuel Edwin Taylor.  He married Mary Ann Hale (1805-1895), and they had a number of children.  Their eldest was son Charles, born in 1825.   Charles married Harriet J. Lee Corbit.  Benjamin died in 1890 and Charles in 1895.  More biographical information about these men is filed with the collection.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

A collection of receipts for goods purchased by Benjamin Taylor and Charles Taylor from merchants in Hartford, Connecticut.  Among the items they purchased were books (Bibles, textbooks, and atlases), bonnet boards, textile fabrics and sewing supplies, candles, umbrellas, knives and tools, drugs, hats, needles and pins, glassware, tableware, oranges, shoes, screws, and coffee.  Brand names are sometimes mentioned: Church’s Best bed cords, and Buena Vista sheeting, to give two examples.  All the bills have printed billheads, but very few are illustrated.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The bills 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 Peter L. Masi.

 

 

RELATED MATERIALS

 

Charles Taylor bought stationery from Elihu Geer.  Other bills from Elihu Geer, dated later, are found in Col. 712.

 

Charles Taylor also bought goods from William Boardman & Sons.  Other bills from them are found in Col. 712.

 

 

           

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People: (additional author):

                        Taylor, Charles, 1825-1895.

 

Topics:

            General stores - Connecticut - Glastonbury.

            Books.

            Candles.

            Drugs - Prices.

            Food prices – 19th century.

            Glassware - Prices - 19th century.

            Hats – Prices.

Merchants - Connecticut - Hartford.

Shoes – Prices.

            Tableware - Prices.

Textbooks - United States - 19th century.

Textile fabrics - Prices - 19th century.

            Receipts.

            Merchants.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 J 4

 

 

All accession numbers begin with 03x147.

All bills are from Hartford, unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

Folder 1 of 1:

 

.1         from H.S. Parson, June 13, 1847, to Benjamin Taylor, for Nat’l Preceptor;

                        Printed billhead: bookseller, publisher, and stationer, [etc.]

 

.2         from Howe, Mather & Co., January 26, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for batts;

                        Printed billhead

 

.3         from C. Benton, February 6, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for candles, with credit given for boxes;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

.4         from T. M. Allyn, February 9, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for sheetings;

                        Printed billhead

 

.5         from C. Benton, February 27, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

.6-.7     from H.S. Parson, March 6 and 12, 1840, to Benjamin Taylor, for bonnet board; and for copies of Woodbridge’s Geography & Atlas;

                        Printed billhead: bookseller, publisher, and stationer, [etc.]

 

.8         from Howe, Mather & Co., March 23, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for prints, tweed, thread, gilt and lasting buttons;

                        Printed billhead

 

.9         from Day, Griswold & Co., March 29, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for indigo and some other kind of stripe, umbrellas, broadcloth;

                        Printed billhead: dry goods commission merchants

 

.10       from T. M. Allyn, March 29, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for Lawrence and Buena Vista sheetings;

                        Printed billhead

 

.11       from Bragaw & Blake, April 5, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for pocket knives, screws, knitting pins, etc.;

                        Printed billhead: hardware and commission merchants

 

.12       from C. Benton, April 5, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

.13       from Lee & Butler, April 5, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for nicwood[?], liquorice, and other goods;

                        Printed billhead: druggists, dealers in white lead, linseed oil, window glass, glue, emery, acids, dye stuffs, &c., &c.; manufacturers of coach, furniture and Japan varnish

 

.14       from H.S. Parson, April 13, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for copies of Intelligent Readers;

                        Printed billhead: bookseller, publisher, and stationer, [etc.]

 

.15       from Howe, Mather & Co., April 20, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for prints;

                        Printed billhead

 

.16       from Day, Griswold & Co., May 14, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: hats and umbrellas;

                        Printed billhead: dry goods commission merchants

 

.17       from Howe, Mather & Co., June 11, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for prints, Milford tick, Wadsworth sheeting;

                        Printed billhead

 

.18       from F. Curtis & Co., June 25, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for hooks & eyes, pins, needles, ivory combs, slate pencils, etc.;

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of silver plated and German silver spoons, … castor frames, spectacles and tobacco boxes: - also dealers in … combs, … thimbles, scissors and shears, … buttons, slate pencils, [and a long list of other goods]

 

.19-.20             from Howe, Mather & Co., June 29 and July 9, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for prints, canvas; r.r. sheeting, State linen, thread, black taffeta;

                        Printed billhead

 

.21       from T. M. Allyn, July 11, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for satin jean;

                        Printed billhead

 

.22       from Lee & Butler, July 16, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for Clarkes matches, cream of tartar, Peruvian bark, camphor, and lamp black;

                        Printed billhead: druggists, dealers in white lead, linseed oil, turpentine, window glass, druggists’ glass ware, glue, emery, acids, dye stuffs, &c., manufacturers of coach, furniture and Japan varnish; agents for Tower’s superior alcohol

 

.23       from Burrall Sage, July 23, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for c.c. and col’d pitchers and something else;

                        Printed billhead: dealer in china, glass and earthen ware, solar lamps, girandoles, and housekeeping articles generally, Sign of the Large Pitcher;

                        On back: addressed to Benjm. Taylor, So. Glastonbury

 

.24       from T. M. Allyn, August 14, 1849, to Benjamin Taylor: for cass [cassimere] and cambric;

                        Printed billhead

 

.25       from Day, Owen & Co., June 5, 1851, to Benjamin Taylor: for sheetings;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

.26       from Edwin Hunt, January 8, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for Youth’s Cabinet, spelling books, and Snow’s pen[?];

                        Printed billhead: books and stationery, [etc.], blank  books made to order …

 

 

 

.27       from Bull & Sage, January 30, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for chambers, jugs, edge plates, salts, tumbrels, pitcher, edge platter, flowing blue platter, nappies, teas, etc.;

                        Printed billhead: dealers in china, glass and earthen ware, solar lamps, girandoles, and housekeeping articles generally, Sign of the Large Pitcher;

                        On back: addressed to Chas. Taylor, South Glastonbury, Ct.

 

.28       from F.A. Brown, February 1, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for Rupell’s Prim. Reader, a ream of letter paper, and two dozen writing books;

                        Printed billhead: publisher, bookseller and stationer, [etc.], with note of dissolution of partnership of Brown & Parsons

 

 

.29       from Way, Brothers & Co., February 11, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for hammers, needles, screws, ox balls;

                        Printed billhead: hardware importers and commission merchants, [with a list of various kinds of goods sold]

 

.30       from Allyn, Smith & Co., March 4, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for Lowell jean, overalls, mixed something, pongee handkerchiefs, hair pins, and Maple Grove sheeting;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

 

.31       from John S. Gray, March 24, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for cards, cheese knife, shoe knives, spades, steel something, and manure forks;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: hardware importer and commission merchant, … scales, hardware paper and twine, rubber and leather belting, steam packing, &c.; illustrated with picture of a scale from E. & T. Fairbanks & Co.

 

 

.32       from Way, Brothers & Co., April 3, 1852, to Mr. Taylor: butts and something else;

                        Printed billhead: hardware importers and commission merchants, [with a list of various kinds of goods sold]

 

 

.33       from Way, Brothers & Co., April 16, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for pocket knives, needles (Best Drilled Eye), bed cords (Church’s Best);

                        Printed billhead: hardware importers and commission merchants, [with a list of various kinds of goods sold]

 

 

.34       from Allyn, Smith & Co., May 3, 1852, to Mrs. Taylor: for cravats and twist;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

 

.35       from Collins, Brothers, May 5, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor, for black wadding and super Irish linen;

                        Printed billhead: dry goods commission merchants

 

 

.36       from Talcott & Pendleton, May 10, 1852, to Charles Taylor, for a box of oranges;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: foreign and domestic fruits, nuts, woods and willow ware, [with list of fruits and nuts], … soaps, … tobacco, … cocoa, [and a long list of other goods, mostly food items, but also cigars and fire crackers]; with decorative border, which includes a train

 

.37       from Allyn, Smith & Co., May 10, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for prints, hats, and ribbon;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

 

.38       from Edwin Hunt, May 27, 1852, to Mr. Taylor: for 4 dozen writing [books?], 3 sheets drawing [paper], and Barnes Revelation;

                        Printed billhead: books and stationery, [etc.], blank  books made to order …

 

.39       from Way, Brothers & Co., June 9, 1852, to Mr. Taylor: for scythes, needles, and other goods;

                        Printed billhead: hardware importers and commission merchants, [with a list of various kinds of goods sold]

 

 

.40       from Isaac Hills & Son, June 10[?], 1852, to Benjamin Taylor, for men’s thick brogs [brogans];

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers and wholesale and retail dealers in boots, shoes and leather; shoe findings …; French calf skins; linings, bindings, thread, nails, pegs, wax, &c. &c.

 

.41       from Way, Brothers & Co., June 29, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for scythes, rakes, and knives;

                        Printed billhead: hardware importers and commission merchants, [with a list of various kinds of goods sold]

 

 

 

.42       from Allyn, Smith & Co., Sept. 14, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for stripe, corset jean, pongee handkerchief, yarn, half ream of paper;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

.43       from Elihu Geer, October 2, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for engraving plate and printing cards, and envelopes;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: stationery and printing, [etc.], with decorative flourishes

 

.44       from Edwin Hunt, Nov. 8, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for Testaments, readers, Woodbridge Atlas, arithmetic books, penholders;

                        Printed billhead: books and stationery, [etc.], blank  books made to order …

 

.45       from Allyn, Smith & Co., Nov. 14, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for flannel, hook sets, thread, overalls, boot laces, and something else;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

.46       from Bolles & Sexton, Nov. 22, 1852, to Charles Taylor; for agates [possibly buttons], pongee handkerchiefs, tobacco boxes, harps, hooks & eyes, spool of silk [thread];

                        Printed billhead: commission merchants, importers and dealers in staple and fancy goods

 

.47       from C. Benton, Nov. 22, 1852, to Charles Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

 

.48       from R. & F.H. Terry, Dec. 30, 1852, to Benjamin Taylor: for axes and curry combs;

                        Printed billhead: hardware, and commission merchants, [with a list of other goods];

                        Top right corner is torn off; year taken from endorsement on back

 

 

 

.49       from Allyn, Smith & Co., January 10, 1855, to Charles Taylor: for wadding, Coats thread, and something else;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

.50       from Collins, Brothers, January 10, 1855, to Benjamin Taylor, for flannel and overalls;

                        Printed billhead: dry goods commission merchants

 

.51       from C. Benton, January 17, 1855, to Benjamin Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

 

.52       from William Boardman and Sons, January 25, 1855, to Charles Taylor, for pepper and Java coffee;

                        Printed billhead: … coffee, pepper, cayenne, [other spices], cocoa, chocolate, rice flour, green and roasted peanuts, &c., [with more information about coffee]

 

.53       from C. Benton, April 10, 1855, to Charles Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

.54       from Allyn, Smith & Co., April 13, 1855, to Charles Taylor: for denim, Niagara and Lebanon sheetings, Merrimac, nankeen, overalls;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale commission merchants

 

.55-.56             from Bolles & Sexton, May 25 and June 5, 1855, to Charles Taylor; for batts, white and mixed K.C., cotton and embroidered lisle gloves, and something else; and for a bale of twine;

                        Printed billhead: commission merchants, importers and dealers in staple and fancy goods

 

.57       from Spencer, White & Co., June 5, 1855, to Charles Taylor; for Massabesic denim;

                        Printed billhead

 

.58       from William Boardman and Sons, June 18, 1855, to Charles Taylor, for Java coffee;

                        Printed billhead: … coffee, pepper, cayenne, [other spices], cocoa, chocolate, rice flour, green and roasted peanuts, &c., [with more information about coffee]

 

 

.59       from C. Benton, Nov. 9, 1855, to Benjamin Taylor: for candles;

                        Printed billhead: soap and candle manufacturer

 

 

 

.60       from Bolles & Sexton, January 1, 1856, to Charles Taylor; for Italian silk, buttons, Coats thread, and something else;

                        Printed billhead: commission merchants, importers and dealers in staple and fancy goods