Finding Aid to Alexander Jackson Davis Papers, 1826-1965

Col. 114

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Winterthur, DE 19735  
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Background note:
Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892) was born in New York City to Cornelius Davis and Julia Jackson. Early in his life, Davis showed remarkable talent for drawing, his sketches always having a meticulous, romantic look to them. When Davis was sixteen he dropped out of school and one year later he became a compositor in a printer's shop. During the 1820s, Davis took up lithography, becoming a respected worker in that field. Davis later met painter John Trumbull, an amateur architect and cartographer, who convinced him to become an architect.

In 1823, Davis was a member of the “Antique School,” meeting in the rooms of the Philosophical Society in New York City. Later in the decade, he executed a series of architectural drawings of famous buildings in New York City and New England. As a result, Davis enjoyed a reputation as a well-known and masterful lithographer.

Even as he followed a career in lithography, Davis became an apprentice for J.C. Brady, a New York architect. Subsequently, Davis met Ithiel Town who was so impressed with his work that he asked Davis to be his associate in February 1829. After 1843, Davis embarked upon a solo career, continuing in practice alone for more than thirty years.

Davis--on his own and with Town--designed a remarkable number of buildings. As partners, Davis and Town primarily planned commercial buildings, including four State capitols (Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio) as well as New York's Custom House and numerous museums, hospitals, and college buildings. Davis designed many churches, banks, and private homes as well. In addition, his studies inspired other individuals as they created their own designs. At one point in his life, Davis claimed to have designed the most buildings of any living American architect.

As one who appreciated all of the arts, Davis was involved with many societies during his life. Most important perhaps, Davis was one of three architects who established the American Institute of Architects in May of 1837. He resigned in later years because he believed the A.I.A. had strayed from its original purposes.

Davis' drawings and designs echo the trends of his time. Early in his career, Davis was a strong revivalist. He also became an advocate of the eclectic. And, throughout his work reflections of the romantic movement are evident, especially in his drawings and lithographs. Davis always referred to himself as an “Architectural Composer,” an excellent descriptor considering that his designs and drawings exhibit the delicate, planned, romantic ideas that he creatively brought together.

Scope and content
This collection consists of material in a variety of formats that documents the architectural training and career of A.J. Davis. Included are blueprints, floor plans, photographs, lithographs, manuscript and printed volumes, newspaper and magazine articles, and correspondence. The largest single group of papers relate to the Rotch House in Massachusetts.

Organization
Boxes 1-7 contain scrapbooks and other volumes that were created or used by A.J. Davis. Boxes 10 and 11 contain information about the house Davis built for William Rotch in Massachusetts. Boxes 8, 9, and 12 contain information about other of Davis' projects.

Administrative information
Restrictions
None

Copyright restrictions may apply

Provenance
Purchased from various sources.

Purchased from various sources.

Additional descriptive information
Note
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Repository code: DeWint File name: Col1 14.xml Abstract: Alexander Jackson Davis was a noted American architect, a proponent of the Gothic Revival movement. The collection consists of floorplans, blueprints, lithographs, photographs, manuscript and printed volumes, building specifications, and correspondence related to his career. Extent: 2.5 linear feet Date range: 1826-1965, bulk 1826-1854 Related materials: Language: English Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera Winterthur, DE 19732 (302) 888-4853 Alexander Jackson Davis Papers Col. 114 Creator: Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892) Title: Papers Dates: 1826-1965, bulk 1826-1854 Call No.: Col. 114 Acc. No.: [various - see numbers on detailed description] Quantity: 12 boxes Location: 18 L 1-3

Added entries
Subjects
  • Architects - United States.
  • Architecture - Designs and plans.
  • Architecture - United States.
  • Architecture, Domestic - United States.
  • Bowery Theater (New York, N.Y.)
  • Branch Bank of the United States (New York, N.Y.)
  • Church architecture - New York (State) - New York.
  • Fonthill Abbey.
  • Gothic revival (Architecture) - United States.
  • Heraldry.
  • Historic buildings - United States.
  • Hubbard, Bela, 1814-1896.
  • Indiana State Capitol (Indianapolis, Ind.)
  • Interior architecture.
  • London (England) - Pictorial works.
  • Masonic Hall (New York, N.Y.)
  • Merchant's Exchange (New York, N.Y.)
  • Phoenix Bank (New York, N.Y.)
  • Public buildings - United States.
  • Rotch House (New Bedford, Mass.)
  • Rotch, William James, 1819-1893.
  • Second Congregational Church (New York, N.Y.)
  • St. John's Chapel (New York, N.Y.)
  • St. Paul's Church (New York, N.Y.)
  • St. Thomas' Church (New York, N.Y.)
  • Swain, D. S.
  • Town, Ithiel, 1784-1844.
  • Trinity Church (New York, N.Y.)
  • Washington Institute (New York, N.Y.)
  • Watercolor painting.

    Contributors
  • Elmes, James, 1782-1862. Metropolitan improvements: or London in the nineteenth century.

    Genre terms
  • Architectural drawings.
  • Blueprints.
  • Drawings.
  • Letters.
  • Lithographs
  • Notebooks.
  • Photographs.
  • Photoprints.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Watercolors.

    Functions and occupations
  • Architects.
  • Artists.
  • Lithographers.

    Contact information

    Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library
    [http://www.winterthur.org]
    Winterthur, DE 19735

     

    Collection inventory
    Scrapbooks kept by A.J. Davis, accession numbers 66×148.1-.5
    		Boxes 1-5

    .1.  1st page “Memory- Noology, imagination, reason, reflection, singing. A.J. Davis”

    		Filled with lithographs and engravings including famous people (Samuel Morse, Rembrandt, Diderot, Raphael, Michelangelo), Greek urns, pedestals, vases, landscapes (Prevensey Castle, Sussex, Egypt)
    Most lithographs appear to be from the same source, though it is not identified; many pages feature writing in French or Italian; one page with a quote of Diderot's with the English translation; at end, a copy of an engraving of Davis' own sketch of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.
    No binding, though pages still sewn together

    .2.  1st page: “Various;” full of engravings, mostly putti; antique and baroque scenes from Biblical and mythological stories; small landscapes; front cover is missing; many blank pages

    .3.  Title page “Monkeyana: or Men in Miniature;” 1st page, “Joseph's First Album, by John Allan and A.J. Davis, 1863-1865;” filled with pictures, mostly of military figures and dress, many of which were published by T. Goddard, 1 Pall Mall & 1 Booth, Duke St., Portland Place; birds and animals; some engravings have been colored; cover detached and most pages are still sewn together

    .4.  Lacks title page; filled with newspaper articles announcing meetings, gallery openings, speeches, art conventions, anything cultural; opening article from the “Evening Star” is about a meeting with Davis at his studio; some pages of quotes; many pages are loose

    .5.  “Letters of an Architect from France, Italy, and Greece, by Joseph Woods and corresponding members of the Society of Georgofili at Florence. London: Printed for John and Arthur Arch, 61 Cornhill, 1828.” 2 vols. Davis wrote notes in the margins


    Printed volume, accession number 67×101
    		Box 6

    Metropolitan Improvements: or, London in the Nineteenth Century; Displayed in a Series of Engravings of the New Buildings, Improvements, etc...., by James Elmes. London: Published by Jones & Co., 1829.
    1829.


    Four pamphlets, accession numbers 76×323.1-4
    		Box 7

    .1.  “Erec. No. 1. Ionic: From the Flowered Ornament on the Necking, termed by Grecian Architects Anoemion.” Describes the temples of Athens and in particular those of the Ionic order, especially the Erechtheion. Written on front cover in pencil: “the four A.J. Davis.”

    .2.  “Erec. No. 2.” Continues from.1, describing in detail the dimensions and decoration of the Erechtheion; last page in pencil: “In going to Astor Library, consult Inwood's Erectheion where he speaks of Besalibos.”

    .3.  “Architectural Criticism.” Criticizes several different buildings, usually Gothic, and how their additions have not been in keeping with their architectural style; quotes heavily from “Tappan's Professional Observations on the Architecture of France and Italy.”

    .4.  “Character--causes of failure, etc.” Continues from.3; praises the lines, beauty, and appropriate character of Greek architecture; pages in brown and blue ink and pencil; cover detached


    61×19.105-.106.  Receipts for three months room rent in the Merchant's Exchange Building
    		Box 8

    .105.  Dated May 2, 1853
    Dated May 2, 1853

    .106.  Dated February 1, 1861
    Dated February 1, 1861


    67×102.  Description of Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire, with Views. London: William Clarke, New Bond Street, MDCCCXVII

    		In ink on front: “Fonthill Abbey.” Includes hand drawn floor plan signed by Davis. Book has four illustrations, “drawn and engraved by J. Storer.” On last page of book, the words splendor and Finis are written in pencil to look like typeprint.


    68×96.  Scrapbook, labeled on front in pencil: “Emblems[,] Symbols[,] Sir Joshua Reynolds[,] Bank Notes;”

    		Contains loose papers with cut banknotes and images taken from newspapers or magazines, usually with a mythological or classical image.

    Attributed to A.J. Davis.


    68×181.  “Artistical Notebook. Index,” a manuscript volume (unbound).

    		Written on cover: “Moral Emblems a small quarto, coloured plates gilt.”

    Contains drawings and watercolors of what are termed “heroic devices and emblems,” taken from a work entitled Heroic Devices, dated 1557, in the possession of John Allan.

    Attributed to A.J. Davis


    68×198.1-3.  Three letters in ink to A.J. Davis from Wm. J. Rotch discussing Davis' plans for a house for Rotch

    .1.  Rotch asks Davis to draw plans for his house in New Bedford; Davis had been recommended by John Angier; letter dated April 14, 1845.
    dated April 14, 1845.

    .2.  Rotch tells Davis that he prefers a “Gothic Cottage” and wants a wood house; he will pay up to $5000; refers to Downing's new book; letter dated April 26th 1845
    dated April 26th 1845

    .3.  Rotch asks Davis about ideas and the costs of carving and materials in New York; he says the house will cost about $6000; in pencil “Broadway near Maiden Lane. locks, mortice $3.00, butts $4.00 per doz. 7/ per door;” in ink “Answered July 10'45... best mortice locks $3.00, butts, per doz., 4.00, knobs of porcelain.87 1/2 each”; pencil and ink in Davis' handwriting; letter dated July 7, 1865
    dated July 7, 1865


    68×198.4-11.  Eight letters in brown paper folder labeled in pencil “D.S. Swain, Gov., N.C.

    .4.  To A.J. Davis from D.S. Swain; commissions Davis to do an interior plan of a house; letter dated April 18, 1845 from Chapel Hill..
    dated April 18, 1845

    .5.  To Davis from Swain; dated June 13, 1845 from Chapel Hill.
    dated June 13, 1845

    .6.  To Davis from Swain; explains how last letter was never sent; dated Aug. 8, 1845 from Chapel Hill.
    dated Aug. 8, 1845

    .7.  To Davis from Swain; refers to letter Davis wrote Dec. 28, 1844; letter dated Oct. 3, 1846 from Chapel Hill.
    Dec. 28, 1844;

    .8.  To Davis from Swain; comments on an announced engagement of an unnamed individual; letter dated Feb. 26, 1847 from Chapel Hill.
    dated Feb. 26, 1847

    .9.  To Davis from Swain; dated Oct 10, 1847 from Raleigh.
    dated Oct 10, 1847

    .10.  To Davis from Swain; dated Nov. 16, 1849 from Chapel Hill.
    dated Nov. 16, 1849

    .11.  To Davis from Bishop W.W. Green; requests help in finishing a church; told to do so by Swain; letter dated Feb. 3, 1846 from Chapel Hill, NC; at end in Davis' handwriting: “Answered Feb. 23 '46 with acknowledgement of drawings by J.H. Ruffin of Campus.”
    dated Feb. 3, 1846


    68×198.12.  Letter to Davis from C.W.T. Cromwell, discussing shape and size of siding for his house; dated Aug. 23, 1851 from Rye, N.Y.
    dated Aug. 23, 1851


    68×198.13-15.  Drawings of a man with a beard.

    .13.  Small pencil drawing; rear view of a man with a hat sitting in a chair and reading a newspaper; paper appears to be cut to crop picture.

    .14.  Pencil drawing of a man cutting his beard holding a mirror; written on back of mirror “Reynolds 78 NY”; signed “A.J. Davis, Architect, NY”

    .15.  Pen and ink drawing; side view of a man sitting and reading a floor plan; chair appears to be a Greek Klismos chair; lower right corner, a cross with a winding bottom; upper right corner, “Reynolds NY 1878”; on back a crossed out watercolor, then cut to crop picture.


    68×198.16-18.  Drawings or watercolors signed by Davis;

    .16.  Tiny drawing mounted on blue paper; a Federal style house on a hill, 3 stories high with an arcade on side and a balustrade; labeled “New London Homestead” and “Lewis House” at bottom of drawing; “Drawn by A.J. Davis”

    .17.  Watercolor in brown; on left a man with a top hat sits next to a tree on a hill that overlooks a harbor; 6 sailboats and a dinghy in harbor; buildings and land in background; “A.J. Davis 1828” in lower left corner; “New York from Weehawk” in lower right corner

    .18.  Watercolor in brown; 12 men in top hats and tails milling around on deck of a boat; wood planks with a fence; 1 sailboat in water; skyline in background; along bottom sketches of tops of different buildings with names-“St. Peter, Murray, St. P. West, Wall, Trinity, Liberty, Dutch, Wm., Exchange, St. George”; signed “A.J. Davis 1828;” lower right corner: “NY from Steamboat”


    68×198.19-25.  Floor plans in color;

    .19.  Folded paper; on top 1 plan, when opened a second appears; first plan (at top in pencil “122,” in ink “5”) is plan of a house, probably the first floor; no bedrooms; central hall leads back to octagon shaped drawing room; library, cabinet, office on left side; dining room, stairs, breakfast room on right side; 2 wings, conservatory on left and kitchen on right, balanced and symmetrical; names of rooms written in English.

    		2nd plan: first floor of a different house; central vestibule and atrium; on the left a library and another room; on the right 2 rooms; 2 wings featuring a gallery and arboretum on the left and a kitchen on the right; symmetrical; at top in pencil “123, See Elevation in Cosmorama”; in ink “no”; room names and scale recorded in Latin.

    .20a.  1st plan; floor plan with central hall to octagon shaped drawing room; on left, a boudoir, library, cabinet, office; on right, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen; not symmetrical

    .20b.  2nd plan; first floor plan; central hall leading to domed drawing room; library on left and dining room on right; 2 wings: conservatory on left and kitchen on right; sketched front elevation; domed Federal style house; symmetrical; scale for house which is 170 feet long; at top in pencil “125 Wm. P. Van Rensaler”; in ink “3”

    .21.  Floor plan; same layout as a classic Greek Temple; central hall with a drawing room on left and a dining room and library on right; in back, chambers and kitchen; an arcade surrounds the building; at top in pencil “Wadsworth”; in ink “Designed for Mr. Wadsworth, Geneseo NY by A.J. Davis 1833”

    .22.  Folded paper with 2 floor plans; on left of plan: details of walls and slopes of roof; central dome; circular staircase; “Second Story, W.P. Chapman Esq”; rectangular with wing on right where servants' quarters are located. On right of plan: first floor plan of same house; central, octagon shaped hall leading to library; parlor and another room on left; dining and other room on right; circular staircase; in wing: pantry, storage, kitchen; terrace on back corners. Total length including terrace is 113 feet; on upper right in ink “113”; “Gothic Villa of W.P. Chap. near Rye, Westchest. NY”; prices per room listed; right edge is cut off affecting text, but plan is intact.

    .23.  Floor plan of a small, almost square, building; central hall and salon; library and another room on left; dining and pantry on right; building surrounded by a terrace or porch; on bottom; in ink “Plan H. Sheldon, Millbrook. 1838”; on the back is a plan similar to the one on the front, though it is unfinished and not labeled; in pencil: “Study S.M. Fox Esq”

    .24.  Floor plan similar to that of a basilica; central hall leads to a salon; circular stairs and rooms; colonnaded front porch and on sides and back; “Study for Gardener Howland `30” on bottom in ink; on top in pencil “for G. Howland”; on back cut drawings and pencil study of a staircase.

    .25.  Plan similar to.24; labeled illegibly in pencil; on side in ink: “Study for Gardener Howland, Flushing, see the several Albums”.


    69×20.  Davis family crest

    		Watercolor drawing of crest, glued to brown paper, showing a yellow horizontal band; 2 light blue and purple cinquefoils above band and one below band; above the shield is a pouncing lion, wearing a blue and orange crown with jewels and other decorations.

    At bottom center in ink: Davis; on left “Crest. A lion's head erased OR. Ducaly crowned GU;” on right, “A fees. OR. between three cinquefoils AR. upon a field SA.” at bottom right of brown paper in pencil “drawn by A.J. Davis American Architect”


    69×197.  Two drawings: elevation and floor plan for Astor's Hotel, in matted folder

    		At top: elevation of left side and front, of large domed building with towers on each corner; front entrance has a portico. Labeled: “Design made for Astor's Hotel, NY, by I. Town and A.J.Davis, Arc'ts, 1832, Stodart & Currier's Lith., 137 Broadway NY 1832”

    Bottom half, first floor plan; shows rotunda, Gothic Hall, two open courts, a dining room, separate parlours for ladies and gentlemen, and private chambers. Labeled: “Plan by Ithiel Town, Arc't....”


    69×227.  Color photo of a private home, Gothic Revival; shingled roof; clapboard siding; gingerbread. On back “George M. Cushing Photography, Boston. B7450-H. Wm. J. Rotch House taken Spring 1967 just before Mrs. John M. Bullard moved out.” Glued to white mat


    68×198.26-31.  Different elevations of a building designed for Philip and Archibald Kearney called “Central House”.
    		Box 9

    .26.  Front elevations of blocklike building with 3 vertical rows of windows, separated by pilasters; central door; rusticated surfaces; heavy cornice; flat roof with 3 atriums; “Study for Old Phil Kearney” on bottom; upper right corner, in pencil “no 4 See Kearney book full”

    .27.  Cross section of building in .26; 4 stories high with a basement; symmetrical; in ink “Section East- West thro center”; “VIII Kearney” in pencil

    .28.  Cross section of building in .26; shows 4 stories and basement; “Section thro the center of Central House” in ink; in pencil “Kearney”

    .29.  Plan of the basement for the house in.26; “Basement” top right; in ink “for P.K.”

    .30.  Floor plan; square; 3 vertical sections; to the left, 3 rooms with stairs in middle; central area: dining room, stairs, drawing room; to the right, 3 rooms with stairs in middle; “Principal Floor”; upper right in ink “for P.K.”.

    .31.  Bound pamphlet in brown paper; on front in pencil “Old Phil Kearney”; first page: “Specification... for building a dwelling house on 22nd St. between 4th Ave. and Bloomingdale Road for Philip and Archibald Kearney Trustees... Alex. J. Davis, Architect”; explains all materials and building specifications for excavator, mason, brick layer, plasterer, carpenter, plumber, etc.


    68×198.32-34.  Floor plans drawn by Bela Hubbard, client and possibly friend of A.J. Davis

    .32.  Floor plan on tracing paper; not symmetrical; octagon shaped hall with stairs; on the left, a dressing room, bedroom, library; on the right, dining room, drawing room, and plant cabinet; wing on back with kitchen and pantry; total length of 75 feet; total depth including wing 83 feet; at top left in ink “Bela Hubbard, Detroit, Feb. 1854”

    .33.  Plan on graph paper; plan similar to .32; dimensions given for each room; at bottom, in pencil “Study by Bela Hubbard for 2′ Story House at Detroit”

    .34.  Floor plan; central hall leads to stairs; on left, parlor and library; on right, bedroom, dining room, and drawing room; wing with kitchen and storage; overall dimensions: length 100 feet and depth 44 feet; at top in ink “Study for and by Bela Hubbard at Detroit”.


    68×198.35-43.  Various elevations of different buildings

    .35.  Ink drawings of tracery for Gothic style windows or decorations for porch railings; at bottom in pencil “Details porch W.F. Worthington Esq.”

    .36.  Front elevation of building; 3 stories; 6 windows across on second and third floors; 4 windows and door on first floor; windows in basement; no real decoration

    .37.  Front elevation; 2 point perspective; Greek Revival; 4 fluted columns forming an arcaded porch; central pediment and door; 2 wings with flat roofs and smaller doors; large dental molding and triglyphs; no other ornamentation; 8 steps to columns; written under pediment “Pietas Ludovigi Regis XV Christianissimi”

    .38.  Front elevation; townhouse; symmetrical; 2 central doors next to each other; bay window next to each door; second floor, 4 windows across (2 on each house); pyramid roof with 2 chimneys; bay window on each side; left house also has a porch on its side; at bottom in ink “Front”; at top in pencil “to keep B 5”.

    .39.  Front elevation of a symmetrical town house; central arched doors separated by a Doric column; bay window on each side of door; 5 steps to doors and a small balcony over doors; pyramid roof with two chimneys; at bottom in pencil: “Front elevation avowing [sic] an attic, or inferior story, making carved arched heads in 2d story windows necessary as they rise above the beams of the attic floor. Plain Tuscan portico”

    .40.  Top shows a front elevation; central recessed portico two stories high; 11 steps to portico; 3 pilasters; 4 windows above 4 windows; simple decoration; on roof 2 urns with a statue in between; bottom shows a floor plan of the building; no rooms shown or dimensions

    .41.  Top is a front elevation of a Greek style structure; bottom part has 2 short Doric columns and the top 2 tall Corinthian columns; building named N.Y. Geog.; bottom drawing shows 3 floor plans without description or dimensions

    .42.  A cut-out front elevation of a Gothic Revival building; 3 central doors; windows across top 3 floors; pattern of first story: 2 windows, 2 doors across building; pilasters separate each window and door; fairly flat roof

    .43.  Front elevation; bottom 1/5 of paper folds up, beneath fold is a variant of how the building might appear with a door and more windows; 3 sets of windows, 3 stories high; decoration around windows increases from left ones to right ones; 5th Avenue address


    68×198.44-.47.  Elevations and floor plans

    .44.  Six separate colored drawings; long, thin plans for each floor of a townhouse featuring an oval staircase; dimensions given; a-“Attic;” b-“Third Story;” c-“Second Story;” d-“First Story;” e-“Basement;” f-“Cellar”

    .45.  Floor plan in pencil for a theatre; circular central section with side seats forming two aisles; lower right: “1570 spaces... 755 seats... 2 galleries”

    .46.  Floor plan--half in pencil, half in ink--for a theater in a semicircular shape; at top 2 small drawings of theaters in 2 squares

    .47.  Cross section showing 1/2 dome on right, flat ceiling on left, small portico on right, large arcade on left with Doric fluted columns


    68×198.49.  Line drawing of a Gothic Revival house


    68×198.50-.52.  Drawings of furniture and panel

    .50.  Watercolor drawing of 3 furniture pieces: a desk, a writing desk, and a Gothic Revival chair

    		On back: Mathesius and Frey, Cabinet Furniture and Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY

    .51.  Watercolor drawing for bench, front and side views

    		in pencil: “Scale 1 in. = 1 ft.”
    On back: Mathesius & Frey, Cabinet Furniture & Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY

    .52.  Watercolor drawing of a cabinet; design on cabinet panel similar to panels on bench (68×198.51) and writing desk (68×198.50)

    		In pencil at bottom: “Scale 1 inch = 1 foot”
    On back: Mathesius & Frey, Cabinet Furniture & Upholstery, 91 Bleeker St., NY


    Watercolors of Rotch House, accession number 69×220.2-.14
    		Box 10

    .2.  Watercolor of exterior of Rotch house

    		Angled front and right side; large front yard; on back “Wm W Crapo New Bedford 275 25629”
    In white mat

    .3.  Watercolor of interior of Rotch house

    		upstairs landing; painted walls; carpeted floors; stairs to right with statue and clock on half landing; large chest to left with sconce and picture above on wall; 3 doors to rooms; pictures on walls and windows above landing
    In white mat

    .4.  Watercolor of interior

    		Vertical; large window with window seat; rocking chair and table in front of window
    In white mat

    .5.  Watercolor of interior

    		Rooms with eaves on either side; window at center; on right, couch under eave and chest next to window with a mirror; on left, bookshelves under eave; secretary next to window with pictures above; round table in center with a chair and a rocking chair with rush seats; wall paper and area rug
    In white mat

    .6.  Watercolor of interior

    		Vertical; same room as photograph with Stanford Crapo (69×220.40)
    In white mat

    .7.  Watercolor of interior

    		Room with an alcove; door on left; table; screen to alcove; window in alcove; on right, a chair and sideboard; in center, a pedestal table with 4 unmatched chairs; large chandelier over table; pictures and clock on walls; area rug
    In white mat

    .8.  Watercolor of interior; same room as 69×220.18

    		Window on each wall; bookcase and bed in corner; on right, a writing desk and a stool under window; rug and brightly patterned valences on windows; pictures on walls
    In white mat

    .9.  Watercolor of part of garden

    		Garden gate and fence with X design; open and low; bright flowers and large sun flowers on inside of fence; path leads to gate
    In white mat

    .10.  Watercolor of exterior

    		2 large trees in foreground; 1 small building; clapboard with 3 windows in back; a picket fence on left; on right, a small wood shed by fence; faint buildings in background;
    In white mat

    .11.  Watercolor of interior

    		Vertical; shows doorway on right and staircase through doors; on left, a fireplace with mirror candelabra and objects on mantle; area rugs and brass (?) guard around firebox
    In white mat

    .12.  Watercolor of interior

    		Vertical; at center, 3 wood stairs up to doorway; through door see bookcase with sets of books; at bottom of steps, table to right and chest to left; carpeted floor; wallpaper in room with bookcase
    In white mat

    .13.  Watercolor of interior

    		Vertical; stables; on right, 2 stalls for horses (1 horse); wood floor and walls; on left, door to outside; various equipment hanging on walls
    In white mat

    .14.  Newspaper: Boston Cultivator, vol. 12 no. 2, Boston, MA, Saturday morning, January 12, 1850
    January 12, 1850

    		Article on front page about Rotch house; front elevation, floor plan, and critique taken from the Horticulturalist. Critique says that a full second story would be better than the existing 1 1/2 because of the warm climate
    At top to right “Esther R[illegible]” in ink; underneath “Presumably Peirce or later member? G?” in pencil; to left “Given to John M. Bullard by Sarah Scudder Ashley, great- granddaughter of WJR @1950” in pencil.
    Outside corners are ripped and repaired


    Materials about Rotch House, accession number 69×220.15-.55
    		Box 11

    .15.  Brown covered pamphlet entitled “Specifications of house at New Bedford for Wm. J. Rotch Mason” (in ink) “to be included in the carpenter's bid” (in pencil). At upper right a description of materials and procedures for building

    .16.  Brown covered bound pamphlet entitled “Specifications of House at New Bedford for Wm. J. Rotch Carpenter” (in ink).

    		First page: “Dwelling house for Wm. J. Rotch... according to plans by Wm. R. Emerson, Architect.” Describes materials and procedures for a timber house. (Same Wm. Rotch that commissioned A.J. Davis or his grandfather?)

    .17.  Copy of typed text. First page and extract from “The Architecture of Country Houses..., by A.J. Downing” and his ideas about the Rotch house designed by Davis. Page 2-32, text written by an unnamed descendant of Wm. Rotch. It describes the house, its structural changes, the families who lived in it, and the furniture in the house. He lived in it with his wife (a Crapo) beginning in the Fall of 1946.

    .18.  Sepia photo; interior; cut on right side (1/2 of a stereoscope card?)

    		Painted ceiling; walls have coverings; fireplace on right wall; Large dresser with mirror; 3 chairs; 1 round table; desk at window with woman writing
    On back: “Smith 04” in ink. “Mrs. W.W. Crapo upstairs in Rotch House” in pencil

    .19.  Sepia photo; interior; cut (1/2 of stereoscope card?)

    		Painted and designed walls; chandelier; pictures; 1 table with books; 2 chairs; 1 door to left open to a staircase on right; A portal to entrance hall and another room. On back “Prinnell”

    .20.  Black and white photo of a private house

    		Angled front and right side view; house in snow
    Mounted on silver and white paper; Christmas card?

    .21.  Black and white photo of a private house; frontal view

    		Large lawn in front with circular drive in between; 5 people on grass (4 women and 1 man) playing croquet; 3 people in drive (1 man and 2 girls); 2 women on steps of house; On back “postcard”

    .22.  Black and white photo; exterior

    		Angled front and left side view; same photo as 69×227;
    On back “George M. Cushing. Photography 306 Newbury Street, Boston 536-4750” “B7450-H 2826 B22-45”

    .23.  Black and white photo of drawing

    		Frontal view of Gothic Revival house; very precise like an architectural drawing; pen and watercolor; on back; small “1 1/2 +3”

    .24.  Black and white photo; interior

    		Front doors and entrance hall; 1 door on each side and 1 closet between each door and front door; painted walls; Identical chairs and columns each with a statue geometrically arranged. On back, Cushing “B7450-K 2826 B2-45”

    .25.  Black and white photo; interior

    		Painted walls and ceiling; parquet floors with area rugs. Sofa and oval coffee table (marble?); fireplace on right. Secretary and chair on left; portraits above secretary and mantle wall hangings frame secretary; 2 doors, 1 leads to room with table and clock. On back, Cushing seal “B7450-N 2826 B2-45”

    .26.  Black and white photo; exterior; on heavy paper

    		Same photo as 69×220.22, though not as sharp

    .27.  Black and white photo on heavy paper

    		Same photo as 69×220.25, though not as clear

    .28.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Similar to 69×220.24; Entrance hall with front doors; identical chairs and columns with 2 statues; Design in floor (geometric); round design in ceiling (for chandelier?); room appears octagonal

    .29.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Frontal view of fireplace featured in 69×220.25; marble(?) with metal guardrail and wood rack; Mantel flanked with identical cut-glass pedestal jars; portrait of a man above mantel; Fireplace flanked by doors

    .30.  Black and white photo on heavy paper: interior

    		Design on floor and painted walls
    Center doors flanked by narrow closet doors; appears to be the other 1/2 of octagonal entrance hallway;On back “Please credit Grinnell Birchfield Farm South Dartmouth, Mass.” “Geo C & Su 4150 B2-45”

    .31.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Same photo as 69×220.24, but not as clear

    .32.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Formal dining room; in center a round pedestal table with 4 chairs (2 armchairs and 2 side chairs); behind table a window with shutters; identical display on either side of the window: a wall-hanging, a chest, 2 crystal carafes, a plant in a metal pot, and a marble (?) column; floor design is like that of the entrance hall

    .33.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Similar to 69×220.32 but includes left wall window with table and chairs, chests and columns; on left wall: a fireplace identical to the one in 69×220.29 with an ornate (baroque?) mirror, candelabra, a mantel clock; there is a swinging door to the right of the fireplace

    .34.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Chest (desk?) with chair in corner; on top are 2 candelabra and a tureen on tray; Portrait of a man above chair on other wall; a sconce to the right. There is a door that leads to other rooms. Design in the floor is identical to the entrance way

    .35.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Like 69×220.34, a chest and portrait to the left. In the middle there is a door to the other rooms; on the right 2 chairs with a portrait of a woman above. In the center of the room is a table with 3 chairs and fruit resting on top.

    .36.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Room with a fireplace on the right wall. In front are 2 settees with stackable end tables. On back wall is an entrance to a small room with a bow window and a fountain. Design in floor like the entrance way. Above fireplace is a mirror identical to one in 69×220.29. To the left is a coffee table.

    .37.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		In foreground is a coffee table (like in 69×220.36) with a couch. Behind the couch is a window; to the left of the couch in the corner is a highboy and a chair 2 wall hangings and design in floor like entranceway.

    .38.  Black and white photo on heavy paper; interior

    		Fireplace (marble?) flanked by 2 doors. In front of fireplace are identical chairs facing each other with identical end tables; decorated footrest in between; round convex mirror over mantle.

    .39.  Black and white photo; exterior

    		Angled left side and front. Brick chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; large bow window on left side; Gothic Revival

    .40.  Four sepia photos glued to black paper. On back of paper “2nd Batch”

    1.  Photo identical to 69×220.18 with caption “Mrs. Wm W. Crapo”

    2.  Photo of interior large window in alcove; in center a round table with a man writing; at the back a desk with papers; captioned “Stanford T. Crapo”

    3.  Photo of interior; 3 women and 1 man playing cards at a round table in center of room; a fireplace with an oval mirror on back wall; faded caption on side: “Mrs. William Crapo, Mrs. (?) Trappezo, Mrs. Thomas Coland (?) and Stanford T. Crapo”

    4.  Photo of interior identical to 69×220.19

    .41.  Sepia photo; exterior

    		Angled front and right side; large lot in front
    On back in ink: “From JGR Built by Mr. J Rotch about 1840. 1954 now 19 Irving Street, lived in by John M.T.C.C. Bullard” in pencil there is a map of rooms and bedrooms with names.
    On brown board; broken and ripped

    .42.  Sepia photo of an exterior; matted in beige and in a wood frame; photo similar to 69×220.21

    		Family members are playing and watching a croquet game. Full front elevation of the Rotch house; large front yard.
    Written on back: “Left to right in Front: Clara M. Rotch, wife W.J.R.; Morgan Rotch, son of W.J.R. and Emily Morgan Rotch; Nannie Rotch, sister of Thos. M. Rotch; Helen Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR, later wife of Thos. M.R.; William Rotch, who built the house at 7 Orchard St. about 1845, moved back about 1908 to 19 Irving St. (Its own grounds shown in picture); Sarah (“Zaidle”) Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR. In drive: Emily M. Rotch, daughter of WJR and EM. Above: Anna S. Rotch, daughter of WJR and EMR; Aunt Helen, mother of Thos. M. Rotch, widow of Rodman Rotch, she was Helen Morgan; Susan Rodman, 1st cousin of WJR, CMR, and EMR, later caccia of Italy. Taken in 1867 or 1868 (EMR and ASR may be reversed).”

    .43.  Blueprint of Rotch house with changes in pencil;

    		“First Floor Plan scale 1/4” = 1'0; Alterations for Mr. Henry Crapo; corner Irving and Maple Sts. New Bedford, Mass. Jan. 23, 1928 Feb. 17, 1928. Measured Drawing of Existing Building; Wm Tallman Architect, 202 Union St. New Bedford, Mass. Drwg. No.1.”

    .44.  Blueprint of Rotch House with changes in pencil

    		Same writing as 69×220.43, except “Second Floor Plan Drwg No. 2”

    .45.  3 typed pages on onion paper

    		Entitled “A. J. Davis and his Critics, letter from Davis in `Horticulturalist' Feb. 1850, pp. 389-90;” pages are numbered xvi, xvii, xviii.
    Letter is a rebuttal to an article in Jan. issue of Horticulturalist critiqueing and disapproving of the Rotch House.
    No evidence of who typed the pages.

    .46.  3 typed pages

    		Entitled “Extracts from `Romanticism in America.' Published by Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore May 1940”
    On the last page Henry T. Crapo describes gothic urban architecture mentioning A.J. Davis, A.J. Downing, and the Rotch House in New Bedford

    .47.  2 typed pages on onion paper

    		Entitled “From `The Architecture of Country House; Including Designs for Cottages, Farm Houses, and Villas' by A.J. Downing; D. Appleton and Co.; 1850, page 295”
    Same excerpt about Rotch House as the 1st page of 69×220.17

    .47a.  Black and white photo of house

    		Angled left side and front
    Gothic revival; Rotch House; identical picture (but smaller) as 69×220.39

    .47f.  Typed letter on onion paper to Mr. Crapo from Wayne Andrews who asks for permission to photograph Rotch House.
    Dated September 16, 1945

    .47h.  Letter on ruled paper to Wayne Andrews from Mrs. Bullard's uncle, Mr. Crapo, answering Andrews' request, offers photographs and information about house.
    Dated September 21

    .47g.  Typed letter on onion paper to Mr. Crapo from Wayne Andrews thanking him for permission to photograph house; photo only to be used in libraries and museums
    Dated September 23, 1945

    .47d.  Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews thanking her for permission to photograph the house
    Dated October 5, 1945

    .47e.  Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews thanking her for the opportunity to photograph and for having a tour of the house
    Dated November 2, 1945

    .47b.  Handwritten letter on onion paper to Mrs. Bullard from Wayne Andrews; he enclosed it with a copy of Davis' letter to the Horticulturalist magazine
    Dated November 29, 1945

    .48.  Typed on onion paper; “Emily Knowles Interviews 9/12/64”;

    		Brief description of who slept where on an undated night. Mention of chimneys of house: “Were they ever built?”; (“Yes, see croquet picture” in pencil); Copy is found an last page of 69×220.17

    .49.  Handwritten letter to John Morgan Bullard from Jane B. Davies [Mrs. Tyn Davies] thanking him for a tour of the house and pictures of it
    Dated July 31, 1967

    .50.  Black and white photo

    		Angled left side and front view; large front yard; taken before move; Entitled “residence of Morgan Rotch.” “Photo Eng. Co. NY” in lower right corner
    Ripped, taped on back, wrinkled

    .51b.  Typed letter on blue stationary; to Helen from Aunt Elizabeth

    		A sympathy note for Helen's mother, telling stories about family gatherings at Rotch House Dated April 4, 1949

    .51a.  Handwritten white card, talking about Aunt Elizabeth Kidder

    		Is she a du Pont or a Huidekofer?; no other names or signatures.

    .52b.  Envelope with typed address: Mrs. Francis Gray, 349 Marlboro St., Boston, MA

    		Written in upper left-hand corner: “letter from Mrs. Henry P. Kidder who was 96 on May 30th”

    Postmarked Meadville, PA, May 30, 1947
    May 30, 1947

    		Accompained by letter described below

    .52a.  Typed letter to Helen from Aunt Elizabeth; answering a letter

    		Writer talks about family and other little things, mentioning the Rotch House (referred to as Old Gable House)
    Dated May 29, 1947
    Accompanied by envelope, described above

    .53.  Article from unnamed magazine dated Oct. 1927, page 122, entitled “An Architect of the Romantic Era: the Career of A.J. Davis, a Favorite in the Fifties who has Lately Been Honored by the Metropolitan Museum,” by Richard H. Pratt;
    dated Oct. 1927,

    		Describes Davis' style and popularity; shows drawing of Rotch house; written in ink at top “This man, Davis, must have built the Rotch house on Orchard Street”
    Badly folded and ripped, old tape holding it together

    .54.  Magazine article from Town and Country, November 1947, pages 114-117, 130, 132, 134-135: “America's Gothic Hour--How Alexander Jackson Davis guided our Romantic Movement Backward to `Modern' Architecture”
    November 1947,

    		Describes Davis' career, the many houses he designed, and how he developed the Gothic Style

    .55.  Entire issue of House Beautiful, February 1965
    February 1965

    		Title of article (p. 90) “The Impatient Evolution of the American House,” by Wayne Andrews
    Article follows architecture of America from its beginnings
    Page 98: photograph of the Rotch House designed by A.J. Davis


    70×24.  Lithograph labeled “Branch Bank of US Erected 1825, Front 75 feet, On stone by A.J. Davis, E.M. Thompson, Architect, New York, Imbert's Lithography”
    1825,
    		Box 12

    		On back: “Artist--Davis, Subject--Branch Bank of US, 1830. Lithograph, Gordon Dunthorne, Etchings and Engravings, 1726 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC;”

    in pencil: “Keech 1830”


    70×25.  Lithograph labeled “Merchant's Exchange, New York, Imbert's Lithography, E.M. Thompson, Architect, on stone by A.J. Davis”

    		On back: “Artist--Davis, Subject--Merchant's Exchange 1830.” Lithograph Gordon Dunthorne, Etchings and Engravings, 1726 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC”


    70×31.  Colored lithograph labeled “Phenix Bank, Imbert's Lithography, M.E. Thompson, Architect, N.Y., Davis.”


    71×8.  Ink and watercolor drawing of a gazebo; titled “Temple of Confederation, Erected on Newark Common July 4th 1826;” signed “Drawn by A.J. Davis;” on back, in pencil “Whithead”

    		Gazebo has 13 columns with Ionic capitals, small Roman arches between each; small cornice; roof is open, a bar from each column curving up to center to form a dome; at the top of the dome is a fancy finial reading: “Independence July 4th 1776 Liberty and Equality;” Under cornice and above arches, names of men involved in the Revolutionary War; around arches, names of the 13 states or colonies; on columns, winding around, names of Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Vines and flowers grow all around the columns, cornice, and dome


    71×24.  Colored lithograph labeled “Masonic Hall, Front on Broadway, 50 Feet. “On stone by A.J. Davis, H. Reinagle, Architect, Imbert's Lithography.”


    71×164.  Cross section of a building; on left, a portico with 3 fluted Doric columns leading to a small dome with Ionic columns, leads to large cylindrical room with a dome, leads to a small 1/2 dome with Doric columns, leads to rear entrance with fluted Doric columns; central room creates a tower at center of building; other 2 domes have small cap on roof; a 2nd level is underneath 1st level with doors and a spiral staircase to central room; lower left: “Town and Davis Arch'ts”; lower right: “Stirewalt Delineator;” torn at upper right; lower left corner broken off but present


    71×252.  Lithograph labeled “Washington Institute, New York, Lithogy of Pendleton, 137 Broadway, NY A.J. Davis del.”; in pencil “1829”


    72×59.  Pencil drawing of “Chapone Seminary, New Rochelle 1830, A.J. Davis del.” Pencil drawing; exterior of house; front and left side elevation;
    1830,


    72×250.  Picture labled “Bowery Theatre, New-York. Drawn and Engraved expressly for the New-York Mirror, and Ladies' Literary Gazette. 1828. A.J. Davis del., W. Hooker, Printer. Rawdon, Wright, & Co. Sc. N. York Sera Archt.”
    1828.


    72×302.  Lithograph labled “Second Congregational Church N.Y. Erected 1826 corner of Prince and Mercer Streets--front sixty three feet. A.J. Davis, del. J.R. Brady, Architect. Imbert's Lithography.”
    1826


    73×23.  Lithograph labeled “Design for a Village Church.” “A.J. Davis, Architect. Bufford's Lithog. 114 Nassau St., N.Y. On stone by J.H. Bufford.”

    		Gothic revival style church


    75×14.  Watercolor drawing of the exterior of a building, front and side elevations

    		On left, front elevation, symmetrical, center doors with 12 step staircase, fluted Ionic columns supporting small roof for porch, small sash window above door with panel with Greek key under it, large pilasters with no column on either side of door, 1 window on either side of top window; on 1st floor, large sash windows on either side of front door with small windows under them for basement; geometric, abstracted designs on roof which is basically flat; underneath: “Front on Jones Street”

    On right, side elevation: almost identical to front but no doors, 1st floor windows are equal in size to those of 2nd floor; on right side of building, a profile of porch with a staircase; underneath “Front on Broadway, Scale 1/8 inch to the foot;” drawings on thick board with crusted glue around edges as if in a frame; badly cracked horizontally; on back in pencil are different numbers with neither order nor logic


    78×272.  Picture labeled “Residence of Ithiel Town, Esq., New Haven, Ct. A.J. Davis del.”


    78×287.  Pictures of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island, New York

    .1.  “Bird's Eye View of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Blackwell's Island, New York.” A.J. Davis, architect, Currier's Lithographer.

    .2.  4 small pen and ink sketches of the Blackwell Island asylum

    		Drawing on top: “Elevation of the North End”
    Three drawings on bottom: Section East to West of Chapel, Elevation Center Building, Section North to South of Chapel.

    .3.  Elevation of the Eastern Front and Plan of the Principal Floor Lunatic Asylum, Blackwell Island”

    		Top: Elevation of the rear of the building. Central building has Doric columns and portico; each of the 2 arms has a recessed Doric portico; 2 octagonal buildings are shown; a row of windows runs straight across the building.
    Bottom: U-shaped floor plan with notes written in pencil.


    78×288.  Lithograph labeled “Merchant's Exchange New York” Thompson, Architect; Imbert's Lithography; on stone by A.J. Davis. In pencil, “Peters, p. 232, ca. 1826-1829”


    Unnumbered.  Black and white photo of a private home. Angled front and right side view; Gothic Revival; 2 chimneys; shingled roof; gingerbread; On back “Rotch House New Bedford 1977”