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:         Graves, William, 1811-1877.                         

Title:               Bills and papers

Dates:             1820-1880.

Call No.:         Col. 775         

Acc. No.:        06x5

Quantity:        182 items

Location:        34 J 5

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Captain William Graves lived at 56 High Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts.  He was the son of William (1785-1851) and Mary Pike Graves.  After Mary Pike died, William Senior married her sister Susannah (died July 30, 1878), and they had three more children: Alexander, Edward, and Ellen.  Both William Graves Senior and Junior were successful sea captains and ship owners; Alexander and Edward Graves were also captains.

 

William Graves, Jr.’s first wife died young and he then married a cousin Mary Pike.  They had four children who lived to be adults: William (the third of that name, born 1850), Edmund P. (born 1856), Georgiana West (1852-1934; married Charles French Perry), and Annie Pike (1854-1934; married Leander Brown).  Capt. Graves served as an alderman of Newburyport in 1854, 1856-1858, and 1863; he was mayor in 1866.  He died in 1877, at which time he was treasurer of the Bartlett Steam Mills and president of the Newburyport Marine Society.

 

As a matter of interest, but of no relation to these papers, Georgiana West Graves and Charles French Perry had a son named William Graves Perry.  He was one of the architects who helped to restore Colonial Williamsburg.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

A small collection of bills and a few other papers addressed principally to William Graves, Jr.  The bills include charges for wallpaper and painting; house building, remodeling and repairs; some textile fabrics and articles of clothing; flowers (probably bulbs, although not so specified); gardening work; and some furniture, including a chestnut chamber set, a cottage chamber set, fancy chairs, a whatnot, a sofa, a center table, and other items.  As well, there are bills for school books and the game “Authors”; repairs on a gun; a ramrod, powder, and shot; work on a cemetery plot; a coffin for Susannah Graves; photographs, and some household goods such as tumblers, spoons, and tea pots.  Some bills are from the Netherlands and England.

 

The collection includes a few letters, mostly pertaining to business, although one discusses the arrangements for a fair at which were to be displayed fruits, vegetables, and ladies’ handiwork.  Several letters addressed to Graves pertain to business of the city of Newburyport, such as the need for a new fire station, the shipping of edge stones to the city, and lists of trees planted throughout Newburyport (elms, maples, chestnuts, oaks, etc.).  Some bills relate to a brush factory, of which Graves seems to have been owner or part owner.  He may also have had an interest in the Improved Power Association; detailed bills for machinery, parts, and labor are addressed to this business.  A few items were not addressed to Graves, and his relationship (if any) with the persons to whom the bills were addressed is not known.  As well, the collection includes a detailed list of the cost of building a brick house in High Street.  Presumably, this was William Graves’ residence at 56 High Street; he is first listed at this address in the 1853 city directory, although the bill indicates the house was built in 1844.  Very few of the billheads are illustrated.  The earliest bills, those from the 1820s, were addressed to the senior Captain William Graves, who died in 1851.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The bills and letters are mostly in chronological order.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English, with a few items in Dutch.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Purchased from N. David Scotti.

Transcriptions provided by Scott Dennis, a descendant of William Graves.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:

            Graves family.

 

Topics:

            Improved Power Association.

            Furniture - Prices - 19th century.

            Machinery.

            Coffins - Prices.

            Cemeteries - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Dwellings - Costs.

            Dwellings - Remodeling.

            Fire departments - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Firearms - Equipment and supplies - Prices.

            Firearms - Maintenance and repair.

            Gardening - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            House construction - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            House construction - Prices.

            House furnishings - Prices - 19th century.

            Trees - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Wallpaper - Prices - 19th century.

            Newburyport (Mass.)

            Billheads.

            Invoices.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 J 5

 

Note: all accession numbers begin with 06x5

 

Folder 1: Bills, not dated, and 1820-1827, 1844: mostly pertaining to William Graves, Sr. (lived 1785-1751)

 

.1         memorandum book, no years.  Notes about various things, such as purchases made, fares to several places, etc.  Includes a diagram of some sort, perhaps a floor plan.  Also includes measurements, probably of lumber, for various rooms: parlor, sitting and dining rooms, front entry, kitchen entry, kitchen chamber, middle entry.

 

.2         receipted bill, William Graves paid Mamie Welch, for labor in garden, no date.

 

.3         receipted bill, William Graves paid H. P. Macintosh

 

Capt Graves [Sr.]                    Newburyport Nov. 11 [no year]        

                                                to H. P. Macintosh, Dr

                        [?] card[?] photographs of children

                                    Recd Payment             $4.00

                                                H. P. Macintosh

 

.4         receipted bill, William Graves paid L. P. Ingraham, Sept. 29, no year, for gr [green?] shades

 

.5         receipted bill, William Graves paid Forbes Express, Nov.–Jan., no year, for bundle, chair, package

 

.6         receipted bill, William Graves paid William H. Conant, Aug., no year, for sewing machine

 

.7         receipted bill, William Graves paid M. G. Webber, for papering, painting, whitewashing, no date

 

.8         receipted bill, William Graves paid M. O. Hall, for rolls of wallpaper, no date

 

.9         receipted bill, estate of Mrs. Graves paid C. H. Meader, for building flue, repairing cistern, supplies, labor, for house on Milk Street, Newburyport; endorsed on back: estate of Grandfather Graves, Dec., no year

 

.10       receipted bill, William Graves paid Jacob H. Young, “coach Indian Hill, 1 seat from School,” October, year torn off

 

.11       receipted bill, William Graves paid Alex Graves for curtain stuff and fixtures, silk, trimmings, and something else.  The items were apparently purchased in Liverpool (“Lpool” is mentioned on back); charges are listed in pounds, shillings, and pence.

 

.12       receipted bill, William Graves paid Benjamin Stickney, for textiles, Newburyport, July 6, 1820.  Receipt signed by Abrm. Toppan.

 

.13       receipted bill, William Graves paid Francis B. Somerby, for textiles, Dec. 31, 1821.  Receipt signed by Jos. Johnson.

 

.14       receipted bill, William Graves paid Gilbert Gerrish, for making door steps, August 1823.

 

.15       receipted bill, William Graves paid Samuel Morrill 3d, for digging and stoning well, a wall, fixing house pump, etc.  Jan. 26, 1826, but work may have been done in Oct. 1824.

 

            .16       receipted bill, William Graves paid Jno. Rogers.

 

Capt Wm Graves [Sr.]            Bot of Jno Rogers

                                    my dog Sancho————3.00

                        Newburyport Oct. 24, 1827

                                    Recd Pay

                                                Jno Rogers

                                                for Jno Rogers jr.[?]

 

.17       receipted bill, William Graves paid George Higgins, for gold beater’s hammer and anvil, and a box.  Sept. 17, 1844.

                        Written on back: North Dutch.  Ship Thos. Perkins.

 

 

Folder 2: Bills, 1855-1861

 

            .18       receipted bill, William Graves paid Revere Copper Company, Nov. 5, 1855.

                        Printed bill head.

 

                                                Boston  Nov 5th 1855

                        Mr. Wm Graves

                                    Bought of REVERE COPPER COMPANY, 

                                    NO. 97 STATE, AND 16 DOANE STREET,

Manufacturers of Copper and Yellow Metal Sheathing and Bolts; Braziers’ and Ingot Copper; Ship Fastenings, and Composition Castings of every description.

 

                        11 Sheets 18oz YMetal [yellow metal]

                          2             20”                      70 1/2 lbs         27        $19.03

                                                Paid Jno Revere

                                                            Agt RCCo

 

[Probably for sheathing the hull of one of Graves’ ships.  This company delivered 150,000 pounds of copper sheathing to the U.S. Navy.  The signature on this receipt is that of Paul Revere’s grandson, John Revere.  For a matching signature and a history of the company, see S. T.  Snow, “Fifty years with the Revere Copper Co.” (2008)]                        

 

 

.19       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. B. & Wm. J. Creasey, for paint, varnish, brackets, and labor, Jan.-Feb. 1857.

 

.20       receipted bill, William Graves paid Eben Rolfe, for repairing sink, table, towel stand, chair, May 1857.

 

.21       receipted bill, William Graves paid John Sumner, for lining range, iron spoons, oven pan, range grate, blacking and cleaning, funnel and elbows, May 1858.

 

.22       receipted bill, William Graves paid Stephen Bartlett, for building partition in cellar, making gate, patching roof, labor, materials, May-Oct. 1858.

 

.23       receipted bill, William Graves paid N. C. Greenough, Newburyport, for cleaning watch, work done Oct. 20, 1859, paid Jan. 6, 1860.  Receipt signed by John P. Adams.

 

            .24       receipted bill, William Graves paid Thos. C. Goodwin, for buckets, Dec. 1859.

 

.25       receipted bill, William Graves paid Bartlett & Goodwin, for altering room, labor, materials, Jan. 21, 1860.

 

.26       receipted bill, William Graves paid Bates, Goldthwait, & Co., Boston, for cocoa matting, Feb. 11, 1860.

                        Printed billhead: importers and dealers in carpeting, floor oil cloth, straw matting, bockings, rugs, door mats, stair rods, &c.

 

.27       receipted bill, William Graves paid Bartlett & Goodwin for repairing fence and summerhouse, well curb and platform, labor, materials, April-May 1860.

 

.28       receipted bill, William Graves paid Blake & Davenport, Boston, June 19, 1860.  Printed letterhead.

 

 

FURNITURE, UPHOLSTERY AND LOOKING-GLASS ESTABLISHMENT,

                        NOS. 12 TO 24 Cornhill, and 25 Washington Street.

                                    BOSTON        June 19th 1860

Mr. Wm. Graves, 56 High St Newburyport

                        Bought of BLAKE & DAVENPORT.

 

1 B.W. Rock. chair $5.00       1 B.W. Ottoman         4.50                 9.50

1 Lounge         18.00               1 Oval Gilt Glass        15.00               33.00

1          Chestnut Chamber Set  50.00            1 B.W. Sideboard  23.00        73.00

1 Cottage                       25.00        1        Spanish Chair 9.00      34.00

1 B.W. Whatnot  15.00           2 Fancy Chairs   14.00                        29.00

1        Sofa     26.00               3 B.W. Par. Chairs   12.75                  38.75

1        Centre Table  16.00     1        Extension Table   10.00          26.00

1        Lady’s Chair   15.00   1 Hat Tree       7.00                             22.00

                                                                        41  Mats                                              13.67

                                                                                                                        $278.92

                                                                        Less Mats                                            13.67

                                                                        July 6.  Recd payt                          $265.25                                                                           Blake & Davenport

                                                            Per C.[?] Davenport

 

           

.29       receipted bill, William Graves paid M. O. Hall, inkstand and ink, Jun 26, 1860.

 

.30       receipted bill, Capt. Alexander Graves paid Geo. Noyes, July 3, 1861.

 

Newburyport July 3rd 1861                                       

Capt A. Graves

                                    To Geo Noyes             Dr.

                        To rent of one Piano one quarter

                        from April 3rd/61 to date       $10.00

                                    Rec’d pay

                                                Geo. Noyes

 

.31       receipted bill, William Graves paid Jos. Moulton, Newburyport, for buttons, knife gasket, pair of salts, mustard spoon, tumblers, mugs, china plates; purchases made Jan.-Sept. 1860, payment maid Oct. 29, 1860.

 

.32       receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. Greenleaf, Newburyport, Oct. 16, 1860, for hyacinths, paper narcissus, tulips, anemones, gladiolus.

 

.33       receipted bill, William Graves paid T. H. & A. W Lord, for silk curtains, brass hooks, curtain fixtures, cord, fringe and cord, screws, nails, excelsior; purchases made June-Aug. 1860, payment made Nov. 12, 1860.

 

.34       receipted bill, William Graves paid Blake & Davenport, Boston, for cornices, pins, brackets, July 24, 1860.

 

.35       receipted bill, William Graves paid A.D. & C.W. Woods, for painting sitting room, hanging wallpaper; work done June 1861; paid Nov. 15, 1861.

 

.36       receipted bill, William Graves paid T.H. & A.WQ. Lord, Newburyport, Feb. 23, 1861, for feathers, bolster, covering chair, repairing chairs.

                        On printed billhead: dealers in trunks, valises, carpet bags, cushions, curtains and fixtures, shoe-maker’s tools, engine hose, hardware & upholstery goods.  Decorated with picture of a trunk and carpet bag.

 

.37       receipted bill, William Graves paid Bartlett & Goodwin, for making curtain fixtures, spout for cesspool, house repairs, hot bed, barn floor, labor, materials, arches on fence; work done Aug. 1860-April 1861.

 

.38       receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. W. Clark, for wallpaper and slate.  June 4, 1861.

 

.39       receipted bill, Mrs. Graves paid Stephen Bartlett for labor & stock for house, June 21, 1861.

 

.40       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. P. Porter, for repairing store roof, Newburyport, March 20, 1862, but work done Sept. 1861.

 

.41       receipted bill, Capt. A. Graves paid Geo. Noyes, for rent for pianoforte, from June 3-Oct. 3, 1861.

 

.42       receipted bill, Widow Graves paid Asa Davis, Newburyport, for digging vault, whitewashing, labor, Dec. 1860-May 30, 1861.

 

.43       receipted bill, William Graves paid Joseph Moulton, for berry basket, tumblers, July –Sept. 1861.

 

.44       receipted bill, William Graves paid David Foster, Newburyport, for textiles, bought in July and paid for Dec. 1, 1861.

 

 

Folder 3: Bills, 1862-1864

 

.45       receipted bill, Capt. A. Graves paid Geo. Noyes, for rent for pianoforte, from Oct. 3, 1861-Jan. 3, 1862.

 

.46       receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. Greenleaf, for bread knives bought at auction, Oct. 1862.

 

.47       receipted bill, William Graves paid Joseph Moulton, for eye glass, table mats, toilet set, plates, mugs, glass dish, goblets, napkins, bread pan, bowls, flower pots, caster, basin, vases, napkin rings, pin, etc., May 1862-April 1863.

 

.48       receipted bill, William Graves paid G. W. Clark, for school supplies and other stationery items and books, Feb.-Oct. 1863.

 

            [Note: in 1863, Graves would have been buying school supplies for 4 children:       William, age 13; Georgianna, age 11; Annie, age 9; and Edmund, age 7.]

 

                                    Capt Wm Graves

1863    To G. W. Clark   Dr

Feb      20        To 1  1st Reader                                  .25

Mch     18            1  Game authors                            .38

                                                31            Mucilage                                        .17

Apr      9             Binding Music Book                     .75

                                                                     Paper                                       .25

May     21            1 Set Prescotts Phillip                   6.00

                                                                        [William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, 3 volumes]

July      27           Music                                              .50

                                                              1 Bonars Hymns                             1.00

                                                                        [Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope]

Aug     27           1 Grammar . 62   Arith  .25            .87

                                                28           1  Slate &  Pencil                            .45

                                                29           1 Slate                                            .37

                                                               1 Gram Sch Geography                 1.00

                                                               1 Worcesters Speller                      .30

                                                               1 C. S. Arithmetic                          .62

                                                                        [probably Common School Arithmetic; several authors used this title for their works]

                                                      Paper, Pencils & Holders                        .16

                                                31           1 Pencil                                           .08

Sept     5             Envelopes                                       .17

                                                7             1 Woman Saviour in Persia            1.00

                                                                        [Woman and Her Saviour in Persia, by a Returned Missionary (Thomas Laurie)]

                                                8              2  Bibles                                        1.00

                                                14           1 Progressive Speller                      .17

                                                               1 Standard Speaker                                    1.50

                                                               2 Writing Books                             .24

Oct      7             1 Colburns  .20  & 2 Readers  .37  .57

                                                                        [possibly Warren Colburn, First Lessons in Arithmetic (1863)]

 

                                                15            1 Songs for School Room             .17       $17.97

                                                                        [Songs for the School Room]                                      

 

                                                            Rec’d Payment

                                                                        G. W. Clark

 

           

 

.49       receipted bill, William Graves paid WilliamH. Maine, Boston, for soapstone sink, soap dish, shelf, etc., May 23, 1863.

                        Printed billhead: Manufacturer of every description of soapstone work.

 

.50       receipted bill, William Graves paid Thos. C. Goodwin, for well buckets and bails, June 19, 1863.

 

.51       receipted bill, William Graves paid Samuel Dodge, for pans, spoons, dust ban, brush, strainer, cake pans, August 1863.

 

.52       receipted bill, William Graves paid A. Wentworth & Co., Boston, Sept. 4, 1863, for chimney piece, frames and registers.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers and dealers in foreign and American marble.

 

.53       receipted bill, Alexander Graves paid John Sumner, for second-hand Magee stove, and stove pipes, Sept. 29, 1863.

 

.54       receipted bill, William Graves paid John R. Longfellow, for wallpaper, Oct. 1863.

 

.55       receipted bill, William Graves paid S.H. Gregory & Co., Boston, Oct. 14, 1863, for wallpaper.

                        Printed billhead: importers, manufacturers, wholesale and retail dealers in French and American paper hangings. 

 

.56       receipted bill, William Graves paid S.K. Gilman, Newburyport, Oct. 24, 1863, for painting fence at cemetery.

 

            .57       receipted bill, William Graves paid Nathaniel W. Hurd, Nov. 2, 1863.

 

                        Recd Newburyport                 Nov 2d 1863                                      

from Wm Graves   Four hundred

dollars on a/c contract to build

addition to his house [at 56 High Street]

                        $400    Nath. W Hurd

 

.58       receipted bill, William Graves paid Moody Lunt, Newburyport, July-Dec. 1863, for plastering fireplace and ceiling, setting chimney pieces and registers, cementing cellar, repairing boiler, labor, materials, etc.

 

.59       receipted bill, William Graves paid S.H. Gregory & Co., Boston, Oct. 14, 1863, for wallpaper.

                                    Printed billhead: importers, manufacturers, wholesale and retail dealers in French and American paper hangings. 

 

.60       receipted bill, William Graves paid GebS. Eggers, Amsterdam, for blankets [so endorsed on back], Nov. 28, 1863.

                        The name T.M. Snow is crossed out and Wm. Graves is substituted.

                        Printed billhead: bedden, dekens, spring- en andere matrassen, enz.  In Dutch.

 

.61       receipted bill, William Graves paid T.P.R. Schilling, Amsterdam, for clock, etc. [so endorsed on back], Dec. 11, 1863.

                                    Printed billhead: spiegels, pendules, lampren, porcelein, cristal, glaswerk, gelakte en mahonyhoute goederen enz.  In Dutch.

 

.62       receipted bill, William Graves paid L. van Ameringen & Zoon, Amsterdam, for men’s clothing, Dec. 1863.

                                    On printed billhead: tailors and drapers, in Dutch and English; illustrated with man’s coat and trousers.

 

.63       receipted bill, William Graves paid Fz Bischofer, Amsterdam, for gloves [so endorsed on back], Nov. 30, 1863.

                                    Printed billhead, in Dutch.

 

.64-.65             receipted bills, William Graves paid Woollright & Co., Liverpool, for table linens, doilies, Turkish towels, etc., Jan. 1864.

 

.66       receipted bill, William Graves paid R. Anderson & Sons, Liverpool, for Brussels carpet and chintz tapestry, Jan. 12, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: Family linen, carpet, damask & general furnishing warehouse.  With one penny Internal Revenue stamp.

 

.67       receipted bill, William Graves paid P. L. Mactaggart, Liverpool, for rug and wool shirts, Jan. 13, [1864].

                        Printed billhead: Gentlemen’s Fashionable Outfitting & Tailoring Establishment.  With picture of shop front and with one penny Internal Revenue stamp.

 

.68       receipted bill, William Graves paid David Kent & Son, Liverpool, for cotton hose, wool socks, etc., Jan. 13, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: foreign & British laces, embroidery, cambric handkerchiefs, &c., hosiery and glove manufacturers, shirt makers.  With one penny Internal Revenue stamp.

 

.69       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. & W. Jeffery & Co., Liverpool, for dress, fabric, trimming, Jan. 13, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: drapers, silk mercers, outfitters, carpets, bedding, upholstery, etc.

 

.70a-b  receipt attached to bill, William Graves paid J. & W. Jeffery & Co., Liverpool, for boy’s suit and cloth, Jan. 13, 1864.

                        Printed billheads (different from each other and different from that in .69): linen-drapers, silk mercers, haberdashers and carpet warehousemen.  Receipt has picture of the store exterior.

 

.71       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. Ravenscroft, for frock coat, Jan. 14, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: tailor and trousers maker; also with Inland Revenue stamp.

 

.72       receipted bill, William Graves paid Moses Merrill, for labor on carpets, repairs to bedsteads and chairs, varnishing and graining dressing table, graining sink, Feb. –May 1864.

 

.73       receipted bill, William Graves paid Lawrence, Wilde & Hull, Boston, for Turkish easy chair, March 1, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: importers and manufacturers of drawing room, parlor and chamber furniture, etc.

 

.74       receipted bill, William Graves paid Ja. B. Creasey, for painting house, wallpaper, graining doors, materials, etc., Sept. 1863-May 1864.

 

.75       receipted bill, William Graves paid James Moulton, Newburyport, for goblets, napkins, lamp, chimneys [probably for lamp], stereoscope, Aug. 1864. 

With Internal Reveune stamp.

 

.76       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. B. Creasey, for painting house, July 1864.

 

.77       receipted bill, William Graves paid Jones, Son & Davies, Liverpool, for black beaver, Jan. 13, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: woolen drapers & warehousemen.

 

.78       receipted bill, William Graves paid Haley, Morse & Boyden, Boston, for rocker, side bracket, mat, Aug. 17, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: furniture dealers.

 

.79       receipted bill, William Graves paid Samuel Dodge, for mending wares, trunk, dipper, Dec. 1864.

 

.80       receipted bill, William Graves paid C.R. Sargent, for nipples, shot, powder, ramrod, wads and wad cutter, pouch, pipe book, solder, bird call, gun worm, caps, etc., also making and engraving 2 new hammers, cleaning and repairing gun, key ring, Sept. 1864-July 1867.

                       

 

Folder 4: Bills, 1865-1869

 

.81       receipted bill, William Graves paid Daniel Young, Newburyport, for stove and range linings, cleaning furnace, ladle, pipe for water closet, dripping pans, spoons, etc., June-Dec, 1865.

                        With internal revenue stamp

 

.82       receipted bill, Edward Graves paid David M. French, Newburyport, for curb stones for plot at Oak Hill Cemetery, turf, Italian marble monument and inscription, etc., Oct. 1, 1865.

                        With internal revenue stamp

 

.83       receipted bill, William Graves paid Joseph Moulton, for chimneys, plates, tea pot stand, tumblers and goblets, etc., No.v 1865-Sept. 1866.

 

 .84      receipted bill, William Graves paid E.S. Sweetser, Newburyport, for canvas carpet, Feb. 26, 1866.

                        Printed billhead: proprietor of the Liberty Street Carpet Ware House.

 

.85       receipted bill, William Graves paid N. W. Hurd, Newburyport, for cedar posts, boards, window, hardware, lath, black walnut lumber, labor, etc., March-Dec. 1865.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.86       receipted bill, William Graves paid N. A. Moulton, Newburyport, for wallpaper, Nov.-Dec. 1865.

                        Printed billhead: dealer in books, stationery, paper hangings, curtains.

 

.87       receipted bill, William Graves paid Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, for buttons,k tea pot, nappies, milk bowl, pitchers, kettle, fan, freezer, tumblers, tea kettle, coffee pot, goblets, salt spoon, etc., also repairs to several items, including a bracelet, Jan.-Sept. 1867.

                        Printed billhead: importer of earthen and glass ware, cutlery, &c.  Engraved by Edward Moulton. 

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.88       receipted bill, William Graves paid G. W. Clark, for paper, ink, pens, autography book, family record, scrap book, cardboard, school books, Wells Philosophy (Well’s Natural Philosophy, by David Ames Wells), mucilage, etc., Jan.-June 1866.

 

.89       receipted bill, William Graves paid Daniel Young, Newburyport, for faucet, cleaning furnace, scraper, poker, repairs to range, etc., March-Dec. 1866.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.90       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. B. Creasey, for painting and papering dining room [so endorsed on back], 1866.

 

.91       receipted bill, William Graves paid James Fogg, for setting tulips and trimming trees, March-April 1866.

 

.92       receipted bill, William Graves paid Eben Rolfe, for repairing sofa and stool, April 1866.

 

.93       receipted bill, William Graves paid Gregory & Robinson, Boston, for wallpaper, April 4, 1866.

                        Printed billhead: importers, jobbers, and retailers of French and American paper hangings.

 

.94       receipted bill, William Graves paid Chandler & Co., Boston, for cloth, April 9, 1866.

 

.95-.96             receipted bills, William Graves paid Geo. W. Berry & Co., Boston, for dining chairs, mats, bureau, May 19 and June 16, 1866.

                        Printed billheads: manufacturers and wholesale dealers in walnut, chestnut, and painted chamber furniture, etc.

                        The June bill has internal revenue stamp.

 

.97       receipted bill, William Graves paid Ireland & Trefethen, Newburyport, for bed and stool, July 31, 1866.

                        Printed, illustrated billhead: dealers in sofas, sofa beds, couches, dining, card & centre tables; illustrated with upholstered rocking chair and a sofa.

 

.98       receipted bill, William Graves paid J. E. Kimball, for whitewashing, July 14, 1866.

 

            .99       receipted bill, William Graves paid S. H. Rundlett, August 1866.

 

                        Capt William Graves              

                                                to S  H  Rundlett        Dr

                        1866

                        Aug 1st           1 load Furniture to Salisbury Beach               5.00

                                                Cash paid for Toll                                             .50

                                    24        1 Load Furniture from S Beach                      5.00

                                                Cash paid for Toll                                             .50

                                                            Paid

                                                                        S. H. Rundlett

 

 

.100     receipted bill, William Graves paid Weitzel [formerly Weitzel & Sheafe], Newburyport, for croquet set, Sept. 5, 1866.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of extension dining tables of all kinds.

 

.101     receipted bill, William Graves paid Lawrence, Wilde & Hull, Boston, for book rack, Oct. 29, 1866.

                        Printed billhead: importers, manufacturers of drawing room, parlor, chamber furniture, etc.

 

.102-.103         receipted bills, Lewis Greenleaf, Broomfield St., paid Edward Kimball, Newburyport, for sewing boards and doing millwork for Capt. W. Graves, Nov. 8, 1866.

                        The second bill (.103) specifies that the work was done for Graves at Salisbury.

                        Printed billheads: planning, sawing, jig sawing done to order.

 

.104     receipted bill, William Graves paid T.H. & A.W. Lord, Newburyport, for trunk, repairs on sewing chair, cord, knobs, excelsior, covering chairs with haircloth, shoe nails, etc., Feb.-Oct. 1867, paid Dec. 26, 1867.

                        Printed, illustrated billhead: dealers in trunks, valises, caret bags, cushions, etc., with picture of trunk and carpet bag.

 

.105     receipted bill, William Graves paid E.S. Sweetser, Newburyport, for carpet, tacks, canvas, binding, April 12, 1867.

                        Printed billhead: carpet warehouse, woolen, canvass, and stair carpetings.

                        With revenue stamp.

 

.106     receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. L. Rogers, Newburyport, for sub-carpet felt, April 26, 1867.

 

.107     receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. W. Berry & Co., for wardrobe and mats, May 24, 1867.

                        Printed billhead: walnut, chestnut, painted chamber furniture, refrigerators, ect.

                        With revenue stamp.

 

.108     receipted bill, William Graves paid J. M. Winn, for balmorals, boots, slippers, mending, June-Dec. 1867.

 

.109     receipted bill, William Graves paid C. H. Meader, Newburyport, for whitewashing, Jan. 1, 1868.

 

.110     receipted bill, William Graves paid Daniel Young, Newburyport, for repairs to furnace, cleaning sink, pipe in bathroom, registers, fixing refrigerator, etc., Jan. 16, 1868.

                        With revenue stamp.

 

.111     receipted bill, William Graves paid N. A. Moulton, Newburyport, for wallpaper, March-Sept., dated Nov. 7, 1868.

 

.112     receipted bill, William Graves paid R. Hollings, Boston, for shades, March 31, 1868.

                        Printed billhead: gas fixtures, chandeliers, brackets, etc.

 

.113     receipted bill, William Graves paid D. T. Woodwell, for tarpaper, screws, etc., April 1868-Jan. 1869.

 

.114     receipted bill, William Graves paid Eben Rolfe, for sofa repairs, work table, screen door, piece of black walnut, May–June 1868.

 

.115     receipted bill, William Graves paid Jos. Moulton, for sugar bowl and creamer, fruit dish, vase, pin, etc., May-June 1868.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.116     receipted bill, William Graves paid J. B. Creasey, for painting table, paint, varnish, labor, etc., May-Nov. 1868.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.117     receipted bill, William Graves paid Currier & Thurlow, for boards, millwork, fence posts, planks, nails, labor, etc., May-Sept. 1868.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.118     receipted bill, William Graves paid S. K. Gilman, for painting fence at cemetery, June[?] 1868.

 

.119     receipted bill, William Graves paid Jos. Moulton, for tumblers, goblets, table bell, set of studs, plates, class ring, lamp, bush of Clytie, repairs to pin and buttons, etc., July-Nov. 1868.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.120     receipted bill, William Graves paid Kimball Perkins & Co., for lumber, July 1868.

                       

.121     receipted bill, William Graves paid J. S. Bamford, for marble, Dec. 25, 1868.

                       

.122     receipted bill, A. C. Titcomb paid Mabie, Todd & Co., New York, for gold pencil for [?] Richardson, Aug. 5, 1868.

                        Endorsed on back: E. Graves.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of gold pens, pencils, pen cases, tooth picks, &c.

                        With internal revenue stamp.

 

.123     receipted bill, William Graves paid N. W. Hurd, Newburyport, for repairing sled, Dec. 31, 1868.

 

            .124     receipted bill, Alexander Graves paid Geo. Noyes, Jan. 1, 1869.

 

                                                                        Newburyport Jany 1, 1869

Capt A Graves                        To Geo. Noyes, Dr

                                    To repairing varnishing, & tuning

                                    one melodeon              $12.00

                                    Rec’d pay   Geo. Noyes

 

.125     receipted bill, William Graves paid C.R. Sargent, Newburyport, for shot, wads, work on and cleaning gun, caps, lever pouch, etc., Jan. 1, 1869.

 

.126     receipted bill, William Graves paid Samuel Dodge, for sad irons and stands, June 29, 1869.

 

 

Folder 5: Bills, 1871-1880

 

.127     receipted bill, Edward Graves paid D.B. Vickery, Haverhill, for photo of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, Jan. 12, 1871.

                        Printed billhead: portrait photographer.

 

.128     agreement, Charles [illegible] agreed to take down what remained after a fire, including house chimney, for William Graves, Newburyport, Jan. 21, 1876.

 

.129     receipted bill, William Graves paid Bayley & Perkins, Newburyport, for lumber and mill work, May 6, 1876-Jan. 1, 1877.

 

.130     receipted bill, estate of William Graves paid Geo. L. Jackman, Newburyport, for pipe, stove covers, grate, zinc, cleaning furnace, etc., Jan. 26, 1877-Jan. 7, 1878.

 

.131     receipted bill, William Graves paid Geo. L. Jackman, for cleaning stove and furnace, coffee pot, faucet, lead pipe, etc., June 8-Oct. 4, bill dated April 26, 1877.

 

.132     receipted bill, William Graves paid Uriah Strayman, Newburyport, for labor on windows in brush factory, July 1877.  Signed by P.A. Memle.

 

.133     House on Rings Island in account with M.P. Graves, Dec. 1877-Nov. 1, 1878, with further payments Nov. 1878-Jan. 1879.  For paint, for N. Greeley collecting rents, for services of R.L. Greenleaf, for coal, for rent.  Signed by E. & O.E.

 

.134     receipted bill, estate of William Graves paid J. Moulton, for basin, eye glass, lamp, vase, dishes, knives, china, etc., March 1876-April 1877.

 

            .135     account between Merrimac Brush Co. and Capt. William Graves, 1875-1877.

 

[page] 134                   Merrimac Brush Co.

                                    Capt. William Graves

1875                            To John N. Pike          Dr.

Dec      17        For 1/2 advertisement of sale of Factory        5.

1876

Jany     12          1/2 Auctioneer’s services                            2.50

Oct      2           1/2 interest at Five Cents Savings               26.25

                                                          1/2 City tax                                         8.37

1877

April 2               1/2 int at Five Cents Savings                      26.25

Sept     20          /2 City tax                                                   6.40

Oct      1            1/2 int at Five Cents Savings                      26.25   101.02

                                               

Cr.

1875

Dec.     20        By 1/2 of 1 ms. rent                                        3.50

1876

Jany     31          1/2      1                                                 5            8.50

                                                                                                                        $92.52

 

[William Graves and John Pike opened a brush factory at the foot of Broad Street in Newburyport and operated it from 1867-70, but it was not a commercial success and they later sold it.]

 

.136     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid T. H. Lunt, Newburyport, Oct. 1877.

 

                                                Newburyport               1877

Mrs William Graves to T H Lunt        Dr       

Oct. 22                        Days labor on cellar wall at

                                                house on Milk St.                    2.25

                                                One day by tender                  1.50

                                    23        one half day                            1.22

                                                half day by tender                     .75

                                                mortar for painting                  1.50

                                                cleaning dirt                              .50

                                                                                    7.62

Recd payment T H Lunt

 

[indicates that the Graves still owned the house on Milk Street.  William Graves Jr. had passed away on September 1, 1877.]

 

.137     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid E.S. Sweetser, Newburyport, for wallpaper, April 2, 1878.

                        Printed billhead: carpets, room papers and borders, window curtains and fixtures.

 

.138     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid Jackman & Griffin, Newburyport, April 17, 1878, for stock and labor to paper rooms, etc.

 

.139     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid Lord Brothers, Newburyport, for refitting hair mattress, May 3, 1879.

                                    Printed billhead: upholsters, dealers in upholstery goods, curtain goods and fixtures, wire window screens and wire cloth, etc.

 

            .140     receipted bill, estate of Susannah Graves paid S.H. Safford & Co., Sept. 27, 1878.

                        Printed billhead.

 

                                                            Newburyport, Sep 27 1878

Estate of Susannah Graves

                                                To S. H. SAFFORD & CO., Dr.,

                                    FURNISHING UNDERTAKERS,

                                                ROBES, WREATHS, CROSSES, CUT FLOWERS, &c., FURNISHED TO ORDER,

                                    13 & 15 MIDDLE STREET.

 

July      31        To Casket Plate & Care                      50.00

                                                                Hearse & Attending Funeral         10.00

                                                            “ %[?]                                                    2.00

                                                                                                                                    $62.00

                                                Paid     S. H. Safford & Co.

 

            .141     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid John Sumner, Oct.–Nov. 1878.

 

1878  Mrs. William Graves to John Summer  Dr.

 

Oct.  4 To 1 = No5 Donar[?] Furnace             100.00

                                         17   24 feet of 10 in Tin pipe 35c                   8.40

                                                1 Elbow .63 & 1 Tee joint .75                 1.38

                                                1 = 10 in Damper & sod                           .62

                                                1 = 6 in                                                  .40

                                                Mason work                                            1.00

                                                taking down old Furnace

                                                            fixing up pipe etc                        3.00             114.80

 

                                                cr

                                                            By 200 lbs old iron                     1.30

Oct   31           cash on acct                               50.00               51.30

                                                                                                            ———-

                                    Recd Pay Nov 12 1878                                   63.50

                                                John Summer per W

 

 

.142     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid D. M. French, Newburyport, Oct. 3, 1878.

 

Newburyport, Oct 13/1878

Mrs. William Graves

                        To D. M. French.  Dr

To Three Headstones

                                    Ital Mar                                               45.00

    Cutting Four inscriptions

                                    on monument                                      16.00

    Two foundations                                       4.00

Rec. Payment                                      $65.00

                                                D. M. French.

 

           

.143     receipted bill, estate of William Graves paid E.S. Sweetser, Newburyport, for wallpaper for Milk Street, Dec. 1878.

            Printed billhead: carpets, room papers and borders, window curtains and fixtures.

 

.144     receipted bill, Mrs. William Graves paid E.S. Sweetser, Newburyport, for wallpaper, Nov. 7, 1879.

            Printed billhead: carpets, room papers and borders, window curtains and fixtures.

 

.145     receipted bill, estate of William Graves paid J.B. Creasey & Co., Newburyport, Nov. 19. 1880.

            Printed billhead.

 

Newburyport, Mass.   Nov. 19 1880

Estate of Wm Graves 

To J. B. CREASEY & CO., Dr.        

                        HOUSE, SHIP, SIGN AND FANCY PAINTERS

                                    AND DEALERS IN

PAINTS, OILS GLASS, SASHES, BLINDS, DOORS AND PAINTERS’ SUPPLIES

                                                NO. 3 WATER STREET

 

1880                12 lb yellow Paint

                                                del Mr. Fernald Ring Island   1.80

                                    Paid  J B Creasey & Co.

 

[Indicates that the Graves still owned the house on Rings Island]

 

 

Folder 6: Business letters

 

.146     to Wm. Gray [sic] Jr., Esq., Newburyport, Mass., from Bray & Raymond, Salem, Jan. 10, 1851.  Instructions on how to hang something at the windows, perhaps roller shades, with a diagram.

 

                                                                                                           Salem Jany 10 1851

 

Wm Gray[sic] Jr. Esq.

                                    Dear Sir

                                                I understand by Mr Cook that you have shutters in your parlor, and I have made the spring to roll out, instead of in.  I have put a piece of zinc in the box as a guide to puting[sic] up the holders[.]  Place the zinc hard home to the sash, and the top; the same being marked “top & B.[“]—prick off the center from the hole, then screw on the holders so that the center so pricked off shall, be at the bottom of the grove[sic,] one being attached to show how they are to be placed.  [cross-sectional diagram drawn here]

Before placing the spring into the window the curtain must be unrolled and hong[sic] down the whole length from the spring, and after it is in its pace take out the pin.—

                                    The bill is herewith enclosed [not present] and you can pay the expressman or can when you come to the city

                        Per order

                                    Bray and Raymond

                                    by CD.

 

[Bray and Raymond listed as a Window Sash and Shade Fixtures company in Beverly in the 1853 Massachusetts Register.          ]

 

 

.147     to William Graves, Newburyport, from John M. Ives, Salem, date (and text on top of page 2) mostly worn away.  About arrangements for a fair; display of the ladies’ handiwork (quilts, fancy rugs, etc.), fruit, and vegetables are mentioned.

 

William Graves Esq.

                                                Newburyport

Dr Sir

                                    Yours respecting the arrangement of the Hall is before me, with regard to the decoration of the Room I suppose that the Manufactured articles such as Fancy Rugs, Counterpans[sic], Quilts and all the et ceteras of the handy work of the Ladies will cover the sides &c of the Hall.  Last year there were more of these articles than we could well display on the walls[.]  Messrs. Williams & Brewster were added to our committee at the last meeting, to whom in your absence I remarked that the Tables for the Fruit had better be prepared similar to last year,  the rostrum or pulpit be so arranged that no one should roost there as they did at the last show, but that in lieu of this one or two police men be placed there to overlook the table &c.  The tent for the vegetables to be brought out to the street running back to the former one (the whole area of the building;)  You speak [words at top of p. 2 illegible] the day before the show[.]  I shall visit Newburyport if nothing prevents on Monday next, returning to Salem in the afternoon.  I want to make arrangements as regards Dishes, Plates &c &c.  heretofore their[sic] has been a difficulty in obtaining them at the proper time, and also the most proper kinds.  I trust you may be at home on Monday or Messrs. Brewster or Williams to assist me in this matter

                                                Yours truly in haste

                                                            John M. Ives[*]

 

[John M. Ives (1798-1883) was a stationer and bookseller in Salem and an avid horticulturalist.  He co-authored the New England Book of Fruit with Robert Manning, an uncle of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and was active in the Essex Agricultural Society (EAS), the Essex County Natural History Society and its successor the Essex Institute.  Ives was a Curator of Horticulture for the latter, which arranged educational programs, including exhibitions of horticulture and agriculture.

This letter probably refers to the EAS exhibition in Newburyport 30 Sept.-1 Oct., 1857.  The exhibition was staged in Newburyport in successive years 1856-57, and Ives wants arrangements “similar to last year.”  Additionally, Graves was a Newburyport alderman 1856-58 and no doubt had committee responsibilities.  The Transactions of the EAS from 1857 show that Ives was chairman of the Fruit Committee. He begins his report (p. 50) saying that “Our friends in Newburyport were apprehensive that there would be a falling off from last year.  We found, however, no want of interest in the county generally in the Show.” In fact, there was a falling off, with admission receipts down from $1300 to $840 and half the 1200 dinner guests of 1856.  However, the governor did attend. ]

 

 

.148     to Capt. Wm. Graves, from Bearup & Carraher, New York, Feb. 20, 1868.  Requesting payment of a bill incurred by the Duplex Rotary Pump & Engine Co. for work done on Staten Island in 1867.

 

New York Feby 20th\68

Capt Wm Graves

                                    Dear Sir

                        We have a bill against the Duplex Rotary Pump & Engine Co amounting to $81.61 for work & materials used in connecting pumps at Staten Island in Sept\67 and ordered by the Sect’y of the Company—Mr Van Repper.  We presume you are well aware that the work has been done and we think that we have given the Company sufficient time for the settlement of the same.

                                    Hopeing[sic] to hear from you in regard to the matter at your earliest convenience we remain

                                                Yours Respectfully—

                                                            Bearup & Carraher  [tin, copper and iron workers]

                                                                        597 Grand Street

 

 

.149     to Capt. Graves, from Albert B. Hill, Boston, March 23, 1870.  Requests Graves to order Mr. Chase to loan Hill a power pump.

 

Mr. Chase could not give me your address.                                                  

                                                                                    Boston March 23rd 1870

Capt Graves

                                    Dr Sir.

                                                I made arrangements for the Patent Rotary Pump with Mr. Walter Curtis yesterday.

                                                The papers will not be made out till some time towards the last of next week

                                                There is a small second hand power Pump at Mr. Chases’ shop in Lincoln Street [see below] that I would like to borrow for a week or two, and I will put it in repair,  and make it right with you after I am through with it, if I should not buy it before.

                                    Will you order Mr. Chase to loan it to me?

                                    Please reply immediately    

“say nothing to Toppan till everything is fixed”

                                                Your obt Servt

                                                            Albert B. Hill

                                                            224 Northampton St.

 

[S. E. Chase was a manufacturer of steam engines at 35 Lincoln Street, Boston]

 

 

.182     to Wm. Graves, Esq., from George Draper & Son, Hopedale, Mass., March 18, 1872.  Will ship his spindle work tomorrow.

                        On back: a list of checks, but this does not necessarily having anything to do with this letter. 

Printed letterhead.

 

Office of George Draper & Son

Hopedale, Mass.  March 18 1872

Wm. Graves Esq -

                        Treas Bartlett Steam Mill

                                    Dear Sir

                                                We shall ship all your spindle work save a part of the spindles by freight tomorrow morning — Please advise us of its arrival & we will endeavor to send men at once—

                                                                        Yours Truly—

                                                                        Geo. Draper & Son—

 

                        [there follows a list of seven dates, March 1865-Sept. 1870,  with numbers, either 30 or 31, possibly a tally of spindles ordered on those dates.

 

[The Draper Corporation was once the largest maker of power looms for the textile industry in the U.S., and operated in Hopedale for over 130 years (Wikipedia).  It appears from the notation at the bottom that the spindles were usually ordered twice a year.  The Bartlett Steam Mill contained over 17,000 spindles. The mill was a cotton textile factory (actually two mill buildings) built in Newburyport in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s at the urging of Charles T. James, an entrepreneurial engineer and outspoken advocate of steam engines. It manifested the Industrial Revolution in New England, and was “the most important American experiment with the steam-run mill prior to the war”.  (Thernstrom, Stephan.  Poverty and Progress:  Social Mobility in a Nineteenth Century City.   [Harvard, 1964, p. 12].)  Where once it appeared that Newburyport must be resigned to ship building and rum distilling, the advent of modern steam engines powered by cheap coal made large scale manufacturing economically feasible, revitalized Newburyport from the moribund shipping trade, and dramatically changed the social fabric.  In addition to this case study the Bartlett mill was used as an example in a protracted, highly detailed and passionate debate in Boston newspapers of 1841 as to the economic merits of water versus steam power.  (Jeremy, David J.  Technology and Power in the Early American Cotton Industry:  James Montgomery, the Second Edition of His “Cotton Manufacture” (1840), and the ‘Justitia’ Controversy about Relative Power Costs.  [American Philosophical Society, 1990].) 

 

 

 

Folder 7: City of Newburyport: fire department, trees, edge stones

 

.150     report of Standing Committee on Public Property, Newburyport, about building a new firehouse.   Jan. 18, 1858.  Signed by chairman William Graves.

 

                                    The joint Standing Committee on Public Property to whom was referred the petition of Engine Company No 2. asking for a new Engine House have given the subject their attention & respectfully     ———Report———

                                    That in the opinion of your Committee it is inexpedient at this time to build a new house as asked for by the petitioners.

                                    The present building may be repaired at a small expense so as to answer the purpose very well for a few years, when it is to be hoped the cost of a new building will be less felt by the City than at present.

                                    Your Committee recommend therefore that the present building be repaired & put in comfortable working order.

                                    Respectfully submitted

                                                for the Committee

Wm Graves Chairman

Newburyport                                                  

                                    Jany 18th 1858

                       

 

.151     report of Standing Committee on Public Property, Newburyport, recommending repairs to the existing firehouse.  March 22, 1858.  Signed by chairman William Graves.

 

                                    The joint Standing Committee on Public Property to which was referred the order in relation to the sale of Engine House No 2. & the cost of building a new one have attended to the duty assigned them & respectfully

                                                ————Report.———

                                    That in the opinion of the Committee a new house, built of wood, would cost about Seven hundred dollars $700-

                                    That the present building, without the land (which the city is unauthorized to sell) could be sold for about Seventy five dollars. $75.  and the cost of repairing the same & put it in good order including two coats of paint would not exceed ($100) One hundred dollars.

                                                            Respectfully submitted

                                                                        Wm Graves

                                                                                    Chairman

Newburyport March 22 1858

 

 

.152     letter to Capt. Graves, from B. Davis, Jr., Newburyport, April 14, 1858.  Has Graves done anything about planting trees?  “Our opposition friends” chose a chief and assistant engineers [for fire department], but must be approved by mayor.  Begs Graves to be home in time to attend next meeting.

 

Newburyport Ap. 14th/58

 

Capt Graves

                                    Sir.

                                    Previous to your leaving home I did not think to ascertain whether you had made any arrangements for setting out trees[.]  Have you made any & if not is it best to set out any this spring.  please give me your ideas in the matter as if we do any thing it must be done quickly.  Our opposition friends sprung a trap upon Mr Hills & myself [see note below] at our last meeting by choosing by ballot  Chief & Assistant engineers.  it was all Illegal & of course there are none appointed as they must be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation[.] they chose 2 of them whom we think would be detrimental to the interest of the fire Department but we fear they will be obstinate & not vote to confirm the nominations of the Mayor[.]  without you we are powerless & you must be at home on Monday night.  there is no getting along without you.  Will you be at home.  please inform me.  you must if there is any possibility of your doing so

                                    by sending an early answer

                                                you will oblige

                                                            yours &c

                                                            B Davis Jr

 

[Benjamin Davis was the Alderman for Ward 3,  Philip K. Hills the Alderman for Ward 4, and Graves for Ward 2.  Perhaps these three formed a political block with the mayor, William Cushing.  Like Graves, Cushing managed ships in the European and East Indies trade and lived nearby at 63 High Street.  All four served in their respective offices from 1856-58.  None served again until Graves’ stint as mayor in 1866.  Source:  Currier, John J.  History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1909 (p. 254)]

 

.153     receipted bill, City of Newburyport, to James Fogg, for planting trees in the city: horse chestnut, elm, maple, mountain ash; also some paint and labor of trimming trees; April-May 1858.

 

.154     “Catalogue of Trees set out in city of Newburyport in 18[illegible] on account of the Bromfield [illegible word].  Lists streets and numbers of trees (elms, maples, red maples, oaks) planted along each.  Date from back: 1887[?]

 

.155     “Catalogue of trees furnished & set out by D. Pearson,” 1856.  Lists streets and numbers of trees (red maples, maples, elms, beech, lime, birch, horse chestnut, chestnut, ash) planted along each. 

 

.156     letter, to Wm. Graves, Esq., from Joseph Blood for B. Colburn & Co., Lanesville, Mass., Aug. 18, 1857.  About stone for city of Newburyport.  Beniah Colburn recuperating from broken leg.

 

Lanesville Aug 18. 1857 

to Wm. Graves, Esq.

                        Dear Sir.

                                    We have an impression in our minds & have had it for a few weeks, that you ordered us to send to City of Newburyport 600 feet of Edge Stone, but we cannot find the order.

                                    If you expect us to send the 600 ft. will you inform us what we can put in a freight to make out a cargo?  It is bad business to send a sloop to carry about 55 tons of stone anywhere—75 to 82 tons would be much more accommodating.  Please state what wharf they are to be sent to.

                                    We presume you have heard of our Mr. Beniah Colburns accident.   He is laid up with a broken leg, but is getting along as well as can be expected with the thigh bone broken off.                                   

                                    Yours truly

                                                for B. Colburn & Co.

                                                            Joseph Blood

Please direct to Lanesville, Mass.

 

[note: Lanesville is a community near Rockport on the tip of Cape Ann, an area rich in granite.  Colburn provided the granite for the chain bridge over the Merrimack River in 1828 (p. 111), and possibly for the Newburyport Custom House (p. 11) , and he was the first to ship foundation stone around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1852-53 (p. 42).  With the use of dynamite and of block and tackle to lift stone, quarry accidents were common and the likely source of Colburn’s bad break; but he recovered and died of typhoid fever in 1871.  Blood’s widow later sold Blood’s ledge, a huge granite seam, to Colonel French at the urging of his former commander, General Benjamin (“Beast”) Butler, who had built a summer home in the area (pp. 43-45).  (Source:  Erkkila, Barbara. Hammers on Stone [1980])

 

.157     letter to Wm. Graves, esq., Newburyport, from Thomas Hale for B. Colburn & Co., Rockport, Sept. 6, 1858.  Have loaded stone for City of Newburyport and hopes it will arrive tomorrow.

            On back: penciled figures, unknown purpose.

 

Rockport, Sept 6th 1858.

Wm Graves Esq.

                                    Newburyport.

                                                Sir— We have this day loaded one of our smallest sloops with Edge Stone, for the City of Newburyport agreeable to your order of the 2 inst.

                                    If the weather is favourable, she will probably be at Newburyport tomorrow. [see note]

                                    Respectfully

                                                Yours etc.   B. Colburn & Co.

                                                            per. Thomas Hale

 

[It would have been an easy run from Rockport across Ipswich Bay to Newburyport.  The granite sloops of Cape Ann were stubby, broad-beamed and made of heavy oak in order to sustain their loads and carried a sturdy cargo boom to load and unload.  (Source:  Erkkila, Barbara. Hammers on Stone, p. 27 [1980])

 

 

Folder 8: bills to Brush Factory, Rufus Smith, and various others (not to William Graves)

 

.158     receipted bill, Brush Factory sold John Page bricks from chimney, Nov. 6, 1876.  Receipt initialed W.G.

 

            .159a-b            two receipted bills which are attached.

.159a   Brush Co. Building owners paid Neil H. McLane and Chas. Tucker, Newburyport, for removing something from floor of building, March 1876.

.159b   Brush Factory owners paid Colby & Low for labor, Newburyport, March 4, 1876. 

Printed billhead: manufacturers of stationary, marine, and hoisting machines, sewing machine fixtures, etc.

 

.160     receipted bill, R. Smith paid G. Greenleaf for fruit dishes and soup tureen bought at auction, 1851[?].

 

.161     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid John Dodge for his part of bill for repairing of battlements and cement on store at corner of Inn and Market Square, June 6, 1855.

 

.162     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid Joseph Slatery, Newburyport, for slating his store at corner of Inn Street, June 17, 1855.

 

.163     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid Whittier, Dunbar & Co., Boston, for unspecified merchandise, Dec. 1856.

                        Printed billhead: wholesale and retail dealers in paints, oils, window-glass, zinc, varnishes.

 

.164     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid J. Chamberlin, for mending door, pans, canisters, stove, etc.  Credit given for old stove.  Feb.-Dec. 1856.

 

.165     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid Dickinson, Lincoln & Co., Boston, for pails, Sept. 19, 1856.

                        Printed billhead: dealers in willow ware, brushes, churns, window shades, etc.  Left side of paper has been removed, so part of list of goods available is missing (more of list is visible on .166).

 

.166     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid Dickinson, Lincoln & Co., Boston, for pails, brooms, measures, boxes, etc., March 21, 1856.

                        Printed billhead: dealers in willow ware, brooms, brushes, handles, tubs, churns, cedar ware, baskets, window shades, etc.  Left side of paper has been removed, so part of list of goods available is missing (but more can be seen here than in .165).

 

.167     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid William Read & Son, Boston, for iron shovels, March 21, 1856.

                        Printed billhead: guns (Colt’s and Allen’s revolvers, Sharp’s rifles), sporting apparatus, hardware (including Ames’ shovels), gunpowder, cannon, cutlasses, pikes, etc.  Left side of paper is missing so part of list is missing.

 

.168     receipted bill, Rufus Smith paid A.D. Woods, Newburyport, for paint and painting, glass, lettering, signs, May 1857.

 

.169     receipted bill, Thomas Breuker, United States Vice Consul at Amsterdam, paid A. C. van Eeden & Co., for hyacinths, tulips, gladiolus, etc., Dec. 1863

                        Printed billhead: florists and seedsmen, Haarlam in Holland.

 

.170     receipted bill, William Moulton paid A.D. & O. W. Woods, Newburyport, for wallpaper and hanging it, painting rooms, mending plastering, painting and repairing glass at shop, etc., May-Dec. 1860, bill dated Jan. 1, 1861.

 

.171     receipted bill, estate of William Moulton paid N.W. Hurd, Newburyport, for timber, planks, boards, shingle nails, labor,  Jan.-July 1863, bill dated April 1864.

 

.172     receipted bill, C.F. Perry paid William Gunnison, Merrimac, Mass., for work on carriage, May 24, 1877.  [Endorsed on back as William Gunnison & Co.]

 

[Charles French Perry, son-in-law of William Graves, married to Georgianna.]

 

                                                                                    Merrimac Mass., May 24th/77

Mr. C. F. Perry

                                                            to William Gunnison, Do.

To resetting tires & new bolts                           3.50

  Painting & varnishing                                  13.00

  new front prop nut                                          .25

  tightening up iron work                                   .75

                                                                                                            17.40

 

new shaft in old Phaeton                                  2.25

Refitting irons to same                                        .75

Painting                                                             1.25

new shaft leathers & putting on                       1.25

                                                                                                              5.50

                                                            Received Payment                  22.90

                                    Accept thanks             Wm Gunnison & Co.

 

 

.173     receipted bill, Mrs. Snow paid N.R. Brown for table and work table bought at auction, no date [1860s?].  Receipt signed by P. White.

 

.174     receipted bill, I.W. Snow paid R. Anderson & Sons, Liverpool, for Brussels chintz tapestry (and seaming for same), sofa rug, Axminister mats, Kidderminster, canvas, Jan. 12, 1864.

                        Printed billhead: The Family Linen, Carpet, Damask & General Furnishing Warehouse.  With internal revenue stamp.

 

 

Folder 9: bills to Improved Power Association, 1866-1867

 

.175     receipted bill, Charles Toppan, agent, paid Thomas Leavitt & Co., Boston, for labor on rotary and fire engines, bolts, screws, valves, castings, other parts, etc., Dec. 1866-March 1867.  Approved by William Graves, A. Toppan, Thomas Leavitt.  Endorsed: bill paid by M. Curtis.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, machines of every description made to order.  With U.S. internal revenue stamp.

 

.176     receipted bill, Improved Power Association paid Thomas Leavitt & Co., Boston, for labor and parts for various engines, July 1867.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, machines of every description made to order. 

 

.177     receipted bill, Charles Toppan, agent Power Assn., paid T.H. Foulds, [place illegible], for drawings for pumps, engines sent to Boston, electrotype cuts, telegraphs, April 11, 1867.

 

.178     receipted bill, Improved Power Association paid Thomas Leavitt & Co., Boston, for labor and parts for various engines, July 1867.  Endorsed: Duplicate.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, machines of every description made to order. 

 

.179     receipted bill, Improved Power Association paid Thomas Leavitt & Co., Boston, for labor and parts for 33 horse power engine, March-May 1867.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, machines of every description made to order. 

 

.180     receipted bill, Improved Power Association paid Thomas Leavitt & Co., Boston, for labor and parts for various engines and pump, Feb.-May 1867.

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, machines of every description made to order. 

 

 

Folder 10: “Cost of Brick House in High St.”

 

.181     summary of bills paid for building house

 

[Note: the following is not a receipt but a compilation of bills for the construction of the house at 56 High Street, to determine the total cost.  The construction apparently took place during 1844, which matches the date on the historic marker on the house.  There is an update at the bottom for the cost of a new fence in 1847.  The handwriting in this document suggests that it is not written by William Graves.  Recorded below are mostly items where the nature of the work is clear (ellipses indicate items not transcribed).  The left side of the paper has had several sections torn away, mostly affecting the reading of the dates.]

 

Cost of Brick House in high St.

1844

        May 14th         1 Cask Nails & Porterage                      4.33  

[a number of similar entries, May-October]

        Sept 26th         Marble Fire places & Hearths             83.90

                                            Mosses Pond for Grates & Screens    41.00

        Oct      18th     4 Glass Knobs                                       2.25

                                  29th     Jos Woods Bills for Bricks

                                                woodwork done by W on his Contract

                                                & sundry Bills pd by him past

                                                Land[?] &c                                          1606.22

                                            Albert Currier              Do Do             1810.00

                                            Extra Land                                          272.94

                                            Nails .99, fght of marble                        2.24

                        Nov.   12th       nails & Porterage                                   2.77

                        Nov     22nd    J G Tiltons Bill of Paper                     65.05

                                            Mrs Page for Papering                        17.61

                                            Washing, Turfing, Measg & Deeds      2.42

                                            Wm Thurstons [*] Bill                        25.33

                        Dec      2          Latch & Screws                                      .31

Tory [*] & Knights Bill & Gravelling 15.00

                                            Wigglesworth [*] Bills   Finish attic,

                                                Barn & Out House also for

                                                Blinds & other work                           211.65

                                  13th     C H Hudson Bill                                   32.00

                                  14th     D Coombs & Son                                  48.04

                                  [?]        Bal of A Currier Bill                             68.00 

                                  22d      CL Huses Bill                                     101.90

                                  27th     Toul [i.e. Towle] & Bayly Bill Fencing etc     131.00

                                            Burrill & Cutters Bill                            88.44 

                                            N. Davis & J.M. Georges[?] Bill           10.85

                                           E. H. & G. Georges Bill  11.35  Toky 1.71    13.06  

                                  6th       Latch, Screws & Gravell Haul’g Lumber         6.04

                                  26th     Nails, Scraper & Grangers Bill               11.61

                    Saml Boardman Bill                               37.60 

                                            C L Huse Bill Outside Fence Barn &c   51.05 

                                            raising Fence                                          17.11

                                                                                                            $4792.86

1847                4792.86                       Cost                             $4792.86

New Fence          16.67

                                    4809.53          

 

Notes on workmen mentioned in bill:

Moses Pond & Co. of Boston sold furnaces, stoves, and ranges.

Joseph Wood was not identified.  

Albert Currier was a master mason and contractor who built City Hall and 2 churches in Newburyport.  He also served as mayor in 1859-60 and as a state representative.

John G. Tilton was a publisher and bookseller whose shop at 21 State Street also sold paper hangings.

William Thurston was a lumber merchant.

Joseph Torrey and John Knight were stone cutters. 

John H. Wigglesworth was a house carpenter.

In the 1851 city directory, Charles H. Hudson was listed as a telegraph agent.

D. Coombs not identified.

Charles L. Huse was a painter.

George Towle and John Bayley, Jr. were house carpenters.

Henry M. Burrill was a painter.  Several men surnamed Cutter were painters: Eben, Stephen, and Thomas H.

Nathaniel Davis was a stone cutter.  Joseph M. George was a blacksmith. 

Edward H. George and George J. George were blacksmiths.  Toky is possibly James Tobey, a house carpenter.

George T. Granger was a lumber merchant.

Samuel Boardman was a hardware merchant.