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:         Moulton, William, 1772-1861.

Title:               Estate administration papers

Dates:             1861-1873

Call No.:         Col. 776         

Acc. No.:        06x6

Quantity:        89 items

Location:        34 J 5

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

William Moulton (1772-1861) was a silversmith and goldsmith in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was from a family of several generations of silversmiths.  (Silversmith William Moulton was working in Newburyport as early at 1690.)  He was the son of Abigail Noyes and Joseph Moulton.  He died on January 14, 1861.  William Moulton was married twice.  His first wife was Judith Noyes (died 1822), and she was the mother of all his children.  In 1825, he married Statira Preble Moulton (1781-1872).  A document in this collection lists the following children: Joseph (1814-1903; a silversmith and jeweler in Newburyport); Harriet (1812-1889; married John Noyes Kent of Newbury; they had a son named Stephen); Nathan Noyes of Ramsey, Illinois (1819-1870); Mary (1803-1851), Rebecca (1808-1857), and William Hazen (1810-1857). 

 

When Statira died in 1872, her nephew Daniel N. Haskell informed the court that her only heirs were cousins.  However, as is clear from documents in this collection, money that she was receiving from part of her husband’s estate was to revert to his children after her death.

 

For further information about the administrator William Graves, see his biographical sketch in Col. 775.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

A collection of receipts, bills, and other items relating to the administration of the estate of Newburyport silversmith William Moulton who died in 1861, leaving a widow and several adult children.  The administrator of the estate was William Graves, another resident of Newburyport.  Included in the collection are bills for the funeral; bills for house repairs, building a privy, and wallpaper; an agreement by the heirs that real estate left by Moulton was to be sold; and a number of receipts for distribution of money and household goods as provided by the will.  As well, there are a few bills for books and food, one for fire insurance, and one receipt for city taxes.  The collection does not include a copy of the will.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The documents are arranged chronologically.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

 

 

RELATED MATERIALS

 

Personal papers of William Graves, the administrator of William Moulton’s estate, are found in Col. 775 at this repository.

 

Photographs of silver by William Moulton (1772-1861), and by many other members of the Moulton family, are found in DAPC (Decorative Arts Photograph Collection), and may be located by searching WinterCat, the on-line library catalog.

 

The Winterthur Museum collection includes silver by William Moulton (1772-1861) and by other members of the Moulton family.  Apply to the Registrars Office for access to these items.

 

           

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from N. David Scotti.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Graves, William, 1811-1877.

                        Moulton family.

 

Topics:

            Decedents’ estates - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Distribution of decedents’ estates.

            Executors and administrators.

            Funeral rites and ceremonies - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Insurance, Fire.

            Tax collection - Massachusetts - Newburyport.

            Receipts (Acknowledgments).

            Invoices.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 J 5

 

All accession numbers begin with 06x6.

 

Folder 1 of 1:

 

.1         wrapper, on which is written “estate of Mr. Moulton, vouchers to admr’s account”

 

.2         envelope, on which is written “Wm.[?] W. Moulton acct for final settlement”

 

.3         sheet of paper: on one side is written “Bills, estate of Wm. Moulton, paid and charged”;

                        On other side: a list of notes, with dates and amounts

 

.4         account of Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton, a goldsmith of Newburyport, with schedules A and B, not dated;

schedule A gives amount of personal property and proceeds of real estate sales; schedule B lists Moulton’s debts (for such things as painting, papering, joiner work, tax bills, surveying), and the expenses of his last sickness and funeral (including nursing, a sexton, coffin, carriages, and a shroud) ;

                        Printed form

 

.5         receipted bill, from G. R. Lucy, Newburyport, Feb. 16, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for 5 coaches for his funeral; number on back: 25

 

.6         receipted bill, from Mrs. A. G. Woodman, Newburyport, Feb. 19, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for making a shroud; number on back: 26

 

.7         receipt bill: from John N. Pike, April 1861, to Capt. Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton: for advice respecting settlement of estate; number on back: 4

 

.8         receipted bill, from Enoch Goodwin, Newburyport, May 1, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for tending funeral, laying out tombs fee, and for removing body from tomb; number on back: 23

 

.9         receipted bill, from Bartlett & Goodwin, Newburyport, May 13, 1861, to estate of William Moulton, for boards, nails, hinges, screws, mason work, framing, a door, and labor

 

.10       receipted bill, from Geo. W.[?] Clark, Newburyport, May 14, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for rolls of wallpaper

 

.11       receipted bill, from George C. Ireland, Newburyport, May 1861, to estate of W. Moulton, for whitewashing rooms at Moulton house

 

.12       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, June 22, 1861, received payment of legacy left her by her husband, paid by William Graves, administrator of estate; number on back: 1

 

.13       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Feb. 14-July 1, 1861, with debits on one side, and credits on the other; mostly the accounts just list names and give little indication of what charges were for, although wood and a horse to Kent are mentioned; number on back: 5

 

.14a-b  receipts: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, July 3, 1861, received payments from rents of house on Water Street and other real estate, paid by William Graves, administrator of estate;

                        [two separate items that have been fastened together]

 

.15-.16             receipts: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, July 9, 1861, received payments for income from real estate belonging to father’s estate, paid by William Graves, administrator of estate;

 

.17       one side: receipt: Harriet M. Kent, pr Stephen Kent, Newburyport, Sept. 4, 1861, received payment for rent, paid by William Graves, administrator of estate;

                        Other side: note, Harriet M. Kent, Newbury, Sept. 4, 1861, to Mr. Graves: please pay Stephen Kent the amount due me

 

.18       receipted bill, Horatio N. Marshall, Newburyport, Sept. 24, 1861, to W. Moulton estate: for mason work at store, a thimble and setting thimble, pointing mortar, repairing plastering, tubs of mortar, and framing[?]

 

.19       receipted bill from Joseph Blake, Newburyport, Oct. 18, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton: for labor, butts, pine timer and plank, joist, nails, blacksmith work; noted as being for making a cellar door

 

.20       receipted bill, from Nathl. W. Hurd, Newburyport, Nov. 15, 1861, to estate of Joseph [sic] Moulton, for moving a fence, a door and trimming, work

 

.21       receipted bill, from A.D. & C.W. Woods, Newburyport, Nov. 15, 1861, to William Moulton estate, for paint (including dark green and red), labor, putty, hanging rolls of wallpaper, painting rooms [apparently in a building on Broadway], mending sash, setting glass

 

.22       receipted bill, from Elias Pike & Son, Nov. 22, 1861, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for drawing and leathering a set of boxes[?]

 

.23       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, July 13, 1861-Feb. 18, 1862; mostly the accounts just list names and give little indication of what charges were for; debits include a carpenter, a mason, a sexton, and a coffin; credits just list names

 

.24       receipt: Statira P. Moulton and Harriet M. Kent received the household furniture from the estate of William Moulton, through the hands of Wm. Graves, administrator of estate, Feb. 21, 1862; number on back: 2

 

.25       receipt: Statira Preble Moulton received rent money from the estate of William Moulton, through the hands of Wm. Graves, administrator of estate, Feb. 21, 1862

 

.26       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, Feb. 22, 1862, received his share of rent money from estate of Wm. Moulton, through hands of Wm. Graves, administrator

 

.27       receipt: Nathan N. Moulton, pr Jos. Moulton, Newburyport, Feb. 22, 1862, received his share of rent money from estate  of Wm. Moulton, through hands of Wm. Graves, administrator

 

.28       receipt: Harriet Kent, pr Stephen Kent, Newburyport, March 8, 1862, received her share of rent collection from Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton

 

.29       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Feb. 18-Aug. 27, 1862; debits include payment to Harriet and a charge for cleaning the yard; credits include cash received from various people and rent of a store

 

.30       receipted bill, from Bartlett & Goodwin, Newburyport, June 26, 1862, to estate of William Moulton, for boards, cedar posts, clapboards, a door, butts and screws, nails, framing, iron work, mason work, labor, and repairs to a store

 

.31       receipted bill, from John Burrill & Co., [no place], July 31, 1862, to estate of Wm. Moulton, for painting outside of stores and house in Merrimack Street, panes of glass and setting same, blinds and repairing blinds

 

.32       receipted bill, from Henry Morse, [no place], Sept.-Dec. 1862, for a pair of gate hinges, hanging gate, repairing roof of store in Broadway, and nails

 

.33       receipted bill, from Thurston & Colman, [no place], Dec. 1862-Jan. 1863: for hemlock boards and materials and labor for privy

 

.34       settled bill, from Thurston & Colman, Newburyport, Sept.-Dec. 1860, settled Jan. 26, 1863, to estate of William Moulton: for lumber building supplies: cedar posts, lath, joist and planks, pine boards, shaved cedar shingles, pine clapboards, sp timber, fence palings; credit was given for unused materials and for a cash payment

 

 .35      receipt: Newburyport, Feb. 11, 1863: Nathan A.[sic – was N. meant?] Moulton and Joseph Moulton received payment from William Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton

 

.36       account of estate of William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, on or after Jan. 1, 1863: lists names and amounts, and mentions rent of jewelry store

 

.37       receipt: Harriet Kent, Newburyport, Feb. 14, 1863, received a payment from Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton

 

.38       receipted bill, from A.D. Woods, Newburyport, June 5, 1863, to Wm. Moulton estate: for painting, setting glass, and hanging rolls of wallpaper

 

.39       receipted bill, from Moulton & Tabor, Newburyport, June 22, 1863, to Joseph Moulton, for a frame, a sheet of Bristol board, several books (“Songs for Little Ones at Home,” a primer, two diaries, Franconia stories), rolls of room paper [wallpaper], and a w. book and pen holder;

                        The rolls of room paper were noted as being for Wm. Moulton estate

 

.40       bill, from Moody Lunt, Newburyport, August 1863, to Capt. William Graves: for repairing plastering and whitewashing two rooms, for Moulton house

 

.41       account of estate of William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, Oct. 5, 1863: lists names and amounts, and mentions rent of brick store and land

 

.42       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, Oct. 7, 1863, received a payment from Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton, for her share of rents collected

 

.43       receipt: Newburyport, Oct. 7, 1863: Nathan A.[sic – was N. meant?] Moulton and Joseph Moulton received payment from William Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton; funds were from the collection of rents

 

.44       receipt: Stephen Kent for Harriet M. Kent, Newburyport, Oct. 13, 1863, received a payment from Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton; funds from collection of rents

 

.45       receipted bill, from John Burrill & Co., Oct 20, 1863, to estate of William Moulton, for glass and setting of glass

 

.46       “Articles of Agreement,” between Statira P. Moulton and the children of William Moulton (Joseph Moulton; John N. Kent and wife Harriet M. Kent; and Nathan N. Moulton), April 20, 1864: authorizing William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton, to sell real estate, half to be used for income for Statira P. Moulton, and the other half to be divided among the other heirs; signed by the heirs in the presence of Wm. Graves; and also signed by Jas. W. Berry, as to N.A. Moulton

 

.47a-c  receipts: Staria P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payments on April 25 and Aug. 15, 1864, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; also a note about the receipts [three slips of paper fastened together]

 

.48       receipt: Newburyport, Aug. 16, 1864: Nathan A.[sic – was N. meant?] Moulton and Joseph Moulton received payment from William Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton; funds were from the collection of rents

 

.49       insurance policy: Manufacturers’ Insurance Company, fire insurance policy issued to estate of Wm. Moulton, Oct. 20, 1864; insuring frame building on Merrimac St., Newburyport, occupied as a stove store;

                        Printed form; with U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.50       receipted bill: from J. H. Boardman, Edmund Pike, and John Cook, appraisers, Dec. 10, 1864, to estate of Wm Moulton, for services appraising the estate; number on back: 3

 

.51       “settlement of three hundred eighty-one 14/100 dollars, being the balance of personal estate … of William Moulton….”   The amount was divided between Statira P. Moulton, Harriet Kent, Joseph Moulton, and Nathan N. Moulton; signed Wm. Graves, Newburyport, Feb. 8, 1865

 

.52       “settlement of [$2394.87], belonging to the estate of William Moulton, … proceeds of real estate sold ….”   The amount was divided between Statira P. Moulton, Harriet Kent, Joseph Moulton, and Nathan N. Moulton; signed Wm. Graves, Newburyport, Feb. 8, 1865

 

.53       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on May 5, 1865, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; money from collection of rents

 

.54       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on May 5, 1865, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; money from collection of rents

 

.55       tax receipt: City of Newburyport, city, county and state tax on estate of Wm. Moulton, Sept. 6, 1865;

                        With note on back about Mrs. Moulton’s house on Water Street, and Joseph Moulton’s house on High St.;

                        Printed form

           

.56       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of Wm. Moulton, Oct. 4, 1865: lists names and amounts; mentions rent

 

.57       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Oct. 4, 1865, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; money from collection of rents, being N. N. Moulton’s portion as well as Joseph’s;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.58       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Oct. 4, 1865, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; also received money from Joseph Moulton;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.59       receipted bill, from Geo. Greenleaf, [no place], Oct. 10, 1865, to Capt. Wm. Graves for Mrs. Moulton; for serviced in sale of real estate, including advertising

 

.60       receipted bill, from Thurston & Colman, [no place], Nov. 7, 1863-Oct. 6, 1864, for estate of William Moulton, for best sawed cedar shingles, lumber, etc.; payment received Feb. 21, 1866

 

.61       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Newburyport, June 8, 1866; lists names and amounts, and mentions rent

 

.62       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on June 11, 1866, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton, from interest on a bond and also from rent; also received money from Joseph Moulton;

 

.63       note: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, June 11, 1866, to Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of Wm. Moulton: please pay Statira P. Moulton part of his share of rents

 

.64       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Newburyport, Dec. 4, 1866; lists names and amounts, and mentions rent;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.65       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Dec. 11, 1866, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; also received brother Nathan’s share;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.66       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Dec. 11, 1866, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton;

 

.67       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on July 3, 1867, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton;

 

.68       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Newburyport, Aug. 8, 1867; lists names and amounts;

 

.69       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Jan. 2, 1868, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; also received N. A. Moulton’s share;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.70       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Jan. 2, 1868, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton; the money was from rents, interest on a bond, and money from Joseph Moulton;

 

.71       receipt: Joseph Moulton for Mrs. S. P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Oct. 22, 1868, from William Graves, administrator of estate of William Moulton;

           

.72       receipted bill: John N. Pike, Jan. 1869, to Capt. Wm. Graves, administrator of estate of W. Moulton: for drawing deed of mortgage, registering deeds, assignment of loans

 

.73       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on June 12, 1869, from William Graves;

 

.74       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Oct. 15, 1869, from William Graves;

 

.75       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Nov. 4, 1869, from William Graves, trustee;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

 

.76       receipt: Statira P. Moulton, Newburyport, received payment on Nov. 16, 1869, from William Graves; money from estate of her late husband Wm. Moulton

 

.77       [account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Newburyport], Jan. 1869; lists names and amounts, with rent mentioned;

                        Endorsed on back: memo of rents, …, J.M.

 

.78       account of Joseph Moulton with estate of William Moulton, Newburyport, Jan. 1868-May 1869; lists names and amounts; tax, coal, and rent of land also mentioned;

                        Endorsed on back: Jos. Moulton’s a/c rents &c, cky[?], Feb. 1869

 

.79       Mrs. Statira P. Moulton in a/c with Wm. Graves, May 1, 1861-August 16, 1872; and Heirs of Wm. Moulton in a/c with Wm. Graves, Dec. 1864-Oct. 1869; and

            Account settlement of rents collection, July 1, 1861-1869;

                        All chiefly about collecting of rents, sale of real estate, interest, and such

 

.80       Heirs of Wm. Moulton in a/c with Wm. Graves, trustee, Dec. 1864-Dec. 1869; mostly a repeat of what found in .79 above

 

.81       account of Mrs. William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, Nov. 1869-Sept. 26, 1870;

                        With U.S. Internal Revenue stamp

                        [see also .83]

 

.82       Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, March 13, 1871, received $60 gold in coupons from Wm. Graves, trustee of heirs of Wm. Moulton; the money to be held in trust for Statira P. Moulton

 

.83       account of Mrs. William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, Feb. 1869-Sept. 26, 1870;

                        [see also .81]

 

.84       account of Mrs. William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, Nov. 1870-Jan. 31, 1872;

                        On back: receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, Jan. 31, 1872, received money from Capt. William Graves, trustee, for benefit of Mrs. William Moulton

 

.85       account of Mrs. William Moulton with Joseph Moulton, April-August, 1872;

 

.86       receipted bill: from John H. Newman, Newburyport, Oct. 23, 1872, to Mrs. Wm. Moulton, for melon, potatoes, veal, beef, fish, pork, butter

 

.87       receipted bill: from Plumer & Balch, Aug.-Sept. 1872, to Mrs. Wm. Moulton, for sugar, saleratus, tomatoes, vinegar, cheese, lard, tea, coffee, nutmegs, flour, oil;

 

.88       receipt: Joseph Moulton, Newburyport, May 12, 1873, received money from Wm. Graves, trustee, for Mrs. N. N. Moulton, proceeds from estate of Wm. Moulton;

 

.89       heirs of Wm. Moulton in a/c with Wm. Graves, trustee, Newburyport, June 1873